The call was…dare to live life…be your own celebrity and celebrate life. Royal treatment, luxurious holidays and 'imagitainment' (latest mumbo jumbo of words) were on the cards. Joining in were three celebrities - actor Sonal Chauhan, Parvesh Rana and 'turbonator' Harbhajan Singh. And the occasion…launch of Dare Club, a place for luxury family entertainment.

Chandigarh continues to fascinate scholars, researchers and architects, who keep trying to understand the permutations and combinations of the city. Nine out of ten times they are impressed with what they see, barring a few suggestions that they leave with. This time too, the city had a group of scholars led by Prof Aaron Sprecher from McGill University School of Architecture in Montreal, Canada, taking a close look. We get talking to them.

"Without doubt, India represents one of the most fascinating expression of a fast growing population and culture," says Aaron, "And Chandigarh is an example of an idealistic modern approach. It is a modern model of architecture." All is well except for some findings. "Near the bazaars, we could have dedicated places where people can sit and talk; a space only for people”, shares Aaron, who wants Chandigarh to be viewed as a 'moment' that should be viewed with interest.

As compared to Mumbai, a generic city bearing the pressure of global economy, Aaron sees Chandigarh as a modernist dream of universalism. This collection is now being described through intense on-site analysis of seminal architectural sites and buildings, meetings with today's Indian cultural and scientific actors along with a great variety of people across the country. "We will be recording this collection using a series of analog and digital media. Upon our return to Montreal, this collection will be organised, treated and re-sampled with the objective of creating an exhibition at McGill University School of Architecture." jasmine@tribunemail.com

The only magic we ever thought we could possess was the 'vanishing act'. How often we thought we could bring the world to our feet if we knew the magic behind vanishing. We could have all the goodies, get 100 out of 100 in the mathematics exam and see what our friends talk behind our back! As we grew up, we still wished we knew the magic. Reasons, each to his own.

And if you still gung-ho about the world of illusions then Star One brings an all-new show called Star One's India's Magic Star, which would have contestants sharing magical tricks. We get talking to one of the contestant from Ludhiana, Rakesh Kumar.

All of 17, Rakesh took to the world of magic after his father stopped him from attending a function. "I don't know why and how I started getting attracted to magic," says Rakesh. "I would spend time watching magician Chris Angel practice the art. For the last one year, not a single day has gone by when I haven't practiced magic. I think about various tricks all the time."

And how does this twelfth class student define magic? "An art of illusion," pat comes the reply. "It is most important to believe in what you do. If I believe in my work, only then will others believe in me." Rakesh practices all kinds of magic such as street magic, close-up mentalism, metal bending and telekinesis (moving objects with the power of mind). "I like to do the trick of floating in the air," he adds.

Imagine someone practicing and pursuing illusion! "I follow Chris Angel. He is my guru, and through Star One's new show I will reveal a new world of magic." This young magician, however, is not happy with the state of Indian magicians. "They show magicians the same kind of tricks over and over again. We need to surprise people with new tricks. Gladly, Star One has taken up this initiative." jasmine@tribunemail.com

Kheltey dekha jo badal ko chand ke saath, Vahi zulf vahi chehra phir se yaad aa gaya…." or "Bahut udaas hai har shaam tere jaane ke baad, Phir se badnaam hai voh naam tere jaane ke baad…" These Urdu couplets come from 21-year-old Snaverjeet Singh Kamiana, a student pursuing Masters in English at Mohindra College, Patiala. Surprisingly, his potential as a poet is eclipsed by his mastery over all genres of vocal music.

Born in Faridkot but brought up in Patiala, Snaverjeet grew up in a literary and artistic environment that was cultivated by his father Dharam Kamiana, a noted poet and author of 16 books. Snaverjeet started learning classical music at an early age under Jawahar Lal of Gwalior gharana, and soon won every competition that came his way. "That gave me name, fame and the confidence for bigger challenges. Regular interactions with composer Nirmal Nimma and ghazal exponent Ustad Shamim Iqbal improved my vision and performing skills, especially in ghazal, Thumri, Sufiana, Sindhi and Multani Kaafi," says Sanverjeet.

He adds, "God's grace, Guru's blessings and my efforts brought results. In my first-year while representing Mohindra College I won top award in the zonal youth festival. Subsequently, I have won more such awards and in 2009 I won three awards in ghazal singing, semi-classical and Western solo singing, besides a second prize in Indian classical music category." Not at all complacent, Snaverjeet Singh Kamiana is all set to scale new horizons.

'Tourist friendly, pollution free and a little boring' is Mantas Klivecka's first impressions about city beautiful. Already a month old in India, Mantas, is working as a business development manager with a company.

