Thursday, December 23, 2010

Alagiri-Poongothai issue mars DMK meeting

CHENNAI: The much expected Alagiri-Poongothai meeting did not materialise. But in the wake of the controversial Radia conversation tapes, the DMK's review meeting with functionaries of Tirunelveli district held in the city on Wednesday and presided over by chief minister and party president M Karunanidhi proved stormy enough. Union minister MK Alagiri was in New Delhi and could not attend the meeting, but state IT minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna participated, triggering some tense moments.

According to a senior leader, as soon as the meeting began, Siva Padmanabhan from Alangulam, a supporter of the Madurai strongman, demanded an explanation from the minister for describing Alagiri as "a cut throat politician" in a reported conversation with Radia, audio recordings of which have been put out online.

But a flustered Poongothai stood up and told the gathering of senior functionaries from Tirunelveli that she had already made her explanations to the party supremo. Karunanidhi too urged the functionary not to bring up the issue again. While the Radia tape matter was shelved for the moment, the meeting took on a caste tone for the first time, with nadar' (the caste to which Poongothai belongs) and thevar' functionaries of the party openly squabbling.

Party sources said Karunanidhi stressed again on the need for unity within the party to take on the opposition in the assembly elections. In a series of election committee meetings being held in Chennai in the run up to the assembly polls, Karunanidhi, worried by the in-fighting within the party in most districts, has been urging partymen to shed their differences and work together.


Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Actor KARTHIK jaya t.v interview on diwali

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSyX111Txcs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKQu2oxMTDo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBlQqhcD0Is&feature=related

http://maraththamizhar.blogspot.com/

மறவர் அரசியல் உரிமை மாநாடு 18.07.2010





கீழத்தூவல் நினைவேந்தல் 2010






Sunday, December 19, 2010

Jayalalithaa makes friend Sasikalaa party executive committee member Read more: Jayalalithaa makes friend Sasikalaa party executive committee member

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa has quietly reinstated Sasikalaa, her confidante who lives with her in her Poes Garden residence here, as a member of the party's executive committee.

While no official release was issued by the AIADMK about Sasikalaa's nomination to the party's executive committee, which includes 65 other women, the decision has been communicated to the party members. "This is nothing new. She has been a general council and executive committee member for several years now," observed an AIADMK senior. But significantly, this year, there is a clamour among Sasikalaa's relatives and influential members of the AIADMK hailing from her dominant Thevar community to also give her a key party post. Some are even suggesting the post of deputy general secretary.

"How does a post matter when Sasikalaa is practically running the party along with Amma?" remarked a former minister in the party. According to him, Jayalalithaa's long-time friend is an "excellent organiser" of field workers. "She knows every union and town secretary by name. She coordinates every day with the informal committees that the party has constituted in every region to monitor the functioning of party office-bearers. There is nothing that happens in the party that she does not know or is not aware of."

With Jayalalithaa having sidelined all the family members of Sasikalaa, including a couple of her high profile nephews, the more recent being Dr K Venkatesh, who was stripped off the post of the party's youth wing secretary, there is a feeling within the family that a member should have a formal representation in the party's top echelons. But focussing her stinging diatribes on Karunanidhi's indulgence of his family members and dynastic rule in the run up to the assembly election, Jayalalithaa may not be in a hurry to reward her closest friend with an influential post.

Sasikalaa's closeness to AIADMK supremo has been openly acknowledged by Jayalalithaa herself. However in August 1996, soon after the party's disastrous showing in the assembly election that year, Jayalalithaa was forced to distance herself from her friend. Jayalalithaa had then issued a statement saying that thousands of partymen had expressed the view that the AIADMK suffered defeat in the 1996 assembly polls mostly because of "the activities" of her friend's family. But about a year later, Sasikalaa was back in Poes Garden. EOM


Monday, December 13, 2010

Hounds of pride now fetch rent

Dec. 11: Hunting dogs were once bred by the dominant castes, particularly the Thevars, in Thoothukudi for family pride. It has now become a business as dogs are now rented out to traditional hunters due to economic necessity and the entry of some other communities in the field.

