The brew magazine August

CINEMA, MUSIC & ART WITH THE

AUGUST 2011 VOL 01 ISSUE 11 ` 40 www.thebrewmagazine.com

Superheavy IS HERE Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 1

2 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 3

EDITOR’S NOTE This is has been an exciting month for us at The Brew. A new team.New initiatives.And an opportunity to launch the single ‘Satyameva Jayate’ from the album Superheavy. The first album from the ‘Supergroup’ band formed

by Mick Jagger and our very own AR Rehman alongwith Damien Marley,Dave stewart and Joss Stone.

It was a well attended event at Blend,Taj Club House. I sincerely thank Mr.Ian Dubier, General Manager, Taj Club House for agreeing to co host the event.

So this issue features the band and the artistes. And many more interesting stories and features.

We alongwith Coromandel Harley Davidson (yes, the legendary brand is getting launched in Chennai soon) are presenting a photography contest. details inside. Plus another contest on Superheavy. participate and you can win loads of goodies like the music CDs from Universal Music.

Until next time.

Sameer Bharat Ram Editor

4 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

FOLLOW US>// http://www.facebook.com/ thebrewmagazine

TO ADVERTISE: Call: +91 98409 39339 e-mail: info@thebrewmagazine.com The Brew takes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material. All PHOTOGRAPHS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ARE USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSE ONLY.

CINEMA, MUSIC & ART WITH THE

Creative Director Mihir Ranganathan

CINEMA, MUSIC & ART WITH THE

AUGUST 2011 VOL 01 ISSUE 11 ` 40 www.thebrewmagazine.com

Art Director Sibiraj Bastin Sr. Graphic Designer Moncy Thomas Sub-Editor Poornima Nair Asst-Editors Pooja Kumar Amrutha Anandanathan Abhinaya Rangarajan Circulation & Sales Seeman Ezhumalai Srinivasan

Superheavy IS HERE Cover Photography: G. Venket Ram

BRAND PARTNERS

www.thebrewmagazine.com

Edited and Published by Sameer Bharat Ram, and owned by SM BrandMuni Consulting Pvt. Ltd, Published from No.609, Lakshmi Bhavan, Anna salai, Mount Road, Chennai - 600 002. Tel.: +91 44 4208 9392.

Printed by K. Srinivasan at Srikals Graphics pvt. Ltd, No.5, Balaji Nagar, 1st street, Ekkattuthangal, Chennai - 600 032.

Editor: Sameer Bharat Ram

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 5

CONTRIBUTORS AND ADVISORY BOARD

Lord Jeffrey Archer Jeffrey Archer established himself as a literary force with the publication of his first novel, Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less, in 1975. His third novel, Kane and Abel became a number one best-seller in hardcover and paperback all over the world and has sold over 3.5 million in the UK paperback edition alone. Now, 36 years later, Jeffrey continues to defy his critics and delight his fans. Published in 97 countries and more than 37 languages, Jeffrey Archer is firmly established, with international sales passing 250 million copies.

Mallika Sarabhai, Educated as an economist and a business manager, Mallika Sarabhai is one of India’s best known Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers. She has taken her work and her company Darpana to not only over 90 countries around the world, but also to the farthest parts of India.

Gautami Tadimalla An apt example of a renaissance woman, Gautami has acted across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada film industries. With over 20 years of experience in the film industry, she recently won the “Best Costume Designer” for her work in the movie Dasavathaaram. A multifaceted entrepreneur, Gautami also supports various social causes.

Neeru Nanda A graduate from Delhi University. Passionate about writing, she freelanced as a feature writer for ten years before switching to publishing. Author of a collection of short stories titled “IF” (Rupa & Co), Neeru is now working on two novels and a series of books for children.

Ashok Verghese Is one of the youngest education entrepreneurs who is making a great difference in this field in the country. He is the Director of the Hindustan group of Institutions, again one of the pioneering educational groups in the country. He supports the cause of promoting young talent in art and music.

Veejay Sai An award-winning writer, editor and a culture critic. He has written and published extensively on Indian classical music, fashion, theatre, food and art, and loves traveling, researching literary and cultural history. He is an editorial consultant with over 40 brands and designers in and outside India and is on the jury for several prestigious awards in the arts across the country.

6 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 7

CONTENTS

40

16

20

8 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

14

10

VOL 01 ISSUE 11

FEATURES

COVER STORY

Remembering the Masters

16

10

Rememberind Reddeppa Naidu

Super Heavy is here

- Pallavi Nandagopal

REVIEW

12

Beat the point to death...

Amy Jade Winehouse

20

14

SIDDHARTH DHANVANT SHANGHVI’s

THE LOST FLAMINGOES OF BOMBAY - QUEENIE SUKHADIA

One Billion Eyes

24

GONE too soon 30

CONTROVERSIAL CELEBRITY DEATHS

26

INTERVIEW

30

Rendezvous with

with Sudha Chandran

Paint Town Red

36

Yeh Coolistan Hamara..!!

- Dharmesh Jadeja

40

center stage with

Staccato Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 9

ART

Remembering Reddeppa Naidu - Pallavi Nandagopal

10 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Reddeppa’s contemporaries were A.P.Santhanaraj, L.Munuswamy and P.V.Janakiram – all known for their lines and linear expressions. The Madras School in those days was also an active centre for craft education in different areas. When the Government of India set up Weavers’ Service Centers in different parts of the country to introduce more design elements into Indian textiles as part of the attempt to enhance the textile trade, Reddeppa joined the Weavers’ Service Center in Madras and retired as its Director. He was actively involved in the creation of the famous Karpur sari of Tamil Nadu – a marvelous textile creation which is a blend of hand painting , block printing and brocade weaving.

“I

Reddeppa was also a member of Cholamandal Artists’ Village, and it was here, amidst its serene surroundings, that he breathed his last.

n my search for identity and roots – an identity that is free of western impact – I have turned to mythology. I wanted to paint on subjects that belong to me and were a direct source of inspiration”, said Reddeppa Naidu whose reputation as a modern painter grew from the ‘sixties. In the 1950s, at the beginning of his career as an artist, Reddeppa found himself like many other committed Indian artists struggling to be recognized from within the country.

Born in 1932 in Andhra Pradesh, Reddeppa was a student of the Madras College of Arts & Crafts in the 1950s. His mentor K.C.S.Paniker observed that for Reddeppa , his “lightness of touch and free draughtsmanship were the main instruments of personal expression.” Reddeppa soon evolved into a significant painter of the Madras Movement in contemporary Indian art.

