A BYTE OF LIFE Tuesday, December 23, 2008

ANUSHKA SHARMA
post Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

10 04
MARS VS VENUS
Rebelz theatre’s latest had an engaging script but …

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 2 No. 244

A memento at
J.Fenn & Co. office
on Anna Salai.
PHOTO: R.RAVINDRAN

» PAGE 03

For 154 years now, J. Fenn & Co has been synonymous with funeral services in the city.
Ayon Sengupta finds out its history in our continuing series ‘Made in Chennai’.
02 NAMMA CHENNAI
United Colors
of Benetton
Party this season with the
new Christmas collection,
which is based on the
theme ‘A Beautiful
Night’. Choose from a
wide collection of dresses
including trendy balloon
dresses and black dresses,
tops, over sleeves,
ponchos and much more
to doll you up for the
party season. Women’s
collection is available
between Rs. 1,499 and Rs
4,999.
Aavaranaa
This X-Mas and New Year special at the
store is a new-age expression of ethnic
traditions, be it crepe embroidery or a silk
intrinsically woven with vibrant hues.
Check-out floral prints, tussar silks and
fancy pallavs. Also, get gift vouchers worth
Rs. 500 on every purchase above Rs. 5,000
which could be redeemed at the store with
a validity of three months. Aavaranaa is at
15 Asoka Street, Alwarpet. Ph: 44 2498 8292
Amethyst
Ballerina silver bowls, creatively designed
ladies finger salt and pepper shakers,
handbags of different sizes, colourful kurtis
with golden prints, jewellery…Amethyst
presents an attractive range of gifts
reflective of the festive spirit. Shop at 14/30.
Padmavathi Road, Jeypore Colony,
Gopalpuram.
The Christmas and New Year fiesta has started and
just in case you are too stressed and tired hosting
the lunch/dinner at home, these hotels promise you
and your friends an unbelievable experience. It’s
also time to fill your shopping bags. Read on.
Courtyard by Marriott
Enjoy Christmas eve buffet at Papri-
ka, which will host seven live food sta-
tions and a buffet with favourites like
roast turkey and mulled wine. The
buffet price starts from Rs. 995, where
you get an accompaniment of mulled
wine or unlimited beer. Groups of 10
and above get a 15 per cent discount,
while one person from a group of six
to 10 people can dine free.
Rhapsody is dishing out a four-
course Italian buffet with vegetarian
and non-vegetarian options.
A night discount of 30 per cent on
all available wines are among the
many special offers at Rhapsody on
December 24.
For details call 6676 4290
The Accord
Metropolitan
Season’s Café, the 24-hr coffee
shop, will have a special spread with
plum cakes, puddings and tarts, while
OPM will party with DJ Walley.
On New Year’s eve there will be a
Pirates theme party at the Ball Room,
which includes stay at the hotel for a
couple, entertainment by European
Rubies dancer and DJ Ricky and a
wide spread of some of the most sa-
voured dishes to tingle your taste
buds.
For details call 2816 1000
Taj Coromandel
Roast turkey, leg of ham, ginger-
bread, yule log… a grand buffet is
ERGO Tuesday, December 23, 2008
waiting for you and your family at Co-
romandel.
Prego will host a traditional Italian
Christmas eve dinner and traditional
Italian lunch with unlimited wine, ex-
otic signature desserts, and lots more.
The master bakers are offering a se-
lection of goodies: Christmas pud-
ding, Christmas cake with icing, yule
logs, minced pie in pouch, special
cookies, chocolate pouches, mara-
schino black forest gateaux, honey
bee gateaux, black forest square pas-
tries, velvet mousse pastries, choco-
late twin truffle pastries, etc.
For reservations call 6600 2827
Fisherman’s Cove
A gala dinner on the new beach with
live band and DJ dance floor should
add zing to your Christmas celebra-
tions here.
For reservations 6741 3333
Westside
Walk into the store with your family
until December 28 and indulge in a
number of fun-filled activities.
Customers can avail offers on the
winter collection. So, shop goods
worth Rs. 1000 and get a voucher
worth Rs. 200 and on purchase of
gifts and soft towels get vouchers
worth Rs. 100.
 Tuesday, December 23, 2008
03

“D Ayon Sengupta on J. Fenn &

edicated, professional
and personal funeral
services in Chennai,
24 hours a day, 365 Co. and its 154-year-old journey
days a year.” That’s J. Fenn & Co.
for you. Since its inception three of serving the dead
years before the Sepoy Mutiny of
1857 that rocked British India,
this company has been quietly
but effectively serving Madras,
now Chennai, from their offices
on busy Mount Road.

