This piece is categorically dedicated to all those who did not let the light-years of difference between their passion and profession come in the way of will! So, here's congratulating a disc jockey studying quantum physics, a bartender who's a cardio-surgeon, street juggler researching nuclear fission or a stunt biker who designs software during the day. Not everyone's fortunate enough to wander where they wish. There are parents to please, expectations to fulfill and status quo to maintain. Or, whatever the reason!

THE SARI SHOP: Supermodel Naomi Campbell takes part in the Mai Mumbai fashion show during the second day of the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.  Photo: Reuters

History is replete with people 'doing their own stuff', Shobhana Narayan, director general audit and classical danseuse, closer home is Sanjay Kumbkarni, geologist and a photographer. Geologist and photographer? He recalls, "I developed the itch to capture moments while I was in the university. And later on, when I got my job and had the money to splurge on cameras, it progressed even further." He adds, "Also my job took me to the wilderness and I had the benefit to shoot wherever I went. My works are mostly on nature." While backwoods might have remotest connection with photography, the harsh army regimen is hardly congenial to fine arts. Meet lieutenant colonel Mohinder Kumar Bali, a painter. He says, "I have been painting since childhood. Even in class I used to sketch all day long." And adds, "At that time, I didn't have the money to buy colours, so later, when I joined the Army I started using colours as well." As for the Army, he says, "I used to paint for the Army mess, office, also present to my friends on birthdays and anniversaries. I wanted to become a painter but family and financial constraints didn't quite permit."

There's an audible echo. "I wanted to join the J. J. School of Art, Mumbai, but my parents very subtly dissuaded me as back then it was still not considered a proper profession. We are talking about the 60s," says Satinder Pal Singh. And, we are talking about him, secretary, Food and Supplies, Punjab, a painter, the man with the midas touch. Turning around a spare tyre into an artifact, converting broken mirrors into source of admiration and giving aesthetics to "anything and everything" certainly demands devotion. His wife, Indu Bala Singh, laughs, "Often when my friends see his paintings on the already cracked mirrors, they declare they are going home and breaking all the mirrors."

But is there any remorse or regret for not being allowed to pursue true calling? Answers Col Bali, "Anyways my paintings are displayed in every nook and corner of India in my friends' drawing rooms and I'll hold my first solo exhibition this August.” “Maybe I would have become an even bigger name had I pursued painting," shrugs Satinder Pal Singh listing his academic record comprising a master degree in English and later the civil services. Meantime, Sanjay says, "You called up at the right time, I am actually delving into the idea of giving it all up and pursuing photography professionally. Maybe this year." The profession might take you to the wilderness, but degree in geology can't teach you the nuances of photography, not enough to hold nine solo exhibitions! He says, "You learn through trial and error, over time find the weaknesses. Any case, the first thing is 'feeling hot, next is the eye for detail and then follows the equipment." Recalls Col Bali, "There was this person by the name Rawat in my camp who taught miniature paintings to kids, I would go and listen to him and ask for feedback from anybody."

Does that point to dispensability of professional training? Says Satinder Pal Singh, "It's certainly better to be technically trained but there's a flipside too. Studying a subject at times makes you confined to water-tight compartments." Confined? These guys sure didn't, to anything!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

It's a bliss to watch an artist at work - brush strokes running about, mish mash of colours, dart of tools, the paraphernalia; water, mug, palette…How many of us get to see the action live? Get into his studio, if not the mind. See the bare basic canvas transform into a thought, revolution, statement…This Sunday, as part of the ongoing heritage festival, visitors were treated to an exceptional opportunity, of an interaction with renowned painter Paramjit Singh while he turned a thick a paper into a woody landscape.

No pin drop silence, no stiff neck culture, not even undisturbed solace, the environment could be easily likened to kids nursery, play school art class. Distraction, however, doesn't work up Paramjit Singh any more. "Yes, at times there is some distraction and it's not comparable to the studio. But there's no nervousness. At the most what's going to happen? It will get spoiled? So what? Will make another one. However, one gets used to it. Now I've done it so many times, it doesn't rankle anymore," he says, an alumnus of School of Arts, Delhi Polytechnics, national award winner, 1970. Inapt as it might sound to be asking an artist of his stature, but any insecurities of painting right in front of people? What if someone discovered his 'secret techniques'? "I'm just moving the brush in front of them, that they can learn and see but what's going on in my mind how would anybody understand," he laughs.

