Oh, I know I've heard it somewhere!

When I first heard the scintillating tune of ‘Un Siripinil’ from Pachaikilli Muthucharam, I swore by my smelly socks that I’ve heard it before. About a week later, I happened to chance upon Kylie Minogue’s ‘I’m spinning around’ and the similarities between the two hit me like a freight train. Another instance was when 7G Rainbow Colony, both the movie and its soundtrack was creating waves. The theme song was extremely popular and I overheard my brother saying that it was picked up from The Passion of Christ.

I’m sure all of us must’ve encountered similar situations. You begin to like a song, hum it for days on end, and then someone springs up with a “Theriyadha? That is appdiye dippy copy from this movie!” What mostly ensues is a 5-minute pause, when you think about how plagiarism seems to have transcended all fields, shake your head murmur in disagreement and move on with life. But only if you visit itwofs.com will you realise just how big this trend really is.

Itwofs simply stands for Inspirations in Indian Film Songs. Managed by Bengaluru-based Karthik Subramanian, the motive of this site is straight and simple - to provide a comprehensive list of musical inspirations (sometimes subtle and intelligent but mostly downright blatant!) of Indian film music composers.

To start off, the number of songs ‘copied’ is not a few or even a few score. Karthik has actually tracked over 500 songs that have been lifted from various popular or less known international tracks. Much more bad news is that every director is guilty of such ‘theft.’ A.R Rahman, thankfully infuses the much needed faith in the music industry, with only 10 songs, most of which has inspired beats, but original tunes.

Maestro Ilayaraja also has genuine cases of inspiration, and the author describes his 'Chittu Kuruvi' from Chinna Veedu as “An exceptionally beautiful case of genuine inspiration. This is how a composer of repute gets inspired for his compositions. This can never ever be called plagiarism. Such instances are really rare and probably more common if we dig deep into Ilayaraja's compositions! Truly, a masterpiece!”

But delve in more, and you get only muck. Here are some stats regarding how many songs are inspired and or plagiarised by music directors:

Anu Malik: 67.
Pritam Chakravarthy: 50
RD Burman: 47
Yuvan Shankar Raja: 9 (nearly all are blatant lifts, mostly from his dad)

The best part about Itwofs is that it lists both the original track and the Indian inspired/plagiarised tracks, and the author lets us to take the final call. It reminded me of scientific journalism that a friend and I were discussing about, with relation to Wikileaks. The author does not make open claims about plagiarised tracks, but also gives us sufficient evidence to agree or disagree with him. The website also makes an excellent call for better copyright laws in the country. It sends out a clear message that the people are not ignorant, or too stupid to not find out.


You can read this excellent interview of Karthik Subramanium.

Oscars and the Indian Connection

It’s January, the Oscar Academy has announced the nominations for various categories and the Oscar fever seems to be raging worldwide, with angry-fans messages and predictions. The Mozart of Madras A.R Rahman managed to pick up two nominations in the Original Score and Original Song for Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours, and everybody is taking a victory call for it.

While there is an increasing conflict about the meaning of Oscars, a constant debate rising at this point is whether acknowledgement in the West spells more success in the East. Whenever an actor performs to his greatest potential, the next slogan that immediately flashes out is ‘oscar like performance’. Even after 50 years of freedom, there seems to be this restless and incessant longing for occidental approval.

India has been a leading contributor in International Cinema, with over 500 films being released a year. It is very disappointing to know that, despite being such a strong forerunner, many Indians ascribe so much value, integrity, hype and hoopla to the Oscars. However, the truth is that the Oscars are the epitome of recognition for cinema, and often translates into opulence for those who return with it. The success of Lagaan and the consequent development of the Indian film industry is testament to just how crucial Oscars are in filmdom. The reason why Slumdog Millionaire cannot be substantiated as an example is because it did not win on the grounds of how it portrayed India. It was definitely a story of triumph against all odds, but it was backed by technically slick production, and direction by a person of great credentials. Slumdog Millionaire also had its back by the strong Fox and Dreamworks organisation.

The Indian film industry is hugely talented, and as of late has become world-class. It deserves to be represented and recognized all over the world. It further acts as a medium to educate the world about Indian culture, its heritage and contemporary India. Surprising is the amount of ignorance others in the world have about India. India has such a rich and colourful culture, such beautiful and sublime philosophies and spirituality that the world should be introduced to, especially in this age. Why do we have to look westwards for ideas? This is why Lagaan and the fatigue-inducing Devdas were chosen to represent India at the Oscars, because they are synonymous of our culture and our storytelling traditions. The Producers Association (who recommends Indian films for Academy Awards) did not consider Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen or Adoor Gopalakrishnan films Oscar-worthy. Films like Pather Panchali, Apur Sansar, Aparajito, Charulata, Bhuvan Shome or Mathilukal were ignored. This leaves much to be pondered over the selection of films.

