Thursday, 30 October 2008
Thursday, 27 March 2008
A Take Off For Dance Lovers
Chennai's own Flyerz launched their sixth production 'Take Off' to a large audience at the Kamarajar Arangam on Sunday night. Despite the event being extremely family orientated the standard of dance held a professional air throughout.
What began in 2001 as a small unknown club is now one of the biggest dance companies Chennai has to offer with over 1000 performances to their name. Founded by the choreographer Guna the club's focus has always been centered around promoting young talent by providing a healthy, creative and supportive atmosphere. Incredibly, in such a short period Guna has aided 200 young dancers turn professional. What makes this even more astonishing is that Guna himself learnt his craft without the help of professional dance academies. Through simple observation and obsessive practice the young choreographer built his trade that now gives the vast, youthful dance talent in the city the nurturing it deserves.
Combining the international styles of American Jazz, Afro Hip Hop, Global Freestyle and Latin American Salsa with the home grown fusions and folk forms of India make way for some truely idiosyncratic spectacles that give the Flyerz the unique selling point each successful modern dance club needs.
As children as young as ten performed snappy, tight routines in outfits fit for a P Diddy music video it became clear the the sponsers had worked closely alongside the Flyerz to create the kind of environment children of that age dream of.
Although it was wonderful to view a professional standard dance event for a fraction of the price, what made the evening really special was the clear commitment and hard work put in by everybody involved to give the kids a night that will linger in their memories for years to come.
Patrick Gower
The New Indian Express
March 21st, 2008
What began in 2001 as a small unknown club is now one of the biggest dance companies Chennai has to offer with over 1000 performances to their name. Founded by the choreographer Guna the club's focus has always been centered around promoting young talent by providing a healthy, creative and supportive atmosphere. Incredibly, in such a short period Guna has aided 200 young dancers turn professional. What makes this even more astonishing is that Guna himself learnt his craft without the help of professional dance academies. Through simple observation and obsessive practice the young choreographer built his trade that now gives the vast, youthful dance talent in the city the nurturing it deserves.
Combining the international styles of American Jazz, Afro Hip Hop, Global Freestyle and Latin American Salsa with the home grown fusions and folk forms of India make way for some truely idiosyncratic spectacles that give the Flyerz the unique selling point each successful modern dance club needs.
As children as young as ten performed snappy, tight routines in outfits fit for a P Diddy music video it became clear the the sponsers had worked closely alongside the Flyerz to create the kind of environment children of that age dream of.
Although it was wonderful to view a professional standard dance event for a fraction of the price, what made the evening really special was the clear commitment and hard work put in by everybody involved to give the kids a night that will linger in their memories for years to come.
Patrick Gower
The New Indian Express
March 21st, 2008
Monday, 24 March 2008
City Surfing
Couch Surfing, verb: Webster's New Millenium Dictionary of English defines this phrase as "sleeping on the couch or extra bed of an acquaintance when travelling or between permanent lodging places, esp. to save money" The verb was coined in 2004 with the birth of Couchsurfing.com, the brainchild of Casey Fenton, and American web consultant who, after buying a bargain flight to Iceland, realised his reluctance to spend his limited supply of cash in hotels playing "Mr Tourist". Using the new found potential of random networking, he managed to spam a few thousand Reykjavijk students, asking whether they might give him a place to stay or show him round their home city. This single successful experience began an entire mainstream travel trend.
Learn to live and think like the locals, all courtesy of a stranger's sofa
A blank face, a grimace and a shake of the head greeted me as I left the arrivals lounge of Chennai airport. The process of negotiating a reasonable price with an auto driver who didn't speak my language, to go to a hotel whose location I was clueless about, was proving very complex.
To a foreigner, Chennai can be a very intimidating place. The traffic, the heat, the crowds and the smells are all entirely different from my hometown in London. The city has its own logic. Chennaites have a different comprehension of what a 'city centre' should be. They begin work later. They finish work later. They split the city into districts I can't pronounce. Everybody seems to know where they are in a place thatdisplays no road names - How can this be? I found the solution to my confusion online. Well, actually I found answers within the people I met online.
I'd seen Spencer Plaza, Fort St George and Elliotts Beach. I'd tried the cuisine in most of the restaurant styles the city has to offer, but I still felt like a tourist. I wanted to meet people who lived, studied and worked in Chennai. Couch surfing seemed to be the quickest and easiest way to do it. After emailing several friends to let them know my plans I recieved several replies of: "Are you serious? Sleep on a stranger's sofa? You'll be robbed at best!"
