Let 'em read books

Last year, there were 180 book stalls at the Hyderabad Book Fair. This year, in its 24th edition at People's Plaza on the Necklace road, there are 240 stalls. A 33 per cent increase in the number of retailers. If this is one sign, the streets signs too are unmistakable about the rise in the number of bibliophiles. Four huge bookstores have opened up in the city over the past five months without any decline in the footfalls in the older book stores. While two of the bookstores belong to the Tata group, another belongs to the Swraj Paul's Apeejay Group giving an index of interest by big business groups.

The Hyderabad book fair is the bellwether of which way the book trade is going in the city and is the pulse of reader trends. As the sharp rays of winter sun play with the chill weather, and workers spray water on the ground to keep the dust from rising in the air, the announcer makes it clear. “No plastic bags please. Let's do our bit for the environment, buy and use paper bags. Hundred bags for Rs. 120.” Shopping for books at an exhibition is an unpredictable affair if you have a wandering eye for books. You cannot start at the entrance and end it with the food stalls.

Two college-going girls giggle and debate the choice between P.S. I Love You and the fat tomes of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. One gentleman walks into the India Publications stall and wants a copy of the Indian Constitution. “We have run out of the copies. Yes they are very good,” says the person manning the stall. In a stall selling books for Rs. 20, Rs. 50 and Rs. 100, a woman admonishes her son to let go of the books. “We have bought enough of them,” she says heading to the counter with an armful of books for making the payment. Unfortunately, not all the stalls are accepting card payment, throwing a spanner in impromptu shopping experience.

“I make it a point to come here to feel that I live in a civilised city. Yes, the book shops have most of the books available here, but here I can see a range that I will have to really hunt. No niches, all the books for the eyes to see,” says a gentleman carrying an Asterix three-book edition. Needless to say, all the stalls have a 10 per cent discount while some religious books have a higher discount but the real put downer is the no discount from the old book dealers who have real gems in their kitty.

A world away in Banjara Hills and Somajiguda are three book shops that stock the newest of releases where you can pick up the volume of Complete Playboy Centrespreads as well as Wolf Hall as well as the full collection of Agatha Christie. It is not just book you can even pick up music CDs, DVDs, gizmos and even toys. You can almost see one bookshop from the other. “There are many factors that go into choosing a location. We decided this is the biggest space we can get and the competition does not figure into the scheme of things as we have the largest inventory in the city,” said the man at one of the big retailers.

“People may think Internet is cannibalising readership but I have discovered it to be a different thing. People's appetite is getting whetted by the information they glean from the net. They watch movies, they read about books, writers and then they place orders for the book,” says one of the oldest book retailers in the city.

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Health books take more rack space at book fair

Have you ever wondered how the coast line of southern India was centuries ago? Or how the mutiny of 1857 was planned and executed? If you are a history buff or a research scholar then head straight to the Asian Educational Services (AES) stall at the 24th Hyderabad Book Fair being held at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road.

The AES publishers reprint travelogues, history and archaeology books written by historians and authors centuries ago. The oldest book reprinted by them is a biography of Fourth Viceroy of India: The Life of Dom John de Castro which was first printed in 1664, stall manager D.Mariappan informed. Inaugurated on Thursday, the annual book fair houses over 200 stalls of different publishing houses and publications. From educational books to the best sellers in English, Telugu and other languages, the fair also has on sale interactive cd-roms on different subjects. Spiritual and health books stalls dominate the fair this year while fiction and children’s books come a close second.

Interestingly, the Hyderabad Book Fair has gone ‘green’ by banning plastic bags. Over 1,50,000 paper bags have been provided by The Tulsi Group of Seeds to help decrease pollution, organisers informed.

The fair which will be on till December 27 was inaugurated by D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for Higher Education and NRI affairs and D.Manikya Vara Prasad Rao, Minister for Secondary Education.

