Community

P8
Community
Self-taught
Pakistani
expatriate
carves sculptures out
of paper and has been
teaching the craft at
VCUQ summer camp.
P16
Community
DJ Steve
Paris returns
to the newly
revamped WAHM
Lounge to pump Doha’s
nights with more groove
and colour.
Monday, September 5, 2016
Dhul-Hijja 3, 1437 AH
DOHA
33°C—41°C TODAY
COVER
STORY
FOR THE LOVE OF RUNNING: Sarah Whittington participates in a trail run.
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11
PUZZLES 12 & 13
On the go
Sarah Whittington doesn’t just run
long distances — she takes part in
ultra-races that is anything over the
standard 26.2-mile marathon. P4-5
2
GULF TIMES Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
ROUND & ABOUT
PRAYER TIME
Fajr
Shorooq (sunrise)
Zuhr (noon)
Asr (afternoon)
Maghreb (sunset)
Isha (night)
3.58am
5.16am
11.33am
3.02pm
5.51pm
7.21pm
USEFUL NUMBERS
Emergency
999
Worldwide Emergency Number
112
Kahramaa – Electricity and Water
991
Local Directory
180
International Calls Enquires
150
Hamad International Airport
40106666
Labor Department
44508111, 44406537
Mowasalat Taxi
44588888
Qatar Airways
44496000
Hamad Medical Corporation
44392222, 44393333
Qatar General Electricity and
Water Corporation
44845555, 44845464
Primary Health Care Corporation
44593333
44593363
Qatar Assistive Technology
Centre
44594050
Qatar News Agency
44450205
44450333
Q-Post – General Postal
Corporation
44464444
Humanitarian Services Office
(Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies)
Ministry of Interior
40253371, 40253372,
40253369
Ministry of Health
40253370, 40253364
Hamad Medical Corporation
40253368, 40253365
Qatar Airways
40253374
Space Dogs: Adventure to the Moon
GENRE: Animation, Family
CAST: Alicia Silverstone, Ashlee
Simpson, Sam Witwer
DIRECTION: Mike Disa
SYNOPSIS: Space Dogs: Adventure
to the Moon features terrific
animation, excellent voice actors,
plenty of interesting sets and planets,
and a lot of scope for imagination.
Your entire family will enjoy this space
adventure, which features delightful
characters, such as Belka, Strelka,
Kazbek, Pushok, and Lenny, the rat.
Dogs, rats, chimps, a fat cat, and other
interesting characters deal with an
alien device that steals various items
from the Earth and takes them to the
moon. The flight to the moon is an
interesting journey with a lot going on
before the travellers get there and even
after they do. Get ready to blast off to
an out-of-this-world adventure with
canine teenage astronaut, Pushok,
who is determined to find his missing
astronaut father. Against all odds,
Pushok stows away on a US rocketship to the moon but soon finds he is
not alone, as he is reunited with his
mom and encounters a macho monkey
and a baby alien. Together, the furry
heroes learn the true meaning of
teamwork as they join the search for
Pushok’s dad.
THEATRES: Royal Plaza, The Mall
Mechanic: Resurrection
GENRE: Action, Crime, Thriller
CAST: Jason Statham, Jessica Alba,
Tommy Lee Jones
DIRECTION: Dennis Gansel
SYNOPSIS: Arthur Bishop thought
he had put his murderous past behind
him when his most formidable foe
kidnaps the love of his life. Now he is
forced to travel the globe to complete
three impossible assassinations, and do
what he does best, make them look like
accidents. When the deceitful actions
of a cunning but beautiful woman force
him to return to the life he left behind,
Arthur Bishop’s life is in danger as he
has to complete an impossible list of
assassinations of the most dangerous
men in the world.
THEATRES: Royal Plaza, The Mall
ote Unquote
u
Q It’s one of
the greatest gifts you
can give yourself, to forgive.
Forgive everybody.
—Maya Angelou
Community Editor
Kamran Rehmat
e-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 44466405
Fax: 44350474
Mall Cinema (1): Hands Of
Stone (2D) 11am; Pretham
(Malayalam) 1pm; Janatha
Garage (Telugu) 3.15pm;
Mechanics: Resurrection (2D)
6pm; Morgan (2D) 7.45pm;
Blood Father (2D) 9.30pm;
Janatha Garage (Telugu) 11pm.
Mall Cinema (2): Akira
(Hindi) 11am; Kubo And The
Two Strings (2D) 1.30pm; Mr.
Fuzzypants (2D) 3.30pm; Kubo
And The Two Strings (2D)
5pm; Akira (Hindi) 7pm; The
Infiltrator (2D) 9.15pm; Hands
Of Stone (2D) 11.30pm.
Mall Cinema (3): Blood Father
(2D) 11.15am; Akira (Hindi) 1pm;
Morgan (2D) 3.30pm; Hell Or
The Two Strings (2D) 3pm;
Kubo And The Two Strings (2D)
5pm; Pretham (Malayalam)
High Water (2D) 5.15pm; Hands 7pm; Hands Of Stone (2D)
9.15pm; Akira (Hindi) 11.15pm.
Of Stone (2D) 7pm; Pretham
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace
(Malayalam) 9pm; Kidaari
(3): The Infiltrator (2D) 11am;
(Tamil) 11.15pm.
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace Hell Or High Water (2D) 1.15pm;
The Infiltrator (2D) 3.15pm;
(1): Akira (Hindi) 11.15am;
Pretham (Malayalam) 1.45pm; Morgan (2D) 5.30pm; Hands Of
Akira (Hindi) 4pm; Mechanics: Stone (2D) 7.15pm; Hell Or High
Water (2D) 9.15pm; Kidaari
Resurrection (2D) 6.30pm;
(Tamil) 11pm.
Blood Father (2D) 8.15pm;
Asaian Town Cinema:
Morgan (2D) 10pm; Blood
Pretham (Malayalam) 8.45, 11.15
Father (2D) 11.30pm.
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace & 11.45pm; Kismat (Malayalam)
7.45pm; Janatha Garage
(2): Hands Of Stone (2D)
(Telugu) 3.15, 5.4 & 8.45pm;
11.30am; The Secret Life Of
Kiddar (Tamil) 12.30 & 3.15pm.
Pets (2D) 1.30pm; Kubo And
Monday, September 5, 2016
Doha Youth Choir And Doha Junior
Choir Auditions
DATE: September 17
TIME: 10am to 12pm
LOCATION: Doha College Al Waab
Doha Youth Choir has a limited numbers
of spaces for singers aged 14 and above, and
preference will be given to the lower voices
(alto, tenor and bass). Doha Junior Choir
is also recruiting singers aged 8 to 12 years.
Both choirs rehearse twice weekly and are
structured so that the singers can become
good musicians. For more information, please
email [email protected]
Treasures of China Exhibition
DATE: Tomorrow
TIME: Evening
VENUE: Museum of Islamic Art
As part of the ongoing Qatar-China
Year of Culture 2016, the Treasures of
China exhibition will feature world famous
terracotta soldiers from the First Emperor’s
Terracotta Army, where visitors will get the
chance to meet the warriors who guarded a
hidden empire. The exhibition will display
116 pieces dating from the Neolithic period
to the Qing Dynasty, spanning over 5,000
years of China’s history. Potteries, bronzes,
jades, porcelains, gold, silver, enamel and
many other Chinese treasures will be on show,
selected from five museums and institutions
from across China.
