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Twilight Tract Mummyji, I will take 11 thousand rupees, 11 beddings, 11 utensils, 11 kilos of gheo and Munde da Peo.
Kaajal Mangalmukhi is well known in the Mohali homes where she reaches to bless newborn babies or the grooms, as the case may be for no auspicious occasion is complete without the Third Sex making its presence felt. She belongs to the transgender community of eunuchs, called hijras or khusras and there are a million like her scattered all over the country. She has a fine voice and sings poignant Noorjahan and Reshma songs ever so well and dances lightly. She lives with her guru in Manimajra and is grateful to have found a home in the North. Long journey Treading the twilight tract to her haven in the city, she has made a long journey. The journey brought more pain and less pleasure because her kind have no safe space in family, schools or community where they can be protected from prejudice and abuse. Kaajal was born in a poor home in Hunsur village near Mysore in Karnataka. She was the last of three children and was brought up as a boy. Looking back with sorrow, Kaajal says: “ When I was just about seven years old, I realised that I was different from my two older brothers. I also realised that neither joy of being a man nor that of a woman would be mine.” Yet, she held onto the safety of home, working hard at her studies in the village boys’ school and trying to be the daughter that her mother never had. “ The girl in me was more apparent. I liked to cook and do the house work unlike my brothers. I would return from school and do all the household chores so that my mother would be able to rest when she came from doing domestic jobs in the village homes,” she says. Thus she continued till Class IX but the insults and humiliations were growing in school and so one day she ran away to Bangalore. “There I worked as a waiter in eating joints and a general store but my transgender identity was always a subject of ridicule,” says Kaajal. Tormented lot She is not the only one who has had to face such a fate. The PUCL(K) Report on Human Rights Violations Against the Transgender Community has documented the kind of prejudice that hijras face in Bangalore: “The main factor behind the violence is that society is not able to come to terms with the fact that hijras do not conform to the accepted gender divisions Picking up the thread of her tale, Kaajal reveals that she came across a ‘Madam’ in Bangalore who took her to Mumbai. “I lived in a house in Falkland Road and learnt the pain of being a prostitute,” she says and tears rise in her eyes. It was there that she nursed an old woman and then decided to castrate herself and join the community of hijras. “It was a voluntary decision. No one forced me into it. I did it because I wanted to belong. Doesn’t every human being want to belong?” she asks in earnest. Rama’s blessings She did get a sense of belonging when Neelam guru of Manimajra decided to take her as a disciple. Unlike in the south, where most transgender people have no choice but to be sex workers, the north has room for them as their origin is traced to the mythical times of Rama. It is said that Rama, while leaving for the forest upon being banished from the kingdom for 14 years, turns around to his followers and asks all the `men and women’ to return to the city. Among his followers the hijras alone do not feel bound by this direction and decide to wait there in the forest for 14 long years. Impressed with their devotion, Rama sanctions them the power to confer blessings on people on auspicious occasions like childbirth and marriage, and at inaugural functions. This set the stage for the custom of badhai in which hijras sing, dance and confer blessings. Alert and sharp, Kaajal comments thus on this myth: “I would like to ask why Ramanand Sagar did not include this in his serial Ramayana on the television? It was a glaring omission.” Quick-witted and bright, Kaajal wants to do a lot for the community. She also wants to participate in quiz shows on television for general knowledge is on her fingertips but she is often turned away because she is neither man nor woman. In a minute she can rattle off a hundred names of countries and capitals or countries and presidents. “I want to show people that I can do things well too,” she insists. She is determined to make it to the Guiness Book of World Records in this life and womanhood in the next life. Her joy is her love for her guru. “I hate all communal violence and if my guru, who is a Muslim and I a Hindu, can live in peace and harmony why can’t others?” she asks. She is all praise for the people of Punjab and Haryana who treat her community well. Showering blessings, she makes away in her chauffeur-driven Tata Indica because it is the wedding season and she has to go on her rounds of badhai in Mohali.
