That's my girl!
This Daughter's Day, we chat up some women who've done their dads proud by following in their footsteps, writes Ashima Sehajpal
Kavita Singh, an artist and lecturer When the entire childhood is spent amidst colours and canvas, it doesn't take much effort to choose a profession. Daughter of city-based famous artist Satwant Singh, her process of becoming an artist began with hiding herself quietly in a corner of her father's room, from where she watched him paint. "I tried to copy whatever he painted, but eventually used to come up with original work, which was unintentional."

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Dev forever
I am still learning, says Dev Anand as he turns 86
The 'Evergreen' star of Indian cinema, Dev Anand turns 86 today and with a new movie ready to release, the veteran says he is not a man to delve into past achievements.

Indian idol
In City Beautiful, Durga Puja is a traditional affair minus the competitive spirit
Why do we so eagerly wait for Durga Puja celebrations every year? We may be thousands of kilometers away from the nerve centre of this festivity, Kolkata, but news from there updating us on innovatively designed pandals or the form of the demon, makes watching news or reading newspapers an interesting affair. Who could have imagined Maya civilization, Paris Opera House, Shaktipeeth at Myanmar pagoda — all popping up in Salt Lake in form of pandals? It is not just a visual treat but also educative.

Dhanush with dragon touch
The Dussehra toys and trivia seem to have gone in for a Chinese makeover
Though the historians are still discovering toy wheels from ancient cultures to prove the weight toys carry in society, we wonder what will the researchers uncover when they dig up our popular toys? Most likely the ‘Made In China’ label will symbolise our toy revolution. With every kind and form of toy coming from our neighbour, even our good old and ancient dhanush baan and gada is coming from China. Yes, believe it or not the China toy-age is here, and as went inquiring for some hi-tech dhanush baan and things associated with Dussehra what we found were modern day lazer bow and arrow that sell like hot cakes during Dussehra—courtesy China.

Costume drama
From Vrindavan apparel to designer wear from Delhi, the Ramlila costumes in the city have come of age
‘Artistic liberty’, is the most anchoring word that mythological filmmakers use to get out of a situation wherein they are grilled on the question on ‘tweaking’ with the history. Now, if filmmakers can interpret mythology with their own understanding, why can’t the Ramleela production people back home do the same? However, here the only liberty that these bhagats have managed to take is in the dressing of the mythological characters and the dialogue delivery. Says Dharampal Bansal, president Ramlila committee sector-27, who likes to maintain that there can never be a change in the tradition.

The exhibition at Hotel Taj has something for everyone
Shop and splurge
Fashion launch, stays on for a while till someone at the Lakme Fashion Week or Milan Fashion Week tells us 'Hey, it's time to refurbish your wardrobe (they mean dump the existing stuff for new ones).' If you still feel the guilt pangs getting on to your throat, take a look at the calendar. It is festive time. And yes, it is time to shop and splurge.

From candle stands to Buddha art and gift boxes, the exhibition has lots for the festive season.

Actor Rani Mukherjee gestures during her visit to a pandal of Hindu Goddess Durga during the Durga Puja festival, a popular religious event for Hindu Bengalis, in Mumbai. In Hindu mythology, Durga symbolises power and the triumph of good over evil. Reuters photo: Manav Manglani

 Divine manifestation
d'Mart Exclusif recently launches the magnificent and limited edition of the divinely attractive manifestation of "Goddess Durga" for the Navaratra and Dussehra occasion. One of the most widely revered and most popular of all Indian divinities Durga, the God of shakti, brings strength and happiness to the family and remove all the obstacles in life.

Light your homes
Renovation of homes is seen as a symbol of welcoming Diwali as people buy new products to replace the old ones. Now a-days, the dimension of lighting your home has also extended with time in the form of designer lamps, wall lights and Chandeliers. If you are looking forward to illuminate your home this Diwali then `elitaire has come up with new collection of chandeliers and lamps to embellish your home.

Pilgrimage of a writer
Every journey has a purpose, which gives a perspective to life. Also, the journey that we embark never ends, even after we are gone from the face of earth. The soul remains, and takes on a yet another journey. Writer Kamla Kapur (born Kamaljit Kaur Kapur) is also on a pilgrimage to discover the deeper meaning of life. She tries to get there with Pilgrimage To Paradise, Sufi Tales from Rumi, released at a function organised by Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi on Saturday.

Two much luxury

Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd (NMIPL) launched its two luxury cars, Nissan Teana and Nissan X-Trail in Mohali, on the occasion of opening of its 7th dealership in the country. Photo: Vicky Gharu

Celebrations calling
Tune in to the festivity with devotional tracks, ringtones and shlokas
The festivities have already begun. A time of the year when spirits and spirituality is at its peak; a time when anyone and everyone finds way to celebrate and have fun. Well, the festive season is here and it is much more than just idols, fasting and feasting. It's also about soaking in the moment. And one of the ways to do so is by tuning in to some devotional music.

Big picture
The latest product to enter the market, from Acer's bandwagon is a 23" wide TFT LCD monitor. The H5 series, from Acer, featuring an ultra-high contrast ratio of up to 100000:1 (ACM), is the first of its kind in India. The H235H is an addition to the existing range of LCD monitors already on offer from Acer, the market leader in standalone TFT monitor market in India for FY 08. Equipped with both an HDMI port and a DVI-D port (with HDCP support), the H5 Series ensures spectacular multimedia through digital connectivity.

Bride and beautiful

M'GEE$ a unisex fashion salon in Mohali saw a bridal makeover session. Photo: Vicky Gharu

Grand entry
Godrej Security Equipment Division (GSED), has launched an elegant and modern range of "Ready-to-fit" entry and interior doors for homes and offices. Godrej Entranza Doors offer different design, size and colour options, and can also be painted or polished to match the interiors of any home. Designed and engineered to the very latest standards, the Godrej Entranza collection of doors combine great looks with smooth, sturdy operation.

Hello tunez
Right mix of melody
Wake Up Sid (Sony Music): When Karan Johar makes a film with Ranbir Kapoor in the lead; he wants to give it a thoroughly youthful look. That goes with its music too. He has depended on Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to deliver that fresh sound.

Picks & piques
A long-winding yawrn!
The most self-indulgent filmmaker and by far the most over-rated in India today, Ashutosh Gowarikar has stretched our endurance to the limit with this so-called quickie, a totally nonsensical romantic comedy. Based on a Gujrathi novel Kimball Ravenswood authored by Shri Madhu Rye, What's your Rashee?

Matka chowk
Shakti and women
The Navratri festival culminates today. Today is also the Maha Navami for Durga Puja. In the epic tale, Goddess Durga who is a physical embodiment of Shakti and divinity destroyed the demon God – Mahishashura. Being a Bengali and raised in Calcutta, Durgapuja was an integral part of life, even if the religious quotient was not significant.

Tarot TALK