Films not made to be viewed on phones, laptops: Mehta

Films not made to be viewed on phones, laptops: Mehta

MUNISH DHIMAN  Chandigarh | 16th Nov 2013

A still from Midnight’s Children amed filmmaker Deepa Mehta possesses a distinct approach in the field of filmmaking. With critically acclaimed films, like Earth, Water andFire, she has brought stories from different worlds together on the film medium, translating them into universal tales that need only be experienced. In a tête-à-tête with Guardian20 during her short sojourn at Chandigarh thanks to the Chandigarh Literature Festival 2013, where her movie Midnight's Children was screened, Deepa speaks about her Oscar nomination, the Punjabi film industry and the raging controversies that surround her. Q. How do you respond to controversies that some of your movies have invited? A. They really don't matter to me. There were times when I used to get irritated with the sort of inane questions that were posed to me, but gradually, I have learnt to stay cool and composed, as also to handle them efficaciously. I am sick of such absurd controversies and rumours that have no substance. I find them ridiculous and boring. Q. After having made so many movies, what do you think sets apart the Indian film industry from say Hollywood? A. When it comes to work, I strongly believe that while in Canada I get more freedom to do my job better and deliver the best, whereas passion reigns supreme in India. Q. How have you matured as a director? A. I have come a long way and I definitely find myself as a changed person and there are good reasons for the metamorphosis, the dominant being my growing older with time. Exposure to cinema all across the world has also contributed significantly to this gradual makeover. Now, I don't compromise on the reinforcement of the guiding subject! Mehta at the Chandigarh Literature Festival Q. What kind of movies do you love to do? A. I love to do musical films and I want to do more like my earlier movie, Bollywood Hollywood. Q. How do you think cinema has changed over the years? A. The Censor Board has matured with time and has broadened its spectrum. People, too, have started accepting things that used to be taboo a couple of decades back. Q. With Punjabi cinema spreading its wings the world over, do you have plans to make a comeback after Heaven on Earth? A. I like Punjabi cinema and recently loved watching the Irfan Khan-starrer Qissa. But, I have no plans to venture into it right now half-heartedly as I am working on a script that needs a whale of a time. I want to dedicate myself to Exclusion (about Kamagata Maru), which is a film based on a strong theme and I don't want to bind myself to deadlines as that might reduce the charm and the thrust of the final product. Q. What is cinema to you? A. Cinema, to me, is making movies and viewing it in the theatres when the lights go off. Cinema is nothing without spectators and movies are not made to be screened and viewed on mobiles phones, laptops or other gadgets. Cinema doesn't exist by itself in isolation. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/masala-art/films-not-made-to-be-viewed-on-phones-laptops-mehta

