S.L.Y Squad Offers A Beautiful Track That Captivates Your Soul

Another day, another great composition by our fellow Malaysians.
The talented rappers from SLY Squad, Mista Carey and C-Nav are back in action bringing forth an intriguing track aptly titled ‘Pesathey’ featuring Sanggari Krish on the vocal.
Image credit: mistacarey (ig)
Spearheaded by Maven Merakii Entertainment along with a double collaboration of Sastha’s and Pridemachi Entertainment, Pesathey expresses a heart-rending notion of a lover longing for love by chaperoning a lonely path with an unanswered thread. Starting with Sanggari Krish’s canticle, it kicks off with a slow-paced rhythm that will right away bring you to a bewitch memory lane.
Image credit: Maven Merakii Ent (youtube)
Right after, the song quickly swift to a zippy with the presents of our remarkably talented rappers. The duo from SLY Squad, C-Snav and Mista Carey brought up the scene alive with their tight fast-rap verse that eventually will make the listeners groove to its beat without them realising it. Overall, it’s a song that you would listen to during the long ride, with the slow driving, windows down and glancing at the scenery.
With this new track release, Mista Carey penned down a heartfelt appreciation post to his fans expressing his gratitude for all the love and support shown by the fans towards him and SLY Squad for the past 10 years.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mista Carey (@mistacarey)

Upon its release, the listeners swarmed in with praises for this song!
Image credit: Maven Merakii Ent (youtube)
Pesathey was released on Maven Merakii Ent Youtube channel:

https://youtu.be/hBDE3cdQW-YVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Pesathey | SLY SQUAD | C-Snav | Mista Carey | Sanggari Krish (https://youtu.be/hBDE3cdQW-Y)

Kudos to the entire team who has done an outstanding job producing this enthralling music video:
Artist: C-Snav, Mista Carey feat Sanggari Krish
Beat Produced by: Yb Jay (Pridemachi Entertainment)
Additional Music & Arrangement by: Shane X’treme (SCII Studio)
Written by: C-Snav, Mista Carey & Saresh D7 (S.L.Y Squad)
Violin by: Sriram Sheshadri
Mixed & Mastered by: Boy Radge (Abraham Records)
Music Label: Maven Merakii Entertainment
Music Video Credits:
Video Production: ThirtyGrid Sdn.Bhd
Director & D.O.P: Daniel Renu (ThirtyGrid)
2nd Director: Rooban Sacci
Cam Asst: Dhillon Siri
Grip Gaffer: Kelvin Loh, Arun
Offline Editor: Dhillon Siri
Online Editor: Kelvin Loh
Colorist: Jawagar Samidurai
Talent (Cast): Jann
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Filed Under C-SnavMaven Merakii EntertainmentMista CareyPesatheyPridemachi EntertainmentSanggari KrishSastha'sSLY Squad


Kaala Receives 14 Cuts By Central Board Of Film Certification

Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kaala is the most anticipated movie this year. The movie, directed by Pa Ranjith, was initially set for release on the 27th of April 2018.
However, the ongoing strike by the Tamil Film Producers Council (TPFC) has made it unlikely for Kaala to hit the screens in April. According, the TPFC chief Vishal, the strike will go on until all of their demands are met.
https://varnam.my/2018/1840/vishal-tpfc-strike/
On the other hand, Kaala is ready for release with fans burning with anticipation all over the world. Kaala has been awarded a U/A certificate and agreed to all 14 cuts by the Central Board of Film Certification.
Written and directed by Pa. Ranjith, Kaala revolves around the life of a Mumbai-based don Karikalan. The film also stars Huma Qureshi, Samuthirakani, and Anjali Patil.
https://varnam.my/2018/1229/watch-superstar-rajnikanth-looks-badass-kaalas-teaser-trailer/
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Filed Under KaalaPa RanjithRajinikanthVishal


My Consistency Appeared When I Stopped Finding For Motivation!

I am sure at some point you would have heard someone saying consistency is key. But it always low key annoyed me because if there is one thing in life I could never achieve was consistency. I suffered from this sickness of being a perfectionist. But what I did not see was how my life was passing by right in front of me and I was too stuck in my old ways. Consistency and “perfectionism” do not work together. However, now I can say consistency is perfect. What does this mean you ask? Well, in simple words, drinking 1 litre of water everyday is better than drinking 2 litres for 2 days per week,  then falling off the wagon.
Credit: Medium.Com
I struggled with consistency my whole life also because of my undiagnosed ADHD. But also, getting a diagnosis did not miraculously come with a prescription of consistency. I had to rewire and hack my brain and now, finally I can say I am getting more consistent; in so many aspects of life.
The most perplexing aspect of ADHD is the inconsistency in motivation and performance. It appears that a child or adult with the disorder who can demonstrate strong motivation and focus for some tasks should be able to do so for the majority of other tasks that they consider important. It appears to be a simple case of a lack of “willpower.” Why can’t you do it for that and that, which are even more important, if you can do it for this? ADHD, on the other hand, is not a matter of willpower. It’s a problem with the chemistry of the brain’s dynamics.
As a writer and certified day dreamer, my only job is to make observations and of course write about them. Hence why I also believe that neurotypicals too can suffer from this. The dire need to find motivation in order to take action. So I welcome you, my reader, neurotypical or neurodivergent like me to use these tips that worked for me. But if they do not work for you, I truly hope you do not give up on yourself and find what works for you!
Is Motivation Really Necessary?
Credit: istock.com
Do you have a lack of motivation today and want to watch YouTube or scroll through your Facebook newsfeed? Are you bored and have nothing to do?
Does this ring a bell?
That’s a feeling we’ve all had. It’s a worldwide phenomenon. Even successful people struggle with the same lack of motivation as the rest of us.
 But. Despite their boredom, they find a way to show up. They are focused and dependable. It’s only temporary if watching motivational videos boosts your energy. or, in the best-case scenario, it could last hours, days, or even weeks?!  Please let me know if a few months of motivational speaking fueled your energy! What makes us consistent are the habits we practise on a regular basis to strengthen the muscle of the desired skill.
Habit Formation
A habit is made up of three elements, according to habit science: a cue, a routine, and a reward. A visual trigger, a time of day, a sequence of thoughts, or an emotional state can all serve as cues to help you form a habit. The reward is the sensation you get after completing the routine, which could be a favourite meal, a kind word, a physical sensation, or feeling proud of what you’ve accomplished.
You must first set a goal before you can begin to form that habit. But how do you do it?
Credit: Branding Strategy Insider
Rethink Your Goals
The issue is that we are so focused on goals and outcomes that we overlook the importance of putting systems and processes in place to achieve those outcomes. Instead of focusing on goals, concentrate on systems! Set a timeline that is limited in scope to re-define your goal.
For example, I used to have this goal where I wanted to have “glass” skin. I know, conventional. But, as aware as I am, I am unaware too; about many other things. Growing up, I had very smooth skin. But with years of dealing with stress and complex PTSD from the environments I was in, it eventually took a toll on my skin. I used to get “compliments” on how my skin looked and now I can tell when someone is judging my scar and acne filled skin.
So this translated into me being obsessed with my skin. My then goal was to use as many products as possible to remove the scars. I wanted my skin to go back to what it was. But I could never do my skincare routine twice a day because I just could not be consistent.
This is where I get my version of a happy ending story. One day, I just looked at myself in the mirror and asked myself, am I any lesser if these scars do not go away? And the answer was so clear. So I adjusted my goals.
My goal now is only to take care of my skin health. I do my skincare twice a day, maybe about 5 times a week. How did this change happen? I took away the pressure and I stopped looking at other people’s skin as “motivation” or “goals to have”. I just kept assuring myself it was okay to have scars and that it would fade away. Not to show off, but I even use face masks now. Like who am I? 😂
But the most important part of my journey to restoring my skin health was being real with what my higher self wanted as opposed to the egotistical version of me. Once that cleared up for me, the rest was a matter of baby steps.
Focus on just ONE thing

For the first week, all I did was wash my face. I did not use face cream until I felt like I wanted to. My skin felt tight so that felt right to add on to my routine. Then the 2nd week I started using another product and I tied this habit to sleeping. I repeated this until it registered in my mind that, right before I sleep, I need to do this.
It has been one month and I have passed the stage of no longer waiting for motivation to do my skincare. It is automatic now.  In the long run, starting small pays off handsomely. Let’s say you want to make it a habit to read every day. Begin with ten minutes per day!
While 10 minutes may seem insignificant at first, keep doing it until it becomes second nature, at which point you can progress to the next level and gradually increase 10 minutes until you feel more confident.
Start Small

Maintaining greater consistency can help you become more motivated and confident in what you’re doing, but it can be difficult to continue developing your behaviour in terms of time and using your brain to process that much information. So you start with the simplest level you can handle and stick with it for a few days until you’ve gotten used to it.
Make the habit Satisfying
Credit: istock.com
The 4th law of human behaviour, according to James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, is “to make it satisfying.” This rule is significant because it increases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated.
The fact that the immediate result is likely unmeasurable and unenjoyable is what makes a habit unsatisfying. The end result, on the other hand, is pleasing. If you think about it, you’ll see that it makes sense. Good habits are probably unappealing now, but if you stick to them, you’ll be someone else in the future.
Bad habits, on the other hand, will provide you with a lot of pleasure in the short term but will almost certainly ruin your life in the long run. Motivation isn’t required at the end of the day. With a small start, you only need to form a habit with a redefined goal focused on just ONE thing. That habit should be planned ahead of time and cannot be disrupted. You must also keep your phone away from your face while doing this deep work.
Also, remember to reward yourself and make your habit enjoyable. Also, keep in mind! You must forgive yourself if you miss one day of continuity, but you must never miss two! However if you do, forgive yourself and start again. You have an  infinite number to reset your life. You got this!
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Filed Under changeconsistencyhabitslifestylemotivationself help


Here Are All The Movies Set For Ponggal Release This Year

At the beginning of the year, we always look forward to the first wave of Tamil movies set for Ponggal release.
This year, we’re in tremendous luck as we have at least 5 to 8 brand new, star-studded, action-packed movies hitting the cinema in January.
First up, we have Thaana Serntha Koottam, starring Suriya and Keerty Suresh. An Anirudh musical and directed by Vignesh Shivn, Thaana Serndha Kootam is slated to be Suriya’s 35th film. Veteran actors Ramya Krishnan, Karthik, and comedian Senthil will also make appearances in the movie.
Release Date: TBC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYM_iZII4U4Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam Official Tamil Teaser | Suriya | Anirudh l Vignesh ShivN (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYM_iZII4U4)

