Carnival calling...
From art to heritage to food to entertainment the Chandigarh Carnival has something for everyone
Ashima Sehajpal

The basic idea was to just see the carnival and give an account of it as it is. Not very tough! And that's how we began; we went to the Leisure valley, Sector 10 only to find ourselves in a fix. There was so much too see, so much to enjoy, appreciate, eat and even learn. Bhangra being performed on the stage caught our attention first before we began to wonder how students of Arts College managed to make jumbo floats in interesting shapes till we could whiff the food cooked and served at Citco da Vehra and then there were youngsters eager to master knack of film making at the ITFT stall … We have run out of breath, can't make a mention of it all in one go. Read on to know more.

Revamped records

Literature of Punjab that till a few years back was just stacked in the various state owned libraries across the region is now very accessible. In six years time, Devinder Pal Singh along with Surender Pal Singh and Parminder Singh have digitised 3 million pages that includes manuscripts in praise of Sikh Gurus, their paintings, books written on heritage and culture of Punjab and even news papers. An exhibition of their work is on display in the mobile van of Government Museum and Art Gallery at the carnival. "This is the only medium through which the heritage of Punjab can reach the next generation. To accomplish the same, we have uploaded 9 lakh pages on Punjab heritage on the Internet," Devinder shares his experience of undertaking the challenging task.

Hail heritage

The Punjabi culture is peculiar in itself and Major (retd) Amarjeet Singh Batth feels it has survived the test of time. "There has been some dilution, but Punjabis have managed to keep their identity intact," he says. He cites enough examples, "We still see devotees taking a holy dip at Gurudwara sarovar, people celebrate Basant Panchmi by flying kites and panchayats are still held under the pepal tree." Well, he has captured the essence of Punjab in 900 photographs and out of these 900, 26 photos have been put in frames at the carnival.

Method in madness

Focus, concentrate, aim and throw the ring around the vegetable you can't afford. If successful, you will take home the 'precious' vegetable. There is also an option of pulses. "Take your pick,” suggests Jaspal Bhatti, who has put up a stall of vegetables, pulses and ghee at the carnival. Besides, there was also a stall of Madarts, film school, which was checking the comedy 'quotient' of people.

Miscellaneous magic

A devout worshipper of Lord Ram, Pirat Pal Goyal has addressed various modern day issues through his micro art. Pirat gives the details, "I have made paintings promoting the cause to control pollution and save the girl child.” None of the artwork was for sale.

India on Hungarian Stamps, a stall displaying 40 stamps at the carnival attracted many on lookers.

There were many NGO's at the carnival promoting the cause of girl child, AIDS and underprivileged.

For foodies, the carnival offers sarson ka saag, channa bhatura, rajmah chawal and much more at the Citco da Vehra.

Triple treat

Rock ‘n’ roll
Three rock bands bring live electronica to the city
Neha Walia

The rock hangover continues with the club version of XIII edition of India's biggest rock festival, Fuel Great Indian Rock 2009 (GIR), organised by Rock Street Journal, which has Delhi-based band The Circus performing at Rock n Rio-43 along with city-based bands Carrot Fish and ATM on Saturday. And a city that categorically treats rock as an 'outsider' has no option but to rock! Getting the act right, The Circus, a two-year old band, will be performing first time in the city. And their music, "We play Alternative/ punk/electronica/…," bassist Abhinav enlightens us. This young, four-membered band has an impressive list of acts and gigs at IIT Delhi, Hyderabad, GIR and were also featured in Channel V's Launchpad. So, how was it sharing stage with some of the biggest international and Indian bands like Intronaut (USA), Benea Reach (Norway), Them Clones, Bhayanak Maut and Indigo Children, "It was like just another show, where you enjoy watching a good band play," says Abhinav.

Working on their debut album, they are happy to keep a low profile. "We have released some songs on MySpace for preview and working on some samples. At most, the album will be ready for release by next month," he says. Well, hitting straight with their energy and effects with instruments, The Circus sure is high on rock-a-tainment.

Double play

Opening the act for The Circus will be city-based band Carrot Fish, followed by ATM (a conservative, compressed form of Anus The Menace, the band's actual name). While ATM set the groove with their high on energy act, indie rock band Carrot Fish will be performing their original compositions. The British influence quite visible in their music, Carrot Fish plans to make the most of their performance by jamming with the crowd, interacting and cracking jokes. "The pub setting gives you a chance to connect more with our audience, unlike performing gigs in front of few hundred poeple," says Sahil Sareen, manager and member, Carrot Fish.

As for ATM, the second act of the nite, it will be explosive and with every inch of the feel. "The vocalist of our band, Vilphin Vincent will be leaving Chandigarh to perform at Mumbai and other places. So, this act had to be full on energy," said Himanshu, bassist of the band. They have shared space with The Circus earlier on Channel V's Launchpad as competitors, "They are really good with their effects and all," adds Himanshu .

