Monthly Archives: April 2018

Inching towards a half tonne

April 15, 2018Business & Economyadmin

At 49 years, a dyer shop in Royapuram stands testimony to the unfading charm of this craft

J. Suresh, owner of Damodaran Dyeing shop on M.S. Koil Street in Royapuram, has vivid memories of his after-school hours. He would tag along with his mother J. Saroja as she went from door to door to collect clothes, mostly saris, for dyeing. His father V. Jayaraman and elder brother J. Damodaran, after whom the shop is named, would wait at the small rented shop.

This was nearly five decades ago when the dyeing shop had been established. The memories have left an imprint on his mind, like dye on cloth.

Those were the early days of Damodaran Dyeing shop, started in March 1969 with a total investment of Rs. 700.

“Even as a child, I was fascinated with dyes. As my hand would be stained with dyes, my mother would feed me with handfuls of food,” says 45-year-old Suresh, the youngest of four siblings.

Suresh’s forefathers migrated to the city in the late-nineteenth century from Dindugal due to severe drought and crop failure.

As north Madras was then the nucleus of the city, they settled in Old Washermenpet doing all kinds of odd jobs, which included dyeing work. In those days, many street lanes in north Madras had dyeing units that served the weavers in Chintadripet.

In the late 1940s, dyeing units were started in Pallavaram for weavers from Anakaputhur, Pozhichalur and Kundrathur. Jayaraman, Suresh’s father, initially worked in the dyeing units at Pallavaram and then moved to Bombay after independence. And then, in 1969, he established his dyeing shop in Royapuram.

“High rent, shortage of water and high electricity charges are the challenges in continuing the dyeing business. More importantly, dyeing clothes is difficult because we have to spend many hours in hot water during the dyeing process. I am hopeful that my children, one of them is a graduate, will find better jobs,” says Suresh, who can be contacted at 9841237494.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by D. Madhavan / April 13th, 2018

IIT-M students build prototypes

April 14, 2018Education, Records, All, Science & Technologies, Sports, World Opinionadmin

The students along with the prototypes they built for participating in international competitions. | Photo Credit: HANDOUT_E_MAIL

A group of students from the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras have built a Formula race car. And, Team Raftar is the only Indian team to qualify for the Formula Student Germany 2018 competition in July.

The single-seater race car, built from scratch with the support of a senior alumnus, cost ₹15 lakh. The students’ team was supported by BOSCH and MRF.

Another group of students, Team Anveshak, has developed a Mars Rover, which has qualified for the finals of the University Rover Challenge to be held in the Utah desert.

The all-terrain rover, with minor modifications to the design could be used in defence operations and terrain exploration purposes.

The third group of students, Team Abhiyaan, one of the two teams that has qualified for the international robotics event to be held in Oakland University, Michigan, US, has built a robot – an autonomous ground vehicle that can navigate using GPS.

The team’s mission is to create efficient and safe transportation solutions.

The students have developed their products at the Centre for Innovation (CFI), a result of funding by three batches of IIT-M alumni.

Institute director Bhaskar Ramamurthi said the CFI had emerged as the model in the country for fostering hands-on innovation among students. Though the institute offered them support when they participated in international competitions the students had to find their own sponsors, he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – April 14th, 2018

R Madhavan’s Son Vedaant Wins Swimming Bronze Medal For India

April 13, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports, World Opinionadmin

Bollywood actor R Madhavan’s son, Vedaant won a bronze medal for India in the 1500m freestyle at the Thailand Age Group Swimming Championship yesterday.

“Proud moment for Sarita (his wife) and I, as Vedaant wins his first medal for India in an international swim meet in Thailand today. Thank you for all your blessings,” wrote Madhavan on Instagram along with a photograph of his son holding the medal (right) and certificate with the backdrop of a stadium.

