Romancing the Ragas
Purva Grover
For this city-based family, each day is a celebration of sur and taal. 
We share musical notes with them 

It’s seven on a Sunday evening and the Madan residence in Sector 16 is abuzz with activity. As a ritual, today, too, the family gathered here sharp at four in the evening. The youngsters took over the living room and placed the instruments at the right place — the synthesiser at extreme left, a mat spread in the center to place the sitar, the couch made comfortable for the singers and so on.

No, it is not a professional show that they are getting ready for. Solely a family affair, the evening kickstarts with their family song (literally) Himmat na har sahsi, moves to Kishore’s Jane jaa, Pandit Ravi Shankar’s Desh khamaj, Vilayat Khan Sahib’s Yaman and Todi Shaan’s Mai hoin don and the finale is marked by a fusion of Talvin Singh and Medieval Pandits.

Says Samvadini J. Kumar (22), a fourth generation Madan, “Himmat na har sahsi was penned and composed by my nanaji.”And later, The Government College for Girls, Sector 11, adopted it as their college song. Incidentally, Late Dr Panna Lal Madan was also the founder of the postgraduate department of music in GCG 11.The first Ph.D in music in northern India, he has much more to his credit. A musicologist, he’s penned many books on music during his lifetime and students still use them for reference. Samvadini, a student of M.A (music instrumental), is filled with pride each time her classmates pick up one of these books.

All in the family * Late Dr Panna Lal Madan was the founder of the postgraduate department of music in GCG 11. It was due to his efforts that music was recognised as an elective academic subject in Punjab. He’s authored books including Sangeet shastra vigyan, Sangeet adhayapan, sangeet kala ka itihaas. He also composed four music movies (pancholi films). * Late Prof Jatinder Kumar was one of the founder members of the music department at MCM DAV. * Seema Luthra was the first female santoor player in the country. A fan of Punjabi folk, she’s hosted many shows for radio and Doordarshan.

And, not surprisingly, like their father, Dr Panna’s daughters — Meera, Neera and Seema, fell in love with music at a very young age. Meera picked the sitar at the age of three and a year later, made her debut performance at the Tagore Theatre. A senior lecturer in music at MCM DAV here for the last 31 years, Meera has even edited and translated a couple of books penned by her father. “Luckily, I got married into a family of musicians. My father-in-law, late Prof Lacchman Das, was a lecturer of music in Jalandhar and played a major role in popularising sitar in Punjab,”she says. And her husband late Prof Jatinder Kumar was one of the founder members of the music department at MCM DAV.Interestingly, Meera learnt to play the sitar from him.

Following in Meera’s footsteps, Neera gave her first performance at the age of two. A renowned classical vocalist today, she has even represented the country at the various international events and is a member of many prominent musical societies. Today, she heads the vocal music department of SNDT University, Mumbai. And wait, there’s more in the talent pool, for their younger sister Seema was the first female santoor player in the country. A fan of Punjabi folk, she’s hosted many shows for radio and Doordarshan. Now, she keeps busy, giving music lessons to her three daughters — Ragini, Damini and Ishana.

Another music buff from the family is Meera’s son Mayank (27). Working in a city-based IT company, he is a brilliant synthesiser player. He says, “Music runs in my blood and I spend each evening composing a music piece.” While classical is in his genes, Jagjit Singh is his first love. And a joke that runs in the family is that his collection of ghazals is much larger than the ones available in city music stores. And in between these joke sessions, also flow in tips, suggestions, experiences, anecdotes and advice from the elders to the budding musicians.

Today, the elders feel that they have done their share for their love for music and it’s now the responsibility of the youth to carry forward the legacy. And well, they have already made a beginning. Neera’s son Swarit Grover has already formed his own rock band Phlemingo in Surthkal. Also, while differences do crop up at times between the two generations over blasting volume levels and hours dedicated for riyaas, the veterans and the newcomers swing to the same melodies. For, while mummy and mosa ji do not mind swinging to Jhoom Barabar, the Gen-X of the family sits through one-hour recitals of Nikhil Banerjee. And the finale for the Sunday evening just confirms that. The musical extravaganza concludes sans instrument - snapping of fingers, drumming on the dining table, timely rhythmic claps as they all hum Hum honge kamyaab. And, we rightly agree.

purva@tribunemail.com

Treasure Trove
Clicking Culture
Anandita Gupta
Punjab’s ancient walls form the canvas 
for this photographer’s creativity

His appetite for art is immense. And quite understandable, when you discover the philosophy that drives Kanwarjit Singh Kang: “You have to go on exploring art…until you die!” That explains, perhaps, the 65-year-old art lover’s penchant for clicking and collecting 40,000 famous wall paintings of Punjab. And as if that wasn’t enough, this fine arts professor has also authored 16 books on the art and culture of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal.

