Saturday, February 23, 2008

Chennai News 86

CHENNAI NEWS

(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)

Volume 86 (February 2008)

Enver’s Rambling.

One of the biggest bashes that I missed was the celebration of 80 years of Mr MV Rajah. I am not saying his birthday as it happened a few weeks later. For those of you who don’t know MV as he is affectionately called he is one of the most interesting persons that I have ever known.

An athlete, an academic, a teacher and administrator for sports, education and culture are just some of the areas that he excelled in. This man straddled these varying fields with ease.

My association with him is primarily because he was married to my late aunt Dhaya (my late father’s sister). However this was just the beginning of our association.

My first recollection of him is when he used to visit my grandfather at Villa Road. Both our families used to go together to most functions. I remember him and my father playing a kind of game of cricket. However for the want of a ball they used to use green lemons much to the annoyance of Mr MM John who owned the lemon tree.

A story teller and raconteur par excellence he will have you in stitches with his many amusing anecdotes.

He has been a long serving member of the Eisteddfod movement and served in both admin and as a head of the adjudication panel for many years. He is now the chairman of the NTVS trust.

In 1982 Uncle Marie (as I like to call him) asked me to join the Natal Tamil Vedic Society Provincial Body as the assistant secretary. An equally young Rama Pillay was the secretary. Except for my stint as a Chairman of a football club I had no experience in Admin work. This started my interest with the Tamil culture and which later developed into a great passion.

Another birthday that I am going to miss is my mum’s 76th on March 2. I have no problem in disclosing her age as she is quite proud of it. Those of you who know her can phone her on 031-2086929 and wish her for her birthday. She will like that.

I will be bringing my younger son Mahesh with me this time to SA. We will be arriving in Johannesburg on April 8th where we will spend 4 days. On April 12 we will be making our way to Durban. I want to attend the Tamil New Year celebrations on that evening which is being hosted by the Tamil Federation of Kwazulu Natal. I believe that there will a Tamil Koothu (dance) which will go on till after midnight. They have also arranged stalls and I plan to take one. So you can meet me at the stall to say hello. Those of you from Gauteng who want to meet me please mail me and we will set up an appointment. I will be in Beverly Gardens which is close to Randburg.

The Tamilnadu government has declared that from next year Tamil New Year should be celebrated on Jan 15 which is Thiruvallular’s birthday. So be prepared for some confusion next year. They also want the New Year to be celebrated with pomp and gaiety which they say is more appropriate during the harvest time of January rather than April.

Anyway watch this space as I will keep you updated.


Internet

I have also started a blog site called www.envernathan.blogspot.com

I intend putting all my old volumes of Chennai news in this site and also news that cannot wait a whole month. Please visit it at least once. This will also give me some idea of the readership of Chennai News. Unfortunately I lost all the very early copies of Chennai News when my system crashed. Hopefully one of you may have it.

My son Kamesh has his own blog site which can be accessed at http://kameshgovender.blogspot.com/ . It is quite interesting and he loves putting pictures etc in it.

I have finally registered my website www.envernathan.com I have to now build up the website as soon as I can get some time.

One of our groups in Facebook is called Learn and Teach Tamil. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6084403897) This was started on 1 December. This is an interactive site for people who want to learn Tamil and also for people who want to teach. As it is aimed at adults we are using the English font. Please join in to get involved. Kamesh has prepared some lessons which I will share with you. However to get really involved on a daily basis it will be better to join the group.

This site is becoming very popular and is increasing daily.

For those of you who are interested in Tamil movies you can join the group Tamil Movie Club. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6526801521) Not to be confused with the Movie club which you pay R100 as an investment. The one in Facebook is of course free. You can join in some lively discussions on all aspects of Tamil cinema.

The latest addition is the Tamil Eisteddfod group. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7818284447) This is a place for all of you who ever took part in an eisteddfod whether as a participant, administrator, Adjudicator or the audience. The rule of the group is that you must introduce yourself. Hopefully we will have a collection of experiences that will inspire others to take part.


For those of you who are looking for a Tamil word procssor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc. I went along with Mr Moon Moodly to meet with Visvanathan who is the creator of the Azhagi software. While the fomer has come out with a manual transliterating system the latter has a computerised sysem. It was really a pleasure listening to two great minds sharing ideas. What amazed me was that two people who did not know each other and living in two different countries could come up with the same idea and system that was almost 95% compatable. The best part is that both are not Tamil scholars. Moon Moodley is a mathematician and Visvanathan is an engineer. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can the opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know tamil to use it.


