In Ooty, a trio converts a discarded toilet into an art gallery and, with that, reminds the public and the govt to take care of forgotten public spaces
The best business pitch. The best love poem. The best travel plan… Some of our best ideas are born in the loo. Now Madhavan Pillai, Shobana Chandrashekar, and Anita Nanjappa, can admit to that as well. The trio have upcycled a discarded toilet complex in Ooty into an intimate art gallery, giving the hill station its first such space and a lesson in optimum resource management.
Gallery OneTwo opened over the weekend with a painting exhibition. With that, it has joined the growing list of old and forgotten toilets, warehouses, shipping containers, and train stations that have been converted into bustling galleries, bars, pubs, boutiques, museums and even holiday homes.
Staying on the loo beat alone, examples are aplenty, especially in Europe. Formerly a Victorian-style lavatory, Attendant in London is now an award-winning breakfast and espresso bar. The Edwardian Cloakroom in Bristol has become an art space. In the UK, Leak sells gifts, and The Theatre of Small Convenience hosts actors and audiences. Pillai, an art curator and a pinhole photographer from Tamil Nadu, however, isn’t aware of any such toilet transformation in India.
A business unfinished
Except for its name, the facade that’s painted deep yellow, and the toilet symbol on Google Maps, nothing in this Ooty gallery hints at its smelly past. Pillai, who moved here in 2016 from Goa, says, “This loo was set up by the municipality in 1992. But eight years ago, they introduced bio-toilets instead and closed it down.”
That this 700 sqft was lying unused right in the middle of Charring Cross, an important junction in Ooty, didn’t seem right to Pillai. “Last November, I was participating in a clean-up drive organised by Shobana and Anita. They are entrepreneurs, who hold clean-up drives in Ooty quite actively. On our way back, we got talking about this toilet. It was overflowing with drainage water, and smelling so horrible that I could not go inside. But I had a hunch that if we were to transform it into something appealing, it will work because of its location,” says Pillai, who led the artistic side of the project.
The local administration liked the plan too, sent its engineers to break down the commodes, washbasins and dividers, and “even bore 80 per cent of the budget (of `5 lakh)”. In a month, the toilet was gone, and the gallery was in.
Unexpected compliments are pouring in. “Now shopkeepers in the area have started beautifying their spaces with colourful paint and flower pots,” says the 42-year-old Pillai, rather proudly. Plus, “An old sanitation worker told me she used to work at this toilet complex. Though it used to be smelly and filthy, it is where she earned her money. So she was happy to see it up again.”
Reclaim and repeat
Pillai steers the chat back to the heart of the matter – reclaiming the underutilised resources and saving the planet. Pillai, who’s travelled across India to document the ills of mining, begins, “I don’t get this obsession of building new spaces. Look at everyone in the cities. They want to buy newly-built homes instead of moving into what already exists. Do they even know that all this come at the cost of the environment and exploitation. We mine sand and gravel from rivers and beaches, cut down trees, extract iron ores and what not. We destroy homes and backyards of people living in villages in India and poor countries to build our own shiny homes. It’s selfish.”
So if the world needs to rethink its centralised model of development and consumerist attitude more than ever, it is now, he adds quickly. “Upcycling and DIYing can do us good, so does the effective utilisation of big malls and suburban train stations like that in Chennai”. Take a look at Christiania in Denmark, he says. It used to be a military base of 84 acres until the 1970s. Now, artists and hippies have turned it into a community hub (though it remains controversial).
Art debate
But when defunct spaces can host the homeless, a school or a business, why usurp it for art? That too with the taxpayers’ money. Pillai was questioned about this, but he didn’t budge. “God is everywhere, so why build so many temples? For artists too, art is everywhere, even in garbage but, let’s face it, art does need a proper space,” he explains.
Turns out, Pillai had another agenda. “Nothing happens in Ooty pretty much after 5pm. I needed a space to bring people together for conversations and keep myself busy.”
