Kapil Gupta Festival Director said: “PragatiE Vichaar Literature Festival is one of the most amazing literature festival both in terms of bringing authors together as well as for the awards…reports Asian Lite News
Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State and Education, served as the chief guest at a non-virtual event that the PragatiE Vichaar Literature Festival. The literature festival, which had the theme ” Taking Humanity Forward,” was gilded by the participation of eminent speakers who shared information on important subjects. Harpreet Kaur Jass opened the occasion with a special performance of classical dance.
Decisive workshops on mental health and wellness, whether life is meant to be lived or served, the art of fiction, and how real-life experiences and narratives rule the roost all took place during the day. Nielsen BookScan Data, a knowledge partner of PVLF, discussed the use of data in education and children’s book publishing, while Solh Wellness brought up the crucial subject of mental wellness.
Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh quotes: “I am very happy to be here at PragatiE Vichaar Literature Festival 2023, this is a merely encouraging activity. Although we publish books regularly we need to organize such kinds of festivals to promote the regular habit of reading by the communities. This is a good opportunity provided by the organizers of PVLF, so if we continue these kinds of activities India will soon be a Vishwa Guru.”
Pranav Gupta Festival Director said, “Within a span of one year, we have achieved great success by having a five-day virtual session and a one-day physical event where we have a powerpack lineup of speakers and some sessions which have been specifically curated that is a need for the literary ecosystem as well as the publishing standards. If we talk about the PVLF Excellence award, we’ve expanded that into different other categories that we conceptualize so we have PVLF Readers choice awards in English and Hindi, Hindi is a language we have added this year and if we talk about the PVLF Publishers choice awards, that is going to be bifurcated in 5 different categories, Education expert, trade publishing, children book publishing, and Hindi as one category, so in the upcoming years we will be having regional languages as well.”
Kapil Gupta Festival Director said: “PragatiE Vichaar Literature Festival is one of the most amazing literature festival both in terms of bringing authors together as well as for the awards. This year we got 400000 minutes of viewership on our PragatiE platforms for the festival and 220000 votes for the awards we ran. It’s an amazing feed and accomplishment. However, the next year it is going to be bigger. I am extremely glad to also be able to talk about mental health with the audience and introduce Solh Wellness.”
The Frontlist Media-organised event celebrated the literary community and aimed to foster a love of writing, writers’ inner thoughts, and global discussion on key issues. The authentic essence of Indian literature was resonant and new platforms for debut authors were strengthened by PVLF 2023.
India Art Fair 2023 is set to include some of India’s most important contemporary art galleries presenting established names and promising young talents…reports Asian Lite News
The India Art Fair, the premier venue displaying modern and contemporary art from India and South Asia, is held at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in New Delhi from February 9-12, 2023. The event, which is organised in collaboration with BMW India and places the voices of artists at its core, will feature 85 exhibitors, including 71 galleries and 14 organisations. India’s economy is predicted to develop to be the fifth largest in the world, and with India Art Fair at the head, the country’s art market has expanded concurrently.
The 2023 fair will be the most ambitious to date, building on the success of the previous edition. It will feature expanded floorspace to showcase South Asia’s top talent, including cutting-edge contemporary art and modern masters, as well as an expanded studio showcasing the fair’s digital artist in residence programme. The show will serve as a gathering place for curators, collectors, and other art industry professionals, fostering cross-cultural relationships and connections with the global art scene.
Jaya Asokan, Fair Director of India Art Fair comments: “The scale and diversity of the fair in 2023 reflects the expansion of the contemporary and modern art market across India and South Asia, as well as burgeoning interest from the international community. We’re particularly proud of all of our artists who are testing the boundaries of contemporary and traditional arts or digital innovation, with many coming from previously unexplored regions of India. We’re proud of the quality of work they’re producing and powerfully responding to our changing times.”
Day 2 of India Art Fair. (Photo:IANS Life)
GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS
India Art Fair 2023 is set to include some of India’s most important contemporary art galleries presenting established names and promising young talents.
Top Indian contemporary galleries exhibiting include Vadehra Art Gallery, Gallery Espace, PHOTOINK, GALLERYSKE, Nature Morte, Blueprint12 (all New Delhi), Chatterjee & Lal, Jhaveri Contemporary, Chemould Prescott Road, GALLERY MASKARA, Galerie Isa, Project 88 (all Mumbai), EMAMI ART, Gallery Art Exposure (both Kolkata), Experimenter (Kolkata / Mumbai), Vida Heydari Contemporary (Pune), Apparao Galleries, Gallery Veda (both from Chennai), Gallery WHITE (Vadodara), Archer Art Gallery, ZOCA (both from Ahmedabad), Anant Art (NOIDA / New Delhi) and Kalakriti Art Gallery (Hyderabad), each of them from across India and beyond the traditional centres of New Delhi and Mumbai. Alongside these are modern master galleries, DAG (New Delhi / Mumbai / New York), Crayon Art Gallery and Dhoomimal Gallery (both New Delhi), showing iconic masterpieces.
New gallery participants presenting emerging and mid-career artists include: 079 STORIES ART GALLERY (Ahmedabad), Treasure Art Gallery (New Delhi), Gallery Dotwalk (Gurugram), Dhi Artspace (Hyderabad), Chemould CoLab (Mumbai), Iram Art (Ahmedabad).
