Solution to 15D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.
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| Rangoli by Gowri |
ACROSS
1 A bicycle’s rickety — strictly avoiding it (8) CELIBACY*
5 Meg’s confused about force and unit of mass (6) GRAMME {G{RAM}ME*}
10 Worker breaking 1st cervical vertebra needs surgery primarily in US city (7) ATLANTA {ATL{ANT}As}
11 Protests in articles (7) OBJECTS [DD]
12 Fascist utilising revolution to suppress African ethnic group (5) TUTSI [T<=]
13 Dash back to consume ecstasy — time to cavort endlessly in confused state (9) MAELSTROM {SL{E}AM<=}{T}{ROMp}
14 Lose interest when fool on Scotch accepts hard bet stupidly (2,3,3,4) GO OFF THE BOIL {GOOF}{F{H+BET}*OIL}
18 Father and mother dancing earnestly (4,3,5) FROM THE HEART {FATHER+MOTHER}*
21 One restraining intoxicated peeress in Rolls-Royce (9) REPRESSER {R{PEERESS*}R}
23 Opposed cut-back by a Republican (5) POLAR {LOP<=}{A}{R}
24 Rush back to watch very famous danseur (7) NUREYEV {RUN<=}{EYE}{V}
26 One dissolved very long and extremely unpleasant marriage finally (6) SOLUTE {SO}{L}{Un...nT}{m...gE}
27 Unfortunately, English dude got defeated by a narrow margin (5,3) EDGED OUT {E+DUDE+GOT}*
DOWN
1 Pure cocaine and speed (6) CHASTE {C}{HASTE}
2 Precociously seductive girl is drunk, in endless trouble (6) LOLITA {LO{LIT}Ad}
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| By Bhargav |
6 Bringing back flask with a bit of sherbet for Indian kings (5) RAJAS {JAR<=}{A}{Sh...t}
7 Sweet biscuit in a vehicle, eaten by mooch (8) MACAROON {M{A}{CAR}OON}
9 What cricket stadium staff do when it rains to address issue adequately (5,3,6) COVER THE GROUND [C&DD]
15 Wanting victory, gamble to have batter bowl one over (9) E?R?P?U?E (Addendum - ENRAPTURE {vEN{RAP}TURE} - See comments)
16 Insults fellow in rants of rage (8) AFFRONTS {F} in {RANTS+OF}*
17 Type of punishment given by police officer catching Romeo getting vocal (8) CORPORAL {CO{R}P}{ORAL}
19 Pop tottering after alcoholic drink in Middle Eastern city (6) ALEPPO {POP}*<=>{ALE}
20 Artist involved in painting Turkish peak (6) ARARAT {AR{A}{RA}T} Anno for A seems to be missing (Addendum {AR{ARA}T} - See comments)
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Reference List
Ecstasy = E, Time = T, Hard = H, Republican = R, Very = V, Union = U, Resistance = R, Long = L, English = E, Cocaine = C, Diamond = D, Conservative = C, Power = P, Rupee = R, New = N, Fellow = F, Romeo = R, Victory = V, Artist = ARA, Wife = W
THE NUTTY TEACHER
ReplyDeleteJerry Crompton was a Botany teacher at the local school. Endowed with FELINE looks & a DECADENT sense of dressing, he was the butt of every one's jokes. Further he suffered from OTITIS on & off, making it impossible for anyone to talk to him.
Martha Lewis was the newly appointed History teacher. She had just moved to US from MYANMAR, the other end of the EARTH & was still not comfortable with the American accent. Though not the SHYEST of people, she was still reticent by NATURE & felt isolated most of the time.
An unlikely Friendship emerged between the two. She actually found that the PUTRID colours of his shirts reminded her of the colourful costumes back home. Further she didn't have to vary her PITCH or modulate her voice while talking to him, since they always communicated by lip reading each other.