The Thevar-dominated villages around Srivaikundam, in Thoothukudi district, have been known for generations for their greyhound hunting dogs. Some families are still identified as Vettai Raja Kudumbam (Family of the Hunter King).

However, except for a few families like Srivaikundam’s Chelladurai Thevar’s, many have given up breeding dogs or hunting as the forest department strictly prohibits hunting of even rabbits and rodents in nearby Vallanadu mountain, which is now a protected sanctuary for blackbucks and spotted deer.

Moreover, feeding the dogs is an expensive affair. In the face of these problems, some others evolved a new strategy of renting out their dogs to groups that still hunt in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli.

But not many Thevars rent out their dogs, according to Mr Selvaraj of Vagaikulam, who added that the new entrants in this field (mostly dalits) resort to the rental business.

The dogs were earlier rented out for 20 per cent of the flesh of the prey (mostly rabbits and wild rodents) but are now given only for money — between `100 and `300 according to the calibre of the hound.

Mr Chelladurai, 55, a landlord of Srivaikundam, said he does not give away the puppies his dogs have because he wants to retain his distinct identity in his village. The family used to kill the puppies that they didn’t want to raise. He said they hunt for rabbits in the thorny bushes around the villages that is a necessity as the dogs need the exercise.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

YB Samy Vellu's tweets upset real Samy Vellu



PETALING JAYA: Former MIC president S Samy Vellu wants the authorities to act against those using his name on Twitter to comment on the “Ketuanan Melayu” (Malay supremacy) issue.

Samy Vellu said he would file a complaint with the Malaysian Multimedia and Communications Commission (MCMC) against the individuals posting the tweets under the name “YB Samy Vellu”.

“I have been informed that some irresponsible people are using my name to take pot shots at the Malay supremacy issue.

“I hope the authorities will act swiftly before these individuals create more damage. These individuals must be stopped as their action will thwart national security,” he added in a statement.

Among the tweets posted by the so-called “YB Samy Vellu” read: “If you want me to stop caste politics, then let us all stop together. Ask those Malay extremists to stop racial politics.”

The tweet also touched on the sensitive issue of caste politics in MIC saying, “Thevar can also mean Devar or Dewa. It means divine.

“We are known as divine people, not like the pariah (outcaste). That is why only under the Thevar, Devar or Dewa, we can maintain stability and peace in MIC, because we are like Gods.”

Saturday, November 20, 2010

PNR STATUS

Indian Railway in collaboration with Google is now providing a 10 digit mobile number.

Just SMS your PNR number on this mobile number and instantaneously you will get your ticket's current status along with all other journey related details.
The number is
97733-00000.NO need to prefix 0 or +91.

Best of all, you don't pay a premium charge for any of this, just the price of a standard SMS.PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO STORE THE NUMBER IN YOUR MOBILE PHONE.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

KARUNAAS EXEMPLIFIES IN SOCIAL SERVICE

Karunaas

Actor Karunaas has exemplified his social deeds by funding the higher education of 135 Srilankan Tamil refugees after selecting meritorious students amongst them. These students, pursuing MBA and MCA in different colleges in Chennai, Madurai, Dindigul and Kovai, had visited Karunaas in Chennai during Diwali celebrations. They expressed their gratitude and promised to help more of such needy students once their education is complete and placed in good jobs. That was a touching gesture of their desire to repay what they had received.

Eezha Nehru, the coordinator of the Srilankan Tamil refugees, substantiated further that the Government supported the students till the Higher secondary level but beyond that even the ones with distinction were not able to study further. That is when Karunaas extended his hands voluntarily to brighten these students' future.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Thevar Jayanthi: Stalin, Jaya pay homage

KAMUTHI: The DMK will again come back to power under the leadership of M Karunanidhi for the sixth time, said Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin after paying homage to Muthuramalinga Thevar at the memorial at Pasumpon on Saturday.
He said that this dream will become a reality as they had a strong coalition.
On naming the Madurai Airport after Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, he said the State government had taken up the issue with the Centre and would continue to fight for the cause.
On the measures taken to boost industrial growth in this backward region, he said the government was offering various concessions to the industrialists to start business ventures here and added that he was positive that industrialisation will happen soon.
Ministers I Periyasamy, Thangam Thennarasu, A Tamilarasi Ravikumar and Periakaruppan accompanied the Deputy CM during his visit.
AIADMK chief, who visited the memorial with her close aide Sasikala, told mediapersons that she did not want to discuss any political issue at the memorial.
Since Thevar was called as Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar which means pure gold, the temple authorities had asked her to plate the memorial with gold and she agreed. When asked about the security arrangements, she said it was satisfactory.
Also, violence erupted in certain parts of the city with 19 TNSTC buses being damaged during the Thevar Jeyanthi celebrations held here.

