A BYTE OF LIFE Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Era. Murukan from

Chennai and Sameep
Kulkarni from Pune
are two professionals
who seem to be
pursuing their passion
outside office with
reasonable success.
Ergo profiles the two IT
FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 97 professionals who have
achieved success in the
fields of literature and
music respectively.
» PAGES 03 & 04

TWO OF
A KIND

08
SUMMIT
CLASH
All eyes on
Ronaldo and Mesi
at Champions
League final

WINDOW
05
SHOPPER
First In Town in
Besant Nagar
02 NAMMA CHENNAI
The Hindu NXg and Konica Colour Lab and
Studio opened a five-day workshop titled
‘Shutterbugs’ on Tuesday. Thirty participants
were short-listed for the sessions, to be
delivered by well-known photographers.
Say cheese. PHOTO: N. SRIDHARAN
The art of handling the lens.
Have an eye for detail. PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN
ERGO Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Buy one, get 50 % discount on the second
Emirates Airline has announced its companion offer for all business class
passengers travelling from Chennai to any destination on the Emirates network.
Passengers booking on the Emirates business class return ticket get
50 per cent discount on the airfare in the same class for a companion of their
choice. The offer is valid till August 15.
How Aila got
its name
It was not Sachin
Tendulkar fans but
Met officials from
Maldives who
named the
cyclone ‘Aila’.
AYON SENGUPTA
ayon@goergo.in
W
PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN hile cyclone Aila pound-
ed West Bengal and Oris-
sa, many wondered how
Sachin Tendulkar came
into the picture. In fact, Met offi-
cials in Maldives, whose chances
of being Tendulkar fans or know-
ing his trademark phrase are re-
mote, came up with the name.
But then, Dhivehi, the common
language in the island nation, has
no such word. So we can never
rule out the unlikely.
The naming convention for cy-
clones in the northern
Indian Ocean started in
Even common 2004 when the India
Meteorological Depart-
people can ment (IMD) released a
suggest names list of names that would Sachin the ‘Master Blaster’ may have been a cyclone on the
serve to identify cyclon-
of cyclones, ic storms.
cricket field but he has nothing to do with Cyclone ‘Aila’!
PHOTO: AFP PHOTO/PHILIP BROWN
says Dr. Eight members of ES-
Ramanan. They CAP (Economic and So-
cial Commission for ea Cyclone Warning Centre, The convention of naming cy-
can send their Asia and Pacific) – Ban- Chennai, says: “We had submit- clones dates back to the early
suggestions to gladesh, India, Mal- ted the first set of names to WMO 20th century when an Australian
dives, Myanmar, (World Meteorological Organisa- forecaster named major storms
the Director Oman, Pakistan, Thai- tion) in 2004. Aila was the 20th on after politicians he disliked. The
General of the land and Sri Lanka, the list and we have 12 left. The US weather office too started
Indian with coasts along the next one is going to be Phyan, naming cyclones in 1953.
Arabian Sea or the Bay coined by Myanmar. The next 32 “Naming cyclones is a good
Meteorological of Bengal — had sug- have also been decided.” trend and it leaves a lasting im-
Department. gested four names each Phyan is to be followed by pression on the public. People
at the start of the pro- Ward (Oman), Laila (Pakistan), can recall and identify with its
gramme. Bandu (Sri Lanka) and Phet magnitude even years later, thus
The names are picked in se- (Thailand). Even common people creating a general sense of aware-
quence, one name after the other can suggest names of cyclones, ness and preparedness,” Dr. Ra-
from each country in alphabet- says Dr. Ramanan. manan says. “Like the US, we
ical order. The previous cyclone They can send their suggesti- have also decided not to repeat
was named Bijli, which lasted ons to the Director General of the names, particularly of cyclones
from April 14 to 17 this year. Indian Meteorological which have caused maximum
Dr. S.R. Ramanan, Director, Ar- Department. damage.” ■
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
“I was mesmerised by the way Kamal
emoted the scenes before me”
HCL employee Murukan Ramasami has
been roped in to write dialogues for
Unnai Pol Oruvan by Kamal Hassan
V.HARIPRIYA
haripriya@goergo.in
W
hen Era. Murukan met
Kamal Hassan at the
condolence meet of his
mentor, writer Sujatha,
little did he know that he will be
summoned to write dialogues
for Ulaganagayan’s film very
soon. The principal consultant
with HCL BPO says he never
dreamt of entering tinsel town.
“I still remember the day I got
myself introduced to Kamal
Hassan. I was really surprised
when the actor said he was
planning to get in touch with
me,” says Murukan, the dia-
logue director for Kamal’s up-
coming flick Unnai Pol Oruvan.
The movie is inspired from Nee-
raj Pandey’s A Wednesday, and
has Kamal Hassan and Mohan-
lal playing the roles of Nasee-
ruddin Shah and Anupam Kher
respectively.
Scripting dialogues
Murukan Ramasami, better
known as Era. Murukan in the
literary world, is kicked about
his new status. “After finishing
my first draft, I met Kamal Has-
san in the conference room of
his Alwarpet office,” he ex-
claims.
“Kamal went through the
lines and started enacting. I was
mesmerised by the way he
emoted the scenes before me –
the very moment. I was so ab-
sorbed that I forgot to note
down the corrections he made
in the draft.”
Besides, authoring a number
of short stories, novels and po-
ems, Murukan has also written
books on Information Technol-
ogy in Tamil.
His novel Ghosts of Arasur
was short-listed for the presti-
gious Crossword Award. In fact,
03
Kartick and Gotham
Courtyard by Marriott will play host to the launch of ‘Kartick
and Gotham’ – a contemporary electronic music collection on
May 29 at 7.30 p.m. The duo will perform a live show fusing
world music and electronica.
Murukan was called to assist
Kamal Hassan while he was
writing the script for Marmayo- Writer Era.
gi. Murukan. SPECIAL
About juggling his profession ARRANGEMENT
and passion, Murukan says, “I
did take a couple of days off
from work to be at the shooting
spot. When the shooting was on
in Hyderabad, I dropped in on
every weekend to assist the crew
members. Now that the crew is
in Chennai, I hope things will be
easy for me.”
Working with Mohanlal? “He
is a great actor and a very hum-
ble person. Any doubts in dia-
logues, he would clear it with
me sincerely. It was an unfor-
gettable experience to work
with the two mega stars.”
Sensitive pen
Talking about the reason be-
hind changing the title from
Thalaivan Irukkiran to Unnai
Pol Oruvan, Murukan says, “Ka-
mal is an ardent fan of writer
Jayakanthan, whose movie of
the same title won the Presi-
dent’s award (third prize) in the
Best Regional Film category.
