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I'm dreaming of a White Christmas…
As Christmas is here, it is but natural to think of the number of films set during that festival period. True, that Christmas figures in a number of films, at least one in say five, but that's not counted. We shall deal with pure Christmas stories.
Maybe because of the popularity of the song but my pet film is White Christmas and I was hardly 12 when I saw it, my pre-film critic days of course, and it still rings a gong. Imagine feeling nostalgic over White Christmas when we haven't seen one in real life. Funny, isn't it, but true nonetheless.
It is about two entertainers who boost the popularity of a winter resort run by an old army buddy.
And, pray who are these two? Well none other than Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby both in their prime in the early 1950s. Kaye also visited India a little later and also played "Hans Christian Anderson" around that time. He was an entertainer par excellence while Bing Crosby's voice was constantly on the radio, silky smooth, though those words were used to describe a latter day singer Nat King Cole. Along with them were two renowned actresses and singers, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney. Ellen was known for her war-time songs and Clooney for an old favourite which went Never mind the noise in the market, only mind the price of the fish and if you venture further Remove your nose from the grindstone, just do the things that you wish. She was a latter-day Carmen Miranda, vibrant, effusive. Hollywood's hunk George Clooney is her nephew. With such a celebrated foursome White Christmas good only be a great film, though critics called it "humdrum" probably because they were drooling over Holiday Inn which was the inspiration for this remake. What do they say 'comparisons are odious' but never mind let's not get into all that. This is a nostalgia piece and as for White Christmas I thoroughly enjoyed it, having seen Bing Crosby earlier in The Bells of St. Mary's. The ambience still haunts me, everything white, sledges sliding by and songs galore, after all it was a musical and couldn't but be that with that star cast. But, it also had feeling and bonhomie, all that one required for the yuletide season. In those days they also released films appropriately, not the marketing mish-mash we have today. Then there's Santa Claus, the story of an old woodcutter is given immortality by elves and turned into Santa Claus --- in modern times he goes to New York to rescue an elf from a monster toymaker. Good fairy tale stuff with though gags and humour to keep one going at least for most of the time. David Huddlestone is at best fair but Dudley Moore is his usual hilarious self with John Lightgow in a good cameo. Not the warmest, funniest film ever made but guess it served its purpose. Another film that comes to mind is The Christmas Tree and not because it is anywhere brilliant. It is, in fact, melodramatic and weepy…and naturally depressing. Sadly it has William Holden in the lead role as the dad of a young lad infected by radioactivity. The boy is played by Broke Fuller, a comparative unknown when boy wonders were springing up like tulips. That Italian beauty Virna Lisi played the mother. It was a seaside story but oh so depressing and anything but Christmas fare, but guess that's how it goes and one does not have total control of what we see or have to see. Of course there's Nagisa Oshima's Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence and I saw it at the 1984 IFFI in Mumbai. The title is incidental and it deals with a British army officer and his relationship with a Japanese military man. Serious stuff this, which showed Oshima at his profound best. British singer David Bowie played the lead and did it well. There's The Santa Clause with Tim Allen in the lead and is about Santa Claus falling off the roof and an advertising executive takes over but realises he's stuck with the job. Well, so are the viewers. Allen cannot hide his Bob Hope persona and the film is unlikely to please either adults of children. But, let's come to one of the most elevating scenes on celluloid and that's in Richard Attenborough's Oh What a Lovely War! an anti-war film set in World War I. No the film is not about Christmas but about a Christmas truce during the war. And, to see the rival soldiers put away their arms and fraternise because of X-mas is simply out of this world. Hats off to Attenborough for conceptualising that sequence. Absolutely brilliant, Mr Attenborough! |
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Joy to the world
Agreed, it's not snowing in this part of the equator. It never does. What if it isn't cloudy either? Does that mean no Christmas mood? Not done!
So, we may or may not have the time to go over the fields, but there should be nothing stopping from laughing all the way.
