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Good intent, poor festival Empty halls and haphazard schedules dampened the Chandigarh Film Festival as invitations never reached cinema buffs, says Nirupama Dutt
Alas! It is not multiplexes that make for the success of a film festival but love of cinema, good planning and wooing movie lovers. All this was sadly absent in the maiden attempt when several government and non-government organisations have been successfully holding well-attended film festivals over the past three decades or so. One must congratulate Tourism Director Vivek Attray for taking the initiative that was reduced to a flop show along the way. Conceptual lapse
First, three days is hardly time enough for a film festival. Secondly, there was no focus or a theme to peg it on. The selection of the films was good but surprisingly the Hindi films included in the event were those which cine-goers have seen many times over like Mirch Masala, Salaam Bombay, Veer Zaara, Suraj Ka Satvan Ghodha and Hanuman. The choice of the opening film was surprising indeed. It was Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, which is shown all too often on various TV channels. Lage Raho Munna Bhai just ran to
packed houses in the city The time of the inaugural ceremony was mid-morning on a working day and thus the attendance was poor. The evening dinner clashed with the screening of the films. And worst of all the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the body to send invitation cards seemed to have sent cards only to those who were not to come.
Plain speak
Film expert Gautam Kaul, who was responsible for reviving the Chandigarh Film Society and making it a vibrant group that thrives till date, in plain speaking said: “It is a good beginning but Vivek Attray will need to involve more people, and there are many in the city, to make a success of it.” Kaul added that an effort should be made to bring film fans to the cinema hall rather than drive them away. Seeing the poor attendance on Friday, people hoped that momentum would gather the second day. However, on Saturday as one went to see Dance Like a Man at FR at the mid morning show, and one saw a handful of film lovers coming out crying that it was so poorly organised as the sub-titles of the morning Hindi film were not shown after intermission. Enter Audi One and sans any regret for the change, Dance Like A Man had been taken off and a Hungarian classic Cloud and Wind, to be shown on Sunday evening was screened. It was a lovely film but there were only seven spectators including three of us.
Cold as ever
The organisers were absent so one could turn to no one to redress the complaints. The only presence in the name of organisation was that of labour pulling down the stage erected on Friday. The empty hall with AC full blast sent chill down the spine that could not be driven away even with a cup of hot and steaming corn. When contacted, Tapesh Sharma of the Chandigarh Film Society said: “It is the first time so there were some confusions but things will improve the next time.” Well, there is not always a next time! Kaul said: “I was surprised that Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairman Kamal Tewari, who had organised as many as 11 grand house-full festivals in the city for the Haryana Cultural Affairs Department. There were several other such experts who were not involved. This is sad and effort should be made to involve them all and not screen films to empty chairs.” So the much-publicised Chandigarh Film Festival has to be reshaped so that it does not prove to be stillborn. |
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Rani le aayi baraat…
Scriptures say wedding is the union of two souls but the razzmatazz that accompanies this union is anything but spiritual. However, two youngsters Baljit Singh Brar and Simarjit Kaur, decided to remind us of the love and harmony that marriage is all about. Not in a big or happening town but in a sweet little village Khuddi Khurd in Barnala on Sunday December 10. Here the shy bride tiptoed into the groom’s house to marry him and make him her’s for life! The big-hearted Jatt groom was more than happy to vacate a few acres of his farmland to put up a simple shamyana and got everything ready for Simarjit to come. “Initially reluctant we decided this was the best way to come together after five years of our engagement,” agrees Baljit’s glowing bride Simarjit. So did her side come in dancing? “Not much because of the Dhadi
darbar, which was on at the ceremony”, says Simar who came along with 150 relatives and friends in toe. Among the happiest faces was grooms sister Harjit Kaur who welcomed her bhabi to be at the ribbon cutting ceremony and got a gold ring as shagun from her which is traditionally given by the groom to the brides sister as
kalichadi.
