Hair you go!
Voluminous hair, Unkempt look and panel streaking seems to be the trend for the coming year
The New Year is round the corner; not only the New Year, but also a new decade! And if you are planning to do something new with your crowning glory, we get you what's in. Voluminous hair, unkempt look and panel streaking seem to be a hit with city folks. "People will be more experimental when it comes to hair. Puffs are back in vogue. 'Retro' is the look for 2011," says Rachit Malhotra, creative Ambassador, Schwarzkopf Professional.

Celestial notes
Sufi music is in tune with celestial peace, it's a sacred language of the immortal soul that makes humans forget the pangs of pain. A true Sufi sees one-in-all and all-in-one," observes acclaimed Indian classical and Sufi singer Zila Hussain Khan, daughter and disciple of legendary Sitar wizard Ustad Vilayat Khan. An accomplished vocalist with mastery in singing many genres, she has made a mark as a singer of repute. Born in Calcutta to sitar maestro, Ustad Vilayat Khan and Begum Monisha, she is well-trained in nuances of music and literature. Credited with seven music albums and scores of performances in India and abroad, Zila Hussain Khan also made an award winning documentary film titled Spirit to Soul on the life of her father in 2006.

Zila Khan. Photo: Pradeep Tewari

440-Volt drama
Over the years, DJ Suketu has remixed many new Bollywood songs. He has defined the meaning of remix music in the mainstream Bollywood scenario
The best way to beat winter cold is to jive away to glory. So, join DJ Suketu at Kava to beat the cold in style. Suketu started his career as a DJ over 15 years back. He had graduated from HR College of Commerce & Economics and M Com from University of Mumbai. But he found his true calling in Bollywood mixing. Suketu made his debut remix album 440 Volts topped charts across India which had a number of hits like Pyar Zindagi Hai and Bombay In My Soul. One of his most popular remixes Bin Tere Sanam was released soon on the compilation War of The DJs 2 and became an instant club classic dominating dancefloors across the country. The remix also when the Best Remix Award at the 2004 MTV Immies Award.

Up close & personal
Kulraj Randhawa is excited about sharing screen space with the Deols in Yamla Pagla Deewana
Being in the right place at the right time, sometimes this is all it takes. The pretty girl happens to meet director Samir Karnik for a given role. But, the director rather asked her to wait, and came back with another role that he thought fitted the bill. As luck would have it, actor Kulraj Randhawa found herself sharing screen space with ‘the’ three Deols. Isn’t it awesome!

Spiritual science
Sikander Sandhu offers lessons in Kabbalah for city folks
What if someone questions you about your inner self? What answer would you give? Confused? Well, Sikander Sandhu is not. He has his answers from Kabbalah! “Kabbalah means hidden wisdom. It is older than any other religion and the meaning is spiritual rather than philosophical.” This young city lad goes down memory lane and shares his experience. “I was in Melbourne during those days. I was a fun loving guy and a party animal. Suddenly one day I realised that there is emptiness in everything. Every pleasure ended after sometime and I was left with nothing. It was then that I shifted to Kabbalah and it has been one-and-a-half years since I am studying it,” says Sandhu.

In a different mould
For artist Pranav Kaushal, art is all about freedom of expression
The works are in abstract and semi-abstract form. There're also figurative and semi-figurative works. In between, still art form finds some space as well. For artist Pranav Kaushal, art is about freedom of expression. "Why do art connoisseurs expect artists to adhere to a particular art form? I pick up art genres randomly and that's how I choose colours and mediums. If there are works in oils, there are also a few in mixed media and acrylic. I have used canvas and also chart paper."

Triple treat
With Christmas round the corner, the city has as many as three exhibitions that are offering everything from handicrafts to electronics.

Family time
Manorama Singh and her family family have bagged a chance to visit Disneyland, Hongkong.
The Kurkure Spend More Time with Family campaign, the largest ever consumer contest by Kurkure for families, is nearing its grand finale and 17 families from across India have already won a fun packed holiday to Disneyland, Hong Kong. Manorama Singh and her family is one such lucky family from the city. She and her family have got a chance to visit Disneyland, Hongkong.

When love needs expression
The Diamond Destination has introduced its Love Link Collection of wedding bands and rings. These beautiful wedding bands and rings are designed with links that symbolize bonding, togetherness and the love in a relationship. The diamonds on the bands are symbolic of the spark that your romance radiates and the rare metal platinum signifies the purity of the relationship.

