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Fashion fiesta
THIS is the time of the season when the campus gets a new lease of life. Thanks to fashion divas frolicking up and down the departments, Student center, library. Trendy clothes, latest accessories and hairstyle, Punjab University is nothing short of a Lakme Fashion Week. The only difference being that the ‘parade’ on campus can be witnessed throught the year.
Well, presently, the campus is abuzz with ravishing beauties, chiselled hotties sporting new trends. Let’s take a dekho at what’s hot and what’s not on the campus. Dress code
Talk about experimenting, and there is loads of it. Empire line tops clubbed with churidaars and comfortable floaters. Our pick: Unlike the earlier trends, tops with volume are in. Balloon tops, skirts and ethnic kurtis are a rage on the campus. Double-cut low waist jeans is a must have for guys. Hair we go
For the guys short haircuts are the pick. Spiked or bald look is also a preference. This doesn’t mean they score less on the fashion radar. Gurinder Gill, a Law student from PU sports a bald-look with horizontal pattern for a cool yet stylish look. But there are those who go in for those flirty locks. While the girls wear SRK waistcoat, guys have fallen for his short ponytail. For girls, fringes are a big hit. Side fringes or mid-partitioned long or short are in. Clutching their hair or pulling them up in ponies, funky hairclips and bands is a fashion. Tied but chic hair do’s like French plaits or the khajuri plaits are big hit. Our pick: For guys, close-cropped hair looks cool and feels cool. For girls, loose curls managed with a headband add punk and style. Body art
Tattoos also find a place when it comes to fashion trends. Says Robin, manager, Wavelength-26: “Youngsters go in for small patterns and coloured tattoos are favourite with the girls. Hand and shoulder tattoos are most preferred.” Our pick: Apart from naval, eyebrow and ear piercing, make a hip statement with toe rings and nose pins. Face value
MAKEUP in this season is a turn off, but it’s all about eyes this time. With a tinge of eye make-up, be it smoky eyes or dramatic eyes, girls are all set to make the mercury soar even higher. Our pick: Generous use of kohl, waterproof mascara and eyeliner and occasional tinge of shadow. Must-haves n Sunscreen
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Our own Malory Towers
And for our lady, this will be a moment of eternal truth. "I started writing this book after Class X and it reflects my thoughts, friendship, my experiences in a boarding school, and a lot more. In fact, this book comes out of my daily diary." Though she has just passed Class XII, her thoughts reflect a maturity, which is beyond her years. "Writing has been a passion with me but it was limited only to my diary. And I didn't know when it bloomed into a full fledged book." Ask her about the book and she says: "Pink or Black is essentially about me and my friends. It is all about re-living those funny, hysterical and heart touching moments of teenage years. And in this book, I have narrated my moments at Lawrence School, Sanawar, and it's all real life experiences. This is why a reader can relate to the theme. On how did she decide on the name, Tishaa says: "Pink and black are my favourite colours and both have a significant character that relates to the characters in my book." Talk of inspiration and she says: "Inspiration comes to us in many ways. I feel it comes through something we really care about or something that influences us. And for me this book is an inspiration itself as it recollects the best moments of my life." All geared to enter the world of words, Tishaa is ready for the big day. "My friends are already congratulating me and eagerly waiting for a copy. Mom is all emotional as she has gone through a few pages and for me I am excited to see what readers have to say." Done with one book, she is already working on her second concept but is a little hazy in her thoughts right now. As for her career, she is all set to join the New York Film Academy for a course in filmmaking. jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
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Panting for an extra pound
Running from pillar to post, these guys have one question: “We all talk about losing weight. Almost all articles published in any magazine or a newspaper deal with weight loose, clothes that make people look thinner and mirrors that make one appear so. But has anyone spared a thought for the underweight?” asks Poonam Sharma, a resident of Phase XI, who works for an insurance company in Sector 8. Slim and happy
Misconceptions are galore about thin people. Like, thin people are less warm, they are not cheerful and are prone to sickness and so on. Preeti Kapoor, resident of Sector 18 Panchkula, says: “I am living in sheer bliss. Where everyone’s trying to loose weight here I am trying to put on. Though it makes me feel good when I don’t have to think twice before eating and can eat any amount of carbs or sweets, there are people who don’t forget to mention my skinny appearance. And that’s what troubles me.” Govindan Malhotra, a mechanical engineering student from UIET, says: “I am six feet tall but weigh only 53 kg. Though I am fine with the way I look, but for others it seems to be an insult to have a slim physique,” he rues. Food for thought
