Ergo January 2

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Friday, January 2, 2009A BYTE OF LIFE

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 1

My Chennai in 2009New landmarks which are to come up

The ancient Roman drape’s new avatar isred hot property now

TOGA TAKEOVER

p

DivineRevelation

After months of speculation, Bala launchedthe audio of ‘Naan Kadavul’ on New Year’sDay. And as if it to put to end another spec-ulation of sorts, Pooja carried off her ‘off-screen’ chemistry with Arya on the stage, tug-ging neatly alongside Kollywood’s mosteligible bachelor.

» PAGE 10

» Page 08

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ERGO Friday, January 2, 2009

Namma Chennai

02

British Council in associationwith Nature Quest organising

Hard Rain, an unique audio visualpresentation by Mark Edwards.Hard Rain is the result, bringingtogether key insights and

photographs from assignments to150 countries. The exhibition andpresentation have been seen byover 10 million people on everycontinent and continue to reachnew audiences.When: 5 January 2009Where: British Council, Anna Salai

CANVAS

The Alliance Francaise and UTVWorld movies bring you a

selection of some of the finestworks of director Luc Besson.

Leon, The Fifth Element, Nikita,Subway, The Big Blue will bescreened.When: 5 January to 9, 6.30 pmWhere: AFM Auditorium

FILM FESTIVAL

A Workshop on self grooming

will be conducted by aspecialist in beauty and groomingand a mehandi designingworkshop will be conducted by anexpert in Arabic Mehandi. Theworkshop on Home Décor wouldinclude beautifying your housewith a variety of fresh flowers.For details contact Neeva Eventzat 9884049371, 9884061700Where: 4A Abhirami KrishnaTulasi Apts, 34, 2nd main road,Kasturaibai Nagar, AdyarWhen: January 9, 10

GROOMING

K

een on getting a wardrobe change

for the New Year? Check out theWinter Collection of Brass Tacks onC.P.Ramasami Road. The Winter 2008collection was launched just a weekback, showcasing a range of metallictones in bright shades of copper,cherry, hot iron, cobalt and rust. Theluxurious fibres of Mulberry silk, Tussarsilk, Eri silk and soft cotton bring outthe lustre of each shade. The pricesrange from Rs 710 to Rs 2,600. Theentire Winter Collection can be viewedonline at www.brasstacksmadras.com.Where: 77/13, Corporation ShoppingComplex, C.P. Ramaswamy Road,Alwarpet.Contact: 420 81767

FASHION

Crossword has announced ‘BeyondBooks’ sale – with fabulous discounts

on movies, music, toys, stationery andCD ROMs.On offer – 20 per cent off on worldcinema titles, 50 per cent off on award-winning television sitcoms and up to50% off on select LEGO merchandise.When:

Up to January 4Where: Crossword Stores are located atKuppu Arcade on VenkatnarayanaRoad, T.Nagar and above Shoppers’Stop on Harrington Road

SALE!

A n exhibition-cum-sale ofhandicrafts and handicrafted

textiles from Karnataka is going onat CP Arts centre. There aresandalwood carvings, rosewoodinlay, bronze figurines, hand-woventextiles and jewellery. A discount of10 per cent is offered for thepurchase.When: January 1- 12Where: CP Arts Centre, Alwarpet

EXPO



Hershey, the Puppy: This lovely,chocolate-coloured female pup-

py is a little over two months old.She was hit by a car but recoveredcompletely after being cared for by an AWPT volunteer. She is in goodhealth, loves sitting on people’s laps(as seen in this photo) and is ex-tremely affectionate and friendly. If

you see yourself as Hershey’s new owner, get in touch with Mrs. Pad-mavathy of AWPT at 22781381 or 99629 68265.

These incredible animals have come a long way this year. Ring in theNew Year by adopting them and kick-starting a great relationship

SRIYA NARAYANAN

[email protected]

New Year,New Homes

Friday, January 2, 2009

Order your meal before flyingSpiceJet has launched ‘Book your meal before you fly’ option on all itsflights. Passengers can pre-order onboard refreshments at the time ofbooking their ticket on spicejet.com or through their call centre at 1800180 3333/ 987 180 3333. Special combos (vegetarian or non-vegetarian)are available at a price of Rs. 100.

Harry the Pomeranian: This brave dog has beenthrough a lot of pain and abandonment, but is

now a very cheerful fellow who’s all set to makehis new owner very happy. He’s a healthy young male Pomeranian who was found wearing a bluecollar, abandoned in Harrington Road, Chetpet –suffering from deep injuries to his neck. He wasrescued and treated by a vet and is now housed inPFA’s pet shelter awaiting adoption. Lovingly named Harry – having been found in HarringtonRoad – he is a very well behaved young fellow who

will bring great joy to any pet lover’s home.Contact Kala Ashok at 9884238718 to adopt him.

