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Ode to ordinariness
“The common man of India has his little contribution in every big achievement, and it matters.” Once the fact was realised, it was obvious for the author to overlook other important aspects of India, “The subject matter of this coffee-table book had to be reflective of India and its philosophy. There were options like the varied landscape, historical monuments, culture and traditions and thousand other similar things so peculiar to India. But nothing could compete with the spirit of being a common Indian, it defines us all, it defines India, so comprehensively,” asserts Sumant. For him, the heritage of India is a dhobi using coal iron in his neighbourhood, a chaiwalla making tea under a tree and serving it in kulhars, a coolie struggling to lift the luggage of others, a barber, a jalebiwala, a weaver, a vegetable vendor, a paanwala and so on. “Don’t we have quite disassociated ourselves from the real India? A dhobi is no less a manager in an MNC, as he without even adding any name slip knows what in a set of 100 clothes belongs to whom. The glitzy, concrete metro India is a farce.” The book is a compilation of 400 pictures and his text, though the former are predominant. “It wasn’t possible to mirror the spirit of India and its characters through words. Also, I didn’t want to bind the imagination of readers through text. It is the colourful true photographs that would aptly kick the thought process in them.” A lawyer by profession, it took many of his friends by surprise to see him pen a book on such an unconventional theme rather than an expected law book. His explanation for it isn’t too long, “It’s just an attempt to do something different and unexpected but by all means, I am ordinary at the end of the day.” And he knows well how to substantiate it, “I too love to eat the same dal roti, enjoy sitting on the cool floor in summers. Am I not a very ordinary Indian?” He credits the success of his book to the photographer and other team members. “The brain-storming sessions with the team worked wonders. It was then decided as to what could be perfectly juxtaposed with the spirit of India. In fact, I believe every photograph, each word, even the chronology of the text reflects the passion of a young team that rendered the book a perfect look.” The money collected from the sale of the book would go to the Lumba trust, a charity that works for the betterment of widows. The book has a foreword from the Cherie Blair, which, he says, has helped his book get international attention. ashima@tribunemail.com
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Fact over fiction
Book on hand: Only time I get to read books is while I am traveling. As of now, I am reading Imagining India by Nilekani Nandan. It is an interesting account of our communal history in a modern perspective. I like also like the forward vision the book provides, which is the need of My kinda books: I like to read self-help and books that have something of the spiritual aspect. Paulo Coelho’s Alchemist, Robin S. Sharma’s The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Brian Weiss’s Only Love Is Real are some readings, which were an experience in itself. For instance, Alchemist reaffirmed my faith in the fact that treasures lies where your heart belongs. Similarly, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, advises you to take charge of your life and live one day at a time, something that I have always related to. In addition to these, Shiv Khera, Arindam Chaudhuri, G. Krishnamurthy are some of the authors who have given us some exceptionally good work. Only for the shelf: I don’t read fiction. I don’t relate to them. The last one I read was Mills & Boons. (Laughs). I read around 5-6 of them, but couldn’t go beyond it. Character I relate to: I relate to whatever Brian Weiss writes, whether it is Many Lives Many Masters or Only Love Is Real. Personally, I was touched to read Only Love Is Real. This book makes you believe that we really do have soulmates and only love is real. I also think the same. I am far from being a money-minded person. I think, there is a bigger meaning to life than minting money and books gives meaning to life. The story of the nurse in Only Love Is Real is something I relate to. Too many in hand: I am in the habit of reading 2-3 books at a time. I mark lines, which are interesting and hit my heart. Every time I close the book, I neatly place a bookmark with date written, so as to remind me when was the time I last read it. jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan along with his Mexican co-star Barbara Mori unveiled a teaser trailer and some key art posters of their much talked-about film Kites at the Cannes Film Festival Friday. "Kites is a story of love that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures. With an internationally renowned crew and crisp story telling, we have attempted to create a film which we feel has a scope to reach wider world audience and set new benchmarks," said Hrithik. Also present at the event was Hrithik's father Rakesh Roshan who has not only produced the film under his banner Filmkraft Productions but also written it. "With each of our films we have tired to push the envelope with path breaking technique, storytelling and novel presentation. A film like Kites has never been attempted in India before. This is our attempt to tap the mainstream international audience and we are hopeful that with an able partner like BIG Pictures, we will be able to meet this objective," said Rakesh Roshan. The film is directed by Anurag Basu who carved a niche for himself with films like Gangster - A Love