The Supercrat
Brajesh Mishra, Vajpayee's principal secretary, has emerged as a strong power centre. But his critics say he has bitten off more than he can chew and has become the target of a proxy war against the prime minister.

Going Beyond Square One
India and Pakistan make subtle shifts in their positions on Kashmir, raising hopes of a renewed dialogue and restoration of peace. Much will depend on what happens during Ramzan.

Fifth Column
by Tavleen Singh
Multinational Myths

Prime Movers

Action Manifested

MUSIC: SWAR UTSAV

Magical Moments

EXCEPTIONAL MASTER: Santoor virtuoso Shiv Kumar Sharma is an extraordinary musician and yet a simple man. His rendering of raga Durga cast a spell on the audience.

FOLK FRENZY: Ghazi Khan and his troupe Langa and Manganiar from Rajasthan

Nothing evokes the civilisational ethos of this vast and varied subcontinent as its music. With over 75 musicians spread over 15 sessions in four days, India Today's Swar Utsav-organised in association with the New Delhi Municipal Council-was easily the single biggest musical event in the country in recent times. The capital certainly had not witnessed anything like it in decades.

MORNING RAGAS: Kishori Amonkar brought a touch of auspiciousness and serenity to her early morning concert

The Central Park in Delhi's Connaught Place was the hub of excitement and ecstasy. The crowds came in thousands-with their picnic hampers, shawls, blankets, even sleeping bags-to clap to the Sufi beat under the starlit skies last Saturday. And returned early on Sunday morning to listen to the classical diva Kishori Amonkar.

They were there again through an extended musical marathon on Sunday evening stretching to a non-stop eight hours! It was past 3:30 a.m. when the popular band Euphoria finally bowed out-even as the young swingers continued to dance! Principal Photographer Bandeep Singh captures the mood.

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MetroScape
Celebrating India
Trikaya Grey of Delhi and Concept Communication of Mumbai, tied for the top at India Today's "My India My Pride" ad contest. So they were given an equitable deal of Rs 7.5 lakh each.
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Looking Glass

Mumbai: Restaurants

Bangalore: Concert

Delhi: Restaurant

Ayodhya is an issue that is pre-determined. And it matters little in the present fuss that the foremost casualty is the truth, writes INDIA TODAY Deputy Editor Swapan Dasgupta in
Day Dreams.

Orissa's Chilika, the largest brackish water lake in Asia, is dying. But there is a concerted effort to restore its health. INDIA TODAY Special Correspondent Ruben Banerjee takes a look at the diagnosis and treatment in Despatches.