CITY LIFE & LIVING
Bangalore, Thursday, August 6, 2009
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City develops a nasty taste for Ketamine Although the drug has been on the city's narcotic circuit for nearly 20 years, its users are getting increasingly younger With a cache of anaesthetic drug Ketamine being seized yet again in the city, one cannot help but wonder about the demand for it among substance abusers. The drug, used as a tranquilizer for horses, is also known for its ability to induce hallucinations. Lawrence S Simon, manager, Project De Addiction, Freedom Foundation, says Ketamine became popular after strict measures were enforced to curb the use of Tidigesic in the city about eight years ago. But he notes that the drug has been around for a while. Albert of Abhayam too feels it's not a new problem and recalls having heard about it among college-goers during the 80s. "But as with all drugs, there has been a rise in addicts of late," he says.
American reality shows are giving Indian TV producers no end of ideas to rip-off, but the city's youth don’t seem to mind Shivani Dave. BANGALORE The reality show craze just doesn't seem to end. Not a week passes without the launch of a newer even more bizarre show hitting our TV screens, be they in English, Hindi or a regional language. But innovation seems to be absent from the Indian producer's bag of tricks, as most of the reality shows made in this country are rip-offs of American or British reality shows. It all began with Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who Wants to be A Millionaire) and the copy cats soon began wailing: Are you Smarter Than A Fifth Grader became Kya Aap Panchvi Pass Se Tej Hai?; Dancing With the Stars became Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa; Moment of Truth became Sach Ka Samnaa; and American Idol became…well…Indian Idol. So what do the city's youth think about the spate of copy cat reality shows on TV? Tavishi Sahu, an undergraduate student, says, "It's not very surprising that so many shows have been copied as it is a common trend amongst not just TV producers, but also film producers. They really should invent new concepts. Copying is an easier option for them as there is a tendency to think that if it's been a big hit elsewhere, it will be a success here too. I prefer the American version of reality shows since it's always new and has its own glory." Elizabeth Roy, a 19-year-old student, says, "I feel that it's really stupid to copy shows in
Hindi as there is no originality or creativity involved." Nevertheless, some youngsters like Ivan Carlos Lobo feel it's okay that some shows are being copied in India as one would then get to watch both versions of it. He says, "I think they feel that since so many Indians watch American shows, if they make the same in Hindi they will have a large number of viewers." He, too, says that he prefers the American versions, as there is too much drama and masala in the Indian versions. "I would want to make a really good dance show, rather than what's coming on these days," he adds.
Ivan Carlos Lobo, Viewer Producers feel that since so many Indians watch American shows, if they make the same in Hindi they will have a large number of viewers” Rounak B, an 18-year-old student, says, "It's actually nice to see how Indian audiences react to the Indian version of reality shows. India does have some original shows. Take Rakhi ka Swayamwar for instance. Such a show is made only for Indian viewers. The shows that are copied are just for business and as long as the producers are getting their business, why not? I do feel that the Indian versions are scripted, especially the emotional outbursts." Even though one would say that Indian shows lack creativity and originality, the making of American shows in Hindi still seems to have pulling power with the city's youth. Maybe it's all that extra emotion.
REALITY BITES: (clockwise from top) American Idol; The Bachelorette; and Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader all have their Indian versions
Ketamine is sold in either powdered or
Chronic use of ketamine may lead to cog-
liquid form. In powdered form, its appearance is similar to that of cocaine and it can be insufflated, injected, or placed in beverages.
nitive impairments including memory problems.
Ketamine produces effects similar to
Sajini Sahadevan. BANGALORE
Copying reality is not bad, say youth
KETAMINE: A GLOBAL ISSUE
PCP and DXM. Unlike the other well known dissociatives PCP and DXM, ketamine is very short acting, its hallucinatory effects lasting 60 minutes when insufflated or injected and up to two hours when ingested, the total experience lasting no more than a couple of hours. According to Simon, Ketamine is just one of the drugs of choice: "It is nothing new. When other drugs are scarce, addicts turn to Ketamine. It is usually taken along with other drugs like cannabis, hashish and opium. Injections are resorted to when the user is not able to get a high through the oral method." Access to the drug has also led to a drop in the age groups using drugs. "Adolescents are
Ketamine sold illicitly comes from diverted legitimate supplies and semi-legitimate suppliers, or theft, primarily from veterinary clinics.
The WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, in its 33rd report (2003), recommended research into its recreational use/misuse due to growing concerns about its rising popularity in Europe, Asia and North America. at the highest risk. Young adults are open to experimenting and being impulsive. Studies have proven that a person above the age of 21 is less susceptible to addiction than others," says Dr Vivek Benegal, additional professor, NIMHANS De-Addiction Centre. The age at which people start to experiment has come down. "Before, I used to treat 40 year olds. Now I have teenagers seeking treatment,"
TAKE A PEEK INTO THE WORLD OF COLOUR, FUN, AND IMAGINATION
They’re drawing their way into children's hearts Cricketmatics is the latest children’s book to showcase some incredible art. Thanks to illustrators of children’s books, kids just keep on reading Elizabeth Soumya. BANGALORE As a child did you ever flip through a storybook just to peek at the pictures first? Fewer the visuals, the more boring the book must be. Did you ever find yourself having arrived at that universal children's conclusion: While a story is a magical thing, half the fun is in how it comes alive through visuals? And what do you know? It's actually a clan of adults who are doodling away to spark a child's imagination. Illustrators of children's books in India may not be festooned with the kind of recognition as word slingers, but their talent is nothing that can be ignored. How do these artists manage to tell stories sans words; that too to children? M Kathiravan has recently demonstrated this by bringing to life a charming cute cricket maniac called Anirudh in the children's story Cricketmatics. "I heard the story and gave my publisher Karadi tales, three options as Anirudh and they picked the option that I liked the most myself," he reveals. Hailing from a background in animation Children’s where he has to draw a books require movement frame by frame, the sketches came that the easy to him, he confessillustrator be as es. After which he added much a child to colour on the computer with a software called be able to put Paint. The time-frame it took him to finish the on paper what was about 15-20 would spark his book days. imagination While this is Kathiravan's first whole book, Nina Sadnani, a professor at IIT, Bombay has been working on children's books since the early 90s, mostly with Tulika as her publisher. Sadnani whose first book was about the digit zero called All About Nothing, likes to experiment with her styles. In her book My Mother's Sari she has mixed photographs of real saris with paintings/drawings of little children playing with it. In her recent work Home, she has scanned different bricks and then developed them on the computer, she says. Unlike Kathiravan and Sadnani, artist Indrapramit Roy likes conjuring visuals the old school way – painting by hand. Roy explains that his book the The Very Hungry Lion has illustrations inspired by the Warli style of tribal art on handmade paper from Pondicherry, while a few other books follow a Greek style. Not only has The Very Hungry Lion been requested by the Getty Museum for display it has also been translated into five international languages, he says. But does a child really dissect a book and discuss the illustrator's style? "Children are not aesthetically inclined art critics," says Sadnani chuckling. A book has to reach out to a child. "You have to simplify a story. While you have to say more than
DRAWING ROOM: (clockwise from top) An Atanu Roy illustration; Antigone by Indrapranit Roy; and an illustration by M Kathiravan for Cricketmatics
Nina Sadnani, Professor/Illustrator A book has to reach out to a child. You have to simplify a story. While you have to say more than the text, you still have to leave room for the imagination” the text, you still have to leave room for the imagination. Do less to get more," she continues. Kathiravan nods that an illustrator must never say what the writer is already saying. Anita Roy of Young Zubaan Publishing house tackles the question: "The illustrations must spark the imagination of a child. They must express different kinds of emotions and the narrative should let the child imagine." "An illustrator must make sure there's a connect between the text and the illustrations," chips in Gita Wolf of Tara Books. Asked about the quality that an illustrator for children's books needs to possess, the clique responds identically: Their answer composing of traits such as patience, imagination and continuous reinvention of style. Atanu Roy, one of India's most respected illustrators for children's books who is currently working on a book of collected stories by Ruskin Bond and a couple of books for the National Book Trust offers his views: The most important skill is not to be condescending towards children and to have a good sense of humour. It is also very important to feel for the needs of each age group and create a style. A lot of background work for the right references to be vi-
