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Music beyond boundaries
Shafqat Amanat Ali, celebrated singer and the son of legendary Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, is in the city to perform at Tagore theatre at a musical evening organised by the NGO Routes 2 Roots. "I haven't come across any cultural resistance and for most Pakistani artistes, Bollywood is the only medium, after Internet, to make their music heard. As for Chandigarh, it resembles Islamabad in every sense. Right from the architecture to the culture to environment. They are twin sisters," says the Pakistani singer. We agree, given the fact the cultural resemblences the two countries share, which brought us to the real point of discussion - music. "The masses have been very supportive of this and we artistes never felt that there's any disconnect with our audience," he adds. Being one of the foremost 'talent imports' in Bollywood from Pakistan, Shafqat has finally created a comfort zone, "India is a good market for Pakistani talent. The Indian film industry is very popular and powerful in Pakistan. Though we don't have a thriving film or music industry in Pakistan, we have found appreciative audiences in India." His popularity is an example. After a successful debut with Mitwa in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and critically acclaimed song Yeh Honsla (Dor), Shafqat has experimented a lot, even within the limited circle of choice that Bollywood provides. He has worked with top composers such as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam, Vishal-Shekhar, Sajid-Wajid and recent hits like Tere Naina (My Name Is Khan) and Bin Tere (I hate Luv Storys) just expanded his space. "I believe one should not stick to one genre as a musician. But since Bollywood requires a certain sound, one has to stick to it sometimes. Although there are composers who are bringing in innovations in that fixed radius as well," he says. Having grown up under the equal influences of Sufi, classical as well as Goerge Michael and Lionel Richie, Shafquat changed gears easily between rock and ragas with his band - Fuzon - and solo albums. "Not being the best in my musical family, I used to feel left out sometimes. That pushed me harder to experiment with other genres and I tried bringing in gayaki even in classic rock," he says. And that got him family support as well. "They were happy about the fact that my music aroused curiousty amongst my audiences, with songs like Khamaj." But the same doesn't work everywhere; though his solo albums did reasonably well, he believes films is what gets you noticed. "People still remember you for Bollywood numbers, not your solo albums. With Tabeer, the sound was Sufi and Kyun Dooriyan was pop/rock. But still Tere Naina is what I am appreciated for." One genre that he finds intresting is Fusion, which he refers to as sugar-coated classical. "Music has no fixed rules. Anything that appeals and has gayaki in it is likely to click with the audience. That's what the concept of fusion brings in," Shafqat says. As for him, "I just want to make honest music, which is interesting and saleable as well, good enough to be released." When you are a ninth generation musician from Patiala Gharana and carry a rich legacy, sensibilities come before salebility. "But that's the way it should work," he signs off. nehawalia@tribunemail.com
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Of all ages
The journey back was rejuvenating for him, but he didn't mind stopping in between to catch up with the present. For this 'been there, done that' music composer of Bollywood, time can never be stagnant…it flows, takes its own course, just like the music yesterday and today. In the city to be part of the first Mukesh Nite - Yaadein Mukesh Ki - organised by LEMACs (Legendary Mukesh Musical Arts and Cultural society), Anandji, the surviving partner of Kalyanji-Anandji team, seems to have taken the music scene in his stride. The 'present' of music ruffles him sometimes and that's when he says, "Of course, times have changed drastically and I can lay out all the significant changes." He moves on to the changes without wasting time. "Songs have lost their expression. Singers have adopted a different speed. A lot of English words are being used. Technique dominates more than quality. Western music is dominating the Indian music scene. Songs and singers both have a short shelf-life," says Anandji. Generation Z would dismiss these differences as something of a generation gap, but then this cheerful-looking music director draws a parallel with the past, and he makes all the sense. "With Mukeshji we did almost 91 songs. He was a very simple person, spiritually inclined, who would take time to understand the song before singing. Singers those days would not hit the recording studio and start singing at the drop of a hat. They would take time to warm up." Another important difference that he sees is in the riyaaz. "Singers like Manna Dey would do riyaaz for