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Romance down the ages
Love is not love Wrote Shakespeare in the sixteenth century; we are in twenty-first at the moment and we still have souls who take the Love Sonnet 116 from the bard literally! There are also those who have changed with the changing times…here is a journey back down the memory lane. During the seventies, for the Pannus it was largely love through letters. He was Army personnel, she a doctor; and it was love notes that kept them connected all through the decades that the couple spent apart due to professional commitments. And, mind you, this love blossomed after wedding! “My professors really scorned me for having said yes to a match without even seeing the boy, but I had full faith in my family,” says Dr Birinder Kumr Pannu Parwaz who got hitched soon after her MBBS. She is happy with the decision. “We would write to each other and wait for days for the post to be delivered. And I totally give credit to my husband, Brigadier PS Pannu (retd), who was equally prompt if not more.” During the early eighties, lovers had to brave not only social censure but also natural hazards to meet! Recalls theatre-person GS Channi, “Love was a very secretive affair then, when friends played the courier and all you could ask for was to see your beloved in a mandir, gurdwara or the like. Only the bravehearts risked meeting in person, that too far away from the piercing eyes of people.” Channi and his wife Harleen Kohli, however, liked
each other first before they went in for the ‘arranged marriage’.
Things changed during the nineties and for good. Abha Sharma, who was in the Panjab University then, was and is still an eternal romantic unlike her compatriots. She recalls one of the girls stating in her hostel at that time, “For a boy to date me he at least needs to have a Maruti.” Romance rather blossomed up in the Kasauli hills during those days and Hot Millions was a favourite hangout place! What followed was a deluge of discs and restaurants and suddenly those with money found all the ‘love’. Valentine’s Day knocked and courtesy Archies, things too became very materialistic. Gone are the days when boys would crowd the Panjab University atop tractors! Beginning of that decade saw heavy ‘gating’ of girls’ hostels, no boys allowed and cops dotting all the hangout zones. Maruti has given way to SUVs, just got to know from Harit Kumar, an M Sc student in Bioinformatics in DAV College that it’s but common to borrow a bigger car than a girl’s current boyfriend to win her heart. Really! A proposal and a ‘yes’ is what youngsters are doing with flowers, chocolates, teddies, treats, dance parties on Valentine’s Day and more, but this not the ‘real’ love, he warns. “It’s more of ‘ending up in bed kinda’ love. There might be true lovers too who stay together, get married and stuff but I rarely see them around,” he shares. Love today is rather a means to an end, comes another definition. This time, it’s from Monika Kaur, a B Tech student from Chandigarh. “Everyone is so much in love with his or her own self that it’s difficult to look beyond. A small argument and you part ways with one partner to find another,” says an exasperated girl who wonders if she can find ‘love’ the way her parents did. They had a love marriage, she tells and sailing smoothly through the ups and downs of life! mona@tribunemail.com
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Love thy food
The Pewter Room
Eat to love, love to eat, either ways The Pewter Room will help you with this. A special menu and packages for the Valentine’s Day promise to make it a memorable day in your life. The Valentine packages start from Rs 2,000 for a couple, including a five-course meal especially designed for the occasion, with a drink each to be chosen from a range of mocktails, wines et al. You might also get lucky at The Blue Blazer as the lounge is running a lucky draw contest for all its visitors with a gift prize worth Rs 12,000. This royal hamper will offer the lucky couple a four-hour chauffeur driven Mini Cooper around tri-city, one bottle champagne, couple movie tickets of Wave Cinema top row, the Valentine special five-course couple dinner at The Pewter Room and free entry at the The Blue Blazer for Valentine evening party. At JW Marriott
This Valentine's Day, see love blossom and treat your beloved to a lovely dinner buffet. Have scrumptious desserts, including berry puddings, fresh strawberry tarts, fresh fruit mojito, unlimited sparkling wine at Café@JW priced at Rs 3,199 plus taxes per couple and Rs 1,649 plus taxes for single. For a romantic getaway with someone special, Oregano will have chef Antonello's special creations like Italian Valentino sera with mini caprese, Crema di Aragoste fiammeggiata, Cannelloni tricolore alla wodka and mouth-watering Baba champagne with strawberries at an all-inclusive price of Rs 4,999 per couple. Apart from this, JW Marriott's Deli and Patisserie, Chandigarh Baking Company is offering heart-shaped cookies, red velvet heart shaped cakes, strawberry and champagne mousse, dip strawberries with white and dark chocolate, homemade molded chocolates and much more to woo your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day. At Hops n Grains
