A noble gesture

FOR A CAUSE: Pooja Vahi

FOR A CAUSE: Pooja VahiPooja Vahi, winner of Mrs India Globe 2015 Photogenic and Face of the Year, has joined hands with Round Table India (RTI), an NGO, to work for the underprivileged children. She will be the brand ambassador for the NGO, which has collaborated with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for providing solar electricity to government schools adopted by the RTI, besides several other projects for the betterment of such children. The Chandigarh Chapter of the RTI has announced it is in talks with the local government authorities to implement the same in the city. “Today it’s really a proud moment for me to associate with RTI and I strongly support the kind of work they are doing. It will be a privilege for me to take their cause forward by contributing towards the well-being of underprivileged children. Freedom through Education initiative of the RTI will be implemented in the tricity and region as a whole,” shared Pooja. — TNS. Source: &http://www.tribuneindia.com/

Read More........→September 25, 2016

Double laureate Marie Skłodowska-Curie & the hunt for elements

Marie Curie, details of linocut with glow-in-the-dark ink, by Ele Willoughby, 2014

The most well-known woman in the history of physics - or perhaps science - was born almost a century and a half ago today. The famous Polish-born, naturalized-French physicist and chemist Marie Skłodowska-Curie (7 November 1867 – 4 July 1934) was the first woman to win a Nobel prize, the only woman to ever win TWO Nobel prizes, and the only person ever to win in two different sciences: physics and chemistry! Source: http://magpieandwhiskeyjack.blogspot.in/

Read More........→January 23, 2016

Amitabh sings for charity

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was spotted singing in a Mumbai local train to raise money for cancer patients. The 73-year-old star accompanied Saurabh Nimbkar, who sings in the locals for raising money and even featured on the TV show Aaj Ki Raat Zindagi, hosted by the megastar himself. "Local from VT (Victoria Terminus) to Bhandup to support Saurabh, who sings in locals for charity to cancer... sang with him..." the Paa actor tweeted on Sunday night. Big B wrote on his blog that the money collected by Nimbkar is distributed to the "less fortunate cancer patients and their families in the city" and that this sudden appearance was to let him know that the "support runs even after he departs from the show (Aaj
Ki Raat Zindagi). "The idea is not to create a splash among the media, or to create credible content for them, or for the subsequent promotion of the show #AKRHZ... the idea is to let him know that he is not alone...that he is appreciated... that our support runs even after he departs from the show," he wrote. Big B's appearance came as a ‘surprise’ for Nimbkar and for those who ‘travel daily’ on the local train as the whole exercise was ‘executed without his knowledge’. —IANS. Source: Article, Source: flickr.com

Read More........→November 19, 2015

Da Vinci’s last painting discovered in Scottish farmhouse

Fragment of the cover of “Da Vinci's Last Commission: The Most Sensational Detective Story in the History of Art” by Fiona McLaren

A painting believed to be the last work by Leonardo da Vinci has been discovered in Scotland. The owner almost threw the old painting away, but money issues forced her to contact auctioneers. Fiona McLaren, 59, arranged a meeting with the Scottish director of Sotheby's Harry Robertson to value the picture, The People newspaper reports. "I showed it to him and he was staggered, speechless save for a sigh of exclamation,” Fiona told the newspaper. Old masters’ art experts are intrigued. Some believe the work is from the school of Leonardo and dates to the 16th century, others concede Da Vinci might have had a hand in it. “Experts have confirmed Leonardo at least did the under drawing,” Fiona McLaren said. She inherited the painting from her doctor father who received it from one of his patients. For 40 years the possible Renaissance marvel hung in the family’s London home before Fiona and her mother moved to Scotland. The painting might be 500 years old and worth millions, got covered with small stains of white emulsion paint when the McLaren house was redecorated. An examination of the painting will take place at the University of Cambridge's Hamilton Kerr Institute where experts will date and attribute the artwork. "Every time I thought to myself, 'This cannot be right,' I found more evidence that proved it was…I'm convinced without a doubt that it is a genuine Leonardo," McLaren says. Thrilled with possibility of holding Da Vinci’s masterpiece, Fiona McLaren has written a book “Da Vinci's Last Commission: The Most Sensational Detective Story in the History of Art”. Leonardo Da Vinci is widely regarded as one of the greatest artists and the greatest minds of all time. Source: SAM Daily Times

