FLASH BACK
Passion for fashion
Fashion changes each year; 2012 was no different. New designs, new cuts, new faces…there’s a lot that happened. Here’s a quick comparison of the fashion scene in Chandigarh and Ludhiana in the past one year…
Ashima Batish

Two years ago, there was a Chandigarh fashion week to boast of. Last year, just after a couple of editions, the fashion event was done away with; reasons never explained, never sought. Whatever little dose of fashion the city got from the small annual affair became measured; we were just left with a liquor brand sponsored fashion show and appearances by a few designers.

high designs: Wendell Rodricks

This year too wasn't much different. We had the same Blenders Pride Fashion Week, which brought established names from the industry here. For that matter, Ludhiana fared better. Punjab International Fashion Week ran into its third year; Ludhiana — the city known for people who not just understand fashion, but also wear it on their sleeve had a lot more to brag about. Here is summing up what happened on and off the ramp in Chandigarh vis-a-vis Ludhiana, which is certainly blessed with a higher fashion quotient.

Beginning with Chandigarh, if the contribution from the city didn't come in terms of die-hard fashion followers, it surely did in terms of creators of fashion. JJ Valaya continuing with the celebrations of his two decades in the industry brought out his second photography exhibition titled The Soul In the Space. It was relevant to the city since Valaya captured architectural patterns of important buildings along with those in Jodhpur and Scotland.

star appeal: Pernia Qureshi

The year, however, belonged to Pankaj and Nidhi, the designer duo who belong here. They presented the much-applauded finale at the Lakme Fashion Week earlier this year. Their collection Monochorme, as the name suggests, had the base of ebony and ivory, with interesting overtones of cobalt-green and fuchsia-red. The silhouettes rendered the shape of cape coats and asymmetric structured skirts to the creations, but it was their unusual technique of weaving cloth, lattice work, used for making cots and blinds, which got them the maximum attention. They came to Chandigarh later in the year as a part of the Blenders Pride Fashion Week and brought with them their collection Liquid Gold Tree, which was done up entirely in golden colour. The motifs used were those of leaves, tree trunks and branches.

Raghavendra Rathore, Mandira Wirk, Neeta Lulla, Wendell Rodricks and Nida Mahmood came to the city as well as part of the fashion extravaganza along with their beautiful collections, proving why they are so much in demand even after all these years. Wendell, in fact, used the platform not just to present his fluid designs, but also to launch his book, The Green Room, which gave us a peep into the dark bright world of fashion. Raghavendra announced his shift from men couture to men casuals with his label Club Jodhpur.

Baroque work by Neeta Lulla on predominantly black colour, as she said, aimed at reflecting the darker side of woman. As for Nida, she did what was expected from her — some quirky designs resulting in quirky creations! Just like the annual (at times biannual) practice with Queenie Singh — she came, she saw and she conquered; if not with her over-priced diamond jewellery, with her million-dollar smile! Fitter than ever before, Queenieunapologetically talked about her socialite status and love for luxury.

In between, the city also welcomed Pernia Qureshi, the popular stylist of popular muse Sonam Kapoor and Ashley Rebello who deserves applause for his casual yet chic styling of Salman Khan. It for sure made the 'Tiger' look younger and agile!

Cut to Ludhiana

It felt bad when the designers landed in Chandigarh and headed to Ludhiana; conveniently ignoring the fashion enthusiasts in the city, but what else could they have done when Ludhiana promised them clients who did more than just window-shop! Tarun Tahiliani didn't come down himself, but sent his collection to Ludhiana for a trunk show and his office staff claim that the exhibition in Ludhiana minted more money than any other city in India it went to. Varun Bahl went a step ahead; he personally visited the city with his work and was almost able to clear the stock. Even Raghavendra Rathore paid some visits to the city.

