The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

	Jinxed for Oscars Even after Slumdog’s Golden Globe glory, Indian films are miles away from their Oscar dream The "Oscars jinx" for Indian films and filmmakers continues! Seven years after Ashutosh Gowarikar's Lagaan crossed the nomination hurdle at the Oscars by becoming the third Indian film in the history of Indian cinema to bag a nomination in the Best Foreign Film category at the prestigious awards only to be pipped in the final race by Bosnia's No Man's Land, Indian cinema still finds itself at the crossroads as far as solving the Oscars jigsaw puzzle is concerned. For, Post- Lagaan, one has seen a series of films sent by the Film Federation of India to the Oscars--from Devdas to Shwaas to Paheli to Rang De Basanti to Eklavya and, now, Taare Zameen Par, failing to cross the nomination hurdle at the Oscars. Despite evoking laudatory reviews in critic circles in India and abroad, a wave of appreciation from people from all walks of life in India and getting a word of appreciation from the Oscars jury, Taare Zameen Par, India's entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign film category failed to even make it to the initial shortlist of nine films for the category, released last week ahead of the announcement of the final five nominees on January 22. A moving portrayal of a dyslexic child Ishaan's turmoil at being dubbed a loser by parents as well as teachers and his struggle to survive in an atmosphere marked by an emphasis on perfectionism at home and school, Taare Zameen Par has over the last one year stirred the collective conscience of the nation. In fact, some of the members of the Academy of Motion for Arts and Sciences recently voiced praise for the film after a special screening. Which makes one wonder why, despite their ''coming-of-age'' quality and greater success on the international arena, Indian films continue to be ignored by the Oscars Academy. In fact, Indians who have made a mark in the West say that our films have over the years risen in popularity in the Western countries. In the context, analysts say that though Taare Zameen Par did evoke praise from members of the Oscars Academy, it failed to get effusive reviews in the mainstream US media and media focus that usually counts in the final reckoning. — UNI
	Scent of an actor Amitabh Bachchan to launch second perfume line Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan is to spray yet another whiff of fragrance with the launch of his second perfume line. Amitabh's new cologne will be launched by the makers of his first signature perfume, French brand Lomani. "It was delightful to meet up with old friends and colleagues who had worked on the earlier (perfume line)," the Bollywood star wrote on his blog http://bigb. bigadda.com Monday. "Early morning meetings with the perfume people. New fragrance, new marketing and fresh plans all worked out. Would want to launch (the new perfume line) within 7-9 months. That's how long it takes to prepare (the) flavour and design," Amitabh said. Lomani introduced in 2002 a floral-spicy blend named after the star - Amitabh. B Pour Homme (for men) and Amitabh. B Pour Femme (for women) that was an instant hit at the market. —IANS
	Change of heart Shreyas Talpade not Kukunoor's blue-eyed boy any more Subhash K. Jha Avant-garde directors abandon their favourite actors once they find foothold in the mainstream, where stars are easily available to them. The latest to drop his favourite is Nagesh Kukunoor, who has stopped signing Shreyas Talpade for his films. After Iqbal and Dor, Shreyas-Kukunoor seemed to have formed an actor-director team. Then came the frisky fiasco Bombay To Bangkok and suddenly Shreyas didn't figure in any of Kukunoor's projects. Shreyas tries to reason out his disappointment. "I'm told there's no role suited to me in any of these films. I trust Nagesh completely and I'm sure he'll cast me again as soon as there's a role for me in one of his films. After all we've done three films together," Shreyas said. While Kukunoor's ready-to-release Aashayein features John Abraham, Tasveer stars Akshay Kumar. Also, the start-to-finish quickie that Kukunoor is currently shooting in Jodhpur doesn't feature Shreyas. Asked why Kukunoor hasn't signed him for his current quickie, Shreyas said: "I've wondered why I'm not working with Nagesh. I hope we work soon. Iqbal was a turning point in my career. After that, when I was wondering what to do next, Nagesh gave me another challenging role in Dor. Maybe he needs to work with other actors, as I need to work with other directors. I've done Welcome To Sajjanpur with Shyam Benegal and I'm sure Nagesh is very happy for me." Could the breach have occurred because of the failure of their last film together? "No one sets out to make a bad film," reasoned Shreyas. "When we did Bombay To Bangkok, we had fun and thought audiences would enjoy it. They didn't. We sincerely gave the caper a best shot." It has happened before. Years ago Prakash Jha dumped Pallavi Joshi to sign Madhuri Dixit for Mrityudand. It happened with Ketan Mehta, who disregarded his favourite actor Naseeruddin Shah to announce Mangal Pandey with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead to finally make it with Aamir Khan. And even after making such clutter-breaking neo-realistic dramas like Aakrosh and Ardha Satya with Om Puri, Govind Nihalani chose to cast the Big B in the main role and Om Puri in a supporting role in Dev, leaving Om fuming. —IANS
