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PLANET ZEN
THE year is 7007. The space has been colonised and human life has spread far beyond the solar system. There is a loose planetary confederacy, presided over by the Earth. The old scourges, death and disease, have been banished. But that does not mean the human species will live happily ever after. For, there will still be a murder mystery to be unravelled, if not on the Earth then on Planet Zen.
Does all this sound Greek? It should not. Though the culture of science fiction is practically nil not only in the city, but in the country as a whole, we did have a little taste of it on the celluloid, not so long ago. Remember Jadoo in Koi Mil Gaya and more recently Krrish, the super guy? And looking at their box office record, we are not just ready for it, but we simply love it. So A.K. Vijaykumar’s Year 7007: Fable of a Forgotten Planet could not have hit the market in a better time. Though the writer is somewhat hopeful that after the mega success of such films, things will look up for this particular genre of writing (after all a filmmaker invests mega money only after thorough research about the acceptability of the subject matter) but at the same time he is aware of the ground reality. “It is safe to say that almost nobody reads science fiction any more. The golden age of classical science fiction, started and sustained by authors like Issac Asimov, Arthur Clarke and Robert Heinlein, came to an end around the mid-sixties,” explains the BITS-Pilani mathematics teacher, originally from Chennai, but now more or less a permanent resident of the city. So is it an effort on his part to revive the sci-fi culture? “Nothing of that sort. I love writing science fiction and have been doing so for the past 10 years, but I am not a serious writer. I write as an escapist who seeks solace in writing after working hours on dry mathematical laws,” he sounds earnest. He admits of being turned down by many publishers, both abroad and at home. “Nobody is willing to take the risk. Had it not been for Poonam S. Kohli who showed interest in my story, this too, like so many of my short stories, would not have seen the daylight,’ he adds. The idea for 7007, which he describes as a soft sci-fi book, strangely came to him when he was passing through Nahan, a tiny picturesque town in Himachal Pradesh. “As I stopped to have lunch I was awestruck by its serenity and then I imagined how it would be if it was struck by some extra-terrestrial monster?” One thing led to another. With this idea on the back of his mind, he probed into Sri Aurobindo’s theory on para- psychological power of human mind and the result is here in front of you. As we find little difficulty in imagining him glued to the TV for the Star Trek type of series, we ask him what inspires him to explore the universe and beyond? “You will find hardly any science fiction magazine in India except for a website called www.indiansci-fi.com, which is also fairly new. But there is this New Scientist, a magazine from the UK which is available in the British Library that gives me the ideas for my book,’ he tells. But now that at least one publishing house has shown the courage to take the first step, Vijaykumar is hopeful that the rest would follow suit. “We can start with sci-fi magazines and the TV and films can do their bit in popularising it. It may take a little time to generate awareness and interest among readers, but it will happen,” he says with conviction. Any takers?
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Fashion jive For showcasing design collection, you now have dancers all the way from the fashion capital of Delhi and so many other places. Right fellows; you have guessed it. Dance performances are fast jiving their way to popularity for promoting fabrics. Veil-off Go to hotels and restaurants across the city. And every now and then you will actually see young performers throwing the veil off their fair visages, and ‘fashion fabrics’ gorgeously and gracefully while tripping the light fantastic. Ah, in translucent long-slit pants complimenting high-cut crop tops with twinkling stars cascading down the sheer fabric. At one such show organised on Thursday to launch Grasim’s ‘Look of the Season’, the setting and the ambience are just right for a perfect afternoon to cut footloose all into the world of excitement full of ‘five innovative fashion fabrics.’ As the thumping beats and rhythmic notes bellowing out of the impressive speakers strategically placed on either sides of the podium fill the air-conditioned hall, charming performers — five of them — in glittery dresses breezed in vigorously. Sparkling wedge heels, flashing psychedelic lights, gleaming crystals cascading down the glamorously glittering dresses and pulsating beats pounding against the chest…. You just cannot ask for more from the dainty models energetically twirling towards glamour, into the hearts of audience, in lush fabrics with unique fits and royal cuts. As they set the stage afire in multi-coloured tops with chic urbane, yet traditional touch, time comes to a still for the crowd. Pręt collection Gala is the word to describe Grasim’s ‘Look of the Season’ collection of fabrics, comprising Medova, Juventus, Plural, Caramel and Luztor. President of Grasim Industries Limited’s Textile Division S. Krishnamoorthy says the fabrics have been designed on the basis of extensive research and development, besides taking into consideration key consumer insights.
