When sense meets sensuality
The sensible silhouette and detailing have made Pakistani designs a big hit this side of the border. Little wonder Indian designers are increasingly infusing Pakistani sensibility in their creations
Manpriya Singh

India and Pakistan story is one of the biggest ironies to reflect upon. While it doesn't get more tense than the political divide, it doesn't get more intense than the cultural connect. Craze for Bollywood, passion for cricket, love for Sufi and the zeal with which we celebrate weddings and work upon bridal trousseaus.

Of course, there have been differences. While the sense of fashion here has always been blindly dictated by B-town, our counterparts paid attention to detail, worked upon silhouettes and ways to make modest way of dressing look chic. The modesty we took note of with the Pakistani cotton suits. First, when a group of well-dressed women journalists came calling here, followed by the very popular Hina Rabbani, once again followed by a horde of women in attendance when we hosted the famous India Pakistan cricket semi-final.

elegant move: Sharmila Tagore walks in a Ritu Kumar outfit, which is inspired by Pakistani silhouette

chic choice: A Rizwan Beyg outfit

Divided shararas, ghararas, pallazo pants—our fashion has been getting inspired and increasingly so. The recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014 happily cashed upon one of the major highlights of the week, the Pakistani designers. "Pakistani silhouettes are multinational. They were very much the same for the fashionable elite before Partition, so there is a cultural connect much deeper than the present geographic divide underlies," opines Ritu Kumar, who has also worked upon the silhouettes extensively in her collections. Probably even before when Sharmila Tagore walked the ramp in one of her creations.

There is no dearth of the big names to be quoted in favour. Sabyasachi showcased the highly festive side of ghararas at this year's Delhi Couture Week. Manish Malhotra gave his due last year itself at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013. A year later, at the next edition of the same show, several names followed suit. Right from Krishna Mehta unveiling her festive couture look and blending it with Indian garments and handlooms to the Pakistani designers namely Rizwan Beyg, Sania Maskatiya and Zara Shahjahan who came calling with aplomb.

Less is not more

Rizwan Beyg's collection titled Digitruck came inspired from the colourful truck art, which Pakistan is known for. In an orange flared top teamed with satin printed sharara, he offered a characteristic style statement from his country.

Moving on, Zara Shahjahan in her City Of Gardens presented a collection where old Lahore and floral vintage prints were the highlight. She offered a fusion look, a concept that has been an instant hit here. At the myriad wedding exhibitions anything Pakistani is an instant sell out.

That is a long way for garments surviving in a culture increasingly dominated by the west with 'less is more' ideology. Fashion in Pakistan has always been modest.

"One cannot show much skin, so they devised ways to look just as fashionable, paid extra attention to details, worked upon their cuts and embroideries," chips in Neelam Wadhera, Ludhiana-based wedding exhibitions organiser.

"They are popular to the extent of being added attractions at any wedding fair. We just have to rope in a few labels and designers with Pakistani tags.

"We have also made similar cuts but not quite the way they do it. They have been doing it for generations now and have learnt the art of making and wearing certain garments. Even a grandmother from Pakistan will know the art of draping a dupatta and wearing a palazzo kameez," opines Anjali Sharma, from the label Ujjayra Couture. "There's also the fact that these silhouettes are elegant and flowing. Any bride-to-be walking in theses days asks for a long jacket and divided sharara," she adds. What makes the Pakistani fashion such a hit might be attributed to different reasons but not quite the fact that they are a hit.

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Divided they stand

While the websites are rife with countless things that all Indian brides must learn from their Pakistani counterparts, there are just a few styling guidelines to be kept in mind. Shares Ritu Kumar, emphasises on their versatility, "The divided gharara or trouser is the characteristic of Pakistani fashion. These can be worn with a number of Indian silhouettes like the kurti, kurta and ensembles like coats etc layered together."

