Saturday, November 24, 2012

4Pakistani.com

4Pakistani.com

Indian theatre doesn’t pay bills: Kabir Bedi

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 01:09 PM PST



MUMBAI: 

Kabir Bedi, the imposing, baritone voice of Indian cinema and stage, almost tempered the tone of the newly introduced 'chai and chat' session at the ongoing 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) with a frank admission that acting in Indian theatre does not "pay my bills".

It was almost as if long known friends were pouring out their cup of woes and anxieties, over a cup of tea.

The actor pointed to an almost symbiotic relationship between theatre, television and films and said that every genre was as essential as the other, in the life of an actor.

"Theatre is done largely for the love of the craft. Television makes you famous. And films immortalise you. That's the relationship between the three," Bedi said at the session titled "Cinema and Theatre parallel or opposing genres".

"I am essentially someone who comes from theatre. I love theatre but unfortunately, it doesn't pay the bills. Only in theatre abroad, I get a wage," Bedi said, adding that it was his love for the medium of theatre which forced him to turn back and dabble in it.

"Theatre has always been a fountainhead for ideas, both for cinema and television," he said.

"Each technology has its own uniqueness and its own effect. Life of Pi is an example. It is a classic example of pure cinema. One cannot do in theatre or TV what Ang Lee did in Life of Pi," Bedi said. "Television's greatest ticket is immediacy and long-running stories. There can be no duplication of either."

Celebrated character actor and the darling of the multiplex audiences, Vinay Pathak said that independent film-makers in India have a long way to go. "Making a film is not enough. What needs to be done is spreading the film," Pathak said.

Theatre actor Dhritiman Chatterjee said that the actor's greatest satisfaction is on stage and establishing a connection with the live audience in the first few minutes.

"As an actor, your greatest satisfaction is on stage. That contact with the audience. Knowing that in the first five minutes whether you are making a connection with the audience or not, whether it's working or not. That electrifying feeling you don't get in cinema," said Chatterjee, who has worked with some of the greatest film-makers in Bengali cinema. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.

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Appointment of Hajj DG: Gilani denies drawing financial benefit

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 12:07 PM PST



ISLAMABAD: 

Submitting a written reply to notices issued to him by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team probing the Hajj scam, former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani contended that the notices were in violation of the constitution.

Gilani submitted the reply to FIA's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Director Hussain Asghar on Sunday in response to the FIA's notice, issued to him over the appointment of former director general Hajj Rao Shakil, alleging the former prime minister for receiving monetary benefits against the appointment.

The reply stated that any allegations of monetary benefits or impropriety in isolation against him "are an absolute impossibility".

"The prime minister is the final authority in making hundreds of such appointments," said the former premier in his reply. However, he said Shakil's appointment was made on the summary received from the relevant ministry which contained input from several other departments.

He further said that any allegation of such kind should be based on evidence. "In absence of evidence, it would be highly irrelevant in law to furnish any reply to allegation in question."

The former prime minister also expressed distrust over the head of FIA's investigating team, Hussain Asghar's impartiality in the case.

Asghar, reappointed as investigation officer in Hajj Scam case on the directions of Supreme Court recently, issued notice to Gilani, his son MNA Qadir Gilani and one of his friends and then principal secretary to former premier Gilani, Nargis Sethi.

The FIA director was earlier transferred as Inspector General of Police Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) after his investigations led him to prime minister's secretariat in 2010. On reappointment, he issued fresh notices to the parties concerned.

Sethi in her reply told the investigation officer that she acted upon the then prime minister's directions in appointing Rao Shakil as DG Hajj.

NA Privilege Committee

Meanwhile, Director General FIA Anwar Virk on Monday informed the Privilege committee of National Assembly that he was not cognizant on the issue of notices issued to Qadir Gilani as he recently took charge, sources said.

He sought time from the committee to collect relevant information on the alleged breach of privilege of MNA Qadir Gilani. Qadir last week alleged that the FIA was sending him notices on the matter that had already been clarified.

"The FIA was harassing an MNA which breached the privilege of the house," Qadir said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2012.

Strong earthquake jolts parts of Balochistan

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 11:08 AM PST



QUETTA: A 5.4 Richter scale earthquake jolted parts of Balochistan on Monday evening, Express News reported.

The tremors were felt in Quetta, Harnai and Pishin among other parts of the province.

According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre for the earthquake was determined to be 58kilometers East-North East of Quetta near Alik Ghund in Balochistan.

