The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

CULTURE

ARTSCAPE
Capturing the jewels of nature
Ravi Bhatia

Those who have watched the nature scene in the country over the last few years are not unfamiliar with the work of Prakash N. Dubey, who has excelled in capturing the jewels of nature, birds in all their hues and glory, on the lens of his camera. A member of the coveted Indian Revenue Service and posted as Income Tax Commissioner in the Ministry of Finance here, Mr Dubey’s exhibition of photographs at the India International Centre here came in for a good deal of appreciation from both the nature lovers and art appraisers.

Entitled appropriately as ‘Threatened Jewels of the Natural World’, the exhibition was on for a week attracting considerable crowds. This is the fourth solo exhibition of Mr Dubey. He has also written several books and received the National Press India Award from the President in 1992.

According to Mr Dubey, photographing birds and their activities is a one-point programme, requiring undivided attention, alertness and quick reflexes, as “these are no models holding a pose”. Mr Dubey’s training in the Indian Revenue Service has apparently kept him in good stead as far as alertness and undivided attention are concerned. After all, he has spent the best part of his life in pursuing tax evaders through these very qualities.

Human forms

ZAZEN - in South city Gurgaon, is showcasing the works of well-known artist, sculptor and poet, Satish Gupta. The exhibition is devoted to the celebration of human forms in all their primal purity.

Apart from his works finding a place in the National Gallery of Modern Art here, they have been given a pride of place in most of the metropolitan cities in the country and abroad and has held numerous solo exhibitions of his works internationally.

A new world

Sanjeev Khandekar’s paintings are replete with symbols of procreation, even the flaccid muscles of his muscular women, the cigarettes in the muscular mouths of demonic men. The curved spaces lift deliberately to entrap the viewers, take phallus-like shape or the spaces and figures scintillate with imageries of the wired world of 22nd century.

The telephone instruments, cellular handsets, chips and wires merge with anatomical symbols creating a world of its own enriched by deep and dark caverns filled with igniting sparks of light. Sanjeev seems to be making agonising efforts to squeeze man out of history to preside over a new world. Because of the myths of history of this world are losing their charm. Wait for a brand new world, which is not soiled with history and where you are not a mere number crammed into mountains of data. Many other unexpected meanings are hidden in Sanjeev’s compositions, which should surprise and inspire all.

For Sanjeev, painting is discarding the old formulae and sciences to discover new ones. To find an archetypal form, an association of a dream or software in which the disinherited spirit of the human being can find stability and rest for a moment or two. It is no more an existential dilemma of the last century.

Sanjeev Khandekar’s paintings are on view from November 3 to 22 at The Garden Theatre, Triveni Kala Sangam, Tansen Marg, in the Capital.

Italian connection

The Italian Embassy Cultural Centre here organised an ‘Italian Language Week’ as part of the worldwide celebrations jointly promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Crusca Academy and the Ministry of Italians in the World.

A large number of cultural events, including concerts by well-known Italian artistes, screening of documentaries, seminars, debates and a special quiz contest were children, formed part of the weeklong celebrations.

MUSIC ZONE
Jazz Yatra: A grand symphonic event from November 7

Continuing its tradition of hosting the best jazz events in the country, Jazz India Delhi, the premier organisation for promoting jazz music in India, is organising Jazz Yatra 2003 in Delhi from November 7 to 9. Jazz Yatra, the grand musical event, will witness performances from renowned national and well as international jazz artists at the FICCI auditorium.

A total of nine bands will perform during Jazz Yatra, which includes the Gabor Bolla group (Hungary), Bugge Wesseltoft (Norway), Ola Kvernberg (Norway), Urban Connection (Norway), Michael Occhipinti (Canada), Antoine Hevre (France), Sunny Jain (USA), Madhav Chari (India) and M Menezes and Frank Dubier (India).

Speaking about the event, Mr Soli Sorabjee, president, Jazz India Delhi, said: “We are delighted to bring Jazz Yatra back to Delhi.

The event will showcase some of the best Jazz artists and provide an opportunity to jazz enthusiasts to enjoy this wonderful music.” He further added: “Jazz Yatra is recognised globally and is on par with any of the international jazz festivals. We believe this event will be a catalyst in further popularising jazz music in the country.”

