Engaging with the self
Mumbai-based artist Anju Dodiya whose works reflect on her inner self feels that art is a mysterious process that can't be summarised in words 
Nonika Singh

"Art comes out of art…." These famous words by veteran painter Akbar Padamsee find an echo in the thoughts of Mumbai-based artist Anju Dodiya. In Chandigarh for the Amrita ShergiI National Art Week organised by Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademy, while she shares that creative process is mystical and mysterious, she proclaims, "Art doesn't emanate from life per se." So while death in real life may not trigger her artistic process its depiction in say a Satyajit Ray movie might impel her to reflect upon mortality of life.

However, while Anju's art might not come from everyday happenings, life she admits does abound with many triggers like say a line of poetry or an image. Svylia Plaith's poetry and Ingar Bergman's films inspire her and much else like historical and artistic references. Besides, her personal anxiety over being an artist as well as on her skin disorder often runs as a leitmotif in her works. She calls her anxiety a beast that she tries to grapple with in her paintings.

Interestingly, in times when most artists are moving to more sensational and "in your face" mediums she has stuck to the quiet beauty of water colours.

Back in times she recalls it was a conscious decision. Those were the days when many of her artist friends were moving in different directions. She has no issues with other expressions like say performance art and admires the works of artists like Marina Abramovic. In a way she thinks her own site specific work Crown of Frost at the Baroda palace was performative. Awed by the grandeur of the palace that had no walls only jharokhas and many a chandelier she used shards of mirror on the floor and created a kind of a barricade between viewers and her art work in black and white. While in that particular exhibition the viewers ached to touch her art yet another time in Gallery Chemould in the exhibition "Room for Erasure" she allowed the viewers to physically erase her drawings as they wished to. That was her way of finding a way out of her linear journey and of bidding adieu to the past.

Wife of renowned artist Atul Dodiya, she laughs, "If domestic conflicts were my subject I would have plenty to paint." You bet she has sense of humour, wicked one, according to the eminent art critic Sadanand Menon who hails her resurgent comic spirit. "Mocking at the self", she says. "Allows one to distance oneself from one's work." Political situation does not reflect directly in her works but, "indirect references and allusion to the world around does manifest."

Since art is a complex phenomenon with many layers she is piqued by the synopsis culture of the media who want readymade answers. And the only answer Anju has is,

"Painting for me is like martial art which requires rigueur and control." That this reticent artist who would rather let her images speak than words, is in full control of her medium is more than obvious in her body of works like the "Necklace of Echoes." No wonder she is acknowledged by the world of art as one of the most brilliant artists of contemporary times.

Colour code

Anju Dodiya whose colour pallete is influenced by Indian miniatures and pre-Renaissance gives great importance to colours. In fact, it's through colours that she decides the temperature of her works.

Art musings

Sadanand MenonSadanand Menon, a reputed arts editor, popular teacher of cultural journalism, widely published photographer, arts curator and prolific writer, might have dubbed his reflections on art as ramblings. But these were in effect insightful observations both on the understanding of art and the need to represent it thoughtfully. Sadly he asserted that we live in times when the galloping growth of media has led to a dangerous dose of quick opinions being passed as considered thought. He also talked about the need to be able to read a work of art. Again he lamented that when we look at a work of art we want to know what it means and not what we experience. According to him, the world which has forgotten to feel places undue emphasis on rationalising art.

A serious thought
If acting remains Rana Ranbir's first love, it's in poetry that he finds true catharsis…
Mona

A complete 'comedy family show' is what Rana Ranbir is offering with Fuffad Da Funda. He is appearing on small screen after five long years; deftly juggling films, writing, theatre and more.

A show without any jokes or vulgarity, this sitcom purports to finally fill the 'soap' void, which Punjabi television has been facing. Written by Rana, this 65-episode show will have Punjabi music as part of it and also a poem with a social message at the end of each show. Aimed at the family audience this would be a totally clean show.

If women are unsafe today, it has much to do with abuses that centre around women, believes Rana, who along with like-minded people has initiated a debate on Facebook. "If we want our daughters and sisters to be in safe hands, we need to make our brothers civilized enough. To do away with abuses is the first step in that direction," he says.

