When there're no role models or just nobody to look up to for inspiration, the task gets far more challenging. "This is because then you become the role model and have the responsibility to set high standards for others to follow. Professional growth of other people indirectly depends on you, hence the responsibility increases manifold," comes from Radhika Ramaswamy, for whom it wasn't easy being the first female wildlife photographer of India.

"I learnt the nuances of wildlife photography on my own. I followed the hit-and-trial method to get the angle, backdrop and lighting correct," adds Radhika, in the city on Saturday to conduct a seminar on wildlife photography.

Radhika began with wildlife photography in 2003 and since then has been to various wildlife sanctuaries around the world. "I enjoy clicking the birds most." She rates clicking cranes at the top. "I captured a dancing crane. It's a very rare sight, birds dance only before mating and you can never be sure of the timing."

She says that the trend of wildlife photography is fast catching up India. To make more photographers specialise in the field, she suggests they should be given a reality check. "They should be told that the art form would generate public interest in the near extinct species. The pictures will be like a record for the coming generations." She believes that with the creation of environment ministry portfolio, the situation has improved in India. "We now have someone to address our concerns. The efforts of wildlife photographers, activists and the government together will help deal with issues of poaching and deforestation."

Expectedly, Radhika has also worked on the save tiger project. "I have participated in a number of photography exhibitions put up for the cause. Some of my works have also been put up in art galleries abroad."

On a practical note, she adds wildlife photography is the most difficult form of photography. "You need everything to be in sync to click a good picture. The backdrop has to be good and so has to be the pose of your subject. You have to wait for hours together for that one moment when the perfect picture can be clicked." And she considers herself lucky to have got many such moments!

ashima@tribunemail.com

Actor Geeta Basra, who was recently in the news for her alleged relationship with Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, enjoyed walking the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) as the showstopper for designer duo Parvesh and Jai.

“It was a fantastic experience walking the ramp for them. The garment was so nice and light that I really loved sporting it. You feel nervous when you are on the ramp and worry about malfunctioning or tripping off, but thankfully all went well,” Basra said.

She walked the ramp in a maroon lehnga and green choli.

Geeta made her Bollywood debut with Dil Diya Hai (2006) and also featured in The Train: Some Lines Should Never Be Crossed... (2007) - both opposite Hindi movies’ serial kisser Emraan Hashmi.

Parvesh said: “It was wonderful to get her as a showstopper. She is very nice by heart and very down to earth and carried it very well so it was pleasant working with her.” The duo’s collection, inspired by flora and fauna, is called Rural Species.

“Our collection is inspired by nature, animals, birds and fish. Our collection is for those who have really travelled the world and then go to a remote village in India to spend some time there. The prints have fish, elephants, trees and birds and elements, which are very rural,” said Parvesh.

Their collection comprises loose gowns and they have used with hand print appliqué work and hand embroidery. One striking feature of their collection was that most of the garments were transparent.

“This resort couture collection is for powerful women who dare to experiment, love to flaunt their feminity, break norms and above all, love to live to the fullest,” said the Delhi-based Parvesh. — IANS

Sabyasachi Mukherjee concluded day one of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) with a collection inspired by Aircel’s corporate social responsibility project ‘Save The Tiger’, but the designer’s main clients Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan skipped the event.

Rani and Vidya usually wear outfits designed by Sabyasachi. Hence their presence was highly expected for the show. However, they couldn’t make it. No other Bollywood face was also present in the audience, making the show a no celebrity event.

“Vidya is in Australia and Rani is shooting for a film with Aamir Khan. They both wanted to come but their schedules didn’t permit, so it’s our loss,” the designer said. Starting the show with a line of yellow, black and ivory tones inspired by the colours of the Indian tiger, Sabyasachi presented a collection that moved through the various decades of fashion.

There was the fun and freedom of the 1920s, followed by the elegance of the 1930s and 1940s. There were touches of the 1970s Boho chic and the 1980s daring look. The collection included skirts and blouses, shirts, bikini tops, playsuits with flared hems, palazzos and even three short saris. — IANS

We had read about secularism as a concept, but we saw what it means here in India,” says Mustafa Bakhshi, a teacher from Kabul Education University, who is in the city as part of Afghan University Student Exchange Programme (AUSEP) that concluded at the Regional Institute of English-32 on Friday.

