A BYTE OF LIFE Wednesday, April 22, 2009

05 04
WINDOW MYTHOLOGY WITH SURABHI
SHOPPER 124-year-old drama group to perform
Wrapped in Wrapture in Chennai

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 75

Davis Cup tie a goner? » Page 03

02 NAMMA CHENNAI ERGO Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Air Max+ from Nike

Nike has launched the Air Max+ shoe for men and
women. The shoe combines features like ultra-strong,
ultra-lightweight Flywire, Cushlon midsole, single-layer
Ortholite sockliner and full-length, articulated Max Air
unit, to name a few. The men’s shoe is priced at Rs.
10,900 and women’s shoe comes at Rs. 9,900.

Philanthropic thief
arrested after 10 years Folk Rockers
A Folk fusion band Swarathama will come on the
modern day Robin Hood who
burgled from houses in Chennai and
distributed money from the loot to his
people in his native village in Internaltional music map this May
Kancheepuram was arrested by the Chennai
city police on Saturday.
The philanthropic culprit, identified as DEEPA VENKATRAMAN sions. Two weekdays we practice by EMI Virgin Records. Soon they
Malarmannan alias Immanuel (46), fell into and on weekends we give perfor- were rated four-star by the Roll-

the police net after robbing a man at
knifepoint in Velachery on Saturday night.
According to police sources, Malarmannan
had broken into houses in areas like
Nungambakkam, Egmore, Adyar and Shastri
Nagar after widening the window bars. He
had been booked under the Goondas Act
and was sent to prison five times.
After his release from prison in 1998, he
completely went off the police radar and
continued his burglaries in Adyar.
Thiruvanmiyur, Velachery and Mylapore.
With his loot money, he purchased land in
his village in Wallajahbad, Kancheepuram
district, in his wife’s name and built a fully
air-conditioned house. He also purchased a
car and an autorickshaw.
Malarmannan even turned social worker by
donating money to a school for the visual
and hearing impaired in Kelambakkam,
bought sports goods for children in his
village and helped perform last rites for
unclaimed bodies, police added.
A total of 325 sovereigns of gold and
diamond jewellery, 13 kilograms of
silverware, five laptops, three cameras and
three cellphones were seized from him. The
worth of the seizure is estimated to be
close to Rs. 40 lakh.
Malarmannan was remanded to custody
and sent to the Puzhal Prison. ■
Ergo Correspondent
S
warathma which was re-
cently rated four-star by
Rolling Stone is all set to
rock Namma Chennai with
their foot-tapping music this eve-
ning. So get unwind at Citi Centre
from 7.30pm onwards and enjoy
the great music of the band that is
soon to get International fame.
Birth of Swarathma
Most bands are formed during
college days by some passionate
and budding talented students
and they vanish in course of time
but Swarathma, the folk fusion
band is an exception. Although
there was a span of time when the
band was inactive, they came
back with few new members to
continue their all time passion.
Classical music trained singer Va-
su, founder of Swarathma recalls,
“It was tough to reform our band
that was started in 2002 as some
of our band members went off
but thankfully our new team—
Jishnu on bass guitar, lead guita-
rist Varun and Montry on drums
and Pavan a percussionist and
Sanjeev lead violinist are also ve-
ry talented and dedicated to the
band besides their other profes-
mances.”
Folk melodies
When it comes to composing
songs, the band which boasts of
about twenty odd songs, it is
completely a group effort and the
genre of music is folk fusion. The
popular peppy numbers—Patte
Sare, Eshu Allah aur Krishna and
Pyaasi, blend of folk and rock
highlight social messages—ill ef-
fects of urbanisation, hypocrisy
in the name of religion and Kaveri
issue respectively. A noteworthy
mention is that all the lyrics are
original and penned down by Va-
su. “We sit together and compose
the songs as each of them are
trained musicians with some
amount of experience. The
themes of our songs are a reflec-
tion of our thoughts. Sometimes,
I also take help of my friends who
are strong in Hindi while writing
the lyrics,” says Vasu.
Laurels and the path ahead
Their first tryst with fame was
when they bagged the best band
