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Unwrapped! Exotica in Town Vibrant
designs
Funny
Side Dancing Salsa to Punjabi music
Film & FASHION
YOUTH SPEAK
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Corporate GIFTS Silver ware, coins, clocks, chocolates, candle stands and divinity are among the corporate gifts that come with Diwali greetings, reports Geetanjali Gayatri
The festive season comes with gifts in hand. So these days there is a hurry-scurry to pick up gifts. With the sparkling Diwali already knocking at our doors, it’s gifts galore amidst soaring spirits and an all-time high. Corporate houses, as usual, are in the thick of things. They have their hands full as they juggle the many options at their disposal, wrapping up their good wishes in the most expressive of ways possible. And, the market is making the most of the occasion, offering mind-boggling choices and a never-before range to suit categories of high-end and middle-rung recipients. While crystal is certainly passe, silver is ‘glittering’ bright this festive season. Diya stands, vases, candle stands of silver with a dash of copper are the ‘hottest’ items most corporate houses have made a beeline for. “Silver coins have been around for quite a while but for high-end group, the idea is to give something that’ll stay well within the ambit of tradition and yet appeal in the modern lifestyle,” says Mukul Khanna, General Manger (Marketing), a spokesperson of Spice Telecom. Wine, too, this season, is experiencing a new high thanks to its availability in departmental stores. “A number of orders for a variety of wines have come in. In vogue and a lot in demand from the upper crust, it has emerged a winner in gift race,” says Rohit Gawri of Peshawaris in sector 19. This trend has also seen the emergence of another new gift—wine glasses that are registering increased sales. Inlay work in marble on watches, table tops and vases seems to have emerged as a “favorite” as also have “Divinity” items ranging from Rs 350 to as high as Rs 18,000. At Phulkari in Sector 17, bulk orders have come from various houses for handicraft and handloom items. Personalised gifts are very happening with names of the recipient embossed on everything from expensive pens to diaries and wallets. Electronics, primarily home utility products, are topping the list in gifts by business houses. “Sandwich-makers, juicers-mixer-grinders, food processors and over-toaster-grill are among the most sought-after items at our shop,” says an employee of Jagat Singh and Sons. Divine creamy chocolates, cakes and cookies remain a favourite with most players of the corporate sector since they have not only outsiders but their own employees to take care of. “It’s one gift which everyone welcomes. We are supplying these aplenty but maximum demand is coming in for the peanut-chocolate combination while cakes and cookies are bringing in the usual all-time high business,” says Ashi Banerjee who’s supplying these goodies to all top-end corporate houses. The options on the shelf are boundless this Diwali and corporate houses have worked out their own permutations and combinations based on how much they want to please. The festival juggernaut rolls on with these unlimited choices. There’s something in it for everybody.
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There is great fun in unwrapping a gift .The anticipation of what lies within can bring out the child in each of us. To add zing to the festivities around, Parbina Rashid decides to unwrap a few Diwali gifts that folks who matter around town have planned to send out. Anuja Lath Gupta Diwan Manna Vir Nakai Lucky sister. Interestingly her name is also Kismet.” Neelam Mansingh Shobha Koser
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Exotica in Town
Our city got the glamour-infused ‘affordable’ signature of Satya Paul with the launch of his eclectic couture line at a store at the Taj, giving fashion yet another big name to exhibit. A first glance inside the store and, voila, it is a riot of colours — exquisite and ravishing. The trendy range of women’s wear boasts of sarees, suit fabrics, kurtis and tops she would want to indulge in and drape herself in. Everything at the store bears the unmistakable stamp of the Satya Paul Design studio in its strong graphics juxtaposed with delicately etched designs, unsusual colour palette and vivid contrasts. Treating the six-yard saree as a wide canvas, the label has blended myriad hues_ traditional colours with soft tones and vibrant design strokes_ to make each piece a work of art. This ‘touch of exotica’ is available in crepe-de-chine, georgette, crepe and georgette and satin jacquard. The ‘designer feel’ is as pronounced for men in the sophisticated range of ties in silk, crepe silk and poly-silk available at the store. And, all of it is irresistible and affordable from a fashion guru who decides the course of designs to come. Nalini Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Satya Paul, in the city for the launch of the store says: “Why Chandigarh??? The city’s very jazzy, full of fashionable people wanting to make a style statement. They are totally in command as far as fashion goes. We were always flooded with a demand for a Satya Paul store from our committed clientele and had been toying with the idea for quite some time. But, I guess, it happens when it has to happen.” Besides, there’s another very good reason for this city store_ our girl is from the city itself and loves it for just about everything. “Besides Satya Paul, our company, Genesis Colours manages a few other brands and I’m getting them all to the city within the next three-four months. This includes Mumbai-based Deepika Gihani’s and Shobha De’s collection. Fashion is coming to the city in a big way before the spring collection unveils,” she adds. The fashion conscious, that means, have lots to look forward to. It also means we are a hot and happening city. Three cheers to that! — Geetanjali Gayatri
