Chennai April 15, 2013
4 Hottest mobiles for your first paycheck Yummy treats by Li’l Miss Kitchen
DISCOVER unknown hills
Self-defense Learn to throw a PUNCH now! -P 10
this weekend
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If you’ve been regre!ng coming to the city this summer, we feel your woes. I’ve been trying to move from one air"condi#oned closed space to another; I’ve bought as many watermelons as I could fit into my car and I’d like to dive into a pool right now. But that’s only because I can’t a$ord to take a holiday.
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ARC 360 View
Helping you escape the heat
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Old Kid, Back on the Block
Chennai’s new obsession: Cycling It’s Fun, Healthy and Ecofriendly
You, on the other hand, can take one. We don’t know why Chennai is get" #ng more unbearable but we do know how you can fight the heat" run" ning away from it is perhaps the best op#on. For all the college"kids out there who have a nice, long vaca#on ahead, dig into your pockets, take out just a li%le money and back"pack. There are lots and lots of unex" plored places hidden behind noisier, populated ones and all you need is some guidance to get there. These are all post"card places, replete with gushing streams, rolling mountains and most importantly, a pleasant cli" mate.
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If you’re just si!ng at home and fanning yourself during the day"#me, dreading that part of the day when the electricity goes, then we also have a story for you to occupy you then. A story that will throw you back to this city’s cultural past and provide some respite from the current chaos. George Bernard Shaw once said “there is no sincerer love than the love for food.” And food always makes people happy. So turn the pages if you want to drool over pictures of cupcakes, cookies and juices. We’ve been stumbling across new eateries and ventures and tucked inside is one such exci#ng place to visit. So read away and we also hope that you will plan away. This issue isn’t for your weekend alone but will help you chart out your en#re summer.
We Want to be Our Own
Imagine the greenery now...
Boss!
Radhika Santhanam Editor radhikasanthanam88@gmail.com
Te a m B e h i n d L i f e 3 6 0 Aditya Harikrishnan Anujeet Majumdar Chetana Vasudev Natasha Khurana Panchami Warrier Ri! Sinha Radhika Santhanam
Li’le Miss Kitchen’s delicious bakes
Shrey Prakash Srabas! Dey Subrat Patnaik Thalluri Divya Aslesha Vatsalya Balasubrahmanian Vishwadha Chander Rahul Ravikumar (cover model)
Rivkaanswers 7Q’s
Geeko
Sophie and the Simpler Choice
Clipboard images are taken from Google images
c h e n n a i t e n d z @ t u m b l r. c o m
In Brief: T h e W e e k A h e a d
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Quick Fix Holidays Be it the a trek trough the hills of Vattakanal and Munnar or a walk down the Auroville beach, these are weekend getaways that are light on the pocket
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Sound Advice Fiction
Top 5 music albums of the week
Shantha “The temple bells had gone silent, just as my marriage had”
Bay Leaf Restaurant’s Bengali Teat
Movie review: Tom Cruise’s Latest
T h e sto r y o f a ch i l d b ri d e I N T E R S E C T I O N :
Go Bong, P11 this April
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Into the Oblivion
The Art of WAHR
S. Sreeram, a self defence instructer, tells you why women should learn to fight
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ARC With fuel prices going through the roof and Chennai auto’s charging a bomb, Ushna Mohan Iyer and Anujeet Majumdar look at the newest old kid to hit the road -the Bicycle!
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can buy your own vehicle, auto drivers can literally drive you up the wall. A cycle is ideal, because the distance I need to cover is relatively short!’ However every cyclist asked agreed that the city was not safe for every rider, despite corporation incentives, with roads not being equipped to encourage cycling. According to statistics, the number of cyclists killed in the city in 2012 stood at 48. This reaffirmed the image of cycling being a dangerous activity and health hazard rather than a safe option for daily commuting.