Thevar puja passes off peacefully

PASUMPON/MADURAI: The 103rd jayanthi celebration and 48th guru puja of Muthuramalinga Thevar passed off peacefully at his native village Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram district on Saturday, amid unprecedented security. But police resorted to mild lathicharge around the Thevar statue in Madurai in the evening to chase away unruly mobs. Members of community organisations, hundreds of people, leaders of political parties and Ministers thronged the Thevar memorial. Gandhi Meenal, caretaker, and members of Thevar family performed a special puja in the early hours.
M.K. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister, placed a wreath on the samadhi on behalf of the State government and the DMK. He was accompanied by R. Avudaiappan, Assembly Speaker, and Ministers I. Periasamy, S. Thangavelan, Thangam Thennarasu, K.R. Periakaruppan and A. Tamilarasi, Member of Parliament J.K Rithish Kumar and Collector T.N. Hariharan.
In a chat with reporters, Mr. Stalin said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had written to the Centre to name the Madurai airport after Muthuramalinga Thevar.
AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa paid homage to the leader. She was accompanied by her friend Sasikala and former Ministers O. Panneerselvam and K.A. Sengottaiyan. Speaking to reporters, Ms. Jayalalithaa said a demand to provide gold plating (thanga kavasam) to the memorial was made during her visit. The AIADMK would bear the expenses for providing the cover. The Congress was represented by K.V. Thangkabalu,, NSV. Chitthan, MP, and S. Thirunavukarasar. MDMK general secretary Vaiko; PMK president G. K. Mani and State president of BJP Pon. Radhakrishnan and L. Suthish of DMDK also paid tributes.
At least 15 buses were damaged in stone-pelting in Madurai and police resorted to lathicharge to chase away unruly mobs near the Thevar statue at the Goripalayam junction. A 14-year-old boy was killed in an accident while he was dangling from a share autorickshaw.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A must read! 100% Eco Product

Jai Gurudeva - Mitti cool... Amazing true story and products from a simple Indian..!A Gujarati

Image: Mansukhbhai Prajapati with APJ Abdul Kalam.

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam called him a 'true scientist'. Mitticool, a clay refrigerator that works without electricity had turned the world's attention to its creator Mansukhbhai Prajapati, a craftsman based in Gujarat ..

Presenting the national award to Mansukhbhai in 2009, President Pratibha Patil appreciated his work and asked him for a Mitticool.

Scientists and journalists from across the world have visited his unit to see how he makes eco-friendly products at a low cost.

A school drop-out, he has achieved a feat that many in the world envy today. The simple and unassuming Mansukhbhai is not keen on money. His ambition is to make more low-cost and eco-friendly products for the masses.

"A good majority of Indians cannot buy a fridge as it is expensive. Besides this, electricity bills and maintenance cost is also high. Mitticool is an eco-friendly product which has no maintenance costs. It also retains the original taste of vegetables, says Mansukhbhai who has sold 1500 units so far.

"I failed in the tenth standard. But I was not disappointed as I knew that I was capable of making something new," says Mansukhbhai who holds a patent for Mitticool.

People who considered him as incapable, now look up to him. They say, "you are the pride of our community!"

He has been popularising earthen products since 1988. The only drawback for him is the lack of stores to sell them.

The products are mostly available in Gujarat and in some stores in Mumbai and Pune only. Besides, the low-cost fridge, he has developed a water filter, non-stick tava and a pressure cooker all made of clay. And he has many more innovative ideas.

Image: Mansukhbhai' s father at work.

