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Eleganceb sans fear WITH panache, they hold the reins of a horse. Riding high this animal of grace and beauty, it’s a pleasure to see young ladies galloping on horseback. And making the act more challenging, they not only ride the horse but also have mastered the art of a caretaker. Meet the young ladies from city who beam at the fact of owning horses and prefer to be very particular when it comes to taking care of their unusual ‘pets’. Rupeela Boparai, a jewellery designer and resident of Panchkula bought her first horse, King of Sirsi three years back and had never thought that her fondness for the animal will increase so much that she will go ahead to buy two more. Today, a proud owner of three horses, she defines her experience of riding them as fabulous. And the lady strongly believes that women are as good riders as men: “Horses and women share the humane quality of being sensitive, which makes them both share a wonderful bond.” An animal lover, she also owns dogs, cats and ducks but feels horses are the most intelligent of the lot. Giving us a physiological reason, she adds: “While riding a horse our spine touches that of a horse, which makes it sense our mood. It is for this reason that when the rider gets frightened so does the horse.” So what makes horse riding a sport for the elite than the masses? “The animal needs a lot of care and its maintenance goes up as high as Rs 10,000 per month, which everybody cannot afford and hence it at times also becomes a status symbol.” For Prabh Simran Badal (who is 15 years-old), a horse is the best gift she has ever got from her brother. Named One For The Day, she loves riding it for hours together and for her it is not a mere animal but a good friend. She says: “Just as my friends pamper their dogs by cuddling and playing with them, I enjoy doing the same to my horse.” But she rues the fact that due to lack of time and other facilities she cannot keep her horse at her place. “Keeping a horse is a huge responsibility as it needs to be fed at a fixed time and cleaned regularly, a job I would love to do once I am done with my schooling.” Eight-year-old twin sisters Summer and Joon Kang christened their horse Spirit after watching the animated movie Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, in which the protagonist is a horse. Age is certainly not a bar for these young riders and they tell us with aplomb that they are not scared of the powerful beast: “Our horse is a part of the family and we love to feed it and brush its coat everyday.” ashima@tribunemail.com |
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Fashion
forever SOME prints and styles never go out of fashion, they just stay on the backburner and return with a bang. Denims, stripes, geometrical patterns, animal prints and plain collar tees are some of them. And today when fashion changes colour in days and weeks time, we look for patterns that are evergreen and always make a style statement. Old is gold “JAMAVAR, stripes and polka dots never look out of place. Though people have their choice of patterns, these prints never go out of fashion. And one need not re-invent them as they are always there,” says Babi Grewal, fashion designer from Babis-8. Suggesting ways to stay in sync with fashion, she says: “The mantra is to stick to the regular stuff. They are evergreen.” “Denims are an all time hot, they never go out of fashion, it’s just the silhouettes that change,” says Ritu Kochhar, director corporate, INIFD-8. Anuj Jain, from The Other Square-17, says: “It’s the basic denim, called the RSP (ring spun fabric) that never goes out of fashion. For men, it’s the plain pleated basic colour trousers.” TALKING style that remains an all time hit, Ritu says: “Well-fitted shirts and black trousers never run out of fashion, slim pair trousers, straight cut skirts and patiala salwars always in.” Kanwar Singh, a fresh pass out from NIFD, says: “There are prints that never go out of fashion, one can see a slight change in silhouettes. Sari, plain tees, stripe shirts and Jaipuri prints add to the list. ” Colour palette “LENDING life to clothes, some colours always stay in demand. And its colours like black that is evergreen, white remains persistent and these days red too remains a hot favourite,” says Ritu.
Adding zing... n A plain shirt never goes out of fashion. If an old shirt still charms you, take a piece of printed fabric and darn on the sleeve or on the front pocket. n
To make old denims fall in vogue, cut it into capris. n
When out of fashion, you can create an awesome outfit out of those nine yards of Banarsi sari. Make an anarkali suit out of it using the pallav as choli. |
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Sleeping
under the stars Being snug and warm in your sleeping bag in the mountains... Yana Banerjee-Bey THERE is just a little over a month of summer temperature left in which you can do some hiking and camping in the mountains without having to venture too far out of your comfort zone. Once October arrives, the nights start to become bitterly cold and you also have to face lower temperatures in the mornings. Here are some suggestions to beat the cold which will be useful to all of you – whether you just want to hike in the outdoors without a load and camp in the lower foothills of the mighty Himalaya; or if you want to push yourself to do a hard trek and carry an 18-kg rucksack along trails going up to 15,000 feet while sleeping in inhospitable places where your tent flysheet flaps in the wind all night! Since hiking and camping are one of the easiest adventure activities for urban people, there is a tendency to set out with a bare minimum of equipment. Even if you are going on an easy weekend camping trip, there are certain basic things without which you must not leave home. If you are a newcomer to camping, you will be borrowing and sharing items. But if you find the leader trying to make do with inadequate equipment, look for a different group to go with. Over time, you will accumulate all the personal items (sleeping bag, mat, windproof and waterproof clothing etc) that you need and also some of the group equipment (tents, stove, tarpaulin, fuel, duffel bags etc) either by buying them or by receiving “gifts”. Believe me, this happens; newcomers often get handmedowns from veterans. It is wise not to look such items horse in the mouth; they might be second hand but they still have life in them and will do for you until you can get brand new stuff for yourself. Also, some pieces of equipment get damaged because it takes time for a newcomer to learn proper use, storage and repair. It is better to make mistakes and damage an old item than a new one. What are the must-haves for your own comfort? Your sleeping bag must be suitable for the temperatures you are going to face. For mid-summer camping at altitudes up to 12,000 feet, sleeping bags with synthetic filling will do for most people. However, if you feel unusually cold or if you are going high then you will need a feather sleeping bag. If you are going high, it is a good idea to have a sleeping bag inner and outer. The inner is simple – if you cannot buy a readymade one, stitch your own. I have seen trekkers in West Bengal and Maharashtra take their mothers’ old cotton saris to the local tailor to make inners! The thicker the fabric, the more air it will trap and the warmer the lining. However, do not let it be bulky otherwise it will be a pain to pack and carry. For the outer, either buy one from an adventure goods shop or go to a manufacturer of tents and ask him to make one from Gore Tex fabric. An outer made of Gore Tex will “breathe” and let the moisture generated by the heat of your body escape outward. Feeling warm inside the sleeping bag is all a matter of insulation. Inflatable mats are most insulating and easiest to carry. But there is a range of rubber mats available in adventure goods shops that are nearly as warm. Remember that a thicker mat offers more insulation but is also bulkier to carry. If you are carrying all your personal items on your back, choose a compromise that suits you. If you feel really cold and are heading really high, take along a plastic sheet. Spread this on the floor of the tent first, then place your mat on it. To make it small and easy to carry, get the sheet cut to match the size of your mat with an inch to spare on all four sides. (This column appears fortnightly) The writer has authored India’s first handbook of adventure sports and is available at y.bey@excite.com |
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AS the competition stiffens on Zara Nachke Dikha, Tez Talwars and Meethi Churis do their best to churn out some remarkable performances. High on the entertainment quotient, this week’s episode has it all with a special Flashback theme. Both teams outperform their own previous performance and are at their best. The show reaches its high point with Zara Hatke round where Bubbly Delnaaz posing as Shammi Kapoor and stunning Jennifer Winget as dancing diva Helen does the O Haseena Zulfon Waali number. Delnaaz dressed in a Tuxedo and Jennifer in a long black dress, silver jwellery and blonde hairdo were looking spectacular. The judges were overwhelmed with their performance, but it was Malaika who was more touched with the performance. She also shared an interesting anecdote behind the song, how her father-in-law Salim and mother-in Helen first met on the set of this song and fell in love. In the same round, Vikas Sethi and Amit Tandon surprised everyone with their amazing performance on Kaante Nahin Kattey, Vikas as Anil Kapoor and Amit as Sreedevi in a red saree. |
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Touch &
Heal TRUTH, sometimes is stranger than fiction but it is eternal and fears no test. Believe it or not, but city-based technocrat Virender Sharma has emerged as the messiah for thousands of patients suffering from chronic diseases. Enamoured by the belief that faith is the healing power over 200 patients on every Sunday come to the New Public School for Sharma’s unique therapy. Be it acute arthritis, spondylitis, migraine, cervical pain, disc-slip problem, Sharma in calm contemplation, simply applies his Charismatic Touch Therapy and the patient in pains starts convalescing the next moment. Serving with a smile, he does not even charge any fee from Neither a mystic, seer or a doctor, Sharma (62) has amazed many with his blessed therapy. Retired from Punjab Communications Limited as the manager (maintenance), he marvels at the unique healing power granted to him by some peer at a mosque in Meerut long back. It’s hard to believe in his power, but the testimony of patients he has treated so far has proved it beyond doubt. His patients include bank officers, pharmaceutical consultants, engineers, educationists and even doctors. Recalling his first experiment, he said once a key player in the Army hockey team sprained his muscle just before the start of the match. “My father, asked me to cure him and within minutes of applying the touch therapy, the player got up and started to play. My therapy became the talk of the town. There after I dedicated my life to serve humanity,” says Sharma. And he keeps up dedication by conducting a free camp every Sunday at New Public School-18 between 7 am to 2 pm. lifestyletribune@gmail.com |
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Another star‘s born STAR has announced the launch of their first Regional General Entertainment Channel in Bengali — Star Jolsha. Set to change the entertainment landscape in Bengal, the channel promises quality entertainment- grandeur, scale and eminent personalities. The launch was full of excitement and revellry. Taking creativity to an all-new level and presenting a sneak peak into the channel, Star Jolsha showcased their promotional music video Chalo Paltai (Let’s Change) that captures the spirit of an emerging and resurgent Bengal. The highlights of the channel include a chat show by Rituparna Ghosh called Ghosh and Co, a devotional yet contemporary drama Durga and daily soaps like Bandhan, Neer Bhanga Jor and Ekhaney Akash. Also, part of the line-up is a comedy show titled I Laugh You. (This column appears weekly) |
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BRITNEY Spears and Justin Timberlake’s long-awaited duet may finally be recorded. According to sources, Britney will team up with her ex-lover for a song on her next album due at the end of the year. The duo were supposed to team up for her last album, but Spears, under the influence of friends Osama Lutfi and Adnan Ghalib, missed her recording session with Timbaland at the legendary producer’s Virginia Beach studio last August. “She just didn’t show up,” said a source. Meanwhile, Spears is finally getting her life back on track. The pop icon is set to give out all the details of her crazy life in a new telly documentary. Superhero Tom? TOM Cruise is in talks to become a superhero in an adaptation of comic book classic Sleeper. The Top Gun star is said to be helping for the Warner Bros project along with director Sam Raimi. The movie will be adapted from DC Comics/Wildstorm comic book. The comic book centers on a spy whose fusion with an alien artifact makes him immune to pain.
— ANI |
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Har rang kuch kehta
hai... WHITE is monotonous, grey is dull and so is crème. Combine them with an orange, mustard or a sea green, and the results are overwhelming. Transforming your home or work place into a brand new place, lends an artistic lease of life to the ambience. But, mind you, it’s not an overall paint but the trend that spells elegance. “The size of the house and how the walls are treated makes a lot of difference. Earlier people would go for bright colours. Now they prefer to colour a corner or one wall of the room,” says Ar Aradhana Gakhar, Emm Ell Decors-10. Talking about the colours she says: “ The concept of doing up a house in one colour is out and the trend has shifted to highlighting a particular area, be it a single wall, ceiling, or the rims. It infuses life into the house and makes it cheerful,” adds Aradhana. While you paint your house, remember to maintain a proper balance. Offers Aradhana: “Be careful in choosing the colours. Do not overdo a shade. Excessive brightness can spoil the tranquility of the room. Instead go for a blend of bright and subtle shades.” Nevertheless, some still swear by the power of colour. R.L Goel, owner Season Furnishing Botique-9 says: “people like pastel shades for walls, but now they are going in for combination colours. Red, green, rust and orange look good on the drawing room wall, lobby and corridor.” And for our city folks, ‘paint’ is the most versatile element of the interiors. “Colours can transform human emotions and it can give a room a sense of well-being,” says Anup Sharma, Director Pacific Ads-22. Anup has done up his home in an array of colours that reflect his personal taste: “Colours are an expression of individuality. I have used smart red in my drawing room, mustard in combination with crème for the bedroom. These colours lend energy to the room”. Adds Anup, “as for the office I have used blue on one of the walls, it brings a cool feeling, it’s almost like a stress buster,” Anup smiles. While dull whites, creams, beiges and grey make a comeback but it is the combination with other bright hues that lend a life to the walls. “When you have hundred students walking around you need a colour scheme that gives the ambience an open and cheerful look,” says Ritu Kochhar, Director Corporate, INIFD-8. At a fashion institute colour is a must have, which is why we have used dark colours with abstract paintings.” She adds: “We have used lilac and pink with silver lining for passages. For the open areas we have used red, green and orange and the corridors have been painted in silver motifs and green lines that lend a cheerful look to the entire ambience.” COLOURS are a powerful medium and they have been credited with specific associations: n
Yellow is considered to be a bright, warm and cheerful colour. lighter violet is feminine. n
White is stylish and like gray and black, it amplifies the effects of other
colours. |
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History revisited ART has so often rendered a tangible form to our past that we simply turn oblivious to it or are simply ignorant about. From capturing customs and traditions to even physical appearances of people from the bygone era in the frames, art has wonderfully provided us the opportunities to peep into our history. In an attempt to do the same once again, Ambalicka Sood Jacob, a fine arts lecturer in Punjabi University, Patiala, has put on social culture during the time of Buddha. So what made her paint this unusual theme? “Sculptures of monks, figures of Buddha and female form unearthed at Sanghol, a village on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana Highway, which still bears the true essence of Buddhism, generated my interest in the subject. And once I began my research, I wanted get into the depth.” What fascinated her the most during the process was the fact that women in those times occupied a very important position in the society. Her paintings on Salabhanjikas say the rest. “Being a liberal society, people gave due respect to women. They believed that the fertility of women could make a tree blossom even during autumn.” She has complemented the fertility of women by extensively using green colour. Her painting, Kalpvariksh is made on the same lines that portray a woman as a tree, with the power to grant all wishes. Besides painting her subject, Ambalicka has shown her commitment for the subject through her writing as well. Her book Ucha-pind Sanghol-the Grandeaur and Wonder in the Dawn also marked the opening of her two-day exhibition called Cultural Window of Punjab-Sanghol at Government Museum and Art Gallery-10. She justifies her obsession with this since the past eight years, “At times, it takes a lifetime for an artist to realise what he or she wants to paint. I found it early through artworks excavated at Sanghol and was smitten by it so much that I decided to follow it for good.” She has explored all sorts of medium -- abstract, real and even sketches -- to portray life of the period. Also her use of colors varies with each painting. “Freedom enhances creativity and I believe pre- defining a colour scheme or medium of art can hamper what an artist wants to bring out on the canvas.” On till August 23 |
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Belted to style IT makes you slim and slender, a dream come true for every woman and now it is back in the epicenter of fashion. Infact, sexy singer Beyonce emphasises her curves with one of these. It is the very stylish looking narrow waist belt. Now that huge chunky belts are out of fashion, the trend has tilted towards the thinner chic versions in different material and designs. But, here’s a piece of advice for the fashion freaks — not anyone can wear a narrow belt, only women who are slender (which rarely exist in real life) can pull off a narrow belt. But then who is stopping you to put on your shopping shoes and pick the latest of these narrow belts and accentuate your style. Offers Ritu Kochhar, director, corporate INIFD-8, “To find a belt that goes with your outfit is a tedious task. And this season it’s the narrow belts that are making a style statement. And the good part about the narrow belt is that it can be accessorised with anything, from jeans, to pants, a knee length top, a sweater and even a dress.” Simple and easy to use, these narrow belts can be used to jazz up an otherwise monochrome dress. It can be blended with something classy, chic and informal at the same time. Sport it with denims, a smart pair of trousers, long and short skirts and long tops as well. If you are ready to spend some dough on them, then these belts are available at various stores at prices starting from Rs 500 to Rs 3,500. Says fashion stylist Veenu Sandhu, “buying a ‘right belt’ is as challenging as buying a denim or a bag. It is important that you make the right choice. I would rather suggest metallic coloured narrow belts, in any material-leather, denims, metal or suede. Instead of the usual black colour, try chocolate brown, white, off-white, beige, dark blue, silver or navy”. But nothing compared to the sophisticated and fashionable python leather! And who said, it was a simple matter to make the belt exquisite, and hardwearing at the same time. “It is important that the belt should be tied properly around the waist,” tells Tanman Sidhu, a fashion stylist who works with a fashion house, Gulmohar. There are different ways in which a belt can be tied around the waist. If you are wearing denims or trousers, then it is worn through the loops. But make sure it is not too tight. You should be able to sit down and walk freely,” adds Tanman. “And if the outfit is a long top or a long skirt, then it can be worn loosely over the garment, in a loop form.” No matter what style you wear this sleek fashion accessory they will sure make a fashion statement and heads turn. jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Humour in all colours Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra HE is the happy- go-lucky, Dr Sahil of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Man with a penchant for comedies, Sumeet Raghavan is the new face of television actors who know it all. And for those of you who don’t know, Sumeet is a trained Indian classical singer, has a theatre background and a good fill of Bollywood masti. In a tête-à-tête he shares his latest passion, television, family & more… n
Tell us something about Paani Puri. Like the name says it all. The serial is full of khatta and meethha experiences of life set against the backdrop of two families of diverse cultures. I play Vikas Puri, the protagonist of the soap and Smita Bansal, plays Divya Paani, my love interest and wife in the serial. This serial is all about two lovers and a humorous clash of cultures. n
Dr Sahil or Vikas Puri, whom do you relate to? Vikas is exactly opposite to Sahil. He was an agony aunt, shuttling between mom and wife, but, Vikas Puri is in full control of his life and does what he feels is right. Both the characters have their own charm. n
Has comedy made a comeback with laughter shows? Comedy was always there. But for the past few years audience have been glued to Saas Bahu serials. But now we are seeing more of comedy. People want to relax when they come back home rather see a serial that adds to their stress. n
Are you still doing theatre? I used to do theatre. I have done 15-16 plays, but I don’t do it anymore. I have shifted my focus to television in 1997 looking at the changing economics. Firstly, there are no good scripts, secondly, now I am married, I have kids and there is lot’s that needs to be taken care of. Lastly, theatre does not pay you well. n
Where do you see yourself ten years down the lane? Doing television. It is as big as movies, and I don’t see myself anywhere else than on screen. n
The magic of Bollywood? I have done quite a few movies, latest being Ajay Devgan and Kajol starer ‘U Me Aur Hum’. But talking now now, I am not doing any. Television keeps me occupied 24x7 and I have very little time for anything else. |
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Teenage spots at 30! Pammy Kaul HOW we look contributes greatly to how we feel about ourselves. We all wish for a clear skin but acne strikes at all age. In fact, acne at a later age in life can be a serious problem for both men and women as it can leave scars on the face as well as on the mind, because such breakouts bring along low self-esteem and emotional distress. Until recently, acne was associated only with teenagers. But statistics say that it affects about 50 per cent adult women and 25 per cent men. The increased stress in today’s life is the main culprit as it speeds up the body’s secretion of a substance called cortisol that encourages the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum (oil) which blocks the pores. However, stress alone is not responsible. There are various other factors like overactive sebaceous glands that clog the pores. Genetics, besides environmental issues like weather and pollution, play a role too. However, dirt is not even a factor in the equation. As we age our skins repairing capability dies down because of loss of collagen. That is why adult acne leaves scars. Acne-proof Follow these simple steps to avoid acne: n
Do away with stress to get that clear, glowing skin. n
Exercise to regulate blood circulation to skin. nn Quit smoking as it dulls complexion and clogs pores. n
Protect your skin with SPF. n
Never pop off or squeeze your pimples. n
Shampoo regularly. n
Wash your face twice a day. n
Wipe off excess oil with an astringent or a toner. I'm suffering from acne and pimples problem lately. I avoid spicy food, mangoes, pickle etc but all my efforts go in vain. Doctor advised me to use Isotretinoin Gel (0.05 per cent), SOTRET Gel or Benzoyl Peroxide Gel BP (2.5 per cent). Please help me. Your diet does not directly cause acne. The real cause of acne could be a blend of several factors as I have mentioned above. Women between the ages of 20 and 40 may experience what is known as Polyderma Faciale. This is generally confined to the face, which lasts for a year or less. Isotretinoin is a modified Vitamin A molecule used to treat severe acne. However, you must shy away from going out in the sun. A gentle cleanser and Benzoyl Peroxide can be used effectively in treating mild to moderate forms of acne. Avoid over washing, take care to not touch your face with dirty hands. But remember, my advice does not replace medical advice. Severe and extremely severe acne should be
trea Pammy Kaul is a UK-based beauty therapist. E-mail queries to ifestyletribune@gmail.com or write to The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarhted by a dermatologist only. (This column appears fortnightly) |
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Pyaarey Pears Kandla Nijhowne YOU see the big mushy variety, the small crisp ones, and impossibly hard jaw-breakers which are even called paththar naakh! But the most fascinating pear I’ve ever met was in the wine section of a super market in England — a whole big plump pear sitting in the belly of a narrow-necked glass bottle labeled Poire William (pear liqueur) I was baffled! Just how did the darned pear get inside the bottle? Scanning the gilded label explained it all. When the pear trees are in blossom, a bottle was affixed to the branch of a budding tree and the fruit is allowed to grow to maturity, inside it. Later, the fully-grown pear is detached from the branch and pricked slightly to release its juice before the pear liqueur is poured over it to fill the bottle. Braised
pears ginger glaze 4 tbsp butter 3 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp grated ginger ½ cup sugar ¼ chilly powder 4 pears, peeled, cored & quartered 2 tbsp lemon juice Method Melt butter in a pan. Add ginger, sugar, soy sauce and chilly powder. Stir till the sugar dissolves, then add pears and simmer on low heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes till they are tender. Transfer the pears to a shallow dish. Boil the liquid in the pan till thick and syrupy. Add lemon juice, pour over the pears and serve hot with rice or noodles. Pear chutney 1 ¼ kg pears, peeled, and chopped 2 tbsp oil 2 tsp mustard seeds 350 gm sugar 2 cups vinegar 1 onion, chopped 5 cloves garlic, minced ¾ cup raisins ½ tsp each, powdered cloves, cinnamon Chilly powder and salt to taste Method Heat the oil in a karhai and sauté the onion till soft. Add garlic a few minutes later, followed by the mustard seeds. Wait for the mustard to crackle, then tip in the pears, seasoning and raisins. Stir for 10-15 minutes and add the vinegar and powdered spices. Cover and cook till pears are soft, then uncover and allow most of the liquid to evaporate. Pear Pie 6-7 pears, peeled, halved & cored 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup flour ¼ cup melted butter 2 eggs 1 ½ tsp lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla 4 tbsp cream For the crust 2 cups
maida 3/4 cup chilled butter 5-6 tbsp cold milk Method Sieve the maida with a pinch of salt. Rub the butter into the maida till the mixture looks crumbly. Add just enough milk to form a ball of dough. Cover and chill for ½ an hour. Roll out and fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF. Chop 3 pears and scatter over the rolled pastry. Slice the rest and keep aside. Beat together the flour, butter, sugar, eggs, lemon juice and vanilla. Pour into the
pastry-shell,topping it with fanned out pear slices. Drizzle with cream, ending off with a sprinkling of sugar. Bake until brown (40 minutes). Serve with cream or custard. Tip of the Week:
While rolling the pastry, enclose the pie dough between two sheets of polythene, hence, minimising the quantity of dry flour used for rolling. This also eases its transfer into the pie dish. |
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