Ergo January 30

A BYTE OF LIFE

Friday, January 30, 2009

Vol. 3

FREE CIRCULATION

No. 18

» Pages 4 & 5

As Rider Mania 2009 unfolded in Ooty, Ergo rode along with motorcycle club Madras Bulls from Chennai

TO HILLS WITH BULLS

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ERGO Friday, January 30, 2009

Namma Chennai

Be the change Have you always wanted to do something for your city? Join other interested volunteers to talk about how you can play a role in the city’s infrastructural growth. A volunteering workshop will be held tomorrow at Janaagraha office, 13, Chittaranjan Road, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. For details call 98414 87984.

Exhibition

Picture perfect A constant search for decisive moments takes this photographer places. Varun Gupta’s latest exhibition of photographs were taken at Ladakh. When: Till February 14 When: Goethe-Institut, No 4 Rutland Gate, 5th Street Ph: 2833 2343

Theatre

We are 15 In celebration of 15 years of Thespian en, a number of mono-acts are lined up on January 31 and February 1. Catch various theatre groups stage them. The plays to be staged include Albert Camus’ Caligula by Michael Muthu of Boardwalkers; Pradeep Dalvi’s This is Nathuram Godse Speaking by Vinay Varma of Sutradhar, Hyderabad; William Shakespeare’s Macbeth by Ajit Chitturi of Thespian En; Alfred Tennyson’s Ulysses by Arka Mukhopadhyay Logos Theatre, Bangalore and Vijay Tendulkar’s Silence, the Court is in Session by Archita Chandra of Thespian En. The mono acts will be staged at Backyard, Alliance Francaise at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are priced at Rs. 200 and Rs. 100, available at Amethyst, Anokhi and Landmark stores. For details call 98401 27103

Workshop

All the world a stage ‘The Method and the Madness’ – a two-day workshop on acting for the English stage will be conducted soon. It is being organised by British Council in association with Holycowtheatre, UK. The workshop will deal with the theoretical and practical issues in dealing with performance (voice and movement), text (approach and interpretation) and ensemble work (working with cast, designers and directors). For registration walk in to BC, 737, Anna Salai, or call 4205 0600, email [email protected]

Music

Singing with Shreya Devdas, Munnabhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Om Shanti Om... Shreya Ghosal’s popularity only seems to be growing. The Sri Kutchi Milan Madras Charitable Trust is organising a performance by the playback singer in the city. The proceeds from the show will go towards various social projects. When: January 31; 7 p.m. Where: Music Academy For details call 97162 41411

Music

Music

Musically yours The Alliance Francaise of Madras along with Musee Musicals is organising an evening of Western classical music by Mira T. Sundara Rajan on the piano. When: February 1; 6.30 p.m. Where: Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium

Metal act All you metal band fans, do stop over at K.R.M.M Hall this Saturday. Unwind Centre is presenting ‘Metalise’ – a metal music fest. Blood and Iron, Blind Image, Blood Covenant, among others, promise to rock the crowd. When: January 31; 6 p.m. Where: K.R.M.M. Hall, 4th Crescent Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Love is in the air

Valentine’s Day is round the corner and while you are getting ready to make that first proposal or woo your loved one, here’s why you must have a quick peek at some of these interesting findings. Love aspirations Around 70 per cent of women around the world believe that men base their fantasies primarily on the steamy love scenes enacted by their favourite TV and movie stars, with provocative adult magazines placing a close second.

For better or for worse

Preparing for the dream date ~ Don’t jump to conclusions: No matter how tempting it is. The whole reason you’re on a set-up is to be surprised, so be open to the experience and avoid immediate judgments. Even if your date is not your usual type – a little tall, a bit short, wears glasses or has a funny voice – just roll with it. ~ Do your research: Use your friend’s insight to your advantage. Ask your mutual friend about your date’s interests, hobbies, pets, family or other quirky facts. ~ Don’t get lost in a crowd : If you’re meeting your set-up in a public place, make sure it’s somewhere you can easily find. Not knowing what your date looks like should be exciting, not a reason to miss dinner. Also, make sure you choose a place where you can actually have a decent conversation.

Expectations are inevitable when it comes to engagement rings. French women must be easy to please — 84 per cent thought their engagement ring was perfect. By contrast, almost half the women in the UK (44 per cent) said they were less than thrilled about their fiancé’s selection. It’s an even split in India, where half the women adored their engagement rings when they were first presented with them, and the other half were left feeling devastated and distraught.

Wish upon a star If you had just one wish what would you change about your partner? American women (44

per cent) and Dutch women (62 per cent) want a thoughtful mate who understands that “choreplay” is sexier than foreplay. Men, get those vacuums revving! Breaking a sweat does more than just raise your heart rate. Australian men, Italian women and American men wish their partners were more physically fit, while the French look for the finer things in life. French women wish for a better-looking mate while half the men wish for a more cultured partner.

