Excellent clues with impeccable surfaces from Buzzer, got only a couple in the first pass.
ACROSS
1 Built citadels for a former ruler (5,6) FIDEL CASTRO*
9,15 Grave situation dealt with during labour (6,6) BURIAL GROUND*
10 Dishes from a European book for example… (8) POLENTAS {POLE}{NT}{AS}
11 …found in most articles (5) START [T]
12 Temple offering from doubly firm devotee (7) COCONUT {CO}{CO}{NUT}
13 A channel dedicated to Krishna perhaps (5,3) RIVER BED [CD]
15 See 9
16 Eastern pass battalion are going over as a group (2,4) EN BLOC {E}{N B}{LOC}<=
18 Manage to captivate every one with a musical instrument (8) CALLIOPE {C{ALL}{1}OPE}
20 Public performer seen in lurid attires (7) ARTISTE*
21 Stand-down? On the contrary, it is a physical exercise (3-2) SIT-UP [DD]
22 Reportedly drink and laughter leads to uproar (8) BROUHAHA (~brew){BROU}{HAHA}
24 Chance to swim in peace (11) SERENDIPITY {SEREN{DIP}ITY}
DOWN
2 Ape that is clutching a mitt tightly (7) IMITATE {I{MITAT*}E}
3 Often excels at showing brilliance (5) ECLAT {ExCeLs}{AT}
4 Record describing monkey business in a resort area (4,3) CAPE COD {C{APE} {CO}D}
6 Come to meet (3,4) RUN INTO [DD]
7 Enquires into a rigged quiz (13) QUESTIONNAIRE*
8 Kind of fabric, may be seen on a dining table (4-3-6) SALT-AND-PEPPER [DD]
14 Rubber supports on tread (9) BACKSPACE {BACKS}{PACE}
17 American money plant used in salads? (7) LETTUCE [DD]
18 Broadcaster’s aid accrued deviously (3,4) CUE CARD*
19 Mass song opening has appeal (7) INTROIT {INTRO}{IT}
21 Hibernation s-shelter close to Lakshadweep (5) SLEEP {S}{LEE}{P}
14 Rubber supports on tread (9) BACKSPACE {BACKS}{PACE}
ReplyDeleteNice one. Took sometime to decipher the connection between rubber and backspace.
Very good CW. Though did not attempt to solve it, as the answer was already available in the blog when I woke up here at Kuwait. Would have enjoyed more if I were at Chennai and tried to solve.
Lovely one from Buzzer. Loved the definitions Rubber = Backspace, Grave Situation = Burial Ground etc. River Bed & Serendipity were wonderfully clued as well.
ReplyDelete1A and 9A have very good surface reading with neat anagrams difficult to spot in the first attempt.
ReplyDeleteLearnt today that 'often' can be used to select alternate letters like odds and evens.
ReplyDeleteHats off to Buzzer! Buzzing brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteCame to understand the 'e' eraser. Just great, but sad I did not get it.
Yes,well concealed anagrams.
ABCDE : Where all eyes are on
ReplyDeleteAgain introduce Indonesia's leader (9)
Or better still. All eyes are on the _
Deletehmm..
DeleteAgain introduce Indonesia's leader (9) .R.S...N.
I'd be held by present position of Pranab Mukherjee
DeleteTiny typo. 7d should be QUESTIONNAIRE not QUESTIONNAIRES ( The grid shows the correct entry)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramesh, I've corrected the main post
DeleteWas yesterday's crossie inspired by the HURRICANE Sandy that waded through the US East like an inebriated and demented elephant?
ReplyDeleteDear Deepak,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing for a dinner at my place, as arranged with your sister tomorrow evening. Any one you'd like me to invite?
Maybe Jayaram if he is free
DeleteThoroughly enjoyed this puzzle from Buzzer.
ReplyDeleteOh what a tangled web we weave. With artistry! Great stuff. 24D is a fantastic clue combining simplicity and elegance.
ReplyDeleteBhavan on 14D: Rubber? Brave man, I hesitate to use that word!!
@Bhala, the connotation you imply is largely American and I'd like to think my puzzles are more British English based unless otherwise stated :)
DeleteI know, was just kidding. It's what we've been used to throughout school anyway. (but with globalisation am a bit chary of using that nowadays)
DeleteLove your stuff, keep it coming