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Cobra Love
All about fashion A car over my carcass! Sartre’s paradoxical passions It’s got the Look Munch time! Lawful Entry YOUTHNET Film & FASHION
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Playing on script a second time is a challenge and Neelam Mansingh comes out a winner in the second coming of Girish Karnad’s Naga-Mandala, says Nirupama Dutt
Against a backdrop of shimmering dotted and striped fabric, so like snakeskin, sewn together, sits the beautiful Rani experiencing a strange marriage in which her husband is a tyrant by day and a lover by night. Trying to fathom this dichotomy, Rani tells her snake man: “All these days I was never sure I didn’t just dream up these nightly visits of yours. You don’t know how I have suffered. When I saw your scowling face in the mornings, I would be certain everything was a fantasy and almost want to cry.” This is a scene from Girish Karnad’s famous play, Naga-Mandala (Play with a Cobra) that is being rehearsed in the Studio Theatre in the backyard of Neelam Mansingh’s home in Chandigarh’s Sector 4. The play is to be staged at the Playwrights’ Convention at Bangalore on November13. This is not the first time that Neelam is doing this fascinating play in a fine translation in Punjabi by poet Surjit Patar. In fact Neelam took up this play some time in the late Eighties and it proved to be a turning point in her journey as director. It was a remarkable play by Karnad in which two Kannada folk tales were woven together. The first tale commented on the paradoxical nature of oral tales that have an existence of their own independent of the narrator and yet they live on only when they are passed on from one to the other. Within this tale is the story of Rani who flowers in the fantastic rather than the realistic. Neelam had got an exquisite translation, songs and all from Punjabi. I recall Neelam telling me then, “It is an amazing story about women for lovers and love exist more in their fantasy.” As a director, this play helped her weave together her traditional naqals, many of them female impersonators, in a cohesive manner with her urban contemporary actors. It was the play that received rave reviews at the national level and remained a favourite with Karnad. Now many years later when Neelam was thinking about working on stories of Saadat Hasan Manto, a proposal came that she stage Naga-Mandala all over again. Neelam says: “I wasn’t very excited to begin with. I didn’t know I wanted to do a tale about snakes and women all over again. The Manto festival at Lahore got cancelled and I just started reading Naga-Mandala again.” The story had the power to grip her again and so she picked up the same script and most of the same actors and started work on it all over again. The result is a freshly designed production with many new elements. The concept is reworked with the accent on duality and thus we have two leading ladies instead of one. Ramanjeet is at her emotive best and finely supported by Payal and the brand-new snake is a talented young man called Rocky. A lotus pond, carpets of dried leaves snaky paintings on trunks make this half-realist and half-fantastic tale come alive brilliantly with Pamela Singh singing soulfully the lyrics by Surjit Patar. |
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Parbina Rashid gives a glimpse of what is to come in the two-day fashion do in town
To give an insight to the fashion industry, Business School of Fashion is organising a two-day Fashion Knowledge Forum, which starts at Hotel Mountview from November 8. Insightful and thought provoking, as it is termed, the forum challenges the key market issues and hopes to deliver ideas for fashion business planning, development and innovation. It will also highlight the creativity of Indian fashion as it beaks through the global market. The event will also see the inauguration of the Fashion Technology Park at Hotel Mountview on November 8. The guiding vision of the park is to facilitate the Indian fashion industry attain and retain the global leadership. The forum will be inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Punjab Governor S. F. Rodrigues will be the chief guest. Union Minister for commerce and Industry Kamal Nath will deliver the keynote address. Issues like corporatising design, concerns of the Indian design industry, meeting the demands of middle markets, India as a global hub in fashion and women empowerment through design will be discussed through a series of seminars, panel discussions and workshops. The highlight of the event is a fashion show, which will showcase the creations of famous designers - Suneet Verma, Anshu Arora, Ranna Gill and Sunita Shankar, at 7 pm on the inaugural day. The forum will conclude the next day with a performance by the Wadali Brothers. |
