Out & About

Flagging off

How do you get into a patriotic mood what with Republic Day around the corner? Well, the idiot box always has a solution and this time in the form of Rin Super 7Muqabla. This film-based countdown show brings you a special episode presented by the "future of the nation". Yes, yes, two kids with a filmi background have been selected to anchor this show. From last year’s biggest blockbuster, Sana and Farzan, Shah Rukh’s daughter and the little sardarji from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai host the desi drama. To enhance nationalistic fervour, the episode has been filmed at India Gate in Delhi and Gateway of India in Mumbai. Directed by Manu Gargi, the programme promises to bring out a "feeling of pride even in the most unpatriotic and fundamental character". But then tall tales are television’s specialty.

Rin Super 7 Muqabla on Zee TV. On Jan 24. Time: 11.00 am.

Seen in India

Now here is real reason to be proud of the Made In India tag. Madhu Gupta & Associates (MGAPL), a small scale company in Navi Mumbai, has started manufacturing Video CD players, for the first time in India. In design and the choice of components, the companyhas followed the standards set by leading international players like Philips and Samsung. But the important distinction is that they are not getting kits from them and assembling them here, MGAPL is actually manufacturing the entire player indigenously — by sourcing equipment from within the country. Three models, including an economy one, with a full function remote have been introduced. On the anvil: a three CD player, a portable model and a model for video coaches.

For more details contact MGAPL, 13A Dhanlaxmi Chambers, Gokhale Rd, Thane (W). Ph no: 536 8344 / 5048.

Masala mix

It seems India and Indian-ness is the mantra of the moment. Indian food festivals have cropped up a dime a dozen and the latest spread is a South Indian one. On offer are dosas galore guaranteed to keep you drooling. From the traditional Mysore masala dosa to the corn and egg dosas, there is even an Andhra chicken dosa — laid out on the tava, waiting to be cooked. Innovative starters, chutneys and plentyof malagapudi (otherwise known as gun powder) are all there to titillate the palate.

At Cascades, Orchid Hotel, Vile Parle (E). Till Jan 25. Ph 6100707.

Drive on

Three cheers to women. Particularly in media. The ELLE team won the Women’s Power to Drive Car Rally in Mumbai, last Sunday. Not only do these girls steer a great monthly magazine, it’s obvious that they can steer a winning path on a race track too. The four-member team comprising of Pramiti Madhavji, Raunaq Malhotra, Preeta Sukhthankar and Swati Sheshadri stood first in the all women’s team. Sponsored by Maruti and organised by Sportscraft, they also stood third overall — with only 36 minutes of penalty. You’ve come a long way, baby.

Govinda’s jhatka

In an attempt to follow in his bade miyan’s footsteps, Govinda too jumps on the advertising bandwagaon. He supports — or shall we say props up — Amitabh Bachchan in a soft drink ad. Bade Miyan and Chote Miyan together plugMirinda Lemon to give it a "zabardast jhatka". Says the Bib B: "Ab aayega aur maza chote miyan ke saath." The real fact is that Aby Baby can no longer even sell a soft drink on his own. He needs our Hero No 1 to make the soft drink Product number one.

Check out the ads — to be released soon. Hopefully they won’t make Govinda look as bad as the Bachchan. But then Chichi can carry off anything because he plays himself. Unlike his co-star who often looks absurd because he is trying too hard to be anything but himself.

Alarm bells

With Mumbai erupting at the seams with extortion threats, crime and murders, Zicom cashes in on the insecurity — by providing better security. It launches a new easy-to-use security system for homes and small offices. Doing away with complicated modes of operations and passcodes, this system triggers off a loud alarm in case of a break-in. It also offers the option of being connected to Zicom’s 24-hour Central Monitoring Station (CMS) where securityoperators alert the clients’ emergency numbers. Incidentally, it does the same in case of a fire.

Priced at Rs 19,000 we agree that the system doesn’t come cheap. But can you put a price on life? And Zicom as the market leader, with a 38 per cent share, promises you peace of mind.

For more details call Zicom at: 645 4841/ 645 2784/85 / 651 5571.