Love security Twenty-seven per cent of North American men find perfect love in their friends’ relationships and 21 per cent of women see it in their parents.

What women and men want North American men (44 per cent) are turned off by excessive makeup – simplicity and natural beauty is what they want. (This survey was brought out by Harlequin publishers – who have entertained millions of people worldwide with their sensational romantic Mills and Boons series for the last 60 years)

Man immolates for Tamil cause A

27-year-old man who set himself ablaze on Thursday citing the Sri Lankan Tamil cause died in a hospital later. The shocking incident unfolded in full view of the public inside Shastri Bhavan complex in Nungambakkam. The man, identified as Muthu Kumar, a native of Tuticorin, was known to be staying with his sister and her husband in Kolathur. He was employed as a DTP operator in a small Tamil magazine office in Royapettah. He allegedly took the extreme step after being disappointed over the plight of the Tamils in Sri Lanka due to the war. According to police sources, Muthu Kumar had reached Shastri Bhavan at around 10.30 a.m. with a can of kerosene and doused himself with it. After raising anti-Sri Lankan government slogans he set himself on fire and then ran around engulfed by flames shouting pro-LTTE slogans. He soon collapsed on the premises. Police soon reached the spot and rushed Muthu Kumar to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. He suffered over 70 per cent burns and succumbed to his injuries later in the day. Before his death he gave a death declaration to the police in which he mentioned that the Central Government should take up the Tamil cause seriously at least after his death, added police. ■ Ergo Correspondent

Because mummy knows best This virtual hangout for moms in Chennai is driven by fellow moms. Why not join them?

‘I

need a nanny for my 18-month-old son. The nanny should engage my son is activities like reading, playing, etc. in addition to taking care of him from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.’, ‘Can I find a good gynaecologist in Tambaram?’, ‘Can DPT vaccine be administered to a child when he has cold?’ … . Questions like these abound when you are a new mom or someone unfamiliar to the city. What do you do then? Confide in a colleague, look for help in your neigh-

bour (but I don’t speak Tamil!) or in the least call up your parents/in-laws for whatever little advice they can offer? Thanks to the Internet, today even the most technology-challenged of us rely on the virtual world for every piece of information. Cashing on this trend is Bhavani K. Raman, founder of www.chennaimoms.com – a platform that allows mothers to address, rant, fret or laugh about anything that concerns mothers. Quest for local information about the city after her

Bhavani Raman (founder) and Rajaa Murugan (co-founder) of Chennaimoms

return from the U.S. motivated this mother of two and a former software engineer to come up with such a platform with her friend Rajaa Murugan. “The information is all about Chennai. Queries related to schools and gynaecology top the list,” says Bhavani. So, who is answering the umpteen questions they are bombarded with day-in and day-out? The website so far has over 400 registered moms who answer the questions – they are moms who either know the city very well or have a so-

lution to every question their folk go through. They need not necessarily be in Chennai, but have some link with the city. “Forty to 50 per cent of our members are women who have taken a break from work,” Bhavani says about how net-savvy women have become. Besides asking, advising and associating with other mothers, chennaimoms.com also conducts contest for mothers, has a blog and many more upcoming features. Happy networking! ■ Liffy Thomas

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ERGO Friday, January 30, 2009

Big Story

The Madras Bulls assemble in Ooty before heading to the Rider Mania ’09 venue on January 24

Biker Brotherhood Ergo joins the Madras Bulls, Chennai’s Royal Enfield motorcycle club, on its road trip to Ooty, where Rider Mania 2009 was underway A custom-made Royal Enfield

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.00 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2009, outside Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam. Sleepyheads heading to buy the morning’s milk and newspaper woke up to the recurring roar of puffing engines. Not one, not two but an army of over 80 Royal Enfield motorcycles throttling and all set to hit the road ahead, like Steppenwolf’s ‘Born to be Wild’. The dawn invaders here were members of Madras Bulls, Chennai’s Royal Enfield motorcycle club, who were ready to ride to the Nilgiris for the seventh edition of Rider Mania, the annual Royal Enfield enthusiasts’ event. Ergo rode along with the Bulls those 570 kms to the Queen of Hills to witness the biker camaraderie first-hand. On India’s biggest motorcycle ever produced, we cruised ahead with over 80 riding Bulls to the Rider Mania destination. A sense of pride in riding in rows of Royal Enfields, to the accompaniment of other roadies’ envy and baffled bystanders, made the morn-

ing ride an unforgettable experience for us. Passing Vellore, Ambur, Vaniyamabadi, Krishnagiri, Mettur, Satyamangalam, Mettupalayam and Conoor, our biker contingent reached the Ooty hilltop at around nine in the extremely nippy night. We did make mini halts to cool our engines, fill our stomachs and at times answer some puzzled onlooker about our mission. Interestingly, some thought it was a motorcycle race, while some even quizzed us whether we were soldiers heading for the Republic Day parade.

