The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

Jodi breakers
Deepika Padukone to pair with Rajini in Kochadaiyaan

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone will romance Tamil superstar Rajinikanth in his upcoming flick Kochadaiyaan. “Deepika Padukone has been confirmed as heroine in Kochadaiyaan,” film unit sources said.

Padukone had been earlier cast opposite Rajnikanth in his ‘Rana,’ since suspended after he fell sick on the first day of the film’s sets last year.

However, the superstar’s younger daughter Soundarya gave his die-hard fans, who had performed special poojas and prayers for his recovery from a reported kidney ailment, cause for cheer by announcing she would direct her father in Kochadaiyaan believed to be a period flick.

The movie has already garnered attention with its first look, a still with Rajnikanth sporting six-pack, beard and a yogi-like hairdo, setting off anticipation about the movie among cine-buffs.

The star cast of Kochadaiyaan, which will be a hi-tech 3D film, reportedly includes Bollywood star Jackie Shroff, another top Tamil star R Sarath Kumar and many others. — PTI

String of success
Punjabi Singer Daler Mehndi, all set to present a classical music instrument Swarmandir designed by him, thanks the almighty for all that he has achieved
Mona

Moving from classical to pop, Daler Mehndi has been quite a singing sensation. His Tunak Tunak has been a rage the world over. Well, it’s been a decade-and-a-half since then and our popular bhangra pop singer has moved on. Coming Friday, Daler is all set to present a classical music instrument Swarmandir, designed and conceived by him at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. He shares the story behind Swarmandir.

“It was last January on my flight from Delhi to New Zealand that I thought of an instrument that could play music form ruh to rab (soul to supreme),” says Daler. The idea took physical form when Daler went in search of Dui Tara in Bangladesh. “It is an old instrument used mainly by fakirs. I had little time, but I managed to get one.” However, Dui Tara didn’t serve his purpose. “It would go out of tune quite often. This is when I thought of adapting Rabab, Tanpura and Swar Mandal.” The new instrument has been crafted by veteran luthier Sanjay Rikhi Ram who has taken forth this legacy from his grandfather, late Pandit Rikhi Ram.

At a time when e-sitar and e-sarod are to be launched, why Swarmandir? “Well, I believe it’s just not possible to learn music without accompaniment of old instruments. I wanted to have something easy that looks old and plays well. While it takes some four to five years to learn the sitar, sarod is tougher and can take some 15-20 years. Swarmandir is rather easier to learn” says Daler.

Daler tried the Swarnmandir at a concert in Bhopal. “The response was phenomenal. It was three-hour Rebabi Sufi Concert where an audience of 15,000 listened in pin-drop silence,” Daler quips.

While concerts keep the singer busy, film music goes side by side. He has been singing for popular movies albeit very different tunes —Don 2 (Chamak Challo), I am Singh (Shabad — Dukaalang Pranaasi), Chaalis Chauraasi (Badmast).

“Wait for more,” he says, “Watch out for Harmones change ho gaye. We are working on it presently and going crazy over it. It’s a song that’s going to surprise you for sure.”

mona@tribunemail.com

Sufi notes........

Daler Mehndi refers to Rebabi Sufi concerts that have been keeping him busy of late. How is Rebabi Sufi different than Sufi music? “Rebabi has a long tradition, it is said to be given by Baba Guru Nanak Dev to Mardana. Rebabi Sufi music is about songs that talk of atma and parmatma. There is no one in between. While Sufi will be addressed to Maula or Ali, Rebabi Sufi is for everyone; every caste and religion right from Ram, Rahim or even Krishna,” he says. Daler wants to bring his Rebabi Sufi concerts to Punjab soon.

Stork is visiting...
Year 2012 has started off with a bang for ace choreographer-singer Ganesh Hegde!

Parents-to-be: Ganesh Hegde with wife Sunanya

Year 2012 has started off with a bang for ace choreographer-singer Ganesh Hegde! A microblogging site conducted a poll in 176 countries and Ganesh’s choreography of Chammak Challo was adjudged number one and he has won an award for it. But the icing on the cake is the fact that the stork is visiting Ganesh and his lovely wife Sunayna.

