A BYTE OF LIFE Friday, September 12, 2008

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 2 No. 177

12
JUMP AND PLAY
The jumpsuit gets
an all new
fashionable look

03
SIMBU IN A LIMBO
Actor annoyed about
missing car and driver
after party
PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN

Purisai’s
PASSION
This tiny village on the outskirts of Chennai is home to
one of the most reputed exponents of theru-k-koothu.
V. Haripriya and Mithra Suresh visit Purisai to
watch the performers at work
» PAGES 4 & 5
02 ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008

Namma Chennai
Tribute to the gypsies
S eptember promises to be an exiting
month at Alliance Francaise. The
cultural centre has lined up a series of
events which include dance, movies and
Ushering Onam
festivities at work
an exhibition. A photography exhibition
by Siva Chithirai on
‘Narikuravas – Ethnic
Faces’ will be
inaugurated at the
AFM Gallery on
September 12. There
are about 364
indigenous
communities that are
identified in Tamil
Nadu by the
Anthropological Survey of India. And
Tamil is the mother tongue for almost
209 ethnic such groups, rest migrated
from Northern states of India. Siva will
showcase around 50 such photographs
which talk volumes about the community.
‘Dance of the Irulas’ on September 27, a
film on the American gypsy on
September 26 and ‘Gypsy Caravan’ on
September 27 are the other highlights of
the month-long event. For details,
contact 2827 1477.

M
iles away from Kerala here in UST
Global, Chennai, one could feel the fa-
miliar smell of Onam festivities in our
office. Fragrance of flowers and agar-
battis mixed with that of freshly-fried chips
stirred the nostalgic memories of the festivities
in many hearts. Pookkalam, nilavilakku, nirap-
ara and kaikottikkali transported all of us back
to God’s own country, though the aarppu vili -
the cheer was a mix of Tamil, Hindi, Telugu
and Marathi.
The enthusiastic crowd cheered and
clapped to the tunes. There was a
narration for the uninitiated about
Onam and its origin. There was an
instant queue in front of the chips
and payasam counter. The joyous
hustle and bustle around the counter I always had a rocking time during Onam
itself was an indicator that all of us are with my sisters. But this Onam is special to
equally enjoying the spirit of Onam! We me in many ways. This is the first Onam
could also see the Malayalee minority proudly which I am celebrating after getting my
explaining the concept and story behind Onam job. Secondly, there is one more member
to their colleagues from other states while in my house to celebrate the festival. My
munching the banana chips and sarkara uppe- sister got married a few days ago. So,
ri in the pantry. Warmth of the festival has apart from my dad, mom and sisters, a
spread smiles in all these faces, and the greet- brother will also be there.
ings echoing every where. Happy Onam! ■ Sindhu Gangadharan, Polaris
Contributed by Remadevi Thottathil, Manager
HR – Operation, UST Global
 Friday, September 12, 2008
03

Simbu in a limbo
Little Superstar dialled ‘100’ from a city pub on Wednesday night to report missing car and driver
PETLEE PETER the reportedly missing car and
petleepeter@goergo.in driver went in vain. Interestingly, The Thousand

A
n evening of booze turned police sources said that the ac-
sour for Tamil actor Simbu tor’s mother, who was annoyed Lights police were
and his brother after his car by her sons’ drinking habits, had alerted, who later
and driver left them be- come to know about their whe-
hind, making them wait for near- reabouts. “She had called driver
reached the hotel
ly an hour outside a city hotel. Vasanth Kumar and asked him only to be
The furious actor dialled 100 and about her sons’ whereabouts. Af- informed that the
reported that his car and driver ter coming to know that they had
have gone missing. gone drinking, she ordered the enraged actor was
According to police sources, driver to come home immediate- picked up by a
the young actor and his brother, ly with the car, leaving behind the
Kuralarasan, sons of actor-poli- actor and his brother,” an officer,
friend.
tician Vijay T. Rajendar, had gone added with a laugh. ■
to attend a party at a well-known
night club in a hotel on Anna Sa-
lai on Wednesday evening.
Towards midnight, after the
party got over, the duo came out
of the hotel lobby to get into their
car. Despite waiting outside for a
while, there was no trace of Sim-
bu’s black sedan or its driver, Va-
santh Kumar.
An annoyed Simbu called the
police control room and reported
that his car had gone missing
along with his driver.
The Thousand Lights police
were alerted, who later reached
the hotel only to be informed that
the enraged actor was picked up
by a friend.
FILE PHOTO: M.KARUNAKARAN A thorough police search for

Morning glory

쒀 An early morning scene (5.45 a.m.) at the War Memorial in Chennai.

PHOTO: S. S. KUMAR
04 ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008

Big Story
From Packard to Purisai
Among the koothu morised most of the script without un-
derstanding the content,” said
veterans of Purisai are Thambiran.
The script does not pretend that its
a bunch of IT lead actor can speak fluent Tamil. In the
play, Lakshman is supposed to be a nov-
professionals quite ice in theru-k-koothu and when an-
guished speaks in Hindi, just like Cordis.
tempted to take up Cordis was working in Hewlett Pack-
ard when he attended a workshop on
the art form full-time theru-k-koothu by director and perform-
er Koumarane Vallavane (pronounced
Kumaran). “It was there that I wanted to
voice that koothu is dying as an art
form,” he says. Koumarane, who grew up
in France, says that there is more sup-
port for Indian folk art there than in In-
dia itself. “And that is what this play is
about; it will highlight that a part of Ta-
mil culture is dying, just because there is
no government support. Guru (Thambi-
ran) has travelled all over the world per-

P
urisai village, which is more than forming with his troupe. But it is here we Cordis
120 kilometres from Chennai, has need to preserve koothu. Hopefully, peo- Paldano as
a few surprises to offer to the curi- ple like Cordis and Vasanth will stay on Lakshman
ous. to take koothu forward.” in
We certainly were not expecting IT Vasanth, a software engineer, also met ‘Lakshman’s
professionals in this tiny village. And, Koumarane during his workshop. Hav- Dream –
that too, ones who are in half a mind to ing undergone 15 weeks of training for but tonight
give up their nine-to-five jobs for a ca- the play, Vasanth wants to take up we’re
reer as theru-k-koothu performers. koothu full-time. playing
‘Lakshman’s Dream – but tonight The art form requires considerable fit- Indrajit’
we’re playing Indrajit’, which will be ness, which is developed over five to six PHOTOS:
staged at Alliance Francaise on Septem- years, but with Cordis and Vasanth it R. RAVINDRAN
ber 13 and 14, has a cast of seven. The meant training for only four months be-
troupe practised under the guidance of fore the production. “I had to train daily
Sambandam Thambiran at Purisai. and it was difficult managing my job and
Cordis Paldano, who plays Lakshman, the rehearsals. But Koumarane’s house Vasanth
was born in Chennai and brought up in is in Besant Nagar, so we did not have to (middle) and
Gurgaon. “He understands Tamil well, travel all the way to Purisai to practise,” Cordis
but speaks little of the language. He me- he says. ■ during play
rehearsal

What,
when,
where?
Event: Tamil play
‘Lakshman’s Dream –
but tonight we’re
playing Indrajit’ I had to train daily
Timings: 3.30 p.m and and it was difficult
7.30 p.m, September managing my job
13 & 14
and the rehearsals
Venue: Alliance
Francaise
Contact: Koumarane
Vallavane on
9942809932
 Friday, September 12, 2008
‘I will perform till
my final breath’
Theru-k-koothu,
from the eyes
of a 55-year-old
exponent
F
or the villagers of Purisai in
Kacheepuram district, the-
ru-k-koothu is a way of life.
It is evident from the fact
that even a toddler can recite any
of the koothu songs with con-
summate ease. Even the invasion
of cable TV has not reduced their
love for the traditional folk art
form of Tamil Nadu.
When we entered the Purisai
Duraisamy Kannappa Thambiran
Parambarai Theru-k-koothu
Mandram, a small unfinished
one-room building thatched with
palm leaves, the training session
of Indianostrum’s ‘Lakshman’s
Dream’ was in progress. Koothu
exponent Sambandam Thambi-
ran, a 55-year-old veteran, is
monitoring the students. Declar-
ing an interval for the artistes,
Thambiran sits for a chat.
“Our family has been perform-
Sambandam Thambiran (left) during a rehearsal
ing koothu for the last five gener-
ations. Koothu is not just an art
form for us. It is an integral part
of each and every family in this
village. Not only during temple
festivals, koothu is also per-
formed on the 16th-day ritual of a
person’s death,” says Samban-
dam Thambiran. A recipient of
the Kalaimamani award, Thambi-
ran and his 16-member troupe
has performed in countries like
Koothu is an integral part of each family in
this village and is also performed on the
16th-day ritual of a person’s death
PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN
France, Sweden, Singapore, Co-
lumbia and Paris.
Theru-k-koothu
Theru-k-koothu is a traditional
folk art form which combines
three basic elements – dialogue
(iyal), music (isai) and drama (na-
takam). It is a rich and vibrant art
popular among the rural popula-
tion. Normally, the themes are
drawn from Indian mythologies
and epics, particularly from the
Mahabharata and, nowadays,
from the Ramayana, too. Similar
to the jester in Shakespeare’s
plays, koothu has a kattaikaran.
He is a representative of the com-
moner and asks questions to the
performers on behalf of the pub-
lic.
10-day-long performance
Between the months of March
and July, festivities begin in
Draupadi Amman temple in Pur-
isai village and that’s the time
when koothu is performed in
Purisai. “The performance will
begin at 10 p.m. and ends at 5
05
a.m. It is a 10-day-long festival
and each night we will perform
different episodes from the Ma-
habharata. The final day is the
main performance, wherein we
will build a mound of mud sym-
bolising Duryodhana and the
person playing Arjuna will sever
the head of Duryodhana and
there ends the festivities,” in-
forms Thambiran. The costumes,
very similar to the Kathakali cos-
tumes, are vibrant and rich in col-
our.
Though the troupe is perform-
ing for the past five generations,
there is no written script for the
songs. “We just memorise what
our guru teaches and perform
that. Now we have plans to rec-
ord everything in written from,”
says Thambiran.
A tribute
Thambiran is planning to host
a two-day koothu festival on Oc-
tober 3 and 4 in remembrance of
his father, Kalaimamani Kannap-
pan Thambiran. “I am inviting
folk artistes from all parts of Ta-
mil Nadu to perform on these two
days. It is a tribute to my father,
who is also my guru.”
Thambiran, however, is wor-
ried that he doesn’t have a son to
pass on this dying art form. “I
have two daughters and they
have learnt the basics of koothu,
but it is not possible for them to
take this troupe forward.
I will perform till my final
breath.” ■
06 ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008

