‘There Is A Whole Gang Working Against Me’, Says AR Rahman

AR Rahman is without a doubt an iconic music composer. Recently, he made a revelation as to the reason why he has been doing less work in Bollywood are due to rumours made by certain individuals about him in the Hindi film industry. This has dented the chances of the “Isai Puyal” of getting work.
The subject came up when Rahman, during an interview with Radio Mirchi was asked why he works more frequently in Tamil cinema than in Hindi films, to this he replied, “I don’t say no to good movies, but I think there is a gang, which, due to several misunderstandings, is spreading some false rumours about me.”
The Oscar winner who has composed over 100 songs in multiple languages in a career spanning three decades, has recently scored music for Dil Bechara, the late Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film that premiered on Disney+Hotstar. The film marks the directorial debut of casting director Mukesh Chhabra, and has been receiving plaudits for its hummable tunes.

“When Mukesh Chhabra came to me, I gave him four songs in two days. He told me, ‘Sir, many people said don’t go to him (Rahman). They told me stories after stories’. I heard that and I realised, yeah okay, now I understand why I get less (Bollywood offers) and why the good movies are not coming to me. I am doing dark movies, because there is a whole gang working against me. People are expecting me to do stuff, but there is another gang of people preventing that from happening, without them knowing that they are doing harm to me,” Rahman told the radio station.
“It is fine, because I believe in destiny, and I believe that everything comes from God. So, I am taking my movies and doing my other stuff,” the musician Indicated.
He also added that if the directors are making beautiful movies and approach him to compose music, he’ll accept the offer. AR Rahman is a six time national award winner and has made India proud by bringing home two Oscars and Grammy awards respectively.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under AR RahmanMukesh ChhabraOscar WinnerRevealed why he's working fewer in BollywoodWhole gang against him


Malaysian Volunteers Ferry & House Indian Nationals Stranded In KLIA2

Several volunteers helped the 300 Indian nationals who were starving and stranded at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) following the closure of Indian borders to Malaysian flights due to Covid-19.
Pertubuhan Perpaduan Puratchi Malaysia, Persatuan Kecemasan Sukarelawan Malaysia, Klinik Kiran, Malaysian Telugu Foundation and a few Gudwaras offered to help ferry and house the stranded Indian citizens. Apart from that, lawyers Mehnagha Letchumanan, Low Tze Ken, Thenish Chandra, and social activist Rakvinder Kaur Sadi Singh have also pooled resources to help them.
Hana Welfare Association, Mercy Malaysia and the Rotary Club of Subang also joined in when the plea for help was made, by providing items including hand sanitisers.
Meanwhile, local entertainment company Malik Streams Corporation Sdn Bhd provided buses to ferry the stranded Indians out of the airport to temporary accommodations.
“The volunteers associated a few volunteers to support the group, incorporating two gurdwaras in Puchong and Subang, who sent in nourishment and essential needs,” said lawyer Dinesh Muthal.

Mehnagha also drafted and sent a letter to the Indian government, requesting for them to send a humanitarian flight to fly their citizens back home.
“My friends Umagandhan Krishnan and Poovan Chandrika went to check out the situation at the airport first. These Indian citizens made up mostly of women and children were in the airport for almost four days, not knowing their fate and lacking basic necessities,” Dinesh said.
“40 of them are staying in Tatt Khalsa Diwan Sabha, 27 more are staying in Puchong Gurdwara, another 20 are at the Telugu Association, five are staying in a hostel and 15 more are at the Indian Embassy building in Lebuh Ampang, which has been made into a makeshift hostel for them,”
“The rest are staying with either their families or relatives’ houses in Malaysia and some are staying outside temporarily until they received further news. Some were able to afford hotel stays so they went there,” Dinesh said.
He extended his gratitude to Malaysians who stepped up after the plea for help.
“I am so very proud of everyone. In times of need, we get to witness how true Malaysian hospitality looks like, and show it to the rest of the world,” he added.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Dinesh MuthalKlinik KiranKuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2)Low Tze KenMalaysian Telugu FoundationMalik Streams Corporation Sdn BhdMehnagha LetchumananPersatuan Kecemasan Sukarelawan MalaysiaPertubuhan Perpaduan Puratchi MalaysiaRakvinder Kaur Sadi SinghThenish Chandra


Penguin Review: Keerthy Suresh Shines in This Missing Child Thriller

Penguin becomes the 2nd major Tamil movie to premiere on Amazon Prime Video without a theatrical release, 2 weeks after Ponmagal Vandhal. Coincidentally, both movies share some similarities; They don’t have the traditional role of the ‘hero’ and they’re helmed by debutant directors set in a hill-city setting. The two movies are also of the mystery/thriller genre, and have a forceful twist.
Penguin revolves around Rhythm (Keerthi Suresh), a pregnant mother who seeks answers after the kidnapping of her son. The actor shoulders the movie all the way to the end, reminiscent of her performance in Nadigayar Thilagam.

The movie orbits around Keerthi . So much so that, no other character makes any impact to the viewer, including veteran Singaporean actor Mathialagan. It was also unfortunate that there’s no depth in the other characters.
There are police officers  who do not engage in investigations and a father/husband who hardly shows any reaction, even when needed. Though Keerthi gave her best in terms of performance, the character Rhythm was written with inconsistencies.
There is a scene where she says, “I’m just pregnant, not brain-damaged” – which probably means she’s smart enough to nab the culprits. However, for the bulk of the film, she carries herself as a careless mom, someone who absurdly exposes herself to threats.

Director Eashvar Karthic had his vision and established exactly what he wanted, which turned out to be fairly good for a first timer. The fact that he attempted such a plot in an unconventional Tamil movie style is commendable.
However, the issue lies in the writing. There were quite a number of loose ends, and a twist that looks not only forceful but also unimpressive.
Related:  Actor Sarath Babu Passes Away; The Film Industry Mourns the Loss of A Versatile ActorPenguin leaves us pondering many things, even after the credits roll thanks to the unanswered questions. It seems like Eashvar was comfortable with his first draft of writing and put it all into action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mwp1CfFV-kVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Penguin – Official Trailer (Tamil) | Keerthy Suresh | Karthik Subbaraj | Amazon Prime Video |19 June (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mwp1CfFV-k)

Karthik Palani did an excellent job as a cinematographer. The forest and hill city’s landscape through his lenses were a feast to the eyes. There were some brilliant frames which spoke for themselves. Santhosh Narayanan’s music was fresh and worked for most part of the movie.
Penguin is a film that is superior to many other Kollywood masala let-downs. It is still a watchable movie, especially on your couch at home.
Penguin is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under amazon primemovie reviewpenguinthriller


Oora Therenjikitten, First 80s Song To Hit 50 Million Views on YouTube

You all have heard it right. Yes! Superstar Rajnikanth’s  Oora Therenjikitten has hit 50 Million views and 151K likes on Youtube. It is the first-ever 80s song to achieve this milestone. This song gives out a great deal of nostalgic feel for the 80s and 90s generations due to its deep meaning which is very much relatable even in today’s era.

The video song of Oora Therenjikitten from #Padikathavan (1985) has crossed over 50M views and 150K Likes on YouTube!
▶ https://t.co/ioLqMdbkH0
It's the first-ever Tamil song from the 80s to achieve this milestone!#Annaatthe @rajinikanth #RajiniManiaOnYouTube pic.twitter.com/jSjX3YcxlN
— Rajinikanth Fans (@RajiniFC) October 17, 2020

This song is from a blockbuster hit movie called Padikkadavan which means Uneducated Man, staring Sivaji Ganesan, Rajnikanth and Ambika as the lead roles, directed by Rajasekhar in 1985.

Considered one of the greatest song with a high moral value point, this song was penned by the famous poet and lyricist, Vairamuthu, music by Isainyani Ilayaraja with K.J Yesudas’s voice. It makes you understand and realise many things in life, if you listen to the lyrics closely.

A very famous line from this song which goes, ‘Yen veetu kannukutti, yenooda mallu katti, en maarbil muttu thadi! Kanmani, yen kanmani. Thee patta kaayathula, thael vandu kottu thadi, kanmani, kanmani’ means ‘The calf that belongs to me, fights with me and pounces on my chest! My love, oh my love. The scorpion stings me right where I have a fire burn, my love, my love.’
This methaphor says, someone whom he have adored and loved so much is now hurting or backstabing him and the pain has increased due to more hurting words or acts by that trusted one. It is not surprising that this song has achieved the milestone of 50 Million views and 151K likes on YouTube. What is your favourite line of the song?
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan To Share Screen after 32 Years
Filed Under 50million viewsAmbikafirst 80s song with 50M viewsOora TherinjikittenPadikkadavanRajnikanthSivaji Ganesanyoutube


Vulnerable Groups To Receive COVID-19 Booster Shots Soon

Ain’t this a piece of good news for Malaysians? Not only are we now amongst the countries with the highest vaccination rate but we are slowly moving on in administering COVID-19 booster shots.
The Malaysian government has decided to implement the COVID-19 booster shots to high-risk groups once 80 percent of the country’s population has been properly immunised.
In a statement released yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob stated that high-risk individuals will be given precedence in obtaining the third dose.
Now that it’s obvious that COVID-19 – and its many variant descendants – will continue to plague the world for years to come, the next big question is, how will the third booster help them eventually?
“The third COVID-19 vaccination dose will help boost viral immunity in patients categorised in high-risk groups, which may diminish after the second vaccine shots,” said Ismail Sabri.
Healthcare frontliners, immune-compromised persons, the elderly with comorbidities, and those staying and working in long-term health care institutions are among those listed in this prioritised category, he added.
A booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccination given after the first injection(s)’ protection has begun to wane over time. The booster is intended to help people retain their immunity for a longer period of time.
Let’s wait for our Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin’s announcement on the aforementioned COVID-19 booster shot soon.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under COVID-19 Booster ShotsDatuk Seri Ismail Sabri YaakobFrontlinersHealth MinisterHigh-risk groupsKhairy Jamaluddinprime minister


Laal Singh Chaddhal Deserves A Standing Ovation For Its Heart Warming Moments

Laal Singh Chaddha is a movie in which you can’t afford to have any distractions in between because even if the movie is considered quite long, approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes duration, the details of the film itself elevates to a whole new level.
After spending 20 years in purgatory, the highly anticipated movie is finally seeing its light worldwide. Directed by Advait Chandan, the film which is an adaptation of the Academy Award-winning 1994 film Forrest Gump, also stars Kareena Kapoor and Naga Chaitanya in pivotal roles.