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‘My books are in first person’

Wordsmith: Jenny Valentine at her book reading session.
HYDERABAD: In a chance visit to a mini-cab office, 16-year-old Lucas Swain finds an unclaimed urn of ashes. And so begins Jenny Valentine’s story about a young boy who finds himself as he searches for the dead Violet Park whose ashes were abandoned in a taxi.
“It’s about an unusual friendship between a young boy and a dead old woman,” says Valentine of ‘Finding Violet Park’, her first book, which won the prestigious Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. The author was here on Tuesday for a book reading of her two novels. The second, ‘Broken Soup’, is also the story of a teenager, a young girl this time. Rowan Clarke, with a broken family and a six-year-old sister to care for has enough on her plate until a stranger forces her to accept a negative of a photograph which doesn’t belong to her.
However, she soon finds an unexpected connection.
“Both my books are similar in that they are about teenagers who have to solve a mystery to answer questions about their lives,” says the author, who never intended to write for children. “After I wrote the book, the publisher told me it’s a children’s book,” she says. “If you keep thinking about the genre, it makes the writing stunted, less convincing.” A huge fan of Kurt Vonnegut, she believes in a simple style and succeeds because her writing carries a disarming simplicity, characteristic of the young adults who tell the stories.
“My books are always in first person. I find it to be less pretentious,” she explains.
To the constant lament that children do not read as much nowadays, she responds, “I think television and books have their own place. And I always end up meeting children who are passionate about words.” At the book reading itself, she met a 12-year-old, who is ready to publish his own book. “It’s great to meet children like him. I wish I wrote a book at that age!”

source:hindu

An entertaining week ahead

The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are all geared up for the week-long 16th International Children’s Film Festival that will take off on Saturday.

Briefing journalists here on Thursday, A. P. Minister for Information and Public Relations J. Geetha Reddy said elaborate arrangements have been made to screen films. Three shows have been planned in all the theatres. The main festival theatre is Prasad Multiplex where screens one, two and three are earmarked for the festival movies. Hari Hara Kala Bhavan, Konark, Sudha, Raghavendra, Cine Planet Multiplex, Hitech, Usha Mayuri and Laxmikala theatres will also screen children’s movies.

The mega event will be formally inaugurated by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni at the Lalita Kala Thoranam on Saturday evening. A. P. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, noted film director, writer and poet Gulzar and former Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao will be guests of honour.

Chairperson of the Children’s Film Society, India (CFSI) Nandita Das said nearly 500 delegates including children would attend the festival. Coinciding with the UNICEF’s 20th anniversary of Convention of Rights of Children, 25 films will be screened. She said jury members include Larsberg, chairman of International competition, noted director Nagesh Kukunoor, Dr. Shanta Sinha, Uta Hartman Beth, popular actor Revathi and Bollywood actor Ashish Vidyarthi. Ten children have been selected for the child jury.
Awards

Films screened would be considered for awards to be presented on November 20. The best feature film will get Golden Elephant and Rs 2 lakh in the International and Asian panorama respectively. The best director for international and Asian panorama will be presented Golden Elephant and Rs. 1 lakh respectively. Golden Plaque will be given away to the best film selected by the children’s jury. Three Silver Elephants would be awarded for the best short film, best animation film and best screenplay.


Children’s Film Festival,Children’s Film Festival in hyderabad,Children’s Film Festival news

e-bike rally sends out a strong message

A row of 50 e-bikes waited in saddle, as a motley group of youngsters huddled near the People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, trying to send out signals of unity by wearing T-shirts that said ‘let’s vote’. The nip in the air raised goose-bumps and the intermittent drizzle drenched them from top to bottom, though it could not do the same to their spirits.

They were there to spread an important message as was evident through the writings on their T-shirts and the placards they were holding.

“Our major aim is to mobilise the educated middle class which usually abstains from the electoral process. We organised similar events during the 2008 elections too, though this is our first such before the GHMC polls. We also campaigned at a few corporate companies,” said Bipin Pendyala, a member of the core committee of ‘LetsVote’.

The NGO began the movement to raise awareness among professionals and citizens to participate in the voting process. The team largely comprises IT employees, working professionals and former bureaucrats.

