In city, to attend a function at Tagore theatre, master choreographer Saroj Khan talks about changing times in the industry

Be careful, she doesn’t like probing journalists’, cautioned a fellow friend. So, with this piece of information we went ahead to talk to someone who is an institution in herself. Someone, who has made women look sensual and men look bearable running around the trees. Someone, whose style each one of us must have tried out in front of the mirror. And someone, who has made just about everyone from the Bollywood dance to her tunes. Master choreographer Saroj Khan. Short statured, visibly quiet yet candid.

And before we slipped into the formalities of the question answers, we had time to catch up on few flying thoughts. This is the woman who made Madhuri dance, like no one else can? It was better to ask her. “Yes,” she throws her head back in laughter. “There was something about Madhuri. She was a sincere and dedicated learner. Whatever steps I gave her, she would put all the effort to master them. There will be no other Madhuri Dixit for sure.” Vidya Balan, we thought you saw some traces of Madhuri in her? “I want to work with Vidya to see her potential,” she says. “Things are very different today,” says Saroj. We pick it up from here. The changes? “Earlier, producers would never trust a girl dance master for they thought that only men could teach dance. Now, everyone can become a choreographer. To an extent the directors are to be blamed for this. They are ignorant about dancing.” This isn’t the only place where the ‘change’ has crept in. “Today, if you tell an actor to rehearse, they would fret and fume. Master ji set par hi sikha dena, is what they have to say,” offers Saroj Khan. “In addition to this, she adds, look at the dances, there are no defined movements. All look the same. These days choreographers follow too much to MTV, so every second dance move looks the same.”

For Saroj Khan, who defied the rules of her society, changed her name from her maiden name Nirmala, broke all taboos, this change isn’t a pleasant one though. Except for the fact that the industry has accepted the role of a choreographer in a movie. “Choreographers have certainly got a boost. In our time, directors would select the song and completely forget about the dancing. This is not the case today,” tells Saroj.

Comparisons loom large. But they haven’t punctuated the rhythm in her body. “As long as there is a rhythm in heart beat, a person can dance,” she smiles. Well, this sure comes as good news for those with two left feet. “My show on NDTV Imagine, Nach Le with Saroj Khan is all about basics of dancing, wherein I teach people how to dance technically. And I have got numerous positive responses from people who have got back to dancing after seeing the show.”

Now, this is one show, which is must watch for Sunny Deol!! “Sometimes, it is not the actor but the choreographer. For instance, no one ever saw which dance moves Sunny Deol was comfortable dancing in. Result, weird dancing. But in Chaalbaaz, I gave him some comfortable steps, and he didn’t look awkward a bit.” Can you say something for the Bollywood ladies too? “They are pretty comfortable with dance now. The only thing that I have in mind when I choreograph for the actress is how the man (the actor) would want to see her. Having said this, I must add that a woman can look stunning and sensual is six yards of drape but she might not look the same in a small dress.”

jasmine@tribunemail.com

It’s a cruel summer, especially if you are a movie buff. The ongoing dry spell at the box office, courtesy the stand-off between producers and multiplex owners over profit sharing, has left the cine-goers totally parched. Unable to pop their entertainment pill, many have started showing ‘withdrawal’ symptoms and are even hunting for other weekend options.

Says Kanchan Malhotra, who’s terribly missing her ‘Friday rituals’: “I am the first-day-first-show person, so you can well imagine my plight.  This Friday, I even went for a Punjabi flick, but it was utterly disappointing. They are no match to Bollywood masala.”  The girl has now rekindled an old flame — cooking. “If movies are my first passion, cooking is next. So I am spending more time in the kitchen. I have even learnt a few new pickle recipes,” she adds.

