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We will, we will
rock you Thoughts, actions and beliefs of budding journalists and media professionals make Soch’08. The three-day-media fest by the Department of Mass Communication is providing a platform for media institutes all over the country to stretch their imagination and creativity. Amidst interesting contests, debates and more, Saturday evening has in store for you a Rock Night. Our five local college bands are all set to make the campus rock to their beats. We chat up with them. Gods of rock THE trio call themselves G.O.D. Gaggan, Ankit and Abhishek breathe, eat and drink music, that too the metal type. The four-month-old band with the trio from DAV-10, Panjab University and NIIT, are hardcore fans of Iron Maiden and System of a Down. Practicing over 10 hours a week, they were last seen performing at the Campus Rock Idol and Mission-9. Called: G.O.D Genre: Metal They’ll play:
Three covers & two self compositions Traditionally rocking THEY promise to take you to the roots of the rock. Formed three years back, they won the Campus Rock Idol the very first year. Comprising of foursome from DAV-10 and PEC — Ashish, Shubang, Vivek and Atul, swear by the old school rock. Old metallic compositions attract them more than what they like to call, today’s new metal. Seraphim’s fave bands? Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden. Called:Seraphim Genre: Classic They’ll play:
Two covers & one self composition Game for Thrash Metal? THEIR first performance was two years back and it won them titles of a best band, best vocalist and best drummer. U.I.E.T students Nidhaan, Rahul, Ishaan, Chinmay and Bharat make the Shell Shocked. The variety in their music is courtesy different influences from Iron Maiden to Megadeth. Rockers by passion, they won’t mind taking it up professionally if recognition comes their way. Called: Shell Shocked Genre:
Thrash Metal They’ll play: Self-compositions depending on the mood of the crowd. To name a few, Assault and Another Game Soulful melody ONE of the oldest band in the city, these guys know what they want — Make passion their profession. And Isha, Rishi, Atul, Phunty and Ashish of Wasted Soul are working on it. Having performed professionally all over the country and grabbed many prestigious titles, they soon want to come out with an album. Students from CCA and PEC, the budding architects and engineers want to do what they like best, to create music. Called: Wasted Soul Genre: Wasted Metal They’ll play: 4-5 self-compositions, including Death Wish, My Funeral and Melody of Pain All 4 Harmony Called: Harmonic Friction Genre: Alternative RockThey’ll play: Three covers & two self-compositions |
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Gal ban gayee! THAT Kaneda (read Canada) is more or less our hometown is no news, but the fact the there are around 16.5 lakh Punjabis in U.A.E, comes as a surprise. And this bit of information comes from city-based Parminder who has been entertaining apne Punjabis for a year now. An RJ with Al Khaleel radio, Dubai, we chat up one of Dubai’s fave Punjabis. Yes, a fave, he is. Parminder began to rule Al Khaleel’s frequency last February with his show Teri Meri Gal and is now ready to host a show on Al Khaleel’s TV channel. So, how did it begin? “Al Khaleel’s team was conducting interviews in Delhi for an individual who had in-depth knowledge of Punjab and music,” recalls Parminder. And, this Sangeet Visharad in Tabla (from Pracheen Kala Kendra) and a hard core Punjabi fitted the bill. Thus began his journey to the hearts of Punjabis in Dubai. And, all this sitting here in the city. So, how does he function? A studio in Sector 47, he researches, invites, scripts, edits and then sends across the show’s recordings to Dubai. A one-and-a-half hour weekly celebrity chat show, he has had Harbhajan Mann, Sardool Sikander, Pammi Bai and many more on his sets. His punchline for the show is Kidda Babaji. Parminder is also the voiceover artiste for Channel Punjab. And how did the shift from radio to TV happen? “It’s all due to the radio fan base I have built up. They had heard Parminder, now they wanted to see him. So here I am,” he smiles. This one-hour show on the same format will go on air each Friday, beginning February 1 and will be called Sada Virsa. Excited to face the camera, he says, “I’ll be in a rubaroo with my fans.” And he is quick to add, “The radio show shall also continue, for listeners like truck and trolley drivers can’t afford a TV.” Well, here’s wishing him luck.
