Community Community The senior wing At VCU-Q, of the DPS- Spring 2016 Modern Indian features some P6School celebrated P20of the most popular their 15th Annual courses from the last Day recently with a season plus some cultural extravaganza. fresh additions.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015 Rabia I 12, 1437 AH

DOHA 17°C—24°C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 13 PUZZLES 14 & 15

COVER STORY Kite flight Filmmaker Hardik Mehta on reaching out to the skies and what Al Jazeera Jury Award means to him. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.54am Shorooq (sunrise) 6.16am Zuhr (noon) 11.33am Asr (afternoon) 2.30pm Maghreb (sunset) 4.52pm Isha (night) 6.22pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Emergency 999 The Good Dinosaur McDormand) and his two siblings, the meets Spot (Jack Bright), a Neanderthal Worldwide Emergency Number 112 GENRE: Animation, Adventure mighty dinosaurs were not wiped out boy who off ers his help and friendship. Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 CAST: Jeff rey Wright, Frances 65mn years ago. When a rainstorm Together, the unlikely duo embark on an Ooredoo Telephone Assistance 111 Mcdormand, Maleah Nipay-Padilla washes poor Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) epic adventure to reunite Arlo with his Local Directory 180 DIRECTION: Peter Sohn downriver, he ends up bruised, battered beloved family. International Calls Enquires 150 SYNOPSIS: Luckily for young Arlo, and miles away from home. Good fortune THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall, Time 141, 140 his parents (Jeff rey Wright, Frances shines on the frightened Dino when he Royal Plaza Doha International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Medical Commission 44679111 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Weather Forecast 44656590 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 Qatar University 44033333

Bajirao Mastani between historical fi gures Peshwa Baji Rao I and his second wife te Unqu GENRE: Drama, Romance Mastani. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone play the two title uo ot CAST: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh roles, while Priyanka Chopra plays Bajirao’s fi rst wife Kashibai. Q e DIRECTION: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Open your SYNOPSIS: The period romance is based on the love story THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall, Royal Plaza eyes, look within. Are you Mall Cinema (1): Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) (Hindi) 7.30pm; Dilwale (Hindi) 10.30pm. satisfi ed with the life 2pm; The Good Dinosaur (2D) 4.45pm; Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Star When Marnie Was There (2D) 6.15pm; Wars. Episode VII – The Force Awakens you’re living? Loafer (Telugu) 8.15pm; Dilwale (Hindi) (2D) 2pm; The Doraemon Movie (2D) 10.45pm. 2pm; When Marnie Was There (2D) 4.30pm; The Good Dinosaur (2D) 6.15pm; — Bob Marley Mall Cinema (2): The Doraemon Movie 4.15pm; The Good Dinosaur (2D) 6.15pm; Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) 8pm; Dilwale (2D) 2.15pm; Star Wars. Episode VII – The Dilwale (Hindi) 8pm; Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) 11pm. Force Awakens (2D) 4pm; Star Wars. (Hindi) 10.45pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): When Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2D) Cinema Land Mark (2): The Doraemon Marinie Was There (2D) 2.15pm; Bajirao 6.30pm; Star Wars. Episode VII – The Movie (2D) 2.15pm; Star Wars. Episode Mastani (Hindi) 4pm; Star Wars. Episode Force Awakens (2D) 9pm; Star Wars. VII – The Force Awakens (2D) 4pm; Star VII – The Force Awakens (2D) 6.45pm; Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2D) Wars. Episode VII – The Force Awakens Star Wars. Episode VII – The Force Features Editor 11.15pm. (2D) 6.15pm; Star Wars. Episode VII – The Awakens (2D) 9.15pm; Star Wars. Episode Kamran Rehmat Mall Cinema (3): Dilwale (Hindi) Force Awakens (2D) 8.45pm; Star Wars. VII – The Force Awakens (2D) 11.30pm; e-mail: [email protected] 2.30pm; Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) 5.15pm; Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2D) Asian Town Cinema: Dilwale (Hindi) Dilwale (Hindi) 8pm; Bajirao Mastani 11pm. 4, 5.30, 7, 8.30 & 10pm; Pathemari Telephone: 44466405 (Hindi) 10.45pm. Cinema Land Mark (3): Loafer (Telugu) (Malayalam) 6.30 & 11.15pm, Salt Mango Fax: 44350474 Cinema Land Mark (1): Star Wars. 2.30pm; Star Wars. Episode VII – The Tree (Malayalam) 8.45pm; Bajirao Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2D) Force Awakens (2D) 5pm; Bajirao Mastani Mastani (Hindi) 4, 7 & 10pm. Wednesday, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

