TIP TOP
Red lips that make 

you go oooh! Blazing red — the shade of hot-blood passion — is sizzling in the winters of 2002. Not just in outfits, also in lipsticks. The reason is not very hard to see. Scarlet-slapped lippers have finally made a comeback after remaining in the trash can of memory for years together.

Another thing, if you are in a habit of pressure-applying the stick to your lips directly, leave it. “You not only end up with extra colour on your lips, but also contribute in the process of breaking up the stick,” Ramola reveals. “You should preferably finger-apply the lip colour close to the opening of the lips to create a just-bitten effect.” So folks, happy colouring.

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Giggling blues and greys away brown, hello pink
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

Fair weather damsels — in screaming bright sweatshirts clandestinely stitched into bomber jackets of contrasting loud hues — are driving away the dull gloom of cold overcast winters, recklessly.

Yes, you have guessed it right. Rich, gay colours are the latest wrinkle amidst city teenyboppers in the winters of 2002. If you do not believe it, walk down to any college in the city. Everywhere you look, you will see new fledged knockers in shocking pink, jarring yellow and glaring peach tops teamed with cheerful lace pants or short skirts with frill trimmings, giggling away the blues and the greys.

Or else, rush to the geri route. Keep your restless alert eyes wide open for the riding ducks with painted weathers. Their fluorescent purple and green wind-cheaters flutter in the pleasant winter breeze as they accelerate up and down the meandering road of life in jaunty jalopies, even on two wheelers. Their silky long tresses, detained under passionate-red Santa caps struggle to break free from the unseen shackles of vogue as they enthusiastically wave at the over-taking chums.

In good old days of Doordarshan when Krishi-darshan and Chitrahaar were the only highlights, fashion was not a passion among city kids. “The reason was not very hard to see,” says designer Neerja Vashistha. “Not-so-young Bollywood actresses would hardy wear stuff that would excite the youngsters. Otherwise also, there was little choice for them. Branded clothes had to be imported from across the seven seas through relatives settled abroad. Rest had to buy tight jeans and other clothes the garment houses had to offer, rudely.”

She adds: “In the absence of impressive showrooms displaying branded attire in picture windows, the competition was not so stiff among the local manufacturers. They sold what they created. That’s why the emphasis was on production, instead of diversity. That’s how pullovers in greys and blacks, at the most in red, were fashioned, and sold to the not-so-demanding maidens of the world”.

That was years ago. Before the Indian market opened to foreign giants. Along with alien electronic goods, came names guys and dolls had heard of, never slipped into. Options increased. “Suddenly before them was a whole new world of colourful net scarfs, Lycra spaghetti tops and knee-length brocade dresses in floral shades,” reveals Neerja. “For winters, you had pullovers, jackets and even tights in bright and cheery hues”.

No wonder, now-a-days you have dames asking, not for conventional winter shades like brown and grey, but for bright baseball cotton, or nylon, jackets stuffed with wool, even short tweed coats, to be slipped over sleeveless polo neck garments.

This is not all. “Short skirts remain in vogue this year also. The colour is striking — that's the only difference,” whispers over the phone Delhi-based designer Cheenu. “You can bet on it, even when the weather turns unbearably cold, dames will still be twirling all around the polished dance floors in teeny-weeny skirts. How? Well, the dark net stockings will shield them from the biting winds, and the stares”.

So folks, if you still haven’t discarded ol’ denim skirts, listen to Neerja and Cheenu’s suggestions. Then go to your favourite arcade and buy something nice and jarring. Okay, okay, not jarring, bright and pleasant, now. All the best and happy shopping.

VENUS SPEAKS 
Jogging fit

She religiously believes in keeping herself fit. That is the reason why city-based ramp model Shivali jogs down the city roads and streets for an hour every morning.

"I wake up early and sweat out excessive calories by jogging till beads of perspiration dot my brow," she chirps melodiously. "The reason behind my love for exercise is not very hard to see. I am essentially of the opinion that toned up body is necessary if you want to look, and feel, good".

And diet, what about it? Is she strict about what she eats? "Well, I love eating," she whispers, "but only nutritious food. That is why I avoid eating French fries, burgers, pizzas and other stuff available at the fast food joints. I munch fruits instead," she croons. "Actually, apples and pears fill up my tummy without giving me tension of gaining weight. Otherwise also, I gulp a lot of water — liters and liters of it". Alright kids, if you want to look like her, jog. y 

Special observers for Bar Council poll
Kiran Deep

Chandigarh, November 19
The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has appointed special observers following a number of complaints to avoid bogus voting during the council elections to be held in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana. Sources revealed that many of the contestants have complained to the Returning Officer of the Bar Council that in some of the areas the contesting members might try to influence the elections. They have requested the Returning Officer to appoint special observers to look after the sensitive poll station.

More then 20,000 advocate members of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana will cast their votes in the elections scheduled to be held on November 22 and 23 to elect 25 members out of 177 advocates in the fray. The elections will held in Chandigarh on November 22 and in Punjab and Haryana on November 23.

