Fashion and You:Indulge Yourself

Fashion and You:Indulge Yourself

United Colors Of Benetton Presentation

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United Colors Of Benetton Presentation

New 'NEWS' Media

New means of communications have emerged in the past few years and are making great strides in the world of communication today. Internet has become the strongest tool in the hands of Indian NEWS media industry these days and the trend it to elevate. Presentation below explores what all is going in this sphere.

New 'News' Media.

Road trip to Rajasthan

Standing tall!

That's d way!

Space!

the loner!

where to go?

meeting horizon

in between

Celebrating Delhi from 18th – 23rd September, 2010

In the season of festivals and refreshing rains, the moods of people around the city are on high. Everyone seems to enjoy the festivities. Taking the opportunity of this setting, Department of Art, Culture and Languages is celebrating the aesthetics and culture of the capital with Jashn-e-Dilli from 18^th - 23^rd September, 2010 at Ansari Auditorium, Jamia Milia Islamia.

'Ghalib' starring Tom Alter

The festival will open with two-day long play on ‘Ghalib’ presented by Pierrot’s Troupe presentation; starring Tom Alter. On 20^th & 21^st September, IPTA (Indian People’s Theatre Association) will showcase ‘Kaifi aur Main’ starring ‘Javed Akhtar’ and ‘Shaban Azmi’. The play is written by ‘Javed Akhtar’ and directed by ‘Ramesh Talwar’.  On last two days of the event i.e. 22^nd & 23^rd September, ‘Eidgah’ will be staged starring Neeta Mohindra. All the plays will be showcased after 7pm everyday. 

'Kaifi aur Main' starring Shabana Azmi

Delhi has a rich mix of cultures, traditions, beliefs and languages. Hindi and English mixed with Urdu make it stand on a different platform when it comes to vocal culture of Delhi. Various hues and tones of Delhi will be presented in this six day long festival. Passes will be available from 17^th September, 2010.  

Copyrighting Bikaneri Bhujiya or Goan Feni ....local brands are getting conscious

We Indians are now getting aware of our rights over our properties. After the patenting of Basmati by US firm RiceTec Inc, we have learnt a good lesson and are claiming rights over our intellectual properties. The Registrar of Geographical Indications (GI) has accepted claims by more products, calamining rights over the products for local prestige. Getting GI tag ensures that none other than those are registered, authorized producer of a particular product. 

Darjeeling Tea, the first brand to get a GI tag

The products like Bikaneri Bujiya from Rajasthan, Guntur Sannam chilli,  Hyderabadi haleem, Mahabaleshwar strawberry, Paithani sarees from Maharashtra, Kinnauri shawl from Himachal Pradesh, Kasaragod sarees are claiming GI tags. 

Bikaneri Bhujiya

Madhubani paintings

The first product to get a GI tag was Darjeeling tea. The next to follow was the aranmula kannadi from Kerela ( a mirror of highly polished metal). The list then follows Mysore sandalwood oil, Madhubani paintings, Thanjavur paintings, Konark stone carving, Jaipur's blue pottery, Laxman Bhog mango of West Bengal, Kashmir's pashmina, Tirupati's laddu and Goan feni. 

Kashmiri Pashmina

It is encouraging to see that we are aware of our copyrights and are aware of rightful claims of our manufactured products. This helps the preservation and promotion of local traditions and helps to build a brand. It also ensures that one gets the credit of what one is producing. 

From yester years....

The new millennium is just nine years old and we have already witnessed recession and a boom. Almost everything has changed and some of it beyond expectations. Internet, mobiles, multiplexes, and media, the entire lot has changed us completely as customers. With time everything turns old and is replaced by something new. Last decade has left behind some of those usable items which were so new and innovative few years back.

The photo film market was booming in 1999, with 10 million films bought as Indians took to photography. The digital camera was almost non-existent at that time and only 30,000 units were sold in 2001-02, within three years and in 2009 sales are expected to grow 1 million units. Film role consumption has been declining in same measure.

Same goes with Greeting Cards–Rs 200 crore industry has shrunk to Rs 75 crore over a decade. With introduction of e-mails, SMS’s, the need for buying and sending greeting cards has reduced when messages can be sent in a click and free of cost. Floppy Disk shares the same story of rejection. A device on which one can carry files, photographs and even songs from one place to another was regarded as ground breaking discovery. People used to flaunt those colorful floppies till CD’s and then pen drives come into play.

Life moves on and so does things we use. What used to be fresh and innovative yesterday is old and obsolete today. Exciting would be to know the replacements of innovatives of today. 

Child labour in TV serials!!

Check out this presentation....sorry for posting it on a gap on one post. Hope you like it.

Ganpati Bappa Moriyaa!

