It isn't our mean streak but so natural for us to wonder about this-what in this world made eight Bollywood superstars come together as showstoppers for Being Human, a fashion show? A heavy cheque might be 'the human' reason for the courtesy and generosity. Or is it the 'star love' (as against the usual star wars). Or were they really charitable or caught infection from an altruistic soul? Being an optimistic media, which doesn't scare people about meteorites splitting the Earth into pieces, we believe the participants of Being Human were just being humane.

Fashion has shifted its gears from the frivolous to certain fundamentals. It goes past the usual prêt porter, haute couture, models, designers, celeb showstoppers… and emphasizes on cause couture. Thus, we saw designers highlighting the patriotism spirit, voicing concern for the girl child and collecting funds for a charitable organisation, all through their collection in this season's fashion weeks. "You can't expect people to attend moral lectures or be a part slogan-raising for a social cause. Fashion is the most casual yet effective way to reach out to people", maintains Ashley Rebello, a fashion stylist and one of the organisers of Being Human, who supported the same stance on his recent visit to the city.

The trend began with Sanjay Hingu's collection on Gandhi at the Lakme Fashion Week. A check jacket with the print of Mahatma Gandhi's face on it and a T-shirt with the iconic Dandi March caught everyone's attention.

Masaba Gupta, winner of INIFD Most Promising Designer took up the cause of weavers in her own small way, "I got the cloth woven from weavers who do traditional weaving, ikkat and double ikkat. The wool embroidery on the clothes was done by women staying on the outskirts of Bhopal." The real challenge for her was to track down these craftsmen, who long time back had left cities after people began to prefer machine-made clothes. "I went to villages near Hyderabad and Bangalore to get work from them just with the hope that my efforts would revive handloom once again and help weavers earn their livelihood," Masaba makes a point.

After LFW, Wills Indian Fashion Week made its contribution to the cause couture as well. Nearly half of Bollywood, including big names like Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen and Olympic medallist boxer Vijender Singh, walked the ramp for Sanjana Jon's campaign, Save Girl Child.

Fashion as a medium to promote various causes is also being optimally used at the local level. Before you go on to assume, the inspiration wasn't drawn from the national fashion weeks, rather was a co-incidence. While the big names of the fashion industry were working on something nobel, the amateur designers in the city were doing their bit too. Pearl Sohi Multani, a student of INIFD, did phulkari work on different fabrics with the intention, "The Gujrat and West Bengal governments endorse the cause of their traditional embroidery, kutch and kantha work. We hardly see any effort being made by out state government." The phukari in her collection wasn't limited to the usual dupattas, "I got it done on tunics and other western outfits to suit the fashion sense of youngsters."

Another traditional craft, woodcarving was promoted by duplicating it on clothes by Anklit Bhardwaj and his two friends.

Besides supporting the crafts, fashion went ahead to take up other important causes this season, one certainly being, wildlife. Ritu Maggu of INIFD came up with the ensemble, Dance Of The Peacock, "We can't get a better platform than fashion to talk about our national bird. Only peacock colours were used for the entire collection. Also, the shape of the clothes was inspired from peacock."

And just when we thought fashion has done enough for the year, NIIFT students puts on display, Best Out of Waste, a collection of clothes, accessories and home décor made of waste material, like magnetic tapes, photograph negatives, CDs, shoe soles, automobile parts, beer cans and anything that you would find only with the scrap dealers.

Wajahat Hussain cites the reason for the unusual these, "Fashion has a mass appeal and it can work as a catalyst to initiate change in the society. Best Out Of Waste, we hope, will make them learn how to not to add to waste, rather recycle waste to create something useful." This is fashion with frills.

ashima@tribunemail.com

Bollywood seems to be setting a new trend in exploring rare diseases with directors casting superstars in roles that seek to raise awareness about such lesser-known ailments.

NGOs and social workers are cheering the move which, they say, would result in an increase in the awareness and sensitivity among those who were ignorant of 
such diseases.

In the upcoming flick Paa, superstar Amitabh Bachchan plays a child affected with Progeria, a rare genetic disorder where a child ages three times faster than normal.

