Tuesday 25 September 2012

A Voice Beyond it's Years


Over a booming bass-line and trance like beats, ‘Chi Cha Ledar’, a song from the film ‘Gangs of Wasseypur II’, has a special ingredient which is even more powerful than the aforementioned.

     Durga, a 12 year old girl from Wasseypur who sings on the local trains there is filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and music composer Sneha Khanwalkar’s latest find. Sneha, who is known for her unconventional ways of making music, has found a voice which has already won hearts all over the country.

     In a recent interview, Sneha called Durga a firebrand of a singer and also mentioned that she was shocked at the fact that a 12 year old girl had so much power and control in her voice. The little star singer herself has chosen to stay as far away from the limelight as possible. Even director Anurag himself has a tough time getting in touch with her.

     A rustic voice like Durga’s is a welcome change from that of the run of the mill singers in the industry. It is a unique voice and definitely has a long way to go before it matures into a professional one. Nevertheless, what comes out most in the song is the heart and soul put in by Durga. It is something that should be cherished, protected and celebrated.  

Mir Kashif Iqbal
12COM6515

Saturday 15 September 2012

Bangles aka chudi: the jewelry adorning the hands of women


Women have always been fond of bangles since their childhood be it simple plastic ones or with complicated designs in gold and silver. They are women’s friends as they help them to feel special. Nowadays bangles have become a trademark of India and people look at it throughout the world as an Indian form of jewelry.

                                           Google Images
There is no age limit to adorn a bangle as we get it in different types made of different metals like plastic, rubber, larc, terracotta, glass, wooden, steel, silver and gold. Because they are quite reasonable one can buy them at any point of time. Therefore, it is used by all categories of people and a favorite form of jewelry among women.

The latest trend in bangles are the steel ones which are favorites among the teenagers and college going girls as they are affordable and easily available at any street shop. The best place to buy these bangles are different in different cities as in Bangalore we find them in Commercial Street or even Brigade, where as in Mumbai we find them in the link in road and fashion street , in Delhi it is Sarojini Nagar, Chandini Chawk and Janpath. These are the best place to buy these bangles because one can easily bargain and buy these stuffs at a very reasonable rate.

The  specialty about these steel bangles are that they are found in bunches of five or six and one can easily mix and match them if they buy two or three bunches and they are of different shapes and sizes and are very light hence the hottest trends among the girls these days.

Anupama Unnikrishnan
12COM6503

Monday 10 September 2012

Fashion - "The GAGA way"


Over the past few decades, needless to mention; fashion has evolved and the people highly influencing this phenomena are the stars in showbiz. The Bee-Gees to The Beatles, Cyndi Lauper to Gaga: fashion statement personified to its very best. But when it comes to Lady Gaga, the industry has been divided equally in support of or against her fashion.

                                                                               Google Images
 The new trend of fashion inspired by Gaga has led to the beginning of a massive sense of whacky fashion. It’s obvious that her popularity is not just the magic in her voice but her fashion sense indeed. With each of her songs and live performances, her appearance leaves everyone awestruck. The Lobster head dress, the bubble dress, the disco ball bra, the dress made out of raw meat; you name it, she has it. However the most impactful outfits were the Minnie-Mouse bow hair-do and her epic signature shoes. She’s has evolved to become somewhat of a fashion icon because she propagates the whole concept of being comfortable in whatever you wear. It has been all about the Art and it celebrates creativity.

The boldness in Gaga’s style statement has inspired many to follow the same path. That is not just in fashion but as a person as well. The inspiration to come out bold and beautiful in front of people and just feel open about it. It goes well for her song ‘Born This Way’ which has inspired many to feel good about themselves no matter what their personality or lifestyle is. This is what makes fashion! Come out of your comfort zone and know what’s beyond it. It is not just about following some trend in the market rather it is all about discovering yourself and making your own fashion statement.  

Niyanta Sharma
12COM6519



Sunday 9 September 2012

Fish out of water or duck in the pond?


When I come across young boys and girls saying “I want to become a film star”, “I want to become an F1 driver”, “I want to become Sachin Tendulkar”, “I want to become a teacher” etc, a strange feeling runs through my body – OMG, these kids are so clear about what they want to become, if they really pursue it they can so easily achieve it! And my mind inexorably goes to my own state of mind not so long ago (my high school days, to be precise) when I – to some extent – had a plethora of options on which career path to take. Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Medicine, Computers – you name it, the option was very much there!

And of course the all encompassing, go anywhere-do anything option called MBA!

I’m not an actor, I’m not a painter, I can’t sing and I don’t play games (sic) – and that ruled out one path that is reserved for those born with God-gifted skills. This was something I realized after finishing my high school and had to make the crucial decision of which stream to select – science, commerce or arts. My career can only be out of acquired learning through education and interpersonal skills which is a life long honing process.

No, these are not easy decisions to make! And I looked confused, exasperated and indecisive. My mother shared my worries. My dad had a big laugh and would say “Great to be in this state of mind! As far as I have seen, all those who don’t know what career to choose end up choosing whatever career a majority of their friends opt”.