"Run, Laal, Run!" 🏃♂ Experience the extraordinary journey of #LaalSinghChaddha in the official Indian remake of #ForrestGump – in theatres August 11th. Get your tickets now: https://t.co/F9Ldarycxx pic.twitter.com/hfwzkqAGyL
— Forrest Gump (@ForrestGumpFilm) August 4, 2022

Although the producers claim to have obtained the rights from the original studios, this movie is merely an adaptation of Eric Roth’s original storyboard, which fits well into the history of India, culture, and custom.
Laal Singh Chaddha shows us a new perspective. The adaptation of #ForrestGump hits all the right notes.
Aamir Khan who is back on screen after a long hiatus of 4 years, plays the role like he’s been doing it for years; his Laal is instantly reminiscent of PK, the alien he played in a 2014 film of the same name — a are a little naive, a little idiosyncratic, and ultimately good-natured. He perfectly replicates the iconic body language and speech patterns of the original actor Tom Hanks with a full beard and turban and lilting Punjabi dialogue that translates even lines as famous as ‘and that’s all I have to say about that.’
And needless to say, Aamir pulls off cute and strong performances by balancing acts between humour and sadness, in a story rich in small laughs and quiet truths. It is never easy to admit when a movie brings one to tears, but you’ll be finding it difficult to hide when his face looks directly into the camera in one of the scenes, nearly making you feel the pain he has endured to hide behind his long beard and a big smile.
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
On the surface, its technical execution is so precise and immaculate that it’s hard to notice the flick’s greatest achievement hiding underneath; concise screenplay, editing, and stunning visuals of the forest and hilly landscapes of India. Some brilliant frames will leave you with tears, smiles, and a reflective state of mind.
Audiences have also questioned why Aamir Khan plays a Sikh role. Even the writer was curious to know why he specifically took on the role.
In a recent interview, the actor revealed that according to the timeline of recent socio-political history, 1938 – 1984 was a crucial and volatile time in which the Sikh community faced a lot of prejudices, hatred and violence perpetrated on them.
Barring the underwhelming aspects, give this one a chance this weekend if you’re longing for something well-made and backed by stellar casts.
Many smiles and tear-jerking movements are guaranteed. It’s all heart…Experience the journey of #LaalSingChaddha at your nearest cinemas!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under #ForrestGumpAamir Khankareena kapoorLaal Singh Chaddhalnaga chaitanyaSikh role


Chinmayi Was ‘Advised To Marry’ Vairamuthu Because He Sexually Harassed Her

Read that again. Yup, we were so confused even as we were typing it out. But, this idea seems to be widely accepted by the masses.
Singer Chinmayi has been at the forefront of the #MeToo movement in India
Popular South Indian songstress, Chinmayi, has been at the forefront of the pivotal #MeToo movement in India and through her act of courage, she has inspired many other women to comfort with their sexual harassment accounts. While we hoped that she would get justice for the ill-treatment, thing have turned out shockingly the opposite of what we hoped.
While her accused sex offender, lyricist Vairamuthu, gets to walk around free and even enjoys movie deals, Chinmayi has been slut-shamed, banned from associations and tormented for speaking her truth. Producer K Rajan had even threatened to ruin her if she continues to spread the sex allegations about Vairamuthu.
Alleged sex offender, lyricist Vairamuthu
If things were not already horrible for her, a Twitter user decided to offer their “wise” two cents to make the situation better. A tweet suggested that the solution for this is entire chaos is Chinmayi marrying Vairamuthu and read, “There is only one solution for this. better you marry Vairamuthu. Really don’t know what the hell you were doing these days. Stupid don’t you have any work. Always talking about him and we know that you are part of BJP”.

Chinmayi kept it classy and responded, “What an idea. Sorry not interested.”
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under #metoochinmayitimesupvairamuthu


Walk-In Registration For COVID-19 Booster Shots Kicks Off Today

As of 22nd November, the walk-in registration for individuals in Malaysia will commence at Private Vaccination Centres (PPVs) nationwide to register on the waiting list for their COVID-19 booster shot, the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force-Booster (CITF-B) announced on Tuesday (16 November 2021).

Apart from walk-ins, the PPV list has been published on the ProtectHealth website and it will be updated on a regular basis.

Image credit: ProtectHealth

ProtectHealth stated, “This strategy will enable and encourage eligible persons to take the booster dose sooner rather than later, as well as assisting the government in ensuring vaccinations are not wasted and can be utilised effectively.”

If walk-ins are a hassle or troublesome, you can call or e-mail the private PPVs that have provided their e-mail addresses and contact numbers.
This walk-in registration will be implemented for:

Individuals eligible for booster doses;
Individuals who wish to get an injection in advance before an appointment;
Individuals who have not yet received the first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine;
Individuals who missed a vaccination appointment, and
Adolescents between the ages of 12-17 who have not completed their vaccinations.

For the time being, the priority for booster doses will be given to:

Health, safety, and defence frontline personnel;
Individuals aged 40 years and above;
Individuals 18 years and older with comorbidities;
Residents and staff at long-term health centres;
Pregnant women, and
Individuals who need to travel overseas.

Additionally, those who have not received the first or second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including adolescents aged 12 to 17, as well as those who have missed their appointments, are eligible to join the waiting list.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under COVID-19 booster shotprivate vaccination centre (PPV)ProtectHealthTask Force-Booster (CITF-B)walk-in registrations


Pattushastra Redefines Arjunan With An Exclusive Veshti Collection This 2021 Pongal!

Pongal is the first Tamil festival which falls on the first day of the month Thai. The four-day harvest festival holds great importance and it is historically a day to honour and offer salutations to the Sun God for agriculture abundance.

This 2021 Pongal surely marks a low scale celebration as it will be celebrated in the midst of a Movement Control Order in Malaysia. Nevertheless, there is still so much to be thankful for such as the food on our table and the many who toil for our ease.

Amidst this Covid-19 pandemic, Pattushastra has taken a positive trajectory working on a unique conceptual photoshoot unveiling an exclusive collection of veshti in appreciation of the first festival of the year!

Pattushastra was born in 2012, co founded by three sisters Kavitha, Suvitha and Jeevitha. Pattushastra prides in its kanjivaram sarees as they bring you only the best in the boutique collection.

The sisters have always taken pride in their kanjivaram sarees and in the last 3 years they have ventured into something out of the norm – designer handloom kanjivaram veshti sets! After 3 years, they felt the timing was right for them to launch the vesthi collection.
And now we present to you (drum roll)…. Arjunan by Pattushastra!
The veshti concept shoot is brought forth to define one of Mahabaratha’s epic bold character of war; Arjunan to delineate the Arjunan who is standing by us in the battlefield of COVID-19, fighting through the micro war vigorously every day, sacrificing their own lives to protect ours!
Arjunan the embodiment of courage, strength and humility

Arjunan calls the Gods in Heaven to grant him strength in battle
This veshti is custom weaved using pure unprocessed silk directly from the cocoon resulting to the raw finish, possessing a versatile thickness making it extremely comfortable and easy to be draped on.
Arjunan the unparalleled archer
Arjunan the one with the gift of wielding the bow with both of his hands
The stunning kanjivaram material with an earthy colour, is weaved meticulously for 20 days by their finest weavers.
Arjunan wields the mighty bow Gandiva and his magical quiver giving him endless supply of arrows
Pattushastra’s enthralling 9 yards of elegance comes with a shawl piece with pure gold and silver zaari detailing work!

Arjunan wields the mighty bow Gandiva and his magical quiver giving him endless supply of arrows
The artist who commemorated the entire concept perfectly was Two times SEA Games silver medalist, 7 times National Champion in Karate and Asia MMA Awards 2018 Amateur Fighter of the Year, Theebaan Govindasamy.
Arjunan displays infallible skills in archery
Theebaan was the perfect fit. He has the athletic abilities to execute the poses and embody the strength of the character.  He looked regal in the shots that were beautifully captured by Barathan who seamlessly managed to capture the fluid and versatile movements of the veshti.
Arjunan displays infallible skills in archery
The strong character portrayal is shown holding out the bow and arrow illustrating the strong-will frontliners fighting in pure diligence using stethoscopes and injections saving the lives of millions.
Frontliners were always the first to drape the responsibility of fighting against the rising Covid-19 infection amidst all hardship and struggles that came by their way.
Arjunan unleashes a shower of powerful arrows
Pattushastra compassionately valuing the sacrifices of the noble souls, brings forth this special shoot in recognition of the front liner’s astonishing services. They present their gratitude and acknowledgement for all the frontliners in the world whom have taken up the virtuous role of Arjunan to safe the nation through their exclusive veshti collection.
Arjunan unleashes a shower of powerful arrows
Surfing through the waves of the global pandemic has never been an easy role for all of us. This pandemic has given us the experience of living through an unprecedented war, passing each day with hopes of not being touched by its infection.