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TELLY TALES Star One, which shot to popularity with the Laughter Challenge series, took the lead last year itself with Sarabhai vs Sarabhai followed by LOC (Life Out of Control), the comic saga of an Indian and Pak family that shares a house in London and echo political happenings in the subcontinent. So, while it is sheer pleasure to watch Maya Sarabhai (Ratna Pathak Shah), the high society, prim-n-propah mom-in-law rip into her middle class daughter-in-law, Monisha, with perfect snobbery, the same cannot be said for LOC. The families have drawn their own version of the Radcliffe Line through the house (hence the name LOC) and fight themselves silly over things, including a sofa, comparing it with Kashmir! The Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhla Ja jodis are back. Crass Rakhi Sawant, cunning Kashmeera Shah, pompous Mika and good sport Negi. Bigg Boss episodes claim to have added footage previously not shown like wiseman Deepak Tijori telling participants what happens in reality shows abroad. Why is this happening is my point. The shows just went off air and are fresh in memories. Is it because there is nothing better to show? What happened to the prolific Ekta Kapoor, me wonders. Hope she hasn’t made a New Year resolution to be Bollywood bound. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
(This column appears
fortnightly) |
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Passion reignited AS a couple, Brij Mohan and Savita Brij Mohan are among the pioneers who gave the city one of its very first productions — Shaheed Udham Singh — way back in 1973. Brij Mohan directed the film and Savita wrote the script. The movie was well appreciated and was considered one of the landmarks among Punjabi films. But it did not do much for Savita’s career as a scriptwriter. Or was it that Savita did not pursue her writing career? And as we strike a conversation, we come to know that the latter was the case. It was a demanding teaching job and her family that kept her away from it. But no more. Now that she is free (almost) from her family responsibilities and retired as a professor of economics from Government College, Ludhiana, she has once again taken up the pen. And her pen this time has yielded a script on women empowerment, which she hopes to make into a film soon. “I have written in Hinglish this time,” says Savita, now 67-year-old, but with an enthusiasm that is matchless. And her new style of writing is for the benefit of all those Punjabis living abroad. “The backdrop is Punjabi but my message is universal — women empowerment.” And it touches issues right from female foeticide to dowry to domestic violence. “My heroine is a doctor who crusades against such social maladies. She is a true representation of the emerging Indian women,” says Savita. Brij and Savita once again plan to work as a husband-wife team. “We have kept two tentative names — Durga and Aaj Ki Draupadi — and also have zeroed down on a few faces for the lead role,” Savita informed. To give the film a national touch, Savita plans to cast one or two faces from the telly world but rest of the team will be from Punjabi film industry. “It will be like making of Shaheed Udham Singh once again,” nostalgia returns to her voice. And we hope for another winner from this duo! |
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Cool Stuff
Technology
Menz Only
Style Up
Mobile
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All about F.R.I.E.N.D.S YET another reality show? Well, this one claims to be different. But then, don’t they all, one wonders. We chat up the host of the show, Karen Patel, to know more about telly’s first reality game show that brings celebrities and their best buddies on air. Called Kaho Na Yaar Hai, Star Plus’ offering will see two celebrities and their friends compete and indulge in funny, mischievous and interesting games. And on their first episode on Friday, they had Sonu Nigam and Mallika Sherawat as guests. So what we saw? Well, Mallika handling kitchen chores and Sonu playing a blind man and even a dog! “It will be like watching celebs and their friends enjoy a picnic on the sets. The viewers will get a peep into their younger days and friendships,” says Karan. As for Karan, a debut host, he is all excited. “I am doing my home work, reading up on the celeb guests and interacting with people who know them. The show is about being spontaneous, both for the anchor and the guest.” Now, that spontaneity and wit comes to him easily, we learnt when we saw him in Nach Baliye-3. He did almost make it to the finals. Post-Nach Baliye-3, do we see him dance more often? “Yes, of course, I’ll be dancing all my life now,” he smiles. And then he is quick to add, “It does depend on the kind of money I get for it, be it in a movie or a stage show.” Now, that’s being really honest. But where was this Kastauri boy prior to Nach...? Rewind four years and if one is attentive enough, one can spot him in quite a few Ekta Kapoor’s soaps. To name some Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kavyanjali, Kesar and Kasuatii Zindagi Kay. Ask him of the roles he portrayed and his humble side speaks, “I can’t call myself a junior artiste, I was just there, one among many.” But all changed around 10 months back when he grabbed a lead role again in Ekta’s soap Kastauri. Rest, as they say, is history. Back to Kaho Na...any special guest pair that Karan would like to see on the show? “Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol,” he says. No points for guessing why. “They are both fun loving people and gel on well with each other. Plus, I have been SRK’s fan ever since I remember,” he signs off. |
