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The wor(l)d of silence, sounds
Without a doubt, internationally acclaimed poet Sudeep Sen, in Chandigarh at the invitation of Department of English, Punjab University, has a way with words. So he sways his enraptured listeners not only when he recites his poetry but also with his teasing repartees that are at once engaging and profound as he parries a volley of queries. Suitably eloquent with a sardonic sense of humour in place, he makes an easy connect with his audiences at the English auditorium who sit for two long hours to listen to him.
Sen who teaches at universities world over, says, “People are receptive provided you don’t talk down at them in a heavy-handed fashion, but reach out gently.” Poetry, he muses, emanates from feelings, but “needs to be chiseled into art”. About love poems, he says “the falling-in-love syrupy variant” is limiting, but tapping into the “Hindu concept of rasas has limitless possibilities.” Navrasas of Indian classical arts have deeply influenced him. Living in Delhi in a Bengali space with a liberal universal ethos, he grew up in a family that celebrated arts and sciences. No wonder dance and music, even architecture and physics, often make their presence felt in his poems. In one inspired by none other than legendary Bharatnatyam dancer, Leela Samson, he even follows the unique taal-metre. He says, “Poetry, the most distilled of all forms, can encapsulate other art forms.” Much of creative writing and art, he agrees, does stem from personal spaces. How much one is willing to reveal depends on how sophisticated one has become and how well one has learned the craft to clothe them. A fine line divides the personal and the universal, classical erotica and pornography. As he has penned a “suite of erotic poems”, he wonders aloud why few modern poets venture into this realm where “much can be understated provided you get the pitch right.” Form, metre and rhythm are important to this poet who deems, “poetry ultimately is music.” So he fails to fathom those whose poetry he call “constipated”, one that is “completely devoid of feelings and passion.” Does poetry come like a torrent? Well, he still is submerged under the deluge of words that has spanned over 15 books of poetry, as he jokes, “I would like to build a dam around the floodgates of words.” On a serious note, poetry for this mortal man is a way of “saying his prayers.” So he devotes two hours each day — not always writing -- but reviewing, reading or translating poetry. He may feel that “a good poem defies translation,” but he has translated poetry of many languages into English. As several of his own, translated into Punjabi, were read out by research scholars of Chandigarh, he is “touched and thrilled”. But whether he thinks one can best write only in one’s native language, he whose poetry is being taught at over 15 international universities, doesn’t think English is a foreign tongue. For him, it is as much his mother tongue, as Bengali or Hindi is. The poet whose first poem came in high school “yawning through a boring Hindi lesson” and whose first book was published when he was all of 24, however, didn’t start writing to get published. “I was, and till am, in a mad pursuit of language, drunk with words.” Yet it’s not the world of words that he aims to create. But blessed with what he calls an invisible “third eye or antenna” that picks up “unheard whispers, sounds” in everyday spaces – he seeks silence. So, whether it’s the poem on Kargil, or on his grandfather, or unposted letters, or the understated passion of lovemaking, he “reveals as much as he conceals”. He writes, “Art in its purest form, never reveals all”, and in another context it is true for his art too.
Honing poetic talent “Poets are born, not made, and yet the actual craft can always be improved upon,” believes Sudeep Sen, the recipient of the prestigious ‘Pleiades’ honour at the world’s oldest poetry festival in Macedonia, the Struga Poetry Festival. Awarded the Hawthornden Fellowship (UK) and nominated for a Pushcart Prize (USA), he will be a conducting workshop for research scholars and poets this week. Postmarked India, Postcards from Bangladesh, Prayer Flag, Distracted Geographies and Rain are some of his many works.
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Rihanna eyeing fashion career
R&B star Rihanna, who recently designed a collection for Giorgio Armani, is now eying a career in the world of fashion.
The 24-year-old said she has been playing around with style designs and even tries to give Armani
some advice.
