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Sound of music
When Shubhendra Rao takes on the stage, his music strikes a chord with one’s soul. Born in a family where music reigned supreme, his father NR Rama Rao was a known sitar artiste and mother, Nagaratna, a trained Saraswati veena player. It is said that Shubhendra could sing before he could talk!
In Chandigarh for a SPIC MACAY (The Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music) concert, this sitar maestro is one of the most eminent soloists. Trained initially under his father and later, for 10 years, under the guru-shishya parampara with Pandit Ravi Shankar he was in the city for three back-to-back concerts on Thursday. Based in Delhi, he travels around the world sharing, propagating the rich, cultural tradition that India has. He is immensely proud that India is known abroad as a land rich with classical arts and Pandit Ravi Shankar, his guru, is one among the two best known Indians globally (the other being Mahatma Gandhi). “Pandit Ravi Shankar gave a concert at the age of 92 plus recently in California with oxygen cylinder in place…such is the power of music,” he exclaims. Shubhendra credits his master for all the success that has come his way. He has travelled around the globe with his guru, something that he does now as well. Based in Delhi with his Dutch wife Saskia Rao-de Haas, a cellist, together they have composed East Marries West, a collection of pieces on sitar and cello. “My guru ji gave West Meets East, our music takes it ahead,” Shubhendra offers. Two diverse cultures and traditions meet in this duo, “Music is the bridge that unites us,” he says. Equally devoted he is to SPIC MACAY. Sharing his music is a passion. About his concerts in schools and colleges nationwide, he says “Even if I am able to influence five persons in a gathering of 500, I guess my goal is realised.” It’s just not the rich heritage that he insists is a birthright of every Indian that we should truly represent. He believes in learning equally from our counterparts. “Whenever anything goes wrong, we blame the ‘foreign’ hand, be it politics and culture. There is a lot to learn from them actually, like their honesty or work ethics.” Shubhendra realises classical arts are as challenging a field as any other. Nothing can be accomplished without hard work. He enunciates “Every generation has its own challenges. I guess today’s is ‘focus’. With 500 channels vying for your attention, it is difficult to pursue something with single minded devotion.” He did, and the result is there for everyone to see. He continues the hard work too. Riyaz, performances take hours. “I never get tired of playing, it energises me. Classical music is like an ocean, deeper you go, the more you get.” And to restore our rich art to the glory it deserves, each one of us has to do our bit. “Together as a society we can preserve and propagate our cultural tradition,” says
Shubhendra. mona@tribunemail.com
Catch them young
As Shubhendra Rao strummed his sitar to Nat Bhairav accompanied by Durjay Bhaumik on tabla, some 500 students at St Stephen’s-45, listened in rapt attention. While some watched the deft hand movements on the instruments, others enjoyed the ethereal melody. While Ravia, class VII student found it ‘very interesting’, it was all very ‘novel’ for Yuvraj, a class VI student. The sitar maestro is all for exposing young minds to classical music, “To catch them young is the key. Zero to five is the age, let there be music as one attends to the regular chores around the house.”