Though teaching art remains a passion with Kang, his all-time love is clicking art - whether it involves getting down and dirty while travelling village to village on his bicycle with his camera, he is not bothered. “While pursuing my Ph.D, I was working on my research paper---Mural Paintings in the 19th Century, Punjab. But as I went to the various villages of Punjab collecting information about these paintings, I was captivated by their beauty and historical value. And so began my hobby of capturing these paintings in my lens,” smiles Kang. So, though he studied applied art and went on to work with various colleges, author books and write art reviews and columns for various newspapers, these creative pursuits have coalesced into the one occupation that gives Kanwarjit complete satisfaction. "I find that I am most at peace while clicking a beautiful, rare painting," he reflects.

Kang’s work includes a rare collection of nearly 30,000 negatives--- recording paintings, sculptures, miniatures, wood-carvings, folk arts, architecture and monuments of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. However, it’s the mural paintings of Punjab that most of his work is awash with. “Wall paintings in Punjab are indeed very widespread and stand as a testimony to the creative activity of a society that braved numerous invasions and political upheavals. Despite the ever changing political scenario, the Punjabis proudly displayed their vitalities by embellishing their portals, chambers, villas, shrines, monasteries and cenotaphs with murals. These murals or wall paintings present a pictorial record of Punjab’s beliefs, mythology and history and hence form the focus of my pictures,” informs Kang.

Besides, the books authored by Kang also capture the essence of what his clicked pictures signify. “I’ve not just clicked the wall paintings, but also put them in their context. While the emphasis remains on documenting the extant remains of murals, my books also have an analysis of their themes and a study of their technique and style, as well as their painters and patrons,” avers the art-lover. No wonder while flipping through the pages of his books, not just his clicked wall painting pictures, but their context and history--- fleet past our eyes!

As our little interview with this immensely talented photographer comes to an end, Kang comes across as an artist engaged in a spiritual search, grappling with the existential dilemma that confronts all thinking individuals at some stage. But far from being swamped by the questions, he’s found answers in his work! 

If you too collect unique things and wish to be featured, write to us at lifestyletribune@gmail.com
or Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29,Chandigarh

Remembering Narula

Neither a mystic nor a romantic dreamer but a stern, realistic Punjabi litterateur -- Surinder Singh Narula will be hailed as an epoch maker in Punjabi novel writing for all times to come.

The grand old man appeared on the literary firmament over sixty years ago rose to stardom with his novel Peo Puttar.  Born on November 11, 1917, to humble parents Jawahar Singh and Jaswant Kaur at Amritsar. After a post graduate degree in English literature from Khalsa College, Amritsar, he started teaching at Brijindera College, Faridkot, in 1948 and then moved to Government College, Ludhiana, and retired as its principal. Credited with over three dozen novels and short stories, Surinder Singh was rightfully decorated with the Shiromani Sahitkar award for and the coveted Sahit Shiromani award.

Talking to Life Style from Jaitu, acclaimed novelist Gurdial Singh said that Narula was endowed with a vision and vitality of imagination. “He pioneered a fresh dimension in Punjabi novel writing using fictional experimentation and incorporating realism, which became a feature of his writings beginning with the landmark Peo Puttar.”

Chips in Gulzar Sandhu, eminent Punjabi writer and former editor of Punjabi Tribune, “At 90, Narula was in his usual self though struggling with old age problems. He was never complacent and completed his Ph.D post-retirement on literature relating to Partition. He also received the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Delhi’s fellowship.”

Prof Rajpal Singh, secretary general of the Punjab Art Council, remembers Narula as a literary historian who captured the milieu and real moments of life of Punjab through metaphors and allegories in his novels. “His ability to translate the soul of Punjab and Punjabiat is the crowning achievement of his literary caliber,” said C.R. Moudgil, noted writer and director of Haryana Sahit Akademy.

