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10 03
DEEPIKA SECOND BEST The Angel of God
thanks to that wily fox Akshay Kumar HR professional releases her fourth book
in the city today
FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 9
take a
HIKE
Ergo’s pick of
lesser-known
weekend
destinations.
» PAGES 4 & 5
02 ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009
Lights on
Namma Chennai
Now, say goodbye to power cuts. BPL in
association with Sankara Netralaya has launched
rechargeable study lamps called ‘StudyLite’. The
built-in rechargeable back-up promises to provide
light for up to six hours without the main power.
Music
Sale
Talent scout
The Channel V ‘Launch Pad 111’
is back looking for the hottest
For the girl sound of 2009 in a nationwide
search. Bands with distinct
personality, diverse language or
in you
Tanishq has unveiled their new
even a new sound can battle it
out on the all new season. The
competition begins in the end of
line of gold jewellery
January, wherein 20 short-listed
collection ‘Blush for the girl in
bands will perform every week
you’. This light-weight gold
live at Blue Frog, Mumbai.
collection is designed for
Rush in your enteries to
young working women and
v.bigadda.com
comes in attractive shapes and
designs. These are priced from
Rs. 5,000 and available at all
Tanishq stores.
Getaway
Theatre
Just chill
GRT Temple Bay has an exclusive winter package, where one could stay
for three days and two nights by paying Rs. 22, 222. A chalet room on
Being earnest twin sharing basis with buffet breakfast, plenty of activity cum health
club voucher... there is lot more. The offer is valid till March 31.
It’s theatre time, folks. Evam presents ‘The Importance of being For reservations call 2744 3636.
Earnest’, which it terms “trivial comedy for serious people.” The plays
will be staged at Chinmaya Heritage Centre on January 16 (7.30 p.m.)
and January 17 (3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.). For tickets call 98402 22363/
99404 38669. Book launch
A
jet-setting life – first as a ent people that has made me get
dutiful wife and mother, into fiction writing too.
then as senior vice-presi-
PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN
Big Story
The roads less travelled,
It’s another extended weekend next week and if you are bored staying indoors or visiting the same old places, here’s
Ergo’s pick of lesser-known weekend getaways. Go there, come back and tell us if they’re worth the recommendation
TREKKER’S ZONE
Place: Alamparai Fort
How to get there: It lies near Kadapakkam,
a village 50 km from Mamallapuram on the
land overlooking the Bay of Bengal. The fort
can be reached by driving down the East
Coast Road, about 100 kms from Chennai
and 50 kms from Puducherry. Start early in
the morning as it is a pleasant drive along the
ECR.
Why the place holds good: If you wish to
have a scenic view of the sea and backwaters
from the great heights and enjoy an adven-
turous trek, the Alamparai Fort is the place to
visit.
The Alamparai Fort, also called Alampara,
was constructed during the Mughal era and
it had a 100-metre-long dockyard stretching
into the sea. It was destroyed by the British in
1760 and further got damaged following the
2004 tsunami. Local fishermen assist tourists
in a pleasurable boating experience around
the fort.
Best time to get there: October to Decem-
ber
What you can do: Boating and trekking
quite literally
ALL IN ONE
Sport
Elena Dementieva overpowered a weary Serena Williams 6-3, 6-1 at the
Sydney International on Thursday to set up an all-Russian final against
Dinara Safina. Dementieva cruised to victory against the American, who
ran out of steam after a gruelling run to the last four in which she had
saved seven match points in her earlier rounds.
W Man U
ayne Rooney is facing three weeks out
Indian-Kiwis add an of Manchester United’s title charge af-
ter scoring the winner and then being
extra Test struck down by a hamstring injury as
New Zealand has agreed to add a third Test and the champions sealed a narrow 1-0 win against
an extra Twenty20 match to India’s tour starting Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
next month. India asked
earlier this month to play an
extra Test during the tour to
help offset losses after the
cancellation of matches
against England and Pakistan.
