Folksy Filmi It is carnival time and Gayatri Rajwade has a whale of a time exploring the fun fare A world of sprites, fiesta and gaiety! An exuberant and ebullient blend of spirit and space, of bonhomie and celebration, the Chandigarh Carnival at Leisure Valley is a vigorous extravaganza of the best and the brightest the city has to offer. Mix and match: The folk flock (L) sprinkles colour while the filmi fans (R) add glamour to the fiesta at Leisure Valley. — Photos by Vinay Malik

Bindaas in Dance
She likes to dance her own dance and she does it exceedingly well. Nirupama Dutt on Aditi Mangaldas who danced out the seasons in the city on Saturday night
Electrifying! That is the most befitting adjective in describing the art of Aditi Mangaldas who was schooled in Kathak under renowned Gurus but who chose to go her own way, and on the strength of her classical training, she has evolved her own dance vocabulary. In the city to dance at the three- day dance fiesta, Aditi is very forthright in talking about the direction her art has taken, even if it has raised eyebrows of the ‘pundits’.

Lounging around! City beautiful, no doubt, is celebrating its cultural potpourri in chic style. No wonder, it’s flinging it’s arms wide open to welcome various nightclubs, lounges and restaurants. But the latest addition is something that promises a refreshing whiff of nightlife. For, it combines the vibrancy of a bar, the gentle buzz of a restaurant and the serenity of a lounge. Chandigarh is all set to enjoy the luxury of lazing around in the snuggly comfort of the lounge bar— Athena. CLASSY RETREAT: The new lounge bar at the Fun Republic premises. — Photo by Manoj Mahajan

On life’s Kurukshetra Subalakshmi P. Durga tries to make living sense out of the message enshrined in the Bhagwad Gita Like Arjuna, I had listened to the Gita, from the two men in my life—my father and my husband. My father recites the verses without ever questioning them, or anything else and this remains the trademark of almost his entire generation. He would recite them while picking flowers or collecting them into a small garland for the idol of Krishna or even while cleaning his puja-sthal. Verses from the song celestial fell into my ears whenever we as kids went close by, whilst engrossed in our play. My son gets to hear to his grandfather’s recitations up-close when he sits on his lap while my father goes about his religious business. My husband, the man in the middle between my father and my son doesn’t recite the Gita but truly questions it, tries to weigh it on every level of consciousness.

I want to pursue a career in films, says Inderdeep
The first runner-up at Mr Singh International competition Inderdeep Singh in conversation with Rahul Das
“I want to pursue a career in films and modelling,” says Inderdeep Singh, the first runner-up at Mr Singh International competition. Inderdeep Singh, who is working as manager at Bank of Punjab in Ambala, said that he was delighted at his performance in the competition.

PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS
Pedicure Precautions
Manicures and Pedicures are surely a luxurious treat, time to put your feet up! Probably the best way to pamper yourself and to forget the world. Lost in the world of luxury, ever stopped to wonder- what if you wakeup with an infection? With more and more people frequenting the salons for manicure and pedicure, the hygiene practices used in salons ought to be in spotlight , because of the lurking danger of infections emanating from un-kept salons.

MARKET PULSE
Happy journey
VIP, the premium high quality luggage brand, has come up with four new ranges. For frequent fliers, it’s launched Zero G that has a sophisticated look, pearl finish central combination lock, spring loaded handles apart from its best weight to volume ratio. It is the world’s lightest IML PP suitcase.

Film Review
Humour is scarce here
Rama Sharma
A laugh riot which promises fun, but delivers none. Director Vikram Bhatt is rather erratic in “Deewane Huye Pagal”. In this mad hatters’ party, he expects us to be glad guests. This laughter disaster is only a big show-off of stars like Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty and Shahid Kapoor.

Disney to delight kids
Animations, no doubt, are making waves world over. And especially when it’s a completely computer animated movie released by Walt Disney Pictures (and Buena Vista Distribution), it’s sure to thrill kids! What’s more, the movie is all about a kid’s best pals —toys. No doubt, its time for kids to dabble in a delightful world of drama, fun and excitement.

