Srishtii - the creation

Hard work and grit got him here

2009-08-06T05:16:00.001-05:00

You must have seen him in ads like Close-Up, Ponds, Hero Honda CBZ, Nescafe, Killer jeans, Levis jeans, ICICI, Sunsilk and Feast, and wondered why the macho man is being neglected by the Hindi film industry. So, here comes Raman Lamba, finally, making his debut in a role that has negative shades.

"I'm proud to be a part of this project as my wife is the director. She is my biggest support. Of course, Shona hasn't cast me because I'm her husband, but because of my work in ads like Close-Up, Hero Honda CBZ and Feast. She has seen my potential and extracted the best work out of me. She has pushed me to new heights and a different level," he says.

"I believe that hard work certainly pays off. I agree that the character I play, Rizwan, has negative shades. But, there is a journey and an evolving process in the role that makes it more interesting."

"Mine is more a supporting role than that of a villain. Rizwan is a rich father's son who runs a pub - it's like he has fun while also working," he elaborates.

Are there any more projects in the pipeline? "Not as of now. I'm going a bit slow. I want to wait for the release of this film and then see if I can market myself well and get a better deal before signing films offhand," he says.

And how does he feel about being paired with Rati Agnihotri in the film - a seasoned actress who is much older than him in real life?

"Great. And, she doesn't look old at all... she is still the same. She is brilliant, beautiful and at her best. Actually, in the film she is a pompous lady, Almira Kochchar, and my ladylove but I'm not her husband - Tinu Anand plays the role. Ratiji made me feel very comfortable and I got to learn a lot - not just from her but also from other veterans like Om Puri and Tinu Anand. From being in awe of them to being great pals, the journey on the sets was pretty smooth. I feel in some ways, these seasoned actors are younger than us," says Lamba who loves Mirchi ka salan, seafood and Goa, next to his darling daughter (who is a true "papa ki beti") one-year-old Mokshali, "the stressbuster on the set."

SHANTI NANISETTI

Sober and Macho!

2009-08-06T05:15:00.001-05:00

In an almost true-to-life character, Zulfikar Syed plays the hero, Varun Arya - the reserved son of a millionaire father who runs a software company. The Gladrags 1997 title winner, Zulfi is among the most popular supermodels of the country, and has taken the modelling world by storm. After a brief appearance in Pyaasa, the macho man makes his debut as a full-fledged hero.

"I'm almost 75 per cent close to my character in this film," admits the sober model, "I'm pretty level-headed, reserved and quite into the family. I don't party much."

How was the experience of Taj Mahal and working with Akbar Khan? "It was great. We finished shooting 80 per cent of the film. Akbar Khan is a fabulous director who knows what he wants and how to get the best from an actor. And it was good working with Sonia, my co-star in the film who is the granddaughter of legendary singer Noorjahan. I did a little bit of study before portraying the role of Shah Jahan - he is a decent king, who loved Mumtaz beyond words and was against waging wars. The historic character really fascinated me," says Zulfi.

But are the present-day Indians prepared for a historical film? "Why not? Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, has an interesting history behind it. The concept of a man building Taj Mahal to be dedicated to his wife is unbeatable. It is a good lesson for people to learn from - about love and relationships. We do not actually know what happened within the dynasty, about the kings and their successors. This is just an attempt to capture the inside story in our own small way. It is a one-time role and a big project," he says, beaming with satisfaction.

If he were not an actor/ model, what would he be? "I've done my Masters in Hotel Management. So, I would have been abroad learning more about the subject," he smiles.

His regime for that great body includes "working out for at least one-and-a-half to two hours. And I consciously try to control my diet by eating food which is less oily though I love tandoor dishes," says Zulfi who believes that an actor's filmi background helps only to a certain extent and it is always better to come out the hard way.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Bold and beautiful

2009-08-06T05:13:00.001-05:00

"I hate mess. My surroundings have to be clean," says Masumi as she asks the waiter at 10 Downing Street to clean the floor where a bottle of Shock had toppled, even while picking up tissues and spreading them on the floor herself.

Hers may not be the face that launched a thousand products, but she is the one behind ads like Clean & Clear, Rexona Deo and Kingfisher. And her innings on television has been successful as well thanks to serials like Thoda Hai Thode ki Zaroorat Hai, Suhana Safar and Banegi Apni Baat. When asked how the transition from ads to telly to films was, she says: "I'm not a model as such - I'm an actress who is into modelling too," she smiles, sitting pretty in a greenish blue hipster teamed with a black halter neck. "Experience gives you knowledge and you evolve. I'm not here to compete with anyone. I just want to do my work, and learn from everyone."

"Though I have a lot of support from my family, my mother who is a disciplinarian wanted me to complete my studies before taking up acting. My mom's guidance was important for me because an actress can go astray when let on her own," she adds.

About projects in the pipeline, Masumi says, "I'm doing four films currently — 1:16 by Madhu Ambat, Later Heaven, a European film, Padmasri Lalu Prasad Yadav by Mahesh Manjrekar and Miya Maqbool where I have a guest appearance. Since the movie is studded with stars of the calibre of Tabu, Irfan Khan, Pankaj Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah, I couldn't refuse the offer. I'll do at least one item number, to see how it is," says the actress, who plays a bratty girl in Chupke Se, tongue in cheek. "I strongly believe that the way you carry yourself matters in the industry. Whether I'm famous or not is irrelevant as long as people see and appreciate my work," says Masumi whose "experience in theatre - Marathi, Hindi and English - helped a lot. I wanted Chupke Se to be my debut film because my sister is the director and it makes it that much more memorable and special," says Masumi.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Hoping for the best

2009-08-06T05:08:00.002-05:00

ZULFIKAR, MASUMI, Raman Lamba and Shona Urvashi have one thing in common. All four of them made their debut with Chupke Se, the first three as actors and the last as the director.

A PLA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. production, Chupke Se promises to be a feel-good romantic comedy revolving around the Timgires, the Aryas, the Kochchars and Qasim Khan Qayamat. Going by the track record of the production house, which made films like Jalwa, Hero Hiralal, Chashme Baddur and Khatta Meetha, hopes are high on this sweet love story.

"We are all hopeful and keeping our fingers crossed till September 12 when the movie is scheduled to hit the screen," says debutant director Shona Urvashi. "I took about a year to script the film, and more time to shoot it. And, the end product turned out quite well," she says.

"It was certainly difficult to script and direct the film. Plus, I was expecting my first child then. Though I'm not tired of writing, which is my hobby, the shooting part was a bit tedious. However, the excitement of filmmaking saw me through - despite those tiring and frustrating long hours," she says. "It is a clean film, without violence and vulgarity, targeted at everybody - a film which the entire family can sit together and watch,"she adds.

It is some kind of a family production with my sister and husband in the cast," reveals Shona. "We are planning another movie after this: a sequel to Jalwa titled Jalwe ka Jalwa.

But it is still in the planning stages. I've also written two other scripts. But, I'll be able to finalise which film to take up next perhaps only after the release of my debut film," says the director.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Memories of Mumbai...

2008-12-04T00:26:00.003-05:00

Surajyam avaleni swarajyam endukani

Sukhaana manaleni vikaasam endukani...

Paatha raathi guhalu paala raati gruhalaina

adavi neethi maarinda enni yugalaina

veta ade vetu ade naati kathe antha

nattaduvulu nadi veedhiki nadichoste vinta?

These words of wisdom by Telugu lyricist Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry kept coming to my mind as I sat glued to the television, horrified, watching live updates of 'Breaking News: Mumbai in terror'. I'm not from Mumbai. And, I had never been to Mumbai, except for the one time I was forced to go, just after my marriage on our way to Goa for honeymoon, when Mumbai was still Bombay.

I kind of hated the city, its crowd, its railway stations, the local trains, the rush, everything. I hated it so much that we had to cut short our trip and leave for Goa that very night. But I remember a few sights, and a few memories that keep coming back. Cafe Leopold is one such memory.

My husband worked in Bombay for 2 years before moving to Hyderabad for good. Naturally he was very proud of the city, its crowd, the vada-pav, and everything else. After a light breakfast at my aunt's place, my enthusiastic husband was all set to take me out and show me where he worked, lived, his favorite places, and the world's favorite places too.

So there we were, young and newly married, standing in front of the Gateway of India, with our backs to the sea and resting on the parapet wall, watching in awe the world-renowned Taj Mahal Palace hotel. And I remember my husband saying, ‘If I had a little more money, I would have loved to take you to the Taj at least for a cup of coffee.’ Ten years ago, when we just started out a new life, a coffee at the Taj seemed like a rich man's cup of tea. Indeed it was!

But long before standing in front of the Taj admiring its beauty, intricate work on its walls, the colors, the very splendour and grandeur of that magnificent building, I've heard many chants and praises of Bombay - from various sources!!! Right from my first cousins who used to behave like they couldn't speak or understand a word of Telugu to friends I met later in life who studied or worked in Bombay, everyone had a tale to tell about the mysterious city.

After watching the Taj for a while, we went to the lane next to the hotel Colaba Causeway, to Cafe Leopold. Neither too expensive, nor any cheaper than the other star places in the city, with a no-frills-attached-no-nonsense-tolerated feel about it, Leopold cafe turned out to be the best experience I had as a newly wed. I can still remember the taste of the Alu Paratha I had with dahi and pickle at Leopold. Every time I recollect the taste, my mouth waters and I feel like licking my fingers.

That was my first experience of Bombay, and of Leopold. Unfortunately, it remained the only experience as of today. I never went to Bombay again. And I kept telling myself, and everybody who cared to listen, how much I hated Bombay and how much I loved Cafe Leopold. At times, when my hormones are particularly high, I kept thinking maybe we should just take out our car, go on a wild road drive, eat Alu Paratha at Leopold and come back. It never materialized though! Today, do I want to still go back to Mumbai and eat at the blood-stained eatery? I don't know. Yes, and no maybe. A strange dilemma.

Ten years ago, when I was 24, with hopes, dreams and arrogance filling my thoughts, I remember thinking I've nothing to offer to Bombay, no feelings whatsoever, and the city had nothing to offer to me too.

The city seemed so foreign. So distant. It was almost like it’s in a different country. And my dislike for Mumbai probably stemmed from there. Maybe I wanted to belong. As a child, I wanted to be part of Bombay, wear mini skirts, jeans, and speak in English.

And now, I don't know where that hatred has gone when my eyes are watering continuously as news channels vie with each other to show gruesome images of the injured, the dead, the victimised.

