"Mard ko dard nahin hota," says gritty-pretty Rupali Suri

Gladrags MegaModel winner, anchor, host, theatre performer, fashionista and now a film actress; Rupali Suri is heading to become an entertainment all-rounder. The 20-something has played the Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi "with a difference" in Bharat Dabholkar's directorial comic satire play Bottoms Up. And she'll be seen next in an English film 'Dad... Hold My Hand'. We decided to check out her feelings and ask her about life before she takes her next flight.

Why did you choose your profession?

Rupali Suri: Oh, I didn't. My profession chose me. I used to be a great fan of dancing and talking the talk. One thing led to another and before I knew I was performing and anchoring and hosting shows, and then modeling and doing theatre, and next you will see me in movies. Life is running and I'm keeping pace.

Tell us about your first film 'Dad... Hold My Hand'.

Rupali: It’s directed by the super-talented late Arun Frank, who was a wizard at directing television serials in the late nineties. I play the lead's fiancé Ria in the film starring Denzil Smith, Ratna Pathak and Jayesh Kodwani. It is made entirely in English and shot in London and Mumbai. It's doing the rounds of the festival circuit, before releasing in India and the West.

You also do theatre. Right?

Rupali: Yes, I play Sonia Gandhi with a difference in Bharat Dabholkar's play Bottoms Up. It's great fun. I get to enact many shades, and even grin, smile, take taunts chin up, and once in a while, flip my hair in stylish spectacles and crisp articulately worn cotton sarees. (laughs)

Any barriers you have overcome on this journey?

Rupali: I was a plump and chubby child and had to contend with weight issues as I grew up. But once I entered showbiz, I became conscious and cautious and transformed myself. Thanks to my supportive mom, I haven't faced any huge barrier in my personal life. But you see, sometimes fear of the unknown can be a greater emotion than love. I have to admit that at times, I have faced a self-inflicted barrier in my professional life, where I have held myself back and waited for an opportunity to appear. But once I realized that attitude wasn't working, I slowly and steadily reprogrammed my mind with the 'go for it' attitude. Once that was in place, the barriers fell away. And from then, it's been a steady and sturdy climb.

Who do you think is the most glamourous and fashionable celebrity in Bollywood and why?

Rupali: Of course, we have Deepika (Padukone) who was a model and then Sonam (Kapoor). The latest in the list is Lisa Hayden. She too dresses her mind.

From the current lot of designers, who do you think matches your fashion?

Rupali: I'm extremely fond of Rahul Mishra and Vaishali S. The latter's garments are very feminine and even give that great look in silhouettes. Now that's all about perfect cut and fit, isn't it? I also like the sensibilities of some other budding designers. As long as fashion is about how you feel, it can never go out of fashion.

How do you feel to be called a fashionista?

Rupali: I blush. :p

What is the mantra behind your bedazzling fit body?

Rupali: I have read somewhere that seventy percent of the body is made in the kitchen and the rest thirty percent is made in the gym. So lookout for your diet and understand your body requirement. As they say, no pain, no gain.

If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?

Rupali: My moms sarees, my books, education certificate, all my old pictures and a nose ring I've been gifted by my aunt. (grins)

Did Bollywood always appeal to you?

Rupali: Oh yes, I was quite filmi in my growing up days too. I guess, I've danced to each and every one of Madhuri Dixit songs. See, I've always had an inclination towards all things creative. I've always liked to perceive situations and then see how I can fit in.

A Bollywood dialogue you swear by.

Rupali: I have grown up teasing my sisters with the line "Mard ko dard nahin hota" from the Bachchan movie Mard. I've even played pranks on some film dialogues. The latest in my book is "Maine ek baar commitment kardi, toh main apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta!" Lol.

If a film was remade, which one would you want to be a part of?

Rupali: Oh, the top billing for that wish would go to Sridevi's character in Chandni. The role had so many nuances of a woman's feelings and Sridevi portrayed it with so much heart. Another one would be Dilwale Dhulania Le Jayenge. Kajol was an out-and-out sweetheart in it.

If not a model and actress, what would have been your alternate career choice?

Rupali: Oops! Never given much thought to that. But now that you ask, I guess, I might have joined my father in business.

How do you manage your personal and professional life?

Rupali: In our fast-paced world, personal and professional life is often intertwined. But my family helps me stay grounded and manage a balancing act.

What is your ideal partner like?

Rupali: I guess I'd give more importance to compatibility more than looks or riches. Someone I can talk and share anything and everything with. After all, if a girl cannot open her heart to her partner, then she will always be wanting in life.

Scorching a trail blazer at India Runway Week Season 7

The much awaited fashion extravaganza India Runway Week in association with Big Boy Toyz, Season 7 Winter/Festive Edition commenced at Thyagraj Stadium. The show opened with the designs of International Designer Bibi Russell under the name of “Rajasthali”. The day one of the India Runway Week was high on creativity, where experienced designers ruled the ramp, the newbies were also not far behind. Daniel Syiem from North East also shared the ramp with Bibi Russell in the opening show. His label Breathe Easy is an attempt to make clothes feel like second skin to your body. Blending pure cotton and raw silk with tribal weaves from North East India, the collection comprises of looks that cater to men and women who just want to break free....and breathe easy.

Shreeya Somaiya, introduces her debut collection inspired by the classic Shakespearean ballet “A Midsummer Night Dream.”  Her designs translate the enchanting world of magic and love charms that the play represents. The collection focuses on encapsulating the spirit of feminine power with a touch of elegance that the female characters of the play demonstrate. On the other hand beautiful actress Soha Ali Khan was spotted for designer from Hyderabad Shweta Sharda, who presented the glory of womanhood through her designs on the ramp. Shweta wanted to depict the brave step took by women in redesigning her own map to explore the World.  “Her Collection is about women like me who love to travel around the world” says Soha Ali Khan. Deepika Reddy from Ishithaa Design House launched her debut Winter / Festive collection ‘Vadhuvu’ at India Runway Week. The collection ‘Vadhuvu’ meaning bride in Telugu; echoed what every South Indian Bride desires to be on her big day. The Hues and textures of the lehengas, gowns and the Kanchipuram silk sarees are what every girl would lust after. Reframing The Regal by Designer by Isha Gupta Tayal is an amalgamation of British Empire and royal India. It comes up with a desire to see Indian women breaking out of their pearl cages and enter into royal steam punk adventures.  The collection is all about “Imaginative Dressing” , invention, adventure and worldliness. While speaking about her collection Varija says, “We see virtual heroes on the silver screen who are good, fight all evils and are perfect in every possible way. We aspire to be like them in our real lives. Then we see Super Heroes, who fight battles in real lives to protect others.