The Board of Control for
Rooney, 22, lasted just seven minutes of Unit-
ed’s win, which takes them to within two points
of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand,
before limping out of the action. Unit-
ed can claim top spot in the Premier
League for the first time this season
if they defeat Bolton at the Reebok
close in
Cricket in India (BCCI) and on Saturday, but Rooney will be United inches near
New Zealand Cricket forced to watch from the sidelines
announced the extended after suffering his injury blow. table-toppers
schedule Thursday after the
host country had worked to reschedule other Pressing for a speedy Liverpool but face
matches. India will arrive in New Zealand on recovery
February 20, eight days earlier than originally United manager Sir Alex Fergu- losing Rooney for
scheduled, with the first tour match being an son said that he hoped Rooney
additional Twenty20 match in Christchurch on would not be out for longer. three weeks
February 25. An extra Test will be played in “Wayne has done his hamstring,”
Napier on top of the originally scheduled two said Ferguson. “It’s one of those
Tests in Hamilton and Wellington. “India is things, but it’s a three-week job
probably the most exciting side in the world at I’m afraid. Hopefully it
present, packed full of superstar players, and the won’t be any longer than
chance to see six more days of high quality that, but he gave us a
international competition will be welcomed by great start with a great
all New Zealand cricket fans,” New Zealand finish from Ronaldo’s
Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said. BCCI cross. We were carry-
secretary N. Srinivasan said he was grateful the ing injuries throughout
two cricket authorities had been able to work the game and that says
together to extend the tour. “To have such a a lot for the character
strong mix of Tests, one-day internationals and of the team. Carlos Te-
Twenty20s will be good for both teams, and for vez limped through-
cricket followers in India and New Zealand,” he out the second-half,
said. Jonny Evans, Paul
AFP Scholes, Ronaldo.
They all seemed
to be limping
Size matters for Indian about
place.”
the
PHOTOS: AFP
Friday, January 16, 2009
07
‘‘
Of course there is going to be a certain amount of expectation and
pressure as the Grand Slam champion but I will try to use it in my
favour and look at it as a positive challenge.
Defending Australian Open champion and world number three Novak Djokovic
Shooting star
W
hen Fred Perry stepped
off court in 1936 after his Murray eager to break British drought
US Open win over Don
Budge, most Britons a petulant streak into a genuine tip Murray for Grand Slam glory,
would have assumed the nation’s force in world tennis, highlighted expectations are high that the tal-
tennis future was secure. After all, by his displays over the past six ented Scot will end the British
Perry was world number one with months. After reaching his first drought here.
eight Grand Slam titles to his Grand Slam final in New York, But with eight matches needed
name, and Britain could count it- Murray sealed his second consec- for victory, together with the Aus-
self as a sporting force in all four utive Masters series win before tralian summer’s searing heat,
corners of the empire. Seventy- reaching the Masters Cup semis it’s far from a foregone conclu-
three years and countless disap- on debut and reaching a career- sion.
pointments later, with both Perry high fourth ranking. So far this
and the empire long consigned to year Murray has been the tour’s More to do
history, the country is still waiting best player, beating both first and “Andy’s shown for a year that’s
for its next Grand Slam cham- second-ranked Rafael Nadal and he’s knocking on the door,” said
pion. So it’s not surprising that Roger Federer at an exhibition Federer. “He’s playing with good
the emergence of Andy Murray event before besting Federer confidence. But winning a slam is
has been greeted with consider- again as he successfully defended different animal, not many guys
able fanfare in Britain. his Qatar Open title. have been able to do it.” Murray
“Sometimes you just have to has always had the game to beat
Bookies favour him give credit. He played great. He is the best but credits intensive fit-
With Murray now the bookies’ probably in the best form of any- ness and strengthening work
favourite for the Australian Open, body in the world right now,” with giving him the extra power
excitement is at fever pitch. Mur- said American Andy Roddick af- and stamina to survive at the top.
ray, 21, has transformed himself ter the Doha final. With former The six foot three (1.90 metre)
from a gangly, fragile youth with greats and experts queuing up to Murray controversially split with
coach Brad Gilbert, hired at great
expense by Britain’s Lawn Tennis
Association, in late 2007 and now
travels with two fitness trainers as
well as coach Miles Maclagan.