Into this scenario entered Mr Philip Williams, the PT instructor of the school. For some reason, Philip could not bear the friendship between Jerry & Martha. He first approached the Principal, INSINUATING, that a romance was brewing between 2 of his teachers, which wasn't good for the school' s image. Knowing about Philip, the Principal TURNED A BLIND EYE. As it is, it was difficult to get qualified teachers, in this small town & as long as they were DELIVERING THE GOODS, he didn't want to upset the Apple cart.
Not one to accept DEFEAT easily, Philip came up with the next CONSTRUCTIVE idea. Jerry had a special TUBER garden, behind the school, which he tended lovingly. It was a patch shielded by the West Compound wall of the school. On this wall, Philip drew some terrible graffiti about Martha & Jerry. Unfortunately for him, he was caught red handed by Jerry, who MANHANDLED him resulting in a fist fight between the two. Not the FASTEST, with his punches, Jerry got beaten black & blue & was found lying on a heap of DEBRIS, in one corner of the school playground.
Suffering a minor SPINAL injury, Jerry was laid up for 3 weeks. Matters STEEPENED further, because he could not find the documentary proof that he had taken all 3 doses of the ANTI VIRAL vaccines.
Martha was his only support, this entire time. Although a mild NATURED man, Jerry felt his machismo had been challenged & he had to win it back with a REJIG. He finally decided that he would woo & win Martha's hand fair & square, proving to all, that he was a man not to be taken lightly. Only then he realised, much to his own surprise, that he was actually in love!
When the pain was a little TOLERABLE, he joined back for work. He also visited the local boxing club & decided to train there under Rodney, their town's best boxer. He then openly challenged Philip for a boxing match, on the FINAL day of school. The wager was, the loser would not return for the summer term.
On the appointed day, a makeshift ring was erected & students were SHEPHERDED to their ring side seats. Rodney was present with his full team of cohorts to cheer Jerry.
As luck would have it, Jerry' s OTITIS was back & he felt virtually deaf. Once the bout started, all he could hear was the dull roar from the audience. Quickly landing a couple of punches, he charged & attacked Philip. The Chemistry teacher, acting as referee, had a high PITCHED effeminate voice.
ReplyDeleteJerry broke almost all the rules in the book & egged on by the crowd & inured by his deafness, made mince meat of Philip. He rested only after he had knocked him out cold. Before the referee could finish counting, Rodney jumped into the ring & declared Jerry the winner.
It was not the fairest of matches, but as every one knows, 'All is fair in love & war!!' And this was both love & war. Amidst the cheering crowd, in the centre of the ring, Jerry knelt on one knee & proposed openly to Martha. He didn't have a ring to offer her, but offered her his heart & soul & she accepted.
When Philip finally came to, he found this happy betrothed couple, dancing to the school band & everyone around cheering & applauding. APPRISING the situation, he silently made his escape, not just from the school, but the town as well.
For further escapades of Martha & Jerry, you can watch the franchise marketed under the Jerry Lewis banner. Till then Au Revoir!
Poor Jerry! He had to have Otitis to accommodate the CW entry!
DeleteKudos to the tale and the Vinaygr in today's Rangoli. Beautifully done.
+1 especially kolam. Outstanding
DeleteNice tale Gowri 👍
DeleteBeautiful Rangoli and an interesting tale piece!
DeleteEnjoyed your tale, moreover being a Botany graduate...!
Delete20d there was an ARA before 1991 who were all made RA. I have seen it used for artist in crosswords.
ReplyDeleteYes, artist can be RA and ARA (Chambers crossword dictionary)
DeleteARA = Associate of the Royal Academy (BRB)
I interpreted it as the painter (K H) Ara in art.
DeleteToday’s puzzle is like a gentle breeze from 20D going to the deserts of 19D. The crafty setter has already 8Dd a huge fan following to 9D from 10A to 22D, perhaps even further to the remotest corner far east and 23A regions of the Arctic. Today has launched a 4D so to speak an 25A straight 18A! He has ensured none of his 11A, the numerous solver fans, 14A with 1D cryptic 5Ar, precise word play and clues laced with humour. Has 27A any competition to be among the 6D of setters. This is certain to 15D more solvers like a dancing 24A with 2D to the beat of 12A band, breaking the vow of 1A dodging 21A and ignoring 16A. There's no 13A over the promise for 2022 - am re26A that I don't miss any of his puzzles. Something done something attempted has earned my breakfast of 7D and coffee. Must ensure in excitement I don't spill any and attract 3Ds!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dr X for the entertainment. Paper delivered early this morning ha ha....
