By: PK Variety is the spice of life; enjoy every flavour of life to the extent of your imaginations. The Backstory: Niks Vaja was born in Northampton, May 1984. Like every child he was a very naughty little boy and like all parents he kept on being threatened that he would be sent to Boarding School. At the age of 8 he was sent to Africa to live with his uncle for 1 year. At the Age of 12 Niks was sent to Boarding school. Panchgani a hill station above Pune and spent 3 years of his life studying out there but it was a life time experience and would recommend it to any teenager out there. From the experiences he encountered, he reached a level of maturity age that gained him respect from his family and friends. In 2006 Niks graduated from Sheffield Hallam University, completing a degree in; (Bsc) Computer Network Engineering and gained a 2.1, this was a 4 year course including a 1 year placement. Niks has been dancing since the age of 8 his most memorable moment in his dancing career so far has to be the time he accidentally went off stage because he was just enjoying himself so much that he lost judgment of how small the stage was. But the good thing about this was that the audience thought it was part of the dance and they cheered him on. H has performed at countless events in the UK and Weddings. He has also performed to Bollywood songs such as Teri Liye, Milo Na, Marjani and many more. “Like they Say when performing the only person that knows you have made a mistake is yourself, so carry on and show no fear that is an identity of a true dancer” Whist acting there have been many moments that have been unforgettable but there is one instance that stands out from all, back in his early days in theatre productions Niks was part of the stage production; Cinderella, in which he played one of the ugly sisters. His most recent project has seen him work with Summerise Studios and be involved in a British movie, Vermillion - Colour of Love. This movie will be nominated for the British Film Festival later this year. In this British movie hit, Niks is portrayed as a gangster, a protagonist character. Look out for this movie; the film has got great reviews, and sure to be a blockbuster. “Acting is a gifted talent that allows you to adapt to any specified role and bring the best out of you” His first modelling show was a memorable moment of his modelling career, In 2008 he was selected for a competition / fashion show for Man of the Moment. Since this time he has furthered his modelling career and has been involved in high classed shows around the UK, such as Elegance and even had the opportunity to model for PK Del Mar. “No matter whom you are or how you are always having belief in yourself and you’ll be noticed and respected for it” From all this Niks Vaja, can be seen as an all rounder in the entertainment business, a ’special talent’. As every kid has a nickname Niks was given one too, it was ‘Niki Baba’. Some people also call him by his middle name Vishnu that was given to him by his father. Niks Inspiration comes from one person in his life who has encouraged him through his decorated life. This person had dreams herself which to a certain extent she fulfilled, but Niks felt that there was more that could have been done, so he has strived hard to complete her dream, this person is no other than his elder sister. There are many characters out there that inspire Niks in the entertainment industry but when asked who was his one character that he drew inspiration from he could not say, he replied that he does not look to one personality, this is because he believes every individual has there unique qualities and wishes he can adapt each of their best qualities, into his life. Admiration: There are few people that Niks admires and has always remembered what they have said to him in the past ranging from his family to people he has met in the Industry. From his father (Mansukh Vaja) always has and does say to him “if you want something doing, do it yourself” Niks Mother (Ralisa Vaja) says ” Always have a practical mind and work it as a computer” There is a saying that the young ones in the family can always show the right path when the elder divert away and my strength comes from his little brother and Cousin (Kano and Tushal) who always say to him “Niks we will always be beside you, just make sure whatever you do, you do to the best of your ability” Niks has had the privilege of meeting people from the industry, i.e. Ameet Chana. Aryan Vaid, Jackie Shroff (Dada) they all have said the same thing “hang in till you reach your destiny because not most people can hang in and give up” Personal Style: When it comes to dressing himself, the places Niks likes to shop ate are H&M, Next, Top Man, and many small high street retailers which are un recognized but have outstanding outfits. His close friends speak of him as a good-natured great guy to hang out with, and always fun to be around with. They describe him to be the one to be there through thick and thin, and never leave their sides when they need him the most. Looking Ahead: As ever Niks dream is to be happy and be comfortable and not worry about anything. Fame, wealth and happiness with this life would be perfect. His dream is to work alongside major Actors in different industries and acknowledge their skills and talent and learn from them. Niks also hopes to one day have a place with a sea view where he can go and relax whenever he feel like getting away. Niks Goals in life are to reach the very highest peak of his acting and please the audience with his talent, he aims to be a successful Actor and known for the quality of work that he can provide. Niks would like to be established internationally in the entertainment industry. One of his other goals in life is to a have well settled life and provide his family with the comfort that they were not able to have in their early days. His aim is to show everyday people like himself that if you want something it is not impossible to achieve it, working hard, being patient and do anything you want to but with a clean heart true success will come to you, this is the example I would like to set for all ages out there looking make a bright future. Read more at the Following Links: www.starnow.com/Niks160 http://www.purestorm.com /profile.aspx?id=Niksvv http://summerislestudios.wor dpress.com/2009/02/22/niksvaja- actor-and-model/ http://www.angelstages.com/ profile/2134 http://www.modelmayhem. com/NiksV
August 12, 2009
July 8, 2009
The following editorial
“ifit bleeds, it leads,” goes the old motto of the news business. If this rule explains coverage of local crime stories and traffi c accidents, it’s even more applicable to global confl icts with their origins in old colonial conquests. Those sad legacies have included bloodbaths in Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor, Sri Lanka, India-Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran- Iraq, Iraq-Kuwait, Israel-Palestine, Chechnya, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, and all too many more. A saner way to escape history’s nightmare could be glimpsed in Greenland’s peaceable accession to independence from Denmark, an event celebrated Sunday on the world’s largest island in a ceremony attended by the Danish queen. Greenlanders, 90 per cent of whom are indigenous Inuits, voted overwhelmingly in a referendum last November to exercise self-rule and eventually to be independent. Denmark, which has ruled that Arctic land since 1721, accepted the will of the people graciously. Ironically, this rare version of decolonization was aided by the effects of global warming. With the ice cap over Greenland melting progressively, it has become possible to begin mining longinaccessible gold, diamonds, coal, and zinc. And seismological analyzes project oil reserves of more than 110 billion tons. The revenue from these newly available resources will allow its 57,000 residents to reduce, and eventually eliminate, their reliance on a subsidy from Denmark of $550 million a year. Other post-colonial confl ict zones have had no such windfalls. But many of them could nevertheless learn something from the pacifi c way that Greenlanders pursued selfdetermination — and the reasonable way that Denmark relinquished its hold over another people.
