TALK MAG AUGUST 30, 2012 by Suhas Shankarappa

talk Volume 1 | Issue 3 | August 30, 2012 | Rs 10

CONGRESS Why S M Krishna isn’t so welcome in Karnataka politics 3 100th BIRTHDAY Prof G V, legendary lexicographer, on life and good health 6

the intelligent bangalorean’s must-read weekly

THE PROBLEM WITH

PET PUJA Dogs have it good with kennel-delivered biryani 26

ORGANIC

RAMESH HUNSUR

CHIC

AYYOTOONS Starring Mamata Banerjee 32

The snob value of natural food is driving up prices and pushing it away from people who would otherwise buy it, reports Savie Karnel Page 16 MODEL: NEETA KRISHNAN

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

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Looks good, feels good Wonderful! Bangalore needed such a break in print media. This is a really wonderful magazine. The looks, the feel and the coverage, are all great. I will be able to give more suggestions once the flow starts with more issues coming out. I wish all the very best to the CEO, Editor and the team of Talk. Ali Asgar, by email Weekend surprise It was a Friday morning. I was waiting for the bus to my office near Corporation Circle. I was a little excited about the weekend. A guy wearing a Talk t-shirt gave me the launch edition. The layout was excellently designed. The pictures were well placed and comics well chosen. The ‘Keywords’ article was brilliant. I am sure to say, you will be the talk of the town. Jayanth Athreya R, by email Expose the cheats Good, Keep it up Talk. The coverage is very nice and the articles are bold. I would suggest you expose

team talk the cheats in society. You should write about the sufferings of the people and highlight the lack of amenities. You should do this areawise. Your magazine should be the people's voice. Pandu, by email

your team all the best. K R Balasubramanyam, Srinagar Eligibility criteria Do I need to be a Banglorean and intelligent to read…? It’s good. K M Abhishek, by email

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Awesome! Couple of weeks ago, I got to know from one of my colleagues that Talk is going to launch in Bangalore. I was very much excited about it since a weekly tabloid which is focused on the city and local issues was much needed in a metropolis like Bangalore. Finally I got your launch edition from a friend and went through it in detail. I will say it is awesome! The idea, the presentation, design and, last but not the least, the purpose of this kind of a weekly tabloid is really extraordinary! Keep up the good work. I wish all the best to the Talk team. Supriya Sinha Roy, by email

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EDITORIAL S R Ramakrishna Editor Prashanth G N Senior Editor Sajai Jose Chief Copy Editor Savie Karnel Principal Correspondent Basu Megalkeri Principal Correspondent Bhanu Prakash E S Senior Reporter Prachi Sibal Senior Features Writer Sandra Fernandes and Maria Laveena Reporters and Copy Editors Anand Kumar K Chief of Design Sridhar G Kulkarni Graphic Designer Ramesh Hunsur Senior Photographer Vivek Arun Graphics Artist

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politics watch

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

Obstacle race for Krishna Shamanur Shivashankarappa, a rich Congressman now playing the Lingayat card, could end up blocking the suave foreign minister’s return to Karnataka politics BASU MEGALKERI basavaraju@talkmag.in

ill S M Krishna, Foreign Affairs Minister, return to Bangalore and lead the Congress in the 2013 elections? Many in the party hope he will, but his journey home isn't going to be so smooth. Shamanur Shivashankarappa, a longtime Congressman who runs an empire of professional colleges from Davangere, is a strong contender for the post of state Congress president, and there is a good chance the high command might given in to pressure and choose him over Krishna to spearhead the war against the ruling BJP. Shivashankarappa is a Lingayat, and with him at the helm, the Congress can counter the charge of the BJP that it has always sidelined that community. Leaders like D K Shivakumar, B L Shankar and G Parameshwara are eager Krishna should return to state politics, but a host of other powerful leaders, such as Mallikarjuna Kharge and Siddaramaiah, would rather have him remain in Delhi. Kharge is seen as a Dalit leader, while Siddaramaiah represents leaders who joined the Congress from rival parties such as the JD(S). Veerappa Moily enjoys the support of the OBCs. Moily has already been chief min-

Shamanur Shivashankarappa

Writer alert!

Talk Short Fiction Contest deadline extended

Several readers who received earlier editions of Talk mailed us requesting an extension of the fiction contest deadline. We are happy to push the last date by 11 days. Please send your entries latest by August 31, 2012, to fiction@talkmag.in For more, see page 4. And happy writing!

BEAT IT S M Krishna is afraid he can’t do much to galvanise the Congress in the run-up to the 2013 assembly elections

ister, but many others are eyeing the position. Although there is general agreement that Krishna is better placed than most others to lead the party, he may not be able to enthuse many who see him as a threat to their prospects. As chief minister of Karnataka, he had built up a ‘modern statesman’ image for himself, but his urban polish, and reputation as a champion of Bangalore interests, had worked against him in the rural constituencies. A senior party leader in Delhi said: “The party may lose Andhra Pradesh this time, and with the death of Vilasrao Deshmukh, Maharashtra is going to be difficult, too. Krishna seems the only

leader who can deliver a victory.” The parliamentary session ends on September 6, and the high command could relieve Krishna from his high-profile portfolio and send him to Karnataka. Already, Shivashankarappa is setting up secret meetings to muster support. Some believe if Shivashankarappa becomes the KPCC president, the Lingayats will support the Congress, and help it win. The only Lingayat leader in the Congress to have become chief minister is Veerendra Patil. On August 26, a Lingayat group led by Shivashankarappa is set to meet the Congress high-command. Continued on page 4

Between the bulls In the 2013 elections, if Deve Gowda's party JD(S) wins 50 to 60 seats, as it hopes to, no single party can come to power. A coalition will become inevitable. If the Congress and the JD(S) get into an alliance, Deve Gowda will look for a pliable Congress leader (such as Dharam Singh) to do his bidding. This means Krishna will play no role in Karnataka politics. B S Yeddyurappa, backed by Lingayats, could turn out to be the biggest moneybag this election season. He is already touring the state with energy. Deve Gowda and Yeddyurappa are aggressive, and a mellow Krishna will have to do a lot to match up to them.

politics watch Continued from page 3 Siddaramaiah is backing Shivashankarappa to dethrone Parameshwara, Krishna’s supporter, from the party presidency. He is supported by many leaders such as H Vishwanath, H C Mahadevappa, Ugrappa, and C M Ibrahim. Kharge has reason to block Krishna’s entry: he could have been the chief minister a long time ago, but feels Krishna blocked his prospects. Sources close to Krishna reveal that he has no intentions of replacing Parameshwara as the KPCC president. At best, he may come down to Bangalore to head the party’s campaign committee. In that case, the high command could replace him with Oscar Fernandes or K Rahman Khan in the foreign affairs ministry, thereby sending out positive signals to the minorities in Karnataka. Krishna’s family is not too happy with the idea of his coming to Bangalore for another stint in state politics. They say at his age (80), he is better off in national politics. The hurly burly of state politics is not for him, given his indifferent health, they believe. We could soon hear about an event to commemorate Krishna’s 50 years in politics, and that would also herald his return to Karnataka. With an electorate sick of BJP’s brazen corruption, the Congress is in a good position to return to power. But senior leaders are fighting each other, and appear, even to party cadres, selfish, jealous and incapable of leading them to victory.

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‘Siddaramaiah’s heart not in Congress’ A forthright MLC on what ails her party, and why Krishna stays put in Delhi The confusion and disarray at the party? the top is affecting the morale Siddaramaiah seems to have of Congress workers at every developed a strong dislike for level. Motamma, MLC and Parameshwara ever since the one of the most active women latter came to that position. leaders in the Karnataka unit He feels Parameshwara took of the Congress, candidly many decisions without conrevealed to Talk that S M sulting him. Also, Krishna was wary of the facSiddaramaiah’s heart and tionalism in the Karnataka soul are not in the Congress. I Siddaramaiah, party stalwart unit, and was likely to remain Motamma, MLC hear he is aligned with in Delhi for that very reason. comes, it would be a big advantage Shamanur Shivashankarappa these A minister in Krishna’s cabinet, to the party. But what the men-folk days. Motamma has also served as Leader in our party are up to I do not of the Opposition in the Legislative know. Each leader has an agenda What is Delhi saying? Council. Now a member of the cen- and we are divided into so many I had been to Delhi to meet Sonia tral Congress Working Committee groups. That is Krishna’s apprehen- Gandhi, but did not broach the mat(CWC), she was blunt in her assess- sion, too. He once told me he was ter of Krishna’s role in state elecment of senior Congress leaders. wary of the factions, and was happy tions. Sonia made no mention of it enough in Delhi. He was wondering either. I speak blunt and straight and What indications do you have about how he could manage so many because of this, I face uncomfortable Krishna's return to Karnataka factions. situations. But I always say things politics? straight and that’s how I will continI would like him to come. If he So senior leaders are at war within ue to be.

scholar patriarch

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RAMESH HUNSUR

GV’S WORKS Prof G Venkatsubbaiah is considered the father of the modern Kannada dictionary, having compiled as many as 10, including the eight-volume Kannada-K Kannada Nighantu brought out by Kannada Sahitya Parishat. His weekly language column, Igo Kannada, in the widely ciruclated Prajavani, has been running for 18 years. Venkatsubbaiah was advisor to the Chennai-based Institute of Asian Studies’s multilingual dictionary project encompassing Japanese, Kannada, English and Tamil. He was also part of the Telugu lexicon project initiated by the Andhra Pradesh government. Last year, he presided over the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, the only lexicographer to be honoured thus.

NO GYM, NO DIET

Happy and fit at 100 In his own words, he’s ‘not one bit old’. Prof G Venkatasubbaiah, legendary lexicographer who compiled the largest monolingual dictionary in the world, shares some life secrets on the day he turned a centenarian PRASHANTH G N prashanth.gn@talkmag.in t is a breakfast the spectacularly agile Prof G Venkatsubbaiah, the great Kannada lexicographer, will remember all his life. Neighbours and early morning walkers, sprang a pleasant surprise on his 100th birthday on Thursday, arranging a breakfast felicitation at 6.30 am, the precise time when he takes a walk in the park adjacent to his house in Jayanagar 7th Block. He savoured hot idlis, vada and kesari bath prepared by Adigas. As soon as he walked into the mantap inside the park, people fell at his feet, one after the other, in reverence, gifting him flowers, shawls, and even a Mysore turban. “You wish something that’s not possible—that I live another 100 years. I would love to for all the affection you shower on me. Today’s affection will live in my heart till my last breath. May life be kind to all of you,” said the moved centenarian. Talk managed to snatch some time with him at

the park, as GV (as he’s fondly known) sipped coffee: How is it possible to be so fit at 100? I don't know if it is in my genes. My mother lived till she was 107. I don’t know of any other way to explain it because I do all the normal things that people do every day. What is a typical day in your life? Every day is a day of activity. I get up at 4.30 am, go for a walk in the park at 6.30 am, scan the newspapers and have breakfast at 9.30 am. Then till 2 noon, it is me and my table. I read and write. Between 2 and 4 pm, I rest. Between 4 and 6 pm, I see guests and visitors. I mostly interact with people about politics, writing and life. By 9.30 pm I get ready to sleep. What’s your diet? I like rice in most forms. Otherwise I eat other dishes everybody eats. Nothing in excess. Every month I go to a different restaurant with my family. Most of my

PEOPLE ON GV Kanaka Murthy, sculptor I visited him 15 days ago. One look and he recognised me as his student. In 1962, he recalled, he had asked me to recite a poem from Kuvempu’s Chitrangada. Confused, I had recited one from Kuvempu’s Ramayana Darshanam. I was astonished he remembered the interaction. The next moment, to my amazement, he started reciting Kuvempu’s poem. All 20 lines, that too in old Kannada, without once halting or looking at a book.

friends are 20 to 25 years younger, people in their 70s and 80s. I know many people in the 90s, but they are not keeping too well. I may be 100, but I think and live young. I speak to 50-year-olds at their level, and to eight-year-olds, too. I am not one bit old. Would you like to return to the Bangalore of, say, the 1950s? Things always change. Bangalore is now like an American city and perhaps the fastest growing in the country. What I would have loved is a green 10-mile ring around Bangalore to keep it pristine like it was in my early days. I wonder from where water and electricity will come for a Bangalore that is only growing bigger. What about Bangalore’s multi-lingual outlook? Bangalore is a truly multi-lingual city. I am not worried that this will affect Kannada. People learn Kannada and Kannadigas learn other languages. Kannada is truly alive. A new crop of writers is at work.