EVENTS Career development workshop Arts and Fitness for ages 3-18 years. Your kids For all the ladies in Doha! Do you feel DATE: Dec 30 will surely enjoy each class with our highly- like taking some time off for yourself? Cinema photography conference TIME: 5pm-8pm professional Instructors and facilities. Classes Come join us at the Sheraton Resort for Cinema photography conference organised VENUE: Katara will run from 19-31 December 2015, so hurry an all-day-access to the beach and pool, by Kazhcha, Qatar’s forum of fi lm & The Bedaya Center for Entrepreneurship and enroll now. along with aqua gym aerobics for free. photography activitists, will be held on today. and Career Development is a partnership Nestled on the edge of Qatar’s West Bay Short fi lms prepared by the participants between the Qatar Development Bank and Contemporary Traditional with an unbeatable and uninterrupted of short fi lm competition held during Silatech that is closely aligned to their DATE: Until Jan 5 views of the blue sea. Our pool and beach Qatar Keraleeyam will be shown during respective visions. Activities are designed TIME: 7pm adds a tempting and exciting experience to the programme scheduled to commece by to address the needs of youth (aged 18 - 30) VENUE: Katara enhance your senses of relaxation. Enjoy 7.30pm at FCC auditoriaum. Shiras Sithara wishing to develop their skills and capabilities This exhibition is the result of Johnatan only for QR100 per person. and Sakeer, winners of photography and as entrepreneurs, or their employability and Machado’s experience in Qatar, who has painting competition held during the Qatar work-based skills. produced a series of works inspired by Qatari Swimming lessons for kids Uru Festival, will be honoured during the traditional art forms. In this production, the DATE: Saturday to Thursday occasion. More details can be obtained artist utilises traditional local materials such TIME: 10am-6pm by contacting telephone: 44661213 Mob.: as Sedu — Bedouin’s fabrics — and transforms VENUE: H2O Swim club 66572518 them into great contemporary pieces, creating The Swim Club’s goal off ers a variety of new patterns and building a bridge between swimming programmes for adults and kids. 2016 Ooredoo Marathon past and modern times. They run the following programmes from DATE: Jan 8, 2016 competitive squads, leisure swimming for TIME: 10am Operation Keep Syrian Children Warm kids, up to adult swimming. Operating hours: Ooredoo offi cially opened registration for DATE: Until Dec 31 Saturday to Thursday between 10am and 6pm the 2016 Ooredoo Marathon, as the company TIME: All day To fi nd out more, please visit their website: aimed to make next year’s race the biggest and VENUE: Al Suhail St, Al Mansoura http://www.h2oswimclub.com. best-ever. Now in its fourth year, the Ooredoo All For One, a community service Marathon will take place on Friday, January 8. organisation, gives you the motivation you Fitness Training Ooredoo is working with a range of partners need to clean out your closets for a good DATE: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday across Qatar to encourage more people to cause. Participate anytime throughout the TIME: 6pm-7pm participate. In particular, the company is The Color Run Qatar year by donating any items for winter in VENUE: MIA Park looking to encourage more kids to run in the DATE: Jan 9, 2016 the aid of Syrian children refugees! This There are fi tness classes in the park on children’s races and more people from all VENUE: Qatar National Convention campaign runs year round so anytime you Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights walks of life to get involved in their fi rst race. Center fancy a clear out, bring in a bagful and help between 6 and 7pm. Open to all levels of You can join the Color Run this year beat the cold of the winter for our Syrian fi tness, Bootcamp is an intensive and fun Mangrove Kayaking and enjoy the time of your life. For team children sooner. way to train and also meet new people in the and Flamingo Beach runners (4 or more friends): registration will open and friendly group atmosphere. More DATE: Dec 25- 26 cost QR160 per runner. For solo runners: Pottery workshop for kids information from Bootcamp Qatar or info@ TIME: All day registration will cost QR170. Kids under the DATE: Every Monday bootcampqatar.com VENUE: Al Thakira age of 4 years run for free. The Color Run is a TIME: 5pm-6pm The holiday season is a good time to enjoy 5km, un-timed fun run in which thousands Kids will learn a new hand building The Hunt: Princely Pursuits In Islamic kayaking with your family and friends, of runners are doused from head to toe in technique for creating and fi nishing artworks Lands explore the mangroves and watch the wildlife diff erent colors at the end of each kilometre. in clay. For more, call 44865201. DATE: Until January 9, 2016 in Thakhira Natural Reserve. It is open to all of Doha’s residents regardless VENUE: MIA of age and ability. Sketching with pencil and charcoal The act of hunting, rich with symbolism DATE: Sunday and Wednesday and pageantry, was — and in some places Drawing on Glass Workshop TIME: 5pm-6:30pm continues to be — an essential element in DATE: Dec 24- 26 If you can hold a pencil, you can draw the lifestyle of rulers throughout the Islamic TIME: 5pm-7pm … Discover techniques to make your world. As such, images of the hunt are VENUE: Katara Art Studios – Building 19 drawing more realistic. Every Saturday commonly found in Islamic art, whether The Cultural Village Foundation – Katara and Wednesday from 5pm-6:30pm. For in lavishly illustrated manuscripts, inlaid will organise Drawing on Glass Workshop reservation: [email protected]. metalwork or colourful ceramics. by Zeina Abbara from 5pm to 7pm. The workshop is presented in Arabic, and targets Works from Mathaf Collection Join in our Walk-in Weekends those aged 14 years and above. Workshop DATE: Until February 14, 2016 DATE: Every Saturday fees: QR500. To register, please send your TIME: 11am to 6pm VENUE: MIA Atrium name and phone number to: education@ VENUE: Arab Museum of Modern Art MIA art education and calligraphy teams katara.net, or call Katara Education Team on: The artworks collection to be exhibited off er walk in workshops in MIA’s atrium every 44080233 /44080235 /44080237. will refl ect a number of important defi ning Saturday. These walk in workshops are for Harem Al Sultan Exhibition moments in Arab history and artistic open for all family members. DATE: Until Jan 10 Harrods Doha innovations in the region. VENUE: Katara Bldg 10 DATE: Until Jan 24 Qajar Women The Magnifi cent Century series has TIME: 4pm-1:55pm Hip Hop for kids DATE: Until January 30, 2016 become a television legend, a historical VENUE: Katara Cultural Village DATE: Every Sunday VENUE: MIA soap opera on the life of the Ottoman Sultan Harrods celebrates their inaugural launch TIME: 5-6pm This exhibition demonstrates the centrality Suleiman the Magnifi cent that has now been of the Harrods Doha Village. Be there and VENUE: Hilton of women in the artistic expression of watched by 300mn viewers in 54 countries. experience luxury in style. Join our Hip Hop classes instructed by 19th-century Iran and how it continues This unique exhibition brings the costumes, Beats and Bytes every Sunday at 5pm @ to inspire contemporary artists. The most sets and ambience of the series to Doha, Circus Of Sound Hilton Hotel, Efora Spa. For more info, call on popular representations of the Qajar era have revealing the stories behind the life of the DATE: Dec 31 33003839 been of male sovereigns, whose life-size Turkish conqueror and his love for the humble TIME: 8pm www.salsancandela.com portraits exaggerate masculinity to depict and beautiful Harem Sultan. Exhibition VENUE: Al Majlis Ballroom power. Yet this era also saw a period of visitors will be transported back to the Behold the greatest show on earth: Circus Salsa Beginners artistic modernisation in Iran, particularly glorious world of Suleiman the Magnifi cent Of Sound! Join our ringmasters and circus DATE: Tuesday, Friday in paintings and photography, in which and see the artistry and craftsmanship that party animals for an immersive experience TIME: 8-9pm depictions of women became essential went into creating the iconic props and decors under the big top this New Years Eve! VENUE: Hilton Hotel elements of the scenes. This exhibition of the series. Witness our spectacular circus performers Whether you’ve danced salsa before or not, explores rarely told narratives of the Qajar and take part in traditional carnival games you will fi nd what you want. Diff erent salsa artistic tradition. whilst bringing in the New Year in style with classes with diff erent levels at your service, the original superstar DJ Judge Jules and taught by the best instructors in Doha at Defected’s leading lady DJ RAE. Eforea Spa, Hilton Hotel. No need for a FOODIE CHOICE partner, no need for reservation, come as you IAID Winter Workshop are. Prices are QR60 per person per lesson. RESTAU RANT: Qube DATE: Until Dec 31 Visit: www.salsancandela.com LOCATION: Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha TIME: 8am Get ready to party with DJ Melody from VENUE: Al Tadamoun Signal, Al Hilal Ladies day at Beach UK. For Qube’s New Year bash, midnight Street DATE: Every Monday merriment and all the fun of bringing in the IAID Winter Workshop 2015 off ers an TIME: 9am-7pm New Year with live entertainment and DJ’s exciting range of courses for Dance, Music, VENUE: Sheraton Doha spinning the decks to the early hours of 2016.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY COVER STORY The great Uttarayan run Even if Shah Rukh Khan had come by, the enthusiasts would have seen him for a minute before running back to their kites, writer-filmmaker Hardik Mehta tells Anand Holla after landing the Al Jazeera Jury Award for Best Short Documentary

uring the festival Festival interesting? of Uttarayan, the I belong to Vadodara in Gujarat. day when winter I have grown up seeing friends and begins to melt into people go crazy during this festival. summer, thousands But I have never found kite-fl ying Dof kites dot the skies of the interesting. In fact, I have always Gujarat state in Western India, hated it because I couldn’t learn like some hyperactive, multi- how to fl y a kite and the abrasive coloured earthly constellation. kite thread, called maanja, often cut The kite capital though is the city my fi ngers. So I have never had any of Ahmedabad, which hosts the fascination for it. massive International Kite Festival But when I was in Ahmedabad that draws people from all over the taking photographs, I saw the whole world during Uttarayan. city gripped by the phenomenon Spellbound by the spectacle of kites. Literally, everybody on the and the frenzy, writer-fi lmmaker road would look up at the sky while Hardik Mehta decided to make a walking and that would make me documentary that captures the laugh. I couldn’t believe that this celebrations of a city high on kites festival could get a 60-year-old and through the charming story of the a six-year-old to fi ght on the streets 11-year-old Zaid, a passionate kite- for a kite. Isn’t that amazing? fl ying, kite-fi ghting, kite-running During those days, people in boy who must somehow fi nd a way Ahmedabad go absolutely crazy for to get to the terrace of a building on kites and to celebrate the festival. the big day. At the recent Al Jazeera What sort of narrative International Documentary Film elements made you choose to Festival in Doha, Mehta’s fi lm focus on Zaid’s story? Amdavad Ma Famous won the Jury Zaid Khedawala, who was then Award for Best Short Documentary, nine years old, instantly caught which comes on the back of another my attention. He belongs to the best short documentary fi lm award Dhal Ni Pol – Astodia area of Old that it claimed at the Budapest Ahmedabad. The passion that International Documentary Film fl ashes in his eyes for kites is Festival. something words can’t describe. With the Uttarayan Kite He would jump across terraces, Festival all set to conquer maneuver through thick traffi c, the skies in three weeks from run across roads, beat everyone to now, Community chatted up the chase and grab the kite. When with Mehta about what went I asked him whether it would be into making this charming ode to okay if I fi lmed him, he said, ‘Just boyhood and the simple pleasure of don’t stop me from chasing and kite-fl ying: running for kites. Otherwise, you can fi lm me’. He comes from a lower How and when did this idea income household — his father is fi rst strike you? a mechanic. His quest, therefore, Sometime in December 2013, was to fi nd the best located terrace I was writing a screenplay of a for him to fl y his kites. This, feature fi lm. Generally, writing then, became my major narrative demands a lot of time and eff ort element for the fi lm and that’s how while the writer remains mostly Amdavad Ma Famous shaped up. physically inactive. So while writing, I realised I have not been Tell us a bit about the fi lming making anything; like words and process. Was a lot of it shot thoughts might be getting captured impromptu? How many days on paper but I am generating no did the fi lming take? How visual. And what good a fi lmmaker complex was it to edit it? am I if I don’t have a fi lm to show? Since the festival happens for The Uttarayan Kite Festival in only two to three days, on January January was fast approaching and 14 and 15, there was no way we I really had nothing great to do. could make a fi lm by shooting So with my still camera in hand, only for two days. So we shot fi rst I crashed at my sister’s place in in January 2014. Here, I would Ahmedabad. There, every morning, like to mention the major role my I would go to old Ahmedabad and cinematographer Piyush Puty shoot some stills of the city gearing has played in this fi lm. Once I up for the Kite Festival. had found Zaid and his friends, I called Piyush. Armed with his full Why did you fi nd this subject camera gear, he came rushing from of kite-fl ying and the Kite The poster of the documentary . Mumbai. Piyush belongs to Orissa. Wednesday, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

