Every city has its own character, its own stories and its own heritage. While the former two get the benefit of being self-sufficient, heritage needs endorsement to survive. And the most effective brand ambassadors are the citizens.

Flaunting 'I love New York' tee is the yankee way of life, a trend made popular, whether in Manhattan or Malerkotla! Souvenirs of Eiffel tower and Big Ben not only remind you of your perfect holiday, but also the street cafés, artists' arcades and colonial elegance. Small things with big cultural imprint!

And like every city, Chandigarh too has heritage that fascinates, but wonder if we fall short on representation? We are known to love our brands, but when it comes to Brand Chandigarh, the cultural promoters and enthusiasts are only a bunch of tourists. We don't fall short on the souvenirs and symbols, just the spirit. The only places that celebrate the 'City Beautiful' find place either in a museum or some tuck-in shop at the lake. The small yet symbolic representations of Chandigarh find few takers!

Whether it's getting first-hand information about Chandigarh or showing off its status, the city is depending on a handful of options. "Chandigarh has got so much to flaunt in terms of heritage; a combination of architectural and cultural elements. Its history gives us a lot of scope to have a large collection of souvenirs and memorabilia," says VN Singh, nodal officer, Le Corbusier Centre-19.

The Le Corbusier centre has over 85 products to promote Chandigarh such as reproductions of Le Corbusier's art works, watches, greeting cards, carry bags, manhole paperweights, replicas of open hand monument, caps, neck ties, table lamps…the list goes on. "They are a big hit with tourists and corporate clients, but local buyers are much smaller in number," informs Singh.

He adds, "This is the only centre in the world that has a complete museum because Le Corbusier worked here. Paris and Zurich have their collections, but this city, in itself, is a museum created by Le Corbusier. Everywhere you will find his signature and work."

And the representation goes beyond the obvious symbols. "Chandigarh is not just about Le Corbusier, but written symbols too find their place, though only for a very small segment. At the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, we display artworks with such unique symbols. But the problem is that these things need more effort, accessibility and time to reach out to people, not just the tourists," shares Diwan Manna, an artist and chairperson of the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.

"It has to be made available to everybody, at every place in the city such as bookshops, small vendors, tourists spots, even private shops. To popularise city symbols, they should be produced in various forms and materials. I think privatisation is the key to make them more popular," he is quick to add.

So, the next time we see a vendor outside the Rock Garden selling tees with graphic prints of open hand monument or Le Corbusier, the idea of turning a brand ambassador will definitely cross our mind!

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

Television has equal number of followers as well as detesters, who follow their route irrespective of each other…for or against the agenda.

Luckily, the followers this time had a reason to smile. Rajni Dhir, a homemaker from Chandigarh, along with her three kids had a chance to play Big Money with actor Madhavan on Imagine TV. The four television freaks owe a lot to the idiot box, and rule out the possibility of finding it a rhona dhona medium. Rajni Dhir filled a form on Internet that brought on this unique opportunity. Rajni, who defines this as one-of-its kind experience, cannot stop raving about the show and the good-looking host R Madhavan.

"We were called for auditions in Mumbai, after which we were shortlisted for the show," says Rajni, who cannot wait to tell us how she felt on the sets. "First, it was unbelievable that we were actually on the sets of Big Money. And then came in the person my kids were dying to see, Madhavan," she doesn't try to hard to hide her excitement. As for Shikha Dhir, pursuing fashion designing from PU, Chandigarh, " The idea was to have a blast on the show. We weren't thinking about the questions or how well we would fare in the show. We had a blast. Madhavan is a soft spoken and lively actor. We didn't feel out of place or like contestants even for a minute."

In between the nineteen to dozen on Big Money and R Madhavan, the family takes out a minute to thank the idiot box, which is not so idiot to them. Says Rajni, "Had it not been for television and various serials that the family watches dedicatedly, we wouldn't have been on the show and answered questions based on various television serials or other stuff that comes on television." Who says watching TV is a not a recommended activity!

"We presented an idol of Ganesha as a token of luck to Maddy," Sikha beams, "and he was too sweet to accept it.

