lifestyle MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014

Saranya Mohan: No image makeover to win glam roles

By Sajeev K Peter time career. But once I undertake a project, I will be 100 per- cent committed to my character,” she explained. Saranya has ’m not ready for an image makeover to win glam- so far acted in a variety of roles in around 30 movies in four orous roles. I’m comfortable with the way I look and south Indian languages. “Ihappy with the roles I play,” said Saranya Mohan, well-known South Indian actress and a celebrated Homely roles Bharatanatyam danseuse. “Initially, I thought I would call it quits after a few movies. Though Saranya gained her celebrity status through star- But I knew that there is a demand for the kind of characters I dom, her passion is dance, her chosen profession, she told do,” she said. In 2009, she had six releases to her credit, four Kuwait Times in an interview. of which were Tamil films. The tragedy sports film ‘Vennila Saranya, who arrived in Kuwait to attend NSS Kuwait’s Kabadi Kuzhu’ directed by Suseenthiran and the supernatu- anniversary celebrations at Marina Auditorium, Jleeb Al- ral thriller ‘Eeram’ turned out to be commercially successful. Shoyouk on Friday, spoke at length about her priorities and Later that year, Saranya made her Telugu debut with ‘Village preferences both as a dancer and an actor. Lo Vinayakudu.’ “I was born into a family of dancers and grew up in an Saranya is best known for her homely characters and atmosphere of dance and music. Both my father Y K B roles as modest village girls in many of her movies. She said Mohanji and mother Kalamandalam Devimohan are she is quite choosy about the characters she would play in renowned Bharatanatyam dancers. They have been running movies. “I don’t want to go in for an image makeover to YKB Dance Academy in Alleppey, dance school, for the last attract glamorous roles. I do have my own little space in the 30 years,” Saranya said. industry as an actress and I’m happy with that,” she During her school years, Saranya won ‘Kalathilakam,’ title explained. five times which is considered a prestigious government “Today, people in the film industry also know my taste. award conferred on outstanding artists every year during They used to tell me, ‘Saranya, there are many who can do school youth festivals. A multifaceted talent, she is well- glamorous roles. But what we want is a Saranya who does versed in art forms such as ‘Ottam Thullal’, ‘Mohiniyattom’, those homely characters’,” she said. She was the heroine in ‘Kuchipudi, classical music, ‘Bharatanatyam’ and Malayalam movie ‘Chemistry’ which was released in 2009. ‘Kathaprasangam’. In 2011, she acted in M Raja’s ‘Velayudham’, another As she learned more and evolved into a classical dancer, blockbuster in which her role as Vijay’s sister won her many Saranya realized that she is more comfortable with accolades. She also acted in Tamil film ‘Osthi’ in 2011. Her ‘Bharatanatyam,’ a style that best suited her personality. “As I debut Bollywood film ‘Badlapur Boys’ is awaiting release. Saranya Mohan —Photo by Sajeev K Peter began to approach dance more seriously, I found out that Talking about the upcoming releases, she said, Tamil film ‘Bharatanatyam’ is more expressive and elegant. I found it her parents adhere to Kalamandalam school of dance, two in ‘Harikrishnans’ and ‘Rakthasaakshikale Sindabad,’ both in ‘Suyam’ is being shot currently. Two Tamil films - ‘Iravatham’ easy to perform,” Saranya explained as to how she chose the distinct styles in ‘Bharatanatyam’. “As I began to learn under child roles. and ‘Kadhalai Thavira Verondrum Illai - and Malayalam film dance form. Vilasini teacher, I realized one thing. Kalakshethra style suits Saranya made her re-entry into filmdom after a gap of ‘Thakkali’ are awaiting releases post production. my kind of dancing. I thought the style helps me reach near- seven years, acting in another Fazil movie ‘Oru Naal Oru Asked why she is not seen much in Malayalam film indus- Style matters perfection,” she said. Kanavu’ along with popular South Indian actress Ramya try lately, she quipped, “There must be a good role to play. “I’m living in the world of dance. It is my passion and pro- Saranya Mohan was introduced to the south Indian film Nambeesan. However, her path-breaking film came in 2008 And people must identify me as Saranya. I don’t want to fession, not hobby,” Saranya said who is still learning dance industry as a child artist at the tender age of eight by film- with the Dhanush-Nayantara starrer ‘Yaaradi Nee Mohini.’ become one among the crowd.” under ‘Bharatanatyam’ exponent Kalakshethra Vilasini. Her maker Fazil who was impressed by her dancing prowess. Her Her hilarious performance as the younger sister to the hero- sister Sukanya is also a dance exponent who is doing her first movie was the Malayalam super-hit ‘Aniyathi Pravu.’ She ine won her popularity and recognition. post-graduation in classical dance in Annamali University. also acted in the Tamil remake of the same movie Saranya says that she is not overly passionate about con- Interesting, Saranya pursues Kalakshetra tradition while ‘Kadhalukku Mariyadhai.” Subsequently, Saranya appeared tinuing in film industry.”I have not chosen acting as my life-

Gregg Allman feted by fellow musicians at concert n all-star lineup of musicians feted Gregg Allman Friday night at a tribute concert heralding the southern rock Aluminary and the blues rock that influenced many artists to follow his band’s early 1970s success. Traditionally, Allman’s biggest fans have been in the audience, dancing and swaying to his southern rock ensemble’s well known songs like “Melissa” and “Midnight Rider.” But on this night those effusing about Allman the most were on stage in Atlanta, per- forming for him and beside him - including Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal and Vince Gill. Allman said he was humbled by the outpouring of appreci- ation from his colleagues. “I try not to think about it just directly. It’s kind of like we all came to the gig together,” Allman said backstage before the show. “It’s pretty over- An Indian commuter, stripped to his underpants, participates in a No Pants Subway whelming but I’ve got the music to hang onto, to keep me on Ride on the metro in Bangalore yesterday. — AFP photos the ground. Otherwise they’d have to take me out of here on a string, like a balloon.” Allman, who has come back strong from a liver transplant annual in recent years, said he feels years younger and fit enough to Legs bared for go on the road again. “I feel like a million. The Mayo Clinic peo- ple not only saved my life. I feel 30 years old, day and night,” No Pants commute Allman said. Taj Mahal said agreeing to play the one-night special show was a quick decision because the Allman Brothers Band as two members, Warren Haynes and Derek Gregg Allman received an Brothers Band is part of the fabric of American music. Trucks, announced earlier this week they are leaving the band award from Del Bryant, “Anybody who listens to American music is going to have at the end of 2014. Haynes joined the group in 1989, and President of BMI during the rains and trams in Australia’s major pants ahead of the Sydney ride. “Insist that it to hear them,” Mahal said. “They just went with good music cities were awash with bare legs and is a coincidence that others also forgot their Trucks became a member in 1999. Trucks’ uncle Butch Trucks show at All My Friends: and stayed with good music.” Vince Gill provided some of the was the drummer and one of the founding members of the Celebrating The Songs and Tbriefs yesterday as pranksters travelled trousers. Be nice, friendly and remain calm.” In best moments of the night, riveting the audience with some Allman Brothers band. The band was inducted into the Rock Voice of Gregg Allman in trouserless for the world’s 13th annual “No Sydney, a small but dedicated group dropped hot guitar licks and vocals on “Midnight Rider.” Other country Pants Subway Ride”. Commuters in Beijing their trousers on the city circle loop train, and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Grammy Lifetime Atlanta, Ga. — AP stars, including Martina McBride and Eric Church, also per- Achievement Award in 2012. — AP and Hong Kong also braved public transport packed with bemused weekend sightseers on formed soulful version of the band’s well-known songs. without trousers in the stunt, which has gone a busy summer’s day, then switched routes The event signals a bit of a wind down for the Allman global since its first staging by US group for a return trip to Bondi. Improv