Read More........→December 17, 2013

Sachin Tendulkar's Wax Statue Unveiled at SCG

A wax figure of India's legendry cricket star Sachin Tendulkar is displayed at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on April 20, 2013. The new wax figure of Tendular will be placed in the sports zone of Madame Tussauds in Sydney. AFP PHOTO / Saeed Khan (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Another honour comes Sachin Tendulkar's way. This time, on the cusp of his 40th birthday to be celebrated on Wednesday. On Saturday, cricket fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia will see the unveiling of Tendulkar's waxwork courtesy Madame Tussauds in Sydney.The waxwork which is expected to be a replica of the one in London, will later be displayed in the museum at scenic Darling Harbour, near the Sydney Aquarium. Members of the famous Swami Army have been invited to the official unveiling at the SCG. In an email communication, members of the support group have been told that this is a "once in a lifetime opportunity to take your photo with the life size figure of the greatest Indian cricketer ever."Tendulkar's waxwork will be displayed alongside statues of Sir Don Bradman and Shane Warne. The Mumbai master was delighted to receive another Bradman-related honour. To top it, this has come close to his 40th birthday (April 24). "It is," Tendulkar said when asked whether the honour was a fine birthday gift. "It is nice that it coincides with my birthday. It's a wonderful way to start," he said. Source: Article

Read More........→December 12, 2013

The Love Story of Anjali and Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has always been rather shy in discussing his personal life. This might be the reason why a lot of us are unaware of his romantic love story with wife, Anjali. For Sachin and Anjali, it was love at first sight. The two of them first met at the Mumbai International Airport. Sachin was returning from his first International cricket tour in 1990 while Anjali was at the airport to receive her mother. They both took an instant liking to each other on the first time they met. Later, the two met at a common friend’s place and got to know each other better.When Sachin Tendulkar and Anjali first met, Anjali was practicing medicine while Sachin had just begun his cricketing career. Anjali being a dedicated student was much involved in studies and was very less interested in cricket. Her knowledge about sports and particularly cricket was faint. Later, when they started dating, Anjali made all efforts to brush up her knowledge about the sport. Anjali Tendulkar- “I think what he liked about me was that I knew nothing about cricket when I first met him. I didn't even know who Sachin was.” Being as famous as he was right from the beginning of his career, Sachin Tendulkar could get very few instances to go out on uninterrupted dates with Anjali. While giving an interview to a local magazine, Anjali recalls an incident where the two of them had gone to see the movie Roja along with a few common friends. They were afraid that if people would recognise the ace cricketer, they would not be able to enjoy their day. So to avoid all the attention, Sachin went to watch the movie in a disguise, wearing a false beard and specs. They entered the movie theatre a little late but during the interval of the film, his specs fell and the cricketer got surrounded by his fans. Due to all this they had to leave the movie halfway. Anjali Tendulkar- “I've not known any other person in my life except Sachin. I understand him so well. So whether I am his girlfriend or his wife, it's the same thing,

just an extension of that bond." Anjali, daughter of the well known industrialist Ashok Mehta got married to Sachin Tendulkar in 1995 after a five year long period of dating each other. They have been happily married to each other for the last 18 years. Anjali Tendulkar is 6 years older than Sachin Tendulkar. But the couple maintains that this age gap has never been a matter of concern in their relationship and instead has made them more committed and understanding towards each other. Sachin Tendulkar- "Anjali actually taught me to thank for what the God has given me and for what the God has not given me.” Anjali Tendulkar left her career of being a successful pediatrician to live a happy married life with her husband. She maintains that it would have been difficult for her to maintain both at a time. The couple has two children, Sara Tendulkar and Arjun Tendulkar. She also says that she has no regrets whatsoever of leaving her profession as taking care of her husband and children gives her the greatest joy. Source: Article, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→November 29, 2013