Actor MugdhaGodse walked the ramp for Satomi ByRakam. They showcased the collection under the name ‘Myrah’ goes back to the ancient times of 17 th century. It elucidates an aristocratic lady who is extraordinary and admirable. It symbolizes women of exquisite charm, with motifs inspired by age old art with a modern twist to create history.AdityaKhandelwl showcases some of the most intricate and extravagant pieces in a fusion style statement marrying the silhouettes from the British Raj to India’s own traditional Mughal embroidery and richness.

Day 1 comes to an end with the show of Studio AV by Gaurav and Nitesh, actor MandanaKarimi sizzled the ramp as a showstopper for them. Studio AV by Gaurav and Nitesh presented their beautiful collection ‘Dhaage’ at the India Runaway Week. The mesmerizing collection, aptly named ‘Dhaage’, is the beautiful journey of threads into a Masterpiece. The entire collection is handmade in threads with a little bit of zardosi and dapka work to add some glitter.

The second day of  India Runway week Season 7 in association with Big Boy Toyz  started  with college students doing the  ramp walk in  the designs of the students from Appejay Design Institute.  Apeejay Design Institute is the Knowledge partner of India Runway Week Season 7.The second show of the day started with “Euphoria” by DishaDoshi Gandhi. Captivating Ikat patterns have been used, whose colors reflect local heritage and are bright and contrasting, as per the theme of the collection. Geometry plays a considerate part within the whole collection.Since winter/festive collection, we have used jackets, overcoats and scarves to complete our looks. Vida De Frida by Designer Payal & Zinal is based on the theme- age of Ungender, where its the person that matters and not their Gender. It is because, today, people have a balanced identity that includes   the virtues of both the Genders. And both the male and female personalities are coming to accept the “Other Side".  Kantha by Stuti Shan is an primordial craft, made by the women of Rural West Bengal. Bolpur-Shantiniketan is essentially famous for its ethnic and creative Kantha embroidery all over India. Every stitch of this embroidery is hand sewn. It takes nearly 3 to 4 months to complete 1saree.

Rachat by Shruti and Rohan’s  collection revolves around the personal emotions of an army girl. How at first she is very determined about her duties and responsibilities as a Jawan. She goes through a rigorous training process for which she was not mentally ready at the time, but she does it anyway. She starts missing her family, friends and basically her whole life before joining the Armed Forces. The Flute Enchanter by Manika Surekhais the inspiration of the collection comes from the magnificent life of lord Krishna. Use of hand painted motifs with a fusion of fabrics forms the center of my collection. While keeping my inspiration as my focus in all my creations, the garments are very fresh and modern. The exaggerated flow in the garments is perfect for all body types.

''the Indian Disney Story'', by designer MithiKalra, speaks for itself. Dresses, gowns suited for a Princess , based on the traditional art of Madhubani, hand embroidered on pure silks and organza . The collection wonderfully and imaginatively combines the grace of a bygone era, with the modern day fashion.PERSIAN STORY by designer RavneetToor is inspired from the tales of Persia. Indian bridal wear inspired by the beauty of the majestic empire will be seen on the ramp in flowy silhouettes and intricate handwork with the mix of royal colors.

Foram Rambha’s concept is gowns which are flowy & combined with Indian and Western culture. His inspiration is floral designs, which will also see variations of different floral designs in embroidery patterns which are both Indian and Western. The colors used is from o-1 that is from pastels to vibrant drank colours.  The outfits can be worn in a cocktail as well as a wedding reception ceremony. Inspired by our nation’s winning drive, “Save The Girld Child”, ‘Sahira by Yasmeen Mehra’ presented the New Winter/ Festive collection ‘Erubescent’, ‘The Blooming Flower. The show depicted the evolution of a bright girl child to a shining woman of today.

“Three Musketeers of Nature”, an winter festive collection by emerging designer Radhika Jindal showcases an amalgam of the floral and faunal motif and a direct contrast to the somber colors of fall with its exuberant hues of Deep Electric Blue, Turquoise Blue, Watermelon Pink and Sunflower Yellow. Actress Esha Gupta  turned showstopper for designer Yoshita Yadav at the Indian runway week 2016. The designer showcased her collection inspired by the city of Lucknow which remains the fashion capital of Northern India. "In this season's collection, we at Yoshita Couture have used 100 per cent Indian woven Raw Silks, woven in Varanasi and Bengaluru, depending on colour specifications. “In this collection, one can see a vivid representation of motifs taken from most famous Mughal monuments of Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, and the Rumi Darwaza," said the designer in a statement.

Magiska by Shalini is a reflection of Indian heritage of rich textiles and centuries old craftsmanship. It is the modern interpretation of Indian classical silhouettes coupled with an evergreen shelf life that makes each product extremely unique - a classic that can be passed on from one generation to the next.

While Day 1 of India Runway Week, Season 6 started off with a bang, day 3 hasn’t slowed down one bit. Day 3 started with the 5 designer showShilpaChourasia, Sana Khan, Var-Shi by Varun and Vidushi, Preatz by Preethi Fazel, Abitie by Megha Mahendru.

BRIDALSUTRA by designer Shilpa Chourasia is the cerebral modern bride splurges on her trousseau as smartly as she plans her big crazy wedding. Taking ques from her convertible lifestyle, designer Shilpa Chaurasia have crafted a genius Lehenga, which wraps and unwraps into two distinct styles. Sana Khan’s “Conserving Mother Nature” is the collection for which she draws inspiration from the nature along with the beauty and elegance of floral architecture beautifully translated into a fresh outlook and stunning range on garments. Her pieces include intricate cuts and details on her clothes perfectly constructed with attention to details drawn from the floral beauty spinning a beautiful fairytale story through her clothes. She uses a lot of pastel embroidery and Zardozi work to reconstruct the enchanting floral palate in her clothes.

Varun Loht and Vidushi Gulati presented their latest collection,"The neo femme ", celebrating the modern women in all her poise and majesty. The collection features mysterious dark and bold hues with basic silhouettes and embroidered, edgy lapels. Combining the Indian dabka with the European baroque style, the collection exemplifies the wandering soul still tethered to her spiritual roots. Preethi Fazel presented  ‘The Florals’ ,  which showcased a wide variety of soft, elegant, flowing fabrics, florals of bridal wear that combines to form a stunning silhouette for a modern woman. The Florals mark the designer’s first foray into bridal fashion, which symbolizes beauty, innocence and purity of women, which comes across as both chic and elegant.

