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Nothing Lasts Forever The news of the death of Sidney Sheldon, easily one of the greatest storytellers, has jolted many a die-hard Sidney fan in City Beautiful, reports Parbina Rashid
At that time I felt it was a grave injustice to me when my father had put me in a women’s college where we were allowed to venture out of the campus only twice a week. I could single out our head girl as Big Bertha who enjoyed the closest rapport with the hostel warden and hence enjoyed a few privileges that we lesser mortals were denied. This was how my association with Sidney Sheldon started, which developed into a solid bond by the time I completed the three-year sentence at Abdullah Hall — an association that came to an end on last Tuesday when this great storyteller died of pneumonia at Eisenhower Medical Center in rancho Mirage, Los Angeles. He died in the ripe old age of 89. But that did not make the death any less painful for us Sidney lovers. “Oh God, there will be no more Sidney books to read,” was the first thought that came to Michelle Francis, who is working with St. Kabir School as a senior librarian. Michelle’s initiation into Sidney’s world of passion, romance and crime happened when she was a student of Class VII. “I have read all his books. I liked them for their pacy starting which the author maintains throughout. Of course, there is no scope for guessing as far as a Sidney book is concerned. He keeps you on your toes till the end,” she says.
Yajan Kashyap, a die-hard Sidney fan, has not been able to recover himself from the shock he had when he heard the news last night. “We, the entire family, are mourning his death. To think that there will be no more Sidney books to read in the coming years is unacceptable,” says Kashyap, a senior journalist. Kashyap had no difficulty in recalling his favourite Sidney books — Other Side of Midnight, Master of the Game, Rage of Angel, Bloodline and Tell Me Your Dreams. “I liked the way he essayed his characters with warts and all, very realistic, yet interesting. And the unpredictability element, which was his signature style, did not allow a reader to sleep over it. When you pick up a Sidney book, you rest only when you finish it,” he says. He is right. The author himself had admitted in one of his old interviews that he follows the technique of the old Saturday afternoon serial, “leave the guy hanging on the edge of the cliff at the end of the chapter.” His formula sure worked with the young and the old alike. “I had read his books during the college days,” says Mona Markanda, a lawyer and mother of a teenage son. “I found his books so gripping that I would even read during my exams if I could lay my hands on one. He is popular even with the Harry Potter and BeyBlade generation. “My son Devin Markanda, who is studying in St. John’s School, is equally addictive to his books,” she adds. It is now 22 years since she began reading Sidney. A writer of 23 screenplays, including a Tony award winning Broadway’s Redhead and an Academy Award wining The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer, before he turned a novelist with his first book The Naked Face, which received an Edgar Award, Sidney Sheldon is surely the most popular storyteller of all time. “His books are always in demand by all age groups,” says Seema Dev, the senior librarian of Browsers Book Store and Library. “Though the books he had written in the later stage of his life like The Other Side of Me, Tell Me Your dreams and The Stars Shine Down had a slow response to start with as they were a little different from his usual style, lately these books too have topped in the popularity chart,” she confirms. While Sidney fans are reconciling themselves to the loss of their favourite writer, Seema sees his popularity growing even more in the coming days. “Now that people know that the great author is no more, I am sure there will be a rush for his books.” She assures us that the Browsers have already stocked more copies for both buyers and borrowers, we will still advise you to hurry and get your copy, for after all, Nothing Lasts Forever.
