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Hazaar BAR Dekho
A room with a
view Bond with
the best
Damsels
captured
Manna from
backstage CAMPUS CAFE Film &
fashion
YouthSPEAK
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For once the Fourth Estate takes a dig at itself in
cartoons adorning the Press Club bar, Who says journalists are the cynical lot who just find faults with others? Have a look at the cartoons that adorn the walls of newly renovated Chandigarh Press Club’s ‘Fourth Estate Bar’ these days, and your perception is bound to change. After having a look at the five cartoons by Sandeep Joshi, one can say with conviction that a journalist does not only have the sense of humour but also the courage to laugh at himself.
If the perception of the public is that scribe and alcohol go hand-in-hand then a huge 3 feet by 5 feet cartoon, right at the entrance, reaffirms it. The world famous Patiala Peg holds little respect for us journalists, for here one drinks by the bottle! Go a little ahead and have look at the smaller ones on the opposite wall, one senior journalist struggling with his pens, but what he has in his mind is not just his work. While day-to-day struggle occupies the periphery of his gray cells, it is the big bottle and ice cubes, which occupies the center stage. One step more, and you see one such journalist living in a house called Daaru Vihar and the owner calling himself aptly ‘P.K. Tally’. As you see the nice house curved in the form of a Royal Challenge bottle, you will know this will be the fantasy house of every bottle-happy journo. Well, like any other human being a journalist falls sick too. So what does he turns to? Medicine? No, nothing less then a bottle of Chivas Regal as an intravenous drip would do for our friend. Joshi nicely rounds up his series – we do make the world go round, but the fuel we use to do so is none other than alcohol. “My series was intended to bring out the mood,” says Joshi, an artist with The Tribune for the past 20 years. “Since we presswalas are so badnamed for our insatiate appetite for alcohol, I decided to encash it. But all said and done these cartoons were meant for light humour and not hurt anyone’s sentiment,” says Joshi. A self-taught artist, Joshi has used vibrant colours to give his creations a painting-like look. Though he has used a pen for his outlines, his lines are bold enough to tell an eloquent tale. All for a reason! With alcohol blurring your vision, you will need all the help that Joshi can give in his professional capacity for you to appreciate the aesthetics of his cartoons.
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A room with a view
Regardless of the size and situation of your home, there’s no reason why you can not enjoy this blooming season whilst sitting inside your house. If living in a high rise apartment, then hang wooden plant baskets from your railing. Place terracotta flower vases on the balcony’s security wall if you have a solid concrete wall. Put stone planters on the floor against each window opening into your balcony. Make use of the available wall space. Either paint the inside of niches in complementing darker shades or get them textured. Use these for potted flowering plants, trailing ivy or your artefacts. Get small slabs built into one accent wall if you don’t have niches. Hanging baskets hung from the ceiling hooks will make your balcony garden a piece of envy for all and sundry. Now all you have to do is sink into your lounger in your sitting room and hear the soothing rain drops wash away all your stress. If you want your garden to be a little different from the Joneses next door, how about a serene and self contained natural stone water feature which you can enjoy even when rain Gods are playing truant? Would it not be perfect if you chose such a design for the fountain that would mingle into your balcony as a garden feature when water pumping equipment switched off? If you are hesitant about a water feature, then would you consider a natural stone or drift wood feature? Just ensure that you embed the design such as a polygon or a monolith in varying heights, with built-in uplighters. Let the magic of light and shadow take your breath away at dusk in your balcony or verandah, when light will filter through the feature to throw myriad of shades around. If nothing else, then add single bulbs in terracotta pots light up your dark corners. People generally use the Rajasthani ‘jaali’ work stone panels as screens or in their garden and boundary wall fences. Suspend the panel at a little distance from your main ceiling light and then be mesmerized with the readymade shadow carpet you will get to enjoy every evening at no additional cost! If you have the benefit of an internal open courtyard, then create a little green haven in the middle which could be overlooked from all the windows overlooking the courtyard. How would you be able to possibly ignore this beautiful patch that would be visible from every room surrounding it? Its traditional of have ‘tulsi’ send pious vibes around the house. Alternatively, you may wish to break the norm and plant a miniature fruit tree with garden gnomes making merry underneath it. Let the external courtyard be a talking point from your dining table with a Japanese Cheery Blossom instead with the possibility of a cane swing accompanied with a tranquil figurines to keep you company. Let a bronze aged ‘maali’ with a walking stick guard his green possessions with silent pride. Have a little boy in stone peeping from behind his mother’s flowing ‘dupatta’ greet your visitors. Don’t be restricted by any material or medium when decorating these potential green patches around the house. Use combination of whatever takes your fancy. Put stone alongside So have you had enough food for thought to dress up your surroundings in ways beyond the expected? Courtsey: A.P. Singh
Besten & Co.
