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Non-Reliable IMAGE
Recent hit, Mel Kara De Rabba was more of a comedy of romantic errors, the cross between hide and seek, and musical chairs of a girl and boy's love-arrange relationship. Singing sensation Miss Pooja's Panjaban, set in the urban backdrop, was a tale of twin sisters and their contrasting perceptions about life. It isn't about hits and misses; it's about the effort of moving away from the age-old issues of morality and preservation of culture. Looks like the issues have perceptibly started going beyond the lost roots. Or have they not? "I feel that gradually the NRI syndrome is falling down and filmmakers are finally getting sensitive about the issues of real Punjab. The place we have with us right here, shares Jonita Doda, actor. Perhaps she's referring to her soon to be released Chak Jawana, opposite Gurdas Mann. The youth-based movie highlights the drug menace gripping the state and is set against the backdrop of generation gap. She adds, "I feel the audiences are slowly opening up and flocking the cinemas to watch Punjabi movies." "We are still centred around the expatriate Punjabi community and their problems. Everything just has to be based on similar issues and same themes," opines Rubina Baig, producer, Mitti. Even though the year's first release, her movie, dealt with youth politics as also the love of the land. She adds, "The obsession could also be partly because there's no tendency to go beyond and experiment. There's also to some extent the lack of knowhow." The reasons run parallel as also manifold. Chips in Jonita, "These themes have always been touching this regional industry since almost every family in Punjab has someone abroad. So there are huge numbers that identify with the self-imposed exile and the pain it brings along as also the struggle that people have to do when they go to new destinations." Needless to say, the audience relates to these issues. Says Vijay Tandon, writer, producer of award winning Kachhehri, "The overseas is a huge market. Rather it's the main market for any producer of Punjabi films. Until and unless it's a Manmohan Singh film, no movie does a business of more than Rs 40 lakh in this part of the region." His next project, Do Gallan Pyaar Diyaan, is pegged to be a romantic musical comedy. Opines Mohit Bhardwaj, upcoming actor, "As of now I do not think the obsession with such themes is dying." Nevertheless, his next, Simran, scheduled for later this year, sees him playing brother to the protagonist in this film based on female foeticide. Sums up Jonita, "Even though a lot still needs to be reflected on the silver screen. Slowly and gradually the Punjabi cinema is on its way to becoming bigger and better." At least on its way out to a scenario where every release is based on British born kids out touring their roots!
manpriya@tribunemail.com |
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Natural progression
In the city on a vacation, Harish, who hails from Mohali, shares his views on life in the city and the glamorous world of Mumbai. "From my very childhood, I had a passion for theatre, but I always wanted to become a film actor. However, working in close association with thespian Gursharan Singh since 1999, I remained completely engrossed in theatre, especially that with a social cause. This was till I got offers for roles in telefilms or serials like "Mission Fateh, Nonsense Private Limited, Ishaq Vich You Never Know, Uss Phool Ka Naam, Mera Ki Kasoor Hai, Sati and many more," he says. He adds, "All these roles gave me a lot of confidence to do well. I also performed at the International Theatre Fest at Lahore (Pakistan) in Pinjar and Parinde, both directed by Sahib Singh and later at Mauritius in a play on Shaheed Bhagat Singh under CS Sindra." He finally moved to Mumbai in October 2008 and was lucky enough to clear the audition test for four productions, including two films, but Naa Aana Iss Des happened first and luck smiled on him. "My theatre background, experience and the skills imbibed under my mentor Gursharan Singh, and with various directors that I have worked with, helped me excel," he shares. Thetare indeed laid the foundation for his future success. Yet, he remains simple and down to earth till date. "I sometimes get more inspired as people request for an autograph or want to be photographed with me, especially in the city where I used to rush from rehearsals to rehearsals on my scooter. As far as theatre is concerned, actors get an instant reaction from the audience, which rejuvenates you and at the same time helps you grow, but in films or TV you have to wait for the response and comments, he says in all
humility. |
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Fine BUNCH