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Vibrant designs
It is all about keeping her vibrant creativity going! “Anything can give an idea, even a plastic carry bag with a pattern on it!” And it shows in the variety on offer. Muted colours, dignified cuts and patterns, delicate hand embroidery and each piece quite unlike the other! For Kusum Gupta, new entrant to the city, it is her first showing in ‘attire savvy’ Chandigarh! The result is freshness in styles and motifs. Cotton, silks, jute, linen, pure georgettes, crepes and chiffons done up in sequins, slender embroidery, khari work, zardozi—the work is elegant and simple—with attention to offsetting the patterns on the fabric instead of overwhelming them. What makes this display a must see are the truly affordable prices for some unusual prints and with dollops of creativity. So, you have an array of Gujarati Bandhej, Kerala’s Kasuti work, Satya Paul contemporary prints, rich machine and hand embroidery and with an abundance of earth colours—rusts, browns, blacks and burnished reds with vibrant outlines, trimmings and edgings. A soft tissue kurta embellished with an embroidered scarf (Rs. 1800), bright pink jute kameez with beads, green linen with shaded leaves and a plush flower-patterned design fanning across the kurta (Rs. 800), typical Gujarati embroidery with beads on rust with a dupatta (Rs. 650) all surprise with their variety. That is not all, gorgeous saris with ari work, cut dana and embroidery—a green net with flaming blue flowers with mauve yellow and blue buds (Rs. 4000) or a muted Nalli crepe with ornamental embroidery, a scintillating pink and yellow chiffon covered with needlework (Rs. 4000), crepe with subdued block prints with a contrasting yellow and blue blouse-piece with beads and sequins lifting the rims of the prints make for excellent and reasonable buys. Simple graceful kurtas for children (Rs. 100 to 500), flowing night wear (Rs. 200 to 300), an unusual Gujarati print jacket with mirror work, exquisite saris and straightforward, no ‘flashy-frill’ kurtas, even beautifully worked-on shawls for the coming winters are all exhibited at the Director’s Bungalow, House No. 700, Punjab Engineering College and is worth a dekko for its clean-cut classic needlework apparel. It is on till Sunday, October 23. —Gayatri Rajwade
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Chasing Butterflies
He loves to chase winged beauties in the wild and shoot them with his choice of weapon: a Canon EOS 50 camera. His collection of butterflies’ photos comprises laying of eggs, emergence of larvae, modes of feeding and chasing a mate. His passion for the butterflies and moths makes him a biologist-cum-photographer. Dr V.K. Walia, an entomologist at the Department of Zoology, Panjab University, who has been studying butterflies and moths for more than 25 years, believes photographing little beauties needs patience, alertness and quick reflexes as this is not “smile-please” photography. Many a time when you concentrate on capturing the picture, suddenly the butterfly takes off. For this, one should understand their nature and behaviour. To capture these pictures, he walks miles in the forests of Sukhna Lake, lower Shivaliks, Kalesar in Haryana and Subathu, Sairighat and Renuka in Himachal Pradesh. For moths, he ventures out in the dark as they are nocturnal. “I am always on the move for a good shot. It is different from angling, where on sits and waits for the fish. I am more like a hunter,” says the entomologist. From the grass jewel, a smallest butterfly, to the common mormon, a largest butterfly, capturing butterflies and their activities is his one-point programme. His collection has a picture of a male common mormon chasing the female and a branded owl laying eggs. “Freezing them in action forever like laying of eggs, which is of a short duration, one needs precision,” he says. He also captured butterflies basking in the sun by spreading its wings horizontally. Generally, most of the lensmen have clicked photographs of butterflies having wings folded vertically. “Live photography brings to the fore various behavioural aspects of the moths and butterflies like the sitting posture of a particular species. It will also serve as a reference material for those carrying out research in the related fields.” Among the moths and the butterflies, Dr Walia finds the moths the most challenging because of their size, some measuring only a few millimeters, and fascinating due to their resplendent and diverse colour patterns. In his photographic career spanning over 30 years, he has won various competitions, including the Rose Festival photo contest in 1984, 1987, 1992 and 1993 and the Amateur Photo Contest in 1992 organised by the CITCO. In 1986, he travelled throughout the country to photograph more than 650 educational institutes of the DAV management committee. |
