Dhrupad is the oldest existing form of Indian classical music. Essentially a spiritual form of music for the purpose of aradhana (worship), dhrupad seeks not to entertain but to induce deep feelings of peace and contemplation in the listener. Over the years, the Dhrupad Society has invited to its Samaroh practically all the dhrupad performers of different vanis and gharanas of the country to share their music and views. This year the three-day festival (March 4-6) at the Habitat World, India Habitat Centre, Delhi, invites leading maestros such as Ustad R. Fahimuddin Dagar, Ustad Asad Ali Khan, Pandit Gopal Krishna and Ustad H. Sayeeduddin Dagar. For more details call: 011-6493295.

HOTEL
Top Class

The Leela Palace, Bangalore, is the only Indian hotel to have made it to the Forbes list of the best new business hotels of 2001. A Kempinski hotel, the Leela draws inspiration from the royal palace of Mysore. The six-floor 254-room hotel has four restaurants, extensive banqueting and conference facilities and a spa and fitness centre. The Leela Palace, 23 Kodihalli, Airport Road, Bangalore. Tel: 080-5211234. Fax: 080-5212222.

BOOK
Deeply Meditative

An evening prayer of the Sikhs, rehras is a quest for the infinite reality that is God. Rehras-Evensong (Viking), translated by Reema Anand and Khushwant Singh, brings to a wider readership the beauty and comfort of some of the most poignant religious compositions. The original hymns in Devnagari script appear alongside the translations. Price: Rs 195.

MUSIC
Nostalgia Rewound

Ghazal, derived from the Arabic word "gazelle" is a metaphoric conversation between a lover and his beloved. The ghazal king from Pakistan, Ghulam Ali, performed at the Swar Utsav in November last year. The recorded live concert has been relesed by Music Today. It contains six numbers including the ghazals Jaan mein meri jaan, Dil-e-naadan, Haal aisa nahin, and others. But don't miss Hungama, the ghazal in raga darbari, where he has used a lot of improvisations, and the thumri, Ka karun sajni, in raga bhairvi. For placing orders log on to: www.music-today.com. Price: Rs 65.