Live Music
DATE:Tomorrow- Sept 30
TIME: 7:30pm-11:30pm
VENUE: Admiral’s Club
Featuring special Irish band Coelta with
two gigs per month, followed by Over Your
Head, Bluestone, Sand Tunes, Doha Band, 50
Degree, Dave Duchette, Vertuoso, Jack Daniels
Trio and others, only in Admiral’s, 7:30pm
to 11:30pm Thursdays and Fridays, until
September 30. No entry fee, above 21 years.
Dari Qatar
DATE: Ongoing
Doha Film Institute and Qatar Tourism
Authority have embarked on an ambitious
mission of producing an unprecedented
documentary – ‘Dari Qatar’ – a personal
journey through Qatar, about you, for
you, filmed by all of you. ‘Dari Qatar’ is an
intimate, engaging portrayal of Qatar today;
a refreshing look at the nation, told entirely
by its public, revealing the hopes, loves, fears,
dreams and realities of the people who call
Qatar home. ‘Dari Qatar’ will give the world a
different perspective on what it is like to live
in Qatar, with its unique beauty, its cultural
diversity and its rich Arabic traditions.
Doha Beauty Show
DATE: Oct 20-22
TIME: 10am
VENUE: Doha Exhibition and Convention
Center
Qatar’s first Doha Beauty Show will be
held from 20th to 22nd of October at the
Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
The Doha Beauty Show is the first of its kind
event in Qatar that is dedicated to local and
international trade and beauty professionals
as well as local consumers. The three-day
show focuses on four pillars in the beauty
industry, including Cosmetics & Fragrance,
Spa & Aesthetics, Natural Products and Hair
Care & Nails.
Beauty & The Beast
DATE: Sept 11-17
TIME: 4pm
VENUE: Dar Al-Salam Mall
The Eid celebrations will offer a variety of
daily family entertainment shows. Exclusive live
entertainment shows will feature throughout
the week, Beauty & The Beast will be held at Dar
Al Salam Mall.
A Symphony of Horror
DATE: Sept 22
TIME: 7:30pm
VENUE: Katara Opera House
This concert is part of the Symphony of
Films series, in Partnership with Doha Film
Institute and the British Council. Get info on
this website to book your show. http://www.
dohafilminstitute.com/events/dfi-cinema
Eid al-Adha celebrations: The PearlQatar
DATE: Sept 11 - 17
TIME: 6pm
VENUE: The Pearl-Qatar
Celebrate Eid at Porto Arabia, from Sept 1117. Kids can enjoy all the three days of Eid and
lets their imagination flourish.
Pirates from the Caribbean
DATE: Sept 11- 17
TIME: 4pm
VENUE: Lagoona Mall
The Eid celebrations will offer a variety of
daily family entertainment shows. Exclusive
live entertainment shows will feature
throughout the week, Pirates from the
Caribbean will be held at Lagoona Mall.
Tarzan Screening
DATE: Sept 11-17
TIME: 4pm
VENUE: City Center
The Eid celebrations will offer a variety of
daily family entertainment shows. Exclusive
live entertainment shows will feature
throughout the week, Tarzan will be held at
City Centre.
3
COMMUNITY
ROUND & ABOUT
EVENTS
GULF TIMES
Filipino Community Family Day
DATE: Sept 13-15
TIME: 10am
VENUE: Westin Hotel 7 Spa, Doha
Kulinarya Qatar is inviting everyone to
attend the annual Filipino Community Day
& Food Festival to be held from September 13
to 15 from 10am-10pm at the Westin Hotel
and Spa. The event will feature Filipino food
restaurants and different international
stalls, Filipino and local products, cultural
shows, kids activities, games cooking
competitions, workshops and other exciting
programmes.
Climate Change Programme
DATE: Tomorrow to Sept 8
TIME: 10am
VENUE: Maktaba Qatar, Al Mabahej &
Saha 33, Doha
Are you looking for a programme that
helps your child understand how and why
our climate is changing? The programme
“Climate Change’’ is designed for children
7-14 years old to introduce them to the causes
and effects of the climate change and what
people can do to slow the change and prepare
for it. Each session is based on games, science
activities and triggering their curiosity to
make research and work on projects.
Aspire Splash and Dash
DATE: Every Sunday and Wednesday
TIME: 7pm-9pm
VENUE: Aspire Dome
The athletics track and swimming pool will
be open for 50 participants aged seven years
and above per session and facility. Swimming
skills are mandatory for registering at the
swimming sessions with a limited number
of 50 participants per session. The event is
open to public registration on-site from 6 to
7:45pm.
Doha Sightseeing
DATE: Ongoing
TIME: 9am-9pm
VENUE: Around Doha
Doha Bus is Qatar’s first Hop-on Hop-off
sight-seeing bus tour, providing both local
residents and visiting tourists a flexible way
to discover the country’s vibrant past, present
and future. Each Doha Bus tour highlights a
variety of interesting locations throughout
this fast changing landscape including Souq
Waqif, The Pearl, Villaggio as well as The
Museum of Islamic Art. Doha Bus enhances
the sightseeing experience with seven
different language options to choose from as
well as group discounts, private coach tours
and corporate outings. Doha Bus is a fun,
interactive and highly education experience
for every traveller.
Combination of Sun, Sand and Surfing
DATE: Ongoing
VENUE: Aqua Park
For the first time ever in Qatar, it will be
possible to ride up curved sidewalls at 90
degrees to the direction of the water flow.
Giving visitors and especially surfing fanatics
an amazing experience available at only one
place in Qatar Aqua Park.
Come join us and also take advantage of the
extra free ticket you get anytime you buy two
Stingray Tickets.
Garage Gallery
DATE: Until Nov 1
TIME: 8pm
VENUE: Spaces at the Fire Station
The Artists in Residence exhibition is a
culmination of an intensive nine-month
programme, featuring works by 18 local
contemporary artists who have been working
in the artist’s studios and spaces at the Fire
Station since September 2015. The exhibition
showcases new work and projects created
by the artists during their residency period,
shedding light on the development of their
innovative ideas and diverse studio practices.
Photographic, sculptural, and installation
based artworks fill the Garage Gallery and
showcase these talented artists.
Vacation Competition
DATE: Until September 21
VENUE: FCC Office
Women’s forum of Friends Cultural Centre
has announced competitions for Qatar-based
Malayalee students of grades IV–XII. There
are two competitions including Avadhikkalath
an article on vacation experiences and
Avadhikkalakazhchakal, on photography.
Article on vacation experiences should be
prepared in Malayalam or in English with a
minimum of 500 words. Photographs for the
competition should be printed on A4 size
art paper or photo paper. Pictures should
not have been published before and should
not be downloaded from internet. Entries
for competitions need to be submitted to
FCC Office on or before 21 September 2016.
More details can be obtained by contacting
telephone number 44661213.