Film & FASHION 
Woody Allen not neurotic
Veteran Hollywood actor Woody Allen has insisted that he is perfectly normal and is not neurotic, as believed by many. “Contrary to popular belief, I am not neurotic,” the New York Daily News quoted Allen as saying at a screening of his new movie ‘Match Point’.

Sujal’s back in Kahin to Hoga!
Yes, the adorable Sujal is back in the popular serial Kahiin to Hoga on Star Plus. But, not the real one! The fake Sujal is being played by Iqbal Khan who’s actually playing Raghu in the serial. It’s the villain Swayam who plants him as the fake Sujal to harass Kashish-the heroine and the Garewal family.

It’s CARNIVAL time Vibrant colours and celebrations play hide and seek at the lush grounds of Leisure Valley. Vinay Malik captures the festive mood

• Health and Fitness

• TAROT TALK
  What the cards say today...
  P. KHURRANA

Folksy Filmi
It is carnival time and Gayatri Rajwade has a whale of a time exploring the fun fare

A world of sprites, fiesta and gaiety! An exuberant and ebullient blend of spirit and space, of bonhomie and celebration, the Chandigarh Carnival at Leisure Valley is a vigorous extravaganza of the best and the brightest the city has to offer. Special competitions—mask making, cycling and even a clay modelling contest for physically and mentally challenged children—student bands, vibrant tableaux, myriad montages assail the senses.

Wandering ber-sellers, merry dances sprinkled all over the grounds —folk, Punjabi, Rajasthani—even a couple of cantankerous camels dot the grassy knolls that make up the venue.

A sense of vitality, a springing happiness is evident in the teeming multitude swarming the grounds. The largest flock is clearly at the Film City where shooting locations, sound studios, even a scriptwriters block gives wings to dreams.

Everyone wants to be an actor—life is, after all, a wide stage! And the proof of the pudding lies in the munching of it so as the ‘action’ unfolds, the crowds move delighted from one ‘set’ to another!

‘Bridge Floor Location 1’ shouts out one signboard, a single crane lying indolently near a replica of a gumbad! The locations stippled with pillars, posters (Taj Mahal!) and props.

‘Leisure Valley Floor Location 2’ is where the filmy panorama is being splayed out, a song from the film ‘Border’ catches the fancy of people who stand and stare in wonder.

This, the creative outpouring of the Institute of Tourism and Future Management Trends (ITFT), Sumant Vadhera, Creative Head talks of the entire show having been conceived only a week back. “What we are trying to show all the intricate details that go into films and television.”

Recording, mixing, editing, dubbing and final cut studio, animation, radio station and an auditorium showing films- film city spams the gamut of showbiz.

The real crowd-pullers, though, are the look-alikes that the event management firm Oasis Events has managed to rope in. Their dance director and coordinator Sameer Mahajan happily points to his motley actors who are here from Delhi to infuse the spirit of Bollywood humgama in the city!

Kumar, the Amitabh Bachchan look-alike boogies to the beats of ‘Kajrare’ spewing out frenzy in the crowds. “Look, look Amitabh is here, wah wah” shout the mob.

While Govinda look-alike Karamvir Singh talks of the struggle and hard-work shows like this require—a la struggling actor! Gulshan Kumar is a Shahrukh Khan double, who discovered his ‘forte’ just a few days ago! Hair flopping on the forehead, cell-phone in hand, jacket and comb in back pocket, the look is for real! Finally there is the Emraan Hashmi mirror-image Sunny who is a DJ in Karol Bagh, Delhi by night and a faux actor by day! So like the real person does it looks that he is actually mobbed in Delhi. “Over here no-one knows me so far, so no-one has come up to me.”

The excitement is palpable, the ‘film-bay’ chock-a-block full and this is just the beginning! Numerous stalls dot the landscape, pretty paintings, bright greeting cards detailed with thread-work (at the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademy), the puppet show at the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, CITCO’s rural village scene complete with a rasoi and the French fête, all create an heap of images—sunny and lively—to go back with. 

