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HOT PICKS

2009-03-24T01:43:00.013+05:30

MY HOT PICKS

Impeccable styling, cuts, are usual to expect from Rajesh Pratap... he outdoes himself each time. The detailing and quiet finish said it all.

Anjana Bhargava's clean cuts and choice of colors were truly international in appeal.

UNSTOPPABLE RAO

2009-03-23T12:07:00.003+05:30

' My work revolves around the basic principles of 'Minimalism' and 'Wearability'. I like to use natural fabrics and cut them into luxury casuals or lounge wear. '
Priyadarshini Rao's desogns reflect just that.
Creating textures within the fabric with the use of unusual yarns or surface treatment is her strength. With a distinct focus on silhouettes and the use of natural fabrics, Rao has mastered the rare art of being 'simple' with her play of colors, no loud embellishments, being contemporary yet having a distinct touch of class and dignity and even though she calls her label more Urban Bohemian, I find it chic- a combination of international and ethnic sensibilities. Understated yet always managing to strike the right connect.

WILLS INDIA FASHION WEEK 2009

2009-03-22T21:56:00.012+05:30

SOME SHOWINGS

Rocky S disappoints- with completely unwearable, loud creations... the only saving grace seemed to be that he stuck to sombre colors like blacks,browns, greys and jade. The obsession with high fashion glamour seems obvious what with sequins and studs, feathers and fur adding to the punk rock look. Take a peek.....

Kiran Uttam Ghosh used rich vintage colors of copper, ink blue, green, brown , blue and magenta
Flowing drapes, Egyptian collars, Kimono jackets, jacket dresses,pleated skirts, churidars, Kaftans, paneled jackets, bias cut gently flared skirts, lantern sleeves, torn and pulled organza ponchos, tunics, capes, shrugs in ikat prints, velvet, organza, silk, georgettes ...kiran lived upto her trademark style of pleasant work once again exhibiting her flair for using colors rather tastefully though one cannot connect with her concept of frugality that she wanted to convey

THE NEW AGE MIRACLE- SPIRAL THERAPY

2008-11-30T21:49:00.007+05:30

'I believe in miracles… and trust me I have good reason to believe they happen to normal people, smiles Dr. Jatin Chaudhry.
I have seen patients pull through extreme conditions and that’s what keeps me going- the fact that nothing is impossible. All one needs is a positive attitude, faith in god and most importantly, loads of patience.
Trained in Italy, armed with a PHD, Dr.Jatin Chaudhry has worked hard at establishing and popularizing this Korean therapy which is basically ‘regeneration of cells, wherein the pulse of the patient is first found and then various points identified which are then in turn stimulated using needles, current and laser treatments apart from various other painless mechanisms. This treatment is extremely popular in Italy and is called the Inghams Method. There are just a handful of doctors practicing this therapy as it requires a PHD and many years of medical study. I guess I simply got lucky to have manged it all this early in life.
‘Each session takes about two – three hours and a couple of weeks at least but that depends upon the nature of the ailment, says the doctor. ' Sure there are limitations and we can only do so much but if we can reduce pain levels and enhance the quality of life, then that itself is a high. May I stress again that one needs to be patient…it takes time to heal and for us that time period is crucial.

In just one and a half years of practice Dr. Chaudhry has managed to heal patients suffering from deadly diseases like cancer, AIDS, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal disorders apart from diabetes, kidney ailmets etc- the list is endless.
With a team comprising of just four young enthusiasts, together they treat about 80 patients a day. 'We function as a team and the contribution of the other three assistants is immense and critical,' says he.
After having treated Sania Mirza and Yuvraj Singh successfully, this dedicated team of four have been barraged by calls from all over the world and would love to attend to each one.. 'We request all who call us to please understand that we are trying hard to accommodate each one and it takes time for appointments. Please do understand our predicament,’ says Dr. Chaudhry earnestly. ‘We want to reach out to each one suffering and in pain and that is the reason I returned to India, to be with my people. To send out the message of love and oneness by reaching out to all. Life is beautiful, full of love and worth fighting for. There is still a lot that can be done, that needs to be discovered and quite honestly, I am discovering more aspects to this therapy with each new patient.
The most beautiful moment of my life was to see my eighteen year old patient regain his vision and just that moment keeps me going. So can we, through this interview just reiterate the fact that belief and patience are enough to take us wherever we want to be.’

Words of wisdom from a twenty seven old but one that inspires hope in the young generation, that believes in the power of love and faith.

Contact details:

H 1/5 Model Town
Part 3, Ground floor, New Delhi
9811286852, 9910093952

Fighting Crime with Speaker Identification

2008-11-26T21:19:00.004+05:30

Mumbai. A city that is truly vibrant. One that has embraced one and all... with a spirit that is exemplary for its resilience and optimism.
A city that today fights terrorism and opression surprisingly from internal sources as well as from foreign shores.. The spirit struggles to stay alive.
Its deeply distressing for us mumbaikars.
I wanted to share with all this interesting piece of information I stumbled upon which could well aid the support system and fight back.
Let us support this interesting piece of technology so that our country can protect itself better.

Fighting Crime with Speaker Identification

Finland police are harnessing the power of Speaker Identification Technology to fight terror and crime reports Helsingin Sanomat (10/11/2008). A speech database of wanted people will be available to police nationwide, and it will function similar to DNA and fingerprint databases currently available with the police. The system detects a person just on the basis of their voice from phone call or other recordings.

DNA and fingerprint matches help only post-facto and only after a suspect is in the bag, whereas speaker identification helps anytime a suspect uses a phone or leaves a voice record somewhere; clues can come before an actual strike. It can be of immense help to Intelligence Agencies in their efforts to detect planned acts of terror.

Terror operatives change devices and SIMs all the time, so it is hard to find who is behind a number at a given time. But voice fragments, snatched from any speech channel -phone, radio, Internet, etc. - can provide substantial leads immediately and automatically. This can guide pre-emption and investigation both.

Speech experts say that modern Speaker Identification technology can work with minimal training data and detect suspects in near real time. Clues to planned strikes can save innocent lives and speaker identification is a potent technology for obtaining these. It is heartening to note that such advanced technology is now available in India itself, a team of ex-IITians having developed it recently.

[source: http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200811/1227801208.html]

KAB TAK

2008-04-23T21:09:00.004+05:30

This is an appeal to all non Indians… please respect the industry and the country you come to seek work in.
Recently yet another Pakistani model/ actress crossed the border.

Its amazing how obsessed they are with hindi films. No celebration is complete without a hindi film song. Hindi movies are eagerly awaited and styles copied shamelessly.
The past couple of years have seen several artistes move to Mumbai and work in the industry and yet there are repeated unhealthy comments and digs at the glamour world. Pakistanis never fail to blog about how cheap and crass the Indian film industry is and yet they continue to blog about indian artistes and cinema...their daily newspapers and websites are buzzing with ‘bollywood news’ and gossip...

What is most upsetting however, is that these very foreigners are not averse to wooing the media, even using them to get work but continue to spit venom at the content of the films, the scripts and vow never to wear short skirts and reveal.. but if you take a look at the youth of pakistan, they are deeply influenced by the west and their social gatherings consist of scantily dressed women...
These aspiring artistes are not embarassed about looking ttheir nose down at mainstream actors, never mind the fact that they secretly send feelers to the same people for work.

Please guys,stop humiliating yourselves and your country...and value your rich heritage.
Come if you must but do handle yourself with some dignity and respect the country that has the grace to welcome you with such warmth.You only make a fool of yourself for face it, you need us - we most certainly don't need such hypocrites in the garb of well-fed boa constricters..
wake up.....

KHUDA KAY LIYE

2008-04-08T22:48:00.006+05:30

Very aptly titled 'In the name of the lord',
'khuda kay liye' is a defiant attempt at filmmaking - defiant because it defies the very norm of even the offbeat subjects that cinema can boast of.
Decent performances by the lead cast, especially Shaan ..the music - soulful and melodious. The composer seems to have very skilfully blended the conservative notes with the modern technicalities.

However, the script need to have been more taut... and the emphasis on the trauma that the elder son goes through in police custody could have been more subtle..
some things are more touching if left unsaid....

Naseeruddin shah's speech in the court was pretty quickly done with ... too much was said and quoted in just one scene which was actually very crucial to the script.

All in all, a decent attempt, but the darkness could have been lesser, the morbidity of some scenes,though crucial, could have been dealt with some softness and sensitivity.

ASMITA MARWAH

2008-04-05T21:22:00.008+05:30

Asmita Marwahs' line, 'Gaia, an awakening' was understated, quiet, dignified and different.
Uniquely ethnic in spirit using traditional workmanship, the clothes had a distinct feel of nature with birds and leaves in colors that were bright, happy and very earthy using cuts and styling it attractively, helping one focus and appreciate both.
A classic example is that of an angarkha vibrant in its hues and print. The front was misleading with its plain bold cut while the back contrasted deeply.

The bright prints of gods and goddesses aso lent a bohemian yet stylishly chic look that spoke volumes of this very talented designer who possesses the most important skill of blending the conservative with the modern.

Asmita is clearly a designer to watch out for

The BUSINESS of fashion

2008-04-04T23:31:00.007+05:30

Abhishek Dutta's collection titled 'Save the girl child' showcased on day three at the Lakme india fashion week 2008 was a mockery.
The lovable toddler that walked the ramp could hardly keep pace with the model and tripped once and as if that was not enough, while turning, the model probably forgot she had a little baby to also walk with and so the poor child actually fell right off the ramp at the feet of the first row viewers.
Unbelievable but true that the' business' of fashion is merely to attract crowds and generate hype and moolah.
Never mind the innocent who get trampled along the way.
Boo to Dutta who in any case is a mockery of a designer.

LAKME INDIA FASHION WEEK 2008 MUMBAI

2008-04-01T20:55:00.004+05:30

'An eye for an I' was the theme but in this concept of duality, kiran used a combination of two fabrics together in the same outfit.
An interesting mix of textures were used for the range from Chanderi, silk cotton, tussar, jacquard,tweed georgette satin to linen and brocade. Detailing was subtle with pleats, African embroidery, hand painting, printing, crushing for texturing and quilting.
In a variation of color combinations, with much layering and embellished with prints, shibori, seaweed and parsi floral embroidery, Kolkatta manages to reign- always... with its sensitive play of colors, delicate craftmanship and handwork, intricate detailing and the sensible usage of fabrics.
Kiran comees across as different this time around.

LAKME INDIA FASHION WEEK 2008 MUMBAI

2008-04-01T14:52:00.003+05:30

Invoking the River Goddess was Sonam Dubbals' theme derived from the three life giving rivers - the Mekong, Brahmaputra and Nile. It was a calming and serene feeling with the sounds of the flowing waterthe floral prints and graphic stripes with the usual quiet dignity in the craftmanship with its tufted centers.

The colour palette with the soothing shades of blue, turquoise, lilac, burgundy, purple, brown, green had a touch of gold to add to the elegance.
The oriental look of the kimonos, kaftans, angarkhas African tunics, Bakhu dresses, honjus and printed mandarin collar jackets had the very delicate intrusion of color in oranges and yellows.
The spiritual feel as always, is Sonams' trademark and one that comes across in every aspect of his presentation.

WILLS INDIA FASHION WEEK 2008

2008-03-14T23:02:00.003+05:30

Phadnis surprises us with his unfilmi, understated, quiet creations in hues of dull oranges, blues and staid greens and vibrant browns. A far cry from his usual outlandish and filmi styles. Shiamaks' dancers lends class to the show and phadnis displays a rare sensitivity in showcasing his collection.
Good to know that for once a bollywood designer can disconnect between the ramp and the film set.
Way to go vikram!

JODHA AKBAR

2008-03-13T20:28:00.005+05:30

Ashutosh Gowarikar has maintained the consistency of directing films laoded with great casting,soulful music and great performances by the cast, especially hrithik, who stuns you with his flawless diction and persona as does the ever graceful and dignified aishwarya rai...
however, apart from the length and pace of the film which tends to drag at times, its neeta lulla who has marred the otherwise simply yet stylishly created film...

her outfits for jodha are pathetic... they are as ordinarily done as a balaji set-up would have.. the colors were resticted to orange, and yellow mainly ... as a rajput princess, they would have done well to show her in typical rajasthani work, in a myriad of colors,bright fuschias and mauves, reds and blues and creams....sadly, her make-up too made her look pale and washed out.... the costumes in general were a let-down.... if compared to a PAHELI, in which each junior artiste was also very correctly dressed, right down to the right embellishment... which is what makes the film watchable- vivid colors, brightness,transporting one to the era rightaway.

