Seeman arrested over toll plaza incident

Actor-director turned politician Seeman was arrested here on Saturday in connection with alleged altercation with staff of a toll plaza near Madurai, police said. Seeman, founder chief of Naam Tamilar Katchi, was arrested by a team of police officials from Madurai at his residence in Maduravoyal here and was taken to the temple city immediately. While returning to Chennai a week ago, Seeman along with his followers allegedly had an altercation with a section of the toll plaza employees at Melur, which escalated into fisticuffs, police added. Based on a complaint filed by the toll plaza employees, Seeman was arrested.

CIC upholds PMO's refusal to declassify three Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose files

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has upheld the Prime Minister's Office's contention of keeping, as classified, three files on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, on grounds their declassification would adversely affect foreign relations. Researcher Chandrachur Ghose in April last year filed a Right to Information (RTI) application seeking copies of documents contained in three PMO files relating to the widow and daughter of the nationalist leader. But the PMO turned down the request contending the disclosure of the documents would prejudicially affect relations with foreign countries and as such they were exempt under the RTI Act. When Ghose's appeal was too turned by the PMO director, he took the matter before the CIC which Thursday upheld the PMO's stand of refusing the declassification of the files. "It is not for us to substitute our judgment on the applicability of exemptions to that agency duly authorized to determine such issues. "In view of the above, and Central Public Information Officer's submission that due diligence has been exercised, we uphold the decision of denying the information," CIC Rajiv Mathur said in his decision. Ghose was represented by author and researcher Anuj Dhar at the hearing before Mathur. Ghose and Dhar are part of a group called "Mission Netaji", which since 2006 has filed several RTI applications concerning Netaji.

Teachers' crunch hits kallar schools

Lack of teachers in government schools run by the Kallar Reclamation Department is taking a toll on the students, whose prospects are becoming bleak day by day. According to sources, there are several vacancies that are to be filled for the post of teachers in various subjects. With the pass percentage in Madurai district coming down every year, the vacancies are only set to further dent the students' chance to score more marks. Students, especially those studying in the high and higher secondary schools have started fearing about their future as their education is at stake. At a time when their private school peers are undergoing special coaching apart from the classes in school, the Plus Two students of the Kallar Reclamation Department are allotted only one day in a week for a subject. Due to the staff crunch teachers are forced to take classes on a rotational basis. The schools under the department are run in Madurai, Dindigul and Theni districts. In total, 289 schools including 23 middle and 212 primary, are operated in the three districts. There are a total of 32 higher secondary and 22 high schools of which 16 high and 12 higher secondary schools are situated in Madurai district alone. There are 30,000 students including primary studying in three districts, of which 16,204 are in Madurai. The sanctioned postgraduate and undergraduate teachers' strength under the department is 107 and 417 respectively. Of these, 40 postgraduate and 76 undergraduate teachers' postings are vacant. What is more pathetic is the fact that 111 undergraduate and 33 postgraduate teachers working in the department have asked for transfer to other school education departments. Few days back, a group of students from Poosalapuram Kallar Reclamation School thronged the Madurai district collectorate and petitioned the collector. They also took the issue to the notice of C Amuthavalli, joint director of Kallar reclamation department. One of the students said, "We are allotted with one class per subject in a week as there are no permanent teachers available for higher secondary. We could not follow the topics as they resume after a week's gap. Moreover, only some important topics are covered instead of teaching all." "Students from other schools are far above us. Private schools would complete the whole portion in the first few months. They would continuously revise them afterwards. But we do not even have teachers. We already started fearing about the board examination which would determine our future," rued another student. When contacted, Amuthavalli admitted the severe teachers' crunch in the department. She said that she had been contacting her authorities frequently to fill the posts. Legal issues in court are preventing the government to conduct the teacher's recruitment board exam for fresh recruitment, she said.

KV Anand, a fan of Karthik?

We know that the shoot for Dhanush's Anegan is in its final stages. The star cast of the movie comprises Atul Kulkarni, Ashish Vidyarthi and veteran actor Karthik. Amyra Dastur plays the female lead. It looks like the Agni Natchathiram actor has impressed the director big time. KV Anand, took to his micro-blogging page, to shower praises on the senior actor. He posted, "Edited the pre-climax with Karthik sir, what a performer! Where were you these entire years sir? Privileged and lucky to have him in Anegan." The film has music by Harris Jayaraj is expected to release in a couple of months.

Pragathi's role will add weight to the film: Director Bala

Filmmaker Bala Pazhanisaamy has roped in playback singer Pragathi Guruprasad to essay an important role in his upcoming Tamil directorial "Thaara Thappattai". He says her role will add weight to the film's story. "I can't discuss about the role, but Pragathi will be seen playing a character that will add a lot of weight to the story. It's not a blink-and-miss kind of role, but one that's very important from the film's perspective," Bala told IANS. Pragathi, who shot to fame via a singing competition on television, crooned a chartbuster in Bala's last film "Paradesi". "I wanted someone like Pragathi for the role and we were even ready to audition girls for the same, but then I felt she would fit the bill perfectly than anyone else," he added. "Thaara Thappattai" features Sasikumar and Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar in the lead. Pragathi is likely to play Sasikumar's sister in the film, which is said to be based on Karagattam, a folk dance of Tamil Nadu.

Director Bala’s first Clap to Thara Thappattai

Director Bala who is known for Modernizing Tamil Cinema has always amazed the audience with his different kind of stories; he is all set to do it again with Thara Thappattai. Let’s find out what’s new upcoming up this time. Director Bala is currently busy with his production venture ‘Pisassu’, directed by director Mysskin, while has started with his directorial venture ‘Thara Thappattai’ with Sasi Kumar, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Airtel Super Singer Junior fame Pragathi Guruprasad will debut her acting career whereas the music will be created by Isai Nanni Illayaraja. Director Bala is a perfectionist and he leaves no stone unturned to get the perfection, for his ‘Thara Thappattai’ he has asked his leading lady Varalaxmi to reduce 10kgs and get professionally trained on the regional dance form Karagattam and he didn’t stop with this director-actor Sasi Kumar will be for the first seen with a thin mush alone. The ‘Thara Thappattai’ has taken a step towards the shooting of the flick, the Muhurat for the flick was held today (14th July, 2014) in Chennai, the shooting is expected to commence soon.

Pasumbon Muthuramalinga Thevar College Requires Assistant Professor

Pasumbon Muthuramalinga Thevar College Recruiting Assistant Professor Tirunelveli Date of post: 13/07/2014 Vacancy positions: Assistant Professor Place of Job : Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu College Name : Pasumbon Muthuramalinga Thevar College College Detail: Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar College,affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University,was started with the fund of the kallar community and is administrated by the kallar kalvi kazhagam. Departments of Vacancy: English Eligibility: M.A As per Norms Candidates Detail: Candidates should have completed their PG/Ph.D in Relevant Department Should have good communication skill Should have good conference and publication Records Salary Detail: As per Norms Mode of Apply: Offline(postal) Last date: As soon as possible How to Apply: Candidates are requested to send your Resume along with photocopy of all certificates and passport size photo to following postal Address Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar College A.R.P. Nagar, Melaneelithanallur-627953. Tirunelveli College Website: www.pmtcollege.com More Details : Advertisement on 10th July 2014 Dailythanthi News paper

Actor Prabhu shoots for Lingaa

Veteran actor Prabhu is the latest addition to the crew of Rajinikanth’s upcoming movie Lingaa. A source tells us that actor Prabhu will be seen in a cameo role in the film. The combination of Rajinikanth and Prabhu has worked well over the years. Their hit films include Guru Sishyan, Dharmathin Thalaivan and Chandramukhi. Well, an official confirmation from the Lingaa team would confirm his inclusion. Lingaa is directed by K.S. Ravikumar starring Rajinikanth in dual roles. Produced by Rockline Venkatesh, this film also stats Sonakshi Sinha and Anushka Shetty.

Director Vijay, Vikram Prabhu team up for the first time

Director Vijay is back in the news and this time, it is for a film he is to make with actor Vikram Prabhu playing the lead. The film will be a fun-filled romantic drama, which will be produced by Listin Stephan, who made the Malayalam superhit Ustad Hotel. Work on the film is likely to begin in the second week of August. Confirming the news to us, director Vijay says, "Yes, I will be joining hands with Vikram Prabhu for a romantic film. I like to experiment and I will be experimenting with the genre of romance this time. My responsibilities have increased after Saivam and I will try my best to deliver yet again. This film with Vikram Prabhu will be on relationships and the problems associated with them." On the female lead of the film, the director says he hasn't finalized the heroine yet. "We are still finalizing the other members of the cast. As of now, we have decided to shoot mostly in Chennai," he says.