Leave alone designers, Ludhiana is also label rich. It has Mac, Guess, Mango…enough to justify why designers find it their haven. And why Chandigarh, they say, has rich people but not the kinds who splurge on designer-wear…why Chandigarh lags behind Ludhiana!

ashima@tribunemail.com

Three cheers!
Sameer Singh, Swaraansh Mishra and Azeem Alvi Ahmed have come together to create notes with a difference
Jasmine Singh

Console magic: Sameer Singh

It's different….it is often the directors who are compelled to repeat the two words while promoting their films. Come to think of it, it is the difference that makes all the difference! On a different note is the fusion band 3 The People, the first band in North India to fuse 'fresh' classical music with contemporary genres.

Sameer Singh (DJ on technologies), Swaraansh Mishra (vocalist / lyricist) and Azeem Alvi Ahmed (Sitar), the three members of the band, are creating notes with a difference.

Mix & match

Swaraansh is from the sixth generation of the Benaras Gharana. His father Pandit Sajan Mishra is a classical vocalist of the Padma Bhushan Rajan-Sajan Mishra duo fame. Swaraansh has rendered one of his compositions Gum hain raaste for an upcoming film Maati as well.

wired in: Swaraansh Mishra

Azeem again comes with a classical background. He is from the Delhi Gharana and his father Ustad Sayyed Ahmed Alvi is a sitar player. For Sameer, a resident DJ with Altius, Chandigarh, he has been exploring different genres of music, while specialising in electronic.

"I had performed with Azeem last New Year Eve and we decided to experiment with music of different backgrounds. Azeem approached Swaraansh for the same and this is how the band 3 The People was formed," says Sameer.

The members of band decided not to follow the old track by simply putting new music on old lyrics. Adds Swaraansh, "We have created fresh classical music and then fused it with contemporary style."

Track record

Classical touch: Azeem Alvi

3 The people is the only band that is based on Indian classical music. The band is all for writing new classical songs, adding live sitar and then adding electronic beats. "Our compositions are based on India ragas. It is then fused with dub-step, house, drum and base," says Azeem.

Rocking together

One of the tracks done by the group, Ud Chala, is dedicated to a friend's brother who committed suicide. The other one, Dholna, is a fresh Punjabi number with original lyrics. "It is the track Mahadev that gives us goose-bumps when we hear it," laughs Sameer.

They now have plans to travel with their tracks throughout the country. "I contributed for an experimental album Sangam, which was a true 'sangam' of Hindustani classical vocals. For the same reason, I feel experimental music is what will bring something new, fresh and different to music," says Swaraansh.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Doc Talk 
Lip reading
Dr Vikas Sharma

Pink or red spotless lips add to the beauty of both men and women. Cold winds in the winter tend to negate this by affecting the lip mucosa. It becomes all the more difficult to maintain the young look of lips and surrounding skin after 35 years of age. Lips are more susceptible as the skin on our lips is very thin and there are less specialised glands underneath to help protect them as compared to rest of the skin.

Harmful agents

Cold can contribute to unstable lips as well as heat from room heaters and blowers if kept too close.

Another cause of unstable lips is ageing. The older one gets, the more prone they are to chapping and drying.

Avoid licking your lips once dry which is easier said than done, but the inner acidic secretions cause further damage and finally result in dark pigmentation at the angles and around the lips.

Another bad habit that cause further damage to the lips is biting off bits of dead skin resulting in formation of cuts and fissures.

Chewing on the lips especially in tense situations is more popular than one might imagine. And for women who wear lipstick, here is a bit of trivia. Women who are habitual lip chewers end up ingesting four to nine pounds of lipstick in to their stomach during their life.

Problem area

Inflammation of lips is medically termed as cheilitis. It varies from mild chapping of lips to severe actinic and contact cheilitis.

Chapping: Lip chapping is a reaction to adverse environmental conditions usually caused by exposure to freezing cold or to hot dry blowers. The skin mucosa of lips loses its plasticity and the lip surface becomes sore, cracked and scaly. The affected person tends to lick the lips or to pick at the scales, as a reflex action and here one commits the reflexive error thus aggravating the condition further. Treatment is by application of petroleum jelly and avoidance of the adverse environmental conditions.

Eczematous cheilitis: This common anomaly of lips is seen in persons who are atopic. The treatment is with emollients and topical corticosteroids have to be added to arrest the damage.