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Slice of Orange
Rust-ish orange merges well with brown, gold, and red to create a warm color palette. If you have a reasonably sized dining area, then how about painting all the walls in burnt amber, paint the door and windows either pearl white or polish then in natural teak shade. Keep ceiling and cornice white and flooring pale for fresh appeal. Use maple for contemporary, oak for rustic or walnut for classic interiors but don’t forget to put a colossal orange and yellow flower arrangement on your dining table. Medium value of orange has a vibrant effect, coordinates well with brown, tan, and gold along with lots of crisp white. Giving a formal feel to the room, dark teak, rosewood, light walnuts go well with this medium hue whilst the accessories could easily take on whites and creams. Could you put a white marble bust on a forest brown pillar by the door to your drawing room? Alternatively, have honey coloured wooden flooring and glossy orange ceiling in your guestroom. In between, paint the walls in magnolia. Pine, wenge and even black coloured furniture would look breathtaking. Hang light and frothy shirring or tab rod curtain in patterned drapery fabric for a country look or opt for Austrian blinds for a contemporary touch. How about a large ebony wood figurine or terracotta pots holding dry wheat stalks as a corner piece? Peachy-orange brings in spring freshness whilst touches of green bring a little of garden into the room. White ceiling with striped wooden beams brings out the freshness of peach walls of any family lounge. A long white tablecloth softens the wood tabletop while a mirror multiplies the light throughout the room. Put a cream based green patterned rug on the wooden flooring and a mélange of Regency designed chairs with fully upholstered deep sofas to slumber away with your family. Punch up a small space with orange walls! An abundance of white in ceiling, trim, slipcovers and neutrals on the table and floor lighten and brighten the look. Fitted, tailored slipcovers on the dining chairs will keep the look elegant and sophisticated. If you are still afraid of orange, use it in the areas where you generally pass-through like a hallway. With less time spent in these areas, striking colors can enliven and refresh and relate to accents used in adjoining rooms. Dash on bright happy color in spaces where kids congregate. Rag-roll one wall in mother-of-pearl while huge flowers and bugs or butterflies sit pretty on the adjacent walls painted pale yellow. Keep the furniture and curtains white with dainty polka dots on the bedspreads but paint the ceiling in yellow. Choosing a wow paint color for your bedroom is a terrific way to spark up your life. We have all used burgundy, moss green, gold or kiwi green but let the bleached orange take pride on the wall behind the walnut finish Chippendale half post bed with floral sage green bedding and plain moss green runner by the footboard. Other walls could be muted tangerine with water paintings set in white moulding hanging above the bed. If quite poise is your style, then let orange make a wonderful contrast to off-white cabinetry in your dressing area. Give your breakfast bar area a Tuscan touch with rusty-toned walls and neutral furnishings. A touch of window drape, a beautiful urn, and a large plant add more personality to the view. Courtsey: A.P. Singh
Besten & Co
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KOFFEE WITH KARAN What’s
is common about Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and
the latest Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, (yes, besides the fact that all
these were emotionally charged melodramas), well it’s the man behind
them, the leader of a new, young and ‘hip n happening’ brigade of
directors, Karan Johar. His very name brings to life the picture of a
lively, vivacious and flamboyant figure of Bollywood that Karan is.
After giving some blockbusters flicks, he was seen in his new avatar of
a television host. Now the second season of his signature show, Koffee
with Karan is going to rock once again on Star One and Star plus.
Ahead of this show, Karan shares notes on this one and talks more
about being himself. The show, wherein the stars come together in two’s
and would answer practically whatever Karan would ask them under the
sun, happens to be his baby only. "I always wanted to do such a
show, in fact the name of the show was in my mind since a long time,
tells Karan. From John Abrahim to Shahrukh Khan to Rani Mukherji to
Abhishek Bacchan, quite a handful of the reigning ‘kings’ and ‘queens’
of Bollywood have been in that hot seat and have given some of the
wildest replies to his sombre and some ludicrous queries. But this time
around there’s going to be more than just the filmy celebrities.
