SWISH SET’S NEW SKIN SINS

Popeye, Angelina Jolie, Winston Churchill and Rakhi Sawant might never end up in the same subset; but fact remains that they are all linked with ink. Tattoos play a vital part in the projection of their personalities.

Related more to punk funk, till recent years, permenant tattoos have suddenly emerged as the new style statement on the fashion circuit universally and Gujarat’s swish set is going all out to ink their attitude.

Neck napes, wrists, shoulders, lower backs, biceps are expressing personal preferences. Like Bob Dylan’s song,’ times they are a changing’, tattoo trends too are no more just a cult custom but, a widely accepted attitude, even in the middle aged groups. It’s not just the twenty somethings’ who are going in for the skin sin.” Most of my clients are professionals, in their mid thirties or more,’ smiles tattoo artist Jagruti Parmar .In the field for more than 10 years now, this boho chic promoter is known as Gujarat’s Kat Von D when it comes to tattoos.

Parmar’s studio ‘La Nina tattoos’ at Vastrapur Ahmedabad, is like a mini museum of tattoo history, the walls depict pictures from ancient Japanese body art to Jolie’s arm candy (tattoos, not Brad Pitt, silly).” 3-d and glow in the dark tattoos are very popular with the elder age group. A lot of people are getting various gods depicted on skin and since Indian gods wear a lot of ornaments, the effect in radium coloured tattoos comes out amazing. Tattoos are the only jewels that go with you to your grave. I just did a Cleopatra type replica on a client’s eye, it was a tricky task”

The Raamnamis of Chattisgarh no more monopolize the mantra sutra. Elderly Gujaratis are getting Gayatri Mantras, Hanuman Chalisas and Maha Mrityunjay jaaps permanently penned on their backs and shoulders for instant nirvana. Kavita Dave, who runs D N Tattoos at Jodhpur Satellite remarks,’ we have clients who are upto 65 years of age as well. Many come in from Saurashtra, Kutch, Baroda and some go for fancier versions of their Kul Devta.” Ahmedabad being central for Gujarat,” Even foreigners and NRI’s prefer getting their religious tattoos done here because as Indians, we are able to give genuine divine expressions for the ever popular Ganeshas and Shivji idols and innumerable options for the ‘om’symbol,” points out Parmar.

Tattoos are not new to Gujarat. The Rabari tribes of Kutch have a trend of body art called ‘chhundanas’.Many centuries old, it consists of geometrical designs and dots that is often visible in their embroidery and home décor rangoli motifs as well. Meant to adorn the skin, this definitely makes their women look sexier.

La Nina‘s tattoo artist has a client who got her boy friend’s name permanently tattooed in 7 secret places. “She adds one more every month and is married now.” Young girls commonly go in for dainty butterflies and fairies, but, the women are going in for more elaborate, serene Buddha images surrounded with exotic floral creepers and sensual snakes intertwined with dragon like creatures.” I have a phoenix on my back which signifies my character, am planning another for my ankle soon” says Sonali Desai, a young mother. ” Tattoos are the new fashion mantra for Surat’s suburbans”confirms Lavesh More, who has trained under famous tattoo artist Sameer Patange and shuttles into Tapi town every fortnight to upgrade Surat’s swish set with styles that are ‘in style ‘in Mumbai because,”Surtis always want something unique and different and are willing to pay for the fact that I never repeat the design again. I plan to permanently work out of Surat now due to the growing demand.”