One-armed woman wins Miss Iowa 2013 pageant

After a grueling three-day competition, Nicole Kelly was named Miss Iowa on Saturday. The 23-year-old will go on to compete in the Miss America 2014 pageant in September, where she will speak about the importance of overcoming disabilities. Kelly was born without her left forearm, according to her biography on MissIowa.com. “As I grew up I learned to counterbalance the initial stares I received from people with an outgoing personality that would not give into ‘no,’” she writes on the Iowa pageant site. “This means that I tried everything. From baseball, to dance, to diving - there is nothing I would not try. I found my passion within a world where I was giving people permission to stare: the stage.” Kelly studied theater at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She graduated in May 2012. “If you would have told me a year ago that ‘pageant queen’ was in my future I would have laughed,” she wrote, adding that she is excited to have the opportunity to discuss overcoming disabilities publicly.“Giving voice to a platform is a great honor and I am excited to continue my adventure of speaking out and touching lives.” Earlier this year, Alexis Wineman, of Montana, made history when she became the first autistic contestant to ever participate in the Miss America pageant in January. Mallory Hytes Hagan of Brooklyn, NY, won the 2013 competition and is the reigning Miss America. Source: FoxNews, 6/10/2013. Source: Article

Read More........→November 21, 2013

Anjali you’re my best best partnership Sachin Tendulkar to Wife Anjali

Sachin Tendulkar has had several partnerships cricket through his 24-year career . That he loves the most in his life, however , the “partnership” with his wife. Emotional Anjali Tendulkar thanked for keeping by throughtout her career ended at Wankhede with his 200th test on Saturday. ” The best thing that happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife Anjali . They were the most wonderful years ,” he said .

“Being a doctor, he had a great career ahead of her. She told me when we wanted to have a family that I should concentrate on cricket and will take care of everything. Thank you for being there. You are the best partnership I ‘ve had in my life. “ Anjali had tears in his eyes when Tendulkar made ​​his speech as a packed Wankhede cheered his every word . The Little Master then thanked her parents for support too . ” My in-laws were loving and caring . It is so important to have a strong family. They allowed me to marry Anjali , thank you so much, ” he said . Tendulkar – who played his 200th and final test before the home fans , began his speech by thanking his parents, siblings and his first coach before a solemn promise to his children he has to do for all the lost time and be there for Arjun (14) and Sara (16). ( Read the speech here). Not known to be emotional , tears Tendulkar brought tears to the eyes of almost everyone present . Previously, Anjali said she expected her husband to manage his emotions , as he has done throughout his career. ” Sachin is really good at hiding his emotions he has never shown that it is facing pressure Even at home , he does not show his emotions,” she said (Read : . . . Impossible to imagine cricket without Sachin , says Anjali ) Courtesy : http://9cric.com/anjali-youre-my-best-best-partnership-sachin-tendulkar-to-wife-anjali/, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→October 18, 2013

Sachin turns poet!

Matser blaster Sachin Tendulkar turned poet sounds amazing to everyone at first instance but this surprise endeavour came to reality, when Tendulkar recited the poem 'Prajakta' penned down by his late father Ramesh Tendulkar to pay rich tributes in his memory at the Shivaji Park here on Tuesday. He did it on the occasion of a poetry recitation programme `Maharashtra Dharma', organised by the student’s wing of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by Raj Thackeray. Sachin’s father was a well-known critic and a Marathi poet. He was a professor at Mumbai’s Kirti College. Incidentally Sachin started his great cricketing career from this Shivaji Park itself and had lots of joyful memories from here but now he added one more memorable chapter of his life from this place. It was a totally nostalgic and emotional moment for Sachin when he recited the poem of his father, whom he admire most for the values inculcated by him in the little master and his family. Reciting Prajakta reminded him of the moment, when he scored the century during the World Cup series in England against Kenya after joining the team. Sachin had been called back from the series to Mumbai hearing the news of his father's death. After completing his century he raised his bat and looked upwards in search of his father. “I looked up and found my father watching me," an emotional Sachin said. He also dedicated that century to his father. Sachin said when invited to this event, he agreed but later on realised that it would be a very difficult task. "I started reading various poetry books and found it very difficult to recite even a couplet in front of my wife Anjali. I sent SMS to Raj Thackeray, requesting him relieve me from this responsibility. But the information about the event had already been made public, so I made up my mind to read out a poem," he said. On this occasion Sachin also re-released `Savitri', the first book written by historian Babasaheb Purandare's in 1950. Tendulkar was also there to promote Marathi literature and after the inauguration of the occasion, eminent Bollywood personalities of Marathi origin also pitched in reciting works of their favourite Marathi poet. Source: Article, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→September 08, 2013