The event The chilly dawn of January 24, 2009, in Ooty was invaded by Royal Enfields as riders from different parts of the country rolled into Ooty to be part of the two-day biker event. Hosted this year by Rolling Thunder Motorcycle

The Madras Bulls badge

Club (RTMC), Bangalore, Rider Mania 2009 witnessed 600 motorcycles and over 1,000 Royal Enfield enthusiasts, including a few women riders. Biker clubs from all corners of the country, including Meghalaya, Delhi, Haryana, West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, added zing to the biker event in the hills. Rider Mania 2009 had a number of events for which various clubs fought for the top spots. Titled ‘Bike Wars’, the bike dismantling and rebuilding competition was entertaining, apart from the arm-wrestling events for both men and women. The best modified bike exhibition on Day Two at the venue was a showstopper, where some innovative club members displayed their custommade bikes, much to the awe of others at the venue. Prizes were given away for Best Biker Club Entry into the Venue (Madras Bulls clinched the honour) and also for the best pair and female rider. An entertainment night and rock show breathed extra life into the riders on Day One. Overall, RM09 was a grand event, the climax being all the club representatives convening to decide the venue and host of Rider Mania 2010. Madras Bulls’ big shots reveal that next year it might be Chennai or Mumbai.

A classic Royal Enfield from a Karnataka club

An innovative army design from a Maharashtra club. PHOTOS: PETLEE PETER

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Ergo’s picks from Rider Mania 2009

Mania’s tiny head-banger The youngest participant at Rider Mania 2009 was R. Neel. A 15month-old roadie, Neel rode along with his father Rajesh, who is a member of the host club, Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club, Bangalore. Neel, who is the youngest member of RTMC, had come to the Nilgiris all the way from Bangalore along with fellow RTMC riders. Sporting a Rider Mania 09 t-shirt, Neel, according to his father, is part of the head-banging community of the RTMC as he shakes his head to the sound of any music.

The elderly biker couple English couple John Smith (61) and his wife Trudy (62) were the senior-most biker couple at Rider Mania 09, who rode on their modified Royal Enfield Standard Bullet. The duo, who had also been to Rider Mania 2008 in Hyderabad, had flown from England to Goa exclusively to be part of the biker event in Ooty. An ardent Royal Enfield rider, John, along with Trudy, plans to ride his Bullet from England to India soon. He said he has already applied for a visa to ride through Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan enroute to India.

RERAM Royal Enfield Riders Association of Meghalaya (RERAM) was the only Royal Enfield Club from the North-East at Rider Mania 2009. Formed in 2006, RERAM has 78 fulltime members back in Shillong. However, five members from the Club had come along with Madras Bulls. Honorary invitees P. S. Warjri (49) and his Lucy (48) of RERAM termed the ride to Ooty an “interesting new experience”. Interestingly, riding on the plains proved a little difficult and new for the RERAMs as opposed to the hills which they are used to cruising on back home. Petlee Peter

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ERGO Friday, January 30, 2009

Bhupathi-Knowles win

Sport

Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles thrashed Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach 6-3, 6-1 to reach the final of the men’s doubles event of the Australian Open.The third seed Indo-Bahamian pair proved too good for their unseeded Polish-Austrian opponents as it took them just 58 minutes to win the semi-final encounter.

Safina sets up

Power packed

Serena showdown

Serena Williams kept the American flag flying at the Australian Open, gritting herself out from some tight positions to reach the women’s singles final. While the women’s draw was completely dominated by the Russian brigade with three of them making the last-four stage, Serena was the only person to challenge their dominance downing two Russians on her way to the final. With vocally endorsing the 44th US President Barrack Obama and also by surprising her opponents with not only her power-game but determination and opportunism, she has definitely won a few admirers.

Younger Williams aiming for her 10th Grand Slam

(Each week we feature a player who has defied odds and come out as a winner during the past week. If you have a choice of your own for next week send it to us at [email protected])

PHOTO: AFP

D

inara Safina overpowered her fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 7-6 on Thursday to join Serena Williams in the final of the Australian Open. The combination of Safina’s heavier shot-making and aggression proved too much for Zvonareva as the third seed closed out victory in one hour and 46 minutes under a closed roof at the Rod Laver Arena. Safina won four games in a row to take the opening set after trailing 2-3 then broke Zvonareva’s brittle serve to force the tiebreak after the seventh seed blew her chance to force a deciding third set. Safina, 22, reached the French Open final last year but is now on the verge of a first Grand Slam title after rebounding from a shaky start to the tournament to produce her best performance when it mattered most.

