DreamDuniya
In dreams we enter a world that's entirely our own..
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Thursday, February 5, 2015
NAACH MERI JAAN
Glitterati Entertainment and
Sanskriti Arts present
NAACH MERI JAAN
A Reality Dance Competition for
the first time in Toronto
– To Find The Next Dancing
Superstars -
In Partnership with
Pria Haider and Naved Jaffrey
March 6 – Auditions Begin
TORONTO, CANADA –
February 5, 2015: Glitterati
Entertainment and Sanskriti Arts present NAACH MERI JAAN (NMJ), a Reality Dance
Competition taking place for the first time in Toronto.
Brought to North America by Pria Haider and Naved Jaffrey, the Dance
Competition was created to promote the awareness of talent revolving around the
South Asian dance forms including Bhangra, Bollywood, Fusion, etc.
The
highlight of the event will be to find the next Dancing Superstars from
thousands of contestants in Toronto and 11 cities in the USA. While
Toronto finalists will receive a gift hamper and dance scholarships, the New
York Grand Finale winner will get to be part of a Bollywood Movie and receive a
Portfolio shot by a renowned Bollywood photographer.
“Naach
Meri Jaan will be the first of its kind and the biggest dance competition in
North America. We will be challenging this year’s artists to
interpret Bollywood music, to explore classical, freestyle and new forms of
cultural fusion in performance,” says Puja Amin of Glitterati Entertainment who
is bringing this Reality Dance Competition to
Torontonians. Auditions begin March 6, 2015 and contestants’
performances in the following categories will be judged by the likes of Javed
Jaffrey, Rujuta Vaidya and Vatsal Sheth.
Kids 5 – 15 years – Solo/Group
Adult 16 years and over – Solo/GroupAll Ages – Duet
There will be a finalist competing in New York in each of the categories
“Dance is a means not only to showcase artistic talent, but also to develop self-confidence and enhance awareness about health, fitness and musical sensibilities. The main motivation behind this competition is to create a platform and bring together the best of contemporary, fusion and classical Indian culture for the entire family,” says Amin.
Toronto finals will take place on April 25, 2015 at the Toronto Centre of the Arts and viewed by thousands of people from all demographics for a South Asian cultural extravaganza on local television and Star Plus, India.
Event Flow:
March 6-14: Auditions Begin
6th March: 6-9 pm
7th March: 2-5 pm
13th March: 6-9 pm
14th March: 2-5 pm
April 4: Semi Finals
April 5 – 10: Event Launch and Reception announcing the Finalists
April 25: Toronto Winner Announcement at the Grand Finale
Toronto Centre For The Arts, George Weston Hall, 5040 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2N 6R8..
· Broadcast on local Channels and Star Plus, India
· Video Display of auditions in various cities around the Greater Toronto
Area
· Event Audience of 1000 is expected
Download Application Form at: http://www.glitteratientertainment.com/images/NMJ%202015%20Season%201%20Application%20Form-.pdfAbout Naach Meri Jaan (NMJ):
Naach Meri Jaan is a
reality dance competition brought to you by Pria Haider and Naved
Jaffrey. This dance competition was created to promote the
awareness of talent revolving around the South Asian dance forms including
Bhangra, Bollywood, Fusion, etc. and is designed to showcase some of the most
talented children, men and women comprising individual contestants, couples and
dance teams. NMJ is the first of its kind in bringing an Indian reality
dance competition on for South Asians to the United States and Canada.
NMJ is set to take place in over 12 cities in North America, with semifinals
and finals set to be broadcast by Star Plus. Three of India’s most
renowned judges Javed Jaffrey, Ravi Behl and Naved Jaffrey have teamed up with
Pria Haider and Sparks to help make this the biggest dance competition for the
continent.