If there are no bells on bobtails ringing, doesn't mean spirits shouldn't be bright! A few quickies on what you can do to get into the Christmas mode. z Don't have time to do an elaborate décor on the Christmas tree, wrapping up gifts and all the paraphernalia? How about setting up a desktop with the beautifully decked tree, all snow and Christmas feel. z Extend the whole concept into ring tones and caller tunes. Make others listen to Jingle Bells, at the same time you yourself listen to Silent Night. z Nothing ups the festival mood more than some old melodies, remixed carols and soft instrumental lyrics playing at the background. It's instant and uplifting. z Wear red. It takes a minute, let everyone around know you're in the spirit and it cheers up the atmosphere like anything. Red is the colour of the day, pull it out of your wardrobe. z Not in school anymore? No plans to attend the numerous Christmas bashes, how about going to a market or a mall where you know the festival décor is gonna be in full swing? — Manpriya Khurana |
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So natural!
Nature, with all its bright, bold and exuberant elements, is the theme of Renu Aggarwal’s painting exhibition at the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10. Odyssey, with 33 works on display, she has let the colours flow freely on canvas, highlighting various aspects of nature and its relationship with human beings. “The exhibition has semi-abstract and abstract forms, with no deliberate attempt to create forms. Just some spontaneous, bold strokes,” she says.
Turning her childhood hobby into profession just two years back, Renu has been part of some group shows and this is her second solo show. “Nature has been my biggest inspiration and my work reflects what I feel. It’s a way to celebrate things around me,” says this Panchkula-based artist. Well, not just her canvas but her garden too reflects her creative bonding with Mother Nature. Glimpses of the greens from her garden complete the feel of the exhibition with small bonsai and pots accessorised with small mud huts and one even having a small Buddha statue. One of her paintings was also selected and displayed at the Lalit Kala Akademi. “I have also played around with female forms as I find them alluring and beautiful. Some of the natural elements like roaring oceans, spring blossoms too have been given different dimensions in my work.” —Neha Walia On till December 27 |
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Side Lanes
Christmas, Good Friday and Easter are the three most important and unifying dates of the Christian Calendar. The first signifies Christ’s birth, the second His Crucifixion and the third His coming to life again. Christmas is a time to give, renew contacts, mend fences and smile in all directions. Unfortunately, the human psyche often fails in its endeavors and the festival becomes a catalog of frailty giving way to such baser emotions as competition, snide remarks and doing better than the Jonses. If we can remember and laugh at these negativities long after they occur, then we have forgiven, forgotten and moved on, which is the true essence of Yuletide.
Whoever could gather at Ashiyana, the ancestral home in Jalandhar, did so at Christmas. The morning began with my father waking everyone up to the resounding notes of The First Noel, from a 78 RPM record, played on an ancient His Master’s Voice, gramophone. Granny, like the proverbial prison warden, would remove the large keyring from her waist and unlock the tin trunk that held half a dozen, two-kilo fruitcakes. The fruit was cut and soaked in rum or brandy in mid November. The baking was done by mid December and the cakes were left in the box to “mature.” Granny cut the first large wedges on the 25 and handed them out with tea or milk. This was our Christmas breakfast. The race for baths began soon after. We had to reach the family church by 8.30 a.m. No one could escape except Grandpa who had never attended the service in anyone’s living memory. Though from a family of early converts, he abhorred the shrill choir, or was it a protest against his wife’s family who had built the Golaknath Memorial Church and was always present in droves? Grandpa declared that if this was the kind of singing he would be subjected to in heaven, he would prefer going to hell. A pateela of hot water was readied for every bath on the steam coal fire. Therefore, the line up began at 6 am and continued till we all ambled out of the front gate. Granny walked with a wooden stick and we all fanned out behind her, maintaining a respectful distance. I wore a grey green check coat, warm but unfashionable and dowdy. To this day, I loathe checks in my wardrobe. At the church, our front pews were waiting as no one dared usurp them. We sang English hymns as Granny and her brother Julian accompanied us on the piano and violin. Most of the carols were sung in Hindi or Urdu accompanied by artists on the tabla, flute, mouth