I've just learnt that two of the Hyderabadis who lost their lives are people I know. Chef Vijay Bhanja was with one of the Taj properties in Hyderabad and used to write a food column for The Hindu supplement, Metroplus. Those were my days as a journalist. I remember meeting and talking to him during food festivals, or calling him up to find out when he’ll send in his article. He was a nice man, very courteous, and ever-smiling. He didn't deserve such a fate. He didn't deserve to die young.

The other Hyderabadi is late Mr. Lakshmi Narayana Goyal. I've never met him nor spoken to him. But I know his youngest daughter. She works with me. And comes in the same cab with me. Quite a reserved soft-spoken girl, she shares her name with my daughter. I don't know how to react when I meet her first time after the tragedy hit their family. Do I just say I'm sorry about your loss and look away, or do I just behave like I have no idea about the incident? She's not so close that I can hug and express my concern, and not too far to ignore.

Small things keep happening in big cities? No Mr. Patil! Thank you! I know one thing for sure. This one incident was enough to make my heart melt and grieve for a city I always thought I hated. And personally I don’t want one such tragedy to hit Bombay, or India.

Domestic dogma

2007-01-23T02:32:00.000-05:00

If it was not for his `Drishti' (vision), Goverdhan Egumamidi would have been like any other law student from Siddipet — an easy-going, movie-crazy, jean-clad youngster. But his vision for the future has changed the course of his present. Despite the degree and over two years of practice, he gave up law for the love of films. And the commitment he felt towards the society. Drishti is, hence, his contribution towards that social commitment.

A true-to-life film on, and for, the domestic workers, it has a take on various issues plaguing society. The film is a "docu-fiction", to quote the filmmaker, which captures one day in the life of a maidservant, Rangamma (played by Manga Reddy) in this case.

The protagonist is named after the woman who inspired Goverdhan to make the film by sharing her views, experiences and opinions on society. "Amma's (as I used to call Rangamma) soliloquies, her observations and thoughts during my seven-year-long association with her made me think, re-think and do something for, and about, maids without whom we cannot do in our day-to-day routine," says Goverdhan who dedicated the film to his 55-year-old source of inspiration.

Shocking though they may seem at the outset, the issues discussed in the film are the very vices society is constantly waging a war against — alcoholism, molestation, child sexual abuse, poverty, ill treatment of fellow human beings, apathy towards the elderly, and gossiping wily neighbours, among others.

"I saw society from Rangamma's point of view," vouches the filmmaker who screened the film for a handful of domestic workers on May Day at Ravindra Bharati.

Made on a shoestring budget, in a digital format, the film uses different kinds of lighting, and colours, to suit the mood of the people that particular frame focuses on. Visually appealing, the movie talks about the problems faced by maidservants. "At least 75 per cent of it got documented because of my interaction with about 700-800 of them, besides a few NGOs like the Progressive Organisation for Women (headed by Sandhya) that endeavour for their betterment," he says.

"I put in a lot of effort while making the film. And, I want it to reach the people I meant it for," he adds, thanking the few organisations that have agreed to take his film to the masses.

"This is like an art film with commercial values. It was just an expression of what I have been feeling for the past 10 years," says the filmmaker who is an avid fan of Bapu, Vamshi, and Roman Polanski, besides the legendary Guru Dutt whose influence, he feels, can be felt in his film.

"I tried not to make it boring, while telling them exactly what I have on my mind, by concentrating on the dialogue right from the scripting stage," says Goverdhan who wants to "become a filmmaker at the national level." Here's hoping the efforts of this sincere filmmaker pay off.

SHANTI NANISETTI

In the wings

2007-01-17T22:17:00.000-05:00

Gopika is just like her character in her Telugu debut movie Naa Autograph: unassuming, down-to-earth - whether she is adjusting her locks or the pallu for the next shot, (a bicycle ride with hero Sharwanand) or asking the make-up man to re-do her hair.

Her debut movie didn't do too well. Nor did her other two films - Letha Manasulu and Yuvasena. But still, she became a sought-after actor in south Indian cinema. The bubbly girl is currently shooting for a Telugu film by Usha Kiron Movies. Despite being busy in Malayalam and Tamil films - that explains the gap in Telugu films - she couldn't resist the plum offer by a "good banner involving very good technicians."

"I feel elated about this offer worth the gap. I play an investigative journalist in this heroine-oriented film and the subject is good," says the pretty girl. The stone-studded choker-and-earrings affair seems heavy on this petite girl when contrasted with her flowing costume.

Recollecting her debut film, Gopika says, "I acted in the original Tamil version and Gopal Reddy sir happened to like my performance. So, he chose me for the Telugu version too. Portraying the role of a Malayali girl was quite natural - it was just like being myself. The difficult part was when I had to speak some dialogues in Telugu in the remade version since I wasn't familiar with the language."

Having acted in Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil films, Gopika feels that "except for the fact that the Telugu industry is a lot more professional, there are no major differences in the three major south Indian language films. However, Malayalam cinema has become more glamorous and commercial-oriented now," says the smart actor who still watches films with the same thrill of her childhood days.

Whenever she is shooting outside Kerala, she tries to "cope up with differences in language, food and climate." Comparing Hyderabad with Chennai, she says the former is "neat, less congestion and pollution, plus smooth traffic. But when compared to my hometown Thrissur , the traffic is quite heavy."

Just a glimpse of her mother is enough to make one understand the origins of her delicate beauty. A doting daughter, Gopika never leaves her mother's hand while talking fondly about homemade fish curry, avial and pickles, or the Hyderabadi biryani she enjoys at Green Park or Paradise, or about indulging her sweet tooth with gulab jamoon and ice creams... . With a broad smile that spreads to her attractive eyes, she says she loves vegetable fried rice while insisting "coconut oil is a must for me, but here they cook everything in sunflower oil." Now we know the secret behind her beauty!

SHANTI NANISETTI

The child-woman's speak

2007-01-17T00:43:00.000-05:00

Blithesome spirit is lost,
Only memories adorn,
My wandering soul,
A sweet little girl, why have I grown?
Time quickly fled by,
Buds no longer smile,
The flowers bloom wild,
But at heart, I'm still a child.

This is the voice of a child-woman who finds "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings" too far from reality" and wants "to live within the boundaries of life and realism". Meet Nameera Baig, of Std. XII, St. George's Grammar School, who has bagged many prizes in debate, essay writing and elocution in intra-and inter-school competitions since she was seven years old.

Nameera's achievements include a "Super Kid" Ugadi Puraskar, and the `Bal Ratna Gifted Child' award for Literature by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Department of Education. Now, the 16-year-old is the proud recipient of `Balashree Award' for Creative Writing recently announced by the Government of India, New Delhi, to be given away by the President shortly.

"My grandfather Amir Ahmed Khusrou, eminent Urdu poet and winner of Sahitya Akademi award, was my inspiration.," she says. Nameera plans to get her poems published in three different anthologies. While the English anthologies are titled "The Ocean of Thoughts" and "Desideratum" with 50 poems in each collection, 35 of her Hindi poems are combined to give "Aakanksha".

She enjoys reading Charles Dickens and the Iliad and the Odyssey are her favourite books. She loves to watch films like "Ben-Hur", "The Ten Commandments" and "Gone With the Wind". " Her ambition is to become a virologist. When asked why most of her poems end on a pessimistic note, Nameera says "No, I'm optimistic. But so much is happening around us that it cannot be ignored. I portray these deplorable things and also certain human emotions in my poems. Though I write on nature too, I feel satisfied when I pen my thoughts on human relationships, emotions and despair as I experience a few myself," she says.

SHANTI NANISETTI

The good doctor

2007-01-15T00:33:00.000-05:00

The two-storeyed house in a bylane near Gandhi Hospital in Padmarao Nagar has an old world charm about it. Inside, patients wait for the tall, balding doctor who lives upstairs.

In a world of plate glass, Swiss steel corporate hospitals where heart surgery costs a few lakhs, the doctor in this homely hospital has performed more than 10,000 surgeries for less than Rs. 10,000.

Meet Dr. S. Uday Shankar, the recent winner of `Bharatiya Chikitsak Ratan', an award recognising individual excellence in medicine.

A true reflection of his unassuming personality, his small, non-intimidating, hassle-free Maruti Nursing Home makes his patients feel almost like home. "I don't want my patients to sell their property to get themselves cured," he says firmly, adding, "I'm not here to decide whether my patients live or not. I just do my best by encouraging them to have a wish to live, and leave the rest to them. I aim to keep the organ intact for a longer time, as I believe that prevention is greater, not just better, than cure."

A champion of the poor, he feels that not many can afford expensive diagnosis, and believes that the cost of the treatment can be drastically reduced if one can "manage things at home with a little

help from a trained expert within the first 24 to 48 hours which are crucial in the case of a heart attack. Total immobilisation of the patient is the key to tide over the crisis," he says.

"Little things like keeping the ICCU room, oxygen cylinder, and life-saving drugs within a reachable distance from the entrance of the hospital go a long way in saving a patient's life," is what he believes.

Advocating the concept of multi-functionality of doctors rather than a single specialty, he says, "Today, experts are making this mistake of not looking at the patient as a whole. By treating just one diseased organ, they are ignoring its negative impact on the rest of the body."

Backed by degrees in cardiology, radiology, general medicine and surgery, nephrology and rheumatology, he carries on his mission zealously. His current passion, an overnight decision, is to take inexpensive medicare to the rural poor who are suffering from flourosis.

Patients in places like Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Vijayawada, and Chouttuppal with its highest rate of 90 per cent incidence, eagerly await his visit every week.

It is not that he never dreamt of big money and bigger cities. As a child, he wanted to become a doctor, go abroad and earn a lot. And he did go to the U.S.A. where his parents and siblings have settled, but returned within three years with an almost feverish passion.

"Perhaps, India's gravity is greater than that of the U.S.A.," he chuckles.

Despite dedicating himself to the service of the poor, he feels what he is doing is nothing out-of-the-ordinary. "While some give education, and some money, I give health to my patients," he says.

Perhaps, this down-to-earth attitude is the key to his success.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Music is in his veins

2007-01-11T03:24:00.000-05:00

DRAWING INSPIRATION from his mother who used to sing Ramadas and Thyagaraja kritulu, etc, in her own fashion, Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana decided to make classical music his career. Having donned the role of child Krishna on the stage at ten, Nookala came in contact with what he calls `stage music', an influence of Hindustani music from Pune on the music scene in Andhra Pradesh.

A brilliant student, he was deeply influenced by the concert of the granddaughter of Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu.