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City of joy
It doesn't hit you like a liquor shot but if you hear it more than once, the song grows on you. Priyanka Chopra's debut song In My City garnered the interest of none other than Will.I.Am and is backed by Universal. What more could she ask for? The song, though is not exactly bursting charts, but has a refreshing appeal and optimistic lyrics. You can sense the optimism in her voice as she describes her city. Now, no one's comparing her to Adele or Norah Jones, but the crystal clear voice has a raw appeal to it. The song is generously aided by club beats and drums, thereby making it a clear party track. Will.I.Am, goes without saying, adds some substance to the song. Raw appeal What I like about the song is the fact that she doesn't have an accented voice. She has retained the raw appeal and the lyrics have a very happy feel to them. Moreover, its lyrics can be easily remembered and even easily sung along. So that makes it a perfect karaoke material. Parul Mittra, management student, Panjab University No party track Though the song doesn't appeal much to me because it neither can be played at weddings nor can it be heard while you are alone. It's a party track but it doesn't even have the pumped-up party appeal. Though Priyanka has done well for herself by featuring with an international artiste and that too Will.I.Am. But it's certainly not one of the best tracks around these days. Jaskaran Arora, law student, Panjab University Once is enough It's nice to hear it once in while but I doubt if it can be a hit single. I wouldn't like to add it to my play list though it's good to hear it once or twice at a party. It might be around this year by next year for sure this track will be forgotten. Kirti Sehgal, law student, Panjab University (As told to Manpriya Singh)
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Social calling A genuine concern, a dream and a sincere wish to give back, all combined with a certain restlessness have contributed to the birth of the portal, Ludhiana Cares.com. After a joint meeting with umpteen NGOs, it was decided to go hi-tech in social work and a virtual platform was made with LC having their own portal and Facebook page which is adding on new issues and concerned Ludhianaites who are voicing their worries and suggesting remedies. Maneet Dewan, the techie wizard behind it, and who also spearheads the campaign of Goonj that collects clothing, accessories, household articles etc and sends them to various centres in the country. He is feeling quite upbeat about the fact that before LC came into being, he managed to send only one truck of goods but this time it was three trucks. “Such is the power gained by spreading the word technically,” opines Maneet who runs the regional centre for Punjab Technical University. While analysing the work of the local NGOs he found that they are working in isolation, lack recourses and are in need of more information. So whether it is a ‘Nirdosh’ for the mentally challenged or Arpita for Thalessmic children or Salam Zindagi for blood donation, they all need to benefit mutually from one another by being in contact . Pradeep Malhotra, who is a distributor of Tata steels, goes a step further, “With Ludhiana Cares.com we can also look forward to making a disaster management plan to even help others both at national and international level.” He adds on a lighter note, “If we can be known for our high number of Mercedez Benz, we can also turn around the acumen to having a highest sense of CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility.” Touché! The worry which seems to be looming large is the awakening of civic sense and civic responsibility among the growing children. Manmeet Sodhia, owner of Ivana Institute for Fashion, has proposed taking Ludhiana Cares.com to schools, colleges and other institutes to harness the youth power. “It is time for us to give back and help the young Ludhianvis get a breath of fresh air, a pollution-free environment to grow in and feel proud of their city,” she says . Essentially this portal will form the vital link between the donor, the NGOs and the needy.
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A new palette
One doesn't have to closely observe Harinder Singh Boparai's sculpture to realise why his work won an award. Ganesha is no new subject for artists, but the medium he chose to give shape to the favourite mythological character has a novelty about it. Air filter of a car's bonnet has been used to give shape to the trunk of the God, fan wings make for the huge ears, fuel tank of a bike becomes the torso and wait, there is a navel in place also, which is the fuel inlet hole. As the neck accessory, a cycle chain has been wrapped around, summing up art of usual material and unusual thought process, which is on display at the rechristened Sobha Singh Art Gallery in the Punjab Kala Bhawan, along with 89 other works by artists from Punjab.
The annual affair by Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi is a treat to the eye and teaser to the mind. And what better than life as inspiration! Artist Jaspreet Singh has depicted the life of a woman in a village. A round canvas and a couple of shades explained it all. Canvas made in the shape of a roti, a woman's face is drawn in the middle, explaining it all. GC Sena's Philosophy of Life is a little difficult to decipher but the visual appeal makes its mention mandatory here. But it is Life is Game, etching on zinc work by Preeti, which also won an award, sums up what it actually is. Divided into five small paintings set vertically inside a frame, the work has chessboard and pawns, and more importantly a pair of hands controlling the pawns. Need we say about the message that the artist wants to convey? Pankaj Saroj takes a dip in history to bring back a memoir of railways. Titled The Emperor, a painting in sepia, is of a steam engine. Nature once again seems to be a favourite subject of artists. The most prominent works at the exhibition on the same subject are by Kamal Nain and Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia. While Nain's work, Feelings of Brush, has the usual landscape elements, valley comprising mountains, river…. it's the colour treatment that makes it a work of beauty; the latter's is a photograph of Niagara Falls, in which again, colours more than the shape render beauty to the work. Amandeep Ryait's Garden of Garlands resembles the Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir. Women related issues have again found space on the canvas. Aptly titled, My Mother's Journey, it has a sewing machine, thread rolls, entwined by a wire. Rest of the works too deserve to be there, to be seen and appreciated by art lovers, to be used as an inspiration by budding artists, who want to make art their life. ashima@tribunemail.com
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Wild outing
The cool and fresh pitter-patter rain falling on the mud stalls at Kalagram gives rise to a fresh fragrance. It is Thursday and the place is all geared to throw open the gates of the 4th Chandigrah National Crafts Mela starting from November 30 to December 9.
