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Language fad picks up in city
Chandigarh, June 23 Brian and Joanne Rogers, ‘expatriated’ from the cooler climes of North East England, are braving the intense Chandigarh heat in pursuit of this venture. Brian, a manager with an Indo-German-Japanese joint venture, Sigma Freudenberg Nok Pvt Ltd, starts his day with a cheery “guten tag” or ‘good day’ with his German counterparts. For Joanna, it is a way of keeping busy in a new country, “Learning German seemed like ‘the’ thing to do.” The excitement of using a new language, of ultimately speaking German in Germany is adding to the excitement of the experience. “It also seems fun to learn together, a whole new experience.” Why German? “I am required to know a little German at my place of work”, says Brian who certainly has an ulterior motive in persuading his wife to study along with him, “She will go shop if she does not have an activity to keep her busy!” he smiles wickedly. For Joanna, shopping is her only succour for the whole Indian experience has been a revelation. “Everything in this country is so different. Looking after the house, going vegetable shopping, the beans are in one shop and the bananas in another, in Britain everything is under one roof.” Surinder Singh Maaken, proprietor and instructor at the ‘School of German Language’ is an old pro at teaching foreigners. His repertoire consists of several such triumphs-German to a Japanese lady, Hindi to a German girl and Punjabi to two German women-the combinations are as varied as they are curious.
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Personality development camp ends
Chandigarh, June 23 Students in the age group 14-20 year participated in the camp. According to Ms B.K. Achal, various lectures and workshops on memory techniques, time management, positive mental attitude, importance of goal setting, national integration, discipline and confidence building were conducted. Rajyoga Teacher BK Leena asked the students to set goals and try to realise dreams to achieve it. Dreams would be transformed into positive and powerful thoughts and in turn thoughts would result into action, she added.
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Applications for scholarship invited
Chandigarh, June 23 The eligibility conditions include 60 per cent or more marks in qualifying examinations, mother tongue should not be Hindi, the students should not belong to a non-Hindi speaking state, students should have passed the last university or board final examination not before 2005. The application forms are available from the office of the Director Public Instructions in Sector 9 and should reach the office by August 31.
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Mirza Ghalib comes to life
“Puuchhte hain vo ke‘Ghalib’ kaun hai, koi batlaao ke ham batlayen kya..?” Yes, the legendary poet might have been skeptical about the sarcastic inquiry from his lady love (Nawaab jaan) but, here at the Tagore Theatre, the elite city audience literally saw, felt and heard ‘Ghalib’ confessing to “Naa gule nagma hun naa parda-e-saaz, mein hoon apni hi shikasat ki awaaz…”
It was courtesy the Shimla-based Munir Cultural Forum and Haryana Urdu Academy which teamed up with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh, for staging the classic play ‘ ‘Mirza Ghalib’ in Hindustani. The play sculpted , designed and directed by Parvesh Jassal attempted to bring alive and magnify the realities of the protagonist’s personal life dominated by the secular and humanist character of the persona of the legendary poet. With nominal sets on stage, the artistes recreated the ambience of the old Moghul splendour through crisp dialogues. The play revealed the confessions of Ghalib — like his abundant love for Mugal Jaan and wine, his being unethical in conduct at times but always nursing his impassioned obsession of poetry. The sequential face-to-face encounters between Ghalib and the poet laureate Zauq sometimes disheartened him, but many admirers of his poetic genius predicted prominence and recognition after his death. This kept him going despite the frustration due the untimely demise of his seven children and financial constraints. He kept the poet and the person in him alive to enrich the Urdu and Persian literature with no rival. Speaking from his very soul with confidence, he compliments his proficiency through his couplet ‘Hein aur bhi duniyan mein sukhanvar bahut achhe kehte hain Ghalib ka hai andaaz e byan aur.” The potent theme of rich poetic content enlivened the interest of the audience despite many leaking holes. Almost all actors failed in their vocal culture and throwing of the
dialogues. The action was confined to the rear part of the stage, leaving the audience berft of clear audible voice but still the audience applauded frequently. The background narrative commentary and musical pieces on sitar deserve special mention. Earlier the acclaimed litterateur and Secretary Haryana Urdu academy welcomed the Chief guest Dr A.R. Kidwai, Governor of Haryana. Parvesh Jassal, Taruna, Vandana, Lalit, Shaini, Hari Kapur, Sanjay Veer, Ravinder Prakash, Deepak, Anil Sharma formed the cast. The play will be repeated at the Kalagram complex on June 24 at 7 pm.
