Popular cartoons, now and then…

Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Where Are You? We got some work to do now.

Come on Scooby-Doo, I see you... pretending you got a sliver
But you're not fooling me, cause I can see, the way you shake and shiver…

Do you remember these lines from the ‘Scooby Doo Mysteries’ which were telecasted way back in 70s? Well, yes television cartoon began somewhere between 1920 – 30s period. It was started by Walt Disney with ‘Teamboat Willie’ in 1928, the first significant cartoon with synchronized sound and effects followed by ‘Flowers and Trees’ in 1932.

Cartoons is most often used in reference to programs for children, featuring anthromorphized animals, he adventures of child protagonists, and other related genres. They were made for making children happy and be in a buoyant mood.

They were started with an adage to entertain the children between age group 3 to 10. As days pass by, popular cartoons like Bugs Bunny, Mighty Mouse, Tom and Jerry, Popeye, Yogi Bear, The Flinstones, Scooby Doo and few others which were telecasted in 1970s became a huge hit and was watched by both children and teens.

Ghostbusters, Gummy Bears, Heath cliff, Tarzan, the Mask, the Jetsons and others became popular later in 1980s. Apart from these cartoons, He- man, Batman, Superman, Dragon ball, X-men, Robotix and few others also become one among those influential cartoons for the animated effects created by them.

These cartoons not only entertain them but also make them learn. For e.g, if you take Scooby doo, the story revolves around a dog who is scared of ghosts and with a detective plot. It makes the children get away fear from the ghosts and also plan such detective plots.

It’s the same for Elzie Crisler Segar’s ‘Popeye Show’ with characteristics like eating spinach would give superhuman strength. ‘The Popeye show’ became very popular in the United States by making children eat spinach through this cartoon. More and more cartoons then started with a strong theme or a plot that not only entertain but also educate the children.

In the early nineties, cartoons like The Simpson’s, Ren and Stumpy, Batman, The Power puff Girls, Rugrats, Tiny Toon Adventures, South Park, Dexter's Laboratory, Animaniacs Dragon ball Z, Veggie Tales, Pinky and the Brain, Pokemon became very popular and noted for their ways of educating the children through the cartoons. The Simpson’s was renowned for cultivating sex – education among children, The Powepuff girls for teaching courage and strength for girls and so on.

John Kricfalusi, popular cartoonist rightly says that “kids cannot follow stories in a book, they neither can understand the cartoon completely, but with the element of hilarious visuals and sound effects it’s more a powerful tool than any”.

Notable Names:

William Hanna and Joseph Barbara is a prominent name in the ‘cartoon – world’. After MGM studios shut the door in 1957, it was Hanna – Barbara who took the lead and is still going strong for forty five years. They started with ‘Tom and Jerry show’ in the year 1940 which became a huge hit only for its wonderful sense of humor in it.

It became famous for shorts like Jerry slicing Tom in half, shutting his head in a window or a door and using equipments like pistols, axis and on. Despite all the violence, there is no blood or gore in any scenes. The cartoon is also noteworthy for resemblance to everyday objects and occurrences which is the main appeal of visual humor in the series and the music which played an important role.

Hanna – Barbara productions also produced few other well-known cartoon shows like Yogi Bear, Flinstones, The Jetsons, Scooby – Doo, Where are you?, Ritchie Rich, The Addams family, Johnny bravo, Dexter Laboratory, Swat cats, Powder-puff girls and so on.

Popular cartoons now:

Few other cartoons of the yester years are still popular now. Apart from them new cartoons like 101 Dalmations, The Alladin Series, Archie's Weird Mysteries, Batman, Dragon ball Z, Digimon, Double Dragon, Highlander, Ninja Turtles, Pokemon, The Legend of Tarzan, The Smirfs, Sabrina, Mr.Bean Animated series of Sherlock Homes are the popular ones now.

Though children have started to watch filmy stuff now, cartoons are still popular for few of the reasons. Popular cartoons of those years are still popular now. Of late creating a character like ‘Scooby’, ‘Tom and Jerry’ has been a difficult task. Comic characters taken from books or super-heroes from movies are made into cartoons now.

As put by Joseph Barbara, “Making cartoons means very hard work at every step of the way, but creating a successful cartoon character is the hardest work of all”.