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Bond with the best
If you can’t tie the knot, fasten the thread of friendship around your pal’s wrist for a bond that will last at least till your jeans fade. Else, lose your blues, along with some money, together in a discotheque on the Friendship Day this Sunday, says
Saurabh Malik
She just cannot hear the rhythmic notes of togetherness in the silent holding of hands. No wonder, city student Tanya Jasiwal and her friend Anita Sandhu do not enjoy companionship in the stillness of crowded parties. Alone, they hop from one bash to another in the evenings to announce firm comradeship; and tie bands of friendship around each others wrist to fasten their alliance. If people think they are queer, the pair is just not bothered about it. Now that the Friendship Day is fast approaching, the two have once again picked up nice little wristbands from gift and chunk jewellery shops across the city to tell the world that they live together in their own microcosm, merrily. Sounds interesting folks! After all, you meet guys and gals hugging and kissing each other all the time in the name of friendship. Just because free mingling is the hallmark of polite society! But you hardly come across couples like Tanya and Anita. Right, in days when friendship fades before your best pair of denims wear-off! Fresh ties
Bidding adieu to the conventional multicolored bands, the undergrads have picked up ribbons embellished with seashells and sequins for that eternal feeling of being tied with the best. For, these bands are the latest scream among teenyboppers ready to celebrate out-of-the-world friendship in materialistic terms. “You may find it hard to believe, but we are actually selling something like 20 shell-and-leather bands a day even though the big day is still a couple of days away,” says Raman of The Jewels in Sector 11. “The stuff is not very expensive. You can pick up the bands by pulling out less than 50 bucks from your wallet”. Date with history
Guys, before you go out and buy a strap for your pal, here is a strip of the day’s history culled from the Internet just for you: Friendship Day across the world is celebrated on the first Sunday of August so that you can appreciated you pals present all around you in so many shapes, sizes and guises. And now back to the gifts. Just in case the idea of tying a band around your friend’s wrist does not sound appealing, write a nice card for your buddy. Pursuing graduation in commerce from a local college, Aditya Sharma has just spilled his heart out after picking up a “Friendship Day” special card. “You actually have so much to choose from this time,” says Krishna Sahoonja of Dewsun Greetings and Gifts Private Limited. “Cards commemorating the day were always there. But the messages were never so touching.” You can buy or prepare small presents for your pals. Go in for flowers, chocolates or anything else that catches your imagination! Plus-two student Tahira Nayyar has just prepared a paper flower for her childhood friend Nitya. Tahira plans to leave the gift anonymously at her doorstep for added intrigue! Present perfect
Another thing! Record songs so closely associated with your lives. Like the number you heard when you went on a joint date. School student Vishesh Sharma is after his mother to record the song they play so often on way to their institute for gifting it to his chum. Or else, take some time out of your busy schedule and make a special friendship book for your friend. Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate Raman Sharma has included photos, quotes and poetry for telling his friend Bhanu in Shimla how special he is. Dancing on the ceiling
Also remember to call old friends you just haven’t spoken to for ages now. Just in case you are hesitating, recall the time-honoured Girl Scout motto: “Make new friends, but don’t forget old, because one is silver and the other gold”! You can even invite your pals to your place. Rent some good classics and enjoy them on the small screen while munching popcorns, chocolate and all those unhealthy food you so often desist. “Right gals, you will remember the big day for this reason alone,” says city-based fashion designer Neerja Dutta. In the end, just hop into your car and rush down to the arcade for getting a computerised sketch of yours prepared. You will have to pull out something like Rs 100. But the memory is worth the price. One such machine is in the Fun Republic in Mani Majra Else, go to a discotheque and dance your way down the memory lane. There is a pre-friendship day bash on Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm at Rendezvous in Sector 26. Another bash is being organised at Athena 9 pm onwards on Sunday. So folks, get out and get going.
