When SPB and Ilayaraja parted ways: Will they ever work again?
In March 2017, when singer SPB was in the US as part of a global tour, he was shocked to receive a legal notice from his friend Ilayaraja for copyright violation, by singing his songs without consent. Ilayaraja’s lawyer said in the notice that Ilayaraja held the...
Rangaraj | Nov 20, 2018
Educated youngsters take the plunge in helping organic growers market their produce
My dear farming friends: For those who think farming is not renumerative, or for those who think it is the job of illiterate, dhoti-clad old men, the time has come for you to think again. The profile of many of today's farmer is a natty, educated young man who has...
MJ Prabu | Nov 17, 2018
Another age, same reaction: Parasakthi film faced hostility from then Congress sarkar
Just as Vijay’s film, Sarkar, is facing hostility from the state government, the classic movie, Parasakthi, in which Sivaji Ganesan made his debut and whose dialogues were written by M Karunanidhi, also had to undergo trials when it was released in 1952 during...
‘Scientist’ toiling the field invents device that delivers organic manure through drip irrigation
My dear friends: Farming is the art of growing food, a full time vocation no doubt. At the same time, not all farmers are just farmers. In many villages across the country, there are several scientists and innovators in the guise of farmers trying to find an answer...
MJ Prabu | Nov 10, 2018
More stable and less anti-Congress, United Front 2.0 looms over BJP’s 2019 prospects
An architect of the 1996 United Front government at the Centre, N Chandrababu Naidu, is reviving the formula to form a coalition government that could oust the BJP from power. As in 1996, Chandrababu Nadu has met two southern stalwarts, H D Deve Gowda of the JD(S)...
Rangaraj | Nov 10, 2018
Biometrics can boost teacher presence in schools in remote areas; but bigger problems loom
The government has decided to introduce biometrics-based attendance system for teachers serving in more than 7,700 high and middle schools in the state. Some welcome this move saying it will address the issue of absentee teachers in schools in remote corners such...
Nilangaraiyan refers not just to a posh area on ECR but chieftains of ancient Chennai
Inscriptions of Chennai in the 13th century make frequent references to certain chieftains or officers called Nilagangaraiyans and their philanthropic activities. They seem to have been intimately connected with Chengalpattu district as a whole, and their...
Rangaraj | Nov 6, 2018
In Tamil cinema, copyright has meant copying left, right and center
In a way, it's nice to see that Tamil cinema is going through a rash of plagiarism charges now, because, for quite a long time, the only copyright that seemed to be followed was the right to copy left, centre and right! Producers might have crossed swords in the...
Vamanan | Nov 3, 2018
Dear farmers: Here’s the nation’s problem number 1 — most farmers would quit their occupation if there is an alternative
My dear friends: Let's say all goes well for us and we have a good harvest. Will it bring prosperity in our lives? Will the harvested crop turn into money? Till date nobody has been able to give us a definite answer on this.In areas like the delta regions our...
MJ Prabu | Nov 3, 2018
Her sister broke the glass ceiling in religion, she did it in music
Playing the mridangam remains largely a male vocation even today, but even before Independence, Thirukkornam T S Ranganayaki Ammal gained fame as an acclaimed mridangam artiste. When M S Subbulakshmi performed on the stage replacing her mother Madurai...
Stalin leadership under test in TN bypolls: Will DMK storm to power in June?
M K Stalin has been able to take over the Karunanidhi legacy in a much easier manner than many people have thought. However, his leadership is now under test with Tamil Nadu set for 20 to 24 Assembly by-elections in the next few months. Having missed the...
Rangaraj | Nov 1, 2018
