A date with Kasbekar
Making of Kingfisher calendar is one much-awaited event and its creator, the ace photographer Atul Kasbekar, takes us behind the scene
Known for his attention to details and elegant aesthetics, Atul Kasbekar has a job profile that any shutterbug would give his right arm for. From shooting Big B to the Little Master to immaculate Ratan Tata many pose to be painted by his lens. But, it's that time of the year when we usually see Atul keep his date with the calendar creativity. To be precise, it's time to unveil the eighth edition of the most awaited calendar of the year-the Kingfisher swimsuit calendar. And, marking the days with style is ace photographer Atul Kasbekar who shares note on models, mood and more…

Dated forever…
So, another years gone by! And what better way to end than talking about calendars. Yes, the good old wall calendar that was a pride of many homes just like Humara Bajaj. The scooter that actually brings back the nostalgia of buland bharat ki buland tasveer!

Soulful sufi
Carrying a legacy forward might be the hardest thing to do, but with the Sabri family, who has music instead of blood in their veins, it's no hard work. Instead, its worship. In Pinjore, the famous qawalli singers Sabri Brothers geared up for a performance at the ongoing three-day Pinjore Heritage Fest. "We have been coming to Chandigarh from quite some time now to give performances and have always found appreciation," said Afzal Sabri.

Sailing point
It was a perfect evening to wine, dine and meanwhile, take a plunge into the most adventurous and attractive industry. The launch of Omega Maritime Management services Ltd in Chandigarh saw the who's who of the sailing arena enjoying conversation over cocktails at the Chandigarh Club on Friday night.

The launch party of Omega Maritime Management Services saw the who’s who of sailing arena

But natural!
Shrikant Jadhav shares his fascination for simple subjects and myriad forms of nature
Every face that belongs to the middle class has a story to tell. About their struggle, success, failure, various phases of life, face will say it all without the need to narrate a single instance. Though the life experiences of every face will be different, "The central idea will be the same, of success after struggle and peace after progress," says Shrikant Jadhav, an artist from Mumbai who was in the city on Saturday to conduct a refresher course at Panjab University.

Fashion forward

Actor Koena Mitra displays the creation of designer Pria Kataaria Puri at the Chennai International Fashion Week. Photo: PTI

More than words
Aag lge unn logon ko jo aag lgaate firte hein, kadam kadam perr nafrat ki deevar bnaate firte hein…" Wishing hell for those demon like denizens engaged in spoiling Indo-Pak relations is a couplet from the London based prominent journalist and Urdu poet Iqbal Mirza, a proponent of the better Indo- Pak relations. The poet was in Panchkula for participation in the International Urdu Mushaira organised by Haryana Urdu academy and release of his new book Guru Nanak ka Safar-E- Haque by Haryana CM, Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

From a poet’s diary
Maukoof (dependent) kuchh hameen se nahin raunaq-e-adab, Khidmatguzar aur bhi Urdu zubaan ke hain … The couplet by well known poet BD Kalia Hamdam, rightfully acknowledges contribution of all poets and writers in the world engaged in the proliferation of literature especially Urdu.

Launch Pad
Oriental express
Rosebys Interiors India Ltd., has unveiled its unique theme "Oriental" which is inspired from India's rich artisian work. The new theme is serene, modish and spells sophistication. The Oriental collection represents the rich historical heritage of Indian crafts interpreted in modern design ethos making the collection contemporary and stylish. The immaculate collection includes the design of chakra on the top of the Jagannath temple, Lord Vishnu's most powerful weapon, which shows strength, majesty and rare elegance.

A Soldier's souvenir
Finally, a literature that is so, in the true sense of the term. And thank God, somebody's publishing something other than shopping disasters and bad hair days. This one's in first person account and makes a smooth transition from a scribble, a daily diary, a few manuscripts to an autobiography; it's the small things in life that lend to, lead to a meaningful whole. Just as the first person account of Late Risaldar Sunder Singh in the Punjabi book titled Darpan.

Tulleeho!! Have heard about people sharing news, strong opinions of politics, art, cinema and sports. Now here is an on line group, Tulleeho.com which is a drinkers paradise. They don't offer drinks for free of course!! But they offer just about every little low down on drinks, bar, drinking etiquettes, new trends in liquor drinking and serving, booze basics, cocktail recipes interesting anecdotes and more

Mix and make Diwan-e-Khas Ingredients: 90ml Peach Schnapps, 90ml Gin, 30ml Orange Juice, 30ml Pineapple Juice, 30ml Coconut Water, Dash of Khus Syru. Method: Mix ingredients with ice and strain in a chilled glass. Garnish with a slice of orange or pineapple wedge or both.