Showcasing solo presentations curated by participating galleries, this year the Focus section will put a strong emphasis on painters from distinguished names such as Jayashree Chakravarty (Akar Prakar, Kolkata / New Delhi), Avijit Dutta (Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad) and Waswo X. Waswo (Gallery Espace, New Delhi), rising mid-career artists, Anni Kumari (Treasure Art Gallery, New Delhi) to emerging artists Viraj Khanna (Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai) and Digbijayee Khatua (Anant Art, NOIDA / New Delhi).
The Platform section will showcase the rich artistic traditions of India through the works of contemporary masters of traditional arts, from Warli (Vayeda brothers), Gond (Dhavat Singh), Madhubani (A.K. Jha and Padma Shri Baua Devi), Pattachitra (Prakash Chandra), Kalamkari art (S. Srinivas Rao), Bhil traditions (Padma Shri awardee Bhuri Bai) and Chamba Rumal (Charu Centre run by DCC) amongst others.
Highlights of international galleries participating include: Galleria Continua who will present works by Anish Kapoor, JR and Osvaldo Gonzalez; Marc Straus will feature Anne Samat; Bruno Art Group will present Andy Warhol; Saskia Fernando Gallery will show internationally-renowned South Asian artists Jagath Weerasinghe and Chandraguptha Thenuwara; Grosvenor Gallery will shine a spotlight on Senaka Senanayake; and finally Aicon will include Rasheed Araeen and Victor Ekpuk within its booth presentation
Your India Art Fair Calendar.(photo:IANSLIFE)
TECH X ART
Inviting audiences to explore and experience the power of digital art, The Studio will house an arresting selection of tech-meets-art projects and installations. This will include a dedicated Digital Residency Hub showcasing artworks made by the three India Art Fair Digital Artists in Residence, all made on iPad Pro and in response to the theme ‘Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary.’ Visual artist and illustrator, Mira Felicia Malhotra will highlight the oddities and idiosyncrasies of Indian family life in vibrant portraits of women titled ‘Loag Kya Kahenge’ ; artist, poet and writer Gaurav Ogale will invite audiences to explore the extraordinary biographies of ordinary people through an audio-visual book anthology series ‘Bestsellers’ ; and multidisciplinary artist Varun Desai will create an immersive projection room giving a glimpse of the future, one that fuses artificial intelligence and human consciousness. With an aim to widen participation, Today at Apple will offer hands-on sessions led by Creative Pros focusing on digital art skills on iPad Pro to unlock new styles and techniques to push attendees’ creative expression. The Studio will also host special digital projects supported by the Serendipity Arts Foundation and The Gujral Foundation with video and tech-inspired artworks presented by contemporary artists Julien Segard and Payal Arya and Aditi Kulkarni respectively, along with digital animations and drawings by Shrimanti Saha in an interactive public project supported by Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA).
NEW COMMISSIONS
Marking seven years of partnership, India Art Fair and BMW India continue to foster a spirit of collaboration and provide a breeding ground for creativity, including a special commission entitled The Future is Born of Art, awarded to rising star artist Devika Sundar who will design the wrap for the all-new BMW X7, responding to the theme ‘Forwardism’ and presenting a unique vision of a future where art, science and fiction meet. Shortlisted artists for the commission, which promises to boost emerging Indian names to a global stage, included Aditi Aggarwal, Devika Sundar, Rithika Pandey and Sajid Wajid Shaikh. Fair audiences voted online for the winner on India Art Fair’s website and Instagram channel.
Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India comments: “BMW Group’s social sustainability commitment has always valued and nurtured various cultural engagements and co-operations globally and in India. Our resolve to strengthen intercultural platforms of creativity in the fields of art, music, design and architecture has flourished into long term partnerships with leading art and cultural platforms in the country. BMW India is delighted to present the latest edition of the India Art Fair and The Future is Born of Art commission for connoisseurs for art and automobiles.”
The fair champions a multiplicity of artistic practices and diverse voices through its Artists-in-Residence programme. Debashish Paul will present a performance art piece, which details how art helps him uncover the nuances of his queer identity. The Vayeda brothers will transform the fair’s facade into a Forest of the Future, celebrating their community and ancestors with deep research into Warli traditions, mythological stories and rituals, and a translation of this knowledge to paintings that speak to the now. Conceptual artist Lakshmi Madhavan will revisit the dying kasavu textile tradition of Kerala to act as a thread connecting the past to the future in a newly commissioned gold-and-white textile installation.
The fair programme will feature path-breaking performances by Debashish Paul and Prabhakar Kamble. Paul will evoke the joy of childhood in a performance titled Me & My Pets, holding conversations with imaginary pets, characters and his many internal selves as a means to express and explore his queer identity, while Kamble will call into question caste privilege by walking around blindfolded across the fairgrounds in a performance titled Protected Ignorance.