You’ve got mail!
Anshul Goyal has turned his passion into profession and through his new venture offers a host of features that you can customise to suit your needs
Mona

Anshul Goyal has a love for exclusives. The proud collector of rare coins (heard of Rs 1,000 one?), an envelope that once contained the ticket of the ill-fated Titanic and much more. Managing director, email.biz, this 31-year-old Ludhiana lad is happy at the response his venture has gathered in one year. With two lakh users already, he is happy to let you customise your e-mail IDs from as many as 25,000 options. In Chandigarh, on Thursday, Anshul opened up on the project close to his heart. "When I started sending emails from my exclusive ID, my friends appreciated; I thought of extending it to them too."

Not only can you sync up to four mail IDs at email.biz, you can send up to 500 MB size of attachment, get you own webpage…all free to begin with. "With time we are going to launch our chatting application and online storage space too," says Anshul, who is a bachelor in commerce and a self-taught software expert.

"So has been everyone in the field, right from Steve Jobs, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg to Bill Gates," he quips. Now that he is happy with feedback, he is soon going to launch a music album to promote email.biz. With nine songs in total, one in English and three in Punjabi centre around the venture, while there are other five that are typical Punjabi numbers. "I guess songs are the best way to catch attention," says Anshul. With his family in the real estate business, Anshul is happy in his software business ever since he was 20. He is aiming at a bigger market now, with Yana Gupta to be the face of the brand. "We offer services in four languages now - Hindi, Arabic, Spanish and English. We are aiming to expand more soon," says Anshul.

mona@tribunemail.com

The buzz

• Customised e-mail username
• You can sync up to four mail IDs and access all at one click
• Create your mail ID in your native language
• Exchange attachment up to the size of 500 MB
• Sign up for an email and get your website free

Flavours of the Orient
Chef Kamal from Mumbai wants Oriental cuisine to suit Indian taste-buds
Somya Abrol

They say if you're looking to lose weight, turn to authentic Oriental cuisine; except the fried dumplings and tempura, of course. Believing in the same theory, executive chef Kamal from Noodle Bar, Mumbai, gives us a sneak peek into his perception of the dominant Asian cuisine.

At Elante mall, Chandigarh, to share a cooking experience for a live audience alongside our very own chef Kandla Nijhowne, chef Kamal talks about adapting Oriental cuisine to please Indian taste buds. "The beauty of Oriental cuisine lies in its simplicity. We boil, blanch or steam most of our ingredients; it's bound to be healthy. Though we add a lot of spice in the Indian version of Oriental food to make it suit the Indian palate, it is still far healthier than a lot of Indian regional food items," says chef Kamal, who has been with the Noodle Bar franchise for the past six years and has been a part of the food industry since 1996.

Hailing from Darjeeling, chef Kamal likes to keep his food simple: "The natural taste of fresh ingredients itself is so enticing that you don't need unnecessary add-ons like spices."

Talking about her experience of working alongside chef Kamal in the fifth installment of Elante Wednesdays, chef Kandla Nijhowne (of Master Chef India fame) says too many chefs do not, in fact, spoil the broth. "It's always a pleasure working with someone who is a master of his trade. I myself am jack of all trades, so I get to learn the nuances of each cuisine through this medium, which also gives me the chance to interact with my audiences."

In case you were too caught up in routine to attend the event, both chefs have been kind enough to share one recipe each!

Mountain Chilli Prawns

Ingredients

• 180 gm shelled prawns
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp chopped ginger
• 1¼ tbsp chopped garlic
• 2 tbsp chopped onion
• ½ tsp chili flakes
• Turmeric a pinch
• ½ tsp Madras curry powder
• 1 tbsp Oyster sauce
• ¼ tsp vinegar
• ¼ tsp sugar
• Cornflour to dust
• 7 curry leaves
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 1½ tbsp Sriracha sauce
• ½ tsp fish sauce (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Curry leaves & fresh red chillies to garnish

(Recipe contributed by executive chef Kamal)

Asian Barbequed Cottage Cheese

• 200 gm cottage cheese
• ½ tbsp chopped garlic
• ¾-1 tbsp chopped ginger
• 1½ chopped onion
• 1 tsp crushed black pepper
• 1½ Kashmiri chilli paste
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp Oyster sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1½ tbsp oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• ½ stock-cube
• 1 tbsp spring onion

somya@tribunemail.com

Tip talk

• Use refined oil for oriental cooking. It suits the ingredients better.
• Use of potato starch will help thicken the consistency of all your main course dishes.
• Restrict the use of fish sauce to Thai cuisine.
• Use white pepper powder for soups.