A sizeable group is busy working on the different aspects on this mela. And right on the stage girls of the Bodo tribe from Assam are practising for the performance. It is a tribal dance with simple beats, which is in sync with the theme, The Tribes Of India. The group has already attracted a crowd, and they wish to repeat the feat on the real day. Back to the event, this annual Chandigarh National Crafts Mela is a joint venture of the Chandigarh Administration and North Zone Cultural Centre. This time the focus in on the tribes of India wherein folk traditions, arts and crafts will find a special focus. Besides showcasing and depicting the cultural regions of the rest of the country, NZCC have invited acclaimed handloom/craft persons which include shilpa gurus, national awardees, Sant Kabir awardees with the assistance of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and also tribal crafts people elected by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India limited. Seated under a tent the organisers promise to give people a cultural treat. "In all 125 temporary stalls are made from rotto/cloth/pipes/ ballies and bamboos out of which 35 huts are earmarked for all the tribal regions of the country," shares DS Saroya, director, NZCC, Patiala. "Ten stalls are marked for Chandigarh for which UT Administration has selected the best craftsmen," adds Jaswinder Kaur, director, Department of Cultural Affairs, UT, Chandigrah. You can look forward to a 10-day-cultural extravaganza as renowned folk artistes from all over the country will enthral the audience. The NZCC has invited almost 300 folk dancers and instrumentalists, including folk singers. art curator Bansi Kaul will be creating opening and closing acts.
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Picture imperfect
Debina Bonnerjee is very angry over some pictures leaked on the net. She was shocked to see her pictures and has filed a police complaint to the cyber cell of the Mumbai Police. She claims the pictures are morphed in an attempt to create trouble in her married life with Gurmeet Choudhary.
Switching over to Gaurav
The last season of this popular show had seen ace director Rohit Shetty mentoring some rich brats. While he has anchored a ‘crime-based’ show in the past, Gaurav will be hosting a reality show for the very first time. This, most talked-about youth reality show is slated to go on air on Bindass in January, the concept of which is unknown but is expected to be tougher than its previous season three seasons.
Ankita Lokhande, who became famous because of the popular zee show Pavitra Rishta, has quit the show. She has apparently been thinking of it for a long while especially after her beau Sushant Singh Rajput quit the show but she stayed on. Now, she will be seen on the show for three months and is quitting as she doesn’t want to play a grandmother post leap.
The buzz is that after a year’s wait, Jennifer Winget has walked out of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s television show Saraswati Chandra. She wasn’t keen to sign exclusivity contract and decided to quit. The show was all set to roll.
Break time!
Lead actors of Colors’ Madhubala, Drashti Dhami (Madhubala) and Vivian Dsena (RK) are in a mood to chill out these days, and they have gone ahead to take leave and are enjoying nice time during their relaxed hours. Drashti Dhami and Vivian Dsena in Madhubala
New release
Talaash Director: Reema Kagti Reema Kagti’s quirky comedy Honeymoon Travels charmed cinegoers. She is again in news for Aamir Khan-Rani Mukherji-Kareena Kapoor starrer Talaash that hits silver screens today all over. There is the gripping edge-of-the seat element in it and the film has totally an original story. Talaash is definitely a film the viewers are looking forward to. The movie is touted as a suspense drama in trade circles and we expect it to be Aamir’s another blockbuster. The promos look compelling. Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor, the two leading ladies, add to the credibility of
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The body of the year!