This year’s Outdoor Art Projects at the fair will include: Parag Tandel’s thought-provoking sculptural installation of the seven small islands that constituted Mumbai before it grew into the mega metropolis that it is today, supported by TARQ, Mumbai; a surreal 8-feet tall and twisted fibreglass scale by Shivani Aggarwal inviting audiences to measure the intangible such as emotions of love, joy, intimacy and truth, supported by Studio Art, New Delhi; a monumental marble dust sculpture resembling a pelvic bone by Prashant Pandey that references the marvellous moment of the birth of life supported by GALLERY MASKARA, Mumbai; Sonia Khurana’s immersive performance installation supported by Kiran Nadar Museum of Art; a curated presentation of Serendipity Arts Foundation’s Food Lab Project; and a large-scale computational art project supported by Tezos India with NFT artworks by Karthik Dondeti, Pixelkar, Aranya and KALA made freely available for visitors to collect on the blockchain.
India Art Fair will publish an all-women led poster zine titled Fire in the Belly for the 2023 edition championing the voices of eight artists and creative powerhouses, including Anikesa Dhing, Aravani Art Project, Aqui Thami, Dhruvi Acharya, Meena Kandasamy, Rithika Pandey, Shilpa Gupta and Zeenat Kulavoor, each sharing their dreams, hopes, prayers and wisdom for an equal world. From pain, pleasure, and mental health to sexuality, the caste system and the body, each poster page will be a blazing response to the theme ‘Fire in the Belly,’ encouraging readers to participate in creating a new world order based on feminist optimism and the power of small actions in introducing lasting change.
INSTITUTIONS
Over 10 leading cultural festivals, collectives and foundations will showcase at the fair, including soft sculptures and book projects by Britto Arts Trust (Dhaka); a series of textile panels by Lakshmi Madhavan for Devi Art Foundation (New Delhi); a never-before-seen painting by Raqib Shaw for Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (New Delhi / NOIDA); and a group show with works by Siwan-based ceramicist Upendra Ram, Goa-based feminist conceptual artist Mayuri Chari. Pune-based graphic and mixed media artist Rupali Patil, Varanasi-based textile artist and designer Anshu Singh debuting at the fair for Art & Soul Foundation (Mumbai). Other participants include Museo Camera (Gurugram), Kochi Biennale Foundation (Kochi) and the Purushottam Public Trust (Vadodara) and a collaborative presentation by Space Studio (Vadodara) and Prameya Art Foundation (New Delhi).
‘ALIGN AND DISRUPT’ TALKS PROGRAMME
Curated by Shaleen Wadhwana, the talks programme taking place in the fair’s Auditorium will dive deep into conversations surrounding the arts, inviting leading artists and arts professionals to align on critical subjects, and collectively shape the future for an inclusive art scene. Highlights include What Are We Causing: Ecology, Environment & Sustainability, a session that brings together eco artists Sharbendu De, Dharmendra Prasad, Rida Gatphoh and Nobina Gupta; two-part panel Looking at Art Historical Blind Spots which will raise important questions around representation of queer, minority religion and Dalit voices in art; Zabaan Aur Pehchaan in which poets Sabika Abbas Naqvi and Pranav Kirti, artist Shuddhabrata Sengupta and Gond artist Japani Shyam discuss language barriers in the path to creativity in a conversation led in Hindi, Disability With(In) The Arts: Looking Inward will lay the ground for a more inclusive art world, Changing Formats of Art Making: Tech, Art and Law, a session dedicated to understanding the fast-changing art ecosystem through a legal lens, amongst others. India Art Fair’s Digital Artists in Residence, Gaurav Ogale, Mira Felicia Malhotra and Varun Desai will also lead interactive sessions curated by Today at Apple, giving audiences an opportunity to step into their vast creative universes, while creating digital artworks of their own using iPad Pro.
PARTNERSHIPS
With creativity at the heart of its partnerships, the fair will welcome leading brands: RADO will launch its classic DiaStar watch redesigned by Swiss designer Alfredo Haberli for its 60th anniversary, ArtBuzz will support a dedicated Workshop Space for artist-led sessions and young collectors masterclasses; DS Group and Kolkata Centre for Creativity will support the fair’s sustainability and inclusivity efforts respectively; and India Sotheby’s International Realty.
BEYOND THE FAIR
Running through the India Art Fair month, the IAF Parallel programme provides a unique multi-layered experience for visitors to celebrate the art scene of New Delhi. This year, the programme will feature powerful women-led exhibitions including Arpita Singh and the late great Indian abstractionist Nasreen Mohamedi at Vadehra Art Gallery, Chitra Ganesh at Gallery Espace, Sumakshi Singh at Exhibit 320 and a group show of 20 + women artists from the Baroda School presented by Anant Art at Bikaner House, along with exciting showcases by Thukral & Tagra at Nature Morte, Debasish Mukherjee at Akar Prakar and Karan Shrestha at Shrine Empire. Kiran Nadar Museum of Art will show Pop South Asia, one of the first major exhibitions of modern and contemporary South Asia engaging with popular culture, The Gujral Foundation will exhibit new paintings and digital artworks by Raghava K.K. whose works often focus on the cultural residues and societal transformations within India, and Devi Art Foundation will present Vayan – Art of Indian Brocades, an exhibition of silk brocades from prominent Indian handloom centres at the National Crafts Museum. Additionally, there will be alternate art spaces including feminist pop illustrations by Osheen Shiva at Pulp Society as well as Threading The Horizon showcasing socially-engaged projects and installations by artists across India at Khoj Studios.
