11082024-LSTL-01.qxd 8/10/2024 11:50 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE FOLLOW KAR LO YAAR ON WAY Prime Video has announced the premiere date for its unscripted original series, Follow Kar Lo Yaar — August 23. The nine-episode series is an unfiltered and immersive viewpoint into the vibrant and captivating life of Uorfi Javed, India’s biggest viral sensation. Hacked! Arjun Rampal has fallen victim to a cyberattack. The actor took to Instagram on Saturday and revealed that his account on the social media platform ‘X’ was hacked. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 11 AUGUST 2024 PHOTOS: PRADEEP TIWARI Sheetal O N Friday, light showers in tricity complemented the classical music programme Varsha Ritu Sangeet Sandhya, held at the Strawberry Fields High School, Sector 26. As vocalist Meeta Pandit and tabla maestro Ram Kumar Mishra shared the stage for a performance, they recalled their teen years when they had started learning music around the same time. Meeta said, “We first shared the stage together in Ajmer as many as 35 years ago. We both come from music families and it’s interesting because our grandfathers also have performed together.” The musical evening was organised by Indian National Theatre in collaboration with Durga Das Foundation to celebrate the arrival of rain with joy. It also paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Navjeevan Khosla, patron of the Indian National Theatre, on his birth anniversary. For the unversed, Ram Kumar hails from the Benaras Gharana and is continuing the family legacy of Na Dhin Dhin Na on tabla. He is the grandson of tabla wizard, late Pandit Anokhe Lal Mishra ji. On the other hand, Meeta belongs to the Gwalior Gharana, the sixth member of an unbroken lineage, and the first woman in her family to adopt music professionally. She is the granddaughter of Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, Padma Bhushan, a pioneer of Hindustani classical music in North India during the 20th century. For the opening performance, young Hindustani classical singer, Avinash Kumar, started his vocal rendition with the Raga Megh. The Malhaar Ang was beautifully presented in the vibrant Classical connect GULSHAN DEVAIAH In the world of cinema, actors often go to extraordinary lengths to bring their characters to life, sometimes undergoing remarkable physical transformations that leave audiences in awe. Here are seven Bollywood actors who did the same. Vocalist Meeta Pandit, from the Gwalior Gharana, and tabla maestro Ram Kumar Mishra, from the Benaras Gharana, left music lovers in the city in awe with their delightful performance composition. He delightfully sang the drut teen taal composition Ghan Ghanan Ghanan Ghan Ghor. His fast tempo was highly appreciated by the audience. He ended with two traditional compositions in Raga Desh, another monsoon raga. First one was Megha Re in teen taal and then Beeti Jaat Barkha Ritu in drut ektaal. Meeta Pandit started with her recital with a traditional composition Rag Surdasi Malhar, Garjat Aaye Re Badarwa, followed by Badrwa Barsan Ko Aaye and Bundniya Barsay Gayan Ko, which was also highly appreciated. She continued her recital with another beautiful composition, set to teen taal in Raga Gaud Malhaar, Sanyain Maura Re, followed by Jhuk Aaye Badariya Sawan Ki. She concluded her recital with a Kajri. During the programme, Ram Kumar Mishra complemented Meeta Pandit and Avinash Kumar really well, much to the delight of the audience. RAM KUMAR MISHRA, MEETA PANDIT AND AVINASH KUMAR If looks could Tarun Joshi was on the harmonium. Here are actors whose remarkable transformation for their roles on the silver screen was widely appreciated by the audience kill! Parul Gulati, Silence 2 Parul Gulati’s transformation for Silence 2 is truly remarkable. Typically known for her glamorous and vibrant persona, Parul adopted a drastically different look to play a bearded man with long hair to essay the role of a serial killer. She completely shed her familiar image and embraced a minimalist, sombre appearance. Gulshan Devaiah, Ghost Stories Gulshan Devaiah is no stranger to challenging roles, but his transformation as Alpha for Ghost Stories on Netflix was particularly notable. RAJKUMMAR RAO Playing such a beast-like character in the horror anthology, Gulshan’s look was drastically altered with the help of special effects, make-up and prosthetics. His usual charming appearance was replaced with a haunting visage that added a chilling layer to his performance. AMITABH BACHCHAN KAMAL HAASAN ment to his dedication. To portray a 324-year-old man, Rajkummar underwent extensive makeup sessions that sometimes lasted over five hours. The process involved heavy prosthetics, making him completely unrecognisable. Kamal Haasan, Indian 2 Rajkummar Rao, Raabta Rajkummar Rao’s transformation for the film Raabta was a testa- Renowned star Kamal Haasan is a legend known for his versatility and dedication, and his transformation for Indian 2 is another feather in his cap. Reprising his role as the vigilante Senapathy, Kamal underwent a dramatic physical transformation, utilising advanced prosthetics and makeup techniques to age convincingly. Kamal’s commitment to the role once again highlighted his unparalleled prowess as an actor. c m y b Amitabh Bachchan, Paa Amitabh Bachchan truly merits all the praise for his portrayal of Auro in Paa. With a distinct voice, appearance and body language, Auro is a character that will undeniably stand out in Big B’s filmography for its delightful uniqueness and charming childishness. The prosthetic make-up is remarkably authentic and makes it all delightdful. When in Chandigarh Meeta shared how she spends the morning in Chandigarh with a walk at the Sukhna Lake, and later she loves to eat aloo ka parantha with ghar ka makhan. “Nothing beats the feeling of eating a parantha in Punjab,” she says. Ram Kumar Mishra added, “I am personally a fan of Sukhdev Dhaba near Murthal. It’s a must-visit during my trip to Chandigarh. I keep coming to City Beautiful for performances associated with Pracheen Kala Kendra and Tagore Theatre. Even Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar witnesses huge crowds. I believe the audience in Chandigarh and Punjab really appreciates classical music and dance forms, and always turn up in great numbers to show their support.” The young talent Avinash Kumar is associated with the AllIndia Radio and is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Music, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, Delhi University. So, do youngsters opt for classical music nowadays? He explained, “It’s a wrong notion that youngsters aren’t interested in classic music at all. It’s an acquired taste, of course, but those who start appreciating ragas and taals become followers for life. Being a professor, I see a lot of youngsters wanting to become classical musicians or singers. It’s all about preferences.” Meeta also resonated with the thought and added, “Film or classical are part of the big ocean of music and when we confuse ourselves with definitions or comparisons, we are on the loosing end.”