Dry run
This is a dry week for the biggies of Bollywood. Probably, that is why a C-grade sports thriller World Cup 2011, finds itself the sole hindi release in the same week that Hollywood's biggest ever and much awaited Avatar from the maker of Titanic sweeps the single plex and multiplex screens. Ravi Kapoor has nothing to lose. His film is not riding on high expectations, does not have a well-known star cast and save for a few publicity gimmicks he resorted to in the pre-release lead-up, there's very little interest for it. The story is not old hat as they say.

Fair enough

Kullu Craft Fair at Panchayat Bhawan-18. On till December 24 respectively.

Adivasi Mela an exhibition at Lajpat Bhavan-15. On till December 31 respectively.

Blend it like a Jockey
From mixing to layering and flaring, Cocktail Jockeys are adding just the right ingredients for a heady drink
Have you ever thought how a small insignificant, not of any hyped-importance word like mixture, could change the structure of many things around it. A right mixture of ingredients in the food can make it a balanced diet, highly-recommended by the dieticians, a right mixture of metals can make a startling piece of jewellery.

Vinit Mishra entertains with Fire Flaring

Dheeraj (R), does a Flip Glass at Crystal-26

Best of all 
'My Name...' is the nicest love story of my career, says SRK
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, may have two decades of experience playing the romantic hero but the actor says that My Name is Khan, where he plays an autistic man mistaken for a terrorist, is the nicest love story of his career."My Name is Khan is the nicest love story I have ever worked in. It is the physical and emotional journey, that the two characters Rizwan and Mandira go through to find love.The story is about hope, love and positivity," SRK told reporters after unveiling the first look of the film which releases in February 2010.

Name game
We are selling 3 Idiots on Aamir's name, says Madhavan
Aamir Khan is making waves by promoting upcoming film 3 Idiots in innovative ways. But co-star R. Madhavan is unperturbed by the actor hogging the limelight. In fact, he admits that the film is being sold on the superstar's name and he has no problems with that. "Aamir is the biggest star; so it would be foolish to think that the focus will be entirely on you when he is in the film. We are selling 3 Idiots on his name," Madhavan, who had teamed up with Aamir in the hit film Rang De Basanti, said.Aamir has launched a game where one has to spot the Bollywood star who will travel across the country in different get-ups in two weeks.

Feel the difference
James Cameron's Avatar leaves the audience speechless
Avatar is a film that leaves you 'nishabd' (speechless). James Cameron may have placed this story on a moon called Pandora with alien characters (known as Na'vi) that could have belonged to human race if not being double the size, a longer face, sharper features, blue body, white fluorescent marks on the face and tail at the back. Still, emotions felt are just the same where Na'vis fight for their land, people, pride and right to live. 

Going places
Disney will release Taare Zameen Par DVD in US
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will be releasing Aamir Khan's award-winning film Like Stars On Earth (Taare Zameen Par), its first-ever Hindi language release, on DVD on January 12 next year. The critically-acclaimed film that won numerous Filmfare and Screen Awards and was selected to be India's official submission to the 2009 Academy Awards would be available on 3-Disc DVD/CD set with a new English language track. It has a suggested retail price of $29.99 (US) and $35.99 (Canada).

Hello Tuntez
Melodies for marriage
The Great Big Punjabi Wedding (Music Today): It is not for nothing that the Punjabi wedding is called the great big one. As far as celebrations go, it is indeed the grand-daddy of them all. Punjabis work hard, and celebrate even harder, like nobody's business. A marriage especially means days - if not months - of endless fun and frolic. There are numerous occasions to display one's best dresses and also singing and dancing skills. At most of these occasions, it is customary to sing traditional songs.

Matka chowk
Resident wannabes
In my last Matka Chowk I pledged to bring to you all opinions of people who are visibly the new residents of Chandigarh - immigrants who have turned into resident wannabes. The questions put to them are not meant to reveal deep dark mysteries about their lives, but their take on things that are quintessentially Chandigarh.

Tarot TALK