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In step with the
times
Chaman Ahuja
on how the National School of Drama has evolved over the past 50 years
| Last
year, when the National School of Drama celebrated its golden
jubilee, the timing caused raised eyebrows in theatre circles
because there was a gap between NSD’s conception and
inception. After the idea of setting up a Central institution
was mooted at a seminar in 1954, a draft scheme was prepared in
1955, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi resolved to establish
a school for theatre. |
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Devoted
to cleanliness
Once a virtual garbage dump,
the temple town of Chottanikara in Kerala today stands out as an
example of hygiene, thanks to the efforts of dedicated women led by
panchayat president Alice George. She has also managed to remove slums
from the area and build houses for the poor, writes Leela
Menon
THE
scenic Chottanikara, 18 km off Ernakulam, Kerala, was once a
garbage-strewn, polluted and unsanitary temple town. Today, the area
leads by example, and is hailed across India for winning the Nirmal
Gram Award, the most prestigious recognition for cleanliness and
hygiene awarded by the Government of India.
From
Buddha to Radio Mullah
The picturesque Swat Valley
in northwest Pakistan, where Gautam Buddha
once walked, has now become synonymous with bloodshed and violence,
writes Manish Chand
Celebrated
in the Hindu scriptures as udyan (garden), it’s a stunningly
picturesque place where Buddha once walked, cultures intersected,
poets sang and mystics came in search of peace. But, sadly, Swat
Valley in northwest Pakistan has now become synonymous with unrest,
bloodshed and Talibanisation.
Tulip
bonanza
Nearly
12 lakh bulbs in more than 60 colours will greet the guests in one of
the world’s largest tulip garden situated at the foot of the
Zabarwan Hills overlooking the famous Dal Lake, being thrown open for
public from March 20.
‘Today’s
musicians are more versatile’
Tabla virtuoso Zakir
Hussain’s performances have brought him countless national and
international honours. A Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient, Zakir
was recently awarded another Grammy for his album Global Drum Project
along with Mickey Hart, writes Deepak Sen
After
winning the Grammy for a second time recently, tabla player Zakir
Hussain is elated, no doubt, but the percussionist says that his most
unforgettable experiences, more rewarding and than any award, were
when his father Ustaad Allah Rakha Khan appreciated his performance
and when sitar maestro Pt Ravishankar addressed him as ustaad.
A
life in music
M. L.
Dhawan on Gulzar, whose Oscar award-winning number from Slumdog
Millionaire has taken the world by storm
Little
did Makhan Singh Kalra, father of Sampooran Singh, alias Gulzar, know
when he once reprimanded Gulzar for writing poems that his son would
one day do him and India proud by winning an Oscar. In no uncertain
terms he had told him, "As a writer you will have to depend on
your brothers".
INTERVIEW
Chip of the old block
Neil Nitin Mukesh, who got accolades for his
Johnny Gaddaar, is back with multiple releases this year. Ritesh Sharma chats up the actor who will sing in his new film
One-and-a-half years are a
long time indeed after a promising debut. Why this delay?
Indeed it’s a long time but
I was busy shooting back to back for my films. I am still very busy
and will be so for almost this year. I have hardly had time to breathe
after Johnny Gaddaar but that’s because I do one film at a
time.
Will
Smith most bankable star
Will
Smith is the most bankable film star in the world, according to a new
survey by Forbes.com.
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