Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

INS Circars celebrates 74 anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Science & Technology, Transport, , , , ,

 

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra along with Commanding Officer INS Circars Commodore Saleem M. Anwer cutting a cake to celebrate the 74th anniversary of ENC Depot Ship INS Circars in Visakhapatnam on Thursday./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra along with Commanding Officer INS Circars Commodore Saleem M. Anwer cutting a cake to celebrate the 74th anniversary of ENC Depot Ship INS Circars in Visakhapatnam on Thursday./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

The premier depot ship of the Eastern Naval Command, Indian Naval Ship Circars, celebrated its 74th Anniversary here on Thursday.

Initially established as a small base by the Royal Indian Navy in December 1939 shortly after the outbreak of World War II, the role of Circars changed over the years from coordinating naval operations, functioning as a repair organisation and being an establishment for Boys training, to its present status of being the premier depot ship of the ENC.

Festive look

The establishment currently provides administrative and logistics support to as many as 44 naval units in and around Visakhapatnam, catering to an approximate strength of over 3,500 personnel. Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Anil Chopra was the chief guest for the celebrations marked to commemorate the occasion. The naval base wore a festive look, and saw active participation by personnel and families of INS Circars and allied units. A large number of serving and retired officers participated in the celebrations. The traditional cake cutting ceremony was followed by release of in-house Hindi magazine Circars Vaani. Speaking on the occasion, Commanding Officer, INS Circars Commodore Saleem M Anwer said that the depot ship was fully prepared to meet all challenges in its assigned role of supporting the ENC.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – December 13th, 2013

Noted Urdu scholar and poet Dr Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui dead

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

KamalAhmedMPos24dec2013

Mumbai:

Noted Urdu scholar, poet, linguistic expert, a specialist of Mirza Ghalib and litterateur Dr Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui died in New Delhi Monday at around 11:30 p.m. He was 87.

Family sources while talking to ummid.com said that Dr Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui was admitted to New Delhi’s Apolo Hospital after his kidneys failed to respond some fifteen days ago. He died in the hospital.

Dr Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui was regarded as the expert of Urdu language and Mirza Ghalib, and he was also associated with radio and television for a very long period.

Due to his work on Mirza Ghalib, he was awarded with the ‘Ghalib Award’. His book ‘Ghalib ki Shankaht’ was published by Ghalib Institute.

He was a regular in Delhi’s elite circle of Urdu scholars and was among the most respected ones. He was also one of the key figures in various seminars of Ghalib Institute.

He was also associated with journalism and had a good command over mass communication.

His love for literature can be gauged from the fact that he completed his doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University after retirement.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> National / by ummid.com Staff Reporter / Tuesday – December 24th, 2013

GRAB YOUR GRUB : Breaking bread

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Travel & Tourism, , ,
A view of the open space outside the Griffin. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
A view of the open space outside the Griffin. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

From artisan breads to scones, pastries, sandwiches and pastas, Griffin has something in store for everyone

Fancy some sourdough bread or maybe some ciabatta? You could try Griffin- The Artisan Bread Store in Madhapur, which promises to dish out fresh breads of various kinds. Fairly new, this store was the brain child of Mohd. Mujahid, who wanted to give the city a taste of different breads. The store, which is already a hit with the expat crowd in the area, also offers a variety of short eats for gastronomes.

The little bread store-cum-café has an interesting array of baked goodies that are perfect for those long conversations over a cup of coffee. You could take your pick from their cookies, scones, donuts, croissants, muffins, cheesecakes or tarts. Priced at around Rs. 50 each, they hardly burn a hole in your pocket.

The artisan bread store at Madhapur in Hyderabad. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
The artisan bread store at Madhapur in Hyderabad. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

Griffin can also be a pit-stop for a quick lunch or casual dinner with its selection of pizzas, sandwiches and pastas. You could choose from their delicious pastas in an array of sauces like arrabiata, pesto, alfredo or a juicy sandwich with some smoked or grilled meat or roasted veggies of your choice. You can’t really get bored with their selection of sandwiches, which are served in different breads each day. “I started this store mainly so I could introduce people to different varieties of breads. The idea behind serving sandwiches in different kinds of breads is to give our clients an idea of the kinds of breads we offer and how they can use them in different ways,” says Mujahid.

You can’t really get bored with their selection of sandwiches, which are served in different breads each day. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
You can’t really get bored with their selection of sandwiches, which are served in different breads each day. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

The café section of this bread store is also a good place to spend an afternoon just reading or browsing the internet with a free wi-fi connection available to patrons. For the coffee lovers there are a variety of coffees to choose from while those watching their weight can pick a salad of their choice.