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The city is getting ready for marine beauties as the buzz for fish lovers is reef aquariums or marine water aquariums at home, says Gayatri Rajwade
Fish, vibrant, lively and alluring, so what’s the fuss about, one may well ask? Quite simply, the Damsels are marine water fish, gleaned from rolling blue oceans and seas and not the fresh water variety that we usually see pirouetting in our aquariums at home. The buzz for fish lovers, therefore, is reef aquariums or marine water aquariums now. “Spectacular is the word that best describes them for these aquariums are more colourful, more real, a near replication of the wonders under the sea,” explains Amitabh Sengupta, fish aficionado, owner of ‘Fish Point’ in Sector 46-C and the first person to bring reef aquariums into the city. “There was a challenge in doing this, in trying something new because apart from Delhi, reef aquariums are not available in this region,” he says. Experiments are something Amitabh thrives on. After completing his graduation in Hotel Management he decided his heart lay with things fishy and four-legged so he started his own enterprise, this aquarium and pet shop ten years ago. “From a bottle to a business” is how this enthusiastic man describes his venture for the very first fish he bought was in a bottle!
“For one you cannot mix the fish from the two and unlike a fresh-water aquarium which can be set up in a day, you need at least 12 weeks for the reef aquarium to be up and going,” elucidates Amitabh. The trick is to get develop the water and get it right which means the correct temperature levels, Ph Value, salt, salinity and nitrate levels that need regular monitoring. No cup-cake this for it took Amitabh more than a year and lots of savings to set his first one up! The cost, anywhere between Rs 50,000 to a lakh of rupees. To put it into perspective, a two to three inch fresh water goldfish costs Rs 30 to 40 while a 2 to 3 inch Damsel comes for Rs 2500! “The sea-salt, live rocks like corals are all important aspects for they constitute the basis of the ecosystem within which marine water fish thrive. Micro-algae make their colonies in these live rocks and that is why they are called live. Even the anemone is vital for various varieties of fish like the Blue Currant, Clown Fish make their homes within these anemones,” expounds Amitabh. His mantra is simple. “Start with fresh water fish first, learn to care for them, know about their habits, their diseases, their favourite food (there are more than 70 varieties of food for fish alone!). Just like we have dal and roti, even fish need different kinds of food for growth, even colour,” he smiles. And fish enthusiast Harmanjit Singh Sethi, an advocate in Sector 43 did just that! After three fresh water aquariums, he has now installed a marine aquarium in his home. “It is a challenge because the charm is quite different, there is so much more drama in terms of colour and maintenance.” Passionate about his fish, the Yellow Tang, Star Fish, Hermit Crabs and Sea Anemones, Sethi does not let anyone, not even his children touch his aquariums. Such is the might of the marine creatures!
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Postcard Art This is the reason why he joined hands with a few like-minded citizens and formed a group around 1970, with the concept of meeting formally once in a month, on the first Monday of the month. The group was essentially a heterogeneous one. It proved to be a great success and continues even today, discussing every possible subject right from Indo- Pak peace process to Urdu poetry to alternatives to marriage. However, the story is not about the intellectual
topics the group has been discussing over the years, nor about the elite members of the forum. It is about the novel concept of issuing invitation postcards bearing an Aditya Prakash signature, which has proved to be a connoisseurs
delight. “Every month I sketch about 26 to 30 such postcards and post them to each member, including myself,” says Aditya Prakash as he ask us to make ourselves comfortable in his studio at Sector 8C residence. Not only that. Since it is different sketches for different members, he has requested the members to return the post cards, in case they want to get rid of them. For those, who collect them, they are welcome to keep. He himself has preserved them with the loving care of a creator, some in panel forms, some on the walls of his studio and others in a bunch. One can see his abstract forms in the familiar post cards from his earlier days which has gradually given way to mythological figures like Narsimha of 12th century, Chamunda in a flame-like coiffure, Christ taken from the cross in 1435 among many more. How did he hit upon the idea? “God sent it me,” he says in his typical Aditya Prakash style, his voice flippant and full of fun. And when he is in such a mood you know better than to argue with him. So we change topic. Where does he draw his inspiration? “In the beginning I used to use my brain and drew lots of peacocks and other motifs, but later I realised there are books available which provide more sophisticated ideas. Ever since I stopped using my brain,”
“While my Indian deities and figures come from the Art of India, my Egyptian figures are inspired by The Art Treasures of Europe,” he points out a few original ones that he had copied. How long does it take to sketch as meant as 26 postcards (for there are 26 members in the forum at present)? “It takes about 15 minutes if it is my own design, but takes longer if I am copying from one of those books. Copying something definitely takes more concentration,” he says, admitting that he has been sketching these post cards every morning with religious zeal for all these years. “See I have added value to the humble post card,” he ask us and we nod in agreement. One is tempted to be a member just to receive one such postcard bearing his signature, Isn’t one?
