It's been India Shining at the unlikeliest of platforms: the dance floor. For, a dancing duo from Mumbai has just bagged a Silver at Colombo and is now in town to get our couples into jiving mode, writes Chetna Keer Banerjee

If it's been a golden year for Indian sport (Beijing and all), it's been a silver one for dance sport. Cheers to the dancing duo from Mumbai, Shannon Benjamin and Priti Gupta, who bagged a Silver at the recent Sri Lankan Open Latin Dancesport Championship-2008, and landed in the tricity on Tuesday straight from this success. It's dancers from Macau, Singapore and Lanka whom they matched toe for toe, trot for trot.

She a physiotherapist. He an IT professional. She a Marwari. He a Jew. And where the twain met was not an athletics track, a playfield or shooting range, but a ballroom. Yes, they're among the few proponents of dance sport in India, who virtually pirouetted into it at a camp in Goa. They could even be called the 'pioneers', for, as the petite and posture-perfect Priti puts it, "We were the initial duo to represent India at the World Cup Latin Championship at Singapore in 2006."

Dance sport has become the latest craze with 18 Asian countries taking part in the event at the Asian Indoor Games organised by the Olympic Council of Asia at Macau in November last year. This duo made it to the quarter-final in Grade A Latin at this event.

What is it that makes dance sport different from the other Latin American dancing? The soft-spoken and shy Shannon is the one to delineate the finer nuances, "Salsa and hip-hop are essentially club dances. It's tango, waltz, foxtrot, the Viennese waltz, quickstep, jive, paso doble, rumba, samba and cha-cha-cha that make up dance sport. They're more of ballroom dances." Rock 'n' roll was added to competitive dance sport at the previous World Games.

"We started out by performing at social-dos and then graduated to professional dancing. Competitive dance sport rates couples on floor crafting, technique and similar skills," informs Shannon.

In the tricity to groom the Chandigarh team for the National Dancesport Championship to be held in Bhubaneshwar, they are absolutely thrilled at the talent they've spotted here. "We had held a workshop in Chandigarh this summer and the couples were so full of energy and enthusiasm," gushes Priti. In a lighter vein, she adds, "We even ended up picking up some Punjabi terms, some of them not mentionable! Rhythm is something that comes so naturally to Punjabis, one moment they were doing cha-cha-cha and, the other moment, they'd break into balle-balle."

It's at the invite of the Chandigarh Dancesport Association, set up in January this year, with Rakhi Gupta Bhandari (IAS) as its adviser and Gursharan Singh as secretary, that the duo is here. "It's such an organised city. And it has better dancing talent than even Mumbai," says an impressed Priti.

Now, that should be music to the ears for all those aspiring to graduate from balle-balle to ballet.

Our very own version of Mrs Bennet is back doing what she loves: theatre. And her latest muse is M.F. Husain

A long night journey, meeting people, then an interaction with students of the Department of Indian Theatre and a press conference before getting the acts together for the play tomorrow - quite an itinerary! But Nadira Zaheer Babbar remains unfazed. "Badkismati sey hum auroton ki biwiyan nahi hoti," she says in a satirical tone. She is not complaining either. Because in Nadira's dictionary the word 'laid-back' does not exist.

"We women have the habit of giving up on life once our children are grown up, but we have no right to do so. Life is to be lived to the hilt and once you are mentally prepared to work, nothing stops you," she elaborates.

And what's keeping her busy apart from her latest production Pencil Sey Brush Tak? "Writing, and my family," comes the reply. Her writing turns out to be a new play, which centers around a small-town doctor and her family is of course grooming her daughter Juhi Babbar, who is also in town to play Fazila in Pencil Sey…which will be staged in Tagore Theatre on Wednesday.

TV sey stage tak Along with Nadira and Juhi, we also spot Anup Soni, a familiar face in the television (CID Special Bureau, Virrudh and Balika Vadhu). His association with Ekjute (Babbar's theatre outfit) is only two plays old - Begum Jaan and now Pencil Sey… "I am playing the struggling period in Husain's life and it is quite interesting because I am getting to know Husain as a person," he says. Watch out for this actor in Nagesh Kukunoor's latest Yeh Housla.