Seismicity in the Himalaya dominantly results from the continental collision of the India and Eurasia plates, which are converging at a relative rate of 40-50 mm/yr. Northward underthrusting of India beneath Eurasia generates numerous earthquakes and consequently makes this area one of the most seismically hazardous regions on Earth.

Cricket: Samuels’ double dents Bangladesh hopes

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 10:05 AM PST



KHULNA: Marlon Samuels smashed a magnificent 260 to guide the West Indies into a commanding position against Bangladesh on the third day of the second and final Test in Khulna yesterday.

The 31-year-old Jamaican notched his maiden double century, putting on a 326-run stand for the third wicket with Darren Bravo (127) and another 177 for the fourth wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who ended the day 109 not out. The run-feast gave the West Indies a healthy 177-run lead over Bangladesh's first innings total of 387.

Despite his brilliant knock, Samuels was disappointed at missing a triple hundred.

"It is most definitely disappointing," he said. "Nevertheless, a double-century is a big milestone. I have to work with it and enjoy to the fullest."

The seasoned Chanderpaul was not left far behind, as he reached his 27th Test hundred in the dying moments of the day.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.

 

Son of Sardar — an entertaining watch

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 09:04 AM PST



KARACHI: 

Son of Sardar or SOS is just a downright-slap-happy kind of a movie you won't regret watching. The film certainly beats Dabangg and Rowdy Rathore in terms of colourful scenes, dialogues and actor's performances, but maybe not in action-packed sequences.

The film begins with Ajay Devgn as Jaswinder Singh Randhawa – wearing a turban, riding two horses and steaming into the camera – which makes you question: "Will this be like Singh is King?" Further into the movie, Ajay dances in London atop Big Ben followed by a scene where he beats up locals showing off his sardar power. Still assuming it's similar to Akshay Kumar's Singh is King, portraying dominance over the West, but maybe with more special effects; the plot suddenly takes a turn.  Oh wait – bang! The movie just became ridiculously funny.

The expected absurd story advanced as an interesting and entertaining watch. "Buddhe kay mun mae toffee aur mehman kay mun sae maafi kabhi achi nahin lagti" is just one of the funny one-liners in the film directed by Ashwni Dhir.  Writer-director Dhir is also known for comedy film Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge.

This wacky-action-comedy film is a remake of the Telugu movie Maryada Ramanna, which in turn was a copy of American film Our Hospitality made in 1923 starring Buster Keaton and Natalie Talmadge. The story revolves around Jaswinder or Jassi, an unemployed sardar who resides in London and goes back to India to deal with land disputes. Upon arrival, he finds out that Balwinder Singh or Billu Paaji (Sanjay Dutt) has waited for his return for the past 25 years to take revenge for their tribal leader's murder by Jassi's father. Oblivious to the fact that Jassi is the killer's son, Billu invites him to stay in his house. As the reality unfolds, Billu is helpless because he can't attack a guest in his home, so he waits for Jassi and appoints his thugs to keep an eye on him. Billu wants him to step out before he can make any moves. The hide-and-seek game between Jassi and Billu wrapped with action scenes, revengeful feelings, and timely dialogues makes the film undoubtedly hilarious. Sonakshi Sinha plays the role of Billu's niece who falls in love with Jassi.

The plot is steady and it's filled with all the events most Bollywood movies are based on, from tribal feuds to love barriers to land issues. The humour that SOS generates is intentional and presented naturally. The characters were suitable to their age and outstanding performances were given by seasoned actors Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn and Juhi Chawla. Sanjay can claim most of the fame of the movie, for his contribution to the movie as a brave yet emotionally weak and under pressure by traditions. Chawla's smile is as pleasant as it used to be in the late 90's and  she has acquired grace with her age. Ajay's commonly spiked hair and bad-ass behavior was missing, and in certain scenes, flashbacks of his look from film Dil Jalay were apparent, but now with a buffed physique, of course. Sonakhsi played her character to perfection, which is  no different from the roles she played in her previous films like Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore, and Joker.

Son of Sardar was released simultaneously with Jab Tak Hai Jaan around the world and it was a full as expected. Although, the comparison of the two films would be quite an absurd idea due to the difference in genres; however, considering both were senseless, Son of Sardar definitely wins more points for entertainment.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2012.

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London celebrates love for Pakistani art in two different exhibitions

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 08:03 AM PST



LONDON: 

London has a love affair with art and the city celebrates it by playing frequent host to it — the event was held October 2012. Short on the heels of the Frieze Art Fair was the highly successful and much anticipated Asian Art in London.

A leading Indian auction house Saffronart held a preview evening of Art of Pakistan, the first stand-alone auction of Pakistani art by an Indian gallery or "A gallery in London", according to Abha Housego of Saffronart.