The stalwart of Punjabi literature breathed his last on June 16 at his Ludhiana residence.

— S. D. S. 

New releases
Rajni comes to town

Miss Anara

Director: Yogesh Bhardwaj

Starring: Anara Gupta, Amit Rao

Miss Jammu, 2001 Anara Gupta, known for 2004 sex CD controversy, plays the lead in this bold film. Produced by K.K. Yadav, this controversial model-turned actress is all set to make a mark on silver screen. The film is supposed to be real depiction of life of this model. It is a challenging role for Anara as it has many layers and shades to it.

Showing at: Nirman

— Dharam Pal

Kundan goes chic
Abhiruchi Ranjan

Think kundan and the image of a newly-wed bride, adorned from head to toe in exquisite gold comes to the mind. However, city-based jewellery hub Anaha is all set to revamp kundan’s image. Introducing its lightweight, colourful, customised kundan, Coldan presents delightfully colourful necklaces, pendants, earrings, balis, hangings et al.

While traditional kundan uses polki diamonds or white crystal, Coldan uses intricately cut stones like amethyst, aventurine, aquamarine and many other exquisite stones shaped and cut as per the design of the jewellery. For fashion freaks, a small jhumki with an emerald drop for Rs 2,000 would be a good bargain. Besides, there’s a heavy necklace with red garnet stones or a pendant strung in black onyx stones worth Rs 29,000 is an ideal choice for an informal occasion. Guess what, a new range will be soon launched exclusively for men, making kundan a bisexual accessory!

lifestyletribune@gmail.com

Mistress of Melody Melody
Anandita Gupta
Life’s marginalised problems are the blueprint for Anais’ songs

IF all the world’s a stage, perhaps Anais was born to be on it. No wonder, electrifying gesticulations fill the air as this petite French performer croons She only dates black guys. She is in the city to perform live, marking the World Music Day celebrations by Alliance Francaise, Steps, ICCR and the French Embassy. Anais set the city sizzling with sparks of spontaneity and drama. Playing around with everything from folk, blues and chanson to rap, ragamuffin and heavy metal, the lady created music that was magic.

Having kept her French fans on edge for almost a decade, this recording and performing artist seems in no hurry to bow out. “I’ve travelled to parts of Europe and Canada and now it’s India. I hope to learn a lot from here and include it in my future creations.” And life in town (relaxed and fun, as she likes to call it) is sure to inspire her songs, as most of them are heavily drawn from life. “While penning my lyrics, I ensure they reflect some real-life situations. I dwell upon serious problems, but make these situations funny with dramatisation,” explains the French singer. That explains the lady’s penchant for playing caricatured stereotypes while performing. And while doing so, Anais tackles problems, as serious as racism, pregnancy pains, depression and solitude!

A pregnant woman shrieking in pain, people sitting unnoticeably in the back rows of a group photo or a single woman feeling lonely while looking at other couples making out. Anais captures all that is unnoticeable, forgotten. And though she focuses on moments, generally pushed to the realms of the unconscious, she does it all in a rather tongue-in-cheek style. “My performances are punctuated with jokes, allusions, caricatures and drama. After many of my stage shows, dialogues are initiated between my audiences and me,” informs 29-year-old Anais, who wanted to be an actor since childhood.

Ask this young artist about her formal training in music and she admits not getting any. Quiz her about her style of singing, and she naively admits having ‘no style at all.’ ‘Life,’ after all, has been her motivation all throughout. Whether it was walking out on famous band Opossom to go solo (March 2003) or playing the guitar without actually knowing the chords and tunings or even calling her first album ‘The Cheap Show,’ Anais has never followed the rules of the game. Nevertheless, her music is being loved. For, like life, her music too experiments with the unexpected. Moreover, with Anais performances, there is a certain synergy, which is continuously moving, almost like a ball of momentum. No wonder, her last croon does sound like “I’m not done yet!”

anandita@tribunemail.com

The history she scripted
Saurabh Malik

SHE has scripted history of sorts. Fictitious conversations that Sukriti Vadhera, a city-based art director created between the assassinated and the assassins for promoting business interests of a Mumbai-situated café has won her a bronze at Cannes Lions 2007.The conversations scribbled in Sukriti’s handwriting on a napkin, are between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse, Lennon and Chapman, Martin Luther King and Ray. The campaign was an instant hit as it displayed the power of conversation.