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Tiger, Tiger burning bright…
Jaimini Pathak may be little known in this part of the country, but he sure is making a splash in the theatre world, especially in Mumbai. For his latest play Once Upon a Tiger which he wrote and produced only last year, has already completed 500 shows. And guess what? He is coming with this production to the City Beautiful on February 4. A self-professed nature lover, Jaimini’s Once Upon A Tiger unfolds the story of ecological imbalances and environmental degradation through two families visiting a tiger reserve and trying in futility to catch the glimpse of the big cat. “So the story is not just about a tiger but the grand sum of factors that has led to the extinction of tigers,” says Jaimini over the phone, excited about coming to Chandigarh to stage a show. “I have heard so much about the city that it will be nice to come there with my shows,” he says. The show is being organised by Shilpa Bagodia’s Theatreworks. Jaimini, as the conversation progress, comes out of the veil of anonymity and becomes quite a household name in fact. As Sidharth in Farz, Rajat in Swabhiman and the freedom fighter Manmath Nath Gupt in Swaraj, he had invaded your living rooms in the late nineties. “I have not done serials for the past four or five years,” says Jaimini. The actor and director, as we understand, is more busy with films these days. After Hazaro Khwaishe Aisi, Jaimini is busy with Subhash Ghai’s latest production. “But I am more of a theatre person,” assures the actor, director and writer. And the long list of plays, which he acted, directed and produced, leaves one with little scope for doubt. A self-taught artist (except for his little experience in school and college productions, he had no formal training to fall back on), Jaimini began his career in theatre in 1990. The current works include Mahadev Bhai, a 2-hour solo performance, 3 Sakina Manzil and The Seagull. The latter two plays are also directed by him. His shift from stage to television and the big screen was, however, a simple calculation. To quote him, “I came to Mumbai to become a cricketer,” though we wonder why one has to come to Mumbai to become one, we let him continue with his explanation, “But when I saw 500 kids competing with one other, I decided I would rather be on stage than on the pitch.” And the logic was “there is a small corner for everyone in the tinsel town, but in cricket either you are in the team or not.” Well, who can argue with such logic?
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No stranger to Rubin Museum A problem before the curators was that the presence of a Guru Granth Sahib would have been inappropriate for a museum installation as it is the living representation of the Guru. The curators say: “We are grateful to Bhai Sikandar Singh of Bagrian for photography of the illuminated Adi Granth (the text as compiled by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in 1603-4) in use in his family for more than a century and happy that a reproduction of this book (beed), clearly shown as such, was considered suitable for use in the gallery. The exhibition was significant because it reaches out to the diaspora and rests on the belief that “art has a beneficial role to play in the lives of individuals and societies by stimulating pride, developing awareness, encouraging the sharing of values, and cultivating understanding.” The city museum has had a major role to play in the mounting of this exhibition and of the 100 works on display, 50 are from the collection of the Government Museum here. What is more the Rubin Museum has specially invited V.N. Singh, Director of the museum here, to be present at the closing ceremony on January 29. “I am honoured that they decided to call me,” says the director. It is good indeed that the collection of our museum here is being sought after by museums abroad.
