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For the festive look
Floral fantasy Flowers are always welcome and all the more when it's Divali. According to tradition, a string of marigold flowers is always hung on the entrance of the house or the puja room. Though nothing beats the décor done with fresh flowers but ornamental flowers too are a great deal. And since it's the age of all things synthetic, artificial flowers do the needful as they retain their freshness for a long time and are a durable investment. Check list: For fresh flowers, check out sector 35's flower market and also sector 19. Ornamental flowers are available in a number of shops across the city but check out Evok- Paras Down Town Square in Zirakpur, Fern 'n' Petals in sector 8, Westside and Ebony. Rangoli is a must for Divali as it is considered auspicious to adorn the main door with colourful rangoli. While people with an artistic bent can create their own patterns and designs with flour, dyed saw dust and glitter. For the ones who are not gifted, they have an easy way out, the market is replete with stencils of rangoli patterns and even sticker rangoli patterns. Check list: Sector 35 D booth market has a wide range of rangoli stencils and other than that, road side vendors in Panchkula's sector 20 have rangoli stickers, saw dust and stencils available. Swirl and twirl A splash of colours sets the tone for festive spirit. But if you haven't thought of painting the walls again, then changing the curtains, bed linens, bed sheets, bed covers and quilts can also give a new look to your interiors. Remember bright colours always look better. Check list: Rosebys, Big Bazaar, Evok (Paras Down Square), Westside, Krishna Carpets-17 and Jain Furnishers-26, Dream Home store-26 have festive collection in cushions, bedspreads and curtains to light up your home. Wood wonders Be creative. This Divali, you could go for a unique, exotic and offbeat look. Look out for coffee and end tables, brocade lined trays, wood finished photo frames, floor lamps, bar stools and candle stands with crafted tops. Furniture can become a talking point when your friends and relatives meet for Divali. Check List:
Fabindia, Gujjari-20, Glass Palace-7 and Westside. Accessorise well A time of the year when you have visitors thronging your door, this is when you should bring out your silverware and shop for traditional serving bowls and plates. Crystals too make for wonderful decorative items, whose styles range from the classic to the contemporary. Check list: Sector 18, 19 crockery shops and Empire stores-17
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In Chandigarh, for a concert, Rekha Bhardwaj talks about her limited but meaningful work Mona
Rekha Bhardwaj is much content in her own space. Riyaaz is what is close to her heart and she is happy with the kind of work she is getting to do. In Chandigarh, for her first ever concert for Rani Breast Cancer Trust on Sunday, this singer shares what music means to her… "Music is my soul," is how she starts the conversation. Having inherited the taste for the same from her family—her father would sing as would her elder sister—Rekha took her talim seriously. With songs like Ishqa Ishqa, Namak Ishq Ka, Susural Genda Phool, Darling to her credit, she is known for her distinctive style. Her songs are a hit, however the number is less. Is she too choosy? "No. This is all the work that I get," she says. Also confident at the same time, she believes whenever there is a song that she can deliver, she will be called. Quiz her on the awesome trio that she makes with Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj, she says, "With soulful lyrics by Gulzar and Vishal's extraordinary tunes, my effort becomes pretty less." And, how is it to work with her famous husband Vishal Bhardwaj? "The process is easy but when I am on the microphone, it's pretty tough. Buy I have always believed that hardwork can make anything simple," smiles Rekha. Rekha is as happy working with Vishal Bhardwaj and AR Rahman as with new music directors. "I really appreciate that the directors today research well and are clear on what they are aiming at!" On the cause that brings her to city, Rekha says, "It has been a deep association with Bittu Sandhu that made me realise her true concern for the cause. I am glad to be a part of it." Rani Breast Cancer Trust is not the only charity that Rekha works with, she is also closely associated with Arushi, an NGO that works for special children in Bhopal. "It's commendable to see these kids and their zest for life. From time to time, I visit Bhopal and spend time with them singing, dancing and teaching." Not much bothered about dynamic of music industry, Rekha is happy taking it slow. Her album Ishqa Ishqa took her 11 long years. "It has been a fruitful process. While it was very difficult to keep up all this time, but I am so glad with the results." Ishqa's sequel is on her mind. But before it, there is another album on anvil, a tribute that this husband-wife duo wants to pay to Bashir Badra. She continues working on her album. "I expect too much out of me. I am the captain here, but a bad captain," she signs off… mona@tribunemail.com
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Straight from the heart
Life is what happens when you are making other plans. Ace cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu doesn't say it as a matter of fact. He has just come out of a familiar situation. After leaving Bigg Boss due certain circumstances, Sidhu has things to tell (Like he always has). Only this time he thread bears himself.
