Ishaqzaade (Review)

I wonder if the Indian film ritual of intermission also functions as a creative road-block. Because so many fine films derail exactly there; I call it the curse of thesecond half. Ishaqzaade is one of these.

The film starts on a high note. Two children ferociously swear at each other. They grow up to be Parma (Arjun Kapoor) and Zoya (Parineeti Chopra), two firebrands in small town UP who belong to rival political families and rival religions — he is Hindu, she is Muslim — and make the horrific mistake of falling in love.

Their courtship is conducted in unused train compartments and there's much affection for guns: At one point, he teaches her to shoot. He can't say Zoya. Instead he calls her Joya. She, and we, are delighted.

So far, so good. Then, quite inexplicably, this love story that we are fully immersed and invested in shifts tracks. I don't want to reveal the plot, but there are some decidedly odd developments, which lead them to part ways and get together. The pleasure peters out and the film becomes a long chase sequence with goons, guns and families that turn against each other and their children.  Parma and Zoya start out as the most interesting couple in an ordinary town but halfway through, writer-director Habib Faisal decides to mythify them. It feels false and tonally inconsistent.

Faisal sets up the story with great precision. Kapoor and Chopra are terrific as the explosive twosome. The music, composed by Amit Trivedi, works well. The casting is bang-on: Parma's swaggering grandfather and his long-suffering but strong mother are nicely etched characters as is the local dancing girl, played by Gauhar Khan. Which is why it's so disappointing to see it unravel. Still, Ishaqzaade does provide half a good time. How many films can you say that for?

Get High on Comedy

You might have heard of bar girls, but have you heard of the Bar Boys? Well, it’s the name of a group of three stand-up comic artists, namely, Abhijit Ganguly, Maheep Singh and Amit Tandon. Their jokes are mainly about stand-up comedians (bar boys) who perform in pubs.

Their next act, which will be hosted by Deepak Dhamija of Shoelace Productions, will see them take up a humorous cause — the welfare of bar boys. “Everybody around us was supporting a cause, like pink chaddi campaign or slutwalk. We were feeling left out, so we decided to take up the welfare of bar boys,” says Dhamija, a theatre writer and director.

“It is ironical how we stand-up comics are critical about doing shows with canned laughter and drum rolls on television but happily perform at bars. Bar boys is a satirical take on our double standards,” says Ganguly.

The change in venue from a bar to an auditorium is a happy coincidence for the performers. “At bars, people don’t know what we are talking about after a couple of drinks. The opportunity to perform at an auditorium and be taken seriously are few,” says Singh.



Catch them live
What: A stand-up comedy act by Bar Boys
When: May 19, 20
Timings: 7pm onwards
Entry: Tickets available at  www.bookmyshow.com
Where: Little Theatre group, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House
Tel: 2338-9713
Nearest metro station: Mandi House on Blue Line

Launch of the CIVT Centre at Sanghol on the 28th of April

Cordia Educational Complex will launch its first Institute of vocational training at the Cordia Educational Complex at Sanghol. This institute is the latest addition to the institutes of Cordia Educational Complex, at Sanghol Distt Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab.

The vocational skills training courses will be taught in affiliation with the Vocational Training Charitable Trust, UK (VTCT) and will initially offer 3 courses in Beauty Therapy, Nail Services and Hairdressing and barbering. The courses would be of 6 months duration and would teach a batch of 25 students to begin with. CIVT will also introduce job fairs and campus interviews for outgoing students as part of the curriculum and support. CIVT also plans to introduce 1 year skilled courses in hospitality by the end of 2012, as part of their long term goals. All courses at CIVT will be taught by Staff who have been specially trained in delivering these courses under guidance from VTCT. The most modern and advances Institute will offer both training and commercial services in two separate sections.

The affiliation comes as a result of ling time discussions between Lord Rana, Founder and Funder of the CEC and Dr. Stephen Vickers, Chairman VTCT. Lord Diljit Singh Rana, Baron Rana, MBE is a British politician and member of the House of Lords. Pursuant to these discussions, there were visits by key people of VTCT, UK to Sanghol to inspect the campus and study feasibility of the joint project.

The opening on the 28th of April will be attended by the Chairman of VTCT, Dr. Stephen Vickers and Mr. Robin Boyce (Trustee VTCT). A team of 5 will be visiting Sanghol to open the first Cordia Institute of Vocational Training at CEC, Sanghol, Punjab.

PVR opens new Muttiplex at Avani Riverside Mall

“The Twin City of Kolkata”, Howrah is gearing up to host the first multiplex from the pioneers of multiplex industry in India, PVR Cinemas. Howrah, which is the second biggest city of West Bengal, has experienced a huge demand for quality retail malls which provide access to entertainment options. Avani Projects and Infrastructure which is a subsidiary of Avani Group, Kolkata has developed the “Avani Riverside Mall”, over 6 lakh square feet retail cum entertainment destination. With the launch of PVR Cinemas at Avani Riverside Mall, Howrah, lifestyle entertainment experience would have a new meaning for the residents on the eastern banks of Hooghly.

