Category Sports & Entertainment

In the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League, Delhi Capitals pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been among the wickets consistently. He did that in the previous season as well, which has allowed him to create a new record.

Across the seasons (2019 and 2020), Rabada took two wickets or more in 10 matches, breaking the previous record held by Lasith Malinga, who had a streak of eight such matches in 2012.

MALINGA’S EIGHT MATCH STREAK

2012

• 3.5 overs 2/16 against Chennai Super Kings
• 4 overs 2/16 against Pune Warriors
• 4 overs 3/27 against Deccan Chargers
• 4 overs 2/13 against Rajasthan Royals
• 4 overs 2/31 against Delhi Daredevils
• 3.4 overs 4/16 against Deccan Chargers
• 4 overs 2/25 against Pune Warriors
• 4 overs 3/25 against Chennai Super Kings

RABADA’S TEN MATCH STREAK

2019 (last seven games he played in the season)

• 4 overs 4/21 against Royal Challengers Bangalore
• 4 overs 2/42 against Kolkata Knight Riders
• 3.5 overs 4/22 against Sunrisers Hyderabad
• 4 overs 2/38 against Mumbai Indians
• 4 overs 2/23 against Kings XI Punjab
• 4 overs 2/37 against Rajasthan Royals
• 4 overs 2/31 against Royal Challengers Bangalore

2020

• 4 overs 2/28 against Kings XI Punjab
• 4 overs 3/26 against Chennai Super Kings
• 4 overs 2/21 against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Malinga’s 8-match streak of two-wickets or more in 2012 came to an end in Mumbai Indians’ match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, in which he went wicketless.

After taking two or more wickets in 10 successive IPL matches, Rabada’s streak finally came to an end in Delhi Capitals’ match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Sharjah, where he picked one wicket and gave away 51 runs in his four overs.

 

Picture Credit : Google

               Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest musicians in the history of music. His name and work still enchants the music lovers all over the world. He was a German, born in 1770 in a family of professional musicians. He learnt the basics from his father and later he also studied music under the guidance of great composers like Mozart and Haydn. Beethoven composed some of the greatest music that included symphonies, concertos, choral and chamber music. In his youth he was a well-known pianist and was admired by many famous people that included the aristocracy.

               It is said that adversity brings the best in a person and Beethoven had his share of such circumstances. He didn’t have a happy family life. His mother died when he was 17 and his father began drinking heavily. He learnt his music lessons from his father during the sober intervals of his father’s drinking bouts. He had to look after his two young brothers playing the roles of both mother and father. He left Bonn and sought his fortune in Vienna. But the most tragic episode began when he started becoming deaf at the age of 30. But his deafness could not deter him from composing music; rather he began to concentrate more vigorously and deeply. The depth of human feeling he generated from his pain and sufferings provided him the necessary motivation and inspiration to create some great music.

               Beethoven’s music was full of noble ideas and contained a variety of themes. They seemed to tell of struggles between evil forces. In his opera Fidelio, the heroine defends her husband against an evil tyrant. In his Ninth Symphony the great choral ending is a celebration of liberty. The main tune of this symphony is now used as an ‘International Anthem’ for the European community. In some of his quartets and piano sonatas, his music reached beyond anything anyone had yet imagined. Some of his music was then unplayable but now considered as masterpieces. His brilliance lies in the scope of expressions in his music as well as in the technical inventiveness.

               This great composer died in 1827 but his music has left a deep imprint in the world of music. 

               Perhaps no other city had acquired so prominent a place as Rome had in the ancient history of the world. Now the capital city of Italy, Rome is also a great cultural centre of the world situated on the banks of River Tiber, 27 km from the Mediterranean sea. The influence of Roman civilization was widespread covering the fields of art, culture, architecture, sports, education, administration, warfare and empire building, etc. Proverbs like ‘Rome was not built in a day’ or ‘Be a Roman when in Rome’ reflect the great culture and civilization of this ancient city. But do you know when was Rome founded?

               According to an old legend Rome was founded in 753 B.C. The legend, as told by the Roman writer Livy about 750 years later, says that the city was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus. The twin brothers (some say they were twin gods, sons of Mars — the god of war) were abandoned at birth as they were thrown into the River Tiber in a basket by their uncle who usurped the throne. But when a she-wolf heard the babies crying, she rescued them from water and gave her milk to suck. Later a shepherd brought them up as his own sons. When they grew up they killed their wicked uncle and ascended the throne. They began building a new city on one of Rome’s seven hills. But a quarrel between the two brothers led Romulus to kill Remus before the completion of the city. Romulus became the sole ruler and the city was called Rome after the name of Romulus.