Happy and Hoppy, the Bunnies: These fluffy, gorgeous bunny rabbits with long ears are 18 months old, one female and one male. They

like the underside of a cane diwan for their cozy naps. They’re well-disciplined in their littering habits, using a corner of the balcony,covered with newspaper sheets to relieve themselves. They are easy tomaintain and do well with a periodic renewal of fresh vegetables, dry hay and millets. Both are very lovable, gentle and enjoy attention frompeople. Happy loves being held, cuddled and talked to endlessly, whileHoppy is the laptop bunny because he loves snoozing on someone’slap on his back with his front paws stretched out and pointing to thesky. They have both been neutered so don’t worry about two bunniesturning into a hundred! If you’d like to take in both these cuties, writeto Dr. Afzal at [email protected] with your contact number.



Club House Road off Anna Salai, with Taj Mount Road as one of

its newest neighbours, the loca-tion is going to get an all-new address.

“Express Avenue mall is oneof the most awaited projects asit has the advantage of scale andlocation,” explains Sanjay Chugh, associate director, JonesLang LaSalle Meghraj, Chennai.“The mall will offer almost 0.8million sqft of retail space withmultiplex, food court, fine din-ing restaurant, entertainment,departmental stores and vanillastores offering a range of rangeof merchandise in the luxury,premium and fashionsegments.”

At your serviceIf Taj Mount Road is the new

A nother tumultuous year isfinally over. Let’s keepaside the incidents thatshook and disturbed you

in the year gone by, as it’s timeto welcome a brand new begin-ning.

Amidst echoes of recessionand pink slips, Ergo tells youwhat you can look forward to inNamma Chennai in 2009. Moreglass and chrome structures,shopping malls, multiplexes… If that’s your idea of growth, hang on; Chennai is going to see aspurt in retail growth.

To start with, the New Yearhas some brought in some joy toall those who have resolved toinvest. The falling interest rates

and drop in inflation figuresshould bring in some cheer for

one to start planning better forthe year ahead.

Mall worldSpencer Plaza (if you can call

it a mall) can get depressing attimes with the milling crowds,and Chennai Citi Centre is theonly other better bet. Finally,looks like Ampa Centre One onNelson Manickam Road is gear-ing up for a launch in the firstquarter. Matrix Mall (Vadapala-ni), Express Avenue (WhitesRoad) and Chandra Mall (Viru-gambakkam) are all expected tocome up in the second, thirdand fourth quarter respectively.

However, the most-awaitedamong real estate projects willbe Express Avenue. Tucked in

stop for the discerning businesstraveller, in February Lemon

Tree Hotel should take away allthe limelight.The “upscale, full-service

business and leisure hotel at anunexpectedly reasonable price”is coming up in Guindy, where itpromises to add a new twist forthe traveller with a budget. Alsoin the fray is Chennai’s very ownEmpee Group. Empee Hilton inEkaduthangal is expected to beready by the third quarter, say real estate service firms.

Entertainment unlimited! Waiting for these multi-sto-

reyed buildings to get ready aremultiplexes, high-end retailstores, a host of state-of-the-artamenities and, of course, many entertainment-starved shoppers.

Sathyam Cinemas promises their six-screen multiplex in

press Avenue will be anohassle-free moving-going exence. Did we also hear that Cinemas is setting shop in ACenter One?

Complaints of Chennai bstarved of organised retail spshould come to an end withabove developments. As Sasays, “The supply of almomillion sqft of organised rspace, which is to be delivin 2009, will address the mand for organised retail spand expose Chennaiites toorganised shopping experi

with hypermarkets, muand vanilla stores – all unone roof with ample parspace, air-conditioning anhost of amenities.” ■

Malls, hotels, multiplexes…2009 shouusher in more landmarks into the city

LIFFY THOMAS

[email protected]

These are a few of yourfavourite things


Namma Chennai

04

Mall-O-Meter

Ampa Center OneIt is said to have 6.5lakh sqft of shoppingarea. PVR Cinemas issaid to set its foot inthe city with thelaunch of this project.

Express AvenueSathyam Cinemas’ sixscreen theatre willgive movie goersplenty of option inthis pocket, whereyou already havemore than a couple ofcinema halls.

Chandra MallThe proposed mall is"not only close to theinner ring road forChennai, but close tothe proposedexpansion of ChennaiAirport in Porur. Afive screen theatrewith a seatingcapacity for 1300people is anotherhighlight.




U S H E R I N

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2 0 0 9

The New Year is here. Most city roads that turned party flooron New Year’s Eve erupted with the New Year spirit when th

clock struck 12 on Wednesday night. Crackers, reveller screamand roaring vehicle engines welcomed the transition.