Festival season in India has come and is here to stay for a time now. After celebrating Krishna Janashtmi with fervor and devotion, now arrives Lord Ganesha! It is believed and practiced that all prayers to God must start with Ganesha Stuti as he is the bestower of goodwill and benevolence. In many parts of the country, Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavathi. 

It is celebrated in honors of the birth of elephant-headed God Lord Ganesha with great joy and passion for 10 days. Lord Ganesh is worshipped as god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. The festival touches its height in state of Maharashtra where people chant 'ganpati bappa moriya, agle baras tu jaldi aa' while dipping the idols in lakes, rivers and sea on the 10th day. 

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on 11th September, 2010. The same day world will celebrate another great festival of Eid. Both the festivals will be celebrated with equal enthusiasm and respect in India. The festival season in India proves its secular religion of Unity in Diversity. All religions in the world preach peace and brotherhood.     

Glamorized version of Child Labour!

Tick..tockk...tickk...the clock strikes 8 and lakhs of Indian homes hook on to TV for their evening entertainment starting with Balika Vadhu...everyone sympathize with the on screen bride Anandi, and the groom, Jadgdish, for getting married at such a tender age. BUT how many of us come out of that reel world and think about reality of these children who are working at such a tender age! Indeed, reel life is different from real life! It's not as glamorous to work as it appears.

It is not only about Balika Vadhu, there are many children who are working in Indian TV industry..kids in Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah chashmah, Jhansi ki Rani, dozens of reality shows like Chak dhoom Dhoom, Dance India Dance, Little Champions, judging the singing and dancing talents of children - how real these reality shows are?

Whichever channel one surfs, one can find cute kids loaded with kilos of make-up, decorated in costumes, speaking long emotional sentences which even they do not understand. This magnetic abusing need to be stopped otherwise these kids would lose their innocence and angelic purity. 

Is this not a colorful version of child labour in contrast to what black & white we know about this problem! Who is responsible for this - parents, who push their kids to earn name, fame and money for the family, children themselves, or we as viewers who like them so much that do not bother to think even once about the conditions in which they work.

This trend is elevating and is a serious issue to be discussed and thought upon. Though there would be counter arguments too, as these children are conditioned by their parents to take this as a "hobby" and not their way to earn bread and butter. Parents need to understand that prolonged exposure to make-up, lights and attention (by relatives, other children, and teachers) would affect their physical, social, mental and emotional health.     

This magnetic version of child labour, which attracts parents and children to get abused themselves need to be understood and tackled very carefully. If one look into the law books and the acts made by Indian government, The Child Labour Act of 1986 clearly defines that children working under the age of 14 are termed as child workers. And most of the children working are under 14 years of age. 

Also, The Convention on the Right of the Child as laid down by UNICEF, defines four basic rights for children i.e. Right to Participation, Right to survive, Right to Development and Right to protection. These kids though earn huge amount of money and fame but are deprived of their basic rights! THIS IS THE REALITY OF INDIAN TELEVISION THESE DAYS!!  

However, in order to put some kind of regulation, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has proposed certain guidelines in order to protect these kids from further abuse. The guidelines covers the area related to working hours, kind of content, working conditions, physical development, and educational requirements of children.

In a country like India, where people do not think even once before breaking a law, proposing guidelines and perceiving a happy paradise is not a sane thing to do. It is a new threat emerging and we must prevent it from becoming a problem for us. 

We are Family: Will India like it?

‘We are Family’ is an official remake of Hollywood film ‘Stepmom’, starring Kajol, Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor. It will be interesting to find whether India will like it or it will meet the similar fate as ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’, latter also produced by Dharma Productions. Will the film be able to match up with Indian audience who are still strong in their roots of an undivided family? Will Indian audience accept it or the film will meet the step-motherly treatment?

The story revolves around family,in an unusual situation as the promos define it , with conflict between two moms, Maya (Kajol), divorced family oriented woman raising her children alone after her husband, Aman (Arjun Rampal) leaves her for Shreya (Kareena), the complete career woman. Film expects one to go on an emotional trip, when Maya realises that she has very little time left for her.

With huge star cast and big banner film might succeed in getting audience to the cinema halls but will it get acceptance among audience. With Hollywood films coming right away in homes through movie channels, it would be fascinating to see the reactions of those react who have already seen the original flick. There is also confusion about the target audience of film. Urban youth, by all means have access to the original one, so why will they spend on the remake. Those in sub-urbans might go on for a trip following the star cast but will they be able to match the mindset of the film? Something to watch out for!

Defining Media

Media in a layman's term is a group of organisations that provide news, information and entertainment. Organisations of Electronic communication (T.V, Radio and Internet) and print publications (Newspapers and Magazines) are the synonyms of media for us. But while giving these definitions, do we hold ourselves and think what actually media means? Grammatically, media is a plural of medium.  And medium is channel, which is used for transferring information or data.