“That’s Engineering with Software as the destination” I tell him and he again laughs! Dad knows how much I hate being a nerd but yet insists that this is where the best paid jobs exist and I should be there. Medicine is not my cup of tea either – what a relief, dad agrees that a reluctant medical student is likely to become a bad doctor who will put the lives of many at risk.

Not Commerce. Not Law. Etc. It’s so easy to decide what to not do! In fact I find myself staring at everything other than “what to do!”

The only thing I seem to be clear about is my philosophy: “I don’t want to be a fish out of water … I want to be a duck in a pond”.

In the last few years I have thought about my career quite a lot and am convinced the only way to be a “duck in the pond” is by following some simple rules:

·         I need to be clear about my life’s vision, mission and core values
·         I need to understand my personality traits, innate abilities and natural talents
·         I need to be clear about my needs, wants, hopes and dreams
·         I need to continually acquire knowledge and skills to fulfill my dreams
·         I need to believe that my abilities are far more than what I have achieved
·         I need to be committed and passionate about what I want to achieve

As a student of mass communication in the last 3+ years, I am pretty sure I have chosen a line in sync with my natural abilities. I have learnt a lot, but more importantly there is a lot more to learn. Communication is a field that touches more than 6 billion people every minute of the day – and if we  can find a niche that belongs to us, we can truly say “Heart is where our profession is!”.

Manisha Raghunath
12COM6512



Sensex Today

Sometimes we think what is life? Sometimes it seems what the hell I am doing? Why was I born? What is my motive? Life today is so sick that demands are increasing and still nobody has the capacity to satisfy their demands. We think if this will be done, our life will be smooth, if that work will be done, we can throw our self very far from that bunch of sins but this is not in reality. One problem goes, another problem comes, the other goes, the next comes. Many a times it seems that life is only for problem solving equipment and we are the mediator who always have to face the consequences.

Today people who are in market, they get many information’s about the trade, corporate sectors and many more ups and downs. If the example of the sensex people is taken, they invest their money in shares; the brokers are earning good that have enough knowledge to make their customers invest their amount on different companies. Some people think that it’s a gambling, so they just take no interest in making money out of it but there are quiet many small investors who really take it as their daily business, from which they expect a lot every day. For some it’s a Nasha (addiction), and for others it’s a varsha(rainfall) of notes. One of the bollywood movie has a song which has lyrics of “ganda hai par dhanda hai ye” it means this sensex business is bad but though it’s a business and it is for our livelihood so it’s ok, even if it is bad.

If people will see the graph of sensex with lines ups and downs, it reminds us about the heart meter which when goes straight, life there ends. But thank god that this meter only goes on ups and downs which can never end it seems. There is again a source called funtoosh.com which has its funny sensex song.

Tuta Tuta SENSEX dekho Aise Tuta Ki Phir Jud Na Paya....
Loota Loota Kisne Usko (FII, inflation) Aise Loota Ki Phir Uth Na Paya....
Girta Hua Wo 21000 Se, Aakar Gira 12000 Par....
Khwabo Mei Phir Bhi 25000 Hi the, Woh Kehta Raha Magar....
Ki Allah Ke Investors Hasde Allah Ke investor....
Allah Ke Investors Hasde, Jo Bhi Ho Kal FII Phir Aayega.


Vikram Kapoor
12COM6529

7 Days of Truth


Nothing Oh Just About Everything Hides "The Truth". No One Seem To Really Like To Share The Facts.
Certainty Of Doubts Keeps Everyone From Being 100%, Please Don't Blame The Generation.
If You Ain't Carried It; It Ain't Gonna' Know Really About It.

All Of Us Have A Certain Truth Be It Good Or Bad; It Lies Within Some Till The Grave And Beyond.
Dark,Cute,Fishy Or Bloody A Truth Is Truth; So Why Lock it Up.
Does It Never Try To Pop Out Or Is It Let In The Corner To Rot.

Doesn't Feeling Have To Sweep This Out To Reality; Or We Just Out Grow It To Keep It So Hidden.
Or We Even Living The Truth Or We Just Skinned Our self To Be The White Sheeps In This World.

What If God Gave Us 7 Days And Said "Fill It Up With All The Truth For A Extra Life".
Are We Willing To Take That Step; Make It The Next Chapter In The Book Of Life.
Or The Darkness Going To Screen Away The Truth.

Truth I Know - Can Make Us Or Break Us; But Isn't It A Worth Getting Done With It.
Why Is It Time Dodges Over This And Makes Us Hide; I Know Hiding A Truth If It Makes Mere Is Worth It.
At That Moment Yes; But At A Long Path Is It??

Truth Is Very Simple 5 Letter Word; With Various Dictionaries Meaning It With It's Own Terms.
Are We Using Any Of Them; Or Our We Really Making Our Own Meaning Towards It.

I Surely Will Not Mark Up The 7 Days Of Truth; Or Maybe I Will Give It A Go.
Not Because I Want To Complete It And Win A Task; But Because I Know I Can Stand The Outcome Of It.
Many A Truth In This World; Ended Many A Glorious Lives. Sadly They Fell For It...
But Their Truth Lives On And Their Names Have Been Referred And Read Many A Times.

