CHENNAI NEWS
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 93 (September 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
My heart goes out to the Tamils in South Africa. A few years ago they were so excited about the East-West Channel which unfortunately failed to take off. Now they have been short changed by Multichoice when the KTV channel was taken out of the South Indian bouquet. Just for the record KTV is still part of the Sun Network in India and the rest of the world. It was not taken over by Dr Karunanidhi (who has his own channel called Kalainger TV) or any other company. In fact Sun Network has 20 channels in the 4 South Indian languages. The latest addition is a 24 hour Tamil comedy channel. Besides the 5 Tamil channels that are part of the Sun network there are another 11 Tamil channels making a total of 16 Tamil channels. I still believe that the 24 hour Sun Music channel with its young vibrant VJs will do well in SA as will the new comedy channel.
One wonders why Multichoice decided to drop KTV. Is it because of the number of complaints some subscribers made to them complaining about the programs on KTV. Some of these people did cc their complaints to me thus I know about it. I did tell them at that time that for every one complaint there would be hundreds of satisfied viewers. Some of these people have now told me that they complained so that the service could be bettered and not to have it stopped.
I find it strange that multichoice who are so secretive of their numbers have suddenly declared that the South Indian bouquet (SIB) has 4000 subscribers. They say that the North Indian bouquet has 44,000 subscribers. I am not sure if this is for South Africa or for the whole of Africa. Maybe if the South Indians can also increase their number of subscribers then they could also get a better deal. I also wonder what efforts are being made by Multichoice to increase the number of subscribers to this bouquet.
However I believe that it is really unethical for Multichoice to cut KTV and still charge the same price. It seems to go against all the laws of consumerism. People in India will not be able to understand how one company can hold the monopoly for Satellite TV. Here we have a choice of 3 cable operators and at least 5 different satellite companies. In fact companies are offering free subscriptions for 1 whole year to new subscribers.
I did advocate this last year and maybe it is time that the 4000 subscribers and the estimated 20,000 + viewers formed a SIB forum to tackle this problem. As subscribers you have this right. Engaging Multichoice head-on will be a much better strategy that cancellation. I don’t think you want to go back to only hiring DVDs.
I thought I knew all the big players in our Tamil cultural world but I have been proven wrong because I have no idea about Mr Narain Naidoo and the Ethekweni Tamil Sangam who were consulted by Multichoice.
How is it that organisations like the SATF, NTF, NTVS, MTSS, the Eisteddfod movement and TAG was not consulted instead? These organisations (sorry if I missed out any) have been in the forefront of promoting our Tamil culture in SA for many years.
Congratulation to Dr Deena Padayachee and Mr Danny Naicker who have been chosen from the Live Poets' Society for the Poetry Africa Festival. Also further congratulations to Deena for his literary success in the US.
The Pravasi Bharathi Divas is a meeting held every year by the Indian government for Indians living out side India. Although held mostly in Delhi this year it is Chennai that will be hosting this colourful and interesting event for the very first time. It will be held from January 7th to 9th at the Chennai Trade Centre. For more information you can log onto www.pbdindia.org and can register for the event. However check with me for accommodation as I am sure I can get it at a better rate or advise you to book with them if I can’t. However some of the hotels on the list are not worth the price so I will tell you which to avoid.
As a prelude to this meeting you can attend the first World Tamil Economic Conference and Tamil Diaspora Meet also in Chennai from 5th to 7th January at the Taj Coromandal Hotel. For more information you can log onto www.economic-conference.com and register here. I will give you more news of tours that I have planned before and after these two meetings. Don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.
Some good news was hearing that Magan Balakisten and Mahendri Pillay (another from the Tamil Eisteddfods) have made it to the Finals of the SATMA awards. Congratulations from me and Chennai News.
The Sydenham Tamil Society will be starting Yoga classes from next month. They will be conducting a free introductory class at the end of this month. For more information contact their PRO Miss Sivani Naidoo sivaninaidoo@gmail.com
The Saiva Sithantha Sungam Asherville branch is having a grand Dinner and dance on Saturday 20 Sept at Kenda hall at 5.00pm. Tickets are R100.00 per person. Contact Juggie: 0837760776
Internet
I have finally registered my website www.envernathan.com I am now in the process of developing this site. If you can help me please do so.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me. Thanks to those of you who have visited the website and have given me suggestions. I really value it.
One of our groups in Facebook is called Learn and Teach Tamil. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6084403897) This was started on 1st 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. An article on this site appeared in the July 13 edition of the Sunday Times extra. You can read this article by clicking on the following. http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=800351
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 that 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.
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.
The latest addition is the Chennai Super Kings (IPL). This is off course for all supporters of the Chennai Super Kings 20/20 cricket team. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18926205926
For those of you who are looking for a Tamil word processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use 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.
Film scene
After his success of Prabhu Venkat’s (Gangai Amaram’s son) first movie Chennai 28 people here were eagerly awaiting his second movie Saroja. Well he certainly did not disappoint us and this movie is fast becoming a super hit. It is a light hearted thriller which at times brings you to the edge of your seat. The suspense is kept right till the last scene. The story is about four ordinary men who find themselves in an extraordinary situation and how they react to it. Four friends go on a road trip to Hyderabad to attend an India Pakistan cricket match. However on the way they find the road blocked when a tanker overturns. They decide to take a short cut and end up in a deserted area where they witness a killing. While fleeing they find a girl Saroja who has been kidnapped. The kidnapping story is told in a parallel track. Now they have to not only save themselves but also Saroja. The first part is very light-hearted and the second part tense with however some light hearted moments included. However every thing about the movie is so natural. The cast includes the four friends Jagapathi Babu (SP Charan – SPB’s son), his brother Raj Babu (Vaibhav), Ganesan (Premji – Venkat’s brother), Ajay (Shiva), Prakash Raj as the father of Saroja and Jayaram as his cop friend. As Ajay is a TV artiste there is an array of small screen artistes who will be familiar to Sun TV viewers. The music is by Yuvan Shankar Raja and is out of this world. The role of Saroja is played by singer Vega formerly of the all girl band Viba girls. She does a good number as a DJ in a club. Premji’s comic intrusions are a real joy to watch.
One of the highlights was that all the artistes from Chennai 28 including Jai do a small cameo in this movie much to the delight of the audience.
I recently saw the movie Jayam Kondaan starring Vinay (Unnale Unnale) Bhavana and Lekha Washington. You may remember me writing about the English movie Framed where Lekha acted with my niece Malavika.
The movie is about a young man Arjun (Vinay) who comes back from the UK when his father dies. He looks for the money that he has been sending monthly to his father. In the quest he finds out that his father has a second wife and he has a younger half sister Brinda (Lekha). He finds out that his father has invested in a house near Madurai. He goes there and meets the tenants and is enamoured by the daughter Poorni (Bhavana). Bhavana is quite gorgeous here with beautiful costumes.
Lekha as the sister who tries to corner the wealth has made an excellent debut in Tamil cinema. She really looks the part of a young Indian girl of today.
The rest of the movie is how Vinay wins over his sister and also how he wards of the interference of the local goon who gets involved against his wishes. Director Kannan an assistant of Mani Rathnam has really done himself proud in his debut movie. His handling of the story in general and the brother sister situation is beautifully done. He has also handled Vivek very well and this is really one of Vivek’s better roles. The music which is very good is by Vidhya Sagar.
Many people think that Jai made his debut in Subramaniapuram. Actually it was his third movie. Jai made his debut as Vijay’s younger brother in Bhagavathy. His second role was in the hugely successful Chennai 600028 which highlighted Gulley cricket in Chennai. Incidentally Jai is the nephew of music director Deva. His next movie is Vamanam with model turned actress Priya Anand and the hugely talented Lakshmi Rai. Other movies that he is supposed to have signed for are Aval Per Tamilarasi and Rakkozhi.
Dham Dhoom is the last movie of director Jeeva who died in Moscow just as he finished the shooting of the Russian part of the movie. The movie was completed by his assistant. As in all Jeeva films the story line is divided into two parallel tracks. One is of Dr Gautham Subramaniam (Ravi) who is about to get married but has to go to Russia for a medical convention. There he is accused of a murder of a Russian girl as all the circumstantial evidence points to him. The parallel track is of how he meets and wins the love of his bride to be played by Kanaga Renault. Although playing a village belle her two dream numbers are really scorching.
Gautham is helpless in Russia because of the language barrier and is helped by Raghavan Nambiar (Jayaram) from the Indian Embassy Aarti Chinappa (Lakshmi Rai), an advocate who lives in Russia. Lakshmi Rai gives a brilliant role of a girl who slowly falls in love with her client but has to subdue her feeling when she learns that he is about to get married. However the Russian police are made to look like bungling fools. Gautham and Aarti are on the run most of the time until he decides to fight back. Ravi is maturing much as an actor but please don’t expect the Ravi of Something Something and Santosh Subramaniam. Although the movie is quite good one keeps on wondering what the final product would have been if Jeeva was still alive.
The Rajnikanth movie Robot has been renamed Endhiran in Tamil. The movie to be directed by Shankar also stars Aishwaria Rai (finally) who returns to Tamil after many years. She has reported to be getting one of the biggest pay checks for an actress in Tamil.
Actress Genellia says that she loves South Indian food and that the South Indian movie industry is the most disciplined in India. She says that she owes every thing to the Tamil and Telugu film industry which discovered her and nurtured her career. Even though she has become a hit in Hindi movies she will not stop acting in movies of the south.
Trisha who is the undisputed number one in both Tamil and Telugu movies is taking quite a chance by turning down two Telugu movies for Kamal’s Marmayogi. She has to give the movie a block of 200 days in which she can not act in any other movie.
The biggest news making waves in the Tamil film industry is the entry of Sun Pictures (a sister company of Sun TV) as a production house. They are already involved in six movies. With the reach of Sun TV thorough out the world these movies are guaranteed instant success.
I delayed sending Chennai News because I wanted to attend the marriage of Sibiraj the actor son of Satyraj. Sibi will always be Student Number 1 for my mother-in-law and my wife. The reception was in the plush Mayor Ramanathan hall. I had gone armed with my camera and had told my sons to put in new batteries which I had bought in Macro. I was really disappointed when the new batteries were dead. Anyway Sibi promised me some photos. The Chief Minister was attending the weddings so there was a battalion of cops and security personnel around. Sibi and his charming wife made a lovely couple. I spoke to actor Manivanan’s son Raghu who has a few movies to be released soon. However as I had to make an early start the next day (and my camera was not working) we decided to come back early. It was fun however to identify all the actors and actresses present.
Music Scene
The music world deeply mourns the death of the violin maestro Kunnakuddi Vadyanathan who passed away on Monday September 8. His music was appreciated not only by the conneseurs but also by the ordinary man in the street. He used to divide his concert into three parts viz classical, devotional and film tunes thus catering to everyone.
In fact he is credited in de-mystifying carnatic music for the layman. I remember some years ago a Mr Murugan who was my nephew Jayson’s teacher in Sydenham primary asked me to record some violin solos for him. I then recorded all the violin masters. However he returned all the tapes asking if I could only record all Kunnakuddi’s music.
Kunnakuddi showed no interest in music as a young boy even though his father and mother and sisters were musicians. When he was ten his father was so annoyed when the violinist who was to accompany his daughters did not turn up that he asked Kunnakudi to learn the instrument. Within a year he was able to accompany any singer. He was one of the few Carnatic musicians who revelled in playing Tamil music especially film music. His favourite ragas without doubt were Shunmugapriya and Hindolam.
Besides being a musician he was a very successful Music director composing music for movies like his debut Vaa Raja Vaa to Deivam, Agathiyar and Raja Raja Chozhan. Who will forget his immortal song Marudamalai Mamaniyae Murugaiyya brought alive by Madurai Somu. This song is still very popular in South Africa.
From 1976 he stopped accompanying musicians and concentrated in solo performances. He then concentrated in his own unique fingering technique which stands apart from other violinists. It is during this time that he formed an association with thavil vidvan Vallayapatti Subramaniam with whom he gave over 3000 concerts.
He was also an able administrator and served as secretary of the Tamilnadu Iyal, Isai Nadaga Mandram. He was also an organiser of the Thiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Utsavam for many years. He was also the president of the Raga foundation. I will now cherish all my Kunnakudi Cds. Depending on the source he was between 73 and 76 years old.
One of the things that I am always talking to temple organisations about is having a shop in their premises. I find that many people will buy Cds etc when they go to a concert, temple and wedding but will not necessary go to a shop that is out of their way. I am happy to announce that the Saiva Sithanda Sungam in Asherville has opened such a shop. Besides having a lot of their own goods they also have a number of my Cds on sale. Thus they are not only providing a much needed service for their members and general public but are also adding to their kitty.
People in Gauteng can buy original Tamil Cds and other related goods at Kryan’s Spice Shop run by the affable Vis Govender. The shop number 5 is situated in the Sunninghill Village, Maxwell Drive in Sunninghill. You can phone Vis for more information on 0825506631. I heard that they have something exciting lined up for this years Deepavali.
If other religious and cultural organisations also want to open these cultural shops please contact me and I will give you all the help that I can render.
Best wishes to all of you who will be starting your Puratassi fast. This is also the best time for regular vegetarians as they have a month of a variety of vegetarian dishes wherever they go.
Tourism Scene
I will be on my annual fact finding mission from Tuesday September 16. My journey will take me to Kanyakumari, Trivandrum, Kovelam beach, Kollam, Allepey, Cochin, Kottiyam, Kumaragum, Munnar and Palaghad. I will also be attending the three day Kerala tourism Mart in Cochin. The main reason from my trip is to look at all the hotels that I use or will use for the coming season and also to check out the new tourists spots that my tourists can go to. This is so that I can always give you the best possible service and also the latest products. I will try and get onto the internet every day but cannot promise you the instant replies that you are used to. I will be back in Chennai on 24th September.
A few days ago I went to Pondicherry to see some of the new Hotels that have come up. I am please with the standard of the Hotel that I use there and some new ones that I found there. However I am still looking for a really good beach Hotel there and was pleased to hear that few are coming up and will be ready soon. Looks like I will have to make another trip there soon.
Notice Board – Please mail me if you want to put your organisation on this notice board. However I need a mail from the principal organiser so that information is accurate.
The Sydenham Tamil Society has started singing and harmonium classes under the tutorage of Mr Kumaresan Chetty every Wednesday at 6 pm. For more details contact Mr Rudy Pillay at 031-2086929.
Sri Saradha Institute of Arts and Culture (Free Tuition in Tamil, Music
& Dance)
Saturday 9.00 - 11.00 at Ganesha Temple - Cnr of Palmview Dr &
CrestBrook - Phoenix
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.