Naidu’s line play is a sensuous rhythm on the canvas, carrying with it a strange awareness of the lyrical form as wedded to space and picture plane”, commented Paniker whose constant feed back was a continuous source of motivation for his students. Drawing from Indian mythology and temples, his “Deity” series of the late sixties is greatly appreciated by artists, art critics and art connoisseurs. He also painted several architectural structures, especially the Gothic spire that inspired him with its maze of interlocking lines. His famous “Mahabharatha” series gave expression to his fascination with Indian epics and puranas. His works are characterized by free and fluid lines while the colour tones are soft and fresh.

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 11

MUSIC hh An English singer-songwriter known for her unfathomable vocals and her heterogeneous mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. hh Born into a family of Jewish jazz musicians at Southgate, London. hh Started a rap band called “sweet and sour” at the age of 10 and also attended a theatre school from which she was expelled due to a nose piercing! hh Amy was given her first guitar at the age of thirteen and became obsessed with it - writing songs, dabbling in drugs and eventually dropping out of school a year later. hh Amy’s debut album, Frank was released on October 20, 2003 which went on to be critically successful selling platinum. hh In May 2007, the hazel eyed beauty married Blake Fielder-Civil in a secret ceremony in Miami. hh While performing at a concert in Burmingham England in November 2007, Amy was booed by the audience, with others walking out in protest to her drunken state. hh In May 2007, Amy won the ‘Best Contemporary Song Award’ for her hit Rehab at the 52nd

Beat the point to death…

Amy Jade Winehouse (14 september 1983 – 23 July 2011) 12 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Ivor Novello Awards for British songwriters. hh In January 2008, Amy took part in a successful campaign to save The George Tavern (an English pub) by designing a t-shirt. The campaign came to its happy ending in July of the same year. The aim of the protest was to defeat a motion to construct a housing project near the pub. hh In August 2008 Amy was invited to join a group of 72 Austrian singing monks. The monks, known as the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz recorded an album of Gregorian chants which went on to be number 1. The monks felt they could help Amy through her troubles and discuss their faith with her. hh In 2008 Bryan Adams wrote a song for Amy in a bit to help her overcome her drug habit. The song titled Flower Grown Wild is about the dangers of drug-taking. hh Amy announced she had been approached by one of the producers of the James Bond movies to sing the main theme of Bond 22. hh In her song Rehab, she mentions the names Ray and Mr. Hathaway.

These are references to the soul singers Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway. Amy made her song “Rehab” on her denial of attending an alcohol rehabilitation center.

The world heard her say:

“I’m not a fighter, but if I am backed up against the wall I’ll kick the shit out of anyone.”

Maybe she did? she didn’t?

I guess that’s one secret we’ll never know

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 13

ART

THE LOST FLAMINGOES OF BOMBAY

BY SIDDHARTH DHANVANT SHANGHVI 14 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

T

REVIEWED BY QUEENIE SUKHADIA

his book is another one in the long series that talks about the happenings of this big concrete jungle many of us call home- this city called Mumbai. It is a book which delves into the life of the glitzy and glamorous in this city and follows their life stories in this city which provides solace to so many.

This book primarily traces the life of Karan Seth, ‘star photographer at India Chronicle’ as the blurb emphatically declares. An assignment to photograph Samar Arora, a maverick, young, world-renowned and now retired pianist, Karan strikes a friendship with him and Zaira, the popular Bollywood film star. From here begins Karan’s tumultuous love affair with this city and all that it has to offer- from a steamy romance with Rhea Dalal, a married woman to taking part in Zaira’s murder trial. This book documents many issues which have taken place in real Bombay and classifies them under the banner of fiction by changing a few names here and there, but keeping the primary essence of all these scandals and occurrences the same.

He explores the Jessica Lal murder case in his book and writes in such a satirical manner, that one can almost make out that he is empathizing with the victim and blatantly mocking the murderer and all those witnesses who turned hostile in this murder trial.

Within the span of these 348 pages, Shanghvi delves into a number of issues ranging from power politics in this metropolitan to child abuse and homosexuality to AIDS, corruption, an unscrupulous judiciary and the morals of today’s generation.

Shanghvi also elaborates on the beauty of this city we all call home. As we step into the shoes of the protagonist, ace photographer Karan Seth, who has embarked on a mission to document this city in the form of a series of photographs, we get a chance to explore Chor Bazaar and the varied rarities it has to offer like the Bombay Fornicator to the marshes of Sewri where the migratory flamingoes arrive every summer. We are offered a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous of this city. He manages to capture the essence of this city in his book, through contradictions,

juxtapositions and simple, unadulterated description. The reader is able to visualize the Bombay Shanghvi sees where the lofty apartments of Page 3 socialites lie alongside slums, where BMWs chafe against auto-rickshaws, where every one is fighting the fumes of this city, trying to carve a niche for himself. He goes through the entire gamut of emotions and feelings- clearly showing how Indian society is leaning towards the West and simultaneously facing immense backlash.

Shanghvi has a good eye for psychological intricacies and sentimental details. He describes exactly what each character is feeling and does this so well that more than once have I felt that the character is a three-dimensional person standing in front of me- someone I can see, touch and feel. His prose is simple and easy on the eye, and not in the least arcane. This makes his book a quick read, something that doesn’t really demand a lot of investment of time and energy on the reader’s part.

All in all, this book is a riveting piece of fiction- one which oscillates between scathing social commentary and the extolment of this vibrant city called Bombay. This novel is something different and definitely has an allure of its ownit is a book about living, loving and leaving, doing equal justice to each sentiment in its own way.

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 15

MUSIC

W

hen 5 international musicians from different musical backgrounds get together to form one band, a rock supergroup is the result. Superheavy in this case! A band with a diverse and eclectic line up who share eleven Grammy Awards between them and have been recording together in various studios around the world is a concept that that can be explained best in the words of one its members… “A mad alchemist type experiment”. Getting to introducing the line-up, Superheavy consists of Mick Jagger of The Rolling

Super Heavy is here stones fame on the vocals, guitar and harmonica, English musician and songwriter Dave Stewart on the guitar, Damian Marley,Reggae artist and son of the legendary Bob Marley on the vocals, English songwriter and actress Joss stone again on the vocals and our very own AR Rahman on keyboard a variety of other sounds.

The formation of the band was a secret until May 2011. On 20th May 2011, Mick Jagger announced the formation of “Superheavy”. When quizzed about how the super five decided on the name of the band, one with such diverse musical backgrounds lead vocalist Mick Jagger said “Marley had been riffing the term “SuperHeavy”, inspired by Muhammad Ali being the super heavy weight champion of the

16 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

world and the phrase became the band’s catchphrase” The idea of forming a fusion band was Dave’s. After years of work and careful thought his brainchild was a tangible reality. Soon, He approached Mick Jagger who too had a mutual liking for fusion music and Indian orchestra’s. “I said it sounds like a good idea, I never thought it would actually happen” said Jagger. Developing on the idea of the music this band made to have a strong Indian feel to it, AR Rahman was included. Along came the Damian Marley and Joss stone and the final line up for the band which strives to make “Music with a meaning” was decided.