Taking into account the Savera Hotel tragedy last year (wherthree people were killed after a wooden dance floor erected othe swimming pool collapsed), the security arrangementseemed beefed up more than before: there was a cop on dutevery 100 metre-point. At places like Elliott’s Beach, Marina anthe East Coast Road, the police presence was even more.

The measures seemed to have worked. Barring one fatal accdent, the city enjoyed a safe New Year’s party. The fatal acciden

was reported in Guindy, where one Balaji (27), a native of Thirupathoor, slipped and fell from his motorcycle along with hfriend Karunamurthy, a software engineer, who was riding pilion. The accident occurred at 1 a.m. and Balaji succumbed this head injuries. His friend escaped with minor injuries.

There were also a couple of incidents of activists claiminallegiance to the PMK party attempting to stall the New Yeaparties at prominent hotels in Nungambakkam and VadapalanPolice arrested the men and ensured that the festivities were noaffected. ■

PHOTOS: N.SRIDHARAN, M.KARUNAKARAN




Sport06

Smith to miss ODI seriesSouth Africa will be without their injured captain GraemeSmith in the two Twenty20 and five ODI matches againstAustralia and Johan Botha would lead the side in hisabsence, coach Micky Arthur said on Thursday.Consequentially, Neil McKenzie would stay back with theODI squad in Smith’s place, he said. “We have decided tosend Graeme home after the Sydney Test to give him thebest chance of getting ready for the home series (againstAustralia),” Arthur said. “He will have the blood injectionas soon as he gets back and we think that by following

this course of action as soon as possible after Sydney, wewill give him the best possibility opportunity of being fitfor the home series,” he added. Smith will undergo a new

medical process that has not been usedin South Africa before, of having bloodfrom his arm injected directly into thetear, Cricket South Africa said in astatement. On how the team wouldlook on paper minus its regular captain,Arthur said, “It does give us anopportunity with our ODI side. As I

have always said, our one-day side is still a work inprogress, it is still a young side, and we are giving anopportunity to some younger guys to stake a claim. Weare looking to build our one-day side over the nexttwo years which obviously culminates in the nextWorld Cup on the sub-continent in 2011.”

PTI

Azhar’s son on IPL radarKolkata Knight Riders have called in rookie 17-year-oldMohammed Ashaduddin for a trail camp at Eden Gardensfrom January 6-7. Son of former India captain MohammedAzharuddin is a left-hand opening batsman andrepresents East Marredpally CC in Hyderabad CricketAssociation’s A Division League.“Our spotters spoke highly of him and we wanted togive him an opportunity. He along with 30-40 moreboys will take part in the camp and we may pick up

a few promising players. We want to build abroader talent base,” a Knight Riders official said.Ashaduddin who is yet to play any first class gameshas scored four fifties in six matches for his club side.

Ergo Correspondent

No English plans for IPLIndian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi hasdismissed reports that the second edition of the Twenty20extravaganza would be co-hosted by England, saying the

IPL is a domestic league with globalappeal which will be played only onIndian soil. “Right off the drawing boardwe were certain that the Indian PremierLeague was not just a domestic leaguewith limited appeal for the Indian cricketfan but a global league that would drawin viewership across a global diaspora offans from around the world, making the

IPL one of the most watched sporting spectacles in modernday sport. But we have no plans to host IPL in England. It’sa domestic league which will be played in India,” Modisaid.Some media reports had stated that the second edition ofthe cash-rich IPL, which is scheduled for April-May next

year, was expected to be split with five weeks of action inIndia and three weeks in England. Modi, who is a BCCI vicepresident, also hoped that English cricketers, who missedout on the inaugural edition after ECB restricted them fordomestic competitions, will feature in the event soon.

PTI

Four Indians, including Sa-chin Tendulkar and captainMahendra Singh Dhoni,

were included in the worldteam of the year 2008 chosen by

Australian newspaper HeraldSun. Dhoni, whom the newspap-er compared with retired Austra-

lian great Adam Gilchrist, wasmade deputy to skipper of theteam South African GraemeSmith, while “impossi-ble todrop” Tendulkar bats

at number four in the world teampicked according to their batting positions. Opener GautamGambhir and young fast bowlerIshant Sharma also made it to theteam following their stellar suc-cesses in 2008, while Zaheer Khanand Virender Sehwag missed out

of the list.

India’s captain courageousDhoni is the wicketkeeper, not

necessarily because he is the bestat that job, but because he scoresplenty of important runs – he isreplacing Gilchrist, after all –and has demonstratedgreat leadership quali-ties,” the newspaper’sRon Reed explained. Ac-cording to the newspaper,Tendulkar, who became Test

cricket’s most prolific run-getter and notched up his

41st century in 2008, was impossi-

ble to drop

from any worldteam.