Since 1978, Jazz India has been staging International Jazz Yatra festivals. It has also organised National Jazz Yatra Festivals, such as the ‘All-French Jazz Yatra’ in 1989 and the ‘All-Australian Jazz Yatra’ in 1997. In 1985, the ‘Taal Vadya Utsav’ (Festival of Drums and Percussion) and in 1999 the ‘All-Vocal Jazz Yatra’, were organised. The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India has co-sponsored and co-produced several jazz yatras and concerts through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

Almost all the countries, where jazz flourishes, have regularly sponsored their foremost jazz groups to Jazz Yatra festivals. The inaugural Jazz Yatra Festival in Delhi was organised in 1984 followed by similar occasions in 1986, 1988, 1990 and 2002.

Jazz music evolved in the last century in New Orleans, USA. It combined elements of ragtime, marching band music and the Blues.

What differentiated jazz from these earlier styles was the widespread use of improvisation, often by more than one player at a time. Jazz represented a break from Western musical traditions, where the composer wrote a piece of music on paper and the musicians then tried their best to play exactly what was in the score. In a Jazz piece, the song is often just a starting point or frame of reference for the musicians to improvise around.

The song might have been a popular ditty or blues that they didn’t compose, but by the time they were finished with it they had composed a new piece that often bore little resemblance to the original song.

Jazz music thrilled audiences and its spontaneous music captured a joy and sense of adventure that was an exciting and radical departure from the music of that time which still continues to entertain people the world over.

DANCE BEAT
Nritya Swarna: Gala festival treat for Delhiites

As a part of its golden jubilee celebrations, Sangeet Natak Akademi, the apex institution for performing arts in the country, announced ‘Nritya Swarn’, a dance festival designed to showcase the rich traditions of Indian classical dance. Starting from November 7, the seven-day long festival will be inaugurated by the chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Dr Bhupen Hazarika in Mumbai at the Nehru Centre. The festival is being organised in partnership with the Nehru Centre, Mumbai.

‘Nritya Swarn’ will include performances of major styles of dance by luminaries like Vyjayanthimala Bali, Uma Sharma, Sonal Mansingh, Swapnasundari, Chitra Viswewaran, Darshana Jhaveri, Kiran Segal, Malavika Sarukkai, Pratibha Prahlad, Rajendra Gangani and groups of Rohini Bhate, Kanak Rele, Ghana Kanta Bora – all awardees of Sangeet Natak Akademi as well as Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, fellow of the Akademi.

This festival will also provide students and patrons of the performing art traditions a platform to enjoy as well as enhance their understanding of the diverse spectrum of classical Indian dance forms.

Sangeet Natak Akademi, with a rich heritage spanning 50 years, has played a key role in creating and reinforcing awareness of various aspects of the performing arts stimulating fresh thinking among practitioners through several major ‘expositions’ held across the country. Sangeet Natak Akademi is at present an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and is fully funded by the Government for implementation of its schemes and programmes.

SPORTS

CRZ School record facile victory
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi November 6
Chottu Ram Zamindar (CRZ) Senior Secondary School, Sonepat (Haryana) trounced Ashok Public School, Maharashtra 8-0, after leading by 3-0 at half time, in the Nehru Sub-Junior Hockey Tournament at the Shivaji Stadium on Thursday.

Jai Bhagwan opened the flood-gate in the fourth minute when he converted a penalty corner. And then Parveen Kumar went on a scoring blitz, knocking in the second, third and fourth goals to register a well-merited hattrick. He also added the sixth goal. Anil Kumar accounted for the fifth and eighth goals while Sunil Saroha hit home the seventh goal.

In a keen contest, Government Model High School, Chandigarh edged past H. K. Senior Secondary School, Ibrahimpur (Haryana) 3-2 to qualify for the knock-out stage. The Chandigarh boys began well, when they took the lead in the third minute through Harmanpreet Singh and six minutes later, Sandeep Singh scored off a penalty corner for the second goal. In the second half, Ranjodh Singh converted a penalty stroke to score the third goal. The Haryana School, down by three goals, suddenly sprung into action, striking twice in quick succession through Dharmendra Antil in the 49th minute and Arjun Antil in the 51st minute to give their rivals a close run.

A brilliant hattrick by Ningombam Abung was the high point of Young Pioneers English School’s (Imphal) 5-1 victory against Shri Oswal Jain School, Alwar. Wishram Herojit scored the first goal when he converted a penalty stroke in the 19th minute. Ningombam then added the second, third and fourth goals while Soram Rabi came up with the fifth goal.

Abhay S. Naruka pulled off the consolation goal for Oswal School. The Imphal boys have qualified for the Super League.

