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Ifs and guts
Fighting fears, walking an extra mile, pushing our capabilities and capacities to test, discovering oneself through experiences, crossing hurdles… exercises that we do everyday or in a lifetime for sure. The drill seems exciting and motivating when someone else does it, and if there are 13 good looking men struggle, compete and kick their inhibitions outside the goalpost. Oh! We so love it. So, when the fighters from Khatron ke Khiladi Season 3, Shabbir Ahluwalia and Abhishek Kapoor, sit down to share their experiences in the city on Thursday, we lap it up. Rock on boy
From dancing and romancing around the trees, to calling the shots behind the camera for Aaryan and Rock On to walking in the territory of fear, filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor has zeroed down on reality shows. "I liked the content of Khatron ke Khiladi. Mostly, I keep to myself and when I don't work, I still think about it and engage in some aspect of it, which can be very taxing. In this show, I saw an opportunity to be on my own, I wasn't responsible for anyone and it sounded like a good break," shares the filmmaker. Fighting his biggest phobia of heights, Abhishek doesn't rule out the impact and reach of television. "I would be a fool to ignore it." Fear, is another thing one just can't ignore. What say? "I had my apprehensions about the show before jumping into it. With this show, I think I know myself better, it has taught me many things." Like… "Jumping in cold water, walking on tight rope, fighting a bull, I could not see myself do anything like that, but then I would rise above the situation and startle myself with the act," he says. Once the self-discovery is over, Abhishek plans to come up with yet another exciting script, which is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's The 3 Mistakes Of My Life. "I didn't know it is far more difficult to put together an adaptation," he adds without any sign of fear! Stun(t)ning act
Whether it is overdose of glycerin bottles for television show Kahiin To Hoga, or calling out Ganpat in the Shootout at Lokhandwala, Shabbir Ahluwalia has done it all. What he hadn't done for long was 'touch base with himself.' Khatron Ke Khiladi gave him the chance that too in the exotic locations of Brazil. "All the stunts take a toll, but what better way to challenge my capabilities than this," Shabbir cites the reason for being a part of it. This man just loves stunts, and if the audience choice is to be believed, Shabbir is already a winner. "Man is a lazy animal, and given two choices, he is bound to pick the easy one. In this show, I did not have this option. I had to give my cent per cent. It is not just about overcoming fears, but gaining control on your mind." Shabbir, who isn't sure if he has any phobias, liked doing all the stunts. "Once I am doing a stunt, I stop thinking and concentrate only on the task. We get scared when there is nothing to do. Put in a tight spot trust me we will fight it out," he adds.
Piggy tales
The contestants loved the enthusiasm of the host Priyanka Chopra. The duo shares, the contestants were not intimidated by her, and she pulled through the show amazingly well. jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Conceive this
Modern lifestyle, long and odd working hours, excessive intake of coffee, junk food, professional ambitions, late marriages have taken its toll on fertility, both male and female. To apprise people about the fallout of this changed lifestyle and the need to change it, Dr Pooja Mehta and Dr Pooja Gandhi, both consultant gynaecologist and infertility expert at Fortis Bloom IVF Centre, Mohali interacted with media on Thursday. With the marriage age going up, and taking as many as four-five years before one thinks about child, have adversely affected fertility in modern scenario. "With age hormonal imbalances set in making conception difficult. Add to it, the latest craze to have a model's size zero figure worsens the scenario," says Dr Gandhi. Our eating habits that are getting farther from regular dal, roti, sabzi make health, and consequently fertility hit even more. "Not following a regular meal pattern and junk food make one obese, which is another major cause of rising infertility," says Dr Mehta. It's not only women who are losing out but also men. "Smoking, alcohol, obesity adversely affect women as well as men," says Dr Mehta, Way out is simple but one needs to make a conscious effort. "Profession and motherhood need to go hand in hand," says Dr Gandhi. "Don't wait too long for your first child. Rise at professional front will mean rise in stress level as well which will make conceiving difficult," she adds. However, the biggest obstacle is raising stress issues. "Severe stress can inhibit ovulation, and even mild stress can affect fertility adversely," says Dr Gandhi. And these ills of modern lifestyle not only make conceiving difficult but also make an In Vitro Fertility (IVF) difficult. “People are now increasingly opting for IVF, yet, they are not very open about it," says Dr Mehta. If you are planning to start family soon, here is what doctors advise, "Maintain healthy weight, eat well, avoid caffeine and banish stress from life." Sounds easy, but sure difficult to implement. "But one needs to take measures to control stress in life. A morning walk is a good option. One can try Yoga and meditation too," says Dr Gandhi. When exercising, be careful. "Exercise is good to a certain extent, but don't push too hard to attain size zero," says Dr Mehta. Same is true for diet. "Dieting doesn't help one lose weight. Rather eat every two hours. Add sprouts, fruit and uncooked vegetables," says Dr Gandhi. And most of all, "It's advisable to have your first child before you hit 30," sounds Dr Gandhi. mona@tribunemail.com Things to do
