The son of actor Mammootty on his upcoming film release, style statement and more.

It’s a big week for Dulquer Salmaan. And he’s enjoying every minute of it.

This Friday, his film with Mani Ratnam — O Kadhal Kanmani — hits screens. And yesterday, he made many heads turn at the launch of men’s platinum jewellery by Prince Jewellery.

Not many know that this young actor, son of popular star Mammootty, is very much a Chennai boy. “I’ve done all my schooling at Chennai — it’s always home for me,” he told The Hindu Metroplus, “All my growing up years have been spent here and I have really fond memories associated with the city.”

His father, who has been a hot favourite in Malayalam cinema for many years, is very happy with his progress — both as an actor and a person. “He’s very proud and secure. He knows I’m finally doing something worthwhile with life!”

While Dulquer has been active in Mollywood for the past few years, he’s making in-roads into Tamil cinema in a big way now. After a good outing in Vaayai Moodi Pesavum, his biggie with Mani Ratnam has been the talk of the town. So, how did his father react when he bagged a Mani Ratnam project? “He reacted as a father and not as an actor. He knew I was in the best hands possible. He’s proud that I got an opportunity to act in such a prestigious film; he’s just basking in that.”

The young actor is a huge hit among youngsters and enjoys a massive female following. A lot of that stems from his style statement, which is considered simple and elegant. Ask him about that, and he says, “For me, style is all about confidence. What you wear, both in terms of clothing and jewellery, should add to your confidence.” And that’s exactly why he likes platinum.

“It isn’t loud. I might play characters that are loud in the movies, but in real life, I’m not loud in terms of personality. Platinum, I feel, is a bit like that.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Srinivasa Ramanajum / April 15th, 2015

Check out the colourful song  ‘Holi Aayeere’ – song by Shamsad Begum , music-Nausad , film -Mother India,  one of the best holi songs ever composed in hindi cinema featuring Rajkumar and Nargis

source: http://www.YouTube.com

Chennai :

Tamil Sangams at Navi Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram have been chosen for the TN Government’s ‘Thamizh Thai’ award for the years 2014 and 2015 respectively. The awards carry a shield, certificate of appreciation and `5 lakh.

The announcement was made on Monday along with other awards instituted after Tamil scholars and poets as well as the Chief Minister’s Computer Tamil award.

For the year 2014, the following scholars have been chosen for the awards: A Lalithaa Sundaram (Kapilar award), Marudhu Azhagu Raja (U.Ve.Sa award), SV Shanmugam (Kambar award), Sudha Seshaiyyan (Sollin Selvar award), J Narayanasamy (GU Pope award) and SM Mohammed Ali (Umaruppulavar award).

2015 awardees : Poet Pirasoodan (Kapilar award), Kudavayil Subramanian ( U.Ve.Sa award), G Selvam (Kambar award), S Sathiyaseelan (Sollin Selvar award), Madurai Ilangavin (M Arokiasamy – GU Pope award), M Sayabu Maraikkayar (Umaruppulavar award) and Nirmala Mohan (Elangovadigal award). Prof.N Deivasundaram has been chosen for the Computer Tamil award for the year 2013 while Virubha Valartamil Nigandu T Kumaresan has bagged it for 2014. All these awardees will be presented with a GOLD medal, certificate of appreciation, a shawl and `1 lakh.

Jaya’s Greetings

AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Monday greeted the Tamils, living across the globe on the eve of Tamil New Year celebrations. Jayalalithaa said, “Let this New Year be a very prosperous one for the people of Tamil Nadu. Let this year bring health and wealth to you all.” She added, “In this new year, let us all vow to work unitedly to thwart all roadblocks and make Tamil Nadu a prosperous State.”

Governor K Rosaiah said “On the occasion of Tamil New Year, Vaisaki, Baisakhi and Vishu, I extend my best wishes to the people.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / April 14th, 2015

Nazim Hussain, one of the sons of Shehnai exponent Bismillah Khan, is among the renowned tabla players in the country. Recently, for a tribute to his father in Chennai organised by Tansen Academy of Music, the tabla artiste visited the city.

Nazim Hussain, who has trained in playing the tabla since his childhood, solely to accompany his father in his performances, has also played the instrument for films, a major one among them being Sanaadi Appanna – a film considered to be a Kannada adaptation of Thillana Mohanambal. He has played in various concerts at Benares, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai as well. The tabla maestro recounts his experiences to City Express.

First Experience

I have visited the city several times. However, I haven’t kept a track of the number of times. The first time I came here was when I was 16 or 17 years old. It was a Sangeet Sammelan – a gathering of artistes of high calibre such as Pandit Bade Ghulam Ali and Vilayat Khan. I had performed alongside my father, who was playing the Shehnai at the concert. It was a rare and different experience.

Go-to places

Since I usually visit only when there are concerts, I barely step out to see places other than sabhas. However, sometimes I make it a point to visit the Saibaba Temple in Saligramam, because that is near my friend S Ballesh’s residence, where I visit each time I come to Chennai. I meditate there; the space gives me serene vibrations. I also visit the Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane sometimes.

Experiences with Tamil film musicians and Chennai audience

I have played some minor bits for Tamil films, but to recount something memorable, I should mention my recording experience in 1976 in Chennai, I think it was Sanaadi Appanna only. We had recorded in Gemini and Prasad studios for nine days in Chennai along with 100 other musicians. The music director was G K Venkatesh. Ilaiyaraaja was on the keyboard then.

One thing I must mention about the city as such, is the openness of people to Hindustani music. Although deep-rooted in Carnatic music, I like the way they appreciate Hindustani artistes as well.

Carnatic music and musicians

I was brought up listening to Hindustani music, so it was quite a shift being exposed to Carnatic music while on my visits to Chennai. Yes, the style gives more importance to structure and calculations, but one cannot help but marvel at the genius of the artistes. I personally admire the work of L Subrahmanyam for his skill. When he plays the violin, the notes produced elevate the spirit of the singer. The other singer I look up to is Balamuralikrishna.

Future visits to Chennai

There is a dearth of classically-trained tabla players here and I would be more than happy to come down and teach.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Aparna Desikan / April 13th, 2015