TT returns to DB Egmore!

On Friday, January 29, 2010, DB Egmore announced the launch of a new Table Tennis Academy in association with Subramaniam Raman, a four-time National Champion. The facility will operate out of the Auditorium which is housed in the Primary school and will offer a complete coaching solution for students from all over the city keen to play TT at the highest level. I was there at the launch and my mind went back to a time when Table Tennis ruled the roost in DB Egmore. A time when only Crocker and Cricket could rival the craze of this game. I think the fad started in the early 80s. It had a lot to do with the huge encouragement the School Management gave any sport or extra curricular activity at that point in time. To fuel this fad the school set up an awesome TT Room that boasted of  six Tournament-class tables. It was located just next to the canteen at the main school and guys would kill for a table during lunch breaks. Most of the tables were reserved for the serious players and coaching after school hours and so it was almost impossible to get your hands on a table at that time. There were a couple of other tables that were around for a brief while near in the ground floor corridors and they certainly helped the demand-supply situation. And when the game exploded, most of us resorted to using the large benches near the Cricket nets as Stand-in TT tables. Text Books became TT Nets and the International Norms on TT Table dimensions were thrown out of the window! Anything and any surface became a TT Table. A lot of us would forget to bring the odd text book but we never forgot our TT racquets. During this period the School produced some top quality TT players who won National acclaim. The school also hosted a national TT Tournament (I think it was the Junior Nationals). Unfortunately the interest in the game gradually began to slide in the late 90s and it was disappointing to see all the TT Tables disappear from the TT room and make way for Dining tables. In the 2000s it became a Dining room for the students. Ironical considering we used Tables at the School ground meant for Dining to play TT. That's why this new academy is a brilliant new beginning. Hopefully it will rekindle the interest in a game that DB Egmore excelled in and a game that made a lot of our lunch breaks more fun and eventful! 

(Image courtesy: DB Egmore Official Site)

Tamil Padam - Review

Why you probably want to watch it:

• Tamil Cinema gets its first real spoof!


• (RJ) Shiva who was terrific in Chennai 28 & Saroja returns


• Laughs unlimited :)

The good: Awesome script and screenplay, the laughs never stop and the fun never ends. The casting is spot on.

The bad: No major cribs

Look out for: Digs at almost all popular heroes and popular films. From Rajni to Vijay and from Thalapathy to Mozhi, Director CS Amudan has spared nobody!

Bottomline: Tamil Padam is probably the first full-length Spoof in Tamil film history. The pre-launch hype was incredible considering the cast and the relatively unknown technical team. Writer-Director CS Amudan has delivered an incredibly funny film that is a fun ride from start to finish. RJ Shiva with his priceless facial expressions is the pivot and makes this film work. From Punch Dialogues to larger-than-life heroics to silly romantic interludes, Tamil Padam hits out at all the cliche situations that are inseperable from commercial Tamil cinema. The plot may not be logical but that's the whole point! The film loses some steam in the second half but that is really a minor crib! Tamil Padam is in the same league as some of the better Hollywood Spoofs like Hot Shots or Naked Gun and is a spoof that Tamil Cinema can truly be proud of! Its one of those rare films that might make you laugh even a couple of days after you have seen it. Howlarious.... And surely there's enough material in popular Tamil Cinema for a sequel :) 

Running Time: 130 minutes (Approx)

Best Tamil Films 2009

There were more than 130 Tamil films released in 2009; more films in a single year since the 1980s! (Source: sify.com). Strangely enough I watched fewer Tamil films than I did in 2008 and missed some films that I wanted to watch. These include the fresh Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru (T4), the eerie Eeram, the critically acclaimed Achamundu Achamundu and the realistic Peranmai. Here's my Shortlist for 2009: 

