Accustomed earth
This is a story of a ghara (pitcher) and trust us when we say, it is not easy being one. It begins with a piece of clay lying peacefully in a forest which gets picked up by some sadistic potter to be dug out, beaten up to pulp, to be submerged in water and then kneaded into a dough. All these punishable steps lead to a head-spinning stint on the potter’s wheel to get into the desired shape. A small period of respite follows when the potter’s wife nicely puts a coat of paint. But as we said, it lasts for only a little while. A prolonged period of beating follows which expands a nine-inch-tall form into 20 inches. And then comes the stage of drying in the sun and finally, going through the fire of hell in a furnace. And after all that torture if the ghara gets a place of honour in some posh house, it is well deserved.
We got tired by the time Vishnu Prajapati finished narrating the story of the ghara as he had heard from his grandfather. In fact, the painful story made us feel ashamed of ourselves for having cribbed about the water-logged kutcha roads and scorching October sun to reach Prajapati’s work shade at Maloya Goala Complex in Kumhar Colony. But after a prolonged chat with Prajapati and many others, we find out a different angle to the story. After all, the sadistic potter is not so sadistic after all. The more than 70 kumhar families living here have to work day and night to earn a living in a condition, which is more than hostile. Bad roads, frequent power cuts, broken shades with leaking roof tops which they call their workplace and open area for storage which often leave them at the mercy of the weather gods — a freak shower can unleash havoc in the already sinking economy of these families. After all, there is competition galore in the form China-made lights, diyas and candles. It is a sad story, and could have been ‘sadder’ had we not met Prajapati and his family, who is a shining example of the fact that no hurdle is big enough to dampen one’s spirit. “We may have competition, but tradition is incomplete without a terracotta diya or ghara and trust me, there are people who still known its value,” he says with a strong conviction. Sadhuram, Balaknath, Nandlal and many others agree with him, saying that Diwali is the time that brings rich dividend for all the hard work they do the year round. The sales double and orders pour and to keep pace with the demand, Prajapati, his wife and four children are engaged from morning till midnight. “Work has doubled this year as I am preparing to participate in the craft mela at Kalagram later this month,” says Prajapati. So, what we see in his storage area are mountains of karwa (small pitchers women use in Karva Chauth), temples that go up to five storeys, lamps in jaali work which are often used to light up rangolis and heaps of diyas. Prajapati turns out to be the most innovative artist we come across in the colony. Having participated in craft exhibitions in Switzerland six times, a regular supplier to the markets in the USA, and a participant at all major Indian craft melas, including Surajkund, Prajapati knows one has to keep re-inventing oneself to stay at top. “I take ideas from modern art form and mould it in my own style so that it has my original signature. Sometimes at those crafts melas we see new things and exchange ideas,” he says. His creations Raja Rani potteries, huge frogs, chickens waiting for the final touches substantiate his claim. In fact, Prajapati ventured into this line because he wanted to be creative. “I do not belong to a traditional kumhar family. Once I visited one of my relatives here, who were making pottery, those traditional ones. Those days a lot of women used to come up with fresh ideas but my relatives refused to execute them just because they were not open to those modern ideas which were borrowed from many Inside Outside volumes. I thought why not give it a shot? And, I got stuck with this art form,” he recalls. Art form it is and Prajapati is taking it to the next level by sending his eldest son Manjit Prajapati to the Government College of Art. And though he is still a student, the success story of Manjit has become an example for the colony dwellers to emulate. After all, however painful the beginning was, the ghara story had a happy ending. Something, which can be replicated through so many youngsters living in this colony. parbina@tribunemail.com |
Cheeni kum
When it's festive season and baap of all festivals, Diwali, approaching, how can one not think of creamy, fatty indulgent convenience foods to eat and gift. Well, we are not talking about self-indulgence here, but low-cal food items to gift. Though creamy, sweet and 'fat-like' are easily available, sometimes just a little health consciousness can get you over the temptation of fried and calorie-loaded gift items. So, here's a list of various food items that are healthy and make for a perfect Diwali gift. Juice up
