Lack of basic facilities force students to leave kallar schools

The teaching community is concerned over the dwindling number of studentsin the kallar reclamation schools in all the three districts. At present, there are only 36,000 students in the total 284 kallar reclamation schools, compared to 44,000 students during the 2011-2012 academic year. The alarming decrease is due to inadequate teaching staff and poor maintenance of the hostels in the schools, says P Theenan, district secretary, primary school teachers' federation, ( kallar schools). 

Parents are concerned over the absence of headmasters and inadequate teachers in the kallar reclamation schools. The schools have become a secondary choice due to the mushrooming private schools. Unless the authorities act fast and fill up the existing vacancies and take measures to better maintenance of the hostels, the number would drastically reduce, Theenan warned. 

Talking about the vacancies, he said, "24 posts for high school and primary headmasters are vacant for the last four years. Although Right to Education Act stresses that no school can function with a single teacher, as many as 37 primary schools are functioning with just one teacher," he said. 

As many as 48 postgraduate, 34 UG and 100 secondary grade teacher positions are vacant for many years and they are yet to be filled. The students receive poor encouragement from the schools in sports. It is quite evident from the number of permanent physical education teachers available as only eight teachers are available for the entire 36,000 students, said another member from the association. 

Poor hostel maintenance also leads to the dwindling of students say members of the Kallar Reclamation School Hostel Wardens Association. The dire state of the hostels drive away the students back home. The students do not even get the basic sanitation facilities in the hostels. The situation is the same in all the 52 hostels, they say. 

The 94-odd students staying in the boys' hostel of the Government Kallar School in Checkanurani are also deprived of basic facilities such as toilet and drinking water. The toilet is locked due to unavailability of water and the consequence - the students are forced to go for open defecation. It is a nightmarish experience for them to go out at night in the open space in fear of the anti-social elements, the students said. 

Most of the time they eat even without a guzzle of water as there is no drinking water facility available. They have to walk at least 100m to reach the school to quench their thirst. 

When contacted, S Chellam, joint director, kallar reclamation said "We have taken measures to fill the vacant posts. We have filled 20 teaching and non-teaching posts recently." She also said that priority would be given to the hostels and maintenance works of the hospital would be started shortly, she said.

Bharathiraja felicitated

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Who's who of Tamil cinema gathered in Madurai for the audio launch of Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum, directed by Bharathiraja. on Sunday. 

It has music by G V Prakash. The highlight of the event was maestro Ilayaraja presiding over the celebrations and honouring Bharathiraja.

Filmmakers including Mahendran, Balu Mahendra, Bhagiyaraj, Suseenthiran, Vasanth, S S Stanley, Vikraman, actors Sathyaraj, Lakshman and actresses Radhika, Saranya Ponvannan, Karthika took part. All the speakers on the occasion hailed Bharathiraja's contribution to Tamil cinema and expressed confidence that Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum will also make it big.
Speaking on the occasion, Bharathiraja said, ' I took pains to take cinema to villages from the sets. I take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed their best in my cinema journey'.
Happy and elated to release the audio of my 50th film in my home town, he added,

Mani Ratnam sees to it all

Mani Ratnam is a well known director, mainly for his unique style and depth in movies. He is a professional who wants perfection in his works of art which we eventually see on screen.

Mani Ratnam stays throughout the post production, and nothing passes on to the film without his nod. Such dedication is surely praiseworthy. He and AR Rahman have been busy holed up in the AR Rahman's studio finishing the re-recording of "Kadal". Mani Ratnam is also busy running about for the last minute release issues of the same film. We hope he sees the best of the release on the 1st of February for all this hard work.

TAMILAGHA ARASIYAL MAGAZINE

THANKS TO

இரா.ச.இமலாதித்தன் AND 

Tambaram Pasumpon Sevai Sangam

Chandamama: Foot-tapping numbers

What it is about…

Classic Cinema’s Chandamama is produced by Murali and directed by R. Radhakrishnan, who has also written the story and the screenplay. The audio CD was recently released by director Vinayanan and received by producer Thanu. The cast comprises Karunas, Swetha Basu, Harish Kalyan, M.S. Bhaskar, R. Sundarrajan, Ilavarasu, Sujatha, Mohan Ram, Maran and Ragasiya. Vairamuthu has penned the songs which have been set to tune by Srikanth Deva.Chandamama revolves around a man named Santhana Krishnan who dreams of becoming a novelist. Whether he is able to realise his dream and whether he faces any problems along the way forms the crux of the plot.

