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Hook, line & sinker
If you thought being a celebrity (be it sportsman, actor, fashion designer, supermodel or politician) was all about razzmatazz — trendy outfits, walking with an entourage of bouncers, signing autographs, smiling and waving at 'pretty fans'; endorsing everything under the sun, walking under limelight with shutterbugs wanting to catch every move..you are sadly mistaken. Well, celebrities do enjoy all the glitz and glamour, but at the same time have to be vigilant and work towards maintaining their status. So, what do the celebs of Kings XI Punjab do to live up to their standing? They work a lot and chill out the way any youngster would. Take it from the style mascots. Chill pill: Irfan Pathan
Funtime funda: Lots of movies, music and comedy shows on Sab TV. Music varies as per mood. When I am going to play, I like some hardcore music, and soft music goes down well when I am more relaxed. More on musical front? I am gung-ho on Punjabi remixes, R&B, Bollywood music. When I am in Baroda, I play with my pet dog Simba, and take care of the horse my brother has. Mind you, maintaining a horse is a Herculean task. Style check: Style means comfort. I feel stylish if I am comfortable in what I am wearing. Colour, designs, brand are secondary. I need to feel comfortable first. Jeans and tees are the coolest thing in the wardrobe. Off late, I have taken a liking to some formal shirts. They have such nice and refined cuts. Movie mania: 3 Idiots and My Name Is Khan are my recent favourites. Shah Rukh Khan delivered a great performance and at the same time managed to send across a good message across. I must mention that 3 Idiots is an awesome movie. All that animation: I like to watch animated movies. I haven't left any, he flashes a dimpled smile. I have watched Cinderalla as well. Have you seen UP? It is great-animated stuff! Laugh it off: Juhi Chawla and Paresh Rawal are great actors who can carry off any genre pretty well. I don't watch movies to cry, they are meant for entertainment, and the two actors are good at it. Short & Sweet: Sreesanth Punjabi tadka: I miss my mother's handmade food. I haven't tried different cuisines in Chandigarh. Ah, yes, I like rajmah with gravy and butter chicken. Do I qualify to be a foodie? Time out: I have been in the hotel (Mountview) only; haven't been out much. The gym and spa there are wonderful. I have a religious bent, so I might just go and pay a visit to a gurdwara in the city. My kinda movie: Anything that is short and sweet. A Wednesday was a good movie. Bollywood movies are anyways short and sweet. By the time you get settled with the popcorns, the movie is already hitting the climax. Style, keep it simple: Don't tell me, I don't follow trends that are set at the fashion weeks. Instead, I follow Milan Fashion Week (jokingly!!). I am comfortable in jeans and tees. On some occasion, I like to dress up in a nice formal pair. Please avoid: I am not a 'tie man'. I can't be suited-booted with a tie. Please spare that. Cool dude: Yuvraj Singh Time out: Free time is reserved for family and friends. This is the best way to de-stress and relax. It also means spending quality time with family, which I miss out on so much. Movie buff: Every bit of me. Bollywood and Hollywood movies are a delight to watch. Style to me: To feel good is to look good. If you are feeling great, trust me, everyone around will see something special in you. Sans trends, just feel comfortable in your skin. Food no bar: Nothing like homemade kadhi chawal. Northern and Thai cuisines go down well with me. The destination: Queensland in New Zealand; could there be any other place like it? Absolute amazing in terms of ambience and scenic beauty. Stress buster: A game of snooker hits the stress out of my system, leaving me fresh and mentally strong again. jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Rocking affair!
It might be the first reality show with a live audience, live performances, instant judging and instant decisions. Well, IPL Rockstar, which brings in the first tadka of the IPL 2010 is bigger and better than any other reality show. Why? "Because it involves less time, more commitment and more entertainment. And no audience votes," says Kailash Kher, one of the judges on the show. An extension of the extravagant promotions of the IPL season 2010, the show will have 12 contestants competing for IPL Rockstar. The list includes selective names of those who participated in singing shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Indian Idol. "The show is different in its format as the competition will be live on the ground and there is no scope for regionalism, clashes between judges or any other gimmick," says Kaislash. Sukhwinder Singh will be co-jugding the show and the feisty rapper Hard Kaur will be the host. "IPL Rockstars will redefine reality shows. The best part about being live is that the audience reaction will be instant," said Sukhwinder. But wouldn't judging the ones who have already proved their mettle a tough job, that too live? "It is exciting as well," he says. "Well, adrenaline rush is the official theme for IPL," he adds. Talking about themes, Kailash had recently sung for the hockey world cup and this would be his second outing at the IPL; counting the last year's performance given by his band Kailasa for Delhi Daredevils. What sport works better for him? "Sports should be justified and served, be it in any form," he says. Their first performance will be at the PCA stadium, Mohali, where Daler Mehndi will launch the show with his performance.
