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CAMPUS CAFE Theme for a
dream
Simply
Punjabi FILM &
FASHION
YOUTH SPEAK SMSing her
way to Goa
HopScotch Totally
Indian
Kalamkari
is his legacy
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No longer khadi kurtas and startched white saris, the new breed of social workers comes in a fine makeover. Parbina Rashid meets some of the suave do-gooders around town A look at the smiling faces of the children enjoying a game of cricket with their patrons, and your conventional image of an orphanage goes in for a toss. No over-strict matronly figures hovering around with a permanent frown on their face! Even your image of a social worker gets a jolt as you meet these sleek and poised young women in their jeans and tops in charge, instead of those old-school social workers, who had made oversized khadi kurtas, chappals and jholas the symbol of social service. The ‘bold and beautiful’ society ladies by but by middleclass conventional people do not only share this sentiment too. Neha and Tamanna, two young girls from a conservative background, who have been teaching at Bal Sadan, believe simplicity is a matter of heart and has nothing to do with a person’s outer appearances. The trend, according the society watchdogs, started with the influx of young professionals into social service, mostly equipped with degrees like MSW (Master in Social Work). “These young bunch of social workers are thoroughly professional and dedicated lot. They have the passion and dedication which is truly remarkable,” says Sheena. “True”, agrees Kalpana. “The entry of these young dedicated professional has marked the end of half-baked kind of social work. They have bough professionalism into it and now the society is open to accept young, modern looking people in the role of a social worker,” she adds. If the society is ready to accept this new breed social workers, then be it. What is in a dress after all?
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CAMPUS CAFE Once known to come alive in the dead of the night, the campus is nowadays sleeping after eight. Oh yes, the students still study in the main library’s outer hall at night, but apprehending the worse they just do not go the centre. It’s still acceptable during the day. Go to the centre and you will see youngsters sparing a thought for food after flipping through the pages of English Literature’s “oh-so-boring” history, or else after mugging up Chemistry formulas. In fact, you will find them there savouring fried rice, and sautéed life, on hard concrete benches of existence. But come evening and the entire scene changes. Even before the sun disappears behind the buildings, a shadow of uneasy tranquility falls on the campus. As the clock strikes eight, the kiosk owners begin the work of winding up the business for the day. Before long, they pull down the shutters and leave the place for safety. Even as all this is happening, the cops are insisting that the firing never took place. In any case, alleged victim-cum-Student Council President Amandeep Singh believes that stepping up the vigil at the university’s entrance can go a long way in solving the “law and order” problem at the campus, besides restoring confidence. “Enter the gates and there is no one to check the identity cards, or question your antecedents,” he says. In fact, he has demanded that the university security system should either be privatized or handed over to the local police with immediate effect. He is hoping that the authorities will soon do something about the entire affair “in larger interest of the students”. Let’s see. Roll of honour Three Panjab University students have studied their way to scholarship. Funded by the Department of Atomic Energy at Mumbai, the scholarship of Rs 48,000 has been granted by the National Board of Higher Mathematics
(NBHM) to Surinder Pal Singh Kainth, Mamta Gulati and Pooja. A gold medalist in B.Sc, Kainth is currently pursuing Masters Degree in Mathematics, along with the other two students. The scholarship, for post graduation students, is meant to help them in their studies. Getting the scholarship wasn’t easy. The three had to clear an all-India level entrance examination before facing an interview. Catch the buzz Oh, yes, the four-page colour pull out will give you everything you want to hear about the university — right from the details of research carried out by the departments to the latest among the students. Based on the concept of “news you can use”, it has some useful information about the students preparing for the impending examinations and loads of other things. And then you have the alumni column with success stories from students passing out of the university before making it big in life. You too can give the students a word or two of advice through the regular column. It’s not just dating and interacting opportunities that makes
`stu-c times’ an interesting pullout,” says second year MCA student `genius’ behind the whole thing Inderpreet Singh Kang. “It offers discussion forums and a photo-gallery, along with a `department corner’ and university related articles.” — Saurabh Malik
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Theme for a dream