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Experiment by placing an expensive translucent stone show off its’ grain atop a wrought iron table. Add charm with a delicate antique vase full of fresh/silk wild flowers. Mix both high and low design elements. It’s vital, however, to avoid having a less expensive item next to a more expensive similar item. Glass with crystal does not gel well but crystal with porcelain looks charming. Paper mache looks perfect with contemporary dark wood artifacts or picture frames. Too many similarities invite comparison and may make the less expensive things look cheap. Instead, pair precious things with inexpensive finds by following two rules of thumb: keep it simple and clean lined, or keep it funky. Simple clean lines naturally look expensive and we associate clean lines with a more modern and expensive look. On the other hand, funky items can often stand alone and speak for themselves. But use them sparingly. For example, a nice grouping of African masks can add a lot of texture and color and can be found inexpensively in ethnic junk markets. A word of wisdom about mixing your design elements is to pick a few pieces from each instead of outfitting an entire room with one look. Would you like to combine modern pieces with weathered antiques, to create a wonderful gypsy chic look? An antique’s patina and unique character flaws can set it apart from a great modern piece of furniture. Furniture pieces themselves can combine the best of both high and low-end design features. Have sleek rice paper uplighters to brighten up the corners and contrast them with wenge wooden frames for your sofa. Convert Grandma’s wedding trunk into a stylish lounge seating with ethnic bolsters and chenille spreads with Kashmiri rug and Egyptian coloured glass lanterns. For a stylish-looking dining or end table, take a simple and inexpensive parsons—styled table and add a made-to-order stone top of either slate or marble. A small ‘reveal’ between the base and the top wood appear to make the top float. What makes a room look rich and expensive, no matter what the budget, is time. Courtsey: A.P. Singh Besten & Co
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NEW
RELEASES
RAMGOPAL
VARMA has revealed that he possesses mastery over a variety of cinematic genre. Fifteeen years ago, he debuted with film ‘Shiva’ delving into the disillusionment of youth with our educational system. The very contemporary filmmaker has now returned with another ‘Shiva’. The new ‘Shiva’ looks into the legal system through the eyes of a police officer whose ideals clash with the harsh realities of the way the police force functions. So, Ramu has reloaded his latest ‘Shiva’ with drastic new look. The film will be released today at Fun Republic,
Manimajra.
Ramgopal Varma has repeated his ‘James’ fame Mohit Ahlawat with glam doll Nisha Kothari. Nitin Raikwar has penned the lyrics and music composer Ilaya Raja who also composed the 1990 version of ‘Shiva’ has composed the music. Comic romance The unusual pairing of Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat in PNC films ‘Pyar Ke Side Effects’ has generated lot of interest among the viewers. The film belongs to the romantic comedy genre. The USP of Saket Chaudhary’s directorial debut is indisputably the Mallika-Rahul Bose Jodi. The film has cast of Suchitra Pillai, Ranvir Shorey, Jas Arora, Sharat Saxena, Amair Bashir and VJ Sophie. A Pritish Nandi Communications presentation the film will be released today at the Fun Republic, Manimajra. Pritam has teamed up with lyricist Mayur Puri. It is now for the viewer’s to see whether this romantic comedy has any side effects? Bas Ek Pal After winning much acclaim for his directorial debut ‘My Brother Nikhil’ maverick filmmaker Onir is all set to come out with his latest offering ‘Bas Ek Pal’ boasting a brilliant cast of Urmila Matondkar, Juhi Chawla, Sanjay Suri, Jimmy Shergil and Rehan Engineer. The movie, which was recently premiered at the 8th Asian Film Festival will have a release today at Fun Republic, Manimajra and K.C. Panchkula. ‘Bas Ek Pal’ explores the complexities of modern urban relationships. Each character has a secret and each uncovered secret alters the dynamics of every relationship. Onir has once again repeated the successful combination of lyricist Amitabh Verma and composer Vivek Philip. — D.P.