In commumication theories, it is also reffered as a medium which transferes messages. It can be either in form of sender or receiver.There are many points that one tends to forget while defining the term. The most common error is that the term is used as a singular collective term for 'communication medium'. This is something that we all do in our daily lives while taking or discuuing about the electronic news channels or print prublications or web versions of these undertakings. But somehow this has become an accepted norm.

When one studies about media, he/she tends to analyse about its nature, the effect of its content on audience, the changing relationship between content producers and consumers, rules and regulations governing it, ethics, principles to be followed my organisations and people working in it and its evolution through time. 

Krishna Janmohtsav!

Krishna Janamashti is a week away and Delhi has started preparations for celebrating the Krishna janam divas. Last  week witnessed ‘Raksha Bandhan’, which portrays the strong roots of our great Indian families. Come August-September, and the country start preparing itself for months of festivals which start with ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and ends on ‘Diwali’.

While Diwali is the festival which celebrates the homecoming of Lord Rama, Janamashtmi celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Temples across the country celebrates the festival with grandeur and poise. The actual celebrations start at 12 midnight, when lord made his divine appearance. Prayers, fasts, devotional songs and many other rituals are performed to mark his birth on Earth. Celebrations in Dwarka, Mathura, Vrindavan and Gokula are high in its festivities and devotional mood reaches its peak.

Maharashtra celebrates Janamashtmi with Dahi Handi where earthen pot containing butter and milk is elevated on to a height and the groups of young men tries to break it by making pyramids while people across yells ‘govinda alaa re’. Krishna utsav also inspires artists to paint their canvas with colors of devotion and fondness. Painters paint their imaginations while other artists perform the Krishna Leela in form of devotional songs, bhjans, dance performances, dramas, ballets etc.

Emerging Third World Media

Gone are the days when information used to be the property of the West and all the information flow was directed from west to east and north to south. Emerging technology and new ways of communications have changed the directions, turned the business of news with its head down and has started taking newer roads and turns. The days have moved out when developing countries had to fight for the proper flow of information, opposing to the news showcased by Western news agencies in which third world countries were shown as poor, uneducated, hunger stricken and corrupt states.

With science developing at a faster speed, formation of glocal world, Westerns are running for their money and space in developing nations and are losing their influence. Now technology is cutting costs and stoking competition, eroding the Westerner’s advantage. BBC World Service and Voice of America are no longer the only source of news in countries like Afghanistan. Now the country has its own satellite news channel broadcasting round the clock in Dari and Pashto.

With technology making its waves from everywhere, developing countries are not just mere receivers of news from western outfits; rather third world media is emerging strongly and creating problems for gigantic news mediums. Since 2006, China, Iran, Japan, Qatar have launched English language TV news channels. China has committed $7 billion to international news which is 15 times more than the annual budget of BBC World Services. Last month, China introduced its second English language news channel, CNC World. The most inspiring entrant is Al Jazeera, which supported by Emir of Qatar. Its well established Arabic service dominates the Middle East. Before 1990, Kenya had just one, state-owned television station. It now has 20 television broadcasters and 80 licensed radio stations. Iran and Russia have both launched 24-hour English news ch annels.

New media and online programming are strengthening the trend. Where broadcasters once used to push the programme on air waves and had to spend millions in distribution, now an internet connection can lead anyone to wider choices of content. Once a clip posted on youtube or a tweet pasted on twitter, the news finds popularity on numerous blogs and discussion forums.

In past year, the BBC Services lost 8 million viewers and listeners. Of the six American financed broadcasters, five see a decline. In 2003, Voice of America’s Russian service was carried by 85 domestic radio stations; it is now carried by only one. The BBC Arabic service’s local broadcasts in northern Sudan were shut down on August 9.

The cold war days have passed by, where big budgets were allotted to the international news outfits to spread the ideas of propaganda and capitalism which used to suit the political agendas of Western World. A high production cost, satellite rights, getting hold of frequencies was the game of big players but now new technology has cut all the barriers. With a simple working camera, content to share and internet connection a lot can be said, shared and discussed upon. Heydays of so-called information rulers of the world have started to vanish and the freedom once enjoyed by western media is diminishing and third world countries have trumpeted into the space.

Story of gun-point grooms: Antardwand

IT IS believed that marriages are made in heaven and arrangement is made on earth by the friends and families. But in some parts of our country the young eligible bachelors are kidnapped and forced to marry the girls at gun point with the bride that gunmen has chosen. The issue has been explored in the upcoming film ‘Antardwand’, directed by first time director Sushil Rajpal.

