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Star STRUCK ROLE MODEL: Sukhdev Singh with his ideal
(left), a temple that Sukhdev has built for hero worship (middle) and cycling backwards just as Dharmendra did way back in Sholay
(right) Photos: Vinay Malik Sunny Days Homing in with art YOGA The right kind of lifestyle ENCOUNTER It’s homecoming for Arjun Concert to rock city Film & FASHION TAROT TALK |
Star STRUCK His god made an appearance after a penance of 30 long years. The day finally came when his God descended on the city recently for a film shoot. To add to his joy, he could also meet the son of god. For Sukhdev Singh, the meeting with Dharmendra and Sunny Deol was a dream come true. He had earlier made trips to Mumbai to meet him but in vain. An ideal to follow He not only worships Garam Dharam, but also emulates his eccentricities. After watching Dharamendra box in ‘Main Inteqaam Loonga’ in 1980, he started his boxing career. Sukhdev has boxed at the Senior National level for ten years and has a silver medal at the All-India Open heavyweight boxing championship to show. He then got to watch his hero do a cycling backwards stunt in the ‘Koi Haseena jab’ number in film ‘Sholay’ and started backward cycling from that day, 21 years ago. “I learnt to cycle backwards in a day. I first tried it in a ground, soon I could cycle thus on the roads in the neighbourhood. With experience, I, now, ride my cycle backwards on highways.” He has cycled 3 lakh kilometers in his unique style in and around Chandigarh. “I sit on the handle and my cycle has no seat. In its place is welded a rupee coin. I touch the handle only when I need to apply brakes,” he says. “And it is the grace of my god that my cycle automatically avoids potholes,” he claims. What about the risk to other travellers on the road? “I have clearance from the city traffic police to cycle backwards,” he clarifies. What about pain in the neck and back? “In the beginning, I was troubled by it but soon it vanished with practice,” he clarifies. Having a he-man as god, how could he not try to be one? He participated in the junior Mr India Body building tournament and has won the bronze medal in the Mr North India contest. He has been an aerobics instructor in various health clubs in the city. So passionate is he about Dharamendra that he has named his sons after Veeru, the famous character he played in ‘Sholay’. His elder son is named Akash Veer Singh and the younger one is called Veer Sagar Singh. Sukhdev is training his younger son to cycle backwards. How about a foray into cinema like his hero? “I have acted in a Hindi film titled ‘Pativrata’ in 2000 where I had wrestling scenes with the hero. The film has not been released as yet.” Over the years, Sukhdev has gone about building a collection of rare pictures of Dharmendra. He also has a collection of rare Hindi film songs from old films on audiocassettes. He claims to have watched all of Dharmendra’s films except ‘Soorat aur Seerat’. And, he has worshipped (yes, literally worshipped) Dharmendra for three decades now. To add to all this, he has now erected a temple of stones at the back of his house for him. The proximity of Dharamendra’s village to his own may have been the reason for this devotee to choose him as god as both villages lie just 10 km away in the same district. Unique sport So rare is his skill at cycling backwards that he rarely gets competition. But instead of it being a plus point, it only ends up being a minus. He has to do with consolation prizes that he gets every year at the Annual Haryana Tourism Cycle Rally held in Panchkula. In 1992, he got Rs 500 and a certificate for participating in the Mini-Olympics at Kila Raipur. In 2004, he got as prize a cycle in the Chandigarh Amateur Cycle Rally. As he was the lone contestant, the event was scrapped off in the subsequent year. “Is it my fault that I have no competition,” he whines. Sense of dejection For many a devotee, a meeting with God is enough to satiate all desires. But one senses certain sadness on meeting this one. This avid sportsperson who has boxed, built his body and even cycled in his own unique way has never got the recognition he deserved. He left two jobs—first in the Punjab Police and then in Chandigarh Police, as they didn’t permit him to box. He now serves as a Fireman in Fire Station, Sector 32. Empty road Has he tried getting his name into the record books? “Yes, I have approached them both—the Guinness and the Limca book— but they want me to find a sponsor,” he says. Does he have competition abroad in his unique talent of cycling backwards? “There was one who rode a cycle backwards and even played the violin while riding it. But that was on a empty road.” “Mine is a different event altogether as I ride my bike backwards on fully crowded highways,” he adds. Wish granted As his wish to meet his god was fulfilled, so might his desire to see his name in the records books come to be granted in the recent future. He waits…he prays…Amen! |
Sunny Days
It is beautiful day of December. I got a call on my cell that there is a woman who loves Sunny Deol since she was but a girl. This platonic love continued even after her marriage and motherhood. No isn’t it a good story! This is love from afar and never getting disappointed. Deepinder Kaur, a 38-year-old writer is a true daughter of the Punjabi soil. Since Dharmendra was too old, she naturally fell for Sunny boy. She is not afraid to say that she gives first preference to her lover Sunny Deol and then her husband. After watching his first film Betab, she felt that here was her dream hero. She bought a poster of Sunny Deol and pasted it in her room. She never missed any show of his film and bought tickets in the black too. Ask her how this love bug bit her, and her reply is that it must be some tie of the past life. “Ai te koi picchle janam da rishta hai!” What attracts him so to her? Deepinder says, “I just love his movies. He comes through so touch and manly and yet so shy and gentle.” She adds that she loves to watch him fight, smile and dance. “I also love his curly hair. I never tolerate his death scenes in films. When he is going die in films, I close the TV or go out from the room,” says this ardent Sunny fan. Deepinder’s dream is that Sunny make a film on the legend of Mirza-Sahiban in which Sunny should be Mirza and Deepinder Sahiban. On his birthday each year, Deepinder says, “I pray for his long life, good health and happiness. I also give a special treat to my kids.” |