Getting on his bike in aid of the differently abled

Getting on his bike in aid of the differently abled

MUNISH DHIMAN  23rd Nov 2013

Aditya Mehta on the expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari | Photo: Ajit Kaushal ope keeps you moving and it's good to motivate and inspire others like me," says Aditya Mehta, a tricenarian, who lost his leg in an accident eight years ago. Rather than becoming dependent on others, Mehta became an inspiration and one of the first accomplished Indian paracyclists to have won two silver medals at the Para-Asian Cycling Championships 2013. After bagging the silver medals, Mehta is more confident and is now on a fund raising mission, travelling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari completing 3800 kilometers in 36 days, covering 36 cities. About his loss, Mehta says, "As it is said 'hope sustains life', I think it is just great being alive. Having a vision in life is to be blessed and I am happy with it. I was a naughty and hyperactive kid and losing a leg at 23 was indeed a shock, but I wanted to live my life rather than being a bechara for the rest of it. My father used to say that I am a fighter and will fight back. Today, with his support, I am much stronger, dedicated and a better human being." Talking about the aim behind this fund raising mission, Mehta said, "After the Cycling Championship I realised that in India, there are several differently abled people who are enthusiastic about sports but in the absence of appropriate amenities and help, either from government or from any other source, they never pursue their passion. During this ride I will encourage people like me to take up sports and will also request citizens to donate rupee 1 each, which will directly go to the Aditya Mehta Foundation that helps others like me." On each of his expeditions, Mehta is accompanied by a committed team which includes his doctor, prosthetic expert, and a mechanic. During this ride I will encourage people like me to take up sports and will also request citizens to donate rupee 1 each, which will directly go to the Aditya Mehta Foundation that helps others like me.  — Aditya Mehta But why start such a mission? "Not everyone is as privileged as me. Being from a financially stable family it was easy for my parents to afford artificial limbs worth 7 lakh rupees that have been imported from Germany, UK and the US. Such specially designed limbs and sports equipments are out of the reach of a common man. So I thought of organising this fund raising project through cycling, which is my passion and encourage differently abled people to lead an honourable and noble life," adds Mehta. Cycling is Aditya's passion and besides these achievements he has successfully accomplished other journeys. His achievements include a London to Paris journey, a 9000 feet climb, 510 kilometres in three days and also a Hyderabad to Bangalore trip, a distance of 545 kilometres which he covered in three days. He is in the Limca Book of Records for the fastest 100 kilometres of cycling. "The stretch from Srinagar to Jammu was really challenging as truck and bus drivers are not at all considerate on the roads," rues Mehta while sharing the route map wherein he will be travelling to Ambala, Panipat, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and would conclude the journey on December 13 in Kanyakumari. "I hope the sports authorities of India would plan something for the differently abled like a sports academy for amputee sportspersons after looking at me and my endeavour," concludes Mehta who also plans to participate in the 2014 Asian Games and the 2016 Para Olympics. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/getting-on-his-bike-in-aid-of-the-differently-abled

Nawabi cuisine in Chandigarh platter

Nawabi cuisine in Chandigarh platter

MUNISH DHIMAN  23rd Nov 2013

Guest master Chef Abdul Hallem Quereshi and Hometel Chief Chef Dipayan Chanda rom the city of Luknow, the Awadhi cuisine comprises both vegetarian and a non-vegetarian dishes that have been greatly influenced by Mughal cooking techniques. After presenting many food festivals including Rampuri, Kashmiri and Sizzler food festival to the food lovers in Chandigarh, hotel Hometel has bounced back with the Awadhi food Festival being organized at their all-day dining called Flavours. Guest Chef Abdul Hallem Quereshi from Lucknow has brought some of the specially selected dishes from the Awadhi cuisine. While elaborating about the cuisine, Quereshi tells Guardian20, "The Iranian cuisine has greatly influenced the Hyderabadi and Lucknawi cuisine but the khansama (Chefs of the Royal kitchens) did amendments in this cuisine to meet the taste and palate of the residents. For example the preparation of Lucknavi and Hyderabadi biryani is same but one is called Pulao where the other one is called Biryani. One is spicy whereas the other dish is a bit mild. One is served with selan whereas the other one is severd with rayta. Earlier khada masala was used whereas now powdered masala is being utilized but the preparation techniques remain the same." The 10-day long food festival is on till the 1st of December and will have a rotating menu which will offer 5 starters, 5 main courses (Non Veg), 7 main course (Non Veg), 6-7 desert options to relish the nawabi cuisine. In addition to the aroma of the Awadhi cuisine the striking ambience of the restaurant lends a perfect match to the food offerings to its guest. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/nawabi-cuisine-in-chandigarh-platter

