Get touchy
 Mona

Hugging is therapeutic, says a research. A 20-second hug can work wonders. And how!

Remember Munnabhai’s antidote to all ailments? Jadu ki jhappi. Indeed, it has magical powers, say experts. It eases pain, lessens anxiety, softens the blows of life, generates hope and has the power to heal. A research in the University of North Carolina showed that one extra 20-second hug can make a huge difference in how happy or relaxed you feel. Lifestyle determines the ‘touch quotient’ of tricity denizens.

"A morning hug from my mom makes my day," quips Veenat Arora, an MA student, who describes herself as a ‘very touchy person’. "A hug exudes warmth. It gives you confidence, a feeling of being cared for," she adds.

Touch, says Kiranpreet, professor in the Department of Sociology, PU, affects our psychological state. "In our culture, physical touch has been distinctly visible like touching the feet of elders, they, in turn, blessing you with their hands on your head. But it is slowly disappearing, as now we are using greetings that are more formal.

Also, the kids today associate themselves more with machines — computers, cellphones etc," adds the professor. She feels that there is definitely a need to revive the hug culture. "Place your hand on the shoulder of a disturbed person and see how it immediately comforts him. Similarly, to appreciate someone, just give a pat on his back. It gives people the sense of belongingness," asserts the woman, who has been regularly using her ‘touch tactics’ on her students with amazing results.

Agrees Pushpinder Syal, an educationist and reiki practitioner. "Touch gives you a high-speed access to another soul. During our reiki meetings, when there would be lot of verbalising about problems or disease, our mentor would stop us and ask us to hug each other. Hugging is basically sharing and sometimes just verbalizing, instead of sorting out problems, as said in psychoanalysis, reaffirms negativity. The hug helps us share energy and cut the negativity. Not only would the members in the group hug each other but also we would have a group hug with arms intertwined and heads together," she says. So influenced was their group with the effects that they have made it a ritual to hug each other every time they meet.

Dr Rajesh Kumar, senior lecturer at GC-46, interprets touch as a ‘warm feeling interchange’: "When kids fight with siblings or friends, parents often ask them to hug and make up. Touch therapy helps in melting the walls of the ego and bridging the gaps of caste, creed and colour," he opines.

So, if you have had enough of aroma, colour or laughter therapy, it’s time to try something new that involves no costs, equipment or even training.

mona@tribunemail.com

Embracing fame

In the West, hug clubs and free hug campaigns are quite in. Giving free hugs has made few like Juan Mann and Martin Neufeld into celebrities. Juan Mann’s Free Hug Campaign got him an appearance on the Oprah show. Recipient of the YMCA Canada 2007 Peace Medal, Martin Neufeld’s innovative and transformative approach to healing, self-empowerment and communication through touch, love and gratitude has helped people find deeper meaning and intimacy in their lives. Since 2004, he has shared well over 100,000 hugs with people from all walks of life and inspired countless others around the world to follow suit by opening their own arms and hearts to their fellow humans.

On home turf, fondly called Amma, Sudhamani, born in a small village in Kerala, has dedicated her life to the uplifting of suffering humanity through the simplest of gestures – an embrace. In this intimate manner, Amma has blessed and consoled more than 25 million people throughout the world from Kenya to the USA.


Expertspeak

The simple act of reaching out and touching another person frequently results in physical benefits such as slowing the heart rate, dropping blood pressure and speeding recovery from illness, says Simmi Wariach, consultant psychiatrist. Children who have not been hugged enough have a tendency to be violent and aggressive compared to those who receive hug more often, she adds.

Hug helps
 Feels good
 Dispels loneliness
 Overcomes fear
 Builds self-esteem
 Eases tension
 Make us feel better about ourselves and our surroundings
 Has a positive effect in a child’s development and IQ
 Promotes physical well-being

Virtually hugged

The social networking sites give you the option to send a virtual hug to your loved ones. And then there are hordes of events listed to promote hugging — Hug your favourite Indian, hug a vegetarian or hug your doctor day!

