As many as 125 theatre companies from India and abroad will participate in the three-week long Bharat Rang Utsav-Indian Theatre Festival-being organised in Delhi by the capital's prestigious institute National School of Drama from March 16. The festival will see theatre companies from India and abroad perform plays in different languages. Entries have been received from Korea, Germany, Bangladesh, Mauritius and Israel. Street plays, too, have been included in this year's festival. Held at six different venues: Kamani Auditorium, National School of Drama, Shriram Centre, Abhimanch, Meghdoot and Vikrishta Madhyam. Entry by tickets available at the venue.

CRUISE
Floating Fun

If you are visiting God's Own Country Kerala check out this offer. The Taj Kerala has introduced a new luxurious two bedroom air-conditioned houseboat designed to cruise around Lake Vembanad from Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom. Unlike ordinary houseboats this one has wardrobes, study tables and sofa sets in the bedrooms. The floating five-star hotel costs Rs 8,500 for a single room and
Rs 14,500 for two rooms.

BOOKS
Precious Tales

Great Diamonds of India by Monisha Bharadwaj (India Book House) is a definitive account of the history, legends and myths associated with some exceptional diamonds discovered in India. The kaleidoscope of characters in these stories ranges from insouciant kings and queens to avaricious murderers. The price of the book is not mentioned.

TRAVEL
Fly By Jaipur

Indian Airlines' recently launched flight between Mumbai-Jaipur-Delhi-Dubai-the first direct international flight from Rajasthan-allows travellers to fly Jaipur-Dubai at the same rate as the one charged for Delhi-Dubai. Though the inaugural offer of Rs 4,500 for a one-way fare is no longer valid, those keen to fly for the glittering Dubai Shopping Festival until March 31 can avail of one-way fare of Rs 7,400. Booking agents are liberal with further discounts. For domestic fliers, it is cheaper to use this flight even to fly between Jaipur-Delhi and Jaipur-Mumbai.