Master Chef
Sumptuous salad
Manju Dewan

In this sultry weather, one really looks forward to salads that are nutritious, wholesome and yet tasty. Combining sprouts with poha, one very light and the other very nutritious, a wonderful salad can be made in no time. With veggies, it becomes colourful plus healthier.

Spicy sprouts with poha

Ingredients

• 1 cup sabudana
• 1 cup poha
• ½ cup sprouted moth (boiled)
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ¼ cup roasted peanuts (coarsely powdered)
• 5 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp green chilli (finely chopped)
• Salt, to taste
• Curry leaves, to garnish

Natural eye
Amarjot Kaur

He stands between the mountains and the deep sea, literally, to click perfectly well-defined pictures at Te Wahipaunamu, south-west New Zealand, which was declared as the world heritage site in 1990 and incorporates Fiorland, Westland Mount Aspiring and Mount Cook National Park. An educationist, a passionate traveller, and an avid photographer, Mitul Dikshit, in his second exhibition at the Punjab Kala Bhawan, shares beautiful moments of his journey to the Great Barrier Reef, Waitomo Caves and Te Wahipounamu through his pictures.

While his clicks of the Waitomo Caves reflects the artistically detailed patterns of the melting rocks, which create a dramatic pay of light and shadow, his photographs of the Great Barrier Reef, taken underwater, create a colourful spectrum of water life. The electric blue of the ocean that forms a ready canvas for the fiery orange fishes, the blue starfish nestled comfortably on a pale yellow coral and the heavy turtle floating carelessly along with the flow of water...every photograph by Mitul exudes life, dancing in its vibrant sprit of existence. "I am a professional scuba-diver too, so it was an interesting experience to be able to marry my two talents - diving and photography," Mitul smiles. The series also features a candid photograph of white sharks.

With abundance of landscape photography, wildlife photography and even roadside photography, Mitul manages to click some photos, which have environmental relevance as well. The shot of melting glaciers at Mount Cook, the hot spring geysers at the Milfort sound and the Lava flowing through Rotorua are indeed wonderful clicks.

The exhibition also features some shots clicked by Mitul's son, Idant Dikshit, who is eight years old. "I used Cannon G15 for underwater shots and Cannon 5D Marc 3 for the regular shots," he shares.

(On till August 28. Photographs are not for sale)

amarjot@tribunemail.com

TRENDSETTER
The personal touch

A combination of 'brain and beauty' is what every girl wants to be. And a student of interior designing at INIFD, Ludhiana, Ankita Minhas is totally in sync with the latest trends.

Your sense of style

Style means the total personality; right from hairstyle to attire to shoes and all accessories.

COOL QUOTIENT: Ankita Minhas. Photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Latest addition to your wardrobe

A short white dress, which I got from Bangkok.

Brand crazy or street pick-ups?

Whatever suits me will do.

My style icon

Priyanka Chopra.

Who do you think is the worst-dressed celebrity?

Vidya Balan.

Which look would you prefer — sporty, chic or glamorous?

Chic.

One fashion trend that goes beyond your comprehension

A puff or Bouffant type hairstyle.

What accessories do you prefer?

Mostly neck-pieces and bracelets.

If given a chance, you would like to be dressed by which designer?

Young Berry.

What gives you a high?

Wearing smart, trendy clothes and carrying them off well.

(As told to Poonam Bindra)

pet passion
Canine connection
Poonam Bindra

When the kids and pets grow up together, the bond is incomparable. Rhino, a cute dachshund, was a Diwali gift by the Klers for Anna and Kabir, who were eight and four years old, respectively, at that time. Now when Anna is away to foreign land for studies, even out there her main concern is for the twelve-year-old Rhino. "Actually when Anna left home to study, Rhino became quite dejected so we got 'Bhalu', a German Shepherd, to keep him company," says Ballie Kler, the owner of Pumpkins Nursery School in Ludhiana.