nehawalia@tribunemail.com
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Riot of colours
There’s a sudden splash of colours with huge canvases at the entrance. Then there’s a series with nests amidst colourful backgrounds and hint of birds. Another canvas portrays a college girl in a sitting posture. Yet another depicts an artist in contemplation, with a paintbrush in hand. Then comes a face of a child, an old man’s face…all the while, the preparations around continue. Shares Brinder, final-year student, “It’s our annual art exhibition, the students are still in the process of completely making room for their displays.” “On display are around four works of each student and 21 in total,” shares Alka Jain, chief coordinator. Not to leave out on the myriad categories under which the paintings, the graphics, the sculptures and applied art works were displayed. Moving on, there’s one that paints just the deep brown roots of a tree; the countless never-ending veils knotted against each other. There’s also an entire wall of posters taking up social causes, one being the current societal problem of racism. In contrast, to the earlier riot of colours, a wall has displays of muted works, some in monochromatic themes. One titled ‘A Fantasy’, sketches a woman in different postures and gestures; with back towards the wall, with head buried in hands, in contemplation. Shares Madhvi Surjewala, “I got the idea when I saw my friend just sitting and thinking. All of them are in thinking mode and mood. It’s just like dream.” Another titled ‘Metamorphosis’, is no less a flight in the artists’ imagination. Yet another traces the journey of a seed. Meanwhile, the to-be-displayed work is yet in progress. Once up, all are cordially invited. — Manpriya Khurana (On till March 16)
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Rising STAR
“The level of competition could be better described as the battle,” says Mitika. After all, she had to compete with disciples of legends like Kishori Amonkar, Ajoy Chakraborty, Ustad Rashid Khan and more representing other universities of the country. After many superlative performances and ranking in the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009, Mitika has got many offers for playback singing movies which are in the process of shooting. “I want to be practical enough about my career and it’s important for me to choose the one which promises stable and consistent results rather than something that does not stay uniform,” says Mitika, answering a question on her career choice. “Music is my passion. Hobby and career are two entirely different aspects and I don’t believe in using them interchangeably. I have always been passionate about music and it’s going to be a part of my being. My guru, my father Kanwar Iqbal deserves all the credit for my achievements in the field of music. Every time I listen to him I feel am nowhere near him. I hope I will gain the capability to sing like him, be it classical, ghazal or tappa. Apart from music she is engrossed in two of her most favorite subjects — psychology and French. “I want to do research in psychology. One thing I would like to change about people is their pessimistic thinking.” Positive psychology, which is a new branch of psychology, is what interests her interest lies the most. |
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Spring in his step
Normally, exponents of various literary arts claim that their chosen realm is 'complete art' but to me the classical dance genres are very close to perfection," opines Sandeep K Mahavir, a proponent of Jaipur Gharana of kathak. "For instance, kathak or any other form has all the ingredients of music, drama, poetry et al," he adds.
In the city on invitation of Pracheen Kala Kendra for a performance at their annual 'Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan' that begins on Friday, the dynamic youth icon shares his views on the centuries-old tradition of dancing. Born and brought up in Mumbai, Sandeep had obviously more challenges from the family members than competitors outside. "It is indeed a blessing to be from the family of legendary musicologist, composer and singer, Guru Shri K. Mahavir, under whose directions legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar, Hariharan, Anup Jalota and Arun Datte relished singing and recording," says Sandeep. "The rare feeling of being the son of a legend and having offers from films at the same time was challenging, which inspired me to carve a niche for myself rather than emulate others," he adds. Sandeep learnt dance under Madhurita Sarang and later performed at the prestigious Swami Haridass Sangeet Samellan. He was honoured with the Sringar Mani by the Sur Sringar Samsad and the rest, as they say, is history. So far, Sandeep has as many as 1,800 episodes of various TV serials to his credit. As far as solo and group performances are concerned, Sandeep opines that while solos have their limitations group performances are more open versatile improvisations. "A recent group choreography by my troupe at Nasik kept an audience of over two lakh people spellbound, which I could not have done with a solo performance," he shares. "In addition to my institute for Kathak dance 'Nritya Darshan' I have established 'AMS Dance Company', which aims at a fusion of classical and Western dance forms," he signs off. |
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Builders of the past
It is an initiative to document the work of the first generation of architects and discuss its relevance today. And indeed, 'Indian Modernists: Aditya Prakash and Shivdatt Sharma', an ongoing exhibition dedicated to students of architecture, has a point to prove.
