11052022-LSTL-01.qxd 5/10/2022 11:39 PM Page 1 c m y b GET READY FOR CIRKUS Rohit Shetty’s highly anticipated film Cirkus, starring Ranveer Singh, Pooja Hegde, Jaqueline Fernandez, Varun Sharma and a bevy of celebrated actors, will hit the big screen worldwide on December 23, 2022. The director took to social media to announce the release date. TMS TRIBUNE Retro look Life At the announcement of Jubilee, Aditi Rao Hydari donned a retro-style black saree. Her look was reminiscent of Gayatri Devi, the third Maharani consort of Jaipur. TMS LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 11 MAY 2022 His santoor goes silent... Mona Santoor maestro Shivkumar Sharma is no more. Yet, his creations will keep regaling music-lovers for years to come S ANTOOR virtuoso Shivkumar Sharma, who took the stringed instrument from Kashmir to classical glory, died following a heart attack on Tuesday in Mumbai. He was 84. Born to singer Uma Dutt Sharma in Jammu, Shivkumar’s music and tabla training began under his father when he was just five. He picked up the santoor at 13 to fulfil his father-guru’s dream and turned the folk instrument, deemed unfit for classical music, into a wonder. A Padma Vibhushan recipient, his playing style won him international acclaim. With flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivkumar, popularly known as Shiv–Hari duo, gave music to many successful Hindi films, including Silsila, Faasle, Vijay, Chandni, Lamhe, Parampara, Sahibaan and Darr . Shivkumar was still active, and, in fact, was due to perform in Bhopal next week, but was suffering from renal ailments. He is survived by his wife Manorama and sons, Rahul and Rohit. Rahul has taken after his father and is a santoor player. Here is what known names from the music world have to say about him... Silsila Sharmila Tagore returns to films after 11 years with Gulmohar Pillar of art He was the pillar of our art and culture. It’s so disheartening that he’s no more. Pracheen Kala Kendra enjoyed a long and deep association with Shivkumar Sharma. He started coming to Kendra as a yuva kalakar. He had this urge to go places. Bahut meetha bajate theey. He really took the sweet instrument from Kashmir—santoor—far and wide. He was very soft-hearted, serious and sober; a profound artist. It’s a great loss. Chandni – Shobha Koser, kathak dancer Irreparable loss Shivkumar Sharma not just introduced santoor to Indian classical music, but also took it to dizzying heights. His laykari was amazing and music soulful. He could literally sing through his santoor. His contribution to classical arts is immense. His going is an irreparable loss. Lamhe — Harvinder Singh, classical vocalist Classical heights Shivkumar Sharma’s name is synonymous with the santoor. That someone could take a folk instrument to classical heights is unbelievable, and unimaginable. He was a fine tabla player to begin with and to make such melodies out of an instrument like santoor, which is rather restrictive, is a testimony of his brilliance. He was very gentle and soft-spoken; my humble tributes to him. GREAT PARTNERSHIP Shivkumar Sharma explored unchartered territories in music. If bringing santoor into the classical fold was one, he was also one of the first classical musicians in the country to have reached out to youngsters. He teamed up with flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia to give hit music to Yash Chopra’s films. Fighting the reservations that classical music is very different from filmy music, Shiv-Hari used both santoor and flute along with other musical instruments to give hit numbers. Starting with Silsila in 1981, the duo gave music to Faasle (1985), Vijay (1988), Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991), Sahibaan (1993) and Darr (1993). With a newcomer Javed Akhtar penning the lyrics, Silsila also had Amitabh Bachchan sing Rang Barse Bhige — Pandit Harvinder Sharma, academician, sitar artiste Gentle person Hariprasad Chaurasia and Shivkumar Sharma Chunar Wali and Neela Aasman So Gaya, along with other hits like Dekha Ek Khwab and Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum. The Shiv-Hari duo gave hit numbers in Chandni too, including Mere Haathon Mein, Chandni O Meri Chandni, Main Sasural Nahi Jaaungi and Tere Mere Honton Pe. Shivkumar Sharma made the santoor popular through his exemplary work. The instrument that sounds like flowing water has lost its biggest promoter. I had the opportunity to share the stage with him twice. In 2005, I shared the stage with him on the santoor and Ustaad Bismillah Khan was on shehnai. It rained heavily that day and it was an open-air concert. He cried when his santoor got wet. He was a very soft-hearted, gentle person. Family drama Directed by Rahul Chittella, the movie Gulmohar stars Manoj Bajpayee, Sharmila Tagore and Amol Palekar, along with Suraj Sharma and Simran Rishi Bagga, in pivotal roles. A family drama, Gulmohar revolves around the multi-generation Batra family, who are all set to move out of their 34-year-old family home. This moving out triggers a re-discovery of the bonds that have held them together as a family, while grappling with