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Sai R. Vaidyanathan finds out the reasons why his neighbour wouldn’t buy a car
I already knew the fact that to talk to him meant getting the most profound answers. But the compassion in me made me walk up to him and ask why he doesn’t buy a car. Suddenly, he started coughing badly. This forced me to run inside and fetch a glass of water. By then, he was up on his feet and laughing. “I don’t want to die coughing like this”, he explained. “If I buy a car, I will have to park it over my plants which will die as a result. This will end the supply of fresh air that I get from them. The car instead will pour polluted air into my lungs to leave me breathless.” “Look at the world! How far has it progressed! And, you still…” I continued with my persuasion. “Not progression but regression!” he retorted. “You progressed from a scooter to a car, but you still reach your office late! And tell me, what is the use of your four-seater if you have to travel alone most of the times? The only progress you have made is in sacrificing trees for widening your roads.” This was already looking like a conversation between a car seller and a stubborn customer. But since I own a car and find inherent benefits in it, I continued, “But you could drive in comfort around the city and even out of it !” “Beta,” he replied to my astonishment, “I don’t want to increase the country’s unemployment figures!” This was a new one. “You can possibly give a young man the job of a driver. That means giving someone employment and not increasing unemployment!” I thought I had him trapped. He smiled and replied, “For such a small city, the city authorities run such a good bus service. What will happen to those drivers and conductors if I and the others go on personal vehicles? And also, you have no space to park those cars. To go out of the city, I would prefer a train.” “Son, for the employment of one and the comfort of another, I cannot bring discomfort to so many others!” he replied and continued tending to his plants. I had to disrupt this conversation in a hurry as my mobile beeped and the SMS read, “Dad, take out your car.” My car stood blocking the way of my son’s bike. My son was already late on his way to college. |
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WHAT were the passions that preoccupied Jean Paul Sartre, the cross-eyed intellectual hero of the century past? Well, there were quite a few and apparently contradictory ones at that: Freedom, Existentialism, Communism and Gustave Flaubert of Madam Bovary fame, vintage 1856. Interesting insights into the philosophy and concerns of Sartre, Sartre: philosophical self and autobiographical self, organised by Alliance Francaise Le Corbusier. The lecture was organised at the Department on Philosophy, Panjab University, on Monday morning as part of the series of functions being held all over the globe as part of the Sartre Centenary year. “I think Sartre had a serious problem of identities for at the height of the students’ revolution in France he would address the workers at lunchtime and then come and start writing his critique of Flaubert,” said Dr. Bruno Clement in an interesting discussion that followed the presentation. A doctorate on in French literature, Clement dwelt upon the use by Sartre of the first person singular in philosophy, fiction and autobiographical work. However, the most interesting point that emerged was Sartre’s magnificent obsession with Flaubert. Clement was of the view that one writer choosing to analyse another writer at times talks of his own creative processes and convictions through the other. Was it so when Sartre wrote 3000 pages on Flaubert. Sartre had been preoccupied with Flaubert since childhood. In the four-volume study, The Family Idiot: Gustave Flaubert from 1821 to 1857, finished in 1971. The question that arises is that Sartre as a committed Communist writer thought of Flaubert as a bourgeosie writer then why did he spend his latter years just studying him. Clement said, “If Sartre had not gone blind, he was planning to write thousands of more pages on Flaubert.” Well, such is the paradox of genius!