U.S. rep for Miss Intercontinental 2013 selected

(Photo by Kevin Hoehne)

The new Miss United States Intercontinental 2013 is Chrissy Reynoso (center) who was crowned atHilton Houston Post Oak in Houston on June 29, 2013. She will represent the U.S. in Miss Intercontinental 2013 later this year. Her court includes from left to right: 3rd Runner-Up Miss Mississippi IntercontinentalJazmyn Jones, 1st Runner-Up Miss Georgia Intercontinental McKenzie Beach, 2nd Runner-Up Miss California Intercontinental Mary Maldonado, and 4th Runner-Up Miss Ohio Intercontinental Jordan Brown. \

Chrissy Reynoso

The day before (June 28th), three separate pageants were held at the same venue: Miss T.E.E.N. United States 2013, Miss T.E.E.N. 2013, and JR T.E.E.N. United States 2013:

(Photo by Kevin Hoehne)

The new Miss T.E.E.N. United States 2013 is Ashley Southern (center) of Idaho who is flanked by her court (L-R): 4th Runner-Up Miss T.E.E.N. Connecticut Sydney West (she is the younger sister of the current Miss Teen USA Logan West), 1st Runner-Up Miss T.E.E.N. Alabama Carmella Rauth, 2nd Runner-Up Miss T.E.E.N. California Emily Shah, and 3rd Runner-Up Miss T.E.E.N. North CarolinaAllison Howel. 

(Photo by Kevin Hoehne)

The new Miss T.E.E.N. 2013 is Astrid Diaz, 18, of Puerto Rico. Her court includes (L-R): 3rd Runner-Up Miss T.E.E.N United States, 1st Runner-Up Miss T.E.E.N. United Kingdom, 2nd Runner-Up Miss T.E.E.N. Scotland and 4th Runner-Up Miss T.E.E.N.Brazil. 

(Photo by Kevin Hoehne)

The new JR. T.E.E.N. UNITED STATES 2013 is Kaylyn Slevin of Nevada. The 1st Runner-Up is from California, (left) and the 2nd Runner-Up is from Pennsylvania (right). All four pageants are owned and run by Gaspar Cruz . Source: Critical Beauty

