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Monday, May 16, 2011

The ingredients for a box office hit


OPINION: MECARTIN

(As told to Shevlin Sebastian)

Just after the release of my latest film, ‘Chinatown’, I met a US-based Malayali, Valsan, in Kochi, He said, “I have a lot of tension in my life. So I go to see a film to relax. That is why I liked your film, because I could laugh to my heart's content.” For me, hearing something like this is not something new. Over the years, many people have told me that they watch a film to laugh out aloud.

So, a comic touch is vital for a film to do well. But that does not mean that if a film does not have any funny moments, it will not be a hit. The second element is a family drama. The attachments and conflicts between family members can bring tears to the eyes of the audience. One reason why my film, ‘Punjabi House’ became a big hit was because of the melodrama inherent in it.

Other attributes for a hit film: every scene should look good and be interesting. A love scene should be done in a beautiful setting, like on the top of a hill, surrounded by greenery. However, a romantic moment can also be shot in a vegetable market, provided the location looks good.

I find it strange that nearly all conspiracy scenes in Malayalam films are shot in a godown. Two criminals plotting a murder can be shown doing that in a rubber estate or a farmhouse.

Good colour is also vital. In my hit film, ‘Thenkasipattanam’, in every scene, I used the colour yellow. As a result, the viewer felt a sense of continuity. Of course, for a film to do well, there are other important components, like good music and songs, and the presence of superstars.

But I have a secret way on how to identify whether a film will be a hit or not.

There are many glands in the human body. These include the pituitary, the adrenal, and the tear glands. When viewing a film, it is imperative that one or two glands must work. Most probably, it will be the adrenal or the tear glands. If a gland is inactive, the film will not be a hit. After I finish a script and read it, if none of my glands work, I have to go back and rework it.

This might sound fanciful, but, believe me, it is a foolproof method.

(Malayalam film director Mecartin, in collaboration with Rafi, has had several blockbuster hits under the name of Rafi-Mecartin)

(The New Indian Express, Chennai and Delhi)





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Psycho-analysis of UDF performance


By Shevlin Sebastian

Photo: The former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan

A couple of months ago, when the UDF launched their campaign for the Kerala Assembly elections, there was a sense of overconfidence on their part. “They were too sure they would win handsomely,” says psychologist Prakash Chandra. “The electorate could sense this.”

But what really impacted the people was the in-fighting among the UDF constituents over seat-sharing. “The mind-set of the voters is that they crave stability,” says Prakash. “They felt that if they voted the UDF to power, they will not provide a strong government.”

The people were also taken aback when Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Ramesh Chennithala was suddenly touted as a possible chief minister, instead of Oommen Chandy. “The electorate were not sure about Chennithala’s qualities as a leader,” says Prakash. “It took some time before Chandy regained his position as Chief Ministerial aspirant. But by then the damage was done.”

Even the LDF sowed confusion when there was talk that Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan would not be fielded for the elections. “They lost a few seats because of this,” says Prakash.

Apart from a stable government, the voters are looking for a strong leader. The psychologist says that Achuthanandan impressed the people with his principled stand on many issues. One example: he reopened the investigation into the ice-cream parlour scandal, in which Indian Union Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty was implicated. “They admired his decisiveness,” says Prakash. “People are like children, who want a strong father to lead them.”

In this election, there has been a change in attitude on the part of the voters. “For the first time, young people have won,” says Prakash. “The voters feel that the youth can provide new ideas and energy to spur development in the state. It is a sign of confidence among the populace.”

So what should the UDF do to change the negative mind-set against them, now that they have managed to wrest power from the LDF?

“Provide a stable government,” says Prakash. “Secondly, Oommen Chandy should lead boldly from the front.”

(The New Indian express, Kerala)






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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Variety is the spice of life


A Pan-Asian food festival at the Thai Pavilion, Vivanta, Taj Malabar Cochin, provides dishes from countries like Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Korea, and Vietnam

By Shevlin Sebastian

Photo: Oriental Chef Cham Hun Chakhap

One day, Jayanta Das, Executive Assistant Manager -- Food and Beverages, at the Vivanta, Taj Malabar Cochin, wanted to come up with a different set of dishes for their Thai Pavilion restaurant. So he sat, with Oriental chef Cham Hun Chakhap, and executive chef Rasheed and they came up with the idea of providing cuisine from pan-Asian countries.

“At a single meal, a guest can have a soup from Malaysia, a main course from Thailand, and a Chinese dessert,” says Jayanta. You could also have food from Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Korea.

Says Sales Manager Venugopal: “Nowadays, our guests travel abroad a lot, so they eat different types of food. That is why we wanted to give them something different.”

