How often does it happen that you start writing your first crime novel and end up being mistaken as a suspect for the actual crime? “But that’s research,” says Ian Rankin, one of the best-selling crime writer in the UK.

“And just for the record, you can call me Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Ian Rankin.” Well, with five honorary degrees who wouldn’t like to be so humbly addressed!

The author who created the character of Inspector Rebus was in city to promote his latest novel – ‘The Complaints’ - on an invitation by the British Library under their cultural programme, Lit Sutra.

An entire decade devoted to writing thrillers, inside police stories and taking crime on its head in his novels, Ian’s characters are realistic and his writings cathartic. “Most cops working in the UK are divorced; troubled because they keep things bottled up. The cops who investigated the Lockerbie disaster saw devastation and were expected to return to work next morning. They become cynical, jaded, and distanced. When I write, it works as a therapy for me to get things out of my system,” says the writer who enjoys playing God with his characters. “And get paid handsomely for doing so,” he adds.

Dark and mysterious seem to impress him and so does the city of Edinburgh. His works show a traditional Scottish connection with the city being the epicentre and an influence from American writers like Raymond Chandler. “Scotland has a fantastic tradition of dark, gothic characters; the likes of Dr Jekyl and Mr Hydes. In my novels, Edinburgh is the main character, the city of secrets and mysteries. Anything happens in the city, changes the nature of living there and I have to write about it,” he shares.

Some of his novels have also been converted into television serials and he has done a three-part series on the Nature of Evil, exploring the issue through science and exorcism. “It took me months to finish the project, get exorcism performed on myself in Vatican and still not being able to find answers.” Well, that’s research!

When in India, why not add an Indian angle to the mystery? “With fast changes happening and so much excitement, there are many possible plots for crime fiction in India. I am hoping to write about cricketers here; the players being drugged, corrupted and conspired against. Maybe the novel has a few songs as well,” he quips.

Couldn’t resist the Bollywood temptation. His novels too work on the ‘hero wins in the end’ mantra like Hindi movies. “Maybe. But a good crime fiction is all about closure. There is a crime, the investigation and the satisfaction of the reader that sanity has been restored in the end.”

Now that Rebus is retiring and Rankin on a sabbatical, what next? “I’ll continue writing till I have written a perfect novel. Maybe a romantic one this time,” he signs off.

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

Some things are done solely for personal gratification while some are lucrative. Some passions last a lifetime while some are strong enough to turn into a profession. For Peter Chan, best-selling author and co-founder of Herons Bonsai, UK’s premier bonsai nursery, there is a place for every probability. An electrical engineer from IIT Kharagpur, Chan, who had a fascination for designing miniature models, found his calling in the live version – bonsai’s. Warming up with a cup of piping hot tea at Rupen Deol Bajaj’s house, former Punjab cadre IAS officer and state information commissioner, bonsai master Peter Chan shares his addiction for the small wonders.

“I always had a fascination for plants. In England I saw ceramic pottery wherein they would keep small plants. That was it,” says Peter, whose first book ‘Bonsai- The art of growing and keeping miniature trees’ (first published in 1985) is a bestseller and still in print. Where theory ends, creativity begins. “I am a self-learnt Bonsai guy. I would try experimenting with miniatures, which I incorporated into my books.”

Shrinking size of houses, fading interest in gardening and time becoming an expensive commodity, bonsai lovers like Peter Chan have more than one reason to pursue their passion. “Bonsai is a small tree that resembles a bog tree. Different countries have different species and appearances. Designing a Bonsai requires patience and creativity,” says Peter, adding that this was like any other interest that one gets hooked onto for a lifetime.

Something on Bonsai secrets? Advices Peter, “If you are asking me about any fable on Bonsai, I don’t know. Otherwise, remember to water them; don’t keep them in the house for too long; bring them out and let them soak in sunshine. Just the way Rupen has done,” even as he shows us Bajaj’s bonsai collected breaks in kanal houses, wells, logs, jungle…the list goes on. “Lastly, you have to prune the Bonsai’s from time to time so that they stay in shape,” says Peter, who has 20 Chelsea gold medals to his credit and is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the bonsai.

Many of Peter’s books have been translated into major European languages — his first two have in fact been translated into eight languages. “I live with and for the bonsai,” says this India-born UK resident with a glint in his eyes.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

From designer wear, home linen, balloons, perfumes, Tarot readings, pets to spices, Winter Wonder sure has something for everyone

If it's apparel, bags, jewels, linen on your mind… it's time to check out Winter Wonder put up by Rashmi Bindra at Hotel Shivalik View-17.

Kashmiri, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Pakistani hand-printed, rich in gotta patti work…when it comes to designer wear, choices are aplenty. You can take your pick from designer brands like Aarav, Deiva, Manjri, Vashanshi and Saboori.