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Country cuisine
Chandigarh is boring no more, especially when it comes to food. Shedding the tags of a typical Punjabi tadka territory, we have increased and improve our appetite for international flavours. So, what's new on the menu? The best from the English cookbook! Catering to the well-travelled citywallahs, The Big Ben opened in Sector 35 with a promise of giving you an experience of English countryside flavour and world-renowned Scottish malts. A heritage English boutique, as owner Vipul Dua specifies, will have delicacies from the UK, Scotland and Ireland. "It's a café-cum-pub concept that will have an exclusive English food and beverage menu. The multicultural society of the UK has had a great effect on its food and so will have fusion recipes with Lebanese, French, Italian and Indian influences as well," he says. The café is complemented by an elaborated bar, Peddlers, which has an interesting line- up of classic cocktails and mocktails along with some specialities like Peddler Sez Les (a mix of coconut and citrus fruit flavours), the solicitor (espresso with Malibu) and Scottish malts and whiskey. The Big Ben menu offers variety with soups and 15 salad recipes apart from the main course. The spinach and bacon salad, shrimp cocktail salad, fried tofu salad and Wicklow pancake salad are a few of the options to try out, but the best being chicken tikka masala salad. The healthier version of the national and the most famous dish of the UK, chicken tikka masala (which of course is a major attraction in the main course) is a fusion of the simple traditional method of English cooking and spicy Indian twist. The broth special include Irish chicken bacon soup, baked onion soup and an extension of the India fusion food, the Mulligatawny soup. Apart from the usual delicacies like Shepherd's pie and Grilled fish fillets served with English rum butter and pineapple sauce, the options to try are Dublin style grilled prawns with mushy peas. More fusion food on the menu has lasagne, pizzas and pastas, each with a different flavour. Apart from the café and pub, it has it in-house bakery Nosh that boasts of choicest English desserts. There is a live shorba and dimsum counter for takeaway and elaborate Sunday brunch is on cards. nehawalia@tribunemail.com
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Taste of time
Yes we know it, we have heard all about, it's called the global phenomenon. Whether it is styling in clothes or hair, music or films, theatre or art, or food, nothing has been left untouched by it. The segment, which has prepared various other delicacies from one platter 'global', is indeed the hotel industry. The newly-opened Kava fine dinning, club and executive lounge presents in a distinctive taste and style a good mix international and local flavours. A dream project of Aakash Garg, who has been in the field of hospitality for a long time now, the place is done up in earthy browns, keeping the ambience subtle yet lively. Done up tastefully, Kava boasts of an international event calendar. Says Garg, who gave shape to the dream project in a year's time, "Every dinning place has its USP, and Kava boats of a menu with international tastes. Another thing that has been taken into consideration is the live music, which goes down well with food." Drawing his inspiration from his father, RK Garg, Aakash believes in following his vision, mixing it with experiences he gathered with time. Adds Aakash, "Kava has it's food cooked under expert supervision of chefs like Chef Eraldo, Chef Naushad, Chef Lubin and Chef Karati. All these chefs are well-travelled and have worked with places around the world." The menu starters like Lal mirch ka tandoori jhinga, Larb kai, Koong nam phirk pow, Fattoush salad, main course offering Nalli roganjosh, Dhingri shabnam, Penne north pole, Fettuccine bolognese to Moroccan vegetable stew. Surabhi Garg, who has assisted her husband in the project, shares, "As Chandigarh is already becoming a metropolitan, we wanted a culture in clubbing, which was similar to clubs around the world. We have taken only the best here, even the bathroom fittings are of international standard," To kickstart, Kava has gigs by Midivial Punditz. Lastly, the bar boosts of international and national brands with our trained mixologists. From mocktail, cocktail, martinis, scotch, vodka, rum, the place has it all.