Will the real Sidhu please stand up: People have seen me as a cricketer, commentator, a Laughter Challenge judge and now a reality show participant. But none knows what the real me is. I am generally tranquil and at peace. This is the real Sidhu. In fact, for the first time ever people have seen the real side of me. I don't get ruffled with things, because I have the vision to sit back and see how things should shape up. How I held the fort Firstly, Bigg Boss is a reality show, which means we can't fake. No matter what everyone has a breaking point, which comes when you are thrown in a situation where you don't have your usual support system. I mediate and don't belittle people. I know how to keep my cool and not get carried away. The best and the worst I had developed a bonding with everyone in Bigg Boss. Personally, Delnaaz is wonderful human being. Nikaitan, Urvashi and Sapna are the dark horses. Anger can create havoc on anyone. Bigg Boss is like a litmus test for anyone person, and I am glad I could sustain with all the composure. What did I miss Definitely my family and talking to my wife on a daily basis. I am not missing anything after coming out from the Bigg Boss house because I believe in giving to the total situation. When I was in house I was there with all my heart and right intent, and now I am living the present moment. jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Cinema of substance
In Chandigarh, on Friday, on Chandigarh Literary Society's invite for a rendition of Amir Khusrau's poetry, Yousuf shares his take on independent filmmaking in India. With plenty of film festivals across the nation and a few organisations distributing the DVDs of documentaries, today, there certainly is a platform to share but funding still remains a major challenge for documentary makers. "There is little funding available. Doordarshan remains one major player but the route to grants remains circuitous," says Yousuf, who has had a successful stint on DD with Turning Point, a science series. What fascinates Saeed the most is small town traditions where in different religions come together. His film Basant is about Basant Panchami celebrations at Nizamuddin Auliya shrine in Delhi. Bilgram and Amroha are about two north Indian towns, rich in music and handicraft traditions. "Art and craft bond the two communities together," says Saeed, a masters in Mass Communication. Poetry is another area that Saeed has a soft spot for. In fact, he brought, to Chandigarh viewers, Amir Khusrau's poems. A genius that Khusrau was, Saeed finds in him a reflection of the times when rich cultural exchange happened between India and central Asian countries. "It's interesting to note the conflict in his poetry and persona. He writes about culturally rich India as well as central Asian rulers who attacked different territories," says Saeed, who also notices the strain in his poetry that urges the rulers to be more humane in their approach. "Very little of Khusrau's work has been translated from Persian," says Saeed who himself holds a certificate in the language. Satyajit Ray and Shyam Benegal's cinema has influenced Saeed as has Iranian cinema and works of German filmmaker Wim Wenders. A feature film is not yet on Saeed's mind, but, he does want to change the perception of people that documentaries are just a collection of news. He wants to sensitise them and take these films to non-metros. mona@tribunemail.com
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Close brush with Yuvraj
Mona
The Taj Grand Ballroom wore a sporty look as Yuvi fans gathered to celebrate a special evening recently. Oakley Fanatics Party brought together, the sportswear brand's fans as well as its star brand ambassador Yuvraj Singh. While the fans gave their best shots, lucky few got to bowl the left-handed batsman on the pitch and net, all set up for the occasion. The sports icon shook hands with the fans, signed autographs, posed for pictures and also shared tips on the game. The star, minus any star trappings, enjoyed the evening as much as his fans, who were thrilled to find him amongst them. The fans had travelled from all over Punjab and some all the way from Manali, just to spend some time with their favourite sports icon. Quiz Yuvraj on cricket and endorsements, and he answers coolly, "Well, endorsements are there as long as you are a successful cricketer. My association with Oakley goes a long way. They supported me in my toughest time," says Yuvraj, who just cannot do without his Oakley Radar! mona@tribunemail.com
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Tales from the hills
Mona
Ghost stories are a part of every culture, every generation. For the recent Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi event, it was Minakshi Chaudhary, who came with the ghost tales from Shimla hills. A travel writer, Minakshi got interested in exploring the unknown. The journey towards that had not been easy but rich. "The big challenge was that I did not want to fictionalise my stories. Rather, I wanted to collect all the stories that have been there for years," says Minakshi, who met hundreds of people for her research. "Half of them considered me mad for trying to find ghosts in this era," she admits. One thing that Minakshi wants to vehemently clear is that she is not a party to spreading superstition, "Ghosts or no ghost…ghost stories have existed in every culture and every generation." Shimla with its towering trees and lonely, misty roads makes for a perfect setting, believes the writer. She has, to her credit, two successful ghost story collections, books on travel and one special book that charts her battle against cancer. Next is a series of novellas for young adults as well as a fiction on dementia….
