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Masti, Mumbai ishtyle C'mon, don't be too harsh on them. They are like any one of us. Save for the fact that when they enter everyone moves in their seats to catch a glimpse, and that they can single-handedly steal a show with a few words - 'I am happy to be here'. People, they are cricketers, and we the crazy fan! And the difference was evident at the P7 News Channel's party at Hotel Mountview on Wednesday night where the Mumbai Indians team was felicitated for their great show in IPL III. Fans will always be fans, whether they are hanging around in a hotel lobby, cheering the team at the stadium, sitting in front of the television set, or are on the guest list of a private party - they have to behave like fans. They have to rush to meet Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and other players of the Mumbai Indians team, as and when they enter the 'very very private party' thrown by the channel. The ladies have to move in their chairs (Poor they. With kids in tow and with a status to carry they cannot be unabashed about the craving fan inside them) with their the regular 'Oh, wow. Look there. Oh there. Bhajji. Oh that's Kasif. Wow.' And the kids have to run towards the cricketers with their autograph diaries. The bigwigs (here related to the channel) have to signal their relatives, friends and kids to come forward for a photography and introductory session. 'This is my son, a great fan of yours. My wife, just watches cricket. My daughter, following all your matches.' Amidst the fanfare, a ghazal singer at the party is trying hard to be listened. 'Hosh walon ko kabhar kya', he croons. But who is listening to him. Can someone tell him please… he is not a cricketer! Okay, undisturbed rounds of snacks, drinks, the felicitation happens with Jyoti Narain, director P7 news channel, boosting the players morale by giving them shawls. Music, food and Mumbai Indians sans the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. But his absence from the party was neatly justified by the channel. "He is omnipresent. Always with us," smiles Jyoti Narain. But we've been told by our sources that the DND (Do-not- Disturb) sign outside his room explains a lot. Didn't we see Sachin lying flat on the ground due to dehydration during the match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings? Back at Mountview he is taken good care of. Puts in RP Singla, general manager, Hotel Mountview, "He is taking very light diet with a lot of liquids." Singla defines Sachin as a no fuss simple eater. "He likes to eat bhindi, dal, butter chicken, shaahi paneer. By now he knows the hotel menu pretty well," adds Singla, also sharing that the cricketers staying at the hotel are very friendly with the staff. "They know all the stewards on a first name basis. They feel at home here, and we also like to serve them. Brett Lee really likes the Vintage Bar. He likes to play guitar with close friends once in a while." Anyways. Back at the party, the show is on. And guess who is the show-stealer? Our Punjab da cricketer Bhajji. Posing for the camera, singing autographs, Bhajji is cool and enjoying the party. Party, works as a good stress buster for you, we squeeze in our query. "It's okay. There is no better stress buster than good sleep. I prefer to sleep whenever I have time," says Bhajji. How about music? "All kinds. No
special preferences." Any special preference for the kind of girl for marriage? How did your sister's marriage go? So, you are next on line? "I am next on line for a long time. It will happen when it has to happen. My sister's marriage went really well. I haven't planned anything for myself. I don't plan anything except for my bowling. I take life as it comes," adds Bhajji, a style icon. "A style icon. Me, I don't think so. No one follows my style. (The ramp walk, you forgot Bhajji). I am the way I am. I like to sport jeans and a casual tee. Today, it is the Mumbai Indians tee," he hurriedly signs off and makes an exit from the party. We don't know about winning the IPL title, but the Mumbai Indian champ here managed to win few more hearts. All's well that ends well!
jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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…And the big fiasco Not done! What the heck was that? What were they doing? More than that, what were they thinking? The one-hour delay in the event, is not even in the question. All right, the details of the debacle…the invite neatly and nicely announces, "Gitanjali Jewels hosts a special meet and greet with Kings XI Punjab for its customers in Chandigarh." That's where all the niceties and neatness ends. By the way, team Kings XI Punjab here meant, the captain, K Sangakkara, P Chawla, S Shrivastav and M Bisla. The stage's set for the players to make an appearance, photo-journalists ready, electronic media waiting, scribes too…Even before "the meet and greet" could begin, even before their entourage, the organisers, the bouncers have settled down and begun with the conference, even before anyone could quip, 'What have the four players got to do with a jewellery brand?' 'Since when did cricket players start taking interest in jewellery?' The players (bouncers in tow) arrive, play a confused musical chairs around the table laid out for the press conference, the hoarding spread out for photographs, flip in and out, sign a couple of autographs, hardly speak a word, pose for the shutterbugs and leave. Once the fiasco sinks in, the angry whispers begin, 'What a waste of time?' 'What was that?' 'Why did they call us?' 'What happened?' The players have left "long ago", there's an announcement over the microphone, over someone being available for the queries. Who cares? Meanwhile, the angry reflexes have mellowed down to confused reactions. While walking down the stairs, one of the journos queries 'Is it over?' Over? Err…when did it begin?
