Showcase: Set the sands on fire

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

With its star line-up, Sunburn 2012 is a year-end treat for EDM fans.

Goa’s sultry beaches are set to pulsate to heady beats from some of the best names in electronic dance music (EDM). Yes, it’s time for Sunburn. This three-day festival has been a much awaited affair since its inception in 2007. Sunburn 2012 has a stellar line-up of performers including S.P.E.K.T.R.E, Nikhil Chinappa and Ma Faiza. Grammy award winner Paul Van Dyk headlines the fest while other showstoppers include Brian Transeau (BT), Jitter, Sashanti and Dutch heavyweights Sander van Doorn and Fedde Le Grand. The festival promises to be bigger and louder compared to earlier editions with more than 150,000 revellers expected to make a beeline to Candolim Beach. Seven stages will be spread over two grounds.

Presented by Micromax, Sunburn is organised by Percept Live, a division of Percept Limited. Shailendra Singh, Joint Managing Director, Percept Ltd., says, “The idea behind Sunburn was to create a sync between EDM and people; their love for music and life. With Sunburn, we have managed to create a ‘Glocal’ music property and brand.”

Asked about the USP of this fest, which is ranked as the ninth best festival in the world and has put India on the international music scene, Singh says, “Sunburn offers the best in EDM, access to world renowned artists, world class sets and stages, the magic of Goa and over a 100,000 music lovers soaking up the sun.”

The festival has thrown up some interesting talents like Jalebee Cartel and Midival Punditz. The ones to look out for this year, says Singh, are “Lost Stories, Sanjay Dutta and Arjun Vagale”. Sunburn encourages budding EDM artists through The Sunburn Anthem & Video Contest (SAVC).” This year the contest has been extended to 15 other countries. The contest has two components: Audio Remixing and VFX creation. The winning track will be featured on the Sunburn Anthem compilation along with acclaimed international and domestic artists.

Apart from the music, sun and sand, some trendy Sunburn merchandise, including the special Sunburn collection of ‘glow-in-the-dark’ flip flops from Havaianas, are also available for shoppers.

“Sunburn has always been about more than the music, it’s an experience. Where else can you get together with friends and meet new people, in the fresh air and with a beautiful soundtrack? Forget the hustle bustle of the city and for three days just… Live. Love. Dance.” Singh signs off.

Sunburn Festival 2012
Where: Candolim Beach, Goa

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Arts> Magazine / by Reshma S. Kulkarni / December 22nd, 2012

Game time

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Rohan Bopanna on brand promotion and tennis

“I am glad to be here today, at the unveiling of Rado’s HyperChrome Collection. I’m pleased that Rado is the new official timekeeper for the Aircel Chennai Open, and am happy to be launching its latest collection,” said well-known tennis player Rohan Bopanna. a watch from Rado’s HyperChrome Collection while playing at the Open. “Its light weight and sturdy. It’s a watch fit for all occasions.”

When asked how he felt on joining Andy Murray as the other tennis player to sport Rado’s HyperChrome, he said; “I’m honoured to have joined the list of international sportsmen and celebrities who have represented this brand.” On his thoughts about the upcoming Chennai Open, Bopanna said that he’s looking forward to it; but refused to answer any questions related to the game. He said he would be looking to start his new season on a positive note; and also revealed that he has a collection of around 32 watches from various watch manufacturers.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Life & Stylye> MetroPlus / by Ashwin Jacob / December 31st, 2012

Madikeri: Well-known Journalist Anil H T Bags Karavali Cultural Foundation Award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Madikeri:
Anil H T, well-known journalist from here, has been nominated to receive the annual award instituted by Karavali Samskrutika Pratishthana, a Kerala-based cultural and literary forum for Kannada linguistic minority, which has been functioning in Kasaragod over the past 22 years.

The forum will hold a two-day meet in Kasaragod on Dec 29 and 30 in the form of Fifth Kerala State Kannada Conference. It will be observed as Kerala-Karnataka festival also.

Pratishthana president Shivaraya Kasaragod has said that Anil H T was chosen to receive the media award, in recognition of his commendable service in the field of print, electronic and radio media in the past 15 years.