Results came quickly as he com-
piled his best season to date in
2008, becoming the first Briton to
win five titles in one year in the
Open era.
Famously reticent in front of
the TV cameras, Murray has been
slow to win over a British public
which retains fond memories of
the popular, albeit less success-
ful, Tim Henman. His career be-
gan aged three when, encouraged
by his mother Judy, a former
Scottish national coach, he start-
ed playing in his home town of
Dunblane.
Shooting tragedy
Tragedy struck when scout
master Thomas Hamilton went
on a killing spree at the eight-
year-old Murray’s school, mur- Tennis messiah
dering 16 young children in one An unheralded wild card entrant took everybody by storm
of Britain’s worst massacres. at the recently concluded Chennai Open. Double NCAA
Murray largely avoided the sub- champion Somdev Dev Varman on his first year in the
ject until last year, when he de- professional circuit reached the final of the US$ 450,000
tailed in his autobiography how ATP meet, claiming some big scalps on his way.
he knew Hamilton from a youth A counter-puncher and a solid base-liner, Somdev is a
group and hid under a desk to modern and more powerful version of former French
escape the gunman. “I could Open champion Michael Chang and pundits are already
have been one of those children,” out, predicting a bright future for him. A quick learner
he said. Murray won his first Fu- and with a never say die attitude, one hopes Somdev lives
tures tournament in 2003, leapt up to the reputation that he has earned over the past
into the top 100 in 2005 and won week.
his first ATP title in 2006. He won (We feature a player every Friday who has defied odds and come out
two out of four finals in 2007 and as a winner during the past week. For this week, we pick tennis
broke into the top 10 but was also young-gun Somdev Dev Varman. You can send in your choice for
out for nearly four months with next week at feedback@goergo.in.)
back and wrist injuries. ■
AFP
08 ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009
R
emember the blue-eyed, bons. Moreover, it was first
long-eyelashed, pink- intended to be worn as negli-
cheeked doll in bows, frilly gee, not the outerwear it has
organza, matching hair- now become (a la bikini top?).
band and stockings you so en- The origins remain unclear.
joyed playing with? As much as We don’t know if the 1956 mo-
you loved dressing it up, you vie Baby Doll, which got its 20-
wouldn’t have imagined your- year-old actress Carroll Baker an
self in similar attire. (Barbie, by Academy Award nomination,
the way, doesn’t fit that descrip- has anything to do with the no-
tion. The makers have ensured menclature. Many credit the film
that she becomes every little for popularising the baby doll
girl’s idea of perfection dress, till then chiefly a garment
personified.) for children and their playth-
Baby doll dresses, however, ings, among women.
are called cool now, thanks to Even now, despite its frequent
Gwen Stefani and her Harajuku sightings, the baby doll dress
girls, the stage background isn’t quite likely to get you on
dancers named after Harajuku many ‘Best Dressed’ lists. The
Station in Tokyo, who toured fact that it looks more like an
with her to promote her Haraju- attention-seeking high school
ku Lovers album. The recently- prom dress narrows down the
launched Harajuku Lovers fra- number of people who can carry
grances, Love, Li’l Angel, Music, it off. Also, a baby doll dress is
Baby and G (for Gwen), are just the kind of outfit you’d most
new additions to the Harajuku likely imagine Paris Hilton in.
Lovers line that she had intro- Fashion-wise, you wouldn’t
duced way back in 2005 under want to be spoken of in the
her fashion label L.A.M.B. same breath. ■
PORTFOLIO
A t the recent Golden
Globes, strapless
gowns, chandelier
earrings, bold colors
and black emerged the
top choices.
Black and dark blue
were popular with
some bright
exceptions. Golden
Globe nominees Kate
Winslet, Amy Adams,
Sally Hawkins and
Viola Davis were
among the many
actresses who chose
black dresses for the
evening event in
Beverly Hills, California.
“It made me feel a
little bit sexy, and I
needed to feel a little
bit sexy tonight,”
Davis, nominated for
best supporting actress
for Doubt, said about
choosing her Max
Azria plunging V-neck
gown.