Sufism & Tina Turner: Rabbi shares his musical journey

Sufism & Tina Turner: Rabbi shares his musical journey

MUNISH DHIMAN  23rd Nov 2013

Rabbi Shergill performing at the Underdoggs Sports Bar & Grill hough packed with the ups and downs, I feel blessed when I look back at the journey from being Surpreet Singh Shergill to Rabbi Shergill, and I find it wroth cherishing and celebrating," said singer Rabbi Shergill in a conversation with Guardian20, during a live performance at Chandigarh. During the interview Shergill shared his musical journey so far, and talks about his social and political conerns. He also talks about his taste in music and his tryst with Bollywood. Q. How has the journey been so far? A. I thank God and the people who have been by my side for making me what I am today. I feel blessed to have been born in this country where artists like us are still honoured and loved. My name is a gift from my audience and I have embraced it lovingly. Q. How did things change after Bullah Ki Jana? A. My life took a complete turn after Bullah. I began receiving invites to perform at various places. They appreciated my verses, and my music which proved that people wanted to listen to me. It felt great when fans came to me to asked the meaning of the different songs. It was a tremendous and overwhelming change. Q. How has Sufism influenced your music? A. Honestly speaking, I am a sardar and I don't know what Sufism is. This Sufi singer tag has been given to me by the media and frankly I have no qualms about it. I used to listen to and read Varas Shah, Bulleh Shah, Shiv Kumar Batalwi and others and I have included their couplets in my first album. But, 'Sufi music' makes little or no sense to me. My life took a complete turn after Bullah. I began receiving invites to perform at various places. They appreciated my verses, and my music which proved that people wanted to listen to me. It felt great when fans came to me and asked the meaning of the different songs.  — Rabbi Shergill Q. What kind of music do you like to listen to? A. I really like listening to artists like Mister Mister, Tina Turner, especially western pop from the 80's. Q. You have taken up issues including social problems and communal violence in your songs and you have widely supported the Aam Aadmi Party recently. Do you advocate any strong beliefs, political or otherwise? A. I am a singer and whatever I sing doesn't express my entire thought process necessarily. Yes, I supported the Aam Aadmi Party with my music because it grabbed my attention and I felt like supporting them. I feel they connect well with the common man and they can make a big difference in the contemporary political thought process and also in the political system if given a chance. Q. How has been your stint at Bollywood and what's on the cards? A. The stint has been rewarding undoubtedly. At present I am not doing anything. I am just concentrating on my new song Tun Milen. But yes, there'll be something soon. Q. Right now there is a plethora of reality shows, especially dance and singing programmes. What's your take on them? A. I don't really watch reality shows as I don't feel I can contribute to them in any way. For me, these are mere monetary endeavours and people are there just to generate money, which I guess is perfectly fine. But I do not want to be a part of it. Q. More and more Punjabi singers are now venturing into movies. Do you think that the Punjabi Music industry is suffering because of this? A. I don't have any opinion as I don't follow the industry. And even if anything like this is happening, it really doesn't matter to me. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/sufism-a-tina-turner-rabbi-shares-his-musical-journey

Chandigarh hosts book fair after a span of 16 years

Chandigarh hosts book fair after a span of 16 years MUNISH DHIMAN  16th Nov 2013 A stall at the book fair book fair is being organized in Chandigarh after a span of 16 years. Chandigarh Administration, along with the National Book Trust, New Delhi, brought this fair together at the Parade Grounds in Sector-17, Chandigarh. While inaugurating the fair, Shivraj Patil a representative of Chandigarh Administration said, "It is important for our city to encourage such fairs and promote a reading culture among different age groups." Emphasizing on the IT-savvy generation, Patil expressed his views about focusing more on e-books for the next fair. Book lovers from the city flooded the fair that registered a footfall of more than 1000 visitors on the first day. Calligraphy workshop were an added attraction. Special seminars, book release sessions and script reading have also been scheduled where authors and poets of national and international repute, are invited by the Chandigarh Sahitya Kala Akademy to share their views. More than 80 publishers have put up their stalls here and there is also a special illustrator's corner that offers a range of options of trendy T-shirts, coffee mugs, notepads, book marks, stickers, and so on. The week-long Chandigarh Book Fair is not just a banquet of books for bibliophiles but will also host painting and creative writing competitions, workshops on book mark making, slogan writing, spell bee, essay writing in Sanskrit, and several such activities to keep the crowd engaged. Meenakshi, a Hindi lecturer told Guardian20, "I regularly visit the state library and spend quality time at the Panjab University and other libraries as well, but the collection of books here is like a whole fresh conglomeration that I had been looking forward to. Being an ardent book reader, I had to visit the Delhi Book Fair every year but if this becomes a yearly feature in the city, it would be a boon for the city." http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/chandigarh-hosts-book-fair-after-a-span-of-16-years