Next up, we have Prabhu Deva’s Gulaebaghavali, an action-packed film written and directed by Kalyaan. With Prabhu Deva as the hero and Vivek-Mervin as the music director, the film is already ranking high on everyone’s must-watch list.
Release date: 14 January 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oIFBRnHwEoVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Gulaebaghavali Official Trailer | 4K | Prabhu Deva, Hansika | Vivek-Mervin | Kalyaan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oIFBRnHwEo)

Sketch is an action thriller film written and directed by Vijayachander, featuring Vikram in the leading role. In this film we see Vikram eschew his clean-shaven facade to opt for a full-blown beard to better suit his character, much like his ‘Gemini’ days. The film also sees Tamannaah and Sri Priyanka in leading roles.
Release date: January 12 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddRyInAwFl0Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Sketch – Official Teaser | Chiyaan Vikram, Tamannaah | Vijay Chandar | Thaman SS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddRyInAwFl0)

Tik Tik Tik, which is receiving a lot of hype as India’s first ever space movie. The movie stars Jayam Ravi and Nivetha Pethuraj in leading roles. Directed by Shakti Soundar Rajan, ‘Tik Tik Tik’ revolves around a magician-cum-illusionist who is hired to fix a debacle in space.
Release date: January 26 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ug9zvC9pJMVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Tik Tik Tik – Official Tamil Trailer 2K | Jayam Ravi, Nivetha Pethuraj | D.Imman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ug9zvC9pJM)

Another movie that is aiming to push boundaries, Irumbuthirai – directed by P. S. Mithran – revolves around the information technology and the consequences of having all your personal information available online. The film features Vishal and Arjun in a leading role, alongside Samantha. Yuvan Shankar Raja is also onboard as music director.
Release date: 26 January 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRas5gKKIp0Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Irumbuthirai Official Teaser | Vishal, Arjun, Samantha | Yuvan Shankar Raja | P. S. Mithran (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRas5gKKIp0)

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Filed Under GulaebaghavaliIrumbuthiraiPonggalSketchThaana Serntha KoottamTik Tik Tik


ISRO Is All Set To Launch Chandrayaan-3 On July 14th

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Thursday that India’s long-awaited moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, will launch on July 14 at 2.35 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This moon lander mission will be is happening almost four years after the crash of its previous incarnation in 2019. The mission, codenamed LVM3 M4, will include a lander, propulsion module, and rover, with the goal of landing safely and softly on the lunar surface, roving, and conducting on-site scientific investigations. Back in this year March, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully completed the critical tests that proved its ability to survive the extreme vibration and acoustic environment that the spacecraft would undergo during launch.

ISRO, which stands for Indian Space Research Organisation, is the government of India’s space agency. On August 15, 1969, it was formed with the purpose of developing India’s space capabilities for a variety of applications such as communication, remote sensing, weather forecasting, and scientific research. ISRO has achieved enormous advances in space technology throughout the years, becoming one of the world’s premier space agencies. ISRO’s primary objectives are the advancement of space technology and its application for national development, the attainment of self-reliance in space technology, and the promotion of space science research and planetary exploration.

🚀LVM3-M4/Chandrayaan-3🛰 Mission:Early hours today, at SDSC-SHAR, the movement of the LVM3 M4 vehicle with Chandrayaan-3 to the launch pad has commenced pic.twitter.com/Oxb7arzpYr
— ISRO (@isro) July 6, 2023

ISRO has designed, developed, and launched a wide range of satellites for communication, remote sensing, navigation, and scientific research purposes. Some notable satellites include INSAT series for communication, IRS series for remote sensing, and Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 for lunar exploration. In 2013, ISRO successfully launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, which made India the fourth country to reach Mars. The mission aimed to study the Martian atmosphere, surface features, and search for signs of life. ISRO launched Chandrayaan-2, a moon mission, in 2019. Despite the loss of the lander (Vikram), the orbiter (Chandrayaan-2) continues to orbit the Moon, giving crucial data for scientific research.
ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and technology, striving for scientific advancements and national development. It has made significant achievements and is widely respected in the global space community for its accomplishments and cost-effective approach to space missions. Hence, ISRO is all set to launch moon mission Chandrayaan 3.
The landing of Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled for August. If successful, India’s mission will make it the fourth country in the world to conduct a soft landing on the moon, joining the earlier Soviet Union, the United States, and China. Isro chairman S Somnath said that it will land on 23rd August. The date is determined by when the sun rises on the moon; it will rely on the calculations, but if it is delayed, we will have to postpone the landing until September,” he stated. Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-up mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe lunar landing and wandering. Everyone are looking forward for the most anticipating moment.
Source: The Hindustan Times
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Filed Under Chandrayaan-3Indian Space Research Organizationisro


AR Rahman Composes For Vikram’s Next Film!

AR Rahman will compose the music for Vikram’s Tamil film, currently titled as Vikram 58.
The makers welcomed Rahman on board the project with a special poster of the film, to be directed by Ajay Gnanamuthu.

AR Rahman comes on board as music composer for Chiyaan Vikram's next venture [not titled yet]… Directed by Ajay Gnanmuthu. Produced by Viacom18Studios and Seven Screen Studio… April 2020 release. #Vikram58 pic.twitter.com/YAq5mcBfP3
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 13, 2019

The first look poster of the film was unveiled in May. It was a mash up of Vikram’s multiple avatars in the film. Vikram is said to play a photographer in the film.
The project, scheduled to go on the floors in August, is being produced by Seven Scene Studio in association with Viacom 18 Studios.
The makers plan to release the film in April, 2020.
This film will be a Pan-Indian project catering to the Tamil, Hindi and Telugu audience.
It will be produced on a massive scale in association with Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.
Gnanamuthu, who made his directorial debut with Tamil horror-thriller Demonte Colony a few years ago, rose to fame with Tamil thriller Imaikka Nodigal last year.
The film featured Anurag Kashyap as the antagonist.
More updates to follow!
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Filed Under AR RahmanTamilVikram


Kamala Devi Harris Is The First Indian American To Run For US President In 2020

In the face of the longest government shutdown in American history, the Trump administration has left the United States of America (USA) in a state of confusion and chaos. Amidst increasing divide among the races, unpaid government staff and the ban on transgender in military, America is in dire need for a better government. Ahead of the next US Presidential election that is happening in 2020, many candidates have showed their interest of contesting for the Oval Office.
One such person is Kamala Devi Harris.
Senator Kamala Harris
Kamala is half Jamaican and half Indian. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, is a renowned breast cancer scientist from Chennai. Her Jamaican-born father, Donald Harris is a Stanford University economics professor. Her family moved to USA in 1960 and lived in California, USA and Quebec, Canada.
Kamala Harris, Vice President Joseph Biden, and her aunt Sarala Gopalan at the senator’s swearing-in, January 2017.
Kamala and her mother Shyamala Gopalan Harris in the ’60s | Pic by VOGUE
Kamala attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics. She was elected as freshman class representative to the liberal arts student council and was a member of the debate team.
In 1989, Kamala returned to California, where she earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1990.
Shyamala Gopalan and Donald Harris
As a Democratic Party Senator and California’s former Attorney General, Kamala made the official announcement on ABC’s Good Morning America and launched her presidential campaign for 2020. The announcement was made on the US Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a reminder of the aspirational fight for progress.
Kamala Harris stands for Pride
Kamala is no mean feat and has been proving a solid track record in her years of service. Some of Kamala’s biggest achievements are winning the historic mortgage crisis for 84,000 families when she brokered a $25 billion settlement deal, her work with LGBTQ communities that supported the Supreme Court’s decision to legalise same sex marriage, and the prosecution of transnational gangs for trafficking human, drugs and firearm.

Kamala has gained the trust of many supporters but there are some naysayers who have been reigning on her parade. CNN host Chris Cuomo, suggested that Kamala should prove she was born in the US but the internet  was swift at rebuking him.

Kamala Harris has been dubbed as the Neo-Obama and others even compare her to the Queen Of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones). We are so excited for Kamala’s presidential run in 2020.
Will she be making history as the very first child of an Indian migrant to become the President of The United States?

Source: VOGUE
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Filed Under Californiakamala harrisPOTUSUS presidential election


Ayesha Malik Calls Priyanka Chopra A Hypocrite For Encouraging Nuclear War With Pakistan

As a huge fan of Priyanka Chopra, this is such a let down.

Priyanka Chopra may have made the most brilliant career transition from Bollywood to Hollywood, married a Jonas brother and spent her time on a luxury yacht all summer long. While her attendance at the beauty event, BeautyCon 2019, was highly anticipated, it did not sit well with some people.
Priyanka was appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador to promote peace, diplomacy and goodwill. When she was at the main stage at BeautyCon 2019, she spoke about humanity and promoting peace. A Pakistani-American beauty influencer, Ayesha Malik, could not tolerate the hypocrisy and she demanded to speak during the Q&A round.
Ayesha Malik
Boldly, Ayesha called Priyanka a hypocrite for encouraging nuclear war over comments she made amid worsening tensions between India and Pakistan. She said, “It was kind of hard hearing you talk about humanity, because as your neighbour, a Pakistani, I know you’re a bit of a hypocrite.”

Ayesha added, “You are a Unicef ambassador for peace and you’re encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan. There’s no winner in this. As a Pakistani, millions of people like me have supported you in your business of Bollywood”, before the microphone was grabbed away from her by security.

To the confrontation, Priyanka gave a fluff response with a condescending undertone, “I hear you. Whenever you’re done venting. Got it? Done? Okay, cool. War is not something that I’m really fond of, but I am patriotic and I think that all of us have a sort of middle ground that we all have to walk. The way you came at me right now, girl, don’t yell. We’re all here for love. Don’t yell. Don’t embarrass yourself. Thank you for your enthusiasm and your question and your voice.”

Since the incident, Pakistan’s Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari has urged Unicef to remove Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for cheering for the Indian Army. In a tweet, she wrote, “@UNICEF needs to remove Priyanka Chopra as its ambassador immediately in the wake of her support for Indian mly (military) and rogue Modi govt. Otherwise it makes a mockery of such appointments. UNICEF should really be more careful on whom it appoints to these honorary positions.”
Around the world, Priyanka Chopra is being called out for her hypocritical celebrity activism and blind patriotism.