“What we need after a hectic week is a nice break and films are a perfect way to unwind. But thanks to this profit tussle, we don’t have much option but to suffer,” quips Chander Singhal, a skating coach from Panchkula and a self-proclaimed ‘movieholic’.  Singhal says it’s painful to see that how the viewers are being taken for a ride. “I am not bothered about who gets what share. All I want is my daily dose of entertainment,” he adds. The man is now even taking skating classes on Saturday and Sunday to fight the ‘box-office blues.’  

For Sanyam Sood, director, Mayor Fancy Dresses, the multiplex deadlock means double whammy: “One, I am missing out on entertainment, secondly, no new movie means professional hazard, especially in the costume business. After all, it’s from movies that we get to know about the latest in fashion.”  The IPL has come as a big rescuer for the entrepreneur. “Cricket is keeping me occupied,” he adds. Twenty-20 is bailing out Suffanmeet Kaur, a student, too: “Every week I would end up watching a film with my friends. Now, instead of theatres, we head to eating joints which are offering big screens to see matches along with sumptuous food,” she adds.

But then there are some for whom the whole situation has proved to be a blessing in disguise: “My exams are going on and thankfully I am able to give my undivided attention to studies. When movies are on, it gets difficult to resist the temptation,” says Elisha Thapar, an engineering student.

While the audiences are reeling under the movie drought, the producers’ guild and the multiplex lobby is tightlipped about any possible outcome of their negotiations.  When asked, Preeti Puri Sharma, Vice President, PR Big Pictures, preferred to maintain a ‘no comments stance’. Shonali Shroff, head of communications, Fame Group of Multiplexes, also chose not to talk about any progress in the talks, but said they were trying their level best to keep audiences entertained. “Apart from few releases, we are also exploring the possibility of staging plays, monologues and celeb comedies,” she added.

mona@tribunemail.com

With an exhaustive and exclusive collection of fabrics, Cotton Fab, comes as another summer treat for cotton lovers in city

Come summers and cotton rules our wardrobe. This love for the cool fabric, that also spells style, is universal. And coming as a respite, is Cotton Fab, an exhibition cum crafts bazaar at Kisan Bhavan-35. One stop shop for all your cotton needs, it has the biggest and the finest collection of cotton and silk fabrics across 14 states. The list includes Sanganeri, Gamthi, Bagh, Kalamkari, Ajarak, Chanderi, Pochampally, Kota Doriya and many more. With an exhaustive and exclusive range of cotton and silk weaved fabrics, it has something for everybody. Choose from home furnishings to ready to wear stuff in latest styles and trends.

For regular ones, there is designer stuff in batic prints from Indore and tie-n-dye works. The embroidered fabrics include extensive range of Kantha work, Phulkari, Lucknowi Chiken mixed with Aari work, Kharek Soof embroidery from Kutch and patch and appliqué work. The different trends seen were leatherwork on cotton and net fabric and the shimmer cotton fabrics for an elegant, formal look.

The silk mart too had handful options to choose from. The famous Maheshwari, Bhagalpur, Banaresi and Chanderi silk to the lesser known but finer ones like Ikkat, Puneri, Pochampally and Champa. The popular ones in this category is Kosa silk sarees from Chattisgarh, with their raw look, simple designs and classy finish.

Most of the designs and motifs are inspired from the gods and goddesses and tribal life. Some of the stuff is based on innovative themes like the Tie-n-dye silk sarees designed on the theme of Kuldeepa or Ras lila, another one in Rudrani cotton from Orrisa based on possessions of Lord Shiva like trishul or damaru. The borders and motifs reflect mythological characters or symbols. For some antique lovers, there are Jamrani silk sarees, with intricate thread work on weaved silk.