Kumar produces Bhaji In Problem

Kumar produces Bhaji In Problem

MUNISH DHIMAN  16th Nov 2013

After the roaring success of his films like Carry on Jatta, director Smeep Kang's much-hyped movie Bhaji In Problem starring Gippy Grewal and Ragini Khanna in the lead, was premiered at PVR Elante. The cast of the film includes BN Sharma, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Misha Bajwa, Khushboo Grewal, Karamjit Anmol, googlie king Cricketer Harbhajan Singh and veteran thespian Om Puri. About his role, Kumar, who has also produced the movie, said, "I find the character Bakshay really funny. And about the duration of the role, it was rather demanding. If I get a good script, I will definitely do a full-fledged role." http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/kumar-produces-bhaji-in-problem

A young star of classical music traditions

A young star of classical music traditions MUNISH DHIMAN  26th Oct 2013 Meeta Pandit eeta Pandit, today a shining star in the world of classical music, was born into a family of illustrious musicians. She is sixth in the unbroken lineage of the Pandit family of the Gwalior Gharana, and has grown under the tutelage of the giants of Indian classical musicians of the 20th century, such as Padma Bhushan Pt. Krishnarao Shankar Pandit. Pandit started her musical journey at a very young age. The clarity and natural melodiousness of her voice, coupled with a wide-ranging knowledge of ragas and performances infused with innovation made her shows successful not only on the Indian but international platforms as well. "To recall when I started receiving music lessons is like asking a baby fish how and when it began to learn how to swim. Music pandits, ustads, disciples of my father, his guru and bandhus, even music lovers, frequently visited our house. The atmosphere there was steeped in music, with people living every moment in tune. So where music was in abundance, remembering a particular day, time or age of beginning is next to impossible," says Pandit when asked about the birth of her interest in music. A large part of Meeta's early education happened during her school days, when extended weekends or even summer holidays comprised regular lessons by her father and unending hours of riyaaz. "I grew up dreaming of becoming an artist. I knew right from the beginning that I am going to do what I enjoy the most and that is singing. Despite being good at studies, I pursued my passion and today I feel blessed that it has become my profession," she enthuses. She has stuck to singing despite several ups and downs. "The journey was full of challenges as it is an unusual and unpredictable profession, fraught with problems like irregular income and hours, making it more difficult for a woman. You need to put in hours for the riyaaz and with time, when you begin to succeed, travelling to different places becomes a necessity. At that point of time, the most important and difficult task is for the woman artist is to find a supportive family," rues Pandit. Even today, she says, travelling alone is acceptable for men while on professional tours, but there always is a hesitation in letting women venture forth on their own. Nevertheless, Pandit has travelled across the globe over several performances. But her first encounter with the microphone and a bare stage remains vivid in her memory. "I was 11 when I performed at a 3-day music festival organised by my grandfather, Pt. Krishnarao Shankar Pandit Prasang at the Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal. It was frightening initially, but as I ascended and saw the audience I felt an immediate urge to perform and eventually the nervousness faded away," she reminisces. Pandit has, in the past, faced stiff opposition from her guru and her elders, who tried to dissuade her from her choice of profession, for the many reasons that make a career in the arts difficult for a woman. She remained unruffled, however, and has managed to make a place for herself. Today, she stands at the pinnacle of her musical career, having received several awards, including the Delhi Ratna, the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award, the Bismillah Khan Award, among others. The Public Service Broadcasting Trust and Prasar Bharati have also made a film titled Meeta: Linking a Tradition with Today, in 2005, which documents her life and growth as a singer. Along with giving recitals, Pandit is currently working on an an audio-visual documentation project called 'Masters of Hindustani Classical Music' for the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. She says that she wants to popularize Indian classical music amongst the youth. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/artbeat/a-young-star-of-classical-music-traditions