"People like Vijay Malaya and some cricketers are expected to be
there. On second thoughts, lets spare the cricketers ahead of the World
Cup," chuckles Karan. And why only Bollywood stars? To this one
he tells, chatting with economists and industrialists is not my cup of
tea or rather we should say Koffee. "We have witnessed
friends, friends of friends, competitors, colleagues coming hand-in-hand
and enjoying the conversation on the show, what about the rivals, though
I would love to have two archrivals but unfortunately those who really
hate each other in real life refuse to come together on my show,"
rues the chocolaty director. Ultimately we are left with those who like
each other but hate others, he laughs. (He desires to have Salman Khan
one day on his show!) Perhaps the most important part of the show
remains the rapid-fire round of questions where Karan bombards the guest
with his questions, leaving them fuzzy at times. When asked about the
same, he quipped claiming that the round is there to make the show more
fun, casual and tongue-in-cheek. If there is one side that not many
people know about him, is that he happens to be the personal designer of
none other than Bollywood ka Baadshah, King Khan. Yes, Karan is
behind those stylish outfits that Shahrukh Khan is supporting over the
years and quite recently, Karan has done Shahrukh’s wardrobe for Kaun
Banega Crorepati as well. So what is it that he identifies himself
with, "I am a director who designs and hosts as hobbies," says
the witty guy. A designer who doesn’t want to design for girls,
surprising isn’t it. Believe it or not, according to him, girls are
very fussy about the clothes, if there is anyone else who he wants to
design for is another Khan, Amir Khan. And as far his wedding is
concerned, it’s a strict no no. "I know it for a fact that it won’t
work for me. Moreover, I love my independence." Well, after his
first appearance in DDLJ as Shahrukh’s friend to his latest in Salaam-e-ishq,
Karan has travelled a long way and it doesn’t matter at all what his
personal choices are but what matters is his fetish with the letter ‘K’.
Incidentally, all his movies begin with ‘K’ and have long titles.
Well, the star director believes in numerology and some one told him he
would be very successful if his films start with the letter, (a la Ekta
Kapoor probably!) Whatever the beliefs may be for him, for us, lets
slurp the Koffee with Karan as long as it is served hot. Are you ready?
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Feeling his way through light and shade
He is back again: This time with a lot more than just his house series. Though his simple elegant Bengal-style houses in oil once again dominate the scene for his signature style of light and shade effect. This time from the haveli types he has come down to ordinary ones that one normally gets to see in smaller towns of West Bengal. Of course the highlight of his relatively smaller canvasses this time remains the same—the brightness of the eastern sun that plays with these structures casting the perfect shadow on the canvas. However, the major constituent of this exhibition is a series on Shiv and Ganesha. Subuddha’s perception of Shiv is of a simple father taking care of toddler Ganesha, a refreshing change from the tandava or the yogi Shiva one is used to see.
Be it the pencil sketches or the ones in mixed media, Shiv as a father figure looks majestic with emotions ranging from care to concern to tolerance. So does baby Ganesha, basking in the fatherly emotions. Simple form, powerful lines and minimalistic colour scheme except for three huge canvases where Subuddha has gone liberal with bright acrylic colours, his paintings are subtle yet make a strong presence. Born in Jharkhand and educated at Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata, Subuddha has done a number of solo and group shows all over the country. A member of Chitri Bhaskar Gosthi, Kolkata, the artist sums up his style in these words—"When I touch my past, I assemble myself with every object, every life, every light and shadow. I feel the intimacy in between the subjects and me`85 I express that very feeling through my paintings." Here is your chance to become part of the artist’s past and this association promises to bring a fruitful future, for Subuddha has proved himself to be one artist in the market that one should watch out for. The exhibition is on till February 15.
