Category: CULTURE

Theatrical Event: Rangbhor 2017 at Tagore Theatre Chandigarh by Alankar Theatre

Alankar Theatre in collaboration with Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi presents Rangbhor 2017 at Tagore Theatre. Alankar Theatre is an organization which provides a platform to those who are interested in working on issues that can benefit the society in some way or the other.

The sole aim of the group is to work towards the betterment of the society and to achieve this goal, the idea of tapping the energy of youth in a positive way was thought and as a result, Alankar came into existence. The group consists of youth actors and directors who have the zeal to make a difference.

ALANKAR THEATRE was found by Chakresh Kumar in the year 2005. In the year 2012, Alankar Theatre was registered in Chandigarh. Alankar Theatre has performed in various cities in India, be it Patna, Lucknow in East, Patiala, Chandigarh, Delhi in North, Kerala in South or Jabalpur, Indore in middle part of India.

Alankar Theatre is a renowned name in Chandigarh theatre. In past years, it has played an integral role in spreading awareness of social issues among people through drama and a number of street plays (NUKAAD NATAK). Alankar Theatre has performed on various platforms in Tricity.

Rangbhor 2017 is a three days event to be held in Tagore Theatre to entertain people with a social message. The Rangbhor 2017 at Tagore Theatre is directed by Chakresh Kumar the founder of Alankar Theatre.

Date

6^th March – 8^th March 2017

Timings

6:30 PM

Venue

Tagore Theatre, Sector 18 Chandigarh

Schedule of Rangbhor 2017 at Tagore Theatre

6^th March 2017- Inna Ki Aawaz

‘INNA KI AAWAZ’

7^th March 2017- Jhopadpatti

8^th March 2017- Thirunangai

Passes

Cost: Rs 100/- per seat

Other queries

Contact: +91-7696466691, +91-9646766092, +91-9988250466
Email: info@alankartheatre.com

Don’t wait for the last day people to book your passes, grab them right now to enjoy beautiful performances by young actors. Rangbhor 2017 at Tagore Theatre this year will be surprising you with something great.
These Temples you must visit to Celebrate Maha Shivratri in Chandigarh
Maha Shivratri in Chandigarh

Shivratri is a Hindu Festival observed in India and Nepal in honour of Lord Shiva. It falls on 13^th or 14^th day of the dark half of Feb- March. The name itself means “The Night of Shiva”. Shiva was marri
ed to Parvati on this auspicious day. The Night of Shiva Shivratri is to be celebrated on 24th February 2017 this year.

Why is it celebrated?

The devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with a lot of care and devotion. A lot of sincerity is and devotion is attached to this ritual as it is believed to absolve the past sins of the devotee and that he will get a place in Lord Shanker’s abode. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains salvation.

How is it celebrated?

People undergo a strict day and night fast and give a sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, and water. No meal is eaten after sunset on Shivratri day. Many people are confused about what to have on Shivratri so here is the list.
- Diet of fruits and milk
- No water
- Saindha Salt is used to prepare food
- Black Pepper is used instead of Red Chilli
Significance of Shivratri for women

Women perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati, “GAURA” one who bestows marital bliss.

Places to visit on Shivratri in Chandigarh

1.      Saketri Shiv Mandir

Shivratri Celebration at Saketri

The most famous Shiva temple in the city is known for the devotion of the Bhaktas who visit the temple for peace and prosperity. It has taken the issue of milk wastage during the ceremony of milk pouring on shiva linga. Many volunteers collect the packets of milk from the devotees which is distributed after boiling back to them as Prasad.

Address: Panchkula, Haryana

2.      Prachin Shiv Mandir

Prachin Shiv Mandir

It is famous for its beauty of Shiva Linga as the Shiva Linga is magnificent in its architecture. Hundreds of followers pay their homage to Lord Shiva here.

Address: Industrial Area, Chandigarh

3.      ShivMandir

Shiv Mandir at Sector 24

Address: Sector 24, Chandigarh

4.     Prachin Shiv Mandir

Address: Sector 21, Chandigarh

Celebrate The Night of Shiva Shivratri this year and make it an important spiritual event of your life.

HAPPY SHIVRATRI TO ALL
The History of Chandigarh: What was it like Pre-Independence?