Evan Rachel Wood of
The Wrestler also
sported a black gown
with a plunging V-
neck. “People keep
asking me how I
picked it, but I think it
picked me,” she said of
Angelina Jolie in a the sequined and
Versace beaded gown by Elie
Saab.
Anne Hathaway, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew
Barrymore, Debra Messing and Sigourney Weaver
were all in blue.
Freida Pinto of Slumdog Millionaire said she was
taken with her “mustardy gold” gown by Christian
Lacroix.
“When you wear one dress you feel absolutely
‘wow’ about, you have to wear it. And this one
was it,” Pinto said.
Angelina Jolie was a notable standout in a shiny
but simple silver-beaded dress by Versace. Jennifer
Lopez also went metallic in a gold dress. ■
Reuters
“I hope
Deepika
does not
beat me”
She has done a good job in the
film and I helped her here and
A
ction hero Akshay Kumar Bangkok. Though the purpose of don Liu was like a childhood
says he helped co-star Dee-
pika Padukone match his
the journey is different but the
drama is definitely the same. I
dream come true for the actor.
“You know how fans react there. But I made sure she al-
action skills in their forth-
coming film Chandni Chowk To
have fought as many villains in
this movie as I have in my ca-
when they see Aamir Khan and
how they run behind him. That’s ways came out second best to
China but made sure she came
“second best” to him.
reer.”
Chandni Chowk To China is
how I see Gordon Liu. I have ad-
mired him and his martial arts me: Akshay
“She (Deepika) once said she being talked about for its aggres- since the beginning. It was su-
wants to be the female Akshay. I sive promotional activities as well perb working with him,” said
hope she doesn’t beat me. She as for the association of interna- Akshay.
has done a good job in the film tional names like renowned Chi- Chandni Chowk... also holds
and I helped her here and there. nese actor Gordon Liu and action the credit of being the first Indian
That way I made sure she always choreographer Dee Dee Ku. film to be shot at the Great Wall of
came out second best to me,” For Akshay, training under Ku, China.
Akshay said. Though Akshay was who has worked for films like Kill “We had a fabulous experience
slightly apprehensive in helping Bill, Crouching Tiger, Hidden shooting at the legendary monu-
Deepika considering “how good Dragon and Matrix among oth- ment of the world - the Great Wall
women are at picking up skills”, ers, “was like squeezing blood of China. It was spiritually
he was quite sure he wouldn’t be from a stone”. breathtaking and probably the
“outshone” by his leading lady. “He is super quick. Whenever highlight of our shoot,” he
Chandni Chowk To China, slat- he would have crazy stunt ideas, shared. A part of the film has also
ed to release Friday, features the one couldn’t figure if he was seri- been shot in Chandni Chowk.
two actors in a story of an Indian ous or joking. He is incredible in Akshay has a lot of fond memo-
cook, Sidhu, played by Akshay, his field. And I trusted him with ries of the popular market place.
who goes to China and is mistak- my life. “Shooting in Chandni Chowk
en for a martial arts expert. “If I would have met him be- was a unique experience. I was
The film is apparently based fore, my life would have been dif- born there. I thought it was sheer
partly on Akshay’s own life as he ferent. He has only worked with madness to shoot there in the
was also born in Chandni Chowk the best. So pleasing him was like narrow lanes but people there
in Delhi and grew up to go to squeezing blood from a stone. were overwhelming. I am an ex-
Bangkok to work as a chef. When he used to say ‘Akshay the pert regarding the food available
About his character in the film, take is okay’, that used to be a there so I used to treat the unit of
he said: “I love my character. It’s huge compliment coming from the film to the best delicacies
so much like me. Come to think him, he said. there,” he said. ■
of it, Sidhu is a man I was once in Sharing screen space with Gor- IANS
Friday, January 16, 2009
11
Penelope Cruz treasures Woody Allen’s glasses
Hollywood actress Penelope Cruz has taken home a special souvenir from the sets of
her latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona - a pair of director Woody Allen’s trademark
spectacles. The Spanish beauty admits she was taken aback when Allen presented her
with the gift, because it was so personal.
beefed-up security. Villu. But the actress had denied the offer saying
After last year’s incident, Bipasha’s that she will never do an item number as it’s her
security is of special concern and her policy. Stating that she would be happy to share
co-star Sanjay Dutt, in fact, proceed- the screen with Vijay as his ladylove, the actress has
ed to Kashmir a day ahead of her to added that she is a great fan of Vijay. Divya is at
ensure the atmosphere is conducive present busy shooting for Kadhal to Kalyanam,
for the actress to resume shooting. ■ opposite actor Arya’s Younger brother Sathya.
