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COVER STORY Sundance glance Film critics Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang wrap up 2020 Sundance Film Festival. P4-5

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Veteran Waheeda Scherzinger responds after turns 82. being mistaken for Shakira. Page 14 Page 15 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

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The Kung Fu Master martial arts instructors settled in Rishikesh. Their peaceful DIRECTION: Abrid Shine life is turned chaotic when they cross paths with a notorious CAST: Neeta Pillai, Jiji Scaria martial arts gang, leading to a spree of furious violence. SYNOPSIS: Rishi Ram and his sister Rithu Ram, both are THEATRES: Royal Plaza, Landmark, The Mall

Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Qatar Airways 40253374 Little Women telling the beloved story of the March sisters - four young DIRECTION: Greta Gerwin women each determined to live life on their own terms. CAST: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh SYNOPSIS: Jo March refl ects back and forth on her life, THEATRES: Royal Plaza, Landmark, The Mall te Unqu uo ot Q “A good e laugh is sunshine in the house.” – William Makepeace Thackeray

Community Editor For movie timings and Kamran Rehmat further details please scan e-mail: [email protected] the QR code above with your Telephone: 44466405 mobile phone camera or visit qatarcinemas.com Fax: 44350474 Wednesday, February 5, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

Keto Diet at Elite Medical Centre WHERE: Elite Medical Center WHEN: February 8 TIME: 11am To register for the seminar WhatsApp on 30771895 with your name and telephone number. It is a free seminar.

After School Activities WHERE: Atelier WHEN: Ongoing Music and arts activities for students taking place after they fi nish their day in school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama Halal Qatar Festival TIME: 12:30pm Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 WHERE: Katara – the Cultural Village Street Food is the ideal venue for a leisure Qatar Food Fest years old after school hours. WHEN: Ongoing till February 9 experience for the whole family off ering over WHERE: Sheraton Hotel Park TIME: 8am onwards 20 dine-in options and 18-hole World Mini- WHEN: Ongoing till April 30 The Halal Qatar Festival seeks to Golf setup. TIME: 4pm — 1am strengthen the Qatari and Gulf heritage The festival is currently happening at with all its rich resources in an entertaining Hobby Classes Sheraton Hotel Park. Qatar Food Fest features atmosphere. The theme of the festival centres WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art 77 stalls, food trucks, and trolleys, bringing on a distinct feature of Qatari heritage, one Centre culinary and cultural experiences from all that is drawn from deep within the deserts of WHEN:Wednesday – Monday corners of the globe to visitors and residents Qatar – sheep and goat breeding. Mamangam is an art and performance in Qatar. centre started with a vision of spreading our knowledge, interests and experience in various disciplines in arts across diff erent Public Speaking Classes for Adults countries for children and adults. WHERE: Sharq Capital, C-Ring Road We off er regular classes in disciplines like WHEN:Ongoing till July 1 traditional classical dance, art and craft, TIME: 6:30pm – 9pm Bollywood and hip-hop styles, Carnatic Get trained by experts to be a good speaker. music, robotics, percussion instruments, Smedley Toastmasters is conducting a Ballet Lessons keyboard, yoga, zumba and martial arts six-month speech-craft programme that WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier like Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu and Kalari. For teaches new members to speak confi dently WHEN: Ongoing those who wish to register e-mail at info@ and develop leadership skills. For more TIME: 4pm – 8pm mamangamqatar.in information, 66053485, 33232490 or visit For more info e-mail at registration@ www.SmedleyToastmasters.org atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839.

Honey Exhibition WHERE: Souq Waqif WHEN: Ongoing till February 8 TIME: 10am onwards The third edition of Souq Waqif Honey Exhibition is ongoing. The exhibition is organised by the Private Engineering Offi ce (PEO) in co-operation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and with the participation of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Artistic Gymnastic Classes WHERE: Qatar Academy Msheireb WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pm The Olympic sport using horizontal bar, rings and fl oor exercises on mats for the children from age 4 till 16.

Metro Street Food WHERE: DECC Metro Station WHEN: Ongoing

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY The scorecard Justin Chang and Kenneth Turan give the lowdown on the hits and misses at 2020 Sundance Film Festival

his year’s Sundance Film Festival ran January 23 to February 2 and The Times was on the ground in Park City, Utah, to track the highs and lows each day. Upon their return to Los Angeles, critics Kenneth Turan and Justin TChang discussed the standout fi lms (most of which will be released throughout the year) and what the festival’s juries got right in their awards selections.

Kenneth Turan: Sundance 2020 now offi cially belongs to the ages, and I have to confess that it is wearing well in my memory. What I appreciated is not necessarily the knockout fi lms, though there were some, but how strong the lineup was across the board. Maybe I am just getting better at picking what I see, but there were lots of solid, engrossing fi lms that did not make me feel like I was wasting my life watching them, and that is no small thing. Justin Chang: Strong across the board is right. I’ll start by noting that the last two fi lms I saw at Sundance this year both fell outside the festival’s competition and Premieres slates, and together they made for a most hypnotic double bill. First up was Max Richter’s Sleep, Natalie Johns’ pleasurably lulling documentary about the live performance of Richter’s gorgeous, eight-hour piece at Grand Park in Los Angeles. Then came Vitalina Varela, Pedro Costa’s bleak, beautiful and uncompromising portrait of a woman who arrives in Portugal from Cape Verde after the death of her husband. It’s the fi rst Costa fi lm to play Park City, and a bit of a shock to the system, to judge by the steady stream of walkouts at my screening. But movies like these are one reason Sundance remains a vital destination for cinephiles; distributors may be on the lookout for the next big crowd-pleaser, but there’s much to be said for an artistic experience that recalibrates your internal rhythms as you watch. Turan: Totally agreed. The best thing about being a spectator at Sundance is not seeing the latest buzzed- about feature ahead of the crowd but the chance to see compelling, entertaining fi lms the crowd otherwise may never get a chance to experience. On the dramatic side I thought of the Swedish fi lm Charter, directed by Amanda Kernell, a searing look at a divorced woman and the relationships she has with her children and her ex that are so unblinkingly savage they make Marriage Story look positively mild. As to documentaries that are sadly unlikely to go anywhere, I admit to being completely charmed by The Mole Agent. Set in Chile and directed by Maite Alberdi, it’s an AARP version of a John le Carré novel, following an 83-year-old man hired to go undercover at an old-age home to see if one of the residents is being looked after properly. A charmer with a point of view. The big news out of Sundance, however, is always the winners, announced on Saturday night. Did any fi lms you admired walk off with a prize? Chang: Quite a few did, actually, though I should note that, as is usually the case, I managed to see only a fraction of the 56 titles in competition. I feel grateful that one of them was Massoud Bakhshi’s Yalda, a Night for Forgiveness, the engrossing Iranian drama that won the top prize in the World Cinema dramatic competition. Let’s just say that as bad-marriage movies go, this one would fi t nicely alongside Charter — and also, for that matter, the noncompeting entry The Nest, a brooding return to feature fi lmmaking from Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene) that casts Jude Law and Carrie Coon as an increasingly unhappy couple. Over in the US dramatic competition, I was pleased to see Radha Blank win the directing award for her very sharp, funny and poignant comedy The 40-Year-Old Version, which she also wrote and starred in. Female fi lmmakers have long been well represented at Sundance Vitalina Varela: Movies like these are one reason Sundance remains a vital destination for cinephiles. — better represented, in fact, than they are in the industry Wednesday, February 5, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