“Being thin can be hereditary or a result of eating disorders,” says Dr Abha Taneja, a homoeopath. Suggesting reasons she says: “People can be thin because of various reasons. But the rootcause has to be analysed and treatment done accordingly. But thin people should include high protein food, carbohydrates and substitute water with juice and milk shakes.” Informing us more about the way to fitness, Dr Sonia Gandhi, senior clinical nutritionist with Fortis Hospital-Mohali, says: “Thinness can be due to hormonal imbalance, hereditary, slow metabolism or low energy burning process. While increasing food intake, it should be done proportionally and normally it can be 15 to 20 per cent more than the normal diet of the individual. And one should
eat everything.” Mohinder Pal Gupta, personal trainer, Planet Fitness, a gym in Sector 8 says: “Thin people need exercise too. And it’s a minimum 30 minutes of some form of exercise that is mandatory for everyone and it is not just physical health that is at stake here, mental well-being matters too.” Talk food and he says, “Diet can make 70 per cent of change and when we talk of what all to have, thin people should include protein, fat and minerals in their diet so that they can have a balanced weight gain.” So all you people who are trying to lose or gain weight, as long as you are healthy, it doesn’t matter if you look lean or plum. |
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Height of Style
MEN’S fashion has taken a step further than sporting feminine colours and visiting the spa. They are aiming high now, as they get ready to show off their legs in knee-length pants! Three-fourths, as they are called, are the new trend on the city’s fashion circuit. All thanks to VJ Rannvijay for starting the trend with MTV’s Splitsvilla! Teamed with formal or funky shirts and accessorised with slim ties, he made this look popular. According to city designers, they mark the hottest new trend for this autumn because it gives a cool yet defined style. Well, the trend has its followers in Bollywood too. Akshay Kumar was seen flaunting them with élan in Singh is Kinng and again in Fear Factor. “Akshay’s look in Singh... redefines the formal trousers. Knee-length trousers paired with shirts and suits looked different yet fun,” says Payal Saboo, owner, Polka-8. “Knee-length pants have always been around as capris for women and cargo shorts for men. The only difference being that this time it comes with loads of attitude. It makes for great casual wear for a lazy Sunday afternoon or High on style, dudes in the city are already experimenting with this rebellious style. Shares Simarjeet Singh of Rayat College on the city’s outskirts: “Knee-length pants make a fashion statement. I recently got two pairs and love them.” For some, it’s the element of conformity that makes them attractive. Says Srikant, a Panjab University student: “I like the comfort it gives along with the no-nonsense style factor.” And how to get the look? “Wear them casually with a tee or ganji. You can also formalise the look by teaming them up with jackets, shirts, suits and skinny ties,” says Nidhi Gupta, a city-based designer. Though Payal adds: “These pants are good if you want to make a style statement but as far as the wearability is concerned, they are not viable. If you team three fourths with a casual t-shirt, it’s fine. Carrying a three-fourth in formal gathering needs confidence and attitude.” Right. Akshay can carry such a look, given his physique and personality, but not everybody.
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School rocks!
STILL under the High School Musical hangover? If you are among the chosen ones who are bitten by the musical keeda and swear by the likes of Rockford, the Beetles and worship Rolling Stones as gods, then we have good news for you. There is a crop of budding young musicians in the city, waiting to rock the world. Amidst the mind-boggling equations and algebric expressions, city schools are nurturing musical talents in form of the school bands. High on spirits and music, school bands are becoming ground for creative outlet for the younglings. And with their teachers joining in, what can be more fun? Says Puneeta Singh, counsellor, Carmel Convent-9: "Music is the best creative expression for an individual. School bands provide a platform for young talent and help them de-stress." Hmm…talk about young start. Carmel has junior school music band, comprising students of Class I and II. "It's one-year-old band that has students playing drums and keyboard, on the tunes of English songs," she tells. On a higher ground, Wingspan, band from St. John's High School-26, has taken rock music inside its classrooms. Michelangelo Francis, an art teacher in the school, says: "It's part of the school tradition. Every two year we hold auditions for membership of the band. We started with soft rock and English songs and slowly graduated to hard metal and death metal." The band is eight years old and comprises 10 members. And they have proved their metal on home grounds as well as outside. Well, rock on! Not far behind is the musical choir from St.Xavier's Senior Secondary School-44. Started as a school musical group, it has graduated into singing soft rock. Says Mapuia, teaching music for past five years in this school: "We have a group of 20 students, from Classes VII onwards." From singing Christmas carols to taking out their own musical VCD, this group sure has come a long way. "The VCD will have 10-12 songs ranging from inspirational to religious and soft rock. We will be releasing it as a part of our golden jubilee celebrations in September,”says Mapuia. This group has performed live in Shillong. And the inspiration? "I tell them that not everybody can become a good singer. But all of them can be good listeners. After all, good music needs good listeners," says Mapuia. Golden words. Well, given an opportunity, they are ready to enter school grounds with drumsticks and guitars along with the books. lifestyletribune@gmail.com
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Matka Chowk
Someone asked me, “Why don’t you like cows? They are so harmless and so useful…” I had no apt reply. I couldn’t have told her that I don’t like the way they seem to stare at me or that I find them unappealingly unsure of their mind -- so still and yet so unpredictable. Growing up in a big city, my encounters with cows were limited. The rickety cows of Calcutta seemed interested merely in eating garbage and watching the traffic while inhaling dusty fumes. However, the only time when I did volunteer to take a school friend to a hospital emergency along with a teacher, the first bloody sight that we encountered in the rather dismal emergency wing was a man who had been gored by a cow. Our teacher was so traumatised by the incident that she misspelled ‘Igloo’ for three consecutive days after that! Lately, I have seen the cow chariots on the streets of Chandigarh. The chariot-like carriages -- usually in shades of pink or red -- are decorated with festoons and gold and green. The cows have vermilion on their heads and their horns are usually dyed red. Yesterday, as I was leaving work, I recoiled in fright for there was a mad rush of cows in the parking lot. The tethered cows were being led away by little boys in rags, women in ethnic ghagra-cholis, girls with missing teeth – they were all panic-stricken and running pell-mell. The cows too seemed terrified, galloping away, their eyes bulging out. I hid behind my scrawny office boy while the cows ran around us, hooves thudding, dust flying, leaving in the wake stunned spectators. Then a wise old parking attendant came forward and said: “Police aa rahi hai.” I asked: “To kya hua, ye gai ko bhagake kyun le ja rahe hain?” He smiled and said: “Madam, yeh log yahan khulli zamen pe rahte hain. Yeh gai bhi inke hain. Ab yeh jagah to rahne ke liye nahin hai!” Then he added: “Gai ko bhi zinda rehne ke liye kya kya karna padhta hai!” A revelation for a cow-cynic like me... (This column appears weekly)
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at lifestyletribune@gmail.com or Life Style, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chd n
I am married with kids. I’m a responsible man, looking after my family well. But I am in love with a married woman with a child for the past three-and-half years. She is an extrovert and enjoys being with people. I am possessive about her and don’t want anyone else to come into her life. I fear someone will snatch her away from me. Now she has cut me out from her life. She says she is suffering because of me. I’m upset. I don’t want to break up with her and I don’t want that she should get involved with any other man. I believe that as my love is true, she will come back to me. But tell me what to do. Raja,
Chandigarh Well, it’s good to know that you are responsible towards your family. Since the woman you love is also married and has a family, she is right in her way. Maybe she can’t handle her emotions in an easy and balanced fashion in which you can. Have faith in your love. Your fear and insecurity are basically just a projection of lack of trust in yourself. You want to control everything on the physical level but you have to remember that we are all being taken care of at a higher level. So, just leave it to god. Since your love is true, you will definitely find the right solution. However, try and look for happiness in your own marriage and allow her the space to find the same. Remember, love does not mean possession, love is freedom. Since both of you are married, it is the best to give the situation time and space. Being good friends and sharing a loving bond would be the best for you. n
I am 28, working as a senior manager in an IT company. My problem is, I’m afraid to approach girls. Needless to say, I am still single. And this feeling of not being able to be casual and friendly with the opposite sex is troubling me. How do I overcome this feeling? Rahul, Chandigarh C’mon, the world is at your beck and call if you will only allow it to be. Why are you so caught up within yourself? Adopt an easy approach towards life. Your confidence hinges on your self- esteem and your self-esteem is something you build within yourself. Life itself is an interesting challenge. Also we attract situations and relationships according to the signals we send out. If you are sending out mistrusting and fearful signals, you will naturally not attract anyone. Do a small exercise, check yourself in the mirror, admire your face, your smile and your dress sense. Once you love yourself, you will be emitting signals of confidence and love. And this will help you strike the right relationship. Girls admire men who are confident. When you get up in the morning, tell yourself you’re the best, you will actually feel that way. n
I am 18 and got a compartment in the board exams. I am broken and have low self-esteem. I cannot concentrate on studies and I don’t enjoy anything. Whenever I try to study, my mind diverts towards a girl whom I liked but failed to get her friendship. I want to have a girlfriend but I neither have the personality nor intelligence. I pray. But now I have started losing faith in god. Help me. Tajj,
Mohali Do not allow a small thing like not doing well in exams affect you so much. Life is all about courage and achieving what we desire through our positive attitude and hard work. But first you have to learn to believe in yourself. The mere fact that you accept your own faults shows a lot of inner courage and strength. You are young, many girls will be fascinating you, but not being able to be friends with someone should not rock your self-esteem. It is an incentive to improve your personality. Do not compare yourself to anyone. There are qualities you can cultivate. Do not lose faith in god. Frankly it’s all about having faith in yourself. Do some affirmations, “I am the best and all the good things I desire shall come to me.” Trust the divine Intelligence. It knows what is required by you and will send you that. (This column appears weekly) |
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Little Interview YOU first saw her in Itihaas, a daily soap on DD, before she took up Sony’s Challenge, a serial based on youngsters and their campus life. Meet Smita Bansal, the chirpy and effervescent girl who is back on television with some good roles in her kitty. Currently, Smita plays a responsible mother-in-law in Balikavadhu on Colors but she is pretty excited about Paani Puri, a comedy serial on Star One. We get talking to the girl, who believes in living every moment to the hilt. n Tell us something about Paani Puri? I have done various kinds of roles, but comedy is something that I had wanted to do for a long time. Thankfully, with Paani Puri this wish is also fulfilled. It is a pretty exciting concept, wherein I play Divya Paani. It is a kind of a romantic comedy and I enjoyed working in it. n Well, you began your career with a romantic serial… Yes, Challenge was my first satellite tele-serial, but I did Itihaas for Doordarshan before that which was a family drama. n So, you have seen both the phases of television — DD & the satellite phase? Do you see any change? Of course, there is a lot of difference between the two phases. Earlier, serials were made on a weekly basis, which meant lesser workload as compared to the present scenario. Today, TV is a daily affair, which means hectic schedule and more commitments. n It means a lot of stress as well. Kind of but I don’t mind working hard as long as I get a good sleep. n Any particular role that you would like to do? Nothing in particular. I have done almost all kinds of roles. Yes, if something like a travel show comes my way, then, I would be more than keen to do it. n Are you doing Himesh Reshammiya’s Karzzz? I am. I play Himesh’s sister in the movie. I loved the original Karz, so, I just couldn’t say no when I was offered the role. Besides, I knew that my role would eventually remain more or less the original kinds.
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Timeless beauties
In today’s time when contemporary jewellery rules the roost, this designer prefers to stick to classic designs. Annu Chadha, a jewellery designer from Mumbai is all excited about her second jewellery exhibition to be held in the city. The exhibition would showcase jewellery that can be teamed up with bridal, cocktail and daily wear.
Talking about her choice of designing classic jewellery she says: “Contemporary jewellery does not speak of a class of trinkets that can be passed on to generations. Their designs are similar to junk jewelry that lack elegance and shine inherent to an expensive piece of trinket.” She also feels that a piece of classic ornament is a thing forever. Letting us into the present trend she says: “Rubies and emeralds add to the character of jewellery, rendering it a regal look.” The designer who has done work for bollywood stars says, her collection of classic jewellery is wearable since it is not very heavy and in tandem with people’s liking. The two-day exhibition will begin on August 27 and will be on display at Episodes, sector 9.
— TNS |
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Bride after ballot
SCARLETT Johansson has reportedly delayed her wedding, because her brother is busy working for Barack Obama. The actress, who has publicly backed Barack Obama, is due to marry Ryan Reynolds this year. But Johansson has put the nuptials on hold because her twin brother, Hunter, is busy working on Obama’s campaign.
“Ryan has been wanting to marry Scarlett for some time and was thrilled when they got engaged in May,” said a Hollywood pal of the actor. “He’d marry her tomorrow if he could but Scarlett’s twin Hunter is really busy working on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.”
— ANI |
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First day first show
Maan Gaye... Sanjay Chhel handles a serious subject like terrorism in a clumsy manner. He needs to be applauded for making mincemeat of the roles of Paresh Rawal, Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Pawan Malhotra and Zakir Hussain and wasting their talent in a puerile slapstick. If Ugly Aur Pagi amply demonstrated Mallika’s disregard for emoting, Maan Gaye... shows her acute aversion to clothes. She becomes Anarkali and Shabnam at will and sings qawwalis and jives to rap music with an equally unimpressive Rahul Bose who looks startled on playing the role of a spy-cum-skirt chaser. The chemistry of Pyar Ke Side Effects is totally missing in the movie. Rawal’s Akbar might be the most grotesque in the annals of Hindi cinema. He thinks double-meaning dialogues can pass off as comedy and desperately tries to inject humour. But his antics evoke yawns. Menon as a double agent who is also a ghazal singer and Pawan as a mafia don are pathetic. Maan Gaye Sanjay Chhel for reducing filmmaking to a farce. Showing at: Nirman, PVR, DT Cinema, Fun Republic Nothing scary about this one Phoonk Watching it, you think even a child could have easily won the contest and walked away with Rs 5 lakh. If Varma’s intention was to instill fear, his efforts have come a cropper. A doll, a crow, a hysterical woman, some bones and heavy background score are not enough to redefine the spooky genre. Even Ramsay Brothers with their B-grade horror flicks could scare the hell out of the viewers. Not Phoonk, which has a Javed Jaffery look-alike atheist (Sudeep) who frowns upon the idea of a temple being built on his construction site and his family falling a victim to the jadu-tona of a sorceress (Ashwini Kalsekar) and her husband whom he had thrown out of work for cheating. Faces contorted in agony, strange voices and eerie sounds can’t compensate for the lack of a gripping narrative, a taut pace and robust performances. If Ahsaas Chanana as a girl possessed looks ludicrous, Ashwini as the vengeful woman and Zakir Hussain as a tantrik are unbearable. The murderous streak in Ashwini and her raving and ranting look artificial. Playing the role of Sudeep’s mother, Amruta Khalvilkar seems to be suffering from vertigo. Given the speed at which the graph of RGV (as Ram Gopal Varma is popularly known) is falling, it won’t be surprising if the viewers, instead of being blown away, may blow out his future ventures. Showing at: DT Cinema, Fun Republic, PVR
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GIRLS continue their fling with pencil-fit denims, paired up with casual tees and shirts. Despite soft colours, campus fashion is high on bling this season. Long-fitted tops in bright colours and chamkeela shades are a big hit. So are the SRK-inspired waistcoats. The evergreen spaghettis, halters and ganjis rule the roost. For guys, it’s all about comfort with a dash of style. Most prefer to sport a neat look. White for sure is the colour of the season. While girls are high on bling factor, guys ride on softer shades.
IF you are not the accessory type, then go in for body art like tattoos and piercing. Tarini, a student from Arts College-10 says: “I have a fetish for piercing and so I got my eyebrow pierced from Jewels. It works for me as it is trendy and looks good too.” 
Her voice is in sync with her character. Cheerful and bubbling with ideas Tishaa Khosla is the new face of teenagers who want to make it big in the literary field. Following the likes of Chetan Bhagat, our lady is in for some serious thought process and has come out with a book — Pink or Black. Out of the publication house, ready to face the readers, the book will be in bookstores on August 30 across North India.
IT’S fashionable to be slim. And many celebrate slimness over diet Pepsi and sugarless cakes. But, there are a few who would do anything to put on those extra kilos.
I HAVE never been too fond of cows. It is a very un-Indian thing to say, I assume. But, I am much more comfortable grazing past a St. Bernard than a big and unfettered cow. Freud might have proclaimed that this is all because of the time I visited the holy temple of Kashivishwanath in Varanasi when I was merely five. The priest fondly put a rather large garland of marigold around my neck. However, the sacred bull that lounged around the narrow lane, found it irresistible and pounced on me for a ready snack! Although, I escaped narrowly and did not hold grudges, I cannot seem to be at ease with the animal that is a true mascot of our vast land.
WHAT happens when a director yells ‘camera, action’ and goes on psychedelics? Celluloid turns into nautanki. An incredible version of Mughal-e-Azam is staged by a theatre group. It gets involved with spies and bhais. The country’s external intelligence agency, RAW, undertakes a covert operation to foil terrorists’ designs to create mayhem. Its sleuths turn qawwals and double agents. One of them even enters into an extramarital affair with the theatre company’s leading actress and seeks her and her husband’s help to nab the ultras.
GIVEN the hype surrounding the ‘dare-to-see-it-alone contest’, you thought Ram Gopal Varma’s Phoonk would be a chilling audience-experience. Instead, it turns out to be a ‘scary’ movie which has the audience in splits. It may sound incongruous but that was the reaction to the film on Friday.