Next month, he is getting art lovers over for an exhibition, which he calls ‘My Philosophy of Toilet’. “For many, toilet’s a place where ideas and innovations happen, it is the place where reforms and revolutions started…,” he signs off.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Opinion> Sunday Read / by Barkha Kumari, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / March 25th, 2018
Sportskeeda spoke exclusively to Indian forward SV Sunil about the team’s ascent, the overhaul in the system, and the road ahead for India.
SV Sunil
Speed is what personifies this Olympian and Arjuna awardee on the pitch and he is arguably one the fastest players in world hockey.
His guile and artistry comes to the fore inside the opposition 25-yard line where he dribbles, dodges and uses clever dummies. The effect is hypnotic and before the defenders can even decide whether to lunge, tackle, or shadow him with a grounded stick, the ball finds it’s way into the net.
The 28-year-old forward from Karnataka hails from a small village in picturesque Coorg, which has nurtured great hockey talent. Former Indian international Arjun Halappa and the legendary BP Govinda were born and bred here. The village is Sowmarpet.
A proud son of this village is Indian hockey international, Sowmarpet Vitalacharya Sunil.
It was indeed befitting that the entire Indian hockey team paid a visit to Kodagu recently, which is considered to be the nursery of hockey talent in South India. The occasion was Sunil’s wedding reception and needless to say, the hockey-loving residents soaked in the atmosphere with relish.
SV Sunil has been an integral part of the Indian team since 2007. He witnessed the dark days of Indian hockey early in his career with India failing to qualify for Beijing 2008. Several coaches were inducted into the system since, and left our shores in a short span of time, dejected and disillusioned.
The Karnataka forward weathered the storm, however, and through sheer hard work backed up by unmistakable talent survived the tumultuous changes. He has reaped the rewards by retaining his place in a resurgent team, now ranked sixth in the world.
As the team prepares for the Commonwealth Games, Sunil is a vital cog in India’s attack.
After he goes through his paces in the Bangalore camp, overseen by the coaching staff, the veteran sat down on the turf to share, with Sportskeeda, a wealth of information about the past and present of Indian hockey, as only he can.
‘Discipline off the field is just as important’
Sportskeeda: Firstly, congratulations and wish you a long and happy married life on behalf of Sportskeeda.
There are lots of juniors who have just made their transition into the senior side. You, on the other hand, have been there for a much longer time. It was in 2007 that you made your debut and Indian hockey was going through one of its worst phases. We failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Now, India is ranked 6th in the world. What would you attribute the huge ascent to – better players or better coaches?
SV Sunil: Players were really good then. The players are good now as well. The system, however, has undergone a transformation since. It is not that Indian coaches aren’t good. Foreign coaches, however, have upgraded the level of the game for sure. They continued the Indian hockey style but took it a new level altogether.
We started following a daily routine under the foreign coaches. We have a systematic daily schedule to follow. There are things to do on the field and off the field as well. Training, massage, team meetings, rest, everything is scheduled. Team bonding activities also started. The results are there for all to see. We know now exactly what do when and what not to do.
SK: You have worked with more coaches than perhaps any other player. There was Jose Brasa, Micheal Nobbs, Terry Walsh, Roelant Oltmans, and now Sjoerd Marijne. How did you manage to adapt to all their varied styles?
SVS: If you wish to retain your position in the team, you have to fall in line with the coach’s instructions. Different coaches have different methods and training styles. For instance, Roelant Oltmans’ style was completely different from Sjoerd Marijne’s. It is difficult in the beginning to adapt to a new style.
We start changing our game slowly. If we don’t, we cannot retain our place in the side. You must know for sure, there is a core group of 33 (probables). That means for every available position, there are three or four players competing. Hard work is imperative. Hockey skills and fitness are equally essential.
Discipline is essential off the field just as it is essential on the field. It makes a huge difference for the team if you are not disciplined off the field. Adapting to change is a necessity.
‘Hanging on to the ball is dangerous’
SK: What is the single biggest difference, according to you, between Oltmans’ and Marijne’s coaching methods?
SVS: Marijne wants us to play very fast, one-touch hockey. We used to hang on to the ball a wee bit before. That is not something he likes. As soon as we get the ball, he wants us to release it to the player who has space in front. That player should also be able to anticipate that the ball is headed his way.
