He doesn't believe in clichés. He is not a part of the madding crowd. When the world around him was moving and shaking, Farooq Shaikh was busy spending quality time with himself. "I didn't want to become a scarecrow," he explains. "I am a lazy person. I'd rather loaf around than burden myself with work that I don't feel satisfied doing," he clears the point. In the city, to attend a seminar, the actor who was a part of the New Indian cinema or parallel cinema, was at his candid and cordial best. The otherwise humble actor's star status was made apparent only by certain over-zealous organisers trying to play the part of bouncers, virtually cordoning off the veteran actor from journos.

Talking of overexposure, Farooq thinks it is disastrous. "Greatness becomes boring when oversold." A statement at a time when some of his peers are busy making moolah, "By adding a few zeroes, they will certainly be happy, but not happier than me. Today, everything comes with a price tag, but the decision to pay that price rests on you," he emphasised. Try mentioning the lost cinema of Bimal Roy and Satyajit Ray and he brings out the culprit in you. "When you are happy watching Dhoom 2, why bother about the Bimal Roy school of cinema. Movies like Sahib Biwi aur Ghulam were daring even if they flopped. But would you like to spend Rs 200-300 on a Sahib Biwi ….today?" Guess, we all know the answer.

So, opportunity on the silver screen may not suit his taste, but would he like to make a comeback on the small screen after his successful stint with Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai. "I enjoyed that show and it was a new experience. The reason for its end was not the content but the fallout between Zee and NDTV, which was producing it. Do hatthion ki ladai me cheenti kya karegi," he cracks.

And his take on the so-called reality shows too is equally distasteful. "When you are aware of the 30 cameras catching your every movement, what kind of reality do you expect?"

Move past movies and theatre, Farooq is driven by reality here as well. "I love reading, but I can't read fiction. I feel nothing is as engrossing as reality." We agree. And so comes his engrossing, interesting but honest reaction on the recent SRK 'harassment' episode. "If it can happen with our President, then any other person holds no meaning. If I push you from the top of the Himalayas, then you can't complain about a fall from the table," he snaps.

Another honest opinion comes on the Jaswant Singh expulsion. "I am not a politician, but as a citizen I think it's a side show. It's all political dau pech. But we deserve what we get."

As for his professional side, he is still hungry for quality not quantity. Apart from Accident on Hill Road, any other projects? " I am reading scripts. The moment something catches my fancy, you'll see me in front of the camera the next moment."

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

“Literature is the creation of three factors: the races, the milieu, the moment,” had rightly observed M. Taine, the acclaimed French literary historian, and this holds relevance for contemporary Indian literature too.

The various literary creations like novels, poetry, short stories and dramas in English are partly conditioned by the socio-cultural environment, lifestyles and speech habits in different linguistic areas that form the themes for authors. The proliferation of all literary, performing or visual arts by authors or performers invariably depends on the readers or audience. In the larger interest of authors and readers, the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi raised this pertinent issue for discussion at its two-day national seminar “The Author in Search of an Audience” at the UT Guest House in the city on Friday.

Delivering the inaugural address, the National Sahitya Akademi award-winning playwright, thespian Mahesh Dattani dwelled on the making of a meaningful play before lauding the presence of local theatreperson Neelam Man Singh on the international theatre scene.

Unlike cinema, theatre is the most post powerful medium of debating burning issues as it closely interacts with the audience to whom the issues are related. The audience, as such, becomes a part of the performance.

”The playwright or writer creates a drama based on his observations, life experiences and other influences, negative or positive, affecting the individual or society and as such cannot sometimes compromise on the taste of audience. Guided by an impulse to explore certain issues, sometimes beyond the conceptual grasp or not immediate acceptance of a section of the audience, I attempt to build a trust with the audience,” he said replying to a question.

He said he sometimes felt bad about over-editing a play by the director but reviewed it. Talking to Lifestyle, he agreed that the thematic content of his plays related to the masses but the treatment and staging was for the elite classes and he planned for translations in regional languages so as to reach more people.

