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DELHI THE HINDU 14 WORLD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Small parties could be kingmakers in U.K. Gotabaya promises media Lib Dems, DUP, SNP or Brexit Party could play a decisive role if leading parties fail to win majority freedom under his govt. Agence France-Presse 10 Scots voted to stay in the London EU — to breathe life into its Uphold country’s reputation, President tells media houses If British Prime Minister Bo­ campaign. ris Johnson fails to win an ab­ Led by energetic First Mi­ Meera Srinivasan fence establishment, Mr. Go­ solute majority in Parlia­ nister Nicola Sturgeon, 49, COLOMBO tabaya, a former Defence Se­ ment on Thursday, smaller the party has campaigned Sri Lankan President Gota­ cretary, squarely denied the parties may find themselves under the slogan “Stop Brex­ baya Rajapaksa on Thursday charges. The CID’s submis­ holding the trump cards in it”, believing the vote to assured that media freedom sion pertained to the assassi­ negotiations to form an al­ leave has exposed a perma­ will not be hindered in any nation of well­known new­ liance. Some opinion polls nent ideological rift between form during his tenure, ac­ spaper editor Lasantha suggested that Mr. Johnson’s Scotland and the rest of Bri­ cording to a statement from Wickrematunga, in January Conservative Party would tain. The party’s progressive his office. 2009. In the last month, at fail to gain majority as most ideology means it could the­ Addressing heads of local least one news website was polls showed the gap bet­ oretically join forces with the media institutions, he said raided, while two other on­ ween the Conservatives and Labour Party. that while there was an op­ line journalists were “ques­ Labour narrowing on the eve But its demands to hold a portunity for “reasonable Gotabaya Rajapaksa tioned”. An editor of a Vavu­ of the election. second independence refe­ criticism”, he expected ev­ niya­based Tamil newspaper Here are the parties who rendum in 2020 and its op­ ery media institution to fulfil His assurance comes was also questioned in No­ could hold the keys to Final countdown: Leader of Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson taking a selfie in Sheffield.* REUTERS/FILE position to Britain’s Trident its obligation towards the amid concerns among sec­ vember allegedly over publi­ power. nuclear programme could country, by “engaging in fa­ tions over media freedom in cation of “LTTE­related” seats. The promise to cancel forced to join forces with downfall. They believe Mr. complicate negotiations. vourable media reporting” Sri Lanka after the Novem­ photographs, local media re­ The ‘Remainers’ Brexit has proven unpopular Northern Ireland’s Demo­ Johnson’s deal will lead to a to uphold the country’s ber presidential election. ported. Under Jo Swinson, 39, the among even europhiles. cratic Unionist Party to border between Northern The Brexit Party reputation. Several journalists and dissi­ “No doubt that there is a Liberal Democrats hope to The party’s role in a coali­ govern. Ireland and mainland Bri­ The new party is the latest The statement quoted dents in Sri Lanka have been big fear factor now,” said se­ capture the votes of “Re­ tion government in the early But the immovable stance tain, which they fear could vehicle of chief eurosceptic him as saying: “People of targeted in the past. nior journalist and commen­ mainers” with a clear mes­ 2010s, a period marked by of the ultra­conservative par­ stoke growing momentum Nigel Farage. this country elected me to According to internation­ tator Victor Ivan, a former sage to cancel Brexit, pitch­ severe austerity, has also ty’s 10 MPs on Brexit was the for a united Ireland. The His party won the Euro­ the office of the President al press freedom advocate editor of Sinhala weekly ing themselves as the pro­EU turned off voters on the Left. decisive factor in the failure DUP is the main party in pean elections in May, weeks with great expectations. En­ Reporters Without Borders newspaper Ravaya. “A lot of party, as opposed to the pro­ Their failure “to capitalise of Conservative Prime Minis­ Northern Ireland and is led after its official launch, lead­ hancing the efficiency of pol­ (RSF), at least 14 journalists journalists who merely co­ Brexit Conservatives and un­ on their distinctive position ter Boris Johnson to get the by 49­year­old Arlene Foster. ing to Theresa May’s depar­ iticians and public officials, were murdered during the vered and followed issues as decided Labour. on Brexit” was “perhaps the divorce deal he had reached ture and a pro­Brexit shift elimination of corruption 2005­15, when Mahinda Ra­ part of their job now feel The Lib Dems, who came biggest surprise of the elec­ with the EU through Scottish party within Tory party. Despite an and the economic develop­ japaksa was President. threatened under the new second in EU elections in tion campaign,” pollster Parliament. The Scottish National Party intervention by his friend ment are some of the priori­ In 2017, when the Crimi­ government,” he told The May, have seen their ranks John Curtice said. The party also opposed an (SNP), which wants Scotland Donald Trump, Mr. Farage ties among them. As such I nal Investigations Depart­ Hindu, adding that the pre­ swell after defections by dis­ agreement negotiated bet­ to split from the rest of Bri­ has struggled to compete expect the fullest support ment (CID) told a magistrate vious government, “alth­ sident pro­EU Conservative Northern Ireland’s DUP ween Brussels and Mr. John­ tain, has capitalised on the against Mr. Johnson, who and cooperation of media to­ court in Colombo about ough foolish”, was “relative­ MPs. But polls suggest they With no absolute majority in son’s predecessor Theresa 2016 Brexit referendum — in warned against splitting the wards achieving these “top­secret death squads” ly much better” for media could lose some of their 21 2017, the Conservatives were May, contributing to her which more than six out of Leave vote. objectives.” reportedly linked to the de­ freedom. ELSEWHERE 16 killed in Ukraine college fire 13 killed in Bangladesh plastic factory blaze Firefighters pull out two more bodies after eight­day search The fire broke out in a room where 8 cylinders were kept, according to a survivor

Agence France-Presse charges of professional ne­ of the six­storey building, Press Trust of India noon at Keraniganj, on the around 5:45 p.m. after it jured workers, said the fire Kiev gligence and placed her un­ which caught fire last Wed­ Dhaka outskirts of Dhaka, police started at around 4:30 p.m., broke out at a room where Firefighters have pulled two der house arrest. nesday. Another 30 people At least 13 people were killed was quoted as saying by the said Sazzad Haustoria, the eight cylinders were kept. Suu Kyi's defence of more bodies from a college The bodies of the last two were injured in the blaze, and 21 others critically in­ bdnews24.com. agency’s Director General. He added that there was a Army puzzles many building in Ukraine’s south­ people missing following the with eight still in hospital as jured in a devastating fire At least 13 workers died The cause of the fire could leak in the lines, the Daily THE HAGUE ern port of Odessa that fire were found late on Wed­ of Thursday. that ripped through an ille­ and 21 others were being not be immediately deter­ Star reported. The Gambia condemned burned in a spectacular fire nesday, the emergency ser­ The College of Econom­ gal plastic factory in Bangla­ treated at the Dhaka Medical mined by the authorities. Around 300 people Aung San Suu Kyi’s “silence” last week, authorities said vices said in a statement. ics, Law, and the Hotel and desh, police said on College Hospital on Thurs­ The factory had also worked in two shifts at the over the plight of Rohingya on Thursday, bringing the Restaurant Business is in Thursday. day, the report said. caught fire earlier in Febru­ factory. Around 150 people, on Thursday after the Nobel number of dead to 16. 30 injured central Odessa and gets The fire swept through The Fire Service and Civil ary, the Dhaka Tribune including many women, Peace Prize laureate Prosecutors have arrested Firefighters spent eight days around 400 graduates per the Prime Patent Plastic Li­ Defence brought the blaze at reported. were working when the fire defended Myanmar against the director of the college on combing through the debris year. mited on Wednesday after­ the factory under control However, one of the in­ started, the worker said. genocide charges at the ICJ. Lawyers said that she ignored allegations of mass murder, rape and forced deportation 50 lawyers arrested after Fire on Russia’s only in her arguments while Trump signs order targeting defending the Army. AFP attack on Lahore hospital aircraft carrier kills one Russia expels two anti­Semitism at universities German diplomats It was under repair at Arctic shipyard MOSCOW Five patients died as doctors, staff fled Russia expelled two German Press Trust of India ties took place after doctors Colleges that allow such activity will be denied funds Associated Press diplomats on Thursday in Moscow Lahore were unable to provide the retaliation for Berlin’s ousting Reuters Russia’s only aircraft carrier of two employees of the Pakistan police on Thursday patients timely treatment clear that Title 6 of the Civil WASHINGTON suffered a massive fire on Russian Embassy last week arrested 50 lawyers for at­ during their bid to avert the Rights Act, which prohibits over a brazen killing last tacking a cardiac hospital, assault, Geo News reported. U.S. President Donald the federal funding of un­ Thursday that killed one summer in the German which led to a melee, in “We have arrested 50 la­ Trump signed an executive iversities and other institu­ crew member, injured 11 pe­ capital. Russia said it was which five patients died as wyers and registered an FIR order on Wednesday to pro­ tions that engage in discrim­ ople and significantly dam­ making the move “due to the they were left unattended. against a total 250 lawyers hibit federal funding for col­ ination, applies to aged the ship. The fire reportedly broke reciprocity principle” and A large number of la­ under terrorism charges, leges and universities that al­ institutions that traffic in an­ The fire on the Admiral out during welding ordered them to leave the wyers, including women, Lahore police chief Zulfiqar low anti­Semitism, but the ti­Semitic hate,” Mr. Trump Kuznetsov broke out during operations. * AP/FILE country in seven days. AP forced their entry into the Hameed told reporters here move drew some criticism said. J Street, a liberal Jew­ welding work at a shipyard Lahore’s Punjab Institute of on Thursday. for potentially limiting free ish­American lobbying in the Arctic port of Mur­ opened a probe into a possi­ Trump says Greta should Cardiology (PIC) to avenge Interestingly, Prime Mi­ speech. group, criticised the order. mansk and spread quickly ble violation of safety rules. 'chill,' go to movies what they said was an as­ nister Imran Khan’s nephew The order would extend Donald Trump “This executive order, like through the carrier’s inter­ The Admiral Kuznetsov WASHINGTON sault by doctors on a fellow Barrister Hassan Khan Niazi protections against discrimi­ the stalled congressional le­ nal compartments. The has been plagued by break­ U.S. President Donald Trump ship’s crew and emergency downs and setbacks since its Time advocate weeks ago. was also among the nation under the 1964 Civil It’s very simple,” Mr. Trump gislation it is based on, ap­ on Thursday slammed teams spent the day battling launch in 1985. The massive magazine's naming of Greta As the lawyers forced attackers. Rights Act to people subject­ said during a Hanukkah re­ pears designed less to com­ the blaze. blaze follows a 70­tonne Thunberg as 2019 Person of their entry into the hospital, Police, however, did not ed to anti­Semitism on col­ ception at the White House. bat anti­Semitism than to The military said one crane crashing onto the Ad- the Year. “So ridiculous. Greta the doctors and paramedi­ lay a hand on him. lege campuses. Title 6 of the Civil Rights have a chilling effect on free must work on her Anger cal staff ran for their lives, “PM’s nephew Hassan “This is our message to Act prohibits discrimination speech and to crack down crew member died while miral Kuznetsov’s deck in Management problem, then leaving the patients Khan was caught on camera universities: If you want to on the basis of race, colour, on campus critics of Israel,” battling the fire, and anoth­ October 2018. go to a good old fashioned unattended. in PIC attack but the police accept the tremendous and national origin in pro­ it said in a statement. er one is missing. Thursday’s fire will furth­ movie with a friend! Chill Punjab Health Minister have been stopped from ar­ amount of federal dollars grammes and activities re­ The Anti­Defamation The Investigative Com­ er push back the work to fit Greta, Chill!”, Mr. Trump said Yasmeen Rashid later told resting him, PML­N lawmak­ that you get every year, you ceiving federal financial as­ League, which tracks acts of mittee, the nation’s top state the ship with modern con­ in a tweet. the media that the casual­ er Azma Bokhari said. must reject anti­Semitism. sistance. “This action makes racism, welcomed the order. investigative agency, has trol systems and weapons.

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THE HINDU CROSSWORD 12805 (set by Vulcan) SUDOKU FAITH Log on to crossword.thehindu.com for more puzzles 13 A descendant kept apart by 5 Senator/member is one in French city (8) subsequently overheard (10) Embodiment of vairagya 15 Spider natural at spinning (9) 6 Desire of every earner (5) A life of absolute renunciation is the only way to realise the 16 Part of a group, an election eternal and superior bliss of the Infinite. This is the final committee (5) 7 Ruin one critical meeting (7) word in the Upanishads. Very rarely are some souls inspired by vairagya, the strong impulse to turn away with de termi­ 17 She’s in a big town right in 8 European, one in dry city (6) nation from the world and its myriad attractions, to seek sal­ California (5) vation with single mindedness. Parikshit meets his moment 19 Another set to wear in a car? 9 No sex involved — no call of realisation when he unwittingly commits a wrong against (3­6) made (6) a sadhu, and soon repents for it with utmost sincerity, point­ 22 Outcast, disheartened, ed out Sri Krishnamurthy Sastrigal in a discourse. 14 What’s fair to take during trial volunteered outside a country Parikshit is at the height of his successful reign and as the as a precaution (4,2,4) (8) heir of the Pandava clan, he has established high standards of righteousness in his kingdom. His domestic life too is im­ 24 Very hard to keep away from 16 Power diminishing as peccable, having fulfilled all his duties towards family and this kind of tea — unwritten aforementioned (9) kingdom. He even confronts Kali Purusha who tries to in­ (6) vade his kingdom. He subdues him and, in response to his 17 Animal crossing road with 26 A science place followed by a pleas, grants him five places to stay in his kingdom — gam­ caution (6) scholar in one of the states (7) bling, drinking, immoral living, slaughtering of cows an d gold — which are the sources of evil. But during one of his 27 National Bank’s counter 18 A lie without basis, basically hunting trips when he is thirsty, he hurls a dead serpent on a closing early primarily (7) about a country detailed in Solution to puzzle 12804 Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku language (7) rishi in meditation, an act alien to his own rightful nature. ■ ACROSS 28 Neon light working on display He is filled with remorse at his own unpardonable deed, eventually (2,3,4,3) 20 Vivid description of a piece of and as atonement for it, decides to renounce all his posses­ 1 Athlete presently in a furniture with gold at the sions, kingdom, riches, family, etc, even as he is informed of broadcast (6,6) ■ DOWN bottom (7) the curse of the rishi’s son condemning him to die of snake 10 Gifted? In conclusion had to 2 What is consumer ensured to bite in seven days. He undertakes a vow of fast unto death pay up (7) get! (3,4) 21 Change one’s mind about and goes to the banks of the Ganga to spend the time on fasting time (6) hand in meditation that might free him of sinful tendencies. 11 Steady measure mostly 3 Island is staggering — in It is the Lord’s Sankalpa that Suka, the sage always esta­ consisting of two parts (7) genuine awe without end 23 Band’s first and final hit (5) blished in Brahma Nishta, arrives in their midst and seeing (3,6) 12 For the most part, stop sign Parikshit as the very embodiment of vairagya, decides to gives relief (6) 4 Irrelevant feature (4) 25 Repetition of same chords (4) narrate the Bhagavata Purana to him.

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THE HINDU DELHI FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 BUSINESS 15 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

market watch 12-12-2019 % CHANGE IOC, OIL in race for Bharat Sensex dddddddddddddddddddddd 40,582 ddddddddddddddd0.42 Domestic air passenger traffic US Dollardddddddddddddddddddd 70.83 ddddddddddddd-0.03 Gold ddddddddddddddddddddddddddd 38,564 ddddddddddddddd0.18 Brent oil ddddddddddddddddddddd 64.60 ddddddddddddddd0.94 grows 11% in November Petroleum’s Numaligarh unit NIFTY 50 Oil India already holds 26% stake in the refinery PRICE CHANGE Void left by Jet’s closure filled by induction of aircraft by other airlines Adani Ports...... 372.50...... 2.80 Piyush Pandey ing. BPCL holds 61.65% stake Asian Paints...... 1750.65...... 12.45 MUMBAI Axis Bank ...... 722.10...... 5.55 SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT its nearly 120 planes and the in the NRL while OIL and As­ Bajaj Auto ...... 3261.45...... -7.20 NEW DELHI sector recording a negative Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. sam Government hold 26% Bajaj Finserv...... 9169.25...... 90.15 Growth in domestic air pas­ growth of 4.5% for the first (IOCL) and Oil India Limited and 12.35%, respectively. Bajaj Finance ...... 4057.15...... 20.35

Bharti Airtel ...... 438.65...... -4.10 senger traffic returned to time in recent history. (OIL) are in the race to buy BPCL...... 491.75...... 9.10 double­digit figures for the Bharat Petroleum Corpora­ Eyeing synergies Britannia Ind ...... 3073.55...... 32.55 first time this year in Novem­ Enough capacity tion Limited’s (BPCL’s) For upstream OIL, NRL will Cipla ...... 461.05...... 11.10

Coal India ...... 190.15...... 3.00 ber, as Indian carriers alto­ “With 628 aircraft we have 61.65% stake in Numaligarh be an opportunity to be­ Dr Reddys Lab ...... 2905.65...... 17.85 gether saw an 11% growth in sufficient capacity to shoul­ Refinery Limited (NRL), ac­ come an integrated energy Eicher Motors...... 21953.55. .... 411.75 passenger demand last der this kind of growth,” a se­ cording to sources in the company. Acquiring BPCL’s GAIL (India)...... 118.95...... 1.65 * THE HINDU ARCHIVES Grasim Ind ...... 774.20...... 6.80 month compared with the nior official of the DGCA said know of the development. 61.65% stake will increase HCL Tech...... 536.35...... -7.45 same month last year, as per about the passenger data. The strategic sale of the OIL’s stake in NRL to 87.25%. HDFC ...... 2318.45...... -3.20 DGCA’s monthly data. SpiceJet continued to lead government’s 53.39% stake ing capacity to 9 MTPA at an A senior OIL official told HDFC Bank...... 1263.60...... 14.85 Airlines ferried 129.47 lakh in passenger load factor with in BPCL would be done with­ investment of ₹22,500 crore The Hindu, “Given an op­ Hero MotoCorp ...... 2334.05...... 37.75