While the ladies can go mad shopping for their favourite fabric, there is something for the husbands, brothers and fathers who tag along. Kurtas in royal cuts like Bandhgalas, angrakha and sherwani-styles make for an attraction. The price range comes handy too, with anything between Rs. 200 to Rs. 10,000. Neha Walia

On till May 10

“Poetry, irrespective of its medium of expression, is the mother of all literary arts which articulates the inner urges, emotions and aspirations of a human being in an appropriate paradigm of words which touch your soul. “To me it is a bliss of the nature, the greatest master poet,” opines Uzbek poetess Uktamoy. In city, on the invitation of Writers Club for the release of her two books, she shared her poetic passions, love for nature and the rich vibrant culture of Punjab. With the facilities for translation lot many readers in our country have evinced more than a passing interest in Punjabi literature too, she remarked, when commenting on the translation of her book from Uzbek to English and Punjabi. The books titled My Heart is Weeping in English and Sada Ronda Ae Dil Mahiya in Punjabi were released by the Dr Satinder Singh Noor, vice president Rashtriya Sahitya Akademy New Delhi here at the Uttam Complex.

Uktamoy was in full admiration for noted Punjabi poet, Swaranjit Savi for reflecting the intended emotive feel in the Punjabi translation. Her collection contains seven poems on India that are dedicated to the eternal beauty of Taj Mahal which speaks for her fascination for Indian cultural heritage.

What a contrasting coincidence for a sleepy village Nawangon near Tashkent in Uzbekistan, the birthplace of Uktamoy, where centuries ago the Mougal emperor Babar too was born. While Babar ruled over India with an iron hand I love to rule the hearts of poetry, she says with smiles, struggling with her diction.

Happily married at 45 she is credited with four poetry publications in Uzbekistan and two in India. Holding Masters degree in Philosophy she is presently Deputy chief editor of a journal Agriculture of Uzbekistan. An acclaimed anchor and dancer Uktamoy read out her poems and also displayed her adroit mastery over the art performing a choreographic spell on one poem. Poet Swaranjit Savi and others too read out her poems in Punjabi.

Writers Club president Dev Bhardwaj and poet Sham Singh welcomed and introduced the guest poet while acclaimed poetess Manjit Indra conducted the ceremony.

The political scenario prevailing in the country seems to have affected city rock band, The Carrot Fish, who proudly have Rockathon 09’ and Campus Rock Idol 09’ to their credit. The band that has five young band members — Sahib Singh on rhythm guitar, Nitish Malhotra, as lead guitarist, Joydeep Singh, at bass, Pulkit Sharma, the lead vocalist and drummer Sahil Sarin is coming up with the songs that focus on the present day politics and people of our country. The band earlier known for writing songs about pretty girls and lollipops have come up with their new tracks People are strange and Mary ready to be released in their upcoming EP.

 People are strange aims at bringing out the fact that that the people don’t practice what they preach. They curse the government for the present state that our country is in. However when it is time to vote and elect the government, no one turns up: They are strange. The song Mary aims at bringing out the fact that it is too late to take any action and that things have gone way out of hands. There were times of peace when the government could have taken action but didn’t. Although the people who elect and especially the ones who don’t vote are to blame to start with, the government is equally at fault. — TNS

Prestige, India’s largest kitchen appliance brand is back again with ‘Anything for Anything – the annual exchange offer. The offer is valid till the end of June 09 and will be available at all Prestige Smart Kitchen stores and authorised multi branded outlets across the country.

Consumers can walk into any Prestige Smart Kitchen or dealer outlets to exchange any old kitchen appliance of any brand, in any condition for a new Prestige product and get remarkable discounts on the new purchase.

Offer details as follows: · 20 to 45 % off on pressure cookers, 30 to 73 % off on non-stick cookware, 32 to 42 % off on mixer grinders and food processors, 27 to 44 % off on cook-tops, 29 to 41 % off on kitchen hoods and hobs, 34 to 43 % off on rice cookers and 21 to 60 % off on small kitchen appliances

Commenting on the offer, Chandru Kalro, executive vice president - marketing, TTK Prestige Ltd. said, “Anything for Anything promotion, was an instant hit since its launch three years ago. It gives us immense pleasure in offering the best of value to our consumers and we hope take this forward with greater excitement and enthusiasm in the years to come”. — TNS