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A Woman to reckon with Joyshri Lobo Children. If one word, one group, one goal has to epitomise Sharda Dutt, it is this sacred word. She loves, nurtures, guides and fights for them, no matter where or who they are. She has been the perfect teacher and care-giver for the past sixty years. Sharda’s journey as a teacher began when she started home-teaching for her daughters six decades ago. She was so keen to give them a proper education that she wheedled out ideas from friends and books with her customary curiosity and passionately plunged into a daunting task. To add competition and motivation, she brought in a few more children. She did such a fine job that her eldest daughter went into college by the age of fourteen! With a natural gift for teaching, Sharda schooled children of various nationalities, whenever she was asked to do so. The British and American books she consulted and created paradigms in the field of primary education, which hold good even today. Never one to miss opportunities, Sharda joined St. Bedes, Shimla when her daughters were at Chelsea. After her training she worked at St. Edwards. Boys from there- (grey haired men now!)-still remember and revere her. Today at eighty-three, she never forgets a name or a face. When her husband, K.N. Dutt, another great educationist, was posted to Chandigarh, Sharda, with a few like-minded people, opened Vivek Nursery and Preparatory School in Sector 9. The goal was stress free, enjoyable, curiosity generating education and that is what Sharda Dutt, Prem Swift, Isabelle Chitamber, Roma Chauhan and Bonny Sodhi offered when they started in 1966 with half a dozen children. Someone with an enlightened vision of the future, approved of Sharda’s model of education and in the late 1980’s she was offered a piece of land in Sector 26. Dutt – Vishesh School came into being. Sharda still plays an active role in its running. Her science and English classes are the most stimulating and enjoyable in the curriculum. Enter the gates and you are greeted by space men created out of matkas and an engine made of tyres and plastic basins. Creating something out of nothing has been one of Sharda’s original ideas. Watch her tick off errant, over ambitious and often pompous parents and one realises how much the welfare of children means to her. She has the courage to fight for her ideals. “My Yuvi!” she says with delight, each time ex-Vivekian Yuvraj Singh romps home with the runs. She is an avid cricket fan and can recall match details vividly. She loves Mahjong; greedily devours Agatha Christie; reads three news papers daily; makes the most mouth watering cakes and desserts; organises parties; visits and rings up family and friends; does the daily crossword and Su-Doku; wins at Scrabble and has a hearty, husky laugh when her funny bone is tickled. Generous to a fault, she helps all those who come to her. Her greatest joy is a little four-year-old she is educating and turning into a “lady.” Shades of ‘Pygmalion’? Probably! Sharda Salwan - a woman from a humble, happy, literate and broad minded Punjabi Brahmin home, married a Cambridge educated Christian and moulded herself into Sharda Dutt- a woman of substance, vision and compassion. She has been a wonderful wife, mother and teacher. She inspires imitation. What more can be asked of any woman?
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Hilary runs ruckus
The 19-year-old popstar and her sister 21-year-old Haylie showed up at Hyde before midnight. They were apparently on a double date, even though sources claimed “a huge entourage” escorted them. “When I’ve seen Hilary out in the past, she has been relatively composed, but tonight she was acting pretty wild,” The Bosh quoted one fellow club-goer, as telling Us Weekly. Insiders further revealed that Hilary appeared rather too drunk to the spy, who ran into her in the bathroom. She had brought a ‘flamboyant’ male pal along with her who tattled. Japanese loos put off Kelly
Kelly Osbourne has sworn never to live in Japan. And the star’s decision is guided by the world’s one of the most tech-savvy nation’s facilities - its noiseless loos. The 22-year-old has just spent two months there filming ITV2 series Turning Japanese. And she says she’ll never live in the country again because of their toilets. “In public toilets you don’t have to touch anything. A machine gives loo roll and makes birdie noises so you can’t hear the person next door break wind,” The Sun quoted her, as saying. “It spoils the fun!” she added. DiCaprio in news again
Leonardo DiCaprio, the ‘bonafide’ answer to the perfect female fantasy across the globe, is back in news again. This time, for logging out of the cute chocolate boy image by starring in the highly acclaimed Blood Diamond that has also won him an Oscar nomination. The Academy Award nomination, DiCaprio’s third so far, has certainly vindicated his status as a versatile actor. In this much commended movie, the actor stars as mercenary Danny Archer who deals in arms for diamonds in the midst of the bedlam and severity of the civil war in Sierra Leone.
However, DiCaprio insisted that he had not taken on the role because he needed an image change, but because it was ‘interesting’. He added that he would always be open to all kinds of roles that come his way as long as he gets to play a ‘great character’. Making out with monkey
Miller was told to pose with the money for a quirky photo, and to blow on the creature to grab its attention. “In order to make the monkey respond with you, you have to blow at its mouth - and it’ll kiss you,” she was quoted by Contactmusic, as saying. But, when Miller blew, the cheeky monkey stuck his tongue in her mouth.
“I sort of made out with a monkey... It was a sweet monkey but, no, that’s too much.” And, to add insult to injury, the monkey also urinated on Miller’s back,” she added.