Superheavy started work on their

Debut self titled album in early 2009, with the superfive jamming in Los Angeles. “It’s the most complicated record ever made. Imagine, some of it’s recorded in LA, some of it’s recorded in the South of France, some of it’s recorded off the coast of Cyprus, some of it’s recorded in Turkey, some of it’s recorded in Miami, some of it’s recorded in the Caribbean, and some of it’s recorded in Chennai, in India.” Says Stewart. The album which took about 3 years to complete, under secrecy was previewed on 30th July 2011 in LA. Their debut single, “Miracle Worker” was released on 6 July. Mick Jagger received acclaims from the who’s who of the music industry for he sings in sanskrit for “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth alone

Superheavy does not have live performances or tours in the agenda as of now “If people really like it, we will. If they don’t like it we won’t!

We haven’t planned to do a tour or anything, but if people really like it maybe we will. We’d love to get together and play some of it live” Jagger concluded.

Song writer, Actor and producer. He is best known as the front man and lead vocalist of the legendary rock band “The Rolling Stones”. Jagger has also acted quite a few films. Jagger’s career has spanned over 50 years, and is one of the most popular and influential frontmen in the history of rock & roll. His distinctive voice and performance, has been the trademark of The Rolling Stones throughout their career. Mick Jagger as part of The Rolling Stones won the life time achievement Grammy award in 1986.

He is still one of the biggest names in Music today!

songwriter, Musician and producer.

Dave shot to fame with his work with the Eurythmics which is one of the most popular pop and rock duo’s of all time. Stewart produced and recorded all of Eurythmics’s albums and soon started working with other big artists producing their works.

Dave Stewarts has worked with Jon Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Bob Geldof, No Doubt, Bryan Ferry, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Katy Perry and more! Dave won the Grammy for his work with the Eurythmics in 1984 and was also a recipient of the BRIT award.

Mick Jagger :

Dave Stewart:

Damian Marley born on July 21st 1978 is the youngest son of the Legendary Bob Marley. Damian is a Reggae artist

triumphs) Superheavy’s secong single.

This song, composed by Rahman, also features Dave Stewart, Joss Stone and Damian Marley. “It’s really unexpected, it’s mind blowing” Said Stone, Talking about the end result of Satyameva Jayate.

Micheal Philip “Mick” Jagger born on 26th July 1943 is an English Musician,

Dave Allan Stewart born on 9th September 1952 is an English

Damian Marley:

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 17

and has won 3 Grammy Awards for his work in the field of music which started since he was 13 years of age. His song ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ was included in the top 100 greatest songs of the decade by Rolling Stones magazine which also won the Best Reggae album and the Best Urban/ Alternative performance in the 2006 Grammy’s. Marley is also known for him being the only Jamaican Reggae artist to have won 2 Grammy’s on the same night. Mick Jagger explains he has long been a fan of Marley’s strength as a lyricist and toaster along with his penchant for experimentation and collaborative spirit.

Joss Stone: Joss stone born 11th April 1987 is a English Soul song writer and actress.

The Soul singing prodigy became the youngest British female singer to top the UK Album Charts with her first album in 2004 - debuting at number one. Joss Stone is a Grammy and BRIT award winner with more than 11 Million albums sold worldwide.

Joss stone is widely acclaimed for her barefoot onstage performances. Dave Stewart talking about Stone being a part of SuperHeavy says “Stone was an obvious choice for us. She’s such an incredible singer and spirit.”

AR Rahman born on 6th January 1966 as A.S. Dileep Kumar is an Indian film music composer, Record producer, musician and singer. He has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fourteen Filmfare Awards, thirteen Filmfare Awards South in addition to numerous other awards and nominations. ARR shot to international fame with his music for the Award winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire” for which he won both his Academy awards .He is described as the world’s most prominent and prolific film composer by TIME magazine. Rahman has sold more than 300 million records of his film scores and soundtracks in his career spanning roughly 19 years

18 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Photography: G. Venket Ram

AR Rahman:

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 19

Mahatma Gandhi in Type by Dencii Manayak

CINEMA

One Bill

20 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

T

he seventh edition of One Billion Eye’s Indian Documentary Film Festival is coming soon. Started in August 2005, each year the festival explores the billion different ways that India can be perceived and expressed.

Though the nature of the event is essentially competitive, the festival aims to provide an open space and promote documentary films and filmmakers who push intellectual, political and cultural boundaries to explore issues that are relevant to the Indian context today.

With the support and encouragement of young students, film aficionados and the film community, we have been motivated to conduct this festival, bringing to the screen and stage many perspectives based on various themes every year. Starting with ‘Animals, Art and Activism’ in 2005, this festival has brought together dialogues on urban life, cultural politics of a city, caste, Gods and Goddesses, occult religions, ecology and environment.

negotiated its Gandhi legacy in many ways. Many committed activists have taken up his philosophy and worked their lives around that from Baba Amte to Anna Hazare to Medha Patkar. Less and less younger people, however, are subscribing to Gandhian philosophy in our current globalised time, where Nehruvian socialism seems to have catapulted to complete capitalism as the credo of the moment.

It is here that we feel re-looking at Gandhi, his life, philosophy, sacrifices, and the roles he played and continues to play in making India what she is today. It is exciting to bring together on the same platform many young filmmakers and well-known speakers to analyze and understand Gandhi through film, theatre, dialogue and music.

Said to be one of the greatest men on Earth in recent history, M K Gandhi has inspired many world leaders and while he transformed our nation and continues to do so in the subliminal subtexts of Gandhian tradition, it is time to ask how do we internalize ‘Gandhi’ - to move ahead in the new world order as individuals, a community and a country on the another cusp of history.

to Dublin, Chettiar recorded that the idea of making a film on Mahatma Gandhi occurred to him right on Gandhiji’s birthday. Back in Chennai, Chettiar, originally a photographer jumped into an experiment on documentary filmmaking and began to salvage precious footage and material from archives, news agencies, studios and individuals, while he continued to study with his camera the contemporary view on Gandhiji.

The original 81-minute film, ‘Mahatma Gandhi - Twentieth Century Prophet’ with Tamil commentary is reportedly lost. But a valuable revived version of the film brings to life episodes showing Gandhiji’s participation in the All India Congress Committee, the Round Table Conference in London, the Salt Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement, and much more.

