Yo China? Nah!
The government may have woken up to the need to ban Chinese toys and mobiles now, but our city folks are already smart enough to discard them in favour of the original variety
Jasmine Singh

Given a choice between reliability and low price, what would one zero in for? The low price could entice, but its reliability is a safe bet in the long run. Well, this could be one reason for the Chinese electronic industry almost losing its hold in the city. And, with the government slapping quality restrictions on Chinese mobile phones and toys in a measure aimed mainly to block their imports from China, people who find it difficult to overcome temptation of low-priced products would be left with no choice but go in for quality products. A market recee to shops selling Chinese phones and I-pods bring out a vivid scene about their popularity and hindrances.

Harpreet Singh from Century Computers in Sector 7 tells us that Chinese products are now a ‘been there done that’ phenomenon. “Customers have tried and tested Chinese phones, and other electronic gadgets, and figured out that despite the low prices those are not reliable in the longer run,” says Harpreet. “There was a craze for Chinese phones and I-pods for they looked almost similar to the original makes and were low priced too. Eventually, people figured out the defaults.” He adds, “They have a poor sound quality, they don’t come with an warranty. And the biggest hindrance, these sets do not have the 15-digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, or cloned numbers, it is difficult to track them.”

As for S.M. Kapoor, who sells Chinese I-pods from a shop in Palika Bazaar-19, “People have already stopped buying Chinese phones and other electronic products like emergency lights or shaving machines. Now, with the ban on the import of Chinese mobiles and toys, there will be a complete eradication from the market.” However, Kapoor shares that Chinese I-pods still find favour among people who don’t mind picking cheap products. Priced between Rs 200-1,500, these have an ‘okay’ life, certainly no comparison with the originals. “Thoda nuksaan to hoga, par abh ban lag gaya to kya kar saktey hain.”

What if you have a low budget? Chinese goods were a blessing in disguise. Offers Vishal Gautam, who owns an electronic shop in Sector 22, which is also a huge market for Chinese electronic products. “The popularity of these goods have already gone down, given their low quality and short life span. Now, people would have no choice but to go for quality products.” He adds, “For instance, if I am getting a Sony product for Rs 5,000, and a duplicate in the same line for Rs 4,000, I will defiantly go in for the original. I think most consumers think the same way.”

Talking about gadgets, we certainly couldn’t rule out Gen Y, who thrives on it. We wonder that the ban on the import on Chinese mobiles will affect them? “Definately not,” says Sandeep Singh, a student of arts from SD College-32. “Chinese phones do come at an affordable price, but they don’t have long life. At the same, I feel no youngster would want to flaunt a duplicate. Lastly, if I am spending money, I would rather go for an original than a Chinese make.” As for his friend Dheeraj Sharma, these products are shoddy. “I wouldn’t want to cut a sorry figure in front of my girl friends if they saw me with a Nokia, Chinese make.”

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Emotional quotient
Fashion choreographer Kaushik Ghosh has sentimental connection with the city
Manpriya Khurana

Hey people, wild imagination, but just for a while — models bumping into each other, tripping, not knowing where to look, how to pose, when to pause, music going haywire and body language haphazard! Certain things are best felt in their absence, fashion choreographer, for example. Which brings us to Kaushik Ghosh, in the city to present Lakshya 09, an annual fashion show by International Institute of Fashion Technology-Mohali. In the city? Yet again? So soon? He takes to the microphone, and let’s hear him out.

“In the show on June 19 I have mixed the music myself. It’s my own creation, generally designers select their own music, but I’ve done it myself. We would be using influences from the fashion week held in Mumbai and the stage is going to be one-and-half-feet above. My association with the IIFT dates back to 18 years. Also I love to come to Chandigarh, whenever I get an opportunity. I have an emotional attachment with the place, in ‘94 I had done a show with Mehar Jessia and Sushmita Sen. At the event, also will be showcasing…,” that’s him, non-stop.

More on the show, the 18 collections themed as fall/winter 2010, will be divided into rounds, Swayambar, Tropical Explorer etc focusing on fusion, formal, traditional Indian contemporary wear. He says, “The reason for fall/winter collection being, we are going six months in advance, also there’s no point now displaying spring summer clothes.”

