Chennai Metblogs » chenthil

National Anthem at Sathyam movies

chenthil — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:09:55 +0000

Last week I had gone to the movie Anjaathey at Seasons in Sathyam complex. Before the movie there was a slide asking the viewers to stand up for singing the national anthem. This was something new, I didn’t see this happening last month when I went to some other movie at the same complex.

SPB came on screen and sung a beautiful version of Jana Gana Mana composed by AR Rahman, with the mannerisms of a concert vocalist. The problem was, it wasn’t the tune we are taught since our school days and used too. So the entire audience stood in silence.

A few questions. Why this sudden move by Sathyam? Does it really make you patriotic to hear the national anthem prior to a movie?

Docile pitch, yet a memorable match

chenthil — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 10:55:41 +0000

Previous test matches in Chepauk MAC stadium have been a real test of skill for both batsmen and bowlers. Think back to the tied test against Australia in 1986 or the agonising loss to Pakistan in 1999. But this time around, the pitch has been a feather bed till now, late into the 4th day. There has been nothing for the bowlers so far.

Yet this match will be remembered for the highest test score by an Indian batsman. It was in this same stadium that Gavaskar scored his 236 n.o. against West Indies, which was the highest score by an Indian for a long time. It took a great effort from Laxman in 2001 to go past that and Sehwag upped it in Multan in 2004. After seven years, the record has come back to Chepauk.

Do you still think a result is possible in this match?

Road Accidents in Chennai

chenthil — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:16:59 +0000

All of us have at one time or other bitched about road conditions and accidents in Chennai. The Government statistics too seem to agree with us. Last month there was a question in Lok Sabha about road accidents in the country.

In the annexure to the question, the Government gives city wise break up of the number of road accidents in metros. Chennai stands second, with only Delhi worse than us.

NUMBER OF CASES OF ROAD ACCIDENTS DURING 2004-2006 IN METRO CITIES:

CITIES 2004 2005 2006

CHENNAI 4873 7875 7359

DELHI 8218 8531 8385

KOLKATA 2164 2366 2379

MUMBAI 3340 4360 4151

TOTAL 18595 23132 22274

Look carefully. Of all the cities, Chennai’s road accidents have increased dramatically from 2004 to 2005. Is this due to (ironically) the increased number of road works all over the city? Or due to the expanded Greater Chennai Police limits? Or plain increase in number of bad drivers?

Whatever it is, be careful while on the road.

Lok Sabha Question
Annexure to the Question

உயிர்..எழுத்துக்களாய்…சுஜாதா

chenthil — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:12:44 +0000

A remembrance meeting for the deceased writer Mr. Rangarajan (Sujatha) will be held in Narada Gana Sabha, TTK Road on 2nd March, 2008 from 4.00 PM onwards.

Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings IPL Team – at a cost of USD 1.5 Million

chenthil — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:03:42 +0000

It is official. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is now part of Chennai Super Kings team at a cost of 1.5 million USD. Mutthiah Muralidharan too is now part of the team, having been bought at USD 700,000. Murali of course would feel at home in Chennai, having married a Chennai girl.

Chennai Chukka Chicken

chenthil — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 05:19:57 +0000

I found this video in youtube on how to cook Chennai Chukka Chicken. Being a vegetarian I can’t vouch for the authenticity of the recipe. I have heard of Mutton Chukka, but this was new to me. I doubt whether this has anything specific to do with Chennai other than being a nice alliteration.

Any one care to enlighten me on this?

Chennai company produces India’s first internet Sitcom

chenthil — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:38:30 +0000

Chennai based Pixelkraft Media Solutions has produced RamandRia.tv, claimed to be India’s first internet Sitcom. The storyline is light and easy, about a hard core South Indian Techie Ram and a cosmopolitan gal from Mumbai, Ria falling in love and getting married before realising the culture shocks that await them. I saw the first few episodes, nothing great, but a good attempt.

More than the content, it is the media that is interesting. Professionally produced content for Internet is scarce, and this is a welcome break. Get ready for the day when the cry-a-ton Tamil serials will invade your computer screens too.

இனிய் பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்

chenthil — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:42:44 +0000

சென்னை மாநகர வலைப்பதிவு வாசகர்களுக்கும் சக எழுத்தாளர்களுக்கும் இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்

Modi is in town

chenthil — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:28:22 +0000

Narendra Modi is the chief guest for this year’s Thuglaq magazine annual function. The function is being held at Kamaraj Memorial Hall in Anna Salai, just before the fly over. There is a huge police presence around that area and traffic is haywire. Unless you want to be stuck in traffic for hours, avoid Gemini fly over junction today evening.

Woodlands Drive In gets a facelift

chenthil — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:26:24 +0000

Woodlands Drive In is an institution which many Madrasis swear by, and some swear at. Situated in the heart of the city, the restaurant was started in 1962, when the hotelier K. Krishna Rau convinced the Horticultural Society to lease its premises to him for a restaurant. It was Chennai’s first drive in restaurant and claims to be the first to have introduced Channa Batura to Chennai.

More than the food (which is just about ok now a days) it was preferred by many for the green cover it provided in the heart of the city. The waiters never bother you, and you can spend an entire day in the premises without being disturbed. In fact, many a travelling sales men use it as their mobile office. It is preferred for people who want to make deals over inexpensive coffee (Rs. 10.00 against the Rs. 40.00 plus you pay in swanky coffee shops). You get to see yester year celebrities – playback singer P.B. Srinivas is a regular- and the large space makes it ideal for blog meets too.

But the biggest complaint against Woodlands Drive In is the grimy halls, chipped crockeries, a general ‘has been’ atmosphere. So I was pleasantly surprised when I went there last week, to find that renovation is under progress. Hope that it reverts the Drive In to its former glory.

Trivia – Did you know that the annual book fair conducted by BAPASI was held in Woodlands Drive In in 1982?