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Lage raho Munnabhai has managed to wake us up once again to the Gandhian values.
There was (or do we say is), indeed, nothing official about him. A noticeably short stature clad in his signature white dhoti, no-nonsense spectacles and yes, a sprightly walk, always marching one step ahead of the march of time. Nonetheless, he wielded a power, unknown to us mortals. Or why would a Government official, who hated parking his car at a proper place, give up the idea of picking up a fight with the Parking-wala after getting a lesson on Gandhigiri in Lago Raho Munnabhai? Or why would some Lucknow residents stage a novel protest, against opening of a wine shop near a temple, in the city’s busy Rana Pratap Marg? Why would they (sporting Gandhi caps and carrying flowers), march towards the Collectorate and meet senior administrative officials to press their demand for removal of the wine shop by offering roses and a memorandum containing their demands to passers-by? And though the recent flick has delved deep in the recesses of national consciousness helped scoop out those Gandhian principals to the forefront, the fact remains that Gandhi never lost conviction as a leader who embodies human fulfillment through righteousness. By making his satya aur ahimsa(truth and non-violence) the open secret of the common man’s unrivalled success, Gandhi has become the anti-thesis and the antidote, to the mind-numbing banality of all dysfunctional officialdom, and injustice.So the growing craze for Gandhigiri, is not just a fad popularized by a movie, but rather an inner calling of us Indians, triggered off by the movie Lage Raho Munnabhai, of course, say the city residents. Chips in corporate buff Priyanka Khosla, Managing Director, Flying Cats, Adds Mohit Chitkara, Vice President, Chitkara Educational Trust, believes that Mahatma Gandhi has and would lead the moral landscape of our country for many generations to come. “The ideals of Mahatma Gandhi still hold sway in the corporate world. Enterprises built on ethics, honesty, truth and values have sustained and will continue to beat the competition.”.” But for most youngsters, Gandhi is their newly found hero, thanks to a recent flick. Opine aviation students Tashi Bodh and Neha Bagga, “Watching the love-lorn Munnabhai answer a Gandhian quiz on a phone-in radio quiz with the help of kidnapped professors, besides being one of the most comically animated sequences, revived our interest in Gandhi ji and we wanted to know more about him that what we’ve learned in those boring history lessons.” Add movie buff Sonia Lilran, “ Though a wee short of tears, ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ goes a long way in creating an endearing parable on the importance of being earnest in a world of growing duplicity. When the aggressive Munna turns his other cheek,you actually wonder if Gandhian values still have a place in our hearts.” Adds friend Tarveen Kaur, “Munna and Circuit, are arguably cinema’s most adorable and roguish reformists since Laurel and Hardy. In the movie, they go about the business of generating humour out of the pathos of human conditions. But what captivates most is Gandhi’s presence.” Undoubtedly, the movie has dared to instill in us the dream of Gandhian peace in a world of extravagant cynicism and rancour ( remember one of Munna’s favourite words in the movie is ‘daring’? ).As responsible citizens, it’s on us now to get inspired by the movie, not just by aping Vidya Balan’s Gooooood Moooorning …. India, but listening to the bapu in all of us- the voice of our conscience.