Tourism Scene

Well the Group tour is almost over. The next group tour will be in September. I already have people enquiring about it. If you want to come along on this tour or send your parents then please contact me.

Movie scene

Saadhu Miranda (Literally what happens when a meek man becomes full of rage) starring Prasanna and Kavya Madhavan is a delightful mix of comedy and action. The story is one of revenge but why we are kept guessing till the end. In between is a heady blend of comedy. Siddique who also directed the Surya and Vijay movie Friends has once again succeeded in keeping the audience laughing long after the movie is over. Prasanna has done an excellent job and is making his presence as an actor. Kavya is given a meaningful role and she makes the best of it. The combination of Karunas, Bhaskar, Charlie, Vyapuri etc makes it a laugh riot. Watch out for Abbas as the villain. He has done a splendid job. The songs are excellent even if sometimes misplaced.

Anjaathe is the second movie by director Mysshkin after Chithiram Pesuthadi and once again stars Narain. Prasanna is the villain and Vijayalakshmi plays Narain’s admirer. Although the movie is long (3 h 10 mins) it is fast paced and does not slacken for even a minute. It is a very realistic look at the underworld of Chennai. Sathya who reluctantly joins the police force is soon drawn into a case where a gang led by Pandiarajan and Prasanna kidnap young girls for ransom. In between is the story of his best friend Kripa (Ajmal) who becomes an antisocial when he is rejected from the police force recruitment. The fact that Satya is selected by fraudulent means turns his ire against his friend. Unwittingly he joins the gang of kidnappers. His sister Uttara (Vijayalakshmi of Chennai 28 fame) begins to admire Sathya which further adds to his anger. Sathya is asked to join the special task team as he can recognize the voices of some of the gang. Prasannna shows his versatility as the sexual deviant villain. The fact that he is also playing the hero in other movies did not deter him from doing this role. The climax is one of the most riveting you will come across in Tamil cinema. The songs are excellent and few in number and does not in any way hinder the storytelling.

Pirivom Sandhipom stars Sneha, Cheran and Jairam. Sneha marries Cheran and just loves the fact that he belongs to a big joint family and fits in very easily in this life. However Cheran wants to live alone with his wife and gets a transfer to an isolated area. The place where they live is one of the most beautiful locations with a waterfall as a backdrop. Sneha who has very little to do in her new home is soon engulfed in boredom. She starts recording all the sounds around her and listens to it when she is alone. Jairam is the local doctor and soon realizes that she is suffering from loneliness. Sneha takes any opportunity to get people to her house so that she can have someone to talk to. The by play between Jairam and Ganja Karupasami is quite funny. Sneha gives a brilliant role and is ably supported by Cheran. I really enjoyed this movie.


Vazhthukal stars Madhavan and Bhavana. One of the main claims of the film was that the entire dialogue was in pure Tamil without any English words. However the movie has much more going for it. Madhavan sees a TV interview of Bhavana where she talks about her large extended family and how she likes being with all her relatives. He compares this to his sister who cannot stand living with her in-laws. He makes up his mind that he will marry her. He and his friend go to Coimbature and with the help of an interior designer get the commission of decorating Bhavana’s family home. While working on this project he endears himself to the family and wins Bhavana’s love. However a problem arises because her grandfather does not approve of love marriages. This causes a rift in the family and Madhavan realizes that the only way for him to marry her is to get them all back together. This is a really charming movie for all members of the family.

Polladhavan is directed by Vetrimaaran and stars Dhanush and Divya. The film was released with very little hype but has had a very successful run. Dhanush is a happy go lucky if somewhat irresponsible youth. However, all this changes when his father gives him Rs 40,000 and he buys a motorbike which becomes his life. He gets a job as a sales representative and becomes a responsible son. On the way he wins the love of a lovely girl played by Divya. A parallel story is the gangs of Chennai and their infighting. When one of the gang members steals his bike it begins his search and in the process getting in the way of the gang. An instant mutual dislike is established between Dhanush and the younger brother of the gang leaders. This culminates into a very good ‘one to one’ fight at the end. The music by GV Prakash (nephew of AR Rahman) is excellent especially the remix Engaiyum Eppothum with rap.

After quite a delay Bheema finally made the screens. The story is excellent and about a young boy who hero worships the local gang leader and grows up emulating him and the joins his gang. Vickram is excellent in this role. Prakash Raj as his mentor is also excellent as can be expected. Trisha is as pretty as ever and has a new look in this movie. However the movie is somewhat marred by the killings which become mechanical at times. Vickram is a one man killing machine and it becomes a bit too much. The songs and music are excellent.