title in national level contest or-
ganised by Radio City in 2008 and
that’s when their first CD was cut
ing Stone magazine. The icing on
the cake was when they were se-
lected as one of the best bands by
renowned UK based music pro-
ducer John Leckie at the contest
held by British Council.
Vasu says, “We are one of the
five Indian bands who got select-
ed out of several others across the
nation. Leckie has produced an
album—where each band has
two of its newly composed songs.
We will be launching the two
songs in Mumbai at the end of
this month and in May we will be
at London for the launch of the
album.” They have also participa-
ted at the SARC nation band fes-
tival at Delhi. The band is also
eagerly awaiting the result of the
Asian band contest held at Singa-
pore. Hope some lady luck
knocks their door again. Ask Vasu
whether they are coming up with
a video for their album, he says
up, “Soon as we return from Lon-
don, we plan to shoot one in
June.” Few of their songs have be-
come popular in Bollywood. Vasu
sums up, “There are talks with
some people in the industry who
wish to take in some songs in
their movie.” ■
 Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Davis Cup
TIE A GONER?
Tennis Australia not keen about playing the
tie scheduled in Chennai from May 8 to 10
AYON SENGUPTA
ayon@goergo.in
I
ndia may get a virtual wal-
kover to the next round of
the Davis Cup after Tennis
Australia continued to voice
their disapproval over Chennai
as the host city for the Asia-
Oceania Zone Group 1 tie from
May 8-10. The Australians, who
had their first appeal for a venue
change turned down by the In-
ternational Tennis Federation
on Friday, are again expected to
approach the Davis Cup board
of directors. According to sourc-
es in Tennis Australia the asso-
ciation will pitch for Singapore
as a possible neutral venue.
Confirming their move to the
ITF, Darren Pearce, media man-
ager for Tennis Australia, said
over the phone: “Yeah, we are
again going to approach the ITF
for a change of venue with some
fresh facts.” However, he re-
fused to elaborate what those
fresh facts are. But another offi-
cial at TA were more forthcom-
ing and said that players like
former world No. 1 Lleyton He-
witt and burly Chris Guccione
has expressed their concern
over the security situation in
Chennai prior to the Lok Sabha
elections.
Tamil Nadu goes to poll on
May 13 and with the Indian Pre-
mier League already moved out
of the country for security fears
during the polls are said to have
instilled fear in the minds of the
Australian players.
Elaborating on the appeals,
Nick Imison, ITF’s communica-
tions officer said: “Tennis Aus-
tralia has until 1.00pm (UK time)
on Thursday, 23 April to submit
an appeal, and we are expecting
an appeal by this time. The ap-
peal will then be considered as
soon as possible by the ITF’s
Board of Directors.”
Expressing their satisfaction
over the security arrangements
at the SDAT Stadium, venue for
the tie in Chennai, Imison add-
ed: “The ITF’s security consult-
ants have already complied their
report, which was presented to
the Davis Cup committee. If
there is another appeal the
Board of Directors would con-
sider all the existing material
and also any added information
available at that time.”
Meanwhile, All-India Tennis
Association secretary, Anil
Khanna, said he expected the
Australians to field a full-fledged
side. “It’s their prerogative if
03
they want to field a second-string
side. It is desirable that they send
the best possible squad but at the
end of the day it’s their decision,”
Khanna said. “Security arrange- It’s their
ments will be at par with any in-
ternational tournament and if prerogative
necessary we will also engage pri-
vate security guards.” if they want
Chennai city police commis-
sioner K. Radhakrishnan said that
to field a
adequate security will be provid-
ed for the tie. “It wouldn’t be a
second-
problem for us as the elections string side
falls three days after the tourna-
ment. But we haven’t got an offi-
cial word from the tennis
federation yet,” he added. ■
With inputs from Petlee Peter
AITA secretary
Anil Khanna
04 KALEIDOSCOPE ERGO Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The stuff mythologies are made of