Even the sets, were totally lack lustre.... the mughal architecture and feel were missing... there was no art of that era, no pots or urns or wall murals that are so typically mughal.... poor lighting mars half the visuals and whoever heard of a meeting betwwen kings of several states seated on a simple yellow rug ... the least they could have done was to decorate the tent with lamps and engraved poles and mirrors...however nowhere was there any evidence... it isnt just the language.. which is where sanjay leela bhansali scores depite a weak script. His films create a visual that is easily one that makes you believe in the story...
sometimes its just a certain scenery, a shot with even a bejwelled hand feeding a pigeon that can say a lot about the story....
in case of a historical, no amount of research can make up for the staid sets and costumes....
neeta lulla needs to give up designing , especially for the gorgeous Ash ..she makes her look shabby and unnecessarily made up...
akbars' mother, essayed by mrs.poonam sinha was dismal to say the least. The lady was expressionless.

All in all, a visual disappointment...
mr.gowarikar could have focussed more on the intricacies of the relationship between jodha and akbar... a few more scenes involving their own private moments....

abstracts

2008-03-03T22:44:00.004+05:30

2008-03-03T22:32:00.003+05:30

an acting institution- pankaj kapur

2008-01-30T21:48:00.000+05:30

That pankaj kapur is an institution in himself is a fact that simply cannot be denied ...and if there are still any doubts, then do watch HALLA BOL...
The man outdoes even himself...his very presence is inspiring...it makes one salute such an artiste.....

its a pity that the superbly talented actor has never been given his due...

just watching him in the recent HALLA BOL makes one realize just how much more there is to acting than mouthing inane dialogues...sometimes just a look conveys it all and this man has done just that...
i came away from the theater just remembering this one performance...

heres wishing the industry more such actors to do them proud

for the love of art

2008-01-28T21:18:00.000+05:30

artwork

2008-01-23T22:58:00.000+05:30

aaja nach le

2008-01-05T14:30:00.000+05:30

yashraj has done it again- delivered another half baked attempt at filmmaking..
AAJA NACH LE was a film i looked forward to since dance as a theme is intriguing and madhuri dixit the only one who could possibly communicate through the medium as she 'understands' it completely.
If only yashraj films could have understood a fact as simple as one that attempting to convey a medium as sensitive as dance is not everyones; cup of tea..
Jaideep sahni seems to have begun taking the acccolades coming his way pretty seriously. Its evident that he has not a clue about art-about dance and music.... its the one thing that cannot be attempted by a logical, analytical mind...

The movie doesnt touch a chord at all... the most important thing...the music...its more suited to a regular run of the mill film... the music in this case should be soulful and gut wrenching which it isnt.

Dance at a purely physical levelmay be exercise for most but at an emotional level it gives a person a reason to be... improving the self esteem and in most cases connecting one with the unknown, the divine...
group dancing helps pepole bond socially, help cope with stress, anger, loss and in motivating...heps in reaching out to the world, to life and is extremely calming...

for one to be so committed to the form and to the guru that she drops everything to rush to fulfil his dream of resurrecting the dance theater in the town is wonderful but one cant see a shred of exhilaration, joy or sensitivity.. or a oneness with the divine anywhere...
most dancers are strangely calm, peaceful and passionate...there is love and compassion flowing through their body language and expressions and thats what diferentiates madhuri from the rest of actresses...s he truly 'dance; ...her movements are enchanting and you know that the fluidity, the perfection stems from pure unadulterated love, the grace that creates poetry comes from a devotional sense as opposed to what the others do- exercise...

where in the film did we see anysuch emotion....the girl seems more like a crusader...
after having done a show and igniting the love for dance in many hearts, walks away.. why not show her as a committed woman who stays on for a while, ensuring that the passion, appreciation for art does not die with just one show...

the lady seemd too much in control, too stiff and too sharp...lacking in softness, in sensitivity and tranquility...

the songs wree out of place and forgettable..
someone who has gone though the 'guru-shishya parampara' for years as they hve shown... is more likely to sing and dance to a blend of the traditional and contemporaary...
the opening piece of the guru teaching his shishyas should have been soul searching and a raga would have been more appropriate...
the film was devoid of any warmth and there was absoutely no emphasis on the importance of dance...
the relationship the heroine had with dance might have been explored a little...
it seemed as if it was simply her commitment to the guru- a kind of payback that had to be done...
there was absolutely no need to show that she had eloped with a foreigner... what might have been more appropriate had she defied her parents and gone abroad to pursue the finer nuances of dance.... that would have established the seriousness towards her mission to restore the theater in her home town..

the relationship with the guru too was strangely not explored enough....strange as this was the crux of the whole darned exercise, wasnt it?

being a dancer myself, let me asssure you, there is a uniqueness to the art... it fills you with great love and compassion, pateience and understanding of divine love...
why else is music and dance used as therapy?.. obviuosly because it can heal and evolve in ways unimaginable....but does that sureness, that feeling comes across in the commitment that brought the lady all the way down to india?

no wonder it was such ia flop....
a suggestion- do not attempt things that you are not at one with...
no amount of research on such a subject can ever work...
its time big production houses and star writers realized it and spared us the mockery ...

my new sketches

2007-12-26T23:05:00.000+05:30

more art

2007-12-11T13:46:00.000+05:30

2007-12-11T13:43:00.000+05:30

charcoal sket ches

2007-11-29T19:16:00.000+05:30

clay murals

2007-11-19T13:51:00.000+05:30

diwali colors

2007-11-13T13:35:00.000+05:30

saawariya

2007-11-12T20:51:00.000+05:30

yet another attempt at glorifying love... this time from mr.bhansali- a man known for his aesthetic sense of styling and visual mastery. And he succeeds- yet again to stunn you with exquisite sets, dreamy colors, lotuses and flowing tranquil rivers with artistic boats that run on their own... ooh la la la....its a dream that im ready to live in anyday..but i didnt understand what the writer wanted to say- mr.bhansali says that he wanted to show love in all its splendour- unconditional, matchless, love that loves without asking for anything ...but that didnt exactly come acrooss that way... ranbir raj seemed to want things for himself...he was torn between the selfish and the selfless- more the selfish... well, no harm in that either...just that whenever a story is told, you must keep in mind that the viewer or reader needs to perceive it and interpret it exactly the way you want it...if you persist in assuming that the viewer knows what you are trying to say, then you need to go stuy story telling......

superlative performances, talented actors, brilliant technicians, renowned producers and fantastic marketing seem wasted when the directors' vision does not come through...
granted, mr.bhansalis' films have a niche audience yet i think an intelligent filmmaker is one who wants to share his intelligence and his emotions, his passions and his deepest woes, to educate and take along with him his viewers-- in fact true story telling is exactly that- encouraging the viewers to grow along with oneself and this is what is sorely missing here- the disconnect, the vague insinuations...

A word of congratulations to the art director asz well as ms.anuradha vakil who, in her characteristic dignified cuts and styling, manages to impress heavily.. In fact sonam and rani need to credit the lady for their wonderful outfits and styling that has enhanced and built the character.... ms.vakil has proved her mettle yet again- her dresses ooze sensuality and class- a rare combination....

riot of colors

2007-11-05T14:32:00.000+05:30

star guitar

2007-10-25T20:37:00.000+05:30

STAR GUITAR
TRUST Karl Lagerfeld to have created the most expensive item in Harrods' Christmas offering: a made-to-order guitar case for Dom Perignon. Fashioned from softest perch skin and lined with lambskin, the case holds six bottles of rare Dom Perignon Rose Vintages and three Champagne glasses. As if that wasn't indulgent enough, every person who purchases one will receive a private Champagne tasting session with a member of the Dom Perignon winemaking team - either in their home, or at the brand's headquarters in France. Think the design looks familiar? You're right; the case features in the short film Lagerfeld shot for the Champagne label, starring Eva Herzigova. Even if the £70,000 price tag is a little over your budget, the design will definitely be worth checking out when it goes on display – in a glass case, naturally – in Harrods' Room of Luxury on November 1.
courtesy-vogue.com

LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN 'DAAG'- literally stained

2007-10-24T23:13:00.001+05:30

Pradeep Sarkar is perhaps one of the most over rated directors ever.
Parineeta was a pathetic remake of a classic and any dimwit can see through the idiotic attempt provided one is not too awestruck by the charming 'star' cast, the gloss and hype that went with 'a bengali set-up'. But many overlooked the fact that there were a number of things in the film like costumes in certain scenes and hair-dos that did not belong to that era, moreso, to a family of that class. Rewind to the black n white classic PARINEETA, in which meena kumari and ashok kumar did not have to resort to lovemaking scenes or explicit dialogues to express their love or frustrations. It was the quiet dignity of a woman deeply in love, to whom the commitment of the heart mattered more than mere rituals. Even the second remake SANKOCH, a jeetendra and sulakshana pandit starrer was a decent attempt.
It is stupid to make excuses like moving with the times hence the unneceassary changes in script and set up.

And now, to make matters worse, mr.sarkar goes ahead with a sickening attempt at filmmaking if i may call it that- LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG. Most certainly a 'daag'. The only message that the film manages to get across is that when all fails, prostitution is always at hand.
And, since you are such a sacrificial lamb, you will eventually find 'the' right guy.
A loaded, highly educated, pedigree who is awesome looking and falls in love at first sight and then miraculously, many months later, during which he has never heard from his lady love, insists on marriage even though he knows she is a prostitute.
Can we get real please? It would've been more appreciable if they had shown that the two kept in touch via mails or chats after their sing-song and flirtatious rendezvous in zurich during which the man grew to understand the lady and bonded with her. Pray, how does one suddenly learn to respect the woman 'much more' when he knows absolutely nothing of her except that she is a call girl who recites the 'hanuman chalisa'? And there can be many such women who are extremely tough at their profession while they maybe deeply religious. Since when does that prove that she is 'different' even though she insists boldly that she needed money and took the first opportunity that came her way. Does that talk of a person who was is moralistic and scrupulous?

And what is nauseating is the mother played by mrs.jaya bachchan who should be ashamed of taking such meaningless roles.
The mother, who knows her daughter has taken to prostitution in order to support the family, continues to 'sob' silently in the night while letting the daughter go on.
In fact, she even watches as her useless husband and younger daughter set about acquiring a new lifestyle with the money sent.
As if that is not nauseating enough, she even has the gall to resent the presence of her daughter when she returns to the family home to marry off the younger sister. So much so, that when faced with the 'errant' daughter after probably years or months, she ignores her and very callously admits to her presence. And then she justifies it all by saying, well, since you are already ruined and cannot resume a 'normal' life, i need you to stay away so that the rest of the family and younger ones' life carries on unperturbed.
How on earth can you show such cruelty and insensitivity? And even if you need to do so, why not do it with some subtlety and sensitivity ?
Anupam kher is wasted as is abhishek bachchan. Why these talented ones had to resort to such inane roles beats me. Konkona is the only saving grace and a breath of fresh air. Rani, needs to retire. NOW. She looks stale and its tiring to watch her in so many films in a year. She needs to lose weight desperately and disappear for a while to retain exclusivity as a star needs to.

Shantanu moitra seems to be living in reflected glory of his one-time hit 'parineeta'. The music is awful and reeks of an amateurish attempt. Dialogues are ordinary and more suited to a daily soap.

Yashraj films need to wake up and soon. Stop investing in the one time ad filmmakers who are desperately trying to make it in bollywood and start giving a break to newcomers. At least the prestige of the banner shall be restored.

paintings

2007-10-21T16:22:00.000+05:30

abstract art

2007-10-21T15:14:00.000+05:30

2007-10-18T13:27:00.000+05:30

LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN 'DAAG'- literally stained

2007-10-15T19:51:00.000+05:30

SABYASACHI WOWS AGAIN

2007-10-15T13:47:00.000+05:30

Sabyasachis' bridal collection for the season unveiled at the lakme fashion week 2008 was simply breathtaking. Tradition met with elegance and style expressing the spirit and feninity of the quintessential Indian woman.

The wine coloured velvet ramp, ornate chandeliers and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khans' voicw added to the magic.
Shararas, lehengas, floor length angarkhas, kurtas, kurtis, waist coats with shawl lapels, glittering dupattas and odhnis, shimmering flowing pajamas, saris in all their ethnic splendour –

the rich fabrics, stylishly ethnic prints sometimes embellished, sometimes mixed and matched with contrasting pattis in vibrant rich colors and prints so typical of the babu moshai spelt regality in every way.

Silhouettes for the kurtas revived the vintage glamour of the Mughal era as hemlines nearly kissed the floor or rose to knee level. The mix of churidars, ghagras, kurtas and waistcoats topped with a dupatta could look unconventional, but when put together so perfectly by Sabyasachi they created unusal combinations that were modern but unmistakably traditional.

The fabrics ranged from cotton, silk, chiffon, georgette, brocades to lush velvets which were blended together for different segments of each garment. Pants, printed and fluid were teamed with lean long kurtas or rustic Rajasthan blouses.

The finale creation - a black multi-paneled patterned silk lehenga with exquisite glittering embroidery worn with a glittering blouse and odhani was the showstopper as Sukhvinder Singh ended the show with his deeply rustic and rich voice.

stylish footwear

2007-10-11T19:52:00.000+05:30

Hottest styles in vogue..