Old kid, back on the block!d,
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Sanjeev Kumar, Deputy Manager, Bharti Airtel, when asked about how safe Chennai is for a cyclist, said ‘it’s possible to ride smartly, and weaving through traffic is not a big deal. If you’re not used to the way Chennai drivers work though, it can be a big problem though’. Having cycled to work for more than eight years, he also brought up the ridicule cyclists face, with the cycle being seen as a ‘poor man’s vandi’. He recalled cycling through the gates of Tidel Park in Taramani once, and the security wouldn’t let him through. “Motorbikes and cars were allowed to pass, while they made me wait. Adding insult to injury, the guard sympathetically asked Kumar if his employers didn’t pay him well, which was why he commuted on a cycle.
n an age of petrol fumes and never ending traffic snares, the city is seeing the reemergence of the human powered two wheeler; the bicycle. With the Chennai Corporation Budget reportedly planning to reserve cycling lanes along major roads in Chennai, starting with T. Nagar and Mylapore, the perks of being a cyclist seems promising.
This mindset, uneven and narrow roads, as well as lax rules on basic safety like helmets make it tedious to cycle, but the advent of cycling clubs like Chennai Bikers foster a camaraderie that makes riding worthwhile.
Why the trend is emerging is a question that needs a closer look. First off, the health aspect is a major factor. As an activity, cycling is the best way to cut down on your calorie count while getting to work. The other major reason; the escalating prices of fuel across the city; with petrol quoting Rs. 71 a litre and diesel not much better at Rs. 42 a litre.
Recently, a post on social networking site Facebook showed an IIT Madras professor who was prohibited from entering The Phoenix Mall at Velachery as authorities allowed only motorized vehicles in the parking spaces.
The most pertinent reason though, is the changing mindset of the Chennai commuters. With public transport being both expensive and a hassle; independence on the road is a liberating feeling. Talking about this, cycling enthusiast Vikram Shah; resident of Chennai for two years said ‘When you don’t know the language and you
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While most authorities seem to have an unaccommodating mind set; Chennai commuters are, more and more, leaning towards the cleaner, cheaper cycle, both as a healthy alternative, as well as a reflection of how no one likes to be handicapped by transportation. Quips Kumar ‘Now a day, I zip by Tidel Park and smile looking at the people hailing down autos and arguing about the cost. That used to be me. Not anymore.’
Sophie had a simpler choice?
ot your first big pay check and want to version of the iPhone 4S, which was already the grab the hottest phone in the market? best phone in the market. Apple still has an Well, the smartphone market has never been in better shape. If you want to be part of Microsoft's Windows 8 revolution you should go for the Nokia Lumia 920 as the tile interface in refreshing and unique. The Lumia has a gorgeous camera but a very limited number of apps for its new operative system. If you are a Blackberry loyalist, the Z10 is the best product introduced by the Canadian company since their Bold series back in 2008. It is loaded with the brand new BB10 operating sys- Model: Nokia Lumia 920 Blackberry Z10 tem, which has a stock of quirky functions like (Refreshing) (Refurbished) motion sensing developed into the slickest Price: Rs.38, 199 Rs. 42, 899 Android line. The S III has a crisp and 4.8 OS: Windows 8 BB10 AMOLED screen and is powered by a 1. 4 quadCamera: core chip that runs the heaviest Android apps 8.7 meg/1.2 8 meg/2 smoother than butter.The iPhone 5 is a better
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unparalleled app collection for all the iOSdevices.The iPhone's retina display fits 326 pixels/inch giving pictures a new found clarity.
Samsung GalaxyS3 (Size Matters) Rs.30, 600 Android 4.0 8 meg/1.9
iPhone 5 (Supreme) Rs. 45, 500 iOS 6 8 meg/1.2
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‘We are our own Boss!’
ChennaiBuzz Kerala Temple Art
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hennai, conservative in its tastes, has now begun to embrace new kinds of cuisines. Young entrepreneurs passionate about food are mushrooming all over the city. Rivka Maria Shahani, an artist-turned-baker who runs Li’l Miss Kitchen, speaks to Radhika Santhanam about this trend, her business and her aspirations.