Charter: A searing look at a divorced woman and the relationships she has with her children and her ex that Radha Blank won the directing award for her very sharp, funny and The Truff le Hunters: In the film, old and cranky men and are so unblinkingly savage they make Marriage Story look poignant comedy The 40-Year-Old Version. their old and cranky dogs leave no Northern Italian stone positively mild. unturned in their search for elusive but valuable white truff les. overall — and their continued and the Tessa Thompson-starring prizewinners, it was thrilling to see proved that playfulness and by Apple and A24 for a reported ascendancy was clearly one of Sylvie’s Love, as gorgeous and Garrett Bradley’s Time, one of my profundity were far from mutually $12 million, a Sundance doc record, the dominant stories of the 2020 caring a re-creation of late-1950s/ favourite fi lms in the festival, win exclusive; she’s done the same here it speaks both to the current edition. The jury also awarded early-1960s New York as you are a directing award for its chronicle in a documentary whose mordant political moment and the power of special fi lmmaking prizes to ever going to see. of 20 years in the life of an African comedy becomes the ultimate individual personality in its fl y-on- Josephine Decker for Shirley, a Chang: With regard to Minari, I American family torn apart by expression of love. the-wall look at a thousand Texas feverishly inspired biographical should acknowledge that Chung — crime and punishment. It’s a Kenny, I know you saw more high-school students spending drama starring Elisabeth Moss as or Isaac, as I know him — is a dear dazzling formal feat, but more than documentaries than I did. Did you a week wheeling and dealing and the writer Shirley Jackson, and friend of mine, and my entirely that, it’s a profoundly sad movie and the jurors see eye to eye on any constructing a representative to Eliza Hittman for Never Rarely biased self could not be happier about what it means to grow up of them? government from scratch. Sometimes Always, her bleak and to see the embrace for his fi lm. I without a father, to absorb that Turan: Really, like you, Time I also wanted to give a fi nal powerful drama about a teenage girl also share your admiration, Kenny, blow continually, day after day. was at the top of my list. It’s so shoutout to another doc about trying to secure an abortion. Both for Sylvie’s Love, lovingly directed That makes Time an oddly fi tting rare for a pointed social-issue fi lm teenagers, Giving Voice, where very well deserved. indeed by Eugene Ashe as a kind companion piece, I suppose, with to be emotionally compelling and you can watch the way performing How about you, Kenny? What of stylised Harlem-set tribute to another prize-winning nonfi ction dazzling in its fi lmmaking style — playwright August Wilson’s superb award winners did you love? the lush domestic melodramas of title, Dick Johnson Is Dead, in that’s a trifecta that doesn’t hit very monologues actually change lives. Turan: The big news in the US Douglas Sirk, but this time with which the director Kirsten Johnson often. And of course to the fi lm that won dramatic competition is that Lee black characters front and centre in prepares to say goodbye to her It was no surprise but satisfying hearts if not awards, The Truffl e Isaac Chung’s Minari pulled off a way that they seldom were in the father by making a movie about his nevertheless for Boys State to take Hunters, where old and cranky men the rare feat of taking both the ’50s and ’60s. inevitable death. In her previous the US documentary grand jury and their old and cranky dogs leave grand jury prize and the audience Among the US documentary feature, Cameraperson, Johnson prize. Acquired during the festival no Northern Italian stone unturned award for its autobiographical in their search for elusive but story of what happens to a young valuable white truffl es. Korean American boy when he Chang: The Truffl e Hunters is and his family move to Arkansas indeed a delight. I say that as more from California. Minari combined of a dog person than a truffl e person heartfelt storytelling with a myself, but directors Michael restrained style to become one of Dweck and Gregory Kershaw’s fi lm the festival’s most popular fi lms left me with renewed aff ection across the board, the kind of fi lm for both. Happily, it was acquired Sundance was founded to showcase during the festival by Sony Pictures in the fi rst place. Classics, so audiences will get to Other potent fi lms to come see it. away winners included Edson Just as they will get to see Oda’s impressively off beat Nine Miranda July’s wonderfully Days, a speculative drama about unpredictable Evan Rachel Wood- personifi ed souls wanting to be starring comedy, Kajillionaire (in born that took the Waldo Salt talks with the distributor A24 as Screenwriting Prize, and Heidi of this writing); Phyllida Lloyd’s Ewing’s moving love story I Carry moving drama Herself, starring You With Me, whose inventive part- and co-written by the excellent narrative, part-documentary style Clare Dunne (acquired mid-festival won both the audience award and by Amazon Studios); Emma the jury prize in the Next category. Sullivan’s insidiously creepy Netfl ix Though they didn’t win documentary Into the Deep; and anything, I want to put in a good many more movies that we’ll be word for a couple of dramas, writing about over the next several specifi cally Miss Juneteenth and months that made this edition of its all-in performance by Nicole Minari: The film combined heartfelt storytelling with a restrained style to become one of the festival’s most popular Sundance so worthwhile. — Los Beharie as a former beauty queen, films across the board. Angeles Times/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 COMMUNITY

