Small City to ‘MALL CITY’

Mangaloreans everywhere must be aware of the fact that this coastal city is experiencing a massive real estate boom and this in turn has changed the landscape and the economy of the entire region surrounding it. But for Bangalore newspaper to report in its daily edition it takes some thing special.

Above is the snapshot of the report which came in Bangalore Mirror (from Times of India group), a tabloid based in Bangalore, dated Monday, October 15, 2007, which describes how the city is fast becoming the ‘Mall City of India’. Already with 2 malls which are currently operating (Bharath Mall and Empire Mall), there are 6 more malls (Excel Mall, Mischief Mega Mall, Time Square, Pio Mall, Golden Harvest Mall, Mangalore Central Mall) coming up in the city. To give boost to the city’s infrastructure as many as 7 flyovers have been planned in and around the city with work already starting on 2 of them.

Also read:
Big Time in Small Towns
Mangalore City Photos

Its INDIA Once Again

It was a wonderful Saturday evening. Most of the Indians after performing ‘Ayudha Pooja’ were in for a cracker of a contest. India had to prove a point to all those critics who had opinioned their world twenty20 title was a fluke. And they had done it in emphatic style, by winning the only twenty20 match in Mumbai comfortably by 7 wickets. To finish off it in style, winning shot was huge six, off the bat of captain Mr. Cool, M S Dhoni.

Whatever Bret Lee or Pointing had to say in their columns that the contest was not perceived as revenge game by them to their world cup semi final loss to India, it was hardly believable. It is a well known fact that, as such Australians never want to loose and if they get defeated they bounce back to avenge their loss. This indication came long before, when the tour started by Ricky Ponting’s press conferences. Verbal war was on even before the first match was played, and continued match after match. But one can safely say that this was the match when both teams made their bat talk rather than mouth. Series full of verbal duels ended in a match which hardly had one. Welcome change! Anyway it was a wonderful match, a treat to watch.

picture courtesy: cricinfo.com

Aussies winning the toss and electing to bat would have hardly surprised any, since they wanted to capitalize on India’s discomfort in chasing totals in the recently concluded one day series. Also India’s wins in world twenty20 came when they were batting first. But though they lost the match to New Zealand by mere 10 runs in world twenty20 super eight stage, they had started off well in that match with Sehwag and Gambhir providing the perfect start but rest managing to mess up things a bit in the end. And when Gilchrist hit those 3 fours off RP Singh off the first over in this match, it seemed that it was a wise decision to bat on. But RP Singh disturbing the timber the very next ball and sending Australian wicket keeper packing, was huge moment for India. Though the Pointing continued to hit boundaries and Hayden supporting at the other end, Aussies were on for a big total. But with Harbhajan providing that crucial wicket of Hayden slowed down things a bit and with Murali Karthik tightening the screws at the other end kept the run flow in check. Symonds getting run out was only because of the presence of mind shown by Harbhajan; he had earlier missed the catch given by Australian skipper and then he was shying at the stumps when he spotted Symonds away from his crease. But with Ricky Ponting hitting useful runs in the end Australia were still in search of that huge total to upset the Indians. 18^th over bowled by Sreesanth was a bit expensive and resulted in 22 runs. But India put right breaks to restrict Australians to manageable 166, as they say a total below 200 in twenty20 is achievable.

picture courtesy: cricinfo.com

Indian chase was full of fireworks from the beginning. Gambhir has shown once again why he was the man of the match in World twenty20 final with variety of shots here. Though Sehwag departed with mere 20 runs on the board Uthappa joined Gambhir to build a fantastic partnership of over 80 runs. Fearlessness was the key here too as was the case in world twenty20 championship. With both batsmen stepping out for pacers runs were there to come at faster pace. This relieved the run chase pressure. But on the contrary, pressure was evident on Australians with Australian bowlers bowling no balls and providing India with free hits. Frustration crept in when overthrows by Aussies fielders too resulted in boundaries. Gambhir and Uthappa had half done their job with score board showing 101 off 10 runs. Though Uthappa perished to Clarke trying to cut him and edging, it was next to impossible for India to loose this match from that comfortable position. Ponting would have missed the trick by not playing Brad Hogg and in-form Johnson who took 14 wickets in 7 match ODI series. With Uthappa departing Yuvraj joined the party to hit those 3 huge sixes to reiterate the fact that he is the most dangerous batsman in twenty20 international as of now. Gambhir perished after adding over 40 runs with Yuvraj, making way for his skipper to finish the proceedings and rightly so India won the match in style with 11 balls to spare. Now nobody should have any doubt in their mind that India are the world champions in this format and remain so for some more time to come.

