August 2008 Free Copy

www.citymasala.com
A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian
 CityMasala IN THIS ISSUE
A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian August 2008
12 Cover Story:
MOZART OF ASIA: 16 HERBS TO RESTORE
A R RAHMAN YOUR HEALTH
Various herbs may be put together and
A R Rahman, the Mozart of Asia,
used to bring out their antiseptic prop-
needs no introduction. He is as well
erties when fevers are prolonged and
known in India as he is all over the
are of unknown origin. Holy basil
world and his appeal lies in the way
(tulsi) - basil has a volatile oil like
he blends popular music into classi-
camphor and has antiseptic and heal-
cal and remains true to music at its
ing properties.
very core.

18 REPAIR YOUR SKIN

FROM SUN DAMAGE
14 TEST CRICKET: We live in one of the country’s hottest
An Epitaph States and the sun can play havoc with
I believe that Test Cricket is at our skin. No matter how many precau-
death’s doorsteps. I am currently tions we take, there can still be dam-
watching the first Test match be- age to our skin that requires that extra
tween England and South Africa. It little bit of attention.
is the 5th day and the match is teeter-
ing towards a tame draw.
26 DINING IN FORMAL
COMPANY
24 BOLLYWOOD Ever wondered what they teach in
Singh is Kinng ‘finishing schools’ as far as table man-
The King of Singhs, Akshay Kumar, ners go? How about how to attack
says that he always wanted to play a your food if an interview has been
Sikh character, and that his wish has planned over a meal? Office lunches,
finally come true with Vipul Shah’s client dinners - ever been a challenge?
flick, Singh Is Kinng. According to
Akki, the Sikhs are one of the most
intelligent and brave ...

8 CHAAT MASALA 10 Beauty With Shahnaz: Hair 28 Auntyji Ko Pucho

Chehal Pehal Removal Techniques
CityMasala readers, don’t forget to 14 Comic Strip: Small Hands
send in your latest events, khabar, 16 Health Talk: Fever or Febrile
updates and any other interesting Convulsion - Treatments
tidbits to info@citymasala.com. If 22 Reel Talk: Movie Reviews
you send in pictures, it will make it 26 Daru Ka Nasha: Dad’s
more interesting! Edition
31 In The Kitchen: Recipe -
Minced Meat Kofta Curry
31 CityMasala Book Club: One
Life to Ride: By Ajit
Harisinghani
32 Star Lite Star Brite:
Horoscope

Published By TEAM MASALA

Anita Singh Guest Contributors
CityMasala LLC Editor and Publisher Ashish Jain Lata Kumar
Marketing Tampa Chhaya Sanghavi Javid Lateef
Email
813-476-5415; 813-642-3313; 863-558-3356 Shaphali Jain Dr. Maulik Trivedi
info@citymasala.com
Nandini Chakraborty
Marketing Orlando Marketing Representative Nidhi Chanani On the Web
813-465-2311 Tampa Shahnaz Husain www.citymasala.com
Email Sales: Sales@citymasala.com Beena Patel Sheniz Janmohamed
Vish Viswanathan
CityMasala is published by CityMasala LLC. The opinions and viewpoints of our contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of CityMasala’s.
CityMasala disclaims any liability with respect to the use of our reliance on any such information and further disclaims any liability to any party for loss or
damage caused by errors or omissions, negligence, accident or any other cause. CityMasala reserves the right to reject any advertisement they deem unac-
ceptable or inappropriate for publication in CityMasala. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and originality of content. Copyright © 2005 CityMa-
sala LLC. All rights reserved. Reprinting of any material without prior permission from CityMasala is prohibited.

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 6 www.citymasala.com August 2008

 CityMasala readers - thank you for your continued response to the Chaat Masala column. The che-
hal pehal and the masala continues to pour in and we have made space for as much as information
as we could.
Remember, if you have an interesting tidbit to pass on to us, don’t forget to write in to
info@citymasala.com. Pictures make it more interesting, so do remember to send us some.

place it in your publication? The website is

Remember the vibrant and talented Uberoi sisters who
graced our cover in October of 2007? We received an email
www.uberoisisters.com. It’s fun and very interactive. If
you could announce it, it would help us out tremendously as
from Shikha saying,
the more hits we get the more coverage we will gain, plus the
“ Hope you are well. I wanted to ask you a favor. Neha and I great bonuses that follow.”
have had a website for quite some time now and have re-
So, CityMasala readers, do us proud and do check out the
cently added great new items, such as youtube clips, blogs, a
Uberoi sisters’ website to encourage them and provide the
fan facebook and orkut. Could you please help me out and
boost that they need from our rock solid community here!

TAMPA, FLORIDA: The Federation of Indian generation.

Associations of Tampa Bay (made up of 36 dif-
ferent organizations) will be celebrating India’s
61st Independence Day on Saturday, August 16 at
the Indian Cultural Center in Tampa.
“We are expecting more than 1,000 people to at-
tend the festivities, which will begin with flag
hoisting at 5 p.m.,” said Dr. Ram Ramcharran,
event chairperson.
Indian Americans of different persuasions and
walks of life will begin with a ‘High Tea’ (4.30-
5.00 pm) and a parade with drums at the reception,
the Indian tricolor and the American flag will be
hoisted followed by renderings of the national
anthems of both the adopted and the mother land.
“A lot of singing and dancing and no long
speeches will be a major part of the celebrations
along with different regional exhibits, vendors and
food. The FIA Independence Day Event presents
itself as one of the biggest parties in town and one
of the most significant annual events for all the
Indian Americans”, says Dr. Krishna Batra.
Special features of this year's event, according to
the Event Chair Dr. Ram Ramcharran, will be the
Youth Participation in a debate along with heart-
warming narrations of personal stories relevant to
the theme of the Independence struggle from fami-
lies present at the event, award distributions to the
brightest and best citizens and those of the younger
“The theme this year is ‘Come Celebrate our Cul-
ture,” said Dr. Ramcharran. “For the first time, we
will be discussing the history of India, showing a
movie on independence and successes of what
India has accomplished since its freedom. We will
have family members share personal stories of
parents or grandparents who participated in the
independence process.”
Invited guests include Dr. Souku Rao, the incom-
ing president of Association of American Physi-
cians from India (AAPI) and Congresswomen
Kathy Castor.
The 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. event will be held at the
Indian Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa.
For more information, call Dr. Ram Ramcharran at
(727) 460-2460 or FIA President Krishan K. Batra
at (813) 963-9857.

greens fees, cart, box lunch, dinner,
photo, on course beverages, range
balls, and more. You are advised to
register your team as soon as possible
as there are only limited spots which
are filling up very quickly.
It’s that time of the year again! In-
Registration forms can by downloaded
doUS is hosting its 7th Annual Golf
from the website www.indo-us.org/
tournament at The Eagles in Odessa,
pdf/GOLFFLYER_2008.pdf. You can
FL on August 1, 2008. You don't need
also contact Francis Vayalumkal at
to be a pro to play as the format re-
francis.vayalumkal@gmail.com or
mains a four player scramble with
813-719-0303. If you don't have a
trophies going out to 1st and 2nd place
team, we will assign you to one. More
teams within each handicap. Longest
information and sponsorship opportu-
drive, closest to the pin, and other
nities are available at
competitions will also be recognized.
www.indo-us.org.
The cost is $100, and includes your
Sunil Thakkar of Houston,TX ant - the
debuts on Star One’s, “The Great only NRI
Indian Laughter Challenge” and Gujarati
contender -
Sunil Thakkar is the first NRI con-
they have my
testant featured in this show which
hopes up
is back with a smashing new season
that I’ll be around for at least a few
that began on June 06 2008.
more of the finals’ episodes.”
“While I thought my American- Thakkar is familiar to NRIs as the
style comedy would not be appreci- face of Masala Cruises, appearing
ated by the masses in India, the as different characters on Indian
directors of Star One’s Great In- Satellite Channel commercials
dian Laughter Challenge thought year-round. Stay tuned to Star ONE
quite the opposite,” says Thakkar for this show where Thakkar will
who is still in Mumbai shooting the share the stage with celebrity hosts
top 13 Finals. “The direction team Vidya Balan, Malika Sherawat &
really sees me as a unique contest- Akshay Kumar.