By,

Sharanya C.R

POST SCRIPT : I wrote this one for Suchitra's magazine on Cartoons! I loved writing this...cos me the lowe cartoons, especially Scooby Doo!! :)

Other side of a Journalist

Mr. G.Vijaykumar is a media person who served for broadcast and print media for almost 35 years. He being a B.Com student of Vivekananda College took up journalism as his career. Even though he is a commerce student he took part in various competitions like quiz, did many radio shows, writing competitions and many more, which made him, take up journalism in his PG.

He started of his ‘journalism career’ by joining the AIR at a young age. He worked in AIR for almost 25 years. He worked in different spheres at various stations from the level of Transmission Executive to Deputy Director. He has also done whole gamut of programmes in different formats in Tamil and English covering Health, Education, Youth, Documentaries, Music and Current affairs.

Later he moved to Sun TV, where he was in charge for English news service for 5 years. As the telecast of English news service was removed, he joined the “Mutharam” (Kungumam group), a Tamil magazine, where he was given the post of the Editor. He worked there for 3 years and now he is a part time consultant for “The Hindu” and works for AIR again!

He has interviewed top-notch personalities on subjects ranging from Politics, Economics, and Environment to NGOs’ in English and Tamil. He has also done live commentaries on these subjects. He was also the recipient of ‘Akashvani Annual Award’ for documentary on Internet in 1996.

To know his other side, we caught him and Mr. Rajendran, his good old buddy. A ‘casual talk’ at his friend’s residence, that lies at the heart of Mylapore. Vijay Kumar talks about his experiences and his friend talks about the other side of him.

When talking about his journey in media, he recalls and says working in AIR were his most memorable days. “I gained lots of experience during the long tenure in AIR at various locations in planning and production of programmes for Youth, Women and Children, Industrial workers and Centres of Higher learning”. They were thoroughly enriching and enjoyable.

His friend takes the other side. “Though he is been in media for these many years, yet he is very simple and just they he was before”, says Mr. Rajendran. There is no change in him. “Am not talking about looks!” laughs Mr. Rajendran. He still travels in bus and makes no complaint in this. He is very simple, down to earth and most humorous person of our gang. “Talk to him about any subject, he would be able to answer you”, tells Mr.Rajendran.

While Mr. Rajendran talks about him, Mr. Vijay Kumar looks curiously to find out what his buddy tells. “He is a very good entertainer, a simple human and also makes a good journalist on the whole”, adds Mr. Rajendran. That ends the play!

Well, too much of praises yet makes him a simple man!

By,

Sharanya C.R.

Post Script:

I wrote this in my 2nd yearfor my photojournalism submission. We were asked to do profile of a person. Pictures + Article. Mr. Vijay Kumar is a very good friend of my father and our family well-wisher. Thanks to him for spending his time to talk about him and those golden old days!

Important role played by food during myriad of moods

“The food that enters the body must be watched as closely as the food that enters the mind”, says Patrick Buchunan, an American food analyst. Like he says, have we ever noticed what we eat when we are in different moods? Have we ever noticed what we consume when we are happy or sad? Have we ever noticed why they make sweets during festival times? Have we ever wondered the logics in that?

Well, it’s all a ‘no’! Research scientists have proven that there is a connection between a person's mood and the food he or she eats. It’s also that eating a certain food can influence a person's mood, at least temporarily.

Food that we consume during different moods:

Slightly rewind your mind to those unforgettable school days, the times when we were young and innocent. During times when we get our annual examination results, we used to go to these nearby shops and have a candy or ice - cream. Have we wondered why we like to have ice cream instead of rice or chapattis?

It’s because there are some tastes that lingers throughout our body and mind and makes us feel even better. There is a connection between the brain and the food. A person consumes food depending on his mood.

For e.g, if you have noticed many people eat chocolate when they are slightly depressed. They think that eating chocolate gives them a break. That’s because, chocolates has certain elements in it that gives a person a relaxed mind and a euphoric feeling. Chocolate is also consumed when we are very happy. It is because of sugar, an amount of caffeine and other feel – good chemicals that make us feel better.

It also happens when a person seems to be very miserable, sad or tired; they either quit food at that time or eat something very light or by ending up with a juice or a glass of milk.

