CULTURE

GLITZ&GLAMOUR
A complete wardrobe for the bride-to-be
Smriti Kak

Concept shopping Fest: A three-day extravaganza is being held from January 31 at Hotel Friends Regency, Ludhiana, and will showcase the works of designers and jewellers from the Capital.

Shakuntlam’s Trousseau Collection brings together various styles and fabrics. The house claims it to be a “successful marriage of style and affordability”. The collection showcases formals, semi-formals, casuals and fusion wear for women for all occasions.

The Trousseau Collection by Shakuntlam offers the complete wardrobe solution for brides-to-be. There are dresses to suit every occasion of the wedding, right from the engagement ceremony to the wedding reception.

A part of the collection are Lacchas, Ghagra Cholis and Lehengas — in crepe, raw silk, heavy georgette, tissue with antique dabka work, sequin work and Swarovski crystals. Heavy resham embroidery along with kundan work has also been used..

Sarees with coloured zardosi on brocade and crepe, traditional sarees, including Banarasi, Paithanis, Patola and Bandhini are part of the collection.

The colour palette has most hues, including Fuschia, Off-White, Burnt Orange, Powder Blue, Bright Yellow, Scarlet Red and also pastels.

Speaking about the range, Niraj Aneja, partner, Shakuntlam, says, “Winter sees the arrival of the wedding season all over the country and inevitably all attention during the preparation for the marriage is focused on the bride. For every woman, this day is the most memorable and we, at Shakuntlam, have tried to come out with a range that will end the quest of every woman in search of outfits for all occasions, be it cocktails, sangeet, sagan, wedding or reception.” 

A string of performances

While the Capital gets ready for the Bryan Adams concert scheduled for February, there are more performances that will warm up the city. First, there will be a performance by Ralf Ralf, comprising Jonathan Stone and Barnaby Stone, which will be followed by a performance by Padmini Rao, a classical singer, who has emerged as one of the most gifted voices from the Kirana gharana, a style that has produced legends like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Gangubai Hangal.

Ralf-Ralf are coming to the city’s British Council with their ‘The Summit’, which will showcase a unique blend of music, dance, gesture and invented language.

The Summit is about two world leaders, the Stone brothers at a summit with the show audience addressed as an audience for a political summit. The duo will perform a combination of physical theatre, dance, mime, song and no recognisable language, producing a melange of emotions.

Rao is scheduled to perform at the Siri Fort on the 31st. She has to her credit a number of national and international concerts. Her musical voyage spans 24 years of training, polishing and perfection under two maestros, Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Dr. Prabha Atre.

Rao, we were told, is trying to revive the old classical art of singing called Dhrupad through her performance, both within the country and abroad.

Showcasing life of Ladakhi tribes

Mike Berry’s work, ‘Tribes of India-Baltis’ has been selected for the eighth Mumbai International Film Festival 2004.

Documentary Film maker Mike Berry’s work, ‘Tribes of India-Baltis’ has been selected for the eighth Mumbai International Film Festival 2004.

The documentary made by Berry, along with his wife, Neelam Pathak Berry, showcases the life of the tribes, Balti and Droapa, living in Leh.

Talking about his work, Berry says: “For the last few years, I am doing projects along with my wife related to ancient culture and social and environmental problems of tribal and rural India”.

With more than seven films, 42 documentaries, 11 serials to his credit, Berry is currently working on a number of projects for United Nations, Discovery INTR and Channel 5 France.

Numero Uno’s latest offering

Numero Uno has unveiled its latest collection for men and women that “promises loads of oomph, style and comfort”. The range includes contemporary styles of skirts, jackets and jeans along with cargos and kurtas with sandblasted whiskers and tinted finish for a “trendy look”. Further, it is claimed that “with combat as the primary theme and gothic army the inspiration, this new range of denim clothing is sure to rev up your imagination”.

The women’s line has been detailed with appliqué work, embroidery, sequins and fur and leather trimmings. Cargos, especially cut to suit the women’s bodies, are also on offer.

For men, the pigment blotched denim shirts with reversible styling and five-pocket jeans with stylised pockets, leather appliqué and a flared hem are a part of the collection.

Meanwhile, Westside has launched a range of formal wear for men and women. The range for women includes striped cotton shirts, fine lined jackets and straight fit trousers apart from ankle length skirts. For men it is wrinkle-free trousers and blazers.

Mr. Taj title for 20-year-old Sazid

Fun and Food Village recently organised a modelling contest for the aspiring models of NCR areas in which Daryagang-based Sazid Khan was adjudged the best model and conferred with the Mr. Taj tittle. Twenty-year-old Sazid is a very promising model and has won many tittles and awards in a short span of two years. Some time back, he was adjudged the best model on the ramp in a talent hunt cultural programme organised by Indu Arts at FICCI auditorium ‘Dhadakan’. Sazid is an ardent fan of model-turned-actor Arjun Rampal. He has done a lot of shows with model Ritu Kapoor and singer Babla across the country. Right now, he is appearing in the advertisement of Herbal tea and 502 Pataka Tea with famous model-turned-actress Aditi Govidkar. He is also appearing in the advertisement of Dilbag gutka.

Inputs by Nalini Ranjan