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METROSCAPE: LOOKING GLASS
DELHI
Restaurant
 Delhi
is unlikely to fall short of lovers of Punjabi food, however numerous
the options. But Singh Sahib, the new restaurant at Parkroyal named
after Maharaja Ranjit Singh, claims to be different. The recipes by Jiggs
Kalra have been extricated from the culinary hotspots of "undivided
Punjab"-Potohar, Lahore, Sargoda, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Amritsar-thus
presenting an varied trans-national choice. The pick: quails (with an
undisclosed filling) and cooked on dum with saffron gravy; marinated chicken
cooked on a bhatti, the dish mastered by Balbir Singh "Beera"
of Amritsar; tandoori prawns; Baluchi mutton; and a bizarre dish of Peshawari
fish paupiettes stuffed with shrimp mousse. Vegetarians can go for the
dhingri (spinach) kofta, also served at the Indo-Pak summit at Agra, the
alu vadiya (potato dumplings) and the distinctive aubergine mash from
Rawalpindi. Though it must be said that the dal makhni, or black lentils
in staggering quantities of non-clarified butter, takes its name a bit
too seriously. Traditional beverages complement the food with innovative
twists like panna with pineapple juice. Decor is prudently subdued; hotel
honchos wanted that the focus should be entirely on food. Meal for two:
Rs 4,000. Call (011) 622-3344 for more details.
CHENNAI
Exhibitions
 True
to seasonal form, Apparao Galleries has an exhaustive line-up of
exhibitions, begining with utilitarian objects in crystal inspired by
oceanic life, including miniature porpoises, sea anemones and fish in
tender aqua greens. Showing from September 1 to 30 is Indigo, a textile
show dedicated to the "monarch of vegetable dyes" with fabrics
by designers, beside traditional kalamkari and bandini. There's also the
sculptural spectacle Animals of the earth (September 6-20) with contributions
from Laxma Goud (a facetious, toy-like take of a rider on a horse, left),
Jyotsna Bhatt, Sanket Patel, Deepali Daroze, G. Reghu, R. B. Bhaskaran
Muralidharan and Rajshekharan Nair, among others. The gallery has never
been short on eclecticism. Call the Wallace Gardens gallery at (044) 827-7685
for more details.
BANGALORE
Space Ride
 The
city's first space simulation ride, Thrillarium, is a 15-minute
fantasy package where you strap yourself to one of the 20 computer-controlled
hydraulic seats and then, as if on a space ship, encounter thundering
asteroids, lightless black holes, galactic clusters in between the scary
void of infinite space. There's also a virtual fight with alien enemy
ships, UFOs and of course, the Martians. The space spin at Moto Royal
Arcade on Brigade Road is open from 11.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. daily with
shuttles every half hour. Each ride costs Rs 50 ... and expect long queues
over the weekend and holidays. Call (080) 509-8223 for more details.
DELHI
Maps
 Indian
maps have commonly been unfriendly encounters with lines and bands, and
restricted visual enticement. But the Dastkaru Haat Samiti, whose
president is Jaya Jaitly, has taken an initiative in cartographic improvisation.
It presents a set of nine craft maps of different states, each modelled
in the folk style of the region, highlighting areas famous for their handicrafts
and textiles. The one on Madhya Pradesh is painted by Jangarh Singh Shyam
the late Pradhan Gond artist from Bhopal in his signature tribal style,
while the Orissa guide by Brahmabhai Nayak is in the patachitra format
with the Jagannath triumvirate brooding at the top edge. The explanatory
text is informative, though the faint colours in the lettering could make
it a strenuous read. Cost: Rs 100 for each. Call (022) 656-8373 for more
details.
DELHI
Play
 A
typical Neil Simon farce, Rumours is the story of how a bunch of
guests arrive at a dinner party to find their host lying wounded by a
gunshot, and the wife and domestic help missing. Typically, that leads
to raised eyebrows, comical mix-ups, more than a whiff of scandal and
rip-roaring rumours. Never mind your grey cells. Just enjoy yourself with
this version presented by the Delhi theatre group Scene Stealers. It's
directed by Vivek Mansukhani and stars Ramneeka Dhillon Lobo, Rashid Raza,
Debbie Menezes and others. Venue: Sri Ram Centre. Dates: August 31, September
1 and 2. For tickets call (011) 371-4307 or 461-7030.
DELHI
Textiles
 Lustrous,
soft, glossy-the reference to silk usually evokes such pleasing tactile
recollection. But Dutch photographer Margerit Smulders's photo exhibition
Out of the cocoon—the story of tasar silk at the Crafts Museum
captures the romance of the coarse, rugged Tussar and the complex stages
of its manufacture as a fabric. At the exhibition, organised by NGO Pradhan,
one can take home a Tussar stole as momento and view real cocoons amidst
the straw-mat decor. On till August 30. Call (011) 337-1817.
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