Critics describe him as an artist ‘who strives to escape from the social framework and at the same time tries to collect scattered fragments of daily life.’ True. For, the images Sudarshan Shetty conjures up for art lovers are not always pleasing to the eye, but certainly brainteasers. But he shocks us by contradicting, “I think my work is completely meaningless.”

But when the man in question is none other than India’s most innovative conceptual artist, known for his enigmatic and moving sculptural installations worldwide, one does not let go of such a comment so easily.

“My works may look prophetic but I still maintain that they are completely meaningless. I create those because I have no other choice but to create them, works that often makes me question my own role of a sculptor and in that context the object becomes redundant,” says Sudarshan as he interacts with the audience at the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10 on the second day of the National Art Week of New Media, organised by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi

Skeleton of dogs, blood, wine glasses, jars and scissors, men’s jackets, large eye balls – inspiration seems to come from every quarter. He justifies, “I prefer to look out of my studio and find out what’s happening out there.” But how does he justify the violence that some of his works reflect, like the one titled The Party is Elsewhere in which 365 empty wine glasses get smashed by a huge hammer in a mechanical motion or the one with red liquid oozing out of a huge gramophone.

“The primary source of my inspiration is the real life. Violence is part of my work because it does exist in society and we have been constantly bombarded with images of violence through different media to make a lasting impression on the subconscious mind.”

But then is he a violent person? “I hope not,” comes the reply in the lighter vein… he adds, “I hope I am influenced by everything.”

A commerce graduate to start with, he went to JJ School of Art, Mumbai and later earned a fellowship at the Kanoria Centre for Arts, Ahmedabad. Sudarshan’s journey into the art world did not happen overnight. “I was good at art from my childhood. But then coming from a middle class family, my concept of an artist was limited to those who painted film posters. So I did what family obligations required me to do—get a degree and earn. But I was miserable as a commerce student and even then I used to earn by making portraits at Mela, a resort kind of an eating-place in Mumbai. So, there was no question that I won’t do art.”

Doing art is one thing but to be branded as one of the pioneers to herald the concept of new media is something else which he has been doing since he shifted from paintings to installation for the first time in 1995 with Paper Moon. How does he feel about the medium he has selected for himself?

“New media happened because people wanted a change. As far as I am concerned I discovered fibreglass and loved experimenting with it as it gave me unlimited freedom. The fact that what I was doing was new media was only incidental,” comes the answer. And it got us thinking, maybe, This too Shall Pass, incidentally the title of his forthcoming exhibition at Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum.

parbina@tribunemail.com 

Roshni Parekh, a cute-looking girl found her life transformed after shows like Panaah, Peehar, Kalindi and Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat. Now playing Chutki, in Sahara One Television show, Ek Chutki Aasman, Roshni is all excited about her character. In conversation, she talks about the show and her experience of working with other actors.

How did you bag the role of Chutki?

Sanjay Wadhwa (the producer of Ek Chutki Aasman) is the sole reason I am on the show. I gave auditions for the show and got selected.

Tell us about the show?

It's a story of a young girl Chutki and her tryst with destiny, which unfolds in the ruthless big city, Mumbai. This show would showcase dreams, aspirations, ups and downs of life through the eyes of an innocent seven-year old. Mother, daughter relationship is also showcased in a wonderful way in this serial.

What was the reaction from friends after working in the show?

My friends were really happy that I was working in Ek Chutki Aasman.

Any memorable moment on the sets of Ek Chutki Aasman?

Essaying the role of Chutki has got me closer to Chavi Mittal. She's a talented actor and gives me tips about acting.

What is special about Roshni Parekh?

Roshni is a cute girl. She is good in studies and does her homework at home and sometimes on the set. She likes red colour dresses. — Dharam Pal

Actor Akshay Kumar, who is the Special Olympics Brand Ambassador, wants to ban the word "retard" and for this he is garnering support from the film industry."Many of you know that I am campaigning to ban the word 'Retard'. I cannot tell you how supportive our industry is," the actor wrote on microblogging site Twitter.

Akshay is upset at the use of the word and has kickstarted a campaign to demand a ban on the wrongful usage of the word.

The actor feels mentally and physically challenged individuals must be recognised as equal members of society and people must encourage them to blossom in their abilities.

The 43-year-old actor has roped in megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Farah Khan and other people from the B-town for the campaign.

"Mr Bachchan, Salman, Katrina, Sajid and Farah all pledged on camera to help and show respect to our fellow Indians who have special needs. It is really great when our fraternity comes together like this," Akshay tweeted.

