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Musical invasion
¯“Awesome,” describes DJ Sanj, official DJ for Love Aaj Kal, who got people dancing to desi Punjabi music last weekend. “It is like homecoming for me. I like the reverberating energy amongst the partygoers. The best part is they are ready for any kind of foot-tapping music,” says Sanj, known for his Punjbai desi ishtyle kind of music, has noticed has caught the pulse of the clubbers. “The idea is to have a blast, and here in Chandigarh, masti is synonymous with Punjabi music. While other deejays bring in trance and electronic I believe in providing them something they can relate to like the tracks of Love Aaj Kal.” ²Deejay Llyod from Mumbai never misses an opportunity to play in Chandigarh. At Score, he created magic with hip-hop commercial music. “Without any offence on the resident DJs, party-poppers always want something new. The celebrity DJs bring in that newness. In addition to this, they also get to know, hear and dance to different genres of music, which are not popular in the city.” Hear it from the happening girl DJ from Mumbai, Rink, who has been involved in the musical arena from disco, trance, hip- hop, Indian, tribal, progressive, reggae to country. “Chandihgarhians like to dance to bhangra or UK Punjabi numbers. At the same time, they are ready to lap up any other kind of music. They are familiar with almost all genres. They love remixes too.” For a gazillion time now—‘music breaks barriers’. Sure, it does. Sohrab Kolahdoor, a percussionist from Iran, who played at Eristoff Howling Nights at Score, is amazed at the response from the clubbers. “I was skeptical because I heard that only Bollywood and Punjabi music went down well with Chandigarhians. But, they swayed, danced and even sang to the Arabian tunes,” says Sohrab. “This trend of calling celebrity DJs to the city has obviously changed people’s attitude towards different genres.” As for DJ Chinx from Mumbai, a party can’t get better with a resident DJ jamming in with a celebrity Deejay. “This way, the foot-tappers get a chance to gyrate to the known and unknown scores. Be it Bollywood, Punjabi, hip- hop, trance, electronica, they have a chance to listen to popular music which the world is opening up to.” DJ Sameer from Chrak: Vu and DJ Surya voice the same opinion. “We, of course, try to churn out new tracks every weekend. However, these celebrity DJs bring that kind of music, which is popular in the metros.” Adds Surya, “The guest DJ’s bring in a new flavour to the parties and people like to dance to new tunes, which they don’t get to hear in the city otherwise.” jasmine@tribunemail.com
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My dreams, my reality
“A rather long journey, but then artists never retires,” she said as showed slide after slide, a few from 1960s, when she was barely out of college till now, and if one can see the contours of her growth watching her nudes — 1960s and 70s pale frontal figures with innocent face to the Eve in a reclining position with a serpent crawling and tattoos all over her body. In between came various phases – the window phase, the landscape phase with a little surrealism here and there, the portrait within a portrait, the calendar art phase and the much talked about chair phase when she drew on inane objects like—discarded chairs, suitcases, trunks, almirahs and what not. “I started painting Rajnikant on a chair as I had no canvas to paint. I went experimenting on kind of surfaces and it kind of became a trend. When I later exhibited them in Jehangir Art Gallery, it evoked laughter among the audience. I liked that I could give art a funny side,” she said. Well, does that mean painting for her is a compulsive disorder? “I must paint everyday. Never in my life I have let go of a day when I did not take up the pencil or the brush,” she says. Is that what makes Anjolie Ela Menon, the Anjolie Ela Menon? “Do you know what is the real struggle of an artist? Not just the no-money part but to create a signature and yet keep up one’s innocence, enough to be in touch with one’s self-conscious,” she said. Well, considering the fact that she is the artist who dared to make Indira Gandhi’s portrait with a long nose despite the fact that she was told to reduce its length by none other than Gandhi herself or giving Ravi Shankar a much darker tone than he is, we are sure Anjolie Ela Menon has been able maintain all the parameters she set for
herself. parbina@tribunemail.com |
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Objet
D’ ART It’s not only M.F. Husain who likes to paint horses. Our homegrown artists are not lagging behind Parbina Rashid
Others have tried on the subject too. In city, we have Sanjay Kumar working exhaustively on the subject. Though he had painted horses earlier, but never as a series before. However, the opportunity to do a series came his way when he managed to get an invitation by Madhuban Police Academy in Karnal in June to study their horses. And study he did! He stayed back for over a month, watched them day and night for different behavioral aspects from close quarters and by the end of his stay, Sanjay became almost an expert in detecting their mood, speed, angst and bonding with human beings. And his knowledge shows in 33 paintings in acrylic and 350 sketches. Sanjay’s strokes are bold and sure and so is the colour palette, doing full justice to the might of the animal. One interesting observation Sanjay made during his stay was that each animal lives up to the name it was given. Or, maybe the name was chosen depending on
their characterstic!