The film won the 55th National Film Award for the best social film as it deals with the social cruelty which is inflicted on young boys and girls. The film starring Vinay Pathak, Raj Singh Choudhary, Akhilendra Mishra and newcomer Swati Sen. The story revolves around Raghuveer (played by Raj Singh Choudhary), a Delhi University student who wants to become an IAS officer.

The story picks up when Raghuveer visits his village to meet his parents in Bihar. When he leaves for Delhi, he is abducted by gunmen and forced to marry a daughter of a fervent father, who is looking for an IAS groom for his daughter.

The ninety per cent of the film is true story and the film was shot in Muzzafarpur, Bihar and incorporates elements of local wedding customs. The realistic film comes directly out of the creative mind of the director, who is born and brought up in villages of Bihar and has been the direct witness of such stories.

ICCR holds exhibition of Korean art

NDIAN COUNCIL for Cultural Relations(ICCR) is holding an exhibition of photos, paintings, fine arts and crafts work of artists from Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from August 26 to September 1, 2010, at Azad BhavanArt Gallery.

The council promotes and strengthens the cultural ties with countries across the world and this seven day exhibition will further build up India’s cultural ties with Democratic Republic of Korea. The event will allow the artists and common people from India to witness the art forms and cultural diversity of the country and will develop the sense of appreciation for art.

While taking the opportunity of this festival, the artists from Korea will be able to interact with Indian media and showcase their art to other people across the country. The exhibition will remain open from 10 am to 6 pm on all days and entry is free. The exhibition will also allow the people to take a peek at the ancient and contemporary art of a nation, which has close business relations with India.

Korean art represents the soul of the country and is practiced in Korean peninsula since historical times. The Korean nation is known for traditions in pottery, music, calligraphy, and other genres, often marked by the use of bold color, natural forms, and surface decoration.

Celebrating Homi Vyarawalla : India’s first woman photo-journalist

There are many firsts we acknowledge and embrace, hail those who made significant achievements in life and helped in developing the mankind. Indian women are perceived to be the submissive gender but some of the few rose above this sentiment and left their marks behind. Homai Vyarawalla, is one such extraordinary woman who opened the gates of photo journalism for female photographers.

She is considered as India’s first women photo-journalist who came out with great photographs from 1938 to 1973. Celebrating her contributions in the field of journalism, Photography exhibition ‘Homai Vyayawalla-A Retrospective’ will be held from 27th August to 31st October, 2010 at National Gallery of Modern Art, Jaipur House, New Delhi.

The evhibition will showcase approximately 150-200 images including original silver gelatine prints, many printed by the photographer herself. On display would be her old cameras, photographic equipment and other memorabilia. Some of the key events Homai photographed were the first flag hoisting ceremony at Red Fort on August 16th 1947, the departure of Lord Mountbatten from India and the funerals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Homai Vyayawlla, 97, has been awarded with ‘life-time achievement award’ by the country. The exhibition acknowledges her role as a pioneer among women and her contribution to early photojournalism in India. This exhibition has been curated by Vyarawalla’s biographer, Sabeena Gadihoke who is Associate Professor at the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia.

Happy Birthday MJ!

Legends never die, they are remembered forever. One such legendry figure is the king of pop, Michael Jackson. It has been an year the world lost him, but he still rules the hearts of zillions. His body has died but his soul lives in his fans. Today is 52nd birth anniversary of the great artist who was born on 29th August, 1958. The legendary singer is no more but the fans are celebrating his birthday in various corners of the world and paying their respect to him in numerous ways. The devoted fans assembled outside the home of the singer and paid their tribute to their star.

Michael Bearden has composed a song named One Last Goodbye to pay homage to the stalwart singer on his birthday. In India, Ganesh Hegde, the celebrated choreographer is paying tribute to his idol by releasing his latest music video which stars Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif with Ganesh himself.

Also a birthday party will be hosted for the fans of the singer at the Nethermead Meadow of Prospect Park. Last year the annual party proved to be a huge success. A number of fans get nostalgic at the party. The treasure that star has left for his fans is priceless and most sought after. His contributions to the world in music, dance and fashion have been the part of popular culture for over four decades. Born as black and died white, is what makes him the epitome of Racial Equality.

His constant urge for the  color white made him a victim of racial inequality in a way.  His messages of peace and unity to the world influences the activists and people across the world. He was a star, hero who was beyond boundaries of color, sex and nationalities. The legend stays in the hearts of his fans with his songs, compositions and dance. The master choreographer, excellent singer and extraordinary human being will never be allowed to die. He lives and breathes with his his every fan alive on this earth.

My tribute to the STAR in stars!

Long live the legend, long live his legacy!

Happy Birthday Michael!