Hello Yellow!
Flamboyant, fun, feminine, playful & peppy. The colour 
is setting the city’s crème de la crème’s stylometers and pulse racing
Anandita Gupta

Wear with Care Wearing yellow can be tricky. It’s a loud colour and could easily catapult you into the OTT category. A few cues: Team up your yellow with olive green, tints of blue (denims), lemon, choco brown, white and creme. Aviod combining solid yellow with solid black (you aren’t a taxi!), red and purple. Wanna wear a solid yellow top with a yellow lower? Ensure it’s printed. Animal prints, paisleys, spirals, polkas and graffitti look good in yellow. When sporting yellow, keep shimmer n’ shine to the minimal. Restrict accessories to light hoops, small earrings and handbags that aren’t yellow. Play with turmeric, limes and cremes, teamed with pastels, fruty yellows, oranges, olive greens, mustards, olive, kshashi green and citrous tones of lemon.

WE have stepped out of those gloomy-doomy days of cloudy chill into spring effervescence and the season’s already got busy, spilling out a kaleidoscope of blazing colours. Catching on the season’s colour-creative fever, we too, hit the city’s fashion hubs head-on to scoop out the season’s luscious loot. And well, if we’ve got our fashionistas thinking, here’s a cue – our summer must-grab is about inexplicable style, a lil’ madness and dollops of zing quotient.

Right from the runaways to those stinking richy-rich parties and from making Bollywood pop up in your mirrors (think Babli’s short Pathani kurti, Deepika Padukone’s Hema Malini-polka-dress in OSO and Tanisha’s hot number at a recent filmi do!) to your local fashion stores, it’s practically everywhere. Shouting out high style, its bold outbursts are ideal for making an uber-style statement. And if you haven’t guessed it till now, think shimmer, twinkle, sparkle and it’ll blaze before you. Yup, it’s yellow — making an appearance, yet again (not a blink-and-miss, for sure) on the city shelves. A peak-a-boo:

It’s everywhere

THE colour is sitting pretty on city shelves and how! Walk into Polka-8 and get charmed. Besides lycra tube tops (Rs 415-595) and tunics in mustards, mangoes, ochres and pale yellows (Rs 650-Rs 800), the store stocks lil’ dresses in the hot hue (Rs 1,000). Informs proprietor Payal Saboo, “Yellow is really big this season. Besides the regular dresses, I’ll be getting a lot of printed skirts in the hue.” The store also stocks yellow neckpieces, belts, ballerinas and bracelets. An absolute eye candy is a sunshine yellow, knee-length dress, with a lemon-coloured satin ribbon belt and ruffled gathers on the midriff!

For casual T-shirts in shades of yellow, check out Ten West, Waga-10, Sparkles-9, Meena Bazaar-NAC and Whistles-17. “Yellow tees have always been around, but this time we have them in combination with other colours. Moreover, yellow is vying to hit the formal league of colours this season. No wonder, we have formal shirts and dresses in lime, mustard, sunshine and leafy-pale yellow. Even the thread embroidery on many denims is in yellow colour this time,” smiles Rajneesh Jain of Meena Bazaar.

Fancy trimmings

IF looking for fancier stuff, sample tunics and short dresses (Rs 450-550) at Shelly’s-8. The store’s brimming with everything yellow, right from cool ganjis (Rs 350) to T-shirts (Rs 450) to halters and formal frilly dresses (Rs 1,100- 2000). Says Shelly, “Though we stock solid yellows, we also have jazzy combinations like yellow with chocolate, turquoise blue, white, lime green and purple!” An absolute delight is an orange-tinged yellow frock with a chunky rose brooch in tissue (Rs 1,850) and spiral motifs on the yoke. Not-to-miss are the hot accessories in the hue, including leafy yellow wristbands (Rs 100) and ochre yellow hair bands (Rs 150-185).

And well, when city fashion is taking cues from runways and looks worn by celebs in movies and mags, can our innovative battery of fashion designers be far behind? Fresh and fruity hues are glamming up the staple of Babi Grewal. “I’ve done lots of anarkalis and saris in beiges, mustards and dull yellow. The colour gels well with the pale Indian skin, and goes well for formal Indian wear as both silver and gold work go well with it,” she says.

