Community Community Doha College Serbian is all set to folk dances P6organise P16 entertain the third edition of Doha audience Qatar Primary School during Cultural Choir of the Year from Diversity Festival February 20 to 22. at Katara.

Monday, February 18, 2019 Jumada II 13, 1440 AH

Doha today: 150 - 240

IN CONTENTION: Clockwise, from upper left: Black Panther, BlacKkKlasman, Green Book, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite, A Star is Born, Vice, Roma.

OVER VVotingoting OOscarscar C STORY It is that time of the year. Four academy voters share their super-secret ballots for the event. P4-5

BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD

Kapil Sharma happy with regional I want be a global musical touch to Total trailer. artiste: Jaden Smith. Page 14 Page 15 2 GULF TIMES Monday, February 18, 2019 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.50am Shorooq (sunrise) 6.07am Zuhr (noon) 11.48am Asr (afternoon) 3.04pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.31pm Isha (night) 7.00pm

USEFUL NUMBERS Dev exploring the world and meeting new people. He falls in love DIRECTION: Rajath Ravishankar with Meghna who has a very diff erent approach to life and has CAST: Karthi, Rakul Preet Singh, Prakash Raj her own reasons to not believe in men. What happens when SYNOPSIS: Dev is an adventure seeker and he lives the lives of these two characters cross paths? This forms the by his rules. He’s someone who takes a lot of pleasure and crux of the story. excitement in all the thrills that life throws at us. He has Emergency 999 absolutely nothing to worry about in life. He believes in THEATRES: Royal Plaza, The Mall 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

Time Freak Turner, Skyler Gisondo travels back in time to change the past DIRECTION: Andrew Bowler SYNOPSIS: Dumped by his and win her heart again. CAST: Asa Butterfi eld, Sophie girlfriend, a young physics genius THEATRE: Royal Plaza ote Unquo Qu te The Mall Cinema (1): Allu Peranbu (Tamil) 11:15pm. “I think we Ramendran (Malayalam) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace all have empathy. We 2:15pm; Kumbalangi Night (1): Gully Boy (Hindi) 3pm; (Malayalam) 4:45pm; Happy Peranbu (Tamil) 6pm; Gully may not have enough courage Death Day 2U (2D) 7pm; Gully Landmark Cinema (1): Boy (Hindi) 8:30pm; Gully Boy to display it.” Boy (Hindi) 8:45pm; Gully Boy Peranbu (Tamil) 2:15pm; (Hindi) 11:15pm. (Hindi) 11:30pm. Alita: The Battle Angel (2D) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace The Mall Cinema (2): 4:45pm; Alita: The Battle Angel (2): Racetime (2D) 2:30pm; — Maya Angelou Racetime (2D) 3pm; Alita: The (2D) 7pm; Kumbalangi Night Kumbalangi Night (Malayalam) Battle Angel (2D) 5pm; Alita: (Malayalam) 9:15pm; Oru Adaar 4:30pm; Alita: The Battle Angel The Battle Angel (2D) 7:15pm; Love (Malayalam) 11:30pm. (2D) 7pm; Kumbalangi Night The Quake (2D) 9:30pm; Landmark Cinema (Malayalam) 9:15pm; Oru Adaar Oru Adaar Love (Malayalam) (2): Racetime (2D) 3pm; Love (Malayalam) 11:30pm. 11:30pm. Kumbalangi Night (Malayalam) Royal Plaza Cinema Community Editor The Mall Cinema (3): Dev 5pm; Gully Boy (Hindi) 8pm; Palace (3): Oru Adaar Love Kamran Rehmat (Tamil) 2:15pm; Peranbu (Tamil) Gully Boy (Hindi) 11pm. (Malayalam) 2:15pm; Alita: The e-mail: [email protected] 5pm; #Qesat_Hob (Arabic) Landmark Cinema (3): Oru Battle Angel (2D) 5pm; Stan 7:30pm; The Vanishing (2D) Adaar Love (Malayalam) 3pm; And Ollie (2D) 7:15pm; Allu Telephone: 44466405 Allu Ramendran (Malayalam) Fax: 44350474 9:30pm; Peranbu (Tamil) Ramendran (Malayalam) 9pm; 11:30pm. 6pm; Peranbu (Tamil) 8:30pm; Peranbu (Tamil) 11:30pm. Monday, February 18, 2019 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

Artistic Gymnastic Classes Arabic Calligraphy Workshop WHERE: Qatar Academy Msheireb WHEN: Saturday – Wednesday WHEN: Ongoing till February 28 TIME: 6pm TIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pm Arabic Calligraphy workshop is back. The olympic sport using horizontal bar, Come and learn the artistic practice of rings and floor exercises on mats for the Arabic handwriting and calligraphy at children from age 4 till 16. Music and Arts Atelier. The lessons will take place every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For more information, contact [email protected]

EVENTS Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 31st of March. It is a perfect market to get amazing Baladna Cultural Festival local fresh produce. WHERE: Baladna Park Ballet Lessons WHEN: Ongoing till March 1 WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier Baladna Park will embark you on a WHEN: Ongoing delicious and rich journey this time of year, TIME: 4pm – 8pm through the Baladna Culture Festival. The For more info e-mail at registration@ After School Activities festivities will take place each Friday and atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839. WHERE: Atelier Saturday of the month of February and will WHEN: Ongoing include food, dance shows, entertainment Music and arts activities for students and cultural handicrafts from across the taking place after they finish their day in world. For further information 44246000. school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama MIA Park Bazaar 2019 Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and WHERE: Museum Of Islamic Art 10 years old after school hours. WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 12pm – 8pm Hobby Classes MIA Bazaar will be having a vibrant WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art mix of 350 stalls. MIA Park Bazaar is a Centre modern version of the old souq tradition. WHEN:Wednesday – Monday The stalls are going to offer a wide range Mamangam Performing Art Centre, is of gastronomies from all over the world. a holistic performing arts institution and You can also browse and grab handcrafted a one stop solution for adults as well as artefacts, accessories, canvases, fashion children looking to explore their talents wears, designer ornaments. in various art forms. We offer classes in Grand Prix of Qatar 2019 contemporary, Bollywood, hip-hop and WHERE: Losail International Circuit Indian classical dance forms, along with WHEN: March 8 – March 10 classes for music, art and crafts, karate and TIME: 1pm – 9pm yoga. Additional services include dance The opening race will again be held under education and choreography. For details, the floodlights. Ticket can be purchased call 33897609. online. Cycling: Losail Circuit Sports Club WHERE: Losail Circuit WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 5pm Losail Circuit Sports Club, in association with Qatar Sports For All Federation, invites all cyclists, runners and walkers to train under the floodlights of Losail International Circuit every Wednesdays.