Cut. What takes it to be a good choreographer? “First and foremost, one has to be a good leader. Imagine handling a whole team of so many models. He has to know his job really well, every aspect of it. Plus, creativity, like in everything related to this field.” How has the industry changed since he came into the scene in 90s?

“I started when even the concept of fashion choreographer was unheard of. Earlier, it was more family-like and not this commercial. But looking at the other side, it’s gone more professional and globalised. India is one of the top three fashion industries and destinations in the world.” If it’s really so, great! Not many can brag about having conducted workshops across the globe. “I’ll be conducting a workshop in July in Chandigarh too, after a gap of 10 years. Prior to this when I conducted the workshop, I trained Jatin Grewal, as well.” Wondering who’ll be this time.

manpriya@tribunemail.com

OBJET D’ ART
Sting attached
Narinderjeet Singh Maloya has his hands full of insects, literally. The man is busy shooting ants and bugs with his camera or giving them a solid form in metal
Parbina Rashid

When one talks about art and insect in the same breath, one mostly refers to the study connecting bees to Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Sunflowers. For the uninitiated, Vincent Van Gogh painted sunflowers extensively and they come under his ‘most famous works’ category. Centuries later, Prof Lars Chittka, a behaviourial ecologist from Queen Mary’s School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, discovered that bees prefer Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to other non-floral paintings.She worked with installation artist Julian Walker and presented three colonies of bumblebees with four different paintings highly appreciated in Western society and found that Van Gogh’s Sunflowers was their favourite. Well, that is Van Gogh effect!

However, insects as art object is still a little difficult to digest. Not that one has not come across a hairy millipede or a fly as a photographer’s muse off and on. One has even read about Kolkata-based artist Probir Gupta’s exhibition a couple of years back in which he used a menacing and grotesque black beetle as a metaphor for the territory of India in his painting Anxiety of the Unfamiliar I, which he exhibited at Bodhi Art, New York under the title ‘To Whomsoever It May Concern’.

But now we have our own city-based artist who is following the footsteps of France sculptor David Vanorbeek, whose spiders, ants and other insects oscillates between creation and recreation, life and death and fear and humour. Not because his twisted iron-wire forms are excellent piece of works but what the artist feels. In his own words, ‘But recreating insects as a piece of sculpture, I believe I give them the status and respect they deserve. Many people have told me that their eyes have been opened to the beauty of insects after seeing my sculptures, and that they no longer instinctively kill an insect when they see one’.

This is exactly how Narinderjeet Singh Maloya, a young and upcoming artist from the city, feels. Narinder, at present has his hands full with insects, literally. For a project with the Lalit Kala Akademi-Delhi, Narinder is busy either shooting ants and bugs with his camera or giving them a solid form in metal.

“Insects fascinate me with their discipline and beauty. If you watch at a group of bugs or ants closely, it is a complete society with set norms and values,” he says. So Narinder scouts for metallic balls, glasses, lotas and spoons to carve out ants and bugs.

Narinder gives credit to his rural background for sensitising him to this particular aspect of nature, the beginning of his insect series, however, owes its origin to a visit to Kufri in Himachal a couple of years back. “It was snowing that day and while everyone was busy making snowmen, my friend and I made a huge ant. It stood out. So, when I got this fellowship from the Lalit Kala Akademi to work on a series, I decided to work on insects,” he says.

Narinder’s sculptures come more in form of installations. For instance, he has put his metallic ants made of metal balls and cycle spokes on a palm tree walking on a straight line. In a separate installation, Narinder’s bugs made of steel glass and spoons are seen climbing a milk drum.