“Tendul-kar is sim-

ply non-negotiable

in any team. His41st century to lead

India’s remarkablechase after 387 againstEngland last month wassaid by some to have beenhis finest moment – enoughsaid,” it wrote.

Gambhir, who was namedalong with South AfricanSmith at the top of order, hadto compete for his place with

his senior opening partner Vi-render Sehwag who hadscored 1462 in 2008. “Sehwag is the more eye-catching op-tion, especially as he has a tri-ple-century and has taken 15

wickets with his off-spin. ButGambhir has averaged 70.87for his 1134 runs and there issomething about him that sug-gests he is a fierce competitor.He’s in.”

Fast and furiousIshant got the third fast bow-

ler’s spot beating strong chal-lenge from fellow Indian

left-armer Zaheer Khan, gland’s Ryan Sidebottom, S

Africa’s Makhaya Ntini and tralia’s Brett Lee. “Sharma lto have something specialeven though he took a relatmodest 38 wickets in 13 mathe’s the man,” the newsp

said.

World XIGraeme Smith (South Af

captain); Gautam Gambhir dia), Ricky Ponting (Austra

Sachin Tendulkar (InShivnarine Chander

(West Indies), AB deliers ((South Afr

MS Dhoni (In wicket-keepervice-captain),

ant Sharma (InMitchell John

(AustraliaDale S(South Africa

MuttMurlith(SriLan12t

manKevin tersen gland).

T endulkar, Dhoni, Gambhir, Ishant in world team

Indians dominate

PHOTO: PTI

Tennis mafiaFormer mafia crime boss Michael Franzese says top-level tennis matches are being influenced by gamblers and the sportwould be his prime focus were he still in the business of impacting outcomes. Franzese, a former boss in the Colombo crimfamily, serves as a consultant and speaker regarding his days with the mob and has spoken with ATP players about themethods that are used to spread corruption in sport.




‘‘I’m not sure how he (brett Lee) is going at the moment. Obviously stress frac-ture in his foot is not a good thing. I know when I tried to bowl with a few

ankle problems it was a nightmare and to go into a game not 100 per cent is toughwork. It’s up to him how much he wants it really.

Glen McGrath

The third round of the FA Cup is atime in the knockout competi-tion renowned for shocks andgiant killing exploits.

But the advent of the January trans-fer window and the pressing financialneed for Premier League clubs toavoid relegation have dulled some of the lustre from the world’s oldest se-nior knockout football competition.

This time last year then Reading striker Dave Kitson summed up agrowing, if not so bluntly voiced,mood by saying: “We are not going to

win the FA Cup and I do not give twoshits about it, to be honest.”

However, to the delight of sometraditionalists, not only did Reading fail to win the Cup, they were alsorelegated last season from the Pre-mier League.

Instead Portsmouth became thefirst club from outside the Big Four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liver-pool and Arsenal since 1995 to lift thetrophy, defeating Cardiff of the sec-ond-tier Championship in a Cup finalthat defied all predictions.

Pompey’s success ought to have

encouraged Premier League clubs ina similar position that there’s more tolife than survival; whether it has re-mains to be seen.

Easy draw

As for the Big Four, they are all inaction against lower league opposi-tion with Saturday seeing Arsenal athome to Plymouth, Chelsea welcom-ing Southend to Stamford Bridge andLiverpool away to Preston. Leagueleaders Liverpool’s tie has been givenan added dimension as it could be the

first match club captain Steven Ger-rard plays in since being charged withassault this week following an allegedbrawl in a bar.

Meanwhile English, European andnow world champions ManchesterUnited start their Cup campaign onSunday away to Southampton, a re-peat of the 1976 final where the southcoast club, then of the old Second Di-vision, defeated their First Divisionopponents 1-0 in one of the great

Wembley upsets. A similar scorelineat St Mary’s would be an even greatersurprise.

Time for upsetsBut Bristol City of the second-tier

Championship will fancy their chanc-

es ’down the road’ at Southampton’sarch-rivals Portsmouth, who’ve losttheir last five matches. Harry Red-knapp, the man who managed Port-

smouth to their first FA Cup finalvictory in 69 years, will be in the Tot-tenham dug-out when the Londonersstart the third round against Wigan at

White Hart Lane on Friday, in one of several all Premier League encoun-ters.

The temptation for Redknapp, whose side are only above the rele-gation zone on goal difference, will be

to rest players. But if Wigan bossSteve Bruce, in charge of a team sev-enth in the table, doesn’t pick hisbest-available side it will indicate asad lack of ambition.

High-flyers Aston Villa and Evertonface potentially awkward trips to Gil-lingham and Macclesfield respective-ly.