Early beginnings
English settler John Fenn and
wife Georgina came up with the
idea of providing traditional fu-
neral services to the scores of Eu-
ropeans who were landing in
Madras port. With the number
steadily growing from early 1800
and more people settling down in
their adopted homeland, John
saw opportunity. His services

REST IN PEACE
quickly caught on with the thriv-
ing European population of Ma-
dras. In no time he had a
flourishing business with 20-odd
people working under him. With
help from trusted aide Vembuli
Naicker (Fenn’s sculptor contrac-
tor), he slowly built a reputation
for himself and his services were
sought not only in Madras but
through the length and breadth
of the Madras Presidency.
But with the demise of John in
1891 and then his wife a year lat-
er, the business looked destined
for an early closure with no ap-
parent heir. Vembuli took it upon
himself and bought the goodwill
of the Company from the Admin-
istrator General of Madras. Since
then this Hindu family has been
running the business generally
meant to cater to a huge and rich
Christian population in the re-
gion. “Pre-Independence and
even as late as 1970s we were only
catering to Europeans or An-
glo-Indians. With ur- Present directors L. Janardhanan (left) and his brother L. Deenadayalan
banisation, more at the company’s premises on Mount Road. PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN
Indian families from
varied religious back-
grounds started opting preserva- 80s, transporting a body to any of hearse in south India. Our father mil Nadu. It gave a grander look
for our services due to tion of the Eastern European countries (Loganathan) knew that gone to the monuments built by the
various reasons,” says bodies and making or Russia was a major headache. were the days of horse-drawn Company and orders poured in
L. Deenadayalan, a arrangements to send bodies But now things are easier and we carriages and he made it a point from government agencies and
fifth-generation Naicker and one abroad, even getting all the nec- can send a body to any part of the to import the best Hearse Vans private bodies. Staying ahead of
of the present owners. essary clearances required for world in four days,” says L. Ja- from England and the US. We had competition in 2004, a four-bed
that. nardhanan, another of the broth- a Plymouth 1960 model and also mortuary was created at the
Pre-aircraft days “Earlier, before the arrival of ers. a Wellis Jeep. But then the Indian Company’s premises and now
Under the Naickers, the busi- aircrafts, it was a very tedious job. government stopped import and plans are on to set up their own
ness saw many structural chang- It took months to transport a Hearse power we introduced Ambassadors,” embalmment facilities in the near
es. From being just undertakers body to any part of Europe and it It was under K. Loganathan, the brothers recall. future. ■
and sculptors at the onset, J. Fenn called for special embalming. the longest-serving director Continuing with his innova- (Made in Chennai is a column
& Co. now offer services as full- Still, nobody could guarantee (1942-2008), that J. Fenn & Co. tions, Loganathan introduced a that showcases the evolution of
fledged funeral directors. Since that the body would remain in took its biggest steps. “In 1942 we glass-granite polishing machine home-grown businesses that began
early 1900 they have diversified to good shape. Even in the 70s and acquired the first motorised in 1970, the first of its kind in Ta- when the city was Madras)
 04 KALEIDOSCOPE
Mars and
Venus, with
an occasional
spark
KALPAGAM SARMA
I
t was an enjoyable evening
out but lacked the thunder to
make it work.
It was houseful at the Top
Storey, Alliance Francaise,
where the comedy Battle of the
Sexes was staged by the Rebelz
theatre group this weekend. The
crowd said it all – it was for the
youngsters, by the youngsters.
Battle of the Sexes is a collection
of three short plays centred on
the conflicts between men and
women.
The first play, Maiden Ven-
ture, is about Bill (Ashwin V.).
Fed up with his conservative
fiancée, he decides to take the
plunge by visiting the ‘Big Mo’
to show him the way to happi-
ness, which leads him to naugh-
ty Natasha (Mahima Sud). The
twist happens when the time Bill
and Natasha spend together
turns out to be more like a visit
to the therapist for Bill.
The actors could have
breathed more energy into their
PHOTO: S. S. KUMAR
characters. The Big Mo, played
by Rangaraj Prasad R., appeared
only for a few minutes but man-
aged to steal the show with his
ERGO Tuesday, December 23, 2008
In Battle of
the Sexes, an
entertaining
script was
marred by
dearth of
energy
spontaneity.
The second play, Ideal Man,
revolves around the eternal de-
bate of Mr. and Miss Right. The
couple, Raj and Riya, want to
battle it out to get their mar-
riage working. Parthasarathy V.
and Divya Kannan, who play Raj
and Riya respectively, manage
to work out a good chemistry on
stage as the ideal couple.
The closing play, Bride and
Prejudice, is set in the wedding
scene of Mark and Clara, where
both their exes turn up and set
the tone for a hilarious chain of
events. Mark and Clara, played
by Harish Kannan and Mahima
Sud, fail to gel the way Raj and
Riya do in the previous play.
However, Pradeep Kalmadi
(playing the priest) and Vinoth
Kannan (as Xavier, Clara’s ex-
husband) bring life to the char-
acters with their sense of timing,
which worked with the
audience.
The entire script is young at
heart and had all the right in-
gredients. It, however, failed to
work as it lacked the energy.
What the Rebelz certainly need
is an adrenaline rush to win this
Battle of the Sexes. ■
 Tuesday, December 23, 2008
05
Websites of the day
Fascinated by plane crashes? Check this out:
http://www.planecrashinfo.com/
Read up on the International Center For
Research On Women here: http://www.icrw.org/

Big B’s blog to be translated

into regional languages
A
mitabh Bachchan fans may
now look forward to read-
ing his blogs in regional
languages as the Bollywood
icon’s postings may soon have
translated versions.
“I have cynically scoffed at the
idea from administrators of the
blog. But, it seems there are seri-
ous efforts afoot in this direc-
tion,” Bachchan wrote on his
blog.
He said announcements and
presentations to this effect will be
made once the modalities are in
place. Big B turned blogger in
April and is the most widely read
netizen.
He recently started writing in
Hindi which drew negative re-
marks from bloggers. Bachchan
said one should learn to respect
the mother tongue of other peo-
ple. ■
PTI