Music highlights

There are four songs in the film. ‘Koyambedu Silk Akka’ is a fast-paced ‘kuthu’ number sung by Karunas. ‘Yarodi,’ sung by Aalaap Raju and Madhumitha, is melodious. ‘Kandene,’ written by Kanniappan, has been sung well by newcomer Sooraj. The last in the album is an interesting song, ‘Narayana Narayana,’ sung by T.L. Maharajan, M.C. Vickey and Akku.

What they say…

Producer Murali: I am a businessman who works in the construction industry. But when I heard the story from Radhakrishnan I liked it so much that I said yes to the project instantly. I am happy with the way the film has shaped up.

Director R. Radhakrishnan: Actor Karunas is a good friend of mine. I have worked with some of the directors here and was waiting in the wings to get the right break. When producer Murali liked my storyline, his production executive Unnikrishnan gave me a list of actors who can be cast in the film. Karunas has done a fantastic job; he can easily make the audience laugh and cry. I am sureChandamama will be a hit at the box office.

Hero Karunas: It was director Vadivudaiyan who introduced me to director Radhakrishnan and wanted him to work with me. I am happy to be part of this project. I feel we have a hit on our hands.

Srikanth Deva: I have scored the music for a majority of films in which Karunas has played the hero. I must thank him for the opportunity. After Ragalaipuram, we are doing Chandamama together. A laugh riot in the first half, the second half will present a different Karunas and the audience will like him. The re-recording has also come out well.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's speech inspired me to draft mine: Pranab Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's 1938 speech as Congress President had inspired him to draft his own acceptance speech on becoming the head of state. "When I drafted my acceptance speech on being elected as the President of the Republic - and that is one speech which I had to draft myself.. what struck me first.. please

let me go through the address of Subhash Chandra Bose as Congress President. And there I got the inspiration," Pranab said at a function to commemorate Netaji's 116th birth anniversary.

Pranab credited several important features of our constitutional system as part of Bose's vision. He said the Directive Principles of State Policy, which are now a part of our Constitution and the concept of Five-Year plans, were a part of the freedom fighter's vision for governance of India after Independence. "Subhash Chandra Bose gave the clarion call and laid the basic foundation about the responsibilities and duties of independent India 10 years before the actual liberation. The concept of planning, the directive principles of the state,

planned economic development.." he said.

Gautham Karthik and Thulasi Nair not so nervous about their first film

Daughter of yesteryear actor Radha Nair, Thulasi is playing the lead opposite Gautham Karthik in the film, written, produced and directed by Mani Ratnam.

Thulasi Nair faced the camera for the first time for forthcoming Tamil romantic-drama Kadal and didn’t experience any butterflies in her stomach. “This may be my first appearance in front of the camera but I had no problem facing it because it was just an object for me”, said Thulasi.

Talking about her association with Ratnam, she said: “Mani sir helped me to bring the out the character which was already hidden within me and since acting runs in my genes, it wasn’t difficult.” on the other hand, Tamil actor Karthik says he knew his son Gautham Karthik, was in safe hands. “The day my son (Gautham) was cast in Mani sir’s film, I knew he was in safe hands. I didn’t have to worry at all. In fact, being a father, I didn’t even visit my son on the sets because Mani sir whom I also consider a father-like figure was taking care of him,” said Karthik.

The movie has received a U certificate by the censor boards. AR Rahman has composed the music for the film, which also stars Arvind Swamy, Arjun, Lakshmi Manchu and Thambi Ramaiah. It is releasing on February 1.

Apparently, Thulasi has already bagged another project Yaan opposite Jiiva and is currently busy shooting for the Tamil romantic-drama. We wish the debutantes good luck for their first movie.

Kollywood biggies come together for Bharathiraja!

Annokodiyum Kodiveeranum is an upcoming fil directed by Bharathiraja featuring his son Manoj and Karthika of Ko fame in the lead roles. The audio launch of the film is all set to happen at the Railway Grounds at Madurai on January 20. Some of Kollywood biggies have been invited to make their presence felt at the event. While Mani Ratnam and Ilaiyaraaja will be launching the audio, it will be received by Balu Mahendra. The trailor of the film will also be released at the event by Bhagyaraj, Gangai Amaran and Vikraman, while it will be received by Vadivelu and Radha. With So many legends comings together, the event is sure to be a grand one. Bharathiraja himself has produced the film under Manoj Creations and music has been composed by GV Prakash. Lyrics have been penne down by Gangai Amaran and Vairamuthu.