"We have a pretty good relationship now since we have been working together on the campaigns and I've been designing a capsule line for his collection so he trusts my designs a little bit now so I get to play with him. It's great. "I designed it with Giorgio. It was a collaboration and I helped him design it. I wanted something a little bit Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface... simple but sexy and a little gangster at the same time. I think it just showed that we work
really well together," Rihanna said. — PTI
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Nothing comic about this!
Are you a comedy-cracker or an imbalanced personality? This is probably the first question you tend to ask on meeting Sorabh Pant in person. "I'm
basically a very serious person in reality, but comedy is one thing that gets me attention and I
would thank my humor skills for that."
He adds, "In fact, comedians are the most frustrated lot of people." Sorabh Pant, the famous stand-up comedian, was in Chandigarh on Tuesday at Smoke House Deli, Sector-7, Chandigarh, to launch his book and for an evening show. Sorabh, who is busy with corporate and commercial shows, has written a book titled The Wednesday Soul. The lead character in the story was literally nagging Sorabh to write about her, "The story revolves around Nyra Dubey, who according to me is a Wednesday soul with a suicidal tendency in her subconscious." The book comes with the writer's thought that the soul of a dead person travels to the sun. We wonder what genre the book belongs to! "Being a comedy person, my book definitely belongs to the comedy and fantasy genre." It's rather complicated that the plot is about the galaxy travel of a soul. The Wednesday Soul is part one of The Sunday
Souls trilogy. As a writer he's written columns for newspapers (The Deccan Chronicle, Sunday Guardian and Mid-day), magazines (Man's World, Society, Noise Factory and Yuva) and for TV
(Pogo's show Dr. Kholkar and for Channel V). And it nearly took him five years to write his first book. "It's not that I was a good writer from the beginning, but I started writing diary pages when I was eleven. I always wanted to write a book, as I read a lot." Sorabh promises that the sequel to the book will not take that long. What about acting in movies? "At present I don't have time for films, as I'm busy touring for shows and promoting my book." He has toured India with 150 plus shows in 18 cities. He has also toured with Rob Schneider, Wayne Brady and Vir Das; and will hit foreign shores in 2012 with shows in Hong Kong, Singapore and the US. Sorabh shares more, "I'm a real performer but trust me, you don't have to be a performer to be a stand-up comedian. One has to be genuinely funny and spontaneous. Preparation and experience count a lot." He spills the beans by saying that there are no hard and fast rules for being a comedian. "Jokes come with being observant and active; comedy is all about feeling the vibes around you." sabiatalwar@tribunemail.com
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Kulraj becomes choosy
She is just three films old in the industry but actress Kulraj Randhawa says she is very conscious about the films she selects and doesn't want to do everything that comes her way.
The 28-year-old, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Chaar Din Ki Chandni opposite Tusshar Kapoor, however, said she doesn't mind doing an item number in a film. "I am new in the industry and so have to be very choosy about what I do. I can't just do any kind of role in a film. I have to be very clear with what I do as it will affect my future in Bollywood. I got a lot of A-list film offers after my first film Chintuji but they were all supporting roles. I want to do main leads and not just a supporting role," Kulraj said.Chaar Din Ki Chandni is a rom-com directed by Samir Karnik. The film will release on March 9. Kulraj is all praises for her co-star Tusshar and feels lucky to have got the opportunity to work with him. "Tushhar is a great guy and I am lucky to have him as my co-star. It is very great of him to have agreed to work with a new comer. He is a very hardworking guy and doesn't have those starry tantrums about him. He is not like other star kids," she said. — PTI
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Fun, frolic… colour
Each year, the festival of Holi grows in spirit and gaiety. This time around, those who are not game for private parties or do not want to waste the day snoring away to glory, can move out and have real fun. Here’s a look at some events taking place in and around Chandigarh.