Going gymming? There are a thousand things one needs to be sure of before joining ‘that new fitness club’

Don’t mind. There’s a fine flipside of reading health columns, a misprint can cost your life! Just like having a bouncer enact the role of fitness instructor can cause irreversible damage. Unless your trainer happens to be your latest squeeze, there’re grounds why you should cry out, ‘Hey, can I check your qualifications please’ Nothing personal! A situation, necessitated by the glut of gymnasiums coming up at every bend of the road, on every floor. Here’s what all you ought to learn of the most important person in your life…your trainer and what all he needs to know of you…

Talk of laws. Laughs, Dr. Batth, “In India, I don’t think sufficient medical laws or efficient laws exist, gyms are a far-fetched scenario.” Case in point, The National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT) demands first aid certification as part of their membership insuring your trainers competence in assessing what to do, how to respond in any accident or emergency arises. The NRPT counts about 800 members nationwide with the single aim of providing, “qualified, insured and experienced UK personal trainers.”

Imagine going to a doctor who flunked in his final year exams! A good trainer to begin with should have the very elementary degree in physical education from a reputed university. Opines Dr. H. S. Batth, orthopaedic surgeon, “Ideally a gym instructor should be qualified in physiotherapy or sports medicine.” The very demanding ones can question when they last updated their qualifications and which awarding body presented the certificate. Any bonafide trainer would be more than happy to show you copies. Says Dr. B.S. Aggarwal, author, Bedroom Exercises for Busy People. “I myself have had cases where at the age of fifteen sixteen, these kids started doing weights. In one of the cases it affected the girls vertebrae and she suffered a compression fracture.” Too late to even yell out, ‘Where the hell were gym instructors?’ He says, “In a lot of cases, they don’t come trained accordingly. Of course, they are trained in gym exercises but they aren’t aware of the skeletal problems or human anatomy.” Vikram Kumar, former fitness trainer at a city gym, opines, “It’s not that they keep just about anybody, but usually most do not have strict formal qualifications to boast of, they are trained or interned but not qualified. Absence of laws, at a lot of stages, gives a lot of leeway.” The theory by its very nature strays to another predicament.

Taking the doctor hypothesis further, imagine a doctor prescribing medicines without doing your check-up! Ideally, apart from personal details and emergency contacts, cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, seizures, dizzy spells, fainting (huh!) should be accounted for. Says Dr. Batth, “One can’t make a cardiac patient run on a treadmill,” and adds, “Apart from general things; weakness of muscles, osteoporosis, blood pressure should be checked for. Blood pressure, for instance, exists in the younger lot as well, moreover, it’s a silent disease, many time sufferers are not even aware.” Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science provides for exercise and training readiness assessment form. Dr. Aggarwal, says, “It’s especially with people beyond fifty and below eighteen one needs to be over-cautious with. Joint and muscle problems, heart and lungs ailments any history of stroke, sedentary lifestyle, muscle and water distribution all should be looked into.” Did you note? All should be looked into. Music, hype, crowd, environs, trends aren’t even remotely connected. Think about it!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

World Asthma Day, observed on first Tuesday of May every year. On this occasion, doctors point out that even as asthma is becoming a controllable condition, more and more people seem to be succumbing to it, a fact corroborated by the World Health Organisation.

According to Dr Sandip Jain, consultant Pediatrics, Fortis Hospital, asthma can affect people of all age groups including children and infants. But having asthma shouldn’t mean that the child is not able to participate in sports. If he has to be put on inhalers for that, the step must be taken,’’ said Dr Sandip. In fact, the number of children dependent on inhalers has also gone up significantly in the past few years.

“Their advantage lies in the fact that their effect is instantaneous and the required dose much less,’’ said Dr Sandip. Apart from taking medicines, children should avoid aerated drinks, tinned food items like baked beans and ketchup, fish and seafood, potato chips, ice cream, chewing gum and Chinese food which has ajinomoto. Strong perfumes, tattoos and certain medications like aspirin can also trigger attacks.