Not bearing social stigma anymore, tattoos are openly flaunted with pride. It’s not just the fashionistas who are falling for the trend.” Many of my clients are doctors, they usually want one on their biceps or neck nape, they don’t mind if their patients notice it, others are patients of luecoderma or have surgery scars and tattoos help them cover the same” says Kavita.
Celebrity charisma has direct bearing on fans who risk the pain for visual pleasure. Just as Saif followed David Beckham, penning the name of the love of his life, “Alphabet tattoos are very common but also lose their charm as soon as girlfriends change. I have to play music in accordance to the mood and theme of my clients’ make ups and break ups.Ours being a dry state, there is no alcohol in take before the act unlike other towns.” giggles Jagruti.
Premal Zaveri, 44, has adopted Hrithik Roshan’s new star tattoo on his right wrist while his wife sports the same on her left wrist. ‘It gathers immediate attention at work, “smiles the textile trader,” but no one has dared ask yet. My wife is very fair skinned and also has a beautiful floral one on her back. The colours have come out wonderfully well.”
”I am planning to go shopping for more halter necks, “winks Sonal Patel., 37, from Rajkot, who has got a 3 d shadow effect tattoo done on her left shoulder that extends to the nape, “it feels sexy to get noticed for it. I am trying to get my husband go in for a Shivji one like Sanjay Dutt’s.”

While its style quotient for ladies, its all about symbols of power for the gentlemen.Al’s Tattoo studio in Bandra, Mumbai is run by four brothers .Al has done his masters in fine arts from M S University in Baroda. They cater to Bollywood stars and celebrities, back in Gujarat, Jagruti Parmar who has a TBTI certificate from New Jersey, dreams of having just one celebrity client,’I would like to make a Kohinoor for chief minister Narendra Modi, on any secret body part that he wishes to have one on.”


Box section-Tattoo trivia-
1. Tattoo comes from the Tahiti word ‘tautau’-meaning ‘to mark’
2. Numbing creams like ‘Xylocain’or ‘Prilox’ may cause temporary itchiness.
3.8 out of 10 patients bleed while getting a tattoo done.
4. Cases of improper precaution can lead to skin cancer, hepatitis or AIDS
5. Tattoos normally take upto 3 weeks to heal totally.

SHREKS AND THE CITY

America and the rest of the world is going gaga over the friendly monster Shrek, falling in love with the ugly ogre, who has a kind heart of gold.Shrek is derived from the German word Shreck which means fear and terror.

Reel life fairy tales hardly come true in real life. There are Shreks all around town and here is a girlie guide to recognize and handle the same-

Party Shreks-These are the ones with the shiny shirts and slinky hair who give dirty, hairy a different meaning (no, not Clint Eastwood, dear) and go,”Hey baby, want to go for a drive?” when the DJ is playing a sensitive, soulful number. They will keep smiling no matter what your facial expression portrays. You can get away with any rude reply, since this lot is certainly deaf and definitely not looking at your eyes while speaking, if you know what I mean. Be as mean as you can be.La belle dame sans merci.

Phone Shreks-Easily entertained, these are the ones who imagine there is a princess on the other end, especially so if they have accidentally dialed the wrong number, no matter if you actually are twice their age and thrice their size. All you need is a sweet voice and, you will have them at the first ‘Hello.’ They will be stupid enough to ask ‘who is this?’In spite of the fact that you just said, ‘wrong number.’ They will redial .Most likely lot to have a degree in nose wax moulding.Silence is the best answer for quick relief and save the number, for ‘no reply’ the next time.

Train/Plane Shreks-The over enthusiastic complete strangers, who smell like they just came out of Shrek swamp, who try to strike conversations out of the blue. It could be anything, the book you are reading, to where you are going; to what your i pod is playing. They will make sure they help you with heavy luggage whether or not you need their help, will be rude to the coolies /steward and, sugary sweet to the ticket checker air hostess, going,’ji saheb,yes ma’m’for no particular reason. They will also have a strong opinion on the Indian Railways, Airways, not that they do anything to make it any better. Ignore and avoid please.

Online/Office Shreks-The Gen next of the Ogre lot. Their vocabulary will consist of constant ‘lol’, ‘brb’ and they will type to you ‘wassup dudette?”.Their face book profile will be the display unit of how ‘cool’ they looked in the gym, at their reunion, at last New Years Eve etc.They will be passionate about football, basket ball and of course cricket. Since intellectual conversation will be too big a task to handle, for these ‘instant karmayogis’, you will be asked to take some kind of stupid online quiz so that they can know you better. Give no personal details, ever.