Story and Life in a Metro. "I'm glad Rakesh Roshan and Hrithik entrusted me with an opportunity to direct Kites. It has been an enriching experience to shoot the film with an international team across world cites. I'm happy that the film is getting such great exposure at Cannes Film Festival, the world's biggest film market," said Basu. Kites, which is being marketed extensively by Reliance BIG Pictures, also has Kangana Ranaut, Nick Brown and Kabir Bedi in pivotal roles. "We are extremely proud to be associated with Filmkraft for marketing and distributing 'Kites' and have put together a diverse team with relevant international experience to take the film to the widest possible international audiences. Cannes 2009 is the beginning of this exciting journey," said Sunir Kheterpal, COO, BIG Pictures. The film is scheduled for release in the last quarter of 2009. — IANS
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Disaster to a diva
Despite the bevy of Hollywood A-listers gracing the event, Aishwarya proved to be a head turner. Her choice of an elegant white off-shoulder Roberto Cavalli train gown teamed with a neatly tied bun and simple pearl drop earrings besides a Swarovski box clutch and red peep-toes was a sure shot hit. And a complete throw away from the jarring green sari she wore to the event in 2002, say designers. "She (Aishwarya) carried the gown really well and looked beautiful. She carried off that gown with confidence and walked the red carpet with aplomb," fashion designer Amit GT, famous for his couture gowns, said. "A lot of people had criticised her when she made her debut at Cannes but hits and misses are a part of life and this time she has proved fashion critics wrong with her impeccable dressing sense," he added. Though the beauty queen-turned-actress exhibited marked improvement in her dressing sense with differently styled gowns at the event every subsequent year post-2002, she scored a perfect 10 with her attire this year., said Agarvwal. "Walking on a red carpet is an art and you can say that she has mastered the art over the period of seven years. Posing rightly for the camera, maintaining eye contact, topped up with a perfect smile is what makes the best red carpet look. One has to learn all these things and then you can look glamorous in anything - that's what Aishwarya has done," he said. Aishwarya, a regular at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet and L'Oreal brand ambassador, is beginning to reinvent not only her wardrobe but herself too on the global scene.
— IANS
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Coloured vision!
US First Lady Michelle Obama might be a style icon for the whole wide world, but Iman, one of the first black supermodels, begs to differ. The 53-year-old catwalk queen insists that the First Lady is not a ‘great beauty’ but will ‘get better with age.’ "Mrs Obama is not a great beauty. But she is so interesting looking and so bright. That will always take you farther," she said. Iman, who's married to the rock star David Bowie, reflected on the experiences of black women who achieve fame. She said that her own rise to stardom did not free her from racism. "You suddenly represent a whole race, and that race goes, ‘Well, that person does not represent our ideals of beauty'. For lack of a better term, it becomes what it was like during slavery." "One had the field nigger and the house nigger. There was this notion that I was chosen by white fashion editors to be better than the rest, which I am not. "I did not like being thought of as the house nigger," she added. — ANI
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Various fashion designers showcased their summer 2009 collections in Bangalore, which included both Indian and western clothes. The participants were- Ramesh Dembla, designer duo Anu Nagappa and Susan Fernandes from Astara and Michelle Salins. Dembla's collection was displayed in two sequences. First called 'angel's fantasy' with dresses and gowns in white, and the second called 'ethnic saris' featuring saris in various colors and embellishments.
"Tonight I showed a collection of mine called 'Angel's Fantasy' that was all gowns in white with very minimalist embellishments but very beautiful cuts and (they are) very nice clothes to wear. The second sequence is called 'ethnic saris', which we did for the finale," he said The showstopper for Dembla's show was Bollywood actress Aarti Chabaria, who sashayed down the ramp in a pristine white sari. "Actually I did get a glimpse (of the show). I think the colors were beautiful, very vibrant and very well put together and very-very classic," she said. Nagappa and Fernandes presented a vintage collection in white, with silhouettes from the 60s, but with a very contemporary edge. Lace detailing on pure cotton, khaki, silk, chiffons and georgettes in whites had also been used. Meanwhile, Salins collection was titled 'The Butterfly'. As the name suggests, the designs were playful, energetic, cheerful, vibrant, bright and sensuous. The collection featured hot pants, bubble dresses and skirts in pure silk, satin and brocades teamed with interesting accessories. To suit the Indian summers, designers smartly put a wide variety of color and fabrics into use. — ANI
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I saw a piece of news in the Tribune that made me smile. A Chandigarh liquor trader offered an incentive to those who cast their vote in the city on May 13. After showing their index finger, the voters would receive a discount voucher for future purchases. An ingenious take on the Jago Re campaign and a completely home-grown way to bring out the voters in large numbers.