Hottest styles in vogue..

pix courtesy: new york fashion

new york fashion week

2007-10-11T13:27:00.000+05:30

ashish soni at the new york fashion week 2008

new york fashion week 2008

2007-10-11T13:18:00.000+05:30

more sabyasachi at the new york fashion week 2008...

layering continues to be the style in subtle muted tones of reds, maroons, greys, olives, deep mustards and greys tell their own story with the humble patiala salwars being given a different avtaar as they get a western look

charcoal sketches

2007-10-05T21:06:00.000+05:30

the best of spring 2008

2007-09-27T12:55:00.000+05:30

pix courtesy imaxtree.com

The best of NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SPRING 2008..
The best looks of the season from
Emporio Armani, Calvin Klein menwear, Bottega Veneta, La Perla and Trussardi

sabyasachi mukherjee

2007-09-26T13:17:00.000+05:30

Possibly the only indian designer to understand colors and combining the pallette with the right cut and putting them together without unnecessary fringes and embellishments, without catering to the whims of the market and yet at the same time being commercially successful as well.
Bridal wear was given a fresh lease of life with tradition marrying modernism. Rich
embroideries and boring zardozi being replaced with delicately textured tanchois and silks and even cotton tussars in vivid reds, bright fuschias, sunny yellows and rich purples woven together so intelligently that simple prints and plains together began to create the illusion of a heavily worked piece- and soon it became the signature style of sabyasachi.

For the first time one saw Rani mukherjee look dignified and dressed appropriately whenever she wore his creations- be it in films or off it.
His showing at the new york fashion week thi september saw Revolutionary symbols from Russia and Cuba on the clothes,multiple layering,indian fabrics in revolutionary colors of khaki, burnt orange and forest green. Though whether the message sent was one of evolutionor revolution by way of cultural is a bit confusing.

clay coasters et al

2007-09-26T00:06:00.000+05:30

dine stylishly

2007-09-24T20:18:00.000+05:30

these clay coasters are hand made and colored by yours truly.
Its been an immensely tiresome but deeply satisfying experience watching a lump of clay take shape and form.... roop

IMAN ALI

2007-09-23T14:22:00.000+05:30

The lady is undeniably the most stunning, graceful and ethereal diva to hit the modelling scene in a long long time.
An actress now as well, debuting with 'Khuda ke liye', iman defintely has what it takes to hit the international arena.

EMANUEL UNGARO

2007-09-22T19:52:00.000+05:30

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EMANUEL UNGARO'S SPRING 2008 of their menswear collection.
The beads at the neck teamed up with the white shirt and boots is undoubtedly appealing as are crisp well cut jackets but one could do with better looking models.

pix courtesy- imaxtree.com

BAG IT

2007-09-22T19:06:00.000+05:30

This SPRING SUMMER 2008 PRADA has some exciting, sleek, smart bags for men to carry to work.
Check them out..

pix courtesy- vogue.com

MUZAFFAR ALI

2007-09-19T21:02:00.000+05:30

'Clothes can transform a human figure, add an ethereal dimension to realism they are visionary and timeless. They are a spiritual relationship with an ambiance. They are the essence of nostalgia, the fragrance of the present, and the dream of the future.
When I sketch clothes I design a trance made of moments of the past and present, and project them as valuables that people would cherish,' says Muzaffar Ali.

It isnt very often that one comes across a designer, a person who truly understands fashion and style, art and expression in its entirety.
Who is able to connect and interpret fashion the way it deserves to be interpretted.
What enables the man to truly understand fashion is his love for music, spirituality.
Deeply inspired by sufism, muzaffar has launched his own music under the label of Kotwara Studios with Jaam e Ishq, the soundtrack of a music ballet based on the poem of the thirteenth century Sufi poet, Saint Rumi.
He truly believes that humility and oneness with the creator is possible only through the divine truth of the arts.
Music happened to him through recognising the pain, anguish and helplessness of the soul that found expression through urdu poetry and sufi music which to him is food for the soul and music of love and submission. And that is how jahan-e-khusrau' came into being. A yearly show that brings together artistes of different cultures and arts from different parts of asia and drawing folk talent from the villages.

Starting with Gaman and moving on to the legendary Umrao Jaan, Anjuman, Aagaman, Zooni and now Rumi, Muzaffar Ali has taken cinema beyond its typical parameters.
Umraao Jaan taught indian cinema the meaning of set designing, costumes, period films, dialogue writing and penning lyrics.
Each frame brought alive true aesthetics, an insight into an era long forgotten that could be easily lived. Music that touched the soul.
Having worked with him on his forthcoming script, I can safely vouch for his undying passionand commitment to detail, to his love- his art, his craft, his creations.
The painstaking efforts in the way he goes about putting together each aspect of his work, even the way he has decorated his office, his home, his study, it clearly speaks of a man deeply connected with the divine.
His fashion shows have always recreated the mughal era, the music being specially written and composed for the show with a touvh of sufism and his clothes distinctly different, spelling out his ideas, his interpretations with elagance and ageless beauty.
We could do with more of such people who can teach us all a thing or two about living life.
One who can tell us that fashion is not about strutting and flaunting a near nude body witha rip-off creation.
Music that allows us to live it and a film that can tell a story sans inane, crude gimmicks and sexual innuendos.
Please Shaad, do us all proud.

Muzaffar designs to provide a vocation to his village, Kotwara, to upgrade the craft of Chikan and Zardozi in the city, Lucknow and its environs.

As he puts it, 'clothes change lives, heal the body, enrich the soul. They are created with a sense of exploration and discovery through the eyes and the hands, textures meeting the supple skin and becoming part of it.'

faiza samee

2007-09-19T19:14:00.000+05:30

Faiza Samee is known for keeping Mughal tradition alive in the country. She is known for her glorious shaadi joras and Kashmiri work. She is also known for block prints that are uniquely Pakistani and can make jackets that would be snapped up by high end fashion consumers around the world.

Faiza Samee believes Pakistani embroidery has interesting influences that range from the Chinese to the Turkish Enlarge. From designing jodas for former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s wedding; to being commissioned by the esteemed Victoria Albert Museum, UK; to reviving the heritage of the stitches of Sindh, Samee has a class and a richness that is unique and sorely needed in todays' modernistic trends.

Much of the embroidery she uses originally comes from Gujarat and northern India.
To quote her, "I firmly believe that if India and Pakistan were to present a common front in fashion, no one can beat us. We have the world's greatest heritage of textile and fashion and can easily take on and beat the west together.' AMEN.

AUTISM

2007-09-18T20:47:00.000+05:30

Autism typically appears during the first three years of life. Some children show signs from birth. Others seem to develop normally at first, only to slip suddenly into symptoms when they are 18 to 36 months old. Autism is four times more common in boys than in girls. It knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle or educational levels do not affect a child's chance of having autism.

Some of the different types of autism include:

*
Autistic disorder. It refers to problems with social interactions, communication and imaginative play in children younger than 3 years.
*
Asperger's syndrome. These children don't have a problem with language—in fact, they tend to score in the average or above-average range on intelligence tests. But they have the same social problems and limited scope of interests as children with autistic disorder.
*
Pervasive developmental disorder or PDD—also known as atypical autism. This is a kind of catchall category for children who have some autistic problems but who don't fit into other categories.
*
Rett's disorder. Known to occur only in girls, Rett's children begin to develop normally. Then they begin to lose their communication and social skills. Beginning at the age of 1 to 4 years, repetitive hand movements replace purposeful use of the hands.
*
Childhood disintegrative disorder. These children develop normally for at least two years, and then lose some or most of their communication and social skills.

SPOTTING DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS

Every child should do certain tasks by a certain age.

* Gross motor skills, such as crawling and walking
* Fine motor skills, such as stacking blocks or coloring
* Language skills, including speech and comprehension
* Thinking skills
* Social interaction

Childhood Milestones
2 Months....... Smiles at the sound of your voice
3 Months ...... Raises head and chest when lying on stomach, grasps objects,smiles at people

4 Months...... Babbles, laughs, and tries to imitate sounds
6 Months...... Rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back,moves objects from hand to hand
7 Months...... Responds to own name,finds partially hidden objects
9 Months...... Sits without support,crawls
12 Months .... Walks with or without support,says at least one word, imitates people
18 Months .... Walks independently,drinks from a cup,says at least 15 words
2 Years ...... Runs,speaks in two-word sentences,follows simple instructions
begins make-believe play
3 Years ........Climbs, speaks in multiword sentences,sorts objects by shape and color
4 Years...... Gets along with people outside the family,draws circles and squares
Rides a tricycle
5 Years ...... Tells name and address,jumps, hops, and skips,gets dressed,counts 10 or more objects

Children who are premature may not have the same rate of muscle strength and development and that can cause a delay in motor skills.
Other causes of significant delays include genetic disorders such as Down syndrome and developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation.

EARLY INTERVENTION METHODS

# Physical therapy for gross motor delays
# Occupational therapy for fine motor delays
# Hearing evaluation and speech therapy for language delays
# Special preschool programs

HELP YOUR BABY
Gross Motor Skills

* Place infants on their tummies while awake to develop neck and back muscles
* Create a safe home environment and put babies on the floor to explore
* Give older children time outside where they can run and jump

Fine Motor Skills

* Provide toys with different textures that encourage babies to explore with their fingers
* Provide age-appropriate puzzles, blocks, paper, and crayons
* Encourage older babies to feed themselves

Language Skills

* Play music for newborns to stimulate hearing
* Talk to your child
* Read to your child
* Name objects as you point to pictures in a book

Social Interaction

* Laugh,smile and play with your baby

earthy pottery

2007-09-14T22:55:00.000+05:30

divine pottery

2007-09-14T22:46:00.000+05:30

chic pottery

2007-09-14T22:38:00.000+05:30

WILLS INDIA FASHION WEEK 2007

2007-09-13T20:13:00.000+05:30

Hues of blues colored the stage travelling through the deserts of the middle east to urban turkey.
'I have called it 'Interwined' as it is in sync with the philosophy of Wills Lifestyle - 'made for each other'. Also it indicated the way I have used fabrics to design silhouettes,' said the designer.

Beginning with whites and ivories to vivid greens and sparkling blues, culminating in a crescendo of a mix of colors, Rohit Bals' collection very correctly called 'siyaahi' or ink had dresses ranging from flowy fabrics to heavily puffed skirts and carefully structured jackets and sherwanis for men in different floral prints paired with loose and fitting white trousers- a bit of everything befitting a finale.
Apart from sherwanis, the men's wear line had shirts, trousers, zoaves and suits teamed with churidars.

Fabrics like chiffon, net, organza, jersey, georgette and brocade have been textured, pleated and used to create amazing silhouettes.

The couture was a blend of Indian and western sensibilities that stood out for its delicate craftwork and riot of colors of a single family coming together to celebrate
a certain vibrance.

Bal set the mood by decorating the walls surrounding the glass ramp with huge cut-outs of white flowers over plasma screens. Similar flowers were embedded under the ramp as well.
The show began with the lights being dimmed, and the ramp glowed in blue light and the flower decked plasma screen started turning blue as if ink was spilled over it.
The feel was instantly captured and the mood set.

One of the interesting features in Bal's collection was that he accessorised the collection with models wearing diamond necklaces and ink instead of vermilion on their forehead. The male models sported fancy nose rings.

The show, dedicated to the late Rohit Khosla, saw prominent designers, including Ritu Kumar, Rohit Gandhi, Rina Dhaka, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Raghavendra Rathore, Puja Nayar, Varun Behl walk the ramp dressed in colors of blue.... SIYAAHI.

new york fashion week -spring summer 2008

2007-09-10T19:40:00.000+05:30

After storming the runway in short and even shorter lengths,skirts are back in a new look - demure, elegant and infinitely feminine.

This spring it’s all about full skirts — the bigger, the better. Vera Wang’s purple-blue skirt is a fresh take on Dior's new look. Behnaz Sarafpour's belted dresses add just enough volume to be sexy — not hippy. Thakoon’s bright-pink skirt ballooned down the runway, making this spring a rare gift to big bottoms.

pix courtesy: NEW YORK FASHION WEEK LIVE

WILLS INDIA FASHION WEEK 2007

2007-09-06T13:51:00.000+05:30

The two most impressive collections at the WIFW ushered in the fashion week with true class and elegance.

RAJESH PRATAP.. opened the show with simple summer dresses in light weight fabrics of pure white with a mad throw of neon colours in geometric floral motifs.
The 8o's influence in the silhouettes was evident with off-shoulder necklines for flouncing jersey tops which ended in broad tight fitted hems worn over capris and slim fitted pants and shorts, creating a chic urban look.
Bright patent leather bags accessorized the subtle shimmering fabrics in cool grays and muted shades of blues, such as linen with lurex, flowing knits with metallic effects which was stylishly elegant.
The effortless crisp cuts of the silhouettes were highlighted through strong linear fabric textures which accentuating the body in a way that is typical of Rajesh Pratap who never fails to energize you with his clean, simple, classy and dignified cuts and styling.