Having appeared in half-a-dozen films in 2012, he will surpass even more this year, but this postgraduate from the theatre department, Punjabi University, is still looking for a challenging role. And he is hoping to play one of the many fine characters from rich Punjabi literature. "With the Punjabi film industry booming, if the major plus is employment the negative is lack of characterisation," says Rana, who is happy that he has at least written interesting roles for others.

To further channel his creativity, he returns to theatre time and again. "There is something special in being live on the stage," says Rana, who is next off to Australia with his play Na Ji Na Tension Ni Laini.

Juggling the different domains, Rana ensures he does not put too much on his plate, "I love reading as well as writing and always spare time for that."

Rana is happy to be where he is today. "It gives me immense happiness that people from a cross-section of society know me." Hardwork and being observant of the world around him is the key!

(Catch him as Fuffad on ZETC Punjabi from March 4)

mona@tribunemail.com

Hair we go…
Leading hairstylist Aalim Hakim is all set with his brand new celebrity makeover show 
Manpriya Singh

When he says snip, he means it. Celebrity hair stylist, Aalim Hakim is keeping a pair of scissors handy and is out to use them with a vengeance and is aiming at nothing less than "drastic makeover for everyone," through his upcoming show Style Inc. With Aalim Hakim. "I will be giving makeovers to stars. It's essentially a makeover show where you'll see celebrities transform in front of your eyes," he shares the concept note and adds, "We will take you behind the scenes of star photo shoots and the many things that go into creating a perfect look."

There's been a plethora of makeover shows on lifestyle channels. This one claims to take things to the next level or perhaps a little personal. "Stars have never leaked out their secrets before. For example, on the show, we have gone into Saif's bedroom and found out about his best kept secrets. Even how he keeps his shoes gleaming with champagne." Thrown in is also a tour of his accessories and prized possessions. Think shoes, shades and watches.

While Bollywood names like Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Shahid Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan figure prominently, there's a section that goes beyond the suffocating overdose of cinematic personalities. "There's one section of the show wherein I give a walk-in client, a makeover." He adds, "A lot of people will go to the salons and just ask for fringes or bangs but don't have the confidence to try drastic makeovers. The show will let you know how with a little experiment, you can be a style icon in your own group." Think uber stylish cuts, hair colour jobs, patterned beards…

Having trained with his father Halim Kairanvi, who styled for the likes of Sunil Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Aalim picked up the tricks of the trade while growing up. If there's one unlikely person, from a wide spectrum of fields, who catches his fancy is, it's Rahul Gandhi. "I would do something really cool with his hair. It's not necessary that if you are a politician, you have to look boring."

Coming back to the hairstyles and the celebrities, he says, "Shahid Kapoor has good hair. I like the way Kangna Ranaut experiments a lot in personal life."

Speaking of the summer trends and there are a couple of updates. "Out of bed look, spiky hair is all out. Nice long clean hair is in. Bob was very in a few years back but not anymore. Big volumised hair, big curls will be in this summer," he signs off. Keep pace.

Style Inc. With Aalim Hakim premieres on TLC starting March 8.

manpriya@tribunemail.com 

Constant change

It's not easy keeping up with the stars. Watch Aalim create a new look for Ranbir Kapoor, in one of the episodes, from a boy-next-door to a biker dude. Carrying on, Aalim jets across cities to work out a new look for Ajay Devgn's next film. Watch him transform from a bearded guy to a moustached hero of the eighties. Similarly, watch Aalim give Hrithik Roshan three distinctive looks for an advertisement campaign. 

the ‘in’ side
Animal magnetism
Sukhmani

Use animal prints to accent pieces in a room If the thought of using animal prints in interiors makes you scared, think again. Animal prints can be extremely chic if used in the right doses and the best quality of fabrics. Animal prints are highly versatile. The prints can be blended with any type of furniture starting from traditional settings to the latest contemporary ones.

Use animal prints to accent pieces in a roomThe most remarkable feature of animal prints is that they are actually neutral accents. They can be used without the selection of any colour scheme in a room, and are not limited to the fur like texture and colour scheme of black and white.

Animal prints are never believed to go out of fashion or style provided used in a proper setting. The only reason they sometimes look tacky is because of overuse. Remember, a little goes a long way!