As part of our outreach programme, Mr. Parnab Mukherjee, an acclaimed authority on Badal Sircar’s theatre and Shakespeare-in-education, who specializes in theatre-forconflict-resolution and theatre-ofthe-campus, brings to Chennai’s schools and colleges - ‘soakedstretched-submerged: a cross media choreo-poem’. Performed by Surjit Nonmeikapam and Baishampayan Saha in collaboration with Rohit Bhoot, in note of commemorating the 75th year of the foundation of Sewagram at Wardha and the centenary of Gandhiji’s Tolstoy Farm in South Africa, this poem tells the stories of a historic Sunday market in Ahmedabad,

lion Eyes “Gandhi” is the theme of the seventh edition of the One Billion Eyes - Indian Documentary Film Festival to be held at the Alliance Française of Madras from 15th - 19th August, 2011.

Gandhi is for every Indian a symbol of what being Indian means. From childhood through school and through one’s parents, the idea of Gandhi permeates into every Indian’s life.

However, post-Independence India has

The festival will be opened on the 15th of August with the screening of “Gandhi: Twentieth Century Prophet”

by Late Mr. A.K. Chettiar (1911-1983), a famous Tamil travelogue writer, journalist and documentary film maker. While on a ship from New York

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 21

the Gujari bazaar.

‘Why is Gandhi COOL even today’ is a panel discussion that will be held on 16th of August, with panelists consisting of Ms. V. R. Devika (Managing Trustee, Aseema Trust), Mr. Ram Subramaniam (Chief Samanvaya), C. Annamalai (Director, Gandhi Study Circle) and A. S. Panneerselvam. This session will moderated by Mr. Ranvir Shah.

On the 17th of August, Vinobha Nathan is a photographer from Chennai, who recently participated in The Salt Prints (www.saltprints.org), a contemporary artists’ march with the aim to retrace the historical “Dandi March - the 387 km walk from Sabarmati to Dandi”.

The Salt March launched the history’s greatest nonviolent battle, the civil disobedience campaign, head by Gandhiji in 1930. Vinobha will give an illustrated talk on his exciting experiences as part of The Salt Prints.

On 18th of August, Gouranga Charan Dash from Odisha performs Bapu Katha, a shadow puppetry narration of Gandhiji’s life. Gouranga Dash is at present engaged in the study and research of the origin and growth of puppet theatre in Odisha.

The festival will conclude on the 19th of August with a concert of Mahatma’s favourite bhajans by Bombay Jayashri¸ a renowned classical musician, and her students. Her repertoire of meditative music and rare poetry enables her to interpret, render and convey from years ago the favourite ragas and swaras of Gandhiji.

The festival jury consisting of Mr. K Hariharan (Director, L.V. Prasad Film & TV Academy), Ms. V.R. Devika (Managing Trustee Aseema Trust), and Mr. Paneer Selvam will watch the films screened on each day of the festival and award a prize of Rs. 25,000 for the best film.

Please visit www.abillioneyes.in for details of the schedule.

We kindly request you to preview the festival in your publication and to arrange for interviews, articles and reviews of the scheduled events.

22 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 23

CINEMA

GONE TOO SOON

They say stardom is hard to get but then again it is harder to live it. Much as the glitz, glamour and all the fanfare adds to the glossy life, it takes away the very normality of being able to buy breakfast or take a walk down a few blocks. At first it all seems like a very nominal fee to pay but if only dealing with it was as easy

CONTROVERSIAL CELEBRITY DEATHS

ELVIS PRESLEY Who ever thought that the legendary King of Pop would chose the backdoor of fame? Much as his life seemed plagued with drug abuse, failed romances, periodic hospital visits, death was never really an option for this powerhouse whose voice had a commanding force over various genres of music. His death when declared on august 13th 1978 raised much controversy and the many Elvis

24 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

sightings in Kalamazoo,Michigan,the hospital staff swearing in to secrecy in regard with the “Elvis Presley� that was brought in, also the many phone calls and greeting cards signed by that unmistakable signature only contributed more to the investigation.

Reports about the body in the casket being a fake wax model were further fueled by observations of sweat on the body only to be rubbished by John Espito who blamed the failed

air conditioning. But we all know out biology right and dead bodies once embalmed do not sweat.

MARILYN MONROE Marilyn Monroe defined sexy with her classic beauty and her signature red pout. Her mother, Gladys pearl baker, being mentally unstable, made young Monroe go through a series of mental episodes. Being a foster child she was sexually assaulted one, two many times that biographers believe is the

reason for her later behavior in life, read-hypersexuality, substance abuse, troubled relationships. On August 4th 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her room and an overdose of the lethal drug, Nembutal was the stated reason but there was no sign of water in the crime scene which made it almost unbelievable that a person could’ve swallowed down 50 pills.

Dr.Theodore Curphey on examining the corpse discovered there was no yellow pigmentation in the inner lining of the intestine which would’ve been a usual indicator for the presence of Nembutal and there was no evidence of fully or partially digested pills in her tract that ruled out the very possibility of an overdose. Monroe’s turbulent relationships and romantic affairs with the Kennedys was also highlighted as a factor and the FBI’s 2006 file release reveal that Marilyn on being refused marriage was about to stage

yet another of her infamous suicide attempts but only made real this time, by the Kennedys. Tapes also reveal that the FBI could have staged this flawless murder. The truth seems to have lost itself and slipped away with time.

GEORGE REEVES Reeves is believed to have shot himself and the 0.27 percentage alcohol content in his bloodstream solidified that. Reeves mother wasn’t convinced

and got private detectives to dig deep into his death.On further investigation the scales tipped in favor of a murder.

Apparently no finger prints were found on the gun, coupled with the fact that no powder burns on the head wound which implied that the gun was held seven inches away from the head, an unusual action for a suicide, a spent shell was found under his body and the gun between his feet. All of this ruled out suicide. Speculated theories point towards Lemmon, his fiancée and also Toni Manix, the one reeves had a short affair with who was also wife of M.G.M executive with underworld ties. They say superman saved the world if only he could save himself.

BRANDON LEE Brandon lee started shooting for “The crow” in 1993, little did he know this would be his last. The filming was jinxed with various accidents on

the sets and several crew members facing severe injury.8 days before completion, a scene required shooting Brandon’s character “Eric”. The shoot was done and Brandons difference in response from that in rehearsals was noticed and he was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead.

The bullet was supposed to be one of the dummy cartilages minus the gun powder but the bullet that killed lee was found to be missing the tip

making it fatal. Some believe that this may not have been “so accidental” and contribute to Brandon’s fractured relationship with the movie producers and incidentally his father Bruce lee also died in a movie shoot and had predicted his son’s death when he was little less than 8 years old. History repeats? We wonder.