Sleeves and collars defined the clothes. Dolman (wide at armhole, narow at wrist), and Leg of Mutton sleeves, and retro colours ruled.

Tunic dresses, 3/4th pants, beach, city and boy shorts, made for great casual wear

The loud speakers on the runway with 'pratap' written on it were cute and different considering the designer is wary and shy of attention.

However, Pratap is known for his immaculate styling, impeccable cuts and classy colors. Somehow his clothes reek of a regal air of formality and taste which was sorely missed.

SHANTANU NIKHIL called their collection "Banaras Boulevard" in which they played with richly textured fabrics, shimmering materials, flowing silky weaves and glamorously crafted ornamental cutwork. Inspired by the rich city of Benaras, traditional fabrics like silks, satins,cotton and khadi silk emphasized the printing and textures exhibiting the wide range of handlooms.
The effect was one oozing glamour and richness but there was definitely nothing benaras-like about it. For one, the rich textured fabrics and designs of the region were missing as was the music.

labour of love-my pottery

2007-09-04T14:13:00.000+05:30

raw unworked pottery

2007-09-04T13:59:00.000+05:30

hey hey heyyyyyy babyy

2007-08-31T21:08:00.000+05:30

A superstar for a friend, an already established director for a sister, actor friends and producer buddies. Thats all you need these days to make a film. This was my first thought after watching 'heyy baby'.
Sajid khan should be kicked for making such a film. And we should be kicked harder for watching it.
Vulgar, cheap, obscene and crude is what the movie is and the dialogues are worse.
Frankly, its just what one expects of sajid khan since his sense of humor is pretty much the same. Not that sis farah is any better,except that she has learnt the art of packaging the film better and choosing her cast wisely so that she is assured of commercial success and ceetees.
Her 'mai hoon na' debut venture was quite stupid to say the least and so was the story.
The movie had sick humor and lousy music. What worked for her was SRK and fans went to watch it for him and im sure this is what will happen again this time for her secong film the promos of which are very sad and dismal. In fact its surprising that SRK, with his sharp sense of business could pass off such a promo.
Coming back to sajid..akshay kumar should be ashamed of doing such roles at his age and mouthing the crudest of dialogues. Not that he has displayed much dignity in any of his work so far. Yet its disappointing to see that some actors never seem to want to grow, to experiment, to evolve.
And what is worse is the fact that the viewers lap up such nonsense. I doubt if this country really understands comedy. Buffoonery is all they relate to.
The film is a lift of a hollywood movie with some insanity thrown in and presto, suddenly a c-grade stand-up comedy artiste becomes a director.
There couldn't be a bigger tragedy.

earthy, unfinished pottery pieces

2007-08-31T15:26:00.000+05:30

SA RE GA MA PA CHALLENGE 2007

2007-08-29T15:23:00.000+05:30

ALL FOR A SONG...

After a long long time, SA RE GA MA PA has finally got back its lost form. After the dismal show by amaan and ayaaan ali bangash, the show had for a while lost its glory. Though Shaan did a commendable job, somehow the programme could never come into its own.
This season, however introduced a batch of some very talented singers and the best artistes were chosen from pakistan and usa too.
Apart from ismail durbar and vishal shekhar, the less said the better about the commitment and seriousness of the mentors in encouraging and guiding fresh talent.
Lets take a look at the more talented of the lot.

RAJA HASSAN
Raja Hassan has come a long long way.
Eight years of struggle suddenly seems to have been well worth it if the current popularity, the thunderous applause, the lavish praise, the numerous smses are anything to go by, this SA RE GA MA PA CHALLENGE 2007 contestant is already a star..

Having been closely associated in many such reality shows, i admit to never having seen such an amazing fan following.
Quite the under dog, rajas' meteoric rise can easily be attributed to the kind of person he is. Clean, straight, honest, warm, radiating positive energy. At the risk of sounding like his PR person, may i add that i have been working with and writing on music for ages besides being a trained vocalist and filmmaker myself. The boy has been blessed with the purity of heart that comes across in his voice which is not exactly the best in the show nor is it the most flawless in terms of technicalities. Whether it stems from his humble upbringing or the long struggle when he has had to sing at humble restaurants to pay for his meal and walked miles to save the bus fare...whatever the reason be, its clear that raja has used each obstacle to his advantage- learning from the mistakes many aspirants have made and the most amazing thing is that none of this has made him cynical or manipulative. If anything he has only grown, as a human being which in turn has helped him grow as a singer. No wonder his renditions seem to tug at your heartstrings despite the very visible flaws.

POONAM

Truly a volcano of talent, poonam is very skilled and whats more she is blessed with a deep voice that seems to come from the very deep recesses of her heart. The lack of style and finesse add to the raw pain in her voice.
The simplicity lies in the way she uses her voice to convey the meanings behind the lyrics.
The quiet but sure killer instinct exists alright. Poonams' biggest strength is her
humble upbringing. She seems to desperately want to succeed and change things for herself hence the focus never wavers. Even while singing a simple song like 'dil to paagal hai;, she brought in the correct mix of emotion and technique.
However, the pressure did seem to get to her at one point when she couldnt get the song right and went blank. After which when she did resume, she had a winner. There was pathos and a deep longing that was simply outstandingly mature. It was 'hamesha tumko chaha ' from DEVDAS.
She is the only mature female singer in the show that is any competition but her mentor needs to give her more confidence and nurture her so that she stops fighting and begins enjoying her music.

ANEEK

If there is any one singer who is truly deserving of being the winner, it is Aneek. The sheer command over style, technique, emotion and expression is flawless.
Honestly speaking, he is way above all competition of this level.
The only worry is his devotion to sonu nigam that can unconsciously spoil his own style.And full marks to him for not losing his nerve when salman khan ripped his shirt off. One seriously wonders why the organizers of the show don't object to such crude behaviour. No one- not even the mentors objected. Dear salman probably forgot that he was gracing a contest where the careers were at stake. All dignity was dispensed with as salman made a laughing stock of himself as well as aneek- and the poor child was made to sing without a shirt.
Which actually makes me wonder what the point is of getting these stupid film stars ato 'judge' such shows when none of them have the faintest idea of music. Oh yes- the promotions...the programme is used to promote forthcoming movies which is forced upon by the channels which in turn makes it hilarious. Can you imagine a sajid khan commenting on the finer nuances of music? its equally upsetting to watch a pathetic diya mirza 'judge' these so very talented participants- at least shamita shetty was gracious enough to shower praise and admit she knew nothing of music.

Doesnt anyone realize that these participants are roughing it out away from their loved ones, rehearsing all day, exhausted from performing at small towns and colleges to promote the show and garner votes while most of these shows are actually done only to promote the channel and NOT to promote the artistes. The poor kids are trained to give the appropriate sound bytes- the programme heads are clearly not the decision makers here but the channel is...and after the nail biting, anxiety ridden shoots that last for endless hours, the kids are subjected to irresponsible comments by arrogant and ill informed films stars.
Can no one stop this nonsense in such a prestigeous programme that has over the years acquired the honor of being truly devoted to the cause of music?

As if this isnt enough, even the mentors continue to make an ass of themselves.
Himesh reshammiya should stop resorting to cheap publicity by creating a supposed 'love triangle' out of nothing and subjecting the poor viewers and contestants to inane remarks about it in EVERY SINGLE episode.
Add to that all that empty talk of promising work to contestants- does he actually realize what he sounds like? Like some wannabe desperate for publicity. Please someone tell him that he can be as dignified about his promises as vishal shekhar are. And must he speak so much? Must he shower such annoying praise on the directors and producers and stars on the show? We understand why its being done...and its so obvious.To get work , to please and flatter them. But please, mr.reshammiya, you are a metor so kindly maintain the dignity and class expected of one.

And mr.bhappi lahiri. Its sad to watch a musician of such high calibre being reduced to doing what mr.reshammiya is doing. Begging the stars to give work to the contestants. And i use the word 'beg' coz thats exactly how it sounds. Requesting someone once in a while when the singer has sung superbly is quite another thing but why this? Besides, he seems to be very fobd of encouraging and defending his students alone and promoting them. Its cheap and disgusting to see that such a world class musician can be so small hearted. He needs to learn a lesson or two from young vishal shekhar who are truly large hearted and gracious. Fair in praise and promises that they know how to keep.
I would say tese are the real musicians - the ones who understand music.

MUSARRAT

Such amazing talent has never been witnessed before on this show. Musarrat, a student of maestro ghulam ali, is classically trained and is undoubtedly the expert as far as classical knowledge is concerned. And it shows. His rendition of 'piya saanware' from BANDIT QUEEN was, by no means a small feat.
It was a superb attempt and displayed an expertise, a practised ease, a certain comfort that comes from years of honing a skill. Musarrats' limitation though is that he can sing only in one particular genre and that is where mr.reshammiya has been absolutely right. The moment musarrat tried his hand at other styles, he failed but there is no doubting his credibility in his genre. He is here to stay.

The same goes for mouli dave who is great in her own hip style and needs to stick to it so please guys, give these kids a break and guide them wisely. Let them choose their own kind of song and don't push them over. They are after all here to create music not indulge in mudslinging politics. Keep the younger generation out of this muck that has kept true music away from you. Let them falter, learn and master. They need to grow on their own so let them be.
These are really are hope for the future. Lets not try and get cheap publicity by targeting pakistan now. For gods' sake, the viewers are least bothered. They are only interested in listening to soulful music. So if you want to resort to cheap and vulgar publicity gimmicks try not to blame the media and press for one.
Do not poison young, impressionable minds. It affects their work and the reason they are on the platform.

koffee with karan

2007-08-28T14:46:00.000+05:30

yawwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnn...

Koffee with Karan this sunday featuring Shahrukh khan and farah khan AND debutante, model deepika padukone was a washout and a lesson in boredom...
In any case karan should stop inviting SRK as it always turns out to be a mutual admiration society...
this time around however, it seemed nothing short of a home video..what with private jokes and shared secret laughter...what is the point of having a chat show when you very conveniently forget that the viewers are watching too,involved as well..
One has read and heard karan wax eloquent about SRK and his virtues like crazy over the last few years that its tiresome to go through it all again.
Stupid questions, even more stupid answers. It was more like a promo for farah khan - shahrukh khans' OM SHANTI OM. Easy publicity is not exactly becoming of people who have achieved so much in such a short span of time. Success humbles you. If it makes you arrogant and look like a publicity seeker all the time, then its not worth it.
Karan now needs to understand and realize that he is ignorant of his craft. Glossies and big names do not a film make. Save the first success, he has hardly done anything worthwhile so far. At least not enough to look so smug about.
He needs to stop shopping for designer clothes and leave the khans and the bachchans alone for a while and get an identity for himself.
And if Chat shows and adfilms are where his intersets lie, then pray tell him to forget he is 'THE' karan johar and simply be a normal, unassuming, compassionate, witty host and do the job.

pottery

2007-08-27T14:30:00.000+05:30

diyas of life- chic pottery

2007-08-26T01:20:00.000+05:30

my beautiful babies

2007-08-23T21:20:00.000+05:30

clay work - my pottery

2007-08-23T21:13:00.001+05:30

poetic pottery

2007-08-22T22:24:00.001+05:30

sculpted pottery

2007-08-22T21:30:00.001+05:30

charcoal sket ches

2007-08-21T00:31:00.000+05:30

2007-08-20T23:51:00.000+05:30

2007-08-20T23:39:00.000+05:30

charcoal sketches - my dancing shiva

2007-08-20T23:35:00.000+05:30

2007-08-20T16:59:00.000+05:30

twisted art

2007-08-20T16:51:00.000+05:30

2007-08-20T16:45:00.000+05:30

2007-08-20T16:35:00.000+05:30

more pottery

2007-08-20T16:26:00.000+05:30

coppery punch

2007-08-20T02:13:00.000+05:30

... hey guys this one is a beauty and I just had to share it with you all....

arty decor

2007-08-20T01:59:00.000+05:30

more diyas

2007-08-20T01:46:00.000+05:30

diyas to light up your lives

2007-08-20T01:42:00.000+05:30

the dugga collage

2007-08-20T01:17:00.000+05:30

fashionably sexy

2007-08-13T21:03:00.000+05:30

Despite the growing awareness in fashion,women often tend to be at a total loss where dressing is concerned. They are often so intent on following fashion that they overlook the fact that there is a certain body type and each one needs to define his own style according to it.

Its apalling to see women these days wearing skin tight tees and bra tops that do nothing to hide the swollen abs as well as arms and shoulders that are in desperate need of toning..
Baby doll tops make women look shorter and they must be worn with fitted pants.
Also, accessorize if you must, since it is what accentuates the outfit but its important to know how much to accessorize. It really doesnt help if you have a flashy, sequinned outfit with long chandelier earrings AND a heavy neck piece with bangles to match. You just dont know where to look.

