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Stupa-fied
If we envied Haryana for having Surajkund Crafts Mela, then we need not do it anymore. The North Zone Cultural Centre, in collaboration with the Chandigarh Administration, is going to provide us with something similar. Works of art from all over the country by master craftsmen, the ambience and everything that Surajkund offers will be here at Kalagram itself. So, when we got the news that N. K. Sathi has been roped in to create the ambience, we rushed to the spot to have a look. After all, crafts need a proper ambience and when Sathi is involved, the result is bound to be good. After all he is a name associated with anything that has to do with folk art. To jog one's memory, Baithak restaurant in Kalagram, Ethnic India in Rai, the huge welcome gate during the opening ceremony of Tricentenary of Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib, Chandigarh Carnival to name a few. What's more, Sathi has even done the ambience for Surajkund Mela in 1995 and '96.
So, what's in store? "Sanchi's Stupa for one gate and one terra-cotta gate for the main entry. The terra-cotta gate will be 44 feet by 20 feet high," he says. Sathi's Sanchi Stupa in the Chandigarh carnival (1999) is still fresh in our memory when the artist designed and fabricated this monument from the Gupta period using wood, bamboo, plywood and thermocol, painted in stone colour. "The Stupa will give a true blue Indian feeling as the mela will showcase all major crafts from all four corners of the country," he says. As many as 160 huts have been erected using mud, thermocol, bamboo and wood. The roof is the most interesting part, with which Sathi has unleashed his creativity to the fullest. "The theme of the fair is Jammu and Kashmir and hence is the Shikara," he says. Though for now only the bamboo skeleton stands, a little bit of imagination and you can see this majestic structure dominating the venue. For the rest, some has intricate Madhubani patterns on the mud walls. "I have invited all award-winning Madhubani artists from Bihar and the result is here for everyone to see," he says. And for all you out there who cannot wait to see Sathi's craft, can begin the countdown as the fair begins on October 24. parbina@tribunemail.com
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Diwali dilemma
Dr Nancy Sahni, dietician, PGI, advises Bengali sweets to those with a sweet tooth. "People don't know that Bengali sweets are competitively healthier than Punjabi sweets and other usual ones. The sugar content in almost all the sweets is the same. Yet, what makes Bengali sweets a tad better is, they are not fried and has base as cheese, which is healthy," she informs. One can also opt for a sweet like palak ki barfi, made of palak and milk or dry roasted halwa, cooked in a microwave. Instead of kaju barfi, have Bengali sundaes. Assure that the contents of the sweet you have are healthy. There is a general misconception that the sugar-free sweets available in the market are calorie-free as well. Dr Manju Mathur, chief dietician, GMCH-32, states the fact, "All sweets are rich in saturated fats or trans-fats even if they are claimed sugar-free. Use of dairy and other products also account for a high fat content. Being just sugar-free hardly makes a difference." She advises homemade sweets and snacks for Diwali. "Grill your snacks instead of frying them and use the ingredients as they suit your health," she adds. Besides sweets, what can contribute to the calorie count are the dry fruits. "Dry fruits are of course better than sweets as they have high nutritional value but one should be careful about the calorie content. Prefer almonds to cashewnut for the same reason," says Dr Madhu Arora. Take another caution if you are too fond of nuts. Dr Nancy tells us, "Make sure that the dry fruits are not roasted as that would increase the fat content in them." And there's something else too, loaded with calories, (it can compete with the calorie content of sweets and fried snacks even) that you have even when there's no special occasion - soft drinks. We just conveniently forget that one glass of soft drink has eight spoons of sugar. Dr Madhu recommends a sensible replacement with homemade drinks like buttered milk, jaljeera and juices. "Since, the festival season has come earlier this time and there isn't much change in the weather, it's healthier to have these cool drinks. Also avoid taking a lot of tea and coffee. "Before you start following these health tips, there's another important one - don't overeat. Even if you wish to have sweets or snacks, just cut down on the quantity," she says. We wish you health. ashima@tribunemail.com
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With a wedding collection that reflects the confluence of many ancient decorative traditions with completely modern settings – creating heirlooms for the new modern era, Mirari jewellers are holding a three-day exhibition for the time in Ludhiana. This collection offered something exquisite for every occasion. Founded by designer Mira Gulati in New Delhi in 2005, Mirari is a fine jewellery company that has rapidly won the admiration and patronage of an international clientele. Mirari specializes in rare jewels, sourced from around the world, painstaking craftsmanship and the insistence that every piece is fashioned as a work of art. Moreover, each jewel sold comes with quality certification to endorse its value. The elegant designs make every night special. —TNS
