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Street smart If you haven’t appreciated this new street rage so far, just drive down the roads of the city. You will find fair damsels giving a new tone to society in glittering asymmetrical dresses paired with long boots. Or else, in ensembles involving the reinvention of the classics with layering and random prints, overstating the old to give them that oh-so-hot contemporary look — something you had thus far only seen models wearing during the fashion week. As they give you a daring look in sparkling wedge heels and spaghetti tops that ooze glamour and a “I-don’t-give-a-damn” outlook, you realise that haute couture has a poetic charm with an unpredictable and dramatic look. If people mistake their appearance and actions as the manifestation of a “come-hither” attitude, the cream of the café society, sipping cappuccinos in coffee bars are just not bothered about it. “After all, we are cutting a figure in society for ourselves, not for the guys” says Pooja Sharma, an undergrad studying in a local fashion institute. Looking at the glam brigade from close quarters, ex-Capt Rajneesh Talwar, running a card and gift shop on the Panjab University campus, says: “Bands of colour, swirls of fabric, lithe bodies, pierced eye-brows and designer wear richly embellished with semi-precious stones, crystals and even sequins — you can see them all on the streets”. Flashing a broad smile, he says: A tartan skirt, a slinky camisole, pumpkin coloured pants, frilly tops that reveal more than they expose and halter dresses teamed with striped boots — everything is now included in the wearable category. Explaining the trend, young designer Roop — back in Chandigarh after holding exhibitions in the US — asserts: “Attribute it to changing trends brought about by the open Indian skies beaming foreign channels in the living rooms or simply alteration in the outlook, youngsters nowadays are experimenting with everything, even their lives. Little wonder, they are mixing and matching stuff for coming up with wear that’s fir for celebrating an occasion called life.” The designers too are creating stuff that’s easy to connect. “Until a few years ago, the collection displayed on the ramp was an exaggeration of the designers’ inspiration. Though fascinating, the stuff was practically not wearable on the streets. But now, even they are building bridges between the ramp and the road by designing stuff that fits more people than just magazine cover girls! So gals join the bandwagon and keep up the appearances! After all it’s your life. You can live it large by wearing short!
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Mad about media Not very long ago, mornings in the city used to be a familiar sight. A swarm of students were seen rushing to their morning tuitions, shouldering a load of books in their Nike or Adidas bags (not necessarily the original). And even before the crisp sunrays filtered through their thick-rimmed spectacles, these students were lost in their books—IELTS, TOEFEL, PMT, CAT or CET. Medical, engineering, architecture, MBA or a degree from an ivy-league foreign university were the only career options commanding indisputable respect. Today, however, things have changed tremendously. Students still don’t mind boarding a Chandigarh Roadways bus or a rickety rickshaw to reach a tutor’s far-away academy. Nor have they stopped dreaming about the hallowed halls of Oxford and awe-inspiring libraries of Stanford. However, there’s a slight twist in the tale. A string of media-related career options have mushroomed in the city and a growing number of city-students are vouching for them. It’s show time It’s no news that we are witnessing an unprecedented media boom today. What is news for most of us, however, is that media is now among the most popular career options in town. “The need for being well-informed in today’s information age has catapulted the media to glorious heights and the tremors of this media explosion are shaking the city out of complacency,” smiles Sandeep Mishra, Director, Chitkara Network 1 Media School. Informs Sumit Narula, an ex-student of the Department of Mass Communications, PU, “Not only are the students taking coaching classes by journalists to join this course, the batches studying here are also making placement cells for getting jobs in the electronic media. Earlier, most of the campus placements were print-media-centric, but the Department’s now making an effort to bring in Radio and TV Channels
as well.” Informs Hardeep Chandpuri, Director, Radio Buzz and the Take One Academy of Broadcasting, “Radio has become one of the most creative mediums for communication and offers it all—money, fun and glamour. Especially, with the spurt of private radio channels in the region, the scope for radio is tremendous. So, while parents used to be apprehensive about their child opting for radio, today they accompany their child to our
academy.” Adds Radio editor Nikhil Sharma, “With the competition among the private broadcasters on the rise, there are multiple job opportunities in the offing.” Little wonder, Chandpuri’s academy brims with would-be-radio jockeys, digital editors, copywriters and coordinators, spending Rs 8,000 for a month of vigorous training. Brand building As corporates and brands jostle for a distinct identity, Public Relations, as a profession, is getting more in demand. Informs Tahira Kashyap, Director, Direct Relations—a PR and Event Management Company, “While pursuing my Mass Communications degree from PU, I did my summer training with Shaan PR, and discovered that PR was my calling. The high level of corporate and media interaction makes PR a rich learning experience.” Well Chandigarh, picture a time when every city resident will eat, drink and sleep information and breathe and dream—entertainment. With the current spurt in media careers and institutes, that day is not too far!
