Madhup Mudgal does not lay claims to any gharana. This Modernite, who used to play the guitar in his youth, was initiated into Hindustani classical music by his father, Pandit Vinaya Chandra Maudagalaya. He has trained under Vasant Thakar and Pandit Jasraj but the abiding influence on his music has been that of Pandit Kumar Gandharva, clearly evident in his eponymous album (HMV, Rs 70), which comprises two morning ragas-Ahir Bhairav and Todi. On the flip side iss raga Todi, including Nee ma maslat pucchaniya, a khayal set to madhyalaya teentaal. Mudgal's sonorous voice and individual style flowers well in this album: an intelligent blend of the traditional and the creative. A good buy for morning listening.

FESTIVAL OF ARTS
February Fiesta

February 4-10 brings a festival of movement arts with representation from more than a dozen countries. Facets 2002 is a choreography lab while Bangalore Biennial 2002 is a festival of contemporary dance and digital arts. At J.N. Tata Auditorium and other venues. Contact Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts. 24-04 BTS Bus Depot Road, Wilson Garden, Bangalore- 560 027. Call 91-80-2123684 or e-mail: attakkalari@hotmail.com.

BOOK
Cheese Catch

For vegetarians, paneer is a viable alternative to meat. The Paneer Cookbook by Kanchan G. Kabra (UBS Publishers, Rs 250) contains over 100 recipes of paneer dishes representing Mughlai, Bengali, Mexican and Italian cuisine. The book has been divided into various sections: vegetables, baked dishes, snacks, teatime snacks, cocktail dishes, sweets, desserts, etc.

INTERNET
Divine Mouse

"A life without religion is a life without principles, and a life without principles is a ship without rudder," said Mahatma Gandhi in his autobiography. And that could be one of the reasons for the surge in religious websites. Log on to www.blessingsonthenet.com for a comprehensive portal on Indian culture providing value-added services and products, catering to religious and spiritual needs of Indians. One could offer online puja. There is online rendering of Bhagvad Gita and a video gallery of temple festivals. It even has a matrimonial column. Temple puja
at the click of a mouse.