Hindalco ...... 201.45...... 4.85 passengers last month com­ 92.8% of its seats across out NRL, Finance Minister to meet the rising fuel de­ portunity, we would like to Hind Unilever ...... 2007.35...... -3.10 pared with 116.45 lakh pas­ flights sold, followed by Nirmala Sitharaman had mand in the North East. buy BPCL’s stake in NRL as ICICI Bank ...... 535.35...... 1.80 sengers in November 2018. GoAir (92.7%) and IndiGo said last month. Hence, the According to Moody’s In­ we already have 26% stake IndusInd Bank ...... 1444.15...... 23.50

Bharti Infratel ...... 252.20...... -2.40 November also saw the (91.4%). In market share, In­ government has to first de­ vestors Service, the sale will there. We both have a lot of Infosys ...... 702.10...... -18.95 largest number of passen­ diGo cornered 47.5% , fol­ merge NRL from BPCL. reduce BPCL’s capital spend­ synergies.” NRL recently ac­ Indian OilCorp...... 128.10...... 2.55 gers compared with all other lowed by SpiceJet with 16.1% NRL owns and operates a ing as it is one of the largest quired a participating inter­ ITC ...... 238.55...... 0.95

JSW Steel...... 255.60...... 5.65 months. The trend is an indi­ and Air India with 12.1%. 3­million­tonne per annum projects that the firm is est in two oil blocks in As­ Kotak Bank ...... 1715.60...... 29.05 cator of how the airline sec­ GoAir was the most punc­ (MTPA) refinery in Numali­ working on. sam from OIL, marking L&T...... 1279.70...... 15.40 tor has been able to make up ducting new aircraft. There with 529 in April when Jet tual with 67.6% of its flights garh in Golaghat district of “We will definitely look at NRL’s presence across all M&M ...... 511.90...... 4.15

Maruti Suzuki ...... 6999.80...... 6.60 for the reduction in capacity are now 628 aircraft among Airways shut its operations, on time, followed by Vistara Assam and has plans for a (NRL),” an IOCL board mem­ sectors — upstream, mid­ Nestle India Ltd...... 14154.95...... 88.95 after Jet Airways’ exit, by in­ different carriers compared leading to the grounding of (67.4%) and Air Asia (66.7%). threefold growth in its refin­ ber said, without elaborat­ stream and downstream. NTPC ...... 114.45...... 1.45

ONGC ...... 125.90...... -2.10

PowerGrid Corp ...... 184.75...... 3.00

Reliance Ind ...... 1568.20...... 5.80 State Bank ...... 321.85...... 9.05 Bharat Bond ETF Vipin Sondhi named Sun Pharma ...... 434.15...... 4.35 Class action suit in U.S. accuses Tata Motors ...... 173.35...... 11.55

Tata Steel ...... 418.70...... 13.15 TCS ...... 2020.90...... -21.00 opens for subscription Ashok Leyland CEO Tech Mahindra ...... 756.45...... -1.50 Infosys of false statements Titan ...... 1188.00...... 8.45 UltraTech Cement...... 3992.10...... -9.05 Anchor book subscription at ₹2,980 cr. Mandate is to drive growth, strategy UPL...... 569.95...... 8.90 CEO Parekh avoided standard reviews of mega deals, it says Vedanta ...... 144.00...... 5.50 Special CORRESPONDENT was launched today. Special Correspondent Wipro ...... 239.45...... -0.60 MUMBAI Special Correspondent CHENNAI YES Bank...... 45.35...... 2.55 “The anchor book was ments were false and mate­ Bengaluru Zee Entertainment ...... 284.30...... 0.85 The public issue of Bharat oversubscribed by 1.7 times rially misleading throughout Commercial vehicle manu­ Bond ETF, the country’s at ₹2,980 crore. The offer The Schall Law Firm, a na­ the class period and when facturer Ashok Leyland Ltd. first corporate bond ex­ will remain open for all in­ tional shareholder rights liti­ the market learned the truth (ALL) has appointed Vipin EXCHANGE RATES change­traded fund aimed vestors from December 13 to gation firm based in Califor­ about Infosys, investors suf­ Sondhi as the CEO and MD Indicative direct rates in rupees a unit for five years from Decem­ except yen at 4 p.m. on December 12 at retail investors, opened December 20,” the DIPAM nia, has filed a class action fered damages, it said. CURRENCY TT BUY TT SELL on Thursday. Secretary said in a tweet. lawsuit against digital trans­ “The lawsuit goes on to ber 12.

US Dollar...... 70.63...... 70.95 The ETF will invest only formation major Infosys for call these allegations as Mr. Sondhi would drive Euro ...... 78.64...... 78.99 in AAA­rated bonds of pu­ Green shoe option “making false and mislead­ ‘facts’ even as an indepen­ technology transition, British Pound...... 92.99...... 93.41 blic sector companies. Through the ETF, Edelweiss ing statements to the dent investigation by law growth and future strategy Japanese Yen (100) . .. . 65.00...... 65.29

Chinese Yuan ...... 10.04...... 10.08 The ETF, which is an in­ Mutual Fund proposes to market.” firm Shardul Amarchand for the flagship company of Swiss Franc ...... 71.85...... 72.21 itiative of the Government raise an initial amount of The lawsuit filed accused Salil Parekh Mangaldas is ongoing,” said the Hinduja Group as well as Vipin Sondhi Singapore Dollar ...... 52.05...... 52.29 of India through the Depart­ ₹3,000 crore with a green Infosys CEO Salil Parekh of a market analyst. the group’s global automo­ Canadian Dollar...... 53.63...... 53.87

Malaysian Ringitt ...... 16.97...... 17.05 ment of Investment and Pu­ shoe option of ₹2,000 crore avoiding standard reviews of nance team was pressured The Schall Law Firm has tive portfolio. He had been Mr. Sondhi has more than Source:Indian Bank blic Asset Management (DI­ in the 3­year maturity pe­ mega deals to get rid of scru­ to hide details of these deals invited investors who pur­ inducted recently as a direc­ three decades of experience PAM), will be managed by riod (2023) and ₹4,000 tiny. It also alleged that the and other accounting mat­ chased the company’s secur­ tor on the board, said the in manufacturing and engi­ Edelweiss Asset Manage­ crore with a green shoe op­ company in a filing. neering sectors. BULLION RATES CHENNAI Bengaluru­based tech firm ters from auditors and the ities between July 7, 2018 ment Company. tion of ₹6,000 crore in the used improper recognition company’s board of direc­ and October 20, 2019, and Mr. Sondhi succeeds Vi­ He was earlier MD and December 12 rates in rupees with pre- vious rates in parentheses “The NFO of Bharat Bond 10­year maturity bucket of revenue to boost short­ tors,” it said in its plaint. incurred losses of over nod Dasari, who stepped CEO of JCB India and mem­

Retail Silver (1g) ...... 46.9...... (46.6) ETF, the first corporate (2030), the fund house said term profits. Based on these facts, the $100,000 to contact the firm down on March 31, 2019 cit­ ber of JCB’s global executive 22 ct gold (1 g) ...... 3602...... (3597) bond ETF of the country, in a release. “In fact, the company’s fi­ company’s public state­ before December 23, 2019. ing personal reasons. team. Will pay GST ECB’s Lagarde sees Fed keeps compensation rates on hold slowdown bottoming out Reuters to States: FM WASHINGTON Bank leaves key rates unchanged The U.S. Federal Reserve Press Trust of India on Wednesday held inter­ New Delhi Associated Press est rates steady and sig­ With States not being paid Frankfurt nalled borrowing costs will compensation for loss of The head of the European not change anytime soon, revenue due to the Goods Central Bank (ECB) said on with moderate economic and Services Tax (GST) im­ Thursday that the economic growth and historically low plementation since Au­ slowdown in the countries unemployment expected gust, Finance Minister Nir­ that use the euro shows to persist through the 2020 mala Sitharaman on signs of bottoming out. presidential election. Thursday said that the Christine Lagarde told re­ In its final policy meet­ Centre would honour its porters after the bank kept ing of a tumultuous year, commitment and no one its monetary policies on when it was spurred to cut should doubt [this]. hold that recent economic Christine Lagarde interest rates 3 times to for­ Replying to the debate indicators are “weak over­ estall a slowdown fuelled on supplementary de­ all” but “point to some sta­ posit rate at minus 0.5% and largely by President mands for grants in the Ra­ bilising in the slowdown of its main refinancing rate at Trump’s trade war, the U.S. jya Sabha, she said the cen­ of economic growth.” zero. Doubts have grown central bank struck a san­ tral government has The central bank on about how much good addi­ guine tone, confident the released ₹9,783 crore in ex­ Thursday left its key interest tional central bank action actions it had taken so far cess of collections made rate benchmarks and stimu­ can do to support deve­ are working. “Our econom­ from GST cess. lus programmes un­ loped economies; the U.S. ic outlook remains a fa­ She, however, did not changed. It was the bank’s Federal Reserve kept inter­ vourable one, despite glo­ reply to questions as to by first policy meeting under est rates unchanged and sig­ bal developments and when the Centre would newly appointed Ms. La­ naled it would leave them ongoing risks,” Fed Chair clear the dues of States. garde. The bank left its de­ alone through 2020. Jerome Powell said. IRDAI forms group to Wabtec opens its largest study loss prevention design centre in India It will also mull ways to minimise loss Firm to deliver 1,000 rail locos by 2025 Special Correspondent <> Loss prevention Mini Tejaswi officer and senior V­P, Engi­ HYDERABAD and minimisation Bengaluru neering, Dominique Malen­ A ten­member working steps help mitigate Pittsburgh­based Wabtec fant, said, “Our technology group has been constituted economic losses in Corporation, a recently team in India will be crucial by the Insurance Regulatory a larger context merged entity between GE to bring breakthrough tech­ and Development Authority Transportation and Faiveley nologies to the industries of India (IRDAI) to suggest IRDAI Executive Director Transport, which manufac­ we serve. Our new design segment­wise ways and (General) M.Pulla Rao, in tures locomotives, freight and development centre means to improve loss pre­ the order constituting the cars and passenger transit will facilitate collaboration vention and loss minimisa­ working group on Thursday, vehicles for governments between our development tion in the general insu­ said steps for loss preven­ and enterprises across 50 hubs across the U.S. and Eu­ rance industry. tion and loss mitigation not geographies, has opened its rope to further our innova­ The move is aimed at all only helped the insured and largest ever engineering and tion.” Wabtec has over stakeholders working to­ the insurer but also help mi­ digital electronics design 27,000 employees, of whom gether towards a common tigate economic losses in a and development centre in over 5,000 are technolo­ end on a common platform. larger context. Bengaluru. gists. The company employs Though a crucial aspect The working group is also The centre, set up at an over 3,000 people in India. for the insurance industry, expected to evaluate cur­ investment of over $5 mil­ The new centre has over loss prevention and loss mi­ rent practices followed by lion, will host engineering 600 engineers and the nimisation measures have the insurance industry in teams spanning across the strength will be scaled up to remained very company­ the area of loss prevention company’s digital electron­ over 1,000 in a year. specific, sources among in­ and loss minimisation. ics portfolio. The centre The company has a man­ surers said. The group, given three comes with validation labs date to deliver 1,000 diesel­ There may be considera­ months to submit its report, for distributed power, posi­ electric locomotives to the ble overlap in the way com­ will also give recommenda­ tive train control, trip opti­ Indian Railways (IR) by panies approach the issue, tions for promoting re­ miser electronic air brake, 2025. It may be recalled that yet there is little in terms of search, education and ser­ signalling systems and ad­ General Electric had earlier knowledge­sharing, so­ vices in the area. IRDAI vanced train automation so­ signed a $2.6 billion con­ mething that the working Member (Non­Life) T. L. Ala­ lutions. Wabtec Corpora­ tract with IR to deliver these group sought to formalise. melu will chair the group. tion’s global technology locomotives. 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DELHI THE HINDU 16 SHOWCASE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Public PEOPLE performance (clockwise from right) A DCM Sugar rush Football match in Ambedkar Rachel Goenka, in her first cookbook, Adventures with Stadium in 1983; Mithai, gives traditional sweets a contemporary makeover Nehru Hockey Championship at Shivaji Stadium held the same year; Iranian women supporters at a DCM match in 1995; Prithvi Nath Sharma Memorial Basketball Tournament at Ajmal Khan Park in 2005

* THE HINDU ARCHIVES

The foundation of Rachel Goenka’s first cookbook, Adventures with Mithai, was laid seven years ago when she started the European restaurant The Sassy Spoon in Mumbai. The Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, says, “Every Diwali, I would come up with a specific festive menu. The desserts would be predominantly Indian with a Delhi’s vanishing contemporary flair to them, similar to the recipes you see in the book. But the recipes I had at The Sassy Spoon were plated desserts and you can’t expect a home-baker to do that. It was a challenging yet rewarding process, adapting Indian ingredients, especially sweets, to a Western palate and balancing those flavours.” sports tournaments Comprising 50 recipes, the book is sorted into desserts, cheesecakes and cakes, truffles, macarons, ice creams, kulfis and sorbets. There’s a lot to Vijay Lokapally The culture of catching a match of a winter satiate the adventurous pastry Ferozeshah Kotla would include a mosas, and missed some part of the enthusiast: from the lemongrass Winter in Delhi used to bring peo­ evening, just for fun, no longer exists in Delhi welcome dash to Old Delhi where action. He was an authority on sports panna cotta with vermicelli kheer, ple out of their houses to enjoy kebabs, kormas and chaat would in the capital. and Mysore pak and tender coconut peanuts, sport, and a spot of after­ go with goals and runs. Since foot­ There were some who would domes to the ras kadam noon sunshine. In some cases, Cup (football), Nehru Hockey (that ball matches had a paid entry, squeeze in a visit to the Ajmal Khan cheesecake, kaju katli truffles and when the sun set on the grounds of now has a shifting location) and spectators would enter Kotla for Park to enjoy the Prithvi Nath basket­ rasmalai ice cream. the Roshanara Club, and the crick­ the Master Prithvi Nath Sharma free and from its upper galleries, ball tournament (which ended a de­ On how she decided on which et continued, hip flasks would basketball tournaments. watch the action at Ambedkar Sta­ cade ago). The cold of winter was for­ mithai would find a place in her emerge, and a pushcart man Sport­enthusiasts in Delhi used dium. At times, the players on the gotten once the warmth from the book, Rachel says, “The book would supply local chakna from to have a rich choice to plan their field at Kotla would be pleasantly courts spread to the temporary actually had to be a across the wall. day. “We would soak in the sun at ‘disturbed’ by the thunderous roar stands. Hundreds from nearby resi­ representation of India. It couldn’t Ferozeshah Kotla, Ambedkar the Ferozeshah Kotla during Ranji from the Ambedkar Stadium at a dential areas would flock to watch the just be sweets that were Stadium, Shivaji Stadium, Ajmal Trophy matches, watching some of goal scored or one saved. basketball contests, and to consume predominantly, say from Kolkata or Gujarat. I purposely didn’t use something like a jalebi Khan Park, Lodhi Colony’s central the big stars of the game. Next Shivaji Stadium was the destina­ some of the best bread pakoras and because it’s overdone. But I tried to cover as much of India park were some of the popular door was football at the Ambedkar tion for hockey lovers. Some of the hot milk. as possible. Obviously, there was so much more I could do, spots that attracted sport ­lovers. Stadium,” recalls S. Ganesh, a finest players would produce elec­ The central park, adjacent to the but [the question was also] could those sweets actually Cricket, hockey, and football were sports­marketing consultant who trifying action, keeping spectators bus stop in Lodhi Colony, would stage translate into a contemporary dessert. There was a lot of played during the day; volleyball now lives in New York, but craves a entranced during the Nehru Cup volleyball matches in the evening trial and error. I also looked at which mithai was easily and basketball late in the evening, day of sport­watching in the Capi­ and Sanjay Gandhi tournaments, where office­goers would break jour­ available to people.” under lights. Table tennis and bad­ tal. There is little for him to enjoy. always in winter. These brought ney to enjoy tea and the game. Simi­ This means that not only is there an rasmalai and elaneer minton went into indoor spaces The DCM Cup held its final edi­ great business to the samosa sell­ larly, tourists, waiting for a delayed (coconut) pudding from the South, there is also a bitter like St Columba’s School and the tion in 1998 when Mohun Bagan ers. There was always a queue train at New Delhi, would spend time chocolate nap naang (a black rice pudding from Nagaland). RBI hall, where business was con­ won the title. “It was the first tour­ here, and it was a tough decision at the Karnail Singh stadium to catch On whether one needs to have some level of skill to ducted during the day and match­ nament to bring foreign clubs to whether to miss the action before some cricket and chhole­kulche from follow the recipes in her book, Rachel clarifies, “Not really. es in the evening. Delhi. We saw some World Cup or after half­time. the Sita Ram Diwan Chand outlet in Someone who has baked a cake two or three times can Sadly, this sporting activity has players in action at the Ambedkar It was common for people to nearby Paharganj. easily execute any of these recipes. Keeping in mind that declined in Delhi, and while there Stadium. The stands would be watch a game at Ambedkar and Table tennis tournaments such as the book is for a home baker who is interested in playing are many reasons — the emergence packed and spectators got to see then rush to Shivaji Stadium, de­ Manav Sthali and Surjeet Kaur, have around with mithai and doing something with it.” of other entertainment options, some memorable matches with pending on the stars engaged in vanished from Delhi’s calendar. So But is the book only for those who like their sweets… the fascination with big­ticket clubs from Korea, Germany, and the matches. S. P. Singh, a busi­ has the city’s local winter­sporting well, sweet? Or can calorie watchers also enjoy them? Says events, and stadia restricting entry Iran,” remembers veteran sports nessman who never missed a game culture where even inter­colony Rachel, “I have a recipe for a granola bar. The nap naang is — one of them is the death of major scribe Jaydeep Basu. in the capital, would be ‘consulted’ matches were well­attended, and the extremely healthy too with black rice and dark chocolate.” While Rachel states that Mysore pak is her favourite, city competitions like the DCM Trips to Ambedkar Stadium and by scribes who popped out for sa­ warm chai flowed into foggy nights. there is also an ode to childhood in the form of the Jim Jam macaron. She laughs, “People love the Jim Jam macaron. But my favourite is the Kashmiri Kahwa tea macaron FOOD SPOT because it actually tastes like a cup of Kahwa tea.”