Gone are the days of gifting cans of aerated drinks for the festive season, nowadays tetra packs of fruits juices are available. Healthy bhi, tasty bhi, these packs are available in packs of six or twelve. Done up in nice gift packages, they packs would cost you not more that Rs 150 to Rs 200. But if you want something more, then a drive up to Parwano or Dharmpur could help get you more variety. There, you can pick up varied flavours of natural fruit squashes, tetra packs of apple juice and if you are the one who's more inclined to health, you can also pick up dry amla sweets or murabbas for a healthy Diwali gift. Choc-a-bloc
Chocolates are always a favourite, be it festivals or not. Though easily available, they are calorie loaded, cream packed. However, you can customise chocolates minus the calories. Says Rameet Bakshi from crown chocolates in sector 71, Mohali, "Chocolates are always welcome and when it comes to the festive season, the demand increases manifold. But since people are health conscious, sugar-free chocolates are a good gift option. Fifty per cent less in calories, this is a choice as good as normal chocolates. You can choose from orange, fruit 'n' nut, truffle flavours etc." Ask her what about the sweetening agent and she says, "Since nothing else can be altered in the recipe, we use maltitol, (a sweetening agent) that is low on calories." Well, this can be a perfect gift for someone who is diabetic. Chat-pat snack
Though the trend has already picked up and we see a lot of people gifting namkeens rather than mithais on festivals like Diwali, to make it more palatable why not gift roasted or healthy snacks. Available at various stores in the city are packs of roasted namkeens in varied flavours that include items like soyabean, channa dal, corn etc. Less in calories and zero on fat, these namkeens can sure add a smile to health conscious, fitness freaks. Beyond barfi
So, you still want to give mithai ka dhaba, we suggest why not sugarless mithais. Considering the amount of calories people are going to eat, pick something that is less on sugar content. Thanks to the health-conscious brigade who demands healthy stuff, available at almost every good sweet shop are sugarless varieties. From anjeer ki burfi to kalakand , you can even pick cakes and biscuits that are low on calories. So, with this we wish you a happy and fat free Divali. jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
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Sari to surveillance
Four days of exhibition, around 240 stalls, 196 exhibitors, including 71 fresh participants and 10 concurrent shows, offering almost everything you wanted to shop for before Diwali. Cars, kitchenware, washroom fittings, eatables, clothes, accessories, home décor material, electronics - you name it and the CII Chandigarh fair has it.
For women shopoholics, this is the place to be. We are sure you wouldn't like to miss the chiffon and tissue sarees with heavy embroidery work from Pakistan. Cross-stitch embroidery on dupattas, Benazir saris (made of special stitch named after Benazir Bhutto), chandi ki sari (made of silver work), gotta salwars, one can get it all here. Waheed Mahmood from Multan, who has a stall here of chiffon saris and suits, tells more about his collection, "To make one sari, it takes about six months as the embroidery is very intricate. The base of all the clothes is pure, made of crepe or chiffon." The range of most of the clothes doesn't cross Rs 5,000, thus making it very reasonable. Do check out heavily embroidered tissue saris and dress material at the RTS Collection from Dubai. Also one can get accessories from Thailand. Available at the Threeya from Thailand, the fabric- purses are a huge attraction. Fancy hair bands, clips and earrings are also available here. Rachna Mittal in her stall, Betles, has flowers and landscape paintings from Thailand. Each stick of flower costs anywhere below Rs 200. Wall clocks from Chandigarh-based Sanskriti, metal sofa sets, furniture from Rajasthan and Gujarat, ethnic decoration material from West Bengal, modular kitchens, washroom fittings; everything available under one roof. Javed Iqbal from Pakistan has his stall of melamine crockery. Another attraction is Lotus Egypt stall, which has brought high grade dry fruits from Turkey, Iran and Spain. "Cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios with we have are ten times stronger in flavour than the ones available in markets." Eight real estate companies are also showing enthusiasm post-recession by participating in the fair. The CII has surveillance equipments stall as well, making available high quality security systems. |
Turning a leaf