A still from Amdavad Ma Famous. The joy of flying kites evident in this publicity image.

He has never seen a festival as big Editing. We had shot so much shoot with telephoto lenses so as to the day’s shoot ended, we began since all the hard work seemed to on scale and as colourful, which footage of the festival, of Zaid, his shoot them from afar and let them wrapping up. Just then, we noticed have paid off . I knew it then that helped us so much more as he family, friends, his neighbourhood, be in their element. We were always a lantern fl oating in the air and if she liked it then we will win captured the festival with his fresh his vicinity, you name it. We positioned on the opposite side of soon we saw hundreds of them fi ll something for sure. Second was eyes and perspective. interviewed so many people, and the road when we would see them the whole sky. We were thrilled to when Arya Menon, a producer As far as I was concerned, I had so many entertaining people at chasing. Eventually, they were so see what Ahmedabad manages to and owner at Mumbai-based already given up on the festival that. What to keep and what not to, engrossed in the festival that they create during those two evenings. production house Remarquer, as I never liked it. My focus was therefore, became a huge challenge. didn’t pay us much attention and Every terrace fl oats a lantern and pitched in to be the producer of only Zaid. So we fi lmed in January Plus understanding what is that’s when we chose to go close the evening melds into a breath- this fi lm. She saw potential and her 2014. And then in January 2015, we relevant to the story and what isn’t, to them. It was the last day of the taking visual spectacle. Our job coming on board suddenly gave us went there again but now with two consumed most of our time. During festival in 2014. For them, even if was to capture them and Piyush wings and we could do a lot more. more cameras and another talented this process, I realised that editing Shah Rukh Khan had come by, they and Harshbir did it so aesthetically. cinematographer Harshbir Singh in is exactly like writing a script. Since would have seen him for a minute I think the entire credit for that What does winning the Al tow. In total, we shot for six days, this was a documentary about before running back to their kites. set of visuals goes to the city of Jazeera award mean to you, and spread over two years. Editing is a boy, there was no script to it. Ahmedabad. to the fi lm? where the fi lm found shape and that Thus, editing became a very strong The fi lm is wonderfully shot, For us independent fi lmmakers took us nearly a good three months! narrative tool for storytelling. especially the time-lapse of the What’s your favourite — every fi lm festival win further Yes, even to make a 30-minute night sky fi lled with lanterns. anecdote from the whole encourages us to keep making fi lms narrative documentary, it took us Was it easy to get the children How did you guys manage to experience of making this fi lm? in our own way. When it comes three months to edit and give the to behave in their usual way, capture that? I have two actually. First was to documentaries, Al Jazeera is a fi lm a shape. without letting them get Although I belong to Vadodara that after completing the fi rst cut big name to reckon with. For us, conscious of the camera? in Gujarat, since the last 10 odd of the fi lm, I thought of showing this award translates into a lot of What was the most For the fi rst couple of days, years I had never been to Gujarat it to my wife. So I arranged a small recognition. But the idea is to make challenging part about making they were conscious of the camera during the Uttarayan festival. When screening only for her. When the the fi lm travel and to show it to as this fi lm? following them. We then opted to we fi rst went in 2014 and when fi lm ended, she hugged me tightly many people as possible.

When it comes to documentaries, Al Jazeera is a big name to reckon with. For us, this award translates into a lot of recognition. But the idea is to make the film travel and to show it to as many people as possible. — Hardik Mehta

Uttarayan, the kite festival that draws people in droves. 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY

DPS-Modern Indian School celebrates 15th Annual Day

The senior wing of the DPS-Modern Indian School celebrated their 15th Annual Day recently Mohammad bin Hammam, DPS-MIS Executive Committee President Hassan Chougule, Vice- with a cultural extravaganza on the theme ‘Burgeon — The Way of Life’. Mohammad bin President and Director IT Yasir Nainar, and others. The chief guest also unveiled site plans for Hammam al-Abdullah, Chief Patron DPS-MIS, was the chief guest. Other dignitaries who DPS-MIS’s annex at the event. The students’ cultural performances were the main attraction of attended included Patron Aisha bint Mohammed bin Hammam and her sister Fatima bint the day. Wednesday, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY

Ideal Indian School holds its 31st Annual Sports Meet

About 1,200 students participated in the 31st Annual Sports Nitya Roy and Shayan, was the overall champion in the Junior The Blue House bagged the Best in March Past awards for Meet of Ideal Indian School. These students had competed Section. Boys’ and Girls’ Sections. with about 3,500 students to qualify from the preliminary The Yellow House’s Boys’ Team again emerged overall winners The individual champions in the Boys’ Section were: Sub heats of various track and field events in multiple categories. in the Boys’ Section. The team was headed by Jaff aer KC and Junior— Asad Mahmood, Junior— Akhil Mohammed, Senior— Hassan Ali M Abdulla, Asst CEO of Milaha Trading, declared captained by Mohd. Asmar and Free D John. Modassir Baig, and Super senior— Nidhal Razikh. the meet open. ICC President Girish Kumar was the guest of The house also secured the overall championship in the The individual champions in the Girls’ Section were: Sub honour. Girls’ Section. This team was headed by Glory Thomas and Junior— Marium Halefom, Junior— Thameema Thasnim, Yellow House, headed by Mini Thomas and captained by captained by Fariha Azis and Jesha Joshi. Senior— Anugraha Shaju, and Super senior— Alice Aslem.

Pak Shamaa School & College students celebrate Qatar National Day

The Pak Shamaa School & College won second prize in the thematic show competition at Qatar National Day celebrations at Asian Town. 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY

Bangladesh school finishes second in QND school-level competitions

The Bangladesh MHM School and College secured second position in the Qatar National Day School level competitions held at Al Wakrah Stadium on December 18. A large number of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi expats attended the celebrations at the stadium. About 500 students and 30 teachers from the school participated in the activities. The school also bagged second position in the inter-community football competition.

DPS-MIS students celebrate Qatar National Day

The students of DPS-MIS celebrated Qatar National Day with great enthusiasm and fervour. The children participated in various activities centred around the traditions and culture of Qatar. Wednesday, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY

Pakistan Education Centre celebrates Qatar National Day

The Education Centre organised many activities to celebrate the Qatar National Day recently. The activities included cultural performances, a quiz on Qatar’s history, a march past and sport competitions. The students were dressed in vibrant and colourful costumes as they presented a well-executed parade to mark the celebrations. Students’ performances lasted from 9:30am till 11:15am. The performances were followed by a grand assembly of all the four wings of the school. The teachers competed against each other in tug-of-war, pot breaking and pin the camel tail competitions at the assembly, which ended with the singing of the Qatari national anthem.