District Collector Navin Mittal who was to flag off the rally had been the last to arrive, much later than the scheduled time. As if waiting for the moment, the youngsters mounted the damp saddles, and started off their journey with a mission.

The rally astride the BSA Battery Powered Green Scooters raced through the Necklace Road and proceeded to cover Minister Road, M.G. Road, Paradise, S.D. Road, R.P. Road, Tank Bund, A.G. Office Road, Ravindra Bharathi, Lakdikapul, Khairatabad, Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda, Begumpet Road and S.P. Road, to finally reach the Parade Grounds. E-bikes were chosen on purpose to campaign for a pollution-free environment, members said.

The NGO also adopted a government primary school in Thummalapalli village of Mahabubnagar district which was flood-affected.

Stationary, geometry boxes, charts, science kits, maps, language kits, maths kits, blackboards, dusters, chalks, and furniture were donated to the school.

A health camp was organised in coordination with Medwin Hospitals.

‘Kane and Abel’ creator floors one and all

Jeffrey Archer is not just a master story-teller but quite regaling in person too. For one and half hours, the excited audience did nothing but gape, laugh, applaud and take in every word and witticism that came out of his mouth. Jeffrey Archer, the man whose writings they grew up with was there in the flesh and the crowd lapped up every moment.

Ask anyone who has been to Landmark store in Banjara Hills on a drizzling Sunday and they will testify to that. On his maiden visit to the city, Mr. Archer was here to launch the 30th anniversary edition of his all-time bestseller ‘Kane and Abel’.

The re-crafted version of the saga of two of his well-known protagonists, William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski is 7,000 words shorter than the first edition published in 1979 with no change in the plotline.



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“It’s more streamlined and faster,” he remarked. The British author is currently working on ‘Clifton Chronicles’, a five-book saga about “a man who will be born on the first page in 1920 and will die on the last page of the last book,” set in 2020. “It is about his life in those 100 years.”

Asked if he intends to base a plot in India, he remarked, “You have four or five greatest writers on earth in this country. I can’t touch them..., their upbringing, their knowledge…”

But he disclosed a short story ‘Cast Off’ in his short story book, ‘And Thereby Hangs a Tale’ is based on “a Hindu love story” of a Delhi couple he saw “in front of my eyes.”

Narrating different aspects of his life right from the testing initial days trying to get his first novel published, after being rejected by 16 publishers and misadventures on talk shows in the US while promoting ‘Kane and Abel’ to his working style, lessons learnt from life and the bonding shared with fellow-prisoners during his time in jail, Mr. Archer was there bang on with his audience.

For those of you who missed him yesterday, fret not. His parting lines could do some solace: “I am gonna come back to the city again and again.”

Essence of Hyderabad

Basically Hyderabadi at first glance, is a trip down memory lane for most of us who have lived in the city. The scenes and profiles are bound to evoke images of experiences that one has had in Hyderabad.

Quintessentially Hyderabadi, the paintings depict the leisurely pace of the old city, of women clad in burkhas strolling in an unhurried manner through bazaars, a group of bearded men clustered together and a charcoal sketch of an old fakir with a flowing beard.

The artist, Syed Rayees Ahmed, has resorted to the cubis style, the provenance of renowned artist Pablo Picasso, for his paintings. Crisp geometric lines with bright colours bring out the colourful attire of the Hyderabadis beautifully. In sharp contrast to the gaiety in their attire, their expressions remain somber and unassuming, born of a simple and unquestioning faith in their way of life. This is a style that has been inspired by famous artist, Laxma Goud, whose artwork has similar flashes of colourful raiment in marked contrast with charcoal-grey poker-faced expressions.

In keeping with the cubis style, the artist has tried to show inner qualities in portraits with the use of multiple well defined facets instead of a single frontal aspect. The paintings also show a stained glass effect similar to the Byzantine religious paintings, which the artist has adapted in a modern style with the use of religious icons that merge in with the forms depicted in the paintings.

The collection is a mixed one, with paintings and sketches done by the artist. The sketches which were done over a period, truly bring out the influence of the artist’s mentor, Thota Vaikuntam. Done in a sculpturistic style, they have well defined two dimensional lines that somehow contrive to create a three dimensional effect.