Homing in with art An interplay of diverse textures, yet stingy with gaudy colours. Contemporary-chic in feel, yet rustic in mood. An eclectic collection of objet d’ arts, yet unfashionably simple and raw. Well, if you’re wondering what this amalgamation of contrasts is all about, take a peek at house number 521, Sector 16, Chandigarh. This slice of their own heaven, which the Ojhas have created for themselves, speaks of their delicious dabbling in design, no less. Ten years ago, this was a sleepy Sarkari kothi,(Government house), with those ugly bricks and tiles. Today, thanks to Bubbles Ojha, the place is a design highpoint cum cozy haven. Breaking away from clichés, it embraces the raw ‘n’ rustic rural look with considerable élan. While the landscaped exterior overflows with the lushness of thick vegetation, vivacity of bountiful marigolds and chrysanthemums with the creativity oozing out of every pore, the interiors speak of her love for classic detailing. The entrance is sort of understated, giving no idea of the visual drama beyond. But walk through the simple yet elegant semi indoor-outdoor area and you come across a winding staircase. What captures your attention here, however, is not the staircase but the space beneath it. Moving away from the dark and dingy areas beneath stairs, the space has deliciously intimate lighting. And what this lighting captures is a tribute to aesthetics—terracotta elephants, brass bells and white pebbles scattered around expansively. The area flows seamlessly into an equally arresting living room. What enthralls the eye here is sheer class—a fireplace area embellished with a plethora of different materials used in careful combinations. There are those Terracotta figurines, Ganeshas in Brass, overhanging lanterns and artifacts sourced from Rajasthan and Gujarat. But the whole arrangement serves more than a dramatic visual purpose; it conceals the unfinished look of the original fireplace. The lady of the house very well knows how to transform liabilities into strengths. “This fireplace area looked so ugly, with all those tiles in gaudy colours. But I thirsted in some flavour with my artifacts, plants and lamps throwing intimate lighting,” she avers. If the interiors by her are a carefully orchestrated composition of colour and texture, the well-tended expanse of the green outside promises equal class. For, there are those huge thals cum foot washes full of water and marigolds sprinkled over. Then, there’s that unfashionably simple material like rocks carrying mini waterfalls and dressy leaves and smiling blooms, all adding to the outdoorsy, tropical ambience. Ask her what she loves doing most, and she answers without batting an eyelid, “Collecting artifacts and arranging them aesthetically at my den.” |
Slumming it out Students of Theatre Age, NGO teaching and training slum children, are carrying out a survey in various slums of the city under the guidance of social workers. The aim of the survey is to create awareness about problems in the slum areas. So students of Theatre Age are going door-to-door in various city slums and asking children to fill questionnaire. Mr Sandeep Mittal, a senior NGO adviser, who had prepared the questionnaire, said the information provided be would be confidential and would help in generating information about the slums. The main objective behind the survey was to highlight the problems of slum children and their needs. Interestingly, the students conducting survey also belong to various slums but since the past six years they are with Theatre Age. Deepak, a resident of Sector 25 colony, said, “I am happy to conduct the survey. But many slum children are still not aware of their rights and they need help”. Gita, a teacher working with Theatre Age, who lives in a slum in Dadu Majra, said, “I have been working with slum children since the past seven years. But I am surprised that the conditions in slums have not changed in city despite the government efforts. Despite these measures many children from slum areas are not going to school.” Meanwhile, slum kids, answering the questionnaire, were a happy lot as after completion of the questionnaire they were invited to a dance party at a city’s famous disco. Dr. Avnish Jolly, who is helping Theatre Age in this project, said, “ We are trying to cover all slums of the city. That’s why we gave the survey name “Voice of Slum Kids of City Beautiful”. Zulfiqar Khan, a theatre personality and founder of Theatre Age said, “My aim is to find what are the main problems in slums and how they can be resolved. Because I have seen that several surveys have been conducted in slums but after the survey reports no one goes back to help them. I want to help the slum kids so that at least they can stand on their feet. We will complete the survey in this week and submit the report to the First Lady on December 31 at a function. My NGO will try its best to help slum kids so that they will proudly say we belong to City Beautiful.” |