He also likes fast counter-attacks. We have some very quick forwards. Defence and mid-field too is good but he feels since speed is the forte of our forward-line, we should attack and score as many goals as we can (with one-touch hockey of course).
SK: Among all the speedy forwards, you are without doubt the fastest. You love long sizzling runs, dodging past multiple defenders. It is spectacular and exciting to watch. You look like you enjoy it thoroughly. Did you find it tough to curb your natural instincts and play one-touch hockey?
SVS: It is important to read the situation. One-touch hockey is good in the midfield. In counter-attacks, however, long runs are essential. In modern hockey, hanging on to the ball is dangerous. The game is so quick that before you realise it, the defender would have stolen the ball from you.
Marijne’s aversion to hanging on to the ball for too long is not without reason and is for the good of the team. We may feel we are smart and can dodge our way ahead but top teams like Australia and England indulge in group tackles and steal the ball which is bad for the team.
SK: Sunil, when you made your debut in 2007, you had stalwarts in the team like Prabhjot Singh and Rajpal Singh among others. Who helped you the most and made you feel comfortable?
SVS: Dileep bhai (Dileep Tirkey) was also there. The players who helped me the most were Tushar Khandker and Shivendra Singh. They were like brothers to me. I was close to the others too but the two of them were special. Raghunath was there too and so was Vikram Kanth.
My first tournament was the Asia Cup which was a big tournament. I was a bit nervous, but I was made to feel comfortable by the ones close to me in the team. I am in touch with them to this day. There were great players then. I was fortunate to play with Dileep bhai, Rajpal bhai, Sardar Singh was there too. Bimal Lakra was another good player then. I learned a lot from all of them.
‘It was my dream to be honoured in an open jeep like Arjun Halappa’
SK: At what stage in school did you feel that you had enough talent to pursue hockey as a career?
SVS: I don’t remember the year, but I started very early. I used to play with wooden sticks in school. Hockey is played a lot in Coorg and in my village, Sowmarpet. There is a club there called Blue Star Hockey Club where three or four tournaments are played every year. I was gifted a hockey stick once and I started playing seriously.
Arjun Halappa is from village. The first time he returned after playing for India, he was taken around the village in an open jeep. This is a tradition in our village. Any hockey player who returns after his first international tournament is honored in an open jeep and that was my dream too.
With the grace of God, the dream came true. When I returned after my first international (Asia Cup) I was taken around the village in a jeep with people cheering.
Govinda sir (BP Govinda) is also from my village. I wanted to become like him. So, I joined the hockey club. If I didn’t attend training even for a single day, the senior players used to come home and beat me. I was scared of them, but it is only because of them that I have reached where I have.
‘The system is transparent now’
SK: The Indian team which played in the Azlan Shah Cup was effectively India’s second team. This seems a positive move, but do players feel insecure about being selected for the next tournament with so much competition?
SVS: It is not about being insecure. Players, to an extent, do need to have some fear. I have to be fearful that there are three others waiting to take my place. That will make me perform better. If I know that even though I am not performing, I am irreplaceable because there is no one to take my place I will become complacent.
Competition is necessary to take your game to the next level. Junior players rarely used to get a chance to play in international tournaments. They used to be stuck in camps for three to four years with no chance to play for the national team. Now, that has completely changed.
If you play well, you will get a chance now. Practice sessions are filmed. Everything is clear and visible. The system is transparent. I feel it is a very positive step. Juniors need confidence.
SK: What do you feel about India’s prospects are this season? We are ranked 6th. Do you think we can reach the final of the Commonwealth Games?
SVS: Our target is clear and that is gold. Rankings are just a number. The team that plays better on the day will win. We recently beat Germany who are ranked higher than us. No matter which tournament, our aim is gold. You can ask anyone in the team. They will all tell you the same thing. Our aim is to be No. 1.
‘We can beat Australia in Australia’
SK: Since you mentioned gold, do you think we can beat Australia in Australia? (In the CWG?)
