Ergo September 10

A BYTE OF LIFE

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

10 PRODUCTION NO.1 Saif Ali Khan turns producer FREE CIRCULATION

Vol. 2

03 MILLIONAIRE’S NAMESAKE The new phishing trick

No. 175

ONE DOWN, THREE TO GO?

Sourav Ganguly has paid the price for Indian middle order’s pathetic display against Sri Lanka. With Ganguly almost out of reckoning from the home Test series against Australia, the axe also hangs on the likes of Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and even master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. PAGE 09

02 NAMMA CHENNAI

ERGO Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Shopping extravaganza Meena Bazaar – a shopping fest where designers will showcase some of their best works will be inaugurated today at The Accord Metropolitan, T. Nagar. The two-day exhibition is organised by Rajasthan Cosmo Club. For details, call Sanjay at 98410 26264

On Tuesday, the Adambakkam police registered a case of chain snatching that took place exactly a year ago. According to police sources, Sarasu (63) of Peerkangaranai lost her 4.5-sovereign gold chain to a chain snatcher when she had gone to offer prayers at the Anjaneyar temple in Pazhavanthangal on September 17, 2007. Her attempts to lodge a police complaint failed as the cops allegedly misguided her. On Monday, Sarasu met Suburban Police Commissioner S.R. Jangid and informed him about the issue. On the Commissioner’s orders a case was registered immediately at the Adambakkam police station and investigation is underway.

Housewife murdered A 45-year-old woman of Basin Bridge area was murdered at her home on Sunday. Police suspect she was fatally knocked down using a mixer jar. According to police, the deceased was Poongothai, a resident of the railway quarters in Basin Bridge. On Sunday, police found her dead and decomposed body inside her house and an investigation was carried out. Meanwhile, the autopsy report revealed that she died due to a severe blow on the head with a blunt object. Police sources said they found a bloodstained jar of an electric mixer at her house. The victim’s husband, son and sister-in-law, who had gone to Vailankanni in Nagapattinam on September 3, had returned and police are questioning them for vital clues.

Chat with CHOTTU For authentic chat, bhel puri, vada pav or pani puri, Chottu Chat House is the place to be AKSHAY RAMASESHAN

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f you are a great fan of chat and are wondering where to find a good chat joint in Chennai, head straight to Chottu Chat House near Chepauk. The preparation leaves one with memories of Juhu Beach and Chowpathi in Mumbai. Raju, who hails from Rajasthan, churns out the most amazing bhel puri and pani puri in town, ensuring that you come back again. “People really enjoy chat and Chennaiites are no different. Initially, only North Indians used to frequent the place, but soon word spread and the locals give them stiff competition.” Unlike other places, all ingredients here are homemade and this, Raju claims, is his USP. He extends his service by offering grilled cheese sandwiches and the poor man’s burger, vada pav. Cleanliness makes up for constraint of space. Since its inception three years ago, Chottu Chat House has come a long way and is one of the favourite hang-outs of people living in and around Triplicane. The icing on the cake for the hard work put in by the team is the permission to set up a stall on the TNCA premises on weekends.■ ‘Too Good for Critics’ celebrates Namma Chennai’s ‘Kaiyendi Bhavans’ and small eateries. If you can think of a similar place, mail us at [email protected]

Chottu Chat House No 38/2, Arunachala Achari Street, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005. Ph: 044 2858 4433

PHOTOS S.S. KUMAR

FIR registered after one year

03

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

1. What country has the most churches per sq.mile in the world? A: Jamaica, B: Vatican City, C: USA, D: Jerusalem 2. Which is the capital of Ireland? A: Cork, B: London, C: Dublin, D: Edinburgh 3. Which of the following is the only freshwater lake that contains sharks? A: Titicaca, B: Michigan, C. Nicaragua, D: Chilka

The first 20 correct SMSs will get 2 gift vouchers each from Yatra.

The dead millionaire is out phishing PETLEE PETER [email protected]

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id you receive an email informing that your name and initials match that of a millionaire who unexpectedly died recently, leaving behind a big bank balance? If yes, it is a phishing mail, a new entry into the infamous Nigerian scam and this particular type of email has victimised a good number of Internet users in namma Chennai. The fraudulent mail, which appears as if it has been sent by a bank manager in the US, Israel or Africa, tells you that your name and initials coincide with one of the bank’s clients who unexpectedly passed away a few years ago. A sum of $ 300,000, which is in his bank account, has been left unclaimed as he does not have any relatives or family, the mail adds. If received a response, the phisher replies that he can ensure the recipient receives the entire amount from which half the sum should be transferred to him as a 50 % share in the deal. City police sources inform that some Netizens who received this kind of an email had responded by sending more than Rs 2 lakh as ‘processing fee’ on the phishers demands. “After transferring the money to a given bank account the victims had waited for the promised mega transfer. But when that didn’t happen, they realised that they had been cheated and had come to us for help,” said an investigating officer. The Bank Fraud Wing of the Central Crime Branch of the city police are studying these type of phishing mail cases and are gearing up to spread awareness among Internet users in a bigger way. ■

Asiana Hotel gets tagged best hotel Comes up trumps in the Culinary Challenge organised by Indian Federation of Culinary Associations ERGO CORRESPONDENT [email protected]

