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In seva of Sikhism
Like most quests, his too began with ignorance. Parmjit Singh, co-author of Warrior Saints — Four Centuries of Sikh Military History, has no hesitation in admitting that as a young lad he knew nothing about his culture. He recalls how each time he was asked a question pertaining to Sikhism he would draw a blank. He guffaws, "Here I was looking every bit a Sikh, but to be honest it was just an empty show." Till came the straw that literally broke the camel's back. He shares, "There I was sitting in a class of religious studies and my teacher asked me about the historic year 1699 and I like a fool didn't have a clue about its link with the birth of the Khalsa." But the moment — the aghast expression of the teacher — went on to become a life-changer. And he found himself propelled on a journey backwards towards his cultural roots, as he read up Guru Granth Sahib and every single book on Sikh history he could lay his hands on; his addiction for such material knew no bounds. From this obsession also grew a collection of rare images, photographs and paintings, archival material and much more. En route he found a partner in Amandeep Singh Madra also the co-author of the book. However, the duo realised the import of the material only when the curator of Victoria and Albert Museum asked them to put up an exhibition at a time when the world was celebrating 300 years of the Khalsa. What more it was she who drew their attention to the fact that it was book-worthy material! Thus came the first edition of the book, which he says was more celebratory.
The second one, which was released recently, he insists is more revelatory, a more nuanced narrative in which the Sikh martial tradition and its philosophical underpinnings are more tightly bound. Tracing the phenomenal rise of a new force in the subcontinent that took on persecutors and foreign rule, as he browsed more and more into the military tradition of Sikhs the question that stared him in the face was — who is keeping the actual tradition of Guru Gobind Singh alive? Well, for sure it certainly is not the political class. In fact, he laments that when politicians take over culture as has happened with Sikhism then the real custodians who are not in it for money find it impossible to compete. Yet he and several others like him have quit their full time, well-paid jobs and put themselves at the service of culture. And these 'happy amateurs' intend to do their seva through books, films, documentaries and exhibitions. Whatever may be their mediums the motto would be "no preaching, no rigid ideologue." Impartial information is what these catalysts of change will offer. And in this noble intention insists Parmjit they are guided by the divine hand. For instance hear the story about the picture of Nihang bodyguard, who served in the Nizam of Hyderabad's irregular Sikh Army that adorns the cover of their well-illustrated book. Well, the first time Parmjit saw it in another book the photograph "the most mesmerising photo portraits of all times" spoke to him. And presto soon enough he found it in Sotheby's auction house. It's not a question of — you will find what your heart desires. On the other hand, he insists that the culture at whose beck and call they stand finds them so that they can be at its service. nonika@tribunemail.com
The ball rolls over
The success of the first volume of Warrior Saints which was a complete sold out has whetted the appetite of the authors and the next one is around the corner. While volume one traces the development of Sikh martial culture till 1849 when the British victory signaled the end of the Sikh rule, the second volume will focus on Sikhs during the British Empire, their role in the World Wars and later in the military exploits of independent India.