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Classic is more formal and elegant. Raised panel cabinet doors or clear glass panels separated by thin strips of wood are often seen. Rich wood finishes or painted white wood may be accented with sparkle from brass or brass-tone hardware. Incorporate amount of carving according to the size of the piece itself and the room in question. Craftsman bungalows have low-pitched gable roofs with large overhangs and exposed rafters. Under the gables are often decorative beams or braces. A craftsman bungalow commonly has a generous front porch. Stone or brick is used for the porch’s base or columns. Masonry may also be used for a tapered chimney on one side of the house. If not your main residence, do consider this style for your little getaway tucked away in the hills for a quite retreat. Country features light stain or distressed - color finish, simple cabinet and door styles and unpretentious wood or ceramic knobs and handles. Add plenty of floral patterns on the upholstery fabrics and rugs. Billowing shirring or rod curtains look best on windows, whereby frills and laces are used abundantly. Colonial style homes take advantage of classic architectural elements, notably symmetry, columns and formally framed doors and windows. These residences, often elaborate, typically have large front and rear porches, providing an opportunity for cross ventilation in sultry climates like ours. Victorian styles often reflect the romance of the 19th century with contemporary convenience. Common cabinet woods are oak or cherry and with the right color scheme, even white can be used. Many different types of hardware will work, from hammered iron to antique pewter. Just don’t forget to incorporate roses across the house for a truly Victorian look. High-tech design areas feature stainless steel, metal tubing, chrome and black accents. Kitchens often feature an industrial look with sleek metallic appliances and storage cabinets. Glass block or curving transparent window glass may be set in a wall. French country design is more of a style than a set of specifics. One common trait is the multi-paned windows extending to the floor, which are called French windows. The kitchen is comfortably enormous with exposed sturdy beams and tiled floors. The living room is also large, often with a fireplace. Mediterranean style favors stucco as well as bay windows or narrow, deep windows and doors flanked by slat-board shutters painted vividly. Ceramic tile flooring, airy, large open living areas are also hallmarks of Mediterranean design. Southwestern homes, with their stucco or adobe exterior and orange or red tile roofs, look charming too. Likewise log homes have a solid, somewhat romantic and secure attractive ambience. So what’s your take on the interiors style mantra. Courtsey: A.P. Singh Besten & Co
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SALSA BEATS So let’s just rewind a little and get to the bottom of it all. First things first: this city-based young man finished his schooling from DAV School, Sector 10, and went off to the US for his undergrad where in a bid to “do something other than study” he joined a semester of Latin Ballroom dance classes. “Despite all the worries I had, when I danced I felt I had just come out of a two-hour nap,” he smiles. The bug had bitten and funnily it was the music that did the trick. It charmed him, stole his heart and made him listen to hours of fusion music, Afro-Cuban style. In January 2005, he moved to San Francisco with Intel, “where the Salsa scene rocks” and he started to take classes and auditioning for different dance groups. “I had been learning for less than a month and I used to be so nervous at the auditions that I even walked away midway from one,” he laughs. But then the adage happened to him—you know the saying—if you want something real bad you will make it happen for yourself. And so Mohit found himself being selected by Billy Corado of the prominent San Francisco Salsa group ‘ The coaching began. Three hours of dance three or four times a week and Mohit was hooked. “I was fascinated by it all, the challenge of counting and staying in beat and most importantly, feeling the music.” What is more in a group of 10 people, he was the only Indian. “We