Children grow in leaps and bounds and in no time at all they would have outgrown the room you would have so lovingly created for them when they were born. The need to provide for a toy-bin would have been replaced with racquet-bin for your now hyperactive child. Blackboard for holding make-believe classroom would have been replaced with a computer. Let’s look at the designing requirements for children aged between 7 to 12yrs. Create an adventure or activity based theme to encourage your child to become room-proud. If interest is in aeroplanes, create runway from the doorway leading to a helipad as main play area. An athletics track starting from floor and climbing up the walls to ceiling for a sprinter, a bed with boxing ring for a budding Muhammad Ali, cartoon character faces as drawer knobs for couch potatoes. Unless walls have been thematically and/or elaborately painted, simply changing wall colour makes a huge impact. Change pastels to bright colours with matching bed linen and window dressing options. Butterfly and flower petals rugs may need to become Barbie dolls, trains and cars. Angels guarding the bed can be replaced with Popeye, Superman or Power Puff Girls. Furniture usually is most expensive to replace. Idea should be to invest in furniture, which either grows with child’s changing requirements, or can be easily modified at a later stage. However, little thought now could compensate for lack of consideration when you originally bought it. Certain designs easily allow for cot to be converted into a comfortable two seater with bolsters and pillows. If the cot had more height and drawers underneath for storage, then get tiny footholds cut out in the drawers for your child to climb onto the bed comfortably. Can you convert the open hold-all baby’s cabinet into study table with addition of a concealed pull out shelf at seat height? Another option is to add pull-down cover, which conceals the shelves behind and becomes a worktable when pulled down horizontally. Is it possible to house a computer for your child in the same cabinet? Would it be feasible to put the entertainment system comprising of TV or a music system or a gaming console in the built-in wardrobe itself? Would viewing angle of the cabinet from the bed or seat be comfortable for your child? This is the age when children become a little independent and parents don’t mind their sleeping over at friend’s place. You could also think about converting the storage area underneath the cot to a spare pull -bed for the visiting little guests. This offers more floor space for the children to play. Otherwise use this space to hold the child’s toys and games, school utilities or out of season clothes packed away. Convert the overhead bed canopy from lace to net where children can hang all the gifts they get with ‘Kiddie Meals’. If it’s a four-poster you had bought for your baby, now graduate its’ drapes to ropes, sailor’s masts or fisherman’s net for exploration seeking boys. Think of sheer voils in varied colours or your own sequin encrusted dupattas/sarees for the little princesses’ fourposter. Bunk beds are especially useful when available space is a restriction. Ensure that you sit down to note all the requirements of your child, which must be included in this all encompassing piece of furniture. A cleverly designed bunk bed can house beds for one or more child, their study table and extension of play area too with steps and slides. Courtsey: A.P. Singh
Beston & Co.
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NEW RELEASES It is going to be a good week for Bollywood with three films line-up for release. What is interesting all the established names are trying for something different. Mukta Arts Shaadi Se Pehle is Subhash Ghai’s new big budget multi-starrer after getting critical acclaim for Iqbal. It brings together showman Subhash Ghai and Bollywood’s most brazen actress Mallika Sherawat. A comedy of errors Shaadi Se Pehle stars Akshay Khanna, Ayesha Takia. An unusual pairing of Akshay and Mallika is what the producer Subhash Ghai and director Satish Kaushik are banking on. The film released yesterday at Piccadily, Chandigarh, Fun Republic and K.C, Panchkula. Shaadi Se Pehle marks a return to Bollywood commercial fare for Subhash Ghai. Aftab Shivdasani and Sunil Shetty also stars in the film. It is a very hilarious rib-tickling comedy of errors, which deals with pre-marriage dilemmas. Sameer has penned the lyrics for music composer Himesh Reshammiya. Shaadi Se Pehle has eleven songs, including five remixes rendered by Udit Narayan, Sukhwinder Singh, Sonu Nigam, Daler Mehandi, Alka Yagnik and Sunidhi Chauhan. The film promises to be a laugh riot all the way. Romance in the air
Sawan Kumar Tak known for his dramatic films is ready to take centre-stage with his latest flick Saawan-The Love Season. Salman Khan is back in a big way with his mentor Sawan Kumar Tak who launched him some 14 years back in Sanam Bewafa. The film also stars the same pair of Dil Pardesi Ho Gaya, Kapil Jhaveri and Saloni with music by Aadesh Srivastava and Sajid-Wajid and lyrics by Sawan Kumar Tak himself. Sawan Kumar’s films have boasted of melodious score. One hopes that this one is no exceptions. Short beautifully in London and Cape Town, Saawan-The Love Season also stars Johny Lever, Bobby Darling, Prem Chopra and Ranjeet. The film will be released today at Batra and Fun Republic. Love in Banaras
Setu Creations maiden Hindi feature film Banaras-A Mystic Love Story will see a release today at Fun Republic. Directed by Pankaj Prashar, the film is a sublime love story revolving around the oldest living city and spiritual City Banaras. The magic and radiance of this city is glorified in this film. Urmila Matondkar play the lead role in this devotional love story with Ashmit Patel, Dimple Kapadia, Naseeruddin Shah and Raj Babbar. Banaras—A Mystic Love Story is produced by L.C. Singh. Sameer has penned the lyrics for Himesh Reshmmiya. This one adds another colour to Reshammiya’s music style. Banaras-A Mystic Love Story is expected to be experimental. — D.P.