Are you in awe of temple paintings? If you envy the craftsmen who created masterpieces on temple walls, you now have a chance to become an artist, yourself! Learn the art of Kerala murals at Dakshinchitra, Muttukadu. Contact: dakmcf@gmail.com Tel: 044 24462435 / 27472603 / 27472783 Time: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
In the last couple of years, Chennai seems to have witnessed a baking renaissance of sorts. People are converting their passion for baking into a profession. As a young entrepreneur, what do you think brought about this change? I think one of the main reasons for growing entrepreneurship is that people from our generation don’t want to work under anyone; we want to be our own boss! Men are under a lot of pressure to have good jobs that pay well. Women enjoy greater flexibility. When girls look at their options, food seems the easiest one. This is why young women are getting into baking. A lot of middle-aged mothers have also started this. They bake for their kids, for school events, for fests. And they think ‘Why don’t I earn some money out of it?’ Masterchef Australia found immense popularity among TV-viewing households in India. Do you think shows such as these have helped us take cooking as a profession seriously? TV shows have had a huge role to play in pushing this craze forward. People now watch cooking shows on NDTV Good Times and Fox History. Even travel shows now focus on cuisine and its connection with culture. Lots of people now buy different kinds of food, many have started food blogs, try out new recipes… It’s not a craze in Chennai alone, it’s a global craze. How easy was it for you to start your own venture, especially considering you have no formal background in cooking?
Traditional meets trendy
Europe. Europe is a fantastic place to be in if you’re an artist. But when I came back to Chennai, I realized that the art scene here was elitist. I’m a far simpler being. I’m passionate about baking so I made up my mind to bake instead. Who are your main customers? Do you target a particular group of people? I have no target audience. I don’t have an MBA degree and I’m not working with business customers. Most of my customers are college students, probably because my rates are affordable.
Tamil Nadu's famous Kanjeevaram silk in a funky cotton combinations is what Aavarnaa Boutique's new style is about. With the vibrant colours on display, 'Splendour in Summer' is all set, show off your style and turn the heat on this summer! Contact: Aavarna Saree Boutique, 15, Ashoka Street, Alwarpet, Chennai Tel: 044 24988292
Hridaya Ragam Straight from the heart
Your page on Facebook has 1057 likes and you constantly update your page. How instrumental has social networking been as a marketing tool? I think it’s important for any young entrepreneur to be on a social networking site. Its reach is greater than a newspaper’s. People check Facebook constantly. If one’s got a good number of followers, then branding the product becomes easier. I also recently joined Twitter and I now have followers from the US too!
It wasn’t difficult but required a lot of patience. My undergraduate degree was in Fine Arts, as was my Masters in
What are your plans for the future? I plan to supply to small places – boutiques, shops, etc.
Currently playing host to IPL matches,the Nehru stadium is also gearing up for a music festival. Leading playback singers SP Balasubramaniam, Chitra, Manjari and many others join hands to perform for World Malayali Council to fund medical facilities for the poor. On April 20, 5.30 PM onwards Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Park Town Tel: 25384997
Hamlet, the clown prince
Rajat Kapoors’ irreverent interpretation of Hamlet is laced with humour. The troupe’s onstage antics will doubling over with laughter.
LIFE 360 5
Quick Fix Holidays! A weekend get away from the metropolis need not be a load on the pocket. Be it the plains or the hills, hiking or meditative, there is a niche for everyone! Here are some of the spots you may want to leave for this Friday: ANUJEET MAJUMDAR and ADITYA HARIKRISHNAN
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even kilometers away from its commercial counterpart Kodaikanal, Vattakanal is a lesser known hill station of dread-locked hippies and adrenaline junkies. The village is a hub for travelers, hikers and bikers, some of whom, over the years, have made it their home. Unlike Kodaikanal, Vattakanal does not buzz with the neon of cheap motels and food establishments, attracting chattering families and honeymooners. Food establishments in Vattakanal are small stalls selling maggi noodles and locally grown fruits like tree tomato, passion fruit and avocado. The hill station is also home to an Italian- Israeli restaurant run by a
Chennai
former traveler, Altaf. The Auroville café, named after him, is also a hot spot for travelers and is regarded as a gather point for trekkers. Munnar Vattakanal Vattakanal offers its visitors many avenues to trek, the main feature being the three day, 57 kilometer long trek to Munnar. Others are short one day excursions around the valley. The valley, carved in the evergreen netNilgiri mountain range, houses a works, myriad of wild-life species, espeVattakanal offers a place to relax cially bison and wild boar, apart the body and mind and gives you from being home to a variety of the opportunity to indulge in the birds. wild. Villagers, who engage themselves Vattakanal receives abundant rainin farming fruits and vegetables, fall and maintains a cool temperadouble up as hospitality managers. ture throughout the year, coldest Home stays managed by villagers during the months of December are priced between Rs.400 and and January. It is an ideal get-away 600 and provide breathtaking for those long weekends, when panoramic views of the mountain. the surmounting toll of life in the Beyond the discomfort of running mainstream begins to wither one's water, frequent power cuts and mind. the impenetrability of telecom DISTANCE
569 kms (14 hours)
COST OF ACCOMMODATION Rs. 250 per person
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MUST DO’s
Spotting wildlife: Bisons, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Thar, Sambar and birds including Nilgiri Pippet
NO NO’s
Don’t bank on your debit cards - no ATMs, no network no stress!