Check out TK creations for shawls with matching clutches. Babli jewellers, Gehna collections, S Mehra Jewels, Urperals and Trinklets, bring glittery, stone-studded, silver and antique jewellery for you.

Show stealers are the home furnishing stalls set up by Dressup, Rasberrie, Roma fabrics, TK Creations and Your Textile. From earthy to shimmering, you can pick designer quilts, cushions, curtains and covers for your home sweet home.

Check out Fragrance and Flavors' offers by Harjot and Pamal, especially for Valentine's Day. Gurudev Portraits are also offering special discounts and lucky winners get a portrait free.

Mewa Lotus has a stall with dry fruits and high-grade spices from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey and Egypt. Fedora puts up a nice display of evil eye jewellery and accessories. Balloonman is there with complete theme party solutions and balloon bouquets for special occasions.

Immersed in Republic Day spirit, there are on the spot questions that can make you win lots of prizes. You could also win a prize if you show up in national colours!

Best of all, you can leave your children in the Kids Corner where they can play games even as you get busy shopping. —TNS

'Veer took a long time (over 10 years) from concept to screen but the labor (if any) never shows up on screen. The entire scenario appears preposterous, the story is ridiculous and the setting is hysterically overdone. This is Salman's second attempt at screenplay writing and frankly, there has been zero growth from the days of a disaster called Chandramukhi. And Salman is no actor either. He is just a star who postures in his own style and gets away with the bloody murder of acting in film after film. But in Veer his posturing comes a cropper too. His role is that of a brave heart (read Veer), the young scion of the Pindhari tribesman who lend their support to the local Rajas from the Rajputana territory. His father Prithvi (Mithun) had lent earnest support to the Raja of Azamgarh (Jackie Shroff) only to be betrayed and driven off from his own lands. Prithvi promises revenge and in typical Bollywood fashion, his wife (Neena Gupta) delivers a boy whom he christens Veer and expects to avenge his humiliation. The rest of the film is about Veer's escapades in Rajputana and London, his falling in love with the Raja's daughter (a portly expressionless doll, Zarine Khan) and his subsequent wreaking of revenge on the Raja, on Prithvi's behest.

It's ironic that this is a romantic period drama, which fails to deliver in both departments be it drama or romance.

The narration is slip-shod, the dialogues totally jingoistic and the plot is fashioned more on fantasy than reality. The action is extremely old-fashioned- straight out of the 'Maqsad' period. Set in 1920 with the story going as far back as 1860, you would at least expect some insight into the history of that time, but the director fails to rouse passions here. Anil Sharma has been infamous for his jingoistic cinema (Gadar-Ek Prem Katha) and luckly he has struck it rich, but Veer is not likely to do a Gadar for him. Expectations were sky high after Wanted, but watching this film is an exercise in self-flagellation. Veer away from this one if you value your sanity! 

Zarine Khan, a look-alike of Katrina Kaif is all set to rock Bollywood in the world of newcomers. Having made her debut with director Anil Sharma's period film Veer written by actor Salman Khan, Zarine is the new actor who seems to have immense potential.

Would you call Veer a dream debut?

It is definitely a dream debut for me. I feel I am living in a dream. I am lucky to make debut with Salman Khan and director Anil Sharma.

How did you react when you got a call from Salman Khan?

I was a bit surprised when Salman told me on the set of Yuvraj that I am going to sign autographs for the world. At that time, I did not understand what he meant but now I know why he said so.

It is believed that you were selected because of your resemblance to Katrina Kaif.

As far as I know, Salman was looking for a new face for his costume drama Veer. Many new faces were auditioned but I was the lucky one to get the lead role.

How was it working with Salman?

An outstanding experience! I believe that it is Salman's passion that got everyone so focused.

Have your expectations from the film been fulfilled?

Whatever I expected that's already fulfilled. I got to do this great piece of work. Anything else is a bonus!

—Dharam Pal

To be a cabbie in Mumbai now, one will have to give a Marathi language test. This is after MNS Chief Raj Thackery had proclaimed - “Mumbai is not a dharamshala for North Indians.”

Knowing Marathi would surely be good if one indeed intends to make a living there. But cabs are mostly for outsiders and would the visitors really require a Marathi-speaking driver?

If I were to start my career in Chandigarh as a taxi driver, I would have been a lost puppy if I had to exchange instructions and directions in Punjabi. Somehow, despite my bad Hindi and no Punjabi (it is remarkable how well I understand it now, including the impolite phrases), I survived to find that I love this city and the fact that nobody judges me by my bad Hindi and budding Punjabi! 

