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Closed chapter Another Mudgal
Parvo in pets Look before you leap The French Connection Range House on the Greens MATKA CHOWK FILM REVIEW WRITE TO RENEE PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS
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Sangeet is the thing Wedding Sangeet in the city is fast assuming the proportions of a full-blown musical production, complete with props, choreographed performances and designer costumes, says Anandita Gupta Remember
those fond maasis and mamis sitting around a dholak,
singing Kala doria, adding the effects of a synthesizer with a chamcha
(spoon)? And the soon-to-be-bride/bridegroom sitting coyly on a carpet, her/his
face smeared with ubtan and mouth full of laddoos? What zest, what
excitement! Well, the feverish fervour is very much there but in a refreshingly
new avatar.
With professional choreographers who help the whole family swing in style and event managers offering innovative Sangeet themes on a platter, glitzy, choreographed Sangeets are clearly the flavour of the wedding season across the city. A flashy dance floor, enveloped with psychedelic lights and happy faces seems sizzling with glamour. Petite young ladies { read the bridegroom’s bhabis) are swinging merrily and batting their eyelashes to the beats of a Bollywood re-mix. Resplendent in back-less cholis and designer lehengas and sarees, the doolha’s bhabis gyrate to the beats of the song that befits their attires— Badan pe sitarey lapate huye! And then there’s bride’s real sister-in-law(bhabi) Monika who leaves the guests spellbound with her well-rehearsed performance on Lo chali mein apni dewar ki baraat lekey. One might have mistaken it to be a scene from a Barjatiya film, but it all was a part of a Sangeet ceremony that happened recently in the city. The venue was an amazingly well-lit Rock Garden decorated like a bride itself. And the occasion was the pre-wedding Sangeet of Munish Bansal, son of Union Minister of State Pawan Bansal. Though strictly kept as a family affair, the ceremony seemed seeped in glamour. 80 Kg’s of Marigold strings, redressed Nek Chand statues, designer chiks and decorative arches draped with green ivy’s and silk flowers. A bevy of rustic diyas, floating candles filled the floral pathways. This was just a part of the Sangeet d`E9cor— fanciful paraphernalia one came across while on the pathway to the main venue. While the guests raveled in Tequila shots, multi-cuisined food and music, a local Chinese band and DJ Guranchal Sethi enthralled all. Then there was Sneh Nagia from Delhi, who sang Punjabi bolian to warm up the occasion. Beamed Amit Bansal, the bridegroom’s elder brother, "I’m in the ninth cloud and have shopped a lot for the wedding. Even my wife’s took a 10-day professional dance training from a choreographer." But a special attention-catcher was a performance by the groom’s tayaji Harbilas Rai and father Pawan Bansal shaking a leg with wife Madhu on "Aye meri zohra zabin`85" Then there’s Usha Vadhera from Chandigarh who’s married off her daughter Payal by throwing a grand Sangeet. For, there was this chooriwala, bindiwala and mehendiwala, offering the guests a free treat of henna application, bangles that matched with their outfits and yes, bindis. Opines event manager Suraj Batra, "Theme Sangeets are really catching up in the North. . Recently, we did a Sangeet for a Chandigarh based girl at Hotel Taj taking nightclub as the theme. The d`E9cor was all done up in blue and white and we used lots of mirrors and mosaic glass." Adds Vikas Gutgutia of Ferns and Petals, "We have many clients who want a unique concept, d`E9cor, special effects and entertainment for their wedding Sangeet. Like we recently did two Sangeets in Chandigarh with Leheria drapes and Phulkari as the themes." So folks, be it Jazz and Salsa creeping in into Punjabi Boliyan, champagne roses entwined with our desi marigold strings or professional event managers and choreographers helping the father of the bride in arranging a glitzy affair, Sangeet in the city has it all.
