MUSIC MAGIC
Don’t dance on pirated jazz
A.S.Prashar
Tribune News Service

All you kids shaking around in your room after downloading music from the internet, beware! What you are doing is not strictly legal. It is pirated music.

It may not sound like music to your ears, but the noisy fact, disturbing everyone, is that piracy has over the years violated all intellectual property rights of the music industry. Trade sources confirm that more than 50 per cent of all music available in the market is pirated.

Also new formats like MP3’s are getting popular because of their low pricing. All you have to do is to download the music free from the internet on your PC and play it. Recently, when a top executive of Japanese multinational Sony was in town, he was taken aback by the grilling he received about the alleged failure of Sony to introduce MP3 players in the Indian markets to the counter the aggressive sales by brands like Phillips.

"Even our own dealers are worried over this trend," he admitted. "They too want us to bring out MP3 players as early as possible just as some other companies have done. But the problem is that playing music downloaded from internet through one's PC is not strictly legal. It is pirated music. How can Sony which has always spearheaded a campaign against pirated music, whether cassettes or CDs, and is a victim of the piracy throughout the world, join the bandwagon of pirates?"

The only way to fight against this trend, say trade sources, is to educate the audience about the disadvantages of pirated CDs and MP3s and at the same time instruct them about the advantages of a CD even while making these more affordable. So folks, before you decide to buy a player, have a look at the areas where CDs have an advantage over pirated ones and MP3s.

• One of the biggest disadvantages of owning MP3 is that good quality players are not cheap. The lowest price is about $150. Unless you own a MP3 player, you cannot carry music with you to the lake, or even in a bus. Whereas households have a CD player and that makes CDs a popular option.
• MP3 squeezes audio files to about one tenth of their original size, and, therefore, cannot maintain the ultimate CD audio quality. The MP3 player needs to read the first chunk of the MP3 file and begin to decode it before it can actually start sending the signal to your sound card and speakers which results in ‘gaps’ in the music. Those of you who like to listen to live or continuous albums where each track blends into the next, will probably run into problems.
• Another disadvantage is the memory that the MP3 players come with. Most of the players available in the market have 64 MB memory allowing one to put about fourteen songs on it. That means you must listen to the same fourteen songs throughout the entire day. If you have a Discman, you can continuously change the CD throughout the day.

CHILLOUT ZONE
After golfing dance a bit

Exhilarated figures, illuminated by colourful lights blinking from beneath the glassy dance floor, wildly sway to the thumping beat of pulsating music, booming from strategically placed speakers, as Chandigarh Golf Club turns into an open-air discotheque before the clock strikes 9 on party evenings.

Just as a jazzy number encourages them to cut footloose, they adjusts the silvery cain-belts loosely hanging around their reed-thin waists before joining in the fun with eager chums. So folks if you wanna have some real cool fun, try to find a pal who can take you along. And in the end... happy dancing.— SMy 

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Add a dash to your charms
Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service
Pushing back her golden-brown highlighted tresses with ivory chiselled fingers, she slides up the deep blue glasses to hold back the hair before stepping out of her semi-limousine into a world of twirling couples. After jiving around the polished dance floor for hours together, till beads of perspiration dot her brow in a discotheque, Tanya returns to reality but not before stationing goggs back on her aquiline nose.

Yes, alluring sunglasses — keeping off the glare, not admiring glances — are in. For shielding sensuous eyes from the onslaught of ruthless sun. Also for adding "a little dash to your charming self".

No wonder, young Tanya positions herself before the full length mirror in the dressing room every morning to admire the "fairest of the all". Adjusting the twin tantalising slits on either sides of her long skirt, she pulls back the drawer to take out matching reflectors.

"I have one for every occasion," the plus twoer chirps, rolling her roving eyes upwards. "With ocean blue spaghetti top, I wear one in complementing hue. For tempting cream and attractive olives, I have shades of the same colour".