"We hail from Palakollu in West Godavari and since nobody was available to train me in music there, I wanted to go to Vijayawada or Vizianagaram for training. During one Sriramanavami celebration, Akkajirao, a veena player, gave a concert in our village. I decided to make him my guru, got hold of his address and set off to Vijayawada with just one rupee on me. I reached the house of Mangalampalli Pattabhiramayya, father of Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, to pursue music. I depended on `Vaaralu' for food," he reminisces.

"It took me four years to learn about 70 varnas (the number has now come to a maximum of 20). I learnt music for over 15 years from different maestros. I learnt varnas and kritis from other musicians too. In contrast, it takes about three-and-a-half years for the certificate course today. So, the students now do not get to learn anything perfectly or in detail. And, the quality suffers," he says.

"Attaining swaragnanam should be every student's aim - i.e. to identify the different swaras with the notes. If one goes systematically, he will be able to learn it. If the students apply this knowledge in studies too, they will certainly shine, as knowledge of music helps one identify and remember other things well," he says.

With a repertoire spanning 60 years to his credit, Nookala started giving performances after two years of learning. He learnt violin too under the Dwaram family and later Dr. Pinakapani, by mere observation of the finger movement at the concerts of violin maestros. He worked as teacher, lecturer, professor and principal in different music colleges in the State. He was a top-class artiste on the AIR and the Doordarshan. He conducted workshops, lecture demonstrations and classes in universities abroad. He was the recipient of the prestigious `Mahamahopadhaya' award by Akhila Bharata Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal in Delhi.

Nookala was all praise for his disciples. "They possess qualities like perseverance and involvement - essential for learning music. Some are more talented than I. Practice, dedication, concentration - all these are necessary to excel in music. Unfortunately, there are many illiterate musicians around now," he says.

On the standard of music colleges today, "We are only elevating the general standard of understanding music by increasing the number of listeners. Just like every engineering college cannot produce a Visweswarayya, all music colleges cannot bring out a Deekshitar, a Syamasastry or a Thyagaraja," he says.

"Dedication, brilliance, patience - today's students have it all. But, they are all job-oriented and want to go abroad to earn well. And, `if you have a good voice, try your luck in films, why waste your time and energy in classical music?' seems to be the attitude. I can understand if students cannot spare enough time for music, or give it importance over academics, in today's racy world. Even if he does, where is the guarantee that he can get a job or become a frontline musician, affording comfortable living," questions Nookala.

On the western and other influences on Indian music, Nookala says, "It is good to some extent but may prove fatal beyond a point. Our music was always influenced by light, folk and stage music in the form of Yenki paatalu, etc. Classical music won't suit this genre. So, the Carnatic strain came very late to Andhra. People like Susarla Dakshina Murty and Rajalu Venkata Ramaiah strived to promote classical music here. Some musicians adopted the gurukula style of teaching. But, even to enjoy Carnatic music, one needs cultivation. Popular playback singers speak as if they do not like Carnatic music. All this has a negative influence."

On the music appreciation/ criticism scene here: "the critic has to understand the music in order to appreciate or criticise it. In comparison with the critics in Tamil Nadu, the critics in Andhra Pradesh are certainly lagging behind. The reviews are not up to the mark. Some critics listen to just three/ four kritis and base their opinion on that. There are others who do not attend the concert and call up later to find out what we sang during the recital," says Nookala.

"However, there is a renaissance in classical music now as the awareness is on the rise. Youngsters too are showing interest - I have about 40, 50 students at present. If this trend continues, then the music scene in Andhra is going to be good in future," he says, before signing off on a happy note.

Nookala has also written books like Ragalakshana Sangraham about 250 Carnatic ragas, 70-80 Hindustani ragas and 40-50 English scales, A Monograph on Pancharatnas - a commentary on music, syllabus (till varnas) for music colleges in Telugu and English, and a book on the compositions by Deekshitar. His latest book titled Thyagaraja Saraswata Sarvaswam was inaugurated recently.

SHANTI NANISETTI

In tune with the times

2007-01-10T02:49:00.000-05:00

IN THE 1960s, when legendary Bollywood singer Mohd. Rafi crooned "Ramaiah vastavayya" as the refrain for a Hindi song, the Telugus said "Yeh dil maange more". So, he rendered a song for them — "Naa madi ninnu pilichindi gaanamai venugaanamai... (Aaradhana)". The impact was simply great. Nobody cared for the lyrics. Nor the accent. And then, he sang "Yentha Varu Kani Vedantulaina Kani (Bhale Thammudu - which is a take on the 'Baar Baar Dekho' song) followed by "Haseena O Haseena" (a duet with P. Susheela), and "Taralentaga Meriseno Chanduruni Kosam (both from Akbar Salim Anarkali)" — that was it.

Fast forward to the current era: The Telugu industry is full of Bollywood singers today. Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Hariharan and K.K. — name the singer and you can hear him sing in your mother tongue . "Signing Bollywood singers is considered fashionable now. What was started by A.R. Rahman for the sake of variety, has become a craze today. They may not get the words right, but their voices are good," says Srilekha, composer.

While some feel there is nothing wrong in non-Telugus singing Telugu songs since music has no language barriers, there are others like composer-singer R.P. Patnaik who insist on Telugu singers. Why? "Because I want Telugu to be spoken like Telugu," he says. "Usually, when a big-budget movie is being made, the producers feel they can get the best talent by paying more. So, the attitude is - those who charge more should be signed," elaborates R.P. hopeful that "the trend is definitely going to change." But, is there a dearth of talent in the industry? "It is not a question of talent," insists producer D. Ramanaidu. "Heroes want change. And successful names do matter. We may find many talented singers in Andhra itself. But who has the time or patience to go on such talent-hunts," he says.

Earlier, the trend was to have one singer singing all the songs in a film for the hero. Another singer would render the song for a character artiste. A little later, the same singer, in this case S.P. Balu, would modulate his voice to suit each hero/character in the film. "But now, the trend is to have many Bollywood singers in one film," says Ramanaidu. Is the trend here to stay, then? While Srilekha maintains that nothing can be predicted in the industry, director-composer S.V. Krishna Reddy believes "the trends in the industry go by the audiences' tastes. If the album has five, six different singers, the cassettes move fast. The audience too want variety. Some people enjoy listening to unintelligible songs."

"When I was young, this beautiful actress called B. Saroja Devi used to speak Telugu in an odd fashion as she was not familiar with the language. That was, in fact, a major attraction of her films in those days. Similarly, though Balu's voice is far superior to most Bollywood singers, you cannot dismiss Udit Narayan either. His voice is definitely not repulsive. When the change is positive, why not take it?" questions producer Allu Aravind.

What about those who pen beautiful lyrics for Telugu films? How do they feel when non-Telugu singers write the lyrics in Hindi/ English and mispronounce the words, taking the meaning and focus away from the language?

"Frankly speaking, very rarely does a lyricist get a chance to write poetic verse, rich in content. And, when we pen something with so much effort, and neither the same feeling is communicated nor the mood reflected in the end product, we feel a tinge of pain. Guess it is all part of the game," says lyricist Kulashekar. "Sometimes, even mistakes become trends - like the Rama chilakamma song in Choodalani Vundi. Originally Rammaa chilakamma, the song attained a different meaning, as the singer was unable to get the stress right," he laughs. So much for their effort. Whether the trend is going to continue or is just a passing phase, let's reap the benefits while we are at it. Just tune in.

SHANTI NANISETTI

City of pearls or diamonds?

2007-01-02T23:06:00.000-05:00

EVERY MORNING, about six years ago, Ahmed used to pick up children from Road No. 5, Banjara Hills, to be dropped at Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, in his auto-rickshaw. As he crossed the Panjagutta-Somajiguda stretch, he would watch those good old jewellery shops which dealt in pearl jewellery.

Hyderabad was the `City of pearls' then. Now, the same stretch makes one wonder if the city is still synonymous with pearls alone.

Down memory lane

A walk down the road takes you to a different world - the world of diamonds, with the burgeoning showrooms trading in diamond jewellery opening up new vistas and choices for traditional Hyderabadis. About 400 years ago, a few kilometres ahead of the Panjagutta circle, was Golconda — where the Mountain of Light (Kohinoor diamond) and Hope Diamond were sold. All buyers would go back to their respective towns, satisfied.

But today, the buyers are Hyderabadis who are here to stay and the sellers are from different parts of the country. However, "people from the Krishna and the Godavari belt still contribute the maximum to the trade because of their solid wealth," says V.R.Gunashekar of Kirtilals jewellery showroom. And one aspect the experienced store manager noticed is "the NRI movement from the State, and the city in particular, is the highest in the country. They are the ones who invest in gold and diamond jewellery to be given away as gifts. "

Fast-growing market

That Hyderabad is a growing market for diamonds is an accepted fact today. Many outsiders who have made forays into the Hyderabadi jewellery market vouch for the fact. "As for the sale of diamond jewellery, our branch has consistently beaten the whole of the North put together for almost 20 days in succession. That includes Mumbai and New Delhi too," says an elated Jayant Biswas, manager, Tanishq at Punjagutta. Today, they have regular customers who realise the value of diamonds. "Our customers understood that nothing can destroy a diamond and so the ratio of plain gold versus diamond studded jewellery has touched the 50:50 mark in the store," he adds.

Almost all the jewellers agree that besides quality, the four `C's — cut, colour, clarity and carat — are valid points to be understood before buying diamond jewellery. And, the vital players in this trade believe in educating the customer about this precious stone.

Keep it light

Earlier, people used to hesitate to buy the invaluable gem because of certain superstitions but now, the well-informed customer knows what to believe. Though lightweight jewellery is the order of the day — picked up by youngsters and working women — there are those who request for custom-made studded jewellery a la the beautiful handcrafted pieces owned by the Nizams once.

The purchasing power of people has gone up by a few notches which makes diamonds that much more alluring. The fact of the matter is that "there are youngsters who purchase pendants, finger rings and earrings to be given away as gifts to their friends," says Bhimesh at Tribhuvandas Bhimji Zaveri showroom. A fact reiterated by Dev Malhotra, store manager, Lifestyle, Begumpet: "Though I cannot call it impulse buying, there are specific gifting seasons like Valentine's Day and Friendship Day when youngsters buy trinkets in the range of Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000."

Who are the buyers?

But, who exactly is buying the jewellery? Is it just the newly rich crowd from the upscale localities of Hyderabad? "Not exactly. The starting range of our jewellery is Rs. 2,000-Rs. 2,500 which makes it affordable to even the middle classes. Earlier, people would go to their traditional jeweller with diamonds (bought on their trip abroad) and get it custom-made. The modern consumer has different tastes," says Biju John of InterGold, Somajiguda, who foresees about 200-250 per cent rise in the sales in the next few years.