Originally from Kaunas, Lithuania, Mantas, an economics student and AIESEC intern, is pleasantly surprised to see Chandigarh. "The city is very different from the kind of India I had seen on TV. In fact, Chandigarh is pretty European in many ways," he shares.

One thing that gets thumbs-up from Mantas is the city's neat and clean environment. "The best thing about the city is that it is free of pollution," he says. And he loves the people here. "Chandigarh is very tourist friendly. People are so hospitable and ready to help in whatever possible manner," he says.

Mantas is also enjoying Indian food. "I really like the food here though I am still getting used to the spices," he says.

But the basic layout of the city doesn't impress Mantas. "Every part of the city looks the same. Different facets - one rich in nature, another in people - are always interesting in any city. Here it's exactly the same roads and markets, which is a bit boring at times," he says.

Although Mantas labels the city as 'very tourist friendly', he suggests, "If the bus station could have information on timings and routes, it will be of great help to travellers."

Apart from enjoying late night snacking at Night Food Street, Mantas loves to visit nearby hill stations in his free time. "Chandigarh serves as a great base to explore nearby hills. I have already been to Kasauli, Dharamshala and plan to explore more of Himachal Pradesh," he signs off. mona@tribunemail.com

French Connection, high street British fashion brand celebrates World Cup 2010 with the launch of an exclusive range of World Cup tees. Be it England, Italy or Brazil, football fanatics can now get pumped up with this exciting range. Support your favourite team in style this soccer season. Priced at Rs 1,699 these t-shirts are available at French Connection stores in Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Bangalore.

YES bank, India's new-age private sector Bank, Nokia, global leader in the mobile telecommunications industry and Obopay India, a pioneering global leader in mobile payment technology on Thursday launched 'Mobile money services by YES bank' in Chandigarh, the first city where the service is being offered commercially. The unique service enables transfer of money using the mobile device in a secure manner. Earlier this year, YES bank, one of the pioneer banks in the Mobile Payments space, had received regulatory approvals from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to act as the Issuing Bank and the custodian of funds under these services. These services will be widely distributed across the city leveraging off the reach of Nokia's retail channel.

This service will enable consumers to transfer money to other individuals, pay utility bills as well as recharge prepaid SIM cards (top-ups) by using their mobile devices. Subsequently, consumers will also be able to pay merchants for goods and services through their mobile devices. This is a first-of-its-kind service providing customers the ability to initiate mobile payments through multiple channels SMS, IVR, WAP, JAVA and FIRE.

According to Suresh Sethi, group president - Transaction Banking Group, YES bank, 'Mobile money services by YES bank' holds tremendous potential for implementation of new and innovative cutting edge technology services. This initiative will provide consumers in the city with greater 'Anytime Anywhere' convenience and will be a significant milestone on the path of financial inclusion."

Nokia will also extend its widespread retail channel of over 52 Retail and Care outlets in the city to offer this service to consumers. Suresh Vedula, Director-Mobile Financial Services, Nokia India said, "It is our priviledge to partner YES bank and Obopay in bringing this unique service to the people of Chandigarh. Mobile money services by YES bank offers access to basic financial services via your mobile device and we believe YES bank's innovativeness and drive for Mobile Banking will benefit consumers and the service." — TNS 

South Indian actress Trisha Krishnan, who’s entering Bollywood with Priyadarshan’s Khatta Meetha, says it’s not a typical debut as she won’t exactly be seen ‘singing and dancing around trees’.

“It’s my first Hindi film and I can’t expect to have everything that appeals to me. It’s definitely not a film where I am singing and dancing around trees. But it’s good enough for a launch and Priyan has projected me very well,” Trisha says.

Khatta Meetha, which has Akshay Kumar in the lead, is a remake of 1988 Malayalam film Vellanakalude Naadu, which saw superstar Mohanlal play the protagonist. And Trisha says Akshay’s comedy is the highlight of the movie.

“It’s the remake of a very, very old film he had done. I can’t reveal much...It’s a love story but Akshay’s comedy would be the highlight of the film. I think these days audiences are looking for a sensible film.” she says.

The story revolves around a struggling road construction cotractor, Sachin Tichkule (Akshay Kumar), who dreams big but it never comes true as he has no money to pay bribes. To make matters worse, the new municipal commissioner turns out to be his ex-girlfriend (Trisha), who now hates him. “I am not doing comedy in the film; my role is pretty much serious. So it’s a very nice balance because Akshay plays a very funny guy,” Trisha says. — IANS

After debuting in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya and then doing another seasoned director Rakesh Omparkash Mehra’s Delhi-6, Sonam Kapoor, Anil Kapoor’s daughter, is on a high. She has not only the family name backing her but her acting capability as well. She is the most fashionable and is being touted as Bollywood’s next big thing. Her last two films may have been box-office duds, but Sonam is excited on the release of her new film I Hate Luv Storys, produced by Karan Johar and directed by debutant Puneet Malhotra. Lifestyle chats with her.

