Latest news with #Meenakshi
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Santhosh Narayanan's speech at 'Thalaivan Thalaivii' audio launch wins hearts as he recalls his love story with his wife Meenakshi
With music composer Santhosh Narayanan teaming up with Vijay Sethupathi for the 6th time, he touched many deeply with his heartfelt speech at the recent audio launch of 'Thalaivan Thalaivii'. Santhosh Narayanan, who rose from small beginnings to become one of Kollywood's leading music composers, shared the difficult moments of his life in a heartfelt speech. Early struggles and travel for love Talking about his love life and early days, Santhosh Narayanan said, "Even if I had ten thousand in my hand at one time, I would have rushed to get on a plane and see my wife Meenakshi. Early in my life, love, work, and travel were all intertwined," he said. He also said, "Sometimes we will do a project for EB bills, to pay the rent. Like, we will do a project to go to Australia. It will cost Rs. 18 thousand. There should be at least that amount. We have to go from here empty-handed and come back the same way. At one point, we were in a situation where we didn't have $50. We panicked because the train wasn't coming. We didn't even have money to catch the next train." But then Meenakshi said, 'We will win anyway.' Those words are still etched in my mind to this day,' he said. Rise to fame Since his debut in Pa. Ranjith's 'Attakathi', Santhosh Narayanan has played a key role in the background music of many successful films, including 'Pizza', 'Soodhu Kavvum', 'Kabali', 'Kaala', and 'Kalki 2898 AD'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo He has spread his music not only in Tamil but also in Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. This speech once again confirms that the emotion and life that has always been mixed in his music are due to his life experiences. Dedicates his success to family "The reason for my success is my mother, father, Meenakshi and those who have been my strength. If my music has touched the younger generation today, it is because of this journey," he said eloquently at the 'Thalaivan Thalaivii' audio launch.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Trichy hospital under lens in illegal kidney racket case
Trichy/Salem: Health officials are investigating a private hospital in Trichy after its name came up during the ongoing inquiry into an illegal kidney sale racket case filed in Namakkal district. Private hospitals in Perambalur and Erode have also been named. The health department has directed an Erode-based kidney hospital to limit its operations to dialysis only, prohibiting any surgical procedures until further notice. The case was filed after video clips of donors surfaced on social media along with reports that workers employed in powerloom units and dyeing mills in Pallipalayam and nearby areas in Namakkal were being lured by brokers to sell their kidneys for 5–10 lakh. Dr Meenakshi, additional director of legal medicine, is leading a team of health department officials in the investigations. She has been examining Abhirami Kidney Care Hospital in Erode over the past two days. Officials, however, said only one private hospital in Trichy, where surgeries for removing kidney were allegedly performed on the donors before it was transferred to a third party, is being probed as of Saturday. "During an inquiry on Friday, we have sought an explanation from the hospital authorities," state director of medical health services J Rajamoorthy told TOI. As of Saturday, Namakkal health officials have identified one donor who had donated a kidney through a broker last August. Officials said they had received information that six people had donated kidneys from the Pallipalayam area. "But the documents of five of them appeared to be fake as we could not trace them. We were able to identify only one on Friday night and obtain a formal statement. The person had stated that the surgery was done at a private hospital in Perambalur," said Rajmohan, the joint director of health services, Namakkal. Namakkal police are on the lookout for a broker named M Anandan. One of the kidney donors, Kowsalya Pandian, 36, told TOI that she donated her one kidney to a female patient from Thanjavur district a few months ago. She said that broker Anandhan received Rs10 lakh from the recipient and gave her Rs6.5 lakh. "I received Rs1.5 lakh as initial payment and Rs5 lakh after the surgery," she said. Meanwhile, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam expressed concern at power loom workers being compelled to sell their kidneys due to insufficient income and unemployment. He recalled that earlier too, the workers fell victim to moneylenders and resorted to selling their kidneys. He sought immediate action against those responsible for the exploitation and stringent steps against hospitals resorting to such practices.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Arohara echoes as Thirupparankundram unites thousands in worship
Madurai: Thousands of devotees witnessed the consecration (Kumbabishekam) of the Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple at Thirupparankundram, one of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan, on Monday morning. The rituals began at 5 am, with sacred kalasams taken in procession from the yagasalai to the temple vimanas. By 5.31 am, priests poured sanctified water on nine golden kalasams — seven on the 125-ft Rajagopuram, and one each on the Vallabha Ganapathi and Govardhanambigai Ambal vimanas — marking the formal culmination of the consecration. Theertham was then sprayed on devotees using drones and mounted sprayers. More than 200 Shivaacharyars conducted the rituals, which commenced on July 10 and continued for five days. A total of 75 yaga kundams were set up at the Valli Devasena Mandapam, with Vedic chants and Tamil hymns, including Thevaram, Thiruppugazh, and Kandar Anuboothi, recited by over 85 odhuvars, including women, during the concluding rituals on Sunday. Twenty-seven LED screens were placed around the temple for live telecast. Drinking water booths, ambulances, fire service vehicles, and medical camps were stationed in the vicinity for the devotees. The Rajagopuram was refurbished at a cost of ₹70 lakh funded by donors, while the total renovation cost was estimated at ₹2.44 crore. As part of the works, seven new golden kalasams were installed on the Rajagopuram and one each on the Ambal and Vinayakar sannidhis. The towers were painted in panchavarnam (five traditional colours) and treated with kalkam, a mixture