To ensure that the best food is on display, Chef Cham made more than 70 dishes, before the final 30 was selected. Now, all this can be had at the Pan Asian food festival at the Thai Pavilion.

At the festival, you could start with a Lumpia roll from Indonesia. “It is a spring roll with fresh lettuce, vegetables, beans, flavoured with mint leaves and green chillies,” says Cham. It is a bit bland, but you can spice it up with a dash of chilly sauce.

Another appetizer is Kai Phad Pik Kappraw from Thailand. This is a spicy chicken with a mix of basil leaves. This is suitable for the Malayali palate, as it has a sharp tang to it. Thereafter, you can try a soup from Japan called the miso shiru. “This contains fermented beans with seaweed and dashi – a fish stock,” says Cham.

To provide authenticity, many of the ingredients have been imported from abroad. “Some of the mushrooms have been brought from Shanghai,” says Cham. “The water chestnut fruit has been got from Thailand, while for the miso shiru dish, the fermented beans have been brought from Japan.”

For the main course, you can start with Malacca fried rice from Malaysia. It is a spice flavoured dish accompanied by chilly sauce. And in case you feel you are missing out on your usual Chinese cuisine, try the Sui-ju prawns.

These are stir-fried prawns made with Sichuan peppercorn and celery sauce. This is juicy and superb and makes a wonderful impact on the taste buds. But it does not come cheap at Rs 900 a plate.

Thereafter, you can nip off to South Korea and have a Buldak, a chicken drumstick cooked in chilly sauce. Incidentally, ‘bul’ means ‘fire’ in Korean, while ‘dak’ means ‘chicken’, so it can be a fiery dish. Cham laughs, and says, “I have toned down the chilly part, so that patrons in Kochi can enjoy it.” This again is very suitable for Keralites because of its hot and spicy feel. Apparently, this dish is becoming popular among young South Koreans.

Following this, you can have the Char Kway Teow dish from Malaysia. This is stir-fried rice noodles, with scrambled eggs, chillies, and a soy sauce. The noodles are in the form of strips, about 1 centimetre in width, and has an okay taste. It is sold at roadside stalls in the Malaysian city of Penanag , and is popular in Singapore and Indonesia. The last item for the main course can be Kao Qie, a grilled and spicy Chinese eggplant.

By this time, your stomach is ready to burst, but you still have to find the space to dip into some mouth-watering desserts. Try the lemon grass flavoured Sago with mango pudding. “It is made of fresh mango pulp, coconut milk, and sago flavoured with lemon grass,” says Cham. Another superb dessert is banana fritters, dusted with cinnamon and eaten along with vanilla ice cream.

All in all, for visitors to the Thai Pavilion, they are in for an unusual, but in the end, a deeply satisfying culinary treat.

(The New Indian Express, Kochi)





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Monday, May 09, 2011

Where form and function meet


Architect Joseph’s John’s house in Kochi has a forbidding exterior, but a warm interior

By Shevlin Sebastian

Photo: Architect Joseph John and his wife in their garden

The first sight of architect Joseph John’s house at Kochi is intimidating. The courtyard is filled with black, chipped, gravel stones. Apart from a door, all you see is a large blank wall with no windows at all.

“I realised that there is no point in looking at the main road, because there is nothing there,” he says. “So I decided the back of the house should be my front. It is something like a desert. There is no vegetation. It is an unfriendly exterior. But when you come inside, things are different.”

Yes, indeed, the moment the wooden door is opened, you are immediately confronted by a green plant growing in a brass vase. On the right there is a five-foot high fingerpalm tree and an abstract painting, next to it, on the wall, in thick red, white, blue and yellow streaks, drawn by John himself.

The living room is spacious, with wooden sofas and chairs, while the floor is made of polished wood. On a side table there is a striking statue of an African Masai couple wearing red tunics and colourful bead necklaces, the man holding a thin, long spear. At one end of the room, there is a foot-high pool, with several frogs, made of porcelain placed in the water, as well as on the side.

“The aim is to keep the room cool,” says John. “And the frogs give the impression that it is an actual pool.”

John has a collection of frogs from all over the world. He has stored them in a bookcase. One is lying on its back, its four legs spread out, as if he is sleeping off a hangover. Another is massaging another frog, presumably a female. “I cannot explain my fascination for frogs,” he says, with a laugh.

From the living room, it leads off to a semi-circular verandah.

At one corner there is a reclining chair, made of black rexine leather, with a low foot stool. “This is where I read my morning newspaper with a cup of tea,” he says, and points with his hand. “Look at the scene.”