               Rome was built on seven hills and the valleys in between them. The seven hills were: Palatine, Capitoline, Aventine, Caelian, Esquiline, Qurinale and Viminale. The legend says that Romulus first built the city with a small settlement on the Palatine hill which was the most isolated of hills. The common belief says that several small tribes established settlements on the seven hills which gradually grew up to form the city of Rome.

               It is said that Rome was founded on April 21, 753 B.C. The ancient Romans celebrated that day and it is still a national holiday.

The long successful journey of Indian cinema started in 1913 with the release of the silent film Raja Harishchandra. Alam Ara became the first sound film in 1931. The films of 1930s had themes of social protest and the earlier phase was confined to romantic, historical and mythological themes. But the big turning point to Indian cinema came in 1953, taking it at par with International standards. Do you know who was the person responsible for carrying Indian cinema into international arena?

He was none other than the genius film-maker Satyajit Ray. He was born in Calcutta in 1921. He started his career as a commercial artist before making films. His first feature film ‘Pather Panchali’ (Song of the Road). This film was his most notable one for its realistic portrayal of everyday life and the artistic composition of its camera work that earned him worldwide recognition.

Ray had a special vision of Indian reality – hard, unbearably truthful yet moving. He was not just a great cine director but had superb mastery over other related cinematic work. He was a great writer, good composer and one of the best dialogue writers. He had a sound knowledge of cinematograph. Ray composed the music for most of his films.

Satyajit Ray made 28 full length feature films and a few documentaries. Among his most famous films, Pather Panchali, Aparajito, Apur Sansar, Charulata, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, Satranj ke Khiladi, Nayak and Aagantuk, occupy a special place in the minds and hearts of cine lovers.

His films got wide popularity especially in USA and France. The French government awarded him ‘The Legion of Honour’ — the highest award in France. He also won the Magsaysay award in 1967. Dada Saheb Phalke award was given to him for the year 1984. The Indian Government decorated him with ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1992. But the happiest moment in his life came when he was informed of winning the special Oscar Award for life time achievement in 1992.

This great son of India passed away in 1992 at the age of 71 and thus came the end of a master craftsman.

 

            Pleasing sensation of sound to the ears is known as music. In other words, music is an organized sound with rhythm and melody. Irregular or unorganized sound which creates unpleasant sensation to the ears is called noise.

            Do you know what the seven notes of music are? It is a must for a beginner to understand what actually these notations are and how they are used? These notations are: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa. In Western music these are known as Doh, Ray, Me, Feh, Soh, Lah, Te, Doh. On the basis of these scales, musical harmony is produced. Now the question arises how musical scales were prepared?

            Musical scales were invented by a monk named Guido di Arezzo. He lived between 990 – 1050 A.D. Before him, i.e. at the beginning of 9th century, harmonized music began and used in Church with some notations. But in practical sense, there were no musical notes as such. There was only directional music which consisted only of different symbols.

            Tones of musical scale have definite frequencies. In a nutshell, when frequency of the sound of music is increased, the note we hear goes up and when it is decreased, the note goes down. Each note has a special place depending upon the intensity of a musical sound. Thus it tells the difference between Sa and Sa for instance.

             The modern world of music has developed various musical systems. It has seen many dramatic changes. Uses of recording and synthesizers have helped the development of ‘concrete music, as they are now called. In such music natural sounds are combined to stimulate musical effects. Applications of electro-magnetic musical instruments are common nowadays. Since late 1960s electronic music has been linked to computer composition. New signs or notations are being invented to meet the needs. The late 20th century has also seen the revival of folk music with its traditional flavours and beauties.

            Stanley Laurel and Hardy Oliver, popularly known as Laurel and Hardy, formed one of the most celebrated and lovable comedian teams and still considered as one of the most successful comedy duo of the Hollywood.

            Laurel, whose real name was Arthur Jefferson, was born in 1890. He was an English comedian. As a stage actor, in most of his performances, he played such roles which typically exhibited in a combination of dances, music and clowning. He subsequently travelled to America and started appearing in American films since 1917. Similarly, Hardy came from Georgia – USA. He was born in the year 1892. He first appeared on stage at the age of 8 only. He started film acting in 1914.

            Both appeared in dozens of silent films before they began their successful partnership in 1927 in a silent comedy Putting Pants on Philip. In the next thirty years they made talking pictures and achieved great success with films like Sons of the Desert (1934), Way Out West (1937) and Blockheads (1938).