A little description is needed here. Take Pawan for example. Sanjay has captured its speed with the help of skewered body posture and vibrating hues like dark blue and plenty of gold that gives movement to the entire canvas. Shakti, another one radiates energy in bright red dusted with, once again, plenty of gold. Akbar, a nature lover, according to Sanjay, comes with a peaceful expression in green and a speck of red. Keeping him company is Ashoka, a perfect balance between wilderness and serenity. The list goes on. What attracted him towards horses was their ‘horsiness’. “Initially, I did not want to get too close to them and the feeling was mutual. But once we spent some time together, trust was established and then did not mind posing for me. After that one or two came over to have a look at the canvas,” he recalls. Though Sanjay admires Husain’s horses, he makes a deliberate attempt to keep them free from any influence. “Over the years I have developed my own style but for this series I am trying to be objective, focusing just on their personalities rather than allotting them to certain mould,” says Sanjay. And in this case though the personality differs from horse to horse, the connecting thread is that his paintings are in form of drawings, even colours have been applied to keep that character intact. J. P. Singh, lecturer in graphics, is another one to have worked on the subject. Two years of concentrated efforts have yielded in about 500 sketches, which he is busily converting into woodcuts and zinc etchings. His interest developed when he travelled to his friend’s stud farm at Nanoki village in Nabha. His horse loving host not just took him around their own farm but urged him to go visit Alexandria, the village near Pakistan border which was named after Alexander the Great’s horse when he came to India. Later J. P. went to Anandpur Sahib to have a look at the lineage of Guru Gobind Singh’s blue-tinted white horses. And, the result is not just those intricately woven etchings with a photo finish look but the knowledge he acquired– despite the fact that a horse is strong, speedy and beautiful beast, it is humble and loyal to the core. Of course, or why would Husain paint two horses, one in green and other in saffron whose reins were held by a bird with an olive branch as a metaphor for peace? That’s one would call the real horse power! parbina@tribunemail.com
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Body beautiful
Bruce Aldfield once said, “Fashion is usually a gentle progression in revisited ideas.” And his quote bring us to a discussion on tattoo as a body art The word tattoo is derived from the Polynesian word ‘ta’ meaning ‘to strike something’ and the Tahitian word ‘tattoo’ meaning ‘to mark something’. The history of tattoo dates back to over 5,000 years ago and is as a variety of cultures and people that sport them. The tattoo is the parent of the visual arts. It has re-emerged as a fine art attracting highly trained and skilled practitioners. Current creative approaches are infusing this traditional discipline with new vigor and meaning. In 1948 more evidence of tattoos in history was found between Russia and China also. Traditionally Malaysians from Barnu village have tattoos engraved near their waists. However, going back to the pages of history, Africa has a rich historical background in which art of tattooing on the body is nothing more than a style statement. What was generally inscribed in the body were essentially of spiritual nature. In contemporary times they have adorned the fore arms and chests of sailors, roustabouts and construction workers. Now, after a decade or two of decline, tattoos are enjoying a renaissance. Modern tattooing