Kaalai is Simbu’s latest movie directed by Tharun Gopie and also stars Vedhika. It is a movie of revenge. Jeeva (Simbu) comes to the city to avenge the death of his grandmother. However we are kept guessing as we are only told that later. The fact that he shares his name with a local thug adds to the confusion. I found the violence a bit too much and felt that a story that really had potential was wasted.

Palani is the latest movie of Bharat. After 3 hit movies Bharat has certainly taken a step backwards. He tries his hand at comedy and it just does not work. For a guy who has created a niche market for himself I don’t know why he decided to imitate all the other stars like Rajni, Vijay etc. It just did not work. Hopefully he will get back to being himself. However the heroine Kajal has done an excellent job.


Swaamiyeh Saranam Ayyappaa

The members and officials of Pretoria Bhajanai Mandram have great pleasure in announcing to all devotees that the Mahaa Kumbhaabhishegam at Shree Ayyappaa Kshetram will be celebrated from Tuesday 15th April to Saturday 19th April 2008

For further information please contact:

Dr. Raj Kolapan – 012 374 0491 Mr A Pillay(Ben) – 083 6569390

Mr. Devi Dherman – 082 552 5531 Mr. Sudesh Pillay – 076 2400307

Mr. Kassen Pillay - 079 302 7292 Mrs. Tilly Pillay – 082 463 2244

Western Cape Tamil Federation

FAMILY PICNIC / SPORTS DAY

SUNDAY, 09th March 2008

at

Glencairn Sports Complex

(on beach road towards Simonstown, turn right after Ou Kaapse Weg sign at Hotel [Glen Rd]Drive towards mountain, field on right, after 2nd stop)

Prayer Service / Bhajans from 9:30 to 10:30

followed by

Sports events, Fun and Games

ALL AGES – Lots of prizes

Braai stands provided, bring own wood, coal, ice, umbrellas, etc

FREE ENTRY

Curly Valoo 021 638 2820 Sassy Dass 073 856 3876 Salvan Moodley 082 456 8942


Classified Section.

As I will leave for South Africa on April 8th I want to make sure that my shipment leaves here in the first week of March. So if you need anything please let me know early.

The Sydenham Tamil Society has re-started the Veena and harmonium classes after the eisteddfod. The teacher is Dr Deena Pillay a student of the late Mr GN Moodley. For more details contact my sister Jayambal Govender at 031-2086929 (h) or 031-2603106 (o).

Sri Saradha Institute of Arts and Culture (Free Tuition in Tamil, Music & Dance)

Saturday 9.00 - 11.00 at 39 Munn Road - Ottawa

Contact Suja or Kovilan Muthumanikam on 083 742 8508 for more details

Manormani Dance Academy. A school of Bharatha Natyam and Folk Dance.

Saturday 9.00 – 12.00 at Umgeni Road Temple. 13.30 – 16.30 ABH – Chathsworth.

Monday 18.00 – 20.00 at Woodview Primary.

Tuesday 15-30 – 17.00 Stanmore Regional Hall.

Wednesday 17.30 – 19.00 Mount View Civic Hall.

For further details contact Mrs Govender on 031-5053379

HINDU CULTURAL LEAGUE - MUSIC AND DANCE ACADEMY


Offers the following classes on Saturdays in the disciplines of
Music, Dance and Language: Bharata Natyam, Tabla, Harmonium, Tamil, Karnatic Vocal Classes & Folk & Contemporary Dance

Children and adults, from beginners to advanced are welcome.

Classes are held at the H. A. Jack Primary School, Cnr Jauncey & Preston Roads, Abbottsford (close to Melrose Temple).

For more information in respect of times, cost and other information, contact

Rueben 072 709 5991, Thirumala 082 563 4439, Don 082 787 2056 or Inbam 083 262 6511 or email info@hcl.co.za Visit our website www.hcl.co.za

Chennai: Contact Envernathan Govender, 21 South Street, Radhanagar, Chromepet, Chennai 600044, India. Tel. 0091-44-22654243/22654396. Cell 0091-9841248652.

South Africa: Contact Mrs. K. Govender, 30 Eskdale Road, Sydenham, Durban, 4091. Tel. 031-2086929.

Mauritius: Contact Mr. Balakrishna Tandrayan, 8 Sun Yat Sen Street, Port Louis, Tel. 2423404. Fax. 2413299. (Sorry this is for people from Mauritius who want to travel to India)

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