MUNNAR
DISTANCE
480 kms (14 hours)
COST OF ACCOMMODATION Rs. 300 per person
MUST DO’s
Trek to Top Station, Ride an elephant, buy home made chocolates, visit a tea garden to have freshly made chocolate or masala tea
NO NO’s
Munnar has two ATM's in the main city. Don't wait for your money to run out
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ith its lush tea gardens and layered estates, Munnar in Kerala warrants a visit. In spite of increasing commercialization, the small town retains its hillstation charm and offers respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. On reaching Munnar, get in touch with a local jeep driver who can offer you a package deal for sight-seeing. This will enable you to move around on your own. The most popular areas are lined with tea, coffee and maggi stalls and noisy families waiting to be photographed. The main township offers the best cuisine. On the whole though, it's recommended that you stick
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an you imagine a life without traffic, honking and the mechanical routine we are trapped in? That is what Auroville is about. An opportunity to revel in peace and tranquillity. Often seen as a supplement to a Pondicherry trip, this 'experimental township,' is a world in itself,
to the local vegetarian fare; it's easier on your stomach. The must-sees on your list include the Mattupetty Dam and Lake, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, the Eravikulam National Park and Top Station. Top Station remains the most pristine, with lovely treks for those interested. Eravikulam National Park is also a perfect place for leisurely treks and walks, and is a bird-watcher's delight. Echo Point and Mattupetty, however, are crowded and littered. In Elephant Park, you can ride around the hill for Rs. 350. For tea connoisseurs, a dated tea centre provides you information about the different kinds of tea available in the rolling estates. The peak season for tourism in Munnar starts in November and extends until January. Commuting between the major spots may be done by jeep or bus. You can experience an interesting 'Share-a-Jeep' ride, if having someone else's child perched on your lap for an hour doesn't bother you. All in all, while Munnar sees way too many tourists for its own good, the place still offers an excellent getaway from the monotony of one's mundane routine.
shared by multi-cultural people from over 130 nations. The golden globe temple or Matrimandir is the heart of the township around which lotusleaf-shaped structures stand gracefully. Inside the globe, curving ramps take you to the upper chamber that is lit by a single shaft of sunlight entering vertically. This ray then passes through a crystal that throws it in all directions, illuminating the room. Apart from meditation, there are a lot of other activities you can indulge in. Surfing, Ultimate Frisbee, horse-riding are some. If you think the best way to explore a place would be through your
taste buds, there are again myriad options, thanks to the conglomeration of cultures! (Psst… pizza fans, we recommend 'Tanto' a twodecade-old, Italian restaurant that makes the yummiest of pizzas. They also dole out delicious desserts that make health freaks go weak in their knees. Their chocolate mousse is a must-try!)
DISTANCE
150 kms (2 hours)
COST OF ACCOMMODATION Rs. 250 PER NIGHT
MUST DO’s
Visit to the Matrimandir, Walking on Auro Beach, Grabbing a tasty from the local bakery, a meal at Tanto!
