Retired soccer professional star David Beckham is planning to bend time and simultaneously sign copies of a photo ebook for ticketed fans in London , New York, Sao Paulo and Hyderabad through Facebook.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, book signings are a traditional way for authors to engage their readers and Beckham plans to extend the custom to his Facebook fans when he launches a new photo book next week.
The manner in which Beckham’s personalised signatures will be generated is still a little fuzzy, the report said.
The star said that it all comes down to reinventing the traditional format of the book signing through the use of groundbreaking technology.
He added that in partnership with Facebook, he wants to do a truly global signing to coincide with the launch of his new book, adding that if someone is in London, New York, Sao Paulo or Hyderabad, they can enter to win a ticket to take part in these events and receive a personalized digital signature from him via ground-breaking technology.
Facebook’s entertainment partnership manager, Glenn Miller, is offering every fan who registers or attends the Beckham book signing in person on October 30, London time, a digital autograph from Beckham and participation in a live Q and A session, the report added.
E-book signatures are not new as signing services like Authorgraph already offer digital autographs of commercial titles such as El James’ Fifty Shades of Grey, the report further said.
Years ago, the Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood took matters into her own hands and conceived The LongPen, which permits the remote signing of ‘wet-ink’ signatures, according to the report.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-ANI> Sports / by ANI / Sydney – October 22nd, 2013
For the first time in the country, a unique Jurassic Park is going to come up near Lotus Pond at Jubilee Hills in the city.
Over a dozen extinct animals that existed some 150 million years ago will be brought to life in the form of life-size dinosaur models. To show a simulated environment of animals in their natural habitat they will be placed among native vegetation or water. For those interested in learning more about the history of dinosaurs, this park will be of immense benefit.
The Jurassic Park (prehistoric animal sculptures) will feature over a dozen life-size dinosaur models like Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex), Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Barosaurus, Espinosaurio to name a few. These models will range in sizes from the 28 metres long Barosaurus to the two metres long Archaeopteryx.
The dinosaur models or sculptures will be made from a base of carved polystyrene foam and covered with fiberglass.
Plants like Cycads (60 species) and Ferns(20 species)from some 80 species which have survived since the age of the dinosaurs period and which still exist will also be planted in the park which are conducive to the city’s climate.
Speaking to Express, GHMC Additional Commissioner (Urban Biodiversity wing) N Chandramohan Reddy said that the unique Jurassic park will come up in a two acre open space near Lotus Pond in Jubilee Hills.
The park would be developed at a cost of Rs 55 lakh and the tenders would be invited shortly. According to him, the park would be ready and thrown open to public from March 2014.
Of the Rs 55 lakh being spent to built the park, Rs 20 lakh would be spent for life-size models, Rs 25 lakh for planting Cycad and Ferns and the remaining Rs 10 lakh will be devoted towards building an information centre. The information centre will provide a range of information to the visitors who are eager to know more about the life history of dinosaurs, how they lived, how they survived and the reasons for their extinction.
Chandramohan Reddy said the proposed Jurassic park will be a delight to dinosaur fans and inspire a new interest in pre-historic things for younger people. According to him, the park will be an educational and fun place, where everyone can learn more about the majestic animals that ruled the earth for over 150 million years.
Another unique feature of this park is its unique outdoor setting. While most museums have dinosaur skeletons, the park here will have realistic life-size dinosaur models and colour variations to give a better understanding as to how they looked when alive.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / ENS – Hyderabad / by Bachan Jeet Singh / August 28th, 2013
Gangireddulu has been a regular feature at the ongoing agitation for Samaikyandhra. Here a group is seen giving a performance as part of the protest in Vijayawada. / Photo: V. Raju / The Hindu
Banners, flag makers make a fast buck, thanks to Samaikyandhra stir
‘Make hay while the sun shines’, goes the adage. Many appear to be cashing in on the agitation in support for Samaikyandhra as it is gaining pace with every passing day. The people, who are making the most out it, are the makers of flex banners, flags, effigies, cloth banners, posters and most importantly the folk artistes such as Gangireddu owners and Kolatam.