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Various people-oriented development projects and programmes launched recently across the country clearly indicate that our political leadership is steadily waking up to the indispensability of people’s welfare and development while seeking to establish a distinguished image for the nation on a global scale. The government’s recent initiatives for people-centric development like the inauguration of Metro Rail Projects in Mumbai and Bangalore on June 21 this year, the mixed corridor project launched in Bangalore a few days later on June 25 and the inter-state Vishnu Prayag Hydro Power Project in Uttranchal are some of the country’s landmark projects. With development as the mantra for the future and the process of making internal transport within the metros smooth and hassle-free along with the commencement of the country’s biggest hydro power project in the private sector, India is truly on the way to becoming a great country to live in. — Divya Bhasin
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She will rock you
SHE starts her book with an ode to a stone, envying its eternal coldness, its strength, but as you read through her Whispering Rocks, a collection of poetry, the ‘rock’ takes to different layers of human emotions—sometimes signifying the strength of a woman who has survived against all odds and sometimes a mother having a meaningful dialogue with another. And you realise her ‘rock’ is not at all cold, as she had earlier described. “I wrote poems which remain untold, unknown and uninterrupted, hence, they remained hidden in total oblivion like ‘little rocks’…the ‘rocks’ that signify my poetry,” says Thechano Kithan, Thech for short, a poet from Nagaland. “These are the works of my life time,’ says the thirty something poet who is awaiting the release of her first publication on Saturday, admits of being a born poet. “During my childhood days in Nagaland I would instantly make a song on any subject and sing them to my family and friends just for entertainment,” says Thech. This is a practice that she continued even when she shifted her base to Shillong to join the North-Eastern Hill University. “All my poems are very personal, which sprang from the places I grew up, the people I met and the joys and pains that I had in my life,” says Tech. But one can relate to her poems, though some of them may be set in the backdrop of exotic locales like Barapani or river Zaktsu, for the underlying message in each of her poem comes out loud and clear, in simple language. Married to M. Kithan, a 1986-batch IAS of Haryana Cadre, Thech moved to different places in Haryana. “Coming to live here after marriage was a total cultural shock, specially that I had to give up a very demanding job of a press reporter and sit idle here. The language was a big barrier for me,” she recalls her early days. So much was the shock for her that she stopped writing altogether. But not any longer! Though her Hindi is still rustic, she made peace with herself and her surroundings. What’s more, she even started liking the barren landscapes and the hot weather of Haryana. And she took up her pen once again. “I learnt from life to meet the challenges head on but at the same time not to question any more. So my poems are not just about tears of a woman who has suffered in time, but about finding out the strength that lies within us,” she says. Coming back to her love for the city, Thech admits of being completely in love with it. “Under the northern sky I write of both my homes,” she says in her poetic language. But you can come to know about her attachment to her adopted city from the fact that though her husband had left for Nagaland on a deputation, she stayed back only to release her book here. “My book is a tribute to Haryana and Chandigarh, the place where I rediscovered myself.” She calls it gratitude by we call it the power of love.