The scene: a small pond filled with water plants and Oscar fishes. Beyond that is a large grassy patch, filled with several coconut and frangipani trees. “Can you believe that this is a house in Kochi?” he says. “I have recreated a village scene in my backyard.”

Interestingly, John has painted the exterior of the 3000 sq. ft. house in a muted tone. “It is the colour of dried leaf or cowdung,” he says. “I was looking for a natural colour, which is soothing to the eye. I also wanted to give the impression that I am living in nature.”

Upstairs, he has made small bedrooms for his son, Shreyes, 17, and daughter Diya, 13. Both have only a cot and a study table. And he has an unusual explanation. “When my children grow up they will leave and go away,” he says. “So there is no need for large rooms.”

He gives an intriguing reason as to why the master bedroom is also small. “It is a space where you go to sleep, which means you are dead to the world,” says John. “But my clients have said, ‘We spend one-third of our life in the bedroom.’ But I tell them, ‘You are mostly sleeping, so you don’t need a big area.’”

Interesting perceptions by a gifted architect has resulted in an atypical, but alluring home.

(The New Indian Express, Chennai and Delhi)






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Monday, May 02, 2011

IPL Jeeteyenge Kochi Tuskers


A peppy song by Malayalam playback singer Anitha Shaiq has been a hit on You Tube

By Shevlin Sebastian

“Ah, ah, IPL Jeeteyenge Kochi Tuskers Kerala,” sings Anitha Shaiq, as she dances in the sunlight, wearing sunshades, jeans and bright red sneakers, and is backed by a group of male dancers.

It is a peppy number and, mimicking the trademark MTV style, the images flash by in seconds. A double-decker bus goes past, a Kings XI Punjab batsman hits a ball, S. Sreesanth bowls a yorker, while a group of young motorcycle riders hold aloft orange Kochi Tusker team flags.

Anita has uploaded this video on You Tube and in the past few days it has received a few thousand hits. Type ‘IPL Jeeteyenge Kochi Tuskers + Anitha’ to see it.

The idea came to her when Anitha, a keen cricket fan, went to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Kochi for the Tuskers’ first match on April 9 and was disappointed by the meagre turnout. “That was when I decided to do a song, to encourage the team,” she says. Anitha came home, wrote the lyrics, in a mix of Hindi, English, and Malayalam words, so that the song could be appreciated by a wider audience, and set the music.

“It has a fast beat, and I have incorporated the chenda (Kerala drums), Western instruments, like the guitar, and rap music,” she says.

Incidentally, Anitha is no rookie. She is an established Malayalam playback singer with numerous hits like ‘Oh Mama Chandamama’ in the movie, ‘Rock 'n Roll’, and ‘When I am with you, I lose my heart’ from ‘2 Harihar Nagar’. So far, she has sung in 40 films.

But she might continue to sing songs of her own. “In the Tuskers song I was able to express my creativity,” she says. “In playback singing, we have to follow what the music director says.”

(The New Indian Express, Cheenai and Delhi)






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Oye, oye, it’s oysters!


Oyster-eating is a rare habit among Malayalis. Chef Jose Varkey of the five-star Casino Hotel is trying to popularise it.

By Shevlin Sebastian

Photo: Chef Jose Varkey

Chef Jose Varkey picks up an oyster from a bunch placed on a table. He takes a special steel knife and slides it through the gap in the shell and turns the knife upwards. The shell cracks open. Inside is a milky-white jelly.

Jose slides it out with the knife and places the jelly on a plate. Thereafter, he puts a few drops of lime juice and Tabasco sauce on the meat. Then he picks up the meat, puts it in his mouth, and swallows it raw. A few onlookers at the Fort Cochin restaurant of the five-star Casino Hotel in Kochi flinch, even as he says, “Oyster meat is tasty, and contains a lot of vitamins and minerals, including Omega-3 fatty acid, which is good for the heart.”

He enumerates other benefits: it has elements like magnesium and potassium, and provides lustre to the skin. “You can have glowing skin like Aishwarya Rai,” says Jose. “Because of the high amount of proteins, it is an aphrodisiac.”

However, there is resistance. “Malayalis do not have a habit of eating anything raw,” he says. Another deterrent: there is a perception that oysters are not clean, because the rivers are polluted. “This is a misconception,” says Jose.

The waters around the oyster reefs in the nearby Satara Island are being constantly monitored by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). The moment it crosses the danger limit, like during the monsoon season, the harvesting of oysters is stopped.

Jose, who has travelled abroad extensively, says that there are polluted rivers in Europe also. “When this happens, oysters are not served, till the waters become clean again,” he says.

