Legendary artist S Ali Imam occupies permanent ‘seat’ at PNCA

Legendary artist S Ali Imam occupies permanent ‘seat’ at PNCA ISLAMABAD:

The National Art Gallery of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) has displayed the work of legendary painter, mystic and visionary S Ali Imam in permanent collections to acknowledge the services of the artist. The collection was displayed to remember the artist through a special display of paintings and photographs on his 10th death anniversary with the title ‘Lost in the Wilderness’ while the permanent display serves art lovers with the title ‘The Visionary; S Ali Imam’.

The special display recognises Ali Imam’s gigantic contribution as a painter, visionary and mentor belonging to the first generation of Pakistan’s artists and a great art promoter. Around 60 pieces of art have been exhibited with a focus on images that explore his sensitive and defused style of painting on subjects that were mostly figures and horses.

A keen historian and collector of antiquities, until his death, Imam was in demand throughout the country as a lecturer of diverse art-related issues. His sole aim was to promote, create public awareness and educate art collectors. The collection of paintings and photo reproduction on Imam’s life and work has been presented from the national collection.

S Ali Imam has tremendous contribution in the sphere of visual arts as painter, critic, historian and mentor, said an official of PNCA. Ali Imam spent some years in London. Returning to Pakistan in 1967, he became a key figure in art circles. For four years Imam was the principal of the Central Institute of Arts and Crafts until 1971, when he set up the Indus Gallery and a new chapter of art began in Karachi.

Imam set the standards of future art galleries in the country. Art critics and artists remember him as a legendary painter, art connoisseur, art critic and teacher, who touched the lives of several people through his art. Imam ruled the world of art for over five decades and served as an institution with amazing dimensions, which nourished and enriched the art movement in Pakistan.

Ali Imam was born in Narsinghpur, India, in 1924, and began painting in 1941 when he joined the evening classes of the Nagpur School of Art. Over a period of time, Ali Imam became an important art educationist in Karachi. He was the architect of the modern curriculum of The Central Institute of Arts and Crafts. From 1970 until 2002, he was running the Indus Gallery in Karachi where many notable artists have held their first shows. He was awarded with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and the Pride of Performance. 1

International children's culture and art festival held in TJ

Opening ceremony of the art festival[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Performance in the opening ceremony[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The opening ceremony of 2012 Tianjin International Children's Culture and Art Festival was held on July 29 in the Tianjin Great Hall. The festival will last until Aug 3.
The festival, themed "Peace, Friendship and Future", is characterized by the concept of "Children of the world being happy together". This gala for children all over the world has attracted art troupes from 55 different countries and regions overseas, as well as 38 domestic troupes, with the number of participants totaling over 2,000.
In the opening ceremony, Tianjin Cathay Future Children's Art Troupe presented the dance "Earth's Children". The young dancers wearing the national flags of each participant country were like beautiful butterflies, spreading friendship and positive hopes among flowers, symbolizing a wonderful world.

The Kitakyushu Academy Boys and Girls Chorus from Japan has come to the festival twice. This time, they specially performed a Chinese song, "All Sing One Song," to express wishes of peace and friendship around the whole world.

Moreover, children from the earthquake-stricken area in Qinghai province also gave a brilliant performance called "Good Luck" to send their gratitude and blessings toward the people who once helped them.

A folk dance titled "Kalinka" presented by a Russian dance group brought the gala to a climax. It is said that this dance group has performed in prestigious places like the Kremlin Grand Theater and the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.
According to the report, this year's festival is the largest yet, with the most art troupes worldwide, and the most extensive preparation.
Apart from the opening ceremony, various parties, a tour around the city of Tianjin, a competition of climbing the Great Wall, some forums are also scheduled to enhance communication among children from different countries.