Thrissur Jilla Souhrida Vedi celebrates National Day

Thrissur Jilla Souhrida Vedi (TJSV) celebrated Qatar National Day with a cultural and entertainment programme at Rumeillah Hospital. This was the 12th consecutive year that TJSV had held the event. Hospital Nursing Superintendent Masin Mohamed inaugurated the celebrations. TJSV off ice-bearers Abdul Gafoor, K M Anil, Musthafa, Sharafudheen, Raphy, K M S Hameed, A S Hameed and Ashraf co-ordinated the day long celebrations. 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY The day of Sabri Brothers

PERFORMANCE: The Sabri brothers enjoy a big fan following across South and beyond. Photos by Umer Nangiana

Director of Satco International, Pakistan, is widespread its charm through centuries, the (intuitive). The poet does not By Umer Nangiana with the support of Ministry throughout Pakistan and styles have definitely changed over have to think about it. It strikes of Interior to perform at the northern India in its multiple time. The original style introduced his mind. Such a couplet is the celebrations of Qatar’s National forms. by Amir Khusrow was the base and most powerful and beautiful. It s it begins, a melody Day, the Sabri Brothers provided It is believed to have been all other styles have evolved from gives us a great pleasure in singing interwoven with a real treat for the lovers of South started by Amir Khusrow, a it,” acknowledges the lead singer of such couplets,” adds Amin Sabri, gentle rhythmic beats Asian traditional music, in which legendary musician from the the Qawwals. the younger brother. They are of tabla (drum) and Qawwali has a special place. Indian sub-continent, in 13th Sabri Brothers are one of the also known for a style called girah immersed in the sound Hundreds descended on the century and most of its original oldest group of singers in the (knot). ofA harmonium pierces the air. As Asian Town Amphitheatre to form has managed to survive and is Indian sub-continent to practice “By the grace of God, our family the musicians’ energy level rises, witness the magic happen. The practised even today. the art of Qawwali and have gained is renowned for incorporating a the audience is completely drawn hosts, Mohamed Habibun Nabi “In those times, were international fame and recognition style what we call ‘girah’ (knot) in and then comes the alap. This and Rubina Singh gave the prelude mostly sung in Arabic and Persian. for their unique style. in a Qawwali. It includes taking a long tonal song by lead singer is before the Qawwals began their These days they are sung mostly Farid says it gives them pleasure rhyming line from another poet’s repeated by the side singer before more than three-hour-long in . Besides, the tradition of to see their work inspiring so work and mixing it with original the chorus joins in, clapping their performance with a song Shaan- Qawwali was rooted in Khankahs many other singers who have also lyrics in a recurring manner, hands in unison. e-Qatar, especially written for the and Hujras (private sittings). Over followed their style. It is great delivering it in a unique style Thus begins Qawwali, and event by a local poet Amjad Ali time, [the Qawwali] has reached that this form of art is spreading, maintaining the vicissitudes of with it a hypnotic experience of Sarwar, praising Qatar and HH the to a far bigger audience,” Farid he says. One of the keys of their high and low notes,” Amin Sabri watching Sabri Brothers weaving Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Sabri, the elder of the brothers success has been the selection of adds. a magical evening with their al-Thani. tells Community in a chat after the poetry for their songs. Farid adds that this ability of characteristic style of singing. The Qawwali is a vibrant Muslim concert here. “We have a deep interest in girah making is gifted. It cannot world renowned duo of Qawwals musical tradition that traces In recent times, he says, Qawwali poetry. We live with poetry be attained with training. And from India, Farid Sabri and Amin its origin some 800 years back has been featured even in films. in our lives. It helps us select it has “always been there in our Sabri were in Doha for a night in the Indian subcontinent. They have contributed Qawwalis the appropriate lyrics for our family.” The Sabri brothers say of Qawwali and left everyone Internationally popularised for many Bollywood flicks such as Qawwalis. The selection is mostly they enjoyed performing before the spellbound. by legendary singers like Sabri Hina, Perdes, Sirf Tum and others. visceral for us,” says Farid. Doha audience. Invited to Doha for the first time Brothers besides and “While this genre of music “The best sher (couplet) is “It was amazing. We initially by M S Bukhari, the Managing from has largely been able to sustain the one that comes as aamad thought we would probably have Wednesday, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 11 COMMUNITY

The guests and organisers release balloons in the air ahead of the Qawwali.

Amin Sabri renders what the brothers call ‘girah’, which involves taking a rhyming line from another poet’s work and mixing it with original lyrics in a recurring manner. Amin Sabri, left, during his performance. to avoid complex couplets but no, abroad,” he adds. become an ardent fan of Sabri the audience was so good that they Recently, he says, they went Brothers. were appreciating and giving us to perform in Austria where a Sabri Brothers have a large fan positive response on every good Qawwali programme was organised following in India’s film industry couplet,” says Farid. in a church. When they performed, Bollywood. Stars like Sunil Dutt Giving their family’s everybody there applauded and and Rajesh Khanna have been great background, Amin says the art of swayed with the rhythm. They sang fans of their father. In the recent Qawwali has been in their family some 800-year-old Qawwalis. times, they says, Bollywood star for generations. In the Jaipur city “Apart from folk, the oldest Aamir Khan is a big fan of Qawwali. in India, there is a place called tradition of singing is that of “He often invites us to his place Nawab Ka Chohraya, Ghaat Gate Qawwali. It was a great form of and listens to our Qawwalis with Mathra Walon ki Hawaili and their entertainment. It was spread far complete devotion for hours at a family was invited to that place and wide. I have been a big fan stretch. And such mehfils (sittings) centuries ago by the Nawabs of the of Qawwali since my childhood,” attract other celebrities from area to present this art in the royal Bukhari says. Bollywood also,” says Amin Sabri. court. “And I have been planning The duo sang about 15 Qawwalis Initially, their ancestors used for a long time to invite a good on the night of National Day to perform a different style of Qawwali group here to Doha. We celebrations. classical music. “It was our father were initially planning to [organise In his welcome address, M S who introduced our family to this on] our own and then when Bukhari thanked HH the Emir, HH our current form of art and then we interacted with the Ministry the Father Emir and the Ministry it began, travelling from one of Interior, they suggested we do of Interior (MoI) and prayed for generation to next,” says Amin. it as part of celebrations on the the prosperity of Qatar. Mementos ‘Today, our younger generation National Day of Qatar. The idea got were presented to Brigadier is also into it. Our entire orchestra really big,” he adds. Abdulla Khalifa al-Muftah from is almost formed of the youngsters Bukhari says he is a great fan of MoI by Bukhari and Habibun Nabi. from our family and they are also Qawwali, Urdu poetry and Urdu Mementos were also given to the practicing it with us on tours language in general and has now Sabri Brothers. THE BROTHERS: Haji Farid, left, and Haji Amin Sabri. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Wednesday, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 13 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Eight ways to tackle cold and flu season this winter ust how likely are you to The air pressure from the plane may Get (and keep) moving come down with a cold or aff ect your cold symptoms so don’t Staying active is a great way the fl u this season? But forget to pack a decongestant or to avoid the cold and fl u. Try fun take heart — a regular cold medication in your suitcase. physical activities like ice skating case of fl u usually resolves or go for a brisk walk. Regular itselfJ in three to seven days, though Drink more water than you exercise off ers multiple benefi ts, symptoms like a cough and fatigue think you need like boosting your immune system, may linger longer. Drinking multiple glasses of managing weight and taking care of Here are eight ways that make water per day may help prevent your body. prioritising winter wellness easier, viruses and bacteria from latching and may help avoid colds and the on to your body once you’re Disinfect everything fl u this season (or to feel better if exposed to them. Mucus can help It’s imperative that women you’re already in the throes): block germs out of your body. If clean makeup tools with cleaner, you don’t hydrate often, the mucus especially their lipsticks or lip Stay warm, well and rested dries up and doesn’t work as it balm. Disinfect your cell phones If you’re not feeling your best should. with a sanitising wipe-remember and you have a cold, make rest a that you’re constantly touching it priority. Keep medicine at an arm’s Prevent scaly, dry hands and putting it to your face. Say no to stress By taking precautions against reach so you can calm your cough It’s important to wash your hands Stress can infl uence the colds and the fl u, and taking care and get the sleep you need. to kill germs, but sometimes it takes Use tissues when you sneeze symptoms of cold, cough and fl u by of yourself with the best remedies a toll on delicate skin. Try wipe-off , or cough interfering with how the immune available, you have a better chance Prepare your body for air travel soap-free cleansers and alcohol- Spare your loved ones from system functions. To keep your at navigating this season in Many people travel over the free hand sanitisers-they tend to catching your germs. Be sure to immune system strong, make sure comfort. winter holidays but fl ying can be be less drying than traditional soap equip each room in the house with a to get plenty of rest and sleep all the uncomfortable for some when sick. and water. box of tissues. time, not just when you’re sick. ©Brandpoint