CHILL out with food!
This winter, city food joints have come up with special menus to delight your palate
There’s nothing better than a cosy fire, good company and great food to warm up a winter's night. And taking advantage of the season, some of the city restaurants have come up with mouth-watering recipes for the chilly nights and breezy afternoons. Pinning the guests to their forks and spoons, if we go by the chefs’ word these recipes are sure to delight food-lovers.

Binge on biryani
A 14-day biryani food festival opens at hotel Western Court-Panchkula
It's always interesting to write about food, especially when it is about a dish that has a history to it. Popular across the globe, Biryani, which originated in Iran (Persia), was brought to the Indian sub-continent by travellers and merchants. But it was the mighty Moghuls and the Nawabs who patented the dish and made it a household name. Keeping its popularity in mind, Hotel Western Court in Panchkula began its 14-day Biryani food festival on Friday. With a variety to whet your appetite, here you can take your pick from the vegetarian and non-vegetarian variety. Cooked in traditional styles, the spices and condiments used range from ghee, cumin, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, coriander, mint leaves, ginger, onions and garlic. The premium varieties include saffron.

Bon Appetit
SIMPLY Ananaas
If you thought one column on pineapple was enough, then we must agree to differ! There are zillions of avatars it can morph into, given your eager hand! In colonial times a pineapple was considered a sign of hospitality. Being an exotic fruit, and not a cheap one at that, a hostess who served it won instant admiration. Personally, I would instantly admire anyone who just peels, slices and cuts up pineapple for me! That itself is a mammoth sized task!

Bigg reunion?
They may have gone splitsville, but that didn't stop Bollywood stars Katrina Kaif and her former beau Salman Khan from sharing the stage on Colors' reality show Bigg Boss 4. The actors chose to let bygones be bygones on the show, where Katrina came with her Tees Maar Khan director Farah Khan to promote the film, which is releasing December 24. Katrina, who has made waves with her popular saucy item number Sheila ki jawaani these days, will visit the Bigg Boss house with Farah, much to the surprise and delight of the housemates.
Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif

Going global
Popular Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar said the ongoing Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) was a great platform to connect the Arab world to Indian cinema and did not rule out joint ventures. "It's a tremendous festival and a great platform connecting the Arab world to Indian cinema," Karan said.The filmmaker was invited to the seventh edition of DIFF for a panel discussion on the prospect of business and cultural collaboration with various foreign film industries.He said he would love a venture with Middle East directors, if he likes the subject.
Karan Johar

Intoxication!

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who is nominated for a Golden Globe award for best performance in Love And Other Drugs, poses for a portrait in Hollywood, California recently.  Reuters photo

Thank You Sonam
Director Anees Bazmee has worked with Anil Kapoor in a couple of films and now he is doing a movie with his daughter Sonam and says both are very different. "I'm doing a film called 'Thank You' with Sonam. There is a lot of difference between Anil and her. Anil has so much experience, even Sonam is very hardworking and I'm sure with time she'll get more experience like her father. She has a beautiful smile and is a good performer," said Bazmee.

Berry's New Year's Eve
Hollywood A-listers Halle Berry and Zac Efron are in talks to star in the much talked about romantic comedy New Year's Eve. Sex And The City star Sarah Jessica Parker has already signed up for the project. Efron is reportedly set to play the role of a bike messenger who ends up trying to fulfil New Year's Eve resolutions of Michelle Pfeiffer's character in exchange for tickets to a big party. Berry may play a caterer who runs into a former flame while Parker is set to be a mother to Abigail Breslin's character, someone who relies too much on her daughter for company.The film will be directed by Garry Marshall.

Prince charming
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff has played a variety of roles in his more than three-decade-long career. But the actor still cherishes a wish — he wants to essay the role of prince Salim, which was played by Dilip Kumar in "Mughal-E-Azam". "I don't think so, but if ever 'Mughal-E-Azam' is remade, I would like to play Salim's role," Jackie said.

Paltrow on a song
Oscar-winning actor Gwyneth Paltrow, who plays an out-of-luck country singer in her latest film Country Song, has been offered another musical Rock of Ages.The actor plans to read the script before taking the role but is excited about the "fun" project.The movie is a big screen adaptation of the Broadway play of the same title.

Blake dies at 88
Hollywood filmmaker Blake Edwards, best known for his comedy series Pink Panther and evergreen classic Breakfast At Tiffany's, died of complications related to pneumonia. He was 88.Edwards, one of the most prolific and enduring helmers of his time, was not keeping well for sometime.