Chips in Sandy Sandon, “Yellow is the main colour in Hindu ceremonies and symbolizes happiness, peace, meditation, competence, and meditation. Lord Vishnu, Krishna and Ganesha wear yellow dresses. I’ve used the colour extensively, especially combining it with lime and olive green.”

Avers Salil Gulati of Studio Salil-22, “Yellow is the season’s color en vogue. Both national and international designers are experimenting with canary yellows, symphonies of saffron; curry papayas, amber mustards, and pulpy oranges. I’ve done a vast collection of yellow anarkalis, saris, and kurtis in chiffons and georgettes, with embroidery in crystals, zardozi and chikankari.”

anandita@tribunemail.com 

Photo: Pradeep Tewari, Wardrobe courtesy: Shelly’s-8

You’ve heard him, now watch Jassi scorch the silver screen!
Hope & a lil’ luck
Parbina Rashid

It’s nothing new for our good-looking Punjabi singers to venture into films. We have ample examples like Gurdas Maan, Harbhajan Mann and Gursewak Mann to name a few. So when we learnt that Jasbir Jassi is the latest to join the bandwagon, it did not surprise us. But guess who he is working with? Mahima Chaudhary for a crossover film Hope and Little Sugar.

“I am not exactly acting in the film but have three song sequences with her,” says Jassi. And working with Mahima has a special attraction for him. “We had performed together during a concert way back in 1999 and always kept in touch. But working for this film brought us together once again and it is great to work with an extraordinary actor like her,” says Jassi over the phone. Hope… is not the only film in his kitty. Jassi has signed two more — a Punjabi and another Hindi-English crossover. “It’s a little too premature to talk about them,” he answers. Jassi may shy away from the Press but definitely not work. He has just done a new untitled album. “It is a folk-based album of international standards,” says Jassi, busy these days as a participant for NDTV Imagine’s Dhoom Macha De. How is the experience? “It’s like going for a camp. Lots of pranks, light moments and hard work,” he replies.

But knowing this soft-spoken Gurdaspur-born man, whose passion is music, music and only music, we are sure the hard work part excites him more. For those who do not know him, Jassi quit engineering to pursue classical music. After initial training under V. S. Jolly, he learnt Sufiana music from Puran Shah Koti. After composing and singing on stage with theatre personality Harpal Tiwana, Jassi came out with his debut album Dil Le Gayi in 1998 which went on to become a smash hit. It was followed by three others — Kudi Kudi, Nishani Pyar Di and Greatest Hits Jassi.

parbina@tribunemail.com  

It’s Rocking!
Purva Grover

PASSION for the beats. Love for the pulse. Unsupporting parents (at times!). Undying spirit. Self-taught artistes. And brotherhood. All this and more bind city’s local rock bands. And that’s what greeted us as we struck the chord with three such bands — Wasted Souls, Seraphim and 21st Rebel Street. Set to rock at the campus fest Jhankaar, they shared a few notes with us. They confess to be confused. But that was two and a half years back. Today the foursome Navi, Gagan, Abel and Kanishk who form 21st Rebel Street are bound by their dedication to Punk Rock.

They jam at every given opportunity at Navi’s home. He has really supporting parents, you see, they chorus. As for the rest of the time they engage in tiny arguments over guess what, music! “We all have different tastes, but it’s the love for music that keeps us together,” says Abel. They listen to Rolling Stones and Sex Pistols, and their cherished self-compositions include Hitler’s Cross, Dancing with the Devils and Fuel.

Atul, Ashish, Phunty, represent the Wasted Souls. The oldest band in the city with students from PEC, CCA, and DAV, these guys talk business. “We’ll translate our passion into a profession soon,” says Ashish. With wasted metal as their genre, their popular self-compositions include Melody of Pain, Death Wish and My Funeral. So where else do they get to perform? College festivals and corporate launches. Their performance at Jhankaar too is a corporate initiative by Spice to bring forth talent in the youth.

Interestingly, Atul plays the guitar for Seraphim too. Didn’t we say brotherhood! Seraphim swears by old school rock and idolise Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden. Ashish, Shubang, Vivek, and of course Atul, are members of this three-year-old band. They rocked at Campus Rock Idol in their very first performance by grabbing the title. Self-compositions? “Beyond the Dreams and Love Denied. They keep evolving with time. “We change the tempo or improvise on various other aspects,” says Shubang.