— ANI
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Mere angan ki kahani Some moments need to be recorded, even if it takes as much time in rewinding them, as the words are far more precious than time itself. This I realise flipping through the pages of my diary, dated March 3, 2004, the day I met the best storyteller of our times Kamleshwar. The power of his words, the wisdom of his criticism in his deep-throated voice, all stare at my face from the pages. Memory takes me to the Punjabi University guesthouse room where he was taking a break from a seminar on Yashpal Ki Kahaniyan as his intelligent smile and wisdom of his eyes welcomed my friends and me as we walked in not just into the room but into the ambit of his words that spread from his sensitive village roots to his pained heart at the times disturbing the very roots of the Ekta ki sanskriti ka angan (courtyard of culture of unity) as he described India as. Asking the fundamental questions of the times were what a writer must do just as Yashpal did. “We need thinking writers”, he said. He was a man of facts as he talked with examples of the history of Puranas to the then attempts to distort history in textbooks, to the basic question of how far would the rulers keep trying to distort past to try and create a new reality which suits them. “Kitne angan ukhadenge?,” he said and the meaning was clearer than ever. His story Kitne Pakistan was the pain he felt on the age in a flux of madness and this pain he was not afraid to share. “Kalidas’s Meghdoot or Alkapuri were all written for a much bigger cultural civilisation and the Devtas were established for the good of all, the writers have those dreams of our 5000 year old civilisation with them and no amount of censor can change the dreams of a universal culture that we share with eternity,” said Kamleshwar with an honest urgency on his face. “We are not the ones to look back but the times are such that questions of Hindi literature have changed towards violence of action and thoughts and we stand in protest against such torture.” The man who wrote the romantic classics made into films like Andhi and Mausam said that romance had died from his writings too. “Our moral backbone stands feeble and there is no free time as we stand helpless when we see no morality around in face of global market forces changing all the dynamics. No protest is the worst thing to happen.” In age of political prostitution and feel-good slogans the reality was lost and also lost were the emotions and romance in the desensitised age. He was then working on history of organised violence. The journalist, the man of facts, the man of truth Kamleshwar was ready to fight till the end for the pain of a dalit women as well as the struggle of the poor man on the streets. The boy from Mainpuri village knew “writing in sampannata (richness) or vipannata (deprivation), his was a greater responsibility” of truth, one that few like him were never afraid of fulfilling and living on with the power of the truth and hope they spoke and wrote of, spreading the sunshine of righteous thought with their words ever smiling on the love they got knowing their path was true. These sure are the most precious pages of my diary as precious as the life of Kamleshwar is to our times.
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When Munnabhai
MBBS hit the screen in 2002 the Indian audiences were dazzled by its
impressive show of cinematic technique. Very few know that before its
release the film was struggling to find buyers. But Munnabhai MBBS managed
to weave a spell over audiences with its direction, editing, good story
and screenplay. The film gave director Raj Kumar Hirani his major
commercial success. Hirani’s second movie Lage Raho Munnabhai,
the message film that made Gandhigiri popular recently bagged six
of the nine categories, in which this film had been nominated. The new
age director Raj Kumar Hirani took home three trophies at the Hero Honda
13th Annual Star Screen Awards at Mumbai. Hirani who is
shooting a trailor for the third of the Munnabhai triology Munnabhai
Chale America spoke to Lifestyle. Munnabhai MBBS was
made in 2002. Later in 2006 you made Lage Raho Munnabhai. Both
the scripts took around 2 and a half-year. Do you ever see these
characters in your life? When I read out the script to Javed Sahab,
he quietly listened for two hours. After listening to the script he
asked me if Munnabhai and Circuit were my neighbours. I asked him
why was he asking me such a question and he explained saying when I talk
about Munnabhai I get into his character when I talk about Circuit I
talk like him. To which I replied that I would want to change my
neighbours. He expressed saying "Yes you do. You think like them.
After 5 years it will be too much. Initially Shahrukh Khan was
supposed to play Munnabhai and Makarand Deshpande was to play Circuit.