Since this film is about a com- Kamal Hassan
monman, Kamal Hassan felt and Mohanlal
that Unnai Pol Oruvan would at the launch
be more appropriate.” of the Tamil
“We are not making a scene- movie
to-scene remake of A Wednes- Unnaippol
day. Changes have been made Oruvan.
in the script to suit the Tamil PHOTO: S.S.
and Telugu audience,” says KUMAR
Murukan.
How important is the role of a
dialogue-writer? “The person
should be sensitive. He should
know where to silence his pen.
There will be scenes in a movie
that can be more effective with-
out dialogue.
This should be accepted by
the writer,” says Murukan, who
is now flooded with offers to
write scripts. ■
04 KALEIDOSCOPE
Techie Musician
Call him a ‘Software Sitarist’, a ‘Corporate Artist’ or a ‘Mathematical Musician’; Sameep Kulkarni
remains the maestro who dabbles with embedded software by the day and the sitar strings at night.
MONISHA MOHANDAS
monishamohandas@yahoo.com
‘T
he person who gets the farthest
is generally the one who is will-
ing to do and dare.’ The saying
of Dale Carnegie goes well for
26-year-old Sameep Kulkarni, a Pune-
based IT professional who has mastered
the art of balancing his profession and
passion.
Sameep Kulkarni is a well-known sita-
rist in his city. He had a craze for music
from his childhood.
This craze might have been in his
blood as he hails from a musically-in-
clined family. His grand parents for
whom learning instruments was a hob-
by; this converted into passion for his
parents. “My family members com-
pletely devoted themselves to music
though their profession was entirely dif-
ferent. My father is a mathematician
and a violinist. My mother is a PhD- sci-
ence teacher and vocalist. My sister is
an international artist and often per-
forms with me at juggal bandis.”
ERGO Wednesday, May 27, 2009
First Concert played tabla for me in my first concert Unforgettable Moment
and that was the real motivation for me.
At the age of six, Sameep surrounded But now after doing so many concerts Recalling some of his most memora-
himself with instruments like tabla, har- it’s just another show for me.” ble moments in life, Sameep says that
monium, sitar, tampura and violin. He his performance at Ahmednagar and at
was motivated to learn tabla by his par- Passion Vs Profession a Cancer hospital were unforgettable.
ents to accompany his elder sister for Sameep who has done more than 500 “Last year I had a concert at a sports
her concerts. But it was only at the age concerts till now manages his profes- ground in Ahmednagar, a city in Mah-
of seven, he realised that he was made sion and passion giving equal impor- arashtra. I knew previously that concert
for sitar. He attended a concert of well- tance for both. Managing the balance is going to be huge but when I went on
known sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan and between these two streams sounds ex- the stage, I could see that the stadium
fell in love with instrument. From then tremely difficult. But for Sameep it’s a was filled and there were more than
on, he started learning sitar alongside simple thing. “I work in my office for the 50,000 people in the stadium.
tabla. whole day and then practice sitar from 9 This was the biggest concert I ever did
He is now learning sitar under Ustad in the night till 2 daily. I do concerts and i learnt that instrumental music is
Shahid Parvez – a noted sitar player of only on holidays.”He has done more still alive in people.
Hindusthani music – than 30 international The next was at a Cancer hospital.
after he was immensely “I work in my office shows and has also won The patients were critically ill, but they
attracted by his style. “I many awards like ‘The were listening enjoying the concert. I
did my first concert at for the whole day and Best Artist In The IT’ was touched to know that not a single
the age of 8. At that age, then practice sitar award by Computer So- person in the audience will be alive for
I didn’t even know ciety of India (2007), my next concert there.”
what stage fear was but from 9 in the night till Maestro honour by Attracted by Sameep’s magic on
as I grew older and Aperture India Art gal- strings he has build a huge friend-web
started performing 2 a.m. I do concerts lery (2008) and Orkut around him in personal and through
more shows I was more only on holidays.” Heroes (2009) to name a online communities like Orkut where he
conscious. My guru few. has more than 2500 friends. ■
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Bringing the latest
in clothes, shoes
and accessories to
shelves is the motto
of First In Town in
Besant Nagar
N
estled in Arundale Beach
Road in Besant Nagar, the
store First in Town, as the
name suggests, was start-
ed with an aim to bring to town
the latest in clothing, shoes and
accessories. Almost two years
down the line, it looks like a hap-
py journey.
Run by Maria D’Souza, First in
Town is a good place for one-off
pieces in clothing, shoes, bags
and accessories.
There are click clasp handbags
in shocking pink (or grey for the
fainthearted), yellow belts with
painted floral designs on brass
buckles, Roman sandals in red
satin or beige leather and velvet
handbags with painted deities in
all of the above colours. And if
you like the parrot green sandals,
you’ll find a bag to match just as
easily.
Clothes include those from
Purple, the store’s in-house
brand, as well as other designers.
Keeping with the season, now is a
good time to head there for hal-
First in Town
Address: Renata, No. 21,
Arundale Beach Road,
Kalakshetra Colony, Besant Nagar,
Chennai – 600 090
Ph: 044- 4551 1957
Store timings: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Open all days)
PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN
05
ter-necks, white self-embroider-
ed and floral tunics, magenta raw
silk trousers, canary yellow kaftan
tops and the likes.
The footwear is especially like-
able, especially if you’re someone
with a weakness for strappy num-
bers – Roman sandals in every
shade imaginable, flats with del-
icate zari work on the straps, se-
quinned floral wedges, embossed
leather slip-ons and four-inch
heels with zipper detailing.
“When we started in 2007, we
were just groping in the dark.
Customer support has helped us
find our feet,” says Maria.
Maria, along with a graphics
designer and prints and artwork
designer, forms Purple’s design
team. In June, the store also
plans to launch its own exclu-
sive print collection, which,
Maria believes, would go a
long way in ensuring exclu-
sivity of the pieces.
“We are also looking
for designers who want
to have their clothes
and accessories
showcased at the
store, as this
would also pro-
vide customers
more variety,” says
Maria. ■
06 VILLAGE ERGO Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Drinking on the job