Spinach’s the trick Available online and at bookstores; from Harper Collins, ₹899 Palak Kofta; Chicken Dhania Adhrakh Aparna Narrain Fare for the * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

PRODUCTS seeds and ginger. The me­ Man in the mirror crisp air nu is limit­ Rahul Verma ed, but there are History is in the news — or at least it Kadak Singh da Dhaba has food that some interest­ is on celluloid. I was reading about ing dishes on it. Panipat, and how it had angered takes you back to the cold hills with For vegetarians, they have some sections of the people when I its hot rotis and simple curries Malai Chaap, Pudina Chaap, Paneer heard about another spot of histo­ Korma, Dal Punjabi, Dal Makhni ry— Haldighati. The reference, ho­ and Dal Hand, among other dishes. wever, was not to the battle, but to the ordinary. So I surfed some I looked at the menu and liked the For one, the helpings were large. I was contemplating ordering food, a subject that never fails to ex­ more, and found out that there was sound of the Chicken Dhania­Ad­ The chicken and mutton dishes their Rogan Josh before settling for cite my close circle of friends. It a restaurant called Kadak Singh da hrakh (₹350). So we asked for that, consisted of four large pieces of the mutton curry. The menu in­ turned out that Haldighati was the Dhaba from where I could order as well as a plate of Mutton Curry meat each. The Palak Kofta was cluded Tandoori Chicken, Afghani name of a chicken dish that two of food using one of the delivery apps. (₹350) and Palak Kofta (₹240). again a full plate of koftas dunked Chicken, Mutton Seekh Kabab, my friends had ordered — The eatery is in G­4 Parmesh in a spinach sauce. I actually en­ Chilli Chicken, Mutton Masala, Mut­ and enjoyed. The dish Tower, Karkardooma Com­ joyed the koftas the most. They ton Tawa, Mutton Kabab Masala. (better than Panipat Pu­ munity Centre (Phone num­ were deliciously soft, and the spi­ On social media, the eatery says lao, I am sure) had come bers: 9582305565 and nach was creamy. I ate that with a that its butter chicken is among its Ermenegildo Zegna, an Italian luxury fashion house that from a restaurant called 9811436635). I placed my or­ hot roti. The goat meat was tender, most popular dishes. But I had just makes men's clothing, and textile and leather accessories, has refurbished its boutique in Delhi. The brand will Haldi in Noida. der on Zomato, and the food and the gravy thick. It reminded me ordered the dish two nights earlier showcase collections of both formal and leisure wear, from It sounded promis­ arrived just in time for din­ of the meat gravies that I ate with from Roomaligarh, another eatery Ermenegildo Zegna XXX that offers tailored streetwear to Z ing, so I looked up Hal­ ner. The containers came crisp tandoori rotis in nondescript that I had discovered last year, so Zegna's casual wear, across 1,500 square feet of retail di on the Net. But it was with a sticker of Kadak little dhabas on highways on my decided to give it a miss. space. They also offer customisation. not my day, for I learnt Singh da Dhaba —of a Sar­ way to the hills. My encounter with Mr Kadak that the restaurant darji on a motorcycle, The chicken dish was interesting Singh left nothing to complain At DLF Emporio, ground floor, Vasant Kunj; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m; didn’t deliver to my apron in place, and holding — the pieces (large ones) looked like about. After all, it ended up re­ open all seven days; ₹20,000 upward neighbourhood. But I what promised to be a nice they’d been roasted in a tandoor minding me of the hills. was sold on the idea of chicken dish. and then cooked in a gravy that had eating something out of The food wasn’t bad at all. soaked in the flavours of coriander The writer is a seasoned food critic Contact us at [email protected]

5 EVENTS WORTH YOUR WHILE

EXHIBITION PERFORMANCE FOOD DANCE GIG Canvas Kathak recital New menu Indian classical Bollywood hits Dharana, an ongoing solo show of paintings on India Habitat Centre is hosting a solo Kathak Masala Gully, a restaurant which specialises in Navaneetham Cultural Trust presents Nrityathi Imperfecto Shor Club is hosting Papon, live canvas by artist Sujata Agrawal, represents recital by Shivani Varma, a disciple of renowned North Indian cuisine, has introduced a new menu 2019, a festival showcasing young, upcoming tonight. Angaraag Mahanta, better known by his mediation and yoga mudras. The colours used in danseuse Guru Shovana Narayan, this evening. for the onset of winter. The main course includes artists in classical dance. This two-day festival, stage name Papon, is a multi-instrumentalist, the works of this collection are inspired by The event will be followed by a Sufi dance dishes like Kathal ke Kofte, Mathaniya Mirch which begins today, will feature a a composer, producer and singer from the Assam. nature and spirituality, with each piece depicting presentation by Kathak exponents Vidha Lal and Paneer, Ustadji ka Chicken Masala, Ande Keema Bharatanatyam dance by Kapil Sharma, a He will be playing some of his Bollywood hits the different sentiments of human beings and Abhimanyu Lal. The duo will be accompanied by Kofta Curry, Champaran Meat, Rajasthani Laal Mohiniyattam by Kalamandalam Sheena Sunil, like Banao, Kyun (from Barfi!), Humnava (from the power of yoga. noted Sufi singers Roohani Sisters. Maas, and more. and a Kuchipudi recital by Ayana Mukherjee. Hamari Aadhuri Kahani), and more. Venue: Lalit Kala Akademi, Mandi House Venue: The Stein Auditorium, IHC Venue: Sector 53, Gurugram Venue: Triveni Kala Sangam, Mandi House Venue: Hotel Pride Plaza, Aerocity Time: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Time: 7 p.m. Time: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Time: 6:30 p.m. Time: 10 p.m. onwards

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three FIA grade race tracks (the Buddh International Circuit in Delhi, MMRT in Irungattukottai and Kari Speedway in Coimbatore). OWNERSHIP Last year, the Government of And­ TEAM CHENNAI hra Pradesh announced that a new FIA - Narain grade race track will come up in Anan­ Karthikeyan thapuramu district. “There are ongo­ ing talks for newer tracks in Maharash­ TEAM DELHI - tra and in Karnataka,” says Aditya. Crown Prince of In fact, there were discussions to Abu Dhabi, open up a street circuit in Navi Mum­ Sheikh Tahnoon bai area but cost became the villain, bin Saeed bin again. “It is ridiculously expensive, Tahnoon al and India is too young in motor­ Nahyan sports. For now, X1 gives the owners a TEAM chance to dip their fingers in at a low HYDERABAD - cost. It is the cheapest league that so­ Akhilesh Reddy meone can buy into (₹2.5 crore per TEAM year). They are only paying for oper­ AHMEDABAD - ational costs. Once we start to ex­ Dhaval Gada pand, maybe, we can incorporate street circuits,” hopes Armaan. TEAM MUMBAI - For now, the focus is on building Ameet Ghadoke interest in the league by holding eS­ TEAM port events in Indian cities, which BANGALORE - will offer a simulated experience of Naina Parekh real time racing. The duo believes Need for speed that interest in eSport can translate The races were Spectators watch racers ic franchisees makes it easier to at­ product first before investing. I think into passion for motorsports, and, held on gear up for the race at tract followers because, as Aditya there was a fallout with a race car ma­ when it does, they will be there to to November 30 MMRT, Irungattukottai adds, “there is a city affinity” that nufacturer at the last moment. So, lend a helping hand for ambitious ta­ and December 1 (bottom) Aditya Patel is absent in manufacturer­based they had to resort to other options lents to make the step up to domestic at the Buddh and Armaan Ebrahim International race events.” they could find. It was bad luck… so­ circuits from the virtual world. Circuit in Delhi, The teams in X1 Racing were a mething they could not foresee,”he And with people like Narain Kar­ and on Blazing mix of Indian and international comments. thikeyan and Gaurav Gill throwing December 7-8 drivers, including female racers, While Armaan says it is anyway not their weight behind X1 racing, the at the MMRT in and the league also had its own a standard practice to build a new race possibilities are huge. Chennai. quirky rule interpretations — like car every year, Aditya explains that (with inputs from Praveen driver changes, which is very un­ keeping costs down to a minimum was Sudevan) According to common in races involving open­ a big factor in opting for an older car. Patel, there wheel cars. “You had men against “Also, a lot of the youngsters were not were “a few a new trail thousand women, men teaming up with wo­ able to handle the more ad­ spectators” at With their X1 Racing league, Indian men, Indians versus international vanced cars. They would both the RACING DNA drivers...” says Armaan. “Change have gotten completely venues. of drivers added an element of sur­ overshadowed by the Six teams took part racers Armaan Ebrahim and Aditya Patel in the inaugural want to make motorsports accessible to prise, and for the audience to see international drivers. Tickets for the season of X1 Racing. this action happening in front of We wanted to bring a event can be a mass audience them, it was exciting,” recalls level playing field booked online 1. TEAM BENGALURU Aditya. where the young on platforms like - Bangalore Racing PRADEEP KUMAR and Patel, both racing profession­ The league was not without its racers would have bookmyshow. Stars als, admit that in the over 15 years issues, from criticism over the use been able to show­ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 2. TEAM CHENNAI - The inception of Indian Premier spent racing the circuits they have of older cars to those automobiles case the talents,” he NK Racing League in 2008, let in bucket loads only come across the “same set of breaking down on the track multi­ says. of entertainment to go with the on people” — the ones whose families ple times and causing racers to When it returns next 3. TEAM field action and broadcasters and have a history with motorsports. drop out. year, X1 Racing will, in HYDERABAD - governing agencies of various Yet, the duo says, of the six fran­ Gaurav Gill, the rally champion, all certainty, have a diffe­ Blackbirds Hyderabad sports since then have tested their chisees who bought into their who raced for the Delhi team, de­ rent set of cars. “You learn 4. TEAM MUMBAI - luck with the league format. There brainchild, X1 Racing league, five scribes it as a “chicken­and­egg and you move forward, Mumbai Falcons has been since then a league for had no background in motor­ situation.” right? A change in car will football, hockey, badminton and sports. “Except for Narain Karthi­ “It is where you need the mo­ eradicate most of the 5. TEAM DELHI - AD kabaddi dominating prime time keyan,” says Patel, who is one of ney first to make a good league but issues we faced this Racing Delhi space on television. the biggest name in Indian racing the sponsors need to see a good season,” says 6. TEAM This is one of the reasons that and owns the league’s Chennai Armaan. AHMEDABAD - DG pushed Armaan Ebrahim and Adi­ team, NK Racing. Since it looks For now, X1 gives the Racing tya Patel to conceptualise a fran­ <> like the duo is in chise ownership model­based Breaking new ground owners a chance to dip it for the long Bangalore Racing league for motorsports, the first of Armaan and Aditya want to break their fingers in at a low run, what Stars were crowned cost. It is the cheapest champions of the its kind anywhere in the world. the notion of motorsports being about expan­ inaugural season. Motorsports is very niche as far non­accessible for the masses. league that someone can sion plans? In­ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA as India is concerned. Ebrahim A league format with city­specif­ buy into dia only has

POOCH CAFE PEANUTS

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE CALVIN AND HOBBES

TIGER THE GUARDIAN QUICK CROSSWORD-13249 2 Mistake — small piece of paper (4) 3 Running fast (6) 4 Unconsciousness induced by drugs (8) 5 Large house (7) 6 Gets rid of unnecessary jumble (10) 9 Maker of timepieces (10) 12 Strong emotional attachment (8) WUMO 14 Popeye the Sailor’s vegetable of choice (7) 16 Go bad — turn from liquid into solids (6) 19 Author of The Female Eunuch, b.1939 (5) 20 Lament noisily (4)

Solution will appear 6 in The Hindu dated December 14, 2019. ■ Across Tyrolean style (6) Solution No. 13248 PEARLS BEFORE SWINE 1 Art of good eating (10) 17 Postscript to a 7 Expressing poetic literary work (8) sorrow for something 18 In excited eagerness past (7) (4) 8 American stock farm 21 Hindu male religious (5) teacher (5) 10 Form on which a shoe 22 Traders — leaders is made (4) (anag) (7) 11 Even more snobby (8) 23 Titular university 13 Canopy over a four- head (10) poster bed (6) ■ Down 15 Woman’s dress in 1 Speculation (5)

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DELHI THE HINDU 18 SPORT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Both camps will have plenty of positives to take Rahul — high on entertainment quotient India shed its confusing approach while batting first; Windies’ build­up for the T20 World Cup on the right track G. Viswanath for Kings XI Punjab in the WI IN INDIA can sustain the confidence it Mumbai IPL. earned from the blitzkrieg, it The packed house at the When asked whether the Amol Karhadkar will definitely augur well for Wankhede on Wednesday Wankhede wicket was better MUMBAI India going into the global must have wondered why than Hyderabad and Thiru­ India may have run away extravaganza. K.L. Rahul is in and out of vananthapuram, he said: “ I with the series by raising its It was heartening to see Team India. love playing here; any wick­ standard when it mattered Rahul coming good and mak­ Someone who cut his et that has pace and bounce most, but the manner in ing the most of his opportun­ teeth in international cricket is what all batsmen like. which the T20I series versus ity to open the innings in the five years ago with a 110 “Wankhede is one such West Indies panned out over absence of an injured Shik­ against Australia in his se­ ground where we get to play the last week, both camps har Dhawan. His perfor­ cond Test in Sydney, ought our shots freely. And the will have plenty of positives mances will give the selectors to have established perma­ crowd is amazing, electrify­ to take from three games. a problem of plenty when nency in the national team. ing. You just want to be out Despite losing the series, they sit down to finalise the there in the middle and en­ West Indies will be a happy combination for the forth­ Terrific outing tertain them, so we love bunch going into the ODI se­ coming contests. Rahul plays a brand of crick­ coming to the Wankhede.” ries, which starts at Chepauk While Rishabh Pant’s in­ et that’s highly entertaining Rahul is back in the thick on Sunday. ability to transcend ability in­ and excites everyone — in of things and must be a Captain Kieron Pollard ad­ to success will continue to be the stands as well as living front­runner for the Twen­ mitted that some of the indi­ a concern for now, the Indian rooms. On Wednesday, he ty20 World Cup in Australia. viduals — especially the likes camp must have been de­ was terrific, thundering his The team has a success rate of Kesrick Williams, Hayden lighted to see Shivam Dube way to a 56­ball 91 with nine of 67.65% when he plays (23/ Walsh, Shimron Hetmeyer, deliver under pressure. The 4s and four 6s. 34) and 57.89% in the 19 he Lendl Simmons, besides him­ all­rounder — being tried out He has not played enough has not played. self — have ensured that the as a back­up option for the in­ matches to be anywhere The team management Windies build­up for the T20 jured Hardik Pandya — near the boundary aggre­ has backed him and he has World Cup in Australia next scored a classy fifty in Thiru­ gate of Rohit Sharma and Vi­ come back strongly in the October is on the right track. vananthapuram after being rat Kohli, but is only second three­match series against India, on the other hand, promoted to No. 3. Dube, behind Kohli in the enter­ the West Indies. should treat the series win as though, has to work harder tainment quotient index. When he gets going, Ra­ yet another mixed bag. The on his bowling. The Karnataka right­han­ hul looks to score runs that’s biggest gain was the manner Looking good: Shivam Dube, being tried out as a back­up option for the injured Hardik Pandya, delivered under pressure.* R. RAGU der, who has the knack of par for the course and on in which India shed its con­ Bowling far from stable scoring off any ball, seems to many occasions he surpass­ fusing approach while bat­ The bowling unit, mean­ Even in spin department, have a special liking for the es it. So far he has scored ting first in the decider at while, continues to be far India tried out all the four op­ Wankhede surface; last April 1,138 runs off 777 balls at 8.79 Wankhede Stadium. from stable. tions at its disposal. But it he made an unbeaten 100 an over. Incredible! All through 2019, as cap­ With Jasprit Bumrah’s con­ seems the team management tain Virat Kohli described it, tinuing to be sidelined due to is still trying out options be­ India has been “too tight and a stress fracture in lower fore settling on what would hesitant” while batting first. back, the selectors and the potentially be a winning It resulted in the batting unit team management have been combination in Australia falling short of par score — as trying out multiple options. next October. was the case in the second Deepak Chahar has been im­ Fielding, especially catch­ match in pressive, not just with the ing, emerged as the biggest Thiruvananthapuram. new ball but even at the concern for the team as In­ It was incredible to wit­ death as he showed in the se­ dian fielders dropped almost ness the manner in which Ro­ ries. It was heartening to see a dozen catches in three hit Sharma, K.L. Rahul and a fully fit Bhuvneshwar Ku­ matches. Virat Kohli unleashed them­ mar back in the blues but he The butter finger syn­ selves from the word go. was obviously rusty. It would drome trickled down to They may not get such bat­ be unfair to judge Mo­ ground fielding as well, with ting­friendly conditions over hammed Shami based on even the likes of Kohli and In his element: K.L. Rahul showed why many think he should the next year, but if the troika one outing. Ravindra Jadeja misfielding. be a permanent fixture in the Indian team. * VIVEK BENDRE

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Touchdown Bad weather hits match Labuschagne notches up third ton on the trot Sri Lanka progresses to 263 for six Kiwis toil in the heat, but hit back under the lights SL IN PAKISTAN Play was stopped for two hours and 43 minutes but Agence France-Presse SCOREBOARD Agence France Presse when it resumed, only 10 ov­ Perth Rawalpindi ers were possible with Sri Emerging Australian bat­ Australia — 1st innings: D. War­ Heavy rain and bad light hit Lanka losing Niroshan Dick­ sman Marnus Labuschagne ner c & b Wagner 43, J. Burns the second day of the histor­ wella for 33 before bad light, on Thursday posted his third lbw b de Grandhomme 9, M. ic Test between Pakistan accompanied by rain, successive Test century to Labuschagne (batting) 110, S. and Sri Lanka here on forced an early call­off at frustrate a resilient New Zea­ Smith c Southee b Wagner 43, Thursday, Pakistan’s first 3.30 p.m. land attack on the opening M. Wade b Southee 12, T. Head home Test since a deadly at­ At close, Sri Lanka was day of the first Test here. (batting) 20; Extras (b­2, nb­2, tack in 2009. 263 for six with Dhananjaya After Australia won a po­ w­7): 11. Total (for 4 wkts. in 90 Sri Lanka, resuming at de Silva unbeaten on 72 and tentially pivotal toss in overs): 248. 202 for five, had progressed Dilruwan Perera batting on scorching heat and elected Fall of wickets: 1­40, 2­75, 3­ to 225 for five when heavy two. to bat in the first ever day­ 207, 4­225. New Zealand bowling: Southee rain in the morning forced The stop­start play left night Test in Perth, the home 20­4­53­1, Ferguson 11­1­47­0, the teams to have early both teams frustrated as team was 248 for four at Wagner 22­4­52­2, de Grand­ lunch. well as 2,000 fans. stumps after facing some homme 16­6­24­1, Santner 20­ challenging bowling from Solid: Marnus Labuschagne’s chanceless effort on Thursday 3­65­0, Raval 1­0­5­0. SCOREBOARD the disciplined Kiwis. saw him crossing the 1000­run mark in Tests. * AP Toss: Australia.