Those affected by the medical condition usually have a short lifespan and the average patient survives only up to the early teens, say doctors.

However, some patients can live up to 30 years and the cause of death is usually related to the heart or a stroke.

R. Balki, director, Paa accepts that cinema has the strength to help disease affected people by portrayal.

"Yes, it definitely creates awareness and sensitivity about patients affected with any disease which is less known to people," says Balki.

Big B plays a 13-year- old who looks 39 in the film, in which actors Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan are cast as parents.

Sekhar Chattopadhyay, of the SB Devi Charitable Trust in Kolkata, which looks after a family affected by projeria, says, "Amitabh Bachchan playing a projeric will definitely make people aware about this very rare disease." 

In an unusual initiative to lend their hands for a social cause, Bollywood directors and actors, tried their hand at painting here on Sunday. The proceeds collected from auctioning of these paintings would be given to a non-profit organisation working for the uplift of the elderly.

It was a joy to notice that after creating magic for the reel life, Bollywood directors and actors used brushstrokes for a noble cause in real life.

An initiative of HelpAge India, the painting event was held to raise funds for the benefit and uplift of the elderly from the auction of paintings made by the Bollywood celebrities and famous painter Anjanna Kuthiala.

"It is a platform of heart and HelpAge is a good organisation which is working to help the people and it is our good luck to be associated with it," said actor Shekhar Suman.

For some of them, it was an emotional event and related to their personal lives.

"Actually, after living for almost 40 years abroad, I've now moved to India mainly because my mother has turned 80 and I want to be with her. Since I feel that way, it was very important for me that I should come and talk about HelpAge and do whatever I can for this cause," said Jagmohan Mundra, a film producer.

Traditionally, several generations of one family have lived under the same roof, with the grandparents often taking care of their grandchildren while the parents go to work.

But while this remains the case in most rural households, city dwellers are increasingly moving out of the family home, leaving the older generation to live alone.

According to government officials, India's elderly population is expected to double by 2026 to 173 million. —ANI

Soha Ali Khan has been experimenting with her roles and loving it. Going by her performances in Socha Na Tha and Rang De Basanti, this pretty and very friendly actor comes across as a mature lady. Riding high on the release of her much-awaited Tum Mile, directed by Jannat fame Kunal Deshmukh she talks about the movie and more. A love story based on natural disaster, Soha plays the lead role in the movie opposite Emraan Hashmi.

Was the role a consideration with director Kunal Deshmukh?

I liked the script and the role. So, I was keen when Kunal Deshmukh spoke to me about this film. I have a good role in this love story.

Tell us about the part you play in Tum Mile?

I play a hi-fashion magazine Editor while Emraan Hashmi is a struggling painter. When viewers watch it they will like my role.

How was it working with Kunal Deshmukh?

It was fantastic. He has shot the biggest natural disaster of Mumbai very well. Real cars were used and damaged to capture the destruction of flood.

How was it working with Emraan Hashmi?

It was wonderful. He is a very intense person. We both used to talk a lot during the making and shared a lot of acting tips with each other.

What do you look for when selecting a film?

The banner, script and direction are important. I never look at the length of the role. I am glad that I bagged the coveted Bhatt's project.

Your upcoming movies?

Director Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johny, Pritish Nandi Communication's horror film Accident and one film Life Goes On with my mother Sharmila Tagore, are my next projects.

— Dharam Pal

Shooting for Prakash Jha's Rajneeti in Bhopal took a toll on Manoj Bajpayee's weight as he couldn't help gorging on chicken biryani and mutton dishes every other day.

"During the whole shoot of this film too much indulgence in food prevailed. Though I sometimes exercised too, but wondered about the restlessness of my tongue. In Bhopal, every other day we are treated with chicken biryani or a mutton dish," Manoj posted on his blog manojbajpayee-en.itzmyblog.com. "The end of a day's lunching is immediately followed by planning the other day's menu. It seems that I am failingly trying to keep my weight in control; reason being the uncertainty behind coming back to Bhopal for shooting again. After almost two and a half years of leaving smoking have I been able to enjoy the real taste of food. And it feels great. It wasn't so when I was a smoker," he added.