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Manna from backstage What is it about the City Beautiful that makes it a perfect launching pad for the careers of super successful models? Is it those design institutes in city, training students who create exquisite couture ensembles? Or is it the city’s absolute fascination with fashion shows? Perhaps both these, but more than all this, there’s the man, who’s been behind many-a-
luminaries. They all acknowledge his finery—models who’ve emerged Bollywood stars (think Gangster sensation Kangna Raut and Bipasha Basu), Ex Miss and Mrs. India’s (Sushmita Sen, Karminder Kaur, Naina Dhaliwal) or even ramp rages (Shikha Swarup, Madhu Sapre, Shweta Menon, Mehar Bhasin and Shifali Talwar). In fact, as he steps on the ramp, their hands get together, breaking into a thunderous applause, exclaiming—here comes Jeet Brar, the manna from the backstage! No, he’s not one of those high-profile designers, spinning their gossamer web of designs. Nor is he some biggie sponsorer putting mega bucks in glitzy ramp shows. What he’s been spilling over the ramp, rather, is sheer hardwork, dedication and a passion for perfect movements and coordination. A quick peak at his resume. With his excellent choreography and grooming, Jeet Brar’s been burning the region’s fashion scene for more than a decade now, with more than 1500 fashion shows to his credit. Besides, he’s been grooming aspiring models, many of whom have already made it big in life. And then, he’s now running an event management company called JB Entertainment. “How can you do so many things successfully at the same time?” We complain. In fact, he’s been asked this question too often and multidimensional talent is what he likes to dub his talent. “Hailing from a small place like Faridcot, the only thing I could associate glamour was films and so wanted to become an actor,” he laughs adding, “ Coming to Chandigarh in 1990, I realised that for being an actor, I’d need to be at Mumbai which seemed quite far away. So I settled on modelling and ramp modeled for two years.” So how did choreography happen? “I developed a passion for it while ramp modelling. One fine evening, as I was about to step on the stage, my feet just refused to do it. My heart wanted to instruct and not to get instructed. I decided there and then that I would only be choreographing now, “ confesses Brar. Jeet, for sure, enjoys being the captain of the ship. “The fashion choreographer decides all movements, coordination, music and the number of sequences a model appears in. That makes him in charge and in control of it all, which is a big high.” And the flip side?
“The models hog all the limelight!” he laughs, adding, “But the respect I get is my treasure.” Maybe, he’s right. For planning and rehearsing round the clock with his models may not exactly be fun. But when one of them reaches the glamour-studded heights of fame, doesn’t one feel an overwhelming joy? Like the joy of shaping dreams into reality.
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Kangana beats
Star of the tinsel world, Kangana Ranaunt of “Gangster” fame, is turning out to be quite an inspiration for so many students slogging in the classrooms with books on reality open in front of them. Soon after the natural beauty with mountain breeze beneath her wings landed in Bollywood with a jingle after growing together with the students of Sector 15 DAV Model School for good two years, the young ones — still studying in the institute — are struggling to step in her flying boots. Guys, you may find it hard to believe it, but since her departure from the school, right into Bollywood, the students have actually been looking up for big names in the directories and yellow pages before forwarding their credentials, along with snaps, to the star-makers and soul-shakers. Inspiration galore
Among them is 14-year-old Aman Sharma. A student of the same school, he managed to get hold of Mumbai’s telephone directory. Wasting no time, he posted his bio-data and photographs to all those guys he had never seen, but had read about in film magazines. Though hopeful, he was not very sure of the platter he had chosen to savour the sweet taste of success. But within a week, much to the family’s surprise, he received a positive response. Right, from none other than Yash Raj Films! “At first I though someone was playing a practical joke on me,” Aman says in a quivering voice. “But then I went through the letter again, and again. Finally, after convincing myself about the genuineness of the letter, I told my friends and schoolmates all about it”. Enthusiasm unlimited
Standing in school principal Rakesh Sachdeva’s room, his bright eyes twinkle in anticipation of shining before the arch-lights as he clutches the letter in his enthusiastic hands. As you go through the letter asking him to attend a screen test for a flick starring Akashy Kumar and Katrrena Kaif, he shifts weight from one leg to another excitedly. Back after a holiday with Kangana in Mumbai, Sachdeva doesn’t waste time. After all, here is another student tying up the laces of his soft shoes for stepping into the tough, but still glamorous, world of Hindi movies. Flipping through the pages of a telephone diary, she finally calls up Yash Chopra’s personal secretary in Mumbai on his mobile phone. And within a span of few minutes, she fixes up everything for young Aman, nicely and smoothly. “I am glad the students are silently leaving behind their inhibitions and are treading the path to success shown by Kangana a few years back,” asserts Sachdeva. “You see, achievements always attract accomplishments. In our case, Kangana’s triumph has acted as a catalyst. If Aman’s example is not enough, we have another young student selected by the BBC. She is all set to undergo one year training in London.” Folks, lets hope we produce some more Nobel laureate like Dr Hargobind Khurana as well!
