Bhangra beats, folk soars
Malkit Singh on the Punjabi music industry and much more…
Ever thought cutting an album could be as simple as ordering a pizza? We don't have an iota of doubt. Every second gabru of Punjab has worked out the cost of selling his piece of land, and is ready or has already cut an album with that money. This doesn't come as a revelation for us, or Malkit Singh, the Punjabi singer who has been there, done that.

Wisdom of yore
Dr RK Sharma, assistant professor, PGI, has simplified excerpts from Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas into a book titled Gyan Ke Shreshth Moti
Was the saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed" coined during the British rule in India or did it find a mention around 450 years back when Tulsidas wrote Ramcharit manas? For Dr RK Sharma, assistant professor, PGI, who has pulled out many such teachings from Ramcharitmanas and compiled them into a book titled Gyan Ke Shreshth Moti, the latter holds true.

Jalsa DAY-3
Goal!
Students taking part in Jalsa Youth Festival 2010 couldn't have asked for more. Day three of the event saw a host of activities, which had them raking their brain and putting their acting, dancing and singing skills into action. But it was the small space designed in the form of a hockey ground that stole the show. Students tried their hands at hockey sticks and you bet most girls managed to strike goals, one after the other. Who says, we don't have good hockey players in the country!
Photo: Pradeep Tewari

Right chords amiss
Chandan Arora's third film, after Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon and Main Meri Patni aur Woh, comes as a disappointment. Set mostly in Malvani, a distant suburb in Mumbai, this film is about Surya (Siddharth) who grows up as a skilled carrom player, gets entangled with the bad guys and is literally forced to fight his way out of that.

Soul curry
MY NAME IS KHAN (Sony Music): Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Karan Johar, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy together combination spells success. Particularly because music has all along been the mainstay of Karan Johar films. They weave magic whenever they come together. However, this time they have gone in more for quality than popularity in this Muslim-centric movie. It seems unlikely that the songs will prove to be chartbusters, considering that most of them have classical and sufiana undertones.

Creating cartoons
As many as 40 students in the age group of 6 to 14 years attended a two-day workshop on animation by KS Govindrajan and Subhashish Neogi held at Dikshant Global School, Sector-12, Panchkula. The students learnt the basics of animation creating simple characters such as birds, animals and other cartoon characters in a sequential manner with different movements of the body parts. They created flipbooks to view the movement of characters. Using the same characters, they created animations on laptops. They also learnt how to make animation by using figures using stick animator.

Weaving magic
Indian Weaves is here with the total summer solution for your wardrobe. Suits, saris, stoles - name it and you have it from all across India. Check out printed fabric in saganeri, bagru, dabu, gamthi, gujari, bagh, kalamkari, batik, weaved fabric like Bhagalpuri, Banarsi, Baluchari, Pochampally, ikkat and embroidered fabric chikan, kantha and phulkari and applique in both cotton and silk in about 51 stalls at Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15.
Photo: Pradeep Tewari

Tress it up
Thought of a designer haircut? Well, if not 'Tressed Up' yet, a new hair-clinic-cum-salon offers that. "A great hairstyle makes a statement. We are here to give individual attention and style according to one's face cut and hair type," says Ahmed Khan, expert with 15 years of experience in the field.

What’s in the name
Sharing names with celebrities can be interesting as well as challenging at the same time
They're impersonators, accidental! Sharing initials is one thing, having Elvis Presley for a name somewhat another. Life sure wouldn't be easy for some carpet weaver by the name of Shahrukh Khan, if ever there be any! Likewise, it just wouldn't be “a simple life” for someone called Paris married into a Hilton family. Beyond two days, there wouldn't be anything much exciting about being namesakes with George Bush!
Khushwant Singh

On a song
With Punjabi cinema and music going places, many talented youngsters have started viewing it as a ticket to stardom. Bawa Verma is no exception then; he too loves the lights, camera and action! Born in Machiwara village in Ludhiana, Bawa is pursuing his master degree in journalism and mass communication from Punjabi University, Patiala. Along with this, Bawa has done ramp shows with some big brands and has now shot for his first music video Pag Diyan Punian Karaya Karengi for famous Punjabi singer Sukhwinder Sukhi's album Parakh.
Bawa Verma

Get real!
Hemachandra, a member of Star Plus’ Music Ka Maha Muqqabla, takes the reality show as a great learning process
Much has been said about the melodrama, fake voting process and exaggerated TRPs of talent-based reality shows. However, each time you meet someone who's been on a reality show, there emerges a separate side to it all together.

Right mix
Needless to say, musicians have a language of their own. In a world hijacked by all kinds of noise, musicians have a subtle way of interacting - through the instruments. Dj Sameer and Rohit (Chakra:Vu) jam‘n’ with tabla player Sahil Khan at Zinc Lounge on Saturday to create a mixture of sounds that tears through the noise and leaves a residue of trans! More than anything else, it is the tech noise of progressive drums and drub step fused with the tabla that enchants.
Dj Rohit(L) and Dj Sameer (R)

Instant hit
For a fast paced lifestyle where tastes are changing and cooking ought to be convenient, Godrej appliances comes up with a solution in the form of new range of microwave ovens - 'The InstaCook Range of Microwave Ovens' This new range of microwave ovens offers the consumer 40 InstaCook Menus at the touch of a button.
Available in four specialised models of microwave ovens under the InstaCook Range.
Ramandeep Singh Trehan launches the InstaCook range of Microwave ovens

TAROT TALK
ARIES: The temperance inspires you to climb new heights and actualise creative ideas. Help from known unknown quarters come to you. A younger member of your family may show excellent talent in sports. Tip of the week: Be articulate to prevent people from reaching their own conclusions. Lucky color: Creamy white.
TAURUS: The moon reveals you are particularly sensitive to its travels. Optimism and faith will work wonder. Biz folk avoid money transactions. Real estate transactions are favored on Thursday. Your boss may be co-operative. Children need attention and careful handling. Tip: Spend time meeting experienced people. Lucky color: Bottle green.