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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Cabaret in the city
On the evening of November 30, 1919, the premises of the Napier Hotel near Poona Cantonment were thick with anticipation. Men and women dressed in their best attire arrived in horse-drawn carriages and took their seats in the huge dining hall, which was decorated with fancy lamps and flowers. They had booked their seats a month in advance. At 7 pm sharp, Maurice Bandman, the Anglo-American actor and theatre manager, appeared on the stage and the audience rose to their feet. It was his troupe's first performance in Poona. Most European hotels in India denied entry to Indians in the nineteenth century. They organised ballroom dances for their patrons. Eating out for pleasure was still a novelty, and the hotels, considered places for business networking and establishing social hierarchy among the Europeans, were probably not confident enough that patrons would visit their establishment for the pleasure of food and made sure there were other attractions like the billiards table and ballroom dancing. When, in the mid-nineteenth century, hotels converted their private dining rooms into restaurants, 'variety shows' became fashionable. These performances typically comprised magic shows, solo singing, comedy, parody, and acrobatics. Another restaurant famous for its orchestra was F Cornaglia in Bombay and Poona. The orchestra travelled to Poona twice a month and performed for its patrons. During the race season in Poona, Cornaglia organised a special luncheon and a 'Diner Dansant', the combination of a meal and dancing, often with live music. Like the Taj Mahal Palace and Green's, Cornaglia hired resident orchestras until the early 1930s when all three establishments formed their troupes for routine performances. At the Bombay branch, Chris Beard and his Cornaglia's Orchestra performed every night and travelled to Poona once every month. These restaurants hosted American and European musicians once in a while on special occasions. The Poona Hotel was known to invite foreign troupes to the city. It was situated in the former residence of General Valiant near St Mary's Church and was one of the best places to live in the city. On June 9, 1923, the Poona Hotel organised a 'Carnival and Fancy-Dress Ball' that included illuminations, fancy decorations, and confetti fireworks. The Broadway Boy's Jazz Band from Bombay performed jazzy tunes, and an operatic ballet dancer, Miss Patricia Gorman, performed a Waltz from the ballet 'Coppelia' (1870) composed by Leo Delibes. At the Napier Hotel, 'variety entertainment' was organised every Wednesday and Friday, while Mondays and Saturdays were reserved for 'dinner dances'. The practice of live music quickly became popular in smaller restaurants and teashops in the third decade of the twentieth century, as could be seen from advertisements that appeared in Bombay newspapers between 1930 and 1940. Since only the 'lightest kind' was suitable for performance on such occasions, this music was looked down upon by art critics. But restaurants and hotels employed musicians in large numbers, and these performances attracted considerable patronage. An article titled 'Restaurant Music' published in 'The Musical Times' on June 1, 1919, contended that the public appeared to be satisfied with what was offered musically because the majority paid little or no attention and concentrated only on the food in front of them. The popularity of cabaret performances in Indian cities in the early twentieth century could be attributed to better transnational transportation facilities and the opening of commercial avenues. India was a significant market for manufactured goods and raw materials and was a major contributor to the empire's profit-making structure. Commerce, and art crossed boundaries when people migrated from their home countries in search of better economic opportunities. The profits made in lucrative business ventures in India enabled foreign artistes to visit the country. Migrants coming from Europe and America were looking to find a sense of familiarity in this country. They often sought to preserve a sense of British identity overseas, which made the proliferation of Western music easier. Around the same time, there were conscious efforts towards the homogenisation of cultural products that included the programming of Western music. The end of the Victorian Era signalled new norms of acceptability supported by global commerce and international connections. The audience wholeheartedly welcomed cabaret performances. The popularity of jazz in Bombay and Poona was hailed by many. But there were detractors, too. 'The musical fare provided for the Indian public is jazz and selections from musical comedy and tinkling music hall tunes', wrote a Bombay newspaper in September 1920. After some complaints, the Taj Mahal Palace and F Cornaglia started organising chamber orchestras a few times a month. 