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DJs’ favourite Karran Jesbir of the Dhai Lakh Di fame comes out with some more sparkling wedding numbers, says Nirupama Dutt A young Punjabi singer who made his presence felt with his very first album was Karran Jesbir and the album was called Dhai Lakh Di. It was a takeoff from a folksy wedding song, which is all praise for the women relatives and derides the males in good wholesome Punjabi humour. For instance it says Veera do kaudi da te bhabhi meri dhai lakh di.. It goes onto praise the masi, mami, chachi, tai and so on. Looking back, Jesbir says: "The song proved very popular and became a must for all weddings when bhabis, masis, chachis are in a frisky mood and wish to tease their worse halves." And now this singer of Dhai Lakh Di fame has come out with a new album set to the musical scores of Jawahar Wattal. Called Choore Waliye, this album is bound to be popular not only at wedding time but also through the honeymoon and after. The reason being the very enticing lyrics of the title song penned by the singer: Choore waaliye ni hai teri mehandi, Sidhe-saade jat di jaan kadh laindi. Jesbir is as local as can be, schooled as he was in the Shivalik Public School, Mohali. He has been singing since his childhood and was trained in music by Mrinal Sen Gupta and Prabhjot Bali. In school, he won several singing competitions including shabad kirtan. What makes Jesbir special is the fine and fresh quality of his voice. A fan of Gurdas Maan and Baboo Maan, he is going their way by penning his best lyrics. The new album, however, includes songs by some other lyricists too like Raj Kakra, Gurmail Bhaironpuri and Deepinder K. Ambala. Some of the special features of the nerw album are a poignant vidai song and ‘bolis’ set to a fast beat. ETC Punjabi channel has called him the rising star of the month and we wish him much more. For here is a young singer of promise who has chosen to sing good lyrics. Little wonder that he is a favourite with the DJs.
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Closed chapter You don’t even have to ask city students about World Book Day. Read their blank faces
In fact, the students are hardly aware of the day chosen by none else than UNESCO’s General Conference for paying a worldwide tribute to books and authors. You do not even have to question the students about the day’s significance. Read their blank faces and the answer is evident — loud and clear. Pursuing her graduation in Arts from a local college, Mamta Nanda is more candid then candied. She categorically says: "Oh, I know everything about St Valentine’s Day. It falls on February 14 and you receive a lot of gifts that day. Also, dance parties are organized all over the city. But what’s World Books Day? Haven’t heard of it!" Call up the school authorities and the reaction is similar. "It’s either today or tomorrow. We are not sure. In any case, we are not doing anything to commemorate the occasion," says a teacher of a renowned Sector 26 school. Speaks volume, along with the fact that every year on St Valentine’s Day uneducated, yet informed, roadside vendors take to the streets with cheerful heart-shaped balloons, but hardly any activity is witnessed on the Books Day. Oh, yes, even messages are not exchanged through the short message service. "Organise dance parties on the Books Day and see the reaction of the students. In two or three years, everyone will be talking about it," quips a Panjab University lecturer. The fact that she refuses to be quoted on the issue itself is a comment on the prevailing situation. Just in case, you too have not read anything about the big day, it is celebrated throughout the world by UNESCO. The intention is to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. Information available on the internet says April 23 was chosen as on this symbolic date and in the same year of 1616, authors Miguel de Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors including Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mej`EDa Vallejo. It was a natural choice for UNESCO’s General Conference to encouraging everyone, and in particular the youngsters, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those furthering social and cultural progress of humanity. In any case folks, Happy Books Day!
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Another Mudgal Young Sawani Mudgal is making her mark in dance and music, says S. D. Sharma
Sawani, named after a raga, took to learning classical dance from at the tender age of 6 from the great Bharatnatyam exponent, Leela Samson besides being in the tutelage of her father and guru Madhup Mudgal for imbibing the finer nuances of vocal classical music. ‘The impulsive environment and my upbringing had gone a long way to shape my aesthetic sensibility and the presence of icons around had always inspired me to strive for perfection ceaselessly.’ says the 22-year-old Sawani, as her fingers gently touch the Tanpura strings to produce a drone. ‘And I attempted to secure credit whenever any opportunity to prove my ability came in my way’she claims referring to her over one year long dream project of teaching Bharatnatyam dance to slum dwellers in Brazil under the care of celebrated choreographer and dance Ivaldo Bertazzo in 2004. I used to relish more to teach the Indian dances to a group of fifty persons between the age group of 15 to 25 years than to attend Bharatnatyam fusion exercises with Ivaldo and his repertoire. All the Brazilians artists and learners had a special fascination for the grace, variety and systematic patterns of Indian classical and folk dances and their endless improvisations as compared to their only popular street dance called ‘Samba’, explained Savani. More and more people were taking more than a passing interest in the Indian performing arts following the performance of Indian artists in festivals and concerts abroad. Many inquisitive music lovers used to question me about our music especially the Indo Brazilian music fusion albums composed by my father, Madhup Mudgal in association with Brazilian maestros during his four deputations to that country. "Based at Sao Paulo (Brazil) our troupe of fifty dancers, most of them from slums trained by me , gave a series of performances which established the grandeur of Bharatnatyam, the dominant ingredient of the fusion dance. By the time I was fully conversant with their Portuguese dialect, which proved to be an asset for me to understand their emotions, cultural nuances and aspirations and weave them in the performances. An overwhelming response greeted us during our shows at Rhio de Jenario, Curitiba, Belo-Horisonte and other cities. I would love to be there again for similar project," craves Sawani.