Our real Arjunans’ out there have surely never failed to amaze us by striving hard to keep us safe from the pandemic. A heartiest salute to cherish their service and a big thank you for always shielding us with their utmost care and sacrifices!
This concept shoot was made possible by:-

Concept and attire : Pattushastra Boutique (pattushastra)

Actor : Theebaan Govindasamy (theebaan_g)

Photography : Barathan Amuthan (baratanh)

Body art : Karthine Maniam (tmk_henna)

Veshti Draping : Thiviyah Nathan (thiviyahnathan)

Bow and arrow : Arrouha Official Store (arrouha_malaysia)

Official Media Partner: Varnam Malaysia

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under 2021 pongalArrouha Official StoreBarathan amuthankanjivaram veshti setsMCO Pongalnew veshti collectionpattushastrapattushastra collaborationtheeban gthiviyah nathantmk henna


Valiram Group Celebrates a Century in Business with Book Launch

The popular retail group Valiram launched a coffee-table book that charts the history of the company since its founding in 1935. Titled Valiram: The First Hundred Years, the book was launched yesterday by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
(From left) Ashvin Valiram, Sharan Valiram, Sultan Sharafuddin, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, Datin Champa and Mukesh Valiram at the launch yesterday. Image credit: The Star Online
Led by Valiram executive directors and brothers Sharan, Ashvin and Mukesh Valiram, alongside their mother Datin Champa Valiram, the book is not only a passion project, but also a tribute to the family’s late patriarch, Datuk Jethanand Valiram. He passed away in 2017. Valiram: The First Hundred Years chronicles the family’s humble beginnings in the early 19th century from Hyderabad, India.
“This book has been three generations in the making, and we dedicate it to the next with the hope that they leave their imprint in the future chapters of the Valiram story. Every element in this book was carefully curated with input from all of us as a family,” said Sharan.
The youngest of the Valiram brothers, Ashvin, said they titled the book The First Hundred Years because they believe that the Valiram story will continue to evolve and the next generation will take on the task to record the family’s success in the next century.
“We hope that the tales within this first volume will remind our future generations of the legacy they come from and inspire them to work towards creating their own epic story,” said Ashvin.
Meanwhile, Mukesh said that the brothers are proud of how far the family has come, as he thanked their relatives, friends and partners who have been supporting them through the decades
Mukesh Valiram thanked their relatives, friends and partners who have been supporting them through the decades
During his speech at the launch of the book, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah praised the Valiram family, as he reminisced meeting their late father Jethanand in 1997 at a store opening in Bukit Bintang, “The story of how the Valiram enterprise grew from a humble shop on Batu Road to a retail conglomerate spanning the Asia Pacific region is truly impressive,”
Related:  Letshanaa Wins National Women's Singles Badminton Championship “Through the ups and downs, I am glad that Valiram’s business has become prosperous and successful. The Valirams are a true Malaysian success story and it’s a story to be shared,” the Sultan said. His consort, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin was also present.
Valiram: The First Hundred Years will be distributed to a select few. The books are not for sale.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Ashvin ValiramDatin Champa ValiramDatuk Jethanand Valirammalaysian indianMukesh ValiramSharan ValiramSultan Sharafuddin Idris ShahTengku Permaisuri Norashikinvaliram groupValiram: The First Hundred Years


Vijay Yesudas to Play the Lead in a 3D Tamil Thriller

Slow and steady has been Vijay Yesudas’ approach to his acting career. After Padaiveeran, the vocalist will be playing the lead in a 3D Tamil thriller, Salmon.
The movie is directed by debutant Shalil Kallur. The film will also be released in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi.

The movie has been shot in parts of India such as Kulu Manali, Kerala and Ramoji City. Other than that, several scenes were shot in Dubai and Malaysia.
Vijay plays Sarfarosh, a businessman who loves music who goes on a trip with his friends where they encounter a life changing incident.
More updates to follow!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Actor Sarath Babu Passes Away; The Film Industry Mourns the Loss of A Versatile Actor
Filed Under 3D Tamil Thrillernew movieSalmonVijay Yesudas


VIDEO: Datin Sri Shaila’s “Pen Azha Vendam” Draws Attention To Womens’ Power

Datin Sri Shaila V’s brand new single “Pen Azha Vendam” featuring Magen Vikadakavi and Aneithazef is not your typical Tamil love song.
The song highlights the battles that the average woman has to face on a daily basis, be it in their personal life or at work. The feminist song is promoted with the tagline, “A strong woman will only change pain into strength”.

Song lyrics are penned by Jai Alamandra Quest, while Yugein Dopekidd provided the rap lyrics for Aneithazef’s part, while Magen Vikadakavi penned his own powerful rap.
The music video is conceptualised and directed by renowned local actor, singer, and TV presenter, Bala Ganapathi William.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  'Panas Talk with Vikadakavi' is Set to Bring The Heat on 19 May!
Filed Under Bala Ganapathi WilliamBGWDatin Shaila VPen Azha Vendam


‘Naatu Naatu’ From ‘RRR’ Ahead Of The Oscars

What comes to mind when thinking of the film RRR- yes, Naatu Naatu.
The film has been receiving awards upon awards and is now ahead of the Oscars.
Naatu Naatu has become a viral sensation, with over 122 million views on YouTube and prompting a TikTok challenge in which users try to reproduce the acrobatic dance-off. Well, this song has been nominated for Oscars 2023 under the Best Song category.
Another exciting news is that this song will be performed live on the stage by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava. (This definitely will go down in the history book for so long)

The 95th Academy Awards will take place on March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The grand night is anticipated to be attended by Rajamouli, NTR, Charan, and by the entire crew of RRR.
Jr NTR during an interview with Entertainment Tonight shared that when he walks on that red carpet, he is not going to walk as one from the Indian Film industry but solely as an Indian carrying his nation in his heart.

#RRR star @tarak9999 will carry his “nation in [his] heart” as he walks the #Oscars red carpet this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mwWhDvI3KZ
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) March 10, 2023

The actor during the show also shared his experience shooting for that song. ‘My legs still hurt!
The steps were not hard but it got harder when we had to synchronise. Rehearsals were done almost every day while shooting and even on sets”, he said to Entertainment Tonight.

#RRR‘s @tarak9999 says his “legs still hurt” from shooting the icon ‘Naatu Naatu’ dance scene, but that the singing was actually the hardest part. 👀 pic.twitter.com/dc8CHVyXsW
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) March 10, 2023

Eagerly waiting to celebrate this groundbreaking history. Good luck to the whole RRR team.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under 95th Academy AwardsNaatu NaatuOscars 2023rrr


‘Thalapathy 64’ Cast Update; 2 Young Heroines To Join The Team!

The cast keeps getting bigger!
It is also rumoured that Rashi Khanna and Geeta ‘Govindham fame’ Rashmika Mandhana are likely to act with Vijay in this untitled movie.
It will be interesting as these two young heroines haven’t paired much with biggies in Kollywood.
It is said that Anirudh Ravichander is joining hands with Vijay again for this film. Vijay 64 will be produced by Xavier Britto.
Lokesh Kanagaraj is presently busy with the post-production of Karthi starrer Kaithi. For Thalapathy 64, he has retained the core technical crew of Kaithi which includes cinematographer Sathyan Sooryan and editor Philomin Raj.
As Bigil directed by Atlee with Nayanthara, Kathir,Yogi babu and Vivek in pivotal roles is all set to hit the screens by this Diwali, Vijay-64 will kick start soon after it.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir Trailer; Vijay Sethupathy With a Message
Filed Under Tamilthalapathy 64Vijay


Super Deluxe Will Be Screened At Fantasia International Film Festival

The Fantasia International Film Festival or Fantasia is an prestigious film festival that features work of art from around the world in the heart of beautiful Montreal. The festival welcomes over 500 directors, actors, producers, studio representatives, distributors and festival programmers and guests every year to experience the magic of filmmaking at Fantasia.

This year, a film from South India has found its way into the prestigious Fantasia! Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s acclaimed multi-starrer ‘Super Deluxe’ featuring Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha, Fahadh Faasil, Ramya Krishnan, Mysskin, Bagavathy Perumal and Gayathrie Sankar, among others, will be screened under the Special Screening section of the film fest.
Thiagarajan Kumararaja on the sets of Super Deluxe

Super Deluxe by Thiagarajan KumarRaja to play at Fantasia .. that’s super https://t.co/7nu3q7NyLN
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 30, 2019

The movie has been described as ‘crazy, ambitious, and deliberately overloaded slice of stylized contemporary Indian cinema, painting a cosmic fresco of absurd connections, coincidences, and delicious digressions!’ and will be viewed at the Most Outstanding and Largest Genre Film Festival In North America. Other films that have made the cut to the festival is Liam Hemsworth’s Killerman and Richard Dreyfuss’ Poignant Astronaut.
Congratulations, Super Deluxe!

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Makkal Selvan, Vijay Sethupathi Arrives In Malaysia!
Filed Under Bagavathy PerumalFahadh FaasilmysskinRamya KrishnanSamanthaSuper DeluxeThiagarajan KumararajaVijay Sethupathi


‘Stylish Tamizhachi’ Yunohoo & Dr Burn Are Working On A Song Together

Oh yes! You heard that right.
The Tamizhachi who spits bars and has the swag to go with it is working on new music with Dr Burn. Dr Burn posted a photo on Instagram to say that he is producing music for the rapper and we are hoping he drops some gold ‘Tamil Sollisai’ in that. Dr Burn who has over 22 years of experience in the Tamil music industry is known for his work in the 2005 ‘Vallavan’ album featuring Yogi B and Natchatra.

Yunohoo, formerly known as Rubba Bend, is Malaysia’s first female rapper who got her break through PsychoUnit and Sheezay in ‘Indian Monster’. She was later booked by Yuvan Shankar Raja for Ajith Kumar’s ‘Aarambam’ for the song ‘Stylish Tamizhachi’. In April, Rubba Bend announced that she has left Psychounit and has now adapted a new stage name: Yunohoo. Yunohoo also announced that she is featured in the upcoming film Nerkonda Paarvai starring Ajith Kumar,Vidya Balan,Shraddha Srinath,Abhirami Venkatachalam and Andrea Tariang.

Yunohoo with the cast of Nerkonda Paarvai

She is back to creating music after a 6-year hiatus and we can’t wait to see how it goes.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Dr Burnnerkonda paarvaiRubba BendYunohoo


A Tamilan, Malayali & Punjabi Exchange Their Meals

This is a weekend of celebrations, as Tamil New Year (Tamil Puthandu), Vishu & Vaisaki happen at the same time. In an exchange of flavours, tales & traditions, Jeevan (Tamil), Gurmit (Punjabi) & Shangkharee (Tamil-Malayali), share a meal over a good conversation and some hilarious observations of traditional practices.
Watch the FULL video HERE:

Tamil Puthandu Vazhtukal!
Vishu Ashamsakal!
Happy Vaisaki!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Tamil New YearVaisakiVishu


What Happened to Mannin Mainthan Malaysia’s Instagram Account?

Mannin Mainthan Malaysia, the Instagram account dedicated to promoting personalities of the Malaysian Indian community went missing early this month.
Their account, @mannin_mainthan_malaysia, which had a following of 125,000, now says user not found. Their Facebook account, however, is still going strong. It was on this platform that they announced that their official Instagram account has been hacked.

A person who goes by the Instagram handle @kumar_klia, the founder of Mannin Mainthan Malaysia has announced its rebirth on his personal account.

View this post on Instagram

This is the sign of our growth ! The next attempt will be very much heaty. Please prepare yourself to bare the HEAT ! #mmm #manninmainthanmalaysia
A post shared by  Kumaran Puthianadar (@kumar_klia) on Jan 30, 2020 at 9:07pm PST

Interestingly, Instagram is well aware of the threat of hackers, and has put in place an easy step by step procedure to verify the original account owner. This makes it very straightforward for the party that was hacked to regain their account. It is unclear if the Mannin Mainthan Malaysia were subjected to this.