Go green this Diwali by saying ‘no’ to firecrackers

Go green this Diwali by saying ‘no’ to firecrackers

MUNISH DHIMAN  26th Oct 2013

School students join the campaign by saying no to crackers iwali, is amongst the biggest Hindu festivals in India, and is associated with the lighting of crackers and fireworks. But this festival has bought forth certain important issues of concern to be addressed on a priority basis. The diminishing ozone layer, increasing global warming due to pollution, has made environmentalists worry about the addition of huge amounts carbon content to the atmosphere. Several campaigns are launched every year to make people aware of the hazardous affects of crackers and urge people to celebrate Diwali in a greener way. Certain NGOs are engaged in promoting the recurring leitmotif of a green Diwali and working on making Chandigarh a smoke free city this year. Yuvsatta, an NGO, has been working on environment-related issues for more than two decades now and promotes green Diwali. Pramod Sharma, coordinator, told Guardian20, "We spread the ground message that instead of lighting crackers and generating excess smoke and ash, we should tread a productive way. By adopting this simple yet unique way we can easily help reduce the production of crackers where several child labourers are employed." Yuvsatta has roped in senior citizens, environmentalists and bureaucrats in their 'Campaign for Green Diwali' and also targets to cover 25-30,000 students in order to generate awareness. Several campaigns are launched every year to make people aware of the hazardous affects of crackers and urge people to celebrate Diwali in a greener way. Certain NGOs are engaged in promoting the recurring leitmotif of a green Diwali and working on making Chandigarh a smoke free city this year.  "Diwali holds great significance for Hindus and reinforces our faith in the spirit of good over evil, but what all we receive in the aftermath is quite disturbing. The loud noise of crackers and the smoke emitted cause lot of air pollution. The noise leads to hearing impairment, high blood pressure, heart attacks and disturbed sleep whereas various accidents happen while igniting these crackers, leaving several people blind and severely burnt year after year," says Dr. Dharmveer, from the ENT Department, PGI. Santosh Kumar, Director, Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration who launched the Green Diwali Campaign said, "It's encouraging to see people mull over bursting firecrackers as negligent form of celebration nowadays. We must promote the traditional way of celebrating Diwali by decorating with lamps and people having fun with sparklers and less polluting firecrackers. But I am pleased that residents are coming forward to celebrate Diwali sans pollution." Educating the literate masses is not a challenging task but the real challenge lies in educating those living in the rural areas, still, a few of them are bracing themselves up to take on this challenge with utmost zeal. Narvijay Yadav, Founder President, Prakash Foundation charitable trust that works for empowering farmers and rural girl child, says, "We have been organising green Diwali camps in the rural areas to educate the illiterate about the hazardous affects of the smoke produced by the burning of crackers. Though our priority remains to empower the farmers and rural girl child but during these camps we emphasise on how to protect eyes, ear and health during Diwali." "Working with special children is a different job and when the whole world around you celebrates Diwali with crackers it becomes a challenge for us to deal with them as leaving even one child unattended can be perilous. So we educate these children as our priority remains the safety of these children and the clean and green environment," claims Baljit Noor, Vice President Safe Hands Rehabilitation Society NGO. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/go-green-this-diwali-by-saying-no-to-firecrackers

Ever-rising dollar badly scorches Punjabi film industry

Ever-rising dollar badly scorches Punjabi film industry

MUNISH DHIMAN  26th Oct 2013

A still from Des Hoyaa Pardes he Punjabi film industry might be releasing more than 50 films a year, but the tumbling Indian currency is slowly beginning to play havoc with the ambitious dreams of Punjabi producers. Guardian20 spoke to some of the producers who all seemed to suggest that this change has shot up the production cost of films by 20-25 per cent. Actor, producer Darshan Singh Aulakh of Darshan Aulakh Productions said, "Foreign locations have always fascinated the audience and is one of the reasons why producers shoot numerous scenes and songs at different international locations earlier. But with the Indian rupee losing its value, production cost has gone up quite a bit forcing many to shoot at exotic locations in India only." Ravi Jain, CEO Cosmic Studios and producer of Ishq Garaari, argues, "The expenditure on international shoots has gone up and that directly affects the profits. In short, the expenditure of a movie which was 3-4 crore has gone up by 20-25 per cent but the profits have not increased accordingly." The timing of this slump is tragic since Punjabi cinema had only recently begun to establish itself abroad because of which the number of prints too had gone up substantially. The shooting of a song on an international location that used to cost 15-20 lakhs now costs 50-60 lakhs. Aulakh adds, "Despite the increase in the production costs, the profits have reduced and with no support from the Punjab or the Chandigarh administration shooting abroad has become a tough task." Angad Singh, owner of Angad and Nice Heart Productions and producer of Dil Sadda Lutteya Geya, states, "The value of the final product in the overseas market has decreased. The product that was valued at 50 lakhs earlier has now reduced to 30-35 lakhs. Nowadays, the only support we get abroad is the subsidy on the shooting fee provided by the Government in some countries as we promote their tourism." "Rupee's nose-dive has affected the producers' pocket in a big way. A promotional tour that used to cost 15-20 lakhs now cost 20-25 lakhs which adds up to the cost of the movie and directly impinge on the producer's expenses," says Niting Narang, CEO The Ideaz Factory. Despite the soaring cost of production a lot of producers play it safe and choose interesting new international locations to shoot parts of their films. Vikram Bansal, director and producer of Yaaran Da Katchup maintains, "I believe this price change affects the producers who shoot at locations where they pay in dollars but it hardly matters if you shoot in a country where you are paying a different currency. We recently shot in Thailand and paid in Baht which did not affect our budget. Such countries provide you an international location that adds to the movie without driving a hole in your pocket." http://www.sunday-guardian.com/masala-art/ever-rising-dollar-badly-scorches-punjabi-film-industry

