Global focus on Indianisation of computer applications takes a major step forward as Microsoft introduces the Indic Language Input Tool.
http://computing.in.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3486424
While still in the beta version, the software seamlessly enables input of Indian Language text not only in web pages, but also any application running on Windows. The tool supports major Indian languages such as Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu in the current version. This capability is expected to be extended to other languages also with free-form transliteration, a syllable-based conversion model.
Users can enter text in the English alphabet, spelling out words from Indian languages in a natural phonetic manner. The tool makes use of the syllables in the input text to identify a suitable equivalent in the conversion. The web based version enables easy input of Indian language text on any webpage, while the desktop version works in an offline manner and enables a similar input on any application running on Windows, such as Word, Notepad and Messenger. In addition to automated transliteration, both versions also contain a visual keyboard, for manual assistance.
First showcased by Microsoft in Hyderabad in the last week of November, the product attempts to address the growing need for Indian language input, especially at a time when rural India is waking up to the dawn of long distance communication via computers. If the language barrier was what restricted computer technology to the urban regions, this is a step towards removing that barrier.
Source: India Syndicate
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Vishal-Shekhar: Do Jasoos..!
You could call it the Karan Johar effect. Music of any movie with his name on the credits is a guaranteed chart-topper. Vishal-Shekhar, the new dynamic duo of Indian movie music, has kept the Johar boy’s promise, with their new album, ‘Dostana’.
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/movies/columns/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3071208
It has been nearly a decade since the Indian music scene woke up to a refreshing new breeze. From the Filmfare award-winning tunes of ‘Jhankar Beats’ to the melodious foot-tappers of ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Tashan’, ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ and ‘Musafir’, the V-S numbers have always had a distinctive charm.
The V-S winning formula is simple: Heavy techno beats are made to blend effortlessly with classical Indian melody!
"We are a no-frills composer duo", says Vishal, the “western influence” in the band. Having spent his early days as a vocalist for the Mumbai-based electronic band, 'Pentagram’, and as a VJ on Channel V, the composer’s garb was only a few hangers away for this ‘well built’ man.
Shekhar, on the other hand, is right at the opposite pole. Trained in classical Indian music, he provides the ‘other side’. Soft and silent, the man is much admired for his looks. Once a contestant on the ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ challenge, he is now one of the revered judges, along with Vishal.
The duo does have a fair claim on the pie of success. From music and lyrics to a little bit of acting as well, these two people come as, what one may well call, a total package. The Globe was allowed a glimpse of the V-S genius, when they toured the world with the ‘Unforgettable’ Bachchans.
A sortie down South, with the music for Telugu flick ‘Chintakalaya Ravi’, also made them the highest paid musicians in that part of the country. The album hit the market as Triple Platinum, with 5 lakh copies sold in advance.
With ‘Dostana’, the Vishal-Sekhar team has lived up to two legacies. One is the Karan Johar label, a package for the youth. The other is the pure weight of expectations that come with the Vishal-Shekhar tag. From ‘Desi girl…’, already tipped to be the dance number of the year, to the more intense compos, there is something in there that makes us go “Wow”.
For once we wonder if we should split the Aaj ka Fankaar title. The V-S entity is one, but it is a merger of two colossal talents. Let’s not divide the award between the golden boys of Indian music.
The throne is big enough for both Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.
Source: India Syndicate
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/movies/columns/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3071208
It has been nearly a decade since the Indian music scene woke up to a refreshing new breeze. From the Filmfare award-winning tunes of ‘Jhankar Beats’ to the melodious foot-tappers of ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Tashan’, ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ and ‘Musafir’, the V-S numbers have always had a distinctive charm.
The V-S winning formula is simple: Heavy techno beats are made to blend effortlessly with classical Indian melody!
"We are a no-frills composer duo", says Vishal, the “western influence” in the band. Having spent his early days as a vocalist for the Mumbai-based electronic band, 'Pentagram’, and as a VJ on Channel V, the composer’s garb was only a few hangers away for this ‘well built’ man.
Shekhar, on the other hand, is right at the opposite pole. Trained in classical Indian music, he provides the ‘other side’. Soft and silent, the man is much admired for his looks. Once a contestant on the ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ challenge, he is now one of the revered judges, along with Vishal.