As the technology of the art develops like invention of the electric tattooing needle, the designs and colors multiply, allowing considerable scope for self-expression. The modern tattooing emerged in New York City. Charlie Wagner along and Lew Alberts began early tattoo art. It was when the tattoos became extremely accepted by the People, they went for cosmetic surgeries to get tattooed for adding red in the face, colored lips and eyeliner. However, this trend all of a sudden started dying after a sudden occurrence of hepatitis in 1962 in the city. It was because of unsterilized tattoo equipments that this disease had increase. However, after sometime the art steadily gained thrust with promised hygiene and safety. Since then there has been no stopping, this art has become popular in various parts of the world one after another. The process
Two types of tattoos can done on the body, one is permanent and other is temporary. The permanent tattoos are colourful, available in red, green blue and black inks. Usually the tattoos are in size 3” to 8”and it took minimum 2 hours or more time for engraving depending on the intricacy of the design. First skin is cleaned with medicated spirit, than selected design is printed which is filled with ink with the help of a machine. It is a painful process as the needle entered in the body for 3,000 to 5,000 times in a minute. These needles are in various sizes and shape for rendering colours on the upper skin layer called dermis. As the scab falls colours start appearing on the skin in the following weeks and takes a month for the actual colours to be visible. Specialists say one should not apply soap on that area for a few days, only coconut oil or ointment with vitamin A and D can be applied on skin. Tattoo art studio
The second is the "tattoo art studio" that most frequently features custom, fine art design; the atmosphere of an stylish beauty salon; marketing campaigns aimed at middle- and upper middle-class professionals; and "by-appointment" services only. Tattooing today is the fastest-growing retail business in the US. Tattooing is recognised as both an art form and a profession and tattoo-related artwork is the subject of museum, gallery and educational institution art shows across the States. A tattoo for most youngsters today may be nothing such more than something cool to do, even though people have been choosing their tattoos with more awareness, keeping in mind that it’s some thing which lasts forever and must connect at a very personal level. People are spotted with various kinds of tattoos — be it religious or astrological, be it hip-hop figures or simple flowers. Many people also get religious hymns or their beloved's name engraved on their body. During mid 20th century, people of Asia used to get the arms and face of their wards engraved with motifs like peacock, lion, snake or sun. City-based tattoo artist
Dhruv Sharma, a city-based tattoo artists, has been tattooing for the past two years. He has engraved about 2,000 tattoos and charges something between Rs 1,500 to Rs 50,000. He is a talented artist and has learned the technique from his Thai friend. “It attracting more and more people and the awareness for this ancient art form is growing,” he says with pride. |
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Go Fida
How was learning under Ustad Mehdi Hasan? With in-depth knowledge and expertise in ghazal, Ustad Mehdi Hasan saheb is revered as an institution unto himself. For him a ghazal is not just another composition but a complete phenomenon to illustrate a particular theme with matching emotive feel. He taught me to pronounce, sing and throw words to induce life in them and it is imperative to feel and imbibe the emotion and the lyrical intent of the ghazal. Like, classical mousiki ghazal is a rather complex discipline where you have to bring alive both the muse of poetry and melody. Despite his ill health, he had been kind enough to teach the nuances as and when I visited him in Pakistan. Back home, how do you find the classical music scenario? Not so encouraging for classical music and I feel after a few decades music lovers will have to visit Europe or the USA to enjoy Indian music concerts. Foreigners love it and our top musicians are camping there for performances. However, the ghazal is picking up and the people even relish the flashing of Urdu couplets thorough SMS and TV channels like Fida in Mohali are venturing to promote it.