The actor, who recently featured in Madhur Bhandarkar's Jail, has been in Bhopal for a while as he is shooting the last schedule of Rajneeti.

Rajneeti is a political satire and features Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor in different avatars. The two have created waves together in their recently released romantic comedy Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. —IANS

Delhi-based kathak danseuse Sangita Chatterjee will give a recital at the Pracheen Kala Kendra on Wednesday at the kendra auditorium. One of the talented exponents of the Lucknow gharana, she learnt the nuances of kathak from Guru Vaswati Mishra. Her guru imparted her enough knowledge and training to imbibe kathak, its lyrical and sensuous movements, rhythmic patterns and subtle abhinaya.

Over the last few years, the contact lens market has witnessed a significant increase in the category of Silicone Hydrogel lenses. The revolutionary silicone hydrogel material provides up to 5 times more oxygen to the eye than traditional lenses, enabling the consumers to wear these lenses for extended hours.

The extended hour usage feature makes the lens well-suited for working professionals with a hectic and busy lifestyle.

With an ever-increasing demand for this product, especially coming from consumers needing cylindrical power, Bausch & Lomb is now introducing its monthly disposable PureVision Toric lenses. These lenses come with their patented Advanced Lo-Torque® design that provides consistent and sharp vision. This technology also offers the wearer crisp and clear vision in low light conditions. —TNS

Three-hour night show, three-minute fillers! Three thousand people, three hundred listeners! Give some, to gain some. It's student's festival time, the latest Punjabi crooner, who's a rage, who's a rave, is performing tonight. So whom are you calling by the way? And, what are you holding? XYZ night, ABC show, PQR evening. Star attraction is an indispensable part of the package. Good thing, bad thing or don't know? Pick up a microphone, and take your side.

Even those hard-core against the idea, would remember the name of the night more than the title of the fest. Punjab Engineering College's PECFest is a cult in this region, with Gurdaas Maan, Hard Kaur, Honey Singh, having all been there at their shows each year and still adding. Shrugs Lavneet Sidhu, an electronics engineering student, PEC, "It's undoubtedly like an instant crowd-puller. Moreover, the idea is to have something for the entertainment. Believe it or not, this time we had an audience of around 20,000." The reasons run more far and deep and the Joneses syndrome is not far behind. He adds, "Let's be honest. The first thing that people ask is, 'so who's coming for the star night?' Even we when we went to IIT Delhi's fest, had the same question. They had roped in Mohit Chauhan."

So, noone is brushing off or brushing aside the stardust. Agrees Lovedeep Sidhu from the School of Communication Studies, "Initially when we were planning for this year's Soch, we instantly thought on the lines of who should we bring in." She adds, "We were toying with the idea of roping in Euphoria but because of the budget we changed our mind. Everybody seemed to be holding a star night, we wanted to be different and unique." The girl is recalling and more than pleased with the Qawwali night results.

A cultural extravaganza for the students, of the students and by the students; bring in an autograph-signing star and doesn't the local talent gets eclipsed? The star performer grabs all the attention and the budding artistes perform in their shadow. Laughs Lovedeep, "Somewhere it does overshadow them, which is precisely why we didn't have any fillers for the Qawwali night."

Opines Sameer Singh from the band Chakra:Vu, "In a way, yes. The local talent does get eclipsed by the star element. For instance, the time is limited as we were given the slot from eight to eight-thirty and most of the people pouring in after or around that time." As far as the wider audience, bigger platform's concerned, he adds, "Most students turn up anyways." More than anything, they remain what they are, as Lavneet adds, "The benchmark for the success of the fest, reason to get talked about post-event." And who knows, maybe not just the listeners but footfalls too would've reduced, had that popular face not been coming. The debate's open, continues…meanwhile, who can guarantee, couple of criticisers themselves might be swaying to the guy who's a cult in the music industry today!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

You know who's turning more heads? A nice little mama's girl with baby blue sash and frills wouldn't draw a second look as a dame with pierced navel, leather gloves.

Let's face it; a tee with Pink Floyd lyrics would make you look like you belong to the college rather than a tee with pink flower print. And, Meg Ryan's might be what she is, but she's no Christina Aguilera.