"Big Money is now our show. We felt so much at home while shooting for it. Everyone should participate in it; one should go with a free mind. Our experience has been great. It's been God's grace that we won prize money on the show. Hence, first thing we plan to do is perform maata ka jagrata. This prize money will come in handy for my daughter's marriage and my sons' future."- concludes Rajni.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

What happens when existentialism meets materialism while idealism is trying to figure its way out? What happens when three people who get what they want in life are still not satisfied with it? What happens when a suicidal attempt becomes a chance encounter with your past and then turns into an absurd love triangle? Cut to the point, nothing happens, that's just the real world. And that's what Love on the Brink, the latest production by Lillete Dubey, is all about.

Real life, real characters and everything subjective… with an objective point of view. Love on the Brink' is the story of three people, living in their own defined categories, yet not happy with life. "Call it a farce, a situation when people take themselves too seriously and start looking for meaning in their lives," explains actor Joy Sengupta, who plays the character of a depressed philosopher. "These people get what they want, still they are never satisfied."

Then there is actor Kumud Mishra playing a man who is materialistic, successful and shallow, and Shivani Tanksale, who plays his wife.

So, how do they manage to put a point across with this over the top, absurd, dark satire? "Well, it is inspired by a 60's play, a time when social, philosophical and idealist theories were at their peak. Intellectualism was the 'in' thing. So all these elements had to be added to Love on the Brink. It may not be an emotionally absorbing play, but it definitely is an entertaining one," says Joy.

While Joy was seen in Lillete's other productions, Brief Candle and Sammy amongst others, Kumud and Shivani are relatively better known for regional theatre. But Kumud, an NSD pass-out and theatre veteran, gives us an 'honest' opinion on the universal sentiment of 'once a theatre person, always a theatre person.' "I do theatre when I am out of work and working with Lillete is anyways good, as she pays you well. I keep on juggling between commercial theatre, films and television. Anything that keeps me busy,' he adds. We are amused at this materialistic confession of an actor. Guess the character suits him well!

But that's true with the other two as well, as the trio, which belongs to different genres of theatre, believes they play characters too close to their real self. "Kumud belongs to the traditional theatre, Shivani represents the contemporary one and I am in between," explains Joy. The others just smile in agreement. "So, our professional ideologies are different, but the end result is the same."

Language is another thing that's different. Shivani has been actively involved in Marathi theatre and Kumud has a fair share of Hindi and Gujarati plays to his credit. But doing an English play comes with its advantages. "You know you'll have an educated audience. But that doesn't make it a mass product because it isn't a form of representation of culture, unlike our regional languages," says Joy.

Shivani differs though: "Language, I believe, is not a divide here. There is a space for experimentation and entertainment in regional as well as English theatre. Just that there is categorisation between personal, popular and commercial theatre."

With that also comes the debate on another kind of audience that has marked its presence off late - the NRI audience. "I know how it works," Joy tries to explain it for us. "You cast veteran Bollywood stars in it, have a musical, popular theme as NRI audience craves for it, and tour two to three major cities. The plays made for them may not be satisfying plays, but they have good commercial value. On the contrary, some plays are made exclusively for the festival circuit, not for money…just for satisfaction." Suddenly, we feel enlightened a bit.

Love on the Brink, promises to have plenty to make you think, as the characters debate on the meaninglessness of life and attempt to give it some meaning…at the cost of few hearty laughs of course!

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

This is the most sought after word of the times. A corporate honcho, an honest civil servant, a daily-wage earner, a salaried class teacher, a hotshot actor or celebrity…the word drives the world and cannot be ignored at any cost. Luckily and strangely, the word inspires many to give in their best, work overtime, for they don't want this word to drive them bonkers.

'Insecurity', the heavy-duty word has seeped down and percolated into the television industry. It is hard to find a single person with a bleak association in the industry and is not dealing with it. Chavvi Mittal, the lead of TV soap Ek Chutki Aasman, starting on Sahara One on August 23, along with child artiste Roshni Parekh, who plays her daughter in the serial, deals with it everyday, but its time they know how to hold the bull by the horns!