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 8 www.citymasala.com August 2008

 By: Shahnaz Husain

TEMPORARY METHODS Soothing creams should be used after

In this issue I would Plucking waxing the face.
like to share my This method involves the use of tweezers
thoughts on hair re- For excessive facial hair, many women
and removes hair from its follicles. Re-
use a combination of methods, like
moval methods with growth is not so quick and it is also suit-
threading the chin and upper lip and
you. able for stray hairs on the chin, between
bleaching the rest of the face. Or, thread-
and under the brows. It should not be
There are many ways of ing the chin and upper lip and waxing
used for hair on upper lip. The area being
removing facial hair. sideburns.
treated should be first wiped with cotton
The method should be wool which has been soaked in a mild
PERMANENT METHODS
chosen according to the antiseptic solution. One should also take for facial hair. Cold wax would be safer
Electrolysis
quantity or thickness of care not to pluck out hair from a mole for the face. However, large areas of the
Although this is a permanent method of
hair growth, its location before consulting a doctor. face should not be waxed. It would be
hair removal, re-growth may occur.
and rate of growth. Threading In electrolysis, the diathermy
This is the most common method method is most common. It involves
Information regarding of removing facial hair. The disad- the use of fine needles, through
the advantages and vantage is that the effect is tempo- which an electric current is passed.
disadvantages of the rary and the procedure has to be When introduced into the hair folli-
various methods is es- repeated periodically. It is useful cle, it cauterizes the hair root and
sential. Since excessive for areas like the upper lip and the destroys the papilla. This checks re-
growth of facial hair is eyebrows. In fact, threading is growth. It is an expensive procedure
usually a hormonal done to shape the eyebrows. Fre- and takes time, as an interval of two
problem, it is also a quent threading can cause skin weeks should be allowed between
irritations. On sensitive skin, there sessions. It is extremely important
good idea to consult an
can be redness or a rash. Avoid to make enquiries about the electro-
endocrinologist about threading on areas with eruptions, lysist, as scarring may occur in the
it. An endocrinologist is like pimples or acne. Zinc oint- hands of an unskilled operator. One
a doctor who specializes ment can be applied to soothe the should also ensure that sterile dis-
in hormones. skin. Ice can also be applied. posable needles are used. Re-growth
has been known to occur.
Please send your ques- Waxing good for smaller areas like the chin, up-
tions and comments to This can also be used for facial hair. per lip or sideburns. Sometimes, waxing Contd. On age 18
beauty@citymasala.com Many beauty salons offer katori waxing the face can cause a rash or pimples.

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 10 www.citymasala.com August 2008

 By: Lata Kumar
A R Rahman, the Mozart of Asia, needs no intro-
duction. He is as well known in India as he is all
over the world and his appeal lies in the way he
blends popular music into the classical and re-
mains true to music at its very core. When we
hear the “Bombay Theme” music in Lord of War
and “Chaiya Chaiya” in Inside Man, every In-
dian heart swells with pride.
When CityMasala called me for an interview with
Rahmanji, I was thrilled. I am fortunate enough
to know this great musician. When I emailed him
asking for an interview for CityMasala he replied
immediately in his endearing way... “soon”. He
was busy with the opening of his Music Conser-
vatory and many other projects. I contacted him
initially in February of 2008 and he kept in touch
constantly to let me know he would do the inter-
view soon. Finally, my wait came to an end. He
said he would talk to me after his interview with
Hi! Blitz on Saturday, May 31, 2008.
We have all read about his birth, converting to
the Muslim faith, his first break and other tidbits.
In this interview, I have tried to get a closer look
at Rahman, the person.
I also wanted to make our community aware of
my group called Thaiya Thaiya, which provides
musical entertainment for all ages and occasions. the night for him but he answered every question
I created it in the year 2000 with Rahmanji’s
blessings. I met him for the first time in New York did not hurry me to get it over with.
at that time while he was on a tour in the US.
LK: Rahmanji, first of all, congratulations on all
the awards you have received in the last few
months, both as a composer and for Best Back-
ground Score for Guru. It is you who has made
the background score as important as it is both
in Guru and Jodha Akbar. How difficult or dif-
ferent is it from composing a regular song?
ARR: It is not tough. You just have to absorb the
film completely, and the music. Sometimes you
go with it and sometimes, you go against it.
LK: Do you see the whole movie at one time or
one scene at a time?
ARR: I see the whole movie first and then I take
certain sequences and start working with them.
Sometime we do generic themes and try to make
them fit in the movie.
CM: Your fame precedes you, yet you remain
elusive to the media and people know very little
about who you really are. Is this because you are
innately shy or because it is unnecessary for
people to get to know you – your music touching
their hearts is sufficient?
ARR: (chuckling) I think of it this way - I am not
an actor, I’m just a musician so, all people want
from me is my music. Although, I have done
many interviews, I always feel it is not necessary. ARR: Hmmm ... I can’t think of any because I
For me it is just the music and the love for it.
LK: I agree wholeheartedly and we all enjoy your their share of creativity that God has given them
love for your music through your compositions.
LK: What gives you the most creative satisfac-
tion, music for Tamil or Hindi movies, for Holly- LK: “Humility” is the first word uttered to de-
wood or Broadway musicals or private albums
like Vandhe Mathiram?
ARR: Music is just one element in the film when ble. You said that it was a
CityMasala www.citymasala.com
Since then, in a unique way, we have been
friends. He has always blessed every presentation
of Thaiya Thaiya. The name Thaiya Thaiya, as
you may have guessed, was inspired from Rah-
manji’s song from Dil Se. I chose it over ‘Chaiya
Chaiya’ because it was a more universal sound
for music. Since then, Thaiya Thaiya has been
performing in and out of Florida. It performed
for the Tamil Nadu Foundation along with Vijay
who is now a top playback singer in the Tamil
Industry and goes by the name of ‘Krish”. Thaiya
Thaiya also organizes many musical shows for
great artists such as Hariharan, Sadhana
Sargam, Kavita Krishnamoorthy, Shanker Ma-
hadevan, P Unnikrishnan, Karthik and, last but
not the least, the great S P Balasubramanian.
Basically, Thaiya Thaiya, is a musical band
which works with great musicians (professionals
who play for the likes of Rahman, Hari-ji, Shan-
ker Mahadevan etc.) Based on the host and the
budget, we put together a customized event.
When Rahmanji finally called me to do the inter-
view, the first thing that came out of my mouth
was a squeak! Then I took a deep breath and
thanked him for giving me his time. He was at his
music studio and I could hear the hustle and bus-
tle of traffic as we started to talk. It was late in
with openness and passion. He was relaxed and
you take a classic. The composition definitely
has its own value such as a piece like “Bombay
Theme” which you enjoy by itself on the radio.
When you take a movie, the music may be good
but the movie doesn’t do well. The whole impact
of the music is halved, or a percentage of it is, so
it is important when the whole theme succeeds in
a movie. That is when I get full satisfaction.
When you consider Jodha Akbar in this scenario,
or Yuva or Rang de Basanti, it gives me a lot of
satisfaction because it has reached many more
people and they understand what went behind it.
CM: You say you are a deeply spiritual person
and that Sufism is where religion and music
meet – could you elaborate on this?
ARR: I think art is a reflection of what is inside.
Sufism is what you feel when you meditate, what
you feel when you listen to beautifully composed
music. It is said that there are different names for
God and some of the names don’t have words. In
my opinion, and I feel this very deeply, music is
one of the major Gods. There are no words in it,
there is feeling in it and spirituality in it.
LK: Is there any song from any period that you
wish you had composed?
appreciate people for what they do. Each one has
and I value that and respect that, and so I look at
it in a different way (laughs).
scribe you. Even when you received the Film-
fare award, you were so hum-
Contd. On Page 18
12 www.citymasala.com August 2008
 By: Javid Lateef
I believe that Test bowling and field-
Cricket is at The stands are half full…and ing.
death’s doorsteps. that too at Lords, the most Now think about
I am currently hallowed of all cricket fields. this, today’s audi-
watching the first
ence doesn’t have
Test match be-
the patience to sit
tween England
through 20 overs of
and South Africa.
a 50 over game,
It is the 5th day
and you want them
and the match is
to continue to sup-
teetering towards
port the 5 day ver-
a tame draw. The
sion? I think not. I
stands are half full
believe in the near
… and that too at
future, that teams
Lords, the most
that are touring will
hallowed of all
play no more than 2
cricket fields.
test matches and
Test Cricket can
the tickets for these
be an enthralling
games will be
contest between
highly discounted.
two sides, pro-
vided there is a sporting wicket to play on. This I had briefly touched upon Mo-
particular test match has already seen four individ- hammed Asif and his propensity
ual scores of 150+, and though England bowled for getting himself into dope re-
South Africa out pretty cheaply in the first innings lated charges. The IPL had done
and made them follow on, they have batted almost an illegal substance check on all
2 full days for the loss of only 3 wickets! players and had sent the samples to
an independent laboratory in Swit-
Sub-continent Test cricket can be this boring too;
zerland. The results came back
with the exception of the minefield turners we
and out of all the players in the
subject visiting teams to, when we desperately
IPL, one had tested positive- Mohammed Asif. He, of the Sri Lankan tour and cited mental and physi-
need a win. With the advent of 20/20 cricket, even
of course, as usual, denies any wrong doing, but as cal fatigue as the reason. I think we will see more
the traditional (how funny is this … a decade ago
the old adage goes, there can be no smoke without of this and a rotation policy will need to come into
the pundits frowned upon limited overs cricket of
fire. It looks like the end of the road for this crick- effect so that the players don’t get all worn down
the 50 over version and now it’s ‘traditional’) 50
eter who promised so much. and injury prone.
over game is losing spectators. The reason being,
the middle overs in the 50 over game are usually The other issue that needs to be mentioned here is Looking forward to the Sri Lankan tour and young
about consolidation, not losing wickets, and mov- the fact that there is just too much cricket being Ajantha Mendis, who is quite an unorthodox spin-
ing the score along. So, for a good 20 overs, one played right now. M S Dhoni, who is one of the ner and seeing how the Indian batting might cope
is subjected to singles, twos and very defensive fittest cricketers on the Indian side, has opted out with him. Till next time … signing off for now.