Gayathri, 24 years, says, “When am depressed I don’t feel like eating. But it always happens that someone forces me too, so I end up have a bowl of curd rice or plain milk. I don’t know why, but it seems to go along with my mood”.

“When am dead tired or exhausted, I feel like having a semi- fluid foodstuff rather than forcing myself to have food. Having a complete meal tires me even more” says Ashwin, student.

When people are really excited over something or someone, people tend to party. For instance, for a birthday or anniversary, we are really happy and excited over it. People tend to throw a party with food which is spicy like chicken curry, biriyani and more. These foods have the tendency to make people feel more excited and happy because of the spicy elements in it.

“When am really happy and feel keyed up, I love to have spicy food like chicken tikka and the similar and my meal with a desert” says Gaddy Disney, student. He says it gives him a sense of completeness and carries the excitement the whole day.

Apart from eating food according to our moods, certain foodstuff like onion, drum stick, deserts, coffee, tea and other eatables which has an element of caffeine in it arouses sexual feelings. It is also proved by a research that by consuming these foodstuffs in excess arouses a person erotic feeling.

Traditional value:

For centuries, a typical traditional meal in South India has been served on a "vazhaillai", a freshly cut plantain leaf. It is believed that food, when served on a clean banana leaf, not only tastes better but also imbibes the nutritional values of the banana tree.

And also during festival seasons like Diwali, Pongal and the other, they make sweets and savors. Like said the content of sugar makes us feel good the whole day and lightens up.

There is also another tradition followed by South Indian people. They serve sweets first before serving the main course of food. It is believed that consuming food in the beginning increases your metabolism rate and helps food get digested faster.

Food supporters:

Foodstuff like water, vegetables, fruits, oil rich fish, nuts and seeds, wholegrain food, fibre, protein and organic food are considered to be the food supporters. They are not only rich in content, they also gives us a pleasant feeling.

"Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet but one of the most vital".Many people during workouts consume bottles of water to keep their energy level high and help them do more of it.

“Two and more glasses of water early morning makes my body feel light and energetic” says Rajendran, 55 years. He says that one should have a minimum of eight glasses of work a day, to sustain the energy and remove toxins from your body.

Usage of fresh juices instead of aerated drinks will also give a refreshing effect. These fresh juices should be taken along with food if possible which gives us a lot of energy and health.

Food stressors:

Food apart from giving a nice and happy feeling also tends to give adverse feeling. Certain food that we consume gives us stress and depression. Foodstuff like caffeine, alcohol, addictives, and saturated food, wheat containing foods and eating large size meals might end up giving stress to your mind and body.

Too much fatty and hot food makes our system slow because the stomach takes twice the amount energy to grind and most of our blood is drawn by the stomach and the brain becomes slow.

A lot of men and women tend to consume larger amount of rice in the afternoon. It is to be noticed that they get little drowsy, inactive and lazy, by ending in doing nil amount of work after lunch.

Though onions have content that are very good for health, they make us cry whiling cutting them. It’s because of the smell and other sulfuric content in it which tends people to shed tears while cutting.

There is an old saying which goes to say, “Have breakfast like a prince, lunch like a king and have dinner like a pauper”. The fact being that a heavy breakfast keeps one going for the day with energy. A medium lunch would sustain the person during the post lunch period. A light early dinner would ensure a peaceful sleep.

Eating accordingly not only gives you balanced diet but also allows the mood swings to flow properly in the mind. Next time when you eat, watch it. Not for diet but for your mood!

- By

Sharanya CR

Post Script:

Article written for Food Journal. Thanks for Sumitra & Chandini for give me this topic. I love food and loved to write about it;)

Elite class – Trend setters!!

Do you remember old Indian movies where the hero is a rickshaw-puller and wears three-fourth pants? We then used to call ‘rickshaw-puller pants’ and now its named capris! It’s not only capris, but other trends which were considered the ‘old-style’ is now the ‘latest fashion’ or ‘in-vogue now’!

These styles in terms of fashion, culture, food and the like which were in trend those days are back again with slightly a revived version now. And you see a series of discussion about their new-discovered trends from college students to middle aged men!

We can hear voices of our mom or grand mom saying this to you, “We also have worn this before, and the old trend is coming back again”. It’s hundred percent true! Except for a few bits and pieces, the trends that we see now in terms of fashion are the same which we used to see in those old movies, except for a slight modulation in it.

