Says the meteorological graph, we are approaching heavy winters. Sounds cold. And, prevention is always better than cure. So, snug under warm woolies. But hey, while you do your winter shopping, don't forget the cute little pet at home. Your Tommy, Jacky, Browny, Pluto, Danny, Rustam or Sultan. People they too feel the cold, the way we do. How about picking some warm winter stuff for them? We get you a round up of things available in the market for your pets.

Now, if you want your pets to look jazzy and rocking, dress them up in bright sweat shirts, sweaters or hooded jackets. Puts in Rajat Handa, owner of The Animal Kingdom-26, "Earlier, check jackets for dogs was the only winter item they could ever had. Now, there are loads of options to keep them warm. The hooded jackets are a good idea. This covers a bit of limbs, back and chest of the dog." He adds, "These jackets are better than the checked ones, which only cover the back of the dog."

And, then if you want to keep it light and not load him with too warm stuff, then sweatshirts and sweaters are a great idea. Says Rajat, "customers can bring in their dogs to the store and try from the range here. The sweatshirts and sweaters are equally warm and comfortable for the dog."

But if you were planning to buy a muffler and cap for your dog, Rajat has a piece of advice. "Buying a cap is a waste because dogs don't like the idea of cap and also it never stays on their head. About the muffler, it is risky to wrap them around their neck as they can bite into it and stretch it, inflicting injury."

From clothes to the warm bedding- the market is flooded with different kinds of blankets and beds to keep your pet warm. Lightweight blankets, with an affective insulation sell like hot cakes in winters. Adds Miyank Chopra, a dog breeder "we recommend pet owners to go for blankets, which have a strong insulation that generates right kind of heat." Also, available are baskets, foam and regular. Starting Rs 300 -1800, these baskets are designed such that the pet sleeps comfortably."

On the other hand HS Aulkah, secretary Chandigarh Kennel Club, feels that most breeds don't need jackets or warm clothes, until and unless the temperature touches 10 degree. "Nevertheless, one should buy winter clothes depending on their breed and weather. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is that their belly should be protected from cold. This is why they should be provided with warm bedding. Last but not the least, he tells, protect your pets from direct winds."

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Meet Tiger, he is all four months, cute and talks through gestures to his master, who says he's as fussy as any other pooch. The only difference is that Tiger lives in a digital domain. He is one among many now easy-to-own virtual pets that are becoming a new craze among the younger generation, which doesn't have time, space and resources to adopt a real animal.

"Just before my birth, my parents lost their dog. Finding it hard to bear the loss, they decided not to have any pet ever. Since it was a matter close to their heart I never insisted, but in my heart of hearts I always nurtured the idea of having a pet," tells Amanpreet, Tiger's owner. "It was on Facebook where I saw a virtual pet for the first time and instantly liked the idea. Soon, Tiger came into being. He's an absolute darling. I just adore him," gushes the Mohali resident.

And it's not just canines and meows who are dominating the portal pet arena. There are host of other options, including snakes, rabbits, birds and other reptiles, available. Apart from these, there are furry creatures like Jimmy, who is now three months old, thanks to the care and pampering of Komal Puri, who has him loaded on her i-phone.

"Tehnically, he's called an iGotchi, but I have christened him Jimmy. My mum has serious reservations on having a real pet, so I am happy with Jimmy. The various applications make sure that Jimmy has food, water, love and attention. I have to take care of this furball all the time, otherwise it can die too," she adds.

Anubhav Atrish, a software professional, active on pet portals, shares: "I got introduced to digital pets in school. My Uncle got me a Tamagotchi - a digital pet in form of a key-ring like structure, having four buttons and an LCD screen on it - from Australia. The toy used to simulate the behavior and life cycle of a baby. It had to be fed, cleaned, played with and disciplined on regular basis. That was really addictive."

So if the idea of a digital buddy excites you, here's what you can do. Step 1: Register yourself on any pet portal like www.neopets.com , www.cyopets.com , www.petnebula.com and many others like them. Step 2: Choose a screen name and a password and get the kind of pet you are looking for. Well, there is almost everything available from a Goldfish to a dragon. You can also choose name, age, colour and many other details. Through various applications, you can feed, walk or play with the pet. Some sites offer chatting, which can be neat fun. Though the answers are preprogrammed, they are in accordance with the character of the animal you have chosen.