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Grace in every move
This pretty kathak dancer from Kolkata doesn't delve into philosophy to explain what dance means to her. Rather, she knows what it does to her! "It keeps me alive," she smiles through her beautiful eyes smeared with kohl. In Chandigarh to perform at the invitation of Pracheen Kala Kendra-35, Madhumita has seen the dance form undergo changes ever since she started at the age of four. Nevertheless, there are the things she feels shouldn't have changed, precisely where we pick up the thread from. The past story Madhumita's performances have been widely appreciated in India as well as abroad. Coming from a musical family, the kathak dancer misses the days of selfless dedication. "I took to kathak when I was four; these were the times when riyaaz was like worship. Nowadays, the generation definitely has an inclination towards classical dance but they don't have the patience to sustain the art form; in the middle of things they loose track. At the same time, I have also seen an inclination and understanding of this art form grow on them," says Madhumita. Could we take the liberty of thanking Bollywood! She laughs. "Yes, Bollywood has now acknowledged classical music in a big way; singers like Rashid Khan or even Shankar Mahadevan have a classical background," she adds. The present generation Madhumita travels for her solo performances and also runs a dance academy in Kolkata — Ghungroo Dance Academy. How she generates interest in kathak is beautiful. "First, we talk to the students about our culture and tradition, we talk about kathak, show them our splendid performances. At least we manage to bring in 70 per cent of their interest," says Madhumita who remembers her performance in USA in 1997 as one of the best. The contemporary form Each art form whether it is dance or music tolerates and also imbibes changes. This could be a way to sustain? "Kathak as a dance form can accommodate change as it is flexible. With time, kathak is seen in a contemporary avatar with new moves and steps. The essence, however, remains the same." Talking money Even when they keep our culture alive, classical forms on a commercial ground lose out on the moolah factor. Madhumita nods, "The sad part is there is little money in classical forms or let's say they don't fetch that kind of money." On the other hand, which precisely is the reason why Madhumita is a dedicated dancer, "this is like worship, if you have passion then money will never be a deterrent." jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Designs on future
You can trace a whiff of innocence infused with subdued conviction in his quiet disposition, so don't take him for the sorts who shout out their claim to fame from over the rooftop! However, this 21-year-old, rather reticent Chandigarh lad has quite a lot in his kitty to flaunt besides the fact that he opened for the Lakme Fashion Week with his collection, India Lives Here. While Shubham Kumar is still pursuing his graduation at NIFD, Chandigarh, he is grounded to his roots and draws inspiration from the same.
"I hail from a small village near Meerut, Jalalpur, and this collection, India Lives Here, is inspired from Gandhi's vision that India lives in its villages," shares Shubham, who was shortlisted from a set of twelve designers to showcase his designs in the inaugural show by Gen Next on the same platform where top international and national designers, including Naeem Khan, Manish Malhotra, Narendra Kumar, Arjun Khanna and Rocky S showcased their collection! "I visited several villages around Meerut as well as Punjab and clicked pictures. Later I developed these pictures in the digital print technology on khadi," he says. Considering that not many have endeavoured to work on khadi, Shubham too had some inhibitions about working on the same. However, he maintains that it was purely for the sake of pushing his creative talent that determined his choice to take up the fabric. "Khadi proves a very comfortable medium that propels creativity, but it was a little difficult working on it since it is a hand-woven fabric," he explains. Shubham launched as many as seven designs under the aegis of Aki Narula, who was his mentor, and besides clothes, he has also designed bags and shoes for this collection. "I really want to open my own fashion label in the city," he signs off. amarjot@tribunemail.com
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How much can you turn?
Jesse Grewal
To undertake the test, sit on a stool or a Swiss ball and hold a bar or a golf club across the shoulders (picture 1). Without moving from the hips turn your shoulders to the left and see if you can go past a 45 degree turn (picture 2). Note how much you can turn if it is less than 45 degrees. Repeat the exercise by turning to the right and note the amount of turn. It is important that the knees and hips do not turn or move at all. Limited or restricted turn could be due to the lack of thoracic spine flexibility or due to tight lat/spinal muscles. If the spine is poor at flexion (C posture) the turn would be restricted too. Any restriction in the rotation of the cervical spine area can also limit the amount of turn. To improve the trunk rotation do the half-kneeling long turns. Get into a half kneeling position by putting a mat under the knee, which is on the ground, to avoid injury. Take a bar or a golf club and hold it vertically above your head with the arms extended. Keep your upper body upright. Now turn to one side. If the core, glutes or lat's are weak you will lose your balance while turning or be unstable. Now turn to the other side and repeat this 10 times. As we do this exercise for a few days, you will find it easier to turn and be stable. Do the seated trunk rotation test and you will find an improvement in the quantum of turn.
(Grewal has coached several national champions and professionals apart from being coach of the Indian golf team for the Eisenhower Cup (World Cup) in 2008. He is currently the Director of National Golf Academy of India and CGA Hero Honda Golf Academy. If you have any queries get in touch with him at parexcellence@tribunemail.com)
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Dance mania!