Fine food and finely brewed beer is in the offing at this place. You can have freshly brewed Valentine beers starting from February 13, which will be available till the love for beer lasts. The place also offers varied cuisines like Tex-Mex, Mediterranean, Italian and North Indian. The menu lays out a balanced mix of salads, appetisers and the main course. You don’t want your loved one to binge extra, so salads could be a pick here - South-Western Pasta Salad, Mexican Bean salad, Country Chicken salad and Smoked Chicken Jalapeno salad are some of the options. At Kava
Sway to the music of resident DJs Appurv and Sweet on the Valentine’s eve. You can also make your requests for the duo is spinning old tracks. On the D day, the place gives a complimentary cake to every couple and even a surprise is line up! At Hotel Aloft
Take your Valentine for a special treat at their multi-cuisine restaurant Dot.Yum and world-class WXYZ bar. At The Gaur,
Chandigarh
If you are looking for places to dine, The Gaur, Chandigarh, could be one of the options. Chocolate brownie with hot chocolate sauce for every dinning couple on the Valentine’s Days is what the place offers. And don’t forget to check out their special menu. At The Taj
It only gets bigger and better with the Taj offering a number of delicacies and options to choose from on Valentine’s Day. The menu is indeed tempting. All ladies visiting the restaurants will be presented a red rose on departure during the festivity week. Here is what all you can dig into. Dera (Sohni Mahiwal): Four-course TDH menu for two, especially made by the master chef at Rs 2,500 (plus taxes). Black Lotus (Love Birds): 11 star varieties whipped up by the master chef Shi for Rs 2,500 plus taxes for two. Café 17 (Captains Buffet): Limousine buffet with a wide spread of specialty dishes at Rs 1,300 plus taxes per person. Lava (Fountain Of Love): Drink unlimited from their fountain of love (select bar) at Rs 1,500 per person plus
taxes. jasmine@tribunemail.com
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V-Day can annoy too...
There is something so overwhelmingly inviting about love that makes one wonder how overrated this emotion can possibly be! Chandigarh seems to have turned into a Spanish matador waving those blood red heart-shaped balloons in your face as if wanting to elicit an aggressive response from the heart-broken bulls.
There is nothing that one can possibly hold against love, but the idea of us celebrating it on a so-called special day is just a very harrowing one. It brings us to walk down the lanes of history and trace the basic reason behind Valentine’s Day. Once upon a time, St Valentine, who resided in Rome, thought that what mighty good he would do to the world if he got all the lovers married! So here we go, February 14 is commemorated as his death anniversary. The irony, however, is the pompous display of love. And then how could we possibly skip to mention the roadside Romeos; you can imagine them leaning on the street-light poles and loitering aimlessly around the girls’ colleges across the city. If that wasn’t enough, some stalking sorts would find a way to your house and send a rose your way as a token of love. And if that does not do the trick, there are always those annoying teddy bears that come ion various sizes. God knows why bears of all the animals! We could understand the idea of gifting dogs; they are but exceedingly more loyal and faithful than those big, burly bears. And why would you choose to keep those annoying teddys in your bedrooms while they are staring at you when you are fast asleep? Also, chocolates—they are on sale this season! Gives you all the more reason to eat them and gift them to your loved ones with a tagline that reads—they say chocolate induces the love hormone. If you really need to celebrate love, you don’t need a day; you need time to look into your heart and wonder what happened to all the love legends, including Romeo and Juliet, Heer and Ranjha, Sohni and Mahiwal and so many others. The answer lies within! amarjot@tribunemail.com
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Ludhiana peg
The misnomer, perhaps, stands taller than the title Remember to Forget. With Ludhiana for a backdrop and tumultuous Punjab for a subject, Neel Kamal Puri’s second offering promises to be something that you actually might never forget.
