Airtel Super Singer 4 - My views

Airtel Super Singer is the only program I watch on the television. Singing along with singers energize me and the program is well organized.
Though my favorite, the program is not without flaws. There are instances where I could clearly see bias towards certain contestants.
My favourites are Syed, Parvathy and Sonia.
For me, Syed's voice is manliness, Parvathy is that of perfection, Sonia is that of Singer Chitra like beauty.
All three are amazing singers.  Selecting one person as a winner is only momentary. How would you say who is the best singer among the judges? All are good in several ways.
I am not for online/SMS voting. Technology can be exploited to someone to get more votes.
I am a huge fan of Singer Chitra, and that makes me Sonia my favourite.I wish she wins this title.
One person whom I feel should have been in finals is Krishnan.
The judge panel should be changed.

Kamal Haasan in Vijay TV

If there is one program that I watched "offline" on Youtube, it was Kamal Haasan's appearance in Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi in Vijay TV.  The program anchor Prakash Raj being a great fan of Kamal Haasan, showed a lot of respect and devotion throughout the programme. Also, it was not a real quiz program, it was an organized interview - there is no debate and very clear that Kamal can answer all these questions. There is no coincidences. What I liked was Kamal's brilliance and intelligence.  There is a lot to more about this legend. I just love this man.

Vijay TV's Airtel Super Singer 2012 - Cuteness won against Talent

Sukanya is my choice of winner
for the Airtel Super Singer 2012

Here is my take on Vijay TV's Airtel Super Singer 2012 results -  UNFAIR.Unfair because it finally became Cuteness Vs Talent and the former won.

I have been watching this program regularly and if I ever sit before TV, it is to watch this.

Regarding the Contest Results:

• According to me, first place should go to Sukanya, 2nd place to Yazhini and 3rd place to Pragadhi
• Aajeeth too deserves a place - but his was voice is yet to develop for a contest singing.  He is certainly good singer for his age. 
• Gautham is good but he should not be disappointed given his wrong choice of songs and lack of some confidence.  
• Sukanya reminds me of previous year's singer Alka Ajith;  her choice of songs and demonstration of talent deserves her a place in Tamil Music. She said she comes from a remote village. I am sure some one like her coming this far will never be stopped by a contest result. 
• Online voting and SMS voting concept is absurd and 'any one can vote any number of votes' is hampering the talent.

Regarding selections for Finals:

• There were some good kids like Anu who deserved a place in the final. I was amazed at her husky voice.
• Its a incompatible combination of junior and senior kids; carnatic and non-carnatic.
• If the selection intent is 'chella kural' (young sweet voice), Anu, Yazhini and Aajeeth can be in the finals. There were few more kids whose name I dont remember handy. 

What this program mean to me?

• Just wonderful!  Such grand programmes are really great and gives a new experience to the budding singers. 
• While some may think that the participation could impact their studies, I feel education need not always be the mainstream - it could be other way round.  Music first, studies next.
• It is really good, this program continues year on year.
• Regarding the prizes, I agree the prizes should be grand - but not sure if  3 BHK house is suitable. 
• The kids get a stardom and will be on stages in the coming days.
• The presence of AR Rahman gave a God like presence, especially when he entered. I wished he could have spoken little more. 
• Regarding the judges, I would say Chitra always gave sincere and serious comment.  Other judges like Shubha and Mano are bubbly and friendly - I think given that its a kid programme, they also should be around.
• Was there something wrong with Audio in the Finals?  I do not know -  for Aajeeth, I could hear the special effects for his high pitch singing for the first song.  For Suganya, 'minsara poove' was affected by lack of music synchronization. Gautam's esteem had something to do because of poor orchestra, I guess. 
• The comperes Bhavana and Anand did a good job.  Bhavana's lipstick and Anand's 'mokkai' is too much :-).   It will be a good idea to have singers as comperes like we had Chinmayi in the past.
• The episodes were going on and on, sometimes gave a feel 'when this would end'. Even the finals was close to midnight that I went to bed after Sudha Ragunathan's performance. 
• By the way, what was "Airtel" doing here?  Did I hear their name in the sponsors?  
• I felt good for the parents who come from middle class background.

The money, fame and grandness will motivate the schools and parents to put their children into this program. Parents should NOT encourage to participate in such contests and make them fail unless they are serious its only for the experience and NOT for the winning.

AIR replaces Worldspace in Airtel DTH

Yesterday, the Worldspace radio stopped its operation and we could hear some basic tune in one channel. We were sure that Airtel DTH that was offering Worldspace channels to the customers, will also do something about this.







Today morning, we wokeup to learn that AIR programs are being aired in Airtel DTH. We get two Tamil channels - AIR Tamil, AIR Ragam that exactly replaces the previous KL Radio and Shruthi channels of World space.



Wondering what to do with the radio, the long cable and the antenna? Will someone in India give life to Worldspace? 





Related Links:

MoneyLife: The Worldspace Service must go on, says subscribers

MoneyLife: Airtel DTH to replace WorldSpace with AIR channels

Bhatnaturally:Worldspace - were they listening to consumers?

GCoffee: Its Termination of Worldspace

Bharti Airtel announces AIR channels in DTH

Its Termination of Worldspace

We have been great listeners of WorldSpace for the past few years. My father listens to it every day - first thing in the morning at 5 am and then to melodies in the afternoon and in the late night. He is a great fan of KL Radio and the Shruthi music channels. He demonstrates this radio to all our guests. Recently I was trying to get him a latest model of the radio which is worth Rs.4500. The sales department lady said best offer - Rs.3500 only etc but never hinted about the service termination and their bankruptcy. I even argued that there should be pay-per-channel option as in Satellite television. Some intuition saved me from going for it. Worldspace services are also available on Airtel Digital TV.  Here is the mail from WorldSpace. 