The workshop will be conducted at Jaskshan's Dance Dacha facilitation centre at the British School, Sector 44, Chandigarh. The seven-day intensive workshop of those selected during the preliminaries will be followed by the first National Rock N Roll Championship to be held on May 12 in Chandigarh. — TNS
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Aditya Roy Kapur talks food and fitness
My dad makes amazing apple pie and he makes seven at a time so I gobble them all up. As my brothers and I do not live together anymore, we all pack our share. I also love jalebi and jam sandwiches. I eat what I like and I have never been to a dietician. Foodie to the core I love eating roast chicken, grilled fish, salad, and veggies for dinner. I usually wake up late and start my day with lunch. I have a litre of water to clean my system. I eat whenever I am hungry. I eat three meals a day and cut down on carbohydrates post 7 pm. I love baingan ka bharta and bhindi. I eat set ka khaana for lunch, which I want to change soon. I eat simple food on the sets like daal, roti, bhaji and rice. I eat three egg-sandwiches and coffee for breakfast. Plan it right I do not maintain six-pack-abs all the time. I work out extra during shooting. Life can get boring with too much of working out. I love doing weights and also work out post lunch. I do different sets of body parts every time so the body does not get used to a fixed regime. I run on the treadmill also and do weights for 45 minutes. For Aashique 2, I stuck to my routine as there was no specific body type needed. Be a sport I play cricket or football thrice a week. I love cricket. My dream was to be a cricketer but it faded away as I got busy with studies. I am a left-arm bowler and quite good at that. I used to play kabbadi, kho-kho, football, chor police and other such running games. I wanted to race with everyone. My dad made me do push-ups and stay fit because he was in the Army. I can do pull ups and lift my body weight of 85 kilos. Fitness regime Fitness is about being lean and not too muscular. Sometimes, I binge on foods like pizza, burgers, sandwiches, etc. and at other times, I am totally into eating right and working out. I get into shape within ten days of working out.
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Sunny replaces Mallika...
Sunny Leone's growing popularity has grabbed her promising projects. The porn star turned Bollywood actress, with Pooja Bhatt's Jism 2, has bagged another mainstream project. She has replaced Mallika Sherawat to play Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor's ladylove in Welcome 2.
The makers felt that Mallika is no longer the hot property of Bollywood and she has lost her popularity in recent times while Sunny's charm has left everyone speechless. "Mallika is busy doing her television show and besides, the filmmakers felt that she isn't as popular as she was during the making of Welcome. Sunny's growing popularity, on the other hand, works very well for the film," says a source. Sunny's item number Laila from Shootout At Wadala has made guys fall head over heels and the makers
of Welcome 2 did not want to burn their hands by casting icy Mallika Sherawat. Sunny is currently
shooting Ekta Kapoor's Ragini MMS. Mallika recently posted a few pictures of her on social networking
sites, which clearly show that she has lost her glamour. The makers have retained the original star cast with only a few major changes. John Abraham has replaced Akshay Kumar to play the lead role.
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Preity Zinta: I hated my chubby cheeks
Actress Preity Zinta has a confession to make. The 38-year-old actress admitted on Twitter that she always hated her chubby cheeks. Preity, who is often remembered for her dimples and chubby cheeks, was recently stopped by a female fan who didn't like her new look.
Preity tweeted: ‘A lady 2day insisted I'd lost a lot of weight & my chubby Cheeks frm Soldier days were missing! PLS ! Soldier was 15years ago! Gimme a BREAK.’ ‘Of course I’m going 2change as the years go by ! Pictures remain the same not People & 4the Record I hated my chubby cheeks :-) Ting! Hahaha’ she added. According to the grapevine, Preity Zinta is still hunting for buyers for her comeback film Ishqk In Paris. But as her demands are high, she hasn't been able to strike a deal with any distributor yet. Well Preity, we wish you good luck!
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Small screen, silver dreams
Our source from the production house says, "Hate Story II is very different from the previous film. While the first Hate Story was more sensuous, this film targets the masses." When we contacted Jay he said, "Yes talks are going on but it is too early to say anything." From a contestant to an anchor and now a Bollywood film in hand, Jay seems to be great at juggling various roles. Marching along >> Jay Bhanushali
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Sabyasachi speaks up
The red carpet Vidya Balan is going to many red carpet events and after-parties at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Therefore, she will wear a mix of sarees and ethnic suits along with Indian maxi dresses. I am not doing her jewellery but I am crafting a few clutches for her. The Indian touch Vidya is not a model. She is the quintessential healthy Indian woman. I do not like skinny women with straight hair telling us about beauty. I dress all kinds of people in all kinds of sizes. Niches and clichés I came into her life at the right time. She was being dressed wrongly so she was criticised a lot. I helped her make better choices. We have come a long way together and I love to see her go from strength to strength. She is now a trendsetter and truly has her own niche and identity.