	Faces of meditation Bhuvneshwar Singh depicts meditation and circle of life on canvas Ashima Sehajpal You might have read umpteen number of books on meditation. You might have also heard and followed some self-professed gurus teaching it but these aren’t the only media to teach mystical subject. There are many more and Bhuvneshwar Singh, a graphic designer by profession, provides us one. No flipping pages or listening to unending lectures, his 18 works of art based on the subject are probably most convenient way to learn more on it. “My paintings serve the purpose. In a nutshell, meditation is knowing oneself better and the objective of doing so is to attain salvation,” says he. An MFA by qualification, Bhuveshwar in his every painting has captured the same subject with variations, “It is natural to come up with something different everytime, since our thought process evolves incessantly.” Most of his paintings depict an oval human face meditating, the circle of life and how the human being is not affected by its complications. The whole course of meditations comes out clearly through his artworks. “I have tried to depict that there are numerous stages in the process of meditation. It requires a lot of concentration and one can achieve it gradually.” He rejects the notion that one can meditate only after moving away from pleasures and responsibility, “It is one important topic I have talked about in my paintings. Life has to go on as it is, only what is required is to change our karma through meditation.” For him, every painting is a spiritual journey. “I don’t begin to paint with a definite image in mind. All I think about while doing it is how can I portray meditation on the canvas. Then comes a point, when I feel the painting is able to send across the message and is satisfying.” Ask him how doing paintings on meditation has changed his life and he prompts, “Colours are the only medium I can express my-self with. It has given me patience and a broader perspective.” He has used bright colours in his paintings and has an apt reason for it, “Meditation is a pure subject and so I have used all the colours in purest form. I haven’t mixed or matched two colours as the impact would have diminished.” He has also made four prints and unlike the paintings, these have not been made to preach anything. “I don’t want to thrust on people my beliefs and allow the viewers to perceive what they want to.” On at Museum and Art Gallery-10 till January 25 ashima@tribunemail.com Fortified Art inspires art and Mahesh Prajapati, a sculptor swears by it. His 16 sculptures say the rest through which he has attempted to make replicas of the forts of Rajasthan. “Forts of Rajasthan by large have geometrical figures which makes the whole architecture very interesting,” says he. He has made use of waste material to make these sculptures. What else interest him are varied human expressions, which change every minute. “All faces are different and so are the expressions. So everytime, when I sculpt a face and try giving it expressions, it comes out very different.”
	Launch PAD Choose health Bagrrys India launches Hi Fibre Lo Cal Muesli, an excellent instant cereal that is rich in fibre and low on calories. Created purely on customer feedback and demand, Baggry’s Hi Fibre Lo Cal muesli contains no almonds or raisins and has reduced the content of cornflakes, which is a high glycemic index food to a neglible level. This new generation breakfast cereal is packed with the goodness of oat clusters, wheat flakes, oat bran and wheat bran. This delicious breakfast cereal provides natural vitamins, minerals and proteins with zero cholesterol. This heart-healthy cereal provides a strong foundation for nutritionally balanced meals with a healthy mix of proteins, carbohydrates and fibre. It packs the nutrient goodness of multiple whole grains with added health benefits of soluble and insoluble fibre, present in the form of oats, oat bran and wheat bran. An innovative cereal, ideal for diabetics, heart patients and weight watchers, the ingredients used are rolled oats, malted wheat flakes, invert syrup, malted cornflakes, wheat bran, honey and oat bran. For your kitchen TTK Prestige (India’s largest kitchen appliances brand) has launched a new range of trendy, sleek mixer grinders that don the colour pink adding a dash of feminity into the product. ‘Tulips’ has enhanced features like flow-breaker design, super efficient blades and computer designed jars ensuring faster cutting and grinding action, making it two times faster than the other mixer grinders available in the market. Other features include: improved jar base fitting system ensuring leak proof performance, unbreakable jar base and sturdy handles that are specially designed for better grip and durability. Oral hygiene Oral-B’s product line further enhances oral hygiene with its unique features. With its three quintessential features viz: cleans teeth, cleans tongue and soft on gums, the toothbrush will ensure that it provides appropriate care resulting in healthy teeth and gums. Developed using an intelligent technology, Oral – B 1-2-3 offers meticulous brushing method by cleaning in-between teeth and along the gum line. The innovatively designed tongue cleaner at the back of the brush head guarantees a fresh feel throughout the day. Dotting high on its uniqueness and innovative style, Oral – B 1-2-3 possesses four major features: Bristle pattern – Cup-shaped bristles designed to clean in-between teeth and along the gum line Tongue cleaner – Oral -B 1-2-3 designed with a textured surface molded into the back of the brush head to act as a tongue cleaner to help freshen breath. The tongue cleaner is designed to be used to scrape across surface of the tongue to remove bacteria. End rounded bristles – End rounded bristles are soft on gums Indicator bristles – Blue indicator bristles fade halfway so you know when to replace your brush. Dentists recommend changing your brush every 3 months. — TNS