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If all this while you thought Baba Sehgal had any connection with Punjab, well, this is what the rapper has to tell us. "Most people ask me whether I am from Jalandhar or Ludhiana, he says Baba. I am originally from Lucknow, which is not known to many." But for 'some' reasons, Baba finds his hometown not warm towards artists. "I have nothing against Lucknow or the people, it's just that there is nothing much for the artists there. The authorities are busy sorting out 'other' matters. On the other hand, I have always got a good response from the North, and places like Delhi and Mumbai," he tells, as he enters Taj Chandigarh, to promote his serial Jugni Chali Jalandhar.

Unperturbed by the on lookers at Taj, trying to figure out the 'familiar face', Baba Sehgal is on a new high. Jugni Chali Jalandhar has got a good response from the audiences and his role has been appreciated. "The audiences can relate to the characters, which have a touch of Punjabi Besides, the serial boats of right comic timings." For Baba believes that comedy needn't be loud. "Jugni is a subtle comedy, without loud gesticulation. I guess that's why people like it," he adds. Talking of likes and dislikes, what is that the rapper enjoys doing the most. Joining words to coin a perfect rap sentence, acting, or showing the world the 'real you' on a reality series. "Just about everything," comes the reply. "I like to rap, act and perform live." He ponders. "I like to perform live. And let me tell you it is a challenging task, especially if you to perform in front of a non-responding crowd. But making such a crowd get up and dance, is quiet satisfying."

We drift from one question to another, but there is something that disrupts this flow. A query, which has been lingering on for long. Rap- Now and before. "You got me," he smiles. "I agree, the kind of rap that we get to hear is not the 'original' one.

The singers use the same repetitiv words, like Shake your body, C'mon baby. This is not how rap is suppose to be." He elaborates, "Rap does not mean some jumbled up lines.”

All the lines should connect and words should also make sense," tells Baba Sehgal, who is open to all kinds of offers, be it acting, singing, and hosting or taking part in a reality show.

What of rapping in films? "I have sung for two Bollywood films, one for Shankar Mahadevan, 13 B starring Madhavan, Neetu Chandra and Amitabh Bachchan is special appearance and another Mahesh Bhatt's untitled film. I have been doing some Telugu and kanada numbers." "As of now, its lot of work," he winds up, sans the expected w(rap) up ishtyle.

I think everyone’s life is beautiful. I think there is a story in the lives of each and everyone of us,” master contemporary artist Manjit Bawa wrote in the preface of his biography, In Black and White, published in 2006. Bawa, who lost the battle with brain-stroke after three years, was a “grand story-teller”. He was 67.

He was gifted with a wealth of myths, facts, epics and anecdotes that often translated into his art, recalls curator Ina Puri, who curated most of Bawa’s shows, co-authored two books on the artist and produced two movies on him. One of the movies, Meeting Manjit by Buddhadev Dasgupta, won a national award.

Bawa was brought up on a staple of Mahabharata,Ramayana,Puranas and on the poetry of Waris Shah (a Punjabi poet) and the Guru Granth Sahib.

Born in Dhuri in Punjab in 1941, he studied at the College of Art in New Delhi and went to the London School of Printing in Essex to learn silk-screen printing. He worked in London from 1967 to 1971 as a silk-screen printer and set up a silk-screen workshop in Garhi village in the outskirts of the capital in 1977-78. A figurative artist, Bawa simplified his figures in the model of Kalighat pots - slightly lyrical and flowing - and culled from the linear flow and the modernist lines that typified the art of Jogen Choudhary and his mentor, Abani Sen.

He stormed the Indian art world because of his lyrical use of colours during the sixties, when he began showing his works in the capital. He exhibited solo at the Jehangir Art Gallery in 1977.The fact that Bawa painted animals - as few artists do - marks him as something of an individualist. The way animals are portrayed from uncommon viewpoints, the departures that change them with both nervous energy and sinuous grace are reminiscent of the Pahadi and Mughal masters. He also painted iconic Durga, Kali, Krishna, Shiva as well as the legendary Heer-Ranjha, writes critic Kamala Kapoor of Bawa’s works.