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Filed Under Ayesha malikKashmirPriyanka ChopraPriyanka Chopra Jonas


Malaysia’s Kokilam Kathirvailu Places 2nd Runner Up At Mrs World 2019

Kokilam Kathirvailu walked home as the second runner-up in the Mrs World 2019 contest held last Saturday at the West Gate Resort in Las Vegas, United States. This is the first time in Mrs World history that a Malaysian has emerged one of the top three winners of the beauty pageant.
Kokilam Kathirvailu, 34, was adjudged second runner-up in the Mrs World 2019 contest held last Saturday at the West Gate Resort in Las Vegas.

The mother of 3 was among 38 other hopeful candidates for the title of Mrs World 2019. The winner of the 2019 contest was Jennifer Le of Vietnam and the 1st runner-up, Matapa Maila Rikhotso of South Africa.

34-year-old Kokilam was crowned the winner of the Mrs Malaysia World 2018-2019 and has been training under the organisation for the world stage. The national director of Mrs Malaysia World, Datin Harveen Kaur, said that,”The pageant is a celebration of married women to capture the success of marriage and use it to bring more joy into the world”.

Kokilam tutoring her 3 children
Congratulation, Kokilam!

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Filed Under mrs malaysiamrs Malaysia world 2019mrs world 2019


Actress Meena Opens An Instagram Account & Fills It With Rare Photos

Meena is a multi award-winning actress who dominated films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. She was introduced as a child actor into the industry by Dr Sivaji Ganesan himself and starred in his film Nenjangal. Her career growth can be seen in the evolution of characters she is played opposite Superstar Rajinikanth; from a playing a terminally-ill child in Anbulla Rajinikanth to playing his love interest and female lead in Muthu.

Meena was last seen on screen in the 2018 Telugu film called Saakshyam and is now seen as a judge on multiple reality shows such as Lolluppa and Manada Mayilada. A few days ago, Meena gave her fans a delightful surprise by making her entrance to the ‘Gram! Meena started her own Instagram account with the handle @meenasagar16.

Meena has used her account to add many rare photos from her shoots, film sets and studios. She shared a photo of the late Soundarya with a caption that read, “Throwback pic..miss you Sowmya aka Soundarya ?”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meena Sagar (@meenasagar16)

We are liking and commenting on all her photos right now! Head over and show her some love.
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Filed Under meena


Villa To Village: Gayathri Shows Up At Temple In Shirt & Veshti, Villagers Confused

Vijay TV’s reality TV show Villa To Village is probably the next big thing after Arya’s Enga Veetu Mapillai.
The show is inspired by Paris Hilton’s The Simple Life, where we see eight rich, city-bred girls take up the challenge to live in a village for 45 days. The girls will live in with the villagers, sleep and wake up according to the villager’s timing, and perform all the task the villagers do on a daily basis.
Upon arriving at the villages, the girls were invited to the village temple for a ceremony. All the girls were given sarees and accessories so they can doll themselves up for the ceremony. One girl, however, refused the saree. Her name is Gayathri.

Gayathri, who sports short hair and prefers sweaters and jeans as opposed to dresses, said she will not wear the saree as it doesn’t agree with her mind and personality. Her host tried to persuade her, but to no avail. She politely explained that this is not her, and she will not feel comfortable being someone that she’s not.
Eventually, Gayathri showed up at the festival with a shirt and veshti. The village crowd, even though shocked, did not berate her. They accepted her as she was and carried on with the ceremony.

“I hope you can all accept me as I am – as I don’t wish to change. I want to stay true to myself.” Gayahtri told the crowd.
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Filed Under Villa to Village


Fahrenheit88’s Bling Bling Deepavali Ignites A Gleaming Festive Season With Crazy Sales

Deepavali 2020 is illuminated with sheer light and joy, topping it off with hope by bringing a special touch to a very memorable celebration this year, and will surely mark an unforgettable #Deepavali2020 for all of us!
In tandem with Deepavali festivities this year, Fahrenheit88 presents a joyful, meaningful celebration by igniting “Bling Bling Deepavali” with a range of vividly colorful kolams!
The eye-catching sight that is sure to get us captivated in awe, is a must visit by all Malaysians!

Designed by the artist and founder of Niuniu ‘s Gallery, Vivian Ng, the glorious festival of lights is heralded with brightly colored embellishments, including nine exquisite kolams right at the main lobby of Fahrenheit.

 The painted kolam designs are based on a concept of originality, warmth, strength and kindness in multi-colored spray paintings on round canvases that bring luck and blessings to all Malaysians.
Capture the festive cheer, and tag # F88BlingDeepavali to honour this indelible celebration!
Shoutout to all SHOPAHOLICS! In conjunction with the festival of lights, shoppers would be able to enjoy massive Bling-Bling rewards with every shopping spree spent with RM80 and above in a single receipt.

Shoppers will receive one pair of Bling Bangles and also redeem The Body Shop Shower Gel (60ml) with RM150 spent in one receipt. Both gifts are limited to two redemptions per customers per day and can be made at the Concierge Counter, located on the Ground Floor.
What are you all waiting for? This is the perfect time to grab all your desired clothes to rock the #OOTD as sales are flooding all over the mall!
 Shoppers would be given an exclusive chance to earn great discounts up to 70% on JT Super Heroes, Ground Floor and Afternoon located on the 1st Floor, 50% off on Carlo Rino and Skechers, Ground Floor and 30% off on ALDO, Ground Floor!
Remember to complete your purchasing with a free RM588 bracelet at Pandora, Ground Floor and Shop Two for RM60 at Lovisa, Ground Floor.
This doesn’t stop here, Fahrenheit88 further treats you to a relaxing full body massage at Thai Odyssey, with 30% weaved off as part of your shopping indulgence!
After a massive shopping spree, indulge to heart-warming meals with a 2nd set of Chicken Shawarma for 50% off at Al-Amar Express, Ground Floor, a 2nd set at 50% off with a purchase of Kimchi Jigae at Koryo-Won, 2nd Floor, 20% off at All-Dak, 2nd Floor and a 2nd set at 50% off with a purchase of cake and coffee at Connoisseurs Café, Ground Floor.

Now, you’re all set to lit the festival of lights dressed full on in bling bling and style! Visit Fahrenheit88 for an exuberance celebration with crazy cheap deals and amazing deco to embrace the #F88BlingDeepavali !
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Filed Under Bling Bling Deepavalideepavali blingsdeepvali 2020farenheit88 shopping mallmalls in malaysia with the best decos


An Elderly Man Questions Campaigners; “To date, what have you ever done for the Indian community?”

An Indian elderly man sparked an outburst of anger after a group of political campaigners approached the community by seeking votes for the Melaka state election to form the state government on its own. The animosity among the Indian community is not due to VOTING. It was only a catalyst for something that had been simmering for some time.
Right now, this video clip has left the spotlight of the mainstream media. There have been no politicians or commentators on television or radio who have continued to question the government for a more sensible answer to date.
Therefore, the video has since gone viral on Twitter as he questioned them in regards to their current socio-economic status.

Uncle tu suruh dia orang balik.
Dia tanya "Apa kau orang buat untuk orang Tamil? Kau orang datang bila nak undi sahaja." pic.twitter.com/kqG2WjOsFi
— Zulimran Nasution (@chean_nasution) November 15, 2021

“To date, what have you ever done for the Tamil [community]? You only come for votes,” the uncle questioned.
The question arises as there is no vision and proper implementation in whatever the politicians are contributing for the community. Anger has not only intensified for the Indian uncle but the frustration of our fellow Malaysians have been simmering on social media after the tweet went viral.
Netizens who thought the same thing applauded the uncle for boldly voicing out his views while also expressing their own issues.

In every way, Indians are constantly lagging behind. According to a report by the Centre for Public Policy Studies, they have the lowest life expectancy, highest suicide rate, and lowest relative property ownership among major races.
From my perspective, without any vision for the community, how are they going to help the community? When will people begin to notice? When will the lives of Indians be valued?
According to Malaysiakini, the adage that politicians are all talk and no action is completely accurate. Malaysian politicians are the epitome of it in this situation, particularly those who fervently profess to be stewards in the battle against Indian marginalisation in the nation.
As a result, it no longer amazes us that the majority of Indians in the country – particularly those in the B40 sector – believe their well-being is irrelevant to the government.
Despite the implementation of several ‘plans’ or ‘blueprints’ by governments over several decades, the Indian community (particularly those trapped in plantations) receive minimal substantial and game-changing support from the government. From a lack of comprehensive and equitable education to inadequate labour protection, the government has failed to provide its own Indian population with equal opportunity to succeed– one of the most important rights that Indians, like all Malaysians, deserve.
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Filed Under 'plans' or 'blueprints'Centre for Public Policy StudiesElderly ManIndian CommunityMelaka state electionQuestioned


Enga Veetu Mapillai: Abarnathy Is Overconfident, Childish & Rude, Says Arya

Tonight’s episode of Enga Veetu Mapillai is probably the most suspenseful episode ever. With Ayeesha eliminated, the episode ends with Saathvika and Abarnathy in the bottom two. One of them will say goodbye to Arya and leave the palace heartbroken.
According to Arya, Abarnathy was placed in the bottom three because she is overconfident and needs to learn to adapt to different environment.
“Abarnathy is overconfident, childish and rude, and I think that has a lot to do with why she is in the bottom three this week,” Arya said.
“She can be herself, but she needs to know how to adapt to different situations accordingly. She needs to learn how to compromise. She can’t always have her way. If she doesn’t like things a certain, she must learn how to compromise,” he added.
It looks like Abarnathy was deliberately placed in bottom three so Arya can teach her a lesson in humility. But will she be able to continue on in the journey to become Arya’s life partner, or does it end tonight?
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Filed Under AbarnathyAryaEnga Veetu Mapillai


BREAKING NEWS: Hrithik Roshan Is In Kuala Selangor

We spy with our little eyes..
A BLUE-EYED, CHISELED TORSO,FREAKING GORGEOUS VISION OF A MAN (ok calming down) called Hrithik Roshan in Malaysia.