Preview passes and tickets for the 2023 edition of India Art Fair are available for purchase at: indiaartfair.in
Based on the 1832 play Le roi s’amuse (The King Has Fun) by French dramatist Victor Hugo, Rigoletto was first staged in Egypt in 1869 to mark the country’s celebration of the opening of the Suez Canal … writes Mahmoud Fouly
Seats were all occupied at the main hall of Cairo Opera House as opera lovers watched Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto, which was staged in Cairo again after more than 150 years.
Based on the 1832 play Le roi s’amuse (The King Has Fun) by French dramatist Victor Hugo, Rigoletto was first staged in Egypt in 1869 to mark the country’s celebration of the opening of the Suez Canal.
The three-act opera was performed by a professional cast from Cairo Opera Company, bedazzling audiences with vivid royal-like sets, colorful costumes and harmonious lighting.
Iman Moustafa, the artistic director of Cairo Opera Company, and artistic supervisor of the show, said that the successful performance was the result of months of preparation.
“We always try to innovate and improve ourselves. We’ve been working on the set designs for months. The soloists have also been training for months and each singer trained three hours a day, five days a week at least,” the artistic supervisor told Xinhua.
“I came every day during training to check on the harmony of costumes, the lighting, the singing techniques and every detail. We exerted a lot of effort to present it this way and attract many audiences, including young people,” she added.
Tackling the themes of love, betrayal, oppression and curse, the opera tells a tragic story of the licentious Duke of Mantua, his hunchbacked court jester Rigoletto and Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda.
The Duke and Rigoletto are cursed by a courtier, Count Monterone, whose daughter has been seduced by the Duke with Rigoletto’s encouragement. The curse is realized when Gilda falls in love with the Duke and sacrifices her life to save him from the assassin hired by her father, Rigoletto.
“Rigoletto is one of the most difficult operas in terms of baritone voice type performance. Verdi always focused on the tenor and soprano types for the protagonists, but in Rigoletto, I believe the baritone plays the biggest role compared to other Verdi’s operas,” Moustafa Mohamed, the baritone who plays Rigoletto, told Xinhua.
“The opera art has its own audience but it needs to get more media spotlight,” he added.
Salma El-Gebaly, the soprano who plays Gilda, gained cheers, applause and wows from the audience although it was her first performance as a heroine.
“Rigoletto is one of the most beautiful operas composed by Verdi, and it is technically difficult in terms of singing and continuing it till the end. Although it is dramatic, it is close to the hearts of singers and audiences alike,” the diva told Xinhua.
The audience was fascinated by the show, including the acting, the singing, the set, the lighting and the plot.
“I always come here to watch ballet and opera shows. I love operas because of the charming music and the relaxing atmosphere. It is very elegant,” said Nanis Zaki, an Egyptian young woman who watched the performance.
Among the audience was a group of Canadian friends working as teachers in Egypt.
“This is my first opera to watch in Egypt. It’s professional and the performances are amazing. I was actually surprised by the set,” Javan Johnson, a Canadian young man, told Xinhua. ■
Artists perform the opera Rigoletto at Cairo Opera House in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 12, 2023. Seats were all occupied at the main hall of Cairo Opera House as opera lovers watched Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto, which was staged in Cairo again after more than 150 years. Based on the 1832 play Le roi s’amuse (The King Has Fun) by French dramatist Victor Hugo, Rigoletto was first staged in Egypt in 1869 to mark the country’s celebration of the opening of the Suez Canal. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Artists perform the opera Rigoletto at Cairo Opera House in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 12, 2023. Seats were all occupied at the main hall of Cairo Opera House as opera lovers watched Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto, which was staged in Cairo again after more than 150 years. Based on the 1832 play Le roi s’amuse (The King Has Fun) by French dramatist Victor Hugo, Rigoletto was first staged in Egypt in 1869 to mark the country’s celebration of the opening of the Suez Canal. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Artists perform the opera Rigoletto at Cairo Opera House in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 12, 2023. Seats were all occupied at the main hall of Cairo Opera House as opera lovers watched Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto, which was staged in Cairo again after more than 150 years. Based on the 1832 play Le roi s’amuse (The King Has Fun) by French dramatist Victor Hugo, Rigoletto was first staged in Egypt in 1869 to mark the country’s celebration of the opening of the Suez Canal. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
India currently produces more than 1,500 films annually in around 20 different languages, making it the top producer of movies that are exported to other countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa…reports Asian Lite News
Bollywood Superstars: A Short Story of Indian Cinema, will debut on January 24 and last through June 4, 2023. It is an upcoming exhibition at the Louvre Abu Dhabi as part of its vibrant 2022-2023 cultural season. The exhibition, which was planned in collaboration with the Jacques Chirac and Musee du Quai Branly and France Museums, will highlight the diversity of the Indian filmmaking industry as well as the depth and richness of the Indian subcontinent’s art and civilization through its long tradition of image making.
The exhibition highlights the rich history of Indian cinema from its origins in the late 19th century up to the present through more than 80 artworks, including pictures, textiles, graphic arts, costumes, and more than 30 film clips. The pieces of art are drawn from the collections of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Jacques Chirac Museum at the Quai Branly, the Army Museum, the Guimet National Museum of East Asian Art, the al-Sabah Collection, the Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, and the Priya Paul Collection.