organ, harmonium and castanets. Christmas celebrations began around December 20. To accommodate everyone, a roster was drawn and menus reviewed so that dishes were not repeated. The host and hostess were the most nervous people at a party as all their preparations came under heavy scrutiny. By Boxing Day the results were out and many refused to accept them declaring unfair bias as the cause. The senior most aunts and uncles passed the most odious comments and revelled in watching crestfallen faces. Grandpa, who never attended a single dinner, except his own, would ask “Kya khaya?” If we said “Mutton pullao,” he would declare, “Nahin! Julian ke ghar mein murgi ki pathri aur kaleji ka pullao mila hoga.” He had his own views on his brother-in-law’s generosity. Gifts were stacked under the Chritmas tree, which was a branch of the Cyprus from the front lawn. Many of us forgot who had given us what the previous season so unutilised gifts were often returned to the giver with a smile and a kiss and accepted with the same. After the service, we had “open house” for the neighbours. People streamed in for cake and coffee. It was the one-day in the year when they could visit the home of one of the first Christian families in the Mission Hatha. Grandpa was conspicuous by his absence. A group of American Missionaries looked at the very fair, good looking Dutt family and asked if we were “half and half.” We assured them we were full-blooded Indians, converts from families that had relocated from Bengal almost two centuries earlier. |
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The battle begins
I have always maintained that I had a purpose to fulfill. With this project I see myself moving closer towards it,” shares Rohit Jugraj, the director of James and Superstar, who also assisted Ram Gopal Varma on Bhooth and Ashutosh Gowarikar on Jodhaa Akbar. The purpose is his upcoming directorial venture on the famous Battle of Saragarhi.
The young director is all-set to share the story in its most pure and pristine form. Which is why he clears his stance, “I am no Ashutosh Gowarikar, and this will be nothing like Jodhaa Akbar. Yes, this is a periodic movie, which will make everyone, especially the youngsters sit up and notice what bravado means in the real sense. But first, why the subject Battle of Saragarhi? “As I told you, I firmly feel I have one life to live, and I want to make the complete use of that. This was a topic lying in my subconscious mind, which has now woken up with full force. Secondly, I completely relate to the sense of boldness of those 21 men. And, last but not the least, he pulls out an old medal of his great grandfather his pocket, dated 1901-1902, “I guess this is it. Why wouldn’t I want to take up this topic.” More on the unexplored subject, Rohit shares, “Battle of Saragarhi is the incredible story of 21 men of the 36th Sikh Regiment (currently the 4th Sikh regiment) who gave up their lives. The encounter took place on September 12, 1897 in the Tirah region of North-West Frontier Province (now in Pakistan). In keeping with the tradition of the Sikh army, they fought to death rather than surrender.” The last message by Havildar (Sergeant)Ishar Singh ‘I am the last man left, but now I need to go and fight’ gives me goose bumps,” adds Rohit, who has planned a ‘real’ and magnanimous treatment for the movie. “The movie will have five big stars, and a lot of young and fresh talent from all over Punjab, says Rohit, already on the sets hypothetically. “We will have the five actors grow real heard in 10 months, so that they can justify their roles to the hilt. The movie will have a complete authentic touch to it. Shaun Smith, known for special make up affects will come down to take care of the make up and heard of the cast.” Rohit plans to start the shoot somewhere in the end of 2010, which will be shot in Punjab, Morocco and other places whereby he plans to build forts and create the look of the period. Hurdles, if he sees any. Rohit smiles, “Tell me why would a 18-year-old-boy would want to watch a movie based on the Battle of Saragarhi when there are other options available. Well, this is the challenge. Besides, I plan to undertake a pre-visualisation step before getting down to making the film, where I will get the clippings of the movie approved the regiment, from the descendants of martyrs an d from the other sikh bodies, lest we don’t go wrong anywhere. I don’t want to in any way, take liberty with the authenticity.” jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Kite runner
Before the news on colourful, contrasting kites, here’s a thought for the day, ‘Terrorism divides, tourism unites’. With this motto and couple of motives and just the right amount of motivation, Gujarat tourism came calling to the city to woo the kite enthusiasts. It’s International Kite Festival starting January 10 up till January 14. Anyone with the spirit for kites, skill of flying or with unique kites is welcome.
