Volume 1 | Issue 16 | November 29, 2012 | Rs 10
talk the intelligent bangalorean’s must-read weekly
Born in a remote village on the banks of the Cauvery, a boy slowly discovers his feminine impulses. After surgery, he turns into a woman with a mixed bag of joys and sorrows. A rare transgender life story, documented by BASU MEGALKERI 12-14
MALLIKARJUNA MALLIKARJUNA
BECOMES
CHANDNI FB ARRESTS The cops got it all wrong: A lawyer’s perspective 3
AYYOTOONS It’s back, with a zany take on senti-mental India 5
CAMPUS Jobs aplenty for computer science PhDs, but few students know 9
RAMESH HUNSUR
TIFFIN SERVICE Bangalore’s smart answer to Mumbai’s dabbawallas 28
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
team talk
Mysore has nothing to do with the Raksha Urs scam About your story The ‘culture city’ syndrome (Issue 15), I felt that the writer does seem to know a lot about Mysore and its people. I stayed in Mysore for five years and consider it one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Yes, there are also people who come to Mysore only for leisure and fun. I love Mysore the way it is; there’s no need for the city to change. That said, the writer Preethi Nagaraj is correct about young people in Mysore getting into drugs and also their obsession with the real-estate business. I have experienced it firsthand. But since the writer talked at length about the city, I’d like to point out that there is no connection between the city and the financial scam. In my opinion, greedy or not, that was Raksha’s choice, which has nothing to do with the city itself. Medha by email
Thanks for the post-festival diet! This is about the story titled Deal with post- festival woes (Issue 15). The article made for good reading, and thanks especially for the post-festival diet. Most of us need it after the extended celebrations of Dasara and Diwali. I am hitting the gym from tomorrow! Komal, by email Hits the right note Talk gives the reader useful information on a variety of topics, from politics and business to fashion and lifestyle. I am a big fan of the cartoon feature Ayyotoons and its play on words (I especially liked Hot Curry Gadkari! Issue 12). It was quite a laugh and I had fun sharing it with my colleagues! I also follow keenly the theatre section, which does a good job with its play reviews. When hunger strikes at midnight (Issue 9) was very helpful. Overall, Talk has struck the right note with me, and I’m sure with
many others as well. Definitely recommended! Tanmay Choudhury Software professional, Oracle The language conundrum In Bangalore and the Kannada identity (Issue 13), HS Raghavendra Rao has attempted to summarise problems surrounding the Kannada identity rather than give any deep insights into its root cause. It is the duty of the locals to revive the language and not let it fade out. A majority in Kolkata speak Bengali and not English, like in Bangalore, although the two metro cities have similar numbers of immigrants. Natives should take the initiative to keep their language alive. An outsider brings his culture and language and exchanges it with you provided you give something in return. Also, the photo with the article wasn’t compelling enough. Saurav Kumar Photographer What do you think of this edition? Write to letters@talkmag.in
EDITORIAL
EXECUTIVE TEAM
S R Ramakrishna Editor Sridhar Chari Consulting Editor Prashanth G N Senior Editor Sajai Jose Chief Copy Editor Savie Karnel Principal Correspondent Basu Megalkeri Principal Correspondent Prachi Sibal Senior Features Writer Sandra Fernandes and Maria Laveena Reporters and Copy Editors Anand Kumar K Chief of Design Shridhar G Kulkarni Graphic Designer Ramesh Hunsur Senior Photographer Vivek Arun Graphics Artist
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muzzled freedom
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COURTESY: SANTABANTA.COM & SATISH ACHARYA
Fear on Facebook The two Mumbai girls arrested for an innocent Facebook post will find it difficult to believe that India’s lawenforcing machinery is free and fair
“Hindustan had become free. Pakistan had become independent soon after its inception but man was still slave in both these countries — slave of prejudice, slave of religious fanaticism, slave of barbarity and inhumanity.” – Saadat Hasan Manto
Nidhishree B V Advocate, High Court of Karnataka and visiting faculty, COMMITTS, Bangalore
n his birth centenary year, and 50 years after his passing, these words of the iconic writer still ring true, as Shaheen Dhada and Renu Srinivasan, two girls living in Mumbai, found out earlier this
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week when they posted something anointed custodians of our culture? The Constitution of India on Facebook that most people secures for the citizens of India libwould consider inoffensive. As a citizen of India, Shaheen erty of thought and expression. It is has the right to say what she wants, so sacrosanct that it is part of the and Renu has the right to endorse ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution that view. There was no violation of and cannot be taken away even by law by either, and the quick action an amendment of the Parliament. Yet, an increasing wave of of the police in arresting them intolerance is gripexposes the ping the country, hypocrisy that the The alacrity with and manifesting state has come to itself in the likes of adopt while treatwhich the state the Mamata ing ordinary citienforced the Banerjees, Karti zens. Sainiks’ diktat is Chidamabarams We must ask alarming and the Shiv hard questions: Is Sainiks. More our legal framework so open to abuse that an ordi- alarming is the alacrity with which nary citizen going about her daily the state executive machinery steps routine can be arrested on the basis in to enforce their diktat. Described of a complaint made by some as the world’s largest democracy overzealous individual somewhere? and even portrayed as an emerging Do we have to constantly fall in line superpower, recurring episodes of with the sentiments of the self- the State’s infractions on ordinary
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editor talk This has been a week of dark ironies: A girl in Mumbai who posted a casual comment on Facebook was arrested. Her friend, who merely clicked the ‘Like’ button, also ended up in police custody. And then, as an incredulous country watched this blatant abuse of the law, the government quietly hanged a man who had participated in mayhem. Ajmal Kasab, in jail for four years, had provoked self-mockery among us, prompting us to ask how we couldn’t even punish a man who had shot dead scores of people in full view of the cameras. The mockery has now turned to selfcongratulation. But there are lessons to be learnt: The middle class is often unaware of how absurd and unreasonable our law enforcers can be, and the Facebook incident perhaps brought home, even if virtually, the horrors of police highhandedness. On the other hand, in the Kasab incident, many policemen had courageously taken on trained, ideologically intoxicated gunmen, and paid with their lives. The world is moving away from the death penalty, but India isn’t convinced. In fact, we have refused to sign an international declaration against capital punishment, despite our pride in the great pacifist philosophies of Buddha and Gandhi. Amidst these contradictions, the general sentiment is one of justice being served. You’ll also find, in this edition, the life story of transgender person Chandni. Basu Megalkeri spoke to her over several sessions to bring you this intriguing story. In another report, Prashanth GN zeroes in on why Bangalore lags behind Silicon Valley in creativity. Satish Acharya is back with Ayyotoons, so here’s a thank you to all readers who missed it enough to call and ask. SR Ramakrishna ram@talkmag.in
muzzled freedom citizen’s rights raise some difficult ment of up to three years with a fine. In fact the girls were initially questions. Who are the police or the booked under Section 295 A of Shiv Sena to stop Shaheen from the IPC, as the police overlooked expressing herself on Facebook? the irony that the Shiv Sena made They may not agree with what she its entry into the public consays, but that does not entitle sciousness with its vituperative campaign to ‘rid’ Maharashtra of them to muzzle her voice. The two girls have been non-Maharashtrians. Jingoistic booked under Section 505 (2) of and parochial politics by parties, the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and including by the Shiv Sena, have Section 66A of the Information gone unchecked, but a viewpoint Technology Act, 2000. Anyone expressed by an ordinary citizen found guilty under Section 505 (2) has invited extreme punitive (for ‘making statements creating action! In a way the or promoting blame does not lie enmity, hatred Jingoistic and with the State or ill-will between classes’) parochial politics entirely, as we get the leaders we is punishable by the Sena has deserve. Not a day with imprisonmostly gone goes by without ment of up to unchecked some community three years, with or section of socifine. Section 66A meanwhile makes it an offence to ety feeling ‘insulted’ or ‘offended’ send offensive messages for the by the lyrics of a song or a short purpose of causing annoyance, story or a painting or a televised inconvenience, danger, obstruc- debate. We hear of criminal comtion, insult, injury, criminal plaints being lodged against intimidation, enmity, hatred, or authors, musicians, cartoonists, ill will, and lays down imprison- painters, teachers and other citi-
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VICTIMISED Shaheen Dhada (right) and Renu Srinivasan at a press after being relased from custody
zens, people like you and me. The common strain in all these complaints is that the material ‘offends/ insults’ the sensibility of a few individuals. The problem lies not in the lack of laws, but in the growing trend of our people becoming more ‘thin-skinned’. The fallout of this prickly tendency is further compounded by the State’s eagerness to ‘punish’ the ‘offenders’.
Laws have to be interpreted with an acute sense of justice tempered with compassion. A probe has now been ordered into whether the post made by Shaheen constituted an offence, and even if it is, why the arrests were made. Officers responsible for the arrests may be held accountable and disciplinary action initiated against them. Or, like in most inquiries, the report
may not see the light of day. Given that the girls were arrested and detained into the night, without any inquiry into the allegations and without due process of law, one wonders why diligent care was not taken before the police made the arrests. A classic case of too little, too late. The girls’ lives have changed forever. They have been touched by the unmistakably cold hand of fear.
fun lines
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political diary
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Ananth Kumar’s deafening silence HN Ananth Kumar, Yeddyurappa’s enemy No 1 in the BJP, has been around in the party for a long, long time. When the BJP came to power in 2008, he was a chief ministerial candidate.
Ananth Kumar
But he is also a non-player. Take the present crisis in Karnataka. Ananth Kumar is nowhere on the scene as the party plunges headlong into confusion. But, say his detractors, that’s his style. Using Jagadish Shettar, Sadananada Gowda and
Eshwarappa, he has cornered Yeddyurappa, and he might emerge to claim his due any time. No wonder Yeddyurappa is talking about how Ananth Kumar, as central minister, pulled off a staggering housing scam worth Rs 18,000 crore, and sold the prestigious Hotel Ashok for a pittance. Watch out for Yeddyurappa’s tirade against his intimate enemy, who, it is rumoured, was dangerously close to discredited PR queen Niira Radia.
RAMESH HUNSUR
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No time for trash, Mr Ashok? R Ashok holds the home and transport ministries and is also the deputy chief minister. He is also said to be the minister in charge of Bangalore. The other day, farmers and residents of Gundlahalli, a village near Dodballapur, were waiting for him to tell him about their garbage dumping woes. Ashok visited the dump-yard with many security men around. When angry villagers gheraoed his car, he got down, hastily grabbed their memorandum, and sped away. The next day he inaugurated a motorbike rally organised by a corporate hospital. He spent more than half an hour cracking jokes at an event not even remotely connected with any of his departments. Now you know why Gundlahalli may not vote for his party! R Ashok
What is deal master DKS up to?
PROMISCUOUS (Front row) BJP leaders Renukacharya, Eshwarappa, Yeddyurappa, Jagadish Shettar, and Somanna
The ’extra-marital’ rally The BJP government could collapse in just two weeks from now, when Yeddyurappa launches his new party and begins luring disgruntled MLAs
ready to take part in the Haveri rally, ditch the BJP, and join his Karnataka Janata Party.
BASU MEGALKERI
State BJP President KS Eshwarappa has, in his inimitable style, likened the MLAs’ participation in the rally as an “extra-marital affair.” He has also threatened strict action against leaders who ‘transgress.’
basavaraju@talkmag.in
Chief minister Jagadish Shettar is attempting a counter-strategy. The winter session of the assembly will take place at the newly built Suvarna Soudha, Belgaum, from December 5 to 13. His idea is that fence-sitters could use this as an excuse to bunk the Haveri rally.
The first BJP government in south India is counting its last days. BS Yeddyurappa is all set to resign from the party and announce a new party in Haveri, near Dharwad, Provoked by such talk, on December 9. Yeddyurappa thundered that any Sources revealed to Talk that six action against his supporters cabinet ministers and 35 MLAs are would result in the fall of the gov-
ernment. He also addressed all senior leaders of the BJP, including LK Advani, Ananth Kumar and Eshwarappa, in a disrespectful tone. “I will put out all their deeds for public scrutiny soon,” he said.
showing Delhi that he was still capable of mobilising the party around himself. And why did these MLAs meet? To pressure the high command to give a ‘suitable position’ to 80year-old Krishna soon. Shivakumar now plans to take them in a delegation to Delhi next week. He has also been talking to MLAs from other parties who might defect to the Recently, he got 20 Congress. And while he is Congress MLAs to at all this, he is using assemble for a secret meeting at a five-star hotel. former minister Ramalinga Reddy as his front. That was his way of SM Krishna’s return to Karnataka politics has brought joy back into the lives of his supporters. Especially former minister DK Shivakumar. With nothing much to do for a decade, he had become lazy and disinterested in party affairs. He has now woken up, and is running around wearing crisp clothes.
The Jagadish Shettar government has seriously antagonised Yeddyurappa. Three MLAs and two MPs, though formally in the BJP, are siding with B Sriramulu’s party. The BJP has taken no action against them. But Eshwarappa is suddenly talking tough. How did the BJP came to power in a state that witnessed grassroots movements for the rights of farmers, Kannadigas, and Dalits? That was a question many kept asking. Now the only question political observers are asking is: “When will this government fall?”