Price wise, though the sparkling cut stone still runs into some lakhs, no doubt it has become affordable to many (starts at Rs. 1,000 for pendants). So what if De Beers invested Rs. 400 crores in Boom to market their diamonds, we can invest in our own small way. And while the Hyderabadis debate whether the city should be called `City of pearls' or rechristened `City of diamonds', let's take the big decision, now.

SHANTI NANISETTI

The 60s' beauty queen

2007-01-02T05:39:00.000-05:00

AT 16, she did her first modelling show. A brief pause later, she was chosen as the Cover Girl for Femina. And then came the Miss India contest - in 1964. Meher Castelino won the title in those `fashion-and-modelling-are-taboo' days.

"At that time, Miss India contest was not a open beauty pageant. We had to send our picture to the organisers directly. That year, out of the 500 contestants, 10 were short-listed and after an exhaustive interview on different topics, and a show where we had to walk the ramp wearing a sari, an Indian gown and a swimsuit, I was declared a winner," reminisces Meher.

After winning the title, Meher's first show was for Hakoba in Kolkata. Then, assignments for Calico and Tata Textiles followed. After a 13-year modelling career, Meher worked as a fashion designer for an export company. With marriage, and two children, her career slowly came to a halt and she was on the lookout for a part-time job. Her interest in fashion and writing found her the job of the fashion editor for Gentlemen's Fashion Quarterly.

Commenting on life after the Miss India contest, she says, "Life was pretty quiet and private. We were never bombarded with questions relating to our personal life. Journalists too concentrated on our professional life - like how to keep fit and future assignments, etc. The only change was - being a model, I travelled a lot."

"We were paid mostly in kind (like clothes and jewellery that we campaigned for) or Rs. 50 per show then. Money was, hence, never a question. We all worked because we loved the profession," she adds.

Meher's creations:

So, hasn't the contest changed her life much? "It has to some extent. It gave me a lot of confidence, taught me how to talk, look and behave in public, and gave an instant energy. It is true that I had jumped ahead of others and became famous overnight - but how you handle that fame depends on you," she says. Meher admits that each episode in her life was significant. While modelling gave her "a glamorous high" and fashion designing "a creative high", her current journalistic career assures her "complete personal satisfaction".

When asked why she did not take up acting, Meher replied , "there was a clear demarcation between modelling and films. And, becoming an actress was considered a downward move. Only after Zeenat Aman (Miss India 1970) became an actress and Juhi Chawla (Miss India 1984) became popular, the concept of crossing over has picked up. Glamorous people today are using different professions like modelling, VJing and television as stepping stones for films."

When Meher Castelino won the Miss India title and was sent to Miss U.N. and Miss Universe titles at Miami and Spain, there was nobody to guide her on the whole process of grooming, walking, talking, behaviour, photo sessions, interviews, rehearsing and the actual event.

Today, the picture has changed and contestants receive a thorough drilling in all aspects before the pageant. "But, the concept behind these beauty pageants is lost now. Today we have so many `Miss this' and `Miss that', that the entire thing looks artificial ," she says about the surfeit of beauty contests. "Perhaps, it has a positive side to it too as it gives girls a lot of confidence in themselves," adds Meher.

Attired in a black fusion outfit with sequin work, Hakoba's fashion consultant who was in the city for the opening of the Hakoba store at Sindhi Colony, feels that the whole concept of fashion designing has changed now as "the customer has become smarter, and hence, is ruling the style and pricing, thereby assuring the availability of good clothes at reasonable prices".

SHANTI NANISETTI

New Turn for Cafes

2006-12-28T22:42:00.000-05:00

Why don't Indians play in the world cup soccer?
Because the moment they get a corner, they build a restaurant.

This might be a chauvinistic joke in East Africa, but in Hyderabad, corners have always meant Irani chai. They are called Irani café cafes, but serve only chai. And there are over 10,000 of them. And they are changing. Not just the interiors with cane chairs and marble tops making way for chrome, wood and glass. Not just the addition of Chinese finger foods to the Osmania and Chand biscuits. But the very corners where they have existed are now being threatened as the city's roads get widened.

The importance of corners can be seen where it all started: the Karvan (the first Irani restaurants were started to serve the brew to the Irani cavalrymen who were part of the Golconda kings' frontline soldiers).

It is a crossroad connecting Purana Pul to Golconda, on one corner is Sunah Hotel, in another there is Hotel Mehfil, in another corner is Faizan Café and in the other, Bharat Hotel.
At pre-dawn darkness at 5 a.m., as the young sleepy boys scratch themselves, the Sunah is nearly full of people having their first sips of the hot brew. Cross the Purana Pul and you know that parts of the old city have already seen the effects of road widening. In one corner of Murgi Chowk near the Charminar is Mohammed Ishmael's tea shop Mohammedia, started by his father some 48 years ago. Step out of the place and you can be run over by any of the zooming vehicles.

"What used to be a 150-sft place is now reduced to a 50-sft place which has translated into a loss of about 20 chairs and a decline in revenue," rues Ishmael.

To be über cool you and your partner have to order a ek chai (don't call it single) and pour half into the saucer and keep the remaining half in your cup and: shluuuurp. At Chaderghat, sitting inside Niagara, which is one of the few Irani joints that are not in corners, the man serving chai says wickedly:
"It is good if they are demolished, some of the competition will be out."
But right now the big action is happening this side of Musi.
Omega, where countless debates were brewed over the chai is now a hulk of its former self, Paradise has retreated and reinvented itself as a hep place for biryani rather than an adda for chai.

What used to be Friends Café in Somajiguda is covered in blue plastic sheets.
But prepared and living for worst case scenario is the Garden.
"The talk about bulldozers coming has been on for past seven years. Three years back we even purchased furniture and placed it in the premises that we own across the road," says the man counting the money and dispensing tokens to the waiters.
"Have you got a notice?"
"No, but the fear of bulldozers is always there," says F. Khan, summing up the welling fear among the corner landmark owners across the city as the roads get widened by the day.

But, why are all the Irani restaurants in corners? Because, according to the lore, no Hyderabadi was willing to take up the space for Vastu consideration and the band of Iranians grabbed them.
So, is this the revenge of the corner vastu?

~ Serish

To read more authentic and interesting stuff on happening Hyderabad, visit nutserish's blog.

Last Minute Gift Ideas

2006-12-27T23:35:00.000-05:00

The Exact Pint

This beer beaker will give measure your pint to the T. It costs you only $6.99 at the ThinkGeek store. It is a plastic beaker (NOT GLASS) just incase you've had a pint too many. For the people on the British Isle, this may be a bit of a problem! The pint here is not in Brit measure, its the US measure; by this I mean, a pint is not 20 ounces but rather 16 ounces. All the same, Cheers!

Not your Ordinary Doormat

This rather unusual doormat is not something everyone will just walk over. I am sure the techie brain will easily decipher the WELCOME written on it in binary code. It costs about $39.99 at ThinkGeek.

For more amazing gift ideas, visit Moo's blog.

Fashion queen

2006-12-27T23:32:00.000-05:00

A WOMAN of style and substance - that's what can be said about designer Nandita Mahtani, who was in the city recently to showcase her creations in western and fusion wear at `also' boutique, White House building, Begumpet (Tel: 23412047). Look at her and you would prefer to believe that she is either a model or a star-to-be. Dressed casually in military green hipsters and an off-white embroidered spaghetti top, the designer is quite in with it.

Her interest in "clothes and anything related to fashion" made Nandita source clothes for the young-and-hip crowd initially. Later, she started her own showroom, Ananya, in Bandra, Mumbai. The growing popularity of her store made her open another outlet for the Delhiites about three years ago. "In fact, my sister and myself are working together. She opened a store in London two years ago and I am sourcing out things for her. Actually, I'm also retailing my stuff in certain departmental stores abroad," says Nandita.

How did she think of Hyderabad to display her clothes? "My experience in Delhi was pretty good and so I wanted to try out a new city. Hyderabad is definitely an upcoming city - from what I heard and what I have seen in these two days - where youngsters are pretty cool with what they wear and how they carry off their clothes and accessories," she says.

So, can we expect to see her outlet, Ananya, here? "Well, let's see. It is too early to decide, even though the response till now has been good."

Though not a trained designer, the self-taught style expert loves to work on bright colours and trendy cuts. "I'm quite a `blue' person. And I like a mix of bright and subtle colours, skin tones basically - nothing gaudy but simple shades of yellow, white, crèmes and beiges," says Nandita who thinks the slant at this year's LIFW was towards western wear, at least in the last few days she got to view. "I was happy to see a couple of new designers making inroads into hi-fashion. While most designers try to stick to straight cuts, there are those who experiment with new styles and funky cuts. That's what makes LIFW what it is."

What does she specialise in? "My stuff is primarily Western and a bit of fusion. Besides the in-house brand, I also stock western wear by designers from France, the U.S.A. and the U.K. Even the Indian designers' creations are of export quality." Fusion comes into picture where the separates, embellished with embroidery, sequins and beadwork, are concerned. Her mix-n-match collection comprises mostly trousers, jeans, tops, skirts and scarfs, among others. Of course, anything designer comes with a tag - perhaps unaffordable to many but definitely quality stuff. "Original is original, after all," she says justifying the price range (Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 10,000). "Initially, I thought that Indians would not want to spend so much on western wear but I was proved wrong," she says. Elizabeth Hurley, Madonna, Beyonce Knowles and Gauri Khan are some of the loyal 'celebrity' customers of this pretty designer who is planning to open more stores overseas, including Paris.

What are her plans for future on the personal front (after the upheaval of separating from ex-hubby Sanjay Kapoor who is now married to actress Karisma Kapoor)? "I don't know what the future has in store for me. But, I'm pretty much into my work and I'm happy with the way my life is going. And, I really don't want to plan anything ahead," she says.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Appealing to the senses!

2006-12-26T22:08:00.000-05:00

JEWELLERY IS not only a pointer to the lifestyle of an individual but also stands testimony to the social, political and cultural changes of a particular era. Today, the concept of wearable jewellery has pushed many big business houses to venture into this field . So, it is only natural that Eros Gems, which has been in the coloured stones business for the past 17 years, has also plunged into manufacturing trendy jewellery through its subsidiary, Eros Jewelry.