ROSE EARLY Shashi Deshpande at the 6.30 am park breakfast in honour of GV

Shashi Deshpande, novelist I love his spirit of life most of all. Not once in the last 15 years of my walks with him have I heard him say a negative thing about anyone or anything. Every word he utters is positive, encouraging and energising. He is one of the most unusual human beings I've known in my life.

manufacturing fear

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

DHANANJAY T K

RUSH HOUR Young people from the North-East at the Bangalore City Railway Station (above and next page). Their flight home reveals their lack of confidence in the state, believes historian Ramachandra Guha

MASS HYSTERIA in the age of the MOBILE With 700 million Indians using digital devices to send and receive text and images, and a widespread distrust of the government, is it any wonder mischief mongers were able to trigger what is perhaps Bangalore’s largest ever exodus?

PRASHANTH G N prashanth.gn@talkmag.in essages on the mobile and images and videos on the Internet fuelled the largest exodus of any community from Bangalore in recent times. About 28,000 North-Easterners fled Bangalore by train over three days, August 15, 16 and 17, terrified they would be attacked in the wake of the conflict between Bodos and Muslims in Assam. Pubs and restaurants such as Couch, Pub World, Herbs and Spices and Green Theory have had to make do with skeletal staff. Many apartments in Bangalore have no one to man the gates. Neelasandra, Viveknagar, Koramangala and Ejipura have been the worst affected neighbourhoods. A message with the specif-

ic threat that North-Easterners would be corpses of earthquake victims, arranged for attacked if they didn’t leave the city by cremation, as victims of anti-Muslim riots. While there were no actual killings August 20 (Ramzan) circulated rapidly on mobiles. Another message said four people anywhere, rumours scared the Northhad been killed: two Manipuri and two Eastern community so badly they preferred Nepali. Both messages, as we now know, to return to their home states than stay and risk attacks. were false. Police traced the origin of some threatening AMPLIFICATION messages to a mobile Lawrence Liang of Insecurity has shop in Koramangala and Alternative Law Forum, existed much arrested three people. who is co-ordinating before social Fake videos, downsocial groups to instil conmedia, but they loaded onto mobiles, fidence among Northworsened an already desEasterners, says social now amplify it perate situation. An Urdu media was used to generpaper in Delhi used phoate hysteria. tos of the 2010 Chinese “We live at a time earthquake to spread hatred among when new media, particularly mobiles, Muslims against Tibetans and Buddhists. It amplify panic. Hysteria and insecurity has published a picture showing a mountain of existed much before mobiles and social

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

It was used to describe a Jewish escape

Exodus SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in

hen a large group of people leave a place suddenly—the way the North Easterners left Bangalore last week—we use the word ‘exodus’. It’s a word with a more storied past than most—and not just in terms of Biblical associations, and a history well worth revisiting. W The word was originally ‘exodos’ in Greek. It comes from the two Greek words, exo, meaning ‘out’ and hodos meaning ‘way’. Exodos became ‘exodus’ in Latin and was passed on to English.

Early Greek theatre also has a part people out of the country. When the people reached the Red called exodos. It was the last part of a tragic play when the final action took place Sea, Moses held his staff over the waters and the deity intervened. The word gained and the sea divided into two walls of popularity when the Jewish holy book water, letting the people pass through it. Torah (also the Greek Old Testament in The pharaoh’s soldiers had followed them the Christian Bible) was translated into with the intention of capturing them and Greek from Hebrew and Aramaic around taking them back to Egypt. But after the Israelites had crossed 300 BC, and named the Septuagint. The translators named the second book of the the sea, the waters fell back, drowning the Torah ‘Exodos’, based on the main event in soldiers. The Israelites had got out of the book, which is the departure of the Egypt and were free from slavery. This story plays a central role in Judaism, and it Israelites from Egypt. According to the Book is in memory of it that the Jews celebrate of Exodus, the Israelites were the festival of Passover. After entering the enslaved in Egypt and tor- English language, for several centuries mented. They prayed to their ‘Exodus’ was used as a proper noun to God to get them out of denote the book which popularised it. In the early 17th century howEgypt. It is then that God sent Moses to lead them. Ten ever, it became a common noun. The Talk deadly plagues affected Egypt, It then came to be used to column on after which the pharaoh had to denote people undertaking a word origins relent and let Moses take the journey to escape a hostile

K E Y

O R D S

media, but there is amplification of this hysteria with the new technologies,” he told Talk. Part of the problem is that content on the Internet is taken as the absolute truth. “There is now a casual, uncritical forwarding of ‘false truths’ among people. The forwarding is also rapid. This means we have to use the same technologies to counter these falsities. Else, the new technologies would become the preserve of trouble-makers,” he says. Liang points out that rumours played a big role in the 1947 partition riots, the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, the Mumbai riots of 1992-93 and the 2002 Gujarat riots. “We have to eliminate preconceptions, prejudices and insecurities to fight

rumour. The space then for rumour to fuel suspicion shrinks,” he says.

ANXIETY AND FEAR Historian and social anthropologist Ramachandra Guha told Talk that distrust of the state would be one factor prompting people to flee home. “Usually during any ethnic tensions, minorities in any geographical space and context feel vulnerable. They by and large do not trust the state to protect them. This is particularly noticeable in Karnataka after the Mangalore attacks,” he says. While it is the duty of the state to provide protection to all, minority groups everywhere in India are gripped by anxi-

ety and fear and do not trust the state to deliver, Guha believes. As he puts it: “Part of that reaction could be seen in Bangalore and the other cities from where NorthEasterners fled to their states.”

NO EMPIRICAL DATA Prof Ashis Nandy of the Centre for Study of Developing Societies told Talk rumour was no stranger to Indian society. “It has existed much before the new media came in. Here we have to examine closely what the rumours were, who produced the rumours, how the rumours were consumed and who its victims were. Without the victims stating how they were affected, any observation would be incomplete. I can only venture to say new media may have helped spread rumour in the recent turmoil but this will have to be confirmed by empirical data,” he said in a telephonic interview from Delhi. R a v i Sundaram, senior fellow at Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), believes the m o b i l e

environment. After World War II, many Jews in Germany and Austria were living in fear and in inhuman conditions. Many of them sneaked out and escaped to Palestine. In 1947, over 4,500 Jews boarded a ship to go to Palestine. This ship was called SS Exodus. At that time, the British were responsible for the administration of Palestine and seized the ship, deporting the Jews back to Europe. SS Exodus was the largest ever ship of illegal Jewish immigrants, and brought international attention to the plight of Jewish refugees. The next year, in 1948, the state of Israel was created and thousands of Jews migrated from Europe to Israel. The word, which is so intimately associated with Jewish history, has become such an integral part of the English language that we use it to describe people fleeing from natural or manmade calamities everywhere. ‘Exodus’, a painting by Kobby Mensah, Ghana

phone screen is a new form of authority and the government would have to be adept at handling this new social-technological space if it has to handle mass fear. “Around 700 million Indians now receive and produce text, video, audio and digital images. Proliferation is fundamental to our time and information has value only if it has some velocity and is exchanged. Information once collected, always moves... This is our present and we have to deal with it. We have entered a world where the old techniques of deploying crowd control, managing social unrest and communal disturbance are going to be tested,” he writes in The Hindu.

BACK IN HISTORY In the past, mass hysteria has led to purging of communities. Hitler fuelled hatred for Jews in 1930s Germany, outlining clear plans to wipe out that community. Word of mouth and pamphleteering were two major instruments in that campaign. The 1960s saw many race riots in Europe and USA involving whites and blacks. In the 1990s, ‘ethnic cleansing’ in BosniaHerzegovina and Yugoslavia shocked the world. Israel and Palestine are living through conflict, and so is Afghanistan, with its warring communities.

310 WEBSITES BANNED

The central government has ordered the blocking of 310 websites in which morphed images and videos were uploaded to incite Muslims. A Pakistan-based group is suspected to have doctored images and spread them across social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

CUT MENU, SHUFFLE STAFF How are Bangalore restaurants coping with the exodus of people from the North-East?

Offer fewer items on menu

Bring in people from other cities

Transfer staff from pubs and lounges

Rope in seniors Get staff to work overtime

telly talk

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

The popularity and media applause that greeted Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate camouflage the reality show’s subservience to the political system

SIMPLISTIC The episode on untouchability interviewed victims of discrimination, including people who are highly placed, but left a lot of questions unasked

Ardhsatyamev Jayate? he television talk show tearful and the host frequently emoSatyamev Jayate with tional. The conversations with the Aamir Khan as host, victims are interspersed with expert which premiered on 6th opinion, but overall, the accent is on May 2012, took India by performance rather than dispensing storm. The show has been widely information—with the host as star praised as ‘capable of bringing a revo- performer. lution’ although some have also The episode dealing with found it ‘superficial.’ But overall, ‘healthcare and the medical profesthere has been little analysis of its sion’ began with the accounts of political methods. patients wrongly This is an examinadiagnosed and pertion based on four suaded to take useThis is not a episodes: healthcare expensive treatspontaneous talk less and the medical proment, including surshow: instead, a fession (May 27), gery. There was little manipulative domestic violence doubt of malprac(June 17), alcoholism tice because the hosedited version (July 1) and caste and pital conducting the is aired untouchability (July surgery did not even 17). Since only four have a licence. The issues are being examined here, the next interviewee was a pathologist scrutiny of the show can therefore who reported that 40 per cent comonly be partial. missions were payable to doctors on Each episode, which is preceded pathological tests. by a clip in which Aamir Khan walks After an interview revealing the pensively along a beach, is an hour state of affairs in the Medical long. This is not an on-the-spot, Council of India, there was another spontaneous talk show: a manipula- with Dr C M Gulati, Editor, Monthly tive edited version is aired. Each Index of Medical Specialities, who account is one-sided and the close- attributed the high cost of treatment up is used as evidence of the victim’s to the medical profession becoming sincerity. The interviewees are often unviable due to expensive private

MK Raghavendra Cinephile and author of 50 Indian Film Classics (Harper Collins, 2009)

education deliberately encouraged by the government through its economic policies. After a heartwarming success story about a hospital which treats poor patients under a special scheme, the issue of generic drugs was brought up: doctors did not prescribe them because they got commissions and incentives from corporates to promote their products. The episode dealing with domestic violence had an emphasis on stories by victims. As if to substantiate the stories, the camera interviewed several unidentified men on the street who cheerfully admitted to beating their wives. The host talked to an activist on the notion of patriarchy thereafter and this was followed by a police officer who provided information on the recourse available to abused women. After a success story of a woman who found employment as a driver to get out of an abusive relationship, the host raised the issue of manhood, invoking Mahatma Gandhi and directing a question at the audience. The episode involving alcoholism was devoted mostly to stories from victims and their families. The success story was that of a village community which had made use of a