Sri Lanka — 1st innings: Dimuth (batting) 2; Extras (b­5, lb­6, The rock on 20. The leading run­scor­ turies in his previous two the milestone off 166 balls. Karunaratne lbw b Afridi 59, nb­3): 14; Total (for six wkts. in Having toiled without much er in Test cricket this year, outings against Pakistan. By contrast, star batsman Oshada Fernando c Sohail b 86.3 overs): 263. success in 40°C heat, the Ki­ the 25­year­old passed the He reached this hundred Smith really struggled, tak­ Naseem 40, Kusal Mendis c Fall of wickets: 1­96, 2­109, 3­ wis fought back late in the 1,000­run mark in the five­ against New Zealand in style, ing 164 balls to make 43 be­ Rizwan b Shinwari 10, Angelo 120, 4­127, 5­189, 6­256. Mathews c Shafiq b Naseem 31, Pakistan bowling: Abbas 24­9­ day by removing Steve Smith day format. lofting spinner Mitchell fore falling to a leg side trap The next leg: Virat Kohli & Co. arrived in Chennai on Dinesh Chandimal b Abbas 2, 56­1, Afridi 19.3­7­47­2, Shin­ (43) and Matthew Wade (12). Called up for the Ashes in Santner down the ground for by Neil Wagner. Thursday ahead of the ODI series set to begin on Sunday. Dhananjaya de Silva (batting) wari 15­4­54­1, Naseem 22­4­ However, Labuschagne England after Smith was in­ six to move from 95 to 101. It Smith and Labuschagne * B. VELANKANNI RAJ 72, Niroshan Dickwella c Babar 75­2, Sohail 3­0­12­0, Masood was the rock and was unbea­ jured, Labuschagne had was just the second six of his put on 132 for the third CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC b Afridi 33, Dilruwan Perera 1­1­0­0, Shafiq 2­0­8­0. ten on 110, with Travis Head posted his first two Test cen­ Test career and he reached wicket. Atletico, Atalanta make last-16 Second loss virtually Bayern, Real, Juventus and PSG finish with impressive wins ends Sindhu’s chances

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Goes down to Chen Yufei Agence France-Presse BWF TOUR FINAL with her wide repertoire of Paris shots. Atletico Madrid claimed the Press Trust of India Coming into the match final spot in the Champions Guangzhou with a strong 6­3 head­to­ League pre­quarterfinals Defending champion P.V. head record, Sindhu strug­ with a 2­0 win over Lokomo­ Sindhu’s campaign in the gled to match Chen initially, tiv Moscow, after Atalanta year­ending BWF World as the Chinese used her completed an impressive co­ Tour Final was all but over smashes to good effect and meback in Group C to after the Indian lost to Chi­ grabbed an 8­4 lead and qualify. na’s Chen Yufei 22­20, 16­21, then extended it to 16­12. Bayern Munich sealed 12­21 here on Thursday. But the the reigning consecutive victories over Just like in her campaign World champion turned it Tottenham with a 3­1 success opener against Japan’s around superbly and at the Allianz Arena, while On top: Joao Felix, up, celebrates with his Atletico Akane Yamaguchi on Wed­ clinched the opening game Real Madrid, Paris Saint­Ger­ teammates after defender Felipe scored the second goal nesday, Sindhu squandered in 24 minutes. main and Juventus also fin­ against Lokomotiv Moscow. * AFP a game advantage to lose yet The second game started ished their group campaigns again in 72 minutes, virtual­ on an even keel but from 7­7, on winning notes. for offside. But its place in Mbappe 63, Cavani 84­pen) bt ly bowing out of contention Chen went ahead before Diego Simeone’s Atletico the knockout rounds was se­ Galatasaray 0. for the knockouts. leading 19­12 in favour of the went into its game knowing cured when centre­back Fe­ Group B: Bayern Munich 3 (Co­ Trailing 17­20, Sindhu Chinese. With a drop shot, defeat, coupled with a Bayer lipe volleyed home Koke’s man 14, Muller 45, Coutinho staged a dramatic turna­ the World No. 2 claimed the Leverkusen win against cross after a short corner 64) bt Tottenham Hotspur 1 round to score five straight second game and restored Juve, would see it dumped routine. (Sessegnon 20); Olympiakos 1 points and claim the first parity. The second game al­ out. (El Arabi 87­pen) bt Red Star game. However, the Chinese so lasted 24 minutes. Champions League debu­ Belgrade 0. Kieran Tripper had a se­ tant Atalanta claimed a fa­ rallied to win the second A confident Chen was in cond­minute penalty bril­ Group C: Dinamo Zagreb 1 (Ol­ game after a strong start. her element in the decider mous 3­0 triumph at Shak­ mo 10) lost to Manchester City liantly saved by Lokomotiv htar Donetsk to qualify with and rarely gave the World 4 (Jesus 34, 50, 54, Foden 84); Too good in decider goalkeeper Anton Kochen­ Manchester City despite hav­ Shakhtar Donetsk 0 lost to Ata­ No. 6 an opportunity to kov at the Wanda Metropoli­ ing lost its first three games. lanta 3 (Castagne 66, Pasalic Chen, who has been in ram­ come back into the Group A tano, but Joao Felix made no paging form this season hav­ match. The results: Group A: Club 80, Gosens 90+4). mistake from the spot a Brugge 1 (Vanaken 55) lost to Group D: Atletico Madrid 2 ing won all six of her finals, Sindhu will play He Bing quarter of an hour later. Real Madrid 3 (Rodrygo 53, Vin­ (Joao Felix 17­pen, Felipe 54) including the All England Jiao on Friday but that could Atletico wasted a string of icius Junior 64, Modric 90+1); bt Lokomotiv Moscow 0; Bayer Championships, carried the well be a dead rubber as far chances and Alvaro Morata Paris Saint­Germain 5 (Icardi Leverkusen 0 lost to Juventus momentum into the decider as her chances of progress­ had a goal ruled out by VAR 32, Sarabia 35, Neymar 47, 2 (Ronaldo 75, Higuain 90+2). and left Sindhu stunned ing further are concerned.

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THE HINDU DELHI FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 SPORT 19 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

TV PICKS Viscaal, Schumacher BWF World Tour Finals : Fighting Delhi thwarts Kerala’s plans Star Sports 1 (SD & HD), 8.30 a.m. NBA: Sony Ten 1 (SD & HD), 9 set the early pace a.m. Visitors prevent the hosts from pulling off an outright win Pakistan vs Sri Lanka : 1st MOTORSPORTS with his pace, though he re­ Test, Sony ESPN (SD & HD), A. Vinod length. And when wisdom fi­ frained from any predic­ 10.30 a.m. Thiruvananthapuram nally dawned to make chang­ Australia vs New Zealand : Sports Bureau tions on his performance 1st Test, Sony Six (SD & HD), Delhi’s tremendous fight es in the field placements, Sakhir (Bahrain) over the next two days when back stopped Kerala from the game was out of Kerala’s the qualifying and four rac­ 10.30 a.m. Debutants Bent Viscaal and Big Bout League : Star completing an outright win hands. es would be run. David Schumacher set the Sports 1 (SD & HD), 7 p.m. in the Ranji Trophy Elite Chandela’s 125 came off early pace in free practice “It went very well for me ISL: Star Sports 2 (SD & HD), Group match here on 219 deliveries and was stud­ session as the second round today. First time in MRF 7.30 p.m. Thursday. ded with 11 fours and a six, Europa League: Sony Ten 2 of the MRF Challenge, or­ Challenge, first time in this while Rana’s 114 came off 164 (SD & HD), 12 a.m. (Saturday) ganised by the Madras Mo­ car and learning the track. Brilliant centuries balls with 11 boundaries tor Sports Club and a sup­ “It’s been nearly two The side staged a comeback fours and four sixes. The two port­event for FIA World months since I drove a rac­ IN BRIEF with magnificent centuries added 118­runs for the third Endurance Championship, ing car. So, MRF Challenge from Kunal Chandela and wicket. got underway at the Bahrain will provide me with some Nitish Rana, following the Delhi wiped off the deficit International Circuit here winter mileage. cue set by Anuj Rawat on soon after tea and not much on Thursday. Wednesday. The side was later, the match was halted Happy with the pace asked to follow­on after fin­ by consensus prior to the Viscaal, the 20­year­old ishing 383 runs in the arrears start of the 15 mandatory ov­ from the Netherlands, fresh “The car is good and so also in its first innings. ers with Delhi on 395 for from his debut season in the the tyres, I am really enjoy­ Formula 3 championship, ing it here. I was quite hap­ Realising that the batsmen four. was the quickest in the first py with the pace, though had been done in by their Kerala gained three points free practice session, clock­ you never know with quali own tentativeness on a pitch from the drawn encounter, Leonard stars in ing a best of two minutes, (qualifying session) and rac­ that turned a bit more on the while Delhi bagged one. emotional return 01.191 seconds . es still to be run,” said first two days, the Delhi wick­ The scores: LOS ANGELES Viscaal. etkeeper­batsman proved Kerala — 1st innings: 525 for Germany’s 18­year­old Kawhi Leonard finished with nine decl. Schumacher, son of former Schumacher said he en­ a team-high 23 points in an that offence is the best form Delhi — 1st innings: 142. Formula 1 driver Ralf, was joyed the outing. “New car, emotional return to Toronto of defence as he took on the Delhi — 2nd innings: Anuj Ra- second best in 02:01.256, new tyres and it was quite as Los Angeles Clippers Kerala bowlers with gusto. wat c Rahul b Baby 87, Kunal ahead of Denmark’s 16­year­ fun to drive. It was one of defeated reigning champion Chandela and Rana fol­ Chandela c Azharuddeen b War- Raptors 112-92 on lowed suit received with old Valdemar Eriksen the best cars I have driven in rier 125, Dhruv Shorey c Nizar b (02:01.850). practice session. I was mis­ Wednesday. some help from Kerala skip­ Saxena 20, Nitish Rana b Saxe- The results: Houston 116 bt per Sachin Baby. In a situa­ na 114, Jonty Sidhu (not out) In fact, the top five in the sing half­a­tenths in the Cleveland 110; Indiana 122 bt tion where the rival batsmen 30, Lalit Yadav (not out) 13; Ex- session, including fourth­ quickest laps. Boston 117; LA Lakers 96 bt were going for runs, Baby tras (b-1, lb-2, nb-2, w-1): 6; To- placed Aussie Dylan Young “The track is really diffi­ Orlando 87; LA Clippers 112 persisted with an attacking tal (for four wkts. in 112 overs): (02:01.901) and champion­ cult and the temperatures bt Toronto 92; Charlotte 113 field rather than trying to 395. ship leader Michelangelo were quite high. This car is bt Brooklyn 108; Chicago 136 keep the run flow in check. Fall of wickets: 1-130, 2-185, 3- Amendola from Belgium pretty easy to drive com­ bt Atlanta 102; Utah 127 bt 303, 4-363. True, the home side had a (02:01.915), winner of three pared to others. Minnesota 116; Memphis 115 Kerala bowling: Warrier 13-4- bt Phoenix 108; Milwaukee massive lead, but banking on races in the first round at “I chose the MRF Chal­ 27-1, Asif 6-0-27-0, Saxena 41- Dubai last month, were co­ 127 bt New Orleans 112; that did not help Kerala’s 2-119-2, Monish 23-0-106-0, lenge to learn the track for Sacremento 94 bt Oklahoma cause, as its bowlers, Jalaj Uthappa 2-0-10-0, Joseph 16- vered by less than one next season. This week, I City 93; New York 124 bt Saxena included, failed to 1-68-0, Baby 9-0-33-1, Vinod The heroes: Delhi’s Nitish Rana and Kunal Chandela scored centuries to keep Kerala at bay. second. want to win all the races of Golden State 122 (OT). * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT AGENCIES bowl the expected line and 2-0-2-0. Viscaal was quite pleased course!”