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Bollywood is lapping up Punjabi themes and Vipul Shah is in town searching for the right location for his forthcoming film, reports A. Kumar The spotlight is turned once again on Punjab with Bollywoood director, Vipul Shah, who made name for himself with ‘Waqt’ and ‘Ankhen’ coming to Chandigarh to search the right Punjabi locale for his next venture. Vipul says, “Punjab is attracting a lot of filmmakers because Punjabis are full of life and their portrayal on screen is very attractive.” Vipul has plans up his sleeve and in his next film he plans to portray Punjab very differently. He refuses to divulge what the difference will be but he has no problems with telling us about the actors who will star in the film. Vipul reveals, “The cast of the film includes my all-time favourite Katrina Kaif, evergreen Rishi Kapoor and Pakistani superstar Javed
Shekh.” The shooting of the film is to begin in the middle of this year. When asked how it was to work with Amitabh Bachchan in ‘Ankhen’ and
‘Waqt’, Vipul replies: “It was a wonderful experience indeed. Big B has unmatched charisma and I had to change the script of my forthcoming film because he was not available because of his ill health. But I am confident that one day I will work with him again.” Of the present state of Hindi cinema, Vipul says: “It couldn’t be better what with films like ‘Black’, ‘Veer
Zaara’ and ‘Page 3’ doing so well and that too as part of the mainstream cinema. Hrithik Roshan’s new film ‘Krish’ will definitely change the trend of Hindi films.” However, he opines that piracy is a big threat for the film industry and concrete steps need to be taken to check it.
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FILM & FASHION Kelly to write memoirs
Ozzy Osbourne’s family will soon have another writer in their midst, for daughter Kelly has revealed that she will soon follow in the footsteps of mum Sharon, and pen her memoirs.
The 21-year old singer, who was inspired by the success of mother Sharon’s book ‘Extreme’, said the world better be ready to read about her life, for she was definitely going to write an autobiography.
“I am definitely going to write an autobiography, so watch out for it,” Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.
— ANI Paris’s ‘Mafia’ friends
Oscar-winning rappers Three 6 Mafia have revealed that they will be producing and recording tracks for hotel heiress Paris Hilton’s upcoming debut album.
The rappers, who won the Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp’ from the movie ‘Hustle and Flow’, confirmed that they would be helping Hilton get her musical career get off to the right start. “We ran into her at a William Morris Agency party, and she said she liked our song ‘Stay Fly’ and asked, could we work with her. Slater to star in classic remake
Hollywood star Christian Slater has revealed that he just might be starring in the remake of the mega-hit 1975 movie ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’.
Slater, who is currently starring in the stage version of the movie at London’s famous West End, said he was open to the idea of acting in the movie remake of the cult classic after working on the stage production of the movie.
— ANI Lohan to join Kabbalah
Lohan said she was looking into the mystical Jewish religion because it offered her something that would help her get through life’s difficulties.
“I am looking into Kabbalah. All of us need something. You just have to grab on to whatever can get you through. Maybe it’s this business, but it seems everything can be so tough, so hard,” Contactmusic quoted her, as saying. Hanks to produce film
Oscar winner Tom Hanks is reportedly set to star in a new movie about coffee called ‘How Starbucks Changed My Life’.
According to the New York Daily News, the movie is based on the memoirs of Michael Gates Gill, a 60-year-old former J. Walter Thompson advertising executive who finds himself without his job and family thanks to downsizing and an affair, and who sees his luck change after he gets a job at coffee chain Starbucks.