Chavvi, the actor keeps insecurity at bay through her work. "I understand and see many people in television struggling with insecurity everyday. For me, it is important that I do substantial and lead roles or cameos, which can turn the nature of the plot upside down," she candidly says. "On the contrary, in this industry, directors are the most insecure people. They are always at the beck and call of the channel. If one scene is shot wrong, the next day we find another director on the sets. Same is the case with character artistes, who find their role scrapped in the middle of activity."

Despite the uncertainty looming large, Chavvi Mittal still prefers TV over films. Adds the actor who likes working the Aamir Khan way - one movie at a time. "One flop movie and I wouldn't know where to go. With TV, however, a good actor will never go out of work irrespective of how a serial fares."

Real to reel, in Ek Chutki Aasman, Chavvi plays Hemangi, a village girl who finds herself swinging between the decision of leaving her daughter in the village and moving to the city to earn a livelihood. Expect a lot of sobs, zillion pan angles, someone vanishing and someone reappearing (the saviour kinda characters)! She laughs, "It is a fact that the serials that we are making are for the masses who relate to what we show. There are families who live, whatever we show on screen. The urban population prefers to watch a movie in a mall instead, TV soaps are not their cup of tea," adds Chavvi, a model-turned-actor from Delhi.

Catching up from where she left - swinging between decisions? "The decision of moving from Delhi to Mumbai wasn't an easy one. The way things happen in Mumbai are different from those in Delhi. There came a time when I wanted to go back to Delhi. She pauses, "And then I stayed on"! Indeed to face and conquer the insecurity. "I guess I have learnt," winks Chavvi.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Little wonder

It is a big bad world out there, said an unknown author. It sure is. Kids like Roshni Parekh, who plays Chutki in Ek Chutki Aasman stretch their facial muscles and lachrymal glands to get the right expressions that can be successfully translate the TRPs in their favour. And guess what, this little kid, who doesn't know what lies behind this glamour, loves her work, which she calls acting. " I like it. Everybody on the sets is very nice. I run around and have a great time," says Roshni, who seems to like the idea of an interview.

What about acting, dialogues, light, action and camera? "Massi samajha deyti hai," she points towards her maternal aunt who accompanies her to the sets. "It is a god's gift. She usually gets the scene right in one take," her aunt boastfully declares.

Studies does it figure anywhere in her scheme of things? As expected, her aunt gives us a low-down on this. "A tutor comes to the sets to teach her. Sometimes she misses her classes, but she makes up for it." What's the little one's take on it? Roshni misses her classmates, lunch break and homework. "I miss school, but I like to act like Kareena Kapoor," Roshni looks at her aunt for approval! Whose dreams is she fulfilling anyway?

Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif has been named the brand ambassador of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, an official said.

The announcement will be made in Mumbai Tuesday in the presence of Etihad Airways' vice-president (Marketing) Andrew Ward, country manager (India) Neerja Bhatia said, as Katrina looked on.

According to the official, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the increasingly competitive luxury airline segment, Etihad Airways is constantly developing and communicating its unmatched and uncompromised service to patrons.

"With a vision to be a truly 21st century global airline, the association with Katrina Kaif will further symbolise Etihad Airways' brand attributes, showcasing young, premium and fresh approach to service in the air and on the ground," the official added.

Katrina, 27, currently ranks as the top Bollywood star and has soared to this position in less than seven years, which has resulted in a string of awards to her credit.

Starting with Kaizad Gustaad's Boom in 2003, Katrina has also acted in Tamil and Malayalam movies.

Her prominent movies include Sarkar, Partner, Welcome, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, Namaste London, Race, Singhh Is King, Yuuvraaj, New York, Rajneeti, De Dana Dan and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. — IANS

Bollywood actor Eesha Narang, better known as the Khallas girl does not take kindly to the 'item' tag attached to her following a series of special appearances in movie songs.

"Even people today refer to me as Khallas girl...I take it as a complement… But I believe they must not be called 'item' (whether songs or girls)... it sounds negative, derogatory and disrespectful," Eesha said.

In 2002, the actor appeared in RGV's Company for the popular item number Khallas, which earned her the nickname and the most exciting new face trophy at the Stardust awards.

"I still don't understand why it is called 'item' and in what context it is called so? The term is created by media and to some extent even by producers and directors," she said.