And he continues his endeavour of adding yellow to the brown tree landscape, meanwhile wash the brushes one by one, each one, carry on with giving three-dimensional touch with small spade. "I had a certain feel I will depict woods, I began with an idea, but how this painting will finally turn up will be clear only by the time it's finished," he says. Then he adds, "It all depends on the demand of the canvas, it's very individual. And art is a combination of both; inborn skill and tutored techniques." Meanwhile, the painting must have dried, ready to mesmerise. 

International supermodel Naomi Campbell walked the ramp at the 10th Lakme Fashion Week for ‘’Mai Mumbai’’, a show conducted in support of the Citizens for Peace and Justice (CPJ) here yesterday.

The supermodel, with her initiative ‘Fashion for Relief’, opened the high profile show wearing an intricately designed Indian suit with the style and confidence, that has made her a legend in the fashion and modelling world.

She was followed by a galaxy of celebrities including hotelier Vikram Chatwal, co-organiser of the event, Princess Francoise Sturdza, actress Deepika Padukone, model couple Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jessia and Milind Soman.

The outfits were designed by 33 leading Indian and 22 international designers including Anna Sui, Carolina Herrera, Issac Mizrahi, Elie Saab, Roberto Cavalli, Anamika Khanna, Raghavendra Rathore and Rina Dhaka among others.

The celebrity models also wore commemorative ‘’Mai Mumbai’’ T-shirts with Naomi ending the show wearing a black sari with golden borders.

The designs displayed at the show will be available for purchase via a silent auction online on ebay - and the proceeds will be used to support initiatives of the Citizen for Justice and Peace, an NGO led by social activist and lawyer Teesta Setalvad, to purchase more ambulances for the city among others.

Speaking to the media post show, Naomi Campbell said she hoped the event would bring about hope and solidarity to the city.

‘’I wanted to see the Taj and the Oberoi-where I always used to stay- after hearing the stories of families that suffered in the 26/11 attack. Living in London, I’m pretty much used to living with terror. This event is our biggest condolence to the victims.’’ She said she often came to Mumbai and felt welcomed by the city.

‘’ I hope this will not be the last.’’ Co-organiser Vikram Chatwal said it was good to see there was an NGO in place and that the city needed emergency services like ambulances.

‘’If anything like this (26/11 terror attack) happens, what are people going to do?’’ Naomi started ‘Fashion for Relief’ in 2005 to raise funds in times and places of need. It has organised a number of events to support victims of natural disasters or terror attacks, including one for victims of Hurricane Katrina in New York and for the victims of the Gloucestershire flood in the UK in 2007.

It plans to organise similar events in Moscow, London and Istanbul. — UNI

Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, who purchased a home in Weybridge is looking forward to marriage and children, whom she wants to raise in her new house.

“I believe in the institution of marriage, I’m dying to have kids, and when you see the Weybridge home, it’s huge, it’s a great family home, so I can’t wait to bring up children there,” Shetty said in an interview on Richard and Judy’s TV show.

The 33-year-old actress recently announced her engagement to London- based businessman, Raj Kundra.

Shetty became a household name in the UK after a racist storm in the 2007 Celebrity Big Brother, involving late Jade Goody whom she credited for her success. “She was the architect of my fame, and I give her the credit for that,” she said.

“It’s been a learning curve for all the viewers watching Big Brother how it’s important to think before you speak, how feelings are important. I really believe that Jade also learnt from that whole episode.” Shetty, who could not meet Goody before she died fighting a public battle with cervical cancer at the age of 27, said she felt happy for the things Goody achieved in her short life.

“She led a very short life, but she’s seen it all, she’s seen the highs, the lows, she’s had children at such a young age, she’s married. I was happy on one front for her that that’s something she really wanted, and I felt she did it for money because she wanted to secure her sons future.”— PTI

Fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee showcased his Fall/Winter 09 collection at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week here last evening. Sabyasachi’s collection was like a storm of Indian traditional designs. His collection included the Khadi saris and salwar kameez with a tribal touch.