Sound step

For music aficionados Music Today has a series of releases that a real treat because they offer a chance to listen to tomorrow’s sounds today. In a series titled Footsteps — New Generation Series, the label brings you music by the children of great masters. So you get a chance to listen to Rahul Sharma, the son of santoor maestro Shiv Kumar Sharma and Amaan Ali Bangash, the son of sarod master Amjad Ali Khan. The series also includes the music of Kaushiki Chakrabarty, daughter of Ajoy Chakrabarty, and Meeta Pandit, daughter of Laxman Krishnarao Pandit. While their music is not in the same class as their parents who are leadingluminaries in their fields, their sound is fresh and holds the promise of greatness. But they are being groomed by the best, after all.

Another exciting new release is a joint venture between Amaan, Ayaan Ali Bangash (Amjad Ali Khan’s second son), Dominique Barthassat (sound explorer), Ustad Shafat Ahmed Khan (tabla) and Jean-Bruno Meier (percussionist). Titled Moments it is a fusion of Indian and Western instruments and musical climates. The sarod gives an emotional register close to that of a piano, the tabla the soul to the rhythm and the percussions form the link which facilitates this dialogue. An earfull of fine sound.

All Music Today labels available for Rs 65.

Spinning tales

Having completed a year in December 1998, Karadi Tales brought out by Sky Music (India), is back with more interesting web-spinning audio-book series for children. Karadi Tales Junior uses the visual and auditory medium to teach concept learning. Instead of spending time at the nursery,kids can now just listen and read their way to learning numbers, colours, opposites, sizes and shapes. All these are woven into the story, related through rhymes and songs. Of the first two titles to be released in a four-part series, one is Fish Friends Three which is a Panchatantra classic and the other is The Foolish Crow taken from the Jataka Tales.

Each book is priced at Rs 125.

Art mart

The Kala Ghoda precinct, fast attaining the status in Mumbai that Soho enjoys in New York, will now be the venue of an art festival. No, we are not talking about the weekend crafts bazaar that is held there every winter but a fortnight-long event which will see some serious art on the streets. The Kala Ghoda Association, which has some of the biggest names of the city’s art world as its members, is behind this effort. The idea is to give art a more accessible face. So, there will be pavement exhibitions by big artists, workshops on art and architecture, book exhibitions,conversations with artists, nature and heritage trails, morning ragas, evening open-air concerts, screenings of films from the silent and contemporary era and food festivals. So do not go out of the city from Feb 1 to Feb 14 and watch this space for more information.

Music makers

The Indian Music Group (IMG), of St Xavier’s College, though run by students enjoys great respect from artistes and connoisseurs alike. So its annual three-day festival, with its impressive line-up, is always a sell-out. This time, IMG is also celebrating its 25th year, so an exhibition, Naad Bhraman — A Journey of Sounds is also on. A attempt to educate those who are new to Classical music, it will have posters on musical concepts and Indian Classical music and listening booths where people can have a taste of classical compositions. Instruments will also be on display.

On Jan 23 Dewaki Pandit will open the festival by a vocal recital followed by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan presenting a sarod recital with Pandit KumarBose on the tabla. On Jan 24, Ustad Imrat Khan and Wajahat Khan will present a jugalbandi on the sitar and sarod respectively. Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty will continue the evening with a vocal recital followed by a santoor recital by Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. On Jan 25, Sudha Raghunathan will present a vocal recital, followed by a violin recital by Dr Rajam and another vocal presentation by Dr Gangubai Hangal and Krishna Hangal. The festival will end by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia on the flute.

Tickets can be bought from St Xavier’s College, near Metro.

Gold Rush

Bang in the middle of the wedding season, Chandan Agencies have come out with a lush catalogue on gold bangle designs. This follows their previous one on gold jewellery designs of every sort. So instead of racking your brains over the same old four-odd choices that your jeweller offers, invest some money in this 120-page catalogue, called Celebrate With Bangles, before you invest greater amounts in your jewellerytrousseau.

Each copy is priced at Rs 2,550. Call: 2058834 / 6821, for details.