No porn films for a year: Sunny Leone

As an adult movie star entering Bollywood, actor Sunny Leone seems to be bringing into Bollywood not only bolder content, but also an unbridled honesty. She may prefer to call herself an adult movie star over a porn star, but states right at the onset that she has no illusions about why she was chosen in the first place. “I am who I am. know the images people conjure of me as an adult actor, but I am not ashamed of anything I do or did. Though I do hope thatafter Pooja Bhatt’s Jism 2, they associate me more with Bollywood than just adult movies,” she says.

Considering her debut in Bollywood is an erotic thriller, was it difficult for her to stop it from bordering on pornography? “You don’t ever stop acting, whether it’s an adult movie or a Bollywood film, and so it’s easy to keep a check of where it’s all going. And trust me with an entire crew around, there’s no ‘getting caught in the moment’ happening,” she says. The actor may have been offered the film on a platter, but Sunny reveals that she is well prepared that not every film will come to her that easy, moreso if they happen to be performance-oriented. “It might take filmmakers and the audience time to accept me beyond the erotic genre, but I am willing to wait,” she adds.

Now that she’s gaining a reputation as a Bollywood actor, will she give up her films in the West that made her a popular ‘online’ name? “Well, I am going to be busy in Bollywood for one year atleast, so till then I’m not shooting any films out there, but yes, my banner will continue to make films. I am not starring in them though,” shares the actor. But won’t the association limit her to the sex genre here? “I am doing Bollywood as it fascinates me, not to prove anything to anyone, so I will take my pick of what I am offered. There’s no pressure on me, but I do want to make myself proud,” says Sunny. “The adult movie star tag is not easy to get rid off, but that’s not the aim anyway. The aim is to do good work and get appreciated for it."

She’s already working on her second film post Jism 2 and says, “Mumbai is my second home. I may buy a house here, but it’s too early to shift with bag and baggage. I just can’t pack up and leave.” As for the biggest difference the actor feels between her films there and now here...“It’s nice to know that you will have a family audience here. I’ve never had that before,” she smiles.

Bollywood superstar attacks India’s hushed-up social scandals

Aamir Khan uses TV show to battle injustice

MUMBAI — Over the last decade Aamir Khan has saved villagers from an oppressive tax, led a movement against corruption, educated parents about learning disabilities and fought India’s flawed education system.
But that was all in the movies.
Khan, one of India’s biggest Bollywood stars, is now taking on real-life crusades.
In a country where television is populated with scheming mother-in-laws, coy brides and mountains of melodrama, Khan has used a prime-time talk show to tackle gritty social issues that most Indians are not used to talking about.
From the stigma that dogs millions of Indians of the former “untouchable” caste, many of whom are forced to eke out livings in menial jobs, to the sexual abuse of children, Khan’s show has got Indian tongues wagging.
For the last 13 weeks the 47-year-old Khan has produced and hosted “Satyamev Jayate” (truth always prevails), which has caught the eye of some of India’s most powerful politicians, but also attracted criticism of sensationalising sensitive issues.
After one show focused on the illegal practice of manual scavenging, Khan met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss how the government could tackle the degrading practice.
More than a million Indians are estimated to be involved in manual scavenging, which sees them removing animal or human excreta using brooms, tin plates and baskets from dry latrines and carrying it to disposal grounds.
After another show, the chief minister of the northern state of Rajasthan promised a special court to fast track trials related to female foeticide, an illegal but widespread practice.
“I don’t think I fancy myself as some good Samaritan,” Khan said.
“I have tried to use my skill sets to the best of my abilities. Reaching out and telling people stories, tugging at your heartstrings, that’s where my skill-sets lie”, he said. “We are combining journalism with good story-telling.”
The show is broadcast simultaneously across nine channels on the Rupert Murdoch-owned Star India Network, as well as on the state-run Doordarshan channel.
In the last episode of season one, which aired on Sunday, Khan touched on religious riots in the western state of Gujarat in which hundreds of people were slaughtered in 2002, an issue that is still hugely sensitive in India.
“The attempt is to look inward. The attempt is to see what am I doing wrong? What can I do better? What can I learn about this issue which I don’t know already?” Khan said.
Khan’s show has become popular with everyday Indians, claiming to reach around 800 million people, in a country of 1.2 billion. The show also has 1.4 million likes registered on its Facebook page and around 69,000 followers on Twitter.
But there has been criticism of Khan and his show.
S. Anand, a journalist who also runs a publishing house that focuses on caste issues, wrote a scathing article in Outlook magazine, accusing Khan’s handling of caste issues as being “manipulative and fake.”
Media observers say Khan has benefited hugely from his great public relations skills.
“He has a certain image that he would like to project through his movies and television — that of an intelligent Bollywood actor who cares and wants to do something for the country,” media columnist Sevanti Ninan said. “He’s not just a star. He’s also clever about his PR.”
During shows, Khan often wipes away tears as his guests tell their emotional stories and hugs them as they leave the stage.
But this is not the first time Khan has spoken about social issues. Last year, he appeared on a stage with India’s most famous anti-corruption campaigner, Anna Hazare, who has pressured the government over a series of scandals.