“The minds of families on both sides were so free and the ease showed in the light hearted manner the ceremonies were held”, says Simar. “It was a dream come true for me as I always wanted my wedding to be very simple”, says the 22-year-old belonging to Zeera village in Ferozepur. Simple she was right from the plain pink she wore and the radiant face san makeup for the big day. What makes her heart swell with pride is the honour given to her by the family she is a part of now. No DJs or dance girls for this ceremony as religious singing by vanishing Dhadi Jathas filled the air with devotional ballads. “There were no akhada by Punjabi singers or girls dancing in skimpy clothes but words of wisdom by elderly”, says Simarjit. If you are thinking Baljit’s friends only mocked at him, think again. “My friends were immensely surprised when I told them about our decision but at the end of the day all of them said Sochde tan sare hi ne karda koi koi hai”. “Best part was that my wife was truly given an equal status and when I says my better half I mean it.” Yes, it takes guts to walk your own path and it was the vichola who got them together who gave them the idea. Meet Gurnek Singh Brar a distant relative of both sides had gone through the negotiations of hundreds of marital discords involving something petty as the in laws not getting a gold ring or not having particular vehicle and turning the relationships sour for lifetime. “The dowry and the heavy loans to show off all got to me and I suggested that the girl can come to the boys house because the point was to bring them together”, he says. Gurdeep Singh the father and grandfather Giani Kartar Singh feel proud of the two youngsters making the new beginning, the right way.
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Thoda Bret, thodi Asha Haan main Tumhara hoon, tumhara hi rahunga…… in broken Hindi, is how the famous pace bowler Bret Lee replies to Asha Bhonsle’s Kya tum Mere Ho ,mere hi rahoge? No prizes for any guesses. These are the opening lines of the duet sung by Asha and Bret Lee from her latest album Asha & Friends produced by Mauj and launched simultaneously across Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi and Chandigarh through video conferencing. Continuing with her singing spree, the ever-green singing sensation, Asha Bhosle came out with her new music album that boasts of names like Sanjay Dutt, Urmila Matondkar, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa little champs and of course Bret Lee. And don’t mistake these stars to be only featuring in the music videos of the album. Instead, all of them have sung alongside Asha. “Each one has sung a song reflecting his or her own personality,” informs Asha. It was a difficult for her to convince Sanjay Dutt and Urmila to sing along as these
Bollywood stars were a little apprehensive and nervous to sing with the legend. We have Urmila’s peppy number that would probably make the listeners dance like her. Our shy Sanju baba’s song has turned out to be chit-chat song and the one sang by the little champs is an inspirational song. Interestingly, Asha and Bret Lee have sung the only love song that the album has to offer. This song has an interesting story behind it. Bret, who wrote the English lyrics of the song, was excited to sing in Hindi with Asha and couldn’t believe that she was double his age. “When Bret saw me, he couldn’t help laughing as he was not aware of my age”, laughs Asha. The song has a Chandigarh connection as well. It was recorded at a Mohali studio when Bret was playing for his country during one of the cricket matches at the PCA stadium. So does that mean Bret is in for another innings in music? “Although I love music and cricket both but cricket is my first love,” replies Bret. So the music assignments will be taking a backseat for him at least for a couple of years. And for those unaware of his music connection, Bret has his own music band back home called Six and Out and has around 400 shows across Australia to his credit. Where does the inspiration come from? “My family. My mother and younger brother play the piano and my elder brother is a guitarist,” says Bret. For Bret, who refused a couple of Bollywood’s assignments, singing with Asha was just the tip of the ice-berg as there is more to come soon. A proud father now, Bret wants his one-month-old son to be a singer for sure. Bret is known for his bowling skills and wishes to be known as a singer as well. Ask him if he finds it difficult to sing in Hindi, ‘Thoda thoda’ is what he has to say. |
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Signs of progress Sreedhara Bhasin I had finished shopping at the local fruit market and was about to get into my car, when I saw the sign – a bright, copper sign with a red Ashoka Chakra emblem embossed on it and bright letters stating – “Sarpanch – village Darau.” The sign was above the number plate of a new Maruti Zen parked nearby. As I grasped the truth, I was filled with a sense of awakening – as to how vastly India has changed since the times, I learnt about Panchayati Raj. My own images of the village panchayat, fueled by many Hindi movies -of cruel village bullies sporting a turban, sitting in a circle under a pipal tree, condemning a woman gone astray - received a good jolt and redeemed my sense of history in perfect present. Since then I have been trying to actively discern the signs of progress in our city. During the emergency, the Calcutta buses sported a sign – “The nation is on the move.” Jokes were in plethora as to why no one will mistake the bus for a nation. Well, today, we can surely put a sign on the Sarpanch’s car – saying “My India is on the move” and I would not dare make jokes about it. The abundance of mobiles has of course become clichéd. I am still amazed that I cam now call my plumber on his cell phone. We also recently lost our