Har taraf ab yehi afsane hain
 Ranjan Das Gupta

As he turns 90, singing legend Manna Dey talks of melody, then and now

As he turns 90, singer Manna Dey is fit as a fiddle, recording a few Bengali songs and practising classical ragas at home for three consecutive hours daily. After a musical odyssey spanning nearly 70 years, he is still active as a singer and no one dare write him off even today.

Back in 1964, when S.D. Burman had given Manna Dey a comic number to render for Ziddi, the song was typically based on a raga with a melancholic touch but actually expressed humour. Reminiscencet Dey, during a visit to record a Bengali song at Kolkata recently, "I understood the mood and situation of Pyar Ki Aag Mein very well and rendered it with the subtle nuances of S.D. Burman's touch. The song had an antara where the acoustic guitar was used to play the Come September theme."

There are umpteen such examples of Dey's unique style. He conquered the Hindi heartland with his mind blowing Dharti kahe pukar ke, tuned by Salil Chowdhury for Do Bigha Zameen. Then followed Pyar hua iqrar hua, yeh raat bheegi bheegi, puchho na kaise and the great Laga chunri mein daag. After that, there was no looking back for Dey. He became a force to reckon with, specially for songs with a classical base. Shanker Jaikishan experimented with him like no other music director, with the exception of S.D. Burman and Salil Chowdhury. Shankar Jaikishan made Dey sound equally effective for Raj Kapoor, whose 'ghost' voice was Mukesh. Dey remembers, Ai bhai, zara dekh ke chalo for Raj Kapoor in Mera Naam Joker brought out the tragedy of the protagonist very well, backed by an orchestra, conveying the feeling of laughter with tears."

Salil Chowdhury used Dey very effectively for Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli in Anand. The song had a similar philosophy. Says Dey, "I never thought of being number one or two in the singing order as music has been my soul and dream."

When he used the lilting antara, Hu Hu, for Madan Mohan's Har Taraf Ab Yehi Afsane Hain in Hindustan Ki Kasam, he knew he had to deliver equally effective romantic feelings like that of the inimitable Mohd Rafi. He did so with brilliance and even director Chetan Anand complimented Madan Mohan for his bold experiment.

“Today,” he says, "There is no Shanker Jaikishan or R.D. Burman but the techniques in music and recording have vastly improved over the years. If we had received these facilities in our younger days, we would have delivered much better results."

Hello TUNEZ
 Song for soul

Yaad Piya Ki (Times Music): When Padma Shri Ustad Puran Chand Wadali and Pyarelal Wadali sing sufiana, it is time to close your eyes and keep saying "wah wah". Their voices are ideally suited for delineating the inner meanings of the immortal poetry of masters like Baba Bulleh Shah, Swami Ramtirath and Hitshri Asudaranji.

Here they have chosen an eclectic mix of Hindi and Punjabi lyrics and have presented them in gilded frames, suffused with varied emotions like pain, joy, love and devotion. J S R Madhukar's music appeals to the mind as well as the soul. The main instruments are flute, the tabla and the sarangee but western instruments have also been used.

Wadali brothers open with the title track Yaad piya ki and go on to present Chup karke karee gujare noo, Bas karjee hun bas karjee, Ab to jaag musafir pyare, Ab hum gum huea prem nagar ke sair, Ajab tera kaanun dekha Khudaya, Dilri looti sonea yar sajan, Tere kaaran darjee thisaa.

Dil Se Re

A.R Rahman: A world of music (Sony Music): The standoff between producers and multiplexes has dried up music release also. New film music is coming up in driblets. To that extent, this three-CD set of music maestro A R Rahman has hit the markets at a very opportune time. His stock has also gone extra-high with the Oscars.

To hear his various hits down the years at one go gives one a better idea of his range and progress. Whether it is Dil Se or Lagaan, they all had magical melodies. What is all the more satisfying is that one also gets to hear the work he has done down South, for example in films like Sakkarkatti and Kaadhal Virus.