Sunny Leone demands medical certificate

Sunny Leone bares her back for Jism 2 new poster.

Adult film star Sunny Leone wanted to take no risks for her Bollywood debut, Jism 2.  The actor apparently asked the film’s director Pooja Bhatt for the medical certificates of her co-stars Randeep Hooda and Arunoday Singh, as she was to shoot intimate scenes with them. In the email that she sent to Bhatt, she also enclosed her own medical certificate. “She wanted to make sure that her co-stars did not have a sexually contagious disease. However, Bhatt told her that she wouldn’t have to shoot the kind of sequences she does in her industry,” says a source. Sunny agreed and Bhatt didn’t have to show her the certificates. While the actor has not commented on the matter, she dismisses reports that she was shy of lovemaking scenes. “I am not shy at all. The love scenes in movies are like a choreographed dance. In Bollywood, the camera movement, actors’ placement, lights etc have to work in tandem. But in my world, you simply press the record button and capture the moments.”

Bollywood director aims to expose Sydney's more ticklish underbelly

Need for song and dance ... Prateek Chakravorty, left in this promotional picture, has fond memories of his student days in Sydney saying the racial violence ''was about people being in the wrong place at the wrong time''.

IN 2009, Prateek Chakravorty was shocked by reports of racist violence against Indian students in Australia. As a former UTS student, the budding Indian filmmaker thought the hysteria in his homeland was unwarranted.
Australia is perfectly safe for Indian students, he thought. And so instead of reaching for a placard, he reached for his camera and hit back in true Bollywood style, with song, dance and feel-good romance.
''This film is about the perspective of an Indian student going overseas,'' says Chakravorty of From Sydney With Love, the feature film he wrote, directed and stars in.
''It's an Indian family comedy based in Sydney. I studied at UTS, and for me the experience was very good, so I made a film about it. What happened with the violence was about people being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was blown out of all proportion.''

After China, India sends the most students to Australia. But recently, reports the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of Indian student visa applications has halved, from more than 60,000 in 2008-09 to less than 30,000 in 2010-11.
Chakravorty hopes to help those figures rebound.
From Sydney With Love is a comedy about Meghaa Banerjee, who travels from West Bengal to UNSW after winning a scholarship. After a sheltered upbringing in a small town, she has her eyes opened by Australia, and by some new Indian friends.
Seventy per cent of the film was shot in Australia. Locations include Bondi Beach and UNSW, where From Sydney With Love has its world premiere tonight. It will then be released on nearly 900 screens in India, says Chakravorty. In contrast, Australian comedy Not Suitable For Children recently opened on 42 screens. ''It is quite a big budget movie by Bollywood standards,'' Chakravorty says.
Bollywood, which produces 800 films per year, is twice the size of Hollywood. Each day, 14 million Indians go to the movies.

50 years on, Marilyn's star power shines bright

Only 11 years after her death, Elton John sang his ode to Marilyn Monroe. "And I would have liked to have known you, but I was just a kid," went the lyrics. "Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did."