Peru’s top court has ruled that workers
cannot be fired for being drunk on the job.

Hewitt sparks engagement Tyson’s daughter

rumours critically injured
American actress-singer Jennifer Love Hewitt has Mike Tyson’s four-year-old
sparked rumours that she is marrying boyfriend daughter was hospitalised on
Jamie Kennedy after the couple was reportedly life support after getting her
spotted shopping for engagement rings. neck caught in a cable on an
The actress, 30, has been dating her Ghost exercise treadmill at home,
Whisperer co-star since her split from fiancé Ross police said.
McCall late last year and is now said to be close to The girl, identified by local
walking down the aisle with the new man in her media as Exodus Tyson, was
life, reports contactmusic.com. found by her seven-year-old
IANS brother on Monday morning.
The girl’s mother, summoned
from another room, freed
her, called emergency
Hefner may sell ‘Playboy’ empire services and tried to resuscitate her.
Hugh Hefner is said to be considering selling his Playboy “Initial information developed from officers, initial
empire to British billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin interviews and a preliminary examination of the scene
firm, media reports in the US said. indicate this was a tragic accident,” said police spokesman
The 83-year-old owner of America’s best-selling men’s Andy Hill, who said the girl was in “extremely critical
glossy magazine could sell the company he founded more condition” on life support.
than 56 years ago for some USD 300 million, after its “Either she slipped or put her head in the loop, but it
profits slump in the face of free pornography on the acted like a noose and she was obviously unable to get
Internet. Two companies, Apollo Capital Partners and herself off of it.”
Providence Equity Partners, have been approached but Tyson, who doesn’t live at the house, had been in Las
declined to make an offer. Now, Branson’s Virgin Media is Vegas but travelled to Phoenix upon learning of the
tipped to be a potential buyer, though no official interest accident, Hill said.
has been expressed. AFP
“Everyone says that he (Hefner) will never let go, that he’ll
take it to his grave,” a source was quoted by the New York
Post as saying.
PTI Cox’s lucky to have Aniston in her
life
Actress Courteney Cox insists that she’s lucky to have a friend
like Jennifer Aniston in her life. The 44-year-old star, who
worked with Aniston for almost a decade on the hit TV series
Friends, insists that she has been with her has been there for
her unconditionally, reports the China Daily.
“We’ve known each other nearly 15 years now, we grew up
together emotionally,” said Cox.
“I lost my father, Jen got divorced, and I had a baby. We have
been through huge life changes together.”
ANI

‘WAGs a distraction during Ashes’

P
resence of wives and girlf-
riends (WAGs) during the
Test matches would act as
a distraction and pose a
threat to Australia’s Ashes de-
fence, according to former crick-
eter Michael Slater.
Cricket Australia, keeping in
mind the long tour, has invited
WAGs for the first two Test
against England in July.
Slater feels that it was impor-
tant for players to spend quality
time together to create bonding,
than with WAGs.
“There is no doubt that in that
initial phase of a tour you want
the blokes to be able to hang
around for dinner together and
have a few beers, just be in each
others pocket to get that team
harmony going,” Slater said.
Slater railed CA for inviting the
WAGs to the Ashes planning
camp at Coolum in Queensland.
“The WAGs being at a camp
when you’re setting up for your
next six months of cricket, I
don’t know that that’s the way it
needs to go, I don’t think it’s
right.”
“In terms of the preparation,
when you’re coming up with
your strategy you don’t need the
partners there,” Slater was quot-
ed as saying by the Herald Sun.
The former opener cited the
example of legendary Allan Bor-
der, who had barred the entry of
WAGs into the team hotel until
the series was won.
“Now that’s outdated but that
was the regime and what he
thought was the right way to go
and we won the series, they won
under the same regime also in
the late 1980s,” he said. ■
PTI

