Kapil Dev

 

Kapil Dev Nikhanj was India's finest all rounder in cricket. He was born on 6th January 1959 in Haryana. He was the former captain and new national team coach.

When Kapil was just 20, he set a new record of scoring 1000 runs and taking 100 wickets. He made this record within a period of one year and 109 days only. Kapil Dev started playing in the first class cricket in 1975, and the opportunity for him to play in a test match for the first time came in 1978 during Indian team's tour to Pakistan.

He also achieved the unique double of 4000 runs and 400 wickets, the first ever Indian player to do so. He also set the world record for taking the highest number of wickets (432) in test matches in February 1994. Indian government honoured him with the 'Padmabhushan' award. Kapil Dev has written his autobiography under the title 'By God's Decree'. 

Biography

Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj (born 6 January 1959, Chandigarh), better known as Kapil Dev, is a former Indian cricketer who was regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders to have played the game, and was named by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002. His most famous achievements were captaining India to their first and only World Cup title in 1983, and holding the record for the most Test match wickets, between 1994 and 1999. In 1991, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Profile

Kapil Dev was a right-arm pace bowler noted for his graceful action and potent outswinger, and was India's main strike bowler throughout most of his career. He also developed a fine inswinging yorker during the 1980s which he used very effectively against tailenders.

As a batsman he was a natural striker of the ball who could hook and drive effectively. A naturally aggressive player, he often helped India in difficult situations by taking the attack to the opposition.

His nickname was The Haryana Hurricane - he used to represent the Haryana cricket team, although he is himself a Punjabi.

Early charisma

Kapil made his international cricket debut against Pakistan at Faisalabad in 1978-79 and became an instant success with the Indian masses when he hit two clean sixes on his way to his first half-century in the 3rd Test of that series. When Pakistan returned for a six-Test series in 1979-80, Kapil was the man of the series and the main factor behind the 2-0 win for India. More success followed in the next season in Australia, where he helped India defend a small second-innings score at Melbourne against a formidable Australian batting line-up. He was the man of the series against England, both in the home series of 1981-82 as well as the "away" series in 1982. Following India's disastrous tour of Pakistan in 1982-83, he was appointed the captain and within a few months of taking over the captaincy from Sunil Gavaskar, he led India to the World Cup win of 1983. His best bowling analysis of 9/83 came the same year against West Indies at Ahmedabad.

Difficult captaincy

Kapil lost the captaincy in early 1984 to Sunil Gavaskar. He regained it in March 1985 and guided India on a Test series win over England on their tour in 1986. This period saw one of the most famous matches played during his reign, the second Tied Test in which he was named joint-man of the match with Dean Jones. In the 1987 Cricket World Cup he faced the blame for India's loss to England in the semi-final, as he holed out to deep mid-wicket triggering a collapse that led to the unexpected loss. He did not captain India again.

The captaincy period was on the whole a difficult one for him as it was mired with reports of differences with Gavaskar, as well as his own inconsistent form as a bowler. However, both men have since insisted that these reports were exaggerated.

Records in Test cricket

By the end of 1983, Kapil already had about 250 Test wickets in just five years and looked well on his way to becoming one of the most prolific wicket-takers ever. However, following knee surgery in 1984, his bowling declined as he lost some of his majestic jump at the crease. He continued to be effective, if not devastating, for another ten years and became the second bowler ever to take 400 wickets in Test cricket in 1991-92. In early 1994, he became the highest Test wicket-taker in the world, breaking the record held by Sir Richard Hadlee. Kapil's record was broken by Courtney Walsh in 1999.

Kapil is the only player to have achieved the all-rounder's double of 4,000 Test runs and 400 Test wickets.

Always an entertainer

At his best, Kapil was one of the world's most destructive batsmen. During the Test match series against Pakistan in 1982-83, he demolished Abdul Qadir's leg spin, which the English and Australian batsmen had great difficulty in reading earlier in the same year.

He was also fearless in attacking the world's best fast-bowlers. During a World Cup match against the West Indies in 1983, he drove Michael Holding straight over his head for a six, a shot that would have been considered unimaginable by most against a bowler of Holding's pace.

