Switzerland is famous for its sweet and sinful chocolates, bollywood belles dancing against the white Alps and the pure and unadulterated scenic beauty. Coming from nature's own country, Chandigarh offers quite an experience to Olivier Lassarre and Andy Schoenholzer.

"I am amazed at the presence of nature in the city," says Olivier, a Swiss biologist and landscape architect. In the city for a conference on 'Emerging Trends in Landscape Architecture' at the Government Art Museum-10 on Sunday, they are enjoying every piece of nature that the city is offering them on their first visit.

"Chandigarh has an impressive diversity of nature, the birds, plants and the landscaping have a very natural feel to them," feels Olivier, who seems smitten by Sukhna Lake. He has done extensive work, studying landscaping patterns back home and written a book 'Planting Patterns' on aerial landscaping. "Aerial superimposition of landscaping patterns is very important for understanding the actual planned procedure. The book reflects the aerial landscaping patterns of the Swiss agricultural land," says Olivier. He is ready with his next book, which focuses on comparative aerial landscaping of the agro-land in China and Switzerland.

Talking about the importance of urban landscaping in a city, his fellow countryman and landscapist Andy Schoenholzer says, "The concept of landscaping has to be understood with respect to architecture. The use of public space is important but needs administrative help too. The job doesn't finish only by constructing, maintenance must be a major concern too." He feels that the tricity is a very contrasting mix of concrete and greens. "I saw the Sector 17 complex and then you have Sukhna Lake. It's like heading from a concrete jungle to the wide open wild," he says.

But while they are soaking in the serenity of the city, the gradual siltation process of the lake is what bothers them. "Siltation is a natural process and it is impossible to drain out all the water from Sukhna and displace the silt. But definite measures should be taken in time to avoid this depletion of natural beauty," says Olivier. Otherwise, he warns, "Till we seriously take up issues, the only thing one can do is to enjoy nature's best till it lasts." Well, some advice. But one thing that they both agree on is that the city landscaping is well planned and is a balance of all the natural ingredients. And what about the space constraints? "There is a lot of free and open space in Chandigarh that can be used for conservation. The quality of greenery in and around city is breathtaking but one needs to remind about preserving this landscaping as well," says Olivier.

It is a work-cum-leisure trip for them, as they head to Agra, Delhi and Jaipur afterwards, they are keen on studying the architectural patterns on these historic cities.

And before signing off, Andy has a piece of advice too, " It is City Beautiful indeed, but take good care of it."

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As part of the lecture series started by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi from September 2008, where artists like Ashok Vajpeyi, Raghu Rai and Frenchwoman Marion Colomer have already delivered lectures, there will be a talk on November 8 by Muzaffar Ali, the internationally renowned filmmaker and painter, at the auditorium of Government Museum and Art Gallery-10 at 5.30 pm.

He would deliver a lecture on, "Art Binds Us All" along with the screening of a short film, "Breathe into me," made by him on sufism.

Keeping art lovers in mind, the Akademi has planned to invite a galaxy of artists, art historians, curators, conservators, filmmakers, theatre personalities, dancers, musicians, writers, and art critics of national and international repute for delivering lectures. —TNS

India-born author Salman Rushdie and Indian Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta will collaborate to produce a movie based on his prize winning novel Midnight's Children. The book is a fictional work about Saleem who was born on the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947 just as Indian Tricolour was replacing British flag. His story encompasses the history of India from Independence until end of emergency in 1977.

Well-known film star Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, who had acted in Mehta's earlier critically acclaimed but controversial movies including Fire and Earth, will have major roles in the movie and the rest of the cast is still being finalised. Azmi will play the role of the grand mother.

Rushdie and Mehta will together write the screenplay and collaborate on all other aspects of the movie, which they expect to be released sometime in 2010. They plan to begin work on it spring next year.

Announcing the collaboration on the sidelines of the annual 'Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival', they expressed confidence that their efforts would be successful.

Rushdie said he had been approached several times earlier for allowing his novel to be adapted for a film but the efforts went nowhere. The current effort is serious and will see completion.

"I am delighted that my friend Deepa Mehta has agreed to make the film of Midnight's Children. Her passion for the book, combined with her immense talent as a filmmaker, means that my novel has been placed in the best possible hands. I also look forward to working with her on the screen play," Rushdie said.

Replying to a question, Rushdie said it not possible for a movie to compass everything in the novel. But scripts written for a stage play and for television are available and would be useful in writing one for the movie. However, he noted that though script was written for television, it was not made into a movie.

Mehta said in literature, there are only a handful of characters that remain indelible in her mind. "On top of the list is Saleem." "I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Saleem, his journey, and the incredible world he inhabits to the screen," she added.