The beginning

Pottery has been the Prajapati family's traditional business. Mansukhbhai' s family belonged to Morbi in Rajkot district.

However, his father gave up the profession as it was not getting them any money. It was all hard work without much gain. He being the only son was sent to school on the hope that he would do well in academics and get a good life..

However, he disappointed them when he failed tenth standard. To make matters worse, he refused to take up construction work which his father had started doing. He was however forced to do all sorts of odd jobs. He even injured an eye working in a brick factory..

"I was fed up. I wanted to start my own factory. But there was no way I could do it without resources. I joined a tile factory. I worked there for sometime. This was a turning point for me," he says.

He found that tiles were manufactured at a fast pace with a machine which was quite expensive.

Image: Mansukhbhai receives the National Award from President Pratibha Patil.

However, Mansukhbhai knew he needed to think differently and make innovative products. He took a loan of Rs 30,000 and started a small factory.

At the age of 18, he made a machine, which could make 600 tavas a day instead of 100 tavas they used to make manually. This gave him lot of confidence to explore and innovate.

He got the idea to make a machine for about Rs 4,000, which could help him manufacture more tavas than was being done manually. His initiative to restart the pottery business was not taken positively. But he went ahead despite opposition.

"Now all my family members actively take part in the work. They are very happy with what I have achieved so far.. I owe a lot to my family. I am happy that my elder son is doing an engineering course in ceramic

engineering. "

Image: Water filter.

His only regret is that because of poor marketing his products are not reaching out to many people. He, however, makes it a point to parcel products to people who are willing to deposit money in his bank account.

The business

It was a great beginning. "I also made a clay mixing machine. Till then, clay used to be missed with the legs.. This machine also reduced the workload and improved the efficiency."

By 1995, he realised the need to build a water filter. The market had steel filters which were not very efficient. After months of research and hard work, he built a water filter.

Luck favoured him too. "A person who had settled in Nairobi heard about my project and approached me for 500 units. I was excited. I sold it making Rs 100,000 on the first sale. It was a good start. The product I developed was sold in Nairobi even before it sold in India ," he says. The water filters priced at Rs 350 to 400 are quite popular.

Image: Non-stick pan.

Later in 2005, he started the non-stick tava (pan) business. "My wife could not buy a non-stick tava as it was costly. So I thought many people would be facing the same problem..

That's when I designed the non-stick tavas, priced between Rs 50-100." It took him an year to research and experiment -- testing the material for the non stick coating etc. The food grade test for the pan was done by Tata Chemicals in Mumbai.

Mansukhbhai has sold more than 50,000 tavas. He had to make thousands of tavas before he made the perfect one.

He thanks the Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Network and professors at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and the National Innovation Foundation, who extended their help in the form of grant and guidance for getting the patent, making the packing box and lab testing of products.

Image: Mitticool fridge.

"When a foreign delegation came to meet me, we cooked food in clay vessels and served them in clay plates. They were very impressed and happy with our healthy approach."

In 2009, he made the clay pressure cooker. "It comes with a whistle too," he remarks. About 500 cookers have been sold so far.

The idea behind Mitticool

During the 2001 earthquake, all earthen pots were broken. Some people told me the poor people's refrigerators are broken. They referred to the 'matkas'(pots) as refrigerators.

It struck me then that I must try to make a fridge for those who cannot afford to buy a fridge. The patent winning Mitticool has been the most challenging product for him. It needed a lot of experimenting. He started work on it in 2001, the product was finally ready by 2004.

It took him almost four years of hard labour and an investment of about Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million). An engineer who saw the fridge asked him to make 100 units. This was a great morale booster..

He had to take a loan of about Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) for the Mitticool project. He is still repaying the debt.

Image: Mansukhbhai with his products.

It takes 10 people to make a fridge in one day. Made from clay, the refrigerator can store water, fruits, vegetables for 8 days and milk for one day.

The upper part of the refrigerator stores water, while the bottom unit has space for fruits, vegetables and milk.


At present, he sells the clay fridges at Rs 2,500, at his unit. Most of the sales outside Gujarat are done during exhibitions.

In Mumbai and Pune, some of his products are available. Every year he takes part at the international trade fair in New Delhi in a bid to popularise the products.