In a match on route to the World Cup final of 1983, Kapil smashed a captain's knock of 175 not out against Zimbabwe helping India recover from an extremely poor start. India had collapsed to 9/4 when Kapil came in to bat, and were reduced further to 17/5. His 175 not out turned the game completely in India's favour and was at the time the highest-ever individual score in ODI cricket. It was also the first ODI century by an Indian. Surprisingly, it was also Kapil's only ODI hundred.

Another memorable incident relates to a Test match against England in 1990. When India needed 24 runs to save the follow-on with only one wicket remaining, Kapil met that target by hitting four consecutive sixes off Eddie Hemmings. This proved to be the right decision, as in the next over itself, the number 11 batsman Narendra Hirwani was dismissed with no further addition to the score.

A further example of his competitive spirit was during a match against West Indies at Sharjah in November 1986, when he tried to cajole Viv Richards into bowling the last over of the match with India needing 36 runs to win. Unsurprisingly, Richards did not give in to his request.

Kapil's batting talent and competitive spirit were evident until as late as 1992, when during a Test match against South Africa, he counter-attacked Allan Donald and the rest of the South African pace attack on his way to his final Test century, an outstanding 129 out of a total of 215. The next highest score was only 17 and none of the top six batsmen got into double figures.

In retirement

Kapil retired from playing cricket in 1994. After spending a few years away from cricket, he was appointed coach of the Indian national cricket team in 1999 succeeding Anshuman Gaekwad. However, his tenure was not a success and he resigned from the post in 2000.

Since retirement, Kapil has also taken up the sport of golf. His autobiography, titled Straight to the Heart, was published in 2004 (ISBN 1403-92227-6).

Awards

• 1979-80 - Arjuna Award
  
• 1982 - Padma Shri
  
• 1983 - Wisden Cricketer of the Year
  
• 1991 - Padma Bhushan
  
• 2002 - Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century
  

 

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA [1863-1902]

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S inspiring personality was well known both in India and in America during the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth. The unknown monk of India suddenly leapt into fame at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, colourful personality, and handsome figure made an irresistible appeal to the many types of Americans who came in contact with him. People who saw or heard Vivekananda even once still cherish his memory after a lapse of more than half a century.

In America Vivekananda's mission was the interpretation of India's spiritual culture, especially in its Vedantic setting. He also tried to enrich the religious consciousness of the Americans through the rational and humanistic teachings of the Vedanta philosophy. In America he became India's spiritual ambassador and pleaded eloquently for better understanding between India and the New World in order to create a healthy synthesis of East and West, of religion and science.

In his own motherland Vivekananda is regarded as the patriot saint of modern India and an inspirer of her dormant national consciousness, To the Hindus he preached the ideal of a strength-giving and man-making religion. Service to man as the visible manifestation of the Godhead was the special form of worship he advocated for the Indians, devoted as they were to the rituals and myths of their ancient faith. Many political leaders of India have publicly acknowledged their indebtedness to Swami Vivekananda.

The Swami's mission was both national and international. A lover of mankind, he strove to promote peace and human brotherhood on the spiritual foundation of the Vedantic Oneness of existence. A mystic of the highest order, Vivekananda had a direct and intuitive experience of Reality. He derived his ideas from that unfailing source of wisdom and often presented them in the soulstirring language of poetry.

The natural tendency of Vivekananda's mind, like that of his Master, Ramakrishna, was to soar above the world and forget itself in contemplation of the Absolute. But another part of his personality bled at the sight of human suffering in East and West alike. It might appear that his mind seldom found a point of rest in its oscillation between contemplation of God and service to man. Be that as it may, he chose, in obedience to a higher call, service to man as his mission on earth; and this choice has endeared him to people in the West, Americans in particular.

In the course of a short life of thirty-nine years (1863-1902), of which only ten were devoted to public activities-and those, too, in the midst of acute physical suffering-he left for posterity his four classics: Jnana-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga, all of which are outstanding treatises on Hindu philosophy. In addition, he delivered innumerable lectures, wrote inspired letters in his own hand to his many friends and disciples, composed numerous poems, and acted as spiritual guide to the many seekers, who came to him for instruction. He also organized the Ramakrishna Order of monks, which is the most outstanding religious organization of modern India. It is devoted to the propagation of the Hindu spiritual culture not only in the Swami's native land, but also in America and in other parts of the world.