The reason to see the old culture coming back in new form is because of the elite people. In simple terms, the upper class people bring these newly modulated trends and call it as ‘new – trend’.

They wear and get such stuff in branded shops. After seeing the amount of people using it, the things that were got in branded shops are now seen in local platform shops. These local shops give way to the middle and lower class people to also enjoy the new trend.

From stone bangles to the then raja chappals, everything seems to come back again. For an old person, it will almost be like seeing everything all again.

Back again:

The sleeve-less blouse, the tight fit pants, the designer sarees (Remember Jayalalitha’s songs with MGR?), stone bangles, gold-silver-copper chappals, the puff hand style (now called as the mega sleeve!), golden anklets, beaded jewellery, armlets, anklets, black metal jewellery, antique jewellery, capris, hair-loose concept and if you dig more, it keeps on coming.

Apart from accessories and clothes, even tattooing is a fashion now. The elite have started the trend of tattooing or now–called body piercing. Tattooing is a popular term with our grand-moms! They then call it as ‘pachai-kuthurathu’ (meaning green tattoo piercing in Tamil).

Body piercing now, is becoming popular with both men and women. We aren’t talking about just gang members who have tattoos and body piercing. In this generation it is very common for young adults as well as those in their careers to have body piercing. And also, belly rings and naval rings have become increasingly popular with the younger generation.

Apart from fashion and accessories even in terms of food there is a change. Like for example, Italian food. They have become a fashion now. The elite found it here and many among us have tasted Italian food. (Adding them as our favorites in cuisines is also a fashion!)

In terms of architecture, technology also you can see the public following it. Electronic items like computers, mobile phones, mp3 players, lap top and more are used by several in the city. If you take mobile phones, it was used by people who are in a higher position. But now you can see even a rickshaw-puller using it!

IT buildings of the same type as in the United States are also an example in terms of architecture. A series of building in the same blue-glass-tall building format can be seen if you hang about in the Old Mahaballipuram Road.

Advantages and disadvantages:

As the elite class identifies areas of fashion, many people go about doing the same thing and it thus become the current-fashion. They are not to be blamed. The people who follow that are neither to be blamed.

Following the old trends or following some thing which the elite wears or uses, gives a person some kind of pride and self-confidence. As long as the person who wears it is comfortable, it doesn’t harm either of them.

“Wearing such things that my classmates wear, helps me to be in the same colour as they, I don’t call this copying or following it blindly. I like it and so I buy such stuff” says Nahla, college student.

For many people it boosts their self-confidence. They follow the foot steps of the elite and want to be in-vogue. Of late many want to dress up really well and different. In making this happen, people try out different things and so call it ‘fashion’ and thus ends in becoming the new-style.

If you look this in a negative side, a person loses his or her originality by following the elites! He loses his personal way of dressing or carrying himself. He, by following such trends becomes a duplicate rather than original. Other disadvantages are that, certain trends break the traditional values like wearing navel rings and the like. But whether you want to break is the question.

But at some point, repeation of the old trends asks us the question of creativity among the designers. Are there no more designs that we can create? Or there are no more designers to create? The question is yet to be answered!

- Sharanya CR

Post Script:

The topic 'elite class being the trend setters' is written for a journal! I loved writing on this. Though I was skeptical what to write in the beginning I kicked off well and continued writing! Accessories is my one of my 'lowes'! And to write negatives & positives on it was a difficult task. I talked with a few people about the topic, and thanks to them I've done justice to the article.

Tennis flavor at the Mecca of Indian Tennis

With all the eyes on cricket, “The Chennai Open” turned the eyes to the tennis season for a few days. The players eagerly look for performances in Chennai to set the bar for the year, giving the Chennai tennis lovers an early taste of the exciting season ahead.

Going into its eleventh year, the Chennai open continues to grow and establish itself as one of the finest on the ATP circuit and has gained significance in the global context. The event has also placed Chennai on the world tennis map.

Tennis lovers and players around the world recognize Chennai as the Mecca of Indian tennis – as the city has produced world class players like Ramanathan Krishnan, Ramesh Krishnan, Vijay Amritraj, Anand Amritraj and Leander Paes.