Read More........→July 02, 2013

Donna Karan knows what women want

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Donna Karan knows what women want—functional fashion that fits their fast-paced lives! Cool urban girls everywhere will covet the over-sized coats, sleek separates, and figure-flattering frocks in the Fall 2013 DKNY lineup. Donna Karan began her career as an assistant designer with Anne Klein in the late 1960s, where she was eventually promoted to associate designer in 1971. As Klein's assistant, Karan was a participant in The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show on November 28, 1973. When Anne Klein herself died in 1974, Takihyo Corporation of Japan became the new owner and Karan, together with her former classmate and friend Louis Dell'Ollio, became head designer of the house. In 1984, Karan left Anne Klein and, together with her then husband Stephan Weiss and Takihyo Corporation, started her own business "to design modern clothes for modern people". She showed her first women's clothing collection in 1985.[citation needed]. Karan became well known for her 'Essentials' line, initially offering seven easy pieces which could all be mixed and matched, and created a fully integrated wardrobe. Karan
always insisted that she would only design clothes, like jersey dresses and opaque Lycra tights, that she would also wear herself.[citation needed] She was once described in the early 1990s by the New York Times as “Ed Koch in a stretchy black dress”.[1] In 1988, Karan, nicknamed The Queen Of Seventh Avenue, extended her women's 'Donna Karan New York' line by creating a less expensive clothing line for younger women, called DKNY. Two years later, she created DKNY Jeans, a denim-inspired collection. DKNY for men was launched in 1992, one year after the 'Signature' line for men had been presented.[2] Karan left her CEO position in 1997, but continued as chairwoman and designer for the Donna Karan line. After 2002 Karan's designer contributions became less and less.[3] In August 2008, Karan relaunched her discontinued fragrance lines from the 1990s.[citation needed] DKNY Spring 2012, In 2008, the animal rights group PETA initiated a campaign against Karan for her company's use of fur in products and her contracted fur farmers' alleged inhumane treatment of animals..[4] , Donna Karan won several awards details are as below: (1) Karan won the Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award in 1977 and once again in 1982 (together with Louis Dell’Ollio for Anne Klein). (2) She was inducted into the Coty Hall Of Fame in 1984.[citation needed] (3) The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) named her Menswear Designer of the Year 1992 and Womenswear Designer of the Year 1990 and 1996. She was a nominee for the latter again in 2003 and was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the CFDA in 2004. She won special CFDA awards in 1985, 1986 and 1987, Sorurce:Wiki, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→May 27, 2013

Gain access to Tagore's creative genius online

Kolkata, May 6 (IANS) One can now have access to the entire oeuvre of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore online, in both Bengali and English. "Bichitra" (meaning variety) will provide a full electronic archive of Tagore's works in manuscript and print, with all significant versions and revisions of each work. It is offered as a tribute to Tagore and a contribution to his own idea of universal dissemination as as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the bard. It has been developed by the universities of Jadavpur and Visva-Bharati, the university that he founded at Santiniketan, West Bengal. The effort had the support of the union government. The website, launched by President Pranab Mukherjee Sunday, is the largest database of original texts by a single author. Bichitra includes digital images of all available manuscripts of Tagore as also important print versions. It runs into 47,520 pages of manuscripts and 91,637 pages of printed books and journals, said Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor Souvik Bhattacharyya. Altogether, 35 scholars in the fields of English, Bengali, comparative literature, Sanskrit and computer science toiled for two years to complete the project. Eminent academic Sukanta Chaudhuri said Tagore often revisited his works. "He would make some changes, some additions, some deletions. The project would enable the viewers to gain access to the full operation of Tagore's creative process in shaping a work." The database offers a unique four-window interface, allowing the viewer to compare all texts together, display any two of them, in turn, and show all the variants in highlighted and colour-coded forms. Various software programmes have been specially developed for "Bichitra", which would benefit general readers, scholars and other professionals working on any of the countless facets of Tagore's works. The website has been developed by the School of Cultural Texts and Records, Jadavpur University, in association with Rabindra-Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, with support from the central government's ministry of culture. The 1861-born Tagore holds the unique distinction of having authored the national anthems of two sovereign nations -- India and Bangladesh. The bard's rich, diverse and vast literary output is virtually unmatched in the world. He was also a painter and composer par excellence. In 1913, Tagore became the first Asian Nobel laureate and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize for literature.Source: News Track India, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→May 07, 2013

