Talk Magazine by Suhas Shankarappa

talk Volume 1 | Issue 39 | May 9, 2013 | Rs 10

magazine

the intelligent bangalorean’s must-read weekly

LIVING Bangalore’s baking craze 16 INTERVIEW Anand Patwardhan, India’s most acclaimed docu filmmaker 6 SATISH ACHARYA

MUSIC Awards for independent artistes 19

VOTE HABBA

PLUS s Prediction ates andid Unlike in other metros, netas in Bangalore face an electorate largely disconnected from its Honest c toons Ayyo politics. The typical voter is 27, speaks English, and dreams of SUVs and skiing holidays. This divide makes for India’s most intriguing city election scene, writes MK RAGHAVENDRA 8-9

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mail

Cancer story was well-researched, but missed the artificial light factor Your package on cancer (No 1 in Breast Cancer, Issue 36) in the recent edition of Talk was well researched. But you seem to have missed one important pointâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the role played by artificial light in breast cancer. Certain types of nighttime lighting that suppresses circadian rhythms (body processes that follow a 24-hour cycle) may be linked to breast cancer and other medical conditions, and the American Medical Association admits the possibility. Studies have consistently shown that those who work night shifts are at a higher risk for breast cancer, heart disease and other health problems. In my opinion, apart from the reasons mentioned in your articles, the large number of women working the graveyard shift in BPOs too

could be responsible for the high incidence of breast cancer in Bangalore. Balaji Narasimhan Hosakerehalli Super-thrilled to read Talk I am a research neuroscientist (not as serious as it sounds!) at Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, Australia. The last time I was in Bangalore, I was delighted to flip through Talk and superthrilled to have read a weekly that pushed the horizon in a widemighty way. Now I am back in the city I currently call home and I must say Brisbane is somewhat similar to Bangalore. But I often miss the buzzing and honking of vehicles, the multi-cultural atmosphere the city offers and most of all my parents, my room. and the road-side Romeos. Nivetha Gunasekaran Brisbane

team talk EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE TEAM

SR Ramakrishna Editor Sridhar K Chari Consulting Editor Prashanth GN Senior Editor Sajai Jose Chief Copy Editor Savie Karnel Principal Correspondent Basu Megalkeri Principal Correspondent Prachi Sibal Senior Features Writer Sandra Fernandes and Maria Laveena Reporters and Copy Editors Anand Kumar K Chief of Design Shridhar G Kulkarni Graphic Designer Ramesh Hunsur Senior Photographer Vivek Arun Graphics Artist

Sumith Kombra Founder, CEO and Publisher Kishore Kumar N Head - Circulation Vinayadathan KV Area Manager - Trade Yadhu Kalyani Sr Executive Corporate Sales Lokesh KN Sr Executive Subscriptions Prabhavathi Executive Circulation Sowmya Kombra Asst Process Manager

Printed and published by Sumith Kombra on behalf of Shakthi Media Ventures India Pvt Ltd FF70, Gold Towers, Residency Road, Bangalore -560025 and printed at Lavanya Mudranalaya, Chamarajpet, Bangalore-560018. Editor: SR Ramakrishna. Editorial Office: FF70, Gold Towers, Residency Road, Bangalore 560025 Email: info@talkmag.in Phone: 08040926658. ÂŠ All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.

A gripping story, well told The story A Feud in Varthur (Crime Folio, Issue 37), caught my attention and held it till the end. As someone interested in crime stories, I found the narration very skillful; it made me feel as if I saw

the whole incident with my own eyes. The idea that presence of mind is necessary at all times is conveyed in a simple manner with the help of an interesting real life incident. I don't think there could be a better way of telling people not

to lose hope, and to use their brains even in the toughest of situations. Amrutha by email Write to letters@talkmag.in

election special

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in RAMESH HUNSUR

editor talk In a democracy, election time is festive time. We have covered many unusual aspects in the run-up to the Karnataka assembly elections, slated for May 5. While shifting loyalties and machinations form the staple of election coverage, we also featured politicians with a genuine desire to do good. This edition is packed with stories about the elections. MK Raghavendra, who brings sharp sociological and political insight to his film criticism, takes a look at the idea of the ‘cosmopolitan’ Bangalore voter. Who is this voter? Raghavendra comes up with startling new metaphors for the English-speaking young voter who worships this city’s business heroes. Meanwhile, our political analyst Basu Megalkeri visited some of Bangalore’s poorest localities to sense the mood there. He predicts a victory for the Congress. In collaboration with a group of students from Mount Carmel College, Savie Karnel tried to capture the sentiment in Bangalore’s more upmarket neighbourhoods.

WE’RE NOT WAITING Roshan Baig, Congress candidate from the Shivajinagar constituency campaigns with movie star Ramya in tow

The BJP is set to lose badly, and the Congress will emerge as the single largest party, predicts Basu Megalkeri

Groundswell for Congress

n May 8, once the and Hanumanthnagar and found votes are counted, we residents of slums and auto drivers will know which party openly saying they would support will govern Karnataka the Congress because the BJP rule for the next five years. has troubled them a lot. A mix of The main players are the BJP, JD(S) people I spoke to—Muslims, and the Congress, with two new Tamils, Kannadigas, and womenparties, the KJP and the BSR folk—all indicated a preference for Congress, expected to play a small the Congress. A BJP defeat is on the cards, but significant role. Over the last few weeks, I and the only factor that may prevent a washout is the have been in touch rebellion within the with voters, party It won’t be Congress, which has workers, and leaders, and the sentiment surprising if fielded weak candidates, especially in across the state indiJD(S) pips Bangalore. It may not cates the Congress the BJP even be surprising if will emerge as the the JD(S) pips the single largest party, with the BJP and JD(S) coming in BJP, for such is the anti-incumbency mood. at number two and three. As calculations go, four days I visited areas like JJ Nagar, Siddapura, Vasanthanagara, before the elections, the Congress Srinagar, Mohammedan block, will get 90 to 105 seats, the JD(S)

40 to 45, the BJP 30 to 35, the KJP 10 to 15, and the BSR Congress 1 to 5. Up to 15 independents are expected to win. Polls in one constituency, Periyapatna, has been postponed following the death of BJP candidate Sannamage Gowda. Which makes the total number of seats 223, and whoever has 113 seats will rule.

Negative record Over the last five years, the BJP government has emerged among the most corrupt governments in the country. It has been unstable, too, with three chief ministers over five years. In 2008, people were moved to vote for BS Yeddyurappa for three main reasons. The first was emotional: The JD(S) had backstabbed him. The JD(S) had got into a coalition with

Mark your calendar: May 5: Voting | May 8: Counting

From all accounts, it looks like the Congress will emerge the single largest party. But that won’t be enough. In Karnataka’s 224-member assembly, a party or a coalition needs at least 113 legislators to form a government. If the Congress wins 90—and falls short of 23— it will have to align either with Yeddyurappa’s KJP or Deve Gowda’s JD(S). The Congress once formed a government with the JD(S), and that party’s patriarch Deve Gowda gave the then chief minister Dharam Singh a nightmarish time. The Congress is likely to woo independents, or choose to go with the tainted—and therefore more pliable—Yeddyurappa rather than the JD(S). But again, all that depends on how many additional seats the Congress needs, and how many seats the smaller parties win. In any case, don’t forget to celebrate this festival. Happy voting!

SR Ramakrishna ram@talkmag.in

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AS DISCUSSED HD Deve Gowda campaigning for JD(S) candidate ST Anand in Rajajinagar

Likely numbers Congress 90 to 105 JD(S) 40 to 45 BJP 30 to 35 KJP 10 to 15 BSR Congress 1 to 5 Independents Up to 15

Total seats: 224 Minimum seats to form govt: 113 the BJP, saying HD Kumaraswamy would be chief minister for 20 months and Yeddyurappa would take over for the remaining 20. But the JD(S) went back on the promise. This created sympathy for the BJP, especially Yeddyurappa. The second was caste-related: No Lingayat had headed the government since JH Patel’s time (1997), and many felt Yeddyurappa was the right man—a Lingayat leader out to make a difference. The third was a question of fairness: Citizens felt the BJP deserved a chance, since the Congress and the JD(S) had had theirs. The BJP had never been in government before 2008.

Failure after failure The BJP government, the first in South India, began inauspiciously by mismanaging a farmers’ agitation at Haveri. The farmers were protesting against fertiliser shortage. Police fired at them and killed a protester. In 2009, the government did nothing to help people affected by severe floods in North Karnataka. Swamijis, corporate leaders and philanthropists helped build houses, but the government failed to step in, even after collecting funds for rehabilitation. To this day, people affected by the floods continue to live in temporary sheds. Four years into a tumultuous administration, the land denotification and illegal mining scandals sent Chief Minister Yedyurappa to jail. Ten other leaders faced

criminal cases. The BJP central leadership, eyeing the 2014 parliamentary elections, was going all out against the UPA government in Delhi, but was embarrassed by what was happening in Karnataka. They asked Yeddyurappa to step down. He did, in the hope that he would be made party president for Karnataka. But when the party continued to sideline him, he quit and formed the KJP. Earlier this year, the failure of the BJP government was reflected in the urban local body polls: it emerged third, and the Congress first. The Congress is betting on a big split in the Lingayat vote. North Karnataka, a stronghold of the BJP, is now slipping out of its hands. Lingayats form 17 percentage of the electorate, and their votes will be divided between BJP’s Jagadish Shettar and KJP’s Yeddyurappa. Shettar is not a mass leader. He went about last week claiming his party was now rid of corrupt elements. Yeddyurappa, angered by Shettar’s remarks, has vowed to

destroy both the BJP and Shettar. He feels betrayed that a man he helped become chief minister is talking against him. All this has forced people to look for an alternative in the Congress. The Vokkaliga vote (16 per cent) is expected to be split between the JD(S) and the Congress. The Congress is banking on support from Dalits, Muslims and backward classes, more this time than ever before. This grouping (approximately 40 per cent) is larger than the Lingayats and the Vokkaligas put together. Siddaramaiah, who is a Kuruba, and Kharge and Parameshwar, who represent the Dalits, are sure to pull in votes for the Congress. Also, the BJP has not given a single ticket to Muslims, while the JD(S) has given 20, and the Congress 10. The Muslim vote will therefore be split between the JD(S) and the Congress. Traditionally, the Congress enjoys the backing of Dalits, Muslims and the backward classes. Four Karnataka chief ministers have hailed from the backward classes and all of them are Congressmen—Devaraj

Urs, Bangarappa, Veerappa Moily and Dharam Singh. Siddaramaiah, Kharge and Parameshwara are chief ministerial candidates this time, and they represent marginalised castes. The BJP and the JD(S) have never offered chief ministership to the backward classes, always going with Lingayats or Vokkaligas. Meanwhile, Karnataka’s intellectuals and writers have also come out in open support of the Congress. They are campaigning for the Congress on the ground. Two sudden developments—the sharp fall in the price of petrol by more than Rs 3 and the filing of a charge sheet against Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa—have also created conditions favourable for a Congress victory. The media, dominated by the upper castes, has been projecting the internal troubles of the Congress, saying the BJP is gaining ground again. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has been actively promoting this line, too. But all that may just be wishful thinking.

Quiz netas before voting, urges MP Using a blog and social networks, Chandrasekhar is urging Bangalore’s citizens to quiz candidates on key issues before deciding on whom to vote. To this end, he has drawn up 13 questions. He suggests citizens choose candidates who support reforms and transparency in the way Bangalore is governed, especially in organisations like the BDA, BBMP, BWSSB and Bescom. PRASHANTH GN Leaders who support greater involveprashanth.gn@talkmag.in ment of RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations) in planning and development ote right, vote responsibly’ is the of neighbourhoods should get your vote, message for voters from Rajeev he says. In his view, candidates who can delivChandrasekhar, Rajya Sabha MP er transparency and integrity in managerepresenting Bangalore Urban.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar draws up a list of qualities citizens should look for in their representatives

‘V

ment of public land, besides better public transport and traffic management, deserve to make it to the Vidhana Soudha. They should also be able to ensure the Rajeev safety of children, Chandrasekhar women and the elderly. Good candidates are those who can provide housing for the urban poor while they preserve the heritage and culture of Bangalore. They should be against the building of commercial structures in residential areas. It is also important for them to address the water crisis facing the city and bar themselves and their family mem-

bers from taking up public contracts from agencies such as the BDA, BBMP and BWSSB. Chandrasekhar explains in his blog: “It is not my business to tell you who to vote for but I can certainly help you understand the challenges that we face as a city and state.” Chandrasekhar has also called for citizen-centric governance. “In every successful modern city, citizens have a very powerful voice in the destiny and direction of development around their homes and places of work. For Bengaluru too, we must want the same.” You can read his message to Bangaloreans here: www.rajeev.in

fun lines

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caste on film

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Cinema as conscience Anand Patwardhan talks about his pathbreaking documentary on the Dalit movement, his political philosophy, and the way forward SAJAI JOSE sajai.jose@talkmag.in

nand Patwardhan is one of India’s most accomplished documentary filmmakers, and his films, known for their sharp—indeed, stinging— social and political criticism, serve as counter-narratives to the established view on a host of issues ranging from caste to communalism to the prevailing model of development. The maker of such classics of the genre as Ram Ke Naam (on Ayodhya and the Babri Masjid demolition) and War and Peace (on India and Pakistan’s nuclear arms race), Patwardhan was in Bangalore recently to show his latest production, Jai Bhim Comrade, a look at caste in 21st century India. The pivotal incident in Jai Bhim Comrade is the 1997 incident at Mumbai’s Ramabai Colony, where the police opened fire without warning on a group of Dalits protesting the desecration of a statue of Dr Ambedkar. The firing, which led to the deaths of ten people, shook the Dalit community in Maharashtra and elsewhere, and prompted Patwardhan’s friend, the Dalit poet and singer Vilas Ghogre, to commit suicide. The film explores the persistent reality of caste in contemporary India through the life and work of Dalit cultural activists like Ghogre and the Kabir Kala Manch, a group of singers and folk performers who were forced into hiding after being labelled as Maoists by the Maharashtra government. Excerpts from an interview:

One of the themes in your film is the hijacking of the Dalit movement by Hindutva forces. Do you see more of it happening in the future?

The sangh parivaar has almost reached a saturation point with the upper castes. It’s the law of diminishing returns at work. Now they have to go into new areas, and the two obvious ones are Dalits and adivasis. Their entry into adivasi terrain was marked by cases such as the Graham Staines murder. The sangh wants to re-convert Dalits and adivasis who have converted to other religions back into Hinduism. The question to ask them is: which caste will they be re-converted into? Clearly, they would once again end up at the bottom of the heap. Now, there would be nothing wrong with Hinduism if we could get rid of caste, but is it possible? Dr Ambedkar has written extensively on this: he found caste to be deep-rooted, all-pervasive, and sanctioned by all the shastras.

