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In a FLASH
People gather everywhere — clubs, markets, railway stations. Flash mob, a concept which was initiated in the US in 2003 by a popular fashion magazine, has turned into a worldwide rage. India first came face-to-face with this when the famous Rang De Basanti song played and a young girl danced to her heart's content, till it took shape of synchronised hands, feet, movements and a collection of 100-odd dancers at Mumbai CST. The frenzy has no signs of leaving Chandigarh just yet!
The city was yet again swept by the enthusiasm roped in by a flash mob, when some 50-odd students from the Chemical Engineering Department of Panjab University broke into a flash mob performance in Sector 17 on Wednesday. Talking about the same, Latika Singh, a final-year student of Food Technology, says, "The prime objective was to promote our annual festival Cyanide. Cyanide represents dance, mastic and magic, which is the essence of a flash mob." The response has been overwhelming. "We had to re-do the performance today and had no place in the department," she adds. Taking it to another level, the flash mob was followed by a freeze mob. "We all froze in our places for 15 seconds, till someone from the mob screamed Cyanide and we again broke into a dance," shares Aeshwarya Kalra, a young participant of the mob. Training 50 people at the same time can be overwhelming of course. "We wanted to add everything in this mob," shares Abhishek Sharma, choreographer of Steps in Dance School. Alumni of the department, he was approached by the students and is upbeat about it. Jas K Shan, dance instructor of one of the well-executed flash mobs in Chandigarh, shares her point of view. "I had been thinking about one since the past three years but after Mumbai happened, there was more talk and thought of it," she says. Having gathered 40-45 persons for the dance performance on a medley in Sector 17 on January 22, Jas is certain that the flash mob stood true to its spirit. "Our performance was not based on an organisation or a purpose except promoting community health," she smiles. Running a dance school Dance Dacha, Jas made it a point to not showcase it at any point. Aman Behl, an active part of the flash mob, says, "It has been one of the best experiences of my life. The most interesting part was the bhangra." It happened on December 30 that a bunch of great dancers in a leading software firm got together within the office premises to break into a creatively executed routine. Anhad Gill, a test engineer with the firm, laughs, "I would not call it a flash mob." A place where over 5,000 employees work and 90 per cent don't step out of their cubicles, it's not easy to bring people together. "Yes, on those lines, it can be called a flash mob," he adds. Tackling a group of 40-45 people is perhaps a tad bit simple; the problem begins when the strength goes up to 200. At a recent flash mob, organised in Sector 17 by a dance school, the increased strength meant more enthusiasm, fun and thrill. Sharing the details of the same, Rajiv Garg of the Dance World says, "The main purpose of the flash mob was to reduce stress levels in Chandigarh and bring some cheer to the city." Having worked with 10 choreographers for coordinating the 200-odd dancers, everyone, including the crowd, wanted to be an active part of it! vasudha@tribunemail.com
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Fluid as motion
What started with a Vishnu Vandana, on the tunes of Vijay Sharma on the sitar, Hari Mohan on the tabla and Madho Prasad on the Harmonium and vocals, the foot movement kept the audience gripped till the very end. The performance moved on to the exact description of Draupadi’s chir haran from the Mahabhatra. The grace of Krishna’s calm during Drapuadi’s turmoil was as flawless as it was remarkable. From talking about how the mythologies were still relevant in today’s day and age in terms of how the mother earth was being taken advantage of, she next held the stage till the very end. The focus shifted to Buddha, from the point of view of Yashodhara. As the performance drew to a close, it concluded with a splendid sawaal jawaab. Totally in sync with the vocals, the show ended with a bang. As she settled comfortably to interact, she looked every bit more graceful in her neon-pink outfit. “My tryst with dance began at the age of two, when my mother was tired of my random questions,” she laughs. Trained under the likes of Guru Kundan Lal and Pandit Birju Maharaj, this Padma Shri moved the passion of her dance along with her father’s transfers, prioritising her education as well. “Dance for me is like my breath. I just cannot separate myself from it,” she smiles. Despite being a classical dancer all her life, it is interesting to observe how she still remains in awe of the dance form. “In classical dance, the deeper you go into it, the more beautiful it becomes,” she says. Quoting an example of how infinite the boundaries of kathak are, she says, “Kaun gali gayo shaam can be interpreted in several ways. Directly as where has lord Krishna gone or indirectly as the process of life and death,” she says. Talking about the Lucknow gharana, she speaks about its origin. “There have been so many gharanas in the past. The current Lucknow gharana came to light in 1895. Today, there is a talk of Delhi gharana; who knows one day it may be the only gharana in Indian classical music,” she laughs. A PhD in physics and an IAS officer, she firmly believes that taking short-cuts in life is never a way to success. “The passion to do everything in life comes from the heart,” she says, leaving us spellbound in the magic of classical movements. vasudha@tribunemail.com
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Challenges for Sabyasachi
This week on Band Baajaa Bride with Sabyasachi, meet Aditi Charkavarthy, a modern-day Bengali who has no idea about the rituals of Bengali weddings! She approaches the Band Baajaa Bride team with a unique request, her parents want her to look every bit the traditional Bengali bride. Sabyasachi grabs the opportunity to return to his roots and to style Aditi at her bong best. However, there's more to the challenge. With just 20 days to her wedding, Aditi wants to straighten out her crooked teeth, add volume to her scanty short hair and treat her skin to be at her glowing best! The team ropes in the experts and throws in a bonus; the lover of all things Bengali, and muse of Sabyasachi, actor Vidya Balan! While Vidya has some great advice for a star-struck Aditi, will our bride make the most of it? Will she love her makeover? Will her parents appreciate her traditional avatar?