Yamativo Salsa Classes
DATE: Every Monday
TIME: 7pm
VENUE: Radisson Blu
It’s always fun and always challenging. Let’s
meet and learn some moves every Monday
night. You don’t need to do anything, just join
us. Level 1 (intermediate level) 7pm and for
beginner level 8pm. Be there at Raddison Blu
Hotel Cabana Club.
Cake Decoration Classes
DATE: Morning and evening
VENUE: Tavola Royal Plaza, Al Saad Street
Tavola offers a range of cake decorating
and kitchen skills classes. Tavola is the only
authorised Wilton method provider in the
Middle East.
New Bootcamp Abu Hamour
DATE: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday
TIME: 6pm
VENUE: Doha British School
Located just minutes from Villaggio
and a walk away from Ain Khalid Gate the
Doha British School campus is our newest
Bootcamp location. The training takes place
on the main grass playing field surrounded by
an athletics track. There are showers available
and changing rooms.
Pottery workshop for kids
DATE: Every Monday
TIME: 5pm-6pm
Kids will learn a new hand building
technique for creating and finishing artworks
in clay. For more, call 44865201.
Sketching with pencil and charcoal
DATE: Sunday and Wednesday
TIME: 5pm- 6:30pm
If you can hold a pencil, you can draw…
Discover techniques to make your drawing
more realistic. Every Saturday and Wednesday
from 5pm-6:30pm.
Fitness Training
DATE: Sunday, Tue, Thu
TIME: 6pm-7pm
VENUE: MIA Park
There are fitness classes in the park on
Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights at
6 and 7pm. Open to all levels of fitness.
Bootcamp is an intensive and fun way to
train and also meet new people in the open
and friendly group atmosphere. More
information, from Bootcamp, Qatar or info@
bootcampqatar.com
FOODIE CHOICE
RESTAURANT: Fuego
LOCATION: Shangri La Hotel
Fuego delivers the culinary fire and passion
of the Argentine pampas to diners who wish
to channel their inner gauchos and paisanas.
Lively, fun and engaging, it offers the finest
selection of prime beef prepared in the timehonoured traditions of the Argentine grill.
Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change
4
GULF TIMES Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
‘The longer ultras
are really for the
intelligent runner’
Sarah Whittington and husband Steve are keen marathoners, driven by the passion
for running. But wining is never their goal. “When the day comes that I enter a race
for the medal, that day I retire,” she says in a chat with Aney Mathew
HITTING THE TRAIL: Sarah Whittington completed her first 100-mile trail race in less than 24 hours – a major achievement in ultra-running.
S
arah Whittington runs
simply for the love of
running, as a matter of fact
her world revolves around
running. While even the
thought of running outdoors during
these harsh summer conditions is
enough to make most of us sweat,
Sarah can be spotted running
diligently, sometimes as late (or
early) as 1am, to beat the heat.
Sarah and her husband Steve
Farnham don’t just run long
distances; they take part in ultraraces, which is anything over the
standard 26.2-mile marathon. They
are trail runners, a sport which
consists of running on a natural
surface (not manmade roads or
tracks). Here it›s across the desert.
Trails can be smooth or technical.
Smooth would be following a jeep
track. Technical would be an animal
track up a mountain which is single
file only and you need to concentrate
or you could fall, often over the side
of the mountain! Not for the fainthearted.
Sarah completed her first 100mile trail race in less than 24 hours
– the pinnacle of achievement
in ultra-running. Although she
has won several races at regional
and international levels and run
alongside professional ultrarunners, winning is not Sarah’s
goal. “When the day comes that I
enter a race for the medal, that day I
retire!” she states. Sarah shares with
Community her passion for running,
what got her started and what keeps
her, well … running.
Tell us something about
yourself and your love for
running …
My husband Steve Farnham and
I have been living and working in
Qatar for around five years. We’re
both keen runners – I do a bit more
Monday, September 5, 2016
GULF TIMES
5
COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
Whittington at the finish line of Al Andalus Ultimate Trail.
Sarah Whittington and husband Steve Farnham on a bike tour.
than Steve who’s more interested
in organising races. I started out
running half-marathons on the road
in the UK in 2008 and ran about 20
races over the next few years, my
finishing time gradually coming
down. Arriving in Qatar I discovered
a vibrant running community, who
strangely seemed to prefer even
longer runs and that got us started in
ultra-running.
What got you interested in
running?
My mum sadly died from cancer.
It happened very quickly, she was
diagnosed with melanoma and
within four months had passed
away. This put life into perspective
for me. We don’t know how long
our life will be, so it’s up to us to
make the most of it and live every
day to the full. My mum had always
been interested in children’s rights
and was a big supporter of the Girl
Guides and children’s charities.
I signed up to run two halfmarathons on successive weekends
to raise money for the UK’s National
Society of the Prevention of Cruelty
to Children; hence I had to start
running. I had no idea what I’d
signed up for — I didn’t even have
the right running shoes, nothing.
But runners are social and people
will always help you out and show
you the way.
Which has been your favourite
race?
Hmm, this is actually really
difficult to answer. All races,
particularly trail races are unique.
The longer ultras always have
highs and lows. When you line up
on the start line you know that
at some point in the race you will
feel awful and want to stop. This
is the nature of the game and the
strongest competitors will just keep
on plugging away because that
feeling will pass. I think the 20 odd
kilometre trail run I did this last June
in a small town, called Montefrio in
Andalucia, Spain, is my favourite.
The whole town was out; if folks
weren’t running they were out in the
hills lining the route, or walking, and
handing out water. The atmosphere
was fantastic — it was a running
fiesta.
Whittington at a sporting event in Doha.
What was the most
challenging run?
It’s not always the race which is
the challenge but the training for
the race. This is where you’re often
pushing yourself harder than on the
actual day of the race, and managing
the accumulated fatigue of training
month after month. I did a 100 mile
(160km) race last September in the
UK. The training for it took place
right here in Doha through July and
August last year.
I cannot imagine anything worse
than running on a treadmill. I always
end up injuring myself when I do.
Training therefore had to take place
outside. Anyone who was here then,
will know that the summer of 2015
was the hottest and most humid
summer on record. I was really
lucky, however, to have a small team
of running friends willing to get up
and run with me at 1am every Friday
and Saturday morning. We’d run
until 5 or 6am. The race was easy
after doing that week after week.
The longer ultras are really for the
intelligent runner. Obviously, when
you’re running for a long time, you
will need to eat on the run. You have
to learn how fast you can move while
still absorbing food and what types
of nutrition your body will tolerate.
There’s so much that can go wrong,
it’s a true challenge.
What are your other hobbies
and interests?
Ultra-running doesn’t leave much
time for other interests. Crosstraining, where you use different
sports other than running, is a great
idea to give the body a break from
pounding the pavements. I’m a keen
cyclist and teach indoor cycling.
I’m also a qualified personal trainer
and use this knowledge to improve
my endurance capacities while
circuit training and lifting weights.
Steve and I are also working hard on
establishing our company Ultra Trail
Spain (ultratrailspain.com) running
holidays in our spare time. We both
love trail running in the country,
the weather is fairly kind and the
mountain tracks are pristine.