The Big B has already recorded a short footage to be aired on TV urging people not to refer to disabled children as 'retarded'.

"Akshay desired that I do a small TV bite stating how we must never refer to disabled children in their disability and call them 'Retarded'. Instead they needed to be treated and handled with care and understanding, teaching them to stand on their own feet. I felt good," Bachchan wrote on his blog. — PTI

Sonakshi Sinha, who was seen as a demure rustically dressed Indian girl in her debut film Dabangg, came all out in a totally western and outgoing avatar at Narendra Kumar Ahmed's show at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW).

"Nari is one of my favourite designers and walking the ramp for him was an absolute pleasure. I have always admired his style and clothes and after Dabangg this is for the first time, I am in a western look and Killer jeans has done a wonderful job," Sonakshi said.

The 23-year-old actress, who wore lehengas and saris in Dabangg was sporting denim jeans and top, coupled with a hat at the show of Narendra Kumar, fondly called Nari's association, with clothing brand Killer.

Sonakshi oozed confidence and was extremely casual while sashaying down the ramp. The actress who was formerly a fashion designer herself, even broke into a slight dance and seemed to enjoy the music to the hilt.

When asked about the status of her career in designing, the actress said, "That unfortunately has taken a back seat. Designing is a very demanding job and so is acting, so if I try doing both, I will be nowhere, better I stick to one."

"My mom really wants me to launch a brand, but nothing anytime soon. I have studied it, invested so much of time. No education goes waste, so definitely sometime in future," she added.

The line which was labelled Killer Nari drew inspiration from the contemporary style icons Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen.

The collection entailed designs both for men and women. While the collection for men contained 1980's inspired sport jackets, shirts in bold contrasting polka dots and check prints in pop art with stylised jeans, the women collection mainly comprised jeans and shorts with casual tops and t-shirts.

"What we have tried to bring fashion into jeans unlike jeans being a fashion itself. And now we have the perfect muse for the line. And the way today Sonakshi walked the ramp, she was absolutely fantastic," said Nari. — IANS

Bollywood actress Sridevi, who walked the ramp for ace designer Neeta Lulla as the show stopper at the Lakme Fashion Week, came across as very nervous and saved herself twice from falling flat on the ramp.

The beautiful actress, who was sporting a silverish-grey body-fitting gown made an impressive entry on the ramp but soon her nervousness came to the fore as she was found struggling with the train of her dress.

However, the actress still found the experience of walking the ramp quite pleasant. "It was great but at the same time very hard for me," she said.

The designer was elated too and revealed: "It was fantastic that on my 25th anniversary Sridevi walked the ramp and so many people actually made it to the show."

When asked about the actress' nervousness, Lulla clarified: "As far as I think, it happens some times when you walk the ramp after a long time."

Lulla's show, which showcased a collection inspired by the repository of work done by her over the last 25 years in both prêt as well as couture, boasted of Bollywood celebrities like Rani Mukherji, Hema Malini, Yash Chopra, Mugdha Godse, Tabu, Juhi Chawla and Amisha Patel, among others.

Akshay Kumar, Rannvijay and director Vipul Shah also attended the show in a retro avatar to promote their forthcoming film Action Replayy. The film also stars Aishwarya Rai and is slated to hit screens November 5.

"I really enjoyed the show. Till this Diwali, I will come only in retro look. I don't think any look has been as good as of the 1970s," Akshay said.

As far as the collection goes, the ensembles were a mix of western and Indian designs in a deluge of colours including beige, silver, yellow, orange, green, blue, pink, lilac and red. Embellishments and Swarovski crystals were also used to marl the silver jubilee of the brand. — IANS 

Bollywood hunk Hrithik Roshan says that his upcoming movie Guzarish, which releases on November 19, is special to him because it changed the way he sees the world.The actor unveiled the first look of the film, which stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opposite him.

The 36-year-old actor plays a popular magician in the movie who becomes paraplegic after meeting with a near fatal accident.

Hrithik said his role in Guzarish was his most difficult as well as the easiest. "Easiest because I managed to essay it under the guidance of Bhansali," said the actor. Guzarish is Aishwarya's third film with Bhansali. While each film with the director is an amazing experience, the latest project was exceptional, said the actress. "Guzarish is a beautiful piece of cinema," she said. When asked about she and Hrithik being referred to as the magical pair of silver screen having delivered hits like Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar, Aishwarya said she works with directors and not co-stars.

"We actors play characters that the director envisages. I am fortunate to have worked with wonderful co-stars throughout my career," she said.