This has, however, led to multiple new Instagram accounts being created, with variations of the name Mannin Mainthan Malaysia.

The Varnam team wishes Mannin Mainthan Malaysia the best on their reemergence!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Jyotika to Return to Bollywood After 25 Years?
Filed Under hackedInstagrammannin mainthan malaysia


Vairamuthu’s Nauseating Speech On The Pollachi Sexual Assaults

Lyricist Vairamuthu who has been accused by numerous women of sexual harassment has commented on the recent sexual assault crimes in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu.
“Pollachi isn’t the only town in Tamil Nadu, so does this happen elsewhere? Or is it that we just don’t know about it?” he questions during his speech at the success meet of the film Nedunalvalai directed by Selvakannan.

“What is the reason things like this happen? Bad upbringing of men and women. a society isn’t good, a lax police force. These are all superficial reasons,”
“The deep reasoning is just one. Humans all have an animalistic instinct inside them,” he continues. “Education, arts, love, familial ties all aim to quash these animalistic instincts, and build a civilized society,”
“Lust is a mental illness. It is insanity. Mentally ill people have defaced our flowers,” he says before using the word ‘paithiyam’ repeatedly. “If a person is swayed by lust and is unable to return to normalcy, then he is insane. What is the role that society plays in creating these mentally ill people? This did not happen overnight.”
“Mentally ill people have defaced our flowers”
“The girl (the Pollachi assault victim) is such a good person, she trusted him and went. He has betrayed her trust and taken advantage of her,”
“The public are saying that they want to skin these sexual offenders in the middle of the road.” Vairamuthu says, before going into an alternative method of punishment. “Skinning them is just a temporary solution. We need a permanent solution, to skin the animal inside them,”
“That is what we are doing. Arts – your film, my lyrics, our music, our dance forms. Every artist is responsible to skin the animal inside these perpetrators. Nedunalvaadai is a weapon in this journey,”
“A society that doesn’t protect women is not a civilized society,” he declares. “We need to rethink how boys and girls are brought up. This should be the last issue of this kind in Tamil Nadu,”
The success meet of the film was held yesterday in Chennai, and Vairamuthu, one of the first people in the Tamil film industry to be accused of sexual harassment was invited as the chief guest. The lyricist penned all four songs in the film. Director Selvakannan defended his move inviting Vairamuthu to the event by wielding the evidence card, “Anyone can accuse anyone without any evidence. I believe Vairamuthu hasn’t done anything harmful, and I don’t find anything wrong in inviting him.”
What do we think of his nauseating speech?
It isn’t clear if the lyricist is trying to rebuild his image that has been severely tarnished by the #metoo allegations, with this speech. Nonetheless, we find it appalling to hear such a pretentious speech coming from someone who has been accused of sexual harassment numerous times, with people in the industry calling it an ‘open secret’.
Honestly, it would be unrealistic to say that this case of sexual abuse will be the last ever in Tamil Nadu. So long as society conditions women to be careful, not show too much skin, don’t go on social media and so on, we are reinforcing that men are animals who will do whatever they want, and the onus is on the woman to make sure she doesn’t fall into the tiger’s lair.
To change the mindset of the traditional Tamil families will take generations. It has to be reflected by the people they look up to the most, those in the Tamil film industry. Most importantly, everyone seems to forget that women don’t need protection if men are raised to be respectful of each other.
women don’t need protection if men are raised to be respectful of each other
Equating lust to mental illness is downright WRONG. Vairamuthu (or his speechwriters) need to come to the realization that lust is a normal emotion that every human being of any gender feels. Saying that a normal emotion is a mental illness is not only misleading, but belittling the spectrum of mental illness and people suffering from it.
And please, stop objectifying women by referring to us as flowers, Goddesses, dolls and so on. We are human, just like men.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under #metoocrimenedunalvalaipervertselvakannansexual abusesexual harassmentspeechvairamuthu


Local Movie Directors, Stop Making ‘Syok Sendiri’ Movies

The sad truth is that most Malaysians cringe at the sound of “there’s a new local movie out in the cinema.”
It doesn’t get them excited or make them want to spring out of their seats and immediately get tickets. They wince and whine, and then think about it at least 200 times before even making their way to the cinema. And when they do get to the cinema, they succumb to the latest Vijay or Ajith’s movie – because it’s safer that way, and because it’s what they’re accustomed to.
According to veteran filmmaker, N. Pansha, the only one to be blamed for this is the filmmaker himself.

“A lot of films nowadays take a very ‘syok sendiri’ approach. It’s always about ‘I want to act, I want to be a star’, ‘I want to be famous’, and they don’t tell any quality story.” Pansha said during a media engagement event hosted by the Sughamaai Subbulakshmi production team.
“Stop trying to be emulate movies from India. Stop trying to be them. Stop introducing your characters like Vijay or Ajith. Focus on the quality of your story. Tell a story that people can relate to.” he added.

Pansha stressed that the only way to make local audience choose a local movie instead of an Ajith or Vijay movie, is simply by telling stories that average Malaysians can relate to.
He also urged the media to give honest reviews for local films. “There’s no point in saying the film is ‘super’ when it’s really not. It’s also unethical to mislead your followers on social media. Give honest reviews,” he said.
Note: Pansha is a veteran filmmaker who directed the first Malaysian tamil film, ‘Naan Oru Malaysian’ back in 1991.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Pansha


Maari 2 Review: Dhanush and Sai Pallavi Are Infectious!

I’ve spent the better part of the past three years engaging in lengthy debates and great Twitter battles defending Maari against its many naysayers who brush it off as a mind-numbing, throwaway mass entertainer. (It is a mass entertainer — a hella good one — but throwaway and mind-numbing, it is not.) The first Maari is an underrated gem. No, I’m not bullshitting you. It really is. I may also be literally the first human being on earth to call it ‘rather ingenious’.
Because underneath its so-called mindless, whistle-worthy surface is a film so self aware, so unpretentious, so uninterested in making gratuitous political statements and educating the masses (i.e Sivaji: The Boss and *barf* Sarkar), so unbothered to make its hero a wholesome saviour, it’s frankly one of the most invigorating mass-masalas to come out since there was a 21st century.
Just like Thor: Ragnarok, this Balaji Mohan film is an exciting subversion of tropes. And more importantly, it’s a movie that knows what it is — a ridiculous, larger than life, gangster-dramedy — and focuses all its energy on being exactly that. Not an inch more, not a slither less.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORZltL9glEAVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Maari 2 – Official Trailer (Tamil) – Dhanush | Balaji Mohan | Yuvan Shankar Raja (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORZltL9glEA)

With Maari 2, Balaji Mohan who returns to captain the ship makes things bigger and more complex, as a lot of sequels tend to do. Unfortunately, there’s a saying that goes bigger isn’t always better and the film drowns under its ambition. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself here. The first half of Maari 2 is entertaining as all hell and within minutes I was reminded of exactly why I watch the first movie over and over again.
We get a bombastic, mass-y set piece — where a little boy comically talks down to a local thug — that reintroduces us to the loveable don Maari (and his two trusty friends, Saturday [Robo Shankar] and Punching Bag [Kalloori Vinoth]). The world in which they reside in, just as vibrant and over the top as it was in 2015. Equally over the top is the introduction of the new villain, Beeja (Tovino Thomas), who wears his dreadlocks like Lil Wayne and calls himself Thanatos, The God of Death.
And just as he prison-breaks, the camera zooms in on his prison cell where the words KILL MAARI is scratched all over its walls. It’s kinda ridiculous. We also meet Maari’s retconned brother from another mother, Kalai (Krishna Kulasekaran), the son of the highly respected gangster/smuggler, Velu, from the first movie, who has since died. Then there’s Sai Pallavi’s character, who I’ll get to later.

The snappy and energetic first half sets up a story about two brothers being manipulated and wedged apart by a villain with a score to settle. Dhanush and Krishna Kulasekaran have such good chemistry that we’re invested in the narrative despite it being a tale we’ve seen, heard or read a million times before. The less charismatic Tovino Thomas need only stand and flash his metal tooth in the background. What Balaji Mohan does so well in the first movie and the first half of Maari 2 is also craft some grounded (if we can even call it that) and emotionally resonant mass-y sequences and fit it nicely within the general ridiculousness of the Maari universe.
Just consider the way Maari yells at the Vijay Yesudas character for the very first time in episode 1, and the way in this sequel, Maari — agitated, furious, confused and controlled — tells his best friend to hit him. That it doesn’t feel remotely weird that this is also the film where the lead character says “If you are bad, I am your dad” while raising his eyebrows and peering from above his sunglasses tells you everything you need to know about this world that Balaji Mohan has created.

It’s when the film cuts to 8 years later after the midpoint interval that it goes south DRAMATICALLY. Suddenly there’s a shift in tone and characters suffer harrowing ordeals. The movie demands that you take it seriously. But the issue isn’t necessarily with its seriousness — I admire Balaji Mohan’s boldness in choosing to take the movie down a slightly darker path. The issue is that Maari 2 becomes a different product entirely. All of a sudden Maari morphs into a weird reimagination of Baashha / crime not-thriller.
But unlike the 90s Rajinikanth classic, here the calm before the storm (or the tame before the MASS, if you will) falls Chapati flat, leaving us desperate for the film to revert back to its OTT template. Even the mass scenes, when they come, happen inorganically without proper buildup or escalating conflict. (Though, there is one scene involving Maari, his son, Beeja and a tiger analogy that’ll get your juices flowing and cheer ecstatically.)
And I think ‘escalating conflict’ is the key phrase here. Because frankly, the second half isn’t even about Maari. It’s about the villain who has now become a politician. And it’s about an IAS officer (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar) scheming and plotting to take down the villain. It’s also about corrupt police officers. Maari sorta becomes a supporting character in his own movie. Even the engaging brotherhood and betrayal angle is casually swept under the rug.
To make matters worse, none of what we actually get makes any sense whatsoever. There are twists and turns, revelations and reveals, most of which are stupid, none of which you give a shit about. And I was sitting there wondering how this blast of a movie spiralled into a convoluted head scratcher. Urgh! Can we just have Maari throw firecrackers at bad guys again?