Formidables lifts title RANJI TROPHY SCORES, ROUND 1, DAY 4 KOLKATA Nagal to meet Ramkumar for the title Former champion GROUP A overs (Mahipal Lomror 43) lost GROUP C Formidables outplayed country, who had battled to­ In the women’s final, Ma­ Naik 8-2; Ramkumar bt Sudar- Andhra 211 & 314/3 in 103.4 to Punjab 358 & 68/0 in 11.4 Services 124 & 279 drew with TENNIS city-based Maharaja 115-58 in shan 8-0. overs (C.R. Gnaneshwar 61, overs. Punjab 7, Rajasthan 0. Assam 162 & 74/5 in 31 overs. gether in the Davis Cup tie hak Jain, who also repre­ the final to lift the team title Doubles, final: Divij & Rohan Ricky Bhui 100 n.o., K.S. Bharat GROUP B Assam 3, Services 1. Special Correspondent against Pakistan at Nur Sul­ sents Indian Oil, defended and claim the Ruia Gold Cup Bopanna bt Ramkumar & Nagal 102 n.o.) drew with Vidarbha Mumbai 431 & 409/4 decl. Haryana 401 bt Maharashtra NEW DELHI tan, Kazakhstan, recently, her crown won last year in in the Winter National bridge 9-7; Semifinals: Divij & Bopan- 441. Points: Vidarbha bt Baroda 307 & 224 247 & 86 in 29 overs (Harshal have also been fighting to­ Hyderabad, by beating four­ championships at the Netaji Top seed Sumit Nagal and se­ na bt Raunaq Barkahati & Sidd- 3, Andhra 1. in 52.4 overs (Viraj Patel 5/22, Ashish Hooda 4/31). gether for their employer In­ time National champion Indoor Stadium here on cond seed Ramkumar Rama­ harth Barali 8-2; Ramkumar & Hyderabad 233 & Bhosale 41, Abhi- Haryana 7, Maharashtra 0. dian Oil. Prerna Bhambri. Thursday. Rampage beat 266 in 90.1 overs manyusingh Rajput nathan set up a title clash in Nagal bt Vijay Kannan & Ran- Tripura 289 & 211 in 64.4 The results: Railways-A 79-55 to take the (Tanmay Agarwal 96, 53, Deepak Hooda the men’s event of the 39th jeet 8-6. overs (Manisankar Murasingh It was all Indian Oil in the third place. Akshath Reddy 45, B. 61, Shams Mulani 4/ Men, semifinals: Sumit Nagal Women, final: Mahak Jain bt 103, Ashish Kumar 5/67) lost to Petroleum Sports Promotion men’s doubles final in which Sandeep 41, Roosh 72). Mumbai 6, Bar­ bt V.M. Ranjeet 8-6; Ramkumar Prerna Bhambri 6-3, 6-3. Jharkhand 136 & 418/8 decl. in Board (PSPB) inter­unit ten­ Kalaria 5/45) lost to oda 0. Asian Games gold medallists Ramanathan bt Vishnu Vardhan Veterans, semifinals: Bhushan 108 overs (Nazim Siddiqui 40, nis tournament on Gujarat 313 & 187/2 in Karnataka 336 & Rohan Bopanna and Divij 8-6; Quarterfinals: Nagal bt Vi- Akut bt Devojyoti Borpuzari Saurabh Tiwary 122 n.o., Ishank Thursday. 36.4 overs (Priyank 151 in 65.4 overs (R. Sharan prevailed over Ram­ jay Kannan 8-4; Ranjeet bt Divij 8-4; Hakim Ali bt Subhash Raj- Jaggi 107 n.o.). Panchal 90, Bhargav Ashwin 4/46) bt Jharkhand 6, The two top players of the kumar and Sumit. Sharan 8-4; Vishnu bt Girish ra 8-4 Tripura 0. Merai 69 n.o.). Gu­ Tamil Nadu 307 & jarat 6, Hyderabad 0. 154 in 63.3 overs PLATE Kerala 525/9 decl. drew with (Abhinav Mukund 42, K. Sikkim 136 & 374 in 111.3 Delhi 142 & 395/4 in 112 overs Gowtham 8/60). Karnataka 6, overs (Yashpal Singh 84, Iqbal (Anuj Rawat 87, Kunal Chandela TN 0. Abdulla 135) lost to Goa 436/6 125, Nitish Rana 114). Kerala 3, Railways 253 & 270 drew decl. & 75/1 in 18.2 overs Delhi 1. with Uttar Pradesh 175 & 62/2 (Suyash Prabhudessai 49 n.o.). Rajasthan 257 & 168 in 74.5 in 21 overs. Railways 3, UP 1. Goa 6, Sikkim 0. Ferguson stays Everton caretaker manager LONDON Duncan Ferguson is to stay on as caretaker manager of Kerala Blasters keen to end Everton for its Premier League match away to Manchester United this winless streak weekend, the club announced on Wednesday. Former Scotland forward Team has been hit by injuries and poor form Ferguson enjoyed two spells as a player with Everton, ISL been able to be preserve its playing him in the eleven. amounting to 10 years in leads and worryingly has total. AFP been conceding late goals to Slight blip Special Correspondent Kochi its opponent. This streak has Jamshedpur, placed fourth Bengal Ranji squad extended far too long for the in the table, has been been announced Back­bencher Kerala Blas­ liking of its fans and suppor­ hit by a slight blip in form KOLKATA: The Cricket ters faces a tough test against ters. which saw the side draw its Association of Bengal on Jamshedpur FC at home on “That (conceding late last two games. Thursday announced a 15- Friday to ressurect its stut­ goals) has to do with the Coach Antonio Iriondo member squad for Bengal’s tering campaign in the Hero quality that you have in the said his team will look for opening Ranji Trophy match ISL. against Kerala to be played at team. Last week we had three points against the ten­ some mismatch during set­ tative opponent. However, Thiruvananthapuram from Injury woes December 17 to 20. pieces. You have to find a so­ the absence of star striker The team: Abhimanyu Winless after the season lution, in this case, I tell my Sergio Castel and midfielder Easwaran (captain), Sudip opener against ATK at the Ja­ players to be a bit smarter, a Piti will effect the team’s Chatterjee (vice-captain), waharlal Nehru stadium, bit meaner, to be street­ plans. Eelco Schattorie’s men have Manoj Tiwary, Anustup smart,” added Schattorie. Kerala Blasters will enter been hit by injuries and poor Majumder, Shreevats the pitch in a special green Goswami (wk), Abhishek form to key players. Arques boost Raman, Arnab Nandi, Ashoke and white jersey — discard­ The weakness which Kerala Blasters will be boost­ ing the traditional yellow Dinda, Ritwik Roy bothered the team last sea­ Chowdhury, Ishan Porel, ed by the return of midfiel­ and blue outfit to commem­ Pradipta Pramanik, Shahbaz son has come back to haunt der Mario Arques from inju­ orate Kerala Football Day — Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, it in this season as well. ry but it remains to been and hope for a turnaround Koushik Ghosh and B. Amit. Kerala Blasters has not seen if Schattorie will risk in fortunes. Snowdon primed to deliver in feature BENGALURU: Snowdon, who has Smile Of Peace (1) A. Ramu 59.5, 7. (3) Tousif Khan 56.5, 4. Queen Isa­ Dallas (9) Arvind Kumar 58, 6. So­ been well tuned, is expected to Sir Piggot (2) Kiran Rai 59, 8. Ad­ bella (9) Nazerul 56, 5. Arrogance viet Union (10) K. Raghu 58, 7. In­ score in the Vidhana Soudha ela (9) A. Imran 58.5, 9. Zafrina (6) S. Shareef 55.5, 6. Hawking (4) dustrialist (1) Naveen Kumar 56, 8. Trophy (1,400m), the main event (10) Chandrashekar 58.5, 11. S. Shiva Kumar 55.5, 7. Nerva (10) Simply Magical (2) S. Shareef 56, of the races to be held here on Amalfi Coast (5) R. Anand 58 and Chetan G 55.5, 8. Princess Pride 9. Cadillac Sky (4) Chetan G 55.5 Friday (Dec 13). False rails (width 11. Ruler Of Nation (8) Irvan 57. (1) Jagadeesh 55.5, 9. Glorious and 10. Fierce Fighter (8) Arshad about 3m from 1,600m to the 1. AUGUSTINA, 2. DESERT COMBAT, Days (2) D. Patel 55 and 10. Perfect 55. winning post) will be in position. 3. SMILE OF PEACE King (7) Sai Kiran 53.5. 1. BROWN BESS, 2. SIMONE, 3. 1. ARROGANCE, 2. PRINCESS BELGAUM STAKES (1,400m), B.A.R.I TROPHY (1,200m) FIERCE FIGHTER rated 00 to 20, 2­15 p.m.: 1. PRIDE, 3. QUEEN ISABELLA 1 3 rated 30 to 50, 3­15: 1. Kimera BRAHMAGIRI STAKES (DIV. I), Barog (3) M. Kumar 60, 2. Custom VIDHANA SOUDHA TROPHY (6) Arvind Kumar 60, 2. Slice Of (1,200m), rated 15 to 35, 5­15: Cut (8) Trevor 60, 3. Desert Gilt 7 Heaven (3) Kiran Rai 57, 3. Big 5 (1,400m), rated 60 & above, 4­ 1. Genuine Star (5) S. John 60, 2. (10) K. Raghu 60, 4. She’s Stylish Boon (8) Rajesh K 55.5, 4. Prin­ 15: 1. Nanhipari (7) S. John 60, 2. Alvarez (9) Rayan 59.5, 3. Silver (9) Vinod Shinde 60, 5. Brightside cess Holly (1) R. Anand 55.5, 5. Peluche (1) Chetan G 58.5, 3. Set Swift (11) A. Imran 59, 4. Akasi (6) Of Life (7) Arvind Kumar 59, 6. Armin (12) Antony 54.5, 6. Light­ To Win (3) Sai Kiran 58.5, 4. Bus­ Trevor 56.5, 5. Brigadier General Bazinga (6) Rajesh K 57.5, 7. Emer­ ning Attack (10) Darshan 54, 7. cadero (2) Vinod Shinde 56, 5. (1) T.S. Jodha 56.5, 6. Elite Agent ald Green (4) S. Shareef 55, 8. Propine (5) Rayan 53.5, 8. An­ Snowdon (6) David Allan 55, 6. (4) Irvan 56.5, 7. Flt Captain (2) S. Phoenix Reached (5) T.S. Jodha other Rainbow (4) Bhanu Singh Cerise Noir (4) Indrajeet Singh Shareef 56.5, 8. Perfect Rendition 53.5, 9. Apthamitra (2) Vivek 53 53, 9. Donna Bella (2) Vaibhav 53, 54.5, 7. Blue Moon (9) I. Chisty 52, (10) I. Chisty 56.5, 9. Tazamour and 10. Turf Prospector (1) J.H. 10. Indian Empress (7) Jagadeesh 8. Star Cracker (8) S. Shareef 52 (8) Rajesh K 56.5, 10. Eco Friendly Arul 52.5. 53, 11. San Bernardino (11) I. and 9. Land Of Liberty (5) Rajesh (3) M. Kumar 56 and 11. Bella 1. CUSTOM CUT, 2. PHOENIX Chisty 53 and 12. Schafenberg (9) K 51. Mamma (7) A. Vishwanath 55. REACHED, 3. TURF PROSPECTOR Trevor 53. 1. SNOWDON, 2. PELUCHE, 3. BLUE 1. SCHAFENBERG, 2. SLICE OF MOON 1. GENUINE STAR, 2. SILVER BRAHMAGIRI STAKES (DIV. II), HEAVEN, 3. INDIAN EMPRESS SWIFT, 3. FLT CAPTAIN (1,200m), rated 15 to 35, 2­45: CHINTAMANI STAKES (DIV. I), 2 Day’s best: SNOWDON 1. Desert Combat (3) Antony 60, 2. CHINTAMANI STAKES (DIV. II), 6 (1,100m), rated 15 to 35, 4­y­o Super Gladiator (4) Raja Rao 60, 4 (1,100m), rated 15 to 35, 4­y­o & over, 4­45: 1. Charmaine (7) I. Double: AUGUSTINA — GENUINE 3. Augustina (7) S. John 59.5, 4. & over, 3­45: 1. Kudla Punch (8) Chisty 60, 2. Revan Star (5) R. Pra­ STAR Capella (11) B. Nayak 59.5, 5. She’s J.H. Arul 60, 2. Annalease (5) S. deep 59, 3. Brown Bess (3) Trevor Jkt: 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7; Tr (i): 2, 3 and Innocent (6) Chetan K 59.5, 6. Hussain 56.5, 3. Santorini Secret 58.5, 4. Simone (6) S. John 58.5, 5. 4; (ii): 5, 6 and 7. CM YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 20 SPORT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Anand looks back on a satisfying journey Almost everything I want to do, I’ve done, says the Grandmaster CHESS cess, Vishy, as he is known in destination,” said Anand. “As Indians who follow my re­ sense of control. I realised the chess world, revolution­ they say, it’s been glorious. sults than those who follow now looking back and forget­ ised the sport in India. Almost everything I want to the moves. ting the little details. I think RAKESH RAO do, I’ve done. I can look back “So I hope that they will the past looks much better NEW DELHI Bringing joy with a lot of pleasure. But I become acquainted with my now, than when it was pre­ It seems like yesterday that True to his name, Anand think you really only look chess journey and also my sent,” he said. India was warming up to this brought joyous times for a back when you do it for life lessons. And get a deeper exciting chess talent. nation starved of world bea­ others.” understanding of me as a Extra time This was bound to happen ters. Five world titles across Anand said he had learnt person, as well. So in that Returning to the present, when, in the span of five three formats, two World most of life’s lessons through sense, it’s meant for the non­ Anand said, “I’m proud of months — between August 2 Cups and triumphs spread chess and that whenever he chess audience and for peo­ the last few years, that I'm and December 30, 1987 — a over tournaments, worth looked back on events he did ple who are curious in some able to fight, in what is be­ teenager named V. Anand winning. so in the context of what it way.” coming a very young sport moved from being the coun­ In an illustrious career meant in chess terms. Asked whether he felt age very fast. try’s first World junior cham­ spanning over three de­ On his book, Mind Mas- impacted his recent perfor­ “Now, it feels like the whis­ pion to the first cades, and counting, the ters, to be released on Fri­ mances, Anand was candid. tle has been blown, but the Grandmaster! former World No. 1 was day, Anand said: “For a lot of “I’ve noticed I’ve become referee has given a bit of ex­ Almost 32 years later, at ranked in the top­10 list for people, this will be the clos­ much more unstable, I’ve be­ tra­time, like in football. And 50, Viswanathan Anand has nearly 25 years! est they come to the mind of come much more inconsis­ it feels like, I know, this is just delivered far more than he “Like all life stories, when a chess player. tent. And before I had a fun. And of course, you still Master of the game: Vishy, as Anand is known in the chess world, revolutionised the sport in once promised. In the pro­ it started I had no idea of the “I think there are far more sense of control or feeling a have to challenge yourself.” India. * RAJEEV BHATT Dhruv Sunish Internationals dominate opening day The Korean and Dutch way of sports excellence goes down fighting Woods-Thomas’ win brings the lone cheer for USA The former was able to develop into a force in football PRESIDENTS CUP Special Correspondent “Our national growth is “Anyone who is registered INDIANS ABROAD NEW DELHI 2.5%, but our sports growth with KNVB, is assured of 22 Nation building, best done is 7%. league matches in a year, in Sports Bureau Reuters with sports, was emphasised “ Every time we host a ma­ the age group of 7 years to 50 Cairo MELBOURNE fluently with the Korean ex­ jor international competi­ years. We have a small coun­ Dhruv Sunish fought hard A Presidents Cup rivalry all ample by the Minister­Coun­ tion, it mobilises and unites try. You can travel from the but was beaten 6­1, 6­7(7), but buried by decades of selor for Political Affairs of the whole country. There is north tip to the south in 6­1 by Facundo Juarez of American dominance flick­ the Embassy of Korea, Yoo more development. There is about four hours. You have Argentina in the first round ered back to life at Royal Mel­ Chang­Ho, during one of the also demand for sports facil­ to drive just about seven ki­ of the $15,000 ITF men’s bourne on Thursday, as the sessions of the Global Sports ities,” he said. lometres to find an oppo­ Futures tennis tournament unfancied International Summit organised by the Countering a question nent. We keep the cost low. in Cairo, Egypt. team stormed to a 4­1 lead by Federation of Indian Cham­ about big sports facilities in There are about 3000 clubs. The results: routing Tiger Woods’ USA in bers of Commerce and In­ huge buildings of Korea as an Most of the time, it is not $15,000 ITF men, Cairo, the fourballs matches. dustry (FICCI) on Yoo Chang­Ho. “exaggeration”, the Korean about winning,” said the

Egypt: Singles (first round): Ernie Els’ rookie­laden Wednesday. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT said that it was a fact that big Dutch specialist, as he em­ Facundo Juarez (Arg) bt outfit played fearlessly on a Making comparisons with buildings would often en­ phasised the need to enjoy Dhruv Sunish 6­1, 6­7(7), 6­1. gusty day at the sandbelt Stunning win:Ancer combined well with Oosthuizen to get the India in terms of being sup­ The country was able to sure the availability of a sports in all age groups.

Omar El­Moslemany (Egy) course as the Internationals better of the fancied Johnson and Woodland. * GETTY IMAGES pressed under the colonial develop into a football force, swimming pool or tennis He also pointed out that bt Atharva Sharma 6­2, 6­2; secured a day one lead for rule, apart from the country reaching the fourth place in courts, or other facilities. about 5000 coaches at all le­ Giulio Colacioppo (Ita) bt PC the first time at the biennial consistently bamboozled by Abraham Ancer. being devastated by the Ko­ the World Cup when it co­ “Sports facilities are readi­ vels were constantly educat­ Vignesh 6­4, 6­0. tournament since 2003. Royal Melbourne’s undulat­ The results: International rean war in 1950, Yoo Chang­ hosted the mega event, in ly available for everyone,” ed so that they could provide $15,000 ITF men, Doha, Qa­ Woods, only the second ing greens. leads USA 4­1 [Marc Leishman Ho, explained how sports 2002. said Yoo Chang­Ho, as he good basics to everyone. tar: Singles (first round): Si­ playing­captain in the 25­ & Joaquin Niemann lost to Tig­ had played a big part in res­ “Korea has participated in gave a glimpse into the “There is high quality mon Freund (Swe) bt Haadin year history of the tourna­ Dream team flops er Woods & Justin Thomas 4 & tructuring the nation, not all the World Cups since growth of Korea. control, and we make sure Bava 6­2, 6­1. ment, upheld his end of the Dustin Johnson and Gary 3; Adam Hadwin & Im Sung­jae only as one of the sports 1966,” the Korean said, that coaches are dealing $15,000 ITF women, Cairo, bargain, as he anchored a Woodland had been brand­ bt Xander Schauffele & Patrick power, but also as the 11th pointing out the fact that Ko­ A ground every 7km with the children in the best Egypt: Singles (first round): comprehensive 4&3 win ed a dream team by U.S. me­ Cantlay 1 up; Adam Scott & An largest economy in the rea has won 121 Olympic gold Dutch football coach Johan way,” he said. Nada Fouad (Egy) bt Aaliya Byeong­hun bt Bryson De­ with Justin Thomas over Aus­ dia after their pairing was world. medals, including 31 in win­ Ebrahim 6­4, 6­2. Chambeau & Tony Finau 2 & 1; van Geijn, head of Interna­ Even as it aspires to be­ tralian Marc Leishman and announced on tournament ter Olympics. Doubles (pre­quarterfinals): Hideki Matsuyama & C.T. Pan bt The Korean expert re­ tional Cooperation of KNVB, come a sports power, India Emma Belluomini (Ita) & Mal­ Chilean debutant Joaquin eve. But they walked off 4&3 Webb Simpson & Patrick Reed 1 vealed that traditional Ko­ Korea had placed fourth said that a football ground has a lot to learn, in terms of vika Shukla bt Julia Klimovicz Niemann. losers after a thrashing by up; Abraham Ancer & Louis rean sports were used as the in the medals table when it was available every seven ki­ ensuring basic sporting facil­ (Bra) & Katarina Sopkova But that was as good as it South Africa’s Louis Oosthui­ Oosthuizen bt Dustin Johnson roots to lay a strong founda­ hosted the Olympics in 1988 lometres and there were 75 ities, at least for everyone as­ (Aut) 6­3, 6­3. got for the U.S. which was zen and Mexican debutant & Gary Woodland 4 & 3]. tion for Korean sports. in Seoul. grounds. piring to play. FR Delhi/ CITY Front_Pg User: 9165 00:50:56 Replate Reason:

Delhi • city EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2019

Arts | Dance | Music | Movies www.thehindu.com/FridayReview Theatre | Review | History & Culture | Faith