Puri’s association with Bawa dates back to 1998, when she took one of his works to Singapore as part of a group show. “I think the best Bawa shows that I have ever curated are the ones on miniatures I held in Shantiniketan, the inaugural show of the modern gallery in Bose Pacia in New York and the Mapping of Conscience exhibition on the 1984 riots in Delhi,” Puri said.

Filmmaker Buddhadev Dasgupta concurs, “Manjit’s art is complex and multi-layered. It beguiles the onlooker with his deceptive simplication. He was also a minimalist and a purist.” Bawa’s minimalism had something to do with his orthodox upbringing. As a child, his mother dissuaded him saying art was no means of livelihood. But his spirituality gave him the strength to take up art for a vocation.

His works are on permanent display at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) in Chennai, Roopankar at Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal, the World Bank in Washington, the Peabody Esex in US and in the Smithsonian Museum in US. And his collectors include Bianca Jagger and Amitabh Bachchan.

Bawa, however, died unrequited, as close friends and associates say. He was working on a dream project - a show titled Kaala Baagh (The Black Garden of Desire).“It was the garden of desire where Shiva spent six months with Parvati. It was the forbidden garden where the trees bore crescent and stars instead of fruits,” Puri said. Bawa wanted to follow Kaala Baagh with his own version of The Last Supper. But that was not to be. The artist, survived by a son and daughter, was cremated in Delhi on Monday noon. — IANS

A smart young boy arguing and terming the rich old Indian classical music heritage as an enviable treasure trove for the World at large, sounds a bit different, especially when his pals are blissfully ignorant of our musical past enriched by the celestial musicians like Tansen, Swami Haridas, Amir Khusro and others. But the upbringing of young soulful sitarist, Partha Sen, in a musical environment has shaped his sensibilities to the extent that he is all determined and set to imbibe, perform and propagate the classical genre with an unflinching zeal and resolute resolve.

“One hardly comes across a musical family where all the members are postgraduates in music and accomplished performers too,” claims Partha Sen with a sense of an achievers pride.

“Having learnt at the feet of my father, guru (Late) PK Sen, an acclaimed Sitarist, I am now in the blessed tutelage of Dr Saroj Ghosh and Dr Harvinder Sharma , the foremost disciple of legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan Saheb. Facing a tough competition of musical skirmishes during riyaz sessions at home from my twin sister Pushpita Sen and mother Uma Sen, both vocalists, was challenging and rejuvenating. This induced a sense of discipline, dedication and confidence in me ,” says Partha.

The prodigious talent of the budding Sitarist came to limelight when he won the silver medal at the national Harvallabh Sangeet Sammelan in 2006. There was no looking back then. A post graduate in music from PU, Partha is on way for completing his doctorate in music.

“Winning the national scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India which entitles for a monetary support of 50,000 rupees is a dream come true for me,” he claims. Giving credit of his crowning achievements to his mentor, Kathak guru Shobha Koser, the virtuoso Siatrist is investing all efforts to sustain and nourish the family legacy of promoting Indian classical music propounded by his father and guru PK Sen.

The time is right and the season just perfect for carpet and rug shopping. Wolly and in bright hues they add beauty to the décor and provide insulation against cold. Ask the carpet lovers and sellers, they still swear by these woolly things. "Carpets have always been in fashion. But yes, the trend has altered a little. These days people go for synthetic machine made carpets, as they are low on maintenance and easy to handle," says Amit Kapoor, manager, Krishna carpets-17.

About the Persian, wool and silk carpets he says, "They are elegant and are available with us. But they are bought by people who know about carpets." Starting from Rs 30-40 per sqaure feet the price range goes up to Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 per square feet.

Talking about floor accessories how can the good old durries stay behind? Available in varied hues and diverse patterns, they are a style statement in themselves. And Fabindia-9 has a variety to explore from. "We have a variety of durries available with us. From cotton to wool we have durries in jute, stone wash, single weave and in traditional patterns," says Jaswant, merchandiser home, Fabindia.