Meanwhile, R Madhavan can be seen in the latest web-series Breathe along with Amit Sadh. R Madhavan made his Bollywood debut in the 2001 hit Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day.com / Home> Sports News> Other Sports News / by mid-day online desk / April 10th, 2018

Kalai Koodam, an art school in Chennai wants to bridge differences in the field of culture

April 12, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

Kalai Koodam, an Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha initiative, is a school for people to learn art in a liberal environment, where boundaries blur and conventions are broken

The Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha (UOKV), Chennai’s popular counter-cultural festival, began with the dream of bringing all types of art and people together, in a single space. The same dream reflects in their next project, the Kalai Koodam — an art school for people of all ages, economic backgrounds and cultural moorings. Vocal music, Bharatanatyam and Paraiattam will be all be taught under one roof.

The Kalai Koodam classes will take place at the Thiruvalluvar Community Hall, near Urur Olcott Kuppam, the fishing hamlet, near Besant Nagar. Anyone above eight can take part in these classes. The fee for each class per art form per month is ₹100. Anybody who wants to contribute above the basic fee is welcome to. The money will go into running the Kalaikoodam. The classes will be held on Sundays.

Vocal music classes will not be confined to a particular genre of music, at least in the initial phase. Monali Bala, a musician, UOKV volunteer and manager and administrator of Kalai Koodam says, “The classes aim to develop a love for all kinds of music in children. Over a period of time, the children will gravitate to a particular genre. Only then, will we channel them towards that respective genre.”

This is also an endeavour to cover different kinds of music across the country, apart from Hindustani and Carnatic music — abhangs from Maharashtra or Rabindra sangeet from West Bengal. “And, in Tamil Nadu alone, you have thiruppugazh, bhajanais and folk music. The students are given an exposure to a variety of music cultures,” adds Bala, who handles the music classes. A panel of teachers will be working under Bala, Sheejith Krishna who manages the dance classes and Deepan, who helms the Pariattam classes. When Monali went to the kuppam as part of the vizha volunteering work, she recalls people requesting her for Hindustani music classes. “The demand came from the big migrant diaspora living in the kuppam. Carnatic music also has a popular taking. An older lady called up and stressed she only wanted to learn light music. However, the foundation of these two classical art forms is also strong. The students will definitely be trained in swaras, taken from Hindustani and Carnatic streams.”

The idea behind Kalai Koodam aligns with the philosophy of UOKV, Bala points out. “In the last four years, we have been seeing an increased interest in people from all sections in these art forms. People who have never been exposed to the so-called classical arts, wanted to learn them. And, similarly those who had no experience of folk forms, were keen on learning Paraiattam. But there is no school where all these arts are given a same platform. Kalai Koodam aims to bridge this divide.”

The classes begin on April 15. Vocal music classes will be held from 10 am to 11 am, Paraiattam from 11 am to 12.30 pm and Bharatanatyam sessions will be held from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm, at Kalai Koodam at Community Hall, Thiruvalluvar Nagar, near Besant Nagar.

For details, call 9840357799.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Art / by Parshathy J. Nath a/ April 11th, 2018

This 45-year-old mom runs a tea stall and marathons

April 11, 2018Records, All, Sportsadmin

One is never too old to participate in marathons, says 45-year-old A Kalaimani , an athlete and marathoner. “Opportunities are there for people even up to the age 100 to participate in the Masters athletic championships. This is a sure way to keep oneself fit and ward off ailments, she says.

Kalaimani, who runs a tea stall in the city, has been participating in 21-km marathons with her team ‘Phoenix Runners’. She never misses her morning workout sessions; every Sunday she runs for 21 km as part of her practise to achieve her goal, the 41-km marathon. “I want to complete the 41-km marathon in four hours,” said Kalaimani. She has participated in national and state level Masters athletics events and won four gold medals.

Kalaimani, a native of Pudukkotai, had studied up to Class X; in school she used to participate in kabadi and athletics events. She got married when she was 20 to P Azhagu. “I told my husband that I would continue to pursue athletics. He agreed,” she said.