It would help if heavy earrings were worn with a plain dress with no other accessory and especially NOT a bling bag, please.
Accesorising is a very special skill. One that not many possess. The personal style is something that should never be tampered with. Too many rings on the figers with a large dialled watch worn with loud and heavy make up and a sequinned bag and footwear speaks of a person who is crying out for attention.
Also, unnecessary skin show only makes one look as if she has a point to make. In fact a flattering, curvaceous, toned figur- one to die for, would only be more sensuous and enticing if one wears an absolutely tight fitted full sleeved v necked shirt in a pale color with a very fitted form and a delicate stylish small diamond solitaire with very light nude make up would make a woman look sexy and feminine as well.

Slightly flared trousers tend to balance hips, with elongating seams down the legs. This teamed with a slim cut blouse with vertically organized embroidery on a dark color helps a lady slightly on the heavier side who is short as well look taller and slimmer.
Silver grey hair needs the right darkish colors to lend the right kind of dignity with nude or light, pale colored footwear that make one look slim and tall with silver hair that anyone takes all the attention. Vivid bright colors in clothes and footwear will only be a garish contrast.
A flimsy, low-waisted skirt with all sorts of gaps and gathers doesn't the torso seem leaner; it merely calls attention to the flab around the abs.
A streamlined black pencil skirt plays up the curves and shows the legs stylishly.
A shot of bright color on top, softened with white against the face like a shirt say with a colorful neckpiece or scarf or jacket over a pale beige or white shirt diverts the focus from a heavier lower body.

Tight, cropped, light khakis with a tucked-in shirt, doesn’t exactly flatter a lady with heavy hips and a pot belly.
You need to minimize the middle…
A dark shade like navy or chocolate brown on the wide-leg pants and at the straps and neckline of the top makes the paler areas in between (like that problematic midsection) fade away making the waist and the hip look smaller.

A mistake that most heavy women often make is to wear horizontal striped shirts or dresses which end up making them look shorter and heavier.
Women with a heavy bust need to wear clothes that have dark colored bands down the front, minimizing the form , making it look slimmer. Also, sometimes a delicate neckpiece as opposed to a large chunky overdone neckpiece might draw the attention away from the heaviness.

Churidars also help one look slim…
For women dealing with post pregnancy weight, dresses with an Aline cut help them look leaner.

jhooming the wrong way around

2007-08-10T13:45:00.000+05:30

jhoom barabar jhoom doesnt quite make you 'jhoom'...
if anything, it makes you wonder what on earth possessed you to spend a few hundreds and a precious three hours i spent viewing what can easily be dismissed as a moronic attempt at conning viewers into believing that 'bollywood' has come of age.
shaad ali needs to understand that when you put your story on celluloid, you need to ensure that the viewer also connects with your sense of storytelling and the narrative needs to be crisp and slick....mere songs and visuals of stars dressed in the best of armanis and guccis and gloss all over the place is simply not enough...
can we please be credited with some intelligence?

abhishek was good fun as was surprisingly, bobby deol but the shocker was lara... a bundle of talent as ive always felt.Good to see her getting work....she is just what we need... chic, classy, stylish and talent as well...
frankly preity needs to retire... the same dress sense, same hairstyle in every film... monotonous... she doesnt seem to pick her films wisely despite being gifted....

Beats me though why amitabh bachchan needed to do the one song...his get-up though unusual, was a little overdone, not to mention that his fancy belt only drew more attention to his paunch ...so i wonder what stylist and designer aki narula is so proud of and preens around about.... quite stupid.. and please mr.bachchan, do not act in such insane movies..coz even though you more than did justice and made it 'paisa vasool' coz of the one sog, we love you too much to watch you being a part of such crap....

And shaad dear, do us a favour and stop living in reflected glory... you proved that 'bunty aur babli' was a fluke just as 'saathiya' was a shot by shot lift.

We are only as good as our last piece of work, sir...

the vitamin noise

2007-08-09T19:42:00.000+05:30

Anti-ageing stories are what is doing the rounds these days. Skin care has never been more acutely evaluated and assessed. While we know now that the right vitamins and minerals are part of our skin care regimen, what are the essential ones that we need to look into.
Vitamins C, E, A, K, and B complex can all help improve skin health.
Lets take a look at how and why such a noise is being made about them...

Vitamins C and E.
Among the most important new dermatologic discoveries is the power of vitamins to counter the effects of sun exposure.
‘Vitamin C can prevent the consequences of prolonged sun exposure which can lead to skin cancer,’ say experts.
‘Supplementation with natural Vitamin E in 400 mg per day has been noted to reduce photo damage, wrinkles and improve skin texture.
Researchers saw a reduction of factors linked to DNA damage within skin cells, leading them to conclude that antioxidant vitamins help protect against DNA damage.

Vitamin C and E help by reducing the damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke, and pollution. Free radicals reduce collagen and elastin, the fibers that support skin structure, causing wrinkles and other signs of ageing. When these two vitamins are combined in a lotion, they can be highly protective against sun damage, says the American Academy of Dermatology.
Always wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 25 and limit your sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) But you may be able to help your skin stay healthier and supple by making sure you get enough of these antioxidant vitamins.

To make sure your diet includes plenty of vitamin C, eat citrus fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C such as bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy greens. These foods can replace the loss of the vitamin through the skin. You can also take vitamin C supplements, up to 500 to 1,000 milligrams of per day,
You can find vitamin E in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, olives, spinach, and asparagus. But it's difficult to get a lot from food, so many people take a supplement but stay with 400 international units per day only.

Sudden dull flaky skin-
That's because vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Without it, you'll notice the difference. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamin A.

Topical vitamin A is the form that makes a real difference in your skin. Medical studies show a reduction in lines and wrinkles, good acne control, and some psoriasis relief, all from using creams containing this nutrient.
doctors found that foods high in beta-cartotene—a form of vitamin A—appeared to reduce the risk of psoriasis.

The prescription treatment for acne called Retin-A is derived from vitamin A.
Vitamin B Complex. When it comes to skin, the single most important B vitamin is biotin, a nutrient that forms the basis of skin, nail, and hair cells. Without adequate amounts, you may end up with dermatitis (an itchy, scaly skin reaction) or sometimes even hair loss
t's found in many foods including bananas, eggs, oatmeal, and rice, plus your body also makes some biotin on its own.
Vitamin K. When combined with vitamin A in a cream, vitamin K can be even more effective for those dark circles.

SHIATSU DESTRESSERS

2007-08-01T22:54:00.000+05:30

Shiatsu, a form of bodywork developed in Japan according to the principles of ancient Chinese medicine. Its practitioners aim to reduce tension and encourage healing by pressing and kneading the body at crucial spots so that energy can flow unfettered through channels called meridians, charted thousands of years ago by Chinese physicians

STARTER

Place your left hand in your right hand so the four right-hand fingers are under the hand and the right thumb is on top of the palm. Gently press your right thumb into the middle of the palm (that's the Palace of Anxiety). If you allow the pressed hand to relax, folding gently around the thumb, the thumb will be able to reach the deepest places in the palm. Press for a count of five, release for a count of five, and repeat twice more. Then switch hands.
Hold each end of a light, silky scarf (at least 24 inches long) and loop it behind your neck. Raise both hands toward the ceiling. Let your head gently fall back into the scarf. Very slowly roll your head from one side to the other for 10 to 15 seconds. Then bring it up, wait for a count of five, and repeat the process. You're putting light pressure on the Pillars of Heaven, and that relieves tension in the back of your neck.

SOLE SEARCHING
Sit cross-legged on the floor with one of your feet soles up in your lap. Place the four fingers of each hand under the foot, one hand resting on the other, and the two thumbs on the upturned ball of your foot—straight down from your third toe, at a spot on the ball just above where the foot arches. Press with the thumbs for a count of five; rest for five. Repeat twice, then switch feet. Don't worry about finding the exact spot.
You almost can't go wrong. Applying gentle pressure to this spot, the Gushing Spring, relieves adrenaline-churning tension and anxiety.

Working on the spot in the sinewy web between the thumb and forefinger, called Meeting Mountains, can help relieve headaches.
Start with your left hand palm down. Place four right-hand fingers under the web and the thumb on top. Apply pressure, gently squeezing the web, then make a circular motion with the thumb, rubbing the whole area for five to ten seconds. Wait for a count of five, and repeat. Then switch hands.

LEAN ON

One person, the receiver, sits in a chair; the giver stands behind her. The giver places her hands on the receiver's shoulders, at the base of her neck, and leans forward, exerting gentle downward pressure without pushing. She leans for a count of five and releases for five, two more times, placing her hands a little farther out toward the arm sockets each time. She does another round of three leans, and then, the most important thing happens—you switch! Some people say they experience the process as a two-person meditation.
People like the equality of shiatsu. There's no expert healer, just two people taking turns, helping each other summon their own healing powers."

with inputs from- oprah.com

THE SEXY TUM TUM

2007-08-01T22:44:00.000+05:30

Even the sexiest tummy will have its ups and downs thanks to pregnancy, hormonal shifts,etc. Wherever you are on the timeline, you can exercise your way to a firmer, flatter core.

THE 20s
Estrogen gets busy, directing fat storage to the breasts, hips, and thighs. The belly, however, is spared. So now's the time to work it. Belly dancing is a great move for a strong and sensuous stomach.
Begin by standing facing a full-length mirror with legs hip-width apart, knees bent softly, tailbone tucked, and chest lifted. Heart circles: Imagine using your breasts to draw a vertical O in the mirror. First, lift up from your diaphragm. Keeping your hips still, in a continuous motion, slide your chest directly to the left, then down toward your belly button, across to the right side, and back up to where you started. Do for five minutes a day in both directions.

POST PREGNANCY
Few bellies obligingly snap back into shape without serious prodding.
In most cases, you can take gradually longer walks and move on to more vigorous activity after six weeks.
This is something you ca start on.
Do five reps at a time, slowly working up to 50 reps throughout the day for both exercises combined. Couch crunch: Sit at the edge of a sofa with your feet out and on the floor and hands on your stomach. Relax your thighs and turn them slightly outward, then roll back until your bra line just touches the sofa back. Pull in your abdomen and lift one or both feet off the floor. In that position, contract your abs even more as you exhale to a count of 10. Return feet to the floor, sit tall, and relax

Roll away: Stand sideways behind the stroller (occupied, of course) and grasp the handle with your closer hand. Push the stroller away while slightly bending your knees and sticking out your bottom a bit. Pull the stroller back toward you while straightening up. After five reps, repeat with the other arm (both sides equal 10 reps).

MENOPAUSE

As estrogen downshifts, fat is rerouted toward the upper body and waist. the middle-aged pouch differs from the excess visceral abdominal fat that's linked to heart problems, diabetes, and cancer. Focused efforts— like regular cardio exercises help flatten it.

Yoga: Under pressure, women often eat more—especially sugary treats, which help quell the stress hormone cortisol. So take up yoga, meditate regularly, or at least learn to breathe deeply or sing a song [try, it works!]

Core work: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Raise the lower legs until parallel to the floor, knees still bent and arms relaxed at your sides, palms down. Without using your hands to press, pull in your abs and lift your hips (it feels like a rocking motion) a few inches off the ground. Do three sets: first, 12 to 20 reps; second, 12 to 15 reps; third, eight to ten reps. Rest a minute between sets.
Call it tough love—your tummy can defy the rise and fall of nature's timeline and stay super duper tight

courtesy- oprah.com

more power foods

2007-08-01T21:41:00.000+05:30

pix courtesy: oprah.com

BEST FOODS FOR YOUR BODY

Best protein choices (these are also rich in essential fatty acids, which help facilitate weight loss): Wild Alaskan salmon, herring, trout, anchovies and sardines.

Best seafood choices »
Shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, crab, lobster, cod and flounder.

Best poultry choices »
Skinless chicken breast and skinless turkey breast.

Other good sources of protein »
Plain yogurt, high essential fatty acid eggs, cottage cheese and tofu.

Grains and legumes »
Oatmeal, lentils, chickpeas, dried beans, buckwheat and barley.

Fruits and vegetables : Apples, artichokes, asparagus, avocado, bamboo shoots, bell peppers (green and red), berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries), broccoli, broccoli , brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, celery, cherries, chives cucumbers, dark green leafy lettuces (baby greens), eggplant, endive, fresh lemons, garlic, green beans, grapefruits (red and pink), melon, hot peppers, kale, leeks, mushrooms, onions, pears, pea pods, radish, scallions, spinach, sprouts, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips, water chestnut and zucchini.

Nuts and seeds »
Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and flaxseeds.

Herbs and spices: Cinnamon sticks, dill, parsley, turmeric, ginger root, basil, oregano, thyme, lemon balm, mint, sage and rosemary.

Beverages: Green tea, water, Açaí, pomegranate juice (unsweetened).

Condiments: Extra-virgin olive oil (look for Italian or Spanish high quality), cayenne pepper, salsa.

Açaí fruit
This berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in health food and gourmet stores.