Share with us an inspiring
experience
There have been many during
ultra-running. When people achieve
what they didn’t think they could,
you cannot help but be inspired.
Watching how Ellie Greenwood
win the 100km IAU (International
Association of Ultra-runners) World
Championship here in Doha in 2014,
and then see her coming back out on
course and coaching other runners
get to the finish line was pretty
special.
She spent a lot of time on the
sidelines encouraging a Canadian
team female athlete who was
struggling with the surface — to
keep going and not give up. That
doesn’t happen at a road marathon
where top runners finish and go
home before the last runners cross
the line.
Who is your hero?
There are some amazing women
runners doing amazing things in
the world of ultra-running right
now; Nicky Spinks, Mimi Anderson,
Jasmin Paris, Lizzy Hawker. Nobody
outside ultra-running will have
heard of them, but Google them.
These women are breaking records
and beating men. That’s the beauty
of ultra-running, it’s a much more
level race between the different
genders. Pure power and speed
won’t be the only talents to get you
to the finish line fast.
What’s been your greatest
disappointment?
When other people give up
on themselves. It’s common to
hear: “I can’t run, I’m not cut
out for it.” That’s utter rubbish!
Numerous doctors, consultants,
physiotherapists, and podiatrists
have told me that my body is very
poorly shaped for running. They’re
correct, it is, but as the perfect
human being doesn’t exist, I use
their comments as motivation.
All you have to do it learn how
your own body moves and work with
it. Strengthen the muscles around
the joints which are weak and your
muscles will do the rest. You’re
stronger than you think. And yes, it’s
not easy running if you’re carrying
excess weight …but then you walk.
Do not underestimate how good
walking is for you. We’re designed
to move.
Share with us your dream
To keep running as long into
my life as I can. Road running is
notoriously tough on your body
which is why I prefer trail running.
The trail surface and gradient
decides when you slow down and
when you speed up. This gives
you variety and takes you to some
pretty special places. I’d love to get
more people taking to the trails and
enjoying time on their feet. This is
one of the inspirations behind Ultra
Trail Spain running holidays, we just
want to share some amazing places
with people. It doesn’t matter how
quick you run, it’s more important
that you’re getting out there and
exploring.
How would you describe your
life right now?
Busy! I’m building my training
back up after the Ultra Sierra Nevada
race in July. We’re also establishing
the new business with our first
running holidays company, starting
in Spain in October. There’s much
planning going on to make sure all
the participants have a great time
and enjoy themselves.
Lessons learnt from life
Impossible doesn’t exist!
6
GULF TIMES Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
Friends Cultural Centre gives farewell to its departing members
Friends Cultural Centre recently gave farewell to its departing members, Abdul Jabbar and
Sauda Abdul Jabbar. The two spent about 45 years in Qatar. Habeeb Rahman Keezhissery,
the executive director of FCC, presided over the function. Unnikrishnan Chadayamangalam,
AVM Unni, CR Manoj, Abdul Aziz Koolimuttom, Aparna, Naseeha Majeed, Rafeeq Mechery,
Mohammed Shameem, V Muhammed Ali, Aysha Abdul Gafoor, AR Renish, NK Moitheen,
Ummer Koya, and Madhu Kasargode spoke. Habeeb Rahman Keezhissery, Unnikrishnan
Chadayamangalam, CR Manoj, and Aparna presented mementos to the departing
members.
Birla Public School’s Summer Camp comes to an end
About 150 students of KG1 to Grade 8 attended the closing programme of the 13th Summer Camp at Birla Public School recently. The camp was seven weeks long. The children learnt a number of
skills during the camp, including art, craft, dance, personality development, yoga, swimming, taekwondo and cooking. The programme was attended by Vice-Chairman Gope Shahani, Principal A K
Shrivastava, Senior Vice-Principal Shirly Rappai and a large number of parents. The programme featured dances, music, skits, karate and songs.
Monday, September 5, 2016
GULF TIMES
7
COMMUNITY
Financial assistance worth $205,800 distributed
Shifa Al Jazeera-Naseem Al Rabeeh Healthcare Group, a leading healthcare conglomerate in the GCC, has distributed financial assistance worth $205,800 to the needy and other welfare schemes as
part of its charity initiative. At a function held in Muscat, Group Chairman Dr KT Rabeeulla said that this is part of a larger charity worth $1,491,400 and till now over $894,800 has been distributed in
three phases. PK Basheer, a Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly, received the amount from Dr Rabeeulla.
Staff meeting at Pak Shama School
Pak Shama School President M A Shahid and Principal Nabila Kaukab held a special
meeting with teaching staff ahead of the school’s reopening after the summer vacation.
They discussed the SSC and HSSC annual results and evaluated staff performance. Shahid
urged the teachers to be more professional and dedicate towards their duty. He added that
school has purchased three new buses and enrolled 15 new assistant teachers. The principal
stressed on improving discipline and results. She added that once the third storey of the
school’s building is completed, more students will be accommodated in KG-I, KG-II and the 1st
Standard.
Asian Street Market at Trader Vic’s this September
Trader Vic’s is letting you experience the “incredible Asian
wonderland” at Hilton Doha this entire month.
Throughout the month, Trader Vic’s restaurant will be serving
either a la carte or a 3-course set-menu for QR145. Start the feast
with the appetising Vietnamese Spring Rolls move onto the
flavoursome Pad Thai Noodles and sweeten you experience with
the Green Tea Brûlée, among the many choices.
A hotel representative said, “Join us on a journey to Asia and
explore this delicious dinner selection on weekdays or weekends,
and the very famous Tiki Friday Brunch while savouring
authentic dishes from all over Asia, with some live stations bits of
all over in one place.”
Trader Vic’s Doha restaurant, famous for its Polynesian cuisine
and lively environment, features live music to spice up the
season. The food festival at the restaurant in September will
feature popular and favourite dishes from all over Asia.
For any inquires or reservation, please call Trader Vic’s at 44233318.
8
GULF TIMES Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
Let the paper speak
Pakistani expatriate carves sculptures out of nothing but paper
FUTURE PLANS: Shazia Bhanji intends to hold her first solo exhibition here next year.
By Umer Nangiana
I
t may not be as vivacious,
burnished and striking as
marble, but in adept hands
even paper can be carved into
masterpieces. If you don’t
believe it, look at the sculptures
sliced out of mere sheets of coloured
paper by Shazia Bhanji.
Having learnt the basics of fine
arts from the masters, Shazia tells
stories with paper — nothing but
paper. From capturing the essence of
the issue of child abuse in one of her
paper-carved stories, she has gone to
the extent of exploring the dynamics
of the husband-wife relationship
conflict with her paper cuts.
Shazia, a Pakistani expatriate,
recently created a 7-foot-high
sculpture depicting the importance
of water conservation, all made with
paper. Completely self-taught in
paper art, she has been praised for
her works by the pros in the arena
locally and internationally.
By just following her passion and
teaching herself, she has attained
a level where she can easily be
counted among the professionals in
just two years. Acknowledging for
the uniqueness in her work, Shazia
has been teaching the paper art at
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityQatar (VCUQ) summer camp.