Malaysian actor and designer, Kavitha Sidhu is seen all grins posing for a picture next to this Bollywood megastar in a photo posted on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BreyNEKF9il/
Hrithik is seen spotting a black t-shit and cap with an oh-so-gorgeous tan to compliment the entire look. We can’t help but feel a little jealous that we did catch the man in flesh.
We don’t have official reports on any filming happening in Malaysia, but let’s keep our fingers crossed that Hrithik is shooting his next movie in Malaysia.
Till then.. enjoy this GIF of Hrithik! ? ? ?

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Filed Under Hrithikhrithik roshankuala selangorMalaysia


Dhilip Varman’s Latest Tune Is Here

Dhilip Varman, famed Malaysian singer and composer, has released his latest tune, Saaral, in collaboration with singer SP Thanggam.
Saaral was composed by Boy Radge, and features a beautiful bansuri solo by acclaimed flautist, Sesatre. The lyrics to Saaral have been penned by SP Thanggam herself.
Dhilip Varman has garnered quite a few hits to his name over the past decade. His most popular song is probably Kannavellam Neethane, released in 2010. This cult classic tune has fetched 7.5 million views on YouTube alone. He has composed and sung numerous other tunes including Uyirai Tholaithen, Sikki Sikki Thavikuraen and Ennavaley.
Will Saaral measure up? You be the judge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfb2-S6oXOsVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Saaral by SP Thanggam & Dhilip Varman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfb2-S6oXOs)

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Filed Under boy radgedhilip varmanssaaralsesatresp thanggam


PETTA Review: A Fantastic Tribute to Superstar Rajinikanth, but…

Yes, there is a but. But before we get to that, let’s talk about why Petta works. In fact, it doesn’t just work. It is as the film’s marketing campaign suggested for months, a gift for Rajini fans by Rajini fans (literally everybody working on the project, from the director, the cinematographer, music composer, right down to the dude who serves chai on set during break and the dude who cleans up the empty chai cups after break are all fervent and frenzied Rajini fans). Rajini veriyans as they say. And it shows. (I am a Rajini veriyan too. Superstar Rajinikanth is one of the biggest influencers in shaping my unshaken love for cinema.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCB0ZfQ9RzsVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Petta – Official Trailer [Tamil] | Superstar Rajinikanth | Sun Pictures | Karthik Subbaraj | Anirudh (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCB0ZfQ9Rzs)

Only a red-blooded Rajini fan would’ve been able to craft a film of this magnitude. Petta is a glorious celebration of Thalaivar’s legacy. A gratifying festival commemorating the man who, together with directors Mani Ratnam, Suresh Krissna and K.S. Ravikumar redefined the term MASS in the early to late 90s. And yesterday, I experienced this celebration with a theatre packed to the brim with fans who have been salivating in anticipation for a vintage Rajini film FOR YEARS. It was a different kind of energy. The kind of extraordinary atmosphere you hear stories about. The kind where you feel the excitement and tension and joy and anxiousness in the air even as the pre-movie commercials roll and people are still pouring into the cinema hall.
Then darkness, followed by silence…
And when Rajinikanth’s iconic opening title card popped up, it was nothing if not legendary (see clip below).

https://varnam.my/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/video-1547184383.mp4
Goosebumps!
And for that, I have to thank director Karthik Subbaraj.
Thank you for providing me with one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Thank you for showcasing Rajini in this light. Rajini, whose talent is unparalleled. Rajini, who is not just a man, but an enigma and an embodiment of charisma. At 69 years old and 165 films, Rajinikanth still rocks as hard as he did 25 years ago. Over the past decade and a half, a lot of other actors have come into their own and become bonafide stars. Vijay, Ajith and my personal favourite next to Rajini, Dhanush. But the nearing 70-year-old man shows us why he’s still THE SUPERSTAR. There’s a regalness and charm to Rajinikanth that is unexplainable and irreplicable. Not to mention his excellent comedic timing and acting chops. Here, once again he fires on all cylinders.
Thank you for the references and nods to Rajini’s previous films. Petta truly is an easter-egg heavy greatest hits collection. The Rajini character here is named Kaali, similar to his character in one of his classic 70s film, Mullum Malarum. There’s a recreation of the iconic gate opening scene from his debut film, Apoorva Raagangal. There’s a slight nod to Thalapathi. There a young mother abandons her baby on a train. Here, Kaali’s nephew is birthed on a train. Kaali’s nephew, whose name is Anwar, the same as Manickam’s best friend in Baashha. Speaking of, in Baashha’s most hair raising moment, Rajini turns to his brother and roars “Go inside!” Here, he looks to a bunch of college kids and says, “guys, go inside!”
THANK YOU for including a scene where Rajini flips a cigarette into his mouth. It’s been so long — since 2002, in fact — that Rajini has stylistically taken a puff. When it happened, it did not disappoint. The crowd burst into cheers and claps. He’s still got it! As Abbas’ character in Padayappa would say, “what a man!” There are also references to songs from his yesteryears wonderfully interweaved within the narrative, sometimes for comedic effect.
I also have to thank cinematographer Tirru for helping Karthik Subbaraj bring his vision to life; for putting care and love into every single frame you lensed. The saying every frame a painting has never rung truer. This is the most aesthetically pleasing Rajini movie since Thalapathi… which means it is the most aesthetically pleasing Rajini movie period. Rajinikanth has never been lit and captured so magnificently.

via GIPHY
There are silhouette shots of him, shots of Rajini’s shadow looming, shots of him approaching from the darkness and into the light. At one point, an outline of Rajini is seen walking by a bunch of burning candles that extinguish in his presence. It is that kinda film! The gloriously crafted opening action block that intercuts with the opening credits alone is worth the ticket price if you’re a Rajini fan. Notice the way the camera moves gracefully through the college campus. We wait… we wait and we wait… until finally, SUPERSTAR shows up. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.
Thank you also to composer Anirudh for an outstanding OST. I think Maari is still my favourite album of yours, but you have outdone yourself as far as background scores and soundtracks go. I love the exciting nature of Petta Paraak and Kaali’s Theme as much as I do the subtleness and uniqueness of Jithu’s Theme. And film composers are going to find it tough to beat Ullaallaa as 2019’s party anthem. This song is infinitely repeatable. Though, Thala fans would argue that D. Imman’s Adichi Thooku from Viswasam is better.

Petta made me feel like a kid again. And every time a film manages to do that, I consider it a success, regardless of its flaws.
But… there are flaws. Major ones. Flaws that prevent Petta from transcending the exciting and well-made fan film nature that it is,  into a piece of pure cinema. It appears that in his fanboy-ish excitement and utter state of Rajini intoxication (to be fair, who can blame him), Karthik Subbaraj forgot to be a filmmaker (and scriptwriter) first and foremost. Or maybe he didn’t forget. Maybe this time around, he purposely just wasn’t focused on that.
Karthik Subbaraj, by the way, is a phenomenal helmer. His previous films, Iraivi and Jiggarthanda are almost flawlessly crafted, while Pizza and Mercury are bold and inspiring experiments. The former two especially is a fantastic showing of controlled escalating tension and conflict by a director who clearly has his finger on the pulse. With each passing scene, the noose tightens. Unfortunately with Petta, especially in the first half, Karthik Subbaraj seems to only be interested in Rajini-isms.
We call Petta a vintage 90s Rajini film. But is it really? Because while Subbaraj has brought back the Rajini swag and mannerisms full swing, he completely ignores a key element that made those films such fucking classics.
In Annamalai (1992), Rajini’s best friend betrays him and breaks his house — his father’s last dying gift to his mom. We teared up.
In Baashha (1995), Rajini is tied to a pole and beaten to a bloody pulp by gangsters, as Vairamuthu’s emotionally poignant lyrics accompany the scene. Baashha paaru, baashha paaru, paal vadiyum mugatha paaru, pasuva pola gunatha paaru….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WcziFEx3ho
We emptied our tear ducts and clenched our fists tightly. We were angry. Furiously fuming!
In Padayappa (1999), the Ramya Krishnan character, Nilamberi, makes a fool out of Rajini and for the first time in the film, his shawl falls on the ground as he walks away with his head down. Our heart bled for him.
As a kid, I cried, cringed and hid behind a pillow watching these scenes. I was angry. I was unhappy. I was shaken. Heck, who am I kidding? I still feel that way watching those scenes now, as an adult. It’s uncomfortable to watch, but it is these harrowing moments that make those films masterstrokes. It is these unforgiving and heartbreaking sequences that make Thalaivar’s retaliation and veritanam in the second half emotionally powerful, hair raising events. Here, the audience’s cheers throughout the film aren’t rage-filled and emotionally driven; they’re purely celebratory.
And that, perhaps, is the problem that arises when a fanboy makes a movie starring his childhood, teenhood and adulthood idol. Subbaraj respects and adores Rajini so much, that he’s unwilling to bring Kaali/Petta to his knees and humiliate him. But a hero, especially in a larger than life mass-masala needs to fall before he/she can rise. Or else, what are we rooting for? Here, Kaali is flawless and always 10 steps ahead of everybody. He’s always cool and rarely ever misses a beat. He’s great at fighting, great at mind games and for whatever reason, great at cooking too. He destroys his enemies with ease right from the get-go and continues vanquishing them without breaking a sweat all throughout until the end.

I’m not saying all MASS movies need broad or poignant emotional beats (see Maari which is plain old fun all the way), but I think it is necessary in a 3 hour long sprawling narrative in which the first half is purely an introduction and has almost nothing to do with the second half. But Petta plays like a less interesting version of Baashha (the basic structure of Petta is similar to the 1995 classic) where “Manickam” has three extra fight blocks and seven more slow-mo scenes even before the interval lamp-post fight scene and flashback.
In one moment Rajini actually takes out a nunchuck and starts doing fancy moves with it. I imagine a 10-year-old Karthik Subbaraj watching Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon and thinking, “imagine how cool it would be if my Thalaivar did that?!” and then writing it down on a piece of paper with a crayon. It’s kinda ridiculous, but that about sums up the fun, bizarre and complete Rajini mania world that is Petta. I’m not gonna lie, it made me smile. But when every shot is a hero glorification shot, it starts to lose its lustre, even if, dare I say, the hero is the infectious Superstar Rajinikanth.

