India's bin laden
October 1 in Srinagar was not as dramatic as September 11 in the US. But the attack on the J&K Assembly emphasises the reality that India continues to be a permanent victim of jehad, that the author of the blast is the bin Laden of Kandahar vintage.

Reclaiming The Faith
Despite Pakistan's extremist image, the country is home to a wide cross-section of people holding moderate views on religion. After the terrorist attacks on the US, it is this non-confrontationist lobby that is waging a coup against the militant and vocal religious extremists.

Ready To Strike
The US strategy to strike the Taliban includes making use of the Northern Alliance, favoured by Russia and Iran and distrusted by Pakistan. In its military pact with the front, the US should keep in mind the future power equations in Afghanistan.

METROSCAPE

I compare India to Draupadi in the dice scene of the Mahabharata ... she keeps unfolding," says French scriptwriter Jean-Claude Carriere in mildly accented English and an understanding that extends beyond touristy applause. The 70-year-old legend, famous for films like The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoise and The Objects of Desire, has been to India over 25 times since 1982 when he became theatre man Peter Brooks' choice to script the Mahabharata for a nine-hour play. This time Carriere's visit to Delhi, after adulated versions of the epic (a TV series and a three-hour film) have been around for 15 years, was to release a book about his Indian travels with Brooks. The awe persists: "There is continuity; a link with the past. Do you find that in Greece or Egypt?"

In Search of the Mahabharata (Macmillan), translated from the French original by Aruna Vasudev, chronicles the initial three years of Carriere's journeys in crisp, diary-like notations. The book also contains his numerous sketches ("They have more feeling than a camera"), including those of Kanchi's Sankaracharya, a tribal chieftain in Bihar, Therukutu performance in Chennai, or just plain figure studies. "One of the happiest memories of my life is getting up early in the morning in a hotel in Udipi or anywhere and travelling in an Ambassador with Peter," remembers Carriere, "And coming back and recording what happened."

The idea of doing Mahabharata was first broached by Brooks in 1974, but it took more than eight years of reading and researching before they felt they were ready for India. Now leaving becomes painful.

—Anshul Avijit

Provogue's Fall/Winter 2001 show at Delhi's Parkroyal hotel began fashionably late, and early birds who insisted on filling their seats on time were treated to a rub-your-eyes sight-the brand's new face, actor Fardeen Khan, resolutely sweating down the ramp in an unending practice session even after the models disappeared to get on with their make-up. So much for spoilt stars.

Once the event began, the audience was rewarded for its patience and swept along in a wave of energy. The women looked good in cigarette pants, slim shirts and sleek party wear, but the loudest cheers were reserved for the men-Zulfi Syed, Rahul Dev, Aryan Vaid and company who flirted uninhibitedly with the responsive audience. Khan brought up the rear by effortlessly shaking his tush to his hit song Kambakht Ishq. After the wait, something to remember.

—Shuchi Sinha

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Bangalore Gallery: Gallerie Zen

Delhi Handicrafts: Crafts Museum

With a dramatic fall in the viewership of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Star makes a last-ditch effort to prop up its ratings. INDIA TODAY's Himanshi Dhawan analyses the revival struggle of the pasha of programmes in
Survival Of The Fittest