About Glitterati Entertainment
Glitterati
Entertainment has been founded by Puja Amin, Silky Kanthed and Puroo Kaul and
their mandate is to create the most mesmerizing experience in entertainment
based on all the vibrant sensations India has to offer. Glitterati
founders’ vision is revolutionize the definition of family entertainment for
audiences who have brought well known Bollywood celebrities such as fashion
designer Vikram Phadnis, supermodel Malaika Arora, actor Dino Morea and singing
sensation Neha Kakkar to North America. They are now extending their
audiences to Toronto.
About Sanskriti Arts
Established in 2003,
Sanskriti Arts is the brainchild of Puja Amin who has brought together
performers with a passion for dance and extreme drive to explore their
potential. Under her tutelage, the company takes pride in
raising awareness of the various forms of South Asian dance, spread Indian
culture and ethnicity through traditional and contemporary dance and music
performances. They have been a pioneer in authentic South Asian
Entertainment including classical, folk and Bollywood repertoire. The Sanskriti
Arts Ensemble has performed in concerts and music videos for Falguni Pathak,
Boman Irani, Lisa Ray, Jonita Gandhi, Sukhwinder Singh, Lata Mangeshkar,
Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor amongst others.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
I have always believed in equality for women --Akshay Kumar
International
superstar Akshay Kumar has kicked off the New Year with a
stylish and playful photo shoot for renowned celebrity photographer, Dabboo
Ratnani’s 2015 calendar. The annual calendar, which has become a notable
showbiz event in India since its debut in 1999, capturedAkshay Kumar looking
dapper and suave in a black waistcoat and formal trousers.
Akshay Kumar,
who is currently promoting his latest movie, Baby, never fails to
keep his fans entertained, as he is seen in a monochrome frame posing on a mini
tricycle!
The ‘Baby’
leading man tweeted a first look of the image and also shared it on his
Instagram page with the tongue-in-cheek strapline: ‘Keep the child in
you alive’
‘Baby’, a
highly anticipated action thriller, sees Akshay reunited with
director Neeraj Pandey, who teamed up on the critically-acclaimed film ‘Special
26’. The film releases worldwide on 23rd January 2015.
Here's an exclusive interview of the
Superstar as given to Usha Pudukkotai:
Usha: Could you please tell us about your role in the upcoming
movie 'Baby'?
Akshay: It’s true that I am playing another Special Forces role,
but the characters are very different. Holiday was a real mix of genres,
crossing between thriller and rom –com but Baby doesn’t really have that light
hearted side. My role in Baby, Ajay, is a grim brutal character, as if Virat
from ‘Holiday’ had lost his sense of humour. I did love that about Virat,
he had two different sides to him, he was a really complex man. Yes, he had a
social life and chased the girls, but he couldn’t ever switch off. I think that
even my character in ‘Holiday’ had a line which he probably wouldn’t cross;
Ajay is the sort of person who would do whatever was necessary to keep his
country safe.
There are a lot of messages that
will be conveyed through Baby. We can see in the trailer that the film also
tackles the issue of terrorism but I want people to watch the film and realize
the other messages that we want to convey.
Usha: What is your fitness 'mantra? Could you comment about the
6-pack and 8-pack trend in the industry?
Akshay: I wake up
very early, I swim, rock-climb, cycle, climb stairs, condition, swing, walk on
my hands, attempt a bit of Yoga, I love functional training with gymnastic
equipment and I play a lot of sports with my kids. I am what I eat, when I
become strict I’m very lean and become fast in my action and dancing. When I’m
naughty I become tired and sluggish, and it reminds me that a disciplined life
is far more enjoyable than a sloppy greedy one; it may be nice for a week or
two a year, but I like being fit, I feel awful mentally and physically when I
take my body and my health for granted.
Usha: Safety of women is a huge concern in India. It is very
commendable that you have launched the new Martial Arts Institute for women in
India. What are some other ways to protect the vulnerable, in your opinion?