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Film
& fashion
Heather Mills has hit out at the claims that she has shunned a $ 55 million divorce settlement from her estranged husband Sir Paul McCartney. Rumours were abuzz that the animal rights activist was looking forward for a larger slice of the former Beatle’s 1.5 billion dollars fortune, but the former model has quashed any such report, insisting the staggering amounts being quoted by the media are way off the mark. Mills further stressed that she is simply concerned about the well being of their two-year-old daughter Beatrice. “Money is the least of Heather’s interests. The figures being bandied about are completely untrue,” Contactmusic quoted her, as saying. Disguised beauty
Hollywood beauty Scarlett Johansson camouflages her appearance when she goes to watch her favourite films in theatres, as she doesn’t want being hounded by fans. “I come in the afternoon in dark glasses, a hat pulled low - and a moustache,” she added. Eva needs super power
Actress Eva Mendes’ role in comic book movie Ghost Rider has left her yearning for a real life super power. Mendes plays Nicholas Cage’s Love interest Roxanne Simpson in the film, based on the Marvel character Johnny Blaze and she’s vexed it’s the leading man who gets all the powers. “I just need something, some kind of power. Give me some kind of cool visual power. I would love that,” she was quoted by Contactmusic, as saying.
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A perfect comic thriller
If you are looking for comedy and thrill, you will find plenty of it in ‘Anthony Kaun Hai’. ‘Anthony Kaun Hai’ is a comic thriller produced by Nikhil Panchamiya and directed by Mandira Bedi’s husband Raj Kaushal. The movie opens today at Fun Republic, Manimajra. ‘Anthony Kaun Hai’ stars Sanjay Dutt, Ashrad Warsi, Minissha Lamba, VJ turned actress Anusha Dandekar, Raghuvir Yadav, Gulshan Grover, Ravi Baswani and Chetan Hansraj. The buzz is that it is a thriller but also has elements of fantasy, action, romance and suspense. Himesh Reshammiya is the music composer. Shot in Sync sound, ‘Anthony Kaun Hai’ promises to be an entertainer. The expectation level of the audience is high from the Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi’s jodi. So let us see if they can live up to the expectations. Romantic comedy
Famous director K.S. Adhiyaman once again repeats his lead pair Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty in ‘Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar’ after their mind blowing performances in ‘Phir Milenge’. This romantic comedy is produced by Bubby Kent and is a Bharat Shah presentation. Sabir Ahmed, Jalees Sherwani and Salim Bijnori have penned the lyrics for Sajid-Wajid and Daboo Malik. Coming in the wake of other biggies, one can expect a good romantic movie from the director K.S. Adhiyaman. It will be released today at Kiran, Chandigarh and Fun Republic, Manimajra. Hilarious comedy flick
After the success of ‘Golmaal,’ yet another comedy from Entertainment One and Ram Gopal Varma production ‘Darwaza Band Rakho’ will also be released today at Fun Republic, Manimajra. It is a thrilling comedy directed by J.D. Chakravarthy, the lead star of ‘Satya’, director of ‘Durga’ and an episode of ‘Darna Zarori Hai’. The promos give an impression that this one is a madcap hilarious comedy flick from the house of Ram Gopal Varma’s factory. The film stars Aftab Shivdasani, Chunky Pandey, Isha Shrawani, Manisha Koirala, Zakir Hussain, Snehal Dhabi, Gulshan Grover and Smita Jaykar. The promos make it very clear that this one is pure entertainer and promises to keep you captivated. — D.P.