On Salman Khan Salman Khan has been an inspiration to me. I would see him on the sets of my father's films and he was perpetually shirtless. He used to work out diligently and would do 500-600 push-ups to look pumped up before shoots and stage shows. Even now he balances working out with films and television and so much more. Food for thought I have no cravings as such but I like certain foods. I love pizzas, raw cheese, caramel popcorn and kalakand. I particularly love methi and paneer chicken which my mother makes. Moral of the story I would advise people to be clear about what they want to achieve in fitness and how they want to look. If you want bulging biceps, visualise it and it will happen. Enjoy working out and get an experienced trainer for the same. All through the day For breakfast I have papaya, egg-white omelette and oats. I also have lots of vitamin C and E and mix flaxseed and omega 6 oils in my food for healthy For lunch I have, brown rice or a chappatti and chicken and broccoli or greens. For snacks, I have a sandwich and lotus seeds. I drink green tea and five litres of water through the day. I have salad with fish or chicken for dinner. In the gym I mix cardio with weight training. I have a schedule for the entire day and sometimes, I work out thrice a day on different body parts, especially for photo-shoots. The idea is to do more repetitions rather than lift heavier weights.
Vidya’s wedding plans
Both Vidya and Siddharth are looking forward to the D-day and Siddharth is busy giving final touches to their new abode. Last year, Siddharth had purchased a sea facing bungalow worth Rs 14 crore for Vidya and after marriage, the duo will move together to their dream house. Rather than a grand wedding, Vidya and Siddharth prefer a private wedding. They will get married in Kapur’s parent’s home in the uber posh Jolly Maker Towers in Cuffe Parade. A friend of the family has explained, “Their apartment is much bigger. Besides the Bandra apartment is a rented one. And Siddharth is not sure if he wants to continue with it.” Two days after the wedding, Vidya and Siddharth will be heading for honeymoon. Once the couple returns from honeymoon, they will move to their new house. Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee will design Vidya’s wedding outfit. Vidya's wedding trousseau will consist of 18 silk
sarees. The pre-wedding celebrations start from December 11th and they will have both a Punjabi and a Tamilian wedding.
No Santa please!
Hollywood star Brad Pitt says he was devastated to discover Santa Claus was not real when he was a child. The 48-year-old Killing Them Softly actor still feels betrayed and so he does not encourage his own kids — Maddox, 11,
Pax, eight, Zahara, seven, Shiloh, six, and four-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne — to believe on him. "I'm not a real big on the whole Santa thing. I thought it was a huge act of betrayal when I was a kid. I didn't like that. When I found out the truth, I was like, 'Why, why, why would you lie to me, why?' "So what I tell them is some people believe it's Santa, and some people believe it's parents, and you get to believe whatever you want," he said.
Parineeti Chopra knows all the right moves and she is doing what she can to have an edge over her contemporaries. A club in Lonavla offered her Rs 20 lakh to perform at their New Year's event but she slashed her fees because she wanted to clinch the offer quite desperately.
Holiday mode
Sunjay denies divorce rumours…
Ever since Karisma Kapoor married Delhi based businessman Sunjay Kapur, their marriage has been under scanner. Karisma’s nine years of marriage has been said to be troublesome and full of problems due to
Sunjay. Karisma left Sunjay’s house in Delhi and has been living with her mother Babita for seven years now. Many a times, alleged divorce report of Karisma and Sunjay comes up but there has been no confirmation from either side. This time also the duo hit the headlines for divorce but Sunjay totally denied it. Slamming reports of divorce that have been doing the rounds, Sunjay said, “Why don’t you ask Karisma what really happened then? She is a celebrity. If she is not saying anything, it is because this isn’t anyone’s business.” Karisma’s spokesperson cleared the air about their divorce and said, “Mr Kapur wants Karisma back in Delhi. It is not easy for him to go on living alone. It’s been seven years.” Sunjay was reportedly not invited to sister-in-law Kareena Kapoor’s wedding as he insisted on bringing his girlfriend Priya to the wedding. Karisma has two children from
Sunjay, Samaira and Kiaan.