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siana Hotel on the IT corridor came up trumps as the overall winner of the Culinary Challenge and Exhibition 2008 organised by the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) in Namma Chennai over the past few days. The award ceremony to felicitate the winners of the challenge was held at Radisson GRT on Monday. IFCA is a non profit, apolitical organization of culinary professionals and is India’s sole representative in the World Association of Chefs Societies. IFCA Culiary Challenge and Exhibition 2008 showcased the finest culinary creations by individuals and teams from leading hotels and restaurants, pan India. The competition identifies the best culinary teams in the country who will represent India at prestigious competitions in the international arena. There were six awards that were given away on the occa-

Netizens who received this kind of an email had responded by sending more than Rs 2 lakh as ‘processing fee’

sion. The custom culinary award for the live competition was given to Asiana Hotel. The Pril Hygiene and Food Safety award to GRT Grand for the live contest and Breeze hotel for the exhibition contest. The best pastry Chef award was given to Chef Gopalakrishnan. Radisson GRT bagged the best participating Hotel award. The best team award went to GRT Grand. The overall championship, which goes to the best hotel, was awarded to Asiana Hotel. Speaking on the occasion, Chef Soundarrajan, General Secretary IFCA said: “IFCA hopes to develop an ever expanding culinary network forging a tight culinary bond between the chefs. This event aims at making the chefs to aim at newer goals based on the fast paced growth of hospitality industry.” The IFCA Culinary challenge and exhibition 2008 was conducted in association with Pril. The Chief guest for this event was J. Radhakrishnan, Excise Commissioner. He was accompanied by the guest of honour Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj of Tamil Mayam. ■

The Pril Hygiene and Food Safety award to GRT Grand for the live contest and Breeze hotel for the exhibition contest.

04 KALEIDOSCOPE

ERGO Wednesday, September 10, 2008

‘‘

When I am asked, “What do you think of our audience?” I answer, “I know two kinds of audiences only--one coughing, and one not coughing.” Arthur Schnabel

Udaan soars They write own compositions and sing in Hindi – Is Udaan the new face of Indie-rock?

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daan is the city’s answer to Rock On, replete with keyboards and a band member who looks like Luke Kenny. And the resemblance does not end there. They perform only originals, avoid on-stage gimmickry, listen to Western rock and sing in Hindi. Udaan comprises Suchith Suresan (vocalist), Carl Fernandez (drums), Aaron Desmond (guitar), Siddharth Kumar (keys) and Philip Joseph (bassist). Okay, so the group resists comparison to a Bollywood film. Although each band member comes from different backgrounds of music – Suchith who prefers Eastern music, has studied Carnatic and Hindustani music; Carl and Aaron were in the underground metal band, Morrison Avenue. The song Udaan for example is a melange of sounds, keyboard and guitar riffs converging to create an evenly-paced, rich and uplifting sound – Suchith’s Jason Mraz-esque scatting provides a surprise jazz element to the last minute of the song. Most of the evidence of their performance lies in YouTube, where they performed and won the light music competition at Saarang ’08. Suchith recalls, “What was memorable then was that the same people who heard us perform for the preliminary round, not only turned up for the final round, but they also sang it back to us!” The band is currently looking to tie up with a record label and is in talks with a number of premier names in the country. “We have enough material to record for a second and third album,” says Siddharth. The song writing is purely coincidental with Udaan. He adds, “It’s just through a ‘na-na-na’ session that a word like suno turns up, and then we compose the tune based on the word. It’s always been like that.” ■

The song Udaan for example is a melange of sounds, keyboard and guitar riffs converging to create an evenly-paced, rich and uplifting sound

Clockwise: Siddharth (seated), Suchith, Carl, Aaron and Philip

PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN

05

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

To find out what really goes on at bachelor parties www.bachelorparties.org Visit this site for an online guide of the best yoga moves http:// www.yogaactionsquad.com

US $ Pound Euro 100 Yen

44.89 78.86 63.33 41.73

SOURCE: RBI

Websites of the day

Saree? Exactly! Lace sarees and mermaid petticoats, all with a Victorian twist, are part of Sharmila Bajoria’s design folio

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hen sarees owe their inspiration to the Victorian era, you know you can look forward to something interesting. It’s a hectic day at Sharmila Bajoria’s work studio on Thiruvallavur Salai off Eldams Road in Alwarpet. While some workers are busy embroidering delicate lace sarees with nimble fingers, others are sewing the crochet edges to another.

Fun with sarees The one to give Chennai one of its earliest boutiques (it opened on Maharaja Surya Rao Road, Alwarpet, in 1995), Sharmila uses fabrics like net, georgette, chiffon and matka and a combination of gota, block prints, wool embroidery and lace to produce a drape that is as likely to appeal to someone just initiated into the saree as one who’s been wearing it for decades. “My USP is the embroidery,” says the designer. “There are 80-90 stalls in an exhibition, and we still manage to stand out,” she adds. Most sarees have an element of fun and surprise, be it in the form of zigzag edges or wool puffballs. Fusion of unlikely elements, like gota on lace (as opposed to gota on chiffon) leads to a rather unconventional finish. Since all sarees are hand-embroidered, it takes four people working for 20-25 days to produce one. The sarees are priced Rs. 7,000 onwards. The colour palette is varied, ranging from off-whites to a canary yellow piece the designer is currently working on. “I have no formal training. It is only my intuition and love for colour that has helped me all along,” she says. Frilled mermaid petticoats accompany the sarees here. In the absence of saree falls (and the semi-transparent quality of sarees in lace, brasso and net), the lace-edged mermaid petticoat ensures that one gets a nice layer effect at the edges and a more defined silhouette. Alongside sarees, Sharmila Bajoria also specialises in elaborate lehengas and trousseau collections.