Websites of the day

Village
The perfect site for all you banana fanatics http://
www.banana.com/
Welcome to the home of tea. http://www.twinings.com/
home.phpMagnolious" (mag-noh-lee-us) a slang word meaning
’great, splendid,magnificent, large.’

Lost cat returned home after Restaurants to provide

nine years nutritional information
A couple have been reunited with their missing cat The Los Angeles City
after nine years, the RSPCA said on Wednesday. Dixie, a Council unanimously
15-year-old ginger cat, disappeared in 1999 and her approved a plan on
owners thought she had been killed by a car. She was Wednesday, requiring
found less than half a mile from her home in large chain restaurants
Birmingham after a concerned resident rang the animal in the city to provide
charity to report a thin cat who had been in the area nutritional information
for a couple of months. The Animal Collection Officer on printed menus and
checked her microchip and confirmed it was Dixie. menu boards. Under
Reuters the plan, Los Angles
chain restaurants
which have 15 or more
locations across
Brazil prolongs maternity California would have
to provide basic
leave to 6 months nutritional information
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed on late per item on menu
Tuesday an act which prolongs women’s maternity leave boards. Last month, the California Assembly approved
from four to six months with full wages, local media proposition SB 1420, under which restaurants with 20 or
reported on Wednesday. The extension, granted to natural more locations in the state would have to post calorie
and adoptive mothers, will come into effect immediately in information on their menus and menu boards. If Governor
the public sectors, and will be implemented by private Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the bill, which would take
companies by 2010. Brazilian women are currently allowed full effect in 2011, California would be the first state to
to take a four-month maternity leave with full wages, paid require restaurant chains to show calorie counts of their
by Brazil’s Social Security menu offerings.
system. The new law Xinhua
stipulates that the
extended two months
will be paid by their
employers. Singapore to mark every
The money paid to the
mother will finally be cigarette to beat smugglers
discounted from the Singapore is to become the first country to mark every
company’s income tax, cigarette sold in a drive to distinguish duty-paid
according to the ‘Citizen cigarettes from their contraband counterparts, news
Company’ program reports said on Thursday. By January 1, each cigarette will
established by the the have the letters SDPC - standing for Singapore Duty-Paid
federal government to Cigarettes - printed near the filter end, The Straits Times
reward the companies said. The city-state’s Tobacco Association estimates that
which adhere to the contraband cigarettes make up 20 per cent of the
new rules. market.
Xinhua DPA

NY among top cities in US for travellers

N
ew York City gets high
marks in a survey of
America’s favourite ci-
ties, local media re-
ported on Wednesday.
Travel & Leisure Magazine
asked travellers to rate 25 ma-
jor U.S. cities in 45 different
categories, ranging from food
and shopping to people, cul-
ture, and nightlife, according
to a report on www.ny1.com,
a local 24-hour newschannel
on the web.
Visitors ranked New York as
the best city in nine of the cat-
egories, including theater,
luxury and local boutiques,
classical music, stylish and di-
verse residents, people
watching, art galleries, and
Honolulu of Hawaii
had the second-
most top rankings
skylines and views.
The city came in second
place in five other categories,
but came in last place in three
categories: affordability,
peace and quiet, and relaxing
retreat.
Honolulu of Hawaii had the
second-most top rankings,
finishing first in six catego-
ries.
More than 600,000 surveys
were submitted, according to
the report. ■
Xinhua
 Friday, September 12, 2008
07
Man leaves girlfriend in prison
A miserly German man left his girlfriend in prison rather than
pay her US$ 330 fine. Magdalena Czerwinska, 34, was sentenced This day, that year
to 15 days in prison for theft but was told she could pay a fine It was in September 12, 1938 that Adolf Hitler
instead. But her boyfriend Max Schuster refused to pay up- demanded self-determination for the Sudeten
saying he would rather save the money for himself. Germans in Czechoslovakia in a speech.

Europeans drag feet on

tackling climate change-poll
A
clear majority of Euro-
peans see climate change
as one of the most serious
challenges facing the
world, but have not changed their
personal behaviour to tackle it, a
poll showed on Thursday.
Four in 10 complained about a
lack of information on what they
should be doing, while over

Many had the opinion

that climate change
was, along with
poverty, one of the
two most serious
problems facing the
world today
three-quarters considered that
industry was not pulling its
weight.
“There is a clear gap between
what citizens are saying and what some 30 countries. cent said they had done nothing arating waste or reducing and is pushing for a global agree-
they are doing on climate Nearly two-thirds of respon- to combat it, with 61 percent say- consumption of energy, water or ment on tough new measures on
change,” EU Environment Com- dents said climate change was, ing they had. throw-away products,” the sur- emissions of greenhouse gases
missioner Stavros Dimas said of along with poverty, one of the “However, the types of action vey concluded. The 27-nation EU and other action to succeed the
the results of the EU survey of two most serious problems facing taken mainly involve little perso- sees itself in the vanguard of ef- existing Kyoto accord. ■
more than 30,000 citizens across the world today. Thirty-one per- nal or financial effort such as sep- forts to tackle climate change, Reuters