Bhansali refused to divulge details of the film saying it was too early to do so. "The film is about the beauty, hope and the joy of living," he said.

Bhansali has debuted as a music composer for the film. "I did the music because I understand the characters well. This was just an experiment. There are eight songs in the film and 12 in the music album," said the director. — PTI

Spining some weird mix of crazy music and even crazier attitude. We have set standards when it comes DJs, especailly in India. But it takes a lot more some freak genes to make for a good DJ. "It's about personality, character, a following." Introducing DJ Aaron James, a celebated name in the international music, and someone who lives just to find out what else he can do with his talent.

In the city, to perform at Friday Live at Café Oz-9, Aaron gives a lesson on enjoying life. "Dance on … Life is too damn short to be standing still!" What's more? "I have been a DJ for 15 years now and believe me, it's a profession of perks. I have travelled the world, played from one end to the other, lost my ego and grown each time with my music," shares the 39-year-old star who made India dance to his tunes, for better.

Currently the crative director and resident DJ of The Love Hotel in Delhi, Aaron is nothing short of a star attraction in the Capital's party circuit. Being in the list of India's Top 10 DJs is not his only claim to fame, but the fact that he was alrady a celebrated name before he arrived on our party scene. Aaron headlined @008 Rock the Vote tour in the US presidential elections, working on campaigns with Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Lucianno Pavarotti, Jenna Jameson, Russell Crowe, David Copperfield, Ron Wood (of the Rolling Stones fame, opening for Sheryl Crow, Elton John, Lil' Kim and manning decks for Calvin Klein, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Donna Karan, DKNY, Prada, Giorgio Armani….phew..his resume reads like a who's who. "I have played at weddings, even parties for 13-year-olds before that," he throws in a 'valuable' information.

His gigs at Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore and most recently Sri Lanka have made him shift gears between progressive, electronica, reggae, hip hop to funk, elemenst of urban life and everything in between. "That's how it's suppose to be. Experimental and evolving. Every city has its own culture and characeter that influences one's music sensibilities. And I am excited about playing in Chandigarh as I come her with no expectations, clueless about what's going to hit them," says Aaron, calling himself a chameloen. Nothing suggestive but just in his music sensibilities.

Ask him about his Indian experience and he has lots to say, "India has been a big part of developing new styles in my music. We have some real rockstars playing in India and people are coming to see them and not the venue or the crpwd." Of all the places, he has played, Mumbai is what reminds him of home, "Its lively, the people are cool and the city is glamourous. A lot like New York."

As for his performance in the city, "I am accessing who's coming through that door and have some happy, peppy, funky kinda music in mind." Bring it on!

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

There is a place for every genre and every band in the vast expanse of music. If the strings of sarangi stir souls, the beat of drums out rightly shakes up the existence. If electronic is head banging, Bollywood is foot tapping. When Split, the rock band decides to go the original way, music lovers lap it up. 'Originality' anyways is hard to find, and something that is hard to find is definitely interesting. What say? Lets split up for a conversation; with the band, in city to rock at Score on Thursday, as part of the Harley's Rock Riders.

In sync with the freedom, passion and self-expression, that define Harley-Davidson, Split was selected to kick-start the Harley Rock Riders tour from September 9-December 4. The three-month rock tour will touch up on the five cities that Harley-Davidson has already ridden into with its dealerships - New Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Over to the group for some musical notes. Splits, one of the few bands swears by being original, an original rock band! As for the members, they have seen the changes in music scene, and being 'original' is not a need of the hour, but the chosen style for music. Says Aviv Pereira, the lead guitarist of this five-member band; "It has been almost a decade in rock music now. And, I have seen the music scene change for good. More sponsors and revenue, better equipment, corporate involvement, and the change in the audiences, who demand original stuff rather than just covers is quiet a change in music." If you are not singing covers and are making your own music then inspiration is what matters a lot. The five members, Garetth D Mello (vocals), Mel Roy D Mello (guitar), Shekher Mohite (base guitar), Nigel Calsco (drums) and Aviv pick up music from everyday occurrences. Says Aviv, "We want to take the Indian music scene forward. Our music reflects everyday happenings, which affect each one of us. For instance our song, 60 Seconds is about the 60 seconds that we spend at the traffic lights seeing the countdown as the light changes from red to green. Another song Belief deals with issues of communal violence, terrorism, recent blasts in Mumbai." That's called original!