Yes! The happy couple is eagerly awaiting their bundle of joy who is due next month.

When asked about winning an award Ganesh beams and says, “Oh, its a fantastic feeling to be loved by my fans across the globe, I am humbled by it, the most precious and awaited gift to date I am going to receive is my baby. I am looking forward to this life changing experience.”

A whole new experience awaits the father to be. Let’s wait and watch baby Hegde make papa Hegde dance to its tunes!

Well, we couldn’t be happier and we wish Ganesh and his wife all the very best and we eagerly await the baby’s arrival. Expect celebrities like Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, and others to grace the baby shower and the post-birth ceremonies.

Ranbir’s party paradise

Ranbir Kapoor is very happy living with his parents at Krishna Raj, his family’s bungalow in plush and posh Pali Hill in suburban Mumbai. He is one of the most successful actors and stars in the country and has no plans of moving out. Yet, he has bought another apartment in another area of Mumbai.

Ranbir has already bought a duplex apartment in a society called Wits End at Hill Road in Bandra, suburban Mumbai. He is not moving out of home but this is place for him to have parties and chill with friends. He makes frequent trips to the apartment with his mother and friends. The place is pegged at Rs seven crore which is a pretty neat price in today’s day and age of escalating real estate prices. This plush apartment may also serve as a temporary residence for the Kapoors because the Krishna Raj Bungalow will be up for redevelopment soon. They will need a place to stay and this new apartment has three bedrooms so it is perfect for them. Ranbir purchased it a few months ago.

Former cricket captain Azharuddin also stays in the same society. The suburb of Bandra houses many Bollywood celebrities from the past and present eras. Saif Ali Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar with wife Saira Banu, Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Babita, Rekha, Arjun Rampal, Imran Khan, Aamir Khan with wife Kiran Rao, Salman Khan and family, Malaika Arora Khan with Arbaaz Khan, Amrita Arora Ladak and many others call Bandra home. — HRM

No March wedding for Saifina
The two actors in love are concentrating on their careers as of now...

Actress Kareena Kapoor has rubbished reports that she will be tying the knot with long time boyfriend Saif Ali Khan after the release of their action-thriller Agent Vinod.

The 31-year-old said there are no plans of marriage right now and the duo are concentrating on their career. The film will hit the screens on March 23. “There are no plans for marriage as of yet. We are just concentrating on the release of the film and our career right now,” Kareena said.

The actress also said the film will be her last action movie as she didn’t enjoy performing stunts. “I am a very romantic person at heart, I am petrified of gun shots and speed. Agent Vinod will be my last action film... I won’t be doing anymore action movies... I didn’t enjoy doing the stunts at all. I like doing romantic films and enjoy the singing and dancing,” Kareena said.

The Bodyguard actress was in the capital to promote her forthcoming film Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, which is releasing February 10, along with her co-star Imran Khan and director Shakun Batra. — PTI

Work over wife

Actor Imran Khan, who is gearing up for the release of Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, says he will not be able to spend this Valentine’s Day with wife Avantika.

The 29-year-old, who married long time girlfriend Avantika last year, said he will start shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola on February 14.

“I won’t be celebrating Valentine’s Day with Avantika this year because I will be busy shooting for Vishal’s film Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola,” Imran said during the promotion of Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu last night. Directed by debutante Shakun Batra, the romantic film also stars Kareena Kapoor in the lead and will hit screens on February 10. “The movie is very special to me as I have known Shakun for a very long time... He has been working on the script for long now and I am very proud of this project. “We always wanted Kareena for the film as we both are huge fan of her. And we both were very excited when she agreed to be a part of the project,” Imran said. The Delhi Belly star said the film is a coming of age story. “The film is not so much of a love story as people have thought it to be.. It is more like a coming of age film,” Imran added. — PTI

Amy defends Hosanna

Defending the controversial song Hosanna from her upcoming film Ekk Deewana Tha, British model-turned-actress Amy Jackson says it is a beautiful love song and does not hurt anyone’s sentiments. The song composed by music maestro AR Rahman, has come under controversy for using the word — Hosanna. The song has not gone well with the Christian Secular Forum (CSF). Reportedly, the religious group has said that Hosanna is a prayer in the Bible and the term is sacred to both Jews and Christians. “I am a Christian and since the age of five I have been singing...chanting hymns containing the word Hosanna. When I heard the song for the first time, it literally touched my heart. It is a beautiful song. It is about love and who can ask for more than love. I never felt that the song would hurt people’s sentiments,” Amy said.