SHALINI SHAH Surabhi is a 124-
shalinishah@goergo.in
year-old drama

T group that’s been

hese are the
days of mini-
malist theatre,
where a performing
wooden chair could
be the life centre mythological plays
and sole prop of a
two-hour skit with since 1885. On April
three
Surabhi,
characters.
clearly, 25 and 26, they will
comes from anoth-
er era. And it’s be performing at
coming to Chennai.
Evam, Chennai’s Chennai’s Music
very own entertain-
ment company, is Academy, courtesy
bringing Surabhi to
the city on April 25 Evam
and 26. Surabhi, or
Sri Venkateswara
Natya Mandali, will
be performing two
of their plays, Path-
ala Bhairavi (April 25) and Maya Even during the days and college in the mornings and of our daughters’.” Book your ticket
Bazaar (April 26), at Music Acad- then work on the plays,” says R. On their famed visual effects,
emy.
of no electricity, we Nageswara Rao, or Babji, who Babji says, “Even during the days
The tickets for the shows
are priced at Rs. 500, 750 &
For starters, Surabhi is a 124- were famous for it. now handles Surabhi’s day-to- of no electricity, we were famous 1,500 (premium) and Rs.
year-old drama group that owes Now, because of all day functioning. for it. Now, because of all the 100, 200 & 300 (Balcony).
its name and origin to a tiny dis- Surabhi is particularly famed A.C.-D.C. engines, we have be- Tickets are available at
trict in Kadapa district in Andhra the A.C.-D.C. engines, for its spell-binding visual effects, come highly advanced.” Maya Sathyam Cinemas, Landmark
Pradesh. Staging mythological we have become a factor that has garnered it an Bazaar, he says, is watched with a (Nungambakkam, Spencer
plays in various parts of the coun- audience spanning all ages. And lot of interest from start to end Plaza, Citi Centre), and Fruit
try for over a century, Surabhi’s
highly advanced they’re fiercely protective about because of the visual effects. Shop on Greams Road
plays are the stage version of my- their “trade secrets”. Is there any ‘vacation’ time for (Kilpauk branch).
thology you see on film. Think la- or backstage is from out of the Sunil Vishnu, co-director of the group, we wonder. “We per- Tickets can also be bought
doos magically flying into hungry family. Doesn’t the younger lot Evam, at a press conference on form everyday. There are times online at special discounts
demon mouths, mid-air arrow rebel for a change of profession? Monday to announce Pathala when we do even morning shows. at www.bookmyshow.com
fights, song-and-dance, rolling “We’ve never had that prob- Bhairavi and Maya Bazaar re- In a 365-day year, we might even For door delivery of tickets
chariots, light tricks, fireworks… lem. We are 60 people, all from called, “I once asked them if do 400 shows,” says Babji. “In the call 4224 4224
The kind of visual spectacle many the family, performing at present. they’ll teach us a few of their vi- year 2005-06, we did 421!” More information, pictures
tech-age theatre buffs would be I have 16 students under me, sual effects tricks. I was told, ‘Su-
and videos are available on
“There is no obscenity or vul-
www.evam.in
left trying to decode. which range from those studying nil, everyone in Surabhi is family. garity. And irrespective of wheth-
Call 98406 12333/99404
Surabhi is an ‘only family’ unit. in class I to those doing their M.A. The only way we’re going to tell er there are 500, 50 or five people 38669 for more details
Not one person you see onstage and M.Phil. They finish school you anything is if you marry one in the audience, we perform.” ■
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wrapped in
WRAPTURE
This store in T. Nagar is a good destination
to pick some envy-inspiring casuals
I
t’s hard to miss the bright or-
ange-walled Maverick gym on
G.N. Chetty Road. In a lane just
opposite it (on the left if you’re
coming from Mount Road) is a
store called Wrapture. The
year-and-a-half-old
store specialises in ca-
suals for both men
and women and the
store name is testimo-
ny to owner Shakeel’s
fascination with music
(‘w’ + rapture, he tells
you).
For women there are eve-
ning dresses, day frocks with
elastic smocking, floral tube tops,
spaghettis, denim and non-denim
tunics and shirt dresses, skinny
jeans, t-shirts, beach shorts and
skirts. Dresses start from Rs. 600
Address:
Wrapture,
New No. 11 (Old No. 3),
North Boag Road (next to
Singapore Consulate),
T. Nagar,
Chennai – 600 017
Ph: 42649464
Email:
wrapture001@hotmail.com
Store timings: 10 a.m. to
10 p.m. daily
PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN
05
and go up to 4,000. While jeans for
women are priced from Rs. 300 on-
wards, for men they begin at Rs.
600. T-shirts start from Rs. 150. “We
specialise in denims,” says Shakeel.
“And I’m very particular about what
goes on the shelves.”
The clothes are mostly sourced
from Mumbai, Bangalore, Tirupur
and factories in and around Chen-
nai.
Belts, footwear, perfumes and
shades are available, too.
While we tour the
store, hits from Billu
and Rock On!! play
away in the back-
ground.
The bunch of pretty
silver-strapped suede
leather sandals for wom-
en lying huddled in a car-
ton, we discovered, are
designed by Shakeel himself. A pair
comes for Rs. 450. More are in the
pipeline, he says, pointing out to the
single pair of canary yellow Roman
sandals sitting pretty at the store
window. “We will soon be launch-
ing our in-house label. It will be
called Wrapture (what else!),” in-
forms Shakeel. The man is also a
drummer of a band and the store
keeps hosting gigs where its loyal
customers are invited to listen, and
shop. ■
06 VILLAGE ERGO Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Unacceptable losses
A German football club has offered to refund
600 fans who travelled to see them lose a
game - their sixth defeat in seven matches.

Now learn to use EVM on YouTube

Going all guns to attract voters in New Delhi for
the Lok Sabha elections, the state Election Office
has uploaded a video on using the Electronic
Voting Machine (EVM) on popular video-sharing
website YouTube.
“Sometimes people are confused and unaware of
how to use EVMs. So, in order to spread more
awareness, we have uploaded a training video on
usage of EVMs on popular video-sharing website
YouTube,” Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer Satbir Silas
Bedi told reporters.
IANS