— Manpriya Khurana
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An artist recalls The other morning while sitting on the other end of Sukhna Lake and enjoying the nature's bounties, I was thinking of someone other than my stars, whom I should thank for providing me the opportunity to live and work in this 'City beautiful'. Why not? Sitting leisurely, almost every morning, in a non-polluted beautiful environment with no tension around; then returning in a comfy car to a luxurious and well laid out, by my loving wife, home that we call, rather proudly, our own; and, on top of it, receiving a handsome pension of Rs 1,000 per day to spend rather lavishly, surely is more than a dream coming true! And in this regard the only name that came immediately to my mind was that of my School of Art here in Chandigarh. Yes, whatever little I have achieved in my life so far has been provided to me by my Art School, now called College of Art. While crediting my success story to this institution it was quite natural for me to look back and remember those now deified days that I spent there as a young and aspiring artist. My 1,825 Art College days. Between the year 1963 and 1968. Those were good old days. But not all that good old days. A mixed bag of sweet and sour experiences indeed. I came to this college with absolutely no inherent artistic skill. In fact, I had failed to clear the entrance test. Since in those days very few students used to join this rather longish five-year art course, having limited job opportunities, I was taken in as the number of applicants was lesser than the available seats. It is another story that due to my maddening, though directionless, involvement into the world of art and hard work I managed a first-class-first, with distinction, in the final examination. Despite this seemingly great success a discomforting reality, paradoxically enough, was staring directly at my face rather mockingly. For, after passing out from this institution, I, like most of my classmates, was having a zero value as an artist in a highly competitive open art market, where I would have to start from a scratch to earn my livelihood. However, a plum government job that landed into my lap, thanks exclusively to Dr MS Randhawa, the then Chief commissioner of Chandigarh and a great art promoter and patron, came as a saving godly grace. However, in shaping my artistic destiny the role of the Art College still would remain on the top. For, there existed an intense though a confused artistic atmosphere. Confusion was due to the existence of two opposing schools of thought; one that was mired in the trends that British had set to follow and another one that was struggling hard to emancipate itself from these rootless alien shackles of art. As if this very confusion was not enough the new western trends, which were broadly branded as 'modern', added another perplexing dimension to it. No wonder in those days every one of us, including those who could not handle the high-skill-demanding water-colour-painting technique well, would go out to paint landscapes, while flaunting our expansive red-coloured Winsor & Newton colour-boxes and tightly stretched white handmade sheets on wooden pasting boards, even on Sundays. It would be interesting to note that these outdoor water colour painting sojourns were not a part of any prescribed syllabus. Surely this was the result of the prevailing high tension but highly artistic atmosphere that engulfed almost every student in the school. Leave aside gracious teachers, like Sunirmal Chatterji my memorable mentor, who would keep inspiring their students even outside the framework of routine time-tables and syllabuses, even our principal, Sushil Sarkar, a renowned artist belonging to the revolutionary Bengal School of Contemporary Art, would never hesitate or discourage us from discussing art related issues even while sitting in his office. This Shanti Nikaten like open atmosphere certainly provided a lively and comfortable breathing space for all young artists in the making. However, it is a sad fact of life that creativity cannot be taught in any school or institution even if it has a proper artistic environment and best of infrastructure. No wonder that only a very small number of professional creative artists come out of such institutions all over the globe. It was on this very count that our college faltered tremendously. For, there was a dire need to equip every student with some or the other craft-skill so that even if one fails to become an artist one could earn ones lively hood comfortably enough. Sadly enough even the available craft opportunities were relegated to a dismally lower level and were allowed to vanish completely sooner than later. For, there were plenty of opportunities available, at that point in time, to learn various crafts from gem of teachers like S. Sujan Singh (Jewellery making) and S. Hazara Singh (inlay work). Though we missed learning available craft skills formally the presence of such highly skilled craftsmen, who used to work diligently and with utmost passion the whole day despite having no student on their rolls, certainly inspired many a curious student like me. Today things at the College of Art, after more than four decades, have changed considerably except for the beautiful utilitarian outer shell of the institution that Le Corbusier had designed. And, of course, our loving (Chacha) Ujjagar Singh, on whose umpteen thickly sweetened teacups we survived during our stay in the college, still is serving there with the same spirited zeal, which, I pray sincerely, should never end. I hope and wish that all the future changes in the College would be positive and productive both artistically and materially, for today it is a mad mad materialistic world! |