Pre marital Shreks-The handsome yet possessive insecure lot. They will want to know what you did from the time you woke up till you slept. They will want to decide what you wear, eat and whom you talk too. It’s not your fault; it’s just that they don’t believe in themselves. This kind normally turn into Post marital Shreks with lousy eating habits, a foul mouth , along with unending complaints .Run as fast and as far as you can.Because,only fairytales have happily ever after endings.

FASHIONISTA SUMMER FARE

I spent Saturday morning with my head in the freezer, dreaming about being nestled in the Himalayas, this time of the year, wishing that we had winters all around the year (not that they are particularly cold ,either).Finally after 5 minutes, temporary facial numbness made me see reason to face the heat (literally )and be sane.

Summer is here, bringing with it the dire need for all things ‘fresh’; hence, both stale food and fashion are big no no’s.

The gurus of the garment industry have stated that the colours for Spring Summer 2010 are –Tuscany, Oyester, Rose dust, Champagne, Aurora, Woodbine and Aquatic. There is no need to panic, in simple language; this just means grey, silvery grey, lilac, pink, lemon yellow, lime green and turquoise blue .You know how designers love to make it sound exotic! And, how on earth could they forget White with its quintessential charm?
Now that we have our colours in order, let’s get on with the must haves.

Flip flops-Cobblers’ best gift to heeled tired twosomes, these thongs for feet have taken an outdoorsy avatar making it the most preferred teen foot wear .Spruce up your pair of toesis with a little bling.Buy a basic pair in your favourite fluorescent colour and add a line of sheer ,tiny sequins or multicolored beads or teenie weenie snail shells.

Tank tops-Nothing makes a good pair of well fitted jeans look cooler than a tank top-the good old ganji like jersey.Salman bhai’s ganji look takes a beating when gals wear one with denims. Add glam to your spaghetti top, musclebag or tank with a colourful butterfly or dragonfly brooch near the collarbone.

Tattoos-Ever since Bollywood stars have started going for what Angelina Jolie wears on her arms (tattoos, not Brad Pitt, silly), Surtis have found the fashion trend painworthy.Suburbans are at it ,getting permanent signs,emblems,gods,serpents,dragons,flora and fauna painfully penned on their wrists,calves,ankles,shoulders and elsewhere. If you are above 18 and want to go in for one, get a temporary one and look at it for a month before going on for something that will stay on your skin for the rest of your life.

Skin -Scorched skin needs tender loving care. Avoid heavy creams which are loaded with chemicals no matter how soft they make your skin feel. Always buy a face cream with aqua as the main component. Better still; depend on good old rose water, cucumber juice, milk/buttermilk for instant relief. You could store it in a spritzer and refrigerate it, for gentle spraying on face whenever required.

Nails- Now available in Tapi town are nail colours that could put a rainbow to shame and what better weather than this to show off pretty nails. For youngsters, dabble in some do it yourself nail art by simply adding multicolored stud and locking them on with a clear nail varnish top coat. Also available now are art pens that you may use to make tiny hearts and smileys over nail paint. If you must use a new colour in a cheap product, make sure you protect your nail with a base coat of a known brand first.Ladies, kindly leave funky colours to the girlie age group please, lest you want to look like a member of the Adam’s family.

Hair-Braid, gel, and spike, do what you must to keep it out of harms way. Put it up in a pony tail with a pretty scrunchie or, plug it into a roll with a chopstick like accessory. If you must wear it loose, hold it up with a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Since you are all set now, step out and commit skin sin because nothing looks sexier than a natural tan.

TAXED BY INCOME IN TAPI TOWN


So you thought that life in Lalaland was a bed of roses, eh? Well, well well, not really and certainly not in the last few days of March.

These are difficult days, with even more difficult words, poor rich lalas can’t even pronounce them properly –perquisite, deficits, assets, assessments, disclosures etc.

You see, too much of anything is never a good thing. Post the dreaded Ides of March, its show time of a different kind, when more profits might mean more loss, for a change.