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, and 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). Johannesburg. 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
Sahaja Yoga, the following numbers could be used: Durban - 031-400 4703, PMburg - 033-391 3557, Johannesburg - 011-864 3410, Cape Town 021-713 2463alternatively, you could visit www.sahajayoga.org for more info or e-mail lincoln.pillay@bcx.co.za.
Classified Section.
I have 4 mrithangams ranging from R1200 (18”) and a naal also R1200 to 2 mrithangams at R1900 (22”) and a kuchi mrithangam for R2100 (24”). Two double reed harmoniums at R1800 each. A scale change at R5000 and a Paul and Co at R7000. Electronic srudi box at R650. Please contact me if you need any. Dance bells – 6 lines at R160. Mallipoo - Double R15 a metre. Dance sets from R400 (stones) to R1200 (temple set). I also have a Sachin Tendulkar’s MRF cricket bat for R600. I just remembered that I have a beautiful coat style leather jacket for sale at just R650. however this for a really big size guy and is a XXL.
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)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Chennai News 92
CHENNAI NEWS
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 92 (August 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
For a few months now I have been toying with the idea of taking up yoga. I don’t really know why but I guess when you reach a certain age you just become more health conscious. Almost on cue I received a mail from my friend Lincoln Pillay which contained the following. I must add however that Lincoln has been trying to get me involved in this, from the first time he came to India in 2003. I thought I will share this with you.
“Understand the reason for our existence, by getting connected to the power that created us. Sahaja Yoga will teach you how to combat stress, addictions, and live a natural healthy lifestyle. In this age of darkness, a means to embrace divinity has been established, through self-realisation. Practised in 108 countries, Sahaja Yoga is always free of charge”.For more info, the following numbers could be used: Durban - 031-400 4703, PMburg - 033-391 3557, Johannesburg - 011-864 3410, Cape Town 021-713 2463alternatively, you could visit www.sahajayoga.org for more info or e-mail lincoln.pillay@bcx.co.za. After checking out the website I realised that there is a centre a few streets from my home. Gosh! No more excuses.
It seems that one of the problems that people are facing especially in the smaller far out towns is the lack of suitable music and language teachers. Although it is always advisable to have a ‘live’ teacher it is now time to look at alternatives. With the advances in internet telephones maybe this is the way to go. With internet cameras both the student and teacher can interact. This can also be done with cell phones. Thus a teacher can be based in Durban and have a class in say Newcastle. As a follow up the guru can maybe visit the class once a month or as time permits. This will mean computer professionals (we have a lot of them in our community) getting together with music teachers. Off course there are lots of young musicians who are also very computer literate and can start this process. If you have started this process or want to start please mail me. Also if you are a music teacher or know one then please mail me and I will pass on this information to people wanting to learn. I have lots of people writing to me asking for music teachers. I remember some years ago the NTVS Eisteddfod Movement with the Sterling group sent a number of students to learn music and language in Tamilnadu. I wonder how many of them are teaching. Mail me if you are and I will pass on the information.
Magan Balakisten official album, titled "THEVARAM- a Selection of Sacred Saivite Hymns" was nominated last week for the "South African Traditional Music Award (SATMA) 2007/2008".
I know Magan from a little boy taking part in the eisteddfods. I still remember him in his blazer and tie and big smile. He has really come a long way.Should you wish to support this album, there is currently an SMS voting process that is open to all South Africans. Kindly SMS: SATMA, Best Indian Album, THEVARAM by Magantharen Balakisten to 34066
Don’t forget this weekend Tamil Adult Eisteddfod of Durban South - 30 Aug. However this year it is being held at the ABH hall in Chatsworth starting at 2 pm. This is a great opportunity for people in Chatsworth to attend a really vibrant Eisteddfod.
Internet
I have finally registered my website www.envernathan.com I am now in the process of developing this site. If you can help me please do so.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me. Thanks to those of you who have visited the website and have given me suggestions. I really value it.
One of our groups in Facebook is called Learn and Teach Tamil. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6084403897) This was started on 1st 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. An article on this site appeared in the July 13 edition of the Sunday Times extra. You can read this article by clicking on the following. http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=800351
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 that 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.
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.
The latest addition is the Chennai Super Kings (IPL). This is off course for all supporters of the Chennai Super Kings 20/20 cricket team. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18926205926
For those of you who are looking for a Tamil word processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use 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.
Film scene
Went and saw Vishal’s Satyam a few days ago. The movie also stars Nayanthara. The story is about a young cop Satya played by Vishal who is an honest straight forward cop. When the Chief Minister goes to hospital four people in the party eyes the position. The Police Minister decides to shorten the odds by eliminating the other three and asks his thug friend Adhi to arrange a killer get rid of the three. He rejoices when he hears of the first two deaths. However Adhi tells him that he did not plan the killings and he does not know who did it. His other friend Achari (Prabhu Nepaul) who is his benami (a trusted person in whose name all the ill gotten wealth is invested) tells him that maybe he is on the killers list.
Nayanthara plays a TV journalist who gets involved with him and has little to do except wear sexy outfits in the duets.
The use of the police force and the investigation of the murders are done very well. However why Vishal with the whole police force at his disposal has to tackle the gang alone and have to fight them all bear handed defies logic. When the Indian Olympic contingent had won just a gold medal in shooting and a bronze each in wrestling and boxing surely the Indian public cannot be made to believe that one man can bash about 20 guys who really look like fighters. I just switch off during these scenes.
Anyhow after some slick investigation Satya finds the room where the killer lives and realises that he is on his way to kill the third person at the airport. So he dashes off to the airport and although too late to stop the murder he does manage to chase and apprehend the killer. He then realises that the killer is an ex cop who he had idolised as a youth. The killer is so disenchanted with the interference of the politicians in the duties of the police that he resigns and becomes a kind of vigilante. However not much explanations are given as to how he gets his information, weapons and backup.
Sathya soon finds the same sort of pressure is put on him and he resorts to kidnapping Archari and gets him to confess. The Police Minister then frames Sathya and how he proves his innocence makes up the climax. Vishal fans and those who like the macho violence will like this movie. Maybe I am in the minority but all this fighting gets me down.
I have just heard that KTV is going to be discontinued on the South Indian Bouquet. Older people will miss the Golden oldies movies. I hope they don’t interfere with Sun TV as this will make a lot of people including my mother very angry. These people are glued to Sun TV and its mega serials. Maybe Multi-choice should look at getting Sun Music which is a 24 hour music channel with young vibrant VJs who speak a mixture of Tamil and English. This is the number two Tamil channel after Sun TV.
I read an article in the Sunday Times about Shan Pillay a projectionist at the Shiraz cinema. I remember him as my friend’s (Ishrat) family used to own the cinema and we would frequent it quite often. Mention was made of the English and Hindi Movies that were shown in town. However no mention was made about the flourishing Tamil Cinema at that time. I lived in town and I know that Tamil cinema really rocked in the 50s, 60s and early 70’s. In fact if you walked in Victoria Street, Tamil cinema music would be blasting from the many music shops that sold them. The reason that I am highlighting this is that the young people of today should know the past as it really was.
Tourism Scene
Gowri and I spent the Independence Day long weekend on a trip to the hill station of Yercaud. We started our trip on the morning of 15 August by car up to Villipuram which is about half the distance. We took a ride with one of my clients Vis Govender who was on his way to Trichy on the start of his South tour. From Villipuram we went by bus (Rs 50) to the city of Salem. We had originally wanted to spend the night here but since we had arrived earlier that expected we took another bus to Yercaud. I had to smile when I bought the ticket as it cost just Rs 11 (R2.00) for this 22 km drive up the mountain. As we had come a day early we just settled on the first lodge that we came across which to our satisfaction was quite pleasant. Yercaud is the third highest hill station in Tamilnadu after Ooty and Kodaikanal. We had last come here over 10 years ago so it was quite pleasing to note that the place had not lost its charm.
We took this opportunity too check out come hotels and resorts as I am thinking of adding this to our circuit and had recently sent Dharma and Baby Naidoo there. I found the Grange a new resort in a coffee estate quite good. The cottages were quite charming and all the veggies are grown in the resort. They also have quad bikes that you can use to tour the plantation. The other hotel that I liked was the Shevroys Hotel which had a selection of rooms at affordable prices. There is also a time share place there that is affiliated to RCI. I know many you in SA have RCI points.
Like other hill stations Yercaud has a lake with boating and many scenic view points. Gowri likes to walk and in the pleasant climate we found that we did an 8 km walk with ease. I am not one for walking but quite enjoyed it.
After lunch we made our way to the bus stand to take a bus back and much to our dismay all were full. We found another couple (also from Chennai) going down to Salem so we shared a taxi with them. The taxi fare was Rs 450 for the down trip and we were quite happy to pay our share and have the luxury of the taxi ride down the mountain. In no time we were in Salem and we stayed in the same hotel as the young couple. Gowri decided to go to the bazaar area while I visited three hotels that I had on my list to visit. I would have liked to stay in one of them but the young couple had been so persuasive in asking us to stay in the same Hotel as them that I felt it would have been an insult to turn them down. Anyway I was quite happy with all three and will use them according to the budget of my tourists. Gowri had bought a basket and a pot. Salem is the centre for stainless steel products in Tamilnadu. Gowri is fascinated by bags and baskets and buys them from almost every place she visits.
We had train tickets for the Sunday night trip but cancelled it and took a bus at 11 am and reached Chennai at 6 pm. For those of you who are keeping an account the bus fare was Rs 95 each.
We attended a very interesting Tourist road show held by the Kerala Tourism Board at the Connemara Hotel. About 30 Hotels and resorts had sent their representatives to tell us about their establishments. The director of tourism also addressed us to tell us about the latest innovations in Kerala. I always attend these meeting so that I can have the latest information to hand over to you.
The Connemara Hotel is a beautiful 5 star heritage property opened for business in 1890 by the Moodliar Brothers. I was quite pleased when the manager gave me a copy of the recently published book on the history of the Hotel. I last visited this hotel when my cousin Maynard and his family stayed here on their Chennai visit.
Classified Section.
I have 4 mrithangams ranging from R1200 (18”) and a naal also R1200 to 2 mrithangams at R1900 (22”) and a kuchi mrithangam for R2100 (24”). Two double reed harmoniums at R1800 each. A scale change at R5000 and a Paul and Co at R7000. Electronic srudi box at R650. Please contact me if you need any. Dance bells – 6 lines at R160. Mallipoo - Double R15 a metre. Dance sets from R400 (stones) to R1200 (temple set). I also have a Sachin Tendulkar’s MRF cricket bat for R600. I just remembered that I have a beautiful coat style leather jacket for sale at just R650. however this for a really big size guy and is a XXL.
The Sydenham Tamil Society has started singing and harmonium classes under the tutorage of Mr Kumaresan Chetty every Wednesday at 6 pm. For more details contact Mr Rudy Pillay at 031-2086929.
Sri Saradha Institute of Arts and Culture (Free Tuition in Tamil, Music
& Dance)
Saturday 9.00 - 11.00 at Ganesha Temple - Cnr of Palmview Dr &
CrestBrook - Phoenix
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.
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). Johannesburg. 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
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)
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 92 (August 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
For a few months now I have been toying with the idea of taking up yoga. I don’t really know why but I guess when you reach a certain age you just become more health conscious. Almost on cue I received a mail from my friend Lincoln Pillay which contained the following. I must add however that Lincoln has been trying to get me involved in this, from the first time he came to India in 2003. I thought I will share this with you.
“Understand the reason for our existence, by getting connected to the power that created us. Sahaja Yoga will teach you how to combat stress, addictions, and live a natural healthy lifestyle. In this age of darkness, a means to embrace divinity has been established, through self-realisation. Practised in 108 countries, Sahaja Yoga is always free of charge”.For more info, the following numbers could be used: Durban - 031-400 4703, PMburg - 033-391 3557, Johannesburg - 011-864 3410, Cape Town 021-713 2463alternatively, you could visit www.sahajayoga.org for more info or e-mail lincoln.pillay@bcx.co.za. After checking out the website I realised that there is a centre a few streets from my home. Gosh! No more excuses.
It seems that one of the problems that people are facing especially in the smaller far out towns is the lack of suitable music and language teachers. Although it is always advisable to have a ‘live’ teacher it is now time to look at alternatives. With the advances in internet telephones maybe this is the way to go. With internet cameras both the student and teacher can interact. This can also be done with cell phones. Thus a teacher can be based in Durban and have a class in say Newcastle. As a follow up the guru can maybe visit the class once a month or as time permits. This will mean computer professionals (we have a lot of them in our community) getting together with music teachers. Off course there are lots of young musicians who are also very computer literate and can start this process. If you have started this process or want to start please mail me. Also if you are a music teacher or know one then please mail me and I will pass on this information to people wanting to learn. I have lots of people writing to me asking for music teachers. I remember some years ago the NTVS Eisteddfod Movement with the Sterling group sent a number of students to learn music and language in Tamilnadu. I wonder how many of them are teaching. Mail me if you are and I will pass on the information.
Magan Balakisten official album, titled "THEVARAM- a Selection of Sacred Saivite Hymns" was nominated last week for the "South African Traditional Music Award (SATMA) 2007/2008".
I know Magan from a little boy taking part in the eisteddfods. I still remember him in his blazer and tie and big smile. He has really come a long way.Should you wish to support this album, there is currently an SMS voting process that is open to all South Africans. Kindly SMS: SATMA, Best Indian Album, THEVARAM by Magantharen Balakisten to 34066
Don’t forget this weekend Tamil Adult Eisteddfod of Durban South - 30 Aug. However this year it is being held at the ABH hall in Chatsworth starting at 2 pm. This is a great opportunity for people in Chatsworth to attend a really vibrant Eisteddfod.
Internet
I have finally registered my website www.envernathan.com I am now in the process of developing this site. If you can help me please do so.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me. Thanks to those of you who have visited the website and have given me suggestions. I really value it.
One of our groups in Facebook is called Learn and Teach Tamil. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6084403897) This was started on 1st 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. An article on this site appeared in the July 13 edition of the Sunday Times extra. You can read this article by clicking on the following. http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=800351
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 that 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.
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.
The latest addition is the Chennai Super Kings (IPL). This is off course for all supporters of the Chennai Super Kings 20/20 cricket team. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18926205926
For those of you who are looking for a Tamil word processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use 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.
Film scene
Went and saw Vishal’s Satyam a few days ago. The movie also stars Nayanthara. The story is about a young cop Satya played by Vishal who is an honest straight forward cop. When the Chief Minister goes to hospital four people in the party eyes the position. The Police Minister decides to shorten the odds by eliminating the other three and asks his thug friend Adhi to arrange a killer get rid of the three. He rejoices when he hears of the first two deaths. However Adhi tells him that he did not plan the killings and he does not know who did it. His other friend Achari (Prabhu Nepaul) who is his benami (a trusted person in whose name all the ill gotten wealth is invested) tells him that maybe he is on the killers list.