Staying slim with laser
Jessica Alba’s secret to staying slim even after having had two children is laser liposuction treatments, it has been revealed. According to an insider, the 31-year-old actress went to the Beauty Park Medical Spa in Santa Monica, California on Tuesday afternoon where she received their i-LIPO treatment on her stomach and thighs, as well as two cortisone shots. “Jessica had some laser liposuction treatment, which is a far less invasive way of melting away unwanted pockets of fat,” the source told the website. “She looks absolutely amazing already and really doesn’t need any help at all but she said she still feels self-conscious about the ‘stubborn fat’ that she can’t get rid of with exercise alone, so this is the ideal way of blasting them,” the source said. Like most A-list celebrities, looking good is important to staying relevant in Hollywood and the Fantastic Four star is no exception. “Jess said she is under pressure to look the best in the game and despite working out like a demon and eating super healthy she still has areas she’s not happy with,” the source said. “Guess she really is human after all!” the source added.
Shah Rukh Khan says he is not cheap! He may be business-minded but he is not cheap. He is aware that with every release of his, a new rivalry begins and this time it was with Ajay Devgn. He is super delighted that Jab Tak Hai Jaan has grossed more than 100 crores and he knows that Yash Chopra will be celebrating too, wherever he is.
Yaami Gautam made a splash with Vicky Donor. She turned 26 on November 28. She celebrated her birthday on the sets of her bilingual film with Gautam Menon in Hyderabad and missed her family and friends. Things are only getting bigger and better for her!
The Greek connection
Sameera Reddy suffers from sleepwalking. She let go of her treatment in Switzerland to spend more time with her sister Meghna and her newborn child in Greece. The entire family is together and they are having a gala time. Sameera even helps take care of the baby.
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The year ahead
If your birthday is November 30...
A refund, inheritance or dividend won't pay up as you expected. You'll have to find another way to cover your bills. This shocking turn of events is a blessing in disguise. Finding a second source of income will increase your financial security. A holiday will put life back into perspective. It's never wise to rush through life. You have both profound and wide-ranging minds, equipped with a foresight and good judgment, and can be witty conversationalists. You love to initiate new projects and have an urge to understand conceptions that are new. You think rapidly, are intuitive and often original, but are better at adapting than inventing and you are at best when working with a team. You are strong-willed and good at organizing, a combination that gives you the ability to bring any project you undertake to a successful conclusion. Mood: Pumped, excited and in filled with clarity. Compatible signs: Capricorn, Sagittarius. Lucky colours: Purple, dark grey. Lucky days: Monday and Friday. Lucky numbers: 3, 14, 51, 60.