“Kite flying is quite a culture there, everyone from a child to eighty plus is into this sport now,” Kamlesh Patel, chairman, tourism, Government of Gujarat, gets everything started and spells the reason for his visit.
“We are here to promote this festival, invite one and all and use it as a platform to up the tourism.” As for talking of strictly the festival in question, Vipul Mittra, secretary, Tourism, explains the international part of the event, “There are going to be hundred and two foreign kite runner from 34 countries.” Talk of the culture up North, Mittra explains, “It’s not that there’s no one who’s into it here, it’s just that things here are a little un-organsied. We are here to provide that platform to everyone, who has a passion The festival in its 20th year now, is part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the state. Did anyone just say it’s part of the culture spanning 18,000 villages, 700 towns, comprising three and a half crores populace. Apart from kite flying competitions, workshops, kites 20 to 30 feet high, there’re going to be, “Kite painting competitions, food stalls, water games, adventure sports, theme pavilion,” alongside newly developed Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad. Anybody who has anything to do with the K word, see you there. — Manpriya Khurana |
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Sweet something
It’s Christmas and to usher in warmth and good cheer Ovenfresh (Sectors 17, 35, 26 and DT Mall) brings to the city a concept popular in Western Europe and parts of USA where the Christmas supper ends with 13 dessert items, representing Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles. The desserts are traditionally set out on Christmas Eve and remain on the table three days until December 27.
Some of these sweets at Ovenfresh are made with traditional age old recipes and others are made in keeping with the present times. The traditional plum cake requires month long soaking of dried nuts and fruit, for example. Most of these yummies are made with naturally warming ingredients. Dried fruits and nuts are used in the Fruit cake and Walnut pie. Children simply love the cinnamon star cookies and can even hang them as Christmas ornaments on the X’mas trees. With their pastry chef and bakers specially trained in making and decorating Christmas goodies, holiday desserts are sure to make your Christmas come alive. You can pick from a range of cakes including— Fruit cake, Apple Pie, Walnut Pie, Scones, Cinnamon Star cookies, Meringue cookies, Black Bottom Cappuccino, Date and Nut Tea Cakes, Walnut Pie, Trifle, Christmas Cake, Plum Cake and Rum Balls. |
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Shopper’s stop
V Mart opens a whole new world of shopping on this festival for all age groups. Their vast array of latest fashionable range of garments, gifting items, décor, home and kitchen appliances and everything you look for yourself or for your beloved ones, available at a very attractive price.
Seeing upcoming Christmas and New Year, V Mart has announced an extremely exciting campaign “Khelo aur Jeeto” for their customer. In this campaign V Mart allows you to play a game, if you win the game, you will get some exciting gift hampers or special discount from V Mart. According to Lalit Agrawal, MD, V Mart Retail Ltd, “V Mart has received excellent response from their consumer across the country. Through this unique scheme “Khelo aur jeeto” we would like to give the maximum benefit to our customers. Especially when it comes to the gifts and décor stuff, one finds here apparels and home stuffs that are different and not to be found anywhere else.” |
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Silent lover
Whoever thought there was just one and only and single and solitary, Jingle Bells to jingle all the way? Of course, that's the 'World Anthem' among Christmas carols and that's the first one almost everyone learnt or lisped…the carol that the choirs just have to croon.