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Each Swiss watch demands perfect care, which is not available anywhere and everywhere. Swiss watch enthusiasts now have a chance to enhance the life of their most cherished accessory . Ethos Swiss Watch Studios, a Premium Luxury Watch Retail Chain in India has announced a free watch service camp at all Ethos Studios in Chandigarh from September 22 to October 6, 2010.

The free service camp will offer expert watch care, authentic service and repairs of all Swiss watch brands available at Ethos. This includes free battery change of permissible Swiss models, cleaning, accuracy checking and minor adjustments.

Commenting on this, Yashovardhan Saboo, CEO, Ethos Swiss Watch Studios said, "Ethos maintains a modern service infrastructure to cater to various needs of its customers. One of these is the after-sale services. Holding a free service camp every year is a way of extending our services to our esteemed customers."

So Watch out! It may be time for you to provide that extra care to your priced possession. — TNS

Berger Paints India Ltd, an Indian paint major with global footprints across continents, took one more decisive step in preserving environment as a responsible corporate citizen with launch of its flagship green brand-Breathe Easy.

As part of its overall proactive Green Horizon Policy the company is making foray into "eco active" or 100-green paint by launching its flagship green range namely Breathe Easy. Apart from preserving global environment, Breathe Easy also takes care of various health aspects of an individual (like asthma, solvent allergy etc).It happens to be the only paint of its genre in India with global certification.

Iit lets you breathe fresh clean air during and immediately after painting because it is absolutely odourless. Its unique oxyrich formulation eliminates emission of carbon and ammonia, thereby improving indoor air.—TNS 

The Great Flood of Noah and Manu's time is recorded in all the scriptures. The world had fewer people and many more species of animals. Presumably some survived and we exist today. The floods ravaging the North at this moment, are a reminder of constant flooding in the Ganges delta as well as of the Jalpaiguri basin in West Bengal. In August 1969, a disastrous dousing of unbelievable proportions, destroyed this district and the tea gardens in it.

Clive Coni looked at the surrounding Bhutan hills and described the scene: "A great big cat has clawed the mountainsides." The landslides carried away villages, flora and fauna and changed the course of lives and rivers.

When the Teesta (a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra) and Karala or Kalla rivers broke their banks, they decided to carry all land and Katchery records with them. These were never recovered. History disappeared in a rushing silt slide that was often 10 feet high. Jalpaiguri town disappeared into rivers of slush and sludge, as did kutcha labour houses, National Highway 31, railway tracks, electricity and the already sporadic phone lines. For three months the area was orphaned from the rest of the world. The civil authorities were quick to act, but where there were no roads, and the Defence Forces had to step in.

The Air Force dropped food packets. The Army brought in their boats to rescue people, distribute food and medical care, and set up Bailey and pontoon bridges to facilitate transportation. As Jalpaiguri mourned and disposed off its dead, the factories overflowed with tea. Flying the product out was expensive, so prices dropped and the owners waited for the situation to improve.

The DBITA put the gardens of the Dooars on three-day rotations. Planters with gurneys… no masks, gloves or gum-boots, except what the garden hospital could provide…waded out with the support of dandas, into mud that reached their thighs… to shovel out human and animal carcasses. No amount of Eau-de-Cologned handkerchiefs over their noses, could disguise the stench of death. As they returned home at night and gulped rum to reduce fatigue, the memories of terrified faces, open eyes and half rotting bodies of children, haunted their sleep. It was their job to give a decent burial or cremation to those who died, but when an arm or a leg, tugged out of four feet of mud, separates itself from a rotting body, a lifetime of nightmares follow. Wives of planters and the civil servants consoled their husbands and the populace as best as they could. Over 2,700 people lost their lives and more than 59,300 cattle were destroyed.

Sometimes, the earth we live on and take so much for granted, shrugs or weeps at the burden we have imposed on her. She has been generous with her bounty but we take more and more and give very little. When tea plantations came up along the web of rivers in West Bengal, we broke all natural rules. We brought in people and placed them in areas, which were known for their annual flooding. The very silt that sustains us through its fertility, swallowed us as it created new paths. The mighty rivers we dammed and exploited, shrugged us off during earth-quakes and cloud bursts.

Today, as the mighty Jamuna cleanses itself and the Northern states get a generous supply of water, we look for puny measures to save ourselves. History proves that the Earth, Our Earth, will repeatedly convulse to correct her natural state. Some of us shall be destroyed but the lesson will soon be forgotten until catastrophe strikes again. 