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Striking a chord (Clockwise from left) Pandit Debashis Bhattacharya with Decoding Pushpa Veena Pushpa Veena; Niladri Sen; Abhay The constant exploration for the divine Rustum Sopori; Ustad Bahauddin Dagar acoustics with a universal appeal and blend of modernity led Bhattacharya to- wards a copyright-protected new inven- tion which, according to him, “may SOUND OF fi signi cantly change over the next few years”. As of now, going by the impres- sions of stalwarts, such as Pandits Hari- prasad Chaurasia, Swapan Chaudhuri, L Subramanium, John McLaughlin and other CHANGE dignitaries, this is different from all other Indian veenas or slide instruments due to its hide top (skin covered table/drum), Meena Banerjee that too with a hole which results in sweet CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC simplicity despite its deep majestic tone a As Pandit la rabab or sarod. he India International Guitar Debashish “As a composite world music instrument, Festival 2019 arrived with a without using any pick-up, it can also punch-line: ‘Launch of Push- Bhattacharya blend the shades of banjo, guitar, oud, pa Veena’. One wondered introduces his sarangi, Japanese shamisen (sangen), why another veena (string in- Chinese harp (with nylon string) along strument)T when this category of Indian Pushpa Veena to middle octave,” explains Abhay. The se- with percussive thrill. As such, it can im- instruments already offers numerous nior Sopori also changed the string set bibe the ancient art of classical and folk the world, a look at music of the entire world and can help varieties since ancient era. The inventor up of every bridge; added chikari and understand the real classical, spiritual and is a celebrated Indian slide guitar maes- how an instrument tarab strings. The latter enhanced the folk music that is losing its identity due to tro Debashish Bhattacharya who is takes shape beauty of meends. mechanical or digitised sound and mix- known for his inventive streak - having “For vocalised tarana we incorporat- ing,” avers Bhattacharya. The sound and modified three different Indian versions ed bols which were not used in the Su- energy generated by this veena, he says, is of the traditional Hawaiian guitar, fiana tradition. Till my arrival on the inspired by the spirit of Vedic, Buddhist, fuelled by his close association and mus- scene, santoor used to have its own and other older schools of art. “Moreover, ical collaborations with internationally bridge. I replaced them with the ones this easy to carry instrument facilitates acclaimed artistes, instrument makers used for tanpura to increase its note- comfortable sitting posture for hours of and his own drawing skills. What drove sustenance and changed the structure practice, accompaniment and perform- ance,” he adds. him to another ‘invention’! But the glit- according to my requirements by club- tering presence of star musicians on bing different instruments’ techniques. First show stage and on the giant screen – discuss- Now I can sustain any note to my heart’s Bhattacharya, very humbly, dedicated his ing merits of Pushpa Veena, followed by content; of course microphone plays a new creation to his gurus, vocalist Ajoy abrief recital by Bhattacharya on his lat- very important role in this,” adds Abhay Chakrabarty and the late slide-guitar est creation, made its official launch at maestro Brij Bhushan Kabra and settled Kolkata’s Birla Sabhagar rather thought Adaptations down to give a brief recital on this versat- provoking. In the medieval era, several West Asian ile instrument. Supported by Pandit instruments arrived in India when in- Anindo Chatterjee’s equally versatile Indian tradition vaders and traders began to settle down tabla, he played a finely nuanced melody The eternal quest for going beyond along with their culture. Their sehtaar, from West Asia, followed by a passage fi showcasing western chromatic notes re- the speci ed boundaries has spurred rabab, and taus looked similar to fretted ff many to reinvent art and its expression. veenas, unfretted Kacchapi veena and plete with mandolin like e ects. Next, the pure vocalism of a thumri-dhun enchanted Indian mythology and philosophy bowed ravanhattha respectively; and la- the listeners who demanded encores. prove that going solo according to one’s ter emerged as sitar, sarod and sarangi – Happily, he gave samples of tantrakari own beliefs, imagination and needs is in that order and became an integral with powerful bolkari in teental, his forte; the only way to salvation and it leads to part of Indian music. Pandit Radhika and proved that the instrument can adapt DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD 'change' which is constant. Even the In- tra (200 BCE) which recognised four ca- tinuously evolving with the needs of Mohan Maitra’s inventive genius in- the changed soundscapes of globalized dian concept of ‘dharma’ is not beyond tegories of instruments: stringed (Tata- What’s in a name? changing times. spired him to merge the melodic fea- music without compromising their acous- this natural phenomenon of ‘change’ Vitata), brass or wood (Ghana), wind Some stringed instruments’ names reveal According to Ustad Bahauddin Dagar, tures of sitar and sarod and create new tical purity. These features and versatility how many strings are attached to it. are bound to attract the gen-next. and reforms itself afresh in every era. (Sushir) and skin (Aanaddha). Ekatantri (one string), Shatatantri (hun- “Rudra-Veena is a highly demanding in- instruments which would give him the DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD The whole concept of Indian music is Albeit the chronological order of the dred string), some names go by their strument and guides me to reinvent its sweet tone of sitar and meend, gamak of born out of devotion, inspired by Na- origin of all these instruments is not shape such as Kacchapi (for its tortoise- features. It travelled down from the sarod. music in which microphones played a ture, and is hailed as the ‘highest art’ known, the resonator of every veena, like shape), some names are associated meditative ambiance of temples to regal Niladri Sen, a learned musician, says, vital role. and ‘highest worship’ in which daivi (di- including that of tambura is called tum- with gods and goddesses like Rudra courts and later to concert stage to face “Radhubabu had shaped a deep-toned During the British rule, Army bands vine) Gaatra-Veena (human body) plays ba even now. It is made out of the gourd (Shiva), Vipanchi (Brahma) or Saraswati masses. Under the circumstances expe- dilbahar with sarod’s skin-clad tabli arrived with a clutch of Western instru- the most important role because it re- shell in North India. Carnatic musicians while some names reveal the respective riments with its features are natural to (drum) and sitar’s long fretted neck ments along with the violin and mando- presents the macro-cosmic music of the use wood-carved tambura. This instru- instrument’s intrinsic beauty. For ex- give voice to my cherished musicality while his Mohan-veena has sitar’s woo- lin. Guitar caught the fancy of Bengalis universe at the micro-cosmic level. A va- ment came to be known as tanpura la- ample, enchanted by Radhika Mohan which still eludes me.” Though it is hard den drum and sarod’s metal-plated when young Hawaiian musician Tau riety of Maanushi Veena (man-made in- ter, simply because this is capable of giv- Maitra’s invention, it was Thakur Jaidev to believe that this torch-bearer of one neck that sings out in the mellow tone of Moe landed in Calcutta in 1931 with his Singh, legendary musicologist, who struments) strives, down the ages, to ing rise to a pure, rich series of of the oldest Indian musical lineage is asitar.” troupe. Ironically, Moe is considered as christened it using the inventor’s middle imbibe its features. harmonics for a longer period than any name and Mohan Veena was born; but his constantly modifying his revered instru- Sitar legend Ustad Vilayat Khan, who the father of Indian slide guitar, which is fi ff Scriptures de ned that ‘Geetam Vaa- other string instrument. This act of dilbahar got its name due to its heart- ment, his latest Kolkata concert proved was a fantastic vocalist and whose mus- very di erent from the original one dyam cha Nrittam trayam Sangeetem stretching (taan) became its identity warming deep tone. The name Pushpa that he is trying to incorporate modern ical vision was immensely inspired by which introduced the technique of ucchyate’ (vocal, instrumental and and also of music; because the linger- Veena represents the flower-like simple sensibilities by adding double-note har- khayal, changed his sitar’s physical di- slide. A plethora of newly invented ver- dance, this trio is called music). Among ing, sustained notes – a la vocal – evoke natural beauty (read tonality) and light mony in raga renditions. mensions. As usual, he too wished to sions of slide guitar arrived, led by them ‘Geet’ was numero uno, followed peace and spirituality – the core of In- weight,DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD according to Bhattacharya. sing his chosen genre through his sitar. Hansveena (by Pandit Ravi Shankar) by vaadya (instruments) and nritta dian classicism. New dimensions But while doing so he realised that on a and a trio by Bhattacharya. (pure dance sans abhinaya)– all of Instrumental music constantly including tata (plucked or struck) and “Keeping the tradition intact, one plucked instrument one has to keep “I tried to get four different hues from which were the main components of strived to achieve this sustenance vitata (bowed) were known as different keeps looking for new dimensions,” rea- striking the string to sustain the sound my first invention Chaturagui, replete Natya (drama) which aimed at invoking through additions/modifications on dif- varieties of veena. Many, such as vipan- sons out the young Santoor maestro Ab- which was too distracting for him. To with tarab and chikari strings, which blessings of the deities along with edu- ferent instruments. Skin, essentially chi, kacchapi, kinnari belonging to the hay Sopori who displayed amazing eradicate this barrier, he increased the are not a part of Hawaiian guitar. It is cating and transforming the common used on ancient percussion, treated lost tradition display their past glory in note-sustenance recently. “When Papa thickness of the tabli (on which the capable now of imbibing the entire ga- people. While geet relied heavily on the with layers of chemicals (as seen on the temple sculptures only. Mattakokila has (Pandit Bhajan Sopori) started playing, bridge rests holding the strings), nar- mut of ‘Chaumukha’ Indian vocalism. linguistic expressions of lyrics and nrit- pakhawaj and tabla) produced impres- won the recognition of Myanmar, once he was given a small 25-bridge santoor, rowed the width of the daand (stem), re- My Anandi is a chirpy version of guitar ta on expressions of face and body, vaa- sive resonance. Flute (wind instrument) apart of greater India. Ekatantri or one- each bridge having four strings that co- duced the number of strings and more akin to mandolin. My Gandharvi is dya – a derivative of the root ‘vada’ (to went through a sea change when Pt. string Veena, relegated to the Oraon vered one-and-a-half octaves only. In- changed the string-arrangements from uniquely designed without the tarab speak), was also meant to speak in its Pannalal Ghosh introduced the long folk traditions only, is breathing some- itially, he modified it into three-octaves. the traditional shadaj-pancham to gand- strings while several pairs of strings of own language, albeit all Indian instru- bamboo flute with additional holes that how. However, the tradition of Rudra- Later, when his concept of meend crys- har-pancham. These modifications ena- the same gauge, length and pitch offer ments were made to accompany vocals. facilitated his meditative music to delve veena, Shatatantri-veena (a kind of san- tallised, two and a half octaves more bled him to play meends covering five amazing ethereal effect,” says Bhatta- This melodic philosophy became the deep in the depths of lower octave. toor), Saraswati-veena, Vichitra-veena is were added along with a sarod-like me- notes without plucking. This changed charya, before explaining the nuances foundation of Bharat Muni’s Natyashas- All the ancient stringed instruments still in practice; but all of these are con- tal tumba which helped balance the the entire panorama of instrumental of his latest invention (see box).

Singh and his boss Togbe Mahajan reveals that Radha Binode Singh In search of the Mishing is a Manipuri army-deserter who later becomes the personal driver of Togbe Mahajan, an influential Bobby Sarma Baruah explores a popular tribal belief in her National member of the Sherdukpen com- munity. When Singh driver gains Award winning feature film Mahajan’s trust, he is allowed to stay at their home. Parthajit Baruah fi fi CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC um of lm. I believe, my lm will Bobby’s prowess lies in the help people experience the Sher- subjects she chooses for her films. Valuable item hen the self-taught film- dukpen community’s belief in She debuted with “Adomy” (2014) One day, Singh driver has an maker Bobby Sarma Ba- wandering souls and spirits,” says that tells the story of a woman – encounter with Mishing, and he Wruah made her latest Bobby. Juri, who after getting married to sees himself dead at the wheels of film “Mishing” (The Apparition) The title of the film is “Mis- ayoung engineer, is infected with his own car, and being terrified, on a popular belief of the Sher- hing”, a Sherdukpen word that the HIV. She comes back to her he runs away from there. He dis- dukpen tribe of Arunachal Pra- means the appearance of the soul village where she gives birth to a appears from there. But 30 years desh, she knew that it would be a before one’s actual death. Based baby girl named Jonak. It shows later, Mahajan’s son Abu meets a challenging task. The challenge on the Sahitya Akademi award- the position of women in a pa- middle-aged visitor who reveals lied in the language of the film – winning writer Yeshe Dorjee triarchal society and how often that he is Radha Binode Singh, the Sherdukpen. Being an Assamese Thongchi's novel of the same title, they have to fight against the so- Singh driver. He asks Abu to visit filmmaker, to make a film in Sher- the film won the Rajat Kamal at cial taboos and prejudices.Ba- Guwahati to collect his father’s Truth of the matter A still from “Mishing”; (left) director Bobby Sarma Baruah * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT dukpen was a difficult task, but the 66th National Film Awards. ruah’s second feature film “Sonar (Mahajan) valuable item from she did it convincingly. Sherduk- Baran Pakhi” (2016) was a biopic in two different time frames make phy towards the familiar and the frame. him. He then disappears without pen dialect is spoken by almost based on the life of Pratima Barua the story extremely intricate. Ho- unknown world around them.” One day, Radha Binode Singh, atrace. Accordingly, Abu goes to 4,000 people in Arunachal Pra- Pandey who is best known for her wever, time and place in both the The film begins with a sil- aManipuri driver (played by Rajib Guwahati to meet Singh driver. desh and is now on the verge of contribution to Assamese music. narratives have been defined in houette shot of a character show- Kro) visits Abu, his former em- But Singh driver’s son reveals that extinction. Among the communi- “Mishing”, her third film, is such a way that it keeps the au- ing his profile, and also a Jeep that ployer Togbe Mahajan’s son to tell his father Radha Binode Singh has ty of Sherdukpen, there is a popu- structured in a non-linear narra- dience focused. comes in the frame. the reason of his sudden disap- been in the hospital of Vellore for lar belief that people before their tive. It is set in the ‘90s in one With a time lapse shot, the film- pearance. Once Abu recognises quite a few months. He then death communicate in the form Sherdukpen village in Arunachal Complex narrative maker shows the character going Singh driver, he becomes exas- hands over his father’s precious of spirits with their loved ones. Pradesh. The film has two narra- Baruah says, “The complex near the Jeep that met an acci- perated and says why he ran away article to Abu. Abu is baffled “My intention is to showcase tives in two different time frames narrative pattern is deliberately dent. Inside the vehicle, he sees from their home. The driver tells thinking who was the middle the culture of the Sherdukpen –one narrative is about Radha Bi- used to deal with the intricacies something and is shocked. It cuts Abu, “I came looking for you, aged man who visited him and tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. I talk node Singh and his boss Togbe of human mind and life. The pop- to a varied sequence of shots – Abu. I came all this way to ex- asked to come to Guwahati? about the urgent need to preserve Mahajan, and second narrative is ular folk belief is serving as a lambs, flowing water of a stream, plain. Before I die, I want you to The film is extremely philo- languages, songs and local cus- about Radha Binode Singh and trope for articulating the com- an unidentified character ap- know everything.I could not tell sophical that tells us about time, toms through the powerful medi- Togbe’s son Abu. Two narratives munity’s perspective and philoso- proaching towards the camera in your father. Please hear me out. I fate, human life, and the myste- his slow gait, a herd of rattling cat- first met your father some 30 rious world around us. Bobby READ INSIDE tle, prayers by a group of village years ago…”, then the filmmaker coalesces the past and the pre- women in a monastery, an ex- takes the story to the past. The sent captivating in the story, and Bhavana Reddy performs in Igor Celebrating Kabir by Reliving the songs of Raja treme close up shot of that cha- shift demands the audience’s un- maintains the common thread – Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite of Spring” P2 the Ganga P3 Mehdi Ali Khan P4 racter, and then title card of the wavering concentration. the apparition – that enhances the film “Mishing” flashes in the The narrative of Radha Binode beauty of the film.

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DELHI 2 FRIDAYREVIEW FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Kuchipudi connections Bhavana Reddy on playing the ‘wise woman’ in a new interpretation of Igor Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite of Spring” in Los Angeles, this weekend

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ince its debut in 1913, Igor Muted tones Divya Singh’s '”Four'”; (below) Arpana Caur’s “Day and Night” Stravinsky’s ballet, ‘The Rite of Spring”, has been hailed as a haunting classic that shifted the framework fl ofS composition and choreography Con uence of ideas amid scandal and acclaim in the last century. Poised to present a new in- terpretation of the iconic work, the “Art Now” sees the contemporary world through Los Angeles Philharmonic Orches- tra’s production features Indian clas- the eyes of 28 artists sical dancer Bhavana Reddy among the lead performers. Alongside mod- Anuradha Vellat present the haziness of memory it- CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC ern dance choreography, Kuchipudi self. Says Singh, “ ‘Notes for Tomor- would be staged as one of the dance row’ is about memories, forms within this uniquely blended he fourth edition of Art Alive documenting parts of my house be- production at the Walt Disney Con- Gallery's “Art Now” is current- cause I am trying to locate time and cert Hall, Los Angeles this Saturday. Tly one of the finest spaces re- how it has been moving.I am inter- “The production offers a unique presenting contemporary artworks. ested in the changes that are hap- cultural mix,” says Reddy, who has As the title suggests, the concept is pening,I am trying to hold on to worked with classical orchestral about here and now, dealing with things that I might have taken for music for the first time on the pro- myriad elements like memory, time, granted, the things that seem to have ject. “It has been an interesting ex- space, love, forms, and texture to no relevance at all on an ordinary perience because of the music cues name only a few. Showcasing 28 ar- day.” are different, and unlike our classical tists, the line-up is a meeting point “Four” is an oil on canvas which dance structures, modern dance is a for both veterans as well as upcom- with very dusky tones to it; a cross free-spirited form,” she says. ing artists. Says Sunaina Anand, “Art between blue, green and grey. The Now” curator and the Director of Art painting is not definite, exactly how Experimenting across genres Alive Gallery, “We wanted to capture its creator had intended.“ ‘Four’ is a Musically and thematically, Stravin- the current trends as well as the ar- stable place in my memory. My sky’s piece balances the primitive tist’s individuality and we were able house was a balance between my pa- and modern, exploring the plot of to capture that with most works.” rents' energies, When you grow up, an ancient rite of passage. Hailed as The exhibition showcases profound and you look at mortality and you arevolutionary work, the first chore- works by Sakti Burman, Jayasri Bur- begin to look at your parents as peo- ography of the work by Vaslav Nijin- man, Krishen Khanna, Anjolie Ela ple. This painting reminded me of sky flouted traditional ballet norms Menon, Arpana Caur, and Paresh my mother. It is a sweet, soft memo- by presenting knock-kneed and dis- Maity. Then there are young, pro- ry.I want it to resemble the memory sonant movements. The musical mising artists like Divya Singh, Kulu as much as possible, as far away score itself was shocking for its times Ojha, Purvai Rai, and many others. from fact as possible. It is not a de- with an emphasis on interruptive "The idea was to bring newer fined concrete image because that is rhythms rather than flowing melo- ways of working and looking at art. not the nature of memory. It is fleet- dies. Consequently, “The Rite of For instance, with Krishen Khanna, ing and it erodes over time. Some pe- Spring” has resurfaced across time the cultural quality has come in and ople might have photographic me- as a malleable composition for cho- with Jayasri, the colour palettes are mory, I don't.I try to stay true to reographic explorations. changing. She has gotten more mo- that," adds Singh. For choreographer and artistic di- nochromatic with hues of blues; it Jagannath Panda’s work invokes a rector, Kitty McNamee, the language has become less formative and more confluence of art and ecology. of modern dance and Kuchipudi lyrical," adds Anand. “Wings of Accord” is colourful birds presented a vibrant balance. Reflect- Reaching out Bhavana Working with hyperrealism is ar- of fabric flying against the cityscape, ing on the process, Reddy says, Reddy in performance tist G Anjaneyulu, whose fascinating with a hazy blue sky and network “While working on this choreogra- * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT work “Guns, Slugs and Cordite” – an towers in the background. phy, I realised that Kuchipudi is a ve- arresting oil on canvas – is a multidi- Arpana Caur’s “Day and Night”, ry flexible dance form.” Recalling mensional painting of a gun. Playing an oil on canvas, has been a work in one of the early sessions, she shares, tal Kuchipudi position. “They asked dance-drama, not just dance,” she joy that.” with elements of memory and time progress for 20 years, something she while it was a challenge to work with me how I could squat for so long and points out emphatically. The production is rooted in re- is Divya Singh's “Four”, from her se- has been delighted to be continuous- modern dance professionals, it was dance like that! In turn,I asked them “The dramatic element of Kuchi- search and resonates across cultures ries called “Notes for Tomorrow”. It ly pursuing. She uses yellow to sym- also exciting to have them try out the how they managed a split!” Breaking pudi calls out to me the most!” In and conventions. uses extraordinarily soft hues to re- bolise day against grey-black night. Indian classical idiom. “The chore- into a chuckle at the memory, Reddy this production, she plays the ‘wise “The concept of the rite of pas- She is not shy of the dualities. “I like ographer asked the other dancers to points out that the primary impor- woman’ who educates the village sage is common across cultures. It is dualities in work.I do not like har- follow me and try out some Kuchipu- tance given to body training by the folk about the cycle of nature and about moving to the next stage of mony that much. This particular di steps. It was extremely challeng- modern dancers was an insight for offers them nuggets from traditional life, respecting nature and ances- piece for me represents life and ing for them since it is a vastly diffe- her. “It was interesting to learn that wisdom. “To get into this role I ex- tors.” Reddy shares that these con- death, happiness and sorrow, crea- rent language. Even the way the they spend a lot of time at the gym. plored my motherly instincts more necting points made it smooth for tion and destruction. In this, I used dancers respond to the music is very In our dance training, we focus more deeply. Instead of acting my actual her to relate to the theme and inter- the tilted figure like the hands of a different. They go more with the ebb on inherent structures for warm-ups age, I tried to pace down my move- pret it in her own way. “While the clock, which is time, because, well, and flow and peaks in the music, and other exercises geared towards ments. The sage is also a very strong work that we do as choreographers art is also trying to capture eternity,” while we are so grounded in the building stamina for our particular and influential personality in the and dancers may be entirely diffe- says Caur. Her other work, Yogi, is a rhythmic cycles.” dance style.” tribe, helping the community under- rent, the creative process is the yogi suspended between a brush Reddy recounts a rehearsal ses- stand customs and values, being same,” she adds. and a gun; the artists, therefore, is sion where McNamee wanted her to Dramatic elements authoritative yet respectful at the Looking ahead, the young dancer- the yogi that tries to subdue try out a lift. “In our classical dances For Reddy, working on the character same time.” choreographer dreams of bringing a violence. we do not have much physical con- presents the most exciting and chal- As a performer, Reddy enjoys cha- similar blend of cultures and chore- Says Anand, “Idon't give them a tact between dancers. To be lifted in lenging aspect of creating produc- racter study and delving deeper into ographies to India, “I hope I can pre- concept because instead of giving the air, be elevated and learn the tion. “Kuchipudi is essentially a the dramatic aspect of Kuchipudi. sent something similar in India.” As them instructions, it is nicer to see technique of holding up my weight “There are many unconventional she sums up the experience, it is what they are doing. It is a very hum- in the contemporary dance style was and life-like movements in Kuchipu- striking that working across cultures ble attempt to show what is happen- strange, unique and fun!” On the <> di. Theatrical nuances are ingrained has brought her closer to her roots in ing in our spaces." other hand, it was awe-inspiring for Kuchipudi is essentially a in the form. For me, painting the pic- away, “I am a strong believer in our (“Art Now” will continue at Art the other dancers to see Reddy ture of a character is a remarkable Indian culture, you can keep grow- Alive Gallery, New Delhi, until 30th dance long sequences with intense dance-drama, not just process. You can transform into ing and never get bored, one will al- December, 2019.) rhythmic footwork in the fundamen- dance another person on stage,I really en- ways return.” From form to formless: the journey within In “Antar Rang”, Kathak exponent Hemant Kalita and his disciples articulated the movement of the soul through dance and mime