We all know that the city of Chandigarh was conceptualized post-independence, in 1952, as the first Prime Minister Sh. Jawaharlal Nehru’s dream city. Consequently, Chandigarh is generally perceived and thought of as a modern and dynamic city, which has nothing to do with the ancient times (Unlike the other historical cities of India).

But have you ever wondered, what was the city like, or rather say ‘the site where the city stands’, before it was fabricated into the present-day Chandigarh by French architect Le Corbusier? The city has its own share of a rich medieval and ancient history.

The history of Chandigarh spans right from prehistoric times till the modern history. The gently sloping plains on which modern Chandigarh stands today, was in the ancient past, a wide lake ringed by a marsh. The fossil remains which have been found at the site indicate a large variety of aquatic and amphibian life, which was supported by the environment at that time.

What is even more surprising, is the fact that about 8000 years ago, the area was also known to be a home to the Harappans. In fact, Sanghol, a village about 43 km from Chandigarh is a widely regarded archeological site. The remnants of the ancient Harappan civilization have been found here. Archeologists say that as the site was a part of the Punjab region, it had many rivers nearby where the ancient and primitive settling of humans initially began.

Since the medieval through the modern era, the area continued to be part of the large and prosperous Punjab Province which was divided into East & West Punjab during the partition of the country in 1947. Post-partition, the city was conceived not only to serve as the capital of East Punjab but also to resettle thousands of refugees who had been uprooted from West Punjab.

A unique blend of modernity and rich historical heritage. Chandigarh has something of everything!
Chandigarh University organizes CU Fest 2017
Chandigarh University is a well-established university for higher education in North India located at the outer skirts of Chandigarh. The university organises cultural fest for the students to showcase their talent. CU Fest 2017 is back with the bang to rock the stage with the talents of the students. Through this CU Fest, the students get a chance to meet people from different fields and different universities across the country.

Highlights of CU Fest 2017

The CU Fest 2017 is a two-day Festival incorporating different competitions for the students to flaunt their talent and move ahead with it. students will compete in competitions like singing, dancing, painting, DJing and many more areas. Several artists will be performing to make the students enjoy at another level.
- Gurdas Mann live
- Euphoria band performance
- War of the band
- DJ hunt
- Solo, duet and group competition (Bollywood, classical, folk, western)
- Solo, duet and Group dance
- Folk and tribal dance
- Modeling competition
- Painting and Poster making competition
- Theatre event
CU Fest 2017 will be delivering Bollywood, western as well as a cultural aspect to the audience. The Fest will be a complete versatile package to relish. Students will also be teaching social message through their performances to the people.

Other details of CU Fest 2017

Date: 24th – 25th February 2017.

Day: Friday and Saturday.

Time: 9AM – 12 PM.

Venue: Chandigarh University, NH 95 Chandigarh – Ludhiana Highway, Mohali, Punjab

Website: http://cufest.cuchd.in/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/261060497658929/

Contact: 7087000660, 8146651617

Be ready to be on the show and explore the Punjabi world along with Bollywood tadka on the floor.
The Jaspal Bhatti Humour Festival, Chandigarh
You are a Punjabi, and you don’t know Jaspal Bhatti? Impossible! One of the finest performers and comedians that India has ever produced, Jaspal Bhatti has had a very special connection with Chandigarh. Now that he is not amongst us, his witty, satirical humour continues to mesmerise us. To commemorate and celebrate the legacy that Jaspal Bhatti has left behind, the Chandigarh Administration is all out with this year’s edition of “Jaspal Bhatti Humour Festival”.

Jaspal Bhatti Humour Festival

The U.T. Department of Cultural Affairs is organising the “Jaspal Bhatti Humour Festival”, in memory of the late comedian, on March 3-4-5, 2017 at Tagore Theatre.

The 3-day event will see performances by some of the finest comedians and performers from across the country. In the past, “Jaspal Bhatti Humour Festival” has featured popular comedians like Deepak Raja and Amit Tandon, as well as the AIB trio of Rohan Joshi, Ashish Shakya and Gursimran, performing and captivating the Chandigarh audience.