Ask the budding rockers if they have plans of launching an album? And pat comes the reply, “If we get financial support.” Does that suggest that the future of rock in India is not very bright? “We are surviving and are sure that this genre will catch up soon in the city too.” they say. Well, we hope so too, till then keep rocking guys.

purva@tribunemail.com  

Youth Speak
Bridging the gap
Shagun Sharma

THE youth of today want to create a world governed by their rules. And the influence of the materialistic world and early exposure is taking them far from the basic human values. As a result, all innocence is lost.

Undoubtedly, this becomes a cause of worry for the parents who wish to protect their children. In order to prevent the children from being misled, parents cease them, halt them and unknowingly create an unwanted gap between their child and themselves.

It is important for the parents to understand that their pearl has grown up, they have their own world. They need a ‘friend’ in a real sense, who can understand them, solve their problems, and relate to their emotions.

The parents should make sure that their child never feels alone and encourage them to share his views with them. An atmosphere of open talk will let the child believe in them, instead of resorting to hiding and lying. It is the parents who will be affected the most if the child takes any wrong step. Also, never compare your child with others, instead give him the space to grow mentally.

There’s an old saying in Sanskrit that suggests that when your son or daughter is sixteen, behave with them like a friend. Hence, parents should become their child’s friend and not their teacher. The gap will then be bridged. And once the gap is bridged, loves flows and communication happens.

Feel strongly about something? If you are under 25, this is the forum for you. Mail us your views in not more than 300 words along with a passport photograph at lifestyletribune@gmail.com  

French Connection

MOM-TO-BE Jessica Alba has developed a taste for French ham and cheese sandwiches. She has been gorging on them while on her trip to Paris. The 26-year-old actor is at the moment making European press rounds for her movie The Eye. Her MySpace blog read, “Every day I have eaten ham and cheese sandwiches, I can’t get enough of them. Wish they had these back in the states, the bread is amazing. My tummy is getting bigger by the second and the little one must like the food too because it is moving and kicking like crazy. Its The Best.” She also revealed that she is ready to return back home after the whirlwind trip, which included some sightseeing and an Amy Winehouse concert.” Can’t wait to get home and rest,” she said.

Sci-fi thrills

Rose Byrne has landed the female lead opposite Nicolas Cage in the sci-fi thriller Knowing. It will see Byrne play the role of a woman whose mother buried a 1962 time capsule bearing the dates of the assassinations of historical figures. Production is set to begin March 25. — ANI 

Knock, knock...
Fitness here
Anandita Gupta

Symptom 1: You religiously read Page 3 in newspapers for the ‘oh-so-gorgeous’ Kareena’s pics (post Karmic Yoga). And no, you aren’t Saif Khan in Romeo mode! Symptom 2: You can’t help but ogle at pictures of a sweaty SRK glowing in his rippling six-packs. Symptom 3: Our very own Shekhar bhaaji never interested you, but of late, you stuff yourself with all info on this ‘Suman-suddenly-turned-sexy’. Symptom 4: The latest Pepsi ad with Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor and SRK tempts you to gulp Pepsi. You occasionally binge on mud cake and hate yourself for doing so!

THAT’S the constant battle waged between your slim n’ svelte-aspiring-self and your tired, workaholic, indulgent self -- to pound away endlessly on the treadmill or not? To go cycling or brisk walking early morning or to curl up for another hour’s sleep? We’re pressed by the desire to look smart, and yet, hardly find time to visit a gym daily. 

But friends, the city’s waking up to our dilemma. As if getting our daily needs at our doorstep (read grocery, ironing, dry-cleaning) hadn’t filled enough convenience in our lives, fitness packages have lined up at our doorstep. We knock on a few doors in town to peep into fitness-zones:

Forget the dollops of dullness that yoga was associated with a decade back. Low impact, meditative exercises (yoga and pilate) are actually on a high today. And no, we aren’t just talking about watching Ramdev on telly or visiting your nearest yoga ashram. Denizens today are getting their yoga-pill right in their courtyards and drawing rooms.