PLAYER OF

THE WEEK

Added incentive The winner of Saturday’s final will receive an added bonus of taking over the world number one ranking from Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic, who was knocked out in the fourth round at Melbourne Park this year. “Since I was growing up it has been my dream one day to be number one,” Safina said in a courtside interview. “To play against Serena and to fight for the number one is just going to be unbeliev-

able. I just hope it will be a good match that we can all enjoy and whoever wins, we’ll shake hands at the end of the match and say ‘well you deserve to be number one’.” Safina is also vying to complete a unique family double in Australia by emulating her older brother Marat Safin, who won the men’s singles title in 2005. “I watched my brother on TV winning this tournament and even when I watch it now I have tears in my eyes,” Safina said. “It is great that I can follow his footsteps because he was my idol and he is still my idol. That I’m doing as well as him is just amazing. It was his birthday two days ago, maybe I have earned some money to buy him a gift.”

Great going Meanwhile, Serena shook off form worries to storm into the Australian Open final and immediately declared herself ready to join the elite club of players with 10 Grand Slam titles. Second seed Williams rediscovered her lethal serve as she overpowered Russia’s Elena Dementieva 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals to bring the fourth seed’s 15-match winning streak to a juddering halt. The win means Williams will contest the 13th Grand Slam decider of her career. ■ Agencies

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Friday, January 30, 2009

‘‘

He’s (Usain Bolt) mind-blowing. I don’t know what to think about him. He’s doing things that no one in history has ever done. He’s a great talent. Maturity and experience will make Bolt even faster. Former 100 metres world record holder and Olympic champion Maurice Greene

Chelsea move up Blues into second after 2-0 victory over Boro

S

alomon Kalou’s goals sent Chelsea up to second place in the English Premier League in a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough as Liverpool was held to 1-1 at Wigan. Kalou scored in the 58th and 81st minutes at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as Chelsea revived from a poor first half. Liverpool squandered the lead at Wigan after Yossi Benayoun scored just before halftime, Ahmed Mido marked his debut for Wigan with an 83rdminute penalty. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez surprisingly took off Spanish striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard. He sent on Robbie Keane for the team’s best player, Gerrard, even though he had dropped the Irish striker for Sunday’s FA Cup game against Everton.

Strange justification “Torres was tired. The same for Gerrard,” said Benitez, whose team hosts Chelsea on Sunday. “We have to think about the performance in the first half, the team was playing well and with a lot of confidence with the ball. If against Chelsea we can do the same, I am sure we can keep the rhythm.” The draw dropped Liverpool to third, level on points with Chelsea but behind on goal difference. Both are two points behind Manchester United which opened up a lead by winning 5-0 at last-place West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday. A day after being arrested over allegations of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman, Robinho helped Manchester City beat Newcastle 2-1 to lift the team to ninth in the standings. It was also the Brazilian’s first game since he walked out of training last week without permission, a move for which he will be fined by the club. Robinho set up the first goal for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Craig Bellamy marked his first

appearance with the second goal. “I think today was more about focusing on the football,” City manager Mark Hughes said after a hectic week. “We’re delighted with the three points and we have a game in hand. We’re unbeaten in four games and won three of them and we’re not in bad shape at the moment.”

Arsenal scrape through Robin van Persie’s last-minute 1-1 equaliser for Arsenal at Everton came after Tim Cahill gave the home side the lead. Despite the point, Arsene Wenger’s fifth-place Gunners slipped even further behind the leaders and now have eight points to make up on Manchester United which has a game in hand. “With one minute to go and you’re 1-0 down then you’re relieved (to get the draw),” Wenger said. “We had a difficult game tonight and played with a lot of intensity, focus, desire and our character allowed us to get a point. It was more down to fighting than creative passing.” Blackburn hit back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bolton, one of manager Sam Allardyce’s former clubs, and West Ham beat Hull 2-0, the Tigers losing for the sixth Premier League game in a row. Bolton’s Matthew Taylor and Kevin Davies stunned Allardyce by putting Bolton 2-0 up inside 35 minutes at Ewood Park. But Steve Warnock replied in the 66th and, after goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen saved Benni McCarthy’s penalty, the South African striker netted the equaliser in the 87th. ■ PTI

Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou (right) vies for the ball against Middlesbrough’s Anthony McMahon (left) during the Premiership match at Stamford Bridge in London. PHOTO: AFP

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ERGO Friday, January 30, 2009