Since marriage, she has been assisting her husband to run the tea shop in Telungu Street – Thomas Street corner in the city. Kalaivani, who is the master in the tea stall, has two sons – A Prabhu, 24, A Prabhakaran, 21, both school van drivers – and A Priyanka, 19, who is studying BSc. “Ten years ago, my husband came to know about Masters athletics events and asked me to participate.
I was not aware about such an event and approached many people. Finally, I was brought under the tutelage of coach Joseph who made me to participate in district, state and national level athletic events for Masters,” she said.

Trained in 400 metres and 800 metres sprinting events, she won three gold medals in a state level athletic meet held at Pugalore in Karur district in December 2017. She also won gold in the 800 metres event in the National Masters Athletic Championship held in Coimbatore in 2014. She won the third place in the 1,500 metres event in the national meet.

I am keen on taking part in marathons. So, I joined the Phoenix Runners team and took training for the marathon. I used to wake up at 4am and prepare breakfast for my family. Around 5am, I used to drop my husband at the tea stall and go for practise. Every Sunday, our team members cover 21km. Now I am taking special practise to run 41km,” she added.

Kalaimani won the first place in the 21-km marathon held at Annur last month. “I want to take part in marathons across the country,” she said.

“Many women who have been active in the athletics circuit sacrifice their dream after marriage for the family. They should come forward and there are lots of opportunities for people of all ages in the Masters athletic championships,” said Kalaimani.
(Photo credit: Jackson)

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News>City News> Coimbatore News / TNN / April 07th, 2018

Commonwealth Games: India’s gold count doubles at Gold Coast

April 10, 2018Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinionadmin

Weightlifting - Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games - Men's 77kg Final - April 7, 2018. Sathish Kumar Sivalingam of India competes. | Photo Credit: Reuters — Weightlifting – Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games – Men’s 77kg Final – April 7, 2018. Sathish Kumar Sivalingam of India competes. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Satish Kumar in 77kg and Venkat Rahul in 85kg give India a double delight

Two young men — Satish Kumar Sivalingam and R. Venkat Rahul — gave India a double, winning the men’s 77kg and 85kg weightlifting titles at the XXI Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Sports Arena 1 here on Saturday.

The two medals took the country’s gold count to four and a total of six, with the silver and bronze won P. Gururaj (56kg) and Deepak Lather (69kg) besides the gold that Mirabai Chanu and Sanjita Chanu won over the last two days.

High expectations

Labelled a heavyweight in the sport, the expectations were high as the third day’s events began. Satish and Venkat shaped up nicely to finish on the top of the podium. The only disappointment was Vandna Gupta (women’s 63kg), who finished fifth.

In the men’s 77kg category, Satish faced a few problems before stamping his class. The 25-year-old from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, had suffered an injury a couple of months ago and with doubts persisting about a possible recurrence, his preparations were low key.

However, into the competition, Satish got into the lead with a lift of 144 in snatch, improving through lifts of 136 and 140, before clinching the gold with 173 in clean and jerk for a total of 317. He was 5kg clear of Jack Oliver (England) who finished second, while Francois Etounde (Australia) took the bronze.

It was understandable that Satish was unable to improve on his gold-winning performance (total of 328) at Glasgow 2014, even as he dedicated the medal to this parents. “They are the greatest source of motivation I have to pursue this sport seriously,” he said.

Venkat, 21, was tied with Don Opeloge of Samoa at 151kg after the first stage (snatch) of the competition, but as Opeloge faltered in clean and jerk, it made things easier for the lifter from Stuartpuram, Andhra Pradesh.

Venkat, who started with 147 in snatch, could only manage an improvement of four kilograms as he failed in his second attempt.

In clean and jerk, he started off with 182kg and getting this right helped him take the lead. Another good lift of 187kg put pressure on his Samoa rival, who wilted.

The results:

Men: 77kg: 1. Satish Kumar Sivalingam (144, 173: 317), 2. Jack Oliver (Eng, 145, 167: 312), 3. Francois Etounde (Aus, 136, 169: 305).