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MCC Group, a service based national sales and distribution company across channels like Imaging, Electronics, IT and Telecom, forays into the mobile handset business with the launch of its new exciting range of Mobile phones led by the Jumbo i9, Crystal i10, RS 8, S10, thump i11 and T9X in the Indian market. The flagship model 'Jumbo i9' with a standby time of 45 days packed with bluetooth, GPRS and WAP, will prove to be revolutionary for the mobile handset market. Each new handset has a specific focus on key features including standby time, multimedia entertainment, messaging, FM, bluetooth, MP3, GPRS, WAP and expandable memory. Of course, all models offer a facility of dual sim usage. On the launch of new MCC Mobiles, Ajay Mehta, managing director, MCC Group says, "Our endeavour will be to introduce products which are best in technology and offer innovative features that enhance the sheer pleasure of using these products whether it's a mobile handset or any of our other offerings. The new MCC mobiles, with their exceptional features and affordable pricing promises to be the best buy for our customers." MCC 'Jumbo i9' with a stylish gun metal, classy look and an exceptional standby time of 45 days with all multimedia features can be a good pick for the travellers who generally can avail limited options of battery recharging and of course for the consumers in the most important upcountry markets where access to electricity is limited. This handset comes along with a handful of interesting features like a 1.8" Ultra Bright LCD, Digital Camera, FM, Bluetooth, Torch, MP3, GPRS, WAP and Expandable memory that really make the handset stand out of the clutter. MCC shall offer a "Best Buy" rate of Rs 2,599 for this mobile. MCC 'Crystal i10' is priced at Rs 2,799. — TNS
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There are books on women empowerment, health management, human philosophy, inspirational titles, ayurveda, life histories, biographies, mythology, human empowerment, among the major chunk of religious books. Perhaps, they tangentially form part of the religion. "This is our 5th book fair in the tricity and over here we must be displaying around 500 to 600 titles," says Surinder Singh Tomar, organiser and member of Gayatri Parivar. Strictly for the niche readers who'd often complain of not getting enough book in Hindi, especially on this religion. He adds, "Gayatri Parivar is a religious organisation based in Haridwar and spread over 140 countries…and among books, we have certain English translated versions too. For instance there's this Encyclopaedia on ayurveda. These books are by Pandit Shri Ram Sharma. Some of his first books and titles have also been included in the fair." In between, there are titles on What Am I, The Glory of Human Life… "We also have children's section where there are life stories of variety of great personalities spanning religions." There's one on Mahatma Buddha, Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Ramdas, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel…. — TNS
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Lanes THE BURRA MEM Joyshri Lobo The chai bagaan or tea garden is quite a different arena as compared to the Chai Mem's personal creation. While the planter deals with his beloved two leaves and a bud, he is a stranger to his wife's garden at the bungalow. His only contribution are the maalis, who never seem to be enough. Dalsingpara had four for the sprawling front lawns, innumerable potted plants and flowerbeds, and three for the kitchen baari. When I married Oz he was the senior-most manager in the Nedeem Group of Octavius Steel and I became a Burra Memsahib. My first mistake was to transfer Budhwa from the front to the back. There was outrage and hurt at the slight. I did not know what wrong I had done, until Oz reverted the decision and explained the delicate nuances and undercurrents of tea life. The bunch of people up front were from the Communist party, the thoroughbreds, who spent their day working at a leisurely pace. The back lot were from the minority Congress. They were considered slightly infra-dig. Used to the regimentation and tightly controlled timings of the Army, the chai bagaan seemed like a passenger train, moving lazily along a specified route, with frequent stops for nattar, chatter and a lot of leisurely activity. It took me time to realise that without this slow, Victorian pace, the planter and his family would go insane coping with the rigours and dichotomies that rule tea life. Not being a malleable bride but a fortyone-year-old, set-in-her-ways divorcee, I was greeted with frosty silence and barely disguised hostility by any and every one related to tea. I blame myself for handling things badly. My only excuse is that I had retired as a Brigadier's wife and was used to having my own way. Over eight years, I learned not to buck