Contact cheilitis: Contact cheilitis is an inflammatory reaction provoked by the irritant or sensitizing action of chemicals present in various items meant for daily routine usage and a person is totally ignorant of what actually is causing all the harm.

Know these

• Many cases are caused by lipsticks, toothpastes or mouthwashes but a large number of substances can cause or aggravate this condition. So use carefully these agents once one notices even slightest of dryness or scaling on lips.
• Lipsticks are composed of several lip sensitisers like mineral oils and wax (which form the stick), castor oil as a solvent for the dyes, lanolin as an emollient, preservatives, perfumes and colours. The dyes include azo-dyes and eosin. Lipstick cheilitis not only damages the lips but also affect the skin beyond lip boundaries. There is persistent irritation and scaling and in some a more acute reaction with swelling and oozing.
• Mouthwashes and toothpastes: Lip sensitizers present in some tooth-pastes include essential oils, such as peppermint, cinnamon, clove and spearmint. All these can worsen already existing inflammation of the lips.
• Once there is lip damage one should be careful while consuming citrus fruits as the oil on the peel of citrus fruits is irritant to the lip skin; in addition, some sweet oranges contain a weakly phototoxic agent that can cause a reaction in pale-skinned people. Garlic can also worsen the already existing inflammation of lips.

the ‘in’ side
Get floored, naturally!
Sukhmani

The green consciousness in housing has now permeated the flooring industry as well. Choosing a green floor can reduce the level of toxicity, increase the energy efficiency and leave a mild environment footprint compared to other flooring options.

Cork: Due to the tiny sealed air pockets it's made of, cork floors give the feeling of walking on air. This is a durable flooring option. Even if you drop something heavy on it, the floor will eventually spring back up. It is noise absorbent, insulating and fire and water resistant. All of these properties really make it a popular choice in the kitchen.

Linoleum: Linoleum is made from all natural materials, including linseed oil, wood flour, tree resins, cork dust and minerals that are then pressed onto a vegetable fiber backing. It has many other great positives, including it being long lasting, water resistant and fairly easy to clean and biodegradable.

Bamboo: Bamboo is a much more renewable resource than traditional hardwood as it requires a much shorter time to grow and can be harvested from the same plants. It is often just as strong if not stronger than most hardwoods and has similar properties.

Earthen: Created from clay, lime and sand, this is a floor perfect for cold areas because it holds heat. Earthen floors won't dent, scratch, crack and they are unique and inexpensive. They work well in eco resorts but home owners may not like the look.

Recycled glass & ceramic tiles: Colourful recycled glass and ceramic tiles are a great environmental-friendly flooring choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Not only is this tile scratch-resistant and fire-resistant, but lasts years beyond other types of flooring. It is also easy to clean. Recycled tile is now widely available and can be found in practically any colour you can imagine.

Concrete: Concrete, containing high fly-ash content, serves as a multipurpose green flooring option. For one, it saves the expense of installing another flooring material, like wood or carpet. It also makes use of an industrial by-product, a decided eco-friendly flooring advantage. And concrete, unlike carpet, doesn't harbour allergens and dust, so it contributes to high indoor air quality.

Wool carpets: Many carpets contain high levels of VOC just like in paints and can be made from materials derived from petroleum. Wool carpets on the other hand are made from all natural materials. Of course, wool is the main material, but use natural adhesives and backings. You will not find harmful chemicals and everything is biodegradable. Downside to wool carpets is that they retain moisture and are expensive.

(Sukhmani is a Chandigarh-based interior and landscape designer)

CELEB POINT
Bonding with the best
Divya Dutta

The last month entailed a lot of travelling and meeting new people. On one of my flights, the seat next to me was still not occupied. I started reading and then felt somebody sitting next to me. I held my breath when I saw Vinod Khanna! I was in awe as it was the first time I had ever met him. The star of his times and one of the most good looking and smashing heroes of our industry. His swaying walk was a craze. As we greeted each other, and unlike a normal conversation that starts with ‘how are you’ and followed by ‘nice meeting you’, this one continued till we landed, without a break. We hit it off right from the word go! We discussed films, life, philosophy, everything. He made me laugh so much. As I chatted and still couldn’t get enough, I realized that we tend to let the star aura affect us so much that we forget to touch base with the lovely person that he or she is who would love to be spoken to on one on one basis. And how real they are! He had so much to talk and share.