Nevertheless, to increase the confidence among the patrons, the hotel has set up a depuration plant in the restaurant. There, in plain sight of everybody, the oysters are placed in sterile water. Soon, the animals open up their shells, and the purified water passes through. “All the dirt, if there is any gets removed, and the gills are cleaned,” says Jose.

One who is convinced is regular customer, George Merlo, a lawyer. “I had my first raw oyster on New Year’s Eve last year at the hotel and loved it,” he says. “It’s got a wonderful taste.” He says that he had a fear that oysters from the backwaters of Kochi would be contaminated. “But I trust the cleansing process at Fort Cochin and take it often. Oyster eating will become popular if people become aware that there is such a dish.”

Erin Louis, the general manager, says, “George is right. That is why we are trying to spread awareness about oysters. This is part of our business opportunity, as well as a social responsibility.”

Not many people know that in Kerala oysters are freely available all along the coast, from Kochi to Kollam. “A few self-help groups were growing oysters, and they were about to stop since there were no takers, till we stepped in,” says Dr. K. Sunil Mohamed, a Principal Scientist of the CMFRI. “We met Jose who agreed to promote it.”

Oyster reefs have an ecological advantage. More than 100 organisms live around the reef. The oysters cluster one above the other, and there are a lot of pockets in between. These are the breeding grounds for many fishes. “The oysters filter 12 to 20 litres of water per hour and makes the murky water clean,” says Mohamed. “What more should this animal do for nature?”

Chef Jose says that oysters can be easily exported. “It is selling at $2 per piece abroad,” he exclaims. “You will not believe this, but the farmers have been selling it at Rs 1 per oyster. If they can get higher rates, an entire community can be sustained.”

But there may not be a need to look abroad for sales. Many IT professionals in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai have developed a taste for eating oysters when they worked in Europe.

“Now, when they are back in India, they want to continue eating oysters,” says T.N. Venugopal, a leading exporter of seafood. “Once the Smart City [IT Park] is commissioned, there will be a major market for oysters in Kochi also.”

(The New Indian Express, Chennai and Delhi)






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Sunday, May 01, 2011

Hartal or no hartal, we will go to work


Despite the threat of violence, many women venture out to work on a hartal day, April 30, to keep the home fires burning and the economy humming

Photo: This is a representative picture

By Shevlin Sebastian

In earlier times, whenever a hartal would be announced by a political party, Lakshmi Rao would have beads of perspiration on her face. She worked in an office near the Town Hall and hated to miss work. But Lakshmi stayed near the market in Kadavanthra, Kochi. The distance was too far to walk, especially during the summer.

But one day, a couple of years ago, a neighbour, who worked at Kacheripady, offered a simple solution. “Follow me,” she said. And the duo walked a short distance to reach the Ernakulam Junction railway station. There they waited for the Venad Express. When the train arrived, they hopped on and reached the Town station.

“No tension at all,” says Lakshmi, as she reached her office easily. However, it was not easy on the purse. “The train ticket cost Rs 14, while the bus fare is only Rs 4,” says Lakshmi. She pauses, and says, with a look of worry, “When will political parties stop giving hartal calls?”

Nirmala Lilly has no such worries. The Head of Sales and Marketing at a five-start deluxe resort in Kochi, she drives her I 20 Santro car boldly to work. “I am in the hospitality industry,” she says. “The guest is God. He or she needs round the clock service. How can I sit at home peacefully?”

Once or twice, Nirmala has been stopped by hoodlums but she has smiled sweetly at them, and said, “A close relative of mine is sick in the hospital and I have to go and give food.” They have allowed her through. Only once she was stopped and told to go back. “That was because I was only 300 metres away from my home and the boys knew me,” says Prema. But the spirited professional just turned around and took another road to work.

Malini U, a travel executive, is also a bold woman. She has gone to office on her two-wheeler on every hartal day. “I love working, and hate to stay at home,” she says. “On the road I have seen many goondas. But they tend to stare rather than scare me.”

Once, she was stopped and Malini blithely said, “I have to go to the doctor.” And they let her go.

At 11 a.m. at Palarivattom, yesterday, Mary Varghese, 54, is on her way back home to Chakkaraprambil Road, near Vytilla. “I left at 7 a.m. and it took me 45 minutes by walking to reach my place of work.” She is a cleaner at physician Benny Thomas' clinic. “The doctor let me off early because of the hartal,” she says.

And so, despite the goondas and thugs who enforce a hartal though the threat of violence, there are a few women, by train, car, two-wheeler and on foot, who are willing to go to work, to keep the home fires burning. Pity, the octogenarian Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan, who allows the state to suffer losses of crores of rupees because he still uses an outmoded form of protest: the hartal.