With the assistance of Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Director of Scientific, Curatorial, and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, the exhibition is co-curated by Julien Rousseau, Curator and Head of the Asian Collections, Musee du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, and Helne Kessous, PhD in Social Anthropology and Ethnology, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en eSciences Sociales.
India currently produces more than 1,500 films annually in around 20 different languages, making it the top producer of movies that are exported to other countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Through Bollywood Superstars, visitors to the museum will learn how Indian pioneers used emerging image technologies like photography and lithography to jumpstart the transition from early motion pictures to large-scale musical productions. Visitors will learn more about Bollywood’s global popularity and have a greater appreciation for the variety of Indian cinema. The thorough exhibits cover every aspect of Indian cinema’s history, from pre-cinema, dancing, and storytelling, to the influence of religion and mythology, and the emergence of Bollywood celebrities.
Manuel Rabate, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, commented: “In a museum that invites visitors to discover artworks from all over the world, we are privileged to work again with Musee du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac on this exhibition that explores the image in movement, after our first collaboration in 2019 on an exhibition about the development of photography in its first years of existence. Bollywood Superstars is a feast not only to Indian audiences who are among the most important nationalities that visit Louvre Abu Dhabi, but also to everyone with an appetite for the rich culture of the sub-continent and its roots.”
Emmanuel Kasarherou, President of the Musee du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, said, “Bollywood Superstars stands out for the quality and originality of its content. It is bound to appeal to visitors at Louvre Abu Dhabi, an vital and influential institution that the Musee du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac is honoured to be associated with.”
Highlights from the exhibition include artworks from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection such as a Page from a Harivamsa Series: Krishna and His Courtiers by the Sea at Pandaraka (ca. 1820, Kangra, India); Mail and Plate Armour, Called “Four Mirrors” Armour (ca. 1600 – 1800, Mughal, India); and Krishna Surrounded by Gopis (ca. 1655, Rajasthan, India). Highlight loans from partner museums include a statuette of Krishna as a child playing the flute (second half of the 19th century, Rajasthan, India) from Musee du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac; a Dagger (late 17th Century, Kuwait) from al-Sabah Collection; Indian Armour (18th Century) from Musee de l’armee; and a Coat (19th century) from Musee national des arts asiatiques-Guimet. Cinema buffs will especially enjoy the screening of several iconic film extracts that have left an indelible mark on the history of Indian cinema.
The exhibition’s curators, Julien Rousseau and Helene Kessous, said, “This exhibition is a tribute to Bollywood and can be enjoyed by both Indian cinema fans and the wider public. We hope that it portrays the full richness of Asian traditions and tells the stories that led to the birth of this cinema. The exhibition celebrates Bollywood superstars who are adored by their fans in India in a way that is rarely seen elsewhere in the world.”
New Louvre Abu Dhabi Exhibition Showcases the Glamour and Artistry of Indian Cinema .(Photo credit: IANSLIFE)
Dr Souraya Noujaim, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi said, “This exhibition provides a unique insight into an art genre that has a vast history and powerful present. The exhibition visitors will discover the depth of the Indian filmmaking industry since its beginning in the 19th century and gain a unique perspective into the richness of forms that pervaded its creation. The cross-influences, boosted by technology progress, underline the continued presence of the great mythological and literary narratives in Indian culture, and the vitality of its regional cultures. We are delighted to bring this exhibition to life to showcase the diversity of the Indian cinema.”
Bollywood Superstars is supported by PureHealth, as Louvre Abu Dhabi’s exhibition season partner. Details of the rich cultural and educational programme accompanying Bollywood Superstars: A Short Story of Indian Cinema will be announced at a later date. For more information about the exhibition and to book tickets, please visit louvreabudhabi.ae or call Louvre Abu Dhabi at +971 600 56 55 66. Entrance to the exhibition is free with the museum’s general admission tickets. Admission to the museum is free for children under the age of 18.
House of Khalsa influential luxury watch brand announces the Purewal Twins as official brand ambassadors
In 2021 Identical British South Asian Twins Amar and Arjun Purewal made history lining up against each other at Wembley Stadium in FA Vase final; Amar led the line for Hebburn Town with Arjun as captain. Making them the first pair of identical twins to play in a major final at Wembley, as well as being the first Asian players.
The House of Khalsa exclusively announces The Purewal Twins as the face of the House of Khalsa as ambassadors.
The Purewal Twins are one of the most popular and high-profile faces for the House of Khalsa brand, With its sleek and elegant design, House of Khalsa makes luxury watches, which are the perfect match for the Purewal Twins. Each of the House of Khalsa watches is manufactured in Switzerland and Hong Kong and engraved with the Khalsa symbol.
Danny Singh, CEO of The House of Khalsa, said: We are proud to announce our partnership with both Arjun and Amar Purewal, they are amazing role models for our community and a perfect fit for our brand. They fit beautifully into our company mission statement; we very much look forward to working with them on a larger platform’
Amar and Arjun went on to comment’ We are proud to represent House of Khalsa and engaging in a brand that takes our culture forward and in return lets us promote football in our community, we are very much looking forward to our journey with The House of Khalsa.
On the work front, Arjun and Amar are successfully working on AP Coaching, which is going from strength to strength, with Arjun working towards his UEF B Licence.