Swami Vivekananda once spoke of himself as a "condensed India." His life and teachings are of inestimable value to the West for an understanding of the mind of Asia. William James, the Harvard philosopher, called the Swami the "paragon of Vedantists." Max Muller and Paul Deussen, the famous Orientalists of the nineteenth century, held him in genuine respect and affection. "His words," writes Romain Rolland, "are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books, at thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports, must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!''

Maruthamalai Temple

Maruthamalai Temple, situated on a hillock, about 12 kms from Coimbatore, is an important temple dedicated to Lord Muruga.

The temple gets its name from the Marutha trees in the forests on the hill. The hills also have many medicinal herbs in their forests.

The story behind the temple is that a thirsty Sanyasi was walking through the forest and took refuge under a Marutha tree. To quench his thirst, he prayed to Lord Muruga, who answered his prayers and water sprang from Marutha trees. Hence Lord Muruga has been hailed the Lord of Marutha.

This temple was built about 800 years ago. The temple was renovated recently and Kumbabishekam (renovation) performed. The temple and its surroundings are abuzz with devotees who can be seen trekking the 700-odd steps to the top of the temple, as penance. There are frequent buses from Coimbatore city to Maruthamalai. From the base of the temple local buses ply to the temple.

The word "Marudhachalapathy" or "Maruthamalai Andavar" means Master of Hills, abounding in Marudha trees. The name has also a legendary origin. A Siddha, overcome by excessive thirst and tiredness, sought shelter under the shade of a Marudha tree and prayed to the mercy of the Lord Muruga for a shower of water, which sprang at once as though by a miracle from beneath the tree! As water gushed out from the roots of the marudha tree, the Siddha leaped in joy, glorifying Muruga as the Lord of "Marudha" and "Jalam" (water) with the passage of time, "Marudhajalapathi" became "Marudhachalapathy.

The "Marudha Thirtam" and the"Pambatti Sunai" are springs on the hills with holy waters for ablution and a dip in them cures a number of diseases for they contain Medicinal Properties.

Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan (Tamil: கமல்ஹாசன்) (born November 7, 1954 in Paramakudi, Madras State, India) is an Indian film actor, script writer, and filmmaker, considered one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. Haasan is known for winning several Indian film awards, including National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards, and has the distinction of being the actor with the most number of films submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In addition to acting and directing, he is a screenwriter, lyricist, playback singer and choreographer. His film production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films.
After several projects as a child artiste, Kamal Haasan's breakthrough into lead acting came with his role in the 1975 drama Apoorva Raagangal, in which he played a rebellious youth in love with an older woman. He secured his first Indian National Film Award for his portrayal of a guileless school teacher who tends a child-like amnesiac in 1982's Moondram Pirai. He was particularly noted for his performance in Mani Ratnam's Godfatheresque Nayagan (1987), which was ranked by Time magazine as one of the best films of all time. then he has gone on to appear in other notable films such as his own productions, Hey Ram and Virumaandi, as well as the magnum opus Dasavathaaram, in which he appeared in ten distinct rolesBiography

