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Language no bar
It's not easy taking forward a classic, coming up with a sequel to it or subjecting it to any sort of imagination or adaptation. Contemporary French author Jacques Rampal has done precisely that - he has come up with what happened next in the story of Le Misanthrope, a play by Moliere, considered the Shakespeare of France. And Alliance Francaise-36, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the French Embassy in India, presents Celimene et le Cardinal, a French theatre play with English subtitles.
Says Rampal, the playwright and the stage director, "This play was so well-received in Canada that it played for three years all over the country." First created in 1992, even twenty years down the line, it continues to take the protagonists to places. It's a story of two lovers who are no more together. Says Gaelle Billot Danno, who plays Celimene, "It is not just a love story; it is a confrontation between two point of views that differ on religion and so many other things. The most challenging part about the play was striking a balance between comedy and message." There's Cardinal, who twenty years later, goes to his lover (now in her forties), still attractive but married and perfectly happy with her four children. Why? For months, he's haunted by a nightmare according to which Celimene is in great danger. Even amidst the differences between extreme ideologies, only love will win because even twenty years later, the lovers of Moliere still love each other! Says Pierre Azema, who plays the Cardinal, "We've already staged the play at some places in India; Bhopal, Delhi, Pondicherry, Kolkata…Chandigarh remains the ninth and the last stop." He adds, "We quite enjoyed enacting it in Bhopal because there was a proper theatre with a three-hundred plus audience. It depends on a lot of factors like lighting and infrastructure as well."
The French connection
They can't spell titles and take names due to language barrier, but they have a couple of opinions on the Indian cinema. "While staying in the hotels, flipping channels, we caught a glimpse of Bollywood movies. There is a lot of dancing and acting happening, it's amazing," says Pierre. While cricket and cinema stand for the two big Cs connecting the entire nation, theatre appreciation remains at a nascent stage. Chips in Gaelle Billot Danno, "Wherever we were supposed to perform in India, the Alliance Francaise managers warned us against the Indian audience, but there were no ringing phones or crying kids anywhere." That's coming a long way! manpriya@tribunemail.com
Grand stage
All said and done, in India theatre remains the poor cousin of cinema. Says Pierre Azema, "In France we receive a lot of government support and theatre is considered an art form almost parallel to cinema." He adds, "There's a state theatre and there's private theatre. While the private theatre is quite commercial and borders on comedies, state theatre is into classics, but at all levels there is a lot of experimentation happening."
This play was so well-received in Canada that it played for three years all over the country...It is not just a love story; it is a confrontation between two point of views that differ on religion and so many other things. The most challenging part about the play was striking a balance between comedy and message
While staying in the hotels, flipping channels, we caught a glimpse of Bollywood movies. There is a lot of dancing and acting happening, it's amazing...Wherever we were supposed to perform in India, the Alliance Francaise managers warned us against the Indian audience, but there were no ringing phones or crying kids anywhere
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Band width
Love for music has brought seven members with eclectic tastes together to form Ehsaas — a rock Sufi band based in Delhi. And the versatile band is all for live shows. In Chandigarh on Saturday for a cultural evening for St Johns Old Boys Association' three-day Winter Fest, the members of the band claimed Chandigarh as their second home because of the number of shows they get to do here.
Suryaveer Hooja, who enjoyed a solo career for eight years, thought of the band as it was getting monotonous. Having connected to the like-minded Waseem Ahmed and Sunil, Ehsaas came into the fold only a year back. Since then they have done some 100 shows in different parts of the country and the response is rousing. Contemporary Sufi is what they play. "It's important to catch the pulse of the crowd. It comes with experience," says Suryaveer. He adds, "It does get difficult though when they demand Chammak Challo." The band is open to playing Kishore Kumar songs to those of the movie Rock On but insists on doing it in their 'flavour'. In fact, Suryaveer already has two remix albums to his credit — Chase the Passion 1 and 2. Original or remix? "There are some old melodies that we want to render in our style." Happy they are with today's scenario, as there is more demand for shows. "Facebook has some one billion users, so has Youtube. Reaching out to people was never so easy," says Waseem. Internet taking music to places has its own downfall, but this band is looking for pluses…looking forward to collaborations with artistes from different genres and places.