The same happened on another flight. I met Asha Bhonsle ji! I had hosted a show for her a few months back but that time it was only a ‘hi how r u’!

This time was different! I just sat and held her hand. She's just lost her daughter and what could be a bigger tragedy? But she hides it behind that dimpled smile. I could see the pain in her eyes. We talked, about life, vulnerabilities and people! We were still talking when the plane landed. We exchanged numbers...to continue again!

So beautiful to know the real people behind those huge stars! To have touched a chord with them on a level, not many can. To see them beyond their power-packed images and to see how they love to share. These are beautiful bonds. Thank you special people! These are the experiences I'll carry with me all my life!

And then I had a school reunion after years. I was returning from Delhi to Mumbai but changed my mind and decided to attend it in Ludhiana. They were all there--my school buddies! It was beautiful to catch up from where we left. And all those years gone by didn’t seem to come in-between! School friends brought along the innocence of childhood, the way they knew you for who you were and not what you are now. Chats, teasing and laughter! It was an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to someone up there for these great moments which you cherish. I am loving this new me, walking out of my comfort zone to see and feel life, meet people and talk to them and listen to them. Let them touch your life in their own distinct way and they too, I am sure, have a smile on their faces when they think of you…

(Dutta is a Bollywood actor)

star track
Prachi in Vikram Bhatt's next

Spooky time: Prachi Desai

Riding high on the success of Raaz 3 and 1920 Evil Returns, producer-director Vikram Bhatt has started planning his next thrilling project of the 1920 franchise.

The producer has signed Prachi Desai for the coming installment of the horror film that marks the directorial debut of Tinu Suresh Desai. On his decision to cast Prachi, Bhatt said, “The girl in the film belongs to a royal family and Prachi looks extremely classy and dignified. She has that allure of royalty.” In all her excitement, Prachi observed, “I am glad that Vikram and I are finally working together. The story blew my mind, it’s never been seen before. His films have clearly touched the pulse of the audience and this will be my first thriller/horror movie. I’m immensely excited and happy to be trying my hand at a different genre.” The film goes on floors in March 2013 and is to shot entirely in England in the Edwardian ear, Prachi’s look and costumes are inspired by those of Kate Winslet. 

Emraan reunites with Vidya

New role: Emraan Hashmi

After creating a buzz in The Dirty Picture, Emraan Hashmi has teamed up again with Vidya Balan for No One Killed Jessica fame director Raj Kumar Gupta's next film Ghanchakkar.

Emraan is excited to have had a chance to work with Vidya and is also in love with the script. "The film is a very unique combination as there is comedy, suspense as well as thrills. It is great to be reuniting with Vidya after The Dirty Picture. It was back to being with someone who is familiar to you," Emraan said. The actor is on a roll because three of his films namely Jannat 2, Shanghai and Raaz 3 released this year. For the next year, he also has three films lined up —Vishal Bharadwaj's Ek Thi Daayan, Karan Johar's Unglee and UTV’s Ghanchakkar.

They are most admired…

Amitabh Bachchan Sridevi

In a new mobile survey conducted by Vuclip, megastar Amitabh Bachchan and stunning Sridevi have been emerged as Vuclip Icons of the Year 2012. Big B and Sridevi emerged as the most-admired Bollywood actors.

Amitabh Bachchan received 43 per cent votes whereas Sridevi won the survey leaving behind the present leading actresses of Bollywood like Kareena Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and Vidya Balan. It was a neck-to-neck competition between Sridevi and Katrina Kaif and Kat lose with a narrow margin.

"I am humbled to see the overwhelming response from my fans. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them once again for their love, blessings and unstinted support towards me and my movies. Whatever I have achieved in life is because of the love and support of my fans," said Sridevi.

