Wah ji Wah...the city beautiful

Mehak joins as a columnist
for 'My Chandigarh'

My  first day in Chandigarh. It was my first day at work too. Around 5 in the evening I decided to take a walk. From Sector 32D I walked to the market of Sector 32C. I have mentioned the exact names of the sectors because my city Jalandhar never preferred numbers instead  names of various martyrs, leaders, gods and goddesses is preferred to name all the locations. 

Here, in Chandigarh, the more I walked the more my smile brightened. liberty and independence flowed in the air. I used GPS and found out that sector 34 was nearby. My watch told me I had plenty of time to walk and have fun. I decided to take a longer walk. I did not know that this would become ‘a walk to remember’.

To explore this new city was equally exciting as exploring my newly earned freedom was. Although there was a little fear of being all alone in this unknown city but when  I took a few more steps, the city wide opened its arms and accepted me with warmth. Friendly  people, helped me with directions. I love this city!

Walking past the landmark hospital and then Rajasthan Bhavan I reached a place that left me awestruck. It was the Sector 34C market. A big glow-sign board on a corner shop greeted me with 'Wah Ji Wah’ (that was the name of a restaurant) and I exclaimed “Wah Ji Wah!!”

There were shops of all kinds. As I walked past the furniture shops, another block had all the crowd out for the evening snacks. Golgappas, Chowmein, Pizza, and whole lot of tidbits. But the 'Polka' caught my attention...a huge pastry shop. A sheer treat for my eyes and my taste-buds.
There were rows of small shops with tempting displays of winter wears, casuals, shoes, cosmetics, and what not.  May be next time. 

As I stood  in the middle of the road, I caught the moment when the darkness of night   had just overlapped the dusk; it was a sight! Even this city’s sky appeared new to me like never seen before.  May be because I could hold my head high to see it without any fear.

My watch told me it was 7 pm and brain said “time to go home”. 

- Mehak Chauhan

Haryanvi Folk Theatre Festival till 20th

The six-day Haryanvi folk theatre festival is regailing the city's theatre lovers presenting the vignettes of Haryana's vanishing folk theatre, 'Saang'.
From 15th January, Saang Utsav organised by the Haryana Cultural Affairs Department at Tagore Theatre, is on till 20th January.
Till Sunday, 'Jaani Chor', 'Chhabili Bhatiyan', 'Harishchander', 'Shashikala Sukhbir' and 'Maya Devi' have been held.
On Monday, 20th January, 'Dharuv Bhagat' directed by Sanjay Malik shall be performed.

'Swaang' has a long history and from centuries ago the theatrical performances dominated various parts of northern region including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh. On an open platform without any backdrops or props, the stage is set with the folk singers singing paens to the goddess of knowledge, Bhawani.  In olden times, the village chaupal was the place for everyone to congregate, to watch the performance.
During my short stint in Haryana Government in 70s, swaang was a powerful medium to spread the message to the masses, especially in the rural areas, which has a mix of dialogues, mimcry, songs, and dance to the live music. And I was surprised to see that it is a male-dominant folk theatre, in which even the role of female characters are performed by male artists.

Ay re bhawani baas kar maira ghat ka parda khol
Rasna par basa kara bhai shudh shabd much bol
 Goddess Bhawani, open the doors of knowledge to me.
Live on my tongue so that all I speak is pure.)

The entire performance is punctuated with music, mimicry and comedy, with actors, at times, interacting with the audience, and responding with typical Haryanvi wit. It is a treat to watch the 'Swaang'.

ik dhundh se aana hai...ik dhundh mein jaana hai

Fog in Chandigarh is a great attraction for many; while many fume when the flights and trains get cancelled...obviously. These days there are quite a few.  Nevertheless, it is the time when you can wrap yourself in overcoats, mufflers, and sit down anywhere in Sector 17 plaza, sip a cup of coffee, and enjoy the the life go by.

Picture Courtesy: http://www.freevisuals4u.com

Another Five Star Feather in Chandigarh's Cap

Photo Courtesy: http://www.freevisuals4u.com

The much-awaited five-star property, The Lalit, opened last week in Chandigarh.  After Taj Chandigarh, JW Marriott and Hotel Mountview, this is the fourth entrant but with much bigger offerings, more space, bigger banquet, more rooms, to talk about.  

With 179 rooms, The Lalit shines on the backdrop of the Shivalik hill range in Rajiv Gandhi Technology Park.  Though it does augur well for the CEI (conferences, exhibition and incentives) segment, it may have hard time bringing in more tourists especially with large existing capacity in five-star segment in the city.  

This may be a challenge but the tourist inflow is expected to grow in the city especially with a large number of events on sports, literature, art and culture events happening in the city. And for the time being, as is the city resident's wont, all roads lead to The Lalit to taste the cuisines in its well appointed restaurants.