That said, this movie still sorta kinda works… to a degree. And that’s because swimming through Balaji Mohan’s mess of a screenplay and poorly paced, choppy direction are a couple of intoxicating performances that keep the boat afloat and make this a watchable movie. First up is Dhanush. I’ve said it a couple of times before, I’ll say it again. Rajinikanth is my childhood and for that reason more than anything else, he will always remain my numero uno. But coming in at a very close second is Dhanush, who’s one of the best actors working in world cinema today. An enigma that is exceptional both when it comes to dramatic roles (3, Aadukalam, Vada Chennai) and mass-y ones too (VIP, Maari, Kodi). Here, he’s once again firing on all cylinders.
Maari 2, just like its predecessor may be a throwaway mass movie, but Dhanush doesn’t treat it as such. He acts his heart out and delivers a layered performance. The scene where he challenges his best friend to hit him is spine-chilling (there’s a sense of believability and genuineness about his rage). But to truly understand what a great ACTEUR Dhanush truly is, you need to look at the scene where he isn’t exactly the centre of attention. Where he’s merely listening to a conversation between his son and Beema. His minute twitches and later his smirk — with Dhanush, it isn’t just acting, it’s also reacting.
There’s also his overwhelming charisma (and fantastic comedic timing), second in South Indian cinema only to THE superstar himself, Rajinikanth. Yes, even Thala and Thalapathy, do not come close. I know the box office numbers say otherwise. Then again, box office numbers are also the most uninteresting aspect of cinema.
Also great: Sai Pallavi. I think sometimes in Tamil cinema, we tend to throw around the term ‘great actress’ a little too easily. In recent years, both Nayanthara and Trisha have been labelled as ‘great actresses’. But I think we’ve been so taken aback and impressed by the type of characters they’ve been playing — independent, anti-damsels in distress — that we tend to be less critical when it comes to their performances. But what Sai Pallavi does here as auto-driver Anandhi is deliver a stirring and inspiring performance that will be (or at least should be) talked about for a very long time.
Unlike Kajal Agarwal’s angellike arm candy character in the first movie, Sai Pallavi’s Anandhi is perhaps Tamil cinema’s most progressive character this year, maybe even more so than Aishwarya Rajesh’s Padma in Vada Chennai. She’s fun, spunky and isn’t afraid to pursue what she wants. She even has a line that rings “I’m not a loosu ponnu, I’m a mass-u ponnu,” which received rousing whistles from the audience. But that’s Balaji Mohan’s writing.

 As a performer, Sai Pallavi, just like Dhanush is a bonafide STAR. On display we see an actor so intuned with her character, so natural and clearly having a lot fun on set, that I fell in love with her faster than you can say rowdy baby. Sai Pallavi is absolutely infectious! When she smiles, you smile; when she cries, you cry. She’s a fantastic dancer too. Just look at the way she moves in the film’s brilliantly composed (by Yuvan Shankar Raja) and choreographed first dance number, Maari Gethu.
If Maari was Coca-Cola then Maari 2 is King Cola. But here’s the thing about King Cola: It’s not too bad. I won’t rush out to buy King Cola, but if it’s served at a party, I’m going to be fine drinking it all the same. There are parts in Maari 2 that are great. The comedy is just as smart as in the first movie (and Robo Shankar is once again a riot). The characters are just as joyous. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s tracks are almost as addictive as Anirudh’s, and that’s high praise where I’m from. The film is also gorgeously shot by cinematographer Om Prakash. But man, does Balaji Mohan lose his bearing big time in the second half.
If you’d like to discuss this movie with me you can hit me up on Twitter here: @dashtalksmovies
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under MaariMaari 2


Kadaikutty Singam Review: Directionless and Oftentimes Silly

By the time I realised what exactly Kadaikutty Singam is about, it was too late to turn back and run. After the film’s prologue — Sathyaraj plays an elderly man who desperately wants to birth a boy, so desperate that he’s willing to marry two people (sisters) — we cut to the present where the youngest and only child of Sathyaraj has grown up into Karthi. We get your standard hero introduction in a bull racing sequence that tells you everything you need to know: Karthi is a badass, Karthi is a badass and Karthi is a badass. I enjoyed it. I like my Mass-Masala introductions.
The Karthi character, whose name here is Gunasingam, is a farmer. But unlike most Indian films that portray farming as a hellhole of a job, one that’s high on suffering and low on revenue, Kadaikutty Singam shows us farming as a career (our hero says he earns 1.5 lakhs [US$ 2100] a month). It’s true. With the rise of interest in fitness and health, and with Veganism becoming a trendy lifestyle choice as opposed to it being a dietary plan for people with eczema and indigestion issues, there has been a massive spike in demand for organic produce turning farming into a highly profitable career option.

But the film also does well to highlight — without beating us over the head — our farcical, ego-driven Indian mentality. Despite being the richest one in the family, some of Gunasingam’s family members don’t consider him to be the “same level” as his relatives who are Engineers and lawyers.
All this happens in the opening 15 minutes or so of the movie. So it’s only natural that one would expect the story and conflict to revolve around farming. Perhaps the villain is a slimy businessman who wants to take over the plot of land? Or perhaps the villain runs another, less profitable farming business. Take Kodi for example. In that film, the romance, the animosity and the family drama are all held together by politics, the crux of the narrative.

But Kadaikutty Singam has no focus. Out of nowhere, we have a villain, whose anger has got nothing to do with agriculture and everything to do with caste and politics. Only, he’s in the same caste as Gunasingam, so where’s the conflict? Later we learn that the villain is related to Gunasingam’s lover. Except the villain isn’t her overprotective cousin/uncle (it’s all very confusing) nor is he interested in marrying her. So what’s the point? There are random, completely unrelated plot points that are introduced just so we can have some mass-y action sequences.
Related:  PS2 Recognized as First Indian Language Film Released On 4DX Cinematic Format by Malaysia Book Of RecordsAnd then as the movie lumbers along like a one-legged Stevie Wonder, it unravels itself to be a melodramatic, oftentimes silly family drama about Gunasingam breaking the family up because he doesn’t want to marry any of his nieces. Look, I love family dramas. But a good family drama needs to consist of actual characters. Good movies likes of Aanandham and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham comes to mind. Or what about great ones like The Lion King and The Godfather (you daresay it’s not a family drama?). In these movies, the frames are filled with three-dimensional characters, who go on a journey together. Kadaikutty Singam is about nothing. Nothing in this movie makes sense. Like how a highly educated girl, who earlier in this film put her foot down and said, “guys and girls can hang out alone and just be friends,” is also desperately in love with her uncle.

Almost all the supporting characters are caricatures. And they’re doing most of the heavy-duty yelling and crying and suicide-threatening. It’s ridiculous and oftentimes cringeworthy. So much so that the comedic relief character played by Soori is not only the most sensible one in the movie, he’s also the only interesting character. Karthi’s performance is good (you can’t go wrong with either of the Sivakumar siblings), but his character doesn’t do anything compelling. This is a mass movie without much buildup, a family movie without characters and a movie about agriculture in which the agriculture-ing turns out to be nothing but a gimmick.
The film is also poorly directed. Scenes fade in and fade out without much interconnectivity, which is weird considering its helmer is Pandiraj, who did a pretty competent job with Pasanga. Here it seems like he shot a bunch of unconnected scenes and told his editor “have fun bro.”
There are moments toward the end of the film (the movie has two climaxes. I’m talking about the first), where Karthi takes the material he’s given and performs the shit out of it. I actually felt a tear rolling down my cheek. And then we cut to the second climax, which did a great job in reminding me what a waste of money Kadaikutty Singam is.
Hey you! Yes you, hot stuff. Like my article? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Also, don’t forget to share it with your buds. And if you’d like to talk movies you can hit me up here: @dashtalksmovies
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Kadaikutty SingamKarthiPandiraj


WATCH: A Beautiful Rendition of Mahāganapathim

In a world that is battling Covid-19, music is thriving.
Carnatic violinist Hariraam Tingyuan Lam along with his musical brothers Santosh Logandran and Sri Suriya Prakash have made 1-minute Carnatic fusion Instagram video. Santosh is a singer, musician and composer who is riding high on the release of his debut Tamil album, In Pursuit of Santosham. Sri Suriya, on the other hand, is an acclaimed guitarist.
The classic tune Mahāganapathim is given a breath of fresh air thanks to the three musicians.
Check it out here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hariraam Tingyuan Lam (@raaghari)

Well done guys!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Hariraam Tingyuan LamMahāganapathimsantosh logandranSri Suriya Prakash


Surya Gets A 215 ft Cut Out For NGK!

What is wrong with people and why can’t they get their priorities right?
In 2017, the Madras HC had asked the government to ensure that such banners and flex boards of living persons are not erected.
Described on Twitter as “history” and “world’s largest cut-out” is actor Surya’s biggest cut-out in Thiruttani.
The cut-out, which is supposedly is 215 ft high, has Surya in his folded veshti and shirt, standing with a burning torch in one hand, reminding us of the Statue of Liberty. An aerial view shot shows the structure standing on a ground with buildings around.

In 2017, the Madras High Court banned such displays and asked the government to ensure that “photos or pictures of such persons who are alive shall not be depicted by way of those banners, flex boards, sign-boards.”
A grand welcome ceremony seems to have been organised for May 30 at 4.00 pm. Suriya’s NGK will release on May 31.
The culture of over-the-top celebrations by cinema fans has been a long standing tradition in the state and it is high time stars took responsibility to advise their fans against it.
It is such a waste of time, effort, money, and not to mention, these fans don’t get anything out of this. Why is the Indian culture so heavily immersed in worshiping celebrities?
This atrocious behaviour has to stop!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.


Delhi Ganesh Says That He Is Happier To Work With Shankar Than Kamal Haasan In ‘Indian 2’!

Veteran actor Delhi Ganesh is a part of Kamal Haasan’s ‘Indian 2’ and has already shot some of his portions in the film. The cast and crew of Shankar’s ‘Indian 2’ have now camped in Gwalior for a 12 days shooting schedule after completing the shooting in Bhopal.
Actor Delhi Ganesh, who has teamed up with Kamal Haasan quite a number of times in films like Apoorva Sagodharargal, Avvai Shanmugi and Michael Madana Kamaraj among others, has now revealed that when he was offered a role in ‘Indian 2’, he was happier about working with director Shankar than sharing screen space with Kamal Haasan as this is first film with Shankar.