While the first two CDs have various songs from films like Dil Se, Bombay, Sapnay, Rang De Basanti, Lagaan, Guru, Meenaxi, Dil Hi Dil Mein, Zubeida and Mangal Pandey etc., the third CD is devoted to instrumental music: Bombay Theme, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India; Bombay Dreams, Potters Village, Rangeela Theme, Cyclists Rhythm, Waltz for a Romance and Missing (Vande Mataram).

Melody re-mixed

Everybody On Dance Floor (T Series): Whether you like remix music or not, it is omnipresent. Since expenses are less, producers can pack as many as 16 songs in one CD.

Here is a two-CD set that has thus 32 songs. Those from films Slumdog Millionaire, Aloo Chaat, Billu, Delhi-6 and Jai Veeru, for which T series has the rights in original. Others such as 8X10 Tasveer, Ghajini, Dev D, Rocky etc are in remix.

Many of the remixes have been done by DJ Amyth. Then there are others by Amit Das, K& G, Krishna Chetan, Goldeyy and DJ Nikhil Nawed. — ASC

Hair we come
Dabur unveils its new fragrant hair oil

For sure, it qualifies for a tongue twister—Dabur Amla Flower Magic Hair Oil!

Well, the latest offering from the house of Dabur India Ltd. has its Unique Selling Proposition, quite a mouthful too. The oil was unveiled at a press conference at a city hotel on Thursday.

At a cursory glance, the hair oil, like any other, promises healthy nourished hair sans stickiness. What? Haven’t we seen umpteen prime time commercials? Anirudh Pandharkar, senior product manager, cuts the clutter and makes it tangentially stand apart, "The unique factor of this oil lies in its innovative fragrance. It’s a never seen before fine fragrance, and by fine we mean exotic." He adds, "It’s like you are walking in a garden." For the product, they’ve partnered with International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc US, who claim to have developed a special floral flagrance for the first time in the hair oil category. Any plans of using a celebrity face to market the oil? Answers Anirudh, "We’ll be roping in Rani Mukherjee for endorsing hair range of Dabur including this oil. Even she epitomises naturalness and energy." Post Chandigarh, the oil will be rolled out in Ludhiana, Patiala, and Jalandhar.

Back to the product and the plans, while many of the hair cosmetic companies have branched out into what not, shine serums, detangling sprays; should similar frills and fluff be expected from Dabur hair care range? " Be it conditioners, shampoos, oils, or whatever, we are offering, we are coming up with new products in a phased manner. It’s too early to speak of what’s in store but whatever it is, our products will stick to the Dabur core philosophy of natural ingredients." To make a case, the oil in question too promises the goodness of natural amla and fragrance from white flowers; think Rajnigandha, Mogra, Jasmine Cheers to nature! — TNS

Designer deal
 Contrasts and confusion are no more fashionable

In & Out

Wherever there’s fashion, there’s ‘in-out concept’. What’s a trend, without being in sync with the latest? “Too much of confusion in designs and elements is out, it’s time to be simple and understated. Likewise, contrasts are also out,” lists Shivani Mahajan. The store’s August collection aims to use crepes, embroidery, with tunics etc.” For the present summer range, the focus remained on block printing, delicate embroidery, lakhnavi chicken, odhnis, bandhej suits, lace and patch work, while the formal wear segment had heavy embroidery work crafted heavy thread, stone and chicken work etc etc. As for the every conceivable assortment, adds Shivani, “We are trying to cater right from college crowd, housewives to young executives.”

Launch in the times to recession? Yeah, you got it, that’s right. Launch in the times of recession. Tatva-17, boutique for women’s wear, on Thursday, opened doors for one and all. And announced its arrival through summer suits, tunics, saris and kurtis.

A quick glimpse across the store establishes the eclectic, multihued ‘mix n match’ nature of the store. "We’ve tied up with designers not only from the region but the ones with pan India presence," Sameer Gupta, boutique partner, gets the queries started. He adds, "We tied up with designers who have worked with known fashion houses, but there they were not getting to work under their label or credit." Elaborates Shivani Mahajan, co-partner, "Out of around 150 we chose twelve to fifteen designers, based on their creativity, workmanship, suitability vis a vis our brand Tatva etc." She exemplifies, "Like this label DG, they are two sisters from Delhi and casual range is done by Ayesha."