Nayanthara plays a TV journalist who gets involved with him and has little to do except wear sexy outfits in the duets.
The use of the police force and the investigation of the murders are done very well. However why Vishal with the whole police force at his disposal has to tackle the gang alone and have to fight them all bear handed defies logic. When the Indian Olympic contingent had won just a gold medal in shooting and a bronze each in wrestling and boxing surely the Indian public cannot be made to believe that one man can bash about 20 guys who really look like fighters. I just switch off during these scenes.
Anyhow after some slick investigation Satya finds the room where the killer lives and realises that he is on his way to kill the third person at the airport. So he dashes off to the airport and although too late to stop the murder he does manage to chase and apprehend the killer. He then realises that the killer is an ex cop who he had idolised as a youth. The killer is so disenchanted with the interference of the politicians in the duties of the police that he resigns and becomes a kind of vigilante. However not much explanations are given as to how he gets his information, weapons and backup.
Sathya soon finds the same sort of pressure is put on him and he resorts to kidnapping Archari and gets him to confess. The Police Minister then frames Sathya and how he proves his innocence makes up the climax. Vishal fans and those who like the macho violence will like this movie. Maybe I am in the minority but all this fighting gets me down.
I have just heard that KTV is going to be discontinued on the South Indian Bouquet. Older people will miss the Golden oldies movies. I hope they don’t interfere with Sun TV as this will make a lot of people including my mother very angry. These people are glued to Sun TV and its mega serials. Maybe Multi-choice should look at getting Sun Music which is a 24 hour music channel with young vibrant VJs who speak a mixture of Tamil and English. This is the number two Tamil channel after Sun TV.
I read an article in the Sunday Times about Shan Pillay a projectionist at the Shiraz cinema. I remember him as my friend’s (Ishrat) family used to own the cinema and we would frequent it quite often. Mention was made of the English and Hindi Movies that were shown in town. However no mention was made about the flourishing Tamil Cinema at that time. I lived in town and I know that Tamil cinema really rocked in the 50s, 60s and early 70’s. In fact if you walked in Victoria Street, Tamil cinema music would be blasting from the many music shops that sold them. The reason that I am highlighting this is that the young people of today should know the past as it really was.
Tourism Scene
Gowri and I spent the Independence Day long weekend on a trip to the hill station of Yercaud. We started our trip on the morning of 15 August by car up to Villipuram which is about half the distance. We took a ride with one of my clients Vis Govender who was on his way to Trichy on the start of his South tour. From Villipuram we went by bus (Rs 50) to the city of Salem. We had originally wanted to spend the night here but since we had arrived earlier that expected we took another bus to Yercaud. I had to smile when I bought the ticket as it cost just Rs 11 (R2.00) for this 22 km drive up the mountain. As we had come a day early we just settled on the first lodge that we came across which to our satisfaction was quite pleasant. Yercaud is the third highest hill station in Tamilnadu after Ooty and Kodaikanal. We had last come here over 10 years ago so it was quite pleasing to note that the place had not lost its charm.
We took this opportunity too check out come hotels and resorts as I am thinking of adding this to our circuit and had recently sent Dharma and Baby Naidoo there. I found the Grange a new resort in a coffee estate quite good. The cottages were quite charming and all the veggies are grown in the resort. They also have quad bikes that you can use to tour the plantation. The other hotel that I liked was the Shevroys Hotel which had a selection of rooms at affordable prices. There is also a time share place there that is affiliated to RCI. I know many you in SA have RCI points.
Like other hill stations Yercaud has a lake with boating and many scenic view points. Gowri likes to walk and in the pleasant climate we found that we did an 8 km walk with ease. I am not one for walking but quite enjoyed it.
After lunch we made our way to the bus stand to take a bus back and much to our dismay all were full. We found another couple (also from Chennai) going down to Salem so we shared a taxi with them. The taxi fare was Rs 450 for the down trip and we were quite happy to pay our share and have the luxury of the taxi ride down the mountain. In no time we were in Salem and we stayed in the same hotel as the young couple. Gowri decided to go to the bazaar area while I visited three hotels that I had on my list to visit. I would have liked to stay in one of them but the young couple had been so persuasive in asking us to stay in the same Hotel as them that I felt it would have been an insult to turn them down. Anyway I was quite happy with all three and will use them according to the budget of my tourists. Gowri had bought a basket and a pot. Salem is the centre for stainless steel products in Tamilnadu. Gowri is fascinated by bags and baskets and buys them from almost every place she visits.
We had train tickets for the Sunday night trip but cancelled it and took a bus at 11 am and reached Chennai at 6 pm. For those of you who are keeping an account the bus fare was Rs 95 each.
We attended a very interesting Tourist road show held by the Kerala Tourism Board at the Connemara Hotel. About 30 Hotels and resorts had sent their representatives to tell us about their establishments. The director of tourism also addressed us to tell us about the latest innovations in Kerala. I always attend these meeting so that I can have the latest information to hand over to you.
The Connemara Hotel is a beautiful 5 star heritage property opened for business in 1890 by the Moodliar Brothers. I was quite pleased when the manager gave me a copy of the recently published book on the history of the Hotel. I last visited this hotel when my cousin Maynard and his family stayed here on their Chennai visit.
Classified Section.
I have 4 mrithangams ranging from R1200 (18”) and a naal also R1200 to 2 mrithangams at R1900 (22”) and a kuchi mrithangam for R2100 (24”). Two double reed harmoniums at R1800 each. A scale change at R5000 and a Paul and Co at R7000. Electronic srudi box at R650. Please contact me if you need any. Dance bells – 6 lines at R160. Mallipoo - Double R15 a metre. Dance sets from R400 (stones) to R1200 (temple set). I also have a Sachin Tendulkar’s MRF cricket bat for R600. I just remembered that I have a beautiful coat style leather jacket for sale at just R650. however this for a really big size guy and is a XXL.
The Sydenham Tamil Society has started singing and harmonium classes under the tutorage of Mr Kumaresan Chetty every Wednesday at 6 pm. For more details contact Mr Rudy Pillay at 031-2086929.
Sri Saradha Institute of Arts and Culture (Free Tuition in Tamil, Music
& Dance)
Saturday 9.00 - 11.00 at Ganesha Temple - Cnr of Palmview Dr &
CrestBrook - Phoenix
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.
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). Johannesburg. 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
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)
Chennai News 91
CHENNAI NEWS
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 91 (July 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
I am now back in Chennai and enjoying every bit of it even though it is quite hot. As I could not get a seat on the direct flight from Durban to Mauritius I had to take the Sunday flight which left from Johannesburg. This was a real pity as it meant that I had to miss the second day of the National eisteddfod and also the forty year celebrations of the formation of the SATF. The other downside was that I had to book my own flight from Durban to Johannesburg and had chosen Mango as it was the most convenient. This was the first time that I had flown Mango and they were quite strict with their luggage rules. They told me that I was only allowed 20kgs and I had to pay R225 for the extra 9 kgs. I have flown on Nationwide and 1Time previously and they always gave me an allowance as an international passenger. However the girl at Mango was quite curt and did not want to budge. I will not recommend this airline for people who have to take international flights.
One of the places that I visited while I was in Durban was a factory that makes granulite and other products from resins. Granulite is an artificial form of granite and it is actually better. I also went along to the new hospital near Nandhi drive to see some of the counters were made from this product. I was really amazed at how this product could be used in so many different ways. If you want to know anything more about this product you can mail my good friend Pregasen Govender at granotops@telkomsa.net.
Normally a Tamil book translated into English is a very serious high brow one which does not interest the general reader. However all this has changed when Rakesh Kumar Khanna came to Chennai. He was fascinated by the myriad of these pulp fiction books which are sold at bus stops and railway stations and ‘millions’ of small stalls. However he could not read it in the original language nor could he find an English translation. So he decided to start his own publishing house called Blaft together with his wife Rashmi Ruth Devadasan and their friend Kaveri Lalchand. Starting with Ramini Chandran the queen of Tamil romance and 9 other authors, Blaft has come out with a compendium of 10 stories called Tamil Pulp Fiction translated into English by my sister-in-law Pritham Chakavathy. The cover which has also got rave compliments was designed by her daughter Malavika. The first edition has been sold out and it has made the English best sellers list. I just started reading the book and found it very interesting. It gives you a real feel of the day to day literature of the average person in Tamilnadu. Blaft has also published Zero Degree a novel by Charu Nivedita also translated by Pritham. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Tamil Pulp Fiction then please mail me as I am trying to get the book to South Africa. You can also order it on amazon.com
Chennai and most of the metros are on high alert after the bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmadabad. However the people do not seem unduly perturbed and are going about their daily business. Honestly I feel quite safe here and in no way worried about my safety.
Eisteddfod scene
Here is the date for the Lower North Coast Adult’s Eisteddfod.
Date: 02-03 August 2008 (Sat and Sun)
Venue: Stonebridge Community Hall, Stonebridge, Phoenix
Time: Sat- Starting at 1.00pm
Sun- Starting at 8.30am
Tentative dates for the others.
I will give you the times and venues in the next CN.
Upper North Coast – 16 AugPietermaritzberg - 17 AugSouth Coast - 23 AugDurban - 24 AugDurban South - 30 AugSouthern Region - 31 AugNorthern Natal –Still to be announced.Finals – 6/7 September
This year I went to four regional eisteddfods, the Finals and the first day of the nationals. One must admire the work of the officials and the candidates and their parents and teachers. It was sad to see that the number of groups and candidates participating have come down. However the enthusiasm and excitement is still there. Some people in Newcastle told me that they desperately need Language and Music teachers and are willing to pay for people to come there and teach.
I was a bit disappointed by the number of disqualifications of candidates in the regional and finals. It showed that some candidates and teachers did not fully understand the rules. Maybe the language of the syllabus should be simplified.
Although some of the disqualifications were unavoidable there were many that could have been avoided with a little use of discretion and flexibility. A veena candidate was disqualified because she did not have someone keeping thalam for her. Although I cannot understand why someone has to keep thalam for her (I have not seen this in all my attendance of concerts in Chennai) surely she could have been told before she started that the rules stated that she needed a thalam keeper. This would have made sense especially as she was the only Veena candidate in the finals. Then there was a mrithangam candidate who had two thalam keepers. Here again it could have been so easy to tell him to remove one of them. Maybe instead of outright disqualification some marks could have been deducted from the candidate for not knowing the rules (even this is extreme). We want more participation rather than less. The irony is that in most of these disqualifications there was just one candidate in the section. This meant that these candidates lost the chance of participating in the finals and the nationals. Also the KZN team lost out on some points because they did not have their full compliment of candidates in some of the sections. I am sure that no candidate wants to win as a result of other candidates being disqualified.
However at the Finals it was suddenly realised that all the little ones taking part in the nursery rhymes could have been disqualified as none of them had music accompaniments as stated in the syllabus. However it was pleasing to note that the adjudicators were flexible and ignored this rule.
Internet
I have finally registered my website www.envernathan.com I am now in the process of developing this site. If you can help me please do so.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me.
One of our groups in Facebook is called Learn and Teach Tamil. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6084403897) This was started on 1st 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. An article on this site appeared in the July 13 edition of the Sunday Times extra. You can read this article by clicking on the following. http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=800351
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 that 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.
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.
The latest addition is the Chennai Super Kings (IPL). This is off course for all supporters of the Chennai Super Kings 20/20 cricket team. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18926205926
For those of you who are looking for a Tamil word processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use 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.
Film scene
I was quite surprised at the number of Tamil movies that were released while I was in SA. I will try and see as many of them as possible.
The first movie I saw was Kamal’s Dasavatharam which seems to be doing very well all over. I could not understand why the vaishavites were so agitated before the film’s release. If anything it is propoganada for vaishnavism over saivism however none of the saivites protested. Kamal dons 10 different roles although some of them were maybe unnecessary. I guess he just wanted to be one up on Sivaji Ganesen. However one just marvels at how excellent the movie Navarathri was - and filmed so long ago.
Of the ten roles the one of the pompous Andra police officer stands out the best. He plays the part to the tee and you forget that it is Kamal in disguise. He also plays the role of a 95 year old granny but at times seems a bit too sprightly. He also dons the role of a Japanese martial arts expert which he does fairly well. He looked rather amusing as a short George Bush and a very tall Muslim man (probably because the tallest man in the world is a Pakistani). Asin is most irritating in this movie and seems to be screaming Perumale on the top of her voice most of the time.
The story is about scientist Kamal who wants to save the world from a vial of deadly virus – a kind of viral bomb. It somehow gets sent by courier to Chidambaram to granny Kamal. American assasain Kamal also joins in the search. Japanese Kamal also comes to India to avenge his sister’s death. Off course police Kamal is on their trail. They all land in Chidambaram and there the vial lands in the Perumal statue. Thus the statue is taken by Kamal and Asin with the others in hot persuit. On the way they meet Mislim Kamal, Dalit Kamal and Punjabi singer Kamal. If you wondering who is the tenth Kamal. He is the ancient Kamal who is put to death by drowning with a statue of Vishnu because he refused to utter the mantra “Om Na Ma Si Va Ya”.
Most people here are excited by the Hollywood type touches. However with all the hype I thought it could have been better. The music and songs are excellent and is very popular here.
Santosh Subramaniam stars Jeyam Ravi and Genillia. This is a lovely movie which I enjoyed very much. It is in the same genre as Something Something which was just as entertaining. Subramaniam played by Prakashraj is one of those dominating fathers who even selects the clothes to be worn by his sons. I told my son Kamesh how lucky he was that he did not have a father like Subramaniam and although he agreed I found that his answer was a tad bit slow.
Santosh is told that he has to marry the girl that his father has chosen and a proposal is done. However just after this he meets Genillia and is taken by her lively behaviour. Predictably they fall in love and it is now time to break the news to his family. However the story takes a twist when Subramaniam tells his son to bring Genillia to stay with them for one week so that he can gauge whether she will fit in with the family. Genillia endears herself to the rest of the family. However one small mistake and she earns the wrath of the father. How they get together and the reaction of her father is part of the climax. The songs here are also very good. Really this is a movie for the whole family to watch.
Kuruvi is Vijay’s latest movie and also stars Trisha. Vijay milks the formula process and there is sameness about his movies. However his fans do not seem to mind and his movies always do well. Kuruvi (bird) is slang for people who are hired to go to Singapore and Malaysia to bring back goods on their travel allowance to be resold here. The kuruvees get a free trip, food and shelter while there.