A cow that drinks up all its milk

Shoe woes for Morkel
The secret of why South African Albie Morkel failed to
appear on the field for Chennai Super Kings at the
inaugural match of the IPL against Mumbai Indians in Cape
Town on Saturday is finally out.
Morkel could not play for a lack of shoes.
Morkel had to withdraw from the side at the last minute
because his baggage had disappeared without trace and he
could not find shoes of the right size with any of his
teammates, the Afrikaans weekly Rapport said.
“It was very frustrating
as I was keen to make
my mark early in the
tournament, especially
after being satisfied with
my batting in the ODI
series against Australia,”
Morkel said.
The Morkel brothers
appear jinxed with
regard to shoes. Just a
few days earlier, Morne
Morkel had to borrow a
pair from Ntini after his
bag went to Cape Town
instead of the Wanderers
in Johannesburg, where
he was playing.
IANS
A Chinese farmer has much to complaint after her cow
started to feed on its own milk, leaving her empty-
handed.
Owner Guli Nisha, from Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang
Uygur autonomous region, said the animal had found a
unique way of being self-sufficient by turning its head
around and drinking its own milk, reports the China Daily.
Guli revealed: “I do not know what caused the cow to
drink its own milk, but I know I got no milk from it and
had to spend some 30 yuan (4.40 dollars) to feed it.”
Meanwhile, a livestock official was left baffled with the
news, which was reported the first of its kind.
ANI
Aniston to direct a movie
Former Friends star Jennifer Aniston will
be directing a movie, reports the
Dailymail Online.
Aniston, 40, is due to direct and star in
Goree Girls, a movie about an all-girl
country and western band that becomes
a hit while in jail.
The Marley and Me star has also asked
Scottish actor Gerard Butler to star
alongside her.
IANS

Bad breath biggest worry on dates

Almost eight out of 10 women say bad breath is their
biggest worry before a romantic encounter

B
ad breath is unpleasant
and can be a major cause
for embarrassment. And
when it comes to dating, a
majority of women admit that it’s
their biggest worry, a new survey
has revealed.
According to the survey, nearly
eight out of 10 women in Britain
consider bad breath as a hea-
dache before a romantic encoun-
ter with a bloke.
Researchers have based their
findings on a poll of 1,000 wom-
en. They found that 78 per cent of
women were more likely to fret
about their teeth and breath be-
fore worrying what their partner
thought about their clothes or
general appearance, The Daily
Telegraph reported.
However, only four per cent
said they were concerned about
what underwear they should put
on when on a date.
Miranda Honan, a Spokeswo-
man for Macleans, which com-
missioned the survey, said:
“People’s impressions of us are
heavily influenced by how
healthy our teeth look when we
smile and talk.”
“Our research shows people
make instant assumptions about
your confidence and character
dependent on how healthy your
teeth are and how fresh your
breath is. If you always feel happy
with your teeth you will smile,
and if you smile more you will
boost others’ perceptions of
you.” “Then, in turn, other people
will see you as more confident
and attractive.” ■
PTI
 Wednesday, April 22, 2009
07

Politicos want to
cash in on IPL fever
If the crowds want IPL and the politicians want the crowds, what else can happen!
ERGO CORRESPONDENT

T
he clash of dates between the 15th Lok
Sabha election and the IPL forced the
lucrative League to cross shores to
South Africa for the second edition of
the tournament. But with the match timings
clashing with election rallies, politicians
have come up with a plan to install giant
screens at rallies to ensure greater footfalls.
Senior Congress leader and Minister for
Science and Technology, Kapil Sibal says:
“People in India are mad for cricket. We will
put giant screens at election rallies in Delhi
so that people can watch the matches live
before the rallies start.” Sibal is the Congress
candidate from the Chandni Chowk
constituency.
Congress secretary and AICC spokesper-
son Rajiv Shukla who is also the vice-presi-
dent of the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) says: “The election rallies in
India are usually in the evening and so are
also the IPL games. There’s nothing wrong
in putting up some screens at election ral-
lies so that those who come to hear the lead-
ers can also catch the matches. It can be a
win-win situation for the public.”
But on more official note, Shukla adds:
“Soniaji is a “The Congress party has not yet come out
with a decision to implement this idea
couple of across constituencies. But individuals are
thousand feet most welcome to bring in their own ideas
taller than for campaigning.”
The opposition too have warmed up to
Advaniji. No the idea and the Bharatiya Janata Party too
parallel can be are mulling to go the Congress way. “I have
been showing cricket matches earlier too
drawn in their and will do it this time also. I will put up
statures” LCD screens and IPL matches will be tele-
Shekar Suman cast so that voters don’t miss them.” BJP
candidate from New Delhi constituency Vi-
jay Goel says.
Navin S. Kohli convenor of BJP’s media
cell, however, chose to ignore the matter
and said the party is not giving much
thought about it. “I don’t think there’s
much to contemplate about this issue. It’s a

22
call that any local level leader organising the
rally can take,” he says.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist)
though does not feel election rallies need
added attractions to garner crowds. Senior
CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu says the whole
process is a systematic gameplan of the two
heavyweight parties to trivialise the elec-
tion. “It’s a sad situation that so called na-
tional parties and national leaders have to
bank on the IPL to keep their supporters
tuned to their rallies. They (Congress and
BJP) are making a determined effort to veer
the public attention from the real issues,” he
says. ■
08 SPORT ERGO Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Narang sixth
Gagan Narang was the saving grace for a strong Indian contingent as he ended up
sixth in the 50m free rifle prone event in the shooting World Cup in Beijing on
Monday. Narang shot a 696.6 following a 595 in qualification. In air rifle, Narang
failed to make the final, and finished ninth with a 594.