No matter how much a Lala is troubled by these days of the year, year after year, it still turns out to be the same story for him.

The officers in charge have to complete a set target and every lala in town fears he and his company might be it- the flavour of the month of March.

He has to pull up his socks a little higher, mug up quick ways of explaining his tax exemption theory, how he made hay from tax free agricultural income, how he escaped paying taxes in the name of his spouse and children, how he believes in’ philanthropy begins at work’, when the officers discover the accounts in names of various employees and their family members and be answerable to all the magic bonds that he used to pocket a few rupees more, rather than part with them.

If there is anyone who is closest and most supportive to the Lalas during the month of March, it is, no, not the spouse or the other woman in his life, it’s his CA= Chartered Accountant.

The ‘see a CA’ theory is what gives the Lala some relief, if any and you will often find him cozying up more with his CA ,than his wife in the evenings .

Lalas and their tactful CAs communicate in the language of love-‘pyaar and dil’, err… make that PR and Deal. Both share a ‘deal ka rishta.’

Here is an example of what text messages between the two may read like-

Lala-Deal deke dekho.
CA-Hum deal de chukey sanam.

Lala-Isharo isharo mein deal leney waley, bataa tuney hunar ye seekha kahaan se?
CA-Jab PR kiya toh darna kyaa, PR kiya koi chori nahi ki.

Lala-Deal diya, dard liya?
CA-Deal apna aur treat parayi.

To make things worse, there is tattle within the CA circle that last minute raids in March will be carried out, so as to not give an opportunity to plan.

Officers meanwhile are pointing out ,how Lalas and Co are gaining advantage points by smart play .Figuring their ways out from taxing times ,with TOING theory-“Tax on income no ghotalo.”

It seems the fables and theories put forward each year are getting funnier and more entertaining by the year.

First timers on duty in Surat are amused at how naïve the Surti lala and his CA seem to take department to be.

Who knows, with the Surti fetish for classes to acquire new skill, we might soon have a private ‘dodge your dread session’, by appointment only.

Be rest assured, Lalas wont mind paying dearly for this one.

AND.......KHOOB-SURAT,SAID THE PIRATE-
VOYAGE TO INDIA VIA CAPTAIN KIDD’S SHIPWRECK.

Ashleshaa Khurana

‘Shiver me shattered timbers ‘went reports when the 310 year old, barnacle covered, coral encrusted Quedagh Merchant was discovered, in the pristine sea waters of the Dominican Republic, 70 feet off Catalina Island.

This was no ordinary vessel .It was one that legends are made of, on the hot trail list of every treasure hunter. The Quedagh Merchant alias Cara Merchant, ship of the notorious Captain William Kidd- Scottish privateer turned swashbuckling pirate, the only one to actually bury treasure on New York’s Gardiner’s Island.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Gold Bug’ are some among the works of pirate lore inspired by the history of his story.

Three years down since this invaluable find, Charles.D.Beeker, Director of Underwater Science and Academics Diving program at Indiana University (IU), USA, seeks to visit Surat, India, where The Quedagh Merchant was built in the 17th century for,’ a presentation of a unique and significant aspect.’

Beeker,who recently presented the results of his research to the Museum of London Docklands, in February 2010 pledges,” I am very committed to featuring India’s maritime heritage as represented through Captain Kidd’s captured ship ‘Quedagh Merchant’this is the only example of the unique 17th century Surratt ship building technology and should be recognized for its international significance.”

Since more than 12 years now, Beeker and IU archaeologist Geoffrey Conrad have been exploring the era when the ‘New and old worlds first met’, focusing on La Isabela Bay where the first Spanish settlement was established in 1494 by Columbus.

Appointed to research the shipwreck with his team by the Dominican Republic, Beeker had confirmed its authenticity and observed, ‘When we first removed a cannon last summer, we exposed the keel of the ship. I was just shocked that the keel was still there but the reason it’s probably there is because it was teak which is resistant to decomposition.’

