With shooting schedules called off due to the TRS tension, filmstars are looking forward to making the most of their first Christmas holiday in years. We asked movie stars what their plans for X’mas are...
Sanjana, actor
It’s going to be a ‘wine and dine’ day for me. Christmas and New Year are two festivals I like to celebrate. However, every year I’m usually abroad filming at this time of the year. Thankfully, I’ll be home this year. I’m going to chill out with family and close friends today.
Rana D., actor
Christmas Eve is actually special to me as my dad’s birthday falls on December 24 and the entire family celebrates his birthday together. But with the lull in the industry and no shooting schedules in place, I will be spending time with my family even on Christmas this year.
Sharvanand, actor
Since I won’t be working this festive season, I’m going to stay at home with my family and spend time with them. I also have plans of calling my friends over to my place and chill out with them.
Bindu Madhavi, actor
It’s sad that work had to be cancelled because of the unrest in the city, but I’m looking forward to celebrating Christmas, as I’ve not managed to do this in a really long time. I’m going over to my friend’s place to catch up with my buddies and have a good time decorating the X’mas tree and binging on Christmas goodies.
Christmas, Festivals, Indian Festivals,
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Friday, December 25, 2009
High on X’mas cheer
Just when Christmas was around the corner, the Andhra-Telangana tussle took a turn for the worse, sending all the Christmas shopping and party plans into a tizzy. But ask Hyderabadi Christians and they will unanimously agree that nothing can douse the spirit of the festival of joy and giving. From working their way around the prevailing tension to coming up with impromptu indoor plans, Hyderabadis are doing all it takes to have a merry Christmas.
Nathan Akshith, an engineer, whose last moment Christmas shopping plans went for a toss with the declaration of the 48-hour bandh, says, “Plans to go shopping and head out to the midnight mass had to be cancelled. But as far as festivities are concerned, nothing has changed. Leave alone this tussle, even a world war cannot dampen the Christmas spirit. The decorations are up, the goodies are made and we are going to have family and friends over for Christmas. There may be a bit of rescheduling, but nothing will be stalled.”
City youngsters who’ve returned home for the holidays say they won’t let the prevailing tension play spoilsport. “I’ve come from Coimbatore to celebrate Christmas with my family and I’m not going to let this unrest affect our yearly rituals. After all, Christmas comes only once a year,” says Emmanuel Kavoori, an engineering student, who spends Christmas visiting his relatives after the mass.
Michell Liu, a career cousellor, couldn’t agree more, “I never had elaborate plans for this Christmas, but the one plan that I had was to attend the midnight mass at St Johns Cathedral and I did not let the bandh scare or the unrest stop me. We did have to give up the midnight buffet, post the mass, but Christmas this year will be a family affair.”
There are others who prefer to look at the brighter side of things. Daniel Jaykumar, an engineer, says the bandh declaration has come as a boon.
“Every Christmas, we head out for a big family dinner to a restaurant. While we may not be able to do that this year, we have decided to have all my cousins over at my place for dinner. Elaborate plans are being made and an extensive menu is being decided upon. The only thing that was affected was our shopping plans. That said, it’s a great time to bond with family”
Nathan Akshith, an engineer, whose last moment Christmas shopping plans went for a toss with the declaration of the 48-hour bandh, says, “Plans to go shopping and head out to the midnight mass had to be cancelled. But as far as festivities are concerned, nothing has changed. Leave alone this tussle, even a world war cannot dampen the Christmas spirit. The decorations are up, the goodies are made and we are going to have family and friends over for Christmas. There may be a bit of rescheduling, but nothing will be stalled.”
City youngsters who’ve returned home for the holidays say they won’t let the prevailing tension play spoilsport. “I’ve come from Coimbatore to celebrate Christmas with my family and I’m not going to let this unrest affect our yearly rituals. After all, Christmas comes only once a year,” says Emmanuel Kavoori, an engineering student, who spends Christmas visiting his relatives after the mass.
Michell Liu, a career cousellor, couldn’t agree more, “I never had elaborate plans for this Christmas, but the one plan that I had was to attend the midnight mass at St Johns Cathedral and I did not let the bandh scare or the unrest stop me. We did have to give up the midnight buffet, post the mass, but Christmas this year will be a family affair.”
There are others who prefer to look at the brighter side of things. Daniel Jaykumar, an engineer, says the bandh declaration has come as a boon.
