Saibal Chatterjee

Controlled hysteria is what Sanjay Leela Bhansali whipsup with panache in his first-ever historical epic, BajiraoMastani.

The director, with his sweeping narrative touches, blursthe line between fact and fiction in his quest for the granddramatic moments. Bajirao Mastani has no dearth ofsequences designed to dazzle the eye and move the heart.

The pace of the film, especially in the first half, is some-what sluggish. But thanks to the strong central performanc-es by Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, the impressivesets and costumes, and the power of the visuals rustled upby cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee, Bajirao Mastani isnever less than watchable.

The film gathers momentum in the second half andPriyanka Chopra, playing Bajirao Peshwa's first wifeKashibai, gets her due in the drama.

The CGI-enhanced battlefield action is impressive – Baji-rao Mastani is after all the tale of an 18th century warriorwho never lost a battle in a short but eventful life.

It is, however, the love story of the Peshwa and the half-Muslim Bundelkhandi princess Mastani that takes cen-trestage for the most part.

The principal conflict point in the film hinges on the stiffopposition that that the married Peshwa faces from Pune'sHindu clergy and his own deeply offended family when Mas-tani arrives and lays claim on the man she believes she isbetrothed to, having received his personal dagger as a gift.

The two women in Bajirao's life – his wife Kashibai andhis true love Mastani – are at odds with each other, but inBhansali's universe, neither is allowed to lose her femininecalm and composure in the face of the severest of provoca-tions. The film has another very strong female character –Bajirao's widowed mother Radhabai. Tanvi Azmi invests thefigure with great force.

Even when she plots brazenly to humiliate and houndMastani, Radhabai does not turn into a heartless manipu-lator. She is seen only as somebody who is compelled by herconditioning to uphold tradition.

Music is supposed to play a key role in Bajirao Mastani

in enhancing the dramatic impact of the tale, but the songsdo not appear to be organically linked to the narrative. Arestrained but laboured confrontation scene betweenKashibai and Mastani sets the stage for the Pinga numberin which the two women come together in an unlikely danceroutine. Bajirao Mastani is riddled with several such flightsof fancy and Bhansali admits as much in a long disclaimerat the film's outset.

Bajirao Mastani might not be reliable history, but it cer-tainly is pure entertainment of the kind that only Bhansalican deliver. So, notwithstanding its flaws and avoidabledetours, this is a film that stays on course right down to thebitter end. Bajirao Mastani is an exquisitely, if not accurate-ly, crafted epic designed for those for whom history mightnot be a big draw.

Be it in painting or across the field of fashion, petal pow-er rules the roost. Keeping this in mind, designers often con-sciously choose floral and foliage prints as their creative toolof expression. So make no mistake to think that springtimeis the only season to grow gardens in your wardrobe. You mayflaunt a flower-shower all the year round.

“Floral motifs are refreshing, feminine and have a time-less appeal. They are now popular choices all through the yearwhether in prétlines or haute couture ensembles,” saysdesigner Pranay Baidya. According to him, “Digital prints,especially colourful blossoms will hold sway in the history of21st century art and fashion scene.”

Botanical elements are now a favourite around the globe,right from international runways to high-street fashiondepartmental stores. As draper Radhika Singhi says, “Bloomsand buds invariably signify a happy mood and a positive mindto look young and mint-fresh all the time.”

Designer Ritu Seksaria feels that “Only colours, patternsand styles keep changing from season to season. Otherwisefloralfetish spurts a vibrant splash in all twelve months of thecouturiers’ yearly calendar. At the end of the day, it actuallydepends on the source of inspiration and how it’s been styled.”

Also depending on the seasons, designers’ petal passionvaries on the sketch-page. “Daisies are best for sunny sum-mers, while roses in different shades for the lush spring,” saysSinghi.

Baidya draws a parallel between evolution of fashion sen-sibilities with that of the natural flora and fauna. “You willnotice, exotic hues, decadent shapes and innovative printingtextures result in new prints every season,” he points out.Lilies and cherry blossoms are his hot favourites.

Lately, Bollywood actress and style icon Kangana Ranautforayed into the world of fashion with her maiden autumn-winter collection — Marquee — from the premium interna-tional fashion brand of Vero Moda. She showed off with flairbold dandelions and red velvet prints.

Out of the five distinct lines she launched, two were ded-icated to floral stories. The sartorial segment titled Dande-lion Dreams unveils a dreamy array in wasabi and creamchromes with a botanical bouquet, artfully crafted with bead-ed embroidery in a buffet of diffused dandelion drawings. Onthe other hand, red velvet delineates a radiant classic lineheightened with drama and accentuated with laces and richfloral needlework. The colour palette is concentrated withglossy black and fiery red. The entire sequence has a qualityof grandeur, sophistication and vintage charm to it.