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

You are always up for anything — fun and games — and with Mars Having options is a wonderful thing and right now you definitely There’s no point in wishing something or someone was diff erent your ruler and the planet of motivation in Scorpio, your 8th house have options and things opening up for you in ways that you today Gemini’s. It’s not likely that things are going to change but you of joint projects and resources, you are even more available for your haven’t had in a long time (or maybe never). And while you’re a fixed do have some leeway into making things better for you. You have friends, acquaintances and new friends. earth sign who doesn’t always change on a dime, this is definitely great aspects with Mars in Libra and Saturn in Sagittarius. something you need to start thinking about and adopting in 2016. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

There is no point in wishing you could be someone you aren’t or Unless you’re really sure about something or someone, don’t push If you don’t care about something or someone, then chances in a situation you aren’t in or out of a situation you’re in. If you’re forward today Leos. There may be undercurrents that will drag you are they won’t care about you and you won’t succeed at doing patiently waiting for somebody else to make their move, don’t wait under to someplace you might not necessarily want to be. something that has so far eluded you. Shrugging things off isn’t the too long. answer and as we kiss goodbye to 2015, your ability to shrug things off is something you need to rethink Virgos. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

There is nothing you can do to dispel some silly rumour that’s going Avoid getting into something silly today. If you feel you are being The birthdays are over and it’s time to focus on the next 12 months around the off ice or amongst your friends. You can do your very dragged into someone else’s argument, back away quickly. It’s so not and what you want to achieve in 2016. Jupiter your ruler shines in best to make sure they are grounded in truth and leave it at that. worth it. your 10th house of career for most of the year — a major area of success for you.

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

This is definitely a time when you should be focusing on making If you feel you haven’t checked your bank balance/statement or Mercury the planet of words and the Sun join forces in your 11th money, saving money and being a responsible person even though credit card statement in a while — today’s a good day to do so. house of hopes, wishes and friendship and for the next few weeks you might feel you want to splash out on your birthday or for your Keeping up with your money and making sure your credit card bills you are really going to be well aware of who your real friends are birthday. Get the holiday spending over first!! are correct and in order, is the best thing to do — now and always. versus your real frenemies. 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe La Belle France

AMIENS DIJON NICE ANTIBES DINAN PARIS ARLES DINARD REIMS AVIGNON GRASSE RENNES BAYEUX LILLE ROUEN BREST LYON TOULON CAEN MENTON TOURS CALAIS NANCY VICHY CANNES NANTES DIEPPE NEVERS 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, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 15 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Quick Clues Colouring

Across Down 6. Fetter (7) 1. Fire (5) 7. Cut (5) 2. Perform (3) 9. Morass (3) 3. Valley (4) 10. Aim (9) 4. Apposite (9) 12. Finish (4,2,2,3) 5. Contribute (7) 15. In view of (11) 8. Consume (6) 17. Unskilful (9) 11. Policeman (9) 19. Intimidate (3) 13. Tolerate (6) 21. Mode (5) 14. Faithfulness (7) 22. Corroborate (4,3) 16. Fashion (5) 18. Notion (4) 20. Unwatered (3)

Cryptic Clues

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

Across Down 6. On which time casts its shadow (7) 1 & 3Dn. It’s sweet and sticky! (5-4) 7. Could possibly indicate strength (5) 2. This has the ring of French poetry (3) 9. Peter returns for a snooze (3) 3. See 1 Down 10. Standard method of signalling (9) 4. Lacking resolution in shocking night 12. Sorts out the confusion and submits a ride (9) requisition (4,2,5) 5. Supplies current prices (7) Yesterday’s Solutions 15. Explorer found existing near a rock (11) 8. Often gamblers hold something 17. Record holder doing the rounds (9) attractive back (6) QUICK CRYPTIC 19. Part of the hostelry is almost stripped 11. See 22 Across Across: 7 Stand together; 8 Disorder; 9 Dank; Across: 7 Expert opinion; 8 Scramble; 9 Iron; 10 (3) 13. It’s transmitted and may be controlled 10 Wisdom; 12 Exodus; 14 Aghast; Stream; 12 Inside; 14 Trader; 21. The first of the people in the film to from the box (6) 16 Escort; 18 Flap; 20 Lifeless; 22 16 Enlist; 18 Port; 20 Handbook; 22 Antique drive away (5) 14. Records with very little direction (7) 22 & 11Dn. Those attending the prison 16. Don’t enforce a view that needs Overstatement. dealer. concerts? (7,9) amending (5) Down: 1 Striking; 2 Enfold; 3 Stud; 4 Aggrieve; 5 Down: 1 Executor; 2 Menace; 3 Stab; 4 Appetite; 18. Bound to be in suitable apparel (4) Studio; 6 Lean; 11 Mutilate; 5 Unties; 6 Solo; 11 Mirthful; 20. Greek character indicating when the 13 Uprising; 15 Aspire; 17 Column; 19 Live; 21 13 Discover; 15 Detain; 17 Libyan; 19 Owns; 21 plane should arrive (3) Fate. Nude. 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY CINEMA Arab cinema gives Dubai Film Festival a sparkle