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Dara of many seasons There was a time when this robust Punjabi puttar courageously wrestled his way up the ladder of fame. A time when the colours of glamour and unconditional adulation filled his life. But even today, when these colours of admiration have faded like pastel shades on a watercolour painting exposed to sunlight, he hasn’t sunk into anonymity. He’s rather exploring for different platforms to perform, and live life ‘King Kong’ size! Yes, he’s none but the famous King Kong and Hanuman of yesteryears, Dara Singh. Many years back, he conquered hearts with his macho frame, desi-He-man image and fighting sequences. Then he literally swept the kids off their feet by portraying an endearing flying Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana. And today, he’s playing an absolutely lovable dadaji in many films and telivision serials including Had kar di aapne and Kya hoga Nimmo ka. He’s not the kinds who’ll sit in his house all alone, staring at the walls, with the TV switched on. “I’ve been very active all my life, exercising, wrestling, playing games and of course acting. So, why should I just stop it all because of my age. I still feel very young at heart and want to perform. My funny Hindi accent makes people laugh and so I’ve got my hands full with roles in television comedies.” he informs. So much energy at the world-weary age? We wonder. Laughs Dara, “You can’t even believe what all I used to eat during my wrestling days—litres of milk with Desi ghee in it, lots of almonds, fruits and a special energy-giving Chicken soup which took 8 hours to get ready.” No wonder, the he-man exercised for five hours daily and yes, won innumerable accolades in wrestling. So folks, food is the secret of his energy!
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Parvo in pets Young puppies are very susceptible to infection, particularly because the natural immunity provided in their mothers’ milk may wear off before the puppies’ own immune systems are mature enough to fight off infection. An additional concern is that immunity provided by a mother’s milk may interfere with an effective response to vaccination. This means even vaccinated puppies may occasionally succumb to parvovirus. To narrow gaps in protection and provide optimal protection against parvovirus during the first few months of life, a series of puppy vaccinations are administered. Puppies and dogs usually become infected when they ingest virus that is passed in the stool of an infected dog. Canine parvovirus causes sluggishness, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian promptly. This is a very serious disease. No specific drug is available that will kill the virus in infected dogs. Treatment for parvo is mostly that of supporting the different systems in the body during the course of the disease. This includes giving fluids, regulating electrolyte levels, controlling body temperature and giving blood transfusions when necessary. Until your puppy has received its complete series of vaccinations, you must use caution when bringing your pet to places where stray and sick animals have access. Do not allow your puppy or dog to come into contact with the fecal waste of other dogs while walking or playing outdoors. To protect your adult dogs, keep his parvovirus vaccination is up-to-date. It is better to be safe than sorry. Canine parvovirus is resistant to changes in environmental conditions and can survive for long periods of time. Proper cleaning and disinfection of contaminated areas where infected dogs are housed is essential to control the spread of parvovirus. If you have had parvo in your home, use a strong bleach/water solution to kill the virus. Soak the yard with it. It is better to kill the grass than your next dog.