CRITICAL LENS Anand Patwardhan’s films are powerful social and political critiques. (Left) Detail from the jacket of his latest film Jai Bhim Comrade

change our ways just because the world thinks it’s not alright.

What then would be the most effective way to counter casteism? The fastest way to get rid of casteism is inter-caste marriage. Some people think that the dropping of surnames will change things, but that is, at best, a surface phenomenon. Others talk of inter-dining, but that too is easy to But Dalit leaders themselves have do. In fact, even VD Savarkar’s Hindu formed alliances with the BJP, like Maha Sabha promoted inter-dining Mayawati did… Her political godfather, Kanshi Ram at one time. But inter-marriage is once said that Dalits could make any another thing altogether; the mixing political alliance as long as it gets of blood, that is important. But this them power. They call it ‘social engi- cannot be done top-down. We cannot neering.’ Sometimes, it’s got to do have a Stalin-like leader commanding with money power, like when the us to inter-marry. But the fact is that Republican Party of India, a Dalit even the Left does not practice it. party, joined hands with the Shiv Most of their leaders come from the Sena in Maharashtra. In their case, upper castes, and few have inter-marthere was also a ‘push and pull’ effect, ried. But there were always individubecause the Congress had mistreated als who had ‘de-casted’ themselves. them. My personal view is that Dalits For example, when Ambedkar burned who join hands with Hindutva forces the Manu Smriti as an act of protest, can only do so by rejecting Dr the man who actually set fire to the Ambedkar’s deepest ideals. Instead of book was a Brahmin. For inter-margoing with either the Congress or the riage to happen, first there must be intermingling of BJP, Dalits should different castes, become a third force. spaces where peo‘The fastest way ple mix with each Scholars like Anand to get rid of other, be it Teltumbde have argued schools, colleges for equating casteism casteism is interor workplaces. with racism, in order to caste marriage’ Mixed schooling is internationalise the most important. issue… I’ve shown this film at many festivals The reservations make this possible abroad. Over there, some people to some extent, but the elite are up in think that caste is a problem only arms against it. these crazy Indians have. But the fact is that most societies have this trait of There is a view that reservations are dehumanising certain sections, of reinforcing the caste system... treating them as if they were a sub- Reservations are a game of dividing species. Just look at the way the and sub-dividing. It’s at best a shortPalestinians are treated by the term solution. Real empowerment Israelis, for example. While interna- comes from a psychological breaktionalising the caste problem is worth through, of being able to feel proud of doing, that’s hardly enough to solve oneself. In Jai Bhim, there’s a part the problem. We’re not going to where I interview a Dalit family in

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Maharashtra’s Beed district, whose girls actually read him. He was an intellectual were raped by a village landlord. They giant, the most scholarly figure among all belong to the caste of Mangs, considered the leaders in our movement, more so than the lowest. In the film, they analyse their Nehru or Gandhi. But he’s not taught in situation thus: it’s our own fault, we never schools or colleges. It’s easy to criticise a organised ourselves, we never converted. Mayawati for putting up all those statues, They point to others who converted to but you have to understand that it’s a reclaBuddhism and say, look at them, they have mation of an important part of our herdone the right thing. When I ask, haven’t itage, one that has been suppressed for thousands of years. they too faced atrocities, they say, yes, but they ‘The state is There is a view that have discarded caste menparanoid about Capitalism will get rid of tally, even if they must caste by breaking down the endure it in daily life. It’s militancy among existing social structure. this reassertion of the self the oppressed’ Institutions like the Dalit that they value in those Indian Chamber of that have converted. So, there’s only so much that reservations can Commerce and Industry promote this. do. I see the ideals of Ambedkar, which are What’s your take? enshrined in the Constitution, as the way They think that money will solve the problem. It’s a sort of economic literalism. Like forward. the communists, who think that a revolution will make caste disappear, the capitalAmbedkar was opposed to people idolising him; you quote him as saying that he wanted ists think money will. But it’s hard to imagine that a minority that corners all the followers, not devotees. What then do you resources will be open to real democratisathink about the growing deification of tion, the only way to get rid of caste. Ambedkar? At one level, I don’t see anything wrong with it. In fact, I would like to see some You have supported the Kabir Kala Manch, more deification of Ambedkar, especially and the group figures prominently in the among non-Dalits! Not many people have film. Is the space for dissent shrinking?

The state is paranoid about any sign of militancy among the oppressed classes, and hence the targeting of groups like Kabir Kala Manch. By shrinking democratic spaces, it's the state itself that's pushing people towards the Naxals. But, in fact, the KKM's thinking is influenced by both Left thinking and Ambedkarite thinking, and their politics is a meeting ground between those who argue in favour of armed struggle, like the Maoists, and those accept parliamentary democracy with all its flaws. Personally, I think that the idea of waging an armed struggle in a forest, against a highly militarised Indian state, is suicidal. Some of the most intelligent, brave and idealistic of our people are dying in the jungles for this cause. It think it's a much better idea to chip away at the existing system using ideological, and cultural tools, like the many Dalit groups are doing. In many of your films, you get people to say the most outrageous things on camera. In Jai Bhim, for instance, you show middle class people in Mumbai complaining about how the Dalits “stink.” How do you pull it off? I don’t go searching for such people. That would be interesting to do, it would make for another kind of film. But usually, these people don’t come out and say these things

in the open. They are sophisticated people. (Anand Patwardhan was in Bangalore at the invitation of Concern, a students’ group at the Indian Institute of Science)

Filmography  War and Peace (2002)

A journey of peace activism at a time of global militarism and war  A Narmada Diary (1995)

On the Narmada Bachao Andolan's battle against the Sardar Sarovar Dam  Father, Son and Holy War (1995)

On the relationship between religion, violence and male identity  Ram Ke Naam (1992)

On the rise of Hindu fundamentalism as reflected in the temple/mosque conflict in Ayodhya that led to nationwide carnage  Bombay our City (1985)

On the daily battle for survival of Bombay's slum dwellers and the attitudes of an elite that considers itself "legitimate"  Waves of Revolution (1974)

On an anti-corruption movement in Bihar which led to a declaration of Emergency in India

election special

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Percentage of Bangaloreans under 25: 62 | Number of voters in Bangalore 70,37,885 | Constituencies 28

Gherkin-eaters go to the polls With business tycoons as icons and English-speaking techies as constituency, this city's election scene is like no other, writes MK Raghavendra

RAMESH HUNSUR

angalore is the often described as the most ‘cosmopolitan’ of Indian cities but it is almost impossible to describe the cosmopolitan Bangalorean. Every other city offers representative types who occupy preeminent positions in that city’s life. Chennai, for instance, has the Brahmin cultural category identified with the annual music festival at the Music Academy, as well as the ‘subaltern’ political type courted by the DMK and the AIDMK, the two major Tamil parties. Hyderabad has the business or the landowning types who frequently venture into politics. Their political avatar is often associated with family feuds and political vendettas. Then, Hyderabad also has the aristocratic Nawabi type, genteel and not averse to eating ham sandwiches. Mumbai presents the business class— often Gujarati and addicted to CNBC—as well as the Marathi manoos partial to the late Chatrapathi. Bombay also has a visible English-speaking crowd tracing its cultural roots to the Anglo-Indian community in Bandra or Byculla. Delhi presents its babus and its intellectuals with their original roots in Nehruvian India. Then, there is also a business class in the capital with more dubious connections than the one in Mumbai. Kolkata has the left-leaning Bhadralok intellectual trying to restrict his monthly expenses even as he consumes coffee volubly on College Street. Representatives of these groups usually make it to national television when their city is getting the attention of the nation.

The lost tribe of Cox Town Bangalore alone has no representative who can trace his or her existence to a respectable past. Few of its citizens own up to Bangalore,

ALL CLUBBY Corporate leaders Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Mohandas Pai of the ‘citizens’ group’ Bangalore Political Action Committee arrive at the Bangalore Press Club to announce a list of candidates they endorse

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certainly not its scientists, although there is a large scientific establishment in Bangalore. Those who speak for Bangalore are usually those who have made their money recently, and who are ‘cosmopolitan’ in their outlook. This may be like a spanking new building becoming iconic for a city that, at the same time, becomes difficult to accept. Also, if ‘cosmopolitan’ is still the attribute of Bangalore, it could just be an admission that other attributes are not identifiable. Thirty years ago, for instance, the ‘cosmopolitan’ Bangalorean man might have been living in Cox Town, consuming beer at Koshy’s, reading PG Wodehouse, and walking to Plaza cinema to catch a film, but what is he doing now after India’s growth story and Bangalore’s transformation? He remains 27 years old, but he lives either in Hennur or somewhere on Bannerghatta Road, dresses in shorts, and exercises at the gym every morning with other sweating people his age. His shift begins at noon and goes on till midnight, five or six days a week. The highpoint of his week is perhaps shopping on Saturday evening and picking up a bottle of pickled gherkins or imported olives, and watching IPL on television, sometimes dressed in his team’s colours.

Skis inside a 2 BHK flat He would like to own an apartment close to where he lives, but when he acquires it, it will be in distant Jigani or Sarjapura. For his vacation each year, he returns briefly to Ranchi, laden with CDs for his kith and kin. When he has more money, he uses it to get himself an SUV to drive off casually to Ladakh with his gang, buy an expensive movie camera to catch the great time they have together, and perhaps also pick up a pair of skis to use in the Swiss Alps after he becomes CEO—although 6 ft skis are most inconvenient under the bed in a 2 BHK apartment. The essential difference between the old and the new in cosmopolitan Bangalorean is that the latter is brought up on dreams on which he spends good money, although most of them will remain unrealised. Since money is the only index he has of worth, it is only right that those with wealth should become his spokespersons. If Bangalore has any characteristics

Are you on the voters list?

Go online and check on the Chief Electoral Officer's site. It works efficiently. You get all details (booth, ward, etc) by just choosing a constituency and typing in your name and a relative's name. www.ceokarnataka.kar.nic.in/ vernacularSearch_New.aspx#

persuaded to examine their own moral conduct. It is easy to lash out against politicians but one finds a strange silence enveloping an Anglophone gathering when one attacks a Jindal or an Ambani. It is evidently bad faith for one to fulminate against corruption when one has been a beneficiary.

The larger Anglophone identity

OUR KINDA PARTY The affluent Bangalore citizen is untouched by elections, or even politics

that set it apart from all other metropolis- rise as celebrities is synchronous with their es in India today, it is not so much that it is learning of English. Why Anglophone ‘cosmopolitan’—because the meaning of Indians have gained such power and influthe term is elusive—but that so much of it ence in the past decade or so is not difficult is Anglophone. Visitors can get by speaking to figure out: it has become apparent that a only English, and do this with greater ease connection exists between an Indian’s in Bangalore than in any other Indian city. material success and his knowledge of the English has also helped obliterate language English language. Since Bangalore has had differences among the middle and more a history of English language education, it affluent classes because, to all of them, has become one of the favoured destinaEnglish is the favoured means of commu- tions of new economy businesses. nication. Bangalore’s Cantonment was set up The Anglophone class in Bangalore is by the British who brought in people from not like the Anglo-Indian class of Mumbai the neighbouring territories, and this or even the Cantonment Bangalorean of meant most of them were not Kannada yesteryear; it has, by and speakers. The City and the large, learnt English only Cantonment did not inteAnglophones as a way of improving its grate linguistically, and readily attack prospects. In fact, it is the predominance of hardly a ‘Bangalorean’ English locally perhaps politicians, but characteristic and could brought their two elites not an Ambani come from any of our together—and to these thriving cities. Bangalore have been added new is the city with the most prospects for entrants comfortable in English and advancement and that is perhaps why equipped with purchasing power. those who have materially advanced the Anglophone Bangaloreans have therefore most are its icons. become its most visible citizens, and they have come to represent the city to the media. This is not true of any other Indian India’s new talking heads If anything can be said about the ascendan- city, where local language speakers domicy of classes in India in the new millenni- nate. um, it is that Anglophone Indians have come into their own. They are now a huge The ones who ate the cheese factor in terms of the influence they wield Anglophone Indians have been the biggest through television and the media. The beneficiaries of the Indian growth story, most celebrated television personalities which means they are implicated in the and talk show hosts are English-speaking, doings of private enterprise as employee, and Bollywood now addresses the English- vendor or shareholder. The Indian growth speaking Indian from the metropolises, story would have been heartening had it most of all. The titles of Hindi films are not been synonymous with the story of the now in English and characters break off weakening of the Indian state. As the state into English when they swear. If actor ‘withdrew’ from 1991 onwards, it empowSalman Khan’s films are exceptions and ered enterprise, which gradually corrupted uphold the virtues of an older Hindi cine- the state through its dealings with it. It ma, he may be Hindi India’s last-ditch takes two to conclude a bribe, but the resistance to the ‘Anglophonisation’ of the Anglophone Indian fulminates only film-going public. against the receiver. Cricketers like MS Dhoni, once The media are now the only arbiters uncomfortable in English, have also today, but they are owned and controlled become fluent in the language, and their by private enterprise, and are unlikely to be

This piece is meant to be about the cosmopolitan Bangalorean, but it has gradually veered off into an examination of the Anglophone Indian because the latter is so indistinguishable from the former today— like an individual becoming identified with the generic category he or she might fall into. But just consider how the city has been physically transformed. Since real estate prices are on the ascendant everywhere, why should Bangalore be more unrecognisable today than Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata 20 years ago? It could be because Bangalore, having not developed any identity, was never remembered for ‘the way it was’ and no effort was therefore made to help it retain a remembered shape. In other words, the space of the city resembles the shape of those who dominate its present image. With elections coming up on May 5, it is perhaps appropriate to conclude with speculation about how the cosmopolitan Bangalorean is responding to it. The Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC) is an interesting development and its endorsement of certain candidates is certainly welcome, especially because cosmopolitan Bangaloreans find it difficult to recall the name of a single MLA, and have no idea whom to vote for. Even more welcome is the fact that the BPAC has recommended individuals who display local priorities rather than national ones (secularism, growth, etc).

BPAC as an elite club But there is a general sense that the BPAC came together accidentally at a single evening’s gathering—so homogeneous is the selection. Here, perhaps, is the crux of what is essentially wrong with cosmopolitan Bangaloreans. They are hesitant to soil their hands by transacting—as equals— with those less privileged. Education and breeding may be what one looks for in one’s companions, but there is no guarantee that these qualities make a politician or even an administrator in an imperfect milieu—which would necessitate rough and ready tactics. I would have imagined that any longterm plan for Bangalore should have included people not only from different walks of life (scientists, artists, corporate businesspersons, lawyers) but also from different social segments (academics, garbage collectors, transport operators, vegetable vendors) because managing a city is not akin to managing an enterprise.

election special

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

The wild, drunken dance of democracy A writer travels around the districts and finds candidates and voters revelling in booze and bribery

s our car passes through the toll gate on Tumkur Road, armed jawans stop us and quickly search our bags, glove compartment and the boot. Two weeks ago, there was a bomb blast in Malleswaram and we assume they are searching for explosives. The jawans find nothing, and we move on. They stop the next car. While this routine is in progress, huge trucks and buses pass by, with the jawans waving them on. So heavy vehicles can’t carry explosives? Only after more crude searches on the highway do we realise the jawans are searching for hard cash, which might be distributed among voters! “Have these searches made a difference?” we later ask a party worker in Tumkur. “Why would anybody carry cash on a highway? Party workers sneak into the villages through other routes. Before the code of conduct came into force, some had already distributed money. The election is over in some parts of Tumkur district,” he says.