Now American P
Business tycoon signs six
Pakistani stars in an
ambitious bid to popularise
cricket in the U.S.

A
n American entrepreneur
who hopes to establish an
international Twenty20
tournament in New York
has signed up former Pakistan
captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and six
other Pakistan players for his pro-
ject scheduled to be launched lat-
er this year.
Inzamam said on Monday that
he along with six other players
who have been playing for the
unofficial Indian Cricket League
has signed up for the proposed
American league. “Myself, Rana
Naved, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Na-
zir, Imran Farhat, Azhar Mah-
mood and Saqlain Mushtaq have
agreed to play in this league when
it is launched in New York,” In-
zamam said.
The former captain didn’t elab-
orate if he had got clearance from
the ICL organisers for the Amer-
ican league as the ICL claims it
still has valid contracts with the
Pakistani cricketers even though
its league has been delayed this
year. Inzamam said he had got
the offer from the President and
CEO of American Sports And En-
tertainment Group Inc, Jay Mir,
who has drawn up plans for a six-
team American Premier League
to be staged in October on a con-
verted baseball field in Staten Is-
land, New York.
Inzamam said the players were
keen to play in the American
league as it was a new concept
and new venue and it would be
exciting to play in America.
Sources said Inzamam and the
other players had got the approv-
al of the ICL before signing up.
The sources said that Mir was
also looking forward to signing
on other Pakistani players includ-
ing pace bowler, Mohammad Asif
who will complete a one-year ban
for a failed dope test in Septem-
ber. Inzamam said the American
league was not an official tourna-
ment because it is not ICC-rec-

Bayliss warns of early retirements

Sri Lankan cricket coach Trevor Bayliss has warned that players may opt for premature retirements if they are asked to tour troubled
countries in the aftermath of the Lahore terror attack on his team in March. Bayliss was in the Lankan team bus when it was ambushed
by heavily armed terrorists in Lahore on March 3, leaving six players injured. And Bayliss said a fallout of the attack would be the fear of
more such incidents among players, who would consider giving up the game altogether instead of risking their lives.
“I am sure that will be the case,” he said. “If we happen to have a tour to a certain country and there is a little bit of a threat I am sure
that some of those players will have that in the back of their minds,” he said. The 46-year-old coach said the players would be fighting
back strong emotions the next time they board the team bus for a venue. “Obviously it is hard to know how everyone will react the first
time we jump back in the bus on the way to the ground somewhere. But at this stage everyone seems to be handling it pretty well,” he
said.
PTI
 Wednesday, April 22, 2009
09

‘‘
The relations between the two (PCB and ICC) have not been particularly good in recent times espe-
cially after we criticised their match referee, Chris Broad following the attack on the Sri Lankan team
and his subsequent statements on the incident. I think the ICC and its members should have waited for five
to six months to see how the security and political scenario developed in Pakistan.
Former PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan

Premier League
ommended. “But the organisers say they
are hoping to get clearance from the ICC
for the event,” he added.
The 32-year-old businessman Mir has
lined up a three-year staging deal with the
minor-league baseball team, Staten Is-
land Yankees. Using a franchise and auc-
tion system similar to the IPL, he hopes to
draw up six international sides – Premium
Pakistan, Premium Indians, Premium
West Indies, Premium World and Premi-
um America – the final side drawn from
the best of the talent on show from ap-
proximately 15 million cricket fans who
already live in the USA.
A spokesman for the Yankees con-
firmed that they were in talks, adding that
they were “very excited” at the prospect of
bringing cricket to the city. ■
PTI

Munaf takes the plunge

Speedster Munaf Patel got engaged with Baroda girl Taslima before leaving for South Africa to play in the high-profile Indian Premier
League-II. “It was kept a private affair and very few closely related family members from both the parties had attended the engagement
ceremony,” Ikhar village sarpanch (village headman) Makbulbhai Khankhara said.
Taslima, who has completed her higher secondary, and Munaf know each other very well, Khankhara said. Her father Amanulla Haji
Basher has been working in a managerial capacity in a mill at Palej, he added.
“Taslima used to be glued to the TV set to see her fiancé, also known as Ikhar Express,” the sarpanch said. Asked when the nikah will be
performed, Khankhara said “It would depend on the schedule of Twenty20 World Cup matches to be held in England as Munaf is very
eager to play for the country. The bunglow built by Munaf in his native Ikhar village is also nearing completion. And only after its
completion are the two planning to tie the knot.”
PTI
10 FLICK ERGO Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Matt Damon turned down Star Trek role

Actor Matt Damon turned down the role of Captain Kirk in Star Trek, director J.J.
Abrams has revealed. “I actually approached Matt and we had some discussions, but
everything happens for a reason. On the one hand, it would have been great to
work with Matt – but at the end of the day, it was such a better move to cast the
movie with unknowns,” The Daily Star quoted J.J., as telling Life magazine.