The most happening Holi is expected at Fun City where famous Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh will perform live. At an entry fee of just Rs 600, you can have a lot of fun in the amusement and water park. With unlimited drinks and scrumptious snacks from the cafeteria, the party will be on till 4 pm. Rain bash A Holi bash without a rain dance party is just so incomplete. The X-tronic discotheque at Sector-17, Chandigarh, is all set to drench you at its rooftop with DJ Ravi spinning the discs to make you dance your heart out. The charges are Rs 500 per couple and Rs 700 for stags, along with coupons of half the price of your passes. Organic treat The Univishwa Cosmic Life Research Centre, adjoining Indus Valley Country Club, on the Chandigarh-Delhi expressway, is going green by organising an organic Holi rain dance party. With a dress code of white kurta pyjamas and slippers, one can enjoy a variety of music such as live classical ragas, sitar, tabla, live rock bands, college DJs, dhols and a lot more. One can also indulge in barefoot soccer, beach volleyball and treat your taste buds to green salads, fresh fruits and rajmah-chawal. For students passes are for Rs 200 per person and for adults Rs 500 per person. Rock on At Rock Garden, the entry is strictly restricted to families and couples. DJ Amit will make you dance and groove along with a war of DJs for a rain dance party. Coloured platter The Water Court Cafe, KC Royal Park, Panchkula, brings a special menu with a colourful spread of spring-inspired dishes on March 7 and 8 from 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm. Holi is just incomplete without the not-to-miss ‘Thandai’, Gujiyas’ and special Til Ke Laddoo. The special dinner menu will also cover different cuisines from Awadhi, International and Oriental spread. The live stations would dish out delectable dishes like chaat and kulcha cholla. Some of the other mouth-watering dishes include aloo chaat chakori, dahi bhalle, rasik paneer tikka, satrangi chicken seekh and kanji ke vade. Then there are gratifying desserts like rasili gujiya, Mathura narangi rasgulla, angoori rabri, multi-coloured fruit shortcakes, Four Season Panacotta. The buffet is priced at Rs 699 (plus taxes) per person.
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Art of eating
Parents, who usually battle with their children not to play with their food at dinner time, may have found a solution to all their problems in a plate that encourages kids to consume fruit and vegetables. Boguslaw Sliwinski, a Polish designer, has designed a new range of dinner plates for children that are printed with fun designs that encourage them to play with their food in a bid to make them eat it.
The crockery contains line drawings of a lorry with a bare trailer, a train with empty carriages and a crane with an unfilled pallet. It allows children and their parents to push vegetables and other food around the plate to fill the gaps - filling and emptying the trailer, carriages and pallet. The white ceramic plates, which also feature a container ship and a forklift truck, are available in eight inch and ten inch versions. The 34-year-old hopes his plates will make meal times less stressful for parents and more enjoyable for children. “Every parent knows what a nightmare it is getting children to eat,” he said. “Most mums tell their children not to play with their dinner but I think kids are more likely to eat it if they are allowed to play with it too. The plates are being sold online and cost 18.60 pounds each. —ANI
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Power of love
Divya Dutta
I was packing for a long outdoor for two of my films, one in Delhi and the other in Punjab. Both are big films and I am very excited about them. One is Neeraj Pandey’s Special Chabees with Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpai, Jimmy Shergill and Anupam Kher and the other, well, will tell you next week! So, the packing was on in full swing and my room was a mess. I soon got tired of packing and thought of going to my friend’s place for a get-together. I came back pretty late but mom and sakhi were still awake. As I was leaving in the morning, mom asked if I needed any help for packing and I told her I’d do it in the morning! As my room was all clothes, I decided to sleep in ma’s room. When I woke up in the morning, I saw ma doing yoga next to the window with my purses and jewellery box scattered around and I asked her if she was looking for something and why she had opened up the purses and the box? She looked surprised and she thought I was packing and I had done that. Pin-drop silence before I realised what had happened! I ran to my room and saw the closet and drawers open! Yes, we had been burgled. I called the cops. The thief had taken some gold ornaments and left behind my fake jewellery. It seemed like someone sat in my room araam se and shopped for what he wanted with us blissfully sleeping in the next room. My dog didn’t hear anything either! The cops came. The investigations started. We discovered two pairs of small feet. Someone was walking up my house and it was such a scary thought! And the cops were asking questions. It felt like a film scene, where I was mouthing my dialogues! It was all over the channels and all my friends called to find out what happened. Never experienced something like this before. I thanked god for two things, one, that my family was safe. And two, the fact that there are so many out there who genuinely care for me! For the love that I have earned till now, which probably no thief can ever steal. (Dutta is a Bollywood actor)