Early career: 1960s – early 1970s
Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a 6-year-old child artiste, in the film Kalathur Kannamma, which was released on August 12, 1959, directed by A. Bhimsingh. He was cast along with the veteran Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan in the film, which won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. He acted as a child actor in five other Tamil films in the subsequent few years co-starring with Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran.
Following a nine year hiatus from films, to concentrate on his education as well as learning karate and Bharathanatyam, Haasan returned with a series of low budget films in 1972, in all of which he played supporting roles. These films included roles in Arangetram and Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, both co-starring Sivakumar. His final supporting role before establishing himself as a lead actor was in Naan Avanillai.[5Late 1970s – 1980s
Kamal Haasan first received a regional Filmfare Award for acting for his role in the Malayalam film Kanyakumari (1974). In the next four years, he won six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards. He acted in director K. Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal, an exploration of age-gap relationships. The late 1970s was a period that saw Kamal Haasan's frequent collaboration with K. Balachander, who also cast him in many of his socially-themed films such as Avargal (1977). The film won Haasan his first Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In 1976, Haasan appeared in the drama Moondru Mudichu with Rajinikanth and Sridevi, another K. Balachander film, Manmadha Leelai, and Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second consecutive Best Actor Award. 16 Vayathinile won him his third consecutive award, where he appeared as an mentally ill villager, once again alongside Rajinikanth and Sridevi. The fourth consecutive award came with Sigappu Rojakal in which he appeared as an anti-hero who is a psychopathic sexual killer. In the late seventies, Haasan appeared in other films such as the comedy, Ninaithale Inikkum and the horror film, Neeya.
Haasan's pairing with the actress Sridevi continued with Guru and Varumayin Niram Sigappu in 1980. Kamal Haasan also made guest–cameo appearances, such as in the Rajnikanth film Thillu Mullu; Rajinikanth had previously appeared in some of Kamal Haasan's previous films. Haasan's 100th career film appearance was in 1981's Raja Paarvai, which also marked his debut in film production. Despite this film's relatively poor reception at the cinemas, his portrayal of a blind session violinist earned him a Filmfare Award. His next acting role, in Ek Duuje Ke Liye, became his first Hindi-language film. It was the remake of his previous Telugu-language film, Maro Charithra by K. Balachandar. Following a year of starring in commercially-oriented films, Haasan won his first of three National Awards for Best Actor with his portrayal of a school teacher who looks after a mentally retarded girl in Balu Mahendra's Moondram Pirai, alter reprising the role in the Hindi version, Sadma. In 1983, Haasan appeared in Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey playing a double roleTill 1985, Haasan began to appear in more Hindi language films, including Saagar, for which he was awarded both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and the Best Supporting Actor Award, making him the first actor to win both awards for a single film. Saagar portrayed him alongisde Rishi Kapoor both of whom were pinning for a woman, but Haasan ultimately loses out. Haasan also appeared in Geraftaar. He featured in Tamil cinema's first sequel Japanil Kalyanaraman, which followed up his previous, Kalyanaraman as well as acting in Uruvangal Maralam co-starring Sivaji Ganesan and Rajinikanth.
In the mid-1980s, Haasan appeared in two Telugu language films, Sagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam with director, Kasinadhuni Viswanath. The latter film was India's representative for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1986. Whilst, the former film portrayed Haasan as a drunkard classical dancer, Swathi Muthyam portrays him as an autistic person attempting to change society. Following Punnagai Mannan, in which he portrays dual roles including a satire of Charlie Chaplin and Vetri Vizha as an amnesiac, Haasan appeared in Mani Rathnam's 1987 film Nayagan. Nayagan portrays the life of an underworld don in Bombay. The story revolves around the life of a real-life underworld don called Varadarajan Mudaliar, whilst sympathetically depicting the struggle of South Indians living in Mumbai. Haasan received a Indian National Award for his performance and Nayagan was nominated by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1987 as well as being included in the Time top 100 movies list. In 1988, Haasan appeared in his only silent film to date; appearing in the black comedy, Pushpak. In 1989, Haasan played a triple role in Apoorva Sagodharargal. The commercial film portrayed him in a role as a dwarf. He then attempted dual roles in Indrudu Chandrudu and its Tamil remake, winning the regional Best Actor Award for his performance


Kamal Haasan in his yet-to-be-completed Marudhanayagam
Michael Madhana Kamarajan in 1991 saw Haasan go one step further, acting in four different roles as quadruplets, the film started an ongoing collabaration for comedy films between Haasan and Crazy Mohan, a dialogue writer. Haasan won successive best actor awards for his portrayal of the protagonist in Guna and in Thevar Magan, where he played the son of actor, Sivaji Ganesan. After films such as Singaravelan, Maharasan and Kalaignan; Haasan began to appear in comedies such as Sathi Leelavathi, based on the English film She-Devil, as well as renewing his collobaration with Kasinadhuni Viswanath in his last Telugu language film till date, Subha Sankalpam. In 1996, Haasan starred in the police story, Kuruthipunal. His success in Kuruthipunal, was followed by his third National Film Award for Best Actor in Indian. Playing dual roles of a freedom fighter and his untrustful son, the film also won Haasan regional awards and plaudits for his portrayal.
Haasan appeared as a woman in Avvai Shanmughi inspired by the Hollywood production, Mrs. Doubtfire.In 1997, Haasan began his first directorial venture, the biopic of Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Marudhanayagam which failed to complete its schedules with only half an hour and a trailer being recorded during its shoot. Marudhanayagam had been speculated to be the biggest and most expensive film in Indian cinema with a number of high profile actors technicians signing up for roles. Moreover, the film was launched in a much publicized ceremony by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom during her visit to India in 1997. Due to budget constraints, the film failed to materialize into feature length but Haasan has sinced stated his interest in building up funds for the project since. Haasan soon made his debut as director with a remake of Avvai Shanmughi in Hindi titled Chachi 420.
2000s: Hey Ram and onwards