the system or lay out new rules. By the end of Oz' tenure, I had made lasting friendships amongst the wives and the bungalow staff. The kitchen garden was huge but produced a few sad looking peas and the local bananas. The squad of three informed me that nothing would grow. I was determined to change that. At M's home, I spotted a healthy plot of the finest strawberries. Our garden had a couple of pale, over watered specimens. M assured me that she would pack some runners when the maali came next morning. I soon realised that plants were jealously guarded by the Burra Mem. If you were great friends, you could exchange a few cuttings or runners, not otherwise. Sadia was the only burra mem whose generosity was unflinching. I went home, read up about strawberries and transferred our two miserable plants to an oil drum that had huge holes cut in its sides. This monstrosity was placed under my eagle eye, on the verandah upstairs. I am glad to report that from the ensuing runners, in the next two years, we had a meshed in strawberry patch that yielded two kilos daily during the season. The chotta mems got their share and we even flew strawberries into Chandigarh . After twenty-one years in the Army, where sharing was a rule and a neccessity, the attitude of tea wives was a shock. Over the years, I realised that it was the maali baari and its flowers and fruit that distinguished a tea mem while living in isolated gardens. That and the quality of her contribution to weekly club teas, the repast on her dining table and her skill on the sports field, created legends. Unwittingly, the planters fanned competition by discussing these magnificent contributions at every do. The wives were often stressed trying to do their best and the political affiliations of the servants did not help the situation. Children, schools, food, guests and the ever-present servants were constant subjects of discussion. I missed debate on the political situation, the state of the country and its populace. As the women were oblivious of these subjects, I tried hitting that very male bastion, the bar. My radical views were heard with habitual politeness and often surprise, but seldom acceptance. Forty years ago, in tea, there were no mobiles or TVs. The national dailies came by train, a week after the event. The planter fraternity could be forgiven for limiting themselves to a very insulated life of garden politics, sports, club dos and their families. The scene has changed today with very erudite men and women making a tremendous impact on tea life, which unfortunately is not often acknowledged by the state or the owners of the gardens.
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The third season of action adventure show Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi 3, hosted by Bollywood diva Priyanka Chopra, has beaten the opening ratings of the previous two editions.TAM media research findings say that the launch episode of the show saw a 26 percent jump in ratings over last year, which were 4.4. Thanks to the show, the Colors Channel saw an increase in overall reach - from 18.4 percent last year to 19.2 per cent this year. This is the highest launch for a Bollywood star since 2008 according to the TAM Data - Week 37. The first two seasons of the show were hosted by Akshay Kumar."After two successful seasons of Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi, we are encouraged by the overwhelming viewer response to the third season. The exceptional show rating which is higher than the earlier two seasons indicates that the content and the format have been accepted well by viewers," Rajesh Kamat, chief operating officer, Colors, said in a statement. "We have taken the show to the next level in terms of scale, credibility and delivering value to our advertising partners," he added.The ongoing season was earlier supposed to have cricketers as contestants but now male celebrities including, actors Dino Morea, Rahul Bose, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Karan Singh Grover, filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor, car racer Armaan Ebrahem and squash champion Ritwik Bhattacharya, are doing daredevil stunts in it.Each male celebrity is teamed up with a non-celebrity female contestant. — IANS
