chennai Television

A very well received dance show, acclaimed as the best TV show in Tamil so far, Maanada Myulada season One finally came to an end. The results were in public domain two weeks ago and probably because of this the telecast of this mega event was not so charming. The dances were awesome, everyone rocked and the anchors were great. The stage was mesmerizing and the chief guests were great stars. The charm less ness may be because of so much sweet and less spice?

Raghav preetha looked dismal and pathetic when they were left alone holding their giant size replica of their prize cheque. Everyone in the dais was seen clamoring around Sathish and Jayshree and this two were aloof. Even the Third and Fourth prizewinners got better treatment. And when Surya asked for his comments his reply was cut short by kala who prompted him to hand over the Mike to Sathish. And preetha was not even mentioned in the dais. There was also dissapointment in the very expressive eyes of Bhavna when it was announced they were third. Well somethings cannot be hidden.

This is surely a tame end to an otherwise great show. Probably they should have shown it live without any cuts or may be a week earlier. The value of the prize is only for Sathish and Jayshree and the rest are left in cold. That includes us.

Her guru Raghu master [ brother in law of Kala master] was honoured in the stage and that is the sign of her good upbringing and also the secret of her success. She organised a great show as usual without failing to thank all the contrinutors. She also made it a point to thank the channel for being so helping. Did you know that the sizzling hostess of the program is a cousin of Master Kala. Talent runs in their blood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtzu84KC5Jk&NR=1

The clipping [see link] we are seeing is recorded in Thiruannamalai by a electrician of TNEB, while his routine work on girilvalam* track, the great miracle is one siddhar (Siddhars are saints in India, mostly of the Saivaite denomination in Tamil Nadu) walking in the air when the siddhar realized someone is taking video of him he started flying and disappeared in the air.

The clipping was actually taken on 20th February 2008 around 3-4 PM IST
and was telecasted on JAYA TV on 21st February 2008

Picture quality is low as it was recorded with the help of the mobile phone

The Significance of Girivalam (Circumambulation) In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the hill. But here the Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. “Arunam” means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. “Asalam” means “Giri” or “malai” (mountain). Thus “Arunachalam” means the HOly hill which is rd in colour. The Holy hill is 2668 ft. high. The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam(Emerald) during Threthayugam, was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam. There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam,Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in Dhevaram is located on this path. The circumambulation path is 14 Kilometres. History has it that even today a number of siddhars areliving on the hill. It is auspicious to perform “Girilvalam” during every Full moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars movement would be there and the whole atmosphere would be filled with perfumes of herbal plants. This will provide peace of mind and good health to body. It is a proven fact that on every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar (less)

Transalation of the News in the clip

“a devotee while on the way to the hill, saw a saadhu on the roadside under a tree walking in the space (not on road) ….was walking for a while and suddenly flew in to the sky and disappeared ” !!!!

p.s.: Many might find it difficult to find the saadhu… clue is a body trunk with hair alone wud appear in the clipping…watch its movements.

The rival Kalaignar Tv pooh poohed it in a subsequent news bulletion as a messy shot from some old maayajaala movie.

Probably it suits the Yogi?!

March is the month for exams. Many households in Tamilnadu disconnect their cable connections for the sake of their children. But the serial addicts will remain hooked, as usual. There are no survey’s in public domain to suggest any drastic reduction in televiewing in Tamilnadu. But I myself know atleast twenty families who do not watch anything during this period.

Simran is a very popular name and many are anxiously waiting for her serial Simran Thirai which is starting from Monday March 3, 2008 and will be telecast every weekday at 8.30 PM.

In the first story[ March 2008] Simran plays the role of Raji, a happy-go-lucky girl who gets married to a businessman soon after completing her college education. Raji realises how a woman is expected to compromise and sacrifice on simple pleasures of life after getting married.The rest of the story is all about the struggle between her individuality and expectations from the family and what decisions she takes to lead a happy life. Raghav plays the role of her husband Arjun, who runs a finance company. The story is from a novel written by Late Sujatha.

