Her fame precedes her arrival. New Delhi-based artist Bharti Kher, one of the most significant names in new media art, occupies a singularly unique position in Indian contemporary art scene for more reasons than one. Often dubbed Bindi artist, she has earned plaudits for the manner in which she has transformed the ubiquitous bindi into an artistic signature that is both individualistic and transformative.

Besides, this wife of internationally acclaimed artist Subodh Gupta is the equally powerful half of the power art couple who has recently surpassed the auction record of her husband. Her work The Skin Speaks a Language Not Its Own was auctioned at Sotheby's auction in London for a whopping Rs 6.9 crores.

However, the artist in the city for the National Art Week of New Media, organised by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, simply refuses to gloat over it. Despite insistent prodding all she would say is, "No doubt it is a humbling experience that someone has put so much value to your work, but I wish that people would rather talk about its intrinsic worth." Not surprising all through her incisive slide lecture show at the Government Museum and Art Gallery auditorium, Sector 10, not even once does she allude to the exorbitant price tag. Even though she goes to great lengths to elucidate her work that has to put it mildly taken the art world by storm with critics gushing all over it. Interestingly, Bharti explains her personal take on the massive dying female elephant made out of fibre glass that has been interpreted in many ways. She has no problem with people understanding her work differently, even rubbishing it…., "At least let there be a debate."

She refuses to swallow the bait that Indians don't understand conceptual art. "Indians who live with abstraction all the time, who instill faith in an object are very much capable of comprehending it." The problem, she feels, lies in little exposure, lack of infrastructure, absence of national policy on art and all else drowned in bureaucracy.

For someone born and brought up in England, did India come as a cultural shock? Well, she did become more aware of both her gender and her sexuality in India but she has no hesitation in stating that both India and England are home to her. While England gave her exposure to great art as well as the freedom to express, it's in India that she discovered her muse, the bindi that she can't help but use in myriad ways as markers, texture and a skin underpinning its conceptual as well as everyday import.

"Human mind", she asserts "is ever enquiring". And Bharti's inquisitive one is constantly interrogating domestic space "not derisively for don't I have a home too", myths and of course animals. Animals fascinate Bharti who has not only created elephants, hybrid animals but a whale's heart too which is supposedly the size of a car. She recalls that how difficult it was to lay hands on the photograph of the heart of the whale and finally had to make do with a line drawing for inspiration.

Of course, by no stretch of imagination does art mean reality to her. Make no mistake she knows fully well that art is but a construct. Only when she constructs her art, she is first intrigued by the space, its history in particular. An avid collector of readymade objects like teapots that often make a dramatic presence in her works like Strange Encounters, she says, "Even objects have their narrative." Indeed, beyond history, she interacts with her works to create a communion to finally arrive at an idiom that draws as much from tradition as imagination and ingenuity.

Living with an artist who too transforms mundane objects into great works of art, is there a conscious effort to break free of each other's influence? Is that why she has retained her maiden name? She smiles, "Marriage with an artist works well for one can empathise with the artistic pangs prior to a new show. As for the name, well wasn't I born with it?" Only she has made sure she earns it too. Admirably well at that.

Designer Manish Malhotra's shows are known for their heavy dose of Bollywood presence and it was not surprising that A-list actor like Priyanka Chopra, Rani Mukjerji and Priety Zinta dazzled in the guest gallery at his offering at the Lakme Fashion Week.

The show, which was sponsored by Aircel to promote its Save The Tiger initiative, was attended by most of Malhotra's close friends and Bollywood actors, including Urmila Matondkar, Sonakshi Sinha, Sameera Reddy and Sangeeta Bijlani. The girl gang occupied front row and visibly enjoyed the show as models sashayed down the ramp showcasing Malhotra's designs, which were all contemporary evening wear.

"For me, my clothes are my life and I wake up to it. 'Save the Tiger' is also a great cause to support and I'm happy that I collaborated with them," Malhotra said.

Commenting on the Bollywood brigade that came to support him, the designer said: "From first shots of these girls Priety, Rani, Urmila till today, I have worked with them countless times and they are very close to me. I feel it's really nice that they are all in time, very supportive, very excited. It was really sweet of them."