61st Filmfare Awards (South) Tamil winners list 2013

The 61st Idea Filmfare Awards (South) night was glitzy, glamorous and it awarded the best in the business. Director Ram's 'Thangameengal', Atlee's 'Raja Rani', Mani Ratnam's 'Kadal' and Bala's 'Paradesi' swept the awards at the Filmfare Awards 2013. Winners list: 61st Idea Filmfare Awards (South) The title sponsor of the 61st Idea Filmfare Awards is Idea Cellular, associate sponsors are NAC Jewellers and Reliance Trends and the telecast partners are Asianet (Malayam), Vijay TV (Tamil), Swarna TV (Kannada), Maa TV (Telugu). Others include Radio Mirchi (Radio partner), Close up (Beauty partner), Signature, Packaged Drinking Water (Beverage partner), Orienta Cine Advertising (Multiplex partner), and The Awards Gallery (Trophy partner). 61st IDEA FILMFARE AWARDS 2013 (SOUTH) TAMIL Name of the category Name Film Best Film Ram Thangameengal Best Director Bala Paradesi Best Actor (Male) Adharva Paradesi Best Actress (Female) Nayanthara Raja Rani Best Supporting Actor (Male) Satyaraj Raja Rani Best Supporting Actor (Female) Dhanshika Paradesi Best Music Director AR Rahman Kadal Best Lyrics Na Muthukumar Aananda yazhai (Thangameengal) Best Playback Singer - Male Sriram Parthasarathy Aananda yazhai (Thangameengal) Best Playback Singer - Female Shakthisree Gopalan Nenjukullea (Kadal) TECHNICAL AWARDS Best Choreography V.J Sekar Top Lessi Poddi (Iddarammayilatho) Best Cinematography Rajiv Menon Kadal SPECIAL AWARDS OF THE NIGHT Lifetime Achievement Award Balu Mahendra and Jayabaratthi Critics Best Actor Prithviraj (Celluloid) Critics Best Actor Dhanush (Mariyaan) Best Debut (Male) Gautham Karthik (Kadal) Best Debut (Female) Nazriya Nazim (Neram)

Desecration of Thevar portrait sparks tension

Tension gripped Brahmadesam Village, near Ambasamuthiram, here following the desecration of a portrait of freedom fighter and late leader of All India Forward Bloc 'Pasumpon' Muthuramalinga Thevar, today. Police said miscreants disfigured the portrait of Muthuramalinga Thevar, sparking the anger of people of Mukkulathor community. On noticing the desecration, a large number of people and activists of Thevar Peravai gathered near the portrait on the Ambasamuthiram Road and shouted slogans demanding immediate arrest of culprits, triggering a tense situation. Senior police officials rushed to the village and pacified the agitators. A large number of police personnel were deployed in the village to prevent any untoward incidents.

Bharathiraja to start a film school soon

After delivering hits like 16 Vayathinile, Muthal Mariyathai, Kizhakku Cheemayile, Vedham Pudhithu, Karuththamma, and Anthimanthaarai, filmmaker P. Bharathiraja is all set to start a film school in Chennai. Bharathiraja is one of the renowned directors in the Kollywood industry. He is a proud recipient of six National Film Awards and two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. Apart from these, he has also won Filmfare Awards South, Cinema Express Awards and Nandi Awards. "The initial work on Bharathiraja's world-class film school commenced on Sunday (July 6)," read a statement issued on Monday. Bharathiraja is a role model of many young filmmakers in the country. By setting up a school, he is giving all his followers an opportunity to learn things and a platform to showcase their talent. "If I ever plan to set up a film school, my intention would not be to make profits out of it but give back to the society that has nurtured me all these years," he had said earlier at an event. Bharathiraja has worked with Tamil superstars like Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Sathyaraj. He has also appeared as an actor in few films like Kallukkul Eeram, Rettaisuzhi and Pandianadu. Apart from directing Tamil movies, he has also made Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films.

Vijay Awards on 20th July on TV

The 8th Annual Vijay Awards which was held on 5th July 2014, which was was attended by an array of stars from the film industry, eminent directors, notable producers, top-notch technicians will be telecast for the fans on 20th July (Sunday) on Vijay TV. Anchors Divyadarshini (DD) and Neeya Nana Gopinath hosted the show and kept the crowd enthralled. The show also had stunning performances by actors Sruthi Haasan, Vani Kapoor, Anirudh, Hansika Motwani, Lakshmi Rai and others on stage. Ulaganayagan Kamalhassan, the Badhshah of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan, actors Karthik, Gautam Karthik ,Vijay, Surya, A.R. Rehman, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Director Shankar, Nayantara, Sruthi Haasan, Hansika Motwani, Pooja Kumar, Kushbu, , actor Jayaram, Nazriya, Malawika Pooja, Vikram Prabhu, Ramkumar, Arjun, Director Bharathiraja, director Bala, director Lingusamy, Vijaysethupathy, Lakshmi Rai, cinematographer Rajiv Menon, actor Sivakarthikeyan, Anirudh, Santhanam, Latha Rajnikanth, Aishwarya Dhanush Rajnikanth, Priya Anand, Dhanshika, director Raam, actor Poornima Bhagyaraj, Na. Muthukumar, Ramyakrishnan, dance choreographer Brinda, Gayathri Raguram, music director Santhosh Narayanan, Nalan Kumarasamy, editor Antony, and many others graced the occasion.

Director Bala’s film to hit floors!

Bala’s last directorial project Paradesi released in March 2013. As announced earlier, his next film is Thaara Thappattai featuring Sasikumar and Varalakshmi Sarathkumar in lead roles. The shooting of Thaara Thappattai will reportedly kick start from 2nd week of July in Chennai. From August the shooting is expected to shift to Tanjore district. Supersinger Pragathi Guruprasad is making his acting debut with this film in the role of Sasikumar’s sister. Isai Gnani Ilaiyaraaja will be composing tunes for this film. National Award winner Poornima is the Costume Designer.