There’s a saying that goes, a hero is only as good as his villain.
Both Vijay Sethupathi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who play villains in the film, are some of the most convincing ACTORS in world cinema today. Don’t believe me? Watch Vikram Vedha and Sacred Games. All they needed was a tapestry to showcase their immense talent. But Karthik Subbaraj doesn’t give them a tapestry, only a loincloth. They’re great in the scenes that they’re in — Nawazuddin Siddiqui slithering around a pile of corpses calling out “Petta!” and Vijay Sethupathi asking Kaali for a puff is awesome — but the character writing is a letdown, simply because they never have the upper hand.
Given the talent, we should have had two more iconic villains in Rajini’s Rogues Gallery — Raghuvaran and Ramya Krishnan currently occupy top spots, with Sarath Babu, Suman and Nana Patekar sitting with them at the table. Remember the scene where Nilamberi sits in front of Rajini and salutes him? We don’t get anything akin to that here. There is no back and forth tit for tat one-liners. Rajini is always on top.
The film improves dramatically towards the latter part of the second half when Karthik Subbaraj slowly stops focusing on making a Rajini movie and starts making a Karthik Subbaraj padam and the morality of the protagonist and the universe he resides in switches from binary to grey. There are also plenty of typical Karthik Subbaraj twists and turns and THE TWIST in the riveting third act is a fantastic one that is sure to appease his fans (it sure as hell satisfied me). It would have been a much more compelling moment, though, had we been given a chance to be emotionally connected to the non-Rajini characters.
But Petta is a one-man show through and through. For all the pre-release hype, Trisha and Simran have absolutely nothing to do. They’re loosu ponnus minus the sexy dance sequences… which means they’re just ponnus that are kinda there (only cast for their legacy and star power). At one point Simran randomly breaks into dance. It’s a weird scene, made funny by Rajinikanth’s facial expressions. Another easter egg. Simran, during her heyday, was known for kicking it on the dance floor. So, of course, she would randomly start dancing in this bizarre tribute film.

The film’s unofficial tagline is ‘get Rajinified’. Here’s the thing. I don’t know if this movie offers much to anyone who isn’t already Rajinified to their bones. But like I said, despite its obvious and major flaws, there’s also no denying the amount of fun I had. The stage — or should I say, theatre — was set. We screamed our hearts out and whistled our lungs dry. The world heard our fiery roars. And most importantly, we made the walls of Coliseum Cinema KL vibrate like it’s 1995 (yes, I’m exaggerating a little. The crowd during Baashha is the stuff of legends).
And with that, I also think it’s the perfect time for Rajinikanth to hang his proverbial boots, or shall I say hang his “SUPERSTAR” title card. No, I don’t mean he should stop acting. Never! Rather that he transitions fully into grandfather-esque serious, gritty roles. Roles that are masala without being overly mass-y. Roles that challenge him more as an actor, because he is a damn fine actor. Rajini’s magnum opuses, as far as mass hero is concerned are Baashha, Annamalai and Padayappa. And year by year it’s becoming clearer to me that he’s never going to top that. So why not, do more Kaalas. Why not play a character akin to Prakash Raj’s in Chekka Chivantha Vaanam or Ameer’s in Vada Chennai? After all, Clint Eastwood and Amitabh Bachchan did the same. Just a thought…
If you’d like to discuss this movie with me you can hit me up on Twitter & Instagram here: @dashtalksmovies
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Malaysia International Carnatic Music Festival (MYICMF) To Foster Culture & Tradition Amongst The Indian Community

Have you always been interested in witnessing a Carnatic music festival?
Well, we have some exciting news coming your way!
Mark your calendars guys and be geared to attend the annual Malaysia International Carnatic Music Festival (MYICMF) to be held virtually charting a new pathway for Carnatic connoisseurs to come together in appreciation of art.
For the third year in a row, the (MYICMF) is back with a bang, with the aim of fostering links and enculturation of tradition and cultural arts among Malaysian Indians, as well as providing Malaysians with opportunities to experience and understand Indian traditional art forms.
Expanding on the success of its virtual debut last year, MYICMF’s online presence has once again brought together participants from around the world, attracting over 500 competition entries featuring the grandeur of Carnatic Music from participants of 11 countries, including the USA, UAE, Australia, UK, Singapore, Sweden, France, Norway and Germany, apart from India the birthplace of Carnatic Music.
Details of the event are as below:
Date: 13 November 2021 (Saturday)
Time: 9.30am – 12pm
Venue: Shantanand Auditorium, Brickfields

“The culture of online music festivals is on the rise, and we are one of the pioneers locally, in organising such a large-scale, international music festival. Last year we were pleasantly surprised to receive over 300 entries for the competitions from 13 countries. This is panning out to be a new area for artistes to work in,” said Sugam Founding President Sujietra Jayaseelan Raj Kumar.

Meanwhile, she opined that online music festivals offer participants the opportunity to experience live performances from home, anywhere in the world, lowering entry barriers for participation and inspiring a broader range of audience. Sujietra added that competition entries almost doubled this year to 530, comprising participation from 11 countries.
The MYICMF 2021 will host 84 concerts and performances, 26 conversations, workshops and lecture demonstrations by renowned industry experts and a competition segment comprising Carnatic vocal and instrumental music, classical dance and multimedia genres in four different age categories.
The launch of the festival will be officiated by the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia YB Datuk Seri Dr. Santhara J.P. A key component this year will be a panel discussion on “Keeping the Music Flowing through Pandemic Times – the Malaysian Perspective” which will discuss the challenges faced by arts practitioners during the pandemic, financing models and strategies to revive the arts industry post-pandemic.
In addition, viewers can also look forward to an inspiring, alternate topic of discussion “Music and Mythology” where speakers Vivek Sadasivam, Carnatic singer and Vinay Varanasi, artwork and storyteller will explore parts of Indian Mythology and Nature through stories, Carnatic music and art. The concert segment will feature international Carnatic stars such as Vivek Sadasivam, Rahul Vellal, Chiranjeevi Soorya Narayanan, Prarthana Sai Narasimhan, and sisters, Anahita and Apoorva. Also on the itinerary are performances by Senior Stars and Rising Stars from India, US, UAE and UK.

As a special treat for viewers, MYICMF will feature performances by students of the MYICMF 2021 Lifetime Arts Achievement Awards recipients in a segment called “Samarpanam.” MYICMF will confer this prestigious award to 11 recipients from Malaysia who have contributed tirelessly towards the development of Indian arts. MYICMF is also a platform to display the talents of rising student stars and this year representing Malaysia are sisters Veenaa and Tayanaa Logenthiran, students of Sugam Karnatica, Sugam’s teaching school.
All the content under MYICMF 2021, is free for all and will either be premiered or “live” on Sugam’s YouTube channel. Participants for the conferences are required to register via the link provided on the Sugam website to enable them to participate and interact with the presenters.
“Sugam would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the National Department of Culture and Arts Malaysia (JKKN), Ministry of Education, Carnatica Global, ASWARA, Telugu Assocation of Malaysia, Sutra Foundation, Mani Krishnaswami Academy India and Temple of Fine Arts for supporting the festival,” said Sujietra.
“We also thank our sponsors House of CSR Sdn Bhd, V2 Care Sdn Bhd, Pancha Products Sdn Bhd and our media partner Enthamizh Vannanggal, our gurus (teachers) and arts institutions – Kalpana Dance Theatre, Swara Community Arts Center, Laasya Arts Academy, Bharatha Kalaanjalii Malaysia Shruti Laya Ghana Vidyalaya Music Academy, Sri Ganesalaya School of Dance and Persatuan Kesenian & Muzik dan Tarian Klasik India Selangor and the MYICMF secretariat for their continuous support in all our initiatives in the field of arts and culture.”
MYICMF will be streamed “live” on Sugam’s YouTube channel. Details and updates on the MYICMF 2021 are available on their official website.
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Filed Under Chiranjeevi Soorya NarayananMalaysia International Carnatic Music Festival (MYICMF)Prarthana Sai NarasimhanRahul VellalSri Ganesalaya School of Dance and Persatuan Kesenian & Muzik dan Tarian Klasik India SelangorSugam Founding PresidentSujietra Jayaseelan Raj KumarVidyalaya Music AcademyVinay VaranasiVivek Sadasivam


Suja Varunee & Shivakumar Are Expecting Their First Child

Actors and newly married couple Shivakumar and Suja Varunee are expecting their first child.
The couple tied the knot in November last year, and Shivakumar took to Instagram to make the special announcement.

View this post on Instagram

Life just taught me that you have to fight hard for your life to become a “Fairy tale”.. It’s your choice! You make your own destiny!! Congratulations @itssujavarunee (Dearest Mommy) bringing a new life to our lives! I’m so proud of you sujukutty?? I’m a proud “Daddy”…Waiting to hold & raise my baby like “SIMBA” (Lion King) ?? Thank you so much @v.s.anandhakrishna bro for this excellent shot.. Loved shooting with you.. Looking forward to work more with you! Thank you so much @viji_sharath ..Always love the way you handle the makeup akka .. Photography :@v.s.anandhakrishna Assistance:Nirmal & Vignesh #parenthood #prouddaddy #fathergoals #worldsbestdad #parentlife #mybaby #myblood #mylegacy Thank you so much darlings for the Love & Support (20k FOLLOWERS) ..Pleae keep the love coming guys!! Love you all???
A post shared by  Shiva Kumar (@shivakumar20) on Apr 5, 2019 at 8:19am PDT

Shivakumar is also known as Shivaji Dev and is veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan’s grandson. Suja Varunee gained fame after appearing on the first season of Bigg Boss Tamil. Her latest film, Sathru, was released last month to positive reviews.
The Varnam team wishes the couple the very best on their new journey together!
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Filed Under Bigg Bossexpectingfirst childpregnantSathrushivakumarSuja Varunee


Haran and Shobaan : Young Malaysian Filmmakers Breaking Barriers with “Simple Manusan”

In the past, only those with access to expensive equipment and business connections were able to make films. However, with the advent of modern technology, anyone can aspire to become a filmmaker.
Although the Malaysian film industry is still dominated by established studios, there are many young local talents who are making beautiful films with limited resources. Among these talents are Haran Kaveri,35, and Shobaan ,34 who have already released a theatrical film titled “Metro Malaai” in 2019. Despite depending solely on independent funds, the film received outstanding praise from both critics and audiences.