Venkatesh, who is into the art of ‘Gangireddulaata’ and a resident of a village on the outskirts of Vijayawada city said, “During normal times this period of the year is considered to be lean, as we look for daily wage in the farms, but with the agitation we are in great demand.”
According to him ever since the agitation kicked off, he and his friends are having a busy time. “In a year we are busy with our art only during Sankranti and Vinayaka puja, thanks to the agitation, cash has been raining,” said an innocent Mr.Venkatesh, unmindful and quite oblivious of the outcome of the stir.
The Gangireddulaata has become a regular feature in the agitation, thanks to the innovative approaches being adopted by the various striking JACs.
Mr. Venkatesh charges about Rs. 5,000 for one hour show and his troupe comprises two fully-decked bulls and seven musicians. “Since last 10 days we have been performing at least two shows a day.
Sometimes, we are booked by the APNGOs or by the Autonagar Technicians Association or by some other JAC,” he said.
Not only are the Gangireddulu owners, effigy makers are busy with their art of making effigies of Sonia Gandhi, KCR or Digvijay Singh.
According to one effigy maker on Eluru Road, the charges range between Rs.300 and Rs.1,000 and on an average he makes about five effigies a day.
The cash box has been ringing well even for the flexi makers. We undertake project on turnkey basis, said Ganesh, a DTP operator, explaining the concept. “We make flexies, posters, flags and banners and business has been good in the last few days, thanks to the agitation,” he added.
The order ranges from 100 to 200 banners and flexies on a daily basis and the charge for banners range from Rs.10 to Rs.15 per square foot for banners, he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Sumit Bhattacharjee / Vijayawada – August 20th, 2013
Chippa uses the life-size transparent head as a metaphor in his work.
He develops his works from the archives of his experiences and exposure to Indian tradition. Chippa Sudhakar, a Hyderabad-based artist, who recently showcased his multimedia works at Gallery Veda in Chennai, engages with different media to build a narrative through metaphors and symbols, giving a voice to his concerns about contemporary reality. Chippa uses wood, glass and resin in acrylic for etching, carved relief and colour washes.
Wood as an organic medium is subject to decay. The artist employs it to allegorise the mortality of existence and its fragility in a world dictated and dominated by diverse technologies with man exploiting nature perilously to near-destruction. His glass resin sculptures reflect upon life that has assumed the humdrum of mechanical subsistence.
As a creative individual, Chippa has engaged productively with his excellence obtained in technique and skills to develop a visual language which is dominantly figurative. The process of creating art nevertheless is inherently complex, conditioned by the contingencies of moments in the experiences of the artist’s life. As a sensitive artist, Chippa has perceptively observed certain realities of life, which he has extended to communicate visually through an artistic vocabulary and formal elements.
His recent works are forms of his thoughts, are constitutive of his experiences and show a thematic engagement with varied social, cultural, environmental, ecological, technological issues; to make explicit his concerns in a world that is riding on a trajectory sans emotions and sentiments in the race of survival. His mixed media on wood including the book format has the representation of his stockpile images as the shaven head, lotus flower, florid creepers, triangles, squares and cryptic pictographs of ubiquities as the house, trees, plants, flowers, boat, pot, lamp etc. These images, which serve as metaphors and symbols, have been culled thoughtfully and suitably from nature, culture and technology to convey a particular message—like, the house (security and familial relationships), trees and plants (nature), boat (fulfillment of aspirations and dreams), lotus (security and renewal), auto parts (mechanical life) etc. These eloquently help in engaging the viewer to decode the meaning. Chippa’s works mesmerise through their simplicity, naivety and clean and uncomplicated imagery, which elicits responses in throwing up valid questions. Are we becoming insensitive to our realities by leading mechanical lives? Is there an element of sympathy or feelings and empathetic emotions still remaining within us? Is technology ruling every aspect of our lives? What are we striving for? What do we want? These questions provocatively unfold through his indulgence with concepts and different media, explored with sharp acumen. He has created three-dimensional life-size heads from glass resin with insertions of auto parts and flowers; mixed media painting on wood with relief carving; has painted book forms and etchings that allow him to convey different dimensions of life in today’s glocalised world. He says, “I delve into the nature of the medium and strive hard to arrive at an understanding of its character. The process of exploring and experiencing different media is similar to knowing and understanding people around me. Relationships are an integral part of my work. The imagery and motifs emerge instinctively from my mind”.