of 55 herbal ingredients. On Sunday night, the idols of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar from the Meenakshi Amman Temple were brought in procession and received at the 16-pillar mandapam in Thirupparankundram early Monday. Meenakshi Temple was closed for darshan on Monday as the presiding deities were away. Shops and businesses surrounding the temple marked the occasion with electric decorations. A new LED-lit 'Vel' (spear) was installed atop the gopuram, and laser lighting illuminated the temple towers during the celebrations. The event was held amid tight security and elaborate arrangements. Around 3,000 police personnel were deployed under the supervision of City Police Commissioner J Loganathan. Traffic diversions were enforced across Thirupparankundram Taluk to manage the crowd. Speaking to reporters, HR&CE minister P K Sekar Babu said the consecration was conducted in line with Tamil Agamic traditions and reflected the Dravidian model's commitment to temple revival and heritage preservation. "Under the leadership of chief minister M K Stalin, kumbabishekam has been performed at 3,347 temples across Tamil Nadu so far, including 124 Murugan temples since this government took office," he said. He urged devotees to be patient and make use of the ongoing 48-day mandala abhishekam period for darshan. "The spiritual merit extends far beyond today's event. We ask devotees to avoid unnecessary rush and plan visits accordingly," he said. He also emphasized that the event transcended politics and religion, sending a message of unity. "Thirupparankundram is a model of harmony where people of all castes and faiths coexist peacefully," he added. Commercial taxes minister P Moorthy, Thirupparankundram MLA Rajan Chellappa, state BJP president Nainar Nagenthiran, Madurai collector K J Praveen Kumar, and Madurai Corporation commissioner Chithra Vijayan also participated. MSID:: 122442068 413 |
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- The Hindu
Thousands of devotees witness consecration of Tirupparankundram Subramania Swamy Temple
Thousands of devotees from far and near witnessed the kumbhabishekam (consecration) of the Subramania Swamy Temple at Tirupparankundram in Madurai on Monday (July 14, 2025). The ceremony at Tirupparankundram, the first of the six 'aarupadai veedu' (holy abodes) of Lord Murugan, was performed after 14 years. The last consecration of the temple was held in June 2011. The devotees had gathered in large numbers at the temple and on the streets outside the temple premises to witness the grand event. The kumbhabishekam was performed at around 5.30 a.m. amid the chanting of hymns. Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar were brought to the Tirupparankundram temple from the Meenkashi Sundareswarar temple for the consecration ceremony. Yagasala pujas were held at the temple from July 10. Following the puja in the early hours of Monday, the holy water was poured on the kalasams on the Rajagopuram and on Ganapathy kalasam and Ambal kalasam. Theertham was sprayed on the devotees gathered at the temple, using drones and hose pipes and the devotees were seen collecting the sacred water in bottles brought by them. As deeparadhana was performed, devotees with folded hands chanted 'arohara' and offered prayers. Renovation work was carried out prior to the kumbhabishekam, including the renovation of the Rajagopuram and the kalasams. Giant LED screens were installed on the temple premises and outside the temple for people to witness the event. A large number of police personnel were deployed in Tirupparankundram to ensure safety and security of the devotees and the smooth conduct of the event. Ambulances with medical teams and fire engines were stationed. Annadhanam was served to the devotees . Tamil Nadu Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P.K. Sekarbabu, Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy, Tirupparankundram MLA V.V. Rajan Chellappa, Madurai Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar, Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan, Police Commissioner J. Loganathan, Temple Board of Trustees chairperson P. Satyapriya, Deputy Commissioner (HR & CE) M. Suryanarayanan, Temple Trustee Shanmugasundaram and others officials were present during the consecration ceremony.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Meenakshi Seshadri, 61, turns back the clock with glam look at Sangeeta Bijlani's birthday bash; fans get 90s nostalgia
Bollywood actor Meenakshi Seshadri, who ruled the industry with her hits in the 90s, attended Sangeeta Bijlani's birthday bash on Wednesday in Mumbai. The two actors posed together for the paparazzi, leaving fans spellbound with their beauty. Meenakshi Seshadri and Sangeeta Bijlani spark 90s' nostalgia. Meenakshi Seshadri at Sangeeta Bijlani's birthday bash A paparazzo shared a video of Meenakshi wearing black trousers and a matching top with floral detailing for the birthday celebration. She kept her look simple, leaving her hair natural, and carried a nude handbag. Sangeeta, on the other hand, looked stunning in a white V-neck shirt and golden skirt, which she paired with matching earrings. Sangeeta held Meenakshi close as they posed together outside the party venue. Fans couldn't help but shower love on the iconic duo. One of the comments read, 'Meenakshi is still so graceful and sincere.' Another wrote, 'Sangeeta looks gorgeous and Meenakshi still looks beautiful at 61.' A fan commented, 'Oh my God, she looks so different.' Another said, 'Wow, Meenakshi is 61 years old? She doesn't look that old.' One user wrote, 'Meenakshi looks far better than some of the younger actors in today's generation.' Another simply said, 'The queen of the 90s.' Sangeeta celebrated her 65th birthday in Mumbai, which was attended by Salman Khan among others. The superstar kept things laid-back and stylish, opting for a simple black T-shirt paired with denim jeans. Actor Arjun Bijlani, who was also present at the celebration, shared a picture in which Salman was all smiles as he posed with Sangeeta. Salman and Sangeeta dated years ago and had even planned to tie the knot before eventually parting ways. About Meenakshi Seshadri Meenakshi made her film debut with Painter Babu in 1983, but her breakthrough came with Subhash Ghai's Hero opposite Jackie Shroff later that year. Over the next decade, she starred in a string of hits, including Meri Jung, Ghayal, Ghatak and Damini, among others. Ghatak, opposite Sunny Deol, was her last film. After this, she married investment banker Harish Mysore and moved to the US.