Anything in the "Allium Family"
Garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives and shallots can all help the liver eliminate toxins.

Barley
This can be used as a breakfast cereal, in soups and stews, and as a rice substitute. Also high in fiber, helping metabolize fats, cholesterol and carbohydrates.

Green Foods
Green foods like wheat and barley grasses can be bought in powder, tablet or juice form, and offer greater levels of nutrients than green leafy vegetables. They also help cholesterol, blood pressure and develop immunity.

Buckwheat: Seed and Grain
Buckwheat is loaded with protein, high in amino acid, stabilizes blood sugar and reduces hypertension.

Beans and Lentils
You can reduce cholesterol while beefing up on antioxidants, folic acid and potassium. Try kidney, black, navy, pinto, chickpeas, soybeans, peas and lentils.

Hot Peppers
Both bell and chili peppers contain antioxidants, have twice the Vitamin C as citrus fruit and work as great fat burners.

Nuts and Seeds
A handful of nuts a day—walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and pistachio nuts contain omega-3 fats, which are great for your heart. Raw, unsalted nuts and seeds are best.

Sprouts
Numerous varieties of sprouts are great with any meal. They're a great source of protein and Vitamin C. Try adding them to any dish and your immune system will get a boost.

Yogurt
These cultured foods contain healthful bacteria that aid immune function, and the calcium helps burn fat. Try using them as a base for a smoothie.

pix courtesy: oprah.com

staying fit, staying alive

2007-07-31T14:21:00.000+05:30

Fitness and exercising has always excited me... perhaps that has something to do with me being a dancer. However, a recent injury makes me want to stress on the importance of fitness and health.
I often notice my younger brother dodging the gym... work pressure, office timings ensure that he is either too exhausted or to stressed ou to make time for himself and my constant urging quite often was akin to nagging...
i was at my wits end and close to despair. No amount of cajoling helped. If anything, it made him more defiant.
until i realized that if you’re not comfortable with talking to loved ones about the touchy subjects of health and weight loss, you can still help them lead healthier lives by practicing acts of fitness. There are dozens of small things you can do every day to make healthy living as easy as possible. Sometimes, you end up helping create good habits
The first and most important thing being that you have to stay motivated yourself at all times and set an example by doing things yourself.

Some ideas (in random order of course):

* Keep a variety of foods in the kitchen.
* Make sure you talk to them about other things besides weight loss and fitness.
* Stock kitchen with healthy cookbooks, leaving them where people can find them.
* Get the junk food out of the house.
* Plan an active activity after dinner.
* Make it a habit to play outdoor games together.
* Plan a cooking date.
* Cook at least three times a week for the household.
* If you already cook, cook healthier foods for the family.
* Maintain an upbeat attitude.
* Invite them to take part in a fundraiser that supports something important to all of you.
* Get a physical and urge them to do the same.
* Give “active” gifts, like personal training packages, a bicycle, roller blades, etc.
* Make a bet.
* Use positive language all the time.
* Be straight up and let them know you’re concerned about their health.
* Start a garden that you can work on together.
* Plan a “surprise” hike.
* Suggest walking more than driving.
* Make their exercise a priority. Wash their gym clothes without being asked, do a chore for them so they have time. Make it easy for them.
* Sneak healthy snacks and a friendly note (maybe even a love note) into their lunch, briefcase, jacket pocket or purse.
* Prepare their favorite dish in a healthier way.
* Opt for activities as an excuse to spend time together.
* Ask them to help you stay on track.
* Turn off the TV and suggest listening to music and dancing as incentives.
* Give big, positive attention to changes that are made.
* If it’s your turn to pick, choose a healthy restaurant or one that’s within walking distance.

Most importantly,
give them the confidence that you love them as they are,... love is a great positive reinforcement,

2007-07-27T22:02:00.000+05:30

2007-07-27T21:42:00.000+05:30

my pottery

2007-07-27T21:32:00.000+05:30

POWER FOODS

2007-07-27T20:57:00.000+05:30

Power foods are a combination of low calories and high nutrients, or foods that keep you feeling satisfied. The more efficiently you eat, the more you can eat before reaching your calorie limit.
Adding just a few more power foods can make a big difference in your calorie intake and appetite.

At the top of the Power Food list are foods that contain proteins, fibers and complex carbohydrates. These foods have tons of nutrients that give you long-lasting energy without a lot of calories, all while making you feel fuller faster. However, there are power foods in every food group and plenty of options to choose from.

Grains

* whole wheat cereal
* oatmeal
* whole wheat bread, pita, bagel, pasta
* brown rice
* deli rye
* pure bran muffins
* cream of wheat
* raisin bread

Grains

* whole wheat cereal
* oatmeal
* whole wheat bread, pita, bagel, pasta
* brown rice
* deli rye
* pure bran muffins
* cream of wheat
* raisin bread

Dairy/Protein

* low fat or skim milk
* low fat yogurt
* salmon
* tuna
* chicken
* almonds
* peanuts
* walnuts and hazelnuts
* beans
* eggs

HEALTHY FOODS THAT CAN BE INCLUDED ANYWHERE

BEANS
These little guys are a major source of soluble fiber, which keeps the digestive tract moving efficiently and therefore allowing it to absorb nutrients more effectively. Fiber also lowers bad cholesterol levels in the blood. How can you use beans? Replace fatty meat with low-fat beans in some of your recipes. They will make you feel full, so you’re less likely to overeat. Add them to salad or soups. For a simple dinner idea, mix beans with brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
n addition to red kidney beans, other antioxidant champions are pinto beans,

BERRIES
Powerful antioxidants, berries help combat heart disease and cancer. Berries are filled with vitamin C, a nutrient that wards off illness and helps build up the body. And, just like beans, berries are a good source of fiber. Between strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, you’ll be doing your body a favor by tossing these into meals. Try them with your morning cereal, mixed into yogurt or smoothies, or as a low-fat ice cream topping.

TOMATOES
This amazing fruit, which we commonly call a vegetable, is easy to add to meals. No matter its classification, the fact of the matter is that tomatoes are proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers, especially those in the digestive tract, by absorbing free radicals. They provide great antioxidant protection for your body. Add to an omelet, top your salad, or toss into spaghetti sauce.
No Indian dish is complete without a seasoning of tomatoes and onions.
Want more? Make your own homemade salsa, mixing chopped tomatoes, onions and chili peppers.
People with hypertension who consumed tomato extract daily for 8 weeks experienced a 10-point drop in systolic blood pressure and a 4-point drop in diastolic pressure.
Researchers credit the lycopene in tomato extract for the potential blood-pressure-lowering effects experienced by participants in a recent study,

PEAS
Peas have a wealth of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. That should be enough motivation to eat more than just a mouthful. Sauté with other vegetables (including tomatoes) and eat over brown rice. Add peas to your chicken casseroles, soups, salads, even lasagna. Ever tried a pea soup? or a stuffing in pancakes?

CARROTS
Yet another choice that’s packed with antioxidants. Specifically, carrots contain beta-carotene, which helps promote good eye health. Of course, you can enjoy these veggies raw, and they make convenient snacks just about anywhere you go. Carrots have a pretty mild flavor, so they can also easily be incorporated into a variety of recipes; they will enhance tastes without being too overwhelming. Heat them up in your stew or soup for tonight’s dinner. Use them as soups, stuffings, salads, even juices....

calling attention to style

2007-07-27T19:32:00.000+05:30

CALLING ATTENTION TO STYLE

Luxury is being defined in new ways and that definition evolves constantly with ever-shifting demographics, socio-economics and the geopolitical climate. The definition of luxury is not only objective, but also subjective depending on the attitude of the buyer.
Statement accessories grab the limelight this season. Outsized or detail-heavy bags, bold sunglasses and bug-eyed, wide belts cinch the waist while shoes play to colourful, quirky extremes.

In terms of luxury goods, India is a booming market today…
A Versace watch, a Chanel bag, Cartier sunglasses…. The essential accoutrements to living lavishly…

In the early 1990’s, Bvlgari gave to the fashion market Bvlgari Perfume and later diversified to silk scarves, leather bags and eyeware and now to watches and fine jewellery.
It was in the early 9o’s, when watches and jewellery were given their much earned respect by the Italian fashion industry as accessories, that Gianni Versace launched his first watch collection.

WATCHES
Luxury watches are masterpieces of traditional craftsmanship. A high-end watch can have 800 or more components — many of them handmade — and hand-assembled by trained watchmakers. A standard quartz watch, in comparison, is most likely machine-made and may have only 20 components inside.
How much should you expect to pay? Depends on the watch, of course. The luxury market bottoms out at around $1,000, but many watches easily cost 30 times that. Most luxury watchmakers are Swiss, but there are a handful from other countries, including Bulgari (Italy) and Cartier (France). Considering the brand will give you a sense of history and specialty. Breitling, for example, is favored by pilots for its aeronautic designs.
Luxury watches are typically mechanical or self-wound. Luxury watches come with all sorts of bells and whistles geared to appeal to gadget geeks and sporting types. Corum's Admirals' Cup Tide 44 ($26,000) measures the force of the tide and currents, based on the current moon phase. Jaeger's Reverso line (Reverso Classique, $4,500), which allows the watch face to be flipped, was originally engineered for protection during polo matches. Sportsmen may enjoy but know they are also hefty — both in terms of price and added bulk to the watch.
Rolex's Oyster Perpetual Day/Date in white gold will set you back about $22,950. But if you want a dial with diamonds, expect to pay $25,200.
Versace has introduced a line of the 25 white and 25 pink ceramic watches with mother- of- pearl and diamonds adornments. The emerging trends, they reveal, is ceramic watches with a clear separation of movements, both quartz and digital.

WALLETS
Colorful wallets dominated 2003. For fall/winter 2003, designers like Cynthia Steffe in New York mixed modernistic silver leather with classic salt and pepper tweeds for a clean linear look. At Celine in Paris, Michael Kors used the shiny material in the form of crocodile embossed leather for great looking shoes and bags.
SILVER
Silver instantly brings to life the look and is perfectly neutral. Be it Nine West’s sexy open-toed, high-heeled pumps and sandals, DKNY’s silver-toned bracelet watches, Kenneth Cole’s or Tommy Hilfiger’s silver sunglasses. Via Spiga’s skinny silver belt or Paradox’s silver toned clutch bag in snakeskin embossed vinyl. Silver it was.
BAGS
In the Victorian era, it was fashionable to use steel beads cut from metal rods to decorate handbags. These beads could be embroidered in beautiful and intricate patterns to make bags very individualist. Hardware details like zippers and buckles were used.
Animal skin bags were popular in the 1940's with alligator, lizard, and even turtle being the skin of choice for women who led the fine life..
However, bags this year take on a patent lustre with heavy embellishments like beads, sequins, chains, metal and stones on metallic leather and fabric bases.
A Mulberry leather Bethany bag is around £350 and a Mulberry Roxanne is £595 or over $1000. A Marc Jacobs luxury leather Tote bag costs even more at £795/$1150 or Hogan's leather-and-goat-fur bag ($845.
The demand for a Hermes Birkin bag has reached such heights that
similar crocodile-skin models were offered in the US for $80,000.
Invest in a classic, quilted Chanel or the latest Marc Jacob’s bag with quieter, duller hardware. Other options are Louis Vuittons’ monogrammed Speedy bag, Balenciaga's suede shopper, or Coach's patchwork hobo.

JEWELLERY
Vintage jewellery has made a dramatic comeback as top designers featured vintage jewelry from the early 1940s and 50s in their fall 2004 collections. The catwalks of New York featured the fall trend. The Perry Ellis collection showed jackets adorned with jewellery from the 50s and 60s.
Body jewellery whipped up a storm, giving it a sophisticated look by way of sparkly tattoos in 2002. Charm bracelets followed in 2003, making it a must-have accessory.
Italian fashion lends a new meaning to innovative elegance with bracelets getting adventurous as class meets fusion with pearls, metal and cloth being used on bamboo in 2006.
Tribal art, geometrics and animal motifs set in silver and platinum using embellishments like precious stones and rope dictate a strong return to the earthy primitive ages as most international brands take to it.
Sparkling, shimmering, glitzy details are getting bigger in rings as precious stones get their place of pride in platinum and silver with the rocks too getting larger. For the male, the ring has graduated from holding traditional significance as youngsters flaunt funky thumb rings in different styles and patterns. The haute couture fashion is of wearing these rings virtually in all fingers. Black metal thumb rings are price friendly and are chic look. Guys normally prefer going in for single color rings
Over the years men's fashion bracelet has made quite an impression. These accessories bracelets for men come up in distinct metal types like gold, silver, platinum, titanium, pearl, swaroskvi crystal and diamond. Elegant and subdued, these, alongwith men cuff bracelets look urbane.
Nose rings deserve a special mention as the hottest piece of jewellery. Simple gold and silver rings that go both with the young, chic and traditional look. Cartier’s necklace, composed of a precious pink sapphire of 20.35 carats, several sapphires, colourful diamonds and natural pearls was valued at 36.41 million yuan (US$4.4 million).
The Bulgari classic, the chunky coin necklace that made its debut over 25 years ago, is more of-the-moment than ever. Coin motifs were also spotted dripping off tops at Lanvin, dangling from belts at Chanel and decorating bikinis at Versace.

