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From singer to radio jockey

July 2, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Anuradha Sriram will host a radio show on the Mozart of Madras

Singer Anuradha Sriram has taken on a new role – she’ll be hosting a radio show titled Rahman Ungaludan. As the name suggests, it will talk about everything about the Mozart of Madras – tales and trivia about the man of few words.

For the singer, who perhaps kick-started the idea of reality music shows in television when she hosted shows way back in 1996, it is a challenge and something to cherish at the same time. “Radio is a different ballgame but the fact that I’ll be speaking about a person who has been a mentor to me makes it exciting,” she says. Anuradha first sang for Rahman for Mani Ratnam’s Bombay; it was not a full-fledged song but a few notes that she hummed. “He told me then that my voice was divine,” she says, “With Rahman, there’s always space to improvise and experiment. He lets you be who you are. Perhaps that’s why the output is always good – from then to now.”

It will be a learning experience for her, she hopes. “As a singer and a person interested in music, it’s fascinating to see how great minds work. I hope to track Rahman’s journey in music…and learn from it.”

‘Anbendra Mazhaiyile’, one of her songs for Rahman, remains fresh in the memory of the classically-inclined. “He wanted me to sing that particular song because he felt I evoked divinity in listeners,” recalls the singer, who later also branched into singing fast-paced kuthu songs like ‘Malai Malai’ (Chocolate) and ‘O Podu’ (Gemini).

Few people know that ARR has a sense of humour too – the singer recalls how he used to call her ‘Gnanapazham’. “He was very interested in classical music and used to discuss ragas extensively. I will talk about those sessions in the show and try to provide a perspective of the composer that only a few people know,” says Anuradha, who also ventured into music composing when she, along with husband Sriram Parasuram, worked on Five Star.

Starting tonight, Rahman Ungaludan will play every Monday to Friday at 9 p.m. on 92.7 BIG FM.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Srinivasa Ramanujam / Chennai – June 15th, 2014

Shah Rukh Khan receives the highest honour of France

July 2, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

SRK conferred France’s highest honour

Laurent Fabius, the French Foreign Minister, conferred France’s highest award – Knight of the Legion of Honour – on Shah Rukh Khan. Kind Khan won this award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cultural diversity across the world and his contribution to, not just world cinema, but also to the society in total.

“There are different moments in life that make you feel that you are on the right track and this is one such moment. I am truly humbled to receive this honour,” saidShah Rukh, thanking French President Francois Hollande and Foreign Minister Fabius for finding him “fitting for this honour”. “I am a part of the Indian film fraternity and it makes me feel proud to be recognized for the field I am most passionate about. This honour has further motivated to take Indian cinema to the next level of acceptance, love and glory. And thank you France for being so loving and appreciative of Indian films, it’s extremely encouraging,” he said.

The Legion of Honour was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It is the highest award given by France for outstanding service to the country, regardless of the nationality of the recipients.

source: http://www.bollywoodlife.com / BollywoodLife.com / Home> Shah Rukh Khan / by Prateek Sur / Wednesday – July 02nd, 2014

City students win laurels in the pool

June 28, 2014Sportsmpositiveone@gmail.com

Swimmers from different age groups from Hyderabad who won medals in the recently-held National life-saving pool championship in Pune. PHOTO: By Arrangement / The Hindu

Swimmers from Hyderabad put up a creditable performance winning four gold, 11 silver and seven bronze at the National Life-saving Pool Championship-cum-training in Pune. The camp’s focus was on life-saving techniques, a media release said.

The young talent, in the age group of 12-17 years, were initially given training in the different forms of saving lives in water. The swimmers were also taught how to respond to crisis calls, with focus on the recent Beas tragedy in which some college students from the city were washed away due to the sudden release of water from a dam.

For the 14 swimmers from the city, who had trained at the SAAP swimming pool here, it was an experience to remember.

“It is a creditable performance given that this was the first-ever exposure for the children, who had initially joined the pool at the Police Control Room solely for recreation. We hope to keep improving in the days to come, given the abundance of talent,” says coach Hajira Abbasi.

“It is a unique event wherein the skills of young talent are not only put to test, but in the process, they are made aware of their social obligation: that of helping the needy in the waters,” says the coach.

The medallists include: Under-12: Nadia Ishan Omer – 1 gold, 3 silver. Asma Anwar – 2 bronze, 2 silver. Devan – 1 gold, two bronze. Under-10: Akash Vardhan – 1 gold, 1 silver. Under-14: Manasa Mohte – 1 gold, two silver. Akshith Reddy – 2 silver. Teja Singh – 2 silver. Under-17: Snehit Reddy – 3 bronze.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / June 28th, 2014

NRI Businessman Wins Abu Dhabi Chamber Elections

June 27, 2014Business & Economy, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Prominent Indian businessman and head of Middle East’s retail major, Lulu group, MA Yusuff Ali has won the prestigious Abu Dhabi Chamber election for the third time.

Ali, 58, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi-based EMKE who had won previous two elections to elect 15 board members of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, retained his seat with 1,721 votes, highest among expatriate candidates.

The elections held yesterday during which 14,555 votes were cast also elected 13 local citizens to the board of directors for a four-year term, his office said today.

Four panels representing 70 Emiratis, including five women and eight expatriate candidates, participated in the elections.

Abu Dhabi Chamber is the only government organisation in the world where expatriates can get elected to the director board through a democratic election process, a statement said.

“I am pleased with faith reposed on me by the business community of Abu Dhabi and I thank them wholeheartedly for helping me to come out victorious once again,” Yusuff said.

“I am fully aware of the responsibilities and I will strive to further enhance the business and investment relationship between India and UAE and work closely with all stake holders for mutual benefit,” he said.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyam, UAE minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development congratulated Yusuff Ali on his hat-trick victory and asked him to continue his work and contribute to the growth of the UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular.

Abu Dhabi Chamber is an autonomous entity under government supervision which works towards streamlining and regulating business and industrial affairs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> News / Dubai – June 27th, 2014