BRIAN JONES Forty years after the death of this rolling stone member comes a witness, with evidence so strong that makes you want to rewind time and rewrite history! Janet Lawson brings back the past after 4 decades and an untimely detection of terminal cancer.

Outlandish conspiracy theories shot up after Jones was found dead in his pool under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Some believe it has much to do with him being sacked from this legendary band! The night Jones died, according to the official version of events, there were three guests at his home, Cotchford Farm in Hartfield, East Sussex, They were Janet Lawson, a 26-year-old nurse who knew the musician through her boyfriend, Rolling Stones tour manager Tom Keylock; Frank Thorogood, 43, Jones’s builder-cum-minder; and Anna Wohlin, Jones’s girlfriend.It was after much wine that there was a change of events, Janet found Jones who was previously accompanied by Frank, now alone in the pool asking for his inhaler. On her return she saw Frank diving in only to stop the faint ripples that came from within. This followed by Frank’s unpredictable and strange behavior summed him up as a potential suspect. It is believed that Frank and another suspect, Jone had a secret understanding that broke loose resulting in her being victim abused. One thing led to the other and despite the many clues, they remained ignored .Brian Jones murder remains a mystery!

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 25

ART

26 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

W

hat goes around comes around, little did Timberlake know that this is that one mantra that is the very backbone of creation as a whole-be it the comeback of the classic skinny jeans, remixed music, pop art and come to think of it, even street art.

It is widely believed that street art started around the 1960’s but ask me and I’d say, its yet another one of those brilliant factors that taken form from our tattered history books.

Hieroglyphics, only revamped to suit the modern century and street art traces time with the political scenario, cultural development coupled with bold messages, bright colors, reflection of the society.

INTRODUCTION:-

Street art is yet another form of art that has taken the world by storm with its widely political messages, bold colors, and for these street artists, the world is their canvas! And quite literally at that, from sidewalks, public buildings, street signs to even trashcans!However,like any piece of art, be it brands like M.F Husain or Michelangelo even-street art garners difference in feedback. Some think of it along the lines of vandalism but the others look at it like a rich art form of nontraditional cultural expression.

In most places around the world, the government has imposed a ban on this art form, maybe one of their many attempts to curb the growth at its very beginning. But this only added to the adrenaline rush and street artists not only continued but travelled around the world with a signature style, a hidden identity.

STREET ART AND GRAFFITI Street art and graffiti are merged as one definite art form by many but really, the term “street art” has been set to differentiate its individuality from that of graffiti, vandalism and corporate art work it is surprising to

note the inward politics between these two art forms, much like religion, with one too many crossovers but differences alike. The contrast would be on the lines of ideas, aesthetic approaches, culture and history.

But these are difficult to note as their similarities also stay large with visibility, durability, striking colors, mind grabbing images and direct textual content. This ongoing battle between these two forms find peace in one of graffiti archaeology’s find where some flash imagining tools show a constant interplay between street art and graffiti constantly interacting, complimenting and competing since 2005.

STREET ART AND ART INSTITUTIONS This art form has faced obstacles not only in the governmental front but surprisingly from its very own fraternity as well! Reception of street art in institutionalized art world is problematic because it does not follow the category for advancing art institutional replication-the primary objective of the art profession. Also, art world institutions prefer their work

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 27

to be conducted intramurally within established disciplinary practices. But this again raises the question that with street art being showcased in the most prestigious art museums, does this pave way for it being institutionalized?

This ongoing debate hasn’t resolved to one common solution and is still trying to balance the whole equation without displeasing either parties. Although art students are experienced in street

art, art schools try highlighting the remaining possibilities in post modern remix of performance art, conceptual art. Critics and curators have slowly welcomed street art in their genre of discussions which counts as a positive movement. It sure is true that art institutions sieves the art worthy of historical content but also turns it into a classic sense which goes in complete contrast to the very principle behind street art.

28 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

STREET ART-A RESPONSIBILITY? Being showcased in a public place, street art works into educating people with their signs, symbols and highly contextual art works .But once again, we’re talking about something as liberated as art and it shouldn’t be confined within boundaries or policies

within its vicinity. Agreed that street art doesn’t showcase discipline at its best but yet again, they use the public platform only to showcase their art and not for the cheap thrill of vandalism. Necessary law enforcements have also come out in regard to this subject.

of any sort! Art institutions do the same, infact their up gradation takes a fairly decent amount of time and in spite of their similarities they are funded by the government and the latter is looked upon as a lowly form.

Street art has survived the generation gap and risen in great prominence over the last decade. It has graduated from broken down buildings to being a part of the global art culture. This genre comes off as a powerhouse of distinctive art that we all know is here to stay!

STREET ART AND VANDALISM Vandalism is basically destruction of property. It has also been observed by criminologists to have a “snowball effect” of generating more negativity

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 29

allegro

C-100, 1st Avenue, Chinthamani, Anna Nagar East, Ch-102. Ph:26210558 Basement Shop : 144, Nelson Manickam Road, Near Metha Nagar Bus Stop, Ch-29. Ph:23740420

Rendezvous with Sudha Chandran

CINEMA

30 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

1) You have been dancing since the age of 3.Dance for you is beyond passion. How has the journey been?

I wouldn’t call it passion. No child can decide their passion at such a young age, it starts off as a parents dream. You get into the mould and start believing that it is what you are destined for and also as that one thing you can give back to your parents.

It grows on you like education. I remember as a kid,my mother would pack my Tiffin and take me to dance class straight from school and carry me back home at night because those days we didn’t have a high frequency of autos. The importance of dance dawned upon me when in ‘87 i lost my limbic craved to dance and I realized that when your craving is so strong,it brings anything to you. I couldn’t let people decide my fate and write me off can never lose anything to anybody, be it relationships, art because it hurts

your ego. I know what my mother had undergone to help cultivate this art in me.I am from a middle class family and my mother always told me we can provide you with good education and an art, which i believe is like a blank cheque.its like my golden ticket that has taken me places!

2) Various dance forms have evolved in dance today. Have the Indian dancers turned versatile or is it the global effect shadowing us yet again?

I think its a good thing. The world is too small to be ignorant. When i did Jhalak Dhikhla janitor was a learning process for me as I had to do various dance forms .But if your foundation is good and you have a sense of rhythym, learning a new dance form comes easily. Social status does influence choice but to look at it positiviely,you are atleast learning, its a part of your education as a dancer. The education

i recieved in Jhalak Dhiklaja helped me much later as a judge, because knowing the dance form i could do complete justice to the participants with my judgments.

3)Your first film, ache Mayuri,won you a National award. Playing yourself is hardest because what you portray is what they remember you best as.how hard was it reliving every bit-the good and the bad?