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Look before you leap From three-piece bikinis with wraparounds to single piece swim-suits in floral prints and stripes — you have so much to choose from in swimwear, says Saurabh Malik
Then you have all those chic accessories to choose from — right from sarongs and swim caps to sandals and thongs. Guessing what’s cool in the summers of 2006 can actually boggle your mind. So before you go fishing for swim gear, remember to dive deep into these columns for a comprehensive guide. Surfing for swimsuits
Pool your resources and go in for itsy-bitsy bikinis. Readily available in sport-shops across the city, they are flexible and mould according to the body contour, giving you that “ah” inspiring fit. “Bikini tops with frills are the latest scream amidst teenyboppers,” says Rajesh Bajaj of Prime Sports in Sector 7. As some garments are “brief”, the girls can cover themselves up nicely and properly with an oversized shirt or a tee till they actually take the dip, suggests Bajaj. “Even sarong wrap is a good cover up option,” he asserts with a smile. “Tie it on the side, in front or around your body for full coverage. The choice is yours, entirely.” You can also go for three-piece bikinis. The enticing combo includes a top, a bottom and a wraparound In Lycra and other stuff, the bikinis are costing anywhere between 600 and Rs 2000. The Chinese ones can be had for as less as Rs 150. In case the idea of slipping into a bikini is not appealing, swim in a “Tankini”. A variation of bikini, it has a longer top that exposes only a small portion of your tummy, leaving you under-wraps mostly. Or else, swim with the stream in a single piece suit. Just don’t be afraid of wearing stuff you feel comfortable in. Another thing! Plain swimwear is out, for good. “So look for stripes or bold floral features,” says young fashion designer Nidhi Kapoor. “They are in the swim. As for colours, basic black continues to dazzle the onlookers. But don’t wash your hands off blues, reds and even whites. Even they are appealing”. A word of caution here: Swimwear in tan-through fabrics is available over the counters in so many shops. The stuff allows you to tan through the fabric without showing off your body. Sounds fine! But it’s good only for the West. The stuff is certainly not recommended for the swimmers here. Also, make sure the fabric quality is good to avoid allergies and other skin problems. Knick-knacks
In accessories, pick up cool glasses that not only look great, but also protect your peepers from pool infection like redness of eyes and conjunctivitis. Buy special “anti-fog” swimming glasses in cheerful hues like pink and purple. They are costing between Rs 60 and Rs 600. In case you have an infective eye problem, avoid swimming completely even with the glasses on not only for your own sake, but also to prevent others from acquiring the problem, says city-based eye surgeon Dr Rajan Chugh. “In case of non-infective eye problem, you can swim after consulting an eye specialist. But in both the cases, avoid self medication”. Also remember to go for good trendy caps, especially if you have long silky tresses that tend to stiffen after plunge in a pool. The caps prevent the hair from turning rude. And also spare you the inconvenience of spending all those precious minutes shampooing your tresses. “Caps of Silicon quality are the most sought after,” says Rajinder Kumar, also dealing with sports accessories. “You can have them by pulling out anywhere between Rs 80 and Rs 150 from your wallet”. In the end, pick up special pool-side or beech sandals. They are available in almost all the shoe stores in the city. Pooling around
Before you splash in a pool make sure that the water is certified safe and there are enough lifeguards around you. For availing swimming facilities that float good, you can go to the Lake Sports Complex, the Chandigarh Golf Club, Chandigarh Club, Chandigarh Press Club, Panjab University swimming pool, Nursery swimming pool in Sector 23, Kendriya Vidyalaya pool in Sector 29, the Mohali Club in Phase 11 and the Gymkhana Club in Panchkula’s Sector 3. The swimming season has started, or is about to begin, here. The charges hover between Rs 400 and Rs 1500 for the complete season. Go ahead, jump for fun!
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The French Connection
The world opened to these young ladies because they had learnt the French language, says Gayatri Rajwade The destination, France and the channel, Desk EduFrance at the Alliance Française—three young people give us their account of striving for their dreams and what is more you need not know French to get there! In focus
For 30 year old Manpreet Walia, the striding factor was Cornell University no less. Today, not only is she working as a top-notch executive with Accenture Services in Toronto, Canada, she also succeeded in doing her Masters in International Hospitality Management from ESSEC, Paris which has a tie-up with Cornell! A diploma in Hotel Management after school, stints with the Maurya Sheraton Hotel, the Taj Palace Hotel and Jet Airways in Delhi and Manpreet was all set. Five years later she decided to get her Bachelor’s degree in International Hotel and Tourism Management from the International Management Institute, Luzern. “Once I reached Switzerland, I knew I would go further,” she smiles. Not only did Manpreet top her programme, she also went on to graduate from ESSEC with top honours and was the only Indian girl in her class. “For me the selling point of the course was French do hospitality the best!” She simultaneously worked on several consultancy jobs with companies like Euro Disney, Radisson Hotel and the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. At her graduation ceremony, she was offered a job with Accenture Services in Bangalore and is still living her dream with them. Her mantra for success is simple—focus! And her walkway, her smattering of French which she learnt way back in 1991 and which holds her in good stead while reading all those posh French menus!