The duo does have a fair claim on the pie of success. From music and lyrics to a little bit of acting as well, these two people come as, what one may well call, a total package. The Globe was allowed a glimpse of the V-S genius, when they toured the world with the ‘Unforgettable’ Bachchans.
A sortie down South, with the music for Telugu flick ‘Chintakalaya Ravi’, also made them the highest paid musicians in that part of the country. The album hit the market as Triple Platinum, with 5 lakh copies sold in advance.
With ‘Dostana’, the Vishal-Sekhar team has lived up to two legacies. One is the Karan Johar label, a package for the youth. The other is the pure weight of expectations that come with the Vishal-Shekhar tag. From ‘Desi girl…’, already tipped to be the dance number of the year, to the more intense compos, there is something in there that makes us go “Wow”.
For once we wonder if we should split the Aaj ka Fankaar title. The V-S entity is one, but it is a merger of two colossal talents. Let’s not divide the award between the golden boys of Indian music.
The throne is big enough for both Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.
Source: India Syndicate
Love at first sight – a fairy tale?
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/advertorial/ponds/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3187606
It takes only so much time for the blink of an eye. It takes just half that time, to fall in love.
On Element X – the alpha male zone, we explore this blissful terrain that was once feared lost: Love at first sight.
Does love truly begin at the first sight? Mankind would stand divided at this question. Half of us would say it does, while the rest may not think twice before denying the very foundations of the concept. But given a chance, who wouldn’t want to experience those sublime moments when you catch her eye and the two of you lock into a gaze that goes on for ever, but seems to end so soon. The world around you ceases to exist and the two of you are whisked away into a haven of your own. We took the notion out on the road and confronted a few couples.
We start with a very unromantic environment. Wikipedia explains the concept thus: “Love at first sight is an emotional condition whereby a person feels romantic attraction for a stranger on the first encounter with the stranger. The term may be used to refer to a mere sexual attraction or crush, but it usually refers to actually falling in love with someone literally the very first time one sees him or her, along with the deep desire to have an intimate relationship with that person. The stranger may or may not be aware that the other person has any such notion, and may not even be aware of the other person's presence (such as in a crowded place). Sometimes two people experience this phenomenon towards each other at the same time, usually when their eyes meet”.
Having nearly spoiled our love appetite, we move on to humans. The office, it seems, is a haven for those who believe in love at first sight. As Sachith, a software engineer from Trivandrum puts it, “Falling in love is never planned. I saw her step in for her first day at work and soon found myself praying that she be assigned to my team. For once, He heard my prayers”. The duo thus met, fell in love and are enjoying life post-engagement, to cut a long story short. I turn to his soon to be better half, but I am met with a blushing face that tells me I’ll have to imagine her side of the story. Sachith puts his arm around her and smiles wider.
To balance things out, I needed a woman’s point of view. I find the right person in Shruti, a call centre executive, who claims to have considerable experience in the field. A pretty 23 year old, she tells me that as many as six people have approached her with tales of love at first sight, but claims she herself has felt so only once in her lifetime. I look for an engagement ring, but find none. She giggles and says, “I never said he was one of the six”. I am still unsure of the amount of exaggeration in her tale, but felt it was worth a mention in any case. Quite a few people I meet echo her story, with the characters shifting directions at times. I realize I am digressing towards a feature on failed love and decide to backtrack a little bit.
It is over dinner that this man tells me how he fell in love at first sight. A thriving actor on the South Indian small screen, he speaks only on condition of anonymity. “I met her on the sets of a movie. She was simply breathtaking and I had to tell her I was in love”. A few clichéd romantic pitches followed before she confessed she had always had a crush on him…since she saw him on screen! Does that qualify for love at first sight? Although it was not at the same time, it was still first sight for both and so I would say yes. There is a pang of regret in his voice as he goes on, “but then I realized things were not as rosy as it seemed at first”. Having gone through a fiery divorce recently, I cannot blame him. As I realise his eyeballs have been taking detours in the same direction a number of times, I take a look and spot another possible avenue for him to fall in love ‘at first sight’ again.
A brief recap of my discussions tells me that if love indeed does occur at first sight, it is a little hard to believe that love is bind. Unless the protagonist of the love story is fairly well versed in the art of scrying and face reading, there is little scope for anything more than just looks to make a worthwhile impact. And of course, for the long life of any relationship, I am told it is important for both the man and the woman to convince each other that they did fall in love at first sight.