Informs 57-year-old Chander Prakash, teaching yoga since 1994, “People today have no time to visit ashrams every day. Office timings make them hit the bed late and it’s difficult getting up early morning and run to the yoga camps. Also, yoga is all about kriyas and mudras and doesn’t require any infrastructure except a durrie,” smiles Prakash, who began with the concept of offering yoga in ones personal space with Punjab and Sind Bank’s Training College.

The city’s been for long inhaling the info that breathing exercises help magnetise the energy centers of the body. But another low-impact exercise that’s hot on the town’s exercise platter is Pilates. It’s a German workout that emphasises on the abdomen and lower back. Done lying down on the floor, the stretching here involves taking ones own weight on ones legs.

Informs 29-year-old Tatiana Ulchenko, the Russian woman who started pilates training two years back, “ What’s interesting is that though most men like to pump iron, Pilate is more popular in women, as it helps them get a lean and firm body. And women find it comfortable to do these exercises in the privacy of their homes.” No wonder, the lady visits select clients, never forgetting to carry ‘her own kinda music!’

The city’s fitness directory has also made place for some high impact workouts. Avers Vikram Kapoor, fitness instructor at Ozone-9, “I’ve been training clients at home for the last 4 years. And the trend’s really catching on, especially among people in their 30s with backache and spondylitis. In personal training, more attention’s given to their problems. If an instructor’s coming to your doorstep every morning, there’s definitely more regularity.” But isn’t it difficult in case of gymming, minus the equipment? “Most people are very health-conscious, aware and can afford the basic equipment. For those who don’t have it, I suggest minimal equipment,” quips the man who’s trained Abhinav Bindra for a year.

And charges? “The thumb rule is that more the people, lesser the charges. They could be around Rs 8,000-12,000 per person, but if there are two or three people, the second and third person’s charged a lesser amount,” says Kapoor, presently mixing his cardio sessions with floor exercises, power-yoga and Swiss ball exercises.

Muses Reiki expert Poonam Sharma, “I’m being increasingly asked for Reiki programmes at home. Though I feel that the results are more effective when the patient comes to the expert’s door, we do give long distance Reiki (Rs 300-500 per hour) for those with paralysis and back problems.”

Vikas Bali, running Rock n’ Roll-35, a dancing institute, in town, is also cashing in on the trend. “I’ve got five choreographers who teach everything from aerobics, hip-hop, jazz and salsa to bhangra, waltz and semi-classical. People want to shake a leg in the cushy confines of their homes,” reasons Bali, whose clients include Government Polytechnic College-11, PGI-Girls’ Hostel and DAV Girls Hostel-15. Bali’s one-two hour dance class comes for Rs 1,200-1,500 per student, but for more than five students, the fee is slashed. “We offer special packages for brides-to-be who want to waltz on their cocktail or jive at the reception,” he laughs. 

Rotary district governor’s love for memorable quotes finds an interesting outlet
Quote Unquote
Parbina Rashid

What do Mahatma Gandhi, Somerset Maugham and Aishwarya Rai have in common? Do not rack your brain, because if you do not belong to the Rotary circuit, chances are that you will never come up with the right answer. So let us help you out — all three have been quoted in a volume titled Rotarians’ Favourite Quotes, which has been compiled by rotary district governor Shaju Peter.

And the name of Peter takes us back to 2006, when we met him after the release of his first volume Kindle the Spark. It also brings back the comment he made then, ‘I am not a writer but I value the words of wisdom and this is what gave birth to the idea for this book’. Well, a year later, Shaju has not exactly turned a writer, but he has grown as a connoisseur of memorable quotations.

But why a sequel? “After the roaring success of Kindle the Sparkle, it was only the natural progression that this second volume be brought out,” says Shaju. It took him about four months’ time to collect about 372 quotes and bring this book to its present form.

“This time, as we can see, we have put the photographs of the author of the quotes and I had to do a lot of Google search for their backgrounds and pictures,” he says.

The quotes he has collected from various Rotarians range from famous personalities of the bygone era like Voltaire, Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Hardy, Munshi Prem Chand and Walt Disney to the most recent celebrities like Andre Agassi, Cindy Crawford, Mariah Carey and Ash.