Bindaas in Dance
She likes to dance her own dance and she does it exceedingly well. Nirupama Dutt on Aditi Mangaldas who danced out the seasons in the city on Saturday night

Electrifying! That is the most befitting adjective in describing the art of Aditi Mangaldas who was schooled in Kathak under renowned Gurus but who chose to go her own way, and on the strength of her classical training, she has evolved her own dance vocabulary. In the city to dance at the three- day dance fiesta, Aditi is very forthright in talking about the direction her art has taken, even if it has raised eyebrows of the ‘pundits’.

How was she able to break free thus from the very classified structure of classical dance? “It happened so because I came from a family liberated with responsibility. My father’s side, they were all entrepreneurs and my mother’s side was made up by academics. I grew up with discussion all round me and learnt never to take anything at face value.

One of the leading dancers in the country today, she excels in both traditional and contemporary idioms. She started learning Kathak from Kumudni Lakhia at Ahemdabad at the age of five. Her second Guru was the great Birju Maharaj at Delhi. Looking back in gratitude at the care they put in grooming her, Aditi says: “From Kumudniji, I learnt how the body relates to the dance and from Maharaj, I learnt the relationship of the soul to the body.”

But at twenty-five, she broke free, for she says: “I felt that I had to do my own dance. I was absolutely bindaas about it, even if it meant hurting my mentors who would have rather had me following the path of tradition. It has been an exciting phase after that and while traditional Kathak is taught at her Drishtikon Dance Foundation in Delhi, she experiments with her repertory of dancers schooled in the classical. How did she deal with the criticism that came her way? “If it is constructive criticism, I am open to re-thinking. I am like a bamboo that survives the storm best and yet remains a bamboo and does not turn into a banyan.”

Well said and the evening that followed the tête-à-tête, found Aditi dancing out the song of the seasons at its poetic best. 

Lounging around!

City beautiful, no doubt, is celebrating its cultural potpourri in chic style. No wonder, it’s flinging it’s arms wide open to welcome various nightclubs, lounges and restaurants. But the latest addition is something that promises a refreshing whiff of nightlife. For, it combines the vibrancy of a bar, the gentle buzz of a restaurant and the serenity of a lounge. Chandigarh is all set to enjoy the luxury of lazing around in the snuggly comfort of the lounge bar— Athena.

This restaurant lounge bar would be sitting relaxed on the top floor of the city’s first Multiplex-Fun Republic. With it’s eclectic choice of furnishing and postmodern feel, its sure to provide a respite from the hum drum of the movie halls below. And so, it would also be the utopian locale frequented by the corporate, be it for conferences, events or just contemplating. Besides, it has an in house DJ and a dance floor for patrons to groove. Perched on the top floor of Fun Republic, this place promises a cocktail of poise, panache, passionate music and personalized service. Sure to make you heady! — TNS

On life’s Kurukshetra
Subalakshmi P. Durga tries to make living sense out of the message enshrined in the Bhagwad GitaLike Arjuna, I had listened to the Gita, from the two men in my life—my father and my husband.

My father recites the verses without ever questioning them, or anything else and this remains the trademark of almost his entire generation. He would recite them while picking flowers or collecting them into a small garland for the idol of Krishna or even while cleaning his puja-sthal.

Verses from the song celestial fell into my ears whenever we as kids went close by, whilst engrossed in our play. My son gets to hear to his grandfather’s recitations up-close when he sits on his lap while my father goes about his religious business.

My husband, the man in the middle between my father and my son doesn’t recite the Gita but truly questions it, tries to weigh it on every level of consciousness. He accepts Krishna as an administrator par excellence compared to my father’s idea of an Almighty God.

But this time, I had the opportunity to listen to these verses in a very grim moment. I came to hear of them twice in as many weeks. A soldier in the family had died at the hands of terrorists in an encounter.

The loudspeaker attached to a tape-recorder recited the verses in the background while the establishment bid its salute to the martyr with the playing of the national anthem. The soldier was laid to rest amidst the chanting of verses and performance of rituals.

The ones on the other side who would have succumbed to this hero’s bullets might also be in the process of being laid to rest amidst reciting of some sacred text, may be of a different religion.

If this was our hero, they might be theirs and like our hero’s calling came from his nation, they might also be answering some similar calling.

Krishna sided with Arjuna and the side with Krishna’s vision and Arjuna’s prowess won as predicted by Vidura in Gita’s last verse. But, in this continuing battle, the generals showed no sight of any vision while the soldiers on both sides continued to fall. The incessant flow of blood had slowly blurred any distinction about the side Krishna was on.