Kamal Haasan pictured with Manisha Koirala in Aalavandhan
Following a two-year hiatus in Indian cinema, Haasan opted against reviving his magnum opus, Marudhanayagam, and filmed his second directorial venture, Hey Ram, a period drama told in flashback with a semi-fictional plot centering around India's Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Haasan also took on roles as the writer, the lyricist and the choreographer as well as producing the film under his home banner. The film, also featured Shahrukh Khan and was India's submission for the Academy Awards that year. His following film was Aalavandhan, where he portrayed two distinct roles, for one of which he had his head tonsured and gained ten kilograms. Despite much publicity prior to release, the film failed commercially, wih Haasan opting to repay distributors who had suffered losses with the film.
Following a series of successful comedies in Thenali, Panchathantiram and Pammal K. Sambandam and a couple of guest appearances, Haasan directed his third feature film in Virumaandi, a film about the death penalty. Haasan also appeared in Anbe Sivam alongside Madhavan. Priyadarshan, who started the film, departed allowing commercial director Sundar C to complete the film. Anbe Sivam told the story of Nallasivam, enacted by Haasan as an idealist, social activist and communist. Kamal Haasan's performance was highly lauded by critics with The Hindu stating that Haasan "has once again done Tamil cinema proud".
Haasan then appeared in the remake film Vasool Raja alongside Sneha. In 2006, Haasan's long delayed project, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu emerged as a blockbuster.Gautham Menon's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu was Haasan's first cop film since Kuruthipunal. In 2008, Haasan appeared in K. S. Ravikumar's Dasavathaaram portraying ten distinct roles in the venture which to-date remians the most expensive Indian film ever made. opposite Asin Thottumkal, the film became the second highest grossing film ever in Tamil cinema and won Haasan critical praise for his enactment. He had also undertook the opportunity of being the story and screenwriter for the project. Following the completion of Dasavathaaram, Haasan opted to direct his fourth directorial venture, with a film tentatively titled Marmayogi, which after a year of pre-production became stalled. He then opted to produce and star in a venture, Unnaipol Oruvan, co-starring him with Mohanlal. The film, which had Shruti Haasan appear as the music director, became a successful venture for Haasan at the box-office.
Personal life