The carpet market is a huge market, with lots to select from. While you have distinct patterns and styles in carpets, traditional carpets sure steal the show. Tells Nazia, a carpet lover, from sector-15, "I come from Ladhak, a place known for its carpets. While we have a variety and usually traditional patterns, Ladhaki carpets are made from wool and warmer than the ones we get in the markets." On the patterns she says, "Designs are usually traditional with dragons and square patterns but the best and the most expensive carpets are those, which change colour with light. This carpet is woven in such colours that it changes colour in day and night."

That's not the end, if you want to know, there are almost twelve varieties in carpets ranging from woven- the highest quality of carpet to tufted-made on a tufting machine, needlefelt, flatweave, hooked rug , knotted pile, cut and loop piles to other traditional and modern kinds.

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

It was Shruti's question that got me thinking. With shades of Kate Moss, she greets everyone with a smile and has the confidence and walk of a TV star. A romantic as befits her age, she is curious about 65 year-old women and their past memories. Could I recall the most romantic moment of my life? The question flummoxed me, as there are so many highlights in this field. The day Raoul was born, there was a cyclonic storm, which brought down all telephone lines going to the tea estates. I was at a Siliguri hospital while Oz was 120 kms away on the border with Bhutan. Dr. Mittra, a bit of a dinosaur, refused to allow the prospective father to participate in the arrival of his son. He cheerfully informed me that my husband would come in a couple of days as there was no way of communicating with him. But he did not cater to the junglee drums. From estate to estate, messages were sent and by noon, a huge bouquet filled the doorway. I could not see the face behind it. My beloved husband had arrived. Relief and romance vied with each other in my mind. When Binny, my younger sister, and Oz parted ways, I tried to console the man through letters. I too was in the midst of a split and my brother-in-law tried to help me through the written word, hard to decipher due to his horrible scrawl. After nine years of heartfelt outpourings, he decided to visit me at Chandigarh. On that very day, Indira Gandhi was assassinated and the country was in flames. He had to turn back half way to the airport, due to ensuing riots. In January 1985, I planned a visit to him. We had not seen each other for almost a decade and the chaos of our lives had furrowed our faces. I asked for a photograph, which arrived by the next post, marred by huge sunglasses. Oz told me he would be wearing a light blue cardigan. I described my red sari under a chocolate brown phiren. We recognised each other across the tarmac at Bagdogra, only by the clothes we wore. Was this a romantic moment? I'm not sure. Probably it was in spite of both being very apprehensive! From my early teen years, life has been a romance with memories and pictures to be banked and then withdrawn whenever one seeks a moment of past happiness. A soul-mate copied an entire poetry book in running hand as he could not find a copy of the original. In college, one of my flames (it was one sided) asked me to sing Lets Pretend with him.When I was about to get married, a classmate penned a beautiful sonnet, bemoaning the fact that he had been just a nook, a bend and not the full stop of my life.Today he has retired as a respected diplomat and political analyst. If he had spoken earlier I may have been saved a disastrous marriage.So, Shruti and my dear young friends, bank your romantic moments. They will come in handy during stressful periods. Not one but many will be the "most romantic."

Former The O.C.star Mischa Barton is embracing the Indian culture as she films for her new movie in the country based on real-life Bhopal industrial disaster. The 22-year-old actress, who's is shooting in Hyderabad, is enjoying traditional fare, and is also learning to play sitar.

"I've been having an amazing spiritual exploration visiting Hindu temples and learning about Buddhism, both beautiful religions," the Daily Express quoted her as writing on her website.

"Hyderabad where we're filming is a real inspiration in the fact that Christians, Muslims and Hindus all get along so harmoniously," she added.

Barton is even impressed with the traditional Masala Chai tea.

"I must admit I used to make fun of people who were all into yoga and chai tea thinking it was another ridiculous health fad. But now I'm that person! First of all Masala Chai tea, the traditional way with milk and sugar is delicious, and this is coming from a brit who only likes my breakfast tea!" she added.

However, the actress is most pleased to learn the new musical instrument.

