MUSIC
Nirvana L Vaidyanathan
(Music Today; Rs 65)
The composer has created a melodic framework around the themes of peace and harmony. The
effective use of a whole range of sounds and instruments -- veena, cello, Chinese gong,
temple bells, dholak -- elevates the music to soul-stirring heights.
HMV Ke Anmol Ratan --Lata Mangeshkar, OP Nayar, Amit Kumar
(HMV; Rs 35 per cassette)
It's yesterday once more. Each cassette is a compilation of the best from these artistes.
Lata's Tum na jaane from Sazaa, Amit Kumar's Uthe sabke kadam from Baaton Baaton Mein and
O.P. Nayar's Leke pehla pehla pyar are among the jewels. For those who cherish classics,
this is a good buy.
ART
Paintings by George Oomen
(Art Heritage, Delhi; December 26 to January 7)
Nostalgia recollected in tranquillity and colour. This is the Kerala of the mind. The
vibrant greens and lit-up yellows are journeys to homelands. Seen through screens or
drips, this architect-painter's canvases have views of their own.
An exhibition curated by Arpita Singh
(Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi; December 24 to January 12
Curated by Arpita Singh for Kuwait's Dhahiat Abdullah Al-Salem Art Gallery, these
paintings by India's major painters -- M.F. Husain, Ram Kumar, Krishen Khanna, Manjit
Bawa, Paramjit Singh, Nilima Sheikh, Mona Rai, Nalini Malani -- are recent works. There's
a mix of generations and styles. Particularly interesting are the works of the young
Jayshree Chakravarty.
FOOD
The Palms
(Church Street, Bangalore)
Centrally located, this restaurant features highlights from the kitchens of the nawabs of
Hyderabad and the rajas of Chettinad, plus seafood from Mangalore and Kerala. Try the
creamy pounded wheat and shredded lamb stew, or traditional Kerala appams that go with
vegetable stew and ulli thiyal (avial). Meal for two: Rs 250.
28 The Grill
(New Delhi Hilton, Delhi)
Perched on the rooftop of the New Delhi Hilton, savour the restaurant's "contemporary
European cuisine". The farm chicken is delicious. For Rs 450, there's a three-course
business menu which is served at lunch time. The food is well worth the price.
ODD ENDS
The Mahabharata -- The Greatest Story Ever Told
(CD-ROM; Magic Software Pvt Ltd; Rs 1,295)
One of the oldest and most fascinating stories to emerge from this country is now
available -- in its animated version -- on CD-Rom. It's in the form of a story book,
accompanied by an original music score and a "family tree" that helps users
identify a particular character. For a preview, log in to the Net at www.magicsw.com/mahabharata. |