The reason that the ship's keel withstood stormy undersea weather was because Gujarat’s shipbuilders used technique on their timber. Teak was treated by smearing a thin paste of chunnam (lime), gum sundrac and gingelly, letting it dry for a day to turn it hard as stone. Many a ship’s keel was lined with a vegetable based tar substitute-‘dammer’ to make it leak proof, way back in those days.

Praful Wadia whose ancestral trade is boat building, constructs and supplies boats to SMC Surat Municipal Corporation states, ‘The rabetted joints of Gujaratis ship builders makes boats thrice as capable to wade waters while remaining leak proof. Called ‘Wadhrai’ joints, the joint is in the shape of an ‘N’ like loop. Special marine wax like glue, made locally is used on the joints for caulking planks, covered with cotton and clamped tight, making it leak proof. Teak from the Dang forests used in ancient ships, had heavy content of oil which made it resistant to decay in water.’

Shipbuilding is not a just a trade in the coastal towns of Gujarat, according to our ancient texts; it has been a way of life. Geographically located to have the country’s longest coastline that runs 1600 kms, trade via sea existed here since 2 BC. Lothal’s trapezoid reservoir and terracotta boat models prove that. The Mahabharata, ancient Greek and Roman books like the Batiyas and Peryaksa, African Tibu tib, all mention ports of Gujarat

European travelers of 16th and 17th centuries, Tomes Pires, Nicolo Conti, J.Ovington to name a few, have written on the master craftsmanship of Gujratees and their skills in shipbuilding. Ships built here, outshone the ones made in Europe; skillfully constructed to survive rough voyages in spite of damage to certain parts.

Aurangzeb’s navy here, had huge, 800 ton ships like the ‘Ganj I Sawai would sail out from Surat’s Meccapul, carrying Haj pilgrims to and fro.

Lovji Nusservanji Wadia, who set up the Bombay dockyard and went on to build frigates for the British, had honed his skills in his home state, in the city of Surat his surname -Wadia comes from the word ‘Wahandia’meaning shipbuilders.

During Kidd’s trial, in 1699, Kidd had testified that Quedagh Merchant was a “ship about four hundred tons in burthen made by the Surrat moors.’

Being the only pirate ship ever discovered in the Caribbean and only one of the three discovered in America, it is extremely precious to the departments of underwater -archeology, marine biology, ecology and geology. ‘Interpretation is very important to this project, as one of our main goals is to educate the general public not only about the shipwreck but also to the fragility of the surrounding marine life and their ecosystem.’ points out Fritz Hanselmann, anthropologist and research coordinator with the Office of Underwater Science.

Months after its discovery, the U.S. Agency for International Development USAID had awarded IU $ 200,000 to turn Captain Kidd’s shipwreck site and three other underwater preserves in the Dominican Republic into a ‘no-take, no –anchor ‘living museums.

National Geographic aired a documentary and put out a DVD on the discovery and study of the ship, including teak excavation called,’Shipwreck! Captain Kidd.’

In January this year, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (biggest in the world) sponsored a cannon weighing1500 pounds, from the 26 stacked on the wreck, to be transported to the IU’s Hoosier underwater Science Conservation Lab for 5 years of study and conservation. ‘This is a great opportunity for IU faculty and a student to obtain hands on experience during the converstion of this unique artifact that has created such international interest.’ says Beeker.

Professor Sumit Ganguly, Director of India Studies at IU, who received the’Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award’the highest honour bestowed to an Indian abroad, from President Pratibha Patil, last year, says,’ Indiana University has an International reputation for our academic excellence and diverse International programs. Beyond the discovery of Captain Kidd’s shipwreck in the Caribbean Sea, I am pleased with the IU investigations of the Quedagh Merchant, as a unique example of 17th century shipbuilding techniques in Western India and among the most significant shipwrecks representative of this era of India’s maritime heritage.’

“People often ask me if I found any of the famous treasure on board,” smiles Charles Beeker, I point out that,” No other 17th century ships had rabetted joints with tongue in groove construction. We believe this is a living museum. The treasure in this case, is the wreck itself. The preserve will provide a treasure of sorts for people to enjoy for hundreds of years’

Someday, he hopes to sail the shores and share the true wealth of Quedagh Merchant in her homeland-India.