YOGA Samadhi- the word evokes a mixed response from those who practice yoga. Like the proverbial out of reach fruit, the promise of this state is what makes serious yoga practitioners work harder. But the state of samadhi which is the eighth and final stage of Patanjali’s ashtanga yoga supposedly happens without effort when the mind becomes motionless in dhyana, the seventh stage of yoga. The non-fluctuating mind then is said to dissolve into the state of samadhi. The stages of dharana, dhyana and samadhi cannot be separated from one another as one flows into the other and is a process of natural progression. According to Patanjali, samadhi itself has many stages based on the subtle fluctuations of the by now very refined mind. Starting with the stage when the mind, though in an expanded state of awareness, is still conscious of the senses of perception, though memory still exists the distinction between the one perceiving, the object perceived and the perception is confused. When the memory becomes free of past impressions and though the image of the object perceived leaves a residue in the mind there is no awareness or words for it the yogi has achieved the first stage of sabeeja samadhi. Here the yogi unlocks secrets of all kinds in the realm of science and natural phenomenon and becomes a siddha. As the brain keeps getting more refined now the process of yoga is nearing completion the yogi moves higher into the realms of samadhi experiences. The process of refinement continues and the yogi reaches beyond the ananda to the asmita samadhi when the insight that there is no differentiation between the practitioner and all humanity is realised. This state is also called the sarvikalpa samadhi. Then comes the dharma megha samadhi which is likened to a waterfall of virtues that wash over the yogi in a cleansing stream before entering the nirvikalpa samadhi. In this stage all final remnants of individual consciousness is eliminated and there is complete freedom from karma. The yogi who crosses this stage goes beyond the laws of karma to attain the Kaivalya samadhi, the niranjan nirvana. Thousands of words have been written about the states of samadhi, but as Yogiraj Siddhanath a Himalayan master succinctly puts it, “those who know say it not and those say know it not!” For words being the product of the mind cannot explain that which goes beyond the comprehension of the mind. |
The right kind of lifestyle I’ve been reading your lifestyle with regular interest. Though I appreciate your articles, I believe there should be more to lifestyle. All of us at times feel helpless as we watch the level and scope of violence rising in various parts of the world. War, terrorism, genocides, brutality, and crime are terrible realities before which we recoil in incomprehension. They are all so senseless, without meaning, useless for what we might achieve, if we were wiser. Shouldn’t our lifestyle contemplate on how can we rein in these destructive forces, and fashion a new universal civilization founded on a deep commitment to humanity, and the best in our noble species? Spirituality, mysticism, contemplation, and a universal spirituality, nurtured in an interspiritual vision and practice as resource for transformation, can lead us into the task of building a new global order, a civilization with a heart, as detailed above. Such a global society is the only hope for the human family, a society envisioned by Pope Paul VI during his pontificate, in what he called “a true civilization: the civilization of love. Kannan Puneet Singh #1022/2 Sector 45-B Chandigarh Name game This has reference to the article ‘What’s in the name? A lot: (The Tribune dated December 22,05). Everyone has been talking about the heights achieved by women in almost every field of their life and the kind of hard work put by them in the offices and at home. No doubt, today, we have given freedom to women to go for education and to make their career. But still, women are expected to make sacrifices in every relation especially when it comes to marriage. They have to leave their parents’ home, sacrifice their job and even their name and their identity. How can one expect them to lose even their identification that they have earned with their hard labour? I think this is high time to think about it. Anchal Garg |
ENCOUNTER
Poise couldn’t have found a better persona and grace could have never looked so integrated as it does in Neelu Sarin. Her demeanor, her moral fibre, her fragrance, her aura each one of these fine definitions exuberate a certain serenity which comes after deep honing of values and a profound understanding of life and its experiences. Welcome to the world of Neelu Sarin: A teacher for special children, by profession and a source of inspiration to many. “A world that hasn’t been too fair relatively speaking, but a world that has been gratifying and very teacher-like in its behavior towards me. I have dealt with life with acceptance and decided to do whatever best I can with it.” This comes from a lady who after having been married for 15 years and suddenly losing her partner to death. “Just a spur of a moment and its all over. I could have been by far the most pampered wife, spoilt by love and affection. My husband, Bitty, (like she addresses him) was the kind of a person who would send a letter through someone in his office, just to say thank you.” Neelu was married to one of the most successful lawyers of his time, whom she had known for five years before she tied the nuptial knots. Today fifteen and a half years post his demise; she has reconciled and done that rather well. She has been associated with the special children and has been trying to make their world wonderful by educating them and trying to make them as independent as they can. Neelu is pointedly sensitive about her identity as