The week later, a priest explained the immortality of the soul in the Gita-path held for the moksha of the martyr’s soul.

The martyr, if he dies in battle, gains heaven and we had only Krishna’s words to believe in. Generally, the soul would discard a body worn out by age and take on a new one but here we were gathered for a young man’s passing over.

The jiva is his soul which is immortal not his body which is constantly mutating but this wouldn’t make sense to his widow who has to find another support for her life and her family’s.

In broader perspective, it somewhat made sense but didn’t ease the hurt caused by the passing over of a loved one. It felt like Arjuna who saw his blood relations on both sides slitting each other’s throat and the easiest evasive action was to declare, “I’ll not fight!”

I want to pursue a career in films, says Inderdeep
The first runner-up at Mr Singh International competition Inderdeep Singh in
conversation with Rahul Das

“I want to pursue a career in films and modelling,” says Inderdeep Singh, the first runner-up at Mr Singh International competition. Inderdeep Singh, who is working as manager at Bank of Punjab in Ambala, said that he was delighted at his performance in the competition.

He said that while he was open to role in movies, he was not ready to compromise on Sikhism. “Under no circumstance, I will compromise on Sikhism to get a role. I am determined to ensure that the film fraternity accepts us as we are and give us suitable opportunity to prove our mettle,” he said.

PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS
Pedicure Precautions

Manicures and Pedicures are surely a luxurious treat, time to put your feet up! Probably the best way to pamper yourself and to forget the world. Lost in the world of luxury, ever stopped to wonder- what if you wakeup with an infection? With more and more people frequenting the salons for manicure and pedicure, the hygiene practices used in salons ought to be in spotlight , because of the lurking danger of infections emanating from un-kept salons.

Symptoms of an infection include pain, redness, itching, and pus in or around the nail area. Yellow-green, green, and green-black nail discolorations are signs of a Pseudomonas bacterial infection. A blue-green discoloration signals a fungal infection.

Reducing the risk

Buy your own nail files and tools if possible, avoid using the files that have been used on other clients.

A medical grade autoclave is the only way to effectively sterilize metal items through intense pressurized heat, not the ultraviolet light. Credo blades and razors should never be used.

You must check how the nail implements have been sanitized . Dettol and Savlon will not kill Hepatitis C or similar viruses because it is only a disinfectant. Cuts, nicks and scrapes must be treated immediately. Hold the hand or feet under running water for five minutes, if you get one.

The salon you go to must maintain sufficient sterilized equipment as bacterial, fungal and viral infections can occur from using unsanitary nail implements, especially in a salon, where the same implements are used on many people.

If your manicurist has any cuts they must be covered .

Ensure the manicurist washes hands with an anti bacterial soap before touching you and between interrupted services and you also must start the treatment with germ free hands and feet.

Remember skin also changes with age; especially skin on the feet becomes drier and prone to cracking and infection. Avoid the usage of files and scrapers, stay one jump ahead- don’t let hard skin build up- it must be whisked away. Keep toe nails trimmed , guard against ingrown toenails.

If you are a diabetic patient, be very cautious about pedicures/manicures. Do not use metal implements that may cut. Use a tae tree oil based foot lotion daily or a lavender based oil to keep infections at bay. Make sure all implements are once disinfected. Store the implements in a sanitary container and spray with a sanitising solution before using on you. Encourage the salon to use a pump dispenser for creams and lotions. If the cream is in the tub, then you must ask the manicurist to use a disposable spatula. Never use finger as you’ll add bacteria to the cream, and those bacteria will multiply and could affect the next client.

The risks would be virtually eliminated if operators used disposable instruments, wore rubber gloves, employed proper hand washing and used appropriate sterilization techniques. I’m sure you can clearly appreciate that there is an enormous alarming health risk- Take serious precautions. I hope this will help you to make your manicures and pedicure safe.

MARKET PULSE
Happy journey

VIP, the premium high quality luggage brand, has come up with four new ranges. For frequent fliers, it’s launched Zero G that has a sophisticated look, pearl finish central combination lock, spring loaded handles apart from its best weight to volume ratio. It is the world’s lightest IML PP suitcase.