And along with assorted collection there’s plethora of designing techniques.

Born and brought up in Chandigarh, Shivani chucked the job in a bank, before the studio came about. "I assisted my mom in her boutique in Sector 19. The reason for coming up with the store was, there was no exclusivity being offered in boutiques. People would either wait for exhibitions, or go to Delhi, Mumbai to satisfy their tastes." Here, comes the recession justification. "We are not selling wares, we are selling concept. It’s not a place where people walk in and do impulse or clueless shopping. Wejudge their basic liking and give counseling on what to buy and of course provide good value for money."

Already delving on value, money, price rhetoric, the casual range begins from Rs 1000 with semi-formal starting Rs 1500 and formal 2500 onwards stretching up to Rs 3500.

— TNS

Side Lanes
 Passage from India
 Joyshri Lobo

Whenever one leaves the shores of the Motherland, we look for success stories amongst our own ilk. Obviously we visit our children who are proof of those stories. They have taken the hard route, gone into unfamiliar communities and started from scratch in a new country, which is often hostile but accepts them because of the singular lack of manpower, something India has an abundance of. When our children start being successful, their hosts accept them and often display the same emotions as any human being would- hostility towards intruders and their strange customs. That apart, working outside India brings better monetary returns and great respect for the quality of work done. But it takes a long time and unbelievable effort to achieve that acceptance. In the meantime we learn to cope with a servant-less world where every spoon has to be washed, every dead leaf removed, each shirt ironed, each bathroom mopped. Nothing is easy or to be left for another day. So the new mileau, work scene and home administration, all come at quite a price, both mental and physical.

Jayant, Charu and Dhruv have settled down remarkably well in Australia. Ajit Emmanuel and his family have made a name for themselves. Rohit, Rumi, Ronen and Ronika are all making their mark in the UK, as is Raoul in the USA. Jean Paul Demello, left Goa, worked in the UK and has now relocated to Melbourne. He sounds happy and well adjusted.

It was nice to catch up with Chris Doutre`, an ex-tea-planter, his wife Jane and son Jordan. Chris left India in the early 70’s. Through sheer hard work, guts and imagination, he changed his passion for cooking into a multi-million dollar industry called Passage Foods. Today he flies all over the world overlooking the quality and authenticity of his creations. Chris’ products carry the flavours of his mother’s cooking. As I made Goan pork vindalho and coconut chicken in the Bendigo kitchen, Chris lovingly created chicken rogan josh, prawn curry and a green Thai concoction out of packets, for the hungry guests. Each of his dishes took just 8 minutes to prepare. He swears that kari or curry sauce holds the secrets of any ethnic dish. When the rich aromas wafted through the house, the Aussies homed in, eagerly awaiting a smorgasbord of oriental cuisine. The richness of spice and its herbal benefits are creating food waves throughout the world. Passage Foods take the pain out of cooking. Even the man of the house-Indian or otherwise, can churn out an exotic meal.

After the Bendigo Easter Parade, we went to the Tandoori Restaurant, Pall Mall, Bendigo, Victoria, for dinner. Sardar Avtar Singh fed us the most succulent kebabs, tandoori chicken, fluffy naans and delicious samosas, true to the original recipes from the Punjab. He has been in Australia for the past 21 years. His sons and daughters help in the kitchen and wait on tables following a day’s study at college every morning. The huge popularity of the place can be judged by a reservation made by a group of young girls to celebrate their friend’s bridal shower.

Our people abroad are making us proud. They add a lot of grace and ethnicity to the host community. The Indian diaspora is healthy, alive and flourishing. It is good to see it so.

Hum honge kamyab…ek din
 I will go to South Africa only if KKR wins, says SRK


Actor and Hyundai brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan and a Hyundai official posing next to a Hyndai i10. SRK will be using the Hyundai Tucson for himself and his entourage in South Africa throughout the IPL season.

After a string of defeats suffered by Kolkata Knight Riders, team owner and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan has decided not to go back to South Africa unless KKR starts winning.