AR Rahman became the most admired Bollywood music composer and Sonu Nigam bagged the title of the most admired male playback singer and Sunidhi Chauhan the most admired female playback singer. Aditya Chopra was chosen as the most admired Bollywood filmmaker.

Angelia Jolie selected the most admired Hollywood actress while Johhny Depp was voted the hottest Hollywood actor of 2012. Lady Gaga emerged as most admired international female singer and American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars emerged as the most admired international male singer. Ratan Tata emerged as India's Most Admired Business Icon. In politics, Rahul Gandhi voted as the most admired young political leader.

A complex triangle

Buddy-hood: Karan Johar & Salman Khan

Karan Johar and Salman Khan have been friends since Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Of course, KJo and SRK's friendship is legendary. Sources say that Karan and Salman were together at the premiere of Dabangg 2 and the after-party as well. Even Salman was a little surprised. Despite the rivalry and cold war between SRK and Salman, Karan has been a regular at Salman's parties and events.

Full circle

Ajay Devgn has shot some portions of the remake of Himmatwala directed by Sajid Khan at the same place in Chembur, where he began his career with Phool Aur Kaante 20 years ago.

Barfi! out

A still from Barfi!

Barfi! had been much-acclaimed and that resulted in nominating the film as India’s official entry to the Oscar. But then there was an immense uproar that changed the scenario for Barfi!. There were particularly 10 scenes that had been directly lifted from foreign films.

The makers of this film received flak for such plagiarism and thus its entry to Oscar seemed the worst choice ever. The film had been debunked by many from the industry as well. The Film Federation of India’s rationality had been questioned as to why the film had been sent where there had been other good films. However, only nine films have been selected out of the total of 75 films which had qualified to compete for the prestigious category and Barfi! is not in that list.

Bip’s hit list

Fan club: Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu feels that Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone are the fittest actors in Bollywood and that Salman Khan is the sexiest. It is not surprising that ex-beau John Abraham does not figure anywhere in her list.

Three for company

Ameesha Patel is going on a holiday with her business partner Kunaal and his wife Shammli to Thailand for the New Year's Eve. We wonder if they are having a threesome! The trio goes everywhere together and Ameesha should seriously get a guy!

chatter box
Dance with us

Nach Baliye is back with the fifth season. With eleven sensational celebrity jodis, glamorous new judges and new hosts, Nach Baliye Season 5 will be aired every Saturday at 9 pm from December 29 on Star Plus.

The three judges this year are Bollywood’s favourite dancer, Shilpa Shetty Kundra; director and actor, Sajid Khan and celebrity choreographer Terrence Lewis. Karan Wahi and Gautam Rode will host the show. Here’s introducing the jodis...

Amar and Charlie

Kunwar mesmerised the nation with his dancing talent now he’s the heartthrob of Dil Dosti Dance (Channel V). Charlie is known for her carefree attitude and her flamboyant style in Best Friends Forever (Channel V). This couple symbolises today’s youth and their bindass attitude may just have the nation rooting for them.

Jay and Mahi

Jay and Mahi are one of the television’s most loved romantic jodi. Jay’s charisma makes him an absolute favourite among the viewers while Mahi is known for portraying several multi-faceted roles. They love to disagree and that forms the foundation of the strong bond between them.

Shefali and Parag

The Kaanta laga girl introduced item numbers to the Indian television screen. The bold item girl Shefali met the introvert Parag, a television star, and love happened! Will Parag be able to match up to Shefali’s dance moves?

Smita and Ankush

Smita has an image is of an ideal saas that every girl dreams of while Ankush is a well-known TV director. They have been married for 11 years and have recently become proud parents of a baby girl. Will the parents be able to successfully juggle between rehearsals, yet spare time for their kid?

Rahul and Dimpy

The couple met and got married on a reality show will be back in the limelight. Rahul and Dimpy are known for their sizzling chemistry, and have weathered all the ups and downs in their marriage to come out strong. This couple will be seen dancing together for the first time on television. The audiences are expecting a lot from this couple. 