But let me not burst the bubble for the true believers. For one can’t deny, whether it be at first sight or the very last, it is indeed a blissful sensation to fall in love.
Source: Aravind Ramachandran / India Syndicate
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/advertorial/ponds/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3187606
It takes only so much time for the blink of an eye. It takes just half that time, to fall in love.
On Element X – the alpha male zone, we explore this blissful terrain that was once feared lost: Love at first sight.
Does love truly begin at the first sight? Mankind would stand divided at this question. Half of us would say it does, while the rest may not think twice before denying the very foundations of the concept. But given a chance, who wouldn’t want to experience those sublime moments when you catch her eye and the two of you lock into a gaze that goes on for ever, but seems to end so soon. The world around you ceases to exist and the two of you are whisked away into a haven of your own. We took the notion out on the road and confronted a few couples.
We start with a very unromantic environment. Wikipedia explains the concept thus: “Love at first sight is an emotional condition whereby a person feels romantic attraction for a stranger on the first encounter with the stranger. The term may be used to refer to a mere sexual attraction or crush, but it usually refers to actually falling in love with someone literally the very first time one sees him or her, along with the deep desire to have an intimate relationship with that person. The stranger may or may not be aware that the other person has any such notion, and may not even be aware of the other person's presence (such as in a crowded place). Sometimes two people experience this phenomenon towards each other at the same time, usually when their eyes meet”.
Having nearly spoiled our love appetite, we move on to humans. The office, it seems, is a haven for those who believe in love at first sight. As Sachith, a software engineer from Trivandrum puts it, “Falling in love is never planned. I saw her step in for her first day at work and soon found myself praying that she be assigned to my team. For once, He heard my prayers”. The duo thus met, fell in love and are enjoying life post-engagement, to cut a long story short. I turn to his soon to be better half, but I am met with a blushing face that tells me I’ll have to imagine her side of the story. Sachith puts his arm around her and smiles wider.
To balance things out, I needed a woman’s point of view. I find the right person in Shruti, a call centre executive, who claims to have considerable experience in the field. A pretty 23 year old, she tells me that as many as six people have approached her with tales of love at first sight, but claims she herself has felt so only once in her lifetime. I look for an engagement ring, but find none. She giggles and says, “I never said he was one of the six”. I am still unsure of the amount of exaggeration in her tale, but felt it was worth a mention in any case. Quite a few people I meet echo her story, with the characters shifting directions at times. I realize I am digressing towards a feature on failed love and decide to backtrack a little bit.
It is over dinner that this man tells me how he fell in love at first sight. A thriving actor on the South Indian small screen, he speaks only on condition of anonymity. “I met her on the sets of a movie. She was simply breathtaking and I had to tell her I was in love”. A few clichéd romantic pitches followed before she confessed she had always had a crush on him…since she saw him on screen! Does that qualify for love at first sight? Although it was not at the same time, it was still first sight for both and so I would say yes. There is a pang of regret in his voice as he goes on, “but then I realized things were not as rosy as it seemed at first”. Having gone through a fiery divorce recently, I cannot blame him. As I realise his eyeballs have been taking detours in the same direction a number of times, I take a look and spot another possible avenue for him to fall in love ‘at first sight’ again.
A brief recap of my discussions tells me that if love indeed does occur at first sight, it is a little hard to believe that love is bind. Unless the protagonist of the love story is fairly well versed in the art of scrying and face reading, there is little scope for anything more than just looks to make a worthwhile impact. And of course, for the long life of any relationship, I am told it is important for both the man and the woman to convince each other that they did fall in love at first sight.
But let me not burst the bubble for the true believers. For one can’t deny, whether it be at first sight or the very last, it is indeed a blissful sensation to fall in love.
Source: Aravind Ramachandran / India Syndicate
Love at first sight – a fairy tale?
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/advertorial/ponds/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3187606
It takes only so much time for the blink of an eye. It takes just half that time, to fall in love.
On Element X – the alpha male zone, we explore this blissful terrain that was once feared lost: Love at first sight.
Does love truly begin at the first sight? Mankind would stand divided at this question. Half of us would say it does, while the rest may not think twice before denying the very foundations of the concept. But given a chance, who wouldn’t want to experience those sublime moments when you catch her eye and the two of you lock into a gaze that goes on for ever, but seems to end so soon. The world around you ceases to exist and the two of you are whisked away into a haven of your own. We took the notion out on the road and confronted a few couples.