The Tom Hanks produced film is due to start filming later this year, and is expected to hit cinemas in 2008. Brad bitten by wine making bug
Actor Brad Pitt has joined the likes of rock star Sting and actor Girard Depardieu, after being bitten by the wine-making bug in
Italy. While Sting produces wine from the vines on his estate near Florence, Depardieu makes wine at his villa in Sicily. And now Hollywood’s 42-year-old heartthrob, who is currently preparing for the birth of his first child with girlfriend Angelina Jolie, is said to have expressed an interest in owning a vineyard outside Turin, Italy - a short distance from his pal George Clooney’s Lake Como pad, after viewing two estates in the Italian countryside during a secret visit.
— ANI
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YOUTH SPEAK No other city has ever been given the title of ‘The city beautiful’ as Chandigarh has been given, the city is beautiful not only for neat and clean but for many other reasons. It is beautiful because here is a good exposure for whatever we want to do. It gives us many chances to shin our talent. But it has other side too. The crime rate in the city has spoiled the beauty of the city. The snatching incident increased so much that Chandigarh police had to go for patrolling in the evening hours. This was in fact a very good step taken by them. But there are other evils too prevailing in the city and major among them in prostitution .the young girls who are indulging in flesh trade are doing no good to anyone. They are no douot spooling their own life but even more than that they are putting their parents in trouble. My idea, here, is just to appeal to the Chandigarh administration to take some really effective step to eliminate this evil because it may perhaps not be that difficult for the girls to live in this world but is definitely so for the family members because of the social taboos. Anchal Garg
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Urvshi Badhwar is a winner in her own right. She’s won a trip to India’s dream tourist destination, Goa. If it can get any bigger than this, it did. She is making this trip to the land of beaches in the company of the much sought-after Men in Blue on their chartered plane and being treated like a royalty. And, what did it take? Just a prompt SMS to 9090 about a serial in a contest conducted by SaharaOne Television, in a unique on-air cricket contest, exclusively for women. “It was on March 27, when I replied to the question regarding a serial. I took it very lightly. They asked me to furnish proof of my residence and I did. It was on March 29, that I got a call from them. I had won the contest and I could not believe my luck. I remember I was having lunch at my home with my mother and the call came as a pleasant surprise,” says Urvashi excitedly. Having little knowledge about the game and rarely have ever watch the cricket match, she is not able to recognize the players even “ I don’t recognize any of the players. I have heard a lot about Dhoni, but I cannot recognize him if he comes before me”, she quips.
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HopScotch Joy or sorrow? Art in this very bureaucratic city has had very little chance of thriving as such with most artists being in government service. Worst is the case of the College of Art, which is directly under the Chandigarh Administration. Bureaucrats are thus the ‘mai-baap’ of the arty academics. One has watched principals then and now bending over to please the home secretary that may be. So it is small wonder that the administration treats those wielding a brush as mere riffraff. Some time ago a letter from the Chief Architect’s office inviting murals and art works for Sector 17 which should be ‘monochromatic, weather proof, scratch proof, U-V stabilized colour, mural design in easily executable, replaceable modules be attempted in the broad theme of ‘City of Joy’…” We are left baffled with the grammar but some artists were left baffled by more like the space these would be installed, shape and most important the budget. Would the artist be paid for the sketch-cum-proposal and would architects provide designs for a building without knowing the size /requirement of the plot, budget provisions, and that too free of cost? Mirch Masala Al Capp, commenting on the rise of abstract art in America way back in 1968, said: “A product of the untalented, to the utterly bewildered.” But this would hold true of most art in most places would be true of our City Beautiful once the focus shifts from real estate, automobiles and diamonds. — Nirupama Dutt
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Here is a painter who combines love and devotion to portray what the world is like for an average Indian, says Parbina Rashid
Ram Kishore Yadav’s journey into the world of art is parallel to his journey into spiritualism. Looking at deities like Sun, Shiva and a host of religious symbolism in his work, one can call him an artist of the religious genre, but Ram Kishore likes to explain himself as an artist who is trying to capture the outlook of an average Indian, the way he looks at his environment, his commitment to religion and faith. But then it does not mean that he is playing the role of a detached onlooker. As the artist talks about his spiritual journey and how words like ‘devotion’ and ‘love’ became part of his artistic expression, the 27 latest works displayed at the art gallery of Alliance Francaise give him full visual support. And where ‘love’ is concerned, one cannot ignore the environmental and cultural influence. So the ambience here speaks of total Indianness.
Bright colour, female form and body gestures, all captured on canvas with a dream like touch in acrylic take one to a ‘search within’.