Cash crunch turning Brit Purple dance

wives adulterous!
W ives in Britain, it seems, have ‘golf widow’ but now felt as if she
come up with a unique way to was a ‘downturn widow’
beat the economic downturn - “Her husband had barely paid
seek extra-marital affairs. her any attention since New Year,
According to a lonely hearts was no fun and seemed com-
website for married people, twice pletely pre-occupied,” Telegraph
as many wives are signing up as quoted Sara, as saying.
they were a year ago, many of “She said golf widows at least
them well-off and living in the have happy husbands, but down-
Home Counties. turn widows are living with men
The site claims that the women who are starting early, working
are resorting to adultery as the late, fearing for their jobs, con-
crunch has made their husbands stantly on the phone on holiday
‘no fun’, causing them to work and withdrawing from their so-
longer hours, worry about losing cial lives.”
their jobs and shun social activ- The website, which was set up
ities. in 2003 and now has 235,000
Sara Hartley, a members, said
spokesman for Illic- The husbands are women were join-
itEncounters.com, ing at a rate of 55 a
said one of the web- working for long day in 2007.
site’s new members hours and are However, in 2008
summed up the the figure has risen
worried about 쒀 Spanish flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos performs during the inaugural gala of
mood by claiming to more than 100 a
the XV Biennial of Flamenco of Seville running from 10 September to 11 October,
she had previously losing their jobs day. ■
on Wednesday. AFP PHOTO
coped with being a ANI
08
Technorama
Master Treo
Palm’s new makes good
business sense
Want to stay at the top of your
professional and personal life?
Apparently Palm’s latest godsend,
obviously in the garb of a
smartphone, makes this possible.
We assume it has something to do
with its fancy interface that will make
bosses throw bonuses at you, and women their lacy inner
bits. But let’s not get too presumptuous. Christened the Treo Pro, this
business device promises effortless usability with its streamlined design and
shortcuts layered on its Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system.
Everything, from the hardware design to the packaging and accessories is a
part of an elegant and simplified theme.
TBC, www.palm.com
Back to the four
Topping the lap
New addition to Logitech’s
notebook accessories portfolio,
the 4-Port USB Hub, along
with its premium version, aim
to help business on go. While
both the hubs provide
reliable, high speed
connectivity with speeds up to
480Mbps, the premium version
also has indicator lights to
show if the connections have
been set or not.
It also comes with a carrying Bins there, done that
case. Monitor your neighbours with
4-Port USB 2.0 Hub - Rs 895, these high-tech binoculars
Premium 4-Port USB Hub - Rs They’re a bit funny, those people
1,495; www.logitech.co.in next door, aren’t they? Always up at
all hours. And we’re sure we saw
them putting out recycling in the
incorrect box the other day. Best
keep an eye on them with these
Leica Ultravid HDs. They’re packed
with tech derived from Leica’s
splendid cameras, including a coating
on the lens that makes them resistant
to watermarks, an improved prism
coating that allows more light in, and
fluorite glass in the lens elements to
ensure a sharp, brilliant picture with
no colour fringing and great contrast.
Now to find out just exactly what
those people are up to …Rs 1,00,000*
onwards, www.leica-camera.co.uk
ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008
Technology
snippets
sourced
from T3
magazine
of
Infomedia
Group
War on screen
Lenovo gaming ace, out to raid
the rest
Lenovo’s new 17incher - the IdeaPad
Y710 wants to take the gaming world by its
multimedia neck. It comes with hot-swappable twin 160
GB hard drives that give you 320 GB of storage space.
While the RAID function enables it to simultaneously
use both the hard disk drives to achieve greater levels
of input/output performance and data reliability, it also
maintains mirror copies of the data on different drives
to ensure complete data security. And the combination
of the VeriFace face recognition software and an
integrated 1.3-megapixel cam acts as security check
point. With the option of a dedicated Game Zone
keyboard for gamers, the new Lenovo kid is out to
preempt any gaming attacks. We say, score!From Rs
45,000 to Rs 85,000, www.lenovo.co.in
(Down)loaded one
Flashy statement
Transcend’s new USB flash drive, the
JetFlash V95, comes with a lustrous
chrome casing and a retractable USB
connector. But the most interesting
add-on it has is downloadable - the
JetFlash Elite Data Management
software. By using it the drive can
automatically log on to web
accounts, or even temporarily lock
the computer to prevent
unauthorised access. Plus, the drive
comes with a lifetime warranty ...Rs
1,500 + taxes (4GB), www.transcendusa.com
 Friday, September 12, 2008
Sonic pips Mario
Sonic the Hedgehog is Britain’s best-loved computer game character, according to a new online poll. The
supersonic blue hedgehog outshone Super Mario in the poll conducted by Internetcashback.co.uk.
To reach the conclusion, 1,000 gamers were quizzed. The final list: 1. Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Super Mario
3. Pac Man 4.Lara Croft 5.Luigi 6.Donkey Kong 7.Yoshi 8.Tails 9.Princess Zelda 10 Chuckie Egg
A matter of memory
KARTHIK SUBRAMANIAN
karthik@goergo.in
S
orry about the unan-
nounced hiatus over the
past couple of weeks. It’s
about time to re-
fresh your memories on
Ritchie Street Chronicles
– what I essentially de-
fine as a ‘geek peek’ into
Namma Chennai’s most
happening electronics mar-
ket. And what better way to
refresh memories than to look
at memory modules.
If my memory serves me
right, my uncle got our family
our first home PC on Novem-
ber 1, 1997. (See that’s the
problem with human memory
– I had to call up my aunt to
get that exact date.) It was
fairly high-end rig back then,
powered by the then all-new
Pentium 1 and with a 64 MB
RAM that was more than
enough to run Windows 3.1.
That I got hooked to gaming
and we were forced to upgrade
to 128 MB RAM within a year
and also add up the RIVA TNT
accelerator is another story,
saved for another Chronicles’
episode.
But why this memory trip in
the first place, you might won-
der. I called up Kamal of Delta
A video game a day keep the doctor away!
K ids who play the latest physi-
cally challenging video games
expend energy at levels that might
help protect them from becoming
overweight and boost their heart
health at the same time, according
to a new study.
Children burn roughly four
times as many calories per minute
playing a physically active video
game than playing a seated game
and their heart rate is also much
higher, report Robin R. Mellecker
and Alison M. McManus of the In-
stitute for Human Performance at
University of Hong Kong in Pok-
fulam in the latest issue of Ar-
chives of Pediatrics and
Adolescent Medicine.
These observations are “impor-
tant because electronic entertain-
ment is not going away,” Dr.
Russell R. Pate of the University of
South Carolina, Columbia, wrote
in a commentary in the journal.
“If we want to promote physical
activity in the context of contem-
porary society, we will have to
09
ANI
Peripherals, one of the most and how they affect your sys- the compatibility of your moth-
renowned hardware stores in tem, I suggest you reading the erboard with the memory mod-
the market, to get some low- popular Tom’s hardware guide ule before you buy.
down on the market buzz on the web – To find out more about the
and what he said www.tomshardware.com. latest IT hardware prices at
stirred my memo- It’s not just the DDR3 RAM Ritchie Street, log on to
ries … the buzz at modules that are becoming www.deltapage.com. ■
the
market
electronics
appar-
more affordable. Prices of
DDR2 RAM, now the common If you have any doubts
The price of DDR3
ently is the
price point of
staple on most systems, have
also crashed. And those of you
about your PC’s hardware,
want to make a suggestion for
RAM has crashed
the recently
arrived
who have upgraded from Win-
dows XP to Vista, if you have
the column or even contrib-
ute, don’t hesitate to ping us
below the 5K
Transcend
DDR3
some vacant RAM slots, it’s
time to plug and play.
at feedback@goergo.in. mark. That brings
RAM,
that
See attached box for the
latest prices of RAM modules
back some
sold by Delta Peripherals. For
reasons I do not quite compre-
memories …
hend, DDR2 RAM is now sell-
ing much cheaper than DDR1.
One Gigabyte module of DDR2
clocks RAM costs around Rs. 950
a buzz where the same capacity DDR1
frequen- RAM costs around Rs. 1,250.
cy of Please remember to check
1,066
MHz. It has Those of you who
come down
to Rs. 4,950 have upgraded
from the from Windows
Rs.30,000 when
it was launched a XP to Vista, if
year back. you have some
If you are vacant RAM slots, it’s
scratching your head
on really what the heck time to plug and play
DDR3 and 1,066 MHz mean
fight fire with fire. Physically ac-
tive video gaming may be part of
the antidote to the poisonous
“If we want to
promote physical
growth of sedentary entertain- activity in the context
ment,” Pate said.
During a 25-minute gaming of contemporary
session, Mellecker and McManus society, we will have
measured heart rate and energy
expenditure in 18 children who to fight fire with fire.
were about 9.6 years old, on aver- Physically active video
age. gaming may be part
The children rested for 5 min-
utes, then played a seated com- of the antidote to the
puter bowling game, an active poisonous growth of
bowling game and an action/run-
ning game for 5 minutes each, sedentary
with 5 minutes of rest between entertainment.”
active games.
Compared with resting, chil- Nintendo’s new "Wii" (pronounced "we") home console lets
dren burned 39 percent more cal- users manipulate action on their television screens through the “The next step is to test whether
ories per minute during the precise, life-like motion of the handheld Wii Remote. AFP PHOTO/ active gaming interventions can
seated game, 98 percent more FILES/ROBYN BECK provide sustainable increases in
during the active bowling game childhood physical activity,” Mel-
and a whopping 451 percent Hong Kong at a walk or a run, were significantly higher than at lecker and McManus say. ■
more during the action/running avoiding obstacles and stamping rest -- 20 more beats per minute SOURCE: Archives of Pediatrics
game. The action/running game out ninjas. for active bowling game and 79 and Adolescent Medicine, Septem-
involves a gaming mat that allows During either of the action more beats per minute for the ac- ber 2008.
players to travel the streets of games, the children’s heart rates tion/running game. Reuters
 10 ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008

BackPackers
London double-decker
cruises to new life in Japan
Chucked away by London, Routemaster finds a new home

T
he double-decker Routemaster
bus, a phased-out London
icon, is gaining a second life in
a Japanese city that believes
the red road giant fits right in.
Families and tourists snapped
pictures as they queued up at a bus
stop to hop onto a double-decker,
which has been running on wee-
kends since April in Shimonoseki,
on the southern tip of Japan’s big-
gest island of Honshu.
As a summer breeze wafted along
the seafront, passengers waved to
people on the streets below from
the second level of the Routemaster,
which stood out conspicuously in
the city’s fleet of non-descript
buses.
“The scenery of this town is total-
ly different when I see it from the
second floor,” said Mayumi Nakam-
ura, a 33-year-old housewife. “I
hope the London bus will be a new
symbol of Shimonoseki.”
The port city of some 300,000
people once flourished as a gateway
to the Korean peninsula and China
before World War II and as a whal-
ing hub. Reminders abound of the
historical significance of the city, in-
cluding a pre-World War II British
consulate and the hall where Japan
and China signed the 1895 treaty
that gave Tokyo control of Taiwan.
“At first I wondered if the London
bus would suit the city but now I
can tell it’s well suited to the retro
look of the city,” said Chikako Uya-
ma, a 32-year-old nurse.
The number of passengers
topped 10,000 in less than four
months, well above an initial esti-
mate, said local official Masaru Ha-
mamura. “The London bus has
become very popular as a means of
transport for both tourists and local
citizens,” Hamamura said.
The Routemaster, built in 1962, is
among six that were given out by
London in a bid to promote the
British capital. The others were sent
to The Hague, Moscow, Paris, Bar-
bados and Jamaica.
But while the bus is almost un-
touched on the outside, the city
spent more than 10 million yen
(91,000 dollars) to overhaul the veh-
icle, which is now run by a local bus
company. The Routemaster, which
has been mostly withdrawn from
London due to high costs and safety
concerns, had to be altered to meet
Japanese regulations, including set- Tourists queue up to hop onto the Routemaster, imported from London, at the Shimonoseki
ting up an emergency exit. ■ station in Yamaguchi prefecture, on the southern tip of Japan’s
AFP biggest island of Honshu. AFP