Within six months of launching in the U.S.A., the Jaipur-based company, which boasts of clients like Cartier, Tiffany and Movado, launches its jewellery in India too "because Indians have a high purchasing power and they love jewellery," says Kapil Bagga, M.D., speaking for Abhay Godha, founder chairman of Eros Gems. One more feather in Eros' cap is its tie-up with NIFT where "we tried to custom-make the jewellery as per the creations designed by the students."

Today, say amethyst, agate, opal, tanzanite (one of the most expensive semi-precious stones) and topaz, and people not only recognise the names instantly but also talk about the colour, cut and finish of each stone and what goes well as its base. "The growing awareness about coloured stones made us ensure that we sell the same high-end export quality stuff in the domestic market as well," says Bagga. "Why should we deprive Indians of good quality products when they have the ability to spend and a taste for good things in life," he adds.

Priced in the range of Rs. 20,000 to 50,000, Eros' jewellery caters to today's woman of substance in the age group of 18-40 years. "We are trying to give women things which she can wear with both traditional Indian outfits and also western outfits. The 50 designers exclusively working with us to create 200 new designs each month, lend an Indo-western/ fusion touch to the jewellery and also ensure that exclusivity in designs is maintained," says Bagga.

The company's future plans include dealer networking (wherein they are planning tie-ups with various dealers) and also shop-in-shops in lifestyle stores. After Delhi and Mumbai, Hyderabad gets the highest attention and focus, as "it is a bigger metro than Kolkata. With its inherent culture of precious jewels and pearls dating back to many centuries, Hyderabad is definitely a potential market. Besides, Hyderabadis love beaded jewellery and also colours," he says.

Universal and unique designs are the company's forte which makes its jewellery appealing to women the world over. "We have ensured that our jewellery is affordable to a large extent (to a large segment of the society) by avoiding many middlemen in the intermediary stages. And, it is Eros all the way - right from sourcing the stones from the mines to cutting and polishing, and finally crafting them into beautiful pieces," he says.

Each beautifully crafted piece of jewellery, inspired by nature, its myriad colours and themes, is aesthetically packaged in an imported wooden box and comes with a certificate, a silk cloth with exquisite embroidery. "So, what you get ultimately is quality stuff and value for money," vouches Bagga. The jewellery is likely to be available at major lifestyle stores shortly.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Carry on Kochchar

2006-12-22T00:30:00.000-05:00

HER NEATLY done up copper-coloured, slightly longish, hair speaks volumes about her profession. The famous daughter of renowned beautician Blossom Kochchar, Samantha Kochchar entered the beauty and fashion scene when she was 11. At 13, she went abroad to study hair/ skin care and make-up. And when she was 15, Kochchar received the `youngest teacher' award having taught the same subjects she is passionate about to students abroad.

"Though I'm a brand ambassador for Sunsilk, I see to it that my workshops and lecture-demonstrations are quite general. I try to bring different trends together to give the consumers an idea about what is the latest trend and what is available in different brands," says the creative director of Pivot Point India, her mother's hair care and beauty institute.

Talking about the new trends in hairstyle, she says, "Earlier, crossover collection (male touches in women's hairstyle) was in. In the case of men, it was vice-versa. But today, `natural' look and long hair are sailing strong. We are also focussing on the `bulk' feel — which can be arrived at by building up layers on top and creating streaks by dividing the hair into different sections — to those who have straight and scanty hair."

Kochchar takes care that all the hairstyles, colouring/highlighting aspects and make-up techniques are Indianised. About what is in this season, she says, "While in the fashion circles, the frizzy look is in, for everyday wear, straight texture with a `wave' feel is good enough. Similarly, layers are emphasised now and tapered hugging at the nape can also be tried."

As for colouring, block (or asymmetrical) colouring with a lot of layers in the front and back, orbit colouring - going around the area which needs to be emphasised, and multiple colouring - where the basic colour is kept light and two, three shades are built up in layers, are considered fashionable. The newest in styling is to retain the natural colour and add some funky element to it. Like applying colour on the roots alone and blending it into the natural black of the hair for a different tinge, for instance. Or one could go for hair extensions/ attachments (false hair which can be added and removed as per requirements). The colours of the season include gold, ash, cinnamon, lilac, browns (caramel and coffee shades especially), copper and purple.

Beauty is skin deep. One has to be well from within to have healthy, shiny hair, believes the hair expert. "If you go on crash diets, forget about your hair, it surely is going to fall. Women who are on contraceptives, young mothers post-partum, and recuperating patients have to be extra careful about their hair," she says. "Use the right styling products to give your hair that boost and bounce. One can use serums, frizzy control conditioners and spray wax to maintain it well," she adds.

Is Hyderabad aware of new trends and styles? "Though women here are receptive to new make-up and hairstyles, colouring is still a taboo. Hyderabadis love long hair and are hesitant to experiment. Beauticians too are making extra effort to update themselves and educate the customer," says the hair expert .

* * *
Time out

CAUGHT IN her busy schedules, Samantha Kochchar would be really glad if she could take out time for:

* My six-and-a-half year old son.

* Read - both related to my field as well as other kinds.

* Paint - using watercolours as the medium.

* Exercise (which I try to do as and when I can as it is a great de-stresser)

* Getting to know more about the latest in my field.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Invasion of the body art

2006-12-20T22:13:00.000-05:00

KALIYON KA chaman jab banta hain... the song addresses you as you jostle your way up to the dance floor. The pulsating music makes it difficult to hear what your friend is trying to tell you, hysterically pointing at something glittering. And the cannot-miss-your-eye shimmer makes you really curious.

As psychedelic lights hit you and the shiny disco ball highlights your shimmering belt, you finally get to see what the girl in red spaghetti is wearing... Something glittering around her navel. Amid arguments of what it could be, you realise it is a glue-on, something like a bindi, that could be stuck on to suit one's fancy.

What you get here is a peek at a way of life, a culture and a style statement. Look around, and you will notice that the girl in red is not the sole soul wearing these once unheard of adornments to highlight largely ignored body parts. Her friend in black jeans and tank top has two bichoo (scorpions) tattoos around her waist. The third girl turns around, and you notice her eyebrows are strangely shimmering. Certainly part of the upwardly mobile crowd, the trio sport the latest trends in fashion accessories with a `devil may care' attitude to match.

And there are hordes of others (both girls and guys) — awaiting your attention — who are flaunting their arms, waist, lower neck, collarbone, lower back or navel with accessories like tattoos, stick-ons or junk jewellery.

"Bracelets, thread-based bead chains and ethnic-looking stuff is in and moves fast with teenagers, vouches Pradeep Pillai of Shoppers' Stop. "The low-segment jewellery and funky items are making inroads into teen fashion. What was once considered to be Adivasi stuff and hence unfashionable, has made a dramatic comeback now," he says.

Fashion accessories are not just about "navel highlighters". It incorporates a whole range of things that are fast catching up particularly in discs, pubs and college parties. At Lifestyle, Begumpet, one can check out the mind-boggling range of products available under the `teen accessories' category.

Tikkas, earrings, ear/navel-highlighters, arm bands, waistbands, tattoos - all stick-ons - and what have you. "There are also transparent bra-straps which go well with sleeveless/ spaghetti tops. These move pretty fast with teenagers," says Virginia, who looks after the junk jewellery section at Lifestyle. "Masks and dragons find a place in youngsters' accessories in the form of chains and bracelets," adds Ajit, her colleague.

"Oh! I enjoy making up myself in junk jewellery and stick-ons," says 18-year-old Shamira, a B.Sc. student. And where do teenagers find the time to dress up with all those practicals and lessons taking up almost an entire day?

"Never mind, we get to meet up at some place, party or get-together. Then of course, we have occasions like birthday bashes, college dos and discs, besides Rose Day, Friendship Day and Valentine's Day," says Shayantana, giggling.

And, how would they accessorise themselves? "The three Js - jeans, junk and jewellery - make an ideal combination when coupled with stick-ons. And you get separate things for each part - eyebrows, ears, forehead and arms," says Padma, an intermediate student. Sometimes, the glue-ons come with an adhesive, which makes it last a little longer.

Asif and Anwar, who own a bangle store in Abids, have to place fresh orders for accessories, almost every week. "Our stock gets over within a week and some girls come back requesting for the same piece, and we find it little difficult to get as the stuff is sourced mainly from Mumbai and Kolkata," they say.

Whatever be the problems of shopkeepers in trying to supply what is in demand most, youngsters do not really give a second thought about what they are sporting as long as they are `in' with it, without price (though starts at Rs. 65 each) and what-will-others-think concepts coming in the way. Now, what are you waiting for?

Packaging a lifestyle

2006-12-19T22:01:00.000-05:00

Apartment culture is the base. And middle-class people are the target. This holds true as far as the furniture scene in the city goes.

Be it ready-and-easy-to-assemble beds, sofas or tables, imported furniture comes in attractive packages and price ranges.

From Malaysia, Thailand and China to Sri Lanka, U.S.A. and France, the furniture travels thousands of miles to take different shapes and sizes to suit Indian apartments and budget.

Though teak and rosewood are all-time favourites and considered classy, they are slowly giving way to red oak, European birch, Burma teak and cedar, besides metal, steel and wood combined with glass.

With the intention of making the middle-class people (who constitute the majority of the consumers) feel special, furniture showrooms have come up with different schemes and packages.

These make sure that a common man's specific needs with regard to each part of his apartment are taken care of.

The `Manhattan Apartment Package' offered by Usha Lexus and `Deck-up Your Home' package by Bantia furniture are an attempt to woo customers with budgetary limitations and precise needs.

So, people can buy about 10 to 15 pieces of furniture at one go (in the form of apartment packages) within a budget of Rs. 50,000.

"Keeping in tune with the changing needs of middle-class families, we give specific instructions to our dealers with a two-bedroom flat in mind. We also ensure that the pricing is reasonable, at the same time does not compromise on the quality," says Deepak Agarwal of Lepakshi Furniture

"Actually, customers have a wide choice now though mass production moves fast. However, everyone wants to have a look at the entire range — both heavy/ antique-looking and lightweight — before deciding on what to buy," says Agarwal.

All that a newly wed middle class couple looks for are a dining table with four chairs, one double-cot, two single cots, a sofa set with centre table, and a cupboard. Priyanka and Srinivas had exactly these things on mind when his job brought them to the city and they had to start life anew here.

"Coming from a joint family, I didn't know anything about furniture. Carrying heavy stuff from Ahmedabad is quite difficult. Thanks to these package deals, we have to bother only about basic amenities," say the beaming couple. "Today, the outlook of people has changed — they want a luxurious and modern look. So, it is no wonder that items like bunk beds and computer/study tables for children sell fast.""Package deals are the starting point from where people progress to choose different items based on their specific needs and tastes. Space constraints make those in the disposable income group go in for the fashionable and compact range," vouches Surinder Bantia of Bantia Furniture.