Rajinikanth was supposed to be present at this launch but he won’t be able to make it. Instead his video message would be relayed at the event to please the Madurai fans that are expected to flock the venue. He is expected to wish the entire team of the movie through his message.

A master and his student go head to head

Mani Ratnam’s ‘Kadal’ and Bejoy Nambiar’s ‘David’ will both release on 1 February

Family members and master and student will clash at the box office in Tamil Nadu on 1 February with the release of Mani Ratnam’s highly anticipated Kadal and Bejoy Nambiar’s David.

Kadal, which stars veteran actors Arjun and Arvind Swamyalongside newcomers Gautham Karthik and Thulasi Nair, will be released on the same day as the Hindi-Tamil bilingual David, a movie produced by Ratnam’s cousin Sharada Trilok and directed by Ratnam’s former assistant Bejoy Nambiar.

Kadal will be released a week after Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam. Kamal Haasan, who is the director, producer and lead actor of the movie, is the uncle of Ratnam’s wife, actor and filmmaker Suhasini.

Speculation over Kadal’s release date was laid to rest after advertisements for the film appeared in Chennai newspapers over the weekend. It will be difficult to move around David, whose release was announced several weeks in advance.

Nambiar, who directed the crime drama Shaitan in 2011, has made David simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil with some changes in the cast (Jiiva appears in the role played by Vinay Virmani in the Hindi version). The Tamil version has also been dubbed into Telugu. “When you do a film in two languages, you have to look at what works best in terms of a release for both languages,” said Sanjeev Lamba, chief executive of Reliance Entertainment, which is one of David’s producers and its distributor. “You can’t separate the films.”

Officials from Madras Talkies, Ratnam’s production company, and Gemini Circuit, which has also produced Kadal, didn’t respond to requests for information. T. Mannan, whose Mannan Films has acquired Kadal’s distribution rights for Tamil Nadu, said he was unperturbed by the clash.

“Kadal’s audience is different from David’s,” said Mannan, who recently distributed Kumki, a film about a mahout and his elephant. “Kadal, being a Mani Ratnam film, is a big release.” Mannan Films will place Kadal in 300 theatres in the state. “In any case, cinema is sometimes a gamble,” Mannan said. “Kumkihas turned out to be a jumbo hit. Kadal too will be a super-duper hit movie. The director has made a cheerful film after many years and the songs are a hit.”

Despite the competition, 1 February is a good date to target filmgoers, said Sreedhar Pillai, Chennai-based critic and trade analyst. Since school examinations will be held in the state at the end of February, the 1-22 February period offers the best possible release window, he said.

Besides, there is a “huge buzz” around Kadal because of its music, casting and the reputation of its director, said Pillai.

Set in a fishing village on the Tamil Nadu coast, the movie is about a young man, Thomas, who gets embroiled in a good-versus-evil battle between Arvind Swamy’s priest and Arjun’s gangster. Thomas is played by Gautham Karthik, whose father, eighties star Karthik, made his debut opposite Thulasi Nair’s mother, Radha, in Alaigal Oivathillai in 1981.

“Mani Ratnam is doing his first real Tamil film after many years,” Pillai said. “His last few films were bilinguals, neither here nor there, and subsequently fell between two stools. He wants to come back to his core audience, the Tamil audiences, who have treated him with respect.”

Kadal’s release won’t be restricted to Ratnam’s home turf—the movie will be dubbed in Telugu (asKadali) and shown with English subtitles in other cities.

Over the years, movies made in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada have followed in the footsteps of migrants from the southern states to other parts of India. Prakhar Joshi, programming head at PVR Cinemas, said films from the south get regularly screened at places like Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, and Surat.

The audiences for such films are relatively small but highly dedicated, Joshi said. “Films produced by the studios and big producers tend to have English subtitles,” he added, which helps expand the film’s appeal beyond its linguistic-regional base. Individual distributors tend to pick up the films for a release, said Joshi, which explains why they are often poorly promoted outside their home markets and rely heavily on word-of-mouth publicity to stay afloat in cinemas.

Audience goodwill tremendously helped a mid-budget film like Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya get a 29-screen release outside Tamil Nadu, said a Hindi film industry professional who helped the comedy’s co-producer in his distribution strategy. Kanna... was released with subtitles in such cities as Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bharuch.