Thekkathi semaiele- a Serial by Bharaathiraja is bound to start in Kalaignar Tv from the Third week of March and most probably will be in the same time as Simran Thirai. Illayaraja is playing the title song and Noor, the background music.

Simran will be back in Televison from March 3rd on wards [week days- 8.30 pm.], in her new mega serial in Jaya Tv ‘Simran Thirai’. This will consist of one month long stories and is a mega budget production.

Sun Tv is now advertising that she will soon be in it for a reality show titled Super stars. The details are still sketchy.

“The Railway Budget 2008-09, which is the last Railway budget of the UPA government is purported to be a ‘please all’ budget but all that it has done is to please the minister himself immensely,” AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa said in a statement .

while the budget made provision for adding new railway lines, doubling of lines and gauge conversion projects, it was highly disappointing that no announcement was made with regard to new routes for connecting the coastal districts of Southern Tamil Nadu

The BJP on Tuesday criticised the Railway Budget 2008, terming it ‘disappointing’ and noting that the announcements made for reduction in fares were just an ‘eyewash’.
“The Railway Budget presented by Lalu Prasad is disappointing. Members from various states made noise and walked out, which shows that the hopes of all the states turned into disappointment,” BJP spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters in New Delhi.
Calling the reduction in fares an ‘eyewash’, Malhotra claimed that the expenses for the passengers would go up through increase in the charges for food, reservation, cancellation and other amenities
“People are being cheated. Passenger trains are being re designated as super fast trains. The coaches would remain the same but the fares would go up,” he said.
“This is ‘jaadu-tona’ (magic trick). People cannot see, but they will have to pay more now. Never before has so much burden been put on the people,” Malhotra said.

The chamber of commerce coimbatore: we are quite disappointed that no mention has been made in the budget for introduction of an exclusive night train between Coimbatore and Bangalore and trains between Coimbatore and East Coast cities of Tamil Nadu.”
Expressing concern that gauge conversion of Coimbatore-Dindigul segment has not found a place in the budget, the chamber appealed to the Union Railway Minister not to neglect this industrial city, which is the second largest revenue earning city in the State.

BJP National Committee member S.R. Seghar and State convenor R. Kalyanasundaram said there were no announcements on the long-pending demands such as Coimbatore - Bangalore overnight express train and additional train to Chennai. Similarly the budget lacked any mention about allocations for the Coimbatore North Junction - Irugur railway line doubling and for the upcoming railway division at Salem. “There was no mention on improving passenger amenities at Coimbatore Junction.” With the budget having no focus on development, the announcement of bringing down the passenger tariff by Re 1 was only an attempt to divert the attention. The mere announcement to observe the year 2007-08 as cleanliness year would serve no purpose without addressing the problems, they said.
The trade and business community in Salem expressed their disappointment over the Railway budget for not specifying the fund allocation and other relevant plans for the Salem Railway Division.

Jaya news and Jaya plus are highlighting the failure to include south Tamilnadu in the railway bonanza. No doubling of lines and no new trains for the south. Even Sixty years after independence, Tamilnadu is still having meter gauge. It said. In spite of 13 ministers from the state and also one in railways, they could not get funds for this they complained.

The Tamil Nadu State Rail Users’ Welfare Association noted that the announcement that nine new trains would be operated in Tamil Nadu did not convince the commuters. Of the proposed new trains, at least four were already running on the metre gauge and these included the Chennai-Rameswaram, Chennai-Tiruchi, Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai and Varanasi-Rameswaram trains.
Because of the gauge conversion works, these trains had been suspended and the restoration of services on metre gauge could not be claimed as introduction of new trains.
It further said Union Minister of State for Railways R.Velu had repeatedly told reporters that double-track facility would be provided on the 270-km Villupuram-Dindigul sector.
Piecemeal work
But, the budget was silent on this aspect and hence, the commuters were disappointed.
The gauge conversion work was being done in bits and pieces and therefore, there was uncertainty over the completion of the project on schedule, the association said.
Besides the cost over-runs, the delay would also cause inconvenience to the travellers.
The budget did not make any mention about the need for speedy completion of the gauge conversion works.
The association said that the Vriddhachalam-Salem passenger had been running with poor complement of passengers.
Ever since the gauge conversion work was taken up, Cuddalore was cut off from rail connectivity.