Arvind and Neelu

Indian television’s favourite saas ‘Bhabho’ of Diya Aur Baati Hum will be seen dancing with her real-life husband and Rajasthani superstar, Arvind Kumar on national television. Married for many years now, their compatibility give them an edge.

Suhasi and Jaisheel

Every parent wished for a daughter like Suhashi as she charmed the audiences with a recent character she played. She married her college sweetheart, Jaisheel, and dance drew them even closer when they started learning salsa!

karan and Nisha

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’s Naitik met Nisha Rawal a fashion designer on the sets of a film. Nisha lost her heart to the perfect beta of Star Parivaar. Mesmerised by each other, this couple tied the knot in November this year. The show would be a test of nerves for the newly-weds as they embark on this exciting yet challenging journey.

Kushal and Elena

Their love knows no boundaries – Kushal of Ek Hazaron Mein Meri Behna Hai met Elene, a Bulgarian model in New York and sparks flew. She soon decided to move to India with him. Unfamiliar with Indian dance and culture, it will be interesting to see Elene improvise, fit in and let Kushal take the lead.

Deepshikha and Kaishav

The single mother of two met her perfect match on the sets of her film Yeh Dooriyan. Keshav is much younger to Deepshika but has supported her at every step of life. This couple’s chemistry will make for an interesting watch on the show.

Rishika's flair for Cooking!

Rishika Mihani aka Shivani in Love Marriage Ya Arranged Marriage is one actress who is a good cook in real life and ironically in the show her mother in law teaches her cooking. She feels cooking is the best stressbuster, "I am a Sindhi and a big food lover. I started cooking since I was twelve. I can make delicious Sindhi Curry, Chicken and Mutton and even Gujarati and Punjabi food. Each time when I get stressed I go into the kitchen and cook something. I have uncanny habit of figuring out how the dish is made when I eat it. My boyfriend Ameya loves to eat everything I cook.”




                                                            What’s Cooking: Rishika 

Men can cry

Gurmeet Choudhary doesn’t think that tears are a sign of weakness for men. “Crying shows emotions and not weakness. I am a happy- go- lucky person but if I get upset or emotionally disturbed then I am not ashamed to cry,” he says. But we had our macho hero crying real tears for one of the emotional scenes. “In our current track in Punarvivah, Gurmeet’s character Yash finds out the truth about Aarti. He has come to care deeply for her and on realising that this relationship was resting on such a big lie, he breaks down. But our surprise came when Gurmeet started crying with actual tears without the aid of glycerin,” Comments the producer Sumeet Mittal. According to the unit of Punarvivah, he was crying so deeply and emotionally that everybody on the sets had tears in their eyes. “I don’t know what came over me but something just triggered. I felt so drained afterwards,” laughs Gurmeet. Produced under the banner of Shashi-Sumeet Production, serial Punarvivah is going through an intricate emotional upheaval.

Talent hunt

Makers of Uttaran Film Farm were in talks with Life Ok for their new show Savitri but after some alleged creative differences the channel has now signed on another production house. Actor Shabbir Ahluwalia's Flying Turtles will now handle the making of the show starring Riddhi Dogra, Yash Pandit and Angad Hasija, which will be launched early next year.

Astro turf
P Khurrana

ARIES: Chances are high for meeting a good companion. Couples can spend a delightful time in each other’s company, appreciating all the strengths of the relationship. Domestic servant can be cause of worry. Tarot message: Do not finance an overseas trip. Lucky colour: Sea-green. Magic number: 27

TAURUS: Early hours are definitely the best. If you are working, try to get a special favour by 11.00 a.m. A bubbly mood in good company relieves the heaviness of pending duties on your plate for the days to come. Tarot message: Empty promises are certain. Lucky colour: Rust. Magic number: 63

GEMINI: Learning processes and communication endeavours are highlighted. Changes made today will certainly be for the best. An engagement or marriage is in the wings. Tarot message: Be honest to your desires; if you are truthful you will get the money in advance. Lucky colour: Ebony. Magic number: 27

CANCER: You will be free to operate as you feel is right. Relatives will do all they can to help. Speculation in property is not favoured. Legal matters can encounter red-tape; be patient. Tarot message: Every idea can be put into practice. Lucky colour: Ebony. Magic number: 57