Mehaseel Festival WHERE: Katara Cultural Village WHEN: Ongoing till March 31 Mehaseel Souq will be open every

Dance and Instrument Classes Syria Matters Exhibition WHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf Where: Museum of Islamic Art Times Building When: Ongoing till April 30 WHEN: Wednesday – Monday Time: 9am – 7pm Learn the movements of dance styles Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha in Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the presents a major exhibition, co-curated by musical instruments such as Piano, Guitar, MIA Director Dr Julia Gonnella and Rania Keyboard for adults as well kids and move Abdellatif, as part of the MIA ten-year in the world of music. For details, contact anniversary celebrations. 66523871/ 31326749.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Monday, February 18, 2019 COMMUNITY COVER STORY The choices Academy members from four diff erent branches — writer, actor, director, producer — were asked to anonymously share their choices in the top eight categories

were still debating. But here’s Director: This was a tough efficiently told. And it’s a story Olivia Colman’s. Her ability to By Glenn Whipp a snapshot of where they’re one. I think that Alfonso Cuarón that would normally involve emote the endless pit of sorrow currently landing. absolutely deserves the Oscar two men and the queen — how just underneath her frazzled for Roma — it was so gorgeously refreshing that this movie went a demeanour broke my heart. Plus, scar voting is WRITER, woman in her 30s shot, and as a writer I have so different route. I feel like best actress nominees underway, and Picture: I debated between much respect for how he can tell Adapted Screenplay: I love never get to be funny, and, my academy members Black Panther and The Favourite, a story with images. However, the Coen brothers eternally, but God, was she funny. are busy balloting, deciding on Black Panther. My Spike Lee is Spike Lee. I try to base something about Buster Scruggs Actor: Rami Malek. I was not replaying movies best picture picks have always my opinions on the filmmakers’ being an anthology film kept me a fan of Bohemian Rhapsody, but Oto freshen their memories and been based on movies that fill current films, and I don’t know from voting for it. That might be I was impressed with Malek’s considering whether a vote for me up and stay with me on top if BlacKkKlansman is a better- ridiculous, but it’s true. Instead, performance. If Christian Bale Roma in the foreign-language of being technically well-made. directed movie than Roma, but I’m going with If Beale Street takes this, that’s fine. Both men film category is enough or to go I want a best picture winner to I do know that Spike Lee has Could Talk. Having read the source took on very physically altering all in and mark it for best picture be a movie that took the most somehow never been nominated material recently, I was struck roles, and both men did a good job as well. risks and that people enjoyed (aka for director, and I want him to by how Barry Jenkins was able with those roles. But one played We asked academy members went to see). I loved The Favourite win for his consistent ability to to convey the warmth, tone and a ferocious rock star with gusto from four different branches — but ultimately decided on Black move my world sideways with his detail of Baldwin’s words into his and complexity that transcended writer, actor, director, producer Panther because it ticked every storytelling. script. the movie itself, so I’m going to go — to anonymously share box for me and yet didn’t feel like Original Screenplay: The Actress: I would be happy with with that one. their choices in the top eight a movie designed for winning Favourite! What a terribly fun, any of these women winning, but Supporting actress: Regina categories. In some cases, they Oscars. inventive and gorgeous tale, my favourite performance was King. No question. Again, I loved Monday, February 18, 2019 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY all the performances in this category, but the scenes in Puerto Rico alone earned her this Oscar for me. Supporting actor: Richard E. Grant is my choice in this very stacked category. I’d be pleased with any of these actors winning, but Grant’s performance was moving and caustic and perfectly pitched, and I want him to be in every movie.

ACTOR, man in his 50s Picture: I’m going with Black Panther. It sounds bananas. I thought the popular film Oscar idea was absurd, and I’m glad they got rid of that quickly. Ryan Coogler … to go from Fruitvale Station to this in five years is incredible. That whole production should be honoured. I think it would be good for the industry, and I think it would be good for the academy. And if Bohemian Rhapsody wins, I’ll quit the academy. Director: If I could vote for Bradley Cooper, I would. I thought he got ripped off. So Pawel Pawlikowski [Cold War] is my choice. Original screenplay: I voted for Ethan Hawke for actor. He should have slipped in. I loved him; I loved the movie. It’s crazy that [First Reformed] is Paul Schrader’s first nomination. I hope he gets his due. Adapted screenplay: I lived in New York when that whole thing happened with Lee Israel, and Can You Ever Forgive Me? captures that great tale. I’m also a big Nicole Holofcener fan. She just keeps turning out really great, interesting stuff. I think this is her best ever. Actress: Olivia Colman, I think. I’m partial to Glenn Close finally getting an award. But I’m not a fan of the movie. I’m a fan of her amazing performance. But the range Colman shows in The Favourite just covers all the bases. She gets to do everything in the emotional spectrum in that film. Actor: I’ve been going back and forth between Rami Malek and Christian Bale. I’ve watched both films two or three times. It’s so personal, it’s political and it’s a discovering her with this movie. a clear choice to me. McKay, but I didn’t think this was silly and arbitrary to say that Rami world you can lose yourself in Actor: I think Willem Dafoe in Director: Hands down, Cuarón a well-built narrative. However, Malek’s performance is better repeatedly. I’m glad it’s on Netflix. At Eternity’s Gate does something has to win. It’s a singular vision. Christian Bale is transformative, than, say, Bradley Cooper. They’re I know so many people who’ve extraordinary. He makes you see I know he’s been lauded already, and if you could separate a all so individually fantastic. But I seen it who otherwise would never how consumed van Gogh was by but I don’t care. He deserves this. performance from a movie, it’s loved what Rami Malek did, and have taken the plunge. his passion, by his art. It’s the Original screenplay: I here. But Rami Malek … like the work ethic he brought to it was Director: Again, Cuarón for all first van Gogh movie I think that’s probably have to go with Roma, Christian Bale, he personified extraordinary. the same reasons. truly made a case for the necessity again, for that same kind of this real person but also made it Supporting actress: I love Original screenplay: The of art. transformative emotion that I his own. I’m leaning toward Rami Regina King. She’s always just Favourite. It’s nasty. It’s funny. It Supporting actress: I came felt. I’m a little bit of a purist. You because I appreciated the movie been an underrated actor for has a duck race. And it leaves you close to voting for the screenplay can’t get picture and best director more. me. She brings such strength to devastated. of If Beale Street Could Talk, so I without getting best words. Supporting actress: I’m so everything she does. Plus, I love If Adapted screenplay: I could feel moved to support Regina King Adapted screenplay: Hearing confused. I almost don’t have a Beale Street Could Talk. I think it’s have easily voted for Spike Lee here for her wonderful work in people speak on the original choice … but Regina King will an underrated movie, and I’d like for director. That category is that movie. material and hearing Barry probably be it. The Favourite was to see it win something. ridiculous. I feel good voting Supporting actor: Richard Jenkins speak about adapting fun, but Emma and Rachel — and Supporting actor: Richard for him here too, because E. Grant made me laugh, and he it, I’m leaning toward If Beale I felt the same way about Amy — Grant is fabulous in Can You Ever BlacKkKlansman has everything made me cry. That counts for a Street Could Talk for its specific great scenes, for sure, but those Forgive Me? And there’s no bigger you’d want from a Spike Lee lot. transmutation. performances came up short. Withnail and I fan than I am. I just movie — it’s provocative and Actress: I’m probably spitting Supporting actor: This is love seeing a comeback story. thrilling and offers a window into PRODUCER, man in his 50s in the wind here, but Melissa really hard. Again, because I the American experience, past Picture: Roma, for its delicacy McCarthy. I’m a New Yorker, and I love the movie, I was thinking DIRECTOR, woman in her and present. and expertise in craft. [Forget] the know that lonely person. And she of Richard E. Grant. But I think 40s Actress: Olivia Colman. All those Netflix theatrical argument. I’m just blew me away. I’m going with Adam Driver, Picture: Alfonso Cuarón has things I said about The Favourite so sick of that discussion. It’s just Actor: I’m really fighting who I think stole the movie as a made so many amazing movies, are there in Colman’s acting. It’s a super-well-crafted movie that through two choices. I didn’t supporting actor. —Los Angeles but I think Roma is his best. It’s wonderful to see so many people deserves all the accolades. That’s like Vice. I’m a big fan of Adam Times/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Monday, February 18, 2019 COMMUNITY Doha College to organise Qatar Primary School Choir of the Year