Akshay: I have always believed in equality
for women, women having the same opportunities, strength and capabilities as
men, and the power to achieve everything and anything they want to. Talking
about what motivated me starting up this initiative - the self-defence of women
in India has been a major concern lately and not only has it gained immense
media attention in India for all the wrong reasons, but also internationally.
The thought that a man can think he can overpower a woman whenever he wants to
and take advantage of her when she is defenceless is wrong! For things like
this I want to use the greatest gift and asset I have with me for the greater
good – Martial Arts. With the support of young leader Aditya Thackrey we
commenced the procedure of starting free of cost self-defence classes for as
many women as we can to counter offence this menace.
Usha: 'Charity is worship' is what you believe. Please
tell our readers about your philanthropy work.
Akshay: I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth and like
many of my colleagues and other professionals, we've had to work
our damnedest to succeed and stay successful too. I’ve been
incredibly lucky but there are far more people who aren’t as fortunate as I have
been. Many of these people struggle to get hold of even the basic
essentials that many of us take for granted. I feel truly blessed to have the
opportunity to share a part of what I have achieved and earned with someone
less fortunate that I. Everyone deserves a chance to prosper and sometimes you
just need a little extra help to push you along your way.
Usha: You are famous for performing death-defying stunts. Is
that your signature style - the dare-devil Khiladi of Bollywood?
Akshay: I very much
enjoy doing my own stunts and, to be honest, I could never make another man do
something I wasn’t brave enough to do myself. I believe people deserve to see
real action when they pay to see a film. As yet, I have been blessed in that I
have not sustained any serious injuries. Overall though, my stunts are a huge
part of my career and I thank my martial arts for giving me the strength, power
and discipline to prepare me both mentally and physically for this.
Usha: Till date, what has been the highlight of your illustrious
career in Bollywood? Your major accomplishments, your victories...
Akshay: I know it’s not part of my career exactly but over the
past twenty years it has to be my kids! They are more than the apple of my eye,
they are the reason I see beyond this crazy world of Bollywood ;o). I think our
best time together so far is when we all went to Maldives for a quiet family
holiday. I got to spend every waking hour with my baby girl and took my son on
sea adventures with the new sea-bob I got him for his birthday ;o) Magical
family time!
Usha: What led your foray into promoting Regional Indian Cinema?
How is the experience so far?
Akshay: There is a
huge amount of talent in Indian regional cinema and until recently, it has
mainly not been tapped. With my production company Grazing Goat Pictures, which
I co-founded with my friend Ashvini Yardi, we have begun to tap into this vast
industry and have created some fantastic and interesting film projects. We are
very proud of the regional films 72 Miles and Bhaji in Problem.
Usha: Any other message for our readers here in Toronto?
Akshay: I am nothing without you all and I’m grateful to all of you
for your continuous love and support. I love Canada and I’m hoping to visit
again when I get a chance! Love and prayers to you all!
Monday, January 5, 2015
Tips to investing in RRSPs
Let's start with an obvious but important question. What is an RRSP? You may know that RRSP stands for Registered Retirement Savings Plan. But it's easy to be confused about what that really means.
If you think you buy an RRSP, you wouldn't be the first person to make that mistake. Actually, you buy investments-- mutual funds, stocks, bonds, guaranteed investment certificates, annuities, etc. -- and register them with the federal government. When you retire, you'll be able to use the money that comes from the investments.
Is it a good idea to invest in an RRSP?
The simple answer is yes. Many people are putting their money in RRSPs because they've been told they can reduce the amount of income tax they pay. They think, "Okay, I'm getting this tax savings every year. It reduces my taxable income, so my overall taxes aren't going to be as high." For a lot of people, that's a good enough reason to contribute to an RRSP. Paying less income tax has always been a good idea.
If you're self-employed, you have another reason to invest in an RRSP. It may be the only way to save for retirement, since you probably aren't working at a company that sets up pension plans for its employees.
Whatever your reasons, the most important thing you can do as far as investing in RRSPs is concerned is to start contributing regularly as early as possible. When you start early, you give your money more time to grow.