Tweets pop corn displayed on Satyamev Jayate site (Talk hasn’t touched a thing!) 21kemine10 (Gamze Toker) @smjindia I have just met this programme and i enjoyed. By the way i think that this programme will develope my English :)Thank you Emir Han PragyanMishra3 (Pragyan Mishra) @smjindia We can’t understand the simple fact that “if there will be no female,there wiil be no mail” legal provision to drive out liquor shops. The episode concluded with an enquiry into drunken driving— about whether the penalties needed to be much stricter. The episode of July 8 involving caste and untouchability was obviously an important one. As in the earlier cases, the host interviewed several victims of discrimination, including many who are highly placed. Interviewed after this was Stalin, director of the film India Untouched, about the persistence of

telly talk untouchability in India and segments of ened and negligence/unethical conduct the film were shown. punished since it even leads to fatalities? Apart from focusing on a head priest Other questions might have been malpracin a Varanasi temple who asserted that the tice in the retail trade in pharmaceuticals Laws of Manu were more important than and the detrimental effect of insurance the Constitution of India, the segments coming in a big way into healthcare. It made it clear that caste practices were appears, for instance, that different kinds prevalent among Christians, Muslims and of treatment are now prescribed for those Sikhs as well, although the religions had with insurance and those without. officially done away with it. The last interThe episode dealing with domestic viewee was Wilson, Convener of the Safai violence could have interviewed a person Karmachari Andolan, Vijayawada. Unlike convicted for assault, who might have pinthe other interviewees, Wilson was specif- pointed remediable factors from the male ic about the institutions— perspective, like labour governmental ones like conditions. It is certainly The show the railways— which were simplistic to see domestic violating laws pertaining violence as due entirely to wants to create to dry latrines and manu‘patriarchy’. Also, what is ‘exemplary al scavenging, and doing the present condition of citizens’ but nothing to rectify the sitstate shelters and are they is wary of uation despite deadlines. even safe for women? The On examining the episode on alcoholism prodding the episodes closely, one stayed clear of the issue of government begins to notice the quesrevenues coming to the tions not asked. While the state from liquor sales and episode involving the healthcare industry the granting of licences and the episode on was generally strong, most episodes stayed caste was strangely silent on the issue of away from the question of what action the reservation. If eradicating caste was simply state might take, especially with regard to a matter of our changing ourselves, it enforcement. In the medical profession, for would not have persisted for over two milinstance, can enforcement not be strength- lennia.

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

If one were to characterise Satyamev Jayate, one could say that it seeks to make ‘exemplary citizens’ out of the public but is wary of prodding the government itself. ‘People must change’ is a common refrain of religious leaders and self-appointed philosophers but public attitudes are the result of social processes. A person is more likely to be corrupt, for instance, when there are more opportunities and less fear of punishment. A social, economic or political system actually engenders honesty or dishonesty in its citizens. Seen thus, calling for ‘honest citizens’ instead of for stronger enforcement measures is not without deceit because it is a deliberately ineffectual call coming out of a desire not to ruffle feathers. If locating the ills in India in the citizen is the ‘satya’ of Satyamev Jayate, much of the show evidently resides in bad faith. In the two cases—Dr Gulati and Mr Wilson—in the four episodes where the interviewees pointed forcefully to official culpability, Aamir Khan deflected the responses to inane SMS or Facebook campaigns. “We will let the government know what you are feeling,” is, in effect, washing one’s hands of the sentiments. This leads one to believe

that rather than being insightful or persuasive, the show is simply the handiwork of people with ambitions to be placed on governmental platforms. It is self-evident that those placed on committees and platforms by the government will be those least likely to disturb officialdom from its present state of reverie. To conclude by paraphrasing Bertolt Brecht, since it is the public which is basically culpable, “Would it not be easier to dissolve the people and elect another?”

POLITICAL AMBITIONS? Aamir Khan

dublin view

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

MAXPIX.IE

Ireland Bangalored Prof Patrick Cunningham, chief scientific advisor to the Irish government, tells Talk his country is working hard to get back what our city took away from it, and considering new collaborations with our institutions

has set it on a successful course, becoming the only woman bio-tech entrepreneur in India. That's one story about how India, especially iran Mazumdar-Shaw is Bangalore, quietly overtook Ireland. When Talk met Prof Patrick Ireland’s most prominent Bangalore connec- Cunningham, chief scientific advisor tion and Bangalore’s to the Irish government, at Dublin, most prominent Irish he hinted at more collaborations with Bangalore, and a connection. desire to regain lost Sometime around ground. 1978, after she had decid“Ireland has deep ed to follow in her Number of bio-tech companies respect for Kiran father's footsteps, Kiran qualified as a master brewer from Mazumdar-Shaw’s work. The Dublin Australia. Just as she was about to University has conferred an honorary step into the business, she met Les doctorate on her. I have personally Auchincloss, founder of Biocon, a visited Biocon and am aware of the bio-technology company based in successful operations of her company. I am proud Bangalore has a sucCork, Ireland. Auchincloss asked her to be his cessful venture that began in business partner and launch Biocon Ireland’s Cork. There’s more to come in India. With no entrepreneurial for Bangalore,” he said. Here’s what Prof Cunningham background, she turned him down. When he persisted and promised shared: buy-back in case the Outsourcing is business failed, Kiran Bangalore’s big headed to Cork, where strength. Would she spent six months Number of BPOs/IT training for the job. companies in Bangalore Ireland want to forge links with Bangalore? Back in Bangalore, she started Biocon with Rs 10,000 as It may surprise you, but outsourcing initial capital, failing to find backing started early with Ireland, which got from any financial institution. She work from Germany and USA. Now began operations out of the garage of the same work has migrated to India a rented house with just two employ- and Bangalore is at the centre of this. Ireland used to take calls at one ees. Kiran faced several hurdles—the point, now we’ve lost them to company was operating in an envi- Bangalore. One of our endeavours ronment with little infrastructure, will be to bring back to Ireland the and she was a 25-year-old first-gen- calls we lost to Bangalore. eration woman entrepreneur with no business experience. And then the What would you like India and business of biotechnology, unknown Bangalore to take from Ireland? India is such a big country that in 1978, was fraught with risk. But all that is now in the past. Ireland would be very happy to take She heads Biocon in Bangalore, and from you. In our collaborative plans

PRASHANTH G N

prashanth.gn@talkmag.in

K COMMON GROUND Cunningham looks at Bangalore as a ‘natural partner’. Visit www.irelandindia.com, website of the Irish embassy, for an overview of education opportunities in Ireland

ayyo rama

Why is Ireland so happy about its collaboration with Kiran Mazumdar? :) Because there’s no business like Shaw business!

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1450

with India, Bangalore is on top of the Ireland now imports three major list. The level of education is high in fuels – gas, oil and coal. From a sciIreland. We’re looking at both the entific point of view, fossil fuels are manufacturing and software side of not sustainable, so we must change. IT. We’re pretty strong when it Ireland has launched research procomes to cloud computing and serv- grammes on renewable energy er management. We have high-quali- sources. We’re looking at wind enerty engineers in these domains. Then gy and marine energy generation. there’s the pharma secIreland’s dairy farming tor—we’re looking at is renowned. What can companies that speBangalore’s BPO/IT we do together here? cialise in medical workforce We’ve been collaboratdevices and distribution. We understand India has plenty ing with India over 20 years now – of experience in generic medicine. with the Indian Council for Research (ICAR), These are potential collaboration Agricultural areas. Engineering students are a National Dairy Research Institute major strength for India and (NDRI) and Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). Dairy Bangalore has a good number. research is very impressive. We’ve published a very interesting paper in Have you had any opportunity to Nature. We had looked at the DNA explore science in Bangalore? I did visit Bangalore. I am aware IISc strain in Indian cattle, comparing it with European in Bangalore is a world class insti- Bangalore’s yearly biotech revenue and African cattle to understand the tution. Biocon is a history of domesgood example of tication. We how Irish expertfound the DNA ise can succeed elsewhere. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is differed between Indian and also the consul-general of the Irish European cattle populations—and consulate in Bangalore. So we have a the difference is not ordinary when you know it’s 300,000 years old. You natural partnership running. see, Indus was where it all began... agriculture and life. I’m sure you Would Ireland look at renewable energy? India is investing strongly in understand what I mean when I say India has so much to offer. the area.

5 lakh

4 billion

class trouble

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

Teachers vs students At Bangalore’s posh schools, Contempt and Envy enter the stage far too often. Educators who hurt and humiliate their wards can never win love or shape lives

ikram Oberoi’s face was teary with humiliation and frustration as the principal and a horde of teachers got a chance to “give him nicely’’. Vikram had got into a scuffle with a driver on the main road right outside school. The news soon reached school and the boy was produced in the principal’s office with his uniform ripped apart. Still shivering with anger, he tried in vain to explain, first to the principal and then to the crowd of ‘concerned’ teachers who decided to show ‘solidarity’ in teaching the always-up-to-something Vikram a lesson. Two more teachers stormed in remarking contemptuously, “Parents these days don’t teach these kids anything,” and “A rich kid with a chauffeur-driven car, this is how it all starts!” What Vikram had done was wrong. But was it justified to humiliate him by striking at the root of the deep pride he feels about his family? Am I not as proud of my father who may be a tailor as my friend is of her father who may be an international haute couture designer? The fact is that all children are proud of their parents and one must grant them that pride. By focusing on the inessential factors that had to do with his wealthy background, and by expressing contempt and resentment, were Vikram’s teachers expressing envy? Particularly in International schools, these characters Contempt and Envy enter the stage far too often. It is understood that in these kinds of schools the students are usually children of wealthy parents while the teachers mostly belong to the middle and upper middle class sections of society. Often this difference of class contributes to the communication gap between students and teachers. While it might be argued that teachers are not envious but frustrated with the arrogance that a wealthy background brings into a child. There

Rohini Sen Artist and art educator

is a need to reflect on whether we lose the point of education when we engage in this kind of vilification of a young person. As long as we do not get rid of this resentment, we as teachers will never know what our primary duty is. If teachers are not confident first as persons and then as experts in their subjects, how will they facilitate a process that nurtures their students? Instead of making students realise the worth of this life and kindling their curiosity towards their surroundings, a teacher who makes resentful remarks about the child’s parent’s wealth, as in Vikram’s example, will never win her students’ trust. As long as there is no trust, there is no respect, no learning. When we stand in our classrooms with self-respect we will know that teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions. If a student’s father is a eminent doctor there is probably a teacher whose voice he hears every time he foresees a prognosis! But like all relationships, the student-teacher relationship is complicated as well. Teaching offers the opportunity to acquaint ourselves with children not only as seven- or eight-year-olds but also as people with their own experiences, opinions,

and to participate in their laughter and freedom. With these three things and tears. The children’s relationship in place there is no room for fear and to their teachers, on the other hand, in fact no need for discipline as most holds the possibility of playing a very of us understand it. important and responsible part or Instead the teacher has the task nothing at all. To take the former of opening up a world for her stupath, one must take the help of dents–a world where they respect friendship. In friendship there is no their parents’ hard work above the car space for violence, no tolerance for they drive, and therefore, automatihumiliation and no reason for envy. cally respect the role their teacher While the idea of plays in their lives. envy in a studentAs long as we continteacher relationship ue to insult, humiliEnvy is one of the must sound alien to ate and hurt our main reasons many, I am conyoung, our own stuteachers can’t vinced this is one of dents like Vikram become friends the main reasons we will continue to are unable to achieve think that arrogance with students a mutuality of respect and violence are and become responaccepted ways of the sible friends with our students. world because nobody he sees is a While I do believe that there is a practitioner of more refined ways. need for discipline I have also come to Are we teachers only here to tell believe that in our Indian schools dis- our children what to think (for examcipline only succeeds in caging chil- ple, ‘a dog has four legs’)? Or are we dren with an unsavoury don’t-do list. also here to teach our children how to The words ‘discipline’, ‘conform’, think (for instance, ‘Look at this dog, ‘abide’, ‘compulsion’, and ‘imposition’ how many legs does it have? Look are certainly not synonymous. If dis- carefully at the beautiful markings on cipline must be implemented with each leg, are all four legs the same or fear then that so-called discipline can is each one unique?’) never transform itself into a value or It is only when the teacher and an asset. To me, discipline is certainly the student know how to think that a direct result of inquiry, initiative education becomes complete.

chew on this

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

RAMESH HUNSUR

THE FOOD AND THE FAD Pushed by big retail and peddled by celebrities, organic food—safe, good, wholesome stuff that ought to be within the reach of everyone—is today a lifestyle fad. Why is chemical-free produce so fashionable, and so expensive?

SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in

here’s no escaping it. Organic is everywhere these days—the papers are full of nutrition experts singing hallelujahs to organic food, on TV there’s a celebrity passionately recommending organic as a ‘way of life’, and just about every other corporate type you encounter harbours the dream of taking up organic farming some day. The big retail chains have their dedicated shelves for organic food, and some of the biggest corporate houses are considering ‘getting into’ the organic business in a big way. TV commercials like the one for Sahara Q scare you with visuals of hospital beds and wheel chairs, presumably the fate that awaits

you if you are still refusing to go organic. True, by now we have all heard enough horror stories to know that chemical fertilisers and pesticides are bad for us, and nature knows best when it comes to growing food. But why then is ‘organic’ less food and more style statement, and importantly, why is it so expensive that even a leading fashion guru (read on) says he can’t afford it? Is safe food and good health the prerogative of the superrich? Why is this pesticide-free food unaffordable and unavailable to most people in the country?

Pay for the frills Not surprisingly, consumers have to shell out more for organic food for the same reason they do so for fashion labels: branding and packaging. According to marketing expert Harish Bijoor, organic produce is niche, and “whatever is niche is expensive, and whatever

is expensive is chic.” The very definition of chic is that it should differentiate itself from mass products. Organic food fits the bill, not just because it tastes and looks different from those produced using chemical methods, but also because of its celebrity quotient. Bijoor points out that companies promoting organic produce have packaged and branded them well, which allows them to charge a premium. Companies that market organic food claim that packaging has to do more with competition than profit margins. “We need to package well to meet international standards and compete with countries like Germany, which is in No 1 in export. In the domestic market, conventional food is packaged well and we have to compete with them too,” says Mukesh Gupta, executive director of Morarka Organic Foods Pvt Ltd, which owns popular organic brands like Down to Earth and Back to Basics. He admits that organic products are

branded as lifestyle products, but insists that his company’s products are value for money. The branding-packaging factor is also affecting small-scale producers of organic food. G Krishna Prasad, director of farmer’s group Sahaja Samruddha, says, “Our farmer’s group sells a particular kind of rice for Rs 40 a kg. We supply the same grains to the retail chains too. The same product is packed well and sold for Rs 65 a kg. Of this, only Rs 30 goes to the farmer. When we want to sell our produce in malls, they demand a 40 per cent commission.” N Balasubramanian, CEO of Sresta Natural Bioproducts Private Limited, which owns the organic food brand 24 Letter Mantra, blames the retail outlets as well for the higher prices. “Since organic food is a new category, retailers expect higher margins THIS AND THAT Vijay Grover of Bangalore Organic Store stocks both certified and non-certified organic products compared to conventional products,” he says. and an equally high demand. The catch is that assurance and certifying company for agriculthe EU is stringent with quality control, and tural produce. However, most high-end Consumers who like it pricey Krishna Prasad holds the loose purse-strings insists specific types of certification on pro- branded organic produce in the Indian marof its well-off consumers equally responsible duce it imports from India. “When certifica- ket does have expensive international certififor the high pricing of organic food. “When tion comes into the picture, the prices esca- cation. Vasudeva suggests that the certification the products are reasonably priced, people late,” explains Kavitha. Prasad of Sahaja Samruddha, who works helps companies build a brand image and give don’t appreciate it. So, we are forced to brand with traditional farmers, finds the demands assurance to the people. “When the consumer them and sell,” he says. Prasad has been selling traditional rice of EU-style bureaucracy—with its accompa- sees the certification, they are convinced that varieties long before the organic movement nying tribe of ‘experts’ and ‘consultants’ - the product is genuine,” he says. He says that cumbersome enough to call the cost of certification is about two per cent gained momentum. When he the certification regime “a of the total turnover, which is passed on to first attempted to sell the ‘The moment the consumers. However, he admits that it is mafia.” Navara and Kari rice varieties not viable for small farmers, or even those “This certification is years ago, there weren’t many certification very expensive and a lengthy who have 10 acres of farm land. takers. Navara rice is tradicomes into the Sresta CEO Balasubramanian agrees procedure with a lot of tionally gifted to young picture, prices paper-work. The cost is that certification adds on to the cost. “Farm brides in Andhra by their automatically passed on to and production methods must comply with mothers. Prasad tested the escalate’ the consumer. This EU style certain standards, which may require the rice in the lab and found it of certification should not be modification of facilities. Employees must be rich in iron, so he branded it as ‘rice for pregnant women’. Sales shot up. He applied to food for the domestic market,” he hired to maintain the quality and keep the product ready for inspection at any time,” he reveals another of his secrets, behind his best- complains. Vijay Grover, the founder of Bangalore says. selling ‘diabetics’ rice.’ “Kari rice has a bran Recently, yielding to agitations by organlayer, which is nothing but digestible fibre. Organic Store, testifies to the price difference People knew about its benefits in the olden caused by certification. “Our store keeps both ic farmer’s groups, the central government days too, but I had to call it ‘diabetics’ rice’ for branded certified produces and also produce has recognised the Participatory Guarantee from local farmers. The certified ones are def- System (PGS), a cheaper form of certification. city-dwellers to accept it.” Kavitha points out that under this system, a Kavitha Kuruganti, national convenor of initely more expensive,” he says. Certifying agencies say certification is a group of farmers is certified collectively, and the Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), agrees that branding has must only if the produce is to be exported to instead of an external agency keeping an eye driven up the price of organic foodstuff. Europe, Japan or US. “There is no law in India on the farms, the checks are kept by the “These days we want everything branded. that asks for certification if the produce is to This kind of marketing has to change,” she be sold in the domestic market,” says Vasudeva, quality manager at IMO Control, says. Fashion choreographer Prasad Bidappa an international quality believes people are willing to spend more on organic food because they consider it fashionable. “When someone reads of a New Yorkbased dietician talk of organic food, they go for it. Hollywood and celebrities like Madonna have popularised the concept of organic food,” he says. Bidappa does not believe in ‘going organic’ simply because he finds it too expensive. “It is priced almost two and a half times more than the regular food. It is not viable,” he says.

The certification factor Most organic farming done in India is done keeping export in mind. The products are targeted at the European market, where there is a high level of awareness about organic food,

farmers themselves. In addition, there are random checks by a third party too. “If any one farmer is found to be cheating, the certification for the entire group is cancelled. So the farmers make sure that they and their counterparts are sincere,” she says.

No state support Karnataka was the first state to come up with an Organic Farming Policy which sought to put farmers’ interest first. The policy has since been deemed a failure. The BJP government then renamed it the Amruta Bhoomi Project, but it never really took off. Last year, the government announced a budget of Rs 206 crore to promote organic farming in the state, but not a paisa was released. This year, Rs 200 crore has been allotted again; it has to be seen if anything will come of it. Critics like Prasad say that the government is only interested in boosting revenueearning export of organic produce rather than encouraging local farmers who cater to the domestic market. Further, he points out how many schemes that are supposedly meant to help the farmer actually end up benefiting the big retail chains. He recalls a scheme by the horticulture department, where Rs one crore loan was offered to “promote organic farming”. “I went there, but they asked for something like a guarantee of Rs 50 lakh, which our farmers could not provide. I went back after six months and asked who have taken the loan. They revealed the names of some big retail chains run by MNCs,” he says. With no subsidy from the government, organic farmers find it difficult to match the prices of the produce from chemical farms. “The government gives subsidy on seeds, urea and pesticides to farmers using chemical methods. Their yield too is much higher. At the most, what we get is a supply of vermicompost once in a year.” He further points out that organic farmers do not even get loans easily, unlike conventional farmers, all of which add to the cost factor, and discourage those who want to take up organic farming.

Transport and labour Organic farmers Talk spoke to recall that in the initial years of shifting to this method, the yields were lower than of conventional farming. Continued on Page 18

chew on this

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

RAMESH HUNSUR

SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in

Transport and labour Organic farmers Talk spoke to recall that in the initial years of shifting to this method, the yields were lower than of conventional farming. Continued on Page 18

chew on this

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

RAMESH HUNSUR

Continued from Page 17 It takes two to three years for the soil to regain the nutrients it has lost due to chemical methods. While the low yields put pressure on the farmers to mark up their prices, transport costs further add to it, owing to the smaller quantities they produce. The organic food companies too agree this is the case. “Organic food production offers slightly lower yields to farmers and involves more labour, says Balasubramanian. However, Mukesh Gupta of Morarka is optimistic, that with the growing demand more agricultural land will be converted to organic. “As the demand increases, the supply too will increase and the cost will reduce.” Manorama Joshi is co-ordinator at Vanastree, an organisation that promotes native farming in the Malnad region. She says farmers have to put in extra work to nurture the fields if they are to go organic. “It is easy to go to a shop and buy a bottle of pesticides. But, here the farmers have

G Krishna Prasad of Sahaja Samruddha

to create the compost or manure for the plants. If the plants are infected, they have to look for natural remedies,” she says.

Organic at regular prices Manorama’s organisation runs a shop called Vaanya in Sirsi in Uttar Kannada district. Surprisingly, they manage to sell organic produce at market rates. Manorama says this is partly because they are selling at a lower margin, given that they are trying to promote the concept, and they don’t incur the heavy transport

charges a city like Bangalore pays for its farm produce. Kavitha suggests we buy organic produce from local farmers, and not from big stores and brands. “We could go to farmer markets and buy directly. Here the costs are higher by only 10-15 per cent when compared to regular produce. It is a win-win situation for both the consumer and the cultivator,” she says. Grover of Bangalore Organic Store echoes her views, and insists that many customers who have tried organic products from local farms keep away from the branded ones. “They try the local ones and if they find it the same, they buy again. They buy it purely on trust,” he says. IMO Control’s Vasudeva too agrees that one needn’t worry about certification if there’s a rapport between the seller and the buyer. “If there is a neighbourhood farmer or farmer’s organisation you trust, you can buy it from him at a lower price.” Krishna Prasad goes one step further, and offers to organise trips for consumers who want to

visit farms. “They can see how the farming is done, instead of placing their belief in certification.” Farmers’ organisations like Sahaja Samruddha have outlets in the city and also regularly organise food melas. Jaivik Krishsik Society, another farmers’ group, sells its produce in Lalbagh. Its origin might have been as an international fad, but today there is a general consensus that organic food is good for you, and the environment. And for farmers who give up conventional farming in favour of less lucrative organic, a helping hand from urban consumers would be welcome.