LEO: The atmosphere will not be conducive for achieving good results. Coming to angry words over personal differences will only be regretted. A run-in with an aggressive character can spoil the day. Tarot message: Don’t allow others to dent your confidence. Lucky colour: Crimson. Magic number: 56

VIRGO: The pendulum of luck will not stop its moments today. Health-wise rest is needed otherwise fatigue will produce pessimism. Leave stress, worries and cares behind; enjoy yourself. Tarot message: A positive attitude heals old wounds. Lucky colour: White. Magic number: 51 

LIBRA: The Knight of Wands promises a high-profile day. Expect kindness and generosity from those who genuinely like you. Give way to minor issues. This is not a period for risking cash. Tarot message: If you play your cards right you’ll be able to avert future difficulties. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 52

SCORPIO: Your card “the Fool” reveals deception, delays and unhealthy conditions in your profession. Keep your wits about you and you will clinch a deal. Chronic patients need to take care. Tarot message: You have to push to succeed and your efforts will pay off. Lucky colour: Forest-green. Magic number: 50

SAGITTARIUS: You will have to check your plans. Improve your health by paying more attention to diet. Today you should be able to surprise the boss by showing the adaptable side of your nature. Tarot message: Draw on inner energies. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 27

CAPRICORN: Today money may come in from unexpected sources. Parents will find that this is a good time for dealing with youngsters. Crazy suggestions for entertainment can intrigue. Tarot message: Balance in all aspects is recommended. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 29

AQUARIUS: Deal with all outstanding communication as certain people are surely waiting to hear from you. Detachment does not mean indifference. An early warning of a health problem is a blessing in disguise. Tarot message: Do not swing away from the course. Lucky colour: Black. Magic number: 64

PISCES: Today fear of loss of reputation or slander could grip you. Be courageous about a new investment opportunity. Housewives may develop interest in social activities. Urgent demands on the domestic front need attention. Tarot message: Your efforts will gain momentum. Lucky colour: Saffron. Magic number: 48 

The year ahead
Madan Gupta Spatu

If your birthday is December 26...

Things will be positive at work; you will enforce certain principles. Finances will be moderate; both gains and expenses are likely. Personal life tends to be fair. You'll be able to show-off your strengths and just how indispensable you are. Avoid making pointless promises. If you are still looking for ‘the one’, this is a favourable period for you but try not to isolate yourself.

Take a scandalous story with a pinch of salt. There's a good chance one of your friends is trying to stir up trouble. By keeping an open mind, you'll learn the truth. Everyone else will be scrambling to make apologies. The victim of this gossip will remember you didn't jump on the bandwagon. If you loaned money to a friend or a loved one, you probably won't get it back!

Capricorn sign and number 26 augurs an industrious and demanding 2013; you will be able to succeed in any business venture that you establish and in any work that you will choose this year. You will receive profits and gains, which are more than the efforts you have put in. The year is also the starting point for more success in the future. Find time to finish projects or plans that you weren’t able to during 2012. Fortunately, all your goals, long-term or short-term, will bear fruit this year.

You'll go through a nostalgic phase and will think of an old flame. No wonder you feel run down; you're totally overworked. It's time to share some of these burdens with your colleagues. Bad news comes your way early in 2013 and might keep you off-balance for a few months. Try not to act rashly; though you may be tempted to take quick action, you're much better off slowing down and waiting to see how it all shapes out.

Mood: Emotional.

Compatible signs: Virgo, Libra.

Lucky colours: Brown, Yellow.

Lucky days: Monday and Wednesday.

Lucky numbers: 8, 13, 24, 40, 44.

You share your birthday with Jared Joseph Leto (December 26, 1971), who is an American actor, director, producer, model and musician. He rose to prominence after playing Jordan Catalano in the teenage drama My So-Called Life. Leto is the lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and main songwriter for 30 Seconds to Mars. He formed the rock band in 1998 in Los Angeles, California, along with his elder brother Shannon Leto.