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Diwali, the lights of festival are one of the most loved and cherished festivals for all Indians. Suiting the mood of the festive season Tanishq, unveiled its exclusive ‘Lakshmi Feet Pendant’ ushering into grand occasion of ‘Lights of Festival’. Distinctively designed around the auspicious motif of wealth – Goddess Lakshmi’s feet – this exquisite Tanishq diamond pendant is an ideal gift to usher prosperity and wealth this festive season. Crafted in 18k gold and certified diamonds, the pendant is sure to dazzle like the resplendent shower of Diwali fireworks. Talking about the pendent, Mr. Sandeep Kulhalli, Vice-president Retail and Marketing, Tanishq, said, "At Tanishq, it has always been our constant endeavor to engage with our customers on various festive occasions. In line with that, we have brought in this unique ‘Lakshmi feet pendent’ epitomising prosperity and luck to offer all our precious customers a remarkable Diwali. We are sure that the pendant with its movable design work and unique concept will be able to create waves all across the country. " Tanishq’s divinity range consists of over 30 designs in gold and diamonds, priced at Rs 5000 onwards. — TNS
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Spice up
People with dry skin should use a cleansing gel, containing aloe vera, which not only rehydrates the skin, but also restores the normal balance. For oily skin, cleansing lotions containing mint, rose, lavender or lemon are ideal. Massage the cleanser lightly into the skin and remove it with moist cotton wool. After cleansing in the morning, tone the skin, using rose water. Using cotton wool, wipe the skin and then pat it briskly. It is best to use a protective cream, something containing sandalwood, to protect the skin from the effect of pollutants in the air. Exfoliation of the skin with scrubs helps remove dead cells and thus brighten the skin. It also stimulates blood circulation and brings a glow to the skin. An easy home remedy can be mixing sesame seeds, dried mint leaves and honey. Crush the sesame seeds coarsely and powder the dried mint leaves. Mix them with a little honey and apply on the skin. Leave on for 15 minutes and then moisten with water and rub gently on the skin with circular movements. Wash off. For scrubbing, mix rice powder with rose water. Apply it on the areas with blackheads daily. Rub gently in circular motion. Leave for 5 minutes and wash off. This can be done after cleansing in the morning. The scrub can also be applied on open pores and acne marks. To prevent skin eruptions and rashes, take one cup of basil
(tulsi) leaves. Add it to a litre of water. Simmer it on a low fire till the water is reduced to half. Cool and strain. Use the water to wash the face. Make a paste of the leaves and apply on the face. This also helps to keep the skin healthy. Neem leaves can also be used the same way. Make up
You may apply blusher. Apply it on the cheekbones, going slightly upwards and outwards. Then, apply highlighter on the cheekbones. Highlighters should not be white. Choose from ivory colour, very light beige or pale pink. Blend well, so that there are no lines or demarcation, or blotches. Make-up for the eyes can also do with some shine or gloss. Go in for more shadowing and more highlighting with your eye make-up. Deepen the shadowing in the crease of the eyelid. This adds more depth to the eyes. Highlight under the brows with gold, ivory or a light coloured eye shadow. You can also apply gold eye shadow to shape the eyes and along the bone line. Outline the eyes with dark eye pencil or eyeliner. Apply eyeliner on the upper lid, close to the lashes and smooth out with cotton bud. Gently blend a line of kajal or eye pencil on the lower lid. If you want a lighter look, just apply some eye shadow below the lashes on the lower lid. Try a touch of blusher at the outer eye, just under the eyebrow. Apply mascara in two or three coats, but remember to brush the lashes after each coat dries. The make-up should be balanced. In other words, the focus should be equal on eyes and lips. A pearly shimmer, or a glossy look on the lips is very much in. Use a bright lip colour with frost (silvery shine) or shimmer (glossy). Red and shades of red have made a comeback in lipsticks. Try shades of red for the night. Shades of red, like cherry, rose, plum and red itself are in. Metallic colours are also popular for lipsticks as are bright, but warm, colours like coral, burgundy (dark wine), dark mauve, bronze, along with shimmer. Avoid very dark colours, like dark brown or dark maroon. They have an ageing effect on the face. For the day, light pinks and mauve would be good. Finally, to add sparkle, dust a light layer of gold powder at the temples and the throat area. Wear a decorative bindi, studded with stones and combined with gold, silver, or colour to match your clothes. |
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Body Wise
Every bride wants to look stunning and beautiful on her wedding day. And part of looking beautiful is being as fit as you can be for the big day. However the pressure to look absolutely perfect can be intense. This pressure can lead some brides-to-be to go on a crash diet to lose weight in a limited time period. But the results can backfire: You may shed some pounds, but starving yourself or eating unhealthily at this crucial time before the wedding can leave you tired, with dull hair, pale skin and dark circles under your eyes.