Michael Clarke with his partner Lara Bingle. PHOTO: LUCAS DAWSON/GETTY IMAGES
 Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Websites of the day
Which celebs do you share you day of birth with?
Find out here: www.famousbirthdays.com/
The history of the easter egg:
www.geocities.com/Heartland/8149/egg.html
When
Rahul Gandhi
learnt boxing
R
ahul Gandhi may be having
many commandos to de-
fend him but the young
politician believes in self-
defence and learnt some boxing
skills from India’s first Drona-
charya awardee Om Prakash
Bharadwaj.
The veteran coach said that
Gandhi learnt techniques of box-
ing from him for two months last
year with the objective of keeping
himself physically and psycho-
logically fit for a busy political
life. “It was a great opportunity
for me to train Rahul Gandhi in
boxing for two months last year,”
said Bharadwaj.
“In the beginning I was also
surprised why he wanted to learn
boxing because I was sure that he
was not going to box in the ring.
But later I realised that he was
keen to have some knowledge
about the art of self-defence,” he
added.
“I observed that he likes sports.
He is a good swimmer, shooter
and horse rider. He is interested
Leopard
roams Pak PM’s garden
P akistani hunters are trying to
catch a wild leopard roaming
the grounds of Prime Minister
Yusuf Raza Gilani’s official resi-
dence, an official said.
The animal, first spotted on a
closed-circuit television camera,
slipped into the garden of the
well-guarded Islamabad com-
pound late last week, perhaps in
search of prey such as wild boar
that also roam the area.
“It’s a big animal,” said the
Prime Minister’s spokesman, Im-
ran Gardezi, adding that Gilani
had not left the residence and
was carrying on with his duties as
usual. Wildlife officials armed
with tranquillizer darts have been
trying to catch the leopard. They
almost had it cornered on Sun-
day, but it leapt over a six-foot
wall topped with barbed wire into
another part of the compound,
Gardezi said.
Islamabad was built in the
to have elementary knowledge in
various activities and keep him-
self busy.”
“He believes in making efforts
and does not waste a single min-
ute,” Bharadwaj said.
The former boxer rated 39-
year-old Rahul as a great learner,
who is physically very fit.
“You won’t believe but he was
too good and had prior knowl-
edge of a few boxing techniques.
He would also discuss about the
game’s various techniques.”
“I found him physically quite
fit. For instance, knowing his bu-
sy schedule I kept for him light
training and for the warm-up
would ask him to run one round
of his residence ground. But he
would ask me if the drill was
enough and run two more
rounds.”
“During the strenuous wor-
kouts on punching pad also I
never saw him tired,” Bharadwaj
said.
The coach was all praise for Ra-
hul’s humility and was complete-
1960s up against the forested
foothills of the Himalayas and
animals including wild boar, fox-
es, monkeys and porcupines are
often seen in the city’s green
spaces.
But the leopard might not be
allowed to roam free for much
longer. “If it can’t be caught alive
today perhaps orders will be giv-
en to shoot it,” Gardezi said. ■
Reuters
07
Officer not a gentleman
An Australian Navy submarine commander has landed in
hot water with feminist groups after he suggested female
sailors could boost recruitment by wearing bikinis.
ly bowled
over by his
manners
and
etiquettes.
“One day when
I wanted some water
to drink, instead of asking
any attendant he himself rushed
to the kitchen to fetch me water.
On another occasion, when he
was escorting me to their gate,
Soniaji called him but he replied
’let me see sir up to the gate and
then I will come’.
What better behaviour and eti- The 39-year-old MP was also a good
quette I can expect from such a
top youngster of the country?” he shooter, swimmer and horse rider
said. ■
PTI
Hair power
쒀 Chinese strongman He Jianma pulls an 8,280-kg bus for 30 metres using his hair
in Zhuzhou, in central China’s Hunan province. He succeeded in breaking the
previous Guinness World record held by a Malaysian strongman. PHOTO: AFP
08 SPORT ERGO Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Bhagat to lead India charge

High on confidence after winning Spanish Open, Sayali Bhagat will
look to extend her brilliant run in the international badminton circuit
when she takes field at the Open Volant d’Or, commencing in France
from Wednesday. Bhagat, who won Spanish Open last week, will
launch her campaign against Mariya Diptan of Ukraine.

Transfer talks
Now that the IPL is over and the action Who’s the Best? The
would gradually shift to Champions League final
Champions League, on Wednesday may at
franchisees will be seen last put a rest to all the
engaged in a keen players comparison between
transfer game. New South (left) Manchester
Wales, one of the United Portuguese star
Australian participants, Cristiano Ronaldo, and
may lose David Warner, Barcelona’s Argentine
who is likely to stick to striker Lionel Messi.
Delhi Daredevils in the PHOTO: AFP
12-team tournament to be
held in India in October.
To retain the services of
big hitting Warner, Delhi
will have to play around
US$ 250,000 to NSW. This
money NSW are expected to would offer to
Kiwi team Otago to secure the services of
explosive Brendon McCullum, who led
Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL-II.
However it will be interesting to see which
side McCullum chooses to represent. The
organisers have left it to players to choose
the side they wish to play for. McCullum is
eligible to play for NSW because he played
for the Blues in last season’s domestic final
against Victoria.
Otago chief executive Ross Dykes hinted that
deal could materialise. “Given the fact he
has played for them in the last 12 months, I

D-Da
think it could happen. You can’t ignore
figures like that. But on the other hand, you
have loyalty reasons for which you wouldn’t
want to do it. Brendon would have to be
involved in these discussions,” he said.
PTI