We start with a very unromantic environment. Wikipedia explains the concept thus: “Love at first sight is an emotional condition whereby a person feels romantic attraction for a stranger on the first encounter with the stranger. The term may be used to refer to a mere sexual attraction or crush, but it usually refers to actually falling in love with someone literally the very first time one sees him or her, along with the deep desire to have an intimate relationship with that person. The stranger may or may not be aware that the other person has any such notion, and may not even be aware of the other person's presence (such as in a crowded place). Sometimes two people experience this phenomenon towards each other at the same time, usually when their eyes meet”.
Having nearly spoiled our love appetite, we move on to humans. The office, it seems, is a haven for those who believe in love at first sight. As Sachith, a software engineer from Trivandrum puts it, “Falling in love is never planned. I saw her step in for her first day at work and soon found myself praying that she be assigned to my team. For once, He heard my prayers”. The duo thus met, fell in love and are enjoying life post-engagement, to cut a long story short. I turn to his soon to be better half, but I am met with a blushing face that tells me I’ll have to imagine her side of the story. Sachith puts his arm around her and smiles wider.
To balance things out, I needed a woman’s point of view. I find the right person in Shruti, a call centre executive, who claims to have considerable experience in the field. A pretty 23 year old, she tells me that as many as six people have approached her with tales of love at first sight, but claims she herself has felt so only once in her lifetime. I look for an engagement ring, but find none. She giggles and says, “I never said he was one of the six”. I am still unsure of the amount of exaggeration in her tale, but felt it was worth a mention in any case. Quite a few people I meet echo her story, with the characters shifting directions at times. I realize I am digressing towards a feature on failed love and decide to backtrack a little bit.
It is over dinner that this man tells me how he fell in love at first sight. A thriving actor on the South Indian small screen, he speaks only on condition of anonymity. “I met her on the sets of a movie. She was simply breathtaking and I had to tell her I was in love”. A few clichéd romantic pitches followed before she confessed she had always had a crush on him…since she saw him on screen! Does that qualify for love at first sight? Although it was not at the same time, it was still first sight for both and so I would say yes. There is a pang of regret in his voice as he goes on, “but then I realized things were not as rosy as it seemed at first”. Having gone through a fiery divorce recently, I cannot blame him. As I realise his eyeballs have been taking detours in the same direction a number of times, I take a look and spot another possible avenue for him to fall in love ‘at first sight’ again.
A brief recap of my discussions tells me that if love indeed does occur at first sight, it is a little hard to believe that love is bind. Unless the protagonist of the love story is fairly well versed in the art of scrying and face reading, there is little scope for anything more than just looks to make a worthwhile impact. And of course, for the long life of any relationship, I am told it is important for both the man and the woman to convince each other that they did fall in love at first sight.
But let me not burst the bubble for the true believers. For one can’t deny, whether it be at first sight or the very last, it is indeed a blissful sensation to fall in love.
Source: Aravind Ramachandran / India Syndicate
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/advertorial/ponds/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3187606
It takes only so much time for the blink of an eye. It takes just half that time, to fall in love.
On Element X – the alpha male zone, we explore this blissful terrain that was once feared lost: Love at first sight.
Does love truly begin at the first sight? Mankind would stand divided at this question. Half of us would say it does, while the rest may not think twice before denying the very foundations of the concept. But given a chance, who wouldn’t want to experience those sublime moments when you catch her eye and the two of you lock into a gaze that goes on for ever, but seems to end so soon. The world around you ceases to exist and the two of you are whisked away into a haven of your own. We took the notion out on the road and confronted a few couples.
We start with a very unromantic environment. Wikipedia explains the concept thus: “Love at first sight is an emotional condition whereby a person feels romantic attraction for a stranger on the first encounter with the stranger. The term may be used to refer to a mere sexual attraction or crush, but it usually refers to actually falling in love with someone literally the very first time one sees him or her, along with the deep desire to have an intimate relationship with that person. The stranger may or may not be aware that the other person has any such notion, and may not even be aware of the other person's presence (such as in a crowded place). Sometimes two people experience this phenomenon towards each other at the same time, usually when their eyes meet”.