Doha College is all set to organise the third edition of Qatar Primary School Choir of the Year from values outside of the classroom. ” February 20 to 22 at InterContinental Hotel. The competition will be independently judged by a Dr Steff en Sommer, Principal of Doha College, added, “Our school is honoured to be at the panel of experts, including Giovanni Pasini, Chief Conductor of the Qatar Youth Orchestra and forefront of promoting excellence in music at a primary age across schools in Qatar.” Dana Al Qatar Chamber Choir; and Olga Protopopova, Principal for the International Centre for Music in Fardan, Ambassador of the competition, said, “I look back on music making when I was a child with Doha. The panel will be led Greg Beardsell, international choral music expert. such fondness. I believe it is so important to encourage children not only to have an appreciation Steph Gomaa, Director of Music at Doha College, said, “The ethos of Qatar Primary School Choir of music but to experience music through performing it and sharing it with their peers.” of the Year is that of uniting children through singing. It is our aim for children to have a platform Six choirs will qualify for the final round, out of the 15 groups hailing from Doha, Mesaieed, Wakra that encourages a touch of competitive spirit, with the desire to perform and excel in music. Being and Dukhan. All competitors will participate in a big-sing led by Greg Beardsell. Music Square (51 a High Performance Learning school, we recognise the importance of equipping students to be East) will provide a piano for the three days of the competition. The event is also supported by well-rounded, and QPSCoY allows participating children to develop a multitude of attributes and FNAC and Symphony Events and Productions.

Dana Al Fardan MES organises farewell event

MES Indian School recently organised a farewell event names of the best outgoing students and urged the for the students of Grade-XII bade at the Conference students to face the world confidently. “As trustworthy Hall of MES. The event was attended by the outgoing custodians, we are fulfilling our obligation to the badge of Grade XII along with the faculty members and parents. And we guided you all in these years and school off icials. Mohammed Abdulla Khan welcomed equip you with the required knowledge and skill to the gathering. confront the challenges of the world outside,” she said. Syed Mohammad Raza Haider and Clairin C Rolland, The best outgoing students, included Buddhi Rohan student representatives, spoke about the significant Sai, Sreerag Vinod, Dithi Dinesan, Amina Nahaan and role played by the school in their lives. Hawwa Yousaf. Other titles given to the students, Speaking on the occasion, K Abdul Karim, President included Midhun Sunil Kumar and Myar Imad, best of MES Governing Board, said, “As you are in the all-rounders title; Aloysius Joshy and Roslyn Varghese, threshold of facing realities of the world, be dignified best sports talents of the year; Syed Mohammad Raza in your action, adorn noble qualities of trustworthiness Haider and Ria Elsa George, talent of the year; Nihal and piety and exercise utmost respect to elders and Ali Ebrahim and Hamna N T, best outgoing prefects; parents.” Mohammed Saadkhan and Haneen Ali, best outgoing A P Khaleel, Director of Cultural and Co-Curricular Campus Care Force (CCF) members of the school; Activities at MES Governing Board, added, Hamdan Gousuddin, best scout; and Saiyed Fahmeen, “With determination and perseverance, you can best guide. accomplish your dream of life. Utilising the unlimited Jino Mangalam, faculty member at the Department of talents and potential coupled with the knowledge Biology, also addressed the gathering. and skill imparted by the school you can lead a life Representing teachers, Mr. Jino Mangalam, Department worthy of emulation.” of Biology delivered a speech. The event also featured Hammeda Kadar, Principal of MES, announced the a couple of dance performances.

MPAC organises 1st Inter Do Jo Karate Championship and Camp

Mamangam Performing Art Centre over the championship and camp. (MPAC) recently organised 1st Inter Do Anjali Prasannan, Director of MPAC, Jo Karate Championship and Camp. inaugurated the prize distribution Shihan Vinod Kumar K, Chief Instructor ceremony. Shihan Vinod Kumar was the and Examiner at NSKA Qatar, presided chief guest on the occasion.

OIS organises ‘Spell Bee Competition’

Olive International School (OIS) recently organised up position, which was followed by Sreya Bijesh, a ‘Spell Bee Competition’. Students from various student of Nobel International School, and Mariel schools in Qatar participated in the competition. Rose, a student of OIS, with second runners up and Ehan Suhas, a student of Rajagiri Public School, third, respectively. The competition was organised won the competition. Bhagya Sreebinu, a student under the supervision of Geeta Somashekharan, of Shantiniketan Indian School, bagged first runners Roopinder Kaur and Seema Guleria. Monday, February 18, 2019 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY Himalayan International Music Awards-2019 presented