My favourites are the leopard and zebra prints. Animal prints should be used as accent pieces in a room. Such as a cushion, an arm chair, a bench, a beautiful throw on a sofa, a chaise or a rug, would definitely add drama, opulence and refinement to any room.

Use animal prints to accent pieces in a roomThe best way to use animal print is to only use one type of animal print on one item in your room. The easiest way to add animal print is to introduce a rug or a carpet. Rugs with leopard or zebra print are easily available in the market. These rugs can be placed on the floors of all parts of a house such as living room, bedroom or the office. Carpets or rugs with animal print are a fun addition to a home.

Use animal prints to accent pieces in a roomA small chair in the corner of the room can be upholstered in animal print to add a bit of whim to a room. Make sure it is complimented with solid coloured furniture pieces.

Animal prints in home décor can take your interiors from boring to exciting without changing the entire room. If you enjoy the clean and simple colour scheme of white and black, but don’t want your interiors to feel stark and boring, animal prints are a perfect choice. You can use two animal print patterns in the same space but I would stop there unless you are a very seasoned designer.

Either one is an animal print person, or one is not.  It’s a matter of personal preference. As with any decorative element, balance is the key. Too much of a good thing can quickly turn sour if we’re not careful. If you have decided to use animal prints in your décor, remember, less is more!

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

Heavenly delight

Delicacies on platter Dazzling Delights, a new café cum restaurant started by two friends Rishi Singh and Pulkit Gupta, comes up with Kashmiri Food Festival at Food Court, Paras Down Town Mall, Zirakpur.

Rishi Singh, who originally hails from Jammu & Kashmir, has roped in chefs from the valley for authentic preparation of Kashmiri cuisines. Their menu varies from Kashmiri Rogan Josh to Chicken Yakhni to traditionally prepared Phirni in desserts. These delicacies will be traditionally prepared in home cooked fashion and then brought to the café to be served to the customers. The menu is limited only to the best Kashmiri dishes. The specialty of these Kashmiri dishes is the authenticity in their preparation and their original Kashmiri essence. Every ingredient from spices to rice has been specially ordered from the heart of Kashmir to maintain the traditional taste and essence.

The café includes a mixed menu of the staple coffees, teas, brownies, muffins etc with vegetarian and non-vegetarian, rolls, pasta and now the authentic Kashmiri cuisine. Their USP is the unique, personalised cakes they deliver on order. — TNS

Around the city with Rs 100
Tanya Malhotra

Fun ride: Explore the city on public transport The greatest way to travel is to experience everyday things from a different angle. The city may or may not be new to you, but what we offer is the new way to look at it!

So, if you need a break, buckle up your backpack, but don’t carry anything fancy. No, not even a wallet!

Did you spend too much on shopping or partying? Or, is it the end of the month when the bank balance is at an all-time low? We all have been through this stage! In such a situation what can you possibly do with a hundred rupees in your pocket? Plenty! To explore the city, there’s nothing better than to cover it on foot or hire a bike/bicycle from places like Singh Travels, Sector 12, Gobind Travels Sector 22 or Defence Travels, Sector 36.

And there’s more! Chandigarh Tourism offers an open roof-top double-decker bus service that takes you around City Beautiful covering the main attractions. It cost just Rs 25 for an hour’s trip. The hop-on hop-off fare, on the other hand, costs Rs 50 for half a day and Rs 75 for the full day. Budget or no budget, these are undoubtedly the best ways to travel across the city!

Local buses can also be a fun way to travel. With no need to find a parking space or worry about the safety of your vehicle, a bus pass for Saturday or Sunday is available at Sector 17 bus stand for Rs 30 for a non-AC and Rs 50 for an AC bus. Don’t forget to refer to the map of route of the buses for a smooth sail!

Beginning the journey from Sector 17, the nearest and most convenient stop is the Rose Garden of Sector 16. On the other side of the road is the Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10.

Take a detour to grab a bite to prevent travel burnout! Stay away from the fancy restaurants which can burn a hole in your pocket, just head towards the best local food joints. Talking about economy food, visit the Panjab University. The food stalls at Student Centre welcomes all. For Rs 30 or 40, you can pick from rajma chawal to South Indian to Chinese fare.