Image: The popular clay pressure cooker.

"I have also been getting lot of calls from the US .. It is amazing to see so much interest from abroad," he says happily.

Mitticool was showcased at a conference organised by the Centre for India and Global Business, Judge Business School , University of Cambridge , UK in May 2009. Bosch and Siemens Hausger te (BSH), Germany , has also showed interest in Mitticool.

About 20 units of Mitticool have been exported to the UK , Africa and Nairobi .. He has now been invited to Africa to set up a unit there. "I have not committed anything but the most important thing is the soil. Gujarat has the best soil for pottery," he points out.

Image: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi checks the products.

The recognition

Mansukhbhai had never imagined that his products would win him so many accolades.

Nothing can be as rewarding as such compliments. Money is nothing compared to people's appreciation. "Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi knows me by my name. He has been very supportive and told me to approach him for any problem," he says.

He says well-known activist and performer Mallika Sarabhai recently remarked that he should be made Gujarat 's brand ambassador.

Image: Mansukhbhai to be on Discovery Channel

He also enjoyed doing a shooting for a programme which will be aired on Discovery Channel.

"A team from the Discovery Channel took me around India .. I enjoyed the trip. It was a wonderful experience. I had never imagined that I would ever be able to fly in a plane," Mansukhbhai says.

The media has been very supportive. It feels great to see my products on television channels, newspapers etc.

Image: Clay artifacts.

His goal

Mansukhbhai wants every Indian to have access to his products. There is very little awareness about the products though I try to participate in 2-3 exhibitions every year.

"I wish I could strike a deal with a retail store like Big Bazaar to get better visibility. I am sure if more people use our products, it will create more awareness about such low-cost products that are a healthy and cost effective alternative in the long run."

Advice to entrepreneurs

His advice to budding entrepreneurs is: Never think about failures. Never give up.

Put your heart and soul into what you want to do. Always follow the right path and have patience. Keep working hard.


Wednesday, October 13, 2010

S.S.CHANDRAN FROM MUKKULATHOR COMMUNITY IS DEAD



 நடிகர் எஸ் எஸ் சந்திரன் மரணம்

சென்னை, அக்.9 (டிஎன்எஸ்) அதிமுக முன்னாள் எம்.பி.யும் நடிகருமான எஸ்.எஸ்.சந்திரன்(69) மாரடைப்பால் காலமானார்.

திருவாரூர் மாவட்டத்தில் நடந்த நிகழ்ச்சி ஒன்றில் கலந்து கொள்வதற்காக அவர் மன்னார்குடி சென்றிருந்தார். நிகழ்ச்சியில் பேசிய முடித்த பிறகு அவருக்கு நெஞ்சுவலி ஏற்பட்டது.

இதையடுத்து அவர் உடனடியாக தனியார் மருத்துவமனை ஒன்றில் சேர்க்க்ப்பட்டார். ஆனால், அவர் இறந்துவிட்டதாக மருத்துவர்கள் தெரிவித்தனர். பின்னர் அவரது உடல் சென்னை கொண்டு வரப்பட்டது.

சினிமாவில் நகைச்சுவை, குணச்சித்திர நடிகராக பிரபலமான் எஸ்.எஸ்.சந்திரன், அதிமுக-வில் இணைந்து 2001 முதல் 2007 வரை நாடாளுமன்ற மாநிலங்களவை உறுப்பினராக இருந்தார். தற்போது அதிமுக கொள்கை பரப்பு துணை செயலாளர் பொறுப்பில் நியமிக்கப்பட்டு தமிழ்நாடு முழுவதும் கட்சி கூட்டங்களில் பேசி வந்தார்.

திருவாரூர் மாவட்டம் முத்துப்பேட்டை ஒன்றியத்தில் உள்ள இடும்பாவனத்தில் நேற்று (அக்.8) இரவு அ.தி.மு.க. பொதுக்கூட்டம் நடந்தது. இக்கூட்டத்தில் எஸ்.எஸ். சந்திரன் பங்கேற்று பேசினார். 9.05 மணிக்கு பேச துவங்கி 10.15 மணிக்கு முடித்தார். கூட்டம் முடிந்ததும் முத்துப்பேட்டையில் அ.தி.மு.க. நிர்வாகிகளுடன் அமர்ந்து எஸ்.எஸ். சந்திரன் சாப்பிட்டார்.