"They are special or friendly appearances why call it 'item song'... we are human beings not any object to be called an item," the 33-year-old actors, who did Ishq Samundar, in Sanjay Gupta's Kaante said.

Eesha, will be seen in Subhash Ghai's Hello Darling releasing on August 27. The movie, which deals with the issue of sexual harassment, also stars Celina Jaitley, Gul Panag, and Javed Jaffrey.

Elaborating on her character, she said, "I play the role of a Haryanwi girl Satvari Chautala. She is the charming, aggressive and a no non-sense person. She is the one who provokes other two women in the film to raise their voice and do something against their lusty boss (Javed)." —PTI

He's crooned countless songs, it's just as easy to lose count of the albums he's cut, it's the similar sounding story with music shows; for those attuned to Indian music industry, tag Sonu Nigam needs no introductions. 

Three weeks into television reality show, Chhote Ustaad and the singer is in a congratulatory mode, over a couple of quick bites and quotes on the phone. 

"The show's been telecast for three weeks now and the response has been pretty good. Frankly, we didn't expect such a good response. But I think the talent and non-controversial part of it has done really well for us." He adds, "While our focus is on talent, we're also making the kids have lots of fun." 

A reality show is just as much about the participants, votes, audience, concept, as about judging. Where does he feel he stands? "I think where judging is concerned, I'm just not in for passing rude comments, especially with kids…in any case, the kids that we have at the show are especially a great bunch of talented kids." 

Everyone who's someone, or is not even anyone, has an opinion on children bring brought on reality shows. He adds, "I think it's a great platform, a great way to show their talent. To be a singer one needs to start young. You can't turn eighteen and say…ok we've grown up now, so today we'll become singers. Since one needs to start young, these shows are an opportunity for them to grow and develop skills." 

It's been three years since he cut an album, that too in the niche segment… "Have been travelling all this while, but I think I'll have to start soon. My last project was for the niche segment, but this time I might do a mainstream album now."

As for acting, and the omnipresent phenomenon of singers turning actors, "Have been reading scripts all these years…did accept a couple of them. The entire project is a team effort, in totality it's about a lot of things falling in place. Even an average actor might do well while another movie with Amitabh Bachchan in it may not click. "

What does he have to say on the current breed of singers? "We have a lot of new voices, that's a good thing. A good singer knows the sur and taal. Some are really good, some are okay while some are bad." Would he like to take just any of the names in any category? "I think we all know who they are and who's good and who's bad." Guess we do. Don't we? manpriya@tribunemail.com

No matter how much we talk about the dearth of fresh ideas in Punjabi cinema, certain issues just cannot be ignored. Drug abuse or female foeticide are some issues that are still a prerogative of Punjabi cinema. 

Jonita Doda, the lead actor opposite Gurdas Maan in the upcoming Punjabi movie Chak Jawaaana, releasing August 27, has no qualms in admitting that Punjabi cinema cannot afford to experiment with newer topics when there is so much from the state that needs to be highlighted. Jonita, who makes her debut with Chak Jawaana, has faced the camera before for Sahara One's Comedy Champions. Nevertheless, the Chandigarh girl likes to look at each day and opportunity as a gift of god. "I enjoyed every moment of the shooting. I got to learn from the movie as well as from my co-actor Gurdas Maan.," says Jonita, who still misses the carefree life of Chandigarh. "Mumbai is an altogether different place; I have got used to it now though," she smiles, looking at her mother and brother who are a source of inspiration and support.

Female actors either running around the trees or doing an item track to add spice to the film? The actor chooses to look at it differently. "If male actors are the food, female actors are the spice. A director cannot make a movie without female actors, no matter in what capacity," adds Jonita, who is shooting ad commercials as well. "As long as I get to perform and show my versatility, I am okay with the medium." As the actor prepares herself for two upcoming Bollywood projects and other two projects down south, (one is Makkal Padai with Sajith Raj), she doesn't seem to be in a haste to try out everything that comes her way. "I have been getting offers, but it really needs a heart to say no to subjects that don't appeal, especially when I am a newcomer," adds Jonita. 