Educated voters are now fine with vote dakshina

Nataraj Huliyar Well-known shortstory writer and cultural analyst

The going rate for a vote is between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000, depending on the ‘standard’ of the voter. Even the educated, ‘official’ class now accepts money for votes. Older people aren’t averse to it either. Agents and candidates touch their feet, place the money delicately around them, and ask for their aashirvada (blessings). A decade ago, only the illiterate, the semi-educated and slum dwellers accepted money during elections. But the emergence of the Republic of Bellary has changed all that. Middle class families, where the head is in

government service or the private out Rs 25 lakh first. He was promised sector, are also persuaded to accept Rs 3 crore later, to fight the election. money, which comes as a gift during But he did not get the ticket and the some festival, much before the elec- party is not returning the money tions. either. “After all, we are only paying All said and done, he is no seriyour telephone and electricity bills ous contender. His plan was to pockfor the month, et a crore or two, and madam! Please distribute the rest The jawans accept it and bless among voters, getsearched our car ting good returns on us,” the vote-seekers say. his Rs 25 lakh investfor cash that In Shimoga, the ment. But now, dismight be used story goes, a candiplaying the pawn to lure voters date supplied receipts, he is asking monthly rations to anyone willing to some 300 families for years. At elec- lend him a ear to help get the money tion time, he didn’t have to worry: his back. votes were guaranteed. In another constituency, workers and leaders of a national party are desperately searching for the candiPoof! Where did our dear date, but his phone is switched off. candidate disappear? The workers grumbled to us: A district-level leader has a strange grouse. He has been a ticket aspirant “Saar, avaninda sariyaada ‘spandana’ on an ‘any party, any constituency’ illa.” (He is not vibing with us properbasis. He claims to have pawned his ly.) It takes a few minutes for us to jewels and mortgaged his property to realise that the lack of ‘spandana’ raise Rs 25 lakh. A new political party means the candidate is not opening offered him a ticket if he could shell his purse strings! The candidate has

apparently realised he won’t win. He is out to save the money he got from the party for himself! This case is not rare. Candidates withdraw or backtrack when the finances don’t work out.

Real-estate don, flush with cash, laments falling morals A real estate tycoon who has amassed a lot of wealth is upset about ‘declining moral standards’. His problem is that he can’t rely on anybody, and workers are pocketing the money he is giving out for distribution among voters! He sighed philosophically, saying, “Times are getting rotten. People accept money from every party and then decide for whom to vote.” But he is still hopeful. Apparently, some families have their own vote distribution formula. Each member votes differently, thus satisfying all money givers. Wives get into the act too. During the last elections, a candidate’s wife visited several houses, offered money as dakshina with betel

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

leaves, and asked the women to exhausted, they vote as their consmear kum kum on their taalis and science permits. The voter knows that after 5 pm promise that they would vote for her man. He won, but a de-notification that day, the leader and their agents case made him spend quality time in will never bow their heads again—till the next elections. jail, thanks to the Lokayukta. Those who don’t take money Ugama Srinivas, a journalistfriend, shared an interesting experi- may hold their heads high. But how ence. A candidate’s wife hit upon a many of them vote at all? And among novel method of distributing cash to those who vote, how many go by voters. She wore short pants and caste or religion, which is also a form of corruption? How stuffed cash in the can candidates who pockets, and then Indian elections are known swindlers draped a sari over it. She pulled out the can’t be cleansed win? Indian elecmoney once she by jawans on tions cannot be entered the house of highways cleansed by posting a voter. Women dissoldiers on hightribute cash more efficiently, and they cannot be caught ways. They make the election look easily. Women’s organisations too are like a terror incident, and not the democratic festival it is. Their rifles roped in to execute the job. can hardly stop the flow of money. They only intimidate citizens, and Booze flows like water, perhaps scare them away from the that too from a tanker Supply of cheap liquor is also ram- poll booths. pant. This time, the people of Tumkur district were treated to a A ray of hope in two water tanker filled with booze! constituencies All that they had to do was hold As the election campaign comes to an their buckets under the tap and fill it end, we hit two more constituencies up with cheap whisky. If agents can’t in Mandya district and somehow, see distribute liquor directly, they use a ray of hope. In Srirangapattana and liquor coupons—you can see huge Pandavapura constituencies, queues in front of the liquor stores. Sarvodaya Karnataka, headed by Spurious liquor is common, and well-known Kannada writer voters fall ill or die after drinking it. Devanoora Mahadeva, has fielded two Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leaders, Nanjunde Gowda and Early-risers go looking for Puttannaiah, who are giving a tough money by the wayside With only a few days to go for the fight to the national parties. Analysts believe that they even elections, the game continues. Didn’t the JD(S)’ Chennigappa fling curren- have an edge over others. Raitha cy notes in the air last time when the Sangha volunteers are campaigning election observer’s jeep came by? with commitment and zeal. These People get up early in the morning workers haven’t stooped to distributand look for currency notes by the ing money and liquor. For those who are fed up of elections and turn cyniwayside. Voters continue to bargain till cal, at least some voters in these conlate in the afternoon on the day of stituencies show the way. Will election, display their finger without Karnataka take a leaf out of their the indelible ink , and extract money. experience, and believe it is still posAnd by 4 pm, after all possibilities are sible to cleanse the system?

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Corporate leader

Mohandas Pai Corporate leader

‘We will make them deliver’

‘No politician is corruption-free’

Aren’t you being elitist by endorsing some candidates over others? If we don’t make a change, nobody will. We are focused on development. For that, if you want to call us elitist, then we are guilty of being elitist. We are a group of people committed to good governance and politics.

What do you feel should be the upper limit of election funding for canddiates? The Election Commission has stipulated Rs 16 lakh. This amount is too little. Candidates gather money through illegal means and later become corrupt to meet their election expenses. Candidates need at least Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore for campaigning. The public should contribute funds for them. Each person should contribute at least Rs 1,000. This will ensure that the candidates do not become corrupt

What else are you doing to promote these candidates? We are using social media in a big way. We will also use B.PAC volunteers, take out media advertisements, have debates. How did you decide on the candidates to be endorsed? We asked certain questions as part of the selection. Questions like: What steps will you take for a safer constituency? What will you do to improve roads and infrastructure? How do you plan to provide drinking water? What will you do to improve the quality of life, health, education? What will you do about power problems? How are you going to ensure a garbage-free city? We have gone through public records and then selected them. We will make them deliver.

PRIYANKA PADOLE Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon, a biotechnology company. She is also Managing Trustee and President of Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), a citizen's group. B.PAC has announced a list of 14 candidates from various parties it endorses.

SATISH ACHARYA

Questions

Reactions, statements, accusations, complaints, or just straight talk—this is where you get them all

On what basis do you support the candidates on your list? They should not have a criminal record, especially no record of violence against women and children. They should have a record of service to the public, and they shouldn’t have misused public office for private gain. Some candidates on your list make us raise our eyebrows. What do you have to say about that? No politician is corruption-free. These are the ones better than the others. We have selected these people after going through public records. Also, our panel of mentors has given a good opinion about these candidates.

AMRUTHA R TV Mohandas Pai is Chairman of Manipal Global Education. He was earlier a member on the Board of Directors of Infosys. He is also Vice President of Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), a citizen’s group.

election special

Richest candidates 1st Place: Priya Krishna of the Congress has declared assets worth Rs 910 crores. The richest candidate in the state, he is contesting from Bangalore’s Govindrajnagar constituency. Priya Krishna is the son of a realtor, popularly known as Layout Krishnappa, who is a former Congress MLC and MLA. He followed his father’s footsteps not only in business but also politics. Krishnappa too is contesting elections this year from the Vijayanagar constituency, and has declared assets worth Rs 167 crore.

2nd Place: N Nagaraju of the Congress has assets worth Rs 470 crore. Nagaraju owns the manufacturing unit, Manjunatha Table Bricks (MTB), whose initials are etched on most bricks used in construction in Bangalore. He also owns several small scale industries and choultries.

3rd Place: Realtor K Bagegowda, who is trying his luck in the elections for the first time, has declared assets worth Rs 250 crore. He is contesting on a JD(S) ticket from Basavangudi constituency.

Some canddiates with super-high assets are also those with the highest liabilities. Perhaps it is to do with just how things work in the real estate business, since all three listed here belong there. Two of them are from the same family—yes, it’s the fatherson duo of Priya Krishna and Layout Krishnappa again.

Candidates with highest income

1st Place: It seems like real estate and politics go hand in hand. Realtor NA Harris of the Congress, contesting from Shantinagar

2nd Place: Realtor Prabhakar Reddy, who is one of the three with the highest income, has liabilities worth Rs 200 crore. He is contesting from Bangalore South on a JD(S) ticket.

3rd Place: Priya Krishna’s father M Krishnappa has liabilities worth Rs 78 crore. He is contesting as a Congress candidate from Vijayanagar.

looks like the brick manufacturing business is more lucrative than most people think.

3rd Place: Prabhakara Reddy is

the managing director of Sai Realtors, which specialises in building gated communities. His slogan is ‘Buy a site without much strain.’ We wonder if this is why he has entered politics. This JD(S) 2nd Place: Congress candidate from Hoskote, N Nagaraju (MTB) has candidate from Bangalore South has a declared income of Rs 21 crore. It declared an income of Rs 9 crore.

Know your candidates Being the hub of power, Bangalore has the richest and most educated candidates, but it also fields a few ‘poor’ and ‘debt-ridden’ ones (a disporportionate number of whom are realtors). Savie Karnel brings you interesting snapshots, based on their affidavits

Candidates with PhDs

Many candidates contesting the assembly elections are well educated: 303 are graduates, 166 are graduate professionals, 109 are post graduates and 12 hold PhDs. Of these last, five belong to Bangalore.

1. BK Chandrashekar from Basavangudi (Congress) 2. Tejaswini Gowda from Bangalore South (Congress) 3. BL Shankar from Dasarahalli (Congress) 4. Subhash Bharani from Gandhinagar (JD(S)) 5. Ashwin Mahesh from Bommanahalli (Loksatta Party)

Data courtesy Karnataka Election Watch (kew2008.wordpress.com) worth Rs 72 lakh. After becoming MLA, his assets have increased by 4,241 per cent to over Rs 30 crore.

1st Place: The richest candidate, Priya Krishna of the Congress has liabilities worth Rs 777 crore. He is contesting from Govindarajanagar constituency.

constituency, tops the list. He has the highest income of all this year, Rs 49 crore, as declared in income tax returns filed for 20112012.

SATISH ACHARYA

Candidates in debt

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

Increase in assets of MLAs re-contesting The wealth of city MLAs grows exponentially after each term.

1st Place: S Raghu of the BJP, contesting from CV Raman Nagar, tops the list. When he contested in 2008, he declared assets

2nd Place: BJP MLA from Jayanagar BN Vijayakumar has increased his assets by 2,225 per cent. His assets in the previous elections were worth Rs 7 lakh. Now his assets are worth more than Rs 1.75 crore.

3rd Place: Bus transporter and JD(S) MLA from Chamarajpet Zameer Ahmed Khan takes the third spot. He declared just Rs 52 lakh in the last elections. Now, he claims his assets are worth Rs 9 crore. That is an increase of 1,707 per cent.

Decrease in assets of re-contesting candidates

Among all the city candidates who are recontesting, only one has become poorer. Anajanamurthy of the Congress, lost from Nelamangala last time. His assets have decreased by 86 per cent, from Rs 10.6 crores in 2008 to 1.5 crores in 2013.

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

Candidates with corruption cases

Two candidates contesting from Bangalore have been slapped with criminal cases by the Lokayukta under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

1. Health Minister Aravind Limabavali is contesting on a BJP ticket from Mahadevpura

2. Retired inspector general of police MC Narayana Gowda is the JD(S) candidate from Chickpet

It is generally believed that former chief minister Yeddyurappa, mining baron turned politician B Sriramulu and their associates acquired the most illicit wealth during the BJP's term. But the new parties they formed after their fallout with the BJP do not seem to have gained from their wealth. The three poorest candidates in the city come from the KJP and the BSR Congress.

RAMESH HUNSUR

Why we’re voting this year Bangalore alone has 5.34 lakh first-time voters this year. Here some of them tell Priyanka Padole, a first-time voter herself, why they’re planning to get their fingers inky ere it arrives again after five years. Along come the campaigns, the traffic jams, and candidates pleading for votes. And, of course, the promises—some new, some old, some to be partially fulfilled and some to be forgotten even before the ink dries. But whatever happens, as cit-

izens of a democracy, it is our right and duty to vote. Some of the youth are already experienced voters, for others it is the first time. One of the milestones of becoming an adult (besides getting licensed to drive), is voting for our choice of leader. Here is what some city students and first-time voters had to say about making the big decision.

I think voting is the way you can do something for the country. In a small way it makes a big difference. Meera Dayal Bangalorean who studies at MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai

Poorest candidates

Since I’ve turned 18, I feel all grown up. I have really wanted to vote and choose the right person for development of society. Now I’m glad I can finally do that. Fabiha Iman HKBK College of Engineering

Being a democratic country, we have a right to have a voice in the government. Democracy works only when we work with it. Given a chance we should vote. If we don’t, we shouldn’t complain about the system. Halima Sadya, MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology

I am voting to make it count. After all, we’ll have to live with the results for the next five years.

Actually, I’m voting for the experience! I believe my vote will count but I do want to have a look at the process and see if it’s foolproof.

Preksha Gowda MVJ Medical College, Hoskote

No particular reason. Got my ID card, so I’m voting. Ruman Ahmed CMS Jain College

Hrishikesh Suresh BMS College of Engineering

I have never voted before and I'm all excited. I want to be a part of selecting the government and look forward to getting the mark on my finger. Zipporah V Rao, Mount Carmel College

1st Place: R Sathya Narayana of the KJP has declared zero assets.

2nd Place: MH Chandrashekar of the BSR Congress has declared assets worth only Rs 2.5 lakh.

3rd Place: Mayur Patel of the BSR Congress has assets worth Rs 2.82 lakhs.