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Revival of Mahatma —
fact or fiction? Lage Raho Munnabhai, for you have given us a new mantra to live life by. New? Well, actually is it not all that new-fangled. As old as the stars and the moon, as pristine as truth, as fresh as the lilies that unfurl in the morning sun, they comprise the essence of life, lessons we seemed to have left behind as all of us grew up. Lessons that now lie in dusty tomes— bulky, portly books—on the Mahatma. “I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before any one even at the cost of your life” The question is, whether Gandhigiri is the revivalist movement that is going to spur the readers into browsing through the thousands of works published on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or are the shelves going to lie untouched, still? “People are talking after the movie and the positive buzz is noticeable everywhere, but there is no rush to buy books that one can talk of, at least not in the city,” say both Ajay Arora of Capital Book Depot-17 and Pankaj P. Singh of Browser Library and Bookstore-8. But exceptions to the rule do exist. Vijaya Lalli, a housewife in Ludhiana, drove down all the way to Chandigarh, to scout through the bookshops here to see what she could get on Gandhiji. She went back armed with half a dozen titles. But this sort of devotion is not a frequent occurrence. “People just want the see the name of the Mahatma on the title of a book and that is enough for them. Even if they do not buy or borrow it, they will certainly leaf through it, the curiosity is high,” says Jagdeep Kaur who along with her husband Pankaj, at the Browser, has been privy to several inquiries on books on the Mahatma. And Jagdeep, herself, is a convert. “The movie is like a breath of fresh air. It makes you realise how simple it really is to deal with life. I have started teaching my children how important it is to be calm in a moment of crisis instead of reacting immediately and the correct responses are coming from them,” she smiles. An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. That sense will only come if there is exposure to his teachings but that can only happen if we know about this life. To help the process along there is even an audio book released by Karadi Tales based on Gandhiji’s autobiography, The Story Of My Experiments With Truth. Textured with songs and background score and narrated by filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and actor Nandita Das it is a fine introduction to the life of the Mahatma, but unfortunately it has not found ready buyers here. “In India, Gandhi is a subject of deep academic research so why will someone read 400 pages on an analysis,” explains Pankaj. “An easy, readable style will make people want to pick up these books but someone needs to do it our country,” says Ajay. Case in point being, Puffin’s recent publication of Jawahar Lal Nehru’s Letters from a father to his daughter for young children. So perhaps the need of the hour is to simply the message of the Mahatma, the way Munna does. For Gandhiji did say, “As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves.” On October 2, this year the Mahatma turns a venerable 136 years old and that is more than a century of creating a buzz, one way or another. Would he have smiled at all this? Yes he would have, at least, at the effort of it all.
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Ravana is turning hi-tech. Instead of just standing there, he will spin his head before blowing out fire from his mouth and eyes in the Dusshera of 2006, says
Saurabh Malik Ravana’s new avatar is rising from the ashes of old after reduction to ruins in the Dusshera of 2005. Like the phoenix, the good old baddie of great Indian mythology is getting to his feet again! To breathe fire and look around in anger with furious eyes burning literally! And helping him to stand are Muslim artists from across the country. Fellows, just in case you haven’t seen him preparing for the never-final end, drive down the road meandering its way through festivities to reach the Dusshera grounds in the city. You will witness the whirling wheels of change gearing up to spin Ravana’s face, practically. Metamorphosed “In 2006, the transformed yet unchanged Lanka king will not only rotate his head furiously on the pivot of his neck after he is struck by the arrow of his deeds, but will also puff out fire from his mouth, and eyes, before going up in flames eventually,” says artist Ziya. What’s more, the Ravana built by the Dusshera Committee of Sector 46 will be set on fire by a remote control. Talk about technology! In Chandigarh all the way from Meerut especially for preparing the models of Ravana and his two accomplices, Ziya asserts: “Until a few years ago, things were not so complicated. You simply had to stuff fireworks in the models after erecting them with bamboo sticks. But now the process of effigy-making is going high-tech.” Folks, Ziya knows what he is saying. Preparing Ravana and others since 1984, he belongs to a family of artists involved in setting up not just the effigies, but also tableaus for the Janamashtmi. His now 85-year-old-father Mainuddin was actively involved in the process until last year. Free from Dusshera celebrations, Ziya sets up stages for religious and other plays. Side-effects Wiping beads of perspiration dotting his brow, he adds: As the artists are now competing with special-effects in the flicks, and even in so many serials on the intelligent box, they have to make sure that the effigies react and are not expressionless. “So now we are coming up with effigies that rotate their heads and blow out fire from both mouth and eyes,” asserts another artist Aftab from Delhi. “For the purpose of gearing up the effigies to spin, we use the mechanism of gears. Even, the rockets and other fireworks get better with each passing year”. Standing next to him on the Panjab University campus, effigy-maker Sikandar says: “This time we are also preparing `Lanka’ with four domes, equal number of pillars and a gigantic gate with an impressive umbrella in the varsity grounds. Lord Hanuman will set it on fire with his tail as a part of the Dusshera celebrations”. Burning creation For him and other artists, it is tough to prepare something they know is not going to last for long. Yet they do not allow hopelessness, or even lethargy, to creep in. “Every year begins with a new hope,” says Ziya before heaving a deep sign. As he painstakingly undertakes the process of molding the ornaments for the effigies out of papier-mâché, you realise each beginning has an end, but that finish is not always the grand finale.
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Playing Sita He was inspired by Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana. The role of Sita, played by Dipika, in particular fascinated him. So impressed was he that he started to imagine himself to be a part of the Ramayana unit. Today, he leaves behind his entire work to play her part on the stage. Meet Devinder Kumar. He has been playing the role of Sita in Ramlila for the past 16 years. He started his career by playing the role in the great Indian epic staged by the OCF Sanskrit Manch at the tender age of 15. The stage has shifted. These days it is the Ramlila organised by Sector 7 Nav Yug Ramlila Committee. Working as salesman with Bansal Auto Zone in Sector 28 here, Devinder plays the role of husband and good father off-stage, but he just cannot wait for the Ramlilas to begin so that he can display his real flair once again. “People react differently to the reality that I play Sita’s part,” he says. “Some look up to me with awe, others think it’s weird, but I am happy my family cooperates with me in playing this role. In fact, my children enjoy to a watch me on stage when I am playing the role of Sita.” Well things are not very easy for him. Before the beginning of Ramlila he has to borrow his wife’s sari and buy cosmetics and other stuff for makeup. “I don’t feel shy at all in buying cosmetic and other things like lipstick, bindi, bangles and hair wig. For, it’s all for pious purposes,” he says. Talking about the role, Devinder says, “Playing the role of opposite sex was challenging. Initially, I found it difficult, but now I get out of the male mentality and start feelings like a woman to give my best and do justice to the role. When I am playing this role, I never feel awkward”.
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Cool Cat
If you have drunk milk at the Vita Kisok in Panchkula, chances are that you know him. He is our own city-based artist Praveen Behal who has left his mark all over the try city — be it the interior of Sunbeam Hotel or the design of the prasad ghar at Mansa Devi temple. Or may be you have even bought one of his Oceano cards at some occasion or other. A visit to Praveen’s studio Oceanographics comes as an anti-climax. Cluttered with art works, one does not know where to look and so does meeting the artist himself. As soon as introductions are made, he throws you off guard by asking to draw a line of your choice. As you feel being led on, you try to trap him by drawing a curvy line. You give it back to him and within seconds he converts it into a nice boundary line with a beautiful scenery behind. And your rapport with the artist is made. As you glance through the list of the projects he had executed so far both for the city and Himachal, you know he is a person who creates for the pleasure of creation and also one who goes for serious subjects. His motorised model on rainwater harvesting and snow-water harvesting, hundreds of sketches on female feoticide and alcoholism give you enough food for your brain. So when he says that at present he is working on sketches on cats, it surely grabs our attention. What brings the deviation? “May be the Tom and Jerry show,” he says with a laugh. “Well to be honest I find cats quite fascinating with their intellect and haughty nature. They remind me of us and besides their cute features can be moulded easily into any form,” he says on a serious note. Incidentally this cat series is going to be the first-ever public exhibition for this 1987-batch Art College student. He learnt applied art as a student but he handles oil, water or mural making with equal ease. “Now I want to try out animation and if this cat series turns out to be a success, I will turn them into a full-fledged series,” he says. He has sketched about 18 cats in different sizes and shapes and once completed, it is expected to touch about 50 or so. “I have compared them with human beings, so all my cats are well-dressed and civilized with a close-knit family oriented outlook,” he says giving a glimpse of what is about to come. In fact this is the message he is trying to give across. “In a time when families are breaking down and values are fast eroding, we need to imbibe them among our children and what best method will be there than giving them through animation?” he sounds confident enough to make an investment in this project. And looking at the popularity of the Cartoon Network and Pogo who can argue with this one?
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FUN WITH FASHION As the delightfully slight nip in the air sets in, enhancing the joie de verve of the festival season, it’s time to celebrate the sun-kissed mornings and cool starry nights. And when celebrations begin, can exotic clothes be far behind? So friends, its time to dabble in some delectable concoctions offered by designers and fashion stores across the region. However, though it would be ideal to play with sheer georgette kurtis, vibrant, sensual satin tops and crystal-studded dare-bare spaghettis for formal evenings, choosing casual and comfy, yet smart daily wear can get confusing. For, what’s needed here is a heady mix of something that looks chic and keeps us warm, but without choking us to a bulky-sweater-like-suffocation. So, what do we do? Dig out those high-neck skivvies from our bed boxes? Not yet. Instead, a great idea would be to experiment with a layered look by getting wrapped in shrugs! Short n’ sweet Merge romantic pastels with funky florals, conjure up a mélange of fruity colours and some splashed glamour…and voila, what you get is a shrug. For the uninitiated, a shrug is like a very short jacket (that ends much above the waistline} and is worn over a skin filled long top. This miniature sweater usually only covers the upper arms, either like a traditional sweater or a unique cloak. In short, a shrug is sort of like a cropped jacket. You could also think of it as a wrap with sleeves, or a short cardigan with no buttons. Sometimes the line between shrugs and sweaters gets a little blurry, a shrug is something that is cropped and a sweater, cardigan or jacket as something the hits at or near the waist. Shrugs are fun, playful, can be elegant or casual and can be stitched up pretty quickly. Romance unfurled The shrug provides a bit of warmth, but is mainly used for the fashion statement. Not only does it make the wearer look slimmer at the waistline, but also conceals what one does not wanna reveal (remember that exotic strapless top you badly wanted but couldn’t buy because of the strapless hassle?). By wearing a shrug over a backless or strapless top or frock, one can stay warm and covered, without loosing the total glamour of the outfit. Digging in delight Shrugs today are available in a heady brew of colours, right from whites, pale pinks and beiges to aquas and sunshine yellows. And the fabrics, in which they are available, are varied too…petal soft laces, elegant crochets, cashmere, stretch velvet, flowing silks, crispy cottons, exotic crushed raw silks and the forever hip and happening denims. Smiles Tarun of Ten West, Sector 10, Chandigarh, “Crochet shrugs are also very popular right now in the fashion world. Especially, since the poncho came back with such a vengeance a few years ago, the crafty trend taken the fashion and craft worlds by storm. Team it right And finally, one has to team these shrugs with the right kind of accessories. After all, the whole idea behind wearing them is not just to get some warmth for those chilly evenings, but also to make a style statement. A great idea, hence, would be to wear them over luxurious tops made from supple silk with beading, sequins, embroidery, or lace accents. Pick a top in a juicy, vibrant color like apple green or jewel tone burgundy and team it with a pastel shrug. Choose a luxurious pashmina wrap to serve as a stunning accessory and keep your bare shoulders warm. Wearing a shrug over a sporty puffer vest too, is a great choice this fall for outerwear. Look for a faux fur vest in wild colors and textures for a fun and funky look and team it with a fluff shrug.
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Voice your talent
As defined in the Dictionary, a voice-over is the technique by which any disembodied voice is broadcast live or pre-recorded in radio, theatre, corporate shows, fashion shows, presentations, television commercials, television programs, animation and live-action films. The commercial use of voice-overs in advertising has been popular ever since the beginning of radio. The industry expanded very rapidly with the advent of television in the 1950’s and the age of effectively produced serial radio shows became even more popular. These voices are selling products on the radio and you are buying them, right. Yes, voice-overs are the major part of the jingles that you sing in the shower or while driving and just can’t figure out why, and these are the little buzz words that you say at odd times of the day because the advertiser has drilled them into your head more than 30 times a day…“ Thanda matlab……”, “The tyre with muscle”, “Yeh dil maange more”, “The taste of India” etc., are examples of this careful drilling process. In simple words, a voice-over performer is someone who reads the copy effectively. Voice-overs on radio and television commercials are considered to be anything up to three minutes in length and anything over three minutes is considered a voice-over narration. In the case of television, if you hear the person speak while he or she is on-camera, then that is not a voice-over (Don’t confuse voice-overs with dubbing). Actually dubbing is putting your voice in place of another person’s. Voice-overs are also the voices that you hear in animation films, audio books, corporate films, webmercials, infomercials, film trailers, commercial tag lines, promotional spots and so forth. If you are looking for a rewarding career in this challenging field then ask yourself these two questions. How’s my voice? And can I act a bit? A good interesting voice will surely help, as it makes people remember you and what you are selling. I refer to it as the “icing on the cake”. But, having a good voice isn’t everything. You also need to know how to act a little bit. It requires getting in front of the microphone, saying the copy with the right delivery and making it all come at the precise length required. And get ready for many takes and even more retakes. Mind you, it is not as simple as it seems. But what can surely help is training because this is from where one learns the little nuances of this profession. But make sure, you get trained from a professional who himself has extensive experience in this field. I have known many voice-over artistes who just don’t do anything else but lend their voices for at times, even more than Rs 2500/- per second. Yes, they do get paid this much and the best part is that work keeps on flowing regularly. And with the radio and animation boom in India, the time is ripe to jump into this
profession. (The writer is a renowned Radio Personality running Radio Buzz and The Take-One Academy of Broadcasting, a Radio Jockey trainer, voice expert and an international broadcaster)
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MATKA CHOWK
Even a couple of weeks ago we were perspiring and complaining of the heat. Then one morning, I stepped onto the verandah and felt that the world has changed! There was a distinct coolness in the morning air! The tress seemed to have sprung yellow flowers overnight! The sky was azure blue with very few milky white clouds. As I watched flocks of emerald green parrots flying by, I realized with a sudden jolt of great happiness that autumn has arrived and so has the festive season! I always enjoy this season greatly – not because of the sweets or the gifts – but because of the pervasive sense of joy that spreads through the city slowly. In the nights when I lay in bed, I can hear the strains of Ramleela flowing in through the window along with the balmy breeze. I see the crowds swelling up in the stores, women lovingly surveying sarees as well as silverware. It is an affirmation of faith - of living and loving through one more year. I see pretty young girls eagerly waiting to get mehendi done on their palms and selecting bangles and earrings for the upcoming days of significance. There is an abundance of joie de vivre that I absolutely cherish. Try hanging out at Sector 17 on any of these evenings, if you are lucky enough to get a parking! The stores are getting decorated. Deepmalas are adorning the trees! Families are out previewing Divali gifts. Street side entrepreneurs are busy hustling. Ice-cream man is trying to grow more hands. Parkingwallas look like they are on a daily diet of Chyavanprash. Even the kids are not interested in crying! Of course, the sight of new food never fails to make one’s heart happy, even if you deny yourself due gastronomical delight. Gajjaks and rewris are making their rounds! Cadbury’s might not need Mr Bacchhan to celebrate ‘Pappu Paas ho gaya’ around this time. Just the mere sight of those colorfully wrapped Divali packs is enough to warm your insides! The fact that I would only eat the badaam and give away the mithai is another story all together! Of course, the kids are already experimenting with the fireworks as we can hear some erratic and premature patakas already adding to the sound of the season. Flowers are ready to bloom in the lake. The little islands are dotted with undulating Kashphool or Bullrush - a sign that Durgapuja cannot be far away! Soon, the diyas will fill the market floors and great bunches of flowers will also find their place. Stations will be full with people waiting for their loved one to arrive and roads will be full of people who are out for no reason at all. I am looking forward to the coming month with great pleasure!
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WRITE TO RENEE I am 21-year-old and have always felt different and have been a loner. I used to feel that nobody understands me. I would pray a lot and I felt that God was my only true friend and that he alone would help me, through anything and everything. But now I have started feeling very unhappy with myself. I feel frustrated and bitter with my life and feel all those around me have cheated me. None of my relationships seem to be giving me any satisfaction and all aspects of my life seem to be negatively colored. I am always ill and feel angry at the world at large why is this so? Help me please. Sukhjinder Walia You are deeply connected to yourself within and to life. All of life is about powerful thoughts and it is our thoughts that create our experiences. As a child since you had a deep connection to life and the universe you felt perhaps lonesome but more fulfilled, comparatively. But now as an adult you are allowing your environmental circumstances to affect you too much. You must remember that people will treat you the way you treat yourself. You are bitter about some incidents from your childhood, which you are relating to your present circumstances and thereby making yourself unhappy. When you are more positively focused, all aspects of your life will indeed imbibe that colour. You need to re-establish your connection with God. Start trying to help others and you will be naturally healed, healthy and happy. I am a 38-year-old and deeply concerned over my relationship with my girlfriend. We have grown up together as friends sharing all our secrets and over the years developed a beautiful bond together. But I feel that I am the one who makes the effort to keep the relationship going as she suddenly has a habit of turning aloof and distant and I find this very confusing. I would like to spend my life with her but am afraid to ask her as I’m afraid of the answer. I am so used to having her in my life but it is confusing to figure out her attitude. How do I convince her to be with me? Avinash It is indeed a relief to know that there are some sensitive and gentle men around who are more worried about other people’s feelings more than their own. You share a special bond with your friend but then as you say she remains withdrawn and distant with you I’m sure she has her reasons for doing so. Of course you make an effort to find out in a sensible fashion by not appearing to be too prying. You have to learn to love and respect people for the way they are. She may be shy or apprehensive about your feelings towards her. If you are sure of yourself then you definitely need not be afraid of the answer. Rejoice in the time that you had bad together and show her that you love, respect and admire her, she will naturally come out with her true feelings for you. Rush in your queries to Renee at
lifestyle@tribunemail.com
or care of Lifestyle, The Tribune,
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People with long supple neck should strengthen the neck muscles, as they are more prone to develop pain in the neck than individuals with short stocky neck because of the greater leverage and demand placed on the muscles.
— Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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