What John didn't know was how much truer his words would ring a few decades later.
Monroe passed away a half-century ago this Sunday, a murky death that remains one of Hollywood's most tantalizing mysteries. But look around: Her legend lives on, more vibrantly than ever. In a development this fiercely ambitious actress surely would have appreciated, the 1950's bombshell has become a 21st-century pop culture phenomenon.
Just flip through a celebrity magazine: Some of-the-moment young starlet or pop singer will be channeling (or outright appropriating) those platinum locks, the bright red lips, moist and slightly parted, and that joyously, almost defiantly curvy figure, sheathed in something skin-tight and glamorous.
Was that Marilyn on the red carpet at last year's Teen Choice Awards? No, it was Taylor Swift, wearing a white halter-style dress just like Marilyn's in 'The Seven Year Itch', in which the actress stood atop a subway grate and let the breeze of a passing train lift her skirts. (Oh, and that dress? It sold at auction last year for a mind-boggling $5.6 million, including commission.)
Was that Marilyn in the Dolce & Gabbana ad a while back? No, it was Scarlett Johansson, all white-blonde hair and ruby lips. And there was Charlize Theron in a Dior ad last year, meeting up with the real Marilyn, not to mention Marlene Dietrich and Grace Kelly, via CGI. Magazine spreads have featured Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, Rihanna, Michelle Williams, Viola Davis and others having their Marilyn moment.
Madonna, of course, has famously appropriated Monroe's look into her image. So have singers Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani. In June, on what would have been Marilyn's 86th birthday, Lady Gaga tweeted "Happy Birthday Marilyn -- They'll never take our blonde hair and lipstick," along with a picture of herself, Monroe-like. Nicki Minaj says she's "obsessed with Marilyn Monroe."
On the big screen, actress Williams earned an Oscar nomination for her moving portrayal of Monroe in 'My Week With Marilyn'. And one of TV's most popular new shows is 'Smash' on NBC, which follows a Broadway musical based on Marilyn's life, with two actresses competing to play her.
Heck, there's even been a giant Marilyn traversing the country: A 26-foot-tall, 34,000-pound statue of the actress, white dress billowing and undies showing, by artist Seward Johnson, now resting in Palm Springs, Calif.
And there are plans for much more -- thanks to the purchase in late 2010 of Monroe's estate, which includes among other things her name and image -- by Authentic Brands Group and its partner, NECA. The company's CEO, Jamie Salter, says he aims to upgrade the Marilyn brand by moving away from cheap souvenirs and developing Marilyn-themed cosmetic lines, spas and salons, sportswear, swimwear, footwear, handbags and more. There are even plans for -- wait for it -- the inevitable Marilyn Monroe reality show, in which young women would compete to become a new Hollywood icon.
But just what is the secret of Marilyn's enduring appeal? It depends on whom you ask -- and that's fitting, really, because Marilyn, more than other iconic celebrities, was different things to different people.
There was, most simply, Marilyn the actress -- a Marilyn that often got lost in all the hype, despite her desperate aspirations to be taken seriously. Film historian Leonard Maltin laments that many people know Marilyn "as an image and an icon," but not as an actress.
Monroe showed off her dramatic chops in 'The Misfits', for example, and 'Bus Stop'. But she is probably best remembered for her delightful comic turns in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' as the gold-digging Lorelei Lee who sang "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" in that classic pink gown; as the sensuous but ditzy Girl in 'The Seven Year Itch'; and as sexy band singer Sugar Kane in 'Some Like it Hot'.
"Marilyn just leaps off the screen," says Maltin. "She has a luminosity that transcends everything else."
Still, an entire younger generation is enamored of her for something completely different, says Brandon Holley, editor in chief of Lucky magazine, which draws women in their 20s and 30s.
"I think most women under 40 haven't seen her movies," Holley says. "For them, she's a style type -- the ultimate hourglass figure. And a lot of women identify with that."
Christopher Nickens agrees. "Marilyn was the epitome of a certain kind of feminine ideal," says the co-author of the recently released 'Marilyn in Fashion', a rare look at Monroe's influence in that field. Her key fashion legacy, he says, was to bring body-conscious clothes into everyday life, with elegance.
Though she wasn't seen as a fashion icon during her lifetime, Nickens thinks Marilyn shared something with other style icons like Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn. "They didn't follow trends," he says. "It's about knowing yourself and what works for you, and having that confidence."
Confidence isn't necessarily something one associates with Monroe, of course. In that Elton John song, "Candle in the Wind," she's a beautiful innocent victimized by a terrible Hollywood machine -- people who "whispered into your brain" and "set you on the treadmill" and "made you change your name."
That falls into a familiar victim narrative about Monroe, who was indeed victimized as a young girl, according to multiple biographers. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, she spent much of her childhood in foster homes, and there are allegations she suffered sexual abuse.
But a victim of Hollywood? Monroe's latest biographer, Lois Banner, begs to differ. She says Monroe the movie star "was a constructed image" -- one the actress herself worked very hard to invent, from the dyed hair (Norma Jeane was a brunette), to the makeup, that breathy voice, and the famous "wiggle walk."
And her dumb blonde screen image? Nothing like her, says Banner, a professor of history and gender studies at the University of Southern California. "She was extremely intelligent."
But why has Marilyn's appeal only gotten stronger? "First of all, she died very young," says Banner, freezing her image for eternity. But another reason is the existence of thousands of photographs of Marilyn, bursting with life. "She's conceivably the most photographed person of the 20th century," says Banner. The author's third reason is more cynical: "There's a lot of people making money off her," she says.
Which brings us back to Salter, whose company is also using social networking to court a young consumer base for the Marilyn brand.
On Facebook, Marilyn has three million-plus fans, 70 percent of them under the age of 24. She also has some 53,000 Twitter followers. Salter's brand vision? "To seduce the world with products that capture the iconic personality, style, glamour and elegance of the legendary actress," according to the promotional materials.
"Look at what Marilyn was," Salter says in a telephone interview. "She's a total fashion icon. She invented the red carpet. She knew her brand."
"I've got the best model in the whole world."