No favourite for CM Most Bangaloreans who responded to a Talk dipstick survey showed no preference when asked to pick the next CM

majority—35 people—didn’t have anyone in mind. Among the rest, the favourites were HD Kumaraswamy (JD(S)), Siddaramaiah (Congress), BS Yeddyurappa (KJP) and G When asked who the state’s chief minister was, 33 respondents knew it Parameshwara (Congress). was Jagadish Shettar. Among the Among those surveyed, 10 people did rest, some believed BS Yeddyurappa not know who their MLA was. Many was still the chief minister, some said mistook constituency for the area it was Sadanand Gowda, while the they lived in. For instance, if you are others couldn’t come up with a a resident of Frazer Town, your name. constituency will be Pulikeshinagar, Ahead of the assembly elections, Talk spoke to 45 Bangaloreans from a cross section about state politics and came up with some curious results.

There was no clear favourite when it came to the next chief minister. The

not Frazer Town, but most respondents said it was the latter.

election special

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

And a few good men In a world where corruption is the norm, some leaders remain steadfastly honest and pro-people. Basu Megalkeri asks them how they survive amidst the murkiness

Krishna Independent, KR Pet In Mandya disrtrict, G Made Gowda and KV Shankara Gowda are known for their principled politics. Soft-spoken KR Pete Krishna is another leader who commands respect in Karnataka politics. In his 35year political career, this lawyer has contested two Lok Sabha and six assembly elections. GOING SOLO Haladi Srinivasa Shetty, till recently BJP MLA from Kundapura, is known for his integrity. He is contesting as an independent now He has been MP once, and MLA for four terms. Krishna has also served as deputy commissioner's office in He gives money to the party and the Kantha joined the Janata Dal in Mandya, trying to address citizens’ cadres. Where do I bring money 1983. He was part of the assembly speaker. This time, the JD(S) rejected a problems. For lunch he would go to a from? But voters don’t ask me for Ramakrishna Hegde government and money. ticket for the 70-year-old, and friend’s house. earned acclaim as labour minister. Since his wife was a lecturer in favoured a rich businessman. A disWhen Dalit and Muslims recomMysore, he would Would you encourage your children to appointed Krishna mended by him were denied tickets stay in that city and join politics? almost quit politics, during the corporation elections, he I leave it to them. travel to Mandya but his followers quit the JD(S) in protest. ‘Parties welcome every day in a public have prevailed on Kantha has fought for facilities the rich and What is the biggest ethical dilemma bus. him to contest as an for street vendors and salaries for ditch the honest,’ The JD(S) has you have faced in your political career? pourakarmikas. He once took up the independent. says Krishna issued a ticket to I can think of many situations where cause of 130 pourakarmikas of the In 2004, when b u s i n e s s m a n I couldn’t act according to my con- Gulbarga municipal corporation who the JD(S)-Congress Narayana Gowda, science. coalition was in had not been paid for 34 months. He power, Krishna became the assembly who runs a restaurant in Mumbai and went on a fast, his health deterioratspeaker, a position that confers on owns land close to the Bangalore air- SK Kantha ed, and he was admitted to hospital. him huge referee-like responsibilities. port. It is uphill for Krishna against a KJP, Gulbarga South The workers were arrested and Rejecting a bungalow and other man with money, but people respect Sixty-eight-year-old SK Kantha has imprisoned in Belgaum. But Kantha perks, he stayed on like any other his convictions. Here’s what he said been fighting for the rights of unor- didn’t give up his fight. when we posed four questions to MLA at the Legislators Home. Kantha is contesting one last ganised workKrishna would lunch at the him. ers for 22 years. time on a KJP ticket from Gulbarga nearby Press Club, enjoying a Rs 15 He is a man of South. “I had decided not to contest, meal. He would call out to journalist- Has honesty worked against you in the masses, but well wishers persuaded me to,” he friends to eat with him. Was this okay your political life? favouring 'bun says humbly. Here is how he looks at for someone in such an august posi- It is true parties welcome the rich and and tea' at his career. tion, some wondered. Others dis- neglect the honest. That is a problem. roadside shops missed it as a gimmick. as he goes Has honesty worked against you in When Krishna was Lok Sabha How do you cope with the demands of about trying to your political life? member and parliament was not in your party for money? understand the Yes, for 22 years, non-stop. But today, session, he would spend his day at the A rich man got a ticket from the JD(S). people’s problems. it is being recognised.

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

Patil, through his father's foundation, helped set up 13 drinking water units. He launched a scheme under which 20 litres of good water was distributed for Rs 2. Every day, nearly 1.2 lakh litres were consumed. All these 'water points' are run on the cooperatives model. Would you encourage your children to join The Central government, impressed politics? by the project, allocated Rs 1,400 crore for No. They have shown no interest either. drinking water, and is establishing water What is the biggest ethical dilemma you have points in some 30,000 villages. Marginalised by the SM Krishna faced in your political career? camp, he has been struggling within the Many. Which ones do I tell you about? Congress. He continues to push for peoplefriendly initiatives and is contesting from HK Patil Gadag. He is expected to win. Congress, Gadag Here is what he said in response to The late KH Patil was a pioneer of the cooperative movement, and was hailed not Talk’s questions: only in North Karnataka but in the Has honesty worked against you in your entire state as political life? ‘Hulkoti Huli’ (Tiger No, but caste has. (Patil is a Lingayat). of Hulkoti). His son HK Patil continued How do you deal with your party’ demands the movement and for money? was irrigation minis- The Congress has never asked me for ter in SM Krishna’s money, nor have my party workers. Cabinet. He is remembered for his pro-people decisions. Would you encourage your children to join In Gadag district, people were afflict- politics? ed by fluorosis and arsenic contamination. They are free to choose. I will never force How do you deal with your party’ demands for money? What money do I have to give my party and workers? Whether I am in power or out, I will struggle for people's rights.

them to join politics.

the legislature. He is now contesting as an independent with the auto rickshaw as his What is the biggest ethical dilemma you have symbol. People carry the much-loved faced in your political career? leader on their shoulders during camCan't think of a specific instance. My polit- paigning. ical life is about hard work, nothing more. Here is what he told Talk:

Haladi Srinivasa Shetty Independent, Kundapura

Has honesty worked against you in your political life? Kundapura in Udupi district is in the lime- I entered politics to serve. Honest people light because of may not get positions, but they definitely Haladi Srinivasa win respect. Shetty, a popular social worker who How did you deal with your erstwhile party’s has quit the BJP, and demand for money? is contesting as an I am now my own party. My workers are not hired labour. They are my brothers. independent. Shetty, despite They never ask me for money. three wins on a BJP ticket, does not Would you encourage your children to join behave like a politician. He is known as politics? I am a bachelor. But I would like to tell Kundapura’s Vajpayee. When Jagadish Shettar was to be young people politics is not easy. It’s like sworn in as chief minister, leaders from walking on a barbed wire. Kundapura sought a ministership for him, and the party agreed. He was told to be What is the biggest ethical dilemma you have present at the oath-taking ceremony. But faced in your political career? as his supporters watched in anticipation, I am not out for power. At one point, I was Srinivasa Poojari was made a minister offered a ministership by the BJP governinstead of Srinivasa Shetty. Shocked, ment. And then they denied me the posiShetty broke into tears, and resigned from tion. That went against my self-respect.

The hairy origins of an election term

Poll SAVIE KARNEL Savie.karnel@talkmag.in

rom the day the elections are announced till the day of the results, the term poll keeps ringing in our ears. Newspapers and TV channels talk about the dates of the polls, addresses of polling stations and exit polls. With varying connotations, the meaning varies. But all meanings revolve around W people. When it's elections, a poll is the number of votes cast by people; with exit polls it is the opinion of a cross section of people; by polling booths we mean a place where people go to vote. There are also opinion polls in the media as well as on social media platforms. These usually have a simple 'Yes' or 'No' option. Here, the results are generally based on the percentage of people who voted. We The Talk could say polls are column on word origins related to the head count of people.

The original meaning of poll was head. In old Germanic languages polle meant hair on the head. It could be fur from the head of an animal or human hair. The term later took the meaning of part of the head with hair. The term entered the English language in the early 14th century, and meant head. The meaning was slowly extended to person or individual. At that time in England, elections were conducted by acclamation, or voice vote. Supporters of candidates gathered at the place of election. They shouted to show their support for their candidate. The person whose supporters shouted the loudest was declared winner. This system of election was flawed. There was confusion in the crowd and the results were unreliable. So, people began demanding that instead of the loudness of the shouts, results should be based on the number of people who gather to support a candidate. It was decided that a head count, or poll, be taken. People would assemble in support of their candidate and their number would be counted. Whoever had the maximum number of supporters lining up would win. This meaning of ‘collection of votes’ for the term poll was recorded in the 1620s. At that time, a census was also called poll.

K E Y

O R D S

POLLS APART Nothing brings forth contradictory attitudes in a society like the elections

Elections are no longer done by counting heads. We now have voting machines, where one registers his or her vote secretly, but the term continues to be used. The usage of poll to denote a survey of opinions was first recorded in 1902. Opinion polls were started in the United States in 1824 by two newspapers: The Harrisburg Pennsylvanian and The Raleigh Star. They called these polls 'show votes.' It showed the political preferences of voters before the presidential elections. It was like the current exit polls, though the method differed.

These polls were also used for academics and research, especially in sociology. Commercial establishments weren't left behind. They used polls for market research, the results of which were used in advertising. The methods of polling have gone through several changes, from head counting to voting on paper, filling questionnaires, and meeting sample groups. Studies continue to be done on newer and more efficient ways of polling. As of now, the term continues to retain some relation to its original meaning.

food path

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

RAMESH HUNSUR

Where to find baking equipment and ingredients Institute of Baking and Cake Art 46/3 Mission Road, Bangalore. Call: 22106619/ 32021185 Web: www.ibcablr.com General Food Additives 175/3, 1st Main, Sheshadripuram, Bangalore Call: 23367878

OVEN MAVENS (Right) Ashwini Pai gave up a corporate career to become a home baker. (Extreme right) Vinesh Johny of Lavonne with participants at a baking workshop

RB Mangharam Foods Limited No 322, 4th Phase, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore Call 65467355/ 28361555 Mail: rbmfoods@gmail.com Web: makechocolates.com Danny's Chocolates No 79. 16th Cross, 4th Phase, JP Nagar, Bangalore Mail: dansfoods@yahoo.com Web: dansfoods.blogspot.in

Baker’s delight

Fatima Bakery No.1/2, Opposite To Johnson Market, Hosur Road, Richmond Town, Bangalore Call: 25510378/ 9844092275/ 8453949216 They also have branches in Koramangala, BTM Layout and Kundalahalli. Lavonne No 151, 2nd Cross, Domlur 2nd Stage, Bangalore Call: 9740544442/ 9740544443 Mail: lavonnehospitality@gmail.com Web: www.lavonne.in

Once a minor trend, baking has turned into a culinary craze in Bangalore. Savie Karnel finds out why people are even giving up high-paying jobs for the joy of the hearth n the old Bangalore, cakes came only from Iyengar bakeries. Today, however, every second woman in town seems to know how to bake, and bake well. Cakes and cookies are no longer the prerogative of the rich or the specialty of AngloIndians. Facilitating the growing interest is the increased availability of baking equipment, pots and pans, and a wide range of ingredients. Geeta Krishnan recalls how some years ago, an OTG (Oven-ToasterGriller) was a novelty and only the well off could afford it. “Now it has become a necessity,” says the IT professional turned baker. When Geeta learnt baking from her mother 20 years ago, she used built-in electric ovens, which you had to keep an eye on at regular intervals during baking. The new equipment can be timed while you carry on with other work. And the

Online stores

zansaar.com | junglee.com facebook.com/passionatebaking gourmetco.in | bakersmart.co.in bakersbaazaar.indianfoods.in

microwave has made baking a lot easier made here. The problem was with findfor beginners. “Today you can quickly ing ingredients,” she says. This problem seems to have been mix the ingredients and microwave for five minutes. A cake is ready,” Geeta says. solved by the major retail outlets, where What you need is available locally. every neighbourhood supermarket “Earlier we used to wait for someone stocks all the ingredients required. For those starting out, baking coming from the US or UK to get things for us. Whenever we travelled, we too schools also sell the required items, besides offering trainshopped for them, since ing. Vinesh Johny, cowe wouldn’t get them in ‘When you take founder of Lavonne Bangalore,” she notes. Baking Academy, says Geeta runs The it out of the that they had kept in Fragrant Kitchen, for oven, it is like mind the ingredients which she still has to magic’ problem. Participants source things from who attend his workabroad. “But most of shop buy the required things from the the things are easily available now.” Thanks to the Chinese, paper cups, store he runs alongside. He sources a lot silicon trays, chocolate moulds, and non- of things overseas. Ashwini Pai, who gave up her corstick cake trays can be found in attractive colours and shapes. Large retail chains porate career to become a home baker like Big Bazaar, Auchan, Home Store and who supplies baked goodies on orders, Home Centre prominently display these says that some things are still not available in Indian markets. She has found products with ‘Made in China,’ labels. Journalist Kavitha Kumar too ways to innovate. “I use hung curd or recalls how she used to handover shop- paneer to make a cheese cake. If the ping lists to friends and relatives travel- recipe demands dry fruits that I can’t ling abroad. “You could find pans and find, I use walnut or cashew nuts,” she trays in Shivajinagar. Adams in Russell says. The basic ingredients though can Market still stores them. Since they are mostly made of aluminium, they can be be found easily. “Every kirana store has

the required things. Now, when you ask for icing sugar or brown sugar, the shopkeeper doesn’t blink. Earlier we would have to explain it to him,” says Kavitha.

the way his customers respond, to a decade ago. “Now, people tell me if my product is better than what they had eaten overseas or how it has to be improved. Earlier, I wouldn’t get informed feedback.” For those looking for recipes, they are just a click away on the internet. From recipes on blogs to lessons on YouTube, they have all make baking easier. “We no longer have to depend on friends and neighbours for recipes. It’s all available on the internet,” Geeta says. This is besides the various weekend workshops that are conducted in the city, many by home bakers.

order from a traditional bakery. In anything. No one can ask you why. It’s Kavitha’s case, she learnt to bake for her just like art. You are making something sportsman son who was tempted to eat that is unique,” he says. Geeta agrees. out after a tiring day. “It was not a fad for She believes that it is also the time, effort me, but a necessity. The general tempta- and attention to detail that are priceless. tion for children is to eat something Ashwini says she is careful not to rush Cookery shows, travel and orders. “Creativity takes chocolaty from a bakthe Internet time. If you take huge ery. The sprinklers, The awareness can be attributed to the orders, it will lose its characcolours and decoration various cookery shows on TV. “Earlier ‘Baking gives ter,” she feels. used there are synthetpeople didn’t know what a macaroon is,” me peace and It is also the feeling of ic. So I decided to learn says Vinesh. Shows like Masterchef and having created something to make it myself,” she 24-hour food channels like Food Food serenity’ that make many take up says. have introduced people to new varieties. baking. “When you mix the Vinesh remem“People want to try what they see on bers how his father used to get ‘puffs’ ingredients and bake a cake, your house TV,” adds Geeta. from the bakery, while returning from smells so nice. When you take it out of Foreign travel has become more work. “Now, parents are aware that local the oven, it all seems like magic,” says common lending greater exposure. bakeries use margarine, and avoid them. Geeta. Geeta says her stay in the US led her to Health Consciousness Ashwini calls baking a stress buster. experiment with new recipes. Growing heath consciousness too has They either look for healthier places or Vinesh too has seen a difference in made people bake at home, rather than prefer to make these things themselves,” “It gives me peace and serenity,” she says. Commercial bakers don’t seem perhe says. Ashwini points out how parents turbed with the home baking trend. Baking Workshops now specifically look for products made They claim that their businesses haven’t Institute of Baking and Cake Lavonne: lavonne.in from butter rather than margarine, and been affected. “Home bakers bake in 9740544442/ 9740544443 Art: www.ibcablr.com made from wheat flour rather than small quantities. For large orders like 3-4 22106619/ 32021185 Bakenomics: kg birthday cakes or for parties, people maida. bakenomics.wordpress.com Cakes All The Way: still come to us. Home bakers don’t have 81978 84105 www.cakesalltheway.com equipment to cater to large orders,” says Baking as art 9916127933 Sin-A A-M Mon Tales: The profits too are good. Vinesh com- Arun Kumar, who has been supplying sinamontales.wordpress.com Ashwini Pai: pares the pricing to art. “If you are mak- cakes to major chains and websites for 9845497789 9900097191 ing a personalised cake, you can charge the past 25-years.

