|
|
|
|
|
Spice of life IN
ordinary circumstances, the strong odour of mustard oil may put you off,
but not when it is mixed with saunf, methi seeds, laal mirch and raw
mangoes. Now, this aroma is a whiff straight from heaven! Come monsoon, and it’s time for the ritual -- one you have practically grown up with: Your grandmom spearheading Operation Aam ka Achaar and other women in the family dancing to the “head chef’s” tunes. She would first oversee the washing and drying of ambis before they were spread out on an old bedsheet for drying in the courtyard. The actual operation would begin the next day and if you dared to disturb her, all hell would break loose, even if you were the fave grandchild! How everyone would eagerly wait for the process to get over. After all, wasn’t a meal incomplete without achar before muesli, sprouts and tofu? Yummy! PICKLE-MAKING is a flourishing business these days. Right from pickle makers who come to your doorstep to make pickle in your kitchen to mango sellers who wash and chop the mangoes in your kitchen to ready masalas, it’s all there. Here’s a simple, tried and tested recipe: Ingredients 2.5 kg gola amb 1 pkt achar masala (500 gm, available at most grocery stores) 1 litre good quality mustard oil Method Wash the mangoes well, dry with an old, absorbent towel and get the vendor to cut these. Spread out the pieces on a dry towel in the sun for at least four hours. In a clean, dry utensil, put one-third of the masala and mix with a little oil. Take small batches of mangoes and mix well with the masala so that each piece is coated. Put away in glass jars and shut the lid. The next day, sun the pickle jars for the entire day. Mix well again. Add remaining oil. Ensure that the entire lot is dipped in oil. Wait for two days and voila!
But now, time is too precious to be wasted on making pickles. It’s better to pick up a jar off the shelves and it tastes almost like ghar ka achaar. Well, almost. For, the true connoisseurs would know, the stuff that comes out of a bottle is not the real thing. Says 52-year-old Sunita Sharma, who prepares achar at home every season, “Time is at a premium these days but I neither like nor trust the bottled ones. I have to make my own. I use freshly ground turmeric and red chilly powder and ladlefuls of oil,” she tells. “If you go to rural areas, old women will logically explain why a particular ingredient is used, For instance, kalonji (black onion seeds) are used to keep away the evil eye!” adds Sunita. Agrees Renuka Sharma from Sector 21. She feels that bottled pickles can never have the original flavour. “Factory-made pickles may be replacing grandma’s special pickles. What people don’t know is that the bottled ones use chemical preservatives while homemade ones have no preservatives.” Despite missing the original flavour in bottled pickles, many still find it convenient. Offers Shweta Jain, a bank employee from Sector 15, “Not that I don’t love homemade pickles, but I don’t have the time to make them. It is a tedious process where you have to go step by step, mixing the right ingredients in the right proportion.” But then there is another option available too. “Sometimes, I get pickle made from outside, and it’s taste is similar to the one my grandma used to make,” says Shweta. “It turns out reasonable and saves time, too,” she adds. It might take a string of tasks to come out with that one jar but it’s not as tedious as it sounds. The end result is not only fruitful, it is healthy too! Make some this year, there is still some time. So, next time you hear the achari amb call in your neighbourhood you know what to do!
|
|
The S word BUY two, get one free; Get up to 50 per cent off; Shop for xyz and get abc free. Even the wisest amongst us would be enticed. Forget about the monsoon, winter or the summer season, our favorite the ‘sale season’ is here. That time of the year, when almost everyone goes crazy hoping from shop to shop, when the queues at cash counters reminds you of a traffic jam. Understandably so, after all it’s not everyday that one gets a valid justification to do something one loves doing — shopping. For the uninitiated, the word sale has become closely associated with big brands now. Allen Solly recently held a One Day Affair under which on the purchase of men’s wear, women got 100 per cent of the bill amount free. During Benetton’s Happy Hour scheme one got flat 50 per cent discount if you shopped between 7am to 11 am and 9 pm to 11 pm on select two days. At Catwalk, they gave 25 per cent off on the purchases of above Rs 2,000 of a leading innerwear brand. This is nothing. At Kouton’s once there was an offer where one got new clothes in exchange of old ones! Last year even Satya Paul offered up to 50 per cent discount. Such lucrative offers have given rise to a trend. Now, the brand conscious people would rather wait for the sale season and stock for the next season. Apart from the obvious finance factor, it is more of an addiction, one can say! Nikki Virk, MA English student, says, “It is not just about saving a few bucks but for the kick I get while buying during sales. I wait for this time of the year.” However, the justification does not stop at that. There are some people who like the environment the showrooms create during those sales. Taran Preet, a hospitality professional, says, “During sales you actually have a lot of clothes on the shelves. Even those ones from the previous seasons which you missed. You can purchase in bulk for reasons more than one.” No wonder, it has become a much-awaited annual or biannual affair for many.