Jana Sawal National Daily (JSND) and Himalayan Events Pvt Ltd recently organised Himalayan International Music Awards - 2019 at Best Western Plus Hotel. Some 37 categories, including best national song, best modern song, best music video, best composer and best musician among others were presented at the ceremony. The event was attended by notable personalities, including Ramesh Prasad Koirala, Ambassador of Nepal. The event kicked off with the national anthem of Nepal and Qatar, which was followed by a welcome song performed by Nabin Poudel. The event featured various musical and dance performances by local and Nepali artistes, including Bhumika Rai, Susmita Giri, Ashma Gautam, Amrit Khatri, Radha Tiwari, Shova Tirpat, Chija Lekhali Tamang and Sarswoti. The organisers also presented mementos to notable personalities attending the event, including Ramesh Prasad Koirala, Dev Kaji Dangol, Nepali community leader; Mahindra Chamlagai, President of Nepali Business Association Qatar (NBAQ); RK Sharma, Gulf Co-ordinator of Non Resident Nepali Association; Raj Regmi, Vice President of NBAQ; Sagar Nepal, Nepali community leader; Ramesh Bhatta, Secretary at NBAQ , Muktaza Musalman, President of International Nepali Muslim Society; Sarita Gurung, Female Co-ordinator at Non Resident Nepali Association National Co-ordination Council Qatar; Yaseem Mama, Chanak Pokheral, President of Nepali Overseas Forum Qatar; Kareem Box Miya, President of Federation Nepali Journalists Qatar; and Narayan Bhandari, Youth Co-ordinator at Non Resident Nepali Association National Coordination Council Qatar; along with Abdul Basid, Shree Krishna Bhatterai, Arjun Khannel and Deepak Lamichane. The musical awards bagged by Nepali artistes, included Saraswoti, Best Nepali Pop Singer Award; Dipu Tamang, Best Solo Song Singer; Sharad Tamang, Most Popular Song; Dinesh Tamang, Best Male Newcomer Model in Music Video; Alina Rayamajhi, Best Movie Actress; Shobha Tripathi, Best Tij Folk Song; Uttam Bhandari, Best Lyrics; Ashma Gautam, Best Female Newcomer Model in Music Video; Amrit Khati, Most Popular Folk Song; Rajesh Timilsina, Best Folk Music Video Director; Prakas Tamang, Best Pop/Modern Music Video Director; Sagar Ghising, Best Tamang Folk Music Video; Milan Lama, Best Movie Artist Male; CR Yakkha Rai, Best Modern Song; Bhanumati Tiwari, Best Folk Duet Singer Female; and Gopal Prasad Tiwari, Best Folk Duet Singer Male. Other winners, included Ranjeet Pariyar, Amrita Sripal, Manju Lama, Dawa Tamang, Dharma Raj Pokhrel, Karna Raj Giri, Ghija Tamang, Sushmita Giri and Smiriti Gautam. – Text and photos by Usha Wagle Gautam

Aster DM Healthcare launches one-month-long cancer awareness activities

As part of World Cancer Day, first week of February, has seen Aster DM Healthcare has recently a participation of more than 800 launched one-month-long cancer people and more than 600 people awareness activities in Qatar under have taken a pledge to spread the slogan of #IamAndIWill. The cancer awareness across Qatar. The initiative comes in line with the campaign is also aiming to conduct message to combat cancer and more cancer awareness activities creating awareness about the in co-operation with associations, importance of screening and early schools and corporates in the detection, stated a press release. upcoming days. The off icial launch of the campaign Talking about the initiative, Dr was recently held at Aster Hospital Sameer Moopan said, “We are very Doha. Dr Sameer Moopan, Chief happy to conduct one-month-long Executive Off icer at Aster DM awareness activity related to World Healthcare-Qatar, launched the Cancer Day as a part of our CSR campaign in the presence of venture, Aster Volunteers. The Mohamed Shaban, a cancer survivor, purpose of the campaign is to help and Dr Raghu K Hiremagalur, Medical make the public more aware about Director at Aster Hospital Qatar, cancer prevention and treatments.” along with other off icials of Aster. The Mohamed Shaban also spoke to one-month-long activities will include the audience on how he overcame cancer awareness sessions, flier cancer with will power, diet control distribution and mass pledge taking and limited use of medicine. He that will be held at Aster Hospital, emphasised on the need of regular Doha and all Aster Medical centres exercise, eating more vegetables and spread across Qatar. fruits and avoiding canned food and The campaign which started in the soft drinks. 8 GULF TIMES Monday, February 18, 2019 COMMUNITY TRAVEL How hotels today are competing with Airbnb

RIVALRY: As Airbnb and other short-term home-sharing websites lure vacationers with kitchens, backyards and the chance to mingle with locals, hotels are competing with amenities of their own.

Lure of the local Hotels are fostering local vibes, The next day, I took advantage Which is better? That depends I opted for one of those Airbnb too, recognising that modern of the other benefits of a hotel. listings for the first time when I travellers relish an authentic I rolled out of bed knowing that stayed in Rome two years ago. I sense of place. At various hotels housekeeping would tidy it later. upon the traveller, his or her shifted from a hotel for one main now works by local artists hang on Breakfast was waiting when I reason: My family would be joined the walls. wandered into the lobby; options by a friend who needed his own included a carrot muffin and a expectations and the destination, bedroom, so I wanted a three- Social graces plate of fruit and yogurt topped bedroom apartment with a living And those communal spaces? with a whale tail-shaped biscuit. room where we could comfortably They’re getting a whole lot nicer, Later, I headed to the ocean writes Kerri Westenberg converge. an enticing reason to hang at a carrying a beach towel. And while My search had only just hotel, not squirrel away in a rental I was out bobbing in the waves, begun when I discerned another home. my bags were safely tucked away tossed food in the fridge, websites lure vacationers with advantage: price. For less than At lively restaurants in hotels at the front desk, staffed 24 hours washed my travel mug in the kitchens, backyards and the chance the cost of two hotel rooms, we across the country residents a day, since I’d already checked sink, plopped on the sofa to mingle with locals, hotels are landed in a penthouse apartment mingle with visitors in hip spaces out. to page through a magazine competing with amenities of their in a beautiful building with a that ooze local culture. Luggage drops, easy check-ins, and fi nally tested the bed, own. wraparound balcony. In Rome, On my way to check in at concierges, safety features such theI ultimate barometer of any Some bring a home kitchen we discovered that our apartment 21 Broad, a boutique hotel on as fire sprinklers and a uniform overnight accommodation. It was to your hotel room. Others are rental also connected us to the Massachusetts’ Nantucket Island, standard of cleanliness and cushy with just the right amount cooking up perks that a single home neighbourhood. The doorman I passed a woman reading a style: These certainties will keep of underlying fi rmness. I’d sleep or apartment never could, such welcomed us like long-time newspaper below a mod bubble visitors overnighting at hotels. well, plus be well-fed, thanks as fresh-baked cookies all day or residents whenever we returned, light in a small, quiet sitting And the warmth and local touches to the microwave, stovetop and performances by local musicians in worn out from a day of sightseeing. room. In the larger room next inspired by the competition from dishwasher. inviting communal spaces. I shopped at the nearby corner door, the manager greeted me home-sharing have only improved I could expect a gleaming While most vacationers check store, where I grabbed sparkling behind a counter in the corner. A the hotel experience. stainless-steel kitchen from the into hotels, many are opting instead water, delicious sandwiches, salads couple contemplated which album Which is better? That depends homes I’ve rented through Airbnb. to rent part of or an entire home. and cookies for dining on the to spin on the turntable, a group upon the traveller, his or her But this time I hadn’t rented an Research fi rm Skift reported last apartment balcony. Since we were of women huddled in a seating expectations and the destination. apartment or home. I’d checked year that home-rental earnings in a residential neighbourhood area, and I nibbled a chocolate I like the comfort and ease of a into a $120-per-night hotel near globally reached $82.9 billion in not frequented by tourists, no one chip cookie. The hotel turns them hotel. And I like the space and a shopping mall, for a weekend 2017. That’s less than one-sixth of in the store spoke English. With out all day. It was exactly the kind uniqueness of home rentals. On an soccer tournament. the hotel industry’s $512.3 billion my halting Italian, I eventually of sleek, well-designed hangout upcoming trip to Italy, in fact, I’m The homey touches surprised take. But in a sign that home- conveyed what I needed. By my space that hotels are getting adept splitting the difference, Airbnb me, but they shouldn’t have. As sharing is becoming a force, Skift third visit, I was greeted like a at creating, like an Airbnb living in Rome, hotel in Florence and Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO and predicts that such rentals will grow regular, albeit one who required room, only perhaps bigger and looking forward to both. – Star other short-term home-sharing to $132.5 billion by 2022. patience. better. Tribune (Minneapolis)/TNS Monday, February 18, 2019 GULF TIMES 9 ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY

ALLEVIATE: For those living in cities, heat waves are particularly unbearable. Plants and trees can help alleviate the eff ects of climate change. Cities focus on becoming greener Heatwaves are particularly brutal in cities, where there are fewer trees, plants and parks to lessen the eff ects. But with growing urban populations and climate change, more cities are trying to go green. By Annette Reuther

limate change is oxygen. A diff erence of 2 to 3 degrees Highrise Award, which was becoming an increasing Celsius can be measured between presented in Frankfurt. reality for many in green and built-up areas. Research has shown just how Europe, with heatwaves Architects and urban planners important urban green spaces are and long droughts have been working on the issue for health. According to a paper becomingC the norm, rather than the for some time, experimenting from Germany’s Federal Agency for exception, during summertime on with green facades, roof gardens Nature Conservation, more extreme the continent. and urban vegetable gardens. The events, such as long periods of heat For those living in cities, heat Italian architect Stefano Boeri has or drought, are to be expected due to waves are particularly unbearable a particular vision: He wants to see climatic developments. due to a lack of greenery, with trees and houses grow together into A consortium of researchers cars, air pollution and concrete the sky. With his Bosco Verticale in recently found that climate change everywhere. Plants and trees can Milan’s banking district, he covered is threatening the health of more and help alleviate the eff ects of climate two high-rise towers with 800 trees more people. The Lancet medical change. But the implementation is and 15,000 plants. journal reported that people in where it gets diffi cult. “Bringing a forest into the city is cities are particularly at risk, with According to the World Health very eff ective because it defeats the temperatures in densely populated Organization (WHO), three- enemy in its own fi eld,” he tells says. regions rising especially sharply. quarters of the population in Europe After all, the most harmful CO2 is Urban eff orts at going green also will live in cities by 2020. Green produced in cities - and it can be contribute to a positive image of a spaces alone won’t halt climate broken down there again by adding city. In Berlin, the residents voted AIM: The Bosco Verticale by Milan architecture Stefano Boeri aims to greenify change, says Matthias Braubach of more greenery. against the development of the the city. the WHO. But the eff ort involved in creating former Tempelhof Airport, and in “While green spaces in the city such ‘urban forests’ as Boeri’s is the Ruhr area, industrial wastelands is great. And if green areas are not vertical forest are wealthy, such as can play a small part in off setting enormous. The trees have to be lifted were converted into parks. But while maintained properly, they can easily footballers from Milan’s big clubs, the problem, what’s really needed onto the balconies with a crane. many cities in Germany are aware turn into hubs for dealing drugs or fashion designers and rappers. is a complete change of focus in Botanists spend months calculating of the importance of the issue, they other illegal activity. The residents don’t have to do certain areas,” he says, for example which roots grow where and how. struggle with implementation. Furthermore, the development anything to maintain the greenery transport and energy generation. And the maintenance costs are high “A forest cannot simply be of green spaces in a city can lead on the balcony. Irrigation and But while they may just be a drop - even if Boeri disagrees. planted. That takes decades. The to gentrifi cation - this means that maintenance are done centrally. The in the bucket, parks, meadows and It’s not so diffi cult, in his opinion, areas must develop,” says Braubach. rents rise where there is a lot of Milan media have calculated that green balconies do contribute to “It’s a matter of common sense.” A car park or a sports hall can be greenery. That is why municipalities this adds an additional 1,500 euros alleviating the eff ects of climate Several of his vertical forests are built faster and have an immediate should cultivate many small green (1,725 dollars) to the maintenance change. “They are buff ers for being created around the world, in eff ect. In addition, parks must be areas throughout the city that are costs for each apartment. extreme heat,” says Braubach. China and Holland, for example. In monitored and maintained. When accessible to all. As such, green living is a privilege Plants provide shade and produce 2014, Boeri won the International trees fall during storms, the damage Those who live in Milan’s of the rich.– DPA 10 GULF TIMES Monday, February 18, 2019 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Monday, February 18, 2019 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Give your contemporary homes a traditional touch little traditional touch warmth as opposed to the relatively to a contemporary cold contemporary. home with colours, z Incorporate traditional curios and cushions materials like brass and pieces with can make an interesting fi ligree into your homes. Aalteration to the design vibe, z Add unique pieces to your suggest experts. space, such as a large pichhwai (folk Manisha Chanda, Director, art dedicated to Lord Krishna) or Ishatvam, and Vibhor Jain, Director, a beautiful lantern. They add an ArgentOr Silver, suggest how: interesting element and are great z Colours play an important conversation pieces. and signifi cant role in India. Each z Use the right crockery to season, each festival is represented add traditional elements into a with a diff erent palette of colours contemporary home. that can be incorporated into z Furniture without modern homes. Add these vibrant ornamentation, mostly in grey/ colours to your space against a beige, something that brings pastel western palette. neutral hues perfectly defi nes the Your sofa and chairs could be contemporary aspect. Adding a structured with clean lines and bold element of something chic and contemporary upholstery. One classy, like a piece of silverware, can use cushions and throws a chandelier or a majestic potted in beautiful traditional prints plant, can elevate the interiors and weaves to create a perfect celebrating the essence of amalgamation of traditional simplicity with an impact. – IANS