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Bajpai is playing the role of revolutionary Surya Sen, famously known as Masterda, in Chittagong directed by Bedabrata Pain, while Abhishek will be seen portraying the same freedom fighter in Ashutosh Gowariker's Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se. "There is no harm if people get to see Masterda in two films. Abhishek is a good actor, he will play it his way and I will play it in mine. I don't see why we should be compared," Bajpai said. Chittagong will release in October, while Khelein Hum... is expected to hit screens in December. Bajpai is glad that two films are being made on the 1930 event which will mean that more people will come to know about the less-known freedom fighter. "Although the approach is different, it is great that two films are being made on the same event and more people will come to know about Masterda," said Bajpai. Even though it's a period film, the 41-year-old actor hasn't gone into much research about his role since he got ample help from his director. "Masterda was a teacher - very subdued, calm and intelligent - but one who spoke like a leader and could inspire people," said Bajpai. The actor is looking forward to two more upcoming releases - an animated Ramayana, in which Bajpai has lent his voice to Ram's character and a comedy Dus Tola, where he is playing a goldsmith. "It is a Malgudi Days kind of movie about simple, honest people and their relationships," said Bajpai, who has actress Aarti Chhabria playing his love interest in the film. — PTI
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Chill pill
The winter holidays are usually a time for two big actors or filmmakers to clash at the box office. But it's different this time, with two women directors - Farah Khan and Bhavna Talwar - set to vie for audience attention. Farah and Talwar will battle it out when their films Tees Maar Khan and Happi respectively hit the screens in December. This is the first time this year that two woman-directed films will release the same day, December 24. But none of the directors is fretting. "I think it's a matter of great pride that two movies by two female directors are releasing on the same date in India. Women directors have been few and far between in Bollywood, but this goes to show a positive trend," Talwar said. Over the years, a lot of women directors like Meghna Gulzar, Reema Kagti, Sooni Taraporewala, Leena Yadav, Pooja Bhatt, Zoya Akhtar, Anusha Rizvi and Rajshree Ojha, apart from Talwar and Farah, have tasted success. Choreographer-turned-director Farah, who has given blockbusters like Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om, says one shouldn't make it a gender issue any more. "I really think we should stop judging people by their gender and (judge them) only by their work," Farah said. Farah's Tees Maar Khan, starring money- spinning on-screen couple Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, is expected to be yet another potboiler, while Talwar's Happi is the simple story of a man, played by veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor, who doesn't expect much from life. According to Talwar, whose debut film Dharm took the Nargis Dutt award for the best feature film on national integration at the 2007 National Film Awards ceremony, there is no comparison between the two films as the genres are completely different. "It is no clash at all. There is no comparison between Farah's film and my project. Her film will be a commercial blockbuster, and mine is a sweet, simple film," said Talwar. "I don't think my film will lose out anything. So many films are releasing on a single Friday these days. It is near impossible to get a free weekend. So then why be afraid of competition? I just hope people like my film," she added. Though she is expecting critical acclaim for Happi, Talwar is also "crossing her fingers, legs and toes" for good commercial success. "Both things matter to me - commercial success and critical acclaim. What's the point in getting commercial success if people write bad things about a film? So, I want the best of all," said Talwar. Incidentally, Sameer Karnik's Yamla Pagla Deewana will also release December 24. The film stars Dharmendra and his two sons - Sunny and Bobby Deol. Christmas time is a period that has proved most successful for actor-producer Aamir Khan. He scored a hat-trick with Taare Zameen Par, Ghajini and 3 Idiots, released in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively, around the same time. All of them set the cash registers ringing. But one has to wait and watch which one of Happi and Tees Maar Khan takes away the lion's share at the box office this December. — IANS
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Scripting the drama
Noted playwright and director Atamjit couldn’t agree more and deems that the basic texture and frame of theatre is provided by a playwright. Rather he adds that if theatre has to be a meaningful activity, a large part in creation of that meaning rests with the playwright. Actually, he attributes the ‘meaningfulness of theatre’ as the major reason why there is a dearth of good playwrights in the country and in Punjabi in particular. Reasons he, “If the objective of theatre was entertainment alone, it would not be very difficult to create a play. Just pack a few jokes and the play would have been ready. Similarly if it were a public relations exercise, anyone could churn out plays.” But since theatre must reflect not only social reality but also higher truths of life writing a play can never be a cakewalk.