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 14 www.citymasala.com August 2008


I have received many a call and spoken to many a panicked mother because of a child suffering from high fever. The
human body maintains its temperature at 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Centigrade (oral). Normal tempera-
tures range from 97.6 degrees C to 99.6 degrees C. Fever is simply a reaction of the body to an infection. Children
tend to run higher temperatures which are not related to the severity of the illness. Fever raises body temperature and
the body produces sweat to cool it.
The heat from the
fever makes more
water evaporate from
the skin and also in-
creases body metabo-
lism whereby all sys-
tems work faster-
heart rate quickens,
respiration increases, throat and mouth get dry.
This exhausts the water and blood glucose levels in
the body causing weakness, lethargy and nausea.
In children, it can lead to dehydration very rapidly.
SYMPTOMS
High temperature which may be accompanied with
body ache, dry skin, headache, exhaustion, weak-
ness, nausea or vomiting. When the temperature
rises very quickly, the child may go into a fit or
have a convulsion. During a convulsion, hands,
face and limbs tighten, eyes may roll up, and the
child may seem unfocussed. This is called a Feb-
rile convulsion. It is very frightening to the parents
but usually does no harm to the child or the brain.
CAUSES
Rise in temperature is due to the body’s reaction to
infections such as the following.
• Viral (flu, cold, measles, dengue).
• Bacterial (for e.g. an infection in the ear or
respiratory tract, a urinary or gastric infection
or dysentery or typhoid).
• Parasitic (for e.g. malaria).
• Prolonged exposure to heat (heat exhaustion,
heat stroke, dehydration).
Heat exhaustion occurs when one is exposed to
high temperatures. This results in a lot of water
loss from the body in the form of sweat making it
Various herbs may be put together and used to bring out their antiseptic properties when fevers are prolonged and are of unknown origin.
Holy basil (tulsi) - basil has a volatile oil like camphor and has antiseptic and healing properties.
CityMasala www.citymasala.com
By: Dr. Adarsh Jain
difficult for the body to cool down. It causes fa-
tigue, weakness, dizziness, nausea and restlessness.
Heat stroke occurs when there is no water in the
body to sweat out. The body gets hot and dry, the
face becomes red and the person can get confused,
delirious and may even lose consciousness.
CURE
A good number of fevers are of viral origin, which
have to run their own course and usually work
through the body in two to five days. You can add
to the recovery process by doing the following:
• Resting and maintaining the body’s defenses are
the best cures and can be achieved through a
steady supply of extra nutritious fluids such as
small amounts of lukewarm, mildly sweetened
diluted juices, sherbets, lemonades, soups,
broths or even plain water.
• Drinks should be between two to six ounces at a
time and at frequent intervals of 15-60 minutes.
When fever is higher, frequency of fluid intake
should be increased. This is very important in
children.
• In cases of heatstroke, treatment aims at cooling
the body rapidly by giving a bath or with wet
sponges and replenishing water and electrolytes
lost in sweating.
• You should try to give fluids while the child is
asleep as well. Raise her at an angle, encourag-
ing her to drink and help her lie back down.
• Applying wet towels (room temperature) on the
forehead, face, ears and back of the neck is done
if the child is restless. Wetting the hair also
helps.
• If hands and feet are cooler and the head very
16 www.citymasala.com
hot, sponge down the
head immediately. It
may be a precursor of
febrile convulsion.
Sponge head, give flu-
ids and warm up feet
and hands by rubbing.
Give medication to
bring fever down.
• If temperature is too
high, keep a wet pack of towels on the head,
back of the neck and under the armpits, it helps
in lowering the temperature.
• In febrile convulsions, cooling down the head
stops the convulsion. Fits can occur at any tem-
perature.
• Food given during fever should be easy to digest
such as bread or toast with jam, pasta etc. Milk
products, eggs and meat are to be restricted.
(These are high protein foods which take a
longer time to digest and thus produce more heat
in the body.)
• A tepid water bath for 15 minutes in cases with
heat exposure helps to bring the fever down.
• You should seek appropriate treatment for bac-
terial and parasitic infections with medical con-
sultation.
PREVENTION
When going out in the sun, drink plenty of water,
use a sun hat or an umbrella and wear loose and
light clothes. Take anti parasitic medicines and
lotions when traveling to areas prone to certain
diseases. Keep immunity levels up by adopting a
healthy diet, taking adequate rest, doing breathing
exercises and drinking plenty of water.
August 2008