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OBJET D’ART Who cares if Vincent Van Gogh's migraine - which causes visual effects like auras around objects and exaggerated, swirling colours, as they say - resulted in his unique visual style? He's still the guiding force for so many artists all over the world and yes; anyone would love to be in his shoes, literally. One such glaring example we find in Pankaj Sharma who teaches art at the Government College of Art-10. Sharma in his painting titled 'Retired' has picked up the subject Van Gogh is known for - shoes. Done in a technique called Black Japan, Sharma's creation reminds us of Van Gogh's much-copied painting A Pair of Shoes, the frontal close up view of worn out pair of shoes. Interpreted as a symbolic self-portrait, the painting was done after the great artist moved into Paris. Sharma, who admits of Van Gogh's influence on his work, has one more reason for doing the painting, which was showcased in the last annual exhibition of the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi. "I wanted to experiment with this Black Japan technique, which results in rich colour variation, vibrancy and above all, the antique finish. The subject was apt and hence the title Retired. It captures the mood of a man who is past his prime, in terms of life and productivity," he says. There are others in the learner's category who are doing impressive work on this subject. One such budding artist is Sanjeev Kumar, a pass-out from the Chandigarh College of Art-10, who has used footwear as a metaphor for life. In one of his paintings, Sanjeev has used chappals for depicting life and a black and a white bird as metaphor for the good, bad and the ugly. The story would remain incomplete without a mention of Arpana Caur. Shoes are a recurring element in her paintings, in pitcher and also otherwise. According to the artist, "The shoes in pitcher are symbolic of ever-continued life in Punjab. It is an identification of the region. The circle is a metaphor for life, which dies but the legend lives on." "In fact, it was Arpana who brought Punjabi jutti out of folklore and onto the canvas," says Nirupama Dutt, art critic and noted journalist. Caur's 'juttis' are very much part of her Sohni Mahiwal series. "The juttis in her paintings became the metaphor for overcoming hurdles and moving onto your love," puts in Nirupama. Now, that's the pair of shoes one would like to step into! parbina@tribunemail.com |
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Cool cottons Fashion transforms itself with every season, changing form, fabric and finishes. And come summers, fashionistas are spoilt for choice. As the heat gives them a reason to wear their skin and flaunt minimal with maximum style, one thing that serves the purpose of style and sense without being partial towards a select few, is cotton. The cool and crisp fabric is the thing to be in when the sun is at its best and you are in competition! Spring summer collections are high on cottons and so is the basic wardrobe. Be it ethnic kurtas, suits, capris, funky pyjamas, trousers or skirts. Chic, elegant, divine, casual, have one of each kind and your summer style check is complete. "Long kurtas in Indian wear and casual western cut kurtas are a hit in summers. We have pants and capris in linen and cotton, which are comfortable as well as add style to summer dressing," says Shweta from Fabindia-9. To pep up the heat, cool summer dresses and skirts in bandini cotton, batiks and basic weave are also up for grabs. Smart Indo-western cotton and linen tops and kurtis are also available at Anokhi, Beneton-17. And if style is not your only requirement, along with it come eco-friendly organic cotton clothing. Though exclusive in the market, organic cotton clothes are fast moving up the trend chart. Simarjeet Singh with his Hara Designs brings to you comfy and cool clothing for summers in organic fabrics, bamboo, modal and cottons. "We also have the first designer handloom organic denims, which makes a clean and comfortable style statement," say Simarjeet. Since the fabric doesn't require any support through embellishments, it gives you chance to accessorize smartly. And very importantly, who says fashion is a complicated term only to be understood by the select few with money? With summer's favourite fabric, price is as comfortable as the garment. So, enjoy the hot sun with cool cottons! nehawalia@tribunemail.com
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First at 62!