electrician – to clerkship of a local bank. While he was working with us, he got ample scope to practice his budding English against my bad hindi. A boy on a street corner from whom I often buy flowers, told me over our non-stop bargains – that he was planning to do electrical engineering in Punjab University and he was selling flowers part-time to help out his father. I found myself standing in front of a makeshift Maha Kali mandir recently. I was immediately surveyed by an old priest, who ostentatiously started chanting mantras to draw my attention. As he was getting close to his target, loud ringing of hello tunes startled both of us. He fished his cell phone out of his pocket and started to converse – about the stock market and market correction. I stood agape – that was truly an eye-opener! My lady I know recently rounded up the children of some of the domestic help in the area. She was going to improve their intellectual state. When they held a group discussion, where she was going to quiz them about Math and Geography, they asked her questions instead - about ATM and internet banking, about Namib desert and the continent it lies in, about motorbikes and horsepower, about Sepoy Mutiny and the British Raj, about Gandhiji and non-cooperation. She was stumped! Little had she thought of how Bollywood is spinning the wheels of information! Who says progress is far behind!
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Free your being
I am 32-year-old and married for the past eleven years. To people who see me on the outside I have this perfectly happy marriage, two wonderful kids, a very devoted husband and a good life. But deep inside of me, I feel extremely unhappy and discontent with my situation. Although my husband is a devoted family man and looks after the kids and me very well, I feel like running away from the whole situation. Many times I have contemplated leaving my husband and setting up my own place, taking up a job and being one of those independent women I have always admired. I feel completely miserable and irritated all the time and most of the times take it out on my children. What should I do, I feel, completely stifled. Sarvjit Kaur, Bathinda You are not alone in the way you think, many young women in our country go through this feeling. You perhaps married at a very early age when you still had dreams and aspirations, which remained unfulfilled. That is actually what is giving you this sense of restlessness in your marriage. You are lucky to have a loving and devoted husband. So at least your emotional security levels always remain high and you have enough time and freedom to focus on other things. I think you are just fascinated by this idea of an independent woman. Independence has nothing to do with being single and fending for yourself. It is a sense of freedom you have to find within yourself. When you learn to be happy truly with who you really are within that is a true sense of independence. So just hang on there and work on yourself. You are lucky to have a wonderful family. Allow yourself the pleasure of enjoying it. The rest will fall into place by itself. Trust me on this one. * * * I am a young man of 28 years recently married to this absolutely beautiful girl who is also the same age as me. As of now we both work in different cities. She is in Delhi while I live here. We always catch up on weekends either in Delhi or at my place. I have never been a jealous type and I thought this was a wonderful arrangement in the beginning. But now this has begun to bother me. I spend a lot of time wondering what she is doing in her spare time. I also wonder if she is telling me the truth about the way she spends her evenings. Is she seeing someone else or is she actually just sitting at home and doing odd jobs around the house. She always seems to be having too much fun and I don’t like it. Is she faithful to me? How can I find out? I think she should leave her job and join me, but financially this doesn’t suit us. What should I do? Amarbir, Tohana You are just going through an insecure phase. It is understandable that when you are living in different cities you tend to wonder about each other’s lives but then that is only natural. You are just unnecessarily making yourself miserable. Remember all relationships are based on trust learn to have faith in your wife and your relationship that will rid you of the agony you seem to be going through. This is a very immature attitude you seem to be portraying. Your wife also has the right to have some fun in life even though you are not around but that does not necessarily imply that she is cheating on you. I think spending quality time with each other is far more important than just being in each other’s presence. Just allow yourself the relief of having faith in your relationship. In the meantime sure she could find a job in the same city as you and then you can relax in peace, enjoy this situation as long as you are in it. * * * I am a woman in my mid forties who is suddenly opening up to life after years of a typical existence but seem to be unable to cope with my husbands attitudes on a mid life crisis situation. He has the typical conditioned mind-set that now at this age he must stay at home more and watch TV etc. The enthusiasm to party and travel is not there in him any longer. He just seems to be turning in to this homing and boring person whereas with me it’s the other way around. After years of bringing up the kids and running the house, I finally feel I have time to indulge myself in more exciting things. I have the desire to expand my business, to take more vacations and generally have fun. How do I gear him to agree with me. Rose Menezes, Dehradun The greatest fear in a marriage is this mid life crisis situation. I can understand your desire to re-invent yourself and generally do things that you have longed to do all your life now that your level of responsibility is lower with the children grown up etc. but you have to remember that a man’s mindset is different from a woman’s. His idea of a chill out scenario is probably just sitting in front of the TV. So just be patient with him and even with your self. Everyone at this age goes through a mentally and emotionally changing phase in their lives. It is also a part of our conditioned upbringing. Slowly as you move through this one a happy medium of activity will emerge together. Meanwhile coax him into indulging in a few things which you enjoy doing and once in a while join him in his T.V. viewing routine. There’s nothing like the joy of sharing. * * * Rush in your queries to Renee at lifestyle@tribunemail.com or care of Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh
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Yo.... here come the rappers If we look into some of the most popular radio formats of the world, then we will surely come across Hip Hop which is in fact, nothing else but, an advanced version of a trend that swept America in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Yes, it has its origins from ‘rap’ and from the word ‘rapid’. Nowadays, if you ask most people to give a definition of ‘rap’, they’re likely to state that it’s the reciting of rhymes set to the best of music. It’s a form of expression that finds its roots imbedded deep within ancient African culture and tradition. In the early 70’s, a Jamaican DJ known as Kool Herc moved from Kingston to NY’s West Bronx. Here, he attempted to incorporate his Jamaican style of Djing, which involved reciting improvised rhymes over the dub versions of his reggae records. Unfortunately, New Yorkers weren’t into reggae at the time. Thus Kool Herc adapted his style by chanting over the instrumental or percussion sections of the day’s popular songs. Because these breaks were relatively short, he learned to extend them indefinitely by using an audio mixer and two identical records in which he continuously replaced the desired segment. Creative..eh? In those early days, young party-goers initially recited popular phrases and used the slang of the day. For example, it was fashionable for a DJ to acknowledge people who were in attendance at a party. These early raps featured someone such as Herc shouting over the instrumental break; “Yo this is Kool Herc in the joint-ski saying my mellow-ski Marky D is in the house.” This would usually evoke a response from the crowd, who began to call out their own names and slogans. As this phenomenon evolved, the party shouts became more elaborate and the DJ in an effort to be different, began to incorporate little rhymes - Davey D is in the house/An he’ll turn it out without a doubt’ And ‘rap’ caught on because it offered young urban New Yorkers a chance to freely express themselves. More importantly, it was an art form accessible to anyone. One didn’t need a lot of money or expensive resources to rhyme. One didn’t have to invest in lessons, or anything like that. Rapping was a verbal skill that could be practiced and honed to perfection at almost anytime. ‘Rap’ also became popular because it offered unlimited challenges. There were no real set rules, except to be original and to rhyme on time to the beat of music. Anything was possible. One could make up a ‘rap’ about the man on the moon or how un cool his ex-girlfriend was. Today, ‘rap’ continues to be popular among today’s urban youth for the same reasons, it was a draw in the early days. It is still an accessible form of self- expression capable of eliciting positive affirmation from one’s peers. And as far as radio is concerned this form of music is a big hit especially in the US of A.
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Master of all He is not a regular Page 3 guy. Go to the dance parties in clubs or even farmhouses across the city and you will seldom find him there tripping the light fantastic. Yet, Dr Tariq Imran’s name goes around the social circles every now and then. For, the young geography teacher makes news for one excellence or another. This time, the enthusiastic tutor with Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya has been honoured with the “national award for excellence in the field of education and contribution towards moral, physical and cultural development of students”. The award was presented by Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh at an impressive function held at New Delhi’s National Children Museum earlier this month. Offering snaps of the award ceremony, the doctorate from Jamia Millia Islamia flashes a modest smile when you ask him about his achievements. But after a little coaxing, he says: “I motivated the students to get 100 per cent in Class X Social Science examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). He adds: “So many students, and even parents, think social science is a tough subject. Marks do not come easily; they are convinced of the fact. But I do not agree. All you need is the right approach and motivation to excel.” His school principal describes him as a dedicated teacher with the rare ability of making social science comprehension easier. “His students have shown exceptional results year after year. His social science students this time scored an average of 86 per cent in Class XII and 87 per cent in Class X examinations,” says the principal. Well, this is not the first time he marched his way to success. In 1999, he was bestowed with bravery award for saving children from blazing inferno in Baramula. He was also presented with Guru Paraveen Certificate for Excellence in 2002-03 and Guru Shreshtha award for excellence the next year. Again in 2004-05, he was awarded Guru Param certificate for outstanding performance in education. Talking to him you realise the young “master of all” has lessons to offer not just to the students!