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IN enthusiasm preceding the students’ poll, so many political parties fielding young leaders simply forgot to spare a thought for the students, and the campuses. And even after emerging victorious in the elections held last week, the winning candidates have apparently pushed all “concerns” into the trash can of their memories. Nothing else can ever explain the presence of uncomplaining students standing in unending queues, shifting weight from one leg to another, waiting for their chance to deposit fee on the Panjab University campus. “Right fellows, no one is even talking about undergraduate students still waiting for the declaration of their compartment exam results, even though the reappear examinations are less than 10 days away,” says a B.Com first-year student with compartment in Financial Accounting. Folks, the woeful tale of indifference and neglect does not end here. “Just walk down the dingy corridors of the Panjab University market. Or else, go to the students’ centre, even the departments and the hostels. You will find pillars and walls still defaced with posters seeking vote and support,” says Dheeraj Sharma, doing his post-graduation in languages. Defacing walls is undoubtedly an offence in Chandigarh. And the offenders can be proceeded against by the men-in-khaki under the provisions of the West Bengal Defacement of Property Act as applicable in the city no more so beautiful. In any case, the student leaders with their reins in the hands of behind-the-scenes political masters were asked by the university authorities in the code of conduct not to spoil the academic environs of the campus by sticking posters. Yet, the infantile politicians, responsible for setting up examples for the lesser mortals to follow on the colleges and university grounds, blatantly violated not just the code of conduct, but also transgressed the law. Agreed folks, the registration of cases or even the initiation of stern action against the students by the college and university authorities has hardly ever solved any problem. But then at the same time, the students turned politicians have to be a bit more conscientious. “Cured from the poll fever, the young leaders should at least now ask some of their knights in shining riding jackets on Bullet motorcycles to meticulously remove the posters they have glued all over the campus,” suggests ex-student-cum-regular university frequenter Raman Sharma. “The young bosses should also make sure the authorities start accepting fee from the students directly in the departments only, instead of making them stand in the queues for hours together at the fee counters”. Sensible suggestions! Let’s hope the student bodies’ act. — Saurabh Malik
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FILM
& FASHION Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks has been revealed to have harassed and attempted to kill his ex-wife Susan Dillingham. According to pagesix.com, the revelations came about when court papers were found and published in David Gardner’s upcoming book The Tom Hanks Enigma. Dillingham had written to a LA court asking for a restraining order against Hanks and said: “My husband has repeatedly verbally abused and humiliated me during the past 90 days in my home. This caused me to suffer great emotional distress.” Dillingham’s stage name was Samantha Lewes and she died from bone cancer in 2002. The prolonged and agonising divorce began in 1985 and went on for three years and Lewes starred in a series of plays in that time.
In one legal missive she wrote: “It’s designed to harass and upset me at a time when I should be focusing all of my energies on my job.” During the time she took on these roles Hanks tried to force her into depositions.
Barrymore upset
Actress Drew Barrymore was upset when she found out that she was the only major cast member to have her songs dubbed in Woody Allen’s film Everyone Says I Love You.
According to contactmusic.com, Barrymore made her singing debut in the 1996 film but she had to be replaced by a professional when it was decided that her singing was not good enough.
She says: “It was a really unfortunate moment in my life. Ever since then I believed that I couldn’t do it, and that I was a bit of a failure and a bit of a person who didn’t try hard enough, and I’ve always had this sort of sick feeling about it.” Jude mad at Rock
British actor Jude Law is still upset over the embarrassment he had to face at the Oscar ceremony last year at the hands of host Chris Rock who made fun of his relentless screen appearances.
According to imdb.com, Rock made fun of Law’s numerous screen appearances.
Law in the beginning was not too disturbed but later got angry when Rock said: “Who is Jude Law? Why’s he in every movie I have seen for the last four years? He’s in everything. Even in the movies he’s not in, if you look in the credits he made cupcakes or something.” Law says: “At first I laughed because I didn’t think he knew who I was. Then I got angry as his remarks became personal. My friends were livid. It’s unfortunate I had five or six films come out at the same time.” Prince William appeared in a bikini after dressing up as a Bond girl for a party at his military academy.
According to contactmusic.com, William came wearing a pale blue swimsuit and a garland of flowers around his neck at the 007 party at the Royal Military Academy. His girlfriend Kate Mid dleton came as secret agent James Bond, wearing a wetsuit and a toy gun.