The show comprised beauty of India and its textiles. Sabyasachi’s silhouettes were a mixture of contemporary with the rustic textiles.

“I am concentrating more on textiles of India because there is so much that you can do here. My dream is to set up a cooperative of textiles especially with weavers. I travelled through all the tribal regions of India like Kotpat in Orissa, Kastakad in Andhra Pradesh and Bagru in Rajasthan. I just brought together collections and wanted to do a collection in Khadi, which was ageing, which are contemporary young Indian women’s wear,” said Sabhyasachi.

Bollywood Actress Vidya Balan also came to watch the show and found the collections perfect for Indian women.

“The way Sabyasachi dresses up an Indian woman with his clothes, I think very few are able to do it. There is no element, which is really screaming out,” said Vidya Balan.

Lakme Fashion Week has received in all 189 applications - 88 for gen next and 44 for emerging fashion designers from 20 cities across the country. — ANI

Deepa Mehta might have a penchant for unconventional and often controversial themes, but the director says that she would retire as a filmmaker if her films start resembling message-laden documentaries.

The Canada-based director who is credited to be the first filmmaker to explore homosexuality in India through her film Fire, said that her motive is always to tell good stories.

“I make films out of stories that touch me. I hope my films don’t preach, otherwise I will retire. It is not very different from propaganda. Politicians can get away with it but filmmakers should not indulge in it,” Mehta told in an interview.

The director, whose latest offering Videsh explores domestic violence in a family of first generation migrants, said that the film was not a documentary on domestic violence.

“My film is not a kitchen sink drama about domestic violence. It explores a woman’s hidden power and how she overcomes the brutality of her situation by using mythology and imagination.

“It is so easy to label a film in a certain category but I feel it is the worst disservice that you can do to filmmakers as it limits their vision,” said Mehta. — PTI

The on-screen chemistry between Kareena Kapoor and Akshay Kumar is being touted as one of the highlights of the action comedy Kambakkht Ishq.

Akshay plays a Hollywood stuntman, while Kareena features as a model in the film.

“The two look hot together. Akshay and Kareena will set the screen on fire. The duo share such a good chemistry on screen,” said a source close to the project.

Ever since their 2004 film Aitraaz became a hit, their on-screen chemistry was touted as one of the best. Apart from Aitraaz, they teamed for films like Talaash, Bewafa and Tashan but none of these could ape the success story of Aitraaz. Now all eyes are set on Kambakkht Ishq.

The film, which is scheduled for May release, also stars Hollywood biggies.

“The film is an exciting marriage between the East and the West. The movie is a romantic comedy but features a lot of action. Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards play interesting roles in the film,” said producer Sajid Nadiadwala in a press statement. — IANS

After box office dud No Smoking, director Anurag Kashyap and John Abraham had nonetheless vowed to work together again come what may. And they are now back together for a thriller titled Bombay Velvet.

“John is the lead in my next film Bombay Velvet where he plays a real life hero of the masses from the 1960s. It’s a thriller based on real incidents. It’s an idea that we developed over the last four years by several minds including the history professor Gyan Prakash,” Kashyap told.

Kashyap’s last release was Dev D, his deviant version of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Devdas. Kashyap doesn’t want to take any risks and is making sure that the script is accessible to the audience.

“I’ve never handled this kind of budget before. I want to be sure of the script. After No Smoking, John and I want to make sure our film is accessible to the audience. Today, I realise where I had gone wrong in my earlier cinema. I’m working on my weak points. I tend to get repetitive. So I’ve brought in two writers in Bombay Velvet who criticised me the most for No Smoking,” said Kashyap.

The director has also decided to make a no-holds-barred action film with Kunal Kapoor titled Doga, inspired by the comics that are popular in northern India. It will be produced by Sony International. — IANS

Now that it has been proved that the Navaratra food is rich in calories, we try to figure out alternate options. And we ask the people in the glam industry for they just can't afford to compromise on fitness. Here they let us know what all they do to keep fit during Navratras without starving themselves.

