Saturday, 25 April 2020

Despite lockdown shutdown, Patiala Babes' producers pay stipend to workers and creative team till lockdown ends



Patiala Babes, Katha Kottage's women empowerment show on Sony TV, which also spoke of feminist men, has emerged to be the most recent casualty of COVID-19. The show has been discontinued this week.

Writer-Producer Rajita Sharma, while expressing her sadness and trauma on the story "remaining unfinished and untold" adds that "it was encouraging that Sony gave us a platform to bring to life our very bold narrative. Since the whole world is under siege, these times call for some unfortunate but necessary measures. Patiala Babes will always remain close to our heart."

The makers, however, believe in  the concept of lighting lives despite darkness. "Sony was kind to entrust us at Katha Kottage with the show. The pandemic seems to be preparing for a long haul and as the show is shut, our workers are jobless." Vivek Budakoti and Rajita Sharma aver that sharing is caring. "We have decided to share whatever little profit we earned with our fellow workers who made us what we are as a production house." Hence, the daily wage workers including light men, spot boys, setting workers, sound assistants, assistant directors, production assistants and the creative team will be given a regular fixed stipend every month till such time the lockdown is in effect. "This is our commitment and support to our colleagues and will be on for as much time it takes for the industry to resume shoot."

Considering that Patiala Babes is the story of a daughter being the wind beneath her mother's wings, it sure looks like this production house is taking a leaf from its own creation and paying it forward.

Friday, 24 April 2020

Celebs Pledge Their Support To A Gesture Of Love Spreading the message of love during these troubled times – A Nisha Haraale Initiative



As the rampant COVID-19 spread across the world, India has had to brace itself for a severe impact on its public health in general as well as the economy. During these trying times, we have Nisha Haraale spreading the message of peace, love and harmony.

Roping in Ashmit Patel, Mugdha Godse, Terence Lewis, Shibani Kashyap, Suchitra Pillai, Manasi Scott, Sandhya Shetty, Deepti Gujral, Anusha Srinivasan Iyer, Vicky Idnani, Kishori Shahane, Aanchal Kumar, Candice Pinto, Tina Singh, Kunal Thakur, Diandra Soares, Shawar Ali, Shakir, Aziz, Zulfi Sayed, Sid Kher and Anaida among many other celebrities and dignitaries from her friend circle, Nisha Haraale aims to showcase hearts; the symbol of love, across social media. “Be it a painting of a heart, or your heart shaped pillow at home, or the heart print tshirt, or just the heart symbol with your own hands. Take a picture of yourself with the symbol and share it across social media at 5pm this Sunday!”

With the intent to spread the message of love, unity, oneness and peace, Nisha Haraale asks you to do this from home, keeping in mind the social distancing rules. “Love goes a long way. In the end, it doesn't matter who we are and where do we come from. What matters is that we stand together in love, peace, unity and oneness. That is exactly what we are showing on Sunday at 5pm and passing tons of love. The world heals with love,” signs off Nisha.




Wednesday, 22 April 2020

Rahul Kanal & Hindustani Bhau Help Feed Strays


In a first for Politician-Philanthropist Rahul Kanal, President of 'I Love Mumbai' Foundation, and social media sensation and Big Boss 13 contestant Hindustani Bhau, have come forward to help the stray canines, felines and birds across Mumbai.  

Rahul Kanal along with Hindustani Bhau, solved the food crisis for an NGO Vice President Sham Ghorpade stated within two hours of intimation. Expressing their gratitude, the NGO spokesperson said, “I am grateful to Bandra rock star Rahul Kanal ji and your team coming down and helping me out at this hour. In 2 hours notice you sorted the entire provision needful for 500+ furry babies in this lockdown. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of furries every where from Mahim, Bandra till Meera road. With loads of cuddles and wags along with swishes of tails.”

Trustee Sham Ghorpade of Animal Rescue and Care Managing, that looks after feeding area of from Bandra till Kandivali said, “We are grateful to Rahul Kanal and Hindustani Bhau for their support in feeding the stray animals during the nationwide lockdown. Appreciate it,” while Utkarsha Naik of Animal Rescue and Care, with the help of Rahul and Bhau, will be taking care of over a hundred dogs and cats.