“I had somebody from the publishing industry suggest that why don’t we name it Ludhiana Nights?” she puts across the point, laughing. Laughter, in fact, forms an integral part of her story telling. “Laughter to me is very important. This does not mean that there’s no tragedy involved. It’s just that I would rather make my characters chuckle than cry to put across the point.” She adds, “I find it difficult to cry in public, so I couldn’t have penned a book in that tone. I’ve tried capturing things as serious as a kidnapping and riots through comic characters.” After giving a taste of the Patiala royalty in The Patiala Quartet, this one’s out to highlight the Ludhiana of the nineties. A time when terrorism was fading away and Punjab was in turmoil. In each of the works, there is a conscious endeavour to weave the contemporary cities of Punjab as the backdrop. “For me, the set up of the place is very important. If I had to describe Ludhiana in one word, it would be enterprising. And that has got nothing to do with the fact that I was born there.” A city renowned and notorious at the same time for its diamond dripping ladies, migrant population, narrow lanes and entrepreneurial spirit! Tongue-in- cheek descriptions liberally dot the character sketches and the story of interconnected lives. There’s a heavy dose of history and resilience, adversity and victory. The protagonists Tejpal, Mr Bakshi, Gurjant Singh and Kailla are the inhabitants of the wounded city, for whom the only way to survive is to remember to forget. There is an attempt to lead a normal and ordinary life after the turbulence that militancy brought with it. “For example, the childlike Kailla represents a fluid identity. A Muslim converted into a Sikh, who falls in love with the migrant women around, the bystander, who has no answers when a visit by the police shakes him out of his dreamy existence.” She adds, “It’s a sensitive portrayal of the way people deal with the trauma of politically challenging times.” Coming up is Theka Tales that could become a combined series of short stories. The title once again could be a misnomer. manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Akshay Kumar: Special 26 is the best film of my career
Surprises galore
This new success is different for me. I am used to commercial success and rewards but not critical acclaim and awards. Critics are writing good things about me for the first time. This film has given me a chance to rediscover myself as an actor. I have become an actor after being a hero. It has been an amazing process. Yes and no
Honestly, I was confused when I first read the script. If you watch the movie, you will know because there are many twists and turns. The film is very intelligent. I had refused the film initially but I am glad I took it up. I had asked Paresh Rawal and Anupam Kher about their theatre stints and they told me that they do it because it reinvents them as actors. On the singing stint
I had sung a version of Mujhme Hai Tu and the video went online. I dedicated the song to my wife. Thank God this version was not used in the movie because the other one sounds much better. I am not a singer. Future projects
I have Naam hai Boss and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2 releasing this year and many projects under pre-production. Special 26 has begun my year on a great note. —
HRM
Singer Adele showed her new tattoo of the letter 'A' at the Grammy Awards. It is said that the inking is a tribute to the 24-year-old's three-month-old baby son, whose name is Angelo, reported a magazine. Adele herself has still not confirmed the baby's name but she was seen wearing a gold nameplate necklace with the name Angelo. "It's too personal and intimate. I'm not ready," she had said. Adele, who won a Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for her track Set Fire to the Rain, says though balancing motherhood and career is taking a toll on her she is enjoying it. —
PTI
Thrill of the supernatural
She will now feature in Suparn Verma's Aatma, and she recently tweeted as to why she's interested in this particular genre. “Amused when people ask me why supernatural films! New genre, entertaining stories, human drama, interesting role then why not?” she said. “Horror and supernatural is an untapped genre in Hindi film industry! It’s great because besides a human story u show d unknown! And the unknown is a part of your own imagination which is the creative and fun part for a filmmaker and actor!” she added. “Being called 'The Face of fear' or 'Screamqueen', when I read this, it sounds like fun!” she signed off.