IANS
■ AR Rahman scale more heights with ■ The Man. The Music. The Mozart.
your music. With an Indian base, Western influence
S.Ramesh, Wipro and Global Appeal, kicking off from
Roja jaaneman to Jai ho, Rahman ji
■ Bring home the Oscar, the Mozart of your compositions have been
namma Chennai. phenomenal. You have made us all
Karthick, FSS proud by winning the Golden Globe. A
sense of spiritual fulfilment is what
■ Congrats, He is legend and I’m one gets after listening to most of your
proud to be an Indian because he is melodies. We are sure you will make it
the only Indian to have achieved this in the Oscars too. Rahman..’ Rahe
feat, we pray for him. Mahaan’. Love you Guru. Best wishes
Gopinath R, Kalaivani R, Kumari R, Sarah from all of us.
Joyce D, Gomathi. P, Manimala V, Ramya, Akhila, Divya, Varshini, TCS
Durga.S, Vanarani.N, Senthil K, PMC
■ Isai puyalukku innoru viruthu...
■ Dear Rahman uncle... Oscar is not isai virunthukkae isai virutha!
very far... Stay in US, grab it and then viruthaal unnakku yenna perumai
come to India... It’s for you only. unnal antha viruthukkae perumai
Robin M, Wipro intha indhiya mannukkum perumai!
aduthathu Oscara?...
■ Gr8 work A.R.Rahman sir. Hoping for agila ulagamae un isaikku adimai
more such gr8 BGMs in your Tamil un kai meetum yethuvum isai
films too. Your songs are always agairathu un yennam thaedum
ultimate. yevaiyum isai agiarthu nee vidum
LM Kaushik, Infosys moochu kaatrru kuda
isai aga maarukirathae!
■ Great music maestro, a living legend. yengu katrai intha vithaiyai!
God showers his blessings always on isaikku nee oru agarathi
you. Long live Rahman Ji. isaikku nee oru munnodi
Ruba, Wipro isaikku neeyae aathichudi! petru vidu
antha Oscaraiyum, irunthu vittu
■ He deserves more than all awards. pogattum varalatril oru tamilanaal
Usually people will be waiting for Oscarukku perumai yendru!
awards. But Awards are waiting for Geetha B, Sangeetha N,
him. Jeyanthi B, Srimathi Y TCS.
Arun Kumar C, Congruent Solutions
■ This is great achievement for this
■ Hearty congratulations you deserve musical wizard. He has been composing
it. Keep rocking like this. beautiful lyrics for long time but now
Srinivasan, Lakshmi, RC, CTS, this award will catapult him into
Jarks, Ramco Systems international arena.A perfect example
of natural genius, salute to him.
■ Hi Rahman, Idha nan solliye Prince
aaganum. Hollywood’la ivlo nalla music (TCS Client Delivery - US)
Friday, January 16, 2009
13
Thiagarajan Boopathi,
Process Associate of CGSL ■ Dear Ergo, ■ Hi My One and Only Suresh,
has been nominated Office U r always thought of in a very
Angel by his team mates special way. Wish you a happy Let this special day brings you all
Thilagavathi, Pavani, Ven- pongal. the joy and success, wish you a
kat, Vignesh, Saleem, Ma- Regards great birthday wish from the
nonmani, Sonalisa, Preetam Saravanan V, deepest part of your beloved
HCL Minu’s heart. Love u dear more
He is always young at heart, than ever before. Treat enga?
energetic, enthusiastic and an ■ Hi Meera, Minu,
ever-smiling person. He is very Advance happy birthday to u Sutherland
polite, humble, friendly, easy- and have a splendid year
going and accessible by one ahead!! ■ Dear Saravana (THALA),
and all. When it comes to May God bless U with Wish you a many more happy
work he is very dedicated and Happiness,peace. Let this returns of that day
sincere. His sense of humor, birthday make ur life brighter We wish u a day brings the best
timing and the limitless spirit than ever and let all ur dreams in life for u.
makes him very endearing to come true. May life lead u to great
all of us in office. Regards, happiness and success.