Dior

Portfolio

Jean Paul Gaultier

Givenchy Valentino

A

fter the men’s fashion week in Milan, the action shifted to Paris, where the spring/summer 2009 haute couture collections have presented a study in contrast and similarities. The event has given fashion mags and fashionistas enough to look forward to. Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy mixed sharp tailoring with chiffon, almost lending the clothes an inter-draped effect. The spray-painted look seems to be catching up, testimony being Stephane Rolland and Australian designer Cathy Pill. At Jean Paul Gaultier, super high-waisted skirts and trousers and sharp, edgy shoulders ruled. So did the season’s new flavour – lace. Shoulders remained a focus at Armani Prive, too – almost concave, just like the hems of the jackets and skirts. Christian Lacroix, on the other hand, had fun with colour and prints, mixing polka dots, stripes and what not. Also, watch out for the over-sized ceramic bangles. Felipe Oliveira Baptista combined warrior chic (helmets, leather gloves, et al) with some extremely sexy tights. Alessandra Facchinetti’s exit from Valentino put Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli at the helm. The duo didn’t disappoint. Beside Valentino’s trademark red dresses, emeralds and blues made an appearance with classic ivory. Elie Saab’s line looked like an extension of Halle Berry’s wine-hued lace Oscar gown (that of the strategically-placed flowers). On the other hand, John Galliano for Dior played on the exaggerated hourglass form, with drama shoulders (again), narrow waists and billowing skirts. Plus, dramatic umbrella-sized headgear. Happy 2009? ■ Shalini Shah

Highlights from the spring/summer 2009 haute couture lines showing in Paris

Christian Lacroix

Stephane Rolland

Elie Saab. PHOTOS: AFP

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Empire Armani In recent seasons, you’ve pushed the envelope in women’s wear with more experimental skirt and pant silhouettes. Do you have the impulse to do the same with menswear? Menswear comes with many more conventions than women’s wear, so pushing the envelope results in more subtle developments. I do my best to innovate in a way that is masculine and wearable – usually through variations in cut and fabric, rather than anything more ostentatious. ... Provocation makes people say, ‘Oh, but who’s going to wear that?’ and it’s game over.

Do sober times call for sober menswear, escapist menswear – or something else? For me, design is about timeless style and eternal values rather than transient trends. Today calls for elegance and comfort in dress – just as yesterday did and tomorrow will.

Armani Fall/Winter 2009-2010. PHOTO: AFP

In recent years, designers such as Hedi Slimane and Thom Browne have pushed menswear forward with extreme silhouettes and ideas that have proved influential. What do you think of their approaches? Every designer of note has a personal approach, and I respect any designer who sticks to that approach with conviction, passion and clarity of vision. Personally I believe that great menswear will present the wearer in the best possible light, without overshadowing his character. ... Men don’t want to be a hanger for designer brands, in the way that women want to be able to say, ‘I wear Armani, I wear Gucci, I wear Yves Saint Laurent.’ No, men are much less interested in that.

Any idea what the next big idea or trend in menswear might be, and where it could come from? There has already been a swing back to more formal clothing, and I think this will continue, but the garments will be interpreted using modern fabrics and manufacturing techniques, and so will be a hybrid between traditional and contemporary.

What feeds you and drives you in terms of menswear inspiration? I am inspired by all manner of things – art, books, people I meet, travel, and especially film, which has been a passion of mine since I was a boy. I am open to the world around me, and that is what inspires me.

Amid a subdued Milan Men’s Fashion Week overshadowed by economic jitters, Giorgio Armani was alert yet serene in the face of the downturn. An interview:

You’ve long been a fashion reference for the corporate world. But now that Wall Street has imploded, will your fashion focus change? Who is your customer now? Armani has many facets, from formal clothing to jeans and T-shirts, so I do not feel I appeal particularly to a corporate customer. Instead, I aim to dress any man who shares my preference for elegance and style over transient fashion trends, and this could be a professional, or a teenager at college.

You’ve now put your name on almost everything, including the kitchen sink. Is there anything else you would like to design – or a category of product you would never touch? I am only limited by my imagination, and as I have a powerful imagination I am sure I will continue to find new areas of product I can develop. At present I am particularly occupied by my hotels and resorts project – the first Armani hotel will open this year in Dubai, and this will be followed next year by the opening of my hotel in Milan. Many of my recent new products have been in the area of technology – mobile phones and televisions – and this is a field I am particularly interested in. It might be fun to imagine an Armani computer, for example. As for a product category I would not touch – I never rule out any possibilities.