Chinese lights illuminate the Tricity this Diwali

Chinese lights illuminate the Tricity this Diwali

MUNISH DHIMAN  2nd Nov 2013

Chinese lights on display in Sector 18 market, Chandigarh | Photo: T S Bedi ver imagined a Diwali without the traditional earthen lamps (diyas) and candles? But without the glare of glittering 'Chinese' lights that have invaded the market, any occasion or festivity seems incomplete. Even as some city residents, along with certain NGOs, are gearing up for a cracker-free Diwali in and around Chandigarh, enthusiasts are leaving no loopholes in trying to make it a never-before-seen extravaganza, despite cries of inflation that have plunged the sales of crackers. Chinese lights are available in variants, like rice lights, LEDs, rope lights and web and have captured the market during the past five years due to a whole range of colour, shape, designs and dimension it offers for the clientele. At the outset, people were a bit reluctant to go for Chinese lights, for the simple reason that these are not repairable. In this fast-paced world, people have little or no time to go for mending/ repairing defective or non-functional lights. "Now there are four to five among hundreds of electricians who would be available for light-repairing jobs during Diwali season.", says Rakesh Kumar, a shopkeeper who runs a electric goods/gadgets repairs shop in the sector 29 market. "Lights manufactured in India are almost on the verge of extinction from the market as people prefer to go for Chinese lights. Despite an initial setback, today Chinese lights are durable because of improved quality," said Nitin Aggarwal, another Chandigarh shopkeeper. The demand is increasing every year. Among customers, the most popular are the LED lights that are available in red, purple, green, blue and white and do not fuse easily.  —Paritosh Bansal The business is growing substantially in terms of cost, sale and profit of these customer-friendly lights. A fair share of credit for this vibrancy in the market goes to some advanced technology. "The demand is increasing every year, and with new variants added, prices have also increased. Among customers, the most popular are the LED lights that are available in red, purple, green, blue and white and do not fuse easily. The sale has doubled in the last three seasons and the prices too have gone up more than 30 per cent in the last two years. The sale, which was worth 5 lakh three years ago, has shot up to 20 lakh today," said Paritosh Bansal, a distributor in Panchkula. Indian lights were easily repairable by changing few or sometimes even one bulb. "Repairing the Chinese lights is a hard nut to crack, but who cares, as you may easily get a four meter light for rupees 25 only and investing rupees 100-200 for an annual festival is not unfeasible. The durability of the product, too, has gone up considerably. These lights start from rupees 25 and go up to rupees 200 per meter, which are much in demand," explains Rohit Sharma, a wholesaler in sector 18, Chandigarh. The situation is similar with laser lights. Shopkeepers say that the Chinese versions are far cheaper and have attractive patterns to offer. This new addition projects different patterns on a surface. "The laser lights are selling at a good pace as a single projector can illuminate the entire house. It can easily cover an area of 400 sq ft from a distance of 20 meters. Priced between 800-900 per box, we have successfully sold more than 30 boxes till now and the response of this particular product is really good," said Sunny Singh, shop owner in sector 35, Chandigarh. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/chinese-lights-illuminate-the-tricity-this-diwali