If you are getting married but is not getting proper nutrition, proper nutrition, you might feel dizzy or suffer from other health issues. And then there is the stress factor too. It is not a good thing to stress the body on once in a lifetime event like marriage. And the only way to truly look your best is to begin a health regime months before your wedding. The first thing you should do is take a fitness inventory. Determine what shape you're in now and exactly what you need to work on. Start the process at least 3 months before the wedding. Set realistic goals for yourself. Make exercise a part of your daily schedule. Include cardiovascular exercise to burn calories and shed fat; strength training to burn calories, boost metabolism, build muscle and sculpt your body; and flexibility training to promote good posture and prevent injury. The best time to workout is early in the morning before your day gets super hectic. If you're not a morning person doing it in the afternoon or evening is also fine. Exercise with intensity because higher intensity leads to quicker results and shorter workouts. Also keep in mind that little things help too, like taking the stairs, parking further down in the parking lot, etc. What you eat in the three months before your wedding will play a big role in whether you achieve your goals or not. Try limiting junk food, fast food like burgers and fries and sweets to just one day a week. The rest of the six days eat sensibly- fruits, vegetables, lean meat, chicken, and fish, whole grains like whole wheat bread and brown rice and low fat dairy. Eat often to stay energized. Plan to eat at least five times a day, 3 meals and 2 snacks, to stay energized. Fill your home with healthy foods, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure not to skip meals as it can lead to binge eating. To avoid this, keep light snacks handy. Make sure you take your breakfast. It is one of the most important meals of the day. Write down your food intake in a food journal. Keeping a journal of what you eat throughout the day is the best way to keep yourself accountable. Most individuals who keep food diaries are likelier to eat healthier and stick to the program, than those who don’t. Understanding these simple principles will not only get you in shape for your big day, but also keep you fit for the rest of your life. Make fitness your mantra for life and not for a few short months. Do it for the health of your marriage. Encourage your partner also to share in your efforts to maintain a healthy weight and be active. The health benefits are enormous: increased longevity, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, reduced risk of diabetes, and reduced risk of cancer. And remember, no matter what shape or size you are, be confident. Keep in mind that the most important thing is for a bride to feel good about
herself. kalrasachin@hotmail.com
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In the fitness of things
Brisk decision
Readers write Do you think hair spas are beneficial or just another fad? Please email the responses to lifestyletribune@gmail.com or mail on Relatively Speaking, Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh. Only the best few responses will be published. |
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Some have roofs made of thermocol cups while others, especially those from Himachal, have slate-like structure, which is again with thermocol sheets. "I am going to replicate the dome of Amer Fort for the Rajathan pavilion," Sathi says pointing at his blueprint. There is an outline of a Shikara in the middle of the venue. 
You aren't at fault. The time is such. Come on! It's the festive season, binging is but natural. No one's going to call you a glutton. Eat as much as you want. And, all you require is a little caution to avoid adding those extra pounds. You have a sweet tooth? Opt for healthier options. You crave for spicy snacks? Go in for the right combination. In case, you are all agog to incorporate these little changes, here we have suggestions from city-based dieticians on how you can binge on healthy food and yet enjoy it.
When its Diwali, cleansing of the skin assumes importance, in order to get rid of the impurities, the chemicals in urban air, along with the pollutants from the crackers that are potent skin irritants. They not only cause dryness of the skin, but also actually disrupt the normal acid-alkaline balance of the skin.
For your night make-up, you should use more intense colour. Remember to cleanse and tone the skin first. Apply moisturiser if the skin is dry. If it is oily, apply astringent lotion. Then, apply foundation on the face. Using a moist sponge, spread it evenly, going outwards. You can use a gold-tinted foundation for special occasions. Then apply loose powder.
I will indulge in binge eating as this is festival time and I don’t want to miss out on sweets and snacks. But I would still try to strike a balance by avoiding high calorie food. I will cut down on my routine diet and instead have specialties on Diwali. A brisk walk is, however, always an option after a binge.
Well proportionate
Homemade delights