Friday 14 January 2022

No 13454, Friday 14 Jan 2022, Avtaar

 

Artwork by Prasanna

 

Rangoli by Gowri

 
HAPPY PONGAL

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS ON FRIDAYS ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS
1   Beginnings of Bill Gates (7) ADVENTS {AD}{VENTS}
5   Dog-fight by masters (7) MASTIFF {TIFF}<=>{MAS}
9   Refrains from Parisian nurses leaving emergency room (7) DESISTS {DE}{SISTerS}
10 After winning handheld device, a kid gives an expression of approval (7) ATTABOY  {TAB} in {A}{TOY}
11 Bet my name is broadcast in Gulf (9) EMBAYMENT*
12 Very old part of fort — erected the wrong way (5) RETRO [T<=]
13 Film about origin of English geese (5) SKEIN {SK{En...h}N}
15 Loosens malfunctioning fan’s nuts holding tip of blade (9) UNFASTENS {FANS+NUTS}* over {b..dE}
17 They provide instructions to prepare, say, firm pair of fine sandwiches, entrée of boiled egg and salad starter (9) COOKBOOKS {CO}{OK}{Bo...d}{0}{OK}{Salad}
19 Switch roles around (5) STRAP<=
22 You are texted about doctor starting to attack ghostly figure (5) UMBRA {U{MB}R}{At...k}
23 Absolutely fit criminal — perhaps his resistance gives way? (9) SHIPSHAPE {PErHAPS+HIS}*
25 Anti-profit, in a way (7) AGAINST {A}{GAIN}{ST}
26 A couple of students are alive, starting to stay alert (3,4) ALL EARS {A}{LL}{ARE*}{Stay}
27 Rodent having tail cut in burning firedog (3-4) END-IRON {RODENt+IN}*
28 Insane American upset Chinese (7) SINAEAN {INSANE+A}*

DOWN
1   Home of a dead Don (7) ADDRESS {A}{D}{DRESS}
2   Prominent, very funny revue’s opening cancelled (7) VISIBLE {V}{rISIBLE}
3   Probing retrospective of “The Old Boy” (5) NOSEY {YE}{SON}<=
4   Sustained sad tunes... too slow to begin with (9) SOSTENUTO {TUNES+TOO+Slow}*
5   Designed a book by Avtaar (5) MEANT {A}{NT}<=>{ME}
6   Artists performing with stringed instruments, basically (9) SITARISTS {ARTISTS+St...d+In...s}* &lit
7   Wet chutney of basil and thyme — not salty, oddly (7) IMBATHE {BAsIl+THyME}*
8   Angling device lifted fish in falls, every now and then (7) FLYRODS {DORY<=} in {FaLlS}
14 VIP near Tacoma avoiding one walk in the park (2-7) NO-BRAINER {NOB}{RAINiER}
16 Carnivals of summer covered by females on vacation (9) FESTIVALS {ESTIVAL} in {Fe...eS}
17 Start to challenge, say, the twenty first century spirit (7) COURAGE {Ch...e}{OUR AGE}
18 Holding snake, Bond villain turned up inside a ship (2,5) ON BOARD {BOA} in {DR NO}<=
20 26 — almost restless — taking a sip of exotic drink straight from the cask (4,3) REAL ALE {ALLEARs}* over {Ex...c}  
21 Seeks Almighty’s benevolence, talking about worries (5,2) PREYS ON (~prays){PREYS}{ON}
23 Vice principal? (5) SATAN [CD]
24 Money taken out of fish store (5) SALON SALmON

Reference List
Bill = AD, From in French = DE, Resistance = R, Way = ST, Student = L, American = A, Dead = D, Very = V, Old The = YE, Book = NT(New Testament), VIP = NOB, Money = M



Posted by at
Labels: ,

94 comments:

  1. Ramesh Kosaraju 14 January 2022 at 07:41

    11A: EMBAYMENT - Gulf
    {Bet my name*}
    12A: RETRO - very old
    [Reverse Telescopic]
    25A: AGAINST - anti
    profit "in" a way
    gain "in" a st
    {a(gain)st}
    5D: MEANT - designed
    book - NT
    Avtaar(setter) - me
    {me} {a} {nt}
    16D: FESTIVALS - carnivals
    females on vacation - fs
    summer - estival
    {f(estival)s}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Col_Gopinath14 January 2022 at 07:58

      Ramesh you are hereby promoted from Novice to Regular.

      Delete
    2. Ramesh Kosaraju 14 January 2022 at 08:10

      OMG! Thanks Col.
      (Those were the only 5 I got at first instance though) 🙂

      Delete
    3. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 08:55

      Well done Ramesh. Can't disagree with Colonel

      Delete
    4. Prasanna Rao14 January 2022 at 12:45

      congratulations Mr Ramesh. welcome to Regular club.