Haran and Shobaan are now releasing another film, “Simple Manusan,” which follows a 32-year-old local Indian man in search of a wife in the big city. This romantic comedy is themed around the subject of urban loneliness, and it is likely to engage audiences with its humor and deep discussions.
According to FMT, Haran and Shobaan were already making their own short films and music videos. Shobaan had thought of making a feature film but did not get the funding. Haran was ready to give up his filmmaking hobby altogether when he saw a short film by Shobaan and was impressed.
They then formed Comrade Pictures in 2017 and got down to work on their first feature film, “Metro Malaai,” via means of guerrilla filmmaking. Guerrilla filmmakers are funded by independent investors and use whatever tools they have at hand to make their films. Due to limited resources, the plot of “Metro Malaai” was kept simple, centering around only two characters. The duo explored society by talking and listening to young Malaysians. With many ideas in mind, the two plotted the storyline, which was also partially inspired by a Russian short story called “White Nights.”
Although Haran and Shobaan have their creative differences, they have a common philosophical outlook on life and how they view society. When issues about the film’s direction cropped up, they were discussed and ironed out prior to filming.“Simple Manusan” was created during the pandemic when the duo wanted to explore a different type of script, and the theme of urban loneliness kept calling to them. The film explores what modern man truly needs in life, and the filmmakers hope to shed light on the seriousness of urban loneliness, which is often overlooked.
Despite facing delays due to the pandemic, the filmmakers have no plans of putting down their cameras anytime soon. “Simple Manusan” will be released in June, and the duo hopes to continue making films that inspire and resonate with audiences. Poketplay Films will be both co-producing and distributing this highly anticipated film.
Great job guys, we are all eager for your upcoming Simple Manusan film.
Source: (1)
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Filed Under Comrade PicturesMetro MalaaiPoketplay FilmsSimple Manusan


SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis Wins First Place In Frog World Championship 2020, Beating Over 3,000 Schools Worldwide!

Our dearest Indian students strike again across International countries seizing the place for their outstanding talents no matter from where they come from.
This year, SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis – a rural school in Kluang, Johor, with only 25 students and 8 teachers, emerged the winner of the Frog World Championship 2020. This Tamil school had overtaken two other schools from the United Kingdom, the Frederick Gough School and Yardleys School, which came in second and third respectively.

They have proved the naysayers that the possibility is endless with mere talent and hardwork! They have clearly depicted the true meaning of talent, that is to persevere and sustain yourself to climb up the ladder of success.
This year’s Frog World Championship 2020 saw over 3,000 schools in 13 countries answering more than 18 million quiz questions. Inspired by the novel Around the World in 80 Days, the championship called on participants to take an interactive trip along with other Frog users around the world.
The trip began in the UK and ended in Malaysia, with several stations along the way. Students and teachers were given the opportunity to learn and communicate with fellow peers from other countries gaining knowledge on the usage of the Frog System.
The winner of the international competition with over 3000 schools worldwide is SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis.
SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis school is located in rural Johor. The school ventured into Frog Asia through the endless support and courage from Mr Eswaran Balakrishnan or known as Cikgu Eswaran at SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis. He proposed the astounding idea to the school after attending a workshop on Roti Canai and discovered how technology plays an important role to help make lessons interesting and engaging for students.
Source: The Lilypad, The Frogasia’s Blog
In an effort and initiative to support students with adequate amounts of facilities to conduct classes via Frog VLE, he sponsored the students with computer mouses so that they could first use laptops for their online classes at school.
His charisma and positive attitude to implement this in the school was based on what he acquired, hence became an inspiration for other teachers to implement the same technique to teach their students.
Source: The Lilypad, The Frogasia’s Blog
Thereafter, the education program in the school were completely conducted via Frog VLE, and lessons were soon done using Frog VLE in computer labs.
During the movement control order (MCO) period, education has still been going on for the students via Frogschool and they are thought on how to conduct science experiments from the comforts of their own home using house hold items.

The school received immense appraisal from the Executive Director of Frogasia, Lou Yeoh for their success beating 2 international schools. She was quoted as saying “We were delighted to see SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis emerging as this year’s Frog World Champion. Competing against thousands of schools from all around the world is no easy feat.
“It was inspiring to see the dedication and perseverance of the teachers and students at SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis, and the vast amount of work they put in to learn and work hard, even when they were learning from home during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.”
Lou added that, “What’s even more inspiring is the impact the Frog World Championships has had on the students in terms of improvement in student motivation and student performance over the last few months.” She also said that learning continued seamlessly for the students in the Frog World Championships, despite the school closures.
An award was gifted to Mr. Eswaran Balakrishnan by FrogAsia, praising his talents and nobility in bringing such an intricate system to the students from rural Johor by gifting them the luxury of technology.
He garnered the Frog Teachers Awards 2020 for his dedication in encouraging students to use an effective studying method based on critical mind thinking.
Source: The Lilypad, The Frogasia’s Blog
To help students further on the importance of using the Frog platform, night classes were held at his own residence. The program was a great success partly due to the support from both teachers and parents equally contributing making sure the students attended this productive classes persistently.
Komala, the mother of Suresh, a Year 6 student in SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis, is one parent who has full confidence in e-learning. She believes that for children like her son who do not enjoy handwriting, digital learning is definitely more effective. She was extremely delighted on the usage of Frog as she could supervise her sons activites and have him engrosed in the app attempting quizes and revising through his notes.
These were some of the amazing contribution made by the teachers, students and parents elevating them to an international competition to seize the first place!
Source: SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis’s Facebook Page
Frog World Championship is an annual international event that has been happening for 2 years successfully. It has gained participation from over 7,000 schools in 15 countries around the world.
The Frog World Championship is organised by FrogAsia in partnership with Frog Education UK which highlights and celebrates how schools and students aspire to be successful globally through teamwork, perseverance and fun in learning.

The competition revolves around the use of the gamified-learning FrogPlay framework offered inside Frog VLE, where schools and students from around the globe compete for the world title and the chance to win a total of USD 10,000 worth of prizes.
FrogAsia is now coordinating the Frog Championship: Arkedia for all the national schools from 3rd August to 30th September 2020.
To win, this competition requires the participation of both teachers and students. Students will need to answer as many FrogPlay quizzes as possible and attend intra-school as well as a FrogPlay Live inter-school session, while teachers will need to teach and host FrogPlay Live sessions too. Schools and students can look forward to winning cash prizes and more than RM70,000 worth of book vouchers.

The success of the SJK (T) Ladang Elaeis is prove that all things are possible if one is determined to sore to greater heights in life. Students and teachers are encouraged to participate in the competition which not only tests your knowledge but helps in forming a closer bond between students and teachers.
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Filed Under Frog VLEFrog World Championship 2020FrogAsiaSJK (T) Ladang Elaeis


People in the Industry Praise Vada Chennai Teaser

Dhanush has repeatedly mentioned how Vada Chennai has been his dream project. News about this Vetri Maaran film initially started circling the internet way back in 2009. But due to various issues, the film was stuck in production hell until 2015 when Dhanush revealed that he would produce this movie under his home-production company, Wunderbar Films. But even so, the film struggled to get past the developmental stages, with many actors dropping out of the project due to scheduling conflicts. But over the past year or so, things have been going smoothly and finally, last week, the film’s first teaser trailer dropped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5GG5HJ1hVkVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: VADACHENNAI – Official Teaser (Tamil) | Dhanush | Vetri Maaran | Santhosh Narayanan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5GG5HJ1hVk)

The teaser has proven to be immensely popular, raking more than 6 million views in about a week. Apart from that, fans and people in the cinema industry have sung praises about the teaser and this includes people from North India as well.
Most recently, director Anurag Kashyap (Sacred Games) and Aanand L Rai (Tanu Weds Manu Returns) praised the Vada Chennai teaser.

Deadly combo of @VetriMaaran, the GEM of Indian cinema AND mera bhai @dhanushkraja is back. Take a bow CHAMPS. https://t.co/mqThiIXjFS Cant wait. #VadaChennai
— Aanand L Rai (@aanandlrai) August 3, 2018

“Vadachennai” by @VetriMaaran starring @dhanushkraja .. the film I am dying to see https://t.co/VXNgkAS1oF
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) August 3, 2018

The first teaser of the highly anticipated Indian movie, Vada Chennai, starring Dhanush has dropped. This movie will mark the third collaboration between acclaimed actor Dhanush and acclaimed writer-director Vetri Maaran. The duo previously worked together on Polladhavan and also Aadukalam.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Happy World Music Day: 10 Tamil Songs That You Should Listen On WMD!
Filed Under DhanushVada ChennaiVetri Maaran


5 Awesome Events You Don’t Want To Miss In Kuala Lumpur This Weekend

While curling up like a burrito in your PJs, binge-watching movies and ordering food delivery sounds good, we have better reasons for you to leave home and enjoy this weekend with your friends and family. If you are scouring the Internet to look for awesome things to do this weekend, we’ve got you covered!

Check out these 5 AWESOME events you don’t wan’t to miss in Kuala Lumpur this weekend:
1. Kalakka Povathu Yaaru – Live In Malaysia
Star Vijay TV’s Kalakka Povathu Yaaru is bringing comedy and hysterical laughter to Kuala Lumpur on 30 March 2019 at the Malawati Indoor Stadium.
Kovai Sarala at Kalakka Povathu Yaaru Season 8

The contestants and judges of Kalakka Povathu Yaaru and the Siricha Poochi team promise 3 hours of howling laughter with the talented bunch of funny people at the Kalakka Povathu Yaaru Tour In Malaysia. Anchors, Erode Mahesh, Priyanka and Thadi Balaji, and comedians, Tiger Thangadurai, Vadivel Balaji, Pugazhenthi & Nanjil Vijayan from Siricha Pochi Team will be spearheading the evening to leave us all rolling in the aisles in a fit of laughter. Kalakka Povathu Yaaru contestants Azhar, TSK, Naveen, Aranthangi Nisha, Pazhani, Dhina, Sathish, Bala and Vinoth are also set to be performing in Kuala Lumpur.
Azhar & TSK in action

Learn more about Kalakka Povathu Yaaru HERE.
2. Praveen Kumar’s Mr Family Man
Oh Yes!

The Banglore-based comedian, Praveen Kumar, has been named as ‘Top  10  Stand Up Comedians in  India’  by  Times  of  India  and nominated as ‘Forbes Top 100 Celebrities in India’. He is bringing all that punny jokes to PJ Live Arts on 30 March 2019 (Saturday) at 8PM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkNeYHXhQZIVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Mr. Family Man – Tamil Standup special by Praveen Kumar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkNeYHXhQZI)

Ready for a big laugh at this Family Man? Find out more HERE
3. Funny & Thanni – StandUp Comedy
ADULTS ONLY!