PERIENCE HOUSE OF KHALSA AT SUNNY JEWELLERS LEICESTER
Sunny Jewellers is the official stockist for House of Khalsa watches in Leicester. To experience House of Khalsa head towards The Golden Mile for Your timepieces known for their intricate craftsmanship.
British Council Digital Library has curated a collection of inspirational books that will guide you to enhance your social skills, discover your mission in life, or even manage your checkbook!
The New Year’s Eve felt happier and more promising than it has in a long time, making it a genuine occasion for celebration. Annual resolutions are more important than ever for helping you evaluate what’s really important in life and personal growth is on everyone’s wishlist. We shouldn’t take health and wellness for granted, as living through a global pandemic has taught us. Focusing on your body, mind, and soul in 2023 is a fantastic method to plan your long-term objectives for the new year.
Additionally, concentrating on your health and well-being doesn’t always entail starting a new diet or exercise regimen. Increase your goals by focusing on taking control of your mental health, establishing a better sleep schedule, or reclaiming your space. If you are seeking tips on becoming a better version of yourself, British Council Digital Library has curated a collection of inspirational books that will guide you to enhance your social skills, discover your mission in life, or even manage your checkbook!
Inspirational reads .(photo:IANSLIFE)
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations�and whose story inspires us to do the same. In her memoir, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her�from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it� in her own words and on her own terms.
Inspirational reads .(photo:IANSLIFE)
Atomic Habits by James Clear
An atomic habit is a regular practice or routine that is not only small and easy to do but is also the source of incredible power; a component of the system of compound growth. If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. This breakthrough book from James Clear is the most comprehensive guide on how to change your habits and get 1% better every day. No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving� every day.
Inspirational reads .(photo:IANSLIFE)
Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Do you ever struggle to finish the things you start? Do you frequently have brilliant ideas, but once the initial enthusiasm wears off, you find it difficult to put them into action? The answer is probably yes if you’re imaginative and ambitious. The issue is not with you. It’s not that you aren’t diligent, intelligent, or deserving; it’s just that you don’t yet have the one fundamental conviction that will transform everything: Everything is solvable. The book will educate your brain to think more optimistically and assist you in breaking down any desire into actionable steps, whether your goal is to quit a dead-end job, mend a broken relationship, create a business, master your money, or simply find two extra hours in the day.
Inspirational reads .(photo:IANSLIFE)
Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King
How do you actually learn to love yourself? How to change unfavourable feelings into favourable ones. Is it possible to experience lasting joy? A beautifully designed book that is packed with motivational quotes and tried-and-tested advice on utilizing positivity to build a life you love. In this book, Instagram expert Vex King provides comprehensive answers to all of these queries. Vex overcame adversity to become an inspiration to thousands of young people, and he now uses his own experience and intuitive knowledge to motivate his readers.
Inspirational reads .(photo:IANSLIFE)
12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson (Audiobook)
How should we live properly in a world of chaos and uncertainty? Jordan Peterson has helped millions of people, young and old, men and women, aim at a life of responsibility and meaning. Now he can help you. The number one Sunday Times and Audible bestseller from ‘the most influential public intellectual in the Western world right now’ (New York Times) – read by the man himself.
Cara Zimmerman, Head of Outsider Art, Christie’s, comments: “We are honoured to offer works by these important artists in our upcoming January auction during Americana Week…reports Asian Lite News
Christie’s announced Things Grow in the United States: Works from the Collection of Jane Fonda a group of 14 objects to be sold on January 18, 2023 in the Outsider and Vernacular Art sale during Americana Week in New York. The group of artwork consists of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and assemblages by Thornton Dial, Arthur Dial, and Thornton Dial, Jr. The group is being sold with thanks to The Fine Art Group.
Jane Fonda is an avid collector and champion of the Dials’ art. She is on the board of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation & Community Partnership, an organisation dedicated to promoting the work of Black artists from the American South and supporting their communities by fostering economic empowerment, racial and social justice, and educational advancement. Representing of two generations of Southern Vernacular artists, the artworks in the sale include both figurative and abstract examples, addressing a range of historical and sociopolitical issues.
Works from the Collection of Jane Fonda.(photo:IANSLIFE)
Jane Fonda comments: “When you look at the artwork made by these talented men and women from the American South, you see that it’s truly great, it’s truly original, it’s truly American. We cannot allow racism and discrimination to keep this art from being included in our national family of artwork, which it has been for far too long. Found objects are a tradition of 20th century art. It’s Marcel Duchamp, his conversion of urinals into a so-called fountain, all the way to my friend Bob Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns-it’s not unique to these artists of the South. Dial used found objects in his environment, which I think is just so beautiful. He gave discarded things a second life, brilliantly repurposing material with an impact that very few artists ever had.”
Cara Zimmerman, Head of Outsider Art, Christie’s, comments: “We are honoured to offer works by these important artists in our upcoming January auction during Americana Week. The pieces proffer, through subject matter and media, an intensely powerful look into their creators’ experiences as Black artists in the American South. Works by Dial family members are now held in many museum collections, and their increasing presence in the American art historical canon is long overdue.”
Works from the Collection of Jane Fonda.(photo:IANSLIFE)
The sale is led by two dynamic assemblages by Thornton Dial, each estimated to achieve $50,000-100,000. Dial was a ground-breaking American artist who has become known over the last four decades for his massive work comprising found and repurposed materials. Dial’s practice investigates a wide range of poignant topics including social justice and human rights. Dial’s artworks have been acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and other important institutions.