Spelling success
Born and brought up in England, Payal Sharma moved to Chandigarh at the age of 14 “when it was too late to learn Hindi, so French it was”! She joined the Alliance Francaise here “for their emphasis on speaking the language” in 2000 and topped the ‘Diplome de Langue’ exam in 2003, simultaneously topping in French Honours at GCG-11, receiving a gold medal and a scholarship, which incidentally she did not avail off, for she took a year off to work instead. “I got selected by France’s leading NGO, ‘Handicap International’ as a bilingual translator in Delhi, a job I found posted on the Alliance board.” The exposure was tremendous and France it was from here on. She applied for a Masters in Corporate Communication at the Rouen School of Management. “I arrived there and it was hell, I was the only foreigner there,” laughs Payal. A part time course, she got picked up by BNP Paribas, one of Europe’s leading banks for their head office in Paris. The internship finished in December of 2005 and she wrote out her 100 page thesis in French before coming back home! “Worldwide the biggest brand is being Indian,” she declares Payal whose happiest moment in France came with standing on the Eiffel Tower and looking down! Just her favourite Red Bordeaux wine was missing! Brand name
After graduating from NIFT Mohali in 2002, Narinder Singh Bhatti decided freelance designing is what he wanted to do simply because his eyes were set on London, New York or Paris, the fashion capitals of the world. Help came from Desk EduFrance at the Alliance Francaise and he embarked on a Masters programme in marketing of fashion products from ESSCA, Paris with a scholarship from the French Embassy which covered his travel to and fro. “I took a loan of 8 lakh rupees, sent mails to designers in Paris from here and got a part-time job with an American Haute Couture designer Erin Fetherston assisting her in knitting patterns and figuring out the feasibility for production including searching for potential buyers. Narinder completed his course in record time along with an internship as a visual merchandiser with Merchanseeling and is now looking to open his own brand in France. So reach out to the skies now to gather a cluster of stars in your hand; stars that will sparkle your way to triumph.
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Range House on the Greens
Forty-three paintings, acquired from an art gallery in Delhi and abounding in golfing activity, adorn
the walls. A ‘range house’ that offers fine dining and a well-stocked bar to boot with a view to the immaculate greens!
The CGA Golf Range, Sector 6 inaugurated its swishy ‘wine and dine’ area replete with an ambience reminiscent of the British Raj and suffused with fresh contemporary cosiness—woodsy with elegance. While city-based architects Bandana Singh and Vikram Pannu have spiffed up the resto-bar, Besten has designed the bar furniture and Pinki Randhawa, the furnishings for the restaurant. Forty-three paintings, acquired from an art gallery in Delhi and abounding in golfing activity adorn the walls. The entire effect is understated and pleasant. The catering will be taken care of by Hot Millions and all their savouries from their restaurants will be available but at subsidised rates of course, for members and their guests. The bar and restaurant can accommodate 125 people at a time and with the pleasant Chandigarh evenings still in full force despite the day heat, this is the perfect place to plan that charming evening get-together, provided you are a member of course! — TNS
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MATKA CHOWK Chandigarh, despite its modest size, is very big in honking! I hear very little honking when I am in Delhi, despite the mind-boggling number of cars. But, here at home, honking can almost substitute the steering wheel – so frequently and inalienably it is used as a tool for driving any vehicle. People honk to let others know they are driving. They honk when they pass you, when they follow you, when they overtake you (often from the wrong side) and even when they are merely stationed behind you. They honk if you slow down to take a turn, when you go round the chowks and even in a parking lot when you are trying to find a spot. We honk here to express many emotions. We honk when we are impatient and want the others to get out of the way. We honk when we are blocked by a slow-moving vehicle – as if they are roadblocks. We honk when we drive too fast and do not want to brake. We honk when we see a horse-cart, as if the animal is honking trained! Another unique honking trait of Chandigarh is to have a honking medley when a red light turns green, especially at busy and crowded intersections. The minute the light turns green, people charge up and blow horns like war bugles. Somehow, the implicit psychology seems to be an innate faith in speeding up things merely by making more noise. If you have noticed how the autos drive, you will be convinced that the autos have no brakes and drive merely by clearing the road with incessant and shrill honking. The two-wheelers honk, when they swerve around, and most of the times in indignation, for the four-wheelers seem to have scanty respect for them. I have a neighbour who is little short of hearing and used to drive ferociously and swear incessantly. At his wife’s urging, he has now stopped swearing and taken to honking and everyone is happy! I think, the worst part is, having to suffer honking, when you are not driving. Once, the entire picturesque drive from Kasauli to Chandigarh was ruined by an overzealous driver who honked at everything in sight – lorries to monkeys. We begged him to stop. He said, “horn nahi bajayenge to car kaise chalayenge?” I too have fallen into the bad habit of honking. It is a great way to express outrage and exasperation without any fear of repercussions. Sometimes, I try to practice honking self-control and see how far I can get going without touching the horn even once. It is hard for me believe that I could ever drive a vehicle without touching the horn! I must say - I have managed to imbibe the Chandigarh traffic culture with great authenticity!