Every time a new singer launches his/her album, we hear a staple, confident, sometimes over- confident claim, "I am here and I am here to stay." And we usually tend to believe them, given the ways of the industry and the youthful excitement. But when 62-year-old Raman Kapoor released his first album, Lovely Kudi, in city at the Press Club, the claim was made with equal confidence. "Its never too late to turn your dreams into reality. It would have been sad had I not been able to put this album together ever," says the businessman-turned-singer. Sure, talent has no age. So, from selling carpets to selling entertainment, Kapoor is happy to follow his heart. "This is indeed an exciting moment for me. Music has always had a big impact on my life." He has been taking lessons in music for two years now and has tried to cover all genres of music in the album, which is an enthralling mix of 11 tracks, including Hip Hop, qawwali, romantic, ghazal and dance numbers. "I have tried to capture the mood of young people, my own son, daughter-in-law, friends and family. They have been my inspiration and critics as well," says Kapoor. Apart from releasing the album, Kapoor who has spent almost half of his life in Germany and is now based in New Delhi, coming to Chandigarh after almost three decades is more exciting than the music launch. "The last time I visited the city was in 1969. It hasn't changed much except for more traffic and more people. It is still clean, fresh and beautiful." The music for the album has been composed by music director Nikhil and Satish Sharma, and it has songs in Hindi and Punjabi. It is also designed for karaoke enthusiasts. The music videos of the songs feature names like Mumait, actor Kushal Punjabi, Meghna Naidu and
Neha. nehawalia@tribunemail.com
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Home made refresher
Minute Maid Nimbu Fresh is made out of fresh lemon juice concentrate, providing consumers with a refreshing experience - just like natural, home-made 'nimbu pani' - best explained by the brand's tagline - 'Bilkul Ghar Jaisa' (just like home). According to Abhijeet Mukherjee, Region General Manager, Coca-Cola India, "Innovation has always been the hallmark of Coca-Cola India's business strategy. The launch of Minute Maid Nimbu Fresh is yet another example of the same endeavour. We are confident that consumers would find the Bilkul Ghar Jaisa taste of Minute Maid Nimbu Fresh extremely appealing, after all it has no added preservatives and no added colour."
— TNS |
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Side Lanes
As my eldest explained, the feel-miserable session lasts ten to fifteen days, with or without medication. By then, we have passed on our germs to another host. Definite cures are impossible as each time the rhinovirus mutates and there is no instant cure for the new avatar. Out of all the remedies prescribed, steam seems to be the most curative, as is hot water and the dulcet tones of the family doctor. In 2008, Ted J Kaptchuk of Harvard, proved that comforting words and placebos cured 62% of patients, 'provided it was a simple illness, not complicated by other symptoms'. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (born April 10, 1755, in Germany) convinced himself that normal medication harmed rather than cured his patients. He followed the Peruvians and used the Cinchona bark for Malaria, and Homeopathy entered our lives. When Dr Harsh Sharma, our homeopath, asks the oddest questions and notes down on the patient's chart the colour of skin, sputum and tongue, muscular twitches, general appearance, physique and even temperament, I am assured of a realistic diagnosis. Even when doused with the mother tincture, pills taste good, are slow to work, but more often than not, they work! While posted with a multinational in 1984, I limped around with terrible pain in my thigh. The homeopath handed out a month's supply of sugar pills. The pain worsened but within two weeks, a dry plug tore through my skin. Once out, there was never, ever any discomfort. Stella, as a puppy, wandered around with a mushroom-like growth on her lower back. She looked like a dog with a parachute… unique but distinctly uncomfortable. We thought she would die. The vet plunged a needle but aspirated nothing. The homeopath gave pills and within a month the growth was gone. The BBC did some research on the topic and says that Homeopathy relies on memory. The higher the titration, the less the quantum of medicine, but the memory saved in the tincture is what works. Magical? Sometimes - if we can sift the genuine doctors from the quacks! Word-of-mouth testimony from cured patients seems to be the best indication of true worth. For me, Swami Ramdev's breathing exercises cure a sore throat and cold in two days. Sangita's remedy of nurturing a slice of raw ginger and a roundel of raw turmeric, in either cheek, for the entire day, is also a fail-safe method and very cost effective. Oz, a keen golfer, went to the local bone-setter with a niggle in his elbow. The man called two youngsters to help him "staighten" the arm. Fortunately, the limb is still intact but Dr. Ravjit had to get back to tried and tested physiotherapy to get the patient back in golfing form. Oz still wakes up in a sweat when he dreams about the three thugs and the money they fleeced off him! Flax seed is keeping our cholestrol down. Flea seed helps with the morning activity. A clove compressed between aching teeth, is a boon. Maybe a combination of Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Allopathy, Unani, Bhaiyaan-Di-Hatti and Granny's kitchen recipes, is the answer!