Brooches, pins and buttons are everywhere. not only on your coat or jacket but also on your bag, on your belt, on your hat. Agatha's dragonfly, Banana Republic's star burst, and Pono's jeweled butterfly are happening.

SHOES
By the mid 1950s pointed toe shoes called winkle pickers with stiletto heels up to 5 inches were a common sight. There is no doubt that the trademark of the fifties was the stiletto heeled shoe, first seen in 1952 at a Dior fashion show. Suede boots come in in rich brown, leather boots in metallic effect with chocolate, bronze, copper or pewter tones. Skin textures such as pony skin are also available. Flat boots, heeled boots, wedge boots are all out there.
Walk high or low this summer, go for pretty-bejewelled flats or towering wedges. Try a splashy print on the heel, a bit of sparkle on the strap or even bold hardware to add zing to every possible accessory. Punk inspired hardware, slingbacks with the use of more metallics dominate 2003. From easy-to-wear boots that take their influence from the riding school, to sparkling sky-high sandals and shoes, footwear brought in a lot of character to ’04.
Colors got brighter (peacock-embroidered at Prada) and heels got higher (gravity-defying at Gucci). But the most modern take on this classic shoe shape is the subtle luxury of exotic skins. If you are an uptown lady, go for alligator. Versace’s glamorous ostrich stiletto pump and Roberto Cavallis’ stunning lizard heels are noteworthy skins to try.
The most expensive pair of shoes this year are Manolo Blahnik's alligator boots, which retail at $14.000 (£ 9.500)
Women love to shop. According to a survey women spend up to three years of their lives shopping and spend an average of £31,680 each on shoes and £15,840 on belts, hats, jewellery and bags.

PERFUMES/COLOGNES
A classic creator of perfumes with formulations abundant in flowers, Givenchy now conceives a world first with its Vintage Fragrances. Its perfumes for women have been exalted by a flower whose 2005 harvest is remarkable for its outstanding scent.
When it comes to accessorizing wardrobe, designer scents for guys occupy a supreme position. Perfumes for men speak about his attitude and defines a fashion statement for him. The market is flooded with a variety of cologne man perfumes.
Cologne perfumes have a higher concentration of alcohol. The terms 'perfume' and 'cologne' are often considered to be synonymous. But in reality they are different and the basic differentiation lies in the ratio of alcohol water base. When compared to colognes, perfumes are on a higher side in terms of essential oils. Also their fragrance retains for a long time and is more effective and prominent.
Prestigious fragrances are more of a status symbol indicative of richness and royalty.
Cartier’s “Le Baiser du Dragon is a fusion of powerful elements including notes of bitter almond, gardenia, cedar, musk, and patchouli with the bottle being an architectural masterpiece; a tasteful blend of exotic Chinese culture and modern Art Deco form. At $83,170.00, it is the world's most expensive perfume. The fragrance, created by renowned British perfumer Arthur Burnham, is held in a 4 inch bottle made in platinum, 24 carat gold, diamonds and rubies. Encasing the bottle in a very special box constructed by Rolls Royce coach builders, locked with a gold and jewel studded key,is called Parfum VI. Only 173 have been made so far.
Created for Jean Patou by Henri Alméras, the cost of the raw materials going into Joy was considered to be ridiculously expensive, involving 10600 flowers and 28 dozen roses — 10 percent Bulgarian Rose and Jasmine. As a result, Joy retained for about three times what most perfumes cost. It remains outrageously costly today.

SUNGLASSES
Titanium is a big hit among sportsmen and is an epitome of style and comfort. Even if you try crushing, molding or bending it, it will take back its original form. When it comes to styling old designs like Aviator and double brow-bar are back again in fashion but with a makeover to suit the contemporary times. Today eyewear of different shapes and sizes are hitting the optical shops with Armani, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Fendi and Bausch and Lomb ruling.
Bvlgari’s Swarowski crystals shimmer from the frames, provided as wraparound or in a more contemporary style
The 360º designed by Christian Roth and Eric Domège is a favourite with Madonna. Its mask does not hide the face but defends it, offering the highest protection from uv rays in a design that shields. Big and glamorous, the strength and lightness of the titanium frame make this creation more modern than retro, future-facing, not vintage.

BELTS
Casual Belts are wider than dressy belts and usually come up in pleasant light colors while formal belts have a very shiny finish.
Three hot shades among men are black, brown and tan. Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are the brands famous in types of colored Canvas belts. Leather belts are hot and happening and go well with your funky designer apparels.
Belts differ in their price range because of the material type used in its making. Calfskin finds place on shiny dressy belts. For the highly fashion conscious and bold men, there is an exotic variety of Ostrich leather belt which are unique of its kind. While the Lizard skin belt, is considered a privilege only of the rich.

HATS
Hats added the final touch to a woman or girl's outfit particularly in the early fifties.
In the mid fifties glorious hat styles covered less in plumage and more in floral blooms appeared. Some designs consisted solely of bomb like shapes covered with flower petals, almost like a more full blown version of the swimming cap above. Later hats consisted of folds of tulle, organza, nets or swirls of georgette.
Generally hats began to lose favour in the early sixties as they were unsuitable for the new hairstyles. Summer 2005 brought in romantic cloche hats, big 'ladylike' hats that remind us of the late sixties and the seventies, sportive hats and hats with feathers...using fabrics like leather, jute and fur matching either one of the looks - bohemian, nautical, safari.
Beaver fur because it makes a hat lighter and thinner, yet holds its shape. Apparently $1,000 is a fair price to pay for a quality lid.
Actress Alicia Witt modelled the most expensive hat ever made, the $2,700,000 Champrau d'Amour, by celebrity couture hat designer Louis Mariette, at Christies in London. The hat is covered entirely in dazzling diamonds and inspired by entwined ivy and bluebells.

TIES
The best ties are made in Italy, mainly in a city north of Milan, called Como. Zegna, Armani, Ferragamo, Burberry, Krizia, Gucci, Raffaello Excellence reeked of reliability while ties that have more character are the ones by Versace, Cavalli and Fornasetti .
You have plain or polka knitted claret ties from New& Lingwood.
The six fold ties by Segni & Disegni are pure silk jaquard woven ties. Completely handmade by folding the fabric six times.

The Sterling Silver English made cufflinks are a result of the specialist, rare and highly skilled handwork of Vitreous Enamelling also known as hard enamel. Scarves in wool, cashmere, wool and silk and twill silk by Roberto Cavialli are priced beteen $50 - $200.

Cashmina and Pashmina shawls are being used in shawls, scarves and mufflers.designer scarves, stoles and warm mufflers.
Fur trimmings abounded and adorned collars and cuffs as well as being made into brooches. Stoles were worn on every occasion; they too could be of fur, but were just as likely to be of lace or a silky fabric.

CUFFLINKS
Originally, cuff links were created as a Renaissance fashion piece.
In stones, enamels, crystals, silver and wood, pearls, gold, metal and silk knot cufflinks,
One of the most expensive pairs of cuff links, sold at auction for $440,000.00 in 1987 and was a gift from Wallis Simpson to Edward, the soon-to-be- King of England. The platinum cuff links were set with diamond baguettes forming the letters E and W. Tiffany cufflinks will most likely set you back more than $200.
GLOVES
Gloves were worn everywhere in the 1950s and completed a woman's grooming. Without gloves she was not properly accessorised. Clean gloves were also the hallmark of a lady and white or cream were the most favoured gloves. Banana Republic's ivory gloves with shearling trim ($78; bananarepublic.com) are refined but festive and will make you feel like Holly Golightly. Louis Vuitton’s long leather gloves made from the softest supple calf-leather, the ultra long glove screams
L-U-X-U-R-Y!

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A MEASURE OF STYLE - PART 2

2007-07-27T19:29:00.000+05:30

THE 1930'S
saw Hollywood setting standards for beauty, and every movie idol wants to have their look tailor-made by Max Factor, celebrity make-up artist.. Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein also establish popular cosmetic ranges. For the first time, branded cosmetics become a luxury.
World War II has a dramatic effect on women's position in society. Max Factor introduces stocking cream in response to shortages. Make-up fulfils an important role as an instant feminiser and affordable morale booster, and is even produced in shades to match air-raid shelters and gas masks. Red lipstick is seen as a symbol of patriotism, as women defy hardship by maintaining their appearance.

THE 1950's
An explosion of colour - in everything from films to décor to fashion and make-up, epitomises post-war optimism. A boom in the luxury beauty industry - led by Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein - ensues. Avon begins the door-to-door cosmetics routine that is the bored housewives' best friend for the next 20 years.
Brigette Bardots’ dark smouldering eyes and Marilyn Monroe look is in.

THE 1960's
The ‘Cleopatra look’ is borrowed from Elizabeth Taylor where kohl pencil lines are dramatically extended. The emphasis remains on the eyes, with false eyelashes being cited as a must-have item by fashion pioneer Mary Quant, whose hair is fashioned into the revolutionary five-point 'bob' by Vidal Sassoon.

THE 1970's
The hippie look is clearly defined as make-up gets sexy and casually messy. Major cosmetics companies continue to ignore the need for a beauty range suited to darker skins.
Eyes were emphasised with black and sometimes cat like eye make up.
The no make up look of the early to mid 70's was increasingly replaced with heightened artificiality. Models had pale skin and deep red lips. The innocent doe eyed look was gone. Fashion had come a full circle.
Disco, bellbottoms, polyester and thick eyebrows characterized the seventies with icons Farrah Fawcett and Robert Redford both receiving 70 percent of the facial plastic surgeon votes. "The seventies embodied leading ladies who had defined features like Meryl Streep and Cher," said Pearlman. "But Farrah Fawcett's delicate nose and chin and well-developed cheek bones gave her the face of this decade, while Robert Redford's nose and strong jaw line illustrated why he was selected."

THE 1980's
Vanity is celebrated and decadent. Expertly applied make-up heightens the term ‘luxury’ to the woman and luxury beauty buys gain popularity. The 'Princess Di' hairstyle introduces the common man to the term ‘luxury’.
Product use in movies and television programs, especially sitcoms and soap operas, such as the “American Gigolo”, which was a showcase of Armani designs and contributed to the global appeal of the brand.

THE 1990's
Consumers become increasingly sophisticated. The battle to rid the body of cellulite with expensive creams and body-toners dominates, while the growing interest in celebrity looks sees top make-up artists such as Bobbi Brown launching highly successful independent ranges. Meanwhile, Isabella Rossellini, famously dumped by Lancome for being too old at 43, launches her own Manifesto range, designed to suit women of all ages.
The launch of Calvin Klein’s CK One in 1993 provided the symbol of a unisex fragrance that revolutionised the fragrance market. The scent appealed to both male and female and was an instant success.

Into the 21st Century
The anti-ageing cream becomes king. Quick-fix treatments, such as collagen lip implants and 'Botox', facial skin peels and electric wave therapy, are increasingly popular.

THE 2000

THE LOOK- RICH, REBELLIOUS AND SERIOUSLY SEXY
Smouldering eyes with lashes getting longer and sexier. Lots of liquid eyeliner. Natural toned shades in brown, plums, grays for the eyes. Thicker eyebrows. Blusher is natural mainly to draw attention to either stronger lips or eyes. Berries, Wines, and Browns seem to dominate in lipstick. The ’punk-chic’ look of the 80’s is back.
Nails take a new twist. Something that was rather slow to take off but which seems to be catching on is the inverted French manicure - pale nails with dark tips, or the more glamorous deep red with gold tips.
Hair is exciting and free - longer, full shaggy looks accented by soft perms and body waves. Color is softer and less adventurous. We step away from geometric shapes to more carefree, less structured styles shoulder length for both men and women.
Fresh, clean fragrances are popular, nothing overpowering. Fracas by Robert Piguet. Favoured by John Galliano, Joan Collins & Madonna
Mystic Tan becomes the official UV-Free tan of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

2001
THE LOOK – SENSUOUS APPEAL
Shorter, layered "messy" hair. More are coloring their hair, and highlights are still the rage! Makeup is darker eyes, with brighter lip colors. The Farrah Faucett look of the mid-70's is back. Women here are going for less perms and a more natural look. The makeup is the glittery and shimmery -- especially the silvers. Also, the three-layer look is "in" here, with the lightest shadow for the brow bone, the dark in the crease and under the lower lashes, with the medium color on the lid. Lipsticks are glossy colors.
Acrylic nails are the big thing here too!