started to perform around the Bay Area and in April (three months since the dancing began) the group participated in ‘Roccapulco’, the San Francisco Salsa Fest and bagged the second prize in the amateur section,” he smiles. Oh yes, the boy had arrived. “What we did was a mix of Salsa and Hip-Hop. The music is different for both and while Hip-Hop is a solo dance, Salsa is a couple dance and the moves are more sensuous,” he said explaining their winning moves. Alas, in June 2005, he had to move to Seattle. “The scene is not really big there and the Salsa style is more Los Angeles than San Francisco (SF).” The LA style is what dance guru Eddie Torress developed way back which works on two beats much like the Mambo while the SF style is on a single beat. But things have a way of working out and Mohit found himself a part of “the best dance company in Seattle”, ‘Salsa Salvaje’. “It took me a while to get the two beats but now I just love it,” he says. Since then he has performed at the 1st North West Salsa Congress in Tacoma, the Portland Salsa Festival and even a ‘do’ in Vancouver. Next when he gets back is the New York / New Jersey Salsa Fest in February. So what’s the big point of this story? Simple—follow your heart and it takes you to places never seen before and makes music in your heart never heard before.
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Chic fashion on shoestring
It almost feels like walking straight into a girlie dream. As one enters, the place welcomes visitors with all its warmth. Some bulbs cast muted shadows on the walls of this snug, shopping haven, while creamy tubes glow luminously from the ceiling. A white wall contrasts sharply with the stunning splashes of bottle green that smile down from the ceiling, at the contemporary, minimalist interiors and the feminine, almost festive displays, elegantly resting on the shelves. Run by Sanjeev Giri and his wife, Gagan, Sparkles caters to the need of college students to dress in style without blowing mega bucks. Of course, city’s youngsters aren’t in for an altogether new shopping experience. Finding everything that is jazzy and chic under one roof is a concept that came to Chandigarh about a decade back. And the city’s already brimming with hip shopping haunts that offer it all—chic dresses, cutting-edge accessories, designer footwear and fancy jewellery under one roof. Ten West, Sweet Sixteen, Jewels, Dewsons and the list goes on and on. However, what has caused a spicy buzz among the City Beautiful’s shoppers is the new concept of selling everything at unbelievably low prices. Chips in Sanjeev Giri, “We are mainly catering to young college girls and working women, who’ve just started with their careers. Our aim is to make them feel happy through shopping for girlie stuff, even if they have just Rs 100 in And so come in glitzy purses, slouchy leather bags (embellished with anything from beads, metal trims and studs to fancy buttons, embossed leather and fluff cotton balls), from Rs 450 to 1,200, Goan loops and beaded jewellery (sporting meenakari and sippi work), from Rs 50-300, designer stilettoes and chappals with dabka work and interesting tie-ups, from Rs 250-700, sensual silk and pure wool scarves, from Rs 200-350, jazzy beaded belts in silks, cottons and leather, from Rs 125-500, and glam skirts, from Rs 400-700. “A look at our stuff can indeed make a woman’s eyes sparkle,” smiles Gagan Giri. So, was it the desire to bring a sparkle in the lives of not so wealthy that made him name the shop Sparkles? “I named the place Sparkles because I wanted a name that signified both femininity and Indianness,” reasons Giri. And this penchant for Indianness is also felt in the way the interiors have been done and saleable items have been stocked. Though the accessories and clothes are Indian, yet free of the stereotypical ethnic touches (read mirror work, paintings of elephants or the Taj Mahal). With an increasing number of shoppers thronging the store, a close cousin of Sparkles is already around. Started in Mohali by Giri’s sister, Asha Giri, and her hubby, Satinder Goswami, the new Sparkles looks stunning with interiors that are a flushed pink. “We are planning two more stores in Chandigarh and Panchkula, that should open soon,” beams Sanjeev.