Griffin also has a bread shelf with different breads like sourdough, ciabatta, bagels and baguettes among others that you can choose from. The breads that are baked in two batches a day are brought in from the Griffin factory in Shamshabad. “We want to keep the products as fresh as possible,” explains Mujahid. The breads like the items on the menu are priced affordably with a whole wheat bread costing as less as Rs.50, while a sourdough could go up to Rs.100 The ciabatta and panini cost around Rs. 30, while a Scottish Bap comes for around Rs. 20.

Griffin – The Artisan Bread Store

Where: Kavuri Hills, Phase-1, Madhapur

When: 7.30 a.m. to 11p.m.

Contact: 040-30512844 ext:454

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Food / by Ranjani Rajendra / Hyderabad – December 12th, 2013

AR Rahman to celebrate the diversity of musical genres in Coke Studio

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion,
AR Rahman to celebrate the diversity of musical genres in Coke Studio
AR Rahman to celebrate the diversity of musical genres in Coke Studio

Nearly a decade ago, when composer and theatre director Andrew Lloyd Webber asked AR Rahman to tell him a story, he had none to share. “I said I am not a story guy, I am just a musician,” he recalls. Then it struck him that a creative person needn’t stick to only what he usually does. It sparked the composer’s quest to broaden his horizons and approach his craft with renewed world vision. This universal, all-pervasive quality can be felt in his music, which is a melting pot of sounds. The composer attributes this to be the primary reason for doing Coke Studio@MTV, whose ambitions in a broad sense, are the same as his — a celebration of the diversity of musical genres, a blend of the East and the West with the soul of world music.

“I like the concept of Coke Studio, its unusual musicality. Moreover, it is well produced and it’s watched in so many countries,” says the composer, whose Coke Studio debut will mark his return to non-film music since his last attempt, Connections, an album that was released in 2008.

The composer’s past record reveals that he is comfortable with collaborations too. From music icons such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mick Jagger to international pop musician Dido, he has worked with several Indian as well as international artistes. “By collaborating with others, I have grown more confident and trusting towards fellow musicians,” he says.

For Coke Studio, he has a set of six songs. These songs celebrate cultures, under the overarching theme of happiness. “Not the jumping kind, but internal happiness and content,” he says. Apart from Hindustani classical singer Ghulam Murtaza Khan, other artistes who will feature in the Rahman episode include a Jordanian singer and a nun from Nepal. His band for the show comprises instrumentalists such as Sivamani, Keba Jeremiah and Prasanna Ramaswamy. “The episode will celebrate the coming together of two cultures. For example, the Jordanian singer and our Hindi poetry. This apart, we had fun, there are taranas going on with a rap,” he says.

source:  http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home / by Sankhayan Ghosh / Chandigarh – Tuesday, July 09th, 2013

Acting is not age specific: Shafaq Naaz

Arts, Culture & Entertainment,

Actress Shafaq Naaz  currently playing Kunti in serial Mahabharata  is just 20 years old, we asked the actress was it an easy task to play the character that commands utmost maturity on screen?

“Believe me I just went and read the script. While shooting for the serial, never has this thought came to me that I am playing a character of mother of five son! I think that sense of maturity has always been there in me. Also feel acting is not age specific,it is how well you can justify the character.”

Talking about her foray in acting, the actress says it was not planned, “I used to take dance classes in Saroj Khan’s dancing institute when she saw me first. She really liked my expressions and told my parents ki isko Mumbai lekar aao yeh bahut aage jayegi. After finishing my twelfth exams I went to Mumbai and within 5 months I got the serial Bidaai . Otherwise I was aiming for doctor after giving twelfth exams” she says.

The actress says she wants to do a film after serial Mahabharata. “If I get a chance I would like to do a film after Mahabharata.” On being asked any actor that she dreams to work with? She says, “I would love to work with Ranbir. I had a serious crush on him after movie Saanwariyan that continued for 3-4 months. Par ab kuch aisa nahi hai” she clears.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India, TV / Home> Hindi Entertainment> Hindi> TV / by Rinu Singh, TNN / October 22nd, 2013

After father and father-in-law, Sahitya Akademi award for Javed Akhtar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Javed Akhtar.
Javed Akhtar.

After a serious health scare, poet-writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar’s life has been brightened with some joyful tidings. He has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi award, the country’s highest literary honour, for his poems in the anthology entitled “Lava”.