Vijay whose family is cheated goes to Malayasia on this scheme so that he can get a check honoured by a man who owes his father some money. His friend Vivek also goes on this scheme. While there he realises that the man who is a big don has no intention of honouring the check and steals a diamond which he hopes to use as a bargaining tool. Trisha who is the sister of the don wants to escape from an arranged marriage and is saved by a masked Vijay. She decides to escape to Chennai to look for him. Vijay hides the diamond in her bag and then has to try and get it back from her. He also learns that his father is being kept captive in a quarry in Cadapah (Andra Pradesh).
He then goes to Andra to save his father from the gang there. The film has lots of humour, good music and dance and lots of unbelievable fights and stunts. If you like this genre of movies then you are sure to enjoy Kuruvi.
Subramaniyapuram is a movie set in 1980. This is very nostalgic as I visited India in 1981 so can identify with the movie. The director Sasikumar has very successfully captured the mood and the ambience of that era. The story revolves around a group of unemployed youth who while away their time doing petty jobs or just loaf the day away. One of them Azhagar played by Jai fancies Thulasi (Swathi) the pretty daughter of the village big deal Somu. Sasi himself (Paraman) and Ganga Karupasami (Kasi) are the other two. Three of them are tricked by Somu’s brother to commit a murder for his benefit; however once they kill his rival he deserts them. They are helped by another rich man who in turn asks them to commit murder on his behalf. Although reluctant to accept they are paid for their deeds. They then turn to hired killers and earn money which they share with their friend. However Jai will not rest till he kills the man who set them up and this leads to more murders, deceit and treachery. The movie is slow moving at times but I enjoyed it. There is a very beautiful duet Kangal Irandal that has become the rage here (http://www.musicplug.in/songs.php?movieid=30568. The innocent romance of the two is done very realistic and matches the mood of the times.
The movie started very low key in just two cinemas in the city but has become such a hit that it is now showing in 12 cinemas in Chennai.
REUNION OF SALISBURY ISLANDERSA reunion of everyone who was part of the family at Salisbury Island since its inception in 1961 until its closure in 1971 is planned for 2009.
It is intended to include all Salisbury Island graduates and members of staff as well as those students who registered there and did not complete their degrees or diplomas.
If the idea of a reunion appeals to you, please update your contact details and provide suggestions about any aspect that should be considered on the attached form and forward to Zanele Ndlala of the Alumni Affairs Office: Corporate Relations (Email magwaza4@ukzn.ac.za and Fax: 031-260 3265).
Tourism Scene
Just as I got back I had Chitra and Lexi who arrived in Chennai driving all around Kerela and Tamilnadu from Cochin. They told me that they were not unduly affected by the weather and would not mind coming back the same time next year. Strini Moodley and his family also had the same to say even though they had come in the latter part of June. I missed them as they took the same flight out of India as I took into India. However they were waiting for me at Chennai airport and we had to talk through the thick glass.
Chitra and Lexi were thrilled at meeting devotional singer Pithukuli Murugadas especially as Chitra is a very good devotional singer in her own right.
This is the last call for the September tour.
01/09 Leave for Mauritius and India
02/09 Arrive in Chennai. Rest
03/09 Day for shopping
04/09 Kanchipuram/Tirupathi
05/09 Puttarpathi
06/09 Bangalore
07/09 Bangalore
08/09 Mysore
09/09 Ooty
10/09 Ooty
11/09 Coimbature/Pallakad
12/09 Cochin
13/09 Cochin
14/09 Allepey/Kollam
15/09 Kanyakumari
16/09 Kanyakumari
17/09 Madurai
18/09 Trichy
19/09 Thanjavur/Kumbakonam/Chidambaram
20/09 Mahabalipuram/Chennai
21/09 Chennai City Tour
22/09 Chennai Free day for shopping, entertainment etc
23/09 Leave for Mauritius. Night in Mauritius
24/09 Mauritius. Morning free. Afternoon. Leave for Durban.
Price: Cost of ticket + R7200. Working out to about R15,200 per person sharing. Includes all accommodation on Bed and breakfast in 3 star hotels and equivalent. All transport by Air Con vehicle. Includes all taxes, parking, tolls,.Price will change as the Rand fluctuates. Mauritius: One night Hotel accommodation with transfers. Includes breakfast and dinner allowance.
As a new service I have now added accommodation and tours in Mauritius as an extra service on to the holiday. I find that it can be done quite cheaply when booked directly with the owners in Mauritius.
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 91 (July 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
I am now back in Chennai and enjoying every bit of it even though it is quite hot. As I could not get a seat on the direct flight from Durban to Mauritius I had to take the Sunday flight which left from Johannesburg. This was a real pity as it meant that I had to miss the second day of the National eisteddfod and also the forty year celebrations of the formation of the SATF. The other downside was that I had to book my own flight from Durban to Johannesburg and had chosen Mango as it was the most convenient. This was the first time that I had flown Mango and they were quite strict with their luggage rules. They told me that I was only allowed 20kgs and I had to pay R225 for the extra 9 kgs. I have flown on Nationwide and 1Time previously and they always gave me an allowance as an international passenger. However the girl at Mango was quite curt and did not want to budge. I will not recommend this airline for people who have to take international flights.
One of the places that I visited while I was in Durban was a factory that makes granulite and other products from resins. Granulite is an artificial form of granite and it is actually better. I also went along to the new hospital near Nandhi drive to see some of the counters were made from this product. I was really amazed at how this product could be used in so many different ways. If you want to know anything more about this product you can mail my good friend Pregasen Govender at granotops@telkomsa.net.
Normally a Tamil book translated into English is a very serious high brow one which does not interest the general reader. However all this has changed when Rakesh Kumar Khanna came to Chennai. He was fascinated by the myriad of these pulp fiction books which are sold at bus stops and railway stations and ‘millions’ of small stalls. However he could not read it in the original language nor could he find an English translation. So he decided to start his own publishing house called Blaft together with his wife Rashmi Ruth Devadasan and their friend Kaveri Lalchand. Starting with Ramini Chandran the queen of Tamil romance and 9 other authors, Blaft has come out with a compendium of 10 stories called Tamil Pulp Fiction translated into English by my sister-in-law Pritham Chakavathy. The cover which has also got rave compliments was designed by her daughter Malavika. The first edition has been sold out and it has made the English best sellers list. I just started reading the book and found it very interesting. It gives you a real feel of the day to day literature of the average person in Tamilnadu. Blaft has also published Zero Degree a novel by Charu Nivedita also translated by Pritham. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Tamil Pulp Fiction then please mail me as I am trying to get the book to South Africa. You can also order it on amazon.com
Chennai and most of the metros are on high alert after the bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmadabad. However the people do not seem unduly perturbed and are going about their daily business. Honestly I feel quite safe here and in no way worried about my safety.
Eisteddfod scene
Here is the date for the Lower North Coast Adult’s Eisteddfod.
Date: 02-03 August 2008 (Sat and Sun)
Venue: Stonebridge Community Hall, Stonebridge, Phoenix
Time: Sat- Starting at 1.00pm
Sun- Starting at 8.30am
Tentative dates for the others.
I will give you the times and venues in the next CN.
Upper North Coast – 16 AugPietermaritzberg - 17 AugSouth Coast - 23 AugDurban - 24 AugDurban South - 30 AugSouthern Region - 31 AugNorthern Natal –Still to be announced.Finals – 6/7 September
This year I went to four regional eisteddfods, the Finals and the first day of the nationals. One must admire the work of the officials and the candidates and their parents and teachers. It was sad to see that the number of groups and candidates participating have come down. However the enthusiasm and excitement is still there. Some people in Newcastle told me that they desperately need Language and Music teachers and are willing to pay for people to come there and teach.
I was a bit disappointed by the number of disqualifications of candidates in the regional and finals. It showed that some candidates and teachers did not fully understand the rules. Maybe the language of the syllabus should be simplified.
Although some of the disqualifications were unavoidable there were many that could have been avoided with a little use of discretion and flexibility. A veena candidate was disqualified because she did not have someone keeping thalam for her. Although I cannot understand why someone has to keep thalam for her (I have not seen this in all my attendance of concerts in Chennai) surely she could have been told before she started that the rules stated that she needed a thalam keeper. This would have made sense especially as she was the only Veena candidate in the finals. Then there was a mrithangam candidate who had two thalam keepers. Here again it could have been so easy to tell him to remove one of them. Maybe instead of outright disqualification some marks could have been deducted from the candidate for not knowing the rules (even this is extreme). We want more participation rather than less. The irony is that in most of these disqualifications there was just one candidate in the section. This meant that these candidates lost the chance of participating in the finals and the nationals. Also the KZN team lost out on some points because they did not have their full compliment of candidates in some of the sections. I am sure that no candidate wants to win as a result of other candidates being disqualified.
However at the Finals it was suddenly realised that all the little ones taking part in the nursery rhymes could have been disqualified as none of them had music accompaniments as stated in the syllabus. However it was pleasing to note that the adjudicators were flexible and ignored this rule.
Internet
I have finally registered my website www.envernathan.com I am now in the process of developing this site. If you can help me please do so.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me.
One of our groups in Facebook is called Learn and Teach Tamil. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6084403897) This was started on 1st 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. An article on this site appeared in the July 13 edition of the Sunday Times extra. You can read this article by clicking on the following. http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=800351
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 that 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.
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.
The latest addition is the Chennai Super Kings (IPL). This is off course for all supporters of the Chennai Super Kings 20/20 cricket team. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18926205926
For those of you who are looking for a Tamil word processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use 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.
Film scene
I was quite surprised at the number of Tamil movies that were released while I was in SA. I will try and see as many of them as possible.
The first movie I saw was Kamal’s Dasavatharam which seems to be doing very well all over. I could not understand why the vaishavites were so agitated before the film’s release. If anything it is propoganada for vaishnavism over saivism however none of the saivites protested. Kamal dons 10 different roles although some of them were maybe unnecessary. I guess he just wanted to be one up on Sivaji Ganesen. However one just marvels at how excellent the movie Navarathri was - and filmed so long ago.
Of the ten roles the one of the pompous Andra police officer stands out the best. He plays the part to the tee and you forget that it is Kamal in disguise. He also plays the role of a 95 year old granny but at times seems a bit too sprightly. He also dons the role of a Japanese martial arts expert which he does fairly well. He looked rather amusing as a short George Bush and a very tall Muslim man (probably because the tallest man in the world is a Pakistani). Asin is most irritating in this movie and seems to be screaming Perumale on the top of her voice most of the time.
The story is about scientist Kamal who wants to save the world from a vial of deadly virus – a kind of viral bomb. It somehow gets sent by courier to Chidambaram to granny Kamal. American assasain Kamal also joins in the search. Japanese Kamal also comes to India to avenge his sister’s death. Off course police Kamal is on their trail. They all land in Chidambaram and there the vial lands in the Perumal statue. Thus the statue is taken by Kamal and Asin with the others in hot persuit. On the way they meet Mislim Kamal, Dalit Kamal and Punjabi singer Kamal. If you wondering who is the tenth Kamal. He is the ancient Kamal who is put to death by drowning with a statue of Vishnu because he refused to utter the mantra “Om Na Ma Si Va Ya”.
Most people here are excited by the Hollywood type touches. However with all the hype I thought it could have been better. The music and songs are excellent and is very popular here.
Santosh Subramaniam stars Jeyam Ravi and Genillia. This is a lovely movie which I enjoyed very much. It is in the same genre as Something Something which was just as entertaining. Subramaniam played by Prakashraj is one of those dominating fathers who even selects the clothes to be worn by his sons. I told my son Kamesh how lucky he was that he did not have a father like Subramaniam and although he agreed I found that his answer was a tad bit slow.
Santosh is told that he has to marry the girl that his father has chosen and a proposal is done. However just after this he meets Genillia and is taken by her lively behaviour. Predictably they fall in love and it is now time to break the news to his family. However the story takes a twist when Subramaniam tells his son to bring Genillia to stay with them for one week so that he can gauge whether she will fit in with the family. Genillia endears herself to the rest of the family. However one small mistake and she earns the wrath of the father. How they get together and the reaction of her father is part of the climax. The songs here are also very good. Really this is a movie for the whole family to watch.
Kuruvi is Vijay’s latest movie and also stars Trisha. Vijay milks the formula process and there is sameness about his movies. However his fans do not seem to mind and his movies always do well. Kuruvi (bird) is slang for people who are hired to go to Singapore and Malaysia to bring back goods on their travel allowance to be resold here. The kuruvees get a free trip, food and shelter while there.
Vijay whose family is cheated goes to Malayasia on this scheme so that he can get a check honoured by a man who owes his father some money. His friend Vivek also goes on this scheme. While there he realises that the man who is a big don has no intention of honouring the check and steals a diamond which he hopes to use as a bargaining tool. Trisha who is the sister of the don wants to escape from an arranged marriage and is saved by a masked Vijay. She decides to escape to Chennai to look for him. Vijay hides the diamond in her bag and then has to try and get it back from her. He also learns that his father is being kept captive in a quarry in Cadapah (Andra Pradesh).
He then goes to Andra to save his father from the gang there. The film has lots of humour, good music and dance and lots of unbelievable fights and stunts. If you like this genre of movies then you are sure to enjoy Kuruvi.
Subramaniyapuram is a movie set in 1980. This is very nostalgic as I visited India in 1981 so can identify with the movie. The director Sasikumar has very successfully captured the mood and the ambience of that era. The story revolves around a group of unemployed youth who while away their time doing petty jobs or just loaf the day away. One of them Azhagar played by Jai fancies Thulasi (Swathi) the pretty daughter of the village big deal Somu. Sasi himself (Paraman) and Ganga Karupasami (Kasi) are the other two. Three of them are tricked by Somu’s brother to commit a murder for his benefit; however once they kill his rival he deserts them. They are helped by another rich man who in turn asks them to commit murder on his behalf. Although reluctant to accept they are paid for their deeds. They then turn to hired killers and earn money which they share with their friend. However Jai will not rest till he kills the man who set them up and this leads to more murders, deceit and treachery. The movie is slow moving at times but I enjoyed it. There is a very beautiful duet Kangal Irandal that has become the rage here (http://www.musicplug.in/songs.php?movieid=30568. The innocent romance of the two is done very realistic and matches the mood of the times.
The movie started very low key in just two cinemas in the city but has become such a hit that it is now showing in 12 cinemas in Chennai.
REUNION OF SALISBURY ISLANDERSA reunion of everyone who was part of the family at Salisbury Island since its inception in 1961 until its closure in 1971 is planned for 2009.
It is intended to include all Salisbury Island graduates and members of staff as well as those students who registered there and did not complete their degrees or diplomas.
If the idea of a reunion appeals to you, please update your contact details and provide suggestions about any aspect that should be considered on the attached form and forward to Zanele Ndlala of the Alumni Affairs Office: Corporate Relations (Email magwaza4@ukzn.ac.za and Fax: 031-260 3265).