DK Shivakumar, SM Krishna
26/11 massacre Kasab’s hanging has brought some consolation to victims of the Mumbai terror attack, but is it justice enough, asks Scarface
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Why we should still be worried
he death of one Ajmal Kasab is not the end to terrorism. Kasab’s masters in Pakistan remain protected and the infrastructure of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba remains intact. This would mean that the group is very active and is capable of striking any time. Many officials who were part of the investigation say that Kasab was all through taking instructions from his masters in Pakistan and he was more like a robot on remote than an independent actor. Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind and the head of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, continues to enjoy all privileges in Pakistan. He was addressed as Hafiz Chacha by Kasab in his confession. Many think tanks believe some action may be taken down the line in Pakistan, but Saeed will remain protected as he is the blue-eyed boy of FACE OF TERROR Ajmal Kasab in the custody of the Mumbai police. (Below) Lashkar-e-Tayiba head Hafiz Saeed and operations chief Zaki-urPakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. Rahman Lakhvi. (Extreme right) David Headley, now in the US, has confessed to his role in the planning of the Mumbai attack Then comes Zaki-ur-Rehman gain with the US authorities which Lakhvi, the operations chief of the prevents his extradition or even trial outfit. He is under house arrest in in any court outside the US. The 26/11 attack changed the Pakistan and his trial does not show signs of taking off. Very recently some face of India. India has done a lot to inspectors in Pakistan deposed before step up its security structure since the court, stating that Pakistan’s soil then, but are we safe? Going through was used to train the ten terrorists the dossiers and interrogation reports who attacked Mumbai, but there was of the various accused men, who are no mention of Lakhvi, who played a all a part of the Lashkar, it is clear that vital role in shaping Kasab and his their network is still intact and they are able to generate funds and carry Saudi Arabia. He has spoken at length many feel that this is nothing but an accomplices. about the involvement of the eyewash. A team of our National There are many others in the out recruitments with ease. The operatives of the Lashkar do Pakistani establishment in the attack. Investigation Agency will then visit network, such as Sajid Mir, whose roles Pakistan has not even acknowl- realise that the justice system in He also says the Lashkar views India Pakistan. This again appears to be a edged. Mir was the man who coordi- Pakistan is not serious about action. with utter disgust and are ready to symbolic visit and the team will colnated with the ISI and the establish- Moreover, terrorism against India carry out more attacks. He also lect information from officers over ment and set up the international continues to be a state policy for speaks about the manner in which there. The NIA wants to question operations of Lashkar for this attack. Pakistan and they would go to any the top rung of the Lashkar are pro- Saeed and Lakhvi, but as a joke in tected in Pakistan and how they are police circles goes, Pakistan may He was also the handler for David length to safeguard the attackers. If anyone helped time and again to carry out allow the questioning of its President Headley who surZardari but not a Saeed. thinks the claims attacks on Indian soil. veyed the targets So, how much has India benefitLooking at all these factors, it being made in India that were later choThe Lashkar against the Pakistan becomes clear that only a foot soldier ted from the hanging of Kasab? It is sen for the attack. network is establishment is has died while the outfit he belonged symbolic and sends the message that This brings us busy recruiting India is serious about tackling terror. false, they ought to to remains intact. to Headley, who has But the real work of keeping the Expecting action from Pakistan read the confessionconfessed to his role footsoldiers al statement of Abu is asking for the impossible. A judicial country secure remains, since the terin the attack to the Jundal before a mag- team from that country is likely to ror masterminds continue to walk FBI in the USA. India wants to bring him down and istrate. Jundal was one of the tutors of visit India this month and will record free in Pakistan. try him here, since the offences com- the ten terrorists and he taught them statements of witnesses and also the ‘Scarface’ is a Bangalore-based mitted by him mandate a death sen- to speak Hindi prior to their landing magistrate who was part of the trial tence according to our law. The irony in India. He was recently arrested by in India. Although India would like to journalist who covered the 26/11 is that he has entered into a plea bar- India after a joint operation with view this development positively, attacks live from Mumbai
T
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A Frankenstein’s monster first unleashed by the state
Terrorism SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in
ot a day goes by without news reports talking about terrorism. Some country, or some group, is a victim of terrorism every day. The most widely accepted definition of terrorism is that it constitutes acts of murder and mayhem to create fear in a country. The terrorists could W be outsiders like Ajmal Kasab, or a citizen of the same country, like Afzal Guru. We don’t usually describe a government as terrorist. When the word terrorism was coined, it referred to The Talk actions of the column on word origins government.
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The French coined the word terrorisme from the Latin word terreo, meaning ‘I frighten.’ Later, the English made it terrorism. Terrorism initially referred to state authority. The term was formed in the late 18th century, during the French government’s Reign of Terror. After the French Revolution, in 1793, revolutionary leader Maximilien Robespierre took over France. He believed that he was an idealist and wanted to cleanse the country of people he did not agree with. His reign saw hundreds of people being sent to the guillotines. He believed that terror was necessary to uphold virtue. In his speech at the French National Convention in 1794, he said, “If the basis of a popular government in peacetime is virtue, its basis in a time of revolution is virtue and terror—virtue, without which terror is fatal; terror without which, virtue is powerless.” Irish statesmen and writer Edmund Burke used the word ter-
K E Y
O R D S
AS YOU SOW... Maximilien Robespierre, who said ‘Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible’ was himself killed at the guillotine
rorists in 1795. He denounced the French government for letting loose on its people “thousands of those hell-hounds called terrorists.” When English newspapers used the word terrorism, it gained quick popularity. Within years of its being formed, it entered the
Oxford English Dictionary. For many years, terrorism retained its original meaning. The modern connotation of the term came in 1869, when Sergey Nechayev described himself as a “terrorist.” He was the leader of the Russian revolutionary group People’s Retribution. He wanted
to overthrow the Russian monarchy, for which he used violent means. In 1869, he wrote a set of rules for his group in the booklet Catechism of the Revolutionary. In it, he says, “A revolutionary is a doomed man. He has no private interests, no affairs, sentiments, ties, property nor even a name of his own. His entire being is devoured by one purpose, one thought, one passion—the revolution. Heart and soul, not merely by word but by deed, he has severed every link with the social order and with the entire civilised world; with the laws, good manners, conventions, and morality of that world. He is its merciless enemy and continues to inhabit it with only one purpose—to destroy it.” This sounds much like the philosophy of modern-day terrorists. With Nechayev’s description of himself, the word gained a nongovernment connotation. Now, terrorism is commonly used for violence committed by any person or organisation against the state.
frontiers of research
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Wanted: Lots more PhDs in computer science Despite being home to more than 1,400 tech companies, and contributing 40 per cent of the country's 70 billiondollar IT exports every year, Bangalore has produced only a handful of PhDs in computer science. India produces about 150 a year, while China and the US produce 1,000 each
CRAZY FACT Thirty years into the IT revolution
Only PRASHANTH GN prashanth.gn@talkmag.in
oogle founders Larry Page and Sergei Brin were computer science PhD students at Stanford University where they together worked on what eventually became Google’s storied search algorithm, to track, navigate and retrieve web pages. For all of Bangalore’s much touted information technology prowess and its self-image as the ‘Silicon pace in a sector where the rate of Plateau’ most observers agree that change is very high. Consider the numbers. IISc is while beginnings are being made and there are some success stories, the premier institute in the city givBangalore does not have the rich, cut- ing out computer science PhDs, and ting edge research ecosystem, not to there were only four who were mention an equally important start- awarded the prestigious qualification up and market-making environment, from its Computer Science and that makes successes such as Google Automation (CSA) department this year. (See box). possible. The only posiThe number of A critical mass tive is that ninetycomputer science nine students are PhDs that the is required for currently registered, ecosystem is able to path-breaking but even this is put out is a key indiwork to happen expected to push up cator. The US, the number only to including the Silicon the low double digits Valley area, puts out from next year. an estimated 1,000 PhDs every year. IISc also has the Supercomputer In Bangalore, Industry stalwarts and educationists are worried about Education and Research Centre the small pool of PhD level (SERC), and three students came out researchers, which is not keeping with PhDs this year. The number is a
G
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Computer science PhD produced by Bangalore University startling drop from the 20, 18 and 23 between 2008 and 2011, probably a reflection of the financial crisis years, when more good students decided to continue with studies rather than take their chances in a weak job market. The numbers outside IISc are meager. Two graduated out of University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering this year, and two more from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). There is both a quality and quantity issue here. First, the numbers. Do they matter? They do because a critical mass is required for major breakthroughs to happen. Even the most brilliant researcher can’t operate in a vacuum. Dr Swami Manohar, a computer science PhD, a former professor at
IISc, and currently Managing Director of Limberlink, an engineering education firm, explains it this way: “High end research has a lot of uncertainty built into it. Will I be able to solve the problem I have identified? Will it be useful? And third, will I be able to successfully take it to market and make it scale? So a critical mass is required. If there are 100 researchers, one of them might, just might, come up with something path-breaking.” Bangalore’s Information Technology prowess has long been confined to providing services like maintenance of computing infrastructure, implementation of enterprise software packages, and company specific application development and maintenance work (ADM). An on-going focus is around the need for developing products and platforms, which are much higher up the value chain. Infosys, for example, has around five percent of its total revenues coming from products and platforms, though it has a stated aspiration of eventually getting a third of its total revenues from this segment. One of the reasons why it has been so difficult to develop a large talent base in products and platforms, is the lack of talent in the higher reaches of computer science. As Dr Manohar points out, PhD level work essentially trains engineers to become true problem solvers. “They have to identify a problem which has not been solved, which means a thorough understanding of the current state of knowledge. Then they have to take it forward.” The regretful thing is that it took nearly 27 years after the software revolution kicked off in Bangalore, with Infosys setting shop in 1982, for the first PhD in computer science to emerge from Bangalore University, in 2009. The programme was instituted in 2004. While PhDs in other disciplines from electronics to aerospace engineering to physics too range from 4 to 8 per year, the computer science Phd numbers are very small relative to the
frontiers of research
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COURTESY: AMIT BASU
size of the information technology industry and the vastness of the technology PhDs at IISc ecosystem in the city—Bangalore is home Computer Science and Automation to more than 1400 tech companies, includdepartment ing several MNCs and around 15 R&D labs. 2012: 4, 2011: 7, 2010: 4, 2009: 1, Prof Sadagopan, director of the 2008: 6 International Institute of Information Supercomputer Education and Technology-Bangalore (IIIT-B) points to Research Centre the telling shortage of computer science 2012: 3, 2011: 20, 2010: 18, 2009: Phds not only in Bangalore but across the 23, 2008: 2, 2007: 1, 2006: 5 country. “Of nearly 5,00,000 engineering graduates India produces every year, only been as glamorous and lucrative. With around 150 graduate as computer science companies like IBM, Microsoft, HP, SAP PhDs. India needs at least 1000 PhDs annu- and scores of others running research labs in Bangalore, there is scope for students to ally, like what US and China produce.” And this despite Delhi, Pune, choose financially and intellectually Hyderabad and Chennai too being home to rewarding research careers. Prof Y Narahari, chairman, CSA, at scores of tech companies. Private universities are just about IISC, says: “IISc is the No 1 in the country emerging and only five years from now is in computer science PhD enrolment. when the first PhDs graduates could be While IIT-Madras has 55 PhD students and IIT-Mumbai has 25, IISC has around 100.” expected to come out. Prof Narahari says IISc is particularly M Hanumanthappa, Associate Professor and Co-ordinator of Bangalore attractive for PhD as Bangalore is the tech University’s Computer Science and hub of the country. “Name any big IT Applications Department, finds some research lab, you have it in Bangalore. Most room for optimism, especially as the PhD of these labs seek hardcore researchers output has improved from eight years ago.. who can understand and develop algo“In 2004, Bangalore University rithms for next generation computing. launched its computer science PhD pro- They now offer hefty packets for PhD graduates.” gramme, and in 2009, the Of IISc’s 35 PhDs first PhD graduated. In the who have graduated so three years since then, The demand for far, 21 have joined industhree people have completcomputer trial research labs, 13 have ed PhDs. In all, Bangalore gone into academia and university has four comscience and one scholar has set up his puter science Ph.Ds now, maths PhDs own business. In 2010, of who are all teaching. Three can only go up 11 PhDs, eight joined labs, students are in the course three went into academia. of completing their PhDs Prof Narahari is optiand five have registered. Surely this is better than zero. Overall, we mistic: “Bangalore is among the top 10 will have 12-15 PhDs by 2015. If the 12-15 cities in the world for its cluster of IT comstudents registered at UVCE are taken into panies and the access an academic instituaccount, we would have 25 computer sci- tion offers to such a cluster. Faculty are ence PhDs from Bangalore University and top-notch too, so students do prefer to do research at IISc.” UVCE by 2020.” Quality is always critical. Dr Manohar Prof Sadagopan sees it differently.”Shortage of computer science points to another emerging problem. Since PhDs is so severe that Bangalore’s the current norms of AICTE (the central researchers will not be able to grab open- body governing technical education) manings in the top five tech companies in the date PhDs for teachers at higher levels, city. Students are not taking up PhD pro- “there is an artificial push to create PhDs. grammes due to the good salaries they get While that will generate some numbers, we from companies soon after bachelors and should guard against dilution. See what happened to engineering education. We masters degrees.” He feels it is time that research is con- have numbers, and then there are these figsidered attractive. “Because many MNC ures which put say 80 per cent of them as companies and labs are focusing on unemployable.” With the increasing push towards big research and development, they are keen on hiring computer science PhDs. BE and data, cloud, and analytics in the IT indusME students need to realise this. The try, not to mention even more cuttingcareer scope in applied computer science edge areas like natural language processing research is massive, with applications in and advanced user interfaces, the demand medicine, stock markets and financial for computer science and mathematics PhDs can only go up. institutions.” It is not surprising therefore that large While the number of students taking up PhDs may be low in general in the city, companies, especially MNCs, in Bangalore research in computer science has never are looking for ways to increase the talent
HIGH END RESEARCH: (Above) The Supercomputer Education and Research Centre (SERC) at the Indian Institute of Science. (Below) Dr Swami Manohar, Prof Y Narahari, and Prof Sadagopan
pool from which to hire new researchers. IBM India Research Laboratory (IRL) launched a ‘Blue Scholar Program’ in November 2008 to get computer science graduates to take up research as a career. Under the programme, IBM gets students to intern with the lab for two years, at the end of which they could opt for a regular job at IRL. Likewise, to encourage graduates to take up careers in research, Microsoft Research India has introduced a two-year assistant researcher program for engineering graduates to do research work at the Microsoft lab. With Bangalore companies like
Infosys and Wipro showing sluggish growth of late in comparision to rivals like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), based in Mumbai, and Coginizant, (headquartered in the United States but with a large India based delivery organisation), the need to move up the value chain is showing more starkly. In fact, Indian IT as a whole cannot indefinitely rely on services. Cutting-edge research matters and it will pay, and one can only hope that this will reflect in the number of quality computer science Ph.Ds that come out of Bangalore’s educational institutions.