an hour before singing. Today's lot…," he snaps in between for us to understand. The differences, however, continue. "Recording a song during that time and now is like poles apart. We would do at least two rehearsals, today it is on the spot and confusing," he says. We pull him back, and lay open the realities of today. The biggest reality indeed is the reality TV. He smiles, "I often ask the show people on what criteria am I supposed to judge the contestants. Good looks, presentation, clothes or how they can carry the song," says Anandji, the music director who gave strings on hit numbers to Hindi cinema. Real dope from him comes when he admits that most of the winners of music reality shows have turned anchors now. "They cannot carry the expression needed in a song that we make." He reminded of another real observation. "Where are the female singers? Producers want rustic new voices, thus come in kids who make something out of a nursery rhyme, something like Dhan Tana Tana. Females don't sing on that high Punjabi pitch, rest you know." Experience generally leaves people with interesting anecdotes; coming from Anandji…who minds it! jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Stylish moves
Ironical. After talking nineteen to dozen about the frivolity of reality shows, it still takes one dance reality show to make the country sit up and notice that there exists various dance genres in India as well! You would have heard the forms popping, tatting, locking, till few lesser-known choreographers (normally three choreographers) took their place as mentors and judged dance reality shows. And it takes one dance reality show, Dance India Dance, for Remo, the choreographer to realise that small cities too need dance academies. In Panchukla, for the opening of Remo's Dance Institute, the choreographer taps his journey, which as clichéd as it might sound, 'wasn't an easy one'. "To begin with, I am not a trained dancer. I idolised Michael Jackson, watched his moves and tried to copy and 'remix' it with my own moves. This is how I learnt whatever dance I know," adds this choreographer, one of the celebrity judge on dance reality show Dance India Dance. Like most dreamy eyed youngsters who can't stop daydreaming about the city of dreams Mumbai, and making it big there, Remo too couldn't think beyond shaking a leg in Bollywood. "Ya, but like everyone says, and it is true as well, I had to struggle really hard. I started as a dancer, then worked as an assistant, and finally got my share of recognition with Kaante," he smiles, signing autographs and posing with fans. Need we say dancing too has become a competitive arena? The Farah and Saroj Khan's with due respect are still the reigning queens. He smiles, trying to read between the lines. "Very competitive. Contrary to what you must have heard, there is no place for anyone in Bollywood; one has to create a place. I managed to do that by god's grace." Jazz, popping, locking…the only dance form we are familiar with is Bollywood mushy dances around the trees! Bringing in something that is absolutely Greek to the industry? "No criticism, I was rather appreciated for my dance style. The industry had seen a lot 'sameness'; the new forms were like a whiff of fresh air," adds the choreographer who finds Hrithik Roshan a versatile dancer who can twist and turn on his tunes. From Bollywood to reality shows…now every 'bacha' knows and wants to dance like a livewire. "This is the reason I have opened an academy here. But, I have made a sincere request to the parents that they shouldn't force their kids to dance. If only they have the passion, bring them here," shares Remo who is planning dance moves for Patiala House, Action Screenplay, and has also choreographed a song in Robot. "We would train kids for reality shows here." Reality shows, there you are! Amit Uttam, director of the institute, nods in approval. "The kids will get the best of training here, which will take them to reality shows." jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Man on mission
The city has a special guest in Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, the international chair of Rotary Foundation, one of the world's largest trust promoting understanding and goodwill through its humanitarian programmes. On a two-day visit to the city, Stenhammar is all appreciation for Indian Rotarians as well as the government. "Indians really help their own. Even the government has provided huge financial aid in one of our major goals of eradicating polio," says Stenhammar. He is hopeful that by the next year, one of the four endemic countries in the world — India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan - will be polio free and by 2012 the entire world. Another concern that is close to Stenhammar's heart is youth-oriented programmes. "No child is born bad, it's us adults who are responsible for it," he avers. In his long association with Rotary (he's with Rotary since 1974), he's been closely associated with such programmes. "We