Sangeeth srinivas rao and Ramoji rao wanted to know my life story and for the movie,Sangeeth sir was insistent to cast me in the lead and at that time,the film industry was taboo and it took me sometime before i decided to take the plunge. Even then it wasnt about reliving my life.To me,it was about discovering a new form of media.I learnt so much about the cameras,makeup,the work method.

It was yet another form of education.

Also since the movie was in telugu it didnt sink in until the end result started influencing people around me and they would come up to me and tell me their experience,it then struck me that it was my life on celluloid believed that i was born with this purpose .I will have no regrets in leaving this world because somewhere as long as the world remains,SIt has also been observed by criminologists to have a ‘snowball effect’ of generating more negativity within its vicinity. Dr. James udha Chandran will be remembered.

4)Did you have a struggling period post Nache Mayuri?

I went through a period of unemployement becaause a film career was something i hadnt planned.Film industry had always been a second option.I took up a few projects that bombed and once again that got people talking about the film industry not being a place for the disabled.Then came Kahin Kisi Roz and im indebted to Ekta kapoor because playing Ramola Sikand,the loud makeup,jewellery,etc set such a contrast from the image Mayuri had set me in.At first i was apprehensive about this dramatic change but Ekta told me to give it 6 months and we were 4 months down and i was already

institutionalized as a style icon.Ramola sikhand’s bindis,jewellery became a range.At some point when people label you,you end up believing that is what you are capable of and when you need to prove a point,all the right people come your way!I craved for this for 7 years and so i can never get bored of this.So i worked as hard as i could and thought to myself-7 years i slept well so why not work it out for 3 years.

Ramesh sippy once told me, after Gabbar singh,it was ramola sikhand who could bring that fear on peoples face.She had the entry music that set in the anxiety and made people wonder,what next?People loved to hate her.The episode freezed at 11:30 p.m and I would get calls and the next morning at 5:30,my friends who leave for work would text me about my saris,makeup etc so the whole feeling that people went to sleep thinkin of you and woke up in the morning thinking of you,left a great feeling within me!I had my friends from london callin in to say-”your bindis cost 3 pounds!!”

5)Did Ekta kapoors promise prevail?How did that happen?

After 4 months I bumped into Ekta and we both knew the differences it had made.Balaji telefilms always stood by me.When you have gone through the pain and negativity,instead of bringing it out back and against the people,use it positively.I could play the negative characters well because i used that as the platform to vent out my inner frustrations that were bottled up long enough and this made my character more real.

6)Tell us about Natya Mayuri,your dance school?

I started the dance academy to promote dance and i used my name because it speaks commitment.Now we have 9 branches in mumbai,1 in ranchi and 2 in pune.

7)Television came,Ramola Sikandyou were “the vamp”.has the negative characters bogged you down?or do you look at it like your forte?

With any character there should be conviction and shades of grey work.

Nobody is good all the time ,it isnt

possible to be diplomatic everytime.Its a changing world and the audience is changing with time.No point in piling up thoughts,you dont like something then come clean with it.let the other person understand who you are and then decide whether the relationship is there or not there.End of the day when I introspect,I should feel clear and good inside.My parents did not leave me with a fat bank balance but they inculcated really good values and that is what you need.Anybody can make money but a rock solid foundation is a blessing!

8)You share an extremely good bond with your father,Mr.Chandran who is also a vivacious actor.tell us about it.

I share a love-hate relationship with my father.It was only after my mothers death that i got closer to my father.Ours is a south indian family and there is always a distance maintained between the daughter and the father,Mother was always the mediator.However the most pivotal decisions in my life was taken care of by him.After I lost my mum i knew my dad needed me and in a lot of ways we needed each other.My husband Ravi was the son of the family.when my mother had her chemotherapy treatments weakening her out,he would pick her up and take her home.Ravi has always been my best friend,who i could fight with,laugh with and would still be my pillar of support.

He understands me so well that the whole 3 and half to 4 years he handled my home so beautifully and never once complained.Ravi has always been what i wanted in a husband and he did everything so perfectly.Its a nice cute family i have.touchwood.

9)If not this industry,would you have gone along the lines of economics?entrepreneurship maybe?

I wouldve married some guy in the u.s working in the IT field,had kids.But i dont want to think of any other option.

The film fraternity is such a beautiful place to be in.It has been 27 years and each moment is cherished,like a few days back i was shooting in avm studio and i thought m so lucky because

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 31

shivaji ganeshan stood in the same ground and i am a huge fan of his.i feel honoured to be in the same soil that such a great men have been in.it grows on you.like drugs,nasha.

10)You’ve survived in this industry for almost 3 decades,which period would you call “idealistic”?

I have moved with the times ,growing constantly,i have met fine technicians.

It is never stagnant here,there is never monotony.You are learning and everyday is new and not like the last.

You learn from each industry and carry it with you and share it.Ravi and i share the common ground and so we have so much to talk about.If i was with an IT guy,i wouldnt have known what to talk about!

11)Which individual has made that lasting impact in your life?

Its my failure.after those 7 years when success came it came with a lot of responsibility.when you are a failure,you are just a failure but being successful and then a single failure

hits you and is hard to digest,you will have to bounce back!i always wondered,Mr. Bachchan,what resposibility he holds!when he walked into KBC i was like he is the man!even shahrukh khan,i always make sure i read his interviews,in one of them he was asked about his backpain and he replied saying”i ve learnt to live with it,the pain doesnt pain me anymore!”i still remember Mr.bachchan was the man who introduced my character in my first movie,nache mayuri and years later for jhalak dikhlaja also i called him up to speak about me and he returned my call immediately and said sudhaji m sorry im out of the country and wouldnt be able to do it,i am just one of those many actors he comes across yet he made sure he called me personally,that shows his fine character and such is the industry where we belong as individuals!

12)Cinema,television and reality shows,which platform do you enjoy best besides stage?

All of them.Each has got its own commitment and each has got its own responsibility because at the end of the day it narrows down to that one thing-you are a performer,you are a joker in front of the audience,make them laugh,make them cry and make them feel your character.

13)You have left so little to conquer,where do you see yourself 20 years from now?

I dont know.Probably produce and direct but i would never leave stage.I would still love to act and connect with people.I want to always make my presence felt in front of the camera and it is my deepest desire to be working till the day i die.People should feel the vaccum because that vaccum shows how much space you’ve taken in their mind.Like shivaji ganeshan,dilip kumar,bachchan-the question after bachchan,what?the very fact that it cannot be answered is because there is no replacement.Whatever i have done and whoever i am is not a matter of luck and i know more than anybody that i worked for it,i yearned for it and till date,i live for it.

32 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 33

The Brew Magazine in association with Taj Club House launches Superheavy’s Satyameva Jayate at Blend ‘Staccato’ kept everyone entertained through the evening

34 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 35

ART

Yeh Coolistan Hamara..!!