Kate Middleton nose job: it's what New York women want

KATE MIDDLETON is the perfect model for New York women seeking a nose job. So much so that Manhattan plastic surgeon Stephen Greenberg has 20 patients scheduled to get "royal rhinoplasty" over the next month – at a cost of $7,000 each. One of those waiting for surgery, secretary Johanna Ricardi, told the New York Daily News: "It's just this cute, little perky nose. It's not too big. It's not too small. It will pretty much suit any type of face." Greenberg said the Duchess of Cambridge's nose is so coveted "we have made a file of a dozen Kate Middleton pictures to show patients when they come in for their consultation". Dr Thomas Romo, of Manhattan's Lenox Hill hospital, estimates he has performed more than 100 of the procedures and believes the Duchess of Cambridge's nose is popular with patients seeking a "natural" look. "Women, especially over the age of 28, want the nose of a woman who is regal, refined and strong," he claimed. "They certainly don't want the scooped out, over-affected, upturned, pinched nose of a pop star. Before her [Middleton], we used to get a lot of people wanting Jennifer Aniston's nose, but now Kate Middleton is everywhere and everyone admires her nose." Office manager Brianna Diaz, who will undergo the procedure in two weeks' time, tells the Daily News: "I just knew I had to have it". The 26-year-old said: "I saw her nose a little while ago and now it is a huge thing for me, like an obsession." The popularity of the royal schnozz comes as Yahoo Lifestyle! reports that the nine-weeks pregnant Duchess is calling her unborn child "grape", due to the current size of the foetus. The Duchess recently sent the tabloids into a frenzy when she appeared to reveal she is Source: The Week UK

Read More........→March 17, 2013

Exceptional People: The Art of Judith Light

“Without wonder and insight, acting is just a trade. With it, it becomes creation.” --Bette Davis 

The landscape of television programming, what little remains that hasn’t given way to the dubiously-labeled genre of “reality programming,” is, populated by trades-people who offer passable and acceptable wares. Few, however, are what one might consider artists. When one stumbles upon such a creator of art, that individual’s name and face remain forever in his memory. One of those names, for over two decades,

has been Judith Light. Miss Light’s theatre roots are obvious at once. The Carnegie Mellon University graduate began her acting career on the stage in repertory theaters throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Debuting on Broadway, Judith performed in the classic “A Doll’s House.” This successful introduction to the Great White Way led to a season at the Eugene O’Neil Playwright’s Conference. While most of us tend to associate the divine Miss Light with her television roles, it’s important to note that her heart will always be on the stage. After bringing her talent into homes across the world through the medium of television, Miss Light returned to live theatre with a 1999 with her starring role as the complex and commanding “Dr. Vivian Bearing” in the critically-acclaimed and Pulitzer Prize winning Off-Broadway production of “WIT”, at Union Square Theater. Miss Light’s performance was heralded as brilliant, and her achievement was recognized by her peers when Judith received the Helen Hayes Award and the Elliot Norton Award for the role. This star-turn in “Wit” led, in 2001, to Washington, DC, where at The Shakespeare Theater, Miss Light portrayed the eponymous character in the Henrik Ibsen classic “Hedda Gabler.” Several other celebrated stage roles followed. One brought a nomination for

a Tony Award for “Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play” in 2011, for Miss Light’s role in “Lombardi,” by Academy Award winner Eric Simpson. Most recently, in June of 2012, Miss Light’s acting genius afforded her a coveted Tony Award for “Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play,” for her work in “Other Desert Cities”—a role which also earned Judith a Drama Desk Award for Best

Featured Actress. Throughout all of this, Miss Light also found the time to entertain millions with her television in film work starting with her ingénue role as Karen Wolek on “One Life to Live,” a part which won her two Best Actress Emmy awards. Most of us, however, recognize Miss Light as Angela Bower from her beloved primetime series “Who’s the Boss?” A host of other featured television roles would follow in addition to work in films such as “The Shoemaker” with Danny Aiello, and “Ira & Abby” by Jennifer

Westfeldt, with Robert Klein, Fred Willard, and Frances Conroy. This year, we’ve seen Miss Light’s deliciously Oedipal turn on TNT’s “Dallas” reboot as a scheming villainess who looks remarkably younger than the son to which she is just a bit too attached. Though the many awards Miss Light has amassed throughout her career speak to her unique talent, the true measure of her art is evident to anyone who has seen her perform. It’s the “wonder and insight” of which Bette Davis once spoke that gives the bite and heart to all of Miss Light’s roles. Without this depth, an actor is simply parroting life. Judith Light clearly gives a new, remarkable life to each character she portrays. It’s this singular sense of creating, of being, 