often talk about peace in opposition with war. Our youth exchange programme builds bridges of understanding and goodwill promoting peace in its own way," he says. "Life offers a lot to today's youngsters as compared to our time, yet helping a cause is just a question of priorities," he adds. Proud of Rotarians in his country (Sweden), which has the second largest density of Rotarians (after Iceland), Stenhammar is all praise for India registering the second place (after the US) as the highest donors. In his Rotarian journey (he was president of Rotary International in 2005-06) there are many highs, but this is a special one. "In Rochester, New York, there is one Rotary club that has all deaf members. Due to some regulations, they couldn't call it 'Rochester Deaf Rotary Club'. I am proud to get them the name they wanted as well as have a major convention there, which had sign language to facilitate their participation," he smiles. Stenhammar is set to visit the Rotarian blood bank, adult literacy project for women in Colony Number 5 and rainwater harvesting project at Government High School-46. Although polio eradication remains the mainstay of Rotary International, there are other educational and health programmes that Rotarians are working on. "Our efforts are on and I hope to come again and say 'the world is polio free now'," he says. mona@tribuenmail.com
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Bridal affair
Old is gold
In 'simple' economic terms, monopoly is generally defined as absolute control over the market of a certain product by a handful of people. "In 'smart' economic terms, monopoly would be dealing in something that's different and which people think is a risky proposition," says Vikash Roli, who has a stall at the Luxury Wedding exhibition on at Taj-17. So when designers, as well as those in the trousseau business, made a shift from traditional crafts to machine-made clothes and an overdose of bling long time back, Vikash chose to stick to the basics. "Today, trousseau might be comprising chiffons, georgettes and nets, but girls still prefer at least one Benarsi or a Kanjivaram. And we work hard to make that one piece the best of the lot." Vikash picks up a century-old design and explains how it's used to suit the personality of brides of Gen Y. "It's a Mughal era design, which we have used on silk. Golden zari work done by weavers gives a royal look to the sari." Having participated in couture weeks, Vikash understands how important packaging is to sell off 100-year-old designs. "We study the designs carefully and incorporate minute changes to suit people's taste. It takes a month's time to make a sari, which is finished in two days on a machine. But the real difference is in terms of clarity, which is unparalleled when done by hand weavers from Benaras," he adds. Pure zari weaves, brocade work and handprints at his stall are a must check. Perfect bride
True colours
The collection stands true to its name, which it shares with the popular rock band - Bodhi Tree. If the band plays a fusion of classical and western and render it the sound of rock, the designers have played with ethnic embroidery designs on bright colours. Designs by Shubha and Siddhi Gupta make florescent green look pleasant, while yellow, red, magenta, green and purple don't look odd either. "We love to play with colours. People these days prefer to stick to single colour clothes, a trend we want to change." And if they love experimenting with cloth colours, they would of course use stones for the same purpose. "Gotta Patti, embroidery, dabka, stones, we use everything to make the clothes look colourful." (On till August 29) |
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Fem fairness bleaches from the House of Dabur has announced the launch of a unique makeover marathon, christened 'Get Famous in 15 Minutes'. Five top contestants of this nationwide contest would get a chance to get groomed at the Elite Model school in Mumbai and appear in a television show on UTV Bindaas. One of the top five contestants would be selected by the top international modelling agency Elite to represent India in the Elite Model Look 2010 contest to be held in Sanghai, China. As a part of this initiative, a mobile beauty studio has been created that will travel across Punjab. The aspirants can get a free makeover from Fem beauty experts at this 'studio on wheels'. —TNS
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WRITE change
But she doesn't attribute the stark similarity to plain coincidence. "Everything that I write is deliberate. My characters are the real youngsters of today." Youngsters who are educated, a little confused, professionally accomplished, extrovert, insecure, suffer from recurrent infatuations, have money but no time for family and have to bear with failed marriages, extra-marital affairs…infidelities are the characters of novels written by the new crop of authors. And readers enjoy being a part of boys-next-door and girls-next-door lives.