(The New Indian Express, Kochi)






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The joy of giving


Dr. Kurian Melamparambil, who runs Melam Charities, has won the Padma Shri for social work in 2010. So far, he has helped 1.25 lakh people and spent Rs 15 crore

By Shevlin Sebastian

On May 28, 1978, Dr. Kurian Melamparambil got the shock of his life when his father, M.V. John, died suddenly of a heart attack. “It shook me to the core,” he says. As it was a Sunday, Kurian was not able to get the proper treatment which could have saved his father. “Later, I thought I could do nothing to stop his death, but, maybe, I could help others from dying prematurely,” he says.

On September 10, 1986, Kurian started the Melamparambil Varghese John Memorial Charities in memory of his father. But very soon, he discovered that he was running short of money. At that time, he was working as a senior executive in a newspaper company. So he decided to quit and become an industrialist.

In 1992, he started the Melam group, which makes all types of curry powders, spices, pickles, breakfast items, sauces and pickles. It has been doing well from the very beginning. The company has two factories in Aluva, and operates through distributors all over Kerala.

“We also send our products to other parts of India and to the Gulf countries, Europe, USA, Russia, Australia and New Zealand,” says Kurian. “In fact, wherever there is a Malayali, Melam is present.”

Thankfully, because of the company’s success, Kurian has been able to set aside a considerable portion of his income for charity. About 1.25 lakh people have received treatment through 1357 doctors in 899 hospitals. So far, he has spent Rs 15 crore.

“I remember my friends advised me to accumulate wealth and later give it to charity,” says Kurian. “But I thought that a man who is ill needs the money today and not ten years later.”

Kurian has a standard operating procedure for his charity. On the second Saturday of every month, at his home town of Tiruvalla, he holds a meeting where sick people can approach him. They have to fill a form which is counter-signed by the hospital authorities, the local panchayat member, and the MLA. “I want to ensure that genuine people receive treatment,” he says.

Only those who have life-threatening diseases like cancer, diabetes, kidney failure and heart problems are eligible. The hospital, where the patient is receiving treatment, will provide an estimate of the monthly expenses and Melam charities will pay 75 per cent.

“The basic principle of social work is to make people self-dependent,” says Kurian. “That is why I don't give the full amount. I want them to earn the rest.”

Meanwhile, through his many years of social work, Kurian made an astonishing discovery: around 90 per cent of the patients rarely express any gratitude. He remembers a patient whom he met on the streets of Panampilly Nagar. The man ignored Kurian completely. On another occasion when Kurian met him, the man said, “I am sorry but I did not want the people in my area to know that you have helped me.”

Kurian recalls the case of a financially-strapped professional to whom he had offered assistance. “He was able to give a good education to his children,” says Kurian. “One son earned a high salary in the IT industry. But neither he nor his son met me or offered to contribute some money to the charity.”

But there are others who have invited him and his wife for dinner because the husband or the wife has been cured. “This is human nature,” says Kurian. “Only a few are grateful. The only way you can do social work is to expect nothing in return.”

However, Kurian has received many awards for his charity work, and for excellence in business. This was topped by the Padma Shri which he won in 2010 for social service.

(The New Indian Express, Kochi)





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Friday, April 29, 2011

Thud, thud, thud, go the drumbeats


Japanese performers played on ancient drums, known as the taiko, for the first time in India, and mesmerised an audience in Kochi

By Shevlin Sebastian

The drums catch the eye. One is big and round, like a truck wheel. The others are of smaller shape. They are placed on wooden holders. The performers, both men and women, are wearing black and red kimono tops and black trousers, along with headbands. They stand poised in front of the drums, their legs apart, their drumsticks held firmly in their hands.

Then the leader, Shinko Sibasaki, mutters something in Japanese. Immediately, they attack the drums with swift movements of their arms. The sound reaches a crescendo, and then there is a pause. The drummers remain immovable. Then after a few moments, they hit the drums, but in a slower tempo.

Shinko, 66, who will complete sixty years of public performance next year, hits the edges and the sides of the drum.

“This is the first time we have seen that you can hit all the sides of a drum, and the sound remains impressive,” says Balan M Nair, the president of the Alumni Society of the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship, (AOTS) Kerala, which arranged this programme. The AOTS is affiliated to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan.

Kazuo Shibasaki, a petite young woman, brings out a cymbal and uses a long metallic stick to hit it in a rhythmic manner. Meanwhile, the other players switch from drum to drum. Two of them stand on either side of the big drum and hit it with a hypnotic co-ordination even though they cannot see each other.