And sharing space with them are own Page3 personalities, businessman Manmohan Singh Kohli and Rotary International’s ex- president Rajendra K. Saboo, both highlighting the good deeds of Rotary. These pearls of wisdom come in a thick but miniature sized book, which is aesthetically designed by Charanjit Singh. And even if you do not belong to the club, worry not, Shaju is going to make this available for all by displaying it at Capital Book Depot-17. Grab your copy. Who knows, some of the quotations may just be the source of inspiration you have been looking for!  

Shine n’ Sparkle

Ever since Jodhaa Akbar wooed us with its exquisite sparklers, an army of exhibitions has been hitting town. And as if Tanishq and Art Karat endeavours didn’t leave us charmed enough, another expo – Gahan Kala—is on its way. Promising to be quite a lustrous affair, the expo (March 7-9 at Taj) will comprise of an array of jewellery, carefully handpicked by a panel of jewellery coordinators. Vying for your attention will be a plethora of pearls, gold, kundan, diamonds and coloured stones.

Gahan Kala is the result of an in-depth study of the jewellery industry being carried out by Showbizz India, the principal organisers of the expo.

The participants would be from the jewellery hubs throughout the country. Renowned names from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, New Delhi and Chandigarh would be showcasing their charismatic creations, to pamper the jewellery taste buds of the city beautiful.

Jewellery connoisseurs can surely raise a toast to this. — TNS 

Sidelanes
A flower blooms in the mire
Joyshri Lobo

SELDOM does one meet so many dissimilar people under one humble roof. In the midst of squalour, open drains, a grey, slow-moving nullah, pigs 
rooting through filth, desi chickens sharing rooms with their owners and children defecating on the roadside, we gathered for the opening puja of a primary school. The rooms were painted with parrots and elephants similar to sawdust-filled toys made by roadside Gujjars. Young men and women put up energetic giddas and bhangras. The songs sung were from the villages of Punjab. The school is atypical because it is the creation of the abovementioned diverse group.

The DIR School (Developing Indigenous Resources) at Janata Colony in Nayagaon is the dream of Fredrick Shaw. He wanted to make a difference to those who have very little. In the squalor of the basti, he found hope, dignity and acceptance. His job is not to give handouts but to make 
people realise their worth. Like a magnet he draws other like-minded people. Religion has no basis in this undertaking — Biharis, Nepalis, Sikhs, Dalits, Christians and Hindus gather here to bring significant changes in their own and the community’s life. There is an energy and cheerfulness flowing through every individual. All have a goal and purpose. There are no draconian laws or dictatorships. The man suggests and people follow because they believe in the worth of what he does.

You may ask “Who after Shaw?” Fredrick has built up a base that is strong and will continue to bring up leaders and enthusiastic workers even after the 
heavenly heralds recall him. Young men and women are trained and then offered jobs with health programmes, schools, small-scale industries and in homes.

Fredrick started his work with the permission of the sarpanch. He gathered people under a tree and explained his mission. They liked what they saw and heard. With the increase in numbers, a roof was required and Maya’s father offered a room. Today, the rented school building will house 
classes, a dispensary, an anganwadi that was previously held in a buffalo-shed and a kitchen to feed a nutritious, afternoon meal to the children at Rs 2 per plate! Fredrick’s projects multiply according to the basti’s requirements.

Over tea and biscuits, I met Arjun Singh from Rotary Club. He is planning mini financing for those who require loans. Pannu, ex-Care is using his organisational skills. Amrit Bolaria is a trustee and thinks, talks and works dedicatedly for DIR. Dr Asha Katoch, the physician, is leaving for Delhi but anyone who wants to earn, learn and work for a worthy cause is welcome to apply. Teachers, furniture and funds are wanted for the fledgling school. I met students from China, Brazil, USA, Poland, Holland and colleges in Chandigarh all spending time, making a difference to the basti. My heart sang at seeing this tiny utopian seed in the midst of such little material worth. Fredrick has sunk all his 
savings into this wonderful project. Fredrick believes that a little piece of God exists within all our hearts and provides the best for his project. You can contact him at 9815587419. Even a durrie or a discarded table will help and you will earn a few brownie points in the celestial regions above!

(This column appears weekly)  

Street Smart
Kisalay Vora wants to popularise art through wall paintings
Parbina Rashid 

The name may create a little doubt about his identity, but Kisalay Vora clarifies all doubts — yes, Kisalay is a Bengali word and it means ankur, but he is a true blue Mumbaite. But more than his regional identity, is it his professional achievements that puzzle us — a J. J. School pass-out, a top-shot ad man, designer of night clubs and creator of biggest dance floors, biggest clubs, tallest sculptures and largest murals. Who is real Kisalay?

“I am a mainstream fine art guy,” says Kisalay over the phone from Pune. “If someone asks me to define my life, I would say my hobby is realistic paintings, business is paintings bordering on semi-abstract spiritualism and ambition is to give something back to society in form of art. And money that comes from it is just a by-product.” And we get the picture.

Kisalay is currently on a spiritual journey where tradition and heritage play an important role. It has yielded in series like Harmony, Lord Shankar, Ganga Avataran, Samudra Manthan and Tandav etc. But Kisalaya’s take on spiritualism is somewhat different from the perceived notion — “For me meditation would mean a group of people dancing at a Goan beach if they are completely swayed by the music around them. Meditation for me in indulging, dissolving oneself to the creating energy.”

And to capture that creative energy, Kisalay has evolved his own signature style where combination of subject and lines is supreme. “When I paint, it is vigour, sponteinity and force that comes to my mind before anything else. Colours follow later. And yes, form is important,” he explains. “And colour, according to him, should harmonise rather than segregate and lines should guide people rather than divide,” he adds.

We grasp the gravity of his statement as only he follows it up by explaining how he is trying to bring people together through art. And the medium he has chosen for this is public walls. “Painting for the elite few brings money and name, but painting for the common men brings a lot of satisfaction. Imagine the satisfaction when you paint a wall and give out a message which is being looked at day in and day out by pedestrians and after a while the message that you are trying to give out is etched on their minds,” says Kisalay. So he painted a few walls in Mumbai and now plans to take this art form to Bangalore, Pune and even Chandigarh.

Chandigarh? “Yes, it will be a pleasure to paint in Le Corbusier’s town. So, if you find a big empty wall, I am game. In fact, I will bear all expenses like for paints and brushes,” he signs off. Any takers? 

Shiva Shakti 

It’s a tradition Ravinder Sharma has been maintaining for the past 30 years — painting Shiva at this time of the year. This Shivratri too brings 30 frames by the artist who has captured Shiva and Shakti in various forms. But this year Sharma is doing it the iconographic way. So one has to go beyond what meets the eye to know the emotion behind each frame.

Sharma confirms that the exhibition Blessed Moments at Art Folio–9 is indeed based on Al Gazadi’s philosophy — experience the creator when you look at his creations. So even if you do not see the Shiva or the Shivling on canvas, his presence is there everywhere. Sometimes in form of cosmic waves, sometimes in form of mountains which Sharma has perceived as Shivling, rivers carrying the sacred water or an image of Lord Shiva formed in a cluster of floating clouds.

Sharma justifies his symbolic art, “As you go deeper and deeper into a subject, the image turns from concrete to abstract and forms ends up being symbolic only.” And colours? “When the mind dwells on a particular subject the vision comes automatically and that’s where the spontaneity of an artist lies,” he replies. Going by the vibrancy of his paintings, the vision of his favourite deity come in a colourful palate, for except for a couple of black and white mountain-scapes, the rest comes in bright hues.

However, the movement of his paintings cannot be attributed to colour alone. It’s the texture he has created with acrylic, oil and sometimes water-colour that add to the rhythm in his canvas. And Sharma has done a good job of creating the illusion of space by painting the background dark from which colour and form seem to emerge. — P. R. 

On till March 12

Legends come together to perform at the Bhaskar Rao Sammelan
Art extravaganza 
S.D. Sharma

THE annual feat of music and dance is back to lure city art lovers. Beginning March 14, the 38th edition of All India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan will see internationally acclaimed legends enchant the audience. Organised by Pracheen Kala Kendra, the event is their homage to Bhaskarbua Bakhle, an eminent exponent of Indian classical music.

Gracing the event on day one of the festival will be distinguished musical genius Dr.Hari Charan Verma. Trained by his father Pt. Devilal of Jaipur Gharana and Pt. Rajabhaiya Poochwale of Gwalior Gharana, he combines the melodious qualities of the two schools in his performances. A Kuchipudi performer, singer, choreographer, composer, scholar, and author, Padmabhushan Swapnasundari, too will enchant the audience with the vivacious dimensions of her personality.

Devoted to Jaipur Gharana of Kathak, Guru Rajendra Gangani will combine the traditional qualities of the dance form with contemporary times on the second day. He is known for his experiment of harmonising Kathak with western dance form Flamenco. Sugandha Mishra comes from a family of musicologists shall also perform on this day. Sugandha has been a record winner for seven successive years at Youth Festival of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

The third day of the festival will see a performance by Padmabhushan Guru Girija Devi. Country’s Thumri queen, Girija Devi, started learning music at the age of five and is a true representative of the Banaras Gharana. Also gracing the event will be Padmabhushan Uma Sharma. Wedded to promote Kathak, it is indeed her efforts that have put the dance form back to the mainstream of Indian classical dances. She is known for her creative fusion between Lucknow and Jaipur Gharana.

lifestyletribune@gmail.com  

New releases
Of Chandni Chowk & a lost civilisation
Black And White

Starring: Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Anurag Sinha, Habib Tanvir
Director: Subhash Ghai
SET in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, the film tells the story of a number of real and interesting characters. An angst-filled guy named Numer Qazi (Anurag) comes to Delhi on a deadly mission and manages to take shelter in Professor Rajan Mathur’s (Anil’s) house on a false pretext.

But during his stay in Chandni Chowk, Numer meets people who touch his life in many ways. Shagufta, a beautiful, college girl falls in love with him. The righteous professor Mathur and his sharp-tongued wife Roma (Shefali) give Numer a different perspective of things. An octogenarian poet teaches him the importance of communal harmony (Habib).

The D-Day draws closer. Numer must carry out his terrorising mission. On the one hand is a local girl staying with her parents in Chandni Chowk, who falls in love with Numer at first sight and offers a rose to the gunman and the people who trust him. On the other is Numer’s deep fundamentalist belief.

The film epitomises the black and white psyche – a mindset that refuses to see beyond the two polarities. The film is an emotional drama that promises to entertain but also leaves the audiences with a lofty message – a message to search for harmony amidst diversity. In that sense, it seems like an idea thats time has come. Ghai, well known for directing wholesome Bollywood entertainers, strays away from his usual style as he returns after a two-year hiatus with a realistic, offbeat film with a very relevant social message.
Showing at: Fun Republic

10000 BC

Starring: Camilla Belle, Steven Strait
Director: Roland Emmerich
HERE comes a sweeping odyssey into a mythical age of prophesies and gods, when spirits rule the land and mighty mammoths shake the earth. In a remote mountain tribe, the young hunter, D’Leh (Steven Strait), has found his heart’s passion – the beautiful Evolet (Camilla Belle). When a band of mysterious warlords raid his village and kidnap Evolet, D’Leh is forced to lead a small group of hunters to pursue the warlords to the end of the world to save her. Driven by destiny, the unlikely band of warriors must battle saber-tooth tigers and prehistoric predators and, at their heroic journey’s end, they uncover a Lost Civilization. Their ultimate fate lies in an empire beyond imagination, where great pyramids reach into the skies. Here they will take their stand against a powerful god, who has brutally enslaved their people.
Showing at: Fun Republic 

Health Tip

FIBROMYALGIA or chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition characterised by widespread muscular pains, exhaustion, stiffness and multiple tender points in the body.  Even slight pressure on these tender points leads to pain and distress. There might be complaints of tension headache, mood variations, depression, and numbness. And this disease afflicts millions of people, especially females.

Treatment: Analgesics, muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety drugs.

Exercises: Yoga, deep breathing exercises, and meditation helps reduce stress.

Due to inactivity (because of pain and fatigue) exercises should be initiated slowly and increased gradually. Start with five minutes of low impact aerobic exercises like walking, cycling or swimming, and increase it by two minutes per session every third to fourth day, till you can exercise for 30 to 40 minutes at least thrice a week.

— Dr Ravinder Chadha