SVS: Definitely, we can. From the time I joined the team, we have been constantly improving against Australia. Before, we used to lose by huge margins, but the margins then reduced. We beat Australia in their backyard in the Test series in 2014.
We also beat Olympic champions Argentina in Rio. We were the only team to beat the eventual gold medalists. We can beat any team and will aim for medals. We need good wishes of the public and hockey fans. The team is a perfect balance of youth and experience.
SK: We heard that you had taken the players for your wedding reception to Coorg. What was the occasion like?
SVS: I took the permission of the coach, high-performance director, and Hockey India. For the first time, the entire Indian team was in Coorg. The people in my village were thrilled. They love hockey and the team has a huge fan following there.
SK: We also heard that you like watches and shoes and have a huge collection of both. When and how did you develop such an affinity for watches and shoes?
SVS: (Laughs) That is true. It started around seven to eight years ago. Before that, I was not in a financial position to purchase such items.
source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / SportsKeeda / Home> Field Hockey> Commonwealth Games 2018 / by Subhashish Majumdar, Analyst / March 25th, 2018
Sandalwood actress Prajwal Poovaiah is making her Telugu debut with the movie Premam Antha Esee Kaadhu.
She will start shooting for the movie from Sunday which will be predominantly shot at Goa, Bangkok, Sri Lanka and Hyderabad.
Prajwal Poovaiah who had acted in movies like Bheema Theeradali, Ashithwa and Pattaragithi has now signed her first Telugu film for the kind of offer she got from the film team.
The actress is excited to be part of the movie which is helmed by Eshwar, who had worked as an assistant for Baahubali famed directed S S Rajamouli. The movie sees Rajesh Kumar in the lead role.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies> News / TNN / May 22nd, 2018
The election date has been set for April 8 and Thursday was the last date for district associations to submit the names of their representatives to the KAA. DH file photo for representation.
The much-delayed Karnataka Athletics Association election process took another turn for the worse with its vice-president Sunil Kumar Shetty calling for polls on April 8, a move that came under fire from several of its members.
The election date has been set for April 8 and Thursday was the last date for district associations to submit the names of their representatives to the KAA.
But several district officials who turned up at the KAA office found that there was no one to receive their documents. “We have been waiting since afternoon but there is no one here. This is ridiculous. If today is the last day, someone should have been here to receive the documents. We got the letter informing of the elections only two days back (in a letter dated March 15). We have sent our details by post but since we were not sure it would reach on time, we decided to come here personally,” said an official.
Ashwini Nachappa, KAA vice-president, said it was against the bye-laws for the vice-president to call for elections. “It has to be either the president or the secretary,” she said. “Moreover, no meeting was called to discuss the dates. It is all a mess.”
KAA secretary Chandrasekhar Rai, strangely, said he wasn’t connected with the current election process. “If president or secretary is not available, vice president can call for elections,” he said.
An earlier attempt to hold the elections had met with a chaotic end in June last year. The district associations had approached the high court, which directed the KAA, on November 27 last year, to hold the elections within 90 days. In case they failed to do so, the registrar of societies had to conduct the polls, the court had said. KAA, obviously, has failed to meet that deadline.
As per the latest circular, March 31 is the last date for filing nominations. The scrutiny and publication of nominations will be on April 2, with April 3 being the day to withdraw the nominations. The final list of candidates will be published on April 3, with the elections scheduled for April 8.
District In-charge Minister M R Seetharam and others have food at the new Indira Canteen on Race Course Road in Madikeri on Thursday.
District In-charge Minister M R Seetharam inaugurated the Indira canteen at Race Course Road in Madikeri on Thursday.
Minister Seetharam, MLC Veena Acchaiah, CMC president Kaveramma Somanna and others tasted the food at the canteen on the first day. The menu consisted of idly, pulao and kesari baath. The canteen evoked a good response on the first day.
Breakfast and meals will be available in the canteen on all seven days of the week. Breakfast is priced at Rs 5.