Friday’s fixtures: Govt Model School, Chandigarh vs Loyola School, Jakhama (Kohima) (12.30 pm); Birsa Munda Vidyapitha vs Satguru Partap Singh Academy, Ludhiana (2 pm); Bandar Penawar School, Johor vs Army Boys Sports Coy, Danapur (3.30 p m)— Shivaji Stadium.

Indian Airlines lift cricket trophy
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, November 6
A searing, unbeaten knock of 70, studded with eight fours and two sixes, by Reetender Singh Sodhi, and deadly bowling of 4 for 32 by left-arm spinner Sonu Sharma helped Indian Airlines defeat Air Sahara by seven wickets and annex the BDM Jai Lal Solanki Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Mohan Meakins ground. Indian Airlines pocketed a cash award of Rs 31,000 while the runners-up received Rs 21,000. Suresh Tanwar of Sahara was adjudged the best batsman while Reetender Sondhi got the man of the match award. Doda Ganesh was adjudged the best bowler while J Arun Kumar was named the man of the tournament.

Scores: Air Sahara: 149 all out in 35.4 overs (Suresh Tanwar 41, Mohd Atiq 30, Sonu Sharma 4 for 32, Rajat Bhatia 2 for 20, Doda Ganesh 2 for 34). Indian Airlines: 150 for 3 in 30.1 overs (R S Sodhi 70 n o, J Arun Kumar 34, Shafiq Khan 31 n o, Surender Dayma 2 for 33).

DTC win in DDCA League

A half century by Pradeep Kumar and a deadly bowling of 3 for 26 by Sunil Tyagi helped Delhi Transport Corporation beat Raghuvir Willowers by five runs in the DDCA A-I Division league at the RSC ground. Scores: DTC: 149 all out in 39.5 overs (Pradeep Kumar 51, Vinay Yadav 3 for 29). Raghuvir Willowers: 144 all out in 37.4 overs (Vishal Saini 36, Mukesh Kumar 25, S. Tyagi 3 for 26, Hari Dass 2 for 12, Bhuwan 2 for 40, Mahesh Sharma 2 for 29).

Ajay Kumar shines

An all-round performance by Ajay Kumar (45 and one wicket) helped GECF (SBI) defeat Tata Aig by five wickets in the third Turf Twenty20 Cup Cricket Tournament at the Jamia Millia ground. Ajay was named the man of the match.

Scores: Tata Aig: 99 for 7 in 20 overs.
GECF (SBI): 104 for 5 in 17.4 overs.

Ake big haul

Ganga International School, Hiran Kudna made a big haul in the zonal judo finals held at the Partiya Vikas School, Paschim Vihar. Parshand Rajput, Rohit Deswal, Gurav Sharma, Nidhat, K Mittal, Vijay Lakra, Dharmbir Lakra, Yogesh Katariya and Krishan Kumar won gold medals. Ankit Garg, Pardeep and Yashpal Malik claimed silver medals while Surya Dagar, Sumeet Jain, Badhan Shel, Rakesh and Aman lifted bronze medals. School manager Sushil Kumar Gupta and coach Santosh Rajput congratulated the judokas for their fine display.

Dogra Academy beat South Delhi
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, November 6
A strokeful 99, with seven fours and one six, by Sumit Dogra and deadly bowling of 3 for 24 by Tanvir Mirza helped Sumit Dogra Academy beat South Delhi Colts by 81 runs and entered the quarter-final of the third C L Gupta Memorial Cricket Tournament for the Prem Lata Trophy at the Mohan Meakins ground. Sumit was named the man of the match.

Scores: Dogra Academy: 184 all out in 39 overs (Sumit Dogra 99, V Arvind 27, Randeep Singh 24, Amanjeet Singh 2 for 43).

South Delhi Colts: 103 all out in 35.2 overs (Raj Kapoor 39, T. Mirza 3 for 24, V Arvind 2 for 13, R. Singh 2 for 22).

Inter-College Cricket

College of Vocational Studies beat Delhi College of Arts and Commerce by seven wickets in the Inter-College Cricket Tournament at the Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce ground.

Scores: Delhi College: 198 all out in 38 overs (Rohit Malhotra 50, Amit Bhutani 35, Bhushan 24, Rajkanwar Singh 4 for 22, Anubhav 3 for 45).

College of Vocational Studies: 199 for 3 in 39.2 overs (U. Singh 105 n o, Raj Kanwar Singh 45, Amit Bhatani. In other matches, PGDAV beat Bhagat Singh by 158 runs and ARSD beat Shivaji College by 27 runs.