Sounds of sufis
In the city, the Nizami brothers talk of qawwali then and now
“Sufiana qawwali is the centuries’ old medium of devout sufi saints aiming to be establish communion with God. This is the cardinal spiritual experience transcending unity consciousness (tauhid) and much more for the blessed souls,” opined the Sufi maestros Ghulam Sabir and Ghulam Waris, better known as the Nizami Brothers International. Having inherited the 750-year-old legacy of sole performers at the Dargah-e- sharif of Nizummuddin Aulia, the Nizami brothers had taken the traditional sufi qawwali to spectacular heights with their live performance at the Royal Albert Hall London while representing India.

Gilt trip
It’s just the beginning of the festive season and we are already bombarded with lucrative offers—pre-Navratra bookings on gold and diamond jewellery, the ‘book now, take later’ kinds. Pressing the right nerve and targeting the most eligible shopper of the house (read ghar ki Lakshmi), advertisers also know exactly where to exert pressure. Well, a woman’s obsession with gold and diamonds is one thing, but what with gold prices soaring high and recession fear still looming, we ask the ladies if they are game for the alluring ornament deals.

Wardrobe for wheels

Wheel deal: A model gives a feel of the wheel that are a highlight of the car’s styling. Photos: S.Chandan

Wednesday night saw the launch of the new Audi Q7 in the city. Available in three engine options – 3.0 TDI quattro, 3.6 FSI quattro and 4.2 FSI quattro the new Audi Q7 is a sporty, comfortable, high-performance car for leisure and business. Sparkling silver: The new Audi Q7 comes in tautly curved body surfaces and presents coupe-like silhouettes.

Rear view: A model flaunts the new Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and turning and corner lights.

Fusion fame
The De Innovatives, a band that believes in fusion, and its not only music that they do fusion with but also life as a whole! Right from the lyrics to the complete composition, to the usage of instruments, to the individual pieces to the complete arrangement each song has a definitive element enhancing the fusion of life with music. And the outcome is songs like Duuur and Mumbai Attack 26/11.

Brand bargain
It’s that time of the year when newspapers and television are flooded with enticing offers and discounts on various products. The time when every weekend, almost everyone’s invariably makes a beeline for the shopping malls to tap in the best bargains. And, the time when the lady of the house can afford to put up her feet, and demand- ‘ I want the Tanshiq polki necklace. I have been waiting for long. They are offering huge discounts now. I can’t wait. You never know this one time shopping makes you richer by 4 Crore.’

Win(e)some
Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc, a premium spirits company, on Wednesday launched Teacher’s Origin, a premium Scotch whisky blend. Speaking at the launch, Harish Moolchandani, CEO and MD, Beam Global Spirits and Wine (I) Pvt Ltd, said, “Teacher’s Origin is one of our finest products and raises the bar by a few notches in the premium Scotch whisky category.

Side Lanes
A head too big
The last two months have been a bit of a drag. There have been niggling, sharp pains in the neck and upper back. When they found their way into the left arm, I cried for help.