Around Town

happenings here ’n’ there

 

French forum

nWe had the opportunity to interact with two renowned personalities from France at a seminar on French literature and cinema, organised by CU’s department of French on February 1.

The chief guests at the event were Jean Echenoz, a well-known name in French fiction, and Jerome Beanjour, a sought-after scriptwriter in French cinema. During the session we asked them several questions with regard to the present scenario of and the public response to French literary works. The guests explained to us the difference between writing a novel and a script. They also told us that a good film could even be made despite a bad storyline.

Echenoz then deliberated on some aspects of his style of writing. He explained that his novels were not autobiographies but an insight into his own experiences. He said his aim was to write less fiction and more reality.

We all loved the discussions and look forward to many more such events on campus.

Jayantabishnu Mukherjee,

1st yr MA journalism & mass comm, CU

 

Mini models

nThey were not professionals, stage fright got the better of some, while others just refused to step off the dais once they were there. But the baby show at Millennium Park on January 28 was as much a head-turner as any high-profile fashion do (picture by Pabitra Das).

The show, presented by LauncherZ, was divided into four groups. In group A, kids between six months and two years competed for the Best Smile, Cute Look and Smart Baby prizes. The two to five-year-olds in group B were in the fray for the Best Smile, Smart Toddler and Best Walking Toddler awards. Children between five and 12 years were in groups C and D contesting in fashion show, group dance and talent show for the titles of Miss and Master Kolkata.

Then there was a “Mother and Me” show where the kids walked on to the stage with their mothers. “I have never taken part in a fashion show so it felt doubly great doing so with my kid in tow,” said Bhumi Bhatia, mother of one-year-old Bhavya.

Not all were first-timers though. One-year-eight-month-old Disha had modelled for a news daily last Pujas, informed mother Sweta Doshi, who is a fashion designer.

The children of groups A and B outdid even professional models in the denim round. Such was the performance of the kids that many parents were seriously considering letting them take up modelling when they grow up. “I would not mind at all if my daughter pursued modelling,” said Rashida Rehman, mother of 11-year-old Rubaba, who won the Miss Kolkata title in group D.

The children and the mothers were groomed for a month by experts, while model Nicola helped with the choreography.

The proceeds of the show went to the children of Refuge, an NGO.

Nabamita Mitra