“The universality of Neelam Man Singh does not lie in her being a Punjabi but in the genius that enables her to depict Punjabiat and the soul of Punjabi culture through her theatrical spectacles at the international levels, ” said writer-journalist Sunil Mehra introducing the city’s theatreperson, the next speaker. Neelam Man Singh shared her long journey to recognition as an icon in experimental theatre having worked with pioneers like B.V. Karanth, Ebrahim Alkazi and others at Bhopal, Bombay, NSD- Delhi to give a new vision and dimension to theatre in the region.

Replying to various questions, both Sunil Mehra and Neelam highly complimented each other which made the interaction lively and meaningful for the theatre students and theatre lovers.

Acclaimed academician, author and actor Ira Pande recalled her grounding in Pahadi Kumaoni regional life while sculpting literature in English. Noted author journalist Nirupma Dutt concluded the opening day seminar with an exhaustive deliberation on the subject. Actor, author, anchor and film personality Farooq Shaikh presented “Stories on the silver screen” much to the delight of the large audience.

Meditation, unexplained flow of energy, state of sub-consciousness, you can denote it with any other generic name. But no matter how you choose to look at psychedelic music, it translates itself into a state of trance, where nothing, just about nothing matters.

The combinations and permutations can be applied successfully to the guy sitting in front of us at Zinc Lounge. This guy wanders through the alleys of a sub-conscious mind echoing with one sound, hard-hitting ones.

Psyhcobaba, aka Akhil Arora, from Dehradun, the celebrity DJ who jams with Chakra: Vu band at Zinc Lounge is a wacky name, which comes in stark contrast to his own simple self. However, it has a valid explanation to it. Akhil plays Psychetrance, and friends call him Baba. The combination makes him a Psyhcobaba.

It's time to move on from a subconscious level to a conscious one, with Akhil talking about music, fusion of genres, acceptance from partygoers.

"You've heard it and it's true to the core, music cannot be defined," says Akhil (we are still exploring the reason behind the tag 'Baba').

"It is each to its own. Electronic music is definitely the thing in the music scene, and everybody, including the DJs are exploring it." Adds Akhil, who plays at outdoor parties at Dehradun. "People are defiantly accepting this new genre. As far as Chandigarh is concerned, this is my first jig. I don't know how people would react to it." No matter whatever you say about Punjabi or Bollywood ruling the roost, there is no taking away psyhcobaba from psychetrance. And, this is what he is virtually hooked to, day in and out. "I have to be in touch with new music and practise the one I am into," offers Akhil, experimenting with Indian soubds these days.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Gossiping, discussing business deals, idea of proposing to a college sweet heart, sulking over a broken heart, chalking out next weekends programme…all this and lot more goes down perfectly well with one ingredient and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to guess this one - coffee. It has always an amazing effect on the system. It soothes down a restless brain, gives direction to a blocked viewpoint and allows you to speak though your heart. And now, if you are just loitering in Sector 17 and wanted to relax a bit and do all the heart-to-heart talking, just walk into an exclusive sub-brand premium cafes - Barista Crème Lavazza and enjoy a delicious cold coffee blended with ice-cream in exotic hazelnut flavour.

A personal table service, diverse range of coffees, range of salads, sandwiches, desserts and a comfortable ambience, Barista offers to a be an experience with a difference. Puts in Sanjay Countinho, chief operating officer, Barista Coffee Company Limited, "Barista Crème Lavanzza is for people who want to unwind, enjoy every moment of life with either family, friends or colleagues. There is a kind of informality and easiness to this place, which why it has caught with the consumers."

A much-awaited outlet in Sector 17? Agrees Sanjay who finds the sector a completely up-market place. "We have got a reasonable good place that will fulfill quality, hygiene and also offer quick service, a challenging job with all eating joints."

This one also takes the menu to a new level (an extension ideally) with soups, pastas, pizzas, lasangnas. Barista is not all about coffee, now you have an option to pick from lunch and dinner menu as well. Nothing to beat coffees on the menu - hazelnut mocha, cappuccino cookie n cream, Brrrista blast, Swiss mocha frappe, Brrrista cookie crunch, mochas, lattes.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

InnovAction, an event management company, will organise Precious Models Party at Club RV Rendezvous, Sector 26, on Saturday in which many well-known models, film directors and who's who of the city will participate. The party will start at 8 pm and will continue till 2 am, announced Disha Sharma, model and managing partner of the company.