Tanya is not alone. So many city youngsters have preservers in their closets — to be taken out with utmost discretion. "You see, wearing brown or grey glasses with blue peasant top looks funny, makes you feel so out-datish," mutters under-grad Dharkan.

Her sis' Zarina, now married for nine years, had just one goggle. That also "real big one" covering her chubby cheeks along with eyes. Had purchased it after watching favourite "dream girl of the yesteryears" Hema Malani wear one in a blockbuster.

Zarina's best chum Sabina too was "proud owner" of dark glasses. Imported. Had acquired it after mailing so many letters to her uncle in Germany. She had to wait for several months till cousin arrived with her "cute little gift". The duo would happily wear the glasses before riding the moped all the way to college on sunny days.

Today, smiling sun's frown is not necessary for Tanya and Dharkan to look at the wonder land through tainted glasses. Even on cloudy afternoons, they invite "wows" from friends after donning goggs as hair bands.

Catering to their "burning desires for cool glasses" are opticians spread all over the length and breath of the city — in Sector 17 downtown, even in not so posh southern sectors.

"You can colour you attitude with glares that have fascinating red or organic lenses," suggests Simran Gill of a Sector 35 fashion-cum-drugstore. "Frame — you can go in for ones in optyl and metal with optional stripes".

Reminding you of enchanting glasses dazzling on the shelves under high-wattage spotlights, she whispers, "I personally prefer holding up the sun with glasses having black or grey polycarbonate lenses in either orange, red or light blue, with brushed metal frames".

Expensive the protectors are, ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 30,000, but then cool looks do not come cheap. That is for sure.

VENUS SPEAKS
Look before you sleep

Down with make-up before hitting the sack — that is the little beauty secret city model Razy hates to share with her chums. The reason is not very hard too see. All her friends may support pimples on their oily faces against their wishes, Razy's complexion is flawless.

"Every night before going off to sleep, I look at myself in the mirror and gently clean my visage with a face wash," she smiles. "No soaps for me, please. They simply play havoc with my complexion".

Another thing. "Before jumping into my soft cushy bed, I apply a fairness moisturiser without fail," she asserts. "It simply leaves my skin irresistibly soft and supple. The kind I love to touch through out the day".

But what about precautions during the day? Smacking her luscious coated lips, she utters, "I always wear an oil-free screen readily available over the counter with Sun Protection Factor of 30 or more. Dad, mom, may criticise me, but I wear sun-blockers even indoors. You see, UVA rays — responsible for pigmentation — can even penetrate windows and leave you dark". 

FROM THE COLLEGES
Management fest entertains students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 24
It was a fun-filled day which the students of local colleges spent at GGDSD College, Sector 32, here today, at the management fest conducted on the theme of “Knowledge Management”.

Marked by activities ranging from the Ad-Mad show to a quiz contest to dumb charades—the fest was thorough entertainment all the way. Other activities included mock press conferences and debates.

A number of stalls for the promotion of products were set up by various companies. The programme was organised by students under guidance of a four-member committee of teachers namely Ms Monika Verma, Ms Arvinder Kaur, Mr Ajay Sharan and Dr N.K. Sahni.

As much as Rs 60,000 was collected at the fest which was organised for the third year in succession by the students of BBA and Advertising, Sales Management and Sales Promotion courses.

Delivering the keynote address, General Manager of the State Bank of India, Mr D.L. Malkani, spoke of the role of the SBI in the development process of India while Mr Ravi Mann gave tips on personality development. Col G. Sethi (retd) spoke on different careers available to students of BBA and other courses.

Earlier, welcoming the guests and students, Principal, Dr A.C. Vaid, lauded the students for organising the function in a professional manner. He added that the basic aim was to make the students aware of the market happenings and to invite different companies for placement purposes.

NSS unit inaugurated: The NSS unit of the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, was inaugurated by the Director, NSS, Panjab University, Dr C.L. Narang, here today.

