mythily ramachandran

Jackfruit was much neglected until a Kerala-based entrepreneur revolutionised the way it’s used and consumed
Jackfruit gets a bad rap, no matter what way it’s sliced or diced. But a small company Kerala, a state in south India, is changing the way the fruit is eaten — and helping India’s diabetics along the way. Jackfruit365 has changed perceptions about the stinky and awkward fruit by developing freeze-dried and powdered jackfruit that is low on the glycemic index and makes the fruit more ac...

Rise Legs, Arun Cherian’s Bengaluru-based startup venture, offers cost-effective mobility aids for physically-challenged individuals
It must have been around four in the evening when Prajwal regained consciousness. Looking around, he noticed his uncle lying on the ground and his motorbike fallen on its side and glass scattered on the ground. Then he remembered riding pillion on the bike. They were returning to Bengaluru after a wedding in their home town.
As he tried to stand up, a searing pa...

Director Gnana Rajasekaran is making a Tamil film on the life of the academic
1 MIN READ
His love for mathematics cut through the shackles of poverty. Despite being dismissed by Indian academics, Srinivasa Ramanujan found recognition in England, when he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.
But Ramanujan’s illustrious life came to an early end when he died aged 33 in 1920.
Bringing alive his life story on screen is Gnana Rajasekaran, Tamil filmmaker and three-time National awar...

Biopic, featuring stellar cast, is by Tamil director Gnana Rajasekaran
He is a master storyteller when it comes to biopics.
Tamil director Gnana Rajasekaran, who won a national award for his debut film, Mughamol, has carried the winning streak with his third film, Bharati, about Tamil poet Subramaniya Bharatiyaar, and his fourth, Periyar, based on social reform activist Periyar Ramasamy.
Expectations are naturally high now for his fifth film, Ramanujan, a biopic on iconic maths prodigy, Srini...

Daniel Kish hasn’t let blindless come in the way of living life to the fullest
9 MIN READ
Waiting outside the hotel room for Daniel Kish to answer the door bell, I wondered, “Will Daniel open the door himself?”
Another thought nudged me: “Probably, someone else will let us in.”
It did not take more than half a minute before the door opened and I found myself staring at Kish.
Walking into the room, I realised that Kish was alone. And I watch in amazement as he moved around confidently. That is...

This weekend’s Malayalam release is a racy thriller
For Shobana to don the actor’s mantle after her long absence, the role had to be powerful.
Dr Rohini, a cardiologist in Thira, is that and more. As founder of an NGO Arpana, she rescues and protects victims of sex trafficking. Maayi, as she is fondly called by her young wards, is a symbol of hope and courage.
But then not everyone is fond of Maayi, especially corporate honchos and those walking in the corridors of power.
So when her journali...

Think Jai and what flashes through the mind is the cool Raghu, the Royapuram Rockers cricketer from Tamil film Chennai 600028.
With Sasi Kumar’s Subramaniapuram, Jai found his place in the industry. As the shy Kadhiresan of Engeyum Eppodhum, he endeared himself to the audience. His last release was the romantic comedy, Raja Rani.
Jai talks about his role in Vadacurry, his upcoming films and his passion for car racing.
Q. What is your role in Vadacurry?
A. I play Satish, a normal Chennai guy, ...

Motivational speaker recalls discovering his disability lay in his mind, not in his body
My first meeting with John Foppe will forever remain vivid. A motivational speaker from Illinois, Foppe was in Chennai recently, when I met him for an interview. During the course of our conversation, Foppe asked for a glass of water. It was served in a wine goblet and I contemplated: “Should I help John with it or do I leave it to him?”
In the blink of an eye, John had picked up the goblet using his foot...

Parvathy Baul on how destiny pushed her to make this mystical singing tradition a global phenomenon
Mukolakkal in Nedumangad (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala) is the unlikeliest place to meet a “baul” artiste, those mystical singers of West Bengal.
So it was quite a surprise to find Chittoor House, (the home of Ravi Gopalan Nair, a glove puppet artiste) playing host to Debdas Baul, Kanai Das Baul, Syam Sundar Das Baul and Lakshman Das Baul.
The ambience was perfect, as I made my way through the ga...

Abhinay Vaddi never had dreams to pursue a career in films. After completing his MS in International Studies from UK, the MBA graduate had his plans chalked out for a corporate career.
Vaddi is the grandson of veteran Tamil actors Gemini Ganesan and Savitri (son of their daughter Vijaya Chamundeswari and Govinda Rao).
He got his break in the film industry when Telugu director Dasari Narayana Rao, an admirer of his grandmother, offered him a role. “It was a documentary titled Young India. I di...

We chat to winning costume designer and cinematographer Poornima Ramasamy and Chezhiyan
2 MIN READ
Directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Bala, Paradesi is an adaptation of Paul Harris Daniel’s book Red Tea. This moving saga on the exploitation of Indian tea estate workers by the British was nominated in nine categories at the London Film Festival, taking two awards at the closing ceremony — Best Costume Designer for Poornima Ramasamy and the second for cinematographer Chezhiyan.
Paradesi...

Dhanapal takes a novel approach to promote Krishnaveni Panjaalai, a film about the lives of mill workers
Producer-director, Dhanapal Padmanabhan's debut film, Krishnaveni Panjaalai currently awaiting release, documents the lives of mill workers who lived in the Udumalpet region of Coimbatore between the late '50s and early '90s. Woven into the script is a romantic story penned by Padmanabhan.
Hemachandran, who has earlier acted in small roles, plays the lead opposite newcomer Nandana. Rajeev ...

Prasanna followed his passion, now fame is doing its turn
South Indian classical (Carnatic) music and rock 'n' roll make the unlikeliest bedfellows. But on composer Prasanna's electric guitar the two dwell in harmony.
The 38-year-old Indian composer's works include 11 Carnatic albums, Electric Ganesha Land, a Carnatic-rock fusion album, and Be the Change, a much-acclaimed work of jazz fusion.
Prasanna has also composed music for films such as the Oscar-winning documentary Smile Pinki.
A short...

Developed by Dr Carmen Hijosa, the strong and versatile leather-like material is made using fibres extracted from the leaves of the plant
At 63, when most people would be happy to sit back and relax, Dr Carmen Hijosa chose to go back to college to work on her PhD. After five years of doctoral research, she developed Pinatex — a totally new fabric which is strong, versatile, breathable as well as soft, light and flexible. Pinatex can be stitched, cut and printed on.
Resembling leather in appea...