Where? At present, Sharmila’s sarees retail from her Adyar residence. The designer can be contacted at 9884072712. Sharmila is also participating in Fashion Yatra, to be held at The Park on September 10 and 11. ■

PHOTOS: S.S. KUMAR

Prêt and petticoat

06 VILLAGE

ERGO Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Know cooking? Five per cent of people who frequent restaurants claim they eat out because they do not know how to cook.

Rowling wins copyright case over Harry Potter lexicon

Splashing a pedestrian can cost you your driving licence!

Noted author JK Rowling has won the copyright case against a fan, who planned to publish a Harry Potter Lexicon. Judge Robert Patterson in US District Court in Manhattan ruled in favour of the writer and Warner Brothers Entertainment - which has produced the Potter films. In his ruling, the judge said, Rowling had proved that The Harry Potter Lexicon would cause her irreparable harm as a writer.

You may fail your driving test just in case you drive through the water, and splash the pedestrians around. Well, that was exactly what happened with Michelle Kelly, 31, after she passed a bus stop in Blackley, Manchester, spraying a man who was standing there. The mother-oftwo revealed that her examiner told her at the end of the test that she had failed because she should have stopped, and exchanged details with man. The examiner was of the view that her actions constituted an accident, she said. Kelly, who works for a funeral director, described the decision as ‘ludicrous’ after failing. She further said that she just did not have any idea that splashing someone could lead to failing her test.

ANI

Spices and sausages used as weapons In a bizarre incident, a burglar stole cash from the home of two sleeping farm workers, woke one of them by rubbing spices over his body, and hit the other with a 20cm sausage. The incident occurred in the U.S. city of Fresno on Saturday morning. Fresno County police officer Lieutenant Ian Burrimond has revealed that the burglar has been arrested, and the money recovered from him. He said that the burglar was hiding in a nearby field. The police had enough of evidence to link the man to the crime. “It seems the guy ran out of the house wearing only a T-shirt, boxer shorts and socks, leaving behind his wallet with his ID,” the Telegraph quoted Lt Burrimond as telling the Fresno Bee newspaper. The officer also revealed that the bizarre weapons the burglar used were from the victims’ kitchen.

ANI

Now, a Sarah Palin doll with a $27.95 price tag! Forget Batman, or GI Joe, the latest action doll to rule store shelves has arrived in the form of Sarah Palin, the Alaska Governor who John McCain has chosen to be his Republican presidential running mate. Toy company, http://www.herobuilders.com, has launched two variations of the popular vide presidential candidateSarah Palin, the Executive, available for 27.95 dollars and Sarah Palin, the Super Hero, costing just two dollars more.

ANI

ANI

List of 10 most decadent dictators revealed Joseph Stalin is in sixth position while Saddam Hussein is in eighth position

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he Times has revealed the list of world’s ten most decadent dictators. Kim Jong-il of North Korea has topped the list. He had super-expensive tastes, with 17 palaces, and collections of hundreds of cars and about 20,000 videotapes. The others in the list are: 2. Ferdinand Marcos, Philippines President: Secreted billions of dollars in overseas accounts. 3. Nicolae Ceausescu, President of Romania: Despite an official salary of just 3,000 dollars, he found the cash for 15 palaces, a superb car collection, yachts, fine art and bespoke suits. 4. Saparmurat Niyazov, President of Turkmenistan: Was at the

Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein centre of an awesome cult of personality. Vanity projects included a six million pound revolving

AFP PHOTOS

gold-plated statue of himself in the country’s capital, Ashgabat. 5. Idi Amin, President of Ugan-

da. The self-styled ‘Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea’, and ‘King of Scotland’ awarded himself the CBE, or Conqueror of the British Empire. 6. Joseph Stalin, Leader of the Soviet Union: Was celebrated in his lifetime by thousands of stylised statues and monuments erected across the Soviet Union. 7. Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Persia: Spent a reported 100 million dollars on celebrations for the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian monarchy in 1971, serving breast of peacock on Limoges china to dignitaries in a 160-acre tent city at Persepolis. 8. Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq: The Baathist leader with a

fondness for gold-plated bathroom fittings, and Kalashnikovs, rebuilt Babylon on kitsch rather than authentic lines, stamping each brick of the ‘reconstruction’ with his own name in the manner of Nubachadnezzar, the ancient Babylonian king. 9. Mobutu Sese Soku, President of Zaire: Siphoning his country’s wealth into Swiss bank accounts, had an estimated personal fortune of five billion dollars in 1984. 10. Suharto, President of Indonesia: The former bank clerk embezzled more money than any other leader in history, according to Transparency International. ■ ANI

07

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

A day in Mercury

This day, that year

A day on the planet Mercury is twice as long as its year. Mercury rotates very slowly but revolves around the Sun slightly less than 88 days.

It was in September 10, 1940 that the Buckingham Palace was hit by a German bomb.

Tea and toast banned for better economy Scotland to ban electrical appliances like toaster and kettle to save money on its multi-million pound electricity bill

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berdeen City Council in Scotland is planning a blanket ban on ‘unauthorised’ electrical appliances like toasters and kettles to save money on its multi-million pound electricity bill. The council, already deep in debt to the tune of 50million pounds, is considering banning such electrical appliances as part of a new financial rescue plan. It is also said to be considering training courses for its staff so that they can learn to drive more efficiently, and help curb the annual diesel bill of 1.5million pounds. A report to the councillors reveals that the authority’s fuel bill topped 10million pounds last year, including 3.5million pounds for gas and 5.8million pounds for electricity.