2oo2

THE LOOK – BOHEMIAN CHICA
Its either the smoky sexy look, using colors ranging from a sooty black to lavender. Or... it is natural. This consists of neutrals to contour the eye ,with loads of black mascara. Blusher is natural and the focus is either on the mouth or the eye, never both. Colors are pretty intense, ranging from burgundy to berry tones for the mouth. For the neutral look, go for glosses.
Long bangs are still popular - either long, layered or wispy. Shoulder length, loose and sexy hair with lots of swing is how it is.
Its fresh florals to exotic spices in fragrances - an eclectic mix .
2002 and 2003 ushered in luxury in styling. Celebrity endorsements became imperative for luxury brands. Chanel appointed Nicole Kidman as the face of the legendary perfume No.5.
Cosmetic surgery becomes mainstream luxury now.

2003

THE LOOK – VENUS RISING

Soft shimmery pastels rule while pinks, lilacs, peaches and browns dominate every aspect. Heavily inked eyes as black eyeliner with the 60’s influenced thick line match up with nude lips swiped with gloss. Red lips with a nice touch of shine are the emphasis with this look. Everything else is toned down.
Dusky, smoky, lined eyes, purple shades of shadow bronze cheeks tell a story of their own. Sexy, pretty and feminine. Matt, bronzed skin - sheer, light foundation.
Flat hair is out while the shag of the late 60’s is the rage- with choppy layers and sexy bangs, a little longer with softer edges and a chunkier look around the perimeter.
Square nails are replaced with a squared-oval with pale colors to make them look longer.
It's Indecence by Givenchy for that warm and sensual fragrance.

2004

THE LOOK- TEQUILA SUNRISE
Gently shimmering make-up adds glimmer without the full-on spangle of glitter. Brightly colored eyeshadow.
Lips aren’t a major focus this summer but the mouth goes deep pink
Join the marines with the season's aqua make-up shades in deep blues and light mints. The fake tan is less orange and more natural than ever before.
Going tropical is the brightest beauty trends for summer. Blend juicy orange with grenadine shades.
Interesting reds, browns, coffee colors are hot this season as 2004 is the year of the brunette. Big bouncing hair is in. Blonde seems out.
Tousled and tantalizing. Casual messy. Curls undone.
The season's obsession with flowers translated into hair corsages.
Casual curls were in while the men opted for poker straight hair.
Cacharel's Anais Anais, the ultimate floral scent, is back too.

2005

THE LOOK- THE LOVE GLOW

With clothes taking on a colorful embellished mix, make-up was subtle and quiet. Long flirty lashes, sultry eyes with a pulled out liner, slightly smoked out eyes in black, grey and browns. Very Marilyn Monroe and Brigette Bardot –casual and easy flowing, worn simply with a pale, golden tan. Pouts wore a soft sunset tones or a colorless gloss. A soft pink blusher completed the look of love.
The essential school girl accessory- the band, is back with a vengeance - be it huge and padded or thin, plastic and shiny.
Hair color is big while tone-to-tone highlights work, if at all. The lift is back with more volume.
Creed Silver's Mountain water, a unisex fragrance inspired by the French mountains creates magic.

2006

THE LOOK- CALL OF THE WILD

Arrogant and powerful… oozing attitude… Flirty eye lashes, dramatic eyeliner and red hot lips. The sultry cat like eyes with a pulled out liner, colored kajals in blues, purples and greens and a nude gloss. Bronzers are substituted with dark foundation for a tan.
Light bases, glowing skins with iridescent powders.Pouts get pooched with glossy pinks, vanilla and plums while the Oriental look ushers in the dramatic richness that only reds and dark peaches can.

Face-framing layers in this year. People are adventurous enough to add short and long layers to get that edgy look. Hair colour is ash gold for streaks and chocolate brown for full hair. Accessories make a comeback with headbands in combination with shorter bob styles to hold back the hair for a professional look, and to add a little glitz to the style. Barrettes and combs also make a splash to add some versatility.
For men, the slightly longish very shagged look takes on as does short hair with spikes and jagged fronts. Burgundy, purple, reds and platinum blondes a rage. Trends change from just a head of highlights all over to just flashes of color at the right places to emphasize the style. The salt and pepper look and just a few flashes of copper and blonde for men would also be a rage.
Nails now sport a curved, oval shape.

By Invitation only

Beauty is yet another name for luxury and opulence. Products therefore are getting more expensive by the day.
Primavera Relax Bath Oil is the most expensive oil costing $20.00 while Serums or moisturizers are typically the most expensive products within a skincare line.

Olay Age-Defying Daily Renewal Cream, which typically sells for around $5 per ounce (more expensive than caviar). Given the whopping amounts of money that people are willing to spend fighting the effects of aging, it should come as no surprise that haute couture skincare isn't cheap.

So what makes these products so expensive? For one thing, many of them are made from expensive ingredients such as crushed pearls, caviar and exotic antioxidants extracted from rare plants like the Chilean evergreen tree. Other popular components are anti-oxidants like grape seed extract, alpha lipoic acid, chamomile oils and green tea--protectants that are said to reduce skin damage from free radicals. Among the most important ingredients are customized cell messenger proteins such as peptides and epidermal growth factor that stimulate cell growth.

Celebrities like Madonna, Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon swear by Tracie Martyn's products--and her $460 Resculpting Facial which involves the use of a special device that delivers electrical currents. The currents cause temporary muscle shortening, and have the effect of lifting and tightening the skin.

Dior Eyes is the first contact lense to be released by a luxury company.
The French brand has come up with two sets of contact lenses designed by John Galliano. These innovative contact lenses don't change eye colours, but rather enhance them with a special technical process exclusive to Dior. Each pair will last for a maximum of two months. The lenses are available in a silver box with a sliding case and mirror or in a pret-a-porter silver box.
While Cosmetic surgery procedures are common, it still continues to be a privilege of the super rich. A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa.
There has been an increase in number of celebrity endorsements for beauty establishing luxury in beauty. Italian luxury brand Versace has used music icon Madonna and Hollywood stars Demi Moore and Halle Berry in its print advertisements between 2005 and 2006. Likewise Sharon Stone in Dior and Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor for Elizabeth Arden, Scarlett Johansson, and Uma Thurman in Vuitton ads.
Cartier’s “Le Baiser du Dragon is a fusion of powerful elements including notes of bitter almond, gardenia, cedar, musk, and patchouli with the bottle being an architectural masterpiece. At $83,170.00, it is the world's most expensive perfume. The fragrance, created by renowned British perfumer Arthur Burnham, is held in a 4 inch bottle made in platinum, 24 carat gold, diamonds and rubies. Encasing the bottle in a very special box constructed by Rolls Royce coach builders, locked with a gold and jewel studded key, is called Parfum VI.

music trivia

2007-07-27T15:50:00.000+05:30

MUSIC TRIVIA

THE YEAR 1965

Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s Lootera has the hits, ‘Raat se kaho ruke zara...’, and ‘Neend nigahon se kho jaati hai...’

The numero uno composers, Shanker-Jaikishan have split and S-J are composing separately under the famous baton.
Jaikishan charges a mind-boggling Rs 5 lakhs for composing Ramanand Sagar’s ARZOO. ARZOO has hits‘Ae phoolon ki rani..’ (mischievously reworked from Naushad’s ‘Hameen se mohabbat...’ in Leader), ‘Bedardi baalma tujhko...’, ‘Aji rooth kar...’, and ‘Chhalke teri ankhon se...’. Ramanand Sagar then calls Shankar to compose the mujra, ‘Jab ishq kahin ho jaata hai...’ and reveals that he has to pay the same amount for just one song!
S-J’s GUMNAAM features the cult Mehmood hit by Rafi, ‘Hum kaale hain to kya hua dilwale hain...’. Lata’s haunting title-track, Rafi’s ‘Jaan pehchaan ho...’ and Lata’s ‘Is duniya mein jeena hai to...’ are the other hits of this thriller.
JAANWAR finds another S-J-Shammi Kapoor winner with perennials like ‘Lal chhadi maidaan khadi...’, ‘Meri mohabbat jawaan rahegi...’, ‘tumse accha kaun hai...’ and ‘Mere sang aaa gungunaa...’.
Anil Biswas composes his swan song (‘Chhoti chhoti baatein...’) with Shailendra as his lyricist, and quits films to move to Delhi and join All India Radio.

Maestro SD Burman gives one of his career-greatest scores in GUIDE and sings the memorable ‘Wahaan kaun hai tera...’. His ‘Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai...’ begins with the antara, and is created, recorded and sent by Dada to the Anand brothers with the assurance “I will send you a song that the world will remember”.
‘Din dhal jaaye...’, ‘Kya se kya ho gaya...’ and ‘Tere mere sapne...’ are the three Rafi gems that he creates for posterity, while ‘Gaata rahe mera dil...’, ‘Mose chhal kiye jaaye...’, ‘Piya tose naina laage re...’ and ‘Allah megh de...’ create history clearly displaying his expertise in both classical music and folk music and expertly blending the two.
Dada’s other winner that year is TEEN DEVIYAAN. Majrooh spills the beans
and reveals that assistant Jaidev composed the basic tune of ‘Kahin bekhayaal hokar...’, but Dada also creates wonders like ‘Arey yaar mere tum bhi ho gazab...’, ‘Aise to na dekho...’, ‘Likha hai teri aankhon mein...’ and ‘Khwaab ho tum...’.

Roshan’s BHEEGI RAAT is melody revisiting, ‘Dil jo na keh sakaa...’ is in different Lata and Rafi versions, while Neeraj, the poet extraordinaire, steps into the limelight with ‘Kaarvaan guzar gaya...’ and ‘Dekhti hi raho aaj darpan na tum...’ in Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal.

Khayyam’s intoxicating Suman-Rafi duet, ‘Thehriye hosh mein aa loon...’in MOHABBAT ISKO KEHTE HAIN, Salil Choudhury’s ’spiritual Lata hit ‘Tujh bin jiya udaas re...’ and veteran Hansraj Behl’s last hit ‘Jahaan daal daal par sone ki chidiya...’ in SIKANDAR-E-AZAM endure to this day.
Madan Mohan’s NEELA AKASH is remembered for ‘Aap ko pyar chhupane ki...’. In RISHTE NAATE, Lata Mangeshkar is the only singer— a feat he again achieves in PRABHAAT eight years later.

Chitragupta delivers memorabilia like ‘Jaag dil-e-diwana...’, ‘Aaja re mere pyar ke raahi...’, ‘Haaye re tere chanchal nainwa...’ (OONCHE LOG), ‘Bahut haseen hai tumhari ankhen...’ (AADHI RAAT KE BAAD) and ‘Mujhe dard-e-dil ka pataa...’ (AKASH DEEP). In the last film, he composes the awesome Lata solo, ‘Dil ka diya jalaake gaya...’. Usha Khanna’s EK SAPERA EK LOOTERA is marked by the immortal Rafi solo ‘Hum tum se juda hoke...’.

TRIVIA

2007-07-26T23:54:00.000+05:30

TRIVIA

In 1904, a perfumed lip salve would have cost you 25 cents and would've been packaged in an aluminum case. By 1908, it was okay for women to apply lipstick at the table during lunch at a restaurant. It was not okay to apply lipstick at dinner!
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Did you know that fish scales were once used to give your lipstick that frosty appearance?

THE FIFTIES

Cosmetics became a necessity to every woman during this decade and there was lots to choose from.
Hazel Bishop invents the first indelible lipstick during the 1950's.

Throwaway lipstick cases introduced.

Ava Gardner endorses "Max Factor's Cream Puff Pressed Powder"

Young women craving a little of the magic of Paris, saved their pennies to buy a bottle of Evening in Paris during this decade. It was re-released in 1990, rather unsuccessfully. For some reason, it did not seem to have the same scent that women remembered.
Estee Lauder released Youth Dew to woman during the 50's. Because women did not buy fragrances for themselves, Lauder formulated the scent into bath oil and lotion.
Max Factor introduces the first cream concealer. Lipsticks and eye shadows were soon to follow. Titanium was later added to tone down the brightness of the shades, leading to softer shades

A MEASURE OF STYLE - Part 1

2007-07-26T23:51:00.001+05:30

Vibrant, rebellious, at times stylishly tantalising, fiery….often gently flirtatious. Be it wide eyed innocence or a quiet sexy impudence… the look has said it all. From sharply, arched brows and a heavily glossed pout to the deep allure of the exotic fragrance. The verdict is out… never before has beauty been more luxuriously packaged.

THE 1900’S
Though make-up is a taboo in Victorian society, extravagant hair arrangements are, however, considered very attractive. French hairdresser Marcel Grateau introduces his famous wave, designed to make the hair look like a rippling sheet of silk. Cologne is accepted as a healthy adornment for the senses, though vanity is frowned upon. The decision of Selfridges in London to sell powder and rouge openly proves hugely popular with women as they fight for the right to look as they please and wear red lipstick as a symbol of feminine defiance.

THE 1920's
Liberated for the first time, stylish women begin plucking their eyebrows and wearing kohl around the eyes. Applying the new twist-up lipstick in public is the ultimate fashion statement. Coco Chanel establishes the must-have beauty accessory of the century - the tan.