In analysing Chippa’s works, it is important to consider his articulation with formal elements, namely shapes, colours, textures lines, values, helping in clarifying his ideas. The engagement with sculpture articulates the narrative of mechanised life, with concerns for producing more wealth and possessions. His life-size transparent heads with mechanical auto parts reveal these ideas. Some heads contain flowers in white and purple, marking his take on spirituality. The heads were coloured in red, blue and purple, symbolically signifying anger, calm and meditative serenity or spirituality respectively.
Textures in Chippa’s works have a dominant role lending an enigmatic quality, attracting the viewers to a closer scrutiny. This is further reinforced by his earthy colours as yellow ochres, raw umbers, sepia, reds and foliage greens as well as deep sea blues sky blue, spiritual purples and sunset orange.
Book is a poignant metaphor in Chippa’s work. Many of his works have text and numbers, reinforcing their potential visual power.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Magazine / by Ashrafi S. Bhagat / October 20th, 2013
Sania Mirza continued her impressive run as she captured her fourth title of the season and 18th overall with Cara Black of Zimbabwe, recording a come-from-behind win over Liezel Huber and Hao Ching Chan to lift the Pan Pacific Open trophy, here today.
The unseeded slayers of the top seeds in the semifinals, pipped the American-Taipei combination 4-6 6-0 11-9 in one hour and 25 minutes.
After losing the opening set, Sania and Cara made a stunning recovery as they bageled their opponents with three breaks to push the match to super tiebreaker, where the Indian-Zimbabwean combo rallied again to edge past the rivals 11-9 win.
Ecstatic after the win, Sania tweeted, “#champions #yesss #wedidit #comeonnnnnn”.
Sania has been struggling to find consistent partners this season and today’s title was her fourth with third different partner.
She won Brisbane and Dubai events with American Bethanie Mattek Sands and the New Haven title came with Chinese Jie Zheng.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Sport> Report / Agency: PTI / Saturday – September 28th, 2013
Depending upon the themes proposed and rates quoted, empanelment of artists/firms will be made for taking up the works. | EPS
As a part of beautification of city, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will soon take up mural art works in mosaic, cement and mixed media on wall surfaces at public places and on the pillars and ramps of flyovers in the city.
In this connection, the corporation has invited tenders from artists and art firms.
The GHMC will open technical bids on August 14. A committee constituted by the GHMC commissioner will evaluate and select the technical bids basing on the experience of the artists or firms. The proposed themes will be evaluated by a committee and the financial bids of eligible bidders will be opened later and finalised.
Depending upon the themes proposed and rates quoted, empanelment of artists/firms will be made for taking up the works.
GHMC officials told Express that interested artists can examine the sites and obtain all information necessary for executing the works.
As the art work is to be taken up outdoors, standard colours and paints of branded companies must be used so that the works last long, they added.
After completion of the work, it will be verified by the work scrutiny committee or by a competent authority. Payment will be released only after the committee certifies that the work has been executed as per specifications.
The committee can also notify the bidder of any defects, which must be corrected. If the defect is not rectified, penalty will be imposed and same would be deducted from the bills, they said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by S. Bachan Jeet Singh / ENS – Hyderabad / August 12th, 2013
Vizag Sisters – N.C. Sai Prasanthi and NC Sai Santoshi – at a media conference in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday./ Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
N.C. Sai Prasanthi and N.C. Sai Santoshi to give vocal concert for 32 hours non-stop to enter the Limca Book of Records
Two sisters from the city, who have given a number of Carnatic music concerts, plan to make an attempt at breaking the existing record for the longest Carnatic music rendition.
On Friday morning, N.C. Sai Prasanthi and N.C. Sai Santoshi intend to commence a Carnatic vocal concert and try to sing non-stop for 32 hours to enter the Limca Book of Records.
