With the Navratra celebrations under way, Banga Bhavan-35 and Kalibari-47 have already been abuzz with activities.

At Kalibari, Subasis Adhikari has been busy giving final touches to the idols of Goddess Durga and at Banga Bhavan, members have been meeting at night after work to get their act together.

Durga puja is right here and for any easterner, it is difficult to remain untouched. After all, it is not just a puja, but a composite cultural extravaganza.

Having grown up in Assam, any puja-related news from neighbouring West Bengal, the epicentre of the Durga puja celebrations, makes for animated discussions during this time of year.

Like the Harry Potter theme in the recent past. Now, to know the latest, we talk to artists on the themes for the puja this year.

The puja pandals in Kolkata will continue to be a tad traditional with the seven wonders of the world, mainly the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids, being the theme for the main venues, informs a friend over the phone.

If you are thinking these pandals are the creations of some amateur artists, think again. It involves big names and even bigger amount of money.

Artist Jogen Chowdhury was the theme-maker for the Selimpur Road Durga Puja when the puja committee celebrated its silver jubilee. That’s how big the names are.

Coming to art and artists, this is also the time for the artists to paint the devi. Most of the Bengali artists have done it – Paresh Maity and Jogen Chowdhury top the list.

Paresh is known for his semi-figurative representation of Shakti, while Jogen has mostly painted Durga from the memories of his childhood days.

And they have set trends for their followers. One of the recent ones to do a complete series on Durga is a young and upcoming artist Sudipta Karmakar, who is painting the deity both in the traditional figurative and semi-abstract forms.

The waves of celebrations have touched artists of this region too and it is not confined to the Bengali community.

City-based artist Jagjit Singh has picked up his Devi theme once again to celebrate the mood. He has painted Durga going by the popular iconography – with the lion she rides and the demon she slays.

“I started painting the deity a couple of years ago, both in figurative and abstract form,” says Jagjit. His inspiration came from a visit to the Ajanta and Ellora caves.

Another prominent artist to have painted Durga is Viren Tanwar. It was during the religious phase of life he captured the Shakti in his prints.

“In fact, in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh we do worship Durga, but we have a different name, Sanjhi. It is the rituals and the goddess I captured symbolically in my prints,” he says.

Durga or Sanjhi, the Bengali community here is all set to celebrate the goddess’s annual visit from Mount Kailash to her parental home with her children – Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati — and involve one and all in the process.

And this means seeing a bit of Kolkata in the city itself. For, all major puja committees are planning to bring artistes from Bengal during the festival.

In fact, Sumanta Ghosh of Bangio Parishad even promises to introduce to us to two famous crafts of Kolkata this time—mime and human puppet show.

Navratras are special for so many reasons. While festivities of the ritual kind touch an all-time high, it’s also time for revelry at dandiya nights, rocking to Garba tunes.

And apni city girls are all geared up for some Gujju ishtyle grooving. With their dare-to-bare attitude, sexy backless cholis and stylish halters, the pretty damsels are ready to make a dhamakedaar statement by wearing their skin, literally!

The style mantra for this festive season is accessorising with your skin and not precious pieces of jewellery. What better accompaniment than a glowing skin to make a fashion statement on dandiya night?

Says Kanika Chaudhry, a city student who plans to have full dandiya masti but not without making some heads turn.

“I have got a halter choli made which I am planning to wear for dandiya. So, to make my skin look flawless I have got body shine treatment done,” she says. Well, talk about shining glory.

For those who want to look good as well as feel good this navratras, the city salons are offering everything from skin treatments to body specific treatments to spa treatments.

Tells Neelu Grewal, Innoxa-8, “We have back polishing treatment wherein we use specific oils to massage off the dead skin and polish the back for a smooth and shining glow. Also, girls come in for skin lightening and tan removal treatments as well to look good.”

After all, it’s all about looking perfect in your skin. And there is everything for everyone. “ Depending on the skin type, you can also get a full body makeover for that wholesome effect. It includes exfoliation, back peels and spa treatments along with the makeup,” adds Neelu.

Well, grooming can be fun but it’s hard work as well. According to Neetu Chaudhary of Kaya Skin Clinic-8, getting desired effect from these treatments is a long process.

“For back shining and skin lightening treatments you need 6-8 sessions every 15 days.” But who minds hard work for all those compliments and second looks?

Though a glowing, smooth skin doesn’t leave space for any more ornamentation, if you want to flatter your skin-deep beauty, then jazz it up with some trendy makeup. The mantra for the season is light base with dominant eyes and nude lips.

For some dramatic effect, add a dash of black or grey to your eyes and let the contrast with your colourful dress work in your favour.

But don’ t exaggerate with the makeup and if you are the no-pancake types, then no worry. Just wear the dress and let your attitude and skin do the talking.

One of Asia’s top film festivals kicked off on Tuesday in South Korean beach resort city of Usan with an eye toward shoring up a depressed domestic movie industry.

The 13th Pusan International Film Festival will show 316 movies from 60 countries, including 84 world premieres - starting with Kazakh director Rustem Abdrashev’s The Gift to Stalin a drama set against Soviet deportations to Central Asia.

Indian director Santosh Sivan is serving on the jury for festival’s top New Currents award with Iranian director Samira Makhmalbaf, Danish-French actress Anna Karina, South Korean actress Lee Hwa-si and German producer Karl Baumgartner.

Among the planned highlights of the festival are programmes on Italian directors Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, Asian movies about super heroes and music videos by Asian directors, and a Korean cinema retrospective.

Paolo Taviani, Karina and Hong Kong director Tsui Hark will give talks. The Asian Filmmaker of the Year award has been announced and will be presented to Kazakh producer Gulnara Sarsenova, chairwoman of the International Eurasia Film Festival.

Once the pride of Asian cinema for its high-quality productions that could fend
off Hollywood blockbusters in the domestic market, South Korean films are in a
major slump.

In Seoul, seven out of the 10 biggest box office hits in the first half of the year were imports, according to the latest edition of the Korean Film Council’s quarterly newsletter. — AP

Bright colours splashed across the walls, on clothes,
thumping music being played at various navratra
parties and soaring spirits.

Adding to all this sparkle are the glitter tattoos, which
the belles are wearing and baring with élan.

They take various forms and sizes, be it on
the damsels' arms, shoulders, lower back,
navel and feet.

As Munish Bajaj, Executive Director Tress Lounge,
L'Oreal says, "Sparkling tattoos are a rage amongst
the girls. Unlike other tattoos, these have a traditional
touch to them. Also, they look elegant and go well
with the traditional chania choli, sari, suits and equally
spectacular with a halter."

If they look pleasing to you as well, then you
should know that they these sparkles last for
1-2 days that too if you manage to keep it
away from water.

Adds Munish, "Surprisingly, these tattoos are
pretty popular among married women, who too
want to look stylish different and jazzy."

No wonder, newly married Niharika Singla, sports
one on her arm, one on the wrist, ankle and nape.

"They are no-mess, easy-to-handle tattoos. And
you can get them done in various shapes, like a
necklace, flowers, buds, birds, diya. The best part
is you can get a new sparkling tattoo daily."

Agrees her friend Charu Dutta, who got a
sparkling tattoo on her navel and arms.

"The shimmers glisten during in the dark. That's
when they look all the more beautiful," says Charu,
showing the little flower craved on her navel.

And did we say these shimmers could fetch you a number of compliments as well.

But for some like Navneet Mattu, these will help to take the attention away from her two left feet.

"I have got one little sparrow made on my lower back and flowers on my ankle. And they are done up so nicely and brightly. No one will look at my dance," she laughs.

The good news is that you can make these tattoos at home as well. All you need is some glitter and temporary glue.

If this sounds cumbersome, well, then the market is flooded with shimmer stickers.

Available at Rs 20-100, these, we bet, are cheapest way to adding dash to your festival and dressing too.
jasmine@tribunemail.com.

Come October and off we go on a festive spree. And the season of celebrations brings with it new fashion and trends.

Talk of accessories for your festive style and tattoos make for the perfect accompaniment.

Apart from the vibrant mood and flamboyant dresses, wear the festive attitude on your sleeve by flaunting some cool and colourful tattoos.

Your style secret lies not only in those bold, chunky pieces of jewellery, but can come embedded in the skin. Youngsters are going in for body art and ready-to-rock motifs this season.

You can be traditional yet trendy with these tattoos in different shapes, sizes and colours. Says Neeru Sidhu, owner, Attitude, "You can get temporary or semi-temporary tattoos done in traditional patterns, like a swastika or symbolic aum. Colourful tattoos in floral designs also look cool and make for a chic accessory."

Now, think of that designer backless choli for the dandiya night and a glitzy tattoo flaunted on your back. It sure adds to the oomph factor.

From fiery dragons to fairy daisies, from colorful cliques to outline motifs, one can find every kind and style.

If you want your tattoo to match your attitude and your dress as well, then go in for colours like peacock, golden, copper or red.

While the girls flaunt them on the back, arms and stomach, guys are more bold
in their approach.

"Though mostly guys go in for the permanent ones in black and white, many
are opting for temporary ones this time around, mostly on the chest and arms,"
says Neeru.

For some it's the style, while for others it's another way of attracting attention on the dance floor.

"Tattoos are an easy and stylish way to deck up for an evening of fun, dance and masti. You don't have to be conscious and constantly keep a check on it unlike your jewellery," says Nitika Mittal.

You can also embellish them with swarovsky and beads to lend some glitter to your style. For the daring ones, permanent tattoos add more thrills but for the ones who want to stay away from the needle, there are other options as well.

"Stick tattoos and henna tattoos are popular among youngsters. When talking about semi-permanent and temporary tattoos, they are easy to wash and wear. Also, you can flaunt different tattoo for different occasions," says Raman from Jewels-11.

Fashion becomes easy on pocket with these tattoos ranging between Rs. 50 to Rs. 300. And age is not a factor to look good.

"Since the Karva Chauth and wedding season are around the corner, we have ladies of all ages coming to us for these traditional Indian patterns. They are flaunting these tattoos with élan," says Neeru.

Well, talk of wearing fashion on your skin. So, get ready to dazzle in some bold
and beautiful tattoos that will make heads turn when you hit the floor in your
festive best.

It is not often that a rag-tag bunch of primary school brats, some
awkward, pimply, bobbing Adam-appled teenaged boys, a few very
shy girls from conservative families, some enthusiastic techies, a band
of teachers and a dedicated group of health promoters, are thrown
together and told to enjoy themselves.

It is a recipe for disaster. However, the two-and-a-half hour picnic planned by DIR acting director Marat Yu and his band of merry men and women, sponsored by Dell, Chandigarh, was a roaring success.

It had visitors at Leisure Valley gawking with envy at games, laughter and boxes of food. I do feel the most joyous part of the situation was not having parents around.

Though many of us went as minders and chaperones, there was uninhibited bonhomie between the participants.

Sometimes the protective, broody hen syndrome displayed by parents is enough to ruin any kind of fun.

Oz and I wanted to go with our son and his friends to Ranthambhor Game Sanctuary, but were dissuaded in no uncertain terms.

In spite of advocating boots, trousers, salwar kameez or any other comfortable wear, Suman arrived dressed in her best blue sari.

Being a widow with five children, this was probably a memorable day in many filled with drudgery and stress.

A little girl in a golden lehnga and kurti, cried right through as she tripped over unwieldy, embroidered garments.

After half an hour of sitting coyly under a tree, the girls could not resist the football and shrieked their way through the grassy slopes.

The primary school had never handled a frisbee. Each time it flew through the air, one or the other sat on it till it was wrested away by a rival.

They seemed to enjoy fights that ensued. I wonder if the slum ever thinks as team?

They seem very hospitable in their homes but when common things have to be shared, it becomes a free for all.

Darwin was obviously far more understanding regarding the human race than we are.

 Dell brought delicious sandwiches and huge luscious apples. For infants brought up on ‘achaar’ and ‘paranthas,’ the bread was too bland and thrown away.

This speaks volumes about the different menus created by mothers in the slums and the city. One is based on mere existence, the other on our individual taste buds.

At the bustee one apple would be shared by many. The kids’ tiny stomachs could not cope with a whole fruit.

Throwing shyness to the winds, one of the heavier techies came dressed as a clown, rubber nose and all.

He was uninhibited in his performance. Some of the children, who had never stepped out of the slum, were overawed but soon gave in to his clowning.

Apart from the huge gap in economic, cultural stratas and ages, the 140-odd individuals were a homogenous group.

The picnic was held in the afternoon as the techies had to complete their office work. Is anyone listening? We usually ask for the day off.

The picnic was a lesson in equality, integration and tolerance, something India needs in large quantities. Any takers?