However, the tie which best encap-sulates the spirit of the third roundtakes place on Monday when non-league Blyth Spartans are at home toPremier League strugglers BlackburnRovers. Back in 1978, the north-eastside’s fifth round replay against Wrex-ham was witnessed by a crowd of more than 42,000 at Newcastle’s StJames’ Park and the Spartans have

high hopes of giving their supportersanother set of memories to last a life-time. ■

AFP

FA CUPSEEMS TOHAVE LOSTITS SHEENWITH FEWERSURPRISES

EVERY YEAR

Romance of the Cup dulls down

● FA Cup third round

Friday: Tottenham v WiganSaturday: Arsenal vPlymouth, Birmingham vWolves, Cardiff v Reading,Charlton v Norwich,Cheltenham v Doncaster,Chelsea v Southend,Coventry v Kidderminster,Forest Green v Derby,Histon v Swansea, Ipswich Chesterfield, Hartlepool vStoke, Hull v Newcastle,

Kettering v Eastwood,Leicester v Crystal Palace,Leyton Orient v SheffieldUnited, Macclesfield vEverton, Manchester City vNottingham Forest,Middlesbrough v Barrow,Portsmouth v Bristol City,Preston v Liverpool, QPR vBurnley, Millwall v Crewe,Sheffield Wednesday vFulham, Sunderland vBolton, Torquay v BlackpooWatford v Scunthorpe, WesBrom v Peterborough, WestHam v BarnsleySunday: Gillingham v AstonVilla, Southampton vManchester UnitedMonday: Blyth Spartans v

Blackburn

Portsmouth celebrates their FACup triumph at WembleyStadium in London on May 17,2008. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES




Portfolio

08

The Greeks have a way of making things look good.

And the fashion world’s loveaffair with things Greco-Ro-

man has been long-term, moreopen recently.

The toga, the one-shoulderedRoman garment that was chief-ly a 6-metre cloth drapedaround a tunic, has been

worked upon, innovated onand manipulated to create agarment that has the basic es-sence of a toga but twice its ap-

peal and practicality. And quitecontrary to present usage, the

toga was originally meant formen. At present, the sight of aman in a toga is rarer than that of

one in a kilt. (You’d probably seeone during an Olympic flame-lighting ceremony.)

Labels like Alberta Feretti, Mar-chesa, Lanvin and Hermes areparticularly known for their togadresses.

Gwyneth Paltrow, whose re-cent makeover has been making it to front pages, made a partic-ularly stunning appearance in a

white Lanvin knee-length togadress at Cannes this year. KeiraKnightley, however, wasn’t solucky with hers during the Atone-ment premiere in London, as crit-ics didn’t take long inhighlighting the fact that thedress did nothing but reveal how

anorexic she looked. Sex and the City’s Kim Catrall is another fan of

Lanvin’s toga dress. Also, Oscar-winning a

Tilda Swinton, the star of Mic

Clayton, and supermodel ClaSchiffer have been spotted sping Alberta Feretti’s toga-inspgowns.

The appeal of the toga liethe fact that it gives one a drain rather than a fitted-in lquite like what a sari does actly. So there’s an inherent clessness in the way it is worn

One can even innovate withcesorising. Depart from Rosandals and pair a dress wipair of skyscapers.

If you think the metres of lcloth have succeeded in ma

you look like a needle in a htack, get a belt and enhance

waistline. What’even better

now even have toga-inspireshirts! ■

THE TOGA DRESS IS TO THE ROMAN DRAPE WHA

THE COCKTAIL SARI IS TO A TRADITIONAL SARI

KimCatrall

ClaudiaSchiffer

TildaSwinton

KeiraKnightleyat Cannes

Toga tonic




‘‘I live by as-trology. I am a

Libra. I can’t make upmy mind. We neverfind a balance. We likeit all.

Donna Karan, discussing her

zodiac-inspired handbag line; January 10

‘‘I had Gucciand UNICEF on

my side, so thathelped. It’s pretty chic,isn’t it?

Madonna, at the U.N. fund-raiser

concert for Malawi; February 8

‘‘

How longdoes fashion

week last? Is it really aweek?

Amy Winehouse; March 3

‘‘

I’ve neverbeen banned

before, It’s very rock’n’ roll; I kind of like it.

Eva Mendes, on the controversy around her appearing nude in

Calvin Klein fragrance

ads; September 12

‘‘The future offashion is

sleeveless. Who needssleeves anymore? Youneed to be able to movand be comfortable. Tolayer. Seasons don’texist like they used to.Now it’s cold in summeand hot in winter.Things have changed.Fashion needs to lookforward.