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FILM REVIEW Golden jubilee director Indra Kumar’s fans who’ve seen Dil, Raja, Beta, Ishq and Masti will be disappointed with his new romantic comedy ‘Pyare Mohan’ which opened this Friday at Batra Chandigarh, Manimajra, Fun Republic and Suraj Panchkula. The film does not have much of a story and the end is so predictable. Director sir, what you have showed to the viewers in ‘Pyare Mohan is not comedy. It looks cheap in some sequences. The film had the best resources at the director’s disposal. But Indra Kumar has let go of a good opportunity in ‘Pyare Mohan’. ‘Pyare Mohan’ is an Indra Kumar—Ashok Thakeria production that has been constantly in the news. Vivek Oberoi and Fardeen Khan are not exploited to their fullest. Both tend to go overbroad in some scenes. The two pretty ladies- Esha Deol and Amrita Rao show off skin and not talent. Boman Irani is just fine. After giving some decent ear friendly tunes for recently released “Humko Deewana Kar Gaye”, music director Anu Malik fails to deliver this time along with lyricist Sameer. Overall, the viewers will be disappointed with the much-publicised ‘Pyare Mohan’. —D.P.
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WRITE TO RENEE I am a young 21-year-old college student residing in the hills and have fallen in love with this boy from a different community. My boyfriend comes from an old orthodox Brahmin family and we are also from an old fashioned Sikh family. I have been seeing him for the past few years ever since I joined college but somehow feel that I have known him all my life. We have literally grown together. Both our families are completely averse to the relationship. I am feeling very disturbed and do not really know how to handle the situation. I feel my life is completely meaningless without him and that I would not able to survive without him. Please help me to decide whether we should just go against our families to be together. I am sure it will be worth it. Suchitra Kaur, Shimla Dear girl, lots of girls of your age are confronted with very similar issue in our country. We are living in a society of mixed culture and many religious differences. I agree that it is very hard to put your heart in a relationship, which would fit society’s rules and regulations. After all, the “heart has its own reasons”. But on the other hand, sometimes the social suppression itself makes us rebel without a cause. Sometimes just to prove ourselves different in society, the world, our immediate peer group and even our own family, we take decisions which go against the normal flow. But we must look within and understand ourselves. Please do not take a decision, which would hurt other people, as you can never build a relationship on a negative footing. Try to make your parents understand your position through some common friends and do pray for God’s guidance for more clarity. I am sure things will come around for you. I work in a public sector job, I am a girl who is 27 years old and have got involved in a long distance relationship. I met this very interesting man on my last trip back from Delhi on the Shatabdi Express. It was one of the most interesting encounters of my life. We exchanged ideas and I realized that we had shared interests in almost everything. Whether we spoke of music or art, traveling or reading, even the designers we liked were the same. I am completely fascinated that this is the person I have been looking for all my life. We met a few times in the city but he has had to return back to the U.S. where he works and his family is settled for many years. We have not spoken about any future together but I am hoping it will happen. How do I sustain this long distance relationship? Kamini, Chandigarh Sustaining a relationship is never a problem. It is trying to make a relationship grow and evolve which is a greater deal to handle. Long distance relationships are a lot of hard work. Discovering a person is initially a very exciting prospect, especially in a new city. It has a special kind of romance attached to the whole concept. We are fools to expect a relationship that revolves around a short burst of intimacy to last a lifetime in the very same way. Life cannot be perceived in short phases it has to be taken in its own totality. A long distance relationship requires much resilience and a lot of effort. You are basically surviving and grab moments of intimacy on separate continents. Well try to give it time and efforts. There are no short cuts to life. If you feel you still want him as much, just tell him. Ask him about a future together and see where it goes from there.