Imaginary dialogue between the champions and the ‘bad men’ of history has won a city girl a bronze at Cannes

Guys, just in case you do not know, as many as 9000 delegates and 11,000 visitors from over 75 countries meet at the festival to absorb and learn from the best in international advertising, creativity and marketing communications. Besides, they also attend cutting-edge seminars and network in Cannes. The winning ads are awarded gold, silver and bronze Lions. The Grand Prix is awarded to the best of the Gold Lions. Other awards include Agency of the Year, Mediaperson of the Year, the Palme d’Or, Direct Agency of the Year, Interactive Agency of the Year and the Titanium Lions award.

Reposing on a comfortable sofa in a Sector 11 café, Sukriti says, “I personally believe dialogues can change the course of history. The campaigns show the assassins and the assassinated conversing and sorting out their differences over a cup of coffee, averting a tragedy in the process”. While, the idea, design and script was applauded, it was her handwriting on the ads that made all the difference. “I must have stylised the calligraphy and written the copy in a thousand fonts. But it was worth it,” she says.

Going into the background of the campaign, Sukriti says she was working in Mumbai then. Her team at McCann Erickson was called in as competition was taking the steam out of Cocco’s Café. Needless to say, the management wanted an advertisement that would stand out. “Well, we decided to give the campaign a whiff of freshness by thinking of the unusual,” she says. “We flipped through the history books, zeroed in on the characters and initiated imaginary dialogues for giving a 360 degree turn to history. As soon as the job was over, we realised the campaign was going to be a big hit”.

Daughter of Sumant Vadhera, an eminent artist known for his calligraphy and illustrations, Sukriti was born in Chandigarh. She completed her bachelors’ degree in fine arts from Government College of Arts and has specialised in applied arts. She is currently working in the city as an art director and believes the honour is just the beginning. All the best to her!

saurabh@tribunemail.com

Chic Shop
Haute style

SIDELANES 
Joyshri Lobo
Ancestral lines

Major Ravinder Sharma, ex-Artillery, Signals and General Services in the British Indian Army, strode into our home to meet his cousin, my mother. At 92, her mama’s son has a firm handshake, Grecian nose, fair skin, grey eyes and imposing height. The family consisted of scholars and medicine men in the BCs. They were called Tugnaits, but for some unknown reason, they adopted Sharma.

Only in India do we have designations for every relative from the paternal and maternal sides. Convenient and scientific, leading to no confusion whatsoever!

After his brusque encounter with an unbending King Porus and a debilitating one with malaria, Alexander the Great did an about turn and headed back for Greece. He did not cross the Jhelum — a tragedy or a cause for jubilation, I have yet to decide or be convinced of by future historians. That he did not reach his motherland is beside the point. He picked up a few Indian, Vedic scholars and persuaded them to join his entourage. As is our wont, the Indians settled down well in their adopted country, married and created generations with robust constitutions and classic features. Well into Anno Domini, one of the Tugnaits heard the nagging voice of his soul and returned to his motherland. These ancient journeys sound mind boggling and fraught with danger today but fortunately for my family, the ancestors survived them.

Loaded with wealth and knowledge, garnered from two great civilisations, a homesick Tugnait chose a verdant spot near Phagwara and named it Dhuleta. Generations still live in this tranquil village, host to a model and very handsome community.

The family chose Ravinder’s life-partner, Sunder, and he was affianced to her within a year of his birth. The Brits made a rule that no one could marry before the economically viable age of 25, a tenet followed even today. The couple finally married in 1943.

The young subaltern was a great favourite of Mrs Hogg, wife of Colonel H.W. Hogg, commandant of the regiment. He was often invited to their home and became friendly with their son Hamish. It was a black day when nationalists shot dead father, son and four other British officers as they came down from Simla by railcar. It was a well-hatched, foolproof plot, reminiscent of today’s global insurgency.  Mrs Hogg returned to England soon after. For all of us it is very hard to decide where to place our loyalties or how to decide what is right or wrong. The perspective differs from side to side and young Ravinder passed through a period of turmoil and confusion.

Today a proud man holds his head high. He has lived well and for others his life is a kaleidoscope of images, both good and bad. He visits the village and finds peace and camaraderie. Sometimes his soul looks into the centuries gone by and he is satisfied that many Tugnaits created an Eden of harmony at Dhuleta.

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