PVR Ltd., launches its first multiplex in Eastern India. This state-of-the-art multiplex would have a user capacity of 1200 seats (approx.). In line with the PVR Cinema’s objective of providing highest standards of movie viewing and lifestyle entertainment experience, the company intends to provide an exhilarating experience to movie buffs of Howrah region. Close proximity to the Vidyasagar Setu (New Bridge) makes the upcoming PVR Cinemas at Avani River Side Mall accessible even to Kolkatans. So, Kolkatans can cross the Hooghly to enjoy the world-class digital movie experience that cinegoer’s across India enjoy at PVR Cinema properties.

PVR Cinema at Avani Riverside Mall, Howrah shall provide best in the industry ambience and quality services which shall be complemented with relaxed luxurious seating and sumptuous refreshment options. Most modern sound system and digital screens shall deliver magical movie experience for cinema lovers. This latest premium multiplex of the company at Howrah shall have four screens and beam movies across all genres and language including English, Hindi and Bengali.  For cinegoers across Howrah, Kolkata and adjoining suburban areas this development shall herald a new phenomenon in quality movie experience in Eastern India.  

Subject: The Curtain Falls on a successful and thought-provoking...

Shruti Foundation’s IInd WE ASC World Education Culture Congress envisioned by Lady Shruti Rana and organized in partnership with Indian Council for Cultural Relations was inaugurated by Kumari Selja, Minister for Culture, Housing and Poverty Alleviation and presided over by Dr Karan Singh, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Mr S.K. Misra, Chairman- Shruti Foundation enthusiastically welcomed the delegates and students and spoke briefly about the objectives of the foundation and the Congress.

Lady Shruti Rana, in her introduction to the Congress laid out the dimensions to the congress, and reiterated that the theme – Revisiting Education Culture for Organic Progress with a special focus on Natural Knowledge and New Experiments, adopted the following approach:

1. Transforming and developing the educator’s psychology and pedagogical approach,
2. Evaluation and assessment paradigms, and
3. The separation and inequity in assessment of scholastic versus co-scholastic disciplines.

She reiterated the seminal significance of the three principles of teaching by Sri Aurobindo in this regard – 1) Nothing Can be Taught, 2) The Mind Must be Consulted in Its Growth , and 3) From the Near to the Far - hence experiencing and learning from one’s inner inspirations, one own body as well as one’s immediate environment and language, before imposing unfamiliar knowledge, language and abstractions, which detract from the child’s natural absorption, assimilation and expression. She further stressed that one must never lose sight of two key issues; soshan – action for personal benefit, versus poshan –nourishment by action for self as well as all universal elements and beings. She also reminded the Congress of two key ideas from the Upanishads, which taught the student the value of Shreyas - actions which contributed to sustainable and long term gain versus Preyas - choices or actions which were for short term pleasure or gratification.
The Honorable minister for Culture, Kumari Selja highlighted the importance of the synergy between Indian Culture and the educational process through its philosophies, values and Traditional Knowledge Systems, and its importance in developing a holistic human being. She said, “When we refer to ‘natural ways of learning’ we mean both the pedagogic methodology as well as the content. We are reminded of Tagore’s efforts to deconstruct the structured rigidity of class-rooms and take the young ones out to a more open, flexible and natural ambience. According to her, the children should focus more on the natural form of education system. The objective of education must be to replace an empty mind into an open one. She concluded with the famous Sanskrit verse beginning with, “Vidya Dadati Vinayam” which reminded the Congress that true knowledge and learning leads to humility and simplicity of being.

Dr Karan Singh, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations in his presidential remarks spoke of the four pillars of education which he was also instrumental in drafting for UNESCO, which are - Learning to know, Learning to do, Learning to live together, Learning to be and spoke of their true significance and meaning in the context of the Congress. He stressed on the inculcation of human values and universal understanding in learning through one’s cultural knowledge and also spoke about the role of media in ignoring inter-faith and culturally significant events while highlighting negative and sensational events in the media. He congratulated Lady Rana on her dynamic action over many years and her vision for transformation in education, as well as on the intricately woven Congress structure.

The inimitable Dr. Sam Pitroda, innovator and advisor to Prime Minister of India, enunciated some personal experiences and his vision for education and development at the grass roots in India. He urged educators to understand the profound impact of the web in our relationships as well as respect and understand that connectivity is the key to revolution. He shared details of the developmental work in progress on AV connectivity of two hundred and fifty panchayats, where cyber security would offer jobs to more than ten thousand people in the telecom sector and thereby establish working environments to build a new India where more than hundred thousand crores are being spent. He expressed dismay over the fact that the best brains today are busy solving the problems of the rich, where the need is to solve problems of the poor. He emphasized on the importance of leading children to do what they want, innovate and allow them to evolve at their own pace where “talent needs to be given opportunity”.