She is working on multiple paper
sculptures and intends to hold her
first solo exhibition in Doha next
year. As a contemporary artist who
creates highly individual and visually
appealing paper sculptures, she
works with layers of coloured papers,
sometimes more than 500-700 at
a time, placed on top of each other,
carving her way delicately, cutting
each sheet, to create an intriguing
story.
“It all began when I started
learning drawing and painting from
Pakistan’s leading artists. I had
already had passion for meeting new
people, finding stories and narrating
them to others. I chose this art as
medium,” Shazia tells Community
in a recent chat at her place, which
in itself is exquisitely designed and
decorated by the artist.
You would see oil paintings,
mostly abstracts, hanging on the
walls, with dip light thrown on them
from all the right angles from the
top.
Initially, she worked on oil
paintings but later moved to combine
all mediums for her artworks. Her
artworks were displayed by leading
galleries in Lahore and Karachi.
“I am observant, sensitive and
strongly believe that surroundings
play an important role in our lives. I
enjoy narrating human stories and
working with colours. Every colour
Photo by Umer Nangiana
has its unique place and reason
to be there. Every cut is exact and
meaningful. I love the great strength,
yet the delicacy of paper,” says
Shazia.
In the quest to do something
different and challenging, she started
exploring contemporary art forms
around the globe. Her art world took
a new turn when she saw art pieces
made with paper. She hasn’t looked
back since.
“I did not have the tools to
discover the techniques used for
paper artworks. So I made my own
tools with toothpicks and started
with a small project first,” recalls
Shazia, adding she then learnt by
herself all the techniques of paper
art, with help from the Internet and a
lot of practice.
When she looks at a piece of
artwork, she can explain the process
that would have gone into its
making. Once you can decipher the
complexities involved in creating a
piece, you can easily employ those
same techniques to create your
own pieces of art. And the ability
to decrypt the techniques is mostly
gifted, believes the artist.
Working with colourful sheets,
Shazia crafts stories using diverse
topics for her artworks such as
conflicts, hollow soul, women,
water, and harmony — all of which
are connected to the expression of
human emotions.
“I meet people. I listen to their
stories. Whatever touches my heart
is the idea for my artwork. I then
sit down and pin down my idea on
a sheet of paper before going about
cutting it into an artwork,” says the
artist.
Taking us through the process of
making a piece of paper art, she says
she first writes down the story. She
finds appropriate words that express
her feelings. From the written story,
Monday, September 5, 2016
GULF TIMES
9
COMMUNITY
SELF-TAUGHT: Shazia has taught herself the art of paper carving and now teaches it.
Shazia stands with her recent paper sculpture called Shower of Blessing.
she then starts drawing the work on
the paper sheet.
After creating multiple drafts,
she picks the best one and then
starts carving the paper sheets on
its design on the stencil. Layers
of different colour sheets cut into
different shapes and sizes go on one
another to form one piece of art.
They are so thick sometimes they
have to be clipped together. “For
me it is making something out of
nothing. The general perception
about paper is that we can write,
draw or paint on the paper. But for
me, I wanted to do bigger things
with paper,” says Shazia. And it is
just paper, different sheets glued
together.
Shazia, living in Doha with her
Woman, a piece depicting women’s ability to multitask.
husband and 14-year-old daughter,
says she would look to learn from
the masters in the field to further
tone her work. She recently showed
her work to artists in Australia
during her recent visits where
“everybody appreciated her work
and advised her to take it to the next
level.”
Depending on the project, she says
it takes days to sometimes months to
complete one piece of art. One has to
carve and bend each and every sheet
separately. The tricky part is that you
have to form a sketch in your mind
and work from there.
Shazia says in her ideas she is
attracted more to abstract as she
can put her creativity to maximum
use in it. In one of her projects, she
creates awareness about the issue of
child abuse, where she shows a child
being approached by hands (in black)
from all directions. The child’s space
portrayed in red colour is shrinking.
The artist says the experience of
teaching has in turn taught her a lot.
“You learn new things from everyone
every day. The teaching experience
CHILD ABUSE: In this piece, Child Abuse, the artists says a child is most
vulnerable to abuse from people close to her.
has been particularly enriching for
me,” says Shazia. She is currently
working on a project that revolves
around the Japanese mythology that
every human has three faces.
It will be a paper sculpture and
will be themed on how people put
masks on their faces. It will be a large
sculpture, but how would it exactly
look like? Fingers crossed.
Shazia explores the complex relationship between husband and wife in this piece called Conflict.
10 GULF TIMES Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
INFOGRAPHIC
Monday, September 5, 2016
GULF TIMES
11
COMMUNITY
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE
Expert tips that can help
achieve potty training success
T
ransitioning into
underwear is a big deal for
every toddler. However,
while the end result is
rewarding, the road to get
there can be challenging for parents
and kids alike. Because no two
experiences are the same, keeping
it simple and laying the proper
foundation are essential.
Patience is key
Potty training is a developmental
milestone and should never be
rushed with any child. It is usually
somewhere between two to three
years of age when a toddler is ready
to begin.
Build excitement with
underwear
The journey to potty training is
two-fold. First your child has to
get used to the potty and then get
used to no longer wearing diapers
and wearing underwear. Because
of this new journey, “underwear
training.” It’s a big deal for children
to transition to big-kid underwear,
so parents can build excitement
by celebrating this important
accomplishment.
make underwear training a true
victory. Sometimes your child will
learn a bit later and that is OK. Give
them the time they need to make it
successful and easy for both of you.
Look for signs
You will typically start to notice
cues that your child is ready for
underwear training. Experts
notes some of these signs include
signalling to you before they go in
their diaper, interest in what goes on
in the bathroom, the desire to start
using the potty, the ability to pull
underwear off and on, and the desire
to wear big kid underwear.
Encourage using training
pants
Training pants are a fantastic way
to ease into the underwear training
process and the best next step after
diapers in order to get children used
to the feeling of underwear.
Know the underwear 123s
When underwear training, little
ones need to be able to know a few
things to ensure success:
1) When they need to go.
2) How to get to the bathroom.
3) How to get themselves onto the
potty chair.
These are essential in order to
ARIES
March 21 — April 19
If you have doubts about something or someone today, tap in and
listen to them Aries. You’re not simply imagining trouble in paradise.
It’s very real.
CANCER
June 21 — July 22
There’s a lot of air energy around today — which means that people
are thinking more about things and not getting emotionally attached
to anything or anyone.
LIBRA
September 23 — October 22
In a few days...September 9 to be exact...Jupiter the planet of good
luck, opportunity and door opening connections moves into your
sign. (Through October 10, 2017) he’s going to be your lucky charm!
CAPRICORN
December 22 — January 19
Jealousy is indeed a curse goats. Trying to keep up with friends and
family is no easy task. That’s why Keeping up with the Kardashians is
such a hit. It’s a glimpse into the lives of rich and self–indulgent lives.
Would you really want that life...honestly?
Lead by example
As a parent, you are the best role
model for your child. Modelling good
bathroom habits and giving examples
can help speed up success.
Expert encourages parents to
allow children into the bathroom
with them so they can see how easy
it is. It is also important for parents
to teach their children to wash their
hands immediately after so that good
hygiene practices are instilled from
an early age.