Gourmet Supplies 5 Rose Lane, Behind Frank Anthony Junior School, Richmond Town, Bangalore Call: 9964426777 Web: www.facebook.com/ GourmetSupplies Thom's Bakery and Stores Wheeler’s Road, Cleveland Town, Frazer Town, Bangalore Call: 25301860

Old Stores in bylanes You can find baking equipment in Russel Market in Shivajinagar. Adams stores baking tins and also manufactures them. You can also find tins and trays in shops near the KR Market Flyover, and on JC Road, near State Bank of India. You can find ingredients in shops on BVK Iyengar Road and in shops in Ibrahim Sahib Street (parallel to Commercial Street).

Retail chains

You can find baking related items in retail chains like Auchan, Food World, Nilgiris, More, Home Store, Home Centre, Westside, Big Bazaar, Food Hall, MK Retail and Godrej Nature's Basket

food path

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

RAMESH HUNSUR

OVEN MAVENS (Right) Ashwini Pai gave up a corporate career to become a home baker. (Extreme right) Vinesh Johny of Lavonne with participants at a baking workshop

Baker’s delight

Online stores

zansaar.com | junglee.com facebook.com/passionatebaking gourmetco.in | bakersmart.co.in bakersbaazaar.indianfoods.in

the required things. Now, when you ask for icing sugar or brown sugar, the shopkeeper doesn’t blink. Earlier we would have to explain it to him,” says Kavitha.

Retail chains

You can find baking related items in retail chains like Auchan, Food World, Nilgiris, More, Home Store, Home Centre, Westside, Big Bazaar, Food Hall, MK Retail and Godrej Nature's Basket

pop matters

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

The legendary Afro-pop band’s founder Teddy Osei talks about their upcoming show and the challenges of keeping the group active for more than four decades

Osibisa: 44 and counting PRACHI SIBAL prachi.sibal@talkmag.in

sibisa, the BritishGhanaian band that came together first in 1969, is no stranger to India. After playing to nearly three generations of fans at the Novemberfest in Bangalore and Chennai in 2010, they are back to get the city grooving to their unique brand of Afro-pop. One of the pioneers of world music, they have produced hit after hit during their 44year-old career, including Sunshine Day, Pete Pete, Kilele Kilele and Ojah Awake. The name Osibisa comes from “osibisaba,” a Ghanaian word for high life, but the band members themselves have described it as “criss cross rhythms that explode with happiness,” which is more accurate, even if not literally so. A new line-up for Osibisa was announced in 1996, which is when they began performing after a long break. Perhaps it’s their sheer longevity that makes even some of their fans sceptical about the band’s continued existence, leading them to put up a note on their official website. It says,

THIS IS AFRICA (Top right) 80-yearold founding-member Teddy Osei (extreme left) still leads the band

“Contrary to popular notions, this band is still in existence, still recording.” For Indian audiences, their version of Gandhi’s favourite bhajan, Raghupati Raghav, with its vision of worldwide harmony, has always been a special treat, the odd pronunciation apart. Ahead of their city concert, Talk spoke to founding member and Teddy Osei, the saxophonist who, at 80, is still the moving spirit behind the band. Excerpts from the interview:

we write and perform our songs, I think. If you can hum it and dance to it, it works. Also, both Indians and Africans like drums in their music and pay a lot of attention to them. You’re now close to 45 years of performance—what keeps the energy intact? The energy might not be the same any longer, but every performance has something different to offer. But, no matter what, it will always set your feet tapping. At the end of it, everybody is always grooving to the music.

What has changed since the last time How has your music evolved over the you came to India? It’s a great feeling to be in India. We years? find the country very interesting. The Our music is always changing. Every reception we get is always so great. new member brings their own feeling of music to the band. Things have changed Sadly, three of the a bit since we last ‘Both Indians original members came (in 2010) and a and Africans have passed away. lot since we came the But, collectively it first time (in 1981). like drums in always has the feeling Many buildings have their music’ of Osibisa and of the come up and it looks ‘criss-cross’ rhythms different. Sadly, we don’t get to see much when we are in it, which is also what the name of here for concerts. We only see differ- the band means. ent faces, nice faces. The next time, I’d like to meet some ordinary people. What is the secret that has kept the band together for so long? There is no secret, really. I have been What do you expect on this tour and doing it for more than 45 years. You what do you look forward to in just have to enjoy what you do. Bangalore? This time we expect more crowds and Everyone who comes into the band more response from the audience. should enjoy what he is doing. Bangalore is the city we like most in India. I’m happy when I come here. It How did Mac Tontoh’s (trumpeter from has nice things to see, lots of trees the founding line-up and Osei’s brother) death in 2010 affect the band? and flowers. It was very severe for me. Also, it affected everybody in the band, in What, according to you, makes AfroGhana and all over the world. We pop work with Indian crowds? There are so many things! The way went back to Ghana to bury him

Selected discography 1971 - Osibisa 1971 - Woyaya 1972 - Heads 1973 - Happy Children 1974 - Osibirock 1975 - Welcome Home 1976 - Ojah Awake 1980 - Mystic Energy 1981 - African Flight 1983 - Unleashed 1989 - Movements 1990 - African Criss Cross 1992 - Gold 1997 - Monsore 2004 - Wango Wango 2009 - Osee Yee there and did a special concert for him. But as everybody says, the show must go on and it does. Do you listen to Indian music? Any particular track that has left an impression? The last time we came here, we recorded Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram. It was so good that we wanted to perform it! I don’t listen to much these days. But I hear that an Indian band has done a version of our song Kilele Kilele. I would like to listen to it. What can the Bangalore audience expect at your show here? We will play many tracks, right from the ‘70s until more recent ones, both from albums and our singles. It will be a mish-mash, but all Osibisa. Expect Sunshine Day from the 70s and Aiyoku and Watusi from the newer lot, among others. Osibisa performs at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on May 3

indie music

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

A search for the off-beat Radio City's Freedom Awards for independent music is a welcome initiative from an industry that is otherwise addicted to film music SANDRA M FERNANDES sandramarina.fernandes@talkmag.in

he Radio City Freedom Awards is perhaps the first effort by an Indian FM radio station to recognise independent musicians and bands. Over the years, festivals like NH7 Weekender and television shows like Coke Studio and The Dewarists have raised the profile of independent music, even if it remains restricted to contemporary Western genres with the odd collaboration with folk or classical musicians thrown in. The Radio City awards have invited entries in categories such as hip-hop, rap, folk fusion, pop, rock, metal and electronic. While the list matches the well-heeled urbanite’s idea of independent music—the type FM stations think they should cater to—it still represents a considerable change from the years when Bollywood and film music in the regional languages was all you could expect from FM stations. Commendably for a radio station, Radio City has also announced awards for best music video and album art. In this interview with Talk, Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit says the sheer amount of indie talent in the country came as a revelation to them.

INDIE CITY Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit (Top) Folk musician Sawan Khan Manganiyar performing on Coke Studio

What prompted you to introduce these awards? Post the launch of Radio City Freedom last year, we received a tremendous response from a lot of independent artistes, including those abroad. The sheer diversity of music and the talent out there came as a revelation to us. We came up with the awards to celebrate that talent and the spirit of independent music, and offer the artistes a platform to take their work to the next level. We want to encourage indie music in the country and give them the recognition they deserve. What do you think is the state of inde-

Kannada and natya sangeet in pendent music in the country? Is Marathi, both of which are extremely Bollywood music to be blamed for the popular in the non-film space? neglect of indie artists? Indie music is the new sound of India. Artistes from these specific genres can It is refreshing. Our country is burst- nominate their compositions in the ing with talent in diverse music gen- folk category. res. I guess listeners need to experience the rich sound of independent The Freedom awards are, of course, a music to understand the immense tal- great way to promote indie music. But generally, why are prient out there. As lisvate FM channels indifteners we are more ‘We have been ferent to non-commerexposed to the music flooded with cial talent? For examthat we hear in ple, why can’t they set movies and hence it entries across an hour or two sounds more popular. musical genres’ aside every day for independBut the fact is, music ent music? That way, in mainstream cinema is actually an off-shoot of inde- musicians get exposure, you get variety, and the listeners get to hear exciting pendent music. new stuff. Are there any restrictions on the kind of Radio City Freedom was launched with ‘Freedom Hour’ where we had work you consider for the awards? This competition is open to all artistes five bands across five states perform keen to showcase their talent in the simultaneously for the first time on indie music space. It goes beyond Indian radio. We invite bands to our boundaries and is not restricted to any studios where we play their unplugged music every Saturday language or region. between 5 and 6 pm. Freedom Hour has continued to be an integral part of How has the response been so far? Tremendous. We have already our programming. received hundreds of entries from various bands and independent What were the factors that you had in artistes across genres. Each genre is mind while deciding the jury panel for the award? flooded with entries! If you look at them individually you see a perfect combination. For examIs there a place in your scheme of ple, an industry veteran like Atul things for genres like bhavageete in

Churamani has done it all in his 24year career! On the other hand, we have Nandini Srikar who is a versatile singer and composer who blends Carnatic, Hindustani and Western musical styles beautifully. The judges are veterans in the indie music space and have a vast knowledge that is sure to benefit the participants. What exactly are the judges looking for? What kind of band or musician stands the best chance of winning? The main criteria would surely be the originality of the composition. Engagement and versatility are the other aspects that would be considered. Each category will have two awards each: one popular award and one judge’s choice award. Once all the entries are assimilated, our jury will short-list the best of the lot, which will then be aired for public voting. Will Radio City dedicate any special hour for the winners? We will surely have the bands perform for our Freedom Hour. As the listeners’ response has been amazing, we are actually contemplating increasing the duration of the show. Hopefully, this should happen soon. Artistes who wish to nominate themselves can log on to www.planetradiocity. com/rcfa/. Last date for submission is May 5.

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

Rewind The week that was  Bangladesh tragedy: Thousands of workers marched through Dhaka to demand better safety at work after a garment factory collapsed, killing more than 400 workers in the country’s worst industrial disaster.  China incursions: In a deep incursion, a platoon of China’s Border Defence Regiment entered some 20 kms inside Indian territory in Ladakh on April 15 and erected a tented post, and is yet to withdraw despite three rounds of talks.  Musharraf blamed: Pakistan’s former interior minister Rehman Malik has once again blamed former president Pervez Musharraf for not providing sufficient security to the assassinated PPP leader Benazir Bhutto.  Sarabjit in coma: Indian prisoner in Pakistan Sarabjit Singh, who was severely injured in a brutal assault last week, has slipped into a "non-reversible" coma, doctors have said.  CBI pulled up: Angry over alleged political interference in the coal blocks allocation scam, the Supreme Court has slammed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for keeping it in the dark about having shared a draft copy of its probe report with the government.  Delhi quake: A moderate intensity earthquake shook Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of north India, including Delhi.  Modi visa ban: A Congressional panel has recommended that the US should continue to maintain a visa ban on Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as there was "significant evidence" linking him to the 2002 riots.  Election tourists: National leaders like Rahul Gandhi, LK Advani, Narendra Modi, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were among those visiting the state ahead of the state assembly polls.

When cats walked the ramp India’s first ‘International Cat Show’ was held at The Chancery Pavillion Hotel on April 27 and 28. The panel of judges consisted of members of the World Cat Federation, including the organisation’s secretary general Andreas Mobius and Petra Mueller, discoverer of a new breed of cat known as the ‘Arabian Mau.’ The participating breeds of cats included Persian, Arabian Mau, British Longhair and Himalayan Longhair, apart from a separate session for Indian cats. Honey Bun, a Himalayan cat brought by breeder Fia, is a ‘Grand

cat in Hindi. He also presented a cat from the breed on stage to much applause. Showing its strong built jaws and slender, athletic body, he said ‘Billy’ was designed for the kill, and that we have much to thank this “natural rat control mechanism” for, and it Champion’ and costs over should be protected. Rs 1 lakh. Mueller, who claimed to But the star attraction of have an astonishing 220 the event was the Indian cats in her Dubai cat. WCF’s Andreas Mobius residence, said that having announced that they have animals around is the officially recognised the surest guarantee of a Indian cat as a separate stress-free life, and that breed which they have every child should grow up named ‘Billy’ the word for with animal companions.

Marry in a week on Facebook The matrimonial business is booming, first on websites, more recently on TV and now on the social network. A new Facebook app, called Marry in a Week is intended to do just that—have you married in a jiffy. Log on to the app by typing the name in the FB search bar and a window with the predictable red hearts greets you. There are a few simple questions you are required to answer—a display name, your religion and an option to declare disability, if any. Think twice before you submit these details, for the moment you do so, a

profile with your FB picture and details is up and active for suitors. All basic employment, education and personal details from your Facebook now automatically show up on your matrimonial profile, whether you like it or not. Not just this, the app picks up your hobbies, based on

the pages you ‘like’. The only details you are required to fill in are those concerned with ‘partner preference’ which the app seemingly can’t deduce from FB profile activity. You can also fill in a form that has questions like ‘Why should an awesome guy marry me?’ and those about your take on domestic responsibilities and the time frame within which you are looking to get married. This might be useful if you really are in a tearing hurry to get married to a stranger, but, it left us positively petrified.