Response from Chief Minister
The announcement on survey for a railway line between Karaikudi and Kanyakumari, via Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin is a scheme which would benefit the coastal areas of south Tamil Nadu,”
last year’s railway budget, Tamil Nadu got Rs 1,075 crore for various schemes, but this year it had been hiked to Rs 1,327 crore.
Several new trains were sanctioned to Tamil Nadu and of the 94 over bridges proposed this year in the budget, 25 were for Tamil Nadu, he said.

Popular Tamil Writer ‘Sujatha’alias Rangarajan passed away Yesterday at 9.20 PM in Apollo Hospitals here after brief illness.He was 72. He is survived by his wife and two sons. His wife’s name is Sujatha which he used as his ‘name’ for his creations. His sons are Ranga prasad and keshava prasad, both live in USA.

* He was the college mate of Dr. Abdul Kalam in St. Joseph college Trichy

* He did Engineering in MIT chennai

*After his Engineering degree, he joined the Central Government in Delhi.After 14 years in government service, he joined Bharat Electronics at Bangalore. In Bharat Electronics, he rose to the post of General Manager.

*He was the Chief of the team that designed the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) during his tenure in Bharat Electronics as GM of R & D. The machine is now used in elections all over India.

* He received an award from the Indian government (National Council for Science and Technology) in 1993 for making the people familiar with Science through public media (books, magazines, TV).

* He started the zha-kanini team to bring out an easy-to-use all-Tamil computer to benefit the Tamil masses without English knowledge and Computer literacy. The team which set out its journey as TamilPC team has branded its product ‘zha-kanini’ named after the special alphabet ‘zha’ in Tamil (kanini is the Tamil word for Computer).
The Team Members of the project included besides Sujatha, Ma SivaKumar, BSG LeatherLink, N Jayaradha, Dishnet DSL, C K ShanthaKumar, ICICI Bank and K M Leena, Sterling Infotech .

* He is the writer of over 100 novels, 200 short stories, essays stage plays, and popular articles and Q&A on science

* Some of his famous books are
Nirvana Nagaram
Erakkuraya Sorgam
Aathalinaal Kaadhal Seyveer
Vaaymaye (Sila Samayam) Vellum
Nagaram
Odaathe
Ganesh vs. Vasanth
Dr.Narendhranin Vinotha Vazhakku

* His book ‘Silicon Sillu Puratchi’ is a milestone in Tamil Books for its simple but detailed narration of Computer revolution.

* Gayathri, priya, karaiellam senpakapoo were films adopted from his novels. The forthcoming anandha thandavam is also from his novel.

*He has written screenplays for many Tamil movies like Kannathil moothamital, Roja, Iruvar, Indian, Nayakan, Shivaji, Dasavatharam, Vikram, Pirivom santhipom, Uyire, Mudhalvan, Gayathri, Priya, Ninaithaleenikkum, Kandukondein kandukondein,Bharathi,Aayudha Ezhuthu etc.

* His play OOnjal was telecast in Pothigai and acted by pooram vishwanathan. His novel Vanathu poochigal is being Televised in Simran thirai starting March 3 in Jaya Tv, Directed by Sripriya and acted by Raghav and SIMRAN. His serial “Mahan Ramanujar” won an award in DD in 2001. His play “Maama Vijayam” has been teleserialised -delhi ganesh plays in it. He got ‘the podigai award for visual media which is given by Doordarshan Kendra Chennai to those who have excelled in their respective fields in 2007.

* He was conferred the title ‘Iyal selvam’ By Mr. Karunanidhi in 2002 while distributing awards to outstanding artists on the occasion of the 26th music festival of the Muthamizh Peravai. He received the Natya Kaladhar award for creative writing and theatre from Bharat kalachar in 2002.He also received the VASWIK Award for Electronic Voting Machine and Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu Government.