"I must say my goal coming here was to learn to play the sitar and it's coming along real slow as apparently it's not that easy to procure a great sitar teacher here, I guess it's not late 60's with Ravi Shankar and George Harrison roaming around unfortunately!" she added. — ANI

Anne Hathaway may not be able to outdo her brother's wedding memories when she ties the knot herself - because his gay wedding was a tremendous hit. The Devil Wears Prada star, who had been raised as a Catholic, had dubbed the incident of older brother Michael and his gay lover getting hitched couple of years ago as her "favourite wedding moment." The actress revealed she even had great photographs of the happy occasion to store her memories.

"When Mike and Josh booked the place, it was before daylight saving time, and the sun was pretty high up in the sky," a website quoted her as telling Modern Bride magazine.

"Now it was at eye level, and it was blinding! Burn-your-retina bright!" "We sent my cousin's boyfriend down to Canal Street with 250 dollars to buy as many sunglasses as he could, and we put them on every other seat. Everybody just put on their sunglasses, and we have some great pictures of that!" Anne further told of another special episode: "At one point... my mom got up to sing. She was just beaming straight love into them, and everyone felt it, and it was just this really beautiful moment." — ANI

American actress Eva Longoria Parker has scotched rumours of tension flying around on the set of Desperate Housewives, insisting that the cast is all her "dear friends". Rumours had been going around that the stars, including Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross, Nicollette Sheridan and Felicity Huffman, had been fighting amongst themselves.

However, 33-year-old Longoria Parker dismissed the rumours by saying that she felt "gifted" to be onset with the other actresses.

"The women on the show are dear friends of mine. It's been such a gift for me to be in their presence and learn not only from their acting abilities but from their life experiences," a newspaper quoted her as telling.

"If this were a show about four men, it wouldn't even be an issue," she added. — ANI

Jim Carrey's new comedy film Yes Man has topped the UK box office in its first weekend of release. The film is based on a book by British writer Danny Wallace in which the protagonist makes a decision to change his life by saying yes to everything.

The flick took 2.3 million pounds over three days. Adam Sandler comedy Bedtime Stories entered the UK chart at number two, raking in 1.5million pounds. Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia completed the top three.

Indian film Ghajini was the only other new entry in this week's top ten.

Jennifer Lopez and hubby Marc Anthony have slammed rumours claiming the couple's marriage is on the rocks and that they are heading for a divorce. The duo, who have been married for over four years and are parents to 10-month-old twins Max and Esme, had raised eyebrows after the two were spotted without their wedding bands.

The rumours were said to have peaked when the New York Daily News claimed that the two were planning to announce their split right on Valentine's Day.

However, Lopez's rep Leslie Sloane Zelnik rebuffed the reports. "There is no merit to the article."

Anthony's spokesperson also trashed the speculations, adding, "None of the rumours are true. I don’t know what is being talked about. " — ANI

Hollywood actor Clint Eastwood is to pay tribute to one of his all-time heroes Tony Bennette with a documentary. Eastwood is helming the film for the legendary crooner, and it will be made for BBC'S highly acclaimed Arena series.

It will feature Eastwood interviewing the musician, and will also have contributions from director Martin Scorcese, actor Alec Baldwin, and funnyman Mel Brooks, reports The Daily Express. Eastwood, a keen pianist, has already produced shows on the Monterey Jazz Festival and musician Thelonious Monk, and has now added the 90-minute Bennett film to his resume. — ANI

Nothing comes for free. And if it does, you will definitely have people drooling over it. BIG 92.7 FM conceptualised a campaign that will ensure at least its listeners get a chance to get tough on recession. Wednesday saw listeners winning Ek Saal Free Maal, the BIG Tickets for 2009. Ek Saal Free Maal is a combination of 'on' and 'off-air' events; the campaign was essentially a Music Quiz(Dec 8th - 25th), aimed at testing the knowledge of BIG FM listeners about singers, lyricists and music directors. Contestants answering the quiz have already won BIG ticket and Wednesday was the time to give all of them the Big Tickets for 2009. The quiz was played in the morning and evening prime times and winners were declared every day. The BIG Ticket shall entitle winners to one year free supply of - fuel, grocery, movie tickets, gym memberships, dinner coupons, apparels, DTH connection and rental, mobile phone and talktime, fitness and beauty vouchers, beverages and much more in 2009.