hollywood calling
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
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FUN SAILING (Clockwise from right) Ahan Andre Kamat with director Ang Lee, Abbas Khaleeli and Vibish Sivakumar
Three Bangalore boys featured in Life of Pi, one of the most anticipated Hollywood films of the year, share their excitement with Talk
Afloat on a dream boat MARIA LAVEENA maria.laveena@talkmag.in
s you read this, there are three kids in Bangalore who are physically present here, but in their minds are on a small lifeboat with a young boy, a Bengal tiger, a spotted hyena, an injured zebra, and an orangutan. When Life of Pi was screened at city cinemas this
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Friday, it marked the international debut of three Bangalore boys: Vibish Sivakumar, Abbas Khaleeli and Ahan Andre Kamat. Vibish plays the role of Ravi Patel, the older brother of the protagonist Pi, the boy stuck on the boat with the animals. He can barely hide his excitement. This telecom engineering student from RV College of Engineering told Talk, “I loved every minute of the shooting in Taiwan... it was an incredible experience. Because of the shoot, I missed my semester exams, but I never bothered. Not everybody gets a chance to work with a phenomenal director like Ang Lee.” Vibish had to go through four levels of auditions in the nationwide search for actors, before he was selected for the role. In fact, the opportunity has helped Vibish make up his mind about the future. He wants nothing to do with engineering and wants to focus completely on in an acting career. Vibish, who shared screen space with acclaimed Indian actors like Tabu and Irrfan Khan, cheerfully says, “Tabu is a very good friend of mine. More than that, she used to teach me how to act. I got to learn a lot just by observing her.” Acting in a Hollywood film has its perks, but friends idolising him isn’t one of them. Vibish says, “My friends are happy and proud of me, but the way they see me hasn’t changed. I still receive the same treatment,” he explains. Abbas Khaleeli, who plays the role of the younger ‘Ravi Patel,’ says
he made it to the movie quite by watch of his grandmother throughchance. “I went for the preliminary out the shoot, says, “Shooting was auditions at my school just to bunk really tiring as it used to go on from my chemistry class. I never had an early morning to late evening. But, it idea I would come this far, but my was still a good experience.” parents were confident as I excelled Ahan took 15 days off from his at school plays,” he says. Describing school, but says he did not face any the shoot, which he calls an “amazing problems because his teachers were experience,’ he says, “I spent about supportive. one month at Taiwan and Munnar. The young celebrity also says With a big director like Ang Lee men- that he is not really enjoying all the toring me every secattention he is getond of the shoot, it ting at school. “My Abbas says he was really beyond school had arranged any price.” a congratulatory went for the Abbas, a 11th ceremony for me auditions just to and Abbas during standard student at bunk his class the morning assemSt Joseph’s Boy’s bly. That’s how High School, was lucky to catch the film’s premiere at everybody came to know about our the opening ceremony of the 43rd roles in the film. Now, all my friends International Film Festival of India in are pestering me to get them free Goa. He complains that the arrange- tickets for the premiere. But when I ments at the premiere weren’t up to didn’t get one, how am I going to get mark, but it was a great experience to tickets for them?,” asks a mildly watch himself on screen for the first annoyed Ahan. He said he would be time. His parents said he was always watching the movie on Saturday, a play-acting in front of them. “It didn’t holiday. When Talk asked Vibhish if he make a great difference when they saw me on screen,” he says, laughing. thought Life of Pi would make it big Interestingly, the youngest of like Slumdog Millionaire and win the lot, 13-year-old Ahan sounds Oscars, he responded like a seasoned more at ease when it comes to talking celebrity used to warding off irksome about his ‘stardom.’ Ironically, Ahan, a comparisons put forth by the media. seventh standard student of St “I have watched both movies. Joseph’s, acts as a school bully who Slumdog didn’t have much anticipatorments Pi in the early scenes. “My tion before its release, so it was a surshoot was at Pondicherry and I was prise when it swept the awards. But, feeling very nervous, so I had to do all Life of Pi has certain expectations and my scenes over and over again,” he the 3D effects used in the movie are the best. I am sure it will do really says. Young Ahan, who was under the well.”
first person
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
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The boy who grew up to be a woman
RAMESH HUNSUR
NEW FAMILY Chandni with her housemates at Mahadevapura
Beyond the pride parades and the political proclamations, transgender individuals live through profoundly disturbing and unexpectedly exhilarating experiences. Talk brings you a startlingly frank life story
BASU MEGALKERI
she chose to be a hijra and a sex worker: she enjoyed the thrills. She was basavaraju@talkmag.in sexually abused but doesn’t nurse any grudges. Chandni gives us a frank he greets me shyly and walks gracefully. Tall, well account of her life: built, and round faced, she is good-looking. Her Early life gestures are delicate. I was born in a poor Dalit family in Don’t be fooled by her charms. This Hale Sosale village of T Narasipur 38-year-old is not a woman but a taluk, near Mysore. I am the only hijra, or what we now call a transgen- child of my parents Mahadevappa der person. and Mahadevamma. My father had a KM Mallikarjunaswamy prefers government job in the sericulture to be called Chandni. Unlike many department. He quit his job and got other hijras, she doesn’t blame any- into agriculture, in which he did not one for the way she is. She boldly says really succeed. He died two years ago.
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My mother still lives in the same village. I wanted to be a woman right from my childhood. The urge became strong when I was in the second standard. I wanted to apply nail polish. A bottle of nail polish cost 50 paise in those days. I didn’t have the money, but I very badly wanted to paint my nails. I stole Rs 10 from my grandfather’s pocket. I went all the way to T Narasipura town. Only after I had bought the nail polish and applied it was my mind at peace. That was the beginning. My urge grew stronger. I started hanging out with girls. I played the same games
first person
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METAMORPHOSIS 1. Chandni as a six-year-old ‘boy.’ 2. This photograph was taken soon after she underwent a sex change operation in 1995. 3 & 4. Photographs from subsequent years.
they played. When we played house, or enacted marriage ceremonies, I chose to be a woman. I became the bride or cooked in the kitchen. At home, I enthusiastically helped my mother in the kitchen. I swept the road outside my house, and drew rangoli patterns every morning. I didn’t know why I enjoyed doing domestic chores. It just felt natural. My parents loved me, but other people looked down upon me. They would call me crude names, like ‘sanga’ or ‘henniga’(effeminate). I would get angry. I didn’t know the meaning of the words they used to demean me. I wondered why people treated me badly.
After the circus When I was in the fifth standard, I went to see a circus in T Narasipura. There I saw a hijra for the first time. She was wearing a saree. I didn’t feel I was like her. When I was in the sixth standard, my parents sent me to a government hostel for students in nearby Vyasarajapura. There I took part in a dance for Saraswati puja during Dasara. I recalled the plays I used to act in at my village. I had acted as Parvati once, and worn a sari. I had a chance to wear a sari again. My joy knew no bounds. I could have danced with happiness. Though I dressed like a boy to school, people treated me like a girl. I was confused. I wondered what I was. Was I a boy or a girl? I questioned my identity. The more I pondered, the more I felt I was a girl trapped in a boy’s body. My classmates told me about other people like me. They pointed to someone like me in the other classes or in other neighbourhoods. I too looked for those like me. My search took me to Ashok. He lived in the street next to ours, and was now in the same hostel I was in. When I met him, I felt I had hit upon a treasure. Finally, I had found someone who could understand me. I could share my feelings of being a girl and talk of my dreams, and he wouldn’t judge me. He was older, and in the eighth stan-
ents were around. One day, I sneaked out to another village for a festival. I danced there. My father learnt about it. He shouted at me and said I was spoiling his name. Our relationship became strained, and one day my father said he wanted nothing to do Abused at the hostel When I was 12, I participated in a school with me. My mother was supportive. She play. I was excited because I was to play a understood my feelings. She encouraged woman. I wore a sari. Some senior boys me to fulfill my desires of being a girl. from the eighth standard entered the room where I was dressing up. They placed First love onions in my blouse. They even felt me up. When I was in the ninth standard, I felt the That night, after the play, all of us slept in need for a partner. Whenever I attended a the same room in the hostel. There was no wedding, I envied the bride. I wished I were power. Two boys attacked me and sexually a woman: they would have dolled me up abused me. I was shocked and didn’t know and sent me to my husband’s house. how to react. I did not protest, but lay there Whenever I saw a couple, I longed for a like a stone. I was young lover. The moment I saw a and they were young, too. handsome boy, I would try When I attended to attract him. I would try They did things to me out of sexual curiosity. Their to charm him and draw a wedding, I act was violent, and had no envied the bride. him close. Some respondfeelings. ed to my advances, while I wished I were After this abuse, I was others ridiculed me. a woman angry. Before this act, I I then moved to used to like one the of two Kollegal to study PUC. boys who had abused me. He would talk to During my second year, I met Vasantha me affectionately, without treating me like Kumar. He was doing his undergraduation. a sexual object. But things changed after We were in a play together and rehearsed the abuse. Word got out in school. People every day. I was attracted to him and conspoke ill of me. They teased me and called fessed my love to him. He told me it was me names. News of the abuse reached my not right. He said the society would not parents as well. They took me back home. approve of a relationship between two My friend Ashok came looking for me. men. I didn’t give up. I pursued him until We both set out to search for more people he gave in. We were like lovers who met like us. We found Krishna, also of the same secretly. We had a sexual relationship. This village. We grew close to one another. We went on for two years. would go for long walks to the bridge outOne day Vasantha Kumar came to me side the village, chat for hours, and sing and said he couldn’t face up to society. He songs. We decided we would now address wanted to get married to a girl, have chilourselves in the feminine gender. We dren, and live a regular life. He broke off stopped using “he” and “him,” and used with me. I couldn’t handle the break-up. I “she” and “her.” gave up college and returned to my village. Ashok’s family was aware of his sexu- I was heartbroken. I didn’t expect him to ality, but my family wasn’t. I would clan- marry me, but I had loved him more than I destinely wear a sari and sing songs. My had loved my parents. I felt lonely and parents looked after me well. Though peo- decided to put an end to my life. I planned ple called me names when they saw me, to drink pesticide and commit suicide. they wouldn’t say anything when my parAs if sent by God, my friend Ashok
dard. This didn’t create any distance between us. We became thick friends. He introduced me to a whole new world, and my life changed.
appeared on the scene. He talked me out of my suicide plans. He told me there was a huge wide world beyond our village. He told me of the hijra community in Bangalore. He had joined them and was happy. He reignited my desire to live.
At Meenamma’s adda I came to Bangalore on the day of Sankranti in 1993. I went straight to join Meenamma’s adda on Magadi Road. I felt this was the place for me. I was happy I could finally live without pretentions. I would live as I wished, among people who were like me. Just as I was settling in, police raided Meenamma’s adda. It hadn’t even been a month since I had moved to Bangalore. I still don’t know why they raided the place. They made us stand near the court for some time and then took us to the central jail. Nine of us were huddled in a cell for nine days. We were released on bail. The case went on for two years. This was a turning point. I felt I could face anything, now that I had been to jail. They say criminals become bolder once they go to jail. It was like that. I was no longer afraid of the police or jail: I had this strange courage that I could survive anywhere. As I interacted with the hijras, I wanted to become just like them. I was already a woman in my mind, but now I wanted to get an operation, and the body of a woman. I decided to save money for the surgery.
Under the knife There are two ways of changing one’s gender. One is the ancient way, where a quack uses a knife and castrates the male. Many people have died this way. This has stopped completely since 2000. The second is the modern surgical method. Now, many people undergo surgery to change their sex. I decided to take the second route, and asked about the cost. I was shocked: the doctors told me it would cost anywhere between Rs 60,000 and Rs 1 lakh. But I was determined to get the surgery done.
first person
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Society doesn’t offer jobs to people like us. We know just two ways to earn money. One is begging and the second is sex work.
As a sex worker I chose to be a sex worker. Residency Road used to be my pick-up point. I used to stand at three points: near the Cash Pharmacy traffic signal, by the compound of Bishop Cottons School, and next to the Sacred Heart School wall. The police would come with lathis and beat us up, like we were dogs. I used to run for my life, unmindful of the speeding traffic. I have fallen on the road several times, and missed being run over. As a sex worker, I have received love, and also felt dejected. Some loyal clients would come looking for me. I would do whatever they wanted me to do. My pleasure was not important. I would do things that would give them satisfaction. Some clients were crude and violent. There were others who would simply have drinks with me, talk and leave. There have been times when goons have held a knife to my throat, had sex, and left without REACHING OUT Chandni (back row) with Microsoft founder Bill Gates at a 2008 event paying. I also know policemen who on AIDS awareness in Delhi. (Right) With snatched away all my earnings. I was terrifellow-delegates at a 2007 international fied of drunken clients who refused to transgender persons‘ conference in Colombo wear a condom. Fortunately, I haven’t contracted any disease. der is neglected and looked down upon. When a man becomes a woman, he becomes the butt of jokes. He is ridiculed. Sex change surgery Once I had saved enough money, I got my He is treated in an inhuman way. I want to transgender surgery done. I remember the change this attitude. I want people to look day. It was August 1, 1995. The surgeons at us as fellow humans and not as “things.” I have been visiting remote places and removed my penis and testicles. You may wonder how I pee. Well, they have left a conducting seminars to create awareness small opening. This opening is not the among people. I have been to countries like Kenya and Sri Lanka. same as the female vagina. When Microsoft founder I cannot have intercourse Bill Gates visited India in though this opening. We Goons have held 2008, I met him and dishave sex in just two ways: a knife to my cussed about AIDS awareanal and thigh. Only these neck, had sex, ness. two methods are possible Now, I am better for people like us. Those and left without aware of my identity. I who come to us expect just paying have a passport, a driving this. licence, and a ration card. A sex change operation isn’t enough to make you a woman. I I am both a son and a daughter to my then got a breast implantation done. I also mother. I now work at a firm on MG Road, underwent a voice modulation course to and have adopted a girl, who lives with my sound like a woman. I am more or less a mother in T Narasipura. I am also taking care of six transgender persons like me. woman now. At times, I feel very lonely. I have no siblings. I wish I had a brother who would Activism and travel visit me, or a sister who would invite me I no longer beg or do sex work now. I have found love in my partner Beeresh. We live home. I hold my father responsible for this together in our home. I now work for the plight. He underwent vasectomy, for just uplift of our community. I strive to bring Rs 100, so that he could gamble. He died of cancer. I was his son and people like me into the mainstream and fight for their rights. I work with organisa- daughter. The priests asked me to shave off tions like Sangama, Samara, Vividha and my head for the last rites. I love my long Payana. We bring to light problems faced tresses. I didn’t want to lose them. I shaved by the hijras, hold discussions, and work small parts of my hair in three places and completed the rites. towards giving them a better life. Earlier, whenever I wanted to visit my The world is divided into just two genders: male and female. The third gen- village, I would go after 10 pm, when all
doors were closed and lights switched off. Now, things have changed. These days, people recognise me and talk to me with respect. My prosperity has helped! But people of my caste do not invite me for any functions. For the first time, a relative invited me for a wedding, about a year and a half ago. My happiness knew no bounds. I hired a Tempo Traveller and took all my relatives to a pilgrimage to Dharmasthala. Now, they coming looking for me in Bangalore and seek little favours. I have a wish. My daughter Bhumika studies in the third standard in T Narasipura. I meet her clandestinely. I lie to her about myself. How do I reveal my true identity to her? I wish to visit her school as a guest and deliver a lecture. I want to educate people about the lives of hijras and ask them to treat hijras as humans.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance, honouring those who died as a result of anti-transgender violence. It was originally meant to memorialise those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice, but has since evolved into an international day of action. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th in San Francisco, United States in 1998, inspired a candlelight vigil and the “Remembering Our Dead” web project. Hester’s murder - like most anti-transgender murder cases - is yet to be solved.
