New Delhi, Wednesday, May 18, 2016
06 my city
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PHOTOS: AMAL KS/HT
kitsch se pyaar karu: makeover for delhi autos
meandmy
CITY Send your Dil Se messages to meandmydelhi@ gmail.com
A Mumbai-based design project is giving colourful makeover to Delhi’s autos. Their kitsch art was also featured in Coldplay’s video — Hymn For The Weekend Etti Bali n
etti.bali@hindustantimes.com
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he guys who gave a colourful makeover to the taxis of Mumbai are in Delhi. Their art was also featured in British band Coldplay’s music video, Hymn for the Weekend. Mumbai-based design project Taxi Fabric has come to Delhi to give a kitschy makeover to auto-rickshaws. HT City caught up with the team as they were in the final stages of fitting the autos with the painted fabric. “Coming to Delhi was a natural progression as the city has a more conducive art scene. Many independent artists are thriving here,” says Sanket Avlani, curator of the project. The taxis in Mumbai have already become a conversation starter between drivers and passengers, something which
Avlani aims in Delhi as well. “We wanted to give a makeover to Delhi’s autos as that is where the masses are. We’ll take a variety of themes and gender sensitisation will be one of them,” says Siddharth Samant, creative producer at the Mumbai Chapter of Taxi Fabric. The task of redesigning the interiors of an auto can
take anywhere between 2-3 weeks. First, a stencil and measurement of the interiors is sent to the designer who then sends back a concept presentation. Then, the design is sent to be printed on a suitable fabric after which it is taken to a workshop where it is fitted inside the auto. “This is the first auto that we have rolled
Get ready for click, ping, love
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hrough their book Cupidity Ping Me, Love, authors Kiren Rai and Madhvi Ahuja bring to light the problems faced by most middle-aged people in urban cities.
Based in Delhi, it explores the lives of three individuals and their respective battles with loneliness and the need to be with someone who understands them. The book starts with Tara’s
Book review life, about how everything seems perfect from a distance, but the closer you get, the more grief you see. With a husband who is travelling all
out in Delhi, but in a couple of months, you’ll see more such autos,” adds Siddharth. For this particular auto, they tied up with Delhi-based artist Nasheet Shadani. He says, “I realised that the first auto in the city of Djinns should be magical and should instantly connect with people. I chose the theme Tasavvur which is Urdu for imagination.” Auto driver Hari Om Sharma is elated at the makeover. He has been on the roads in Delhi for the last 3 years. “I got in touch with them through a workshop that NGO Manas had organised. Manas is putting the auto drivers in touch with Taxi Fabric. I liked this design immediately as it shows a very beautiful side of our city,” he says. With this initiative, he hopes that the public will perceive the autos and the drivers in a more positive light.
the time and a teenage son who is at his rebellious best, Tara takes to online dating to find a friend. Naina, a close friend of Tara, is someone who has just got out of an unsuccessful marriage and is currently on and off with someone who doesn’t care much for her. The third story is about a transgender Nihal, who seeks to find acceptance and love on the online portal.
yehcityhai!
SUMMER SIESTA! Two sadhus find shade and quietude in front of a closed shop. Have amusing, interesting city shots you’ve clicked? Send them at the email ID above and they could get featured too!
dilse Hey Dramebazo, U r d hero of our school. Holidays have started n I miss u so much. Yours truly Khambu Hi Ten, Is God unfair? Shall I not b able see ur smile once again? U knw it brightns my life. U hv so much power. Don’t take offence pls. Seven
Hari Om Sharma giving finishing touches to his refurbished auto-rickshaw
Dear Nikita, Sorry, mujhe nahi pata tha tum serious ho jaogi. Promise age se kabhi aisa nahi hoga. Thanks for ur cute solly. Amit
While the book is relatable and the language easy to understand, it’s not such an easy-breezy read and can get a bit heavy at times. But it’s a book not to be missed. Title: Cupidity Ping Me, Love Authors: Kiren Rai and Madhvi Ahuja Publisher: Om Books International Price: `195
photo: Manvender Vashist/PTI
Dear Purnima, I luv u so much. Really lucky to have gf like u. U r god gift to me. Sorry agr
mujse koi gallti ho gayi ho ya mane hurt kra ho apko. Apke value bohot hae mere liye. Luv u a lot. —Gaurav Khaneja Hello Akriti, Dear all the very best for your future. Hope you will get the best college. You are very precious to me and at any cost I don’t want to lose you. Will miss you a lot. From Anmol My dear wife Swati, U r going for a month long vacation to your native town. I will miss u a lot. It will be a long wait to hold u again in my arms. Ur hubby Amit
DISCLAIMER: Dil Se is a compilation of fun messages from our readers. The views expressed herein belong entirely to the senders and are not to be construed as an endorsement by the publication.
Anjuri Nayar Singh
entertainment
PHOTO: Supraket Meshram
‘Delhi has lost interest in theatre’ Says actor and theatre veteran Ratna Pathak Shah, unhappy with the transformation in the city’s play-loving audience Naina Arora n
naina.arora@hindustantimes.com
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elhi was our old haunt for theatre,” says actor Ratna Pathak Shah (above), who will take to the stage in a short story as part of Bhishmotsav — a play honouring legendary writer, playwright and actor, Bhisham Sahni — in the Capital and Gurgaon. Ratna says Delhiites are not interested in watching
theatre now. “There was a time we used to get called to Delhi to do shows. People in the city actually wanted to watch plays. Now, they aren’t interested. For the last ten years or so, we’ve not been performing in Delhi. Don’t know what’s happening. I haven’t been in touch with the city for long,” says the 59-year-old, who finds Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune best suited for theatre. As for her upcoming
The Capital had a wonderful audience once upon a time Ratna Pathak Shah, actor performance, Ratna says, “It’s a series of five different stories, and I’m part of one that’s about two old women who meet after many years. It’s a mood piece and a remarkable one without too
many words or description. You get a sense of their life, the trails and tribulations they may have faced.” Ask her if there is any transition an actor goes through while juggling films and theatre, and the actor says, “On the stage, there is a live audience while for films, the camera is your audience. Otherwise, there is no difference in preparation and presentation for an actor,” says Ratna.
Kapil has made peace with fame Yashika Mathur n
yashika.mathur@hindustantimes.com
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eing written about in tabloids almost every day can be tough for some celebs. Many often complain about their private space being invaded. But not Kapil Sharma. The actorcomedian has adjusted to being in the limelight now. “I used to react earlier to people writing about my personal life and not just sticking to my professional life, but then I realised that if people don’t write about us, then who will they write about? Now, if I read about myself, I don’t react to
anything,” says Sharma, whose love life and work have equally been in news. The actor became a household name with his TV show, Comedy Nights with Kapil, also featuring actors Kiku Sharda, Sunil Grover, Sumona Chakravarti, Ali Asgar and Navjot Singh Sidhu. After a dispute with
I realised that if people don’t write about us, who will they write about?
Kapil Sharma, actor
the TV channel that aired the show, Sharma, along with the cast, launched a new show on a different channel this April. He’s not only proud but also thankful to his co-stars who’ve been with him since the very start. “We’ve been working together for many years. When you work in a TV show, you tend to spend more time with your co-stars than your family. I’m grateful to all my co-stars that they love me and have faith in me. I look at my script only after ensuring that they have the right role and space. We’re nothing alone, and everything together,” says Sharma.