Although Bhalu is now bigger and taller than him, Rhino still remains the 'boss' and is 'a big dog in a small body'. "The sight of their evening walk together is always a source of amusement for people. Their playful pranks are a treat to watch," inform the Klers. When Bhalu initially came into the Kler household, Rhino was quite suspicious and he took his own sweet time to get adjusted to another canine in the house, but soon enough they became friends.

"Since Bhalu has come, Rhino's appetite has increased and we can quite see his stomach touching the ground. Even the entrance to their 'farmhouse' type house has a canine-friendly message — "If our dogs don't like you, we probably won't either," they share.

star track
In MJ’s footsteps

After shattering all records with Bang Bang teaser and the high octane first song Tu Meri, Hrithik Roshan is shaking a leg, a la king of Pop Michael Jackson style and keeping him company is Katrina Kaif. The actors are presently shooting a special video for their upcoming action thriller, Bang Bang. It is the title track, choreographed by Bosco-Ceaser, which will be on air by mid-September.

"I won't call it a tribute or a copy. But it definitely has the trademark Michael Jackson moves. Once the song was ready, we played it to Hrithik and he quipped, “Hey, this is typical MJ!” That's exactly the kind of reaction I was looking for. It's a first for him and Katrina too. We are not doing the moonwalk but it will still be a treat," says director Siddharth Anand.

The MJ track was Siddharth's brainchild and he has been working closely with music directors, Vishal-Shekhar, on it for the last few months.

He says that the reference to his idol is unmistakable but the choreography does not include any copied steps.

Produced by Fox Star Studios, Bang Bang has been directed by Siddharth Anand. The film is being hailed as the action romance of the year.

A coffee date

Rohit Shetty and Ranbir Kapoor were spotted having coffee for more than an hour and then riding away together from a suburban five-star hotel. Was it just catching up or was there a movie on the horizon? Both are quite busy right now. So, your guess is as good as ours.

Delayed action

Actress Lara Dutta's comeback film Chalo Delhi has been postponed due to shooting restrictions at some locations. She was also supposed to do the sequel of No Entry with Salman. However, it seems the film has been delayed.

Money talk

Singham Returns continues to do well at the box office and will earn around Rs 150 crore. Rani Mukerji's Mardaani has made Rs 14 crore in its opening weekend and will do well due to word of mouth publicity.

Profit sharing

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is set to direct the epic love story Bajirao Mastani, starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, has struck a unique deal with the film's producer Sunil Lulla further changing the status quo in Bollywood.

Sanjay, who is reportedly composing music for the film, has decided to forgo his fee and will take home 50 per cent of the profit share instead. Earlier, it used to be major stars in B-town who would demand for profits, now many big ticket directors take 25-30 per cent of the profits from the studio in lieu of their remuneration.

We are sure this is a calculated move on Bhansali's part and also shows how confident he is about the movie. Speculation is rife that the film has a budget of a whopping Rs 210 crore, but sources rubbish this claim. The film will be extensively shot in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Shooting for the film will commence early next year.

Khoobsoorat portrayal

Director Shashanka Ghosh is working round the clock to complete the post production on Khoobsoorat. He says that youngsters are not aware of the Rekha film and that this film will show her range of emotions.

Support system

Sohum Shah of Ship of Theseus fame is showing his support to the documentary film Katiyabaaz which has been critically acclaimed. He wants the film to get maximum viewership.

No release date

Anushka Sharma's production venture NH10 has been stuck again because the release of Bombay Velvet has been pushed to summer 2015 followed by Dil Dhadakne Do in June. So, the film does not have a release date again.

No family involvement

It was recently reported that after wrapping up the Corsica schedule of Tamasha, Ranbir Kapoor met his girlfriend Katrina Kaif's family in London. However, Ranbir rubbished the rumours at a recently held event.