Zaheer in fitness race

for World T20
India paceman Zaheer Khan is in a race to
regain fitness from a shoulder injury to play
in the World Twenty20 starting on June 5. Defensive worries for Barca and United
The 30-year-old, India’s lead bowler over the
last two seasons, is undergoing rehabilitation

in South Africa after he was injured during
the Indian Premier League. The IPL wound
up on Sunday.
“He is working with a South African doctor
and an update will be issued soon by the
BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India),”
an unnamed member of the Indian team’s
support staff said. “(But) let me tell you his
recovery is on track and he is expected to
play the first game,” he added. Holders India
play their first game against Bangladesh on
June 6.
Reuters
F
or all the talk of their devastat-
ing attacking capabilities, Bar-
celona and Manchester United
must sort out defensive worries
for Wednesday’s Champions League
final. As the teams and hordes of fans
arrive in Rome for the 67,000 sell-out,
Barca coach Josep Guardiola has
much to ponder.
The Spanish champions will be
without three of their first choice
backline for the clash at the Stadio
Olimpico, with fullbacks Daniel Alves
and Eric Abidal suspended while cen-
tral defender Rafael Marquez misses
out through injury. Guardiola, in his
first year in charge, may opt to shift
midfielder Seydou Keita to left back
ahead of Silvinho, with Yaya Toure
continuing to fill in at centre back and
captain Carles Puyol possibly shifting
to the right.
For holders United, centre back Rio
Ferdinand sat out Sunday’s 1-0 win at
Hull City along with the rest of the
Premier League champions’ first
team and coach Alex Ferguson is
hopeful he will shake off a calf prob-
lem. “Rio is coming along fine. I think
he is on course to play on Wednes-
day,” coach Sir Alex Ferguson said.
The silky skills of United’s Cristiano
Ronaldo and Barca’s Lionel Messi
have led fans to label the game “the
dream final”.
Quick break
However, United midfielder Mi-
chael Carrick is aware last season’s
semi-final between the pair was far
from pretty, with the English side pre-
vailing 1-0 in the second leg at Old
Trafford. “We thought it would be ve-
ry open and attacking when we
played them last season and in the
end there was only one goal over two
legs,” Carrick said. “They can
and create chances at any tim
we believe we can defend wel
attack them.”
Carrick’s comments suggest
ed may be prepared for an
smash-and-grab raid, where
nullify Barca’s attacks and hit
on the counterattack. The
worked to perfection in the sem
nal demolition of Arsenal, w
world player of the year Ron
scored one of the goals of the se
in a quick break from United’s
box.
Flowing football
The Catalans say they are no
terested in United’s tactics and
to show off their full array of t
which failed to shine in their f
nate semi-final victory over Ch
“Since I don’t know what so
 Wednesday, May 27, 2009
09

‘‘
People misunderstood what I wanted to say. I never meant any disrespect to Laxman who is a top
Test player. His captaincy was one of the reasons for the team not doing well in the first year. One
can see the difference that Gilchrist brought to the team as captain. This was more or less the same team
that played last year. But the captaincy made a big difference to the team.
Shahid Afridi, who played for Chargers in the inaugural edition, had sparked off a big controversy last year with his suggestion that Gilchrist should replace VVS Laxman

ay
d as fans arrive
score game they’ll play, what we have to do
me but is get hold of the ball, dominate mid-
ll and field and attack,” midfielder Xavi said
before jetting into Italy’s capital.
Unit- “Winning means we have to impose
nother our own style. The boss has told us to
they play the way we have all season, to
them enjoy ourselves and go for it from the
plan off. He also reminded us that we need
mi-fi- to control our nerves and emotions.”
where Barcelona striker Thierry Henry
naldo and midfielder Andres Iniesta are
eason both expected to play after training
s own normally following knocks.
Security concerns
Rome police will begin a huge se-
curity operation later with a partial
ot in-
alcohol ban in force in some areas of
want
the city.
alent,
Trouble has marred United visits to
fortu-
play AS Roma in recent years. ■
elsea.
Reuters
ort of
10 FLICK ERGO Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Go home, Mickey Rourke told Freida Pinto

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto says that at the Oscars Hollywood actor
Mickey Rourke had told her to go home because he thought she was too
young to be there. Rourke approached the actress at the prestigious awards
ceremony in February and advised her to head home to bed, reported
femalefirst.co.uk.

‘I won’t be kind to
poor performers’
Kirron Kher to judge India’s Got
Talent, the Indian version of
Britain’s Got Talent. Will she
do a Simon Cowell?

A
fter playing mother to Bol-
lywood superstars like Aa-
mir Khan in Rang De
Basanti, Shah Rukh Khan
in Om Shanti Om and Abhishek
Bachchan in Dostana, Kirron
Kher is set to play a judge on the
new reality show, India’s Got Tal-
ent. The actress says she won’t be
kind to poor performers.
“I am vocal about my opinion
on people, but whether I’m sweet
or blunt to a performer will de-
pend on his or her performance. I
can’t shower praises on someone
who makes a fool of himself on
stage. I won’t be kind to that per-
son,” Kirron says.
India’s Got Talent is a variety
talent show and participants
from all over the country will
showcase what they are best at
within two minutes. To be hosted
by video jockeys Nikhil Chinappa
and Ayushmaan Khurana, it will
be aired on Colors channel soon.
India’s Got Talent is the Indian
version of popular British reality
show Britain’s Got Talent (which
recently catapulted Susan Boyle
to YouTube fame). Apart from
Kirron, actress Sonali Bendre and
internationally renowned film-
maker Shekhar Kapur will share
the stage as judges.
Asked if they will try to create
sparks by fighting and contradict-
ing each other’s opinions like
judges of other shows, Kirron
said: “We are basically graceful
and decent people. We don’t be-
lieve in such histrionics. I’m sure
we can have different opinions
over a performance, but we agree
to disagree.” ■
IANS