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No item song for Karisma
Rowdy Rathore is an action comedy directed by Prabhudeva and prodyced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It stars Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha. The item song was Bhojpuri style and will be done by three item girls. They are Maryam Zakaria of Agent Vinod fame, Mumaith Khan of Munnabhai MBBS fame, and Shakti Mohan, winner of Dance India Dance season 3. A friend of Karisma says, “If Karisma wasn’t married with children, she would have taken up the song. She can nail it even today because she is terrific. Now her image is different and classy and it has evolved over the years. She doesn’t want to take too many risks because she is answerable to her children and husband.” A source says,“The three girls are talented dancers and the song has been shot and the makers are happy with it. It has a village set up and is raunchy. It will do wonders for their careers in Bollywood. Things didn’t work out with Karisma for various reasons. Even Jiah Khan was considered for it but she has lost a lot of weight and skinny girls cannot do item songs so the idea of casting her in the song |
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Hot and happening
A source close to Arjun says, “Parkour will help him become more flexible and that will help him with dancing in other films. It is for the first time he is playing a cop so he wants to give his character an edge. Parkour is all about making quick and graceful movements as seen in the opening scene of Casino Royale. It looks difficult initially but anyone can do it with the right trainer and dedication and practice. Arjun trained vigorously for his chiseled look in Ra.One too. He likes working out and trying different fitness techniques. He has trained in a Japanese form called Tabata too.” Other Bollywood actors who have trained in Parkour are Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, and Kunal Kapoor. Arjun Rampal will be seen next in Heroine with Kareena Kapoor. Chakravyuh will release in late 2012 or early 2013. The film is directed by Prakash Jha and also stars Abhishek Bachchan. It is about the Maoist insurgency.
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Almost famous
The 21-year-old, who has been in the industry since the age of 14, also said she knew what she was doing when she got into the movie business, reported a website. “I always think it’s kind of strange when actors are shocked by fame, or claim to be disgusted by it. It’s kind of like, ‘Really? You knew what you were doing. You’re in movies’. You can’t put walls around yourself and say, ‘No, I’ll only let myself get this successful’,” Lawrence said. Despite her views on fame, the Hunger Games star has “banned” herself from searching her name on the internet. “It was such a bad idea and I shouldn’t have done it. And I’ve banned myself from doing it again because it’s so masochistic and such a terrible way to start my morning,” she added. — PTI
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Not so young!
Reason? Well, the director feels that he was born old at heart. “Am going to be 40 in may!!! And filming with these 20+ actors has made me realise this is definitely my last stint at a “young” film!!! At heart i think i was born old....even at 25 i felt more easy directing the second half of K2H2....,” he wrote on his Twitter page. He added: “Everytime #K3G is shown on satellite i get so many messages and tweets!!! Its truly humbling to know the love the film has worldwide!!!! And i still remember on the weekend of its release the critic basing had got me really depressed!!! I thought it was going to be a disaster.” The film will release by the fall of 2012. “The 3 kids in SOTY are lovely!!! Sid has a silent strong charm....Varun has a real fun bratty appeal...Alia is vivacious and super cute!!! Will launch their first images on twitter really soon!!!! For everyone asking SOTY is short for STUDENT OF THE YEAR...the film i am directing currently and will release in the fall of 2012!!!” he updated.
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Exit route
Hollywood actress Goldie Hawn has reportedly dropped out of her upcoming US TV show The Viagra Diaries. Hawn, 66, has not been seen onscreen since the release of The
Banger Sisters a decade ago and she was slated to make her big return as a newly
single woman, who finds herself alone after 35 years of marriage, a publication reported.