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Funny
Side I am a devout map reader. To me, going from point A to point B, in a new city means having to procure a map. When I arrived here, one of the first things I bought was a glossy map from Sector 17 and studied it diligently. Soon, I had the entire city figured out in directional quadrants and the major roads running from North to South and East to West. First time I asked somebody how to get to the crossing of Madhya Marg and Himalaya Marg, he looked bewildered. He had lived in Chandigarh for twenty years and did not know of a ‘Himalaya Marg.’ I named the bank I needed to visit – and he said, indignantly –“You mean – Matka Chowk?” “Why don’t you say that – instead of naming all these strange Margs? Look for a big green upside-down Matka on a Chowk and you will be close to the bank.” The Matka was all I needed to find. Next, I wanted to go to a certain supermarket. Apparently, the store was in sector 34 and one of my friends advised me to cross Sector 21 and Sector 20 on either side and arrive at a big chowk, with pink flowers on it, across which I would find Sector 34.When I mumbled about the road to take, she calmly reassured me –“Why are you worried about roads? Just get to Sector 34 chowk. All your ideas about crossroads and direction are so confusing! I always look out for Rajan’s Dupatta House, when I go to your house!” Never mind – bolstered with my new chowk skills – I ventured out to the airport. I knew I had to turn left at the intersection of Dakshin Marg and Sarovar Path, except, I was told that there was no such road as Dakshin Marg. After a lot of explanation with reference to Hot Millions, Kishan Bhawan, Fish market and Passport Office, I was duly chastised. “You mean Ambala road - why don’t you just say so?” I was further enlightened. What were they thinking when they put up those admirably well-placed road signs on the chowks? Now I knew. I had it figured. All I had to know was which chowk led to which sector. And as someone commented – “no two chowks are alike,” I started watching out for odd-shaped cactus, iron art, overgrown rose bushes, geometrical pottery and more. Someone while directing me to the fish market, even mentioned, “There is usually at the light, a big black bull standing on the divider.” How could I go wrong with that? Once I asked someone in Sector 19, how to go to Sector 17. She said – “It is very simple – get out of here – you will be in Sector 18 and then turn left and you will be in sector 17.” What a simple navigational chart! I feel stupid now – on wasting my money and time on maps and directions. |
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Dancing Salsa to Punjabi music
Rhythm, free body movement and funky music_ that is Salsa for you. Imported from Cuba, this particular dance form is fast catching up with the young and young-at-hearts of City Beautiful.
This sleepy Sunday morning, we make a visit to an equally sleepy Department of Indian Theatre to find out all about Salsa from none other than Salsa expert Anubhav Kumar who is currently training 24 boys and girls in the department. Enter the Studio room, rhythm takes over lethargy and one cannot help but shaking one’s legs along with the gyrating couple on the dance floor. Snatching time in between, Anubhav joins us for a couple of minutes to make us wiser about this dance form. “Salsa can be summed up as free body movement, small rhythmic steps and lots of funky music, be it Latin American or our own Punjabi song,” says Anubhav. True to his word, he shouts some incoherent instruction and music changes from western to a Punjabi number. The dance steps remain the same, if anything the Punjabi song infuses more life, perhaps because of the feel of familiarity it imparts. The dance demo was part of the two-week old workshop the department has been conducting for both students and faculty members. “Salsa has helped our students to open up, both to audience and to each other, specially to the member of the opposite sex,” says Neelam
Mansingh, Chairperson of the Department, as she tries to catch her breath after a vigorous number with the young participants. “As majority of our students come from small towns and villages, they have this inhibition of touching each there, which is melting away with each session progressing,” she explains. Besides it also helps making one’s body supple and flexible, she adds. Not only that, Salsa also helps in reducing weight. “I have been dancing for more than a decade now and guess how much weight I have lost over the years?” We land our ears to this dance enthusiast and he whispers the magic number; “25 kg”. Unbelievable! “This is the reason why fitness centres have introduced Salsa as part of their weight loss regime,” says Anubhav, who flies in every weekend to teach Salsa at Planet Fitness. So folks! Let us just do the Salsa: Put on your dancing shoes and dance away your blues.