As we try to gauge the aura of his paintings like Dedication, Devotion, Offering, Search, Welcome, Sacred Flute and many more, the artist offers help; “People with their never-ending lust for materialistic pleasures, have no time to look within themselves. As an artist I want to show that devotion and love are the basic ingredients of human nature.” The symbols he has selected for love and devotion are Krishna and Meera. The desired effect comes through his technique of telescoping human figures, by broadening the female eyes and stretching their lips and flowing hair to give his characters a poetic rhythm. The exhibition also showcases two of his earlier works, The Sun and Mother and Child, executed in a combination of metal art with oil. What made him shift from his symbolic form to realistic form? “The change in my style is also linked with the change in my subject matter,” says the artist who started his artistic voyage by painting zodiac signs for long 15 years. Experimenting, according to ram Kishore, is must to survive as an artist. “Every time you exhibit your works, people look for something new. And of course as an artist one has to evolve in his field. Earlier my works were mostly symbolic, hence using metal and oil suited my theme well. But as I graduated to more figurative works, I discarded metal for acrylic as metal is not effective while capturing emotion,” says this Delhi-based artist, who has a number of awards like ‘National Award for stamp design on Mahatma Gandhi Centenary, ‘All-India Fine Arts and Craft Society’ award and prestigious foreign honours like a gold medal the 50th anniversary of the United Nations and an award from the Union Township Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey, under his belt. So here is your chance to be part of Ram Kishore’s aesthetically pleasing and spiritually moving world. The exhibition is on till April 15 at Alliance Francaise.
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The city gets its taste of high-tech Ramlila that will not mean anight awake, reports Saurabh Malik No one has time, and patience, for gods anymore. Little wonder the organisers of Thursday evening’s hi-tech Ramlila at Nehru Park in Chandigarh’s Sector 22 clocked it to 180 minutes. For so many visitors, the time factor, combined with special light and sound effects, was a welcome relief. After all, it’s not easy to sit on rickety chairs nine nights in a row to watch rescue operation in days of microwaves and fast food where even love, like coffee, is instant. And then, no one can deny the fact that over 50 channels and one television remote control has played havoc with people’s stamina to watch sobbing operas, reducing the average span of attention to less than a minute. Even researchers and television analyst across the country endorse the fact. But then, the actors staging the great Indian epic remember the days when people had all the time in the world for the grand religious play. “Those were the days when Tulsis and Parvatis were not in the scene and Ram Lila organizes did not have to struggle hard for giving the gods their due,” asserts Davinder Kumar Grover of Raghav Films, the man behind the hi-tech Ramlila. Remembering the time, Bakshi, associated with Ramlila for over 45 years now, says, “In early 70s it was nothing less than an honour for the residents to invite the actors, along with their families, to their homes for lunch….. At the time of ‘Sita kanyadaan’, the Ramlila team was accorded the status of chief guests”. Bakshi says some would even keep the snaps of the actors playing the lead roles of Lord Rama, Lakshman and Sita at their homes. “Interestingly, the trust and respect was mutual. Even the actors would avoid smoking during the holy month of Dusherra,” he says. Bakshi says it’s sad but more than a few actually prefer to watch their favourite serials on the intelligent box before leaving their residences. This is not all. At most of the venues, the show is now over by 11.30 pm, while earlier it used to continue till well past midnight. Bakshi hopes that the mini movie version of the epic with special effects will go a long way in Ramlila’s revival. All the best to the crew!
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Kalamkari is his
legacy Gentle, soft-spoken and earnest, G Raju is in the city to display his beautifully fashioned kalamkari durries and jute carpets. Home is Warangal in Andhra Pradesh where he learnt his craft from his forefathers. The family has pit-looms where the durries are woven from pure cotton thread and are then block-printed using vegetable dyes. “Everything we use is natural that is the splendour of kalamkari. The colours are extracted from flowers, leaves even the black comes from iron rods.” The process is arduous, time-consuming. Each batch of kalamkari durries takes more than a month to make for every colour is block-printed one at a time. The effect however is lovely with intricate flowers, ferns, creepers and geometric patterns in vibrant colours charm. Even the jute carpets are deft creations in alternate weaves with unusual designs like the pochampalli sari pattern replicated. “Production is not a hassle. We can produce as many rugs and carpets as are needed, but to create a market is tough,” says Raju who spends most of the year travelling and exhibiting his wares, struggling to earn to keep his two boys in school. “I have not taught them this work. It is a very difficult life to roam and sell. I want them to study.” While the kalamkari durries range from Rs 50 to Rs 650 (for a 4 x 6 feet), the jute carpets go up to Rs 3000 for a 6 ½ x 10 feet. Meet Raju at the Karigari Craft Bazaar at Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15-B, till April 10.