Auroville LIFE 360 7
Shanta A fiction feature
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he temple bells had gone silent, just as my marriage had, the chants had stopped and the lamps were blown out by the winds. I descended the stairs that led to the temple tank. The water looked black, it was a moonless night. I dipped myself in it, and then up again, down, up, down, down, down‌ ********************** "Shanta!" Amma screamed. "Wake up! It's your wedding day!" I sat up straight. So it really is happening, I thought, as I sat on my bed, looking out of the window at the quivering reflection of the Shiva temple in the temple's tank. The colours of the gopuram seemed more vivid with the sun's beams falling directly into the water. A priest dipped himself in the water - up, down, up, down, and walked towards the temple door. The chanting of eeshwara's name echoed through the streets. I sat at my window looking at men and women of the agraharam walk toward the temple gates. In a few hours, this window, the sights, sounds and comfort of my mother's house would no more be mine. Amma rushed me out of bed and into the backyard. The women in the family surrounded us, while Amma oiled my hair and yellowed my body with turmeric. "Your long hair should shine and your face must look like the sun," Amma said. "Sambu should see how we care for his bride." Sambamurthy, the mention of his name made my heart skip a beat. "The man is a prodigy," my father had said, minutes before he came to see me two months ago. "He is a singer and an actor, one of the first in south India, all at 22 years," Appa had claimed proudly. The latter was considered quite blasphemous, but his cutting his first music record when he was 13 years old sealed most rumour-mongers. I am 13 years old now, I thought. And what have I to show for it? Two months ago, when I was asked to sing at the traditional ponnu paakardhu, for the groom to accept me as his bride, I choked right in the middle of a verse in my eagerness to impress this man. But Sambu continued the verse and we sang the rest of the song together, not once removing our eyes from each other. When the song ended, he looked me straight in the eye and said, "I will only marry her." Our two-storey house was lit up with a hundred lamps. Nothing was as bright but the temple across the street. When the ceremonies were over, the goodbyes said and the tears shed, Sambu grabbed my arm and whisked me into his black Ford, the only man to own one in the entire Madras Presidency. I felt the pride rise in me. Sambu's house, its walls and windows felt alien. Our own home was modest, built right at the heart of the agraharam. It was an old house and its walls spoke to me about my ancestors, every article in my house had a past. S a m b u ' s
house was new, British influenced and modern. The furniture was sleek, unlike our ancient teak wood ones, and the bathrooms were inside the house. How strange, I thought. But, there was nothing to be afraid of. Amma had trained me well. She told me that in the house Sambu's father was the boss, in the kitchen his mother was the boss and in the bedroom, Sambu was. After the family elders were asleep, Sambu took me into his room. The bed was decorated with white and orange flowers. Sambu's hands reached out to the back of my head. His fingers played around with my bun, until my hair fell loosely over my shoulders. He then slid his hands down to the hook that fastened my blouse at the back and undid it, while his other hand gently removed the sari pallu from my shoulder. I had never felt pain and pleasure at once, like this, with a man on top of me. Sambu moved like the song he sang with me when we first met, gently caressing me. I closed my eyes and lay still. Amma had not trained me for this, but it was the bedroom and Sambu was the boss. The melody continued every night. ********************* One morning, I fainted in the kitchen. Sambu's mother told me I was pregnant. She rushed to her Krishna idol and prayed for a son. I began growing bigger, but started seeing lesser of Sambu. "My role as Chanakya leaves me with no time for you," he explained one night. Sambu said he would be the first actor in the south to try shooting outside the studio. "The studio is too artificial for an artist like me," he said. When Sambu didn't return at night, I knew it must be his films that kept him away.