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Fraternal feeling at the liquor shop Maybe these Bacchus lovers, knowingly or unknowingly, are setting an example for others to see how cooperation and joint effort can bear fruit for anyone. It’s another thing that the fruit (juice) in their case tastes bitter. Throughout the day, a liquor shop near a petrol station along the Madhya Marg in Sector 17 witnesses a sea of customers. Unlike other vends, customers here make purchases in bulk. Not because they need liquor in large quantity, but because they know that making purchases in bulk can save them some money. They pool in money and purchase cases of liquor of their choice and later distribute bottles among themselves. Although such scenes are repeated in front of this vend throughout the day, the frequency increases in the evening, when it will be right to say that brotherhood and cooperation, and not liquor, is flowing from the vend. Bacchus lovers travel to this shop from various nooks and corners of the city and neighbouring areas to reap the crop of cooperation. Those reaching the vend can be seen standing in groups as per their “choice”. These groups in their parlance mean “100 wala”, “120 wala”, “140 wala”, etc. in obvious reference to the amount of money they would like to spend on a bottle. One of the persons in each group takes on himself the responsibility of managing things for the group. He would call out the “name” of his group in moderate tone and those desirous of being part of it would cement their membership by contributing the required money. In many cases, the “collector” would write 1, 2, etc on the palm of the contributor and initial it. The number written is indicative of the number of shares purchased in the “case”. As soon as all shares in a particular “case” are subscribed, the leader heads towards the vend counter to buy liquor from the contributed money. Then comes the distribution stage. The leader opens the case and the claimants extend their “priced” palms toward him one by one. He hands over liquor bottles to them and strikes off the initialled markings. Once the ritual is over, the group members depart. Neither of them knew each other before they met at the vend that day nor is there much probability of their so meeting again, yet they all trusted and cooperated each other for achieving their target of saving some money on each bottle that they so purchased. And no sooner did the hearing in one “case” is over, it’s time for the a new “collector” to call out for the next “case”.
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Film & FASHION
Italian designer Valentino Garavani says he is appalled by the casual dress sense of superstars Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz. He said the actresses look like “homeless people”, according to Internet Movie Database. Roberts and Diaz have been known to dress exquisitely for red carpet occasions but their casual leisure time dress sense disgusts Valentino. He said: “Today you see Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz running around looking unkempt in jogging trousers. In the past, actresses had to commit in their contracts to appear in public like stars when they left their homes.”— IANS Sharon Stone auctions her earrings ‘Basic Instinct’ beauty Sharon Stone stunned a studio audience on comedienne Ellen De Generes TV chat show when she showed off her auctioning skills by selling off her earrings. The actress was chatting about a recent charity auction she hosted, where she offered the men in the audience the chance to fasten her dress when a clasp came loose - for a fee - when she sparked an impromptu bidding frenzy. Responding to DeGeneres questions about her auctioning skills, Stone said, “I can do it right now... You want to see,” before taking her gold and diamond earrings out and inviting fans to bid for them. According to Contactmusic bidding started at 500 pounds and quickly rose to 7,000 pounds when the actress star agreed to add a signed photo to the lot. Stone plans to hand over the cash to her favourite charity, the American Foundation for Aids Research. — ANI Jackson turned away from cafe Pop superstar Michael Jackson was turned away when he made an appearance at London’s Hard Rock Café. According to ananova.com, when Jackson heard that there was a re-launch party at the restaurant he decided to make an appearance. Jackson’s publicist, security and management approved it and gave the thumbs up. They even found a secret back door for him. But Jackson was late and he was turned away because the restaurant was “packed”. —IANS Amjad Ali Khan nominated for Grammy