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Farshchian, as we learn from Simar Onkar, the Executive Director of the gallery, is almost a cult figure when it comes to the Persian Art. Though he draws his inspiration from the Persian art form, especially when it comes to the smooth and powerful lines of his forms, he breaks free from its traditional boundary by being different in his subject matter and also sometimes in techniques. At his hand Persian art becomes a melange of colour and living forms (Morning Star, Go Free O Bird, Morning Blossoms, Coquetry to name a few) and not just those traditional motifs one gets to see in the Baghdad School of Painting, which were used to decorate manuscripts and the Holy Koran. The Great Art Studio, as defined by Simar as a non-profit organisation, dedicated to the promotion of fine arts, has brought about 38 prints of the artist. The framing has been conceptualized by Simar himself who swears by the Golden Mean Ratio, which, according to him, is the bottom line when it comes to the maintaining of aesthetic appeal, be it art or architecture. Coming back to
Farshchian, he was born in Isfahan, a city located in the south of Tehran in 1930. He did his graduation from the Academy of Fine Arts in Isfahan and also later traveled all over Europe to study the Western art. On his return to his hometown, Farshchian began working in the National institute of Fine Arts. He later became the Director of the Department of National Arts and Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran. He now lives in the New York Metropolitan Area. More than his awards and honours, he is known as the artist who infused a new lease of life and independence to Persian art by freeing it from the symbolic relationship it shared with poetry and literature. The exhibition is on till January 31 at The Great Art Studio, SCO 353, Sector 34 A
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Funny side up ‘My wife’s wedding’, how does it sound? Okay, let me put it differently, Meri Vahuti Da Viyah. Yes it might seem like a funny one liner, but this precisely is the title of the latest Punjabi movie. Starring the face of Punjabi comedy, Gurpreet Ghuggi, in the lead along with Upasana Singh, Vivek Shauq, Kuldip Singh and Smeep Kang, the film promises to bring out the seriousness of man-wife relationship in a humorous way. More than the title it is the plot that seems interesting. The story revolves around the husband, played by Gurpeert Ghuggi, who is constantly bogged down by the thoughts of what is going to happen to his wife after he passes away. Then begins the ultimate confusion when the husband starts looking around for a perfect groom for his wife and his better-half suspects him for covering up his own infidelity by trying to hook her with someone. Gurpreet, who has written the script and the title song, has also sung for this film. Smeep Kang, who was seen in Jaspal Batti’s Mahaul Theek Hai as a hero, has not only acted in the film, but this also happens to be his maiden production as well. Ask Ghuggi, as to why a comedy film and this Punjabi humorist is quick to reply, “Turn on the idiot box and you would witness the never ending ‘Saas Bahu’ sagas that promise to make you cry for hours together. Not that I am against any of them (you better don’t, or else be prepared for Ekta’s wrath) but I feel somewhere these soaps cheat on viewers emotions by exploiting them to the fullest (here comes the gyan guru!). What remains is humour as the definitive choice when it comes to entertainment. On the changing status of comedians, who till now were considered as ‘fillers’ in the movies, the slapstick comedian who prefers to be known as an actor over being type-casted as a stand-up comedian, says, from fillers to now pillars, satirists have brought a major change in films. So Ghuggi who is seen spreading his wings all over the small and big screen these days (thanks to his commemdable performances in the Great Indian Laughter Champions) is busy managing his dates for the producers and the directors who have made virtually a beeline for him in their flicks. After his Hindi debut Humko Deeewana Kar Diya, he would soon be seen sharing the space with Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre and Anil Kapoor in Abbas Mastan’s Race. Next in line is Sangeet Siwan’s Ek for Kay Sera Sera Productions where in he plays Bobby Deol’s chum and his next Punjabi flick, Mitti Wajan Mardi directed by Manmohan alongside Harbhajan Maan, to be shot in his ancestral village near Bhatinda. A jack of all, he defines humour in its most basic way as Baat jo Dil ko Choo Jaye. On this note, here’s hoping a giant (career) leap for this high flyer.
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If the hip and urban lifestyles have created unwanted stress and pressures for the jet age populace, then it has given the antidotes as well. Spas may have made their entry in this city a long time back, but they surely are re-inventing themselves to provide the ultimate rejuvenating experience along with therapeutic remedies. Already more than a dozen salons have spas on their menus. Adding to it, ‘Cleopatra Day Spa beauty & Slimming Solution for Today’s Men and Women’ has introduced Medi spa—a range of seven signatory Cleo-magical spas to its existing ones. The new spa menu unfolds with La Stone therapy and the salon claims to be the first ones in the North India to have launched the same. Elaborating more on this one, Richa, proprietor of the salon says the therapy works wonders in reducing stress and anxiety by stimulating the circulatory system. The therapy is best suited for the professionals. Volcanic mineral stones, imported from Canada, are heated up to certain degrees and are then used for the purpose. Next in line is the Veda Spa, which uses the ancient herbs and spices for deep cleansing and detoxification. Variety of massage styles, herbal wraps and facials, seaweed wraps, aromatherapy and aromatic baths come with this spa apt for all age groups. Parafango Day Spas, Milky Anti-Tan Body Spa, Chocolate Spa, Peppermint Spa, Dead Sea Salt Body Glow are the latest additions. The therapeutic diet clinic is another added feature. Customers now can make use the dieticians from PGI and other institutions for all age groups. One gets to learn a few healthy cooking tips to retain those nutrients too. Perhaps all this is what they say — way to go for a healthy lifestyle!
