THIS WEEK IN OMAN
MASTER THE FOOTWORK
TELL A FRIEND, ‘LET’S GO’
EXPLORE THE LATINO FLAVOURS
Age is not a bar for those who want to learn kathak, the Indian classical dance form. It is also an ideal fitness regime. PAGE 10
How do you say, ‘let’s go’ in Arabic? Do you say ‘Entesh’ or you say ‘Enrooh’, or something else? Find out before calling your friend. PAGE 12
For those who want to push their love for tacos, burritos, and slow cooked lamb to another level, visit Rumba Lattina for a hearty treat. PAGE 14
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Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com felicia@timesofoman.com
Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash shruthi@timesofoman.com
ashishdubash@timesofoman.com
Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair
salim@timesofoman.com
Digital Editor gautam@timesofoman.com Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphics Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Geri B. Sonny Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham
richard@timesofoman.com
Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Photography by Shabin E. Design by Geri B. Sonny For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 235/160 felicia@timesofoman.com
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THE WEEKEND LINEUP
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What are you doing this weekend? Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly
THURSDAY 9am The Big Show Go for the The BIG Show (Builders International Gathering), an international exhibition held in Oman that caters to the building and construction industry. Learn about the industry, market, and prospects. Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre +968 2466 0116 info@thebigshow-oman.com
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FRIDAY 2pm Splash Colours Celebrate the festival of colours in Oman with music, dance, food, and of course loads of colours. You’ll also get to witness or be part of rain dance and fire dance at a beautiful beach side venue. Al Bustan – a Ritz Carlton Hotel +968 9779 8111
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SATURDAY 7.30pm An Evening with The Opera A fresh take on the history of opera with a combination of music and performance, titled ‘The Opera’ is going to be held on March 16, 18, and 19. Royal Opera House Muscat +968 2440 3300 Rohmuscat.org
2pm Laugh and Groove Famous comedian Gil Morales will entertain the crowd first with his stand up act, followed by DJ Alex B, DJ Nass, and DJ Henry spinning their sets to woo the crowd. Park Inn +968 9338 8323
Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend
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THE WORLD OF WEB MIGHT BE COMPLEX, BUT IT HAS CERTAINLY BECOME AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR LIVES. ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, AN AVERAGE ADULT SPENDS MORE THAN 20 HOURS PER WEEK ONLINE. SO IT IS FAIR TO GIVE THE VIRTUAL UNIVERSE ITS FAIR SHARE OF SPACE HERE.
TR EN DI NG
THIS WEEK IN CASE
YO U M I S S E D I T
GAME OF THRONES: The official poster for Season 7 has been making headlines for quite some time. Now they have released an official clip. Certainly not to be missed. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
NINTENDO SWITCH GAME: Witnessed a painful launch full of errors and complaints from day one. timesofoman.com/hiweekend TOP TRENDING VIDEOS: A hilarious clipping of children interrupting a BBC News live broadcast. Go watch the video on our webpage timesofoman.com/hiweekend to find out why it’s trending and which are the other popular videos that are trending this week.
#popularhashtag #IAmNewIndia #ArabsGotTalent #Gordon
THE BRUNO DANCE: One of the best things about Bruno Mars is his dance moves, and his new video ‘That’s What I Like’ is here to prove it. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
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TRENDING MUSIC BEAUTY’S OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK The new Disney flick will be showing in the theatres this Thursday and it’s a great time to give the soundtrack a listen, as they released a couple of singles that are currently trending worldwide. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING MOVIE KING KONG HITS THEATRES After a huge anticipation, Kong: Skull Island is finally here to give you an ultimate island adventure, with a bit of scary monsters and a lot of action. The reboot marks King Kong’s return to the big screen since 2005. A must-watch for monster lovers. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING FASHION CHANEL PUTS ON A SHOW Sit back and relax as Chanel takes you on a journey to outer space with their latest ready-to-wear Autumn/Winter 2017 fashion show. The brand had an extravagant intergalactic-themed show, displaying its latest for the season. There was a massive rocket installation, too. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
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SPIN TO K AT H A K STORY SHRUTHI NAIR