Sandhya Group elects new off ice bearers

Sandhya Group Qatar (SG), a Nepali literary group, recently held its sixth convention Mahendra Khadga, Shekhar Basnet, Ramji Adhikari, Tirtha Sangam Rai and Prem Prasad programme at Al Khor and elected its new working committee. The event was attended by Bhattarai, Nepali poets, presented their works at the event. The event also featured a notable community leaders including Mohamed Muktada Musalman, Prem Prasad Bhattarai, performance by Puja Gajurel and Ujjwal Tamang, Nepali artistes. Ram Prasad Parajuli and Ramji Adhikari. The new off ice bearers of SG, includes Santosh KC, First Vice Chairman; Raj Rizal, Second Vice Tirtha Sangam Rai, prominent Nepali poet, was felicitated on the occasion for his contribution Chairman; Prem Ghising, General Secretary; Arjun Poudel, Secretary; and Narayan Hamal, in promotion of literature and arts. Likewise Prem Prasad Bhattarai, Ram Prasad Parajuli Treasurer. The newly elected members, include Subash Khanal, Prakash Bohora, Jyoti Bhattarai, and Ramji Adhikari among others were also felicitated for their contributions to the Nepali Bibisha Luitel, Bhal Shrestha, Naba Raj Karki and Powel Upadhaya. community. – Text and photo by Usha Wagle Gautam

Sohni Dharti Al Khor Community Qatar organises PCL7 Cricket Tournament

final match. Multan Sultan scored 151 runs in 20 overs and gave a target of 152 on board. Mohamed Khalid scored 69 runs on 29 balls with 8 sixes and 1 four, the highest individual score of the season. Gilgit Elevators scored 71 runs in their innings and lost the final by 82 runs. The match was followed by an award distribution ceremony. Aamir Saeed Khan, CEO of Pakistan Souq, along with other notable personalities, including Liaqat Amin Satti, Vikas Shangari, Choudhry Ajmal, Furqan Ahmed Pracha, Jana Khan Bangush, and Abdul Qahar presented the awards. Shehzad Ali, Captain of Multan Sultan, bagged the Best Batsman of the Tournament title; Rao Nadeem, Gilgit Elevator team, the Best Bowler of the Tournament title; Zafar Baloch, Captain of Lahore Qalander, Best All-rounder of the Tournament; and Aqeel Rasheed, Vice Captain of Kashmir Paradise, Best Fielder of the Tournament. The Indoor Sports Awards were also presented to the indoor sports winners on the occasion. The winners, included Khurram Shehzad, first in Billiard Championship; Qamar Raza, first in Table Tennis Championship; and Sohail Amjad and Waqar, first in Badminton Championship. Saleem Baloch, Chairman Sohni Dharti Special Prizes from Saleem Baloch, Chairman of Sohni Dharti, along with Executive committee members were Sohni Dharti Al Khor Community Qatar presented to Liaqat Amin Satti, Aamir Saeed (SD-AKC-Q) recently organised PCL7 Khan, Ajmal Choudhry, Vikas Shangari and Cricket Tournament. Eight teams with Furqan Ahmed Pracha for their contribution over 150 players participated in the to Pakistani community welfare in Qatar. tournament. Over 59 matches were Trophies along with team kits were played in 15 weeks. Top four teams of the arranged by Umer Adeel, Sports Secretary tournament competed in the semi-finals. of Sohni Dharti. Qazi Naeem Anwar, Shahid Quetta Gladiator competed against Gilgit Nadeem and Taimur Abbas, Technical Elevators and Kashmir Paradise against Committee of Sohni Dharti, co-ordinated Multan Sultan. Multan Sultan and Gilgit the event. Saleem Baloch proposed a vote Elevators played against each other in the of thanks. Wednesday, February 5, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 TRAVEL COMMUNITY Staying safe in Highland mountains

A week-long mountain leader course teaches the skills to navigate and lead expeditions in some of Scotland’s remotest and potentially hazardous terrain, writes Anna Fleming

go to the mountains to breathe. icy step, my feet screamed. Earlier To look out over huge vistas. in the week, Jon had asked us, To put my body in a diff erent “How do you cross a river?” We environment. To have fun with off ered various answers. They were friends. To get cold, tired and all wrong. He was looking for the Ihungry. To wax lyrical about tea and simplest: “A bridge.” hot showers. To see the world anew. One day, we watched the sunset The mountains of the UK and from a summit. A golden eagle Ireland off er unique environments glided past. The light faded and a for adventure, exploration and deer herd ran across the breast of nature connection. Over the years, I the hill, antlers silhouetted against have had many amazing experiences evening sky. Darkness came fast. We in the remote wilds, but there are dug out headtorches for a three- risks: paths are rarely signposted hour stint of night navigation, and weather can change quickly. stumbling over grass hummocks and Go out without the right skills, tripping through frozen bog as we knowledge or equipment and things made our way down to wild camp. can soon turn deadly serious. This was our overnight Heather Morning, mountain expedition. We needed to fi nd safety adviser for Mountaineering somewhere sheltered from the north Scotland, says: “A quick look at wind, where the ground was soft the accident reports from Scottish enough to take tent pegs and the Mountain Rescue highlights a very burns were not frozen. We headed modern issue – people’s inability to for an old shieling (hut) in a glen and navigate well, and an over-reliance found running water and space for on modern technology. Traditional four tents. navigation skills using a map and Waking in the night, I gazed up compass are still essential for safe at the Milky Way and watched a travel in the mountains.” shooting star plunge down to the In November, regarded as the end horizon. of the “summer season”, I did the I would recommend mountain mountain leader course that gave me leader training to anyone who wants the skills and knowledge needed to BREATHTAKING: Fantastic views of the surrounding mountains open up during the exercises, complete with the first to build their skills and confi dence keep myself and others safe. Taught snows of winter. in the mountains. Fears that I would over six days, it covers navigation, feel out of place – a woman in a group management, access and the macho world of hardcore mountain environment, hazards (including men – were unfounded. The course steep ground and rivers), emergency is not about “beasting it”, but a procedures, equipment, expedition week of supportive tuition in the skills, weather and background mountains. Richard and Jon created mountain knowledge. Once you a welcoming atmosphere, helping have completed it, honed your skills us to hone a huge range of skills and gained the required experience, without judgment or criticism. you can go on to do an assessment to Throughout our trips into the qualify as a mountain leader. hills, the instructors paused to Mountain leader training is point out plants, birds and animals. for adults who have at least a I discovered that there are three year’s worth of mountain walking main species of heather in Scotland experience and an interest in (common, bell, and bross-leaved leading groups. A basic level of Heath) and, by the end of the week, I fi tness is essential: you must be knew how to identify each one. able to manage six days’ walking I left exhausted but inspired, in mountainous terrain, with one brimming with enthusiasm to put overnight expedition carrying my new skills to use. camping packs. My course was led by two highly Essential equipment for the experienced mountaineering course instructors, Richard Bentley and Jon Rucksack (30-40 litres, and MacRobert. Under their eagle eyes, possibly a larger one for the I headed out into the mountains expedition) around Fort William with four Good walking boots other trainees: a schoolteacher, an Waterproof jacket and trousers outdoors instructor and two locals. Good thermal layers The snowline was at around 700 Thermos fl ask for hot drinks metres. Richard and Jon planned Packed lunches each day routes carefully so that we stayed EMERGENCY PROCEDURE: The course included emergency procedures for taking care of a casualty. Compass (preferably a Silva type within remit (ice axe and crampons 4 or similar) are not allowed on summer Mapcase mountain leader courses). While Ben sharpened through focused map on Ordnance Survey maps. We to keep each other safe on scree and Headtorch Nevis and the highest summits of work, using compass, pacing plotted routes using storytelling boulder fi elds, and practised river Hat and two or three pairs of Glen Coe were out, we found plenty and timings. I learned to read techniques, examining maps and crossings in Glen Nevis, wading gloves of interesting peaks and knolls contours through my feet; to creating sequential lists of features through icy water that seemed to get Tent on which to practise all the skills estimate distance by feeling my to run through like an Indigenous colder each time I crossed. Stove, pots and pans required of a mountain leader. pace; to match lumps and bumps Australian songline. We moved on We fi nally crossed together in Sleeping mat Over the week, my navigation on the ground to orange squiggles steep ground in Glen Coe, learning triangle formation and with each Sleeping bag. – The Gaurdian 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 COMMUNITY FASH The kimono – a journey f From the 17th to the 20th century the kimono was the principal piece of clothing in Japan for both men and women. But now it’s an inspiration for fashion all over the world, writes Jess Cartner-Morley