Q: You have moved into the big league with I Hate Luv Storys and your home production Aisha?

A: I am very happy that I have started getting performance-oriented roles. It is all because of Bhansaliji and Rakeyshji. I believe in quality.

Q: What is the film all about?

A: It is a romantic saga. It revolves around two people who are completely opposite when it comes to finding true love.

Q: Did Karan Johar choose you?

A: To be very honest, Munish Malhotra who dressed me in this film had me in mind. He asked Punit Malhotra to sign me. Punit has written the script and dialogues as well.

Q: Tell us about your role?

A: I play Simran. She works for a well-known director who specialises in grand romantic potboilers. It is really an interesting role of a daydreamer, which showcases my acting skills.

Q: How was it working with a first-time director?

A: Working with Puneet was a great experience. He has worked as assistant director for 10 years. He knows the technical aspects and has his own point of view.

Q: Personally, do you hate love stories?

A: It’s not that love stories do not happen, love must be happening with lots of people. I think love is an overused term. It is more of a practical relationship.

Q: Of the films that you are doing which ones are challenging?

A: My home production Aisha, Anees Bazmee’s Thank You and Pankaj Kapoor’s Mausam are very exciting. I have performance-oriented roles in these films.

— Dharam Pal

Lost in loveProducers: Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar and Ronnie Screvwala

Director: Puneet Malhotra

Puneet Malhotra’s I Hate Luv Storys is ready to rock this Friday. Shot on sync sound, it stars Imran Khana and Sonam Kapoor. Imran who plays an assistant director in the film does not believe in love. Sonam plays a production assistant who is, however, a quintessential romantic. The film captures the lead pair’s amazing chemistry. Puneet has written the screenplay and dialogue. Vishar-Shekhar has composed the melodious score. The film also stars Samir Dattani, Sameer Soni, Bruna Abdullah, Pooja Ghai and Ketaki Dave.

— Dharam Pal

They are live artistes who present not one but at least five different forms of art, which brings out an amalgamation that entertains and thrills. Call it their skill or the determination to be different, but this group of 20 young artistes is among the best talent available in the country. The winners of India’s Got Talent’ season one — Prince Dance Group from Orissa — are not just dancers but artistes par excellence.

“Getting the entire country to notice you is not easy. But we never started with the intention of becoming popular one day. A desire to do something different and change our life got us all together. The rest happened by sheer luck,” says Amol Daniel Upadhya, one among the group.

In the city for a performance, the group once again did what they do best - entertain through art. With three acts, the flag act performed on the national anthem, the Krishna act and the title winning Dashavatar act, they just captured the crowd.

“A lot of people think what we do are stunts. But it’s a mix of body art, painting, music, contemporary dance and drama forms. After winning India’s got Talent, we have been able to change perceptions,” says Amol. Before they became artistes, this bunch of small-time labourers with an average age between 19-20, tried their luck in Boogie Woogie, under the training of their choreographer Krishna Mohan Reddy. “Because of which our art from got categorised. But with more and more live shows, people are recognising and respecting the form.” Sure, if you were nominated for the CNN-IBN award for the best entertainer of the year alongside Ranbir Kapoor, AR Rahman et al, being famous is just an understatement!

Most of their acts are based on mythological elements and gods like Ganesha, Durga and Krishna. But their fame hasn’t affected their humility and dedication. “We have performed at the most celebrated festivals like the Kalaghoda in Mumbai, Rohit Bal’s shows in Delhi and the Auto Expo. But the feeling of being popular hasn’t sunk in yet. Instead, it has further motivated us to go for the international stage,” Amol explains.

The last six decades have been a quest for new metaphors for India’s leading contemporary artist Anjolie Ela Menon who says she intends to devote more time to murals and installations in public spaces. She will turn 70 on July 17.

The artist, who has been influenced by the likes of Van Gogh, Modigliani, M.F. Husain, Amrita Sher-Gil, early Christian and Byzantine art and the Expressionists, is liberating her work with “flying figures and levitating forms inspired by leaping Naga sadhus at the Ardha Kumbha Mela” that she visited two years ago.

On July 16 filmmaker Shyam Benegal will inaugurate an exhibition, “Anjolie Ela Menon: Through the Patina”, at the India Habitat Centre. An eponymous volume compiled by art critic Isana Murti, exploring her genres and evolution as an artist and published by the Vadehra Art Gallery, will be unveiled at the show. “It is the first documentation, archiving of my work. We started working on the book three years ago. I had to choose from thousands of slides to digitise them in CDs. I also helped the gallery and the anthologist track my work.”