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DIVINE SPELL
Guess what? Baba Ramdev is not the only one who is getting all the attention abroad. Giving him stiff competition are a few Hindu and Buddhist Goddesses who are creating as much hype in Sydney. And it is making V. N. Singh, director of the museum, who went for the installation of the miniatures for the show at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, one proud man. The show-stealers are six Pahari miniature paintings from the Government Museum and Art Gallery—both in Basohli and Kangra schools. Three Basohli paintings, which are based on the illustrations of Gita Govinda and three Kangra miniatures on Radha-Krishna, are masterpieces. They date back to the 16th and the 17th century. The show titled “Goddess: Divine Energy” is getting a good response not only from Indians settled there but natives too. As many as 30 works (both paintings and sculptures) from the National Museum, New Delhi, Bharat Kala Bhavan, Varanasi, and Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh are on display at the show. The exhibition focuses on the emerging expression of divine females (read Hindu and Buddhist Goddesses) and on display are about 120 paintings and sculptures from India, Nepal and Tibet. “Australians were intrigued by Durga and Kali, specially Kali’s black colour and Durga’s powerful form. It required me to explain our mythology,” says Singh. From what we have heard, it is not just Singh who made an impression on the Australians with his knowledge of Hindu mythology, but he was impressed too with the advanced techniques the museum employs. “They use track lightings which does wonder to the display,” says Singh who himself is an expert in this field (no less than a certificate in display from Victoria Albert Museum, London.) So are we going to get benefited by his newly acquired knowledge? “Yes, we are planning to use track lights for our new wing which will be solely for children. And when it comes to display, our museum is second only after the National Museum in the north. It gives the feeling of space and being well- lighted.” Well, there is always room for improvement.
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HAIRY TALES
Mention spring, summer and fall winter collections and all one can think of is models sashaying down the ramp in some cool, hip skirts with polka dots and floral tops in pastel shades and long coats, cigarette trousers with suede boots for the particular season. Right folks! But wait before you stop going any further. There’s more to the two collections than just this. Fashion forecasters around will tell you that there are season collections even for hairstyles and hair colours as well. Let’s have it straight from the horse’s mouth! So the colours this season remain a combination of beige-blonde, ash blonde and eternal red. Burgundy is a strict no-no this season. As far as the trends in hairstyles go, this time they are going to be an assortment of long layers with asymmetrical fringes and medium to long vertical layers. The length remains medium to long, and very short hair is passé this season. The reason as Najeeb explains it is, “Finally Indians have started accepting global trends. They are ready to experiment with their looks and so the hairdos are a part”. The trends are to be moulded a little to suit our skin tones unlike the Europeans. Najeeb is Schwarzkopf India’s technical head and is a leading hair stylist with over 12 years of working experience with some well-known names like Andrew Jose and Antony Whitekar. In city at the launch of a Schwarzkopf new salon in Sector 44, Najeeb showcased his collection comprising the ‘Rock chic’ look (the one sported by Bebo, oops! Kareena Kapoor in the zingy Helen number from the latest Don) with long layers in ash blonde colour complete with copper classic highlights; the ‘Beat girl’ look with long vertical layers giving volume to flat hair and last but not the least, the ‘starlet’ consisting of disconnected medium to long tresses providing bounce at the crown in beige and blonde colours. A word of caution by the expert himself: after you get your hair coloured, for the desired look and gloss, lot of postal colour care needs to be taken, including the use of special coloured hair ‘bonacure’ shampoos and conditioners. So go ahead and be a beat, starlet or a rock chic!