“The existing record of 25 hours stands in the name of Indira Bharadwaj and Sandhya Sundar of Visakhapatnam,” chairman of SARI Foundation Seetha said addressing the media here on Wednesday.
The sisters, who are pursuing their engineering degree in Gayatri Vidya Parishad College, have so far given 157 public performances, Prabhakar Nanduri of SARI Foundation said.
Sri Tridandi China Jeeyar Swamy, who was impressed by their mellifluous singing, christened the duo ‘Vizag Sisters’, he added.
The sisters would render the compositions of the Trinity of Carnatic Music — Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastry — apart from the compositions of other Carnatic maestros in their 32-hour effort, he said.
So far, the SARI Foundation has been trying to support the education of talented youngsters from the underprivileged sections of society and has adopted seven students from lower income families and taking care of their schooling.
“One of the students is now in college,” he said. The foundation decided to encourage the rich cultural talent among youngsters of the city, and this was the first such step, he added. He expressed the hope that such performances would help inspire other youth to take interest in our rich cultural heritage and develop their talent.
The ‘Vizag Sisters’ gave an impromptu performance at the media conference.
A number of Carnatic exponents have come forward to attend the programme as observers.
The programme is scheduled to begin at 9.30 a.m. after a brief inaugural ceremony.
Venue
Government Whip Dronamraju Srinivas, secretary, Gayatri Vidya Parishad, P. Soma Raju, and a number of eminent personalities from the city would attend the programme to be organised at the Krishna Mandir Auditorium in Seethammadhara North Extension.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – October 10th, 2013
Sania Mirza at her tennis academy in Hyderabad | N Jagannath Das
Far away from the hustle and bustle of city life (a 30-minute drive from the city), the serenity and calming ambience at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy are slowly attracting promising players. Sania and her father Imran have conceptualized and created an amazing academy on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
“It is my dream project. It was a lot harder when I started my career and one of the reasons to construct this academy to give back to the game,” she said.
“Now young players would not have to face the difficulties that Leander (Paes), Mahesh (Bhupathi) or myself faced in our younger days.’’
Asked how she would look after the academy, Sania said she was lucky that her family always supported her. “When you are alone you have to wait for your retirement. I’m lucky enough that we have a supporting family, who are able to manage the academy. Whenever I’m in city, I practice here and try to spend a good number of time here. This is an integral part of my life,” she said.
It is her dream to introduce more children to the game, “We will help promising tennis players. I’m more than happy to spot talent in rural areas and presently we have girl, who is hearing impaired. This is what academy was made for.’’
Meanwhile Imran said apart from 12 plexipave courts (which are soft to the legs), they are planning to have three clay courts at the academy. “It is a complete tennis academy. The Sania Mirza Tennis Academy is a destination for a every lover of tennis who aspires to learn, enjoy and just relish the opportunity to indulge in the royal game,’’ he said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by N Jagannath Das / ENS – Hyderabad / October 09th, 2013
Renowned academician and former MLA, Dr Mohd Vizarat Rasool Khan, passed away here, on Monday, after prolonged illness. He was 66.
As the founder and chairman of the famous Shadan Group of Educational Institutions, which runs a chain of professional colleges and other educational institutions in the city, Dr Khan worked relentlessly for the upliftment of Muslims by providing them vast educational opportunities. He established 56 educational institutions, right from KG to PG. More than 20,000 students are enrolled in his institutions.
Born on December 22, 1946, Dr Khan is survived by wife, Shadan Vizarat Rasool Khan and four sons. Dr Khan was earlier elected to the AP Legislative Assembly from Asifnagar constituency on MIM ticket.
He was instrumental in setting up Deccan Medical and Engineering Colleges and other institutions of Darusalam Educational Trust in 1984 and after parting ways with MIM, he had set up his own education empire under the name of Shadan.
Dr Khan started the second minority engineering college in the city after Deccan Engineering College. He had also established a medical college and a women’s minority medical college in the city, the first of its kind in Asia.
According to family members, Namaze-Janaza will be held on Tuesday after Zohar prayer at Masjid Shadan, inside Dr. VRK Medical College Compound, Peerancheru .