A source said: “All night he (William) pretended to pout like a Bond girl, while Kate did her impression of Sean Connery. It’s not often you get to spend the evening with the future king wearing a bikini.”
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Standing tall ‘PRAKARSH’ in Sanskrit means ‘rising to excellence’ and Prakarsh Singh has been living up to his name. At 21 years of age, he has a list of long achievements. And the icing on the cake is the Alison and Tim Frost Scholarship to do his Master in Research-Ph.D in economics from the London School of Economics. Prakarsh is considered one of the major success stories by the institute and his profile is being distributed among the new entrants as a motivating factor. Want to know the secret of the success of this true believer? He does not only read about great personalities, but also try to adapt their sayings. “Success came even before my graduation result was declared and it was a great feeling,” says Prakarsh. “I always wanted to study in institutions of excellence.” Agrees his mother, Senior Vice-President, HDFC Bank, Neena Singh, beaming with pride as she says that her son always wanted to be the best and achieve the best qualifications. Never losing his aim, Prakarsh was not disheartened when he could not make it to the Indian Institute of Management and later made it to the London School of Economics. He has done a diploma as well as B. Sc in economics from the London School of Economics with distinction in six subjects. Prakarsh has also been a research assistant to senior teachers and has been a short-term consultant to the World Bank. He writes articles for newspapers. His area of interest has been development banking and this young researcher feels that he must ‘come back to India and contribute for the betterment of his country’ though he finds the atmosphere there quite inspiring. Has he been a very studious kind to achieve so much at such a young age? “Not quite,” comes the reply. “I have been into swimming, badminton, chess,” he says. Guess what he even taught chess at the London School of Economics. Well done boy!
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Blooming Beauty
The watercolours capture the blushes of nature effectively—a medium Tanya herself loves so much for the softness it exudes. Tulips, carnations, a sprig of wild flowers and bunches of leafy ferns find eloquence in her art. Although her technique needs refinement, her love for what she does, comes through. As for her basic grounding, she credits her Fine Arts teacher Roshan Ansal (who is also the General Secretary of the Treevani Contemporary Artist Group in Mumbai) in school in DAV-15 for honing her skills. Having put up her first exhibition, she is already planning another and this one is to be in Manchester, England. And although the subject is still hazy, she wants to use the opportunity to explore oils. Although she has not mapped out her future beyond art, she knows she wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps and dabble in fashion design. “But not without painting. Now that I have started if off, I want this to be with me for as long as I can do it,” she smiles. The exhibition is on at the Indusind Bank Art Gallery, Sector 8, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, till September 19.
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Health tip of the day
When buying a shirt check that a finger fits comfortably inside the collar not only while the person is looking straight ahead but also when head is turned to avoid neck pain.
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TAROT TALK
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FASHION shows with reed-thin models sashaying down the narrow ramps of life — flaunting wee bit of niftiness and the latest screams in apparels — are simply out of vogue in the late summers of 2006, at least in the city of beautiful. 
ADVANCEMENTS in the field of sports, education and literacy is not only taking India on the path to social development but the country is taking giant strides in its endeavours to emerge as an well-rounded major economic power. 
‘FRAGRANCE’ is 17-year-old Inderpreet Bassi’s (Tanya) effort to blossom into the local art scene and that is precisely what her exhibition is all about—flowers. Blooms, earth’s natural works of art, with their inspiring hues seem to have captivated this young girl as well, soft pastels shades, powder blue skies, grassy greens, her world is gentle and beautiful. 
ARIES: ‘The Moon’ reveals you are sensitive to its travels. Whatever you do will be done in a “big” way now. You’ll be more practical, perhaps a bit paranoid, simply because restrictive & responsible Saturn is showing its weight around. On Wednesday you’ll be looking for romance in all the fun places. You have ample time to deal with work
on Thursday. Lucky colour: Golden. TIP OF THE WEEK: Beware of judging people too harshly. 