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Parking sculptures
One of the fine projects in the city in recent times has been commissioning sculptures by upcoming artists from different parts of the city. This project was the brainchild of Yaswinder Jassi, Programme Officer, North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC). Thus the Kalagram here has a wide and varied collection of sculptures and since it is an ongoing project, there is the promise of many more to come. However, a rather complimentary appraisal of the project in Lifestyle resulted in baffling the bureaucracy and all because of a very simple punctuation mark. Power of the ?
Yes, it was the very well shaped artistic question mark, as elegant and shapely as a well-chiseled sculpture that caused the furor. ‘Sculpture Park or Sculpture Dump?’ was the headline that put the NZCC folks into all kids of doubt that should they just dump the project. Come on friends, when a question mark is there it is meant that the subject should be debated for it is not all decisive. Abandoning the project would be a blasphemy because it would mean denying many young artists a chance to chisel out their dreams. The sculptor has it more difficult than the painter because the very art requires more expense and space, which cannot be easily afforded by the young. So institutional support helps in the initial stages. That is exactly what the Kalagram is providing. The debate is only about displaying the sculptures in a better manner. So there is no harm in listening to the ‘expert’ opinion of old, wizened and has-been artists. A look back
A look back at earlier efforts at parking sculptures shows that this endeavour is bound to get caught in a cloud or controversy of some kind. Way back in 1980, a sculpture workshop was held at the Punjabi University campus in Patiala. London-based Avtarjeet Dhanjal had co-ordinated the international workshop to build a sculpture park. The sculptures still dot the compound and are nearly forgotten but one can recall the major fights that happened in the course with the Japanese sculptor resorting to martial arts. Later the sculpture park dream of Shiv Singh in the Leisure Valley too had its share of controversy. So it is very much a part of the art. Tailpiece
And why so? It is so because sculpture involves a lot of violence. One literally has to go hammer and tongs to shape a good piece. Not just hammer and tongs but chisel and scalpel too. Such sharp tools can only evoke a sharp response! —
Nirupama Dutt
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The media and the human rights
The media, as we all know, is a very powerful weapon of social change. Likewise, it can play a very important role in safeguarding human rights. Not only does the media project what all is happening in society, it also strives for eradicating the evils surfacing in our social fabric. And with the mushrooming of TV channels all over our country, media’s role has become more potent, with the news and reportage flooding in at a faster pace. It was the media that brought to focus the holocaust about reservation. The media has the collective power to stir human conscious to action. Even in India, the media has played an important role in this respect, especially in the matters like custodial deaths, fake encounters, mass burials, inhuman exploitation of bounded labour by heartless contractors, satanic conditions of mental hospitals, sexual molestation of women, diabolical theft of human organ, death dance of casteist carnage as in Bihar, etc. But on deeper reflection, one feels that media has a greater role to play in highlighting the extremes of poverty and exploitation when little children have to fight for a piece of bread with dogs over a garbage heap and when the opportunity for progress virtually exist only for the selected elite. Instead of focusing too much on beauty pageants, cinema stars and their dogs, they should realise their duties towards the vast mass of poor masses that comprise the real society. — Sumit Narula
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Health tip of the day
Sitting on a wallet placed in a long hip pocket that extends under the buttock can put pressure on the muscles and sciatic nerve leading to low back, buttock and leg pain. —
Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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TAROT TALK
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HOPSCOTCH
We are forced to see a little gender bias here as the artist has spared the women journalists from caricature. 
A man goes into a bar and seats himself on a stool. The bartender looks at him and says, “What’ll it be
buddy?”
Arrival of monsoons has brought life back into every inch of foliage. Even dried up twigs are sprouting new leaves and there’s greenery around us everywhere. Weather outside is ever so inviting but mosquitoes and other insects play spoil sport for most of us. Let’s set out to enjoy the seasonal greenery from the armchair comfort of your home. 
The damsels are here to dwell in your homes! No exotic go-go dancers these, but delightful capering creatures—spotted and yellow-tailed lovelies—from the depths of the sea! 
So how is a reef aquarium different from a fresh-water one, we ask? 
A polite chitchat is not his cup of tea. He ridicules the concept of calling on people’s homes just to say a meaningless ‘how are you ’s. But do not label Aditya Prakash, our very own architect of the city, as an anti-social element. He likes meeting people from all walks of life. Only it has to have some purpose.