The rest three from the group, Sonal Singh, Amandeep Singh and Nitin, have put the simple facts of life in frames. Together, these young artists, students of Government College of Arts-10, form the group Bunch, the name that holds true to the nature of the group. "A bunch will look more beautiful when flowers of different colours and sizes are added to it. Similarly, we work in different mediums on different ideas, yet our creativity is termed art," says Amarbir Singh, whose subject is windows of the art college. Carved out of black marble, the sculptures in the form of windows are in various designs. Amarbir has also made sculpture of a woman's face in fibre and newspaper. "The sculpture denotes a woman who has to struggle a lot to run her household. It captures the emotions of every such woman." Human emotions are also the subject of Parvesh Kumar, who through his sculpture has shown a man and a woman's facial expressions in a particular situation. "A man's face becomes ugly when he teases a woman. In reaction to the same, a woman's facial expressions changes from being pleasant to anger," informs Parvesh. Bharpur Singh's has made self-portraits and sketches of his friends. "I made self-portraits because I wanted to understand myself first. Only if an artist knows himself, he will be able to understand his subjects better." Amrit Singh has also worked on the human expressions, "The subject interested me because all human beings have the same expressions for the same emotions." Nitin's photograph titled Prayer from Soul shows a woman lying outside the Golden Temple. Besides experimenting with the theme of his painting, Lakhwinder Singh has used various mediums for his artwork. "Instead of using the usual oil or acrylic on canvas, I preferred working with techniques like lithography, etching, colography and canvas with roller. All his works feature the deer. The reason? "It's the only animal that has the same expressive eyes as human beings." Lakhwinder has shown deer's feet entangled in grass, just to highlight how humans are caught in the materialistic world.
@@asima@tribunemail.com (On till August 29 at Government Museum and Art Gallery) |
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Star status
What is it about Chandigarh that attracts everything with an exclusive and elite tag? May be it's the flamboyant culture or the highest per capita income status. Well, it's the attitude. We can't do without our brands, even in our hospitality. So, yet another 'grand opening' of a luxurious experience in the name of Chandigarh Ashok, under the umbrella of Ashok Allianz in Zirakpur (technically a four-star brand), promises Chandigarh five-star services that we are so fond of.
"The city has a taste for luxury, people are well travelled and enjoy the best in terms of life. And 'more' is what is required for the city," says Manendra Singh, general manager, The Chandigarh Ashok. On offer are IT-enabled 64 deluxe rooms, a multicuisine restaurant Spice Cafe, bar and F-lounge with an Italian theme, fitness centre, pool-side fun, 24-hour coffee shop, banquet hall with a capacity of 400, and options of pool-side and terrace banqueting as well. "This is ITDC's first-ever private franchisee, but being a government supported hotel, it is important for us to match the standards set by The Ashok Group. ITDC (India Tourism Development Corporation) wanted to reach out to a larger group, and so after this eight other such franchisees are on cards. However, nothing is confirmed yet," adds Manendra. Symbolic ambience is impressive with 'open hand' murals and elements inspired by the City Beautiful. Apart from the usual suite and spice, Chandigarh Ashok plans to complete the hospitality through a personal touch. "Our USP is that we are catering to families. Our services include baby-sitting, a guest interactive kitchen where you can cook along with our chef and giving guests a homely feel," says Manendra. To serve our increasingly experimental and global taste buds, they also plan to have four food festivals annually. "One out which will be on international cuisines," he informs. When it's a brand, everything becomes customised. "And that's a necessity. The guests today don't want to feel any difference between their home and a hotel. One has to constantly keep on improving so as to satisfy the demands. That's what five-star services actually mean, giving the guest what they want rather than making-do with what you have," says Manendra. Well, when talking about the region, the idea sure works better for us than anything else. Manendra is quick to reply, "We are planning to expand in the region but not until there is enough market for
it." nehawalia@tribunemail.com |
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ON BOARD
Being on your own at a young age, away from home and among strangers from different backgrounds might seem intimidating at first, but can pay rich dividends later in life. Boarding schools instill a lot of values - discipline, punctuality, self-esteem and most of all, the ability to bond well and sustain relationships. We talk to a few for whom boarding school days paved way for better social and survival skills.