Kristen Stewart's confession shocked family

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's families were stunned by her admission she had cheated on him.

The actress made a public apology to her boyfriend last week after admitting to an affair with her 'Snow White and the Huntsman' director Rupert Sanders and the news came as a shock to the couple's loved ones as they were expecting them to marry.
A source said: "Rob and Kristen have been closer than ever recently, and until this week the family was expecting them to get engaged."
Despite Kristen's public apology and declaration of love for her 'Twilight Saga' co-star, the British actor - who has moved out of their Los Angeles mansion - is said to have been "indifferent" to the statement and is struggling to get to grips with the situation.
The source added to Grazia magazine: "Rob was indifferent to her statement. Kristen wrote it and she's desperately trying to make up for the fling by expressing her love for him.
"It's incredible not only would Kristen do this, but to do so in public beggars belief.
"Rob needs to get his head round it."
The 'Bel Ami' star is said to be particularly unhappy that his agent initially broke the news of Kristen's affair, rather than her telling him herself.
Another source told Reveal magazine: "It was like a bolt out of the blue. He was on his own when he got a call from his agent and there was stunned silence as he tried to take it all in.
"When he confronted Kristen about it, she didn't try to deny anything. She was crying and kept saying, 'I'm sorry.' "
Robert is believed to have returned to the UK following the shock news.

Daughter of Bruce Willis, Demi Moore gets community service

Actor Ashton Kutcher (R) chats with his girlfriend Demi Moore's daughter, Scout Willis, as they watch Phoenix Suns play Los Angeles Lakers during Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference first round playoff series in Los Angeles April 28, 2006.