The breakfast menu will vary from day to day and is as follows: Monday: Idly – puliyogre, Tuesday: Idly – khara baath, Wednesday: Idly – pongal, Thursday: Idly – rava khichdi, Friday: Idly – chitranna, Saturday: Idly – Vaangi baath, Sunday: Idly – kesari baath. (One of the two dishes will be served)
The afternoon and evening meals cost Rs 10 per plate and will comprise of rice, sambhar and curds. Any one item out of tomato baath, chitranna, vaangi baath, bisi bele baath, menthe pulao, puliyogre and pulao will be served.
The minister, meanwhile, inaugurated the market in Mahdevpet and the mobile canteen.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by DH News Service, Madikeri / March 22nd, 2018
There was a lot of things I was sure of doing when I was growing up and that was not to become a chef. My dream was to become a pilot, but due to whatever circumstances, I couldn’t pursue my dream.
But now that I think about it, food has been the love of my life. I used to sit in my mother’s kitchen and watch her prepare something delicious. Being a Bengali, food was something we all took very seriously.
When I graduated high school, and when my palate finally had the ability to understand the different tastes, I joined a culinary school and specialised in food production. After working with multiple hotel chains for a few years, I now work in Cafe Felix as Chef de Cuisine.
Bengaluru is one of those places that has something for everybody. And I believe that the best way to experience a place is through food. There’s so much you can learn about the history and culture of the place just by its food. Having said that, I really need to find some time to get out of my kitchen and explore some local cuisine here.
But I did travel to Coorg and Kerala recently. I preferred to book homestays to experience the lifestyle of the people. I enjoyed peeping into their kitchens and learnt a lot from the elders.
The recipe I have shared today is from Coorg. It’s a classic dish prepared there and I knew that I had to add it in the series of ‘Chef Ritwik’s Travel Diaries’ that’s going on at the restaurant.
The homestay was located in the middle of a coffee and pepper plantation. What drew me to ‘Coorg Pandi’ was the way it was prepared. There are two things you have to remember when making this – the authentic masala for this is hard to come by. You mostly make it at home and is roasted before cooking. The second thing is the kachampuli which is a dark vinegar used to prepare the dish. These two make pandi curry what it is.
I’ve added my own twist to this without damaging the authentic flavours of it. It’s something everyone can make at home and enjoy to their heart’s content.
Dry roast all the masalas separately in a heavy bottom pan.
Keep stirring all the time to avoid the masalas to burn. You should achieve a nice coffee brown colour once you have finished roasting them. Cool and reserve.
In a pressure cooker, take pork curry cut. Add turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste, a little salt, crushed curry leaves (half of the total amount), half of the sliced onion and water. Put on a medium-high heat.
After the first whistle put on a medium-low heat, and wait for about 20 minutes. Let the pressure cooker sit for a while.
Then take the mixture out in a heavy bottom pan. Do not throw anything away, even the fat. We do not add any extra fat because this is what will cook the pork and keep it moist. Continue to cook.
Add slit green chilli, black masala and a teaspoon of black pepper.
About 15 minutes later, add kachampuli vinegar and cook.
The fat and all the liquid will slowly dry up.
Finish it off with another teaspoon of black pepper, rest of the curry leaves, julienne ginger and freshly chopped coriander.
Let the mixture cool and chop it up into small pieces with the masala.
Roast the raw mangos till soft. Cool the mangoes and take out the pulp.
Now, take the pulp in a pan and heat it. Add grated Jaggery, tamarind pulp, honey and cook for a while.
Finish by adding all the spices, chopped coriander and lime zest.
Bring the chutney to room temperature and reserve.
To assemble
Deep fry the sago crisps and smear the raw mango glaze on them.
Finally place a spoonful of the pandi mixture on the crisps and serve.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / by Anila Kurien , DH News Service / March 21st, 2018
It seems like season 4 of Pyaate Hudugir Life is going to start with a bang! The first four contestants have now been revealed by the channel and, going by the promos, it seems like these women are all set to battle it out to win the title.
The first contestant is Mebiena Micheal, a 19-year-old from Coorg. A fun loving person who loves watching Korean movies, dancing, modeling, Yoga, and swimming.