Addressing mediapersons at Chandigarh Press Club, Disha said, "We believe that event should be for some cause. So, this time we are doing an event, which will not only promote the nightlife of Chandigarh, but also will give a platform to new modeling talents. The party is the get-together of professional and upcoming models, directors, producers, mediapersons and business people interested in the same."

Nitin Luthra, a party organiser and managing partner of InnovAction Events, said, "We will have DJ attraction like DJ AJ, new upcoming talent DJ Anuj and DJ Sam spinning the best numbers for the guests and also a fire show. We will be giving away the precious gifts to the best dancer male/female, most adorable male /female and best couple with some other gifts."

For lovers of poultry, this place is no less than a paradise. Known not only in the tricity, but also in the adjoining states of Haryana and Himachal, Tehal Singh's in Sector 22, is famous for a variety in chicken, mutton and fish. 'World famous in tricity' (as you say in popular parlance), the best thing about this dhaba is - the food is served uninterrupted from 12 noon to 1 am. So, anyone who does not know where to hunt for food after the official restaurant lunch and dinner hours, this is the place to be.

Says Tehal Singh, owner of the dhaba, "We are into the business of hospitality and we believe in serving food to anyone and everyone who is hungry. So, there is no time limit at our joint." He further adds, "And yes, unlike other city restaurants we don't charge extra for serving food after the official lunch and dinner hours." That must come as good news for corporate, IT and call centres, guys who start their hunt for food usually after 10 pm.

Now, to the dhaba and its origin! Started way back in 1957, Tehal Singh started his food business in a booth behind Kiran Theatre. He says, "I had a joint by the same name in the rehri market. At that time a rehri market was a popular place to have food. I still remember how there were queues of people to have food in our small setting."

Having made his name from that point, he shifted to the present place in 1984 and says, "Opening a dhaba was my childhood dream. I had made my mind in Class V that all I wanted to do was open a dhaba and not a restaurant."

Ask him why and he says, "As a kid, I would always hear rich guys talking how their parents took them to a posh restaurant and what wonderful food they had. At that time, I made my mind that all I wanted to do was open a food joint that was affordable to all, and anyone and everyone can walk and have food of their choice." What an idea sirjee!

Well, translating his childhood dream into reality, here a family of four can have a non-veg meal at Rs 300. Not bad at all for a city that has restaurants where only a dal would cost something up to Rs 100.

Now coming to the food - famous for tandoori chicken, bar-be-que chicken, kadai chicken, keema kalegi, mutton rogan josh, Afgani chicken and lot more, ask him what makes his joint different from others and he says, "Our customers are like family members, and we serve them with love and respect, that is our USP other than the quality, quantity and taste in food." He adds, "We have never compromised on the quality of food and for that my job starts early in the morning, with choosing of the livestock and making preparations for the day."

Does that mean he cooks himself? "No, I don't cook myself but yes, I have trained all the guys myself and still oversee all the cooking as it proceeds for the day." With his son joining him, he says, "My work has become a little easy now as my son has joined in the business."

Vegetarians, don't lose heart as Tehal Singh offers a vegetarian variety too. And, for lovers of Chinese food, you can savour quite a few dishes.

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Sixty-four-year-old Ahmed Aslam Ali, the founder of Shish Mahal, is claiming that he invented the dish, and is now calling on the European Union to give it “Protected Designation of Origin” status, alongside the likes of Champagne, Parma Ham and Greek Feta cheese. Ali says that the creamy, mildly spicy curry was first made here in the 1970s to please the Scots, but then it went on to become the most popular dish in British restaurants. “Chicken tikka masala was invented in this restaurant, we used to make chicken tikka, and one day a customer said, ‘I’d take some sauce with that, this is a bit dry’,” The News quoted Ali, as saying. Glasgow’s Labor lawmaker Mohammad Sarwar is now taking steps to gain EU legal protection for the curry. —ANI