If the camera angle is right and sun is at the right position, even something as common as a leaf becomes an objet d’art. The latest to exploit nature’s bounty to his advantage is Amrit Prakash Singh, simply A.P. to his close friends and admirers, who has done an extensive series on canna plants, a common plant in Punjab, which is locally known as keli. And after a year and a half, his obsession with the small bed of canna near his house may have earned him the reputation of a madman and raised quite a few eyebrows in the neighbourhood, but result is something he does not regret. And, neither do we. The 30 frames A.P. has got on display at Alliance Francaise under the title Leafscape makes this ordinary plant extraordinary, dissecting it to bring out its colours, texture and forms. A.P. has gone against the law of photography by keeping the sun in front of the camera, mostly in a diagonal position, to give depth to the rainbow colour and texture of the leaves. And as for forms, sometimes they come in shape of birds and other living objects and in a rare one, a pregnant woman. And mind it, the shots had been taken using only natural light and there were no editorial manipulation except for the bare minimum touch ups on a computer as part of post production. An amateur photographer to start with and on to teaching photojournalism at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, A.P. has a number of solo shows to his credit. However, his last one was in the city in 1993. Leafscape, which A.P. describes as ‘his rendezvous with nature through keli leaves’ was inauguaretd by Padma Bhushan B.N Goswami. The frames, which A.P. has priced at Rs 10,000 each, is a little on the higher side, but then art does come at a price! parbina@tribunemail.com |
Get psy-ched
It’s not just another night of music, dance and trance. Why? Well, because your limitations will be broken, your hungry dancing soul will find solace and emotions of your brain will do the talking. What’s left? Nirvana? Oh, that too awaits! And, if all this sounds like an intoxicated, metal-head chaos, then the only culprit is music, very technically speaking. As the Teknical Monsters unleash their power behind the console at the Zinc Lounge-26 on, kick your Saturday night off with house, techno, progressive psy and psy, knocking out your senses and the dance floor alike. And, the monsters spinning the madness will be Evolushroom from Switzerland and DJ Psyclone from Pushkar. “It is going to be a great show, with only one motive- unadulterated enjoyment,” says DJ Ceeyi, aka Evolushroom. But what about playing electronic to an inflexible, or let’s say desi Indian crowd? “On the contrary, I enjoy playing in India. People here know their music. I had some successful gigs at Manali, Pushkar and Jaipur. Moreover, I get to know the Indian style of music too (guess he’s talking about Bollywood).” As for his co-monster, DJ Psyclone, “Music is about your mental state of being. It’s about breaking the logistics and achieving Nirvana.” Well, now you know what we are talking about. Chakra:Vu will open the act, followed by Evolushroom, DJ Psyclone and closing set by DJ Chinx. Night of howling
The weekend seems to be high on howling, the party animals will break loose with Bacardi weekend bash at Choice Resorts, Zirakpur and let DJ Suketu and Mansi Scott bring the house down with great music and everything else. Black Magic too will get you in the groove with DJ Bijan from Iran performing along with DJ Tantrik. One of the oldest and celebrated DJs in the city returns with this exclusive performance, giving you the taste of global music with a lot of remixed fun. “I’ve come to the city after a long gap and hope to play great music to a great crowd,” Bijan sends the
message loud and clear to party freaks. |
Of course, Google is there at your disposal to update your knowledge just about anything. Still, we aren’t assuming that you know it all (we didn’t know it either). Hence we asked someone the basic difference between scotch and whisky, someone who has an in-depth knowledge about any form of alcohol. Derek Brown, brand heritage director, The Famous Grouse, a Scotch whisky, obliges, “All scotches are whisky but not all whiskies are scotches. Scotches are blend of various malts, spirits or grains, distilled and matured in Scotland till the desired taste isn’t developed”. In the city to launch The Black Grouse, another fine scotch from the house, Derek expressed his confidence of the clientele in Chandigarh, “That was the reason why 10 years back, The Famous Grouse too was first launched in the city,” Paramjit Singh, director, the Edrington group, India and Area countries cites the reason for the same, adding that, “People in the region has a strong NRI influence. They are well travelled, well read, open to experiment, which is why we believe The Black Grouse would do well here just as The Famous Grouse has.” The Black Grouse is, as Derek claims is the blend of The Famous Grouse with fine malt whiskies to create a rich, smooth and smoky whisky, “There is a shift in the choice of people, who now prefer to have richer flavoured whiskies.” The Black Grouse won the Scotch Whiskies Masters, 09 as the best premier blend. —Ashima Sehajpal |