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ew years back, I was invited to the Al Bustan Palace Hotel to attend a fiesta of Indian classical dance titled, Bandhan. No qualms in admitting, I have never been a great fan of watching recitals of traditional Indian dance forms and I could never see the beauty of it until that day when I had to walk inside the auditorium, albeit half-heartedly, as my friend’s daughter was performing and I could not break her heart. I entered the hall sporting a fake smile on my face to watch the kathak extravaganza knowing for sure for that the next few hours would be sheer boredom for me. But to my surprise within few minutes of the programme I was transported to a different world as I was bowled over by the wonderfully choreographed performance. Kathak is one of the seven Indian classical dance forms that originated from North India and it beautifully combines delicate hand gestures, intricate footwork, chakkars (spin), and subtle expressions to produce a rich form of art. For Jhumpa Chakraborty, a renowned kathak dancer and teacher based in Muscat, the love for this dance form was since childhood when she got herself enrolled in a dance class at the age of 5. Since in those times, unlike now, there weren’t too many options in terms of forms to choose from, she started learning kathak from her first master Deepali Sanyal. With time her love and devotion for the dance increased manifold and she realised that kathak was the dance form that she preferred over any of the other dances her friends or relatives were learning. “I, as a classical dancer, feel that it is like a grammar of language. If you know the grammar you can construct the language. Similarly if you know classical dance then you can use the techniques to improvise.” She continued learning kathak and got the opportunity to get training from the maestros and pioneers of kathak like Pandit Birju Maharaj and Munna Lal Shukla. Even after she got married and was brought miles away from her home, she made sure that it wasn’t the end to her journey. “After coming to Muscat, I thought of passing on the tradition to the next generation as that’s the only way it stays alive,”said Jhumpa. She started her own kathak class in Oman in 1996 and today, 21 years later, her class has just expanded and grown with more students belonging to different nationalities, more batches, and better opportunities. However, in order to understand the art form, it is important to know the history of kathak. The term kathak has been
derived from “kathakars”, who were Brahman storytellers back in the 11th century. These wandering storytellers would go from one place to another narrating and performing their stories from ancient Hindu mythology to the people they met on their jaunts. However, as the Mughal empire took over India, the kathakars were forbidden from going place to place narrating their stories. But the art was kept alive as the kathakars were now brought to the courts in order to please the Mughals and the noble men. The Mughals also brought with them female Persian dancers who were taught this dance form and were expected to perform in the courts, thus evolving from being a temple dance to a court dance. Once the Mughal empire started declining, the dance form too started dwindling and the dancers had no where to go. So the Nawabs decided to support them and let them thrive. However, the dance was transferred to courtesans who weren’t considered ideal members of the society. When the last Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah was deported to Bengal, he was a lover of the dance form, took it there along with him, which is when the dance form started being performed on the stage in front of a public audience. Today kathak is found in three distinct forms — Lucknow gharana, the one that is taught by Jhumpa, which includes graceful expressions and gestures and are all about adaa (grace) and nazakat (elegance), Jaipur gharana which has strong and fast foot and hand work, and the Banaras gharana, which amalgamates the two and is currently dying. There are a number of reasons why this dance form might fit perfectly in your to-do list. It is perhaps the most beautiful and graceful form of dance. Since the movements require a lot of focus and concentration, it ends up improving especially if you start at a young age. Since kathak is about narrating a story without props, it uses a lot of imagination, forcing to think creatively. And of course, like any other dance form, it gives you a full body exercise, keeping you fit, improving flexibility, and releasing endorphins that keep you happy, and stress free. It also improves blood circulation throughout the body. And the best thing is that age is just a number when it comes to learning this dance form. Jhumpa has a student who is 57 years old and is learning and inspiring her fellow classmates. —shruthi@timesofoman.com To learn Kathak from Jhumpa Chakraborty Call +968 9937 3041 Sunday to Thursday, one hour from 4pm to 7pm (in batches)
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OMANI SLANG Interspersed with the Arabic conversations overheard throughout the capital city, even native Arabic speakers might be surprised to hear some unfamiliar words. Though Arabic is the official language in the Sultanate, there are all kinds of words and phrases that are purely local. Here’s your monthly primer from Omani Hi editor, Salim Al Afifi. — hiweekend@timesofoman.com ILLUSTRATION WINIE ARIANY
D I F F E R E NT WO R DS FO R “ L E T ’ S G O”
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EDITOR’S LUNCH
RUMBA LATTINA
Location Rumba Lattina The Cave Darsait Call +968 2465 1051 rumbalattina.com
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From fajitas and burritos to tacos and tortillas, if your palate is yearning for some Latin-American cuisine, Rumba Lattina, nestled in the gorgeous location at The Cave, is the place to be. The aesthetically done interiors, the tranquil views outside, and the eclectic range of delicacies on the menu list — you are sure to be smitten by all. STORY HI TEAM • PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI
MOCKTAILS Guacamaya A Jamaican tea, with mango juice, kiwi juice, and a sweet syrup gives this juice a sweet and tangy flavour and is a refreshing start to a hearty meal. OMR 2.5 Pina Colada A white drink in a creepy and very interesting looking green glass, which has the face of a Mexican figure on it, is the ever popular Pina Colada. With a dominant coconut taste with hints of pineapple and simple syrup, this drink is a real treat before you jump on to the mains. OMR 2.5
STARTERS Coconut Prawns Deep fried prawns with coconut crust and served with pina colada dipping sauce was delicious. It had a sweet flavour due to the coconut and the prawns were very crunchy and blended well with the sauce. OMR 5.2
MAINS Pollo En Mole Grilled chicken breasts, served with Mexican chocolate sauce, white rice, house salad, and grilled corn. Yes, you all read it right — chocolate sauce on chicken. Again on a sweeter side but it tasted really good with perfectly grilled chicken and the grilled corn complemented the dish. OMR 8.2 Pollo Chifa This is stir fried chicken with mashed sweet potatoes, Chifa sauce and served with white rice. Chifa sauce is a Peruvian sauce and a tad on the sweeter side with soya, oyster, honey, and pomegranate. The sweet and tangy flavours of the sauce and the crunchiness of the chicken made the taste perfect. If you have a sweet tooth you will love this dish. OMR 7.8 Cordero For those who need a meaty escapade, try the Argentinean menu. Cordero is lamb racks grilled to medium rare as requested, and served with crispy fries, garden fresh salad, and a sauce of your choice. Guacamolada is a preferred choice, as you can never go wrong with avocados. The creamy sauce adds a spark to the grills which is bursting of flavours. OMR11.9 Omani Cordero This dish is similar to the previous lamb racks, with the addition of an in-house special sauce made with cardamom and dates, and served with sautéed vegetables, dates, and olives. The sauce is the star of the show. The sweetness mixed with a bit of sourness gives the dish quite an Omani touch. OMR 10.5 Chimichanga/Burritos The only Mexican dish you should never miss are the chimichangas. Amongst the various reasons behind liking the dish, one of the most important reason is the fact that it is filling. If you are one who likes a wholesome meal and not little nibbles go for this. Made of flour tortilla and filled with chicken, vegetables, rice, beans, guacamole, and cheese this roll is laid out on a rich Mexican sauce. Certainly something that you wouldn’t want to miss. The only difference between the burrito and chimichanga is that the latter is deep fried. OMR 7.9 —HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
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Fro mt gri tty he un der str of a gro eet rt , u s a dis cip n art of Lo nd sh ado line ndo tha and t , n co ws o the perha an art inspi res mes a f Pari ps k tha art s to fre uni of m tw eep e the ill i dom que you ove n r ja trig me and form nt, wd ue tea is i y r che o o ppe ur nt s sen ow d . Par n. s kou es, r, Sto ry S alim
Al A fifi • Ph oto gra phy Sha bin E.
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y first time seeing men in action was in a 2005 Madonna’s video titled ‘Jump’, which had Parkour master Sébastien Foucan getting down with the art, performing his incredible stunts on the streets and on rooftops of the busy city of Tokyo. It was intriguing to see them practise their freestyle workout moves. For those who have not heard of Parkour, this freestyle movement involves physical activities like climbing, jumping, vaulting, and swinging to get past obstacles. It is athletic and this inventive strength discipline is nothing short of a blown out full-body workout that’s accompanied with good times and immense fun. In case you haven’t heard of it, Parkour (also called free running) is a form of improvised outdoor gymnastics that requires no equipment but sport shoes and a massive amount of confidence, and those practising the art are informally called traceurs or clans. Climbing walls, swinging from metal bars, vaulting over cars and staircases, and gliding under benches in rapid and accurate moves are some of the few things that set this sport apart. While this sport gives you the chance to witness extreme acts of daredevilry, here in Oman we have our very own traceur, a 20-year-old Saeid Al Farisi who will woo you with his stunts but keeping the norms of safety in mind. Saeid who hails from the Wilayat of Quriyat, started practising the art from the age of eight. A self-taught jumper who got inspired by watching Parkour masters do the stunts on television he was keen to establish this cultural sport here in the Sultanate and met other jumpers in due course. Saeid and his friends, who were interested to learn Parkour, didn’t have any facilities to learn the art as it was a new sport and there weren’t any clubs or designated areas to practise. This motivated Saeid to initiate the art here and to start he formed a group with people from all walks of life interested in mastering the freestyle movement. Saeid started a team in Quriyat, where they practice on rooftops, hills, and farms of the wilayat but with caution. “Parkour is a dangerous sport if not done with care ensuring the safety measures. You need to be physically and mentally ready for taking risks and challenges,” said Saeid adding that “the adrenaline rush is unbelievable”.