Karishma Randeva: The Hello Dolly girl gets a little more health conscious during Navratras and she reasons it out, "I usually end up eating more during Navratras and to avoid that I try to eat a very balanced diet." Her day begins with fruits and juices in the breakfast and at times the same diet stretches to lunch and dinner. "I prefer to keep myself full by having lots of fruits and juices as they are healthy. Also, I cut my exercising regime by half since the energy is usually low and there is no point straining the body."

Krishna Somani: "I used to keep all the nine Navratras during my college days but now I don't get time to observe all", says this leading model. So now, whenever her modeling assignments don't clash with the Navratras, she prefers to keep fasts. "I would love to eat the Navratra special food but as it is rich in calories, I have no choice but to avoid it." And, that doesn't mean she starves herself while fasting. "I don't binge on potato chips or on anything that has a lot of fat content, rather eat lots of fruits and have juices," she says. Also she doesn't exercise at all during this period.

Aanchal Kumar: Since the Lakme Fashion Week is on; it certainly wasn't possible for her to observe fasts this time. "My family still follows all traditions of Navratras. I still remember observing fasts and eating special food." But even then, fitness never took a back seat, "I knew the Navratra food is high on calories and so used to go for a along walk after eating it to burn calories. Even now, whenever I get the chance to observe fasts, instead of compromising on the food, I do some strenuous exercises." 

Many shampoos, skin conditioners and soaps contain an ingredient that can cause eczema, warn Swedish scientists. A thesis presented at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden found that over 5 percent of those who underwent patch testing were allergic to the air oxidized form of the fragrance ingredient linalool.

Eczema can cause a lot of different skin conditions, including rashes, swelling, itching and cracking.

"I would suspect that about 2 percent of the complete population of Sweden are allergic to air oxidized linalool. That may not sound very much, but it is serious since linalool is so widely used as a fragrance ingredient. Linalool is found in 60-80 percent of the perfumed hygiene products, washing up liquids and household cleaning agents that can be bought in the nearest supermarket, and it can be difficult for people who are allergic to avoid these products", says dermatologist Johanna Brared Christensson, author of the thesis.

Nickel is by far the most common substance that causes eczema, but the thesis shows that oxidized linalool occupies third place in the list, after nickel and cobalt.

In the study, oxidized linalool was added at patch testing for more than 3,000 patients who wanted to find out what was causing their eczema. Between 5 percent and 7 percent proved to be allergic to the oxidized form of the fragrance ingredient.

"Linalool is present in many products around us, and this is probably the reason that contact allergy to this material is so common. Some people can shower with shower cream that contains linalool but never develop contact allergy, but we know that the risk increases as the exposure to the substance increases", says Johanna.

Linalool is a fragrance ingredient found naturally in lavender, mint, and other plants. Linalool breaks down when it comes into contact with oxygen, it becomes oxidized and can cause allergy. Manufacturers do include other substances in the products to delay this oxidation process, but allergenic substances can still be formed from linalool when it is stored.

"One way of trying to minimize exposure to oxidized linalool is to avoid buying large packs of soap and shower cream, and always to replace the top after using a bottle", says Johanna. —ANI

Diana Hayden came into limelight once again after her stint in the Bigg Boss2. The former Miss World attributes her fitness to a healthy diet and exercising regime. Here she talks more about her fitness fundas.

Fitness mantra: Living a healthy life by exercising and eating right.

Fitness regime: I work out daily in the gym for an hour and a half. Running on the treadmill, stretching, push-ups count for some strenuous exercises I indulge in. Also, I do pilates that come handy to develop a more toned body and helps me getting rid of the flab. I also do light exercises like cycling and walking.

Diet: I prefer to take a diet that is high in proteins. I avoid taking rice, sweets and anything that has lots of calories. Most of the times I am on the go and traveling abroad and it leaves me with no option but to eat out. So, whenever I am home, I prefer to eat home cooked food only. Also, I drink lots of water as that helps in keeping my skin healthy. I don't believe in diet but eating only healthy food.

Fantasy food: I would love to indulge in sweets and chocolates but that's something I cannot afford to have.

Best body celeb: Hands down, it has to be Shilpa Shetty any day. She is slim and fit but not anorexic at all.

Sleeping hours: I hardly get to sleep for six hours a day. But I am happy with that.

ashima@tribunemail.com

People in the United States consume more than twice the recommended amount of salt, raising their risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes, government health experts said.