However, the veteran star has now pulled out of the television channels network project after allegedly falling out with TV bosses. The Viagra Diaries, created by Sex and the City producer Darren Starr, will now continue on without Hawn under the direction of Bridesmaids filmmaker Paul Feig. — PTI dropped out: Goldie Hawn
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I am not a party girl: Mila Kunis
Hollywood actress Mila Kunis says she would rather be at home with a nice glass of wine than out partying.
"I don't go out very often. I prefer to stay home and have a nice little beverage and watch television. I can make anything out of leftovers. I want to be a judge on Top Chef. My glass of wine and I are besties." "People have interpretations of what you're supposed to be like. If you're unattractive and overweight, you must have a great personality. If you're attractive, then you must not be the nicest person. People are always taken aback that I'm easy going but not necessarily stupid," Kunis said. The actress also said she started acting because
her family couldn't afford a babysitter. "And there was this place advertised on the radio as a place for kids to meet other kids. My parents couldn't afford a babysitter. They said, 'Great, that takes up our Saturday'," she added. — PTI
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A different screen
To cut the long story short, twelve Indian children wipe out Pakistani terrorists' network. The story, the effort, the gesture may be all good, but director, producer and writer Dweep Raj Kochhar, seems to have got the name a tad bit wrong — Akkad Bakkad Bam Be Bo! Thrown in is multi-star cast, songs to fit in the typical Bollywood mould and Indo-Pakistan relations as the core, administrative exigencies as the backdrop.
Twelve Indian children enter Pakistani territory and wipe out hardcore Pakistani terrorist Munir Khan and his companions. Shares the director, "This is a story about Munir Khan and his companions, who kidnap some Indian school students, along with their teachers, and take them to Pakistan." He adds, "When the Indian Army and Indian Government show their helplessness due to lack of evidence, these children decide to take up the task upon themselves." They plan a mission with the help of inspector Vikram and Major Vikrant under the code name Akkad Bakkad Bam Be Bo. Now, the title falls in place. The promos might not look as promising as B-town commercial blockbusters, but certainly take you back to the era of television films with raw cinematic effects. Here's giving a chance to small-scale experimental and independent cinema! — TNS
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We are the world…
There is a reason why women and colours are sometimes synonymous with each other. Just like the shades on a canvas, women hold the innate capacity to sometimes charm you with the brightness and paint your day with the pastels. It is when women and colours come together that it calls for a celebration. Keeping in mind the spirit of womanhood, WE, a group of contemporary women artists, from Chandigarh, organised a workshop on the eve of International Woman’s Day.
“I am busy painting a tree as a representation of the fair sex,” smiles Jaskanwal, one of the senior artists at the workshop. With over 30 years of rich experience in the field of art, Jaskanwal strikes a balance between the giving attitudes of a tree to that of a woman. “Women have to be multifaceted in life, much like how trees make life easy,” she says examining her painting closely. Talking about the origin of the organisation, Sadhna Sanger, the moving spirit behind the group, says, “It was after my married life that I felt the zest in me was dying down and the thought of bringing women back to discovering themselves.” Hoping to make a difference in the lives of all the women attached with the group, she firmly believes that a home is where a woman’s heart is. Having successfully run the group only with self-financing, she feels that the enthusiasm for people coming in support of the organisation is less. Anjali Aggarwal, a prolific artist of Chandigarh, shares her point of view. In the middle of waiting for the base coat to dry, she says, “My kalpvriksha is symbolic of women as they are always ready to give and no one who has ever wanted from them goes empty-handed.” All the works of art will be exhibited soon to promote womanhood. “I feel that the sky is open for women, they should fill it with as many colours as possible,” Sadhna smiles. The workshop witnesses the participation of 30 artists from the city. As we walk through the Punjab Kala Bhavan, the presence of colours along with the chit chat, gossiping and admiration just spell a sense of affection, pretty much like how women are. Cheers to womanhood. vasudha@tribunemail.com
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10 health commandments