Currently, Anil is the Kodagu district correspondent of Kannada Prabha, Udaya TV and Akashvani (All India Radio). In the past twelve years, he has bagged 20 state and district-level awards.

Kannada and culture department secretary Dr Manu Baligar will present the award to Anil at a function during the conference in Kasaragod on Dec 30.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Home / by Ashwini Appaiah & Fayaz Bovikan in Kasargod / Team Mangalorean – Madikeri / December 27th, 2012

Tech wiz is ‘Coorg person of the year’

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Science & Technology

Google offered to buy his company, which he turned down

Vineet Devaiah, founder of a technology company which is set to offer tough competition to the controversial ‘Google Street View’ project is ‘Coorg Person of the Year, 2012’.

In fact Google had offered to buy out his company TeliportMe, but the Cornell educated CEO of the Palo Alto California-based start-up refused the offer, though Vineet had many a sleepless nights before turning down the once in a lifetime chance because “once you have said no, you cannot go back and ask them again.”

According to well-known technology website techcrunch.com, the Google buyout offer was in the range of $15-20 million, though Vineet is not prepared to comment on the amount.

He was selected ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ in a poll conducted by www.coorgtourisminfo.com, Kodagu’s first news portal, promoted by senior journalist P T Bopanna, said a release from the jouranlist.

Vineet, 26, son of Theetira Subramani and Latha, hailing from Kutta in Kodagu district of Karnataka State, has developed an Android application which focusses on creating virtual tours using 360 degree panoramas. Users can not only capture high-resolution 360 views, but can also share their images on Facebook and Twitter.

New application

Vineet likens his new application TeliportMe to Google Street View. “It is what TeliportMe will be in the next 5 to 6 years. The only difference between the two companies is that Google is paying billions of dollars to create it and we are getting it done for free… It’s kind of Wikipedia or crowd source imagery by people,” he noted.

Among the others who were nominated for this year’s ‘Coorg Person of the Year 2012’, include Commonwealth Games badminton gold medalist Machimanda Ashwini Ponnappa and noted environmentalist Col C P Muthanna, who has been waging a relentless battle to save the Western Ghats from the forest mafia in Kodagu. said the release.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Mysore, DHNS / December 30th, 2012

Rohan Bopanna keen to represent India again

Sports

New Delhi :
London Olympics selection controversy is a thing of past at least for Rohan Bopanna as the doubles ace is keen to wear the India cap again and represent the nation in the Davis Cup.

Bopanna and his then partner Mahesh Bhupathi were banned by All India Tennis Association (AITA) for not abiding by the selection decision for the Olympics although the court had stayed that decision later on.

India are set to take on South Korea in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie in February next year.

“What has been done in the past, it’s over and let us just look at the future and keep moving ahead. I mean tomorrow if I am called to represent India for the Davis Cup which I have always have said yes to, I will go ahead and represent India at the Davis Cup,” Bopanna said in an interview.

“There are a lot of things as a sportsperson you look back and could have taken some positives out of that. There are a lot of things which could have been better not said or done. It’s past. That’s been done and dusted.

“That’s over now and as a professional I believe we have all moved on from it. Now it’s time to concentrate on the future events with a new partner. 2012 is behind me,” said the 32-year-old Bangalorean.

Bopanna, who parted ways with his long-term mentor and doubles partner Bhupathi after the season-ending ATP Tour Finals last month, said that he will definitely “miss” him.

“He is the best doubles player out there in the world. No doubt, I have learnt a lot from him in my career not only as a partner but he also helped me, guided me right from the Challengers, Tour levels and Grand Slams. No doubt, he will be missed.”

“We had decided in the beginning of this year that we will be playing for a year since it’s been an Olympic year and at the US Open itself we decided that since I have few more years to go I need a partner who I can build a relationship with, try and get a solid partnership going. That’s the reason why we decided to change partners and see how it goes,” said Bopanna.

Bopanna, along with Bhupathi, had compiled an impressive 34-22 match record and 2-3 in finals, and in the past also teamed up with players like Pakistan’s Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and American Eric Butorac.

Bopanna has decided to pair up with the US-based Rajeev Ram at the upcoming Chennai Open and for the 2013 season.