Jaspal Bhatti: Some Facts

Late Jaspal Bhatti
- Jaspal Bhatti was a very popular Punjabi Television personality and comedian, known for his satirical commentary on the problems faced by the common man.
- Born on 3 March 1955 at Amritsar, Punjab, he spent a major part of his life in Chandigarh.
- An Electrical Engineer by education, Jaspal Bhatti graduated from the Punjab Engineering College(PEC), Chandigarh.
- He became insanely famous for his “Flop Show”, that used to air on Doordarshan. The “Flop Show”, and many more of his acts are still enjoyed and admired by his fans.
- Jaspal Bhatti died in a fatal road accident in 2012, aged 57.
- The veteran comedian is fondly remembered as ‘The King of Comedy’, and was granted the third-highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan(posthumously), in 2013.
Event Details: Jaspal Bhatti Humour Festival
- Dates: March 3-4-5 2017
- Days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- Timings: 06:30 p.m. Daily.
- Venue: Tagore Theater, Sector 18, Chandigarh.
- Tickets: Entry Free!!
So Chandigarh, get ready for the three super-evenings of rib-tickling humor and hilarious comedy!! The list of performances this year will be revealed soon! Watch out this space for updates.
This is the reason you won’t see any personal statues in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, we all know, is different from any other city in more than one ways.

Being a resident of The City Beautiful, I bet you would’ve never come across those imposing life-size statues, of bronze and steel, commemorating a person ar persons, which can be easily spotted in any other city in India, where it is common to find each of the ‘chowks’ named after an individual and a statue erected. The beautiful and expansive roundabouts (‘Chowks’) of Chandigarh, an enormous number of gardens, cultural hubs and open spaces, all this, but still no personal statues in Chandigarh?

Reason? Reason has been clearly stated on the website of Chandigarh administration itself!

Statues in Chandigarh

As per the website of Chandigarh administration, in the ‘edict of Chandigarh’ prescribed by Mon Le Corbusier, the planner of Chandigarh, he has explicitly stated that,

“The age of personal statues is gone. No personal statues shall be erected in the city or parks of Chandigarh. The city is planned to breathe the new sublimated spirit of art. Commemoration of persons shall be confined to suitably placed bronze plaques.”

Well, a visionary and master-planner as Corbusier was, he knew that the enormous wide spaces of the city may go on to be used to glorify and memorialise individuals, which was against the very spirit of Chandigarh, which was being planned as a modern, progressive and inclusive city. So, in order to make sure the city is able to conserve its spirit and character, all through the passage of time, Corbusier put in this condition, to be followed by the residents and administrators of the city.

Thankfully, the Chandigarh Administration has so far been able to follow this ‘edict of Chandigarh’. We only hope the city continues to maintain its modern and progressive character in the future as well, and we don’t get to see any of the statues in Chandigarh!
#Events: Chandigarh Rose Festival to offer Free Foreign Honeymoon Trip to Newly Married Couple!!
Chandigarh Rose Festival, after the chopper ride news is here to surprise you more. Nagar Nigam is organising a newly married couple competition. The couple standing first will be awarded with free foreign honeymoon trip. This trip will be sponsored by the sponsors of the Rose Festival event.

Newly married couples completing one year by 17^th February will only be allowed to participate in the competition. The couples will have a walk on the ramp together showing their catwalk. For participating in Chandigarh Rose Festival competition the couples will have to pay some entry fees. The application forms for the competition will be available four days before the Chandigarh Rose Festival.

Rewards

The couple standing first will receive a three-day free foreign honeymoon trip at a hotel. Apart from this, the couples backing the second and third position shall be awarded with beautiful prizes. The prizes will be distributed on the last of the fest in the closing ceremony.

Food and Craft

A chopper will also be provided for those interested as quoted in my earlier article. The fest includes certain food and crafts stalls. Vendors occupying the stalls will be either from the Surajkund fest or from the Kalagram fest. Rose festival continues for three days from 17 February to 19 February.
Nagar Nigam is allowing the food and crafts stalls to be displayed as to promote the Indian culture or to show the diversity of our country. Famous food stalls will serve food from different parts of the country like South Indian food, Hyderabadi Biryani, Sarso ka Saag, Makki ki Roti and much more.

Competitions in Chandigarh Rose Festival

Rose Festival will have all the other competitions being held in previous years.
- Mr & Mrs Rose competition
  Flower & Rangoli competition
  Senior citizen King & Queen competition
  Rose Prince & Princess competition
  Brass & Pipe band competition
  Photography
  Folk dance
  Antakshari
  Kite flying
Floral hat competition. In three days The Rose Festival will have culture evenings amusing the people.

Rose Festival has always been a very important fest of Chandigarh. February is all occupied with the festive season. After the Valentine week, Rose Festival is here with spellbinding competitions and culture programmes.

It is time for the newly married couples to grab this golden opportunity. Practice your catwalk to be on the show and make memories forever.
Best Places to Listen to Live Music in Chandigarh

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”

Quite truly, we Chandigarhians love music. And we love dancing to music even more! But dancing to DJs? That is so passe! Because while in Chandigarh, we groove to live music!

On the heels of metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore etc, Chandigarh has picked up the live music bug too! Agreed, it is still at a nascent stage but we are glad it is picking up and how. So here is a list of the best places where you can listen to music live!

LIVE MUSIC IN CHANDIGARH:

1. Peddler’s-35, Elante

Live Music in Chandigarh

This is perhaps the most famous place when it comes to live music in Chandigarh. Be it Sector-35 or Elante, Peddler’s is that one place which is always streaming with people. Courtesy? The wide range of bands that play here. Live music, good food, drinks and your friends. What else can you possibly ask for?

2. S Cafe (Gaah), 26

S Cafe & Bar, Chandigarh

When S Cafe forayed into the scene under the banner of Gaah entertainment, Chandigarh witnessed a new kind of music. Music that is not limited to Bollywood or Panjabi tracks. If you are looking for live music with a difference, this is the place that should be your favourite haunt!

3. Shosha, 26

Live Performance at Shosha Bar & Cafe

When Shosha forayed into the scene, it picked up audience based on its quirky interiors. A concept that city had never seen before, it soon became a favorite with youngsters. And when live bands started playing? Well, there has been no looking back for the place!

4. Hangout-35

Live Music at Hangout 35

Different from the rest of the places on this list, this place is a favorite with families too. If you are looking for a laid back place with live music minus the unruly “club crowd”, you should definitely give this place a visit. Live bands play here though Wednesday to Sunday and the food here definitely scores some extra brownie points!
Chandigarh 2016 Highlights: Here’s the yearly flashback, a must read for all Chandigarhians

Chandigarh 2016 Highlights: 2016 is definitely ‘not just another year’ that has rolled by as it has been one helluva happening ride for Chandigarh this year. The city has been lauded not only nationwide but also internationally as its Capitol Complex got the status of UNESCO World Heritage site.

As this year is coming to a close, we charted out a yearly synopsis of highlights of the city beautiful for the year 2016.

Chandigarh 2016 Highlights that are worth a mention – Have a look! –

Capitol Complex – UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another feather has been added to the hat! The city now boasts the newly received status of UNESCO World Heritage Site for its acclaimed ‘Le Corbusier Capitol Complex’. The building spreads over an area of 100 acres (approx) and mainly comprises of three structures including a lake; High Court, Open Hand Monument and the Palace of Assembly.

International Yoga Day. The International Yoga Day 2016 was celebrated at the Capitol Complex Chandigarh on June 20. PM Narendra Modi attended the event and participated as well. A total of 30000 participants attended the event out of which 10000 participants were from Chandigarh.

Smart City. Chandigarh received the stature of ‘smart city’ in 2016. However, it has not been untroubled as it was on a second consideration that the city was included in the list of the smart cities of India. When the first list of the ‘Smart Cities of India’ was released, Chandigarh was found nowhere on it which came as a heavy blow for its citizens.

CNG PNG Connections. Compressed Natural Gas and the Pipelined Natural Gas will now be available in many of the sectors in Chandigarh. The administration has decided to extend the service to the EWS group first. The citizens can also opt-out of the service if they wish to.

See Also: CNG PNG Chandigarh: Pipelined gas connections will now be available in the city

GPS Mapping. GPS Mapping will be done in Chandigarh very soon under the ‘Conclusive Land Titling System’. This will benefit the Chandigarhians greatly.

Cashless Chandigarh. The Chandigarh administration is vying to make the City Beautiful the first cashless city of the nation, in the backdrop of the demonetisation policy of the Modi-led government. The efforts are in full swing and it is expected that Chandigarh will soon achieve the status of being a cashless city of the country.