Tourism Scene
Just as I got back I had Chitra and Lexi who arrived in Chennai driving all around Kerela and Tamilnadu from Cochin. They told me that they were not unduly affected by the weather and would not mind coming back the same time next year. Strini Moodley and his family also had the same to say even though they had come in the latter part of June. I missed them as they took the same flight out of India as I took into India. However they were waiting for me at Chennai airport and we had to talk through the thick glass.
Chitra and Lexi were thrilled at meeting devotional singer Pithukuli Murugadas especially as Chitra is a very good devotional singer in her own right.
This is the last call for the September tour.
01/09 Leave for Mauritius and India
02/09 Arrive in Chennai. Rest
03/09 Day for shopping
04/09 Kanchipuram/Tirupathi
05/09 Puttarpathi
06/09 Bangalore
07/09 Bangalore
08/09 Mysore
09/09 Ooty
10/09 Ooty
11/09 Coimbature/Pallakad
12/09 Cochin
13/09 Cochin
14/09 Allepey/Kollam
15/09 Kanyakumari
16/09 Kanyakumari
17/09 Madurai
18/09 Trichy
19/09 Thanjavur/Kumbakonam/Chidambaram
20/09 Mahabalipuram/Chennai
21/09 Chennai City Tour
22/09 Chennai Free day for shopping, entertainment etc
23/09 Leave for Mauritius. Night in Mauritius
24/09 Mauritius. Morning free. Afternoon. Leave for Durban.
Price: Cost of ticket + R7200. Working out to about R15,200 per person sharing. Includes all accommodation on Bed and breakfast in 3 star hotels and equivalent. All transport by Air Con vehicle. Includes all taxes, parking, tolls,.Price will change as the Rand fluctuates. Mauritius: One night Hotel accommodation with transfers. Includes breakfast and dinner allowance.
As a new service I have now added accommodation and tours in Mauritius as an extra service on to the holiday. I find that it can be done quite cheaply when booked directly with the owners in Mauritius.
Chennai News 90
CHENNAI NEWS
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 90 (June 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
I was quite privileged to attend the opening of the Tamil classes at the Indian Consulate in Durban. The occasion was special to me as I was present at a KZN Tamil Federation (KZNTF) function last year when the then new Consulate General promised to look into ways of promoting the Tamil language. Well he certainly delivered. I have always advocated that the demographics of a country must be looked at to make decisions. While in most countries in the world the Tamils will account for a lower percentage of the Indian Diaspora countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and South Africa have a very large Tamil majority and the Indian Consulate must treat these countries differently. It looks like they now have it right.
It was quite an august gathering made more special by the presence of artistes from Tamilnadu. The violinist lives in my suburb of Chromepet.
Mr Bala Naidoo the President of the KZNTF gave a speech and highlighted the other needs of the Tamil community. He also said that the establishment of a Tamil Radio station was being looked at. I have previously gone on record to say that I would donate 100 CDs if this is done and I will certainly keep to my word.
I also spoke at the gathering and promised any logistical help from Chennai if needed by the teacher Ms Mala Lutchmanan. Mala told me that she had many queries from CN readers after I mentioned it in the last volume. I was quite touched by one of the ladies who spoke of the dedication of Mala in her quest to teach Tamil. I had gone to the graduation ceremony of Mala and the other students of the MTSS at the Thanjavur University many years ago so it is quite good to see how much she has progressed since then. According to some of her students the new classes are really going well.
I could cry when the Chennai Super Kings lost in the very last ball of the match. If only Rainer had held on to the catch. However it must be said that cricket and India were both winners. The BCCI especially Lalith Modi showed that India has the ability to be innovative. What was really great was that the two least hyped teams made it to the finals. We only got a glimpse of the Rajastan team owner just once in the finals. I still don’t know what the owner of the Chennai team looks like. Contrast it to the antics of some of the other owners. Shah Ruck Khan who is seen ad nauseam in TV adverts tried to dominate every match that the Kolkatta team played in. He was also the first to complain to the media whenever he felt slighted. However as soon as he realised that his team would not get into the semi-finals he stopped attending their matches.
What the tournament has done is to highlight a number of young players from India (and Australia) who we had not previously heard off. The older fat cats will now not be able to rest on their laurels. Although I was sceptical as to the success of the tournament I found myself like millions around the world really addicted to the matches. The 4.30 to 7.30 evening sloth will just not be the same again.
Internet
I have finally registered my website www.envernathan.com I am now in the process of developing this site.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me.
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 that 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.
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.
The latest addition is the Chennai Super Kings (IPL). This is off course for all supporters of the Chennai Super Kings 20/20 cricket team.
For those of you who are looking for a Tamil word processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use it.
Kamesh has taken it upon himself to help his school raise funds for their building expansion project. He has managed to get two ex students from the USA to make a donation. He has got his mum’s friend from Bangalore to do likewise. He has asked me to include this in Chennai news. If you would like to donate something for the building you can contact him at kwg2005@gmail.com
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.
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.
The Tamil Eisteddfods
This year I have tried to attend as many eisteddfods as possible. One of the reasons is that my sister Jayambal is now the Secretary of the KZNTVS Eisteddfod Movement so I accompanied her. I missed the Durban region eisteddfod as it was held very early in April before I arrived in Durban. I attended the South Coast eisteddfod held in the town of Umzinto. This has always been one of my favourite towns especially when I used to bring artistes from Tamilnadu to perform here in South Africa. I was happy to see an old friend, Mr SV Reddy, who used to host the artistes there. Also met many others who I have known over the years from the eisteddfod and also from the music and dance programs. I remember the South Coast as a fledgling group during my time and was very happy to see the progress that they have made and the high quality of their performances.
The next Eisteddfod that I attended was the Durban South in Merebank. This is no doubt one of the powerhouses of Tamil Culture led ably by the Merebank Tamil School Society. These people really have got it right and are a fine example of what Tamil organisations should aim at. The performances of all the groups taking part were of a very high standard and will take some beating at the finals.
I unfortunately missed the Lower North Eisteddfod in Phoenix as my son Mahesh was leaving the next day and I had some last minute chores to do before he left. However from experience I know that the Lower North has some very powerful groups and their standard is always very high.
We then drove to Ladysmith for the Northern Natal eisteddfod, which started just after lunch. This eisteddfod was quite nostalgic for me as I last attended their eisteddfod some 25 years ago when it was held in Newcastle. At that time I was one of the secretaries of the NTVS provincial body and had gone there with Mr MV Rajah who was the Chairman and Rama Pillay who was the other secretary. Children from Ladysmith and Newcastle took part. Many people told me that they desperately needed teachers and tutors and other logistic help such as CDs etc. I promise that I will try and help them next year. I was given an opportunity to address the audience and I told them about CN and also all that we were trying to do on the Internet and Facebook.
I unfortunately missed the Southern Region Eisteddfod in Chatsworth as I had made another appointment.
The next week I attended the Upper North Coast Eisteddfod in Stanger. As we had picked someone from Newlands West we drove via Kwa Mashu, Verulam, Tongaat to Stanger. We had a visitor from India and we took him through this very scenic route. There are quite a few people from Stanger who belong to the Tamil Eisteddfod group on Facebook and I met some of them. Here also the standard was quite good and it was pleasing to see how many little children took part. Here again I was allowed to address the audience.
Unfortunately I did not go to the Pmburg Eisteddfod. I will try and make up for these lapses next year.
Having travelled to all these Eisteddfods I could not help but admire the hard work that the officials, teachers and parents put in to make these Eisteddfods possible. We must not also forget the hours of practice put in by the candidates themselves. All these people are the real unsung heroes who don’t make the news or the photos that you see in most newspapers.
The KZN team ably led by Mrs Kogie Moorthi really put in a lot of time in the eisteddfod movement. The others are Sagren Padayachee (V/Chairman), Jayambal Govender (Secretary), Claude Dhrumlingam (Treasurer), Richard Govender (PRO) and Dr Ganas Murugan (Eisteddfod Administrator)
The adjucators, too many to mention, must also be complimented on their work. These people give up their weekends to do this very important task.
I am looking forward to the Finals to be held on June 14 and 15 at the Regional Hall in Merebank. I am not sure about the Saturday but will definitely be there on the Sunday. I hope to see as many of you who can make it. If you have not been to an Eisteddfod or have not been to one recently please try and make it so that you can see the talent of our children.
The Nationals will be held on July 5 and 6 at the same venue. I have heard that besides Gauteng both the Eastern and Western Cape will be taking part. I am looking forward to meeting some of my Internet friends from these areas.
People from Ladysmith and Newcastle have contacted me and asked for music teachers to go to their towns and teach them music. If any of you can do so or know people who can do so then please mail me and I will forward your mail to them.
The Sydenham Tamil Society is also looking for adults to join them in participating in the Tamil Eisteddfods. Singers, musicians and dancers are asked to join them as well as beginners. For further information mail me and I will connect you to them.
I will be attending the Tamil Festival held at the temple grounds at Mt Edgecombe. The program starts at 2 pm on Monday 16th June. I have been to everyone since the first that was held at the MTSS hall some years ago. I will be there from 1 pm. I will have lots of Cds and other goods which you can purchase.
Film scene
The Name is Rajnikanth is a book written by an ardent Rajni fan Dr Gayathri Sreekanth. The book that was written with the aid of the superstar and his family is 384 pages with over 100 pictures. It traces his life from a humble bus conductor to his status as a superstar. With the falling rand it should land at about R200. I have a few left so contact me if you need one.
Many people felt that with all the hype of the 20/20 cricket that cinema would take a backseat. However when Gowri and Kamesh went to see the Vijay’s movie Kuravi they could not get tickets, as it was houseful even though the Chennai Super Kings were playing a match in Chennai.
My family have now seen the movie and contrary to what the critics had to say they did enjoy it.
I have been thinking about the Tamil Movie club and there seems to be a need to make it a more broad based Entertainment club that will look at other aspects like live shows etc with movies being one of the functions. If you have any thoughts and ideas on this subject please contact me.
I have 122 people who have expressed their desire to join the club. I would like you in turn to look at least 10 people who you believe will like to join this group. Please send me their names and Email address together with your name. If you know more than 10 people then please send all of them.
People in Chennai and around the world are anxiously waiting for the release of Kamal’s Dasavatharam where he is said to be playing 10 characters. This is slated to be the costliest movie ever made in India. The latest controversy is that a small religious group have gone to court to stop the film, as they believe it to hurt the sentiments of the Ayengar Brahmins. How they have deduced this without seeing the movie is a mystery.
Tourism Scene
The next group tour will be in September this year. I am still working on the dates but it should be around September 1 or a week later. This tour will go via Mauritius so there is a possibility of staying a few days there. This is a three weeks long South tour. I have 10 people from the Phoenix area already booked. If you want to join in please do so. To make it easy I plan to include both breakfast and dinner and all the entrance fees. Thus all you will need to bring is your spending money.
01/09 Leave for Mauritius and India
02/09 Arrive in Chennai. Rest
03/09 City tour and shopping
04/09 Kanchipuram/Tirupathi
05/09 Puttarpathi
06/09 Bangalore
07/09 Bangalore
08/09 Mysore
10/09 Ooty
11/09 Coimbature
12/09 Cochin
13/09 Cochin
14/09 Allepey/Kollam
15/09 Kanyakumari
16/09 Kanyakumari/Madurai
17/09 Madurai
18/09 Trichy
19/09 Thanjavur/Kumbakonam
20/09 Chidambaram/Mahabalipuram/Chennai
21/09 Chennai Free day
22/09 Chennai Free day
23/09 Leave for Mauritius. Night in Mauritius
24/09 Mauritius. Morning free. Afternoon. Leave for Durban.
Price: Cost of ticket + R7200. Working out to about R15,200 per person sharing. Includes all accommodation on Bed and breakfast in 3 star hotels and equivalent. All transport by Air Con vehicle. Includes all taxes, parking, tolls, entrance into temples, parks, and monuments and carrying of bags at Hotels. Price will change as the Rand fluctuates.
Mauritius: One night Hotel accommodation with transfers. Includes breakfast and dinner allowance.
As a new service I have now added accommodation and tours in Mauritius as an extra service on to the holiday. I find that it can be done quite cheaply when booked directly with the owners in Mauritius. I am now looking at a similar service in Dubai.
If you are thinking of coming to India then please contact me so that I can plan an enjoyable trip for you at the most economical prices. All tours are tailored made for your individual tastes and needs.
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 90 (June 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
I was quite privileged to attend the opening of the Tamil classes at the Indian Consulate in Durban. The occasion was special to me as I was present at a KZN Tamil Federation (KZNTF) function last year when the then new Consulate General promised to look into ways of promoting the Tamil language. Well he certainly delivered. I have always advocated that the demographics of a country must be looked at to make decisions. While in most countries in the world the Tamils will account for a lower percentage of the Indian Diaspora countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and South Africa have a very large Tamil majority and the Indian Consulate must treat these countries differently. It looks like they now have it right.
It was quite an august gathering made more special by the presence of artistes from Tamilnadu. The violinist lives in my suburb of Chromepet.
Mr Bala Naidoo the President of the KZNTF gave a speech and highlighted the other needs of the Tamil community. He also said that the establishment of a Tamil Radio station was being looked at. I have previously gone on record to say that I would donate 100 CDs if this is done and I will certainly keep to my word.
I also spoke at the gathering and promised any logistical help from Chennai if needed by the teacher Ms Mala Lutchmanan. Mala told me that she had many queries from CN readers after I mentioned it in the last volume. I was quite touched by one of the ladies who spoke of the dedication of Mala in her quest to teach Tamil. I had gone to the graduation ceremony of Mala and the other students of the MTSS at the Thanjavur University many years ago so it is quite good to see how much she has progressed since then. According to some of her students the new classes are really going well.
I could cry when the Chennai Super Kings lost in the very last ball of the match. If only Rainer had held on to the catch. However it must be said that cricket and India were both winners. The BCCI especially Lalith Modi showed that India has the ability to be innovative. What was really great was that the two least hyped teams made it to the finals. We only got a glimpse of the Rajastan team owner just once in the finals. I still don’t know what the owner of the Chennai team looks like. Contrast it to the antics of some of the other owners. Shah Ruck Khan who is seen ad nauseam in TV adverts tried to dominate every match that the Kolkatta team played in. He was also the first to complain to the media whenever he felt slighted. However as soon as he realised that his team would not get into the semi-finals he stopped attending their matches.
What the tournament has done is to highlight a number of young players from India (and Australia) who we had not previously heard off. The older fat cats will now not be able to rest on their laurels. Although I was sceptical as to the success of the tournament I found myself like millions around the world really addicted to the matches. The 4.30 to 7.30 evening sloth will just not be the same again.