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Side Lanes The media screams murder, rape, incest, accidents, robberies and get-rich-quick-scams. It also bombards us with advertisements of deemed universities, international schools, semi-international schools, Saint Something Schools and Public English Medium Schools, where not only do the tutors not speak English but also teach a pardesi language in the vernacular. To add to this excitement, we have teachers who beat children and cause lifelong traumas to their psyche and not-so-irreparable damage to their eardrums, heads and bodies. If I start ruminating about cause and effect, it all boils down to a runaway population that wants a small patch of sunlight to grow in, feel secure, marry, raise kids and of course, increase the population further. The last is a favourite past time, in place of sitcoms, outings, restaurants, malls, clubs, cinemas and other useless activities that demand cash. Note that all the extra curriculars enumerated in the first line are free of charge! As consecutive governments fail to deal with the population nightmare, let me suggest a few possible solutions. Bar family planning: Let un-protected sex and India's collective desire for shaadi, santaan, potas and potis, eliminate people who will then die of AIDS and lack of funds for the basic amenities like water, sanitation and food. The rhythm method: Allow bridges, buildings and water towers to collapse at regular intervals. They take care of a large section of unwanted people. Corruption actually helps us achieve this cost effective goal. Refer to statistics about Delhi's population that continues to be decimated as we progress towards the prestigious Commonwealth Games. Roads: Do not repair roads. Speed stars, tourists and the elderly are taken care of in this unexpected but economical fashion. Viruses: These ensure the survival of the fittest. If you have not become immune to contaminated water, swine and bird flu, cholera, jaundice, malaria, dengue, the common 200 plus rhino viruses, its time to compose your will and obituary. You are definitely not fit to live in Mera Bharat Mahan. Female foeticide: Kill all infant girls or else we shall have to provide them dowries for the aforementioned shaadis. TV serials like "Laado" and "Ballika Badhu" ought to be applauded for promoting this concept. Khap fatwahs: The ideal and approved option to cure disobedient lovers, progeny and young adults who feel the lion stirring in their irresponsible loins. Stone them, hang them, burn them as a petrified police force with termite-ridden dandas looks on. I do feel the khaps are much more eco-friendly than any family planning unit with substandard copper Ts and punctured Cs. Rail and bus accidents: The Naxalites and ULFA help in this process of elimination. Aided by pot-holed roads, unguarded tracks, steep gorges and an abundance of rivers, a large chunk of our population is unloaded here. Swayambers: Follow Rakhi's example and doll up your daughters. Then invite NRIs who will take away our fertile damsels to lands where babies are welcome diversions in an uneventful existence. This method offers the Australians a more viable solution to Indi-bashing. If all these solutions will not bring down our teeming millions, what will?
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Come on everybody, pay attention! The news in one line goes-the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD)-8, is now the official knowledge partner to Lakme Fashion Week. And, no tuxedo-wearing power-point presentations, to bring home the point. What a way to blow their own trumpet! The supposedly, suave fashion design frat went loud and live on ear-splitting dhol beats. Inside Ritu Kochhar, director, addresses the queries, "We've been trying for this tie-up for a long time now, but not very long either and we've had some gala celebrations for the event." So, now what? She says, "A media workshop where all the international media, including from India, later this month at Mumbai is on hold." More on Lakme Fashion Week, she adds, "Every season we'll be short-listing 20 of our students based on their creations which will be put for approval by the board of Lakme Fashion Week and finally will be displayed in Gen Next category at the fashion week." Not to forget the experience and the opportunity to help designers, ushering, backstage work etc. — TNS
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No horsing around