"One advantage of imported furniture is that it comes in complete knockdown condition. They are lightweight too, unlike the yesteryear teak antiques. All that the customers need to do is assemble the parts," says Prakash Gupta, a retailer for a well-known Italian furniture brand.

Standardised designs, modern touch, rich and ethnic look, good quality stuff and nice finish mark today's furniture.

That shows both sides of the coin. The dealers offer exactly what the consumers want and, perhaps, more.

The customers are a happy lot too with many things on offer — antiques, replicas, period, imported and ultra-modern furniture.

For those who do not want to stick to one style or look, there is scope for experimentation. Why hesitate?

Carrying on his father's legacy...

2006-12-18T22:46:00.000-05:00

When Nitin Mukesh steps into the spartan Railway Officers Rest House , apologising profusely for being late, you enter a comfort zone. Wife, sister, traffic and unfinished retail therapy delayed him, admits the soft-spoken singer insisting that he is "usually punctual". Son of the legendary Mukesh, he seems happy to carry on his father's legacy. Mention his father and a broad smile spreads across his face. "Following my father's footsteps was natural to me. Of his five children, who are all musically inclined, I was destined to be a professional singer. Besides my father's encouragement, it's the divine grace that helped me choose music as my profession," says Nitin who always found "Mukeshji's humility and god-fearing nature appealing".

"He is the ideal man for me.He was a great father, and a great human being. He always used to tell us, `Art you are born with, but values and qualities you cultivate'," says Nitin. Mukesh didn't mind that his nine-year-old son Nitin had to miss school often, to accompany him to concerts around the world. Nevertheless, Mukesh senior wanted his son to study management. But Nitin's heart was elsewhere and the passion for music made Mukesh understand and accept the latter's dedication, and decision. And, Nitin trained in music under teachers like Pt. Jagannath Mishra, Ustad Faiyyaz Ahmed Khan and Chhote Iqbal.

"When I got my first assignment in Mera Naam Joker, I was elated beyond words as it was a dream come true for both me and my father," says Nitin."Though life hasn't been easy, I took the struggle in my stride because of my love for the art. Looking back, I feel that I couldn't have been happier doing anything else."

Offers kept coming though, mostly from people who had been closely associated with his illustrious father. "But if I didn't deliver it would not have continued for long". On the euphoria created by Noorie, he says it was a result of family friend Yash Chopra's well-kept promise. "After my father passed away, Chopraji told me that he would give me a song that would do for me what Kabhi Kabhi did to my father. And Noorie happened. It was my first taste of stardom, recognition and success," he says.

And, it was also the first time he felt "worthy of being his father's son, and being a Mukesh". A look at his track record shows that quality, rather than numbers, marks Nitin's career. Songs like Main kaise usse pasand karoon, Gapuji gapuji gum gum, Zindagi ki na toote ladi, Tumhare palkon ki, Hanste hanste, Woh kehte hain humse, One two ka four, Tere mere hoton pe and the recent O Priya O Priya Priya followed, and kept reiterating his position in Bollywood.

Nitin has consciously distanced himself from playback singing and the 55-year-old singer is today content with live shows around the world and music albums.

"There are so many new talented singers in the field now but the recording scene has changed; the compositions have become different. Nevertheless, if I am offered a challenging number, I would be willing to take it up," he says.

Nitin is okay with the current remix trend, provided the song is not accompanied by an obscene video. "Remix is after all an expression of a creative person, and an experiment. Some of the songs, including Noorie, are quite enjoyable," he says.

If he were given a chance to do a remix of his own songs, he would choose Woh kehte hain humse and So gaya yeh jahan, besides a few of his father's songs like Jaane kahan gaye woh din, Kehta hai joker, Hum tujhse mohabbat karke sanam, Pyaar hua ikrar hua, Sawan ka mahina and Dum dum diga diga which incidentally happen to be his favourites. Now, that's what we call being the worthy son of a worthy father.

*************

WHAT MADE NITIN HIS FATHER'S SON:

"I trust in the Almighty. He looks after me and my voice," says Nitin Mukesh. Nevertheless, these are what help him go on and maintain the mithaas in his voice.

A lot of singing and a lot of care.

Eating right, a slight adjustment here and there in the lifestyle, and proper sleep habits.

Discipline, and faith in the Lord, and himself.

Love of his, and his father's, fans.

Happiness at home and the support of a loving family including his mother, wife, siblings and three children (daughter Neha happily married to Alakshendra, elder son Neil who is making his debut as an actor, and younger son Naman).

Carving a niche

2006-12-17T23:18:00.000-05:00

"Kaadedi kavitakanarham kukkapilla, sabbu billa, aggi pulla... (Nothing is inappropriate for a poem - a puppy, a bar of soap or a matchstick)."

SO SAID Sri Sri, one of the greatest poets the `Telugu-nadu' has ever seen. Deriving inspiration from this, Narsapet-based Goka Rama Swamy moulded the source to suit his context and area of interest. Today, Rama Swamy made the widely-used-but-most-neglected-and-easily-forgotten `sabbu billa' (soap-bar) an apt medium to craft beautiful art pieces.

"It all started as an experiment at a Scouts camp 15 years ago - as a Scouts teacher, I was required to carry a kit containing basic things essential at a camp field (like soap, towel, a small knife, etc). Also being a drawing teacher, my attention was drawn to the name of the soap carved on it. Using it as the base, and a blade as my tool, I carved out the Scouts' emblem. My commander appreciated it and that was it! There was no looking back," says Rama Swamy.

Using something as insignificant as a soap to make beautiful pieces of art is unique to the artiste. "I found it quite interesting because nobody ever thought about it. And, why should I stick to what others do," he asks. The down-to-earth artiste carves not just human faces and animals but also picks up socially relevant themes to drive home messages against certain evils like smoking and alcohol/drug consumption as a subject.

Whether it is Ganesha or Nandi, a chimpanzee or a hungry man, personalities like Atal Behari Vajpayee, Lenin and I.K. Gujral, each piece attains a magical charm in his hands. But, how does he go about the carving? "First, I choose the colour of the soap bar depending on the subject I have on mind (and also on the colour of the person/ animal/ things), make a plan mentally and start carving. And, since I cannot dedicate hours and days together, one piece takes from two hours to 20 days depending on the detailing," says the soap sculptor.

The most memorable moment for the 48-year-old artiste is the time when he was appreciated by then Prime Minister I.K. Gujral as Rama Swamy personally handed him his `piece of art'. "But for my wife (and friends), I would not have been able to reach this far - her patience to put up with all the dirt while I work was all I could ask for. If she didn't encourage me, my craving for the art would have been nipped in the bud," he says, full of admiration for his wife. "And then, there were those agonising moments to overcome when a carving which took me about 20 days to complete just slipped and fell off somebody's hands," he adds.

"I cannot carve the same thing again, and I cannot bring myself to carve things on request. I should be inspired to do it," says the non-commercial artiste. If you are interested in what this teacher-cum-sculptor specialises in, you could contact him at gora@yahoo.com, gora@rediffmail.com.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Different strokes

2006-12-13T23:23:00.000-05:00

'AITHE' (Hindi remake is called 'Pachaas Lakh'), THE much-talked-about slick thriller, is one of those quiet successes that crossed a milestone by celebrating its diamond jubilee recently. But, mention about the film to its debutant director Chandrasekhar Eleti, and he surprises you saying, "Out of ignorance, I went for the theme. Of course, I thought it would click commercially and it did."

"The movie was made for an urban audience," he says about 'Aithe', calling his film "different, but definitely not an offbeat venture. I was a part of the audience before becoming a director. As a viewer, I never watched a film for the sake of songs or fights. The mindset of today's audience is changing. With exposure to English films, they are willing to experiment," he says.

"The $100m reward on Osama Bin Laden following the WTC attack inspired my film. The whole idea sprung from my imagination of what I would do if I earn $100m," he smiles.

Watching the rushes, Chandrasekhar felt the film "was pretty long for a one-song film. So, we cut a few scenes. And, I felt some parts should have been worked out better. But, on the whole, I was happy."

The reason for casting newcomers, says the director, was "the audience cannot accept four heroes running away from the villain. The only option was to go for newcomers. And, we also made the movie in Hindi simultaneously with the same cast. So, we selected northerners like Pawan Malhotra and Virendra Chauhan too."

Before entering films, Tuni-based Chandrasekhar did a Marine Radio Officers' course, after schooling in St. John's School, Gannavaram. After writing the Morse code exam, he came to Hyderabad in 1995, and started his career as a copywriter for Font Cards, his cousin Gangaraju's (producer of this film) business venture. Soon, realising that copywriting was not his cuppa, he was about to pack his bags when producer-director Gangaraju ventured into filmmaking with the award-winning film 'Little Soldiers', a Just Yellow production. Chandrasekhar worked as his assistant director for the film.

"That was it. I realised I belonged here. But, it is my cousin's inspiration all through. He is everything to me - friend, senior, boss and guide. Raju is very creative. I mould myself along his lines," he says. Chandrasekhar believes that "from the outside, things appears larger than life and filmdom may look bad. But, the field is not as bad as people perceive it. Films can be taken up as a serious profession," he says.

Did the field change him? "It did, in a way. Of course, I took some time to get adjusted. I'm shy. I don't talk or party much. While some think I'm arrogant, many, including bigwigs like Chiranjeevi, are quite supportive and encouraging. I'm still not comfortable with the publicity angle of it as I'm with the creative part," he smiles. On future projects, he says: "Whatever my projects are, I'll give my best to each film I work on - which will all hopefully be `different' like Aithe."

Apart from movies, Chandrasekhar enjoys reading. "Earlier, I used to read fiction. Nowadays, I read a lot of books on the science and technology, biographies, and sometimes, philosophy. Recently, I read this book on Saddam Hussein," he says.

Any favourite food? "I'm not a foodie actually. And, I like home-cooked south Indian food. I don't enjoy seafood much. I enjoy eating at Dakshin at ITC Kakatiya Sheraton, and I like Dum Biryani at Dumpukht. I frequent Shikaar restaurant, mostly to avoid traffic," he says.

Cool cat:

WHAT'S A day in Chandrasekhar's life like? On a day he is shooting he wakes up by 4.30 a.m. in order to reach the location at 6 a.m. He just manages about three-four hours of sleep just because of tension and not on account of lack of time. But he does not let this affect him on the sets where he is cool.