Day out in the sun

CHANDRA SEKAR monotonous life.
After an hour drive we reached

W
e had great fun in our last
team outing to one of the
many prominent resorts
situated on the East
Coast Road (ECR). The prepara-
tions were in full swing a few days
before the trip and after lot of fist-
fights we had at last zeroed in on
the place. But the task of arrang-
ing everything and getting eve-
ryone on board was more
Herculean.
But everything shaped up well
and we started early and had a
gala time travelling. We sang, we
danced and it was a refreshing ex-
perience to get out of our daily
our destination and the calmness
of the entire place transformed us
to a new world. Few of us got bu-
sy playing cricket and volleyball
in the beach while others chose
just to laze around and soak in
the beauty of the place. After a
sumptuous lunch we took a long
walk and caught a nap under the
palm trees lined across the coast.
Evening set in and it was time
to head home. Reluctantly we
took the bus home but promised
ourselves to come back there
again very soon. ■
The writer works for Cognizant
Technology Solutions
 Friday, September 12, 2008
11

Darjeeling aroma
Indian tea tourism spreading worldwide

T
ouring tea gardens in India’s dens sport the Geographical In- for more than 50 years,” said Al-
famous Darjeeling hills and dication label that certifies that a icia Melrose, a health profession-
tasting several varieties of product – like Champagne and al from New Zealand, who plans
the gold-coloured brew has Bordeaux in France – comes from to set up health facilities for gar-
got Audrey Dreyer thinking about a certain region and enjoys dis- den workers.
a career in the trade. tinct characteristics of the area. Only about a third of the 1,574
Dreyer, from France, is among Located in the lower Hima- acres (637 hectares) of Makaibari
a growing number of tourists layas, Darjeeling – with its cool area is under tea cultivation,
wanting to experience life on the climate, plenty of rainfall and while the rest is under thick trop-
estates in the famous tea-growing slopes that ensure water runs off ical forests, making it a big draw
region to learn about some of the quickly – gives the black tea its for not only tourists but also aca-
world’s most coveted varieties. unique aroma. demics keen on learning about
As part of a new push to pro- The Makaibari plantation – sustainable farming.
mote their brands worldwide and where tea growing is not only While Makaibari hosts visitors
after having trained tourists for considered a trade, but a spiritual from all walks of life, others such
no charge in recent years, many experience – offers homestays as Tumsong garden cater to the
estates are now offering special- with estate workers, who earn well-heeled tourists who can af-
ised live-in training courses on revenue generated from tourism. ford to shell out about 220 dollars
the plantations for a fee. Visitors can share meals with a night for a room at their bunga-
The privately owned Lochan their hosts, join the workers in low set among lush gardens and
Tea Limited is one of those, plucking, tour the factory where mist-covered mountains.
where students undertake a the finest leaves are processed The tariff includes meals, sight-
three-month course in interna- and learn how cosmic energy is seeing and transport from the
tional tea trading. Spurred by the tapped to “heal earth” under the nearest airport, which is about
growing market for Darjeeling tea “biodynamic” way of farming. 100 kilometres (60 miles) away
in her home country, Dreyer and A highly rated brand, Makaiba- and takes a few hours in the steep
two friends have just graduated ri fetched 50,000 rupees (1,250 terrain. “Our guests get to see the
from a course on the estate. dollars) a kilogramme at an auc- entire process from plucking to
“In France, the market for tea tion in Beijing in 2006, making it packing, which very few places in
has increased and Darjeeling is one of the world’s costliest teas. the world can offer,” said Rajiv
the most famous. Here we have “Makaibari is not tea, it’s magic,” Gupta, manager of Tumsong Gar-
learnt about manufacturing, says its enthusiastic owner Rajah den.Experts say the potential in
marketing and visited tea gar- Banerjee. “You take a sip, close boosting visitors to the region is
dens,” the 20-year-old student your eyes and make a wish. Your huge, but tea tourism remains a
says. wish will come true in 21 days.” small, undeveloped sector and
Dreyer’s friend Marine Legas- A fourth generation planter estimates of annual revenue are
telois, also from France, agrees who takes immense pride in his not available.“It is a great promo-
the experience has been benefi- garden, Banerjee relishes in nar- tional exercise for Darjeeling tea,
cial. “It was a good experience. It rating tales and spotting hornbills as it is a unique experience that
will be good for our future,” she and earthworms. “We are experi- tea gardens can offer,” says San-
says. encing history here as these tea deep Mukherjee, secretary of
Eighty-seven Darjeeling gar- estates will not perhaps survive Darjeeling Tea Association.
Mukherjee says tea tourism will
●
especially help in creating aware-
How to go? ness about the Darjeeling brand,
Air: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra about 94-96 under which only about a fifth of
km away from Darjeeling. There are direct flight connections the tea labelled as such is genu-
from Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati. Tourists heading for ine. Darjeeling tea can be identi-
Darjeeling can get direct taxis to Darjeeling from Bagdogra or fied by its logo: the face of an
one can head towards Siliguri first and get a transport there. Indian woman with two leaves
Rail: The closest Railway Station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) about 88 and a bud in her hand.
kms away from Darjeeling. It has direct railway connections with The 87 Darjeeling gardens pro-
Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Varanasi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai duce about nine million kg of tea
and other major cities of India. Once in NJP one can avail of taxis annually – or about one percent
directly to Darjeeling or take an auto-rickshaw or rickshaw upto
of India’s total produce of 950
Siliguri and thus proceed to Darjeeling by getting a taxi. One can
also take the Toy Train from Siliguri. million kg. Traders and growers
say tourists and students are al-
● Tourist Offices ready helping spread the aroma
New Delhi: Tourist Information Centre, A/2 Baba Kharag of Darjeeling. “One of my stu-
Singh Marg, State Emporium (1st Floor), New Delhi - dents has set up a successful Dar-
110001 jeeling business in France,” says
Chennai: Tourist Information Center, Govt. of West Bengal, businessman Rajiv Lochan. “My
17/18, Wallajah Road, Chennai - 600002 students are like our captive ven-
Kolkata: Tourist Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, 3/2 B.B.D.
dors. They will sell our tea world-
Bagh (East), Calcutta - 1 Phone: 222488271/222488272/
wide.” ■ At the tea plantations in Darjeeling
222488273 AFP
AFP
12
Portfolio
SHALINI SHAH
shalinishah@goergo.in
W
hat was originally
made for parachut-
ers and skydivers
got a form and sta-
tus none of its creators
would have envisaged. Yes,
the jumpsuit. Or in non-
fashion vocabulary, over-
alls. For men it has re-
mained what it originally
was. But women have a
fashionable addition to
their wardrobe.
The jumpsuit, and its
shorter version, the play-
suit, is the new dress. Well,
perhaps not that age-inde-
pendent, but a convenient
option nevertheless for
THE PAINT MAN’S DRESS IS THE NEW RAMP FAVOURITE
(From left) The spring/summer 2009 collections of BCBG Max Azria, Miss Sixty, Mara Hoffman, Peter Som and Malandrino
those looking for a no-fuss
one-piece garment. Any
one-piece garment with
sleeves and legs is a jump-
suit, though there has been
tampering with the shape
and fit.
Recent catwalk observa-
tions, as garnered from the
spring/summer 2009 shows
at the New York Fashion
Week by Luca Luca, Peter
Som, Miss Sixty and Max
Azria, are testimony to the
jumpsuit’s catwalk jump.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Mag-
gie Gyllenhaal (the latter at
the UK premiere of The
Dark Knight) have been
wearing it on the red carpet
recently, even spurring In-
ternet discussions on the
wearers’ fashion sensibility
or the lack of it.
Derel Lam called the
jumpsuit his “trouser
gown”.
Piece of history
It was in the 1960s that
the jumpsuit started mak-
ing an appearance on high-
street fashion, but the one-
off appearance remained
one-off. In 1975, it gained
prominence in the US, while
the person responsible for
giving it couture stature in
France was the late genius,
Yves Saint Laurent.
Now the jumpsuit has
made a fashionable return.
While the playsuit, its shor-
ter version, is strictly casual
ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008
wear (paired paired with a
with t-shirts, mono-coloured
keds, et al), outfit. Malandrino
the longer has given a pleated
version has twist to the jump-
emerged as suit, while at BCBG
the alternative Max Azria it’s almost
of the evening like harem pants fused
gown. with a top.
Layer a playsuit by
Wearing it pairing it with a jacket
While Catwoman (Miss Sixty). If you don’t
and Uma Thurman’s want to show leg, grab a
Kill Bill persona can be pair of leggings to wear
confined to the screen, below the playsuit.
there are ways you can
wear the jumpsuit on a Know what!
day-to-day basis. While Elvis Presley’s trademark
the top can be form- jumpsuit recently sold for
fitting, keep it free- $300,000 in an auction, the
flowing waist down. A highest for any Elvis mem-
wide belt could be orabilia auctioned! ■
 Friday, September 12, 2008
13
Michael Kors

Ergo Readers,

Mary Poppins and friends Nisha of TCS (SIruseri) sent us these designs for
the t-shirt design contest we ran in these columns
two weeks ago. We appreciate the effort Nisha
has taken as well as the clever designs and

