Every film is political: Vetrimaaran The Hindu Huddle 2025
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The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
At Mr Ong in Park Hyatt, try mee goreng, mantou buns and bean curd cheesecake
In the plush calmness of a luxury hotel, replicating the energy of a hawker stall from Singapore might seem challenging, but not impossible. Mr Ong - The Flavours of Singapore by Park Hyatt has orderly outdoor seating by a serene lily pond, but also has an open kitchen where the chefs are hard at work over flaming woks, grills and a bar, and upbeat music playing over speakers. While the restaurant threw open its doors post-pandemic with a menu focussed on Singaporean cuisine, a menu refresh less than a month ago means there is now a bevy of dishes from Singaporean, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine. 'While we began with the intent of bringing authentic Singaporean flavours to Chennai, the menu now focusses on South-East Asian cuisine. Our vision was to replicate a hawker-stall style atmosphere and menu here; something rare in a luxury hotel setting,' says Pragit Parameswaran, marketing communications manager, Park Hyatt, Chennai Chef Balaji Natarajan says there is much he is excited about in their new menu. 'We have mushroom stuffed mantou buns shaped like a mushroom, a delicate lace turmeric roti jala that is served with a chicken or a pumpkin curry, and a bean curd cheesecake made of silken tofu and cream cheese,' he says. 'We use a lot of fresh turmeric, both large chillies as well as the smaller bird's eye chillies, as well as ingredients native to these regions including torch ginger flowers we get from Malaysia in our cooking,' he explains. We begin our meal with the satay ayam, and dip our well marinated chicken skewers into some thick and sweet peanut sauce. Warm bowls of comforting malacca laksa follow, with noodles, chicken pieces, prawns and a jammy egg drenched in a coconutty soup. The mushroom shaped pillowy cendawan baos are generously stuffed with minced mushrooms tossed in chilli oil. For the main course, we opt for a true hawker favourite, greasy and flavourful mee goreng or wok tossed noodles that come packed with vegetables and mushrooms. The caramel banana crunchy peanut ice cream for dessert comes with an array of fixings, from honey brittle and nuts to a caramel sauce you can drizzle on your scoop. As diners get to experience the new menu, there are more popups in store at Mr Ong, as well as a sober bar being planned, to function alongside its regular bar for the non-drinkers to have a good variety of options as well. A selection of dishes from Mr Ong's new menu will also feature as a part of a set menu to be made available during Singa60, from August 1 to 10. Organized by Hindu Tamil Thisai in collaboration with The Hindu and Business Line, Singa60 offers a rich tapestry of events showcasing vibrant partnerships between India and Singapore through a curated program centered on Commerce, Culture, and Cuisine. The set menu at Mr Ong for Singa60 is priced at ₹3,000 plus taxes for a non-vegetarian meal and ₹2,600 for a vegetarian meal. Mr Ong is at Park Hyatt, Velachery Road, Guindy.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
A writer creates a work, but a translator breathes new life into it, says writer Imayam
The task of a writer is to create, while the translator, in turn, breathes new life into it through another language, said Sahitya Akademi award-winning Tamil writer Imayam on on Thursday (July 24, 2025). Mr. Imayam was in conversation with Justice (retired) Prabha Sridevan, former judge of the Madras High Court, who has translated three of his books into English, at The Hindu office in Chennai. Sharing her experience of working with Mr. Imayam, Justice Sridevan said, 'Translating vattara vazhakku (regional dialect) into English is difficult. But Mr. Imayam does not use vattara vazhakku in his writing. His language is unique.' While talking about translating Mr. Imayam's Ippodhu Uyirodirukkiren into the English edition (I'm alive... for now), Justice Sridevan said, 'The story is narrated by a 15-year-old boy. I cannot use words like 'dichotomy' or 'parameters' while translating his voice. I have to be conscious of the kind of words he would have used if he had known English. I cannot use polysyllabic words. The language has to be simple and true to his age and background.' Responding to a question from Justice Sridevan, who asked whether the humour in his otherwise dark and serious stories comes naturally or is consciously added, Mr. Imayam said he does not sit and decide what to include or leave out. 'It is the character that decides, not me. I don't interfere. I simply write what they speak. Once I finish writing, the character leaves me, and I also leave them,' he said. 'Love is the foundation of all my stories,' Mr. Imayam said, while talking about where he draws inspiration for his stories. As society continues to change, it is the duty of a writer to document that transformation. The foremost responsibility of a writer is to keep renewing and reshaping the language through creative evolution, to ensure that the language remains alive and relevant, he said. 'To me, storytelling comes second. Reviving and refreshing the language comes first. That is my identity. In the past two thousand years, many kings and wealthy people have come and gone. Only Tholkappiyar, Thiruvalluvar, and Kambar still live on through their writings,' he added. (This conversation was held as part of The Hindu's Out of Print series with writers)
News18
a day ago
- News18
Bad Girl Teaser Pulled Down After Madras HC Flags 'Sexualised' Portrayal Of Minors
Last Updated: Bad Girl teaser removed from YouTube after Madras HC flags concerns over bold depiction of minors. Court cites risk of corrupting young minds. The teaser of Bad Girl, a Tamil coming-of-age drama that stirred intense debate since its release, has been taken down from YouTube following a directive by the Madras High Court. The film, produced by acclaimed filmmaker Vetri Maaran and presented by Anurag Kashyap, came under legal and public scrutiny for its portrayal of teenage sexuality and cultural identity. Directed by Varsha Bharath, Bad Girl explores the inner world of a Brahmin schoolgirl grappling with desire, freedom, and the weight of societal expectations. The teaser featured scenes of the young protagonist candidly discussing sex and relationships, a portrayal that sparked backlash from certain right-wing groups who accused the film of 'negatively stereotyping" the Brahmin community. Justice P Dhanabal of the Madras High Court, while ordering the removal of the teaser, remarked: 'If the children see the said contents of the videos, certainly it will spoil the minds of the children." The court's stance reflects growing concerns about the representation of adolescence and sexuality in Indian cinema, especially when intertwined with religious and caste identities. Set against the conservative backdrop of a traditional Tamil household, Bad Girl charts the journey of a teenager who dares to question norms, chase her desires, and break free from familial and cultural constraints. The teaser hints at a narrative that confronts moral policing and slut-shaming head-on, as the protagonist seeks a boyfriend and attempts to live life on her own terms, only to face ridicule and condemnation. Despite the controversy, Bad Girl has already made waves internationally. It premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it received the prestigious NETPAC Award for its bold storytelling and nuanced depiction of youth, gender, and identity. The film stars Shanthi Priya, Saranya Ravichandran, Hridhu Haroon, TeeJay Arunasalam, and Sashank Bommireddipalli in pivotal roles. Whether Bad Girl emerges as a landmark in Indian indie cinema or becomes another lightning rod in the culture wars remains to be seen — but it has undeniably started a conversation that won't fade anytime soon. view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:08 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
