YPS celebrates founders day
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, February 16
The Chief Executive and Secretary of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE), Mr F. Fanthome, today called upon the students to emulate habits which shape their personality. He was speaking at the 23rd founders day function of the Yadavindra Public School here today.

Mr Fanthome said the students must learn to show gratitude towards their elders. Later the chief guest gave away prizes to students for excellence in various fields.

The principal of the school, Dr Harish Dhillon, while reading his report went down the memory lane and remembered Mr H.N. Kashyap as the spirit behind setting up the school. He said the moving force behind the public school education was that it motivated students to take up work which contributed to social and community services.

The Air Force trophy was won by Kashish Mittal for the best all-round students of Class VIII and Mrinaal Dutta Memorial Trophy was won by Shaswat Seth and Somaya Singh for best all-round students of Class III. The academics trophy was won by Tagore House.

The Raja Rampartap trophy went to Patiala House for being the cock house of the year, the best orator trophy was shared by Ambri Pukhraj and Simar Puneet. In the junior school, the Patiala House won the cock house trophy.

Former PU VC R.C. Paul dead
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 16
Dr R.C. Paul, former Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, died following a brief illness here today. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of the university for more than 10 years. He was 77.

He is survived by his wife Vimla Paul, son Dr K.K. Paul, IGP, Delhi, and daughter Madhu Kaul. His cremation will take place tomorrow at the cremation ground here.

COURTS

Bail plea dismissed
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 16
The bail plea moved by two accused in a rape case was today dismissed by a local court. It was alleged that the duo — Vikram and Nitin — along with others had raped a woman of Raipur Khurd village on November 26, 1998. The police had registered a case against them on the complaint of one Bhanupartap Singh. 

CULTURE

Gripping play on life of Kalidas
Parbina Rashid

Chandigarh, February 16
“Aashaadh Ka Ek Din” is a story about eternal love between the great poet Kalidas and his love Mallika, that fails to stand the test of time. As the artistes of Theatre Arts and Srishti Center for Arts skillfully take you to the plot set in the 13th century AD, you cannot help but feel sad over the love that starts with a rush of emotions but dies due to the lack of nourishment. Based on the story written by Mohan Rakesh, the play was staged at Musafir Auditorium in Sector 24 here today.

The story unfolds with a scene depicting the strained relationship between two female characters Mallika, and her mother Ambika, whose cynicism over life does not allow her to accept the relationship Mallika shares with Kalidas. The first act that revolves around Mallika as she urges her love to leave his native place, Gram Pradesh, to accept the offer made by the king of Ujjain to become his Rajkavi include some powerful emotional scenes as the young lover is torn between commitment and ambition.

As the play moves on to the second act the characters gets caught in a whirlpool of harsh realities. As Kalidas’ return to Gram Pradesh with a wife shatters Mallika’s dreams. In the final act when Kalidas wakes up to the reality that his inspiration and his creativity, lies in his own soil and with Mallika, he finds that Mallika belongs to Vilom, the man who had always been his enemy.

The two-and-half hour play weaved magic, which was not only gripping but also aroused a host of emotions among the audience. The play saw some powerful performances by Namrata in the role of Mallika, Vikas Garg in the role of Kalidas, Rohit Batra as Vilom and Madhumita in the role of Ambika. Kausesh as Matul added humour in the play. Directed by Rohit Batra, the play retained the originality of the script as written by Mohan Rakesh.

FILM REVIEW
Story of tangled emotions

DHARMESH Darshan’s Lootere, Raja Hindustani and Dhadkan had fared well at the box office. Dharmesh, Darshan, who delivers quality films is back with a love triangle ‘Haan Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya,’ which was released today at Neelam theatre, Chandigarh, KC, Panchkula, and Bassi, Mohali.

Kamal Hasan’s 201st starrer ‘Abhay’ being made simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil is a late release and has already been declared a flop throughout India. The film is based on Kamal Hasan’s own novel ‘Dayam’. He has written the poor screenplay. Kamal Hasan plays a double role in this film. Raveena Tandon and Manisha Koirala are below average. — D.P.

Melody from the ravaged land
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 16
His non-Indian lineage seems quite insignificant when one is drowned in the ocean of melody, which he wove with his instrument today. With fingers moving like waves, he created soothing resonance all over. And one was time and again led into wonderment over the fact that Khalil Gudaz was born an Afghan in 1963.

His rapport with sitar dates back to the days when he was introduced to the instrument by Ustad Mohammad Omar, a famous rabab player of Afghanistan. It was this love for music which then brought Khalil to India where he took his bachelors in music from the Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, New Delhi. He later obtained another diploma from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, in 1995.

Having performed at prized venues all over the world, Khalil was today in the city to perform at Pracheen Kala Kendra. His melodies sounded virgin and each composition was powerful enough to deserve frequent applause. He began his recital with the evening raag Behag, which included alaap, jor, jhala, followed by gat composition in teen taal, vilambit madhya taal and drut laya. Second composition was from his own homeland — an Afghan melody in taal Dadra based on raag Bhairavi, with a blend of Bilawal thaat. The composition enthralled the audience with its lyrical prowess.

The concluding presentation of the evening came in the form of a Hindustani dhun in taal Keharva based on raag Mishra Khamaj, which is a combination of Desh Kamod and Maru Behag. Ustad Fazal Ahmed Khan accompanied him on the tabla.

After taking lessons in music from India, Khalil migrated to Australia in 1998, where he is currently a professor in instrumental music at Australian University. With a host of credits to his name — right from the 1997 trophy on the occasion of golden jubilee of India’s Independence, Benaras, to the Musician of the Year award in Afghanistan in 1983 — Khalil is now busy building bridges of peace through his music.

Poetry lovers' date with Azad
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 16
Poetry lovers of the city had an opportunity to listen to Prof Jagan Nath Azad who along with others recited his compositions in front of select audience at Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41, here today.

The programme started with Arbinder Kaur reciting her 'nazm' "Jina hai gam, sehna hai gam" later giving the stage to Harminder Kaur who sang a ghazal "Bahare bage amkon ke nazare kam nahin honge" which set the mood for the evening.

Showing his command and excellence over both Urdu ghazals and nazms, Prof Jagan Nath recited a few verses from his different compositions that gave an insight to his optimism, idealism and hope as a poet. Through his poetry Prof Azad has been advocating peace and understanding between individuals, communities and nations.

Prof Azad started his career as journalist after passing MA in Persian from Panjab University. After holding various posts at different departments, Prof Azad is currently an Emeritus Professor at Jammu University.

An author of about 50 books that include "Iqbal: mind and art", "Ek Mutaliya" and "Azadi ke baad", Prof Azad has been aptly described as scholar, poet and researcher.

Among many awards, Prof Azad has won the prestigious Mir Award and the much coveted Ghalib Award by the Urdu Academies.

Today's function was presided over by former Governor of Punjab Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd). Among others Dr B.N.S. Walia, former Director, PGI, and chairman of the NEDT also spoke on this occasion. The executive director of the school, Mr Jasdeep Kalra, gave the vote of thanks.

Works of art on display
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 16
Physical infirmity notwithstanding, Manmeet Pal Singh has more than proved his worth as an artist. He has been persistent and determined in his artistic endeavours.

The works are a clear window on the artist's mind. They are all in oil and are highly figurative, conveying and suggesting exact lines of thought. Most of the works reflect themes from beyond — something which does not essentially exist, but something which may exist somewhere.

The show, which was inaugurated by local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal in Indus Ind Bank art gallery, will remain open till February 20 and can be visited between 10 am and 6 pm.