wrong kind of men: a rich cad who abandons By Gautaman Bhaskaran her on her birthday, a musician who tries getting her into drugs, and a rebel student leader. However, all these men help Lina ne of the most fascinating fi nally fi nd her footing in Paris, her sexual aspects about the Dubai experiences merely enriching her life, not International Film Festival is its destroying it — as it happens sometimes. Arab cinema, and the recently Arbid’s work turns out to be a breezy fare, concluded 12th edition had some not one of monotonous sorrow. Paris plays a gemsO from the region. romantic background to Lina’s adventures, Lebanese director Jihane Chouaib’s Go and the camera captures all this with gleeful Home starts with one marvellous plus point. gusto. It has Iranian actor Golshifteh Farahani A scene from 3000 Nights. A screen grab from El Classico. playing the lead, Nada, who returns to her battle-battered Lebanese village to try and by Israelis. Never sensational though, 3000 texture. It is the story of two dwarfs — real fi nd out what happened to her favourite Nights looks and feels real, and takes care of Another engrossing fi lm at the Festival dwarfs and not like the one which was grandfather — who just vanished. And as she details. But of course it is, in the end, a prison was Deniz Gamze Erguven’s Mustang. It portrayed by Kamal Hassan in his 1989 enters what was once her beautiful home, drama, albeit set in a female ward. tells a Turkish story and is set in a Turkish Apoorva Sagodharargal — whose peaceful she sees it in ruins, and written on one of the Masri, a Palestinian who was educated village, but describes and denounces abuse of existence goes for a toss when one of them walls is an angry message, Go Home! But in California and whose documentaries women. It is provocative with a liberal touch wants to marry his childhood sweetheart, Nada cannot really go home, can she? No, include Beirut Dairies, infuses her fi lm with of Western sensibility. Gona. But her father will not let her — who is certainly not before she gets to the bottom of a certain sophistication that can only come Mustang — which is also in the semi-fi nal of normal height — marry Alan, the little man the mystery of the missing granddad. from one who has spent time in the West. list of nine titles shortlisted for the Best who runs a tea shop in Kurdistan. In a way, Chouaib’s story is also Nada’s. Crisply edited in the Hollywood style and Foreign Language Picture Oscar — is a tale of Interwoven into this love story is the Like many, many others, the director too had tautly narrated, 3000 Nights begins in 1980 at fi ve sisters living in a remote Black Sea village craze for football. Kurdish locals are returned to her native home, a home she had Nablus in the occupied West Bank where one whose galloping sexuality is brutally censored passionate about the game, taking noisy had to fl ee as a child when the Lebanese civil night a newly married schoolteacher, Layal, by their unfeeling uncle, who becomes sides between Real Madrid and Barcelona war broke out. As Nada tries to unearth the is arrested. She is accused of helping a young the girls’ guardian after the death of their FC, known as El Classico. Gona’s father is strange disappearance of her grandfather, boy who is said to have attacked a military parents. a Ronaldo supporter and being a cobbler Suleyman, we begin to see a parallel between check post. The movie loses no time in taking us by profession, makes a pair of shoes for his the real and the fi ctitious. Layal refuses to tell the court — in spite straight to the point. School is over and the football hero that he hopes to present some Nada’s investigations veer into dangerous of being asked to by her husband and a sisters join their male classmates in some day. territory — when she starts to question kind Israeli defence counsel — that the boy innocent fun and frolic on the beach. While Alan sees this as a great chance to prove his Suleyman’s friends (who may well be his threatened her. She says she helped him, a their grandmother admonishes them for worth to the stubborn old man. Alan steals enemies). All that Nada can rely on is a total stranger, only because he was wounded. pleasuring themselves on the shoulders of the the shoes one night — and along with his childhood memory about an incident in her The court sentences her to eight years in jail, boys, the uncle beats them up. He calls the brother, Shirwan, also a dwarf, who agrees garden. Was the old man murdered? Or, was where she even gives birth to a son. bewildered girls whores. to play Cupid —embarks on a motorbike trip he a civil war martyr? In a powerful symbolism that is such an More humiliation follows, and the girls are to Madrid, where Ronaldo lives. The journey When her brother joins her in this search, integral part of the movie, Layal refuses locked up in the house after a being subjected is illegal, the brothers have no valid papers, there is more to arrive. She wants to rebuild to terminate her pregnancy, much to the to a demeaning virginity test. and is fraught with adventure of the most the house, he wants to sell it, but even chagrin of her husband, and raises the child However, such idiotic incarceration will dangerous kind. during their fi ercest disagreement, they all by herself. It may seem like defi ance, but merely lead to rebellion, and the youngest Half way through the trip, Shirwan calls remain connected. Finally, when the truth is actually it tells us about the importance of life sister fi nds a way for the rest to attend an it quits, and Alan is left to fend for himself, revealed, it is time for them to go home. — a belief that in the fi rst place stops her from all-women spectator soccer match. After and while Gona pines for him, her little man Unfortunately, Farahani — who can really falsely accusing the wounded boy. this, windows are shuttered and the height of presses on. bring alive a character (examples being In line with this, we also see an the boundary walls raised. The girls are really El Classico, despite its fairytale feel, is a The Patience Stone and The Two Friends) — unbelievable change in some of the hardened prisoners of a society that celebrates female sincere attempt to narrate a love story that has not been given a role that justifi es her prison inmates — whose attitude towards subjugation and ideas as medieval as chastity is unequal. While Gona is beautiful and a immense potential. Layal softens considerably once her child and virginity. normal woman, she loves Alan, a dwarf who The question now is, will India’s Anup arrives. Everybody wants to play mother to Then comes the ritual of getting the girls is often the butt of ridicule. Singh do this honours? He is now shooting the baby, and their maternal instincts push married. The eldest sister is lucky, for she is The Song of Scorpion Singers in which the away all thoughts of bitterness and enmity. allowed to wed her boyfriend. ravishingly beautiful Iranian actor is playing a But the other girls are not so lucky. One of traditional Rajasthani healer, and the equally them is forced to marry a dullard. Another Another love story one saw at the Festival brilliant Irrfan Khan will be her screen lover. sister accepts the arrangement with a guy she was Fares Naanaa’s Borders of Heaven It is a tale of revenge and redemption, love Another woman centric work at the festival does not care for with stoic resignation — till that underlines how a tragedy shakes the and disappointment. was Danielle Arbid’s Parisienne, which tragedy strikes the family, and two of the very foundation of a Tunisian couple’s Legend has it that there is an extremely follows an 18-year-old woman who arrives in youngest sisters fl ee to freedom. relationship. Sami and Sara are in their poisonous variety of this insect in the deserts Paris from Beirut in 1993. Her struggle to fi t Erguven said during an interview that she thirties and appear content and happy till a of Rajasthan whose venom has but just into a French way of life makes for a gripping had made Mustang as a kind of battle against tragedy befalls them. one anti-dote. The song of a conventional narrative. rising religious conservatism in Turkey — a When their little daughter drowns, the scorpion singer, whose melody has this Lina is a lovely young woman, who starts nation which was once proudly secular. parents are wracked by guilt and despair — magical power to draw the toxin out of a her life with her uncle and aunt, but when There is one scene in the fi lm where we see and fi nd their bond growing weaker by the body! Singh’s work has all the ingredients of the man tries to force himself on her, she a politician in a television broadcast saying day. The man takes to drinking, while the cinematic thrill. fl ees. This is the beginning of her travails. that women shouldn’t smile, shouldn’t woman, fed up with such negativism, walks Friendless and homeless, Lina somehow laugh, should look down ... rules that are out of the marriage. manages to get a bed for herself with the help “supposedly conservative” Ergüven says, but But Borders of Heaven — again one of those of a mate at college, where she enrols herself are actually “obsessive about sexuality.” movies that appears to have been infl uenced Documentary director Mai Masri’s fi rst to study economics. But she soon fi nds by Indian cinema — cannot let its viewers go feature, 3000 Nights, is a heart-rending tale that she is cut out for architecture and with home unhappy. Can it? of a Palestinian woman’s incarceration in an the help of a kind professor, Lina switches Israeli jail who is falsely accused of helping streams. In some ways, director Halkawt Mustafa’s Gautaman Bhaskaran covered the recent a revolutionary. The movie is a brutal look And Lina then begins to run into a diff erent El Classico — straddling between Kurdistan Dubai International Film Festival, and may be at the way Palestinian prisoners are treated set of problems. She starts to attract the and Spain — is Bollywoodish in feel and e-mailed at [email protected] Wednesday, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 17 BOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Imtiaz Ali to promote short fi lm format via app

Director Imtiaz Ali has teamed up with a subscription-driven video entertainment mobile app, to promote the short fi lm format. The app called nexGTV has partnered with the maker of Tamasha to launch a new project called SPOTLight. Under the project, entertainers will develop original short videos across a variety of genres including horror, satire, drama, social, poetry, comedy original music, fi ction and reality. nexGTV will carry selected videos under the programme on PITCHING IN: Imtiaz Ali its TV on mobile platform, which reaches out to millions of users. forward to seeing the best entries,” Imtiaz will judge top fi ve-viewed he added. Speaking on the launch, videos on nexGTV every month and Abhesh Verma, COO, nexGTV, said: select one video for the grand prize “Spotlight means centre stage, and of Rs.100,000. that is exactly what we are looking “India, today, is brimming with to off er those bitten by the creative talented individuals just looking for bug.” ways to express themselves through “By bringing someone of their creativity. SPOTLight gives Imtiaz’s class and caliber, we are them the perfect stage to channel off ering a unique chance to not just their genius to create something independent video content creators that resonates with the public,” but to everybody to discover and Imtiaz said in a statement. showcase their talent in order to get “I am glad to be involved in such it judged by a master of the craft,” a wonderful initiative and will look he added. — IANS

NOSTALGIC: Salman Khan Selfi e denotes peculiar episode of TV show Aaj Ki Raat Hai intimacy, says Bachchan Zindagi, wrote on his blog. “One takes pictures from Karan Arjun brings tears Megastar Amitabh Bachchan sophisticated cameras, and feels that people in today’s modern equipments of great value ... But at society cannot have a single the end of the day, it’s the mobile moment in their lives without pointed in camera reverse that is to my eyes: Salman Khan clicking a selfi e. He says this most satisfying and practical for “miracle” style of photography those that execute it ... In some denotes a “peculiar intimacy with ways the ‘selfi e’ has come to denote uperstar Salman Khan says that he gets Salman says that “the whole connect of the mother the ones they are clicked with”. a peculiar intimacy with the ones emotional whenever he watches his 1995 and son has been brought to a diff erent level altogether” “It has been those last pieces they are clicked with,” he added. released fi lm Karan Arjun. “I was watching with the fi lm. of work for the ‘AKRHZ’ project Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, aired the fi lm three months ago. Whenever I see Shah Rukh and Salman recently appeared together and today the people of the city on Star Plus, celebrates ordinary Karan Arjun especially the scene where both on Bigg Boss Nau to promote the former’s latest release participated along with me… people’s kindness towards society Sthe brothers were dying, it always brings tears to my Dilwale, which also stars Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Ending with a demand for a ‘selfi e’... and showcases the journey of eyes,” Salman told reporters. Sanon. No occupation or moment in our people who battled all odds to help Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the action-thriller fi lm In the special episode, Shah Rukh and Salman relived lives today is devoid of this miracle, society improve and worked as an also featured Shah Rukh Khan who played Salman’s their 1995 fi lm Karan Arjun days by entering into the the ‘selfi e’,” Amitabh, who was inspiration for others to change brother in the fi lm with Raakhee playing their mother. famous dialogue “Mere Karan Arjun aaenge”. — IANS shooting for a promo of the fi nal their outlook. — IANS