Contd. From Page 10
Perma tweeze
In this method, a pair of electrically operated
tweezers are used to pluck out the hair. The ad-
vantage is that it does not involve the use of nee-
dles. Perma tweeze also requires several sittings,
depending on the extent of hair growth and the
texture.
Laser
This is the latest method of permanent removal
of facial hair. The world LASER stands for Light
Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radia-
tion. Laser produces an intense beam of light
which is absorbed by the hair follicles. The laser
disables the hair follicle’s ability to produce hair.
Cooling devices are used to prevent damage to
the rest of the skin.
The advantage of laser over Electrolysis is that
the laser light can scan broader areas. Therefore,
fewer sessions are required. It is an expensive
procedure. Re-growth occurs in some cases, but
is slower and scantier.
It is very important to find a good laser clinic.
The temporary known side effects are redness,
swelling and itching. The main risk in laser treat-
ment is the possibility of skin burns. So, before
choosing the clinic, it is essential to find out its
reputation by making enquiries and talking to
people who have been through the treatment.
We live in one of the country’s hottest States and are the envy of those up north during harsh cold winters. The summer time, however,
can play havoc with our skin and no matter how many precautions we take, there can still be damage to our skin that will require that
extra little bit of attention.
The relentless and ruthless sun of summer can damage your skin in various harmful ways. It can make you appear quite tanned and dark
and in some cases, you can even get sun burned. Here are some tips to help you repair you skin.
♦ Apply a solution made of 4 tsp of sandal-
wood oil mixed with two tsp of almond oil
along with 5 tbsp of coconut oil
on the area that is damaged.
♦ Massage the affected area with
sandalwood cream.
♦ Try applying a paste of multani
mitti, also known as fuller’s earth,
along with sandalwood powder
for treating suntan.
♦ Make a paste of barley, turmeric
and yogurt (equal quantities of all)
and apply it on the sunburnt area.
♦ Cold Aloe -Vera gel, apple cider
vinegar and plantain also help
greatly in healing sunburn.
♦ Make sure you avoid applying
lotions that contain topical anes-
thetic medications for curing sun-
tan. These lotions make you more
sensitive and allergic to these
medicines.
CityMasala www.citymasala.com
HOME REMEDIES • 3 tsp powdered barley can be mixed with one
For very fine downy hair, scrubs and exfoliation can
help. This would discourage hair growth over a pe-
riod of time, if used regularly.
• Make a thick paste of sugar, lemon juice and
water and apply it in the direction of hair
growth. Wash off when it dries. Apply once or
twice a week.
• Apply a paste of turmeric powder and milk and
rub this on the skin with a circular motion. It is
said to discourage facial hair, but it may leave a
yellowish tinge on the skin.
• Blend one egg white with 1 tbsp of sugar and
1/2 tbsp of corn flour until it becomes a sticky
paste. Apply the mixture to your face. When it
dries gently peel it off. Repeat this 3-4 times a
week.
• Many infants are born with facial and body
hair. For infants, a stiff dough can be made with
flour (maida), like the dough made for chapat-
tis. The dough itself should be rubbed on the
face and body gently. It is said to discourage
hair growth.
• Mix besan and yogurt and add a pinch of tur-
meric. Apply the mixture and wash off when
dry. For dry skin, it may be used once a week.
For oily skin, this can be used two or three
times a week.
♦ Another quick healing tip is dipping some
gauze in milk and applying it to the damaged
18 www.citymasala.com
By: Shahnaz Husain
tsp cold milk and 2 to 3 tsp lemon juice. Apply
and leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse off
with water. Do this two to three times a week. It
is said to discourage hair growth over a period
of time.
• Shapeel (Honey-Apricot Peel-off Mask) : We
have formulated Shapeel, which is a peel-off
pack. It contains apricot and honey. It should be
applied on the face and when it is dry, it should
be peeled off. This helps to discourage and
remove fine facial hair.
area.
♦ The tannic acid from tea also draws out the
burn from the affected area and helps in
faster healing of the skin. If applied
correctly, this method for curing suntan
also relieves pain, however, it does not
help in preventing the skin from peeling.
♦ Make sure you apply sunscreen
generously before stepping out. If you
anticipate prolonged exposure to the
sun, use hats, umbrellas and carry sun-
screen with you to re-apply when neces-
sary.
♦ Try to wear light shades like
peach, pink, white or lemon when going
out.
♦ Wearing cotton, chiffon, and crepe
also helps in warding off heat.
♦ Avoid colors like black, brown,
red and burgundy along with other dark
shades as such colors absorb sun rays
quickly and can damage your skin.
August 2008