During the last few boom years, we saw extremes in luxury and also of discounting. How do you think it will all shake out? The past few years have seen a number of extremes in the fashion market, and it is probably a good thing that these will now be moderated. In particular, the recent notion that anything expensive can qualify as a luxury offer needs to be readdressed. If we are lucky, when the dust settles we will be left with good brands at every level of the market. ■ NYT News Service GETTY IMAGES

Men don’t want to be a hanger for designer brands, in the way that women want to be able to say, ‘I wear Armani, I wear Gucci, I wear Yves Saint Laurent.’ No, men are much less interested in that.

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ERGO Friday, January 30, 2009

Flick Dev Patel desperate to work with Will Smith S

lumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel is a huge fan of Will Smith and is so eager to work with him that he is using interviews to urge the star to get in touch with him. Patel once waited at a premiere for three hours just to get a photo with the actor, reports imdb.com. In a recent chat with US news show Extra, Patel said: “Hello, Mr. Smith… Please let me do a film with you. I stumbled upon your premiere of Hancock in London and I waited three hours. It’d be great even if it’s a small role like shaking your hand or so-

mething... Thank you.” Patel also has big plans to work with Jim Carrey and Leonardo DiCaprio. Frieda Pinto, who played Patel’s love interest in Slumdog Millionaire, is a big fan of DiCaprio and has said that she would love to work with the star. She said: “I’ve fantasised about him. I had a crush on him ever since Titanic... This is really embarrassing, but I had a scrapbook with everything Leonardo in it... He’s a really nice person. The crush is gone but the admiration is still there.” ■ IANS

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Reunion?

Kevin Federl ine had a reunio n, of sorts, with ex -wife Britney Spea rs and family when he joined the si nger and their tw o sons for a family barbeque. According to sources, the rapper had come to Sp new home on ears’ January 25 to pick up sons Pres ton, 3, and Jayden, 2, from their w However, th e Toxic star’s eekend visitation with Sp ears. father Jamie barbeque, re in ports People . Federline, w vited K-Fed for a family at 2 in the no ho on, left with arrived at Br itney’s home Preston and Jayden arou nd 5 p.m. ■ ANI

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Perfect escort Adding fuel to rumours of an affair with Amrita Rao, actor Harman Baweja played the perfect escort to his Victory co-star at a promotional event at a jewellery shop.

Cine City

Mamta fares well Actress Mamta Mohandass is on cloud nine. Though she did not earn reviews as a good actress, she fares well as a singer. Mamta’s recent number, ‘Daddy Mummy veetil illa’ from Vijaystarrer Villu is a chartbuster. She is one of the favourites of music director Devi Sri Prasad, who scored music for Villu. The western number has given adequate space to Mamta to express herself as a talented singer. Her sensitive modulations also add charm to the song.

When Rishi romanced son Ranbir’s first crush

H

ow would you feel if you see your father romance your first crush? Well, Ranbir Kapoor reveals he had a similar experience as a teenager. On the upcoming episode of Farhan Akhtar’s TV show Oye! It’s Friday! Ranbir pours his heart out and admits that he felt cheated when he saw his dad, Rishi Kapoor, romancing his childhood crush Madhuri Dixit, a source from the channel said. “Ranbir confesses that as a teenager, he had a huge crush on Madhuri and that he even had posters of her in his cupboard. He talks about the time when he finally got to meet her on the sets of Prem Granth only to find his father romancing Madhuri in the film,” the source said. ■ IANS

Ritheesh to produce soap After two films, Kaanal Neer and Nayagan, J.K. Ritheesh is trying his hands in television serials. The actor is planning to produce a mega serial with actress Meena in the lead. The serial titled Aandal would be broadcast on Kalaignar TV. Meanwhile, we also heard that Ritheesh is getting ready for his next film, tentatively titled Vettai Puli.

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ERGO Friday, January 30, 2009

Thursday’s Question: Suggest titles for Vijay and Ajith’s 50th movie. ■ Ajith: ’Thalai’ku mela pona ambthu enna nooru enna. Vijay: Super star’aga parkkum sumaar star.

Karthik, Ramco Systems

■ Ajith - thala thala than, Vijay - intha padamavathu oduma.

■ Vijay: ’ambu’ aka ’Arrow’ and Ajith’s: ’nan vanthutten’ aka ’ I’m back’ Goutham Infoview Technologies

■ Vijay: Thupakki, Ajith: Basha 2010 Prem HCL

■ Vijay: Indian James Bond nadikum Chennai is not enough, Ajith: Vatti for each ticket. Dhilip RR Cognizant

Rajeshkumar TCS

■ Ajith - ulagam sutrum ’vaali’, Vijay - ninathadhai nadippavan. Sivakumar Ganesan Perot Systems

■ Ajith - ’Thala’, Vijay - na poster hero.

■ Vijay: Mokka, Ajith: Aaravaaram Dinesh Cognizant

Narayan from IBM Daksh, Chennai has nominated his team as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked in Valparai.