PRIVATEER OR PIRATE?
Source-National Geographic
Captain Kidd blurred the line between pirate and privateer. Acting originally as a government issued privateer, he was ultimately executed for piracy. By either name, Kidd left behind a legacy and a mystery. Learn more about the man behind the tales:

Captain William Kidd was the only pirate known to ever actually bury treasure—on New York’s Gardiner’s Island.

Privateers were captains enlisted by the government to hunt pirates. A privateer captain would split the booty he captured with his crew and the government.

Although he’s often depicted as a flamboyant cutthroat pirate, William Kidd was actually an accomplished sailor and a businessman of considerable means.

London’s Execution Dock served for over 400 years as the prime spot to hang pirates…including William Kidd.

While the skull-and-crossbones is a popular pirate symbol, Golden Age pirates all had their own, unique flags.

The bodies of hanged pirates were often covered in tar and hung on the shore in a metal cage called a gibbet as a warning to would-be pirates.

During the first attempt to hang Captain Kidd, the rope broke and he fell. His executioners had to hang him a second time.

After his execution, the remainder of Kidd’s treasure was donated to Greenwich Hospital, a facility for British sailors.

SHIP’S NAMES, A STORY BY ITSELF
Frederick Hanselman, IU.

In the petition of Armenian owners to the Admiralty Court it was named several times QUIDAH MERCHANT alias KARY MERCHANT. Most likely CARA is misspelled KARY.

Quedagh is most likely after the Sultanate Kedah. This was common to give geographical names: India Merchant, Armenian Merchant or Surat Merchant.

What is Kary merchant? One hypothesis is that the Kalantar family which possessed the vessel had a monopole right, granted by the East India Company for the trade of garnets to England. In Armenian Kary Merchant is Stone (precise) Merchant.


ARMENIAN ANGLE.
Dr.Pavel Galoumian, along with his spouse Isabella heads ANAHIT-Armenian Nautical Association for the History of Intermaritime Trade. They are directly involved in archival and field research and had visited Surat last year .Both believe,” The Quedagh Merchant was not an ordinary vessel even the very fact of the appearance of an exotic oriental vessel built in India and belonged to Armenians in Caribbean waters is unique. More important is that the Quedagh Merchant find is valuable when it comes to the whole history of international relations and their evolution towards the modern philosophy, namely that of cooperation and fair trade. She represents an important historical heritage for many great nations of 17th century and merit a wide international recognition. “


PIRATE LINGO
Barnacles –Marine creatures related to crabs and lobsters.

Cackle Fruit-Chicken eggs.

Duffle-Everything a sailor owns, including bag.

Holystone-Bars of stone used to scrub decks, making sailors look like they are kneeling and praying.

Jacob’s Ladder-Rope ladder on ships.

Monkey-Small cannon.

Salmagundi-Popular pirate dish with chopped meat, eggs, anchovies, onions seasoned with garlic, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Black Jack- Large drinking mugs of leather made stiff by applying tar.

Scuttlebutt-Gossip on board deck while passing barrel of booze around.

T-20’s TAPI TOWN TATTLE.

Indian cricket team’s, friendly, benefit T20 match in Surat, before IPL season 3, was the topic of constant tattle in Tapi town.

Besides an event of this scale being organized for the first time here, Sachin, THE God of cricket, was going to perform for the first time, post the Gwalior glory.

The organizers pleaded Surtis to participate in a peaceful manner during the match and turn this golden opportunity of the town into a proud moment, with dignity.

Surtis buzzed phones over hot topics like, ‘who knows whom how well” and” what is the colour of your ticket?”.

With a seating capacity of 16, 700, at the freshly spruced up Lalbhai Contractor stadium, 14,000 tickets were sold out.

Nomophobics smuggled in phones, hiding them along with unmentionable body parts.