Paparazzo kicks back in

Madonna
horse fall row
T
he paparazzo blamed for spooking Madonna’s horse and sending the
Material Mom tumbling to the ground this weekend says he is in-
nocent.
“I arrived more than 10 minutes after the accident happened,”
snapper Thomas Hinton told TheCelebrityTruth.com website Monday.
Madonna (50) fell from the horse while riding on Saturday at a friend’s
mansion in the ultra-exclusive Hamptons region outside New York.
She suffered minor bruises, according to her spokeswoman, and was
reported to be resting at actress friend Gwyneth Paltrow’s home in the
area.
According to the spokeswoman, “the accident occurred when the horse
Madonna was riding was startled by paparazzi who jumped out of the
bushes.” But Hinton – who snapped the sole picture of the fallen enter-
tainer sitting on the sand arena surrounded by aides – said: “I am certain
there were no other photographers there before me.”
Earlier in the day Hinton had taken pictures of Madonna, who was
wearing a black riding helmet, black boots and a dark ensemble of jodh-
purs and jacket, as she rode a bay horse in the arena. The New York Post
published the exclusive shots.
Police in the area appeared to be siding with the photographer, celebri-
ty gossip site TMZ reported.
TMZ quoted Sergeant Herbert Johnson saying: “There is no mention of
photographers. It’s a matter of spin control that went out of control. If
they felt there was something else, they would have written ‘paparazzi’ in
the form – if they felt there was a problem.” ■
AFP

Winslet tops Christian Bale to star

Ultimate Natural in The Fighter
Beauty list C hristian Bale will star in director
David O. Russell’s The Fighter

A ctor Kate Winslet has topped

the list of Ultimate Natural
Beauty by beating movie
along with Mark Wahlberg.
The movie recalls the life of
Boston boxer ‘Irish’ Mickey Ward
legend Audrey Hepburn. and his unlikely path to become the
Winslet was declared as having world lightweight champion with
“a classic English rose the help of his half-brother Dicky
complexion without needing Eklund.
lots of make-up to look The Batman Begins actor, who has
stunning”. Close to 3,000 men been re-teamed with Relativity
and women took the survey, Media, will play the role of Eklund,
thesun.co.uk reports. who himself was a professional boxer and trained Mickey after
The 33-year-old Winslet beat kicking his drug addiction in jail, reports Variety.
out Hepburn. Actress Kelly Bale had been making the headlines for his infamous rant on
Brook was third, followed by the sets of Terminator Salvation after being interrupted in a
Cheryl Cole, Angelina Jolie and scene. The 35-year-old later apologised for the profanity-laden
Scarlett Johansson. ■ tirade against the director of photography. ■
IANS ANI
 Wednesday, April 22, 2009
11
Big B teams up with Kingsley
Amitabh Bachchan is set to share the screen space with Oscar-winning actor Ben
Kingsley in Leena Yadav’s “Teen Patti”, which is said to be inspired by Hollywood flick
“21”. Amitabh posted on his blog: “Soon after we (have to) get into a photo shoot
and (start) reading rehearsals for the shoot with Sir Ben Kingsley. He plays an
important part in the film.”

A
fter failed efforts for com-
mercial success in Bolly-
wood, actor Randeep
Hooda is planning to go
back to his passion – theatre.
“I am going to go back to theat-
re and (will) start doing plays
again. It’s so purifying for oneself
and one’s art as an actor,” says
Randeep.
“In fact, I thought I was stuck
with Monsoon Wedding (2001).
So I did theatre with Motley The-
atre Company headed by Nasee-
ruddin Shah for four years till D
(2005) happened. That is where I
learnt all my acting skills and I am
sure to go back to it,” he added.
Hooda has lately been in the
news for his role as 19th-century
painter Raja Ravi Varma in up-
coming biopic Rang Rasiya, a bi-
lingual directed by Ketan Mehta.
■
IANS

I thought I was stuck

with Monsoon
Wedding (2001). So I
did theatre with
Motley Theatre
Company headed by
Naseeruddin Shah for
four years till D (2005)
happened. That is
where I learnt all my
acting skills and I am
sure to go back to it