Like most people Chandrasekhar gets up late (8 a.m.) on the days he does not have to be on the sets. He relaxes on such days by watching TV, reading a book, thinking of subjects and story ideas and catching up with meetings.

Chandrasekhar is at his creative best from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. when everything around him is calm and quiet.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Diwali lost its sparkle

2006-12-13T00:17:00.000-05:00

THE VISUALLY delightful spectacle of sparklers, ribbons, ground wheels (chakkars) and flowerpots which light up a child's face and lift people's spirits is something one cannot dissociate with the `festival of lights' or Deepavali. Yes, Deepavali is all about firecrackers and the sparkle it brings to every child's face.

But over the past two years, the sale of fire crackers (wholesale and retail) has certainly been hit, the fire accident last year in a cracker shop in Burgula complex at Begum Bazar being one of the causes. Added to this is the increasing awareness against noise pollution and child labour and the restrictions imposed by the Fire and Police departments following the accident. Following this, 14 shops in cracker business in Mehbub Mansion in Malakpet (considered to be the biggest local market) have been shut down and the numbers of stalls opened in each area has reduced. Praveen and Ramulu, who managed to make huge sums of money earlier by setting up a stall every year at Ameerpet, are finding it difficult now. "It has become hard to get things from Sivakasi. Sourcing them locally is now a little difficult. And, half of whatever we managed to procure was already sold out even before Deepavali. At this rate, we would not be able to make much money," they say.

At Yousufguda, Rajender Goud is unhappy that he could not include new crackers that hit the market elsewhere because of their non-availability. "Otherwise, Hyderabad is a potential market for experimental goods," he says, adding, "now, it is only sparklers, flowerpots, bombs, rockets, ladis (100, 500 and 1,000 ones) and chakkars (both hand and ground), which have always been hot favourites, that are selling the most."

Penchalaiah, another small-time stall-owner at Bowenpally says, "We are forced to sell whatever material is available at higher rates as it is only a one-time profit for us. Once the festival is over, we have to look for other means to sustain ourselves." This explains why adults find buying crackers as per their child's wishes a burden on their pockets. N. Sailaja, mother of 12-year-old Anusha says, "I realised the margin these small stall keepers have when I shopped at a hyper market for crackers. Though the M.R.P. was Rs. 50, we got it for Rs. 11 and the stall owner in our locality refused to give it for less than Rs. 45."

Whatever elders might think, the enthusiasm in children is ever increasing. Says Akash, a class VI student at Yousufguda, "last year, I burst crackers worth Rs. 1,000. But, they got over even before 10.30 p.m. So, this year, I'm going to make papa buy me more." Chip in his 11-year-old friend P. Naveen and his sister eight-year-old Neeraja, "we love firecrackers. And, it is only once a year that we spend money on crackers. So, what's wrong if we spend a little extra? Since last year, we got into this habit of saving up our pocket money for things like these."

However, another set of children is not very keen on crackers. "All our cousins and friends get together at one place and enjoy more by being in each other's company and by symbolically bursting a few firecrackers which are noise-free and pleasant to watch. Of course, we buy a few for our maid's children and sometimes give away some at an orphanage or home for street children," says Sri Deepti, a B.Sc first-year student. Will Deepavali be as colourful as ever is a million-dollar question. But, the smile on every child's face prove the point.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Rocking rhymes for Telugu kids

2006-12-11T02:13:00.000-05:00

In an era of Johnny Johnny Yes Papa... , Chubby Cheeks... , and Rain Rain Go Away... , it is truly heartening to know that there are some attempts at keeping children of the Telugu households rooted to their language. And albums like these which offer a lovely compilation of age-old rhymes are truly of help.

Chitti Chilakamma compiles about 20 Telugu rhymes for children while Aadudaam Paadudaam has 23 such rhymes, which speak of a bygone era and forgotten traditions, relationships, et al. Rendered by children themselves, the pearls of wisdom include Chitti chilakamma, Chuk chuk railu vasthondi, Burru pitta, Chitti chitti miriyalu Enugu enugu nallana,Tarangam tarangam, and Chal chal gurram, among many others.

Aadudaam... , on the other hand, has rhymes like Vana vana vallappa, Chemma chekka, Oppulakuppa, Chandamama Rave, Bava bava panneeru... But one rhyme that really takes the cake in this compilation is Ramuni bantu Ramuni bantu Hanumantulavaru which makes the children acquainted with the Lanka dahanam episode of the Ramayana.

Each of the gems has a story and a moral to tell, besides familiarising the child to his surroundings and also indicating a particular stage in the child's growth. Tarangam tarangam, for instance, which talks of the infant's sixth month when he starts recognising and understanding the use of hands.

Enugu enugu nallana is sung by the mothers when the child starts taking solid diet as this also involves a kind of exercise to help the infant's easy digestion. Music by J. Satyadev is an asset, as it makes memorising the rhythmic rhymes quite easy for a child. So, how about adding to your child's ever-increasing vocabulary and making him recite, in his own sweet way, what you thought you had yourself forgotten ages ago!

A true must-buy for every Telugu household, which values the worth of spoken Telugu and the richness of its content. The cassettes have been brought out by Aditya Music and cost Rs. 35 each.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Recipe time

2006-11-27T01:09:00.000-05:00

Lets have a date with the king of vegetables, Potato, today!

I'm gonna share a few family secrets with all of you. Ready guys?

Chana dal-potato

Ingredients:

Potatoes - 3 (medium sized, cut into big cubes)
Onions - 2 (big, chopped fine)
Tomatoes - 3 (medium sized, chopped fine)
Green chillies - 3 (slit vertically)
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp
Cloves - 3
Bayleaf - 1
Dalchini (cinnamon) - 2 (1" pieces)
Jeera (cumin seeds) - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder - to taste
Oil - 1/4 cup

Method:

Soal chana dal in sufficient water for about an hour. Cook chana dal and potatoes in the pressure cooker, and switch if off after two whistles.

Heat oil in a kadai (pan) and add jeera (cumin seeds) to it. Add dalichini, cloves, bayleaf, and green chillies. Then add onions and ginger-garlic paste to it. When onions turn brown, add turmeric powder, chilli powder. and tomatoes.

Keep the kadai covered for 5 minutes (or till the tomatoes are soft and the oil starts leaving the sides of the pan). Now add the precooked dal and potato mixture to the gravy. Cook for another 5 minutes.

Remove from fire once done, and add chopped coriander, if you like, for an appealing look. Serve the curry hot, with roti or rice.

*******

Potato curry, with a dash of lime juice:
(Authentic andhra way)

Ingredients:

Potatoes - 3-4 (big)
Lime juice - 2/3 tbsp
Oil - 1/4 cup
Chana dal - 1 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Jeera (cumin seeds) - 1 tsp
Rai (mustard seeds) - 1/2 tsp
Green chillies - 4 (chopped into 1" pieces)
curry leaves - a bunch
salt - to taste
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

Method:

Pressure cook potatoes. Cool, peel, and mash them and keep aside. In a kadai (pan), heat oil, add chana dal. After it is fried a little, add urad dal, jeera, rai, green chillies and curry leaves to the oil.

Now, add the potato mash to the seasoning, and put salt, turmeric and chilli powder to it. Cook it on low flame for 5 mts or till potato has a semi-fried look.

Remove from the fire, and leave it to cool for 10 minutes. Add lime juice and serve with rice.

*******

Potato fry

The usual way of frying potatoes is by peeling them, cutting them either vertically (French Fries style) or into small cubes and deep frying them in a pan full of oil.

Here is an alternative way - perhaps a little low calorie too!

Ingredients:

Potatoes - 3-4 (depending on the size)
Jeera (Cumin seeds) - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - a few
Oil - 2-3 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Chilli powder - 1 tsp or according to taste

Method:

Pressure cook the potatoes, cool and peel them. Cut them into big cubes (say 8-10 pieces per potato). Take a pan, put 2 spoonfuls of oil, let it boil a bit, and add jeera to it.

Add curry leaves (if you like it, you can also add 1 or 2 pods of garlic, crushed). Now add the potato pieces to the pan and let it fry a bit.

Once the pieces turn brown, remove from fire, take them in a bowl, add salt, turmeric and chilli powder.

Cover it and bounce the bowl to mix the ingredients (without using spoon/ spatula). Serve hot with rotis or rice.

******

Potato Bhajiya:

Ingredients:

Potatoes - 1 (medium size)
Besan (Yellow gram powder) - 1 cup
Salt - to taste
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Chilli powder or ground pepper - 1 tsp
Water - 1-2 cups
Oil - 3 cups
Cooking soda - a pinch

For stuffing:

Onions (chopped fine) - 2 (medium sized)
Salt - 1 tsp
Lime juice - 2 tbsp
Green chillies - 1 (chopped fine)
Coriander - a small bunch (chopped fine)
Method:

Peel potato, slice it very thin with potato slicer, dip them in salt water and keep aside. Bring oil to boil in a kadai.

Mix besan, salt, turmeric and chilli powder, add one or two spoons of boiling oil to this before mixing water.

Add cooking soda, and water and mix well (ensuring there are no lumps) to make into thin batter (2-3 thread consistency).

Dip each slice of potato and deep fry them in oil. When it is fried properly, remove from fire.

For stuffing, mix chopped onions, chillies, coriander, lime juice, and salt in a bowl.

Take each bhajiya, slit it vertically to make a pouch. Fill one spoon of the stuffing mixture and keep aside.

Serve hot with tomato / mint chutney or tomato sauce.

Srishtii's dance

2006-11-23T01:49:00.000-05:00

The red dot...

2006-11-06T03:34:00.000-05:00

CALL IT tilak a la ancient times or bindi in the current-day context, the vermilion dot on the forehead - mostly associated with women, and occasionally with men - is undisputedly an adornment in itself.

In the earlier times, besides the priests, some men applied the tilak on their forehead on special occasions like a battle, a hunt or other important events when the mother/ wife used to smear it on the man's forehead before he set out on his mission.

Though it dates back to pre-Aryan society, the origins of the tilak are quite unknown. But, it is believed to have been derived from the traditional tribal practice of smearing one's body with different colours.

Denoting "a red mark with a pleasant odour", the tilak is a refined adaptation of this tribal practice - done for decorative purposes and religious reasons.

In the Aryan society, the groom used to apply his blood on his bride's maang (parting in the hair on the head) as recognition of wedlock.

The practice continues till date, with a difference though - today, married Indian women apply a round vermilion dot called tilak, bindi or kumkum on the forehead and also in the maang.