Let's say you're 45 years old and put $100 dollars into RRSP investments every month and don't make any withdrawals. We'll assume a return of 6% per year. At age 65, the total value of your investment would be $45,344. Now, if you're 25 years old and invest the same monthly amount with the same return and don't make any withdrawals, the total value of your RRSP at 65 would be $190,768. You can see how the extra two decades of investing makes a big difference.
Perhaps you're thinking that you don't have $100 to put away every month. Try investing in small doses by setting up a plan where your contributions flow directly from your bank account to your RRSP on the day you're paid. A few dollars now will go a long way later. You'll be surprised at how quickly your RRSP will grow -if you contribute regularly!
Think about borrowing money to invest in your RRSP. At today's low interest rates this can be a very effective strategy. You will reduce your taxable income and may increase your tax refund. Many people then take that refund and use it to help pay off their loans.
Remember: the best thing you can do for your retirement fund is to put away the maximum amount allowed by the government. If you're short, you can take out a "catch-up" loan. Or, you can carry forward your unused contribution to a future year.
You can also help your money grow by including foreign investments in your RRSP. Canada is a big country, but it makes up only a small part of the global investment market. There are lots of great opportunities to invest outside our borders and the federal government has no limit on investing your RRSP in foreign securities.
To keep track of all your assets, you may want to consider keeping them in one investment company. There are distinct advantages to this strategy.
Nobody's financial situation will be exactly the same as yours. That's why your financial strategy should reflect your needs, desires, and goals. Professional money managers can help because they understand the complexities of the market. Don't be afraid to ask for help from the pros!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Iconic Bollywood duo Salim- Sulaiman to take part in first ever North American tour this November 2014
Iconic Bollywood musical duo Salim-Sulaiman will embark on their first ever North American tour this November 2014 with stops in Vancouver,
San
Jose, Calgary, Toronto, Atlanta and Houston.
Accompanied by their band, Salim-Sulaiman will also welcome
to tour singers Vipul Metha, winner of Indian Idol 6, and
Shweta
Pandit, who regularly performs with AR Rahman.
Salim-Sulaiman
have been composing music for over a decade
having scored for movies including Rab Ne Banadi Jodi, FASHION,
Roadside Romeo,
Iqbal, Dor,
Heroine, Chak De
India, and many
more.
The versatile duo has scored for a string of Bollywood movies, composed for several
Indi-pop sensations including Viva,
Asmaan,
Shweta Shetty, Jasmine
and Style Bhai among others, composed and produced hundreds
of
TV commercials.
Recognized for their talents throughout the industry, Salim- Sulaiman have received numerous awards including the 2004
Screen
Award
for Best Background
Music for Bahoot; the
2005 Screen Weekly Award
for Best Background Music for Dhoom; the 2005 Technical Award
for Best Background Score for Ab Tak Chhappan; the 2007 Zee Cine Technical
Award for Best Background Score for Krrish;
and
the 2014 Mirchi Music
Award for Best Indi-Pop Song of the Year.
Incorporating cinematic, folk, Electronica and Sufi influences to their
music, Salim
and Sulaiman
Merchant are
among
India's most respected composers. Recently they composed
the
musical Merchants
of Bollywood, as well as their much
awaited Hollywood film Sold which is rapidly gaining attention
at numerous film festivals.
The duo has enthralled audiences across the world with their live concerts, particularly during their performance at the FIFA World Cup 2010 opening ceremony. In addition, Salim- Sulaiman have been part of numerous television shows including their role as celebrity judges on Indian Idol.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Tabla Superstar Zakir Hussain performs
Joined by Kumaresh Rajagopalan (Violin),
Jayanthi Kumaresh (Veena)
Wednesday, October 1, 2014, at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $49–54
Visit www.markhamtheatre.ca or call
905-305-SHOW (7469)
One of the world’s most renowned tabla
artists will enchant Flato Markham Theatre audiences with the riches of India’s
classical music tradition. Zakir Hussain, a lauded master of the Indian
percussion instrument, will be joined in concert by Kumaresh Rajagopalan (violin)
and Jayanthi Kumaresh (veena) on October 1 at 8 p.m.