Stores near you Sahaja Samruddha,

Minerva Circle, Tel: 9880862058 Jaivik Krishik Society, Lalbagh Gardens, Tel: 6562 4197 Namma Santhe monthly market, Doddabomma sandra, Tel. 99001 70424 Tibetan Organic, Off Brigade Road, Tel: 2550 5425 Greenlife Organic, 4th T Block Jayanagar, Tel: 22445201

What it means to your purse

A quick look at the pricing of non-organic, organic farmers’ collective, and branded organic products.

Sona Masoori

Non Organic 40

Sahaja Samruddha 55

Down To Earth 66

24 Letter Mantra 65

Basmati

100

150

Brown Rice

126*

140*

Wheat Flour

Tur Dal

110

130

144

Product

Prices: Rs per Kg, *Brown basmati rice

back stage

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

DIPLOMATIC meets

DRAMATIC

PRACHI SIBAL prachi.sibal@talkmag.in

iven that it tells the story of an Indian and Pakistani diplomat negotiating a peace treaty, perhaps this play ought to have been titled A Dash Through the Minefield. It hasn’t been named thus because it attempts to reveal the human beings behind the hardened bargainers. A Walk in the Woods, written by American playwright Lee Blessing, was staged in its adapted form in the city by Mumbai-based Motley Theatre Company recently. The original play is about the relationship between an American arms’ negotiator and his Russian counterpart during the cold war. Predictably enough, this adaptation, which also marks Ratna Pathak Shah’s directorial debut, builds the premise around strained India-Pakistan ties. Jamaluddin Lutfullah (Naseeruddin Shah) and Ram Chinappa (Rajit Kapoor) are diplomats and negotiators from Pakistan and India respectively. While Ram is new to the job of ‘diplomacy’ and appears persistent about his business, Jamal is older, more seasoned and cynical about his job. They first meet at a conference in Geneva and decide to take an informal walk to discuss a proposal aimed to bring about peace between the two countries. The proposal comes from the Indian side and Ram, who has recently replaced a certain Mr Joshi, is eager to hold talks with Jamal in the woods, even though the latter favours the conventional across-the-table discussion. Jamal, on the other hand, is frivolous and more interested in making friends with his new counterpart. He won’t take serious conversation from Ram and is condescending of any proposal even before hearing it. Their first meeting doesn’t turn out too pleasant with

ENVOY STORY A Walk in the Woods reveals the inner lives of two diplomats (played by Naseeruddin Shah and Rajit Kapoor)

Ram losing his patience and Jamal adamant on talking about everything but work. Naseeruddin Shah’s comic sense and his seamless portrayal of Jamal makes sure that this brings in the laughs. The play is really an exchange of words, with little physical theatre involved. The sets are designed accordingly with painted branches to create an effect of the woods, with only an elevated path to break the monotony on stage. The lighting for transitions was used sparingly but effectively. For most of the play, the stage is fully lit and a play on brightness determines the penetration of sunlight into this otherwise thick forest. The ultimate result, in combination with the dialogue, is magical. Meetings between Lutfullah and Chinappa continue, from one conference to the other. The conversations become warmer and Ram is seen making a personal comment or two, even bringing along a box of sweets that his wife sent for Jamal. The costumes ease out from being ultra formal to semi formal. While the play is billed as an informal dialogue between diplomats and in turn about India and Pakistan, in essence it seems merely about two people meeting in a professional setting and

growing fond of each other, slowly. There is hardly a story thread except references to a peace proposal which is ultimately rejected by the Indian govDirector Ratna Pathak-Shah ernment, hinting that India-Pakistan relations remain sour because political interests on both sides want it that way. Each meeting, each conversation is fresh with humour and the occasional heart-rending comment. The progress in their friendship is made visible through the nature of the conversation and the manner of speaking. While Naseeruddin Shah delivers a powerful performance as the casual yet sensitive Jamal, the play’s best moments easily belong to Rajit

A Walk in the Woods , though inappropriately pitted as an IndiaPakistan drama, features powerful performances by two accomplished actors Kapur, convincing as the typical hardworking Indian. The last scene belongs more to Ram, and lets your eyes easily shift to him, despite Jamal’s wisecracks in the background. A Walk in the Woods, in the end, is a play with powerful performances and no dull moments. Given that it was (misleadingly) projected as something of an India-Pakistan drama, it disappoints on that count. For instance, when it does mention Kashmir, it keeps it vague. Ultimately, you walk out of the theatre feeling warm and fuzzy, but without the lump in your throat that comes out when you’ve experienced a powerful story.

back stage

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

For Naseer, European theatre isn’t the way n town with his theatre group Motley to stage A Walk in the Woods, which is also his wife Ratna Pathak Shah's directorial debut, acting legend Naseeruddin Shah opens up to Talk, about his preference for the “tried and tested” dramatic works, his dream script, his sons and more…

future productions look like? Theatre will definitely go back to the classic and folk forms. European Theatre is not the way to go. We have to find the perfect medium. In order for theatre to survive in the country, evolution is essential.

Do you endorse interactive theatre, the kind that is becoming Motley is known to have kept to common in most cities? classic but primarily foreign I don’t believe in making a mysscripts. Is there not enough good tery out of a play. According to Indian writing around? me, once the play begins is when I have always chosen to go for the magic starts. I don’t see the patently good writing, if it still point of interactive theatre as applies. I have nothing against audience members are more young writers. The often planted than problem is that most not and actors end Moderated recent Indian writers up rehearsing reactalk about the probtheatre is the tions for the audilems faced by the age only way you ence anyway. The group of 20-30, and barriers between the can exercise audience and actors that is something control over needn’t be so strong Authors like Shaw (Bernard) and though. Interaction quality Beckett (Samuel) are of that kind is not still stimulating and the more important while a play is on. In you engage with the script the fact, I don’t even enjoy meeting more layers you discover. people right after a performance. I have to confess though; I’d rather meet them and talk Indian writing should be on our about the play after a few days agenda. But from what I have have passed. read, I haven’t come across anything that would make for engag- Every actor has one challenging ing viewing over stage, so I would script that is close to his or her rather pick something tried and heart, something they dream of tested. performing. Which is yours? I have been keen on performing Where do you think theatre in Saadat Hasan Manto’s works for the country is headed? What will a long time. I wanted to take

crowd, and wherever else there was a need. Vivaan has written a play which he wants to direct himself. Frankly we didn’t push them, they enjoy it. Are you for theatre being moderated in the way it is with Ranga Shankara in Bangalore and Prithvi theatre in Mumbai? Yes, that is the only way you can exercise control over quality. The venue ends up having the reputation of being discerning. Personal opinions do creep in though; we are all humans after all.

Manto to Pakistan, but that didn’t happen. The one script I have been dying to do is Toba Tek Singh by Manto. I have been thinking about it and reading it for the last 10 years. It is a very difficult one.

code of communication between us. Faith is what theatre is all about ultimately. Being in a comfort zone is important. She has had an enormous role to play in all my projects. I feel she had long been ready to direct.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing theatre with your wife? There are absolutely no disadvantages, only advantages. You are available to each other at any time. We have also developed a

What about your sons? Do you encourage them to do theatre? They have no choice in the matter (laughs). Since the age of three they have been part of our productions in some way or the other. In Julius Caesar as the

Do you believe in audio-visual aids being used in theatre, for example the recorded scenes in Shabana Azmi’s Bikhre Bimb? No, it’s rubbish. Using video footage in Bikhre Bimb was valid to an extent as it was images of the same actor, but I wouldn’t do it. This is an influence of the West, where you can’t tell theatre and film apart anymore. Does the Chowdaiah Hall incident in 2010, when somebody walked up onstage to make an announcement in the middle of the performance, discourage you from coming back to the city? Not anymore. I realise I overreacted. I could have handled the situation with much more panache. But at that moment I couldn’t stop myself. To me theatre is sacred. I later did realise that she had no other choice.

‘We have to encourage new Indian writers’ R

ajit Kapoor, award-winning film and theatre actor, speaks about what keeps him juggling films and theatre and working with Naseeruddin Shah after 25 years.

What has kept you engaged in theatre for all these years? Theatre is live interaction. It has a vibe of its own with no machines involved and humans giving their take. There is no comparison for live art; it is like seeing painters paint and a musician play. The process of rehearsal means far more. It is interesting to revisit, rehearse and re-

explore every script.

What keeps you coming back to films then? Film has logistical advantages. It has much larger mass appeal. A film can come to you, but for a play you need to go to the theatre.

Have you ever considered leaving theatre for film? Which out of the two comes on top of your priority list? I can’t think of leaving theatre. There are times when film schedules keep me from doing a theatre show. But, I decide either to

replace the character or may even cancel a show for performance later if it means that much to me.

What are your views on staging classic adapted scripts? Are you in favour of Indian writing being brought to stage? Adaptation is necessary. But you have to encourage new Indian writers, something we do as part of my theatre group Rage Productions through yearly programmes. What would you rather be—a director or an actor? I am essentially an actor who has

forayed into direction. There may be a time in my life when I will be bored of acting and will take up direction full time. When did you last work with Naseeruddin Shah? What has changed this time? I first worked with Naseer when I was just out of college. It was a heartening experience at that time. He was so passionate and so endearing. He reassured my faith in theatre. Working this time was different as there was nothing unequal. It was a give and take of energy. He energises you to the hilt.

Rajit Kapoor

L I S T I NGS concert

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

food Â Time to Rock n Roll: Groove to the music as the menu takes you back to the 1970s. Enjoy the time of discotheques, bell bottoms and have fun. Dress in a funky 20s outfit and avail 20 percent discount on your retro meal. Woodstock (Resto Cafe), #3777, Domlur Service Road, Indiranagar, HAL 2nd Stage, from August 23 to 24, 42115042

August 24, 66604545

Â Kebabs galore: The festival features a variety of kebabs such as pather ghosht, sheek kebab, chicken tikka and more. The chefs will dish out cuisine from Hyderabad and surrounding regions. You can also get hands on experience at the dishes along with the chef. GAD, The Gateway Hotel, #66, Residency Road,

Â Chinese connection: Running short of time and need to satisfy your hunger? Peking duck and dim sums make a great combination. The Chinese spread on a varied buffet that offers a variety of dim sums and other options will leave you asking

Â Late night delights: Craving for some yummy food but the restaurant shutters turn you back? Head to this midnight buffet and enjoy a spread of omelette, dosa, biryani and desserts. Rs 700 plus tax per head. Café Mozaic, Lobby Level, Vivanta by Taj, MG Road, till August 25, 66604444

for more. Memories of China, Vivanta by Taj, MG Road, till August 25, 66604444 Â Onam sadhya with a twist: Lip smacking Kerala cuisine ensures that you celebrate this Onam with a bang. Choose from a variety of Kerala dishes such as pachadi, neymeen polichathu, prawn porichathu, Travancore chicken fry, Malabar mutton khorma, nadan kozhi curry, avial, thoran, neychoru, pathiri, and more. Rs 500 plus taxes per head. Oyster Bay seafood restaurant, Koramangala, August 28 and 29, 42090000 Â North meets oriental: From north Indian to the oriental, you will find varieties in chicken, fish and lamb under one roof followed by a complimentary glass of wine or a pint of beer with you meal. Savour the meal