The second contestant is a spunky 22 year old from Coorg who loves to ride bikes, work out , dance and model. Shahan Ponamma is all set to give other contestants a tough competition with her biker chic attitude.
Abhijna Bhat is the third contestant. A 19 year old from Udupi. The young lass loves to dance, party and act.
Last but not the least, is the fourth contestant who is a 21 year old from Shimoga. Spoorthi Gowda like any other young girl of today’s day and age loved to model, shop and party.
There are as many as 12 female contestants who have been picked through auditions and who will be eyeing the winners title. In the show, which will be held for over three months, contestants have to live without any luxuries which they enjoy in urban life.
The entire show will be shot at Gorur village near Hassan. On Sunday evening, the show will get off to a glitzy start with Sandalwood stars Rachita Ram, Hariprriya, Shivarajkumar, Dhananjaya and Manvitha Harish performing on stage. Shivarajkumar and Dhananjaya will re-enact a scene from their film Tagaru.
Pyaate Hudgir Halli Life will premiere on Sunday (March 26) at 9pm.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> TV> News> Kannada / by Nivedhana Prabhu / TimesofIndia.com / March 21st, 2018
Brijesh Kalappa has been appointed as the media coordinator of the Congress in Karnataka. The appointment was made by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, Dr. G Parameshwar.
Brijesh Kalappa, an advocate in the Supreme Court was also the former legal advisor to the government of Karnataka. He was also the former additional advocate general, Haryana.
He is a former journalist and has a wide range of interests including reading and travelling.
On the professional front, he has worked with several legal luminaries on subjects of importance in civil, criminal, water and electoral laws and has individually represented governments, eminent individuals and major industrial houses.
source: http://www.oneindia.com / OneIndia.com / Home> News> India / by Oneindia Staff Writer / Sunday – March 04th, 2018
Leading lady of Indian squash Joshana Chinappa and a former junior star Velavan Senthilkumar figure in the Asian Squash Federation’s list of performance awards for the year 2017.
Another Indian to get noticed is Deepak Mishra, a former player who has become a coach at the Indian Squash Academy. Deepak is to be presented with the Certificate of Recognition by the ASF.
Joshna’s best moments last year came in the Asian Individual championship which was held in April here at the Express Avenue mall where she made history by becoming the first Indian to win the coveted championship honours. For her stupendous show the Asian body chose her for the Dato Alex Lee award (outstanding performance of the year – Senior). The award for the best male player in this category went to Max Lee of Hong Kong.
Velavan had the distinction of winning the British Junior Open U-19 title for the Drysdale Cup in January in what was an historic occasion for the country with three Indians taking the first three positions. Velavan won the gold, Abhay Singh the silver and Aditya Raghavan the bronze. Velavan also featured in the title-win over Malaysia in the Asian junior team championship held in Colombo in February. For his overall show of excellence, the ASF chose him for the Hassan Musa Award ( outstanding performance of the Year- junior). The award for the female player went to Satomi Watanabe of Japan.
In all there were seven categories of awards, including for Coaches. There were 12 nominations from four countries for the Performance awards and nine nominations from six countries for the Coaches awards. The awards are to be presented at the Asian Team Championships to be held this year in Cheongju in Korea.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Sports News> Others / by Damayanti Dasgupta / TNN / March 20th, 2018
The actress, who will play one of the female leads in the comedy film directed by Sriram Aditya, is paired opposite Nani.
Rashmika Mandanna
Looks like the dilly-dallying for the female lead of one of Tollywood’s most-awaited film has come to an end! According to reports, we have learnt that actress Rashmika Mandanna has been finalised as one of the female protagonists in the comic caper.
Apparently, the filmmakers scouted for the female lead extensively but had to eventually zero in on the Kannada actress. Rashmika will be paired opposite Nani in the film directed by Sriram Aditya.
A source informs, “It was very tough for the director to finalise the cast for the film since it involves two big heroes. So Sriram had to ensure that he roped in someone who perfectly complemented Nani. In due course, he finalised Rashmika.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Entertainment> Tollywood / by Sashidhar Adivi / March 18th, 2018
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