Then, there is Impulse, targeted at the young adult between 23-30.It has unique backpack opening, easy grip pullers with soft grip, foam padded handles, considerable organization space with full front pockets and a Duffle Strolly with easy to wheel trolley mechanism. This casual range would also attract a young-at-heart leisure traveler who is looking for a casual range. The last one is called Aura. It comes in three sizes of 50, 65 and 75. Launched in Pink and Black, it has a vanity case, travel bag and a travel strolley of 55 cms. Besides, it has a garment holder and a complimentary spill proof medicine and toilet kit. Its target buyers are women, especially the ones who travel a lot.

Aloe Vera

VVF Ltd a leading manufacturer of toilet soaps has introduced Doy Care Aloe Vera- a new skin care soap with genuine aloe vera extracts. It is available in three different packs. The 75g pack is priced at Rs. 13 and the 125 g pack is available at Rs. 21. The value pack of three soaps is available at Rs.33 with its “Buy 2 get 1 free offer. Aloe vera contains no animal fats and has both skin smoothening and healing properties. Aloe Vera is now available at all the retail outlets at Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and HP. —TNS

Film Review
Humour is scarce here
Rama Sharma

A laugh riot which promises fun, but delivers none. Director Vikram Bhatt is rather erratic in “Deewane Huye Pagal”. In this mad hatters’ party, he expects us to be glad guests. This laughter disaster is only a big show-off of stars like Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty and Shahid Kapoor.

Vikram Bhatt tries hard to be funny but the fun factor turns virulent here. The squeaky story is further derided by the director’s claustrophobic chore.

“Hera Pheri” guys, Akshay Kumar and Suneil Shetty, log on to the drama with much fanfare. While Shetty remains a backgrounder, Akshay is whacky and overstates his gestures. He is a con-man, lover and an action guy all rolled into one.

The fun lapses are many. Shahid Kapoor, a lovelorn lad here, is reduced to a rueful lot since Tanya (Rimi Sen), his college mate, suddenly leaves the country and settles in Dubai because she has seen a gangster killing a scientist (Om Puri), who invented a forever-young recipe.

Shetty, who plays a physically challenged person, is further made defective by a faulty script. He ploughs in some ropey sequences.

Paresh Rawal’s performance does not save grace either while Rimi Sen shows some improvement over her previous performances.

Like in most of Hindi comedies, naughty lines are in short supply. Lack of imagination ruins a plot which could have been really funny. There is a lot of jingle-jangle of words.

In short, Vikram Bhatt has delivered a dummy.

Disney to delight kids

Animations, no doubt, are making waves world over. And especially when it’s a completely computer animated movie released by Walt Disney Pictures (and Buena Vista Distribution), it’s sure to thrill kids! What’s more, the movie is all about a kid’s best pals —toys. No doubt, its time for kids to dabble in a delightful world of drama, fun and excitement.

And as if these challenges were not enough, Andy’s family decides to move, mistakenly leaving behind Woody and Buzz at the gas station. Now, the two rivals have to figure out how to reunite with their friends-the other toys. Will these toys be able to sort their differences out, overcome adversity and live happily ever after? Well, watch out for the movie on November 27 at 11 am on Disney Channel. —TNS

Film & FASHION 
Woody Allen not neurotic

Veteran Hollywood actor Woody Allen has insisted that he is perfectly normal and is not neurotic, as believed by many.“Contrary to popular belief, I am not neurotic,” the New York Daily News quoted Allen as saying at a screening of his new movie ‘Match Point’. The star, who turns 70 on December 1, also said, “I had a very good childhood, and even now I’m middle class and simple. I like to be home early to have dinner with my family every night.” — ANI

Brigands raid ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

Production on the two back-to-back sequels of “Pirates of the Caribbean”, starring Keira Knightley, has been halted because of raids by real-life brigands. Disney producers have reportedly revealed that two cast members were forced to flee for their lives after a series of robberies happened at the Grand Bahama island location. “We’ve had a slew of robberies on the actors who are working for Pirates of the Caribbean over at the Port Lucaya resort,” Contactmusic quoted Jason Kakebeen, head of location production, as saying. “The robbers stole everything from laptops, passports to cheques and other equipment. The money they stole was actually the actors’ pay cheques,” he added. Kakebeen has admitted that filming has come to a standstill while the crimes are investigated, but has refused to reveal the identity of the stars targetted, who have since left the shoot. — ANI