He recently started
writing in Hindi which
drew negative remarks
from bloggers

Most inspirational
We salute them
animal for 2008 쑸

A miracle pig with a never-say-

die spirit which helped it sur-
vive for over 36 days under quake
Taj Mahal
hotel
authorities
debris has been voted as China’s put a
most inspirational animal for placard in
2008 by the online forum Red the lobby
Net. of the hotel
The 7.9-magnitude quake that to salute all
struck Sichuan Province on May those who
12 caused massive damage and sacrificed
trapped the pig in rubble. It sur- their lives
vived only by eating charcoal and down to 50 kilograms from its during 26/
drinking rainwater for 36 days. earlier weight of 150 kilograms. 11 terror
When it was finally rescued on The pig “vividly illustrated the attack, a
June 17, the animal had whittled spirit of never giving up,” the re- day after it
port quoted the website as say- was
A miracle pig that ing. reopened,
survived for over 36 The other spots in the top 10 in Mumbai
went to six dogs, a bird, a turtle on Monday.
days under quake and a cat. They include a dog that PTI PHOTO
debris has been voted guarded its elderly owner when
as China’s most he was sick and accompanied
him to hospital, and a cat that al-
inspirational animal most died of grief when its part-
for 2008 by a website ner was run over by a car. ■
PTI
06 VILLAGE
Nano, it won’t
get wet
P
olyester fibres covered by
tiny silicone filaments can
create clothing that when
dunked in water will still
remain completely dry, a Swiss
scientist discovered.
The nanotechnology structure
allows the surface to be covered
in chemicals which make the
clothing hydrophobic to the
point that water simply bounces
or slides off.
Stefan Seeger, a lead researcher
The nanotechnology
structure allows the
surface to be covered
in chemicals which
make the clothing
hydrophobic to the
point that water
simply bounces or
slides off
ERGO Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Death penalty
The penalty for conviction
of smuggling in Bangladesh
is the death penalty.
Revealed: The recipes that ‘fuelled’
Charles Darwin
Want to know the ‘intellectually stimulating’ dishes which
stirred the mind of Charles Darwin? Go and grab a copy
of the cookbook containing recipes created by the great
naturalist’s wife. The book, which is based on Emma
Darwin’s original notebook, contains instructions for
on the project at the University of cooking rice written by Darwin himself and guides to
Zurich, said the technology could making Victorian favourites like broiled mushrooms and
have many purposes, including Penally Pudding. Traditionally festive recipes include baked
producing improved swimsuits, apple pudding, cranberry sauce and compote of apples
making industrial clothing and and Italian cream, The Daily Telegraph reported. Food
even for protecting outdoor fur- authors Dusha Bateson and Weslie Janeway compiled the
niture. “The same process can be book recreating and testing all the 55 recipes.
used to protect wood, for exam- PTI
ple,” Seeger said.
The nano-structure, when cov-
ered with the chemicals, traps a
thin layer of air between the wa- ‘Bush shoe’ creates 100 new jobs
ter and the actual textile, which
means the item of clothing can be in Turkey
soaked in water and still remain The world’s most notorious pair of black leather shoes,
dry. that made history, has even generated 100 jobs in
The technology can also repel Turkey. The footwear that robbed George W. Bush of
dirt and sweat, bringing possibly his dignity and landed its owner Iraqi journalist
closer the day when clothes no Muntazer al-Zaidi – who hurled them at the US
longer need washing. For now, President at a press meet in Baghdad – in prison, has
the structure would best be em- yielded an unexpected bonanza for its maker. Ever
ployed by makers of rugged out- since the incident, Ramazan Baydan, the owner of the
door wear. For swimmers, the Istanbul-based Baydan Shoe Company, has been
nanofibres can be applied to their swamped with orders from across the world. In fact,
costumes and let them go faster, Baydan has recruited an additional 100 staff to meet
with less drag. ■ orders for 3,00,000 pairs of Model 271, following an
DPA outpouring of support for Zaidi’s act.
PTI
Hong Kong may allow hi-tech
smoking rooms in bars
Hi-tech smoking rooms may be allowed in Hong Kong
bars when a total ban on cigarettes in places where
food and drink are being served comes into effect in
2009. Officials are examining a 40,000-US-dollar
smoking room partly funded by British American
Tobacco at a Hong Kong bar to see if exemptions
should be granted to bars with hi-tech facilities. The
company claims the room removes and recycles smoke
fumes safely. However, the city’s leading anti-smoking
campaigner Anthony Hedley told Monday’s South China
Morning Post that allowing smoking rooms would be
‘nothing short of a scandal.’
DPA
Tom Cruise loses his phone
Some A-list celebrities in Hollywood might get random
calls soon as superstar Tom Cruise has lost his
BlackBerry, which contains the numbers of his friends
like Will Smith and Brad Pitt. The Top Gun actor
misplaced his phone following an interview in Canada
for ’Entertainment Tonight’ while promoting his new
film Valkyrie. Once the actor realised that his phone
was missing a thorough search was made of the
premises but the lost object was no where to be
found, reports Ananova.com. What makes the phone
even more precious is the fact that it contains the
contact numbers of some of the top most actors and
directors like David Beckham, Brad Pitt, Will Smith and
many others.
PTI
 Tuesday, December 23, 2008
07