June 15, 2009
Upcoming Dancer Profile
The Backstory: Jasmeet Kaur Kalsi (Jassie) was born in the United Kingdom, Croydon, 1983. She completed education at college. She graduated in the following subjects; Dance, Drama, Media and General Studies. Her first dance performance was at the age of 8; she performed on front of an audience of 200 at Wandsworth Town Hall. During the past three years Jassie has performed for countless shows, two shows are her most memorable. Firstly, she had the pleasure to dance for Sony TV. The event was a dance competition, although she did not win the competition she reached the last 24 dancers, and she was awarded Best Category in London. Her happiest moment was that her family was there and that the presenters also interviewed her. Her second most memorable moment was earlier this year in March 2009. She performed for one if not the biggest charity event that is showcased live over all TV/ media channels in the UK, Comic Relief. She was involved in a Bollywood dance off with Denise Lewis that premiered on prime time TV. Comic Relief is a charity dedicated to help sponsor those who live in third world countries with food and water. Most of the country is in frenzy around this time of the year as everyone young or old get involved. People have the opportunity to sponsor others in any form of activity, to collect money to help needs of others. Jassie was overwhelmed and pleased with the final outcome of the production, she was happy to know that her performance had made a difference in the world; most importantly she was happy and proud of herself and thanked God that she was lucky to be there. Her main aims after being involved in such a large production was to get more people interested in dance. Since this time more people have opted to learn Bollywood dance, since the past 6 years. Jassie, as friends know her also has many other nicknames. Her parents call her ‘Ish’ meaning ’shy’. Her cousins on her fathers side call her ‘Jash’ and cousins on her mothers side call her ‘Jashleen’ Jassie’s aesthetic and interest all derive from her family. Her father plays a lot of sport and keeps himself fit and her mothers dream of one day becoming an actress. Jassie feels that she would like to fulfil her mother’s dream, of one day making it big in Bollywood. Jassie is focused on wanting to reach that goal more as she feels that her mother has sacrificed her own happiness for her. Her Influence for dance comes from Bollywood movies. Her three favourite Bollywood movies where she continues to draw inspiration from are: Devadas, Veer Zaara and Mujhse Dosti Karage. Her favourite song of all time is from a Bollywood classic, Dilbar Mere - Sakte pe Sakta. Admiration: The one Bollywood actress/ dancer that Jassie admires the most is Madhuri Dixit, of her idol she says ’she dances with her soul and is extremely talented’. Jassie places her high above the Bollywood celebrity list and describes her as the best Bollywood dancer, giving her all in dance whether it is for a dance production or movie. Jassie’s first ever dance performance was taken from a Madhuri Dixit movie, she was blown away after watching Devadas, and would one day like to hold a stage presence and dance like her idol. ‘..I wasn’t born to live, I was born to dance my life away…’ Jassie is finding that the Bollywood industry is loosing its culture and her main aim is to get more Indian girls to dance. It’s a struggle, but she finds it an achievable goal. She is hoping that Bollywood dance will target people of all ages, as she describes the form of dance to be fun, whilst listening to happy, fast paced songs. She hopes that this form of dancing will one day make a statement. ‘Dance like no one is watching’. Personal Style: When it comes to dressing herself, Jassie mainly shops at Topshop and H&M and also online which she finds ‘carefree’. She finds that H&M caters for all styles. She also draws inspiration from Indian actresses regarding forms of makeup and hair. Her close friends think of her as an extremely talented individual brimming with confidence, Jassie’s closest friend Tina, who in her eyes she sees as a sister describes her as ‘a little drama queen, loyal friend and a snappy firecracker’. Jassie’s favourite colours are; pink, black and silver. At present she is reading ‘Yes Man’ a fiction written from the movie. Her favourite holiday destination is Malaysia and one country she longs to visit is Thailand. Looking Ahead: Jassie is unsure what path her career might take. She hopes that one day she owns dance studio and gains recognition in being in the Bollywood industry. She hopes to be established and famous within 5 years. She hopes that she can make it big in the industry by being more positive, building up confidence and believing in herself. Her goals are to dance abroad a lot more, as she enjoys travelling very much. She also hopes that one day she settles down with a family and gets married to someone who understands her ways of life and supports her in every way. She just wants to make her family proud especially her parents. Jassie dreams of being successful, and being able to bring happiness into someone’s life through the form of dance. Her dream is to be an idol for somebody and the world to know her. By: PK