“Our NGO is feeding strays and people in need, while also providing medicines if and when required,” says Rahul Kanal. “Let us not forget the poor innocent people, migrant workers, stray animals and birds. They are left all by themselves on these empty streets,” he adds.

Tuesday, 21 April 2020

लॉकडाऊनमध्ये बैजू मंगेशकर यांनी १९६७ सालच्या इंग्रजी क्लासिकची केली पुनःरचना




बैजू मंगेशकर यांनी गायक-संगीतकार म्हणून गानकोकिळा लता मंगेशकर यांच्याबरोबर सुफी अल्बम 'या रब्बा' द्वारा संगीत क्षेत्रात पदार्पण केले. या पदार्पणाला समीक्षकांकडून कौतुकांचा वर्षाव झाला. यानंतरकितीदा' आणिया नदीच्या पारयांसारख्या अनेक आत्मास भिडणारी गाणी बैजू मंगेशकर यांनी स्वरबद्ध केली आहेत. त्यांच्या पहिल्याच व्हर्च्युअल म्युझिक कोलॅब्रेशन रचनेत त्यांनी  बर्ट बचरच आणि हाल डेव्हिड यांच्या ' हाऊस इज नॉट होम' या क्लासिकची घरीच पुनःरचना केली.

कोविड -१९ च्या कारणास्तव सरकारने देशव्यापी लॉकडाऊन मे पर्यंत वाढविल्यामुळे, बैजू मंगेशकर यांनी संगीतकार शिवंश कपिल यांच्याबरोबर व्हर्चुअल  संगीत कोलॅब्रेशनची रचना केली.

बैजू म्हणालेहे कोविड -१९  #स्टेहोम #लॉकडाउन च्या समर्थनात एक नफारहीत असे पहिले पाऊल आहे. हे केवळ प्रयोगात्मक सहकार्य नाही पण आधुनिक तंत्रज्ञानाच्या परिपूर्णतेसह व्यावसायिकपणे रचलेले संगीत आहे. ”

काही मराठी चित्रपट आणि दूरदर्शन मालिकांनाही बैजूने यांनी आपला आवाज दिला आहे. त्यांचा हा संगीत विडिओ त्यांच्यासाठी समर्पित आहे जे इतरांसाठी आपला जीव धोक्यात घालत आज आपली कामगिरी बजावत आहेत. "आम्ही आशा करतो की हे प्रत्येकास त्यांचे व्यक्तिगत काम सुरू ठेवण्यास प्रवृत्त करेल आणि हाती आलेल्या या वेळेचा सकारात्मक वापर करतील. " बैजू म्हणाले.

पुनःरचनेसाठी इंग्रजी गाण्याची निवड का केली? हा प्रश्न विचारल्यास बैजू मंगेशकर म्हणाले, "ही जागतिक महामारी आहे आणि इंग्रजी भाषा आज  कमी-अधिक प्रमाणात वैश्विक भाषा आहे. ही लढाई जिंकण्यासाठी जगाने एकत्र येण्याची गरज आहे. मी लहानचा मोठा होत असताना जागतिक संगीतासह हिंदुस्थानी संगीतदेखील माझ्या संवेदनांना नवे आकार देत होते. मला हे विशिष्ट गाणे आवडते आणि याचे मार्मिक शब्द या कठीण काळात आपण सर्वाना अनुनाद करतील."

आर रहमान अकादमीतील एक प्रतिभावान तरुण संगीतकार, शिवांश कपिल याचे हिंदुस्थानी शास्त्रीय तसेच पाश्चात्य संगीतातही प्रशिक्षण आहे. ते  पियानोवादक आणि संगीत व्यवस्थापन करतात. त्यांनी दक्षिण मराठी चित्रपटातील अनेक प्रकल्पांवर काम केले आहे आणि सध्या तो बॉलिवूडच्या प्रकल्पामध्ये व्यस्त आहे.

बैजू मंगेशकर हे भारतरत्न लता मंगेशकर यांचे पुतणे आणि पदमश्री हृदयनाथ मंगेशकर यांचे  सुपुत्र  आहेत. त्यांचा शेवटचा अल्बम  'या रब्बा' हा सुफियाना शैलीतील होता. ह्या अल्बम मधील गाण्यांना त्यांनी संगीतबद्ध हि केले आणि गान-कोकिळा लता मंगेशकर सोबत गायिली आहेत.