‘Story of Things’ is an anthology of 5 episodes, with each narrating a tale of paranormal phenomena witnessed by people in their regular life. The series premieres January 6 on SonyLIV…reports Asian Lite News
Tamil OTT original series ‘Story of Things’ is a series of films that explore human stories and emotions that blur the lines between reality and the surreal. The trailer opens with a mellow atmosphere, but it quickly develops into a dark ambience.
‘Story of Things’ is an anthology of 5 episodes, with each narrating a tale of paranormal phenomena witnessed by people in their regular life. The series premieres January 6 on SonyLIV.
“Story of Things is essentially a drama series that overlaps multiple genres. In fact, each episode has a completely different mood, feel and treatment to it based on the core idea of the story,” the director of the series, George K. Antoney, said.
“So, everyone will have something that they enjoy in this series of stories ranging from a bit of fantasy, horror, thriller and suspense to even a light-hearted drama. Thus I am really happy as a creator that these stories gave me an opportunity to express myself and have fun with different genres as I am truly a fan of ‘genre’ films,” Antoney added.
Produced by Chutzpah Films, the five episodes of ‘Story of Things’ feature Aditi Balan, Archana K, Bharath Niwas, Gautami Tadimalla, Linga, Ritika Singh, Roju, Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, Siddique KM, Vinoth Kishan and Anshita Anand.
‘Story of Things’ is creative produced by Hari Prasad Uday.
Anshul Aila wadi- Business Head, Youth, Music and English Entertainment Cluster, Viacom 18, said: “We at MTV are excited to kickstart the first-ever McDonald’s i’m lovin’ it Live concert in India, with a stellar line-up of artists. With this curtain-raiser, we’re happy to bring more elevated youth experiences to our fans.”…reports Asian Lite News
When Harrdy Sandhu, Aastha Gill, and Shalmali Kholgade played live at the McDonald’s i’m lovin’ it Live concert in association with MTV, Gurugram got warmed up. The gala performance served as the opening act for McDonald’s worldwide flagship music IP, which McDonald’s India – North and East first introduced in India in cooperation with MTV.
More than 1500 individuals flocked to the location to express their love and passion for cuisine and music. When Aastha Gill performed, the audience was seen singing and dancing along while flashing their cellphones. Shalmali Kholgade further shocked the audience with well-known renditions early in the evening. The event, which featured Harrdy Sandhu performing his top hits, was nothing short of a sensory delight.
Sanjeev Agrawal, Chairman, McDonald’s India – North and East, said: “We are super elated to host the first musical concert in India under the banner of McDonald’s i’m lovin’ it Live in partnership with MTV. This is also our way of thanking McDonald’s fans and strengthen our relationship with them. We are excited to have a stellar line-up of artists who performed today and for our upcoming studio-recorded performances. We are hopeful of creating the “feel-good” moments for the brand’s fans through this banner.”
Anshul Ailawadi- Business Head, Youth, Music and English Entertainment Cluster, Viacom 18, said: “We at MTV are excited to kickstart the first-ever McDonald’s i’m lovin’ it Live concert in India, with a stellar line-up of artists. With this curtain-raiser, we’re happy to bring more elevated youth experiences to our fans.”
The McDonald’s global flagship music IP, i’m lovin’ it Live, was introduced to India by McDonald’s India – North and East in collaboration with MTV. As a component of the music IP, i’m lovin’ it Live will pair well-known musicians to produce original, never-before-heard compositions while incorporating the fine cultural details that the musicians have been most influenced by. Guru Randhawa, Armaan Malik, Arjun Kanungo, Harrdy Sandhu, Shalmali Kholgade, and OAFF are just a few of the top musicians who will guide this avant-garde musical trip and compose 6 unique compositions that will be shown on MTV in a series of 4 episodes beginning in January 2023.
Armaan Malik
Sanjeev Agrawal, Chairman, McDonald’s India – North and East shared his thoughts on the new IP.
It’s been a while since we saw a new campaign from the brand on these lines, what is the idea behind it?
Sanjeev Agrawal: i’m lovin’ it Live is a unique global flagship music property of McDonald’s with music at its core. The idea is to establish deeper connect with our brand fans through their passion for music and become a part of their lives. The IP is introduced for the first time in India by McDonald’s India – North and East. The concept of i’m lovin’ it Live is built around the premise of popular artists coming together, and creating unique, never-heard-before compositions, while experimenting with various genres and bringing out fine cultural nuances by which the artists have been influenced the most. The brand roped in Superstar and brand ambassador, Kartik Aaryan, who unveiled i’m lovin’ it Live on December 14.
Armaan Malik and Kartik Aryan are big youth icons what synergies of the brand compliment them?
Sanjeev Agrawal: Love for music and love for food are the two most exciting binding factors for our youth today. Armaan is one of the most inspiring young singers India has today. His passion for music is what makes him rule over the hearts and playlists and we are so glad to have him as part of i’m lovin’ it Live with MTV among an exemplary line-up of 8 artists including Guru Randhawa, Arjun Kanungo, Shalmali Kholgade, Harrdy Sandhu & OAFF.