Priyanka Chopra feels Dilwale crosses Rs100cr mark Mita Vashisht takes ‘lovely’ to be back home Bhojpuri lessons In the box offi ce race, Dilwale has remained ahead Actress Priyanka Chopra, who has completed of Bajirao Mastani. While the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Actress Mita Vashisht, who the shooting schedule of her international TV crossed the Rs.100cr mark worldwide in its opening is currently seen as Jethi Maa in series Quantico for the year in Los Angeles, weekend, the historical drama, featuring Ranveer Singh the television show Kaala Teeka, is back in Mumbai. And she’s glad to be back and Deepika Padukone, minted Rs.46.77cr in India in is getting tutored for a Bhojpuri home. three days. accent by her co-star Akshara “There is something so lovely about coming Dilwale, Rohit Shetty’s romantic action-comedy, has Singh. Mita says she is “fortunate” back home and to be touched by angels. Home collected Rs.121cr in its opening weekend worldwide. to have Akshara as her co-star and is where the heart is... I’m home... #Mumbai,” It’s India business stands at Rs.65.09cr, and it made that her “tuitions are very helpful”. Priyanka, who played Alex Parrish, a rookie $8.5mn (approximately Rs.56cr) came in from the “My character in the show is very FBI recruit with a mysterious past in the series, overseas market. Both the fi lms released last week. diff erent from all my past roles and tweeted on Monday. Starring Shah Rukh, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti something that I haven’t explored The former Miss World made her debut in Sanon in pivotal roles, Dilwale is receiving hearty earlier, I want the audiences to the foreign TV fi ction space with ABC action- response abroad, says trade analyst Komal Nahta. completely believe my character. thriller series Quantico only earlier this year. “Dilwale Overseas: Gulf - biggest ever opening for a I’m truly fortunate to have such She won praise for it, and received global Bollywood fi lm, and the number one fi lm this weekend, great co-actors. Akshara is a gem of visibility. higher than Star Wars: The Force Awakens and other a person and her tuitions are very Meanwhile, back home, she’s being seen on fi lms,” Nahta posted on Twitter. helpful,” Mita said in a statement. silver screen in Sanjay leela Bhansali’s historical “Britain - highest opening for a Bollywood fi lm in Akshara, who plays Madhuri on drama Bajirao Mastani, which has been lauded 2015. - biggest opening of 2015, biggest ever the Zee TV channel’s show, hails by fi lm critics and fans. for SRK. Malaysia - biggest opening for a Bollywood from Bihar and is a known actress Bajirao Mastani unfolds an historical chapter fi lm. New Zealand - number two on box offi ce charts. in the Bhojpuri world. on the silver screen by revisiting the love saga US - number nine in top 10 chart,” he added. Mita says that Akshara’s tuitions of Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I, which is played The collection of Bajirao Mastani witnessed a good are helping the actress in “setting by actor Ranveer Singh and his second wife hike over the weekend and the fi lm is going strong in the right tone for Jethi Maa.” “I’d Mastani, essayed by actress Deepika Padukone. theatres with positive word of mouth, according to like to thank Akshara for being such Priyanka is seen playing the role of Bajirao’s trade analyst Taran Adarsh. — IANS an adorable guru,” she added. — fi rst wife, Kashibai. — IANS SWEET HOME: Priyanka Chopra IANS 18 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY HOLLYWOOD Too close to reality Homeland co-creator Alex Gansa admits to soul-searching as life imitates the show’s disturbing art. By Yvonne Villarreal

he political thriller European city shortly after the Homeland has always Paris attack — is it unnerving felt current, but this when fi ction skews too close to season the show’s reality? co-creator and Those are all exactly the showrunner,T Alex Gansa, off ered up questions running around in particularly prescient episodes that my brain right now. I will tell foreshadowed real news events. you that I fl ew out to Berlin the The fi fth season, which comes very day after the Paris attack to to a close Sunday night, has drawn fi lm the big chemical attack on attention for its story lines about Hauptbahnhof train station in Syria, ISIS and a terror plot against our Homeland fi ctional story. To a major European city. say that there was soul searching The last episode of the season going on in that fl ight is probably wrapped in November, so Gansa an understatement. It was a very had time to discuss the challenges bizarre and strange time to be of creating a show that can cut shooting these scenes in the direct uncomfortably close to the bone. aftermath of this attack on Paris and with Berlin itself on edge. Homeland has always I’m still struggling with all had that ripped-from-the- these questions and thoughts headlines feel, but this season about what is Homeland’s place: in particular felt eerily in sync Are we an entertainment show? with the news as it happened. What responsibility do we have? It’s nice to be congratulated Are we putting the right message about being prescient about these out into the world? I don’t have things. Honestly, if you looked at answers for any of those things the world in January, a lot of these except to say that as people watch things were inevitable. There was episodes 11 and 12, we really tried only a matter of time before there very hard to dramatise a number was going to be another attack in of points of view on all this stuff . and possibly another one in The characters on our show do not the . So that doesn’t speak with one voice. They are seem like we were so smart. all diff erent voices with diff erent The rest of the stuff , I mean, agendas and diff erent thoughts again, these were the things about things. Every action that that were being discussed in is undertaken by the Central Washington. This whole idea of Intelligence Agency in the last mass surveillance on American few episodes is questioned and citizens and, frankly, on citizens debated. And so we try not to on Europe. The whole Snowden be dogmatic or polemic about controversy. All this was in the anything. air at the time. And continues to be in the air. Whether we were The season kicks off with predictive or ripped things from the Carrie leading a normal life. headlines, this is what we tend to Were your writers excited about do each season is try to explore the the prospect of putting her in ideas and issues being discussed “normal” scenarios? at the highest levels and to try to We’ve taken her through so pose questions about how America much sturm and drang over the projects its power overseas. last few years that we thought it would be nice to give her a little This year you pivoted the domestic bliss — which, by the narrative to Berlin. Talk about way, was not something everybody what informed that decision. wanted to do or everyone wanted Every season of Homeland to see on our staff . But it was nice starts with all the writers taking because, especially what happened a fi eld trip to Washington, DC, after Season 4, Carrie had become and the three or four days that we thoroughly disenchanted with the spend there heavily infl uence our Central Intelligence Agency and storytelling over the season. We’re with the work she had been asked hosted by John McGaffi n, who is to do. And it was nice to see her in a our consultant on the show and completely diff erent environment was the former deputy director of GETTING IT RIGHT: Alex Gansa at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. doing something completely the Central Intelligence Agency. We diff erent from that work but using entertain a parade of current and might imagine what was being about — the Laura Poitras movie elements became part of the season her old skill set to do so. We found former intelligence offi cers, State talked about. Charlie Hebdo had about Edward Snowden. And he, this year. her in a stable relationship with a Department people, White House just happened in Paris, ISIS had Ed Snowden, was defi nitely part of stable, normal, appropriate man staff ers, journalists so we get a real just burned a Jordanian pilot alive the conversation. All that stuff was But when you have an and doing work at a foundation, front-row seat of what is being in a cave. Vladimir Putin was swirling around in conversation for episode that airs after one of which essentially was doing the talked about in Washington. rattling the saber in the Ukraine. those four days in Georgetown. And these real-life events — like exact opposite kind of work that she And this year in January, you And Citizen Four was about to come you can see how every one of those the episode about a strike on a was doing before as an intelligence Wednesday, December 23, 2015 GULF TIMES 19 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Ecclestone ‘too tired to argue’ with husband