பின்னர் மன்னார்குடியில் ஓட்டலில் தங்கினார். படுக்கைக்கு சென்ற அவருக்கு நள்ளிரவு 12.15 மணிக்கு நெஞ்சுவலி ஏற்பட்டது. மூச்சுத்திணறலிலும் அவதிப்பட்டார். சில வினாடிகளில் மயக்கமாகி சாய்ந்தார்.

உடனடியாக அவரை அருகில் இருந்த தனியார் மருத்துவமனைக்கு தூக்கிச் சென்றனர். அங்கு அவரை பரிசோதித்த டாக்டர்கள் அவர் இறந்து விட்டதாக தெரிவித்தனர்.

எஸ்.எஸ். சந்திரன் உட லுக்கு திருவாரூர் மாவட்ட அ.தி.மு.க.வினர் மலர் வளையம் வைத்து அஞ்சலி செலுத்தினர். பின்னர் அவரது உடல் வேனில் ஏற்றப்பட்டு சென்னை கொண்டு வரப்பட்டது.

மரணம் அடைந்த எஸ்.எஸ். சந்திரனுக்கு ராஜம் என்ற மனைவியும் ரோஹித், ரங்கராஜ் என்ற மகன்களும் கண்மணி என்ற மகளும் உள்ளனர். ரோஹித் சினிமா கம்பெனி வைத்துள்ளார். ரங்கராஜ் டாக்டருக்கு படிக்கிறார்.

எஸ்.எஸ். சந்திரன் 800 படங்களுக்கு மேல் நடித்துள்ளார். காமெடி குணசித்திர வேடங்களிலும், வில்லன் கேரக்டரில் நடித்து இருக்கிறார். ரஜினியுடன் மாப் பிள்ளை , உழைப்பாளி படங்களில் நடித்துள்ளார். பாட்டி சொல்லை தட்டாதே படத்தில் எஸ்.எஸ். சந்திரன் பாத்திரம் பேசப்பட்டது. ஒருமுறை சொல்லி விடு , எங்கள் குரல் ஆகிய படங்களை தயாரித்தும் இருக்கிறார். தற்போது விஜய் டி.வி.யில் வாங்க பேசலாம் என்ற நிகழ்ச்சியை டெல்லி கணேசுடன் இணைந்து தொகுத்து வழங்கி வந்தார்.

சென்னை கொண்டு வரப்பட்ட எஸ் எஸ் சந்திரன் உடல், இன்று (அக்.9) காலை 10 மணிக்கு சாலி கிராமம் ராஜாஜி காலனி பசும்பொன் முத்துராமலிங்கம் சாலையில் உள்ள வீட்டில் பொதுமக்கள் அஞ்சலிக்காக வைக்கப்பட்டது.

அ.தி.மு.க. தலைமை கழக நிர்வாகிகள், எம்.பி., எம்.எல். ஏ.க்கள் மாவட்ட கழக நிர்வாகிகள் மலர் வளையம் வைத்து அஞ்சலி செலுத்தினார்கள்.

இறுதிச்சடங்கு நாளை காலை 9 மணிக்கு நடக்கிறது. சாலி கிராமத்தில் இருந்து உடல் ஊர்வலமாக எடுத்துச் செல்லப்பட்டு தியாகராய நகர் மயானத்தில் தகனம் செய்யப்படுகிறது. (டிஎன்எஸ்)

Oct 09, 2010

Monday, September 20, 2010

Maharashtra's Bharatnatyam exponents to perform in Tanjavur

Over 60 Bharatnatyam exponents from Maharashtra will be participating in the mega event 'Brhan-Natya-Yagna', a grand offering by 1000 dancers to commemorate the 1000th year at the Brihadeeswara Temple in Tamil Nadu on September 25.

The temple, also known as 'Rajarajeswaram', was built by King Rajajaja Chola in 1010 AD in Tanjavur and is the world's first complete granite temple.