In women’s wear section, Baidya roots for outfits like shiftdresses, evening gowns, jumpsuits, swimwear, saris andblouses to look best in floral-leafy prints. For men, shirts,casual jackets, Nehru jackets and even floral trousers are ide-al for the sartorially adventurous. He picks reds, yellows andoranges for the shade-card and fabrics like silk or mercerizedcotton to bring out the best in floral designs.

Singhi also eyes men’s waistcoats alongwith jackets, whilethe colour-code bends towards muted shades like milkywhites and beiges. She favours chiffon and satin to flourishfloral and foliage themes.

Anupama Dayal takes her floral art to sandy beaches forwater- babies and beach bums. She recently unveiled her col-lection in the second season of Gionee India Beach FashionWeek at the Lalit Golf and Spa Resort of Canacona, Goa. Shenarrates her floral tale through influences derived from“beautiful sunsets, endless emerald paddy fields, deliciousriots of unruly creepers and green sprouts”. The entire col-lection was reminiscent of fond memories, thereby evoking afeeling of joy. She opts for fluid silhouettes and feather-lightorganic fabrics that smoothly transform hours from morningtill evening yet remaining fresh and durable for long. “Theseare comfortable to wear and convenient to carry, live in, walk

in, party in or lounge around. Fluid tropical colours import-ed from natural resources like the sky or the sea capture thesoul of my resort-wear collection,” she sums up.

The designers are unanimous in their view that petal andpeduncle prints are extremely popular both in domestic mar-ket as well as abroad. “The floral images have thrived annu-ally in both desi Indian and overseas fashion sectors, becauseit is somewhat effervescent and elegant. It’s a world-wide fadthat both men and women can sport with flair,” says Seksaria.

Apart from breezy party-wears and romantic dates, for-mal social functions like weddings are a perfect plea to paradefloralprints. “Floral outfits with floral jewellery on occasionslike mehendi are a current chart-topper,” shares Baidya.

Movie stars like Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, AishwaryaRai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Ranvir Singh, Preity Zinta andNatalie Portman appear awesome in floral printed attires, saydesigners.

“A lot of other motifs besides flowers can be invested todevelop quirky prints. For example, leaves, seeds and treescan be innovatively used on a neckline, along the hemmedborders or even to germinate across a top or a camisole tolend an avant-garde twist. It would be all the more interest-ing if added with a teasing texture,” observes Seksaria.

To balance a base of heavy floral prints which may involvethe risk of looking cluttered and congested over a dress, there-fore it is important to don the correct jewellery and acces-sories to mitigate the overall garish look.

“While wearing bold prints, style your look with a mini-malistic approach. Whether it’s make-up, bags, footwear, hatsor even eyewear, solid tones must be wisely coordinated withfloral prints to give it a graceful impression,” advises Baidya.“Simple basic wooden or plain gold jewellery without motifswould be the game, set, match for you,” is Singhi’s tips,adding, “You may pin up a brooch, a hair-slide or corsage,effortless neckpieces or cute bracelets to minimize the flashylook.”

(Trans World Features)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015 (PAGE-4)

MOVIE-REVIEWS

Exquisitely crafted epic

LIFE STYLE

TREND

HEALTHLINES

Flower power

DK Kotwal

It is advisable to make the most of any technology that makesour life easier,comfortable and cosy but today we are comingacross a trend that is widespread,alarming and nonsensical,toput it mildly---fidgeting with electronic gadgets late into nightatthe cost of sleep. What follows, there is a progression fromsleeplessness to depression. Watching movie at 2,have chats withfriends at 3,surfing TV channels late at night ----what the peo-ple young and old are doing with electronic gadgets at the ungod-ly hours ?.This practice is generally being followed by urbandwellers.

Not very long before, there was a time when having dinnerat 8 or 9 and after that going to sleep was a normal habit and isstill being followed in some areas. Now dinner is had close tomidnightor later and then getting active on line has turned thenatural pattern of sleep upside down. Psychiatrists say that peo-ples'preoccupationwith the internet, cell phones,and TV sets andexcessive use of thesegadgets has had dev-astating effect upontheir health.

Medical expertssay that 6 to 8 hourssleep is an absolutemust for young andchildren may havemore than this where-as the oldpeople maya little bit less ,that toonot less than sixhours.During deepslumber,reparationand recoupment workis carried out by theinternal system of thebody. The mind alsotones up memory dur-ing the sleep.Itingrains what is necessary into memory system of the brain.Those who are on the line at night tend to become the victimsof forgetfulness.