One look is all it takes

NEWS AND NEWSMAKERS IN PICTURES

A South Korean
man removes snow
from his car in Victoria is seen on Sunday at Milan for
Gangneung, about attending the Italian Serie A football match AC
230 kilometres (138 Milan vs Udinese. GETTY IMAGES
miles) east of Seoul
on Monday. AFP PHOTO

John Abraham and

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Rahul Bose during
the announcement of
sixth edition of
Mumbai Marathon
2009, in Mumbai on
Sunday. PTI PHOTO

‘‘
If Aamir has spoken so well
about me, I won’t even
think of questioning it. I take his
words as a big compliment. I’ve
been hearing some terrific stories
about his dedication from (director)
John Matthew Mathan. I must say
he’s very inspiring,”
Thai woman Nong Na holds a scorpion during a successful world record attempt at a Said Himesh Reshammiya about Aamir Khan’s words
shopping mall in Pattaya, eastern Thailand, on Monday. AFP PHOTO on marketing strategy and trademark cap
08 SPORT ERGO Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Wrestlers get their due

The Sports Ministry on Monday released the sum of over Rs 1.06 crore
as Special Cash Award to 31 wrestlers and 26 coaches who have helped
the country win medals in international sporting events held during the
year 2007. Prominent among the wrestlers include Beijing Olympics
bronze medal winner Sushil Kumar; Palwinder Singh Cheema; Kripa
Shankar Patel and Yogeshwar Dutt.

ICC to gauge
Pakistan security
The International Cricket
Council (ICC) will not appoint
Najafgarh’s
NEW NAWAB
match officials for Sri Lanka’s
proposed tour of Pakistan
until a security assessment
had been made, a top
official said on Monday. “We
will do an independent
assessment of the situation
in Pakistan to ensure the safety of the umpires
and match referee,” ICC chief executive Haroon
Lorgat said. “I am convinced the Sri Lankan
board will also do everything to ascertain
whether it is safe to play in Pakistan and also
seek assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
We will do our own assessment. After all, we
Sushil Kumar on coming from
will be supplying the match officials.”
Sri Lanka agreed to step in after the Indian
behind to win the bronze at
government denied its cricketers permission to
play in Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai
the Beijing Olympics
terror attacks in November. Sri Lanka are due to
play three Tests and five one-day internationals
in Pakistan in January and February, although
the dates and venues have yet to be finalised.
The ICC postponed the Champions Trophy one- give my best,” he says. In the Re-
day tournament in Pakistan in September over pechange round, Sushil first
security concerns – the same reason given by downed World No. 5 American
Australia for not playing a Test series there last Doug Schwab and then got the
March. Lorgat said a decision on whether better of Belarussian Albert Baty-
Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy next rov. For the bronze the wrestler
year will be taken at the ICC’s Executive Board downed Kazakhstan’s Leonid
meeting in January. Spiridonov 3-2 in the 65-kg frees-

F
AFP rom obscurity, Sushil Ku- tyle event. Speaking about the
mar has risen to a pedestal most important bout of his life,
where few Indian sport- Sushil says: “I knew Spiridonov’s
smen can even dream of style because I had fought him
standing. He has travelled from a before. In the 2006 Doha Asian
Ponting: a sore loser cramped dormitory room at a
Sports Authority of India hostel
Games I had beaten him to win
the bronze. So I was confident of
A lifeless WACA pitch was on Monday to Beijing, and unlike his prede- doing well against him.”
apportioned some of the blame by Australia cessors he was not overawed by Against Spiridonov, the Indian
skipper Ricky Ponting for South Africa’s the occasion. Even after some grabbed the early initiative by
successful run chase in the first Test. Set 414 for initial hiccups this wrestler from scoring two technical points that
victory, South Africa registered the second Najafgarh kept his sights straight. proved decisive. “I tried to be as
highest successful fourth-innings run chase in Ultimately, he got his reward and aggressive as possible in the first
Test history to win the Test by six wickets. India its second medal at the period to get an early lead. It’s
And Ponting, who said WACA had lost its Beijing Olympics. always difficult to come from
uniqueness of pace and bounce, was purposely “We had good prepara- behind and the opponent
preparing batter-friendly pitches to stretch the tions before the Games will be under pressure
game to all five days to maximise TV and gate but I knew it would be a and prone to mis-
revenues. “I’m disappointed in the result and tough competition. I takes,” he explains.
I’m disappointed because the uniqueness of the wanted to give my Although the
WACA that it once had, that we keep hearing best and so I Kazakh came
about every year, it appears it’s always there didn’t give up af- back to pocket a
for the state games but it’s just not there for ter my first loss,” point in the sec-
Test matches. I think it is disappointing,” Sushil says. ond period, Sush-
Ponting was quoted as saying in The Daily He lost to Ukrai- il held on to his
Telegraph. In the last four nian Andriy Stadnik nerve and won the
years, Australia have lost on points after being third period 1-0 and
two Tests, drawn one and pegged down 3-8 on gave India its second med-
won another in Perth. “The technical points in his al in wrestling at the Olym-
beauty with playing cricket first outing in Beijing. But as pics after Khashaba
in Australia is that you get a it goes, luck was on his side Dadasaheb Jadhav had won
vast array of conditions all and Stadnik made it to the a bronze at the 1952 Helsin-
around Australia and I’ve final, giving all those who ki Games. The Indian fra-
just got a bit of a feeling at lost to him a chance to get ternity at the Beijing
the moment that this place into one final tussle for the Agricultural University
has just lost whatever it had as far as its bronze. “Stadnik has a erupted in joy and Sushil
uniqueness. This Test match has basically been huge reputation in the at last had achieved his
played on a wicket like Adelaide. It’s not a world circuit and I knew he dream. ■
WACA wicket whatsoever,” the Australia might reach the final, the- Close(d) Encounters is a
skipper lamented. reby giving me another weekly column on India’s
PTI shot. And exactly that hap- greatest sporting
pened. I just told myself to achievements.
 Tuesday, December 23, 2008
09