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Life Ok for Karanvir
Karanvir Bohra's riding on the success wave of his show Saubhagvati Bhava on Life Ok. The actor talks about how he took the show on, his love for kathak and his wife.
Well, he is a family friend and once when I was at his place, we got talking and he wondered why I wasn't seen on TV. He suggested that TV was a very powerful medium and I should grab the next best offer. As the offers coming to me in last three years post Prem in Kasauti Zindagi Kay were all similar roles, none excited me. But luckily the next day guys from UTV called me and I loved my character Viraj and I signed on. What do you feel about the response to the show? Yes, I guess a good story is what the audiences need. Viraj and Jahnvi's life and their love has worked because it is different and unlike other stories on TV. Do you take this negative role home? Not at all. Moreover, I am enjoying doing this role and I consciously stayed away from watching Darr or Agni Sakshi as I didn't want to be inspired by either Shah Rukh Khan or Nana Patekar. I feel Viraj isn't negative but he follows his thoughts and actions the way he feels best. Tell us about learning Kathak. I have been learning Kathak since three
years. It has been a mind blowing experience. I got hooked on and I have never looked back. — HRM
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Kareena’s kitty
A source says, “The prime reason is that Karan Johar was very happy with her work in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. The movie has been critically acclaimed and commercially succesful. They both are best friends so he has convinced Ekta to cast her in the movie. Ekta wanted Katrina but Karan convinced her about Kareena. It is a very big and significant role. The filming begins in December and this film could be the reason that Kareena’s wedding has been postponed. Kareena has opted out of Chennai Express and the sequel to Once Upon a Time in Mumbai so she is free to do this film and everything is in place. Newbie Akshay Roy will direct the film.” The source continues, “Ekta and Karan have been friends and have wanted to work together for a while. They are now deciding their hero. Emraan Hashmi might be roped in.” This film seems interesting for sure! Kareenahas been seen in Ek
Main Aur Ekk Tu and Talaash, Agent Vinod, and Heroine are her other big releases this year. This film releases in 2012.
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Big B in a resting mode
It is in common knowledge that India’s biggest-ever megastar Amitabh Bachchan is ailing and hospitalised. A few days ago the tweet-happy bigwig posted a message on his Twitter saying he was feeling better and could walk a few steps. This gave a gist to his countless fans that Big B is seriously ill and might take some time to fully get back in action.
But his recent tweet has come as a bigger dampener; though it is positive in nature. Bachchan has tweeted, “Looks like a few more days then, before they set me free but recovery at home will be another few months.” This clearly indicates that though the superstar’s health is getting better, he is not going to
be working for quite some time now! “Brand Bachchan has always been about the most spectacular comebacks. History has it that when he began his career, he wasn’t successful as expected. But he came back into his own after 11 flops to rule the box-office,” points out a source from the industry. He adds, “After his unfortunate accident during the making of Coolie, Big B once again made a remarkable recovery and a comeback, emerging a stronger brand than ever before. Then, after colossal flops like Mrityudaata during the end of the nineties
and a seemingly-doomed acting career, he returned as an icon for get next with Kaun Banega Crorepati and went on to rewrite history.” “These and many more comebacks that Amitabh Bachchan has had, render him unstoppable. He is a super-strong person from within and is sure to bounce back this time too,” avers the Bollywood PR guru who has also handled the media for two of Bachchan’s movies Boom and Aetbaar. Here’s wishing Big B a speedy recovery. Hope we get to see him on the
big and small screen with the same energy and gusto soon enough.
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Malika stands out and how!
Actress Lisa Haydon’s sister Malika feels that her item number in Saif Ali Khan starrer Agent Vinod will stand out despite leading lady Kareena Kapoor’s
mujra. Kareena, who is exploring the old genre of mujra with Dil Mera Muft Ka, which is choreographed by Saroj Khan, turned to veteran Rekha for inspiration.