“If you look from my point of view that’s what Christians strive for — love from God. And that is what the song is about,” she said. Ekk Deewana Tha is a remake of Gautham Menon’s own Tamil film, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, which also got remade into Telugu as Ye Maaya Chesave.

The Tamil and Telugu version of the song upon its release was loved by all. “There was no intention to hurt anyone’s feeling. It is a sweet number ,” she said. — PTI

Hathaway’s engagement bash...

Actress Anne Hathaway and actor Adam Shulman threw an engagement party for family and friends in New York. Hathaway joked that her beau ruined her plans to stay single.

“I am very much in love with him, Adam totally ruined my plan. I was really looking forward to a little alone time, and then I fell in love like a fool,” said the 29-year-old actress. The couple celebrated their engagement Saturday with 125 guests in Manhattan. Hathaway and Shulman started dating in 2008.

“We hit if off immediately but it took us a pretty long time to get together. He thought that I had a boyfriend and I thought that he had a girlfriend, so I thought that I’d better keep my distance,” she added. — IANS

FASHION FUNDA
SHEER magic
Ashima Batish

Rahul Mishra was voted the MTV Youth Icon in 2009. His love for sheer fabrics becomes evident from various collections. Rahul prefers to keep the designing subtle, yet elegant. Here is a fashion forecast from the designer himself.

What’s in?

Very flowing material for the outfits; go in for transparent fabrics like chiffon and nets, team them up with comfy cottons. The silhouettes need not be dramatic or complex at all. Linear stitching and adding a few layers to the designs will make them look very stylish. Graphic designs will primarily dominate as prints. Also the inspiration from nature, as in flowers and leaves as prints, will be seen on a lot of fabrics.

What’s out?

There has been an overdose of Anarkali suits during last season. In fact, the design has been ruling the fashion scene for the past several years. So, it calls for a change this time. Body-hugging clothes should also be stacked in the farthest corner of your wardrobe.

Colour count

Sorbet colours are in, which cannot be described easily. Surreal colours will be in; for example, yellow in very light hue, which has a tinge of pink or green. Such colours are better known as the ice-cream shades.

Party couture

Black is the best party shade. Bring in change in the form of fabric. Use sheer fabrics. Black chiffon dress will look ultra chic and so will a georgette flair gown with net sleeves.

Future collection

The entire collection for the fall winter season, which I will showcase at the Will’s Lifestyle India Fashion Week, is in black. I have also used a lot of graphic prints. The silhouettes are in a set pattern for all creations. Look of the creations is very casual and borrowed from the sports wear.

Leading in style

Alber Elbaz is the designer for me. He is next in line with the big names like Armani and Christian Louboutin.

Indian fashion fraternity

The Indian fashion industry is a very young. It is doing exceedingly well on the international level as well. More and more Indian designers are showcasing their collection at international fashion weeks.

Punjabi Tadka
Jassi unplugged
Jasmine Singh

It took one song to make him a celebrated singer in the Punjabi music industry. Dil Ley Gayi Kudi Gujarat Di made Jasbir Jassi a household name. As it goes, there was no looking back thereafter. Kudi Kidi, Pardesi Dhola; the singer made a foray into Bollywood with Laung Da Lishkara in Patiala House. In fact, Jassi became the talk of the town for being the first Punjabi singer to take part in the Cannes Film festival. We dig in more!

My all-time favourite song…

Tere Bina Zindagi Sey Koi Shikwa…there can be nothing more melodious than this number from the movie Aandhi.

I wish I could have sung it…

Each time I listen to Lai Vi Na Gayi from the film Chalte Chalte, I wish I could have got the opportunity to sing it.

This song doesn’t make sense to me…

Kolavari Di…I don’t understand the rage behind this number and why does it exist in the first place.

I look forward to collaboration with…

Norah Jones. She is one singer I would like to pair up with and churn out songs.