As Dhoni said in the presentation ceremony enjoying the game was the key and you will be performing better if you enjoy what you do and this applies to every field in life. Smiles were back on the Indian supporters after loosing the ODI series 2-4 to Australia. With this win India has consecutively won 5 matches in twenty20, more can be expected from them in the near future. Australians must be ruing themselves with them loosing last 2 matches of the tour. Meanwhile Indians would be happy to see this development as welcome signs for the upcoming Pakistan’s tour of India. All the best, INDIA!

Regards,
Raveesh

Krishna – Film Review

After the huge success of ‘Mungaaru Male’, there have been several releases starring Ganesh. Though ‘Hudugaata’ was a success in a small way, ‘Cheluvina Chiththaara’ is set to break most of the records in Kannada film industry. Recently released ‘Krishna’ starring Ganesh, Pooja Gandhi and Sharmila Mandre is the subject of this review.

In ‘Krishna’, Ganesh enacts his real life role that of a television show anchor. If the first half of the film revolves around Krishna and Pooja (Pooja Gandhi), in second half most part is of Krishna and Anjali (Sharmila). In the first half Pooja expresses her love to Krishna much in ‘Beladingala Baale’ style. Though this is prolonged to some extent Sharan’s comical dialogues relieves of the boredom. Krishna lives as a paying guest in Pooja’s home. Though there are quarrels between Pooja and Krishna, Pooja loves Krishna. Pooja first being a stalker to Krishna makes life difficult for him. But then she confesses her love to Krishna much in the same style as hero does in ‘Mungaaru Male’. The only difference is that here heroine does it. Krishna rejects her citing his flashback tragic love story.

When Anjali, his old love decides to marry a wealthy person in a dilemma, Ganesh is dejected and comes to Bangalore to join as TV anchor. But then Anjali is cheated and works as sales girl sacrificing her dream to become a doctor. When Krishna happens to meet her again in this situation he helps her to become a doctor. When in the end Anjali again proposes him, he rejects and instead marries Pooja.

There is nothing new in the script. Old story is presented with the help of new actors. Some scenes are far from reality. For example – Anjali’s constant changing of her mind to select her life partner. About music, two songs are worth listening – ‘Gollara Golla’ and ‘Hey Hudugi’. But I don’t understand why you need Hindi singers for singing Kannada songs. Their pronounciation of the language is awful. There is a new experiment in ‘Gollara Golla’ song, that of adding Tulu pad-dana (Tulu folk song) in middle of the song. And it has come good as well. Ganesh with his dialogue delivery excels. In Sharmila, Kannada film industry has found a new face for heroine.

Regards
Raveesh

ಕೃಷ್ಣ - ಚಿತ್ರ ವಿಮರ್ಶೆ

ಮು೦ಗಾರು ಮಳೆಯ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿನ ಬೆನ್ನಲ್ಲೇ ಯುವ ನಾಯಕ ಗಣೇಶ್ ರವರ ಹಲವಾರು ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಯಾಗುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಮು೦ಗಾರು ಮಳೆಯ ನ೦ತರ ಬ೦ದ 'ಹುಡುಗಾಟ' ತಕ್ಕ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಯಶಸ್ಸು ಕ೦ಡರೂ 'ಚೆಲುವಿನ ಚಿತ್ತಾರ' ಅಭೂತಪೂರ್ವ ದಾಖಲೆಯತ್ತ ದಾಪುಗಾಲಿಡುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಅದಿರಲಿ, ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಯಾದ 'ಕೃಷ್ಣ' ಈ ಲೇಖನದ ವಿಷಯ.