There was no pleasure this time, only pain. But it was the bedroom and Sambu was the boss. Almost two months after that night, I heard his Ford engine roll into the gate. Dressed as usual in his spotless white shirt and trousers, Sambu got out of the car holding a box of 555 cigarettes, and puffing on one. Sambu never smoked! I met him at the door. He grabbed me by my hand and hurried into the bedroom. He did not even pause to greet his mother. "What's the matter?" I asked him. Sambu pushed me on to the bed, "Nothing you need to know," he said. This time, his fingers didn't bother to play with my bun. One hand tore open my blouse while the other lifted my sari up from my heels. There was no melody this time, no rhythm. There was no pleasure this time, only pain. But it was the bedroom and Sambu was the boss. His mother woke me up. My head felt heavy. When I sat up, I saw the mattress was soaked in blood. Sambu had left. I heard her mumble, "What sin did you do in your previous birth Shanta!" Lord Krishna, forgive her and give us a son!" For two years after that night, those painful nights continued. There was no music left in my head, and there was no love in his eyes. When I conceived again, I asked Sambu's mother to send me home to Amma. Amma told me it was his films that worried him; that Sambu was not a changed man. *****************
My window and its view of the Shiva temple made me forget the pain of Sambu's absence. In the evenings, as the sun began to set, Amma would take me to the temple. We would sit at the tank; enjoy the chatter of people, the chants of the priests and the smell of camphor. When the gopuram's reflection in the water faded with the setting sun, Amma and I walked back home. Indu was born in Amma's house, in the same room where I spent my childhood. She was a beautiful baby. "Aren't her eyes like her father's?" "Her hair is like Shanta's." "The colour is definitely Sambu's"‌ Where was Sambu? "What kind of man leaves his pregnant wife uncared for?" Appa said. I sent a prayer to Shiva to bring Sambu home. It was time to leave Amma again. Sambu had not been home in months, his mother said. But his letters told us he was fine. In one of our replies, after conveying his mother's messages, I wrote, "If you don't come more often, you will not see your daughter grow." I hoped he would be home in time for Indu's first birthday. She had already begun to take her first steps. Sambu's reply never came. Instead, we received a telegram from Sri Perumbudur, where Sambu's film was being shot. Car accident STOP Sambu dead STOP Body recovered STOP Come to claim STOP Amma came home. "Shanta, we are leaving. You need to come." I didn't go. When the cremation was over, the rumour-mongers had plenty to say. "There was another body in the car, it was a woman!" "He was never with Shanta; that explains it!" "What will she do now?" Was Sambu really with another woman? Wasn't it his films that kept him away? Why were people talking? He seemed such a nice man when I first met him, even Appa had approved of him. Maybe there was another woman! Sambu had left so much unanswered that in death, he made me hate him and hate myself. I refused to see his body; I refused to see my own. I threw the mirror out of my window and left Indu with Amma. The voices and the people and their pitiful eyes sickened me! I locked myself in Sambu's room. I didn't count the hours or the days. After forty days, when the mourning was over, Sambu's mother had the door opened. She took me into the backyard, oiled my hair and yellowed my body with turmeric. She then dressed me in white and called the barber in. "May your soul be one with Sambu's," she said. As the barber's razor touched my head, Appa walked into the house. "Shanta is an intelligent girl! I will not have you ruin her life," he said. "I will put her back in school, she will study and she will work and earn. Her place is not in your kitchen!" Appa took me home. It was six in the evening. The sun was setting and the temple's reflection had begun fading from the tank's water. The temple bells had gone silent, just as my marriage had, the chants had stopped and the lamps were blown out by the winds. I descended the stairs that led into the temple tank. The water looked black, it was a moonless night. I dipped myself into it, and then up again, down, up, down, down, down‌ Up!
Vishwadha Chander
LIFE 360 9
INTERSECTION Girls are often apprehensive of going to the police to complain. The police, Sreeram says, do not treat crimes against women as serious crimes and therein lies the problem. "The police are actually careful while apprehending offenders. They don't want to spoil the boy's future. They see it as a minor crime. They bring in the boy--and this is in the rare event that the girl reports himscolds him, keep him for a few hours and then let him go," he says. This may be one of the reasons girls are wary of Sreeram teaches a female student Krav Maga at his reporting minor crimes. training centre in Chennai. Worse still, they fear they will be attacked for it. PHOTO: THE HINDU
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ne would not give Mr S Sreeram a second glance; with his graying hair and steel colored shirt, he looks like any other middle-aged man. He is not tall, nor is he heavily built like one would imagine an instructor like him to be. His crinkly and warm eyes greet me when I go to meet him. Up close, Mr Sreeram's average build is deceptive; his arms are muscled, his posture is upright and he shakes my hand firmly. Sreeram's work, passion and devotion are extraordinary. For the last 20 years, he has been teaching women Krav Maga, an Israeli selfdefence form. Sreeram also runs a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) called Women Against Harassment and Rape (WAHR). Sreeram says that he has been forced to cut down on the number of classes recently. "I've been asked to teach Krav Maga to a batch of Tamil Nadu policewomen. I hope these women will use it to handle sexual violence and other crimes against women."