They found nearly 70 per cent of U.S. adults are in high-risk groups that would benefit from a lower-salt diet of no more than 1,500 mg per day, yet most consume closer to 3,500 mg per day. "It's important for people to eat less salt. People who adopt a heart-healthy eating pattern that includes a diet low in sodium and rich in potassium and calcium can improve their blood pressure," Dr Darwin Labarthe of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

"People need to know their recommended daily sodium limit and take action to reduce sodium intake," Labarthe said. Nationwide, 16 million men and women have heart disease and 5.8 million are estimated to have had a stroke. Cutting salt consumption can reduce these risks, the CDC said. —Reuters 

The volcanic spirit, invincible intellect, devout dedication and life impulse, all constitute a force field for the incredible achievements of Dr S. S. Bhatti, a myriad-minded academician, architect and artist. At the ripe age of seventy when most people live by the past memoirs he is actively engaged to explore more with his rational, ethical and aesthetic mind. Securing a rare hat trick of Doctoral degrees on diverse subjects is a testimony to his genius at its zenith.

On being conferred the his third Phd on the A Study of Architecture, Engineering and aesthetics of Sri Harmandar Sahib by R. C. Sobti, vice-chancellor, PU on Sunday he shared his other life achievements. 

Says S. S. Bhatti that his first doctoral dissertation was on Le Corbusier’s Modern Urbanism as developed in the great Chandigarh Experiment (1991) and second one on Guru Nanak’s Creative Mysticism as revealed in the Sikh faith founder’s Bani Japuji Sahib. The first one won him the Journal of the Indian Institute of Architects [JIIA] National Award for Excellence in Architecture [research category], and for the second one he was honoured by Guru Harkrishan Educational Society as the best research done at the Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies in 2000.

A prolific poet and scholar, his literary pursuit encompasses in Urdu , Hindi , Punjabi and English . Not complacent resting on his laurels, Bhatti has already planned to pursue doctoral research in music, geography, and Urdu Poetry. To put it in his own words: “I am desperate to explore the ever-expanding limits of my ignorance!” In his poetic expression, Bhatti says it all: 

Mujh mei voh khubian kahan jo aap mein rahin, har kaam aapka har ikk khubi apaar hai

Mehrrom phir bhi mein nahin kaif–e-hyaat  se Deevangi-e-shauq meri barqraar hai.

Hey how you doing? So what’s up? Umm…the weather’s nice no?’ It’s not easy being a great conversationalist. The communication inevitably meanders, digresses and ultimately loses punch. Exactly one of the points made by Smarth Bali, at his workshop on ‘Communications and the art of selling—understanding the dynamics of selling’ organised by British Library-9 at Hotel Parkview-24. “If you know what the elastic limit of your conversation is, you can never go wrong.”

Of course, there was jargon typical of myriad of communication workshops, but there was also off road remark. “The beauty of these workshops is, half an hour before we wind up, people will still commit the same mistakes,” said Smarth Bali. He says, “I myself attended quite a lot of such workshops so, I know and the feedback I get now from people after each session gives me the liberty to hold more of these.” By his own admittance, communication is an art…so does he feel it can be taught in a day? He says, “See if I want to learn paragliding, I can enroll, attend classes and even then continue learning the adventure sport for the next 10-15 years.” The one-day event saw around fifty people learning the art of effective communication, both verbal and non-verbal, understanding what barriers exist, explore communication strategies for effective selling, but not the robotic way. As he says, “The idea is to not turn people into salesmen. You are not supposed to be selling 24/7 or become mechanical.” Point noted. —TNS

A remarkable day of glitz and glamour showcased in a theme based fashion show was witnessed during Spraddha 09, the management fest organised by Dr IT Group of institutes, Banur. Revolving around the theme of encouraging creativity and innovation all the way, Spradha 09 offered a rather spectacular display of talent, style, fashion and skills on part of participants.

Dazzling performances on ramp by spirited models was matched by cultural extravaganza which featured sizzling dance event titled Dance Pe Chance. However, the element of humour and laughter was lent by parody show Indian Idle which had the contest for choosing the worst singing team from amongst participants. The contestants obliged with equally pathetic performances which were aplenty. — TNS