As far as the collection was concerned, the designer used hues of red, blue and black and dabbled them with heavy embroidery, zari, crystals, sequins and brocade to highlight the delicate motifs. Silhouettes were harem pants, salwars, sherwanis, lehengas and kalidar kurtas. — IANS

The contemplations were on for a while. The anxiety to know, about what was already being touted as an architectural splendour of the tricity, was so much that we popped the big question to the gatekeepers. Is Bella Vista a mall, hotel or multiplex? But all they knew, even as they guarded the structure, was, "It's a beautiful building!"

The swimming pool attached with a presidential suite

And we can say for sure, anybody's knowledge of Bella Vista, which is centrally located in Panchkula, isn't any better either. From the outside, all one can see are the chairs arranged on the third floor as they are usually done in a restaurant. The exploration of what exactly The Bella Vista is began on Wednesday afternoon, as it opened its gate to the public and we got the privilege as well.

The 10-floor structure that includes a three-storey parking, is what Jaskirat Singh, vice-president of Bella Vista, precisely puts in, "A luxury boutique hotel that will have a retail section shortly added to it." The design aptly justifies the adjectives used to describe it. It's a luxury hotel for it offers a spectacular view of the Shivalik foothills, has a gym, spa, swimming pools, banquet halls. It's a boutique hotel because everything is just classy and hi-end. From the upholstery, couches, lamps to artwork in every room, décor complements the architectural design. "The literal meaning of bella vista is beautiful view, which the hotel indeed provides," says Jaskirat.

All corridors of the hotel, spread on two floors of the building are covered with carpets brought in from South Africa. "We wanted the best for the hotel. Carpets were bought from the same company that supplies to hotel Burj-Al-Arab in Dubai," says Inderdeep Singh, managing director.

Built in Mediterranean style, the hotel-cum-mall is designed by Jeff Morrison, a Canadian architect. In tandem with the architectural design is the interior, done by Reena Singh. All the paintings show a water body, a characteristic feature of Mediterranean houses. What lends the-state-of-art feel to the complete structure are the swimming pools built alongside the rooms. "The idea is to offer an experience and not just some space to spend a night. As we strive to offer luxury to people, we also ensure the we fulfil our social responsibility."

Inderdeep then talks about the functional part of the building. "We have a rainwater harvesting system in place. Also, there is equipment to harness solar energy. 'Efficient' glass is used in the entire structure. It reflects the UV rays that help keep the temperature of the rooms low, resulting in less electricity consumption."

The Bella Vista also has on cards a food court. As of now, there's one eating joint, Serenade, which offers the complete Mediterranean cuisine. And as we enjoyed different cheese, there's something else we really recommend you to try - Tiramisu. Served in just the apt quantity, and stylishly, the chocolate cream soufflé leaves its taste in the mouth for a longer time. It just made us understand better why The Bella Vista is a luxury boutique hotel!

ashima@tribunemail.com

Where a grave piece of news just drew a few sympathetic sighs and exclamations, it moved documentarian Yogesh Negi enough to dedicate forty-five minutes exclusively to the cause. "Last to last year, there was this Aman Kachroo case, where a young medical student ended his life after being ragged. That set me thinking that 'can someone be tortured so much that he ends his life?" he fills in the initial questions. And adds, "It's been one and half year now, that I've been working on this short medium film Prashanchinh."

The forty-five minutes of audio-visual saga depicts the life of two friends moving from a higher secondary to a medical college. "The protagonists Anmol and Sanjeev are brutally ragged at the medical college and one is driven to suicide." The film is an attempt to sensitise the masses towards the ills of raging. "Our purpose was to make the audience aware of this problem and tell the students they need not be scared."

From scripting to shooting to post-production, it wasn't a smooth progression with the project. "Eighty per cent of the shooting happened at Government College-11, the rest on the outskirts of Kalka and nearby places." As for the funds, "I used all of my funds, but supporting the project throughout has been very difficult and at every stage. Though Chitkara University sponsored it and also my star cast, chiefly students of Dramatics Club and Indian Theatre Department too on their part, came forward and supported it." The rest, as they always say, is history or statistics. — Manpriya Khurana

(To be screened today at the English Auditorium at 12:30 pm)

Watches make for status symbol. The high end and premium brands of jewellery watches is getting popular among people who love precious stones. A new range of Swiss-made quartz with its dial bedded in minute white diamonds and studded with colourful diamonds on the external have been launched by Goenka Diamonds and Jewels Ltd.