Paris Hilton wants gifts from Santa

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton has reportedly confessed that she believed in Santa Claus until she was 17 years old. The Simple Life star, who recently broke off her engagement with Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis claiming she was too young to get married, has revealed that she always treasured the Christmas holidays, until somebody shattered her childhood illusions, by telling her there is no such thing as ‘Santa Claus’. “A mean person told me it wasn’t true,” Femalefirst quoted her, as saying. However, the 24-year-old still celebrates ‘Christmas’, and this year she hopes to receive a Bentley convertible and a pair of diamond earrings priced at $150,000 from Father Christmas. —ANI

Sujal’s back in Kahin to Hoga!

Yes, the adorable Sujal is back in the popular serial Kahiin to Hoga on Star Plus. But, not the real one! The fake Sujal is being played by Iqbal Khan who’s actually playing Raghu in the serial. It’s the villain Swayam who plants him as the fake Sujal to harass Kashish-the heroine and the Garewal family.

Raghu is a rustic character with streaks of humour and attitude .So the audiences that loved their Sujal, are seeing him again but in a fake avatar. The real Sujal is there too, but before it’s revealed who it is, a tragedy has striked and Kashish has found an accident victim and brought him home. This victim is none but Raghu, a pawn in the hands of villain Swayam who could even outsmart him. But whether he outsmarts Swayam, Kashish or the audiences, only time will tell! — TNS

Health and Fitness

X-Rays! Don’t go for an X-ray test until recommended by your doctor. Pregnant ladies have to be extra-cautious in this regard. — Dr Rashmi Garg is senior consultant, Fortis, Mohali

TAROT TALK
What the cards say today...
P. KHURRANA

ARIES : Your love life will be smooth sailing and spending time together is high on your list of priorities. You may be in the mood to make some extravagant purchases. Lucky number: 2. Lucky colour: White.	LIBRA : If you are concerned about some family issues, deal with the situation now to avoid things from escalating. Your interest in spirituality could deepen. Lucky number: 11 Lucky colour: Saffron
TAURUS : Don't make impulsive decisions regarding financial matters as you may be disappointed with the outcome. Pay attention to health issues and take some rest. Lucky number: 15. Lucky colour: Crimson.	SCORPIO: Work and family issues may be on your mind and you may be stressed as a result. You could be careless and misplace important documents or valuables. Lucky number: 6. Lucky colour: Deep crimson.
GEMINI : Being sensitive to the needs of loved ones will improve your personal relationships. Don't make impulsive decisions regarding your personal commitments. Lucky number: 18. Lucky colour: Green.	SAGITTARIUS : You can go on a wild shopping spree. Singles will be in demand socially and could meet someone special. Impulsive decisions could lead to disappointments. Lucky number: 12. Lucky colour: Pink.
CANCER : You will be in the mood for romance and could be thinking of innovative ways to infuse excitement in your relationship. Wonderful day for making changes. Lucky number: 12. Lucky Colour: Orange.	CAPRICORN : Your love life will benefit if you have a frank discussion about issues without losing your temper. You need to focus on streamlining your budget. Lucky number: 8. Lucky colour: Burgundy.
LEO : Pressures at work and at home will start to ease which will help you relax. Pay attention to health matters and don't neglect minor aches or other symptoms. Lucky number: 3. Lucky Colour: Red.	AQUARIUS : Business ventures finalised now will bring success. Romance is on your mind and planning something special for your partner will be appreciated. Lucky number: 12. Lucky colour: Pink.
VIRGO : Keep away from another Virgo person who is arrogant. You may want to spend some quiet time by yourself and may not be in the mood to socialise. Lucky number: 7. Lucky Colour: Grey.	PISCES: Take the time to mull over your recent decisions and make course corrections where needed. Pay attention to health matters and fine tune your fitness regime. Lucky number: 18. Lucky colour: Peacock blue