"A thousand dancers will perform in unison at the temple premises for 10 selected verses from 'Karuvur Tiruvisaippa', a divine musical poem composed in Tamil by Guru Karuvur Thevar of Raja Chola who built the Brihadeeswara Temple," Jayashree Rajagopal, director of city-based Nrithyodaya told PTI.

'Brhan-Natya-Yagna' is organised jointly by Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India (ABHAI) and the Brhan Natyanjali Trust, Thanjavur and the exponents from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai include those from Nrithyodaya, Nritya Geethanjali and Takshashila Dance Academy.

"It is an exciting and great opportunity for several exponents of Bharatnatyam as everyone will be performing the same dance tuned to 'Pancha Ghana Ragas' -- Nattai, Gowlai, Aarabhi, Varali and Sriragam and choreographed movements by Padma Subramanyam, president of ABHAI," Rajagopal said, who is
also in charge of 'Bharatnatyam Rajarajeshwarm-1000' for
western India.

"Subramaniyam, who conceived the programme has prepared a DVD with the dances to be performed on September 25 and send it to all the Gurus of different schools of Bharatnatyam in the country and abroad so that they all can practice," she said.

Rajagopal said this mega event will be performed at 'Nandi Mandapam', the space around the huge sculpture of Nandi (bull) within the temple complex and will last for 30 minutes.

"Although it was conceived by my Guru Padma Subramanyam, the Tamil Nadu government later took interest and will host the entire two-day programme for music and dance to celebrate the 1000 years of the living tradition and offer 'Shodho Upachara' (pay obeisance to Lord Shiva Brihadeeswara) and the king Rajaraja Chola," she said.

Gayatri Subramanian, director of Takshashila Dance Academy from Navi Mumbai said, "A call received in the last week of June to dance at the temple was like a magic wand. I was engulfed with an absolute sense of gratitude, bliss and a sense of completion. It felt as if the invitation had come from the Lord himself."

Jayashree Rao, a senior disciple of Rajee Narayanan of Nritya Geethanjali here said, "It is once in thousand year opportunity and we are looking for this great day."

A student performer Kruttika Raman said, "It was like a dream come true when I got the news that I am going to be a part of the troupe of 1000 dancers from all across the globe, as I would perform for the first time in my native place that too as an offering to the Lord of Dance!!!"

Tamil Nadu government will provide accommodation and food to all artists, she said, adding more than 60 performers are going from Maharashtra of which 50 are from Mumbai, and others are from Pune, Nashik and Navi Mumbai.

Dancers from New Delhi, the southern states, and from Singapore, Malaysia and the US will also take part.

Padma Subramanyam said the whole purpose of bringing 1000 performers at one place to kindle an awareness among dancers about the connection between the temple and the dancers in olden times.

It is a Brhan-Natya-yagna, a grand offering by dancers to pay obeisance to Lord Brihadeeswara and to show their gratitude to the great king Raja Raja Chola, on the completion of 1000 years of the Brihadeeswara temple, she said.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil is a brilliant example of the artistry and architecture of the 'Vishwakarmas' in temple architecture.

"It is a tribute and a reflection of the power of its patron Rajaraja Chola I. It is one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture and is one of our most prized architectural sites and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the 'Great Living Chola Temples'," she said.

The Vimaana or the temple tower is 216 ft (66 m) high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

5 cops among 10 injured in clash between Dalit groups

Ramanathapuram (TN), Sept 11 (PTI) Ten persons, including five police personnel, were injured in a clash between two groups of Dalits during a procession to pay homage to Immanuel Sekar, a Dalit leader, at Paramakudi in the district on his death anniversary today. As the procession reached Burma Colony locality, where backward Thevar community people were living, the rallyists were asked not to burst crackers. While one group of Dalits supported it, the other opposed, resulting in a clash between them, police said. Police said one group, loyal to Puthia Tamizhagam leader S Krishanswamy, damaged ten houses in the locality. Five members of a family, including three children, were injured in the violence. Two Sub-Inspectors and three constables received serious cut injuries in the melee, they said. The violence had erupted despite deployment of 1,500 policemen, led by six superintendents of police, on security duty for the anniversary. Earlier this morning, Tamil Nadu Minister Suba Thangavelan and DMK MP Ritheesh Kumar paid homage at the samadhi of Immanuel Sekar. Police reinforcements had been sent to the Paramakudi area where security had been tightened further. The situation had been brought under control, DIG of Police Amal Raj said. The injured had been hospitalised, police said.