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

Career developments could look promising now, Aries, and you Some rather depressing information could come to you today from You’ve been working hard to improve your financial situation, might be in a hurry to finish whatever needs to be done. But far away, Taurus. This is less likely to be about your immediate Gemini. You might be on the verge of attaining what you want, but responsibilities to home and family might interfere. For some reason, situation or circle of friends than it is about something social or temporary obstacles could get in your way. You could be in a bit of you might have to stay home. Perhaps you experienced some political in nature. It’s probably the subject of a lot of talk around a panic, wondering if this means you will never get where you want intense dreams that you feel are significant but you can’t remember you. You might need to run some errands in your community, but for to be. Don’t worry. That isn’t the case. You just need to assess the them. If you stop trying to remember, they may come back to you. some reason you can’t. Relax. Tomorrow should be fine. situation and figure out what to do to get over this hurdle. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

A partner might be feeling rather down and need you to cheer him or Today you might enjoy planning to have some visitors stay with you A friend could be depressed and need your advice, Virgo. Some long- her up, Cancer. Too many social invitations could come your way today. for a while, Leo. Worry about developments on the job or unfinished held, cherished goals that you’ve been working toward could be You may have to turn one of them down. You may not be in the mood chores of your own might have you feeling a bit stressed and under temporarily blocked, causing you to wonder if they will ever come to for socialising and need to be alone to organise your thoughts. One of the weather. You need to look at your situation objectively. It isn’t all fruition. Don’t waste any time lapsing into negative thoughts. Assess the events could be business related and you may feel obligated to go. that bad, just something that needs to be done. Get it handled and what needs doing and do it. This is only a temporary situation. You Put in an appearance. Don’t feel compelled to stay long. then reward yourself somehow. will get through it, but it’s up to you how quickly. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Some professional colleagues might be coming to visit, Libra, and Today you might need to run some errands, Scorpio, but they might You might reflect on recent successes in business and money and you may not be looking forward to it. You could be worried. How will prove diff icult for a number of reasons. The errands could be personal suddenly feel a strong sense of gloom, wondering if it’s going to it go? Will you make a good impression? Don’t drive yourself crazy. or business related. Communication may be temporarily blocked. continue. Don’t panic, Sagittarius. It isn’t a vision of the future. It’s It will be fine. Family members should be doing well regarding their Messages may not be delivered or you could be playing phone tag. On only a temporary feeling. Work it off through exercise or throw responsibilities, although you might be a bit worried about them days like this, you need to make a special eff ort to keep cool. Nothing yourself into a task. Meditation could also help. Get the endorphins today. Relax. All is going to go very well. is so important that you have to drive yourself crazy. going and your optimism and enthusiasm should return. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Work that could advance you professionally could take you away A task, perhaps job related or perhaps one of your own, might prove Someone, perhaps a person involved with a group you’re in, may from loved ones, Capricorn, and cause some emotional tension. weightier than you expected. You’re working too hard and you could ask you to help in some way today. You probably don’t want to do it, You might feel down because you’d rather be with your loved ones be feeling tired and dejected, Aquarius. Exactly how crucial is it to Pisces, possibly because you have plans. Don’t be afraid to say no. but feel it’s important to move ahead now. Try to make up for it get this done right now? If it isn’t vital, get as much done as you can Your creative energy should be high and your imagination working with some quality time. It’s crucial to make the most of the current without compromising your well-being. Do the rest tomorrow. The overtime, but other responsibilities interfere with your doing planetary positions. Everyone will be glad when you see results. world won’t end if you take another day. anything about it now. Note your ideas and come back to them later. 12 GULF TIMES Monday, February 18, 2019 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

African Rivers

CONGO NIGER SHIRE CUANZA NILE TANA CUBANGO ORANGE UBANGI GAMBIA RUFIJI VAAL JUBA SAVE VOLTA LIMPOPO SENEGAL ZAMBEZI LOMAMI SHARI

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. Monday, February 18, 2019 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 1. Contest in which the teams 1. For a second, the loose ends draw (3-2-3) touch one lightly (6) 5. Impassive when I lost badly 2. Play the returned convict the the day after (6) mob wrongly imprisoned (6) 9. Happen to drop by (4,4) 3. Measurement, perhaps, of 10. Forms fungoid growths (6) the hole the gate is made for 12. A half-broken pair of (7) spectacles found inside, in 4. The top ten, copy previously the bathroom (6) (4) 13. The so-and-so is out! (8) 6. Gave the impression of 15. Ray, by the sound of it? having been removed (4,3) (6,2,4) 7. Lounge about and I have a 18. Where the umbrella is to go soft drink: It’s very sweet (8) is hard to understand (4,4,4) 8. Intended, indeed, to be an 23. Reveals one’s losing one’s indication (8) grip? (4,4) 11. A white lady for monsieur? 24. Hardly fear catching cold! (6) (7) Answers 26. Composition from a famous 14. An unusual case with a author: an essay (6) twitch and he’s most austere Wordsearch Codeword 27. Of course, it’s why one (7) requires proof (2,2,4) 16. Copes, somehow, when all go 28. Are prepared and set sail in to pieces in the smash-up (8) spring (6) 17. Jumpy when you work for 29. The smartest is ordered for longer stretches? (8) the bedroom (8) 19. Keep note (7) 20. “An American coin,” I interjected, “and old” (7) 21. Kick for game (6) 22. Points with which one equalises (6) 25. She’s turned the ring completely round (4) Yesterday’s Solutions

ACROSS: 1 Back again 6 Start 9 DOWN: 1 Broom 2 Consonant Ounce 10 Supporter 11 Moon- 3 Ace of clubs 4 Abscond 5 flower 12 Undo 14 Stalled 15 Nippers 6 Stop 7 Anton 8 Seethes 17 Antibes 19 Stories Tortoises 13 Second post 14 20 Mark 22 Aid and abet 25 Spasmodic 16 Hair-brush 18 Dashboard 26 Ovule 27 Canoe Spirals 19 Slander 21 Risen 23 28 Scratches. Tiers 24 Able. 14 GULF TIMES Monday, February 18, 2019 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD Kapil happy with regional touch to trailer

elebrities Kapil Sharma, “While we want to connect with Diljit Dosanjh and Ravi audiences outside Hindi-speaking Kishan have praised the regions, we want them to have as team of Total Dhamaal for much fun as we’ve had in creating adding a regional touch to these spoofs,” Shikha Kapur, Chief Cthe marketing of the project. Marketing Offi cer, Fox Star Studios, The makers launched four version said. of the movie trailer – in Punjabi, “We’ve taken a lot of creative liberty Gujarati, Marathi and Bhojpuri. They to ensure that the spoofs aren’t direct have been created and dubbed by translations of the original trailer, but well-known regional creators, and creative units with their own jokes and were launched by a celebrity in each local fl avour,” she said. region, read a statement. Total Dhamaal is the third For instance, the Punjabi version instalment of the successful franchise was pushed out by Kapil and Diljit, Dhamaal, which originally starred Ravi launched the Bhojpuri one and , Javed Jaff rey and the Marathi and Gujarati version was alongside Sanjay launched by Riteish Deshmukh and Dutt. Dilip Joshi respectively. It also stars Nene, “ have you seen this and . Co- Punjabi version of Total Dhamaal produced by Fox Star Studios, Ajay trailer... It’s very funny,” Kapil Devgn Films, Ashok Thakeria, Kumar, tweeted. Diljit also said that the Sri Adhikari Brothers, Anand Pandit, trailer is well-made. And Ravi Sangeeta Ahir and Kumar Mangat posted: “Bhojpuri power sure shot Pathak, the fi lm is slated to release on DIVERSITY: Kapil Sharma has praised the movie trailer that has been launched in Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi and blockbuster.” February 22. – IANS Bhojpuri.