1. Pasanga: Easily the film of the year. A rare Indian film centred around children that appealed to adults and kids alike. Produced by Sasikumar who directed one of 2008's most popular films (Subramaniapuram) and directed by Pandiraj, this film didn't set the box office on fire but captured a lot of hearts.
2. Unnaipol Oruvan: Walks into this list on the strength of the performances of Kamal and Mohanlal and also because it was a faithful remake of one of 2008's finest Hindi films - A Wednesday. Kamal resisted the temptation of tinkering with the original and it worked with the critics and Box office alike.
3. Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu: Novel Theme, Great Performances, Rustic Setting and Soulful Music made this an enjoyable watch. The climax was a complete dampener and marred a near perfect film.
4. Nadodigal: Drew a lot of comparisons with Subramaniapuram. The casting and performances were terrific and it was an entertaining film. The film lagged a bit towards the end and the music was a let down.
5. Yaavarum Nalam: Director Vikram Kumar succeeded in a difficult genre with a clever script and an edgy product without resorting to the usual B-grade spook elements we are used to. 

    

Millers 46 - Review

Cuisine: American, Tex Mex, World Cuisine

Background: Wild West Theme, A detailed thematic Menu that weighs a tonne and easily one of Bangalore's most authentic steakhouses. Millers 46 on Millers Road boasts of an extensive menu that does justice to American (Burgers, Steaks) Tex Mex and Pastas.

My Quicktake: Grab a table near the entrance like we did and the smoke won't get into your eyes; remember you are in a busy Steakhouse. The menu is not all about the steaks. Choose from an extensive array of starters (try the corn and Jalapeno fritters) and soups (The cream of Mushroom is terrific). Once you've whetted your appetite you can either opt for the restaurant's Signature steaks or sample Tex Mex or choose from a decent selection of Pastas. The portions are huge (American Portions! This is an American restaurant after all). But do leave room for dessert; Millers 46 has some of the city's most awesome options to end your meal! Try the Blueberry Cheesecake and you will probably keep coming back to this restaurant for a long long time! The service is warm and efficient; look for the 'eager-to-please Diwakar!' Millers 46 scores very high on the Value for Money Factor and is the perfect place for that relaxed weekend lunch. The restaurant also does door delivery on weekdays. 

Meal for two: Rs 800-1000 (Without liquor) .


Coordinates: #46, Millers Road, Vasanthnagar, Bangalore - 52 (Near Jain Hospital)/ Tel: 4113-1746 (Reservations recommended)/ website link / Google Maps location

Signature Dishes: Steaks, Blueberry Cheesecake

Will I go there again: Surely

Kurbaan - Review

Why you probably want to watch it:

• Renzil d'Silva's directorial debut after the terrific screenplay of Rang de Basanti and the not so lucky 'Luck'!
• Saif and Kareena reunite (On screen of course!) 
  
• Supposedly bold and topical theme of Global Terrorism 

The good: Great Music, Visuals, Costume Design (Aki Narula)  

The bad: Plot fails to engage, Vivek Oberoi and Diya Mirza! 


Look out for: Shukran Allah, awesome song with stunning visuals. You might miss this song if you arrive at the theatre late!

Bottomline: Kurbaan had all the pre-release hype going for it. Karan Johar production, Renzil D'Silva's directorial debut, Saif & Bebo, One of the soundtracks of the year and supposedly  a surprise package in Vivek Oberoi! The big question is does Kurbaan live up to the hype and is it worth checking out? The plot is certainly not run of the mill. Avantika (Kareena) and Ehsaan (Saif) teach at Delhi University, fall in love and get married before you sink into your seat at the theatre. The twist in the tale comes rather soon and once the couple relocate to New York. Avantika discovers that Ehsaan is not what he seems and gets thrown into the cauldron of Global Terrorism. The film's positives come in the form of great music and terrific visuals. It is certainly not a run-of-the-mill plot but fails to engage and at points gets really tiresome (160 minutes is a bit too long for this film!).  Vivek Oberoi and Diya Mirza (Thankfully in a brief role) star as TV reporters and compete with each other for the 'Worst performance in a supporting Role' category! Kurbaan is certainly not a bad film but fails to live up to all the expectations!     