— SS
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Every actor, no matter how great the talent, needs a role that will show him the best. For Vineet Kumar, who has shown considerable talent in theatre and on the screen, the spoof on Laloo Prasad Yadav in Ram Khilawan CM proved to be one such opportunity. And now this actor of the Bihari soil as he belongs to Patna has another role just tailor made for him. As Om Shankar, Vineet Kumar has caught the viewer’s eye for his role of an outspoken politician from Bihar in Ajai Sinha’s much-hyped soap Ghar Ek Sapna. Vineet plays every role with his heart and soul: be it a film or a television serial. Vineet excelled in his performance in films like Ab Aayega Mazaa, Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, Godmother, Drohkaal, Taksha, Kachche Dhaage, Daud, Shool, Aks, Soch, and Yeh Dil.. Vineet’s talent and sunny personality was reflected in serials like Avantar, Mano Ya Na Mano, Naya Daur, Swabhimaan, Kabhi Kabhi, Ek Din ki Vardi, Rishte, Kagaar, Kashmir, Ram Khilawan C.M. Family, Dhadkan, Milee and Sat Phere. And now he is there in full glory in Ghar Ek Sapna. Talking about his role of a Bihari politician who has been talk of the serial, Vineet says, “It is the role of a lifetime and I can easily identify with the character. The serial has caught on really fast and the actor says it is real great experience working with Ajay Sinha. Thoroughly satisfied with his work on small screen Vineet says, “In my belief the TV entertainment is very fast paced. We
are on our toes 24x7, sometimes delivering sleepless shifts, since dailies need a lot of effort once they are accepted by the viewers. Thus I believe it is much more difficult from the industry in terms of physical efforts”. Of Ghar Ek Sapna,Vineet further says, “This serial uses a unique form of narrative, it has a good story and the director has used talented actors who will enthrall the viewers. The storyline is going to sweep the on screen drama industry with the innovation it plans to bring in”. Vineet adds, “I like to do quality work. God has been very kind to me and hope things will continue the same way”.
— DP
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SHOOTIN’ SHETTY Joyshri Lobo Oh Brother! That was some show! With finesse and subtle orientalism, Shootin’ Shetty fired all guns from that delectable hip and shredded Jade Goody, the one with the luscious orbs and what else? I’ve heard that – Shhhhh! this is for your ears only- her personally endorsed scent, is being used as a perfumer in all the Sulabhs in India , free of cost. You still pay a rupee to crap. “Two for one,” is the new slogan. Friends, sons and daughters, who have gone to Blighty to earn their pennies, still stick to their very own. They avoid the Brit minority, convert the pound into rupees wherever they shop, jealously guard their food and identity and cover their faces when they see libidos at work. They discuss costs, import paav and bhajji wallas to bring down expenses and refuse to join into football, soccer and a drink at the “poob,” (to rhyme with boob.) Tradition is what they stick to. Good for them. The Father of the Nation taught us non-violent resistance. We have improved upon it and taken it into the realms of non-violent takeovers. Visit South-hall and you get the picture and aroma. We have even created our own safety rules against the Bogas. Never wear salwar kameez, saris and bindis. You maybe mistaken for Osama Bin Laden. Trousers and tutus are allowed. Avoid going out on Friday’s as Britain is at the pub, and when it emerges, it has free fun at the expense of the above mentioned. Avoid going out after dark or into side-lanes as the hooligans on the dole philosophise and thereafter drown their sorrows in something called “Paki- bashing.” We are going abroad in droves – razaais, pipis and all – to avoid colour codes, caste brands, strata structures and all that is ethnic in India. We will show the Brits what equality is all about. We will unleash a million Shilpas against a million Jades and win the battle through tears and feminine wiles. After all Jade only eats chicken curry- we make it. Shilpa, I do hope you will share some of the loot with me.
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Respect yourself Girls!