'The musical fare provided for the Indian public is jazz and selections from musical comedy and tinkling music hall tunes', wrote a Bombay newspaper in September 1920. But there were detractors, too. After some complaints, the Taj Mahal Palace and F Cornaglia started organising chamber orchestras a few times a month. The 'light music' played in the restaurants often came under fire. That these restaurant performances were not selected from any standpoint of real merit was a complaint made frequently. A Bombay newspaper columnist grumbled on February 21, 1932, that one did not ask for concert-room pieces: only for pieces which were tuneful, direct in rhythm, and simple in sentiment. He wrote - 'Considering the vast amount of suitable music in existence from which to choose, there can be no excuse for the performance of such trivial and characterless stuff as is now in vogue. It may be said that there is no good light music being written and that the selection is made from current popular pieces. Of course, a Sullivan, Offenbach, J Strauss, Audran, or Waldeteufel are not to be met with in every generation, but the writings of such men are still available, and surely could be drawn upon more frequently'. However, the cabaret performances remained popular for several decades after they were introduced. The Indian State Broadcasting Service routinely relayed the performances directly from the hotels. Maurice Bandman was one of the first to introduce jazz music in India. The concert in November 1919 at the Napier Hotel was probably the first jazz concert in the city. The musical trade routes established by Bandman and the hotels and restaurants in twentieth-century India have long been forgotten. Their contribution to the growth of cabaret and jazz music in India needs to be remembered, at least once in a while.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Where Ole Miss basketball, Chris Beard rank in final polls after Sweet 16 run
Where Ole Miss basketball, Chris Beard rank in final polls after Sweet 16 run OXFORD — Ole Miss basketball has finished the 2024-25 season as a ranked team. The Rebels are No. 18 in the final USA TODAY Coaches Poll. Ole Miss finished 24-12 (10-8 SEC) and advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. It tied the deepest men's March Madness run in Ole Miss history. Ole Miss is also No. 18 in the AP poll. Advertisement Ole Miss beat No. 11 North Carolina 71-64 and No. 3 Iowa State 91-78 in the NCAA tournament before falling to No. 2 Michigan State 73-70 in the Sweet 16. Coach Chris Beard, who just wrapped up his second season at Ole Miss, was rewarded for not jumping to another job. Beard is set to receive a contract extension and more NIL funds. He has already secured a commitment from forward Malik Dia to return for next season. The Rebels have already added former LSU player Corey Chest in the transfer portal. Here's a full look at the polls. USA TODAY Coaches Poll Florida Houston Duke Auburn Tennessee Alabama Michigan State Texas Tech Maryland St. Johns Michigan Purdue Arizona Kentucky BYU Wisconsin Iowa State Ole Miss Texas A&M Gonzaga Louisville Saint Mary's Clemson Creighton Arkansas AP poll Florida Houston Duke Auburn Tennessee Alabama Michigan State Texas Tech Maryland Michigan St. John's Kentucky BYU Purdue Arizona Wisconsin Iowa State Ole Miss Texas A&M Arkansas Louisville Clemson Gonzaga Saint Mary's Memphis MORE: Ole Miss basketball transfer portal tracker: Who's in, who's out for Chris Beard Advertisement Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@ or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Where Ole Miss basketball, Chris Beard rank in final college polls
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who has the SEC's best transfer portal proposal? Each basketball program's elevator pitch
Who has the SEC's best transfer portal proposal? Each basketball program's elevator pitch Welcome to SEC Unfiltered, the USA TODAY NETWORK's newsletter on SEC sports. Look for this newsletter in your inbox Monday through Friday. Today, Knox News' Tennessee athletics reporter Mike Wilson takes over: A basketball coach and a transfer walk into an elevator. Press the button and start the timer. The coach has 30 seconds to sell the transfer on his program. Advertisement NCAA Tournament bids, development, and of course, compensation have to be discussed. But NIL aside, who has the best pitch? Here are the elevator pitches for all 16 SEC teams: Arkansas: There's nothing archaic about a Sweet 16 run in a cast-off coach's first season. John Calipari pulled together a hodgepodge roster and turned it into an elite force in March. He's still the same cat getting talent and sending players to the NBA; he's just calling for the hogs now. Alabama: Did you see Alabama make 25 3-pointers against BYU in the Sweet 16? Rumor has it Mark Sears is still shooting jumpers at the Prudential Center. Coach Nate Oats has a sweet system and it's built to highlight great shooters and athletic big men. Auburn: If Final Fours are your thing, buy a Costco bundle of toilet paper and head for Toomer's Corner because no one from the SEC gets to the Final Four more often lately than Auburn. You're free to be who you are and you're going to win a lot with Bruce Pearl. Advertisement Florida: There is no better sales pitch than that of winning a national championship, especially given Florida did it with three senior guards who transferred to UF. The Gators know how to build a roster and they used the portal perfectly. Georgia: Mike White is a proven winner in the SEC, but Georgia's best pitch isn't about basketball. Have you ever been to Athens? It's the best college town in the conference. Kentucky: The ceiling for Kentucky is as high as that at Rupp Arena with coach Mark Pope, whose love for his alma mater undercurrents any pitch. He's going to win big and he showed he can build around elite transfers in his first season. POPE: March Madness is over for Kentucky basketball, but Cats exceeded expectations this season Advertisement LSU: Do you like Cajun food? Mississippi State: Chris Jans is as consistent as the