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The earliest form of Parkour originated in small towns of the French capital of Paris, where a group of youngsters crystallised, nurtured, and developed a new sport that blended art with discipline, called l’Art du Deplacement in the 80s based on parcours du combattant (an obstacle course) created by Raymond Belle. In its heart lies the names of Yann Hnautra and David Belle, who were involved in creating the moves and forming the art. They are regarded by the Parkour community as the originators. They teamed up under the name of “Yamakasi” which means ‘strong man, strong spirit’ and were viewed as rebels and wild beings by the public, and loathed by the French police. This art of movement came into limelight with an award winning documentary in 2003 and became a widely known emerging discipline with clubs, communities, and competitions scattered around the globe, dedicating a place to hone traceurs and their skills. It evolved from an underground, low-key fitness to a cultural phenomenon that was celebrated and practised passionately by people of all ages. Here in Oman while Saeid has made his mark in town, and placed an imprint in the hearts of his 32,000 Instagram followers he feels he has a long way to go. “I feel that the society supports me all the way, especially on social media and their encouragement is priceless,” said Saeid adding that, “In return I feed them with countless videos of me performing around the country”. Saeid does his stunts mostly in public places such as parks, with his favourite spot being Ruwi clock tower, as well as desert dunes, hilly areas, mountains, beaches, and small rooftops. But how do these wall climbers and jumpers master this skill? Parkour requires stamina and a lot of strength, along with a consistent workout regimen. According to Saeid, the best way to start practising for the sport is by creating
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obstacle course in an environment that’s safe and comfortable. It could be a public park, a local gym, or even in the backyard of your house. Stack big bags of rice or flour in various places and start vaulting over them, or you can hit the beach and find great spots with soft sands. After getting the hang of it, elevate your workout style and opt for more advanced routines such as pull-ups, push-ups, box jumps, and bench vaults among other things. With an extra dose of nerve, witness yourself soar towards becoming a professional jumper. Ensuring a proper stretching session before any workout is vital to avoid any joint pain and other damages. “I got hurt a few times. I still suffer from a shoulder pain, but I don’t give up. I continue to chase my dream of becoming a professional Parkour practitioner,” said Saeid. The best part of being in Parkour is the ability to jump rooftops from building to another, but according to Saeid, it is a struggle to do such stunts here as buildings are not as close to one another as in other countries, besides, it may not be allowed in Muscat keeping in mind the safety regulations. So most of his stunts are done on the ground. Popular moves include flipping backwards, jumping over things, vaulting, cat leaps, and swinging. The culture is evolving and expanding in Oman, with more than 30 people rooting for and aspiring to join the discipline, as Saeid continues to meet and network with other Parkour fanatics around the Sultanate in hopes to establish their own club. He’s ambition is to participate in Kuwait’s Annual Parkour competition and soar higher towards his goal. Till then, we wish him the best of luck and success in the world of freerunners. Take a look at his Instagram (@steve_parkour1) and prepare for jaw-dropping moments. —salim@timesofoman.com
For more information Call +968 9584 0127
fer f su ’t l l ti don s I s. ut I my al e tim in, b ase sion ew r pa o ch fes f rt a ulde nue t a pro u t h sho nti ing r o I g m a . I co com one fro e up f be ctiti giv am or pra drerkou Pa
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Grand finale of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Social Club, Malayalam Wing was held at Grand Millennium Muscat. — Photos: Purushothaman K.
IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY
Maserati GranTurismo ‘Special Edition’ and Maserati Levante Ermenegildo Zegna debut at Geneva International Motor Show.
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Annual International Day at TAISM.
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Indian School Muscat held the graduation ceremony to honour the outgoing batch of Grade XII students in the school’s multipurpose hall.
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SUDOKU
HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.
Level | Easy
2
1 8
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4 2 9
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7 1
1 4
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Level | Moderate
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5 1
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Level | Difficult
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5 9
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PLAY AND WIN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION OF OUR SODOKU POST ON FACEBOOK.COM/ HIWEEKLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN VOUCHERS FROM PIZZA MUSCAT. SOLUTIONS & WINNERS POSTED EVERY SUNDAY.