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CALLING ICE... ONE may forget to brush teeth or absent-mindedly wear different colour socks. May cross the red signal too. But, there is one thing that none of us forget or leave our home without, the inseparable element of our lives, the mobile phone. A nuisance as called by adults, a necessity by the youth and a life saviour, as you’ll know when you read on. Now, by giving it the title of a redeemer, one is not talking about the burning need to SMS when one is in true love or receiving Boards results at midnight or serving as a saving grace when you lose way and need road directions. Instead, your mobile can work as SOS. It can save your life. Our mobile phones may be loaded with hundreds of names and numbers of our dear ones, but no stranger would know to whom these belong. So, god forbid if one was to meet with an accident then even an individual willing to help would not know whom to call. So, all you need to do is store the person’s number who needs to be contacted in case of an emergency as ICE. This will help a frantic stranger save your life. And, for more than one contact name, one can simply enter ICE 1, ICE 2, ICE 3 and more. The ICE campaign started from an idea by a paramedic who when visited accident scenes found that there were always mobile phones of the patients, but the people willing to help didn't know which number to call. Therefore, he thought it would be a good idea to have a nationally recognised name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, accident witnesses, emergency service personnel and hospital staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number stored as ICE. This concept is fortunately catching on quickly. So, quickly update your phone book and make a difference. A simple change can save your life and put a loved one's mind at rest. |
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MISSING the mosquitoes? You can catch them, though only in print, at the Government Museum and Art Gallery where an exhibition titled The Disease Toons has been organised by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme and Integrated Disease Surveillance Project, UT Chandigarh for the first time. The objective, of course, is to create awareness about such diseases. The 75 frames, which are on display here, are in form of illustrations published in different newspapers and magazines over the past 15 years. And as cartoons in newspapers follow the rule of blending pun with current affairs, we get to see interesting ones like a welcome sign ‘Japanese Encephalitis’ for former US president Bill Clinton when he visited UP or ‘A new cock-cock call’ to announce bird flu or the one called ‘Remove the cause, prevent the disease’ that reflects the present political system which is trying to eradicate disease — all in vain. The exhibition, which was inaugurated by Dr Manjit Singh Bains, director health services, UT Chandigarh, also presents a few rare photographs like a Mosquito Orchestra, Insect Fight and Biochemical Waste, again published in different newspapers.
— TNS |
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One step at a time THE title of Mr Talented and Mr Chandigarh-First Runner up at a CIPA organised contest ignited the hidden desire of young Ankit Vasisht — to be rich and famous. So he took a detour from his aim in life to become a commercial pilot and landed up in the entertainment industry instead. And the path unfolded in front of him ever since he won his first title only six months back has been more than encouraging. Soon after that Ankit won another title at a local talent hunt contest, but his big break came when Babbu Mann offered him a role in his recent film Hasher. “It was the first time I acted in front of the camera and I quite enjoyed the experience,” says Ankit, who is now doing his second year BCA from SD College-32. Next happened an FTV fashion show and a music video for a song called Jai Hind, which will soon be on air. Now that he has tasted fame, what is his next plan of action? “I want to contest for the Gladrags Mega Model contest and I am grooming myself for it.” And no, he is not going for it right away. “Maybe next year, when I am absolutely confident about winning the title,” he informs. Besides that, Ankit is also preparing himself for Zee Cinestar Ki Khoj. “I have got an entry for the show and going to Mumbai by the end of this month to join the grooming session for the programme.” Ankit, besides doing his bits in the glam world is also teaching guitar and modelling to aspiring ones at Dhillon Creations. “The remaining hours I spend in the gym, dancing and reading books and newspapers. And the inspiration this young boy derives from Rahul Dev when it comes to the physical shape and Hrithik Roshan for acting and dancing. And support? “Yes, I have full support from my family, for which I am grateful. Not everyone can excel in studies and they have accepted me for what I am. And that motivates me to my best in my chosen field,” he signs off.