Zakir Hussain’s prodigious talent was unmistakable from an early
age as he embarked on his first professional tour when he was just 12 years
old. A revered musician and virtuoso of the table, a classical East Indian
percussive instrument, Hussain stuns audiences with his natural musicianship.
He has gone on to win a GRAMMY® Award in the Best World Music category, and has
collaborated with some of music’s greatest and most influential artists
including George Harrison, Yo-Yo Ma and Van Morrison.
His latest DVD release The SFJazz Sessions was recorded
over four extraordinary days in March 2013, and showcases Hussain's formidable
talents and the genre-bending collaborations that have characterized his
career. The DVD includes insightful interviews, personal commentary and
intimate glimpses of life, offstage and backstage, of the remarkable artists
who came together during the recording sessions.
Here's an exclusive interview given by Ustad Zakir Hussain to
Usha Pudukkotai:
Please tell us about
your early career and your guru(s).
I
was born in a tabla family, my father (Ustad Allarakha) was and
is considered one of the greatest tabla player of all time. From a very
young age (3 yrs) I was being trained in the art of tabla playing under his
watchful eyes, at 7 I did my first full performance and at 12 I started my
professional career but still received guidance from my father till he passed
away in 2000.
How many
gharanas(styles) of tabla are there & which one is your forte?
Originally
there are 5 gharanas of tabla, they were created because masters of tabla would
move from one state to the next and establish their own teachings and that
in time would become a gharana, it helped that there were no influences from
other masters leaving in other far off cities, these days due to communication
media and easy travel plus CDs, YouTube etc has made the teachings of all
gharanas available to tabla players everywhere, and so I consider myself
initially a student of Punjab gharana but now a performer of a combination
repertoire of all gharanas.
Do you
believe music is divine? Do you find/feel any spiritual connect while playing
the tabla?
Music
is connected to divinity in India, and according to mythology Gods and
Goddesses are the source of this art form. I have experienced a special
connection with my music and my instrument during my practice sessions but it
is very rare to repeat this connection in a big concert hall with many people,
the concentration there is to enjoy the music in a joyous and fun way.
What do you think
the major attraction for 'rock' drummers for learning tabla & Indian music?
I
think the rock or jazz or any kind of western drummers enjoy the challenge of
playing and improvising in odd rhythm cycles plus the fact that the rhythms can
be spoken and reproduced the exactly the same way in Indian systems is a great
attraction for them.
Can you
please tell us your personal opinion about how this art form has evolved over
the years?
Indian classical music is now more
accessible, Indian musicians have found a way to connect to their audiences and
include them in the music being performed, more attention is being paid on
presentation and stage craft, Indian musicians are now educated and more
informed about the advent in sound systems and many digital devices that
help them to enhance the projection ability of their instruments.
This concert is presented by National Bank and in association
with the Small World Music Festival. An intimate evening of conversation with
Mr. Hussain is also a feature presentation of the Small World Music Festival.
The event takes place at the Small World Music Centre, 180 Shaw St. 8:00pm.
Tickets: $100 and includes admission to Wednesday’s concert at the Flato
Markham Theatre.
Later in the season, the Flato Markham Theatre will proudly
welcome Sarod master Amjad Ali Kahn, another leading Indian musician. Amjad Ali
Kahn will perform with his two sons, Amaan Ali Kahn and Ayaan Ali Kahn, on February
8, 2015. Amjad Ali Kahn impressed audiences with his last performance at
the Theatre in 2013, and is a regular performer at prestigious concert halls
across the world including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the Kennedy
Center.
Media partners for both of these performances are Asian
Television Network, Update Weekly, and MyBindi.com.
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