The programme began with an M.Ed student, Rajni Kapoor, giving information regarding historical background of the NSS. A compulsory activity in the B.Ed curriculum, under the scheme a 10-day camp and five one-day camps are held during the year to tackle various social issues.

She added that the symbol of the NSS, ‘the wheel’, denotes dynamism and progress whereas the motto “Not Me But You” embodies service of others before self as the welfare of the individual depends on the welfare of the society.

The programme officer of the college, Ms Arti Mehta, highlighted various social service activities conducted by the college last year at different social service centres. She also highlighted the theme for the session 2002-03, “Jal Samvardhan” or conservation of water.

Dr Narang motivated students for active participation in social service. He stressed upon five main activities carried out by the NSS which included communal harmony, women empowerment, eradication of illiteracy, environmental awareness and population explosion. He said teachers were the best source for bringing about social change by inculcating social values among the students.

Dr (Ms) Satinder Dhillon, Principal of the college, said the NSS led to the development of altruistic feelings that translates into selflessness and empathy for the well-being of fellow human beings. 

Tribune school students hold rally
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 24
Students of Tribune Model School, Sector 29, organised a rally to create awareness about environmental issues, here today, under the “Save environment” project.

The students carried banners and placards prepared by them under the activities of the eco-club at school. The rally began from the school premises and went through Sectors 29 and 30.

NSS day celebrated: The NSS Wing of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, celebrated NSS day, here today. The motto “Not me but you” was reiterated in poems, songs and dances which were presented by students.

The highlight of the programme was a skit titled “Bharat mera bhagwan” which was enacted by NSS workers. The skit drove home the idea that a single mould holds the various forms of God, be it Christ, Allah, Guru Nanak or Krishna. The girls of Classes XI and XII presented gidha.

The principal of the school, Mr Karan Singh, gave his views and encouraged NSS workers to perform with dedication. The programme concluded with everybody taking the NSS pledge followed by the singing of the national anthem.

NSS day was also celebrated at GMSSS-19, here today, by organising a rally to make students aware of the need to save water. The rally was flagged off by Ms Saroj Gupta, Principal of the school.

About 100 NSS volunteers participated in this rally which passed through the sector. The Programme Officer, Ms Amarjit Singh, took volunteers to DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, where they visited water-harvesting plant, green house and vermi-culture plant. The general secretary, Dr Vikas Kohli, Indian Council for Environment Education, briefed volunteers about these projects.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Disclose all facts, petitioner told
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 24
A petitioner, seeking equitable relief from the Court, has a bounded duty to disclose all material facts and documents having a bearing on the decision of the case — a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today ruled in a significant judgement pronounced on a petition challenging the orders of a Labour Court.

Delivering the verdict, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar and Mr Justice J.S. Khehar, further ruled: ‘‘The petitioner is not allowed to omit documents, which if disclosed, would lead to an unfavourable order. If by not disclosing such a document any relief is taken from the Court, the petition is liable to summarily dismissal on the correct facts being brought to the notice of the Court.’’

Dismissing with Rs 10,000 costs the petition filed by a co-operative society salesman terminated from service, the Judges added: ‘‘We are of the considered opinion that the petitioner has deliberately withheld a document for persuading the Court to issue a notice in the present case.... We are not inclined to interfere with the well reasoned award by the Labour Court. Therefore, this petition deserves to be dismissed on merits. However, in the given conduct of the petitioner, we would be failing in our duty if we do not place on record the displeasure of the Court. The petition is dismissed with Rs 10,000 costs.’’

In his petition, the salesman had earlier challenged the Labour Court award whereby it was held that the termination of the petitioner's services was legal and just. 

CULTURE

Another feast for theatre lovers
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 24
After a week-long National Natya Festival at Tagore Theatre, there is another theatre festival by the National School of Drama (NSD) repertory company is in store for theatre lovers here. The seven-day festival will be inaugurated at the same venue tomorrow with the first play “Ek Violin Samander Ke Kinare”, according to information given by Suresh Sharma, NSD repertory chief, who spoke to mediapersons at Kala Gram here today.