With the increasing interest in Indian cinema in the West perhaps a day might dawn when Indian movies would proudly march all the way to Los Angeles for justifiably competing for the Oscar Awards and returning home with the much coveted statuette. Maybe some time in the future, some day, it would happen. Indian filmmakers should also learn to treat the Oscars with the required attention only. And also to learn that our films can give Hollywood productions a run for their money in all countries. Sholay and Nayagan didn’t need an Academy Award stamp to certify that they are as ripping a good yarn as The Godfather.


You can read up this excellent article on how The Academy forcefully forgets Asian Cinema.

34th Chennai Book Fair: A tradition that never disappoints.

Just like all of you, my calendar has certain days and/or events that I wouldn’t miss for anything. One of them is the Landmark Quiz in August, for the yearly dosage of ‘oh-I-didn’t-know-that!’-ness. For the year to end on a happy note, I attend Little Theatre’s Christmas Pantomime, all set to crack my ribs with all the comedy. But every year, it’s become a tradition of sorts for my family to visit the Chennai Book Fair in January. And this year was no different.

Belying common impressions that the Internet and the TV have nearly exterminated their reading habits, people thronged to the 10 day Chennai Book Fair from 4-18 January at the St. George's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Shenoy Nagar. More than 30,000 people streamed into the book fair on it's last day on Sunday picking up books on a spectrum of subjects ranging from Krishna to Kurt Cobain, and from corporate affairs to cooking.

Organised by The Booksellers' and Publishers' Association of South India (BAPASI) the fair comprised of 588 stalls this year compared to the 450 last year. On most working days, nearly 20,000 people turned up while during holidays, it neared to at least 30, 000. Books on a wide range of subjects including self-improvement, biographies, yoga, fiction, history, philosophy, children’s literature, cookery and science were available at the exhibition.

Biggies in Tamil publishing like Vanathi, Narmada, Arivoli had stalls in the fair, as were The British Council Library, American Library and Higginbothams. The main focus for this year's exhibition has been children. Excited bunch of kids were seen eagerly browsing through the racks for the books of their varied interest.

But what surprised me this time around was the staggering amount of roof less bookstores that had taken camp outside the venue, on the pavement that surrounds Pachaiyappas College. Owners were brandishing ‘The Lost Symbol’ and ‘2 States’ shouting out their wares “Edhu eduthaalum twenty rupees wonly!” (Anything you take: twenty rupees only!)

Despite spending over two hours, I could manage to see just about half the stalls this year. As my mum collected books that went along the lines “How do diabetic patients live a healthy life?” I meandered away and spoilt myself silly by getting a paperback version of ‘The Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.’ Here’s to many hours of reading with a smoke pipe and a detective hat!

You can dig out for more information on this year's book fair here.

Masterchef Australia: Sufficient Food for Thought

When the clock strikes 12 noon at my residence, both my mother and grandmother rush in at their various speed levels for a spot in front of the television to watch their favourite show ‘Abhiruchi’ on ETV. One hour of non-stop cooking interspersed with fake “Ooh, ninda bagaundhi Chef” comments is the best recipe to grate my nerves. I have never been a fan of such cookery shows. I always end up questioning her,

“Why are you watching this, when you know that you’re not going to try out any of the recipes?”

She does not get frustrated then. She only waits till it rings 9pm, to see the hypocrite in her daughter put on her cerebral apron to wait expectantly with a straight spine for ‘Masterchef Australia.’

Initially, this seemed as the latest entrant into the reality TV show genre: another game based cooking program, with the “elimination drama”, with excellent marketing in a bid for increased ratings. But there is a simple reason for nearly four million viewers to have tuned in to watch the show, especially its final episode which aired on New Years Eve. The show reeks of innovative ideas which include invention tests, the mystery boxes, team challenges and of course, the most dreaded pressure tests.

The biggest selling point of Masterchef Australia was its refreshing mix of contestants, ranging from Indian food ingredient researcher Jimmy Seervai to band manager Aaron Harvie and police detective Sarah Carmichael.

It involved a set of people who were so genuinely nice to each other that up till the finals between Adam Liaw and Callum Hann, the other contestants seemed interested in each other’s well-being as their own chances of victory.