______________________________________________

Dear customer,



On December 31, 2009, the WorldSpace satellite radio broadcast service will be terminated for all customers serviced from India.



This action is an outgrowth of the financial difficulties facing WorldSpace India’s parent company, WorldSpace, Inc., which has been under bankruptcy protection since October 2008.  The potential buyer of much of WorldSpace’s global assets has decided not to buy the WorldSpace assets relating to and supporting WorldSpace’s subscription business in India.  As a consequence, WorldSpace, Inc. must discontinue its subscriber business in India.  Your subscription contract is with WorldSpace, Inc., a US company that is in a bankruptcy proceeding in the United States.  The company recognizes that you may have paid for services to be rendered beyond the termination date, but is not in a position to offer a refund for any unused portion of your subscription.



You may have a potential remedy under the U.S. bankruptcy law. You may file a claim under the claims procedure that is intended to protect creditors of the bankrupt company.  Sometime early next year, a claim servicing company will send notice to all creditors listed by the company. In order to ensure that you receive timely notice, we would request that you send the following information by mail or email to Rakesh Raghavan at WorldSpace, Inc. headquarters in the United States.



1.        Name



2.        Address



3.        Email



4.        Subscription Account Number



5.        Date of Subscription



6.        Length of Subscription



7.        Amount paid for your current subscription



Send this information to: By email -- CustomerServiceUS@worldspace.com or by regular mail – Rakesh Raghavan, WorldSpace, Inc. 8515 Georgia AV, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA.



Our sincere apologies for this circumstance.



s/ Robert Schmitz

Chief Restructuring Officer

WorldSpace, Inc.

Movie - Mudhalvan

I am watching Mudhalvan movie in Sun TV, one of the best movies. The one line story is about 'one day CM' - directed by Shankar, dialogues by writer Sujatha, and acted by Arjun. The villain CM was acted by Raghuvaran. Arjun's look was inspired by Tamilanbhu IAS, and Raghuvaran's look was SM Krishna. The movie was so powerful that if the original intended hero Rajanikanth had acted, it would have been a big turning point in the Tamil Nadu politics. The popular interview scene in a way mimicked CM Karunanidhi especially the Thirukkural quote. I also recall that the political circles telecasted this movie in the entire Madurai city to avenge the director.



As I watch this movie, I am reminded of one Mr.Manivannan IAS. I will have two blog entries on him.



Inspiring Manivannan IAS

Manivannan IAS Interview

Sunday Evening

This week was a long vacation from office routines for me. My blog also got more colourful.

My neighbours got a blog as a gift to express their creative writings. After trying 2 or 3 templates, we have settled for a 'baby shop' theme now.



Watched Kamal's interview in Vijay TV. He is a legend with a lot of fresh thoughts - his own thoughts. To sample a few: "There is nothing like World Class. In India, its Indian Standard. In America, its American standard. We need to set our standards and exceed them. Raja Raja Cholan did not know what a world class was; yet he constructed a world class temple".  உலக தரம் என்று எதுவும் இல்லை. இந்தியாவில் மதிப்பீடு செய்தால் அது இந்திய தரம். அமெரிக்காவில் மதிப்பீடு செய்தால் அது அமெரிக்க தரம். ராஜா ராஜா சோழன் போன்ற முன்னோர்கள் உலக தரம் என்று எதுவும் அறிந்ததில்லை; அவர்களால் சிறந்த கலை கட்டடங்களை கட்ட முடிந்தது.  There are some more to share on Kamal's interviews. More on that some other blog.



My sister was chatting with me in Gmail chat in an invisible mode. She explained her need to stay online but in a invisible mode. But long before, I sensed she was offline before as well. Today's I learnt of a hack on how to find someone if they are offline or invisible.







Yesterday got Kumudham and Vikatan. Vikatan is really a good standard magazine compared to any other weekly. I recall, in 1990's I have wandered in front of Vikatan's office on the Mount Road while I was searching for a job. Some Vikatan is carrying articles on Nayanthara and PrabhuDeva marriage gossip every alternative week. Kumdham also carried a gossip on actress Meena's wedding. One time gossip may be okay?! But wont it hurt the respective families. Its really sickening beyond a point.





Morning visited the Sahara Arts Exhibition in the JP Nagar corporation ground. Usual stuff. But few shops have few cute things for display: a bicycle, a flute, battery/AC operated fan - all made of brass. Was not in a great mood to spend. 





Evening went out with Diya to 9th Block for a snacks shopping. I also got 3 newspapers: the sunday editions of DNA, Indian Express, and Deccan Chronicle. I liked them a lot compared to TOI. Planning to shift to DNA or Indian Express soon.

Spent a quite bit of time learning science online I wished that I could complete some carpentry and electric stuff to satisfy my creative pleasures. But lost my mood over petty issues. 





Fine, Fabindia dress purchase for dad was one great experience. My sister said Fabindia collections are costlier and I need to wait for 'sale' time. 





My sister also has a lymph node swelling and is very anxious over it. I have requested some authentic advice on how one should take care during such symptoms. Stay tuned for a blog entry. 



Also got my twitter account created. Getting used to it.





So much to do, so much to share...but tomorrow I have office. I think I would mimic Kamal's mannerism and attitude as I am very much influenced by him this week.