talk short fiction
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ambhaar from Sarvanna Bhawan, pizza, taiir saadam, popcorn and chips made for a lethal cocktail of smells inside the AC bus. There were people burping and slurping all around her. But Meenakshi was oblivious to the smells and the sounds. She was so angry, the words of the letter that had burned into her brain were playing in a loop. ‘Dear Meena,’ The letter started, the spidery hesitant handwriting. She hated the name, she hated when people shortened it. Made her feel like the dhobi’s wife who was Meenakka. It was appropriate, she thought, kicking the seat in front where the woman was snoring like a truck. After all, she was cleaning up the mess Vasanthi had left behind her. ‘I am leaving everything to take refuge at guruji’s feet.’ Guruji my arse, Meenakshi muttered under her breath. She had seen ‘Guruji’ slap Vasanthi’s generous derriere playfully backstage right before her performance, hated pretending to have not seen ‘Guruji’ squeeze Vasanthi’s breasts with the maida coated thumbcaps. What was Vasanthi seeking at the man’s feet? His toes were odd, and hairy! She reached for the can of diet coke that had lost its fizz. She needed to drown the bile that was rising up. The bus was hurtling through the night. Bangalore was still six hours away. People were asleep in the bus. Nothing, but nothing could make her forget. She must have been twelve, and would often wake up to nightmares. Usually Shantamma would be right there, on a bedroll on the floor, soothing little Meenakshi’s fears away with her gnarled hand. But Shantamma was dead and Meena was considered to be too grown up to have a maid sleeping by her bed. The nightmares continued though they were not so frequent. That fateful night she had walked all the way to Vasanthi’s bedroom crying. The door was not locked. She pushed the door open. And as she stood on the doorstep, rubbing her eyes, she saw the Thavil guru lying on the bed and her mother, the lovely Vasanthi, was sitting astride the guru cackling as his stick beat her naked butt. This was ‘sadhana’? Little Meenakshi had not understood what was going on, but when she grew up, she understood why the visitors with envelopes full of cash would snigger when they invited Vasanthi to the kacheris when saying, ‘Of course madam, no concert will be complete without Thanjavur Guru Ganesan.’ She also remembered how the teachers from her school nudged and winked when they had come home to invite her mother to be chief guest at the school jubilee function. Guruji was right there, having his long curly hair being oiled and combed by Srini. She remembered the words of the letter, ‘My sadhana
To Bangal
Meenakshi’s overnight bus ride to her mother’s city had all the including overly helpful fellow passengers. Those were tolerable, about the painful memories that kept returning to h
lore
usual kinds of irritants, , but what was she to do haunt her?
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
will be complete only if I am with him.’ She wasn’t a child any more. She understood the meaning of the word ‘illicit’. What she did not understand is why Vasanthi had to run away. Maybe it had something to do with the guruji’s wife and the cops who had shown up at home and there was shouting and much hand waving (that’s what Srini had said when Meena came back from college). Guruji had left home then. Vasanthi had been devastated. She had cancelled all her shows and would wander around the house her hair uncombed, her saree trailing after her, her kajal smudged by her tears, her hands bleeding from smashing of bangles. She refused to practise her music, sent the accompanists away, and would not eat for days. Everyone tried until she received mail from him. The transformation was unbelievable. She had bathed and oiled her hair. There were flowers in her hair and a large bindi decorated her forehead. She had taken to wearing red Kanjeevaram sarees around the house, making sure the letter from him was safe in her blouse. Meenakshi had hated this silliness. She had hated the paparazzi who had published photos of the devastated diva and were now making fun of the Sighing Siren. Not that people were worried about the loss to music, they loved gossip, and Vasanthi was doling it out happily. ‘You are so complete and capable, sometimes I am afraid of you.’ Vasanthi had written in the letter. Capable. Meenakshi hated that word. She wanted to be like the other girls. She wanted to date boys and do foolish things. She wanted a mom who would be asleep at the dining table over dinner gone cold if she was late coming back home. She wanted a dad who would ground her for being out late. She wanted to have a normal life. She did not want to live the straight and narrow just to prove to the boys in her college that she wasn’t like her mom. She did not want to be capable. Capable was someone who could handle the bad press Vasanthi was happy to earn. Capable was someone who would make sure ‘Guruji’ and Vasanthi showed up at concerts on time. Capable was someone who could barge into the bedroom and nonchalantly get the two to get dressed and to whatever appointment they had forgotten to keep. Meenakshi wasn’t capable, she had had to be. And this fateful night she was rushing to fix yet another crazy part of her mother’s rollercoaster life. And she was not feeling any more capable than she ever did. Meenakshi was exhausted. She had decided that it was the last of her capable acts. Vasanthi was scared of her daughter. She had told the press this often enough. Meenakshi had to battle that image too. She wasn’t some loveless spinster who had no music in her soul. She was so much
OND SECW inner
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Manish Lakhe has written for as long as she can remember, whether it was advertising copy, TV scripts, movie reviews (she runs a website called www.filmorbit.com). She has also written a pulp fiction novel called The Betelnut Killers, and made money by writing love poems for friends. She has been the editor at Caferati, the online writers forum ever since its inception and has been conducting the Open Mic at Prithvi Theatre in Bombay for the last three years.
Prize
more than a diva’s daughter. But there was no respite from that one role everyone had marked for her. She hated that label. She hated Vasanthi. The bus was slowing down. Not another stop! Why hadn’t she just waited for the morning flight! Meenakshi was feeling ill now. The smell of sour food was finally getting to her. That, and years of resentment. It had to come out somewhere. She dumped the phone into her handbag and staggered out of the bus. And before she could follow the women from the bus to the sign that said, ‘Toilate’, she was upchucking everything she had thought up on the sidewalk. Some helpful folk ran to her with water. And wads of tissue. This kindness made her want to wail. The friendly thump on the back from the conductor made her do just that. ‘I see one or two people retch food every journey, miss. So don’t cry,’ He tried to be helpful. ‘Give her air to breathe. It’s only vomit.’ Another helpful soul added. And the women speculated if she were pregnant when they returned. Meenakshi hastily splashed her face with water, used the bathroom and staggered back to the bus. She wondered why her legs were so wobbly. ‘I know you will handle everything. There is bound be some talk. But you will handle it.’ The letter said. Meenakshi was already handling things like taxes and bank accounts for Vasanthi. That came naturally to her. Sometimes she wondered if her mother actually knew what she did for a living. It was a miracle that her boss at the bank loved classical music and would allow Meenakshi to run home to handle ‘emergencies’. Meenakshi was smiling wryly now. She remembered that one of the emergencies included the cook bawling at the earful she had received because guruji’s Taiir-saadam had pomegranate seeds and Vasanthi’s had cucumber. She had to drive all the way from her office at Nariman Point home to Matunga just to switch the
plates. The cook had been so terrified she had forgotten than Vasanthi liked hers with pomegranate seeds. The two artistes in the house were so upset at the wrong food served, neither used logic, and were sitting in the music room hugging each other as Vasanthi sang sad songs, lamenting the chaos in their lives. It would soon be over. This journey to Bangalore might be the last thing on her to-do list for Vasanthi. One part of her brain mocked her. If Vasanthi really did not matter to Meenakshi, then why was she rushing like a madwoman to Bangalore? Did Vasanthi really need another rescuing? Morning came sooner than she thought, and just when sleep was breaching her defences. She stepped out at the Majestic bus stop. The conductor helped her get an autorickshaw to Jayanagar. Her final destination. It would be over soon. The green and yellow autorickshaw took her into the old fashioned Jayanagar. The smell of traditional cooking wafted in the air as did the sound of temple bells and camphor. She knew the smells would distract her from the bizarre road names and cross road thing. But the auto chap seemed to know his way around. They had to stop and ask a couple of gents walking briskly in their dhotis and sports shoes taking in the morning air. They looked at her dishevelled avatar a tad disapprovingly before giving her directions. She waded through the crowd, her heart in her mouth. There were a few photographers, but it was mainly Guruji’s many students who were gathered around. At the centre of the drama was Guruji who was playing Tillana on the thavil, a piece that her mom loved. Her mother was still wearing a blood red Kanjeevaram saree, her wild hair oiled and covered with flowers, her kajal as perfect as her large red bindi. But the drama queen was silent. Lying on the straw bed, lamp by her head, ready to be cremated. Meenakshi stood there staring at the woman she had forgiven a long time ago. She knew something inside her goaded to make the journey. She had to see Vasanthi dead. Or she would never truly be free.
concert notes
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
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RAMESH HUNSUR
‘We didn’t want to fake love songs’ In Bangalore for a concert, Pakistani band Strings tells Talk about—among other things—how the turmoil in their country affected their music, and forced them to do political songs
SANDRA M FERNANDES sandramarina.fernandes@talkmag.in
trings need no introduction in India, where their albums and Bollywood work has been well received. But it’s still good to remind ourselves that they started 23 years ago, and were one of the first Pakistani bands to win international acclaim. They disbanded in 1992, but two of its members—Bilal Maqsood (vocals and guitars) and Faisal Kapadia (vocals)—decided to make a comeback. It’s no exaggeration to say that in their new formation, Strings ushered in a pop-rock revival in Pakistan, with a fresh sound that won admirers elsewhere as well. Excerpts from an interview on the eve of their performance at India Music Week in Bangalore.
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DO TAARA Bilal (middle) and Faisal (right) were college-mates when they founded Strings 23 years ago
Your songs like Dhaani and Duur and were instant hits in India. You’ve sung a track for Spiderman 2 and also worked on Bollywood projects. How has the journey been so far?
As a musician, you always want to do new things, and do something better than what you did before. The recognition that Dhaani got was completely different that of Duur. Then we did Zinda and Akhri Alvida for Bollywood, it was again like wearing a different hat. You really want to have those challenges because they keep you alive. When we feel that our work is getting stagnant, we meet someone and do collaborations. Our recent one was with Indian Ocean.
which come from our hearts. (Bilal quickly adds): The situation has not changed in Pakistan. Rather, we have become numb to the political and social chaos.
What do you think of the current music scene in India? Bollywood is rocking and going places, but it is a tough time for Hindi music. Earlier, if you were a Hindi pop artist, you only had to make one video which got played on the music channels, and you were a superstar. Now the channels don’t give you that Lately, there’s been a lull in your space. If you want to go to the masscareer... es, digital is one Actually yes. We way, but not released our last many people album Koi Aane ‘Religion does not actually downWala Hai in 2008. interfere with music load songs. The After that we went in Pakistan; it’s a whole digital into a low phase scene is uncerbecause of the scene misconception’ tain. It will take in Pakistan. The shape in some political system was changing, the government was time, but till then musicians should be patient and keep making music. changing, and there was unrest. Does that affect your music a lot? It did affect us. We didn’t feel like making love songs. Instead, we released political songs like Main toh dekhoonga and Ab toh kuch karna padega which are Pakistan-centric. The environment there was such that if we made love songs then we would have had to fake it. So we waited. Now it has come to us naturally and we are enjoying it. In the last six to seven months, Bilal has composed so many new melodies and we have worked on so many new songs, all of
In Pakistan, we hear religious ideology tends to impose itself on culture. Did you have any such problems? On the religious front, it’s a misconception. In Pakistan, religion does not interfere with music. For the past 23 years, not once have we had to cancel any of our concerts for religious reasons. Music has its own place. Of course, we know our limits. If you see the Pakistani videos, we stay within our limits. We also had a lot of support from our families. When we started making music that time there
was a lot of social unrest. In 1988-89 when Benazir (Bhutto) took over and General Zia-ul-Haq’s reign was ending, Karachi was burning. A lot of bands came up, Strings among them. In 1989, Benazir took charge and she came with a very liberal mindset. People who wanted to express themselves, young kids, took up music as a medium of expression. Our parents saw us getting involved in an activity that was constructive, which kept us away from what was happening around us. So when you say limits, what exactly do you mean? I mean limits which a band would have here as well. For example, take a music video: a Pakistani video shows very little skin, something which people have the same respect for here, too. But, there’s also a commercial element in India that is at times bigger than popular sentiment. Did performing in India change things back home? To be very honest, it really made a lot of difference. Pakistan looks up to the Indian film and music industries. Anybody from Pakistan who acts or sings a song in a Hindi film becomes a big deal. There are so many examples, like Junoon and Ali Haider, apart from us. We released Duur in Pakistan first, but it really clicked only after it was received well in India. It’s not that just because we had released in India we became big, but you reach a lot more people because of the Indian media.