Wow Ramesh 😀 thanks!
DeleteThat is super. I have to solve (late night) to decipher it.
DeleteNice flow in your piece!
DeleteAdventurous Vladimir was EDGED OUT
ReplyDeleteBy CHASTE LOLITA no doubt,
On his part
Tried FROM THE HEART
But finally had to elsewhere scout.
Welcome vers specialist.
DeleteWoW for Ramesh!
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteDoc. I could not stop laughing out loud when I read the clue for 3D,even before solving it! But one I did, my laugh became high pitched making others at home wonder what had happened to me suddenly ( He was alright when he got up and was having his coffee,what could TH have published?!)
ReplyDelete😀 happy that you had a laugh Paddy!
Deleteif mehul choksi viewed this he will be much happy than all. Excellent clue for 3D. BTE, he is also in island and Bandicoot also may seen in island.
DeleteNice morning fare, on the easier side but very interesting unexpected clues. Enjoye solving. Thank you Dr. X.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome AJ 🙏
DeleteNow I know who dr X is! He lives in my locality. 10 ac gives it out
ReplyDelete15D - gamble = venture, victory = v, batter = rap, (-v)en(rap)ture = enrapture = bowl one over.
ReplyDeleteMme. Sujata,
DeleteKudos to you and Neeladri Rao Munagala...
15D : Bowl One Over = ENRAPTURE
ReplyDeleteGamble = ADVENTURE , Victory = Advance
Wanting victory, gamble (after removing ADV) = ENTURE
Batter = RAP
Solution is ENTURE + RAP = ENRAPTURE
See Sujatha's annotation above
DeleteDr. Nadar,
ReplyDeleteIn the Indian Air Force, during the training period as and when we were asked to assemble in the evenings, twice a week for an hour-long session of PT, we used to lament: "Oh! What a Pity that we have to endure Physical Torture."
Well, similarly whenever your compiled CW grid appears, I am prompted to recall those words, of course on a slight different note: "Aare, Dr. X is here prescribing PT in the mornings. Yes, PSYCHOLOGICAL TEASERS.
Pardon me for these comments!!
Ha Ha! No problem at all.
DeleteThanq dear Dr.X for bearing with my odd and weird views...
Delete7D- How is Mooch = Moon?
ReplyDeleteMooning around. Moon as a verb
Delete18A v. difficult but very clever Clue
ReplyDeleteThanks, finding an anagram like this can be so satisfying!
DeleteVery cleverly done alright,but once you decide the middle 3 latter word it fallls into plce- at least that is how I did it.
ReplyDelete@Gowri
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Rangoli! Very nice tale !
Both adding to the treat by Dr. X!
What more can one hope for?
perfectly said AJ mam.
Delete+1
@Doc 3D lovely :D
ReplyDeleteThanks LV. Hope they seize him though!
DeletePaddy - i couldnt stop laughing after 1ac. Cluing too good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gowri :)
DeleteNice work out..for ixl finals
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing you in Bangalore Mr Prasad.
DeleteThank you Dr X
DeleteDr.X !!! today's grid too good. but unable to solve after completion of 64%. 1a. was too tricky. but the status of unmarried very difficult to digest.
ReplyDeletespecial Thanks to dr.X for 10a. such a medical term linked with puzzle. that's amazing. I made confused my self due to misunderstood the wordings. I was trying to eliminate (-A)tlanta as you mentioned surgery primarily. later got to know the surgery for letter 's' . its a challenging one for me. enjoyed it .
A beginner solver here. Can someone please help me to understand how 1Across comes out to "CELIBACY".. thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteAnagram of A+BICYCLE = CELIBACY
DeleteDefinition = 'strictly avoiding it'
It = Sex