COURTS

Detainees sent to Bathinda jail
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Sept 1 — Two city residents have been booked under the Coseposa Act, 1974 after their permanent detention orders were obtained by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence from the Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue, Government of India.

According to the information available, Shashi Bhushan, a resident of Maharishi Valmiki Colony and Vishal Sharma, alias Shelly, a resident of Durgapuri, Haibowal Kalan, have been booked under section 3(1) of the Coseposa Act, allegedly on charges of causing danger to the economic health of the state. The two accused have now been sent to the Bathinda Central Jail.

According to the information available from police sources, the two accused had been caught by the DRI sleuths on March 3, 2000, at the Ludhiana railway station and 2039 kgs. of gold bars were recovered from them. At the time, the two accused were returning to Ludhiana via the Barauni Jansewak Express. They were then arrested under section 110 of the Customs Act and later released on bail.

It is learnt that the detention orders of the two accused were now issued by the Joint Secretary, Government of India, Department of Revenue, Mr. Som Nath Pal last week and the y were arrested on August 26.

CULTURE

FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH
Cultural bonanza in city

LUDHIANA, Sept 1 — The month of August was marked by zest and zeal of devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. The first half saw devotees trying to appease Lord Shiva by visiting temples everyday and specially on Mondays and some odd devotees even had to pay with their lives on way to Amarnath to have ‘darshan’ of ‘snow lingam’. The second half of the month saw the devotees of Lord Krishna thronging to temples. The city witnessed a lot of processions depicting tableaus from the life of Lord Krishna. On Janmashtami, the city looked a fairy land with lights on the temples twinkling far and wide.

This month will see unfolding of cultural activities courtesy Virasat Punjab 2000. Spic Macay, Ludhiana chapter, is instrumental in bringing artistes of international fame before the college and school children. The aim of Spic Macay is to promote a love for Indian culture amidst the young people and to make them appreciative of the country’s rich heritage. This week the students will witness Habib Tanvir’s evergreen play, Charandas Chor and will listen to the vocalist Pt Rajan and Sajan Mishra.

The sale of apples has increased as orchard sellers are selling their produce on line. E-commerce will break the monopoly of traders at Delhi and, perhaps, in future, we will get apples at a cheaper rate. The humble man’s fruit, guava, has become pricey and beyond the reach of common man. Rich in Vitamin C, it should be consumed. Pears, too, and lovely ripe papayas are very easy on the eye and good for health.

Ever since the column has appeared, not a single original movie has been produced. They all have been remakes. This week the new movie released is ‘Beti No 1’ starring Govinda and Rambha and again it is a remake of a Malayalam movie. The message is relevant and pertinent. It asks people to shun dowry and to respect women folk.

Crime against common people, whether guilty or not, by the police is increasing, much to the dismay of the common man. Either women are being beaten up for no fault, or people are dying in police custody during interrogation. When will these brutalities against commoners stop? When will the police realise that it is protector and not predator?

Power failures have made the lives of Ludhianvis miserable. Neither is there any announcement about the power cuts, nor is there any concern for the discomfort of the people. In the hot and humid month of August, people suffered a lot of discomfort and discontent by mishandling of power by the PSEB. No power meant no water also. The taps went dry.

In some areas, the taps spewed murky and contaminated water which sounded death knell of three persons and caused hundreds of people to suffer from gastro enteritis. Inspite of many write ups in the newspapers against the apathy of power and health authorities, there has been no improvement in the civic amenities. What is public to do in such a situation?

August saw Ludhianvis’ devotional side. It also saw Ludhianvis suffering unnecessarily due to faulty civic amenities. It is hoped this month will prove to be better for the residents, less power cuts, more clean water, more cleanliness in the city. — A.A

Popularising mohiniattam her goal
From A Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Sept 1 — The second offering of SpicMacay (Ludhiana chapter) was presentation of mohiniattam by Bharti Shivaji in Pal Auditorium at PAU on Wednesday night. The repeat performance was on Thursday morning at KVM School.

It was a lecture-cum-dance demonstration. Bharti first explained that a mohiniattam dancer always dresses in white and gold as both these colours signify purity. The hairdo of mohiniattam dancer is different from other dancers of the South. The hair are pulled on one side and a bun is made on the left side on top of the head and the bun is encircled with flowers.

Mohiniattam is a traditional dance of Kerala. It had its ups and downs. Bharti started learning it of the age of 33 after having learnt bharatnatyam and odissi dance earlier. She felt that out of all dances of the south this was the newest dance and needed to be explored.

She looked very fetching in her white and gold saree. After explaining the nine flavours of dance mudras, she gave a live demonstration. She started with Karuna Ras,the music was soulful, her expressions of great pathos followed by Veer Ras, Hasya Ras, Raudra Ras, Bhaya Ras, Vibhatsa Ras, Shringar Ras.

Her mobile face changed and depicted various ras in a very appropriate and graceful manner. One could identify the serpent, the crocodile, the elephant which she depicted through her feet, hands and facial expressions. Before performing any mudra, she explained to the students what she was going to do, thus building a rapport with them.

She performed dance with an imaginary 'ball' in her hand which the young audience appreciated. One could actually feel the ball go up and down and her knees to hold it. The audience enjoyed every step that she took, every movement she made.

She later said, "I learnt mohiniattam from Radha Marar, Kalmandlam, Kalyani Kutty. My mother used to wake me up at four o'clock to learn singing. I resented it when I was a child, but now I am grateful to my mother for instiling discipline in me. The training of music has helped me in my compositions. I was given a grant from the Sangeet Natak Academy. I undertook detailed research in mohiniattam under the guidance of Kavalam Narayana Panikku and have written a book, Art of Mohiniattam.This book is not a literary effort but is an encyclopaedia as far as the origin, decline and revival of mohiniattam is concerned.

On being asked on the lack of interest on children's part to learn classical music, she replied. "I blame the parents for they have to initiate the children. I know from my own example. If I had not pressurised my daughter, she would not have learnt it either. TV has also some responsibility. It should show more of traditional dances."

Does culture change? "Yes! of course! Culture is always taking new forms. We have to keep an open mind. When I am producing a ballet, I take opinion of everyone."

She was ably accompanied by Raja Gopalan, vocalist Padamnakham on mridangum and Sri Kumar on ekkeda, a traditional Keralite instrument.

She has established a centre for mohiniattam and has been awarded a number of times. More recently, she has had the unique distinction of being felicitated at Theatre Di La Ville, France, by the Mayor of Paris, for her one woman crusade in rejuvenating and popularising mohiniattam, ensuring its place on the world map.