Designers and fashionistas today are getting inspired by fashions from the past and fusing them into retrofashion, finds Avra Biswas
Who would have ever thought that a group of music-minded youngsters would borrow a universally famous Indian decoction for the name of its music band? But Filter Coffee does exactly that, Shoma A. Chatterji reports
The tragic death of comedian Robin Williams and Oscar winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman this year shocked the world and raised questions about why celebrities take their own lives though enjoying success beyond an average man's dream. Shoma A. Chatterji probes
Director like Mainak, is a gift to an actor: Samrat
Actor Samrat Chakrabarti's inner calling brought him to Kolkata from the USA to work in Tollywood. He had worked in blockbusters like 'The Bong Connection', 'Dwando', 'Shada Kaalo Abcha' earlier. His recent tryst with acting involves Mainak Bhaumik’s 'Kolkata Calling'. IBNS correspondent Torsha Banerjee spoke with the actor on various issues ranging from his movies to his pairing with actress Raima Sen in the latest film.
Cruising for pleasure has not lost its appeal even in this high-speed air travel age. What has changed is how the sea-bound like to experience it today. The high-tech ship 'Quantum of the Seas' is a revelation to Ranjita Biswas
India has been rather slow in preserving the inherited wealth of audiovisual material. Despite the lack of overall support, a few concerned institutions as well as individuals are determined to protect the legacy. TWF correspondent Uttara Ganguly reports
'I want to create playfront singers'
Vocalist Prasant A Samadhar trained talented singers like Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh, but never himself ran for a pure Bollywood playback career. He is now teaming up with maestros Girija Devi and Hariharan for a live stage performance. TWF correspondent Shabarni Basu caught up with the singer on music, stage shows and more...
The birth centenary of great ghazal exponent Begum Akhtar is being celebrated through different events beginning this year. One is scheduled for the Nehru Centre in London, conceived by Rita Ganguly, her well-known disciple. She reveals many facets of her guru to Shoma A. Chatterji on a recent visit to Kolkata
Industrial animation is growing big: Mayabious Art founder
Mayabious Art has been making a mark with its performance in the paradigm of digital media. Winning several awards, including the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival award 2014 for its contribution to Indian cinema, has added new feathers to the company's cap. IBNS correspondent Supriyo Hazra caught up with co-founder and CEO of the company Akhil Bandhu Paul for a brief chat over his future plans and the animation sector recently. Excerpts:
India soaks in Diwali celebration, WB observes Kali Puja
New Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata, Oct 23 (IBNS): Putting an end to restless wait, Indians on Thursday indulged in the grand celebration of Diwali amid bursting of crackers, fireworks and chains of dazzling lights adorning perhaps every corner of the country, which leaves almost no individual immune from the festive fever.
Little magazines, often called 'small magazines', publish experimental and non-conformist writings by relatively unknown but dedicated writers. West Bengal is known for its great volume of little magazines. Two filmmakers, Abhijoy Karlekar and Utpal Basu examine the phenomenon through a documentary called 'Little Magaziner Katha'. Shoma A. Chatterji reports
Wine and cheese party for Rang Rasiya team
Mumbai, Oct 10 (IBNS) Fashion designer Sangita Kathiwada recently hosted a wine and cheese party along with producer Deepa Sahi at her trendy South Mumbai studio, Melange, for the cast and crew of director Ketan Mehta's upcoming release 'Rang Rasiya'.
Bengalis welcome Goddess Lakshmi today
Kolkata, Oct 7 (IBNS): With the sound of 'dhak' silently fading in the air with a mood of gloominess prevailing in the air with the end of the grand festival of the Bengali community-the Durga Puja- people of Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal once again geared up to taste the flavour of festivity by welcoming the Goddess of wealth, Ma Lakshmi, with customary rituals on Tuesday.
Revellers bid adieu to Goddess Durga on Maha Dashami
Kolkata, Oct 3 (IBNS): It's time again to bid adieu to the Hindu Goddess Durga and her four children (Laxmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh) as Maha Dashami puja commenced on Friday amid a mood of gloominess in Kolkata and the rest of Bengal.
Festive fever reaches peak on Maha Ashtami-Maha Navami
Kolkata, Oct 2 (IBNS): The festive spirit in Kolkata reached its peak on Thursday as the Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami celebrations of the Durga Puja commenced on the same day.