Internet
I have finally registered my website www.envernathan.com I am now in the process of developing this site.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me.
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 that 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.
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.
The latest addition is the Chennai Super Kings (IPL). This is off course for all supporters of the Chennai Super Kings 20/20 cricket team.
For those of you who are looking for a Tamil word processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use it.
Kamesh has taken it upon himself to help his school raise funds for their building expansion project. He has managed to get two ex students from the USA to make a donation. He has got his mum’s friend from Bangalore to do likewise. He has asked me to include this in Chennai news. If you would like to donate something for the building you can contact him at kwg2005@gmail.com
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.
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.
The Tamil Eisteddfods
This year I have tried to attend as many eisteddfods as possible. One of the reasons is that my sister Jayambal is now the Secretary of the KZNTVS Eisteddfod Movement so I accompanied her. I missed the Durban region eisteddfod as it was held very early in April before I arrived in Durban. I attended the South Coast eisteddfod held in the town of Umzinto. This has always been one of my favourite towns especially when I used to bring artistes from Tamilnadu to perform here in South Africa. I was happy to see an old friend, Mr SV Reddy, who used to host the artistes there. Also met many others who I have known over the years from the eisteddfod and also from the music and dance programs. I remember the South Coast as a fledgling group during my time and was very happy to see the progress that they have made and the high quality of their performances.
The next Eisteddfod that I attended was the Durban South in Merebank. This is no doubt one of the powerhouses of Tamil Culture led ably by the Merebank Tamil School Society. These people really have got it right and are a fine example of what Tamil organisations should aim at. The performances of all the groups taking part were of a very high standard and will take some beating at the finals.
I unfortunately missed the Lower North Eisteddfod in Phoenix as my son Mahesh was leaving the next day and I had some last minute chores to do before he left. However from experience I know that the Lower North has some very powerful groups and their standard is always very high.
We then drove to Ladysmith for the Northern Natal eisteddfod, which started just after lunch. This eisteddfod was quite nostalgic for me as I last attended their eisteddfod some 25 years ago when it was held in Newcastle. At that time I was one of the secretaries of the NTVS provincial body and had gone there with Mr MV Rajah who was the Chairman and Rama Pillay who was the other secretary. Children from Ladysmith and Newcastle took part. Many people told me that they desperately needed teachers and tutors and other logistic help such as CDs etc. I promise that I will try and help them next year. I was given an opportunity to address the audience and I told them about CN and also all that we were trying to do on the Internet and Facebook.
I unfortunately missed the Southern Region Eisteddfod in Chatsworth as I had made another appointment.
The next week I attended the Upper North Coast Eisteddfod in Stanger. As we had picked someone from Newlands West we drove via Kwa Mashu, Verulam, Tongaat to Stanger. We had a visitor from India and we took him through this very scenic route. There are quite a few people from Stanger who belong to the Tamil Eisteddfod group on Facebook and I met some of them. Here also the standard was quite good and it was pleasing to see how many little children took part. Here again I was allowed to address the audience.
Unfortunately I did not go to the Pmburg Eisteddfod. I will try and make up for these lapses next year.
Having travelled to all these Eisteddfods I could not help but admire the hard work that the officials, teachers and parents put in to make these Eisteddfods possible. We must not also forget the hours of practice put in by the candidates themselves. All these people are the real unsung heroes who don’t make the news or the photos that you see in most newspapers.
The KZN team ably led by Mrs Kogie Moorthi really put in a lot of time in the eisteddfod movement. The others are Sagren Padayachee (V/Chairman), Jayambal Govender (Secretary), Claude Dhrumlingam (Treasurer), Richard Govender (PRO) and Dr Ganas Murugan (Eisteddfod Administrator)
The adjucators, too many to mention, must also be complimented on their work. These people give up their weekends to do this very important task.
I am looking forward to the Finals to be held on June 14 and 15 at the Regional Hall in Merebank. I am not sure about the Saturday but will definitely be there on the Sunday. I hope to see as many of you who can make it. If you have not been to an Eisteddfod or have not been to one recently please try and make it so that you can see the talent of our children.
The Nationals will be held on July 5 and 6 at the same venue. I have heard that besides Gauteng both the Eastern and Western Cape will be taking part. I am looking forward to meeting some of my Internet friends from these areas.
People from Ladysmith and Newcastle have contacted me and asked for music teachers to go to their towns and teach them music. If any of you can do so or know people who can do so then please mail me and I will forward your mail to them.
The Sydenham Tamil Society is also looking for adults to join them in participating in the Tamil Eisteddfods. Singers, musicians and dancers are asked to join them as well as beginners. For further information mail me and I will connect you to them.
I will be attending the Tamil Festival held at the temple grounds at Mt Edgecombe. The program starts at 2 pm on Monday 16th June. I have been to everyone since the first that was held at the MTSS hall some years ago. I will be there from 1 pm. I will have lots of Cds and other goods which you can purchase.
Film scene
The Name is Rajnikanth is a book written by an ardent Rajni fan Dr Gayathri Sreekanth. The book that was written with the aid of the superstar and his family is 384 pages with over 100 pictures. It traces his life from a humble bus conductor to his status as a superstar. With the falling rand it should land at about R200. I have a few left so contact me if you need one.
Many people felt that with all the hype of the 20/20 cricket that cinema would take a backseat. However when Gowri and Kamesh went to see the Vijay’s movie Kuravi they could not get tickets, as it was houseful even though the Chennai Super Kings were playing a match in Chennai.
My family have now seen the movie and contrary to what the critics had to say they did enjoy it.
I have been thinking about the Tamil Movie club and there seems to be a need to make it a more broad based Entertainment club that will look at other aspects like live shows etc with movies being one of the functions. If you have any thoughts and ideas on this subject please contact me.
I have 122 people who have expressed their desire to join the club. I would like you in turn to look at least 10 people who you believe will like to join this group. Please send me their names and Email address together with your name. If you know more than 10 people then please send all of them.
People in Chennai and around the world are anxiously waiting for the release of Kamal’s Dasavatharam where he is said to be playing 10 characters. This is slated to be the costliest movie ever made in India. The latest controversy is that a small religious group have gone to court to stop the film, as they believe it to hurt the sentiments of the Ayengar Brahmins. How they have deduced this without seeing the movie is a mystery.
Tourism Scene
The next group tour will be in September this year. I am still working on the dates but it should be around September 1 or a week later. This tour will go via Mauritius so there is a possibility of staying a few days there. This is a three weeks long South tour. I have 10 people from the Phoenix area already booked. If you want to join in please do so. To make it easy I plan to include both breakfast and dinner and all the entrance fees. Thus all you will need to bring is your spending money.
01/09 Leave for Mauritius and India
02/09 Arrive in Chennai. Rest
03/09 City tour and shopping
04/09 Kanchipuram/Tirupathi
05/09 Puttarpathi
06/09 Bangalore
07/09 Bangalore
08/09 Mysore
10/09 Ooty
11/09 Coimbature
12/09 Cochin
13/09 Cochin
14/09 Allepey/Kollam
15/09 Kanyakumari
16/09 Kanyakumari/Madurai
17/09 Madurai
18/09 Trichy
19/09 Thanjavur/Kumbakonam
20/09 Chidambaram/Mahabalipuram/Chennai
21/09 Chennai Free day
22/09 Chennai Free day
23/09 Leave for Mauritius. Night in Mauritius
24/09 Mauritius. Morning free. Afternoon. Leave for Durban.
Price: Cost of ticket + R7200. Working out to about R15,200 per person sharing. Includes all accommodation on Bed and breakfast in 3 star hotels and equivalent. All transport by Air Con vehicle. Includes all taxes, parking, tolls, entrance into temples, parks, and monuments and carrying of bags at Hotels. Price will change as the Rand fluctuates.
Mauritius: One night Hotel accommodation with transfers. Includes breakfast and dinner allowance.
As a new service I have now added accommodation and tours in Mauritius as an extra service on to the holiday. I find that it can be done quite cheaply when booked directly with the owners in Mauritius. I am now looking at a similar service in Dubai.
If you are thinking of coming to India then please contact me so that I can plan an enjoyable trip for you at the most economical prices. All tours are tailored made for your individual tastes and needs.
Chennai News 89
CHENNAI NEWS
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 89 (May 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
My mum is an ardent viewer of Sun and KTV like many of my friends and relatives. However I think that viewers are really being short changed. It looks like Multichoice just does not care. I was shocked to see that no information is being given about any programs on these two channels. At least last year when I was here the name of the programs were given if not any information about it. Well it has gone from bad to worse and now neither the names nor the times are given thus it is not possible for people to record these programs. My friend Benny Rasen did mail me about this problem however I did not realise it was so bad. A little while ago someone from Multichoice did contact me about this problem and my advice to them was to appoint a consultant in Chennai to keep them up to date with the program details. I even offered to help them. However I was told that I would be contacted as soon as she returned to her office. I have not received any communication till now. So I just wonder how committed Multichoice is to solve this problem. Maybe viewers of Sun and KTV should form an organisation to look into this.
This Sunday is Mothers day. So a very happy Mothers day to all you mothers. I normally attend the function at the Gengai Amman temple in Cato Manor. It is so appropriate that they carry garagam in dedication to the mother on this day. It is also a good place to meet all your friends and relatives especially the old Cato Manor and Mayville residents.
On Saturday I am planning to go to the Eisteddfod of the South Coast region to be held at the Vishnu temple hall in Main Road Umzinto starting at 9 am. If you are from the South Coast then you should attend. It normally starts in the morning. For those readers from nearby who like to meet me please do so.
TO ALL THE MUMS OUT THERE
HAVE A WONDERFUL MOTHER’S DAY
Here are the other eisteddfod dates.
Lower North Coast 17/18 May at Stonebridge hallDurban South 25 May Northern Natal 31 May NewcastleSouthern 01 JuneUpper North 07 June Pietermaritzburg 08 June TPA
The Inter-Regional Finals is to be held on 14 & 15 June 2008 at the Merebank Regional Hall commencing at 08H30 on both days.
National Eisteddfod Children's: 05 & 06 July 2008 at the Merebank Regional Hall in Durban
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 am now in the process of developing this site.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me.
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 that 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 processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc.. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use it.
Kamesh has taken it upon himself to help his school raise funds for their building expansion project. He has managed to get two ex students from the USA to make a donation. He has got his mum’s friend from Bangalore to do likewise. He has asked me to include this in Chennai news. If you would like to donate something for the building you can contact him at kwg2005@gmail.com
Tourism Scene
This is a mail by one of my clients Mrs Kim Tailor that she sent to all her friends and relatives.
India was wonderful. We spent quite a lot of time beforehand talking to all sorts of people who have been there and reading up in the lonely planet and other guides to plan our trip. I think we did a great job. For those of you who don’t know, I left with three friends Savi, Barbara Erswell and Linda – a lovely English girl and a friend of Barbara's, at the end of Feb. We landed in MUMBAI in the early hours of the morning and went straight to a hotel. After a few hours sleep and a good breakfast from our 4 star hotel, we were collected for a full day tour. Our guide was excellent and there is lots to see - the Eliphanta Caves date from about 450 AD have amazing Hindu carvings hewn out of the rock face, mainly of one of the lords (Shiva), the Jain Temple (they will even brush an ant away from the path so as not to stand on it!!!!!!!), a home where Gandhi stayed for many years, public gardens etc. The most amazing sight for me was the Dhobi Ghats - the world's largest outdoor laundry where up to 10 000 dhobis – washer men - wash clothes for the people of Mumbai. One thing we noticed was that it was cleaner than we expected it to be but then we did not visit the slums which we had read about in Shantaram.
We caught a very early plane to UDAIPUR. This for me was a highlight. It is smaller and much prettier than any of the other cities in the North that we visited. It is a famous place for honeymooners as there are numerous lakes – the biggest Lake Pichola, housing the wonderful Lake Palace Hotel, which looks like a floating palace in the middle of the lake. Unfortunately a big wedding was taking place the weekend we were there so we could not visit it but we still had a boat ride on the lake and visited the wonderful City Palace and Museum. It is 300 years old and has been added to by each Maharaja (one still lives there and participates in religious ceremonies with the town people). It is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. We had two nights here - in what they call a HOMESTAY….someone’s home. We were lucky as I met an old school friend (unbelievable) who was staying in a hotel which she said was awful. In fact we had people coming up to reception at each of the hotels where we were staying, who were desperate to move from their hotel to ours…..
In the streets it was normal to see elephants (all painted – even their toenails) for religious ceremonies, camels pulling carts, donkeys carrying bricks, cows wondering aimlessly, tuk tuks or auto-rickshaws as they are called, taxis and people everywhere.
We then drove to JAIPUR, known as the pink city as all the buildings were painted pink (more like terracotta) in 1876 for Edward 7ths visit – pink being the colour of hospitality and all buildings in the old city are still painted every 10 years. We stayed at the posh Le Meridian hotel for two nights and enjoyed the luxury after the long road trip. The Amber fort is the biggest attraction here and tourists go up the hill, riding elephants. We did not get there early enough and the queue was daunting. We did not mind as that night we went to a local fair and rode an elephant just for the experience. The detail in the decoration of the fort was amazing, as with ALL of the old buildings we visited in India.
From Jaipur we drove to Agra and were up before sunrise to visit the Taj Mahal. It is impossible to describe on paper. The beauty, workmanship and symmetry of the building is awesome. The inlaid work in the marble is difficult to take in. Our guide showed us using a torch how just one flower was made up of over 60 small pieces of semi precious stones like jade and lapus lazuli. It was here that we all felt a bit ripped off after we shopped in one of the shops specializing in pashminas etc. He has been very skillful as we were determined NOT to shop in Agra having heard stories of tourists being ripped off and then we found ourselves doing what we had said we wouldn’t do….shop.
Then it was onto Delhi. We had three nights here and we all felt we could have done with just two. There is a LOT to see but when you have visited lots of palaces, temples and forts they all sort of mesh with one another. We saw plenty of them and it was good planning, ending our trip in the south which is very different.
From Delhi we flew to Goa. Goa is very like Mauritius in many ways. Weather is similar and there are fantastic hotels along the coast with the towns being quite scruffy. In fact we often made parallels between India and Mauritius. Goa is full of English tourists. They find it very cheap and many Brits rent there for part of the year. The history is connected to Portugal and anyone who remembers their SA history will remember that Vasco De Gama went onto this part of India after discovering Natal and Malindi further up the coast. There are magnificent Christian churches to visit in Goa that date back to this time in the late 1400’s. We stayed at a fantastic 5 star resort with the best breakfast selection I have ever had and thought we were in heaven.