Says Dr Vikramaditya Prakash, professor of Architecture, University of Washington, Seattle, who is also a Chandigarh College of Architecture alumnus, "This exhibition and the issues it raises affords an opportunity to learn from the successes and failures of Indian modernists." The exhibition that opened on Wednesday on the birth anniversary of Aditya Parkash, started with a lecture by his close associate Shivdatt Sharma. And it was a pleasant flashback into the formative days of Chandigarh and his association with members of this Capital Project Team - Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Maxwell Fry, Jane Drew and Aditya Prakash. Sharma shared some rare, original drawings and plans of the times. While referring to Aditya Prakash as 'the modern Rabindranath Tagore' he says, "Aditya Prakash was a very straightforward person in his writings as well as his life. He carried forward the ideals of Le Corbusier, which unified man, nature and the cosmos." And today when there is much talk on sustainable architecture, it is heartening to know that Chandigarh was planned that way from the very beginning, Shares Sharma, "Chandigarh's modernism was developed on the principles of pragmatism, economy, use of local materials and, most importantly, passive solar shading and ventilation. The first architect office building, though temporary, was green. We never burnt light during the day, throughout the year." He also lauded MS Randhawa, first chief commissioner of the city, for his colossal contribution in making what Chandigarh is today. While touching upon the concept of 'pure culture', he also discussed a few of the plans that he had created with his team. "Ours were the times when a lot happened. The sun study that we did back then is relevant till today and no further study has been done on that," shares Sharma. Vikramaditya Prakash, who has come all the way from Seattle for the exhibition, has plans to take it to other schools of architecture in India and outside. "And I dedicate this exhibition to Pradeep Bhagat, principal, CCA, Sangeet Sharma and Amrita of SDS Architects, Tanvi and other indefatigable students of CCA," he signs off. mona@tribunemail.com (On at the Chandigarh College of Architecture-12 till March 24) |
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Side Lanes Sometimes merely being in the company of ones peers energises us. We meet, interact, discuss and catch up on the years that have gone by, and often pick up strings from the moment where we had left off. None of us appear anything like we were three decades ago, but within the frame work of wrinkles, weight gains or losses, broken bones and arthritic knees, missing or broken teeth, we do find our selves and are joyous in the re-discovery of each other. At one such gathering, we caught up with three generations of remarkable women, who do not require an appointed day or a chronicled page to point out their achievements. As Jewel looked out of the window, I recollected the beautiful, gentle English woman who made India her home. She sang and played the piano, creating music and pure joy amongst many children who passed through the portals of the school she had pioneered. They remember her still, those young men and women. She never raised her voice nor spoke a harsh word to a colleague or pupil and was kind to a fault. Her very life can be likened to the gem she was named after. Bonnie, the eldest daughter, wears her mother's mantle well. Gracious and soft spoken, she has nurtured her children, grand-children and students with care and selflessness. Still lovely and the perfect hostess, she accepts compliments with humility and grace. The care she extends towards her household spills over into extensive social work around the city. Age seems to pass her by, as it does her sister Amrita. The tomboy of the family, Amrita has a wild sense of humour and the courage to take up challenges like car rallying and teaching, the skill inherited from Jewel. She looks ridiculously youthful and probably feels even younger. Where do these women get their exuberance from? We need to learn their secret family formula. Amrita's daughter Kismet is as lovely and willowy as her mother. Photography is her forte' and she is happiest working on assignments, anywhere in the country. In a few years the world might be her oyster. Who knows? She is the image of unfettered, confident, involved, educated Indian womanhood. These are three generations of erudite, progressive women who, every day of their lives are breaking new grounds and courageously facing challenges. Fourteen years after its inception, the Womens Reservation Bill has started its marathon run from the Rajya Sabha. It is a historic moment at a time when some women are reaching great heights and others are victims of gender bias, khaps, murder, rape and inequality. To some extent, the Bill will allow leaders to come forth as role models and fighters for justice. But will the marathon path widen to encompass more or will it narrow down due to hurdles and hiccups from men and women totally resistant to change in what they consider inherited comfort zones? A lot of my fraternity are opposed to the liberality this Bill points towards. Should we be ashamed of ourselves? I think, the four women mentioned above, have raised the bar on their own steam, based on deep-rooted convictions. They required no bills or laws to guide them. Education and explanation will help us understand the paradigms offered to us. I do hope the government will offer a little of both.
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The two-day extravaganza includes events like photography, Rangoli making, tattoo making, graffiti, short story writing, solo and group dance performance. It also has nail art, face printing, accessory and darzi designing, styling, mehendi, and more. The glamour will be added by a fashion show, rock show, laughter challenge, skit and bhangra. — TNS
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Palate pleasure:
Yes, I am every bit of a foodie! I like to eat everything; Indian and Thai
cuisines top the chart. Biryani teases my palette pretty often. I
am not the fussy kind. I can experiment with food; eat anything randomly.
I am not a diet freak too. Times when I don't exercise, I try to balance
it with healthy food; he digs into a juicy apple. Am I a good cook?
Laughs. I am great with omelette and tea.
The students are all over the place - some atop a stack of boxes trying to place the paintings high up, others moving about clearing space, still others giving finishing touches, cleaning the frames, and the rest who have just finished hanging their works. The 45th annual art exhibition by BFA students, Government College of Art, opens. While the entire exhibit and the paintings fall in place, there’s time to steal a quick look.
Mitika Kanwar, a girl with a desire to live life simply, has cultivated a habit of winning the national youth festivals since the past four years. Her forte is classical music. She has been achieving academic excellence awards as well. Recently she won the All Round Best Student Award from GCG-11 along with the national youth festival in semi-classical where she sang tappa in Raga Mishra Kaafi recently held at Rohtak.
The annual cultural festival of NIIFT began with the usual dose of cultural and literary events. The fest that was held with the name Arc n Ciel was held under the name Mirage 2010 at the campus premises of NIIFT.