Low Denial drama

If what we hear is true, Nayanthara
profile has upset her fans due to her
Ajith has followed the nonchalant behaviour at the
footsteps of Rajini Kamal Killikaavu Temple in Manicheri on
Hassan. He has decided to Vishu and all plans of building a
have a low key birthday temple in her name has been
celebration, citing the turned down. As the buzz goes,
plight of the Sri Lankan Nayanthara was denied by the
Tamils as the reason. As he temple authorities to enter the
is out of the country for a premises as she was wearing
shoot, he has appealed to salwar kameez which is
his fans to circumvent the against the rule of the
stress of trying to wish him temple. She threw a fit
in person and has asked and on her fans insistence,
them to cooperate with the she apologised to the
Ajith Kumar Narpani concerned people.
Iyakkam to revamp the However Nayanthara has
organizations. Apart from rubbished the story and
the plight, the general stated that the controversy
elections are another broke out when people
reason for the minimal outside the temple who
celebrations. were under the influence of
alcohol abused her.
12 ERGO Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Tuesday’s query:
If you were to stand for elections, what symbol
will you choose and why?
■ Halwa. I can tell them symbolically what I’ll do in future
Saranya.M Cognizant, Naren FBSC, Sheena Wipro, Madan CSS
, Ponsekar, Dhandapani RBS
■ White flag, to make my India a peaceful country
Nasurudeen Allsec, Sanu Cognizant
■ Tree to promote green revolution
Adhi, Viji, Parthi Williams Lea
■ Thiruvodu. Appa thaan pitchai paathiram enthi vanthaennu paada
mudium
Sivanandham TCS-eserve
■ Pen because the power of a pen is as mighty as an ocean
Nisha Rameshkumar TCS
■ Exclamation mark, as no one can predict the changes n everything will b a
surprise
Hashim Allsec Alex from TCS-eserve has nominated his friends as partners in
■ Sunflower. That shows our party works towards growth & development crime. The pic was clicked at Mahabalipuram.
for society. And it will bring happiness in people face as like sunflower
Athiseshu Konathala Wipro
■ Patai naamam. I just symbolically indicate to public what I’ll do in future
Ravikumar TCS, Velu AMI, Sridhar Wipro
■ Nano it’s very famous in India
Hemadri TCS-eserve
■ Mobile, bcoz connecting people without discrimination
Kamal EMS Technosoft
■ Laughing Buddha bcoz it gives luck to win the election
Anand.K Infoview Technologies
■ Monitor because I watch it all the time and tell people I’ll take care all
the time
Mohan Sridharan TCS
■ White pigeon and ensure people a peaceful life
Shantha Kumar Infosys
■ Rice since it is the basic necessity of life
Revathy Rajalingam TCS-eserve
■ Flowers, future la kadula suttuom ngrada symbolic solludulla
Praveen CTS, Prakash.V TCS-eserve
■ Fruits to give our people a fruitful life
Nagarajan.K Wipro (CDC2) Rachel from Cognizant has nominated her TS006 batch
■ Thoppi (cap), bcos the leaders usually give thoppi to the people after members as partners in crime. The pic was taken on the
election occasion of their trainer’s (Mrs. Dhanalakshmi) farewell.
KB.Santosh TCS
■ Cricket bat because people who are crazy about cricket will vote for me
sure
Rajakumar TCS
■ Dry tree, this is the condition of India now and statement would b 2 make
it green
Aakash CSS
■ Rose bcoz it’s the symbol for care and love
Surendar CTS, Ganesh Babu HCL
■ Kite because I’ll fly like kite and see good high
Leela Lakshmi Wipro
■ Bow & arrow. Fight for people with no expectation and credit
Jerin Brosnan (USAA) TCS
■ Smiley symbol like this :-). It means I’m ready to face the challenge, bcoz
my smile have the ability to tackle the problems by giving myself energy and
confidence
Kavitha Cognizant,
Soumya HCL

Today’s query:
Come up with a slogan for Chennai Super Kings Santhosh from HCL Technologies, Ambattur has
nominated his friends as partners in crime. This pic was
taken in Queensland.
 Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mal Manikanda Siva
working in Mphasis
Limited has nominated his
best friend and colleague
Muralidharan as an Office
Angel. "He is very jovial.
He likes to pose for photos.
He is always looks with
smiley face and a down to
earth person. He had the
ability to face any kind of
hard situation,” he writes
about him.
Balaji
Chandrasekar
(23) of
Accelfrontline
doodled this. He
says he has
always been
inspired by
Yashoda Krishna
art.
Kaadhal Pada DVD ya fridge la vecha enna aagaum?
"Jillunu Oru Kaadhal" Pada DVD Kidaikkum.
Jayaraman V.
HCL Technologies Ltd
13
April 22
■ Dear Anuraj,
On your Birthday we wish you much
pleasure and Joy;
We hope all of your wishes come
true.May each hour and minute be
filled with delight,
And your Birthday be perfect for
you!
Wishing you a VERY VERY HAPPY
BIRTH DAY!!
Cheers,
AS Team,
Tata Consultancy services.
■ Dear Maha,
There is a gift that gold cannot buy
A blessing that’s rare and true
That’s the gift of a wonderful person
coming into my life
Like I have in you!
Happy Birthday!
Gomathi K
Tata Consultancy Services,
■ Dear Karthik,
God gave a gift to the world when
you were born - a person who loves,
who cares, who sees a person’s need
and fills it, who encourages and lifts
people up, who spends energy on
others rather than himself someone
who touches each life he enters, and
makes a difference in the world,
because ripples of kindness flow
outward as each person you have
touched, touches others. May the
love you have shown to others return
to you, multiplied. We wish you the
happiest of birthdays, and many,
many more, so that others have time
to appreciate you as much as we do.
Cheers,
OSTeam,
Wipro Technologies.
■ Dear Ravi, Vengi and Shreejith,
Congrats on buying a new house!!!
Have a hearty Housewarming ...
We will be warming your house from
Miles away!!!
Love,
Vinodh, Sainthavi, Thawin and The entire
family
■ Dear Jayaraman,
Wish you many more Happy returns
of the Day & wish you all success in
all your endeavors in the coming
days. May all your weird dreams
come true.
Regards,
Kumar Hari – Kalpana - YS alias
Yugaswaroopini
Infosys.
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Mom behind bars