Running Time: 160 minutes

Sachin 20/20

November 15, 2009 and by now if you have not heard that Sachin Tendulkar has completed 20 years in International Cricket you've probably been on some other planet. Unprecedented Media Hype, Columns and columns of tributes and blogs unlimited! Not a great time for the non-Sachin fans! I've been a die-hard Sachin fan since the day I saw him get his first International hundred on Indian soil. The year was 1992 and he dominated a below-par England bowling attack to notch up 165. And like all those big moments I can say -"I was there"! But that was not the last time I was going to be there. I developed a strange superstition; probably the only thing I am superstitious about! If Sachin is at the crease and I don't leave my seat he will get a 100! It worked four times in Chennai and the times I did leave he actually got out! The same superstition worked even in Dhaka when I was part of an ESPN team in 2004 and where he got his record leveling 35th ton! Here's a list of my favourite test hundreds of Sachin at Chennai; a ground where he has more 100s than any other International venue:

1. 155 against Australia in 1998: This ranks among his best test innings ever. He dominated Shane Warne who was also at the peak of his powers. A match-winning hundred!
2. 136 against Pakistan in 1999: A typical turning fifth day Indian wicket, a target of 271 to beat Pakistan. Sachin braved a severe back pain and almost took India past the winning post. We lost by 16 runs but none of the fans complained they had witnessed one of the best test innings in a losing cause!
3. 103 (no) against England in 2008: This match was staged just after the Mumbai terror attacks and Sachin silenced a lot of critics (for the millionth time!) with a fourth innings hundred that helped India chase an improbable 387 on a turning fifth day pitch.  

I've had the pleasure of interacting with Sachin on a couple of occasions and have been amazed at his simplicity.
I don't think there has been a personality (Sporting or other) whose appeal cuts across all regions of this diverse country as much as Sachin. For me this Adidas TV commercial captures the essence of all that is Sachin and his ability to bring the nation together. Will he be around in 2014 and celebrate 25 years in International cricket? Chances are....! 

Tuscana Pizzeria - Review

Cuisine: Italian   

Background: Kiwi Chef Wili who placed the Park Chennai and its popular all day diner 601 on the culinary map of Chennai has just unveiled his latest stand-alone restaurant Tuscana. This authentic Italian restaurant is just off Khader Nawaz Khan Road where the Levis Signature store once stood.  

My Quicktake: Tuscana walks into the list of one of South India's better Italian restaurants. An uncomplicated menu with Soups, Breads, Pastas, Pizzas, Risottos, Desserts, Coffees and non-alcoholic beverages (The curse of all stand-alone restaurants in Chennai). The interiors are warm and cheerful but the restaurant is quite crammed with hardly any space between tables. Good thing is you might get some tips on what to eat and what to avoid without straining your ears or looking like an eavesdropper! The Pizzas (Traditional Wood-fired pizzas) are a must try and the breads (Foccacia and Garlic Bread sticks) are terrific. The service is a mixed bag and is still coping with the week one crowds. The Desserts are probably the highlight; the Panna Cotta is authentic and so is the Tiramisu! The restaurant is pricey and scores just okay on the Value for Money factor.   

Meal for two: Rs 1200. 

Coordinates: No.19, 3rd Street, Wallace Garden (Off Khader Nawaz Khan Rd), Nungambakkam,
Chennai 34. / Tel: 4503 8008 / w: tuscanarestaurants.com /Google Maps Location!

Signature Dishes: I liked the Panna Cotta, Pizzas, Tiramisu, Foccaccia Bread

Open for: Lunch and Dinner on all days 

Will I go there again: Probably 

Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 preview

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 was easily the Windows Mobile Phone of 2008. It had a lot of wow factors including the unique Panel Interface and above all it was one of the most stable Windows Mobile devices ever. The Web has been abuzz with sightings of the Xperia X2, the successor to the formidable X1. By all accounts this phone should debut worldwide within the next one month and hit the Indian shelves before the year end. So what can we expect: 

 

• 3.2 inch screen with 480 x 800 WVGA Resolution; More Screen Real Estate than the X1 (3 inches)
• 8.1 Megapixel Camera. (Probably the most significant improvement over the X1 which comes equipped with a 3.2 MP shooter)
• 528 MHz processor (No improvement here)
• 512 MB ROM, 256 MB RAM
• Touchscreen and an improved Control Panel minus the soft keys that cluttered the X1's Control Panel.
• Dimensions: 54 mm (Height) x 110 mm(width) x 16 mm (depth). A touch wider and slightly slimmer than the X1
  
• TV out: This is one feature that will give this phone an edge over the X1. 
• The X2 has an improved keyboard design and a much wider range of panels to choose from including the SlideView which looks like an exciting new interface. The X2 will also come with the new Windows Mobile 6.5. 
  