Girls are the future of the nation. They are emerging as giants in every field, sometimes even outshining their male counterparts. They are business women, sports girls, teachers, advocates, in fact they are making their present felt in almost every field. In India a woman is regarded a “devi”, a goddess. Though they seem to enjoy almost an equal status, but things are not always so rosy. There are a large number of sex workers in our country. Why do they have to turn into hated call-girls? There are more than a single reason. Some girls have to shoulder their family responsibilities. But some do this only for enjoyment and money. There are some cases where college and school girls get into the flesh trade. Drug abuse is another reason for them to get involved in this. Once a girl come in this profession there is no way out. Prostitution is like a swamp where you go only deeper and deeper. Most of such girls think of this profession as an easy way of having fun and earning money. They don’t realize the dangers involved, for example dreaded disease AIDS. So girls, beaware! Respect your body and soul. — Rachna Sharma
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Greens, reminiscent of leaves and forests, can impart a natural feel to a space. Though bright kiwi green is a colorful, trendy look, softer sage greens have a lasting quality that blends well with neutrals, browns, and black. Wood or neutral painted furniture fits easily into a room painted with a contrasting color. The sage green walls in the living area help balance the teak or rose wood hues in the wood finish. Crosslink the colors such as linking the dining room to the adjoining room in an open plan by the use of similar greens. If the walls are painted in olive green of the attached room, then use green selectively in the dining arra.Restful green in the artwork provides perfect backdrop to the dining table and on the foliage-patterned chair slipcovers tie in visually with the soft green paint on the foreground wall trimmed with delicate white cornice. Alternatively, a monochromatic room in green can offer fresh color, dark cozy atmosphere, in stylishly soft style. The greens in the bedroom may be bright, but will not be overpowering with subtle use of walnut or wenge finished wood furniture for example. Intelligent combination of solid greens with polka dot green patterns or green and cream stripes all remind us of the first greens of spring. An extremely understated treatment of the walls by using mellow yellow on the recessed portions and pale greens on the projected areas of the walls in your family lounge can be off-set with white painted windows and doors to allow for breeziness to command in an otherwise boring looking room. Plain green sofas give a garden air to a space filled with pale neutrals. A look like this is a good candidate for instant makeovers with pillows, accessories, or window treatments. Experiment by using whites on the walls and sage green on the window and door frames to bring the garden freshness into your living space. Now add soft yellow lamp shades around the room to accompany the rattan furniture painted in olive colour whilst the cushions may well be pearl white with pretty green floral prints to cheer up the whole room all year around. If you have chosen a pearl white kitchen modular kitchen, then you can easily make the breakfast bar in pale green to bring some life into the icy cold look of your sterile cooking space. Alternatively, temper bright green hues with lots of neutrals. Use stainless steel accessories and glass backsplash on the walls above the cooking area. Vintage greens, icy blue, and watery aqua dishware look resplendent. Green walls and bar stools pair up with white cabinets to make a perfect setting. Use one color in a major way on walls and upholstery. Use a brighter color as an accent for window treatments and accessories. For example, if bottle green has been used on the main wall with lighter shades of green on the remaining walls, then upholster the dining chairs in the same shade of lighter green. However, bring in contrasting shades of oranges for the window treatments and golden or red shades above the dining table itself draped in check green table cover. Finish off the look with a huge centre piece of yellow candles and yellow roses. Citrus green is a fun way to add a lift to a child’s room. Mix it with equal-value colors in yellow, purple, and blue. Green walls, draperies, and rug may share the same soft sage tone that acts as a neutral backdrop for the space. Rusty orange and tan chairs and accessories will stand out against the green. Courtsey:
A.P. Singh
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A tribute to love
Kal
Ho Na Ho fame director Nikhil Advani’s much-hyped multi-starrer
Salaam-E-Ishq was released yesterday at Batra, Chandigarh, Fun Republic
Manimajra and Suraj, Panckhula. The film has been making news for quite
sometime, be it for its unique pairing or the latest buzz about
filmmaker Karan Johar doing a cameo in the movie. Salaam-E-Ishq stars six couples and traces their lives. The star cast includes none other than Salman Khan, opposite Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham with Vidya Balan, Anil Kapoor with Juhi Chawla, Akshaya Khanna opposite Ayesha Takia, Govind with Shanon Esrechowitz, Sohail Khan romancing with Isha Koppikar. It has a colossal star cast. The buzz is that ‘Salaam-E-Ishq’ is compilation of six love stories. Together music directors trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and director Nikhil Avvani had a chartbuster score in the form of Kal Ho Na Ho. The music of Salaam-E-Ishq looks like a winner this time also. One will have to wait and see whether Salaam-E-Ishq, a tribute to love, would be as successful as Kal Ho Na Ho. A true story Rahul Dholakia’s Parzania already premiered at the 10th Pusan International Film Festival at the South Korean capital Seoul, will see a release today at Fun Republic, Manimajra. Parzania, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Sarika and Emmy Award winning actor Corin Nemic, revolves around the story of a Parsi family trapped in communal violence in Gujarat and the trauma it goes through when their 10-year-old son goes missing. The film produced by K.B. Sareen. Kamal Patel and Rahul Dholakia who has also directed the film, which is inspired by a true story.