of living which makes hers a very special talent. Thankfully for many, Miss Light doesn’t keep her talent limited to just her work. She is an active Board Member and advocate for many organizations representing AIDS-related and Human Rights concerns. These include: Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS, The Names Project/The AIDS Memorial Quilt, The AIDS Memorial Grove, CDC’s Business Responds to AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS, Hollywood Health and Society, Project Angel Food, The Matthew Shepard Foundation, The National Aids Memorial Grove, The Point Foundation, The Rome Chamber Music Festival, Faith In America and The Trevor Project. All Images from JudithLight.Com, Source: Stalking the Belle Époque

Read More........→March 06, 2013

Charlie Chaplin on both sides of film camera

Charlie Chaplin in films and photographs from family archives is the subject of the first exhibition of its kind in the world. It is displayed at the Moscow Multimedia Art Museum between the 30 of November and 17 of February.

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The great 20th century actor shows both familiar and unfamiliar facets of his personality to the visitors. Gray-haired Chaplin is surrounded by children and performs his famous comical stunts. Chaplin in the shape of an abstract caricature – this is how he was seen by famous French avant-garde artist Fernand Leger. A character from an uncompleted animated cartoon Charlie the Cubist in the shape of a wooden figure made of hinged panels. A film made by Chaplin himself about his studio’s backstage life which was never shown after it was made. There are also a lot of other exhibits that show a very versatile picture of this genius of 20th century film-making, which has never been achieved yet within one project. This was the aim of the curator of the exhibition Sam Stourdze from Switzerland. Charlie Chaplin’s familiar screen character has not always been a sad, lonely little tramp whom most people imagine when thinking about Chaplin. In 1914 Chaplin appeared on the screen as a barefaced swindler and lady-killer showing a clear interest in his neighbour’s wife and his friends’ money. This character loved dirty tricks and missed no chance of furtively giving people a kick. Chaplin’s character started changing only in the film The Kid made in 1921. Whatever part Chaplin performed – of a fireman, priest, soldier or factory worker – the audience recognized him by his famous walk and indispensable accessories, such as huge boots, a bowler-hat and a walking-stick. At the Moscow exhibition this classic image of Chaplin can be traced in photographs and fragments of films, such as City Lights, The Gold Rush and The Great Dictator. What is especially interesting is looking at Chaplin’s photos on the shooting area in the process of making those films.When Chaplin made his films he always had a clear-cut plan of making the audience weep at some moment, laugh at another, be terrified but then cheer up. Mind that the audience goes through all this range of emotions watching a silent film. Charlie Chaplin used to say that silence was a blessing available to everyone. He said that few people knew how to enjoy it because it was not for sale. Wealthy people buy noise, he said. This idea is very much applicable today. At least, the new film The Artist made in the style of a silent film was recently awarded several Oscars. Source: Voice of Russia

Read More........→December 20, 2012

Mantel bags second Booker

Hilary Mantel did not figure on a list of the 20 best young British novelists published by a literary magazine in 1983. On Tuesday, she became the first British novelist to bag the prestigious Man Booker prize twice. The 60-year-old writer, whose Booker award was her second in only three years, stood up and folded her hands in a courteous 'namaste' to fellow diners at the gala banquet at Guildhall in central London. "Well, I don't know," she said. "You wait 20 years for a Booker Prize and two come along at once." "In (Mantel's novel) Bring Up the Bodies, our greatest modern writer retells the origins of modern England," said chairman of the judges and editor of the Times Literary Supplement, Peter Stothard. The nominees included the Indian poet and writer Jeet Thayill, who had an outside chance of winning the award that goes out every year to the best novel in English by a writer from the Commonwealth and Ireland. She becomes only the third author, after Australian Peter Cary and South African JM Coetzee to win the prize twice and is the first to win with a sequel - Bring Up the Bodies is the second in a trilogy that began with the Booker-winning Wolf Hall in 2009. "There is the last volume of her trilogy still to come so her Man Booker tale may yet have a further chapter," spokesperson for the Man Booker said. "I assure you that I have no expectations I will be standing here again," Mantel joked as she accepted the award. Central to the Tudor trilogy is the anti-hero Sir Thomas Cromwell - King Henry VIII's chief minister, spymaster, torturer and of the most ruthless and powerful men ever to dominate British politics. Source: Hindustan Times, Image: upload.wikimedia.org