Rush in your queries to Renee at lifestyle@tribunemail.com or care of Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh
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PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS Puberty is a time of change, time of growing up! Children going through puberty, experiencing acne breakouts can have shaken confidence making the transitional time difficult for them. At a time like this they need a lot of support and understanding. Acne is a skin condition, which develops in the pores of the skin around the hair follicles and glands that produce oil. Pimples are caused by bacteria and hygiene is the best answer. Acne can be mild, moderate and severe. Mild acne can be treated with over-the-counter-bought products. Moderate acne has about 20 to 60 small to medium sized pimples over the face, back or chest can be treated by your doctor. Severe acne is best treated by a dermatologist. Normally, oil produced by sebaceous glands flows up through the hair follicles or pores to the skin’s surface. When the amount of oil increases, it combines with dead skin cells within the follicles to clog pores. This blockage is also called a plug, allows acne bacteria to thrive. The resulting redness and swelling means that a pimple has formed. Plugs exposed to air appear as black heads. White heads are closed plugs, underneath the skin and are more serious as they can become inflamed. Prevention is better than cure
Prevent pimples before they appear, rather than treating them after they appear. By following a good daily cleansing routine you can guard your skin against pimples. It is important that you follow your cleaning routine regularly. Be patient, don’t give up! Wash your skin every morning with an anti-bacterial face wash to remove the grease, dead skin cells and bacteria that cause pimples. Stay away from normal soaps as they can dry out the skin leaving a residue behind which may block the pores. Medicated face washes are the best alternative to ordinary soaps for cleansing your skin as they help remove pimple-causing bacteria more effectively and avoid over-drying. Most face washes are developed for the more delicate skin on your face and have special formulations by skin types like regular or sensitive. Medicated lotions are a good substitute for regular lotions, as they contain anti-bacterial ingredients. They unclog pores by removing the daily build up of grease and dirt. Lotions also come in different formulations by skin type, which differ usually by the level of alcohol content. Medicated pads are convenient and pre-soaked in anti-bacterial solutions. They leave behind anti-bacterial ingredients as they cleanse the pores, preventing formation of new pimples. Washing your face more than 3 times can have a drying effect on your skin and also increase the over-production of sebum. Remember good cleaning routine does not mean that you won’t get any pimples; one or two will always come up. Don’t be disheartened! Treatment
The range of treatment products available that get rid of spots by working on three factors: Blocked pores, excess grease and bacteria. Products containing sulphur work by opening up blocked pores, allowing sebum to pass through the pore freely. In most cases products with one of these ingredients should be sufficient. In severe acne cases consult your doctor. Antibiotics like Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Sulfacetamide are helpful. Azeliac acid has anti-inflammatory and anti- bacterial properties. Zinc gluconate taken orally can help. Products for you
Normal / Combination skin- Use an anti-bacterial face wash followed by a low pH-value moisturiser that prevents bacteria from building and won’t re-clog your pores. Dry/Sensitive Skin- Use a gentle face-wash containing no alcohol, perfume or colour followed by a low pH value moisturiser that prevents bacteria from building and won’t re-clog your pores. Oily Skin- Use an astringent lotion specially formulated for oily skin, which contain additional alcohol to remove skin’s daily build up of grease. Use an oil free moisturiser with low pH that prevents bacteria from building and won’t re-clog your pores. The bottom line is that you can fight acne but not eradicate it completely. You always have to put up with it- be confident in yourself!