Did you think it was difficult to imagine these actors in such roles? Many
a times before you write a script you have specific character in your
mind. However while writing the script for Munnabhai MBBS, there was no
specific character in my mind. The cast was decided after the script was
written. If you initially think about a specific character before
writing the script then you ultimately end up writing the script to fit
the character. Initially when I started writing the script I could
have imagined a Shahrukh Khan and Makrand Despande as the characters.
However, it is difficult to say who could have done what role. A
lot of time Sanjay would come for the shoot directly from the court. He
had to present himself at the court every week. In his make up van I
have seen tears in his eyes. This case is on for the past 13 years.
Whenever I used to see him disturbed I would want to cancel the shoot,
but he would come back in 10 minutes with a completely different look.
You could see honesty in his performance. And the more he seemed
disturbed he performed better. The pain that he has been through in the
last 13 years has made him tuff and you can see a lot of honesty in his
eyes. But we heard that second part of Munnabhai MBBS would
be Munnbhai LLB and that you had written the entire script?
Not the entire script. The script was written only till the interval.
However, I did not know how to proceed further. The first Munnabhai
was shown commenting on a doctor, I was not comfortable with the second Munnabhai
commenting on a lawyer. I however continued to work on for about 4 – 5
months and then left it mid-way. Later I rewrote the script with
Gandhiji as a concept. Is it not a very serious subject? I
thought when I would take this subject very light. But it didn’t work
that way. Then I thought we should combine the character of Munnabhai
and Gandhiji to make it interesting. And then everything began from
there. The famous Munna-Circuit duo rocked the world again with
its Gandhigiri message. The viewers loved this movie even more
than the first one. The film extorted both huge collections and great
reviews. Raj Kumar Hirani now is working on the script of Munnabhai
chale America with his storywriter Abhijat Joshi. Vidhu Vinod Chopra
is producer of this film. — D.P.
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Signaling change
This week the stage
is set for another hard-hitting film Traffic Signal produced by
Percept Picture Company. This Rs 4 crore budget film belonging to a
different genre and subject will be released today at Nirman, Chandigarh
and Fun Republic Manimajra. Madhur Bhandarkar directs Traffic
Signal. After Satta, Chandni Bar, Page 3 and Corporate,
Madhur once again is ready to take center stage with his much-awaited
film that stars Kalyug fame Kunal Khemu. Others in the cast are
Neetu Chandra, Ranvir Shorei, Upandra Limaye and filmmaker Sudhir
Mishra. Madhur’s favourite heroine Konkana Sen Sharma is in a guest
appearance. She is the surprise package of this film. Traffic Signal
has sixty characters and has been shot in 35 days start-to-finish
shooting in Mumbai. Traffic Signal is a very hard-hitting film by
Madhur Bhandarkar. From Satta to Corporate he is one of
the most promising directors whose basic passion lies in human-interest
stories. Story by Sachin Yardi, lyrics by Sameer and music by Sameer
Tandon are other credits. Expect yet another Madhur Bhandarkar reality
bites affair. — D.P.
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Cross-country music
The glory of Indian music arts and Yoga had engendered an aesthetic affinity among the art lovers the world over which seemingly had blurred the geopolitical barriers,” says Gurdev Singh Seera, a musician based in Woolich, London. Thanks to the great classical music icons like Pandit Ravi Shanker, Vilayat Khan, Ali Akbar, Zakir Hussain and others for their pioneering efforts in introducing and propagating the Indian classical music to the West that today many humble exponents of classical stream and its sub-genres like ghazal, thumri, dadra are duly respected in the alien lands. In fact, the stalwart performers appear in concerts only to leave a mark of excellence on the minds of the intrusive listeners who turn to us to know and imbibe the finer nuances of the music. “Many of my European disciples like Wilson Joseph, Daniel or Prince Barry had the better grasp level than the Asian students both in instrumental music and percussion,” claims Seera. But somehow they had their own inhibitions or limitations to capture and bring out the emotional ingredients of any vocal composition, he adds. “However, there is a profound acceptability of our music which is endowed with the sublime character and its variegated expanse, as also the artists,” Seera maintains, crediting his own popularity to the devotional music performances on TV channels in England. The Popular music, he says is a product of many sub-cultures, which had only socio-cultural relevance and had little aesthetic criteria. Trained in classical stream and its lighter realms under Pandit Jati Ram, he later specialised in Gurbani and got accredited and sponsored by the Haryana Singh Sabha for UK. Earlier, like every aspirant Seera had spent 12 years in Bollywood music circles without any major achievement. But he has no regrets as his association with music composers and artistes in Mumbai had sharpened his musical skills and proved a boon for him. Today, he is rated as an ideal ustad and the most sought after versatile performer of ghazal, thumri in baithaks and concerts. Seera claims himself to be a learner in music and life. His son, Gurmeet Singh, a child prodigy, is all set to emulate Seera as a tabla maestro.