Ban on fridge too “Removal of all non-council kettles, toasters, fridges, fan heaters, and other non-approved appliances from offices and establishments” are among the proposed measures to deal with the financial burden, according to

the report. The council is also considering turning off safety lighting in some buildings and car parks during the night and at weekends, and ditching post-it notes in favour of scrap paper. “There is an expectation by staff, elected members and the public that reducing our waste of energy and other resources should be a priority,” the Telegraph quoted Belinda Miller, the council’s head of economic and environmental sustainability, as saying.

A bad decision? Staff members, however, feel that any such action to ban toast, cups of tea, desk fans, etc will be a bad decision. Mike Middleton, a representative for the GMB union, warned that there are not enough canteen facilities in all council buildings, and banning such items may hit morale. He said: ‘Although we appreciate the need for efficiencies, there may be mixed messages that affect staff morale.’ ■

Royal family

Swimming upside down A

sexagenarian marine electrician has been stunned to see that the goldfish he owns has spent the last five years swimming around upside down. Richard Gordon, from Gosport, Hants, says that even visitors are fascinated by his Japanese coldwater fish Horatio’s swimming ability. “Visitors to the house are always fascinated by Horatio,” the Telegraph quoted him as saying. He has revealed that the fish swims around for hours with its white belly pointing upwards, and its eyes staring down. Gordon, who took over ownership of the Japanese coldwater fish six years ago from his grandson Chris-

A marine electrician was stunned to notice that his goldfish was swimming upside down for five years

topher, says that he was bemused to find it floating on its back in its glass tank just after having it a year. “The first time I saw him I thought he was dead and I was going to flush him away. But I flicked the glass and he started swimming again,” he said. “Strangely, when I put food in he’ll always swim up to it the right way round. He then swims back down again and rolls over and floats upside down once more. “At first I was worried but he seems happy enough and is able to swim around just fine,” he added. ■ ANI

쒀 A Royal Bengal tigress along with its newly born cubs at Assam State Zoo in Guwahati on Monday. PTI PHOTO

ANI

08 SPORT

ERGO Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Sri Lanka demands USD 2 million Pakistan’s attempts to undertake an unscheduled tour of Sri Lanka later this month seems destined for failure as the Sri Lankan board has demanded a whopping two million dollars for the proposed one-day series. Sources said that a leading sports channel from Dubai had offered to broadcast the series on a barter basis and are willing to treat it as a one-off event.

Federer silences critics Federer toasts U.S. triumph that rescues season

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fter Roger Federer proved that reports of his demise as a grand slam champion were greatly exaggerated, the Swiss sipped champagne with friends and family to celebrate his fifth successive U.S. Open title. “I played great, I felt like I was invincible for awhile again,” the 27-year-old Federer said after his 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 thumping of young Briton Andy Murray in Monday’s men’s final. “That’s exactly how you want to finish a tournament.” Federer desperately wanted to finish his season on a high – especially since his quest to add a 13th grand slam title in his collection had been thwarted until he arrived in New York. “I would have been disappointed, losing today and having three finals and one semis in the slams,” he told reporters. “You feel like you missed an entire year, being so close but yet so far, because semis and finals don’t help me a whole lot any-

more in my career. It’s all about the wins, and that’s why this is huge. This is massive, and I’m very happy about this grand slam obviously. It’s a different type of flavour, this one to me, no doubt.” Weakened at the start of the season by a bout of mononucleosis, Federer was eliminated in the semi-finals at the Australian Open and later in the season piled up losses to motley crew of players including Mardy Fish, Radek Stepanek, Gilles Simon and Ivo Karlovic. Federer absorbed a drubbing by Rafael Nadal in the French Open final and lost a sensational five-set Wimbledon final to the Spaniard after clawing back from two sets down in his drive for a sixth consecutive title at the All England Club. A semi-final and two finals in three grand slams would normally rate as a great achievement, but not for Federer, who had reigned as number one for a record 237 weeks before being deposed by Nadal last month. Suggestions that time might be catching up with the Swiss maestro, who had stalled within two slam titles of the record 14 held by American Pete Sampras, started to gather momentum. Federer never lost faith in himself. “I don’t think it got to me but I was aware of it,” he said.

“I’m a bit disappointed. Sometimes to a point a bit annoyed, because all sorts of crazy people started writing to me and trying to reach me, telling me I need some help either mentally or physically. People come out of a closet and think they can start helping me now. It’s just a pain. For me, this sort of puts them to rest a little bit, and calms down the phones at my parents’ a little bit, which I’m happy about.” Federer acknowledged he had not played up to his standards. “I didn’t feel like I was moving all that great for the last couple of months,” said the second seed, who had won only two low-key tournaments in 2008 until Monday. “I think my coordination was missing a little bit. Here as the tournament went on, I started to feel like I was moving better and better.” After struggling to find his top gear, Federer began to hit on all cylinders in the semi-finals against Novak Djokovic. He then ruined the grand slam final debut of 21-year-old Murray with a masterful performance. Embraced by the Flushing Meadows fans, perhaps moved to support a great champion suddenly seen to be vulnerable, Federer fed off the support and affection shown right from opening night when he drew the biggest ovation at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a ceremony honouring winners of the last 40 years. ■ Reuters

Roger Federer reacts after defeating Andy Murray to win the U.S. Open. AFP

09

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Why single Dada out? How have the Fab Four performed in 2008. Shoot your mails to [email protected].