It involved a set of civil and encouraging judges in the smart and suave Gary Mehigan, the sarcastic and over-the-top George Colamboris, and the blunt and outrageous Matt Preston.

It involved a set of an uber-impressive guest Chefs, who set eye-popping dishes as challenges, including Rick Stein’s Sea Food Platter and Adriano Zumba monstrous Croquembouche and Macaroon Tower.

The show silenced its critics accusing it of favouritism, when Marion Gasby, easily the favourite, fondly referred to as “the food thesaurus” was eliminated. She was sent out on the back of a simple satay sauce, against Aaran Harvie. (easily my favourite)

The grand finale was just like any other international sporting event final, both the contestants always close, but in the end, only one of them held it together, the other didn’t. Adam became Masterchef 2010, clinching a book deal and a hundred thousand dollars to start off his culinary career.

On one side, we have shows like Roadies and Big Boss which portray people as being shot or being blown up. But on the other side, we have shows like Masterchef Australia that are clear in its goals: to be simply watchable and result in unadorned fun. In that way, we can safely assure… a new benchmark has been set.

Faking News: A journey of harmless fiction and wild photoshop

December 6, 2009 was that celebrated day, when Indian cricket team grovelled to that top spot in International Test Rankings. I’m fiercely loyal to the Indian team, and also a big fan of the sport. But still I might’ve probably been one among just a few to have viewed this development with much scorn, thanks to the media coverage of the whole feat.

Coverage was given in such a way that December 6 would be viewed from then on, as the Day of Indian Test Cricket, and not as the day of the Babri Masjid Demolition. Probably one thing that made me smile then was a news headline that read:

RT @FakingNews: BCCI to give 5-day holiday to celebrate Indian team’s achievement.

And that, for me, is the biggest USP of Faking News. Its ability to cash in on real life events, create stories about certain truth and people that you love to hate.

With nearly 50,000 fans on Facebook and 20,000 followers on Twitter, Faking News is clearly India’s answer to world renowned news satire website The Onion. Its fan base witnesses an upward trend everyday as netizens laugh over headlines like:

IIT honors Digvijay Singh for inventing call records eraser technology.

Lashkar also plotted to attack Hogwarts and kill Harry Potter.

Fevicol appoints Suresh Kalmadi as their new Brand Ambassador.

Rajinikanth sweeps Nobel Prizes, wins awards in all categories for inventing Robot.

With a tagline that reads ‘Where truth doesn’t hide, Where truth doesn’t hurt.’ Faking News is anything but the truth. It is a news website with absolutely no reliable sources, one that fakes news just to attract attention. But if there’s anything true that we can take out of this, it is that, in the battle for our attention, sensational news seems to be winning over worthy news.

Faking News has ‘faked news’ to such an extent that some of the mainstream media have even taken it to mean real exclusive articles. One such article is about how a frustrated man sues Axe perfumes, which was reported by The Australian, and went viral on many radio stations in UAE and USA.

When you’re too flabbergasted to even comment upon a certain issue, Faking News swoops in to your immediate rescue, not by articles, but scathing and sarcastic one-liners. Sample this.

RT @FakingNews: Pakistan believes Kashmir should have gone to it. But India believes the same about the whole of Pakistan.

Sometimes they go after news channels themselves.

RT @FakingNews: Leading English television news channel Times Now has finally conceded that it might have asked just too many questions in the last few years. A bulk of these questions were asked on the channel’s prime time news show 'The Newshour.'

The website’s template features a typical newsroom, and a news presenter with the pseudonym 'pagal patrakar’, which literally translates to ‘crazy journalist’. Pagal Patrakar, shown as a television news anchor with a Pinocchio style nose, has won many hearts and followers all over the country, thanks to his obsession to highlight funny trivialities of the Indian news media.


More than anything, I quote these lines from the founders, which sum them up the best. “Please don’t visit this website if you are too religious, too political, too sentimental, too serious, too liberal, or too anything.”

Their picture gallery is an absolute delight, set to crack your ribs from laughter.

Amethyst: A jewel in the heart of the city.

“Dear customers, we will be shifting to Whites Road shortly.”

The signs of Amethyst café in Gopalapuram shifting spaces do not restrict itself to this notice board message alone. Where you ogled at beautiful jewellery, are attendants bustling about, trying to pack all the precious ones carefully inside cardboard boxes. Where you checked the fabrics of absolutely stunning clothes, are naked cloth hangers devoid of clothes. Where you squealed in delight at a dazzling collection of leather goodies are iron crates that have been shabbily named ‘Shoes and Bags.’