Cochin or Kochi is in the state or Kerela and is famous for its backwaters and for where ayurvedic massage originated.
This was the best part of the trip for me. Friends of my folks had stayed here for 10 days last year and had loved it, so I was very excited. It lived up to all expectations. The backwaters were amazing. The boats are luxury with en suite rooms and aircon – very spacious and come with a crew of 3, a cook, a helmsman and a general guy to see to your every need. The food was top class – fresh fish and many vegetarian side dishes using fresh veggies bought from the villages we stopped at. As you glide by the villages you see all sorts of interesting activities – men shaving, everyone bathing, washing clothes, swimming, fishing, cleaning pots etc. I think that these backwaters will become very busy and more expensive as people realize how wonderfully relaxing it is. We met a few honeymoon couples. As with all parts of India that we visited, Cochin was FULL of history, the Chinese fishing nets, the Jewish synagogue which had exquisite blue tiles from China laid in 1762, and the 16th C Dutch Palace with its erotic paintings of Krishna surrounded by enraptured female figures. The last thing I did before the driver collected me for the ride to the airport for my trip home was to have an ayurvedic massage. It was a great idea and I felt very relaxed for my trip home, leaving India on a high
Unfortunately Kim had to come back home after the Kerela part of the tour. So she did not write about the last leg which included Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry and Kanchipuram.
The next group tour will be on 2 September this year for 3 weeks. I am still working on the dates but it should be around September 1 or a week later. This tour will go via Mauritius so there is a possibility of staying a few days there. This is a three weeks long South tour. I have 10 people from the Phoenix area already booked. If you want to join in please do so. To make it easy I plan to include both breakfast and dinner and all the entrance fees. Thus all you will need to bring is your spending money.
Places that will be visited are Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Trichy, Palani, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Kovelam beach, Trivandrum, Kollam, Allepey, Cochin, Coimbature, Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Puttarpathi and Tirupathi. For those that want an add-on to the North this can be arranged.
I have still to price it but will be looking at a price of below R15,000 inclusive of flights. Contact me if you are interested.
As a new service I have now added accommodation and tours in Mauritius as an extra service on to the holiday. I find that it can be done quite cheaply when booked directly with the owners in Mauritius. I am now looking at a similar service in Dubai.
If you are thinking of coming to India then please contact me so that I can plan an enjoyable trip for you at the most economical prices. All tours are tailored made for your individual tastes and needs.
Film scene
The Name is Rajnikanth is a book written by an ardent Rajni fan Dr Gayathri Sreekanth. The book that was written with the aid of the superstar and his family is 384 pages with over 100 pictures. It traces his life from a humble bus conductor to his status as a superstar. However the book is heavy and I will have to send it by courier. With the falling rand it should land at about R200. I have a few left so contact me if you need one.
Many people felt that with all the hype of the 20/20 cricket that cinema would take a backseat. However when Gowri and Kamesh went to see the Vijay’s movie Kuravi they could not get tickets as it was houseful even though the Chennai Super Kings were playing a match in Chennai.
I have been thinking about the Tamil Movie club and there seems to be a need to a more broader based entertainment club that will look at other aspects like live shows etc with movies being one of the functions. If you have any thoughts and ideas on this subject please contact me.
The success of Veyyil has catapulted Vasanthabalan to such heights that there’s already much expectation from Angaadi Theru, his next. New face Mahesh is the hero, and Anjali, the heroine of Katradhu Thamizh, is being paired with him. “It will be a realistic film like Veyyil,” begins Vasanthabalan. The crew went all over the State searching for its hero. Mahesh was chosen from among 17,000 youngsters and after three-months of scouting. “Mahesh comes from a very ordinary background. His father sells nuts outside a cinema hall, near Dindigul. And convincing him to allow his son to act was just one of the many challenges we faced,” laughs Balan. Anjali’s girl-next-door looks won her a place in Angaadi … “The two are doing a near-perfect job. They’ve not gone beyond two takes for a shot,” (courtesy Malathi Rungarajan)
The ‘Jayam’ brothers are all smiles these days. Santhosh Subramaniam has proved a hit and it makes it the duo’s fourth consecutive win in a row! “It’s not as though I give my brother special attention. It’s only that he’s a diligent learner and gives his all to every project he works in — not just mine. The lengthy climax, in which an emotionally charged Ravi takes on his father Prakash Raj, was okayed in one take! After the shot, Prakash Raj hugged Ravi and congratulated him on his performance, while the others in the unit stood stunned by his show. I’ve always been aware of Ravi’s potential. I’m glad when others realise it,” says his proud elder brother Raja, the director of Santhosh … (courtesy Malathi Rungarajan)
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 89 (May 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
My mum is an ardent viewer of Sun and KTV like many of my friends and relatives. However I think that viewers are really being short changed. It looks like Multichoice just does not care. I was shocked to see that no information is being given about any programs on these two channels. At least last year when I was here the name of the programs were given if not any information about it. Well it has gone from bad to worse and now neither the names nor the times are given thus it is not possible for people to record these programs. My friend Benny Rasen did mail me about this problem however I did not realise it was so bad. A little while ago someone from Multichoice did contact me about this problem and my advice to them was to appoint a consultant in Chennai to keep them up to date with the program details. I even offered to help them. However I was told that I would be contacted as soon as she returned to her office. I have not received any communication till now. So I just wonder how committed Multichoice is to solve this problem. Maybe viewers of Sun and KTV should form an organisation to look into this.
This Sunday is Mothers day. So a very happy Mothers day to all you mothers. I normally attend the function at the Gengai Amman temple in Cato Manor. It is so appropriate that they carry garagam in dedication to the mother on this day. It is also a good place to meet all your friends and relatives especially the old Cato Manor and Mayville residents.
On Saturday I am planning to go to the Eisteddfod of the South Coast region to be held at the Vishnu temple hall in Main Road Umzinto starting at 9 am. If you are from the South Coast then you should attend. It normally starts in the morning. For those readers from nearby who like to meet me please do so.
TO ALL THE MUMS OUT THERE
HAVE A WONDERFUL MOTHER’S DAY
Here are the other eisteddfod dates.
Lower North Coast 17/18 May at Stonebridge hallDurban South 25 May Northern Natal 31 May NewcastleSouthern 01 JuneUpper North 07 June Pietermaritzburg 08 June TPA
The Inter-Regional Finals is to be held on 14 & 15 June 2008 at the Merebank Regional Hall commencing at 08H30 on both days.
National Eisteddfod Children's: 05 & 06 July 2008 at the Merebank Regional Hall in Durban
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 am now in the process of developing this site.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me.
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 that 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 processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc.. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use it.
Kamesh has taken it upon himself to help his school raise funds for their building expansion project. He has managed to get two ex students from the USA to make a donation. He has got his mum’s friend from Bangalore to do likewise. He has asked me to include this in Chennai news. If you would like to donate something for the building you can contact him at kwg2005@gmail.com
Tourism Scene
This is a mail by one of my clients Mrs Kim Tailor that she sent to all her friends and relatives.
India was wonderful. We spent quite a lot of time beforehand talking to all sorts of people who have been there and reading up in the lonely planet and other guides to plan our trip. I think we did a great job. For those of you who don’t know, I left with three friends Savi, Barbara Erswell and Linda – a lovely English girl and a friend of Barbara's, at the end of Feb. We landed in MUMBAI in the early hours of the morning and went straight to a hotel. After a few hours sleep and a good breakfast from our 4 star hotel, we were collected for a full day tour. Our guide was excellent and there is lots to see - the Eliphanta Caves date from about 450 AD have amazing Hindu carvings hewn out of the rock face, mainly of one of the lords (Shiva), the Jain Temple (they will even brush an ant away from the path so as not to stand on it!!!!!!!), a home where Gandhi stayed for many years, public gardens etc. The most amazing sight for me was the Dhobi Ghats - the world's largest outdoor laundry where up to 10 000 dhobis – washer men - wash clothes for the people of Mumbai. One thing we noticed was that it was cleaner than we expected it to be but then we did not visit the slums which we had read about in Shantaram.
We caught a very early plane to UDAIPUR. This for me was a highlight. It is smaller and much prettier than any of the other cities in the North that we visited. It is a famous place for honeymooners as there are numerous lakes – the biggest Lake Pichola, housing the wonderful Lake Palace Hotel, which looks like a floating palace in the middle of the lake. Unfortunately a big wedding was taking place the weekend we were there so we could not visit it but we still had a boat ride on the lake and visited the wonderful City Palace and Museum. It is 300 years old and has been added to by each Maharaja (one still lives there and participates in religious ceremonies with the town people). It is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. We had two nights here - in what they call a HOMESTAY….someone’s home. We were lucky as I met an old school friend (unbelievable) who was staying in a hotel which she said was awful. In fact we had people coming up to reception at each of the hotels where we were staying, who were desperate to move from their hotel to ours…..
In the streets it was normal to see elephants (all painted – even their toenails) for religious ceremonies, camels pulling carts, donkeys carrying bricks, cows wondering aimlessly, tuk tuks or auto-rickshaws as they are called, taxis and people everywhere.
We then drove to JAIPUR, known as the pink city as all the buildings were painted pink (more like terracotta) in 1876 for Edward 7ths visit – pink being the colour of hospitality and all buildings in the old city are still painted every 10 years. We stayed at the posh Le Meridian hotel for two nights and enjoyed the luxury after the long road trip. The Amber fort is the biggest attraction here and tourists go up the hill, riding elephants. We did not get there early enough and the queue was daunting. We did not mind as that night we went to a local fair and rode an elephant just for the experience. The detail in the decoration of the fort was amazing, as with ALL of the old buildings we visited in India.
From Jaipur we drove to Agra and were up before sunrise to visit the Taj Mahal. It is impossible to describe on paper. The beauty, workmanship and symmetry of the building is awesome. The inlaid work in the marble is difficult to take in. Our guide showed us using a torch how just one flower was made up of over 60 small pieces of semi precious stones like jade and lapus lazuli. It was here that we all felt a bit ripped off after we shopped in one of the shops specializing in pashminas etc. He has been very skillful as we were determined NOT to shop in Agra having heard stories of tourists being ripped off and then we found ourselves doing what we had said we wouldn’t do….shop.
Then it was onto Delhi. We had three nights here and we all felt we could have done with just two. There is a LOT to see but when you have visited lots of palaces, temples and forts they all sort of mesh with one another. We saw plenty of them and it was good planning, ending our trip in the south which is very different.
From Delhi we flew to Goa. Goa is very like Mauritius in many ways. Weather is similar and there are fantastic hotels along the coast with the towns being quite scruffy. In fact we often made parallels between India and Mauritius. Goa is full of English tourists. They find it very cheap and many Brits rent there for part of the year. The history is connected to Portugal and anyone who remembers their SA history will remember that Vasco De Gama went onto this part of India after discovering Natal and Malindi further up the coast. There are magnificent Christian churches to visit in Goa that date back to this time in the late 1400’s. We stayed at a fantastic 5 star resort with the best breakfast selection I have ever had and thought we were in heaven.
Cochin or Kochi is in the state or Kerela and is famous for its backwaters and for where ayurvedic massage originated.
This was the best part of the trip for me. Friends of my folks had stayed here for 10 days last year and had loved it, so I was very excited. It lived up to all expectations. The backwaters were amazing. The boats are luxury with en suite rooms and aircon – very spacious and come with a crew of 3, a cook, a helmsman and a general guy to see to your every need. The food was top class – fresh fish and many vegetarian side dishes using fresh veggies bought from the villages we stopped at. As you glide by the villages you see all sorts of interesting activities – men shaving, everyone bathing, washing clothes, swimming, fishing, cleaning pots etc. I think that these backwaters will become very busy and more expensive as people realize how wonderfully relaxing it is. We met a few honeymoon couples. As with all parts of India that we visited, Cochin was FULL of history, the Chinese fishing nets, the Jewish synagogue which had exquisite blue tiles from China laid in 1762, and the 16th C Dutch Palace with its erotic paintings of Krishna surrounded by enraptured female figures. The last thing I did before the driver collected me for the ride to the airport for my trip home was to have an ayurvedic massage. It was a great idea and I felt very relaxed for my trip home, leaving India on a high
Unfortunately Kim had to come back home after the Kerela part of the tour. So she did not write about the last leg which included Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry and Kanchipuram.
The next group tour will be on 2 September this year for 3 weeks. I am still working on the dates but it should be around September 1 or a week later. This tour will go via Mauritius so there is a possibility of staying a few days there. This is a three weeks long South tour. I have 10 people from the Phoenix area already booked. If you want to join in please do so. To make it easy I plan to include both breakfast and dinner and all the entrance fees. Thus all you will need to bring is your spending money.
Places that will be visited are Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Trichy, Palani, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Kovelam beach, Trivandrum, Kollam, Allepey, Cochin, Coimbature, Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Puttarpathi and Tirupathi. For those that want an add-on to the North this can be arranged.
I have still to price it but will be looking at a price of below R15,000 inclusive of flights. Contact me if you are interested.
As a new service I have now added accommodation and tours in Mauritius as an extra service on to the holiday. I find that it can be done quite cheaply when booked directly with the owners in Mauritius. I am now looking at a similar service in Dubai.
If you are thinking of coming to India then please contact me so that I can plan an enjoyable trip for you at the most economical prices. All tours are tailored made for your individual tastes and needs.
Film scene
The Name is Rajnikanth is a book written by an ardent Rajni fan Dr Gayathri Sreekanth. The book that was written with the aid of the superstar and his family is 384 pages with over 100 pictures. It traces his life from a humble bus conductor to his status as a superstar. However the book is heavy and I will have to send it by courier. With the falling rand it should land at about R200. I have a few left so contact me if you need one.
Many people felt that with all the hype of the 20/20 cricket that cinema would take a backseat. However when Gowri and Kamesh went to see the Vijay’s movie Kuravi they could not get tickets as it was houseful even though the Chennai Super Kings were playing a match in Chennai.
I have been thinking about the Tamil Movie club and there seems to be a need to a more broader based entertainment club that will look at other aspects like live shows etc with movies being one of the functions. If you have any thoughts and ideas on this subject please contact me.
