India Is Now A Space Power
Hurling the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle into orbit from Sriharikota marks the maturing of India's space faring capabilities. Besides saving on the costs of launching its own satellites, the country has entered the billion-dollar space launch market.

Moment Of Reckoning
The polls are likely to be milestones for the political parties. In Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi is poised to hand over the mantle of the DMK to his son Stalin. And in West Bengal, Mamata may find it takes more than aggression to win a mandate.

Breaking Trust
UTI's dealing in Ketan Parekh's favourite shares has been under a cloud and SEBI's report on the stock-rigging scandal reaffirms suspicions. Bogged down with chunks of worthless shares, UTI's credibility has taken a nose dive.

Cold-Blooded Gamble
Sudden, violent skirmishes along the India-Bangladesh border leaves many dead and raises worrisome questions about peace and security in the North-east as a "friendly" neighbour's problems spill over.

Blue Sari Mystery
A dead polo player, a beautiful woman, an unclaimed garment. The Rajasthan High Court orders the police to look into the case.

BOOKS

Picture Perfect

Indian art gets a master's introduction

By S. Kalidas

Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.

—Thomas Gray, "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"

This archaic opening is a conscious choice as homage to an old-fashioned book. In the country churchyard of Indian art, the National Book Trust has brought out Contemporary Art in India: A Perspective by Pran Nath Mago. Printed on cheap Indian map litho paper, this unpretentious book will probably never make it to the drawing rooms of the fashionably arty. But here at last is a definitive handbook on contemporary Indian art, written by an artist, critic and teacher whose credentials are impeccable.

Unlike the crop of amateur art writers who dominate the scene today, this is the perspective of one who witnessed the formative years of the modernist art practice in India. This book is not an "as told to" account. Nor is it "researched" or culled from secondary sources. Rather, it is a depersonalised account by a veteran painter-scholar who lived through a vital period of modern India's artistic journey. Mago has lived, studied, exhibited, critiqued and taught at three of India's five major art centres-Lahore, Mumbai, Delhi-and abroad, and has been as much a participant
as a reporter and commentator over the last six decades.

From tackling seemingly naive but essentially vexing questions like "What is art?" and the Indian tradition to the twin concepts of nationalism and modernity, and then from the trends on the eve of independence to the scenario of the 1980s, Mago has etched a tight, non-partisan parabola. He has also discussed art education, folk and tribal art, critical concepts and jargon and virtually every important Indian artist. I wish this book was published and promoted with better care and design. But then, the low-key publication is in keeping with the low-profile personality of its author. A must read for anybody who has even a passing interest in contemporary Indian art.

MetroScape

Operation Opera
If he can pull it off, it might well be the highpoint in India's cultural and tourism calendar for 2002. After restoring heritage properties and turning them into highly successful resorts, Francis Wacziarg is now turning to producing a full scale opera in Delhi.
more...

Looking Glass

Calcutta Restaurant: The Hub

Delhi Film Club:
Habitat Film Club

Delhi Bar: Golf Bar

Mashobra Resort: Wildflower Hall