Political parties are still continuing on with the age old tradition of rallies and speeches – which hold really very little water with the average citizen. Unless you are a staunch BJP supporter, why would you brave the heat to see Shatrughan Sinha wearing a gende ki mala? Chandigarh as a city is not homogeneous anymore. The last decade has seen a huge influx of new people, resulting in a highly stratified society with little lateral shifts taking place. We would need multi-functional and multi-dimensional vouchers to do our bit. I know a lot of people don’t vote because they think it does not make a fig of difference. Some do, because it is their duty to do so. Anyone can make me vote – if they promised to preserve ‘Sukhna’. Similarly, I know people who would vote if they received a firm promise that no high-rises would be built in this city. I know teachers who didn’t want to vote because they receive lousy salaries and protesting hasn’t helped much either. Some of the traders do not want to vote for they feel insecure about their safety. Some would vote for the right benefits. The college kids enjoyed casting their vote for they are not jaded and cynical like many of us and they feel the power which is rightfully theirs. Even some school children I talked to would have liked to vote. They seem to have strong opinions about the environment, future of the Indian wildlife and freedom of expression. Despite all odds, Chandigarh witnessed record voter turnout in 25 years. Whatever political shifts take place in the next 14 days, our city would go on with its usual business. The heat and dust would push people inwards, city parks ablaze with flaming Amaltas and scorching heat would not see much footfall. And as usual people would look forward to political promises bearing fruit as well as some good mangoes, and possibly some rain soaked evenings and dewy mornings. matkachowk@gmail.com
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Every program on the channel would be one hour, "The programs have been named like the Science Planet, English, maths… planets. With education, we have assured the entertainment is not compromised upon." The first half would be about the subject in concern and the rest will have fillers imparting social and moral values. "We have strived to add entertainment value to subjects that otherwise kids would never bother about." Also, the KMI has 15 edutainment based magazines. The channel has also licensed and merchandised characters such as Marvel Hereos, Incredible Hulk, Digimon, Doraemon. The firm has also introduced its own Indian cartoon characters, Fafa and Juno. — TNS
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Have feet, will run
He is here is make the city run, literally. When Rahul S. Verghese visited the city, he fell in love with its wide roads and clean environment and the runner in him raised its adventurous head. And to satiate his hunger, he is organizing two marathons, 5 km and 10 kms, for the city people. For this man with ‘light feet’, running is not just the precision of putting one foot before another in quick succession. For him, marathon means catching up with friends, having fun and taking up social causes while doing the running bit. He will prove his points this Sunday and he has chosen the Elemention CGA Club-6 as his starting point. “This is just the beginning. Once I get to know the pulse of the people here I will make marathon a regular feature in the city map,” says Verghese. A hard-core corporate guy, running was not a part of his life till 2001. “I had never been the athletic type. It was a cold winter morning in Chicago when I took to the treadmill and to my surprise I could run up to 5 km. It gave me the courage to take part in the famous Chicago Marathon. ,” he recalls. Well, has he? “Fifty marathons in six continents. Antarctica is the only continent I have not been to. It’s a little too expensive to take part in a marathon there,” says Verghese with a touch of pride Sunday at 6.30 am and 7.30 am.