"Our luxury watches, which would be an extension of our highly successful jewellery brand, Ceres is meant for people in the higher-strata. We have a range of timepieces where you can choose to go for white or the classic yellow gold, embed it with diamonds of your choice or choose from a range of rare stones and customise it. Part of the proceeds from this sale would also go to the 'Save the Child foundation' and Araaish." says Nitin Goenka, Managing Director, Goenka Diamonds and Jewels Ltd. — TNS

Here's something new and refreshing, again! Experience the taste of Kathiyawad combined with traditional blend of exquisite flavours and textures at the Kathiyawad Food Festival at Rajdhani, DT Mall, IT Park, Chandigarh.

A traditional blend of exquisite flavours and textures, Kathiyawadi Cuisine is in many ways unique from other culinary traditions of India. The Kathiyawadi platter is a gastronomic delight and a part of urban Indian culture thanks to its varied flavours. The Kathyawadi food Festival promises an experience of typical traditional recipes from different regions of Kathiyawad and Gujarat.

"Kathiyawadi cuisine is a splendid array of colourful, spicy and unique dishes from different parts of the region. With an intention to offer our guests the much in demand cuisine, we have introduced the Kathyawadi Food Festival across the country for all the food lovers" said Aji Nair, AVP, food and beverage Division, Mirah Hospitality, the parent company for Rajdhani.

This festival is a great deal more than the ordinary rotli, daal, bhaat ane shaak. Ringna no holla - Bajri na rotla, Bajri Khichdi, Chokha ni Kheer, Aloo Sambhariya, Paanki, Aldiya Pak, Stuffed Bajri Rotla and Khichiu mark the specialities of the Kathiyawadi Food Festival at Rajdhani. It will continue all through the month, so, don't miss out on trying out a different taste. — TNS

While no one in the country seems to be confident about the success of the Commonwealth Games, given how we are 'falling' short on time and preparations, every one wants to be part of the celebrations! Call it our optimism or a cheerful replacement for the everyday disappointment, but one person who is convinced about the whole thing is Kailash Kher.

The singer is high on Games spirit and is ready to spread the positivity around through his song — Yaaron Jashan Manao. "There is a lot of negativity surrounding the Commonwealth Games, but people are not realising that it's a big event and we will be hosting one-third of the world. That is something to feel proud of," says the singer, who shared his passion over a telephonic interview. The song is a light, peppy number with simple lyrics, typically Kailash. "It captures the mood of the nation and is a song for all. I haven't gone overboard with praises for the nation but just tried keeping the spirits alive.

Whether or not we will be able to make history, Kailash is sure that it's time to rock. "Delhi is going to be on a high during the games, the atmosphere is going to be electric. Apart from the games action, lots of cultural activities have been planned like live concerts, performances and Rockathon, with the country's top artistes performing. Kailash Kher and his band Kailasa will be part of the daylong Qutub Festival as well, to be held at Qutub Complex. He will perform again at the closing ceremony.

Now, if the FIFA World Cup had Waka Waka and Wavin' Flag as theme songs, Commonwealth Games has no dearth of them either. Palash Sen's Dilli Meri Jaan, AR Rahman's Jeyo, Utho, Heyo (rather controversial one) and Kailash's Yaron Jashan Manao…more than we ask? "Not at all. In fact, the more the better! Music is not just popularising or celebrating the Games, it is also a motivation for the athletes. Each time Indian sportsmen win somewhere, we feel proud, but we are hardly there to cheer them when they need us most, when they are playing. This song is his way of expressing our support and respect for our players." The singer has earlier performed at the IPL games and did a jingle for the 2002 Cricket World Cup.

A lot of people may raise questions about the Game's kickoff, but Kailash has other worries. "I am not concerned about the games starting on time. I know they will start on schedule. My only fear is security, as there will be thousands of people in the Games and the shows." Well, that adds to the already long list of 'to do' for the organisers.

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

A ‘happy’ home is every kid’s right. But in today’s mad rush of life where competition is intense and stress all-pervading, are we really able to provide that?

A recent survey carried out by Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan says that 30 per cent of school children in the city suffer from psychological problems. And the blame lies with a disturbed family atmosphere, followed by issues like parental indifference.

Keeping a happy home is sure challenging, but it’s a challenge worth striving for. We check out with what it takes to build a happy home.

Ragini, mother of six-year-old Aarav, is hassled, “Life today is full of stress. Though I am a homemaker, yet, taking care of everyone in the family, dealing with husband’s long working hours and frequent guests, I find myself at my wit’s end more often than not,” she shares. Her recent worry… Aarav is becoming stubborn. “I know the blame lies with us. In the fast pace of life, one is able to do some chores while some are neglected. Sometimes kids become the soft target to dump all the frustration,” she shares. But as they say, knowing is being one step closer to solution. And, Ragini knows what to do. “I am going to take professional help and sort things out before they get out of control,” says Ragini with a firm resolve.