|
|
Women in white Draped in chiffon, wearing kilos of pancake, Hindi serials’ widows mourn loved ones Jasmine Singh A
JOINT family, a young, dynamic, bachelor and dutiful son who handles a multi-crore family business (can’t handle a paan ki dukaan for sure) but returns every night in time for dinner with the family. Ha ha-he he at the breakfast table, the youngish-old mommy hinting at her son to get married amidst fussing over a glass of very orange juice... That very day, the boy sees a pretty girl dancing in the rain with some nanga kids on his way to office. He can’t help thinking about her. Somehow (don’t ask how!) he manages to get her address and tells his mom. She runs to make the announcement: “Arre suntey ho gharwalon, mere Ajay ne ladki dhoondh li hai! ” And finally, serial kuch aage badega! Cut. We are at the girls’ home. Naturally, she is the only child. She answers the doorbell: Oh My God! The same guy I pretended not to see. Oh, that stud has followed me home. Mera jadoo chal gaya! Cut, cut, cut to the shadi scene. Everyone wearing similar sherwanis and saris (maybe cut from the same thaan?). Cut. The honeymoon night. Cut. First few days of happy married life. Cut. A phone call that changes the life of the young pretty girl: “Aapke pati ka accident ho gaya hai. Woh City Hospital main hain.” Tragedy strikes. Cut. After the rona-dhona, which goes on for good 10-12 episodes and sad filmy songs, the husband dies, finally. Now, the camera tilts completely over the young widow who goes through her chores in a white chikankari sari, neatly done hair and a perplexed look. Haven’t seen a spunkier widow! Welcome to the world of serials. Here death is not mourned but celebrated. Well, they believe in atma ka parmaatma se milan and in the concept of moksh for sure (at least the widows in the serials sure do). So, here they are flaunting their designer white dresses with matching accessories (for that Chandni effect), mourning the loss of their loved one. Now I know why the dead heroes walk back to life. Itni sunder widow ko dekh kar dil melt ho jaata hai. This is how Parvati from Kahanii Ghar Ghar Ki got her beau back. Poor lady would cry all day long in her earthen-coloured Satya Paul saris. And there are others like Parvati, little old but stylish. Not even in one episode has Nachchattar bua of Grahasti forgotten to smear her lips with gloss lippers and sporting her delicate pearl necklace. Same goes for Soni from Mayaka. And why not? Can’t widows of Hindi serials dress up for themselves. “You don’t have to wear your grief on your sleeve. It should be in your heart,” said my colleague, admiring the widows of Hindi serials. How I wish Raja Ram Mohan Roy were alive. He would have jumped to see the startling widows in white chiffons. There was a time when he fought for their rights, wanted them to come out of their purdah, and today, Ekta Kapoor has carried his mission forward and managed to do it. Kudos for the dynamic lady who has made widowhood look attractive on tube. (This column appears weekly) |
|
With a
humane touch RARELY
does one come across a prolific poet who is a Doctorate in Literature but
deals in cash books, ledgers and accounts as part of his official
commitment. Meet Punjabi writer Gurdarpal Singh, poet, literary critic
winner of two state awards. Singh has managed to maintain a judicious balance between the dry profession of a bank accountant and his passion for creative writing. The writer is proficient in sculpting diverse genres of literature like poetry, short story and literary criticism. Born and educated in the sleepy village of Naneola near Ambala, he is presently employed with the Punjab State Co operative Bank. “Instead of improving my career -oriented professional qualifications, I decided to feed my passion and thus studied hard to secure a masters degree and then doctorate in Punjabi literature from Panjab University, ” says Gurdarpal, reiterating his dedication for creative writings. Credited with six literary creations, 150 book reviews published in leading Punjabi papers and magazines, Gurdarpal won Haryana State Punjabi Sahit Akademy Award-2001 for his book Naveen Saver, a collection of ghazals. He repeated the feat by securing the State Akademy Award-2007 for his book Akhran di Phulwari on bal sahit. The award carried prize money of Rs 21,000, a scroll and a memento, presented to him by Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda recently. “My poetry and writings depict the aspirations and problems of oppressed peasantry, down trodden and those subjugated by the affluent opportunists who have reduced humanity to crass communalism plunging the credulous masses in endless misery,” says Gurdarpal Singh venting his anguish through a couplet: Budhey therey bhukhe mardey firdey ne sangrami, dujje pasey chor lutairey dekho lain salaami. lifestyletribune@gmail.com |
|
All for folk ”Folk music is the product of a musical tradition of a region, evolved through a process of oral transmission,”offers the globetrotting Rajasthani folk maestro, Gafoor Khan Mangniyar. In city for a live performance, Gafoor shared his views on the regional folk music, which he feels is loosing its pastoral flavour. He recited the origin version of popular Rajasthani folk song nimuda and brought alive its soul enriching aesthetic ingredient, which is missing in the filmy number from the movie Hum Dil Dey Chukey Sanam. “But the influence of films and pop is inevitable”, he laments. “Rajasthan had a rich folk tradition, wherein communities of musicians like Mangniyars Langhas, Bhopas, Kalbeliyas would sing ritual songs at family functions and for their patrons”, says Gafoor. “Incidentally, Muslim Mangniyars have the patronage of affluent Hindu Rajputs, while the Hindu Langhas have Muslim patrons. But the folk music is loosing its luster due to urbanization. I am afraid, it might become the thing of the past soon”, apprehends Ustad Gafoor Khan. The humble singer candidly admitted that he had never gone to school but has the honour of performing in 25 countries with his troupe. “I have observed that the audience in foreign countries relished folk music more than Indian classical music”, adds Gafoor, who feels that Rajasthanis toil under scorching heat and still manage to live life to the hilt, singing and dancing in moments of leisure”, says the maestro. Talking about his troupe, Gafoor says that the he inherited the art form of music from his father and guru Sadi Khan Mangniyar. “Likewise the eight artists in my troupe come from my own family and close relations. We have preserved the traditional purity of sufi and folk music without any hints of western influence. Rather, the western audiences have shown keen interest in our music, especially in the instruments like khamaicha (close to sarangi), algoja and murla (flute) or morchang, which are rare in the region”. Catch them live on Saturday at the Randhawa Auditorium, Punjab Kala Bhavan, |
|
Hide it with élan WHAT is the colour that comes to your mind when you think of films used in cars or offices, to keep the outside world at bay or to maintain secrecy? Black, right? This was long ago. Laminates and glass films have made a world of difference to the concepts of interior décor. Floor Square at Sector- 8 offers a whole range of commercial graphics and fashionable imagery, which can be applied on walls, glass, wood, steel and aluminum composite. Adds Floor Square’s director Umesh Ghai, “the concept of glass and surface designing films is catching in India. Be it glass windows, doors, panels, walls, internal signage, front lit and backlit panels or partitions in the office or at home, these adhesive and removable films with radiation resistant features lend a superb look to the interiors”. “But the idea, of course, is to create interesting, energetic and soothing work and living spaces without compromising upon logistics,” remarks Umesh Ghai. The best part about these films is their ability to absorb and reflect back harmful radiation and their change ability, which can be achieved rather easily without damaging or affecting the surface. The high quality of adhesives used for applying Floor Square films ensure that they can be easily removed without any problem after a certain period of time. “However,” adds the owner, “installation is a technically and practically demanding task, which calls for precision cutting of the manufactured films, in accurate proportion to the surfaces being filmed or decorated. So, we have to be very careful about the production”. Check out the glass films available in virtually all kinds of shapes, logos, graphics, outlines, words, patterns, motifs and even silhouettes that have revolutionised the concept of interior décor. |
|
Jat Trendy! THEY are a global phenomenon, like their work. And now they’ve become trendsetters too. Punjabi singers are lapping up limelight in a big way. One reason why most of them have and some are still going in for extensive makeovers is complete personality development. From getting a cool haircut, refurbishing the wardrobe, to learning to talk with an angrezi accent, these singers are doing everything to look and sound presentable, rather jazzy. Did someone say foreign tours? Well, they are a staple to their profession. And it is because of these tours wherein they have to perform in front of live audiences, that the singers feel the need to upgrade themselves in all respects. Offers Punjabi singer Amrinder Gill, who went in for a startling makeover after his first album. “Punjabi singers are no longer a local phenomenon, they have gone global. There wouldn’t be a single nation that does not rock to Punjabi beats,” he adds. “Punjabi singers have performed in almost all countries, in front of different communities and nationalities. And they still do it, but at a much grander scale.” As per Amrinder who rocked the music scene with his album Dildaariyaan, the whole global phenomenon has generated a need to look and sound presentable and fashionable. “As artists we have to perform in front of varied audiences. Not only this, sometimes we have to interact with them as well. Because it is not possible to speak so many languages, it’s helpful to have a good command over Hindi and English. It will help you sail through,” he smiles. Ditto for yet another Punjabi singer Jeet Jagjit of Nach Lachiye fame, who shares the view that a good knowledge of basic languages and a good personality can leave a mark on the audiences. “A singer is known by his or her work,” says Jeet. “At the same time, it has become mandatory today to have a good personality and attitude to go with it. The way an artist presents himself on stage makes quite a difference.” Gone are the days when Punjabi singers used to perform in chaadar and kurta, save for few like Gurdaas Mann, Kuldeep Manak, Hans Raj Hans, Pammi Bai, most singers want to look like rock stars on stage. And they attribute it to the ‘Punjabi singing going global’ phenomenon. All the same, some still say that an artist needn’t get into any show-sha or any kind of personality development. Offers Punjabi singer Shael, who has performed at umpteen live shows and still believes in simple living and high thinking. “I don’t believe in over dressing to get noticed,” tells Shael. “Neither can I wear flashy clothes with all those accessories. I have a simple style, which speaks volumes about me as a person.” Shael also sees competition as one of the reason why singers are going in for makeovers. “Everyone wants to look presentable as each one is aware of the global phenomenon. Also they need to interact with the foreigners at various shows,” says the singer who is in favour of individualistic style rather than faking style or accent. As for Pammi Bai, from Patiala, any change, which is positive, should be accepted. “Each of the Punjabi singer can talk in chaste Punjabi. And the audiences abroad can do the same. But problem arises when you have to perform in countries like Bulgaria, Hungry, France, China, where you would have to interact either in English or their local dialect.” Not only at the live shows, Pammi Bai feels that artists have to interact at various other places with varied kind of people. And for that you need to have a basic knowledge of languages. Adds the singer, who recently, sang a Chinese song on one of his tours to China, “People look up to us as role models, and so it is our responsibility to stand up to their expectations. And well, there is no harm in grooming your personality. It will just add finesse to your style and attitude.” Owe it the global Punjabiyat phenomenon; Punjabi singers have woken up to what we call ‘overall personality development’. And they look dashing once they are out if it. Don’t they! |
|
One man, many roles Manpriya Khurana A
HYDRAULIC engineer, ramp model and now actor. Sameer Dharmaadhikari’s is a clear case of the right profession choosing the person. After working on ICICI, Nescafe, De Beers and Vimal Suitings campaigns, his first big break in Bollywood came with Satta. Now, he is on television for the first time with the serial Main Teri Parchhain Hoon on NDTV Imagine. We do some catching up: n
Tell us about life before acting. Well, I did my mechanical engineering in ’91 and worked as a production engineer in several companies and then got married. A chance participation in a fashion show and loads of encouragement from my friends is how it all began. n
You’ve done theatre, modelling, films and TV. Which do you enjoy most? Each field is a different experience but I enjoy it all. Ramp is a different experience altogether. It’s been quite sometime since I got on to the ramp and would love to do so again. Theatre is something I love but you can’t make it a full time career because of monetary considerations. n