“We were mesmerised to see a mosque, a gurdwara and a temple in close proximity here. It was heartening to see Muslims visit temples and gurdwaras, and Hindus and Sikhs pay obeisance at the mosque in Fatehgarh Sahib,” he says.

Mustafa and his peers are as much in awe of the English training received at the institute as with a close brush with the Indian culture. “We have learnt what we have not been taught before. And our endeavour is to pass on the knowledge to as many people as we can in our country back home,” says Mustafa.

Finding Indian society not very different from Afghanistan, he shares, “We have seen a glimpse of Indian society in Bollywood flicks, but to witness Indian folk forms at the Rose festival was exhilarating,” he adds.

The Afghani students were all praises for the RIE, Chandigarh Administration, US Embassy of Kabul and Asia Foundation, New Delhi, which organised the AUSEP and especially the director of RIE.

“We are grateful that Kaushik Mam made sure the workshop is a complete experience, not just an academic one. She even invited us over to her home to give us a feel of what Indian set up is like,” says another participant.

The fair spread in and around the resort is divided in sections that offer enough in terms of clothes, jewellery, home accessories, food court and kids' play area.

Fabric fiesta

There is great range of Indian and western wear both. Mona Jawandha who has been the coming since the first show specialises in western wear. Rolina Benarus Splendour has some amazing ethnic creations with roots in Mughal era. A light blue sari with pure silver work is priced at Rs 1,30, 000.

Home décor

This seems to be the USP of the show. Glass trays, marble photo frames, wooden statues, metal vases, leather chests - there is some distinctive stuff. The Art Treasure has a collection of artefacts and paintings from world over. An impressive life size Buddha statue in wood, priced at Rs 65,000. Thought of silver furniture? Well, there is plenty from Udaipur — tables, chests, jhulas, chairs - some in pure silver, others in Electro Plated Nickel Silver (EPNS).

Enchanted garden

Outdoor furniture, garden accessories, planters, gazebos — this section has all one needs to deck up the outdoor space.

The haat

This one has all organic or recycled stuff. Clothes, cosmetics, accessories — all eco-friendly.

There is lot more on offer. "We promise a day full of fun with food court offering the best from our restaurants and lavish bar," says Priya.

It could be a conventional Punjabi beauty; it could be an ordinary street in Himachal Pradesh, exhibition of paintings by Sikander Singh is a reflection of spontaneous inspiration.

The works are not restricted by any one particular theme. Likewise, there's lotus in full bloom on one canvas and a traditional folk artist in the other. Shares Sikander, "What I paint completely depends on the state of my mind, my mood and the thought process going on inside. An ordinary face at a Rose Festival could inspire me greatly." He adds, "Most of my works are reality-based such as the culture of Punjab, the scenic beauty of Himachal, and when you think of Chandigarh you find flowers in full bloom.”

Some of the works throw up images so familiar. Faces peeping out of an overcrowded bus, a child's face against sing bars, two little girls playing together. The 43 canvases have been done in a colourful palette, with green dominating in some and blue taking over in the others. "These are my works from the last five-six years. Some of the works have been already displayed in exhibitions before, these are the rest."

There's a huge canvas of Gurdaas Mann, alongside there's almost life-size work painting of author Khushwant Singh. "I've never read any of his books or columns, just got an opportunity to visit his place where he really influenced me, so I came back and worked on him."

There's a series on flower, a collection on sketches; sketches of Buddha and lotus flowers generously dominate the work, among the significant works include a canvas in monochromatic colours capturing a farmer at work, a folk artiste playing a traditional instrument. — Manpriya Khurana

At the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10 till March 15

The Katrina Kaif lookalike Barbie doll is all set to hit the markets in India by this month. Kaif is the first Bollywood actress to be crafted in the form of a Barbie Doll. She had also walked the ramp as Barbieduring the 50th birthday celebrations of the iconic toy in 2009.

"Katrina is so excited about the doll crafted in her likeness is soon going to be available in the stores all over the country. In fact Kats, as she is lovingly, cannot forget the days when she used to play with Barbie herself. She has grown up watching the doll being a fashion statement," a source close to the actor said. — PTI

Actor Colin Firth's wife Livia insists the success of being an Oscar winner won't change her husband.