Sharma who is not effected by the fact that the Chandigarh audience will not even have time to recover from the aftermath of the Natya Festival, when his company will be presenting another seven plays, he said this previous festival should not effect the number of audience as it would provide some variety to the audience. “In fact watching meaningful plays for 15 consecutive days is likely to shape up audience which could be encashed by local groups to convert them as permanent theatre goers with their own productions,” he said.

“Besides the audience will find these plays easy to relate to, as majority of plays like Uska Bachpan, Ei Ladki, Dimag-e-Hasti Dil Ki Basti Hai Kahan, Hai Kahan and Ek Violin Samander Ke Kinare are related to Punjabi culture,” said Sharma. The other plays included in this festival are Chukainge Nahin, Ghasiram Kotwal, Anamdas Ka Potha.

Giving information on the NSD, Sharma said in the 10th five-year economic plan, NSD plans to expand by setting up sub-centre at North, West and East. “One such sub-centre already exists in Bangalore but it is operating in part-time basis,” he said. However, he informed that the NSD had no such plan to increase the seats of the institute as with the practical-oriented intense training NSD imparts to each student would be diluted if more than 20 students are admitted in one batch.

Talking about prominent theatre artistes who have made it big in TV and Film Industry, Sharma said contrary to popular belief that this type of exodus towards electronic media was affecting the growth of theatre artistes, this exercise indeed had helped in generating awareness about theatre as an art among common mass. “Earlier, when NSD used to organise theatre workshop in remote areas, gathering participants used to be hard task but these days we have to interview people to select for such workshops,” he added.

Maintaining that theatre should be introduced at school and college level, introducing theatre in school and college curriculum, Sharma said, would help in NSD graduates and other theatre artistes trained by various universities. Sharma was accompanied by Mr Ajit Rai, press coordinator of the NSD.

Eloquent pictures delight visitors
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 24
If a camera can speak human language, then, you are not likely to come across more eloquent pictures like those 60 photographs by 30 photo journalists of the city that adorn the walls of Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10. The exhibition inaugurated by Advisor to the Administrator, UT Chandigarh Ms Neeru Nanda, is the second annual exhibition by the Chandigarh Photo Journalist Association .

Each photograph exhibited here speaks its own story in a complete manner. Starting from Tribune Chief Photographer Karam Singh’s “Royal Audience for a Classical Performance” captures a peacock spreading its feathers with three elephants in the background as audience gives a delightful simile to an opera with an elegant set of audience.

Following that comes Manoj Mahajan’s harsh reality “Dare we storm male bastions” a scene of ‘lathi charge’ from a nearby area in which women are being mercilessly beaten by the police. Pankaj Sharma’s “Dance of Ageing Majesty” capturing hand gestures and facial expression controlled by each ageing lines is as interesting as K. Sethi’s “someone has to take the first step” in which he has captured a baby’s reluctance to face anything new.

Parvesh Chauhan’s “Hazy Flights of Fancy” capturing a few dancing girls, Pawan Singh’s picture on a team of players and BSN Reddy’s “Trace not just on screen” give a feeling of vibrations and movement, infusing life in their creations.

There are others to take one’s breath away like Vinay Mallik’s “Dream Sequence” in which one can almost touch the rays emitting from the electric lights creating an atmosphere for Christmas time and delightful amalgamation of colours in “Myriad colours give common shade.” Ajay Jalandhari takes you to a cruise in his boat with his “Wooden ores on Golden water” where colours of water blend to create a dreamlike sequence.

Swadesh Talwar has used this exhibition to continue his crusade against vulgar commercialism by multinational companies which is not only robbing the nature of its beauty but robbing the innocence of the hilly people too. His series is being called “Rape of the Rock showing logo of soft drinks imprinted on rocks in Himachal Pradesh.

The exhibition will continue for public viewing till September 29.