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Sushi and romance
Pop diva Jessica Simpson embarked upon a visit to Florida to join her boyfriend singer John Mayer for part of his tour in Florida. A source has revealed that the 26-year-old arrived in Miami early on Monday to meet up with Mayer, 29, at the Four Seasons Hotel. “Jessica flew in very early after a red-eye flight on Monday morning and spent the day with her boyfriend,” Contactmusic quoted the source as telling US Weekly. “They went to the gym and the spa before going out for the evening,” the source added. Sources said the couple had a romantic sushi dinner at the Shore Club’s Nobu in South Beach, and arrived at the restaurant holding hands. Toughest guy Movie buffs have voted actor Harrison Ford the best action hero in Hollywood for his role in Indiana Jones. He claimed the first position by beating actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger who was named the second best action actor for his awesome performance in The Terminator.
Former James Bond actor Sean Connery was voted the third best action hero, while the fourth position was occupied by Die Hard star Bruce Willis.
Three is fun American actor Vince Vaughn has been coping well with his split from Jennifer Ansiton, by enjoying ladies’ company in hotel rooms. The rebound guy of the Golden Globe winning actress was seen escorting three ladies from his hotel room, after a night of hard partying.
“Not one, not two, but three women,” Hollywoodrag quoted National Inquirer journalist Mike Walker, as telling DJ Howard Stern.
Meanwhile the former Friends actress has not been coping that well after the split, and has allegedly started sleepwalking, like she did after her marriage to Brad Pitt began to fall apart.
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Maare Gaye Gulfam
Seeing two films a day would have been a sacrilege. I am doing vintage talk, of course, by harking back to winter of 1966, age eleven, when we were living in the care of my fierce Colonel brother in Lutyen’s Delhi. That’s how my widowed mother and I were tossed around from hometown Chandigarh to different cantonments all over the country till the early Seventies. Back to the movies, Devandand’s Guide was just released and was showing at Golcha in Dariya Ganj. Big brother sanctioned that the youngest of my six brothers, Salil, home on leave from the NDA in Kharhakvasla, that we go for a morning show of the film. Mum and bhabhi were out of town and that evening I decided to go for an afternoon show of Shailender’s Teesri Kasam at the Stadium Cinema. The film was longer than what we thought and my fear was that Big brother would come to know. So I decided to make a sacrifice and told the old guy up their in heaven that I would destroy my favourite possession if my rendezvous was not discovered. Guess what my favourite possession was? It was a colourful photograph of Sadhna, of the fringe fame, in bridal wear for that was the year she married R.K. Nayar. That night I tore the picture cut out with care from the Filmfare into bits and shed more tears than I had shed for Hirabai in Shailender’s film based on Phanishwarnath Renu’s story and Raju of R.K. Naryayan’s novel. It was literally a case of Mare Gaye Gulfam in the dreamy confused and movie-mad pre-teen years! Movie memories Rudaali lore — Nirupama Dutt
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Health tip of the day
Flavour of the breast milk changes shortly after strenuous exercise. Therefore, mothers should wait for about half an hour after exercises before they feed the infant.—
Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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TAROT TALK
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Early Sikh art and devotion are no longer strange to the Rubin Museum in New York where a finely curated exhibition, by B.N. Goswamy and Caron Smith, on the theme has been on display since September 18, 2006. Titled I See No Stranger: Early Sikh Art and Devotion, showcases art representing the early Sikh beliefs. The exhibited art broadly falls into three categories: janmasakhis depicting reconstructed events in the life of Guru Nanak, images of the Gurus who followed him through the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh who founded the Khalsa in 1699, and manuscripts of the text named by Gobind Singh as his successor and the Eternal Living Guru. 