— N.D. |
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It’s got the Look
THE “It” here refers to Salochana’s Beauty World in Sector 8, which celebrated 25 years of its existence on Monday. Her salon wore the look a bride with aesthetically done floral decorations and the city’s “who’s who” in the glam circle descended at the venue to add zing to the celebrations. The new look was unveiled by Ms Asha Hooda, wife of the Haryana Chief Minister. Famous singer Dolly Guleria, fashion choreographer Priyanka Singh Khosla too were among the invitees. Salochana has come a long way from the modest beauty parlour she had set up in 1979 to support her deaf and dumb daughter. Supporting the physically challenged girls had become her mission in life. Since then she has trained 175 deaf girls in the beauty business and helped them getting employment too. Her beauty parlour now boasts of all modern gadgets like vacuum pray for blackheads or an ultrasonic for induction of fruit pulps into facial skin. For those uninitiated, removal of blackheads is a painful process .when done the menial way. It has a separate section for designer outfits with her daughter-in-law Sonia Ahuja handling the designing part. “We are designing everything from saris for brides-to-be to shawls to funky tops in asymmetrical cuts for youngsters,” she says. Giving tips for the party hoppers, she says heavily embroidered kurta with capris is the in-thing this season. Salochana is offering a few special offers as part of the week-long celebrations. And guess what! She has roped in some best names in the beauty business, Salim Ahmed being one of them. New Zealand’s Serveilles Academy trained Salim gives his expert opinion about the trends in hair styling - go for either the increased layered look if you have long hair or try that uniform cut for reducing bulk if you have thick mane. This will give movement to your hair. So folks! Are you game? |
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Munch time!
Going (ground)nuts With them, you needn’t worry about doing any cooking. Simply take a handful, crack open their shells and hey, get set gobbling them. Whats more, these nutritional superstars are helping you live longer, shed those extra pounds and enhancing your health. Roast them and serve them along with chopped tomato and onions on a roasted papad for a wispy crunchy evening snack. Crispy Slices As the air gets thick with cool breeze, it’s time to bid goodbye to chilled Pineapple raitas and sliced onions sprinkled with lime. Get hold of that crispy toast (that’s just popped out of the toaster) with baked beans and scrambled eggs on top. Add a paste of garlic, tamato, salt and pepper and set the palettes sizzling. Mashed mixes Well, here’s an eternal taste bud fave-mashed mixed veggies served with bread. Pressure cook the potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, carrots and capsicum with two cups of water for two whistles. When cool, mash it. Heat two tablespoons of butter in a pan and fry onions, ginger, garlic, green chillies. Mix salt, pepper and coriander leaves and serve it with bread or pavs, available in the market. Spicy treats Bake some potatoes, or mushrooms and immerse them in a rich paste of finely chopped and fried onions, garlic, chillies and tomatoes. Toss in some masala from that mango pickle stashed in the kitchen cupboard. Sprinkle some grated cheese and coriander and get ready to say cheese! Khatta meetha maza! Take a cup full of Kidney-beans (Rajma) and boil them well for about 35 to 40 minutes. Heat some oil and season with a paste of grated onions, garlic, green chillies and methi leaves. Add to this paste salt and garam masala along with sugar and some sour imli paste, along with the boiled Kidney beans. Serve with bread slices and woo the taste-buds with this sweet and sour delight. |
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“These books are part of a series called Legal Helpline for students. My first book was the Law of Contract, the second one was Jurisprudence and the one to be released soon is about the Hindu Law.” How did she get interested in writing? “ I always loved expressing my feelings on paper, then I had a few book reviews and articles accepted by The Tribune. That really was a shot in the arm, and I took up writing more seriously after that.” Now that she is writing about legal matters, what does she think ails Indian judiciary? “The main complaint I hear from the people is that our law is slow and often the crooks go scot-free. While I am not defending the legal community, I must add that the public must also cooperate with the law. You cannot be passive and expect the law to come to your aid. And of course we have to streamline the legal system by getting in more and more young judges.” Being a promising lawyer, Radhika also has social concerns. “We must rise above individual gain and work for the social cause. By social cause I do not mean starting huge organisations and undertaking great projects. Even if I could make a difference to one life, that would be quite an achievement. Some say India is in the dumps, but I do not agree. We are certainly marching forward. Why are we in a hurry, let’s be patient and positive. If we work hard for the country and not for ourselves alone, India will definitely shine.” Intelligent and versatile, Radhika is always in demand whenever a cultural show or a fashion show is organised in the university. She anchored a TV show called Hamare Adhikar for Doordarshan. In 2003, she compeered a show for the Wadali brothers. Radhika will certainly go ahead with her legal career, though writing will remain one of her main loves. —Text and photo:
Kuldip Dhiman |