Having nearly spoiled our love appetite, we move on to humans. The office, it seems, is a haven for those who believe in love at first sight. As Sachith, a software engineer from Trivandrum puts it, “Falling in love is never planned. I saw her step in for her first day at work and soon found myself praying that she be assigned to my team. For once, He heard my prayers”. The duo thus met, fell in love and are enjoying life post-engagement, to cut a long story short. I turn to his soon to be better half, but I am met with a blushing face that tells me I’ll have to imagine her side of the story. Sachith puts his arm around her and smiles wider.
To balance things out, I needed a woman’s point of view. I find the right person in Shruti, a call centre executive, who claims to have considerable experience in the field. A pretty 23 year old, she tells me that as many as six people have approached her with tales of love at first sight, but claims she herself has felt so only once in her lifetime. I look for an engagement ring, but find none. She giggles and says, “I never said he was one of the six”. I am still unsure of the amount of exaggeration in her tale, but felt it was worth a mention in any case. Quite a few people I meet echo her story, with the characters shifting directions at times. I realize I am digressing towards a feature on failed love and decide to backtrack a little bit.
It is over dinner that this man tells me how he fell in love at first sight. A thriving actor on the South Indian small screen, he speaks only on condition of anonymity. “I met her on the sets of a movie. She was simply breathtaking and I had to tell her I was in love”. A few clichéd romantic pitches followed before she confessed she had always had a crush on him…since she saw him on screen! Does that qualify for love at first sight? Although it was not at the same time, it was still first sight for both and so I would say yes. There is a pang of regret in his voice as he goes on, “but then I realized things were not as rosy as it seemed at first”. Having gone through a fiery divorce recently, I cannot blame him. As I realise his eyeballs have been taking detours in the same direction a number of times, I take a look and spot another possible avenue for him to fall in love ‘at first sight’ again.
A brief recap of my discussions tells me that if love indeed does occur at first sight, it is a little hard to believe that love is bind. Unless the protagonist of the love story is fairly well versed in the art of scrying and face reading, there is little scope for anything more than just looks to make a worthwhile impact. And of course, for the long life of any relationship, I am told it is important for both the man and the woman to convince each other that they did fall in love at first sight.
But let me not burst the bubble for the true believers. For one can’t deny, whether it be at first sight or the very last, it is indeed a blissful sensation to fall in love.
Source: Aravind Ramachandran / India Syndicate
Kailash Kher: Rustic Charmer!
Rustic charm is probably the most over-used defense for any talent that falls short of the stipulated norms. Although 'Dasvidaniya' has a definite feel-good whiff to it, Band Kailasa (Naresh, Paresh and Kher) definitely relies on Kailash Kher for the “rustic charm”. On certain notes one tends to wonder if Kailash Kher is on the edge of his lease of life.
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/movies/columns/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3071199
Music in Bollywood has never had the problem of being stereotyped to specific genres. It's an all-encompassing entity that comprises everything from classic melodies to intrepid modern rock mixtures. The Kailash Kher structure owes itself to Sufi music.
For a person who left home at age 14 in search of a mentor to lead him into music, Kailash could boast of only a limited measure of genius. Inspiration first came from his father’s bhajans. He also thanks Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Lata Mangeshkar among others for his affinity to the Sufi brand of music.
Ending up in Mumbai with nothing to his name, fate led Kailash to cut an album with Naresh and Paresh. The trio struck the right chord and Band ‘Kailasa’ was forged. ‘Andaaz’ happened soon after and Kailash became the talk of tinsel town. The raw voice was hailed by an audience that had grown tired of the purists.
On the crest of glory, he had his moments in Mollywood as well. The newbie charm was just irresistible to the masses. But that was exactly the flaw in his fortune. It is always a question of how long the sheen remains. To put it straight, Kailash Kher is brilliant in his home turf, but variety is not one of his strong points.
The approach is questionable. “We are all just souls. And souls are females. So we are females and the almighty is the only male”, explains Kailash Kher, about the feminine tendency prevalent in his lyrics. Is this a conscious attempt to overhaul the classic school of thought? Does Kailash Kher as an individual wield that kind of power? The self obsession may be second only to Himesh Reshammiya, but the difference in stature is marked.
'Dasvidaniya' is a study of contrast between the art and the artiste. On the one side is a track brimming with child-like innocence, punctuated with great lyrics and a soothing tune. On the other side stands a man whose claim to fame is a gift of his raw tone. The blend is by no means smooth.