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A tabla maestro at 10
‘Coming events cast their shadows before..’ sounds true for the prodigious, Aman Samrat who at the tender age of ten has carved a niche for himself as a Tabla whiz . Back after wining laurels at the 42nd All-India Music Competition, held at Agra by the Sangeet Kala Kendra as a tribute to the celestial musicologist, Pandit Vishnu Digamber, Aman feels ready to accomplish more and repeat the feat. He has previously been credited with a dozen prize-winning tabla performances in the city at various prestigious functions, but his solo performance at the HP University youth festival closing ceremony at Bilaspur last year, is one to remember. “ I was hugged, blessed and honoured by Mantriji (Ram Lal Thakur, agriculture minister Himachal Pardesh) amidst a lofty applause, disclosed Aman. ‘ Tumhara naam tumhari peritibha se meil khata hai , tum ek din sangeet samraat hi banoge’, professed the minister, confirms Anil Kumar Sharma , his proud father and guru. A similar ovation was showered on the child prodigy as he won an award of Rs. two thousand in a painting competition held to mark the centenary of the Kalka-Shimla rail line. Born into a family of musicians in Allahabad, Aman Samrat grew up amidst soulful strains of music and was formally initiated into Tabla playing at an early age by his father Anil Kumar Sharma, a noted Tabla exponent. Doling out the gat bols constituting various rhythmic patterns with electrifying speed Aman executes these intricate combinations of tabla syllables with adroit perfection to spell magic with his tiny fingers. Adept at executing peshkar, parans , kayda, palta and all related rhythmic patterns, this fifth class student of the Stepping Stone School has brought in many laurels. Deeply influenced by the Tabla playing style of Padmashri late Shafat Ahmed Khan of Delhi gharana, Aman aspires to emulate the Ustad. Though he also plays other instruments, tabla remains his first love and the strenuous riyaz keeps him confident and ahead of many budding artists of his age.
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Fragrance on lens MADHU Pandit is a commercial photographer, capturing events and gadgets to be launched for promotion—her heart though wants certain permanence in defining her vision through her camera. She prefers to freeze her subjects (flowers) in water and click them in the morning light. Want to know what we mean, then see her next exhibition titled “Fragrance of Eternity” to showcase her photographs at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai from December 1 to 10. Her passion is big. Her photographs are like paintings, mounted and framed, and showcase her desire to capture Nature’s beauty though the lens. Nature wrapped in the coldness of neglect is giving rise to many problems ailing mankind, feels the dainty Madhu. “As an artist, I desire to hold out hope by bringing out the beauty of Nature”. The sadness of frozen flowers and the brilliance of their beauty, full of colours of life, combine in her work. Degradation of environment, pessimism among youth who are killing themselves, pollution affecting ecology, all count for the dark realities Madhu is fighting through her work, photographing and framing hope, both endless and eternal. Having held exhibitions in Chandigarh to the one in Mumbai now, Madhu wants to go to France with her photographs. For now it’s themes like Nature and motherhood, which shape her pictures.
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The easel holds a large painting. The painter in a kurta stands on the left and the painted in a sari stands on the right with her plat flung forward on her left shoulder. The painting shows her in a tattered blouse and sari resting against a larger than life candle, painted in the literal and dramatic style of calendar art. Yet it evokes nostalgia in a big way for the painter is Dadamoni Ashok Kumar and the painted, the incomparable, Nargis. The watermarked cinema still dates back to 1952 in a film called Bewafa in which Hamlet-like Nargis swings between Ashok Kumar, a famous painter, and playboy Raj Kapoor. It comes as an Email poster for a workshop to be conducted in Delhi on writing art. The designers have very aptly chosen this picture for the poster for this still has the power, never mind the quality of the painting on the easel, to stir the soul. It has to it a period quality, romance and also the depiction of art within art. January workshop And now onto the workshop that is being held in Delhi from January 7 to 15 by Vadehra Art Gallery in collaboration with Art Resource Centre, Bangalore, for the benefit of young professionals. A.R.T. was started in October 2001 to promote research, teaching and non-conventional work in the area of the visual and built arts. Over the last four years, it has conducted writing and teaching workshops with art history students and teachers in Bangalore, Baroda, Hyderabad and Chennai. If any organisation in Chandigarh wishes to collaborate with them they could log onto their website: www.artscapeindia.org. It is time that our region woke up to art, more so when art is big money. Ours is a region that understands money and if money is there art-shaart will do. The first time There is always a first time for anything and as a scribbler on art for a lifetime, I recall the