Panchkula, November 4
A quotation contest was held at the Chamanlal DAV Senior Public School, Sector 11, here today. Organised for the students of Classes I to IV, the tiny tots displayed remarkable skills while speaking on various subjects.

The junior students presented theme-based quotations on faith, courage, books, criticism and happiness.

Mani Majra, November 4
A counselling session on diet and nutrition was held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Modern Housing Complex, here today. The session was conducted by the School Health Department, Chandigarh.

Dr Param Jyoti, School Health Officer, and dieticians from the School Health Department interacted with parents, teachers and schoolchildren on issues related with health and nutrition.

They apprised them about the importance of food, vegetables and fruits for the proper growth and development of children and emphasised on the development of good eating habits.

They made the audience aware of different minerals which are essential for the growth of the children. After the lecture, a session was also organised between the parents and the doctors. The parents participated and made queries regarding the health problems of their children.

Ms Indu Bala, Principal, expressed the need for health and nutrition. 

Chandigarh, November 4
The Plaza Carnival at Sector 17 had a mixed presentations this evening.

The main presentation of the day was a compact programme prepared by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Haryana. they featured Haryanavi folk songs, dances and comedies, which were typical to the state. They were unique in style and conception.

The highlight of the day was the performance by folk artiste Mahabir Guddu who delighted the audiences with Bamlahiri, Panghat songs and raginis. The programme had an interlude with expert martial arts presentation made by B.S. Handa (black belt, fourth degree). He was accompanied by 20 students of the Martial Arts Academy at Chadigarh.

At the artist’s corner, Prof Ajay Pandey of Government College of Art, Sector 10, demonstrated toy making in clay. Art College students also made portraits of visitors, painted pictures and tattoos. The show was sponsored by The Tribune.

Chandigarh, November 4
The evening of classical music, organised by Pracheen Kala Kendra at Tagore Theatre today, began with a special concert. It saw a fusion of harmonium and sarangi, presented by the father-son duo of Mehmood and Fakruddin Dhaulpuri. This one was followed by another pleasurable performance by santoor player Pt Satish Vyas, who has learnt the nuances of santoor from none other than Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma.

The evening's presentation began with Mehmood Dhaulpuri's classic command over harmonium. Having developed his own style since he first began playing it in 1972, Mehmood had earlier sought training under his grandfather Ustad Buddha Khan. He was later groomed by his father Ustad Nasir Ahmad Khan of Delhi gharana.

Mehmood, who has played the harmonium with all legendary musicians, found an apt partner in his son Fakruddin Dhaulpuri today. The latter was on the sarangi, which he learnt from Ustad Rafooa Khan of the Gwalior tradition.

The two started their recital by playing a composition in Puriya Dhanashree raga. An unusual concert though, it was impressive and appealing, thanks to the total control the two musicians exhibited over their instruments. Alaap, jod and jhala followed by uthaan and paran were played in a neat and well-constructed manner. City-based percussionist of Punjab gharana Avirbhav Verma accompanied them on tabla.

The second part of the evening was dedicated to santoor. In command for this one was Padma Shri Satish Vyas, the son of vocalist Pt C.R. Vyas and disciple of Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma. His recital was replete with fine melodies which abound his repertoire.

He began by playing raag Rageshree (Rageshwari) in varied formats of aalap, jod, jhala followed by a traditional khayal-based composition in Jhaptaal "Gunn ke Gunn Gayoon". The musical piece's move and finish were interesting. It was followed by a delightful composition of his late father Pandit C.R. Vyas: "Uttaroon najariya…"

In Satish Vyas's control, santoor bared its sensuality by and by. Through his concert, Vyas brought many nuances of the Shattantri (100-stringed) veena (now called santoor) alive. Each one of his presentations had an ethereal quality to it. And for the conclusion, the celebrated instrumentalist chose a pahari dhun set to Dadra taal. He was accompanied by Mukund Raj Deo of Banaras gharana on the tabla.