“Every Christmas, we head out for a big family dinner to a restaurant. While we may not be able to do that this year, we have decided to have all my cousins over at my place for dinner. Elaborate plans are being made and an extensive menu is being decided upon. The only thing that was affected was our shopping plans. That said, it’s a great time to bond with family”
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christ-mus’ mean giving
In the old days, it was the Scrooges that played spoilsport around Christmas (remember his famous “Bah Humbug!”) but now it seems we are in danger of the exact opposite thing — spending too much! Netizens dub the holiday season “Cashmas” when it becomes a celebration of materialism rather than love and sharing. Who’s got the prettiest tree? Who’s giving the best gifts? Who’s hosting the biggest bash?
Well, it’s good to be generous and gifts are the order of the day, but let’s not forget the real reason why Christmas is celebrated. As advertising professional Sheenu Mathew says, “People have a tendency to take Christ out of Christmas and make it Xmas. Businesses take full advantage of the holiday season and a lot of people look at it as the party season, but for me, Christmas is the time to be with family and friends.” Sheenu, an employee at O&M, adds, “At our office, Christmas is huge. Not just for the Christians either. We are playing Secret Santa and it’s a great way to bring people closer. We’re not giving lavish gifts but trying to make someone’s day with a small gesture.”
Vocalist Deep Dub has decided to give Cashmas a miss. The youngster, who comes from a Christian family, explains, “Everywhere I look, I see people trying to cash in on the festive season. Malls, hotels, restaurants and clubs are all coming up with special attractions to boost their sales. I myself got several offers to perform at theme parties but I’m going to sit this one out. This time around, I’ve decided to just chill at home and spend time with the family.”
In fact, even some non-Christians have had enough of Cashmas. RJ and producer Archana Addoni, a Tamil Brahmin, tells us, “I don’t understand why people feel the urge to splurge around Christmas time. Personally, I take it as an opportunity to go to church and do some introspection. Actually, it’s the one day of the year that I go to church — I don’t care if it’s a Protestant church or a Catholic church or whatever.”
Of course, it’s no sin to spend money, but there’s a lot of good you could do while you’re at it, points out Pearl Shinny, an MBA student. “For many of us, this is the one big celebration of the year and we want to pull out all the stops. While we’re celebrating, if we could bring the festive cheer into someone else’s life, then that’s the point of Christmas for me,” says Pearl, who along with her family, distributes new clothes among leprosy patients for Christmas.
“The true spirit of the season should not be forgotten amidst all this celebration,” she adds. Merry Christmas!
Christmas , Festivals,
Well, it’s good to be generous and gifts are the order of the day, but let’s not forget the real reason why Christmas is celebrated. As advertising professional Sheenu Mathew says, “People have a tendency to take Christ out of Christmas and make it Xmas. Businesses take full advantage of the holiday season and a lot of people look at it as the party season, but for me, Christmas is the time to be with family and friends.” Sheenu, an employee at O&M, adds, “At our office, Christmas is huge. Not just for the Christians either. We are playing Secret Santa and it’s a great way to bring people closer. We’re not giving lavish gifts but trying to make someone’s day with a small gesture.”
Vocalist Deep Dub has decided to give Cashmas a miss. The youngster, who comes from a Christian family, explains, “Everywhere I look, I see people trying to cash in on the festive season. Malls, hotels, restaurants and clubs are all coming up with special attractions to boost their sales. I myself got several offers to perform at theme parties but I’m going to sit this one out. This time around, I’ve decided to just chill at home and spend time with the family.”
In fact, even some non-Christians have had enough of Cashmas. RJ and producer Archana Addoni, a Tamil Brahmin, tells us, “I don’t understand why people feel the urge to splurge around Christmas time. Personally, I take it as an opportunity to go to church and do some introspection. Actually, it’s the one day of the year that I go to church — I don’t care if it’s a Protestant church or a Catholic church or whatever.”
Of course, it’s no sin to spend money, but there’s a lot of good you could do while you’re at it, points out Pearl Shinny, an MBA student. “For many of us, this is the one big celebration of the year and we want to pull out all the stops. While we’re celebrating, if we could bring the festive cheer into someone else’s life, then that’s the point of Christmas for me,” says Pearl, who along with her family, distributes new clothes among leprosy patients for Christmas.
“The true spirit of the season should not be forgotten amidst all this celebration,” she adds. Merry Christmas!
Christmas , Festivals,
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