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

Lights, camera, action…
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

…'12/24 Karol Bagh, an address that seems so real is a daily soap that deals with the life of a middle class family, their struggles, happiness and sorrows in this cut throat competition of survival of the fittest. A family of six (three daughters, one son and parents) who deal with some reel and real life situations, in a telephonic conversation with Smriti Kalra and Hunar Halli who play Simi and Milli (respectively) in the show we share notes about their past, present and future.

Sharing notes about her character Smriti who plays Simi says, "I play a 29-30 year-old girl, who is shy, a little heavy and not married. She is a girl who has low self-esteem because of her un-married status." Ask her does she relate to the character and she says, "No, I'm quite outspoken in real life. I am bold, take my own decisions and I'm quite unlike my character, but now my character in the serial is in love with a boy who is eight-years younger to me, it gives some thrill and boldness to the character and somehow I relate to the boldness." Well, her character in the serial is on the heavier side (weight wise), was her family comfortable with the fact since she too has a marriageable age? "I had to put weight to play this character and my mother was little apprehensive considering that I would be playing the bechari type of girl, but then she understood and all is well."

Well qualified, she has done Journalism and MBA, we ask how did she land in the world of lights, camera and action? She says, "I was definitely not groomed for acting, but I was an RJ on a popular radio channel and my entry into television industry is quite filmy. I was offered the role at a coffee shop and I agreed after checking and re-checking the authenticity, since I thought somebody is playing a prank on me." Well, if we talk about acting, Smriti had a stint with the stage as she has played a part in a play named, The Breaking News and for future she wants to stick to acting, but that's not the dead end, as she says, "If I don't get good roles in future I would start my own business." Good going girl.

With two serials to her credit (Grihasti and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki), Hunar Halli aka Milli, is crystal clear on what she wants from life. "It's been two years since I started my career and from the beginning I knew I wanted to do television, but not the same kind of roles. I want to explore and do varied kind of roles. From comedy to villainous, I want to lap it all," says Hunar. Ask her to spell her character and she says, "Any girl of this generation can relate to my character in the daily soap. She is bold, lives life on her own terms, but is very possessive about her family." Is she the same in real life? "Yes, like anyone I'm close to my family, but work keeps me tied up and I can now hardly visit them," says Hunar. Ask her what next and she says, "Doing two television shows at one time is next to impossible and personally I like to take things one at a time so that I can do justice to my role." That's well said.

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Picks & piques
Long and short of it...
Johnson Thomas

TIMEPASS
This time round Priyadarshan may not exactly be reworking one of his successful south films, instead, he borrows plots from most of them, some Hollywood films and several Hindi comedies to fashion this tediously elongated, confusingly over-populated, exasperatingly silly comedy. The entire effort appears like someone well over-the-hill training for a 100-meter dash and managing to come in last. So, there is humour but all of it comes at you so much later in the film that you get exasperated just waiting for it to hit you.

Priyadarshan seems to have lost his touch over the years (if the kind of trash he has been dishing out after Hera Pheri is any yardstick) and with this film De Dana Dan he is trying to regain lost glory. Unfortunately the whole effort appears too labored and laborious.

There is no single major plotline that you can recall. It's all strung together, a kind of jumbled-up puzzle, which starts falling into place much-much (almost two hours and thirty minutes) later in the runtime. The story is basically incomprehensible. The film's opening sequence itself sets the tone for what drags on in the next three hours. There is a short voiceover, Akshay reciting his tale of woe- how he became an indentured servant to a colossally rich lady (Archana Puran Singh) who owns a few malls and several well-established businesses in Singapore. Now, why would such a rich woman want to have just one servant to do all her work is anybody's guess. She also loves her pet dog more than any other person in the world Nitin Bankar (Akshay) is in love with Anjali (Katrina Kaif) from a well-off family, and his friend Ram (Suneil Shetty) who is equally down in the dumps, is in love with Manpreet (Sameera Reddy) who is yet another rich daddy's girl. Both the girls are engaged-to-be-married and the guys have to find a way to earn big bucks- enough to get the girls out of their respective father's clutches. Into this scenario Priyadarshan weaves several more outlandish subplots causing identity foul-ups, relationship fracas and confusions and it all looks familiar and seen before. Every development appears predictable and reminiscent of other far better comedies.

Akshay Kumar seems to think that comedy requires loudness and he goes at it with full gusto. His performance appears strained, strident and intractable. Suneil Shetty uses his deadpan blankness to balance it out but it just doesn't hold water. Archana Puran Singh is louder than a banshee. Vikram Gokhale, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Neha Dhupia and Johnny Lever are the only ones who manage to keep the interest going whenever they appear on screen. By no means can this film be termed a laugh riot. There is nothing new here either. The music, background by Salim Suleiman and songs by Pritam, is passable. K. Ahambaram's cinematography is loud on colours and dim on depth, Sabu Cyril's production design is just about competent while Jay Master's dialogues are lacking in subtleties and wit. The narrative is shamelessly formulaic, abounds in irritating stereotypes and has an overbearingly shrill tone. Two hours into the film and you are still waiting for some tickle bait. It takes that long for Priyadarshan to get it all together and bring the whole bag full of characters to one place, Pan Pacific hotel, after which he goes into overdrive. The last half hour will have you laughing in your seats but it's the interminable tedium before it that will put you off. In fact those final minutes feel unduly protracted, as Priyadarshan contrives to delay the inevitable with a last-minute complication- the bombing of the swimming pool and the whole hotel getting flooded in!