While the Vaishnavites (worshippers of Lord Vishnu) apply the tilak in the `U' shape, Shaivites wear it as three horizontal lines - on the forehead, forearms and abdomen. Sindhoora (orangy red powder), bhasma (cinders), abhira (soot) and gandha (sandalwood paste) were the diversified versions of the bindi in earlier times, in different hues of red, yellow, saffron, white, grey and black.

When looked in the present-day context, the bindi has acquired different sizes, shapes and `shades' - not only in terms of colours but also the negative connotations that go with it.

There is a bindi for every occasion and there is a bindi to match with every dress - in a range of colours.

Umpteen songs are written about the woman and her bindi - the popular ones being Bindiya chamkegi, Meri bindiya teri nindiya and Teri bindiya re.

Remember daily soaps like Kyon ki... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSKBT), Kahin Kissii Roz (KKR), Kabhi Aaye Na Judaai (KANJ), Kasautii Zindagii Kay (KZK) and Kabhi Sauten Kabhi Saheli (KSKS) where the trademark 'bindi' made serial-watching an endearing affair?

Unfortunately, however, what was once a mark of beauty and purity has now become synonymous with negative acts what with the vamps in daily soaps wearing attractive designer bindis, while the good ones are supposed to be applying an ordinary round red dot.

But, it is the scheming ones who get all the recognition - like the glamorous mother-in-law portrayed by Sudha Chandran in KKR.

"I feel it is the vicious mom-in-law who hogs the limelight and in actuality becomes the pillar of the soap. It is more due to the variety she attributes to the role as a whole - be it for her flowing fabrics, designer bindis or bangles. Sudha Chandran hardly looks like a mother-in-law and can give her co-stars who are supposedly younger than her in the serial a run for their money," says D. Madhavi, a housewife at Mettuguda.

What Sudha has done for KKR, Oorvashi Dholakia did for KZK. See one frame and you can find what shapes the serpents, (different) trees, stars, planets, inverted alphabet, S and U, and glitter take on a woman's forehead. It is interesting to note the curious shapes and sizes, and the effect these bindis have on the viewers.

"My eight-year-old daughter brings her bindi collection - both the stickers and the bottled liquid in different colours - and wants me to apply the designs she had seen the previous night on her forehead," says a worried Hema M., a designer who runs a clothes boutique in the city.

"I try to dissuade her from watching the serials, but my work schedules are such that I really can't keep track of what she is watching. Oorvashi, aka Koumolika, is her favourite, thanks to her fascinating bindis."

"Though mostly Chutki watches Cartoon Network and doesn't follow every word of Hindi, I'm worried about the kind of impact these soaps have on immature minds," says Hema.

Whatever the adults might say , the fact is designer bindis are here to stay. You cannot imagine a social gathering, a party, or even a college function without them. So, just stick them on without second thoughts.

SHANTI NANISETTI

Magic of mehendi

2006-11-06T03:29:00.000-05:00

THE MARRIAGE season also brings into focus the many things a bride needs to do. Taking precedence over everything else are clothes, accessories, beauty care products and (of course) mehendi, which occupies a place of pride in every woman's heart. From being an ingredient that helps enrich hair to becoming a significant part of a girl's marriage celebrations, mehendi has evolved into a must-have product.

The once popular big and small dots and swastiks - that added charm to a bride's hands have now given way to delicate patterns and attractive designs. Mehendi not only makes a powerful fashion statement but also serves as a marketing tool for the promotion of some products.

Ramana, in-charge of Chandana Brothers clothes showroom in General Bazar, says, "we offer free mehendi sessions for our women customers during our aashadham (the season where applying mehendi is obligatory for women) sale and during the marriage season. And, this is a free service. While the aashadham sale is on for about 100 days, the marriage season will span two months' time."

Clothes stores are not the only ones venturing into the business of wooing customers with mehendi, others too are following suit. Devaki Kondaveti of `La Belle Femme' at the Country Club, says, "An electronic goods showroom in the city which is opening a new branch approached us to apply mehendi to their customers for about a month. I guess, it is a promotion for them and us as well."

A free mehendi counter was organised as a promotional scheme recently at Big Bazaar, M.P.M. Mall, Abids, as part of their `Women's Mela' where a whole range of women's products were on a huge discount.

Says Chetna Parekh of Chic beauty clinic in Amrutha Mall, Somajiguda. "The concept of beauty itself has undergone a sea change. Mehendi is just following suit and is undergoing a major transformation. Now, even men are going in for mehendi, not as henna but as a design on the hands. Sometimes, the groom and the bride come together and insist on similar designs," she adds.

Mehendi ceased to be just a traditional mould of designing long ago. Today, there are different patterns that come under four main categories, mix-and-match and fusion designs. Arabic, Marwadi, Indian and black outlines are the major and well-known categories.

While Arabic designs comprise a huge leaf and three to four flowers, Marwari designs are thin patterns where the entire hand is filled without a single gap. The other designs comprise kalash, doli, peacocks, mangoes, parrots, etc.

Sporting the name of the spouse as part of the design is the in-thing. Earlier, the bride used to shy away from the practice. But now, she proudly flaunts it.

Mehendi tattoos on certain parts of the body, colour mehendi and glitter mehendi are popular with youngsters. "Faces, sun, scorpions and little floral designs are currently the favourite designs. Girls prefer tattoos on their neck, forearms, upper arms, neck, waist, navel and sides of the shoulders. Youngsters are going in for funkier designs even on their palms," says Devaki.

Rose Day, College Day, Farewell party and Valentine's Day, apart from engagement, marriage and parties are pretexts enough for young girls to go for mehendi.

"We have different packages and catalogues for the grooms and brides, and different styles of designing. And, we take precautions to do it in the most hygienic way. So, allergies and complications are out of question," says Muskan of `La Belle' in Banjara Hills. "Simple designs are in as far as Telugu brides are concerned. This enhances the delicate nature of the bride's hands," says Sarika.

"Black mehendi is very much in. But, we don't use it for the bride. And, the cone should not be too tight or too watery. To avoid allergy, one has to ensure that the mehendi is not old," adds her sister Swapnika. Both the youngsters assist their mother, J.Jamuna, who runs `Vahini Herbal Beauty Clinic' at L.B. Nagar.

The magic of mehendi in all its glory and glitter continues to enthrall. So, next time you are all set for a party, remember that there are many options for you to have the best and flaunt it all.

SHANTI NANISETTI

For more trendy stuff, read the Invasion of Body Art. Want to know what well-known hairstylist and beautician and daughter of renowned Blossom Kochchar, Samantha Kochchar thinks on the latest trends in hairstyle? Also, while talking about trends, find out what's in and what's cool and haute couture according to popular fahion diva Nandita Mahtani.

Heaven on earth

2006-11-03T08:24:00.000-05:00

Gopalpur-on-Sea in Orissa is no tourist haven. But it is one place that can fit the `heaven on earth' bill to a T. And if you are looking for a chill-out vacation in a serene spot, check this place out, which is along the seacoast.

It is an experience in itself to watch the serene shore and the turbulent waves vying with each other for attention. The long endless walks on the seashore early in the morning, when you wake up to the chirping of the birds, can tell you what bliss is all about. The sea is so calm and shallow that you can actually walk about half-a-kilometre into the sea — not, of course, if there is high tide or monsoon.

Just amble across the beach when the fishermen haul in the catch. The best of seafood here are the crabs. Green and big, they are sold in baskets covered with grass (beware of sellers who will show a big crab and pass on a small one). Seafood-lovers can buy their favourite fish/prawn/crab variety straight-out-of-the-sea and request the chef at the hotel to make it to order.

It has been the tradition to serve tourists their meal-to-order ever since the first Oberoi hotel in the country, called Oberoi Palm Beach, was built. The hotel no longer exists but you can see the building that housed it once.

Gopalpur used to be a big port town with a natural harbour from the days of the Kalinga rulers, and was the centre of trading activities, which continued even during the British rule. That trade was carried on with port towns such as Rangoon is evident in the unmistakable Siamese features found in the many cats that loiter around the streets here. Traders would bring back Siamese cats as gifts for their loved ones. Now there are no traders or their families; only the progeny of their feline beauties stand testimony to the days gone by.

After the tsunami hit the coast in December last year, the remnants of the pier built by the British are visible. Gopalpur has no tourist infrastructure. Walk to one edge of the beach and you will come across the calm backwaters playing hide and seek with the sea. A boat ride between Gopalpur and Bandar, a hamlet, is quite an experience.

Tourists can make Gopalpur their base and travel to nearby places by road. Check out Barakul, 60 km from Gopalpur, a hamlet on one edge of the Chilka lake. The view is awesome. For Rs. 150, you can hire a boat that will take you to marshy islands where migratory birds flock. Persuade the boatman and he will take you to the edge of the lake where the sea swells smash on the shore and create ripples in the lake.

Taptapani, 75 km away, is another haven of hot springs. Taratarini, a temple town 30 km away, is the abode of Goddess Taratarini, a beautiful and subdued form of Shakti.

You can also go to Puri (which has, besides Lord Jagannath temple, a beautiful beach too) and Konark, which are approximately about 150 km from Gopalpur.

A quick-and-not-so-difficult drive to these places completes the itinerary of your holiday. And, in an affordabe way.

How to get there:

From Hyderabad, you can take Falaknuma Express or Visakha Express to Berhampur, the nearest station to Gopalpur-on-Sea, which is about 18 km away.

There are local buses that commute between both the places, and drop you off at a kilometre from the sea. Just walk through the lane laden with small stores that sell groceries and fresh-from-the-sea catch to cameras, and souvenirs to feel the first breeze of the beach.

Or for Rs. 120-Rs. 150 (it all depends on your bargaining capacity), you can travel by an auto-rickshaw from Berhampur that takes you up to the edge of the sea, where there are some good hotels with comfortable rooms that offer you an excellent sea-view.

So, why the delay? Have a greeaaaaattttttttt vacation!

- Shanti

Creation is a big thing

2006-11-03T04:51:00.000-05:00

Everyone wants to write - to satisfy one's ego, to attain eternal glory. And I am no exception. Who would not like to see his/her name in print - even if it is just a letter to the editor? Now that I'm out of the comfort zone of a publishing company, I have decided to "create" something for myself. To satisfy my own ego. And to attain eternal glory in the process!!

Being a journalist gives one a high - a totally different kind of high. It's a total feel-good world of escapism where you get to live the life you had always wanted to live, for a few moments at least. And the 'fame' that comes tagged with it is all that I need to keep it going strong.

So here I go... "Three cheers to Srishtii" - my creation, my daughter and my strong urge to remain popular/famous/recognized.

- Shanti