Friday, September 10, 2010

'Sycophants at airport terminal opening'

CHENNAI: Janata Party president Subramaninan Swamy strongly condemned the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for brazen display of sycophancy in the proposed inauguration of the new airport terminal building at Madurai on September 12. He said the list of guests of honour for the occasion included mainly the Congress-DMK leaders.In a statement, he said the AAI, in a display of narrow partisanship, has sought to curry favour with the Congress-DMK personages and reduced the occasion to a cheap show.He recalled that the new airport terminal was first proposed by him in 1998 as an MP representing Madurai. “It was accepted by the NDA government in 2001 when Sharad Yadav was civil aviation minister. Record of parliamentary proceedings proves this,” he pointed out.“Thereafter I proposed and got the Centre to accept that the airport should be named as Muthuramalinga Thevar (freedom fighter and an associate of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose) International Airport,” he added.Swamy said the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the civil aviation ministry officials agreed and Cabinet gave assent to his proposal recently. Yet, there is no announcement of renaming, Swamy said and added this because the leaders do not wish to displease the local anti-Thevar chieftains of the Congress and DMK, who never liked Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Murali’s death a big loss to Southern film industry




Murali hailing from Karnataka was a darling of Tamil films for nearly 26 years. He acted in films of Shivaji Ganesan, Mammootty, Sarathkumar, Vijayakanth and others. He took to Tamil films when there was tough competition and when there were so many stars in the industry. With top stars like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijaykanth, Sathayaraj, Karthik and scores of others in Tamil industry during the 80s, Murali’s selection of subjects and choosing roles of one among the masses earned him laurels even in remote villages of Tamil Nadu.

Murali’s first film in Kannada was Prema Parva directed by his father Siddalingaiah. After completing Prema Parva, he boarded a train to Chennai to act as hero in Poovilangu, his first Tamil film. But it was Porkalam that gave him recognition as an actor. Murali was in Bangalore last month to introduce his son to Kannada film media. Sitting with his father and son, he spoke on various topics, recollecting his younger days. He also shared memories about being teased for his dark complexion. He planned to return in October this year to introduce his son in Kannada films.

Murali’s well known Kannada films are Ajeya, Prema Gange, Thayikotta Thali, Sambavami Yuge Yuge and Ajay-Vijay. But his Tamil film Idayam with Heera lingers in the minds of many. His role in Idayam touches all with a subtle romantic touch.

Murali was popular for his simple and beautiful manners. He was all set to come back in En Raasi Nalla Raasi (My star is a good star). But death intervened in the plans of this great actor who was born on 19th May 1964. Murali’s death at age 46 is really shocking. This dark charmer was a romantic hero with no action image, a simple person with millions of fans. His death is a great loss for Southern film industry.

The last function Murali attended was the wedding of Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya.


WHO IS THEVAR....BHARATHI KANNAMMA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N3oJSwsKQY

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Karthik in advertisement



Consumer brand endorsements have always been a lucrative option for many film stars. A few days work and a remuneration of a film. No wonder most of the stars are bitten by the advertisement bug.

Actresses were the usual choice for advertisements until a few years ago. Of late even the top male stars are showing great interest in doing commercials. Suriya and Madhavan are the kings of endorsements already. Vijay is selective but gets reputed brands. Even Vikram has finally fallen for advertisements.

If the young stars are opted for particular kind of products, senior actors like Sarath Kumar, Jayaram. Vijayakumar are chosen for value products. Now the latest to join the advertisement wagon is veteran Karthik.

Heartthrob of the eighties Karthik will soon be seen in commercial advertisements promoting a dhoti brand. Karthik plays a respectable man and ‘Naadodigal’ Shanthini Theva plays his wife in the commercial. The campaign will break next week.