Asked about whom did he find as his best partner, Bopanna said, “My best results came with Aisam, reaching the finals of a Grand slam. This year with Mahesh also, we had a great end to the season winning the Paris Masters. I had a great success with them. Looking forward to take few positives from both the partnerships.”

Talking about Rajeev as his new partner on the ATP circuit, Bopanna said they have the potential to be one of the top doubles teams in the world.

“100 per cent. We both have big styles of game and definitely we both have what it takes to be top eight doubles team in the world,” he said.

“I am really looking forward to the new season. Rajeev and I have known each other for few years now. 2008 we played together at the Australian Open and reached the third round.

“He is technically a serve and volley player and his experience will definitely help in the doubles. He is a big guy, actually one inch taller than me also. His is a big big game. So, we both will complement each other playing together,” he added.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> Tennis / by PTI / December 28th, 2012

Kodagu attracts Rs. 4,114.46 crore

Business & Economy

Kodagu has attracted Rs. 4,114.46 crore business investment at the Coorg Business Summit held in Madikeri on December 18, according to official information received here on Thursday.

Officials of the Industries Department in the district, who collated the statistics till December 26, said in Madikeri that 374 people had signed agreements with the government to invest on various sectors. A report to this effect was submitted to the State government by the Joint Director of the Department of Industries.

Investments

Of the investors, 179 firms were scheduled to invest on industries to the tune of Rs. 1,673.29 crore, 115 for tourism amounting to Rs. 1,339.41 crore, 18 in the field of medical service amounting to Rs. 768.15 crore and 17 persons in the field of education involving Rs. 175.70 crore.

Forty-five others have come forward to invest on other sectors involving Rs. 157.91 crore.

Organisers

The FKCCI, the Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Department of Industries and Commerce, who had expected investments in the range of Rs. 1,000 crore a year, had organised the Coorg Business Summit.

The summit was inaugurated by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysore, December 28th, 2012

2 RRBs in Karnataka amalgamated

Business & Economy

Bangalore , DEC. 28:
According to the directions of the Union Ministry of Finance’s Department of Financial Services, the Chikmagalur Kodagu Gramin Bank, a regional rural bank (RRB), sponsored by Corporation Bank, was amalgamated with Cauvery Kalpataru Grameena Bank, sponsored by State Bank of Mysore.

In a release to exchanges, Corporation Bank said the amalgamation comes into effect from November 1 vide notification.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry> Banking / by Hindu’s Bureau / Bangalore, December 28th, 2012

Did ‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’ appreciations came as a Surprise for Singer Sophie Choudry

Arts, Culture & Entertainment


Mumbai:
Sophie Choudry, The Singer, The VJ, The Performer, The Actress who was discovered by Ace Musician Biddu goes one-on-one in conversation with Pardaphash.com correspondent Faisal Saif.

Question: Tell us about Sophie Choudry, The world doesn’t know.
Answer: I am an absolute nerd.. I love reading, i have always been a straight A student, i speak fluent French. I have written the lyrics for almost all of my songs, i speak fluent urdu and i prefer spending time at home rather than going out partying.

Question: You were born and brought up in London, How was your Journey in Bollywood as a VJ, Singer and Actress?
Answer: I was discovered by the music director Biddu when i was 12. I always wanted to sing and he launched me in the girl band Sansara when i was still studying! I became a VJ in London with ZEE TV while i was at college and when i decided to move to MUMBAI, MTV hired me! My solo songs “Mera Babu Chail Chabila” and “Ek Pardesi” became massive hits and i decided to stay in india. David Dhawan called and offered to launch me in “Shaadi No1”.. i was a huge Govinda Karisma fan and this opportunity was a dream come true for me!

Question: Why was the sudden Split Up from Sansara Band despite of ‘Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai’ becoming a Chartbuster?
Answer: We had too many ego issues. generally it’s tough for girls to get along and unfortunately even though we sang really well together, we all had different ideas about how to take things forward. I was dedicated to making it work, even move to India. they werent.

Question: Your reactions when ‘Baby Love’ and ‘Sound Of Sophie’ became talk of the Music Trade?
Answer: Yes, that was incredible for me. Ek Pardesi got me immense popularity, i started doing lots of shows and like i mentioned it got me Shaadi No.1 and even Pyar Ke Side effects. I can never forget that album and T-series promoted it so well!