Roopa Pahwa Stress has become a wide spread ailment affecting people of all ages and economical classes. Learning to de-stress is a gift you deserve to give to yourself and that is why you need to find effective methods of coping and dealing with it. A combination of the below mentioned steps may help you in curbing stress. Deep breathing If your daily activities put you in a stressful and overwhelming state, pause in between and make a conscious effort to breathe deeply. It is the simplest and least time consuming way to de-stress and put you at ease. Bringing conscious attention to our breath, lengthening and deepening the drawing in of oxygen, nourishes every cell of our body and promotes relaxation. Prolonged exhalation helps get rid of stale air and toxins in our lungs. Yoga Yoga is an excellent stress relief technique. The physical and mental benefits of yoga provide a natural counterbalance to stress. What’s great about yoga is that it relaxes both your mind and body. It’s a great way to heal the effects of stress and tension. Massage therapy Getting a massage provides deep relaxation, and as the muscles in your body relax, so does your overstressed mind. And you don’t have to visit the spa to enjoy the benefits of massage. There are many simple self-massage techniques you can use to relax and release stress. Positive attitude Since stress is mind related malady, positive thinking works wonders in concentration and steadiness of the mind. For this purpose learn to see things in right prospective by adopting a positive attitude. Positive thinking works wonders as a stress buster. Meditation The benefits of regular meditation include physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Meditation is known to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, calm the mind and alleviate most of the symptoms of anxiety and tension. It is an effective method for short-term stress reduction and long-term health. However, it is not an easy thing to master and takes some practice. Exercise It is a well known fact that exercise helps to alleviate stress. Exercise and physical activities reduce stress, release built up emotions and promotes physical and mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, the body’s “feel good hormones,” and in as little as 20 minutes a day, you can experience the benefits of it. Good sleep Cortisol is one of your adrenal glands’ stress-response hormones. Lack of sleep, or lack of good-quality sleep, affects the release of cortisol into your system, causing your body to release more cortisol, for longer periods of time. More cortisol means more stress and more stress leads to lack of sleep. And a vicious cycle is formed. It’s important that you get sufficient sleep. In order to have undisturbed sleep, avoid caffeine related drinks, heavy meals and worrying prior to it. Music therapy Another way to reduce stress is to surround yourself with sounds that soothe your heart and soul. Music is a significant mood-changer and reliever of stress, working on many levels at once. It helps you calm down, gives you a break from your thought and helps you to totally unwind. Experts believe that it is the rhythm of the music or the beat that has the calming effect on us although we may not be very conscious about it. The music you choose can be of any sort depending on your likes or moods. Healthy eating Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day. Also reduce caffeine and sugar. Time out From your busy schedule, put aside some time to relax your body and mind by doing things you enjoy. It can be watching a light movie, reading a book, playing with your kids and pets, or pursuing any hobby which gives you pleasure and a sense of well being. (Pahwa is a fitness expert based in Ludhiana) —As told to Poonam Bindra
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Master Chef
These days such colourful vegetables are available in the market that we can actually feast on them with our eyes. Besides being loaded with the required vitamins and nutrients, they are light for the tummy too. To entice our little ones away from the so called ‘junk food’, we tried this recipe giving a fancy makeover to the veggies while retaining their goodness. A good snack for the kiddos and accompaniment for a cup of coffee.
Method Peel and slice potatoes thinly, about ¼” thick. Soak them in salted water. Cut all other vegetables into round slices. Heat oil and sauté the vegetables. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, oregano and rosemary and toss them. Turn off the flame and sprinkle parmesan cheese. Dry the potato slices and bake them for 10-12 minutes at 200 degree. To serve, take a potato slice and arrange a slice of each vegetable. Tie the bundle together with spring onion leaves. For tomato sauce Blend tomatoes in a blender. Heat oil in a pan and add garlic paste, red chilli flakes and tomato puree. Boil for 3-4 minutes. Add rest of the ingredients. Serve with the bundles (Dewan is a Ludhiana-based culinary expert.) —As told to Poonam Bindra
Veggie lover’s bundle * 1 thin zucchini * 2 carrots *
4-5 onions * 8-10 spring onion leaves * 1 tsp oregano * ½ tsp rosemary *
1 tbsp parmesan cheese * 2 tsp olive oil * ¼ tsp black pepper * Salt, to taste For
sauce * 250 gm tomatoes * ¼ tsp garlic paste * ¼ tsp red chilli flakes *
½ tsp oregano * 1 tsp oil * 1 tsp sugar * ½ tsp salt
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Get ready for summer
satish narula It’s time to switch over to the summer varieties vegetables now. At times, when we do not take proper plant protection measures in fruits and vegetables, there is every chance of appearance of deadly diseases or damaging insects. This either leads to the premature death of the plant or bearing of poor quality of fruits and vegetables.