I see myself as none, but an Odissi dancer in this life and many new lives to come. I pray to the almighty to grant and fulfill this as my last and only wish,” says Odissi classical dance exponent Geeta Mahlik, which in a way reflects her profound passion for the dance realm. Her deep love for Odissi dance and its propagation can also be gauged from the fact that she has been giving lecture demonstrations in far-flung rural and tribal areas. She appreciates ventures of Spic Macay and says, “More corporate companies must come forward to augment the Spic Macay movement.”     

Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademy fellowship, Geeta Mahalik is an accomplished maestro of the centuries-old tradition of Odissi dance. Trained in the grammar of dance from an early age by two eminent gurus of Odissi – late Deba Prasad Dash and Shri Mayadhar Raut, she has imbibed the best of the great Odissi tradition. Having performed more than once in the major dance festivals in India, she has crossed the shores of India and performed in the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, China, Mongolia, Nepal, Bangladesh and many countries of East and West Africa. Her choreography in dance-dramas like Lavanyavati and Krishnabhilasha has won tremendous applause from critics and connoisseurs. She was profusely awarded by cultural organisations of Ontario and Toronto Canada Nasheville, Minneapolis and the USA to mention a few.

 In city on invitation Spic Macay for lecture demonstration and a recital at Punjab Engineering College, Geeta shared her achievements and experiences. “While all classical dances have the usual gestures, expressions, movement and other ingredients, but Odissi is endowed with the soft, subtle and soothing lyrical grace with emotional expressions of endless charms. I feel, Odissi is the best dance to project the cultural soul of India to the world.” She adds, “In fact, Odissi has yet to reach the people across India and the world, so that they can distinguish its salient features of lyrical movements, emotional expressions and costumes and make up.” She sums, “Propagation of any thing requires involvement of the masses, teachers, art promoters and the government of course.” 

The folk music is the true mirror of a society as it represents the collective aspirations, ambitions and living culture. See the popularity of those film or pop songs weaved with rich Punjabi or Bhojpuri folk flavour and emotional appeal,” maintains Shailesh Shrivastva, Mumbai-based author, folklore and Bhojpuri film playback singer. She is in Panchkula to visit her brother.  

A disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra and A-grade artiste of All-India Radio and Doordarshan, Shailesh, armed with a doctorate in folk music and media from SNDT University, Mumbai, is an incredible combination of academics and aesthetics. An accomplished maestro of semi-classical forms like kajri, dadra, thumri and playback singer of Bhojpuri folk and films, Shailesh has given playback for few Hindi films that include “Rang daro fenko gulaal for Benaras under the music direction of Himesh Reshamia, Aaj kaisi ghadi aye, toh sang raji balam for 1918 – Love Story under Khyaam Saheb. Another film Hawaida by Samir Tandon is going to be released. Among her Bhojpuri albums Chatni Chata was a hit as also her songs in Ganga maiya tohre chunri, saanch bhayi spanva hamaar, mor kaleja ka tukda and many more. She had earlier sung for over dozen DD and Zee TV serials.

An executive programme officer of Doordarshan, Mumabi, Shailesh is in constant touch with the performing art scene and Bollywood celebrities. Recalling her ICCR-sponsored concerts in Amsterdam, Jakarta, Mauritius, Trinidad, Samarkand and other international venues, she says the foreign audience relishes our folk music.

Gifted with the traits of singing in Marathi, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Himachali and many regional languages, Shailesh is the big hit among the NRI audience. “This encourages me to explore the emotional depth of Bhojpuri folklore traditions and after a long research I got my book “Bhojpuri Sanskar Geet aur Prasar Madhyam published which was released by Partibha Patil, President of India, in May.”

Commenting on the contemporary music, she observes that today’s music is fast-paced, rhythm dominated wherein the “intent and rasa” of lyrics is eclipsed. 

The pena, a musical genre from India's northeast associated with shamanistic folk rites from the pre-Christian era, is making its way into mainstream performances after roping in women and youth. Manipuri pena exponent and balladeer Mayanglambam Mangangsana is promoting the ancient bow lute, also called the pena, and ballads sung to its melody.

"Two of my mentors - Ojhamangi and Langathel Thoinu - and I teach the instrument and the ballads sung with it to children, both boys and girls, in the monastic tradition in Manipur," Mangangsana said.

"A shaman priestess instructs youngsters in the shaman dance. The ritualistic dance is usually performed at the opening of the festival to narrate stories of creation and evolution of human race," Mangangsana said. The 38-year-old pena performer and composer was in the Capital to conduct the United Nations Millenium Development Goals concert at the Purana Qila last week with 100 percussionists.

The pena is common to Manipur, Nagaland and pockets of Bangladesh bordering northeastern India.

—IANS