It is not that the safety issues had not crossed my mind. However, the designers at Couchsurfing.com have covered almost every issue imaginable (for a price of course).
Similarly to eBay, CS offers a verification system for around 13 pounds (Rs 1000) where you can verify your host and home address. Surfers can also leave references for each other. The site also recommends you book a hotel as a back up to avoid any mishaps.
The combination of these factors can give you a certain amount of peace of mind but from whichever direction you approach the project, you have to take the unavoidable leap of faith.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the city has an extremely active CS community. Although I couldn't see exact figures, during my search for people willing to offer their sofa the web page cheerily informed me I could be matched with well over 100 surfers living around the city centre. From this point I just had the menial task of surfing different profiles to find kindred spirits. Within five days I had met three.
An investigative journalist from America, a student researching human rights at the University in Chennai and a salsa instructor. With such an eclectic mix of people willing to take part I found myself spoilt for choice. I enjoyed a range of coffee meetings and treks to areas of the city I would never have imagined seeing from the back of a taxi. I found venues to hang out that no guide book could show me. I learnt snatches of Tamil, how to use the local bus system and the fine difference between regular tea and 'cutting chai'. I could create an inordinate list of productive little skills I gained from thses meetings with strangers but most importantly - I began to find my footing here. Rickshaw drivers rip me off less frequently, waiters laugh at my order no more and hotel receptionists no longer stare in utter disbelief at my complete mispronunciation of all words Tamil. I'm getting there.
This is largely thanks to the community I found online at Couchsurfing.com. Despite my study being over I will continue to surf. I now represent a local, young, indoor German soccer team based in the city and will soon be trekking to St Thomas Mount with members of the Chennai group located on the site. For anybody seeking adventure and demanding something new from the city, I strongly suggest visiting the site. Be open-minded, willing to shrug your shoulders and ready for the heavier beat of the heart a new environment can provide. Even if you've lived here for decades, I believe you may be surprised at what you can find just beyond your doorstep.
Top 5 Couch Surfing Websites
www.couchsurfing.com
www.globalfreeloaders.com
www.travelhoo.com
www.hospitalityclub.org
www.stay4free.com
Patrick Gower
Indulge Supplement @ The New Indian Express
Friday, March 14th, 2008
Learn to live and think like the locals, all courtesy of a stranger's sofa
A blank face, a grimace and a shake of the head greeted me as I left the arrivals lounge of Chennai airport. The process of negotiating a reasonable price with an auto driver who didn't speak my language, to go to a hotel whose location I was clueless about, was proving very complex.
To a foreigner, Chennai can be a very intimidating place. The traffic, the heat, the crowds and the smells are all entirely different from my hometown in London. The city has its own logic. Chennaites have a different comprehension of what a 'city centre' should be. They begin work later. They finish work later. They split the city into districts I can't pronounce. Everybody seems to know where they are in a place thatdisplays no road names - How can this be? I found the solution to my confusion online. Well, actually I found answers within the people I met online.
I'd seen Spencer Plaza, Fort St George and Elliotts Beach. I'd tried the cuisine in most of the restaurant styles the city has to offer, but I still felt like a tourist. I wanted to meet people who lived, studied and worked in Chennai. Couch surfing seemed to be the quickest and easiest way to do it. After emailing several friends to let them know my plans I recieved several replies of: "Are you serious? Sleep on a stranger's sofa? You'll be robbed at best!"
It is not that the safety issues had not crossed my mind. However, the designers at Couchsurfing.com have covered almost every issue imaginable (for a price of course).
Similarly to eBay, CS offers a verification system for around 13 pounds (Rs 1000) where you can verify your host and home address. Surfers can also leave references for each other. The site also recommends you book a hotel as a back up to avoid any mishaps.
The combination of these factors can give you a certain amount of peace of mind but from whichever direction you approach the project, you have to take the unavoidable leap of faith.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the city has an extremely active CS community. Although I couldn't see exact figures, during my search for people willing to offer their sofa the web page cheerily informed me I could be matched with well over 100 surfers living around the city centre. From this point I just had the menial task of surfing different profiles to find kindred spirits. Within five days I had met three.