Mansi Sharma is a working mum to a 7-year-old. “Work, household chores and family demands takes a toll,” says Mansi. “I try to make up for the time when I am not around, by enrolling my son in hobby classes. Skating is what he enjoys; I know this cannot replace family time all together but it gives me slight satisfaction that he is doing what he loves,” she adds.

Being at peace with oneself is a sure way to maintain harmony at home. And Jaspreet Gill, a homemaker from Sector 8, does that by praying and meditating. “A sure way to beat stress is by taking to the spiritual. Not only do I practice that, but I also encourage my kids to do so,” says Gill. And as for the lack of time, she suggests one should know how to prioritise. “One can give a miss to parties to be with kids. And spending sometime together doing what children love is sure a good thing,” says this mother of two.

The value of being positive cannot be over-emphasised, but it does not come that easy. “I bank on reading good literature for that,” says Amarpreet Kaur who has instilled the same habit in her kids as well.

For Vineet Chopra, a chef with CITCO, things are challenging but he is managing well due to his understanding life partner. “My profession is demanding and so is my four-year-old daughter Suhani. Since the working hours are long and odd, I make sure to drop her to school so that we get some time together,” says Chopra. “However, to be honest, its my wife Monica who makes sure that we have a happy home. I do my bit by taking them out. Suhani loves rides so I try to take her out for a break, even it’s as small as 15 minutes to a temple or for an ice cream,” he adds. And for any misses in the commitment, Suhani has fixed up the punishment — Papa needs to pick up from school as well, which Vineet happily follows. “I don’t shy away from walking that extra mile to see that smile on her face,” says this doting father.

For making a happy home, it’s parents who need to make that extra effort. “Stressed at work, it’s difficult to make a happy home. But then one cannot change work situations always” says Sherry Sabbarwal, Department of Sociology, Panjab University. There are ways to deal with it. “If working hours are long, make sure that the only hour that you spend with your kid is pleasant,” she suggests. “Situations are different for each home. Becoming aware and working towards a happy, healthy atmosphere at home is what parents need to strive for,” she avers.

mona@tribunemail.com

A new study has indicated that people who feel excluded will go to any length to try to become part of a group, even if it involves spending large sums of cash, eating something dicey, or doing illicit drugs. "Social exclusion prompts people to use money and consumption in the service of affiliation," write authors Nicole L. Mead (Tilburg University), Roy F. Baumeister (Florida State University), Tyler F. Stillman (Southern Utah University), Catherine D. Rawn (University of British Columbia), and Kathleen D. Vohs (University of Minnesota).

Excluded people look to the social environment for cues on how to fit in, and then they flexibly and strategically use consumption to help them commence new social relationships, the authors explain. In their experiments, the authors induced participants to feel socially accepted or excluded and then assessed how their spending and consumption patterns changed.

In one study, people were paired with partners who left the study. People who thought their partners left because they disliked them were more willing to spend money on school spirit wristbands than people who thought their partners left for an appointment. People who feel left out are willing to engage in personally distasteful (or even harmful) consumption in order to fit in.

"In one experiment, excluded individuals were willing to pay more than others for chicken feet, an unappealing food item liked by their Asian partner," the authors write.

"In a subsequent experiment, participants who recalled an experience of social exclusion expressed an increased willingness to snort cocaine." — ANI

Half of Aussie blokes harbour a secret desire to swap their girlfriend for someone new, revealed a study. The American Express Enrichment Report found one out of every two men thought getting a new woman would enrich their lives, compared with 44 per cent of women who said a new man would do wonders for them. According to the reports, three-fourths of men surveyed said their current relationships were in need of some serious enrichment if they were to feel more fulfilled.

The report, which looks at the things Aussies do to enrich their lives, found members of Generation Y were most in need of some loving, with three-quarters of young respondents indicating a loving relationship was what they need to feel enriched. The majority of Aussies said building good relationships with their friends and families was the key to happiness, while about 40 per cent of those surveyed said they would take up a new hobby, learn a new skill or go travelling to boost life satisfaction.

The survey of more than 1,000 people found less than a third of respondents said keeping fit enriched their lives. — ANI