“The world is a very small place and people from everywhere are working everywhere,” said the professional on the condition of anonymity. “Kanna came with strong word of mouth. It was released on 13 January, a Sunday, in Tamil Nadu and everywhere else on 18 January. The movie has got its fair share of response.”

Southern films used to travel in their original, non-subtitled state to cities in the north and west even in the pre-multiplex days. The movies of A-list filmmakers from Hyderabad and Chennai, such as Mani Ratnam, would be regularly screened at matinee shows in Mumbai’s single screen cinemas.

Nambi Rajan, who operates the cinema hall Aurora in Mumbai and who distributes films through his company Ganesh Films, has brought such titles as Roja, Thiruda Thiruda and May Madham to Tamil-speaking Mumbaiites over the years. “The audiences were too small to release the films in a normal way, so we used to book morning shows,” Rajan said. “The moment the bookings would open, the shows would get full.”

Reliance’s Lamba predicted that “more and more regional films will be shown all over as we get more and more sophisticated about our distribution methods. There are migrant pockets all over the country, which will appreciate movies in their local languages.”

எண்ணெய் நிறுவனங்களிடம் டீசல் விலை நிர்ணய உரிமையை வழங்கியது மக்கள் விரோத நடவடிக்கை: சீமான் அறிக்கை

நாம் தமிழர் கட்சியின் தலைமை ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் சீமான் வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிக்கையில் கூறியிருப்பதாவது:-

 

பெட்ரோல் விலையை சர்வதேச சந்தையில் கச்சா எண்ணெய் விலையேற்றத்திற்கு தக்கவாறு உயர்த்திக்கொள்ள எண்ணெய் நிறுவனங்களுக்கு அனுமதியளித்து, அதன் மூலம் ஒவ்வொரு வாரமும் பெட்ரோல் விலை உயர வழிவகுத்த மத்திய காங்கிரஸ் கூட்டணி அரசு, இப்போது டீசல் விலை நிர்ணய உரிமையையும் எண்ணெய் நிறுவனங்களுக்கு வழங்கியுள்ளது அப்பட்டமான மக்கள் விரோத நடவடிக்கையாகும்.

 

மத்திய அமைச்சரவையின் இந்த முடிவின் காரணமாக, டீசல் விலை லிட்டருக்கு 50 காசுகள் உயர்த்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. இது மாதா மாதம் அல்லது 15 நாட்களுக்கு ஒரு முறை விலைகளை உயர்த்தும் வசதியை பொதுத்துறை எண்ணெய் நிறுவனங்களுக்கு வழங்கியுள்ளது. இது அறிவிக்கப்பட்ட விலையேற்றம் ஆகும்.

 

ஆனால் எந்த விதமான பொது அறிவிப்பையும் வெளியிடாமல், மானியமற்ற சமையல் எரிவாயு சிலிண்டர் விலையை ரூ.46 ஏற்றி, அதனை உடனடியாக நடைமுறைக்கும் கொண்டு வந்துள்ளன எண்ணெய் நிறுவனங்கள். இப்படி மக்களின் அன்றாட வாழ்க்கையில் ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் சுமையேற்றும் மத்திய காங்கிரஸ் கூட்டணி அரசு, முற்போக்கு கூட்டணி அரசா அல்லது நாட்டு மக்களை வாட்டும் பிற்போக்கு கூட்டணி அரசா என்பதை மக்கள் சீர்தூக்கி பார்க்க வேண்டும்.

 

மத்திய அரசின் நிதி நிலையை ஒழுங்குபடுத்த விவசாயத்திற்கு அளிக்கும் மானியத்தில் இருந்து டீசல், பெட்ரோல் பொருட்களுக்கு அளிக்கும் மானியம் வரை மத்திய அரசு குறைத்து வருகிறது. ஆனால், பெரும் தொழில், வணிக நிறுவனங்களுக்கு அளிக்கும் வரி சலுகைகள் மட்டும் தொடர்ந்த வண்ணம் இருக்கிறது.

 

இதனால் ஏற்படும் நிதிச்சுமை பற்றி மத்திய அரசு ஒருபோதும் பேசியதில்லை. ஏதாவது ஒரு வகையில் ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் விலையேற்றத்திற்கு வழி செய்வதே பொருளாதார மேதையான பிரதமர் மன்மோகன்சிங் அரசின் தொடர் சாதனையாக இருக்கிறது. இந்த அரசு தூக்கியெறியப்படாமல், இந்த நாட்டு மக்களுக்கு விடிவு காலம் ஏற்படாது.