Britney’s dating ritual
Pop star Britney Spears has reportedly turned to online dating websites after splitting from her fiancé Jason Trawick. The 31-year-old is said to have been surfing the Internet matchmaking sites, looking for her Mr Right, reported a website. "She doesn't have the courage to go on any dates yet, but she's doing a lot of anonymous flirting. Britney has tried several sites. She's found a few guys, who she thinks are hot. She'll chat and flirt but won't go further,” a source said. "Britney's friends think it's a good thing that she has thoughts of moving on in the romance department, a source said. Spears recently parted ways with Trawick after two years of dating. It is claimed that they broke up over her wish for more children. —
PTI
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Stars in love
Valentine’s Day is a special day for many and though TV stars usually are busy, they find time to celebrate the day
Kavita Kaushik (Maina in Tota weds Maina)
I and my husband Mazhar are not Valentine’s Day types. Instead we celebrate everything related to love, not just Valentine’s Day.
Anita Hassanandani (Anita Ahuja in Gutur Gu– season 2)
Gia Manek (Jeannie in Jeannie aur Juju) This Valentine’s Day is very special to me as I have bought a house for myself. February 18 is my birthday, so this house is the best gift I have given myself. The best Valentine’s Day memory for me is when I was in Class XII, many guys proposed me and I received many gifts. I definitely miss having someone special in my life and I hope to get someone by next Valentine’s Day who is genuine, caring and loving.
Karan Grover (Gulshan Grover in Hum Aapke Hain In-laws)
The buzz is that filmmaker Rohit Shetty might turn a judge for the new reality show on Star Plus called India’s Dancing Superstars. Rohit is busy between mid-February and mid-April and he is currently working out the dates. He earlier judged four seasons of Comedy Circus on Sony. |
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Astro turf
ARIES: Your skill will be noticed by those who matter. Networking will help you to further your career plans. Don’t compromise on your values. Some of you may attempt something big. Tarot message: Don’t give up your rights without considering a second chance. Lucky colour: Saffron.
Lucky number: 36
TAURUS: Don’t waste your time getting into arguments with colleagues or loved ones. Pay attention to health and don’t neglect any persistent symptoms. You can watch, wait 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 people carefully, don’t antagonise anyone. Lucky colour: Brown.
Lucky number: 48 CANCER: Avoid making impulsive statements. Travel plans could run into some delays. There could be some favourable news regarding a family member. Avoid a Virgo person. Your heart is involved in an exciting relationship.
Tarot message: Leave the past behind. Lucky colour: Yellow. Lucky number: 45 LEO: You will have opportunities to make an impression on seniors or new business associates. Your ideas will be appreciated by your seniors. You will make certain changes. Tarot message: Adapting to new technology will be important to keep pace with the changing times. Lucky colour: White. Lucky number: 29 VIRGO: For love, there is one golden rule; keep in touch with your beloved. You will start a long-term venture that actualises your potential and brings you fame. Financial gains are on the cards. Tarot message: Unfinished business will bring new problems.
Lucky colour: Navy blue. Lucky number: 32
LIBRA: Allow your heart to lead the way in a personal relationship. Disruption in a business venture is temporary. You will be focused and well prepared for important meetings and presentations. Tarot message: Don’t enter into a conflict regarding 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. However, an attitude or bad mood will make you less popular than usual. Try to avoid social interaction for the day. Tarot message: Play your cards close to your heart. Lucky colour: Peach.
Lucky number: 31 SAGITTARIUS: Your financial aspects brighten considerably. There is a chance to impress someone without gloating, so be restrained when praising yourself. There is 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 the home will have an emotional affect. Talk to a close friend or family member for a long-term solution. The big ideas you have been setting out for people are starting to take shape. Tarot message: Do what is right and watch your best interests. Lucky colour: Aqua blue.
Lucky number: 41 AQUARIUS: A romance that you thought was heading your way will arrive on its own terms. Your boss is as stubborn as you are; so have a flexible attitude. It's advisable to meditate and remain centered within. Tarot message: Learn to rely on your intellectual abilities.