a special children teacher, a reference that provokes an immediate sense of pride. “There was no looking back after these children entered my life. I live through them and my own. I consider myself very lucky because there has never been a day in my life when I have not looked forward to going to work. And after Bitty, I feel this is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Some voids will always be there, and they can never be replaced by anyone. I no more exist, but I live through them. “As she speaks her eyes well up, but her poised disposition would not allow them a release. Then a reassuring smile to herself, and she is all ready to confront the world, that she is very detached with. “I stand and decide what I would like to be attached with, materialistic pleasures hold no meaning, and it’s the depth that matters. Rahul, my firstborn, passed away just a year and a half after my husband. And medical science failed to explain the reason. And that is when I realised that nothing is forever. Nothing can be taken for granted. I enjoy each moment and try to imbibe the best.” Peace and tranquility surround her. Surprising, “No, it comes naturally. Your wants are limited to your children’s happiness and your peace of mind. I look forward to my daughter in laws and my grand children.” Neelu is thoughtful again. And I leave her to her world, while savoring her tastes and taking her weather everywhere I go. |
It’s homecoming for Arjun You loved him as the despicable young doctor in Sanjeevani, and he won hearts again as the boy-next-door when he essayed the role of the striving Raj in Sahara One Television’s show Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Kii. Now Arjun Punj is back with a bang in a new persona in the same serial and is enjoying every bit of it. What else does he enjoy? Read on: How does it feel to be back in the show Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Kii? What does the show mean to you? I’m back in the show Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Kii after a gap of two months and I’m indeed happy to be back here. It’s like coming back home! But I have always had a very good rapport with the production team and the directors are the same people as the ones for ‘Sanjeevani’. After having sorted out the few issues we had, I’m truly glad to be back again on the show, with a new character. What made you come back to the same serial again? Well, the channel Sahara One got back to me and I knew I wanted to get back to the show through which I had garnered immense popularity. What similarity/difference do you see between your character Raj and yourself in real life? Raj was a lower-middle class striving guy, whereas his look-alike, Prince is a very rich and suave businessman handling a Rs. 5000 crore business. But the common link they have is their goodness and I can relate to it most of the times. What are the other projects that you are currently working on besides Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Kii? Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Kii itself demands up to 25 days in a month and so my hands are really full right now. I cannot go ahead and do any other project. I’m rather concentrating on this show currently. — Dharam Pal |
Concert to rock city Alliance Françoise de Chandigarh and the French Embassy in India is organising a classical instrumental musical evening — Flamenco Concert in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on December 29, 2005, at Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Auditorium, Sector 30, Chandigarh at 7:00 p.m. The evening will witness performances by world-renowned artist Pedro Soler and Indian Kathak musicians Mr.Avirbhav Verma (tabla), Mr. Vinod (vocalist) and Mr. Vival (flutist). Flamenco Flamenco refers to the music and dances from Andalusia. It has come from the ancient Andalusian chants and folk songs. This very music came to life finding an equilibrium between East and West, especially through the guitar, a tempered instrument, which has ever since accompanied its songs and dances. Originally flamenco was only present at family celebrations and intimate gatherings. Pedro Soler Born in 1938, Pedro Soler is an accomplished flamenco guitar player. Pedro Soler began playing guitar with the exiled Andalusian refugees who came to Toulouse after the Spanish Civil War. He performed in flamenco companies and later accompanied celebrated flamenco singers and dancers, which led to his present solo career. Pedro Soler has accompanied other famous singers such as Juan Varea and Enriaue Morente. He has also performed in numerous recitals with Pepe de la Matrona. Pedro Soler has also performed as a soloist in Europe as well as in South America, Japan, Russia, and Africa.—TNS |
Film & FASHION
L’Oreal seems to really believe in its slogan “..because you are worth it”, as it doesn’t mind paying millions of dollars to the models, whom it believes is ‘worth’ endorsing its products. According to Femalefirst, actress Scarlett Johansson has been signed up by the French cosmetics giant to be their next high—profile model, and has reportedly been paid four millions dollars for her services. “ It’s going to be a massive multimedia campaign, and Scarlett is making over $4 million dollars for her services,” the report quoted a close source, as saying. The 20-year-old Match point star is the latest celebrity to sign up with L’Oreal, which also includes ‘Desperate Housewives’ star Eva Longoria and singer Beyonce Knowles, promoting its products. —ANI Debbie slaps law suit on Jackson Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe has filed a suit against him alleging that their two kids have been unlawfully abducted, but doesn’t seem to have a good chance of winning the case.