Hold on to your toques. Exceedingly sensitive viewers, as well as recent patients of open-heart surgery, are advised to avoid De Dana Dan as the disappointment may just be too much. This film though entertaining in it's final act, is nevertheless both, over familiar and instantly forgettable!

Classic connection
S.D Sharma

Hair we come!
Tribune News Service

Singer Sarbjit Cheema inaugurated a unisex salon in Sector 10.

Renowned Punjabi pop-singer Sarbjit Cheema inaugurated Extension, a unisex salon in Sector-10, Chandigarh. Having started his musical career in the year 1993 Sarbjit has a degree of M.A History to his educational credit. Born in Vancouver, he says it was his love for music that has brought him all the fame in life. "I have acted in two Punjabi films, Pind Di Kuri and Apne Bol Apna Des and have also produced 12 musical albums, out of which two, Rangla Punjab and Rang Rara Rirara are a major hits."

Ask him about his Punjabi film career and he says, " I am playing a lead role with Saumya Tondon, Ranjit and Sudesh Lahri, in a yet untitled Punjabi movie that is being shot in Punjab, Mumbai and Himachal Pradesh."

Talking about the beauty business, he says, "Beauty is on everyone's mind and each and everyone wants to look the best." Sonia Gupta, prop of the salon said, "We have an experienced staff with us and we would be providing the best of the services. Clients can walk up to our saloon for services like hair grooming, colouring, rebounding and spas."

Body basics

Tarot Talk
P Khurrana

ARIES: You draw "Six of Wands" which helps you in professional work. Be cautious of the unfamiliar. Do not be too possessive of your partner on Monday. Avoid sharing your deepest secret with anybody. It's a good time to meditate. Tarot advice: Prayer to Maa Durga is apt.

TAURUS: Like the "The Knight of Cups" you are emotional in personal relationship and graceful on social occasions. You may face competition at work. Rise to the occasion and show your colleagues what you are made of. Tarot advice: Avoid late night parties on Sunday.

GEMINI: "The Empress" takes you towards the fast and protective lane. Channelise your energies in the right direction. A new venture is just on the cards. A special somebody will walk into your life soon. Tarot advice: Recite the mantra for 108 times on Saturday. AUM SHAN SHANICHARAYE NAMEH

CANCER: "Nine of cups" interprets it as having 'focused energy' and concentration on a goal, because of which even the impossible gets done. A middle-aged couple may bother you; handle them wisely. Get rid of your past and move on. Watch out for stomach ailments. Tarot advice: Seek the blessings of elders.

LEO: "The Nine of Pentacles" showers blessing on lovers. Your destiny may well be handed as a result you don't have any time to spare. You may suffer from an emotional setback so focus on meditation, yoga and exercise. Investing in reality is a good option too. Tarot advice: Donate sugar on Monday.

VIRGO: "The Nine of Wands" reveals that you make progressive professional and personal commitments. Be careful of losses, both personal and financial. Professionally, you will be able to achieve all your goals. Health may be a cause for concern. Tarot advice: Give fodder to cow on Tuesday.

LIBRA: "The Queen of Cups" brings romance poetry and dreamy quality in your personal relationships. An excellent week with new projects, money spinning ventures and a harmonious married life. Take care of your eyes. Tarot advice: Keep money plant in your bedroom.

SCORPIO: "The Emperor" gets you in touch with your leadership qualities. Your mind will be very alert. Beware of strangers on Tuesday. A profitable opportunity will help ease your financial problems. An Aquarian friend will be helpful. Tarot advice: Immerse a copper coin in flowing water.

SAGITTARIUS: You are in touch with dynamic and assertive energy to make new beginnings. Look forward to some work related overseas travel. A young person offers you a new project; rejoice! The Eight of Wands brings in new opportunities towards the weekend. Tarot advice: Offer eatables to a blind.

CAPRICORN: "The Nine of Cups" brings you to your truths hopes and desires that you mask with a calm surface. Some new developments at work will change your professional life dramatically. But your hectic work schedule might cause a rift at home. Tarot advice: Keep a small peace of green cloth in your pocket.

AQUARIUS: "Five of Cups" takes you through difficult speculative situation. Emotional relationships are temporary as you come out of them. Be extra careful with your money. Take care of your health. Your romantic associations prove to be troublesome. Tarot advice: Donate vegetables in temples.

PISCES: "The High Priestess" reveals family pressure and responsibilities. You will share credit with colleagues and be collectively praised for all your achievements at work. Spend time with your family. Tarot advice: Do not drink milk on Tuesday night.