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Divali, B-town style…
Divali is a time of celebration for the entire country and for Indians around the world. We tell you how the members of Bollywood are celebrating Divali this year
Ajay Devgn and team: Ajay Devgn and his family will celebrate Divali, while fervently hoping and praying for the success of Son of Sardaar, which has locked horns with Jab Tak Hai Jaan.
Deepika Padukone: She will be busy with the promotions of Race 2 as she is the head of online promotions. She will get a day off from shooting Raam Leela with Ranveer Singh. Home away from home Priyanka Chopra: She is in the United States of America for her music album, which launches next year so she will miss her family.
Shahid Kapoor: He has finally begun shooting for Phata Poster Nikla Hero and there will be celebrations on the sets of the movie. He will also celebrate Divali with his mother, father and their families. Win some, lose some
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Wedding bells
Siddharth took time to start a new chapter with his lady love, as his divorce case settled down only recently. He has been married before and a few years back filed for divorce. According to sources, Siddharth has taken a break from work for four weeks in December and Vidya Balan will take a break from her shooting of Raj Kumar Gupta's film Ghanchakkar. The couple has planned a honeymoon in the Caribbean Islands and after the wedding, they are planned to move into the, plush new sea-facing, Juhu house that Siddharth has purchased in Vidya's name. Vidya had, earlier in May, confessed her love in public. Vidya and Siddharth start dating during the shooting of No One Killed Jessica. —HRM
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Raveena says no
"I don't know who did it now eventually, may be it was my loss. But somehow how hard they tried to convince me, I couldn't like the script," she added. not interested: Raveena Tandon
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Two to tango
With the buzz about Barun Sobti quitting Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, we will soon see a fresh face. Khushi
(Sanaya Irani) will have a new man in her life. In fact, Viraf Phiroz Patel has been approached for the same.
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A wise man
Kader Khan (November 12, 1937 in Pishin, Balochistan) is a comedian, script and dialogue writer, has acted in over 300 films. He has written dialogues for over 1,000 Indian films. Khan is said to be responsible for Amitabh Bachchan's success. He wrote dialogues for Amitabh's films, including Mr. Natwarlal, Amar Akbar Anthony, Agneepath, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, which were huge hits at the box office. Khan will be as green as Johny Walker was.
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Astro turf
ARIES: Shopkeepers may find the day quite hectic. Actors are feeling very positive and optimistic. An intense discussion with your partner early on can play on your mind all day long..
Tarot message: You have well-wishers around who will give you sound advice. Lucky colour: Pink.
Magic number: 30
TAURUS: Do not worry; discuss your plans with loved ones. In the evening, children will be a source of happiness and joy. A partnership might be in the pipeline. This is a favourable day for finances. Tarot message: Take limited risks and don't jeopardise your long term capitals. Lucky colour: Forest green. Magic number: 57 GEMINI: Property deal gets concluded. Domestic issues come up for urgent consideration. Have no worries, your work is well under control. Youngsters may have differences with their parents.
Tarot message: Health of an elderly member at home will need care. Lucky
colour: Deep crimson. Magic number: 54 CANCER: A good day to try your luck in speculative deals. The employed will be burdened with additional responsibility without incentive. With so many things on the go, you could get sidetracked easily. Tarot message: Leave things open ended for best results.
Lucky colour: Peach Magic number: 33 LEO: Pay heed to wise counsel. Housewives: Stick to your routine activities. You may experience an unusual degree of selflessness of love. Read the signs and avoid playing the doormat. Tarot message: You need to be creative if you want to retain your grip over your business. Lucky colour: Red
Magic number: 59 VIRGO: Your card brings a busy day ahead. Please keep a balance at work. Students: do not become reckless. You should be careful about your own health and well being of your parents. Tarot message: Wait a while, everything will get sorted out on its own.
Lucky colour: Saffron. Magic number: 47
LIBRA: Set aside time to gather your thoughts and feelings, even if it is just half an hour. It will allow you to understand your inner motives and align your consciousness with your highest potential. Tarot message: You will get the help you need if you ask for it. Lucky colour: Black.