I n the tents at New York’s Bryant Park and other

locations around Manhattan, Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Week for spring/summer 2009 was an
captioning, be it the ‘I Like Mumbai…’ ones or
Chennai adding colour, literally, since 1639.

exercise in gleeful escapism. Marc Jacobs, Diane von

Furstenberg, and Halston time travelled to a
stylistically bolder time.
“It’s about the joy of dressing up,’’ Jacobs told
Style.com after his Monday night show.
There was much joy around Jacobs’s collection,
which was a fantastic glimpse inside the celebrated
designer’s mind. Mary Poppins reimagined for the
21st century. There was a similar element of fantasy
in Proenza Schouler’s spring collection of over-the-
top 1980s looks.
Designers such as Carolina Herrera balanced eye-
popping persimmon and teal with plenty of white.
Designers from Derek Lam to Narciso Rodriguez
offered a summer white-out.
Another unlikely trend emerged: the corset. The
appearance of a kooky undergarment worn outside
a dress is almost expected of the zany Betsey
Johnson, but she wasn’t the only designer at Bryant
Park who employed its restrictive powers. Peter Som,
Isaac Mizrahi, Proenza Schouler, and Herve Leger
squeezed models into these body-conscious
creations.
Designers like Max Azria, Alexander Wang, DKNY,
and Brian Reyes featured vests in a very modern,
longer version that was one of the few articles of
clothing on the runways that can actually disguise
flaws. While Justin Timberlake’s William Rast label
reminded us what was wrong with the vest (fringe!
studs!), Wang showed how to design it properly.
Halston Agencies

Marc by Marc Jacobs Oscar de la Renta Hermes

14 ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008

Virtual treadmill

Wellness Exercising for the wheelchair-bound may soon turn out to be fun,
thanks to ‘TrekEase’, an arcade driving game of sorts. The virtual
reality treadmill for the disabled is being developed by the University
of Texas alumnus and students.

SADHGURU JAGGI VASUDEV this; the difference between look-

ing, simply seeing and thinking.

How does one control “I want to control the

thought.”This by itself is
a thought. Once you get
into this ‘trying to control
the thought process,’ there is no
Just looking does not need the
thought process. Looking does
not mean only with your physical
eyes. Even with eyes closed you
can look. Once you develop

the thought process? end to it. It is an endless fight.

One way is, the way of Isha Yoga
— just let it be. Don’t bother
about it. Let it go on by itself. You
just be aware of it. Slowly it loses
its momentum and it falls away.
That’s one way.
Another way is controlling your
prana. Ultimately, whether it is
your thought or your heart or the
cellular activity,
whatever it is, that
is happening in
the body and
within you is pri-
marily supported
by the prana. If you control the
prana, thought is no more. If you
have sufficient mastery over your
prana, you have mastery over
your thought, your body and all
the organic functions of the body
The control of thought process
will not come because you try to
control your thirst or try to con-
trol your hunger. It will simply
happen only when the prana is in
control. If your prana is in con-
trol, your thought process will
naturally be in control. As the
energy level rises and the flow is
steady and when there is a con-
trol over it, thought is not there.
I’ve always been talking about
The moment you are aware, there is no
thought. The moment the thought is there your
awareness has gone, generally maybe in
meditation you are aware of the thought
process but generally you are not.
awareness, you start looking not
thinking. When you are in full
awareness, please see there is no
thought process. The moment
you are aware, there is no
thought. The moment the
thought is there your awareness
has gone, generally maybe in
meditation you are aware of the
thought process but generally
you are not. It
needs applica-
tion and I find
this is lacking
because people
still think spiri-
tuality is only a side business,
that life is elsewhere and spiritu-
ality is just on the side.
It is okay; right now most peo-
ple have structured their lives like
this. You are just happy with
these little highs. But if you really
want to see the end of it, if you
really want to see how big the in-
ner world is, it needs more appli-
cation. It has to be your top
priority. Only then things begin
to open up for you. ■
To learn more about Sadhguru
Jaggi Vasudev and Isha Yoga,
visit www.ishafoundation.org or
call their centre in T.Nagar by
phone 2433 3185

Brush your teeth to avoid a stroke

A new study says that poor dental hygiene boosts risk of heart attacks
H ere’s another reason to brush your
teeth: Poor dental hygiene boosts
the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Heart disease is the number one killer
worldwide, claiming over 17 million
lives every year, according to the World
Health Organisation.
Smoking, obesity and high choleste-
rol are the most common culprits, but
the new research shows that neglected
gums can be added to the list. “We now
recognise that bacterial infections are
an independent risk factor for heart
diseases,” said Howard Jenkins of the
University of Bristol in Britain, at a
meeting of the Society for General Mi-
crobiology in Dublin.
“In other words, it doesn’t matter
how fit, slim or healthy you are, you’re
adding to your chances of getting heart
disease by having bad teeth,” the pro-
fessor said. There are up to 700 differ-
ent bacteria in the human mouth, and
failing to scrub one’s pearly whites
helps those germs to flourish. Most are
benign, and some are essential to good
health. But a few can trigger a biolog-
ical cascade leading to diseases of the
arteries linked to heart attacks and
stroke, according to the new research.
“The mouth is probably the dirtiest
place in the human body,” Steve Kerri-
It doesn’t matter how fit,
slim or healthy you are,
you’re adding to your
chances of getting heart
disease by having bad
teeth
gan of the Royal College of Surgeons in
Dublin said.
“If you have an open blood vessel
from bleeding gums, bacteria will gain
entry to your bloodstream.”
Once inside the blood, certain bacte-
ria stick onto cells called platelets,
causing them to clot inside the vessel
and thus decreasing blood flow to the
heart.
“We mimicked the pressure inside
the blood vessels and in the heart, and
demonstrated that bacteria use differ-
ent mechanisms to cause platelets to
clump together, allowing them to com-
pletely encase the bacteria,” he said.
This not only created conditions that
can provoke heart attacks and strokes,
it also shielded the bacteria from both,
immune system cells and antibiotics. ■
AFP
 Friday, September 12, 2008
15
Snub that but
Tobacco use caused 2.4 million cases of cancer in the United States from
1999 to 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported
recently. Lung and bronchial cancer accounted for nearly half the cases
but cancers of the larynx, mouth and pharynx, esophagus, stomach, etc.
as well as acute myelogenous leukemia are also caused by tobacco.

To possess or not to possess

ANUSHA PARTHASARATHY But one look in their eyes will
tell you that if looks could kill,

L
et us examine the biggest
problem that couples face
today; the right to be pos-
sessive. Men and women
tend to get possessive about
each other for similar reasons
but the reaction from their part-
ner always varies. Here’s a list of
how men and women react to
the situation.
Possessiveness in general
(Men) This is the word-that-
must-not-be-named. Most men
tend to be possessive about their
woman but hide it to appear
cool. You can’t blame them. The
ones who actually show it out
are either branded ‘psycho’ or
the you-don’t-trust-me kind of
guy.
Girls, just give them a break! If
they show even a tiny bit of the
‘P’ word, it means your relation-
ship is on the right track. But it
doesn’t mean you let him wring
your neck every time your eyes
wade over to another man.
(Women) Most women have a
habit of being very outwardly
possessive of their guy. That’s
where the problem starts. Even a
slight “Who’s the girl I saw you
talking to yesterday?” may spark
a violent, “Why do you nag me
so much? This won’t work out.
Let’s break up!” from the guy.
Who is more possessive?
But, the positive side of the issue
is that women tend to tolerate
any degree of possessiveness
more effectively than men do.
Degrees of possessiveness:
Stage 1
The ‘I-think-I-am-possessive-
about you’ stage.
This stage must be handled
very carefully and with much
care. And at this stage, it is al-
ways the women who confess
more than the men. Men tend to
hide it until stage 3, where they
have no choice but to expose it.
Men find this stage very in-
significant and don’t react much.
Women find it very romantic
Stage 2
The ‘I-am-possessive-so-
don’t-talk-to-that-guy/girl’ stage.
Here, too, it’s always the wom-
en who say it first. Men choke,
gasp and gulp it down with
much difficulty without letting
the cat out of the bag.
the other guy would have been
fried to a crisp!
Men find this a turn on, as it
means you care about them.
Women love this stage, though
they may pretend otherwise.
Stage 3
The ‘you-are-mine-so-give-
me-a-time-table-everyday’ stage.
At last, the male species can-
not take it anymore and bursts
with emotion.
The only setback being that
women don’t tend to appreciate
this much. And a time table?
Come on, it’s a free world!
Men find this very difficult to
handle and try to wiggle out of it
and disappear. Most women
Women get annoyed but obey
for the sake of love. have a habit
of being very
Stage 4
The ‘I-am-a-psycho’ stage.
outwardly
This is where the guy/girl possessive of
stalks you, reads all your mes- their guy.
sages, yells if you put them on
call waiting, calls customer care That’s where
often to find out which numbers the problem
you have spoken to, yells if you
even talk to a cousin of the op-
starts.
posite gender and does other
crazy things that make you a
nervous wreck.
END THE RELATIONSHIP, be-
fore it ends you! ■