Kartik represents the youth of the country and his love for the brand is evidential. He is versatility and popularity among the youth and families makes him the perfect choice as our brand’s ambassador as we are a brand with mass appeal and a place for families.
When it comes to McDonald’s there’s a real focus on visibility, why is it important to be present in the best and most historical locations in each city?
Sanjeev Agrawal: We have presence in 12 states with 150+ restaurants across North and East India. We have a bold vision to become a better McDonald’s that our customers know. We are redefining the McDonald’s experience with the much-anticipated changes – a modern look & feel, self-ordering digital kiosks, and elevated hospitality standards with table service and Guest Experience Leaders. These are our Experience of the Future restaurants. Our people and technology will be the two key elements in this journey.
We recently launched our first restaurant in Odisha in Bhubaneswar and our first and largest restaurant in Northeast India in Guwahati. We continue to look for exciting locations to expand our footprint in the North and East India and our vision is to have approximately 300 Experience of the Future restaurants in the next 3 years in North and East India.
McDonald’s introduces digital menu boards in North, East India. (Photo: Pixabay)
What is the trend prediction and marketing outlook for 2023?
Sanjeev Agrawal: As per the Euromonitor International report, the Indian informal eating out (IEO) industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10 percent to USD 64,977 million by 2025. And within the IEO segment, the chained QSRs market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13 percent to USD 3,917 million by 2025, offering immense growth potential. Chained QSRs are leading the growth for IEO.
McDonald’s has a strong foundation and deep roots in India, and we are committed to writing the next great chapter of the McDonald’s journey in India.
Roshan draws from his rich experience as a journalist and an ardent observer of the start-up ecosystem in telling us the stories of 21 different individuals with varied backgrounds connected only by that invisible thread we call “entrepreneurial spirit”…reports Asian Lite News
The only way to find calm and comfort in today’s highly uncertain world is via books. Since entrepreneurship has been a hot topic in recent years, several business titans have documented their entrepreneurial journey. The top 5 business books you shouldn’t miss reading this year are as follows:
Engineered in India: From Dreams to Billion-Dollar Cyient
Authored by BVR Mohan Reddy is the story of a young man who steps out of the precincts of IIT Kanpur in 1974 with a dream in his heart — to become an entrepreneur and contribute to nation-building. Undaunted by the dearth of experience and means to capital in pre-Liberalisation India, B.V.R Mohan Reddy’s enterprising spirit takes the long and winding road, never losing sight of his ambition. He gains overseas education on scholarship and dons multiple hats before embarking on his life’s mission at forty.
Published by: Penguin Random House
Available on: Amazon
Maverick Effect: The Inside Story of India’s IT Revolution
In the mid-1970s, a young, twenty-something man living an American dream threw away a lucrative job as a database manager and came back to India. At that time, India had no IT industry to speak of; computers were a novelty, and the nation was trapped in socio-economic backwardness and a labyrinthine License Raj.
Published by: Harper Collins Publishers India
Available on: Amazon
The Dolphin and the Shark: Stories on Entrepreneurship
The Dolphin and the Shark is born out of Namita Thapar’s experiences of being a judge on Shark Tank India and running the India business of the pharma company Emcure as well as her own entrepreneurship academy. The book emphasises how leaders of today need to strike a balance between being a shark (aggressive leader) and a dolphin (empathetic leader).
Published by: Penguin Random House
Available on: Amazon Rahul Bajaj: An Extraordinary Life | Official Biography of the chairman of Bajaj Group
‘Integrity and character matter. Without them, no amount of ability can get you anywhere. In addition, you need courage — courage to make difficult decisions and courage to oppose something if your conscience tells you that you are right’– Rahul Bajaj. Rahul Bajaj is a billionaire businessman, the chairman emeritus of the Bajaj Group and a former member of Parliament. This book is not just the story of Rahul Bajaj but the story of India. The author takes us through the country’s transformation from the time Rahul Bajaj’s mother was imprisoned during the freedom struggle to the prism of his eventful life. Based on unrestricted interviews, the book is full of anecdotes, business learnings and political asides. It is, at its core, a moving human story.
5 Must Read Books on Entrepreneurship for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)5 Must Read Books on Entrepreneurship for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)
Published by: Penguin Random House
Available on: Amazon
God’s Own Entrepreneurs
Roshan draws from his rich experience as a journalist and an ardent observer of the start-up ecosystem in telling us the stories of 21 different individuals with varied backgrounds connected only by that invisible thread we call “entrepreneurial spirit”. This book is fascinating, revealing and insightful — Parry Ravindranathan, Former MD International, Bloomberg Media. “Connecting the dots, I gather from reading ‘God’s Own Entrepreneurs’ that Roshan has one audience in his mind — future Malayali entrepreneurs. This book will delight their palate.”– Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and MD, Hurun India, Malayali entrepreneurs have contributed not just to our economy, but also the GCC and global economy in a big way. Coming from God’s Own Country, the ability to work hard and be opportunistic has allowed them to flourish. Their stories have not been told, as they should have been. ‘God’s Own Entrepreneurs’ can not only inspire others but also give Malayalis the credit they deserve for helping build India’s entrepreneur ecosystem — Anupam Mittal Shark, Shark Tank India, and Founder Shaadi.com