Director: Sachin Khot Cast: Mallika Sherawat, Ranvir Shorey, Tinnu Anand and Zeenat Aman (Special Appearnace)
We have all heard of soft romantic comic love stories.
Now get set for a love story with a punch, a thud and
some serious arm twisting thrown in with zero bedside
manners.
Ugly and Pagli is the story of Kabir (Ranvir Shorey), a
carefree guy who has been studying engineering for the
last ten years and whose life goes for a sixer when he
meets the quirky and kinky Kuhu (Mallika Sherawat).
Kabir always wanted a girl to love but never in his
wildest dreams had he thought that he would encounter
a girl who is as crazy as Kuhu and who makes him do
even crazier things.
The funny part is they actually fall in love with each
other and what we get is one of the quirkiest love sto-
ries of the year. Kuhu or Pagli is an obnoxious, strong
and witty girl who is totally out of control. She has
been going through a personal crisis and feels the only
Director: Afzal Khan Cast: Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt and Manisha Koirala
New York – a city of affluence and grandeur
… home to the handsome, successful and very
rich Shravan Dhariwal (Sanjay Dutt) who has
everything one can dream of. What he doesn’t
have, he buys. He is one of the most eligible
bachelors around and can pick any woman he
wants. Along comes Varsha (Manisha
Koirala) and his life changes.
Varsha is an Indian girl who values self-
respect and morality over and above the
money and glamour of America. She is the
first girl in Shravan’s life who says no to his
advances. Shravan does everything to win her
over including going to meet her father to ask
for her hand in marriage. Varsha’s father con-
vinces her that Shravan genuinely loves her
and after much deliberation, Varsha agrees to
get engaged to him. They end up making love
KISMAT KONNECTION
Director: Aziz Mirza Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Juhi Chawla and Om Puri
In college, Raj Malhotra (Shahid Kapur) was numero uno -
in academics, sports, dramatics, and touted as a candidate
for the cover of Time magazine. Four years after winning
the best-student-of-the-year trophy from his architectural
college, with designs to set the Canadian landscape on fire,
he's wondering why he is still struggling to find that One
Big Chance to showcase his mettle.
It's almost as though some negative kismat is following
him around because whenever something good is about to
happen, it seems doomed to fail. Why else would his alarm
refuse to ring, his shower stop midway, his car refuse to
start, just when he's in a tearing hurry to reach a crucial
meeting on time? The end result is the same - the deal is
dead or the client is dead!
Desperate to fight this cursed kismat that's bent on playing
such mean tricks on him, Raj meets a quirky oracle, Hasina
Bano Jaan (Juhi Chawla) who tells him that soon his stars
CityMasala www.citymasala.com
By: Team Masala
UGLY AND PAGLI
way she can overcome it is to put someone else through
what she has been going through. Roughly translated,
scoop out a loser guy, make him fall in love with her,
and then turn his life upside down.
When Ugly meets Pagli one cold winter night at V.T.
Station, his life gets turned around in unimaginable
ways. Poor Ugly tries hard to escape Pagli’s clutches,
but in the process, ends up falling in love with her. Will
Ugly survive Pagli’s insane demands and tantrums, or
will he run screaming for cover?
Ugly Aur Pagli marks the debut of director Sachin
Khot, who has previously made television serials for
local channels in Indonesia.
The film’s supporting cast includes Tinu Anand,
Sushmita Mukherjee and Manish Anand. The movie
also has a cameo by Zeenat Aman. The music has been
www.erosentertainment.com provided by Anu Malik.
MEHBOOBA
www.erosentertainment.com and Varsha’s beautiful dream comes to a
shocking end when Shravan tells her that his
love for her was just a show so he could sleep
with her. Heart broken and shattered, Varsha
leaves the country to start a new life.
Shravan goes to India as his younger brother
Karan (Ajay Devgan) has decided to get mar-
ried. Karan, settled in Europe, is in complete
contrast to his brother. Intrigued as to who his
brother is so smitten by, Shravan keeps pester-
ing his brother to tell him more about the love
of his life. Karan describes Payal as an angel,
a goddess he is madly in love with. A girl
with amazing charm and beauty like none
other. As the marriage day arrives closer,
Payal arrives from Europe. Shravan meet
Payal. What happens next? Watch the movie
to find out!
will change and everything will work in his favor; but for
all this to happen, Raj has to first find his lucky charm
and never let go of it. She tells him no more, leaving Raj
mystified, trying to figure out what this charm could be.
Priya (Vidya Balan), a tough-talking, tough-decision
taking girl with a heart of gold, is an idealist who is intent
on making the world a better, more humane place. She is
a doer who believes in action. Raj succeeds in persuading
pretty Priya that he's the Messiah who can save her be-
loved Community Center from destruction and also man-
ages to open her eyes to the ways of her philandering
fiancé (Amit Verma). All of a sudden, his life seems to be
right on track.
Does this mean that Raj has unwittingly discovered his
lucky charm? Has lady luck finally decided to smile on
him? Where will his new found kismet ultimately take
him? Only Kismat Konnection can tell.
www.erosentertainment.com
22 www.citymasala.com August 2008
 By: Nandini Chakraborty

www.erosentertainment.com

Director Nandita Das ... Big B ka boss Ace ... A R Rahman’s Blue Com-
Dusky actress Nandita Das has now decided to News sources say that Aamir Khan will be direct-
advance to another field. She is going to become a ing the Shehenshah in his next movie as a direc- position...
director with her directorial debut, Firaaq. The tor. The movie is speculated to be a sci-fi movie, We will soon be listening to more of the music
film will star ace actors like Naseeruddin Shah, with Amitabh Bachchan in one of the roles. composed by the King of Music in India, A.R.
Paresh Rawal, Sanjay Suri and Tisca Chopra. Whether he will play a lead role is still not con- Rahman. He is said to have been approached by
“The film is an ensemble of five stories. It deals firmed. With the kind of fate Love Story 2050 has the team of Blue to compose the music. Sources
with emotions, relationships, reaction and help- met with, Aamir is a brave man to attempt a big also say that Rahman has agreed. The movie is
lessness during times of communal violence” said budget movie on Sci-Fi. still being shot with a star cast of Akshay Kumar,
Nandita, speaking about her film. With a star cast Katrina Kaif, Sanjay Dutt and Lara Dutta. Rah-
like that, it sounds like a great movie in the mak- man’s music will also be heard in Aamir’s upcom-
ing. Singh is Kinng … or is it ing movie, Ghajini.
Kumar is King?
Vidya ko gussa kyon aata The King of Singhs, Akshay Kumar says that he Mein Tumhare Bachche Ki
always wanted to play a Sikh character, and that
hai? his wish has finally come true with Vipul Shah’s Ma Banne Vali Hoon ...
Well … kyunki, Vidya hates to be compared to flick, Singh Is Kinng. According to Akki, the Sikhs Now before you jump to any conclusions and start
Bebo. While the character Vidya plays in Kismet are one of the most intelligent and brave sections on a family tree for Harman and Priyanka, this
Konnection bears a resemblance to Bebo’s charac- of the Indian community and that is why our man news is about an on screen role and nothing off
ter of Geet in Jab we Met, Vidya seriously hates it wanted to play a true Sikh with the turban to boot screen. Priyanka Chopra has now agreed to be-
when people try mentioning this similarity to her. to raise the respect and importance of the commu- come pregnant in Madhur Bhandrkar’s flick
“You may have found similarities in our charac- nity all over the world. Even the title of the movie Fashion. The lady had initially not agreed to this
ters but I have played my role in quite a different Singh Is Kinng, was suggested by the actor, which modification which wasn’t mentioned in the
way. Vidya has been heard to have said, “Priya is he says he saw written behind a truck - OK, so script, as she thought that this would make her
very different from Geet and they cannot be com- that is where we should be turning to for inspira- role too bold. The actress has now shown her
pared”. OK girl, we’ll try and not make this mis- tion now! With an act like this, Akki might just professionalism and has agreed o do it - she
take again! beat the popularity of Sunny Paaji in Punjab. DOES realize that she won’t actually become
pregnant if she does this role, right?

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 24 www.citymasala.com August 2008

 By: Ashish Jain

For this month’s article I took the golden opportunity of getting my father to write this column. He is
visiting us from desh and I thought it would be interesting to get his views on daru for Daru Ka
Nasha. Through the years, I have admired and learned numerous qualities from him. Here are some
of the anecdotes and words of wisdom from his repertoire of ever ready jokes, timely comebacks and
stories.
Top ten words of wisdom from Dr. K.M Jain (my dad). water (ganga jal) also gets purer as it gets older.
1. Never force anyone to drink. 8. In India, there are some deities who are offered alco-
2. Make only the first drink for your guests and then let hol as an offering like the Bhairo Mandir in Delhi,
them make their own drinks after that. The thought the Ujjain Mandir in Madhya Pradesh and the Kali
process behind this is that people should drink ac- Mandir in Amer (Rajasthan).
cording to their own capacity. The disclaimer here is 9. From a medical standpoint, alcohol is a depressant.
that they can’t stay back at your home because they How it is perceived is different because it initially
are drunk and they can’t be dropped off home for the takes away inhibitions making the person boisterous
same reason. and more vocal than he or she may ordinarily be.
3. One of my favorite quotes is “you enjoy the alcohol, 10. Be careful of those guests who look at the bottle as
then the alcohol enjoys you and then the world enjoys half empty rather then half full. They may bring you
you”. down with their pessimism.
4. Keep an eye out for opportunistic friends who may Like my son, to end this article, I have to end it with a
not have your best interests at heart. story. This is about the time when I went to medical
5. Some people never know when to say when; they school in the 50s. A bottle of local moonshine called
expect you to say when for them. Narangi used to cost Rs. 12.00. Since we were all stu-
dents and always broke , 6 of us would contribute Rs. 2
6. Ice, whiskey, and soap can never be infected as ice each so we could buy the bottle of Narangi. The rule
and soap melt and whiskey disinfects.
was that we all had to relieve ourselves before we
7. Old whiskey and old ganga jal are similar, as in, the started drinking because if you relived yourself while
older the whiskey the better it gets. Both get used you were drinking, your two rupees were flowing down
during important functions and ceremonies. Holy the drain!

Ever wondered what they teach in ‘finishing schools’ as far as table man-
ners go? How about how to attack your food if an interview has been
planned over a meal? Office lunches, client dinners - ever been a challenge
in terms of how best to eat certain foods? Those who say that they don’t get
intimidated by food and formal company would most probably be lying so
here are some tips to better equip you with the Dos and Don’ts of Dining in
Formal Company.
• DON’T : It is inappropriate to ask for a doggy bag
when you are a guest. Save the doggy bag for infor-
mal dining situations.
• DO: It is best to order foods that can be eaten with
a knife and fork. Finger foods can be messy and are
best left for informal dining.
• DON’T: Do not order alcoholic beverages. Drink-
ing too much when dining out is one of the most
disliked behaviors.
• DON’T: Do not smoke while dining out, not even
by excusing yourself and stepping outside or to the
bar.
• DO: Sit up straight at the table. It makes a good
impression.
• DON’T: Do not season your food before you have tasted it.
• •
DON’T: Never chew with your mouth open or make loud noises when
you eat. Although it is possible to talk with a small piece of food in
your mouth, do not talk with your mouth full.
• DON’T: Do not slurp soup from a spoon. Spoon the soup away from
you when you take it out of the bowl and sip it from the side of the
spoon. If your soup is too hot to eat, let it sit until it cools; do not blow
on it.
• DO: If food gets caught between your teeth and you can't remove it
with your tongue, excuse yourself and go to a mirror where you can
remove the food from your teeth in private.
• DO: Eat rolls or bread by tearing off small bite size
pieces and buttering only the piece you are preparing to
eat. When ready for another piece, repeat the same proc-
ess.
• DO: Engage in table conversation that is pleasant
but entirely free of controversial subjects.
• DON’T: You should not leave the table during the
meal to answer your cell phone unless it’s an emer-
gency.
• DO: If you need something that you cannot reach
easily, politely ask the person closest to the item you
need to pass it to you.
• DO: If food spills off your plate, you may pick it up
with a piece of your silverware and place it on the edge of your plate.
DON’T: Never spit a piece of bad food or tough gristle into your nap-
kin. Remove the food from your mouth using the same utensil it went
in with. Place the piece of food on the edge of your plate. If possible,
cover it with some other food from your plate.

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 26 www.citymasala.com August 2008

 By: Auntyji

Now that the hurricane season is upon us again, Auntyji is hearing a lot of stories and specula-
tions about it. There are, of course, stories about the destruction caused by hurricanes like
Katrina and Wilma and the times when people had to spend days without power and water and the
damage that was caused. These were the luckier people who were spared the devastation of lives
or their homes being lost. Most of the people who talk about having lived through these hurri-
canes don’t talk about suffering major losses, but only of the inconveniences of losing utilities,
about the kindness of neighbors and making new friends.
Everyone around seems to have a theory on what the hurricane season will be like. If we’ve had a
mild winter, we are likely to have major hurricanes; if we’ve had a cold winter, we’re likely to
have big hurricanes; if we’ve had a long winter, we are likely to have a lot of hurricanes; if we’ve
had a short winter; you get the picture! If Auntyji was to believe all of them, every time she
sneezed, there would be a hurricane. The truth of the matter is that it’s not a precise science, and
and chatting with other
Q: Dear Auntyji, I am even the weather man is often wrong. workers. I have to take
50 years old and am dat- With the housing market the way it is these days, a lot of people secretly want a bad hurricane
up the slack. She has
ing an American man. I season. The prices of their homes are falling everyday, while the insurance they have been paying
been here for two years
was widowed at age 35 keeps on rising. If a good hurricane was to come along and destroy their house, they would actu-
and I just don't see how
and worked really hard to ally come out ahead by claiming the insurance money.
she keeps her job.
bring up my two children Now Auntyji is not in favor of a big hurricane (it scares her pussy cats), and there are enough
Should I make waves
by myself in this country. disasters in the world as it is. She does however caution all these folks to be careful about what
and complain about her
Now, they are grown and they wish for because they just might get it.
performance, or go with
in college and this amaz-
to resolve it. Many times the problem lies else- the flow?
ing man has come into my life. The problem is, Reema from Tampa
my family HATES him, my kids included. He where, and this poor guy is an easy target to vent
comes from a good family, he does not drink and their anger at. A: Your first job - what a great feeling! Now,
believes in God. When I am with him I feel good Now to Auntyji it sounds like you really like this don’t you go around ruining it by becoming a
about myself. We like doing the same things and guy, and it seems to be a mutual feeling. If this is snitch. No one likes a rat, and the brown nosing
he makes me laugh. I have never been closer to really gets you nowhere except in a person’s rear.
so, then why not take it to the next step and get
anyone in my life, not even my first hus- You have been there only 6 months, and it is your
married to him? This way you will no longer be
band. We supported each other when his father embarrassed to call him your boyfriend, and your first “real” job. She has been there for 2 years. She
and my mother died. My sister wanted me to might even have had a “real” job before this one.
relationship will be more formalized and might be
come help clean out my mother's things and she easier to accept by some people. You have been That all adds up to experience. Maybe she is faster
told me to leave my boyfriend home because no and smarter than you at getting her work done.
alone for 15 years, and at age 50 you are not going
one likes him. She doesn't care how I feel. All Maybe she makes less mistakes. And since she is
to have many people who come into your life that
she cares about is how others look at him when not observing her co-worker’s behavior all the
you feel this way about. If finances and prior chil-
we get together for a typical "desi" gather- time (like you are), she is able to concentrate on
dren to whom you want to leave an inheritance to
ing. He is always eager to help and loves to be a is an issue, then sign good pre-nuptial agreements. getting the work finished faster.
part of everything I do. I feel very strongly for As for your sister, or any of the other ‘desi’ peo- It also sounds to Auntyji that there really is not
him but at the same time, I feel a bit embarrassed ple, they should be happy for you. They should that much work to be done in that office. Even
about fighting for my "boyfriend" at age embrace him, rather than making him feel like an with all the distractions that you have, and all the
50! What should I do? outsider. Not liking him because he is “American additional effort that you spend in monitoring your
Sudha from Ft. Lauderdale a.k.a. WHITIE” is reverse discrimination and is as co-worker, you still have enough time to finish
A: Arre Bahen, when will you learn? If at age 50 bad as if the “Americans” were treating you (or your work, and then her work too. If you were
you cannot do what you want to do to get happi- your sister) like a “Desi Dot Head a.k.a busy with just your work, and did not pick up her
ness for yourself, then it will never happen. You BROWNIE”. People need to grow up and see be- slack, then her performance might suffer, and
cannot keep on putting other people ahead of you yond skin color. Your family needs to grow up someone might notice without you having to com-
all the time. You were a good wife and mother. and look beyond his skin color and appreciate his plain.
Your children are now in college. It’s time to good points.
Come to think of it, her performance really should
think about your needs, rather than your sister’s So girlfriend, your prince charming is here and it’s not concern you … only yours should. You have
awkwardness. time to make it your day and then live your life your whole career ahead of you. Concentrate on
A good start would be to talk to your children and happily ever after. You deserve this happiness. your work rather than being so concerned about
find out why they dislike him. It is common for Other people will see it, and come to their senses.this other co-worker. You do not have to pick up
children to react when they see a stranger try to
replace a parent, but in your case they are adults
Q: Hello Auntyji, I am 22 years old and I just her slack. How she does her job is up to her. If it
bothers you so much, distance yourself from her.
joined a great company, my first real job, about 6 If it’s a big enough office, you might be able to
and should be more rational. All of you spending
months ago. I love it! The only flaw: a co-worker work in a different department and not have any
time together might help - they could see how
who works no more than 3 hours in an 8-hour contact with her.
happy you are with him - and might get to know
workday. She spends roughly two hours at
him better. If this anger is deep rooted, then Aun- Don’t forget, life is short - live it to the fullest
lunch, runs out all the time to do her personal
tyji suggests that you see a family therapist to try with attitude! Auntyji@citymasala.com.
shopping, spends time on personal phone calls,

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 28 www.citymasala.com August 2008

Contd. From Page 12

LK: You have had the chance to work and create music all over the world.
Other than in India itself, where do you think Indian music in particular is at
its most vibrant and creative?
ARR: There is good and bad all over. There are some great musicians in Kerala,
some in Chennai, Calcutta, Bombay and some in Rajasthan. I don’t think the
place is important, it is just the feeling inside. Some musicians are yet to be
discovered. We get surprised when we see a person who comes from a village
delivering a beautiful and energetic piece in a beautiful voice or playing an in-
strument really well.
LK: Do you feel a special connection with specific people in the industry? For
example, who are some of the people whom you consider yourself eternally
grateful towards?
ARR: I think my whole journey started with Mani Rathnam and Subhash Ghai.
These are the two main people and there are also many more.
LK: Before I end the interview, do you see a budding Rahman in one of your
children?
ARR: I don’t know what future they have. I can only pray for them (laughs). I
am introducing them to music and they will always have a choice of taking to it
or not.
LK: You are said to be very busy with your dream project, the KM Music Con-
servatory which once again shows your philanthropic side. What is your long
term dream for this school?
ARR: In a place like Chennai or Tamilnadu in India, there are lot of talented
young kids who want to go beyond certain clichés and expectations that are
placed on them. This school is an opportunity for such children to not be frus-
trated anymore and to give them exposure to all kinds of music and help to train
them so that they can become musicians of the next century. As a result of such
an environment, the whole society and community here will get uplifted in their
artistic taste. These children will get the opportunity to have music as an honor-
able profession in their lives. People here still don't like to say ‘my son is a gui-
tarist or a violinist’ because they don’t feel any pride in it. In the US, for exam-
ple, parents would love to say, ‘my son plays in the Chicago Symphony.’ Parents
here need to feel that pride in talking about a child who is a musician. This
school will have so many features complementing each other. I am coming with
a movement here. The clichés where parents want their children to be a doctor,
an engineer or a software engineer because that means it is a job which is secure
and pays for life, will gradually take other shapes with this school. Music is
much more than a secure job because with it you give something so beautiful to
the world. People should want to take music as a profession because it is so
much more than a profession.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT LATA KUMAR’S GROUP

THAIYA THAIYA
I would like to make our community aware of my group called
Thaiya Thaiya, which provides musical entertainment for all
ages and occasions. I created it in the year 2000 with Rah-
manji’s blessings. I met him for the first time in New York at that
time while he was on a tour in the US. Since then, in a unique
way, we have been friends. He has always blessed every presen-
tation of Thaiya Thaiya. The name Thaiya Thaiya, as you may
have guessed, was inspired from Rahmanji’s song from Dil Se. I
chose it over ‘Chaiya Chaiya’ because it was a more universal
sound for music. Since then, Thaiya Thaiya has been performing
in and out of Florida. It performed for the Tamil Nadu Founda-
tion along with Vijay who is now a top playback singer in the
Tamil Industry and goes by the name of ‘Krish”. Thaiya Thaiya
also organizes many musical shows for great artists such as
Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Kavita Krishnamoorthy, Shanker
Mahadevan, P Unnikrishnan, Karthik and, last but not least, the
great S P Balasubramanian. Basically, Thaiya Thaiya, is a musi-
cal band which works with great musicians (professionals who
play for the likes of Rahman, Hari-ji, Shanker Mahadevan etc.)
Based on the host and the budget, we put together a customized
event.

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 30 www.citymasala.com August 2008

 INGREDIENTS
• 250 gm minced turkey/chicken/lamb meat
(keema)
• 2 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 3 green chillies chopped finely
• 1 bunch fresh coriander leaves
• 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp shahjeera (optional)
• 1 big cardamom
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 3 tbsp oil
• 4 tbsp grated dry coconut
• 5 tbsp poppy seeds
• 2 onions finely sliced
• 1/2 cup tomato puree
Ajit Haris-
inghani has
done what
most people half his age couldn’t do. At age 54,
Harisinghani traveled from Pune to Ladakh - on
a motorcycle.
A speech therapist by profession, Harisinghani
explains his reasoning as to why he decided to
embark on such a journey. A patient of his, Jer-
emy D’Costa, used to be a prominent business-
man and industrialist. Upon suffering a stroke,
he lost his ability to speak and think clearly - but
when Harisinghani and D’Costa talked about
cars and motorcycles, D’Costa would come back
to life. Before D’Costa left for Pune,
Harsinghani promised him that he would take a
cross country trip on a motorcycle, for both of
them.
With this introduction preceding the pages of the
trip, the reader instantly gets an impression of
the type of individual Harisinghani is. A thrill
seeking adventurer, Harisinghani documents his
trip with a sense of realism and sarcasm. Al-
though the journey itself is fascinating, it’s the
author’s endearing personality that forces the
reader to read on. His insights and experiences
are humbling and honest, “I can even change my
CityMasala www.citymasala.com
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
PREPARING THE KOFTAS
Clean meat in cold running water and drain well.
Add half of the chopped green chillies, half of the
garam masala powder, salt, turmeric, 1 tsp ginger
garlic paste and half of the coriander leaves and
half of the mint leaves to the keema. Mix all in-
gredients together well. Now prepare small lemon
sized balls (wet your hands while preparing the
koftas so that they don’t stick to your hands).
PREPARING THE GRAVY
1. Grind onions along with coconut, sesame
powder, garam masala powder, salt, tur-
meric, cumin powder,chilli powder, ginger
garlic paste, cinnamon stick, chopped corian-
der powder, mint leaves and yogurt with a
little water to make a paste which is not too
thick.
2. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan and add the
shahjeera, big cardamom, cinnamon stick
and bay leaf. When its splutters, add the
personality as often as I change my shirt.
Through Gujarat, I can be a philosophizing old
man. In Rajasthan, I’ll change into a happy,
smiling joker and in Punjab, I might turn into a
31 www.citymasala.com
onion yogurt mixture and cook for 10 to 13
min on medium heat.
3. You can add water and adjust the seasoning
according to your taste.
4. Add the tomato puree and meat balls into the
gravy. Mix well and cover with lid and let it
cook until done, around 10 to 15 min. In
between keep stirring the gravy.
5. Enjoy with chapatis or rice.
To submit your recipe along with original pic-
ture, write to info@citymasala.com.
romantic. All through these metamorphoses, I
have to be careful I don’t get knocked off the
road by any of those recklessly driven trucks
and turn into a statistic!”
In some sections, the narrative seems to fluctu-
ate between present and past tense, which causes
a little confusion on the part of the reader. Addi-
tionally, there are paragraphs that have an exces-
sive amount of exclamation marks - however,
this punctuation is a further indication of Haris-
inghani’s playful personality.
A favorite section is the encounter with ‘Sufi
Baba’. Harisinghani admits that their verbal
exchange was reminiscent of a filmi dialogue.
The two smoke their beedis and have a spiritual
conversation that ends in riddles. Befittingly, the
next chapter is about two ‘fake’ fakirs who at-
tempt to swindle money from Harisinghani.
One Life to Ride is a fast, enjoyable read. If you
ever have the desire to abandon your fears and
take a journey across country, do it. With a little
faith, a sense of humor and a lot of common
sense, the trip will be a success. And be sure to
read One Life to Ride before you embark on
your journey!
You can buy the book at
www.easternbookcorporation.com.
August 2008

Zodiac of the Month Leo: July 23rd - Aug 22nd
Ruled by the Sun; Gemstone: Ruby; Lucky Day: Sunday; Lucky Number: 1
The transit of Mars from Leo to Virgo could cause a little mental tension relating to family, finances, spouse, and health problems. Ex-
ercise control over your reactions and temperament; do not worry as the transit of Jupiter at fifth place is there to favor you through-
out the year. Your professional life will need a little fortitude and courage from your side. You will acquire new things.
Aries: Mar 20th - Apr 19th
Ruled by Mars
Gemstone: Red Coral
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Lucky Number: 9
The transit of sun-Venus at fourth place indicates
a fortunate time period with success and prosper-
ity. The transit of Mars at 6th place is favorable. It
will bring financial gain in your job or business. A
pending court matter could be resolved. Your
superiors will show you special favor at the job
front. This time is favorable towards health issues
as well.
Taurus: Apr 20th - May 20th
Ruled by Venus
Gemstone: Diamond
Lucky Day: Friday
Lucky Number: 6
The Transit of Sun-Venus at 3rd
place indicates traveling and
some auspicious occasions taking place related to
your siblings. The transit of Mars at 5th place is
not a good time for those who are looking for a
little romance in their lives. Students and business
owners have to put in extra effort to do well.
Think twice before investing in an enterprise oth-
erwise there could be a loss which you will regret.
Gemini: May 21st - Jun 20th
Ruled by Mercury
Gemstone: Emerald
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Lucky Number: 5
This month, you will have to
face obstacles relating to land,
property, and business dealings. Do not make any
drastic changes. The Jupiter at 7th place will bring
benefit through travel, love from siblings, and
success in all other aspects of your life. Saturn at
3rd place could get you some unexpected benefit.
You might get more respect, importance and love
in your circle.
Cancer: Jun 21st - Jul 22nd
Ruled by the Moon
Gemstone: Pearl
Lucky Day: Monday
Lucky Number: 2
The transit of Mars at 3rd
place could bring happiness, success, winning
over of enemies, financial benefits, and progress
in all kinds of work. The wheel of fortune turns
favorably through which external relations may be
The transit of Mars at 10th place might cause diffi-
developed. You will plan a vacation to a desired
culties on the work front, a difference of opinion
destination and may get extra help and support
with a partner or a superior at work or some ob-
from a sibling.
stacles for your parents. Make sure you take the
CityMasala www.citymasala.com
By: Astrologer Anil Shah
Virgo: Aug 23rd - Sep 22nd right decisions. You may get a good opportunity
Ruled by Mercury at work which you will need to act upon. A pend-
Gemstone: Emerald ing problem related to property with an heir in-
Lucky Day: Wednesday volved may be solved.
Lucky Number: 5
Capricorn: Dec 22nd - Jan
The transit of Mars through Virgo
19th
could cause physical pain, a head-
Ruled by Saturn
ache or toothache, mental stress, family stress, or
Gemstone: Blue Sapphire
an injury. The transit of Jupiter at 4th place indi-
Lucky Day: Saturday
cates that you will meet with success in a new
Lucky Number: 8
venture or business development and your busi-
The transit of Mars at 9th place could be unfortu-
ness relationship will also improve. If looking to
nate. It may result in some problems at work, a
transfer, you will get one to a desired place. Your
hard time for a father, and obstacles in traveling.
wish related to house or a vehicle may also be
Transit of Rahu indicates that you will have to be
fulfilled.
careful about your health. This is not a good time
Libra: Sep 23rd - Oct 22nd to take any undue risks in business, otherwise you
may incur a loss which could be difficult to re-
Ruled by Venus
cover from.
Gemstone: Diamond
Lucky Day: Friday
Aquarius: Jan 20th - Feb 18th
Lucky Number: 6
Ruled by Saturn and Uranus
The transit of Mars at 12th
Gemstone: Blue Sapphire
place could cause problems related to health, fam-
Lucky Day: Saturday
ily, finances and some legal issues. You should
Lucky Number: 8
think before you take any important decision.
The transit of Mars at 8th place
There could be a difference of opinion with a
might bring some unexpected
sibling or other relatives. A court matter could be
expenses, health problems, and a difference of
delayed. You may have to face unexpected wor-
opinion within the family. Be careful of an injury
ries. Be aware of your rivals. Do not neglect
that may take place while operating machinery or
yours eyes as you may run into some problems
a vehicle. Rahu at 12th place could cause physical
with them.
strain and increase liabilities in business.
Scorpio: Oct 23rd – Nov 21st
Pisces: Feb 19th - Mar 19th
Ruled by Mars and Pluto
Ruled by Jupiter & Neptune
Gemstone: Red Coral
Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire
Lucky Day: Tuesday; Lucky
Lucky Day: Thursday
Number: 9
Lucky Number: 3
This month is a fortunate time period for you. The
The transit of Mars at 7th place
transit of Mars at 11th place will bring success,
could cause a difference of opinion with competi-
support from family and spouse, career develop-
tors, a business partner, a spouse or someone
ments, financial gain, blossoming of love life,
within the family. It may also bring about some
health and property benefits. The transit of Jupiter
mental stress related to a court matter or obstacles
at 2nd place indicates that you will get relief from
in travel. The transit of Sun- Venus at 5th place
family tension, some good occasion may take
indicates that share - lotto may be beneficial for
place, and your financial situation will also im-
you. Students will have to work harder to get
prove. You may get a pay raise or a promotion at
better grades. Relief from a problem with a child
work or in business.
is also indicated.
Sagittarius: Nov 22nd - Dec 21st
Ruled by Jupiter The Horoscope Column has been compiled by
Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire Astrologer Anil Shah who claims expertise in
Lucky Day: Thursday horoscope reading and predictions.
Lucky Number: 3
For more information, Anil Shah can be con-
tacted at anilshah19@yahoo.co.in or visit
www.anilastro.com.
32 www.citymasala.com August 2008
EMPLOYMENT
HELP WANTED: Good pay, flexible hours, no experience
PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD HERE.
necessary. WILL TRAIN. Must have good attitude and be will- ONLY $15 FOR 25 WORDS.
ing to work hard. SEND IT IN TO
Call 813-477-3400.
INFO@CITYMASALA.COM
WANTED: Marketing & Sales Representatives. Hir- OR CALL 813-642-3313; 813-476-5415
ing in Orlando, south Florida and Georgia.
Call 813-476-5415 or 813-642-3313.