Interestingly, Delhi Ganesh has already shot some scenes for the film and it was with the 90 year old Kamal Haasan, playing the role of Senapathy in the film. He also has said that he is very proud of being a part of the film, be it one or two scenes also.
Produced by Lyca Productions, the film has Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Siddharth, Vidyut Jamwal, Delhi Ganesh, and Nedumudi Venu in pivotal characters. Anirudh Ravichander has been roped in as the music composer for the film and Ravi Varman is handling the cinematography. The first part released in 1996 and had Kamal Haasan was seen in dual roles of Chandru and Senapathy, who questions the wrong.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Actor Sarath Babu Passes Away; The Film Industry Mourns the Loss of A Versatile Actor
Filed Under Delhi GaneshKamal HaasanShankar


International Nurses Day; Heroes Behind The Masks Honoured For Their Sacrificial Dedication

As the world marks International Nurses Day on 12th May, nurses here who tirelessly provide care for patients are being honoured.
Nurses are Heroes Behind the Masks too!
Treatment of those affected by COVID-19 continues to be a top priority for all healthcare professionals across the globe. However, one significant group of healthcare workers have remained unsung in these challenging circumstances: nursing and home carers.
Nurses are the largest occupational category in the medical sector, but their importance is rarely acknowledged.
Varnam Malaysia in conjunction with this year’s International Nurses Day took the opportunity to interview PC Gan, Country Manager and Nisha Andrea Raj, Care Specialist of Homage Malaysia on a series of questions, in line with their duties.
Homage, fondly known as an award-winning personal care approach that uses modern technology to handle and deliver on-demand holistic home and community-based caregiving to seniors and adults, helping them to age and heal with ease, control, and integrity.

Located in both Singapore and Malaysia, Homage deals with patients displaying a variety of mobility and medical problems, like chronic and terminal diseases including dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s, and cancer, to help them become more mobile and functional while also delivering social and personal care.
Nisha Andrea Raj; Care Specialist, Homage Malaysia

Andrea is a certified staff nurse with over ten years of experience in stroke care in Singapore and Saudi Arabia. Now back in Malaysia, she works as a Care Specialist for Homage where her major role is to optimise care by working together with family members.
Varnam: As Homage’s Care Specialist, can you share your experience working during a pandemic? What are the precautions that you take in your day to day job?
Andrea:As a Homage care specialist, I will stay safe by taking simple precautions such as hand washing, use of protections (gloves, mask), caution of machines, appliances, and clothing used during care, environmental protection (surface management protocols, health service waste handling), and patient housing in accordance with requirement standards as an infection transmitting vector should also be considered. Professional immunisation is another crucial step, since it provides expected immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Varnam: Being in this field for so many years, how does COVID-19 make a difference in a way of experience? How has it shaped/changed the way you are as a person and a caregiver?
Andrea:Actually, to be honest I was already well-prepared since when I was working in Saudi, we had a mass COVID which is similar to the current pandemic. Even if it’s not the same virus, the danger still remains, hence I have to look out for my mental and physical health because I have experienced this previously.
Varnam:Tell me why you chose Homage as your career path?
Andrea:Well, there are too many reasons. Firstly, I joined Homage due to the high demand of home health care jobs nowadays. I found the similarity in Homage as it is a packed company, they have the ability to deliver complex care at the comfort of patients home.  It’s not giving the opportunity for clinic life to be more manageable for all clients like the care of nurses. But we always had a flexible schedule when it comes to work. On top of that, Homage always provides opportunities for professional groups and the ability to specialise our own skills.
Homage made me grow into someone who is confident in giving interviews such as this and specialised talks.
Varnam: The pandemic has dropped too many challenges especially in the healthcare service field. What are the challenges that you’ve faced or still facing amid the pandemic?
Andrea: The challenges were quite a lot. Some clients are afraid to welcome me to the house due to the sudden high cases of COVID-19 cases. There were some clients who would insist I take my shower at their house and to me that was the most challenging for me personally. I’m a person who is not comfortable taking a shower at a client’s home as hygiene was my concern. But, in order to gain their trust, I would consider their request and do it accordingly. At this period, I would prioritise my clients satisfaction in my service as that is important for me.
Varnam: In conjunction with International Nurses Day, what would you like to tell all those nurses, frontliners who are working hard in combatting and exterminating the deadly virus altogether?
Andrea: For me nursing is not a job. It’s something that you do whole-heartedly and you shouldn’t be complaining also. I am a proud nurse now as being one impacts the lives of many on a daily basis.
PC Gan; Country Manager in Homage Malaysia

Led by PC, Homage heeded the call to assist in the battle against COVID-19 from both near and far. Seeing that many provide a crucial function in sustaining healthcare delivery in Malaysia, PC believes nurses should be given the same rights as doctors, if not more due to their long and close engagements with patients daily.
Related:  Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam Receives 'UniteHealth's COVID-19 Influencers Award'Varnam: What type of home care service does your centre provide especially amid the pandemic?
Gan: So, initially we started off with taking care of seniors at home. The reason why we started off with the service is because when our parents or grandparents start ageing, all they want is to stay home and they don’t prefer to get treatment at hospitals or even in nursing homes. That’s when we saw it through their eyes, where I think a lot of seniors and even culturally we as children also would prefer they stay home as much as possible. So, that’s how the programme started, with the idea of taking care of the seniors right at the comfort of their own homes. The pandemic has resulted in a reluctance amongst senior citizens to visit the hospitals and seek medical treatment due to the high risk of contracting the disease. In these last 12 to 16 months, home care is not just limited to the seniors but those in the younger age groups. When someone suffers from a stroke, rather than going to a care centre, they would instead seek a therapist and care taker to their homes.
Varnam: From your perspective, how does Homage support Malaysia’s frontliners during the pandemic? In which aspect have you reduced the burden of frontliners?
Gan: For Homage, we are helping the public hospitals in all the resources possible to help. But, I think every now and then we equip them with knowledge and information on how to care for the seniors, and for themselves we give them the pedal insurance coverage to make sure that they are also protected while taking care of Malaysians.
At the end of the day, if we don’t have the nurses and frontliners to thank for, I don’t know whether we could fight this current pandemic. It’s the nurses that we need to thank.
Varnam: How do you balance the increased risk of yourself and the rest of the staff with the urgent flow of patients infected by the virus?
Gan: Operationally we look at the caregivers and nurses poll. We make sure that these two do not cross over. For example, the nurses in Sungai Buloh hospital who take of Covid-19 patients will not be sent to any home visits. Because there will be cross contamination, we have to make sure it’s clearly segregated. For the people who we serve, we will make sure that they do not have any contact with recent PUII as to avoid our nurses from being infected while taking care of them.
Varnam:What have you learned from the experience of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Gan: I am of the opinion that frontliners are not just doctors and nurses. There are people who we don’t see that are working hard day and night during this pandemic. Those people are laboratory professionals playing a vital importance like other frontliners. They have made many laboratory tests and discoveries throughout the pandemic. Hence, they should be in the first priority grouping, because they are in direct contact with the virus even if they are not directly interacting with patients. Secondly, I’m glad that we have vaccination but the execution is way too slow. During the MCO 1.0, the SOP’s were well tightened but they had limited swab testing among Malaysians. I felt it was not the right thing to do, just because there is a shortage of doctors to conduct the swab test, it doesn’t mean that nurses are less qualified to perform the test.
Varnam: In conjunction with International Nurses Day, what would you like to tell all those nurses, frontliners who are working hard just they way you are?
Gan: I have never been in the healthcare centre, and this is my first time being in the space. My message to all the nurses out there is, we know that you’ve been pulling in all the hours caring for your patients.

We love you, I specifically love you guys and in anyway possible for as long as I’m in this field, I will fight for the cause and make sure that nurses will be valued as much as doctors.

Thousands of netizens stood up and cheered to show support for our doctors. But for me nurses are warriors too.
Dear nurses,
We want to thank you for taking care of us, for taking care of our family and friends, for taking care of our frailty, for taking care of every life.
Happy International Nurses Day!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Country Managercovid-19heroesHomage MalaysiaInternational Nurses DayNisha Andrea Raj; Care SpecialistPC Gan


Sre Grethika’s “Backwards” Climbing Earned Her A Place In The Cholan Book of World Records

Sre Grethika Jaya Pragasam, a student from SJKT Ladang North Hummock, Klang has earned a spot in the Cholan Book of World Records for her splendid attainment in climbing Mount Tampin Negeri Sembilan “Backwards.”
Picture credit: MKU Malaysia Kalai Ulagam
It is a one-of-a-kind accomplishment because climbing “backwards” is not an easy task for a young kid. In that way, we are indeed fascinated and proud of her success.
She has demonstrated that students are not only foreseen to excel educationally in school, but also to actively participate in extracurricular activities.
Picture credit: MKU Malaysia Kalai Ulagam
As stated in the Cholan Book of World Records Award Ceremony, Sre Grethika climbed the 2507-foot-tall mountain back and forth twice, attaining 10.028 feet in less than 3 hours and 45 minutes.
This is a world Record done first of its kind. Cholan Book of Records congratulates the achiever and wishes success in all their future endeavours.
Sre Grethika’s mother, Usharani stated that she has seen her child’s potential for a long time because her family is physically active.
Their school motto, “Excel, Lead, Be Extraordinary,” has been a huge inspiration to all of them, and the principal of the school has always strived towards the motto in order for the students to excel “extraordinarily” as well.
Picture credit: MKU Malaysia Kalai Ulagam
So, when Usharani saw her daughter’s potential, she began preparing her child for this great task that would bring them pride.
This shows how much of a huge responsibility it is for parents to propel their children to achieve more in life.
Every student has a hidden talent, and it is our responsibility to discover it and make the most of it!
Picture credit: MKU Malaysia Kalai Ulagam
On that note, we at Varnam Malaysia are overjoyed to bring you news about this young child! Sre Grethika, may you rise to greater heights in the future!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under SJKT Ladang North Hummock KlangSre Grethika d/o Dato Dr Jaya PragasamSre Grethika's "Backwards" Climbing Earned Her A Place In The Cholan Book of World Records


WATCH: Maddy & Anushka’s Nishabdham’s Teaser

After creating good curiosity with the first look posters and pre-teaser, the official teaser of Madhavan and Anushka Shetty’s forthcoming film Nishabdham has been released on the eve of the lead actress’ birthday.
Besides the lead pair, the Hemant Madhukar directorial features an ensemble star cast like Michael Madsen, Anjali, Shalini Pandey, Subbaraju and Srinivasa Avasarala. Touted to be a suspense-thriller, the big-budget film has been mostly shot in Seattle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_jF7SwW3mUVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Nishabdham TEASER : Tamil | R Madhavan | Anushka Shetty | Anjali | Shalini Pandey | Hemant Madhukar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_jF7SwW3mU)

The  teaser opens with a small girl looking through the giant window of a building and an unidentified person throwing a book (The most haunted places in Seattle) into the river. After a few random shots, the lovely pair of Sakshi (Anushka Shetty) and Antony (Madhavan) who visit a haunted house for a vacation. However, mysterious events take place during that particular night which turns into a nightmare for all the persons involved in it.
While Hollywood actor Michael Madsen is seen as a detective working on the case, Anjali is playing the role of a local Seattle cop. The roles of the remaining actors are yet to be detailed.
While Anushka leads the proceedings in a mute role, Madhavan and Michael Madsen are the actors to watch out for. Shaneil Deo’s cinematography deserves a special mention and Gopi Sunder’s BGM will literally give you goosebumps. The multilingual film is bankrolled by People Media Factory in association with Kona Film Corporation.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  7 Important Valluvar Quotes for Modern-Day Millennial Tamils
Filed Under anushkhaMadhavannishabadhamTamiltelugu


EXCLUSIVE; 16-Year-Old Squash Twins Shine At Bangamata International Squash Tournament 2022

Double the joy!
Recently, Vitrikashenie Kulasegaran and Vinikasheinie Kulasegaran, also known as The Vs earned prestigious trophies at the Bangamata International Squash Tournament 2022, making everyone proud.
They’re the only sole representatives from Malaysian in this International Tournament.