A judge on Tuesday agreed to dismiss charges of public drinking and carrying fake ID against Scout Willis, the daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, as long as she completes two days of community service.
Willis, 21, did not appear in Manhattan Criminal Court with her lawyer, who formally agreed to the deal on her behalf.
"It should be resolved as an ultimate dismissal and it will be," said Stacey Richman, who represented Willis, a student at Brown University.
Willis was arrested in early June after she was spotted drinking a can of Pakistani beer at a subway station near Union Square in Manhattan. Willis, then 20, gave police a New York state identity card with the name of Katherine Kelly, according to court documents.
She was charged with misdemeanor counts of second-degree criminal impersonation and consumption of alcohol in a public place.

Showbiz shop Dress Circle to close after 33 years

   West End theatre shop Dress Circle is to close after 33 years, with its owner citing the cost of running the Covent Garden premises and the economic downturn for the decision.

The premises, which describes itself as the “longest-running showbusiness and musical theatre shop in the world”, will shut its doors for good on August 15th, after which it will continue to operate solely thought its website.
News of its closure has been met with sadness from performers including musical theatre star Dianne Pilkington, who wrote on Twitter: “An institution lost to us and a huge shame. Very sad today.”
The Stage first reported the shop’s financial difficulties in May last year, when its managing director, Murray Allan, warned that a mix of competition from download sites and the cost of renting the shop was putting it under pressure to close.
In a statement he posted on the shop’s website this week, he said: “Over the past months we have tried in vain to negotiate with our landlord to move our shop into smaller and more cost effective premises. The cost of keeping Dress Circle open in the current location is too high, and it has become apparent that we will not be able to dispose of our current lease. The downturn in the economy has also taken its toll on us, as well as the ever changing way that people are buying music. With CDs becoming relics and downloads being more popular, Dress Circle, the shop, has struggled to keep up for a long time and we have reached the point that we are no longer able to continue.”
He added that he had hoped the Olympics would bring trade to the shop, but said: “Monmouth Street is even quieter than usual and so it seems are the rest of the shops in London. It seems that all of the press coverage about the difficulties of travelling during the Olympics has scared many away from visiting the West End.”
Allan told The Stage he had “tried in vain to find a new partner within the industry to keep Dress Circle afloat” but said this had not worked out.
“Over the last 18 months I have negotiated with five different players within the theatre industry. On one occasion, after four months of talking, we agreed terms. I even agreed a contract of employment. At the eleventh hour they pulled out citing personal reasons. With no hard feelings I moved on and I sent my business plan to others in the industry. I received good feedback for the plan, but each time it came to nothing.”
Last year, a benefit gala was organised in August to raise money for the beleaguered store. However, Allan said that the event had provided “little direct financial benefit”.
He added that he had put his “heart, soul and embarrassing amounts of money into keeping the Dress Circle shop open”.
Dress Circle will now continue to do business online only, through its website at www.drescircle.com.
Murray added that he hoped “to somehow, somewhere, continue with our signings and look forward to meeting our loyal customers once again”.

Jessica Biel has done nothing plan wedding

Actress Jessica Biel claims she has done ''almost nothing'' about planning her upcoming wedding to Justin Timberlake.

The 'Total Recall' actress revealed she is simply making the most of her relationship status and not rushing the process.
She told the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper: ''I'm just enjoying being engaged.''
No wedding date appears to be set, despite rumours of a ceremony taking place later this summer.
Jessica continued: ''I do feel like there is a lot of time and nothing needs to be rushed.
''But being engaged is just absolutely amazing. You're in this romantic, ahhhhh, breathless moment that I'm just trying to extend as long as possible.''
The star recently revealed she wants to star in a ''raunchy girl comedy''.
She is known for her action roles but Jessica admitted she is keen to stretch her comedy muscles and is keeping an eye out for something similar to smash hit 'Bridesmaids'.
She said: ''Maybe another great comedy, something even like raunchy girl comedy like 'Bridesmaids'. I'd love to check that world out.''
However, ambitious Jessica also has plans to move into period drama and cites Cate Blanchett's career as the type she would like to emulate.
Speaking about Cate's 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age', the biopic of Queen Elizabeth 1, she said: ''I would love to do some kind of great, epic...like 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age', playing an incredible woman in history who just made a major dent on the world. That would be amazing, something like that.''