Kashyap warns fans Kashyap also asked his fans against his fake social to block a person who has been media accounts texting women while posing as him. Filmmaker “And there is this person who yesterday warned fans not to follow uses fake US/Canada numbers to the fake social media accounts in text women posing as me, please his name. do not respond to him. He has been The director took reported to cyber cell. to Twitter from his offi cial and “I only use my Indian number verifi ed handle @anuragkashyap72 even while travelling. Please to post the screenshots of his fake report and block this person,” he accounts. added along with the WhatsApp “My fake profi les are fl oating on screenshots of the fake user who Facebook. This is to say none of has sent messages to several people WARNING: Anurag Kashyap asks his these is me. I am not on Facebook,” using the fi lmmaker’s name. – fans to block a person who has been he wrote. IANS texting women while posing as him.

It is not clear where in Rajasthan the shoot is taking place. The Netfl ix show Bard of Blood is an adaptation of author Bilal UPBEAT: is upbeat about joining the cast of the upcoming movie. Siddiqi’s The Bard Of Blood. Set against the backdrop of Jha excited to join Damul and his Parineeti being my the Indian subcontinent, the cast favourite fi lm. I was surprised by multilingual series will tell the story his performance in Jai Gangaajal of an expelled spy Kabir Anand, Filmmaker Prakash Jha is and then the short fi lm he acted in. I who is recalled from his new life upbeat about joining the cast of think he is perfect for this role - for as a Shakespeare professor in Saand Ki Aankh, which is based Prakash Jha”. Panchgani to save his country and on sharpshooters Chandro and Director : long lost love. . “We are so excited to have someone On making his debut in the web Jha posted on social media a as supremely talented as Prakash world, Hashmi had told IANS in an photograph with the shooters from Jha join the star cast of the fi lm. interview: “It’s diff erent. Through Johri, Uttar Pradesh. This role was tailor-made for him a web show, we are not only “The enthusiasm the whole and we could only envision him for pitching the content to the Indian team had for me rubbed off on me this character.” audience, but to audiences in over along with a great part. Looking Reliance Entertainment is 180 diff erent countries. Web shows forward to the shoot,” Jha said in a producing Saand Ki Aankh along NEW PROJECT: Digital show Bard of Blood is Emraan Hashmi’s maiden work can’t be only Indianised versions... statement. with Anurag Kashyap and Nidhi for the web. A fair balance should be maintained The drama that marks the Parmar of Chalk n Cheese Films. in terms of performances and directorial debut of acclaimed Parmar said: “When this Hashmi in Rajasthan for “Rajasthan bound. Sunday content.” scriptwriter Tushar Hiranandani, character was written, I could Bard of Blood last leg morning flights are like why oh While he is confi dent the show is set in the hinterlands of Uttar only picture Prakash sir because why. Gearing for the last schedule will be “interesting”, Emraan says Pradesh. It recently went on the of his authoritative and respectful Actor Emraan Hashmi will shoot of Bard of Blood,” Hashmi wrote he has his fi ngers crossed. fl oors in Meerut. presence which inspires awe along the fi nal schedule of his maiden on Instagram along with a “I am sure our audience will like Producer Anurag Kashyap said: with the benefi t of his acting digital show Bard of Blood in photograph clicked before he took it and I hope international audience “I have been a Prakash Jha fan since chops.” – IANS Rajasthan. a flight. like it too.” – IANS Monday, February 18, 2019 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY I want be a global musical artiste: Jaden Smith

TRAILER: The two-minute Frozen 2 trailer begins with Elsa facing a raging sea, and using her powers to turn the waves into ice.