My style statement…

I don’t have a fixed style statement. I change my style according to my mood; someday I am gung-ho about sporting a beard and I do that, otherwise I like to keep my clothes simple and sober.

I am bitten by the acting bug…

I keep telling directors to cast me in character roles. This is something that I would want to do rather than playing the lead.

If I were not a singer…

I would still be a singer. I cannot be anything else other than a singer!

Five minutes before I step on the stage…

I remember my guru and I recall his teachings. It makes me calm.

I look forward to…

Performing at the Cannes Film Festival; this would be a dream come true for me.

Spare the rod

Spanking children can cause long-term developmental damage and may even lower a child's IQ, according to a new Canadian analysis that seeks to shift the ethical debate over corporal punishment into the medical sphere. The study, published this week in the Canadian Medical

Association Journal, reached its conclusion after examining 20 years of published research on the issue. The authors say the medical finding have been largely overlooked and overshadowed by concerns that parents should have the right to determine how their children are disciplined. While spanking is certainly not as widespread as it was 20 years ago, many still cling to the practice and see prohibiting spanking as limiting the rights of parents. That point of view highlights the difficulty in changing hearts and minds on the issue, despite a mountain of accumulated evidence showing the damage physical punishment can have on a child, says Joan Durant, a professor at University of Manitoba and one of the authors of the study. "We're really past the point of calling this a controversy. That's a word that's used and I don't know why, because in the research there really is no controversy," she said in an interview.

"If we had this level of consistency in findings in any other area of health, we would be acting on it. We'd be pulling out all the stops to work on the issue." Durant and co-author Ron Ensom, with the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, cite research showing that physical punishment makes children more aggressive and antisocial, and can cause cognitive impairment and developemental difficulties.

Recent studies suggest it may reduce the brain's grey matter in areas relevant to intelligence testing. "What people have realized is that physical punishment doesn't only predict aggression consistently, it also predicts internalizing kinds of difficulties, like depression and substance use," said Durant. "There are no studies that show any long term positive outcomes from physical punishment." While banned in 32 countries, corporal punishment of children retains at least partial social acceptance in much of the world. Debates on the issue typically revolve around the ethics of using violence to enforce discipline. With the study, Durant hopes parents will start to look at the issue from a medical perspective. — Agencies

GET PHYSICAL
WHEEL of fitness
Anil Juneja

In Sanskrit, Chakra means wheel. The body takes a wheel’s shape in chakra asana. This is also known as Urdhvadhanur asana. Urdhva means elevated or upright and Dhanur stands for bow. This way we may call it ‘Raised Bow Pose’. Both ‘wheel posture’ and ‘raised bow posture’ describe the appearance of this asana. The chakra asana is more challenging than most other yoga postures. It is a backbend that benefits the spine. It strengthens and lengthens every vertebra, therefore increasing elasticity and flexibility of the spine. As you hold yourself up in the pose, you are strengthening your arms, wrists, shoulders and chest as well as stimulating the entire cardiovascular system.

This pose opens up the chest area, strengthening the lungs and allowing more oxygen to enter the rib cage. It improves the respiratory system and is great for those with asthma or any other breathing problem. Chakra asana is very beneficial for the entire nervous and glandular system. It is also helpful for women’s menstrual disorders and uterus problems.

To start with, lie down on the floor with hands near your ears, keeping your elbows in the air. Bend your knees, placing your feet flat on the floor, close to the buttocks. Bend the elbows and bring the palms of your hands underneath your shoulders with the fingertips pointing towards your feet. Now press down into the palms as you lift the torso and hips off the floor. Bring the crown of your head to the mat. Stay in this pose for a moment as you make sure that the elbows are staying parallel and not splaying out to the sides. Straighten the arms as you lift the head off the floor and hold yourself up using your arms, back and legs. Let your head fall backwards. Keep the knees together, stretch the legs without tightening the buttocks, relax the shoulders and try to keep the angle of your wrists and hands at 90 degrees. Now, if possible for you comfortably, along with maintaining this posture, try to bring the hands and feet nearer on the mat so as to make a wheel like structure. The duration at the final posture is according to your comfort; don’t overdo it. Chakra asana can be repeated 2-3 times. It's good to hold the pose for a longer duration but time should be increased gradually with practice. The more you practice, the more flexible your back becomes and less strength is required to do it. It should not be practiced if you have weak wrists or if you are pregnant.