ARTEFACT: Woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada, 1847-52.

ashion as we know it – Genbei’s 10th generation family- 594,994 visitors, the largest in the unconditionally” – drew criticism kimono from this period stencilled the business of clothes- run kimono business is testament museum’s history. The kimono for playing into erotic fetishisation with the unmistakable graphic as-zeitgeist, as distinct to the garment’s powerful history. exhibition will include box-office of subservient Asian women. silhouette of the Empire State from simple dressmaking This elegant atelier, where studios showpieces such as Obi-Wan “The whole point of this show Building – and after 1945 kimono – was invented in Paris with lacquered floors look on to a Kenobi’s Star Wars robes, a dress is that the kimono is something fell out of favour as a “thing to byF Louis XIV in the second half of light-dappled central courtyard, designed by Alexander McQueen dynamic, not a dusty museum wear” on the streets. the 17th century. This, at least, is helps tell the story of the kimono and worn by Björk on the cover of piece,” says Anna Jackson, curator Once unisex and utilitarian, it fashion’s widely accepted creation as an alternative narrative to a her album Homogenic and Oscar- of the V&A exhibition; she argues was recast as the symbolic regalia myth. The Sun King and his Eurocentric history of elegance. winning costumes from Memoirs that the best way to respect the of a nostalgic, picturesque version finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Yamaguchi’s designs, and his of a Geisha alongside rare 17th and kimono is to tell its story not as of the country. On the advice of Colbert, established a luxury family collection of antique 18th-century kimono. artefact or exotic treasure, but as an American consultancy firm fashion industry which enshrined kimono, attract visitors from the The exhibition comes at a time a sophisticated garment that has hired in the 50s for guidance on France as the world leader in taste. highest echelons of the fashion when museum culture in the west shaped fashion, reflected society, how to eradicate the militaristic To help the lavish new court at industry. When Giorgio Armani is belatedly being interrogated for travelled the globe, fallen from associations of Japanese aircraft Versailles eclipse the austere, visited last year, they spent five vestigial traces of imperialism. grace and staged comebacks over a and regain global trust, Japan black-clad glamour of Madrid, hours together. (Mr Armani was Meanwhile, cultural appropriation tumultuous 400-year history. “If Airlines dressed its female flight they introduced a rigid schedule particularly taken with an obi with has become an incendiary topic you put the kimono on a pedestal attendants who served cocktails whereby new fabrics were issued silver embroidery cascading down in a fashion industry which finds you don’t honour it, you patronise to first class customers in kimono. twice a year – not just warmer or one vertical seam, a design based itself newly answerable to a it. It is when you treat the garment When worn by a man, however, lighter to reflect the weather, but on how glaze flows on to a ceramic, global audience. Last year, Kim as a costume on a shelf, with no life the kimono retained an ambiguity in new colours each time – and the Yamaguchi said.) Both Chanel Kardashian was forced to backtrack and no future, that you stereotype which was to be used to powerful fashion “season” was born. and Nike have also sent sizeable on a lingerie range she had initially it.” effect by costume designer John But travel 6,000 miles east to delegations to pay homage to this named Kimono. “I understand The word kimono means, Mollo in the Star Wars films. Kyoto, home of the kimono, and Kyoto version of an haute couture and have a deep respect for the literally, “thing to wear”. A “George [Lucas] wanted him [Obi- the history of fashion looks quite house. Here in Japan, in other significance of kimono in Japanese simple, straight-seamed garment, Wan] to look part monk and part different. In the late 17th century, a words, fashion has never been culture,” she said in a statement, wrapped and secured with an “obi” Samurai warrior,” Mollo said. The demand for luxury textiles among about Paris. changing the name of the line sash, it was the principal item of lightsaber which hung from the the burgeoning Japanese merchant Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk opens to Skims. In 2013, Katy Perry’s dress for men and women in Japan belt of Obi-Wan’s famous brown class grew so fast that by 1700 at the V&A later this month, with appearance at an award show from the mid 16th until the early kimono was based on the inro – a the narrow streets of the Nishijin fashion currently the toast (or dressed in a kimono to perform 20th century. From the interwar carrying case for small objects district thundered to the clacking at least, the bread-and-butter) her song “Unconditionally” – period, western influence made traditionally suspended from of an estimated 7,000 looms. of many major museums. Last sample lyric: “I’ll do it all for you itself felt on kimono design – the the obi, in an early version of the The headquarters of Yamaguchi year’s Dior show at the V&A had / Because I love you, I love you exhibition catalogue includes a manbag. Wednesday, February 5, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 ION COMMUNITY rom costume to catwalk

MODERN TAKE: Björk in a kimono designed by Alexander ORIENTAL: Kimono for a young woman, 1905–20, McQueen. probably from Kyoto.