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Astro turf
ARIES: Conditions at home will be pleasant enough. Do not speculate. It’s critical to strike a balance in life. Court witness goes in your favour. Health problems will be solved. Tarot message: You need to act for yourself and for no one else. Lucky colour: Peach. TAURUS: If there is work to be done and you feel like doing it, go right ahead. House work and chores can be handled efficiently. Consider helping a relative with their domestic needs. You should be in an up and about mood. Tarot message: Focus on your goals. Lucky colour: Violet. Magic number: 36 GEMINI: Today is the day to do something for pleasure. Do all in your power to get agreements settled with your co-workers. A close rapport may be developing between you and a colleague. Not the right time to contemplate. Tarot message: Don’t be dismissive of advice. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 62 CANCER: Dreaming big? Yes, this is the first step towards success. Many of you have been working constantly towards an ambitious career path. Team work is the key to success.Do not walk about in a daze. Tarot message: You will be happier if you retain the fruit of your hard work. Lucky colour: White. Magic number: 56 LEO: The crowning fulfillment of achieving your goals and gaining recognition may arrive soon. Stay focused on your vision as you take the last steps to reach a journey’s end. Consult professional people for legal problems. Secret love life is controversial. Tarot message: Don’t worry. Lucky colour: Bottle green. Magic number: 59 VIRGO: Like a game of snakes and ladders, you should step down and retrace your steps all over again. Get on with any job that is at hands. A secret love affair will bring you pleasure. Do not get involved in any land deal. Tarot message: It is no longer necessary to take risks. Lucky colour: Rust. Magic number: 44
LIBRA: The Page of Swords indicates that it is a good time to tie all loose ends together and Magic number: 49 SCORPIO: Searching for a soulmate? You will be able to make the right connection effortlessly, with the added assistance of a dash of intuition and trust. All in all an interesting and stimulating day. Someone you care about will see you in a new light. Tarot message: Trust your heart. Lucky colour: Red. Magic number: 61 SAGITTARIUS: The door-way to profound knowledge and insight may open through a wise acquaintance. If you want to Lucky colour: Brown. Magic number: 31 CAPRICORN: This can be a day that starts calmly and uneventfully, lulling you into a false sense of security. Trusting people who have just appeared in the scene is a foolish move. Hidden assets maybe uncovered. Tarot message: Balance in all aspects is recommended. Lucky colour: Grey. Magic number: 27 AQUARIUS: Minding your own business is a good choice. Live and let live is a good motto. If a task seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller, simple steps. Concentrate all your energy and efforts towards concluding the task at hand. Tarot message: Strive for perfection at work. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 38 PISCES: Life seems full of contention at the moment and it is hard to get along with others. The postponement of a certain deal could cause you anxiety. Love life will be quite intriguing. Tarot message: Don’t be too certain about obtaining a clearance. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 40
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Big Switch, a popular reality show on Bindass, is expected to return with its next season in early 2013 and the rumor is that Gaurav Chopraa, a popular face on television, has been confirmed as the host of Big Switch Season 4. Having starred in a range of fiction and reality shows, and being part of the Hollywood blockbuster Blood Diamond, Gaurav is all set to host the all- new season of this reality show. 
Ankita quits Pavitra Rishta
Jennifer ditches Bhansali
We are sure you’re wondering as to how the production will shoot for their upcoming episodes in the absence of the leads. So we contacted producer Saurabh Tiwari who said, “We knew that the actors needed a break so we shot and got a bank of episodes. And their off dates are different so either Drashti or Vivian is available to face the camera.”
Producer: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Aamir Khan
Both Varun Dhawan and Siddharth Malhotra flaunted their chiseled physiques to perfection in Student of The Year. Varun Dhawan talks about his physique and all the things related to it.
On 14th December Vidya Balan and her boyfriend, UTV head honcho, Siddharth Roy Kapur will get hitched and soon after all the wedding rituals, the duo will be heading to a Caribbean island. 
On the move
Saif Ali Khan is currently in Lucknow shooting for Tigmanshu Dhulia's film. His wife Kareena Kapoor has also joined him there and they spent quality time after shooting. They are apparently taking off for their honeymoon in December.
He allegedly maintained an extra marital affair with Delhi socialite Priya Sachdev (ex-wife of NRI businessman Vikram Chatwal). Even after the birth of their first child Samaira, he did not come straight.
Of revelry and a rivalry
While she was shooting
Elisha Ann Cuthbert (November 30, 1982) is a Canadian film and television actress. Cuthbert is the former co-host of the Canadian children's television series Popular Mechanics for Kids. In 1998, she had her first film, Airspeed. She followed this in 2003 with another film, Old School. Her most prominent television roles are as Kim Bauer in the FOX action-thriller series 24 and currently as Alex Kerkovich in the ABC ensemble comedy series Happy.