Responding to a question, both said they are working on other projects and they have taken that into consideration while giving the timeframe for the start and completion of the movie.

The controversial author said that the book remained relevant even now as was clear from the fact that it was voted for 'Best of the Booker Prize' this year by readers, two-third of whom were below the age of 30. 

Sattarbhai, played by Sanjay Dutt in the film, is a loan recovery agent who works for various banks and other multinationals.

"Munnabhai and Sattarbhai are the same from their hearts. Even their characters could be similar, only the get-up is different. I do 'Gandhigiri' in this film also. I keep helping all the characters in the film," says actor Sanjay Dutt.

Saurabh Kabra, the director of the film also agrees, "Both Munnabhai and Sattarbhai have common traits. They have a similar nature. You will fall in love with the character".

But Suniel Shetty, who is the producer of the film, says he cannot compare Munnabhai with Sattarbhai.

"Munnabhai is a legendary film and as a producer I cannot compare Sattarbhai and Munnabhai. It's not fair. But after seeing the film if people compare Sattarbhai with Munnabhai, it will be an honour for the producer, the director and all of us," he says.

Elaborating on his role, Dutt says Sattarbhai's job is to wisely advise borrowers. The story is about how he eventually helps out all the characters in the film to repay their debts.

"Everybody feels that EMI will be an out and out comedy. But Sattarbhai is the most emotional character in the film. All his actions are filled with emotions," he adds.

While admitting that he identifies with most of the characters he plays, especially Munna and Sattar, Sanjay Dutt says that there is also a message in the film.

The film touches upon a socially relevant issue. Debutant director Saurabh Kabra says, "Many banks are hiring goons to force borrowers repay the loan installments. The film expresses the apathy of the common people who fell into the debt trap," he adds. While calling the film, a satire, he says that he has tried to present a socially relevant issue in a fun loving manner with the use of humour.

Saurabh, who is also the scriptwriter of the film, says that a lot of research into the functioning of banks and recovery agents was done to give the film a authentic look.

"I have studied many real life recovery agents to make this film a realistic one," he adds.

Sharing his experience of working with Sanjay Dutt in his debut film, he says, "It was a learning experience for me.

After having done over 140 films, he was still modest in his approach with a debutant director like me."

Born in Nambour, Queensland, Australia, Bindi Sue Irwin is the daughter of late legendary wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin (the Crocodile Hunter) and Terri Irwin. An avid animal lover and wildlife conservationist herself, Bindi Sue has been jointly named after two of Steve Irwin's favourite animals: Bindi, a saltwater crocodile, and Sue, a Staffordshire bull terrier, who died in June 2004.

Bindi's legendary father, Steve Irwin, was killed by a stingray on September 4, 2006, while setting up to shoot ocean reef footage for a show that would include segments with Bindi. She is now taking Steve Irwin's legacy forward and will continue her late father's conservation and television work.

An upcoming television personality, Bindi has been appearing on television shows from the early age of two, and has frequently been at part of father's television shows, including The Crocodile Hunter Diaries. Bindi is a young presenter of a 26-part wildlife documentary kids show called Bindi the Jungle Girl, and also has a kid's fitness DVD where she sings and dances with a troupe, known as the Crocmen. She has also recently released her debut album called Trouble in the Jungle.

Bindi, who has grown up surrounded by animals, lives on the grounds of the Australia Zoo that Steve founded in Queensland. She is fast following in her mother and father's footsteps and is already teaching others to respect her animal friends, including Bindi's favorites - spiders and snakes.

In this show, Bindi shares anecdotes about how her dad taught her everything she needed to know about wildlife. The show captures never-seen-before footage of one of Steve's last crocodile research adventure in August 2006 with Bindi assisting in some of the most amazing crocodile captures and wildlife experiences in the Australian outback.

My Daddy the Crocodile Hunter airs on Animal Planet on November 9 at 8pm. 
—UTI, PTI

"Every human being is endowed with an innate talent in any realm of art or profession but its timely exploration and realisation makes all the difference," says the acclaimed lyricist composer S. Rakesh. Rakesh has been reaching out to his admirers through musical gatherings under the aegis of the Swar Saptak Club.

He is coming out with the 36th collection of his latest songs titled "Geet Sangeet," which will have leading singers of the region regaling the audience on November 9 at the Law Bhavan Auditorium -37 from 6 pm onwards. Vijay Vashsisht will anchor the show, Brijseh Ahuja will lead the accomplished singers Neelam chauhan, Veenu Kautish, Ram Tirath Richa Sharma and Priyanka Singh. The music has been arranged by Tarsem for Rakesh compositions.