personal secrets and insecurities. Sharmila Tagore, who is making a comeback to films with Gulmohar, says, “After a considerable gap, I am very happy to be in the familiar and well-loved ambience of a film set. I agreed almost immediately to be a part of team Gulmohar—after the moving narration of this heartwarming and beautifully written story. It is a very layered and absorbing family drama.” — TMS Sahibaan — Soma Ghosh, Hindustani classical vocalist TRIBUTES FLOW ON TWITTER Vishal Dadlani Yet another massive loss to music. #PanditShivkumarSharma ji is irreplaceable. He redefined the santoor along with Indian music itself. His film songs with Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia ji as ‘Shiv-Hari’ will also be loved forever. Manoj Bajpayee Rest in peace. Om Shanti. There will be no one to fill your space. Jaha rahiye khush rahiye. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan The passing away of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharmaji marks the end of an era. He was the pioneer of santoor and his contribution is unparalleled. Pankaj Udhas We have lost a gem today, Padma Vibhushan Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma ji. Santoor virtuoso is a big loss to the Indian classical music. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Om Shanti. Adnan Sami I am devastated by the sad news of my guru Pandit #ShivkumarSharma ji’s demise. I owe my Indian classical music education to him and he was an inspiration to me. He was not just the ‘Father of the santoor’, but also one of the greatest musicians of our times. I can’t believe that he’s gone… I feel as if I’ve lost a father for the second time… RIP Shiv ji.. Kavita Seth Deeply saddened by the loss of this maestro! A deep void shall be felt by each one of us! Rest in Peace while your music lives eternally in the universe. #ShivKumarSharma Yash Raj Films Pandit #ShivkumarSharma blessed the world of music with tunes that will continue to mesmerizs the coming generations. Anoushka Shankar I’m in shock today that we’ve lost the legendary santoor player Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. He made the instrument what it is today. Darr With his son Rahul Sharma Vijay Newly crowned Femina Miss India Union Territory 2022, Seerat Sidhu aims at promoting higher education for girls Sheetal Seerat Sidhu has broken many stereotypes by winning VLCC Femina Miss India Union Territory 2022. The newly crowned beauty, who was on a visit to the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), Chandigarh, during an interactive session, talks about her special connection with the City Beautiful and preparations for the competitions ahead. Seerat who would soon be representing Chandigarh at Miss India contest, “It is the people of the city I am going to represent and that is a proud feeling.” Born in Beauty & brains Chandigarh, she is settled in Gurugram with her parents now, but each summer is here to visit the Sukhna Lake and Sector 17 plaza. So, what led her to the pageants despite her pursuing an MBBS degree? She says, “My father is a pilot and mother, a homemaker. There was no pressure from both of them. When I came to college, things changed as apart from studies, equal attention was given to co-curricular activities. When I broke the PHOTO: MANOJ MAHAJAN news to my parents about me getting into pageants, they were as happy as they were when I chose medicine.” FOR A CAUSE Seerat wants to advocate higher education for girls while raising awareness about mother and child mortality rates. Also, she says, “It’s important that not just doctors but everyone associated with the medical field gets the respect they deserve. They were angels during the tough Covid times.” A singer, Seerat also wants to try out acting in the future. Her inspiration is Priyanka Chopra Jonas while Diljit Dosanjh is her favourite singer. She adds, “Diljit has kept the spirit of Punjab alive; he has always been real, never fake. He makes every Punjabi proud.” Will the pageant draw her interest away from the medical field? “No chance, I am committed to doing MS as I have an interest in surgery. I enjoy being in the operation theatre and doing what I know best. Right now, my internship after MBBS is on,” she adds. It’s Avatar once more The second installment of hit movie Avatar is set to hit cinemas on December 16 this year. Titled Avatar: The Way of Water, the film is directed by James Cameron. After more than a decade, fans will once again be taken back to the beautiful landscapes of the alien planet Pandora. — TMS Chills & thrills Aditya Roy Kapur and Mrunal Thakur are coming together in a film titled Gumraah. Based on true events, the crime thriller features Aditya Roy Kapur in a double role, while Mrunal Thakur will be seen playing a cop. This thriller film will showcase an intense face-off between Aditya and Mrunal. Aditya has completed the first schedule and will begin the second soon, along with Mrunal Thakur, who is already shooting in Mumbai. Ronit Roy will be joining the shoot soon. The film is being helmed by debutant director Vardhan Ketkar. — TMS Aditya Roy Kapur and Mrunal Thakur c m y b