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The only portrait King of Pop Michael Jackson ever sat for is up for grabs online. Jackson posed for the first and the last time when Australian painter and sculptor Brett Livingstone Strong persuaded him to sit for a portrait in 1990.The portrait had Jackson sitting in a virtual room. The late legend is holding a book and wearing a frilled velvet jacket. Japanese businessman Hiromichi Saeki bought the painting the same year for 1.4 million pounds, reports The Daily Star.Toy inventor Marty Abrams then possessed the painting in 1992. It was a payment of debt by Hiromichi to Abrams, and is still owned by Marty. The painting is now seeking a new owner.The artwork has been listed on ebay.com and the auction ends on April 12.Abrams said the value of the portrait in 2000 was 3.5 million pounds. But after the death of the legendary singer, the portrait might sell for a handsome amount."I've had it an awful long time. With the positive response to his music and the movie about him after his death, we thought it was a good time to sell it," he said. — ANI
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Aruna Shields, a new face from England, has catwalked into Bollywood after doing English films Mr Singh and Mrs Mehta and Waiting For A Killer, Private Moment in Britain. She did music videos, television serials, theatre and ad films in England. She is trained at Guildhall, Actors Centre and Howard Fine in LA. We talk to this beautiful actor who is ready to hit the theatres with her debut film Prince. The film is directed by debutant Kookie Gulati. It promises to be a fast-paced action thriller which stars Vivek Oberoi, Neeru Singh, Nandana Sen and a new villain Isaiah. How would you describe Prince? Prince is a slick, fast-paced thriller whose story is stylishly told. It has an interesting plot and actions that will make it an entertaining movie. How did you land Prince? Kumar Taurani of Tips Industries was looking for a new face and held auditions in London. The filmmaker needed an actress who could do stunts. I was told I fit the bill. Tell us about your role? I play Maya, a sexy superhero. My action scenes are well directed. I am a fighter and is also enigmatic and intelligent with a soft side. In this film, you are one of the three Mayas. Is sharing screen space with other women unnerving? I think everyone expected there to be. We became close on the set. I spent so much time with Nandana Sen and Neeru Singh. We all wanted each other to look good to lift the film. How do you look at taking your career ahead? It has gone crazy. Filmmakers are sending me scripts and publicists calling me. I would love to do both commercial and art house cinema. What is your take on screen intimacy and kisses on screen? If my role comfortable kissing that person then so I am. It is not an intimate movement between two people, there are many people around. Your upcoming projects? I am working in an epic-adventure AO The Last Neanderthal. — Dharam Pal
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NEW RELEASES Film: Prince-It's Showtime Producer: Kumar Taurani Director: Kookie V. Gulati Music: Sachin Gupta Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Aruna Shields, Nandana Sen, Neeru Singh, Sanjay Kapoor, Isaiah, Manish Anand, Mohit Chauhan, Rajesh Khattar, Dalip Tahil Tips Industries and Kumar Taurani's thriller Prince-Its Showtime has high-voltage action scenes. The film opens today at theatres in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Zirakpur. The treatment of this film is true to the character whose story is fast-paced. The movie is directed by young debutant Kookie V. Gulati. It promises good entertainment and has some intimate scenes between Vivek Oberoi and his three heroines. Alien concept Film: Jaane Kahan Se Aayee Hain Producer: Nikhil Advani Director: Milap Zaveri Music: Sajid-Wajid Cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Jacquiline Fernandez, Ruslaan Mumtaz, Sonal Sehgal Director Milap Zaveri's Jaane Kahaan Se Aayee Hai is an unusual love story between an alien and a human. The film also has Farah Khan, Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar playing themselves in this movie while Amrita Rao and Sajid Khan have guest appearances. This film of Milap Zaveri opens at theatres today
— Dharam Pal |
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Khadi outlets in Sector 17 and Sector 22 too are a favourite shopping ground for cotton lovers. Simple and ethnic in its collection, the range of exclusive handloom cotton kurtas offers a singular style, usually considered high maintenance. Famous regional works like Madhubani paintings printed on the fabrics, Rajasthani mirror work, Phulkari work and block printing not only make for a collection, but also make you stand out. 
Riding on the success of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange, Coca-Cola in India today announced the launch of its latest product innovation, Minute Maid Nimbu Fresh in Punjab. The brand, launched under the Minute Maid Umbrella, is a truly refreshing lemon juice-based drink with no added preservative or added colour. As a part of a phased launch, Minute Maid Nimbu Fresh is initially being made available to consumers through selective channels and outlets in Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Amritsar. 
During seasonal changes, we all fall prey to sniffles and coughs. We honk through boxes of tissues, disturb the partner beside us, drive away hypochondriac friends and on the fifth day, are miserable enough to visit a doctor. She writes a prescription of varied tablets, syrups, rubs and a final line stating: "steam-morning and evening."