Deepa's Jottings

 Internet Surveillance Policy: "...the second time as farce?" - A Public Lecture by Caspar BowdenThe Centre for Internet and Society, Bangalore, invites you to a public lecture by Caspar Bowden*, the Chief Privacy Adviser of Microsoft's Worldwide Technology Office, on Internet Surveillance Policy: "...the second time as farce?AbstractIn 2000, as Director of the independent think-tank, "Foundation for Information Policy Research", Caspar led a campaign to revise several aspects of a new comprehensive UK law governing electronic surveillance ("the RIP Act"). UK legislated in this area many years before most other countries, and the approach was widely criticized although some amendments…

It is rather a sad fact of life that though we all pay tribute to one of our great Nobel Laureates, the multi-faceted Rabindranath Tagore, most of us do not know too much about him, whether about his artistic and educational endeavours, or his personality. As part of the ongoing celebrations of Tagore's birth anniversary, there, "Key Tumi?" ("Who are You?" was staged on August 30, at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, by Maam Entertainment. The play was in the form of a soliloquy, written by Amit Ranjan Biswas, who also handled the direction of the production. Amit Ranjan Biswas is a…

When the festival is over, Ganesha does not always merge with the elements and reach Kailasa as he is supposed to. He is often abandoned in public places: Similarly, when the patriotic frenzy of "Pandrah August" fades, our country's flag is cast aside with disrespect: Both these photos were taken in Lalbagh. Devotion of any kind...whether to God or to country...is something that should be practised and lived, daily, not indulged in for one day in a feel-good token display.

   INTACH Bangalore invites you to our next Parichay, which will take place on 26 June 2011, at Nandi and Sultanpet, near Nandi Hills. A heritage walk here gives you the chance to walk through 1000 years of history and architecture! There is plenty to see including a temple dating back to the 9th century, a tiny 200-year-old cemetery from the days of the Raj, and a ruined but beautiful mosque attributed to Tipu Sultan. There will also be a visit to a potters' community.  There is a fee of Rs. 120/- for this Parichay. There are limited seats so…

  INTACH Bangalore invites you to ART REACH - an attempt to reach art to people. The event will have a charity sale and display of works by the famed artist Dr MS Murthy. Dr Murthy has generously agreed to display nearly 100 of his creations, ranging from some rare early works to more recent ones. A part of the proceeds will go to fund INTACH Bangalore's activities.Dr Murthy has participated in many national and international exhibitions and has won numerous awards. His works are on display at the NGMA, New Delhi, and are also part of several private collections. At…

 Hands On A unique ‘on-the-job' experience for those interested in working behind the scenes. Apart from weekend training-sessions conducted by experts on Light design, Make-up design, Sound design, and Set design; the selected participants will have the opportunity to join the production team of two ongoing productions by rafiki due to open in July. Workshop theme Facilitator DateLight Design Anish Victor 11th and 12th JuneMake-up Design Ramakrishna Kannarpadi 18th and 19th JuneSound Design Clement Vincent 25th and 26th JuneSet Design Dominic Taylor 2nd and 3rd JulyFor details and registrations contact Anil Ramachandra of Vibgyor on 98456 02265. VenueVIBGYOR ENTERTAINMENT, #71, Sona Towers,…

  This morning, as I walked in Forest Park, I inhaled the heady scent of the magnolia blossoms, and though I am not a nostalgic person usually, the scent evoked memories of what I call the "pre-IT Bangalore"...the sleepy, lovely city that we moved into, in 1988. One of the loveliest memories from those days is that of inhaling the scent of the Sampige trees as I walked, and cycled, in Cubbon Park...Then, there were not too many apartments around; it was we, who lived in such apartments, who were the newly-arrived interlopers. At many parties, I would hear the complaints…

  Girish Karnad's "Bikhre Bimb" at Ranga ShankaraGirish Karnad's hugely successful play, "Bikhre Bimb" (in Hindi) will be staged at Ranga Shankara, on Sun, 29 May '11.Bikhre Bimb is among the most successful plays produced recently in India. The play has seen more than 100 shows and has been invited to all the major festivals of India. Arundhati Nag's masterly portrayal of two characters in a skillfully conceived plot has won her accolades and since its opening, Bikhre Bimb has been invited to, and performed at, all major theatre festivals in the country. It won the awards for best playwright, best…

  It's rare to find a book written for one city, that can be used as a ready reckoner for several others! But that's the case with "Just Look Up....to see the magic in the trees around you", a very handy booklet written by Sadhana Ramchander, and published by Blue Pencil Creative.The book may be aimed at children...but it is very useful for adults, too, who'd like to look around them at the common trees in the cities.Many "handbooks" or field guides are rather unwieldy to take along with one on one's outings; especially if they are hardbound. Sadhana's book is…

"Sumin", as my young daughter used to say, is what I do regularly in the summer. Sumin is such a great all-round exercise; and if there is a pool in your own apartment building, like I have, you don't have to brave the city traffic to get to the pool, either. A quick change of costume, and there I am, ready to slip into the pool (this is a nice way of ssying that I am still afraid to jump in!).I still do only the backstroke, as it gets far less water into my Ear-Nose-Throat system, and the other compelling…