"It was the right time to hold an event dedicated to Pakistani art, not only in terms of the interest around it right now but also as the right step forward in view of improving India-Pakistan relations," Housego added.

Among the artists, whose works were showcased at the event, were Sadequain, Anwar Jalal Shemza, Jamil Naqsh and Ahmed Parvez. Some important contemporary artworks by Rashid Rana, Mohammad Ali Talpur, Naiza Khan, Ayaz Jokhio and Shahzia Sikander were also included in the exhibition.

Leading the sale was Deutsche Bank's Artist of the Year 2013, Imran Qureshi, with Moderate Enlightenment 2 — a part of his series about the world events of 9/11 and those that followed it.

Qureshi feels his art "also reflects this dissonance in its technique, where contemporary themes are paired with traditional miniature styles".

Furthermore, a lot of buzz surrounded Bollywood star Salman Khan's portrait by Rashid Rana; many Indians and Pakistanis at the event believed it added just the right accent to the event. It was the perfection of technique with the underlying element of kitsch that also made it stand out.

An interesting talk between artist Faiza Butt and collector Kamran Anwer on how Pakistani art has grown over the years was the centre piece of the preview.

A word with Housego, a few days after the event, revealed that, "66% of the total works were bought during the 24 hour online auction, with some artists reaching their record prices". Naqsh's stunning untitled work from the Jamil Naqsh Pays Homage to Picasso series got the highest bid with $ 27,692.

Followed by Asian Art, London saw TCF's Exhibition of Contemporary Pakistani Art in MICA Gallery in Sloane Square. The exhibition was a fundraising event organised by TCF supporter Nilofer Saeed.

Some established and emerging artists, living and working in Pakistan had donated works — some never exhibited before — to the cause of literacy in the country. The works ranged from figurative imagery, symbolic and feminist expression to calligraphy, miniature, collage and abstract expression in an array of mediums such as oil, acrylic, water colour, charcoal, smoke, gold and silver leaf and pen and ink.

Outstanding pieces such as Gulgee's iconic, Provenance from Allah series, Naiza Khan's The Ground Under Our Feet, drew gushing reviews.

Shahla Shareef of Supporters of The Citizens Foundation (STCF) and one of the curators of the exhibition said that she was thrilled by the overwhelming response and interest in Pakistani contemporary art.

"We have had many English, European and American visitors to the show and are really encouraged by the enthusiasm with which it has been received. The art had also sold very well. The next stop for this exhibition is the US and STCF hopes to make it an annual affair," she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.

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Ardeshir Cowasjee passes away

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 07:01 AM PST



KARACHI: One of Karachi’s most prominent citizens, Ardeshir Cowasjee, passed away on Saturday.

He was born on April 13, 1926 in Dr Kanga’s Hospital in Saddar to Rustom Faqir Cowasjee and Mucca Rustomjee. His legacy is a fairly straightforward one. The scion of a wealthy Parsi family, he completed his schooling at Bai Virbaijee Soparivala (BVS) Parsi School and later pursued further education at DJ Science College.

After World War II he joined his family business – primarily merchant shipping, among other interests. In the later years of his life Cowasjee tried to keep it as lively as possible often seen cruising the streets of Karachi top down in his metallic powder blue convertible Mercedes.

Cowasjee had documented the country’s history for generations to come through his outspoken columns.

He is survived by two children, his son Rustom and daughter Ava.

Cowasjee was the eldest of three brothers. His younger brother RF Cowasjee passed away in 2011 and the youngest brother Cyrus R Cowasjee along with Ava, who replaced R F after his death, are trustees of the philanthropic Cowasjee Foundation. He also has a sister Zenia who lives in Canada.

Cowasjee the columnist, however, was a different man.

He spoke up and wrote against what he perceived to be wrong, in the country at large and on the developments in his beloved Karachi in specific.

Cowasjee voiced his blunt opinions over 30 years through his columns in daily Dawn.

Cowasjee was also a man of extreme likes and dislikes. He had a good friendship with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) but later on he developed differences with him.

Ashura arrangements: 288 processions to be taken out in Bahawalpur division

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 06:00 AM PST



BAHAWALPUR: The Punjab Emergency Service (Resuce) on Friday issued the plans for the traditional routes of the processions to be taken out in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

In Bahawalpur, the main procession will be taken out from the Shiite Mosque near Shah Fateh School. It will walk through the Zanana Hospital Road, Phoolonwala Chowk, Mohallah Kajalpura, Kauser Colony and pause at Shahdara Chowk where it will be joined by more processions before marching to Ghalla Mandi, Fateh Chowk, Tanki Chowk and Fish Market and end at the Shiite Mosque.