Â Get Lucky! Singer, songwriter Lucky Ali is back in town take fans down memory lane. Lucky is known for his contributions to film and pop music in the country. He returns to the city to a loyal fan base every year. Expect hit numbers from recent films like Anjaana Anjaani and Pathshaala. Also catch the singer humming out some older numbers from albums like Sunoh. Tracks like Jaane Kya dhoondta hai may just also make it to his playlist for the evening. Hard Rock Cafe, St Mark’s Road, August 29, 8 pm 41242222

Â For that luscious pout: Pamper yourself with a new range of lip gloss from Tips & Toes. It comes with a unique shaped applicator that glides with ease to give you perfect application. Available in eight different colours, the gloss is priced at Rs 375. Available at leading cosmetic stores Â Go Bong-kers: Add a dash of the Eastern India to your wardrobe as you choose from a range of ethnic Bengali clothes. Designer Snehasish Bhattacharya displays his collection in town. Bengalee Association, 1/A, Assaye Road, Ulsoor, till August 26, 9945075154 Â For all adrenalin junkies: Do you feel uncomfortable while riding due to your jeans? Here is

talk picks the latest in jeans that makes your ride smooth. Made from lighter fabrics, you can choose from a wide range of rugged and sporty ones. Take your pick from medium and light washes. Available at all Wrangler outlets, www.facebook.com/wranglerdenims Â Gadgets just got better: Visit your nearest Croma showroom to avail discounts on your favourite gadget. Get up to date with the latest in technology and avail attractive discounts. Offers are available on phones, TVs, tablets, MP4 players, appliances

Lemon Pomegranate with your friends or family this weekend. Rs 499 plus taxes per head. Burgundy, Royal Orchid Suites, Whitefield, till August 25, 42512345 Â Chiller fest: This season head to your nearest cafe for a range of chilled iced teas and lemonades. Choose from Lemon Pomegranate, Lemon Cucumber, Kiwi Lemonade and more. Available at Cafe Coffee Day outlets

retail therapy Â Welcome fall-winter: The Anand Kabra Fall-Winter collection makes it to town starting today. Inspired by elements like water and various religious traditions, the colours this time are aqua blue, moss and leaf green, orange, khaki, black and raw white. Fabrics range from heavy cottons all the way to coated wool. The collection is designed to meet all weather needs during this season. Evoluzione, 14, Vital Mallaya Road, Embassy Classis 41121088

and more. Available at all Croma Outlets, till August 26 Â For 'You': The ongoing Thank You sale, will leave you happy in more than seven ways. You can choose from a range of Kanjeevaram silk, cut work, Kalamkari, block prints and more. You get to choose from traditional and contemporary to suit your style. Avail up to 50 percent discount and walk out with a surprise gift from the store. Sakhi, # 305, 6th Main, Defense Colony, Indiranagar, till August 26, 25252007 Â Bag it: Bags and women go hand in hand. Make a style statement this festive season as you make a splash with colours. You can find totes, handbags, purses and clutches to choose from. Look glamourous as you carry an embroidered or a rhinestone embedded bag. Esbeda, 1st floor, Mahadevpura, till August 31, 67266088

1 2 3 4 5

The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk Sudha Murty Penguin Price: Rs 199

What Young India Wants Chetan Bhagat Rupa Books Price: Rs 140

Govinda: The Aryavarta Chronicles Book 1 Krishna Udayasankar Hachette India Price: Rs 350

The Magic Rhonda Byrne Simon & Schuster India Price: Rs 399

Turning Points APJ Abdul Kalam HarperCollins India Price: Rs 199

English top-sellers at Sapna Book House

L I S T I NGS

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

getaway

film Â Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi Hindi Farhad Pastakiya, a 45-year-old man has spent most of his life as an undergarments salesman. He finds love one fine day in Shirin Fugawala, a Parsi from his community, only to discover enmity between her and his mother. INOX Malleswaram- 10 am, 2.30 pm, 4.50, 7.35, 9.50, Fame Forum Value Mall Whitefield- 10 am, 12.20 pm, 2.40, 5, 7.20, 9.40, Fun Cinemas Cunningham Road- 10.20 am, 12.25 pm, 5.15, 7.20, 9.45, Rex Theatre 7.50 pm Â Finding Nemo 3D English

The animated classic that tells the story of a Clownfish named Marlin now releases in 3D for added delight. INOX Malleswaram - 12.35 pm, 4.40, Fun Cinemas Cunningham Road - 10 am, 2.30 pm, 4.55, Rex Theatre - 6 pm Â Expendables 2 English It is payback time for the Expendables as they reunite to seek revenge for the murder of one of their own. Fame Forum Value Mall Whitefield - 10.40 am, 3.50 pm, 7.50, 10, Fun Cinemas Cunningham Road - 10.10 am, 2.50 pm, 7.40, 9.30, Q Cinemas

ITPL Whitefield - 10.05 am, 3.10 pm, 7.45, 9.45, CineMAX Outer Ring Road - 10 am, 2.45 pm, 5, 10, Urvashi Cinema- 10 am, 9.30 pm, Rex Theatre - 1.35 pm Â Shiva Kannada A bunch of social issues are handled in Kannada film Shiva a production by KP Srikanth and Kantharaj starring Shivaraj Kumar and Ragini Dwivedi, directed by Om Prakash Rao. When 'Shiva opens two eyes it is Class, if he opens his third eye it is Mass, when he opens all the three eyes it is Kallas'. It is pitted as a film for the masses. Santhosh -10.30am, 1.30, 4.30, 7.30pm, Uma 10.15am 1, 4, 7pm, Navarang - 10 am, 1 pm, 4, 7 pm, PVR Koramangala -10 am, 1, 6.40, 9.20 pm, INOX Malleswaram - 10 am, 1, 6.40, 9.20 pm, INOX Jayanagar - 10 am, 1, 6.40, 9.20 pm, INOX JP Nagar - 10 am, 1, 6.40, 9.20 pm, Rockline Jalahalli - 10 am, 1, 6.40, 9.20 pm

Ravindranath, Nakul Bhalla (in later shows) and Veena Sajnani, who portrays the character of Nurse Ratched. Based on the book, by the same name, the play is the story of Nurse Ratched, who rules her psychiatry ward and has an affinity for electroshock therapy. The play has a humorous streak and explores the aspects of individuality, sanity and madness. Jagriti Theatre, Ramagondanahalli, Varthur Road, Whitefield, August 25 to September 2, Tuesday to Saturday 8pm and Sunday 3pm and 6.30 pm, 41248298

Â Baghdad Wedding: Debut director Hassan Abdulrazzak's Baghdad explores the cosmopolitan nature of London and the ravaged Baghdad. The story a wedding that goes terribly wrong and of three friends who are caught between two worlds and come to terms with their political, cultural and sexual identities, this play is a reflection of the array of human diversities that exist in any nation. The play has bagged three METAs including Best play and Best Ensemble. Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, Vyalikaval, Malleshwaram, August 26, 7.30 pm 23445810

Â The Improv: Watch eight actors perform on your command. That's right! With no script, The Improv promises you some funny moments, innovative acting and much situational drama. The audience hands out situations to the actors. Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, # 16 G MT Road, Vasanthnagar, August 25 and 26, 5 pm, 41231340 Â One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: Written by Dale Wasserman and directed by Arundathi Raja, the play features Rajeev

Â Luxury at its best: Head out this season to Avari Dubai Hotel, a newly launched property. A blend of tradition and cosmopolitan lifestyle the hotel is close to Dubai's 'Clock tower', Riqqa Road Food Street and City Center Mall and business facilities. www.avari.com Â Kolkata calling: Here is another reason for you to cheer this season.

Pulse- Health and Wellness Spa at Kenilworth Hotel offers a wide range of face and body treatments. Head to this new resort and destress within city limits. Packages start at Rs 16,999 for a stay of 3 days and 2 nights Kenilworth Hotel, 1&2 Little Russel Street, Kolkata 22823939 kenilworthkol@ kenilworthhotels.com

music

theatre Â Find solace in the Bikhre Bimb: Directed by Girish Karnad and KM Chaitanya, Bikhre Bimb is back with another show. The play brings together theatre personalities and actors Arundhati Nag and Girish Karnad. With three METAs to its credit it has been produced in Kannada, English and Hindi. The play is about an English professor, who has had an unsuccessful stint as a Kannada writer. It is the journey of this professor, who later on goes on to be a bestselling writer. Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, RV Dental College, JP Nagar, August 24 and 25, 7.30 pm 26493982

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Â For all indi pop fans: Featuring Krishna McKenzie on guitars and vocals, Mishko M'ba on Bass, Karthick Iyer on violin and Rahul Gopal on drums, catch Emergence perform live numbers from their album Chosen by God as well as some of their other popular numbers. Their music is a blend of western rock and pop with a mix of folk, which represents the integration Krishna obtained while he lived in Auroville. bFlat, 100ft road, Indiranagar, August 24, 8.30 pm 25278361 Â Hindustani flavour in town: Head to this Hindustani Vocal Recital by Priya Purushothaman. The recital will reflect the traditional Hindustani Raag sangeet style presenting Khayal compositions. Like the traditional format, the vocalist will be accompanied by a harmonium and tabla. Bangalore International Centre, Teri Complex, 4th Main, 2nd cross, Domlur, August 24, 6.30 pm 25359680 Â Go Goan: Tidal Wave, the Goan band is all set to enthrall Bangaloreans as they play some latest pop, rock, Goan club hits all night at the Goan Carnival nights. With Vency Dias on bass guitar and vocals, Nelson Mendes on syn-

Emergence thesizer and vocals, Tony Fernandes on drums and vocals and Ally Rodrigues on rhythm and vocals. Opus, #4, Chakravarthy Layout, Sankey Road, August 25, 9 pm, 23442580 Â Trio to perform: Ananth Menon along with his trio pays tribute to the popular band Cream. Ananth is a wellknown Blues musician in town. He is also the guitarist of the popular band Galeej Gurus. Catch him live in action this weekend. Counter Culture, 2D2, 4th Cross Dyavasandra Industrial Area, Whitefield, August 24, 8.30 pm 41400793

Â Veena concert: All veena lovers are in for a treat as they will witness Kalaimamani S, Srinivasan accompanied by C Cheluvaraju on mridungam perfom live. The concert would be without mics and is in the memory of the renowned veena player Rajeswari Padmanabhan. Ananya Sabha, # 91/2, 4th Main, Malleshwaram, August 25, 6 pm 23472020

To get your event listed, write to us at listings@talkmag.in

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

Whitefield mall promotes ‘open air’ music Just when you thought live open air music had left the city for good, there is good news at hand. Far out for most city-dwellers, but Phoenix Market City, the swanky Whitefield mall, is all set to let out its open air arena to music buffs. What’s more, they are inviting Bangalore musicians to audition to be part of the movement to bring ‘live’ back to the city. The upcoming show will feature 30 bands and 204 artistes and the movement is called ‘Pure Music’. So, get those guitars and drums out or simply walk in and let your vocal chords do the talking. Supported by city-band Aurko, the winners of the contest get a chance to record in Aurko’s studio and make their music album. http://www.facebook.co m/AliveIndiaInConcertPh oenixMarketCity

How to get published The age-old barrier between writers and publishers seems to be diminishing. While we still have writers knocking on publisher’s doors, we also have new age publishers scouting for authors. Bangalore-based

Grey Oak Publishing recently met some aspiring writers at a cafe in Koramangala. Also present were some published writers, who shared tips on the ‘hows’ that torment any writer: how to write and how to get published. The workshop was a part of the Urban Shots Yuva Contest 2012. Last year, the winning short stories from the contest were compiled in a book, Urban Shots Yuva. This year, the winning entries will appear in the second edition of the book, to be published in January 2013. The stories must be set in an urban background, and should not exceed 2,500 words. The contest is on till September 15. For more details, visit: www.greyoak.in

100th space mission Scientists and young science researchers have reason to be proud as Bangalore headquartered ISRO is on the verge of a milestone. Preparations for the historic 100th mission of the ISRO are on with the space agency planning to launch PSLV C-21, which will carry two foreign satellites in September. Two capsules, a remote sensing satellite from France and a small Japanese satellite will fly aboard it. Preparations

are going on and the launch is being planned for the second week of September. ISRO plans to launch 720-kg SPOT-6 remote sensing satellite from France (built by ASTRIUM SAS) and a 15-kg Japanese spacecraft Protiers on board the home-grown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C21) in September, in what is perceived as a major milestone of sorts. The PSLV is ISRO's most successful launch vehicle or rocket with the last few flights being consecutively successful.