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Sense and sensuality Pamper your senses,” says the brochure for the new Bourjois Spa that opened in sector 35-C on Saturday. Walking up the rose strewn staircase to the second floor, the first sense to be pampered is the sense of smell as a beautifully refreshing fragrance wafts up your nostrils. Upon entering the spa, the reception area that is done up in light and gentle colours, gives a very calming sensation after the hustle and stress of finding a space in the crowded parking below. The gorgeous Frainy Ahuja, second runner up in this year’s Mrs India pageant, inaugurated the spa. It boasts a range of luxurious relaxation and medical packages. Offering the client complete rejuvenation of the “mind body and soul,” says Gracy Singh, the manager. “This place is a complete stress-buster,” says Frainy, when asked for her impression of the place, “If you just want to relax and refresh yourself then this is the place to come to,” she adds with a smile. Launched by Deevs Creations, who already run the Strands Salon in the city, Bourjois offers an array f 14 different types of therapies and packages that range from ancient Indian to Balinese, Scandinavian, Javanese and Japanese. “Stress is an inescapable fallout of modern day living and is increasingly causing health problems like depression and premature ageing. We have tried to bring together the goodness of steam, sauna, jacuzzi and other techniques along with different massage styles and using herbs and oils, to accomplish overall well being along with a great, relaxing experience,” says Gracy. Seems like the city has a nice, but small new haven for the corporate world to haunt on the weekend. But they do say that great things come in small packages, so who knows? Here’s the biggest drawback to the place, as you step out of the spa feeling all nice and pampered, reality intrudes— the parking area is crowded and the stressful battle to drive on the unruly and traffic congested streets begins. Now wouldn’t it be nice if they could come up with something to take care of that too!
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FILM REVIEW The third week of December 2006, brings one
of the most awaited film Kabul Express, which opened at Neelam
Chandigarh and Fun Republic Manimajra on Friday. Aditya Chopra for Yash
Raj Films has produced it. The film is written and directed by
well-known documentary film director Kabir Khan. A political thriller
set in sandy locations of Afghanistan is based on Khan’s personal
experience in Afghanistan. It brings out the heroics of two Indian
journalists Jai Kapoor played by John Abraham and Suhel Khan by Arshad
Warsi with Salman Shahid, Hanif Hum Ghum and Linda Aresenio to the
sliver screen. Set in post 9/11 Afghanistan when the Americans
destroyed Taliban Kabul Express promises loads of thrills. The
audiences at Neelam Theatre and Fun Republic, Manimajra were intrigued
about the fact that the film was actually shot entirely on location
under such harsh conditions not to mention the death threats received to
John Abraham and the rest of the crew. There were moments of laughter
and tears as the select audiences reacted to this very human
story. Technically Kabul Express is good. John Abraham, Arshad
Warsi, Linda Arsenio, Salman Shahid’ and Hanif Hum Ghum all performs
well. New composer Raghav Sachar has laid a solid foundation for Kabul
Express by composing sound tracks like Kabul fiza and Banjar
for the film. —D.P.
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Health tip of the day
Steam bath leads to sweating and one to two kg. weight can be lost but drinking water to prevent dehydration regains the lost weight. Therefore, it has no place in the treatment of obesity.
— Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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It is indeed heartening that the Chandigarh Administration has decided to put City Beautiful on the film festival map but the first attempt this weekend showed that this is certainly not the way to go about it. Granted that the intentions were good but the execution left a lot to be desired. Let’s hope that the organisers learn their lesson now that Administrator S.F. Rodrigues has announced that a mega international festival will be will be held in January 2008 when the city would have several multiplexes.