This tournament has been consecutively played for nine years, is only because of the world class infrastructure facilities available. Mr. Narayanan, president of the TNTA (Tamil Nadu Tennis Association) tells us that “both players and officials have rated the stadium as one of the best in Asia”. He also adds that “it is the only global sporting event played annually in India.”

A amateur from the local tennis club tells us that watching the sport live makes him learn the tacks of the game and provides him confidence for playing in further games. Another onlooker who has brought his entire family members and friends from Bangalore tells that “I love tennis and I’ve been coming to Chennai for the past 9 years to watch tennis”. This young man and his group mates have placed a bet on Moya who won the Singles Championship last year.

Rafael Nadal fans were definitely heartbroken as he couldn’t participate this time due to injury. Ivan Ljubicic replaced him and also surprised the crowd by winning the Singles Championship Trophy this year. And not to forget three cheers for our Government and our Honorable Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalitha for making this tournament a success. All that starts well ends well and so did the Chennai open.

By, Sharanya CR

Post Script:

Lovely game I say! I was reporting sports then in my first year! And here it is my first game that I reported. In the picture: Ivan Ljubicic

Interview 1

Actor Dhanush’s Interview

Life has a strange way of throwing things across your path when you least expect it. Giving up his cherished dream of becoming a marine engineer, Dhanush found himself with acting on big screen instead. Coming to terms with life’s strange ‘accident’ that made him an actor, Dhanush has come so far into the industry that his film has even received international acclaim. Clad simply and comfortably in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, the actor reveals his story to Sharanya C.R. and Deepti Govind.

How did you enter the film industry?

It was an accident. I was studying in 11th standard when my dad asked me to act in Thulluvatho Illammai. I had no interest in movies then. As a college student, who would want to miss the opportunity to bunk college though? But to my surprise, I was thought to fit the role perfectly, and had no choice but to act in it after that! I grumbled and cried, but to no avail.

How was your experience acting for the very first time against your wishes? Were you confident of doing a good job?

I always wanted to become a marine engineer. I knew nothing about cinema and had no confidence. They taught me and I acted. I just wanted to get done with it! I even prayed to god that the movie should not do well, but unfortunately, it did really well in the box office. (Laughs)

Do you choose scripts after consultation with family and friends?

No, I do not. I just follow my instincts.

It is said by critics that the best of you seems to have come out only in films directed by your brother, Selvaraghavan. What would you say to that?

I agree completely. For an actor to bring out his best, the script should offer him a lot of scope. That is exactly what Selva’s scripts have done to me. The roles he offers are also heavy and challenging. Once you are posed with a challenge, you naturally tend to put in more effort.

Though Pudhupettai was a huge hit, it was said to have excess violence.

I think when the whole movie revolves around the story of a gangster, there is bound to be violence in it.

The usual perception of a gangster’s appearance is that he is strong and muscular of build.

When I discussed the movie with Selva, and started preparing for it, I had to meet few gangsters to see how their life actually is. You would be surprised to hear that, almost 7 out of 10 gangsters are thin. They laughed at us when we told them the same thing. Being thing and wiry has its advantages, especially when you need to escape fast. The stamina that a thin person has will surely be more than a bulky person if both have to run fast and for miles to escape!

How do you prepare for your roles?

I literally make myself become the character in the course of time. My homework is done in front of the mirror. For this movie, Pudupettai, I learned the body language, and the lifestyle of the gangsters by watching movies based on them.

The movie has achieved international recognition. How do you feel about a Tamil movie getting so much importance in the international scenario?

Yeah, it is awesome because normally Indian movies that achieve international recognition have been from Bollywood. Also, when someone like Cameron Bailey who is the selector of Asian films for the Toronto film festival, and has such a vast experience in films, has praised the movie, I think it speaks for itself about the film.

Many of the actors these days tend to change their ‘look’ completely for every other movie, what is your say on this?

When I first entered the industry, everyone looked back to see who this gawky teenager who didn’t look at all like a movie actor was. I didn’t have your usual ‘hero’ look! This made me popular! (Laughs) I think I look perfectly okay for my age. “Get up change” I think may be four years down the lane I might consider it. Now I want to do roles that will go well with and which suits my age.

What change do you find in yourself from the first movie and now?