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Beauty in being
Beauty of life is often arrested in being beautiful on the outside as beauty may at once appeal to the senses. In age of competition, awareness, speed and curiosity, every one wants to look attractive and build a body only to be adored by others. Every day we come across countless beautiful faces but most of the times we feel envious. We try to change ourselves and build a striking personality. Some can also be preoccupied in complexes that most of the times hampers our success and growth. Sulking on frivolous things can lead us into deep trouble. We must always accept ourselves as we are as we are all children of the Almighty. Our efforts should be to have an attractive personality make our thoughts, mind, heart and expressions clean and beautiful. Outward beauty is perishable but inner personality is permanent beauty. A clear hearted, polite, honest, simple and intelligent person is always beautiful. Moreover, life is precious we should try our best to live it king size and should not waste it on trivial matters. Appearances do not matter only the attitude does. — Shivani Thapa
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Two budding artists, Sunita Minhas and Poonam Arora, from Panchkula are exhibiting their works at Chitralaya Art Gallery at Fun Republic. The artist-duo is not new to the art circle of the tri-city. Earlier, they had exhibited their works at the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Chandigarh and Spring Fest at Panchkula. Their current exhibition focuses on figurative works in oil on canvassing vibrant colours. The exhibition is on till February 4 at Chitralaya from 10 am to 10 pm. — TNS
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Health tip of the day
Weight bearing exercises create tension in the muscles and bones and the body responds by increasing bone density. These exercises are useful in women particularly during menopause when they start losing bone mass. — Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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TAROT TALK
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Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | |
AS I had always compared Abdullah Hall of Aligarh Muslim University to a women’s jail, I could easily identify myself with If Tomorrow Comes heroine Tracy Whitney, who had to languish in a women’s jail for no fault of hers.
Though Sheldon’s books are known to be woman-centric with beautiful, feminine, talented and, sometimes, ruthless woman characters taking the center stage, it does not mean Sidney does not have men followers.
If green is not your colour of dreams, shall we try cheery hues of orange this week before it gets too bright and sunny outside? If you’ve warmed to the thought of using tangerines in your home, you’ll love the variety of looks citrus can bring into your home.
When Art Folio had organised a group show
of a few Kolkata-based artists in the city last year, it was Subuddha
Ghosh’s ‘Doorways’ series that eclipsed the others. His works were
a complete sell out, as it was difficult for an art lover to resist the
beautiful interplay of light and shade, which he had captured sometime
through a jharokha and sometime through an open door.
Hilary Duff, who otherwise had maintained a rather impeccable reputation till date, recently made a drunken scene at Hollywood hotspot, Hyde recently.
Actress Sienna Miller ‘made out’ with a monkey while shooting her new Esquire magazine photo shoot when her simian pal went too far with a kissing scene.
ARIES: You draw “ The Fool” you feel free, unburdened and happy. No matter how you try, you can’t fully control the object of your love without changing it into something different. Buying or selling property is favourable on Wednesday. Medical report or a suspected health problems gives you a sense of relief. Bolster your confidence on Thursday. Lucky colour: Cream. TIP OF THE WEEK: Strictly eschew speculation and journey.