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YOUTHNET Writing is a creative process that owes its origin to a strong desire for expressing one’s innermost feelings on one’s favourite subject. Even as kids, we often write without understanding the significance of our activity. As one grows up, one begins to look around for a suitable platform or responsive audience. At this stage one needs professional guidance, which in India is not all that readily available. Even today, one comes across young people seeking info on suitable sources of creative writing knowledge, or writers’ circles for youth. Before one begins to write, one must be sure of what one wants to be, as there are so many genres to choose from — poetry, fiction, non-fiction, literature, journalism etc. One must remember the British journalist Cyril Connolly’s words, “Literature is the art of writing something that will be read twice; journalism what will be grasped at once.” Though all universities in India have courses in literature, journalism, mass communication etc, one may like to click on IGNOU’s website http://www.ignou.ac.in/. You’ll find a whole range of diploma courses like translation, proof-reading, radio, creative writing etc. Alternatively, you can log on to writersbureau.com. For those who’ve decided to hone their writing skills through interaction with their peers and superiors, there’re any number of websites like http://www.fanstory.com and http://www.webenglishteacher.com/creative.htm. But the ideal website is about.com that offers opportunities to greenhorns for honing their skills, and the more accomplished ones to earn through their writings — click on http:// teenwriting.about.com/ and http://www.shvoong.com/About-Us-Shvoong/. In India my fave online mag is Hub that conducts poetry competitions etc, click on to http://www.mayyam.com/. No matter what path you choose to realize your dreams of becoming a successful writer, do remember William Wordsworth’s sage advice: “Every great and original writer, in proportion as he is great and original, must himself create the taste by which he is to be relished.” |
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Film & FASHION
“Titanic” star Leonardo DiCaprio may be nursing a broken heart after his recent break-up with longtime love, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, but that did not stop him from returning to the singles scene at a recent Halloween bash at L.A.’s Mondrian Hotel just weeks after the two called it quits. But it seems the star is having a bit of a problem, for when he showed up at the party dressed as an hunch-backed old man. His costume was so good that apparently a group of pretty girls didn’t even recognise the actor. There were the rumours that the “Aviator” star was seeing actress Siena Miller but the British beauty seems to be back in the arms of ex-fiancé actor Jude Law. Leo’s ex-girlfriend, Gisele, who is in Sao Paulo for a fashion shoot in the meantime is also denying rumours that she’s already dating champion surfer Kelly Slater. — ANI Hurley obsessed with white trousers!
She may want to paint the Taj pink, but she herself wants to be ‘whiter then the white’. Screen beauty Liz Hurley, who is dating Indian businessman Arun Nayyar, is obsessed with white trousers. And can you guess how many white jeans she owns? Not 10, not 20, but the figure is in hundreds. The actress has even designed some for her own beachwear range, and feels that white is an evergreen colour, which completely suits her personality. “I wear them because I love them. I have to try and talk myself out of wearing blue or white jeans every day of my life. Jeans suit my body and white is very flattering. I love it in summer, but white in the winter also looks very elegant. I would never wear all black. I would look dreadful,” Fox News quoted Hurley as saying to Easy Living magazine. Hurley also said she never throws her things out, because her son’s girlfriends might want them some day. “I have boxes in my attic labelled ‘white jeans: 1993’. Maybe my son Damian’s girlfriends might want them some day. Perhaps they’ll even be valuable!” she said. — ANI Sarah Jessica Parker to play housewife! Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, best known for her role as ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ in hit TV series, “Sex And The City”, is reportedly all set to dump her single woman image, with her signing up to play the part of a subservient wife in new film “The Family Stone”. The blonde beauty, who became the envy of women around the world for her vast wardrobe in the Manhattan-based series, will essay the character of a doting housewife in her new movie, which is a family comedy drama. “The character I play is intractable and inflexible, and when she finds herself out of her element she turns into a wreck,” Fox News quoted her as telling Teen Hollywood. “She doesn’t realise when she should stop talking. When she tries to dig herself out of awkward moments she makes matters worse,” she added. — ANI Scarlett loves being ‘fashionable’ Scarlett Johannson has reportedly admitted her inclination towards ‘fashion’, disclosing her fondness for designer outfits and accessories, in an interview to Grazia magazine. The 20-year-old has confessed that she loves dressing up like a princess, donning designer gowns and jewellery for her movie premieres. “I dress so I can feel like a princess who has had the chance to wear a wonderful outfit, have my hair done and wear some fabulous jewellery,” Femalefirst quoted the actress as telling the magazine. Though Johannson does not see herself as a sex symbol, her hour glass figure is just perfect to show off the beautifully stitched curvy styles. While she believes that ‘clothes are an incredible way of expressing your personality’ she says, “I think sex appeal comes from the inside and you can’t control how you project it. It’s part of who you are.”