In the first movie, I was a kid. I did not have any ambitions or passion for movies. I just acted the way they asked me to. Only in Pudupettai did I grow up to be an actor.

Rajini..?

It feels good to be his son-in-law. In my school days I used to be crazy about him. I dreamt of meeting him just once and now... On the other hand, I have lost my identity. Earlier I was Dhanush, now I am ‘Rajini’s son-in-law’. I am fighting to regain my lost identity now.

Is singing is also one of your passions, because you sing for movies.

(Laugh’s loud) That was because they needed a voice that is bad for the song in Pudupettai.

Which do you think is your best movie?

Pudupettai undoubtedly.

Your favorite director?

Selvaraghavan. It is not because he is my brother, but because he is one director who can bring out real emotions. He has a style and class of his own. He has a lot of courage and I think he is the best.

What are your plans for the future?

I have plans to direct. I am in the process of learning direction. May be 4 or 5 years down the lane, I would be directing a movie.

A word for today’s generation?

I know advice is boring. But someone has to say it. Never let down your parents at any point in your life. Their expectations are very small. Respect them by giving them what they want from you. They can never want anything but the good for you. I did not follow this and screwed up life quite a few times. Now I regret and I don’t want others to learn the hard way. My last word would be, no one can ever love you more than your parents!

Post Script:

This interview was totally amazing! Myself and sowmya found his house eppadiyo n asked for an interview through intercom system! The next day we were asked to come at 7.30! Myself and Deepti went exactly at 7.20, if i remember. A traditional entrance and a lovely house. We were asked to sit. As we were looking around, a young boy comes in, he was Dhanush! I confirmed myself "he is only danush know?". It's my first -actor-interview. Little nervous, deepti didn't know much about him, so I need to ask the most part of it! In the end we managed to finish it successfully. He was very patient and soft-spoken. Nice man!This we did in our 2nd year, first semester! Unforgettable!

Article 1

**My first assignment in my Internship 1. Aishwarya, Krithika , Revathy and myself covered this event which happened in VGP. We were asked to take different angles and write the article. And here it is:)**

Action thriller reflects glory of US stunt men

Lots of action, adventure and excitement when you see the Indiana Jones - American adventure show at the VGP kingdom. The Universal Kingdom has brought again for this summer, a new set of people from Hollywood, USA to perform here a 'stunning' stunt show at Chennai.

The show was mind blowing with the death defying stunts, action scenes, spine tingling explosions, high falls, fire blasts, bullets sprayed on an Egyptian temple set and many more. "The audience can watch it live", says V.G. Santhosam, Chairman of VGP groups.

Capturing Hollywood action hero Indiana Jones to unlock the secrets of the Egyptian temple, the VGP Indiana Jones show is a winning combination of gripping action, daring stunts and overwhelming special effects. The VGP Indiana Jones-American Adventure Show can be watched until June 4. Four shows are performed everyday and on weekends, five shows are performed.

When talking to the trainees of Trinity Mirror, Mr.Ravidas, the Managing Director said,” In 2002, we started the stunt shows, in order to give the Chennai audiences a different flavor". He also said that these shows can be seen only in abroad and so he brought these stunt shows to the taste of Chennai crowd.

Patrick Wagner, who did a brilliant performance as 'a Nazi agent' of the show says, "We were taught professionally, almost 10 years". Amie Joe, the courageous and the brave heroine said, "We rehearse once before the show and keep our body fit and strong by taking electrolytes and exercise a lot".

When asked about the Agni Nakshatram- the hot days in Chennai, they entire crew in chorus answered, Water, water and more of that is how we survive now. However, Christian, who played the energetic, young Dr.Indiana Jones, says, "India is an amazing country, we definitely love it".

The Egyptian temple set was realistic and the authorities told they spent a lot of amount on putting up the set. Mr. Ravidas also says, "Because of the stunts shows we get more people to watch the action live and definitely the crowd to visit our Kingdom has increased in the recent weeks".

The cast and crew members did prove and made the audience watch the show without a wink. In a word, Mrs. Sadhna puts it as, "Excellent!” Mrs. Anita adds to her point and says, "Amazing and very live!”

"We want to give the people what they like and make them rediscover their childhood", smiles Mr. Ravi Das, the Managing Director. Well, they definitely did!

By,

Sharanya CR