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s new album “Moksha” has been nominated for a Grammy in the ‘traditional world’ category. “Moksha” has eight pieces including solo pieces by Khan’s sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. The album was released in Europe in May and in the US in June by Real World Records. Khan said “Moksha” had been specially packaged for the international market. “This is an attempt to expose the Western world to the magic of sarod,” he told IANS. The final winners are to be announced in February when the awards will be presented at a glittering function. — IANS Film on Tarannum Producer-director Ashok Pandit is planning to start scripting a film on the life of bar-dancer Tarannum Khan who hit the headlines for her involvement in a match-fixing scandal. It is a subject that Pandit has been looking at for the past few weeks as he closely followed media reports of the bar dancer’s gradual rise to success, wealth and infamy, reports Bollywood Trade. “I found the whole thing very intriguing and felt it could make a great film,” Pandit says. He is however not yet clear about when he could start shooting for the film or which actress could be ideally suited to play the title role. —IANS Theron wants to make up with Halle Berry Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron is attempting to reach out to fellow actress Halle Berry by assuring her that she didn’t make insulting comments about her, despite reports claiming it. Theron, who scooped her Best Actress Academy Award two years after Berry’s 2002 win, was horrified when she read a quote attributed to her, in which she said, “Note to self. Do not become Halle Berry” — in reference to the movie choices the she has made since her Oscar win. “I tried to make contact with her. I sent her flowers saying, ‘I really want you to know I never said that,’ and she never called back.” “I think Halle Berry is an incredible actress. I have no problem with the choices she’s made. At the end of the day, we have to take responsibility for the choices we make,” she added. —ANI
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YOUTH SPEAK
It is amazing to know that there exists a huge number of Indian stories telling us about good and bad. The months of October and November are months of festivity in India. Festivals like Ganesh Puja, Diwali, Dussehra and Onam are celebrated during these months. All these festivals have a story to tell like the Ramayana guides us to what is right and what is wrong. It tells us about ways and means to achieve what’s right. These stories tell us a lot and good finally triumphs over evil.
We should always listen to our conscience. By this way alone can we achieve positive results. —Asmita Nehru Send your views along with your picture to Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh-160030
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Health and Fitness You are one of a kind! Take interest in your family tree. Your parents and ancestors help determine who you are. Your habits, work, life style and surroundings help to define your health risks. Make your children aware of the diseases present in your family members. — Dr. Rashmi Garg is senior consultant, Fortis, Mohali.
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TAROT TALK
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ARIES : Your vitality and courage are strong now and you are eager to meet challenges. Your spouse will take care of your emotions. Avoid the reckless fire sign Sagittarius.
Lucky number: 1, Lucky colour: Pink 
LIBRA : t's best to move to the centre of the cyclone and let it pass as ‘The Wheel of Change’ spins dizzily around you. This is a time of gaining insight. Lucky number: 16, Lucky colour: Chocolate brown. 
TAURUS : If you are active in sports, you will be especially competitive now. Financially, tread carefully for you're surrounded by people who can make mistakes at any moment. Lucky number: 4, Lucky colour: Saffron 
SCORPIO : It's imperative to be here now and experience each moment totally rather than be preoccupied with the past or plan for the future. Change is on the cards. Lucky number: 14, Lucky colour: Ebony. 
GEMINI : Your imagination is very active and you can dream up some very creative ideas today. Love is waiting for you. Unresolved confidential matters will be irritating. Lucky number: 12, Lucky colour: Yellow. 
SAGITTARIUS : Short
journey and expeditions likely for some. A Gemini link may surprise
you. Avoid superficial people who create negative feelings. Lucky
number: 9, Lucky colour: Rusty red. 
CANCER : You have a very realistic and no-nonsense attitude at this time. Be cautious about new ideas. A shopping spree can set your budget aflutter. Lucky number: 15, Lucky colour: Purple. 
CAPRICORN
: Perseverance in a personal relationship is rewarding. Opposition in professional matters can delay projects. A Scorpio person can be relied upon. Lucky number: 16, Lucky colour: Earthy brown. 
LEO : You have drawn " The Ace of Wands" and you feel more lackadaisical now, less focused on mundane tasks, and possibly less energetic as well. Lucky number: 6, Lucky colour: Creamy white. 
AQUARIUS : Women get in touch with their Yang (dynamic) abilities and energies while men get in touch with their Yin (receptive) energies and emotions. Lucky number: 14, Lucky colour: Sea green. 
VIRGO : You are more taciturn and uncommunicative than usual and don't feel very social. Living totally in the moment and going with the flow are great. Lucky number: 3, Lucky colour: Cherry red. 
PISCES: Major changes or upheaval in professional aspects may look destructive now but lead to positive situations. "The Emperor" gets you in touch with your leadership qualities. Lucky number: 10, Lucky colour: Red.