I want to do one or two films a year

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013 (PAGE-4)
INTERVIEW
HERITAGE
'I want to do one or two films a year'
A Dying Art
Ayodhya Nath Kerni
Imran Khan can't do without his cup of
coffee during night shifts. Sreya Basu
in conversation with the actor in
Mumbai on coffee dates and films
What is your ideal time to indulge in a cup of coffee?
When on night shift, I get too sleepy. Then I take cold coffee
with a double shot of espresso.
What about a cup of coffee in bed?
I drink milk when I wake up in the morning. Coffee is for night
shifts when I really start passing out.
Are you a good coffee maker?
When I was in boarding school I used to make very good pheta
huya, foamwala coffee … that was my speciality. And young ladies
from the nearby girls' hostel used to come to me and request to
make that special coffee for them.
Do you go on coffee dates with your wife Avantika?
It has been a long time now. These days we can't go to cafes
since it becomes a bit problematic. But yes, when I was dating
Avantika, cafes were the best place to hang out. I used to take
Avantika on coffee dates often.
Given a chance, other than Avantika, who else would you
like to take out on a coffee date?
I will never answer that. Do you want me to get killed?
Did it upset you that your last release Gori Tere Pyaar Mein
with Kareena Kapoor Khan did not work well at the Box
Office?
It saddens me when a film does not work well. But hits and flops
happen in our industry. You have to learn to bear with flops as well.
People say an actress loses popularity when she gets married. What do you think about it?
It's a wrong notion that a heroine's stocks fall after she gets
married. It's nothing like that. If a film fails, then there is something
in the film that the audience did not like and all of us - writer, producer, director, actors - have to think about it. It's not fair to put the
blame on one or two people.
What do you think went wrong with your last release?
See, after release of a film, it's easy to point out the weak points.
But while making the film, it's not always possible to determine
where exactly things went wrong. We just have to keep trying and
learning from our past experiences.
What will be your next film?
My next film will be Bhavesh Joshi. It is being directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. Right now we are in a pre-production stage.
We hope to start shooting by February-March.
Are there other projects?
Right now I am concentrating on that one film. There are no
confirmed talks on other projects. Also I want to work at ease.
Are you slowing down on purpose?
I did three films this year - Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Once
Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara! and Gori Tere Pyaar Mein which is a lot for me. I don't want to do so much work. There were
back-to-back shootings this year. Personally, I don't want to work
like this. I want to do one or two films a year. (TWF)
LIFE STYLE
Fighting the world
Azra Khatoon
Saida Banoo, a sixteen-year old Blue Belter, has been learning Taekwondo for the last five years. Nothing exceptional for a
metropolitan reader but the context changes if Saida is a girl residing in a region that remains cut-off from the world for six months;
a place where girls have remained confined to their homes for
several decades and have now taken on the fight, against all the
odds, to set a mark in education, employment and sports.
Empowering several girls like Saida is the Areezuna school of
Taekwondo,Kargil,established by thirty-year old Mohammad Ali in
2009, the only school in this Himalayan bound region that teaches young girls the art of Taekwondo and trains them to face the
world with physical prowess.
Taekwondo - a form of martial arts originated in Korea, comprises measured movements of the feet and hands. Apart from
several physical skills and techniques that foster bodily and mental wellbeing, this sport helps one become more exuberant and
self-assured in life.
Ali, who had been an outstanding student of his master - NisarHussain Balkhani, represented Jammu and Kashmir at the
National Levels and won several medals, including the Sher-eKashmir Sports Award. Transformed, he decided to help the shy
souls around him emerge from their cocoons too.
Along with his team, as inspired as him to make a visible
change, started giving demonstration programs in schools on
occasions like 15 August and on Sports Meets in order to encourage young people, specially girls and their parents.All the hard
work invested over time paid off: in the last three years, the team
has grown from just thirty five to an impressive hundred and forty
students. With over eighty percent of the team represented by
women, Ali and his school have made remarkable progress.
"It was not difficult to convince parents to send their children
to Taekwondo classes, especially girl children," says a satisfied
Ali. He reiterates, "People have become more aware of the fact
that not only boys but girls too have equal right to education and
Sports."
The proud mentor offers an organized environment with recurring exercises. Aligning the children according to their belts with
Black Belters leading the rest, he creates a well-rounded fitness
program that includes stretching, muscle tension exercises, flexibility and increasing the stamina through aerobic combat. After
the regular work out session, the trainees, ranging from Class
First students to girls pursuing graduation, are then exposed to
kicking and self-defense techniques.
Ali, who runs the club single handedly, feels that there is a great
career opportunity in this field. However, he grumbles over the
fact that the Scholarship provided by the Sports Authority of India
is at at a pause for reasons unknown to him??.