An investigative journalist from America, a student researching human rights at the University in Chennai and a salsa instructor. With such an eclectic mix of people willing to take part I found myself spoilt for choice. I enjoyed a range of coffee meetings and treks to areas of the city I would never have imagined seeing from the back of a taxi. I found venues to hang out that no guide book could show me. I learnt snatches of Tamil, how to use the local bus system and the fine difference between regular tea and 'cutting chai'. I could create an inordinate list of productive little skills I gained from thses meetings with strangers but most importantly - I began to find my footing here. Rickshaw drivers rip me off less frequently, waiters laugh at my order no more and hotel receptionists no longer stare in utter disbelief at my complete mispronunciation of all words Tamil. I'm getting there.
This is largely thanks to the community I found online at Couchsurfing.com. Despite my study being over I will continue to surf. I now represent a local, young, indoor German soccer team based in the city and will soon be trekking to St Thomas Mount with members of the Chennai group located on the site. For anybody seeking adventure and demanding something new from the city, I strongly suggest visiting the site. Be open-minded, willing to shrug your shoulders and ready for the heavier beat of the heart a new environment can provide. Even if you've lived here for decades, I believe you may be surprised at what you can find just beyond your doorstep.
Top 5 Couch Surfing Websites
www.couchsurfing.com
www.globalfreeloaders.com
www.travelhoo.com
www.hospitalityclub.org
www.stay4free.com
Patrick Gower
Indulge Supplement @ The New Indian Express
Friday, March 14th, 2008
What instrument are you?
It's time you graduated from air guitar to playing the real thing. Here's what you need to start your own band.
SO you're a Slash in waiting, practicing for hours on end playing air guitar. But how about the real thing? Let me start by saying that finding your very own piece of musical perfection can be tricky and intimidating. For instance, there's more to choosing your instruments than simply sound. Each guitar or drum kit comes with its own identity. Image is everything in the world of rock and you have to keep up.
The city is rich with suppliers and music shops stocking a range wide enough to satisfy the pickiest of rock gurus. Join me as I sort though the best of what's available in and around the city.
THE STORES
SO you're a Slash in waiting, practicing for hours on end playing air guitar. But how about the real thing? Let me start by saying that finding your very own piece of musical perfection can be tricky and intimidating. For instance, there's more to choosing your instruments than simply sound. Each guitar or drum kit comes with its own identity. Image is everything in the world of rock and you have to keep up.
The city is rich with suppliers and music shops stocking a range wide enough to satisfy the pickiest of rock gurus. Join me as I sort though the best of what's available in and around the city.
THE STORES
- Saptaswara Musicals - At over 3000 sq ft, it is no surprise that Saptaswara Musicals claims to have one of the largest showrooms in India. You'll find a satisfying number of employees, ready to help. They have an almost equal ratio of Western instruments and Indian pieces. Without doubt the most comprehensively stocked music store Chennai has to offer.
- Shruthi Musicals - A smaller shop, but a great place to go for an expert opinion. The staff here are well-informed and are happy to advise. Fully stocked shelves boast the higher priced Ibanez range alongside Fender's beginner Squier range. Expect to find the fantastic Tama drum kits ready to be kitted out with both Zildjian and Sabian cymbals.
- Musee Musicals - Another large music store with an intimate atmosphere. Personal service is the key here. Despite not being able to top the other stores when it comes to choice, they are supplied by both Ibanez and Tama and can place orders to meet your requirements. The showroom holds a few individual gems that you won't find elsewhere at some great prices abd the vast piano showroom is a must-see.
THE GEAR
- Washburn, Nuno Bettencourt Signature Edition Guitar. Rs 22,000 at Saptaswara Musicals - This recreation of Bettencourt's guitar provides an extremely fast neck with ample room to reach the higher frests. The reverse headstock and Floyd Rose tremelo provide touches of class typical of Washburn design.
- Ibanez Bass and Electric Guitars. Starting at Rs 14,000 at Shruthi Musicals, Musee Musicals, Saptaswara Musicals - With unmistakable design, the Ibanez guitar is always a head turner. True rock axes with a beefy sound that few can match. All three stores stock a wide range so you're sure to find the one for you.
- Yamaha DGX 520 Electronic Piano. Rs 38,500 at Shruthi Musicals - Piano is a sound that is becoming more and more common in modern rock music and with weighted keys, this Yamaha feels and sounds like a grand piano. The only difference is you'll never have to tune it and it fits neatly into the trunk of your car.