‘‘
The defining moment was the way the guys fought back after Mitchell Johnson’s brilliant
spell in our first innings. They showed the character and heart to get back into the match
and we can take a lot of confidence into the rest of the series. We will enjoy the moment and
then get our feet back on the ground as we head for Melbourne for what promises to be a
momentous second match.
South Africa skipper Graeme Smith on Sunday’s “historic win” against Australia

Reds
Liverpool hold by 10-man Arsenal an
d
iverpool was held 1-1

L
hold on the
Arsenal away wasted a chance to str en gth en its
gue, while Manchest
er
top of the Premier Lea defeat at
from home City’s slump con tin ue d wi
ich Albion.
th a 2-1

last-place West Bromw Liver-

Su nday equalised for
Robbie Keane on to tak e ad van tage
ds failed
pool, although the Re eb ayo r was
r Emmanuel Ad
after Gunners strike

on top
l to go at Em ira tes
nutes stil
sent off with 27 mi fire d Ar sen al ahead in
Pe rsie
Stadium. Robin van he col-
irates Stadium when
the 24th minute at Em tw o defen-
chest, turned past
lected the ball on his rfu l sho t. Bu t Ke ane,
a powe
ders and scored with er som e po or
ool’s team aft
who returned to Liverp 42 nd wh en he ran on
d in the
performances, replie r, out-
gh ball by Daniel Agge
to meet a long throu rs an d dro ve the ball
fende
paced the Arsenal de
net.
into the roof of the
Biased refereeing low
off for his second yel
Adebayor was sent tha t up set Ar sen al
te and
card in the 63rd minu “I be lie ve tha t, staying
ng er.
manager Arsene We me,” he
uld have won the ga
with 11 men, we wo on g de cis ion . I would
the wr
said. “I think it was when
off like that at home
love to have sendings I be lie ve tha t, if Ade-
pa rk.
we get kicked off the off in
then Keane has to go
bayor has to go off, chy ).”
a foul on Gael Cli
the first minute (for be-
l, wh o ha d Sammy Lee in charge
Liverpoo he rec ov ers
s absent while
cause Rafa Benitez wa ne y sto ne s, cre ate d
ove kid
from surgery to rem s fro m 18
und up 39 point
few chances and wo m 17,
at me an s Ch elsea, which has 37 fro
games. Th ing at Ever-
gue lead by winn
can take over the lea ing to be in con stant
go
ton. “We were always with technology being
and
touch (with Benitez) m,”
is, it wa s ne ver going to be a proble
what it nit ez con tin-
ssages from Be
said Lee, who had me coa chi ng sta ff.
by his
ually relayed to him
Wo es co nti nu es nner
Bednar headed the wi
West Brom’s Roman tim e to en sure Man
of inj ury
in the third minute ore’s
egation zone. Luke Mo
City stayed in the rel Ba gg ies a
Brom earned the
first goal for West ho rns . Bu t Cit y sub -
the Hawt
69th-minute lead at th wi th a
replied in the 86
stitute Felipe Caicedo the
ba ck- he el wh ich hit the inside of
deflected ee pe r Sco tt Carson. The
go alk
post and went in off er side
ed for a draw neith
game appeared head cha lle nged
dnar was left un
really wanted when Be cro ss fro m Gia nn i Zui-
wing
to head home a right- tor y in 10
Brom’s first vic
verloon. It was West tea m rem ain s las t wi th
ray’s
games but Tony Mowb , wh ich be at
than Blackburn
15 points, one fewer the Pre mi er Lea gu e’s
City,
Stoke 3-0 on Saturday. com-
yout by an investment
richest club after a bu ha d on e vic tor y in nine
i, has
pany from Abu Dhab 18 po int s.
th place with
matches to slide to 18 er in
ma na ge r Ma rk Hughes, who took ov
City ou rite to be
bookmakers’ fav
June but now is the na ge r to los e his job,
gue ma
the next Premier Lea en
given funds to strength
said he expected to be Jan ua ry wi nd ow . “I’m
nth ’s
the squad in next mo e that
the quality into the sid
sure that once we get an ces an d the pro gress
rform
we need then the pe ha pp en ,” said
will start to
we want to make fie ld Ro bin ho be cause
le to
Hughes, who was unab en Ela-
his Brazilian countrym
of injury and left out
no and Jo. ■ PTI