Her next book Confessions of a List Maniac mirrors the life of a 16-year-old city girl trying to discover her true self. "I focused on this personality trait for it's the confusion most adolescents have to sort out. Her aim in life is to become popular but not at the cost of ethics." The protagonist of the story, Layla, is in love with a boy who isn't ready to commit. "Commitment certainly doesn't refer to marriage here. It's a promise to have a stable relationship, which is also quite a deal for youngsters today." The protagonist's character is written bearing in mind the fact that they represent youth. Says Jaishree, "Only then will the reader be able to connect with the story. He or she should find it easy to identify with the character. Agony aunts and uncles won't please the young readers at all. Liberal, fun-loving and urban character is in." A near explosion of young Indian authors in the publishing market is another reason for the evolving characters. Observes Pankaj Singh, owner, The Browser, "Upcoming authors are picking characters from the world around them. The storylines of their books revolve around the world that makes sense to them. On analysing the plotline, one realises that it's more or less the same, only the treatment differs just like the Bollywood potboilers."
She believes that 'isolated lives' make the character of an urban youngster popular. "The characters provide company to such people. It's counselling the readers indirectly." As an author she suggests budding writers should pen down what they know well. "You know what you see and only you can do justice to it," shares Advaita, who has also written the screenplay of upcoming film, Anjaana Anjaani, which is again about the problems of urban youth! ashima@tribunemail.com
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Step up
Samira had a keen inclination towards classical dance since childhood, which later blossomed under the training of late Guru Kanhiya Lal and Guru Shobha Koser, a doyen of Jaipur Gharana. A former guest faculty at Government Home Science College-10, Samira has contributed a lot as lecturer of dance at the Pracheen Kala Kendra. And, she is now ready with her production, Sankalp, which will be staged by the Pracheen Kala Kendra in collaboration with Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School-27, at the latter's auditorium. "As many as 44 artistes, aged four to 44, will perform multiple roles in the dance ballet titled Sankalp, which is on the theme of world peace," she shares. "Sankalp portrays the experience of a soul that descends from heaven to enjoy the blissful bounties of Mother Earth, but is utterly shattered to see the suffering of humanity," she says. The production is based on the contemporary themes like degrading moral values, exploitation of the youth, drug abuse and terrorism. A fusion of bharatnatyam, kathak, odissi, folk and other modern dance forms make this ballet truly wonderful.
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The Hot N Cold hit-maker is due to play a free concert at an outdoor plaza in New York City to promote her new album, Teenage Dream. Fans began queuing up to see the 25-year-old singer days in advance and she decided to thank them for their loyalty by ordering customised cushions and quilts with her name printed on them. "I had special Teenage Dream pillows & blankys made just for those of you that are camping out for the Today show! Yay (sic)" Perry wrote on Twitter. — PTI
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The movie sees Jen's character and on-screen husband Paul Rudd moving to a commune and embracing the hippie lifestyle. Just few months back, the former Friends star had accepted a similar role in Horrible Bosses where she plays a sex-obsessed dentist. — IANS
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"She couldn't indulge in food until her boyfriend's bodyguard brought over her own salt and pepper shakers," said a source. However, Campbell's spokesperson clarified, "It wasn't salt and pepper, it's her Jamaican hot sauce." Campbell is not the only star to amaze diners with her fussy eating habits. Earlier this year, U2 rocker Bono insisted on specially-prepared food when dining out at a New York eatery."He demanded that his salad be chopped. And he made sure it was when it arrived," said a source. — PTI