85kg: 1. R. Venkat Rahul (151, 187: 338), 2. Don Opeloge (Sam, 151, 180: 331), 3. Muhammad Mohdad (Mas, 145, 183: 328).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by A. Vinod / Gold Coast, April 07th, 2018

2,500-year-old rare circular labyrinth found near Hosur

April 10, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, Alladmin

With a complicated network of paths, labyrinths have been a fertility symbol associated with many cultures

Chennai :

A rare circular labyrinth, about 2,500 years old, has been discovered at Kundhukottai, a remote village 55 km from Hosur in Krishnagiri district. It was after hearing from a shepherd about a strange circle of rocks in Kundhukottai, hero stone expert Sugavana Murugan and archaeological officer of the Krishnagiri Historical Research Centre S Paranthaman set off to the village a week ago. Since the village is situated close to the forest, they trekked more than six km to reach the site, crossing mounds of dry elephant dung on the way.

Soon after the discovery, the duo sent the details with pictures to Jeff Saward, a London-based expert in the field of labyrinths and mazes, for his opinion. After studying it in detail, Saward said it must be more than 2500 years old. With a complicated network of paths, labyrinths have been a fertility symbol associated with many cultures. They represent a unique pattern of consciousness and have been used as meditation tool since the Neolithic period.

“We discovered labyrinths in spiral and rectangular shapes, but this is the first time we have come across one in circle shape. Experts like Saward said it’s one of the oldest forms of labyrinths. We have to study the rocks in detail to find the exact age,” said Sugavana Murugan, who had discovered a rectangular shaped labyrinth in Kambainallur in Dharmapuri and a spiral one in Kundhani in Krishnagiri district in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

People used to worship labyrinths for various reasons. A labyrinth has seven paths and one has to come out through the right path. Even though it is difficult to find one’s way inside a labyrinth, it is believed that those who come out through the right path are blessed by the god. “People used to worship labyrinth to be blessed with a child, or to attain success in their pursuits and for long life for their cattle,” said Murugan.

After verifying the photographs, T Satyamurthy, former superintending archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), said the labyrinth in circle shape was an interesting discovery. “It’s a promising one. But we have to conduct further excavation on the site to find the age and the actual role played by this labyrinth in the life of people those days,” he said.

The labyrinths and mazes, according to Saward, have been found to be in existence since the Neolithic period. “Maze is a multi-curved category where we have multiple pathways to reach our goal, whereas in labyrinths there is only one pathway which leads inexorably to the goal from the point of entry,“ said Saward, who is editor of `Caerdroia’, the journal of mazes and labyrinths. EOM

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Chennai News / M.T. Saju / TNN / April 10th, 2018

Doha Bank sets up first branch in Chennai

April 9, 2018Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

Chennai :

Qatar-based Doha Bank has set up the first branch in the city taking the total number of branches in the country to three, a top official said.

Doha Bank currently has a branch in Mumbai, Kochi and Chennai, respectively.

Top bank officials including the bank’s CEO, R Seetharaman participated in the formal inauguration of the bank here today.

The Chennai branch will assist the bank’s growing customer base in India offering a host of services including corporate, retail, treasury, trade, finance and foreign exchange services, Seetharaman said.

“The opening of our third branch (today in Chennai) highlights the importance we believe India holds in our expansion strategy,” he said.

The new branch would help the bank reach out to a wider segment of customers in Chennai while enhancing synergies among Qatar, India and Doha Bank’s global network, he said.

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> ET Home> Industry> Banking-Finance> Banking / PTI / August 04th, 2018

Cumbum serves up a banana leaf meal in Dubai

April 9, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature, Nri's / Pio'sadmin

Fit for a feast: A consignment for Dubai gets ready in Chinnamanur on Sunday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Traders will export one tonne of the eco-friendly leaves every day for Vishu and the Tamil New Year

Nothing spells tradition more than the gastronomic spread for Vishu and the Tamil New Year, served on a fresh banana leaf.

This year, nostalgic Malayalis and Tamils in Dubai and other West Asian countries can look forward to doing it just like home, as a huge consignment of banana leaves will arrive straight from the verdant Cumbum valley.

With the demand for banana leaves soaring in Dubai during April for the festival season, exporters from Kerala thronged the valley to buy them in bulk.