Liverpool’s Robbie Keane celebrates after scoring against

Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London. PHOTO: AFP
10 FLICK
Anushka Sharma had an enviable debut opposite Shah Rukh
Rab ne bana di debut
Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Directed by Aditya
Chopra, Rab Ne... is the story of a mismatched couple
played by Shah Rukh and Anushka and how the two of
them find love against the backdrop of a dance competition.
The model-turned-actress is now under a three-film contract
with the Yash Raj banner. “But I am free to do any other
project if I wish,” she clarifies. Excerpts from the interview:
How did Rab Ne… happen?
I started modelling from the age of 15.
My photographs were with an agency
and Yash Raj got them from it. I was
called for an audition along with sever-
al other girls. I was selected by the as-
sistant director and then introduced
to Adi (Aditya Chopra) for the sec-
ond audition. He asked me to be as
natural as I was in my first audi-
tion. I followed his instructions
and was finally selected.
So Shah Rukh was not there
when you were
selected?
No, I met him for
the first time on the
sets.
How was the
experience?
He was in the getup
of Suri and I couldn’t
recognise him until he
came to me and intro-
duced himself. I was
really surprised.
Do you consider it a
dream come true to
be part of such a
huge project?
Not really, as I never
had the intention to be an
actress. It happened out
of luck and I consider
myself very fortunate to
be part of such a big
banner in my debut
film and to be working
with a star like Shah
Rukh and a director like
Aditya Chopra.
Are you an avid
watcher of Yash Raj’s
films?
Yes, I like their movies
and the style in which they
make them. My favourite
films are Dilwale Dulha-
niya Le Jayenge and Chak
ERGO Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Navya is back
Actress Navya, who was last seen in Raman
Thediya Seethai, has a lot of films in her kitty
now. She is currently doing Violet with Suresh
Gopi, Calender with Prithviraj and has signed a
project with Sarath Kumar in Tamil.
De India.
Who is your favourite actor
and actress?
Shah Rukh Khan and Rani
Mukherjee.
What next after Rab Ne…?
Are you bound by any
contract?
Yes, I have signed a three-film
contract with Yash Raj. But I’m
free to do any other project if I
wish.
Can you give any details
about your forthcoming
films?
Right now I’ve no idea about
any of the films as nothing has
been finalised.
You debuted with the
biggest star and one of the
biggest production houses of
the country. Do you feel you
aren’t left with better options
in future?
No, I think the industry is quite
big and there are other big ban-
ners and people in the industry
with whom I would love to work.
Among the two characters of
Suri and Raj played by Shah
Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di
Jodi, which one did you like
the most?
I liked Suri more because he
had goodness in his character
and was very true. I find those
qualities enduring in a human
being.
How would you like your
dream guy to be?
I would love to have someone
like Suri. He should be a nice
man. I believe in having a man
who is beautiful and strong from
inside... Inner beauty is most im-
portant. But I found Suri hand-
some and good-looking, too. ■
IANS
 Tuesday, December 23, 2008
11
Sibi’s homework
Actor Sibiraj, who is playing a negative
role in Nanayam, has started doing his
homework by watching his father
Sathyaraj’s movies. Hope he follows his
father and reaps success.

3 new faces in Cine City

Jism 2
F ive years after Bipasha Basu and
John Abraham scorched the
screen in Jism, Shagufta Rafique,
screenwriter for the much-hyped
sequel to the film, says part two will
be about infidelity and will launch
three new faces with great bodies.
“Since Jism was all about the hu-
man body and keeping up with the
tradition of Vishesh Films of launch-
ing new talent, we’ll take a com-
pletely new and absolutely raw cast
for Jism 2. We’ll launch three new
faces and three great bodies in three
newcomers in the film,” revealed
Rafique.
Released in 2003, Jism was an un-
expected box office success and the
launch vehicle of Bollywood heart-
throb John. While the first was writ-
ten by Mahesh Bhatt, Jism 2 is being Bhagavan shot in 17 hours
written by Rafique, who holds to her Bhagavan, a commercial film starring Mohanlal,
credit films like Woh Lamhe, Awara- was shot within a span of 17 hours. Directed by
pan and box-office dud Dhokha. Prashanth Mambally, the 64 scenes of the movie
On the plot of Jism 2, she said: were shot recently at Guruvayoor within 17 hours.
“Like the previous Jism, part two The shoot of the movie planned with five separate
will concentrate on the issue of in- units at five locales near and in the Allied Hospital
fidelity and will be a murder mys- has Mohanlal playing a gynaecologist, Dr.
tery. I have already started working Balagopal. Sources say the actor acted non-stop
on the film and Pooja (Bhatt) will be the whole day easing through the 58 scenes of the
directing it.” ■ movie.
IANS Bipasha Basu in a still from 2003’s Jism