Hailing from Perak, Vinikasheinie earned the Champion title while the other twin Vitrikashenie joined 3/4 winner of this professional circuit which was held in Bangladesh from 18th until 22nd of March.
In a chat with Varnam, the twins expressed their excitement and are overjoyed about their international feat.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved in our first international professional circuit. Furthermore, we are extremely proud of ourselves since we have proved to others that we are capable of accomplishing the seemingly impossible,” they said.
These twins, who are the only young players on the professional circuit, stated this competition is very meaningful to them and that this is only the beginning of their success.
The V’s, who are also versatile Indian classical dancers and violinists, emphasised that their triumph serves as a motivator to work even harder in future tournaments.

The girls began their journey in this sport when they were 11 years old, and since then, they have participated in various junior competitions both locally and internationally, leading them to step up their game by taking on the challenge of competing in a professional circuit.
Vinikasheinie and Vitrikashenie, who are currently studying at SMK Subang Utama, stated they had pillars of support whom helped them reach their recent accomplishment.
“Our sponsor, Essem Group, is one of them. They have aided us in a variety of ways to ensure that our participation in this event is a success,”
Related:  Journey Of Our Nation’s Professional Squash Player, Sivasangari Subramaniam“Our coach, Efrahim Gul, has also played a significant role in our success, as his direction and effective training have been extremely beneficial to us,” they added.

“Finally, our parents are the most prominent people in our lives who encourage us. They have been by our side throughout this journey, and we want to express our gratitude to them since we would not have been able to get this far in our life without them ,” they convey their appreciation.
When asked about their future plans, these girls stated that their short-term goal is to be in the top 100 in the world by the end of this year, and their long-term goal is to be in the top 10.
Congratulations on your excellent achievement and best wishes on your future endeavours dear twins!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Bangamata International Squash Tournament 2022squashThe VsVinikasheinie KulasegaranVitrikashenie Kulasegaran


Prevena Ramakrishnan & Priyanka Vairavasundaram Honoured With The Diana Award

Prevena Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Vairavasundaram were among the 184 young people who were honoured with UK’s Diana Award. The most vulnerable young people have been recognised internationally for driving selfless change into their local communities.
The Diana Award is one of the most prestigious acknowledgments given to young people as Princes Diana belief that young people have the power to change the world. This year, the young people received the prestigious award worldwide through an online ceremony. It’s a formal way to recognise young people who were going above and beyond the expected in their local communities
 Priyanka Vairavasundaram

Priyanka’s work eventually caught the eye of a local activist Professor Dato Dr Anwar Fazal, who nominated her for the prestigious Diana Award. She carries out free motivational talks for poor vulnerable students, through SPARK Students’ Success Program. For the past six years, the 23 -years old has been delivering motivational speeches along with her father R. Vairavasundaram, bringing hope, and confidence to students who felt intimidated by their studies or lacked belief in their academic potential.
Prevena Ramakrishnan

The 17-years old girl from SMK Sultan Badlishah in Kulim, Kedah has been recognised internationally for her humanitarian efforts and efforts in inducing positive changes among the local communities. Prevena advocates for young women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by guiding students and creating various innovation programs to support gender equality in curriculum-based education.
Congratulations to Prevena Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Vairavasundaram, keep up the good work!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Honoured UK Diana's AwardPrevena Ramakrishnan & Priyanka Vairavasundaram


Witness An Immersive Virtual Wedding Festival (Malaysia Edition) From October Onwards!

Tying the knot is a significant milestone in one’s life. Months, if not years, of preparation are required. With all wedding events on hold due to a global pandemic, the good people at Delegate have come to the rescue with a one-of-a-kind virtual wedding fair that you won’t want to miss!
Over a period of four days from 10am to 6pm from 7th to 10th October 2021, the free-to-attend Virtual Wedding Festival (Malaysia Edition) by weddingsmalaysia and Delegate will feature over 100 of Malaysia’s favourite wedding vendors.
Following three successful iterations of the Virtual Wedding Festival in Singapore, the event aims to transport the typically offline wedding fair experience to the virtual world by allowing attendees to browse, compare and book wedding services within the online space.
Virtual Wedding Festival
Do you want to have a traditional wedding or something special that your friends and family will cherish for years, a breathtaking event that is truly yours everlastingly?
Well, this would be the right place for you to immerse yourself in the virtual world as both wedding vendors and brand sponsors will be able to communicate with couples and make instant bookings from the comfort of their own homes.
Replicating the experience of a physical wedding fair, the event will house five exhibition halls designed to cater to the various wedding planning needs of brides-to-be and engaged couples. The five themed tracks include Venues and Catering, Beauty and Fashion, Flowers and Styling, Photography and Videography, and Other Services. The event will feature over 100 vendors, many of whom are exhibiting for the first time in a virtual space. Some participating vendors include Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, The Westin, Tailored Jewel and much more.
Virtual Wedding Festival
The event will also be open exclusively to B2B partners on the 7th and 8th of October where industry  leaders are able to network and form connections with local partners for potential strategic collaborations and opportunities.
That’s not all, what is a wedding fair without a little excitement?  The Virtual Wedding Festival has in store a number of exciting surprises for attendees!
On top of being able to browse, interact with and purchase wedding packages and services from their favourite wedding vendors, attendees are also able to enjoy a whole host of event-exclusive perks and discounts, freebies that can be claimed at individual vendor booths and hourly lucky draws throughout the weekend-long festival.
Virtual Wedding Festival
In addition, attendees are able to enjoy talks and webinars in the event’s virtual auditorium from key industry leaders, brand founders and experts in the field covering topics like wedding planning advice, do’s and don’ts and other tips and tricks on planning the big day. With the Virtual Wedding Festival, attendees are able to embark on their wedding planning journey safely from their devices anywhere, anytime.
To those who are keen to join the upcoming virtual wedding festival as a vendor, speaker or partner, don’t hesitate to register HERE!
We’re all in this together, so rest assured that their commitment to you is to assist you in planning the PERFECT DAY!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Beauty and FashionDelegateEastern & Oriental HotelFlowers and StylingPhotography and VideographyShangri-La HotelTailored JewelThe WestinVenues and CateringVirtual Wedding Festival (Malaysia Edition)Weddingsmalaysia


Malaysian Rangoli Artist Bala Murughan Parani Kumar Secures Spot In Malaysia Book of Records

Kolam, which welcomes our guests with gorgeous and vibrant colours, is a common sight at every Hindu house on every traditional occasion.
Kolam is visually appealing due to its unique pattern and vibrant colours, but it requires meticulous effort and takes a long time to complete. While we struggle to complete one Kolam in a single day, a Malaysian youth made history by creating 36 magnificent Rangoli Kolams in just a day.
Image credit: Santhanar Dronachariyar/facebook
Bala Murughan Parani Kumar, a Malaysian Rangoli Artist and Painter, was just endorsed and honoured by the renowned Malaysia Book of Records for making the “Most Number of ‘Rangoli’ Kolam Art In A Day by An Individual” on 21st January, 2022.
In a single day, this exceptional artist and co-founder of Rang Ki Craftaholic Hub made 36 colourful Rangoli Kolams. (Wow! This is a big accomplishment)
Image credit: Santhanar Dronachariyar/facebook
Kolam art is claimed to have originated in the pre-Aryan period, approximately 5,000 years ago.
It’s a form of design that’s painted on the floor or at the doors of a house, and it’s meant to bring good luck, prosperity, and welcome guests.
Some Indian mothers do this every morning or on special occasions like Diwali, Onam, or Pongal. It’s also said to usher in Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity, and fight off evil spirits.
Did you know that Kolam has a scientific purpose?
Image credit: Rangoli design
Rangoli’s rounded shape generates good energy in individuals, lowering negative energy levels. Positive and negative energy coexist in the environment. We typically tell people to think positively since it encourages optimism in our nature. If we think constructively, we will be hopeful.
Related:  The Youngest To Release A Tamil Single In YouTube: Thanisya Rethina Naidu Has Successfully Engraved Her Name In Malaysia Book Of RecordsRangoli is generally the first thing a guest sees when they visit a home, therefore we make complicated rangoli designs as a customary effort, and the bad energies become trapped in that intricacy and are unable to enter the house. As a result, people’s lives improve.
Varnam wishes Bala Murughan the best of luck in his future endeavours.
Click HERE to see stunning works of Rangoli Art by Rang Ki Craftaholic Hub.
Source: Santhanar Dronachariyar/ Entamizh Vannangal
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Bala Murughan Parani KumarKolamMalaysia book of recordsMost Number of 'Rangoli' Kolam Art In A Day by An IndividualRang Ki Craftaholic HubRangoli Art


Shraddha Srinath Opens Up A Salad Bar In Chennai!

Vikram Vedha and Nerkonda Paarvai girl Shraddha Srinath has now opened a restaurant with her friends in Chennai.  Perse is the name of the restaurant which is located in Phoenix Market City, Velachery.