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Meet Kalpana Ghai, the woman who has been associated with Panchkula-based orphanage Bal Sadan for almost a decade. Clad in jeans and a pastel chiffon top, she can easily passed to be a corporate executive. Does her dress sense come in the way of her work? “Initially yes. When I went around wearing western clothes, it bought a little negativity among my co-workers initially, but once you prove yourself with your work, what you wear does not make any difference at all,” says Kalpana. “I like to feel natural and comfortable when I am with my children and if being in clothes that makes me feel comfortable and helps me achieving my aim, how does it matter what I wear,” she counteracts. But of course, on some formal occasion Kalpana likes to wear saris or any other traditional Indian dress.
Malabika Sen, another young and energetic person, who conceived idea for a voluntary organisation called Arpan originally in Bhopal and later bought it to the city a couple of years back, supports the unconventional dressing up theory. “When does one feels up to social work? When one reaches his or her comfort zone and wants to give something back to the society in return for all the good things he or she had received in life. Dressing up is also a part of that comfort zone. So if the person changes his or her way of dressing just to maintain the image attached with it, then the whole concept becomes phony,” says Malabika.
Sheena Tuli of Sahayata supports them too. “The spirit of social service comes from the heart. So how does it matter how one dresses up? What is important for a person to be comfortable in whatever he or she is wearing and the society is intelligent enough to accept you as you are if you deliver,” says Sheena, who has been involved with Sahayata that helps cancer patients for the past seven years.
It’s calm after the storm at Panjab University’s students centre.
Over two weeks have lapsed since reports of “gunfire” exploding the peace of night at the centre appeared in the newspapers, yet it’s no where near normalcy in the evenings. Drive down the road meandering its way through the university’s academic environs after sundown and you will find the usual excitement missing.
Want to hear the latest buzz, but do not have the time to sit on the hard concrete benches in Panjab University’s students centre for discussing the soft affairs? Do not worry. Just pick up a copy of the “Stu-c times” brought out by young enthusiast growing up in the university.
Punjab is a much-sought-after destination for Bollywood directors for it pays to have simply Punjabi themes in films what with the big success at the box office of films like ‘Veer
Zaara’, ‘Ghadar’ and ‘Dil Wale Dulhania Le Jayeinge’ in recent years. ‘Rang De
Basanti’ too had its Punjab flavour not just in the portrayal of patriot Bhagat Singh but also the Punjabi dhaba and gurdwara with Kiran Kher in khalis Punjabi garb.
The music world’s leading ladies Britney Spears and Pink are battling it out to see who will be the one to get to star in the upcoming biopic on 60s blues singer Janis Joplin.
Director Penelope Spheeris, who is looking for a singer with the spirit that Joplin had, confirmed that Spears’ agent had gotten in touch with her about the part.
“Her agent asked if I could meet with her. Music ability is important, but most of all, the actress must have the spirit of Janis. Each of the actresses who has expressed interest in the role (would) bring her own special talents to the part,” Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.
And though Spheeris’ heart is set on Pink, it seems that the singer has a date problem.
Teen queen Lindsay Lohan has revealed that she may soon be joining the ranks of famous Kabbalah devotees like Madonna, Britney spears and Demi Moore.
Design is the thing these days. Perhaps it always was for nothing really can be without design, not even life itself. Of course, many things difficult to design prove easy to performance but here one exception is life. Designing it seems easy enough but when it comes to living, it’s not all that easy. One may start off with the design well in place but something or the other is bound to happen on the way. Call it that lovely unpredictability of life or more metaphysically speaking it can be termed divine design. But here one is talking of the more about the physics than the metaphysics of design. That also design now and here and more the feminine variety. With girls far outnumbering the boys in the College of Art, Chandigarh, design is getting a fine feminine quality. This year’s design work included a particularly attractive dress design with ‘Nature’ as its theme by Ishmeet Kaur. Navpreet Kaur came out with an attractive advertisement design for NIFT. A famous designer once said that perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add but when there is nothing left to take away. So these young designers have to yet learn the art of the minimal but withthe given zeal it may not be too difficult even if art belong and time be fleeting!
