EDUCATION

Academy to hold painting contest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 13
Vijay Informations, Fine Arts Academy, Hyderabad, has decided to organise All-India monthly painting competition for schoolchildren.

The top 10 prize winners will be awarded mementos and merit certificates. Children from Class I to XII could send their entries to Prof K. Sunder Kumar, Secretary, Vijay Informations, House No. 21-106/5, Syndicate Bank Colony, V.V. Nagar, P&T Colony (GAD), P.O. Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad - 500 060 on or before July 17.

The competition will be held in three categories: Sub-juniors (Classes I to V); juniors (Classes VI to VIII); seniors (Classes IX to XII).

The entry fee for the contest is Rs 100 per student. It should be paid by money order. Each child artist can send up to five paintings for the contest. Participants can choose their own topic and medium in water colour, pencils, crayons or black and white. The following details are to be given at the back of each entry in English and in block letters: name, age and sex, class, title of the painting, school or college address and residential address. Entries should be sent by registered post, speed post or courier service only.

Results will be announced 45 days after closing date of the contest and all winners will be notified by post. Paintings will be used by Vijay Informations and would not be returned. Awards and prizes will be sent directly to the schools, junior colleges and individuals concerned by registered parcel post. All correspondence should be in English.

Dates of PMET exam, counselling clash
Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 13
Parents of many candidates who are scheduled to appear for the PMET re- examination on June 30 have pointed out that the examination date clashes with the admission counselling for medical colleges in UT Chandigarh.

Admissions to three medical colleges in Chandigarh would be held on June 29, 30 and July 1. On June 29, counselling for reserved category students would take place followed by those from the general category on June 30 and July 1.

Kids’ date with Rana Ranbir
Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 13
Rana Ranbir, a comedian and theatre artiste, interacted with children at a camp fire organised by Tiny Tots Foundation School, Phase X, here.

He was invited for special appearance at the ongoing summer camp organised by the school in association with the Sarghi Kala Kender.

He shared his experiences as a comedian on television and big screen. He also gave them tips on acting.

Later, children took part in a dance party.

The summer camp will go on till June 18 and will conclude with a function in which students will showcase their skills in theatre.

CULTURE

From child prodigy to maestro
S.D. Sharma

Six-years-old child prodigy Chandigarh- based Avirbhav, has been doing concerts in India and abroad, ever since he shared the centre stage with his illustrious guru and farher Pandit Pawan Kumar Verma. Father a maestro of Punjab gharana, had died in an accident when his aesthetic accomplishments were at its zenith.

But an interaction with the serene Avirbhav will assure you that the family tradition of excellence is secure in his hands.

A Punjab state honour with a citation and cash award of Rs 1 lakh had been given to Avirbhav, at the age of 16, for his achievements and contribution to classical music by the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amrinder Singh.

Avirbhav is a student of BA at SD College. His tabla playing reflects the originality of tradition combined with an aesthetic imagination producing intricate rhythmic patterns, a rarity indeed for a maestro still in his teens.

Avirbhav had performed his maiden solo teen taal on DD Jalandhar before moving to Indonesia with his parents, who were on an ICCR assignment at the India Cultural Centre Jakarta for about eight years. Both Avirbhav and brother Swarit had exposure to the multi edifying cultural shades of the alien land. He attempted various improvisations and fusion of Indian traditional and folk with contemporary music forms while leading a six member band of younger artists. The band having instruments like a drum, lead and base guitar, saxophone, violin and danduk (Tabla), performed at various music festivals in Singapore, Brazil, Poland and Holland.

Back home Avirbhav’s talent won him participation in the prestigious International Shrophire (UK) and Punjab Cultural Exchange programme. During the troupe’s performance of classical and folk music at London, Landrineo, Wales, Manchester and other places, Avirbhav won tremendous applause, where he gave a dexterous display of percussion on side rhythms like jimbi, egg shake, tambourine and bongos which he had mastered during his stay in Indonesia.

The teen aged maestro won the hearts of Canadians during performances at Calgiri, Edmonton, Prince George on the invitation of the Raag Mala Society, Canada, in 2003. He accompanied ace sitarist Manu Kumar seen and Pandit Lachman Singh Seen. “Such was the popularity of our shows that the tour slated for one month had to be extended for six months”, said Avirbhav. He said that tabla had now acquired the significant grading of a solo instrument and was no longer confined to accompanied activity. “There is latent rhythm in every melody which a tabla exponent should spawn to its vivid veneration by listeners, says Avirbhav.