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The week ahead... Performing Arts
Classical concert: Pandit Jasraj, the doyen of Indian classical vocal tradition, will hold a concert for music lovers of this region. Carrying forward the traditions of the Mewati Gharana, which has been handed down to him generation after generation, Pt. Jasraj has not just preserved its glorious legacy but also made it sure that the future generations will imbibe its qualities and take it to greater heights. He is nowadays documenting some rare ragas in the lesser-known genres of Indian music like Haveli Sangeet and also created about 100 compositions. The concert, being organised by the Durga Das Foundation, The Tribune and Spice Telecom, will be among the rare ones that Pt. Jasraj has offered in this part of the country. Date: April 24 Venue: Tagore Theatre Time: 7 pm Entry by invitation only Drama fest: Kalibaari group from sector 47, Chandigarh is organising a drama fest. Eight theatre groups from Delhi, Shimla and Chandigarh are participating in the fest. Date: 28th-30th April Venue: Tagore theatre, Chandigarh Time:6.00 pm Exhibitions
Photography: Alliance Francaise de Chandigarh is holding an exhibition of photography by Anuj Gupta. The exhibition called ‘India on the Move’ showcases about 23 photographs capturing various hues of the country. Date: April 21 to April 30 Venue: Exhibition Hall, Alliance Francaise, Sector 36 Handicrafts: H.P. State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Limited are holding Gandhi Shilp BAZAR to adorn interiors. Crafts persons from across the nation have created the products for this exhibition. Date: 21st-30th April, 2006 Venue: Nehru Park, Sector 22-B, Chandigarh Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Group show
Triumverate, an exhibition of paintings by three artists —Poonam Arora, Seema Chauhan and Sunita Minhas from The Bama Academy of Fine Art, Panchkula, showcasing various themes and medium of expression begins at Chitralaya. Date: On till May 4 Venue: Chitralaya (Fun Republic), Manimajra Time: 11 am to 8 pm Heritage: ‘Gandhi, King, Ikeda—A Legacy of Building Peace’, is being held by Panjab University in collaboration with the Bharat Soka Gakki. Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luthar King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda, three men from different cultures and religions, had followed a common path of profound dedication and achievement in improving the lives of all people. This exhibition is aimed at propagating the principles of these giants of the 20th century. Date: On till April 27 Venue: Exhibition Hall, Government Museum and Art Gallery Time: 8 am to 7 pm Workshops
Classical art: The North Zone Cultural Centre is holding a three-month-long classical dance and instrumental music workshop for under-privileged children from Himachal Pradesh. As many as 35 children are taking part in the workshop and learning harmonium, tabla and kathak under various experts. Date: Ongoing Venue: Kalagram, Manimajra Time: 10 am to 6 pm
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Health TIP OF THE DAY Wearing heels more than 7.5 cms (3 inches) is likely to cause sore toes, calf pain, knee pain and even backache. — Dr. Ravinder Chadha
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No
one has time for books. No, not even the schools. Little wonder, few
academic institutions and book stores across the city are opening the
chapter of celebration on the World Book and Copyright Day falling on
April 23.
Some
blessed ones become cognizant of their aesthetic potential at an early age
in life and they see both a calling and a destiny in their respective
realm of art. This veritably applies to an upcoming young Bharatnatyam
danseuse and classical vocalist, Sawani Mudgal, who had carved a niche for
herself in the performing arts and as such in no way can be treated as a
‘Ghar ki murgi’ in her family of music stalwarts, three of them
decorated with prestigious Padmashree honours. She is, however, proud of
them, her grandpa, Padmashree Pandit Vinaychandra Mudgal, Papa dearest
Padmashree Madhup Mudgal and vivacious ace Odissi danseuse auntie,
Padmashree Madhavi Mudgal. Sawani shared her musical experiences about
Brazil, talking to the Life Style while in city for a concert by Madhup
Mudgal..jpg)
The summers bring with them many diseases, and one of the most deadly is parvo. Parvo is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the digestive system of puppies and dogs. All dogs are at risk. Certain breeds like Rottweiler and Doberman appear to have a high risk of experiencing severe disease. If your puppy is less than four months old or you have a dog that have not been vaccinated against canine parvovirus, he is at increased risk of acquiring the disease. It also can damage the heart muscle in very young and unborn puppies..jpg)
Climbing mercury is propelling you to take the plunge in the deep blue waters of excitement. But look before you leap. For, the market is actually flooded with teeny-weeny bikinis and swimsuits — some imported all the way from China..jpg)
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