Riding The Tide
The US endorsement of Pakistan's position on Kashmir bolsters Musharraf's fortunes even as anti-American outrage gathers steam.

Powell And Patience
President Bush's invitation to Vajpayee for a one-on-one in Washington next month makes up for the disappointment in New Delhi in the wake of Colin Powell's visit.

Autumn Of Turmoil
The Northern Alliance waits and watches the US moves in anticipation of a post-US-attack power struggle with the Taliban.
A look at the mood and the ground realities in Kabul.

METROSCAPE

Orchestra buffs were appalled to learn that tickets to the Zubin Mehta concert in Mumbai were sold out even before the counter opened, giving rise to rumours about insidious deals — a common occurrence when a glamorous event hits the city. But here the frustration was more because this wasn't going to come on TV. Here's what Mehta had to say: "About 1,050 seats are a drop in the ocean for 15 million people. And we always allow TV channels to air our concerts but, surprisingly, no one asked. Next time."

Those who made it to Jamshed Bhabha Theatre (including Nita and Mukesh Ambani, and Shobha and Dilip De) to hear Mehta lead the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) were treated to Scheherezade Symphonic suite Opera 35 by Korsakov, Symphony No 4 in F minor Opera 36 by Tchaikovsky and Rosamunde by Schubert.

The evening was co-organised by the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation (named after the conductor's father). One of the other things Mehta did in the city was to inaugurate the foundation's new premises at Kemp's Corner. He also took an emotional 45-minute trip to his childhood home at Cuffe Parade and pointed out other haunts to the IPO group. For once, the papparazi slipped up completely.

—Himanshi Dhawan

Seasonal Minds

Mumbai designer Azeem Khan, 32, unlike the rest of his fraternity, strongly believes that western notions of autumn like rust hues just don't work in India. That explains the naming of his post-southwest monsoon or pre-tropical winter collection as "Passion", based rather on the theme of weddings than on a geographically inconsistent season. At the Taj President last week, a vermilion stage decorated with lilies formed the backdrop for his range of short kurtas, saris and lehenga-cholis that were heavily dipped in crystals, short bugle beads, coloured pearls, sequins and Chinese silk embroidery (left). There were other things unique to "Passion": it started on time, there were seats for all (including many who couldn't make it to Zubin Mehta's concert) and the Parsons-educated designer's pal, actress Pooja Batra (right, with Khan), was the showstopper in a salmon pink double-layered ghaghra.

—Natasha Israni

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Kolkata Restaurant: Tangerine

Delhi Yoga: Morarji Desai National Yoga Institute

Delhi Cultural Festival : Qutab Festival