Friday, 14 January 2022

No 13454, Friday 14 Jan 2022, Avtaar

 

Artwork by Prasanna

 

Rangoli by Gowri

 
HAPPY PONGAL

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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



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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

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