Luxor unveils its Expressions gift range, a premium gift collection for the festive season. The exquisite gift pack includes a set of useful accessories along with a pen. The accessories range from stylish key chains to multi-utility Swiss knives, from elegant leather wallets to smart pocket watches. This range is priced economically between Rs185 and Rs 615 and is available across all exclusive Luxor signature stores and prominent retail and stationery stores. The range has been inspired by the Egyptian artwork and motifs, aiming to cater to the multicultural essence of celebration. These gift packs come in exclusive multi-utility metal boxes based on Egyptian themes in four unique combinations: Palms, Pyramids, Oasis and Delta. Packages are artistic and sauve and the ‘pen-accessory’ combination add value to the collection. Expressions gift range is sure to be an ideal gifting option in this festive season due to its aesthetic appeal and its economical pricing.—TNS |
The Himalaya Drug Company on Friday announced its plans to grow in the baby care segment. With a range of clinically proven pharmaceutical-grade head-to-toe herbal baby care products, based on Ayurvedic formulations, Himalaya will address the demands of consumers who are looking for products that are gentle, safe and efficacious. The products contain 100 per cent herbal actives that are effective, mild and soothing for the baby’s sensitive skin making them an excellent choice for parents looking for the best for their babies. The Himalaya Baby Care Kits are available in 4 different packs and includes products like – Gentle Baby Shampoo, Baby Oil, Diaper Rash Cream, Baby Wipes, Moisturizing Baby Soap, Baby Lotion and Baby Powder. The Himalaya baby care kits also make for great gifts and are available at exclusive Himalaya retail outlets and all major medical and general stores. — TNS |
Bon Appetit Well, it's time to put on your stop-watch, for Diwali is only one week away! While our palate shall never fall out of love with traditional mithai, Western influence has caused angrezi delights to also sneak into our cupboards and hearts! Unlike a lot of Indian sweets, fudges and nut-bars have a greater shelf life, so they can be prepared in advance for any occasion. See, now you've got one whole week and no excuses for ignoring the kitchen worktop! These delicious, make-ahead sweets should dazzle your family and guests alike! Rich in zinc, good fats, and fiber, they have a host of nutrients packed into every bite, offering stress-busting antioxidants. I prefer to use dark chocolate since its healthier but you can use either dark, or milk chocolate, especially if you have young children who may find the dark variety too bitter. If you are inclined to a little more artistic work, you can even wrap them individually in coloured foil, place them in ribbon decked platters and gift them to your loved ones! If you rope in your children for the task, you could have a roaring time! As a kid, I looked forward to such events, and the best part was licking the chocolate smeared pans at the end! Easy fantasy fudge
400 gm cooking chocolate Method Chewy nut clusters
1 cup broken chocolate chips Method
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Eat, pray…
Feeding the festive fervour. That's what eateries in the tricity are busy these days. And the best way to do this is through food festivals for all that binging-after-splurging and feasting-after-fasting floating population in the Diwali days. Alluring aromas for appetites whetted after rushing from one shopping extravaganza to another, empty stomachs in need of instant gratification after fasting for the devi (read Durga Puja) and the domestic devta (read pati who may or may not qualify for the prefix 'crore'pati), all this calls for cuisine beyond the routine. So, we have Taj-17 dishing out an Awadh food festival. Chef Shamshad from Taj-Lucknow brings the traditional fare from the land of nawabs and nawabi khansamas. And how authentic is this cuisine? "We stick to the original recipes handed out to us over the generations. The spices and herbs---from the potli to kala masala--too are as khalas as possible," says chef Shamshad. From Gilawati and kakori kebabs to raan musallam to bhune gosht ki biryani, murg tikka mirza hasnoo, the staple Awadhi aromas are all there. The typical accompaniments for this food are the chhaas, thandai, phaludaari lassi and much more. On till October 12
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Bargain bites
When the consumers and food retailers are reeling under the impact of high commodity and food prices, McDonald's has launched Extra Value Meals (EVMs) in the country, and is hoping to further strengthen its leadership position in the Indian market, by increasing its value proposition, which rests on quick service and
affordability. The extra value meals have been launched at price starting from Rs 85.