LIBRA: “ The Prince of Wands” comes riding with a promise of power & energy. Your sense of humour takes you smoothly out of difficult situations. New beginnings and new opportunities play an important role. Decide if you want to be a member of the pack or a leader. Health issues should be dealt with effectively. Lucky colour: brown. TIP OF THE WEEK: Keep your tenancy to save money for rainy days.
TAURUS: “The Moon” is in a combustible mood, so expect social plans to flare up. You may be attracted to a good cause rather than a dream lover. Time is to concentrate, be it work or personal relationship. Friday is excellent for physical harmony and emotional well being. Lucky colour: electric blue. TIP OF THE WEEK: Be firm and stand your ground. Do not let anyone get the advantage over you.
SCORPIO: “The Knight of Discs” support you through a busy and turning week with healing and earthy energy. You are focused on many different projects on Monday. The emphasis is upon short trips, your home, and connecting with your roots. Physical energy keeps you fit on Thursday. Lucky colour: Lush Green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Understanding your priorities helps to cut away negativity and restricting relationships.
GEMINI: Your card “ The Hierophant” takes you through variety of experiences. Be extra careful if you are signing any paper work as there could be more to the situation than meets the eye. Social events could be more enjoyable than you had anticipated. Ego conflicts and fixed ideas should not be encouraged. On the professional scene, you will make very good profit in your business. Lucky Colour: Lotus Pink. TIP OF THE WEEK: Remember never to fall for rash promises.
SAGITTARIUS: "The
Sun" brings change & travel. You will be able to expedite matters and make up for lost time. The employed may receive transfers to another town or city with a promotion and added facilities. There seem to be great distraction with a person of the opposite sex. Safeguard your interests by being sincere & honest. Lucky Colour: Soft blue. TIP OF THE WEEK: Do not refuse offers without seeking the advice from someone else.
CANCER: “ The Priestess” infuses a pure and exalted influences in your life. Love & romance lead to promise & commitment. Excitement is paramount when you are on the verge of change. The past needs to be draped so you can make fresh beginning and new connections. A Gemini person brings joy and lightness in your life. Interesting personal encounters and positive professional changes are on the cards. Lucky colour: rusty red. TIP OF THE WEEK : Listen to your voice of wisdom.
CAPRICORN: “The Ace of Swords” invoke mental power to achieve professional goals. Keep an eye open for a financial disagreement on Monday. Your motivation to work for the benefit of all concerned could result in major financial gain. A Libra person influences your decision and moves in a progressive direction. Remain in touch with your sense of humour and playfulness. Lucky
Colour: Golden. TIP OF THE WEEK: Make things happen out of the most unlikely circumstances. 
LEO: “Three of Wands” represent the Brahma, Vishnu Mahesh so the creator bring success whatever you do. You need to go with the flow and keep your opinions to yourself. Be careful as your carelessness could lead to lost valuables. Changes on all levels tend to be beneficial. A journey is on the cards. Lucky colour: Citric green. TIP OF THE WEEK: You are on the right track don’t allow other people to interfere you.
AQUARIUS: “Nine of Wands” puts you through a touching and transforming personal experience. Try your patience on Monday. Don’t make any sudden moves on Tuesday & Wednesday. Allow your heart to lead the way in personal relationships. You may have to takes sides in a conflict at work, remain on neutral ground as far as possible. Lucky colour: Deep crimson. TIP OF THE WEEK: Your own aims, ideas, opinion matter a lot.
VIRGO: “The Magus” brings moments, change & travel. Meditate to balance yin and yang energies. Be in touch with your sense of humor. Beware of making compromises at work and going with half-truths. A strange personal encounter can throw you off balance on Thursday. Lucky colour: peacock green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Plan your life to avoid the in build delays that comes your way.
PISCES: “The Princes Of Cups” offer you an opportunity to make new beginnings. You’ll succeed in convincing stubborn people. Visitors may arrive without any notice on Sunday. Monday is a good day to resolve and settle practical matters. Love and friendship are a major support. Watch your diet and calories. Lucky Colour: Brick red. TIP OF THE WEEK: At work, a setback would be followed by a rapid advance, so don’t worry.