On 10th of Muharram, the main procession will start from the Shiite Mosque and walk through Zanana Hospital Road, Fish Market, Tayyaba College Road, Crafts Bazaar and end at Karbala near Model Town's Block-C.

Regional Police Officer Rao Sardar Ali said that 288 mourning processions will be taken out in the division on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

He said that 224 mourning sessions will be organised across the division on the two days. He said 10,772 policemen will be deployed for security along with six Rangers companies.

The RPO expressed his satisfaction with security arrangements. He said that 106 places in the division had been declared sensitive.

He said those joining the procession and the mourning sessions will be frisked and checked with metal detectors. He said the security officials had been provided with 570 metal detectors.

He said CCTV cameras and walkthrough gates had been installed at the entrances of the Imambargahs and along procession routes.

"We have prohibited 135 clerics from attending any of the processions or the sessions. Another 66 have been prohibited from addressing the gatherings," he said.

He also requested the people to be patient and peaceful.

Malik Asif Rahim Channar, the divisional emergency officer for Bahawalpur division, told The Express Tribune that rescue officials had been deployed at a joint control room at the district police office.

He said control points had been established at important chowks to help the district administration manage traffic. Rescue workers at these points, he said, would provide first aid where required.

He said that special rescue teams had been formed and given emergency kits. These teams would accompany the processions and be ready to deal with any untoward incident. In Faisalabad, 82 processions will be taken out and 119 mourning sessions will be held on the

9th of Muharram, Inspector Aamir Waheed, PRO to the city police officer, told The Tribune.

Two mourning processions will be taken out from Kotwali, one from Gulberg, three from Ghulam Muhammadabad, one from Razaabad, three from People's Colony, one from Madina Town, one from Sargodha Road, one from Mansoorabad, three from Nishatabad, three from Millat Town, three from Chak Jhumra, three from Batala Colony, one from D-Type Colony, four from Factory Area, two from Samanabad, four from Dijkot, six from Saddar, four from Thikriwala, two from Sandal Bar, four from Jaranwala City, three from Jaranwala Saddar, two from Satiana, three from Rodala Road, three from Lundianwala, two from Khurarianwala, two from Balochni, two from Samundri City, one from Samundri Saddar, two from Mureedwala, three from Tandlianwala City, one from Tandlianwala Saddar, two from Bahlak and one from Garh area.

Inspector Waheed said that 4,137 policemen will provide security to the processions and the mourning sessions during the two days.

WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHAMSUL ISLAM FROM FAISALABAD

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.

Greenshirts handed English drubbing

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST



KARACHI: Pakistan suffered its second successive loss in the Super Series Hockey 9s event at Perth when the Greenshirts lost to England 4-2.

The defeat ended Pakistan's chances of reaching tomorrow's final which will now be contested between England and hosts Australia. Pakistan will, meanwhile, take on India today in an inconsequential match.

Earlier, things looked promising for Pakistan when it managed to take the lead through Abdul Haseem. However, the Greenshirts conceded the lead with a goal from Barry Middleton but Umer Bhutta soon made it 2-1 in the dying moments of the first half. The second half saw England rallying as they scored three goals including Nick Catlin's brace to clinch a convincing win. In the other match of the day, Australia edged out India 4-3.

PHF president revises
Irfan's ban

Meanwhile, Pakistan Hockey Federation's (PHF) President Qasim Zia has reduced Mohammad Irfan's six-month ban to 30 days after the seasoned defender apologised for a breach of discipline.

The PHF's disciplinary committee had handed the ban to the Olympian earlier this month along with a Rs100,000 fine for violating the code of conduct during a training camp for the Champions Trophy. Irfan had gone on a two-day leave but failed to report back to camp on time.

"I am thankful to the PHF president for reducing my ban," Irfan told The Express Tribune. "I have assured him that I'll be careful in the future."

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.

 

India hands Pakistan third consecutive defeat in Super Series Hockey tournament

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 03:58 AM PST



Pakistan lost to India in the Super Series Hockey at Perth on Saturday, in its third consecutive defeat.

According to Express News, Pakistan scored two goals while India scored five goals.

On Friday, Pakistan lost to England 4-2 ending its chances of reaching the finals which will be contested between England and hosts Australia. Before that, Pakistan had lost to Australia.

After playing the nine-a-side tournament in Perth from November 22 to 25, the Pakistan team will feature in the Champions Trophy in Melbourne that takes place from December 1 to 9.
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