Best moment of The Johnny and Belly

Tonight Show J ohnny Depp knows what he wants
to do after retiring from his acting

H ugh Grant’s first TV chat after his headline-

making arrest in 1995 has bagged the top prize in
a new magazine poll of the best moments of The
Tonight Show, during comedian Jay Leno’s tenure as
its host.
Entertainment Weekly magazine has put together
the best bits of comedian Leno, who is set to end his
17-year tenure with the late-night show on May 29.
And Grant’s interview, after he was taken into
custody for misdemeanour lewd conduct in a public
place with Hollywood prostitute Divine Brown, has
taken the cake in the survey, reports Contactmusic.
The Mickey Blue Eyes’ actor’s infamous episode
went on to beat President Barack Obama’s historical
appearance in March, along with Leno’s tête-à-tête
with Arnold Schwarzenegger when he announced his
candidacy for California Governor in 2003.
The chat show king had sent the crowd into
laughter when he began his interview with Grant in
July, 1995, asking, “What the hell were you
thinking?” ■
ANI
career, and that is to grow some grey
hair and a beer belly.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star
said that he was looking forward to
soaking up the sun with couple of
pints in hand, reports the China Daily.
The 45-year-old said: “I just want to
become a traditional old man with a
beer belly. I’d like to be sitting on the
veranda of our place in France, just
staring out over the lawns.”
The Hollywood heartthrob is not the only one thinking about
expanding his stomach, for Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin
too has his fears of the ‘Belly Day’.
“I feel like you’ve got to write as many songs as you can
between the ages of 28 and 33 because those are your last few
years before you get a belly,” he said.
“I couldn’t possibly write a hit record when I’ve got a beer
belly, so we’re just going to try to write as many songs as
possible before that D-Day, or B-Day it should be – for Belly
Day!” he added. ■
ANI
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
11
Michael Jackson spent $6 mn on statues
Pop legend Michael Jackson had spent nearly $6 million on statues of Peter Pan and children and most
of them are now being auctioned to raise cash for the star. The singer crammed his Neverland ranch
with the artworks including life-size bronze statues of kids playing on slides or dancing while holding
hands, reported the sun.co.uk.