The sound reverberates through the hall of the Lotus Club in Kochi. It is like hearing a louder version of your heartbeat. “This is a traditional Japanese sound,” says P.K. Nagma, the Kozhikode-based interpreter, who is accompanying the drummers on their Kerala tour.

This drum recital, known as Taiko, has its origins hundreds of years ago. Incidentally, 'taiko' means drums in Japanese. The first group was established during the Meiji era (1868-1912). Shinko belongs to the Miyabi Daiko troupe, which has 1.2 lakh members in Japan. “We have performed in 89 countries,” he says.

During the show, Yasuko Tomisava, a female drummer, goes to the side and dons a lion's mask with a long, red mane. Then she steps down from the stage and dances along the aisle.

“If the lion tries to bite your head off, that means, you will have a lot of intelligence,” says Yasuko. “If it tries to bite your hands, and if there is any problem with the hand, it will be healed. The same is the case with the leg. The lion brings luck and prosperity.”

And so the audience watches with a mix of awe and caution as Yasuko approaches them. Some laugh when she touches them. Others touch her back. As she moves around, her colleagues continue to play.

Essentially, each item starts slowly, builds up in tempo and reaches a crescendo. It is physically tiring, because when members of the audience are invited to hit the drums, during a riveting segment, it does not take long for them to feel breathless. At the end of the performance, all the drummers are also perspiring profusely.

When asked how the audience in Kerala differed from those in other countries, Shinko says, “The people have a great affinity to festivals. That is why there was such a strong encouragement and support during our performance. An added bonus was the homely atmosphere.”

(The New Indian Express, Kochi)






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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Statements about life



Bangalore-based artist, Rajesh S. Mani, through his etchings and paintings, focuses on the demise of nature in cities and the puzzle of daily life

Photos: Etching of a coin; artist Rajesh S Mani

By Shevlin Sebastian

When Rajesh S. Mani was travelling on a plane from Bangalore to Colombo a few years ago he was struck by the sight of the Premadasa cricket stadium from the air. It was a large circular structure. So when he wanted to do an etching, he made it look like a coin.

“I also incorporated a sword to indicate the battles that takes place between two teams,” says Rajesh, whose etchings and paintings are on display at the Bindhi Art Gallery, Kochi.

In another etching there is an orange-red sun juxtaposed against the dome of a building. This image happened by accident. When Rajesh visited the St. Francis church at Colombo in the evening, he captured the scene with a quickly-taken photograph and reproduced it.

In another drawing, there is an image of a dog, standing on its hind legs, wearing shorts, its tongue sticking out. There is a resemblance to the 'Snoopy' dog of Peanuts fame. “It is a self-portrait,” says Rajesh. Some time ago, he went through drawings he did as a child and came across similar illustrations. “So even though I am 26 now, I decided to replicate it,” he says.

Rajesh's etchings are all of an abstract style: lots of straight and crossed lines, circles and rectangles, with layered textures. In some, there is a two-dimensional effect. But, sometimes, it is difficult to understand what he is trying to say.

“Daily life is a puzzle,” says Rajesh, by way of explanation. “There are many things we cannot understand. It is hard to know what is going to happen in future. That is what I am trying to express with my drawings.”

Incidentally, these etchings are done on a zinc plate. Wax is rubbed on to it. Then, with a needle, a drawing is down. Later, acid is poured onto the wax and it settles into the grooves made by the needle. Soon, the drawing emerges. Rajesh has displayed twenty etchings on various subjects.

His paintings are also on display. “It is acrylic on canvas done in a water colour style,” says Bindhi Rajagopal, the gallery owner. “There is a predominance of nature in the paintings.” Yes, indeed, there are butterflies and birds flying about. There are forests which are deforested in some places.

“The birds and the butterflies are disappearing from my city,” says the Bangalore-based Rajesh. “Gardens are being cut up. New buildings are coming up all the time.” Not surprisingly, there is a painting of a bird which is flying over the mountain, going out of the city to some place else.

Rajesh is the son of well-known painter J.M.S. Mani. Asked what advice his father has given him, he says, “He told me to keep on working. That is the only way I can get better.”

(The New Indian Express, Kochi)






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Monday, April 25, 2011

A quick, premature end


As dating becomes prevalent, one side-effect is unwanted pregnancies. Gynaecologists talk about their experiences

By Shevlin Sebastian

It is a familiar sight for Dr. Anna Kurien (name changed), senior consultant gynaecologist at a private hospital in Kochi. The girl is in her early twenties and is accompanied by her parents.