An American woman is in prison after
she told her teenage daughter to have
a catfight with another girl.

sudoku

D.Vikraman of
TCS, Tidel Park,
clicked this
photo at Cochin.

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 Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tipple tale is untrue
Scientists have disproved the concept of
beer goggles - which allegedly make
men view women as sexier after
drinking alcohol.
15
Put a ring on it
Hundreds of women stopped traffic in London’s
Piccadilly Square - when they performed the dance
from Beyonce’s Single Ladies video while wearing
high heels and leotards.

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

This is a terrific day to launch a new venture.
Brimming with dedication, you will accomplish your
tasks efficiently. Avoid running into hot discussions
with your beloved. Measure your words, advises
Ganesha.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Today, you want to call a spade a spade; but
remember that you may not escape unhurt. Say the
right word at the right time. On the love front,
practice diplomacy if you want your life to be a
sanctuary of love and joy.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

With everything moving at a smooth pace, nothing
BORN LOSER will bother you today. A good day to schedule
maintenance activities. As far as love life is
concerned, be ready to compromise and see where
it takes you.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
Because you will get completely busy with work,
your professional life will grab the limelight today. It
is diligence and commitment which will add an
extra rung to your success ladder. But amid all this,
ignoring your sweetheart will be quite unfair.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
Everything seems hunky dory today. With creativity
finding its way in your work, you are sure to receive
a pat on the back from your bosses. On the
personal front, chances are bright that you may get
a nod from that scintillating someone.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
A day loaded with work awaits you. Toiling at the
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT office, you try to finish up all pending tasks on
hand. But ensure that you remain fit to handle next
day’s work. After a hard day, you will want to be
alone.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
Today will be motley of work plus pleasure.
However, with an increase in responsibilities, you
must not expect a rise in pay, says Ganesha.
Shopping with your darling may be a costly affair.
A day marked with a bundle of activities.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
Launch of new projects is going to keep you
engrossed in multiple tasks. The give-and-take in
your relationship will make way for a satisfying love
affair.
Riding too many horses will make the reins slip
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
away from your hands. At the work place, getting
restless is only going to confuse you further. Avoid
being moody in your personal relationship and let
love show.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20

There are perfect days and then there are imperfect
ones, like today. Your debilitated energies prevent
you from utilising a rather opportune day at the
work front. Sharing sweet nothings with your
darling will be on your mind, predicts Ganesha.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS By sharing your knowledge and ideas, you will
enlighten others today. Also, this will expand your
ISSUE’S professional horizons. Diplomacy on the love front
should help you control the ups and downs, opines
SOLUTIONS Ganesha.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
Eying perfection, you may find that there is
something missing in the tasks you have
accomplished. Even the amazing support from your
colleagues will fail to reassure you. Things should
be fine in the love lane.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Bollywood actress Lara

Dutta poses with
jewellery during the
launch of a jewellery
store in New Delhi.
AFP PHOTO/PRAKASH SINGH

displays
zo ku Je w el lery employee plica,
ka Kikin lmet re
Japan’s Tana or samurai he room in
re go ld m ade ‘kabuto’ pa ny ’s sh ow
a pu com
USD, at the on May 5,
priced 30,000 splayed at Children’s Day
di
Tokyo, to be e Boy’s festival in Japan.
th
to celebrate O
UN
YOSHIKAZU TS
AFP PHOTO /

Wakako Tsuchida of
A fair host Japan wins the
presents the women’s wheelchair
so-called of the 113th running
EyeSeeCam, of the Boston
which helps Marathon in Boston,
to guide the Massachusetts. JIM
eyes and the ROGASH/GETTY IMAGES/AFP
vision of a
robot at the
Hannover
Messe fair
for industrial
technology
at the fair
grounds in
Hanover,
central
Germany.
AFP PHOTO DDP/
NIGEL TREBLIN
GERMANY OUT