Temper mental no more hen the irritable deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa walked into the Press Club on Wednesday, reporters were all ready with some uncomfortable questions. Here’s how it went:

on them within a month. Mayor Venkatesh Murthy has created fake documents and grabbed eight acres. That’s wrong. The law is the same for everyone.

You said Yeddyurappa is your leader? Has the BJP removed Bellary No, I said Yeddyurappa is also our leader. from its files? No. Is the party trying to play Has Sadananda Gowda been down his yatra? No, we aren’t. wronged? No. No one asked such a Will you give tickets to question when we made MLAs who say nasty things him chief minister. about your top leaders? Yes. We give tickets to those What happened to the who can ply us with money Ramaswamy and and liquor. Caste is imporBalasubramanyam reports tant, too. If we’d stuck to on land grab in Bangalore? We’ve erred. We will decide our principles, would we

have ever formed a government? As Eshwarappa continued in this disarming fashion, it was the reporters who got angry and started fighting among themselves. “What’s this? You squabble just like us!” Eshwarappa quipped, prompting the entire hall to erupt in laughter. We gather as soon as Eshwarappa arrived at the club, someone called him aside and warned him the journalists would hassle him into saying something controversial. Now you know how the wily politician stayed so calm.

BASU MEGALKERI

Calling filmmakers Compared to the 1970s when a bunch of bright young Film Institute graduates fought the odds to give us some of our modern classics, the indie movie scene in India is now flush with money and media support. One excellent initiative is Film Bazaar, an annual event organised by the National Film Development Corporation on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India, Goa. FB has just invited submissions for the sixth edition of its Film Co-production Market, which “offers a unique opportunity for filmmakers with South Asian stories to find the right connections.”

the world (last year’s event was attended by 635 delegates from 40 countries). Expect the competition to be fierce—after all, earlier entries include well-known (and relatively bigbudget) productions as Love, Sex aur Dhokha and Shanghai. You can submit projects online, the last date being September 30, 2012. For more details, visit: www.filmbazaar.com

The event showcases 25 film projects in need of additional finance and artistic support. Selected filmmakers and producers can present their work before funders and distributors from across

Breakfast in a ‘zop’ Watch that laziness quotient - here’s another online provisions store opNow can be used to order your favourite cereal, some porridge or jam, or just about any other breakfast product. You can also place an order over the phone, and have the goodies delivered to your doorstep. Apart from breakfast specials, ZopNow also has products in home care, stationery, personal care, beverages and more. ZopNow.com delivers any time between 9 am and 9 pm; the only hitch here is the fact that

they deliver only in South and East Bangalore at the moment, and that too for purchases above Rs 500. The neighbourhoods they specifically cater to now are Adugodi, BTM Layout, Banashankari, Bannerghatta Road, Basavangudi, Begur, Bellandur, Residency Road, Richmond Circle, Sampangiram-nagar, Sarjapur road, Shantinagar, Singasandra, Tavarekere, Thippa-sandra, Ulsoor, Vivek Nagar, Wilson Garden and others nearby. Any order below Rs 500, is subjected to shipping charges. www.zopnow.com You can also call them on 32420000

pet matters

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

RAMESH HUNSUR

A dog’s life? They’re lovin’ it Home delivered food, special platters in restaurants and even five-star Sunday buffet spreads - pets in the city are living it up like never before MARIA LAVEENA maria.laveena@talkmag.in

THREE’S COMPANY (Above) Restaurants like Daddy’s Deli in Indiranagar allow guests to dine with their pets

ets today are so valued that in some quarters you are not even allowed to call them ‘pets’, but ‘animal companions.’ As people compete to spoil their animal friends silly, a whole new range of services is springing up in Bangalore, covering home-delivered food to restaurants with pet platters.

Canine Cuisine and Pets Dhaba, for instance, deliver home-cooked food for dogs. The former was started by Naveen Rolands, managing director of Ostfold Software, who says the idea was a natural extension of his passion for feeding quality and healthy food to his dogs. Canine Cuisine, located in Kalyan Nagar, does not have any dining area; it is a daily door-delivery restaurant you can call. Their specialty is the ‘bow bow biryani,’ and they also offer a range of meat-based dishes that take into account the breed and the requirements of their canine customers. The restaurant opened just two months ago, and its owners say they will have about 1,000 dogpatrons within the next three months. Canine Cuisine has four cooks and offers monthly deals. Prices range from Rs 1,600 to Rs 5,700. Something like a dabba service is also on offer. This enables vegetarians, who don’t want to touch nonvegetarian food, to let their dogs eat

meat directly from a takeaway box. Pets Dhaba, the older of the two ventures, offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, prepared on the basis of what veterinary doctors recommend. Manager Muhammed Murshid says it feeds 60 dogs a day from two outlets, in J P Nagar and R T Nagar. Pets Dhaba also offers weekly, fortnightly and monthly deals. The menu for vegetarian pets includes rice, broken wheat, rotis, paneer, cheese and salads. For nonvegetarian pets, it is a blend of chicken with assorted vegetables, rice, broken wheat, rotis and salads. The price depends on the pet’s breed and preference. Regular restaurants in the city (restaurants for people is perhaps how we should call them now!) are not far behind. They are coming up with new strategies to attract pet owners. Under the Mango Tree, Sunny’s, Daddy’s Deli, Grasshopper and Vivanta by Taj are some places which welcome pets with their customers.

Vivanta by Taj on M G Road even arranged a first Canine Buffet on July 29 this year, where they offered a Sunday spread for their canine customers and their human companions. On offer were rice porridge with chicken and bones, baked buffalo chicken wings, lamb trotter broth, sausages, smoked meat balls and steamed vegetarian balls. Shobitha Mani, who had taken her pets Ella and Sparky for the brunch, says, “The buffet was well managed. They had a separate area for the dogs to eat and play around and a separate area for the brunch. Though we have often seen dogs ending up fighting with each other at such places, it was completely different at the Vivanta. They had people to clean the place if any of the dogs pooped.” If you always wanted to treat your dog not just to good food but also a good time outdoors, one of the most recommended places in town is Under the Mango Tree at Richmond Circle. This restaurant provides spe-

pet matters cial platters for dogs every first Sunday of the month, provided the seats are booked in advance. Recalling the maddening rush during the first few Sundays, owner Nirmala Balakrishnan says, “We only allow 15 dogs for the special dog platter, but are flooded with requests to allow more.” Here, dogs are allowed inside on all days, and can play in the sprawling outdoors. Named after the owner’s labrador retriever, Sunny’s is another fine dine restaurant which allows customers the privilege of dining along with their dogs. However, the dogs are

permitted only in the outside enclosure, as other customers may find it uncomfortable and intimidating to dine with them. “We were one of the first restaurants in the city to offer this privilege,” says Rohit, manager of Sunny’s. Daddy’s Deli is another has a separate areas for pet owners and other customers. Managing partner Zarine Kharas says, “We don’t offer anything special for the dogs, but we often see our customers giving food from their plates to their pets.” Some restaurants which used to allow pets have barred them now. Sonali Sattar, owner of Grasshopper, says, “We love dogs and started allowing pets in. But the dogs often ended up fighting with each other.” The restaurant has its own well-looked after dogs to provide company for any guest who might be sorely missing his animal companion. Treating a pet dog to a fancy lunch may be as much about status as about love for the animal. The pet is definitely going to say “woof!” to that, either way.

MY TREAT Cricketer Venkatesh Prasad with his St Bernard Rafael at Taj Vivanta’s Canine Buffet

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

DOGGIE TREATS CAN SET YOU BACK BY... Rs 100

Dog platter at Under The Mango Tree Includes meat balls, whole wheat rusk, boiled eggs, broken wheat cakes, bread and milk

Rs 1,600 to 5,700 For a monthly deal of home-delivered dog food at Canine Cusine, prices vary according to breed, and taste preferences

Rs 3,900/Rs 5,000 (vegetarian/nonvegetarian)

Pets Dhaba serves 1 kg of vegetarian/nonvegetarian food a meal, and also offers monthly deals

Rs 1,800

Sunday buffet at Taj Vivanta, Price is for owners; pet eats for free

memoirs

Midnight Romeo What happens when a Vokkaliga boy falls in love with a Lingayat girl? This story straddles two powerful, often conflicting communities heard someone knocking. I switched on the light. It was midnight. I peered out of the window. “Hanumantharaya, open the door,” I heard someone say. It was my friend Devaraj. I unlatched the door, wondering what he was doing at this hour. Devaraj was agitated. He wasn’t speaking normally; his limbs were flailing. He was otherwise a quiet man, not the sort to be so shaken. He used to study at the Government Arts College when I was studying at Central College. We had become friends. He would refuse to join the gang that stood around teasing girls. “What’s the matter? I’ve never seen you so upset. Come in, come in,” I said. Without saying a word, he handed me a letter. I read it. It was something a

VIVEK ARUN

girl called Mangala had written to him. It said her parents had got wind of their love, and were determined to take her away to a secret place and get her married off to some other boy. She wanted him to get in touch and rescue her. I understood his story. “I never thought you were capable of romance,” I joked. “This is a question of life and death. I came to you only because you wouldn’t make light of it. We have to save her right away. If she is married off to someone else, she will kill herself,” he said, heaving. His eyes welled up. If I didn’t look serious, I told myself, this man would start wailing. What power that Mangala must have to make this unflappable man feel so miserable! “All right, tell me what you want me to do. I’ll do it,” I said. “Use all your lawyer skills and find out where they have smuggled her away. Don’t worry about the money,” he said. He said his mother would give him anything he asked for, and his sister had got a government job, and could pool in some money if necessary. This is a true Laila-Majnu case, I told myself. “Fine. Rest here today. I’ll take you to my senior tomorrow,” I assured him. I escorted him to our office in the morning. Many clients were waiting for my senior Devadas’s attention. Hesitantly, I told him, “Sir, this is a close friend. He has fallen in love, and the girl is not a minor. They are from different castes: he’s a Vokkaliga and she’s a Lingayat.” I also explained we needed his help to find her. Devadas was brusque. “Don’t these boys have anything better to do? Let’s look at it in the evening. We have lots of other important cases to discuss,” he said.