Pierre Cardin; September

‘‘Temptationhas to be

permanent.Karl Lagerfeld; April 7

2008 IN QUOTES

GwynethPaltrow

oria Beckham

AmodelinLanvin




Flick

10

With the audio launch of Bala’s

Naan Kadavul , Kollywood welcomed the New Year instyle and grandeur.

Bala, the silent and suave director who gave us films like Sethu, Nandaand Pithamagan, which were not only box-office hits but also bagged lots of awards including the prestigious Na-tional Award, is back with his fourthmovie, Naan Kadavul . The audiolaunch held at Satyam Cinemas onThursday morning saw celebrities likelyricist Vaali, directors Balu Mahendraand Mani Rathnam, Tamil Film Pro-ducers Council president Ramana-rayanan, and actors Vikram, Suriya,

Arya and Pooja taking part. Naan Kadavul , shot exclusively in

Varanasi and surrounding areas, deals

with the life of the aghori tribes, issure to be a turning point in the careerof actor Arya, which was evident fromthe teaser released at the function.Maestro Ilayaraja, who gave super hitsongs for Sethu and Pithamagan, isback with stunning music for the lyr-ics penned by Vaali in Naan Kadavul .

“I have come here as a fan of Balaand I would like to say that he is onedirector who can join the list of

doyens like K. Balachander, Bharath

raja and Balu Mahendra,” directoMani Rathnam said. Balu MahendraBala’s mentor, was all praise for hiformer assistant, whom he considerhis elder son.

Actor Arya, who spoke on the occasion, said he was lucky enough to associate with director Bala. “The efforand hard work we have put into thfilm will surely take the film theights. During the shoots we evestayed in tents on roadsides, as ther

were no lodgings in those areas. It waan unforgettable experience.”

For actors Suriya and Vikram, Balis more than a mentor. Suriya said h

was awestruck after seeing the teaseof the movie. “After Nandha, I felt

was far ahead in the race, but aft

seeing Arya in the movie I feel I havto run harder in future to sustain mposition. The two things I have learnfrom Bala are humility and hard workHe taught me how to worship work.

Vikram said it was Bala who gavhim his identity. “If not for Sethu, don’t know where I would have beenIn the early days, I thought I woulretire after I acted in one movie eacdirected by Mani Rathnam and Shankar. But after acting in Sethu, Bala als

joined my wish list. I want to associat with Bala in many more movies.”

Now, as the audio has beelaunched, go grab your CD and watill Pongal for the movie’s release. ■

In the making for the last three years, the film is all set for a Pongal releas

V.Haripriya

[email protected]

Naan Kadavul, shot exclusivelyin Varanasi and surroundingareas, deals with the life ofthe aghori tribes, is sure to be

a turning point in the career ofactor Arya.

NNaaaannKKaaddaavvuullaauuddiioo llaauunncchheedd,,fifinnaallllyy

PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN

U/A certificateBala’s Naan Kadavul which went to censors on December 30 was clearedwith U/A certificate. Sources said thathe authorities in censor board wereawestruck after seeing the film.




Baz Luhrmann’s cinemato-graphic indulgence wouldhave remained just thathad it not been for the

brilliance of a 13-year-old andthe more popular appeal of itslead actors.

Brit Sarah Ashley (Kidman) has

just flown down to Darwin, Pra-da luggage, et al , to discover herlate husband’s estate in disarrayand fallen prey to the greed of arival cattle supplier, King Carney(Bryan Brown). With the help ofa drawling Drover (Hugh Jack-man), she sets about putting theestate back on its feet.

Ashley is the perfect Brit-on-foreign-soil caricature – high-

heeled hoity-toity scoffing atdust and grime and grimy men,needing half-a-dozen suitcaseson a trip to drive the cattle, ad-miring kangaroos with a tourist’sfascination. Drover loves barbrawls and roasts kangaroos fordinner.

Half-cast Nullah (BrandonWalters), who lives on Ashley’sestate, has just lost his mother

and Nicole Kidman steps in to fillher place.

In telling Ashley’s story of vic-tory and love and showing DownUnder’s savage beauty, Luhr-mann has tried to weave into thestory the plight of the ‘StolenGenerations’, the thousands ofaboriginal children forcibly re-moved from their families andgiven Christian indoctrination as

part of the ‘assimilation’ process.This, against the breakout of warin Darwin.

The problem with Australia is,every angle looks half-baked(despite the length of the movie)and taken care of in turns.

Yes, Hugh Jackman is hot andhas crackling chemistry with Kid-man. But just when things seemsettled between Ashley and

Drover, the issue of Nullah’s up-bringing becomes a point of dis-pute and a relationship thatlooked based on firm footing tillthen looks flimsy. As if the mak-ers were suddenly reminded ofthe temporarily-forgotten issueof Nullah’s roots and decided tomake amends.