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Chic choice
Well, if you are looking for super-effortless shape for easy dressing then the shift dress is just perfect for you. Universally loved because of its simplicity and versatility, the classic shift dress has been a real wardrobe hero. "Understated shapes in neutral tones are the essentials for a minimal chic dress.
Although formal dresses or gowns are a choice for a lot of occasions, they require careful selection. "Formal dresses can be made in several colours and materials, nonetheless the easiest are blacks and reds in chiffon, silk and crepes fabrics," says Rajneesh Jain from Meena Bazaar. Well, if you are planning to add one to your wardrobe, it's the regal jewel tones, black, reds, teal, as well as tons of champagne and gold metallics that are in this season. "For women who know fashion, it's the romantic notes of retro, shine of metal, refined laces, heavy velvet, twisted details, peplum, and draperies that remain trendy in the new season. Volume details of a hem with a numbers of frills or fringes are also in fashion," adds Rajneesh.
Check out
Understated shapes in neutral tones are the essentials for a minimal chic dress. Pencil shapes are perfect for a dinner look and for the ones who are slightly oversized, |
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Designs on men
Ludhiana is more than just an industrial hub; it's a city where fashion is weighed in terms of Louis Vuitton bags, Tag Heuer watches, Christian Louboutin shoes, Cavalli and Emporio Armani clothes.
At the same time, there is also space for Raman Vij, a designer from Ludhiana, who hasn't ever thought of shifting his base. He realised the buying capacity of Ludhiana residents much earlier than the designers based in other metros. "Don't forget, the number of big fat Punjabi weddings is highest here." The city didn't keep him away from showcasing his works at major fashion shows of India. He has been to WLIFW three times and also enjoyed a stint at the Lakme fashion Week. "That helps me win clients from other cities," says Raman Vij, who did his masters in Fashion and Textiles from Nottingham Trent University, London. Sticking to Ludhiana, working from his studio on Malhar Road, is not the only dicey decision he took twelve years ago when he began his career; another one was making clothes only for men. "I had people telling me that men don't indulge in fashion. It's only meant for women, their clothes, accessories and jewellery. I looked at the situation as a glass half full as many designers did not cater to men." It took five years to generate his clientele in and outside the city. Raman has come a long way; he now even retails his creations through different stores in Japan and Germany. His strength remains what Ludhiana is known for — knitwear. "I added red, mustard yellow and burnt orange to the shade-card of men-wear, which became popular," he says. Next year, he might take his collection to the WIFW, which will be after a good four years. Irregularity here doesn't mean he is still working on old collections, rather the clientele has increased so much that he has no time to spare for any fashion event. "I will have to spare a month's time if I want to showcase my work at the fashion week and time is what I don't have." Raman now wants to come up with a full-fledged clothing line for women; again from his studio on the Malhara Road in Sarabha Nagar. ashima@tribunemail.com
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Music and masti
Park Plaza Chandigarh is all set to celebrate its first Christmas and New Year in the hotel by offering a delightful culinary feast and ground-breaking music. "We started with the traditional Christmas cake mixing ceremony in the hotel wherein all the guests in house were invited for this spiritual and religious ceremony" says Gagandeep Singh, general manager, Park Plaza, Chandigarh. On the Christmas Eve there will be a special X-mas dinner at Cinnamon, which will have delectable buffet spread comprising roasted turkey, mince pies, Christmas pudding, live pasta, antipasti, mixed grilled stations, lavish Indian and desserts. The hotel is also set to rock this New Year Eve with music. There will be a live DJ and a renowned dance troop from North India. — TNS
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Fight the little pests
Last year you vowed to take 'it' head on in future. You were frustrated with their omnipresence. You abhorred it when you stepped on it and the resultant yellow spot persisted. It was in April-May that you saw the last of them crawling down the tree. The nightmare of gardeners, the mango mealy bugs, will appear any day.