The music has its merits and is definitely worth the praise. For the Aaj ka Fankaar crown, Kailash Kher is an uncomplicated choice. The limelight is his, let him enjoy it while it lasts.
Source: India Syndicate
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/movies/columns/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3071199
Music in Bollywood has never had the problem of being stereotyped to specific genres. It's an all-encompassing entity that comprises everything from classic melodies to intrepid modern rock mixtures. The Kailash Kher structure owes itself to Sufi music.
For a person who left home at age 14 in search of a mentor to lead him into music, Kailash could boast of only a limited measure of genius. Inspiration first came from his father’s bhajans. He also thanks Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Lata Mangeshkar among others for his affinity to the Sufi brand of music.
Ending up in Mumbai with nothing to his name, fate led Kailash to cut an album with Naresh and Paresh. The trio struck the right chord and Band ‘Kailasa’ was forged. ‘Andaaz’ happened soon after and Kailash became the talk of tinsel town. The raw voice was hailed by an audience that had grown tired of the purists.
On the crest of glory, he had his moments in Mollywood as well. The newbie charm was just irresistible to the masses. But that was exactly the flaw in his fortune. It is always a question of how long the sheen remains. To put it straight, Kailash Kher is brilliant in his home turf, but variety is not one of his strong points.
The approach is questionable. “We are all just souls. And souls are females. So we are females and the almighty is the only male”, explains Kailash Kher, about the feminine tendency prevalent in his lyrics. Is this a conscious attempt to overhaul the classic school of thought? Does Kailash Kher as an individual wield that kind of power? The self obsession may be second only to Himesh Reshammiya, but the difference in stature is marked.
'Dasvidaniya' is a study of contrast between the art and the artiste. On the one side is a track brimming with child-like innocence, punctuated with great lyrics and a soothing tune. On the other side stands a man whose claim to fame is a gift of his raw tone. The blend is by no means smooth.
The music has its merits and is definitely worth the praise. For the Aaj ka Fankaar crown, Kailash Kher is an uncomplicated choice. The limelight is his, let him enjoy it while it lasts.
Source: India Syndicate
ARR: Make way for the Yuvraaj!
In his latest offering, ‘Yuvraaj’, AR Rahman pays what can only be assumed as a subtle tribute to his South Indian roots.
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/movies/columns/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3071192
The lazy locks and bushed smile hardly make up the picture of a legend.
To the average Indian, AR Rahman denotes the divinity of South Indian music. But to be fair to a talent that breeches geo-cultural boundaries, he is the definition of innovation.
Rahman’s family, which lived on music, was orphaned at an early age. RK Shekhar was a well known name in Malayalam music, but success remained limited even at his death. His son, the young Dileep, had no real legacy to fall back on except for the inheritance of talent. Adopted into Islam in his teenage, Dileep Kumar started answering to the name, Allah Rakha Rahman.
Accompanying aspirant rock bands and classical greats, the AR Rahman familiarised himself with the world of music. Armed with a scholarship, he graduated in Western classical music from Trinity college. Having set up a studio in his own backyard, ARR started composing music for ad jingles. The timing couldn't be better for his entry into Kollywood. Ace director Mani Ratnam had just had a spat with legendary music director Ilaiyaraja, when he spotted the new face.
‘Roja’ saw the rise of the new star. Songs from ‘Tamizha Tamizha…’ to ‘Kadhal Rojave…’ broke the barriers of conformism and boundaries of language. For the first time in history, a debutant took home the Rajat Kamal - National Award for Best Music Director. TIME magazine listed the movie among the Top 10 sound tracks of all time. The AR Rahman era in music was just beginning.
Super hits followed hits, so much so that some movies survived at the box office on the sheer strength of his tunes alone. A new chapter was written in the history of music – not of a new legend, but of how the very definition of filmy music was being overhauled by one young man.
AR Rahman never had to knock on the doors of Bollywood. The land of dreams was honoured by his very presence, bringing in whole new blends of genres and pushing technology to unheard limits.
The hallmark perhaps was his rendition of India’s national song on the 50th anniversary of her Independence. ‘Vande Mataram...’ became the anthem of Modern India. The Rave Circuit let go of the West and latched on to the ARR loop. He was no more merely making music.
Source: India Syndicate
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/movies/columns/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3071192
The lazy locks and bushed smile hardly make up the picture of a legend.