According to Sanjiv Katyal, director,
marketing, McDonald's North and East, "We are very well established in consumer minds, and have been testing menu options to take care of their needs across
different day parts. With the launch of Extra Value meals, we have been able to fill an
important gap that was felt during the Lunch and the Dinner Hours. It is specifically targeted towards customers looking for a quick, hygienic and an affordable meal". With the launch of EVMs, the company has revised the price of its meal combos to new price points. McVeggie, with medium fries and a medium coke is at Rs 85, whereas, the non-vegetarian option, McChicken meal combo is now
available with medium fries and a medium coke at Rs 99. |
Brides made
Whether you're walking down the aisle or attending a friend's wedding, you want something that makes you stand out in the crowd. From footwear to designer clothes to jewellery, Patiala girls are ready to spend any amount to be unique and trendy. And since the wedding season is here, city markets are already abuzz with activity and considering the love Punjabis have for clothes and jewels there is a world waiting to be explored. Patialvis are all set for this fun-filled time with a blend of old and new. The traditional attire, heavily embroidered suits with phulkaris, has swept the market and on the other hand the demand for designer clothes has also taken a giant leap. The markets are full of wedding items of all range, which provides a lot of choice to shoppers. Punjabi weddings have always been big, loud and exorbitant, but Bollywood movies have further influenced the very basis making it grander. Bridal lehngas, ranging from few thousands to lakhs, are the talk of the town. “Our customers are very specific now. They know what the want and are ready to pay any price for their dream look. Girls come to us demanding dresses saying they want the lehenga that Aishwarya wore in Jodhaa Akbar and so on,” said one of the shopkeepers of AC market. Another shopkeeper said, “It is not only lehenga. There is an ample variety in small items like churra, kalere, gaana, parandis etc because all these items are the very sign of Punjabiat. “Initially, the buyers were a little hesitant to try new stuff, but now they want what is latest and the best. Therefore, we have to provide them with everything because of the cut-throat competition,” said a shopkeeper. Self-designing is another trend that is catching up among young girls. “Many boutiques cash in on the fact that the customer now days are their own designers. They choose fabrics with the shoppers’ choice and get it made according to the choice,” said Smriti. Therefore each and every one is looking forward for this season and also to catch up on the latest trends. So are we. |
Raising a toast to Rekha
Her glamorous persona still has men gawking. Bollywood actor Rekha, who turns 55 on Saturday, metamorphosed into a diva from the overweight young actor she once was and inspires the current league of actors. "She is a dreamer... she lives in her own world. She imagines a lot of things that suit her psyche as an actor. She is a very genuine, warm and a very sensitive person and no denying the fact a very good learner. It has been an amazing experience to work with her; she is a perfect actor," Muzaffar Ali said. "Post-Umrao Jaan, she has kind of withdrawn herself... perhaps because that role was a very cerebral, cultural and classical one that raised her to a pedestal that cannot be surpassed ever... not by her or by anyone else," he added. Daughter of southern star Gemini Ganesan, Rekha bagged overnight success with her debut vehicle Sawan Bhadon (1970) and gradually became India's sex symbol. What catapulted her to the Bollywood zenith was Muzaffar Ali's period drama Umrao Jaan (1981) that even won her a National Award. Having acted in more than 150 films, she made her presence felt with her versatility and different avatars in films like Do Anjaane (1976), Ghar (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Khubsoorat (1980), Silsila (1981), Baseraa (1981), Utsav (1984), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Ijaazat (1988), Kama Sutra (1996) and Zubeidaa (2001) to name a few. Last seen in a cameo for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Om Shanti Om (2007), industry insiders have often spoken of Rekha as a "capable, disciplined actor with immense range, ability and mastery of precise