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TAROT TALK
Taurus: You draw “The Ace of Cups” which brings beauty, pleasure and happiness. Subtle pressure within organisations, or even on friends, seems necessary to get things done. You should also pay attention to your motives; ensure they are positive. Science and technology hold promise for you. Lot of new opportunities will come your way, which will make you feel positive about your future. Tip: Think positive and be optimistic. Lucky Colour: Light brown. Gemini: Your card “Nine of Swords” shows overall a prosperous week. You will be especially attracted to things of beauty and may have a yen to travel distant places. You could be revisiting a previous relationship and enjoying the connection. Follow the trends; resisting will only lead to frustration. In love? Make the first move on Wednesday. Tip: Do not give money to strangers. Lucky Colour: Rose. Cancer: “The Fool” card suggests you to take some calculated risk. You will encounter an Aries person who will change your life. Finance will improve on Wednesday. Concentrate on your goals and achievements and plan your professional strategy. Don’t hesitate to speak about your love. Look for depth of feeling and character when choosing a partner. Work project and business ventures move ahead smoothly. Tip: Plan your life to avoid the in build delays that comes your way. Lucky Colour: Purple. Leo: “The Knight of Wands” brings passion and energy in personal and profession aspects. You are into organising your home or office so it will flow more efficiently. While you are at it, you likely will create a sleeker, less cluttered appearance of things around you. Love and social life are favored. Tip: At work don’t hold back anything from your employer. Lucky Colour: Turquoise Virgo: The Empress “takes you towards the fast and protective lane. An old romance lead to promise and commitment. You are on your own, as friends and close relatives refuse to come to your aid. Poetry and literary gatherings hold your interest. Despite your best efforts and willingness to compromise, domestic life may remain disturbed. A tie up with a Taurean is like catching a moon. Tip: Avoid arguments on Thursday. Lucky Colour: Deep crimson. Libra: “The Priestess” infuses a gracious influence in your life. Entertainment will be on your mind on Saturday. Group activities will provide you with as good a setting to display your wealth of capabilities as one to one interactions. Happily, a senior will once again be looking towards you to provide the lead in handling a prestigious task. You will improve your performance levels. Tip: By applying yourself you can build great success. Lucky Colour: Crimson. Scorpio: “The Prince of Wands” rides in his flaming chariot of gold to instigate dynamic changes. You will be in a cheerful frame of mind. Going out of your way to help colleagues or loved ones will earn you good will and appreciation. Students need to fine-tune their plans for higher education. Tip: You are advised to focus on professional changes. Lucky Colour: Midnight blue. Sagittarius: “The Star” the card responsible for all the brilliant ideas you come up with, is still on your side so any decision taken will be right. Spending time with loved ones will be a priority on Monday. Issues about money matters may be on your mind throughout the week. Tip: You will be happier if you retain the fruit of your hard work. Lucky Colour: Deep Red Capricorn: Your card “The Moon” reveals work will progress smoothly. You will be in the mood to socialise and meet new people while widening your social circle. Your hectic schedule may leave you feeling tired on Tuesday and Wednesday; make it a priority to rest and relax. Tip: Spend time meeting experienced people. Lucky Colour: Rainbow pastels. Aquarius: “Ace of Pentacles” reveals the seed of prosperity and material gain perhaps as yet unseen. You may be unable to make up your mind about an important decision, spend some time mulling over your options and don’t hesitate to discuss things with close associates as this will help you gain a better perspective. Tip: Consolidate your gains instead of throwing security to the winds. Lucky Colour: Ebony Pisces: Your card “The Hierophant” takes you through variety of experiences from which you learn and grow. Be extra careful if you are signing any paper work as there could be more to the situation than meets the eye. Socialising will keep you busy on Weekend. Tip: Balance and perspective will lead you out of a problematic situation. Lucky Colour: Peacock blue.
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The power of the ordinary is by no means an ordinary one. A mandate to run the country, the barometer of a celebrity’s popularity, a parameter of an MNC’s rise and fall at the stock market: the extraordinary power of the ordinary is often behind it. “Yet, at times, we ignore it”, says Sumant Batra whose book, The Indians, re-establishes this often forgotten fact. He was in the city to release his book on Saturday.
Television actor Kunika Lall, refuses to cow down to anything, except for the ‘power of love’, for she believes that there is no wound, which cannot be healed without love and compassion. So, it’s not a surprise when Kunika shares her choice of reading with her, and why likes certain authors more than others.
Her first appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002 was nothing short of a fashion disaster. Seven years later, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai's walk of poise and elan at the ongoing French festival has left the Indian fashion fraternity raving.
Unlike half a dozen cartoon channels, this one's targeting parents instead and has reasons for it, "Still in India at least, it's the parents who rule over the remote control and assign time slots to children as to when they can watch television. And so we thought, let us tell parents that they would love their children get glued to this edutainment channel," says Rajiv Sangari, MD and CEO of Kids Media India that runs Spacetoon television channel under its banner.
Aries: Your card “The Sword” represents light and clarity. You have the courage to express your true feelings and emotions in a romantic involvement. Avoid mental stress to avert a health problem. A celebration or travel over land is just on the cards. You are likely to go on shopping spree on Monday. Tip of the week: Focus on the better to mitigate the bitter. Lucky Colour: Black.