Family
Kamal Haasan was born on November 7, 1954 to a criminal lawyer named D. Srinivasan and his devout wife Rajalakshmi, both a part of the Tamil Iyengar caste, in the village of Paramakudi in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Haasan has referred to his parents in recent films, with references being made in Unnaipol Oruvan as well as in the song, Kallai Mattum from Dasavathaaram.Kamal Haasan was the youngest of three brothers, the others being Chaaru Haasan and Chandra Haasan. Chaaru Haasan, like Kamal Haasan, is a National Film Award-winning actor, who appeared in the noted Kannada film, Tabarana Kathe among others, but he has semi-retired from films since of recent times. Kamal's niece (Chaaru Haasan's daughter), Suhasini is also a National Film Award Winner and is married to noted director and fellow Award winner, Mani Ratnam, who collaborated with Kamal Haasan in 1987's Nayagan.Chandra Haasan has appeared as the producer for several of Kamal Haasan's films as well as being an executive of Kamal Haasan's home production company, Rajkamal International. His brother's daughter Anu Haasan has appeared in several films in supporting roles, most notably in Suhasini's Indira.
Relationships
Despite his much praised and applauded film career, his personal life had some setbacks which have been exploited by the media. In Haasan's early career, he co-starred in several Tamil and Malayalam films with noted actress Srividya. The pair were reported to have been a part of a notorious affair in the 1970s, with their relationship being explored in the 2008-released Malayalam film, Thirakkatha by Renjith, with Anoop Menon portraying Haasan and Priyamani playing Srividya. Srividya, who died in 2006, was visited by Haasan at her bedside during her final days. In 1978, at the age of twenty four, Haasan met and married danseuse Vani Ganapathy, who was elder to him. Vani put on the mantle of costume designer for her Haasan's movies and was publicized for walking along with Haasan into the Filmfare Awards South ceremony of 1980, immediately after their wedding. However, the pair split after ten years together, after finding out that Haasan was dating fellow actress, Sarika, with Haasan confirming in a recent interview that he and Vani have never been in touch since.
Subsequently, Haasan and Sarika married in 1988, with the pair having two children: Shruti Haasan (born 1986) and Akshara Haasan (born 1991). The former is a singer as well as an upcoming actress, whilst the latter is pursuing higher studies in Bangalore. Sarika, retired from acting roles soon after her marriage with Haasan, replacing his ex-wife, Vani Ganapathy as Haasan's costume designer, with acclaimed work in Hey Ram. However, the pair filed for divorced in 2002, with Sarika estranging herself from her children as well as Haasan by the end of the procedure in 2004. Haasan's intimate relationship with co-star Simran Bagga, who is twenty two years younger, became the reason for the split. A brief relationship with Simran, who appeared opposite Haasan in two consecutive ventures with Pammal K. Sambandam and Panchathantiram, followed after she ended her relationship with choreographer Raju Sundaram. However, the pair's companionship was short lived, with Simran going onto marry a childhood friend in 2004. Currently Haasan lives with former actress, Gouthami Tadimalla, who co-starred with Haasan in several films in the late 80's to the early 90's. Haasan helped her during her traumatic experience suffering from breast cancer and the pair have been in a domestic relationship since 2005. Along with Shruti and Akshara, Gouthami's daughter, Subbalakshmi, from an annulled marriage also lives with them.
Awards and honours

Main article: List of Kamal Haasan's awards, honours and recognitions
Kamal Haasan, a Padmashri holder, is the most decorated actor in terms of awards in the history of Indian cinema. He holds the record for the most National Film Awards for an actor with four, three awards for Best Actor and one for Best Child Artiste. Moreover, Haasan holds a record nineteen Filmfare Awards - ranging across five langauges, and after his latest award in 2000, wrote to the organisation to exempt him from further awards. Other recognitions include a string of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Nandi Awards and Vijay Awards, in which Haasan won four separate awards for his contribution in Dasavathaaram.
Notable filmography

Further information: Kamal Haasan filmography
Year Film Role Language Notes
1960 Kalathur Kannamma Selvam Tamil Winner: National Film Award for Best Child Artist
1975 Apoorva Raagangal Prasanna Tamil Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
1982 Moondram Pirai Srinivasan Tamil Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
1983 Sagara Sangamam Balakrishna Telugu Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award
Winner: Nandi Award for Best Actor
1987 Nayagan Velu Nayakkar Tamil Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
1988 Pushpak Pushpak Silent Winner: Filmfare Best Kannada Actor Award
1989 Apoorva Sagodharargal Sedhupathy,
Raja,
Appu Tamil Portrayed three roles; one was a dwarf
1992 Thevar Magan Shakthivelu Thevar Tamil Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
Scripted and produced by Kamal Haasan
1996 Indian Senapathy Bose,
Chandra Bose Tamil Portrayed a dual role
Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
2000 Hey Ram Saket Ram Tamil Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
Simultaneously made into Hindi as Hey Ram
Scripted, produced and directed by Kamal Haasan
2008 Dasavathaaram Ten different roles Tamil Portrayed 10 different roles
Scripted by Kamal Haasan

Mahendra Sigh Dhoni

Passion seeps through his gaze. The stylish hunk of the Indian cricket team

has it all, best wicketkeeper, best batsmen with a strong value for teamwork. Unfold the life story of an aggressive right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper, and the Indian ODI Team's vice-captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has clinged to the throne of glory from the first day.

