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Journalism of Courage
Loony tunes
It8217;s a mad mad mad mad world all right, and reiterating the fact will be the Madness in May8217; bash at Ten Downing Street on May 29, that promises to be 8220;fun, wild, exciting8221; and, of course, mad. Organised by Thums Up, the thunder bash will entail crazy decor, crazier music and a whole lot of funny games with prizes to bag. Aimed at giving teenagers that last chance to let their hair down before colleges reopen next month, the event is managed by the young and enthusiastic team of Genesis. So all those who thought that the only happening things in May were May Queen balls and mercury soarings, it8217;s time to troop down to the pub and chill out.
Brimful and more of Asha
Asha Bhonsle herself may not have made it to Pune but if you wanted to listen to her songs and who does not?, Tilak Smarak Mandir was the right place to be on Tuesday. The young singer, Suvarna Mategoankar, regaled a packed hall with songs from the inimitable Asha8217;s vast repertoire, displaying her range and the singularity of her singing.
The show, entitled Swar Asha8217; and organised by Swarashree, included lavnis, ghazals, film-based and non-filmi songs from the O P Nayyar period. Nigahe Milaneko, Dil Cheez Kya Hai, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja were some songs which the audience especially appreciated.
Way to go, Suvarna, Who, me?
This gentleman must have an identity crisis, you8217;d think, if you were to call up at his home to speak to him. 8220;May I speak to Suryakant Pathak?8221; you ask, and he answers, 8220;Which one do you want?8221; But do not be too zapped, he has reason to ask for the verification. For Suryakant Pathak, senior clerk at the Sassoon General Hospital, shares his name with Suryakant Pathak, executive president, Grahak Peth.
8220;Most often the phone calls are for him. Initially, when I did not know of this coincidence, I would obviously answer when anyone asked for this name, and then get baffled for I would not know what the person at the other end was talking about! With two years of experience, I am now wiser, and consequently avoid any further confusion!8221;
This chaos of mistaken identity must probably result out of the fact that he did not have a phone listed on his name till recently, guesses Pathak Grahak Peth. And goes on to point out that there is a third Suryakant Pathak whose calls, in turn, have got directed to his home! Gosh! Goes to say that a Suryakant Pathak by any other name would definitely have saved himself a great deal of confusion!!
Ok, satisfied?
Back to the 1960s again, with the honours going to The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. Yep, it is Friday Night Live at Jaws again with Sudheer Gaikwad and the gang of Airwave doing renditions of these two institutions of rock n8217; roll.
A lot of guitars will get to gently weep in the capable hands of Derek Julian, Sanjay Joseph, Roger Dragonette with Gaikwad on the vocals and Darren Pillay on percussion. So get ready for Satisfaction, Start Me Up by the Stones and some of Clapton8217;s stuff like Cocaine and Lay Down Sally.Of course, with Airwave playing, one can expect a number of originals. Any way, it has been overheard that the Airwave members were not very happy about not being able to do their sound checks in private. So, as Gaikwad puts it, most of their early session numbers are a hit-and-miss affair. Hit and miss, that is, till Julian and Dragonette warm to the act along with the talented Joseph. Did somebody say guitar-playing bands were on the way out?
One more for the road
In the backdrop of the rather unexciting May Queen Balls that happened this year, you may probably yawn at the very thought of another one coming by. But, like they say, while it may be the last it is certainly not the least. In fact, this may well be the crowning glory of them all. Yes, we8217;re talking about the NDA Queen Contest. And the venue is going to be the best of all 8211; the sprawling Cadet8217;s Mess. The customary and traditional NDA Ball and NDA Queen contest is held at the end of every term.
So, all you young girls out there, the rendezvous is on May 30 and the bash will begin at 7 pm. And did you say it8217;s too far? Well, fret not, arrangements have been made. The following are the bus routes that the NDA bus will take, along with the timings:
Route One: Departure from NDA 8211; 2.45 pm, Pashan 8211; 3.15 pm, University Circle 8211; 3.25 pm, Shivaji Nagar 8211; 3.35 pm, Railway Station 8211; 3.50 pm, Wadia College 8211; 4 pm, AFMC 8211; 4.15 pm, M G Road 4.30 pm, CME 8211; 5.10 pm, MH Kirkee 8211; 5.25 pm, Arrival NDA 8211; 6 pm.
Route Two: Departure from NDA 8211; 3.15 pm, Paud Road 8211; 3.50 pm, Karve Road 8211; 4.15, SNDT College 8211; 4.30 pm, Deccan Gymkhana 8211; 4.50 pm, Fergusson College 8211; 5 pm, Model Colony 8211; 5.10 pm, Senapati Bapat Road 8211; 5.20 pm, University Circle 8211; 5.40 pm, Arrival NDA 8211; 6 pm.
Due South
Poompuhar comes to town again! For those who are unaware of this name, it is an exhibition of handicrafts from Tamil Nadu, organised by the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. Beginning today, you can spend some interesting moments, if not money, having a dekko at the well-carved artefacts in bamboo and other materials. Beaded jewellery, too, is sure to attract your attention. The venue is Vedshastrotejak Sabha, located opposite the Municipal Sports Ground in Sadashiv Peth. The exhibition will continue till June 13. Puneites who are sold out on the name Poompuhar8217; can now make a beeline to this wonderful crafts mela.