■ Vijay: Kaka, Ajith: Geography Bavitiraa.G Wipro

LM.Kaushik Infosys

■ Ajith ’Uyir Mei’, Vijay ’Kadal Mattum’ Sivaa.G Birlasoft

■ Vijay "Muruga Kappathu", Ajith "50 50" Senthil TCS

■ Vijay: Evlavo pandrom idha panna maatoma, Ajith: Kulla 2009 Sangu, Anandhi, Pavi, Mahi Wipro

■ Vijay: Vairam, Ajith: ’Thala’ Ivan Saravanakumar Wipro

■ Vijay: ’Xerox’ because most of his hits are Xerox copy of other language movies. Ajith: ’Super Hit’. At least super hit in the name. Safeer TCS

■ Vijay: Remake Raja, Ajith: Thala Senthil Arjunan Calsoft Ltd

■ Vijay s 50th film title – Pooran, pambu (snake), Kabada Ajith s 50th film title – Ariviyal Part 2 (science) Like varalaru (history)or Poriyiyal (engg). Stephen Issac Raj S

■ Vijay – Ambu Ajit - Thala ( Heads & No Tails) Saravana Kumar Y.V HCL Technologies Ltd .- BPO Service

■ For Vijay Thotakaran For Ajith : Sogan

R Karpagam from HCL Technologies has nominated her friends as Partners in Crime. This photo was taken in a park in Coorg.

T.Sundaresh HCL

Today’s Query: If you get a chance to become ‘Hollow Man’ for a day, what would you like to do? Send in your mobile query suggestions to [email protected] with the subject line: Mobile Query

Sharmila of Satyam Computer Services Ltd has nominated her freinds as Partners in Crime. The picture was taken in Munnar, Kerala.

13

Friday, January 30, 2009

Phani Gandi of HCL Technologies has been nominated as Office Angel by Sivakumar R. His presence, attitude and smile will always increase team’s zeal. A friendly person who bears the responsibility of team’s pleasure and enjoyment.

January 30 ■ Paru Puipa (Poo poolavalae)... Malargal malarvathu narumanathukaga.. Athukaga nee kulikama poo vaikakuudathu.. Paru ithu unn piranthanal please innaikaachum perfume aadikama poo vaikama kulichitu va ok va Happy Birthday buddy!!! By Unn perfumal mayankinoor sangam Tata Consultancy Services

■ Dear Pushpa Flowers blossom to give fragrance But u have blossomed to give fragrance to flowers.. Happy Birthday buddy!!!! Art featured in this column will receive gift coupons from Fruit Shop on Greams Road. Send in your addresses so that we can post the coupons.

With Love & Affection Kamal, Ranjith, Dinesh, Senthil Sharanya, Deepa, Balaji, Shilpa Tata Consultancy Services

■ Dear Subha, Pirranal ashamsakal fone moley!!! Wish you many more happy returns of the day!!! We wish for you that whatever you want most in life, it comes to you, just the way you imagined it. Regards, Alcatel 5620 Team Wipro Technologies.

■ Dear Prashanth, Every moment in a day has its own value, Morning brings Hope... Afternoon brings Faith... Evening brings Joy... Night brings rest... Wish you find them all day throughout the year...

Vidya of HCL Technologies doodled this.

With best wishes, Deepika Financial Software Solutions

■ Dear Uday / Rani (Shobha), Many More Happy Returns of the day. May all your wishes come true from now on. We hope that you have the best birthday that you could wish for And We hope that the candles on your cake go out with your first puff for then your wish will come sparkling true! Thanks and Regards, Accenture Services Privated Ltd., BCBSM Team Members.

Teacher : "Aana, aavannaa theriyuma?" Boy : "Theriyaadhu, Sir". Teacher : "Kaanaa, kaavannaa theriyuma?" Boy : "Theriyaadhu, Sir". Teacher : "Unakku enna thaan theriyum?" Boy : "Thammannaa, Iliyanaa theriyum, Sir" S Dheepa Infosys BPO

■ Dear Sis, Side by side Or miles apart, A sister like you , Is always close to the heart. I’m blessed with an angel, Like heaven might send, And I call her "Meera", My sister and friend,

Have a lovely Birthday I could`nt let your special Birthday start Without sending wishes straight from my heart Wishes for happiness and for tomorrow to be Very special ,like you are to me. Advance B’day Wishes!!! Love, Rama Wipro Technologies

■ Ram, We are enthralled by your dance and dazzled by your speech (hope we will be befuddled by your treat!!!!!) , May god bless you and fulfill all your dreams. To a very special guy, we are wishing you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many more to come!!!!! Waiting for the treat and best wishes from Ranjani, Rajeev, Brindha, Ramya, Vinodh, Vaishnavi, Santhosh and other members of BP4 team HCL Technologies

■ Hi Ponmudi, Wish you Advance Happy Marriage life. God bless you my friend. Regards, THD, Chennai

January 31 ■ Dearest Varuni, May you have all the joy your heart can hold, All the smiles a day can bring, All the blessings a life can unfold, May you have Gods best in everything. Wishing u a Happy Birthday With Luv, TestAutomation Team Wipro Technologies

■ Dear Rajesh, Wish you many more happy returns of the day!!! We wish for you that whatever you want most in life,it comes to you,just the way you imagined it. Regards, Alcatel 5620 Team Wipro Technologies.