detail". "Rekha is nearest to the parallel of Swedish actress Greta Garbo. They both came from poor backgrounds and climbed great heights. As an artist she was first noticed in 'Ghar' and after that she was no more termed as only a voluptuous artist in Hindi cinema because then came films like Khubsoorat and Umrao Jaan that set her apart," said noted film historian Gautam Kaul. "She is enigmatic because she is hard to get. She only moves in a small circle of senior film people and she shuns the media. That's also because she is a tragic figure with failed relationships none of which succeeded, so she has withdrawn into herself. The only place she is now noticed is award functions, which are also picked and chosen. But she still doesn't give any interviews," he added. All said and done, Rekha is also known for her lifestyle and glossy image. "Rekha is a diva. In fact, the term diva (in India) was coined for Rekha. The way she has metamorphosed herself from what she was when she came into the industry is mind blowing. She has worked on her language, body, diction, everything and apart from that she's a fantastic actor," said renowned film critic Omar Qureshi. "There was a special 'Rekha Diet' compiled by Chunky Pande's mother, Dr. Snehlata Pandey. Her looks and style are copied throughout India and she even has her book (on yoga and exercises) called 'Rekha's Mind and Body Temple' (1983). She has remained a mystery and what keeps her a legend is that how she has kept it intact so beautifully. She is a complete Jane Fonda," he added. She still inspires the current league of actors. "She is a very good actor. I enjoy seeing her movies. She is very humane and caring. I wish her blessings and good wishes for her birthday," said Gul Panag. Item girl Rakhi Sawant feels that Rekha's wax statue should also be made. "There is no one in the industry to compare with Rekhaji as a beauty and as a performer. For me, she is the perfect style icon. Jitna chamak unke face par hai, kisi ke chehre par nahin (the glow on her face is incomparable). She has a perfect nose, pretty eyes and the best part is that she does her make-up on her own. She is in perfect shape. I just love her and adore her. I think she should have a wax statue at Madame Tussaud's. I wish her a very Happy Birthday," Rakhi said. Actor Mugdha Godse said, "I admire her and she is the one actor I look up to. I love her unforgettable films like Khoobsurat. She's a living legend. I wish her many more happy birthdays and wish to see her more often on the silver screen." Rekha is also rumoured to be penning her autobiography and is also tentatively to appear in the sequel to Krrissh. — IANS |
Saif speak
After working with Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh and Salman, actor Priyanka Chopra now aspires to share the screen with other Khans-Aamir and Saif. "I have worked with many actors in industry but I never had the chance to star opposite Saif, Aamir and Ajay Devgan so, I would love to share screen space with theses actors in my future films," Priyanka, said. The actor who is known for portraying challenging roles in films like Fashion, Kaminey and What's Your Rashee? also stated that she has no plans to promote any particular candidate in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. "I am a great admirer of some of the leaders in the country but I don't want to get involved with politics at this point of my career," the actor said. When asked whether she was planning to marry in near future Priyanka denied saying, "I have no marriage plans as of now, as I am concentrating on my acting career." Priyanka, who has made brief appearances on reality TV shows in the past, said that she likes to watch such programmes in free time but when asked whether she would like to participate in any of them, she answered in negative. — PTI |
Desi beats
