Chandigarh, November 30
A two-day national seminar on “Trends in Modern Historiography of Punjab” was organised by the Department of History, Panjab University, here today. The seminar was inaugurated by Prof Veer Singh, Dean University Instruction.

Prof Mridula Mukherjee, Director of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi, said the Akali movement showed revival of tradition of sacrifice and application of Gandhian method of non-violence.

Dr Jaya Menon of Aligarh Muslim University in her paper asked whether geographical region of Punjab had a character distinctive in archaeological terms from other such areas as Sind or Gujarat.

Dr Paru Bal Sidhu of Panjab University examined the archaeological issues relating to the Bara culture of the upper Satluj valley.

In her paper entitled, “Investigating Early Punjab: Trends and Possibilities”, Dr Supriya Varma of the Central University, Hyderabad, lamented that absence of any sustained work on early Punjab limits our task of identifying the major historiographical trends. Mr Yogesh Snehi, DAV College, Amritsar, examined the manner in which Muslims have been represented in the syllabi and popular textbooks.

Prof G.S. Dhillon of Panjab University presented a critique of Sikh studies produced by western writers from late 18th century to recent times.

Chandigarh, November 30
Martin Dahanukar is quite a charmer, both with melodies and his words. Some of this charm was picked up from the Swiss Alps. But most of it came from India, where his mother belongs.

For Martin, his mother was his gateway to a land of diverse cultures, musical traditions and races. So smitten was he by the stories he heard about India that his latest jazz compositions sound more Indian than anything else.

Not only in music but his love for India comes forth in his Swiss musician's utterances, narrations, even his second name, Dahanukar, which he takes from his mother's maiden name. He has even named his new album after Nanda Devi.

"The album blends the best of oriental sounds and seeks to bring various musical influences of the world together," said Dahanukar, who presented a concert at Panjab University's Law auditorium. Partnering him were other members of his band— Sam Joss on double bass, Peter Horisberger on drums and Vinz Volanthen on electric guitar and loops. Dahanukar himself was on the trumpets.

The concert was a part of the cultural show put up by the German Embassy and the Embassy of Switzerland at Chandigarh in collaboration with SPIC MACAY.

Dahanukar took to music as a 12-year-old feeding on jazz classics. He minces no words while rating jazz in the backdrop of commerce.

"Jazz does not sell very much. Being a jazz musician is like being a monk and disseminating the knowledge of musicd. When I wedded jazz, I put all thoughts of personal welfare in the shelf," he says. Dahanukar has even created a composition inspired by the dark componenets of Amitav Ghosh's "The Hungry Tide"

But not all of Dahanukar's compositions are dark. There are some happy ones too like those that draw from Bollywood music. He says: "I spent a lot of time in Mumbai when I came to India in 1995. I also hear a lot of Indian classical music which explains why my music carries the reflections of India."

Dahanukar believes jazz is truly universal: "Jazz is not just black man's music. It has European melodies, West African rhythms, bass influences from France and Germany. In many ways it is a crossover in literal sense of the word."

Dahanukar's live concert proved his point. He took over the stage from German musician Wolfgang Haffner who is one of the most prominent new generation jazz musicians of Europe. Born to a church musician, Haffner grew to redefine jazz and record music with a range of illustrious American artistes from Michael Franks to Gato Barbeiri besides featuring extensively with US stars, including Pat Metheny among others.

He was supported by Sebastian Studnitzky on the trumpets, Christian Diener on the bass guitar and Frank Kuruc on the classical guitar. 

Chandigarh, November 30
The magnificence of Western jazz music, with all its harmony and in-built rhythmic patterns, coalesced to create melodic spells at the live “Jazz concert” at the Panjab University auditorium.

The event, organised by the embassies of Germany and Switzerland, Indo- German Language and Cultural Society Chandigarh in collaboration with the Chandigarh chapter of SPIC-MACAY, featured two top Jazz ensembles. These were Wolfgang

Haff Group ( Germany ) and Martin Dahanukar Blood system (Switzerland).

Acclaimed as the best music composer and drummer in Germany versatile Wolfgang Haffner led his ensemble to mesmerise the audience, especially the young ones, with the very first composition “Faithless”. This followed a fast-beat number “Crusin” before unfolding the melody of “Shapes” from his 11th album and another “Blue Power”. But they were at their best in the most- engrossing “24 hour”. Ably supported on guitar by Christen Diener and Frank Kuruk, this was a virtual electrifying Jugalbandi between Haffner on drums and Sebastian Studnitzky on synthesiser. 

Chandigarh, November 30
She has a temple to her name in the South! Built by her adorers across the country! To worship her divine presence in the Bollywood, Bhojpuri and now Punjabi flicks!

But acting is not the only reason why her worshipers glorify the goddess of the big screen. The starry-eyed angel of the masses, Nagma, is actually doing so much for blessing the physically challenged children in Delhi and other places.

In Chandigarh on the eve of her first Punjabi movie “Ek Jind Ek Jaan’s” release simultaneously in Punjab, UK, USA and Australia, Nagma says she would love to do something for the children of the lesser gods in this part of the region as soon as she gets an opportunity.

And now that she is making her foray into the Punjabi cinema, opportunities are bound to be plenty — at least this is what the dove-eyed charmer says. Passing her heavily ringed fingers through her silky-brown tresses highlighted with golden streaks, she asserts: I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with the unfortunate.

Just in case you do not know, the star of the tinsel world manages to take time out for noble causes like working for “Child Relief and You” (CRY) in between running around trees and break-dancing. For, the one-time screen temptress, believes that these children find renewed strength and motivation when someone with star status plays and shares some moments with them. Nagma says she has toned down her film assignments, but this is one project she is determined to continue with.

Back to cinema and the controversies surrounding the actors, Nagma says she moved away from the mainstream Hindi cinema and shifted to Bhojpuri movies just because she wanted to get away from the entire hullabaloo.

“As soon as I jumped into the political arena to canvass for the Congress party, I had people talking all sorts of things,” she asserts with a tone of unhappiness in her voice. “That’s the way it is.... Half the time the artistes themselves do not know what they are getting into and are caught unawares, like in the case of stage shows. They just see the accompanying cast and decide to perform without even knowing the details of the persons organising the show”.

With a wave of her hand, she says: In any case my journey from Hindi to Bhojpuri and now Punjabi films has been exciting and adventurous. I have got recognition and respect of my fans. Over and above, I get an opportunity of showing the rich and diverse cultural heritage of my country”.

Flashing a broad smile, she says: As my father is a Punjabi and I have worked in nine languages, I wanted to do a Punjabi movie for long. And when I heard the script, I realised it was time for my wish to come true”.

But did she face any problems in the process of adapting from Bhojpuri to Punjabi cinema? “No, I have been exposed to the culture. Otherwise also, the great Punjabi movie star Preeti Sapru is a close family friend. And then, I have done my homework well. You will see me wearing a Patiala salwar in the movie.” Sounds interesting!