Growing up in Calcutta, our parents always told us that the Punjabi, and there were many, taxi drivers were the best. They were trustworthy, reliable and, of course, knew how to drive better than others. And most of these drivers spoke very decent Bangla, without giving any test. Their breed is extinct now and many old-timers bemoan their passing.  

I have worked on my Hindi skills diligently and have arrived at a point where I can instruct the carpenter to align the angles at a certain degree. I can haggle, retort with a policeman, rebuke the nagging beggar, plead with the parking attendant – all in correct tense and form.

Chandigarh did not dictate my speech or my form. In fact, what we know as the new tidal wave of prosperity in the city largely stems from three factors – free enterprise, hard work and absence of cultural constraints.   

If I were to be a taxi driver in any Indian city, Chandigarh would be my first choice. My job would be comfortable simply because of the size of the city and the comparatively less traffic. Most probably, the taxi would be air-conditioned and most of the passengers would not be irritated if I played obnoxious Hindi-Punjabi rap while driving. I would be able to swing into the railway station with ease and grace, something that is almost unthinkable in a big city!  

Chandigarh still retains an air of free thinking. Language should be a big deal for the right reasons. Chandigarh is in a way richer because of the infusion of people from new territories. One of my first Punjabi exchanges in the city was with an octogenarian caretaker who welcomed me in chaste Punjabi. I understood the essence and felt comforted. A good beginning that started with the heart would now help me to learn the language without coercion and with warmth.

TAROT TALK
What the cards say today...
P. KHURRANA

ARIES: The karmic “Wheel of fortune” turns in your favour. A good week to attend partnership affairs. Overseas visitor may be relaying on you in some way. Students: expect fun in the campus. Short trips may have to be taken at very short time. Avoid drinks on Tuesday.

Astro advice: Don’t take any legal actions on Monday. 

TAURUS: You draw “Two of wands” to invoke mental power and intelligence. Be sure to grasp the opportunity that comes your way on Monday. You will be able to take the lead in partnership affairs. Sudden changes in romance are in the cards

Tip of the week: Offer rice or curd at the place of worship 

GEMINI: “Four of pentacles” smiles on health. Discuss the detail plans with loved ones. Do not allow friends or family to distract you during study hours. Employment affairs are satisfactory. You will be feeling more secure.

Tip of the week: Offer water to rising Sun. 

CANCER: “Two of wands” spin in speculation luck. You have achieved most of your short-term objectives. Your interest in overseas affairs is likely to stimulate. Enjoy and ride your luck on Wednesday. Health may be determinably affected while travelling.

Tip of the week: Keep your head on the west side of your bed while sleeping. 

LEO: “Nine Golden Cups” greet you with happiness. Associates will be helpful. You will find the atmosphere at work congenial to making good progress. Your personal and public life is likely to clash on Thursday. Women: do not argue over silly matters.   

Tip of the week: Avoid blue colour in parties.

VIRGO: “The Chariot” shines on love, money and sports.  Stick to your schedule. Your resources can be boosted.  Health problem are not a worry. This need not be a difficult week so long as you postpone major moves.

Tip of the week: Stay calm and grounded.

LIBRA: “The Magician” spins in some good fortune and emotional abundance. Be alert, opportune time ahead.  Watch your step while dealing with superiors. Your conscience is likely to be pricked. Women: do not be so worried about holding down your jobs.  Do not over exercise on Tuesday.

Tip of the week: Keep a red piece of cloth under your pillow. 

SCORPIO: “The Moon” takes you through a difficult karmic situation. You could be misreading the actions of loved ones. Your diet needs more attention. Women: you should be able to find useful ways to cut down on shopping bills. 

Tip of the week: Offer books to poor students. 

SAGITTARIUS: The card “Hermit” reveals your creativity and imagination would be most fertile this week.  There are apt to be delays both on the road and on public transportation. Old patients: take complete rest. Lovers: a good week ahead. Students: focus on hobbies. Do not take risk for quick gains.

Tip of the week: Keep fast on Tuesday. 

CAPRICORN: “The Lovers” inspire you for plenty of change and adjustments in this week. This is not the right week for attempts to complete property deals. Businessmen: a profitable day. CA/Accountants: serious miscalculation is likely. Women: focus on balanced diet. Pets need attention.

Tip of the week: Donate black clothes on Saturday. 

AQUARIUS: “The Princes of Cups” reveals this is the week when you would need to take quick decisions and even quicker action. You will be in the mood to meet people from different walks of life. Get your priorities right. Focus on meditation or exercise. Your spouse is likely to be erratic.

Tip of the week: Believe in god

PISCES: You draw “Seven of Swords”. Someone you meet on Monday day may give you a useful business tip. Go over accounts. Keep plugging away. Postpone journeys. 

Tip of the week: Donate mustard oil on Saturday.