"We're not moving to Hollywood, we're going back home and he's still the man I married. He'll still put the bins out and leave his socks on the floor. It's just now he has an Oscar and that is amazing," a source said. "My plan is to rest, relax with my husband, go home, be happy. And we'll be back next year when Colin will present an award," she added. Firth won the best actor Oscar for his role in The King's Speech at the 83rd Annual Academy 2011. — IANS

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who is making a comeback to the entertainment world after a nearly two year hiatus with her small screen debut as an anchor of a reality show, says that 2011 will also mark her return to films.

"In the last two years I was out of movies as I was focusing on cricket...my IPL team. By the end of last year I had decided to be back. So 2011 was going to be the year for me to return to my core business entertainment...movies and all," Preity said in an interview. Here I am, on the verge of making my small screen debut with Guinness World Record Ab India Todega followed by film assignments after the fourth season of IPL wraps up, she said.

The actor was last seen in Deepa Mehta's Heaven on Earth that released in October 2008 and earned her the Silver Hugo award for Best Actress at the Chicago International film festival. The dimpled lass, along with her ex-beau Ness Wadia and others has acquired ownership rights in 2008 for the Mohali- based Twenty20 cricket team of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which they named Kings XI Punjab.

The actor had since been involved with promoting and running the affairs of the franchisee. — PTI

It was a one of its kind event as 75 couples assembled here for a shaving lesson from Bollywood actors Neha Dhupia and Arjun Rampal and aim at a world record.

Gillette India organised what was claimed to be the world's largest shaving lesson at Ansal Plaza Friday. The organisers claimed they were aiming to enter the Guinness World Records and the Limca Book of Records, but no representatives from these were present.

However, Rinki Tomar from the India Book of Records said she would forward the details for inclusion in the Asia Book of Records.

"If women can spend hours in an effort to look good, then why can't men spend a mere five minutes of their time to look civilised and groomed, that is clean shaven? I think women should co-operate with men and show them that we care about how we like to see them," said Neha while demonstrating how to shave. Dressed in navy blue off-shoulder knee-length dress she gave a demo on Arjun.

Looking as stunning as always in a pair of denims teamed with white shirt and black jacket, Arjun said: "Girls prefer men with a clean-shaven look.” — Agency

Jackie Shroff said that he likes all kinds of films which makes him happy. Speaking to mediapersons Shroff, who was in the city for the shooting of a Malayalam film 'Platform Number One', in which he portrays the hero, said 'I like all kinds of films which makes me happy and after which I can go back to home with smile'. Shroff, who had already acted in one Malayalam film 'Athisayan', said he would like to act in all languages film of south India.

Pointing that he likes to work in children's film, Shroff said that 'I wanted to work with the late renowned Director Bharathan sir. Bharathan sir wanted to cast me in one film, but it could not take off as we lost him, he said. Appreciating the acting prowess of both Malayalam super stars Mohanlal and Mammootty, he said 'I want to work with them'.

Pointing that a lot of experimentation is happening in the films here, he said 'the film industry here has fabulous technicians, Directors and cameramen'.

The theme of the film is that Shroff, who had to undergo jail punishment for committing a mistake during the 80s, after the release goes out in search of his lover. — Agency

Charlie Sheen's ex fiancee Kelly Preston has spoken out in support of the actor amid his very public meltdown. John Travolta's wife, who was briefly engaged to the Sheen 20 years ago, has described the Two And A Half Men star as a 'really great guy'.

It follows Sheen's increasingly destructive antics, including expletive-filled webcasts, which show him agitated, smoking cigarettes through his nose, spewing energetic rants.

The actor, who is in a polygamous relationship with a porn star and a former nanny, has also been accused of making violent threats against his ex wives Brooke Mueller and Denise Richards.

"My heart just goes out to him, and all of his family," the Daily Mail quoted her as telling America's People magazine."He's such a good person underneath all of it, he really is. I think there's a way back for anyone," she adds.

"I always have hope, and my prayers are with him." In 1990, during the throes of their romance, Sheen shot the actor in the arm.

She had to receive stitches after the incident, which he insisted was the result of his gun going off by mistake. She called off the engagement soon after. "We were together for a year, he wasn't drinking, and he wasn't doing drugs," she says. — ANI