The next stop is the Rock Garden. The entry ticket for Rock Garden is Rs 20 for adults and Rs 5 for the children. The sculptures designed by Nek Chand are worth more than just a look. Here you can hop on a swing within the premises and feel as young as ever. A five minutes’ walk from Rock Garden will take you to the Sukhna Lake. Along with the scenic beauty, enjoy the old style chana for Rs 10. The sunset at the lake is a view to kill for!

Budget bite

Indian Coffee House in Sector 17 Chandigarh.

If you like Chinese, then momos, noodles and spring roll are available for Rs 40-50 at Sector 15 and 20 inner markets.

Pani puri for Rs 10 in Sector 23 and 34 market.

stress buster
Give yourself a break
renee singh

The weather is changing and so is our mood according to it. There are small peeps of summer and intermittent spells of cold and this makes us ponder over how our feelings are reacting to all these changes around us.

Stress sometimes is a self creation of environmental changes. Most of us respond favourably to good weather and so does our stress response. If we allow our feelings to flow free we can almost gauge our stress levels. The lighthearted feel of the coming warmth of the season surely is an indicator of our inner self. In case we are feeling a kind of heaviness within or if our body's immune system is a little low, we surely need to check our stress quotient. Whether you are facing minor hassles or chronic daily stress an overall stress relief plan is always a good strategy. With chronic stress we have to deal with variants like

Lower immunity

Prolonged stress makes you susceptible to cold and flu bugs by lowering your immune system.

Impacts relationships

Whenever we are stressed our irritability levels are high and we are less available to those we love. Stress affects our friendly responses.

Unhealthy coping

Habits like excessive smoking, drinking and many other kinds of unhealthy habits are an indulgence created through stress. We try to cope with stress by indulging in these unhealthy behaviours as a means of distraction from the root cause.

Sleeplessness

Often it becomes difficult to get a relaxed and comfortable sleep. People have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Restlessness seems the mode.

Major health issues

Chronic stress is related to metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. When thinking of stress relief people are often overwhelmed with the idea as most of us develop a comfort zone in our own areas of behaviour, and eliminating stress completely from life seems to be an overwhelming task.

Some stress is healthy

It is indeed a reality that some stress is healthy for life. The goal of stress relief is to maintain a healthy stress quotient; this means keeping stress levels at a manageable pace and not too excessive.

The following steps can help in this direction

Keep stress levels manageable

You need to enjoy your life. Say no to people who make unnecessary demands on your time and energy.

Eliminate unnecessary stressors. These normally drain you of your energy, keep them away.

Indulge yourself. Whatever makes you feel good, maybe one or two physical activities would do wonders: morning walk or weekly hobby

Sometimes just changing the placement of a few things around the house or even in your own bedroom can be a big stress reliever.

It is refreshing to see a new environment and also changes the energy of a place.

It is good to have at least one ongoing stress relief practice that you can indulge in on a regular basis. A good stress relief habit like meditation not only helps in relieving stress but it also helps you stay reactive to stress, which you encounter throughout the day.

Renew your spirit

We carry stress in our bodies and hold it in our minds, so a stressful experience stays in us and keeps on affecting us. Managing stress is easy in daily life on the mental, emotional and physical scale if you take regular breaks from it. Many stress relieving exercises can help eliminate tension from the body and also stressful thoughts from the mind making you feel at peace and recharged to handle life in a skillful way.

( Renee is a Chandigarh based psychotherapist)

star track
In your shoes

A still from the movie There were rumours of Neil Nitin Mukesh dating Sonal Chauhan and it comes as no surprise because the duo shares as many as thirty kissing scenes in their movie 3G. Apparently, they are very intimate and passionate and it seems that Neil will take the serial-kissing mantle over from Emraan Hashmi.


Kissing scene:
A still from the movie

Thank you note

Deepika Padukone Deepika Padukone sent over cupcakes to Shiamak Davar's dance troupe, who helped her with a dance performance at a recent awards show. Shiamak Davar and she, also exchanged a lot of sweet messages and tweets. Deepika likes expressing her gratitude.

What’s in an alphabet?

Every second director in Bollywood has a letter-fixation. Sajid Khan has a fixation with the letter H because all his movies have been titled with H, be it Heyy Baby, Housefull 1 & 2 and now Himmatwala! Sajid feels it is a sheer coincidence and he is in no mood to change the H trend.