first art review I wrote way back in 1975 as a student of the journalism school in Panjab University. The credit for introducing our class, and perhaps many other classes, to art goes to Late Tara Chand Gupta who lectured us on reporting and took pleasure in sending us to plays and exhibitions. The first arty assignment came to me when he sent us to the PU Museum in the neighbourhood to review an exhibition of works by some firang photographer. I have forgotten the photographer’s name but I recall one picture of a bare-bodied woman that was there among his other works. Some students had scribbled with a pen some obscene graffiti in text and doodles on the wall where the picture hung. Art of the matter Mercifully, unschooled as I was in the principles of art criticism and such academic mumbo-jumbo that accompanies art, I pinned my story on this reaction to a fine photograph. Baba Oscar Wilde came to my rescue and the opening line was: “When Oscar Wilde said that art should not try to become popular but the public should become artistic, he was asking for the impossible…” Ah! Tara Chand instantly forgave the fact that I knew little of Marxism and came out with whole-hearted praise for my first review! Time is fleeting One could go on endlessly with arty tales but art is long and time is fleeting a la Longfellow. Never mind, there always is another time in the psalm of life. —Nirupama Dutt
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It is not easy to imagine an engineer playing the lead role in one of the most- awaited television serials, Zaara—Pyar Ki Saugat, to be aired from December 4 on Sahara One Television. But this is exactly what another Chandigarh di kudi, Samiksha, did after qualifying as an engineer. Now concentrating on acting after doing ad films, one Hindi comedy film directed by Partho Ghosh, and five Tamil films, this ambitious actress wants to make it big with her debut in the serial produced by Edit II Productions and directed by Pawan Sahu, who has earlier directed Sindoor and Vaidehi. Samiksha is enthusiasm personified in real life, be it doing a film or doing a television serial. This beautiful Chandigarh girl is a picture of happiness and her presence on the silver screen and small screen lights up any dull atmosphere. It was the good aspect of Samiksha’s personality, which was reflected in Tamil films. She was appreciated for her work in these films. But now Samiksha’s career is expected to take off with Sanjay Kohli’s Zaara—Pyar Ki Saugat. She plays Zaara, a 21-year-old beautiful, sweet- natured and well-mannered girl, belonging to an upper middle class Muslim family. The talented actress chats up with Lifestyle. How did you bag the role in Zaara—Pyar Ki Saugat? I have been doing Tamil films and ad films for quite some time now. I was called in for an audition and the team of Edit II Productions instantly decided in my favour. I, too, had a gut feeling that I had bagged the role of Zaara and here I am. How different is the small screen from the silver screen in terms of professionalism and functioning? In my belief, TV entertainment is very fast-paced. We are on our toes 24x7, sometimes doing sleepless shifts, as soaps need a lot of effort once they are accepted by the audience. I believe the small screen is much more difficult to handle than the film industry in terms of the sheer physical effort involved. What are your expectations from the serial?
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Shoeshine to sunshine
Had it not been for the medium of theatre, that has given expression to his being by teaching him the nuances of make-up, Veer Pal would have been lost in oblivion like many children like him. Condemned to a life of back-breaking hard work and no way out of poverty and deprivation Veer Pal was a shoeshine boy till about six months back. The sunshine of hope has touched the life of the boy from Dehradun, as he has finalised a contract as a make-up artist for a 52-episode serial. A child who came to the city to polish boots of the sahibs at the Sector 17 market, he tagged along with some of his friends who used to go for theatre workshops to the Theatreage group and his life took a new course. The work continued but his passion found a vent in acting and he slowly acquired the expertise to bring a shine to the faces of artists with make-up, says Veerpal. Now as he walks up to the Doordarshan Kendra premises in Patiala, he swells with pride thinking of where his life has brought him. “I got the opportunity because of my association with make-up artist Parvez Sethi and have also got a job with Era, a private television channel as a make-up man”, he says. The high for the boy comes from the way an artiste respects him by calling him ‘Master Ji’ before getting his make-up done from him. “My hard work is respected and valued and that serves as a constant reminder that I am on the right path and must continue keeping my feet firmly on the ground”, says Veerpal. “The faces I do are like a canvas for me, and the artist in me sees the beauty in the features. My acting experience helps me to apply make up in tune with the roles the actors are going to play,” he says. Looking back, Veerpal can only wish the same for the lakhs of children out on the streets “to walk the path of hard work, holding on to the rope of hope and come to a world full of sunshine one day.” Amen!