'ಕೃಷ್ಣ' ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಗಣೇಶ್ ಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ನಿಜ ಜೀವನದ ಪಾತ್ರವೇ - ಒ೦ದು ಟಿ ವಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಿರೂಪಕರಾಗಿ. ಚಿತ್ರದ ಪೂರ್ವಾರ್ಧ ಒಬ್ಬ ನಾಯಕಿ ಪೂಜಾ ಗಾ೦ಧಿಗೆ ಮೀಸಲಾದರೆ, ಉತ್ತರಾರ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ನವ ನಾಯಕಿ ಶರ್ಮಿಳಾ ಮೋಡಿ. ಚಿತ್ರದ ಪ್ರಥಮಾರ್ಧ ತುಸು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನಿಸುವ 'ಬೆಳದಿ೦ಗಳ ಬಾಲೆ' ಶೈಲಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಯಕಿಯ ಪ್ರೇಮ ನಿವೇದನೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಏಕಾತನತೆ ಕಾಡಿದರೂ ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರ ನೆರವಿಗೆ ಬರುವುದು ನಟ ಶರಣ್ ರವರ ಹಾಸ್ಯ ಚಟಾಕಿಗಳು. ಕೃಷ್ಣ (ಗಣೇಶ್) ನಾಯಕಿಯ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪೇಯಿ೦ಗ್ ಗೆಸ್ಟ್. ಪೂಜಾ(ಪೂಜಾ ಗಾ೦ಧಿ) ಹಾಗು ಕೃಷ್ಣ ನಡುವೆ ಕಲಹಗಳಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೂ ಪೂಜಾಗೆ ನಾಯಕನ ಮೇಲೆ ಒಲವು. ಹೆಸರು ಹೇಳದೆ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ಗೆ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣನನ್ನು ಕಾಡುವ ಪೂಜಾ ಕೊನೆಗೂ ತನ್ನ ಮನದ ಮಾತನ್ನು ಕೃಷ್ಣನಿಗೆ ಅರುಹುತ್ತಾಳೆ. ಈ ದೃಶ್ಯ ಕೊ೦ಚ 'ಮು೦ಗಾರು ಮಳೆ' ಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಯಕ ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೆನೆದು ನಾಯಕಿಗೆ ಪ್ರೇಮ ನಿವೇದನೆ ಮಾಡುವ ದೃಶ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಲುತ್ತದೆ. ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸವೆ೦ದರೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗ ನಾಯಕಿಯ ಸರದಿ. ಆದರೆ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಒಲ್ಲೆ ಅನ್ನಬೇಕೆ! ತನ್ನ ಹಿ೦ದಿನ ದುರ೦ತ ಪ್ರೇಮ ಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಪೂಜಾಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ.

ಮನ ಮೆಚ್ಚಿದ ಹುಡುಗಿ ಅ೦ಜಲಿ(ಶರ್ಮಿಳಾ ಮಾ೦ಡ್ರೆ) ಸ೦ಧಿಗ್ಧ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿರಿವ೦ತನೊಬ್ಬನ ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿಯಲು ಮು೦ದಾದಾಗ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿ ಟಿ ವಿ ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರನ್ನು ನಗಿಸುವ ಕಾಯಕದಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಹೀಗಿರುವಾಗ ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಅ೦ಜಲಿ ಭೇಟಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣನಿಗೆ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಸಿರಿವ೦ತನಿ೦ದ ಮೋಸ ಹೋಗಿ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಪಾಡಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ವೈದ್ಯೆಯಾಗುವ ಕನಸನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಸೇಲ್ಸ್ ಗರ್ಲ್ ಆಗಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ನೊ೦ದು ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಅವಳು ವೈದ್ಯೆಯಾಗಲು ಮನೋಬಲ, ಧನ ಬಲ ನೀಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಅ೦ಜಲಿ ತನ್ನನ್ನು ಮದುವೆಯಾಗುವ೦ತೆ ವಿನ೦ತಿಸಿದಾಗ ತಿರಸ್ಕರಿಸಿ, ತನ್ನದೆ ಆದ ಕಾರ್ ಡೋರ್ ಹಾಕುವ ಫಿಲಾಸಫಿ ಹೇಳಿ ಪೂಜಾಳ ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿಯುತ್ತಾನೆ.

ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊಸದೇನು ಇಲ್ಲ. ಹಳೆ ಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಹೊಸ ನಟರ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಾದರ ಪಡಿಸಿದ೦ತಿದೆ. ಕೆಲವೊ೦ದು ಸನ್ನಿವೇಶಗಳು ನೈಜ್ಯತೆಯಿ೦ದ ತು೦ಬಾ ದೂರ ಸರಿದ೦ತಿದೆ. ಉದಾಹರಣೆಗೆ - ನಾಯಕಿಯ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಚ೦ಚಲವಾಗಿರುವುದು. ಇನ್ನು ಹಾಡುಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಬ೦ದರೆ - ಎರಡು ಹಾಡುಗಳು ಇ೦ಪಾಗಿವೆ - 'ಗೊಲ್ಲರ ಗೊಲ್ಲ' ಹಾಗು 'ಹೇ ಹುಡುಗಿ ನೀ ಹುಚ್ಚು ಹಿಡಿಸಬೇಡ ಕಣೆ'. ಆದರೆ ಗಾಯಕರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಆಕ್ಷೇಪಣೆ ಇದೆ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಹಾಡಲು ಹಿ೦ದಿಯವರು ಬೇಕೆ. ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಡುಗಾರರಿಲ್ಲವೆ? ಹಿ೦ದಿ ಗಾಯಕರ ಕನ್ನಡ ಉಚ್ಛಾರ ಅವರಿಗೇ ಪ್ರೀತಿ! 'ಗೊಲ್ಲರ ಗೊಲ್ಲ' ಹಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಡಿದ ಹೊಸ ಪ್ರಯೋಗವೆ೦ದರೆ - ತುಳು ನಾಡಿನ ಪಾಡ್ದನ (ತುಳು ಜನಪದ ಗೀತೆ) ವನ್ನು ಹಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಳವಡಿಸಿಕೊ೦ಡಿರುವುದು. ನಟನೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಬ೦ದರೆ ಗಣೇಶ್ ಉತ್ತಮ. ಶರ್ಮಿಳಾ ಮೂಲಕ ಕನ್ನಡಕ್ಕೊ೦ದು ಸ್ಫುರದ್ರೂಪಿ ನಾಯಕಿ ದೊರೆತ೦ತಾಗಿದೆ.

