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EDUCATION
 

Mohali Diary
Students learn basics of ragas
Tribune News Service

“Pop music cannot kill Indian classical music as classical music is an ocean while pop music’s just a wave.” This was stated by Mr Subhash Ghosh, a disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. Mr Ghosh was speaking at the closing ceremony of a summer workshop organised by Sensations Hobby Zone here.

Students learnt classical music and presentation skills during the 21-day workshop. They were taught about the ragas, shabads, dance, drawing and painting etc. The closing ceremony was held at the Bal Bhavan here. Monika, Sareen, Sohail, Gurleen and Vansh performed Raag Bhopali. After that, a disco dance was presented by Gunit, Gurasis, Simrat, Ashee and Sahil. a patriotic song “Ek Desh Hai Ek Vesh Hai” was sung by all participants of the workshop. Ms Charanjeet Kaur, Principal, Sensations Hobby Zone, thanked those present on the occasion.

Summer workshops: Pracheen Kala Kendra is conducting workshops in music, drama, painting, personality development, art and craft during the summer vacations for the local residents at its local centre. Addressing mediapersons here Mr M.L. Koser, the Registrar of the kendra, said: “A number of workshop are being organised in the city these days. Every workshop has something or the other to offer to the participants. But the one conducted by the kendra is undoubteldy different from the rest as it offers drama, music, personality development, painting, art and craft etc.”

Mr Gursharan Singh, a renowned playwright, and Mr Mahinder Dogra, a noted dramatist, were also present on the occasion.

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Children have fun at summer camps
Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 17
Shemrock Senior Secondary School, Sector 69, here organised two summer camps for children of age group 3 to 6 years and age group 7 to 14 years on the school premises. Children had a good time, whether it was a splash pool or bhangra, craft work or music, or playing table tennis or yoga classes. Children from all over Mohali and a few from Chandigarh belonging to Shemrock and other schools participated in the camps.

Yashveer, a student of another school, says, “This is the second time I’m attending a workshop at Shemrock. I learnt Bhangra last year and this time I’m improving upon it.” Puneet from Delhi, who is at Mohali with his grand parents, is of the opinion, “Table Tennis and craft are interesting.”
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Wife to act in play in Tiwana’s memory
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 17
The Harpal Tiwana Foundation is ready to storm the world of Punjabi theatre in the second year of its establishment. Besides announcing an “Award for Excellence in Performing Arts” from this year, the Foundation plans to hold events in the memory of Harpal Tiwana. This year-long-affair of performance will be kick started tomorrow, with the presentation of one of the finest Tiwana plays, “Mela Munde Kuriyaan Da”.

Recalling the genius of the man who was synonymous with professional Punjabi theatre, the Foundation will also organise concerts to raise funds for building the Harpal Tiwana Auditorium in Patiala.

Back in Chandigarh, the presentation of “Mela Munde Kuriyaan Da”, assumes significance as it marks the comeback of Neena Tiwana, who joined Harpal in becoming the first Punjabi couple to pass out from the National School of Drama (NSD). As NSD alumni, Harpal and Neena worked assiduously in numerous productions that culminated in the film “Diva Bale Sari Raat”.

After years, Neena felt the urge to return to the performance space of Tagore Theatre so that she could pay a tribute to her partner on stage and in life.

She says, “This play was very close to Harpal’s heart. It reflects the very soul of Punjab, baring the good and the not-so-good aspects of its character. It is a satire, written as a comedy. I will perform in Tagore Theatre after about two decades.”

Also featuring in the production after long will be famous actress Nirmal Rishi, who has always associated with the Harpal Tiwana genre. Manpal, Tiwana’s son, is also contributing to the play with his technical expertise. He also acts in the production.

As Creative Director of the Foundation, Manpal feels more than just obliged to take his father’s undone tasks to a logical conclusion. The pressure of energizing the foundation through well meaning events is now greater, says Manpal, adding, “We are busy designing the model of the auditorium to be built in the memory of my father.

The profile of the foundation and its objectives are being outlined. Though we have the support of Harpal Tiwana’s students like Om Puri, Raj Babbar and Gurdas Maan, we need funds for the going. Hence the fund raising concerts which will begin from this year.”

Manpal plans to start the fund raisers with Harpal Tiwana’s hugely lauded production “Sirhind di Diwaar”, which was presented on stage for over 32 years. Besides this, he had to work hard on convincing his mother to involve herself extensively in the presentation schedule of the foundation. “After performing on stage for long, my mother decided to call it a day. She needed time for us. But now that my father is gone and his legacy needs to be carried forward, she has to come back. Who better than her to pay tributes to Harpal Tiwana?”

The script of “Mela Munde Kuriyaan Da” has been altered to suit contemporary sensibilities. Manpal clarifies, “The original script was set in rural Punjab, wrought with corruption and other maladies. But in the present script has a Canada-educated girl seeking job of a professor in a college in Punjab village. We are pressing hard on the “return” of the native Punjabi who has lost his moorings in the Maple Land of Canada.”

The play will be presented at Tagore Theatre tomorrow.
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Summer workshop concludes
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 17
A summer workshop organised by the Pearls Performing Arts Society concluded at Punjab Kala Bhavan on Thursday. The workshop was not just about learning singing, dancing and acting, but also about clay modelling and much more.
A special analytical discussion with psychologists was also a part of the workshop.