Amethyst is recognised as one of Chennai’s most stylish and popular hotspots to chill out. Tucked inside a 100-year old Bungalow, it is now all set to shift location following a family dispute that involves the property shifting hands.

Obstinately old, Amethyst is a picture of turn-of-the-century furniture, pretty lamps and days-of-yore photographs. The café spills out from the building onto a lovely oasis of peace and beauty, a garden chequered with flowers and myriad plants that you can’t name. Tables and chairs are placed throughout the garden and beg you to experience a connect with nature that they offer. And this is clearly the USP of Amethyst. Rohan, a student and a regular at Amethyst says, “The best part is that you can sit outdoor, close to nature. Enjoy the beauty of nature and all the lush greenery. I hope they manage to recreate at least this part.”

The boutique at Amethyst houses jewels mostly from Amrapali brand, and also has a wide collection of clothes, scarves and trinkets. Amethyst is also home to a culture centre that hosts a variety of events like photography exhibitions, astronomy workshops and musical performances.

Amethyst moves only two streets away but not into a heritage building. But it hopes to retain its loyal customer base, as the ethos of the place will continue. Shanti, who works at the Amethyst boutique, says “This shift will affect us mainly because of the ambiance. This is a quite road that shuts out the noise of the city. Our customers are also happy with the comfortable facilities for parking.”

Amethyst has been celebrating everything that’s history for the past 12 years. And will continue to do so, assures Kiran Rao, the owner. “We are quite established and we will not lose our touch.” Will the jewel shine just as bright somewhere else? We have to wait and watch.


You can dig out more information about Kiran Rao and the making of Amethyst here. Also learn a bit more about Amethyst here.

Travelling in search of the Third Eye.

I try to sneak in a languid nap before the clock strikes six on the day of Karthigai Deepam. It’s still 5pm, but I’m rudely awakened by my mother with a distasteful frown on her face.

“The Bharani Deepam ceremony on TV! You want to sleep?”

For many Hindus across the world, Karthigai Deepam is marked by lighting the first agalvilakku at 6pm. But for many more, it starts nearly two hours before, when Podhigai TV live telecasts the lighting of the Maha Deepam from Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleshwarar Temple. When the Maha Deepam is lit, the family prostrates in front of the television(something that cracked me up when I was little) and only then begin the other festivities.

This ceremony takes on further importance for me, a native from Thiruvannamalai and most of my childhood days were peppered with grandma-tales of the holy mountain. In a weird turn of events, I found myself camped at Thiruvannamalai on the third day of Karthigai Deepam, after a long drive of over five hours, burnt by the sun and drenched in the rain. I can trace my journey sitting on a grime seat, filled with little elements like lush fields sprawled across a vast area, ducks and goats sprawled across the road as they parade about in grand procession.

Standing on a roof top as darkness sets in, I witness from 10km, the deepam that has dazzled many for years together. The legendary lighting of the maha deepam is a spectacular event, and I ask one of the locals for the secret of its ten day life. “The deepam is lit on a huge copper vessel in which tonnes of ghee, camphor and fresh cloth are placed. Many assume that priests trudge up the hill everyday to light the lamp, but no. It is lit only on the first day and stays on till the tenth day. Such is its magnificence.”

Thiruvannamalai has drawn the spiritually inclined for many centuries: of songs sung in praise by the Nayanmars, of many saints who found recluse in these deeply tucked hills. It is said that Lord Shiva manifests Himself in the mountain and that whoever went around Arunachala hills with reverence would be blessed by the Lord in every way.

For those who don’t know, walking around the mountain is a 15km daunting task. During the Maha Deepam ceremony, there is easily a festive crowd numbering 10 lakh, who reach a zenith of religious fervour. You can do the math.

But Karthikeyan, a native of Thiruvannamalai brushes off the momentous task with ease. He has circumnavigated the hills barefoot for 48 days on a stretch, and loved every bit of it. “They say that taking a bus or any other means of commutation around the hills will not get you anything. You walk it, you deserve it.”

Did I walk it, you ask? Nope. The Herculean task clearly scares me, and I resort to just taking a stroll by the streets of the temple, taking in the fragrances of freshly garlanded flowers and holy incense. I resort to look on as people go about doing their routine jobs as three words seem to consistently escape their lips. Om Namah Sivaya.


You can dig out some more information about Thiruvannamalai at this super detailed page and this article.