Mohali-based theatre person and writer Sahib Singh asserts, “Unlike other genres of writing, theatre amalgamates many arts. Besides, while writing a novel the canvass is incredibly vast, in a play you cannot take 100 per cent liberty.” Nods Atamjit, “Indeed, it is too specialised a craft. For here time at the writer’s disposal is not real time. Moreover, there are far too many sign systems operating at one single moment and unlike a novel where you can focus on the discourse between two characters, here every character has a context which cannot be forgotten even for a moment.” Eminent poet Surjit Patar, not exactly a playwright but the man behind all of Neelam Man Singh Chowdhry’s stage adaptations says, “Unlike other forms of writing, like say poetry, where one can take refuge under the garb of ‘I have written this for myself and I don’t care whether others understand it or not’, in a play you can’t negate the audience and its background as well as its level of understanding.” So, while adapting classics often he has incorporated Punjabi folk songs to contextualise the situation to the Punjabi milieu. “Adaptations in theatre”, feels Patar “are significant for any move that brings literature from other languages within our fold enriches us and our theatre.” But does the practice of theatre director stepping into the shoes of the playwright and vice versa that happens far too often enhances the quality of performance? Moga-based playwright and director Pali Bhupinder feels that there is no harm in director being the playwright. But Atamjit begs to differ, “In an ideal situation both should be different persons. For a playwright has an imagination which he has already given to the play but he also has limitations. Hence, he cannot take the play much beyond. Sure history is replete with examples of great theatre persons who were playwrights too. But could Shakespeare have imagined 100 interpretations of Hamlet that are happening today.” Of course, not all playwrights are Bard of Avon. In fact, Pali feels that the biggest problem of Punjabi plays is that they are neither timeless nor spaceless. “Try doing an average Punjabi play in Haryana and it will make little sense.” Quips Sahib Singh, “Indeed, a play has to address the contemporary situation and the audience does expect that from a playwright. But it must transcend the given situation and hold some relevance for future as well.” Needless to say to arrive at this balance, to create conflict as well as harmony and images through words is not easy. But is the significance of a good script over stressed? Is it really the pivot on all else hinges? Indeed, a good script by itself is no guarantee of a good play. In the hands of an amateur director any good script can be ruined. However, playwrights are unanimous that a good script has great potential to transform into a fine theatrical performance. Sahib Singh adds,” A good script is half the job done.” Certainly not all good scripts find a stage. That’s why many refrain from writing a play for unlike other forms of literary expressions play writing doesn’t stop at writing or even publishing. It acquires a life only when it is staged. Rues Pali, “Often directors have their favourites and many playwrights are ignored.” However, Atamjit doesn’t feel that playwrights are not given their due. “In theatre and Punjabi rangmanch in particular right from the times of IC Nanda”, he feels, “ playwrights have a dominant place and recognition has been given to their art and craft. And the fact that many theatre persons have turned playwrights as also that theatre persons like Neelam need writers like Patar for their adaptations implies that the import of script is being understood and duly recognised.” Indeed, while theatre persons go an extra mile to dig out that perfect script, as laymen too few of us can imagine a play without a story or to be precise without someone having scripted it. Certainly, new ideas are being explored as plays are being created out of short stories and even sketchy ideas with plausible effect. Atamjit feels there is no reason to debunk these experiments. “Only it should be remembered that one genre of theatre cannot replace another. Who can deny the contribution of greats like George Bernard Shaw, Arthur Miller and others to theatre?” Put in other words whatever new forms theatre may take writing a play shall remain its backbone, integral to its core. nonikasingh1@rediffmail.com |
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Write note
SD Sharma “Life is a mingled web of rainbow and romance, of death and deprivation, but a miracle to be celebrated and sung about,” feels Sukhchain Singh Bhandari, an arms dealer by profession. “God gifts a writer only a desire, imaginative vigour and power of expression; but it’s the predestined situation and circumstances that shape the sensibility and potential of a writer,” says Bhandari. A Haryana State Punjabi Gaurav Sahitkar awardee, Sukhchain, a postgraduate in Punjabi literature today stands tall with his nineteen literary publications. Credited with maintaining a tradition of excellence in various genres, as playwright of seven books, six short stories, poetry, children literature both in Punjabi and Hindi and with over six decades of writing, Sukhchain is often introduced at Mushairas as, “Bandookan da vyopari, kum da pujari, Sukhchain Singh Bhandari…” Sharing his literary voyage he says, “My very first radio play Adhoore Sapne, written directed and enacted by me as a student at GC Hissar won the national Inter University competition in 1961 and I repeated the feat again with my second venture Iqraran Wali Raat in 1963. These plays were translated in all Indian languages and broadcasted on AIR.” On his love for plays he says, “I enjoy authoring and enacting plays.” Once a casual artist at AIR Jalandhar he says, “I create my characters from common people and choose themes, write poetry, close to the heart of the general public, which probably account for one of my book running into seventh edition.” He adds, “My two books edited and prefaced by acclaimed litterateur Satish Verma are just out. As an author I prefer to delve on contemporary issues, which find immediate attention and acceptance of the readers. My latest book Samey Sangg Samwaad is a compilation of four socially relevant plays dealing with terrorism in Kashmir, on aids, love story about honour killing and day to day family problems expressed in lighter vein.”