W
ant to beat the baby bulge, just with light hand weights and one core

Beating the baby bulges like the way Jennifer Lopez,

Nicole Kidman and Jessica Al-
ba did? Well, then here are
some tips to get back to super shape.
Lopez, 39, who gained 3st 5lb with
Learn it from Jessica Alba, Nichole Kidman twins Max and Emme, signed up for
triathlon, which involves swimming,
and Jennifer Lopez cycling and running. “Her workouts
change daily, depending on the day,
the time and the freedom,” said her
trainer Gunnar Peterson, who also
works with Penelope Cruz. She started
out with light workouts including light
cardio and body-weight exercises. She
also banned junk food from the house
to avoid temptation.
New mums eager to loose the baby
bulge can make it work with triathlon
but keeping it small with a 5K run/
walk.
Nutritionist Carina Norris said that
banning treats from cupboards is a
good idea. “If you don’t have sugary
foods in, you can’t eat them,” the Mir- sonal trainer Ramona Braganza. She
ror quoted her, as saying.
“Don’t let your partner have them in
the house either!” she added.
Protein rich food
Halle Berry also opted for three car- moods and make you sluggish and
dio sessions such as jogging, swim- tired,” said Norris. ■
ming and cycling, two circuit sessions
session (core muscles help keep your
stomach flat. Exercises usually involve
sit-ups and crunches).
She started having plenty of lean
proteins such as skinless chicken and
lean red meat, brown bread and rice,
plenty of water, and shuns coffee and
tea.
“Avoiding tea and coffee is also good
as too much caffeine can disrupt sleep
though a cup or two a day won’t do any
harm,” she added.
Dance lie a …
Nicole Kidman opted for several
hours of dance rehearsals a day and
her weight dropped off.
Several hours of exercise a day is too
much for most of us but the odd dance
class would help regain your shape.
Jessica Alba says that she lost her
tummy by breastfeeding but has also
started gentle workouts with her per-
has also ditched fried foods.
Breastfeeding burns up to 500 calo-
ries a day and has health benefits for
the baby, too.
“Fried, fatty foods can lead to low
ANI
16
Sport
‘Watching Yuvi sixes was
quite an experience’
Simon Taufel, the man officiating at
the all-important end during the over
when Yuvraj Singh hit the ICC award
winning six sixes, said it was “quite an
experience” watching the Indian
unleash his array of strokes. “It was
quite an experience,” Taufel told
reporters last night on the sidelines of
the ICC Awards 2008 after Yuvraj
bagged the International Performance of the
Year Award 2008 for slamming six sixes off
Stuart Broad at the Twenty20 World Cup match
between India and England in South Africa.
Taufel himself bagged the Best Umpire Award
for the fifth consecutive year. Asked about the
pressure of converting the final deliveries into
sixes after hitting the first four, Yuvraj said it
was the other way around. “When you hit four
sixes, the pressure is on the bowler. There were
some butterflies in my stomach but I backed
myself and hit two more sixes,” Yuvraj said. “I
have got hit for five sixes myself so I know how
it feels,” Yuvraj said. He also dismissed questions
posed by the media on his relations with captain
MS Dhoni and an argument during the Sri Lanka
tour wherein spinner Harbhajan Singh had to
intervene. “We are here for the awards and we
should talk just about just that,” he said. He,
however, admitted he has not performed to his
potential this year and will have to work hard on
his game.
PTI
Juniors hold Man U
Indian under-16 side showed lot of grit and
determination to hold Manchester United youth
team to a 3-3 draw in their second friendly
game of their nine-day England tour.
For India, Malswamfela again produced a stellar
performance and opened the scoring in the fifth
minute to give the visitors an early lead. But the
English side was quick to bounce back and went
into the half-time with a 2-0 lead. But
Malswamfela again spoiled their party scoring
the equaliser in the 53rd minute. The home-side
again went ahead via a penalty but the Indians
came back strongly scoring their third goal in
the 70th minute, Lalrindika scoring from a
goalmouth melee. Playing against a much
fancied opponent and in treacherous conditions
after overnight showers the Indians showed
immense skill and fought bravely.
Earlier in their first game India U-16 had lost 1-2
against Everton youth team.
Ergo Correspondent
T20 hits new high
Twenty20 cricket’s brand value rose to new heights on Thursday after pan-Asian ESPN-STAR
network agreed to pay 900 million dollars for the proposed T20 Champions League. The network
was awarded the global commercial rights of the inter-club tournament for the next 10 years
with the inaugural event set to be played from December 3-10 at venues yet to be decided.
Armstrong
reopens legacy
On quest for one more ‘yellow jersey’
L
ove him or loathe
him, Lance Armstrong
has proved in the
space of 48 hours why
he is still one of the biggest
heroes professional sport
has to offer. But what Arm-
strong aims to prove by
aiming to cap a highly-
publicised comeback with
an eighth Tour de France
yellow jersey is still a mys-
tery to some. Armstrong,
36, made his name – often
in controversial fashion –
by winning the Tour de
France a record seven
years in succession, and so
has nothing to prove. But
the fact he won even one
edition of the world’s
toughest bike race would
have been impressive
enough for most fans, es-
pecially those who have
battled serious illness.
In October 1996, Arm-
strong was diagnosed with
testicular cancer, which
spread to his abdomen,
lungs and lymph nodes.
After finding tumours on
his brain, doctors predic-
ted that he had only a 40 per cent
chance of survival. Armstrong’s
determination to fight the illness
provided a glimpse of one of the
traits that would prove vital in the
world’s biggest race, which he
went on to make his own from
1999-2005 after recovering from
illness in February 1997. Now, de-
spite a three-year absence from
the peloton, the seven-time
champion is ready to swipe aside
the march of time as he begins his
quest for what could be one of
ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008
sport’s biggest ever comebacks.
“Older athletes are performing
very well. Ask serious sports phys-
iologists and they’ll tell you age is
a wives’ tale,” said Armstrong,
who insists his aim to win an
eighth yellow jersey is all about
raising awareness about cancer.
Fascinating tale
The Tour, however, would be
Armstrong’s calling although de-
spite winning a stage in 1993 and
1995 the Texan had to wait until
his post-cancer years before
making the yellow jersey a
realistic aim. But if contract-
ing, then battling through
cancer helped make Arm-
strong the champion cyclist
he became in 1999-2005, his
stunning performances at-
tracted almost as much
scepticism as admiration. As
Armstrong and his US Postal
team set new speed records
for racing, their performanc-
es in the Alps and Pyrenees
of the Tour left the experts,
as well as rivals, agape. Then
came Armstrong’s confes-
sion, in 2001, that he had
been working with Italian
sports doctor, Michele Fer-
rari.
It left a cloud over the
American’s entire career
and, despite never testing
positive, did little to dimin-
ish persistent rumours of
doping. In 1999 Ferrari pub-
licly admitted that when
Francesco Moser, in 1984,
beat the great Eddy Merckx’s
world hour record by a mile,
it was largely down to blood
doping. However, Ferrari is
more known for claiming,
after all three riders from the Ge-
wiss team swept the podium at
the 1994 Fleche Wallonne, that
the banned blood booster EPO
(erythropoietin) “It is not danger-
ous, it’s the abuse that is. It’s also
dangerous to drink 10 litres of or-
ange juice.”
By the end of his career Arm-
strong had deflected enough flak
from his detractors to leave a last-
ing legacy on the race – one which
may never be bettered. ■
AFP
 Friday, September 12, 2008
17

‘‘
The future tours programme was discussed in detail on the first day of the meeting and
besides India other countries have also said they can’t change their prior commitments.
But Pakistan is pushing for the tournament to be held in October because as it is the ICC has an
agreement with its broadcasters that it can’t postpone the tournament for more than 13 months.
PCB Chief Operating officer Shafqat Naghmi

Battle begins
ENGLISH CLUBS SET TO DOMINATE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ONCE MORE

P
remier League clubs return to Champions
League action next week with fans and bookmak-
ers both believing a winner will emerge from last
season’s finalists of Manchester United and
Chelsea. England’s top clubs flexed their financial mus-
cle last season by getting three teams, including Liver-
pool, into the semi-finals before United beat Chelsea
on penalties in Moscow. That same trio, along with Ar-
senal, are back for more and being tipped by bookies to
secure a Premier League clean sweep of four group
winners with Betfair, William Hill and Bwin favouring
either United or Chelsea to go all the way. Barcelona,
Real Madrid, Olympique Lyon and Inter Milan are
tipped in the other four groups, though the final stages
are expected to show a dominant Premier League in
action. United, aiming to become the first club to win
back-to-back Champions League title since the elite
competition was reformed in 1992, face Spain’s Villa-
real, Scottish Champions Celtic and Denmark’s AaB
Aalborg in Group E. Victory for the holders against the
Spanish team in their opening match on Wednesday,
followed by an away win against the Danish debutants
should put them in pole position.
Regular contenders
Chelsea aim to remain England’s most consistent
club in Europe in recent years by seeing off the Group A
challenge of Italy’s AS Roma, Girondins Bordeaux of
France and Romanian debutants CFR Cluj. The Lon-
doners – semi-finalists in four of the last five years – first
host Bordeaux followed by a trip to Romania before
games with Roma which are expected to decide top
spot. On paper, five-time European champions Liver-
pool look to have the most difficult group to navigate of
the four English clubs. They face Dutch champions PSV
Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid and Olympique Marseille
in Group D. The 2005 winners will need to improve
dramatically from their unimpressive last gasp win
over Standard Liege of Belgium in the previous round if
they are to progress. Arsenal also face a sticky route to
next year’s final in Rome. The 2006 finalists are drawn
alongside Portugal’s Porto, Fenerbahce of Turkey and
Ukraine’s Dynamo Kiev in Group G. Elsewhere, many
regular Champions League contenders will fancy their
chances of progressing. Nine-time champions Real
Madrid should get off to a winning start in Group H
against Belarussian debutants BATE Borisov, but face
more difficult games against Italy’s Juventus and UEFA
Cup champions Zenit St. Petersburg. Barcelona fans
will be confident ahead of their team’s Group C cam-
paign where they will play Sporting Lisbon of Portugal,
Swiss side Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Inter Milan, seeking their first title since 1965, are
favourites to win Group B under former Champions
League winning coach Jose Mourinho. They face
Greece’s Panathinaikos, Germany’s Werder Bremen
and Cypriot first-timers Anorthosis Famagusta. Top
seeded Olympique Lyon face a tough task in Group F.
The French champions are up against German cham-
pions Bayern Munich – returning to the competition
after last year’s absence – 1986 winners Steaua Buchar-
est and Italy’s Fiorentina. ■
Reuters
18
Flick
R. GHOSH
Finally, you are in the big league
internationally, with Kanchivaram making it to
the international circuit.
I am a satisfied man today. It is a big achievement for
me. I am glad that my work has been recognised. This
film will always remain special to me because this was
my first attempt to make a realistic film and it has got
noticed.
What do you mean by realistic?
It is a serious film and a story that not too many
people know. I was bent on making a realistic film this
time. So long I have made films for the au-
diences. Those were from my brain. This
is from my heart. So, naturally, this is
going to remain close to my heart.
Why did you think of changing
your style? Weren’t you happy
doing the kind of films you
have been doing so far?
I am still happy doing all those
films. I have done every kind of film
but this time I thought of doing so-
mething that would satisfy me as a
director. Kanchivaram is a story
that will be liked by everyone. I am
happy that my effort hasn’t gone
in vain.
But it’s a Tamil film so
quite a few might miss
it…
I hope they don’t. They can
always watch it with subtitles.
What inspired you to
choose such a subject?
This is an un-
known
story
ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008
As Good As It Gets
The taxi (No. 2T94) that Melvin hails to
take Carol and her child to the hospital
is the same taxi used in the movie Die
Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) by
Samuel L. Jackson, according to IMDB.
for many who haven’t read much about the silk indus- ventures. This isn’t a commercial venture. I didn’t
try. I always used to think how sorry the life of silk make this film looking at the business side.
weaver is. He weaves 30,000-40,000 metres of cloth
throughout his life but he can’t buy a single metre for Will you stop making comedies. Your comedies
himself. When he dies his body doesn’t get a single inch are liked by everyone.
of silk with which it can be covered nor can he give a I will keep making them. I will make films from all
silk saree to his daughter when she is married off. It genres. I like doing that. I have made every kind of
touched me a lot. film…from those on terrorism and action films to love
A similar thing happened in this place called Kanchi, stories and comedy. But my next film, Billo Barber, with
too, in 1920, when the trade union movement started Shah Rukh Khan is again a different kind of film. It’s on
against the feudal system. friendship.
But you have made serious films too earlier. Incidentally, Deepika Padukone is doing an item
Yes, I have, but they were all prima- number for your film.
rily commercial (Laughs) That’s all because of Shah Rukh. He is the
one who did this for me. I wanted to do a film with
Deepika but it hasn’t happened so far but Shah Rukh
has arranged for at least something.
How was it working with Shah Rukh?
I must say he is a brilliant actor and completely ded-
icated towards his work. Any director would love to
work with him. I am impressed with him. I hope the
film is liked by all once it releases in November. ■
Trans World Features
Director Priyadarshan is on
Cloud Nine these days. He
has given a number of hits
over the years but this is
something he rates as the best
thing to have happened to his
career so far. His film,
Kanchivaram, is having a
world premiere at the Toronto Film
Festival and all eyes will be set on
him. Priyadarshan on his brush
with a different kind of film
altogether:
Of Kanchivaram
and Billo Barber
 Friday, September 12, 2008
19
Jessica Alba ad to urge Americans to vote
Jessica Alba has posed for a new bondage-themed billboard advert to urge
Americans to vote in the forthcoming presidential election. The actress
poses in heavy make-up, topless, and with black tape across her breasts and
mouth in the ad, paid for by voter group Declare Yourself. Marc Liddel has
shot the campaign.

No poi about this family

ENTERTAINER ERGO CORRESPONDENT
feedback@goergo.in

M
ore than half-a-dozen stars, each having an
equally dominating role, and a simple story
well-told. Director Vijay’s (he made his de-
but with Kreedom) Poi Solla Porum, which
is a Hindi remake of Khosla Ka Ghosla, should not
be a disappointment if you are looking for a clean
and fun family entertainer. In fact, the initial credits
of the film give due credit to the Hindi film where it
is adapted from. It is not one of those laugh riots
that will make you fall off your seat; it’s engaging
and is sure to keep you hooked till the very end.
Satyanadhan (Nedumudi Venu), a retired em-
ployee, is making big plans to build a new house
according to the likes of his three children. Uppili
(Karthik Kumar), the eldest and a computer engi-
neer, has no time for all the nitty-gritty details his
father asks him. Rather, he is more interested in
getting his visa done and leave to the U.S. on work.
Nedumudi Venu’s enthusiasm is short-lived and he
realises that he has been duped in the land deal by
Baby (Nasser). An initially reluctant Uppili puts his
plans on hold to help his father get his land back.
From this point the film picks pace, with his chil-
dren, Uppili’s girlfriend Amritha (Preethi), and her
theatre troupe deciding to play a plot on Baby and
his men.
Karthik comes up trumps in the movie, as prob-
ably for the first time he gets a major role to play.
Nasser and Nedumudi Venu, no doubt, do a good
job. Arvind Krishna does a good job capturing those
locations in the suburbs well with his camera. ■

Film: Poi Solla Porum Director: Vijay Cast: Karthik Kumar, Preethi, Nedumudi Venu, Nasser

Hollywood’s Most
Overpaid Actor
Nicole Kidman is
Hollywood’s most overpaid
actor, according to a new
survey by Forbes magazine.
Kidman’s films were estimated to only earn
1 dollar for every dollar the Oscar-winning
actress was paid compared with 8 dollars a
year ago.
The Invasion, a remake of the 1956 classic
Invasion of the Body Snatchers, even lost
2.68 dollar for every dollar earned by
Kidman who was reportedly paid 17 million
dollars for her role.
Second in the list came Jennifer Garner,
whose movies, including The Kingdom and
Catch and Release, have underperformed at
the box office. Kidman’s ex-husband, Tom
Cruise, came third in the list with a 4-dollar
return for every dollar he was paid, mostly
because of the failure of last year’s movie
Lions for Lambs. Fourth and fifth were
Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez
respectively.
ANI
20 ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008

Katie’s Princess

Scan
According to TV.com Katie Holmes first
child, Suri, was born on Tuesday, April
18, 2006. The name Suri means
"princess."

PICK OF THE DAY - Friday

HBO Discovery Zee Studio Star World

Mars Attack! – 11-15 pm
Citizens of Earth face their doom
with gung-ho valor and brainless
abandon as little green men from
outer space gleefully terrorize the
planet in an all-star, cross-country
sci-fi comedy.
Weapon Masters – 11 pm
Rockets, DRAFT 4/29/05 - More than
hundreds of robots are currently
used in the U.S. Army. Their job is
to keep the troops safe by
inspecting hot zones before the
soldiers enter the area.
The Matrix Revolutions
– 10-30 pm
The human city of Zion defends
itself against the massive invasion of
the machines as Neo fights to end
the war at another front while also
opposing the rogue Agent Smith
Samantha Who? – 8-30 pm
Sam attends the wedding of one of
her so called friends, as a
bridesmaid, only to realize that she
forgot that she had been uninvited
by the bride earlier.

PICK OF THE DAY - Saturday

Star World
TNA Xplosion – 11 pm
A complete guide to everything
happening in and out of the ring,
TNA Xplosion feature news,
rumours and exclusive interviews
with TNA superstars.
Discovery Travel and Living
Anthony Bourdain : No
Reservations – 10 pm
Host Anthony Bourdain takes us on
a culinary and cultural adventure
around the world. This episode he
stops in magical Laos.
Zee Studio
A Lot like Love – 8-15 pm
On a flight from LA to New York,
Oliver and Emily make a connection,
but believe they’re incompatible.
However, they are reunited time
and time again, and go from being
acquaintances to lovers.
National Geographic Channel
In the Womb: 1 – 8 pm
Unravels secrets and explores
journey from conception to birth.
The latest 3D scanning techniques
have given an entirely new insight
on the secret.