The art of WAHR S Sreeram has been teaching women the Israeli form of self defence and street-fighting, Krav Maga. He tells us about the problems women face and when and how to throw a punch. Divya Aslesha
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"Women acknowledge that they have problems but they don't do anything about it," he adds. "They assume that they are helpless." According to Sreeram, women in the city face a host of problems. "Eve-teasing is a big problem," he says. "Many women have complained of being physically touched, groped in crowded places and public transport, being followed, men driving straight at them...," his voice trails off. "Mobile snatching happens a lot. You see, women talk on the phone when they are walking down lonely roads or when they feel unsafe but this is when most of their mobiles are snatched."
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The police are actually careful while eve-teasers. They don't want to spoil the boy's future. They see it as a minor crime
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"They believe that the boy will be back the next day and that he will be vengeful," Sreeram says. "Then what can the girl do?" Sreeram believes that women are capable of fighting and protecting themselves. "Krav Maga does not require exceptional physical strength," he says. "Anyone can learn it. I tell my students that if you are in a dangerous situation you have to try to get away. I tell them to scream, attract somebody’s attention, make some noise and struggle. Women must make it as difficult as possible for the attacker. Throwing a punch is the last thing to do. " He wishes that women prepared themselves more to tackle any situation, and believes strongly that fighting is only the last option. "I want my students to be confident and I want them to know that if things take a bad turn they will be able to defend themselves," he says. When a form of self-defence such as Krav Maga involves fighting, however, doesn't teaching the form foster and promote violence? "Teaching somebody violence does not make them violent," Sreeram says. "A person who is aware of his capabilities will never engage in violence unnecessarily. This is what I teach my students.” PHOTO: SHAWN2ND.COM
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UND ADVICE
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Tum Hi Ho Aashiqui 2
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Mera Man Kehne Laga Nautanki Sala
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Aaja Meri Jaan I Love New Year
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Yeh Junoon Shootout at Wadala
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Yaaram Ek Thi Daayan
Into The Oblivion
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fter Avatar, Inception and District 9, the latest entry in the sci-fi kitty is Oblivion. Donning the 3D glasses, you can dive into the future and enjoy rich graphics even if you are not a big fan of this genre. And if you are lucky to catch the Rs 10 show at any of the multiplexes in Chennai, you could not ask for more. Grip the hand-rests of your seats for the twists in plot that are in store. Tom Cruise plays Jack, who is on a mission to extract the resources of Earth with his communications officer and lover, Victoria, played by Andrea Riseborough. Things become topsy turvy as a spaceship with hibernating human beings is attacked by the Scavengers (the aliens who had attacked Earth 60 years ago). At
the risk of spoilers, you might know that Morgan Freeman plays human this time. In the spaceship is Julia, played by Olga Kurylenko, who is revealed to be Jack's wife. From there the journey takes off with all the element's of a sci-fi movie - drones, NASA shuttle, DNA trail, nuclear devices. But boy, does it have a sentimental ending *sniff sniff*
CAST - Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough, Olga Kurylenko DIRECTOR - Joseph Kosinski DURATION - 124 minutes RATING:
This April, GoBong T
he Bengalees of the city need not grudge about missing the poila boisakh special lunch this April.
The Bay Leaf at Gopalapuram is offering a special menu from 14th April to 28th April, on the occasion of the Bengali New Year (15th April). With the other communities celebrating their
new years around this date (Tamil Nadu - 14th April, Kerala - 14th April, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka - 13th April), the Bengalees could tag along with their South Indian friends and colleaugues and taste the niche delicacies of Bengal. The luchi-chholar daal, aloor dom, polao will also strike a chord with the North Indians who
love their poori chhole, dum aloo and pulao. The mutton kosha and echorer dalna are absolutely delectable. The rosho malai and hot pantuas on the dessert front are also too good to miss. Ratings:
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WHERE The Bay Leaf 4, 6th Street, Gopalapuram, Chennai WHEN 11 AM to 3 PM, 7 PM to 11 PM PRICE Rs 600 (non-veg) Rs 400 (veg)
Photogragraphy: bengalicuisine.net
LIFE 360 11
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