* He has penned for animation films like Gulliver Travels, Alibaba and The legend of Buddha. Reading between lines ia english play adopted from his short story, Iru Kaditham (Two Letters)

* His science oriented creations are
Science - General:
En? engE? Eppadi? (Questions and answers about everyday science)
Silicon Sillup Puratchi (Story of silicon chips)
Computerin kathai (Basic computer knowledge)
Thalaimai Ceyalagam (Functions of brain)

Science Fiction:
En Iniya Iyanthira
Meendum Jini
Aakaayam
2082 (?)

*He was a forerunner in writing in a trendsetting way.

*He routinely used to answer science questions in magazines like Junior Vikatan. His science FAQ has been released as separate books called En, Etharku, Eppadi and Athisaya Ulagam by Vikatan publications.

He worked on “Katradhum, petrathum” in Anantha vikatan and “Sujatha Bathilgal” in Kungumam

*“He is one of the most multi-faceted writers in Tamil. His writing was terrific, consistent and extremely informative. He could write just about anything with an amazing ease. Sujatha was certainly a genius.” -Crazy Mohan

BREAKING NEWS— SUJATHA THE FATHER OF TAMIL COMPUTER AND A VERY POPULAR TAMIL WRITER EXPIRED TODAY.

Sujatha (b. May 3, 1935) is the pseudonym of the Tamil writer S. Rangarajan, author of over 100 novels, 250 short stories, ten books on science, ten stage plays, and a slim volume of poems. He is one of the most popular writers in Tamil literature. He is also a contributor to topical columns in Tamil periodicals such as Ananda Vikatan, Kumudam and Kalki. He has a wide readership, served for a brief period as the editor of Kumudam, and has also written screenplays and dialogues for several Tamil movies.
An engineer by profession, he supervised the design and production of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) during his tenure in Bharat Electronics which is currently used in elections throughout India.
Sujatha graduated in the 1954 class with a B.Sc in Physics (1952-54) and masters degree in Electronics from the Madras Institute of Technology.

Sriranganthu Devathaigal (Angels of Srirangam) is a series of short stories based on incidents unfolded in that part of the world in 1940’s and 50’s. Sivaji, a minor magazine from Trichy published a story during his student days. His first short story was published in Kumudam magazine in 1962.

Sujatha received an award from Govt of India’s National Council for Science and Technology in 1993 for making Science accessible to the public through his books, magazine contributions and other media

His science FAQ has been released as separate books called En, Etharku, Eppadi and Athisaya Ulagam by Vikatan publications.
He was currently working on “Katradhum, petrathum” in Anantha vikatan and “Sujatha Bathilgal” in Kungumam

Films
Gayathiri, priya. For Rajanikhant, . Kamal Hassan’s Vikram, which was written by him. He penned dialogues for the movie ‘Roja’ (directed by Maniratnam). In recent times he has been associated with big wig movie makers like Mani Ratnam (for Iruvar, Kannathil Muthamittal, Aaitha Ezhuthu etc) and with Shankar (Boys, Anniyan, Indian, Mudhalvan, Sivaji). He is also a co-producer for the banner MediaDreams which went on to produce critically acclaimed bio-pic, Bharathi, of the great Tamil poet Bhaarathiyaar.

Simran Thirai which is to start from March third in Jaya TV will be on a story written by him for the first month- March 2008. Many TV serials are based on his stories.

The computer-buffs in Tamil Nadu have a lot to be grateful to him for. Sujatha’s Tamil word equivalents of computer terms are widely used today.

HE DIED TODAY AT 21.20 IST.