ರವೀಶ

Back to Old Ways

It is hardly a month ago Indian cricket team was crowned world Twenty20 champions in South Africa and all the eyes were on the upcoming India Australia series which promised to be exciting with one world champion taking on the another. And now all is over for Indian cricket team as far as the series is concerned with already the series lost 4-1, the sole match remaining to be played for PRIDE(as they say on most occasions when the series is lost and a sole match is to be played).

But the manner in which the 6^th ODI is lost is worth pondering. With a first wicket stand of 140 between Sachin and Sourav, one would have hardly imagined an Indian loss. The match seemed to be going the same way it had gone in the 6^th ODI in England earlier this year. But the difference was that there the opponent was England and here, Australia. Uthappa’s heroics in England won us the match on that day. But against Australia, Dhoni and Uthappa both felling in the penultimate over cost us the match and of course, the series. Back to the old loosing ways, while chasing a target. But Indian cricketers have themselves to blame for chasing a big target set by the Aussies.With Australia loosing their top 4 batsmen inside 22 overs, India did not go for the kill. And the batting order set by Dhoni in the second half seemed hardly convincing. I had my reservations against sending Irfan Pathan at no.3, but then that ploy worked. But not the Dravid one, sending him at No.4 when you had Uthappa or Dhoni himself to play those big shots so that pressure does not build in the final overs. You have 200 runs on the board in 35 overs and require 117 from 15 overs and now why you are playing defensively? The justification from Dhoni after the match for sending Dravid at no.4 is baffling. He said Dravid was originally padded to come at No.3!!

picture courtesy : cricinfo.com

Indian batting, fielding and bowling were awful in this series excluding couple of matches. If Indian team’s pride has to be restored that has to be by winning the next ODI at Mumbai on Wednesday, Oct 17. And do not forget there is a Twenty20 international coming up, again in Mumbai on Saturday, Oct 20. Australians will be definitely coming hard at Indians for the defeat against them in semifinals last month. But Indians have to prove themselves as the world champions in shortest form of cricket by winning this only TTI.

Mission Accomplished

He came, he led, and he conquered. Mahendra Singh Dhoni did in 2007 what Kapil Dev did to Indian Cricket in 1983. No expectations and team performed well to reach the pinnacle of excellence. Yes, we have won the inaugural edition of twenty20 world cup. Hurray, what a nail biting final that had been. Beating arch-rivals Pakistan and lifting the world cup. Truly, this is a dream come true. That has certainly done some healing to the wounds of the Caribbean debacle earlier this year.

pictury courtesy : cricinfo.com

Frankly speaking, I did not expect so much attention would be diverted for this shortest version of cricket at the start of this tournament. That may be largely attributed to the fact that India had played only one Twenty20 international before the start of this world cup, though the first Twenty20 international had been played in 2005.(1^st twenty20 international was played between Australia and New Zealand on 17 February 2005, with Australia winning the match by 44 runs). India’s only match was with South Africa on 1^st December 2006 which they won by 6 wickets. Low on experience but high on confidence India under a young captain had arrived on the big stage in South Africa after a closely fought one day series in England.

The first match with Scotland being washed out and teams sharing a point each, it was left to the young brigade to perform well in next clash with Pakistan. 142 the target they set for Pakistan though was not intimidating, but Pakistan had to sweat for their runs with Indians making target stiffer ball after ball. With the match tied the first ever bowl out in a world cup came into picture. India won the bowl-out and advanced to next stage – Super Eight! For the curious folks the first ever bowl out in a Twenty20 International was between New Zealand and West Indies on 16 February 2006 with both teams tied at the score of 126. New Zealand eventually won the match 3-0 just as India did against Pakistan.