As the onset of summer aggravates asthma related problems, it’s important to avoid inhalation of pollen. If possible, try and stay indoors, keep doors and windows of your house closed and when outside wear a mask or a helmet to cover nose, suggest Dr Sandip.

Even, some doctors recommend a change of location to deal with this problem. Citing a reason, he said, “It is during this time of the year that plants bloom and pollens are released. Plants that are pollinated by wind cause a lot of problem to asthma patients.” People migrate to coastal areas just because there is higher moisture level there that prevents such allergies.

However, not all doctors advise this. “Patients should learn to live with the pollen allergy rather than escape it,” says Dr Sandip. “One must look for measures to minimise the risk not for ways to escape from the problem. If a patient knows how to tackle with breathing problem while staying in the city he/she can get rid of the same soon. Windows should be kept closed and room air purifiers can be used to purify re-circulated air.”

In many cases, symptoms aggravate at night. It is an inflammatory disease of the airways through which we breathe. It starts initially as an allergic process. The allergy is commonly due to pollens, house dust mite, smoke, pollution, smog, cold air, strong smells, strong chemicals, even smell of frying, agarbatti and strong perfumes. Cold damp dwellings and damp hay storage areas can also initiate and worsen asthma. “Children of asthmatic parents have higher genetic predisposition to develop asthma,” he said.

Symptoms:

Symptoms include a wheezy cough and breathlessness while exercising. Some children grow out of asthma with age. However, those who have very frequent wheezy attacks in early childhood are less likely to get complete remission from their disease. In fact allergens have a tendency to multiply over years in adult asthmatics. A thorough physical examination assisted by a few tests is all that is required to establish the diagnosis, its severity and optimal long term management plan of asthma.

Risks and causes of asthma:

• It is strongly associated with nasal allergies and sinusitis
• Rhinitis is a significant risk factor for development of adult onset of asthma
• Pets can aggravate asthma
• Allergy to food like milk, nuts, preservatives, spicy and junk food
• Active and passive smoking
• It is more symptomatic in obese children and adults

Medicines work in two ways:

Relievers (like Asthalin) work immediately on narrowed airways by helping then to open up and can give immediately relief, however effects last only for a short time.

Preventers (like Budecort) work on the chronically inflamed airways and make them less reactive to triggers thereby avoiding frequent attacks. Preventers work only if taken on a regular basis regardless of asthma symptoms and initial effect may take upto fortnight.

anujaj@tribunemail.com

What is the most common addiction in our society today? Most of us don’t realise it, but we are drug addicts. Our drug comes in a pure, white crystals or powder form. We use it even when we don’t know we’re doing it. What is this controversial drug, you may ask. Well, it goes by many names, but the most common is sugar. While sugar addiction is the most prevalent, widely practiced and legally accepted addiction in our society, few of us understand it and fewer still know how to manage it on a life-long basis. Not only is it addictive, but also this very common everyday product that is falsely believed to be harmless is responsible for many health problems we find in our society.

White refined sugar is not a food. It is a chemical. It is an addictive drug. Yes, that’s right, an addictive drug and when you remove it from your diet you can experience withdrawal symptoms as serious as alcohol withdrawal, including tremors, flu like symptoms, headaches and intense mood swings. The biochemical make up of white sugar is almost identical to alcohol, except for one molecule. Refined white sugar is without any nutritional value and is an empty calorie food. In addition to that, in order to be metabolised in the body it has to draw from your vitamin and mineral reserves and therefore is responsible for depleting mineral and vitamin levels, which in itself creates numerous health problems. 