All for Cine City

acting’s sake
Jaya Prada on balancing both
worlds and her upcoming movie

DEEPA VENKATRAMAN

A
lthough she plunged into politics more
than a decade ago and engaged herself in
social work, besides winning the recent
Lok Sabha elections, the beautiful yeste-
ryear-actor-turned-politician makes time for
her all-time passion – acting. She will soon be
seen in K.C. Bokadia’s upcoming untitled pro- Maddy refuses to dub
ject, after a string of movies like Ghar Grihasti, Naan Aval Adhu, starring Madhavan, Sada and
Khakee, Tathastu and recent Kamal Hassan Shamita Shetty in the lead roles, will see a dubbing
blockbuster Dasavatharam in the last three artiste lending his voice for Madhavan. Apparently,
years. Madhavan refused to dub since the producer did
Jaya confesses that she does not want to do not pay him. The actor had clearly stated that he
any film that comes her way just to be seen would only cooperate for the dubbing session if the
in the glam world. Ask her how she could dues are settled. Sources said the producer did not
manage the time for movies and she oblige to Maddy’s demand and opted for a dubbing
says, “Bokadia offered me the role, artiste. The movie is all set to release this weekend
and the story as well as the char- and is a remake of Hindi film Darling. Titled Leelai
acter was so very exciting that I earlier, the movie is supposed to be a horror flick.
just couldn’t reject it. Further,
my earlier movies with Bokadia,
like Aaj Ka Arjun with Amitabh
Bachchan, Kundan, Ganga Tere
Desh Mein, Zulm-o-Sitam and
Maidane Jung with Dharmendra
and Tyaagi with Rajinikanth were Actor Sherin, who
all hits.” Sherin in made her debut in
We hear that her role in the movie Tamil with Kasturi
has been tailor-made to project her Kandein Raja’s Thulluvatho
true off-screen persona. Jaya says, “I Ilamai, did not shine
am playing the role of a woman who is Kadhalai much in Kollywood
very strong-willed in nature, stands on due to the
her convictions and fights for what is insignificant roles she
right. The story is centred on my was offered. Sherin
character, and it is after a long gap was last seen in
that I have received such an in- Bheema as an item
teresting offer.” girl. Reportedly the
Besides Bokadia’s project, actor has resigned
Jaya will also be seen in herself to playing
Budha Saheb Dasgup- sister roles. She will
ta’s untitled Bengali be seen as
movie and Sharad Tamannah’s elder
Hegde’s The Desire: sister in Kandein
Journey of a Woman Kadhalai, the remake
starring Shilpa Shetty. of Jab We Met.
Jaya reveals, “Budha Interestingly, in the
Saheb’s project is com- original Kareena
pleted in Bengali and Hindi. Kapoor had a
In Hegde’s movie, I am an younger sister. Since
Odissi dancer and mother Sherin is older than
of Shilpa, who also turns Tamannah, the script
out to be a world-class has been altered.
dancer.” ■
12
Today’s Query:
Which Tamil actor can pass off as
an Indian James Bond and why?
■ Vikram.
He changes as the character itself.
Sugan IBM,
A.Maithily Cybernet Slash Support
Corporation
■ Vijayakanth,
because no one else can do stunts
like him with one leg on wall and
other on air.
Arunachalam, T.S.J.Praveen
Cognizant Technology Solutions,
Thameem RR Donnelley,
Thirumalai, Rajkumar,
Saravanan, Allsec Technologies,
Hariharan.R, Infoview Technology,
Raghav, Tata Consultancy Solutions,
Jothikumar, IGT,
Vasanth, Prabhurajan, Softeon
Sathiya, Servion
■ Vijay
because he can only fly without
wings and has that Bond smartness.
Pugazh Cognizant Technology Solutions,
Balaji, Ramesh Wipro Technologies,
Naren, FBSC
■ Venniradai Moorthi
for he has won many girls’ hearts by
calling them bbbrrrr prraapa
Padma Gopal
Cognizant Technologies
■ Vadivel
because he will create comedy in
action and romantic scenes
Balaji Mohan Inautix,
Benin IBM
■ Kamalhasan,
let him do this avatharam also
Ramya Jayaseelan, Saranya.M Cognizant,
Prem HCL, Jagan Infosys,
Jai Allsec, Shamu IBM
Today’s Query:
If you were to start part time
business, what would it be and why?
ERGO Wednesday, May 27, 2009
■ Thala Ajith.
Because he only has that look and
style
Francis Raj.S, Perot Systems,
TA.Krishna, Sudhar.KM,
HCL Technologies,
Murali Hov Services, Gajendran K. from Wipro Technologies has nominated
Dhananjayan, Scope International, Cairn Team and Family members as Partners in Crime.
Harish RBS, Kannan.NS This pic was clicked at Wipro Campus during their one
Financial Software Solutions, day team outing to Shelters Beach Resort in OMR.
Mohan Sridharan,
Tata Consultancy Solutions,
Shantha Infosys
■ Surya,
his physique n dedication to his role
in a movie would make him the best
choice
Amit Faizan, Nasurudeen, Allsec,
Kavitha, Rosetta, Apollo Cognizant
Satheesh Trimble Navigation Ltd
■ Ramarajan
James Bond na ’brain’ use
pannanum. Enga Ramarajan annan
dhan kaala matta pattu padie
adakidivaru
Sheeba.J, Mohanapriya.S,
Deepa.M, Praba.R HCL Technologies
■ JK.Rithish
He would be apt to take up the role.
You can confirm this if you watch Sivanath N. from Perot Systems has nominated his
Nayagan friends as Partners in Crime. This picture was clicked
Sofiya Ambrose, at one of his team-mate’s house.
Mamta Wipro,
Anand Cognizant
■ Rajinikanth
bcoz he is the one and only boss for
all of us
Mari Allsec,
S.Gowrishankar IHM
Mak, WiproTechnologies
Kalidash from Tata Consultancy Services has nominated
his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at
Kodaikanal.
 Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Nigel Chacko from Citi
Groups has nominated his
friend Archan Jyoti Karma-
kar as Office Angel.
Archan is a very jovial,
cheerful person. He is the role
model for our entire team
because of his dedication and
sincerity towards work.
Vasanthi
Mahesh from
Sify
Technologies
Limited
doodled this.
A guy phones up his Boss, but gets the boss’ wife instead. "I’m
afraid he died last week." she explains. The next day the man calls
again and asks for the boss. "I told you" the wife replies, "he died
last week." The next day he calls again and once more asks to
speak to his boss. By this time the wife is getting upset and
shouts, "I’ve already told you twice, my husband, your boss, died
last week! Why do you keep calling?" He replied laughing, "I just
love hearing it..."
Gowtham Sanjeev R.
TCS, Chennai
■ Hi Neena,
Wish you many more happy returns
of the day. May you acquire all that
you desire and each passing year be
filled with joy. A birth day is just the
first day of another 365-day journey.
Enjoy the trip! Be happy. Hope for
Heights, And will to have flights,
Petals spread in your ways, Plotted
with the dreams whites, You May
then enjoy days and nights! ninaku
ishtampole aan kuttikal kuttukaraittu
undaakatte ennu aasamsikkunnu.
Regards,
Alcatel 5620 Team,
Wipro Technologies
■ Babu Garoo
"Nee siricha un kannathula vizhudhu
kuzhi... PURGE panna unmela
vizhudhu pazhi... Liftla sandhichadhu
rendu vizhi... Inimay ellam jadhagam
vitta vazhi...!!! Jokes apart..... we r
waiting for ur treat... oh... we r
supposed to wish u rite... Happy
B’day SarathKumar...!!!
Cheers, Fiserv Team, FSS
■ Hi Sharmila
May this special day be filled with
sweet memories and happy hours.
Wishing you all the fun and
excitement that only birthdays can
bring!
With Cheers,
Human Resources, Coastal Training
Technologies India (P) Ltd, Chennai
■ Krish,
Wish You a Many More Happy
Returns of the Day Krish. Un Valkai
Nalamaai Irukka En valthukkal.
WelWisher..
Adventnet
■ Dear Visu,
Smiles and laughter, joy and cheer,
New happiness that stays throughout
the year. Hope your birthday brings
all these and more filling life with
surprise and joys galore!
Happy Birthday!
Nokia CCMS,
Tata Consultancy Solutions
■ Swesh S
Save Tiger, Save Forest
ASE-T, Nokia-CCMS
Tata Consultancy Services
■ Dear Ravi,
Just like fine wine, you grow better
with the years. May today be filled
with sunshine and smiles, laughter
and love. Happy Birthday to someone
who is forever young. Happy
Birthday to someone who deserves a
truly happy day. You think you’re
special because its your birthday
today. That’s complete nonsense...
you’re special every day. Hope you
have the greatest Birthday ever! May
13
all your dreams and wishes come
true! :)
Wit luv, Bhu, Suvi, GG, Gayu, Gowri, Jesi,
Pros, Saran, Johny, Raj, Prem, Marjook, PV,
Srini, Bala, Paul, Senthil
■ Dear Lawrance Annan,
Wish you a very happy Wedding
Anniversary. We always happy to
have you with us to make fun. We
dont have age to bless you, so we
pray to god for your happiness,
health and wealth. "Periannan
Lawrance Vazgha valamudan". We
are expecting a big treat from you in
"Le Royal Meredian"
With lots of love
Saajiv, Namitha Nattu, Youth, Friday
Freaky, Velu Bhai, Laddu Kumar, Manguni,
Subash M.L.A, Motta Muthu, Pappu
Harish, Bantha Jai. Hewitt Associates
■ Hi Bhagya,
Once a year I get the chance to wish
you birthday cheer. It pleases me no
end to say, I wish you another great
year. So happy birthday to you
BhaKi.
Regards,
Balaji & Friends, Wipro
■ Dear Thambi,
A birthday is just the first day of
another 365 days journey around the
sun. Enjoy the trip.I hope all your
birthday dreams and wishes come
true. Wishing you another wonderful
year of happiness and joy. May God
bless you.
Anbudan, Your sister
V.Jesmine Angel, DSM Soft.
■ Dear Vibha,
Best wishes on your birthday and
throughout the coming year! We
wish you good health and happiness
in life…May God showers his
blessings on you! Wish you a great
birthday Vibha! Enjoy your day…
Cbeyonders,
Cognizant Technology Solutions.
Belated Wishes
■ Hi Nantha,
Many more happy returns of the day.
May all your wishes come true for
the upcoming years... Let your smiles
and joys increases miles, We wish you
the happiest of birthdays.
Wishes from Santosh, Vijay, Faisal,
Rajaram, Mumtaz, Ashok, Ganesh,
Bala and All B&CPR TEAM(SCB)-
HCL Technologies
■ Dear Sivakumar S.
May the good lord bless you with
excellent health and defend your life
from the evil one! See many more
years happy birthday.
By
ZS, ZC, ZCS, AdventNet.
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Witchcraft-y debt collection