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I will don a bikini: Parineeti Chopra
Weight and then watch I was obese in college. I am not in the best of shape alright but I manage fine for the kind of roles I do. I work out a lot and have a few rules that I follow in my diet. I cannot eat pizza anymore. I have to constantly look good and different for different roles. So far, I may have been cast as the girl-next-door but that does not mean that I do not have the oomph factor. I would totally wear a bikini when I get into shape for it. Only some people are blessed to be skinny. On special mention at the National Awards I started getting a lot of congratulatory messages and I did not believe it till my sister Priyanka and Karan Johar messaged me. I was so delighted when Mr Amitabh Bachchan sent over a bouquet. I did not expect it at all. I love acting and I know it is a lot of work. Earlier, I used to think that actors got paid for nothing and were successful for no reason. Now, I stand corrected. Dating rules I am not dating anyone though I have been linked to Arjun Kapoor, Maneesh Sharma, Ranveer Singh, Uday Chopra and Jackky Bhagnani. I am single.
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Sonam’s bittersweet truth!
Whoever identifies with the lyrics raise your hand! Coz I do.' Kapoor has been linked to Shahid Kapoor and director Punit Malhotra in the past. If our sources are to be believed, Sonam is currently single and happy. Well what can we say Sonam? Whatever inspires!
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Hail the queen
In tatters:
A still from Sasural Simar Ka
Dancing their way through laughter |
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Up, close and personal with Leena
She rocked the small screen with Bandini. Himmatwala film fame model turned actor Leena Jumani was introduced as the new lead on Sahara One's show Piya Ka Ghar Pyaara Lage. The show recently got revamped after the exit of Sanjeeda Sheikh. The lovely Leena with a killer smile is enjoying her space as Pia. There are lots of twists and turns coming up in this show and she is trying to bring the same charm to this family drama. She is at present shooting cut-to-cut. In a candid chat with Life+Style. Leena Jumani talks about her character, her life and a lot more…
How did you land the
role of Pia? After the exit of Sanjeeda Sheikh, Entertainment Hub, the production house asked me for the Piya role. I liked the story and agreed to be a part of this show. Is Piya Ka Ghar Pyaara Lage
a big moment for you? It definitely is. Giri Raj Kabra, Aditi Sajwan who are good actors are attached to this show. I am happy that I have been a part of this beautiful family show. Tell us about your role. I am playing Piya who is responsible for Sejal's accident. I feel guilty about it and help her dear ones to bear the loss. I am excited about playing this beautiful character. What has been your experience on the sets? I am lucky to work with seasoned actors of television. They are so experienced and make sure that every little detail is taken care of. I have learnt a lot from them. Do you prepare for the role? I do not prepare for the role. It comes to me naturally. Are you satisfied with your performance? I am satisfied with my character Pia. I love the world of television. It makes me feel safe and secure. I am receiving satisfaction from playing my role perfectly. How has been your journey in serials so far? It has been great. Bandini serial was my benchmark and I have continued with good roles with shows like Koi Aane Ko Hai, Tere Liye, Chhoti Si Zindagi, Aahat, Adalat, Ganga Ki Dheej, Kairee and Punar Vivah. Do you think Pia will go down well with the viewers? I think viewers will like Pia's character. I love to experiment with different roles. What is your take on life? From doing films, to being a part of many successful television shows, I think life has come full circle. — Dharam Pal
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Astro Turf
ARIES: New attractions are likely to be taken seriously. Do not hold back anything from your boss. Focus on exercise and diet. Put problems aside for an evening of cheer.