The crowds filled in the stands from 7 in the morning and once inside, it did not matter what colour their entry card was. The upper stalls were filled up with groups of fun loving locals and as usual had the maximum fun.

Most of the ones seated in the pavilion and royal boxes, had come in a couple. There were Sunday papas with enthusiastic poiras (fathers & sons), some senior officials with bored aunties, rich businessmen with pretty girls etc.

Both, Tendulkar and Sehwag’s teams were received with a standing ovation, as were all players who arrived and departed from the playing ground during the match.

Both teams shared the same pairs of cheerleaders.Sehwag and Kaif also shared a cricket bat, while Sachin used two.

Stud Yuvraj wore shoes with yellow soles that matched with his specially designed sunny tee shirt .He scored 12 runs amongst great applause, most hit using a single hand.

The commentator took T 20’s fun theme a tad too seriously and entertained crowds with lines like,’Watt ae sott!”,”Yuvi ke dono hath khule”,’aai hai!” etc.

There was no official score board on the cricket ground to display the score, but then, who was counting.

Entertainment during the lunch break had songs like,’Patiala peg lagakey, mein talli ho gayi”which were sung out to Surtis of the dry state who braved heat, thirst and hunger.

The players relished Corn cheese palak, Mutton seekh kebabs, Paneer lababdar, Chicken mamnas, Tangdi kebabs, Dhara fish tikkas, Chicken Biryani, dal makhani, patra fish, butter chicken boneless and Jeera rice with Mung dal halwa and Gulab Jamun for dessert as Surat nu jaman.

The lunch apparently must have been too heavy for Sehwag, Yuvraj and Gambhir who did not come out to field, post it.

Sachin not only fielded for his team, but also batted to the bowling of Surti boys, Mehul Patel-nickname Mehul Bano and Deepak Bhandari, before getting caught at the boundary by Mehul Bano.

Sehwag’s team won the match but for the Surti’s, they were winner all.

Spectators understandably cheered Sachin the most and remarked,’enaj toh paisa chey.’(He is worth it)

Everyone celebrated by popping soda bottles in the dry state, since champagne is taboo.

Surat’s first friendly T20 match turned out to be a good sign of the times to come.

The security staff, police officials and organizers all breathed a huge sigh of relief and hoped to catch a good night’s sleep at long last.

WOMEN ON TOP-FIRST LADIES OF BOLLYWOOD.

India’s first Oscar winner, costume designer Bhanu Athaiya is often remembered now and again for her feat in a category that unfortunately does not yet exist in the awards given out for achievements in Indian cinema.

Here are some Divas of Bollywood, first in their league, who set the standard for others to follow.

Devika Rani- Prima Donna, First lady of Indian cinema. First recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1970, earlier awarded Padma Shri in 1958. Student of London’s Royal Academy of drama and music. Apprentice to Elizabeth Arden, she was educated in architecture, textile, design décor. Heroine of the 1930’s, yet, way ahead of her times. Shocked prudes with first ever lip lock on screen that ran a record 4 minutes, in the movie Karma, which could put Mallika Sherawat to shame. Set up Bombay Talkies, which gave us the brilliant discovery- Dilip Kumar. This ban ki chidiya was given full state honours on her death in 1994.

Fatima Begum-Bollywood’s first lady director. An Urdu stage artist from Surat,she entered the film line with her debut in acting in Veer Abhimanyu,1922.Within four years went on to venture in writing ,producing ,directing films. Launched her own production house-Fatima films and directed Bulbul –e-Paristan.Shone on the sepia screen with her extremely fair screen, dark make up and fancy wigs. Though her marriage to the then Nawab of Sachin stood disputed in court, she followed her own dreams and paved a path to super success. All her three daughters, Zubeida, Sultan and Shazadi were superstars too.

Zubeida- Legendary actress, stunning beauty; this princess of Sachin, debuted at the mere age of 12. Talented at singing and dancing, she possessed an impeccable gift of speech. Female lead for India’s first talkie-Alam Ara, Prithviraj Raj Kapoor played a supporting actor in it. Her box-office bonanzas jingled cash counters. Highest paid actor of her times. She set the screen afire, portraying characters which ranged from a courtesan to mythological ones. Successive hits include Balidaan based on Tagore’s Sacrifice. Rocked as the circus gal of, ‘Zarina’ whose steamy scenes sent censors in a tizzy.

Nadia- The fearless. India’s first stuntwoman, The Hunterwali, was an Australian- born Mary Ann Evans. Introduced to Bollywood via Wadia Movietone, she broke the belief that heroines should be docile stereotypes, wore figure hugging clothes, knee high boots. Bringing baddies to book by jumping horse carts, fencing with villains, running on train tops, swinging atop chandeliers, performed all her dangerous stunts .This whip brandishing ,bold superwoman, who was queen of tongawallahs and paanwallahs set trends of Hunterwali bags, bangles and chappals,nevertheless.

Usha Khanna-Bollywood’s only established female music director. At sweet sixteen, she composed her own songs without being formally trained in music. Made a grand debut 1959 with ‘Dil Deke Dekho’ and set rumours rife that it was just a publicity stunt and someone else was actually composing the music.50 years in the industry, she still composes tunes for television serials and music videos. Her tune in ‘Har nazar ke sau afsaane’ inspired A R Rahman for ‘Latka dikha diya ‘.Known to promote new talent, Sonu Nigam, Pankaj Udhas, Roop Kumar Rathod,to name a few.

Tun Tun-Christened thus, by Dilip Kumar, this roly poly comedian’s mere presence set off laugh a riot spells.While other actresses starved themselves, Tun Tun constantly ate from her ‘dabba’ on the sets, claiming,’I have to maintain my weight. Born Uma Devi and orphaned as a child, she had a natural funny flair but was a singer by choice. She was introduced to many music directors by Govinda’s parents Arun and Nirmala Devi Ahuja.Her childhood dream to sing for Naushad came true with the chartbuster,’Afsaana likh rahi hoon’,later on his advice she switched to acting.

Nadira-Although Kajol was the first actress to receive an award for a negative role, Bollywood’s original vamp was born with Farhat Ezekiel Nadira.Femme fatale Maya in Shri 420.While Kuldeep Kaur(Anarkali), Manorama, and Shashikala played baddies who troubled the heroines, haughty Nadira made life living hell even for spouses, as the haughty bold savage princess in Aan, jealous wife in Dil apnaa aur preet parai.An established baddie against chaste heroines,she was amongst the first Indian actors to own a Rolls Royce.

Persis Khambatta-Zeenat Aman is considered the first lady in Bollywood to crossover from winning a beauty paegent to acting.Before her, it was Persis Khambatta-India’s bald and beautiful-‘you fascinate me ‘gal, who scored big in Hollywood in spite of not making waves back home. In 1979, she presented an academy award, something that no other citizen of India has been invited to do yet. Breathtaking beauty as llia of Star Trek, she went on to star in Nighthawks, Megaforce, and Warriors of the lost world. Said to have refused to strip for films or Playboy magazine, this Indian hottie dies a controversial, untimely death.

Daisy & Honey Irani-Acting for these balikas, was no kid stuff. Daisy and sister Honey Irani were cherubic charmers, who fetched biggest openings during the golden years of cinema. They were household names as favourite child artists. Roles were specially written to fit them in, films promoted on their basis.Daisy continued to work in the industry for more than 35 films. Honey went on to write successful scripts. She was once married to Javed Akhtar and is the mother of Zoya and Farhan Akhtar.

Sharmila Tagore-Kareena Kapoor took to Tashan and melted down to size zero for impact in a bikini. But, it was beau Saif Ali Khan’s mommy dearest who first sizzled on Indian screen in an itsy bitsy, teeny weenie, bikini. Tagore who began her career with Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar and stole many hearts as the Kashmir ki kali, ended the age of innocence with an Evening in Paris. This put the established actress on the list of Indian Cinema’s hottest heroines forever.