In Kyoto, the specialist dealer kimono’s cameo roles in western Dress Society began promoting Konjaku Nishimura carefully dons culture – eroticised on screen in non-restrictive clothing for gloves to unwrap an 18th-century Memoirs of a Geisha, or watered women, Paul Poiret took the kimono embroidered with cranes down into a sort of ornamental kimono as the starting point for ‘a popular motif for weddings, as waitress uniform – are only his corset-free fashion which cranes are said to mate for life and fragments of its many lives on the took Paris by storm. From Poiret, to live for a thousand years’ which streets of modern Japan. the line of fashion succession has a pricetag of ¥2.5m (£17,600). We in the west are conditioned leads to the box-shaped jackets ‘If you wore it, you would be to look at where clothing sits in and straight-lined skirts of Coco ruining it.’ Nishimura is wearing relation to the female body to place Chanel. a black kimono; his elderly father it in time. (The bustle-back of Hiroko Takahashi, a fashion by his side is in chinos, a blazer Victoriana, the dropped waists of designer whose style today is and a button-down shirt. The the flappers, the miniskirts of the reminiscent of Chanel – the blunt generational gap reflects how, in sixties.) Kimono have been cut to dark fringe, the cool emotional the past few decades, the kimono essentially the same pattern for tone, the black boat-neck sweater has made a comeback among four centuries, the only addition a – started her career designing Japanese too young to remember little extra fabric to keep pace with western-style clothing but now it as streetwear. As well as antique the increasing average height. It focuses on kimono because, she treasures, Nishimura does a brisk is the colours and patterns, rather says, there is no better way of trade in kimono sold at Bond Street than the shape, that come and dressing. She is dismissive of the prices as occasionwear to affluent go. Symbolism in the embroidery traditional museum-eye view of Japanese women. Jotaro Saito, the shifts, as lucky charms move in them, which prizes lavish fabrics fashion designer who recently put and out of fashion – the unicorn, and intricate embroidery. “I don’t denim kimono on a Tokyo fashion you might say, is the new crane. care how difficult it was to make, week catwalk, sells enough kimono When wearing a kimono “the or how long it took to make, if the to have a sleek boutique in Tokyo s body is irrelevant”, Jackson says. end result isn’t beautiful,” she Ginza Six mall. The fulcrum of the garment is says. She works only with circles At dusk in Kyoto, temples are placed on the shoulder, not the and straight lines which represent, crowded with Japanese teenagers waist. This concept, radical in she says, pure elegance. “I want who have rented colourful kimono womenswear, played a pivotal role people to realise that we can enjoy by the day from local shops and in changing how women dressed life with what things we already are busy taking selfies. It is an during the 20th century. In 1903, have. I am a perfectionist. That’s indulgent, elegant tradition. The two decades after the Rational why I like kimono.” – The Guardian COUTURE: Christian Dior, haute couture spring-summer 2007. 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 COMMUNITY PHOTO ESSAY Because Junoon is, well, junoon! Junoon in Urdu means passion bordering on obsession. Easily, the world’s most renowned sufi rock band, that’s exactly what it invokes amongst its millions of mostly Pakistani fans across the globe. However, the fans had to endure separation after the band members went their separate ways in 2005, with both Ali and Salman pursuing solo careers. They had a partial reunion for a 20th album in 2011 before collaborating some more to cut a silver jubilee edition in 2016. So when it was announced early last month in Qatar — where they last had a sellout show way back in 2003 — that they would be reuniting with a concert at the National Convention Centre in Doha — it sent the fans into raptures and expectations soaring. For many of us old timers, it presented a rare opportunity to go down memory lane and relive the time of our lives, having grown up with the band for musical company! We were not to be disappointed as Junoon and junoonies (obsessed fans) defi ed the years to bring the house down in QNCC. It was electric! On a starry night, the stars won the hearts of the fans when vocalist and guitarist Salman Ahmad picked up a schoolgirl from the audience and invited her to sing with them on stage, which led to more kids joining the chorus. — Text and photos by Kamran Rehmat

Lead vocalist Ali Azmat goes down town to sing with the audience. Salman Ahmad standing tall.

Junoon trio Ali Azmat, centre; Salman Ahmad, right; bass guitarist Brian O’Connell, left; and a musician sign off with the national anthem of Pakistan along with children from the audience. Wednesday, February 5, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Night-shift workers at risk of heart disease, diabetes

esearchers, including of night-shift nurses developed time each day and schedule the one of an Indian- metabolic syndrome, compared main block of sleep as close to origin, have found to only 1.8 per cent of day shift evening or night as possible to that shift workers nurses. Other studies have noted minimise circadian disruption, the are at a signifi cantly that risks gradually increase with researchers recommended. Rincreased risk for sleep disorders accumulated years of shift work. Take an additional nap for 20 to and metabolic syndrome, which According to the researchers, 120 minutes earlier in the day to increases a person’s risk for heart working nights disrupts prevent fatigue, they added. disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. individuals’ circadian rhythm, the Exposure to light promotes Night-shift workers are body’s internal clock responsible wakefulness in general, so especially prone to developing for neural and hormonal signalling. researchers recommend night sleep disorders and metabolic Once a person’s circadian shift workers increase their light syndrome. The risks increase even rhythm is desynchronised from exposure prior to and throughout more for those who work irregular their sleep/wake cycle, they will their shifts. or rotating shifts, said the study, likely experience disturbances Prior studies have shown published in The Journal of the in hormonal levels, including shift workers are more likely to American Osteopathic Association. increased cortisol, ghrelin and eat snacks higher in sugar and “The strength of our economy insulin and decreased serotonin, saturated fat while consuming less and safety of our society depend among others, the study added. protein and vegetables, and more heavily on night shift workers, it is The cascade of hormonal changes likely to skip meals. critical we address the health issues is what prompts the development “It’s true that getting enough facing people in this line of work,” of metabolic disorders and causes sleep, eating right and exercising said Indian-origin researcher and people to develop multiple chronic are critical to everyone’s health,” study lead author Kshma Kulkarni conditions. Kulkarni said. from Touro University in the US. Sleep in a 7- to 8-hour block “However, the nature of shift work with those principles, we really strategise ways to get what they One study found nine per cent every 24 hours, ideally at the same is so disorienting and discordant need to help people in those jobs need,” Kulkarni added. – IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Take charge of your overall health today, Aries. You’ll likely wake If there’s something crafty or artsy you’ve had your eye on and It’s the perfect day to get up and head outside, Gemini. You’ll likely up feeling energetic and well. Seize this opportunity to be active in would really like to get but can’t aff ord, Taurus, consider making find yourself feeling positive and energetic, and some fresh air, doing things that will help continue your good feelings. Consider all it. Even if you don’t consider yourself artistic, you may surprise sunshine, and physical activity may be long overdue. Even if this is aspects of your health, including emotional and spiritual. If you can, yourself if you give a project half a chance. There are numerous a workday for you, make the most of your breaks and lunch hour by sit outside in the sunshine and fresh air to consider the areas of your websites that cater to novices and can give you the support and walking. This evening may be the opportune time to get together life that could use a workout. Take a walk, do some gardening. instruction you need. Don’t dismiss your ability. with some friends for coff ee or a favourite sporting event. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

It won’t be surprising if you find yourself getting frustrated with a close See about using your good relationships with friends and loved ones If you’re lacking a regular exercise routine, Virgo, today’s a great day friend or partner today who is far less ambitious than you, Cancer. The today to get some group activities going, Leo. Chances are you’ll feel to turn that around. Exercise doesn’t have to wear you out or hurt. energy in the air can really emphasise your “go, go, go” way of reaching pretty good and the idea of socialising will appeal to you. See about Even relaxing activities like walking or yoga are excellent ways to goals and achieving success. Others who are passive or fearful in this inviting people over for supper or a game of cards. If you’re especially keep you in good shape. Participating in a sport that appeals to you area may be diff icult to understand. Yet each person has to do things in lively, some sports may be just the ticket to get you out and moving. Do like volleyball or bowling combines fun with exercise. Heck, even ways that are best for him or her. Try to be patient. whatever it takes to have some fun and get some fresh air today. dancing is a recognised form of exercise! LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Put your ambition into action today, Libra. The day’s planetary Don’t hesitate when it comes to taking on a project or making plans Today should go well for you, Sagittarius. Expect to feel a renewed aspects should find you feeling energetic and positive. Make the today, Scorpio. Extra energy will complement your organisational energy and perspective on things, especially those that are work most of this by taking steps toward your goals. As you know, if you skills, making the perfect combination to handle almost anything. Be related. Make the most of this by working toward finishing projects don’t actively pursue things, nothing will happen. The years can sure to write down your goals and plans to help keep you focused. that are waiting for you or by cleaning and organising your desk or pass by so quickly and you wouldn’t want to be sitting on a rocker If you decide to tackle any cleaning today, get rid of the things you broom closet. Feel confident that you’ll be able to handle most any wondering “what if.” Trust yourself and do what it takes. never use. Consider donating such items to charity. task in no time. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Today you may notice that you’re feeling very creative and Don’t be surprised if you wake up feeling super today, Aquarius. The eff ect from the planetary aspects will bring an end to any lethargy ambitious, Capricorn. You might want to use these strengths to work Chances are good that you’ll feel a renewed physical strength with you’ve been feeling, Pisces. It’s an excellent day to get up and head into directly on an artistic project. Or you may choose to channel that energy to spare. That said, it might be a good day to tackle any projects the open to do something active. Walking or going on a hike can make energy into activities like organising your home or workspace. If you that require you to use some muscle. Perhaps there’s some yard work great use of both your energy and creativity. Fresh air and physical plan it out, there should be plenty of time to get to both if you have a that needs to be done or furniture you want to move around. On the fun exertion will lend much to your health as well, so make the most of this. mind to. Make the most of the day! side, you might want to get to the gym for a workout or swim. Even if you have to work, you can always enjoy the evening. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

BANSHEE DRAGON FAIRY GHOST GOLEM KRAKEN MERMAID SPRITE ZOMBIE BUNYIP DRYAD FAUN GNOME GREMLIN LEPRECHAUN NAIAD SYLPH GENIE CHIMERA DYBBUK LORELEI GOBLIN KELPIE PIXIE TROLL

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Wednesday, February 5, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Go out with fruit (4) 1 Flat indeed! (8) 3 Teacher ordering a cute rod (8) 2 Trunk found in north-west or 9 Hairy coat with lines and south- east (5) wrinkles (7) 4 Doctor’s first with old herb – 10 A nobleman’s fists? (5) the prescribed amount (6) 11 Becoming confused as one 5 Group showing concern about ages (5) diamonds (5) 12 A country sounded musical 6 Provides accommodation for (6) kids (5,2) 14 Peers squeal when upset (6) 7 Rebel is held by soldiers (4) 16 Good girl with time for bird (6) 8 A little bit of egotism or 19 Recent change of heart (6) selfishness (6) 21 Vince in the lead? (5) 13 Articles about rising in Greek 24 Cast worth changing (5) (8) 25 Wireless pioneer from 15 Find a hunter going astray (7) Minorca (7) 17 A group of notes, we hear, 27 List held by Uncle Anthony (4) producing harmony (6) 18 Information about right degree for European (6) 20 Tall building – for a carthorse? (5) 23 Stake raised in volcano (4)

Answers Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD Veteran Waheeda turns 82

conic Bollywood actress “Happy birthday Waheeda Waheeda Rehman turned ji! Many more happy returns of 82 on Monday, and fans and the day! You are my mom’s most industry colleagues wished favourite actress!” gushed a user. her on social media all Born on February 3 1938, in Ithrough the day. Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, Rehman Veteran singer Anup Jalota started her career with the 1955 greeted the legendary actress on Telugu fi lm, Rojulu Marayi. Her her birthday and wrote: “Many debut as a Bollywood heroine Happy Returns of the day to the happened a year later in CID, Most Graceful and Elegant of starring Dev Anand. The fi lm the entire Hindi Film Industry was produced by Guru Dutt and #WaheedaRehman. May God directed by Raj Khosla. The fi lm’s maintains your Beautiful Smile and music, composed by OP Nayyar, bless you with Great Health.” continues to be popular till date. Actor Randeep Hooda Rehman’s notable performances wrote: “ A rocking birthday to in Bollywood include Pyaasa (1957), #WaheedaRehman ji .. by far my Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Kala Bazar favourite got know of her love for (1960), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), the wild .. here’s wishing for a Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam (1962), Bees wildlife photography safari with her Saal Baad (1962), Guide (1965), Teesri is someone listening.” Kasam (1966), Ram Aur Shyam A fan posted: (1967), Neel Kamal (1968), Baazi “#WaheedaRehman My favorite (1968), Khamoshi (1969), Prem Pujari actress, Waheeda ji is grace of God (1970), Reshma Aur Shera (1971), to Film World. She worked for Adalat (1976), Kabhi Kabhie (1976) Indian Culture and Customs. Guide and Trishul (1978). is my favorite movie. Her dance on” The versatile actress also worked Mose Chal kiye jaye Sanya Beiman “ in several critically acclaimed was amazing. HAPPY Birthday dear Bengali, Malayalam and Tamil Waheeda ji. Long live healthy life.” fi lms. Notably, she was Satyajit Another fan wrote: “Happy Ray’s leading lady in his 1962 birthday to #WaheedaRehman ji Bengali fi lm, Abhijan. wishing her long life good health, In 2011, Rehman became the #randeephuda sir your off er for recipient of Padma Bhushan. She wildlife Photography safari is won a National Award for her welcome she will defi nitely enjoy role in Reshma Aur Shera, besides it.” numerous popular awards. – IANS FELICITATED: Waheeda Rehman receives felicitations from film industry colleagues on her birthday.

Bhoot Part One is a pure My political belief isn’t horror fi lm: Johar always refl ected in my fi lm choices: Richa Filmmaker Karan Johar says his forthcoming production Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship Actress Richa Chadha, who is is fi rst of its kind and a pure horror fi lm. known for expressing strong opinions “Horror genre is popular worldwide and it’s on politics, says that as an actor she an audience-friendly genre, but unfortunately chooses fi lms that interest her, and not it is made little less in Indian Cinema. There is necessarily projects that are in sync with template for horror genre fi lms, due to the ’80s, her political ideology. ’90s and a few 2000s horror fi lms. But I have to “My politics does not refl ect in the say it is a pure horror fi lm. Apart from a small choices of fi lms I do, not always. A fi lm montage song, we have not relied on songs in is a fi ctional work. In future, what if I the fi lm, there is no titillation in the movie and play a Naxalite? I may not agree with the it’s a solid story of a horror fi lm. According violence that that ideology holds but to me, it’s a fi rst-of-its-kind horror fi lm, and that does not mean I will say ‘no’ to the I am grateful that Vicky Kaushal helmed the fi lm as an actor. I am a performing artist fi lm with us, because it gives us confi dence and not every single performance is a that such movies can be made. We would like refl ection of my political belief,” Richa to take this franchise forward,” said Johar, at said. the fi lm’s trailer launch, which he attended Citing an example of one of her earlier with lead actor Vicky Kaushal, co-producer fi lms, Richa added: “Look at Gangs Of Shashank Khaitan, and director Bhanu Pratap Wasseypur. It is the story of the coal Singh in Mumbai. mafi a underworld. I played Nagma Johar has earlier has produced Kaal in 2005, Khatoon, who kills her son. As Richa, do which was also a horror fl ick with an ensemble I support Nagma’s decision to kill her of Ajay Devgn, John Abraham, Vivek Oberoi, NEW PROJECT: Karan Johar’s Bhoot Part One: son and take revenge? Of course not!” Esha Deol and Lara Dutta in lead roles. The fi lm The Haunted Ship is set to release on February She continued: “It is a luxury to get bombed at the box-offi ce. 21. the right balance of character in a fi lm, CANDID: Richa Chadha says she selects Asked what is diff erent this time, Johar where my politics meets the politics of her projects based on personal interest. said: “I am proud of every fi lm that has come Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship is directed the character.” out, some of them worked and some didn’t. I by Bhanu Pratap Singh. The fi lm features Vicky Richa is among actresses who bother society at large. think when I saw Kaal, I was not scared, and along with Bhumi Pednekar and Ashutosh participated in a non-violent protest She prefers not to use cinema as a that was a frightening feeling. But when I saw Rana. It has been claimed that the fi lm is against the JNU student attack and tool of protest all the time. “Filmmakers Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship, my eyes based on a true accident that took place in CAA, along with Taapsee Pannu, Huma are trying to make fi lms. Actors work were covered right through the screening. I Mumbai, and it tells the story of a couple on an Qureshi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Swara as performing artistes. Not every single tend to get over-dramatic when I watch horror abandoned ship on a beach. Bhaskar and Dia Mirza. On social media, fi lm has to be a piece of political opinion. fi lms and I am scared. I think what happened in It is the fi rst fi lm of a horror franchise, and is too, she openly expresses her opinion We have other platforms to explore that,” 2005, we should leave it there and move on.” scheduled to release on Feb 21. – IANS on current aff airs and social issues that she concluded. – IANS Wednesday, February 5, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Eilish feared she was Scherzinger responds aft er heading for Spears’ mistaken for Shakira head-shaving meltdown Singer Nicole Scherzinger was a good sport when singer Grammy-winning singer Billie Paula Abdul awkwardly mistook her for Shakira. Eilish feared she was heading for a Abdul took to Twitter to support Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and breakdown akin to singer Britney Demi Lovato before they performed at the 2020 Super Bowl, Spears’ 2007 head-shaving drama reports metro.co.uk after hitting her “lowest point” while However, instead of using a picture of herself standing with on tour last year. Shakira, she chose a photograph of herself with Scherzinger. The 18-year-old became a pop She wrote: “Can’t wait to watch these amazing women phenomenon with the huge success perform at the #SuperBowl,” and correctly tagged Lovato and of her debut album, When We Fall Lopez but tagged Shakira in the photograph of Scherzinger. Asleep, Where Do We Go?”, but Eilish Scherzinger didn’t seem to mind and found the humour in recently said her sudden rise to fame the awkward blunder. She replied: “I mean, my body doesn’t took a huge toll on her mental health, lie… but I’m not @shakira babes” along with a kiss emoji and and even made her feel suicidal, heart emoji. reports aceshowbiz.com Abdul promptly deleted the tweet. – IANS In a new interview with US Vogue, she said she began sympathising with the personal troubles Spears went through so publicly over a decade ago, because Eilish was concerned she was STRESSED: Billie Eilish has said that sudden rise to fame took a huge toll on her destined for the same fate. mental health and even made her feel suicidal. “As a fan growing up, I was always like ‘What is wrong with them?,’” she said.Eilish added: “Last year, becoming the youngest artist ever to Eilish shared of watching her teen when I was at my lowest point during win the four major categories at the idols fall from grace as a child. the tour in Europe, I was worried I Grammy Awards last month. “All the scandals. The Britney was going to have a breakdown and Eilish just hopes it provides some moment. You grow up thinking shave my head.” encouragement for young, aspiring they’re pretty and they’re skinny; The Bad Guy hit-maker, who musicians, as she had been not too why would they be in trouble? But the suff ers from Tourette’s Syndrome and long ago. bigger I get, the more I’m like ‘Oh, my has self-harmed in the past, has since “If anything it’s an exciting thing God, of course they had to do that.’ In managed to reach a healthier place for the kids who make music in their my dark places I’ve worried that I was mentally and emotionally, thanks to bedroom,” she said. “We’re making going to become the stereotype that therapy and a reduced work schedule, progress, I think, in that place – kids everybody thinks every young artist but she is continually blown away by who don’t have enough money to use AWKWARD: Nicole Scherzinger was awkwardly mistaken by becomes, because how can they not?” her pop stardom – particularly after studios.” – IANS singer Paula Abdul for Shakira. YouTube hits 20mn paid subscribers, with 2mn joining YouTube TV