A debt collecting firm in Lithuania is offering to conduct
witchcraft for clients looking to retrieve arrears. The company
has hired self-styled witch Vilija Lobaciuviene to hunt down
companies failing to pay their debts.

sudoku

Pradheep Ayyanar
from Elnet
Technologies has
captured this bunch
of carrots near a
lake in Coorg using
Canon A95 camera.
Hobbies:
Photography,
drawing, painting &
cooking

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column will get gift
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 Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Survivor poodle
A poodle mistakenly left inside a van in a Vermont airport
parking garage managed to survive for nearly three
weeks. The 12-year-old pup lost half its body weight and
endured subzero temperatures.
15
Word’s worth
Finnesko (fins-koh) a boot made of reindeer skin
tanned with birch, with the hair left on the
outside. A fashion statement made on early polar
expeditions and trips across Greenland.

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Till noon, your mind will remain preoccupied by
family issues. During the latter half of the day, your
mind will return to its creative self, and you will be
able to negotiate technically complex tasks easily.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

A number of issues will be nagging you during the
earlier part of the day. However, by the end of the
day, you will have found a way to address most of
these issues. Conflicts over petty issues could leave
you feel irritable. Play it cool.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Today, you will need to use your written and verbal
BORN LOSER skills to their max. You may have to spend an
insane amount of time talking over the phone or
corresponding through email. Tempers may flare up
between you and your partner due to ego issues.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
Today, a favour from your superiors may bring a
smile on your face. You will be able to use your
skill set to get work done at a rapid pace. You will,
however, play diplomatic with your family members,
says Ganesha.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
You may not begin the day in a positive frame of
mind, but you will transform into an enthusiastic
workhorse as the day progresses. You will
accomplish the day’s target with great dexterity,
which will amaze everyone around you.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
Though the day will begin on a positive note, you
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT may feel a bit jittery about the way things are
going, by dusk. Your love life will take a backseat
and your day will be all crisis management,
Ganesha says.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
Since you are in a contagiously brilliant mood today,
others around you will also benefit from your happy
disposition. Your boss will be happy with your
productivity. And, this is probably the best time to
plan a trip.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
The first half of your day will be all about your
emotional bond with your work. However, during
the second half, you will be driven by your
ambitions. You may not be able to pay the required
attention to your partner.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
The first half of your day will be extremely busy and
chaotic. But as the day progresses, things will start
getting clearer and under control. Today, you will
make yourself proud by easily accomplishing a
complicated task.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
There will be a lot to do today. More than you
bargained for. But, your traits of working diligently
and patiently will help you end the day on a
positive note. You will see good results and certain
confusions regarding work will be cleared.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS Ganesha says that the day may demand a lot of
hard work. You need to guard yourself against
ISSUE’S jealous co-workers. Ganesha’s advice to you is that
you need to handle everything as discreetly as
SOLUTIONS possible.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
Busy! Busy! Busy! That’s what you will be today.
You will be extremely worked up and will be
engaged doing something related to computers, for
instance software designing. To avoid stress, you
may seek comfort in the arms of your partner.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Wednesday, May 27, 2009

A woman holds a giant tennis ball signed by Rafael Nadal

at the French Open in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JACQUES DEMARTHON

A ferry (below) moves past as the Sydney Opera House (top) is

illuminated on all sides with a light art work designed by legendary
musician and multimedia artist Brian Eno in Sydney. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD

A dolphin follows a ferry linking two Greek islands, Samos Thunderbolts light the sky above Rotterdam, as a heavy storm raged over
and Agathonisi, in the south-east Aegean Sea, a few miles the Netherlands. AFP PHOTO/ MARCO DE SWART
from the west coast of Turkey. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS