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Card couture Marriages may be made in heaven but the heavenly affair has to celebrated right here on earth-and in style. And at a time when the roaring wedding economy is swelling and growing by at least 25 per cent per annum, redefining the wedding extravaganza it's the wedding card that starts the show of fortunes. Taking note of the increasing trend of jazzed-up wedding cards we get for you the latest in market. Having designed a couture line for marriage cards, Ashima and Rohani Juneja, from Juneja design studio-17, have named their collection 'Roas'. Innovation being their key word, Rohani says, "Gone are the days of simple cards, it's the designer cards that are making rounds in the wedding circle this season. Where money is the last criterion, people are looking for style and elegance in designs."
Talking of variety, she says, "It's endless, right from cards that open like a trousseau to cards placed in platters, velvet boxes et al, the latest trend is to gift something else than a mitthai ka dabba with a card. And for this people are choosing a theme." "Wedding cards have definitely come of age and being designed in varied patterns and hues people usually want the card to be different than others. While people are allocating a complete budget for wedding cards, these days it's the cards in shape of a chocolate box, placed in metal and wooden platters and the latest are cards enclosed in a photo frame that are doing well. That's not all, brocade and silk border cards are also in, and for people who want to indulge in sheer luxury, people get the card printed in yellow gold", says Hema Bedi, partner, Event it right. Going bonkers, parents are ready to spend their lifetime income on a wedding ceremony and speaking about the increasing trend of all dolled up wedding cards, Saurabh Malhotra, proprietor, Sugandha wedding card, Sector-16 Panchkula, says, " The trend in designs is sure changing but more than that, it's the paying capacity that has increased manifold. Earlier, people were ready to pay Rs 8-10 for a card and people who would pay Rs 25 per card were considered elitist, but these days Rs 15-Rs 25 is normal and people don't even consider it expensive." Talk of designs and he says, "Marriage cards are an added accessory these days. And people want the best of everything, be it colour, the kind of box they would want the card to be in or the design element." "The trend of designer wedding cards started from Delhi and people in this region either want to imitate the best looking cards or want something that has style and elegance," says Aditi Arora from Taj printers, who have an office in Manimajra and Ludhiana. Informing us about the variety available she says, "There is a world waiting to be explored when it comes to wedding cards. And gone are the floral and paisley prints, now people like a contemporary touch to the card. Keeping the choice in mind this season I have designed some geometric prints, polka dots and straight lines for marriage cards." Talk of the accessory used and she says, " The idea is do something new and right from lace ribbons to dry flower arrangements, stones, crystals, paper wraps that look like cloth and net are being used to bedeck the marriage card." jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
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Invitations to remember WHEN an art connoisseur had floated the idea of dedicating one of her walls to wedding cards, it took us time to digest it. But then it was before we saw her collection—a wedding card of cricketer Saurav Ganguly. Now, in her card corner one finds one painted by M.F. Husain and other prominent artists of Bengal and Haryana. Artists painting wedding cards is not an uncommon thing. Husain is known for it, he does in his his friend circle. Among the others we trace is one card by Laxma Gaud ,who painted his daughter's wedding invite with his typical folk-inspired motifs. A copy of it is now in the possession of principal of the College of Art College Archana Shashtri. Coming to our city artists too have done their bit when it comes to designing of wedding cards. Viren Tanwar is the one who comes to mind when talking about our homegrown ones. We have seen invitation cards designed for many functions, most prominent of them are B. N. Goswami's 70th birthday and his invitation card for the latter’s daughter's marriage functions."The first such card I designed was for Ramesh Kapila's daughter's wedding. I had painted a simple Ganesha and it was liked by many," says Viren. Requests followed and he did oblige many with his signature cards, using symbols like banana trees which symbolise happiness and parrots, the symbol of Kama. "One of my cards which was largely appreciated by art lovers was my daughter Shivani's wedding invitation. I played up the concept, portraying us parents as a tree bent over two blossoming lotuses," he recalls. It is the uniqueness in the concept and the personal touch that makes people spend an enormous sum on artistic wedding cards. And when it does get printed it becomes a collector's item. "In fact, so many of my clients come up with a print asking me to sign to authenticate it. And some clients even make me promise not to repeat the design or the concept for others. It's something like of a copy right." Now we know, if marriages are for keeps, so are the wedding cards.