oogle-owned YouTube related content on YouTube like has reached 20 million unboxing and beauty videos, this music and premium is the format people love and it paid subscribers and delivers a simple in-video buying over 2 million YouTube experience,” said Pichai. TVG paid subscribers. Google added as many buildings YouTube ended 2019 at a $3 to Maps using ML in 2019 as we it billion annual run rate in YouTube added using all techniques in the subscriptions and other non- previous decade. advertising revenues, Alphabet “In Maps, we are celebrating our Founder and CEO Sundar Pichai 15th anniversary very soon and in announced on Monday. the past year we brought reliable YouTube logged $15 billion in directions to 630 million additional annual ad revenue – a 35.8 per cent people in locations that previously growth over the prior year. For Q4 weren’t well-mapped,” informed 2019, YouTube reported revenue of Pichai. $4.17 billion. With all these improvements user “On the YouTube side, all our growth is strong and the range of user metrics are very strong. things people are doing with Google They’re global in nature and Maps continues to expand as well. increasingly we see newer verticals “The Google Assistant now helps beginning to grow as well. So, more than 500 million monthly YouTube is working horizontally users across 90 counties to get well at scale. And for us, it’s making things done, across smart speakers sure, as an ecosystem, it works and smart displays, phones, TVs, better so that the content there, the cars and more,” he said. experiences there are improving,” Pichai announced that over Pichai told analysts during an $80 billion has been earned by earnings call. developers around the world from People can now easily buy Google Play. ON THE RISE: YouTube ended 2019 at a $3 billion annual run rate in YouTube subscriptions and other non-advertising products in YouTube’s home There are now over 2 billion revenues. feed and search results making it active monthly users of Google possible for advertisers to reach Play. “Our home devices demonstrate holidays, following on from the delivering great user experiences even more audiences. Hardware, however, is still how this vision can come to life Pixel 3a, which sold well last year. and broadening our distribution, “Try searching for Puma in the early stages of delivering in creating the home of the future “With Pixel 4, we continue and our pending acquisition of shoes review on YouTube to on Google’s vision for ambient with our new Nest Mini and Nest to build out our capabilities and Fitbit will give us a foundation in see an example. With all the computing. Hub Max selling well over the are keenly focused on execution variables,” said Pichai. — TNS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 COMMUNITY Young Indian girl wins classical dance competition in Malaysia

By Mudassir Raja

he first and foremost inspiration for a child is his or her parents. If children are given the right kind of atmosphereT and encouragement to pursue their passion, they can do wonders. Eleven-year-old Pooja Santosh is an example in how talented children can be if they are encouraged to follow their passion and interests. The Grade-6 student in Birla Public School has recently won an international classical dance competition held in Malaysia. She bagged the award of excellence in Kuchipudi, one of the 11 major Indian classical dances, and Bharatanatyam, a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in the state of Tamil Nadu, styles along with first prize and A grade for both dance forms. The ‘International Dance Competition’ was conducted by AIDA (All India Dance Association) in association with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre and High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur. She was also a recipient of ‘Nrithyathi’ award (puraskar) in a national level competition conducted by AIDA at Raipur, India in April 2019. She has also performed in various stages in Qatar and has taken part in many competitions and obtained many prizes in the field of Dance and music. Pooja is not only good at dance and music but also at her academic studies in her school. Talking to Community, Deepa Santosh, mother of Puja, said: “Pooja’s father – Santosh Kurup – and I are very proud of what she has achieved. She started showing interest in dance at a very early WINNER: 11-year-old Pooja Santosh is a Grade-6 student in Birla Public School. She bagged the award of excellence in Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam age as she saw her elder sister – Sneha Santosh – dancing and profession, has been living in little Pooja said: “I think I took singing. Sneha, however, took part Qatar for over 20 years, added: no pressure of winning or losing. “I feel dance and music are like a in no competition. “Pooja was born in Qatar. She I just concentrated on my dance “Taking inspiration from her got a right kind of atmosphere and tried to present the best of part of my soul. I have been getting elder sister, Pooja vindicated her and training to be able to win the myself. I had confidence in myself true interest and passion for the international competition. She as my parents and gurus have involved in any kind of music. classical dance and music. We has made us proud. We as parents encouraged me and appreciated noticed her inclination when she have to continue supporting her my talents.” Whenever I listen to some music, was only four-year-old. Even her for the passion.” She feels indebted to her teachers at school took a note The talented Pooja takes the parents and teachers for her my feet will naturally start moving of her talents. We pushed her to classical dance and music very success. “I am really thankful pursue her passion. seriously. “I feel dance and to my teachers who brushed up and dancing. This is my passion “Pooja has been the disciple music are like a part of my soul. my talent and my parents who of Dr Harshsn Sebastian Antony I have been getting involved in encouraged me to pursue the that I cannot avoid” (Kerala), Dr Soosadima Soosan any kind of music. Whenever I passion..” and Kalamandalam Bijusha listen to some music, my feet Pooja dreams of getting more — Pooja Santosh (Doha). She carries real interest will naturally start moving and recognition in singing in future. for music as well. She did a three- dancing. This is my passion that “Yes I love the classical dance but being in Qatar. “There are many There is no trouble living here. We hour-long music concert at the I cannot avoid.’ I love music more. I will continue beautiful things that I like about can concentrate single mindedly age of 10 in India.” In response to a question that dancing and singing both but I the country where I was born on what we want to achieve. Deepa, who along with her why she think she was better than want to excel more in singing.” and am getting my education. Further, Qatar is very clean and husband – an engineer by other dancers at the competition, The young student simply loves Foremost, it is a very safe country. insect-free.”