“It’s not easy to work on insects as first one has to locate one and then study it behaviour. Then comes to find the right materials to solidify it into an sculpture,” says Narinder, who most of the time traveling with his camera in the hope that he would sight some unusual variety. With a Junior Research Fellowship to lean on, Narinder wants to make it big in the world of insects. He has made about seven and now planning to take it up as one of his subjects for the MFA. His theme and concept are in sync with the city where nature dominates both cityscape and artscape.

parbina@tribunemail.com

Gatha of success
S.D. Sharma

Gatha Sharma Photo: Vinay Malik

As a kid whenever I used to play with my toys at home, I used to insist on playing with all those glittering trophies adorning our shelf, blissfully ignorant of the fact that these were not purchased but won by mama Rita Gangahar, an academician and classical vocalist. Though having realised the fact as I grew, a longing to posses such souvenirs which instantly signify your caliber, triumphs and aesthetic potential, however, kept burgeoning in the deeper recesses of mine. As a frequent visitor to Tagore Theatre, near my residence, I had the chance to witness scores of performances by maestros but the Indian classical dance kathak appealed to my adolescent mind more for its versatile themes and mudras, the intricacies of which I came to experience later,” says Gatha Sharma, an upcoming star in the classical dance.

During her school days at Sacred Heart Convent there came many opportunities in school and events like Chandigarh Carnival where she participated to win prize much to the delight of her parents and guru Brij Mohan Gangani. However, later when she joined a course of microbiology at Panjab University, she had little time for her passion.

“But the ensuing competitions inspired, rather compelled me, eventually to master the finer nuances of the Jaipur gharana tradition like the pure nritta, abhinaya and other embellishments. I used to cram dance bols and pedant syllables as my friends and students at the Department of Microbiology mocked me. But it was they, who later clapped when I used to declare as the best performer from the whole department consecutively for four years from 2005 to 2008. However, the whole university campus cheered me as I won in the Inter-zonal PU Youth Festival in 2007 -08 and repeated my performance in 2008-09. My latest performances include for NASI -2008 delegates at PU and Inderdhansush auditorium in 2008,” she says.

“So far the best to remember in life, the memories of my week-long stay at Mumbai and recording and relay sessions of Sa Re Ga Ma contest in 2007. The star status enjoyed by my host and very close friend Sumedha, the top five finalist of the show has again inspired me to rekindle the spark in me to scale horizons in the chosen realm of life,” she signs off.

Art & violence
A treasure trove of art to be displayed

Live performance

Goodbye forever
The news of Miley Cyrus walking out of the hit TV show Hanna Montana has left the city teenagers high 'n' dry
Neha Walia

Now this news is no less than a shocker for the fans of Hanna Montana, aka Miley Cyrus (yeah, it's not the other way round). Looks like Hanna Montana, the hit Disney show about a normal teenager who lives a double life as a pop star is coming to an end, reason- the star of the show, Miley Cyrus has decided to hang up her blonde wig and say goodbye to the serial. The show that made a star out of a 16-year old will feature its last season with Cyrus playing the character. Though the singer-actor denied reports, her dad Billy Ray Cyrus, who plays her dad in the serial as well, confirmed the news. And that brings along a feeling of disappointment for her fans in the tricity as well.

"I watch the show only for her. She is attractive, naughty, and cool in whatever she does. I don't know anything bout her leaving the show, but if that happens, I think I wouldn't be interested in the show anymore," says Suchita Kher, a 16-year-old DAV student who got hooked to the serial three months ago. Ask another regular follower Veni Gogna, and the 15-year-old looks almost zapped, "Really, is that so?" is her instant reaction to the news. "If its true then that's really disappointing," comes later. But then for her the show is what actually excites her. "It is very entertaining, funny and a cute show. One can relate to the drama, the situations, everything. Even if Miley Cyrus goes, I think I'll still watch the show, though not with the same enthusiasm," she says. Nevertheless, a new Hanna Montana on the show doesn't exactly cheer them up. "A new face will not be as acceptable and as popular as Miley," Veni's straight statement proves the point. For her six-year-old sister, Belaisha, the news would be nothing short of heartbreak. "You can call her the biggest fan alive of Hanna Montana. She has an entire series of the show and watches it like forever," Veni says. But she already has a solution, "It will be hard to console her, but I guess buying her CDs of previous episodes will help."