According to pagesix.com, a lawyer said even if she gets Jackson back to court, “it could be opening a can of worms that will get them both in trouble. Maybe the law will do what it should have done in the first place and take custody away from both of these two”.
Rowe had surrendered her parental rights in 2001 but had them restored shortly before Jackson fled the country following his acquittal. Jackson has made it legally difficult for Rowe to get her sons Prince and Paris by shuttling between Bahrain and Dubai. A US court order would be unenforceable in each of these countries since custody decisions are based on Islamic laws. Even if a US court gained jurisdiction it would be difficult for Rowe to prove her case.—IANS
Lindsay set to welcome New Year “Freaky Friday” star Lindsay Lohan is all set to welcome the New Year in style, as she has won a lucrative deal to host a Miami Beach, Florida, party. The teen-queen will play host in the 200 dollars-per-person extravaganza to celebrate the night, and reps for the 19-year-old star confirm she will be present at the event right from the beginning to the end,reports Femalefirst. She will be joined on the Miami party scene by former boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama, as well as Nicole Richie, who are both planning to spend their New Year’s eve in the area. —ANI Amitabh’s thanksgiving Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan offered thanksgiving prayers at the famous temple of Lord Venkateshwara in Tirupati.
Amitabh, revered by many of his fans as demi god, was accompanied by his wife Jaya Bachchan and son Abhishek Bachchan along with close friends Anil Ambani and his wife Tina and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh on his first visit to a temple after being discharged from the hospital recently.
Devotees cheered as Bachchan visited the temple of Lord Venkateshwara, the Kalyug incarnation of Hindu god Lord Vishnu, revered by millions of people across the country.
Bachchan, 63, was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai in the last week of November after he complained of a stomach pain.—ANI
Tania face of Madagaskar After capturing Bollywood and becoming a household name in India, the former Australian ‘Who Dares Wins’ star Tania Zaetta has managed to land herself a new role as the official face of the fourth-largest island in the world, Madagascar. Madagascar’s Minister for Tourism and Culture Roger Mahozoasy, at a press conference announcing the deal, said that the country was overjoyed that the star had agreed to officially represent them. “We’ve all grown up watching Who Dares Wins on this side of the world and it’s our pleasure to have her agree to this role,” the Daily Telegraph quoted him, as saying. The actress, who starred in the Indian blockbusters ‘Salam Namaste’ opposite Arshad Warsi, and also appeared in ‘Bunty and Babli’, said that she had been forced to cut short her holiday on the island as she had to return to India earlier than expected.—ANI Clooney back with Lucy Actors George Clooney and Lucy Liu are supposedly back together as lovers. According to pagesix.com, Clooney and Liu were spotted kissing in his waiting limo. A witness said: “She looked like she was going to devour him.” Liu and Clooney had been together earlier in 2000 when Liu fed him with oysters and champagne. When Liu’s spokesperson was asked for the possible reunion of Liu and Clooney, he said: “It’s none of your business.” —IANS |
Health and Fitness No pills: Youngsters, beware of over the counter diet pills. Some people think diet pills can’t possibly be strong enough to be dangerous. The shocking fact is that a pill can contain as much caffeine as 30 cans of coke. This is a wake up call for those who look for an easy way to loose flab. So jump out of your beds and start exercising early morns. Say goodbye to diet pills and good health will smile at you! — Dr Rashmi Garg is senior consultant, Fortis, Mohali. |
TAROT TALK
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