—ANI |
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Sun and Skin! Use sunscreens when stepping out during the day. Apply the sunscreen at least twenty minutes before exposure and do not forget to reapply. Do not forget to apply on the nose, ears and the back of the neck. — Dr Rashmi Garg is senior consultant, Fortis, Mohali. |
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What the cards say today...
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TRUE, the Indian cuisine has myriad spice-laced dishes full of life, energy and colour. But when it comes to munchy crunchy snacks for those chilly winter evenings, we prefer to eat out. However, for all those times when one feels like savouring snacks, curled up in bed, here are a few snack options that are healthy, easy to prepare and of course yum —
SHE is still a student pursuing her masters in Law. Specialising in constitutional law from Panjab University, Radhika Thapar already has had two of her books published and the third is to be released soon. That is not surprising, for besides having a good command of the subject, she also has a talent for expressing complicated legal terms in a readable prose. But what is she writing about?
ARIES: Activity in your work will now be renewed, go for it. Let go of past doubts and fears. Allow your heart to lead the way in personal relationship and deep friendships. Lucky number: 1. Lucky Colour: Green.
LIBRA: You are exuberant and full of energy. Be clearer about what you want to achieve for the moment. You are reborn into a new way of life's inner values are transformed. Lucky number: 4. Lucky Colour: White. 
TAURUS: The time has come for you to do something different, and to be more alert or receptive to new ideas. Personal relationships will also go through some rough times. Lucky number: 4. Lucky Colour: Crimson. 
SCORPIO:
The time will come when you will know what is true or what to do and if you wait for that moment, you will leave an opening for the Universe to help you out. Lucky number: 6. Lucky Colour: Sea green
GEMINI: "Nine Cups" full of light & lotus blossoms bring happiness. Someone may be trying hard to make you look bad. Be discreet about new career related opportunities. Lucky number: 6. Lucky Colour: Purple. 
SAGITTARIUS: "The Hierophant" takes you through a variety of experience to learn from. Your success will come through areas of work that deal with communications. Lucky number: 17. Lucky Colour: Metallic grey. 
CANCER: You will be lucky in obtaining facts which were hidden, making new business connections and hearing from the one you hoped would call. Your love life will be good. Lucky number: 1. Lucky Colour: Scarlet
CAPRICORN: This is your time to lead. At least get your opinion out in the open and let it be known to the people around you. Do things with passion and don't hold back. Lucky number:18. Lucky Colour: Burgundy. 
LEO: When your heart speaks, listen. If something does not feel right to you, then drop it. Compromise after crossing swords with a loved one are on the cards today! Lucky number: 9. Lucky Colour: Crimson 
AQUARIUS: Put some fire in your day in order to liven things up and get the energy moving. Health and finances improve from now on. Indulge in sports & physical activity. Lucky number: 19. Lucky Colour: Yellow. 
VIRGO: “The Moon" brings change and opportunity. Love, celebration and romance are on the cards. Produce the best you are capable of and as effectively as you can. Lucky number: 5. Lucky Colour: Brick red. 
PISCES: There may be a powerful transformation that takes place within you as you start to wield your power instead of giving it away blindly to the people around you. Lucky number: 11. Lucky colour Sea green.