To cap it all
M any people felt that Aamir Khan’s remarks on Himesh Reshammiya’s mar-
keting strategy and his trademark cap were sarcastic, but the musician-
actor, who admits to being a fan of the star, chooses to take the seeming
compliments on their face value.
“If Aamir has spoken so well about me, I won’t even think of questioning
it. I take his words as a big compliment. I’ve been hearing some terrific
Villu footage leaked
stories about his dedication from (director) John Matthew Mathan. I must According to Internet buzz, some of the
say he’s very inspiring,” says Reshammiya. introduction footages of Villu were leaked on the
At a press conference on Thursday, Aamir went out of his way to praise Internet. The movie, slated for a Pongal release,
Reshammiya, calling him a master of marketing. “So much so that wherev- features Vijay and Nayanthara in the lead roles. A
er and whenever I see a topi (cap) I think of Himesh,” said Aamir. couple of days ago, a website carried a few
But many thought Aamir was being sarcastic by praising Reshammiya for portions of the introductory scenes of Vijay.
his marketing strategy at a time when it (the strategy) seems to have However, the film crew claimed that the portions
collapsed. His Karzzz, a remake of 1980’s Rishi Kapoor starrer Karz, uploaded on the Net were deleted scenes from the
bombed despite all the publicity gimmicks. movie. Villu, produced by Ayngaran International,
“Or did Aamir praise Reshammiya because he is playing a role inspired is directed by Prabhu Deva.
by Aamir?” asked one of Aamir’s co-stars.
Reshammiyya is in Palanpur, Gujarat, busy shooting for Mathan’s new
film, A New Love Ishtory, in which he plays a big Aamir fan. ■
IANS
12
Monday’s Query:
Given a chance to
change your profession,
which other career
would you choose? Why?
■ I would like to join politics and do
something good for India.
Satya, Wipro
■ I would like to become a journalist.
It’s a profession I have been
interested in since I was a teen.
Ahalya, TCS
■ I would like to become a Saint. No
worries about pink slips and no
marriage tension.
Yacub,
Patni Computers
■ Will be a free style dancer, a long
awaited thirst in me. Would like to
keep dancing till my health permits.
Ramya Selvam, TCS
■ Would love to be a bartender in a
beach side resort.
Samshodh, Inautix
■ NatGeo wildlife photographer.
Karthik, HCL
■ I will have to start farming or
rendu maadu vaangi meypen.
Divya V, Polaris
Mak, Infosys
■ I would like to choose the teaching
profession so that I can help few
people to sleep well.
Jubair, Cognizant,
Magesh, Polaris
■ HR Manager, so that I can give
offer to people who really need job.
Manimozhi R, Sify
■ Doctor, as I would love saving
people’s lives. Being a doctor is like a
temporary replacement of god.
Serena D’souza, Allsec Tech,
Ramjothi, Cognizant
■ Radio jockey because that is where
you can talk more and work less.
Nithiyasri Saravanan,
Wipro
■ Professional power lifter, because I
have participated in one or two
events and that gave me a
confidence that I can achieve
anything in my life.
Vinoth Kumar,
Allsec
ERGO Tuesday, December 23, 2008
■ IPS officer. The profession says it
all. The job combined with power,
pride and a position where you can
change the system and communicate
with people effectively.
Senthil Arjunan,
Calsoft Ltd
■ Politician and would close the toll
which causes traffic in OMR.
Sofiya Ambrose, Wipro
■ Politics, to show how to eradicate
poverty, terrorism and develop India
as a super powered nation.
R.Viswanathan, Hexaware,
Meenakshi Mohan, TCS,
Praveen, CGSL
■ Mayor of Chennai, to bring
extreme reformation to control Saravanan from Wipro has nominated his friends as Partners
Chennai traffic, in particular in Crime. This pic was clicked at Kodaikanal.
M.Asath Kani, TCS
■ Cinema, so that I can be popular
and everyone will come to know
about me.
S.Stanly George, Perot Systems,
Sindhu ,UST Global,
Javid, Cognizant
■ Cashier as I need some ’change’.
Balaji, TCS
■ Business, want to spend 30%
business profit for orphans’
education.
Baskaran Ramasamy,
Ramco Systems
■ News photographer, because I can
take photos of cricket stars.
Karthikeyan R,
Infosys
Kanagaraj Vaiyapuri from Infosys has nominated his friends
■ Magazine reporter, since I love my as Partners in Crime.
legs and pen running faster, breaking
the obstacles and to lighten out the
roles and things that are being
played behind the screen of stages
both in positive and negative aspects.
Rajalakshmi Muthusamy,
HCL
Today’s Query:
Which is the most
embarrassing situation
in your life and how
did you manage it?
By Rajee Anand,
Coastal Training Technologies
You can nominate Ergo Mobile Query too.
Just send us an email to
feedback@goergo.in with Subject Line:
Raghavendran Krishnamurthy from Cybernet-Slashsupport
“Mobile Query Suggestion”.
has nominated his gang as Partners in Crime. This pic was
clicked at Wayanad.
 Tuesday, December 23, 2008
13

■ Dear kadalavandi,
Krishnan of FSS has been nominated as Office Angel by Lakshmi Lovely mSg for a Lovely PErson from
Narasimhan. Lovely Friend 4 a Lovely Reason aT
He is known for his sense of humour in and around the office. tHisLUvely Time form aLuvely Mind in
a Lovely Mood in a Lovely Style Have
a Lovely "BirthDay"

With luv,Kutti Ponnu.

■ Hi Sathya,
A smile is a curve that sets everything
straight and wipes wrinkle
away.hope u share lots and receive
lots 4 days 2 come
Kick off ur shoes, take a break, Crank
the tunes, Dance & Shake, light the
candles, cut the cake. Make it a day,
that’s simply Great!!! Happy B’Day....
we know that u’l give us treat in a
big hotel..