THE MARKET
Gone are the days of gigging in dingy rock clubs attempting to get your sound heard by the right people. The internet revolution in music is no new concept, but several sites jostle for your attention by constantly improving features. Three of the best:
- www.myspace.com - This has more surfers than any other music-based social networking site. Upload latest tracks that can be shared with friends, prospective agents and possible gig venues. Without doubt the quickets and easiest way to make your music public.
- www.sellaband.com - Sellaband provides a platform to sell 'mini-shares' if your band to 'believers'. Each 'believer' pays ten dollars each and once a band raises $50,000 (5,000 believers) sellaband provide a studio with engineers to create a demo CD. This CD is then distributed for free to all 'believers'. A fantastic way to earn the astronomical amount of cash needed for recording equipment.
- www.youtube.com - An easy place to upload tracks in a similar way to myspace but here you can add videos. A quick and reliable way to send music to your subscribers.
Patrick Gower
Indulge Supplement @ The New Indian Express
Friday, February 15th, 2008
American Muscle, Anyone?
What you need to know when shopping for virtual cars.
SOMETIMES choosing a car to game with can be a lot harder than making real-life decisions. Drawing their inspiration from their 'live' noisy counterparts, virtual cars are a force of their own.
So think long and hard before you settle down with a pair of Japanese hot wheels or high-powered American muscle. Speaking of the Asian cars, the Mitsubishi Evo models are all the rage amoung younger gamers. Vast arrays of body kits, alternative alloys and a host of add-ons usually allow the gamer to tinker with his model until to his heart's content.
They are extremely light with a lower top speed than their American cousins (however this can be adjusted through modifications) yet they handle corners incredibly well and when it comes to a drag race, few can compete with their acceleration. Other cars which come under the UHH (unlimited modification, high acceleration and handling) category are the Toyota Supras and Nissan Skylines.
The Ford Mustang typifies the genre of "American Muscle". They come into their own when you tinker with the engines. While a Japanese car will leave them in the dust during the first 100 meters of a drag, the muscle cars will soon surge through due to their unmatchable power. Combine this with a decent injection of Nos (Nitrous Oxide) and you have a winner. However, the downside is that these cars struggle around the tight tracks as the cornering resembles that of a truck. The best way to win is to get in front and use your weight and size to dominate the track in the corners to stop rivals passing. Nobody catches the American beauties on the straights.
Recent developments in the world of 'car gaming' have taken a new turn. the Europeans have arrived. The BMWs, Mercedes and Audis are ruling the roost and the high priced mod scene is gaining momentum worldwide. The European biggies have the same openings for engine improvements and body modifications as the other cars but don't come with a vast array of LCD screens, Underkit lighting and sound systems. It's all about being understated.
Of course you get what you pay for so when lined up against the rivals, European engineering leaves the others far behind.
Patrick Gower
Indulge Supplement @ The New Indian Express
Friday, March 14th, 2008
SOMETIMES choosing a car to game with can be a lot harder than making real-life decisions. Drawing their inspiration from their 'live' noisy counterparts, virtual cars are a force of their own.
So think long and hard before you settle down with a pair of Japanese hot wheels or high-powered American muscle. Speaking of the Asian cars, the Mitsubishi Evo models are all the rage amoung younger gamers. Vast arrays of body kits, alternative alloys and a host of add-ons usually allow the gamer to tinker with his model until to his heart's content.
They are extremely light with a lower top speed than their American cousins (however this can be adjusted through modifications) yet they handle corners incredibly well and when it comes to a drag race, few can compete with their acceleration. Other cars which come under the UHH (unlimited modification, high acceleration and handling) category are the Toyota Supras and Nissan Skylines.
The Ford Mustang typifies the genre of "American Muscle". They come into their own when you tinker with the engines. While a Japanese car will leave them in the dust during the first 100 meters of a drag, the muscle cars will soon surge through due to their unmatchable power. Combine this with a decent injection of Nos (Nitrous Oxide) and you have a winner. However, the downside is that these cars struggle around the tight tracks as the cornering resembles that of a truck. The best way to win is to get in front and use your weight and size to dominate the track in the corners to stop rivals passing. Nobody catches the American beauties on the straights.
Recent developments in the world of 'car gaming' have taken a new turn. the Europeans have arrived. The BMWs, Mercedes and Audis are ruling the roost and the high priced mod scene is gaining momentum worldwide. The European biggies have the same openings for engine improvements and body modifications as the other cars but don't come with a vast array of LCD screens, Underkit lighting and sound systems. It's all about being understated.
Of course you get what you pay for so when lined up against the rivals, European engineering leaves the others far behind.