The Collection “Silvat” by MeghaMahendru is inspired from woman who is different and attempts to seek perfection in every role she plays in her daily life. The collection shows solitary calmness and feminine spirit. It portrays a woman who is unbound, bold and independent. The collection by this young Woman Entrepreneur is dedicated to Women Empowerment. The second show started with the collection of Gouri Gosain “The Craft”, there are syncretic styles of Flora, Art and Architecture that evolved during the Mughal Period. Traditional forms of threadwork in its most contemporary form inspired by the Calico. Moving on, the collection comprises of intricate embroideries inspired by traditional Zardozi work. Theme-Talk of the blocks presented by Kanchan Kuntala Das is made of blocks of fabric with balanced yet discontinued use of embroidery. The material used is handloom cotton and the multicolor hand embroidery shapes up the story of the collection.

Amru by Chhandak Jana presents Padm'e the enchanting, elaborate and mystical Lotus motifs used in the wall paintings of Ajanta caves serve as the central theme for this collection. The lotus rooted in the mud blooms and blossoms into a beautiful flower, it detaches itself from the mud, grows through purifying water and reaches for sunlight- each of the garment in the collection uses lotus as a metaphor and points towards an individuals' desire and aspiration for enlightenment. MAFIA, collection revisits the era of the Mafia by VinayRana is an exploration of the classic look, with modern silhouettes. VinayRana is known for his ability to make heads turn with his sense of styling. The outfits have been distinctively accented with glitzy accessories and the tone of the collection embraces epicurean bright with dark & sooty colors.

The Muse Room by Akassh K Aggarwalis a celebration of Being a Queen Beyond her Peers. Collection of Jewellery Designer Akassh K Aggarwal comes with a message of celebrating women of all ages- from their teens to their 90's- who not only have a stellar sense of Living and a knack for making their way in the world but also possess that uncanny ability to know when to act their age and also when to throw the supposed limits of that number. Akassh says, “I am very much delighted that Bollywood diva Zeenat Aman has walked the ramp for me. She has been my first crush and will always be my muse. Keeping her in mind, I have created the whole collection and have kept my collection name as "The Muse Room". Zeenat Aman said, "Walking the ramp is always fun. It is a feel good factor when you get the instant reaction from the audience. I have seen the Jewellery of Akassh K Aggarwal and I am all excited to walk the ramp for his show at India Runway Week."

“Riwayat -ethereal rendition of Phulkari” collection by “Gauri couture” was an attempt to revive traditional art of handmade Phulkari by creating avenues of employment and social empowerment for rural women of Punjab. The collection was an ode to phulkari artisans. Bringing the models in vibrant colors of phulkari and bling of gotta work Gauri couture designers Nikheil, Rivendra and Twinkle shows ensembles that move in perfect harmony in style, silhouette and form. Designer Jeevitha Perumal proudly presents her Ladylike collection under the label D.Sign.D by Jeevitha Perumal .Ladylike collection draws inspiration from the exquisite oyster mushrooms to reinvent the embellishments with the timeless ruffles. A melange of entrancingly elegant yet playful, colour palate ranging from soft pastels of rose quartz, serenity, arctic ice, lavender fog etc.

Deblina and Atul premiered their collection –Arabesque which is entirely made up of Eco and skin- friendly Bamboo yarns knitted together to create magic spelling interesting ensembles. Arabesque the theme was indeed true to the amalgamation of contemporary and classical silhouettes and motifs. KnitWear indeed got a new dimension and with this range our notion of it being available only as sweaters for winters has been trashed out of the window. It’s a new page in Indian fashion history which has been written today at India Runway Week, where just like handlooms, hand knits encompassed the beauty of grand ensembles showcased. The feather in the hat was the intricately placed embroidery work, man folding the beauty of these contemporary stylized silhouettes.

Designer AnshuKhathuria, who is making her debut at the fashion gala, is going to showcase a collection titled   “Wings of Fire” – an ode to delicacy and strength of a Woman. Her label ‘AK’ delineates an exquisite concoction of Rich Indian Clothing Culture and Global Sophistication. The collection is featured in lucious silks, satins, organza’s undulating ruffles & drapes unconventional layering, pleating & roughing signifying textures, curves, flair, deep emotions and passion in a women’s life.

Veteran Actress Sharmila Tagore walked ramp for Rohini Gugnani. Actress dazzled the show with the grace and dignity showcasing the splendid and grand Avadh era in her designs. Designer Rohini Gugnani's latest collection was an interesting play of concepts derived from the cities of Kanpur, Lucknow, Faizabad which redefined the glory of Avadh period in present time.

The Grand finale of India Runway Week was by Designer Riddhi and Siddhi with their collection "English Country Gardens". Models walked the ramp with sports car by Big Boy Toyz. The show was the amalgamation of glamour and cars. The collection conjures up contemplative thoughts of romance and lazy summer days. It is free spirited, light and easy with the use of light summer fabrics like chiffon, georgette, satin linen and pure silks. The colour story has a diverse range of hues from onion pinks, peaches, off-whites, pale blue and brown. The silhouettes are long, fluid and layered for women and sharp yet easygoing for men.

Prabhudeva to launch the song on his app - Prabhudeva

Prabhu deva is surely scorching the stage with his innovative efforts. He is known for introducing highly specialized dance movements and international standard choreography to Indian. After winning accolades as choreographer he became a successful hero and even a sought after director later. What makes him click is his efforts to be different. Yes, now the acor dancer director has launched an app on himself. The app will contain all the details about Prabhu deva and will keep fans updated about all the latest news and updates relating to the dancing sensation.

Besides giving updates about Prabhu deva’s latest movies, shooting schedules, among others, interesting details about his personal life are also available on app. Fans can even watch and listen hit numbers of PD.

Now to add to the excitement, the songs of Vashu Bhagnani's next project Tutak tutak Tutiya staring Prabhudeva, Sonu Sood and Tamannaah is all set to launch the biggest song of year "Chal Maar" today on hisdigital app name Prabhudeva. Creating just the right amount of noise amongst Cinephilia's, the songs of the film are already chartbusters and keeping the buzz alive dancing God Prabhudeva. The song is said to be the biggest dance number of the year where Prabhudeva will be seen shaking his leg with Amy Jackson. 

After Mukabala, Ke Sara Sara and ABCD series i wanted to do something on the same level in the song Chal maar. It fun, its peppy and it is my favourite song in the film. I wanted to launch this song on my personal app and I am happy that I am doing it. I hope people like it." Says Prabhudeva.

The Prabhu deva app can be downloaded from Google Play store. 

Mukul Dev says no Bigg Boss 10

First there was news about cartoonist K.V.Gautam saying no to Bigg Boss 10. Then Kabir Bedi denied going on it. The latest is actor Mukul Dev claiming to have refused it.

"Okay I have to do this... I am profusely sorry but the Bigg Boss people keep calling every season. Now it's time to put it in public," Mukul posted on his Facebook. "It would cost me a degeneration of the last morsel of my ancestral values and a cold-blooded murder of my child's respect for me to even be seen in a glimpse on that television show," he added.

Most of his fans on FB seemed to agree to his refusal, except for ex-contestant Kashif Qureshi (remember, the one-time so-called 'common man' of BB). "But bhai, my season 6 had a certain class. It started descending into the sewer after my season," Kashif replied to Mukul's post.

But Bollywood publicist Dale Bhagwagar feels that such strong feelings are fine as they are "the adrenalin" of the show. "It's all just like what I'd told one of my PR clients Mandana Karimi last season before she entered... People can love the show, they can hate the show, but they can't ignore it."

True. When Mandana repeated those lines during her introductory tete-a-tete with host Salman Khan, it felt as if she had instantly captured 'the essence of Bigg Boss'.

Former Mumbai film fest director re launches distribution outfit for international cinema

Known to have headed the coveted Mumbai Film Festival and brought it at par with leading International film festivals, Former festival director of the Mumbai Film Festival and industry veteran, Srinivasan Narayanan has announced the re-launch of his International distribution company‘In2Infotainment India’.

The announcement was made with his company acquiring for the SAARC region, the acclaimed Cannes Film Festival Palm D’Or winner ‘I, Daniel Blake’ by Ken Loach.

Directed by Ken Loach,I, Daniel Blakeis the story of a 59-year-old carpenter befriending a single mother and her two kids as they navigate their way through the Kafka-esque impersonal benefits system.

With this, S Narayanan’sfirm In2Infotainment Indiahas made a comeback to the distribution business in India following the experience at distribution of earlier titles such as Dardenne brothers’ Palm D’Or winnerL’Enfant, Lemming andThe Barbarian Invasions, winner of the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards, among a slate of art-house movies

“When I prepared a business plan in 2001 for distribution of art-house movies in India, I was a pioneer and had to go through the learning experience. When I took over as the Director of the Mumbai Film Festival I strengthened my association with award winning and critically acclaimed films. With that commitment having concluded, I took some time off to revive my company and create a sustainable model for the distribution of international films in India.” Said Narayanan.Chief Executive,  In2Infotainment India.

When quizzed about the Palme D’or Winning films release plans, he quipped saying “We will innovatively release I, Daniel Blake in the coming months. The Idea is to ensure that the distribution model is a sustainable and viable one, that ensures all stakeholders are benefited, including audiences”.

While In2infotainment’s forte remains acquiring top-notch,award-winning films for distribution in India, it is also set to forge new partnerships with investors across the world to market Indian films, documentaries and TV content.In the past the company has also exported Indian films to Iran, Singapore, Australia and Canada among other countries.

In addition to having served as the Festival Director ofthe Mumbai Film Festival from 2008 to 2014, Narayanan also served as the Artistic Director of Drishyam Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab in 2015, collaboration between the Sundance Institute and Indian independent production house Drishyam Films.

Priyanka Chopra for a female James Bond?

Ever since Daniel Craig decided to put playing James Bond 007 on hold, there have been all kinds of rumours floating about a new Bond. But what has caught our eye is the way Hollywood's new Indian star Priyanka Chopra is being hailed as a good choice for playing a female Bond. And she isn't averse to the idea of a lady Bond.

Recently, the UK-based website Refinery 29 even quoted the Qantico gal saying, “And not Jane (Jane Bond). She should be James Bond, and she should be able to sell it. Why not?”

Though Priyanka is not the only Indian actress whose name has been speculated for a Bond movie. After Shilpa Shetty wonCelebrity Big Brother, her then publicist Dale Bhagwagar had told a British journalist from Daily Mail that if an Indian actress could play a Bond girl, it could be Shilpa Shetty.

The PR guru's comment received a lot of publicity when it was picked up by various blogs and websites, some of which carried out opinion polls with a list of Indian actresses to choose from. And Shilpa indeed topped the charts.

The bigger surprise came when a few months later Daniel Craig in an interview to NDTV Movies, echoed Dale's words, stating, "I think she (Shilpa) looks great and has a killing figure, just right for a Bond girl". Coincidentally, during Shilpa's Big Brother win, the same public relations guy handled the media for Priyanka's too.

"If you cut me, you will find blood and pani-puri," laughs foodie Rupali Suri

Actress Rupali Suri is probably one of the biggest foodies in Bollywood. And it's easy to understand that. How? Simple. Ask her about food, and she begins to talk like a girl possessed. Lol. We mean, food-possessed :p

Talking about her favourite restaurants, Rupali likes this place called the The Big Chill in Delhi. But when abroad, she doesn't really have any favourite, but likes to try out different restaurants, "especially the small boutique restaurants which have great tastes to offer."

But when it comes to her all-time fav snack, the gal is a hardcore bambaiya. Her favourite street-food is chaat and pani-puri. "In college, I would tell my friends, 'If you cut me, you will fine blood and pani-puri'. Its madness that I still savour it the same way," she laughs. "The strange thing is, pani-puris are also a stress-buster for me."

She's tried her most weird dish "in China" but wouldn't tell us what it was. We can imagine why. Gee ;-) But near to home, Rupali's all-time fav is are "mom-made dahi-kadhi and pakodas with rice. No one can make it as mom does."

"Eat what your heart desires, but also watch what you eat," she advises. "After all, it's no less than an art to balance fitness and food."

Government of Jharkhand at Las Vegas to Woo Investors: Caterpillar proposed manufacturing unit in Adityapur

Pushing ahead on his agenda to make Jharkhand ‘the global destination of choice for investors’ Jharkhand CM Mr. Raghubar Das and his business- savvy team reached Las Vegas to attend MIN Expo 2016(Mining Expo), where the state has a dedicated pavilion.US whistle-stop tour of Mr. Das and his Team has an agenda for exploring foreign investor potential for Jharkhand.

At MIN Expo 2016 (Mining Expo), CM and his delegation met Mr. Scott Phillips, CEO of GE Mining, Chicago, Mr. Sean McLanahan, CEO of Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania, USA and Mr. Rahul Jain, Business Head of Surface Mining and Technology of Caterpillar Pvt. Ltd.

 During the interaction session, State delegation had a detailed discussion with Mining Tycoons. At MIN Expo (Mining Expo), Jharkhand Pavilion, Caterpillar Pvt. Ltd. proposed setting up of a mining equipment manufacturing unit in Adityapur, Jharkhand.

During the session, CM Mr. Raghubar Das said- Jharkhand is ushering in an era of industrial growth and is geared up to showcase its enormous potential to the national and international investment communities in order to attract suitable investments—and the MIN Expo in this scenario is a platform to lure investors who will become long term partners in the burgeoning development of one of India’s youngest states, which has over 40 per cent of India’s mineral reserves. The state accounts for 27 per cent of national coal reserves and 26 per cent iron ore besides others, he further added.

While detailing the investors Mrs. Raj Bala Verma Chief Secretary of Government of Jharkhand said – So far the government has held fruitful road shows in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. During the road shows, Jharkhand Government signed some crucial agreements with global corporations like CISCO and Oracle to impart skilling to prepare for the technology leveraged future , Two MoUs were also signed with global technology major Hewlett Packard for e-healthcare and tele-education, she added. Mrs. Verma  further said- During this US Sojourn GOJ  is looking to seal collaborations with leading organizations & industrial institutions of commerce and trade bodies with the objective of boosting American familiarization with and investment in Jharkhand.

The expo would be followed by a visit to San Francisco where the delegation is scheduled to visit Hewlett Packard Enterprise with which memoranda of understanding were recently signed in the areas of tele-education (virtual classrooms) and IT enabled primary healthcare.

All this orchestrated lobbying is aimed at culminating in a sizeable attendance at Jharkhand’s maiden global business meet— The Momentum Jharkhand Global Investors Summit, scheduled to take place in state capital Ranchi, on 16-17th February 2017.

Chief Minister Mr. Raghubar Das, Chief Secretary, Mrs. Raj Bala Verma, Additional Chief Secretary  cum Development Commissioner Mr.AmitKhare, Addl. Chief Secretary, Energy Mr. R.K. Srivastava, Principal Secretary to CM Mr. Sanjay Kumar and Secretary Mines-geology and Industries Mr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal and other state delegates are in USA for 5 days intense tour to woo the investors.

Is Mayur Verma bluffing about his entry on Bigg Boss 10?

Swaragini actor Mayur Verma has been all over town, claiming he is going to be part of Bigg Boss 10. The anticipation about the Salman Khan-hosted show is peaking as it gears up to roll mid next month.

"I have been selected as a contestant for upcoming season of Bigg Boss," the actor confirmed in the media this week.

He elaborated, "Last year, I had been nominated as a wild card contestant, however as it was right after my break-up with Marina (Marina Kuwar), I thought to refrain from sharing same screen space. But this time, I am very much looking forward to being on the show."

However, Bollywood PR guru Dale Bhagwagar who has worked with a full 20 celebs who have participated in Bigg Boss, doubts Mayur's claim. "I have a feeling Swaragini actor Mayur Verma is bluffing about his entry on Bigg Boss," tweeted the publicist.

Now now! We don't know about Mayur, but we are certain this public relations expert has a nose for news. So if he smells a rat; he smells a rat; and it's as simple as that.

Yeh Lamha Hi Hai Zindagi: Channel will launch a new prime time line-up from 3rd Oct, 2016

Zindagi has been a category creator in the Indian entertainment space. Having garnered discerning and premium audiences, Zindagi, over the last 27 weeks has maintained its position as the No. 1 Premium Entertainment Channel with 710 average GTVTs. (Source: BARC Alpha Club ratings; TG: NCCS A1, 6 Metros, Period: WK5’ To WK 32’2016, AV GTVTs). The channel has announced its evolution, with a new primetime line- up in Delhi today that will start from October 3, 2016.

Addressing the conference Dr. Subhash Chandra (Chairman-ZEE & Essel Group), said, “It’s an unfortunate decision we had to take to stop all programming from Pakistan. We at Zee, have tried for the past 24 years to bridge the gap, however, the one-way street is not working. We took a decision in our hearts right after the Uri attack. Our team met and agreed for the same. We at Zindagi want to respect the sentiments of our viewers, and of our country, and that is why we had to take this step.”

“Zindagi has been the reason for the rise of a number of stars from Pakistan but when we requested them to at least condemn the attacks without naming their country, none of them came forward.” He further added.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL), Chief Business Officer, Mr. Sunil Buch said, “Zindagi was launched with the promise of bringing the best shows from across the world to Indian television screens. Our compelling content has always been, and will continue to be our calling card. A thought leader in premium entertainment with a distinct character, Zindagi presents finite world stories with bold narratives which unveil universal emotions. The Alpha Club numbers give us resounding encouragement that we are on the right path of providing premium entertainment. What sets the channel apart is its consistent commitment to show Finite, Real, Vibrant, and Premium world stories. Zindagi will enhance its slate of shows from 3rd October 2016. Hand-picked stories from India, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Latin America and Korea, amongst others, will now be available on the channel. For our bi-lingual premium audiences, for the first time ever in India, Zindagi will also soon be available on a dual feed of Hindi & English. It will also be the first channel in the entire Indian TV industry to offer live streaming on Periscope, simultaneously with the linear TV feed.”

At Zindagi, every show is not just a story…but a reflection of our life experiences! Each story is not only beautifully crafted but also delivered with impeccable direction and utmost sensitivity in terms of treatment and portrayal of the characters. Audiences relate to these endearing and powerful characters and index it to their own life journey savoring every moment. Sunil adds, “The channel's positioning ’Yeh Lamha Hi Hai Zindagi’ does justice to the brilliant brand name, and mirrors the essence of the word Zindagi. Anywhere in the World, Life is a finite procession of moments and it’s important that we live each and every one of them. There is no sense in doing Rewind – Play and lose our today, our moment in the quest of analyzing / living in the past. That’s the top line of the channel, literally, amongst a plethora of only base lines that exist for brands across the world. Again a departure from traditional base lines associated with most brands/channels and true to the thought leader grain of Zindagi.”

Zindagi’s uniqueness lies in the quality of its content and the increasing global sensibility amongst its evolved audiences. This reflects in the new primetime slate that will launch this festive season from October 3. The new shows include a light-hearted Turkish drama, ‘Little Lord’ at 7.30 PM, which is an endearing tale of a parent-child relationship seen through the lens of a six year old, Mehmet. And, the Turkish blockbuster Fatmagul is the story of an innocent girl whose fairytale life is turned into a nightmare when she gets raped and is forced to marry the accused will continue to entertain viewers at 9.00 PM. Three Indian originals that push societal thinking are also a part of the new offerings and includes a rip-roaring comedy by Sunjoy Wadhwa’s Sphere Origins’ titled ‘TV Ke Uss Paar’ at 8.30 PM that is a tongue-in-cheek sitcom on the world of daily soaps and a reality check on how today’s society is obsessed with television. The three endearing romances from India includes Anupam Kher’s first fiction production on TV called ‘Khwaabon Ki Zamin Par’ that will air at 10.00 PM and produced by his company, Actor Prepares. It is the story of a 24 year old boy, Arya who leaves behind his girlfriend, Niyati, and his family to come to Bombay to fulfill his dream of being a star! Gulshan Sachdeva’s Film & Shots have produced the next love story, ‘Agar Tum Saath Ho’ to air at 7.00 PM. That centres around the journey of a rich Delhi girl, Neema, who marries a simple, middle class boy, Ravi much against her father’s wishes and how they dealing with her meddling father.   After the phenomenal success of Feriha, Zindagi will soon premiere its second season.  And that’s not all…coming soon for the movie buffs on Sunday, ‘ZINDAGI AWESOMES’’ will feature the most iconic films that have defined Indian Cinema.

Unparalleled creativity and innovation will be a part of the robust marketing campaign designed to deliver both the core and surround across all traditional and digital mediums about Zindagi. The channel’s campaign will dominate mediums like DTH, cinema and mobile and will be initiated with a simple yet thought provoking catchphrase ‘#ZindagiKehtiHai’ that is designed to create conversation around our life, our Zindagi. #ZindagiKehtiHai will dip in the currency of the World happenings and reflect the sentiments of people as they voice their views on everything that affects their lives. There will be a high impact roadblock across ZEE network of 33 channels on 30 September. Engaging campaigns that will empower audiences will also be visible across Print, TV, Digital and OOH. The publicity campaign will build advocacy through unique experiences that evoke the brand proposition and mirror the viewer’ premium lifestyles.

Zindagi is the only entertainment channel that delivers premium viewers by its guaranteed and trusted content environment of good storytelling. This will enable brands to harness the power of rich content-mix and premium audiences delivered through Zindagi. The combined heritage and influence of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd as a leading global media conglomerate ensures that Zindagi continues to be uniquely positioned as a thought leader in premium entertainment.

Zindagi, the No. 1 Premium Entertainment Channel, was launched with the promise of bringing the best shows from across the world to Indian television screens. A thought leader in premium entertainment with a distinct character, Zindagi presents finite world stories with bold narratives that unveil universal emotions.

Sumit Uday Films new movie 'Kar Gayee Chull' launched

Sumit Uday Films that recently completed its first Hindi feature Keh Do Na Love Hai in a joint venture is venturing on his own to produce his next film titled KAR GAYEE CHULL. The film will throw light on a racket that recently took lives of a few youngsters. The producer Sumit Bansala revealed the title and the conceptual poster of the movie today at a media gathering in Meerut on the auspicious occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. Besides speaking to media persons, he posted the photo on social sites saying: "Here we go!! Our next film to go on floors soon."

Speaking on the theme of the film, Producer Sumit Bansala without divulging much detail said, “It’s a youthful zany film that has a dynamic storyline which most youngsters will associate with. The movie has a very simple plot of four friends, their die-to-death friendship as the film details the ups and downs of their lives as each pursues go through their dreams and fears in the not-always-kind town of Delhi.”

Mohan Das who has won not one but two Best Director awards will be directing this film. He mentioned that the subject of Kar Gayee Chull is different from the usual youngster films that one sees. It will handle a sensitive issue faced by youngsters these days with a pinch of comedy and thrill. Speaking about the extent to which the production team is gone to ensure quality production values, Mohan says that his producer is leaving no stone unturned to make this film, a success. “Apart from shooting at various locations in Delhi, Noida and Meerut, we will be shooting a part of his film in Bangkok and Pattaya and the very famous Walking Street,” said Mohan Das.

When asked about his first feature film #KDNLH that will soon see its way into the theatres, vis-à-vis #KGC, Sumit says: “Both Keh Do Na Love Hai and Kar Gayee Chul are totally different in their concept and make, as KDNLH is an absolute romantic while KGC is a youthful film with a message for the youngsters. Having said that, I would like to add that the film doesn’t get preachy but it’ll be interesting to see how life unfolds of our four lead youngsters and pick the message to take life seriously from their story.”

Sumit along with Mohan Das has also done a short film Sandhya - an awakening that will soon be making its way into the festival circuit. “Given the subject that is touched upon in this short, I am sure, this film will pick up a few awards on the way,” said Sumit. When asked what else has he lined up further, Sumit concluded, "I have a few things on my mind. As of now, the release of #KDNLH is first priority and of course going on floors with #KGC. But there’s another project in the pipeline that is ‘close to my heart’. But I don’t wanna reveal it right now and will do so at the right time with a big bang. And it will be happening sometime before the year ends.”

‘Monin Cup’ – Young Bartending Challenge Begins In Mumbai

Witness the incredible craftsmanship, unmatched creativity and exceptional cocktails by the freshest bartending talent. After a successful South Zonal round in Bangalore, the biggest bartending challenge – ‘MONIN CUP’ has arrived in Mumbai. The choicest flavor in gourmet, Monin is on a hunt for a young bartending talent who would represent India in the Monin Cup 2016, France.

The West zonal round will be conducted at Mumbai on 19th September 2016 between 10:30am to 6pm. The thrilling competition will be judged by some of the best people in the industry like Yangdup Lama, Shatbhi Basu and Nisha Samson.

India has lot of unexplored talents from unexplored avenues. MONIN and Sakshm Impex are hosting this unique platform to unearth the best talent in the bartending arena. MONIN Cup is one of the top bar tending competition in India. With a massive participation of 21 shortlisted talented young bartenders, the competition has got bigger and better.

Young Designers to Watch at India Runway Week

Keeping up with their trend to introduce fresh fashion talent, Indian Federation for Fashion Development (IFFD) has announced the latest group of young designers. Ten designers are in the New-Gen Designer frame & eight designers are in budding designer category for the Winter Festive 2016 shows, which will be shown at Asia’s youngest fashion trade event, India Runway Week Season 7.

This season the selection of the New-Gen & Budding designers were made from more than 300 submissions. IFFD chose these designers on the basis some key criteria that included quality, innovation, marketability, and ability to legitimately take their business to the next level. 

The newgen designers this season are Payal Kothari&Zinal Shah, Meghaa Mahendru, Disha Doshi Gandhi, Shilpa Chaurasia, Rachat by Shruti&Rohan, Manika Sureka, Varun&Vidushi, Stuti Shah, Sana Khan, Preethi Fazel.

“The number of entries for newgen categories are increasing with each season and moreover we are quite glad to see that the design sensibility of new designers is not only innovative but mature than already existing designers” said Kiran Kheva, Fashion Director, IFFD.

Mithi Kalra, Kanchankuntala Das, Chhandak Jana, Gouri Gosain, Vinay Rana, Foram Rambhia, Ravneet Toor and Ashfaque are there in budding designer category.

Avinash Pathania, Founder, IFFD said “We launched IFFD’s India Runway Week with the aim of giving best quality in terms of production, business and exposure to these young designers and we are immensely happy with the way the newgen and emerging designers are growing with each season after launching at our platform.”

IFFD provides the opportunity for fashion industry members, both new and old, to create networks that will facilitate action and inspire industry growth. IFFD provide useful & up-to-date information to keep the industry on top of what is happening locally and abroad, to make it more competitive and to encourage a thirst for quality education.

IFFD provides a marketing platform for all within the industry; from the student who want to share her talent to the household names we have come to know and love. By increasing local and international awareness of Indian brands and talent, IFFD hope to inspire increased demand and brand loyalty. With these primary directives IFFD hope to assist in creating a positive knock on effort that will facilitate job creation and growth for the industry.

Bela Mardia marked her debut solo art show with support from Mahima Choudhary

Bela Mardia unveiled her collection, ‘The Palette Knife’ at her debut solo art show. Her paintings reflect her experimental approach to materials and surfaces.

Mehmood Curmally (Owner, Rhythm House) inaugurated Bela Mardia’s solo art show. Actress, Mahima Choudhary graced the occasion to lend support to her beloved friend. Also seen were, Vikram and Jeeya Sethi, Mr Bahl with daughter Sanjana amongst others

Mahima shares, “It astonishes me how one can create a beautiful piece of work by just playing with the knife, Bela’s art work is going to do wonders to my empty walls”

Dense oil and encaustic portraits from Bela’s artwork evoke the effects of time on memory and representation. The figures sometimes dissolve or disintegrate into their surroundings, occasionally into the material of the painting itself. Exhibited alongside these new portraits are several large scale works, including landscapes – not the pastoral environments of an idealized natural world; but a reckoning of their own, impacted by crisis and activated by abstraction. In a departure from traditional modes of representational painting,Bela uses figures and landscapes to negotiate inner and outer states. In these paintings an inventive approach to paint handling, where the knife dissolve images, and darkness is built up in layers, creates moments where the mechanism of painting is its own subject.

With rare integrity, has developed her oeuvre based on abstract painting but gradually stepping into the spatial dimension. Her artwork engages spectators in a way that it makes them both onlookers and participators on a stage.

Renaissance Lucknow Celebrates Its Birthday with a Bang

Renaissance Lucknow turns one on Monday, September 12. The tallest hotel in town is celebrating its birthday with a bang. There are a number of festivities lined up, and surprise offers awaiting the patrons on this joyous occasion.

It has been a momentous first year for Renaissance in the city of the Nawabs and the hotel is in a generous mood on its birthday. It has a lot to offer to its guests on this occasion including free welcome drinks and discounts at all its restaurants. In addition, in-house guests will receive a special complimentary dessert on the day. Those celebrating their birthday on the 12th of September will get a complimentary birthday cake from the hotel.

“We are delighted to complete a year in this city.  The people of Lucknow have been very warm and welcoming and we feel privileged to serve them with our hospitality. We endeavour to bring them the best of culinary delights at the food festivals we keep organising from time to time.  This has been remarkable beginning for us, and we hope to serve Lucknowites even better in the years to come”, said Anand Ganesan General Manager, Renaissance, Lucknow.

With 16 floors and 112 stylishrooms, the Renaissance is truly Lucknow’s pride. It offers a stunning view of the city’s historical landscape and the majestic Gomti river. It is an ideal contemporary retreat for leisure and business travelers looking for cultural experience and five-star facilities. Spread across a sprawling 26,000 sq ft campus, the hotel offers versatile indoor and outdoor experience with extensive facilities for social events and meetings. This includes the hotel’s ‘The Grand Ballroom’ with its 20-foot high ceiling and column-free design which makes it an ideal venue for weddings, and high-profile get-togethers.

The lush Ren Garden is a treat for guests who enjoy the outdoors, while L-14, the all-day multi-cuisine diner, offers an exotic experience, from its 14th floor. The Sepia brings the traditional delicacies of Awadh alive, for patrons, albeit with a modern tweak. The poolside bar on the 16th floor is a great place to unwind after a hard day’s work. With so much on offer, what are you waiting for? Go join in in the celebrations.

Sunny Leone & acid attack victim Reshma Qureshi showcased rural art of India at the New York runway

Designer Archana Kochhar showcased the rural art of India in New York City as part of New York Fashion Week with her collection, “A tale of two travels”. The collection was inspired by her travel to the Taj Mahal and the village of Banjara tribe.  Sunny Leone, the first Bollywood actress to ever walk the ramp at NYFW, looked resplendent as the showstopper in an ivory Archana Kocchar gown inspired by the Banjaranspired by the vibrant and mesmerizing Banjara art. The ivory is offset with colorful digitally printed motifs, which is further highlighted with multi-color thread work and mirror work with a very contemporary look to it. Reshma Qureshi, an acid attack victim who made worldwide headlines for her story,opened the show for the designer in a beautiful ivory gown, which was offset with digitally printed motifs, to create awareness of the initiative “Bring Beauty Back”.

“I am so excited. It’s unbelievable that I just walked at New York Fashion Week for Designer Archana Kochhar wearing her Banjara Collection. The energy here was superb and the response we received was phenomenal”, shared Actress Sunny Leone immediately after the show. “I Love this gown, it looks so ethereal. Archana is my favorite Indian designer. She is someone who inspires me as a woman. She has a strong will and goes after what she wants and she is here at New York and has done a spectacular job. Very few Indian designers have reached New York Fashion Week, but she has”, she further added.

“It was a surreal experience. This is arguably, the largest fashion platform in the world. It is a great honor to be one of the few Indians to have showcased at New York Fashion week, for the second time. It is one of the most professionally run events in the world. As the Nyfw organizers had told me, they don't talk fashion - they own fashion”, shared designer Archana Kochhar. “I am very grateful to Sunny, who’s a dear friend, and I think she looks stunning in whatever she wears. Also I am very honored to have Reshma Qureshi walking the ramp and showcasing different facets of beauty to the world. Beauty should not be affirmed by a certain height, color or size, it is beyond that. It should be an all-inclusive concept. We need such acceptance in society and I think such endeavors of mine will increase sensitivity towards this concept in our society”, Kocchar further added.

“I was very excited. This was my first time at New York. I am hoping that my participation in this runway will inspire hope and confidence in other acid attack survivors, that they can lead a normal life”, shared an overwhelmed Reshma Qureshi after opening the show for Designer Archana Kochhar at the New York Fashion Week.

“A tale of Two Travels” is a thoughtful creation that imparts royal individuality of the surreal Taj and gleams in the colorful essence of Banjara. The first inspiration of the collection is by the nomadic tribe of India called Banjara, known for the craft of the vibrant mesmerizing colors and rustic mirror work in India. The color pallet of this collection is ivory offset with colorful digitally printed motifs, which is further highlighted with multi-color thread work and mirror work. The second inspiration of the collection is by the magnificent Taj Mahal. Depicting a dreamy vision, the collection is an exclusive range of colorful intricate digital prints depicting the vibrant symbolic motifs of the amazing Taj Mahal, the beautiful lotus flower, the mighty royal elephants balanced with geometric motifs. The new line is a foci of contemporary silhouettes fused with a glimpse of Indian conventional cuts to bring forward the concept of the east meets the west. The silhouettes comprised of cold shoulder crop tops, caplets, flared bellbottoms, flared skirts, pencil skirts, high waist shorts, paper bag skirts, dhoti pants, structured gowns, key hole gowns, flowy drapes and jumpsuits.

10th anniversary season of the Symphony Orchestra of India

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, will mark the 10th anniversary of the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) – India’s first and only professional orchestra from September 12 - 30, 2016.  Founded in 2006, by NCPA Chairman Khushroo N. Suntook, and internationally-renowned violin virtuoso Marat Bisengaliev, who serves as the Orchestra’s Music Director, the SOI has grown to become an internationally-acclaimed ensemble.

In the decade since its founding, the SOI has accomplished several significant milestones. The Orchestra has performed with world-renowned conductors and soloists, including Charles Dutoit, Augustin Dumay, Maria João Pires, and Zakir Hussain, amongst several others, and has also presented several fully-staged operas in Mumbai. The true mark of the success enjoyed by any orchestra is not just when accolades pour in, but also when they are invited to perform in internationally, in renowned venues. The SOI has embarked on four international tours. These have seen the SOI perform as part of the Festival of the World’s Symphony Orchestras in Moscow, at the Royal Opera House in Muscat and opening the Abu Dhabi Classics 2015-16 season in the UAE. Most recently, the SOI performed three concerts in Switzerland to great acclaim in the Swiss media.

The SOI is rapidly building a global impression with growing numbers of international supporters that reconize the value and the standard of the SOI as being on par with some of the finest ensembles in the world.

Mr. Khushroo N. Suntook, NCPA Chairman & co-founder of the Symphony Orchestra of India said ‘As we complete a decade, we are very proud of what the SOI has achieved in ten short years. We are delighted to present Mumbai with world-class performances of western classical music, which we are now also taking to other countries. Our educational programmes are a vital part of our mission, as we hope to build a solid foundation for classical music in India. My most sincere gratitude to our Music Director Marat Bisengaliev and to Zane Dalal and the NCPA staff for their tremendous work to bring us to where we are today.

The SOI’s Autumn 2016 season begins on 12th September with a concert led by British conductor Martyn Brabbins who marks his debut concert in India. A winner of the Leeds Conductors’ Competition, Brabbins has conducted many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and at La Scala in Milan. The programme, which includes Brahms’ first symphony, will also feature the Paganini Violin Concerto No. 1 with rising-star Hungarian violinist Kristóf Baráti who is increasingly recognized around the world for the extraordinary quality of his musicianship.

On 17th September, Martyn Brabbins again leads the SOI in a performance featuring The Planets, a seven-movement work by English composer Gustav Holst, with each movement based on one of the planets, musically portraying their astrological character. The suite is one of Holst’s most popular works and is widely performed around the world. Excerpts from Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser will open the programme.

On 22nd September, SOI Associate Music Director Zane Dalal conducts the orchestra in its first performance of Mahler's monumental Symphony No. 1. In Dalal’s words, “the music of Mahler—advanced for its time—still represents the closest man has come to rendering his raw emotion into written music.” The programme also includes the overture, Witch's Ride, and Evening Song from Humperdinck's opera based on the fairy tale Hansel & Gretel.

On 27th September, SOI Music Director Marat Bisengaliev leads the Orchestra in the famous 'Enigma' Variations by Sir Edward Elgar. Marat is a noted Elgar specialist and his recordings of Elgar’s violin works have won wide acclaim and numerous awards. This piece comprises 14 variations on an original theme, each variation being a musical sketch of one of Elgar’s friends.

12-year-old piano prodigy Sanzharali Kopbayev will also join the SOI and Marat to perform Grieg's piano concerto, one of the most popular pieces in the genre. With this performance, Sanzharali will become the youngest soloist to be featured in an SOI season.

The 10th Anniversary Season of SOI closes with a special gala concert on 30th September jointly conducted by Marat Bisengaliev and Zane Dalal, featuring popular works by Bernstein, Bizet, Johann Strauss Jr., and more.

India Runway Week Season 7 goes International– Khadi on ramp by Bibi Rusell

Khadi is not merely a piece of cloth, but a way of life. Designer  Bibi Rusell from Bangladesh after giving a makeover to Rajasthan government textile division under the name of Rajasthali by Bibi Rusell is now all set to showcase its first collection under this label in New Delhi at IFFD’s India Runway Week winter festive 2016. The entire collection is made from this handspun and hand-woven fabric diversified by art and design intervention to be made more suitable for the modern context. Having used human resources at every step of the way of the collection, each outfit represents the hardwork, dreams and aspirations of many. The colours are fresh and the designs are one of a kind. Declared the fabric of the future, Khadi keeps one cool in the summer and warm in the winter and with Bibi’s designs, stylish all through. 

“We are honored to have Bibi Rusell onboard for this season as she sees Khadi as an occupation to bring high and low, rich and poor together, to show them the dignity of hand-labour” said Avinash Pathania, founder, IFFD

Bibi who was rewarded Cross of Officer of the Order of Queen Isabella by the King of Spain, The Asia week magazine highlighted her as "One of the 20 people to watch in the Millennium", She was also awarded the Honorary Fellowshipof the London Institute in 1999, UNESCO awarded her the title Designer for Development in 1999 and Artist for Peaceby the UNESCO in 2001 and the Peace Prize by the United Nations Associations of Spain in 2004 has picked up where he left off. Human dignity is a principle that lies at the heart of all of Bibi’s work. It is about the freedom each of us has to express ourselves, to voice our dreams and share our aspirations. She has highlighted the importance of fashion as not just clothes we wear, but a culture we are. No society can flourish without culture, and no development can be sustainable without it.

Bibi in a statement said “Through art and design, it is my intention to sensitize and demonstrate the immense skills and expertise of the local artisans, to preserve the heritage, to foster creativity, to provide for employment opportunities, to empower women and to contribute towards the eradication of poverty.”

Date: 16th- 18th September 2016

Time: 12:30 pm onwards

Venue: Thyagraj Stadium, New Delhi