PADAL - Available Now

Click here to buy


Official Press Release

Contact: Shankar Nagarajan Phone: (617) 285-1266 shankar@h1bees.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9 A.M. EDT, January 26, 2007

SRIKANTH DEVARAJAN’S PADAL ^©

TAMIL MUSIC ALBUM

WASHINGTON DC, usa January 26TH 2007

Srikanth Devarajan, an Indian Composer based in Gaithersburg, MD USA is releasing his fourth music album titled "pAdal"^© on January 26th 2007. Srikanth Devarajan is a computer engineer by profession and a gifted musician. This is Srikanth’s fourth commercial music album. His previous album titled “H1BEES” received rave reviews and press from media around the world.

Padal^© features 10 tracks in Tamil, ranging from youthful to romantic, humorous and classical songs steeped in culture. The album has an innovative mix of style and substance, embodifying the creativity of the composer. Padal^© also features Karthik, one of the leading film playback singers in India besides talented vocalists, lyricists and instrumentalists from USA. The composer, executive producers and the production crew involved in this album have put forth their best efforts over the last year and have worked meticulously to make this production a grand musical success.

H1BEES iNC takes great pride in releasing the music album. For further information please visit http://www.h1bees.com

-End-

Federer Express b(l)itz...

There has been a lot of talk in the recent months by American tennis media, former players like Pat McEnroe and players themselves that the gap between Roger Federer and others was closing in. There was perhaps a nugget of basis for that claim, albeit a tiny one. A-Rod (Andy Roddick…well, his career is now paralleling the other well known A-Rod) had won an Australian Open preparation tournament, the Kooyong final. His association with Jimmy Connors, if not helping him for his on-court play or tantrums, would at least instill some fighter abilities in him. For too long, he has looked lost, like a deer caught in headlights, while facing Federer. There were also other players like Nadal, Gonzalez, Davydenko who were hotly in pursuit of Federer. There were infact a few who had firmly installed Roddick as the Aussie champion even before the tournament began.

How wrong they all were!! That gap just turned into a gaping ravine. Federer dismantled Roddick in straight sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 and it was over in pretty quick time too. Quick and really painful (for Roddick and his bandwagon!). Federer’s mastery on the court often left Roddick flat footed, tongue-tied and twisted. This was a classic lesson from a master to pupil, putting him in his rightful place. It is quite amazing that Federer can play at such a high level, without a coach. He does have his sights set on Sampras’s 14 slams yet it must be almost tedious for him to prepare for matches knowing that he is far superior to anyone playing the game right now. The fact that he has kept his cool about it and often granted wholesome praise to his opponents adds another feather to his impeccable character cap. He might well be on his way to become one of the greatest to have played the sport, if he is not already.

As a fan, you want to see close games and some competition. However, Federer’s game is so riveting that we can spend all the time just wondering in amazement at his ability to pull out winners from impossible angles. This is sheer joy, unadulterated appreciation for a man who is on top of his game. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts…

Discriminating bitz...

I have been following the Shilpa Shetty issue with great interest simply because it raises so many questions in my head. First of all, what is she doing participating in this show? From what I have seen in the past few years, these shows take pride in being offensive, rude and utterly disgusting. That’s what makes the TRPs rocket!! More controversy…higher TRPS!! It’s also probably a sad indication of the society we live in. Besides, the so called “celebrity” versions of these shows usually feature cast-offs, wash-up stars who are anyways sitting at home doing nothing. I’m yet to see a current major Hollywood or UK star participate in one of these shows.

Besides, movie stars in India are revered like demi-gods and placed on a pedestal. These shows require people who have the least amount of ego, shame and culture. It’s a huge bonus if you also have a thick skin/skull to ward off all the insults and gossip mongering that happens. Indians by nature are sensitive people who bestow an inordinate focus on relationships. There’s no way Shilpa could have handled this especially in such a group. This program, especially for her, was doomed right from the beginning.

That begs the question, what was she doing there in the first place? Didn’t she have enough background info about the show or people advising her about the pitfalls ahead?

Now coming to the other contestants, what they have said and done is ridiculous. There is no two ways about it. I don’t think anybody should put up with that sort of behavior. The others should be ashamed of their actions. The problem with having knuckleheads on shows is that they don’t think how their comments and actions will be perceived.

I also feel that the production company owes some responsibility for this mess. There were warning signs right from the beginning and they should have stepped in appropriately. They write up all kinds of terms in their contracts, why not something to counter this as well?

It’s now reached a point where both parliaments are debating it, people are burning effigies and everybody (including me!) has an opinion.

I would term this as a collective failure…

PS1: Please, let’s not pull out the same old theory about discrimination in other countries…I can write a separate article on how much we ourselves discriminate in our daily lives!! So, let it be…

PS2: The offenders have apologized, Shilpa has forgiven them and it all ended in hugs!! Sometimes, I wonder, what’s the point writing about all this? :-)

Idle bitz...

American Idol is an amazing show...for the creators!! I must agree, Simon is a clever man. Get a bunch of people who are willing to make a fool of themselves on national TV, throw in a lot of product placements, make a mockery of the contestants (in many cases, justified) and laugh your way to the bank!! The show really gets interesting (atleast for artistically inclined people like me) only in the latter rounds. However, it's not a straight forward talent show in the sense that, with the public voting in the final rounds, it becomes a talent plus "many other factors" contest (Unfortunately!). I am continously amazed by the response that this show generates and so, the creators must be doing something right. It's all about the formula...

Cricket is on a brief lull before India plays the Windies and Sri Lanka in preparation for the World Cup. Teams are all experimenting with their line-ups hoping to find the right formula (again!!). India will have to do much better than they have been performing in the recent past. Is there an elixir for all their ills before the WC begins?

I'm already getting my withdrawal symtoms...of football. Two more weeks of it and then I've got to wait for 6 long months before draft day and training camps. I had a great time this year playing fantasy though I got smoked in the first round of playoffs. However, I deem it a creditable effort, this being my rookie season. Plus I signed Colston in the second week much before America knew who he was!! Maybe I should be a NFL scout!! There's a great matchup this weekend with the Patriots facing the Colts. I'm sure it's gonna be an exciting game as usual, with all the drama that involves Brady VS Manning, Dungy VS Belichick, Adam etc. I hope the Pats pull this one off. It's going to be a tough game since Indy is playing well and the defense has stepped up. This could be the year that Manning steps up too. As a Pats fan, I hope that doesn't happen and the Pats sail through.

GO ...