Be positive and make it fun
Always remember that positive
reinforcement is key with children
and never discipline them for not
going. Small immediate rewards are
the best way to make underwear
training a breeze.
Try creating a fun little dance that
TAURUS
April 20 — May 20
As much as you bulls like to be in control and feel vindicated when
a prediction comes true, Mercury retrograde is messing with a lot of
that right now. Look at the facts and go from there today.
LEO
July 23 — August 22
Today’s Moon shines on your third house of siblings, neighbours
and short travel trips. If you haven’t spent any time with a sibling
or someone you feel is like your sibling, plan something easy this
weekend.
SCORPIO
October 23 — November 21
Don’t be put off by someone’s behaviour or lack of enthusiasm today
Scorpios. Everyone has their off days — including you — and do keep
in mind that there is a lot of ‘past history’ cosmic activity in play for
you right now.
AQUARIUS
January 20 — February 18
Venus and the Moon shine on your fellow air sign of Libra today,
your ninth house of spirituality and learning. If there is something
nice you can do for someone else today, do it. Even if the recipient is
unaware.
you do right after they successfully
go, or find other creative ways
to reward them, like stickers or
hand stamps. It is important to
make children feel rewarded for
accomplishing this major milestone.
©Brandpoint
GEMINI
May 21 — June 20
Today’s Moon shines in Libra, joining Venus in your romance zone.
Attached? Plan a fun date — bowling or karaoke perhaps? Nothing
too serious or a place where too much is expected.
VIRGO
August 23 — September 22
Stop putting words in other people’s mouths today Virgos and let
everyone have their opinion and speak up when they feel they
should.
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 — December 21
You’re super easy going and likeable. Which is why this Mercury
retrograde session is particularly vexing on some of you. Maybe
you’re not so easygoing/likeable after all? Yes you are — it’s just one
of those days!
PISCES
February 19 — March 20
Stop and smell the roses today Pisces. Literally. It’s important you
find a minute or two everyday to show gratitude to the Universe for
all the wonderful things you have in your life.
12 GULF TIMES Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
Wordsearch
Adam
Pooch Cafe
UP
UPBEAT
UPDATE
UPEND
UPFRONT
UPGRADE
UPHEAVAL
UPHILL
UPHOLD
UPKEEP
UPLIFT
UPPER
UPRIGHT
UPROAR
UPROOT
UPSET
UPSTART
UPTOWN
UPTURN
UPWIND
Codeword
Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com
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
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.
PUZZLES/CARTOONS
Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
PUZZLES
Quick Clues
ACROSS
1. Sequential (10)
7. Grieve (5)
8. Earnest (7)
10. Indecent (8)
11. Plant (4)
13. Confused (6)
15. Squirm (6)
17. Comfort (4)
18. Harm (8)
21. Petty (7)
22. Fetch (5)
23. Steep bank (10)
GULF TIMES
Colouring
DOWN
1. Stub (5)
2. Overlooked (8)
3. Religious festival (6)
4. Nimble (4)
5. Vehement (7)
6. Equivocal (10)
9. Evasion (10)
12. Melting-pot (8)
14. Sack (7)
16. Incentive (6)
19. Fool (5)
20. Prima donna (4)
Cryptic Clues
Answers
Wordsearch
ACROSS
1. One line is hardly an extensive record
collection (6,4)
7. Kingdom where it’s right to cook a
meal (5)
8. Chic to a fault, but disordered (7)
10. Unequalled like the House of
Commons? (8)
11. Stop to stalk (4)
13. Reveal former model (6)
15. Aromatic compound could be closer
(6)
17. Terribly slow birds (4)
18. The pick of stringed instruments! (8)
21. A party piece? (7)
22. Consumed at school, say (5)
23. Is the stain removed? Just the
opposite! (10)
DOWN
1. Paces out the room (5)
2. Anonymous salesmen, possibly (8)
3. Insect lost without copper (6)
4. Lose the thread? (4)
5. Literary device in T.S. Eliot? (7)
6. Fell asleep, being unable to stay on (7,3)
9. It’s said to be the full amount of praise
(10)
12. Mad for unsweetened biscuits (8)
14. Place in order for a bird (7)
16. Block the return of a record, being
awfully thin (6)
19. Thinks highly of a property tax (5)
20. Car taking the motorway to Northern
Ireland (4)
Codeword
Yesterday’s Solutions
QUICK
Across: 6 Typical; 7 Witch; 9 May; 10 Minuscule;
12 Spirit level; 15 Significant; 17 Depressed; 19
Age; 21 Screw; 22 Aspirin.
Down: 1 By-law; 2 Big; 3 Taxi; 4 Miscreant; 5
Scalpel; 8 Rustic; 11 Spin-drier; 13 Refuse; 14
Silence; 16 Again; 18 Easy; 20 Lit.
CRYPTIC
Across: 6 Laurels; 7 Sloop; 9 Ebb; 10 Extremist;
12 Partitioned; 15 Private sale; 17 Sauntered; 19
But; 21 Joist; 22 Miracle.
Down: 1 Samba; 2 Ore; 3 Flex; 4 Plimsolls; 5
Coaster; 8 Crates; 11 Galvanise; 13 Titter; 14
Treason; 16 Quilt; 18 Evil; 20 Dab.
13
14 GULF TIMES Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
BOLLYWOOD
Pre-release bitterness
T
he next big clash of
movies in Bollywood
is going to be between
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and
Shivaay on October
28. The former is a Karan Johar
production starring, among other
big names, Ranbir Kapoor and
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The
latter stars Ajay Devgn who is
also directing and producing the
movie.
This is going to be his second
directorial venture and the first,
U Me Aur Hum, in 2008 had
been a big flop. Ajay has much
banking on Shivaay therefore
and the trailer is being lauded for
the Hollywood-quality action
sequences and special effects. But
Ajay does have a history of getting
into conflict when his movie is
against another big budget fare.
When Son Of Sardaar released,
he even filed a complaint against
Shah Rukh Khan’s Jab Tak Hain
Jaan accusing them of unfairly
monopolising theatres. And now
trouble is brewing with Karan
Johar too. Initially smooth sailing
was expected because Karan is not
known for getting into squabbles.
But the trigger this time was
rather bizarre and came in the
form of Kamaal R Khan, a flop
actor who reinvented himself as
an obnoxious social networking
figure with a large following.
He has lately also tried to
become a movie critic and trade
analyst. The problem arose when
CRITICAL BUST: Sonakshi Sinha’s
Akira has failed to garner critical praise.
Changing course?
For a long time Abhishek
Bachchan was an actor who had
a reputation for regularly giving
flops. But, by a strange twist of
fate, since the last few years, he
has in fact been giving a steady
stream of hits. In 2012 there was
Bol Bachchan, the next year Dhoom
3 went onto become one of the
biggest hits of all time and in 2014
there was Happy New Year, yet
another blockbuster.
This year too, Housefull 3 has
grossed more than Rs 100 crore. So
what changed? Abhishek played
COMPETITION: Shivay and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will be going up against each other on October 28.
