At The Edge

From today's Hindustan Times dated 31 March, 2009. The caption for this PTI photo reads: A poster of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein pasted on a campaign vehicle of Saddam Hussain* - CPI(M) candidate from Malapuram in north Kerala, a Muslim-dominated seat. Interestingly, Malappuram district also has a Saddam beach which got its name during the Gulf War. The story of the Saddam beach according to The Hindu (31/12/2008) : When the beach got its name (Saddam) during the first Gulf War, there were hardly three-dozen families there. The name of the beach has got into official records. “It was a clash between two Sunni factions on the beach that earned the beach its name,” said V. Abdul Khader, another resident. “Initially, it had a negative tone. It later transformed into a positive image of resistance against U.S. aggression.”  -0-  Update: The name of the candidate is actually T.K. Hamsa. He was "mistakenly" captioned as Saddam Hussain by the leading Newspapers...

"The record of the song was originally released with the name of the narrative character, Kamini, credited as the singer, but it became so popular that "thousands of requests for the song used to pour in at the radio station along with a request to mention the name of the singer while playing the record. The officials approached HMV to find out who the singer of this runaway hit was. As a result of this, Lata's name began to be announced over the radio. It was only with the film Barsaat that names of the playback artistes began appearing on the records and on screen" - In Search of Lata Mangeshkar, Harish Bhimani (Harper Collins, 1995), page 154 video link A rare version of song Aayega Aanewala , composed by music director Khemchand Prakash , for Kamal Amrohi’s strange thriller film "Mahal" (1949). You might notice the music on this particular version of the popular song sounds more clear, you can hear lot more of the instruments, and the real ...

  Although the name 'Mad Hatter' was undoubtedly inspired by the phrase "as mad as a hatter," there is some uncertainty as to the origins of this phrase. As mercury was used in the process of curing felt used in some hats, it was impossible for hatters to avoid inhaling the mercury fumes given off during the hat making process. Hatters and mill workers often suffered mercury poisoning as residual mercury vapor caused neurological damage including confused speech and distorted vision. It was not unusual then for hatters to appear disturbed or mentally confused, many died early as a result of mercury poisoning. Principal symptoms of mercury poisoning are excessive timidity, diffidence, increasing shyness, loss of self-confidence, anxiety, and a desire to remain unobserved and unobtrusive. However, the Mad Hatter does not exhibit the symptoms of mercury poisoning. [Wiki article on The Mad Hatter ]  About the photographs and their source(clockwise): Jawaharlal Nehr...

March 27, 2009 Today is the first day of the new year according to the Kashmiri lunar calender. Kashmiri Pandits celebrate this day as Navreh.   'Vishnu in Space' Image: Cover of almanac of Kashmiri Pandit community. As part of the tradition, on the morning of this day. the very first thing that one gets to see is the new year's nachipatir or   almanac. So every year, in the wee hours of this particular day, a decided by the movement of moon, I get to see Vishnu in Space. -0- A page from history: "The 2nd of the month Caitra is a festival to the people of kashmir, called Agdus(?)*, and celebrated on account of a victory gained by their king, Muttai**, over the Turks." - India by Al-Biruni, page 258 Abridged Edition of Dr. Edward C. Sachau's English Translation Edited with Introduction and Notes by Qeyamuddin Ahmad, Second Edition Third Reprint 1995 Abu Raihan Muhammad ibn Ahmad, a Muslim of Iranian origin, popularly now known as Al-Berun...

Papa Mummy Rinku Pinky Free Pay for One Child Get Second Child Absolutely Free  and if that doesn't reel you in, they also offer: "Wife 50% Off"

Introducing a golden era in coffee... Savour the exclusive taste of premium 100% pure instant coffee. Rich with the real flavour and satisfying aroma of the choicest coffee beans. Try it and you will agree, it's the ultimate in coffee luxury! Gold Cafe Premium 100% Pure coffee Instant Coffee The ultimate in coffee luxury (Agency: Clarion) Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in Gold Cafe Coffee Ad from 1980s. Together they helped create this coffee brand that successfully tried to compete against Nescafe.

UNBEATEN PARTNERSHIP The refreshing cola  - The famous Thums Up advertisement  from early 1980s featuring the legendary Pakistani fast bowler Imran Khan and legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar. This is from an era when Imran Khan didn't have to plead the case of good Talib s , he was just busy chasing movie starlets and selling cold drinks. -0- previous posts on vintage cold drink ads here and here Gavaskar in Cherry blosson ad here