The name is just right. Dreamscapes. For as you enter the newly-inaugurated The Great Art Studio in Sector 34, you find yourself surrounded by fairytale figures, transporting you to the world of love, colour and innocence. Albeit, the exhibits are all prints, but it gives you a glimpse of what Mahmoud
Farshchian, the great Iranian artist, stands for— colours and more
colours.
Shootin’ Shetty, our Desi kudi, hit the Wild West with all guns blazing. In fact she behaved like a true Punjabi kudi and we in Chandigarh are thrilled that our Northern culture is spreading to the South as well as abroad. Such kudis are often seen at Heathrow, sitting it out while some firangi tries to persuade them to return to work. Remember Human Rights and all that? In the West, they “talk to you” and not laathi charge your bottoms. They need a visit from our experienced cops and husbands. (I thought you did not know that Britain is now called Indain and their pale-faced firangis are in a micro-minority.) Evidently our girls can bring the empire to a standstill, whenever required. They stand up their brooms, hang up their aprons, bring alu parathas and amb ka achar from home and sit out in the sun – a scene reminiscent of our very own Sector 17 Plaza. 
Going beyond envy, green has infinite variations and blends easily with every other hue. Greens combine well with yellow. A few accents in yellow like the pillows, artwork, and centerpiece perk up the colour scheme instantly.
For those who grew up on the samosa-chai and tears fare of Hindi film diet as against the popcorn and coke diet of Hollywood cinema and had a nomadic childhood and adolescence; many are the memories attached to where, when and how one got to see a film. In those days the adults sanctioned films and it was not done to see more than one film a week or more.
The reason for return to these movie memories is that one has in hand a book, beautifully printed and researched by a city cinema buff, Indubala Singh. Called Gender Relations and Cultural Ideology in Indian Cinema, it is a study of select adaptations of literary texts. And what fine literary texts the scholar has taken by choosing some of the best films made in India. Besides the above-mentioned film, there is Ghare-Baire directed by Satyajit Ray, Gaban by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Rudaali by Kalpana Lajmi, Train to Pakistan by Pamela Rooks and Umrao Jaan by Muzaffar Ali. Of the book, the writer says: “:This book looks at Indian films based on fiction through gender lens and takes into account cultural context for the studying of the films as a work of art composed on converging systems of signs, verbal as well as non-verbal.” Congratulations Indubala and more on giving the book a good read. So far one has just seen it and it looks good.
Before a goodbye, one is tempted to tell a Rudaali tale or two. Even before the film was released, one heard Kamal Tewari and Ramesh Sharma go ga-ga over Bhupen Hazarika’s music and had heard them hum udhati havaon waale milenge kahaan, but the film, based on a short story by Mahashweta Devi, gave a new set of metaphors to its viewers. Painter Malkit was in PGI with a broken leg and poet Manjit Tiwana and I went to see him on New Year Eve. By chance we were both in black. Later the artist, old grumbler that he is, told writer Gul Chauhan: “Aayian san dono Rudaalian ban ke!” Later in Delhi I was to use this metaphor to the horror of the top dancers who carried out a funeral for what they called the death of the dance review, wearing black with hair dyed to match they played ‘Rudaali’ to the hilt. Weren’t they angry! This is how the game goes from life to cinema and from cinema to life. 
ARIES: “The Priestess” infuses promise & commitment in personal relationship. Money is coming in again and you feel much better. On Tuesday there should be some unexpected cash in the kitty. You must keep a good eye on your blood pressure and keep alert for minor injuries. A sudden good news and gains are on the cards. Lucky colour : White. TIP OF THE WEEK : Listen to your voice of wisdom.
