The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

PCTE girl tops in BBA-I
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
Students of the Punjab College of Technical Education, Ludhiana, bagged first two positions in the university in BBA first-year examination. The PCTE students got three out of the first 10 positions in BBA first semester examination. Deepika Narang of the PCTE got first position scoring 483, Emika Oberoi came second scoring 466, while Arshpreet Khattra stood ninth in the university scoring 446 marks out of 600.

“It is the 11th time that the PCTE students have bagged the top position in the university. Its students have got first positions in BBA first semester, MBA first and third semester examinations conducted by the PTU, Jalandhar, in December 2001,” said Dr K.N.S. Kang, director of the college.

The topper, Deepika said, “I am very excited. The best thing is that all my near and dear ones are happy for me. I thank all my teachers for their support and above all thank my parents for their constant encouragement and support.”

Earlier, in December 2001 examination Monica Chawla and Shilpi Mittal of the college had bagged first position in MBA first and MBA third semester, respectively. Dr Kang said, “The students have secured seven out of the first 10 positions in MBA third semester and six out of the first 10 positions in MBA first semester examinations.”

Nachle sohniye, sings Sukhbir
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, March 25
“If I were to produce music videos, I would not have half-clad girls in the songs-rather I would have the girls dressed in Punjabi suits. I am a true Punjabi at heart though I have spent 20 years in Nairobi and live abroad,” said the popular Punjabi singer Sukhbir. He was in the city to launch Ethos Embassy, a professional event management company and for showing of his latest video “Nachle soniye” from his album “Dil kare” at Park Plaza this morning.

Since breaking into the music scene in 1995, Sukhbir has moved from strength to strength by bringing together diverse sounds and instruments. Sukhbir has created his very own brand of ‘fusion’ bhangra.

He said, although I perform every where in the world, but when I come to Punjab, I am the happiest. The response of the audience simply overwhelms me.

In answer to a query as to what he would do for the society that has given him name and fame, Sukhbir told mediapersons that proceeds of several of his concerts go to charity. Apart from this he is doing a film with Govinda which carries a message for the prevention of AIDS. “Yes! We artists owe responsibility to society. Since I do not live in India and come only for short time, I am not able to do as much as I would like to but I am always available for doing whatever I can for the betterment of society.”

He further said the quality of songs was the major factor for their popularity and not the skimply-dressed girls. “We have to take girls and boys in western outfits as the videos are to be shown all over the world. Since we just prepare the audio, and visuals are left to the producers, we cannot do much in this regard. The lyrics of my songs are penned by my father, Raghbir Singh. I owe my success to him for he has been and is my friend, philosopher and guide. In “Nachle Sohniye”, I have tried to get out of my black outfit and have worn a green shirt. Usually I have a lean and mean kind of look in my videos. I have tried a softer look in this one and I think it will jell with the audience.”

Generally Sukhbir likes to shoot the entire video in one day only. “Nachle Sohniye” took two days to shoot. But the editing part takes about a fortnight. He has been negotiating with various music directors of Bollywood for playback singing. He would like to sing in Hindi so that he can reach a wider audience. His sixth album would be ready by September.

Our Correspondent adds from Doraha: Sukhbir enthralled the audience with his scintillating performance at a local restaurant yesterday night.

Dressed in all black and donning black goggles, Sukhbir’s very presence on the stage was enough to send the audience in a frenzy. He started with his all-time favourite “Mundian te kurian di gal ban gaye” and the fans loved every moment of it breaking into rapturous dancing and sang alongwith Sukhbir.

His fans included not only the people of Doraha, Khanna, Payal but it appeared as if the whole of Ludhiana had descended at the venue to watch Sukhbir perform live in the open-air theatre designed especially for the show. His numbers “Aaja nach lai sohniye” and “Balle balle tor Punjaban di”, “Lal klip tera joorai vich” and “Dil kare main tere nal bhangre’ch nachan” had the audience break into spontaneous dance. His number “Sauda khara-khara” had the audience on its feet. He ended his performance with “Tare gin-gin yaad teri vich” that evoked thunderous applause.

A magic and children’s dance show were also organised on the occasion. Another singer Lucky Singh too performed for about an hour. Mr Vikram Bakshi, the Managing Director and joint venture partner of McDonald’s India in the end extended the vote of thanks.

Narinder Biba Mela on March 27

Narinder Biba was one of the few best folk singers who stayed on in the field for four decades. Canada- based Punjabi singer Baldev Singh, is organising a Narinder Biba memorial Cultural Mela on March 27 under the aegis of Punjabi Sangeet Sabha at Sabzi Mandi grounds, Dugri. Leading singers from Punjab including Sardool Sikander and Ranbir Rana will participate in the mela.

Narinder Biba started her career in music in 1958. She was 16 and still in school. She performed with leading singers of her time, including the legendary Mohammad Rafi. She has sang for a number of Punjabi films. Besides she also gave hundreds of live performances in India and abroad.

Singers like Narinder Biba kept Punjabi folk alive. It was the base created by singers like her. Narinder Biba, that helped singers who followed to attain such great heights says Baldev.

In fact it was not easy in those days to sing. It is only now for last some years that the folk music is being acknowledged in terms of popularity and money. “Otherwise, who would care for the folk singers...they had to sing and live by their own as it was a struggle against so many odds”, Baldev points out.

One of the songs of Narinder Biba teriyan mohabbattan ne mar sutiya, das ki karan in film Teri Meri Ik Jind di still remains one of the most popular number. In Sohni Mahiwal she sang with Mohammad Rafi. She had also recorded a number of devotional albums like Saka Sirhind. — Vimal Sumbly

Plans for more theatre
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
World Theatre Day falls on March 27. Nine theatre groups of Ludhiana have come together and to further the cause of theatre in the district Dr. S.N. Sewak, a theatre person, informed that a meeting of these leading theatre groups was held in Punjabi Bhawan in January. It was decided to launch Ludhiana Rangmanch Sansthan on World Theatre Day. A meeting of the Sansthan would be held on the day. A seminar will also be held on that day.

The topic will be “Present Situation & Potentialities of Punjabi theatre”. Dr Satish K. Verma, Lecturer, Punjabi University, will participate in the seminar. A function will be organised by Malwa Rangmanch.

The Ludhiana Rangmanch Sansthan aims to promote theatre in general and Punjabi theatre in particular. It also aims to coordinate productions of the member groups. The Sansthan would organise drama shows at suitable places in and outside Ludhiana. It aims to arrange theatre workshops, seminars, and lectures with the help of universities and professional institutions to give impetus to theatre in the city. The Sansthan will rope in district, state, and Central agencies in theatre activity.

Each member group will be required to present one production each year.