Talk of the town

THERE'S YANG Jia Yu, Lee Ping, Liang Xiao Qing.

And then there is Kung Bao, Chong Qing and Chao Chou.

The first three live, breathe, eat and cook Chinese.

Quite natural, in fact. After all, they're master chefs who specialise in authentic Chinese chow -- like Kung Bao, Chong Qing and the rest.

You'll find Yang and his friends at Windsor Manor's latest offering -- the Mahjong Room.

The three chefs have just landed from the Land of the Great Wall. And they're literally raring to give Bangaloreans a taste of traditional fare from the provinces of Canton, Beijing and Schezwan.

So you see, sometimes three is company. And leads to great food.

Ever noticed that Bangalore's been really "happening" this month?

For instance, we're getting great sporting action. Some of the best "awesome twosomes" have been lugging it out at the ATP World Doubles Championships. And then there's the TVS UAM Asia Motorcross 2000 International championships this Sunday, purportedly being held in Bangalore for the first time.

But then, the City's also been known for its glamorous image. Which is why everybody -- be it gold conglomerates or textile businesses or even fashion designers -- apparently wants a piece of the fashion pie.

Thus, we've been bedazzled by gold (remember the Swarnanjali Gold show), we've had to contend with the Gladrags Men and Megamodels, and we still have to survive a host of nubile young things waiting to be crowned Miss Bangalore this Friday.

If that's not enough, it appears that the City's designers swear by the old adage, "ring out the old, ring in the new". So we have Deepika Govind's 2001 collection being unveiled this Sunday. And then there's even a show on the new line of Grasim Shirting.

Did we say something about "... too much of a good thing"?

Time to don some grease paint and face the arclights. The stage beckons.

Theatre enthusiasts in the City with an inclination for Kannada plays can revel. Antharanga, the acclaimed amateur theatre group that has accomplished 20 years of creativity, is toasting to the occasion with a five-day theatre festival christened Ranga Suggi.

It will be five days of pure artistry and imagination from December 18 to 22 at the H.N. Kalakshetra, Jayanagar National College, with the staging of Kannada plays -- Lakshmi Chandrashekhar's Hennallave, Kalagangothri's Singiraja, C.R. Simha's Typical T.P. Kailasam, Bahurupis Rakshasha and Antharanga's Mahayatre. And, as a salute to the medium, Antharanga will honour Kannada theatre greats such as Make Up Nani, C.R. Simha, C.G. Krishna Swamy, Srinivas G. Kappanna, Benaka Chandru and Dr. B.N. Vishwanath.

If royalty entices you, and your wildest fantasy is to be treated like one of the blue-blooded brigade, then this one should catch your attention.

Here's one more to add to Bangalore's firsts. "Kemperor", supposedly India's largest retail store catering exclusively to men, opened in Bangalore on Tuesday. So, all the dudes in the City with an inclination for aristocracy, and ready to splurge and be indulged, know where to head.

Spread over a sprawling 50,000 sq.ft., the store showcases products ranging from garments, accessories, electronics, toiletries and perfumes, to sports and gym equipment. Those with a passion for brands can choose from a Lee, Pepe, Van Heusen, Arrow, Nike, Reebok and loads of others. To add to the stock of mobile phones, laptops and fitness equipment, Kemperor will house a cafe and a business centre from where the customers can send e- mails and faxes.

By Divya Sreedharan and Sahana Charan

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Section  : Southern States
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