LIBRA: Let other people fight to be in the rat race, advises the Two of Rods card. You just need ‘to be’ in the moment and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Financially you may have expenses as much as there is income. Family situations may be generally tensed and you may have to adjust with your partners. Prayers to God may help you. Lucky Colour: Baby pink. TIP OF THE WEEK: Boost your confidence with positive thinking.
TAURUS: ‘The Knight of Pentacles’ brings healing and attention to practical and earthy matters. Interesting romantic encounter will take place on Tuesday. Business persons could get involved in a legal dispute over a financial matter. Professionals & self employed will do better. Lucky colour : Cherry. TIP OF THE WEEK: Focus on meditation and spiritual discourses.
SCORPIO: Its best not to have great expectations or you could be disappointed. You can be dreamy and romantic in personal relationships. Though social stars are bright , there is vague chance that certain people will indulge in back biting. It could be the perfect time to make a splash at home. Surprise and happiness is on the cards. Lucky colour: emerald green. TIP OF THE WEEK: You have to be straitjacketed about your approach.
GEMINI: “The Prince of Wands” rides in his flaming chariot of gold to instigate dynamic changes. Profits are expected from a new deal if it comes through on Monday. Overseas business inquiries are encouraging. Romance may blossom at work place. Journalists ; teachers , advocates , models and cine stars are in the lime light. You can expect a sudden change in career. Lucky colour : Royal blue. TIP OF THE WEEK: Feel free to change your mind. 
SAGITTARIUS: Recent weeks have brought far too many changes for your liking, but at least it has left you philosophical, and able to look at life from a different perspective. “The Ace of Pentacles” sees the beginning of a very interesting development in your fortunes. Your interest in study may deepen. Lucky colour: red. TIP OF THE WEEK: Be practical and set the unpleasant set of events into motion.
CANCER: “ Ten Golden Cups” arranged in the tree of life pattern suggests deep family roots , feelings and strong relationships. Peace and compromise after crossing swords with a loved one are on the cards. Financially you may expect a windfall. Visitors and news can be expected on Friday. Friends may take off sense so be prudent in your speech. Domestic liabilities could add fuel to the fire. Lucky colour: wine red. TIP OF THE WEEK: Do not overspend and keep the scales balanced.
CAPRICORN: The Moon’ brings a karmic situation to the fore as you face a difficult emotional choice till Monday. Enemies and competitors in business cannot touch you or harm your reputation. You can be really happy and also truly sad as destiny takes you through ups and downs. The past needs to be dropped so you can make fresh beginnings and new connections. TIP OF THE WEEK : You need to act for yourself and for no one else. Lucky colour : Orange
LEO: Your card “ The Hierophant” takes you through variety of experiences from which you learn and grow. Be extra careful if you are signing any paper work as there could be more to the situation than meets the eye. Good news, you have been expecting comes at the end of the week. A Taurean person is moody but loyal friend. Lucky Colour: Crimson. TIP OF THE WEEK: Leave things open ended.
AQUARIUS: You draw “Four of Swords”. Sorting out practical and money matter is not quite your forte. Take the lead at work and propose overdue changes. All aspects of life improve dramatically. Push on taking the best advice possible. Your physical energy will soar. TIP OF THE WEEK: A dissatisfactory phase will need gentle handling rather than temperamental extremes. Lucky colour: Red.
VIRGO: Try not to take all that critical commentary in your head too seriously right now. Wait & watch and see if it still feels so dramatic. Like “King Midas” you too have the golden touch. The fruits of your labours are ready to be plucked. There is nothing which is insurmountable. Do not take partners for granted. Lucky colour : See green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Use careful judgment in handling issues involving property. 
PISCES: Tremendous energy you draw from “ The Hermit” enables you to start professional ventures & new assignments. Matters at home begin to improve. Someone who has been constantly bothering you will call for truce. Over indulgence in drinking and merry making could have serious repercussions on your health? TIP OF THE WEEK-: You are on the right track don’t allow others to interfere. Lucky colour: Silver grey.