For Brigadier (retired) BS Mander, one of the first few who passed out from the prestigious Punjab Public School, Nabha, school days made the base for a successful life. "Boarding school teaches a lot. But most of all how to get along with people," he says. In school at the age of eight, he became part of a system where punctuality and discipline ruled. "The school had children from different backgrounds. I needed to adapt in order to survive," he adds. And that has paid him well. Brig Mander is still friends with many of his schoolmates. "A boarding school gives the opportunity to mingle with a multi-cultural crowd. And that's a good learning experience. The quality to adapt helps one later in life. Many times people without much exposure find it difficult to leave parents and home when opportunities call them," he avers. Just like Brig Mander, Jaspreet Gill joined Sacred Heart, Amritsar, boarding when she was just eight. "I cherish the lovely company that I had in my friends all through school years and later even in college. And that gave me the best lessons of sharing," says Jaspreet, a homemaker from Sector 8. "Spending time with friends meant a lot to us, we felt no need for a TV," she shares. But for Amreen Sekhon, things did not come as easy as Jaspreet. "I joined Lawrence School, Sanawar, in Class XI. There were groups who had been together for years and I was not welcome," shares Amreen. But she made efforts and soon found friends. "I had to be proactive. I soon realised that no one would approach me and I had to make efforts," she says. And she did. Not only did she learn to be more sharing, caring and independent, but also earned the kind of friends she was looking for. "Today I am confident of being in new places, can mingle easily with people and most of all I got friends from boarding who are going to be there forever," says Amreen, who studies psychology in MCM DAV College-36. Her brother Imranjot Singh Sekhon, who joined boarding school in fifth standard, found it easier to adjust though. "Being together all the time develops bonds. Boarding life makes one confident and independent in general as well as in relationships," says Imranjot. Sociologist, however, sound a word of caution. "Boarding schools do broaden the horizon, which in a way helps one to strike better bonds but one needs to be cautious in sending children at the right age," says Suchet Kumar, a sociologist from the city. "For imbibing social skills in children, parents need to make sure that their wards get to interact with people; boarding is one way, relatives or neighbours could be the other," he
avers. mona@tribunemail.com |
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Managing ANGER
According to online shopping website Taobao, such stores have become popular among young netizens who are ready to pay the shop owners for listening to their secrets and tolerating their scoldings. "I was inspired by my female friends who like to confide their troubles about family, study and work. I prefer to call my store a 'recycle station' for pressure and annoyance," said Wang Ping, a female owner of an anger-release store in Shanghai. Depending on the price, the customers are allowed to complain against any one as a way of releasing anger or stress. Customers pay with a debit or credit card and shop owners guarantee anonymity. Some stores offer a price list categorised either by time or requirements. Normally, it costs about 1 yuan (15 cents) for a 10-minute period, in which the customers are allowed to say and complain about anything they want, even saying curse words. Advertisements for such stores read 'Get rid of high pressure', 'Enjoy scolding', 'Best way to relax' and so on to attract netizens. "I was so curious how it would work that I paid 1 yuan for the service," said 20-year-old Guo Qing, a second-year university student from Guangzhou. She said that she prefers talking to strangers about her problems. "I'm scared to tell my anxieties to my good friends as there is possibility that they would use that against me in the future". Lang Lihan, 25, said: "I think it is a good way for me to express my anger and frustration. Sometimes my supervisor blames me for trifles and I cannot lose my temper easily in front of a girlfriend or close friends."
IANS |
A study has found that the popular belief that employers like to hire young people is nowhere true, as many bosses have revealed that they prefer to hire someone older to a younger worker. The government-funded study by Monash University researchers on 600 big organisations suggests that attitudes towards older workers are changing. Philip Taylor, the director of research and graduate studies, and his team found that during labour shortages 50 percent of public sector employers put the recruitment of mature workers at the top of their agendas. About 40 percent of private sector bosses said they too would look to the over-55s. By contrast, less than a quarter of the employers surveyed - public and private sector - said they would recruit migrant labour to fill workforce gaps. The research deviates sharply from studies, which have found a strong current of institutionalised ageism in workplaces is responsible for the disproportionately high level of mature-age unemployment. "This is the first time I've seen such a willingness to employ older workers," says Professor Taylor. "We had expected that, on the back of the economic downturn, employers would be less favourable towards older workers. This is a significant and surprising shift," he said. Professor Taylor said that rather than discrimination, a lack of relevant skills might be keeping mature workers out of a job. "'There is a tendency for people to say, 'it's my gender, my ethnicity, my age, that's the problem'. Well, hang on, maybe it's not," he stated. "Retail employers are much better. They realise that a lot of their clientele are mature age and so mature workers will relate to them better," he said. "But the fact is that Australia is behind much of the developed world when it comes to mature-aged people participating in the workforce. That can't simply be attributed to a lack of skills," he added. ANI Lifestyle invites responses on the following issue from the readers: Please e-mail the responses in around 200 words to lifestyletribune@gmail.com or post along with your photo and contact number to 'Relatively Speaking', Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh. The best few responses will be published.