Now you can wear your PositiviTee and show it For Mrinalini Sharma, offbeat themes and positive slogans on a T-shirt spell out the spirit and intention of optimism Juthika Sinha. BANGALORE When you're hunting for the glad things, you sort of forget the other kind. Unconsciously we all seem to know that optimism is a virtue and that a negative outlook is something to be concerned about. The label PositiviTee exemplifies a consistent exhibition of positivism. According to Mrinalini Sharma, a former law student and founder of PositiviTee, the idea of starting a line of casual tees is all about the anticipation of a positive attitude "I wouldn't ordinarily talk anti-war; I would flip it around and make it pro-peace. If you read or be-
says Simon. Albert too says the age group has fallen from the 18-20 category to 13-15, with drugs easily available in the city. The withdrawal symptoms for Ketamine, they both say, are longer. "Most drugs take a long time to overcome, and with Ketamine it is slightly longer as its effects on the body are quite heavy," says Albert. For the same reason, those who check in to the rehab centre are advised to stay for six months to receive the full benefit of the treatment. He says, "Abhayam is for those who are serious about overcoming their addiction so most addicts do stay for the advised time of six months." "The damage is more than that caused by IV drugs," notes Simon. The sources of the drug are varied. As a drug that has been in the city for nearly two decades, Albert says it is made available through the migrant population. Ketamine is also mainly procured as OTC prescription drugs, he adds. "Alcohol, tobacco, OTC prescription drugs, followed by cannabis and opiods in the form of cough syrups and pain killers are the most used drugs," says Dr Benegal. s_sajini@dnaindia.net
lieve the Law of Attraction – which at a fundamental level makes sense to me – that what you focus on grows, then naturally I want to focus on the stuff I want more of." says Sharma. The idea for PositiviTee came about in 2005 while she was shopping on a popular footpath in Delhi. Mrinalini came across a T-shirt with a highly offensive slogan. "When I say offensive, I mean absolutely profane. I'd often painted t-shirts for my sisters and friends, and the thought of moving on to doing this at a bigger level was very exciting," she says. The idea took shape in 2009 when, with the incredible support of her friends and partner, Sharma started to create innovative designs that appealed to larger groups of people. "In this venture, my friends have been incredibly supportive. Particularly the friend I began the first round of ideation with: Purnima Rao. She makes me reflect on and celebrate every single
sually accurate and use of detail and action to grab the child's attention is essential. A child is more interested in the content and not your name or fame." Is illustrating for children a viable career option? Can the job of visual storytelling put food on the table? Sabnani lends some no-nonsense advice. "Have another job," she says, before explaining, "It's like any other creative profession. I probably make one month's salary working on a book. Also publishers might want different styles, they won't give you an assignment all the time. It's really not a factory" With experience backing him, Roy writes in his email, "One has to pursue it as a passion and not depend on it as a full time career till one is established. It is a slow process. If you are good in drawing, especially sketching and feel for kids then there is loads of work." According to Anita Roy it would be extremely rare for any illustrator to be solely dependant on illustrating, "I've met a lot of international illustrators at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, Italy, an annual international meet and I've never come across anyone who is completely dependant on illustrating for children books as a livelihood.” e_soumya@dnaindia.net
Mrinalini Sharma, Founder, PositiviTee PositiviTee ensures that our tees take into account regular body sizes and don't exclusively cater to Twiggy thin people”
THE RIGHT TEE: For Mrinalini Sharma, every tee is space for a positive message milestone along the way and her die-hard belief in my potential often gives me strength and courage when I falte," she says. She adds: "I literally stumbled upon a graphic artist without knowing I needed one and it's been an amazing journey since. The broader idea is to
challenge the apathy that many of us live with." According to Sharma, apparels are a reflection of one's own self, "PositiviTee believes that even the act of wearing your thoughts and positive intentions on a tee will create a change. It puts something better out into the world." She adds,
"PositiviTee ensures that our tees take into account regular body sizes and don't exclusively cater to Twiggy thin people." Sharma also has lines of tees on ageing, and environmental issues: "We cover a gamut of issues from loving our pets to travelling and the environment. We also have some great tees for senior citizens that focus on the positive experiences that come with growing older." Ranging from Rs300 to Rs399 the T-shirts have a variety of themes and slogans that appeal to different crowds. "'Touchy, feely and proud of it' seems to have caught many people's fancy; another that has a stylised Tree of Life and says 'May your roots find water and your leaves see sun' has appealed to a lot of people since it makes for a great gift," she says. Buoyancy, euphoria and exhilaration are a kernel for Mrinalini's PositiviTees: "Sharing slogans by themselves do not have an impact. It is a natural progression from self-realisation to selfrevelation."