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Hollywood beauty Drew Barrymore is touchy about her troubled past and says that she felt like ripping off the face of a reporter who kept probing her about it.The singer who shot to fame as a youngster with the cult hit ET got in trouble with drugs and alcohol at an early age and spoke about her addictions in the tell-all-book Little Girl Lost. While giving an interview to a daily to promote her new romantic comedy Going the Distance the 35-year-old actor complained about the reporter. "You should have heard this woman I had to do an interview with before you. God, I wanted to punch her, she would just not drop the youth thing. I have no problem talking about it. I am not someone who is ashamed of my past. I'm actually really proud. I know I made a lot of mistakes, but they in turn were my life lessons," said Barrymore. "It's actually good to get it done young and have a great life later. But yeah, man, I wanted to rip this woman's face off. She just would not shut up about it," added Barrymore. — PTI
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Madonna manages her diary in 15-minute slots and her assistant marks out appointments for her children. "She will have 'time with Lola' or 'time with David' marked into her schedule by one of her PAs. The children have appointments made to see their mother, who will help with homework, or sing, or even make food with them, but only if it has been planned in advance," said a source close to the Material Girl hitmaker. The pop icon who is now busy directing her second feature film W.E, has non-negotiable appointments like her two-hour-long exercise regime. She is also busy with meetings and managing her reported USD 450 million fortune. "Madonna's version of motherhood is conducted on her own terms," added the source. Her two biological children Lourdes, 14, Rocco 10, and David Banda, 6 and Mercy James, 4, whom she adopted from Malawi, are also made to attend the Friday night Kabbalah meetings. At present there are three nannies who look after the children and play a large and important role in the children's lives. The nannies all speak French, as the children are being raised in a bilingual environment and do not have TVs in their rooms, added the report. — PTI
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Harry Potter star Emma Watson was on a secret visit to Bangladesh where she visited the homes of garment factory workers who are employed by big chain retailers like Gap and Primark. The 20-year-old actor who is the spokesmodel for the ethical brand 'People Tree' visited the slum areas of the poverty ridden country earlier this summer. Watson who is currently studying at Brown University, also visited the brand's factory, helping workers with the sewing. "I've been given a lot in my life and I have had so many fantastic opportunities. It's really important to me that I try and give something back,” said Watson. — PTI
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Liz Hurley has a figure envied by women half her age but the British beauty has had to give up a lot to keep up in good form, including breakfast.The 45-year-old who was recently photographed in a bikini, has revealed that her morning routine consists of just mugs of hot water or an occasional espresso.The model-actor has a long history of bizarre diets and after giving birth to son Hurley in 2002 she famously holed up in Elton John's house, eating nothing but oat cakes until she lost all her baby weight. Pre-pregnancy she indulged in a watercress-soup diet. Hurley divulged details of her dramatic diet on her Twitter page following a recent holiday in the South of France, where she showed off her trim figure in a series of bikinis. "My diet survived the onslaught of phenomenal vacation food-doctors, but I swear by almost nothing for breakfast for adults," wrote the actor. "Mugs of hot water first thing, maybe an espresso and a few oat cakes mid morning," she added. Hurley, who is married to Indian textile heir Arun Nayar, previously revealed she was down to just one meal a day while trying to lose her baby fat with the occasional snack of six raisins. — PTI
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The source also claimed that Montag, who reportedly separated from Pratt in April on their first wedding anniversary, is open to the idea of a reconciliation. Pratt, 27, is also said to have admitted to having a 'fame addiction', which he is seeking treatment for. — PTI
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Bon
Appetit
It's fiery hot! It's served hot, and it's a blaze of vivid colours! Mexico may be far away but its cuisine remains close to my heart. I think it has to do with the fact that there are many basic ingredients that are common to our food and theirs. The generous use of chilli powder, cumin (jeera), cinnamon, cilantro (fresh dhania leaves), beans, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and onions bring it very close to Indian food flavours. A Mexican meal contains many fresh vegetables and is considered one of the healthiest of the world's cuisines. Corn is a staple food, which gets converted into masa, a dough for making tamales and tortillas.