coffee at Strange Brew. The Bulldogs have won 21 games and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons. Missouri: From 0-18 to NCAA Tournament bid, Dennis Gates is ready to keep turning it up in Columbia. The Tigers play a fun offensive style when Gates has the right players. Oklahoma: Porter Moser went to a Final Four in 2018 with Loyola Chicago, and guard Jeremiah Fears is a one-and-done lottery pick. This elevator pitch is over before you get to the second floor. BEARD: How AD Keith Carter celebrated Chris Beard staying with Ole Miss basketball Advertisement Ole Miss: Chris Beard wins everywhere he goes. He could have dipped from Oxford the past two offseasons, but hasn't. The Rebels are rising. South Carolina: South Carolina delivers unexpected seasons better than any other SEC program. A 2017 Final Four run? Still hard to believe. An NCAA Tournament bid after being picked last? That happened in 2024. Also, The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli. Tennessee: Have you heard of Dalton Knecht and Chaz Lanier? Rick Barnes has embraced the portal as well as any of his contemporaries and it's why Tennessee has made back-to-back Elite Eights. If you're a high-level shooter, you'll be featured with the Vols, who have perfect proof of concept. Texas: Austin, Moody Center and a Texas-sized hankering to win again. Mostly, Austin. Advertisement Texas A&M: Buzz Ball is out as muck-it-up misery got shoved in Buzz Williams' suitcase alongside his three-piece suits. Bucky McMillan and Bucky Ball are in, which means modern basketball has made its way to East Texas with 3-pointers and havoc-causing defense. VANDY: Vanderbilt, Mark Byington pick up two 6-foot-10 transfers, including former UNC player Vanderbilt: If you think you're a point guard, Vanderbilt is the place for you because Mark Byington lists every player on the roster as a point guard. The Commodores are an under-the-radar force and Byington is the magic in Memorial Gymnasium. Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @ If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: SEC basketball: Transfer portal pitches for Kentucky, Florida, Auburn
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ole Miss HC Chris Beard makes his decision on Texas A&M offer
Texas A&M's search for a new basketball coach continues as Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard has made the decision to remain in Mississippi. Texas A&M basketball fans were abuzz with early reports rumors of Chris Beard being considered as their next head coach, following Buzz Williams' move to Maryland. While Beard's coaching accolades, including Big 12 Coach of the Year honors and taking Ole Miss to the Sweet 16, excited many, the prospect of his hire was not universally welcomed. Concerns over his controversial legal history made some fans uneasy about the potential fit for the Aggies. Advertisement However, Pete Nakos of On3 learned that Ole Miss was able to secure Beard's commitment with assurances of a salary boost and strong NIL support, underlining their belief in his coaching abilities. Meanwhile, Texas A&M, now back on the hunt for its 23rd head coach, remains committed to finding a leader who can elevate its basketball program to new heights. While getting coach Beard would have been a top-notch basketball hire, A&M will now need to open the search back up for the 23rd coach in program history. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Ole Miss HC Chris Beard is staying put amid Texas A&M rumors
Miami Herald
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Report: Ole Miss coach Chris Beard staying put
Head coach Chris Beard told Ole Miss that he intends to remain at the helm of the Rebels, after talking to Texas A&M about its head coaching vacancy, according to ESPN on Wednesday. Beard was pictured in a social media post Wednesday with Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter, who captioned the shot, "Why stop now?" Beard will reportedly get a raise, more staff resources and a stronger NIL package moving forward at Ole Miss. In his second season at Ole Miss, Beard led the Rebels to a 24-12 record (10-8 Southeastern Conference) and an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen, where the Rebels lost 73-70 to No. 2 Michigan State. Ole Miss posted a 12-21 (3-15) mark in the 2022-23 season before Beard's arrival and have gone 44-24 since. Texas A&M is searching for a replacement for head coach Buzz Williams, who left the Aggies for Maryland on Tuesday. Beard's many connections to the state of Texas include his time as an undergraduate at the University of Texas and seven different coaching roles at Texas colleges. Beard went 112-55 in five seasons as head coach at Texas Tech (2016-21) and led the 2018-19 Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament title game, falling to Virginia 85-77 in overtime. He was hired away by Texas, his alma mater, prior to the 2021-22 campaign, but his tenure there was short. He was suspended eight games into his second season, then fired after he was arrested and charged with third-degree family violence, though the charges later were dropped. Beard, 52, is a four-time conference coach of the year and the national coach of the year twice (2019, 2025) with a career coaching record of 215-97 (.689). He has taken four programs to the NCAA Tournament, including Little Rock, which he coached for one season (2015-16) to a 30-5 record and a win over No. 5 seed Purdue in the first round. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