The country’s best Malaysian Indian comedians come together to bring you two nights of hilarity back-to-back with acclaimed comedians Brian Tan, Prakash Daniel, Hindravel Chandrabose, Keren Bala Devan, and hosted by Suresh from THR Raaga.
Standup Comedian Prakash Daniel
If you can never get enough of the Macha jokes, then this standup show brought to you by The Joke Factory is definitely for you!
Find out more HERE.
4. Autism Rules Fashion
This is a spectacular event that combines fashion, art and autism awareness. Autism RuL3s Fashion is a community project for the B40 community in an effort to humanise autism in Malaysia.

The artwork of 7 talented artists from PERSAMA-2gether4autism have been used as inspiration for designer Jayakumar Vanialingam’s upcoming fashion collection under JK Signature. Witness these artwork transformed into wearable art as a prelude to World Autism Awareness Day.

Autism RuL3s Fashion happens on 30 March at 4PM at Dorsett Grand Subang Hotel. Proceed from sales will be channelled to PERSAMA-2gether4autism.
Find out more HERE.
5. Samprajna – A Wisdom Extravaganza In Odissi
Are you a fan of performing arts? Then, this is definitely the event for you. In this 2-part event, you will be able to witness 4 of the world’s finest Odissi dancers under one roof; sharing their years of knowledge and then, performing unique dance pieces.

Samprajna will stage Padhmashri Madhavi Mudgal, Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Smt Dakhsa Mashruwala and Smt Sharmila Biswas; all recipients of prestigious honours the world over with plethora of theme, styles, innovations and performances.

To find out more about Samprajna HERE.

HAPPY WEEKEND!!!!

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Filed Under autism awareness dayAUTISM RULES FASHIONfunny & ThanniKalakka Povathu YaaruMr. Family ManPrakash danielsamprajna


Rajinikanth to Team Up With K.S. Ravikumar Next?

When Rajinikanth first mentioned that he will be stepping into the world of politics, there was much talk about him stepping away from the film industry. At the time, many (myself included) speculated that Shankar’s 2.0 would be his last film. However, since then Rajinikanth has signed on to act in a Karthik Subbaraj film (which is currently in production).

Well, get ready for more exciting news!
It is reported by Times of India that Rajinikanth might have just agreed to act in another K.S. Ravikumar project. According to the prominent news portal, K.S. Ravikumar met Rajinikanth and delivered an elevator pitch (not a complete script, but a succinct idea). However, Rajinikanth is yet to give his official confirmation.
Before you get your hopes up, this isn’t going to be a sequel to Padaiyappa. It seems like every time K.S. Ravikumar and Superstar are in the same room, everyone assumes that we’re getting a sequel to Padaiyappa. The same thing happened when the pair met up a few years ago too (that movie later turned out to be Lingaa).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGkKJCcG9vg
Speaking of Lingaa, there is an interesting question to be asked: Should Rajinikanth and K.S. Ravikumar even team up again? Sure “from the director of Padaiyappa and Muthu” would look great on posters and get fans excited. But their most recent collaboration, Lingaa is a pretty terrible movie. And not just terrible by Rajinikanth’s standards. Terrible, period. In fact, post-Manmadhan Anbu in 2010, K.S. Ravikumar hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire with his films either, churning out one critical dud after another.
Related:  Happy World Music Day: 10 Tamil Songs That You Should Listen On WMD!Wouldn’t it be more interesting if Rajinikanth stays away from the likes of K.S. Ravikumar and Suresh Krissna (people keep asking for a Baashha sequel) and instead continue to work with helmers from a younger generation instead? As much as I’m not a fan of Kabali, I have to admit that it is at the very least something different. The director of Kabali, Pa Ranjith then went on to helm this year’s Kaala, a bold subversion of tropes, a mass-masala unlike any other and the best Rajinikanth film since Padaiyappa. 2.0 aside, Rajinikanth’s next film will be with Karthik Subbaraj, another acclaimed young director known for making gritty and unconventional films.
With that in mind, I would much rather see thalaivar Rajini collaborate with the likes of Vetrimaaran (Visaranai), A.R. Murugadoss (Kaththi) or Pushkar & Gayatri (Vikram Vedha).
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Filed Under K.S. RavikumarRajinikanth


Priya Anand Is Back With A Ponggal Release

Priya Anand will be back with a bang come Ponggal 2019. The gorgeous actress will be making her comeback in Tamil cinema with an upcoming political satire movie, entitled LKG. We last saw her in two mediocre movies last year, Koothathil Oruthan and Muthuramalingam.

RJ Balaji will be playing the lead in LKG. The comedian cleverly released a few shots of himself in a politician’s garb, hinting that he might move over to  politics. It was then revealed that he was promoting his first movie as a hero, LKG. Balaji has also come up with the script and screenplay of the movie. The film is directed by Prabhu, who will be making his debut.
Balaji tweeted that the release of LKG will be during Ponggal. The former radio jockey creatively incorporated the two other blockbusters releasing on the same date, Visawasam and Petta, in his tweet. Balaji is standing with a few government issued appliances, like a table fan, a television and a mixer grinder
“Visvasamaana namma Petta makkaluku oru natcheyithi,” reads the tweet in Tamil.

Leon James will be composing the tracks for the movie. The music director has been relatively quiet on the composing front as he has been touring with singer Sid Sriram.
The bits of humour injected into the annoucements of LKG have set it trending in Tamil Nadu. Here’s hoping that the movie will measure up to its hype.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Thalapathy Vijay's Birthday Special: Leo's First Look And The First Promo For "Naa Ready" Are Out Now
Filed Under Leon JamesLKGPriya AnandRJ Balaji


Nithya Menen Believes That Actresses Don’t Want To Be Props Anymore!

Nithya Menen does roles she chooses to do and it is versatile and interesting. Her latest Mission Mangal was well received where she sported the role of a scientist. However, Nithya has been away from Kollywood for around a year and is now getting back with the release of Udhayanidhi’s film Psycho which is directed by Mysskin. The film is one of the most anticipated ones yet.

In her recent interview with The Times of India, Nithya talked about what made her get back to Psycho after Mersal.
She said she received a call from Mysskin and he said that he was making this film and there was this character that he wanted her to play. Mysskin had earlier spoken about the film to PC Sreeram sir and he had suggested her name to him.
After hearing the narration, she told him that she will do it. The role that she will be  playing is very different; it’s not that of a traditional heroine at all. Her character is a physically difficult one to play.
Nithya, as well all are aware of, chooses very versatile roles. One may label that as being picky. But, she is where she if for being choosy about her roles. She says, “People come and narrate their story. If I get excited, I do it. It does not involve as much thinking as people think there is. There is no major analysis. Of course, I have a checklist. For instance, I look at the person who is pitching and look for his/her sensibility. If it doesn’t seem sensible or doesn’t match with my sensibilities, it is a no. I look for a genuine filmmaker, see what they want to say in the story and look at whether they are approaching it in an honest way. I also check if they are giving me a character that is out of the ordinary. For example, the role I am doing in Psycho is something that I have never played before. For an actor, that sort of variety and diversity is important. It can be a simple romantic comedy, but if I enjoy the narration, by the end of it, I’ll agree to do the film.”
Related:  Sivakami; The Teacher who Self Taught to Become a Tamil TeacherWOW! She keeps it real!
There was a time when there was no decent role written for an actress. They were mere objects in a film. Talking about the drastically changing film industry, Nithya adds, ” I see a lot of changes. There are a lot of films centered around women. Also, awareness is spreading among actresses and industry people; doing what was done a decade ago is not good enough. Actresses are also coming forward and saying that they don’t want to be a prop.”

Nithya is currently shooting for two other Telugu films apart from Psycho. She is also constantly preparing for her role as of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha for the series The Iron Lady directed by Priyadharishini.
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Filed Under Nithya MenenTamil


Deborah Henry’s Fugee Initiates To Empower Refugees Through Education

The General Education Diploma (GED) course for Refugee Youth, a fundraising initiative to help refugees through education, has been launched by Fugee, a refugee-led non-profit organisation.
To help refugee students complete their GED, the campaign aims to raise a total of RM26,500.
In doing so, with only 16% of refugee children enrolled in secondary education and less than 1% in universities, the campaign intends to highlight the significant matter of further education for refugees.

Deborah Priya Henry, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Fugee, commented on the initiative;
We at Fugee wholeheartedly believe that the key to brighter futures for refugee children is by being educated. In their situation, however, this is much easier said than done.
The GED is the most realistic shot at success they have with the limited education options available to them, but it is a costly one.
We hope that the GED Refugee Youth Course campaign can help refugee children afford the exam and thus establish a link for them to continue chasing better lives from themselves and their loved ones.
The campaign is driven by an online Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and fundraising platform called “The Incitement.” Not only does the platform provide an avenue for funding, but it also gives the public insight into the hopes, difficulties and aspirations of some of the refugee students in question.

Yousuf Mohammed, from Yemen, shared his personal experience saying;
I came to Malaysia in 2016, fleeing a very difficult situation back in Yemen. It hasn’t been easy to adapt here, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to study and now I’m looking for a GED to go even further.
I hope to go to university to become a physiotherapist to assist so many people that I know through movements, exercises and therapy who have been affected by injury and disability.
Yousuf is one of many refugee students in Malaysia who have unique tales of overcoming challenges and striving for a brighter future that are equally challenging and inspiring.
Five Fugee refugee students completed their GED successfully in the 2018/2019 academic year. By the end of 2019, through GED and other academic courses, at least 19 students have begun higher education.
For students who are 18 and above, the GED is a viable alternative to certifying their completion of secondary education and facilitating their access to university.
It is an A-level equivalent upper secondary certificate accepted by almost all universities in the US and many worldwide.
Picture credit: Tatler Malaysia
“2020 has been tough on all of us, but for refugees here, especially children, it has been particularly difficult. The pandemic further eroded their limited freedoms and rights, but now we hope to turn things around. I believe in Malaysians’ giving nature and believe that we can come together to help these kids achieve their dreams,” added Deborah.
Under the freshly formed Fugee Youth Academy, a subsidiary of the Fugee Organisation, the GED Course for Refugee Youth initiative is being supported. Fugee School, the organisation’s education arm, has helped educate and empower 500 refugee students since its establishment in 2009 and seeks to help these students further their education through obtaining a GED.
So far, the campaign has collected close to RM3,000-about 11% of the overall goal. In order to facilitate the necessary registration for students, the organisation hopes that the full funding objective will be met by early February 2021.
Click here to donate to the GED Refugee Youth Course initiative.
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Filed Under Deborah Priya HenryFugee raise fundsFugee Raised An Initiative To Help The Refugees Through EducationGED


Vijay Gifts Gold Rings To 400 Crew Members On The Completion Of Bigil!