End of Dadagiri? AYON SENGUPTA [email protected]

E

vander Holyfield took the first step towards fulfilling his destiny of becoming the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion yet again when in March, 2007, the former five-times champion made a comeback repeatedly ripping into journeyman Vinny Maddalone with whistling left hooks and riveting right hands. But little did Holyfield know that another man had scripted a mother of all comebacks. In December 2006, Sourav Ganguly made a grand re-entry into international cricket, landing numbing shots with his willow that left the Proteas stranded in their path to glory. Now history is littered with comebacks and not many have been savoury. Comeback is like an era trying to repeat itself, trying to turn back the clock – even if it’s just for a few seconds. Everyone thought Sourav was no exception. But he proved us wrong. One year down the line he had strung together beads of magic moments that one could look up to in awe and inspiration. But that was not enough for the mandarins of Indian cricket. India’s most successful Test captain has been dropped again after just one bad series in the Emerald Isles. This time he may have lost the appetite to fight it out all over again. When he hit his maiden double ton (239) in Bangalore against Pakistan, and followed it with a swashbuckling 91 in the second innings and played a pivotal role in India’s last home-series victory over the South Africans (averaging over 52), he was rewriting cricket chronicles at ease. In 2007, Ganguly was the only batsman other than Jaques Kallis to have completed 1,000 runs in the calendar year having 1,028 runs in his kitty with three centuries averaging over 60 in Test cricket since his comeback. Cut back to the autumn in South Africa. Throughout the ODIs, the Indian team meandered from one collapse to another. Then on a bright sunny afternoon, Ganguly all but literally walked off the plane into the ground to score a flawless 83. All of a sudden things were looking ordinary.

There was no problem with pace, bounce or anything else. It looked like he had been batting here all his life. At 44, Holyfield is truly fighting the odds – age, form, fitness, time and young and hungry boxers. Then it would be a fairy tale if one thought what Ganguly fought after being bungled out in December 2005. National Selector Kiran More all but wrote his cricketing epitaph. Experts around the globe questioned his prudence of continuing. Coach Greg Chappell gave every reason for keeping him out — a lazy fielder, a bad influence and a cricketer past his best. The newly elected captain Rahul Dravid was a silent shadow of the coach. BCCI was fighting its own little battle against CAB, or shall we say Ganguly’s one time mentor Jagmohan Dalmiya, and made sure that Ganguly continued to be ignored. But Ganguly made a comeback, thanks to a few friendly faces in the new selection committee. Again the very man who had brought him back, chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar has perhaps penned the end to one of the most astonishing cricket careers. At 37, Ganguly is past his prime and fatigue perhaps has caught him after those innumerable battles. He has scored consistently since his comeback, yet he was dropped from the One-Day squad earlier this year and now it seems the doors are closed for him even in the longer version of the game. The odds are stacked up against him and it is something that just doesn’t go out with a knock out punch. Last time when Sourav was dropped he travelled the length and breath of India, playing cricket. He went from Hyderabad to Jamadoba (a remote small town in Ranchi), discovering cricket in him, fighting his self-doubt and slaying the devil of inertia in his footwork. When not playing cricket he was fighting for fitness – martial arts, fielding sessions, chute training, blip tests. But after Monday’s shocker, Dada has cancelled practice at Eden Gardens. So has the road come to an end at last and the fighter has given up all hopes after yet another blow from the wise men of Indian cricket? ■

PTI

Sourav Ganguly has stopped his net practice at the Eden Gardens. Has the master of comeback fairytales run out of ideas to script one more?

10 FLICK

ERGO Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Baby boy for Minnie Driver Minnie Driver has given birth to baby boy, Henry Story Driver. The news came on September 5. The Good Will Hunting actress has not yet revealed the identity of the baby’s father but stated he will be involved in the kid’s life. ANI

Saif and sure Saif Ali Khan turns producer with Production No.1. And Deepika Padukone, not Kareena Kapoor, is cast opposite him. An interview: SREYA BASU

Your first home production is called Production No 1. Don’t you think it’s a little weird for a film title? You see, we still haven’t been able to think of a title for the film. For the time being we are calling it Production No. 1 since this film is my first home production under the banner of Illuminati Films.

What’s the storyline? I am a romantic person. I swear by love, especially at this point of my life. So, obviously, this film too is going to be an out-an-out romantic flick. On a more serious note, we are trying to portray love in the past era and as it is now. Earlier emotional attachment was given more priority but now it’s the physical relationship that is in the crux of most relations.

Your first home production is a romantic flick but it’s strange that Deepika Padukone instead of Kareena Kapoor has been cast opposite you! That’s the limitation of an actor-cum-producer. You have no option but to obey the director Imtiaz Ali’s decision on the cast. Thankfully, Kareena has already worked with Imtiaz in Jab We Met and they are good friends. So there were no problems. Besides, she will be doing Imtiaz’s next under my company banner. In that she will be romancing Akshay Kumar and that squares You the equation.

How is it being a producer?

in the last few years that I started enjoying this film business from my heart. As a result, it wouldn’t be wrong to claim that I have grown as a ‘good actor’. Now I am all set to even make movies and invest in Bollywood.

We heard Kareena drops by at the sets of your film whenever possible. Not always, but whenever possible. We remain so busy with our films that we hardly get to spend time with each other unless we forcibly do so. Only a few days ago both of us were shooting in San Francisco for two different films. Kareena used to drop in whenever she could and vice-versa. But she is too professional to interfere during the shots and even refused to look at the monitor.