Happy to be on his feet again, physically and creatively, Akhtar said: “Mazey ki baat yeh hai ki eek parivaar mein teen sadasyon ko Sahitya Akademi award se samnanna gaya hai (Interestingly, three people from the same family have been honoured with the Sahitya Akademi award).”

“My father (poet-lyricist Jan Nisar Akhtar) got the Sahitya Akademi in 1976 for his collection of poems ‘Khaak-e-dil’. My father-in-law Kaifi Azmi got the Sahitya Akademi award in 1973 for his collection of poems ‘Awara Sajde’. Now it’s me,” added the prolific writer, who is married to actress Shabana Azmi.

Akhtar can’t stop marvelling at the beauty of the coincidence.

“It may be possible for an awardee’s father or his father-in-law to win the same award. But for all three to win the same honour seems a bit difficult. I feel honoured that I am the recipient of an award that two such distinguished members of my family have received.”

His lower back ailment, which led to his hospitalisation in Delhi, is healing fast.

“I still feel some stiffness in my lower back. But the pain is now gone. God has been kind to me. He has given me so much. I can’t be complaining about a few days of pain and immobility,” he said.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Entertainment> Place: Mumbai, Agency:IANS / Friday – December 20th, 2013

Actor Aamir Khan to pay tribute to Maulana Azad at Kolkata fest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Kolkata: 

Actor Aamir Khan, great grand nephew of Muslim scholar and nationalist Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, will pay homage to the leader during the inaugural session of the fifth chapter of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) 2014, its organisers said Tuesday.

AKLF, running from Jan 8 to 13 next year, will celebrate the secular views of Azad to coincide with his 125th birth anniversary.

The festival will begin with Khan’s lecture titled “Maulana Azad: His belief in Secularism and his Foresight” at the Victoria Memorial Hall here.

Syeda Hameed, member, Planning Commission, will launch her book “Maulana Azad, Islam and the Indian National Movement”, at the fest.

“As part of the tribute, we have sessions on Urdu and Hindi poetry and sessions on exploring the south Asian literary identity,” Anjum Katyal, one of the directors of AKLF, said.

The fest, organised by Apeejay Surrendra Group and Oxford Bookstores, will witness the participation of around 60 delegates including authors and panelists from Europe, Britain, Egypt, China, Ghana and neighbours Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal.

The speakers and panelists will include the likes of former BBC journalist and author Mark Tully, British author and playwright Farrukh Dhondy, Pakistani artist and writer Salima Hashmi, novelist Nabaneeta Dev Sen and Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will also release his book at the event.

Woven around themes of ‘women’s writings’, the Raj, European authors and Granta authors (best young British novelists), the fest will also incorporate subjects that interest youngsters.

To lure the youth, discussions on writings on romance, food and love in Bollywood and fashion will be kept in focus. Speakers include upcoming authors like Nepali-Indian author Prajwal Parajuly and fashion designer Kallol Dutta among others.

The fifth edition, spanning six locations including various heritage buildings in the city, will also highlight the connection between literature, art and cinema through deliberations on music, dance and scriptwriting.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> National / by IANS /  Kolkata, Tuesday – December 17th, 2013

Kashmir writer Mohi-ud-Din Reshi selected for Sahitya Academy award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mohi-ud-din ReshiMPos19Dec2013

Jammu :

Sahitya Academy has selected ‘Aen’a Aatash’, a short story book in Kashmiri authored by former Information Officer and noted poet and writer Mohi-ud-Din Reshi, for its Annual Award-2013.

An official spokesman said the award would be presented to Reshi in March 2014 at New Delhi.

“The book has been highly acclaimed by various circles in and outside the State and several of its short stories have received commendation from writers like Prof Rehman Rahi, MY Taing, Prof Muhammad Aslam and others.”

Many of the short stories have also been translated and published in different classical and international languages. Besides, “English Studies in India”, a prestigious literary journal of Kashmir University’s English Department, has published several stories of Reshi.

source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com / Greater Kashmir, Srinagar / Home> Jammu / by GK News Network / Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

Javed Akthar, Mridula Garg chosen for Sahitya Akademi Awards

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

New Delhi :

Bollywood lyricist-scriptwriter Javed Akhtar, Hindi novelist Mridula Garg  and renowned Bengali poet Subodh Sarkar are among those selected for this year’s Sahitya Akademi Award.

The Akademi said eight books of poetry, four essays, three novels, two short stories, two travelogues, an autobiography, a memoir and one play have been chosen for the coveted award.

“We couldn’t announce the award in Assamese and Gujarati language due to some unavoidable reasons. We will announce those awards very soon,” K Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi told reporters today.