The actor, who flew down to the city to cast his vote in the general elections, said that he will stay put in Mumbai as he doesn't want to be a part of the "sadness" which follows every defeat.

"If they are doing well, I will go back otherwise, I don't like going back and feeling sad for the boys because there is a lot of talent in the team and a lot of hardwork," said a demoralised Shahrukh.

The Kolkata Knight Riders have played fives matches out of which they managed to win only one match in the second season of Indian Premiere League.

"I feel very bad when we are not winning. I don't want to participate in that sadness with them," Shahrukh said.

His team has been dogged by controversies since the very beginning, be it the multiple-captaincy issue, or a clash with cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, or the tell-all blog written by an alleged team insider.

Shahrukh's latest comments are quite contrary to the sentiments expressed by him in his official blog, titled 'Keep the Faith' a few days ago.

"I don't know if the path we have chosen is correct or not...It's just a path we the Knight Riders have chosen to walk on and will stick to it, till the very end," Shahrukh had said in his blog. — PTI

Jo jeete wohi sikander
 Aamir, SRK lead IIFA nominations

Two of Bollywood's biggest names, Shahrukh and Aamir Khan are leading this year's International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards nominations.

The 10th IIFA festival, which begins from May 11 to 13, will be held in Macau, in China.

"2009 celebrates a decade of IIFA magic and promises to be yet another enthralling experience to be held at the Venetian Macao," said Amitabh Bachchan, the IIFA brand ambassador while announcing the nominees here.

Shahrukh Khan has been nominated for his portrayal of the simpleton Surinder Sahni in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi while Aamir got the nod for his acting in the gory revenge drama Ghajini.

Other nominees in the category are Naseeruddin Shah for A Wednesday, Abhishek Bachchan for Dostana, and Hrithik Roshan for Jodhaa Akbar.

Interestingly, Abhishek Bachchan has three nominations this year. Best Actor and Best Comic Actor for Dostana, along with Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Sarkaar Raj.

While Ghajini and Jodha Akbar have gathered the most nominations with a nod in all the prominent categories including, Best Picture, Direction, Best Actor (Male), Best Actor (Female) and Best Music, other films which have got multiple nominations are A Wednesday, Rock on, Fashion and Race.

The nominees in the Best Film category are A Wednesday, Dostana, Ghajini, Jodhaa Akbar, Race and Rock On!.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif are in the race for the 'Best Actress' title along with newcomer Asin, but Anoushka Sharma who made a much hyped debut opposite Shahrukh Khan failed to make it to the list.

IIFA's best director list is dominated by debutante directors, including Abhishek Kapoor for Rock On!, Neeraj Pandey for A Wednesday, AR Murugadoss for Ghajini while the established names on the list are Madhur Bhandarkar for Fashion and Ashutosh Gowariker for Jodhaa Akbar.

Oscar winning musician, AR Rehman has bagged two nominations in the 'Best Music' category for Ghajini and Jodhaa Akbar while other names on the list includes, Pritam for Race, Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy for Rock On and Vishal and Shekhar for Dostana. — PTI

Not arm candy

Sonam KapoorSonam Kapoor is all for getting into the commercial groove after doing off-beat films and says she won't mind playing Lara Dutta's role in No Entry or Priyanka Chopra's character in Dostana. But she is clear that she doesn't want to be seen as just "arm candy" in song and dance sequences.

"I'm all game for doing movies that are set in commercial parlance," said Sonam, who is choosing her projects carefully.

"It's a misconception that after films like Saawariya and Delhi-6, I'm only looking at films with serious overtones. All I look for is meat in my role."

"See, I have never looked down upon hardcore commercial cinema. It's just that I never wish to be an arm candy who does four songs, a couple of scenes and then vanishes away from screen. Those are not at all the kind of roles that excite me," added Sonam, who will be seen in her father Anil Kapoor's home production titled Ayesha.

The 23-year-old may have suffered two box office failures in the Delhi-6 and Saawariya, but that hasn't hampered her passion for movies.

"Give me a meaningful role and I will do it even if it is hardcore commercial. Who says Bollywood masala movies do not have good roles for heroines? — IANS




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