During a media interaction, when the Kapoor prince was asked if he had actually met Kat's family, he said, "I have been to London many times before, I have known Katrina for long and I had met her mom during the shoot of Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahaani and all I can say is that these rumours are wrong." While Ranbir claims that, Katrina was recently spotted bonding with her beau's mom, Neetu Kapoor over dinner.

Get glowing with Amrita

Actress Amrita Rao shares some of her skin and hair care tips...

Beauty care: Amrita Rao

Wash out

Those who have oily skin, wash your face at least four times a day with an anti-bacterial soap. Those with dry skin can wash your face whenever the skin feels greasy.

Bounce back

Your hair is the crown of your beauty and hence, you should not hesitate to invest in a good quality shampoo and conditioner that suit your hair and give it the required bounce.

Prime step

Before applying make-up, use an oil-free primer as the first layer of protection or an under-base to your make-up foundation. Dab some good quality loose powder on your face, either over the make-up foundation or if you are not wearing make-up, then over the primer.

On paper

Carry oil blotting paper sheets handy in your bag to blot the excess oil that surface on your skin. Follow it up by dabbing your skin with a powder puff to matte the face and regain the fresh look.

Black spots

I advise carrying loose powder and a powder puff instead of the regulation powder compact. The compacts can have chemicals and ingredients like silica that may not agree with your skin type and end up blocking your pores. This, in turn causes blackheads and many other skin problems.

Dump the oil

Even if you have dry skin, make sure you use make up that stays 'oil free' especially during the summer and monsoon because there is enough moisture in the air!

chatter box
A treat for dog lovers

National Geographic Channel is all set to present Cesar to the Rescue, a show that will help you learn about the behaviour of dogs. The show is set to premiere on August 30, and will be aired every Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 pm. This six-episode series will be hosted by Mexican-American dog trainer Cesar Millan, known for his efforts to rehabilitate aggressive dogs.

As part of the show, Cesar goes on a mission to bring order back to neighborhoods that have fallen under the terrorising power of a ferocious canine. In each episode, Cesar goes to different pet-owners and helps them understand their dogs better by his unique ways of training.

Talking about the show, Debarpita Banerjee, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, NGC Networks and FOX International Channels, India, said, "Though being a dog lover myself, it so happens that sometimes you are unable to understand your dog's mood and why they start acting in a peculiar way." Cesar Millan shared, "I was only thirteen when I decided that I wanted to be the best dog trainer in the world. Cesar to the Rescue is all about helping entire groups of people — families, workplaces, and communities. The show has humour, drama and suspense."

The big host

Senior actor and MP Shatrughan Sinha will soon be seen on a news channel. He will host a series called Vande Mataram on Aaj Tak, which will talk about the freedom struggle. Om Puri too has lent his voice to the show.

Sonakshi is a Yo Yo fan

It's time for Honey Singh to take on television with music reality show India's Raw Star! Sonakshi Sinha went all out to give Honey Singh a personalised video message. Says Sonakshi, "I have always been a fan of Honey Singh; my day starts with Yo Yo Honey Singh songs."

Ruhanika walks the ramp

Young star Ruhanika Dhawan has been appreciated for her endearing role as Ruhi in popular show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. Recently, Ruhi showed off her completely different avatar wherein she looked both pretty and adorable. She walked the ramp dressed up in Barbie attire for a fashion show!

Confirming the news, Ruhanika's mother said to an entertainment portal, "Ruhanika was very happy being a Barbie as it was her dream come true. This was the first time when she did a ramp walk. She was so excited when she got to know that she will be dressed up like a Barbie. She never complained that she is tired while practicing for the event; she used to do it willingly. She was the showstopper and was wearing Barbie dress."

24 is back!

It's been a little over a year since Colors changed the face of Indian television with its path-breaking show, 24. And now, the riveting 24 hours in the life of Jai Singh Rathod that set the country pulsating in its first season, is back on popular demand. The show will air every Monday to Saturday at 9.00 pm on Rishtey. Anil Kapoor said, "24 is very special to me. As an actor and a producer very rarely have I experienced such immense creative satisfaction as I have from this show. We were very fortunate that some of the best people in show business came together on this show and made the entire journey truly memorable. Everyone, right from the actors to the technicians, put in two hundred per cent, which shows on screen. The feedback I have received from viewers across all strata of society and across all age groups has been very encouraging."