Performance-wise, BrandonWalters as Nullah is brilliant, par-

ticularly in one scene where af-ter putting up a brave frontwhile trying to stop a fleeingherd, he suddenly breaks downafter realising the enormity ofwhat could have happened.Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kid-man put in what is asked, whichis not much.

The tendency to exotic-ise na-tive customs and cultures affects

the filmmaker here and mysticchants and magical grandfathersare largely incorporated into thenarrative.

There are many moments,though, which keep you glued –the loading of the cattle on theship, the opening bar fight andthe climax.

Watch the film to see it. ■

Kangaroo court

Film: AustraliaDirector: Baz LuhrmannCast: Nicole Kidman, HughJackman, Brandon Walters

SHALINI SHAH

[email protected]

Crowe in AustraliaRussell Crowe was to play the lead during pre-production.20th Century Fox executives wanted to reduce Crowe’s salaryconsiderably to tailor it to the film’s budget. This utimatelymade him leave the project.




Wednesday’s Query

What gift would you like torceive from your loved onefor New Year and why?■ Support is the biggest gift that anyone cangive; I just want that gift for all the comingyears

Sandy, HCL

■ I would like to get full 1 day to spend time

with himGeetha, Perot Systems

■ I would like spend more time with me.Because its very special day for me

Mohan Babu - Perot Systems, Suja - Sutherland

■ Tooth brush and soap because previously Ican’t use, now I want to test in the comingyear

Arun R, Systems International

■ My loved one itself a greatest gift to me.So I don’t want to get another gift for thisNew Year

Anitha - HCL, Archana Ramakrishnan - TCS

■ A rose to express her my loveFeby Jose, Optimus

■ A guitar, because I’m planning to learn

playing a guitar Mukund, SCB, Scope International

■ I want my dear to come backSunil, Cindy TCS

■ A beautifully crafted cigarette lighter,because whenever I light it, I would see herface in the flame and try to quit smokingatleast this year

Aristo John, Sutherland

■ A very special dish prepared by her ownhands with love

Vijay Shankar, Wipro

■ Platinum ring Minu, Sutherland

■New BlackBerry phone Maheswar, TCS

■ I would expect true love from my belovedone. That would be the greatest gift for me

Lavanya - Wipro, Asath Kani - TCS

■ A digicam since I need to purchase oneBalaji, Dpibpl

■ A lovely kiss. It resolves hundreds ofmysteries

Annapoorani M, TCS

Today’s Query

Who would you like to builda temple for and why?

M.Raja from Cognizant has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at Yercaud Hills.

Suganya K from Accenture has nominated her friends as Partners in Crime. This pic wasclicked at ECR

Thiagu from HCL has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked during Onam celebrations




Man-1 : ‘Abiyum Naanum’ padatha Sathyaraj yeduthu irundhaa yenna peru vachu iruppar?Man-2 : ‘Sibiyum Naanum’….

Milkman-kitta milk vaangalaam... Aana Watchman-kitta watch vaanga mudiyumaa... Mohamed Yusufdeen J, HCL

■ Dear Erni,Congratulations on your confirmation!!!!!May you grow to greater heights and make your dreamcastle to bricks.Wishing you a great new year ahead.GODbless you

Best wishes, Nithya and Nag

■ Dear Suda,Happy Birthday in advance!! Let this birthday make ur lifebrighter than ever and let all ur dreams come true.

Regards, Naraine, Inf

■ Hi karthi,We wishing u many more happy returns of the dayda.”LART” fill pannathu pothumda ithayum konjamkavani!!May your dreams come to be true.Have a most

rememberable Birthday to u! With RegardBBC(BENCH BOYS CLUB) Team

■ My Dear Sweat Hearts SaReKaWish you a Happy New Yearrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, Its time rorenew my friendship by saying New Year wishes to you andfamily. Happy and Prosperous New Year 2009.

Guess me your sweet frien

■ Hi Janu,Wishing you a Happy New year. You are the best! . You aremy happiness.A relaxed mind, A Peaceful soul, A joyfulSpirit, A Healthy Body & Heart full of love. All these are myprayers for U !!!.

with love, Ur Sweet Papu■ Dear Lavenya,Many more happy returns of the day and have a splendidyear ahead. May all your dreams come true?

With loads and loads of lov

Arabi. A, California Software Co Ltd

■ Dear SivaRaj Durai,Sending u the warmest wishes on ur BIRTHDAY.Have a fun-filled birthday and rocking year ahead.