Back to Chak Jawaana…Jonita plays Binny, a docile and educated homemaker who is the pillar of support for her family. "As I said, I see a deeper meaning in every movie I do, whether Bollywood or anything down south," she smiles. jasmine@tribunemail.com

If an image of the oldest surviving photo, 1,400-pound Mammoth, built in Chicago, which took 15 people to click a picture, or the beautiful moments of our city interest you, Joint Photo Artist Group has put up an exhibition of as many as 56 photographs at Rock Garden.

The love for clicking got this diverse group - two employees from PGI, a banker, one from AG office, another from Town Planning and two businessman - together, three years back. And these amateur photographers have brought out an exhibition that showcases their work, clicked in their leisure moments.

Gurmeet Kaur, district town planner with Haryana Government, who is into photography for a decade-and-a-half now, decided to be part of this exhibition with like-minded people. "I want to get a feedback on my work, and who could be better than the public," she says. Her photographs, a fine work in lights and shadows, are clicked on city roads and on her travels. "Sometimes one gets bogged down by routine. Photography, which is my passion, makes me look at things that we miss in routine life in a new perspective," she shares.

For Harvinder Singh, the exhibition is a mark of respect to the fine art that photography is. Different frames clicked on his recent visit to Badrinath bring out the beauty of Gharwal, its fields and people.

Deepak Rana's pictures capture our open hand monument and village life. Its pristine beauty of Leh and Ladakh that one finds in frames by Bobby Sharma. Scenic beauty, Buddhist prayer wheels form part of his selection. RK Gautam captures the beauty of Jaipur and Rakesh Dogra that of Kila Raipur Rural Sports Festival. And it's the wildlife that one finds in Abhishek's works.

These families of these lensmen join them on the coming Sunday to encourage their art. And the legendary Nek Chand, not only encouraged and gave space to these amateurs to put up the exhibition, but also inaugurated the exhibition.

The exhibition, which brings out the bounties of nature and presents humanity in its diverse form, gives us a reason to smile. But the sad part is to see the beautiful work defaced by some insensitive graffiti-makers.

mona@tribunemail.com

Global Warming - the word seems to have lost its impact now, blame it on overuse or 'we-care-a-damn-attitude'! So, we have something better and entertaining, with a bigger impact. Cartoons - simple and effective.

The cartoons for climate change, exhibition-cum-workshop organised by the British Council at the Government Arts College-10, is a fine example of visuals with a message. The 50 cartoons on display have been selected from across the country, and have entries from countries like Czech Republic, Israel, Croatia, France et al.

"The basic aim of the competition was to get youth involved in the process of saving the environment. A global dialogue is difficult to attain, but through visuals the message can be put across easily. Of course, with cartoons the humour helps in furthering the cause," says Charlie Walker, Director, programme British Council India and Sri Lanka.

So when we say humour, it means Tarzan not finding enough trees to commute, a polar bear taking ballet classes to survive on the left-over ice cubes (which once were icebergs) and Shiva-Parvati sitting atop Mount Kailasa, holding a placard that reads —Save Water!

The emphasis was more on the melting glaciers and water problem. "This is something everyone should be sensitive about. But preaching doesn't help, so art comes to the rescue. The panel of judges who selected the entries included Jug Suraiya," says DS Kapoor, principal of the College of Art-10.

Adding to the campaign, the British council will be screening five short films by Indian filmmakers under the UK Environment Film Fellowship Programme. The various environmental issues covered will be cycling for environment in Bangalore; 
water management programme undertaken voluntarily by a village in Maharashtra et al.

A workshop on short filmmaking will also be held under the programme at the British Library.

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

What's with the names of the deejays? Why does an Avtar Singh becomes DJ Prince Groove, and a Deepit becomes DJ Methaknight? Innovation with a difference is the answer to it. The two Delhi-based deejays jamming in with Chakra:Vu band at Hotel Zinc on a Friday night wonder, 'what's in a name'! Nevertheless they elaborate. Says DJ Prince Groove, "Prince is my nickname and I make people grove to my music, which is why the name Groove." As for Deepit, "A Greek word meaning you get hooked to translates into Methaknight. Simple!

As simple as the music scene of the clubs and lounges. Did someone say Bollywood is out? Says the duo, "The popularity of Bollywood has obviously suffered, however celebrity deejays who play Bollywood manage to get audience due to their name." Puts in DJ Prince, "Every genre, club, progressive or house has its own audience. We cannot force people to sway to electronic. It is something like each to his own!