Ghatashraddha in New York Acclaimed filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli’s national award-winning directorial debut from 1977, Ghatashraddha (The excommunication) was recently shown in the Museum of Modern Art’s New Directors/New Films series. The film was reviewed by Janet Maslin in The New York Times, who found it to offer “considerable solemnity but few surprises,” and to be of “considerably more anthropological than cinematic interest.” She found the film proceeding “at a pace that might seem contemplative to a snail.” According to her, director Kasaravalli (who was just 27 years old when he made it), exhibits a “barely rudimentary” command of the camera, and offers “little visual variety.” Her overall verdict is that the film has neither the artistry of a Satyajit Ray film or the vitality of Bollywood fare. We wonder how Kasaravalli fans at home view this unfavourable (unfair?) take on a film generally regarded as a classic.

A varied compilation of independent music It seems to be the season for "indie" musicians. Chennaibased IndiEarth, which calls itself "the only specifically designed meeting hub for India's independent artistes and international media," recently released a 12-track audio compilation of songs featured in their popular video series. IndieEarth Out There features such talents as Tamil folk singer Anthony Daasan

and Dutch musician Maarten Visser, whose performances

attracted much attention after the videos appeared online.

IndieEarth is a project of EarthSync, an independent music label, and offers relatively unknown musicians and filmmakers a chance at fame through a slew of contests and events. Any artiste can upload their own content on their website for as low as Rs 800 per track/film and gain potential access to a global audience. For more details, log on to indiearth.com

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

Forward

Lucia crowdfunds distribution After crowdfunding the production of his Kannada film Lucia, actor-director Pawan Kumar has now announced a second crowdfunding campaign for the film’s distribution. Last year, Kumar raised more than Rs 50 lakh for the shooting and production of Lucia by publicising the project through a blog and his Facebook page. Nearly 70 per cent of the funds came in as investment, while the rest was raised through ‘pre-order’ ticket sales. Now he’s using the same model to fund the film’s distribution, by asking people to pre-order his film for a streaming view online at HomeTalkies.com. The prices start at Rs 500 all

the way to Rs 5,000, with a proportionate amount of benefits at each level. All those who pre-order will in turn become online distributors for the film, and by promoting the film’s screenings through their

social network, they get to earn returns depending on the number of screenings they sell. For more information, log on to www.hometalkies. com/lucia/

How to make technology accessible

On May 9, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is holding a discussion on accessibility of digital technology to the disabled, to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of the event is to

get people thinking and learning about accessibility issues for users with different disabilities. The target audience of GAAD is those who build, shape, fund and influence information technology and its use. While people may be interested in making technology accessible and usable by persons with disabilities, the reality is that they often do not know how or where to start. This event hopes to be that starting point by providing an opportunity to

understand the importance of accessibility and how it impacts the community, and if you run a commercial operation, your customers. This event will feature presentations by accessibility professionals across multiple industry sectors, hands on demonstrations of how people with disabilities use technology and an opportunity to meet peers in the industry . At TERI, 4th Main Road, Opp Kalki Temple, Domlur

Towards open governance to census figures to data on industrial There is no time like election time to find performance. To access the data, log on to out about the status of governance in the opengovernanceindia.org state and the country. Open Governance Initiative for India is an effort led by leading public policy professionals, data scientists and researchers to further the cause of participatory governance in India. Initiated by the Center for Public Policy at Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore in partnership with knowledge startup Knoema, it has assembled an impressive amount of governance-related data on its website. The data is well presented and searchable, and covers just about every aspect of the country from crime statistics

A boon for freelancers

An open and informative shared forum for freelancers to report payments and give insights, WhoPaysIndeed.in is really a godsend for freelancers of all sorts. Whether they are photographers, filmmakers, designers, writers or performers, most freelancers have had the experience of being cheated/ mistreated by a client at least once. By allowing them to post anonymous reviews of clients, the website aims to make the creative business more transparent and less exploitative. Who Pays Indeed takes note of who pays, how well, and how quickly. The site offers a bird’s eye view of how leading establishments treat freelancers. Here’s a typical review (on a Bangalore club by a band who performed there): Rs 20,000 performance fee. Transport to the city by road, local transport, accommodation and F&B post the gig are provided. Payment made about a month post performance after some reminders. To view or post similar reviews, log on to: whopaysindeed.in

Book on BJP rule in state

Five Years of Saffron Rule in Karnataka, an anthology of essays on the downfall of the first-ever BJP government south of Vindhyas, was released by Justice Michael Saldanha at St Joseph’s College, on Ambrose Pinto April 30, 2013. Edited by Dr Ambrose Pinto SJ, the book has essays by veteran journalists, academics, lawyers and activists. The book is an analysis of the BJP’s five-year rule through a look at three flash points: corruption, saffronsiation, and casteism. According to the writers, the book has been brought out before the elections because they want the people of the state to know that what happened in the last five years shouldn’t happen again. Arvind Narrain, lawyer-activist and a contributor to the book, said, “The church attacks, assaults on women at the pubs and violations of principles of secularism and fundamental rights are some of the reasons why we don’t want BJP again in the state.” The book is published by Manak Publishers, Delhi and costs Rs 500.

The week ahead  China vs Japan: Tensions between China and Japan are expected to escalate as the two countries are locked into an increasingly bitter standoff over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, which lie atop of possibly large energy reserves.  US vs Syria: The possibility of US attack against Syria has increased after President Barack Obama signaled that he would take military action if "hard, effective evidence" is found that the regime had used chemical weapons against rebel forces.  Pakistan polls: Pakistan is expected to witness heated political action in the run-up to the national elections on May 11, with parties headed by Bilawal Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Imran as the lead contenders. The local wing of the Taliban has threatened to disrupt the polls.  Ambani security: The Central government will have some explaining to do after the Supreme Court today asked it to submit why it has decided to provide Z-class security to India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani.  Acquittal protests: The national capital is bound to see more protests by Sikh groups after Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was acquitted by a local court in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.  Aarushi case: Dentist couple Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, accused of murdering daughter Aarushi, are seeking a deposition as court witness by former CBI Joint director Arun Kumar, whose investigation had claimed that the murder was committed by servants.  Assembly elections: Pollbound Karnataka has turned into a virtual battleground with rivals Congress and the BJP stepping up the political offensive, with campaigning often taking the form of nasty personal attacks. Voting will be conducted on May 5 and results declared on 8.

OOKtalk

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

Cub writer

Authorspeak

The thrill of starting young Suzanne Sangi , 17-year-old Bangalorean author of the paranormal thriller Facebook Phantom, describes the experience of writing her first book admit I am a bit of a Facebook junkie and a very big fan of all things paranormal. I started writing from the age of eight— starting off with short poems, songs and short stories. I remember my first attempt to write a novel when I was in sixth standard—it was very much influenced by the love for vampires. However, the summer right after my tenth board exams, I sat down with real determination and began to write Facebook Phantom. What inspired me to write such a novel was the world’s (myself included) general obsession towards this fascinating social networking site. I wanted to combine this with my favourite genre of paranormal fiction and see what I could create. Plus, the instances of fake accounts were gradually on the rise and this made me observe the power of anonymity— the fear and mystery that it could later. However, at this point I still felt a little hesigenerate. As I wrote, the story wove itself. This was an tant to actually tell people that I had written a amazing process— just sitting down and letting book. Well, I was only 16 and I had this silly notion one word lead to the next. However, this was not a that people might not take me seriously. But then, very consistent pattern; there were days when I when Duckbill Books agreed to take up my book, I was filled with new confidence as a could go on and finish even up to two writer. And with the months that folchapters a day and some others when I lowed, my book grew into something so wouldn’t be able to write more than a much more amazing than when it first page! started off. This was extremely satisfyI usually wrote at night when ing. everybody else at home was asleep— When people ask me how I manthis was the perfect setting for a aged to write a book at such a young age, thriller, I should say. And as the story all I can say is that 15 is definitely not became more and more real, my char“too young” to write! With a little acters started to feel like they were part patience and perseverance, I believe that of my life! I connected with them on most 15-year-olds today could write a many levels and, to me, they felt like book if they just put their thoughts real people with their own unique per- Duckbill Publishers Rs 159 down and let their creativity flow! And this sonalities. My wonderful family was supportive through is my message to all young writers out there who and through, as always. Especially my siblings, who may sometimes feel inadequate—it is alright to feel fondly call themselves my first and biggest fans! so, but just go on writing. At the end of the day, the They would make me read out from the book and feeling of having created something you can call keep encouraging me to go on, saying they loved it. ‘your own’ is in fact, the best feeling in the world. I hope you all enjoy Facebook Phantom! And so, I finished writing the book a year

From ‘Ouch’ to ‘Oops’ RamG Vallath's debut children's novel Oops The Mighty Gurgle took shape when he was hospitalised. It has nothing gloomy about it

In the news

New imprint for young adults enguin Books India is launching a new imprint for young adults called ‘Inked’. It will have both fiction and non-fiction titles and intends to encourage fresh and original content. The imprint also promises a mix of ‘east and west’ and ‘new and established authors’. The inaugural titles under the imprint are Eliza Crewe’s Cracked, the first book in a trilogy that deals with the theme good vs

evil; Karma by Ostlere, the story of a girl caught in between different cultures; and Seventeen and Done (You Bet!) by Vibha Batra, a high-school romance story. They have invited young adults to be part of an online initiative to contribute content and build a platform. Log onto www.facebook.com/Penguin India or email laminked@in.penguingroup.com for details

NANDINI SHARMA

Why did you call your hero Oops? (Laughs) During my course of medication, I was injected with a lot of drugs which made it painful for me. I thought of naming the character either Ouch or Oops and finally settled on the latter.

marketing head of a telecom company, then a motivational speaker, and now children’s writer, RamG Vallath has worn many hats. Talk caught up with him at the recent launch of the How has the response to your book at Reliance Time Out in novel been? Mantri Mall, Malleshwaram Well, it is a big hit with chilwhere he interacted with an dren eight and above, but to audience of children. With my surprise, it is a novel which humour and wit, this was last seen bought by a 77Bangalorean author read out year-old person. So I am very delighted by the adventures of his response that the character Oops who novel is getting. travels across time, space and black holes Are you writing full to save the planet. time now? Along the way, he I was in a telecom encounters amorous company as the emperor penguins, head of sales and the Cerebums of marketing before I Holibutt (whose started on my brains, as their name novel. Now I am a indicates, are in their Duckbill Publishers consultant and bottoms), and the Rs 199 mysterious creatures from the motivational speaker. But I really want to become a full Dark Planets. When the laughter and time writer, because I love giggles died down, he sat writing for children. down with us for a chat: Do you think parents encourage children to read a What inspired you to write novel by an Indian author? this book? I had to undergo chemothera- Obviously, non-Indian English py treatment for three months authors have a place in the in the USA, because I was hearts of millions of children. diagnosed with Chronic But Indians are also considInflammatory Demyelinating ered good when it comes to Polyneuropathy. It causes the writing. We Indian authors loss of the protective sheath of just need promotion and we nerves. I was in isolation, will become as popular as the which made me write a story others. to while away my time. It turned out so very funny and Are you planning to write a hilarious that I grew quite sequel? Yes! confident about it.

fruity loop

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

Go mango Summer is here and so is the King of Fruits. The mango is known for its rich content of vitamin A, C and carotenoids. Once you are tired of having it sliced, diced, or juiced, you can try these unusual recipes compiled by Sandra M Fernandes Mango Bread

Mango and Onion Salsa

Ingredients: Whole wheat flour - 1.5 cups, maida - 1/2 cup, baking powder - 2 tsp, 4 eggs, oil - 1/2 cup, vanilla extract - 1 tsp, milk - 1/4 cup, cinnamon powder - 1 tsp, 2 ripe mangoes chopped, sugar - 1 cup

Ingredients: 2 ripe mangoes, 1 finely chopped onion, lime juice 2 tspn, ginger juice - 3 tspn, grated lemon rind, chopped coriander leaves - 4 tspn, spring onion finely chopped - 2 tspn, a pinch of white pepper powder

Method: Sift both the flours, cinnamon and baking powder together once. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Add vanilla extract and oil and beat till well incorporated. Combine the wet and the dry ingredients together till fully mixed. Fold in the chopped mangoes. Pour in a greased loaf tin and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180째C for about 50 minutes or so till a toothpick inserted into it comes out clean.

Method: Chop the ripe mangoes in small cubes (make sure they are firm). Put the chopped mangoes in a salad bowl and then add the chopped onion, lemon juice, ginger juice, coriander leaves and spring onions. Mix it well. Add a pinch of white pepper powder and a dash of lemon rind. Place the bowl in fridge for about 20 minutes and serve chilled.

Mango Cheesecake Low Fat Mango Blueberry Crumble Ingredients For the fruit base: 2 medium-sized ripe mangoes chopped (any firm and sweet variety of mango can be used), dried blueberries - 1/4 cup, brown sugar - 1/4 cup, cinnamon powder - 1 tsp For the crumble topping: oats - 1/4 cup, whole wheat flour - 1/4 cup, a handful roasted and crushed almonds, honey 1/4 cup Method: Mix all the fruit stuffing ingredients together and cook on the stove top for about two minutes. Don't overcook the mangoes. Pour the filling in lightly greased ramekins of a pie dish. Mix all the ingredients of the crumble topping well and let it cool for about 15 minutes in the fridge. Spread the crumble mix on top of the fruit layer and bake in a preheated oven at 180째C for about 25 minutes till the top become a nice brown colour. Enjoy warm or topped with ice cream or custard.

Ingredients: Digestive biscuits (Marie biscuits will do) - 200 gm, butter (salted or unsalted) - 100 to 150 gm For the filling: Condensed Milk - one 400 gm can, cream - 200 ml, fresh paneer (cottage cheese) - 200 gm, mango puree - 250 gm, gelatin 1 tbs, juice of 2 medium-sized limes, rind of the 2 limes For the glaze: Mango puree - 100 gm, water - 100 ml, gelatin - 1 tsp For the jam drizzle: Mango jam - 1 tsp, mixed fruit (or any red colour jam) - 1 tsp, corn flour - 1 tsp Method For the biscuit base: Powder the biscuits. Melt the butter and mix into the powder. Press the mixture firmly on the base and sides of a fluted dish or a loose bottom flan pan. Freeze for an hour or overnight. For the cheesecake: Puree the paneer and blend it in with the condensed milk and mango. Soak the gelatin in the lime juice for five

minutes and then heat it in the microwave for a minute or on the stove top until the gelatin dissolves completely. Blend the gelatin into the paneer mix. Whip the cream and fold it in. Add the lemon rind. Pour this into the set crust. Refrigerate until set (maybe 4-5 hours or overnight). For the glaze: Dissolve gelatin in some of the water. Blend the mango puree with the rest of the water. Blend in the gelatin. Pour the glaze over the set cheesecake and let it set in the fridge again. For the jam drizzle: Mix all the ingredients and cook for a few minutes until thick. Let it cool to thicken further. Pipe the jam mixture over the set glaze and let that set again. Garnish with thin mango slices cut using a heart shaped cookie cutter.

Recipes provided by: Monika Manchanda, Caroline Radhakrishnan and Reena Rebecca

Mango Pista Ice Cream Ingredients: 4 medium-sized Alphonso mangoes, sugar - 3 tbsp, condensed milk - 1/2 cup, milk 2 cups, lemon juice - 1 tsp, crushed pista - 1 tbsp Method: Puree the mangoes and the sugar together. Use a little milk if you want. To the pureed mangoes add the condensed milk, milk and whisk together well. Add the lemon juice and whisk some more. Cover with a foil and keep for freezing. When it is almost frozen take it out and blend it in a blender or mixer. Add pista at this stage. Put it back for freezing in individual moulds or in a tin. Serve cold.

L I S T I NGS

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

food

flea market

 Kebab delight: You will be spoilt for choice as you dig into dahi ke kebab, peas shammi de kebab, mushroom kurkure and hara kebab that are prepared from the finest of ingredients and subtle spices. Pind Balluchi, Garuda Mall, 15, Magrath Road, Ashok Nagar 9900075649

 Ajji is back: This weekend you can relax and shop with your family and friends at the Ajji Mane, the latest to join the flea market brigade. Choose from a variety of clothes, bags, wooden products, brass artifacts, footwear and more. The products are handpicked from NGOs, women entrepreneurs, rehabilitation centres, mentally and physically challenged institutions and others. There will also be food stalls and live music for the evening. Ajji Mane, CMR Main Road, near Fab India store, opposite Jal Vayu Vihar May 3 to 5, 6 pm

 Big B fest: Walk in at this beer and burger festival for an appetising selection of burgers. Chill out with their beers like golden ale, hefeweizen, stout, India pale ale and others crafted at their in-house microbrewery. Windmills Craftworks, # 331, Road #5B, EPIP Zone, Whitefield 7259024652

 Be stylish: Vans, the original action sports footwear company announces the release of its new collection Vans Michoacan. It is comfortable and stylish foot wear with natural and breathable textile made of gingham lining. The loafers start at Rs 3,499 onwards. Available at Phoenix Marketcity, Mahadevpura, and Forum Mall, Koramangala  Comfortable clothing: The collection of lightweight, sleeveless, cotton kurtis from Mother Earth make perfect outfits for summer. The trendy and traditional blend makes it an ideal attire to be worn to work as well as for a casual outing. Prices start from Rs399. Available at Mother Earth outlets

 IPL mania : Enjoy exciting IPL with exotic food at the Lalit Ashok. The menu includes a royal Medu vada, Mumbai special fried onion rings, Delhi dare devils chicken wings and more. You can also avail a discount of 20-20 per cent on beverages. Lalit Ashok, Kumara Krupa road, High Grounds, 30527777

 Desi flavours: The new masala grill burger is a feather in the cap for McDonald’s . The special blend of aromatic, minced patty that resonates with Indian kebabs and spicy sauce flavoured with typical Indian herbs . The price ranges from Rs 45 to 50. Available at all McDonald’s outlets

 Steaming offer: Enjoy your favourite IPL match as you choose from unlimited neat, or selected cocktails for Rs 750 plus taxes or Black Dog centenary at Rs 950 or Absolut cocktails at Rs 1,250 and bottomless sangria at Rs 450. Daddy’s Deli, No. 1209, Ward No. 72, HAL IInd Stage, 100ft Road, Indiranagar 25200898

are priced at Rs 650. Polo Club, The Oberoi, 3739, MG Road, Yellappa Chetty Layout, Halasuru, all month long 25585858  Leisure Lunch: Relax this weekend as you treat yourself to some refreshing cocktails, mocktails and food. Cafe Mozaic, Vivanta by Taj Lobby Level, MG Road, May 5 66604444

 Mangoes galore: It’s the season of mangoes and you can cool off this summer with drinks like mango mary, mango mojito, mango sunrise, mango martini, mango daiquiri and more. Drinks without alcohol are priced at Rs 350 and drinks with alcohol

dance & music

retail therapy  Iron man 3 spree: Zoop introduces its special edition of Iron Man 3 watches. Consisting of eight special edition watches for girls and boys, the collection offers bold colours like red, blue and yellow at Rs 895. Available at all World of Titan outlets and other leading stores

Vasundhara Das and Mukhtyar Ali

 Shady affair: Pick chic sunglasses from American Swan for the summer. The collection of cool wayfarers, edgy aviators, classic cat eye and oversized retro shades is available in bold and pastel shades with 100 per cent protection against UVA and UVB. Available at www.americanswan.com  Elegant ‘n’ stylish scraves: Add a dash of colours to your wardrobe with these scarves. Zivame introduces colourful scarves in bold prints. They are priced at Rs 450. Available on www.zivame.com

 Mad music festival: Witness the madness at the Go MAD festival. Bands like Thermal and a Quarter, Blues Conscience, Agnee, Pentagram, Grand Pianoramax, Neel and the Lightbulbs, The G Circus, Project YUJ, Indigo Children, Blek, Sam Weslee, Sean Roldan and friends will be there to enthrall the crowd with their music. Fernhill Palace, 73, Kungah House Road, Fern Hill, Ooty, May 10 to 12. For more info, log on to www.buzzintown.com  Sufi for your soul: Vasundhara Das and Mir Mukhtiyar Ali bring on Sufi poetry set to contemporary music experience this weekend.

Watch Roberto Narain on the drums, Rajan Tisge on the keyboard, Hamanth Diwakaran, Anish Nadh and Shalini Mohan on guitars as they give the duo company in the musical extravangaza. Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th cross, Vyalikaval, Malleshwaram, May 5, 7 pm 9243777970  Rock n roll night: Witness the musical magic of Bangalore’s very own One Night Stand this weekend. Watch Behram on vocals and bass guitar, Hemanth on guitars, Neville on piano and Abhilash on drums. Their music is a mix of rock n roll, reggae, disco, blues and pop. Hard Rock Café, # 40, St Mark’s Road, May 9, 7.30 pm 41242222

L I S T I NGS real life excitement

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

theatre Piya Behroopiya of people and encounters many situations which make the story even more interesting. Directed by Vinod Ravindran, it has Anjali Nair, Anshul Pathak, Rency Philip and Swetanshu Bora in the cast. Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, May 4, 7.30 pm and May 5, 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm 26592777

 Hot wheels: Kids will be delighted to witness the lightning McQueen car from the film Cars and Cars 2. The real life car will be on display and children can make the most of it by clicking picures with the car and by participating in fun filled activities. Apart from this, the kids can also interact with the makers of the car and ask any questions they might have about the car. Koramangala, Indiranagar, Phonenix Market City, Whitefield, May 4 onwards

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

 Piya Behroopiya: An adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the play brings with it a lot of energy from the live musicians and the cast. The play is a laugh riot and has seen packed houses. The play has been directed by Atul Kumar. MLR Convention Center, Brigade Millennium Campus, 7th Phase, JP Nagar, May 3, 8 pm 40182222 and

Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, Malleshwaram, May 4, 7 pm 23445810  God of Carnage: Directed by Preetam Koilpillai, the play is about a patch up mission between two sets of parents whose sons had a tiff in the playground. But things do not go as planned. The play has Sharanya Ramprakash, Deepika Arwind, Kanchan

Bhattacharyya , Rajeev Ravindranathan and Yasmina Reza in the cast. Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, May 3, 7.30 pm 26592777  Somewhat like a Balloon: The play is about a boy who ventures out in to the world to look for his missing father. During the course of his journey, he meets a lot

 Miss Sadarame: A prince gets attracted to a girl from a lowly family and wants to marry her. But the girl’s father is very greedy and wants to get his hands on the prince’s wealth. The prince leaves his kingdom in order to marry the girl. The girl is exposed to the difficult circumstances but eventually overcomes these difficulties. Written by eminent writer KV Subbanna, the play is directed by Manjunath L Badiger. Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, May 8, 7.30 pm 26592777

 Story telling: Does your child love to listen to stories? Then this story workshop will be ideal. The workshop will be conducted by Sonali Bhatia, who gave up her job as an advertising copywriter in order to follow her dream of beocming a storyteller. The workshop will focus on the elements of fiction, responding to fiction and creating fiction. Atta Galata, #134 KHB Colony, 5th Block, Kormangala, May 6 to 10, 12 pm 9632510126  Hone your acting skills: Brush up on your acting skills this summer. At this workshop kids can learn soft skills like communication, interpersonal skills, presentation, public speaking skills and audience management. They will also work on concepts, vocal reading (voice modulation, pitch, pauses), dance, acting and mimicry. Podar Happy Kids, Sarjapur Road, next to Total Mall, till May 11 9900533980

workshop

film Bombay Talkies actress until his wish is finally granted. It stars Rani Mukerji, Randeep Hooda, Saqib Saleem, Katrina Kaif, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Ranvir Shorey, Naman Jain and Sudhir Pandey in the lead roles. Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road- 12.25 pm, 3.50, 7.35 INOX, Mantri Mall, Malleswaram- 12.30 pm, 4.05, 9.35 INOX, Swagath Mall, Jayanagar- 4 pm Fame Forum Value Mall, Whitefield - 10 am, 5.05 pm, 9.40 Q cinemas, Whitefield - 12.30 pm, 4, 9.50

 Shootout at Wadala Hindi Sequel to the 2007 hit Shootout at Lokhandwala, the film is about the firstever registered encounter by Mumbai police, where gangster Nitesh Dhamne was shot dead. The incident took place at Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Wadala, Mumbai on November 1, 1982. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, it has John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Ronit Roy, Siddhant Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut , Tusshar Kapoor, Sonu Sood and Manoj Bajpai in the lead. The film also has Sunny Leone, Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Chaudhary in special

numbers. Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road- 10.20 am, 12.35 pm, 1.15, 4.10, 7.05, 9, 10 Eshwari Cinemas, Banashankari- 11.15 am, 2.30 pm, 6.15, 9.15 Urvashi Digital 4K Cinemas11 am, 9.45 pm Rex Theatre 12.50 pm, 7.05 INOX Mantri Mall, Malleswaram- 10 am, 12.50 pm, 2.35, 6.20, 8.20, 9.15 Fame Forum Value Mall, Whitefield - 10.05 am, 12.35 pm, 3.25, 6.20, 8.30, 9.15 Innovative Multiplex, Marathahalli- 11 am, 7.15 pm, 10 Q Cinemas, Whitefield- 10 am, 1 pm, 7, 9.55  Bombay Talkies Hindi The film marks the centenary year of Indian cinema.

It has four stories woven together. The first story, directed by Karan Johar, is about an urban couple who is happily married until the wife meets a colleague at work. The second story, directed by Dibakar Banerjee is about a failed actor who struggles to make a living after his father's death. The third one, directed by Anurag Kashyap, is about a man from a small town in UP who comes to Mumbai to fulfill his ailing father's last wish which may also save his life. And finally, the last story, directed by Zoya Akhtar, is about a 12year old, who dreams of meeting his favourite

 Chota Bheem and the Throne of Bali Hindi Chota Bheem and his friends are invited by the King of Bali to the crowning ceremony of their prince. On their way, Raja Indraverma tells them about Bali and they are all excited to visit this land of unlimited landscapes but before they can reach Bali, the kingdom is captured by evil Rangda. He kidnaps the king and queen of Bali but the little crown prince manages to escape

and forms an alliance with Bheem to take on Rangda, the evil witch who wants to rule Bali. Directed by Rajiv Chilaka, it has Chhota Bheem, Raju, Chutki, Kalia, Dholu, Bholu And Balli. Q Cinemas, ITPL- 3 pm, 7.30 INOX, Mantri Mall, Malleswaram- 10 am, 5.30 pm Fame Forum Value mall, Whitefield- 12.30 pm, 7.35  Celluloid Man English The documentary is Shivendra Singh Dungarpur’s first full length documentary and is a tribute to archivist PK Nair. The film has won two National awards and has been screened at 24 film festivals. PVR Cinemas, Koramangala

Shootout at Wadala

 Tiny tots at work: Let your little ones discover their best this summer at the iLeap workshop. Your children can try their hand at puppetry, traditional games, mixed medium art, medley, classics and children's theatre or they can participate in activities like Little Ones Messing Around, Carnivals Around the World, Wonders of the World and Amazing Race. iLeap Academy Pvt Ltd, #625, 11th main, HAL 2nd stage, Indiranagar , May 6 to 10 9845804444

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

Don’t let moods destroy you The blues can wreck precious relationships, ruin careers, and cause spiritual pain. But they can be tamed and overcome, says Sensei Avinash Subramanyam

oods reflect your spiritual character. A moody person—one who has highs and lows—is one with ego, fear, anger, jealousy and vanity. Moodiness comes from negativity. It causes spiritual pain to others. When in a bad mood you can hurt a loved one—kick your dog, shout vile abuse, or throw a plate at your spouse. This can cause a deep rift. Even if others ignore your moods, you cause immense harm to yourself. When angry you curse and fill yourself with hate. Spiritual development is about not being negative. Moody is calm today, angry tomorrow, meditative today, abusive tomorrow. That won’t do. Spiritual growth is being nontemperamental and steady.

Long-term consequences Moods affect education, careers and relationships. For example, a college student becomes moody because a girl he likes goes out with another boy. He can then flunk his exams, take to drink, and ruin his future. Moods change history. Hitler was known to have extreme mood swings and paranoia. This must have contributed to his violent behaviour. His moods could also have led him to misjudge the severity of winter, and lose a war. Life has its lows. Learn to accept them for what they are worth. Your moods should be fleeting. Never pass on a foul mood to others. If you are upset because your manager shouts at you, you have no right to

take it out on your spouse. Don’t start off a chain reaction that could destroy a precious relationship. If you become irritable every time you drink, your spouse will fear you. This could break your marriage. You can always find a reason to be upset: someone didn’t call; a friend ditched you, a client didn’t pay in time, you don’t have this or that. The list is endless. Know that the lack is not outside but inside you. Learn also not to react to another’s mood. If your significant other treats you badly because a favourite ceramic dish broke, don’t say, ‘Get lost!’ Understand the pain and allow time for recovery. Be forgiving. The ability to cleanse and forgive is spiritual. Don’t follow the tit-for-tat philosophy. Feeling low or irritable is a result of negativity. Nothing good will come of it. Say you lose your job. If you are positive, you will quickly move on. You will call friends and check on what jobs are available till you find one. If you are negative you will sit brooding, curse your boss, and analyse why all this happened to you.

the job and the girlfriend are gone. Against the truth of death, nothing lasts. Understand the difference between temporal happiness and budo joy. A moody person finds happiness only when his or her desires are met. The sensible one finds joy in life. Find joy in the ability to see, taste, smell and hear, rather than in ‘good’ things. If you have an Audi but are cribbing about the traffic, can you enjoy driving the car? If at a restaurant your steak is burnt, feel good that it fills your stomach. If on a date with a girl who can’t stop screaming at you, feel good she is beautiful! Follow the Confucian doctrine of the golden mean. How to get out of your moods? Understand how moods affect you and those around you. Life is as fleeting as the dew drop that evaporates with the morning sun. Make every day count. Train to overcome your moods. Follow an exercise regime. Watch The truth of Time Getting high on external stimuli— your mind. Go for a five km run or finding a great job or having a pretty spend an hour on the treadmill. The heart pumps hard, and girlfriend—shows instabilyou sweat and ity. There might soon flush out the be a time when

negativity. For some, taking a walk and feeding dogs work. Doing something good and selfless makes you feel great.