When contacted, the Returning Officer, Mr Nirmal Singh Dhillon, confirmed that in some of the districts and tehsils, the bar council has appointed special observers to avoid any mischief.

There are as many as 100 polling stations in the various districts and tehsils of Punjab and Haryana and Chandigarh and the Bar Council is likely to pay about Rs 5 lakh to Punjab and Haryana to hire their services during elections.

Some of the prominent advocates contesting the elections are council chairman Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu, honorary secretary C.M. Munjal, G.K. Chathrath, N.K. Nanda, Navkiran Singh, Bhim Sen Sehgal, B.S. Billing, H.S. Gill, Daya Chaudhary, Paramjit Singh Goraya, Balwan Singh Suhag and Kiran Bala Jain, Harish Rai Dhanda.

CULTURE

A play depicting Syrian history
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 19
With the visiting Syrian dance theatre group, Enana, staging a musical play ‘Hawajis Al Shan 880’ in the Bhargava Auditorium, PGI, the audience got a slice of history of that Arab nation. Set in a backdrop that was 100-year-old, the play portrays people’s yearnings for freedom and social justice through a love story that blossoms amid political unrest and social chaos.

As the curtain goes up it is a spectacular scene on festivities showing women of Al Salem dancing while carrying lanterns. Subsequent scenes show various aspects of life in that era — rise of sufism, life of villagers, coming of outsiders in their village and the first seed of rebellion against the authority.

As the play gets into the spirit of love through Raslan and Badrieh, the political unrest takes a firm root and Raslan leaves to join a rebellious group while Badrieh loses her sanity. By portraying three disasters — burning of a theatre in Al Kabbani, death of Hassan, the rebellion and Badrieh becoming insane, the play effectively captures the mood of people and the gravity of the situation of that time.

Directed and choreographed by Ghied Moftel, the play also depicts a host of oriental ballets comprising both classical and modern dances, colourful costumes that give an insight into the vibrant culture of that nation.

“We have also incorporated dances from other countries,” says dance trainer Albina Belova. She is of Russian origin but have been with the troupe for the past three years. Even the costumes are not just from Syria, but from other nations as well. “The message of this tragic play is that all Arab nations will have to come together to fight oppression and that is the reason why we have incorporated dances and costumes from other countries in the play,” says Ms Belova.

Enana is the only professional dance theatre group in Syria. “The group was formed about 13 years ago and it’s the only one of its kind,” says Ms Belova, recalling how none had come forward to learn dance in Syria when she first landed there. “A professional school came up only eight years ago and still is the only one in the entire nation,” she adds.

“But we are trying our best to train young persons and because of our endeavours a number of people are becoming interested in theatre and dance,” says Ghied. Ghied and Albina, besides being the major driving force behind the group, also acted in the plays as Raslan and Badrieh.

The troupe is on a 15-day visit to India. After performing here tonight they will be performing in Hardwar. The show was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Chandigarh chapter. 

City to have film academy
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 19
To channelise the talent of this region and prepare them for the film industry, a few like-minded people from the industry are joining hands to start a well equipped film and TV academy in Chandigarh.

Stating this at a press conference here today, Mr J S Cheema, a noted theatre personality of this region, said the academy opening on December 1 in sector 35 would start with two main courses — acting and film appreciation. The academy would later be developed into a fullfledged one — teaching each and every aspect of film making which were required to face the camera as well as behind the camera, he added.

Ace cinematographer of Hindi film world and director of recent Punjabi hit film “Jee, Aayan Nu”, Mr Manmohan Singh, who was also present at the conference, said that north Indian talent dominated the film industry in Mumbai and now “Jee Aayan Nu” had proved that Punjabi film had the potential to captivate audience both in India and abroad.

The courses are being offered have been devised by trained and experienced film personalities, and a highly experienced faculty will impart training. The curriculum has been so formulated as to include visits by renowned filmmakers and theatre personalities for supervision and first-hand personal interaction.

The group of people, who are closely associated with the academy, are Mr Cheema, producer of national award winner “Chan Pardeshi” and critically acclaimed Hindi film “Waaris”, Manmohan Singh, Ms Jatinder Cheema a noted theatre personality and costume designer for “Chan Pardeshi to” Jee Aayan Nu” and writer producer Baldev Gill, who had delivered great script like “Chan Pardeshi”, “Waaris”, “Nassebo” and lately “Jee Aayan Nu.”

Collage exhibition on Nov 22
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 19
Students of the Bama Academy of Fine Art will display their works in the collage form during the annual exhibition to be held at the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh, on November 22.

This was stated by Mr Ram Kumar Sharma, director of the academy, while addressing a press conference here yesterday. He said more than 40 professional and non-professional artistes of different age groups are participating in the exhibition, to be inaugurated by Mr S.P. Singh, Managing Director, CITCO.

“The main aim is to encourage the artistes and promote their talent who are going to present their sense of perception through collage made of newspapers, magazines, photographs, negatives, strings, coloured sheets, etc,” he said.

A five-day workshop was held for participants which concluded today.

Some of the interesting collages made by the participants are an art gallery by Mrs Kumar, love birds by Varinder and still life by Deepshikha.