Thus he makes sure that he has retained a copy of all the invitation cards that he has been painting in the past more than four decades.
he says pointing at the volumes of The Art Treasures of Europe, a copy of Marg and a thick volume of The Art of India.
The sexy actress wears a hat, dark glasses and sometimes even dons a moustache to avoid being recognised at her favourite theatre, in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. “I love seeing movies so I love this theatre in the MoMA. I come all the time. Nobody knows me,” Contactmusic quoted her, as telling
PageSix.com.
ARIES: The card “Strength” gives you the taste of freedom and releases you from emotional restrictions. A celebration in the family keeps spirits flying high and the telephone ringing wildly. Try not to demand too much of yourself at this time. Believe in yourself, even if others disagree. Lucky colour: Old rose. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t be too certain about obtaining a clearance.
LIBRA: “Nine Golden Cups” full of lights and happiness light and lotus blossom greet you. Contentment, emotional well-being and harmony prevail in your personal relationships. It can be an extra ordinary period; do not blow it. Lucky colour: White. TIP OF THE WEEK: Do not play into the hands of a shrewd set of colleagues.
TAURUS: The card “The Hermit” brings a change and mutation, whether you want it or not. You will come up with certain bright business ideas, which if you put to practice could verily result in huge profits. Romantic secrets can be fun; how about getting in touch with an old lover? Lucky Colour: Crimson. TIP OF THE WEEK: You are on the right track don’t allow others to interfere in your way.
SCORPIO: You draw “ Seven of Swords”. Sorting out practical and money matter is not quite your forte. Major changes in professional and business aspects may look constructive. Beware of making rash moves or personal decisions when angry or upset on Wednesday. An exciting love affair is on the cards. Lucky Colour: Royal Blue. TIP OF THE WEEK: Set the unpleasant set of events into motion.
GEMINI: “Knight of wands” brings a gracious and aesthetic influences in your life. Pay attention to financial affairs. Take the chance to enjoy yourself with the company of like-minded souls. Those in love appear inseparable and they are likely to spend most evenings together keeping their friends away for a change. Lucky Colour: Metallic grey. TIP OF THE WEEK: Take things one at a time instead of a
pronged.
SAGITTARIUS: ‘The Three of Cups ‘ brings healing and attention to practical and earthy matters. Interesting romantic encounter will take place on Tuesday. Good development in health matters bring you clarity of thoughts. Things will lighten up as the week gets underway. Women working with any charitable trust, watch out for unreliable people. Lucky Colour: pink. TIP OF THE WEEK: You gain by being practical.
CANCER: “The Ace of Pentacles” leads to the actualisation of personal and professional plans. At home you consider making the improvements necessary before any weather changes create havoc. A desire to break down, destroy, or overthrow existing conditions is also a part of the picture. Focus on meditation, yoga and exercise. Lucky colour: Scarlet. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t build into accepting situations you dislike.
CAPRICORN: Take the lead at work and propose overdue changes. All aspects of life improve dramatically. Changing career at this point will not get the desired peace. You will be successful in controlling your expenses up to a great extent. You will create strong enemies because of lack of self-control. Lucky colour: pomegranate red. TIP OF THE WEEK: You should pursue your goals without a thought for the disapproval. 
LEO: You draw “ Knight of Pentacles”, so a very depleting and confusing week when you do not know exactly what you want. You have an abundance of physical energy and self-confidence right now and can take on new projects and challenges with ease. Lucky colour: Brown. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t waste an opportunity by not exploiting a contact even if it is from your past.
AQUARIUS: Yu may yearn for wide open spaces, more travel and adventure. Fill your life with more stimulating activities and friends. You have been energetic and have enjoyed yourself
recently. The atmosphere at your work place is not as peaceful as you would desire to complete your assignment. Lucky colour: Green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t allow others to interfere in business or personal partnership.
VIRGO: The “ Ace of Wands” strengthens and you may feel elated to see roses all the way. Hard work and extra responsibilities should be welcomed with open arms on Monday. Key areas of concern may involve sibling relations, romantic promises or a difference of emotional style between loved ones. Lucky colour: Pink. TIP OF THE WEEK: Avoid situations that may turn nasty.
PISCES: You draw “The Star” what you have been dreaming and wishing for has come true in part. You may not understand why you feel stuck or discontented. Your physical energy will soar, your mood at home will be less impatient and you will be passionately enthusiastic about enjoying yourself. You will encourage loved ones to join in. Lucky colour: Silver grey. TIP OF THE WEEK: Take one step at a time.