His Early Days To His Step To Glory:
Mahendra Sigh Dhoni was born on July 7 1981 in Ranchi to Pan Singh and Devaki Devi. He has two siblings, a sister Jayanti Gupta and a brother Narendra. As a child he loved to play Badminton and football. He scored so well in the sports that he was selected at district and club level to achieve greater heights. However the destiny has always taken a varied path to taste sweet success. It drove him to the field of cricket to be recognised as a cricketer than a football or a badminton player.

Although Dhoni had not played cricket, he impressed with his wicket-keeping skills and became the regular wicketkeeper at the Commando cricket club within a short span of time. In his college days he slowly drifted from his childhood interests and focused only on cricket. Based on his performance at club cricket, he was picked for 1997/98 season Vinoo Mankad Trophy Under-16 Championship and he performed admirably Dhoni, referred to as 'Mahi' by his friends, debuted in the Bihar cricket team during the 1998/99 cricket season and was selected to represent India for a tour to Kenya in 2004. As a child he idolized three people, Cricket teammate Sachin Tendulkar, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and singer Lata Mangeshkar. In one of the interview he states the pleasure of meeting his idol Mr. Bachchan as the most memorable moment. Besides his love for field sports he also loves to buzz in the streets with his remarkable bikes.

Marketable cricket icon
Dhoni has been riding high on style not just because of his tinted hair but also because of his shimmering smile. He is reputed to have 17 endorsements. From ceiling fans, shoes, electronics, men's fabirc to petrol, he's done it all. In 2006 he was voted MTV Youth Icon. He joins cricketers Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar

in winning the award.He garnered maximum number of votes to win the honour ahead of five other heavyweights -- Navjot Singh Sidhu, Abhijeet Sawant, Vijay Mallaya , President A P J Abdul Kalam and John Abraham.

His quote
"Ranking does not matter. The team is more important. As long as my contributions lead to the team's victories, it is more important than the top ranking,"

His Cricket career
Dhoni burst into the cricket field with complete zest in 2004. He immediately established himself as a swashbuckling batsman besides being a good wicketkeeper. He was credited by critics, 'as the man who can decimate any bowling attack with his powerful hitting'. Dhoni has so far played in 66 One-Day Internationals for India in which he has amassed 1958 runs. He has a highest score of 183 not out which he achieved against Sri Lanka in Nagpur.

Dhoni is known for his awesome strike-rate of 98.49 and averages 46.61 per match. He hit 10 Sixes, the most by an Indian in an Innings, and the second highest in ODI cricket. Till date, he has managed to climb the third spot while Sachin Tendulkar slipped to the 19th in the International Cricket Council (ICC) one-day international ranking till February 2007. However his first trip to world cup did not fetch him any applaud due to his unexpectedly poor performance.


After the loss to Bangladesh in 2007 Cricket World Cup, the house that Dhoni was constructing in his home-town Ranchi was vandalized and damaged by political activists. The local police arranged for security for his family as India exited the World cup in the first round.

With the built in shame and the will to win back the world of fame, Dhoni rose back to his stardom within a years time. Twenty20 match was a blessing to the young Indian team headed by Dhoni to win all that they lost. Under his captaincy, India won the 2007 World Twenty20 against finalist Pakistan Team. He made the attempt to give India the celebration of 1983 World cup. Kudos to the hero who dared to achieve what he dreamt with his humble leadership techniq

Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS

Bajaj India has launched the much awaited New Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS (Light Sport). As per the speculations made Pulsar 135 LS features the same headlight as seen in the XCD Sprint Concept shown at the Auto Expo, 2008 in New Delhi. Bajaj had recently launched the updated versions of Pulsar 150, Pulsar 180 & Pulsar 220. Also the Pulsar 200 was discontinued recently, so the main reason of launching Pulsar 135 LS is that they want to eat into the sales of Honda CBF Stunner.
Pulsar 135 LS has been launched with a price tag of Rs. 51000.00 (Ex-Showroom) which is very reasonable in comparison to the features on offer and also the 135cc engine is more powerful in comparison to the engine of XCD 135.