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Youngsters cool to relationships
Being a teenager is not easy these days. One has to be hep and, of course, have a “relationship” that counts as ‘cool’ amongst friends. The ‘R’ word that sends parents into a tizzy and provides excitement to friends’ lives seems to be more of a fashion statement than a situation that merits thought and time.
Most relationships are informal, especially amongst young people, for whom there are bigger worries to stress upon — the next college, a big job and a better salary, than going for a commitment which they don’t want at their age. Preeti Kapur, 19-year-old, studying at Panjab University in the city, says she has had boyfriends since she was 16 but most of them have been ‘casual’. “I want to be a television anchor one day and I certainly do not want someone to distract me from my goal. Of course I want someone who loves me and cares for me but there is so much time for it. Why bother now?” In Chandigarh, which is still opening up to the idea of boys and girls moving around together, a relationship constitutes an ‘opportunity’ — a chance to be with some you like, who can take you around, pamper you. It seems more about what having fun and letting your hair down. Ashima, a student from Panjab University is crazy about the ‘geris’ she takes with her boyfriend every evening. “I love sitting on a bike as people around take me to be a bold and daring. I want to be different and not add my name to those serious lovebirds.” It is this aspect of ‘being different’ from the rest that seems to be prompting the youngsters to ‘go around’ or be involved. Relationships after all involve high emotional nurturing and a responsibility that the young today are unwilling to invest it. “If two people have an understanding that they are together to have fun and enjoy each other’s company what is wrong?” asks Kirandeep, a 20-year-old call centre executive. “Due to more exposure, the teenagers these days are becoming materialistic, giving priority to worldly means of entertainment rather than sharing their feelings with each other. This generation is actually a confused one and their confusion varies from careers to relationships”, says Ashupriya, owner of the ‘Institute of Personality And Aptitude’ clinic in Sector-32. Material goods are the ‘mantra’ for the young generation who give precendence to their status over their feelings. “A mobile was the very first gift I presented to my girlfriend which she preferred to the girly soft toys,” says Aman, a collegiate. The enthusiastic youngsters these days are having a break off due to political and economic reasons. “The attitude of youngsters is changing as they are aping the western culture and giving more importance to money than relationships,” said Ms Rahel Ftarani Minas, counsellor in YPS School, Mohali. She also quotes a line from an international book which she has been using as the bible for many years: “They should buy anything they want but friends can’t be bought.” So if you want to enter into a relationship, take it ‘coolly’ so as to make a tag of fashion statement and not a stigma of being engaged and being ignored by those cool dudes.
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New Releases
Shah Rukh Khan’s banner Red Chillies Entertainment’s presentation, ‘Paheli’ is one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2005. The much-hyped film has been produced by Gauri Khan. Noted actor and director Amol Palekar is different in this film from his earlier films, “Akriet” and “Anahat”. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachchan, Sunil Shetty, Anupam Kher, Juhi Chawla and Rajpal Yadav. It has been shot in Rajasthan and Mumbai within 43 days. It will be very interesting to see what the Amol Palekar and Shah Rukh Khan combination brings up. “Paheli” will be released today at Piccadily, Chandigarh; Suraj, Panchkula and Fun Republic, Mani Majra.
“Paheli” is based on a novel “Duvidha” by literary stalwart Vijaydan Detha. The novel was first adapted on the silver screen by famous filmmaker Mani Kaul in 1973. Based on a story from Rajasthani folkfore, “Paheli” will have Shahrukh Khan playing the character of a ghost who falls in love with a married woman, played by Rani Mukherjee. Gulzar has penned the lyrics for music composer M.M. Kreem of “Jism” fame. Traditional Rajasthani instruments can be heard in the sound track. Kumar Gandharva’s granddaughter Kalapani Kamakali, Shruti Sadolikar and Bela Shende give playback with Sonu Nigam and Shreyra Ghosal. Sleaze show
Evershine Films’ “Chetna - The Excitement” is presented by Infotech Ltd, Jatin Grewal and Navneet Kaur. Sex bomb Payal Rohatgi’s movies continue to appear regularly. Today the audience will witness yet another addition to the “sleazefest” in the form of “Chetna”. Veteran director B.R. Ishara had directed “Chetna” in 1970 on a relationship between a young man and a prostitute. Promos of the new film “Chetna”, directed by Partho Ghosh of “Agnisakshi” fame indicate a similar theme. Daboo Malik and Parveen Bhardwaj handle music and lyrics, respectively. The film opens today at Neelam, Chandigarh.
— D.P
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