So, is it genetic configuration or environmental impact, which is shaping up the career of this young Babbar? "Both. Whatever I am today is due to my parents. Imagine when other kids used to go to the playground, I used to rush for rehearsals," chips in Juhi, who besides stage acting, is now being 'pulled' into television with a sitcom produced by Shah Rukh Khan's production house.

"I was pushed to do the show and here I am, now tasting a new medium which I find equally interesting," says Juhi. No films for the time being for either of them.

Bride and Prejudice was my first and last film," says Nadira and it is a conscious decision she has made because she wants to dedicate her working hours doing things she is passionate about - writing, acting and directing plays.

Coming back to the play, it is based on M.F. Husain's life and his career. "It is my understanding of the life of the artist and also the country's rising fundamentalism," says Nadira.

Has themes based on serious issues become one of her signature style? "I don't have a signature style as every production is different from the other.

But yes, I want to raise serious questions in people's mind through my plays and my days of comedy is certainly up," she signs off before rushing to the university.

parbina@tribunemail.com

Deputed at the ICL for the security of women, these girls from various walks of life make sure all goes well around the field

When everyone around is cheering for their favourite cricket teams, these girls stand in pairs with a deadpan expression and steadfast mind. Deputed at the ICL to ensure that everything is hunky dory at the game, these are the security girls who ensure that cheering and hooting don't go out of control. Braving the chill in their own style, we share notes with the girls (30-40) who have been brought in from Mumbai for the job of security.

"We had no idea Chandigarh would be that cold," says Mangla and Suvarna, working for Top Securities in Mumbai. "Back home the weather is pretty good." And gradually they get down to the real thing, security. Adds her friend, Suvarna, who is more interested in her duty at the entry gate rather than giving an interview, something that she has done before in Hyderabad, "We have been trained in security and brought in especially for ICL. But we also go for other events, like Filmfare, musical nights wherever they happen."

This group of girls in their black uniforms, rather casual black tee and denims are posted at all security points at the stadium. Quiet funny, but what is it that you girls essentially do? Giggles Vandana Dubla, "Maintain law and order that's it." This one seems interested in talking more. "Look, there are two kinds of audiences, men and women and we are in charge of the security of the women. The girls posted at the main gate, check their passes. Once, inside the stadium we make sure the women are safe, enjoy the match and also behave themselves. Not only this, she adds eager to share more, "We also work as escorts for various actors and cheer girls performing at the ICL."

For Nandini Raut, who always wanted to be in some kind of police job, she thinks this is nearest to where she could get.

" We are trained and given a small briefing on what we are supposed to do before and at the event." Which is? "The basic training involves how we should interact with the audiences and keep our cool even if the situation goes untoward."

Despite all this, we wonder, naive girls from an unknown city, deployed as security guards in Chandigarh, what do they know about the crowd here, which can get rowdy with the drop of a hat? "The crowd is the same everywhere, with some farak here and there, offer the girls. Our job is to manage them and not make a judgment." A little more digging and they reveal, "Gurgaon crowd is bad, but Hyderabad is good and so is Chandigarh. Bus idhar thand bahut zaada hai. Humarey Mumbai main itna thand nahin hota."

Jasmine@tribunemail.com

THIS promise isn't big but honestly committed. It assures support, encouragement, inspiration and so much more that can make a difference to the lives of eight youngsters. Such is an initiative taken by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi that has taken the onus to hone talents of eight budding artists. The akademi short-listed these students after considering their work and talent. "We realised the seriousness of effort we were going to make and we wanted to choose the most deserving students for it," avers Diwan Manna, chairman of the Akademi. So how did they go about selecting students? "We followed a two-step selection process through which we analysed their work followed by an interview where we judged their passion for their art."

All the eight scholarships are in the name of eight renowned artists and art connoisseurs like M.S Randhawa, Le Corbusier and others. The scholarships will provide them with a monthly stipend of Rs.2000.

Also the akademi will support them in holding an exhibition of their artworks at the end of the tenure of scholarships. Geetika Pathania, a budding sculptor and winner of the scholarship says, "We might become role models for others who think society doesn't support art. It can encourage others to take up their art professionally."

Another scholarship winner, Aishwarya Sultania from Delhi feels that financial help can infuse confidence in other artists, "At times, financial obstacles hinder popularity of artists who don't have enough resources to put their work on exhibition or use quality material for it. This money would help us overcoming such problems." — TNS

One gets to see the lifestyle of lesser-known tribes at the exhibition Bedum

Art has a way of saying things effortlessly. Things that might take writers to write volumes on or filmmakers to shoot reels on it, artists sum it all up in just a few strokes and, of course, with the equal efficacy. Some such colourful stories on canvas, under the theme of Bedum, Bengali translation for nomads, have been brought in town from six artists of West Bengal. "People may not like to read on tribal life but the same theme has made us win appreciation from art connoisseurs across the country," says Tapan Karmaker, a participant.

The prudent use of colours has made the thirty pieces of artworks on display indeed a treat for the eyes. "Change is the law of nature and we too abide by it. But then again, it is important that we don't forget our traditions." Other than Tapan, Deepak Ghosh and Inderjit Ghosh have too painted the tribal life in West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Rajasthan. But why this particular theme? "Tribal folk is an integral part of our rich cultural heritage and it sure adds to the diversity factor. We wanted to highlight the same through our work," avers Deepak Ghosh.

Inderjit Ghosh lets us know how did he go about doing his work, "We all went to a tribal area in West Bengal and spent a week there, understanding the lifestyle of the people there. All of us perceived the tribal life in a different way and then put it on the canvas."

Malay Dutta and Shankar Bhowmick chose the theme 'peace' for their work and cite the reason for it, "Peace is what we all are craving for. It makes even more sense in present times, when so many cities in India are struggling with terrorism"

Shankar's portrayal of different seasons indicates the changing good and bad times in the country.

Dino Nath Saha has talked about the complexities of human life through his paintings. Done in a contemporary style cubism, he says, "Choosing a different medium to say the same things indicate rebel. My paintings make a call for peace."

Among them, we also have our very own, P.S. Sawhney whose sculptors are on display here.

At the Museum of Fine Arts, PU till November 8.

ashima@tribunemail.com

Basking in the super success of Singh is Kinng, producer Vipul Shah is set to make a sequel to the comedy and has signed on favourite actor Akshay Kumar for it. However, he plans to make another film with the actor before that.

"After doing Waqt, Namastey London and Singh is Kinng, we had to do something that would take us into another zone. My next film with Akshay pushes the envelope even more. After that there's the Singh Is Kinng sequel, which I'd like Anees Bazmi to direct. But he's very busy. So it depends on him," Shah said.

Shah has quietly finished the script for his next film starring Akshay while shooting London Dreams, an India-Britain co-production, which went on floors last month.

Shah has signed Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan to play lead roles in London Dreams but clarifies that Akshay will remain a common feature in most of his films.

"You see, Akshay remains a constant. But like I said I am working with Ajay and Salman for the first time. And I felt equally at home. So I'll be working with them again for sure," he said.

Shah has also signed a two-film deal with 20th Century Fox. One of these films would be a big special effects spectacle again featuring Akshay.

So where did all the rumours of a rift with Akshay come from? "Search me," Vipul laughs. "I was committed to this Goan holiday from long before. There was no way I could disappoint my sons. Akshay himself flew down from South Africa for just a day for his party and went back. So it was all done in a rush. Just because I don't attend his party we've become enemies? What kind of logic is that? We've decided to have our own private Diwali bash as soon as he returns November 11. We're also announcing the details of our next film together very shortly."

Shyam Benegal shifted from his 'kind of cinema' to come up with the successful comedy Welcome to Sajjanpur and the veteran director says he will stick to a satirical theme for his next venture too. The prolific filmmaker, who is always ready to discover every facet of society with his visual medium, says he will soon finalise the script of his next comedy venture, the shooting for which will start next year.

"You will again see a comedy film from my side as entertaining as Welcome to Sajjanpur. I will soon be finalising the script for it," he said. Benegal received rave reviews for Welcome... and that is what prompted him to go for another satire.

"Success is always welcome when you have put in so much effort. It always works as fresh air for you and provides confidence to meet other challenges," he says.

The national award-winning director, who made his debut with Gher Betha Ganga in 1962 and shot to fame with the Shabana Azmi-starrer Ankur in 1973, has also acted in the successful film Nishant in 1975.

Known for making serious movies like Nishant, Manthan (1976) and Bhumika (1977), Benegal has no plans of quitting "his kind of cinema", but wants to give it a break.

"I am not quitting serious cinema as this is from where I have started my journey, but I just want to give it a break," he says.

Benegal also expresses satisfaction over the way regional cinema is shaping these days in the country and says it is a good sign as it is getting its due share.

"Regional cinema is getting its due share, which is appreciable and I wish all success to the industry. I want more and more regional films should be made," he said.

Actress Jada Pinkett-Smith plans to follow in the footsteps of Pamela Anderson with a new career as an animal rights activist, when she gets older. The 37-year-old star, who's married to superstar Will Smith, is a hardcore animal lover and owns a menagerie of pets, including three cats and two dogs. She has also bought a red-tail boa constrictor, and named it 'Beauty'.

However, after buying Beauty, Pinkett admits she's become much more aware of the plight of caged animals. "I think I'll never get an animal like a snake again where I have to keep her in an aquarium. We have this whole thing for Beauty outside for her, to be in a natural habitat. But at the end of the day, she knows she's caged into her aquarium. We can't set her into the wild now, but I told (daughter) Willow we won't have any animals that need to stay like that.

Hollywood singer-actor Lindsay Lohan has been axed as host of the World Music Awards in Monaco next weekend.

She has now been replaced at the 11th hour by Denise Richards as the show bosses panicked over whether Lohan was actually up to the job.

"We were surprised she was ever asked. When the 22-year-old actor presented the 2006 awards at Earls Court we were cringing in the crowd as she botched up all her lines and called Beyonce to the stage while she was still getting her hair done," said a source.

The organisers had drafted in Jesse Metcalfe to give Lohan some back up for the all-star show.

The source added: "Lindsay was furious that she wasn't the star. The organisers had gone through a list of who was hot at the moment and returned to Lindsay again. But the feedback they got was really negative. They got worried and decided to change it. In the end it was decided by both parties it was better if she pulled out." — ANI, IANS, PTI

Pop singer Kylie Minogue had five of her suitcases stolen just hours before she was supposed to hit the stage in Bogota, Colombia.

The luggage contained laptops, cameras and even some of her show outfits. But despite that the tour opened successfully. She had 25 backing dancers and a huge lighting system, which dazzled the fans.

She has put out a reward of 1,300 pounds to have her stuff returned. Minogue is also slated to perform in Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Chile and Argentina before she sets off to Asia.

Spanish pop star Enrique Iglesias seems unaffected by his girlfriend Anna Kournikova's remarks of never marrying him, as he is convinced she will leave him anyway. The Hero singer says that he is cool with the 27-year-old tennis sensation's remarks, and insists that he is only being realistic about their romance.

"Life goes by so fast. My 20s were a blur. I want to enjoy the good moments. They could involve marriage and kids, but not yet. My grandfather had a baby when he was 92. Now there was a man who knew how to live!" he said.

"Anna's clock may be ticking but I don't think she's ready for kids either. We talked about it all one day and she said that she wouldn't marry me. And she meant it. She said I'm probably just a guy she wants to date for a few years, then she'll leave me. I'm cool with that. Obviously I'm with her because she's my dream woman. But if she left me tomorrow, what am I going to do? She would have no trouble finding the guy she wants to marry," he added.

The 33-year-old singer says, "People break up all the time. The reality is people get married, thinking it's going to be forever, then they get divorced," he added.