Dharmesh Jadeja, Buildar Architects, Auroville

H

ave we ever thought how cool would it be when the “bajre ki roti” along with “baingan bhartha” toppings in its new baked avatar, will be competing with the corner McDonalds? Isn’t it time to redefine the cool, the inn thing, our way? As a friend put it recently: May be “frugality is the new cool”.

On a recent visit to Gujarat, where being a global gujarati is the new “inn thing”, my design futtas went berserk when someone terming the eco-earthen-sustainable-artisan based architecture that defines our approach to design as “celebrating village aesthetics”, “mud lipai in village houses”, somehow stuck in time & not moving on; aesthetics of these materials as “not cool enough” to be termed as “modern”; though it is green, sustainable & sometimes cool enough to be a backdrop of a fashion shoot..!! All this told by probably someone who was looking for a contractor in Australia to do a simple stabilized earth wall..! We are truly a globalised world as we eat the Chinese apples & eat Kutch mangoes & dates

36 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

in Pondicherry.

As a design professional working in the field of ecological & green architecture, you are expected to be reinventing yourself to survive in this competitive world where everyone is going green or certifying themselves as green. I took the above comments very positively & it kicked off a process of design that is reinventing our work; Come to think of it, there is a hidden substance in sarcasm of this argument; A certain sector of Indian society has come a long way from the types of jholawala ngos to now Mac or ipad2 carrying activists, social workers & change makers; the bai with blackberries & dudhwalas on web; On the other hand in certain opinion maker class still, our crafts remain too crafty, our design is not designer enough, our minimalist, timeless materials like earth or terracotta haven’t found its modern minimalist avatar or acceptable aesthetics of our western counterparts; our Indian villages are not clean, maintained & cool enough as St. Emilion in south of france; & though our folk musicians make a great company or backdrop to

many a rock stars, they still can’t hold a centre stage on their own as yet; We will still be seen in a justifying mode while we read or write this, rather than raising a fundamental issue in a sustainability debate; The reason being may be : as its still not the inn thing enough or cool enough that we value and pride ourselves rooted in our traditions: thus, we have not arrived yet. We still confuse ourselves & fail to differentiate between being fundamentalist & nationalist; Even though Indian philosophy speaks of universal brotherhood & consciousness, anything Indian is still not good enough for being international; While be American buy American is well accepted; when replaced by be Indian buy Indian, we ourselves would a easily term it as a fanatic statement..!

Our villagescape is picturesque enough to be on postcards, documentaries & travel guides but not livable yet; our traditional lifestyles of myriad communities across societies, which is essentially so rooted, sustainable, environmentally conscious, with its core values intact

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 37

in large stretches of this land, even till today does not present itself seriously as a lifestyle choice to us or the world, though half the world loves the taste of our curry & starts its day with our yoga.

What is it then that is missing in India or in our Indian lifestyle, that hasn’t clicked yet? Why is it that even the strong Brand India hasn’t taken the world by storm yet as Apple or Microsoft? Why don’t Indians who swear by blackberries & iPads, iPods, haven’t discovered that Khadi is cool?

Khadi is minimalist? Khadi is much more than what we see, feel or know for India? Indians do not take pride in KVIC turnover having overtaken HUL…!

We like the seconds and factory sales of any brand but we don’t value our bespoke designs our own darzi made?

Why can’t we make our simple natural organic lifestyle choice as cool?

Why don’t we make our consumer decisions based on a material’s carbon footprint, its potential to provide employment to rural folks, its environmental costs, rather than the mall we buying from or how cool is the ad?

The world that is on the brink of bankruptcy with the American meltdown coming soon, is still running after the leed platinums & anything termed as eco, rather than making simplified, organic & localized lifestyle choice. We still find pleasure in buying in an air conditioned super market cool & comfortable rather than smiling sabziwalas we can bargain with; our modern Indian consumer has just discovered that waiting at a CCD queue is much cooler than ordering a freshly brewed hot cup of coffee at the corner shop & getting it instantly delivered; we have never judged the quick delivery of our bhelwala with any of the so called fast food joints; taking a public transport or bartering used clothes against a steel vessel is not as cool as being searched by the mall security, walking aimlessly in a mall & paying for every parking you came across.

Is it that colonial hangover of being judged by someone else’s standards that is still lingering on? Is it our lack

38 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

of confidence or capability that is not letting us define clearly what Indian Cool we are looking for? Or we are simply not cool (read stupid) enough to realise that here at our doorstep we have a lifestyle choice which is efficient environmentally, socially sustainable, rooted, cultured, civilized rather then going after a failing energy intensive, socially destructive lifestyle choice that is being force fed to us by multi national corporations armed with their Indian mercenaries?

When I see the Genext of India, I find myself amazed at the global outlook they have, the way they outsmart the smartest grown ups from the first world, the way our sabziwalas or kabadiwalas handle their gadgets, I really find it cool. On the other hand, it is difficult to believe that it is this smart generation, completely equipped with global gadgets, that is being taken for a ride simply by smartly cunning marketing tools, beaming of advertisements & programs, multi national corporation agendas that are self destroying in nature.

India, as it stands at the doorstep of becoming the new super power as we hear from all that has made India click globally, needs to redefine its own standards; Set its own standards of being cool for youth, its own standards of universality, globalization, etc.; our localized standards of economy, aesthetics, sustainability, etc. where the world would understand the deep rootedness of our culture while it judges for e.g. the minimalist design aesthetics with the minimalism in energy, social impact, economy rather than just look of minimalism; Indian corporations need to make a global statement in design not just by glass facades and mimic of western outdated models but invent forms that are as timeless as our traditions; redefine modernity in India by researching the importance & value of our traditions today rather than judging it by alien standards that are set on profit generation & power centres. Lets pause & rethink where are we going; lets give our next generation a pride & identity that it can

flaunt as its own & not borrowed from colonial cultures.

This got me thinking as what if we actually say that next big cool thing is to wear a khadi; to join a campaign of corruption free India; to use a cloth bag & refuse the use of plastics; to make a statement by stopping by for a coffee & conversation at a corner shop; to reduce, reform, reuse & recycle rather than follow the alien cultures that have no identity; to educate a child, to make a statement by shopping or smiling at our local kirana shop; localize ourselves with global thinking rather than identifying with a brand that someone brainwashed me about while I was a child; Yes, I would refuse to be judged by the so called international standards of “coolness” or “trends” that are defined by some “world renowned designer labels” of whom 40% of the world population has never heard of or never would hear in next decades. Let us make our darzi global, our crafts designer, our khadi cool & our desi flavor a globalised flavor; lets not wait for the next big slumdog millionaire to tell us that our own rahman is a genious! Lets understand that Gandhi told us all about sustainability decades before Al Gore arrived! Babas had dreadlocks much before Bob Marley!! Being Desi is the new Inn thing! Flaunt it; make it a style statement; tell the world India & now Indians have arrived!! Lets proudly adopt a lifestyle that’s meaningful rather than thoughtlessly imitating..!!