      Delete
    5. Ramesh Kosaraju 14 January 2022 at 15:25

      🙏

      Delete
  2. Suresh M S14 January 2022 at 07:44

    18D ON BOARD = inside a ship{ DR NO, James Bond villain in reverse holding BOA, snske}
    6D SITARISTS = artists { ARTISTS with I, S instruments basics anagram}
    5A MASTIFF= dog, {MAS masters,+TIFF fight}
    15A UNFASTENS =Loosens {FANS NUTS and tip of bladE, anagram}
    25A AGAINST =Anti {profit GAIN in A ST, street way}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 08:56

      Suresh, Definition for 6D?. All others spot on. Ramesh has already taken 25A - so you may take one more

      Delete
    2. Neeladri Rao Munagala14 January 2022 at 09:23

      "Stringed instruments, basically" supply S & I.
      Performing is an anagram indicator.
      SI + Anagram of Artists = SITARISTS

      Delete
    3. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 09:24

      Neeladri. What is the defintion?

      Delete
    4. Neeladri Rao Munagala14 January 2022 at 09:35

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  3. Neeladri Rao Munagala14 January 2022 at 09:38

    "Artists performing with stringed instruments"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 10:08

      Yes. It is &lit which means the entire clue is the definition as well as the wordplay with no redundant words

      Delete
    2. Neeladri Rao Munagala14 January 2022 at 10:19

      Thanks Sreeniji! I did not know that before.

      Delete
  4. Neeladri Rao Munagala14 January 2022 at 09:40

    1A Beginnings of Bill Gates = ADVENTS.
    Bill = Ad (as in Advertisement)
    Gates = Vents

    ReplyDelete
  5. Neeladri Rao Munagala14 January 2022 at 09:53

    1D solutionis ADDRESS
    Dead = D
    Don = DRESS
    HOME = "of a dead Don" = A + D + DRESS = ADDRESS

    ReplyDelete
  6. ghaspooscurry14 January 2022 at 09:59

    9a- DESISTS = refrains; De => from in French (Paris); (Sist)ER(s)= Nurses, leave ER (emergency room)

    1d- ADDRESS => home; A (D)ead; Don = dress

    7d- IMBATHE = wet; Anagram of ba(s)i(l) + th(y)me; not SLY => from SaLtY oddly

    20d- REAL ALE = a drink that's straight from the cask; anagram of 26a almost=> all ear(s) + e from sip of e(xotic).

    23d- SATAN = principal of vice.. DD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 10:11

      DESISTS , ADDRESS, IMBATHE REALALE are right. Satan is not a DD. Address already solved - you can take another in lieu

      Delete
    2. sree_sree14 January 2022 at 10:13

      That's six!

      Delete
    3. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 10:31

      Only 5

      Delete
  7. Col_Gopinath14 January 2022 at 10:46

    Anno for 10 is incorrect

    ReplyDelete
  8. sree_sree14 January 2022 at 10:50

    Relook 10a

    ReplyDelete
  9. Orthopaul14 January 2022 at 10:57

    8d.FLYRODS DORY IN REVERSE IN FLS FaLlS

    ReplyDelete
  10. ghaspooscurry14 January 2022 at 10:58

    22a- UMBRA = ghostly figure; you are texted=> UR; about doctor=> MB; A(ttack) starting.

    In stead of 1d Address

    ReplyDelete
  11. AJ14 January 2022 at 10:58

    22a UMBRA: ghostly figure
    U(you) R(are) as texted MB(doctor)A(starting to attack)
    U (MB) R (A)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Prasanna Rao14 January 2022 at 11:00

    19a - (STRAP)* - Roles-Parts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Col_Gopinath14 January 2022 at 11:46

      It's not an anagram

      Delete
    2. Prasanna Rao14 January 2022 at 17:25

      Tried twice for posting correct anagram from my mobile. but, it couldn't happened due to some technical glitch.

      after your post I re-visited the puzzle. its the reverse indicator 'switch'. STRAP<-----
      Thank you for posting my artwork col.sir. Have a Good Day.

      Delete
  13. AJ14 January 2022 at 11:02

    23a instead of 22a, a repetition
    23a SHIPSHAPE: absolutely fit
    (Perhaps-r(resistance) his)*

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jacob Brahmakulam14 January 2022 at 11:03

    17D COURAGE; spirit; C...e OUR AGE

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mukundala Balasubramanyam14 January 2022 at 11:04

    23a : SHIPSHAPE (PERHAPS HIS - R)*
    R = Resistance

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rajashri14 January 2022 at 11:05

    28a SINAEAN: Chinese
    ( Insane, A(American))*

    ReplyDelete
  17. D N M Rao14 January 2022 at 11:05

    24Dn SALON - {SAL(-m)ON}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 11:56

      Well solved DNMR. One of my favourites in this grid

      Delete
    2. D N M Rao14 January 2022 at 13:16

      Thanks. Great clues altogether.