Ranee Kumar CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC verse portrayal of Radha’s emotional levels-now hope, now despair, now rityangan’s Kathak presenta- pining, now total surrender to her tion aptly titled “Antar Rang” situation and the fact that Krsna will Nwas played out as a traditional never return. repertoire with a difference and that The finale underlined the philoso- is what spurred the audience to phy of life on earth, the culmination Showing the way watch it with animated joy. Each of all art from finite to infinite. The Hemant Kalita piece unfolded itself in a petal for- props on the stage were a marvel- with his disciples mat where the outer layers opened lous piece of artistry. * SPECIAL up leading us to the core (antar). The journey of the soul, a very ab- ARRANGEMENT Guru-performer Hemant Kumar struse element in the nature of Kalita and his three disciples made things, was brought out by Hemant for a pleasant evening of the artistes’ in a most articulate manner through dance and mime. The Adi Sankara’s Nirvana Shatkam was the right choice to underline the completion of human life through realisation of its (atma) true form.A very difficult task successfully accomplished by the artiste. Having worked with a thematic tit- le, it would have been even more profound if the choreographer stuck journey from the form to the form- footwork delineations with his disci- per part of saree that covers the plight of Draupadi as she dodges the to the storytelling to illustrate the less. India Habitat Centre ples were agile as were his varied head) - a very sensitive portrayal predator who has come to drag her outer/physical aspect and move on Beginning with Krsna aradhana stances as lord Shiva to varied taal done to sheer music. to the royal playhouse was depicted to the inner through abhinaya as he (invocation), the group dynamics (beat). The jugalbandi was a serve with artistic sensitivity by the artiste did here, rather than having too ma- proved to be one of perfection to and volley between the percussion- Emulating the peacock who actually goes ahead to picturise ny pieces in the customary Kathak rhythm, synchronisation and forma- ist and the dancer. Radhika came out as a lithe dancer the nayaka-- here the incensed hus- style. An attempt to think out of the tion of patterns with discerning clar- The outer layer got unveiled with with inborn talent. The tarana esta- band of Draupadi. box is appreciated provided it is not ity. The interchanging of positions storytelling, the original crux of blished the formless exploring ab- Hemant’s abhinaya aspect was burdened with the customary reper- and place by the dancers, as they Kathak. Shreeya and Radhika Gosain stract through footwork to mnemon- amazing as he journeyed inwards toire. It can mar the focus of the is- moved in tandem, is worth a enacted the gopis who deck up to ics. through his dance. The pensive, ex- sue to be presented. mention. carry water from the Yamuna with The four-fold nayaka abhinaya by pectant Radha in Gopika virah geet Alive orchestra with Goutam Bis- The gradual rise to the tempo was one hand on the pot and the other Hemant where he emulates the pea- (‘yehi murare, kunja viharey’) came was on the tabla and Akram Hussain also well-executed. Hemant’s solo carefully holding their ghunghat (up- cock and its gait was impressive. The alive in the dancer’s excellently di- on the sarangi proved to be an asset.

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DELHI FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13,2019 FRIDAYREVIEW 3 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Going Native Banding together for Kabir Measuring memories Classical, pop and folk artistes explored the mystic poet’s verses at the fourth edition of the Mahindra In his latest collection of poetry, Shariq Kaifi turns the Kabira festival held recently in Benaras spotlight on the shadowy and shady manoeuvrings that are the tangible signs of the post-truth era Chitra Swaminathan CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC ensitive poetry turns attention to ahat Kabir Suno Bhai the hidden dangers of common Sadho. And those at the Ssense and the legitimacy of con- Mahindra Kabira Festival tradictions and dichotomies inherent in in Benaras were all ears. the drudgery of mundane life. Active in- But 500 years ago when volvement in a collective activity usually thKe mystic poet spoke, his liberating absolves one of responsibility. Still, for verses hardly found any takers. He the poet, it is an act that imposes un- roamed on the ghats by the Ganga bearable accountability. This is astutely talking of true love. articulated by a celebrated Urdu poet It was surreal to be seated on Gu- Shariq Kaifi, who says, “Sab Ke Saath Na- leria ghat. Not far away from it is the hi Rota Mein/ Zimmedari Badh Jati hai (I Panchganga Ghat, where Kabir met don’t burst into tears with all/it enhanc- his guru Swami Ramanand — it es the responsibility).” proved to be a turning point in his spiritual quest. Creative masterstrokes The festival couldn’t have had a Similarly, a trivial mistake readily better setting to bring alive the es- fetches pardon but for the narrator it sence of Kabir’s unpretentious philo- calls for punishment. “Maafi Aur Itni Si sophy. Even as musicians rendered Khata Par / Saza se Kaam Chal Jata Ham- Making sense of the world Poet Shariq his couplets, life by the river went ara (Pardon for such a trivial mistake/ Kaifi guards against the ego-centric about at its usual pace — boats silent- punishment would have been more con- obsession with self ly plying people, the rising and set- venient for me). Frankness eludes love ting sun spreading its glow, flocks of and promiscuity denotes much more pigeons flying overhead, sounds of profound sense of trustworthiness, “Wo playfulness in times of tumult and tur- bells from nearby temple echoing in Kharapan Mohabbaton Mein Kahan/Be- moil. With an even-handed sympathy the air and pilgrims busily perform- Meeting of genres (Clockwise from above) Mooralala Marwada, Neeraj Mishra and Shabnam Virmani at the festival in wafai Mein jo Sadaqat hai (Love lacks for the naive and the eccentric, the nar- ing rituals. Benaras * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT such uprightness/ that one finds in the rator never shies away from poking fun Over the course of two days, the promiscuity). These are creative master- at himself, and a strong sense of derision festival took Kabir’s life lessons to raj Mishra and flautist Ajay Prasanna consolation, but a poet of anger and strokes that embody the fourth collec- coupled with nipping satire enlivens the the new age audience through va- traversed the raag-taal route to con- interrogation. He is known to ask tion of the poet “Dekho Kya Kya Bhool narrated experience. He does touch the ried musical genres, apart from vey Kabir’s thoughts. disturbing questions,” said Agrawal. Gai Ham” (See how much we have for- oft-repeated theme of love, but he tell- showcasing the beauty of the Bena- “Classical, folk or fusion…his sim- There seems to be no aspect of life gotten) that appeared recently. ingly depicts the inevitable loss of love. ras gharana, whose celebrated musi- ple yet thought-provoking messages that Kabir has not touched, includ- Nothing could be more painful than For him, emotional affinity is an ethi- cians have contributed hugely to the lend themselves amazingly to any ing classical music. According to the wilful heedlessness at the time of fi- cal value of human sensitivity and, most city’s heritage and history. form of music. And this is what has music researcher and educationist nal departing, and a nagging sense of an- of the people are afflicted with blindness Such festivals are a wonderful way inspired musicians at the festival to Sadhana Rao, the connect between guish may resuscitate a dead. It is sensi- as they reuse to see beyond the mun- to explore not just the ethos and get experimental with their expres- verse and song comes through in tively portrayed by Sharif in an evocative dane life. identity of a place, but also unique sion,” said Neeraj Mishra. one of his couplets that refers to poem, “Akhri Hatak” (the Last Humila- spaces for performing arts. “That ‘chattis raag’ (36 raags). Interesting- tion): Namaz Khtam Hogai/Kisi Ne Zor Sense of irreverence was the aim when we conceived the Deep engagement ly, Sadhana pointed out, “the Siva Se Kaha /Chehra Dekh Lijaiye/ Koyi Qa- Shariq’s poetry narrates human follies festival four years ago with the sup- Shabnam has been travelling Matha system does the classification dam Nahi Badha/ Kafan Ka Band Khol and shortcomings in a language that be- port of the Mahindra group. And around the country, after launching of music according to 36 raags!” Kar / Phir Se Kas Diya Gaya/ Koyi Qadam trays a strong sense of irreverence. His with each edition, we have realised the Kabir Project in 2002, talking ‘Wah wah…kya baat hai, kya baat Nahi Badha / Khuda Hi Jaane Sach Tha astutely rendered short poems are es- that those coming to the event from passionately about Kabir’s relevance hai,’ is how Sufi folk singer Mooralala ya Mujhe Laga/ Ki Is Hatak Per/Uska sentially fuelled by the ultimate human across the country and abroad are today more than ever. Her deep en- Marwada of Kutch in Gujarat de- Zard Chera / Thora Aur Zard Pad Gaya ( concerns, and they also try to stitch up doing so more to experience music gagement with his philosophy has scribes the timelessness of Kabir’s The last prayer is over / Someone loudly the growing ideological hiatus that pro- in such an ambience. And they enjoy resulted in documentaries, perfor- dohas. “Usme hamare mitti ki kush- said/Come on see the face/ no one motes the certainty of paranoia. the music and literature sessions as mances, translations and curation. boo and vichar hai (it has the aroma moved ahead/ The knot of the coffin loo- Through the frequent use of death as a much as the heritage walks. Many of At Benaras, alongwith Swagath Siva- and thoughts of our land),” he said sened and fastened / Nobody came for- primary poetic motif, his poetry invaria- them have fallen in love with this an- kumar, she sang, Piya chahai prem before his performance at the festiv- ward/ Not sure it was true, or I felt / this bly reflects rebellion against the contem- cient city even while rediscovering ras, rakha chahai man al. humiliation/ turned his yellow face / a porary market economy. Some of his Kabir at the festival,” said Sanjoy K Doye khadag ek myan me, dekha bit more pale). ghazals echo and re-echo wistful expe- Roy, the curator and MD of Team- suna na kan. Simple folk tunes The book published by My Book Se- riences in a beautiful pattern. According work Arts. “There is only room for one, eith- He has been conveying the lofty lect Publishing under its series 'Nayab to the poet, his latest collection, his most So if in ‘Yeh to ghar hai prem ka’, er your ego or the experience of thoughts of various saint poets Book series' carries more than one recent collection owes its existence to a Shabnam Virmani’s unfettered voice love. Kabir asks, ‘you came into this through simple folk tunes. “Once hundred ghazals and a dozen poems. mixed feeling of achieving and losing si- and the five-stringed tambura and world and you didn’t taste love. Like you begin to understand these vers- Shariq’s creative outpourings exude a multaneously – this is a mysterious khartal urged you to kill your ego for aguest who came into an empty es, you will see a transformation in strange mixture of the serious and hila- world that surfaces frequently. the gates of love to open, vocalists home. You just came and left. Is this yourself. You will be happier. Didn’t rious, the fierce and the diffusive. The Shariq’s collection portrays man Rahul and Rohit Mishra, sitarist Nee- what your life is all about’?” you feel it in my performance?” he metaphor of death surfaces time and caught in the pitfalls of life and his sti- fl BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB Like Shabnam, Purushottam asked with a smile, his swirling again but the poet quite consciously ing surroundings. The poet no longer Agrawal is always eager to share with moustache reaching his ears. through a mix of folk, reggae, pop, guards against the ego-centric obsession believes in medieval optimism, and his Such festivals are a people his study and understanding “Kabir belongs to every era. We rock and classical. “We think Kabir is with self. Self-pity in soft-centred diction understanding of human suffering looks wonderful way to explore of the saint-poet’s works, which also can find him in our everyday strug- the biggest rockstar because it re- hardly lay the foundations of his poetry. infallible. He deserves a compliment for not just the ethos and resulted in his much-acclaimed gle, our existence and in our citys- quires immense courage to speak Not overladen with expressive idioms bringing together the voices of oration, book, Akath Kahani Prem Ki. cape,” said Raman Iyer of Kabir Café the truth,” said Raman. and emotional extravagance and exag- mourning, arguing and deafening si- identity of a place, but also At the festival’s afternoon litera- that performed to a huge crowd at Then, amidst loud cheers, the geration, Shariq turns the spotlight on lence. unique spaces for ture session, he pointed out that the Shivala Ghat. One of the top in- band sang its all-time favourite, ‘Cha- the shadowy and shady maneuverings performing arts more than a social reformer or reli- die music bands today in the coun- dariya jheeni re jheeni …’ Seeing the that are the tangible signs of the post- gious guru, Kabir is essentially a try, it is led by Neeraj Arya, and plays audience sway and sing along, you truth era. Shafey Kidwai is a senior poet. “And not just a poet of love and the poetry of the 15th century mystic realised Kabir truly rocks. He has a rare sense of the comic and literary critic

