So, the nights are turning hot, the outfits sizzling and the masti rising. Dandiya nights, sticking to the tradition, are nine nights to live your fantasy. Flirting, flings, feast and music. And if you are the kind who’s famous for using dandiyas more as a weapon than tools of enjoyment, then here comes some good news. No need to join dance classes, because dandiya serves you a diet of latest Bollywood numbers this time. If you are clumsy with the sticks, then show your moves, latka-jhatkas, thumping on pepped up desi, classic or even phoren numbers.

“Dandiya is all about energetic moves. Though the traditional garba and dandiya numbers ideally make for the rhythm, you just don’t understand what they are playing. But add generous dhol beats to Bollywood songs and you can’t stop dancing until the night ends,” says Gaurav Kaura, a student from Chitkara. So, you have desi numbers like Nagda and Mauja hi Muaja from Jab We Met and the latest blockbusters from Dil Bole Hadippa, becoming the rage in the city.

It’s easy to match steps to some Bollywood numbers, the dhol beats add to the traditional touch. Apart from the folksy, tracks like Dard-e-Disco too are an all-time favourite at dandiya nights,” says Priyanka Ohri, another student and dandiya night regular.

The other favourites include dandiya anthems like Dhol Baje from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, old timers like Main Toh Bhool Chali Babul Ka Des and Disco Dandiya.

And here is some Punjabi ras to the raas with Labh Janjua, Harbhajan Mann and Jassi giving competition to dandiya queen Phalguni Pathak on the dance floor. Dhol Jageero Da and bhangra moves fusing with sounds of striking dandiya sticks.

Even the discs and clubs have given their Bollywood nights a navratri flavour by churning out folk numbers. The usual Bollywood numbers turn into peppy dance numbers with a live dhol playing along or remixed versions adding to the electrifying atmosphere.

Dhan Te Nan from Kaminey, Aahun Aahun from Love Aaj Kal, Disco Khisko and Hadippa from Dil Bole played along with the dhol are the top-picks this season.

And, though most nightclubs stick to dedicating Bollywood nights to the festivities, there is not much on offer. “Most dandiya nights have professional folk singers and artistes performing live. It gels with the whole festive feel. Churning out remixed numbers and Bollywood songs just mess things up as it becomes just another night then,” says DJ Chinks form the city.

It was quite like the coming of Durga on Shashti, the beginning of the Puja celebrations when the deity arrives for her annual visit. This descent, however, was not from a celestial abode, but from the musical firmament. It was an arrival not at the beckoning of the devout, but to talent scout.

For, Durga Jasraj landed at Taj-17 in the city in search of talent from the region for the Idea Jalsa Music for the Soul contest on DD National. The person behind the Indian Music Academy and daughter of classical legend Pt Jasraj, Durga zeroed in on our city to begin the six-city talent tour for this musical show. She spells out the why, where and what of the contest, being held on Saturday at Punjab Art Council-16.

Excerpts from an interview:

What made you choose Chandigarh as the starting point for the Idea Jalsa talent hunt?

The previous time I was here for the Jalsa concert with Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia (in March this year), I was really impressed by the talent among the Punjabi youth.

From here, we take the hunt to other cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Bhopal, etc representing every regional zone.

Tell us more about the contest.

This is the first-ever talent hunt for musical talent on such a scale spanning all major genres, from folk to sufi to classical…First, three winners will be shortlisted from each city, representing the various zones of the country, then from among these six winners will be selected.

With so many auditions for reality shows on music and dance these days, how are these different?

Well, what makes this project somewhat different is the fact the winners will also earn a one-year scholarship to learn music. So, its reach is beyond reality TV, to groom talent in real.

What apart from this hunt brings you back to this city?

When we were last here in March, we found this to be a superb place. That’s why it’s nice to be back. And that too during the festive season.

Any other projects you’re working on?

There are plenty of things in the pipeline, but as of now I’m focusing on this show, that has enjoys a 16-million strong viewership across the country! chetnabanerjee@tribunemail.com

Announcing the alliance, Tarun Katial, chief operating officer, Big 92.7 FM, said, “Our association with Sonu Niigaam goes back a long way, right since its inception and he was the most natural choice for our brand ambassador.

Sonu has offered the country some of the best Chillax Hits and has earned the respect and love of not just people in India, but from Indians across the world. We are delighted to have him as our brand ambassador. We promise to continue in our endeavour to serve Indians across the country an aural treat each day.” — TNS

ITC Limited – Foods Division on Thursday announced its expansion in the cough lozenges category with the launch of Mint-O Gol Mint Chews.

Speaking on the occasion, Amitabh Kumar, branch head, ITC Foods, Chandigarh, said, “The new category expansion hallmarks ITC Foods’ innovative and differentiated product strategy. The new Mint-O Gol has been introduced after months of product and consumer research.

At present the brand has been launched across all markets in the North and East. It will be soon extended into the West also. We have entered the Chews segment with the mint flavour. The mint variant is differentiated from competition by virtue of having specks on the product that enhance the consumer’s experience of freshness.”

The primary packaging is a pillow pack. Each candy has a net weight of 2.7 gm. The secondary packaging is in the form of a pet jar with 200 candies inside it. — TNS

It puts together inebriated youth who mistake huge round abouts for tiny bags of debris. It counsels obese policemen and over grown politicians. It deals with hordes of poor people who come in for treatment from the surrounding villages. It even hauls in rapists, murderers and thieves who need the proper sarkari identification and tests.

In fact its multi-specialty is assuming gargantuan proportions with the birth of each child that makes its squeals heard. What are a few rotting corpses and a few fake doctors between patients? There is hope for this sarkari hospital.

The titles couldn’t get any better. Sufism in Punjab: Mystics, Literature and Shrines by Surinder Singh and Ishwar Dayal Gaur and Society, Religion and Patriarchy: Exploring Medieval Punjab by Ishwar Dayal Gaur. Finally, two thought provokers on the shelves. At a book release function at the university auditorium presided over by Prof. R.C. Sobti, we manage to catch up with the authors.

Two books at the same time? “The theme of both was the same, even the work on both was simultaneous,” says Gaur, who’s been researching for the book for the past 10 years. The book is an attempt to make Punjab history complete. “It is also an attempt to depict the culture and history and raise it above caste and community,” he says.

He adds, “The entire spectrum of sufism as part of Punjabi tradition has been covered.” But that’s not the only place where the essence of the book lies. “The beauty of the book lies in the fact that it has been the voice of sufi as seen from a female perspective against the patriarchal society.” While Surinder Singh could be overheard giving bytes, “The book has been dedicated to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.” 

Orra, the diamond jewellery retail chain, has announced its festive season offer in the city on Thursday. Adding glamour to the event, model Alisha flaunted the exquisite range of diamond jewellery at Orra Diamond Boutique-17.

On this Occasion, Sandeep Handa, deputy regional sales manager, Orra, said, "Buy exquisite jewellery crafted in the finest Belgian diamonds, and walk away with assured 24 carat gold coins and silver coins absolutely free on the purchases above Rs 5,000. Not just this, there is a flat 50 per cent off on making charges of gold bars and coins."

There is a mélange of jewellery on offer with new collections being launched. The Hoops Collection is a collection of versatile earrings which can be worn by themselves or add the detachable for a dressy look. The 12th Spiritual Collection- Panchayatna has some beautifully crafted pendants for you to choose from.

There is a vast collection of solitaires, earrings, pendants and rings. The cufflinks crafted in silver and studded with precious stones are perfect for corporate gifting.