Read More........→October 18, 2012

Miss World Mexico 2013, Marilyn Chagoya Triana

August 30, 2012 - After its disappointment with the Miss World 2012 results, Mexico is now ready to try its chance once more in 2013. Marilyn Chagoya Triana was just crowned as Miss Mundo Mexico and thus this 18 year old and 5'10" high beauty will soon embark into a quest where no Mexican had ever succeeded.
With National Director Lupita Jones expressing lately her concern about the pageant's integrity plus the injustice accorded to Perla Beltran in 2009, will Mexico ever win the Miss World crown? Source: Travelfwd

Read More........→September 26, 2012

How to get Madonna's outrageously fit body

 Image Link Flickr

Madonna celebrates her 54th birthday on Thursday, August 16. How does the Hard Candy gym owning-pop star-film director keep her famous physique svelte through the ages? Sheer dedication and willingness to mix up the routine - from Zumba to running to barre workouts. If you're inspired to get gams like Madge, fitness blog FitSugar offered up a few of the star's health and fitness secrets: All things Anderson - Both Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow can thank celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson's dance workout technique for their respective six packs. "Madge broke up with Tracy after a few years, but you can still try out Madonna's Tracy Anderson-approved workout," writes FitSugar. Coocoo for coconut water - Just like fellow pop icon Lady Gaga, Madonna invested in Vita Coco after drinking fresh coconut water which contains replenishing electrolytes - during her Sticky & Sweet tour. Urban cycling - In London, FitSugar claims that Madonna is cycling around town and even biking to the gym as a cardio warmup. Le barre - Apparently, the past few years, Madonna has been in love with workouts devised by her latest trainer, Sadie Lincoln, founder of barre3, which is a ballet-inspired workout that also combines elements of yoga and Pilates. Macrobiotic devotee - The pop star reportedly eats a primarily macrobiotic diet, as designed by her personal chef Mayumi Nishimura. Her latest cookbook, Mayumi's Kitchen: Macrobiotic Cooking for Body and Soul, includes 130 Madonna-approved recipes. Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........→August 30, 2012

Miss Universe New Zealand 2012, Talia Bennett

Talia Bennett is the new Miss Universe New Zealand 2012

Congratulations to Miss North Harbour, Talia Bennett (23 year old, 5 ft 8 inches) is the new Miss Universe New Zealand 2012 after Avianca Böhm failed to prove her New Zealand citizenship and had been instructed to “step down”. Talia Bennett was the first runner-up in the Miss Universe New Zealand 2012 pageant held in June. She will represent New Zealand in the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 Pageant, the pageant shedule in December 2012. Source: Travelfwd

Read More........→August 24, 2012

Rachel Crowned As Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2013

Rachel Wyatt of South Carolina was crowned Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2013 Saturday night in Orlando, Florida. The teen pageant is the younger-sister pageant within the Miss America Organization. Wyatt, 17, reigned as Miss Greater Mauldin Teen before earning the state crown. The new Miss South Carolina Teen will be Sydney Hill, who was first runner-up at the state pageant. Wyatt is a “senior honor student at Wren High School, is class president and member of the Beta Club,” according to the Williamston Journal. “She is the recipient of the Presidential volunteer service award and the Duke of Edinburgh silver award.” An avid dancer, she hopes to major in speech pathology. Others honored at the national pageant were: first runner-up: Jaine Coann LeFebvre of Connecticut; second runner-up: Laura Leigh Turner of Arkansas; third runner-up: Jameson Kenerly of Georgia; and fourth funner-up: Molly May of Mississippi. Source: Critical Beauty

Read More........→August 21, 2012