Question: What about Acting Side? We don’t see much of Sophie nowadays?
Answer: I wasnt getting the kind of roles i wanted so i had to take a step back and focus on myself, my music and my shows. However people thought i didn’t want to do films because i wasn’t signing anything. That isn’t true. Thankfully i signed something recently and hope to do more movies next year!

Question: Did ‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’ appreciations came as a Surprise?
Answer: Yes it did. I loved the script because it was so different… it was a new kind of cinema with an unusual casting and it made me realize that even if i wasnt the heroine of the project i could make a lasting impact! Til this day, no one has forgotten my character Babygirl volume 3 or the famous coffee!

Question: Was the Raunchy Act video scandal was again any part of Promotional Activity?
Answer: NO!! Not at all! I didnt even know about the video until one of my twitter followers told me about it. then i got more and more tweets! I have no idea how that got out!!! If i wanted to leak something, i would have leaked the song because i want that to get popular not a raunchy clip!!!!

Question: Hows was you convinced for ‘Hungama Ho Gaya’?
Answer: It’s an amazing song which i thought we could work with to create something absolutely new! It was Vishal dadlani’s idea and me and JohnStewart the arranger worked on it for a couple of months to get it just right.. I even wrote new lyrics. I just had a feeling this song would cause a Hungama of sorts and it has!

Question: What took you so long to come up with this Song?
Answer: Non film songs dont get much exposure on TV and radio anymore and since you have to produce the project yourself it takes time to out things together. Also im a perfectionst!

Question: What preparations you went through in the Making of the Video for ‘Hungama Ho Gaya’?
Answer: I got as fit as i could by working out, we did dance rehearsals with my choreographer Arvind, Rocky S spent time on the styling, i even met him in London for some of the shopping. We worked very hard on all the planning with the video director Shiraz Bhattacharya. Most peole can believe we shot the videoin one day because it’s on such a grand scale! I wanted it to be my hottest video ever!

Question: Future for Sophie Choudry.
Answer: I take each day as it comes. You cant make plans in this career or in life. You just have to be true to yourself, live life to the max .. But i will keep doing what i love..making more music, performing on stage and even some films! I m blessed to be able to do what i love!!

source: http://www.pardaphash.com / Homepage> Entertainment / Published by: Nitish Kapoor / Friday, December 21st, 2012

Final touches for sports policy within 45 days: Appachu Ranjan

Sports

Minister for Youth Services and Sports Appachu Ranjan has said that sports policy will be given final touches within 45 days.

Speaking to presspersons after inspecting the Sullia taluk stadium work which has been stopped for various reasons here on Tuesday, he said that 25 taluks in the State do not have stadiums. “The government is proposing to start sports hostels in every district.

Sports hostel has already been started in 22 districts. Earlier, the admission to sports hostel was for the students from eighth to tenth standard. However, it will be extended to fifth to tenth standard.”

Stating that youth policy has been formulated to utilise the youth power, the Minister said that the youth policy will be implemented on January 12, to mark 151st birth anniversary of Swamy Vivekananda. Other states are planning to formulate similar youth policy.

To a query on incomplete stadium, he said that the work on 400-metre track, walking track, gallery needs to be taken up. An action plan of Rs 95 lakh has been prepared, said Assistant Director Subhash.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Sullia / December 25th, 2012

More funds for 2 Kodagu panchayats

Business & Economy

Madikeri :
Thithimathi village panchayat in south Kodagu and Valnur Thyagathur panchayat in Somwarpet taluk have been selected for the implementation of the five-year development programmes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNEGS).

A total of 10 panchayats from 9 districts have been selected. Apart from Kodagu panchayats, one each from Dakshina Kannada, Uthara Kannada, Chikmagalur, Bangalore Rural, Dharwad, Davanagere, Kolar and Bagalkot will get more funds for overall development. Preference will be given for health, education and employment.

Aptha organization executive officer M C Chandan said after meeting villagers, a list of works to be undertaken will be prepared.

The project includes various schemes by the Centre and the state government. A team will conduct a door-to-door survey in villages to take stock of the needs and present it in the gramsabhas.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore> Taluk / TNN / December 26th, 2012