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Bond wagon
Yet different: Unlike me, she has a hard time being punctual. I enjoy art, while Gurveen is more of a party freak. We enjoy trips to nearby places. Unforgettable moments: When I turned 18, during our summer holidays we were together almost all the time. It was so much fun. We checked out almost all the places a teen would want to in and around the tricity. Best time of the life for sure. Gurveen Kaur Funny takes: At the Winter Ball'09 Gurveen asked me for a dance and Salsa was her choice. While she has learnt it, I'm an amateur. The last thing I remember was a kick on my legs, which left me gasping for breath. I was the most photographed sensation at the ball. Something Special: We both love gear-less two wheelers. Though we haven't tried tiring odysseys, it's never too late to add-in to our 'trips-to-make' list. Wishful thinking: We share a love for open spaces. It would be a fantasy to be able to travel to foreign countries together. Greece tops our list. (Jaskeerat Singh and Gurveen Kaur study architecture) If you want to feature here, please email at lifestyletribune@gmail.com or mail at Bond Wagon, Lifestyle,
The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh, along with a photograph and contact number. |
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Renee Writes
I am 18, just out of school and trying to find my way in life. I feel my parents always try to suppress me and make me do things their way. I have tried hard to make them happy but nothing really seems to work. I feel frustrated. My father who is an engineer wants me to follow his footsteps but I want to be a scientist. Do you think it would be fair on my part to shatter my father's dream? I am the only son. Or, should I do what I really want as I feel strongly about science. Please help me. Sumit Malhotra Just follow your heart. I am sure when you excel in your particular field of work your parents will be very proud of you. We can do our best only when we feel strongly about something. So, do not allow any of your frustrations to deter you. Remember only if you make yourself happy, you will make those around you happy. It is good that you are focused in life and know exactly what you want. Just do not hesitate or get confused. Parents always think for your good from their own perspective. If you can prove that you can excel in your field, they will be more than happy. Let it be
I am a young woman of 24 years but somehow feel old and tired. Anger and resentment have been playing havoc with my health. I don't know how to stop this. My pattern of thinking is very negative. I work five nights a week at a call centre and have a steady relationship. He works in a day job, so we hardly see each other and it gets very frustrating. I eat to feel better. I also spend like crazy when I feel low and end up buying things I don't need. I feel a lot of anger and self-hatred. How can I feel better? Divangi Saron Don't let anger overtake your life. Anger, whether it is towards yourself or towards another person, is destructive. It can eat into your immune system and give you many health disorders. Since you have already mentioned that you understand this about yourself, it is easy for you to get rid of this negative emotion. You need to take charge of your life. You are experiencing a lot of negativity but are allowing it to pass. A 'let it be' attitude will not get you anywhere. You need to deal with your emotions and thoughts. Thoughts can be changed and so can self-destructive patterns. Some old patterns take time to change but nothing is impossible. Give yourself time to look within at the deep-rooted causes of your resentment. They cannot have just started recently. It is an over the years process. Find the company of someone you enjoy being with and can trust. Most important person in life is you. Trust and value yourself. Things will come around surely. Value what you have
I have just finished my medical studies and looking around for a suitable job. My self-esteem is at rock bottom at the moment as I have just discovered that the girl I was emotionally involved with is getting married to someone else. We studied together and decided to start a clinic together. Now, she is marrying a doctor from England and moving there. I feel cheated. I do not have the will to do anything for the moment. My friends are fed up with me and have made it clear that they will speak to me when I decide to behave in a mature fashion. I feel shattered. Can you please suggest how my life could get back on track again? Harmohan Baweja You have my sympathy but please brace yourself up. Now that you are through with medical school you anyway have a whole new life ahead of you. Think of all the people who will benefit from your services as a doctor. Remember relationships are only part of life. There are many other aspects of life that need to be dealt with. If your girlfriend had cared for your feelings or ever wanted to make a life with you, she would have done so. It is obvious that the charm of the western world has enticed her. Your friends are right, you have to put your life in order You are lucky, you are in a wonderful and noble profession. Start thinking of ways to start your own practice. You can even work in a hospital or a private clinic for a while. Keep your dream alive. |
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LAUNCH PAD
The new series includes products like kettles, induction heaters, mixer grinders and toasters. The products are elegantly designed as per European standards with shock-proof body, low power consumption and easy to operate features making the product line more modern and high on technology. The products are priced at an affordable range of Rs 500 to Rs 4,000 and the products are available throughout the country supported by service centres. ''We aim to be a complete brown goods provider and will continue to offer product innovations, upgrades and market-friendly products in all categories. The strength of our brand is already visible in the excellent track record. We are looking at leveraging this strength in order to capture larger market share and volumes spread over all categories of home appliances,'' says Rishabh Babbar, CEO, Remson. TNS Tea break
This include organic green and black teas which are available in six delicious flavours, namely Earl Grey, Pure Darjeeling, Pure Green, Pure Peach, Sunny Lemon and Golden Mango. Attractively packaged in aroma-proof metallic canisters, the tealeaves are procured from organic certified farms. Only organic and natural flavours are used, in an exclusive blending process, to produce the blissful aroma and exotic flavour range. These are available at all leading retail outlets of major cities across the country. Each organic flavoured tea variant has got 25 round tea bags and is economically priced at Rs 99 per canister. TNS Howdy fashionistas!