At this time one must be ready with seeds, manure and fertilizers for the sowing of summer vegetables. The Shimla mirch that was sown in October-November and protected from the winter by sirkanda covering is now ready for transplanting. But for this, it is very important to prepare the soil first. Shimla mirch can be grown in such soils where there is proper drainage. For this, sandy loam soil is very suitable though it can be grown in any kind of soil. For the preparation of soil, add 10 baskets full of well-rotten farmyard manure, 200 gm urea, one kg superphosphate and 100 gm muriate of potash in one marla plot, that is, 25 sq metre area. Spread all the manure and fertilizers equally in the plot and mix them thoroughly with the soil. Make ridges, two-feet apart and sow the seedlings at one foot distance from each other in a row. Immediately after transplanting, give water. Beans are nature’s bounty for good health. Planting them also benefits the soil as the roots are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen with the help of root nodules. The germination in beans is best when the temperature range is between 12 to 15 degree celcius. This is a suitable time when the seeds can be sown for the best result. Like Shimla mirch, beans also require well drained soil. Also, take care that only spring season varieties are planted. If one plants now those varieties that are suitable only for rainy season, the vines will put forth excessive growth and very less pods. This is the also suitable time to sow spring beans. For the preparation of the soil, add 300 gm urea, 500 gm superphosphate and 100 gm muriate of potash in one marla plot, that is, 25 sq metre area and thoroughly incorporate these in soil. Sow Cowpeas 263 variety that is suitable for sowing in both spring and rainy season. Do not forget to irrigate the field thereafter. (Narula is a senior PAU horticulturist)
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A dream come true
What is your role in Sajda? I play Aliya who is a happy-go-lucky girl. She is scared and respects her elder sister. She is a young girl who is carefree in life and lives life to the fullest. A major twist changes her life. So, Aliya falls in love with a guy who asks her to marry another guy as
the promos suggest? Well, I can’t talk about the future but Aaliya doesn’t believe in love per se. She is friendly and loving. She is supportive and encouraging but doesn’t think there is someone waiting for her. She has never thought of love nor has an opinion on love like usually girls. What is her dream- marriage
or a good job? She is carefree and wants to live in her dream world. She wants to do things her way. She has no worries in life so that is cool for her. How did you bag the role? The casting director called me for an audition and she liked me. After four five rounds I was selected. I was trying to get a break in TV. Earlier too, I had got offers for Phulwa but nothing appealed to me. I have done a film too. Tell us about your film. I have done a Bengali film, which is called Aami Aloo which won a national award in a regional category. I played the main lead in the film. I have also done another film called Char Deewane Ek Diwani, which is a romantic comedy. I played a Rajasthani girl in the film Since when have you been acting? I has been three years. I feel god wanted me
to have Sajda which is why I landed with the role. The story of the film and the characters are
fabulous. Nothing of this sort has ever been seen on Indian TV.
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Test of time
Colours of festival
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The year ahead
If your birthday is March 7...