Khan made an analysis in Twitter
in which he calculated how
Karan Johar is going to recover
his movie’s costs even before its
release because of satellite and
overseas rights.
But in a subsequent Tweet he
said how Shivaay, because of its
huge budget, would be a flop. This
seemed to have got Ajay’s goat. A
co-producer of Shivaay called up
Khan who said that he was being
paid Rs25 lakh by Karan to say
good things about the movie. The
phone conversation was being
recorded and then Ajay tweeted
along with recording, ‘Hear what
self proclaimed no. 1 critic and
trade analyst Kamaal R Khan has
to say.’
He also released a statement
later saying that he had been in
the industry for a quarter century
and was pained that someone
like Khan was ‘holding the film
industry to ransom by spreading
negativity about films to extort
money from producers. It is very
sad that people from our own
industry are supporting such
No sorry
Favourite new star
Sonakshi Sinha has devoted quite
a lot of time to her latest release
Akira. The reviews have not been
too kind and how the movie does
commercially will only be evident
in the days to come.
Sonakshi should now be looking
at the future and choose what
projects to take up which would
build her brand in the industry. And
while she might be making cool
calculated decisions when it comes
to acting with former boyfriend
Arjun Kapoor, things can get
complicated.
Reportedly, she was offered
a role in Mubaraka, a movie by
Anees Bazmee, and turned it
down because Arjun was in it.
Arjun, it is said, had even called
Sonakshi to take up the role but
she wouldn’t change her mind.
The two had broken up a year back
and both were thought to have
moved on.
On the other hand, it is also
said that Sonakshi’s refusal to
do the movie had nothing to do
with Arjun. The movie had three
heroines and she didn’t want to be
just another one in a crowd.
There was another interesting
incident when during an interview
Sonakshi was given the names of
a few male stars which included
Arjun and asked to rank them in
order of sexiness. She put Arjun at
the bottom of the list!
second fiddle roles in most of
them. Or he was just one among
many stars. Now comes news
that he wants to test the solo hero
waters again and he has therefore
been choosy about signing on new
movies.
The one he is said to be banking
on is a movie that Prabhudeva will
direct for him. It is a fair enough
aspiration to be hero once again
but in Abhishek’s case he should
probably understand that what is
working for him right now is not
his solo star charisma and that if
something is not broken then it
might be wise not to fix it.
BACK TO SOLO: Abhishek
Bachchan may be keen on giving
solo hero roles another try.
elements and spoiling the ethos of
the film industry. I would strongly
demand that this be thoroughly
investigated by competent
authorities to clarify if Karan
Johar was indeed involved in this.’
Khan later said that he had not
been paid and only came up with
that story to mollify the man who
had called him.
It is curious how
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has
suddenly become a darling
of the Salman Khan camp. It
has its start with him playing
the villain to Salman Khan in
Kick and that was followed by
a meaty side role in Bajrangi
Bhaijaan, which went on to
become Salman’s biggest
blockbuster ever.
And now Nawazuddin is
appearing as the hero in a
movie directed by Salman’s
younger brother Sohail Khan.
Called Freaky Ali, it has
Nawazuddin playing a golfer.
The Khans are naturally all
praises for their star and it
was probably during such
enthusiasm, that Sohail found
himself stoking a needless
controversy.
During an interview while
talking about Nawazuddin,
STATEMENT: Sohail Khan has courted
he compared him to Hrithik
Roshan and in a manner that needless controversy by comparing
Nawazuddin Siddique to Hrithik Roshan.
was not very salutary to the
latter. Sohail said that Hrithik
wouldn’t be able to act like Nawazuddin even if he tried for 10 years, while
Nawazuddin could with some effort be like Hrithik in three years.
Later, there were news snippets quoting sources close to Sohail clarifying
that he had meant no disrespect and it had actually been a sarcastic
comment related to dancing and not acting ability!
Send your feedback to
[email protected]
Monday, September 5, 2016
GULF TIMES
15
COMMUNITY
SHOWBIZ
Abhay Deol interested
to work in Happy
Bhaag Jayegi sequel
A
ctor Abhay Doel said
he wouldn’t mind
working in a sequel
of Happy Bhaag
Jayegi if it is being
made. “There are talks of doing
the second part of Happy Bhaag
Jayegi as the film did well at the
box-office. It’s not certain if Anand
Rai and Mudassar Aziz, who wrote
the script, are planning a sequel.
However, I wouldn’t mind doing
the sequel,” he said.
The actor was speaking at the
Grand Finale of ‘Yamaha Fascino
Miss Diva 2016’. The makers of
Abhay Deol and Diana Pentystarrer Happy Bhaag Jayegi are
reportedly considering a sequel to
the film.
Besides Deol and Diana, the
film also featured Jimmy Shergill,
Ali Fazal and Momal Sheikh in
lead roles. The film, which was
released on August 18, garnered
quite a positive response from the
audiences and Abay seems to be
overwhelmed with the response.
The Dev D actor said: “Yes! I
am so happy that the film is a hit.
Thank you so much for the good
response.”
The actor, who has done films
like Shanghai and Zindagi Na
Milegi Dobara, also wants to
produce films. He said: “I will
produce, if the right film comes
along.”
When asked about his
forthcoming projects, Abhay said
he hasn’t signed anything as of
now as he is “choosy”. “If the script
interests me I will do that film. But
I haven’t signed anything yet,” he
said. — IANS
MAKING A PITCH: Abhay Deol
Mani Ratnam to shoot in
Kashmir from month-end
Share great bond with
Farhan: Arjun Rampal
The next schedule of filmmaker
Mani Ratnam’s Tamil romantic
drama Kaatru Veliyidai, which
stars Karthi and Aditi Rao
Hydari, will reportedly take
place in Kashmir from the end of
September. “The team will head to
Kashmir to shoot some important
sequences this month-end. They
were supposed to go earlier but
due to the delay in the completion
of the first schedule, it had to be
postponed,” a source from the
film’s unit told IANS.
Scenes between Karthi, Aditi
and Shraddha Srinath will be shot
in this schedule, apart from a song.
The makers have already shot two
songs. Slated to hit the screens next
year, the film features music by A.R.
Rahman and cinematography by
Ravi Varman. – IANS
Actor Arjun Rampal, who is
sharing screen space with Farhan
Akhtar again, says he shares a good
bond with the actor-filmmaker. The
two will soon be seen in the muchawaited sequel to the musical drama
Rock On!!.
“We share a great bond as we
know each other for a long time. It’s
been almost eight years since Rock
on!! released. It’s great to be back.
On the first few days of the shooting,
we were just hanging around with
each other,” Arjun said at the grand
finale of Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva
2016.
“When we started shooting, it
brought back so many memories
and experiences from the past. It
was a beautiful experience working
in the sequel,” he added. Meanwhile,
Farhan released the first poster of
Rock On 2 last week. — IANS
Kaabil shoot not
on hold, says Yami
Actress Yami Gautam says the shooting of
her upcoming film Kaabil, starring Hrithik
Roshan, hasn’t been put on hold.
According to a report, the film has been
CLARIFICATION: Yami Gautam
MEMORIES OF ANOTHER TIME: Arjun Rampal, left, and Farhan Akhtar
put on hold due to Hrithik’s ill health.