While it's a big blow to some fans, there some restraint ones who are okay about the big farewell. "It's sad, par chalega. I like Hanna's friend more. She is a tomboy and is funny and naughty," says Manya, an 11-year-old from city. And she gives a reason as well for her preferences as well. "I used to like Miley's character but then I read somewhere about her negative remarks about Asian fans and so I stopped liking her ever since," she clears. But not for her friend Ishita Sehgal who she describes as "a big fan and everything right from her pencil box to books to other stuff, suffers from Hanna Montana fever."

lifestyle@tribunemail.com

Gowning glory

Designer Divas: This young group of designers is all set to jazz up your evening. Photo: Vinay Malik

Hooked to the Red carpet fashion parades? In awe of the A-listers at their glam-best flaunting their perfect curves in those exquisite gowns and dresses at the Oscars? Even back home, the fashion on the Green Carpet at IIFA came as an eye-opener, with western attires soaring over forever-glamorous Indian ones. With a new confidence and crave for experimentation, that perfect little cocktail dress or gorgeous gown is the hot favourite instead of the traditional six yards. And fitting in exactly is Illuminati 09, a western clothing line that was launched at Bling Bling, Manimajra.

The collection compiled by Delhi-based designers, Gunjan, Rahul, Atsu, Reena, Deepanshi and Shaheen, offers a wide range of gowns, cocktail dresses, tunics and casual wear. In-house designers Jessie, Mini and Akshita too have their designs on display. "There is a need to understand gown couture in Chandigarh. It's not only about knowing what's in, but also about styling," says Jessie. The collection highlights 70's graphic prints, structured forms, cotton printed tunics, tube-fitted tops and embellished gowns and dresses. In sync with the latest trends and fashion, they also provide styling and consultancy for that perfect look. "Though Chandigarh is a fashionable city, but one need not follow fashion blindly. That's where styling comes in. Playing around suitably with your body type, colours and accessories can completely transform a simple attire into something glamorous," says Mini.

The designer duo feels that the city doesn't lack in fashion sense but styling, "You come across girls who look like they have walked straight out of Cosmopolitan or Femina. But fashion doesn't mean being dressed up all the time. You need to let loose and be comfortable as well. If you don't have the body, instead have the height and that's what needs to be highlighted," feels Jessie. "Black is not the only colour to hide flabs, but it can also be hidden under a small tunic with that perfect silhouette which suits your body type," she adds.

Well, looks like that the Red Carpet moments are not all made of dream stuff anymore!

— Neha Walia

She's got the look
Talented Rashpal Kaur gets an image makeover
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

It's a story of a woman, her abilities and her desire to make it to the top. It's a real life account of city's own Rashpal Kaur, whose inability to see hasn't deterred her from her goal-to reach the top. Having made her presence felt at the Dance India Dance show, where she mesmerised one and all with her martial art act, now she dons the cap of a glamorous girl after her makeover at the Bindass Tv's, Blue Carpet. All set to roll out at the Blue Carpet, we talk to Rashpal about her changed look, her abilities and more.

Dream come true

"I always wanted to look beautiful and feel confident and with this show I have achieved another dream," says Rashpal. Keyed up after the makeover, she says, "Though I'm blind and can't see my new look, but the responses from my family and friends have added immense happiness to my life. Being an ordinary person, I didn't expect people would even notice me. But with this makeover, I feel beautiful inside."

Ask her how did she land in the show and she is quite candid to say, "It was after my performance at the Dance India Dance show that I was noticed, and it was after that that I was called for a makeover."

Looks for concern

We ask, do looks matter and pat comes the reply, "For me it does not matter all that much. But, yes I cannot deny the fact, if you look good, you feel great," says Rashpal.

Ask her did she have any look in mind before getting a makeover and she says, "Yes, I wanted to look like old time actors. Maybe how Waheeda Rahman or Meena Kumari looked," she says.

Talent unlimited

She's got the talent and now the looks too, is she ready to face the world. "I am a martial arts expert and love dancing. I will concentrate on my talent and would make it big with what I have."

That's not all; to encourage Rashpal on the show was Naseer, the first visually challenged actor who has bagged a lead role in Bollywood. His film is titled Shadow-The Dark Side of Truth. Apart from Naseer, Saroj Khan was also on the show to cheer for Rashpal as she considered Saroj as her guru when it comes to dancing.

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Side Lanes
No worries
Joyshri Lobo

Koffee break
Calm and composed
Actor Celina Jaitly is happy with the way her career is shaping up