Frozen 2 has already broken a record, nine months before its release Fans of Disney’s ice queen Elsa aren’t ready to let it go just yet. Frozen 2 has already set a record, nine months before the sequel hits theatres on Nov. 22. “Thank you to the fans around the world for making the teaser trailer for #Frozen2 the most viewed animation trailer of all time, with a record-breaking 116.4 million views in 24 hours,” Walt Disney Studios tweeted Thursday. With that, Disney broke its own record, soaring past last year’s Incredibles 2, whose trailer racked up 113 million views in its fi rst 24 hours. The overall most streamed movie trailer, for Avengers: Endgame, also falls under the Disney umbrella. The teaser for that fi lm, due out in April, got a whopping 289 million views during its fi rst 24 hours. The two-minute Frozen 2 trailer, released Wednesday, begins with the fi lm’s heroine facing a raging sea, and using her powers to turn the waves into ice so she can run on top of them. Back at what appears to be the castle, Elsa’s sister Anna looks DETERMINED: Jaden Smith says he wants to collaborate with many international artistes. alarmed by all the diamond-shaped ice crystals fl oating in the air outside her window. Smith would like to come back and share his music with The movie follows 2013’s Frozen, which won Academy Awards for By Natalia Ningthoujam his fans in the country. Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Let It Go. – New Last year, the young artiste grabbed eyeballs for York Daily News/ IANS releasing SYRE: The Electric Album on Instagram. he Karate Kid star Jaden Smith, also a rapper, “I had created an app to release my fi rst album. My Bond 25 delayed again had one of his “favourite performances ever” in second album... I released it on Instagram. My third album Pune. He doesn’t want to just make strides in on Instagram TV. My next album...I don’t know what I am Daniel Craigs Bond 25 will open on April 8, 2020 now, instead of acting but also in music. going to do,” Jaden said in response to a question by IANS. February 14, 2020. It’s the second delay for Bond 25. “I love hip-hop music. It’s amazing. It’s a He agrees that risk is involved in doing so. MGM and Eon originally announced in 2017 that the fi lm would Tway for all of us to express ourselves.... I would love to “There is risk, but I also released it on normal music open on November 8, 2019, then moved that back to February collaborate with some rappers from India. That would be platforms. So, I released on Instagram but also on other 14, 2020 after Danny Boyle exited from the director slot and was a dream of mine because I really wanna be a global musical platforms that everyone else does. I just did a little bit replaced by Cary Joji Fukunaga, reports variety.com artiste,” Jaden told select media including IANS here after extra on top of what normal people usually do while Universal will be handling international distribution on Bond his performance at Vh1 Supersonic 2019 on Saturday. releasing an album,” he added. 25, while MGM handles domestic in partnership with Annapurna Talking about his fi rst gig in India, the Icon hitmaker The Pursuit of Happyness star also shared that he will through the new United Artists Releasing label. said: “I feel honoured to be here. It was one of my favourite collaborate with a lot of artistes. Craig is returning as Bond and Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, performances ever. People here were so amazing.” “I am experimenting with rock music like punk rock Naomie Harris, and Ben Whishaw will reprise their roles from 2015’s The son of star couple Jada Pinkett Smith and Will music,” he added. – IANS Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes. The last two instalments became the highest-grossing fi lms in the series, with Skyfall hauling $1.1 billion globally and Spectre earning $880.7 million at the worldwide Roma actor obtains visa to attend box offi ce. Oscars aft er three rejections Bond 25 will begin shooting on March 4 with Craig in the lead for the fi fth time. Fukunaga, whose feature credits include Jane Eyre and Roma actor Jorge Antonio Guerrero Martinez has Beasts of No Nation, has become the fi rst American director in the fi nally obtained a U.S. visa and will be able to attend the history of the franchise under MGM and Eon. Oscars. The team of Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have been co- The Mexican actor, who plays brooding militant writers on the last six Bond fi lms dating back to The World Is Not Fermin in Alfonso Cuaron’s Oscar-nominated fi lm, said Enough, have returned to write the script. – IANS last month that he had been denied visas to the U.S. on three occasions, which prevented him from attending screenings and other industry events stateside. But streaming giant Netfl ix, which distributed Roma, has helped secure a non-immigrant visa for the actor by working with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, The Times has confi rmed. Guerrero also has a ticket to attend the 91st Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb. 24, where he will join director Cuaron and costar Yalitza Aparicio, who plays Fermin’s love interest in the fi lm. Aparicio is also nominated for a lead actress Oscar at the ceremony. “I’m really happy. Hopefully, and I say this with my whole heart, Yalitza wins the Oscar,” Martinez told Mexico’s Quien. “Imagine that! I’m thinking more about that.” Roma is nominated for 10 Academy Awards and made history by earning Netfl ix its fi rst best-picture Oscar MR BOND: Bond 25 will begin shooting on March 4 with Daniel nomination, making the streaming giant an undeniable Craig in the lead for the fifth time. force in the changing cinema landscape. AT LONG LAST: Jorge Antonio Guerrero Martinez is a Mexican — Los Angeles Times/ TNS actor, who plays brooding militant Fermin in Roma. 16 GULF TIMES Monday, February 18, 2019 COMMUNITY Serbian folk dances come to life at Katara

By Mudassir Raja

ultural Diversity Festival continues to entertain Doha audience with a variety of folk and traditional dances from diff erent countries. The most recent entertaining actC during the Cultural Diversity Festival was the performance of a Serbian folk dance ensemble at Katara Amphitheatre. The harmonious music, well- choreographed folk dances, and traditional clothes with vivid colours from Serbia made the pleasant Saturday evening enchanting for the audience, who were present in the open air theatre in large numbers. The ensemble called Dukat exhibited the diverse dances from diff erent regions of Serbia for two days in Katara. The 22 dancers, young boys and girls, danced in rhythm to melodious tunes tirelessly in groups. Clad in colourful traditional clothes, the performers danced in tandem often holding each other’s hands. The performances portrayed traditional gypsy dances and dances from Hungarian, Slovakian, Belgrade and Kosovo regions of the country. The extent to which the audience PERFORMANCE: Serbian folk dance ensemble called Dukat exhibited diverse dances from diff erent regions of Serbia for two days in Katara. loved the performances was visible when Photos supplied they clapped and applauded the dancers after every dance. The cultural festival started on October 18 “In old times, every village used to have diff erent dresses and last year and will continue to till March 19. In total, folk music performers from 17 diff erent traditions. People used to gather in the centre of their village and countries are taking part in the festival. So far, the artistes from Qatar, India, Oman, China, dance to celebrate diff erent occasions. Such parties were also a way Macedonia, Turkey, Spain, Czech Republic, Iran, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Bulgaria, for the young boys and girls to choose their futures spouses ” Morocco and Serbia have performed. Further, the folk dance groups from Sri Lanka, Bosnia, — Dunja Miltic, Serbian ensemble spokesperson and Russia will also perform in Katara. Talking to Community, Dunja Miltic, came to Qatar in 2002. We have performed spokesperson for the ensemble, said: “We in Algeria, France, Belgium, Hungary, and have been performing diff erent traditional China. I am very happy to be in Qatar. I like dances from Serbia. We also presented dances the architecture and old side of the country. from diff erent minorities in Serbia. We like to We are familiar with the Islamic way of show the diversity of our country. Ever part of life as we have Muslim population in our Serbia has its own costumes and dances. We country.” had 18 diff erently choreographed folk dances. When asked how the cultural exchanges However, there used to be much more folk help the two countries understand each other dances in Serbia. better, the dancer said: “No matter where we “In old times, every village used to have are travelling, I think we can just exchange of diff erent dresses and traditions. The people cultures and can learn more about each other. used to gather in the centre of their village In this way, we can remove whatever barriers and dance to celebrate diff erent occasions. we have in diff erent cultures. We should have Such parties were also a way for the young more and more people to people contact boys and girls to choose their futures spouses. events.” We presented these old dances. In Serbia, we Jovana Bozic, who was the part of the speak same language with diff erent accents ensemble during its 2002 visit to Qatar, and have distinct cultures.” said: “We as an ensemble like to perform in Speaking about her ensemble, she said: other countries. In 2002, we were the fi rst “Dukat is a kind of gold necklace that the ever group from Serbia to come to Qatar. A boys used to gift their would-be brides. I lot of dancers could not make to come here think similar kinds of traditions do exist in again. At that time we used to perform every Arab world also. The ensemble is a group night at the Corniche during an international of 40 dancers and 22 of them have come to festival. I still remember that the families Qatar. Most of the dancers grew up together used to have a walk in the area and would and formed the ensemble. I started dancing enjoy the dances at the same time. when I was seven-year-old. We have been “I must say Qatar has grown a lot. The performing in diff erent countries across development seems to be a fairy tale to me. the world. We travel every year at least one Everything has changed. We had a lot of fun time. This is our second time in Qatar. I last time. Now, also we are having a great was not a part of the ensemble when it fi rst time here.”