According to the organisers, the workshop was organised with an endeavour to mould the upcoming generation into positive, creative and righteous citizens of tomorrow. It focussed on all round development through creative expression.

An open discussion and interaction session between children and parents was also held during the workshop. Personal counselling was also given in special cases.

The society president, Ms Prem Punita, said, “The workshop laid stress on personal hygiene, care and grooming”. 

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Reviving handicraft and traditional wear
Monica Sharma

Chandigarh, June 17
Contemporary sensibility fused into traditional art — if you wish to witness this and much more, attend “Fashion Voyage 2004” at Forest Hill Golf and Country Club Resort.

During the two-day exhibition, leading designers and local handicraft agencies from across the country will showcase their collection. The event, being organised from tomorrow, is aimed at promoting contemporary ethnic wear in Punjab.

The fashion event will introduce a fusion line — combining western outline with the Indian look. The exhibition is being seen as a “giant step” towards the revival of handicraft and traditional wear of the country. The Punjab State Government Emporium and Phulkari will also exhibit clothing and handicrafts.

The event will conclude with a grand fashion show displaying the works of leading fashion designers, including Ashima and Leena, besides Payal Jain, Niki Mahajan, Neeta Bhargava, Ashish Pandey, Aparna Wagdi, Harpreet Narula and Monu Khemkha.

Displaying the collections will be leading models including Michelle Innis, Shonali Nagrani, Sapna Kumar, Ramneek Paintal, Sharan Mishra, Parul Chaudhary, Monikangkana Dutta, Diana, Sahiba, Sunaina Tandon, Shonalika Sahay and Barkha Kaul. The event has been conceptualised and is being managed by Delhi-based Grassroot Communications Limited.

The collections on display during the exhibition consists of unique and distinctive style with original and traditional appeal. The designs strive hard to bring out the best in every woman through ensembles that are traditional and contemporary.

This is not all. The designs speak of tremendous hard work and superb craftsmanship. The product range includes assortment of fabrics, silhouettes, colours and embroideries. The style ranges from smart casual to the ornately formal.

You will also see exquisite and delicately handcrafted masterpieces that are classic and timeless, ensembles that can passed on to generations. The work promises to preserve Indian tradition, besides the legacy of the Indian craftsman.

In fact, the ensembles have an understated elegance marked by a restrained, classic style. The inspiration ranges from Mughal art to Persian architecture, from jewellery to graphic art, and from Renaissance to Baroque art.

The designers have used intricate art work on the garments as opposed to more graphic work available in the market. The reason is not hard to see. They believe in remaining true to the Indian tradition of painstaking art work. They successfully combine flair for fine arts and inclination towards fashion by designing ensembles for stores synonymous with high fashion.

Out there in the exhibition, the attires have an appeal. Elaborate skirts are shaped in various ways, including unusual volumes, besides strategic layering and A-symmetry. Sarees too have been transformed. The stuff exudes elegance and informality.

Giving details, an organiser says that the emphasis is on clean-cut silhouettes and intricate handwork. A strong foundation in neo-classical aesthetics, coupled with an unparalleled standard of perfection in production, is the essence of the designs. Clear silhouettes, innovative fabrics and a wealth of crafts come alive in the creations. The designs are a homage to modern woman, who is a blend of confidence, professionalism and strength.

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New Release
Great expectations from ‘Lakshya’

In the 57th year of India’s Independence patriotic fervour is running high. There are great expectations from Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Lakshya’ which is set against the turbulence of the Kargil war and its heroes. After making super duper hit ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ one film wonder Farhan Akhtar, son of Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, is ready to take centrestage with his Rs 35 crore, ‘Lakshya’, an ambitious film which was appreciated by the Cannes Film Festival Jury. It is one of the most anticipated movies of 2004. This one will be released today at KC and Fun Republic, Chandigarh, and KC, Panchkula. ‘Lakshya’ is an Excel Entertainment Venture from the duo who brought you ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, producer Ritesh Sidhwani and director Farhan Akhtar. Javed Akhtar returns to full fledged writing with son Farhan Akhtar’s second film, ‘Lakshya’, yet another film on war scenes. ‘Lakshya’ stars Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Nawab, Prashant, Boman Irani, Sharad Kapoor, Sushant Singh and the versatile actor Om Puri.

Shot widely in Dehradun, Ladakh and Delhi, ‘Lakshya’ focuses on the Kargil and Operation Vijay. It is a drama revolving around one character (Hrithik Roshan) and how he finds himself. A part of this journey is in Kargil where this character is commissioned as an Army officer when the war breaks out. Boasting of a big star cast and a big budget ‘Lakshya’ promises something different. The promos have already generated a lot of pre-release interest. People who have seen the rushes swear it surpasses all earlier films as far as technique is concerned. Director Farhan Akhtar and composers trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy once again teams up after ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. The expectations are high from ‘Lakshya’ music. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics are exemplary. So get ready to watch ‘Lakshya’ in which a close cropped Hrithik pairs with Preity Zinta and Big B.

Dharam Pal

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