These are used as wraps for almost any sort of vegetable or cooked meat, enrobed in a tomato-based sauce, sour cream or cheese. Strangely, cocoa powder is widely used by the Mexicans, not only as a bittersweet drink, but even in savoury dishes like chicken mole! Mexican food is nutritious, delicious and quite inimitable. Moreover, it's quick and easy to prepare and lends a new variation to your dinner table! Tortillas are made from a corn dough but are also often prepared from wheat dough or a wheat and corn combo. Feel free to try either and experiment as you go along! Our own cuisine will seldom combine rajma with roti but you will be pleasantly surprised how delicious they taste with the addition of cheese, onions and lettuce. Similarly, a non-vegetarian version can be made, replacing the beans with any cooked meat of your choice. Speedy bean burritos
2 cups cooked red beans(rajma) 1 cup chopped onion and tomatoes chopped green chilli to taste 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed ¼ cup chopped cilantro(fresh dhaniya) lemon juice to taste 4 tortillas(you can use chappatis too) ½ cup cooked corn ¾-1 cup shredded cheese 1 cup shredded lettuce salt to taste Method Use a pan to combine the beans, corn, chopped onions, tomatoes, chillies and crushed garlic. Simmer gently for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt, remove from heat and add lemon juice and dhaniya when slightly cool. In the meantime, shred the lettuce and keep aside. Quickly warm the tortillas and lay them out on a clean surface. Spread a line of the bean mixture down the center of the tortilla. Scatter generously with cheese and a topping of lettuce, roll up the tortilla around the filling, placing it on a platter, seem side down and repeat the process for the rest of the tortillas. These may be served with sour cream or salsa. (The latter is a semi-crushed version of our kachumbar. ) Vegetable empanadas
The Mexican version of the good ol' samosa, crescent shaped to hold a filling of your choice. They are served with aji, an interesting dip made of onion, lemon juice and chillies. For the dough: 3 cups flour (plus a little more for kneading) 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup cold water 1 egg 1 teaspoon vinegar 3 tablespoons fat(vanaspati) For the filling: 3 medium potatoes (or 1½ cups cooked, chopped chicken) 2 tbsp olive oil 4 cloves garlic 1 small onion 1 medium tomato 1 cup peas or chopped red bell peppers A handful of cilantro (dhaniya leaves) Salt and pepper to taste ½-¾ tsp chilli powder For dipping sauce (aji) 3 lemons 1 bunch spring onions 1 tbsp vinegar 1 green chilli Salt to taste Method Using a small but deep bowl, beat the water, egg and vinegar together. Make sure the vanaspati is chilled. Cut it into cubes and keep ready. Sieve together the 3 cups of flour and salt. Blend the fat cubes into the flour with your fingertips or two forks. Make a well in the center of the flour mix and pour the liquid ingredients from the first bowl into the depression. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together to form a stiff dough. Sprinkle some dry flour on the worktop and knead the flour over it, just until the dough is smooth. Place the dough in an air tight container and refrige, rate for at least one hour, To make the filling, peel and cut the potatoes into bite sized pieces, put them in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Cook till tender(about 15 minutes) Drain and set aside. Finely chop the onion and garlic, then saute in a karhai in the olive oil. Add the frozen peas(or bell pepper), finely diced tomato, the chopped cilantro, and the potatoes. Cook for another five minutes over medium heat and season with salt, pepper, and chilli powder. Remove the filling from the heat and let it cool. While the filling is cooling, you can make aji, the dipping sauce for the empanadas. Grate the zest from one of the lemons and then juice all three of them. Finely chop the green onions and chilli, then mix in the juice and zest. Add a tablespoon of vinegar and a pinch of salt. Refrigerate. Set up oil for frying the empanadas while you stuff them. Roll out a small ball of dough, then take a tablespoon or so of the stuffing and place in the middle of the disc. Fold the dough in half and seal the edges by pressing together with the tines of a fork, making a neat pattern. Deep fry, drain on kitchen towels and serve with the aji. |
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In love with the mouth-watering kebabs, roomali rotis, kormas and biryani? Well, the latest address for the Awadhi cuisine connoisseurs is Rahim's, a Mughlai food chain from Delhi opening in Sector 35. Bringing an exclusive, first-time-in-the-city menu with a lavish, royal platter, Rahim's offer vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights, each with a distinct flavour and cooking. "Awadhi cuisine is very rich in its preparation and extensive cooking techniques add to the flavour. It introduced the dum style of cooking, i.e. cooking on slow fire, which helps in creating an individual aroma as well as taste to a dish. Since Chandigarh has the appetite for rich food, Rahim's promises to cater to all tastes," says Navjeet Singh, franchise owner of Rahim's. And, for the special launch, the special guest too matches the traditional flavour, "Nek Chand will be our first guest," says Navjeet. Ready for a royal treatment? — TNS
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Talent is talent and music will be music. There is a point here that we are emphasising. While Bollywood is facing the wrath for popularising 'imported' talent from across the border, the same very 'talent' is busy bridging the gap.