Putting aside the grudges, he feels that if well trained and guided, one could reach for the Olympics level. In order to touch his
set goal to reach the Olympics, his rigorous routine doesn't afford
rest on Sundays too. Classes take place all week, two times a day
with the same group. The morning shift begins at six and goes on
till eight, and the evening slot commences from four thirty to six
thirty.
Ali's students have played at National Level Tournaments in
locations like Bhopal, Assam, Bengaluru, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi
and Jammu and have won all the three medals innumerable times.
Saida Banoohas won a gold medal in the Under-Seventeen
Championship Girls, at the District Level Tournaments in the
years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and again gold at the State
Level in June 2013. "Taekwondo is my life. I have built confidence
and faith in myself, that makes me feel empowered," shares
Banoo, always alert to defend herself and display the nerves to
react against the foolery of boys.
Reshma Batool, yet another twelve-year old young girl, has
won a silver medal in the Under- Fourteen Junior Championship
in 2012 at the State Level and a gold at the District Level in July
2013. This Yellow Belter feels that it is important to be physically
fit through a sport. "Taekwondo for me is like a playful yet intense
game that keeps me involved", states Reshma with a certain
degree of contentment in her voice.
Several other shining stars, Shazia Batool, Amreen Fatima,
Asna Gul, Shehnaz Parveen and Chocho Sakeena, have won
multiple medals and trophies in this field that offers physical and
mental growth.
Talking to one of the parents it appeared that initially girls were
bound not only to look after their younger siblings but also help
their mothers in the mundane household chores at the expense
of their studies. "Studies did matter to them but not as much as
their families," states a parent. Adding further, he states, "Not only
was their psychological understanding discounted,the focus on
their physical development was also put down." He now feels satisfied, stating with contentment, "I am happy to see such sports
skills being imparted to girls too, because after all, a society
becomes healthy when its girls are strong."
It is such a positive scenario today in Kargil that apart from
exposing girls to education, equal emphasis is also given to them
in the field of Sports. Today every girl child in that community, who
has been practicing this skillful art of Taekwondo or is involved in
other physical activities, feels empowered, energized and confident. They have a come a long way already, with promises of a
stronger future.
(Writer is a SanjoyGhose Media Fellow).
Charkha Features
A large number of megalithic sites spread
over various parts of the world have been discovered in the past. The ruins of historical buildings, stone pillars, forts and temples ravel
ancient culture. The explorations done at the
sites of Mohenjodaro and Harappa reveal much
about the stone carving and cultural interest.
The excavators were able to define that art of
stone carving is as old as the civilization. Rough
and natural stone are dressed with the help of
tools so as to shape them to a pre determined
design. In order to break off corners and angles,
a sculptor hammers the stone with ditcher- a
heavy, pointed chisel with rough edges. The
form is then refined with more subtle tools such
as claw chisels and flat chisels which are used
for sharper details.
Not only in other countries but there are many
examples of best sculpt and architecture in
India. Many of the monuments have got the status of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kami
Mata Temple in Deshnoke (Bikaner) Rajasthan.
The amazing carving work has been done. Kangra Fort of Himachal Pradesh is perhaps one of
the oldest fort of India. The fort was devastated
by a disastrous earthquake in 1905 AD but still
stands a testimony to the architectural skills of
times. There are richly carved temples with
some idols embossed in the walls of these temples. Mahishasura Mardini cave Mahabadlipuram in Tamil Nadu has a number of cave temples where ancient art has its presence. Two
panels with sculptures on opposite walls are
quite famous. These carvings are the reminiscent of the History. Stone carvings at Hoysaleswara temple, Holebid Karnataka are very
famous. Brilliant sculptures speak volumes
about the architectural excellence. Konark Sun
temple of Odhisha constructed by Narsingh Dev
during 11th century is also famous for its architecture and wall carvings.
In Jammu region also the art of ancient monumental architecture was famous. The example
of groups of temples held at Krimachi of district
Udhampur is worth citing. Fascinating carvings
done on the exteriors of temples is very attractive. The sculptures are exquisite and powerful.
After carrying out carving on many stone slabs,
the stones were assembled together to elaborate the design. The stone idols held at Krimachi
temples are Shiva Varah Avtar, Parvati Gaurada, Ganesha etc. The artistic stone work of temples reflects the skill and craftsmanship of the
time when the temples were constructed.
Besides architectural skills in temples and
Forts construction, the Duggar Region remained
famous for Bauli art. Baulis constructed during
seventeenth and eighteenth century AD are the
finest specimen of stone sculpt. Statuettes
embossed on stone slabs were being fixed on
the three sides of baulis. They include postures
of different gods, avtars, serpents, sun, earth
and even imaginary symbols of scenic beauty.