            Their humours came from the contrast between the small, thin and confused Laurel and the big, fat and irritable Hardy. They made over 200 films between 1927 to 1945 in a style shaped by them, which ranged from simple visual jokes to slow paced funs to charm the appreciative audience. Famous cine critic Charles Barr remarked in his monograph on “Laurel and Hardy” (1968) that Laurel and Hardy were the most universal of comics in range and in appeal. The truth is that their work was extremely variable and grew upon until they were hilarious, irresistible and cherished.

            With the passing away of Hardy in 1957, the journey of the successful duo ended. And in 1965, Laurel also breathed his last at the age of 75.

            Kho-kho is a game involving speed and control. It is believed to have originated in Baroda (Gujarat). In 1959 the rules for this game were framed and the same year the kho-kho federation was formed in Vijawada (Andhra Pradesh).

            This game is played by two teams each having 9 players. One match is played in two innings. The kho-kho field is rectangular in shape and measures 34 metres by 16 metres. There are two rectangles X and Y and within this rectangular field, each rectangle measuring 16 metres by 4.8 metres. At M and N there are two wooden poles. MN is a central lane, 24.4 metre long and 30 cm wide. There are eight small squares 30 cm by 30 cm, on the lane. The eight players of the fielding team sit on these squares and each player sits in this square with his/her face in opposite direction of the next player. The ninth player stands near the pole. The player standing near the pole is called the chaser while three players of the other team who stand in the field are called runners. They are to be played out by the players of the first team by touching them. The player standing near the pole chases and gives a ‘kho’ is spoken at the time of touching the player. Immediately this player stands and runs and tries to touch out the player of the other team. When these three players of the second team are declared out the other three players take their place in the field. They are also touched out. When all the nine players are touched out the same process is repeated again with the opponent team.

            The time for one innings is 7 minutes. If all the players of the second team are touched out in less than seven minutes, this team again sends its players in the field. The first team’s score increases with every player of the second team being touched out. After the first innings is over the second team plays and scores the points. Whichever team scores maximum points is declared the winner.

 

            Karate is an unarmed martial art employing kicking, striking and blocking with arms and legs. He who knows the art of karate can defeat his enemy without using any weapon. A karate expert can defeat his opponent in only one attack. Judo is the art of self-defence while in karate; actual physical contact is strictly limited. To avoid injuries during combat, all punches, blows, strikes and kicks are controlled and pulled back before contact.

            Karate is a Japanese word which means ‘empty hand’. In karate bodily power is concentrated at the striking point and the instant of impact. Striking points include the hands, the ball of the foot, heel, forearm, knee and elbow. All these points are hardened by practicing blows against padded surfaces or wood. A karate expert can break several inches thick wooden boards or asbestos sheets by the strike of his bare hand or foot. Timing, tactics and spirit, however, are considered as important as physical toughness.

            In karate, blows and kicks are stopped within an inch of contact. Sporting matches commonly last only 3 minutes. As a sport it involves both mock fights and formal examinations for various grades of skill. If a competitor is not able to have a clean attack, judges give the decision on the basis of movements and defence techniques. Performances are rated by a panel of judges as in gymnastics.

            Karate evolved in Asia over a period of centuries, becoming systematized in Okinawa in the 17th century. It was introduced in Japan in the 1920s. Today, there are several schools of training in the world Championship title in karate was instituted in 1970.

            Originating in ancient China and popularized by the Japanese, karate has now attained worldwide popularity.

            Like the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games is the sports festival of the Asian countries held in every four years.

            The origin of Asian Games goes back to 1947 when the Asian Relations Conference held in New Delhi decided to organize an international games meet for Asian countries on the lines of Olympic Games – i.e. once in four years. Since then the games have grown to become Asiad – the biggest sports festival in Asia. The games have been held in the spirit of brotherhood among the Asian countries. In fact these have been something more than games because they include mutual understanding for exchange of techniques and ideas in sports, culture as well as to generate goodwill and affection among the Asian peoples. The Asian games include a number of sport events similar almost to Olympic Games; except some events which are not included in Olympic Games.

            The games include Athletics, Archery, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Diving, Badminton, Bowling, Football, Fencing, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, and Kabaddi and so on.

            The previous Asian Games have been held in the following venues. 1951 – New Delhi, 1954 – Manila, 1958 – Tokyo, 1962 – Jakarta, 1966 – Bangkok, 1970 – Bangkok, 1974 – Tehran, 1978 – Bangkok, 1982 – New Delhi, 1986 – Seoul, 1990 – Beijing, 1994 – Hiroshima. It is significant that like a proverbial phoenix, Japan arose from the ashes to tell the world the greatness of human perseverance. The Hiroshima city opened its heart for the 12th Asian Games held in 1994.

            The 13th Asian Games will be again held in Bangkok, Thailand in the year 1998.