Disco Deewane
BUT AFRAID TO ADMIT
"In a few years, Chandigarh will be another Delhi — wait and see”. This was no prophecy but the prediction of a harried mother who was fed up of her children’s friends having birthday parties at discos. She refused them permission because she did not approve. Period. But that did not mean that the stress of coping with sullen children who called her a wet blanket or sourpuss did not get to her.

Girls opt for razor cut, guys go for Hrithik and new-Aamir look 
By Jaskiran
“Rachel has it, so do Monica and Pheebe, so why not us?”,the city girls are saying. The talk is of none else but these celebrities’ new hairdos—long and straight, like cascading streams. The look of the season—razor cuts and straight hair. And our very own Bollywood,Mahima Chaudhary and “Mohabbatein’’ maiden Preeti Jhangiani are among those who have popularised this haircut . 

House that Stands Glass Apart
Creating additional space in the limited confines of a flat and that, too, on a limited budget is no mean task. Camouflaging unwanted nooks and crannies artistically requires a lot of imagination. And creating corners where there are none needs oodles of creativity and an innovative spirit.

Disco Deewane
BUT AFRAID TO ADMIT

"In a few years, Chandigarh will be another Delhi — wait and see”. This was no prophecy but the prediction of a harried mother who was fed up of her children’s friends having birthday parties at discos. She refused them permission because she did not approve. Period. But that did not mean that the stress of coping with sullen children who called her a wet blanket or sourpuss did not get to her. However, while talking to a few avid disco-goers, what surfaced with regularity was, “Don’t mention my name. What if my parents find out?” For a 14-year-old it was understandable to be scared of the parents, but what was amazing was when even a 40-year-old did not wish to divulge his name. So much so far being modern and “with it”.

The reasons for visiting a disco ranged from “to check out the girls/guys” and loosen up or unwind to beat the blues or simply because “I don’t want to be left behind.” The attractions too varied from snazzy music, jazzy lights to “wow man what a cool atmosphere”.

Shally, (not her real name), a student of MA English, admits that it’s easier to go as frequently as she does to Aerrizona only because she is in the hostel. Had she been at home it would have been impossible. However, she is comfortable only while going to dance in the afternoons along with her friends. A fan of techno and rock, the disco helps her unwind and celebrate.

Nitin Mallik of DAV College on the contrary feels “all charged up” after visiting a disco. It infuses life into him as it does into 26-year-old Aakanksha. She feels for those who are fond of boogey-woogeying, there is no place like a disco. Psychedelic lights cast their own spell as one loosens up. Moreover, the sight of hunks (rarely found in this town) is “a treat for the eyes”.

29-year-old Mona Bharat, a mother of two, goes to a disco occasionally for a change, to see what’s happening. She plans to go on December 31. Mina, a student of M.A. political science, finds it monotonous even though she only yields to peer pressure and visits a disco. She feels if one wants to meet people, a disco is not the right place. Sanjay (not his real name), a young entrepreneur, finds the music too loud and goes only for 20 minutes or so. For that short period of time, paying Rs 200 is not every appealing. He goes only when he is feeling peppy and bright. “It doesn’t cheer me up nor do I unwind.”

Ashish Alexander, a research scholar, has never been to a disco and does not want to either. It’s not his idea of enjoyment or fun. Amit Tejpal, a student of the UBS, feels that the people of the city are still inhibited. They try and put up an act and are phoney. Though the music is getting better and the DJs are becoming more customer-oriented.

Agreeing with Amit’s perception is 39-year-old Neera Bembey, who enjoys dancing and has been a couple of times to a disco. However, she feels that in Chandigarh people go not because they actually feel like or want to or believe in it. For them it’s just a fad, a way of making a statement (read that as we are “free”, westernised and modern). Neera does not stop her 16-year-old daughter from going for a party to a disco because she believes in allowing her to see different facets of life before accepting or rejecting them. She feels if you curb your child, there is bound to be rebellion.

Out of Cloud Nine, Jailhouse Rock and Aerizzona, the last was a clear favourite because of the “clean” atmosphere and strict control. No liquor is served and all potential troublemakers are kept out, even at the risk of losing friends.

While the clients beat the blues or dance away all their worries, the owner of Aerizzona, Surinder Singh, is a tense man. Aware of how even a single incident can mar the reputation of his disco, he ensures that I-cards are checked (no schoolgirls, please) and no singles allowed in. In none of his previous business ventures (transport and medicines) did he get so worked up. “Maine toh tension paali hui hai”, says he.

But it is only due to the hassle-free atmosphere that couples (about 20 to 40 every day) haunt the place. More and more middle-aged couples (between 35 and 45) are jiving and gyrating as they feel youthful. Even 50 to 55-year-olds are coming as are few 65 year-olds who come to watch their grandchildren out of sheer curiosity.

However, when contacted, the 50-plus advocate (a regular) refused to be quoted because he feels “Achcha nahin lagta hai”. Even a man well into his 40s refused to go on record – “Papa kya kahenge”.

Another one laughed at the sheer mention of “unwinding”. It’s okay to unwind in a metro, since the pace of life is so fast. Chandigarh is a leisurely-paced city and no one works such long hours as to need unwinding.” We have miles to go before discos become acceptable and we stop hiding the fact we go there.

So, if our nowhere Chandigarh will not become another Delhi for quite sometime, we can only be thankful for it. It is this in-between charm that is endearing. Too small for a metro but too big for a small town. Just right for a little fun.

— Aruti Nayar

Girls opt for razor cut, guys go for Hrithik and new-Aamir look 
By Jaskiran

“Rachel has it, so do Monica and Pheebe, so why not us?”,the city girls are saying. The talk is of none else but these celebrities’ new hairdos—long and straight, like cascading streams. The look of the season—razor cuts and straight hair. And our very own Bollywood,Mahima Chaudhary and “Mohabbatein’’ maiden Preeti Jhangiani are among those who have popularised this haircut. So,clip-clop go all scissor hands of City Beautiful to set and promote the new hairstyles. Shireen of Sector 19 says that more and more college girls are coming in for the layered look, be it short or long hair. The razor cut, adds Salochna of Sector 8, is short hair at front with a deep-u at the back. It is basically for straight hair and the best part is that it suits all face cuts, especially broad faces, as it narrows down the broadness and manages to cover the side flaws.

So,all ye girls who have silky,long tresses,feel free to let them down.

“I have very straight hair on which perms and waves just don’t stay. The razor cut is absolutely the right style for me”, maintains Sonali,a college student.

Hairstyling is no more a girls domain. Enter a Sector 9parlour and you see men and boys going in for the adonis look. As Arshad, the owner puts it, the Russian Army crew cut is very much in, so are French beards and then, long curved sideburns. Very much Roshan!

Though the Hrithik cut has been the rage for some time now,the latest hero to set a trend in hairstyling is none other than the new-look Aamir Khan.His Tom Hanks-style haircut has city guys heading for hair salons.”Aamir is looking soo.....o groovy with the new cut.I,too,want a change and this look’s just ideal for me,’’says Amit,a young marketing executive.

Pramod Mahajan, Manager of another salon quips,”As far as we are concerned, there is no hair cut which is famous. Curly hair will never go straight and the straight never curly”.

The younger lot is going in for the ‘model look’. The 60s’ swing is back, says Donna,a hairstylist in sector 17. Straight hair is here to stay for a long time.

Feather, layers, sleek, wedges and top notches/buns are definitely the hairdos of the season.For guys,there’s also a choice between the spiked-up hairdo and the drooping ‘mama’s boy’ look !

House that Stands Glass Apart

Creating additional space in the limited confines of a flat and that, too,on a limited budget is no mean task. Camouflaging unwanted nooks and crannies artistically requires a lot of imagination. And creating corners where there are none needs oodles of creativity and an innovative spirit.

Luckily,Toni combines all these attributes with a keen sense of colour and a flair for interior decoration to turn her housing board flat into a designer home.

On entering her drawing room, the first thing that strikes the eye is the spectacular stained glass painting that serves as a partition between this room and the sitting room behind it. In fact, it was this very wall panel that caught the eye of a visitor and launched her in a career of interior designing and stained glass painting. It sure makes her house stand a glass apart.

On being taken to the dining area, one is immediately impressed by the lovely pink valances over the doors. Amused at the awestruck look on one’s face, laughs this house-proud 30-something interior designer,” That corner was, in fact, an eyesore earlier. The door was not used, so I covered it with a raw silk valance and hung a mirror in front of it to give the illusion of space”.Wow!that’s some reflected glory.

The small wooden cabinet in front of this door has lights fitted inside it. And the hand-blownstained glass lamp standing on this cabinet is just one of the many glass artefacts that she has designed and manufactured.

“I mostly import stained glass from the USA to design wall panels,skylights,stairways,etc, for my clients “,she elaborates .

But the mirror on the wall next to her entrance door has not been done with stained glass.Rather,she has created the floral pattern on the mirror by painting the glass in different hues.

Another area where she has given a free rein to her innovative spirit is the niche next to the stairway. Not for her those mammoth,highly ornate sideboards. She has simply got some aluminium strips powder-coated in black and got them fitted on the wall. Viola! an unusual and uncluttered corner has been created.

In fact, each corner of her well-furnished flat bears the stamp of her aesthetic sense and her artistry.

—Chetna Banerjee

(Photos by Manoj Mahajan)