bookshelf
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Neither soul, nor underbelly Cut Like Wound, which its author Anita Nair calls ‘literary noir,’ is better written than most Indian popular fiction, but fails to get a grip on Bangalore’s seamier side
SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in
aving written a slew of novels, writer Anita Nair seems to be in the mood for some experimentation. The Bangalore-based writer’s new novel, Cut Like Wound, is an investigative thriller set in Bangalore, unlike her earlier fiction, almost all of which is based in her native Kerala. The book opens with the mur- A SOCIAL COP Cut Like Wound is cleverly marketed with a Facebook page on which the der of a male sex worker in main character ‘posts’ on matters of interest to Bangaloreans (see box) Shivajinagar. More murders follow and we are introduced to the pro- ual caught in a corrupt system. She ket, but the story feels far from fresh. In fact, it has all the time-testtagonist, inspector Borei Gowda, even gets the Kannada slang right. It is only after about the first ed ingredients of the standard potthe only one to see a pattern in the killings. Gowda is described as a hundred pages that the investiga- boiler: a good cop in a bad system, a physically unfit cop, with grey hair tion actually begins. Trouble is, just loyal assistant, a criminal politician, and a pot belly, though he has a at this point, the book lets you a chase, a fight, and a girlfriend biker tattoo on his arm, hinting at a down. The story slows down, as if to nursing our hero in the hospital. mimic the pace of the investigation. While movie heroes have love interstreak of rebelliousness. Though sharp, his attitude and The book also seems to reflects the ests mainly for song sequences, disregard for seniors has ensured prejudices of the Bangalore police: Nair’s heroine seems to have been the crime goes down wheeled in for a racy scene. that he remains at The cardinal sin of the book, during Ramzan, all the bottom of the Nair is skilful at Nigerians are drug though, is that it fails in the one ladder. In his forpeddlers, and trans- department which no murder mysties, with his capturing the genders are latent tery can afford to fail: suspense. In career almost frustrations of a There are fact, half way through the book, you stagnant, his only cop caught in the criminals. also references to can almost predict who the murderinterests are Old system some sensational er is. Nair says she is going to write Monk rum and his crimes reported in more novels featuring Inspector faithful old Bullet. Borei Gowda. I hope when she The series of murders ignites the media in recent years. That’s when you wish Nair had begins work on the next novel, she Gowda’s interest in investigative work again, and an extra-marital done more research on Bangalore. explores more of the city, and builds affair with an old flame helps put a The jacket claims the book is an intriguing plot. She also has to “steeped in the sights and sounds of choose whether she wants to be a glow on his face. Nair takes us inside the life of Bangalore,” and is, in fact, concen- mass market writer or a literary Gowda, explaining in detail his rela- trated mostly around Hennur, writer: trying to juggle the two roles tionships with his parents, wife and where the author lives. If Bangalore is just not working for her. After reading the book, you son, along the way ticking off such has a soul, this book isn’t where topics as his college life, choice of you’ll find it. Nor is Cut Like Wound wonder if even established writers career, love life, and corruption in a penetrating enough portrait of the like Nair are coming under pressure to write books that sell. If that’s the the police department. Nair has city’s underbelly. This might be a new foray for case, she clearly hasn’t got the fordone her research on the police system well. She is clearly familiar with the writer, and the book is much mula right. For, what we’ve got here police procedure, and deftly cap- better written than most Indian is a mediocre novel from a writer of tures the frustration of an individ- popular fiction available in the mar- some calibre.
H
Cut Like Wound Rs 299 HarperCollins India
Borei Gowda’s FB posts November 16 Reports of children and adults grievously hurt by fire crackers are still coming in...I see countless animals petrified by the deafening noise....the roads are littered with the debris of fire crackers...and immune to all of this I see there are idiots out there who continue to burst crackers as if their very lives depended on it... *** Oh my God or am I supposed to say OMG, they now know about me in Dubai! Whew!!! October 11 A friend told me I am a R R man. I told him I didn’t particularly care for the Andhra Biriyani place. At which he laughed and said this was another kind of RR. He thinks I am 'Reckless and Ruthless'. That set me thinking. Am I? Now I am in a kind of introspective mood...a night ride on my Bullet should clear the cobwebs in the head.... October 7 Saturday’s Bandh in Bangalore left me thinking. Have we got any closer to resolving the Cauvery issue? Bandhs are pointless as a political movement...when on earth are we going to understand this? I just have mountains more to do because of that....Devare!!!
bookshelf Working on her new novel Cut Like Wound was also a test of how grounded she was as a person, Anita Nair tells Talk
URBAN TALE Cut Like a Wound is Anita Nair’s first novel to be set in Bangalore, where she lives
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‘Writing a thriller is a reality check’ Why a thriller, wholly unlike your other books? It was while on a book tour in Rome May 2010 that a scene occurred to me. All my novels are born from a scene that I see in my mind. The same happened with this noir novel. Once I wrote out the first scene I knew that it couldn’t be literary fiction of the sort I had written until then. Since I had never ever written a genre novel before, I was very unsure how to move forward. And then another image swam into my mind, that of Inspector Gowda. Of a flawed man but redeemed by his belief in justice. And suddenly I knew exactly what this book was going to be all about. It would be literary noir and would trawl the underbelly of the city and have a complex police inspector as its hero. In many ways he doesn’t have the freedom to be the man he wants to be because he is still quite a traditional man at heart. A family man. Like all of us he is still searching to understand himself and this search is not easy
as his job demands an exactness every fact several times over and make sure there were no discrepanand precision from him. cies between say pg 54 and 236. Pace was key, as was making sure I What was it like to venture into a didn’t give anything away. In fact, new genre? Cut Like Wound is a novel that the planting of red herrings is a fine defies the conventional noir canon. art by itself. Also the characters had I am not going to allow Cut Like to be created with a fine pen so that Wound to be pigeon-holed as a pure they didn’t seem as caricatures and their dialogues genre novel. Cut had to sound crisp Like Wound is literAll my novels and natural rather ary noir. Hear me than long convoout why: On the are born from a luted erudite one hand it has all scene that I see prose. Writing a the stylistic elein my mind thriller I discovments of the literered is a reality ary novel. On the other hand it is governed by the check every writer should undergo hallmark of noir writing. It is also a to know how grounded we are in novel that explores the lives of peo- the world we inhabit. ple, but in an unambiguous manner. Perhaps the most essential dif- These days most protagonists ference is that Cut Like Wound including Gods in books have six offers social commentary unlike packs. Why did you make Gowda physically unfit? just another genre novel. Unlike literary novels, thrillers Because that makes Inspector are governed by time frames and Gowda that much more human and action and hence it is easy to make identifiable with each one of us. A mistakes. So I had to cross check physically fit super sleuth exists in
fantasy and has no real place in the world I wanted to portray. Don’t you think your novel stereotypes transgenders, cross dressers and Nigerians? Why show them as criminals? No. It appalls me that you think so. I have written about a particular group of whom we know very little and hence it is our own prejudice that makes our reading see them as stereotypical images. For instance the presence of eunuchs is a visible phenomenon. That they exist and are part of the society is something every Indian is familiar with. However they have very few rights and are treated with utter contempt and disdain. Most of them are uneducated and will never be able to find employment within the establishment. Hence they end up having to make a living either as sex workers or as members of the criminal world. That is the truth and not a stereotypical image as alleged by you.
SAVIE KARNEL
Thoughts on Urdu, AR Rahman, Rajyotsava A meet that brought together poets from three countries laments the decline of a language and its poetry
PRASHANTH GN prashanth.gn@talkmag.in
n evening of poetry that paid tribute to Sadat Hasan Manto also discussed other issues, such as the decline in the quality of Urdu lyrics in Bollywood movies. Girish Karnad, the Kannada playwright the media follows closely after he attacked VS Naipaul at the Mumbai literary festival, said AR Rahman’s ‘overpowering music’ had caused lyrics in Mumbai films to lose their beauty. He recalled a conversation with Urdu poet and film lyricist
A
SAWAL URDU KA Girish Karnad is critical of AR Rahman’s ‘overpowering’ music. Poet and ex-IPS officer Khaleel Mamoon
Javed Akhtar: Karnad remarked to him that the quality of Kannada poetry had plunged after the advent of DTP. Javed replied Urdu had achieved that feat without any help from technology! Asghar Nadeem Syed, poet and screenplay writer of hit Pakistani TV serials, praised Karnataka’s literary culture, and said Karnad’s plays were popular even in Pakistan. Well-known Urdu poet Khaleel Mamoon, who had played a major role in organising the
event, said Urdu language and literature were on the decline in Karnataka and the state government should allocate more funds for the Karnataka Urdu Academy, as “there is an absolute shortage.” More funds would help the cause in many ways-for example, by enabling healthy endowments and prizes which would encourage writers, he told Talk. Mamoon is also the chief patron of the All-India Urdu Manch. Urdu writers, poets, critics and translators in Karnataka
are in urgent need of financial assistance. Industry in the state should pitch in, he suggested. “The younger generation among Urdu-speaking Muslims see no career prospects in the Urdu literary life. They prefer English over Urdu and Kannada,” Mamoon, an ex-IPS officer, remarked. “Urdu literature in Karnataka is suffering both in terms of output and quality. You see many claiming to be writers, but most lack promise and produce sub-standard stuff. There
are no new quality writers emerging among the younger generation in the Urdu-speaking population as they don’t see a future there,” he said. According to Mamoon, every year the Rajyotsava committee should keep Urdu writers in mind and present an award to a good Urdu writer. “But that never happens. Only when we pointed it out to the then chief minister Dharam Singh did they give an award, and they promptly gave it to me. I was not seeking the award. This should not be done mechanically, but out of genuine appreciation of quality stuff. This recognition for Urdu from the larger community is not there in the state.” The event was organised at Alliance Francaise on Tuesday, November 21. Quick bite: According to the 2001 census, the percentage of languages spoken in Karnataka are Kannada 66.26, Urdu 10.50, Telugu 7.03, Tamil 3.55, Tulu 2.84, Marathi 3.6, others 6.22.
martial arts
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DEMONSTRATED BY PRIYA CRASTA AND VINAY KUMAR. PHOTOS BY RAMESH HUNSUR. TRANSCRIBED BY RADHIKA P
Take life’s transitions in your stride hat we go downhill with age is one of the biggest fallacies of our times. Be it advertisements pronouncing the end of life with the first sign of grey hair or friends spelling disaster at the first sight of a wrinkle, we are conditioned from childhood to believe that increasing age means decreasing health, energy and joy. But this is grossly untrue. Life is limitless. True, there is a natural process of bodily change, but what holds our mind and spirit back? Even with our body, the real problem lies in us: we don’t care for it, and mind you, the body is not mere body; it houses our mind, spirit and soul. We don’t eat the right food, we don’t train right. Most of us don’t even know what our body wants. We abuse our bodies and unwittingly speed up our transitions from youth to adult to old age. An over-emphasis on logical reasoning has disconnected our bodies from nature. Look at how much effort humans have put into building sophisticated infrastructure: roads, colleges, hospitals, and so
T
Way of Budo 9 A body and mind that become more spirited with age may sound like fantasy, but it's within everyone's reach, says Sensei Avinash Subramanyam
on. We have honed our skills to build architectural wonders. We carefully craft whatever we must create at work. But why is it that we do not pay even a tiny bit of the same attention to our bodies? When we can restore ancient paintings and buildings, why can’t we spend some time restoring ourselves to health? Why can’t the same mind that visualises these wonders believe we can live with joy and energy till the very last moment? We suffer in contradiction: we admire great sages who have lived a hundred years, we look up to people who are active and enjoying life at 80 or 90, but we don’t believe we could get there ourselves. We explicitly or implicitly fear ageing, illness and death. Instead, if we actually believe we get better with age, we could live happily. Tell your body that you are good. We hear about studies that say talking to trees makes them grow better. Why not talk to your body? In martial art films, you notice that strength has no correlation with age or muscle. In The Karate Kid, master Miyagi is an old man who never puts on a
show of strength. But at moments of crisis and need, he reveals his strong side. When his student asks him whether he is strong enough to break a log, the master replies, “I don’t know; it has never attacked me.” But the same Miyagi, at a later time, breaks a log to save the life of the villain who is caught underneath. In Return to 36th Chamber, when the monk strikes the air with his hand, through a transfer of energy, he lifts the hero standing 20 feet away. These are not merely movie tricks. Top Shaolin monks only grew stronger with age. Their bodies were like armours that could withstand the thrust of a spear. Even today, my martial arts’ teachers who are 80 to 90 can take on any 20-year-old in combat, and with unbelievable ease. Mind you, you don’t have to be a martial arts person to possess this strength. If you have the warrior spirit, you too can realise this strength. You will recognise that the space inside the body is like the universe, endless. Try to visualise a drop of water falling from your head to toe. See how
long it takes to reach, if it reaches at all. The mind is limitless. What should you do to develop the warrior spirit? I have been discussing in earlier columns how to train for body, mind, spirit and soul care. Follow those steps. Train to harness the qi or prana. As long as your breath is fine, you are well. Practise breathing not through your lower abdomen but expansively. Inhale into and exhale through every part of your body. Similarly, ensure that each part of your body, and not just your brain-mind, is happy. I have earlier spoken about the need to use your senses only for joy. Feel good about your knees that help you run, your lungs that help you breathe, your spine that keeps you straight. Realise the many billion parts that make you and give you life. Take responsibility to look after each. When you are angry, you sweat, your eyes glare, your lung is stressed. That doesn’t bring them happiness. So don’t be angry. If you want to be seen as angry, put on a face of anger—be stern, open your eyes wide, but only externally. Never feel anger inside.
SELF-DEFENCE FOR WOMEN What to do when a man attempts to snatch your chain
Mugger reaches for your chain from behind
Hit him on the neck or face
Reach for your muffler or duppatta as you move away from him
Strike his arm in the same swing, loosening his grip
Watch him reel from the impact
Hold it tight with both hands as you take aim
Make your getaway before he recovers
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Rewind The week that was Thackeray death: Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray breathed his last in Mumbai; thousands attend his funeral procession and ceremony.