Magic number: 37 SCORPIO: Today most of your time and attention should be centered around your personal life. Wishing for change will only leave you depressed and frustrated.
Tarot message: Do not overspend just to impress others. Lucky colour: Golden
Magic number: 25. SAGITTARIUS: Cheerful morning for sportsmen. You will find new opportunities opening for you. Maintain a low profile in a party. An attraction for a co-worker can throw you out of sync and upset your equilibrium. Tarot message: Over optimism could lead to mistakes. Lucky color: Royal blue. Magic number: 27 CAPRICORN: Your personal plans will meet with some stiff opposition. A step child may not be well or may suffer from behavioural problems.
Tarot message: You can stabilise your financial situation if you make property investments.
Lucky colour: Purple Magic number: 63 AQURIUS: Money wise the day is slow. Friends may lose your confidence. Let your energy be turned towards artistic work. Mercury, the planet of communication, starts to move forward again today. Tarot message: Avoid gossip session at work place. Lucky colour: Silver
Magic number: 26 PISCES: Go all out to improve your position at work. Chronic patients should seek doctor's advice immediately. If you are relaxing at home, visit a local market and enjoy the sights and sounds. Tarot message: This is not a bad time to open up new doors.
Lucky colour: Golden brown Magic number: 54
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The year ahead
If your birthday is November 12...
The second day of Diwali, called Choti Divali or Narak Chaturdashi falling on this birthday, suggests you to clean your office or home and throw away garbage, condemned, unused articles, objects, damaged or nonfunctional electronic or electrical gadgets etc. You will feel very enthusiastic about a nice offer. Don’t let a person you don’t like ruin your good feeling. Tell yourself it is your turn to be happy. This is a good year for harmony in which peace and success reign. If you wish to prosper and be lucky, you will have to maintain this state. Ask help from someone who is capable of stabilising this favourable situation. Being born on the 12th, your intelligence is absolutely instinctive. Strategies are special. You need a plenty of patience, confidence and a strong voice to get others to take notice of you on birthday. The energy of three allows you to bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. Accompany your big idea with analysis and projections as 2013 begins. Show how it'll work in the real world. This year, your imagination will be stimulated so expect the right conditions for initiatives and encounters. These will lead to important friendships for the future. Youngsters will be particularly audacious when undertaking new initiatives at work. They will be dynamic and professional. You are prone to mistakes and poor judgment calls; avoid making impulsive judgments. You might come across some windfall gains. If you desire to work overseas, you may soon get an opportunity to travel. At this point of time your career and financial situation will need more attention. This timeframe is favourable from the health point of view. Efforts for a change in job might meet with success. Those of you who are emotionally disturbed are required to be handled carefully. Mood: Cheerful and content. Compatible signs: Scorpio, Cancer. Lucky colours: Gold, Lime
Lucky days: Wednesday and Saturday. Lucky Numbers: 6, 9, 15, 25, 34
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Fresh fragrance of incense sticks, lighting of aroma candles, clean homes, pile of gifts, delectable savouries, occasional bang of fire crackers and an array of fresh flowers; all spell the festival of lights. With just a day left for Divali, let's talk about some home décor ideas that would help brighten your home.
Dash of colour
Basant Panchami, Moharram, Amir Khusrau to science— Yousuf Saeed likes to explore varied subjects in his documentaries.
Wait and watch
Holiday time 
While you were shooting 
Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif and SRK: The gorgeous trio will celebrate the release of Jab Tak Hai Jaan, which is a great moment for the Chopra family and all their well-wishers, including Karan Johar.
Rumours are strongly doing the rounds that, The Dirty Picture actress, Vidya Balan will tie the knot with boyfriend and UTV head honcho Siddharth Roy Kapur this December. The couple has been dating for two years and since then, the duo is going steady in their relationship.
Actress Raveena Tandon was offered an ad for a chocolate bar with veteran actress Rekha, but she refused. Raveena justified her decision and said: "I was offered a choclolate ad with the glorious Rekha. But somehow I didn't like the script and I opted out."
Recently while shooting for SAB Ka Divali Event, Bharti Singh and Sunil Grover couldn't stop connecting on the similarities between them. They spoke in chaste Punjabi and no one around them had a clue as to what the conversation was all about. Finally, the director had to intervene and begged them to talk in Hindi as everyone on the set felt lost.
Fresh start
Samir Kochhar is a generous man. He recently went for an event for under-privileged children and gave away T shirts. The event was organised by an educational institution and even though he was shooting long hours for Bade Ache… he made it a point to reach there early morning.