“She is usually three or four months pregnant,” says Anna. “It is only then that she realises that she is pregnant and comes for a MTP (medical termination of pregnancy).”

Some come up with bizarre explanations on how they got pregnant. “One girl told me, 'I have no idea how the 'contact' took place. I was sleeping and it happened.” Another said, “I did not know I was doing sex with the boy.” One straight-talking woman said, “I did not love the boy, but I wanted to have some fun.” Most of the time, the girls will insist that they had sex only once, before getting pregnant.

For the parents, who look worried and tense, they pray that there are no complications during the MTP, and the operation is successful. “They are scared that society will come to know,” says Anna. “If it becomes a scandal it will spoil their daughter's chance to get married.”

So, their immediate priority, following the abortion, is to find a boy and secure an arranged marriage.

Most of the girls come from middle-class families and hold jobs as receptionists, clerks and desktop operators. They stay in hostels in and around Kochi, while their parents and siblings stay in places like Kottayam and Kozhikode.

“They are tasting freedom for the first time,” says Anna. “So, they tend to lose control. Things happen in the heat of the moment.”

Anna, who has been doing abortions for 15 years says that she no longer gets teenagers or college students as patients. “They are more aware now,” she says. “They know about contraceptive pills and condoms and have learned to take the necessary precautions.”

Meanwhile, Dr. V. Girija, consultant gynaecologist at the General Hospital, always checks whether she is following the law.

“I can only do a MTP, if the pregnancy is within 20 weeks,” she says. Like Anna, Girija is taken aback by some of the excuses given by the girls.

“Most say they have no idea how they got pregnant,” she says. “Some insist they are married and are accompanied by the 'husband'. I don't try to probe too much. Over the years, I have discovered that the patients rarely give the correct information about what took place.”

Before the operation, the girls have differing reactions. “Some look tense or fearful, while a few look calm,” says Girija. “Earlier, teenagers would come but now I don't see them any more. It may be probably because of sex education classes they have become knowledgeable, and take the necessary safety measures.”

There are many advertisements on television for condoms and contraceptive pills. Copper-T, an intrauterine device, is also popular. “However, most of the time, girls rarely come to public hospitals for an MTP, because there is always the risk that they would be spotted by somebody,” says Girija. “So they go to small nursing homes.”

(The New Indian Express, Kochi)






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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Possibilities of varying kinds



In a painting cum ceramics exhibition, 'Apposite Possibilities', at Kochi, artistes Parul Shah and Sushma Anand display eye-catching works

By Shevlin Sebastian

Photos: Parul Shah with the 'Lady with a Sunflower'; Sushma Anand

The Mumbai-based artist Parul Shah has a friend, Megha (name changed). She is a housewife, who spends her time looking after her family, which includes her son, husband, and in-laws. “Megha has talent in singing and art, but is unable to develop her potential because of social restrictions,” says Parul.

The painter was struck by her friend's predicament and drew her in a state of contemplation. “My friend is not beautiful like Aishwarya Rai, but she has a delicate grace,” says Parul. In fact, Megha's face is shining, and she has nice, thick, sensual lips. Her low-cut nightie displays her upper body to good effect: healthy and sexy.

Megha seems to be thinking, 'What am I doing with my life?' as she stares at the sunflower in her hand. “I deliberately placed the sunflower because I wanted to pass a message to all the women in the world,” says Parul. “You can flower as a person, provided you believe in yourself.” This painting, titled, 'The Lady with a Sunflower,' has its effect on the viewer. So, it is no surprise that it won the best portrait award of the Bombay Art Society for 2010.

In 'Expressions', a nearly nude woman is lying on the bed, her legs encased in a white sheet, her face resting on the back of her elbow, as she seems to be contemplating something. “There is a beauty in being nude,” says Parul. “The woman is a bit plump, but she has an innate loveliness.”

Clearly, women are the theme in all of Parul's paintings. “I want to capture women in different moods,” she says. “Men have flat expressions. On the other hand, women have such wonderful moods, they have a beauty and a softness in their features. That is why I use dry pastels, because it is a very delicate medium.”

Meanwhile, as she speaks, her husband, businessman Hitesh Shah is taking photographs of her. “I want my wife to become famous, so that I can be known as Parul Shah's husband,” he says. “She is my best friend and I want her to be independent and think on her own.”

Incidentally, this is Parul's first exhibition outside Mumbai. Her work is part of an exhibition called, 'Apposite Possibilities', held at the Vernissage Art Gallery , Kochi , where she shares space with ceramics painter Sushma Anand.