      Delete
  18. Mukundala Balasubramanyam14 January 2022 at 11:07

    In place of 23a

    2dn : VISIBLE (V)(RISIBLE - R)isible

    ReplyDelete
  19. AJ14 January 2022 at 11:09

    Is there an error in 3d clue? Should it be
    ‘Thee old boy!’?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jacob Brahmakulam14 January 2022 at 11:10

      apparently ye is the archaic form of the as well

      Delete
  20. Jacob Brahmakulam14 January 2022 at 11:11

    14D anno is incorrect. As such near+I* would make raine

    ReplyDelete
  21. Rajashri14 January 2022 at 11:12

    Thank you JB

    ReplyDelete
  22. AJ14 January 2022 at 11:15

    @JB Thank you. I just checked before raising the doubt, I couldn’t get the reference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 11:54

      AJ - it is an archaic meaning meaning "the" (definite article) in all major dictionaries. More commonly used as You (second person) Here is a link which gives an example sentence "Ye old gift shoppe" . There are other sentences one can find by googling too. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ye

      Delete
    2. AJ14 January 2022 at 11:59

      Thank you Sreeni. After posting my reply, I started to search patiently and got it. Anyway, it is very kind of you to have taken effort to provide me with the link.

      Delete
  23. Col_Gopinath14 January 2022 at 11:51

    Yet to be solved
    Across - 10 (Anno only), 19(Anno only), 26, 27
    Down - 3, 14(Anno only), 21

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 12:06

      10A annotation provided by Sathia - see above

      Delete
  24. Neeladri Rao Munagala14 January 2022 at 11:51

    27 ACROSS (Rodent having tail cut in burning firedog): Solution is END IRON
    Rodent having tail cut is RODEN
    Burning is (I am assuming, not sure) is an anagram indicator.
    Firedog = Anagram of RODEN + IN = END IRON

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 11:55

      Spot on Niladri

      Delete
    2. Suresh14 January 2022 at 12:21

      I had some difficulty with this. Andiron I know. But I guess some dictionaries also use end-iron

      Delete
  25. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 12:04

    Well done Sathia

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 12:05

    13A is right, Sathia

    ReplyDelete
  27. Neeladri Rao Munagala14 January 2022 at 12:10

    21D: Seeks Almighty’s benevolence, talking about worries = PREYS ON
    Seeks Almighty’s benevolence = PRAYS. "Talking" makes it the homophone of PREYS.
    About = ON
    Worries = PREYS ON

    ReplyDelete
  28. Murali14 January 2022 at 12:55

    19A STRAP
    roles=parts; around ( reversal ) = <<=

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sritri14 January 2022 at 12:57

    3d Ye son <=== Nosey

    ReplyDelete
  30. CPC14 January 2022 at 13:01

    Sathia, you got anno also correct for14dn. Tacoma is another name for Mt. Rainier

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suresh14 January 2022 at 13:07

      Tacoma is a city near Mt. Rainier

      Delete
    2. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 13:19

      Rainier is the name of the mountain as well as the town of Tacoma. Tacoma is the indigenous name for Rainier

      Delete
  31. N Sridhar14 January 2022 at 13:01

    26A- all ears; a(ll) (are) anagram plus s

    ReplyDelete
  32. D N M Rao14 January 2022 at 13:20

    @Mr. Prasanna and Ms Gowri, great art. Delightful

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 13:26

    All done and dusted. Thanks, all for your attempts and comments. Hope you all enjoyed this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Murali14 January 2022 at 13:35

      Is there an attempt to refer and use as many items related to films in clues of this crossword?

      Delete
    2. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 14:26

      KRM - There is no intended theme. Any pattern is a coincidence

      Delete
    3. Ramesh Kosaraju 14 January 2022 at 15:50

      Enjoyed is an understatement. That was a Pongal delight!

      Delete
  34. Padmanabhan14 January 2022 at 14:17

    Thank you Sreeni for giving us a good exercise. Though late in joining,enjoyed solving.
    Cleared a few doubts in the blog.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 14:25

    Thank you Sathia for the feedback. As a solver I usually enjoy grids where the solutions unravel slowly

    ReplyDelete
  36. Col_Gopinath14 January 2022 at 15:59

    As there will be no paper tomorrow I will be publishing a special at 7 AM

    ReplyDelete
  37. Padmanabhan14 January 2022 at 16:03

    Thank you Col.

    ReplyDelete
  38. VMA Nair14 January 2022 at 16:28

    Nice crossword Sreeni sir. Thoroughly enjoyed

    ReplyDelete
  39. Vasant14 January 2022 at 16:45

    Very beautiful puzzle on Pongal day.
    Thank You Avtaar.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Prasanna Rao14 January 2022 at 17:33

    Special thanks to Avtaar for todays grid. Thoroughly enjoyed. Happy Pongal sir.

    @ Gowri......Marvelous Rangoli. you covered all in one. Coconut and plantain leaf was too realistic. Have a gr8 day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreeni14 January 2022 at 18:27

      Thank you Prasad. Superb artwork and Rangoli by you and Gowri 👍

      Delete
  41. Prasanna Rao14 January 2022 at 18:13

    well comparison sathia....சில பசங்களை பார்க்க பார்க்க தான் பிடிக்கும்..

    ReplyDelete
  42. N Sridhar14 January 2022 at 20:10

    Great art Ms Gowri and Prasanna Rao garu

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ramesh Kosaraju 14 January 2022 at 20:22

    Today's comments crossed C!

    ReplyDelete

deepakgita@gmail.com

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)