DB2 TEAM,TC

■ Dear Radhiks,Many More Happy Returns of the Day Dear Another year isa happy gift, So cut your cake, and say,"Instead of counting birthdays,I count blessings every day!"Keep Smiling Always. Wishing you a successful year ahead

With ur Everlasting Friends, SPARKLA

■ Dear All,Wish you Hopes for a bright FutureAffection & lovePeace for the heartProspority that’s unlimitedYear - Round funHappy New Year ’2009’

Best Wishes from

Thennarasan and Friend

■ Dear Lokesh and Dinesh,Wish you many more "Happy Returns"this New year will brings you Peace and Prosperity .

Hearty WisheDOT NET Spiders. FS

■ Dear Raji,Hope you’ve all that you wish and more on your special dayand always! May this birthday be just the beginning of ayear filled with happy memories, wonderful moments andshining dreams. Advance Happy Birthday ...........

Best wishes from

Ur friend

Base Aviation, Ramco System■ Dear Divyamol,(DV)Wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year 2009. Mayall your wishes get fulfilled as the New Year Beckons.Love you, miss you.. Take care.. and miss me too

LuSan

Nirmal of Sify Technologies has been nominated asOffice Angel by Tier 1 and other friends.

He’s an amazing friend and an all rounder of all sorts.

Mohammed Nayeemullahhas doodled this.




Traffic Jam

14

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KAKURO

Discount for hitting bushA shop in China is offering discounts to anycustomers who hit an image of U.S. presidentGeorge W. Bush by throwing shoes.

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]

Dhanalakshmi

D. of RRDonnelly clicked thispicture on her

way to Agra.




B.C

BORN LOSER

FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT

PREVIOUS

ISSUE’S

SOLUTIONS

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20

Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pa

Ganesha believes in persistence. If you give upeasily, nothing will work for you. Today you neeremain focused on work and life. The evening mbe very nostalgic as you may meet old friends ohave long conversations with your beloved.

If you are eating out of your own plate, you are the right direction. However you may face a enedrain towards the end of the day. Ganesha adviyou to control your temper. On the love front, thlast thing you should today is ignore your love l

The most crucial time of the day is the lunch ho

You may end up discussing very important thingAt work, kindly keep your playful nature in contGanesha thinks you are very effective in expressiemotions; hence love life will be very exciting.

Sentiments might drench you in the morning,regardless of what you are dealing with. The nomay appear with a paradox. Ganesha feels you be more practical towards your final objective laduring the day. Love life may take a back seat.

Ganesha feels you will get new opportunities tolearn and adapt new things. Luckily, your energylevels will be high enough. You may feel likedeveloping new skills at personal level. Ganeshafinds you in an upbeat mood throughout the da

Nothing is impossible, says Ganesha. Ganesha nthat the day will be in your favour. The day will

very helpful if you want to look for better carerprospects. However just try to balance attentionequally to personal and professional life.

Late working hours may result into physical andmental stress. Nevertheless, such dedication to wand genius brain will be your two key factors foryour profession. In spite of you being a romanticheart, your beloved might feel just the opposite.

Do not lose focus today. The day is fast paced;hence you have to be careful that you don’t getcarried away. On the professional front, you mayhave to make adjustments. But all the tension wbe washed away as the evening.

You may feel like giving unwanted advises todaymost of which will go in vain. On the relationshyou may wish to establish a more spiritual union

with your partner. Ganesha feels the day will beinfluenced by Karma in work and relationship.

For everything important, Ganesha believes youshould hold it for one more week. Try to avoidextremities in relationships. Love life may face soemotional stress but things should be fine beforethe day ends, feels Ganesha.

A fantastic day to experiment with your creativityThere will be a lot of scope if you want to do sresearch about anything. You may also be able tmeet a lot of new people who will eventually heyou. Love life will be dramatic and exciting.

Ganesha feels that this day will be fruitful for yoEven though you might address to a group, you still be able to be precise and ‘to the point’. Sinyour partner is in a good mood as well, it seembe a perfect time for parties or long drives.

Word’s worth"Disboscation" (dis-bahs-kay-shuhn) the clearing of woods to make farmlandor pasture. This word isn’t used today but could be revived in protests againstthe clearing of woodland for more shopping malls or housing developments.

Christmas crackerAn American woman has found $10,000(GBP7,000) stuffed inside a packet of sour creamand onion cheddar flavoured crackers.



Socialite Paris Hiltonshares a joke with themedia during a pressconference to launchthe world’s biggeston-line New Years Eveparty ’The BongoVirus’ at the SheratonOn The Park onTuesday in Sydney,Australia. GETTY IMAGES

ERGO Friday, January 2, 2009!16

Amisha PatelwithboyfriendKanav Puri inMumbai onWednesdaynight. PTI

PHOTO

Item girl RakhiSawant performsat a New Yearcelebrations inSurat onWednesday. PTI

PHOTO

One look is all it takesNews and newsmakers in pictures

Ergo January 2

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Transcript of Ergo January 2