parbina@tribunemail.com
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Be good, feel good
THE secret of good skin lies in the right kind of care. Seasonal changes influence the skin. Lack of humidity, excess cold and air pollution can affect the skin. In winter, the skin loses moisture to the atmosphere and this must be replenished. Habitual lack of moisture can cause changes in the skin and lead to premature aging. As seasonal changes take place, it becomes necessary to adjust the daily care routine. The dry winter can rob the skin of moisture and give you a taut, uncomfortable feeling. You may find that the skin has flaky patches. The human skin is structured to breathe. In order to do so, it should be cleansed thoroughly. There is also a very high moisture content in the skin cells which can decrease, resulting in a dehydrated skin. This can be prevented through appropriate care. Cleanse it right Beat the sun USE a sunscreen before going out in the sun. Sun exposure can also cause loss of moisture. Most sunscreens have built-in moisturisers. Moisturisers are available in cream and liquid form. For extreme dryness, it is better to use a cream. A liquid moisturiser should be used under make-up. Apply it before using foundation. Rejuvenate by night THE skin should also be nourished with a good night cream. Nourishing lubricates the skin and keeps it soft. It also helps the skin hold moisture better. After cleansing, apply the nourishing cream and massage with upward and outward movements, for three-four minutes. Then wipe off all cream with moist cotton wool. Apply an outer-eye cream around the eyes and wipe it off after 10 minutes, with moist cotton wool. Lip service THE skin on the lips is thin and lacks sebaceous (oil-producing) glands. That is why it dries and chaps easily. It is important to remove lipstick from the lips every night, using a cleansing gel. Some lipsticks actually have a drying effect. After cleansing, apply a cream containing almond and leave it on all night. This would help soften the skin. Lip balms are also very helpful in healing the skin on the lips. As a home remedy, one can apply almond oil, or cream of milk. Daily care is vital. Mask up FACIAL masks should also be part of the skin-care routine. Nowadays, ready to use masks are available. Choose one according to the skin type. You can also make oneat home with oatmeal, almond meal and one teaspoon each of honey, egg white and yogurt. Mix together into a paste and apply on the skin. When it dries, wash it off. Use the mask once or twice a week. Facial masks help remove dead cells and improves the skin’s moisture-retention ability. It can also absorb skin-care products better.
(This column appears fortnightly) |
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ON a bush, they look like miniature Chinese lanterns. They are tangy, piquant and juicy. They come draped in their own parchment like “capes”. Pull the tissue wrapping open and they look like tiny orange tomatoes, perfect to pop into hungry mouths, even by little ones with grubby hands! The world over, they are called Cape Gooseberries (no prizes for guessing the cape bit), but in India we know them more as Rasberry, maybe because they are so full of rass. Enjoy them for the very short appearance they make because gooseberries, by any other name, will still taste as good! Braised red cabbage with apple & gooseberry (An all time favourite of the 2 tbsp butter 1 medium onion, chopped 1 tbsp sugar or shakkar 1 golden delicious apple, thinly sliced ½ kg red cabbage, finely shredded 200 gm gooseberries, hulled and halved 1 tbsp vinegar Red chilly powder, salt, pepper to taste Method In a large skillet fry the onions in butter till lightly browned. Add sugar followed by the cabbage, apple, gooseberries, vinegar and seasoning. Cook covered on a low flame till the cabbage sweats and softens somewhat, about 5-6 minutes. This makes a perfect side dish to roast meat, chicken, vegetable cutlet or a paneer steak. Almond & Cape Gooseberry Torte 2/3 cup butter ¾ cup granulated sugar 150 gm ground almonds 1 cup maida 1½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 egg, large 250 gm hulled, halved gooseberries Icing sugar for sprinkling over Method Pre-heat oven to 350ºC / 180ºF. Grease and dust with flour an eight-inch cake tin and line it with waxed paper. Sift together the maida, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Cream the butter and sugar together till really pale and fluffy. Add the egg, then the ground almonds and continue beating. Stir in the sieved dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. The batter will be quite stiff; so don’t be alarmed. Spread half the batter into the prepared cake tin. Sprinkle the fruit on top, followed by the remaining batter. Level the surface with a spatula so the fruit is covered. Bake for 40-45 minutes. The surface will cook to appear rough and crumbly. Cool, unmould, turn out onto a platter and sprinkle with icing sugar. Serve at room temperature with chilled runny cream. Cape Gooseberry Compote 1 kg gooseberries, hulled 750 gm-1 kg sugar 1 cup water Method Roughly chop washed gooseberries. Set up the water and sugar on medium heat, stirring till the sugar dissolves. Boil steadily for 10 minutes and add gooseberries. Continue boiling till a thick, syrupy consistency is reached. A splash of limejuice cordial gives an added kick to the compote. Cool, pour into prepared jars and seal.
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Health Peg
Health gurus give out many diet plans based on the proportion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats one ingests as a method to promote weight loss, but the effectiveness of these diet charts have never been brought into light. Now, a study, led by Dr. Karen Foster-Schubert of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington, has shed light on potential mechanisms by which various diets promote weight loss. The study examined the relative ability of different nutrient types to suppress ghrelin, which is secreted by the stomach and is the only known appetite-stimulating hormone. Circulating ghrelin levels increase shortly before meals and then decrease promptly after ingestion of food. “We found that when fat is consumed, levels of ghrelin remain relatively high, which could in turn stimulate hunger. Protein consumption resulted in the greatest suppression of ghrelin over a long period and, interestingly, consumption of carbohydrates resulted in a strong ghrelin suppression initially, although subsequent ghrelin levels rebounded well above baseline,” Foster-Schubert said. In the study, subjects were given three beverages with widely varying compositions of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins). Blood samples were taken before the first beverage was ingested and every 20 minutes for six hours thereafter. Researchers then measured the ghrelin levels in each sample.
— ANI |
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NOT as hard as metal rock, different groves and base patterns and intricate harmony. That’s Harmonic Friction for you. The one-year-old band comprises Sharang, Atul, Antriksh and Dennis from DAV-10, Khalsa and S.D. College-32. Atul and Sharang studied in the same school and formed the band when they stepped into college. Porcupine Tree, Opeth and Incubus are what they call ideal bands.
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HERE’s another excuse to shop. Nautica, the leading global lifestyle brand has announced its much-awaited Bi Annual Sale. The on-going sale offers up to 50 per cent off on apparel and accessories. You can cruise through the collection and choose from an array of colours, styles and patterns. Styled in a timeless, energetic design that enhances the consumer’s adventurous and spirited lifestyle, the range is up for grabs. Bold colours, fabric innovations, signature designs and unwavering attention to detail, take your pick from a multitude of options and cash in on rock bottom prices.
BOSE has introduced a sounddock portable digital music system, a speaker for your I-pod that combines high quality audio performance and true portability. The product will change the way people listen to their I-pod. Now, through advanced engineering and technology, the new product music moves easily from room to room, delivering detailed sound with the convenience of a rechargeable battery. Unlike most portable systems, it will charge an I-pod either when operating on battery power or when plugged in to a wall. It measures just 6 3/4” high by 12 1/16” wide. 
REFRESH your wardrobe with stylish work wear from John Players. The meticulously crafted collection offers the finest of fabrics in exquisite and trendy fits. Shirts in stripes lend a classy touch and the Prince-of-Wales checks and herring-bone structures look contemporary and chic. The elegantly crafted suits in luxurious fabrics, well-fitted formal trousers and stylish ties is the corporate look of today. Crafted for the fashion aware young executive of today, the range is all about ‘playing it cool’, even at work. Sport the collection for a polished and crisp look and give a boost to your inner confidence. Internationally styled, the collection is priced Rs 595 onwards.
MAKE a lively and playful statement with Oracle. Their Fall Winter Collection includes a wide range of pullovers for men, trendy fashion wear for women and formal and semi-formal jackets for both men and women. The brand with its platform of ‘style with a playful side’ targets the brand conscious youth. Catchy prints and motifs, funky coats and stylish pullovers in vibrant hues reflects the range. So here’s your chance to keep warm and go stylish. Go ahead and take your pick from unruffled casual wear and chic winter wear. The range is attractively priced between Rs 700 and Rs 3,000.
A STYLISH FM folder phone with loudspeakers, 20 channels, live FM recording feature and more, all at a touch of a button. Spice Mobiles has launched the new Spice S-570 to fulfill the need of mobile users looking out for a pocket-friendly option with their favourite FM channels. Its scheduled as well as live FM recording feature ensures that you never miss a programme of your choice. Set it as a ringtone to set the pulse, every time someone calls you or wake up with an FM alarm. The phone display boosts a groovy 65K color display, 800 entries phonebook memory and 200 SMS memory. It is priced at Rs 2,999.
— TNS
NORMAL to dry skins should be cleansed twice a day, with a cleansing cream or gel. Look for a cleanser containing aloe vera, as it helps retain moisture. Apply the cleanser and wipe off with moist cotton wool. At night, cleansing is important for removing make-up and other pollutants. Make-up also causes dryness. Massage the cleanser lightly into the skin and wipe away with moist cotton wool. After cleansing in the morning, tone the skin, using a rose-based skin tonic. Using cotton wool, wipe the skin and then pat it briskly. Toning removes the last stages of the cleanser and also stimulates circulation. 