The list of health problems associated with sugar is enormous, but some of the most common symptoms created are: depression, mood swings, irritability, depletion of mineral levels, hyperactivity, anxiety, panic attacks, chromium deficiency, heart and circulatory disorders, certain cancers, type II diabetes, hypoglycemia, raised levels of cholesterol and it also creates anti-social behavior. One of the most important issues that pertains to all of us living with chronic illness is the impact sugar has on the immune system. Sugar suppresses the immune system. It depletes the white blood cells that are needed for strong immune function and this reduces the bodies’ ability to fight infection and disease. 

Next to exercise, removing sugar from your diet is probably one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your health. Removing sugar from your diet is not as easy as you think, because sugar is used as an additive for preservation and to make things more palatable. So it is basically found in most commercial foods and it’s practically impossible to cut it out completely. Beating sugar addiction may seem like a hopeless battle, but just like any drug addiction, you have to have a structured plan to win the war. Here is a program to help beat the sugar addiction. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it: 

• Stick to foods that are closest to their original state- The closer a food is to its original form, then less processed sugar it will contain. So Instead of eating corn from a can, eat corn on the cob. Banish white bread and embrace wheat bread. Forget fruit juices; go for the actual fruit.
• Eat protein at breakfast- Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Your first meal must create blood sugar stability that will help carry you to the next meal without sugar cravings.
• Read Labels- Reading labels are a smart way to be informed of the product you are planning to eat. This way no hidden sugars can enter your diet
• Keep a journal of what you eat- Write down everything you eat. You will be surprised, and probably shocked, by the amount of sugar-filled snacks and extras involved in your diet.
• Don’t starve yourself in order to reward your restraint with something sweet- Not only is this bad for your body, but you won’t lose weight. Your body will just go into starvation mode, storing all your calories as fat. So that slice of chocolate cake you eat after a seven-hour fast is going straight to fat.
• Drink water constantly- The more water you drink, the more your body will be fooled into thinking it is not hungry. Plus, you can rest assured that there is not a grain of sugar in water.
• Go for the brown- Brown rice, wheat bread, brown cereals, etc. Brown foods give your body the positive effects of carbohydrates without unbalancing your blood sugar and creating cravings.
• Be active and keep busy- Most of us snack the most when we are bored and inactive. Go for a walk or go shopping. Do anything to keep your mind off food.
• Try a de-tox program- There are dozens of de-tox programs designed for health enthusiasts of all levels. Some last two days, some last two months. But they all have one thing in common: after the initial overwhelming sugar cravings, your body adjusts and you won’t even want the sugar anymore.
• Don’t get down on yourself if you slip - More than likely you will fall off the wagon repeatedly. Get back on and start again. Be patient and know that it will take time to be successful. And it’s ok to eat a dessert every once in a while. Just be careful and don’t start the addiction all over again.

Maybe you would be healthier if you cut out sugar altogether forever, but people who do things in moderation get the best of both worlds!

kalrasachin@hotmail.com

Among the supplement brands, the study rated Amway’s protein powder Nutrilite, which had a sales of Rs 330 crore last year, as the most popular brand followed by Dabur Chyawanprash from Dabur India valued at Rs 230 crore.

In combination dietary supplements, Himalaya Drug’s Liv 52 has been rated as a top brand with sales of Rs 64.9 crore.

The report pointed out that the chyawanprash segment would witness a robust growth during 2008-2013 period due to aggressive marketing and promotional activities by Dabur and Emami. — PTI

Transformers star Megan Fox has been named the world's sexiest woman in a new poll.

The dazzling brunette made it to the number one position in a poll by FHM readers worldwide.

Starring as Mikaela Banes in the upcoming Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen, Megan lost the UK edition's vote to Girls Aloud's Cheryl Cole.

However, the 23-year-old star is afraid of only one beauty in the celebrity circles- Angelina Jolie.

"She's a powerful human being, she could eat me alive," Megan as quoted as saying.

Megan also slammed rumours that she would play Wonder Woman on the big screen.

She told FHM: "She's lame - she flies around in an invisible jet but she's not invisible. I don't get it."

— ANI