Over three decades after her role of 'Basanti', the horse-carriage driver with her mare ‘Dhanno’ in Sholay, actor Hema Malini has sought a ban on horse carts in this city, saying the horses that pull these carts lead a miserable life. The Bollywood actor has written to city municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak seeking a ban on the horse-carts that ply on the city's roads. Writing on behalf of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Hema Malini said in her letter: "In Sholay, I had a terrific co-star named ‘Dhanno’. Luckily, this affable character will never know the misery that her cousins, who are forced to pull joy-carts, endure." She said ‘her heart breaks’ whenever she sees the condition of the horses who are forced to give joyrides on beaches, parks and certain other areas of the city. "Their legs ache, they yearn for better nourishment, their throats are parched and the sun beats down on their backs," said the actor. Joining the campaign is actor John Abraham, who recently wrote to the Mumbai collector seeking a ban on horse-carts on city roads. "He was told that the issue falls under the purview of the traffic department, so he approached them. They, in turn, said the matter concerns the Mumbai collector. In this blame-game, the horses continue to suffer," said PETA spokesman Sachin Bangera. An investigation by PETA revealed that the horses are fed unwholesome food and polluted water. "Stables are often damp, filthy, infested with insects and rodents, many horses are forced to work long hours in the blazing sun without any relief," Bangera said. There are about a couple of hundred horses which are allowed to ply on certain Mumbai roads, beaches, parks and other areas, mainly for the benefit of tourists and children. — IANS
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Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, who recently launched her spa in Mumbai, was really touched when Sushmita Sen attended the event to pass on her best wishes. "Sushmita came and was so gracious and warm. It's very rare to see actors being non-competitive and encouraging. She not only came to wish me but genuinely felt happy for me," Shilpa posted on her blog shilpashettylive.com. —Agency
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Weekend parties will never be the same again. So, will be the music you’ve been foot tapping to. All you party freaks, make way for the celebrity Deejays visiting the city every weekend, leaving behind a fresh taste of an unknown musical cuisine, which is guzzled down to the last drop. Bollywood, trance, hip-hop, commercial…..party hoppers can enjoy just about every genre without having to visit a swank disc in the metros and come back with the news of new music invading India. Here, take it from the celeb deejays and their experience in the city.
As a woman, she can convince you that the dream world exists as much as the real world and as an artist she will take you there — the confluence of reality and surrealism. And, one got an opportunity to float in there as Anjolie Ela Menon shared her creative journey at the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10 auditorium. Showing the slides of her paintings that spanned over 55 years!
If wishes were horses, then everyone would paint them and earn something between $ 2000,000- 250,000 at Sotheby’s or Christie’s. Well, the fact is wishes are horses as far as artists are concerned, and not though many have gone as far as M. F. Husain while it comes to fetching that kind of a price or going to Sotheby’s or Christie’s, they are not doing so poorly either. Only recently a week-long exhibition of paintings at All-India Fine Arts and Craft Society gallery in New Delhi drew heavily on Biswajit Das Horse Power in which Das focused on horse tales, depicting the horse as special identity, as a metaphor for the labour class.
Man is the only creature in the entire cosmos blessed with a body and mind. It is this, which makes him the crown of creations. While a healthy body is essential, fashion adds to his existence. In fact, it adds flavor to our life. It releases the creative urge in us on trying out a novelty and improves our life style. This is the age of fashion, which is not only restrained to our dress, but also the way we speak, behave, decorate our body and our lifestyle in general. So fascinated are we by the ‘me too’ concept, we do not even bother of whether it goes with our personality or not.
Representing the new generation of ghazal maestros, Agra-based virtuoso Laik Khan has earned a name both in Hindustani classical music and ghazal singing. Having trained under Ustad Akeel Ahmed Khan of Agra Gharana, Laik, with great efforts secured the blessed tutelage of ghazal supremo, Ustad Mehdi Hasan of Pakistan. A graduate from Saint Johns College, Lucknow, with more than a passing interest in music, he once listened to Mehdi Hasan’s intoxicating classic Gulon mein rang bhare. The subtle melodic composition not only enraptured young Laik but also awakened the dormant musical sensibility in him. Laik, however, later succeeded in accomplishing his dream to become the foremost disciple of the great master, Mehdi Hasan. Credited with several performances, Laik was in city on the invitation of Fida Entertainment for the release of his ghazal album Fida Sham-e-Ghazal Volume-I, where we interacted with the artiste.