Those people whosleep late at night are generallylethargic,feel drowsy and listless.Their behaviour undergoes asea transformation and are irritable, forgetful,angry and fallprey to stress and anxiety.Children often miss schools and evenif they go they are inattentive. Among adults lack of concentra-tion is the cause of all sorts of accidents,nonproductivity andfamilial discord,setting apart the devastating effectthat is thereon their health. It is said that less sleep stimulates stress hor-mones and instead of the body is fresh after sleep it becomessubjected to additional stress. Is there the need to stay connect-ed 24 hours? Experts are of the view that it is a false sense ofimportance .Most of the information is not of any value------theyare unimportant conversationsand idle gossips.

People are becoming addicted to the gadgets and are neglect-ing daily routine normal activities that are good for physical andmental health.The relationships are suffering .Such type of styleof living can be attributed to some extent to the advertisementsput across the globe by telecom companies .I am reminded of the

catch line of one of the advertisements of a telecomcompany,'Karlo Dunia Muthi M ein' .This gives you a feeling thatyou can have access to anyone,anytime and anywhere.

The psychiatrists say that the young children are going tothem for treatment of the problems unheard before -----abnor-mal aggression,severe headache, depression,abnormalweight,anxiety and epilepsy.When people are advised to sleepearly ,most argue that they may be sleeping late but they also getup late and the number of slept hours is particularly the same .Isthis argument a sound one ? Not at all. The psychiatrysays ,'Thebody has a natural biological clock which is in syc with sun riseand sun set .This controls the internal hormonal system that isresponsible for the reparation , recuperation and growth in thecase of children . If this clock is disturbed,severe consequencesfollow. There is no substitute to sleep.

Stanley Coren, noted professorof Psychology and author ofthe very popular book,'Sleep Thieves' says,' Not sleeping enoughcan compromise your immune system '. You eat well and exer-

cise in order to keep yourimmune system up.Corengoes on to explain, but ifyou are not sleeping, youundo all that good work.'The immune systemworks best when you aresleeping,' he says. 'That iswhen your natural killercells are generated,'It isnotjust our immune systemthat gets adversely affectedwhen we cut down onsleep.According to DrMichael Sole, a Canadiancardiologist,there is a high-er rate of heart failureamong people with sleepdisorders and distur-bances

Researches in various universities all over the world have dis-covered that chronic sleep loss can reduce the body ability to reg-ulate hormones and process carbohydrates. In a study at the uni-versity of Chichago, the researchers reduced participants sleepfrom eight to four hours a night and after less than evenaweek.,they noted changes in the body similarto the effects ofearly diabetes or advanced aging. Sleep disturbances increasethe likelihood of insulin resistance.

Parents are advised to switch off their gadgets and TV sets by10 pm. IN 50 percent of the cases the parents are directly or indi-rectly responsible for these technological indiscretions beingused by their children. Children are immature, they need to beguided. The teachers have to be encouraged to drill in to the headsof students, the importance of sound sleep otherwise they willbe victims of insomnia and will be tempted to taking pills. Andthe body will be driven by chemicals; carefully, we will have toimpart education based on principles of Yoga and meditation toovercome the burning problem---------"a sleep deficit" of the cur-rent times.

It is fairly simple at the end, control the remote in your handor be controlled by it.

Getting in Bed With Gadgets Dr Kshitiz Murdia

Anamika Gupta, 31, had her twins, Amayraand Arman, who were conceived through IVF,eight weeks early. And that was after 11 weeksof bed rest after going into preterm labor whenshe was 20 weeks pregnant. Anamika and herhusband, Kaushal weren't trying for twins. Butthe two embryos that their IVF doctor had trans-ferred implanted, resulting in twins. Just twoweeks after Anamika's positive pregnancy test,ultrasound reports revealed that there was notone but two distinct sacs, and within each ofthese a tiny flickering speck of a heartbeat.

Six weeks later those two specks had grown into dis-cernible foetuses, with bulbous heads, limbs and noses, andboth looked to be normal and healthy. Needless to say, thecouple was overjoyed and, once past the 12-week milestone,keen to spread the news.

But unlike Gupta's,there are couples deliber-ately opting for IVF to havetwin babies. Infact, halfthe time when coupleslooking into in-vitro fertil-isation (IVF) as an optionto experience parenthoodmake visit to hospitals, oneof the first questions theyoften ask is, "Will IVFincrease our chances ofhaving twins or triplets?"Well, the answer to this is,"that all depends." Multi-ple births are much morecommon these days thanthey were in the past, rea-son being more women arereceiving infertility treat-ment. And specially withboth parents workingthese days, their commonattitude is "why not to havetwo in one time and com-plete the family."