One man army

Sanjay Leela BhansaliSanjay Leela Bhansali composed music for Guzaarish, which met with a mixed response. He is also composing for Raam Leela by simply following his heart.

He is doing this because sometimes he cannot explain the music to his music directors. We hope the music is wonderful!

Rumour has it…

We have heard that Alia Bhatt gave Esha Gupta cold stares at a recent photo-shoot. This is strange because Esha was launched by her father Mahesh Bhatt. Perhaps, this has something to do with Esha bonding with Alia's co-star, Siddharth Malhotra, at a party recently.

Single digit number

Apparently, Neha Dhupia is single again, having split from her foreigner beau. She has an important part in Rensil D'silva's Unglee, headlined by Emraan Hashmi and Kangna Ranaut. She wants to focus on work rather than relationships.

The return of the Megan Fox

Hollywood beauty Megan Fox is all set to star in director Michael Bay's new film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

The 26-year-old actress, who gave birth to a baby boy last year with husband Brian Austin Green, famously fell out with Bay during the filming of the Transformers franchise, which did not see Fox appearing in the third installment, reported a publication.

"TMNT: we are bringing Megan Fox back into the family!," Bay posted on twitter.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, was originally a cartoon in the eighties about ninja turtles saving the earth and it had a very catchy theme tune. "He's like Napoleon and he wants to create this insane, infamous mad-man reputation.

He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is. So he's a nightmare to work for, but when you get him away from the sets, and he's not in director mode, I kind of really enjoy his personality because he's so awkward, so hopelessly awkward...," Fox had said about Bay in one interview. — PTI

Bonding over food

Anushka Sharma Anushka Sharma shot for a fashion magazine in Paris and Turkey and sampled the local cuisine. She also got the crew of the shoots introduced to Indian food and music as she treated them at an Indian restaurant and explained to them the nuances of Indian food. They loved it all!

Demand and supply

R&B star Beyonce's fans were left fuming after tickets to her UK tour sold out in just twelve minutes. Bitter complaints flooded micro-blogging site Twitter, after fans missed out on their chance to see her, reported a publication. Chris Lloyd-Jones wrote, "I can't get Beyonce tickets on Ticketmaster yet people have put them on eBay for hundreds of pounds!! WRONG!!” — PTI 

Miley Cyrus plans 30 dresses for her wedding!

Singer-actress Miley Cyrus, who is engaged to actor Liam Hemsworth, thinks she will have 30 dresses at her wedding.

Cyrus, 20, is apparently considering a gown from designer Marchesa for her big day. At the same time, she said that this, probably, will not be the only designer that she will be wearing on the day, reported a magazine.

"Marchesa make the most amazing dresses, they are definitely one of our options. But so many people want to be involved, I'll probably have 30 dresses at my wedding," she said. While she is struggling to choose the right dress, Cyrus also says that she is not getting stressed about the wedding planning. "I'm not worried about it, we haven't talked about anything specific. Liam is pretty laid back about everything,” she said. 

Adele hopes for another baby?

Multiple Grammy winner Adele is reportedly trying for another child, ahead of her big comeback performance at the Oscars.

The 24-year-old singer, has told friends that she and boyfriend Simon Konecki already want another baby, reported a publication.

"Adele has been telling her friends that she is ready to try for another baby. She loves being a mother and wants two kids to grow two years apart. Her priorities have changed since meeting Simon and becoming a parent. She loves her singing career but nothing compares to being a mother. — PTI

chatter box
On a positive note

Aishwarya Sakhuja Aishwarya Sakhuja, who rose to fame with her character Toasty in Saas Bina Sasural, shares her culinary experience of being a part of Like OK's Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan Nawaazi Ki. "It was a wonderful and a challenging experience.

Since it was my first reality show, it was a kind of testing ground for me," she says. There was a lot of spat in the particular episode, were they genuine? "No, it was not intended. It's just that they create such situation that you tend to lose your temper.

Honestly, nobody is bothered what happened on the show," she answers sporting a broad smile. "I took up this show because I wanted to learn cooking as I am very bad at it. As a matter of fact, it was quite challenging for me."

She adds, "My character, Toasty was appreciated a lot. So, in the future, I don't mind playing similar character, but the role has to have some weight."