The first match for India in Super Eight saw them loosing to New Zealand from a position of strength with fireworks from Sehwag and Gambhir, by 10 runs. But that match also saw them giving too many runs in the end overs and loosing too many wickets in a hurry. That should have taught a thing or two about the winning ways in the coming games. As a result we were about to see new Indian team with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Incidently this was the only match where they chasing a target.

Then, came the 2 big games, one against the England, the so called Twenty20 specialists and another against the mighty South Africans and both had to be won comfortably if India had to be in the Semi finals. If the match against England saw the batting prowess then against South Africans it was the bowling and fielding which stood out. Yuvraj Singh’s magnificent 6 sixes in an over off Stuart Broad in the match against England will be in memory for the cricket fans for a long time. Well, this is only the third instance of such feat in an international match. South Africans did everything right to restrict India without Yuvraj to a manageable 153. But to their surprise they were then facing dilemma of whether to win the match or to get those crucial 126 runs needed qualify for the semis. In the end they could not manage either of them. India found a unlikely hero in otherwise wayward RP Singh who took 4 for 13, equally supported by S Sreesanth (2 for 23) and Harbhajan Singh (2 for 31). But that match also saw some brilliant fielding. Karthik’s catch of Graeme Smith and Rohit Sharma’s accurated throw to get rid of dangerous Justin Kemp saw match swinging in India’s favour. Robin Singh, the fielding coach would have been a proud man seeing the athletics of his boys.

Stage had finally set up for the Dhoni’s boys to take on the mighty Australians. The match saw them putting a good total of 188 with many of Australian bowlers going for runs rather than wickets, which is a hall mark of Australian bowlers. Australian backlash was expected as was seen in the way Hayden and Symonds batted. When it seemed match was going away from the Indians, Dhoni made the right move by bringing in Sreesanth who had given away just 6 runs in his first 3 overs and got the prized wicket of Gilchrist. This was gamble since Dhoni had to fill in that one over which otherwise would have been bowled by Sreesanth in the end. But then the pace with which Hayden was going it seemed match would be over with 2 overs left! And the ploy worked Sreesanth who had troubled Hayden at the start of the inning had his man. And then followed the procession of Australian middle order which would have been otherwise a Indian scene in most occasions. The untested middle order helped India to some extent to win that match. But then even in the last over match could have swung Australian way. But that was not to be. Joginder Sharma who had gone for plenty of runs in his first 2 overs had done trick for India. Hurray! We are in finals. Interestingly, India had played their matches against England, South Africa and Australia at Durban and won all of them.

picture courtesy : cricinfo.com

Final as expected by everyone was closely fought match. 157 though seemed to be a low total considering the runs scored by India against Australians in the match before. But then Pakistan bowling was exceptional. Most of the balls were yorkers and unplayable. Law of averages did Yuvraj Singh in and he could not repeat the heroics against England and Australia. It was a wise move by Pakistani Captain, Shoaib Malik to bowl spin at both ends when Yuvraj was at crease and that was a deciding factor in India not piling up a huge total. Having said that Gautam Gambhir got his timing correct to score a brisk 75 off 54 balls and Rohit Sharma’s hard hitting in the end helped India to cross that psychological barrier of 150. And then the hunt began. Undeterred by the 2 wickets fallen initially, Imran Nazir was going great guns only to be stopped by Robin Uthappa. This was clearly the turning point in the match. Add to that the first ball dismissal of Shahid Afridi made things easier for India. Indians had done their home work well. But in twenty20 cricket you never know one over could change the course of the game. That was exactly what happened when Harbhajan was hit thrice over the fence by the in-form Misbah-ul-Haq. If few runs had to be scored for Pakistan victory then few had wickets had to be taken for Indian victory. Those last three overs, man; you could hear your heart beating loud and clear. Not to explain those last 15 deliveries, which made our emotions happy and sad, change every moment? That fateful scoop by Misbah-ul-Haq off Joginder Sharma landing in the safe hands of Sreesanth saw India lifting the world cup after 24 years.

This has been my dream to see India win the world cup in our time. That did not materialize in 1996 or in 2003 when we came so close to winning one. This is very special seeing the people marching along the streets holding the Indian flag hailing the Indian win after the end of the match. Indian team holding the world cup, Irfan and Harbhajan’s dance, hugs all around make some of the unforgettable moments for a many years to come.

As Dhoni mentioned in his post-match presentation this win will herald new dawn in Indian cricket. And we will see a Twenty20 revolution in our country. This win has been collective effort with each match seeing a new hero. Young India has finally arrived. Now it is up to the managers of this game in India to make the best use of this young bunch and form a consistently performing Indian Cricket Team.