The deejays give a high dose of electronic dance music to the people at Zinc Lounge. "I guess we need more music festivals in India and Chandigarh for sure," adds Prince who plans to organise one very soon. "A music festival will music lovers aware of different kinds of genres," Prince says. 

Scientists have finally solved the mystery of 'beer goggles' — a phenomenon where less attractive people suddenly become more appealing when the onlooker has tipped back a pint or two. According to researchers who tested the idea on both sober and inebriated college students in England, alcohol dulls people's ability to recognise cockeyed, asymmetrical faces.

To find out if alcohol interfered with the ability to distinguish faces where the left and right sides were uneven, Lewis Halsey of Roehampton University in London and his colleagues designed an experiment involving images of faces that were tinkered with to make them perfectly symmetrical or subtly asymmetrical.

This included students taking a quick breathalyzer test to confirm their alcohol consumption. The students were classified as either sober or intoxicated, then examined the images.

Twenty images of a pair of faces — one symmetrical, the other asymmetrical — and then 20 images of a single face were shown, one at a time, to 64 students. Participants were asked to state which face of each of the pairs was most attractive. They also had to determine whether each of the single faces displayed was symmetrical.

The researchers found that sober students had a greater preference for symmetrical faces than did the intoxicated students. And it turned out that the sober students were better at detecting whether a face was symmetrical.

What's more, the data suggest that men were less prone to losing their symmetry-detecting ability when intoxicated than women, which was unexpected, Halsey said. The difference probably has something to do with the tendency for men to be more visually oriented and more stimulated by what they see, he said. — ANI

Sugar really does make us sweeter, by helping us digest bad news, says a new study. It is believed that the sugar rush provides the brain with the fuel it needs to push away thoughts of blame and revenge, making it easier for us to forgive and forget.

"These findings provide the first evidence that forgiveness depends on how efficiently the body uses glucose," a researchers at the University of Kentucky said.

The researchers team looked at whether there was a link between symptoms of the most common type of diabetes and the ability to forgive.

Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity and usually develops in middle age. Sufferers struggle to turn glucose, or sugar, into energy needed to fuel the brain.

Four different experiments showed that men and women with the most symptoms of diabetes were less forgiving.

For instance, asked if they would seek revenge if someone gave away one of their secrets, they were most likely to want to retaliate.

They were more unwilling to help people who irritated them.

The researchers said it was likely the brain was short of the sugar it needed to keep vengeful impulses at bay.

The study has been published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. — ANI

A new study has suggested that youths whose parents allowed them to have alcohol with meals while they were growing up are less likely to develop harmful drinking patterns in the future. The new study, led by a Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) examined, in detail the drinking patterns and histories of 160 Italian adolescents and young adults who identified themselves as regular or heavy drinkers.

The authors concluded that the introduction of a moderate amount of alcohol in a family setting could prevent young people from binge drinking and nurture healthier drinking behaviours."Young people allowed alcohol with meals when growing up were more likely to never drink 5 [or more drinks] or get drunk," wrote the authors.If they did drink more heavily, it was typically at a "later age than participants who weren't allowed alcohol in a family setting." The researchers interviewed two groups of young people in the Italian regions of Abruzzo and Umbria.One consisted of 80 young adults aged 25-30; the second consisted of 80 adolescents, 16 to18 years old."We were fortunate to be able to have such a large study sample to interview to help us understand this phenomenon," said Lee Strunin of BUSPH.Although the results focused on Italy, Strunin said they could be applied to different countries and could "assist in the design of policies to reduce alcohol problems and harmful behavior among young people." "Youths in these cultures learn to drink more responsibly than their US counterparts because drinking is culturally normative, exposure occurs at a younger age, and alcohol is part of the fabric of family mores," said the report.

It is important to note, the authors wrote, that the study focused on youths and young adults who drank wine during a meal with their family. "In talking about drinking in the family, we are talking about meal drinking, not sitting down with your child watching the football or baseball game with a six-pack," said Strunin."The wine drinking is part of the meal." The findings were published in the journal Addiction, Research and Theory. — ANI

Finally organic food has become popular but only for a particular segment. Besides, it is facing a stiff competition from the mega brands in the food sector, which have the power to attract people by their aggressive marketing strategies. But one should be aware of what's happening on this front and go beyond the labels as labels can be misleading and sometimes they omit a fact by highlighting another.