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Al Pacino charms
‘Godfather’ legend Al Pacino recently charmed the staff at London’s lavish Ritz hotel by talking to them in the middle of the night.
Sources say the 66-year-old actor suffered a bout of insomnia, and came down to the lobby at 2 am.
They revealed that Pacino neither complained about anything nor did he make any demands of cleaning or changing his room. “He came down to the lobby at 2 am and, instead of complaining and making all kinds of demands about having his room changed, he said he wanted to get to know the people who worked at such a great place,” the Mirror quoted the source as saying. The source said Pacino talked to the reception staff and doormen for about an hour, and thanked them for taking good care of him. Smashing Barbara Barbara Streisand has smashed Box Office records by setting new theatre bests at 14 of the 16 venues she played during her recent North American tour. The singer’s 20 shows that wrapped up in Los Angeles last week grossed a whopping $ 92.5 million, and set records in almost all of the arenas she played in. Interestingly, it was Streisand only who beat herself at Madison Square Garden in New York and Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Producer Michael Cohl has been so enthralled by the success of the tour, that he has already begun negotiations with Streisand to plan more dates in 2007. Stewart all for music Ageing rocker Rod Stewart might just have been a legendary actor had he not refused doing films in favour of a career in music. The ‘Maggie May’ singer has revealed that he had turned down the proposal to play a part alongside some of his soccer heroes in Escape To Victory. The 1981film starred Hollywood hardman Sylvester Stallone and Sir Michael Caine, alongside sporting legends like Brazilian star Pele and World Cup-winning England captain Sir Bobby Moore. Stewart said he decided to turn down the acting role because he wanted to concentrate on his music career, and did not have any urge to become a superstar actor.
— ANI Teri’s regret Actress Teri Hatcher insists that she regrets appearing in the Pierce Brosnan starring James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, as she found the experience dissatisfying. Hatcher played villain Elliot Carver’s wife Paris, a woman who has a secret past with 007 that can and may be used against him. However, her character came to a grisly end in the movie. “It’s such an artificial kind of character to be playing that you don’t get any special satisfaction from it,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying. Hatcher has since found fame in the hit television series Desperate Housewives where she plays the role of Susan Mayer, a charming, accident-prone divorcee.
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Health tip of the day
With age feet not only increase in length but the forefoot tends to widen. Therefore, old shoes should be changed with new ones that does not cramp or squeeze the foot. — Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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TAROT TALK
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Mannequins are on the move, sashaying down the path of life and parading the ramp craze on city roads and streets, meandering through polite society, glamorously and gorgeously. Pretty damsels are mugging up the book of charm in colleges and other institutes across the city. You may find it incredible, but the young leaders of fashion are actually decking themselves up in stunning minis and even ghagra skirts. It’s actually more of less in the avenues these days. 
A
number of basic design styles apply to everything from furniture to interior and exterior home designs. Let us talk about various design styles offering some general guidelines to create your own dream home.
Contemporary design translates itself beyond glass, metal, bold fabrics, leather and stone to sleek, unadorned cabinets, plain panel doors, monochrome combinations or jarring contrasts and hardware that’s hidden or unobtrusive for the warm chic options. Remember, we are talking about your home not a museum or a show house.
This young lad is breaking stereotypical images of the quintessential IT geek from India and the irony is he never really set out to do it deliberately; he just followed his heart.
Twentyseven years old Mohit Dewan, a software engineer working with Intel in Seattle, does more than just dunking his head into the innards of a computer. Mohit dances, the Salsa! Not just this, he is also part of a professional dance group, ‘Salsa Salvaje’, in Seattle that not only teaches dance but also holds performances in Salsa meets all over the country. And the best part is, it all started less than a year ago in January 2005. 
ARIES: Abundance, generosity and too much of the good things keep you flying high. You may not be too happy with all the late nights. Listen to your inner voice. You tend to be lazy on Sunday. New dynamic ideas need to be expressed and developed. Meditate and look at your priorities and relationships. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t feel guilty about not being in a hurry. Lucky colour: Orange. 