Ankita Lokhande clears air

Anything that Ankita Lokhande says or does, makes headlines. While the rumour mills are churning out speculative stories about Ankita quitting Pavitra Rishta, she dismissively laughs it off. "I just want to take a vacation with my boyfriend," says Ankita when contacted about these rumours. She adds, "After the superlatively successful run of Pavitra Rishta for over three years, why would I want to quit the show when everything is going so well? Yes, it felt different when Sushant left the show, and to be honest, I had contemplated leaving as well. However, Ekta (Kapoor) gave me many reasons to stay. I am glad that I decided to continue else I would have regretted it later. It has just been so long since I have taken a long vacation and now with Sushant having some free time from his shoot, I have decided to accompany him and take a break from hectic shoot schedules as well."

So, did the channel and Balaji agree to let her go on such a short notice? "I had intimated both Zee TV and the production house of my plans well in advance and they allowed me to take a two-month long break. Also, they altered the plot of the story in such a way that the audience will not find any abrupt turn in the storyline." Sources from the channel confirmed the fact while stating that the upcoming episodes will witness high voltage drama when Manav and Archana's son Soham is released from the prison.

Torn between Archana and Varsha, Manav contemplates to kill either Archana or himself to end the family's misery. While Manav and Archana try reasoning with him, Soham pulls the trigger of his gun. Archana gets grievously hit by the stray bullet and lands up in a coma. While the story has been written, the channel is yet to shoot this last action packed scene. Watch Ankita Lokhande's last scene before her vacation on Pavitra Rishta, every Monday to Friday at 9 pm only on Zee TV.

Rumour has it

Karan Tacker is amused that his show Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai is going to end soon. He talks about its success and the audience's expectations from him.

How do you feel about the buzz that Ek Hazaaron mein will soon go off-air?

Well, I have heard the rumours too, but let me tell you they aren't true. These rumours for some reason pop up after few months.

Your chemistry with your co-actor, Krystle D'souza, has lead to many rumours about your link up, are they true?

Yes, there have been such rumours but that's been the case in all shows I have done. I am friends with my co stars and there's nothing more to it. These rumours are not true as I am very much single.

Will you be hosting India's Dancing Superstars?

I was approached for it and though anchoring sounds like a good idea, I am not certain yet. Perhaps, we can talk more about it once things are finalised.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I want to do different work. I am keen on direction and production. Behind the scenes stuff excites me a lot, so who knows maybe I'll get to doing that.

How do you unwind?

I spend time with my family, watch movies, chill out with friends.

Back to the pavilion

Shivshakti Sachdev Shivshakti Sachdev aka Pinky from Afsar Bitiya is glad to be a part of her previous show, Season 2 of Suite Life of Karan & Kabir that will be telecast on Disney. She plays the role of Rani and is glad to have the cute role and will be seen in superb outfits on the show.

Bringing a Smile

On the launch of the new reality show, India's Best Dramebaaz, Zee TV planned an innovative initiative across Mumbai and Delhi. They distributed sweets to the family, friends and relatives of all the new-born babies. This exercise was carried out at the maternity wards across several municipal hospitals. Zee TV also had clowns and entertainers put a smile on every child's face at many pediatricians' clinics across Mumbai and Delhi.

Shahid Kapoor (February 25, 1981) Delhi born to Pankaj Kapoor and Neelima Azeem. In 2003, he made his first film as a lead actor in Ishq Vishk. In 2006 he starred in 36 China Town and Chup Chup Ke. He came in Jab We Met which was the biggest hit of the year. Sun and Moon both are strong in his horoscope and he will shine like a big star in 2015. Tomorrow is his father's birthday.

Astro turf
p Khurrana

ARIES: You may be under some stress this morning. Do not attempt to get new plans going. Work in seclusion. Take the help of a Gemini person. Give yourself some breathing space. Tarot message: You can stabilise your financial situation if you make property investments. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 60.

TAURUS: Argument with your spouse is possible in the afternoon. You will have to watch your temper if you want to maintain harmony. Give a little more attention to the creative and spiritual side of your life now. Tarot message: Over optimism could lead to mistakes. Lucky colour: Crimson. Magic number: 30.

GEMINI: Be sure to take full advantage of the good opportunities that come your way. Do not argue with elders. You will get what you expect. Whatever it is that is looming over you, the fear is far greater than what will actually happen. Tarot message: Do not overspend. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 36.