Let there be no confusion, called mango mealy bug, it is not restricted to mango for forage but has a choice of more than 60 species. The mango mealy bug appears from the middle of December till the early February. The young ones appear from the soil around the tree trunk and start crawling up the tree where they keep feeding, almost stationary on the young twigs. As the weather starts warming up, they start crawling down and that is also the time when copulation takes place by an almost half the size male that has wings. The females are deprived of these and here is the catch. The insects as they crawl up need to be stopped by creating barrier. For this, a 1,000 gauge poly sheet, nearly 10 inches wide is tied about a meter above ground level around the tree trunk. The sheet is overlapped by about an inch and is secured by shoe nails. Don't worry the shoe nails will not cause damage. The lower edge of the sheet is smeared with wet mud so that the climbing insects do not use their talent to use the under pass. The insects crawl up, slip and fall down. After a few attempts, they get exhausted and die. You may notice some of the insects entering your home or crawling up the walls then these are disoriented insects that are bound to die in case they do not find any green on the way. You can remove them with a broom and kill. In April-May when they crawl down you can sprinkle folidol powder near the base of the tree and those who could have crawled up defying the poly band would die. (Narula is a senior PAU horticulturist)
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No dates for Lootera
Ranveer Singh is busy with Raam Leela and then Gunday and Sonakshi is busy with Bullet Raja and another film with Imran Khan. Their free dates do not match. So we wonder when this film will be completed.
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In Rekha’s shoes
Sonam Kapoor is playing Rekha's character in the remake of Khoobsurat produced by father Anil Kapoor. Rekha's performance was spectacular in the movie, so Sonam wants to meet Rekha and be guided by her.
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Miss match
Last week, she was hanging out with her friends at a nightclub in Mumbai and started making out with a girl in full public view! She does not care, really. She is just living her life the way she wants to! |
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Shilpa ready to rock
Will your husband Raj too dance with you on the show? Star Plus cannot afford Raj. Only I can make him dance (laughs). What will you be looking at? The show is all about dancing and chemistry between couples. The style of performing will be the X-factor for me. While dancing, when you add your own ada and style, it becomes special. Won’t it be tough to manage work and your son? It is difficult to handle both motherhood and work but I am glad to get this opportunity. As I have to work one day a week and even then my son is on the sets for sometime. Otherwise I set appointments according to my son’s timetable. What do you think of the contestants? I am impressed by them as everyone is hard working. I am especially impressed by Smita Bansal, who not only shoots for Balika Vadhu but just three months ago gave birth to a baby. Now participating in a dance show and working – all this is real hard work. Winning the international version of Bigg Boss did wonders to your career. And you hosted a season too. What do you think of the current season? Have you seen any episodes? Honestly with a baby I hardly get time to watch TV. But sometimes I catch the re-telecast. This year they have tried a lot of different stuff. TV is a medium that caters to a variety of audiences. And reality is something that just happens at the spur of the moment and you can’t plan those things. And reality shows work because if it didn’t we wouldn’t be seeing so many reality shows on TV. And people who don’t like it have the choice of changing channels. Sajid Khan and Terence Lewis too are judges on the show. Have you known them from before? I have worked with Terence once and I have known Sajid for years. He’s a laugh-riot and Terence is sweet. Each one of us lends a different aspect to dance and judging as we perceive it.
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Coming home
It is a difficult transition for both mother and daughter. But soon Pihu will fall ill as she is unable to adjust in the new house. This is when Ram decides to ask Priya if she can stay with them.
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Turn it around
Ekta Kapoor is famous for twists and turns. After killing Pradeep in Kya Hua Tera Vaada, she now plans to bring in more drama. With Mona (Mona Singh) managing her restaurant and kids, her enemy Anushka (Mouli Ganguly) returns to the scene. She will be in a mess. But soon she will find a friend in Jatin (Hiten Tejwani) who had earlier met her with an intention to marry.