Socialite Tamara Ecclestone “doesn’t have the energy to argue” with her husband since becoming a mother. Ecclestone admits she and Jay Rutland — who she married in June 2013 — used to clash before having their daughter Sophia, 21 months, but since her birth, they can’t be bothered to quarrel, reports femalefi rst.co.uk. “We’re a family unit. We used to bicker about small things before Sophia came along, but now those things don’t matter. We just don’t have the energy to argue over who left the toilet seat up. We’re very settled and happy,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying by new! magazine. While Ecclestone is thoroughly enjoying motherhood, she isn’t keen to have another child just yet and wants a big age gap between Sophia and her sibling. “I want to enjoy Sophia fully. There’s four and a half years between me and Petra, and we’re really close so I think that’s a nice age gap. “I can remember her being born, so I’d like to wait a bit longer. I’m happy with the three of us for now,” she added. — IANS

Model Suki Waterhouse Claire Danes and Samir Fuchs in Homeland. is obsessed with cycling offi cer. We did really pick her up not watched an episode of Game Model Suki Waterhouse says this season in a completely diff erent of Thrones. I have to look back to her latest fi tness “obsession” is emotional and professional place. before that. At the very top of the to ride bicycles. “Boris bikes are heap for me is The Wire. I could talk an obsession at the moment. I’ve It made me uncomfortable. to David Simon forever about The decided that they are going to be my That’s interesting. Why? Wire. It took over my life for about fi tness focus from now on. I cycle two months there. I watched all fi ve on the pavement because I’m a bit Because it felt like she was seasons straight through. I happen scared, so everyone hates me — stifl ing herself, or living a to love Peaky Blinders. And there they are constantly yelling abuse,” lie to achieve a false sense of was another British series that I Waterhouse told the Evening normalcy. thought was astonishingly well Standard newspaper, reports I think it was weird for Claire done — and notice that I watch the femalefi rst.co.uk. (Danes) playing the role too because ones with fi ve or six episodes — but Boris Bikes are popular as part it’s like, Is this a character for whom I really liked Happy Valley. My wife of a public bicycle hire scheme in any kind of domestic situation has not stopped raving about The . Since moving into her own would ever make sense? One of Americans. I have not had a chance fl at in Notting Hill, Waterhouse has the things that fascinated us in the to watch it, but I am dying to. been ordering in specialty foods. story room was how much of her “I love ordering spicy French fries, life could she share with a “normal Do you ever wonder what and Pad Thai, and then soaking the person” and still be accepted by Dana Brody is up to? chips in Pad Thai sauce,” she said. that person. She had done not You know, I don’t think about — IANS only extraordinary things but also Dana, but I think about Morgan questionable things. And would Saylor a lot. I wonder what she’s a human rights lawyer like Jonas up to because she’s a great actress. Hollander understand that, and I’m still interested in the Brody would he continue to accept and family, though. I know they caused love her after knowing all that? And grimaces across the Internet. it was kind of a big test for Carrie to open herself up to this guy, and that I feel like Dana could be a opening up began in Episode 3, and Carrie in the making. as you know it didn’t go so well. these gifts and alerted Saul for this story, which is Laura and the I totally do too. What if she fact and she was recruited by him. During foundation get a lot of these became a CIA offi cer, right? That Have you thought about what I think that’d be an interesting prisoners released from Plotzensee would be so interesting. initially attracted Carrie to thing to explore, now that I think Prison. So that story does coincide intelligence work? about it. I mean, you will in Episode with Quinn’s story. We tried to do Yeah, and she has a reason to That’s not something we’ve 12, hear the story of how Quinn was that as seamlessly as possible. Also, want to seek answers. talked about or dramatised on recruited. It’s nice to know where some wonderful writing teacher of Precisely. I hadn’t considered the show, but it’s an interesting these people came from. mine told me that if a coincidence that. That’s actually pretty question. Clearly she was a brilliant gets somebody out of trouble, that’s fascinating. Season 8, here we mind in college, wherever she was. Is there a storyline that bad. If a coincidence gets somebody come. Clearly she came to the attention turned out to be challenge to into trouble, that’s a good plot of Saul Berenson probably through actually execute? point. So we sort of embraced that The fi nale airs Sunday. When a professor at some university who I think the whole move of Quinn one. it’s over, what do you expect the picked her out as somebody who to have fallen in with jihadis who Is there a show for you that tweet that viewers send out will was incredibly perceptive and acute are planning an attack in Berlin is incites this much discussion? say? about human behaviour, somebody one of those dramatic moves that’s Oh, my God, are you kidding Don’t. who had a razor-sharp mind and going to be a little controversial. me? First of all, I have to apologise somebody who could thrive in the Some people are going to view it as to everybody because these last Don’t? duplicitous role of intelligence work coincidental. We really tried to set four or fi ve years, I have been I’m just going to leave it hanging FITNESS ON WHEELS: Suki overseas. Somebody recognised it up by having it be part of another under water. For example, I have there. — Los Angeles Times/MCT Waterhouse 20 GULF TIMES Wednesday, December 23, 2015 COMMUNITY New courses added to VCU-Q spring line-up At Virginia Commonwealth University-Qatar, Spring 2016 features some of the most popular courses from the last season plus some fresh additions. By Umer Nangiana

Digital Illustrations programme will be instructed by Charlene Kasdorf.

route to develop their creativity design skills. The class will draw enjoying each step of the making. inspiration from contemporary The course will be taught by illustrators and participants are Johnatan Machado Tepper, a asked to bring illustrations that Venezuelan artist, with a graduate they like to class. degree in Painting from the Charlene Kasdorf has lived and Armando Reveron University worked as an artist, illustrator, (Caracas, Venezuela), and a and educator in , Thailand, Master’s degree in Public Art from Switzerland, the UK, and the Universidad Politécnica of currently in Qatar. She earned her Valencia, Spain. BFA with Honours back home in In his professional career, he Canada. While living abroad, she has had his artworks exhibited in embraced teaching art at various various cities such as Alicante, levels and earned her Masters Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, in International Education in Miami, Savannah, Doha and major Switzerland. cities of his country (Venezuela). She collaborates on various Machado has developed Qatar-based art and education his work on the continuous projects, with past collaborations experimentation of techniques, including the Museum of Islamic ranging from photography to Art, QM Family Programmes, painting, to collage and working Medina Publishing, and several with unconventional materials. international schools in Doha. Another exciting programme is She is an active member of the Digital Illustration: From sketch to Association of Illustrators and the fi nal artwork, the programme is to International Artists of Doha. be instructed by Charlene Kasdorf. Among dozens of programmes LEARNING CURVE: Neo Mosaics workshop will be taught by artist Johnatan Machado Tepper. It is all about quirky characters and there is also a course on Low Light intriguing environments; create Photography suitable for serious ommunity education season such as the photo project, manner. They will exercise visual stories with imaginative amateurs holding a good level of classes imparting the art of low light photography, different approaches to explore twists and develop them into knowledge about photographic new skills and deep camera filming, digital illustration how to work with this new digital illustrations. principles including aperture, understanding of art and others besides many new technique. Participants are guided shutter and ISO, which will be the and culture at Virginia programmes such as Neo Mosaics. The mosaic technique is through a two-phase process prerequisite for this programme. CommonwealthC University-Qatar The Neo Mosaic workshop characterised by revealing like creating several sketches Students will be meeting (VCU-Q) are back for the spring is focused on exploring ways very clearly the process that by exploring ideas using pencil, offsite for some of the classes season. Offering short courses in of creating images. By ways of leads to a final image. Neo- pen, and coloured inks and using to do hands on practical studies multiple areas of interest, Spring non-conventional materials, Mosaics is something new and Photoshop, develop colour and outside. Salim Abdulla, a creative 2016 features some of the most participants will imitate a rather it has a myriad of applications. texture to emphasise character photographer based in Qatar, will popular courses from the last old technique in a contemporary Participants will discover a unique and composition, with lessons in be the instructor.