They work hard to keep their legacies alive—for this is their means of livelihood, their sustenance. Itinerant nomads, they spend their time moving from one exhibition to another, bringing with them their fiesta of traditional crafts, hoping to entice local people with their exquisite handiwork and creativity. 
ARIES : The card “ The Hermit” brings a change and mutation, whether you want it or not. You will come up with certain bright business ideas, which if you put to practice could verily result in huge profits. Those in love appear inseparable and they are likely to spend most evenings together keeping their friends away for a change. Lucky colour: Scarlet. TIP OF THE WEEK : You are advised to focus on professional changes.
LIBRA : You draw “Ten of Pentacles” so a very depleting and confusing week when you do not know exactly what you want. Your vitality and courage are strong now and you are eager to meet challenges. Major changes in professional and business aspects may look constructive. An exciting love affair is on the cards. Lucky colour: Sea green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t be taken in by false promises.
TAURUS : “Knight of wands” brings a gracious and aesthetic influences in your life. For many of you a deep awareness of their role in the expansion or destruction of intimate relationships will now arrive. Key areas of concern may involve sibling relations, romantic promises or a difference of emotional style between loved ones. Lucky colour: Dark red. TIP OF THE WEEK: Seek out solid; well researched information before making any moves.
SCORPIO:
The “Ace of Wands” strengthens and you may feel elated to see roses all the way. Diplomatic skills will help you ease the tensions and sort out the problems. Don’t hurry to make thoughtless and emotional decisions. Keep a lid on your anger, and tone down that tendency to be flamboyant. Lucky Colour: Royal blue. TIP OF THE WEEK: Cut away the frills and concentrate on what is truly important.
GEMINI : You draw “Two of wands” to invoke mental power and intelligence. You may be harbouring some unrealistic expectations about career or your overall life direction. If so, you are likely to have your bubble burst in the next week or so. Romance will be smooth sailing. Lucky colour: Brown. TIP OF THE WEEK: You should pursue your goals without a thought for the disapproval.
SAGITTARIUS : ‘The Knight of Pentacles’ brings healing and attention to practical and earthy matters. Interesting romantic encounter will take place on Tuesday. Property land, litigation and settlement related to family, including disputes with neighbours proceed smoothly in your favour. Lucky colour: Crimson. TIP OF THE WEEK: New offers must be put on hold as their outcome is uncertain.
CANCER : “The Ace of Pentacles” leads to actualisation of personal and professional plans. At home you consider making the improvements necessary before any weather changes create havoc. Some delay in finanacial settlements is possible to conserve resources for now. Relax and adopt a light and playful attitude on Thursdays. Lucky colour: Pink TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t allow others to interfere in business or personal partnership.
CAPRICORN : Try not to take all that critical commentary in your head too seriously right now. Wait and watch and see if it still feels so dramatic. Like “King Midas” you too have the golden touch. Surprise and unexpected happiness is on the cards. Do not take partners for granted. A Taurean will stand by you. Find time for yoga and exercise. Lucky Colour: pink. TIP OF THE WEEK: Try not to give money to strangers. 
LEO : You draw “Nine of Wands” which puts you through a touching and transforming personal experience. Try your patience; you will be in short supply on Monday. On Tuesday, you may be the target of others’ frustrations and anger. Allow your heart to lead the way in personal relationships. Lucky colour: Ebony. TIP OF THE WEEK: Take one step at a time and avoid being overanxious.
AQUARIUS : “Nine Golden Cups” full of lights and happiness light and lotus blossom greet you. Contentment, emotional well-being and harmony prevail in your personal relationships. Changing career at this point will not get the desired peace. You will be successful in controlling your expenses up to a great extent. Lucky colour: Turquoise. TIP OF THE WEEK: Take limited risks and don’t jeopardize your long-term capitals.
VIRGO : “The Wheel of Fortune” spins in some good fortune and emotional abundance. The week is a high energy time for you with emphasis on very practical matters rather than social ones. Plans can change at the last moment. A present or a relative may come from out of town to give you surprise. Lucky colour: White. TIP OF THE WEEK: Unless you make your desire absolutely clear you risk being misunderstood.
PISCES:
This week’s scenario is highlighted by emotions, psychic powers and your ability to use your visions to see past the immediate. You are grappling with some issues in that area, but arguing won’t solve anything. Good development in health matters bring you clarity of thoughts. Things will lighten up as the week gets underway. Lucky colour: Pomegranate red. TIP OF THE WEEK: Try a new off beat style of handling things.