Social Security scheme for artists
Facebook arrests: Mumbai police came under fire after two girls who had made Facebook comments questioning the Mumbai bandh in the wake of Bal Thackeray’s death were arrested. They were later released.
Artists are typically undervalued and underrecognised for the role that they play in society. In addition to the problems artists face with resources and perception, insecurity and uncertainty of the future is a part of artists’ lives in India and it has become sharper as artists have to live against the market today.
Kasab hanged: Lashkar-eTaiba terrorist Ajmal Kasab involved in the 26-11 Mumbai attacks was hanged at Pune’s Yerawada jail in a top secret operation by the Indian government.
Presently, there are systems of support for artists like awards, fellowships, pensions (administered by the state and central Governments), aid to individuals and
IPL bounty: Pepsi will shell out Rs 396 crore to be IPL title sponsor for five years beginning 2013. The amount is double of what DLF had paid in 2008. Yeddy chargesheet: The CBI has filed a chargesheet against BS Yeddyurappa and his kin for allegedly receiving kickbacks from South West Mining company in return for favours. Gaza conflict: Israeli forces and Hamas agree to cease fire after last week’s attacks which claimed casualties on both side. Obama in Asia: US president Barack Obama visited Burma, Thailand and Cambodia as part of his South East Asian tour, to get US to play a major role in the region vis-a-vis China. Bad sex: The Bad Sex in Fiction Awards shortlists American author Tom Wolfe, but leaves out JK Rowling. Death row: 60 people on death row in the state are feeling anxious in the wake of Kasab’s hanging, says Belgaum jail superintendent. Ousted: Karnataka High Court has set aside the appointment of B C Mylarappa as registrar of Bangalore University in connection with plagiarism.
organisations but none of the above systems offer a comprehensive social security module in which artists are not just beneficiaries, but active premium-holders. To address this, India Theatre Forum, an independent network of theatre practitioners, has developed a social security module. Named Kala Kalyana, this is a project initiated to develop a participatory insurance scheme for artists and their dependents to provide security against ill health, accidents,
infirmity, death and old age. The Kala Kalyana module has done some preliminary research into the existing social security modules, and has developed an outline of a scheme, with some details of what it should cover and by whom it should be administered. To put pressure on the government to implement the scheme, the organisation is now collecting signatures for a mass petition, which is also available online.
If you’re looking for a safe way to care for your beloved pet while you’re off for the weekend, or out the whole day shopping, a ‘pet sitting’ organisation in the city now offers just that service. Pet Sitters is one such group that started two months back, with a vision of serving animal lovers without charge. It also serves as a forum for pet lovers and owners to meet and benefit from each other. It’s the brainchild of Vaishnavi Prasad, Blue Cross volunteer and animal rights activist, who struck upon it after she found that she and several others frequently faced the problem of looking after their pets in their absence.
For more, log on to theatreforum.in
Elaborating on the venture, Prasad says, “You never get the right people to take care of your dogs when you’re out; we make sure the dogs are taken care of, in the right way by the right kind of people. I try to connect pet owners and pet lovers through this organisation. Anybody can give us a call at any point of time, and we will be more than happy to help them by sending our volunteers.”
How to write for children Duckbill, publishers for children, in association with Hippocampus, has announced their third workshop on writing for children, to be conducted by well-known children’s writers Anushka Ravishankar and Sayoni Basu. Scope of the Workshop: Fiction for children; the target ages can be anything between 7 and 14 years. The workshop is structured to give an overview of contemporary children’s literature, genres and trends, and an understanding of the craft of writing for children. The goal is to enable each participant to explore the kind of stories that they want to tell. The participants have the option of submitting a synopsis and/or a few chapters of a book they want to write. Each submission will be given one-on-one feedback. Firsttime writers, writers who’ve written in
Anushka Ravishankar
other genres or for other ages who’d like to try their hand at writing for this age group, and writers who have done some writing for children, are all welcome.
The minimum age for participants is 18 years. Duration: December 11 to 13, 2012, 9 am to 5 pm Number of participants: Maximum 20 Fee: Rs 1500 per participant. For more information, see Duckbill’s Facebook page or call 25630206/ 41101927
Against green doomsayers Merchants of Despair: Radical Environmentalists, Criminal PseudoScientists, and the Fatal Cult of Antihumanism is intended for readers in the West, where a strident envionmentalism increasingly sets the agenda when it comes to policy-making, rather than for those in India, where the greens are not even invited to the table. It’s
still useful in that it examines the origins of many extreme green arguments, like that in favour of radical population control, which the author dubs ‘anti-humanism.’ It aims to give “scientific refutations to all of antihumanism’s
Pet sitters
Prasad says the organisation has more than fifty volunteers. Interestingly, many of their volunteers are highly educated professionals. Says Siddarth, a business analyst who volunteers with Pet Sitters, “We love animals and never really mind taking care of others’ pet’ for a day or two as it also helps us to relieve our stress and tension for a while.” Though the organisation does not charge pet owners for their services, it doesn’t stop those who are willing to compensate the volunteers. Before accepting a pet sitting assignment though, it requires owners to provide the volunteers with the necessary supplies for the pets, before they leave them to their care.
major pseudo-scientific claims, including its tirades against nuclear power, pesticides, population growth, biotech foods, resource depletion, and industrial development.” It comes from Robert Zubrin, the president of the Mars Society and author of the US best-seller The Case for Mars, which advocates colonisation of space. Vaishnavi Prasad
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Forward The week ahead
Learn film-making from Hollywood experts
China protest: Hundreds of Chinese are expected to protest against the arrest of a blogger who poked fun at the Communist party congress in Beijing recently. Greece crisis: Greece's international lenders will meet a third time to work out ways to reduce Greece’s debt and bring it to sustainable levels.
Aspiring filmmakers now have a chance to learn from top experts from Hollywood and Bollywood at this two week ‘Hands-on’ Filmmaking Workshop in Mumbai, conducted by Yellow Submarine Film. Conceived as a perfect introduction to the art of filmmaking, it is structured around the production of one short film, and will cover basic aspects of Direction, Screenwriting,
Production, Camera, Lighting and Editing. Students will also be introduced to the concept of visual effects and Canon 5D workshop. Comprising introductory lessons and hands on practical exercises; each student writes, directs and shoots a short film project using a HD camera, along with an introduction to Apple Final Cut Pro digital editing systems. All the students’ films will be screened and critiqued in
class with the instructor at the conclusion of the workshop, thus stressing on the aesthetics of image-making with lots of hands-on learning. Students will complete the course by learning how to output their edited work to DVD or the web to include in their portfolios. A Diploma will be issued by Yellow Submarine Film Pvt Ltd on successful completion of the course.
Cool enough to be Uncool
Uncool is an online music magazine with a simple promise - ‘Longform music journalism. No ads. No hype. No limits’ - that seeks to crowdsource quality music journalism. In their pitch on fund-raising website Kickstarter.com, they point to the sorry state of music journalism and points out how serious readers and writers are struggling. They have some big names on board (founders David Greenwald and Daniel Siegal, and a host of star writers), and are now looking for funds, including from readers.
depth profiles of fascinating musicians, thoughtful criticism, archaeological discography expeditions, personal essays and much, much more. We’re going to let some of the best music writers working cover the music that matters to them, from the top of next week’s charts to lost classics from unknown underground scenes. We also want to showcase compelling photography and art, to balance out our thousands of words and examine music from every angle.”
Here’s what they say they’ll offer: “Exclusively long form writing - in-
You can preview their work at uncoolmag.tumblr.com.
The faculty are a mix of top professionals from India and abroad, including graduates of the American Film Institute (AFI) and the Film and Television Institute of India. Fee Structure: Rs 20,000 plus applicable Service Tax (presently 12.36%) Venue: to be announced For more information, log onto www.internationalfilmworksho ps.com
Championing women in business The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is well-known as the apex agency that represents the interests of Indian businesses. What is not known is that the body has a women’s wing, the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), which promotes entrepreneurship and professional excellence in women. FLO recently opened its 10th chapter in Bangalore, where Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairman and managing director of Biocon Limited was the guest of honour. Addressing the audience, she said that women must catalyse change in a massive way, but first they must stop asking for special privileges as they were on par with men. “Special privileges should be given only to those who are really special (backward, handicapped etc). We should stand on our own and make a name for ourselves as we have a powerful weapon called education in our hands,” she said. She further added that women will not be doing justice to their education if they think their world is restricted to within walls. For more information, log onto www.ficciflo.com
Parliament session: FDI and the Trinamool Congress’ no trust motion against the UPA government is set to make the winter session of Parliament stormy. Trinamove: The Trinamool Congress is expected to move closer to the NDA after its notrust vote on the UPA government failed to find enough support. Rail fare: Railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has hinted that rail fares may be hiked to tide over the financial crisis gripping the Indian Railways. Hockey: The number of players signing up for Hockey India League is high and may go beyond 150 for the upcoming auction. Test series: Having won the first test against England, India hopes to repeat the performance in the second test starting on Nov 23. Yeddy move: Former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa is expected to move the High Court over CBI chargesheet against him and his kin. Salary hike: The Karnataka government is expected to hike salaries of employees of Muzrai temples by Rs 2000. There are 34,000 temples under the department. Landfill search: The BBMP has to finalise landfills around Bangalore for garbage disposal as High Court threatens to move against it. Win: Having defeated Cambridge Public School, Cathedral school is expected to keep up its winning streak in the inter-school football tournament on in Bangalore.
L I S T I NGS
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food Parikrama pathar ka gosht, salan, and curries of various kinds. You can finish your feast with desserts like khubani ka meetha and anday ki piyosi. La Brasserie, Le Meridien, Sankey Road, till November 25 22282828
India Music Week II: Some of the best musicians in the country will perform in the city this week, including bands such as Thermal & A Quarter, Midival Punditz, Avial, Parikrama, Swarathma will show off their musical talents as part of this festival, that is in its second season. The artists will be playing old covers of ever-popular bands such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, AC DC and others. The festival will also have a host of foreign artistes performing. Head to this musical extravaganza to get your dose of rock, folk rock, electronica and more. November 23: Herbs & Spices - Performance by Jindabaad and Them Clones
Lord’s Plaza- Chirkutt and Gandu Circus Counter Culture- Dub Inc. and Reggae Rajahs Geoffery’s - Pearl Brick Lane Grill- Nucleya Paparazzi- Thermal & A Quarter November 24: Hint- Midival Punditz Counter Culture- Avial Ice- Bandish Projekt Tease- Swarathma and Casa Murilo Spiga- Vinayaka, _RHL and Moniker November 25: BFlat- Shrilektric feat. Lord K.I.M.O F Bar- Teddy Boy Kill and Schizophonic All events begin at 8pm
Sunday breakfast just got better: Have your choice of eggs at this breakfast. Choose from poached egg, fried eggs, ham and cheese omelet, chive and parsley or scrambled eggs. All this accompanied by grilled tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, potatoes, bacon rashers, grilled chicken sausages and toasted breads. Available at Toscano, Forum Value Mall, Whitefiled Celebrate Thanksgiving: Celebrate this Thanksgiving in oriental style at Hunan. You can dig into dishes like roast turkey with hoisin sauce, wasabi infused potato mash and steamed vegetables, and of course, Peking duck.
Learn to be a dessert expert: At this workshop you can learn to prepare panacotta, pavlova, creme brulee and more. Apart from this you will be handed some recipes and you will get some tips on dessert making also. Cilantro, Kormangala, November 24, for registrations log onto http://www.poshvine.com /experience/view/70/Des sert-Masterclass
Sweet tooth for a pizza: Chocolate pizza
The taste of backwaters: Surprise your taste buds with authentic Kerala food. You can choose from a spread of seafood like konju pollichathu, konju ularthiyathu, chemballi pacha kurumulagittathu, karimeen moilee, kuttanadan kalanji curry and such authentic dishes. Prices start at Rs 200. Ente Keralam, 12/1, Ulsoor Road, till November end 32421002
Hyderabadi food is here: If you crave for authentic Hyderabadi food, head to this food festival where you can savour dishes like kachi gosht ki biryani, haleem,
music
theatre Nothing Like Lear
Ek Madhavbaug: Written by late Chetan Datar, Ek Madhavbaug is a play based on homosexuality and on the acceptance of gay community. The play is about a 21 year old boy who realises his sexual inclination. The boy’s mother reads his diary through which he tells her about growing up as a gay and other problems he has faced. The play will be read by Mona Ambegaonkar. Atta Galatta, 75, 2nd main, 1st block, Koramangala, November 24, 6 pm 9632510126 Chapter 2- An Indian Adaptation: Chapter 2 revolves around the life of Aditya Kumar, who loves his wife but loses her to cancer. Post his wife’s death, his brother Nikhil tries to set him up with girls, which turns out to be disastrous. He finally strikes gold with Raaga Ramdas but Aditya is stuck between his late wife’s memories and Raaga. In the meantime, Nikhil is trying to have an affair with Raaga’s best friend Lavanya, but
Hunan, Samruddi # 10, 1st Main, New BEL Road, till November 25 9845999741
Asian cuisine lovers: Get a taste of Asia as Chef Sandip Narang and his team present food street foods of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali and more. Blue Ginger, Taj West End, 25 Race Course Road, November 25 66605660
awaits you! Papa John’s latest offering Chocizza, comprises of fresh dough filled with chocolate and cut into bite size pieces. Available at all Papa John’s outlets
Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd phase, JP Nagar, November 29, 7.30 pm 26592777 Salt and Pepper: Directed by Vikranth Pawar, Salt and Pepper brings out the essence of love and relationships. Actors Mandira Bedi, Darshan Jariwalla, Kuki Grewal and Vikram Kochhar play the 20 different lives in each of the 10 stories. These plays will take the audience through the relationships between men and women. Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, Malleshwaram, November 30, 7.30 pm 23445810
that also doesn’t turn out as expected. Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanthnagar, November 24 and 25, 7.30 pm 41231340 Nothing like Lear: Directed by Rajat
Kapoor, the play is based on Shakespeare's King Lear. The play is about a clown who is going through a bad time and is forced to perform in that state of mind. Being a clown is tough. What does he do when he is depressed?