Drama for little ones Scenes from IN SHORTS “Oriental tales”; “Mister Jeejeebhoy and Out of the Birds” * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Jonathan Swift, it is a great story of adven- In full glory ture, courage and man's eternal quest to know the unknown that has inspired gen- he Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts has been the box erations. Tcurating ‘Diksha: Guru Shishya Using puppets of varying sizes, apply- Parampara’, where maestros like ing various techniques of puppetry in- Amjad Ali Khan and Hari Prasad Diwan Singh Bajeli cluding shadow puppetry, the play pro- Chourasia have presented their able CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Pitara Festival jected a huge puppet showing Guliver in students. This year it was Padma an unconscious state who is brought by ti- Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj with his lending fantasy and realism with au- brought the ny soldiers before their king. bouquet of students, both young and dience joining performers on stage, vibrant world Directed by Mohd Shameem, the pro- mature, who intricately wove the ui“Mister Jeejeebhoy and the Birds” duction was imaginatively designed. The chikankari of Luckhnavi style Kathak. B The evening was opened by Pt. captured the imagination of young au- of children’s scene of fire using the device of shadow Deepak Maharaj, the younger son of * dience at the Children's Theatre Festival puppetry was effectively enacted. The VINAY TIWARI theatre to Delhi the doyen. With Tirbhuwan Maharaj, his nephew, on organised by Pitara International TYA at soldiers of Lilliput use a huge ladder to padhant, Deepak Maharaj warmed up the stage with an invocatory piece National Bal Bhawan in Delhi. reach to Gulliver which evoked a sense of to Krishna, “Yashoda Nandanam”. With the sahitya describing how Adapted by Shaili Sathyu from the sto- awe and laughter. Krishna is the ultimate way to attaining moksya or the final liberation, he ry of the same title by Anitha Balachan- The Lilliputians were wonderstruck to swiftly moved on to the Upaj ang. Variations in Teentala resounded dran, it moves around two siblings and see the huge size of Gulliver. They consid- through crisp tatkar moving on to uthan. Presenting Birju Maharaj’s their aunt.A large number of colourful er him dangerous for the kingdom. Once favourite tawa thunga, which has syllables inspired from the sound of birds embellish the production, present- he protects the kingdom from invaders, nature mixed with instruments like damru, was delectable. Staying true ed by Gillo Repertory Theatre, Mumbai. the king is pleased with him and he be- to his forte, Deepak Maharaj ended his recital with an impromptu Through the movements of siblings, we discovers a wounded crane in the forest. The narrators used a variety of theatri- comes a favourite of the king and his jugalbandi and a Khade Pair Ki presentation. Next in the line was the seasoned Kathak exponent Rani Khanum, clad in watch the flow of life in the town. Some of He brings it home and nurses with care cal devices such as masks, music, facial courtiers. The prime minister becomes a flowy white anarkali. With Birju Maharaj ji in attendance, Rani Khanum the interesting sequences include a small and compassion. When it is fully reco- expressions and movements, establishing jealous of him, creating a situation in too put her best foot forward with a description of Vasant Vihar in poetry shop with commodities, children love to vered, he allows it to fly high in the sky. alively rapport with the audience while which he is charged with treason and ar- by Amir Khusrau set to Teentala. Interspersed with technical pieces like buy. The siblings frequently visit this shop One night, the poor and lonely woodcut- narrating these oriental tales which are rested. However, with the help of a well- tora, tukra, gat nikas, the piece was drenched in Shringara rasa and the and the shopkeeper attends them in a ter gives shelter to a beautiful young wo- not dramatised but communicated in the wisher, he is freed and continues his tra- nayak-nayika bhav was much dealt with throughout. Again, the clarity of playful manner. In fact, such shops are man who expresses her wish to become original format. The show was directed vels to another unknown land. footwork and lyrical hastaks left no doubt about the Guru and shishya’s found in colonies that attract children. his wife and brings happiness and pros- by Imran Khan, one of the pioneers of Emboldened with the overwhelming commitment to the art . Exuding joy, the audience, mainly con- perity to him but because of his impa- children’s theatre. response of schools, the organisers are Thumri Raag Mala which followed was the most memorable presentation sisting of children, related to the scene. tience, the beautiful woman takes the Puppetshala presented “Part 1, The hopeful of elevating the event to a major of the evening. It was surprising to see the older batch of Maharaj ji’s The performers formed a stage composi- form of a crane and flies away never to re- Voyage to Lilliput by Gulliver”. Written by international children's theatre festival. students gear up with such finesse and the age old thumris (mostly tion to create the form of the bus plying at turn. written by Bindadin Maharaja) were a sheer rasapan for the audience . Vijayshree Chaudhary, Purnima Khadga, Neelima Azim, Preeti Agrawal, aslow pace. Members of the audience Renu Sharma, Navina Jafa, and Kiran Bhargava presented thumris like: were invited to ride the bus. Some chil- Lively rapport “Jage Ho Kahi Rain”, “Kaise Kahu Shyam Radhe Sandeswa”, “Dagar Chalat dren from audience joined the hide and The second story narrates the lives of two Dekho Shyam”, etc which were just honey to the ears. And what was truly seek sequence. This device enabled the brothers. The older brother is selfish and inspiring was none of the dancers had lost the anga which Maharaj ji had children to feel that they were not a mere grabs the property of his younger brother given to them. Special mention must be given to Anirban Bhattacharyya audience but participants in the action, who lives in utter penury. With the bless- whose vocal rendition proved that dance is, in most rudimentary sense, a establishing a lively rapport with the per- ings of a bird, the younger brother be- physical depiction of that which is sung! formers. Directed by Shaili Sathyu, the comes rich. In contrast, the older brother The evening ended with the maestro himself playing naal, a feminine production ingeniously brought alive vi- becomes poor because of his malicious percussion instrument for an unusual taal vadya kacheri with various vidly the world of children without being motive. Out of love, the younger brother other percussion instruments evoking the scene of a courtroom. This light hearted rendition demonstrated a full spectrum of Maharaj ji’s prowess of preachy. helps his malevolent brother. The mes- treating both margi and lokdharmik art with similar finesse and beauty. Theatre 1-Entertainment Trust present- sage of the story is loud and clear. Shivani Verma who depicted the plaintiff stood out in the beautiful ed “Three Oriental Tales” in an innova- The third tale is about Chinese New rendition of naal and Vidushi Saswati Sen must be congratulated to curate tive way to convey a message. The show Year celebrations and the stories behind a festival of such depth, nuance, and even light hearted mirth. began with the tale of the crane and a the naming of Chinese months after ani- Madhur Gupta poor woodcutter. Once the woodcutter mals.

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BLAST FROM THE PAST Epic turn

hon Par Chalna Hai”), Laxmi- kant Pyarelal (“Akela Hun Main Merging Humsafar Dhoondta Hun”) to The king O.P. Nayyar (“Main Pyar Ka Rahi Bharatanatyam with Hoon”). But it was with Madan Balinese dance, Mohan that he formed a magical team to create unforgettable “Pralaya” seeks to songs of great meaning and explore questions of lyrics pleasing melody. “Aankhen” started the part- of morality, virtue nership but it was Talat Mah- and nobility Raja Mehdi Ali Khan turned his mood’s “Meri Yaad Mein Na Tum Aansoo Bahaana” from personal pain into poignant “Madhosh” that brought them n the centenary celebra- Beyond borders Sandhya poetry that continues to both fame and kudos. The duo tion of its founder, Jaya Raman * THE HINDU thereafter made a habit of OAppasamy, Rasaja Foun- define human emotions churning out chart busters that dation has brought together a nastic conflict, of earth-shatter- pleased masses as well as classes production called “Pralaya”, ing chaos and finally an abiding Deepak Mahaan the merging of Bharatanatyam calm, simmering with the po- CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC through simple words that came forth as easily on the tongue as with Balinese dance. The pro- tential of being shattered trange but true that on the ears! Since ages, music duction brings together Sam- again,” explains Sandhya. Ent- some of our best love lovers have swooned to the pradaya Dance Creations’ artis- wined in a game of dice, are songs have been charm of “Aap Ki Nazron Ne tic director Lata Panda with questions of morality, virtue penned by poets who Samjha Pyar Ke Kabil Mujhe” distinguished Balinese chore- and nobility. suffered pain and impo- (“Anpadh”), “Lag Ja Gale Ke Phir ographer Wayan Dibia, master Performed by a cast of 10, in- veSrishment in the communal Ye Haseen Raat Ho Na Ho” (Who of Balinese dance and Topeng cluding Wayan Dibia and Lata violence of the Partition. Despite Kaun Thi”), “Ek Haseen Sham mask dance – to mine the depth Pada, to a recorded score com- catastrophic losses of home, Ko” (“Dulhan Ek Raat Ki”), of their respective dance forms’ posed by Bengaluru’s Praveen hearth and wealth as well as “Poochho Na Humein Hum Un- narrative traditions to create an DRao, featuring musicians deep emotional scars, these sen- ke Liye” (“Mitti Mein Sona”), opulent new work based on the from Bali and India, it is a retell- sitive poets retained faith in hu- “Agar Mujhse Mohabbat Hai” Mahabharat, re-imagined ing of the Mahabharata in many man goodness and wrote inspir- and “Main Nigaahen Tere through dance, puppetry, ways with many contemporary ing songs for posterity. One such Chehre Se Hataon Kaise” (both masks and projection. interpretations, vividly brought word weaver from this great li- from “Aap Ki Parchhaiyan”) Says Sandhya Raman, Secre- to the stage in exquisite cos- neage was Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. since the lyrics bristle with our tary, Rasaja Foundation, “We tumes by Sandhya Raman her- One can decipher how gems like poignant feelings. were initially looking at where self. This dance theatre produc- “Jo Hamne Dastan Apni Su- He was a truly a “king of lyr- dance is going, our understand- tion will be on stages across naayee, Aap Kyun Roye” (“Woh ics” who provided sublime beau- ing of corners, and borders, seven cities across India after Kaun Thi”) and “Hai Isi Mein ty to film poetry and even if all how we view things and coexist having just completed a three- Pyar Ki Aabroo, Wo Jafa Karein, his songs were not hits, his poe- with them. So,I came up with city tour of Indonesia. Main Wafa Karun” (“Anpadh”) try always shone like gold at all this concept of merging bor- “Classical dances, especially flowed on paper from his pen. Illustration by Satheesh Vellinezhi times. He left this world early ders, which is actually collabo- the solo format is losing its As per film actress Tabassum, but his wealthy legacy is still rating with people from diffe- sheen increasingly, because the Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was born in 1928 in Bahawalpur (now Pakis- beckoning of his friend Saadat Raah Main Watan Ke Naujawan prized by all who value culture rent genres, art forms.” youngsters do not want to con- tan) and acquired poetic sensi- Hasan Manto. Though he started Shaheed Hon” (“Shaheed”). of ethics. And that’s why just as To merge borders is not nect with it, often think it is BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB bilities from his widowed moth- as a dialogue writer in Bombay, With a penchant for comfort, his songs are heard with im- simply a coming together of passé. Culture is something you While his friend Manto er Hebay Saheba, who was Raja blazed a lilting trail with his the gregarious Raja was gener- mense delight, his poetic collec- ideas but cultures, patterns, have to keep updating. It is not practices and the expression of that it comes in a box and is put migrated to the new lauded by none other than Dr. first film “Do Bhai” and like his ous with his money, apprecia- tions like “Andaaz-E-Bayaan Allama Iqbal for her poetic trea- chartbusting debut songs “Mera tion and wit. Working with Aur” and “Mizraab” are also these things. Pralaya, then, is somewhere else. It is the every- Islamic state of Pakistan, tise “Nawa-i-Haram”. Though Sunder Sapna” and “Yaad Ka- young and old alike, he gave read with great relish. Old timers the coming together of cultures day life,” adds Sandhya. At Raja and his wife Tahira unable to complete graduation roge”, his later songs continued memorable hits with everyone say he laughed a lot and had a to see a much more nuanced heart of the concept is the wil- opted to stay in India and due to poverty, Raja’s mastery to dazzle listeners with haunting from Sardar Malik (“Aandhi great sense of humour till his last version of those cultures. lingness to not be limited by over Urdu earned him a place on passages of profound phrases. Mein Gunahon Ka Diya”), Babul moment and though childless, Meaning destruction and disso- traditions, but rather to em- his patriotic zeal burst the editorial board of the then Surprisingly, while his friend (“Jab Chhaye Kabhi Saavan Ki he treated every neighbourhood lution in literal terms, Pralaya is brace it and mould it into the through the immortal notable magazines “Phool” and Manto migrated to the new Is- Ghata”), S. Mohinder (“Karte Ho kid as his own. No wonder, just acontemplation of humanity’s new art. th “Watan Ki Raah Main “Tehzeeb-i-Niswaan” of Lahore. lamic state of Pakistan, Raja and Mujse Kitni Muhabbat”), Rono as death too could not take away propensity to push the world to “Pralaya” will be held on 13 the brink of destruction in a cy- December at 7 p.m. at Kamani Watan Ke Naujawan Later, he joined All India Ra- his wife Tahira opted to stay in Mukherjee (“Jidhar Bhi Main his smile, it has not been able to dio-Delhi but quit the same soon India and his patriotic zeal burst Dekhoon Udhar Tuhi Tu Hai”), take away the glory or sheen of clical way. “The premise lies in Auditorium. Shaheed Hon” after to join Hindi films at the through the immortal “Watan Ki Robin Banerji (“Hamein Un Raa- his beloved film songs. the Mahabharata, a tale of dy- Anuradha Vellat

QUICK FIVE TELLING VOICES

challenges when you started... ‘I am still trying to get a Iremember when I had first en- tered the industry people in my fa- Learning new things mily strongly objected to it. But I succeeded in breaking the shack- Micael Puett, professor of Chinese philosophy at Harvard, hold of Guneet Sikka’ les. Today, the same people look up to me. Same way, I will try to says learning the language is a life-long process of trying to keep on reinventing myself with Murtaza Ali Khan understand the texts CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC NCR. So that’s why it becomes a each new character that I play. challenge to get it spot on. There is People may object to it at first Sudhamahi Regunathan acertain way she walks. Now, I but they will eventually accept CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Puet says the trick is to ven since she first started have observed women in their 40s it. concentrate on the small day playing the part of Prerna in walking like that and so I have tried he more common la- to day things in our life…how E“Kasautii Zindagi Kay”, to add certain nuances to the cha- How important is it for an ment is that philoso- do we lead our daily life. Let Shweta Tiwari has remained one of racter to make it realistic. Another actor to take a break from Tphy is dying. Not for the large questions like the most popular faces on Indian challenge is getting the accent work? Professor Micael Puett who where we came from or what television. She is back from a three right which I am still working teaches Chinese philosophy lies beyond human life take year long hiatus with Sony TV’s on. Except for the three years in Harvard. With his best care of themselves. If we live ‘Mere Dad Ki Dulhan’ that revolves from 2016-2019,I have never selling book “The Path” pro- each day well, we are pro- around a single father and a What is it like to shed the really taken a break from mising to change one’s life, gressing, ”… when you read daughter with a strong bond and a ‘bahu’ image and explore acting.I shot practically ev- Puett makes that claim for Chinese philosophy you real- 40 year old single lady Guneet Sik- new dimensions as an ery day before that. When I his course too. ize some variations of these ka who is in search of a rented ac- actor? had my second child I had al- Puett tells us why, “Most ideas do in fact appear in commodation. The show, pro- ready made up my mind that people tend to assume that way.” Greece and Rome as well. duced by DJ's Creative Unit, also It has been very challenging. Iwould take some time out as Chinese philosophy is really Puett illustrates with an And what's particularly intri- stars Varun Badola and Anjali Ta- People love you for the Icouldn’t devote much time about being trained to ac- example, “…a father/son re- guing about the Chinese tra- trari in pivotal roles. character you play and when I had my first child. I feel cept the world as it is. Most lationship can be very trou- dition is a lot of these ideas “The show’s producer Deeya they mistake that love for as an actor it is important to have secondary literature pre- bled. So in this ritual, the about how to use rituals and Singh is a good friend. Whenever the character as love for the patience. Also, one mustn’t have a sents it that way. It corres- father and the son would how to do these practices to she calls me, I know that it’s going actor playing that charac- fear regarding work.I was certain ponds to our stereotypes of have to enter a ritual space develop the self became to be something very interesting.. ter. So as soon as the actor that the day I decide to come so-called traditional socie- and do a role reversal so such a focus of philosophical The moment she told me about stops playing that character back,I will start getting offers. ties….the texts are actually each would have to play the interest over the course of ‘Mere Dad Ki Dulhan’, I imme- they find it very hard to ac- arguing something very, ve- role of the other and the idea 2,000 years. And so, you're diately said ‘yes’,” gushes Shweta. cept. They loved me as Prerna How do you think Indian ry different For example, pe- is it forces each to see the getting is an incredibly deve- Edited excerpts: but what they didn’t under- television has changed over ople often say Confucius is world from the other's per- loped, refined version of stand was that I couldn’t be the last couple of decades? simply teaching rituals to be spective. So what I will do is things…” How did you prepare for the playing Prerna for all my life. agood father and how to say, think about even little Puett finds, “Chinese ma- part of Guneet Sikka? The reason I have become an Ifeel that television hasn’t properly play our roles. customs and conventions we terial was incredibly power- actor is I can essay a whole changed much.. Every pro- Then, you actually look at do throughout the day and if ful, dealing with issues and Well, I am still trying to get a hold range of different characters. duction house has its own these texts and in terms of ri- you think of these as rituals, developing them in ways of the character. You see it’s a very Also, not everyone is inter- style with regards to con- tual, their whole point is no, what you're doing is you're that I found very, very excit- complex character. Playing a larg- ested in watching a character tent. no, no, ritual is to break us really trying to, for that brief ing….you're not on a clear er than life character is far simpler like Prerna all the time. At the As an actor I don’t like re- from these standard things moment, become a different path, you're sort of working because it’s something that you ve- end of the day, I work for my peating myself and so I do we're doing in our lives. And type of person and develop with things endlessly. And in ry rarely see around. So you have creative satisfaction. see difference in my work when you enter a ritual, you, different emotional respons- terms of these texts, I think the liberty to play the way it pleas- but other than that I try to for that brief moment, be- es to those around you. And it's a life-long process of try- es you and the audiences easily ac- There must have been adapt to the working come a different person. You it's those little breaks ing to understand these cept it. But, Guneet Sikka is a real style of a production act as if you are a different throughout the day that real- texts, teach these texts. I character that you may easily Back with a bang Shweta Tiwari house I am working for person relating to those ly can transform how we live learn new things about them come across on the roads of Delhi * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT at a given point in time. around you in a different in the world.” every time I read them.”

CATCH UP

Annual art show Mirza Ghalib in Music in moon night Matinee special Baithak Group show Kolkata Under the Banyan Tree on a Full Moon Music and dance lovers of Delhi-NCR can Pierrot’s Troupe is Night returns with its final edition of 2019 now look forward to the 14th edition of all set to perform to celebrate the the world of music with Quarterly Baithaks held at Triveni Kala 499th show of its ‘Musical Mélange’. The event will feature Sangam in Delhi on December 22. This popular comedy performances of Barmer Boys, a global edition will feature a plethora of fantastic Ghalib In New ambassador of Rajasthani folk a Sufi music artists. Delhi at ABC Hall, and The Anirudh Varma Collective, a Vocalist Anisha Ray will be performing Indian Museum contemporary Indian Classical Ensemble. It The guitarist and pianist duo Lautaro and with noted famous accompanists Durjay India International Centre, in collaboration The All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Campus, Kolkata will be held this Sunday, 7 p.m. at 1AQ, Shonai will perform this Sunday 1 p.m. at Bhaumik (tabla) and Paromita Mukherjee with Khoj International Artists’ Association has recently unveiled its 92nd Annual All on 15th Near Qutub Minar Roundabout. The Piano Man, Gurugram. Lautaro (harmonium) at the presents thirteen curated exhibitions titled India Art Exhibition at its premises. On till December. The 500th show will be staged Tissera, an Argentinian guitarist, who festival organised The Earth is still going around the Sun. 25th December, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at New Delhi on 28th December. Directed performs on stage as soloist, is a member by Pracheen Kala Starting 15th December at Kamaladevi AIFACS, Galleries of the Society,1 Rafi by Dr. M Sayeed Alam, this Hindi play tells of the quartet El Mondongo de Palermo Kendra. This edition Complex, these exhibitions are the Marg, this year's show comprises selected the funny account of the re-visit of the bands for which he does composition work. will feature Odissi culmination of the Curatorial Intensive 111 works in painting section, 39 works in renowned 19th century poet Mirza Ghalib Kolkata-born Shonai has joined All India dance recital by South Asia 2019 Program which brought sculpture Section, 42 works in drawing in 21st century New Delhi – beginning with Radio as a junior artist in 1997, where he emerging dancer together artists from Iran, India, section and 63 works in graphics section. his second birth at the Bus Adda of Delhi. later became a graded artist. Madhur Gupta. Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

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