CANCER: Keep your spirits up putting forward a cheerful face. Look at the stocks and saving certificates you hold. Creativity shines. You are likely to attract happy and positive people with whom you can have fun. Tarot message: Don't waste an opportunity. Lucky colour: Black. Magic number: 55.

LEO: The day promises many opportunities on financial fronts. If working on a commission basis, you will be able to increase your earnings. Old people will have a comfortable night. Overall the day ends very nicely. Tarot message: You will get the help you need if you ask for it. Lucky colour: Brown. Magic number: 32.

VIRGO: It would be best to keep new ideas under wraps. Homemakers: protect yourself against accident while cooking. Talk to your partner and children, about the plans for the day. Tarot message: Wait for a while everything will get sorted out on its own. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 40.

LIBRA: Secret meeting with influential people will go well. This makes for a good day to seek a loan or other financial support. Venus and Mars together can also stimulate the sexual side of an existing relationship. Tarot message: You need to be creative. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 52.

SCORPIO: The queen of cups opens the door for a new job offer. Avoid making partnership deals. Lovers: a good day for introducing your beloved to your parents. Act on your insight, and then write down what has become apparent. Tarot message: Leave things open ended for best results. Lucky colour: White. Magic number: 58.

SAGITTARIUS: A fine day for starting something new. Businessmen: you can make a secret deal or alliance that could be lucrative. Hatred can be a problem, so get advice but keep your plans under wraps. Tarot message: Feel good about yourself. Lucky colour: Sea green. Magic number: 42.

CAPRICORN: Be careful, as you are likely to jump the gun. An emotional mood can interfere with your judgment and decisions, so make sure you have all the facts first. Tarot message: Health of an elderly member at home will need looking after. Lucky colour: Deep red. Magic number: 26.

AQUARIUS: New attractions are likely to be serious. Do not try to make money the easy way. Romance is highlighted. The second half of the day favours social work. Women drivers: follow all safety rules. Tarot message: This is not a bad time to open up new doors. Lucky colour: Turquoise. Magic number: 62.

PISCES: Do not make hasty decisions. Mutually held funds must not be disturbed without your consent. Be more sensitive and careful when it comes to lending money to a distant friend. Tarot message: Avoid gossip session at work place. Lucky colour: Aqua. Magic number: 44.

The year ahead
Madan Gupta Spatu

If your birthday is February 25...

A sense of speculation, determination and tenacity will help you in propelling your career. Throw yourself into new experiences. As this period begins, it will be more fruitful to find ways to cooperate, rather than concentrating on competition. Those born after 1980 will have new energy in projects they wish to undertake. Tensions in a business relationship may be felt before the financial year ends. Most likely, you are pulled between pleasing others and doing business your own way. This affects all your relationships. In social settings, some awkwardness, inappropriate or excessive affection, or unwanted sexual advances are likely. Someone may dangle financial opportunity at you as a way of winning you. Favoured by Jupiter; you'll meet important people and make positive choices in your life. Try to moderate the number of times you socialize in June as this will help keep your partner's jealousy at bay. You won't listen to anyone's advice. However, try not to rush matters as this could hinder your success. April is the time when the big questions of life occupy your attention. Venus draws you to the tried and true, while Mars eggs you on to sample life's banquet. Find a happy medium in your love life by inviting a few delightful weirdoes into your orbit.

Stop living in the past! The old way of doing things is unlikely to return to fashion. You may need to give up some fun activities in order to save up for an important purchase. In order to win, you will need to adapt a whole new style. Home and personal life will tend to be neglected, adding to your woes. Minor misunderstanding might mar the domestic environment. Therefore, it would be beneficial for you to focus your attention towards domestic affairs. Your financial status will remain stable despite your having taken risk in a new venture. Some of you would receive suitable opportunities to start new business that would bring substantial financial gains for you. Financially, a beneficial phase is on the cards and the period in near future is favourable for consolidating your monetary position. The April is favourable for enjoying good health most of the time.

Mood: Peaceful and insightful
Compatible signs: Aquarius, Pisces, Capricorn
Lucky Colours: Turquoise, Yellow
Lucky Days: Tuesday.
Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, 7, 15, 55





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