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Back to business
Lean machine
Shoaib Ibrahim aka Prem of Sasural Simar Ka got a makeover last month. He lost 9 kg in a month and a half. "I wanted to be in tune with the trends. As an actor I need to sport a lean look. But the big reason behind this look is that I want to see myself on the silver screen. This is my ultimate goal. I took it as a challenge to lose weight. As per my dietician's guidance, I have to maintain average 68 kg weight,” says he. On being asked what he eats Shoaib says, "As per my diet chart I can have salads and oil free stuff and less carbohydrates. Initially, I had a lot of trouble in getting familiar to the diet but now I am happy as I feel good and light health wise. I pampered myself by getting a portfolio done with my new lean look.”
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All is well that ends well
The end
Mitali Nag and Kinshuk Mahajan starrer Zee TV’s Afsar Bitiya will now come to an end. Though the makers were hoping to shift it to an early slot, the channel did not agree because the show did not rake in TRPs. closed chapter: Mitali Nag
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Astro turf
ARIES: Your skills will be noticed by those who matter. Networking will help you build contacts. You gain insight by looking at truth and listing priorities. Tarot message: Don’t give up your rights or freedom without considering a second chance. TAURUS: Don’t waste time getting into arguments with colleagues or loved ones. Pay attention to health and don’t neglect any persistent symptoms. You can wait, watch and pick up your perfect moment. Tarot message: Think positive and be optimistic. Lucky colour: Forest green. Lucky number: 28 GEMINI: You may be in an irritable frame of mind and need to guard against making impulsive decisions. Differences could lead to tense moments and you have to be careful about losing your friend. Tarot message: Handle others carefully don’t antagonize
anyone. Lucky colour: Brown. Lucky number: 48 CANCER: Avoid making impulsive statements. Travel plans could run into some delays. There could be favourable news regarding a family member. Your heart is involved in an exciting personal relationship. Tarot message: Leave the past in the past. Lucky colour: Yellow.
Lucky number: 45 LEO: You will have opportunities to make an impression on seniors or new business associates. You should start to make certain changes in your lifestyle. Tarot message: Adapting to new technology will be important to keep pace with the changing times.
Lucky colour: White. Lucky number: 29 VIRGO: There is one golden rule in love; keep the communication open. You will start a long term venture that actualises your potential and brings you fame. Your sense of humour will put you in the spotlight. Tarot message: Unfinished business will unleash new problems. Lucky colour: Navy blue. Lucky number: 32
LIBRA: Allow your heart to lead the way in personal relationship. Disruption in a business venture is temporary. Your greatest friends are those you meet in transit. You play a healer for someone. Tarot message: Don’t enter into a conflict in a matter that doesn’t concern or affect you. Lucky colour: Maroon.
Lucky number: 47 SCORPIO: You are generous and giving in personal relationships and command respect from family and friends. Mastery of your skills or craft brings appreciation and fresh opportunity. An attitude or bad mood will make you less popular. Tarot message: Play your cards close to your heart. Lucky colour: Peach. Lucky number: 31 SAGITTARIUS: Finances brighten considerably. There is a chance to deeply impress someone without gloating, so be restrained when praising yourself. There is love and romance in a personal relationship. Tarot message: Delays are the only obstacle in your way to success. Lucky colour: Ebony. Lucky number: 53 CAPRICORN: Tension at home will have an emotional affect. Look to a close friend or family member to discuss long-term solutions. There is a chance to gain from interacting with your soulmate. Tarot message: Do what is right and watch your best interests.
Lucky colour: Aqua blue. Lucky number: 41 AQUARIUS: A romance that you might have thought was heading your way arrives on its own terms. It's advisable to meditate and remain centered within and witness the ups and downs. Tarot message: Learn to rely on your mind and hope your intellectual abilities. Lucky colour: Pista greens. Lucky number: 26 PISCES: It's a good time to build up positive patterns that foster growth. Look around at the successful people you admire - diligence is the secret they share. Your love life will be good.
Tarot message: You will need to learn how to cope better with success. Lucky colour: Cream.
Lucky number: 65
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The year ahead
If your birthday is December 23...