Actor Vijay, who will be seen as a football coach training women’s team, has presented all the team members a gold band after the completion of the film.

Vijay has gifted gold rings to nearly 400 crew members on the successful completion of his upcoming Tamil sports-based action drama, Bigil.
The news first broke out on social media on Tuesday late evening and since then has been going viral. Reacting to the news, Archana Kalpathi of AGS Cinemas, the makers of Bigil, tweeted: “Bigil has a team of 400 members working in the film every day. Our Thalapathy made it extra special by valuing each and every individual’s contribution today. This token of affection coming from him made everyone’s day.” She further went on to reveal that 95% percent of the shoot is complete and post production is underway in full swing.

#Bigil has a team of 400 members working in the film everyday Our Thalapathy made it extra special by valuing each an every individual’s contribution today. This token of affection coming from him made everyone’s day #PositiveVibes #HeartOfGold #OurThalapathyIsTheBest 😊😊
— Archana Kalpathi (@archanakalpathi) August 13, 2019

Bigil, which is gearing up for release this Diwali, marks the third collaboration of director Atlee with Vijay after Theri and Mersal, which were blockbusters.
Vijay will be seen playing a local rowdy as well as a football coach in the film, which has music by AR Rahman. Vijay underwent special training to get under the skin of the coach’s character. He leads a women’s football team. To shoot pivotal portion of the film in a football stadium, the makers spent a whopping Rs 6 crore and erected a stadium.
Related:  7 Important Valluvar Quotes for Modern-Day Millennial TamilsThe film also stars Jackie Shroff, Kathir, Yogi Babu and Vivek in crucial roles.
Rahman, in a recent interview, said that he hasn’t worked in the film’s genre in India and that’s what makes the project exciting for him. “I have done this genre in Hollywood but this would be the first time in south India. Atlee is a fan of my films like Lagaan and Pele. He’s heard these soundtracks and he is musically very passionate. I enjoy working with such director who gets involved in music composing,” Rahman said in an interview to a popular entertainment portal.
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Filed Under bigilTamilVijay


Fast Paced Lifestyle, A Destructing Phenomenon

We currently live in a fast-paced world where we chase after everything. Like everything. We get up so early, take a quick shower, and rush to work in the hopes of avoiding traffic jams. Because doing so would be the most stressful thing to deal with first thing in the morning.
Have you ever seen people on the road who are extremely impatient? They’d try to cut into the lane simply because they are impatient.
Picture credit: Open Access Government
Even in a restaurant, if our orders arrive a few minutes late, some customers become enraged. Sometimes it’s not just us, but we’re under pressure to be quick and fast. Because if we don’t, someone else will fill our shoes.
We have developed a very self-destructive habit of living in a fast-paced environment, which is slowly and gradually affecting our health. We are pressured to conform in order to be successful and unique.
It’s not a bad thing to be unique and successful. But what’s the point if you don’t have the desire? What’s the point if you’re only motivated to succeed because others are far ahead of you in the race? What is it about that thought that bothers you?
If you believe that this is what will push us to be the best, it may, but will you be happy and contented in the end?
Assume you win the race and your victory is celebrated by everyone. Everyone congratulates you and wishes you luck, and it will all be over in a day or a week. But only when you put your heart and soul into that journey, without being concerned about who else is in the race, you will be able to achieve eternal success, no?
I believe that this system, which is obsessed with a fast-paced lifestyle, will never teach us how to find our purpose in life, follow our dreams, or be strong enough to face life’s challenges. It only crushes our self confidence.
Picture credit: Longevity Live
More than that, it prevents us from savouring the fruits of life – the journey that is not solely concerned with material things.
We are seeing an alarming increase in stress-related disorders of all kinds for people of all ages, beginning with elementary school-age children who are struggling with obesity, depression, anxiety, attention disorders, and various types of learning disabilities, a laundry list of issues for people of all ages.
The exhaustingly fast pace of life promotes overstimulation and overscheduling, which become chronic stressors that lead to behavioural, mood, and attention disorders in a vicious circle. We are oblivious to the fact that we are contributing to our physical, emotional, and behavioural health issues by pushing ourselves harder to go faster and then turning to medication to treat the unintended consequences.
We have an unhealthy belief that we must be able to go at this speed or else there is something wrong with us. Why?
This lifestyle, in my opinion, is influenced by the media we are exposed to. Whether it’s social media or other media platforms that glorify fast-paced living as a luxury lifestyle. It narrows our minds to see that one will only be happy if they have a large sum of money in the bank, a huge triple-story house, or a luxury car.
Picture credit: SME Guide
Overall, I just want to say, let’s not chase this pointless transition of living a fast-paced lifestyle.
To make this change, all you have to do is do what makes you happy, regardless of how long it takes to succeed.  As long as you are happy at the end of the day!
Does all this ring a bell? Do you see yourself in the loop?
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Filed Under fast paced lifeGood healthlifelifestylemental healthyopinion on lifeunhealthy beliefwisdom


Vadivelu Is Clueless about Neasamani!

When informed about Pray For Nesamani, Vadivelu broke into laughter.

For over 12 hours, a Twitter storm has been blowing as netizens have come together to pray for Contractor Neasamani, a character played by comedian Vadivelu in the 2001 Tamil movie Friends.
He was flabbergasted when told about how this scene from two decades ago has become the subject of India’s number one Twitter trend.
“I have no idea what is happening. I haven’t seen anything yet.”
“What? It has become famous across the world? Oh god. It has gone to America and everywhere? Thank you,” he said.
#Pray_for_Neasamani trended after a Pakistan-based meme page Civil Engineering Learners posed a question, “What is the name of the tool in your country?” by posting a photo of a hammer.

Vadivelu has acted in over 100 films in Tamil cinema. He has received several awards for his comic timing. He is witty and has the ability to make members of all age groups laugh.
From 2012 however, he slowly began to reduce the number of film he acted in and was last seen in the Tamil movie Mersal in 2017.
But today, as #Pray_for_Neasamani evokes mirth across the world, Vadivelu wants to join the laughter.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Audio Launch Update For Superstar Rajinikanth's Jailer
Filed Under comedykollywoodpray for nesamaniTamilvadivelu


Fancy Palestinian Classic ‘Maqlooba’? Anis Nabilah and Dalya Are Here To Help You Cook It

It’s undoubtedly the highlight of every day in the holy month, and for reasons beyond going a day without a bite of food nor a drop of water.
And no better way to celebrate Ramadan or fasting month than trying new dishes. So, if you want to try some classic dishes for Iftar, check out the brand new cook-along video aptly titled “How to Cook Maqlooba with Anis Nabilah and Dalya” which is part of the series that has been released on the YouTube channel. Produced by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in collaboration with Malaysian celebrities, the first video of the series features celebrity chef and UNHCR supporter, Anis Nabilah and Palestinian refugee  home-cook, Dalya.
For those of us whose hearts and minds are often ruled by our stomachs, get ready to embrace the best of Palestinian dishes namely ‘Maqlooba’ a dish meaning “upside down” in Arabic. Dalya takes Anis Nabilah through the steps in making this dish from her homeland, which is a combination of spiced rice, vegetables, and stewed meat, layered and cooked, then flipped onto a serving dish to form an impressive tower. This dish is often cooked for  special occasions, like Eid and Ramadan.
Watch the video below to master Maqlooba:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_nGny9O9Y4Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How to Cook Maqlooba with Anis Nabilah and Dalya | Cook-Along #WithRefugees (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_nGny9O9Y4)

Throughout the cooking video, Dalya recounted food memories from her life which she went through seven years ago, as she was forced to flee the Gaza Strip in Palestine to Malaysia with her husband and four children.
There’s a saying that cooking brings back childhood memories;
“I remember that it was raining on that day my mom taught me to make Maqlooba. I remember her sitting on a chair in the kitchen, giving me instructions. Now, whenever I am cooking Maqlooba, it reminds me of my mother on that day and the smell of rain,” said Dalya.

Food is important for the Palestinian refugee home-cook, as it helped her to rebuild her life in a new country and reminded her of her mother’s recipes.
“I can cook for 24 hours straight. As long as someone else does the cleaning and washing up!” said Dalya.
On the other note, Anis – who is well known for helming sensational television cooking shows such as perennial favourite Icip Icip and Eating Wild on the Asian Food Channel joins Dalya on this amazing Palestinian cooking adventure. The international celebrity chef and media personality have spent time volunteering with projects to help refugees in the country.

Through a local NGO running a refugee education program, she also taught refugee children to bake. When her busy schedule permits, Anis also volunteers to cook meals for refugees, especially during the fasting month of Ramadan.
“I believe that many Malaysians are unaware of the real situation of refugees. All they know is refugees have a choice whether to come here, but that is not the case. They came here to save their lives,” Anis explained.
Having said that, Anis added if Malaysians made an effort to have a better understanding of refugees, they would feel more empathy and not make judgments about them. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why she participated in the UNHCR-produced cooking series.
“Refugees need help, but refugees can also help others,” said Dalya.
Having more time on her hands amid the Movement Control Order (MCO), Dalya has cooked about 300 meals for the frontliners who have been working hard for us and also for the homeless community.

To date, there are  some  180,000 refugees registered with UNHCR in Malaysia, have fled their countries due to war, persecution, and complex human rights abuses.
In order to have a societal bonding in the community, the connection between food, family, memories, and culture is essential. Hence, throughout this initiative, UNHCR hopes to exemplify that the refugees are also among us who have survived extraordinary circumstances and, just like everyone else, they have hopes, dreams, and favourite foods that remind them of special times and places in their lives.
You can try this Maqlooba recipe at home and share it on your social media by using the hashtag #WithRefugees. For full recipe details, please visit HERE.
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Filed Under Anis NabilahAsian Food ChannelDalyaEating WildIcip IcipMaqloobaRamadanRefugeesUN Refugee Agency