16112023-LSTC-01.qxd 11/16/2023 1:02 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Family first Singer Taylor Swift will take out time for her family this Thanksgiving despite her tight schedule. The 33-year-old will reportedly fly back to her home on November 23. CHANDIGARH | THURSDAY | 16 NOVEMBER 2023 A tune gone wrong Clearing the AIR Harrdy Sandhu reschedules Delhi NCR tour due to rising levels of air pollution In response to the mounting concerns over levels of air pollution in Delhi NCR and its surrounding areas, singer-rapper Harrdy Sandhu has rescheduled his upcoming show in the national capital. The decision comes as a response to the government regulations aimed to curb the rising pollution in the city. Back in October, Harrdy had announced an extensive tour titled ‘In My Feelings’, where he would cover seven cities, including Delhi NCR, Indore, Mumbai, Jaipur, Pune, Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar, as part of the first leg of his tour. As the AQI (Air Quality Index) has fallen to ‘extremely poor’ levels in Delhi, going over 350 according to calculations of Central Pollution Control Board’s National Air Quality Index, Harrdy has decided to pull back. Announcing his decision on social media, the singer wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I inform that our upcoming show in Gurgaon on November 18 will have to be rescheduled. The rising pollution levels and government regulations aimed to curb the same have made it essential for us to prioritise safety.” He added, “I assure everyone we are working on finding a new date that works for everyone. Your safety is my top priority, and I can’t wait to share the stage with you when the conditions are right.” The rescheduled date for the Gurgaon show will be announced soon, though it seems unlikely that it would be taking place anytime in November, or even December due to the deteriorating air quality. — IANS Dog show in Panchkula from Nov 18 The Royal Kennel Club, Panchkula, along with Pet Animal Health Society, Sector 3, and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Haryana, is all set to organise a mega dog show in Sector 3 on November 18 and 19. This would be the largest dog show in North India where display of Rottweiler and Labrador retriever dogs will be the highlight. The show will witness participation from some European countries, including Serbia, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, and Russia. In the domestic circle, there will be participation from Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharahstra, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. — TNS places Radhika Madan’s Sanaato be screened at IFFI The adaptation of revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s song Karar Oi Louho Kopat by renowned musician AR Rahman for the OTT film Pippa has not gone down well with fans. They believe Rahman’s version is way too romantic and as such disrespects the original revolutionary tune. Here’s a check… About the original Sheetal Karar Oi Louho Kopat… Bhenge Fel, Kor Re Lopat… Rokto Jomat Shikol-Pujar Pashan-Bedi… (Break down those iron gates of the prison, completely destroy them, let the stone altar where the blood-clotted shackles are worshiped disappear) T Canine love Going HESE lines were once part of the song of revolution, but have now been accused of being misinterpreted by AR Rahman in the latest OTT release Pippa. While the film received positive feedback from the viewers and critics alike, at the same time the song Karar Oi Louho Kopat did not go down well with Bengalis across India as well as Bangladesh. Apparently it is a rendition of the song sung in 1922, written and composed by revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. And, most importantly, it wasn’t expected from Oscaraward-winning music composer Rahman! Considered as a sacred anthem, it was then directed against the British rulers and the lyrics have stood the test of time. The late poet, writer and musician is revered as the national poet of Bangladesh. So, fans of Nazrul and his book Nazrulgeeti found it to be a mockery of the patriotic song. They immediately called for its removal from the film. Amongst the opposing groups were Nazrul’s grandson and granddaughter, Anirban Kazi and Anindita, who felt that the rendition by Rahman has spoilt the feel and music of the original. Apology analysis In their defence, the makers of Pippa issued an apology that read, “In light of the current discourse surrounding the song Karar Oi Louho Kopat, the producers, director and music composer of the film Pippa wish to clarify that our rendition of the song is a sincere artistic interpretation, embarked upon only after securing the necessary adaptation rights from the estate of the late Kazi Nazrul Islam, whose contribution to the musical, political and social landscape of the Indian subcontinent is immeasurable. This album was created as a tribute to the men and women who dedicated their lives to the liberation of Bangladesh and keeping in mind the sentiments of their struggle for freedom, peace and justice. We approached the making of this song by faithfully following both the letter and the spirit of the license agreement for the lyrics, as duly signed with the late Kalyani Kazi and witnessed by Anirban Kazi. Our intent was to pay homage to the cultural significance of the song while adhering to the terms set forth in our agreement, which permitted us to use the lyrics with a new composition. We understand the emotional attachment that audiences may have to the original composition, and while all art is inherently subjective, if our interpretation has hurt senti- ments or caused unintended distress, we offer our sincere apologies.” Rahman is yet to comment on this issue. Know the difference After the controversy caught the attention of more listeners, fans compared the original song with the recent release, and found Rahman’s version as a romantic and folksy number, which is poles apart from the original. Nazrul Islam’s grandkids even refused to accept the public apology issued by the makers and asked them to remove their names from credits. They claimed that while their mother Kalyani Kazi did give permission for the rendition, it didn’t allow the composer and the maker to completely change the composition. According to Nazrul’s fans, Rahman’s composition is almost celebratory and as such is entirely different from the one composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam. Fact check The original song was com- posed by the legendary poet Nazrul as an ode to freedom, and to fight the barriers of oppression. It was written for the legendary freedom fighter Chittaranjan Das upon his wife’s request after the former was imprisoned by the British rulers. It was first published in 1922 in the magazine Banglar Katha (Stories of Bengal) and later included in Nazrul’s book Bhangar Gaan (Songs of Breaking Free). Recorded in 1949, the song is a sacred anthem for Bengalis in both India and Bangladesh. The revolutionary Nazrul was also arrested the following year. Nazrul’s song was first recorded in June 1949 and folk singer Girin Chakraborty sang it. On the other hand, in Pippa, this song has been used in the context of the Battle of Garibpur, which took place on November 20, 1971. This was during the Bangladesh Liberation War where the citizens of the erstwhile East Pakistan had rebelled against West Pakistan. Radhika Madan and Pooja Bhatt-starrer Sanaa is all set to be screened at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The film’s production banner Four Line Films took to Instagram and wrote, “#Sanaa comes home! Elated to announce that Sanaa will have its Indian premiere at the 54th @iffigoa on November 23! We are one of the 20 films that have been handpicked as a part of the Indian panorama at the International Film Festival of India. The cast and crew cannot wait to see you there! #IFFI2023 #IFFI54.” The film will be screened under the ‘Indian Panorama’ category on November 23. Honoured with the film’s premiere at The International Film Festival of India 2023, director Sudhanshu Saria said, “Being selected by my government to represent the finest cinema being made this year is no ordinary honour and the entire team was thrilled when we received the news. We are excited to finally flag off our Indian journey with this premiere at IFFI.” — ANI PHOTOS: AGENCIES Anushka Sharma Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra Celebs cheer Ranbir Kapoor Team India Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor was at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to witness the World Cup semi-final clash between India and New Zealand on Wednesday. He interacted with sports commentator Jatin Sapru, former cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and former India Team head coach Ravi Shastri. Interestingly, Ranbir came to the stadium wearing a blue colour t-shirt, making him a part of the blue wave that erupted in the stands when the Indian players set foot on the John Abraham c m y b ground. Ranbir also recalled watching MS Dhoni lifting the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy in 2011 at the Wankhede Stadium. Visuals of him watching the iconic match while being seated in the stadium also played on the screen. Other celebs who were spotted inside the stadium were newlywed actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, wife of Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli Anushka Sharma, Bollywood actor John Abraham and star football player from England David Beckham. — ANI David Beckham