His dream was to set up a autonomous minority university for which he has been striving hard for the past five years.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DC / October 22nd, 2013
She is tall and hunched and that she has back pain is evident from the back support she wears. “Backpain is no ailment. It doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is being idle. I cannot sit doing nothing. Since I am comparatively free these days, I have begun to knit something for my grandchildren abroad,” says Geeta Devi.
Geeta Devi is one of the great-grand-daughters-in-law of the man after whom the famous Dharam-Karan road in Ameerpet is named. But that’s not Geeta Devi’s only claim to fame. After various stints as an entrepreneur, Geeta Devi has also made a mark in Hyderabadi cuisine. “Deccani to be precise,” she clarifies.
“I have cooked at various food fests in star hotels all over the country. My cooking is definitely Deccani, but since we belonged to the Mathur family of UP and settled here even before the 1800s, the way we prepare our food preparation is a little tweaked; it is different in the way we use our meat and spices. Otherwise it is the same Deccani cooking which emphasis on slow cooking, use of meat in various dishes and the likes,” she says.
After successfully turning author in 2005 by writing easy ways to cook Deccani food, Geeta Devi has come out with her second book titled, Jewels of Nizam: Recipes From The Khansamas of Hyderabad. The book’s gist says ‘a delectable mix of Arabic, Mughlai and traditional South Indian influences, today’s Hyderabadi cuisine is the legacy of the Nizams of Hyderabad, whose khansamas were skilled in the use of spices to bring distinctive flavours to the table.’
Geeta Devi dug into the 400-year-old history of the royal kitchens of the Nizams to present an array of Hyderabadi recipes. The book has signature dishes like Patthar ka gosht and Paneer Golkonda to Haleem. Then there is the famous Kacche gosht ki biryani and Jhinge ka achaar, Shahi tukde and Anokhi kheer. “This book in many ways reveals the secrets behind a range of delicacies that will surprise gourmands,” she beams. The USP of the book being easy to follow recipes in vegetarian snack to a complex main course of mixed meats.
Geeta Devi / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
The finals seeds of writing her book happened when she and her husband were in the US visiting their daughter. After the family would go to sleep, “My husband and I would settle down to write these recipes. We did all this because we were thoroughly motivated by my elder daughter. She in a way forced us to sit and pen down recipes which have been handed down over generations. My husband would write as I would dictate,” she smiles. Geeta Devi is married to Dharam Karan’s great-grandson Ashok Kumar, who retired as a Chief Engineer.
How does Geeta Devi have access to all these recipes and dishes? “As a family that has been closely associated with the Nizams over the years we have also learned the dishes. Dining in their homes allowed our elders to access their food and Nizam’s family loved their food and meat. My family and my husband’s family have been passionate about food. And after getting married, I had access to their recipes as my mother in law was an avid cook. Cooking during that time was mostly subjected to the availability of the raw materials. That’s how there are a variety of wheat dishes and so was the case with meat. To make the best use of the goats and their spare parts the family over the centuries have mastered many recipes, says Geeta Devi.
Doesn’t it bother her to share the recipes? What is wrong in sharing recipes if we share the recipes that stay forever? If we keep them as a secret, they will slowly die with the generation. There is also the fact that no two hands can cook the same.” What Geeta is bothered about is distortion of the recipes by people and presenting it as authentic Hyderabadi food.
That Geeta Devi is passionate about her interest — cooking, is evident from the dishes she prepared for our photo shoot. Besides, biryani, there was achari chicken, gongura mutton, mutton chops and a dessert of custard apple kheer. “It is the season for custard apples and I have been wanting to try them for a long time. My husband cannot resist desserts and we are both diabetic, so I seldom prepare desserts,” says Geeta Devi.
Geeta says the secret to good cooking is using fresh ingredients which she prepares at home. She also has a terrace garden where she grows double beans, a few spices, everyday common leafy vegetables and some vegetables. “The task of watering the plants is my husband’s. It is an extended workout for him after our morning yoga and walk. This is because he needs meat in every meal and I mix mutton for him with all vegetables so that he is a happy man when he sits to dine. And I totally believe the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Food / by Prabalika M. Borah / Hyderabad – October 10th, 2013