The effervescent Sushma, with the ready smile, went to Kodaikanal last year to spend time at the studio of her guru, Ray Meeker. “The aim was to do a lot of pottery,” she says. But Sushma was taken aback by the beauty of Kodaikanal and turned to ceramics.

“I have taken actual leaves that I saw there and impressed them on the clay,” she says. “Then I burnt it in a kiln and added colours.” Her series is all about nature. There are flowers, weeds, ferns, moths, and a pear tree.

A striking work is an enlarged leaf of the pear tree. “I was there in the month of October and the leaves were falling,” says Sushma. “I painted the upper half in orange. However, the leaves turn completely red when it falls on the floor.”

To make an impact, she made it larger than life, and, clearly, it would look fantastic on any house wall.

Another good work is called 'Frog Mural'. One day Sushma was sitting outside and saw a frog in the garden. So she did a quick sketch, and suddenly it leaped off. “So I placed both these actions in the mural,” she says.

For Sushma, Nature is her biggest inspiration. “I see forms and designs talking to me all the time,” she says. And right from a very young age, Sushma loved to work with clay. “The smell when you put water into the clay is intoxicating,” she says. “It is the same smell that you get when rain falls on mud for the first time.”

Her favoured medium is stoneware. This is formed by mixing five to six types of clay, like chinaclay in Kerala and ballclay in Bikaner. The end result: eye-catching works.

The exhibition is on till April 30 at Vernissage, behind Avenue Centre, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi. Phone: 4000903.

(The New Indian Express, Kochi)






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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Where the mind is without fear


Psychologist Vipin Roldant says that it is difficult for players to become a success in the Indian Premier League without mental training

By Shevlin Sebastian

When you look at the support staff list of the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, there is a head coach, an assistant coach, bowling, batting and fielding coaches, a team physiotherapist, a masseur and a team coordinator. “But there is no mental coach,” says Vipin Roldant, HOD of the Department of Psychology, Counselling and Coaching at the Sunrise Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. “Teams are not addressing the mental aspect. And that is a big mistake. The mind plays such a crucial role in success in cricket.”

Suppose four wickets are down for 50 runs and the batsmen are sitting in the players’ area awaiting their chance to bat. “The player's mind will be filled with negative thoughts and performance anxiety,” says Roldant. “It is during this critical moment that if a mental coach is present, he can emotionally support the player.”

First he will tell the cricketer that the present situation is an opportunity, rather than a stressful situation. It is a chance to make a mark. “Slowly, the coach will be able to infuse the player with mental toughness and energy,” says Roldant. “The cricketer begins to relax and feel confident. Then when he goes out to bat, the chance of doing well is high.” But this is not what usually happens. When the TV camera pans towards where the players are sitting, the coach as well as the support staff and the players have a tense look on their faces.

In the IPL, there is a competition between players of proven merit. “In fact, most of the players, especially the international recruits, whether they are from India, Australia, Sri Lanka or South Africa, are equally skilled,” says Roldant. “The difference is only of mental strength.”

In the course of a match -- forty overs -- these players face heart-stopping stress and pressure all the time. “Those who have a good control of their mind, moods, and emotions, and a high level of concentration will be able to play well and emerge victorious,” says Roldant.

The psychologist says that one of the major reasons for India's triumph in the recent World Cup campaign was the presence of mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton.

“It was he who changed the mind-set of Yuvraj Singh from failure to success,” he says. In fact, from the quarter-final onwards, the team was highly motivated to win.

“It could be because of the common goal of enabling Sachin Tendulkar to fulfill his dream of winning the World Cup,” says Roldant. “Paddy would have played a very important role in setting and re-affirming this goal.”

It also helped that the captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was cool under pressure. “Dhoni looked tough and confident all the time,” says Roldant. “It showed that he had a balanced mind. On the other hand, when Sourav Ganguly was captain, he would often bite his nails and exhibit other signs indicating that he is under duress.”

Tenseness rarely translates to success in international sport, or any other profession. However, one sure-fire method for victory is the practice of visualisation.

When the Wright brothers flew a plane for the first time, where did the flight take place initially? “It took place in the imagination first, and was followed by reality,” says Roldant. “If we continually visualise the things that we want and believe in it, it will actually happen. Cricket is a mind game. It is the power of the mind that makes one team triumph over the other.”

Incidentally, there are three levels of thinking: negative, positive, and faith thinking. “The last is a fierce belief in one's ability, accompanied by will power and a deep faith in God to achieve one's goals,” says Roldant. “If Kochi Tuskers practices 'faith thinking', they will be able to win a lot of matches.”

(The New Indian Express, Kerala)





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