Byomkesh Bakshi's readings: One of the most famous detectives from Bengali literature, Byomkesh Bakshi’s mysteries will come alive this weekend. His mysteries will be read out by Dramanon Theatre. Entry is free for this event. Don’t miss this. Atta Galatta, 75, 2nd main, 1st block, Koramangala, November 25, 6 pm 963251012
Get rocking this week: In their third season now, Harley Rock Riders is back with a lineup that will leave you head banging. Watch Swedish metal band WOLF play alongside Indian rock bands like Albatross, The Lightyears Explode, Solder, Boomrang, The News, Kryptos, Soulmate, The Galeej Gurus and Frank Got The Funk. Clarks Exotica, Swiss Town, Hollywood Junction Devanahalli Road, Sadahalli, November 24, 12 pm 9611191151 C Street Band live: Performing for almost 30 years, this Bangalore based band is all set to perform this weekend. Their music is mainly jazz but they also play on the lines of pop, soft rock, country and retro music. Opus in the Creek, No. 2, Doddanekkundi Industrial Area Mahadevapura, Off ITPL Road, Whitefield, November 24, 9 pm 9844030198 Get your dose of Jazz: When music is inspired by the language of elephants, Bollywood, West
Asia and Africa a marvel is expected. Watch Pierre Dorge, Irene Becker, Morten Carlsen and Shashank Subramanyam. Other artists who will be performing are Anders Banke, Jakob Mygind and others. Bflat #776, 2nd Floor, 100 ft Road, Indiranagar, November 23, 8.30 pm 41739250 Raghu Dixit Live: Often termed as a leading cultural and musical export from the country, Raghu Dixit is all set to perform in the city this weekend. His music is a fusion of folk and rock and his music is often ethnic but global in approach. He has performed across many countries and has fans all over the world.
The Chancery Pavillion, 35, Residency Road, opposite Bangalore Club, November 23, 8 pm 41414141 Memorial evening: Hindustani music will come alive as vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi, Pt. Vyasamurthy on harmonium and Pt. Ravindra Yavgal on tabla perform this weekend. Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road, November 23, 6 pm
Raghu Dixit
L I S T I NGS
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
films
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night life Life of Pi pm PVR, Koramangala- 10.30 am, 11.35, 1.35, 4.35, 9.35 Edegarike KannadaThis Kannada romantic thriller is about friendship and treachery. Directed by Sumana Kittur, it stars Aadhitya, Akanksha, Atul Kulkarni, Achuthkumar, Srijan Lokesh, Dharma, Sharath Lohitashwa in the lead roles. Triveni-10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Nalanda- 10.30 am, 1.30 pm , 4.30, 7.30 Siddesh- 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Kamakya10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Ullas- 10.30 am, 1.30 pm , 4.30, 7.30 PVR, Koramangala- 10.10 am, 3.30 pm, 7 PVR, Kormangala10.10 am, 3.30 pm, 7
Life Of Pi EnglishBased on the Booker winning novel by Yann Martel, the film is about a young man who survives a disaster at sea. The journey from there onwards is filled with adventure and discovery. On this journey he develops a unique relationship with a Bengal Tiger. The film stars Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan and Toby Maguire in the lead and is directed by Ang Lee. Fun Cinemas, Cunningham Road 10 pm Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road - 7.30 pm, 10 Cinemax, Central Mall, Bellandur - 7.30 pm, 10 Fame Lido, Off MG Road - 7 pm, 9.35 Gopalan Mall, Old Madras Road- 7.15 pm, 9.30 INOX, J P Nagar - 7 pm, 9.30 INOX, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road -10am, 10.50, 12.45, 3.30, 4.20,6.15,7 INOX, Malleshwaram, Mantri Mall -
10.45am, 1.25pm, 4.05,6.45 , 9.35 INOX, Swagath Garuda Mall -10.25 am, 4.10, 6.50, 9.30 Q Cinemas, ITPL, Whitefield- 7.10 pm, 10 Gopalan Cinemas, Mysore Road- 10 pm Gopalan Cinemas, Bannerghatta Road - 10 pm Gopalan Mall, Sirsi Circle - 10 pm Innovative Multiplex, Marathalli- 10 pm PVR, Koramangala- 12.55 pm, 2, 3.30, 6.05, 7, 9.25 The Twilight SagaBreaking Dawn - Part 2 English Picking up from where the first part left, the film is about the lives of Bella and Edward post the birth of their daughter, Renesmee. Due to some false allegations about Renesmee being immortal, the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to fight off the most feared Volturi.
The final part in the Twilight franchise, it reveals the mysteries and the secrets of this magical series that has captivated millions across the globe. It stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattisson, Taylor Lautner and Dakota Fanning in the lead roles and is directed by Bill Condon. Fun Cinemas, Cunningham Road - 9.30 pm Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road - 7 pm, 9.15 INOX, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road - 10 am, 12.20 pm, 2.40, 5 , 7.20 , 9.45 Fame Forum Value Mall, Whitefield - 7 pm Fame Lido, Off MG Road - 9. 30 pm Gopalan Cinemas, Bannerghatta Road 9.45 pm Gopalan Grand Mall, Old Madras Road - 10 pm INOX, J P Nagar - 9.30 pm INOX, Malleshwaram, Mantri Mall - 10 am, 1.25 pm, 5.35, 7.10, 9.55 Q Cinemas, ITPL, Whitefield - 7.30
art
Drama KannadaDirected and written by Yograj Bhat, this romantic comedy stars Ambareesh, Yash, Radhika Pandit, Satish Neenasam and Pragna in the lead roles. The music is composed by V Harikrishna while lyrics are written by Jayanth Kaikini and Yograj Bhat. Sagar- 10.30 am, 1.30 pm , 4.30, 7.30 Veeresh- 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Navarang- 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Uma-10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Nandini10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Eshwari-10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 INOX, Jayanagar, Garuda Swagath Mall- 1.05 pm, 9.05 INOX, JP Nagar- 1.10 pm, 6.30 INOX, Mantri Square- 10 am, 12.50 pm, 3.40, 6.30, 9.20 PVR, Koramangala- 11.30 am, 2.30 pm, 5.30, 8.30
Freaky Friday: Loosen up and groove to some music this weekend. DJ Suman is back at what he does the best and this time he has some new tracks up his sleeves. Watch him behind the console as he spins the latest numbers for you. Loveshack, Mother Earth Building, 5th Floor, 541-543 Koramangala Inner Ring Road ,Domlur, November 23, 8 pm 41500787 Techno beats: At Goa Carnival Nights, you can dance to the beats of DJ Vachan as he brings the house down with some disco tunes. He will play the best in minimal tech and hard electronic sounds. Vachan has col-
Bring out the artist in you: If you are a lover of art and want to replicate artworks of many, or want to create art of
3D magic this weekend: With 3D effects, you are bound to have double the fun this weekend. A mix of 3D and house music played by Rohan Kapoor. Opening the night up is the duo 2kidwickid. Pebble, Princess Academy No. 3, Ramanamaharishi Road Bellary Road, Near Palace Grounds ,Sadashivnagar, November 24, 7.30 pm 23614109
retail variety that is available and personalise your jewellery. Gemstoneuniverse store, #7, 10th Main, 1st cross, Off 100 ft Road, Indiranagar 9448207777
Learn the art of quilling: Children above 5 years can learn the art of quilling at this two hour workshop. The workshop will be conducted by Maithreyi Satish and the fee for the workshop will be Rs 500 per child which includes all the materials. Atta Galatta, 75, 2nd main, 1st block, Koramangala, November 25 to book your seats call 96325 10126
laborated with the best artistes locally and internationally. Opus, 4, 1st Main, Chakravarthy Layout Palace Cross Road, Sankey Road , November 24, 9 pm 9008303330
your own attend this workshop. The workshop will conduct sessions on acrylic, glass and oil mediums. You can also learn Madhubani, Warli and Phad paintings here. Suncity Apartments, Sarjapur Road, till November 25 9379474284 Real life on canvas: Maiden Overture of a Reluctant Engineer is an art exhibition by Amrita Paintal. Her works depict the journey of an NRI, her experiences and many other events. The works are a reflection of her integrated life.
Renaissance Gallerie, Shreen Malani #104 Westminster 13, Cunningham Road, till November 30 22202232 India through his lens: This exhibition of Derry Moore’s works showcase a combination of portraits, interiors and landscapes that document the last relics and aesthetics of a premodernised India. He began his career in 1976 and continues till date. Tasveer, Sua House , Lavelle Road, till November 30 22128358
Gifts for your dear ones: This Thanksgiving give your dear ones gifts and avail a discount of 25 percent to 60 percent. Log onto www.zovi.com and choose from a wide variety of t shirts, shirts, formals, party wear and footwear and accessories such as bags, jewellery and more. Log onto www.zovi.com till November 26 Get stylish this season: Get dressed in Paresh Lamba’s latest designs
and dazzle this festive season. Get dresses for your cocktail parties, weddings or even casual meets. Choose from dresses or traditional sherwanis. Paresh Lamba Siganture, No 14, I MG Road 25596146 Gemstones finally are here: World’s largest gemstone store is here. These gemstones are based on the themes of zodiac, astrology, astronomy and vedic texts. Choose from a wide
Head here before you say I Do: This wedding season shop till you drop. Choose from the wedding collection at @home that includes beds, sofas, dining tables, cabinets furniture like nest tables, recliners, incidental chairs, magazine racks, wall shelves, coat hangers and more. You can also shop for candle holders, vases, wall paintings, cushions and curtains. @Home, Hosur Road, Kormangala, till November end 25501014
Comfortable and yet stylish: This winter season sport that young yet chic look with Portebello Autumn Winter Collection. The apparels are designed for winters and are inspired by street trends which give a pretty, comfortable and balanced look. Prices start at Rs 1499. Available at all Pepe Jeans outlets Floral prints for this season: The floral range of dresses and tops will make girls go gaga. Choose from the Anya Flare floral dress, feather bloom top or the Daisy Dew ruffles top and look stylish. Available at all French Connection Outlets, till November 30
memoir
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
My guru marries a third time
he relationship between Sadiqa Begum and Devadas was strained, I gathered. Sadiqa started going about saying, “Devadas is engaged to me, and has even converted to Islam.” By then, she had filed a civil case against him. Devadas didn’t refute her charges; he just remained quiet. Sadiqa believed she could use the law to tame him. Although he tolerated her belligerence and the public embarrassment, he gradually started resisting her. I had a suspicion he had just pretended to be afraid. Taking him at face value, Sadiqa continued scaring him. Many sympathised with Devadas, but I felt sorry for Sadiqa. I detected love in her ignorance and stubbornness, whereas in Devadas I saw anxiety and roguishness. He would sit coldly when love, in all its complexity, pursued him. He looked cruel in his coldness. When Sadiqa flew into a rage, her intention was to get Devadas to melt in her love. But Devadas was not like butter; he was ice. Devadas said nasty things about Sadiqa in priVIVEK ARUN
T
vate. I offered no reaction. I felt proud my senior shared his personal problems with me, but was unable to judge whether he was right or wrong. Maybe he was just pouring his heart out to me because I was a silent listener, with no mischievous interruptions. Or, perhaps, he thought it was better to tell someone his story than speak to a wall! His family matters impacted
my life. The squabbles and tragedies in his life had a destructive force. Devadas stood like a rock facing a tempest. I could not make out whether it was his nature to be so strong, or whether his tribulations had turned him into a rock. A man who can’t be a thief can’t be a policeman, but a policeman should not become a thief. It is also true that, if a policeman goes astray, he can easily turn into a thief. This applies, in my opinion, even to the legal profession: a criminal well versed in law is more dangerous than a criminal ignorant of it. The distress of Devadas scared me. I vowed my life should not be like his. It is not always true that one moulds oneself totally after someone in the family, or a role model. Sometimes, the son of a drunkard can be a teetotaler. Once, on a visit to my village, I was chatting with my maternal uncle Siddananje Gowda. I tried describing how Devadas had recalled me to his office after I had quit. My intention was to make him understand how highly my senior thought of me.
crime folio
Devadas, stalwart among Bangalore’s criminal lawyers, knew how to handle the toughest of clients, but the women in his life proved a different matter altogether
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Fabled ranconteur and Bangalore’s top-notch criminal lawyer brings you moving, sensational and bizarre stories from 40 years of his practice
CH HANUMANTHARAYA
Explaining Devadas’s strained relationship with Sadiqa, I boasted how he confided everything in me. After listening to all this, my uncle, said, “Fine. You must learn skills from him, but not pick up his other characteristics. You shouldn’t be interested in his private life.” My eloquence had failed, I thought. The next morning, my mother mooted the subject of my marriage. Uncle Siddananje Gowda had decided to marry his daughter Siddalingamma to me the moment she was born. The elders had reached an agreement on the match.
memoir Siddalingamma had shared my happiness on many occasions: when I set out for Bangalore for my studies, when I completed my studies, and also when I started working. On my visits to the village, she would look at me with pride. A shyness that we hadn’t experienced in childhood had surfaced when we turned adults. We had the feeling we would be married. I had no problems about our elders deciding on the match without my consent. She had none either. Our marriage was solemnised on May 29, 1975, at our village of Belavangala. Devadas came over with Sharada Hariharan to bless me. The beautiful Sharada Hariharan looked like a fairytale princess. Hailing from Kodagu, she had been the wife of Poovaiah, owner of Kaveri Transport. The couple had two daughters. Hariharan was a close friend of Poovaiah’s. He was the son of Sarangapani Mudaliar, owner of race horses in Bangalore. He used to frequent Kodagu and stay at Poovaiah’s house. Poovaiah suffered a loss in his business and went bankrupt. Sharada was more fickle than Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and moved to Bangalore with Hariharan.