PICK OF THE DAY - Sunday

Star Movies Zee Cinema National Geographic Channel Star World

Pirates Of The Caribbean -
Dead Man’s Chest – 11-15 pm
Sink into the world of sword fights
and savvy pirates as Captain Jack
Sparrow enlists the help of quick
witted Will and his fine fiance as
they set off to find the heart of the
deadly Davy Jones.
Hum Saath Saath Hain
– 8-30 pm
Ramkishen and Mamta dream of a
large joint family. Their daughter is
married but when problems arise
she is forced to move out.
Ramkishen is shattered after his
values are wronged by his family.
World’s Deadliest Animals
– 11 pm
The Amazon’s steamy jungles
reverberate with growls and grunts
from creatures hidden in the trees
vying with one another for survival
in the forest.
My Name is Earl – 4-30 pm
Earl and Randy face problems in
their quest to take Catalina off
Earl’s list and bring her home after
she was deported because of Earl.
 Friday, September 12, 2008
21
Woman auctions date
A woman from England is trying to beat the credit
crunch by auctioning a date on eBay. Tasha Craig, 24,
Devon, England, is offering a ’dinner date with lovely
Devon lass’ to the highest bidder in the hope that she
can solve her financial problems.

Greetings
Dai Srini, naal
Iniya pirandha e nalla
th uk ka l! ! N
vazh
Marakama
irukkanum...
treat kudu da aging
pack
Application
, M ph as iS
team kr ishnan
Sudha Gopala
as is an ED S Company
Mph
Dear Deepu,
It must be the rainy day
when you were born, but
it was not the real rain –
it must be the tears of the
sky. The sky would have
cried as it lost her most
beautiful angel.
Your birthday is the
special time to celebrate
the gift of ’YOU’ to the
world.
Praneeth, Guru, Kishore,
Naresh, Jithu, Sabreen,
Madhavi, Usha and Harika
Dear Badri,
Wish you many more
happy returns of the
day. May the coming
year be the best in your
life.
FunClub
Business Implementation,
Software Solutions, Scope
International, Karapakkam
Autumn-Winter ’08
Lilliput, an Indian Kidswear industry, has launched their
Autumn-Winter ’08 Collection. this season’s kid clothes
represents new silhouettes in bold and contrasting col-
ours, graphics and prints, paving the way for individual
flair to begin the season in style. The collection size
ranges for the kids falling between the age group of 0 to
12 years.
Where: Lilliput Kidswear,
Mowbrays Flats, TTK Road,
Alwarpet
also available at Spencers Plaza, and 2nd Avenue,
Anna Nagar.
Price range: Rs.245 - Rs.1295
Lakshman’s dream
Indianostrum Theatre in as-
sociation with Purisai Du-
Enjoy home made
raisami
Thambiran
Kannappa
Parambarai
gelato and sorbet
Therukoothu Mandram is
organising a Tamil play
named Lakshman’s dream.
The play is directed by
Koumarane Vallavane.
Where:
Alliance Francaise of
Madras
College Road,
Nungambakkam
When:
Sep 13 & 14, 3.30 p.m. &
7.30 p.m.

,
Dear Myvizhi
y m or e ha ppy Wanna taste Italian home made gelato & sorbet?
Man
of th e day.
returns ishes
Then spend your weekend at The Park’s famous
cu ry CO E w restaurant ‘Lotus’ and enjoy the delicious Gian-
Mer best
th e ve ry
you all duja, raspberry, cheesecake, Malabar vanilla
on your futu
endeavour. M ay
re
ay god What, when, where and many more gelatos and sorbets. Make your
weekend a delicious one.
d m If you have anything interesting or informative that can be
bless you an me featured in these columns, mail us at events@goergo.in.
Where: Lotus,
ea m s co
your dr Please send the release mentioning where and when the
The Park, Anna Salai
tr ue . When: Till Sep 21, Noon to midnight
– HITS, event is happening, along with the contact details.
Mercury COE
chnologies
Hexaware Te Ltd.

Hi Balu,
Many more happy
returns of the day. May
god bless you and may Dear Mansoor,
Your team wishes Hi Bujju,
your dreams come true. Many more happy
Shan - Admin, HCL you a happy
Team, wedding returns of the day
I wish all my friends anniversary. Dear Raji, sweet sugar.
in COE- Global PAE-Mechanical Team, Wish you a very Sweety
,
Dear Vasanth more Investigations a TCS Happy Birthday.
u m an y
Wish yo happy weekend. May this year be
pp y re tu rn s of the
ha
bless you Sundar Shri Ganesh successful for all Dear Judy,
day. May God health, Global Investigations - Hi Tamilselvi your endeavours. May this day be the
es s,
with happin
t all your Europe (Mokkai 3), Shalu, Preethi, beginning of another special
peace and le ue on Citi Group Global We wish you many Rekha, Saranya, year. Let this birthday bring
e tr
dreams com day. Services more happy returns Ramya you lot of joy and happiness.
on de rf ul
this w maran of the day. Prem, Rajesh, Archana, Praveen,
, Ku
Quality Team d.
Systems Pvt Lt Lotus Notes Team of Arun and Team ARS
CSS Corp Pvt Ltd. PEROT SYSTEMS
22 ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008

Uranium smugglers

Traffic Jam Three Chinese men have been spared jail

after they smuggled a ball of depleted
uranium into the country, ignorant that
the shiny lump was a health threat.

sudoku

Debjit Dutta of
ExcelaCom
Technologies
clicked this
picture just after
the sunset on
Besant Nagar
beach.
Hobbies: Playing
cricket, listening
to music

Prize sponsor for

Clickpick this week is
the travel portal
www.yatra.com
Phone: 4210 5353
KAKURO
So you think you would make a terrific photographer but never really had the
platform? Mail us your best work and we’ll publish it in this space, with credit.
E-mail: clickpick@goergo.in

TEAM
Editor: Karthik Subramanian
karthik@goergo.in

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem Kumar

Dy Chief Designer: R. Ravi Kannan
Illustrator: R. Venugopal

Technical Support:
V.R. Vasudevan, K.G. Gurumurthy
N. Ravichandran, E. Baskar

Head of Advertising:
Sriya Narayanan
ads@goergo.in

Head of Circulation:
M.G.M. Sharief
copies@goergo.in

SNAIL MAIL
859/860, Anna Salai,
Chennai - 600 002
mail your feedback to
feedback@goergo.in
FAX 2857 6691

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Call our
Advertisement Manager
at 2857 6695.
email: ads@goergo.in
Website: www.goergo.in

Printed and Published by S. Karthik on behalf of

KASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7,
CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar,
Chengleput Taluk, Kancheepuram Dist., Pin:
603209 & at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860,
Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik
(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Friday, September 12, 2008
23
Rogue roo upsets Germans Word’s worth
A kangaroo has boxed its way out of its enclosure in a small German
town and set off a chase with baffled emergency responders. The "Magnolious" (mag-noh-lee-us)
hopping fugitive evaded attempts by the police and the fire brigade a slang word meaning ’great,
to trap it, encircle it or lure it with dog food. Firefighters were finally splendid, magnificent, large.’
able to net the animal unharmed and bring it to a nearby shelter.

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Be careful with expectations from superiors as it
might lead to disappointment. Try to avoid
important projects, rather concentrate on pending
work. On the romantic front, be prepared for tough
times. Do not let this temporary phase bother you.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Ganesha thinks you might depend heavily on your
lucky charm today. In case luck doesn’t show up
you seem to be ready to achieve results by hook or
crook. For matters of heart, you tend to have a
sacrificing attitude. Be prepared for a mixed day.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Perfection is definitely hard to attain. You will
BORN LOSER realise this when confusions crop up with work. But
you will regain the ability to take proper decisions.
Your personal life will blossom in the evening. You
will spend a wonderful time with beloved. Cheers!
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
Your mind today will be charged up for creative
stuff. Hence when ideas come naturally to you,
taking decisions might seem a little difficult. In fact,
you seem to develop amiable relations with
everyone around you. Way to go,Champ!
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
Inspite of spending good times with colleagues; you
might choose to remain low profile. Spend the day
for working on your weak points. Do not try to woo
the opposite sex too much today. Interestingly
though, married couples may have good times!
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
Ganesha feels you might be worried about domestic
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT affairs, but work won’t get disturbed. In meetings,
you might have to agree to the views of other
members. But at home you will have a fantastic
time. Good times might end up in a family outing!
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
Today is favourable day for technical and
developmental work. For administrative work, the
day seems is average. Today you will be super
charged at work and equally pleasant with family
members! Have a happy day!
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
New ventures might achieve fast success or progress
raplidly today. You tend to be innovative today,
making it a good day at work. On the romantic
front, you might be more aggressive and possessive.
Ganesha advises you to control emotions. Cool it!
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
You might feel as if you have woken up on the
wrong side of the bed. Your usual happy-go-lucky
self might feel upset and low at work. Since
emotions are already on a high, you might express
the same for your beloved. Romance on the prowl!
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
Ice-cream and hot tea might seem like a weird
combination, but you might end up thinking about
stuff like that today. But the second half is much
better. You might meet up with friends where you
beloved may accompany you. The more the merrier!
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS You will be able to carry out all the pursuits
fruitfully. Though the first part might seem
ISSUE’S mundane, the later part might be exciting. Expect
good moral support from your partner. Hence built
SOLUTIONS good mood might make you visit friends.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
Recharge yourself back to life, says Ganesha. You
might think of doing something new, but the way
ahead will be full of confusion and difficult to
attain. Your partner will remain closely attached to
you. And you seem to do it efficiently as well.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
24 ! ERGO Friday, September 12, 2008

A to Z: Theru-k-koothu
A labelled photo of the bits and bobs that went into ‘creating the look’

PHOTOS CLICKED AT PURISAI BY R. RAVINDRAN