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 39

MUSIC

center

Hindustan University supports young talent in Music and art.This initiative with The Brew magazine is to get young bands noticed and promoted.

stage with

Staccato 40 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

S

taccato is an experimental band whose very essence lies in assimilating a plethora of musical tradition across the globe and creating music that sooths the soul.

This band draws from an impressive spectrum of style, some of which include Carnatic music, Jazz and Blues, Arabian influences, Bach et al.

This diversity in pursuit is perhaps a result of the composition of this band where the members are from varied musical backgrounds and each one brings with him a unique flavor to Staccato.

The founding team for Staccato saw three young boys from Chettinad Vidyashram¸Vikram, Sruthi Sagar & Balasubramaniam to participate in a collaborative venture- one that was infused with passion and zest for music. Despite their age, these guys wouldn’t leave a trace of doubt in your mind when it comes to their professionalism. They were previously

associated with a band that had included note worthy names like such G.V Prakash and Saindhavi.Having accumulated a wide repertoire of musical style, these boys were able to apply what they had acquired by means of previous associations to this new venture. Staccato is made complete withSRUTHI SAGAR (Flute): Sruthi Sagar,a mechanical engineer is an extremely talented flute player who has been trained in classical music and has been a part of major fusion bands in Chennai and has played with personalities in this field like ‘ChitraVeena’Ravikiran,’Ghatam’ Karthik, Anil Srinivasan. He has won the best instrumentalist at the biggest cultural extravaganza, Saarang for three years in a row. He has toured all over Europe and US giving performances. This young man and his music is going places and quite literally at that!

VIKRAM SARATHY R (Keyboard & Programming): Vikram, an engineering student is a versatile keyboardist, composer and arranger. As a composer and an arranger he has lots of jingles & short films to his credit. He has composed music for bigwigs like Prince Jewelers, Lebara Mobiles (U.K) , Maverick systems , ITC , etc..

He also freelances as a programmer for various music directors. At a young age and with so much experience in hand, Vikram is paving his way to the top!

BALASUBRAMANIAN .P.D - (Tabla & Percussions): Bala is a classically trained table player. And has numerable light music programmes to his credit. He also plays the Drums, Darbouka and the Cajon with much fluency. He has toured all over India for around 25 concerts with the six time national award winner, Dr.S.P.B.He is also a

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 41

freelance as a rhythm programmer and is sought after.

GOWTHAM BHARADWAJ: A Chartered Accountant by profession, this budding singer is a student of Shri.Ganesh of Ganesh-Kumaresh duo. Noted as one of the upcoming playback singers whose participation has been noticed and well received in many reality shows of South India namely, Airtel Super singer 2006Final Runner up, Ragamalika 2004Final Runner Up, Saptaswarangal 2002- Final winner and Telugu reality show conducted by Dr. SP

Balasubramaniam- Paadutha Teeyaga in 1999- Final winner.

Recently he did additional vocals for the song Kalvare from Raavanan for AR Rahman and is regularly working on harmonies and tracks with AR Rahman, Gv Prakash , Dharan, Joshwa, Paul Jacob and many other upcoming composers.

MANOJ KUMAR (Violin): Has been learning the instrument for the past ten years. He is adapt in playing different genres like Irish, Arabic, Carnatic & film music. With an instrument like violin and Manoj at hand, its music all the way!

SABARISH (Guitars & Cavaquinho): When this young man strums the guitar, you would never guess that he had started playing jus few years back, just through showing keen interest and practice he has adapted himself in playing both western and light music with equal ease and his music is applaud able!

PRAVIN :( Indian Percussions):

42 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew

Started playing the Mridangam at the age of 4. It is safe to say he has grown with the instrument and has invested all these years in good music and is one of the leading accompanists in Carnatic music. As a freelancer he plays for bands and artists ranging from jazz to folk to fusion bands and it is his strong foundation that allows him to play all genres with ease!

VANDANA (Vocals): A graduate from London school of Economics started her training when she was six years old. Trained in both Carnatic and Hindustani. She has

sung for many jingles, albums & films.

Her voice is that one factor that can magically teleport you to an entirely different world!

YASHWANTH Arokiaraj : ( Keys): A self-taught musician, he plays the piano and the classical guitar. Adept at playing Jazz music, He also plays for G Clef & inflexion point, two very popular bands. The thing about self taught musicians is that their unmatched efforts to grasp the dynamics of the instrument and Arokiaraj has done that with brilliance!

SHALU VARUN (Bass): Shalu has been trained in western classical right from his childhood. He can play the Keyboard, Violin,Trumpet and Tuba,3 very different instruments and it is his strong foundation in music that has enabled him to do so with ease! He started playing the bass later and has been a constant in the field of light music and recordings.

AJAY GNANASEKARAN (Band Manager): They say give a musician anything

and he will still make music out of it, Ajay is of that calibre and has been playing the tabla for 14 years. He later graduated to playing percussion in band, making music that can get the party started! He then started ZINTHAK EVENTS, an event managing company that has set new standards in the field. Ajay now manages the band and has been an active participant in the field of light music. Ajay who was also a part of the team now takes care of their marketing and promotions Staccato has been setting the stage on fire at several competitions, including the IIM-B events and many other educational institutions in Tamil Nadu. Most recently, this band performed at the launch of Satya Paul’s label in Madras. Corporate events and short films also feature prominently.Staccato has played on the launch of the single Sathyameva jayathe from the band Superheavy a rock supergroup consisting of Mick Jagger,Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Damian Marley, and A. R. Rahman.

Staccato is also gaining international recognition- a development worthy of immense pride! This band scored the music for ‘’Thinapayanam’’ which went on to feature at the Norway Film Festival and also won accolades for the best score at the Paris Film Festival. Staccato team which comprised of Vikram,Bala,Ajay has represented India at the World Finals of Tum Tum Pa- an innovative percussion event organized by Red Bull in rio de janeiro Brazil and where among the top 10 teams. Staccato was chosen from competing artists across six cities in India Current projects include music composition for a play by the renowned Little Theatre, which would be representing India at the International Theatre Festival in Madras involving participants from ten countries.

Driven by a zest for new forms of music and innovative compositions that please the soul, Staccato is trying to create a niche for itself on the current music front, and eventually make an impression on global space.

Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew | AUGUST 2011 | 43

44 | AUGUST 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew