The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Kids impress at inter-school music contest
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 28
Budding singers from various schools of the city left the audience spellbound with their soulful and melodious performances during K.J. Khosla Memorial Inter-School Music Contest organised by Bhavan Vidyalaya at the auditorium of Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, here today.

The contest was held in memory of K.J. Khosla, former Vice-Chairman-cum-Director of the school who was an ardent admirer and a patron of the performing arts, music in particular. In today’s contest as many as 18 participants from 10 different schools from the city and nearby areas took part.

The theme of the competition was based on ‘Nature’ and the event was divided into two categories — solo singing in which individual participants were required to perform purely classical song based on any raaga. In the second category groups consisting of six to seven students were required to perform on the chosen theme.

Renowned Hindustani vocalist of Agra gharana, Pandit Yashpaul was the chief guest on the occasion. Giving away the prizes to the winners, Pandit Yashpaul, who besides being a top-grade artiste for All India Radio and Doordarshan is also the founder of the Department of Music in MCM DAV College, Sector 36, encouraged the students to take pride in their rich heritage of classical music. A panel of judges comprising eminent musician like Mr Mrinal Sengupta, Ms Pamela Singh and Mr N.S. Rathor adjudged the event.

The following are the winners of the contest:

Solo singing: First — Kartik (Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27); second — Dhanya (St. Stephen’s School, Sector 45); third — Aman Gurmeet Singh, (Ajit Karam Singh International Public School(AKSIPS), Sector 41). Group singing: first — Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 15, Panchkula and AKSIPS, Sector 41; second — Sacred Heart Convent School, Sector 26; third — Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27.

The trophy was won by Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41.

Certificates given to students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28
The SPIC-Microsoft “Centre of Excellence” today presented certificates to its students for the courses they had undertaken. The certificates were given to the students by Mr Vivek Atray, Director, IT-cum-CEO, SPIC, Chandigarh Administration, at a function at the SPIC-Microsoft office at Punjab Engineering College this evening.

At least 40 corporate employees from various government departments and students of web designing, MCSE, visual basics, MS Office and Internet were given certificates in respective fields.

COURTS

Status quo on Hansraj Principal’s transfer
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 28
Acting on a suit filed by the Principal of Hansraj Public School, Ms Rajni Thareja, a local court today ordered the maintenance of status quo regarding the implementation of her transfer order dated October 22.

Pronouncing the order, the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Mr Gulab Singh, further observed that the status quo orders were being passed “only in respect of the transfer of the plaintiff”.

In her suit, Ms Thareja had sought the declaration to the effect that the order dated October 22, regarding her transfer from Hansraj Public School to DAV Senior Public School, Surajpur, and subsequent suspension on charges of insubordination were “invalid, arbitrary and against the rules, regulations and instructions issued by the DAV College managing committee from time to time”.

She had further added that the orders were also against the set procedure and were of no legal consequence.

After hearing the arguments the case was adjourned for October 31 for filing a written statement, reply to injunction application and arguments on the same.

The Judge further observed that the Manager of Hansraj Public School, Mr Subhash Marriya, had not been served summons and the written statement. Besides, the reply to the injunction application was not filed by the DAV College managing committee and other defendants. He added that the defendants had requested for an adjournment and their request was allowed.

District Courts
Voting rights of advocates practising outside withdrawn
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 28
The general house meeting of the District Bar Association (DBA) was today marked with an exchange of heated arguments, allegations and counter-allegations between different groups of advocates for about three hours in the UT District Courts.

As many as 25 advocates, including Mr Amar Singh Chahal, Mr N.K. Nanda, Mr Rajinder Mahajan, Mr Sajal Koser, Mr Satish Bhardwaj and Mr K.S. Lamba, addressed the gathering.

The president of the association, Mr Sajal Koser, said the DBA had reached a consensus regarding the implementation of the constitution which was prepared by its members in 1995, the construction of makeshift chambers on the court premises and withdrawing voting rights of members who had been practising in the other courts, except the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

On the other hand, opposing the decision, a former president of the DBA, Mr N.K. Nanda, said the association had never accepted any constitution and those enrolled with the DBA, practising in other bar associations, had a right to cast vote.

Taking a note of problems being faced by advocates, functioning in the UT District Courts without a proper seating arrangement, the DBA today decided to built makeshift chambers for them on the court premises. As many as 80 advocates will be accommodated in these temporary chambers.

Chandigarh Tribune had carried a story, highlighting the problem, on October 5. Mr Nanda said that during his tenure, the DBA had got a permission from the UT Administration to build makeshift chambers.

Mr Koser added that the DBA had so far received 132 applications from advocates for the allotment of makeshift chambers. A screening committee of the DBA would look after their applications and only those found suitable would be allotted chambers. “The DBA will be discussing the matter with various companies like the HDFC for sponsoring iron fencing and gates for the exclusive parking in the courts,” he added.

Since 1986, there are only 108 permanent chambers which can accommodate 324 advocates. At present, about 2,000 advocates are practising in the court. Many of them are practising either from makeshift wooden chambers or with a bench and couple of chairs in the open space.

The DBA today also withdrew the right to vote from members of the DBA who are members of other bar associations, including Panchkula, Kharar, Central Administrative and Income Tax Bar Association, excepts the High Court Bar Association. However, Mr Nanda has opposed the decision.

The third important decision taken by the DBA, regarding an increase in the subscription fee of the DBA membership and the levy of advocates welfare stamp of Rs 5, was taken as per the constitution.

CULTURE

In support of socialist concerns
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28
Sardar Gursharan Singh’s plays are always a delight to watch, not only because they truly mirror social realities without misleading the viewer with rosy settings and rhetoric, but also because they are divested of pretentious sets that take much of the punch away from the performance.

Made for the masses, Gursharan Singh’s plays “Jera”, “Baba Bolda hai” and “Curfew” raised vital issues, as they opened the two-day drama festival being organised jointly at Tagore Theatre by the Chandigarh School of Drama and Pracheen Kala Kendra. All productions were interlinked through elements of social and human concern. Not only did the plays pulsate with vigour and life, typical of Gursharan Singh’s style, they also made the audience stand up and feel responsible for their own plight.

The first presentation of the evening, “Jera”, sought to equate man and woman. Sensitively written and powerfully portrayed, the story demanded an equal footing for woman in the society defined by divisions in the name of sex, caste and creed. Inspiring among people the courage to take on dead doctrines and breathe fresh life and purpose into social settings and political schemes, the play made a strong impact.

Following “Jera”, Gursharan Singh himself appeared on the stage playing the lead role in “Baba Bolda Hai”, which was a satire on the political warlords, who are forever interested in playing upon the baser instincts of man. Launching a verbal tirade against communal forces that divide the society, irrespective of time frames (1947 or 1984), Gursharan Singh uncovered the wily schemes that operate behind the macabre scenes of death and pillage. Talking of the infamous 1984 Sikh riots and the trauma that Partition unleashed, the writer, director and actor forced the brains out of inertia, addressing the real issue of human loss, which remains relegated to the background whenever communal riots break out. The lasting message was that of harmony and peace.

The final production of the day was another powerful satirical statement on the powers that be which impose curfews at the drop of a hat. Bringing out the mechanism of a curfew, which invariably ends paralysing the social system as well as the economic structure, Gursharan Singh won the audience over with his true-to-life portrayal of pain and political misgivings.

The cast included Daljeet Singh, Manju Shah, Jaswinder Singh, Honey Walia, Vikrajmjit Singh, Arun Bansal, Manbhavan and Harish Verma. The plays were written and directed by Sardar Gursharan Singh.

A.M. Singh’s debut album released
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 28
Yet another youngster A.M. Singh is ready to set the Punjabi music scene ablaze with his debut album”Mera Mahiya” which was released amid much fanfare at a local hotel in Sector 35 here today. The album was launched by renowned poet Dr Sardar Anjum.

“Mahiya Mera” has eight songs, including a duet “Barsat” by A.M. Singh and well-known playback singer Jaspinder Narula. Music has been composed by Surinder Bachan while Bittu Khannewala, Lali Mohini and Balwinder have penned the lyrics.

A.M. Singh, who started his journey in the world of music about 10 years ago, claims that all songs in the album portray the real culture of Punjab and there was no obscenity or double meaning words in lyrics. “Mahiya Mera” has been launched by M World Entertainers.

Munna khush hai aaj khamkha...
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28
The starry destination is not too far away from Munna Dhiman who has traversed the road from Burail Colony in Chandigarh to Bollywood rather fast. Already a name to reckon with in the music circles of Mumbai, Munna, a local boy who works extensively on street theatre scripts often staged by the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, is suddenly much in demand in the advertisement as well as the pop music circuit. And this for reasons not far to seek. He happens to be the writer of the much-adored and exciting Cadbury’s latest ad campaign — “Mein khush hoon aaj khamkha” — set to music by Vishal Bhardwaj. He also happens to be one among the celebrated lyricists who have penned songs for V popstars maiden album.

The first album of the band, ‘Aasman’, which hit the racks earlier this month has three (out of nine) songs by Munna, who still seems mighty surprised with his own talent. All three songs in question were offered to Munna by Vishal Bhardwaj, who impressed listeners with his earthy music in Gulzar’s ‘Maachis’.

Sharing loadsful of joy in his office in Sector 11, Munna said, “I am still coming to terms with this instant success. Actually I have been writing ever since I was a child. My writings are more of candid listings about life and relationships and less about gloss and glamour. One fine day I just happened to post some of my writings to some music directors in Mumbai. I had obtained their addresses from the film directory, without making any noise about my move whatsoever. For long there was no response. Finally, Vishal called me up and said he would soon work with me. The day he got an assignment to compose music for two new songs of the V popstars, he called me up in Chandigarh and asked me to write two enthusiastic numbers that spell life and energy.”

The two songs, hence written, now form a part of Aasman. They include “Thoda sa sareke hue hona zaroori hai” and “Life main thoda lafda hona mangta hai”. Set to music by Vishal, the songs are already causing ripples in the pop music world. Munna informs, “I was present at the recording sessions in Mumbai. Later V popstars even presented my songs during their love concert in Mumbai. The concert will be telecast on Star channel on November 2.

“Apart from the two songs in question, Munna also wrote another song for the album. This one was virtually tailored for music made earlier. As for now, Munna is busy dreaming big. As he says, “Success in life is just a matter of chance. Not that I had not been writing earlier. It is all a question of timing. I am eagerly awaiting fresh assignments.”

And how did Candury’s happen? “Well, because of Vishal who has committed a long working relationship with me. He seems to have taken a fancy to my kind of writing,” smiles Munna, whose stars are beginning to shine and amazingly so.