LIBRA: The karmic ‘Wheel of fortune’ turns in your favour. You’ve got a strong sense of self, and aren’t afraid to speak your mind. Now that you have overcome a cash hurdle, you will settle easily. Family celebrations and social events are in store. Relax. Let your exuberance show. Lucky colour: Fiery red. TIP OF THE WEEK: You will need to learn how to cope better with success; its demand and its limitations.
TAURUS: Three of Wands’ reveals now is the time to put your plans into action, particularly when it comes to legal and property matters. Brilliant links between Venus and Moon indicate that any wishes and hopes that have just been “pie in the sky” now begin to take shape. A short trip is on the cards. Lucky colour: rose. TIP OF THE WEEK : Make a deciding choice and then live with the outcome of your decision.
SCORPIO: ‘The Sun’ brings change and travel. You will be able to expedite matters and make up for lost time. You should endeavour to conclude this task as early as possible in order to make more profit. You can expect a raise in salary and then have to host a party for family and friends. A shopping spree can ruin your budget. Lucky colour: Bottle green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Spend time meeting experienced people.
GEMINI: ‘Six of Cups’ inspire you to climb new heights and actualise creative ideas. You will receive support and co-operation. There could be opportunities for new business ventures or assignments. Be realistic about the financial aspects of the venture to avoid delays in the later stages. Dancing and physical exercise rejuvenates your energy. Lucky colour: Peacock green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t be judgmental with people who have made up their mind. 
SAGITTARIUS: ‘The Wheel of Fortune’ blesses you sensitivity and creativity in whatever you do. On Monday, it will be pleasant when the piece of a very old jig saw finally fall into place. Students appearing for any tests or interviews need to pay more attention to their studies. Lucky colour: Citric green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Do not refuse offers without seeking the advice from someone else.
CANCER: You shine like ‘The Star’. A certain situation may be coming to a head so stand back. Don’t over-commit yourself. Take the initiative and project yourself and your ideas to those who matter at work. Be diplomatic with colleagues. You may be tempted to go on a spending spree. Lucky colour: Chocolate brown. TIP OF THE WEEK: Looking forward to challenges; new pursuits; healthy competitions.
CAPRICORN: ‘The Prince of Pentacles’ infuses financial stability. Be honest with yourself before getting involved with someone who is likely to lead you on. Try not to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Be cautious of strangers on Wednesday and settle differences on Thursday. Lucky colour : Golden. TIP OF THE WEEK: You will need to learn how to cope better with success; its demand and its limitations. 
LEO: The Priestess’ infuses promise and commitment in personal relationship. Money is coming in again and you feel much better about it. Determination and persistence will help you make progress on difficult or time consuming assignments. Lucky Colour: Lotus pink. TIP OF THE WEEK: Outline your goals ahead of time ; then make a plan for achieving them.
AQUARIUS: ‘The Moon’ draws by sphinxes brings light into darkness. Progressive changes are on the cards. A subordinate may come up with a useful suggestion, which is sure to improve efficiency at work. The joys of sharing are prominent in your love relationship on Wednesday. Lucky colour: Blood red. TIP OF THE WEEK: It is no longer necessary to take risks. You concentrate on projects only with reliable outcome.
VIRGO: The Lovers’ bode extremely well for relationship and romance. You have to attend more duties at work place. You will not win all arguments with partners or with those you share responsibilities for money. You may feel unnecessarily isolated on Monday. Protect your own security and your back. Lucky colour: Creamy white. TIP OF THE WEEK: You are facing adversity and challenge and still holding your ground
PISCES: An important message would bring in happiness for the entire family. Pleasure trips and social get-togethers would add to your joy. You feel fit and full of energy on Monday. A spirit on expenditure could be a drain on your purse on Wednesday. Lucky colour: Purple. TIP OF THE WEEK: You gain by being practical; do not be emotional.