The big question is whether the Xperia X2 will live up to the credentials of its worthy predecessor. The phone has already started showing up at some Mobile retailer sites like UniverCell under the Coming Soon list. Expected launch price? - Rs 40,000 or thereabouts! Objects of Desire don't come cheap! New Year Gifts anybody? 

Spiga - Review

Cuisine: Italian and World

Background: Spiga has easily been one of Bangalore's finest World Cuisine restaurants since its debut about 10 years back. The restaurant has recently moved from its warm and intimate location on Vittal Mallya road to a larger space on St Marks Road.

My Quicktake: Spiga might have moved to a larger location on St Marks Road but that has not eased the waiting time for a table on Friday and Saturday nights! A clear sign that the restaurant is still one of Bangalore's preferred restaurants. The ambience might lack the intimacy and warmth of its earlier location but the new setting with floating candles on all tables works well for dinner. With the perfect companion Spiga is easily one of the city's perfect dinner options. The seating may have let design win over comfort but once you sink your teeth into the yummy food on offer you forget everything else! The menu is extensive - a terrific range of soups, salads, pastas and mains which cut across Italian, Tex Mex and a sprinkling of Oriental and Thai. But when you are in Spiga make sure you keep room for dessert. Spiga has some of the finest options to end a meal in Bangalore. Ask for the Tiramisu or the Oreo Cheese Cake for guaranteed oohs and ahs!

Meal for two: Rs 900-1000 (Without liquor) .


Coordinates: No 9 St Marks Road, 'Halycon Complex, 4th Floor, Bangalore 1 / Ph: 4211-0469-70 / (Reservations recommended)

Signature Dishes: Oreo Cheese Cake, Tiramisu, Pastas

Will I go there again: Surely

Unnaipol Oruvan - Review

Why you probably want to watch it:

• Kamal and Mohanlal come together for the first time


• Kamal's bold new move close on the heels of two big blockbusters (Vettiayadu Vilaiyadu and Dashavatharam)


• A remake of 'A Wednesday' one of 2008's most outstanding films

The good: Terrific performances by the entire cast (Especially Kamal and Mohanlal), Gripping, Linear script and tight editing (Running time of just 110 minutes), mood setting background music by Shruthi Hassan

The bad: No major cribs

Look out for: Kamal's emotional outburst towards the end of the film; one of his best scenes in a long time

Bottomline: Does Unnaipol Oruvan mark a new boldness in Kamal's long and illustrious career. A boldness that saw him experiment with roles and themes other actors would not touch way back in the 70s and the 80s? His last two films set the B.ox O.ffice on fire (VV in 2006 and Dash in 2008) and now he is back with a remake of what was essentially a multiplex film. UPO works because it is a faithful remake of a good film with minor modifications to capture local sensibilities. Kamal is outstanding as the 'Common Man' who holds Chennai to ransom with a set of bombs planted across the city. He is pitted against the cool, shrewd Police Commissioner Marar, essayed brilliantly by Mohanlal. For all those who keep arguing about who (Between Kamal and Mohanlal) is the better actor, I was reminded about the old Parrys Coffee Bite Ad after watching UPO - "The Arguement Continues'. These two guys elevate the film with their powerhouse performances and are backed by a super script & dialogues, great editing & visuals and mood-setting background music by Shruthi Hassan. UPO is a gripping, tense film and more than worth a watch; it takes Tamil Commercial Cinema into new territory. I only hope the BO vindicates Kamal's bold move.

Running Time: 110 minutes