To the average Indian, AR Rahman denotes the divinity of South Indian music. But to be fair to a talent that breeches geo-cultural boundaries, he is the definition of innovation.
Rahman’s family, which lived on music, was orphaned at an early age. RK Shekhar was a well known name in Malayalam music, but success remained limited even at his death. His son, the young Dileep, had no real legacy to fall back on except for the inheritance of talent. Adopted into Islam in his teenage, Dileep Kumar started answering to the name, Allah Rakha Rahman.
Accompanying aspirant rock bands and classical greats, the AR Rahman familiarised himself with the world of music. Armed with a scholarship, he graduated in Western classical music from Trinity college. Having set up a studio in his own backyard, ARR started composing music for ad jingles. The timing couldn't be better for his entry into Kollywood. Ace director Mani Ratnam had just had a spat with legendary music director Ilaiyaraja, when he spotted the new face.
‘Roja’ saw the rise of the new star. Songs from ‘Tamizha Tamizha…’ to ‘Kadhal Rojave…’ broke the barriers of conformism and boundaries of language. For the first time in history, a debutant took home the Rajat Kamal - National Award for Best Music Director. TIME magazine listed the movie among the Top 10 sound tracks of all time. The AR Rahman era in music was just beginning.
Super hits followed hits, so much so that some movies survived at the box office on the sheer strength of his tunes alone. A new chapter was written in the history of music – not of a new legend, but of how the very definition of filmy music was being overhauled by one young man.
AR Rahman never had to knock on the doors of Bollywood. The land of dreams was honoured by his very presence, bringing in whole new blends of genres and pushing technology to unheard limits.
The hallmark perhaps was his rendition of India’s national song on the 50th anniversary of her Independence. ‘Vande Mataram...’ became the anthem of Modern India. The Rave Circuit let go of the West and latched on to the ARR loop. He was no more merely making music.
Source: India Syndicate
Afterburners, on the rocks
By Aravind Ramachandran
http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3137852
I just couldn’t help laughing at the very innocent accusation in the SMS I received some 15 months ago. A hapless Indian team lead by Rahul Dravid had just crashed out of the 2007 World Cup, with Sri Lanka and minnows Bangladesh having gained the upper hand in what was seen as a very laid back group.
We had already found two people to take the blame, for crimes that, as it happened, were committed long ago. One was Indira Gandhi, for the political ploy of carving out the country of Bangladesh. The second was Lord Hanuman, for failing to destroy Lanka completely. It was time for a very pretentious flashback.
As the sun set on that balmy June evening in 1983, the silhouette of Kapil Dev Nikhanj holding the Prudential World Cup on the balcony of Lord’s was, for a brief moment, divided amongst the believers and the non-believers.
Even to the non-believers, it was hardly the fulfillment of the Indian dream, for in spite of all the momentum gained by the giant killers on the road to the finals, overthrowing the reigning champions was always considered a little too much to hope for. To the believers, it was the Calypso kings’ death at the hands of the underdogs.
I am alarmed at how vividly I see it all. But for the countless re-telecasts, I had missed that first time Indian cricket scaled the summit of glory, and for no fault of mine – I was not born until a couple of years later.
The picture of Indian cricket was not so rosy a few years down the line. To one who grew up watching the Indian team exploring different shades of blue for each World cup in search of luck was hardly of use. Another ‘top of the podium finish’ in the one-day format has remained a distant dream.
Images of carnage and plunder on the field were still common fare, but India was very often on the wrong side of things. It didn’t help either that Pakistani skipper Imran Khan was the one who lifted the first World cup in the memory of my generation – the crystal ball of 1992 that was perhaps the most glamorous World cup trophy of all time.
But there were a few bright spots. The curly haired young man who often stood next to Kapil Dev holding a bright red cup and revealing the ‘secret of our energy’ inspired many a boy to put down our books and pick up the cricket bat. After all, we believed we had the ‘boost’ we needed, but as history tells us, few from this part of the country actually made it.
Four years later, a very much unknown Jayasuriya’s plundering of bowling attacks from all over the world caught the attention of us school boys from all over India. Rumours of spring loaded bats and tampered balls were subjects of heated discussions in classrooms even as common logic and applied physics took a back seat to conspiracy theories.