The art of stone carving faced a sharp decline
even with regards to Baulis. The Baulis constructed after independence were in a quite different style. The stone used for construction was
merely plain and even undressed in most of the
cases. Neither the chiseling work was done nor
any murals were got erected. Unsurpassed
sculptural art of ancient Baulis could not be preserved for the coming generations.
The hard stone of the most of the Duggar
region is very suitable for carving. Idols and
small decors can be made out of stone. Training is required to be imparted to locals for stone
carving. If technique of painting is introduced
the products would be more attractive, strong,
cheap as compared to marble. The art of stone
carving needs revival at this stage. This would
definitely improve the economy and locals may
get self employment.
Looking for the skilled people of stone carving only some people could be contacted in the
interior villages.
Sh. Hem Raj S/o Late Anant Ram village Kah
Chirayayi was seen erecting four idols of Bhim
devta of size 5'X2'. It took him 100 days along
with one assistant to complete the idols. The
stones were heavy and loaded with crane on a
tipper and brought to his village for further carving. He had learnt stone carving from his father.
An individual from village Ritti Tehsil Ramnagar also know carving an idol of Hanuman of the
size one and half by one feet was sold for
installing in a temple.
Two brothers from Sudhmahadev also perform the carving work as a hobby. One of them
is a retired employee from State Forest Department. Idols and decors are prepared and sold
by them at Sudhmahadev.
In Kashmir division art is very popular. Mortals of different sizes along with decor items are
available in the market. Tourists visiting Kashmir Division purchase these items. In Jammu
Division the art has completely vanished. Necessary steps are needed to be taken to promote
and revive the art of stone carving in Jammu
Region.
HEALTHLINES
Overcoming Epilepsy
Dr Atma Ram Bansal
Epilepsy may not be as common as diabetes or hypertension but it is also not a rare
disease. It affects more than 5/1000 people in
the world. In India alone there might be more
than 5million people suffering from epilepsy.
Epilepsy can occur in any age group but is
more common in children and young adults,
particularly in villages.
Epilepsy is a disorder of repeated fits due
to sudden excessive electrical activity in the
brain that may produce jerks in the limbs, unresponsiveness and spells of unawareness. It
occurs if the normal electrical activity increases and spreads to surrounding areas. When
the electrical activity involves a small area of
the brain, it produces minor seizure (partial).
And if large area is involved a major seizure
results (generalized).
Lack of knowledge about epilepsy leads to
social stigma, loss of quality of life and social
alienation. Children with epilepsy often
deprived from schooling. Grown up youths and
adult finds the going tough in matters of job and
marriage. Though with a good control of
seizures a person can achieve what anybody
without epilepsy can but lack of awareness and
self confidence is a big hindrance.
Majority of cases with epilepsy don't get
proper diagnosis and treatment especially in
villages. This 'treatment gap' is responsible for
inadequate control of seizures.
With the advancement in
treatment epilepsy can be
treated easily in almost 80 per
cent of the patients. With the
discovery of new medicines for
epilepsy it is very safe to use
them even for long term use.
There are special issues with females having epilepsy. Though there are very high
chances of healthy married life and kids, the
getting married is a big issue for the family. It
is always do to consult a doctor before her marriage and also when she is planning to become
a mother. If there is proper treatment and if
medicines are taken regularly as prescribed,
delivery will be normal in majority of cases.
Doctors can change the medicines during pregnancy so that the child is not affected in any
manner. There are certain people who are
prone for epilepsy that includes; Babies with
slow development, infection and delayed cry
after birth or with abnormal brain structures and
brain infections, serious head trauma or use of
cocaine and the like, stroke and brain tumors.
But it can occur without any obvious reasons
also. With the advancement in treatment
epilepsy can be treated easily in almost 80 per
cent of the patients. With the discovery of new
medicines for epilepsy it is very safe to use
them even for long term use. Most of the
patients require a single medicine though some
may require more than one medicine also. The
type of medicine a patient should take depends
on the type of epilepsy afflicting the person.
Duration of treatment is for a period of three to
five years. Some may get relief within six
months to one year. In what are known as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy cases, the treatment
may last for a very long period.
There are about 20 to 30 per cent people
with a history of poorly controlled epilepsy
despite multiple medications. These cases can
be considered for treatment by doing epilepsy
surgery. In epilepsy surgery a small area of the
brain responsible for seizures can be removed
easily by microscopic surgery, which is very
safe. It is possible to pin point the focus of origin of seizures by video-EEG and MRI.
(The author is Sr.Consultant-Institute of Neurosciences)
at Medanta-The Medicity" Division of Neurology".