Dominated by number seven and the planet Neptune or Ketu, you possess strong determination and willpower to fight against any adverse conditions with courage. You will need to control your tendency to be arrogant and dominating at times. Your grace can get you to the next level today. Someone you know may be so impressed with your charms that they offer to buy you a gift from the heart. There are more benefits coming your way than you may realise. Jupiter will shine brightly bringing you immense fame and fortune. You will gather knowledge, information and make new contacts. You will have a deep sense of satisfaction as you are able to do something concrete. You will successfully negotiate a great deal with a reputed organisation. Wait for a better moment and for now just focus on savings. Businessmen will expand their ventures further. Do not be too proud to ask for help. Some things cannot be done alone. If you use some common sense, you can quickly get to the root of the problem. You will realize there is no easy way out. You may think that you are facing a minor obstacle but things can soon become unmanageable. You will enjoy a romantic rendezvous with your spouse. Children will lend support and be co-operative. Those who are unmarried may meet their life partner. Brothers and sisters may give you a joyful time. You may have strained relations with elders. Meditation and Yoga should be practiced for physical gains. Some exhilarating news from your children will bring happiness later in the year. Your financial status will remain quite comfortable but may give you nightmares, due to legal problems and litigations. Some of you may be questioned about the involvement in a financial scandal. Minor health problems may crop up this month. Do not let this hamper your enthusiasm. State of mind: In need of careful balance and proper projection. Compatible signs: Aquarius, Aries, Gemini Lucky colours: Green, Violet White. Lucky days: Friday. Lucky numbers: 5, 11, 15, 23, 25 Lucky Gem: Pearl, White Coral & White Pukhraj. Lucky Flower: Mogra. Suggestion on Birthday: Donate Green vegetables at a religious place.
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Astro Turf
ARIES: Relatives will do all they can to help you out. Speculation in property is not favoured. Be patient as the system grinds through its process. Tarot message: You have to realise that even out dated ideas can be put into practice if you apply common sense.
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Fun times 
Strangely, sometimes we feel some things only happen to others and not to you. And when they do happen to you, it feels unreal!
Karisma Kapur was supposed to do an item song in Housefull 2 but Malaika Arora Khan has done it. She was the original choice for an item song in Rowdy Rathore but turned it down because of issues with the lyrics and costumes in the Bhojpuri-themed song.
Arjun Rampal is all for living the good life and taking care of his physique. He has also become an acclaimed actor having done versatile roles in Rock On, Raajneeti, and Ra.One. He is playing a cop in Chakravyuh and is learning Parkour to play an agile cop in the film. Maybe he could train the local police officers to be fit, as well.
Actress Jennifer Lawrence says she is surprised when Hollywood stars are shocked by their fame because she believes they know what they are letting themselves into.
Karan Johar who directed films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna is going to stop making “young” film after his upcoming Student of the Year.
The 28-year-old, who was widely appreciated for her role in Black Swan, said she enjoys sitting at home and watching cookery shows, reported a website.
* 6-8 medium-sized potatoes
In case of winter season vegetables, if any such thing happens, then this
is not the time to make corrections by spraying pesticides. In case there is one such bed in the garden that has been vacant
or vacated due to any reason, then plant it with some summer vegetable immediately.
The new face of Star plus’ show, Deblina, the lead of Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein is glad to have bagged the lead role in a show. Having struggled for years, she feels this is a dream come true.
Mohit Malik’s entry as Arjun Singh, a neurologist treating Abhay (Ajay Chaudhary) in Swastik Pictures’ Phulwa on Colors, had the actor working hard to mould himself into the role. For the doctor’s role who is sophisticated, he modulated his voice and appearance. The character will soon change and fall for Phulwa.
Off track and off air
No facts, all fiction
All work no rest
Anupam Kher (March 7,1955, Shimla) who has appeared in nearly 450 films and 100 plays and is running acting schools remains in news for controversies too, whether it is speech during Anna’s movement or recent musical celebrations on the mourning of father’s death. Though he made his acting debut in Aagman but came into limelight with Saaransh, He is also widely regarded as an intellectual talk show participant. Anupam Kher is married to fellow actress Kirron Kher, his stepson, is actor Sikander Kher. The number 7 makes Anupam highly creative, affectionate, trustworthy and emotional person.
2014 belongs to him.