You can gain the trust of your collaborators by involving them in the current situation. They'll be understanding and helpful. Due to your partner's forgetfulness, tonight's plans go up in smoke but you'll take the blame. For you, this is a winning moment, which you must know how to make the most of. Nothing lasts forever. Remember you will obtain best results by joining with people who share your interests and aspirations. Official travel will keep you busy. Financial progress might be restricted to moderate. Expenses on health are likely. You will find yourself with less energy than you generally have - don't overload yourself with additional work. Take some rest and reschedule your appointments. Don't make investments in haste; losses are certain if you don't look at investments from all possible angles. Children cause some disappointment as they spend more time on outdoor activities than planning their career. Work quietly towards your goals and do not disclose your motives before you attain success. Unexpected travel for some proves to be hectic and stressful. Today’s birthday is not a bad day to unwind and reflect on your life's journey. Don't count too much on lady luck. Prudence is important. Those born after 1980 must avoid being malicious or arrogant. Try to control your instinct and wait for the right time. You might feel a little impatient about attaining a certain goal. Be patient, use this period to prepare yourself - you'll be ready when the time comes. Communication with good friends promise hope and joy. Organisational involvements can now offer stimulation through new ideas, outlook and projects. A dream can seem realistic. It appears that you might be about to promise more than you can deliver; stick to what you are able to fulfill. That way, you'll be able to maintain your reputation. The year 2013 is good for gaining emotional poise and increasing your tolerance levels when dealing with stress. The time after September is not good for students; they may lose interest in studies. Some of them are likely to give up their education for a career. They should decide their priorities after deliberating all pros and cons. Emotional issues, problems and needs may bog you down early in January. You will be in touch with a government agency and seek some kind of clearance. Mood: Emotionally vulnerable.
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Christmas is knocking at the doors and people are keenly looking forward to parties, re-unions and X-mas balls! With the old Hollywood-look predominant in gowns, it's the wonderful little black dress with its sexy necklines that is set to rule the party circuit. City stores are replete with dresses that spell elegance and glamour at the same time.
Pencil shapes are perfect for a dinner look and for the ones who are slightly oversized, shapeless silhouette of a shift dress balances its shorter length," says designer Amit Kashyap from Enlivens Diva. 
When looking for dresses, it's classy, regal and edgy that is in vogue this season and at Samsaara, Hotel Taj, Chandigarh, you find some great collections by designers like Nachiket Barve, Pria Kataaria Puri, Zooni and more. "Dresses and gowns have always been a highpoint at this time of the year and considering that Western outfits are much-liked, we have progressive yet clever designs by Nachiket to fit a contemporary woman's wardrobe. For glamorous yet elegant, simple but wearable designs we have designs by Pria Kataaria Puri. Her figure-accentuating gowns and cocktail dresses are perfect wear for a formal party. Titled Red Carpet, Pria's collection is inspired from gemstones colours such as pearly whites, onyx blacks, ruby reds, sapphire, emerald green, golden topaz and yellow sapphire. Silk chiffons, lace, stretch satin, and lycra skim the body and add extra style to the collection," says Divya Kapoor from Samsaara.
The shooting of Lootera has been delayed once again which has also pushed the release.
Riya Sen is bisexual, it seems! Recently, she has been linked with author Salman Rushdie and singer Axl Rose.
Shilpa Shetty is back to work again. This time she will be seen judging the dance reality show Nach Baliye 5 on Star Plus. At the launch of the show, Shilpa talks about her excitement and enthusiasm of being back to work.
In Sony’s Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Priya (Sakshi Tanwar) gives Ram (Ram Kapoor) custody of their daughter Pihu.
Rakshanda Khan is back on television. She will be seen in Sahara One’s Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Aangam Hoga essaying the role of a businesswoman. Rakshanda was last seen in the mythological show Mahadev
Popular actress Sanjeeda Sheikh has quit Sahara One’s Piya Ka Ghar Pyaara Lage because she has got a better offer. She has signed a new show produced by Ravi Ojha, who earlier made Sasural Genda Phool. Sanjeeda left Piya Ka Ghar on an amicable note after serving her notice period. She will start shooting around New Year for the new show.
You share your birthday with Estella Dawn Warren (December 23, 1978) a Canadian actress and model. She is also known for her roles in the 2001 re-adapted film Planet of the Apes and Beauty and the Beast (2009) as well as television shows Law & Order, a Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.