Further adding, “Documentation of the early years of my work is non-existent. The fact that private collectors are reluctant to donate their art made the process of collating more difficult,” Menon said.

Menon said her “book has separate chapters of nudes” - a genre that the artist is known for. “The earliest portraits date back to 1957 to the present day with each chapter capturing my evolution, style and context. An overview tries to connect the decades touching on my work in public spaces, the whole decade of experimentation in the 1990s, the Morano glass works and kitsch art. That was the time I turned my back on my signature style and techniques because I felt I could get trapped in the cliches,” she said.

The artist said she painted “objects retrieved from the junk heap” during her experimental years. “My art became retrieval. I was a compulsive painter and had to paint every day. So, I painted chairs, cupboards, suitcases and all objects that would be discarded. Thirty such discarded objects were exhibited at Mumbai at the Jahangir Art Gallery,” said the celebrated artist.

Around this time, Menon began to indigenise her art with popular mediums such as Bollywood, circus posters and calendar art. “I started to work with kitsch because I needed to be indigenous. We always fall back on traditional art and refuse to look at the visual matrix of our own time. I wanted to bridge the divide between high art and low art,” she said.

Simultaneously, the artist also started working in Morano glass with master Antonio De Ros in Morano in Italy. “I created 50-60 glass works,” she said. The artist, who loves to work on hard masonite boards with oil paints, “paints on paper while travelling”.

Menon started young. She sold her first painting at her boarding school in Lovedale in the Nilgiri Hills.

“I sold my first painting, a portrait of a boat, to Zakir Husain (at that time the vice chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and who later became the Indian president) who came to our school, at 14. “Now, I am more inclined to work in public spaces because thousands of my paintings have disappeared into private collections than in museums. Public space is more satisfying because it is more permanent. Art in public spaces also reaches out to more people unlike my paintings which are niche - and seen by few,” said Menon, who is also an acclaimed muralist.

In 1993, Menon gifted Kolkata “a fibre glass mural that is one of her big works”. It was installed at the underground metro railway station at Esplanade. Two other works adorn the international airports at New Delhi and Mumbai. Menon feels that this is time for “contemplation”. “I am trying to find a direction and trying to see which path my life will take. The year before last I visited the Ardh Kumbh Mela and it was a mind-blowing experience. There were these huge bands of Naga sadhus with the six yards of dreadlocks trailing behind them - leaping from their chariots. The Ardh Kumbh was a defining moment - I took a dip in the river and felt a wall that had existed before crumble. Everything suddenly became real,” Menon said.

Two years later, Menon finds Ardh Kumbh creeping into her work. “I am doing a lot of flying and leaping figures, inspired by the Naga sadhus. Earlier my works were rounded and had a stillness about them - but now they exhibit a sense of liberation,” she said. — IANS

Punjab Virasat Foundation (registered as Punj Darya Virasat Foundation) is an independent, non-profit, research based and educational organisation devoted to improving the quality of life for all. PVFs development strategy is in synergy with UNESCO Charters for the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage and preservation of cultural diversity. The foundation had organised the screening of a documentary film titled “Aasman ki Chaaon Mein” at the DC model school-7, Panchkula. The film is directed by Mr. Rakesh Sadeo, who has more then 10 years of experience as free lance writer and director.

The concept was initiated by Nidhi Sharma, the script writer of this film, who spotted a school running outside a temple at Panchkula, which is the result of efforts of Mansa Ram Ahuja who started an organisation titled “Jeevan Mukt Nishulk Vidayalaya” in 2002 to give necessary primary education to the slum children who were otherwise begging in front of religious temples. She got inspired and joined hands with director to make a short film on this very particular topic. The documentary is produced by Rajeev Kumar, founder of Punjab Virasat Foundation. — TNS

In their endeavour to transform the Kalagram complex into a vibrant art centre of multidimensional excellence, the NZCC Patiala have drawn out a series of plans and projects to be executed during the year. To begin with, a workshop of paintings and sculptures was inaugurated by the chief guest, MP Singh, secretary to the Governor, Punjab, on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, MP Singh observed that in the worst and the best of times humanity has turned to the realm of arts. “We relate our aspirations to our cultural heritage that is preserved and reflected in various art forms, although these change from time to time,” he added.

Disclosing the aims and objectives of the year-long exercise, NZCC director DS Saroya said fortnightly workshops by painters and sculptors of national eminence would be held. While the master painters will make three-four paintings, the sculptor will make at least one piece in any medium of bronze, wood or stone.

“The sculptor of the fortnight (July 1-15) is internationally renowned artist Shiv Singh while Jodh Singh is the master painter for the opening workshop,” he informed.

Both of them will be available to guide budding artists at the Kalagram complex between 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm.