More to Divali than the market
From the festival of lights anchored in custom and tradition, Divali has now become an excuse for netting buyers and an unabashed celebration of conspicuous consumption, writes Akanksha Bhalla
BILLBOARDS and hoardings scream out enticing Divali offers. Newspapers carry special supplements splashing the festival bonanza of an exclusive range of products, awaiting consumers around Divali.

They’ve made Big B look trendier
Shveta Pathak talks to the designer duo, Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra, who dress up Amitabh for KBC 2
THANKS to designer brothers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra, Amitabh Bachhan in KBC 2 sports a younger look. To ensure that the look does not appear staid, the designer duo also moved from the initial leather jackets and sporty look to something more dignified like striped shirts with handkerchief et al.

Colours of Divali
Vimla Patil
Renowned Bollywood designer Vikram Phadnis and young designers Alpa and Reena present fashions for the festive season
DESIGNERS are going ballistic this Divali and providing women with a plethora of fashion ideas to dress themselves up during the festive season. First on the list is Vikram Phadnis, whose collection was launched in Mumbai with Priyanka Chopra as the main model.

Journey along the Jhelum
Sridhar K. Chari traverses the historic Jhelum Valley Road from Srinagar to Uroosa, the last village before the Line of Control in the earthquake-devastated Uri sector in the Kashmir Valley, and comes away with a sense of a world teetering on the edge.
AROUND the world, there are great cities, grand bridges, magnificent buildings and superb museums. And then there are great roads.

Icons of the century
THE Beatles have been singled out as the most influential entertainers of the past 100 years, beating out the likes of Elvis Presley, Charlie Chaplin and Mickey Mouse, according to a survey conducted by show business newspaper Variety.