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
Hariharan set up a house for her on Devadas’s head. One day, when he was 19th Cross, Malleswaram. He promised to driving, he said, “Women are strange. Just have the house registered in her name. a touch, and they are upon you. If you are Her surname changed from Poovaiah to friendly, they sit on your head… I sympaHariharan. But Hariharan did not keep thised with her just because she had no his promise. Sharada picked up a quarrel one and now she insists I should marry with him, and hit him on the head with a her.” “Yes, sir,” I replied. wooden plank. An injured Hariharan “A mere ‘yes’ is not enough. You have complained to the police, but Sharada convinced them it was not her fault. to arrange a wedding secretly at the Subramanya temple in Undeterred, Hariharan Ghati.” booked a case against her Jetty came with his through a private comThe priest, who wives to Ghati plaint. had been in the Subramanya. I joined Sharada approached dock for bigamy, him. We went to the Devadas to take up her pilgrim centre, an case. He fell for her at was all set to hour’s drive from first sight. He was then in perform my Bangalore, in the afterhis sixties, and she was in senior’s third noon, thinking there her thirties. Sharada didmarriage would be few devotees n’t have to try too hard: at that hour. Our Devadas was only too hunch was right. willing. He obtained bail “Go to the priest’s house near the for her through his bookie friend Jetty, and fought the case with the spirit of a shrine and ask for a simple ceremony,” Jetty said. I obliged. The priest said it young man. Within two months of the case being would all be done in half an hour. filed, at the prodding of Sharada, a Nepali Devadas wanted a wedding without phocap replaced the Mysore turban on tographs or formal witnessess. I had
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organised it accordingly. “Everything is ready, just as you wanted, sir,” I told my senior. As we entered the temple, we found an elderly priest waiting. “Welcome, Mr Devdas. How come you are here? One of your relatives getting married?” he asked. Devadas gave me a furious look. He was shaking with anger. “This priest wasn’t around when I went to fix it up, sir. A boy was there, but now, this man has turned up. Sorry, sir,” I mumbled. Narayana Sastry, the elderly priest, had been a respondent in a bigamy case. Devadas had appeared for Sastry’s first wife and crushed him with his crossexamination. The priest, who had been in the dock for marrying a second time, was all set to perform my senior’s third marriage. The young man I had met earlier, it turned out, was his son. When Sastry came to know Devadas was the groom, he muttered, “Rama! Rama!” My senior got married soon after I did. Sharada Poovaiah alias Sharada Hariharan had become Sharada Devadas. Translated by BV Shivashankar
call a kitchen
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
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RAMESH HUNSUR
Dabbas at your doorstep Bangalore’s ‘tiffin service’ is meeting the needs of students and professionals who live alone. It isn’t as well known as Mumbai’s dabbawala service, but is slowly catching on
SANDRA M FERNANDES sandramarina.fernandes@talkmag.in
umbai’s famous dabbawalla service has a rough parallel in Bangalore, and it is called the tiffin service. In Mumbai, dabbawalas pick up lunch boxes from homes and deliver them at offices across that city. Bangalore’s tiffin service is similar, but it delivers food cooked at commercial kitchens, and mostly to homes. Mumbai dabbawallas have won the appreciation and gratitude of generations of office-goers, and now hold a revered place in the syllabus of business schools, and in Mumbai lore. Bangalore’s tiffin service, on the other hand, is relatively
M
AT YOUR SERVICE Laxmi (above) and her husband Amar Chand (right) started with just two customers and now serve 180
new, but is already meeting the demands of students and professionals who live alone. Amar Chand, owner of Laxmi Carriers, says the idea of starting a tiffin service occurred to him when his wife had to cook for a neighbour who had fallen ill. “We started with just a handful of customers, and today we deliver 100 boxes for lunch and 80 for dinner,” he said. Amar Chand started in 2006 and serves IT professionals and students, some of whom live in Bangalore as paying guests. (See box about his kitchen). Poonam Mandal, cofounder, TS Home Food Services, was inspired by friends to start the service. “Since everybody praised my cooking, I thought why not start a tiffin service. I began with just 15 customers and now provide tiffin for 45,” said Poonam, who serves north Indian as well as south Indian fare. These tiffin providers charge between Rs 1,300 and Rs 1,500 for a
monthly meal. For non-vegetarian fare, they charge a little more. Lunch comprises rice, dal, two vegetables, a salad and a sweet, while dinner is the same, but with a different choice of vegetables. For non-vegetarians, a chicken, fish or egg dish is provided. Customers have the choice of mixing and matching their meals between veg and non-veg. Upendra Behra, a professional cook, runs Jagannath Canteen. He serves north Indian as
Amar Chand’s kitchen Hailing From Nepal, Amar Chand came to Bangalore in 1988. He first worked as a barman. He was a kitchen help for some time, and then became a waiter assigned room service. Tired of such work, he opened a catering service in RT Nagar. It did well but he soon suffered a loss and shut down. Not giving up, he opened a tiffin service which carries the name of his wife Laxmi; this time luck favoured him. From just two boxes in the initial days, Amar Chand now prepares 180. Talk visited his compact kitchen and was surprised to see how well organised and clean it was. (That's one of the first things customers look for when they enter a kitchen). Amar Chand starts his day at 5 am. From chopping to cooking, everything is done at his kitchen in Shantinagar. Stacks of tiffin boxes greeted us when we stepped into his kitchen. The way he accurately packs the boxes is a joy to watch. All set for the first trip, he placed the boxes in a big bag on his two-wheeler. Meanwhile, his wife worked on the next batch, which she would deliver.
call a kitchen
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
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VASEEM CHAUDHARY
well as Bengali and Oriya food. He opened his tiffin service in September and now serves 10 customers. “I left my job in Delhi and came to Bangalore. My friends coaxed me to start a food service and since I am from Orissa, Bengali and Oriya food came naturally to me,” he said. He charges Rs 60 a meal, and serves both veg and non-veg. Amar K took over Excellent Caterers six months ago. He provides north Indian, south Indian and Chinese cuisine. Catering mostly to professionals for lunch and students for dinner, Amar plans to have a web presence soon. His business is concentrated in the Ejipura-Koramangala area. He charges Rs 50 for a mini meal, Rs 65 for a full meal, and Rs 75 for a non- vegetarian meal. Most tiffin services are located in the central business district (areas around MG Road). Amar Chand delivers up to Shantinagar, Cunningham Road, and Town Hall, while Poonam focuses on Banashankari, Jayanagar, BTM Layout, and Bannerghatta Road. Upendra delivers his boxes mainly in RT Nagar, Shivajinagar and Vasanthnagar. The business has its problems. Amar Chand says customers can get bored of the same taste day after day. “It leaves them craving for change,” he says. Upendra says
Tiffin numbers
Amar Chand (Laxmi Carriers): 99868 19843 (Caters around MG Road, Shantinagar, Cunningham Road, and Town Hall) Poonam Mandal (T S Home Food Services): 26391064 (Caters in Banashankari, Jayanagar, BTM Layout, and along Bannerghatta Road)
MEALS READY A worker stacks lunch hot boxes at Excellent Caterers in Ejipura
customers sometimes complain the food is cold. The problems don’t end here. Besides trying to accommodate customer requests, distribution logistics can become a big headache. “Since we can’t afford delivery boys, we deliver the food on our own on two-wheelers. Sometimes, if the order is big, we take an auto,” said Amar Chand. While some tiffin services are flourishing, others have closed down. A tiffin provider closed down his service and now concentrates only on catering. He says delivery to far-flung places was becoming difficult. “The customers wanted menu varia-
tions almost every day. Customising food for more than five used to bring down our efficiency,” he said. Customers can be fickle. Some use these tiffin services for six months, and some for just a month. Others switch to cooking. Khubi Sharma, who works for ITC, used to get a dabba, but stopped because she got bored. “It was monotonous,” she said. Piali Dasgupta, media professional, has been using a tiffin service for about a year. “I pay Rs 3,000 a month. I like the convenience,” she said. (With inputs from Vaseem Chaudhary)
Upendra Behra (Jagannath Canteen): 87922 93552 (Caters in RT Nagar, Shivajinagar and Vasanthnagar) Lokesh (Home Foods): 7760136666 (Cater in JP Nagar, Jayanagar and Puttenahalli) Noor Fatima: 9900938465 (Caters in Cox Town, Sevanagar, Jeevenahalli) Chulha: 9980797894 (Caters in Domlur, HAL, Indiranagar, Jeevan Bimanagar, Koramangala, Frazer Town, Ulsoor, Ejipura)
T I M E P A SS
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
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Sour bump ahead Like all little children, my little cousin (she’ll be four this December) Megha is a keen observer of people and things. And like all little children, the connections she draws between them can range from the hilarious to the bizzare. For instance, she is familiar with our family’s obsession with mangoes. On summer afternoons, the whole family would assemble on the verandah and proceed to polish off kilo after kilo of the fruit. In the beginning of the mango season, however, most of the fruit would be raw. Megha had noticed how anyone who bit into a green mango would scrunch up the face as the sharp sour taste hit the palate, and then loudly proclaim just how sour the fruit was. So once when she caught the mangoglutton-in-chief, our 78-year-old grandmother, just as she was about to bite into a green mango, she dutifully cried out her warning, “Granny, close your eyes fast, it’s very sour!” Sachith Scriptwriter
Share the humour in your life, multiply the fun! Keep those anecdotes coming to: features@talkmag.in
T I M E P A SS 1st Cross
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
Talk’s weekly crossword for Bangaloreans who know their way about town 12 Our city is located in this plateau (6) 14 Pro-democracy leader in the city recently (3,3) 17 A man was trampled to death by an elephant near this hill station recently (9) 18 Bangalore based singer-songwriter and folk musician (5,5) 19 Religious centre 52 kms from Mysore (7)
4 6 8 10 11
13 1 3
DOWN Recent play which recalled Bangalore's plague of 1898 (11) Vaman ___ : KSPCB Chairman who came up with the "No Horn, Monday"
Last week’s solution Across: 1 Ginseng, 3 BBMP, 5 Kailash, 9 Chord, 11 Canada, 13 R N Belamagi, 16 Girish Karnad, 19 Testament, 20 KJP.
2
5
7
Across Area recently in the news when a BBMP garbage lorry driver met with an accident (10) The Mysore Palace Board intends to bid for a 200-year-old horsedrawn carriage at an auction at this famous British auction house (8) ____ Halappanavar: Former
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9
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Belgaum resident in the news on account of her tragic death in Ireland (6) D. N _____ : Minister in charge of the Food and Civil Supplies Department in the State Cabinet (8) In the near future riding a twowheeler on a ____ may cost you your driving license (8)
Down: 2 Govindaraju, 4 Peacock, 6 Smoking, 7 Mynavathi, 8 Bidadi, 10 Timme Gowda, 12 Mysore pak, 14 Embassy, 15 Zaks, 17 Six, 18 Water.
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concept (7) A steamed dosa (5) Controversial Kannada film in the news (11) Theatre on Magadi road (5) Andrew ____ : Aussie paceman in our IPL side (8) According to a recent survey nearly ___ percent of Bangaloreans suffer from obesity (5) International school near Domasundra Circle (8) Gold mines 100 kms out of the city (5) Two Nigerians and a Ghanaian were recently arrested for selling this narcotic (7)
Prof Good Sense I am a 22 year old boy studying a technical course. I am a transsexual. When and how should I tell my family I am transsexual ? Gopi, Bangalore
Transsexuals usually say that people ‘look’ at them strangely. If you have self doubt, are nervous, uncomfortable or self pitying - these attitudes will be reflected by the people around you. I suggest you find a ‘good’ time to reveal your identity to a sympathetic family member (sister or mother). You know your people and you will be fairly accurate. By this I mean when the family is not watching tele serial, not in any kind of social or financial crisis, and free of stress. Most parents, when they realise that their choice is between accepting you as you are or losing you, they do opt for acceptance. Prof M Sreedhara Murthy teaches psychology at NMKRV First Grade College. He is also a well-known photographer. Mail queries to prof@talkmag.in
talk|29 nov 2012|talkmag.in
Screen with a twist Geeks have always fantasised about flexible computers or phone screens which would, presumably, make them feel like Masters of the Universe. But just when that fantasy had begun to look a little dated, it is becoming reality. Philips, Samsung, Apple, Sony and LG are among the many companies racing to develop flexible, plastic, smart phone displays. The first of these ‘gamechangers’ is expected to hit the market in early 2013. By using plastic instead of glass, these new gen phones could not only be unbreakable, but much lighter. Seen
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Beware of non-vegetarians! According to NDTV, a Class 6 textbook titled New Healthway: Health, Hygiene, Physiology, Safety, Sex Education, Games and Exercises has the following things to say about nonvegetarians: “They easily cheat, tell lies, they forget promises, they are dishonest and tell bad words, steal, fight and turn to violence and commit sex crimes.” “It is the waste products which largely produce the flavour of meat.” The book also lauds the Japanese for their vegetarian
here is Philips’ prototype phone ‘Fluid,’ conceived by Brazilian designer Dinard da Mata, which, as suggested by its name features a flexible OLED display to allow better mobility and ease of use. The mobile phone can even be wrapped around the wrist to become a fashionable bracelet. At the release, expect a major global frenzy, as millions of consumers scramble to get their hands on a piece of plastic they can bend and twist to their heart’s content.
diet, which it says leads to a longer life span, while ignoring that Japan is known for sushi and seafood. “They are vegetarians and live longer than most other peoples. The generous use of green leafy vegetables, soya beans and grams has helped the people to maintain vigour, strength and endurance throughout the centuries,” the book says. Incidentally, the book also advocates marriage for girls between 18 and 25. “To get married without a bad name is a dream of every young girl.” We have nothing to add.
Mommy’s little helper It’s every mother’s dream: turning her four-month-old into a dust mop. It started with a Japanese spoof advertisement for a baby outfit with a mop attached so that parents could send little crawlers out to clean their floors. And then, a US-based website, BetterThanPants.com, actually came out with the product. In a tongue-in-cheek sales pitch, the manufacturer says its “baby mop’’ teaches kids a “strong work ethic’’
—and, just as important, not to drop their food on the floor. If they thought that was funny, some of their customers were even funnier. Here’s what one of them posted in a review of the outfit, which costs 40 dollars a piece: “We’re going to have to use one of those leash things and swing the baby around a bit so it doesn’t miss a
spot. We’ll see what happens.”Larry.