Tarot message: Don't waste an opportunity by being rash or impulsive. TAURUS: Check all figures related to jointly held funds. Your friends and support network will encourage you. A new project will get a nod. A female colleague could push your buttons. Tarot message: Keep your eyes on the future as you do so. GEMINI: Pace yourself, since your energy levels can be low. Take some time out for meditation to disengage from the thoughts that keep churning over the past. Be positive. Tarot message: Don't do anything at the cost of health. CANCER: Avoid careless spending. Problems will be resolved effortlessly. Study a subject that inspires your personal and spiritual growth. Tarot message: You can make things happen out of the most unlikely circumstances. LEO: Good day for negotiating contracts. You are unlikely to get much chance to relax this evening. As the day progresses, things will be sorted out if you are willing to be honest. Tarot message: Do not be in a rush to spend extravagantly. VIRGO: "The Magician" castes a smile on health. Useful day for discussing long term plans. You will recieve a call from a friend in the evening. Your energy levels are at a peak. Tarot message: Spend time meeting experienced people. LIBRA: he "Queen of Swords" reveals that romantic pursuits are likely to be serious. Spend your spare time in the company of your loved ones. A positive self-image will warm the cockles of your heart. Tarot message: While shopping, be sure to take care of your budget. SCORPIO: Patience will begin paying dividends. Any projects connected with study, travel and cultural pursuits will be very satisfying. You will work hard to overcome the obstacles in your
path. Tarot message: Don't try to end all the deadlocks at one go. SAGITTARIUS: Avoid making any important business move today. A new romance is on the cards. Try not to rely on anybody to help you achieve your goals. Legal matters could take a positive turn. Tarot message: Do not let trivial problems haunt you. CAPRICORN: A relative may behave in a rather unpredictable way. Early morning surprises can turn into afternoon achievements. Just enjoy the food, the company and your environment for a while. Tarot message: Capitalise on your strength and do not trust others. AQUARIUS: Put more effort into completing unfinished work. Your health could be worrying you a little, so it would be wise to see a health professional for the best treatment. Tarot message: Don't do anything at the cost of health. PISCES: There will be a sudden improvement in your fortune. Workmates may be aggressive. This is a positive time for business partnerships and joint ventures of all descriptions. Tarot message: Lack of persistence can be disastrous in business matters. |
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If ever she is driven to the black corner of the heart, if ever life seems to go haywire or if ever nothing seems to connect, kathak dancer Madhumita Roy looks at her ghungroos, which are never too far away from her reach! It's the music in these ghungroos that awakes every string of her soul.
The seated trunk rotation test assesses the player's ability to turn from the thoracic spine or upper body. This is very important to create a separation between the upper body and the lower body, which helps us to create speed and maintain a stable posture during the swing.
World's third-ranked Rock N Roll dance couple from Hungary, Mikios Hovarth and Katalin Kis, will be in Chandigarh from May 4 to 11 on behalf of the World Rock N Roll Federation to conduct an international workshop. The highly acclaimed dancing couple is a master in Rock N Roll Acrobatics, which is all set to enter the Olympics arena as a medal sport.
Sweet tooth
Bollywood seems to be opening up to more and more of television faces and the latest to join the gang is Jay
Bhanushali, He recently won Nach Baliye and is all set to make his Bollywood debut with Vikram Bhatt's Hate Story II.
Sabyasachi's famous client is Vidya Balan and he has transformed her, quite a bit. He talks about dressing her up for an upcoming event.
Parineeti Chopra shoots straight from the heart. There was a time, in between, when there was a lot of buzz around her and she had no work. She is currently shooting for Karan Johar's joint production Hansi Toh Phasi. She talks about her weight, acting and more.
Actress Sonam Kapoor finds heartbreaks inspiring. The 27-year-old actress admits that all her favourite songs are about heartbreak. "Why is heartbreak so inspiring? All my fav songs are about heartbreak, all my fav stories are about star crossed lovers or unrequited love. Bittersweet is def my fav flavor," Kapoor tweeted. She also updated her fans about her current favourite track: 'Listening to jar of hearts on loop.
Aashka Goradia, who was earlier seen in the Bigg Boss Season 6 series, will now essay the role of lady Bhatiani, the youngest queen of Uday Singh, in the upcoming episodes of Maharana Pratap. Meanwhile, Shakti Anand will essay the role of Maharana Pratap's father. 
Roped in for TV
Attacked by rats!