Its Simple Yet It Takes A Whole Of You; To Be Really You - To Be The Truth.

                               " Are You The Truth?? Or Are You Taking It To Be The Truth?? "

Joshua C.D

12COM6510

With the Innocuous Beasts

A perfect flee for nature lovers! The incredible backdrop with the tranquil backwaters of the river Kabini presents an idyllic setting for a long awaited retreat. Surrendering to the enticement of the wild that adorn the cottages is only a formality. The assets of the nature are slouched in this place. The entire place is pooled with thriving and infinite splash of green foliage. The rain god himself blesses the spirit of exploration at times. In the rainy season, we experience a lot of potholes because of the habitual movement of safari vehicles and elephants. These potholes make us feel like we are on a water ride.

Once we get into the forest we get our patience tested, which is worth so much. “Please be silent, do not move and panic,” is the instruction from the guides and we obediently nod our heads. After a wait of ten to fifteen minutes we get a peek of the baby elephants which were followed by the bigger elephants. We can see them enjoy their vegan meal if we are silent and still. These beasts look so graceful and elegant as we get closer to them in the safari van. As we move further we can get to see spotted deer at regular intervals. These beautiful creatures keep springing up from the lushes here and there.  Their abundance is the only thing which stops them from having the star status of lion and tiger which remain indefinable just like the almighty. 

River trips in Kabini are so heavenly. The elegance of the backwaters gets us the meditated sensitivity, but some times crocodiles in there make it repulsive, though they are absolutely harmless. If we are lucky enough we spot animals’ jamboree. Wild buffalos, peacocks, gaur, languor monkey, bonnet monkey, leopards, tigers, wild boars are some of guests who attend the jamboree. It is a real treat. When getting back home with such an experience, elephants are the ones who made me really feel the worth of this trip. Elephants in the wild are innocuous beasts.

Meghana Harikumar
12COM6514

Picnic on the banks of the Cauvery

The river Cauvery flows along a route of approximately 760 kilometers. On its meandering path, it carves out gorges, mighty waterfalls and places of mesmerizing scenic beauty. One such place, on its long, winding route to the Bay of Bengal is Mekedaatu. Almost a hundred kilometers from Bangalore, Mekedaatu is a pristine picnic spot frequented by many tourists.

Mekedaatu is a small gorge, so named because the terrain is so rocky and dangerous, that only a goat, or meke in Kannada, can cross over. The area around Mekedaatu, Sangama, is renowned as being the meeting place of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers. During summer, the water levels are shallow making the gorge completely visible and not so dangerous. Many tourists frequent the place at this time to get away from the stressful city life and relax on the banks of the river.

For students, this is an ideal place for a picnic. On a weekday, the place is virtually empty, which made it the ideal place for my friends and me to go for a barbecue. After all the plans were made and the necessities bought (read meat and beer) we hopped into a bus and went on what was one of the best ninety minute journey of our lives. Once we left the traffic and chaos of the city, the ride was simply amazing. The view of green fields and hillocks dotting the highway and of villagers relaxing outside their simple thatched huts made us realise how beautiful the simple things in life were.

Once we got there, we scrambled to look for the perfect place to set up our picnic and found it right next to a rock formation a few yards away from the river. We unpacked all our stuff and got the barbecue ready. My special meat patties for the juicy burgers were well received, thank God. Then as few of us were busy working the grill, the rest decided to take a walk to the gorge and also take a dip in the river. As evening approached, there we were, sipping ice cold beer, munching juicy burgers and just soaking the sunset. It was really difficult for us to leave as the stunning beauty of the place seemed to keep us glued to the rocks we were sitting on.
Finally, we had to pack up our stuff again. We put out the fire carefully; making sure that it was completely doused and cleared off the bottles and paper we had littered. And after another inspection to make sure none of our waste was left and after a last look at the place we returned back to the city and back to reality from that really magical place.

A word of advice to all picnickers, please do clear all your waste like papers and bottles before you leave. Do not tarnish the environment there and damage the beauty of the place with litter all around. And for those who wish to try out my meat patties on your next picnic or backyard barbecue, here it is:

For the Patty:
Mince meat (Anything you fancy, but I would recommend chicken or beef) – a kilogram will make 6 to 8 patties
Onions – 2 per kilogram of meat
Garlic paste – 1 teaspoon per kilogram
Egg whites – 2 eggs per kilogram
Salt and pepper
Chilli powder

Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and leave for at least two hours.

For the Barbecue Sauce:
Tomato ketchup – 2 cups
Water – 200 ml
Vinegar – half cup
Brown sugar – half cup
English mustard – 2 tablespoons
Onion and garlic powder – 1 tablespoon each
Chilli powder – 2 teaspoons

Over low heat mix all ingredients in a bowl or saucepan for 20 minutes. Stir continuously. After 20 minutes to a half hour, remove from the stove and allow it to cool. Refrigerate overnight.

The sauce can be applied over the patties while cooking on the grill to give it an added tangy flavour. Put the patty into burger buns along with cheese or butter, and that's all there is to it


A view of the gorge
Image Credit: Google Images

Derek Francis
12 COM 6506