Bollywood choreographer Remo D'souza will now have none other than 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson dancing to his tunes. Jermaine who is in India to lend his voice for a Jackson tribute song along with Indian musician Adnan Sami, has roped in Fernandez to choreograph the video. The dancer who has films like Wake Up Sid and Rock On on his resume, said that he plans to make the 53-year-old do some desi jhatkas. "I am very excited and it's like a dream come true for me, to be a part of this tribute being made for MJ fans by Jermaine. Adnan has used a lot of dhol beats and I'm planning to give some desi jhatkas along with the moonwalk to the song," says Remo. The song called Go To Mumbai City is dedicated to the Thriller hitmaker's fans in India and will be shot at landmarks like the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminal and the Gateway of India. The video, which will see Jermaine wearing a khadi jacket and Adnan flaunting a kurta, will have an international format with a lot of Bollywood masala thrown in. Jackson, who died on June 25, had come to India in 1996 for a concert in Mumbai and reports claimed that during his last days, he had started reading the works of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore for inspiration. The album is being produced by T-Series, with Divya Khosla Kumar as the director and it also features Indian musician Adnan Sami. — PTI |
In vogue
Provogue India has invested over Rs 1,500 crore for setting up six new malls, which would be developed by its real estate arm, Prozone Enterprises, and come up in the next two years. Apparel maker and retailer Provogue also plans to open 50 new retail stores in the next two years at an investment of around Rs 20-30 crore. "We have invested Rs 1,500 crore in our mall business and three of them will be opening soon this year," Provogue Managing Director Nikhil Chaturvedi said adding that the first one would come up at Aurangabad, followed by one each at Nagpur and Coimbatore. Each mall would be of one million sq ft and will include residential and office space as well, Chaturvedi said. Provogue today announced Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan as its new brand ambassador. Asked if the company was scaling down its mall- developments, Chaturvedi said, "We are not scaling down and are very aggressively expanding both our businesses (retail and mall development)." |
Hello TUNEZ Do Knot Disturb (Big Pictures): Nadeem Shravan do not seem to know how to keep up with the times. They have not yet said a goodbye to there 90s music, and hark back to the same era even though they have staged a comeback after a gap of some four years. This out and out comedy directed by David Dhawan should have been an ideal comeback vehicle but that was not to be. Many of the songs have obviously been composed with the image of hero Govinda firmly in the eyes. What is unusual about the album is that the names of the arrangers are mentioned with each and every song. The proceedings open with Zulfaen khol khal ke, which faintly reminds you of the perennial hit Le ke pehla pehla pyar. Anuradha Shriram and Sonu Nigam have sung it with lot of masti. The next song, Don’t ever leave me, by Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal, is also a throwback to the Aashiqui days. It is sweet but rather passé. Mere naal is a faux Punjabi dance number with a typical David Dhawan stamp to it. KK, Jigar Saraiya, Shreya Ghoshal and Nitika Kanwar have sung it, with rap by Earl D’souza. So, in between the desi lyrics, there are such “gems” also as Can You Feel The Fire, I Want To Take You Higher. The song Bebo had made me suspect earlier that the film has Kareena Kapoor hidden somewhere in it because it is her famous pet name, but no, she is not there. It has been used only for effect. Anyway, it is a pure entertainer rendered with just the right amount of irreverence by Neeraj Shridhar and Anushka Manchanda. Immediately after it comes another funky song by Neeraj Shridhar and Sowmya Raoh, Beautiful woman. It is beautiful only as long as it lasts. After that you can forget it like the used-up chewing gum. Surprisingly, the title song figures only at the very end. It may work well in the film but on listening it as such, it leaves one unmoved. Punjabi beats Hadippa (Universal): Make no mistake about it. Yash Raj Films has not shortened the title of their film Dil Bole Hadippa. It is a separate album altogether comprising version recordings of several recent hits. What is common to them is that they all have mostly Punjabi-influenced lyrics and tunes. By the way, no song from Dil Bole Hadippa features here. No prizes for guessing that the first song is Singh is Kinng followed by Maa da laadla bigad gaya. Several out and out Punjabi songs are also included, like Bhanven boot palishan kariye by Gurdas Maan and Daaru pee ke (Kaka Bhainiwala). — ASC |
Filmi Non-filmi Courtesy - Chandigarh Music Centre, Sector -18 |
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