The range for men brings back Fonz and motorcycle fashion. Make your statement with leather jackets, blazers and coats. Esprit does it right with trousers, coats, jackets and shirts. Team your denim shirts, chinos, and twill trousers, denims in skinny or loose fit. Men's Casual is all about chic everyday styles with smart, eye-catching pieces. Be sophisticated, flexible and casual at any time of the day. Carry off a white shirt with washed jeans teemed with boots and a hat for a relaxed look. Esprit Rodeo inspired collection starts from Rs 590 onwards. TNS
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It's a split screen between Statue of Liberty and mustard fields, a cut from the pool to the tubewell, from b-boying to bhangra. Punjabi film industry is a larger than life world of expatriate Punjabi community dealing with identity crises. Invariably there's an ancestral house, homecoming is the event and farms are all around. Where there's a village belle against foreign babe, both doing balle balle' in the end! Some things never change or do they?
While the opinions may not overlap, there's an agreement on the obvious the dominant factor of non-resident brigade percolating to every release. So the big onscreen portrayal of preservation of age-old values, culture and tradition remains. Virsa, shot extensively in Australia, one of the expensive Punjabi movies, dealt with the issues of morality of the Punjabi diaspora as it tries to blend with the new community around. Babbu Mann's Ekam had him returning to India from Australia because of his father's wish. 
If cinema is art then theatre is life," says film and TV actor, Harish Verma, a veteran of 65 plays and over 700 theatre performances in the region. Due to his sincerity and dedication, he has now bagged a role in a Punjabi flick titled Punjaban. This is in addition to his performances in over 300 episodes of popular TV serial Na Aana Iss Des Meri Laado on Colors.
Amarbir Singh or Parvesh Kumar didn't have to go too far to seek inspiration for their art works. Even for Bharpur Singh, finalising the theme of his works wasn't tough. Amrit Singh and Lakhwinder Singh just had to observe the world around to choose theirs.
More than 400 online stores in China are providing 'anger-release' service to their customers who wish to get rid of their mental stress caused by family matters, studies and pressure at work places.
Name: Jaskeerat Singh and Gurveen Kaur
Follow your heart
Remson and Rallison group has launched a whole new range of home appliances that includes electric kettles, mixer grinder's, toasters and other heating appliances.
Weikfield Foods has introduced flavoured organic tea in the market under its Eco Valley brand name.
Celebrate rough stock and suburban American fashion with a refreshing new twist from Esprit's Rodeo inspired collection. The collection has graceful lines fit to every shape; with quirky detail each piece in itself is a contemporary fashion delight. New cargo styles matched with glamorous vintage looks, sophisticated used leather jackets with sturdy laced boots worn open to give you the much talked-about Heidi Montag look. Oversized loop scarf, flannel shirt, long tank top, boyfriend jackets, cardigans, riveting tank tops and a fashion must have; the leather jacket will take you miles on the fashion circuit. They also come in metallic grey and copper shades adding a touch of modern sensibilities. Team it up with silk satins scarves and neckerchiefs and bags made from luxurious Morocco leather and hats to complete the look.