	Packed knowledge Tiffin guy Pawan Aggarwal captivates the audience at Panjab University Manpriya Khurana Students of management, your attention please! All those associating B-school grads with Blackberrys, Ivy League colleges, never-ending board meetings and dinner jacket networking, reconsider. For, that’s exactly what students of University Institute of Applied Management Sciences did after attending a lecture by Pawan Aggarwal, CEO, Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers. The department’s fest Praznik 09 on Tuesday saw a string of lectures by the famous tiffin providers from Mumbai among acknowledged names in the fields of business and management. In the two-hour lecture Pawan Aggarwal talked of how around two lakhs boxes are collected, distributed and supplied, without ever a gaffe or an error. Lectures and case studies usually allude to either a bored or a captive audience, for hardly ever are students attentive to business seminars. But this time they were. Every practice had a real life example, every theory a tested explanation. Both interesting and humorous. As Nidhi Sharma, a student of UIAMS, said, “I enjoyed the lecture thoroughly. It was interesting and lively to the core. I don’t think I am going to enjoy any lecture after this.” Her opinion was seconded by Sonia Jerath, MBA (Hospital Management), “It was live case, therefore both interesting and informative. I listened attentively to the whole of it.” And so did the rest of the audience at Law Auditorium. No wonder, the tiffin guys even caught the fancy of Prince Charles, apart from being a subject of various documentaries and live case studies. As A.K. Sehajpal laughed, “What we’ve covered in three semesters, he’s touched in just one lecture.” So was the decision to invite him that of students or the faculty’s? He said, “It was our decision only, we wanted to bring in someone, who would motivate students and be encouraging to them.” Clearly a case of purpose achieved.
	Speed interrupted The speed breakers at Panjab University kicked up quite a furore Manpriya Khurana Security, security, security. First we go overboard asking for it. How the university is not doing enough. Never doing enough. The authorities sleeping when violence breaks out right under their nose. Every day on the campus, witnessing an attempt at assault, bloodshed and ruckus. Accusations, allegations, finger pointing, and amongst it all the increasing traffic woes - left, right and centre. Then they wake up. We mean, the authorities, of course. What follows are rules, efforts and experimentation to bring back peace, transparency, and safety. Chronologically speaking, that is followed by reactions and over-reactions to adjust to the changes and the slight attack on untamed freedom hitherto taken for granted. Recent one? Speed breakers. Installed in a hurry and removed in a jiffy. Poor little 'down to earth' structures received flak from the worshippers of 'the fast and the furious' sect. Why not? They, as the name suggests, break one's speed, equivalent to a sin in the students' law journal. Security is fine, but shouldn't the university have once thought before taking such a 'vindictive', 'brutal' and 'malicious' decision? Student's council submitted a memorandum complaining it was difficult to drive on the road due to so many speed breakers. What else? There were protests. Why? Cause, according to them, it causes a lot of wear and tear to the vehicles. Given the 'sweat and blood' that goes into 'modifying' vehicles, their wear and tear would be unacceptable for obvious reasons. Grossly unmindful. We mean, if the authorities are really serious about preventing the campus from being a race-track, they should put pretty girls and handsome guys on post so that the speeding vehicles automatically slow down to check them out. Instead of providing separate grounds for racing and practicing, they tried snatching away whatever little opportunities come in a student's way. Think of other fallouts. The decision also denied a chance to the budding Formula One talent to hone their skills! Installing speed breakers also speaks of the authorities' lack of confidence in the students' reflex action abilities. We mean, if anything untoward be about to happen due to overspeeding, wouldn't the students act swiftly and apply the breaks of their SUVs? So far, so good. On a serious note, we expect students to follow the rules and speed limit voluntarily. Another outcome? The authorities acting with 'speed' to students' demands was admirable. We hope they maintain the alacrity in action in all other quarters. manpriya@tribunemail.com