Basically, with IVF, you and your doctor determine howmany embryos will be transferred into your uterus. Let'ssay, if you choose to have a single embryo transferred, thenit would be impossible for you to have twins or triplets.However, it affects the success rate of your pregnancybecause there is no guarantee your embryo will successful-ly implant into the uterine lining. This is why many women,especially those who are unable to afford two or more cycles,often opt to have more than one embryo transferred. Inter-estingly, the chances of being pregnant from multipleembryo transfers increase only slightly compared with asingle embryo transfer, although your chances of a multi-ple birth increase significantly. Among many factors, age ofa woman, her physical health and embryo viability play

major role in the success of IVF cycles.But if you choose to have more than one embryo trans-

ferred during your IVF cycle, your chances of having twinsor triplets jumps significantly. It's more of a trend amongyoung couples these days, especially the ones who yearn tohave twins and find it "cute" to have two kids but one preg-nancy. Also, IVF is more in demand because the commonnotion these days is whether you have singleton or twins,the cost remains the same. Therefore, some couplesdemand for twin pregnancies as IVF is expensive and theywant to complete their family in one go with twin birth;while a few couples don't want to go for IVF again and againso they feel having twins in one go is much better and costeffective. Usually couples may not be blunt, but they oftenmention their desire to have twins, especially in case ofworking mothers, as they are able to focus on their careeronce their family is complete.

So, it doesn't matter if you're pregnant with one or morethan one baby (a multiple pregnancy), a healthy lifestyleand balanced diet will help you cope with your pregnancyand give your babies the best start in life. If you feel hun-gry, fill up on healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit, low-fat

yogurt or sandwiches filled with grated cheese, lean ham ormashed tuna. Expecting two babies doesn't mean you haveto eat significantly more than during a single pregnancy.You may be offered iron supplements during your pregnan-cy as you're more at risk from anemia during a twin preg-nancy.

While most multiple pregnancies are healthy and resultin healthy babies, there are some risks to be aware of whenyou are pregnant with two or more babies. So, never missor skip your appointment with your doctor. Also, remem-ber multiple pregnancy is not in the hands of any doctorbecause when IVF procedure is done, multiple embryos aretransferred and their implantation being a self-regulatedprocess, can neither be altered nor interfered.

(The author is Fertility Expert, Indira IVF Clinic and Test Tube Baby Centre.)

Twins in Demand

Flowers never go wrong when itcomes to fashion and prints, finddesigners. Pramita Bose reports

In showbiz, nostalgia is a powerful emotion indeed. It can pro-pel even mediocre cinematic products to enviable heights of suc-cess. It is, therefore, understandable why Dilwale has been sucha keenly anticipated Bollywood release. Does the filmmeet the expectations? Not quite. Shah RukhKhan and Kajol, back together on the bigscreen for the first time since 2010's MyName is Khan, are in their elements allthe way through.

But, sadly, Rohit Shetty's Dilwaleis such a run-of-the-mill film thateven the SRK-Kajol combo cannotlift it out of its morass. It has two dis-tinct strands both in terms of its star-cast and with respect to its storyline.

Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanonas the younger romantic pair simplycannot keep pace with the tried-and-tested star duo.

It is no wonder, therefore, that thesecond part of the film, which unfolds 15years after the first encounter between thecharacters played by SRK and Kajol, pales com-pletely in comparison with the first. The film, as aresult, is both lopsided and uneven. When it reveals theback story of the affable Raj (Shah Rukh Khan), a car modifier whonow lives in Goa and dotes on his kid brother Veer (Varun Dhawan).The elder sibling is so indulgent that Veer gets away with taking alot of liberties.

But when he falls in love, it becomes a case of history repeating

itself. He and his girlfriend run into resistance from quarters theyhave no control over exactly as his brother had done a decade anda half ago in Bulgaria. This story of warring guardians and heart-breaks is less about affection than about hate and abhorrence, twoemotions that come in the way of love. The director, in his signa-ture style, throws in a few big action sequences in which cars are

blown up and bodies are riddled with bullets andalso falls back on some comic scenes for relief.

The humour in the film is coarse, but withactors like Boman Irani (as the drug-

dealing mafia don King), VarunSharma (as the younger hero's

best friend) and Sanjay Mishra(as a funky seller of stolen carsand auto parts), a few of thegags do work. But the love sto-ry is too contrived and convo-luted to be effective. If one stillkeeps watching right until theend, it is solely because of

Kajol, playing a tough womancaught between her duty to her

gangster dad and her feelings forthe son of the head of the rival crim-

inal syndicate.Once the mystery unravels and the

drama boils down to figuring out how andwhere the two estranged lovers will reunite, Dil-

wale loses steam completely.Dilwale is strictly for Shah Rukh Khan fans and for those that

miss the brilliance of Kajol.In a role tailor-made for her, the latter is brightest spot in the

film even when scenes written for her do not do justice.

Soulless Dilwale