It is almost a year that you and Kareena have been together. How has the journey been? We started off like just another couple. But the constant media glare has grown louder with days. As for the personal front, I have got a friend and a dream lover in Bebo.

When are you getting married? Generally, it’s media that decides the dates of our marriage and separation. Jokes apart, nothing is fixed till date. But I can assure you that it’s not going to be a hush-hush affair – everyone will be invited as both of us want the grandest wedding. ■ Trans World Features

see, we still haven’t been able to think of a title for the film. For the time being we are calling it Production No. 1 since this film is my first home production under the banner of Illuminati Films

I am pretty lazy and laidback. I hate rushing and running around just for the fact that the world demands that. But, of course, I love my profession and that’s where my mentality has changed. In the beginning of my career I was just having fun. Then I got married, had kids and ‘settled’. I wasn’t even trying to grow. It’s only

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Rear Window’s mirror image Steven Spielberg and major Hollywood studios stole the plot from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1954 film Rear Window in making last year’s Disturbia, a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court on Monday said. Dreamworks, its parent company Viacom Inc, and Universal Pictures are accused of copyright infringement and breach of contract.

Millionaire sues producers of Daniel Craig flick SATC sequel may be filmed in London, not NY

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ctor Chris Noth has fuelled speculation that the writers of Sex and the City are planning to film its sequel in London. The star, who played Mr. Big in both the long-running TV show and the hit movie, says that the idea of moving the set to London is being deliberated upon. “We are doing a sequel right here in London. I don’t know, I’m just kidding, it’s up to the writer, Michael Patrick King,” the Sun quoted him as telling UK radio station Heart, on the red carpet at the National Movie Awards in London. “He has some great ideas. I think it would be a great place to make it. If Woody Allen can make films in London, why can’t we?” “Maybe Carrie and Mr. Big could take their honeymoon here, maybe his business could move here or could bring him here and they could settle down. They could take in some old Kings and Queens, Westminster Abbey, do all the tourist stuff. That would be fun,” he added. ■ ANI

The producers of Daniel Craig’s latest film, Flashbacks of a Fool, have been sued by a millionaire for causing extensive damage to his house, and destroying his prized driveway. Glen Haysman claims that the damage took place while his house in Rickmansworth, Herts, was being used for location shooting for the film. He says that such was the damage caused to his drive that passers-by think he is a “gipsy”. He is seeking 100,000 pounds damages from Mrs Rogers Films Ltd. The production company has admitted liability to compensate Haysman, but with insistence that his claim is not worth more than 70,000 pounds. ANI

Brokeback Mountain tops ‘Best Gay Films’ poll

Gallagher knocked down O

asis singer Noel Gallagher was attacked on stage in Canada during a concert by the British band on Sunday night, sending him to hospital with a suspected broken rib. A video on YouTube showed a man running hard from the back of the stage and knocking Gallagher from behind while the band was playing its hit song ‘Morning Glory’ for the 40,000-strong audience at Toronto’s V Festival. ■ Reuters

A video on YouTube showed a man running hard from the back of the stage and knocking Gallagher from behind

Heath Ledger’s Brokeback Mountain has topped a new poll of ‘Best Gay Films’. The 2005 flick has beaten Beautiful Thing to the top the online poll compiled by website AfterElton.com. Third on the list was Shelter followed by Latter Days, reports Contactmusic. Rounding off the top five was Maurice. The Top 10: 1. Brokeback Mountain 2. Beautiful Thing 3. Shelter 4. Latter Days 5. Maurice 6. Trick 7. Get Real 8. Big Eden 9. The Broken Hearts Club 10. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert ANI

12 SCAN

ERGO Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Forever According to TV.com, John Stamos sang the song “Forever” with the Beach Boys. The song is featured on one of the Beach Boys albums.

PICK OF THE DAY

Zee Studio

Star World

Set Max

Zee Cafe

Bad Boys II

Bones

Lage Raho Munna Bhai

Sex and the City II – 9 pm Carrie ends her relationship with Mr. Big. Meanwhile, Miranda is annoyed by all the "man-talk" she’s been hearing. Samantha and Charlotte are both having problems with their boyfriends.

– 10-30 pm Cuban drug kingpin Hector Juan Carlos "Johnny" Tapia, who wants to take control of the entire ecstasy trade in the USA, and is working with local dealers and club owners such as Russian mafia boss Alexei.

– 10 pm Brennan and Zach investigate a small jet crash that was carrying some Chinese diplomats and a woman. Brennan finds some bone fragments that do not belong to any of the passengers, but might belong to a man who has been missing for five years.

– 8 pm A gangster known as Munna Bhai falls in love with radio host Jahnvi, who runs an elders’ home, which is taken over by a builder who gets the residents kicked out with the help of Munna’s sidekick.