The restaurant offers healthy sandwiches, salads, and other quality food. Posting a pic from her restaurant, Shraddha wrote:”To everyone that guessed restaurant – Yes! Maybe a little less than a restaurant but a little more than a cafe, definitely a LOT of good food… and simple.. and fresh. And in my journey towards a better relationship with food, I’m one step closer to a cleaner & healthier lifestyle, which makes this one a little close to the heart. So, here it is – @persechennai . I’m super thrilled to introduce Chennai’s coolest new salad bar & cafe -that gives you the choice to be healthy or indulgent with not-your-regular sandwiches, sweet crepes, a few other stunning concoctions & of course, if you’re in the mood for it, the healthy route – salads We’re swinging our doors open tomorrow, come show us some love!”.

On the film front, Shraddha Srinath has Vishal’s Chakra, Madhavan’s Maara, and few more Kannada films in the pipeline.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  The Ripple Effect 4.0 : Charity Movie Screening for Hospice Malaysia
Filed Under chennaifoodperserestaurantsalad barShraddha SrinathTamil


A Never-Ending Spike In Covid-19 Cases; When Will This End?

Malaysia has reported 1240 new Covid-19 cases today as revealed by the Ministry of Health (MoH). Presently, there are seven (7) deaths, two (2) imported cases, 1238 locally transmitted Covid-19 cases amounting to 27,805 Covid-19 infections in the country.
Of these, 17,825 have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospitals or community care facilities.

Another set of Covid-19 cases have been reported in the country, this time around infecting an employee from Block D of Oasis Square, Petaling Jaya. In a statement, the management office confirmed that the employee visited Oasis Square on 9th October, but had only drove through the management office to retrieve office papers by her colleague.
The management has since carried out sanitisation and disinfection work in all common areas of Block D. Meanwhile, co-workers of the Covid-19 patient have been ordered to undergo quarantine.

At the same time, a few employees from Menara Bangkok Bank, on Jalan Ampang have similarly tested positive for Covid-19 and are now being treated at the hospital. The bank in a statement said that the affected floors and general facilities have been fully sanitised.

An employee at the Negeri Sembilan Education Department in Seremban had also been tested positive for Covid-19. The case was confirmed by Negeri Sembilan exco for education Mohamad Rafie Abdul Malek. He added that the department was closed for sanitation and the employees’ close contacts are being screened for the virus.
According to the state Health Department, Seremban currently has 179 active cases, with two sub-districts-Ampangan and Labu-as red zone areas. The Ministry of Education in Seremban will close all schools and educational institutions in the red zone areas. A total number of 177 schools have been impacted by the pandemic in the district.

With 96 new cases reported, Negeri Sembilan saw a spike in Covid-19 infections, which was the second-highest in the country. The ministry also added that students who sit for examinations at private schools during this moment are required to first submit a letter from their respective schools.
Check out the full list of schools that have been closed.
Meanwhile, the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya has now been extended for another two weeks until 9th November.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was taken today on the advice of the MoH, based on the fact that there are still high-risk locations in the three regions.
Globally, more than 42.6 million people have been affected by the virus outbreak, which began in December last year. In total 1.14 million people have lost their lives due to various Covid-19 complications.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Block D of Oasis SquareCovid-19 casesDatuk Seri Ismail Sabri YaakobMenara Bangkok BankNegeri Sembilan Education DepartmentSpike


Malaysian Makes History As The First Female To Be Accepted Into The U.S. Naval Academy

At only 19, B. Janushaa has made history as the first female cadet to ever make it into the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy.
Janushaa, who was a student at UNPM (Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia) and a former pupil at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Clifford in Lipis, will be spending four years at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. She will be training to become a professional military officer.
The U.S Naval Academy is a prestigious institution that is very selective about their candidates. The U.S Embassy in Kuala Lumpur posted a congratulatory message on their official Facebook page, praising the 19-year-old for her stunning feat.

“Congratulations to Cadet Janushaa Bala Krishnan Muthiah, who has been accepted as a member of the U.S. Naval Academy’s class of 2022.
After a rigorous process, Cadet Janushaa was selected to represent Malaysia at the prestigious USNA, where she will spend the next four years learning to be a professional military officer alongside Midshipmen from around the world. Janushaa will be the first Malaysian woman to attend a U.S. Service Academy.” the official statement read.
Janushaa said that one of her driving force is to prove that gender is not an obstacle in achieving your dreams.
“I also hope that I can inspire other aspiring cadets to achieve their goals,” she was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Congratulations to Cadet Janushaa…recently appointed to the @NavalAcademy Class of 2022!https://t.co/vjH54O7XgA
cc: @501Awani
— U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur (@usembassykl) May 17, 2018

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Janushaa


Tsunami Miracle Baby; Thulaashi Has An Irresistible Desire To Explore & Travel The World

S. Thulaashi, a young and vibrant teenager has expressed great desire to explore other countries and observe different cultures, tradition, way of life and is looking forward to do so with her family someday.
Life has been nice since that fateful day on 26th December, 2004, when a second life lease was granted to her.
“But in order to achieve my goals, I have to pass my SPM exams with flying colours next year before I can travel,” she said on Saturday during an annual thanksgiving prayers held at Miami Beach, Batu Ferringhi.
Her daddy, A. Suppiah, 71, said that she’s doing well in her studies and was pleased that things looked bright for his daughter.
Source: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
The miracle Baby, Thulaashi made worldwide headlines just a day after Christmas in 2004 after a massive tsunami struck the west coast of Penang.
She was swept out to sea by the deadly waves while she was only 22-days-old at the time at a seaside cafe in Pantai Miami, while her parents were having a picnic. But miraculously, she was swept back to shore by the second wave after 30 minutes while sleeping on the same mattress.
Thulaashi, an infant then slept without a single drop of seawater on her body during the entire ordeal, gaining her the nickname “miracle baby.”

Until today, Suppiah and Annalmary never halt offering thanks to Goddess Ganga for Thulaashi’s safe return.
And as every year, the prayers of thanksgiving for their miracle girl will be given, as well as a special prayer to appease the souls of the 37 people who died in Pantai Miami.
Source: The Star
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under AnnalmaryDesire To ExploreMiracle BabySuppiahThulaashitravelTsunamiWorld


Devastating Discovery; Kampar Nurse Set Herself & Two Children On Fire Due To Possible Depression

R. Kartiga, who worked as a nurse at Kampar hospital was found dead along with her two children after she set fire to their rented room. The two kids have been identified as 6-year-old S. Harrshikka and 12-year-old S. Shaarhveesh.
The 35-year-old mother who has been living separately from her husband for the past 6 years is reported to be suffering from depression due to family and marital issues.
Source: Berita Harian
Perak Zone 1 Fire and Rescue Chief Nor Rasidamayati told Bernama, after receiving the call from an unknown passerby, twelve firemen from the Kampar Fire and Rescue Station were precipitated to the spot. Within three minutes, the fire was extinguished and the severely burnt bodies were found on the bed.
Kampar District Police Chief, Supt Hasron Nazri Hisham said a gas cylinder had been discovered behind the wardrobe.
If you find yourself struggling with your mental health, call the following hotlines for social support and assistance:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under BefriendersdepressionKampar HospitalNurseR. KartigaS. HarrshikkaS. Shaarhveesh


X – LOVE; DK’s Newest Track Is A Soothing Masterpiece In Declaration Of A Mother’s Love

Beautifully sung! A heartfelt mother’s love is eternal.
A piece of brand new music video titled X-Love was released recently and it combines a lovely finger-picked flutist Navin with seemingly stream-of-consciousness lyrics penned by Yuwaji. The brainchild for this song is Dinesh Kumar or popularly known as DK. The talented musician sung and directed the song by himself while its music was composed by  Shameshan Mani Maran.
X-Love song aptly captures how a mother can excessively worry about her son’s life and it shows a special bonding between mother and son. This song is receiving applauds from fans for its fineness and is appreciated for its fresh music. It has also garnered 28,000 views and 3.6k likes in just three days after being released on YouTube.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CF6MrVyF_AY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Described as one of the most beautiful song penned by a local lyricist, the music video features DK, Anita Permata Sari, Pavetraa Reddy, Smith DK, Nivahshini, Vijay Armstong, Kogila Murali, Sugar Sugi, Barni, Evarani, Raj Rainmaker, Joel, Dharma, Mahilvanan, Nithya, Dashrrath DK, Veshmikha DK, Jaishree, Mogan Raj, Vishwadhik, Krishnan, Kesav Kumar, Nevethashree, Sathiswar and Tassveena.
This song will pull at the right chords of your heart and will definitely make you want to hug your mommy!

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Anita Permata SariBarniDashrrath DKDharmaDKEvaraniJaishreeJoelKesav KumarKogila MuraliKrishnanMahilvananMogan RajNavinNevethashreeNithyaNivahshiniOfficial Music VideoPavetraa ReddyRaj RainmakerSathiswarSmith DKSugar SugiTassveenaVeshmikha DKVijay ArmstongVishwadhikX-LOVEYuwaji p


Urumi Melam Group Performing A Birthday Song Goes Viral on TikTok

A recent viral video of a young Chinese man treated to a surprise birthday greeting with an Indian beat garnered over 25,400 likes.

@peili96 做朋友尴尬就是要做一车大的啊😆#birthdaycelebration #india#gemdang#foodcourt#satumalaysia#viral#tiktok ♬ original sound – PeiLii

The urumi troupe appeared and began drumming along toward the birthday boy dressed in white at a food court. Four Indian youths and an elderly man were dressed in traditional attire (Vashti) and accompanied by drums (Urumi melam). The birthday boy was seen excited and vibed along to the birthday beat. As the urumi team was drumming, the whole crowd sang along to the birthday song. This was recorded by one of the birthday team members.
The 2 mins 23-second recording of the incident were later uploaded by PeiLii on her TikTok account. Gaining so much of views and likes, this viral video also left many Malaysians in awe.
CREDIT IMAGE: PEILII (TIKTOK)
Not just that, but these Urumi boys made it on TV too. Tiktok user, PeiLii, who seems to be the friend of the birthday boy, also shared a 43-second clip of the birthday incident being a talk on Chinese news.

@peili96 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣 #viral#india#gendang#birthdaycelebration#indianculture#onlyinmalaysia ♬ original sound – PeiLii

It’s so amazing to see the multicultural society strengthening the bonds by learning and exploring the traditions of others.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under chinese birthdayIndian performancemulticultural societytiktok viraltraditionsUrumi Melam