Music, beats, melody or memories, there's a lot that goes into making a perfect Christmas carol that brings the school nostalgia alive. Think assembly, choir, uniform, winter vacations…by the way, what are the favourite ones? Hark, The Herald Angels Sing, What Child is This, Joy to the World, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem…the list is limitless and can never be exhaustive. "There are actually countless carols but there are good 15 to 20 that are popular throughout the world and are known commonly," Naresh Jacob, who's been into the singing profession for over two decades now, shares. And, what are his absolute favorites? "There are many actually but is asked to pick, it would be Silent Night, Joy to the World and of course Jingle Bells." Jingle Bells. How could anyone miss that out? Seems the iconic song celebrating winter fun has never been out of ears for years! Not many know, the song, inextricably connected to the festival, it is not specifically a Christmas song. Who cares, as long as it reminds of the snow, mistletoe, red and reindeer? Which in turn reminds of the good old red-nosed reindeer, Rudolf and the classic song. The song that tells the tale of Santa Claus's ninth and lead reindeer who had a nose shiny enough to illuminate the team's path through inclement weather. In the festival deeply entrenched in tradition, is there any place for remixed versions? Laughs Annie Charles, vice-principal, Mount Carmel School, "Remixed versions of carols is actually how the young generation likes it. Nothing bad in it as long as they are singing praises of God. God likes all kinds of music." Yeah but she's got to list her best carols. "It would be Silent Night, White Christmas, O Holy Night and Jingle Bells." Jingle bells, there we go again, in one horse open sleigh, dashing through the snow! Back to the carols, Silent Night too seems to have silently made its way through the hearts. "Straightaway it's Silent Night," shares Harold Carver, Principal, St Stephen's School. It didn't take him fraction of a second. "That's because of its beautiful lyrics that speak of a night which is so silent yet so powerful." Silent Night, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Jingle Bells…toss, take your pick, find an old one, new one, remixed version, whatever, but do hum your favourite today. manpriya@tribunemail.com |
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Mistletoe and wine
Nothing could be more perfect than a light dusting of snow falling on the Christmas eve. But since everyone is not blessed with a climate that can shower pearl drops for a white X-mas, there is more than one way to make the day extra special, especially when it comes to family ties and celebrations. And, with every shop, every lounge, every eatery sparkling with special decoration and lights, households too are not lagging behind. Bedecked for the Christmas cheer, we talk to some families and ask them their way of spreading Christmas cheer…. From foreign shores Kelly Cabrera Vela from Peru, married to an Indian and resident of Sector-51, is going to celebrate her first Christmas here. We ask her what does she find different here. "Though the spirit is same everywhere, but back home Christmas was more of decoration, fun and frills, gifts and definitely lots of visitors. It was just like we have Diwali here," says Kelly. Missing her family and more of X-mas hullabaloo she says, "Though we have less number of people, but the spirit is not low.”
Frills 'n' ferns
Right from candles to glass and floral reeds, people prefer picking varied things to bedeck their home. But Lindin Rodrigues, resident of Sector 70, Mohali, says, "Everyone decorates home before carol singers start coming. And, it is usually 10 days before Christmas that the revelry starts. Apart from the usual decorations that we have, this year we have participated in a crib competition organised by our church. One had to give the name to the church people and they would visit and then choose the winner." Well, so how have they made it special? "Since we have been decorating a crib from many years, we have our own statues and we have decorated it with hay, frills, bells etc. Other than that we have decorated the traditional X-mas tree." That was for adornment, the family goes for the midnight mass and then get-together with friends. Food for thought
An integral part of any celebration, food simply cannot be ignored. So how can we write about Christmas without mentioning the cake? But adding twist to the traditional take of X'mas khana, Christina Singh, deputy manager, British Library, says, "Like every other home, we bake the plum cake and muffins, but what makes our Christmas food different from others is, we have dhokla, ghujia and mutton samosa included in the fare." That's different, but is there any special reason for that? Says Christina, "Nothing unusual about it, but this has been our menu since many years. And, when we say ghujia, we make it little different by stuffing mutton in it rather than the usual coconut and dry-fruits filling." Rest all is same, we invite people and go out for dinners too. jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
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