Is it too early to slot music director Anandji in the generation gap slot? Is it too immature to scrape differences between the yesteryears and the present day? We would have thought so lest Anandji, without blacklisting everything that stands for music today, wouldn't have taken us for a stroll down the memory lane.
It was bling all around. And that's what is expected when you have the word wedding prefixed or suffixed to any exhibition in the city. Luxury Wedding-2010, an exhibition of trousseau wear and wedding accessories, offers everything right, just before the wedding season.
The resume reads just fine when it has a mention of designing photo album of Karishma Kapoor's wedding and complete set up of marriage of Vilasrao Dekhmukh's son. It gets better with the addition of marriage in industrialist Biyani's family and many more. Manali Jagtap says the rest about her work - "Wedding vows to wedding wow." The wedding planner from Mumbai promises to take complete care of marriages. "Besides dealing with the usual décor, theme, menu at a marriage, we also take care of personal stuff like trousseau of the bride and her family. From grooming to cooking classes, we ensure that a girl is prepared for marriage," shares Manali. Adding more to the wedding planner's job, they teach the bride how to behave with in-laws, deal with pre-marriage jitters and what to wear for different occasions. However, everything comes with a price tag. "More the budget, more the number of services you are entitled to." There are no free lunches in life! 
Every time a reader alleges Jaishree Misra of stealing the story of his or her life, instead of taking an offence she politely reverts with gratitude. For allegations aren't accusations, rather compliments she eagerly awaits, post the release of her book. And the usual ones? "You stole my story; who told you what has happened in my life? Even better is, did you spy on me?" quips Jaishree.
Change in 'character' writing was imperative since society has undergone a sea change. Says Meenakshi Reddy, who released her book You Are Here in the city last year, "Young readers can relate more to a character who has a huge friend circle, doesn't mind drinking occasionally and has to overcome professional problems, rather than somebody who is a homemaker and has to tolerate a nagging mother-in-law and a demanding husband." 
Advaita Kala's Almost Single was inspired from the fact that population of single women is growing in India. Albeit the novel has shades of her life, it is based on the general idea of how tough life is for women who don't seek the support of a male partner. Says Advaita, "There are certain implications for a woman if she is single in India; her personal life, interests, people and more. Her professional accomplishments lose meaning when compared to her personal life. She has to go through a lot due to her single status." 
Kathak is a dance form where graceful movements and controlled, yet abandoned, rhythm coalesce to create a dancing spectacle on stage," claims Samira Koser, an exponent of Jaipur Kathak Gharana.
Pop star Katy Perry showed her generosity by donating free pillows and blankets to fans who have been camping out to see her
perform.
Hollywood actor Jennifer Aniston is all set to shed her good girl image. She has signed on for an edgier role in forthcoming Judd
Apatow-produced Wanderlust.The actor will be seen stripping off and taking drugs in the movie.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell shocked onlookers at an Italian restaurant by refusing to eat her food until she was served with a special Jamaican sauce. The 41-year-old British supermodel was dining at the eatery with boyfriend Vladimir Doronin and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, when she refused to eat until she was passed her condiments.
She is famed for successfully juggling her multi-million empire with motherhood but a new report claims that 'Queen of Pop' Madonna only spends 15 minutes with each of her four children every day.
Reality star Heidi Montag's estranged husband Spencer Pratt is reportedly trying to save their marriage with 'relationship counselling'. The Hills star, who signed divorce papers to end their year-long union earlier this month, has reportedly begged the 23-year-old blonde beauty to consider professional help to get their romance back on track. Pratt, who this week threatened to release three sex tapes featuring Montag unless she agrees to star in a reality TV series with him, still 'loves' his estranged wife and is prepared to do anything to win her back.