The following are direct benefits from the railway budget 2008-09 for Tamilnadu

1. Ten Garib raths are introduced for all India. Two of them passes through Tamilnadu. Yesvantpur-Puducherry (Tri-weekly)and Bangalore-Kochuveli(Tri-Weekly)

2. 53 new Trains to be introduced all over India. The following Nine are for Tamilnadu

1. Varanasi-Rameshwaram Express (Weekly)
2. Gaya-Chennai Express (Weekly)
3. Chennai-Rameshwaram Express (Daily) via Mayiladuthurai-Karaikudi (after Gauge conversion)

4. Chennai-Tiruchchirappalli Express (Daily) via Mayiladuthurai (after Gauge conversion)

5. Chennai-Salem Express (Daily) via Vriddhachalam (after Gauge conversion)

6. Madurai-Tenkasi Passenger (Daily) (after Gauge conversion)

7. Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai Passenger (Daily) (after Gauge conversion)
8. Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur Passenger (Daily)
9.Chennai-Tiruchendur Express (Weekly)

Four more trains Yeswantpur-Jodhpur Express (Weekly), Kochuveli-Dehradun Express (weekly), Machallipatnam-Bangalore Express (Tri-weekly) and Amritsar-Kochuveli Express (Weekly) will pass through Tamilnadu.

3. A New line for Ennore Power Station is also proposed.

4. Extention of Train routes-Tamilnadu

1.2677/2678 Bangalore-Coimbatore Express to Ernakulam
2.2691/2692 Chennai-Bangalore Express to Sri Sathyasai Prashanti Nilayam
3.6733/6734 Madurai-Manmad Express to Rameswaram on one side and Okha on the other
4.2083/2084 Coimbatore-Kumbakonam Jan Shatabdi Express to Mayiladuthurai (after Gauge conversion)
5.571/572 Bangalore-Salem Passenger to Nagore (after Gauge conversion)
6.724/725 Tuticorin-Tirunelveli Passenger to Tiruchendur
The following train which passes through tamilnadu is frequency increased.
2431/2432 Nizamuddin-Thiruvanthapuram Rajdhani Express from biweekly to tri-weekly

5. New Railway lines - Tamilnadu

1. Nagapattinam-Velankanni
2. Gauge conversion in Karaikkudi-Manamadurai of Trichy-Manamadurai, Tiruvarur- Nagore of Trichy-Nagore-Karaikal will be completed very soon
3.Salem-Cuddalore and Trichy-Manamadurai gauge conversion will be undertaken after completion of above.
4.Tiruvannamalai-Villupuram of Katpadi – Villupuram Gauge conversion will be finished this year.
5.Provision in budget for new line between Chennai-Puducherry-Cuddalore
6.Villupuram-Dindigul doubling and Tiruvallur-Arakkonam fourth line have also been included in the budget
7.Provision in budget for new line between Erode-Palani
8.Provision of gauge conversion between Madurai-Bodinayakkanur
9.Extension work of Vellachari- Saint Thomas Mount section has been started. This work is expected to be completed by December 2010 at the cost of Rs. 496 cr.
10. Survey for new lines proposed for Karaikuddi- Ramanathpuram-Tuticorin-Kanyakumari,Chidambaram-Attur via Perambalur,Thanjavur-Ariayalur

6. The following are common benefits all over India.

1. Sleeper fare reduced by 5%
2. AC-III reduced by 3%
3. AC-II reduced by 4%
4. AC-I reduced by 7%
5. Senior women citizens will get 50% concessions [present-30%]
6. Free monthly season tickets in second class for girl students up to 12Th standard and boys up to 10Th standard will be extended for girls up to graduation and boys up to 12Th standard.
7.Ticket booking on mobile phones, extension of Jansadharan ticket booking seva, e-ticket for wait listed passengers
8.Other passenger amenities like online coach indication display board, online train arrival departure information board and online reservation availability board and provision of discharge-free green toilets in all 36,000 coaches during 11Th plan period at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore have been proposed.
9. 5 per cent reduction in freight rate for petrol and diesel
10.14 per cent reduction in freight rate for fly ash
11. No increase in Freight rates.
12. 2 per cent reduction in fares of new-look sleeper class
13. Railway employees to get 70-day bonus.
14.New modernization schemes including elevator, escalator, multi-level car park
15. All porters promoted as grade 4 railway employees thus ensuring fixed income.

Where we Missed
1. World class stations proposed for Delhi, Mumbai and Patna only.
2. Yesvanthpur-Coimbatore train to be extented to Ernakulam- coimbatore will lose some berths.

VIjay TV will start the most awaited Ippadikku rose from February 28Th, every Thursday at 10.00 PM. This is the first television program in the whole of India to have a Transgender as a host.

The show’s director is Anthony Thirunelveli The half-hour talk show had been conceived as a program suitable for family viewing but would discuss issues of sex and sexuality, confronting “hush, hush, under the carpet subjects.” The first nine episodes will tackle, among other things, divorce, sex and relationships among the mostly young employees in India’s call centers, and sexual harassment.

The main attraction will be Rose herself, who now goes by only one name. A poised, 28-year-old, American-educated former Web site designer with a master’s degree in biomedical engineering, she started wearing women’s clothes full time four years ago and is still waiting for acceptance from her family and society at large.

‘Ipadikku Rose’ is an interactive programme inviting participants to talk about the social issues that affects our society. The show is one of its kind in the talk show genre that will stir emotions, awaken conscience and set the audience thinking. While dealing with human emotions, Rose brings to light the problems faced by people who come from different strata of society. She deals with issues which have not been discussed in a public forum ever before. Some of the topics that would be debated are ‘Domestic violence in foreign countries’, ‘Sexual harassment in colleges’, ‘The life of models’, ‘The rise in number of divorces among celebrities’ etc., as people affected open their hearts out to Rose. A Panel of experts would be present on the sets to throw more light on the topics discussed.

Her birth name is Ramesh venketasen. Click Rose to know about her.

Vijay TV, a pioneer in launching shows with an unique twist comes up with another high-energy music show in Gold Winner Isai Kudumbam from February 24, Sundays 10 am onwards.

This show brings together, singers who form the teams or in this case, families. These families compete against each other for the coveted “Gold Winner Isai Kudumbam” title.
On Isai Kudumbam: Week 1
It is Josh Fire vs Cute Rhythmn

Josh Fire Team members:
Muhammed Aslam
Padma Latha
Kannan - (Super Singer Junior)

Cute Rhythmn Team members:
Prasanna
Megha
Kaushik - (Super Singer Junior)

Popular Singers like Devan, Vinaya, Sangeetha, Sathyan, Ujjaini, Benny, Reshmi, Mukesh, Preethi, Krish, Roshini, Rahul, Prasanna, Krish, and Mohammed Aslam would be captains of their respective family. Judges for this show are Music Director Vijay Antony, Rehana and Film Director Saravanna Subbiah. Yugendran, an established playback singer along with his wife Hemamalini will be the host’s for Gold Winner Isai Kudumbam.

Jaya Tv is starting Little Masters season two from February 23rd. Anchored by Balaji. The winners of the second season too like season one will walk away with one year performance contract, cut an album and get opportunities to perform in various shows worldwide. Watch Little Masters, Season 2 on every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm on Jaya TV.

Dear Bhajji,

Hi, How are you today. I am writing this letter to express my gratitude for saying what I heard, or for saying something which made me hear what I heard. That animal has got me one more million.

I am really shocked but now I understand the power of that Hindu god. I uttered the word, which I thought you said more than you, because I had to complain. And thus I get more than you, In fact much more than Ricky also. Can you please suggest any one temple of the god near Hyderabad? I plan to build a temple in Australia and may be sport a dollar with this new icon. The whole Australia woke up today to understand the power of your God. And now I know what is in a name.

I have started loving your country. You people are great. First you call me names, then pardon HOGG and now make me a millionaire. No other country has ever done this and I am sure will never do.

The only thing I am worried now is the envy and anger in our dressing room, which may happen now. But I am sure HE will take care. He sent you in time to utter what I heard or may be utter what you said you did, but resulting in me hearing what I said you said and thus made me utter his race more than anyone else in world cricket. And see I have reaped benefits. Now I wonder how Dhoni got more than me.

Well see you in India.

Jai Hanuman.

Yours sledgingly,

Andrew.

ps: This is not what he wrote, but what he would have written if he ever wrote to harbhajan.