(Juneja is Chandigarh-based yoga expert)

green thumb
Foliage beauty
Satish Narula

Space constraints have made the garden-in-the-vicinity almost a thing of the past; leave alone the ones in the houses. However, whatever space is available; one must develop not just a garden but a vibrant garden. The garden is vibrant only when it has colour all through the year. And with careful planning one can achieve it.

The range of plants is tremendous with respect to texture, colour and flowers. With judicious planning and selection of the material, one can give the garden a unique look. Options are open whether you want to go in for foliage, flowers or the two-in-one. Those with beautiful foliage may produce beautiful flowers and when these are not in bloom, the gap is filled by the foliage beauty.

The ultimate in foliage beauty is the Cassava plant, just because this is the only time of the year when it is planted. Also called Manihot, it is in fact the staple food in some of the African nations. The plant bears starchy tubers at the base, like sweet potato. In winter, the plant sheds leaves and goes dormant. The plant foliage is very attractive as the lobed leaves are green at the margin with yellow variegation in the middle. The leaf petiole (the attachment) is long and pink. The plant is easy to multiply by way of cuttings. The cuttings should be made about eight to ten inches long. They should be inserted two-thirds in the soil. The plant grows very fast and at times is also used in mass planting for quick screening. However, being deciduous, it sheds leaves in winter. At that time it can be pruned eight to ten inches from the ground. This plant does not, however, bear any significant flowers.

And if you are looking for a shrub that has both the advantages of flowers and foliage, then go in for the variegated hardy hibiscus. The foliage is tri-colour as the green leaves have white variegation and a tinge of pink, which is growth stage related. The shrub bears contrasting deep scarlet flowers, which add to the plant’s colour kitty.

It is not only shrubs that have such wonderful colours. There are winter annuals like nasturtium that bear variegated foliage and contrasting bold flowers. The variegation in this case could be white or yellow. The plants may be grown in pots or beds even in semi-shade.

(Narula is a well-known horticulturist.)

Star Track

Jaya Bachchan Back on screen

Jaya Bachchan was last seen as Abhishek Bachchan’s mother in Drona, She played the narrator in Paa. She will now do a full-fledged role in a movie called Taak Jhaank and will be paired with Naseeruddin Shah for the first time.

Jaya Bachchan

Mishra’s muse: Chitrangda Singh Leading lady

Sudhir Mishra’s favourite actress Chitrangda Singh will finally play the lead role in Mehrunnisa. UTV wanted Katrina or Vidya but he has opted for her and she is doing the movie which is woman centric.

Mishra’s muse: Chitrangda Singh

New choice

Priyanka Chopra might fill in the shoes left behind by Deepika Padukone after she walked out of Race 2. Ramesh Taurani sent an urgent SMS to Priyanka asking her to be part of the movie which is already on the floors. She had been considered earlier too so let us hope she does the movie.

Happy girl

Sonam Kapoor is really happy these days. She did a great interview with a newspaper recently, her Dad Anil Kapoor got her some gifts when he returned home after travelling abroad, and she is energetic enough to work out in the morning!

Agneepath’s box office magic

Agneepath has crossed the Rs 100 crore mark last week and will stay in theatres for a while. The new releases are no match for it. The only major release this week is Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu.

Wanted and Haunted

Vikram Bhatt wants Anushka Sharma to star in the sequel to Haunted. Will she agree to do it? We will see! She is busy with two big films right now!

In demand: Anushka Sharma

Chatter box

False reports

Mouni Roy is irked with reports of her tantrums on the sets of Life Ok's Devon Mein Dev Mahadev. She explains, "They aren't true and are totally baseless." Sources claim that as a young actor, she simply expresses her opinions and which shouldn't be thought of as tantrums. Mouni has been appreciated in the show for the role of Sati.

Life on hold

Mona Singh has got a new gadget and she is addicted to it. She recently bought a Blackberry cellphone and didn't waste time learning the tricks to handle her phone. She is currently seen in Sony's Kya Hua Tera Vaada and on the sets, she is seen fiddling with her phone and asking people when she gets stuck..

Reel work, real fame

Television actors live for fame and Angad Hasija was thrilled to know that his fans not only know him by the names of the characters he has played on telly but also by his real name. He is currently doing Zee's Ram Milayi Jodi. This happened when he went to visit a friend and kids from the vicinity called out his name.

TV calling

Rahul Mahajan's wife Dimpy will soon make a debut on TV with Sahara One's Kahani Chandrakanta Ki. Dimpy was a model before she participated in a reality show and married Mahajan. She will be seen in the role of Nagin Jwala who along with Naag Jeevan will take revenge from Daku Mangal Singh

U-turn for Navya

On public demand, the Shaheer Sheikh -Soumya Seth starrer Star Plus' show Navya has been retained. The show was axed and replaced with a new one. Now Navya will air at 6pm from February 14. The show delivered good TRPs rating, so it was a surprise to see it go off air.

Back in form: Soumya Seth

Confession time

In Zee TV's Hitler Didi, Indira (Rati Pandey) will dress up and meet Rishi (Sumit Vats) on Valentine's day. She will be dressed in a pretty salwar kameez, cool hairdo and not her regular Kurti and plait. Indira will then confess her love to Rishi in variety of ways.

LOVE struck: Rati Pandeyp

Pratyusha isn’t single anymore!

The rumours of Pratyusha Banerjee dating Manish Raisinghania have been doing rounds for quite some time. But the television actress has finally broken her silence and accepted that she is dating someone else.

In reply to our text message, the actress wrote: “It’s true. I am dating someone called Rishabh Jain. But I can’t divulge any details now.” From what we have learnt about Pratyusha’s boyfriend is that he hails from a rich background based in Mumbai and owns a Ferrari.

We must say… great pick, Pratyusha!

Freaky traveller

India calling: Gaurav Kapoor

Earlier this year, Gaurav went on an extensive hunt on Facebook to find the perfect whacko and zeroed down on Brij Bhakta - a stand-up comedian who returned to India from America. Aided with his natural talent for comical antics, Brij goes on a crazy journey in India to unleash his inner freak... and boy!

Talking about the launch of the show, Gaurav Kapur says, “The very concept of Freaky Traveller enthralled me. During the hunt for a travel jockey, a first in its kind, I was amazed at the contestants’ confidence and willingness to go the extra mile. We were particularly looking for someone who was confident, had presence of mind, was uninhibited and had a whacky sense of humour. We found all that and much more in Brij Bhakta. He was the ideal host for the show, the apt Freaky Traveller! It was a wonderful experience grooming him as he went across India, taking a different spin on how he saw the world. It has been a fun journey indeed and I’m sure the viewers would enjoy the show as much as we did.”

Comedy king Brij gets his freak on, as he is determined to experience the crazy side of travel. In Freaky Traveller, Brij is a freak on the loose, exploring India through his whacky sense of humor.

Astro turf
P Khurrana

ARIES: Not much out of the ordinary is likely to transpire today. Pearls of wisdom from an older person are valuable. Take stock of your plans. Running around after other people all the time may not leave much time for you. Tarot message: Boost your confidence with positive thinking. Lucky colour: Aqua blue. Magic number: 38.

TAURUS: A phone call in the evening may cheer you up. Business conferences and organisational meeting can go off smoothly under your direction, building your self-esteem and reputation. Tarot message: Avoid situations that may turn nasty. Lucky colour: Mauve. Magic number: 59

GEMINI: You’ll prefer not to share your thoughts or ideas with people from your past. If you are thinking of rekindling a past love affair, make plans for a weekend retreat just for the two of you and reignite the fire. Tarot message: Results are guaranteed if you stick to arrangements. Lucky colour: Navy blue. Magic number: 47

CANCER: Give more time to domestic duties. There will be good vibes around. Love and friendship are likely to take up most of your time. Spending time with family will ensure that all your dreams come true. Tarot message: Do not let anyone take advantage of you. Lucky colour: White. Magic number: 53

LEO: Even if you may be surrounded by friends, feelings of loneliness may remain. Fantasy can play a large part in actions, so try to exercise good judgment. An Internet romance can flourish. Tarot message: Do not cover up your own mistakes and keep emotions aside. Lucky colour: Saffron. Magic number: 30

VIRGO: There will be new projects to deal with. Friends will be coming with useful ideas. The urge to escape and whisper sweet nothings could take you away from a family get-together. Tarot message: Don’t get embroiled in ventures where returns are spread over a large period of time. Lucky colour: Sky blue. Magic number: 31

LIBRA: Home and family life run smoothly. You will get more time to do what you want. Co-workers will be controversial. There may be a message from your unconscious that will become clear by the end of the day. Pamper yourself a little today. Tarot message: Avoid gossip sessions. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 36

SCORPIO: Your health can stand in the way of travel plans. Ensure that your health is up to the mark before applying. Think about what you are going to wear to an upcoming job interview. First impressions play a big part. Tarot message: Love life will be controversial. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 61

SAGITTARIUS: Avoid tiffs and angry words in the heat of the moment. Someone close to you might be sapping your energy with their constant complaining. Tarot message: Be articulate to prevent people from drawing their own conclusion. Lucky colour: Silver. Magic number: 32

CAPRICORN: Investments made in new ventures are sure to bring good dividends. Your mind could be spent plotting fabulous ways to get the things you want, even though you probably won’t ever put them into action. Tarot message: You are advised to focus on professional changes. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 29

AQUARIUS: Use your sympathy more than your ambition for best results. An independent streak will push you to get things done your way. This might not sit well with your partner so remember to use some of the diplomacy. Tarot message: Arrogance and pride will not be rewarded. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 43

PISCES: The vibes now call for reflection and evaluation. Contracts can stall, messages can get mixed up. Finish odd jobs, research on new projects, but don’t try to initiate them yet. Tarot message: You need to be creative if you want to retain your grip over your business. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 65

The year ahead
Madan Gupta Spatu

If your birthday is February 9...

No one else but you will be able to make out all that is happening in 2012. This is to your advantage as you can do much more than what others would expect. You see potential and inner realities that no one else does. You will make out what must be done to make important personal changes. Issues that arise, such as sad and distant memories from the past will be taken care of.

You will feel strong and confident. Use this inner power to get ahead and don’t worry about being assertive. Higher studies such as philosophy, religion and spirituality are favourable. Disputes could arise due to snap judgments and hasty responses. Be gentle.

Travelling may pose some problems and you will have to adjust according to the events that will unfold. But do not by any chance disclose your purpose or profession to a stranger, as it is likely to be misused. There may not be immediate benefits but it will help build useful contacts for your new venture. The stars may not be particularly positive in July causing chaos. Those born before 2000 will have to defend themselves against a disgruntled co-worker’s comments. They should go along with his or her whims to avoid problems. Don’t waste time wondering, waiting, or wandering in search of subtle clues. Instructions will be signaled loud and clear. You will know the time for the next move. For now, the interim serves as a spiritual respite. Don’t stay up too late at night! Some of your friends may not be very enthusiastic about it but don’t get disheartened. Your family will however back you whole-heartedly and the elderly will be generous. Those who are engaged in job and are earning should start thinking about their responsibilities now. Be prepared to face a few small difficulties in office. Take care of your eating and drinking habits. Physical and mental stress will follow you in the next few days. You can meet June with a radiant aura. It’s time to celebrate with people who love you. Beware of messages on e-mails or SMS especially in April. If you’re unclear about what information is being exchanged, grab a translator or get it down on the paper before you agree to anything. Mood: Cheerful and very expressive. Compatible signs: Leo, Scorpio. Lucky colours: Gold, yellow. Lucky days: Monday. Lucky numbers: 4, 11, 15, 23, 25. Lucky gem: Tourmaline - The rainbow gemstone. Lucky flower: Christmas rose

Amrita Singh (February 9, 1958, New Delhi) is daughter of Shivinder Singh and Rukshana Sultana. She is niece of Khushwant Singh. She is the only one who has done lead roles with both Dharmendra and son, Sunny Deol, and has proved to be an actress who is not afraid of doing negative roles. Amrita Singh left her career when she married Saif Ali Khan even though he was younger to her. In 2004 Amrita and Saif Ali Khan decided to part ways.