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A minister with a difference
It took 30 years for Puducherry Home Minister E Valsaraj to make into reality his "childhood dream" of holding an exhibition of his paintings.
Valsaraj was a happy man as he held his first exhibition in the national capital where he received kudos from none other than his boss and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. The six-day exhibition 'Images of Eternity' that gives a glimpse into life in South India was inaugurated by Vice President Hamid Ansari in the presence of Gandhi. Ansari and Sonia were so excited after seeing Valsaraj's paintings that they spent over 25 minutes at the Lalit Kala Akademi. One of Valsaraj's paintings included a portrait on Gandhi herself with a garland around her head. While Gandhi did not give any comments, Ansari wrote in the visitor's book that this was an "unusual exhibition." "Painting nature is like holding a mirror to nature with all its colour and vibrance," he wrote. A five-time MLA from Mahe in the Union Territory of Puducherry and a Minister in the successive Congress governments for the past 12 years, 55-year-old Valsaraj says he always alloted time to do some paintings. "I am extremely happy today because my childhood dream came true. I am blessed to have Vice President Ansari and Madam Gandhi to inaugurate the exhibition," he said. "Madam was happy after seeing the paintings. She wished me luck...," he said. "I had the passion to paint from my childhood. Later, I studied Fine Arts because of my passion, but fate had other plans as I joined politics," he said. Asked whether the heavy work-load did not affect him, he says with a smile on his face: "Its all about how you to decide and allot time. I had the passion and I had the time to paint." He says his love for painting never hampered his regular schedule of a Minister. The exhibition, which will be on till September 20, will display paintings in acrylics, oil and water colours. —PTI |
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Petra revived
Conservation experts almost gave up when they first saw the severely damaged wall paintings they had come to rescue in the ancient city of Petra.
Cloaked for centuries in grimy soot from bedouin camp fires, the blackened murals appeared beyond repair. But three years of restoration revealed intricate and brightly-coloured artwork, and some of the very few surviving examples of 2,000-year-old Hellenistic wall painting. "It has actually been quite nerve-racking. We didn't actually realize that we could clean this painting and when we started we thought that would be impossible. It only emerged half way through," said conservation expert Stephen Rickerby, waving his hand at the decorated mural. The spectacular paintings are located in the canyon of Siq al-Barid in Beidha, known as "Little Petra" about five km (three miles) from Petra itself. Petra enjoys fame for the carved rock ruins left by the Nabateans, an Arab civilisation that arose centuries before Jesus and survived until Roman legions incorporated it into their vast empire. |
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Actor Amisha Patel hosted a star-studded baby shower for her friend Manyata, wife of Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, who is expecting twins.The celebration took place Tuesday at Veda, Mumbai, and the guest list included Manyata's closest friends, Sophie Choudhary, Neha Oberoi, Vidya, Krishika Lulla, Sheeba, Malaika Khan, Maana Shetty, Jaya Prada and sisters-in-law Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt. Everybody present followed the 'Pink and Blue dress code' which was the theme for the party. It was truly a designer bash with renowned designer Rohit Bal behind the decor and the elaborate arrangements at the party.Shilpa Shetty too came with her husband Raj Kundra to bless the mom-to-be. Manyata's baby is reportedly due in January. — IANS
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I liked the content of Khatron ke Khiladi. Mostly, I keep to myself and when I don't work, I still think about it and engage in some aspect of it, which can be very taxing. In this show, I saw an opportunity to be on my own, I wasn't responsible for anyone and it sounded like a good break
— Abhishek Kapoor 
Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan and Manoj Bajpai are playing the same character in two different films. Comparisons are inevitable, but the Zubeidaa' star says that there is no reason to weigh his portrayal against that of the former.