LIBRA: Your card “The Hermit” provides harmony, friendship and understanding. Work tempo increases and you are able to achieve much more with the co-operation of the others. An influential person will come with a favourable packet. Luck in speculation is indicated. TIP OF THE WEEK: Restore ties with business people you have been out of touch for so long. Lucky colour: Old rose. 
TAURUS: You draw “Six of Wands”, which helps you in professional work. Don’t get into an argument on Saturday. A visit to religious place on Sunday will bring peace and solace to you. Take yogic help to relax and overcome your anxiety disorder and to live happily. Give a little now and you will get more back later. TIP OF THE WEEK: Take limited risks while speculating. Lucky colour silver gray. 
SCORPIO: “The third eye of Lord Shiva” opens for an inner transformation. There is likely to be emotional growth through awareness and experiences. You feel released when you flap your wings in the vast sky of space and freedom. Love and romance brighten your horizon. TIP OF THE WEEK: Be articulate to prevent people from making their own conclusions. Lucky Colour: Cream. 
GEMINI: “The Emperor” gets you in touch with your leadership qualities. A Scorpio person can be relied upon. You may lead, facilitate, or organise an important group function. Avoid superficial people who create negative feelings. Meditation for higher level of consciousness. Don’t afraid to lend a helping hand to tend a helping hand to others. TIP OF THE WEEK: Try not to get carried away by your initial success. Lucky Colour: White. 
SAGITTARIUS: “ The Magus” brings movement; change and travel in your life. A pure spiritual and exalted influences transforms your professional priorities. Love and romance are on the cards. An old friend offers you a lucrative business opportunity. You will enjoy time with your children and pets. TIP OF THE WEEK: Listen carefully to words of wisdom even if you do not relish. Lucky colour: Jade. 
CANCER: Your card “ Six of Wands ” so friends could get on your nerves. Do not expect too much from your loved ones. Hectic work schedules would require you to be on your toes most of the time. You might find that you have the ability to accomplish things with greater ease than usual. Meditation to balance yin and yang energies. TIP OF THE WEEK: Watch your action at work and polish your public relation skills. Lucky Colour: Rust. 
CAPRICORN: The Queen of Pentacles blesses you with the finest of quiet and subtle qualities as you are on a winning streak. There would be taxes to be paid and budget to be worked out. Success comes on Wednesday. Family support and friends add to your feeling of self-confidence. Trust your instinct and intuition as they lead you in the right direction. An older woman could be a useful ally in a family conflict. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t waste an opportunity by not exploiting a contact. Lucky colour: electric blue. 
LEO: Whatever you do will be done in a “big” way now. Try to keep good of the greater number as a priority, you will make the best use of this energy. With self-discipline you will meet the test and pass with flying colors. Your inner critic is attacking you and everyone else. Concentrate on realistic expectations. TIP OF THE WEEK: Take one step at a time and avoid being hurried and overanxious or you make mistakes and unsteady moves. Lucky colour: Brown. 
AQUARIUS: “Four of Wands” advice you not to have any truck with a Gemini or Libra. Children may discuss important situations to gain advice and counsel. A business opportunity which you had been eyeing for a long time is likely to fall in your lap by Thursday. Swift moving Mercury points towards reconciliation. TIP OF THE WEEK: Lack of confidence or lack of caution can leave you in losses. Lucky colour: White. 
VIRGO: “ Seven Golden Cups” full of light an blossom greet you with happiness. A journey for business or holiday is likely. Drive carefully and give attention to any odd symptoms of your vehicle on Tuesday. Focus on investment on Wednesday and Thursday. You delegate responsibility and allow others to flower and grow. TIP OF THE WEEK: Make an effort to boost your income. Lucky colour: Deep purple. 
PISCES: ‘The Wheel of Fortune’ spins in some good luck, travel and opportunity in your life. A good time to make breakthroughs at work and changes at home. Tackle difficult tasks and tough people on Monday and Thursday. You get past health problems quickly and get ready for a happy journey. TIP OF THE WEEK: Allow a sick situation blow over before you start a new project. Lucky Colour: Lime green.