Yami cleared the air by saying: “Not
at all. It’s absolutely not true. In fact, the
film’s shoot is going really well. We have
just wrapped up a song shoot. Moreover, as
I have always said it’s amazing to work with
Hrithik, especially when we are shooting a
dance sequence with him.”
“I can’t wait for all of you to watch it,”
the actress said at the launch of Aldo Fall’16
collection.
The Vicky Donor actress also shared her
experience of working with the Bang Bang!
star. “I can write an entire thesis on what I’ve
learnt from him. To sum it up, he is a dream
co-actor to work with. When I came to know
that I have to do a dance sequence with him, I
was nervous. After all, he is Hrithik Roshan.”
“The reason behind Hrithik being the best
dancer is that he never takes his work for
granted. In the entire schedule, I never heard
him say ‘It’s easy or I can do it easily’. He is
very energetic and always ready to learn. He
has the ability of reinventing himself.”
Directed by Sanjay Gupta and produced
by his father Rakesh Roshan, the thriller is
scheduled for a worldwide release on January
26, 2017. — IANS
Ruby Rose wants electric scooter
Actress Ruby Rose, currently shooting for
Meg, wants to buy an electric scooter. The
30-year-old has asked her Twitter followers
to help her buy an electric scooter or even an
electric skateboard in order to pass time while
she is away from home, reports femalefirst.
co.uk.
“Anyone in New Zealand knows where I can
buy an electric scooter for fun or an electric
skateboard (I didn’t bring mine)? I miss scooting
on set,” she tweeted.
Despite this, Rose has
generally relished her
time in the country.
“Yeah Auckland,
I could live here a
while. It’s quiet. It’s
relaxed. It’s dreamy,”
she earlier wrote on
the micro-blogging
site.
Directed by Jon
Turteltaub, Meg also
stars Jason Statham
and Rainn Wilson. –
IANS
SCOUTING: Ruby Rose
Kanye West’s sculpture
could sell for $4mn?
Rapper Kanye West’s ‘Famous’
sculpture reportedly has a $4mn price
tag. The 39-year-old’s waxwork figures
of himself, wife Kim Kardashian West and
other famous names including Caitlyn
Jenner, George W Bush, Donald Trump,
Amber Rose, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Taylor
Swift, Bill Cosby, Anna Wintour and Ray J,
all in bed covered by a sheet was displayed
privately at a gallery Blum & Poe here last
weekend.
The gallery has estimated that the full
piece can be sold for up to $4mn, reports
rollingstone.com.
A representative for West however has
denied that any such sale will take place.
“We are incredibly flattered that a number
is being reported but at no point have we
ever disclosed a sale price for the piece,”
the representative said in a statement.
“As far as Mr. West is concerned —
it’s all about the art. We are looking
forward to announcing when ‘Famous’
will be available again for viewing,” the
representative added. – IANS
16 GULF TIMES Monday, September 5, 2016
COMMUNITY
‘Every night is a different story’
By Anand Holla
I
n a small bar in the coastal
city of Porto in northwest
Portugal called Praxe Café,
DJ Steve Paris kickstarted
his career spinning a mash of
Afro deep soulful house that would
rapidly develop into his signature
style and take him half way across
the globe. Born in Paris, the city
that inspired his drive for music
since he was 16, DJ Steve’s mixes
made him a hit across bars and
clubs in Portugal and France as
he played alongside DJs like Jamie
Lewis, Claude Monnet, Boddhi
Satva, and DJ Yass, to name a few.
In 2012, Steve moved to Qatar to
take on “a soulful club project”, the
WAHM Lounge at W Doha Hotel &
Residencies as the resident DJ, and
also set upon firing up his portfolio
in the Middle East, performing in
beach parties at St Regis in Doha,
Maya Lounge at Le Royal Meridien
in Dubai and on Fashion TV’s event
in Doha, among other major events.
And now, Steve returns to the
newly revamped WAHM Lounge
to pump Doha’s nights with more
groove and colour. Community
caught up with the DJ for a chat.
As a DJ, what makes
performing at some of the top
clubs in Qatar special?
Qatar’s Afro deep and soulful
house music scene is currently
growing rather fast. I have had
the pleasure to perform in some
of the best lounges and clubs in
Doha. I have seen the electronic
music scene being increasingly
appreciated but it’s still relatively
new. I still find Doha’s nightlife
options to be somewhat limited
and there being more demand for
quality electronic music. That’s
because sometimes you get tired
of mainstream/commercial music,
which, I feel, represents 90 per cent
of Doha’s nightlife scene. However,
there are good DJs and events
already doing the rounds in Doha.
Musical diversity is what Doha
needs and I hope that in the coming
years there is more visibility for
the same. I have just returned
as a resident DJ at the stunning,
renovated WAHM Lounge, which
is a very special place for me, and
undoubtedly one of the key venues
in Doha for Deep, Afro and soulful
house music scene.
How did performing across
Portugal in your earlier years
shape your musical style?
Since my early years in Paris,
deep Afro and soulful music was
crafted in me and when I came to
Portugal 20 years ago, this style had
only just begun. At that time, I had
to travel to Paris every month just
to have access to Vinyl records –
the online music stores, of course,
didn’t exist! Further on, with my
residencies in several bars and
clubs and with the positivity of the
“hungry” crowd, it provided that
SIGNATURE STYLE: DJ Steve Paris says WAHM has been the benchmark for quality music in Doha.
reach and access to new sounds
from France. Soon enough and
at a rapid pace, Portugal brought
amazing producers and DJs that
gave me the opportunity to redefine
my style. In any case, I cannot deny
that my several trips to Paris helped
my growth as a DJ in Portugal.
Tell us how exploring niche
sounds such as Afro deep
soulful house help you craft
your own style?
I have always been driven by
deep soulful and afro sounds, the
mixture of different sounds going
from jazz to funky/disco passing
to soul music; it’s a fusion of my
earlier musical education. Back
then, artistes like Little Louie Vega,
Kenny dope (Masters at Work) and
French projects like “Africanism”
fusion-ing electronic music with
African musicians, definitely
influenced me and helped me create
my own style.
How has collaborating with
various producers and artistes
helped improve your work or
perhaps helped you discover
new dimensions to your music?
I had a chance to share the
DJ booth with internationally
renowned producers and DJs.
Spending time with them at their
studios and sharing the experience,
gave me the knowledge to be who
I am as a DJ and there’s no doubt
about that. By having experienced
it all this time made me move on
to my own music production. In
fact, DJ Bruno Rochart and I, in
collaboration with some musicians,
are on a production project to be
launched next year.
What is the best part about
performing regularly? Also,
how do you keep yourself driven
to maintain your energy levels
day in, day out?
I always say that while
performing I am telling a “story”.
Every night is a different “story”
depending on the crowd. The visual
communication is very important
in intimate lounges such as WAHM,
and I love it! It just helps you create
a “special” connection with the
crowd. On some nights, watching
the expression of satisfaction on
their faces ends my night with a
smile as well. The crowd at WAHM
knows just what to expect when
they step in and I am glad that
WAHM has been the benchmark for
quality music in Doha.