Seasonal melody
The Indian classical music is a living phenomenon with its sublime character permeated with natural emotive feel or mood (rasa) in its varied manifestations. Drawing inspiration from the nature and states of mind (navras), a rich repertoire of raga compositions have been evolved since the ages. There are ragas and festivals contextual to even the seasons. One such festival Malharotsva-2009, being organised by the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Indian National Theatre, takes place in the city on July 25. Meet the performing maestros
Awards and all that
As he turns 73, Manoj Kumar’ll be honoured with Pt Jasraj award in Haryana
He himself believes that Manoj Kumar the actor does not sell any more. But he still has full confidence in his writing and directional abilities. Manoj Kumar, who has completed 50 years in films this year, will be presented the coveted Pandit Jasraj Lifetime Achievement Award by the Chief Minister of Haryana at a huge celebration early next month. That too on the recommendation of Pt Jasraj himself.
Religious rendition
Saubhagya Vardhan Brahspati's four albums come steeped in spirituality
Since the times immemorial, our cultural 
traditions are enmeshed with philosophic ideals of our deities, saint, poets who has been influencing the socio-cultural life of Indian society. Indian music has contributed a lot to propagate these ideals,” maintains Prof Saubhgya Vardhan Brahspati, a city-based musicologist and vocalist.
He opined at the release of his set of four audio cassettes at the Pracheen Kala Kendra on Thursday under the aegis of the Brahaspati Kala Kendra and Research Institute in association with Cosmo Royalz Music.
Classic example
The old adage Honhaar virbaan ke chikne chikne paat (coming events cast their shadows before) applies about the ingrained aesthetic talent, dedication and capacity of conscientious riyaz of prodigious Urvi Manocha, who won the Presidential honour of National Balshree in 2007.
Switch over
Titan Industries Ltd, announced the much-awaited ‘Titan Exchange Offer 2009’. This annual offer is an endeavour to give customers a chance to buy the best in watches. Customers can bring in any old watch, of any make, in any condition, and receive a flat discount of 20 per cent on their purchase of a brand new watch from Titan. The offer is valid from 23 July to 23 August at all Titan outlets across the country except Kerala.
Hello tunez
Unchained melody
Kailasa: Chaanndan Mein (Sony Music): Since he burst on the scene with 2002 hit song Allah ke bande, Kailash Kher is improving with every outing. The rough edges noticed in his earlier presentations are getting well rounded and his unusual voice is coming in handy to stand out. Interestingly, the songs that he is presenting - semi-classical with an abundance of folk - sound deceptively simple but are rather difficult to execute. One just has to try to hum them to know the extent of labour that has gone into perfecting them.
Side Lanes
Morning raga
The mornings are overcast. The blistering heat of a week ago seems like a rotten dream. It is once again lawn, verandah and balcony time. Sit out with the morning cuppa and life seems worth living once more. We are all less irritable and the electricity department is coping efficiently.
Wilde Wilde Best
Three cheers for class fights, parent-teachers meet fright, for good old days! Three cheers for twenty years. And Ex-Vivekites Association is all set to live it up, play it on through Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest. An event that’s brought together ex-students of different batches. Students have been sweating it out at rehearsals, for over a month now.
Who claims art is for all when it is affordable by a few? Who says art unites humanity when it’s a symbol of a buyer’s status? ? And, who said art is for pleasure when not many people have an understanding of it?
If not globally, at least all assertions might hold true for the people of the city, where art at times is bought not for its aesthetic value but for other reasons. Half a dozen art galleries, numerous artists and several qualified art curators, yet the city’s art scene is dull.