Styled aggressively, the motorcycle draws styling cues from its elder siblings in the Pulsar range, but sports a freshly-styled fuel tank with chiseled lines and fresh tank flanks. The headlamp unit sports a bikini fairing with sharp, rakish lines and looks futuristic. The sleek rear-panels give way to a two-piece split grab rail on the split type seat. The footrests are slightly rear-set, and make for a sporty riding position in combination with the two-piece handle-bars.
- All New Design For Fuel Tank Like We Have Seen On The XCD Sprint Concept
- New Design Air Scoops - Again From XCD Sprint Concept
- New Design For Alloy Wheels - Black Matt Finish Mag Wheels
- New Digital Instrument Console
- Restyled Headlamp & LED Tail Tamp - From The XCD Sprint Concept
- Sharply Styled Turn Indicators - Like We Have Seen In XCD 135
- New Exhaust Design
- Sporty Split Seats & Split Grab Rails
- Sporty Rear With High Stance & Sporty Mud Guard

Engine Of Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS - World's First 4 Valve DTS-i Engine
According to Bajaj the 135cc DTS-i engine in Pulsar 135 LS is the world's first DTS-i engine to feature 4 valves. This engine generated maximum power of 13.5 PS at 9000 rpm with maximum torque of 11.4 Nm at 7500 rpm. It has been designed for better performance than regular a 2-Valve engine. Combined with the revolutionary DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark-ignition) technology which maximizes combustion to deliver enhanced power and superior mileage with low emissions, the Pulsar 135 LS has one of the most efficient production engines ever.
1. More Power: The 4 valve provides for a greater intake and exhaust area resulting in more power, almost equivalent a 2 valve 150cc engine.
2. Sustained Top End Power: The light-weight character of the four smaller valves (as opposed to two heavier valves), which allow the engine to effortlessly rev to an eye-popping 10,500 rpm.
3. Sporty Ride: Given the wider rpm band, the engine can be revved hard and high in each gear resulting in a genuine sporty ride.
4. More Mileage: Established superiority of DTS-i blended with 4 valve not only enhances the performance but also returns a very good fuel economy - 68.1 km/l certified by ARAI.
5. More Green: Comfortably meets BSIII regulations.
 

More dangerous than smoking 'Mobile phones'

Mobile phones could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos, a study by an award-winning cancer expert has concluded. He says people should avoid using them wherever possible and that governments and the mobile phone industry must take "immediate steps" to reduce exposure to their radiation.

The study, by Dr Vini Khurana, is the most devastating indictment yet published of the health risks.

The National Radiological Protection Board is a statutory body advising the Government on radiological issues relating to health. The report advises parents to limit the amount of time children spend on mobile phones until they are proved to be safe. This echoes the findings of a report five years ago, which urged a “precautionary” approach – particularly among children. Sir William Stewart, the Government’s chief adviser on mobile phone safety says, “Parents have a serious responsibility to their children in this field and they have a lot to answer for. They can’t just throw a child out with a mobile and think that they are safe.”

The risks

Around 25 per cent of primary school children and 90 per cent of pupils aged 11 to 16 are now thought to own a mobile phone. But there are concerns that mobile users are at increased risk of headaches, memory loss and sleep disorders, and also that handsets emit radiation which could cause brain damage and tumours – particularly in young people whose skulls have not yet fully matured.
Professor Hyland of Warwick University says, “Pre-adolescent children can be expected to be particularly at risk because the absorption of microwaves of the frequency used in mobile telephony is greatest in an object about the size of a child’s head. The immune system, whose efficiency is degraded by radiation of the kind used in mobile telephony, is less robust in a child, making it less able to cope with any adverse health effect that might be provoked by chronic exposure to such radiation.”

Take action

While the report found there is no “hard evidence” of adverse health effects caused by mobile phones, NHS advice is to adopt a cautionary approach. So encourage your children to:

• Only use their phones when necessary
• Keep calls short
• Only use their phone when the reception is strong – this is often indicated by bars of energy on the phone’s screen. Weak reception causes the phone to use more energy to communicate with the base station.
• Carry their phones away from their body when it is on standby.
• Go for a phone with more “talk time”. It is more efficient with less powerful emissions.

Before buying a phone find out the SAR (specific absorption rate) online at www.mmfai.org. The lower the better. You can also minimise risks by encouraging children to text rather than chat and by choosing a plan with the fewest inclusive minutes so the phone is used only where there is no other option. Or encourage the use of a hands-free kit or wireless Bluetooth handset. There are also devices that attach to phone to combat potentially harmful low-level radiation.