The success of Veyyil has catapulted Vasanthabalan to such heights that there’s already much expectation from Angaadi Theru, his next. New face Mahesh is the hero, and Anjali, the heroine of Katradhu Thamizh, is being paired with him. “It will be a realistic film like Veyyil,” begins Vasanthabalan. The crew went all over the State searching for its hero. Mahesh was chosen from among 17,000 youngsters and after three-months of scouting. “Mahesh comes from a very ordinary background. His father sells nuts outside a cinema hall, near Dindigul. And convincing him to allow his son to act was just one of the many challenges we faced,” laughs Balan. Anjali’s girl-next-door looks won her a place in Angaadi … “The two are doing a near-perfect job. They’ve not gone beyond two takes for a shot,” (courtesy Malathi Rungarajan)
The ‘Jayam’ brothers are all smiles these days. Santhosh Subramaniam has proved a hit and it makes it the duo’s fourth consecutive win in a row! “It’s not as though I give my brother special attention. It’s only that he’s a diligent learner and gives his all to every project he works in — not just mine. The lengthy climax, in which an emotionally charged Ravi takes on his father Prakash Raj, was okayed in one take! After the shot, Prakash Raj hugged Ravi and congratulated him on his performance, while the others in the unit stood stunned by his show. I’ve always been aware of Ravi’s potential. I’m glad when others realise it,” says his proud elder brother Raja, the director of Santhosh … (courtesy Malathi Rungarajan)
Chennai News 88
CHENNAI NEWS
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 88 (April 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
We had one of those rare electrical storms in the Chennai a few weeks ago. The greatest intensity seemed to be over my house. The lightening blew off of the TV and it had to be replaced. Since I was working on the computer when it started I had wisely taken out the wall plug. However I soon found that we humans are no match to nature. A bolt of lightening struck my Internet cable and went via the modem and blew up the Ethernet card. I had a few months ago invested in a second broadband connection so that if any one server was down I could switch to the other. However most great plans, invariably has an Achilles heel. So even though both services were running I could not access it from my computer. Looks like I will have to get a wireless connection soon.
The South African cricket team were in town. I have just come back from the Taj Hotel were they were staying with a cricket shirt as a gift which I gave to my son.
By some chance or providence I became acquainted with Logan and Kogie Naidoo. Logan by the way is the manager of the SA team. They invited me to the function held by the BCCI to felicitate Anil Kumble on his 600 wickets. I just about made it to the venue on time and had to pass players like Ganguly, Dravid and Tendulker on my way to the table of the SA manager. The room was a “who’s who” of Indian cricket past and present and also the SA team. After the felicitation two dinners were served. One was in the main hall and another just for the Indian and South African teams and also the high ranked BCCI officials. Luckily for me I was in the latter. Imagine being in the same room as some of the most powerful men in Indian cricket. Robin Singh and Venketesh Persadh came and sat at our table as we had two spare seats. Both were friendly especially Robin who spoke non-stop. The two teams kept to themselves probably not wanting to tire themselves as they were playing the next day. However Makaya Ntini was an exception and could be seen moving around. He came to our table and Logan introduced him to me. He wanted to shake hands but I was tucking into a chicken drumstick so offered him my left hand apologising saying that I was eating with my fingers. He said don’t worry I also eat with my fingers. Although it was an experience of a lifetime I could not understand how the BCCI could organise a function involving players on the eve of the match.
The match itself was a bit of a bore except when Sewagh was at his devastating best.
I guess the 1-1 draw is a good reflection of the two teams and for my family as the younger son Mahesh is an ardent Proteas fan.
I am watching the IPL 20/20 tournament and it seems that cricket is surviving the hype. The Chennai team looks well balanced so I will be hoping they win.
I really enjoyed the Tamil New Year celebrations at the Chatsworth stadium. As I had promised the youth group we took two stalls at the celebrations. This allowed me to meet lots of my friends, relatives and acquaintances. I must also thank the Tamil Federation of KZN for allowing me to address the large crowd.
The program especially the dances were top class; this was followed by the Fireworks display and the Tamil Koothe. However not many danced I guess because people don’t want to stay out too late in South Africa.
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 am now in the process of developing this site.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me.
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 that 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 processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc.. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use it.
Kamesh has taken it upon himself to help his school raise funds for their building expansion project. He has managed to get two ex students from the USA to make a donation. He has got his mum’s friend from Bangalore to do likewise. He has asked me to include this in Chennai news. If you would like to donate something for the building you can contact him at kwg2005@gmail.com
Tourism Scene
The next group tour will be in September this year. I am still working on the dates but it should be around September 1 or a week later. This tour will go via Mauritius so there is a possibility of staying a few days there. This is a three weeks long South tour. I have 10 people from the Phoenix area already booked. If you want to join in please do so. To make it easy I plan to include both breakfast and dinner and all the entrance fees. Thus all you will need to bring is your spending money.
Places that will be visited are Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Trichy, Palani, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Kovelam beach, Trivandrum, Kollam, Allepey, Cochin, Coimbature, Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Puttarpathi and Tirupathi. For those that want an add-on to the North this can be arranged.
I will have the full program and price by the time I send out the next Chennai News hopefully May 1. However please contact me if you need and information on 031-2086929 or 0762832273.
As a new service I have now added accommodation and tours in Mauritius as an extra service on to the holiday. I find that it can be done quite cheaply when booked directly with the owners in Mauritius. I am now looking at a similar service in Dubai.
If you are thinking of coming to India then please contact me so that I can plan an enjoyable trip for you at the most economical prices. All tours are tailored made for your individual tastes and needs.
Film scene
The Name is Rajnikanth is a book written by an ardent Rajni fan Dr Gayathri Sreekanth. The book that was written with the aid of the superstar and his family is 384 pages with over 100 pictures. It traces his life from a humble bus conductor to his status as a superstar. However the book is heavy and I will have to send it by courier. With the falling rand it should land at about R200. I have brought a limited stock so contact me immediately if you want a copy.
The last movie that I saw before I left Chennai was Dhanush’s Yaaradi nee Mohini. He is paired with Nayanthara. I must say I really enjoyed the movie. Nayanthara is the urban sophisticated hi tech professional and Dhanush as the middleclass local makes quite a match. Dhanush is an out of work job seeker who seems to fail at every interview much to the disgust of his father played by the late Raghuvaran. Here the irritation between the father and son and vice versa is excellent. Dhanush sees Nayanthara and is fascinated by her. He finds out where she works and as luck will have it he applies to the same company for an IT position. With her encouragement and lots of hard work he makes it at the interview and the tests and obtains a job also sending his father into shock at his success. However he is quite dismayed to find that Nayanthara is a workaholic and always seems to be angry. He even tells her to smile as it is good for her health. Dhanush then by mistake brings down the system and lots of important data is lost. He becomes quite upset when Nayanthara as his senior is scolded reducing her to tears. He stays up the whole night and manages to bring up the system and all the lost information. Some sort of feelings develops between the two especially when they go to Australia on a project. When they come back to Chennai he declares his love only to be rebuked. She tells him that although she dresses and acts like a modern girl she is really from a very conservative family and that in a month's time she will have to marry her relative in their village. Dhanush’s dad goes to talk to her but she insults him and the poor man dies in his sleep the same night.
The second half is set in the village, which lends itself to much humour of the city boy visiting a village. Dhanush is taken to the village by his best friend and is surprised to find that it is also Nayanthara’s village and that she is going to marry his friend. Nayanthara also has a cute little sister who develops a crush on Dhanush. This finally makes Nayanthara jealous and she admits that she loves him. However Dhanush says that he really likes her family and he will not do anything to disrupt the family. However the groom hears all this and at the weddings says that he will not marry her as he is already married.
I really liked Dhanush’s acting especially in the comedy parts. Nayanthara is very efficient as the strong willed professional woman but it is really the younger sister that makes an impact in the second half. The songs and dances are very good.
If you were listening to Mala on Radio Lotus on Sunday then it was me that was her guest.
Classified Section.
I have lots of CDs, Dvd’s and Vcds ranging from R10 onwards.
The Sydenham Tamil Society has started singing and harmonium classes under the tutorage of Mr Kumaresan Chetty. For more details contact Mr Rudy Pillay at 031-2086929.
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). Johannesburg. 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)
(NEWS OF CHENNAI AND TAMILNADU BY ENVERNATHAN)
Volume 88 (April 2008)
Enver’s Rambling.
We had one of those rare electrical storms in the Chennai a few weeks ago. The greatest intensity seemed to be over my house. The lightening blew off of the TV and it had to be replaced. Since I was working on the computer when it started I had wisely taken out the wall plug. However I soon found that we humans are no match to nature. A bolt of lightening struck my Internet cable and went via the modem and blew up the Ethernet card. I had a few months ago invested in a second broadband connection so that if any one server was down I could switch to the other. However most great plans, invariably has an Achilles heel. So even though both services were running I could not access it from my computer. Looks like I will have to get a wireless connection soon.
The South African cricket team were in town. I have just come back from the Taj Hotel were they were staying with a cricket shirt as a gift which I gave to my son.
By some chance or providence I became acquainted with Logan and Kogie Naidoo. Logan by the way is the manager of the SA team. They invited me to the function held by the BCCI to felicitate Anil Kumble on his 600 wickets. I just about made it to the venue on time and had to pass players like Ganguly, Dravid and Tendulker on my way to the table of the SA manager. The room was a “who’s who” of Indian cricket past and present and also the SA team. After the felicitation two dinners were served. One was in the main hall and another just for the Indian and South African teams and also the high ranked BCCI officials. Luckily for me I was in the latter. Imagine being in the same room as some of the most powerful men in Indian cricket. Robin Singh and Venketesh Persadh came and sat at our table as we had two spare seats. Both were friendly especially Robin who spoke non-stop. The two teams kept to themselves probably not wanting to tire themselves as they were playing the next day. However Makaya Ntini was an exception and could be seen moving around. He came to our table and Logan introduced him to me. He wanted to shake hands but I was tucking into a chicken drumstick so offered him my left hand apologising saying that I was eating with my fingers. He said don’t worry I also eat with my fingers. Although it was an experience of a lifetime I could not understand how the BCCI could organise a function involving players on the eve of the match.
The match itself was a bit of a bore except when Sewagh was at his devastating best.
I guess the 1-1 draw is a good reflection of the two teams and for my family as the younger son Mahesh is an ardent Proteas fan.
I am watching the IPL 20/20 tournament and it seems that cricket is surviving the hype. The Chennai team looks well balanced so I will be hoping they win.
I really enjoyed the Tamil New Year celebrations at the Chatsworth stadium. As I had promised the youth group we took two stalls at the celebrations. This allowed me to meet lots of my friends, relatives and acquaintances. I must also thank the Tamil Federation of KZN for allowing me to address the large crowd.
The program especially the dances were top class; this was followed by the Fireworks display and the Tamil Koothe. However not many danced I guess because people don’t want to stay out too late in South Africa.
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 am now in the process of developing this site.
Some of you who visited India a few years ago promised me space on your server. I did not follow it up at that time but now that I have a web domain I will need that promised space. Please mail me.
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 that 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 processor then you should look at the Azhagi software. This is also excellent for transliterating Tamil songs etc.. You can get a free basic copy by downloading from the site www.azhagi.com If needed you can then opt for the more advance version. You don’t even have to know Tamil to use it.
Kamesh has taken it upon himself to help his school raise funds for their building expansion project. He has managed to get two ex students from the USA to make a donation. He has got his mum’s friend from Bangalore to do likewise. He has asked me to include this in Chennai news. If you would like to donate something for the building you can contact him at kwg2005@gmail.com
Tourism Scene
The next group tour will be in September this year. I am still working on the dates but it should be around September 1 or a week later. This tour will go via Mauritius so there is a possibility of staying a few days there. This is a three weeks long South tour. I have 10 people from the Phoenix area already booked. If you want to join in please do so. To make it easy I plan to include both breakfast and dinner and all the entrance fees. Thus all you will need to bring is your spending money.
Places that will be visited are Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Trichy, Palani, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Kovelam beach, Trivandrum, Kollam, Allepey, Cochin, Coimbature, Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Puttarpathi and Tirupathi. For those that want an add-on to the North this can be arranged.
I will have the full program and price by the time I send out the next Chennai News hopefully May 1. However please contact me if you need and information on 031-2086929 or 0762832273.
As a new service I have now added accommodation and tours in Mauritius as an extra service on to the holiday. I find that it can be done quite cheaply when booked directly with the owners in Mauritius. I am now looking at a similar service in Dubai.
If you are thinking of coming to India then please contact me so that I can plan an enjoyable trip for you at the most economical prices. All tours are tailored made for your individual tastes and needs.
Film scene
The Name is Rajnikanth is a book written by an ardent Rajni fan Dr Gayathri Sreekanth. The book that was written with the aid of the superstar and his family is 384 pages with over 100 pictures. It traces his life from a humble bus conductor to his status as a superstar. However the book is heavy and I will have to send it by courier. With the falling rand it should land at about R200. I have brought a limited stock so contact me immediately if you want a copy.
The last movie that I saw before I left Chennai was Dhanush’s Yaaradi nee Mohini. He is paired with Nayanthara. I must say I really enjoyed the movie. Nayanthara is the urban sophisticated hi tech professional and Dhanush as the middleclass local makes quite a match. Dhanush is an out of work job seeker who seems to fail at every interview much to the disgust of his father played by the late Raghuvaran. Here the irritation between the father and son and vice versa is excellent. Dhanush sees Nayanthara and is fascinated by her. He finds out where she works and as luck will have it he applies to the same company for an IT position. With her encouragement and lots of hard work he makes it at the interview and the tests and obtains a job also sending his father into shock at his success. However he is quite dismayed to find that Nayanthara is a workaholic and always seems to be angry. He even tells her to smile as it is good for her health. Dhanush then by mistake brings down the system and lots of important data is lost. He becomes quite upset when Nayanthara as his senior is scolded reducing her to tears. He stays up the whole night and manages to bring up the system and all the lost information. Some sort of feelings develops between the two especially when they go to Australia on a project. When they come back to Chennai he declares his love only to be rebuked. She tells him that although she dresses and acts like a modern girl she is really from a very conservative family and that in a month's time she will have to marry her relative in their village. Dhanush’s dad goes to talk to her but she insults him and the poor man dies in his sleep the same night.
The second half is set in the village, which lends itself to much humour of the city boy visiting a village. Dhanush is taken to the village by his best friend and is surprised to find that it is also Nayanthara’s village and that she is going to marry his friend. Nayanthara also has a cute little sister who develops a crush on Dhanush. This finally makes Nayanthara jealous and she admits that she loves him. However Dhanush says that he really likes her family and he will not do anything to disrupt the family. However the groom hears all this and at the weddings says that he will not marry her as he is already married.
I really liked Dhanush’s acting especially in the comedy parts. Nayanthara is very efficient as the strong willed professional woman but it is really the younger sister that makes an impact in the second half. The songs and dances are very good.
If you were listening to Mala on Radio Lotus on Sunday then it was me that was her guest.
Classified Section.
I have lots of CDs, Dvd’s and Vcds ranging from R10 onwards.
The Sydenham Tamil Society has started singing and harmonium classes under the tutorage of Mr Kumaresan Chetty. For more details contact Mr Rudy Pillay at 031-2086929.
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). Johannesburg. 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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