Simple tips and tricks You can do a million things to beat moodiness. Watch a fun movie; have a good meal. The movie and food will take over. If you love cooking, make a dish. Having to find the right spices will engross and distract you from negativity. A bad mood is such that it will not allow you to do these things easily. Hence teach yourself discipline. Practise equanimity and good cheer long enough and the brain realises you can get out of moodiness. A mood is like a life form, and once it realises you are stronger, it diminishes and disappears. You can help a friend switch moods. When I see a friend sulking or brooding, I buy him a pizza and a gift and suddenly he feels ‘wow!’ When low, you can seek mentors or elders you can’t show your mood to, and allow them to help you. Never push away anyone trying to help you. I have personally seen shorttempered people change after they hear how severely moods impact the mind, body, spirit and soul. I speak with love, especially when they are angry. A person who used to stay angry for two hours now recovers in 10 minutes. Two days ago, a student called. He was feeling low and irritable. I told him to train for 15 minutes, have a cold shower (cold for its shock value), brush his teeth, wear fresh jeans, go for a walk and drink tea. By the time he reached his tea, he was feeling better. Remember, you can defeat moodiness.

Way of Budo 31

Transcribed by Radhika P

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

echwalk Technology and elections It is a given that technology has helped the election process, enabling electronic voting and counting. This has hopefully eliminated both human error and the possibility of sundry machinations, but, one would think, we have a long way to go. If we can vote, user authenticated, with an app on our mobile phone, that is the time to exult. Privacy, fraud, and hijack, you say? Obviously, we would have fixed all that by the time we get to such a stage. But let us set our sights lower. How about other kinds of apps? The website NextBigWhat.com, which

RAMESH HUNSUR

focuses on startups, looked for a few elections related apps. Apart from a few news apps, they found a handful on Android and one on WinPhone.

SRIDHAR K CHARI PRACHI SIBAL

from Webrosoft aims to do, providing both basic Indian Elections Elect ‘13 candidate On both Android and Elect ‘13 by Nava information that Winphone, this app apps aims to display can be searched by was developed by real-time election constituency and Mango results come results details regarding Technologies. It lists day. “The results can criminal cases, all the elections be sorted out by assets, liability and education. “For happening this year candidate, party or constituency of Karnataka it provides candidate and the major your choice,” says the site, adding details while for other states it has political parties in India, with news that “one of the best features of information about the elected and latest headlines added. this app is the candidate profile representative. All the information section, where one can view a brief in this app can be shared on “The state election section of the profile of the electoral candidates, Facebook or via SMS or email. The app is divided into three parts — which includes information like UI of the app is very basic and dashboard, social and leaders,” age, profession, education, phone unfortunately the app only provides the site reported. While dashboard numbers, email ids and also a information of the important gives you basic details like election photo. One can search for a candidates,” sums up date, results date and news candidate by party or nextbigwhat.com. highlights, the social section has constituency.” What would have the usual suspects from the social Plus, there are the news apps and perhaps added to its usefulness, networking world. The leaders political party related apps. It is and fun, is the assets declaration section does just what you would time our app developers take this information that candidates have expect - all the dope on the netas. space seriously, and help citizens to mandatorily file, plus whether get more out of not only the The website wasn’t too thrilled with any are facing criminal charges. democratic process, but in the the ads that flooded the screen, or MyNeta end, from our leaders. It is bound the app’s tendency to keep And that is exactly what this app to happen. shutting down.

Election mobile apps

memoir

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

The doctor who gave me Rs 200 An expert at the burns ward, Dr Das is accused of an illicit relationship with a patient

was ambitious in the early days of my career. I used to tell myself I should not limit myself to what my senior assigned to me, but push myself and learn more. However, my laziness was a hurdle. Many times I thought of giving it all up to escape from the hard work. My friends encouraged my laziness. Their argument: We should not take our profession so seriously. If we spend the days in court and the

nights studying case files and law his family when his mother had died books, we won’t be able to enjoy life. in mysterious circumstances. We But I was not convinced. were still young boys then, but I had Fortunately, I did not fall into the stood by him. “What a pleasant surprise! How laziness trap. One night, when I was about to come you are here at this late hour?” eat dinner, two houseflies fell into a I asked. He was in distress, and wanted glass of water and scrambled out. Instead of getting annoyed, I appre- to borrow Rs 100. “You have come up in life ciated their fighting spirit. I thought thanks to education, human beings had a Hanumantharaya. lot to learn from When Dr Das We are stuck in a rut these small creatook me to the at the village,” he tures. said, unsure whether Immersed in burns ward, I to address me with thought, I heard a started sweating respect or familiarity. knock on the door. Although my It was a friend from my village, Hanumaiah. We had family was richer, it had never come studied together at school. We were in the way of our friendship, and meeting after a long time. I remem- Hanumaiah had never asked for bered how the police had harassed money before. But I had no money. I

crime folio

VIVEK ARUN

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

CH HANUMANTHARAYA

was still a junior lawyer, and Rs 100 was a big amount. I realised Hanumaiah would not believe me if I said I had no money. People in my village thought I was earning a lot, and Hanumaiah was no exception. “Sleep now. We’ll talk about it in the morning,” I said. But I couldn’t sleep. I was in a delicate position after I joined Devadas as his junior. Earlier, as a student, I used to get money from my parents. Now, I was hesitant to ask them for money, and Devadas had not started paying me yet. People in my village thought otherwise. Even my parents thought the same,

memoir and feeling proud about it, had stopped sending me money. Clients gave me some money whenever they were happy with my service, and that was all I earned. I thought of a client called Dr Parangusa Das who might help, and fell asleep. In the morning, I took Hanumaiah with me, telling him I would withdraw money from the bank. Leaving him near a restaurant, I went to meet Dr Das. Setting out to work, he was surprised to see me. Without wasting time in pleasantries, I said, “Sir, I need a hundred rupees.” “No problem. Here,” he said, handing me two hundred-rupee notes. Thanking him, I returned to Hanumaiah. I was happy Dr Das had given me Rs 200 when I had asked for just Rs 100. I ordered a sweet for breakfast. When I handed him Rs 100, Hanumaiah’s face brightened. I told him, “You need not return this. But don’t tell anybody in the village about it.” I was afraid if the news went around, people would come to me asking for money. Dr Das was my first client. His was the first case that I appeared for independently. I got acquainted with him unexpect-

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

edly. I used to ask Devadas questions on how a lawyer can defend his client knowmedical jurisprudence, and he directed me ing well he is wrong. But that does not to visit Krishna Bhargava, the medical mean that you should not do it,” he said. He explained the various kinds of superintendent at Victoria Hospital. “You will acquire firsthand knowledge burn injuries. Something struck me and I said, “I of cases and medical procedures. I am also an arts graduate like you, but I learnt law think a person with a lower percentage of burn injuries in the abdomen and lower by practical experience,” Devadas said. I used to observe Devadas cross- parts is at greater risk than one with a highexamine doctors, and that had drawn me er percentage of injuries on the upper to medical jurisprudence. Krishna parts.” He appreciated my Bhargava introduced me sense of observation. He to Dr Das, who was the The local weekly explained how an acid head of the burns ward. had carried a burn injury was different When Dr Das took me to from a fire burn injury. I the burns ward, I started derogatory story started frequenting sweating. The scenes about Dr Das Victoria Hospital and were scary, and it was became an expert in nauseating to look at the patients. There was a cover on each patient detecting the cause not just of burns but injuries of all kinds. for protection from flies and infections. In due course, I met the eminent Dr After his rounds, Dr Das took me to his chamber and offered me some snacks. I Modi, Dr Narayana Reddy, and Dr Basu could not eat anything. However, he rel- and studied books on medical jurisprudence. ished his food. One day, when I went to meet him, Dr “Sir, I am surprised you are still normal even after witnessing such gory Das looked depressed. There was a copy of a local weekly on his table. It had his picscenes,” I said. He said each profession had its own ture on the cover. The headline was characteristics. “Sometimes, I feel a derogatory. “Sir, I know your honesty. You have lawyer’s profession is strange. I wonder

cured thousands. If you permit me, I will file a defamation suit against the magazine,” I said. “That’s a legal circus. But I am already defamed. What is the remedy?” he said. As we were talking, a woman walked in. She was all tears. “Sir, you are my God, but you are facing humiliation because of me. Whatever is in the paper is wrong. I will stage a sit-in in front of the office of the magazine,” she said. Dr Das had treated her after she sustained burn injuries in a stove blast. Her face was burnt and her husband had abandoned her, saying she had become ugly. Dr Das had approached her husband through trade union leaders of the factory where he worked, and counselled him. Thanks to his efforts, they had started living happily, and become close to him. But the weekly alleged that Dr Das was having an affair with her. I filed a case based on the woman’s witness. It was an easy victory. Dr Das had a good public image and the newspapers carried reports of how he had won the case. A happy Dr Das took me to Tiffany’s restaurant to celebrate our victory. He became a close friend. (Translated by BV Shivashankar)

T I M E P A SS

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Talk’s weekly crossword for Bangaloreans who know their way about town campaign for the upcoming elections (5) 14 Four students from RV College of Engineering recently bagged the prestigious ____ Systems Engineering Award (4) 18 According to a recent survey this will be a major deciding factor in the upcoming elections (10) 19 Pub named after Hades river (4) DOWN 2 A daily double-decker train was recently launched connecting Bangalore and _____ (7) 4 Engineering college which recently hosted a tech fest named VerTechX4.0 (3) 6 DK _____ : Famous politician and industrialist who passed away recently (12) 7 Government body embroiled in the land denotification scam (3) 8 Scandal which rocked our state in 2012

Last week’s solution

ACROSS 1 Body which has appealed to the political parties to include demands of the traders in their manifestos (5) 3 The High Court recently dismissed a government petition regarding the takeover of a ____ temple at Mahalakshmi layout (7) 5 In an attempt to improve safety the

cops have booked nearly two hundred people for ____ in 2013 (10) 10 Kannada actress Pooja Gandhi will be contesting from this constituency on a BSR Congress ticket (7) 12 Former CM of Karnataka who feels Rahul Gandhi will have an impact in the upcoming legislative elections (1,1,7) 13 The BJP used LED fitted _____ to

Across: 1 Chung, 5 Parari, 9 Jalahalli, 11 Prathibimba, 12 Pulikeshinagar, 16 G Parameshwara, 18 Abbey, 19 Saurabh. Down: 2 N Munirathna, 3 Urvashi, 4 James Manor, 6 Koli, 7 Daroji, 8 Bowring, 10 Karkala, 13 Udupi, 14 St Peter's, 15 Ainapur, 17 Appam.

14 15

(8) India's first Laryngectomy Club which was recently launched in Bangalore will act as a support group for ____ ___ patients (6,6) PD Waingankar was recently appointed as the ____ of the Karnataka High Court (9) ___ Hills: Scenic spot around 60 kms from Bangalore (5) The government hopes that this tech innovation will help curb corruption at Passport Seva Kendras (4) Six government officers will be sent for master's programmes to this famous college in London in September 2013 (5) The number of central para-military companies deployed to Bangalore to provide security for the upcoming elections (5)

Prof Good Sense  I am a 19-year-old dentistry student. Recently I was diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) by a psychiatrist. My parents use this to put me down. My selfesteem is completely shattered. I feel I am misunderstood. How do I explain myself to my people? And is there any way of verifying the diagnosis? G, Hebbal Take a second opinion from a psychiatrist. BPAD is a ‘mood disorder’ that leads to erratic emotional conditions of elation and depression. If the diagnosis is confirmed, meet an experienced clinical psychologist for help in coming to terms with it. Your parents lack knowledge. Your family must also undergo psychological education to understand the nature of the problem and learn how to deal with it. They should refrain from being critical of you. I recommend you go in for family therapy immediately. Prof M Sreedhara Murthy teaches psychology at NMKRV First Grade College. He is also a well-known photographer. Mail queries to prof@talkmag.in

talk|9 may 2013|talkmag.in

What kids think about marriage

Absolutely the worst job in the whole world

A bunch of American kids were asked about marriage. Here are their actual replies:

We’re talking about our own, by sympathetic stories on. Duh.) to report it in the first place. the way. A survey by the A reporter’s job ranked 200 in a We leave you with one request American website list of 200 jobs, judged on the though: the next time one of us CareerCast.com has basis of “environment, approaches you for a quote ranked newspaper income, outcome and about unattended MLAs or reporting as absolutely stress levels.” So long as corrupt garbage (or is that the the worst job in the this stays other way round?), don’t world, way below between us, dismiss the poor fellow. Or be woodcutter, janitor, we can tell put off by his arrogant manner garbage collector you that (it’s all he has). Instead, treat it and bus driver this is hardly as a cry for help, and not the (ie, all those news—all professional request it sounds folks newspaper like. And if you’re feeling reporters people know generous enough, buy him a typically it—which is drink; the poor chap needs one. feel sorry why none of After all, he’s got the worst job for and do them bothered in the world.

Q: How do you decide who to marry? You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. (Alan, age 10) No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with. (Kristen, age 10) Q: What is the right age to get married? 23 is the best age because you

know the person FOREVER by then. (Camille, age 10) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married. (Freddie, age 6 - very wise for his age) Q: Is it better to be single or married? It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. (Anita, age 9 - bless you, child) And the #1 favourite is…….. Q: How would you make a marriage work? Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. (Ricky, age 10)

(From a post by Chris Hughes on Dailynewsdig.com)

And now they are messing with sleep At what point do we say “no” to science and scientists? If we sound particularly touchy, it’s because they are now messing with our favourite activity: sleep. The US’ Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), sees sleep as a “limited resource” for soldiers like food or fuel, and is developing technologies to conserve it. They propose to do that by using specialised

masks and diet supplements to squeeze a full night’s sleep into a few hours, and by concentrating sleep into its most restorative stages. In other words, you will get into deep sleep as soon as you hit the pillow, and wake up a few hours later feeling as charged as if you had slept a whole night. The DARPA has a history of promoting military technology for civilian use

(they invented the Internet, for example). As committed paranoiacs, we’re wide awake to the possibility that this will have many takers in corporations—all in the name of ‘productivity,’ of course.