1, 2, Cha Cha Cha! Dance is an extension of fitness, feels Jeffrey Vardon VIPASHA SINHA

S

alsa, Tango, Ballet or Jazz – you name it, he does it. When it comes to ballroom dancing, Jeffrey Vardon is always the first on the list. From Cuban Rumba, Mambo, Cha Cha, Waltz, Foxtrot to Club Salsa, Brazilian Samba, quick step, Jiving and Spanish Tango, he masters them in the true sense of the word. A resident of Chennai, he is one of the most sought-after choreographers, dance trainers and fitness trainers in the city. Interestingly, he is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. “I have been dancing since I was a kid. My desire to become a certified dancer took me to the Russian Cultural Centre (then Soviet Cultural Centre), where I learned the classical Skechiti style of dancing for eight years,” says Jeffrey, adding, “As part of exchange programmes, I visited Russia twice for further experience.” Later, he moved to the Victoria Dance Company, Melbourne, Australia, to explore other dance forms and excelled in the various forms of ballroom dance. He now holds an instructor status from the Victoria Dance Company, one that is updated every two years. The United Kingdom Alliance is a body that conducts and organises major dance championships and he

is an associate of the U.K.A in India. His dance company, The Hot Shoe (named after his role model Wayne Sleep’s show), is one of the most popular dance institutions in the city and has been going strong over the years without much publicity. It is primarily via word of mouth that the company’s name has spread. Jeffrey believes that to be a good dancer one must have an athletic body. “Strength training is a must for any dancer. I encourage my students to take extra care of their fitness and my association with O2 helps me do the same,” he says. Apart from teaching dance, Jeffrey is also a noted fitness trainer at the Reebok University, where he trains in kick-boxing and the now popular dancercise classes. “These classes are basically stress-busters, where they kick, box, punch and take out their frustrations,” explains the 38-yearold master. “These classes are mostly in the weekends with 80 per cent of the crowd from the IT field. It helps them keep fit and also proves to be a refreshing break from their strenuous work routine.” In future, he aims to start a sports complex where he can incorporate dance as a sporting activity. “I enjoy sports and as a dancer I am looking forward to see more of dance in sports,” smiles Jeff. ■

13

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Remote plumber A British Antarctic Survey is advertising for a plumber to work in one of the most remote places in the world-the South Atlantic.

Greetings Hi Renjini, take a Why does it y hello and sa to e minut y goodbye? forever to sa ayed at Don’t be dism rewell is fa A goodbyes. fore you necessary be ain. can meet ag again, ng ti ee m And or ts en after mom n for ai rt ce is e, lifetim iends. fr e ar those who AM,

P TE HEWITT ICPR gies Ltd lo no ch Te e Hexawar

Dear Chandrakanth, Many more happy returns of the day! T-Hub wishes you all the best for your future endeavours and may God showers his blessings on you throughout your life. T-Hub team, TATA Consultancy Services (SNR)

Hi Hari, ry Wish you a ve us yo happy and jo e best th birthday. All for all your endeavours. Ram

s), Gokul (Infosy (iSigma), m Ra ), ro ip (W Vishwadeep ct), Angu Amit (Genpa ck (TCS) hi rt Ka ), (Satyam

Hi Suresh, Wishing you all the great things in life. Hope this day will brings you an extra share of all that makes you happy! Happy Birthday Suresh.

ONASADYA Book yourself to Onasadya feast at Ahaar, The Residency and celebrate Onam in true Kerala style. One can taste Kerala specialties such as Thoran, Kadala Curry, Elassery, Pulisseri, Avial, Puttu, Prathaman, Chacka Chips, Nenthra Pazham and many more Kerala delicacies. Special Onam Buffet Lunch and Dinner is available for Rs: 390 Where: The Residency, G.N.Chetty Road, T.Nagar When: Sep 12, Lunch: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. & Dinner: 07:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA Fashion Yatra brings two days opportunity to select from the rich repertoire of the country’s treasure trove apparel, home and jewellery accessories. Where: The Park, Anna Salai When: Sep 10th &11th, 10.30a.m.- 7.30p.m.

New Age Software and Solutions

Dear Prabu, y more Wish you man of the s happy return at re G a e av day! H future ahead.

Landmark Sale

Landmark invites all book lovers and music enthusiasts for the great Landmark sale! It has announced a bumper sale of up to 50% off on books, music CD’s, movies, toys, gifts and much more. HSBC credit card holders can benefit from an additional 5% discount during the sale period on minimum purchase of Rs. 1500. Don’t miss it! Where: Available at all Landmark outlets When: Till Sep 28

your friends! Wishes from

Dear Gayathri, We wish you many more happy return of the day. Saravanan Babu, Satyam

Dear Supriya, to you! ay Happy Birthd a d ha u Hope yo rthday! wonderful bi , Infosys

Team ASD & TYCO Limited Technologies

TOP 5 WAYS TO LIVEN A MEETING 1. Stand up and act indignant. Demand that the boss tell you the ’real’ reason this meeting has been called.

In time, wink at everyone. Sometimes shake your head just a little, as if to indicate that the speaker is slightly crazy and everybody knows it.

2. Spill coffee on the conference table. Produce a little paper boat and sail it down the table.

5. Bring a small mountain of computer printouts to the meeting. If possible, include some old-fashioned fanfold paper for dramatic effect. Every time the speaker makes a point, pretend to check it in one of the printouts. Pretend to find substantiating evidence there. Nod vigorously, and say "uh-huh, uh-huh!"

3. Stay behind as everyone else, including the boss, leaves. Thank them for coming. 4. Give a broad wink to someone else at the table.

14 TRAFFIC JAM

ERGO Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Tooth fairies disappearing Tooth fairies are becoming more and more scare due to the credit crunch. Less money is being left under a child’s pillow for a lost tooth than ever before, with 38 per cent kids not getting anything for giving their teeth to the tooth fairy.

sudoku

This is the picture of the Himalayas at Kedarnath, Gharwal mountain range. K. Muralishankar of Trimble Inc. captured this view at 6.15 p.m. with his Nikon camera.