“We collect only fully matured, country banana leaves,” said V. Sudhakaran, a leaf exporter at Sukkangalpatti village.

“The leaf should not have any black dots or yellow spots. It should be dark green. Workers grade the leaves, process and pack them in cartons at the farms and transport them to Cochin airport for export. The leaves will hit the Dubai market within 24 hours.”

Bananas from the farms in Chinnamanur and nearby villages are already a huge hit among south Indians in West Asia. Now, the plantain leaves from the Cumbum valley have also become much sought-after, particularly in Dubai.

For Christmas too

“The domestic market will not be affected much by the exports as we send matured leaves,” Mr Sudhakaran said. “Local people prefer tender light green leaf of any variety of banana. But we prefer fully matured leaves as they have longer shelf life. We will send one tonne of leaves to Dubai every day, till the weekend.”

Though it is peak season in April, expats prefer to buy banana leaves in large numbers during Christmas too. “We sent a small quantity last December. But we have a bulk order for this year’s Vishu. We procure the leaves from Kullapuram in Periyakulam block to Goodalur near Lower camp, at ₹2 per leaf,” Mr. Sudhakaran said.

To maintain quality, farmers were advised to grow the plantains densely near farm borders to protect those in the farm from strong winds.

The plants are also given support using casuarina poles to prevent damage. Such measures prevent leaf damage, says S. Karuppan, a farmer of Kullapuram.

Flowers are also exported to countries in West Asia as they form part of the ‘kani’ display of auspicious articles for Vishu, while hotels in the region deliver the ‘sadhya’ feast to a large number of families at home.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by K. Raju / Cumbum – April 08th, 2018

Anatomy and history of a 200-year-old Ivory skeleton

April 7, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinionadmin

The ivory and rosewood skeletons on display at the AMC’s Anatomy Museum in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam

A rare masterpiece from Saraswati Mahal of Thanjavur, it’s now the prized possession of the Anatomy Museum of Andhra Medical College

A rare ivory skeleton, the bones of which have been carved to clockwork precision on the lines of the human skeleton, is the cherished treasure at the Anatomy Museum of Andhra Medical College (AMC) here.

The ivory skeleton, 5’6” in height and weighing 231 lbs (104.78 kg), reflects the ingenuity of the sculptor, who had carved it more than two centuries ago. It was procured from the famous Saraswati Mahal of Thanjavur, which was under the patronage of Rajah Serfoji (1798-1832). The skeleton is said to have been made between 1805 and 1810. Dr. R. Krishna Rau, a Professor in the Department of Anatomy between 1929 and 1946, who was instrumental in setting up the museum, had bought the ivory skeleton and a rosewood skeleton for a sum of ₹75. The 18th century skeleton has been drawing appreciation of not only experts in the medical field, but also the general public during exhibitions.

“The British are said to have paid ₹5 lakh to display it during an exhibition in London in 1970. The skeleton was taken in a specially made coffin and returned after about a week,” Dr. Ashalatha, Head of the Department of Anatomy, told The Hindu.

Mortem and taboo

“In those days, there were several taboos in handling human bodies and skeletons, and Dr. Krishna Rau was said to have stayed back in the department for a few days on the arrival of the skeletons. Even today, some anatomy professors do not tell their family members that they handle dead bodies,” says Dr. K. Lakshmi Kumari, an Associate Professor of Anatomy. “The ivory skeleton is a masterpiece and is said to be one among the few in the world. No wonder, it was taken by ship all the way to London for display at an exhibition there. The ivory and rosewood skeletons are displayed at exhibitions, organised on special occasions,” says Dr. P.V. Sudhakar, Principal of AMC.

The museum signifies the efforts and dedication of the illustrious teachers, professors and HODs, particularly of AMC during the early days.

Prof. F.J. Anderson, who as Principal of AMC, gave full freedom to Dr. Krishna Rau in securing the unique collections.

The department was named after Dr. Krishna Rau on January 24, 1984 honouring his efforts.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by B. Madhu Gopal / Visakhapatnam – April 06th, 2018

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