■ Dear Amir Khan Gajini Giri, Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of "YOU" to the world. Wish u a very "Happy Birthday". We hope this year brings you all the happiness, peace, joy, contentment and love that you so deserve!!! Wish you an awesome birthday as you are. God bless you dear. Happy Birthday !! Best Regards dotOPaL Software Solutions Scope International.

14

ERGO Friday, January 30, 2009

Traffic Jam

Burning down the house A lit cigarette burned a home to the ground while its occupants were attending a meeting to help them quit smoking.

sudoku Rashmi Kumari of CGSL captured devotees performing the amavasya pooja in Rameswaram. Hobby: Music

All photos selected for clickpick this month will receive a gift voucher worth Rs.1,000, courtesy Kantilal Diamonds (Ph: 2828 1700). Readers are requested to send their addresses with their entries.

TEAM Editor: Karthik Subramanian [email protected]

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Printed and Published by S. Karthik on behalf of KASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7, CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar, Chengleput Taluk, Kancheepuram Dist., Pin: 603209 & at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553

KAKURO

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Tyrant toddlers

Word’s worth

Romanian police were shocked when they found out the burglars who broke into a kindergarten were pupils.

"Verdugoship" (ver-doo-go-ship) an obsolete word meaning ’the personality of an executioner.’ A verdugo is a hangman or executioner. The word comes from Italian verduco, meaning ’a narrow-bladed sword.’

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 At the beginning of the day you may need to be more attentive in routine activities. As the day progresses, you may be able to regain focus. You may be looking very presentable today. Your life partner or beloved one may shower love on you.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 Today, you may need to be careful of ’scattered thinking’. If you try to handle many things at once, you may end up nowhere. You can be overexpressive while communicating with your love one or partner. Ganesha finds the day to be average.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 You should avoid heavy thinking and too much of mental exercises. If you just go with the flow, everything will be fine. Your thoughts need to be streamlined while you are working. In personal life, everything seems to go smooth and easy.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 Luck factor is supporting you in the second half of the day but at the beginning you may remain impractical. Ganesha suggests you not to react impulsively in meetings. On the personal front, you are advised to take care of your partner’s emotions.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 The day may start with a dull mood but as the day progresses; you may find everything in top gear. Whether you are married or unmarried Ganesha assures one thing, you will express your love dramatically. Day is good in the second half.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

Ganesha finds you busy with various activities in first half of the day. You may need to remain careful while communicating with superiors. On the personal front, Ganesha doesn’t find any major problem. On the whole, it is an average day.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 Ganesha finds you getting busy the moment you enter office. As the day progresses, you may find the stress level increasing. Later you may have a good time with your beloved. Sweet conversations with sweetheart may reduce your stress.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 You could be interested in developing a skill no one might have mastered before. However, you may not be able to spare time from busy office schedule at least till afternoon. In short, it’s a positive and constructive day by the Grace of Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 You may be at peace today hence you will be able to handle office work in due course of time. Your creative projects may reach closer to culmination point. You would be able to spare time for family. In short, it is an easygoing day for you.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 You may be ready to take risks today. Your plus points will be counted and superiors will appreciate you. You may share delightful moments with the partner but if your beloved one is away, you may exchange sweet dialogues. The day is favourable.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 It is a progressive day for you. At the beginning, you may have some important communication regarding work. In the second half you may be dealing with some important work. You may have good dinner time with your beloved or life partner.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 If you were confused about something related to work, today you may attain more clarity on the subject. Your decisions may be firm. You may share very nice time with beloved and may express your heart fully, without worrying about anything. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

16

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ERGO Friday, January 30, 2009

A newborn very rare pelican in Zoo Blijdorp Rotterdam leaves its egg. This rare pelican is the first one of his kind in the Netherlands. AFP PHOTO

Two puppies cloned through fat stem cells from a Beagle donor. A South Korean bio-engineering company claimed a world first, saying it has successfully cloned dogs using stem cells derived from fat tissue. AFP PHOTO

Dolphins swim along Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday. AFP PHOTO