India’s semi-final loss to eventual champions Sri Lanka owing to crowd disturbances made Calcutta the most hated city, as our hearts went out to a sobbing Vinod Kambli who had to be led off the field on that occasion. Sub continent rivalry was never this strong as the World cup was once again so near, yet so far.
To Sreesanth, though, it may have been a matter of life and death, had he fumbled what was perhaps the last chance for India to press the delete button on Pakistan from the pages of Twenty20 history. But the young man had vindicated his aggression.
After all, he must have grown up watching re-telecasts of the 1983 finals barely a quarter of a century ago where another pacer we fondly call Kapil Dev had held on to a wayward shot off a very dangerous Vivian Richards at Lords, as if his life depended on it. But then again, maybe this time, it did.
Finally, when the older generation tries to tell us about Kapil’s devils who could beat the giants and overcome odds to win the World Cup, the young men of India can look them in the eye and remind them about the new breed led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Kapil da jawaab nahin tha…Par Ab jawab mila kya?
I’m sure Mr. Kapil Dev is smiling now.
Source: India Syndicate
http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3137852
I just couldn’t help laughing at the very innocent accusation in the SMS I received some 15 months ago. A hapless Indian team lead by Rahul Dravid had just crashed out of the 2007 World Cup, with Sri Lanka and minnows Bangladesh having gained the upper hand in what was seen as a very laid back group.
We had already found two people to take the blame, for crimes that, as it happened, were committed long ago. One was Indira Gandhi, for the political ploy of carving out the country of Bangladesh. The second was Lord Hanuman, for failing to destroy Lanka completely. It was time for a very pretentious flashback.
As the sun set on that balmy June evening in 1983, the silhouette of Kapil Dev Nikhanj holding the Prudential World Cup on the balcony of Lord’s was, for a brief moment, divided amongst the believers and the non-believers.
Even to the non-believers, it was hardly the fulfillment of the Indian dream, for in spite of all the momentum gained by the giant killers on the road to the finals, overthrowing the reigning champions was always considered a little too much to hope for. To the believers, it was the Calypso kings’ death at the hands of the underdogs.
I am alarmed at how vividly I see it all. But for the countless re-telecasts, I had missed that first time Indian cricket scaled the summit of glory, and for no fault of mine – I was not born until a couple of years later.
The picture of Indian cricket was not so rosy a few years down the line. To one who grew up watching the Indian team exploring different shades of blue for each World cup in search of luck was hardly of use. Another ‘top of the podium finish’ in the one-day format has remained a distant dream.
Images of carnage and plunder on the field were still common fare, but India was very often on the wrong side of things. It didn’t help either that Pakistani skipper Imran Khan was the one who lifted the first World cup in the memory of my generation – the crystal ball of 1992 that was perhaps the most glamorous World cup trophy of all time.
But there were a few bright spots. The curly haired young man who often stood next to Kapil Dev holding a bright red cup and revealing the ‘secret of our energy’ inspired many a boy to put down our books and pick up the cricket bat. After all, we believed we had the ‘boost’ we needed, but as history tells us, few from this part of the country actually made it.
Four years later, a very much unknown Jayasuriya’s plundering of bowling attacks from all over the world caught the attention of us school boys from all over India. Rumours of spring loaded bats and tampered balls were subjects of heated discussions in classrooms even as common logic and applied physics took a back seat to conspiracy theories.
India’s semi-final loss to eventual champions Sri Lanka owing to crowd disturbances made Calcutta the most hated city, as our hearts went out to a sobbing Vinod Kambli who had to be led off the field on that occasion. Sub continent rivalry was never this strong as the World cup was once again so near, yet so far.
To Sreesanth, though, it may have been a matter of life and death, had he fumbled what was perhaps the last chance for India to press the delete button on Pakistan from the pages of Twenty20 history. But the young man had vindicated his aggression.
After all, he must have grown up watching re-telecasts of the 1983 finals barely a quarter of a century ago where another pacer we fondly call Kapil Dev had held on to a wayward shot off a very dangerous Vivian Richards at Lords, as if his life depended on it. But then again, maybe this time, it did.
Finally, when the older generation tries to tell us about Kapil’s devils who could beat the giants and overcome odds to win the World Cup, the young men of India can look them in the eye and remind them about the new breed led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Kapil da jawaab nahin tha…Par Ab jawab mila kya?
I’m sure Mr. Kapil Dev is smiling now.
Source: India Syndicate
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