Everywhere in New York in 2002. There was a no trousers tram ride in south- Twelve years ago only seven people took ern Melbourne and Adelaide and people also part in the inaugural event but now thou- went pants-less for a train trip in northern Diane Von sands in major capital cities around the globe Brisbane. On a busy Hong Kong subway train participate in what organisers call a “celebra- around 40 people, including Australian Bess tion of silliness”.The premise is simple: partici- Hepworth and her 18-month-old son, joined Furstenberg celebrates pants convene on a given transport route on in the fun. “It’s the first time he will be pub- a designated day every year without trousers licly taking off his pants, although he does it on, and ride the rails (or road) for shock value regularly already,” the 37-year-old said. wrap dress’ 40th and laughs. In Beijing a handful of trouserless people iane Von Furstenberg thought that, after 40 years, her Underpants must be worn and, although took to the Chinese capital’s fast-growing wrap dress deserved a party. The 67-year-old designer flashy designs are allowed, organisers prefer subway, drawing confused glances from and dozens of her famous friends celebrated the open- those involved to look-at least from the waist- onlookers. “I want to show that (Chinese peo- D ing Friday of “Journey of a Dress,” an exhibit honoring the up-as though they are going about their daily ple) are internationalised now,” said 22-year- timeless style she introduced in the early 1970s: A flattering, lives, to increase the impact on bystanders. old Huang Li, wearing blue underwear deco- easy-to-wear dress that fastens with a simple tie at the waist. Uniforms and business suits are encouraged rated with dots. “People say I’m a psycho,” she “This is the first time that I ever honored the wrap dress, to amplify the lower-half effect as are props- added. Improv Everywhere expects some and she did so much for me,” said an ebullient Von bicycles, prams, shopping bags or a briefcase. 4,000 participants in this year’s New York Furstenberg, wearing a black wrap dress with floor-skimming Participants are also forbidden from speaking event, with more than 60 other cities taking yellow kimono sleeves. “She made me famous. She paid for all to one another and are instructed to bring part including Paris and London. — AFP my bills. And tonight we celebrate the wrap dress.” Marisa “any activity you might normally perform on Tomei, Demi Moore, Tobey Maguire, Molly Sims, Edward the train: newspaper, book, sewing kit.” Norton, Robin Wright and Rachel Zoe were among the many “If questioned, you do not know any of the stars celebrating Von Furstenberg’s enduring design in a A general view of atmosphere is seen at the DVF Journey of a Dress 40th Anniversary other pant-less riders. Tell folks that you ‘for- vacant department store. Party. got to wear pants’,” organisers told partici- “It’s a total standard in a woman’s closet,” said stylist Estee Stanley, who counts Jessica Biel and Lea Michele among her clients. “It’s just so easy: You throw it on, it’s not uncomfort- able, and it’s sexy.” The exhibit at the Wilshire May Company Building, on view until April 1, features the designer’s favorite dresses from throughout the decades. Scores of mannequins stand in neat rows, their narrow waists all belted, each in dif- ferent versions of the wrap dress. Von Furstenberg is also known for patterns and color palettes, which splash across the exhibit space and serve as themes for the collections. A group of mannequins dressed in blues, browns and oranges stand atop a blue snakeskin-pat- terned floor, beside yellow geometric walls. Part of “Journey of a Dress” is dedicated to the designer herself: Paintings and portraits of Von Furstenberg by artists including Andy Warhol and Annie Leibovitz fill one room of the exhibit. The hallway is lined with oversized reproductions of the DVF wrap dress in the pages of 1970s Vogue magazine and on models and movie stars then and now. Rene Russo, Jerry Hall and Iman wore them in the ‘70s, as did Cybill Shepherd in “Taxi Driver” in 1976. Michelle Obama and Madonna wore them recently. So did Amy Adams in “American Hustle.” — AP

People ride a subway train during the worldwide ‘No Pants Subway Ride’ event in Beijing yesterday. Abbie Cornish