parbina@tribunemail.com |
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Hues and
cry Shortly after the controversy generated by the Censor Board's decision to grant an ''adults only'' certificate to the film due to its ''bold scenes'', the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) had expressed serious reservations over the film's reported depiction of the life of former ramp model Geetanjali Nagpal who was, earlier this year, found roaming in the streets of Delhi in a state of penury and mentally sick condition before the efforts by the DCW to rehabilitate had helped her to recover.''We have come to know through reliable or authoritative sources that Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion, slated for release on October 29, is based partially on the life of Geetanjali Nagpal. The Commission had strong objections and reservations on the release of the film as the director and producer have not sought its prior permission nor brought it into confidence prior to making this movie.The Commission was seriously concerned about anybody imitating Geetanjali's character or image for taking monetary mileage out of her tragedy without seeking her permission or due consent," the Commission said in a letter addressed to Censor Board chairperson Sharmila Tagore. Expressing apprehension that viewing of the said film may affect adversely the present and future of Geetanjali and her present comfortable stay in society after he former model was cured after immense serious efforts of the DCW during the long span of a year or so, the Commission, in the letter said, ''The Commission wants to be sure that film in question does not show anything objectionable to Geetanjali Nagpal's image or character which in turn may affect her physical and mental image adversely."In view of the above, the Commission urges you to issue urgent instructions to the producer and director of Fashion to show the print of the film to the DCW chairperson and its members prior to its release so that the correctness of the script, and story could be judged impartiallysimultaneously approved for final public viewing without any apprehension whatsoever.'' At the same time, the Commission demanded that in case the producer and director did not agree to its request, the film be banned immediately.The film was said to feature actress Kangna Ranaut in a role that is claimed to be based on the life of former model Geetanjali Nagpal.
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THE Kapoor sisters are to share telly space on Nach baliye 4 on the Divali special episode. The show will have Lolo as the judge while Bebo will be a celebrity guest. On the reality show, she will be there to promote her upcoming film Golmaal Returns. Considering that it is a dance based show, the Kapoor girls will also shake a leg together. The episode is slated to air on Oct 25. It is learnt that when Bebo was informed about the plan, she was thrilled and agreed without even a moment’s hesitation. As all eyes will be on the twosome, they are looking forward to make it a memorable experience for them, the participants as well as the audience. Says Kareena, “It is a reputed show and Lolo is also there, so I am really excited about being on it. Golmal Returns is very close to my heart and I am sure the audience will have fun watching it.”
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Race for
realism AFTER Corporate, Bipasha Basu once again gets real for her role in Rahul Dholakia's hard hitting drama Lamha and says the biggest challenge for her is to break the stereotypical image of Kashmiri girls in Hindi movies. "When you think of a Kashmiri girl in our movies, what comes to mind is a fair-skinned, light-eyed girl. But I want to disprove that myth. The pre-conceived notions have to be overcome," Bipasha, whose performance in Bachna Ae Haseeno got her much praise, said. Bipasha had asked her producers to invite a born-and-bred Kashmiri girl to Mumbai to study her body language, speech patterns and mannerisms. "I've never done a film like this before. The role requires me to be someone else altogether. I've to change my entire personality. And for this I needed help. I wanted to play the character the way girls really are today in Kashmir. "I've done a bit role in another authentic film---Prakash Jha's Apaharan. For that matter, Madhur Bhandarkar's Corporate was very real and so is Rituparno Ghosh's Sab Charitra Kalpanik. But Lamha is something else." The actress is hell bent to look convincing in the role. "I think I'm going to be more keen on getting it right than the director. Going to Kashmir and getting to know the local way of life was difficult. All said and done it's still not entirely safe in Kashmir. "My boyfriend John (Abraham) shot in strife-torn Afghanistan for Kabul Express. Now it's my turn in Kashmir." Bipasha's co-star in Lamha is Kunal Kapoor. Asked how was it working with Dholakia, she said: "I've known Rahul Dholakia for years — long before he made Parzania. In fact, he had offered me his first film Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar. He's a man of a few simple words. The story in Lamha is very powerful and real. It's a hard-hitting look at present-day Kashmir." The actress said that she had been to Jammu and Kashmir as a child, but things have changed drastically since then.
— IANS
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Medley of melodies YET another delight of Indian classical music for city art lovers is in the offing with the 31st Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan-2008 underway at the Randhawa auditorium from October 24 to 26. The annual musical bonanza is brought to the city by the Indian National Theatre in collaboration with Punjab arts council and cultural affairs department, Chandigarh. Meet the acclaimed maestros eager to regale the music aficionados of the tri-city. Starting scholar The Kolkata-based young prodigious classical vocalist, Arshad Ali is all set to give a grandiose start to the sammelan. An avid performer and scholar of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata, he represents the Kirana Gharana tradition of khayal singing. Born in a family of well-known musicians of this gharana, Arshad is the grandson of Sarangi maestro, Padmashree, Ustad Shakoor Khan. He is undergoing a rigorous training in the tutelage of Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan at the academy. The Pune-based vocal maestro Ranjani Ramachandran will light up the second session with her vibrant voice and versatility. Currently pursuing her doctorate in music Ranjani had won many awards and fellowships including the resident scholarship of ITC .A graded artist of AIR, ICCR, she has performed in music festivals in India besides the Nehru Centre London and Learn Quest Academy Boston. Sitar on Saturday Hailed as the finest sitar exponent, the Kolkata based maestro Debaprasad Chakraborty was initiated into classical music by his father guru Adhindra Mohan Chakarborty. He later learnt Sitar under Pandit Ajoy Sinha Roy in the Maihar Senia tradition. Decorated with many honours including Surmani award by Sur Shingar Samsad Mumbai Debaparsad has enriched his music potential based on Dhrupad style. He takes over the audience on the second day. An artist with many facets Pandit Dr.Raja Kale was doubly blessed as endowed with rich music legacy of his father guru Parbhakar Rao Kale and also having trained by legends like Pandit Jitender Abhisheki. Credited with six classical music albums Mumbai based Raja Kale will conclude the second day of sammelan. Flirting with flute Undeniably the most accomplished flutist of the Northern region the city based maestro Ravinder Singh is set to perform on the concluding day. A foremost disciple of guru Jagdish Mittar of Kirana Gharana he is an A grade artist of AIR and Doordarshan he had performed in Mauritius on ICCR sponsored tour. Ravinder Singh had the privilege of giving accompaniment to legends from diverse disciplines like Kathak queen Sitara Devi, Guru Gopi Krishna, ghazal icon Jagjit Singh and Pakistani folk singer Reshma. The obvious choice for providing the grand finale to the sammelan could not be other than Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, an outstanding artiste of the famed Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, according INT president N. Khosla IAS (retd). Acclaimed, as a link with the generation of young veterans worthy of wearing the mantle of the old maestros Ashwini Bhide is a myriad confluence of academic and aesthetic brilliance. |
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Holistic goodness
DABURr India Ltd has introduced a range of healthy and innovative Diwali gift packs that offer the holistic goodness of nature in an attractive package for the festive season. The gift packs are eloquently designed and decorated and signify the importance of gifting as a phenomenon that is so important to all Indians. “Consumers today are becoming extremely health conscious and are looking for healthy and non-traditional gifting options. In this scenario, Dabur’s healthy gifts are a welcome change from the calorie-laden traditional gift packs like sweets, chocolates etc. Our gift packs offer the best combination of taste and nutrition, and is yet another illustration of Dabur’s commitment towards the health and well being of every household,” says Mr. K K Chutani, general Manager (Foods), Dabur India Ltd. While there are plenty of gifting options available in the market today, Dabur India pioneered ‘Gift Packs’ in the juices category, which has always received overwhelming response in the past. Dabur gift packs are introduced with the sole motive of promoting exchanging of healthy gifts among each other — in essence gifting good life to the near and dear ones. In view of this growing demand, Dabur India introduced different options. “We have traditionally seen a sharp rise in sugar intake during the Diwali season, thanks to the higher consumption of mithais etc. With our various gift packs, we are offering consumers a chance to gift their loved ones good health,” says Mr. Chutani. The range includes multiple gifting options with fruit juices and fruit drinks that cover the Rs 70 to Rs 250 price band. |
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ONE of the most joyful and beautiful festivals to be celebrated in the Indian culture is Diwali. Maspar home fashion, contemporary home furnishings brand also known as designs for living is all set to double the festival fever by bringing the traditional art prevailing in Indian villages as Folkarte Collection. Folkarte Collection reflects the myths, stories and folklore of Indian culture. It represents the rich cultural milieu of this great land and the subtle nuances of culture in a modern age marketplace. Colors of the collection are very bright and loud complimenting the festive season. Experiments in term of design, color combinations, blending of fabrics and other materials make the products unique in many aspects. One can find a harmonious co-existence of modern, contemporary and ethnic in its collection. Maspar has always been offering something that has to be seen in unbelievable range for bedroom, dining room, kitchen and bathroom to its valuable customers. The collection in a price ranging from Rs. 110 and Rs. 7,495 at all the exclusive Maspar stores across different cities in India. |
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