Different flavours seem to be enticing the city palate like never before. So after a number of Avadhi, Hyderabadi, Lucknawi, Moroccan and Chinese food festivals, it's lesser-explored Rampuri cuisine being offered by Hometel, a Sarovar Hotel at Industrial Area.

A small royal estate Rampur in the western Uttar Pradesh, better known for its knives, also takes pride only in its rich Rampuri royal cuisine that has influences of Kashmiri, Hyderabadi and Avadhi traditions.

"The princesses who got married in Rampur royals brought along their khansama that lends distinctive flavour to cuisine confined to western Uttar Pradesh," Sabyasachi Chatterjee, general manager, of three month-old Hometel does the explaining. "This is our first food fest in the city and we wanted to bring something new yet something that suited the Indian palate. So, here is Rampuri Royal cuisine that's been passed on from generation to generation," says Chatterjee. "This food that's comparable to any well-known Indian cuisine probably never got famous probably due to unstable political conditions," offers Chatterjee.

This lip-smacking feast spread by chef Abdul Haleem, who has worked with leading hospitality chains has received a great response in other Indian metros before he brought it to the city with his expert team. "Rampuri royal food is rich in flavours and aroma," says the chef who is camping with his team for this 10-day festival in the city.

The buffet that offers a range of vegetarian delicacies as well non-vegetarian priced at Rs 375 plus taxes gives a choice of three vegetarian snacks, four non vegetarian, as many as eight vegetarian main course and four non vegetarian plus a wide range of desserts.

What's more the menu changes each day. The regular vegetables karela, gobhi, lauki offer a scrumptious feast cooked in Rampuri way with a tinge of saffron or rose petals. It's a nawabi spread when it comes to breads so one has fitri naan, naan e tanak, sheermal, kishmishi parantha, wah wah roti, gilafi kulcha, taftan, khameeri roti and baqurkhani to choose from.

Even in desserts, there is a surprise of mirchi ka halwa, hare dhaniye ki kheer, adrak ka halwa and gosht ka halwa. Rampuri biryani is another delectable treat to check out for. (On till August 29)

Hollywood's latest heartthrob Robert Pattinson has been named the world's sexiest man for the second year in a row, despite facing stiff competition from his Twilight co-stars.

The 24-year-old British actor has yet again topped Glamour online's 50 Sexiest Men.

The top five was dominated by Twilight actors, with 18-year-old Taylor Lautner - who plays werewolf Jacob Black in the hit film franchise - in second place, and Xavier Samuel and Kellan Lutz placed fourth and fifth respectively.

The trio were rivalled by The Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder, who was voted third in the survey. "Women are attracted to vampires because of the element of danger that comes with them. They are the ultimate bad boys - and women want to tame the beasts," said Glamour's acting editor Charlotte Duck.

The list, which was compiled from over 50,000 votes by readers of the fashion website, had many renowned names being placed further down the list than in previous years.

Johnny Depp dropped from second place to sixth, while soccer star David Beckham slipped from fourth down to 21st.

George Clooney only reached position 35 on the list, while Leonardo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves and Jude Law, who have scored highly in the survey in recent years, did not even feature. — PTI 

Hollywood star Natalie Portman will be seen kissing actor Mila Kunis on-screen in Darren Aronofsky's much anticipated new film Black Swan.

The 29-year-old actor, who was recently seen in films like 'Brothers' and 'The Other Boleyn Girl', plays the role of a New York ballerina in the psychological thriller set for release on December 1.

Her character forms a rivalry with fellow ballerina Lily, played by Kunis, as the competition for parts in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake heats up.

The pair eventually form an unlikely friendship and during one scene in the movie, they share a passionate kiss.

Also featuring in Aronofsky's film is Barbara Hershey, who plays a retired ballerina, and Vincent Cassel, playing an artistic director. Black Swan debuts at the 2010 Venice Film Festival. — PTI