“I don’t think the song (I’ll Do The Talking) would get overshadowed by it (mujra) as both the songs are of different styles they bring something different on the table,” Malika said. With the item song making quite a rage, the makers of Agent Vinod have roped in Malika for yet another special number titled Pyaar Ki Pungi, crooned by Mika featuring Malika and Saif. “It is different from the other usual item songs. It is different from Sheila’s, Chikni Chameli’s and all. It is not like that at all. It is clubby, bouncy feel good kind of a song (sic),” she said. Mailka said Pyar ki Pungi takes the story forward whereas I’ll Do The Talking is just a promotional song. —PTI
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More than a legacy
A true Baul is he who searches for God in humans…thousands of years old Bengali Baul tradition would have remained confined to just West Bengal had Nabani Das Khepa Baul, a contemporary and associate of Rabindranath Tagore, not expressed the desire to his son that the art form should be taken to various countries across the globe.
Purna Chandra Das Baul Samrat fulfilled his father's wish and went on to participate in the World Youth Festival in USSR during the 1960s. Since then, there has been no looking back. If his ancestors were wandering minstrels, so is Purna Chandra but he has taken the art across continents. He has performed with many famous artistes right from Mick Jagger (lead singer of The Rolling Stone) to Bob Dylan (who placed Purna Chandra on the cover of John Wesley Harding in 1968). This Baul legend has performed with the likes of John Buzz, Allen Ginsberg, Bob Marley and Peter Gabriel; and at places every budding artiste aspires to be, including the Royal Albert Hall. In Chandigarh on Wednesday, as part of Natyanjali organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Purna Chandra, eighth generation Baul singer, was accompanied by his son Dibyendu Das and grandson Alingan Das, who are proudly carrying the legacy forward. A Baul sings of mysteries of the world in simple words. They sing and dance to the accompaniment of traditional instruments, but they insist that Baul tradition is the 'expression of the soul'. Sung in Bengali, is it difficult to cross language barriers? "Not at all; a Baul believes in uniting all and moving ahead," says Purna Chandra. And, how else would one explain his packed itinerary with performances across the world and 300 plus students of different nationalities in the Baul School located at Las Vegas? Dibyendu Das does the explaining, "We would have rather set up the university in India but we found more support in the USA." But then this doesn't deter the family from carrying on with their work. "Baul is our way of life," says Purna Chandra, who sings the songs that consider our body as the vehicle of the soul and gives a message of searching the inner-self. mona@tribunemail.com
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A theatre called dance
Each one of us is born with a passion. Rajashree Shirke thought of performing in an auditorium with a packed audience during her childhood, but she got to live her dream much later in life.
Today a known exponent of classical dance (she learnt kathak as well as bharatnatyam), Rajashree has found her vocabulary in dance and her purpose in dance theatre. In Chandigarh on Wednesday, as part of Natyanjali for the premier of her newest work Khata, Rajashree shares with us issues close to her heart. A dancer, choreographer and director, if there is one role that's closest to Rajashree's heart, it's certainly dance. "Dance gives you confidence and happiness. With confidence, one can achieve all that one wants to and if happy, one can give happiness to those around." Rajashree is incessantly working on the issues close to her heart and in the language that she admires - dance theatre. She picks up powerful stories and gives them a beautiful treatment. Khata (Exercise Book), based on a short story by Rabindranath Tagore, explores the social dictates that strangles the individuality of a young bride Uma (9). "The story stresses on the need to allow women to find space of their own. Things are changing for better but there is still a lot to be done," says Rajashree. Her earlier works Manush Biradari and Ayoni deal with issues like female infanticide and a girl caught up in difficult circumstances (read prostitution), respectively. "I try to deal with problems in a positive way. When we take Manush Biradari to villages so many women show up backstage, sharing their new-found resolve," says Rajashree who has also founded Lasya, Centre for Dance Education and Research. "Among other works at Lasya, I also teach dance to underprivileged young girls. One thing is for sure —I am not letting these girls become maids. I want to give them the confidence to shine brightly in any field they choose," says Rajashree. mona@tribunemail.com
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For art's sake
The Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi invites applications for Sohan Qadri Fellowship for art.
The Fellowship is being sponsored by Sohan Qadri Foundation. Purvi Qadri, President of the foundation and daughter of Sohan Qadri has initiated this fellowship. Qadri
was a well known artist of Punjab.
The applicant should be between 25 and 45 years of age in various streams such as drawing/ painting/mix media / installation / photography / graphics-print making and sculpture. Artists Residing and or employed in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali are eligible for the fellowship. Selected artist would get Rs 1 lakh as fellowship during a period of one year. The fellowship is aimed at providing talented artists a platform to continue their research to develop new ideas in their respective disciplines. The forms are available at the academy website www.lalitkalachandigarh.com and also the Akademi office in State Library, Sector 34 A, Govt. College of Art and Chandigarh College
of Architecture. — tns
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The most enthralling part of the dance performance was creating the entire setting of the epics with the sheer movements of the body. Such was the magic that came to life when bureaucrat-cum-danseuse Shovana Narayan, invited for a lecture demonstration by the Government Home Science College in association with the Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY), was performing.
It is heard that Salman Khan persuaded you to do TV again.
Kareena Kapoor has been signed on to play the female lead in a romantic film jointly produced by Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor. Katrina was in the running but Kareena has been chosen over her.