Patrick Gower
Indulge Supplement @ The New Indian Express
Friday, March 14th, 2008
Auto-Rickshaw Blues
It's not hard to find a taxi in Chennai. Taxis seem to find me. As least I believed they were taxis until I later tearned they were called 'auto-rickshaws'.
A herd of richshaw drivers crowded me as I left the Chennai airport and it proved quite a task getting myself out of the over-eager scrum. Eventually, one man proved that he was the more dominant male as I finally climbed into his auto. Clearly a newcomer, I was quoted a huge three hundred rupees to find my hotel. As I was armed and ready with my guidebook, I knew I was being overcharged, so I offered him half. I only managed to haggle him down to two hundred and fifty. I now know that this was a hefty sum, but in my ignorance I was quietly happy with myself. I consoled myself that I would get better at thid with time.
However, time has actually proved that I haven't really got much better. I'm still clearly a tourist and so I must pay over the odds. Although I still use the rickshaw as I find it the most conveniant mode to travel the city, particularly without my own vehicle, my experiences have led me to question their efficiency.
With only thirty five kilometers to every litre of gas the amount of fuel pumped into the atmosphere per day is astronomical. Despite switching to CNG fuel ten years ago the sheer amount of autos on the road means the air quality has improved very little and I need not mention their effect on the traffic.
On the other hand, they are a major tourist attraction. They make India easily navigable abd tens of thousands of men earn a tidy living ferrying the public around the major cities.
Isn't it time that a real effort was made to switch to battery powered autos? It's been discussed for years and so far it's the funding that has held the project at a standstill. I currently pay over-the-odds everyday to get to work and back and I find it irritating. I certainly wouldn't mind if it was making a positive impact on the environment.
Patrick Gower
The New Indian Express
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
A herd of richshaw drivers crowded me as I left the Chennai airport and it proved quite a task getting myself out of the over-eager scrum. Eventually, one man proved that he was the more dominant male as I finally climbed into his auto. Clearly a newcomer, I was quoted a huge three hundred rupees to find my hotel. As I was armed and ready with my guidebook, I knew I was being overcharged, so I offered him half. I only managed to haggle him down to two hundred and fifty. I now know that this was a hefty sum, but in my ignorance I was quietly happy with myself. I consoled myself that I would get better at thid with time.
However, time has actually proved that I haven't really got much better. I'm still clearly a tourist and so I must pay over the odds. Although I still use the rickshaw as I find it the most conveniant mode to travel the city, particularly without my own vehicle, my experiences have led me to question their efficiency.
With only thirty five kilometers to every litre of gas the amount of fuel pumped into the atmosphere per day is astronomical. Despite switching to CNG fuel ten years ago the sheer amount of autos on the road means the air quality has improved very little and I need not mention their effect on the traffic.
On the other hand, they are a major tourist attraction. They make India easily navigable abd tens of thousands of men earn a tidy living ferrying the public around the major cities.
Isn't it time that a real effort was made to switch to battery powered autos? It's been discussed for years and so far it's the funding that has held the project at a standstill. I currently pay over-the-odds everyday to get to work and back and I find it irritating. I certainly wouldn't mind if it was making a positive impact on the environment.
Patrick Gower
The New Indian Express
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
Spicy Flavours: Delicious Yet Cheap
"You get what you pay for"I've stood by this commonly used phrase my entire life. This doesn't mean I'm willing to spend great sums of money to save myself from distinctly average experiences, but rather I can avoid disappointment by keeping my expectations low when I'm trying to save my pennies.
Having a fail-safe attitude such as this has come into play heavily when eating out. Hailing from the UK (a nation that relies heavily on importing fresh foods) I've always understood that to eat well you need to be prepared to part with your cash.
Coming to India has completely turned this belief on its head. I've been here nearly two months now and have sampled a vast percentage of the restaurants and eateries the city has to offer. An alarming trend is occuring.
It's becoming an all too common experience that I seek out food in higher class restaurants only to be disappointed by bland, dry food at the cost of well over Rs 100.
It's in the more traditional South Indian 'all you can eat' meal retaurants that I've learned why they call India 'The land of spices'. For as little as Rs20 I can fill myself with a cocktail of tastes accompanied with rice and some kind of India bread until my heart is content. For a few extra rupees I can wash my meal down with freshly squeezed juices that are in season and truly delicious. Where else in the world is this possible?? Certainly not in the West.
Patrick Gower
The New Indian Express
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
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