CASL Team. Hope lovely surprises ,Are
AIG-TCS. coming your way,To make your
Birthday a Wonderful day
■ Dear Mamtha, (Belated Happy birthday THALA…..
wishes) Hearty Wishes,
We all wish you a very Happy From Your Dear Colleagues
Birthday! UST-Global,
May God be with you & all your ASV Sun Tech Park
dreams come true!!!
with love, ■ Dear Anusha,
Bhuvana, Raju, Sakthi, Wishing you a wonderful life
Viji, Kavitha, Tapas together,
May there be no hill too steep,
■ Dearest Nightingale Renu… And the ground forever rise to
Joyous B’Day Wishes to you meet your feet.
darling. For the bride and groom,
This year is gonna be really May your tomorrows be ever
rocking for you. New project more jubilant and beautiful?
career in your life and wish you Best wishes on your wedding
win the “Airtel Super Singer” day,
title too. To a wonderful beginning,
Loads of love, And a rewarding lifetime
Chris, together.
Wipro Technologies With Best Wishes
Srividya, Subhalakshmi, Vaishnavi
Namrata Bhure from Tata ■ Dear Karthikeyan Rajan
Consultancy Services doodled (RIDER), ■ Dear Subhu,
this. How much you mean A smile is a curve that sets
Although you surely must know everything straight and wipes
That without a doubt wrinkle away hope u share a lots
There’s no-one nicer than you and receive a lots 4 days 2 come.
Or anyone dearer Your birth day is the perfect day
To wish Happy Birthday to to say I care,
Many More Happy Return Of the because you will remember me
DAY. when u certainly make it a big
-Hearty wishes from all affair,
Nokia COACH Team, and when you do hold a party...
Tata Consultancy Services. I bet you will
be the one who would care to
■ Dear Friends. make ur special day a costly
Wish you Happy Pongal to THD- affair!!!!
Chennai With lots of love,
NON-PROD Team. Gayathri, Karthika, Ila
Coffee visions
Traffic Jam
A new study suggests that drinking too much coffee
dramatically increases the risk of hallucinating. Young
men and women who had more than seven cups of
instant coffee a day were three times more likely to
hear or see things that were not there.
sudoku
At Muthu Valliappan’s
village in Arimalam of
Pudukkottai district.
Vallippan works with
Wipro Technologies.
The harvest season is
round the corner and
it’s time we made the
Click Pick column a
little more
interesting.
Photographs of the
harvest festival, rural
India and little-
known rituals will be
given preference this
month. Please send
us fresh photographs,
preferably those
clicked by you on a
recent trip, to
clickpick@goergo.in
TEAM
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!
Roja
AR Rahman’s first soundtrack Roja was
listed in TIME’s ’Top 10 Movie
Soundtracks of All Time’ in 2005.
M
usic maestro A R Rahman after receiving the coveted
Golden Globe Award for the Best Original Music Score for
Slumdog Millionaire returned home in the early hours on
Thursday to a rousing welcome of his fans and well
wishers.
Avid fans thronged the airport to receive their hero even as
traditional musicians playing the ‘Nadaswaram’ and other folk
artistes’ performances were in place to receive the musician.
Rahman, whose fans followed him all the way till his house,
said he was sharing the award with all Indians and Tamils.
“Slumdog Millionaire reflected India and its subject and content
encouraged one to come to the limelight despite being from a
humble background,” he said.
It was the story of a small time slum resident striking it rich
after winning a jackpot in a quiz show, on the lines of ‘Kaun
Banega Crorepati’ and is directed by British filmmaker Danny
Boyle. ■
PTI