The year ahead
Madan Gupta Spatu

If your birthday is August 28...

Born on August 28 with number of 1, you want to lead and direct; to work independent of supervision, by yourself or with subordinates. You take pride in your abilities and want to be recognised for them. There is a great deal of honesty and loyalty in you. The negative side of the 1 must be avoided. A negative 1 is apt to dominate situations and people; the home, the spouse, the family and the business. The great need is the development of friendliness and a sincere interest in people. Virgo is associated with the planet Mercury, which symbolises not only your thoughts but also the way in which you express them.

Positive colours: Golden, red.

Select days: Sunday, Monday.

Favourable numbers: 1, 4, 2, 7.

Gems recommended: Yellow Sapphire, Ruby.

Charity on birthday: Donate sweets among poor people.

You share your birthday with Deepak Tijori (August 28, 1961, Mumbai), who has made over 50 film appearances as an actor and made his directorial debut with Fareb. Deepak will have to struggle much for survival in the industry till 2015.

Astro turf
P Khurrana

ARIES: Today love and travel figure prominently. You can put yourself in line for a promotion or salary increase. The accent is on pleasure and entertainment. Feelings can distort your perspective. Tarot message: Don't reveal your plan of action to anyone. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 63.

TAURUS: Make more of an effort to attain and maintain harmony. Communication can assume greater importance. Don't let petty aspects take precedence over what is rewarding. Tarot message: Don't do anything at the cost of health. Lucky colour: Blue. Magic number: 59.

GEMINI: New people whom you meet will be rather exciting. Remember your resolutions about diet and nutrition. Health problem can slow you down. Tarot message: Make compromises outside and come to terms within yourself. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 36.

CANCER: Enjoy the pleasurable vibes and plan a relaxing day. Get into your hobbies or a favourite sport for mental as well as physical stimulation. Tarot message: Do not expect too much from others; it’s the key to happiness. Lucky colour: White. Magic number: 50.

LEO: A piece of good news arriving by mail or phone will cheer you up. Household affairs continue smoothly. Bizfolk: do not invest your money in hastily concluded deals. Tarot message: Lack of confidence can leave you in losses. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 35.

VIRGO: It is a not a good day for shopping. There can be a small get- together at home. A promotion to a management position will trigger self-doubt. Be conscious of what you speak. Tarot message: Don't take hasty decisions. Lucky colour: Crimson. Magic number: 33.

LIBRA: Sportsmen: sincerity is the key to success. Club and group activities keep you busy. Health glows. Speculate only if you are ready to lose money. Focus on hobbies. Tarot message: Don't waste an opportunity by being rash or impulsive. Lucky colour: Saffron. Magic number: 25.

SCORPIO: Working women: take complete rest today. Students: bury your nose in books. Be logical in your thoughts. Housewives: financially you are feeling secure. A change of plans can throw you into turmoil. Tarot message: Learn from past experience. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 25.

SAGITTARIUS: Push routine to one side. Your marital status figures prominently. You might fall madly in love during travel or attendance at a conference. Drive carefully. Partnership issues are likely to surface. Tarot message: Be determined. Lucky colour: Mauve. Magic number: 31.

CAPRICORN: It is an auspicious day for purchasing ornaments. Hasty actions can lead to situations best avoided. Keep your wits about you and try to pause if agitated. Colleagues and associates might step on your toes. Tarot message: Be articulate. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 42.

AQUARIUS: There will be good opportunities to show off your artistic flair. Loved ones will do what they can to help solve family and financial problems. Savor the romantic glow of the morning. Tarot message: Try to accomplish longterm tasks. Lucky colour: Red. Magic number: 52.

PISCES: The card 'Six of Wands' predicts fun, frolic and accelerated social activities. Effort will not go unnoticed. Talk with your partner about future plans and goals. Fantasise over countless possibilities. Tarot message: Follow your own path. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 40.