Lucky colour: Pista greens. Lucky number: 26 PISCES: It's a good time to build positive patterns that foster growth. A get-together between you and an old flame could be the antidote to your recent bout with boredom. Tarot message: You will need to learn how to cope with success; its demand and its limitations. Lucky colour: Cream.
Lucky number: 65
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The year ahead
If your birthday is February 14...
If your birthday is February 14, you are lucky to celebrate it always on the romantic day of Valentine. It is Vasant Panchmi also today to make the event more auspicious. Those unmarried may see a change in their relationship status this year. So do not delay but present a perfume of good aroma and a bunch of red roses to your loved one. Taking care of your body is a ritual that can make you feel renewed. A new soap, talcum or bath oil can do wonders for your mood. Your women friends or associates may seem more sensitive. It is possible you will be drawn to help a loved one. Set your limits and goals early. Feed your dreams. You can be serious and determined in matters of analysis. Your talent is likely to put you in the spotlight. This can be an especially good time to go to parties or social events where you'll meet people. Someone you meet now can have an impact on your life in the future. You can be great at taking care of the kind of business that gets you what you want. The material possessions that you most cherish can be yours through hard work and diligence. Go for it. You'll be indecisive and confused despite many opportunities to shine. Something will stop you being objective. Venus will make you more intuitive and very sensitive towards your beloved. In this particular moment, try not to waste energy in fighting. Work issues dominate your thoughts, turning family communications into a murky dominion ruled over by people with clearer minds. Turn to correspondence instead of conversation to restore the proper balance. Put your serious side on hold and have some fun. There's still a lot to do but you'll finish all your tasks eventually. Those with name ‘S’ will be particularly active and organized; they'll act with concreteness and will plan what they have to do in them greatest detail. You will start getting the recognition that you deserve after September. Familywise, relationships will be a source of happiness. Family affairs that were weighing heavily on your mind are likely to be resolved. Mood: Cheerful and peaceful. Compatible signs: Capricorn,
Taurus, Leo Lucky colours: Crimson, Dark Gray Lucky days: Saturday. Lucky numbers: 2, 4, 6, 18, 100
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Falling in love, even heartbreak is directly proportional to food! When in love, the tendency to binge increases while a heart-break kills the appetite. This Valentine’s Day, no matter which side of the bridge you are — in love, single, or going through a break up — eat. Here’s where all you can have a platter full!
Akshay Kumar is 125 films old. He is used to commercial success but critical acclaim and commercial success together is something that he does not taste often. His latest movie, Special 26, has done that for him. 
Adele reveals her tattoo
Bipasha Basu, whose last horror film Raaz 3 went on to become a hit, has appeared in several supernatural films in the last couple of years.
Valentine’s Day is just there to remind us how to make people feel special. For me, Valentine’s Day is not just restricted to lovers but all the beautiful people who are in my life in some or the other way. The best Valentine memory for me was when I wanted to wear a saree for a wedding and didn’t have a clutch to go with it. So my mom bought a pretty Swarovski clutch for me on Valentine’s Day which I thought was very sweet of her.
Mouli Gangully (Anushka Sarkar in Kya Hua Tera Vaada)
Valentine’s Day is like any other day but still I like celebrating it. It’s an expression of love, friendship and faith. This Valentine’s Day, I am going to take leave from work and spend time with my boyfriend
(Rohit).
I am the least romantic person, so I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. The best part is my colleagues celebrate Valentine’s Day with their loved ones and I get a day off which I enjoy the most. But I genuinely feel if you think that this day is to be celebrated with your love then you should definitely go out, spread love and make the most of it. My fans have made me feel really special by sending me chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s day and it feels great to know that there are people who recognize your work and love you for what you do.
Rohit to judge dancing superstars
Mohnish Behl ( February 14, 1963, Mumbai ) is the son of the late renowned actress Nutan. He is also the grandson of the late actress Shobhna Samarth, nephew of actress Tanuja and cousin of actress Kajol. Due to combination of 3 and 8, Mohnish’s career could not pickup like other members of family. However, his stars forecast flow of income from multiple sources besides acting in serials.