So you think you would make a terrific photographer but never really had the platform? Mail us your best work and we’ll publish it in this space, with credit. E-mail: [email protected]

TEAM Editor: Karthik Subramanian [email protected]

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem Kumar Dy Chief Designer: R. Ravi Kannan Illustrator: R. Venugopal Technical Support: V.R. Vasudevan, K.G. Gurumurthy N. Ravichandran, E. Baskar Head of Advertising: Sriya Narayanan [email protected]

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SNAIL MAIL 859/860, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002 mail your feedback to [email protected]

FAX 2857 6691 ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Call our Advertisement Manager at 2857 6695. email: [email protected] Website: www.goergo.in

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

Prize sponsor for Clickpick this week is the travel portal www.yatra.com Phone: 4210 5353

KAKURO

15

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Word’s worth

Stench too much to bare

“Karoshi” (kuh-roh-shee) death caused by overwork or job-related exhaustion. A Japanese term, it came into general use in the late 1980s, although it is still used only in the context of workers in Japan. It derives from words meaning ‘excess,’ ‘labor,’ and ‘death.’

A man in the Guandong province in China has been kicked out of his rented apartment after refusing to shower for more than six weeks after he last has a bath.

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 You will be more concerned about work. In order to finish off your work in time, you may put in lot of effort. In case of love relationships, you might have to put in lots of efforts, there may be difference of opinion between you and your partner or beloved.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 It may be an easygoing day for you, says Ganesha. You may be taking everything very easy. For important work, you may expect other people’s assistance. In love relationships, you may remain possessive or over-demanding.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 You will not be in a mood to put in extra efforts at workplace. If you are taking any decision related to career, Ganesha shows you red-signal. In love life, you may expect your life partner to love you intensely but there are chances of disappointment.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 The day is not much in your favour. If you take up more than one activity at once, you may fail to handle. Pragmatic approach will help you today. Your spouse may display lot of love and care, which will help you balance yourself at the end of the day.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 Things that you are generally able to finish in ’no time’ will take more time. You may be dealing with lots of tasks which need to be done ’as soon as possible’. In personal life, you may sound ’leastconcerned’ about certain matters to your partner.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

It is relatively a hassle free day for you. Ganesha foresees you handling your work very easily. This is perfect day to develop new professional skills. It’s best day to propose someone. Married couples may enjoy greater intimacy today.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 You will not be able to handle your work efficiently today. Be careful while drafting emailsfor, there are chances of misgivings. Domestic matters may demand your attention. You may be very much concerned about those whom you love the most.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 It is day to deal with lot of mental and intellectual hard work. Today you will either be attending important meetings/conferences or you may be exchanging emails. Your spouse or beloved may surprise you by doing something unusual.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 Despite your effort to finish off routine work faster at office, you may not be able to finish desired work. If you are patient, you will be able to finish off considerable amount of work. Love life may be smooth provided you avoid putting off your beloved.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 It is day to decide deadlines. You may expect everyone else to put in more effort for you yourself are very charged up today. Your complete concentration is on work. Love life may remain charming and satisfactory by the Grace of Ganesha.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 You should not expect anything great out of this day. Ganesha suggests you not to get depressed. Your subordinates would not be very supporting. It’s a day to handle difficulties. On the love front, Ganesha doesn’t foresee anything to underline.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 At office, superiors will appreciate your efforts. You will be handling high responsibility job. You may be very practical in your approach but in case of love life, you may remain emotional. Your partner will try to woo you as nicely as possible, feels Ganesha. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

16 !

ERGO Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Green polar bears Visitors to Japan’s Higashiyama Zoo have been stunned to discover green polar bears live in the compound. The usually white bears turned their fur coats green when they took a swim in algae-covered pond.

AND THEN THEY CAME TO INDIA An enthralling dance play was staged on the history of the Parsi community

The real challenge was including the important events in the narration. After all, there were so many wars

Mallika Sarabhai and her group Darpana performing ’And Then They Came to India’ MITHRA SURESH [email protected]

T

his is the way they should be teaching history in schools. Mallika Sarabhai and her group Darpana, along with Avesthagen Limited, presented a dance play on Monday at Chinmaya Heritage Centre, Harrington Road. The performance chronicled the Parsi community and the events leading to their migration from Persia to India after the Arab invasion. In fact, one of the landmark events included in the narration was the birth

of Zarathustra, the founding father of Zoroastrianism. The story was skilfully narrated by Mallika Sarabhai to synchronise with the dancers’ silent and stylised movements, only occasionally punctuated with dialogues or screams. There was a particular scene showing the migration of the community by boat. The waves of the sea were mimicked through rhythmic swaying of two strips of cloth while other actors pretended to row a boat in between. The costumes were rich, with the use of corduroy, sequins and vibrant cotton tex-

What the director says: Synchronising the performance with the narration was not that hard. The real challenge was including the important events in the narration. After all, there were so many wars. But the Arab invasion which drove the Parsi community to flee to India was vital, so I included that. The information was largely

PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN

tiles to remind the prosperity in the times of a certain King Jamshed. The lighting was mellow to create the look of lanterns in palaces. Altogether, the performance was a change in that it was a wellresearched play. Avesthagen Limited, named after the Persian holy text Avestha, is currently pursuing a genome project. And it was as part of these efforts to compile a medical database of the Parsis and to educate Indians about a minor community that Avesthagen brought out a dance drama and, easily, a likeable history lesson at that. ■

collected from the Internet and then Mapin Publishing, which is my company, just released a book on the history of Zoroastrianism. And for some of the anecdotes I spoke to the Zoroastrian priests who looked in to their holy texts and scriptures and were able to give me colourful details, such as that of the poisoned girl in the court of King Jamshed and the discovery of Persian wine.