Heavy metal, punk, grunge, death metal, pop inspired attire, anything. The screeching, shrieking style statements are a hit with the youngsters. Or, more so, during the fests season. Reasons to get that Scorpio tattoo or sport black nail paint just got lengthier.

You can take a rock night out of the fest, but not fest out of the rock night.

Says Anamika Thakur, mechanical engineering student, PEC, "We actually have a lot of Rock music fans here, plus Chandigarh actually has a lot of rock bands. This one caters to those aficionados. Then, of course, there are things like upping the glam quotient of any event, it provides ready material for publicising."

So much for the genre. What of the look? "It makes you stand apart from the crowd, look different. Moreover, I'm a fan of Rock and also learning guitar," Subha Rajput puts forth her list of reasons. And adds, "Also, I feel I'm a toughie at heart, an independent girl, so this is just a reflections of my personality." Of course, the 'stand out from the crowd' factor is common to this crowd. "Mostly, it's the young, rebellious, essentially college feel attached that qualifies it for a fashion statement," Fateh Singh Mann, first year student, mechanical engineering reasons out for his long hair et al. Essentially college look, yeah true, aren't just denims for everybody? He adds, "Moreover, I listen to a lot of Rock music myself."

Is it necessary to have had grown up on heavy metal or listening to Beatles, Sound Garden, Led Zeppelin, Guns n Roses to sport it? Advises Subha, "What is important is to dress up for yourself and not because of any external factor. One should be comfortable, if you feel like it, feel you can carry off, go for it."

For those, not born with the dare-devil attitude can sport the look in bits and pieces. No need to look like hard-core Rock graffiti, poster of a night show, a tee here, accessory there should do the trick. As also announce the arrival at event. Says Abhishek Sharma, a DAV College student, "This is what I wear and this is how you'd see me on usual college days as well, long hair, mostly in black." He adds, "I don't think the atmosphere at such fests or Rock nights propel the students to specifically sport it." Opines Raunak Sood, student, B Com, "Somewhere it makes the statement you've arrived, both in the event as well as otherwise." C'mon, you'd agree.

manpriya@tribunemail.com

A new UK study has found that one out of every five girls thinks her best pal is fat but would never reveal it to her. A survey of 3,000 women revealed that every female has at least two friends they think are overweight but would always make them believe that they look great in every attire.

Weighing equipment firm Tanita, which commissioned the study with National Obesity Week, found that only a quarter of girls tell their friends to shed extra pounds. Of those, 12 percent said their friend was distressed while 10 percent cried.

"There are ways and means of telling a friend they need to lose weight. It might be easier to suggest joining exercise classes and eating healthy meals together regularly instead," a publication quoted Kim Ramessa, of Tanita, as saying.

Nearly a quarter of the girls also confessed lying about their own weight and dress size. — ANI

Oh my my! Has somebody been noticing the change in the campus mornings, classroom weather and canteen environment? Of course, we know the winter is coming, you silly boys. Think more, beyond. What not do we have to do for you. Literally put words in the mouth, spark in the imagination…listen to this. 'Oh c'mon the difference is so obvious and apparent, during the winter girls are fully clad. We get to see a lot of straps and capris and well a lot many other things, when the sun's full on," chuckles a crack head. He adds, "So, it becomes a little difficult to check them out and there's actually a lot of strain on the imagination too." Just imagine! But…but…didn't they use to say girls hardly hide their sleeveless and spaghettis even during chilly winter mornings? 'You see a joke is a joke till the time it hurts and pinches. Ways to tackle the 'problem' galore. 'The way out is put your chairs in the sun, sit with the shades on and check out unabashedly' apparently puts forth a Mr Optimistic.

Never mind their nonsense, so the action shifts from canteens to open spaces?

"No, the change also reflects in the early morning lecture attendance. The chilly winter mornings, so many are late and so many running short of lectures," chuckles another one. See, if they actually did a comparative research on the roll calls during extreme summer and winter months, they'd know. Whoever thought the change of seasons is reflected in trees, clouds, mountains, and nature, apparently didn't do his homework well.