Something about your role in Main Teri Parchhain Hoon. It’s very different from the roles I have played before. I play Sachin Tyagi, a family man, who suddenly loses his wife and then a young girl enters his life. It is a great experience. n
Now that you’ve joined television, do you fear getting typecast? I am doing only one show at the moment. My producers have worked really hard on the concept. So I know what I am doing. I would shoot for some film and then come back. So I would keep changing. n
What is it that you look for before you choose a role? Ghanti bajni chahiye. That is most important. I try to think over the concept and role. There are few roles that you enjoy playing, otherwise you just let it go. n
Future plans? Nobody has seen future and I really don’t plan anything. Right now, I am doing this show but you will see me in a couple of films soon. |
|
Stay fresh Shahnaz Husain Make-up for working women has to last throughout the day. If you are working in an airconditioned office, your make-up will stay fresh enough, but if your job involves travelling, or you are exposed to heat, you will need to ‘touch up’ your make-up. This means that you need to carry a few make-up items in your handbag. Items in your handbag Tissues are handy and wet tissues are ideal during the summer. A powder compact is a must. It comes with an applicator and is useful to touch up your face. First, dab your face with a tissue and then touch up with powder. Carry a lipstick or lip gloss too. If your lipstick has spread, wipe off with a tissue. First, apply powder on the lips and then apply lipstick again. Keep a comb as well as a small mirror. And a bottle of cologne can also help. What to do, how to do Make-up should be done in bright light. If you have a clear skin, leave out the foundation. After cleansing, apply a sunscreen with built-in moisturiser. Then apply powder. Translucent powder is good. Avoid applying too much and pay more attention to the oily areas of the face. Dab it all over the face and neck with a damp sponge. This makes it last longer. Do not use too much powder around the eyes. Brush off excess powder with a cotton wool. For foundation, use a water-based one. Add one or two drops of water to make it lighter. If you have dry skin, try a creamy foundation, but add a few drops of water. The foundation should match your skin colour. For eye make-up stick to eye pencils. Or, you can line your eyelids with brown or grey eye shadow. This gives a softer effect. Then, apply mascara. This makes the eyes look brighter. Mascara should be applied in two light coats. Apply one coat. Allow it to dry. Comb out the lashes with an eye lash comb or brush. Then apply the second coat and repeat the procedure. For lipstick, avoid dark colours like dark maroon. Colours look darker in fluorescent lights. Go for browns, copper, bronze, burgundy or wine colour. Or, you can use light pastel colours like mauve or pink. If you like, you can wear only lip gloss. Apply a light cologne or perfume. The scents you wear to work should not be too heavy or overpowering. (This column appears fortnightly)
|
|
Into the Blue star Jessica Alba has revealed that naming her daughter 'Honor' was originally an idea conceived by one of her friends. The 27-year-old actress says that she had been brainstorming as to what to name her newborn baby girl. Alba says that it was during a girls' night that she heard of this name from a friend. "We were having a girls' night, and one of my friends said, 'If I ever had a girl - I will name her Honor," she said. Alba finally settled for the name 'Honor' for her one-month-old daughter.
—ANI |
|
Health Tip
Symptoms: Delayed muscle soreness is a dull ache developed 24 hours after physical activity. Exhaustive exercising can lead to disturbance in sleep, depression and mood swings. Treatment: Warming up exercises like walking, jogging or bicycling up to five minutes help in muscle relaxation. Stretching exercises combat muscle stiffness. Perform exercise for maximum one hour daily and rest for a day to recover from fatigue and muscle soreness. Cooling down gives the body time to reallocate blood and prevents dizziness or fainting.
— Dr Ravinder Chadha |
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
EXERCISE may be undertaken for fitness, reducing weight or rehabilitation process. Muscle soreness is a common complaint during exercising. Acute pain occurs when exercise is intense, as it produces muscle ischemia (decreased blood flow in the muscle). The muscle is unable to remove metabolic waste products such as lactic acid, potassium etc. Increase in the concentration of these metabolites stimulates pain and serves a warning signal to slow down or cease the exercise.