Best Wishes from

R4 Rascals
Cognizant Technology Solutions

■ Dear Deepa,
You are always thought of in a very
special way, And you’re wished the
finest things in life Today and every
day! Happy Birthday!
With Love,
Soundari, Sridevi,
Sivasangari & SVT Team,
HCL Technologies

■ Dear JP,
Heartiest congratulation on your
bday from Solution Studio family.May
Jey Spidey doodled this. GOD shower all HIS blessings on u J.

Anupama Bindal

■ Hi Seetha Ganesh,
Belated wish you many morehappy
returns of the day. May all your
dreams come true in your life.

Your ever loving freind,

Manikandan K

■ Hi Dharani raja,
Wish u a very very happy birth day...
We wish you for all sucess..

With love
Saravanan.R

■ Hi Saran,
Dr: Sorry....unga kidney fail ayidichu..... This year we got the chanceTo wish
Patient: enna koduma Dr ithu?........Nan en kidney’a padikka vaikkavae illai, athu eppadi fail agum...? you birthday cheer.It pleases us no
Dr: !!! end to say,We wish you another
Javid, Cognizant great year.
Man 1: En ponnu first class la pass pannita. So happy birthday to you Saran,From
Man 2: Maerkondu enna padikka vaikka poreenga? the bottom of our hearts.And may
Man 1: Second class than.. your good times multiply,Till they’re
Man 2: ? ? ? .. flying off the chart!
Jubair, Cognizant This is the best time to tell you we
Computer Acronyms love you.
ISDN – It Still Does Nothing
APPLE – Arrogance Produces Profit – Losing Entity Wishing you here is your CASTLE team.
MACINTOSH – Most Applications Crash; If Not, The Operating System Hangs Infosys.
Manikandan N, Wipro
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Marriage proposal
An Iraqi man has offered his daughter’s hand
in marriage to the journalist who recently
threw his shoe at U.S. President George Bush.

sudoku

Prasoon S of
Financial
Software &
Systems (FSS)
clicked this
picture at
Bilaspur in
Himachal
Pradesh

KAKURO
So you think you would make a terrific photographer but never really had the
platform? Mail us your best work and we’ll publish it in this space, with credit.
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(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Picasso horse
A horse whose abstract
paintings sell for more than
$3,000 (GBP2,000) is having his
own exhibition in Venice.
15
Word’s worth
"Woofits" (woo-fits) an unwell feeling, especially a headache; a moody
depression; a hangover. In one citation this is called "that dread disease
that comes from overeating and underdrinking" and "the ailment that
comes with ’the morning after the night before.’"

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Logical thinking is fine, but incessant brooding
might not prove to be useful. Ganesha suggests
that you should not push yourself for something
which is impossible. Try to streamline your thoughts
in a proper direction. Love life will be smooth today.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Achieving targets won’t be difficult at all. You will
be able to meet the deadlines very easily today. Pay
equal attention to all the pending work or it may
pile up into a huge mess. Lovers may spend a
wonderful evening in the company of their beloved.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

You may wish to establish proper work routine and
BORN LOSER schedule in order to perform better at workplace.
You may be very judgemental and precise while at
work. Lovers may find a positive turning point in
their romantic life, by the Grace of Ganesha.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
On the work front, the day is going to be very
hectic. You may have to spend a great amount of
time solving queries and problems. Seek help if
need be. Romance on the whole will be smooth
and satisfying provided you watch your temper.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
You really need a break, don’t you? Firstly finish off
the pending work, then select a time when there is
nothing major happening and take off on an
adventure trip or a romantic cruise with your honey
or just sit back at home and relax! Try it!
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
Hard work has wonderful rewards and there is no
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT doubt about it. Things may not work according to
your plan or schedule. Just relax and let Ganesha
take care of everything. The Grace of Ganesha will
bestow upon the lovers like there is no tomorrow!
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
Don’t let your mood affect your performance or
behaviour towards others. Even on the personal
front, avoid stress and take it easy. What is more
bothersome for your beloved to see you unhappy?
Talk out everything with supportive friends.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
It’s the best day to have a look at past and finish
off pending social and official work. At office, you
may interact with others in order to find solution to
some long-pending issues. Love life may remain
almost uneventful today, feels Ganesha.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
“Why worry?” asks Ganesha. It is just a matter of
time that things seem to be so difficult and
impossible. Just be careful and plan everything in
advance. This includes everything from your official
tasks to fixing for movie tickets with your beloved.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
You may be very verbal while at work, so you may
be giving suggestions to everyone around you.
Ensure that you are not hurt if your suggestions are
not accepted by others. Make sure your over-
criticism doesn’t hurt your beloved or spouse.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS There is no weapon more powerful than words.
Take advantage of the same. Since you are capable
ISSUE’S of impressing others with your speech, you should
use that on the professional front as well. This will
SOLUTIONS be helpful, if you wish to woo your beloved.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
You will wait for your lucky charm to show wonders
today. Hence during the second half of the day, you
might find yourself wasting time. Try not to take up
important tasks today.Lovers might feel a pinch
when the beloved doubts his/her integrity.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Tuesday, December 23, 2008