Dr Abhishek Singhvi MP and senior-most National Spokesperson of the Congress party felicitated the very concept of the Congress, which he submitted was “about the necessity to think inclusive and to be holistic, not merely in educational paradigms or cultural concepts but in all our endeavors”. He felt that the themes of the Congress made it clear that “the approach is grand but universal, it is big but relevant and it is all inclusive but closely interconnected.” He appreciated the sub-themes of the Congress as actually being the “the bedrock on which our founders had conceived this great nation and were intended to be the foundational focus of our educational and cultural endeavors” He reminded us of the three jewels - Jnana, Darshana and Charitra that provided the framework of value-oriented education and reflected a holistic approach. He felt that since Independence, on this issue, there was” government but little governance, vision but little action” and felt the need to “redesign our moral science classes to rescue them from the stereotype jokes that they have become”. He cautioned that a “compulsory subject is not to be taught in an insipid or didactic manner, unleashing tomes of reading material and deadening the entire imbibing process”. He further stated, “If India is now a country of post midnight children with over seventy percent less than forty years old, we have to completely revamp the culture of our educational system and re-educate ourselves about our culture”. He quoted the Jain saint, Acharya Mahapragya who said “Intellect and intuition are two recurring words in Indian literature. Our educational system attaches high priority to memory, less to intellect and the least to intuition." Finally, he felt that holistic approaches such as that of the Shruti Foundation’s WE ASC Education Culture Congress “contribute far more, and much more effectively, to the GDP of the country. There is now a growing awareness, bordering on universal recognition, that GDP, as traditionally known, is  a highly incomplete measure of prosperity and happiness”.

The scintillating and unique choreographies, “NAYIKA” by Dr Sonal Mansingh on Day 1 which seamlessly synchronized different classical dance styles to Tagore’s musical poetry and “Chirantan” by Tanusree Shankar on Day 3 based on Tagore's music and writings with Narration by Amitabh Bachchan, provided a truly exciting, multisensory, cultural, educational and joyful dimension, mesmerizing the participants of this unique Congress.

The IInd WE ASC World Education Culture Congress from January 12-15, 2012 was indeed a very meaningful movement on a significant platform, with endorsements from leaders and decision makers, who applauded the effort, focus and direction of Shruti Foundation and of
the impassioned organisers, educators, and last but not the least, of the students and youth volunteers who made the Congress a success.

Nightlife of Kolkata!!

Searching for some fun out place at kolkata?

Here is the few interesting and famous nightclubs of kolkata:-

Tantra:-

Someplace Else:-

Roxy:-

Aqua:-

Shisha:-

Soho:-

Underground:-

Nocturne:-

Plush:-

Venom:-

Kshitij 2012 - The Techno-management Fest

Kshitij ,Founded in 2004, with a vision of providing a platform for the students from all parts of the country and abroad to participate and compete with each other to showcase their own individual feild of excellence.

Khitij hosts a galaxy of events aimed at boosting the technological & Managerial skills inherit today's youth and providing them with an opportunity to show their ideas and thought.
These form the heart and soul of the festival and seek to provide a common platform for the best brains to interact and nurture their seedling ideas transforming them into giant trees of innovation and progress.he events serve to inculcate the spirit of innovative thinking amongst the finest technical and managerial brains in the country.With more than 40 events covering all genres of technology and management, Kshitij brings some of the best solutions for the mankind to the fore. The huge amount of prize money is just another epitome of the heights which have been scaled in the last eight years.

Kshitij 2012 is filled with exciting and energetic workshops, guest lectures and exhibitions, along with the technological and managerial advancements, Kshitij provides the perfect blend of learning and fun.

To know more about the events and to register for them please log on to : http://www.ktj.in/#events

Date :: Jan 27-30 ,2012

At
IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India - 721302

10 great walks in Goa

The Outlook traveller has a nice article on 10 good walking trails in Goa. 

North Goa

The Calangute walk through Calangute village, the Saligao walk, the Arpora walk, the Assagao walk , the Aldona walk and the Divar Island walk.

South Goa

The Chandor walk, the Colva coastal walk and the Utorda walk.

read more on the Outlook Traveller website

Kolkata's iconic Flurys

Flurys the legendary tearoom on fashionable Park Street in Kolkata was founded in 1927 by Mr and Mrs J Flurys. Presenting fine European traditional confections, it had soon become a popular meeting place for all ages. It introduced the city and many generations to authentic Swiss and International delicacies.

A review of Flurys by Kunal Vijaykar on Times Now

How to Drive in Delhi

Check this funny video about Driving in Delhi roads.

Script / VO / Editing: Pratik Arora (http://twitter.com/pratikarora)
Animation: Amandeep Singh (http://www.facebook.com/people/Amandeep-Singh/817263080)

Know more about these guys on Facebook - http://facebook.com/cultcamp