Akhtar has been chosen for “Lava”, his compilation of 55 Urdu poems.

The awards are recommended by distinguished jury members, representing 22 Indian languages and approved by the executive board of the Akademi, which met on Thursday under the chair of Sahitya Akademi president Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari.

The award, a literary honour conferred to writers for their outstanding works in the field of literature, is scheduled to be conferred here on March 11 during the annual Akademi’s Festival of Letters.

“We are happy to say that this year we’ve been able to confer awards in each category … from poetries, novels, essay collections to autobiography, play and travelogues,” Sreenivasarao said.

Short story category award was bagged by Temsula Ao (English- Laburnum for my head), Mohi-ud-Din Reshi (Kashmiri- Aina Aatash).

CN Ramachandran (Kannada-Akyana-Vyakyana), Tukaram Rama Shet (Konkani- Manmotayam), Satish Kalasekar (Marathi-Vachanaryachi Rojanishee) and Katyani Vidmahe (Telugu-Sahityaakashmlo Sagam) bagged the award for their respective book of essays.

Makhonmani Mongsaba (Manipuri-Chinglon Amadagi Amada) and Man Bhadhur Pradhan (Nepali-Manka Lahar Ra Raharharu) have been chosen for their travelogues.

The bulk of the awards went to poets. Subodh Sarkar (Bengali-Dwaipayan Hrader Dhare), Anil Boro (Bodo-Delphini Onthai Mwdai Arw Gubun Gubun Khonthai) Sitaram Sapolia (Dogri-Doha Satsai), Ambika Dutt (Rajasthani-Aanthyoi Nahi Din Hal) Radhakant Thakur (Sanskri- Chaladuravani), Arjun Charan Hembram (Santhali- Chanda Bonga) and Namdev Tarachandani (Sindhi-Mansh-Nagari).

Mridula Garg (Hindi- Miljul Man), RN Joe D’ Cruz (Tamil-Korkai) and Manmohan (Punjabi- Nirvaan) won it for novels.

Sureshwar Jha (Maithili- Sangharsh Aa Sehanta) won the award for memoir, M N Paloor (Malayalam- Kathayillathavante Katha) for autobiography and Bijoy Mishra (Odiya-Banaprastha) for a play.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / by PTI / December 19th, 2013

‘Petrol Uncle’ is Santa for motorists

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues

Mohammad Arif Sait helps motorists who run out of fuel at night

Kindness in a bottle:Mohammad Arif Sait sits outside the petrol outlet on Coles Road, offering desperate motorists a spot of fuel and water.— Photo: K. Murali Kumar / The Hindu
Kindness in a bottle:Mohammad Arif Sait sits outside the petrol outlet on Coles Road, offering desperate motorists a spot of fuel and water.— Photo: K. Murali Kumar / The Hindu

A fuel tank that reads empty at an inopportune time, especially at night with no petrol station in sight, is every motorist’s nightmare. Making sure that such desperate motorists who cross his path aren’t stranded is ‘Petrol Uncle’ Mohammad Arif Sait.

Mr. Sait sits outside a petrol outlet on Coles Road (near Fraser Town) from 11 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. every day with 10 bottles of petrol, worth at least Rs. 50 each, to help motorists who arrive after the outlet is closed at 11 p.m. He has done this for the last five years.

“There hasn’t been a single night when people haven’t come pushing their vehicle to the petrol station. I give them water to drink, and petrol to reach the nearest open pump,” he says proudly.

What goes around

It started when his scooter ran out of petrol one night. “I went in an auto and fetched petrol in a bottle from the nearest petrol outlet. I refilled the bottle and kept it with me. The same night, I saw a person pushing his vehicle on the road. He had run out of petrol. I gave him the bottle. He thanked me profusely. This prompted me to do this regularly,” Mr. Sait said.

He takes his spot every night after shutting his footwear store on Commercial Street.

He refuses to accept the money offered for the petrol by those he helps. All he asks is that the motorist fill the bottle at the nearest open fuel station and return it, so he can give it to others.

“Initially I used to spend around Rs. 1,000 a month,” he says. “The cost was nothing compared to the satisfaction I got from helping those in need. Now, I do not have to spend any money. Motorists refill the bottle return it to me.”

Mr. Sait’s family has not been able to convince him to stop this “service” even after two heart surgeries and a fractured leg. “I have made it clear I will continue this service till my last day. In fact, I feel healthier because of all the blessings.”

Recently, he was approached by a company to act in its ad films. A Kannada film director too has offered him a special appearance.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bangalore – December 17th, 2013