I gestured to Devaraj not to lose heart. “You can finish whatever work you have and come back in the evening,” I told him. “I have no other work,” Devaraj said. “I’ll go watch a matinee show while you finish your work.” He was back by the time we returned from court. He greeted my senior, who just nodded and breezed in. Devadas took off his turban, and sat under a fan. He would get irritable in warm weather, and even request that the fan be on in the court hall when he was arguing his cases. I scratched my head, wondering how to broach Devaraj’s subject again. I finally said, “Sir, about my friend… his mother wants to know how much she needs to pay as lawyers’ fees.” Devadas sat upright. “What? His mother wants to pay his fees in a love case? This must be genuine. Bring your friend in,” he said. When Devaraj walked in, my senior shook his hand and said, pointing to me, “Don’t worry. This friend of yours is enough for us to find your girl. I know some police officers.” I whispered in Devaraj’s ear that he should quickly fetch Rs 5,000. By 8.30 pm, he came to our office with his sister, who handed my senior Rs

5,000 and said, “Sir, do anything, but just get him married to her. He will go mad otherwise. The girl tells me she likes him a lot.” Devadas said he couldn’t take money from my friend. “Just take care of the court and police station expenses,” he said.

crime folio

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

Fabled ranconteur and Bangalore’s top-notch criminal lawyer brings you moving and bizarre real-life stories from 40 years of practice

C H HANUMANTHARAYA

I gestured to Devaraj. “Sir, we don’t know a thing about those procedures. Please take care of them. Here, keep this,” he urged. Devadas put the money in the drawer, and told me, “Contact subinspector Ninge Gowda tomorrow. He is a Vokkaliga, and may take special interest in the case.” Devaraj gave him the letter Mangala had written, and Devadas instructed me, “File an illegal detention case.” I was excited by all this. I felt I should play a part in getting this inter-caste marriage going. My villager mind told me Devaraj was doing something extraordinary by marrying out of his caste. Mangala’s father was a public works engineer. He was rich, and Devaraj’s family lived just across the road. Devaraj and Mangala had been friends, but no one had suspected they were lovers. One day, Mangala’s mother chanced upon a letter Devaraj had written. “How you have betrayed us! Your father can’t show his face to the world,”

Mangala’s mother screamed. Her father, looking for a groom, had lined up some engineers and doctors. “But you’ve gone and chosen someone who eats meat!” her mother berated her. Before she had been taken away, Mangala had insisted she would marry Devaraj, or commit suicide. Her father had heard her without uttering a

memoirs word. The next day, he had come in a car and taken her and her mother away. Once we lodged a complaint, Ninge Gowda went to their house with a search warrant, but had to return empty-handed. “Her father is cunning. He has taken them away somewhere, but you’ve made our job easier by getting a search warrant,” he told us. He told to tip him off in case we got to know where she had been hidden away. Devaraj was frustrated. “Sir, so you say you can’t find her? If you can’t, who else can?” he wailed. I signalled to him to keep quiet. “We’re bothering you every day,” I said to Ninge Gowda. “Please don’t mistake us.” Ninge Gowda said it was his duty to unite the lovers. “It will add to my good deeds. I am not upset by what our friend said. It’s just that he feels helpless. And parents should stop imposing their ways on their children,” he said. Fifteen days passed. Devaraj would make an appearance at our office every evening. That amused my colleagues. “Love fever,” they would whisper among themselves, and giggle. They also teased me about him. But I didn’t let their comments discourage me. I was serious about

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

the case. My senior gave me the responsi- knowledge of their elders. bility of handling it, and was relaxed I came out of the court hall. We went about it. Once in a while, he would ask, to see Ninge Gowda. “Let’s see them get laughingly, “What’s the progress in the away now?” he said. We said we would like Romeo and Juliet case?” to go with him. “Why not?” he said. For One day, when I was in court with support, Devaraj invited four or five of his my senior, Devaraj came rushing and friends to join the expedition. The police frantically waved to me to come out. It jeep raced ahead. Following it was our was noon, and I stepped out grumbling. Romeo’s car. “What’s it? Should you It was six in the disturb me when the evening by the time we court is in progress?” I reached the village. We If she is married asked irritably. caught a passer-by. When off to someone He wasn’t in the we asked him for direcelse, she will kill least put off by my tone. tions, he said, “Why are herself, Devaraj The gloomy look had you policemen going vanished from his face. after such a harmless told me He pulled out an inland family?” letter from his pocket. It “Drag him into the had come from a Tumkur college, and jeep,” Ninge Gowda said sharply. revealed where Mangala had been hidden. “No, please, don’t. I can’t make eneI slapped him on his back and congratu- mies in our village,” the passer-by said. He lated him. “Now I know why you look so then pointed in the direction of a big happy!” I said. house. But the constables wouldn’t let The letter was signed by two boys him go. and Mangala. It said she was in the house “So you plan to take a bylane and of a rich man in a small village near alert them?” they threatened him. They Tumkur. The boys lived in the house. pulled him into the jeep and said, “Be Unable to see Mangala’s suffering, they quiet. We won’t harm you.” had posted a letter to Devaraj without the The doors were open. Ninge Gowda

took strode into the house. We followed him. Mangala was sitting in the verandah. She rushed towards Devaraj, but her mother dragged her back, screaming, “What black magic have you performed to bring them all here? Neither you nor I should live.” She pounced on Mangala and sat on her chest, violently squeezing her neck. Devaraj swung into action and pulled the mother back. He rested Mangala on his left arm, and nursed her neck with his right hand, trying to ease her pain. Her mother, hair all scattered, wailed, “Gone, gone. All our honour is gone!” Ninge Gowda got the witness procedures done. Mangala wrote out a statement: “I have been detained against my will. I am willing to go with Devaraj.” Left with no option, her parents came around for a compromise. The wedding was fixed at Siddaganga Math. On the day of the wedding, Devaraj was a different man. He was wearing sacred ash on his forehead, and had a linga box tied around his neck: he had converted to Lingayatism. Translated by S R Ramakrishna

T I M E P A SS

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Prof Good Sense My close friend is having an extramarital affair for the past one year. He has a pretty wife and a 10year-old son. His wife has no clue about his affair. I have a strong desire to tell her, but I also feel that it would be betraying him. I found about his affair by chance, and I'm not sure whether it's worth risking our friendship. What should I do? Manjunath, by email

Off The Mark

Being a good friend is a very tough job. No matter how close you might be to the couple, as an outsider you can never really judge what’s going on within a marriage. I don’t think you should tell your friend’s wife what her husband is up to. I agree that it might not be fair to her. What you could do is have a talk with your friend and tell him what you feel could be some of the of his action. Let him know that you disapprove.

By Mark Parisi

I’m 23 years old, and work as a computer teacher in an international school for NRI children. At times, the older students flirt with me. However, I am attracted towards one student who is a big bully/rogue. On several occasions I have punished him in the class. He is undeterred and senses that I like him. I am at a loss about how to handle this situation? Anonymous, by email

1st Cross

Talk’s weekly crossword for Bangaloreans who know their way about town 15 Karnataka city just south of Goa (6) 19 The recent ___ to North-East was one of the largest India has seen in recent times (6) 20 Dynasty which ruled the area around Bangalore in the 11th century (5) 21 Sri Lankan batsman in our IPL squad (1,1,7)

2 4 5 6

DOWN Multiplex at the Forum (3) Bangalore's famed botanical gardens (7) Seraphine ____ : Kenyan singer who recently performed in the city (6) Man in the news for his lawsuit against Infosys (4,6)

Last week’s solution Across: 1 Margosa, 3 November, 5 Yoko, 8 Bhardwaj, 10 Thirty, 11 St marks, 13 & 18 Across Vidhana Soudha, 15 Hint, 21 Inox, 23 Whitefield, 24 Wonderla. 1 3 5 8

Across Rice noodle delicacy of Karnataka (4,5) Alternate name for our beloved city (9) The state was recently plagued by rumours of poisoned ____ (4) ____ ___ Azad: Union health min-

ister who praised the performance of the southern states on the health front (6,4) 11 The place for Afghani food at Infantry Road (9) 13 In 2010 human skulls were found in a drain in this town in Dharwad district (8)

Down: 2 Goonda, 3 Nandi, 4 Bannerghatta, 6 Mahalakshmi, 7 Cyanide Mallika, 9 Hubli, 12 Swine flu, 14 Russel, 16 Jog Falls, 17 Agumbe, 19 Udipi, 20 Dn & 22 Ac Aravind Limbavali.

7 8 9 10 12 14 16 17 18

Popular dessert in Karnataka and the rest of the country as well (6,3) The State Government is opposing the World Heritage tag to the Western ____ (5) Market near Brigade Road (7) A CAG special audit will be probing this scam (7) Our city is located in this plateau (6) K Shivannagouda ____ : Reently appointed political secretary (4) National park home to tigers, panthers and elephants (5) Bangalore is divided into 198 ____ (5) Popular pub in Indira Nagar (4)

In our country, the teacher-taught relationship is the one that goes beyond the realm of infatuation. It is considered to be sacred. For a teenager, attraction can change every other day. But you should be responsible and mature in your dealings with such lads. You are not a teenager anymore. Please remember you are his mentor and contemplating acting on your attraction for a student is not in anyone’s best interests. Prof M Sreedhara Murthy teaches psychology at NMKRV First Grade College. He is also a wellknown photographer. Write to him: prof@talkmag.in

Bluff first, blush later Once I had to interview this actress who I wasn't familiar with. The interview happened so suddenly that I hardly had any time to do my homework on her, and I decided to go with whatever questions I could think of on the spot. We went live on air and thinking she was a newcomer, I asked her what her experience was like shooting for her first film. She seemed taken back for a moment. “That was four years ago.” Turned out she was a well-known star, and to this day I do not know who among the two of us was more embarrassed. Pavithra Shankar, Radio Jockey Share the humour in your life, multiply the fun! Keep those anecdotes coming to: features@talkmag.in

talk|30 aug 2012|talkmag.in

Bhatt why?

Buy a tiger online

We hear Karan Johar is back to dreaming about college. But the news this time is that he intends to pick faces young enough to be actually spotted on a campus. Student of the Year, slated for an October release, features Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter Alia Bhatt and David Dhawan’s son Varun Dhawan. Built like a launch pad for the two, the theatricals are a horrific reminder of films like Mohabbatein and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Will KJo ever get out of his imaginary college and see a real one, we wonder. We are cheering him though, for not forcing on us a retired 40year-old babe as a college student.

Viagra, ‘bonsai kittens’, automatic weapons… it would seem almost anything is available online these days. But tigers? BuyTigers.com - which calls itself ‘the most original pet store ever’ - claims to supply five-month-old female tigers with vaccinations, ‘directly from India breedings’. Needless to say, the website had wildlife and animal rights activists in a rage, with PETA India even going to the extent of alerting the government. Turns out it was just a prank, the

Alia Bhatt

handiwork of a 25-year-old Italian webmaster who introduces himself as Aldo Tripiciano. In a statement published on the website, he says while it all started as a joke, he was surprised to get a flood of emails from all over the world, from “rich jerks of all ages, asking for tigers and willing to pay for them.” He says most people who contacted him were from the United States, India and the Arab countries. We seem to have some things in common, after all.

A jumbo population problem

Is sex redundant?

In South Africa, elephant conservation programmes have proved so successful that they now face the prospect of a population explosion, threatening vegetation and other wildlife. Reuters reported how officials in the country’s KwaZulu-Natal province are looking to expand a project where she-elephants are injected with a vaccine that triggers an immune system response to block sperm reception. South Africa, which had just over 100 elephants left a century ago, now has 20,000 of them. Thankfully, this is one problem we are unlikely to have, since here the numbers of endangered animals keep dwindling in proportion to the funds we spend on ‘conserving’ them.

That’s the question Dr Aarathi Prasad, Londonbased biologist and science writer, poses in her new book, Like A Virgin. Prasad’s book is billed as a work “that will change the way you think about sex.” It takes us inside the labs pioneering sexless reproduction, from eggfertilising computer chips to artificial wombs. The Daily Mail, typically, described her as “the woman who wants to abolish sex”, but looking at this photograph released by her publishers, we can only ask, “Oh, really?”