However, what really brings out the skill of Rayees is that instead of attempting to replicate his mentor’s style, he has borrowed specific traits from the styles of three different artists, that are best suited to the Hyderabadi scenario and has created a wonderful collection.

While Vaikuntam’s strokes are thicker and bold, which works perfectly for the rustic settings that he portrays, Rayees has toned down his strokes to suit the frailty and delicate lines of Hyderabadi features. His sketches also bring into prominence the expression in the eyes of the veiled women.

In short, the collection makes for an interesting viewing. Basically Hyderabadi — Chronicles of Old City is on view at the Iconart Gallery till November 20.

I am touched by your love: Manna Dey

“All my friends have left me, what am I doing here all alone and isolated?” the 91-year-old legendary playback singer Manna Dey, asked himself yet again, but this time in public — in an overflowing auditorium and at a glittering function. It was at a felicitation programme to the maestro on winning one of the highest awards of the country, the Dada Saheb Phalke, here on Friday.

“This overwhelming affection from all of you perhaps has an answer to my question,” he said modestly.

The singer whose voice achieves a unique balance between profound classicism and the challenges of film music, was an embodiment of poise and elegance: “I am an ordinary musician. I was fortunate to have listened to good music and have met great maestros. But just that doesn’t make anyone special. You, my listeners, have made me special. The Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Phalke doesn’t touch me at all. I am touched by your love.”

A visibly moved Mr. Manna Dey, paid tribute to Mohammed Rafi, who was his dear friend and also one of the “greatest singers.” In fact, Mr. Manna Dey, extended this honour bestowed upon him to all his contemporaries — Hemant Kumar, Talat Mehmood, Kishore Kumar, Lata, Asha, and Rafi. “I’m grateful for what you gave all of us. We have lived on…,” he said.

Graciously accepting the crowd’s request Mr. Manna Dey sang “Sur Na Saje” and “Ye Mere Zohrajabeen” in a manner that defied his age. “I’m 91 years young. I practise two hours every day, and give three-hour concerts. God willing, I want to sing till my last breath,” said Mr. Manna Dey to the thunderous applause of the audience.

Mr. Manna Dey was felicitated by actor Bharati Vishnuvardhan. The programme conceived by Gururaj of Sound of Music orchestra had many local singers singing Mr. Manna Dey’s numbers.

City enjoys a tasty treat

The last day of the UpperCrust show was a perfect fix for a lazy Sunday for all Hyderabadis who flocked there. From ad guru, Prahlad Kakkar displaying his culinary skills, to Farzana Contractor enthralling the crowds with a lowdown on how to lead a good life, the one-of-its-kind show was a huge hit with the city.
Thanks to the extended weekend, several food enthusiasts were seen hanging out at the food exhibition on its last day. Be it kitchen novices, food connoisseurs or just eager youngsters who want to stock up on yummy eats, the food show had something for everyone.
Prahlad Kakkar’s version of daab chingri, an innovative cheese paprika fondue by chef Banshi Dhar, was among the hottest picks of the audience. “I absolutely love seafood and have come here just to check out the seafood stall,” says Kainaz, a Jet Airways employee.
The star attraction however, was the gelato stand. “I like the gelato stand here and also the fun food stall,” says 10-year-old Xena, even as she was busy digging into her gelato.
Radhika Mandala, who conducts baking and chocolate-making classes, says, “This show is surely something the city has never seen before. From checking out the live demonstrations to the picking yummy eats at the stall, this was a perfect way to spend a weekend.”

‘I loved the response’
Talking about her experience of bringing the first UpperCrust show to Hyderabad, a visibly excited Farzana Contractor says, “The response in the city has been very good. Hyderabadis have good taste. We hope to return on a bigger scale next year.”
Talking about her own segment at the show where she talks about celebrating a good life entails, Farzana says, “I would say a good life is a perfect balance of food and travel.”

Events :Coming Up In hyderabad

Cultural Programme
A concert by Varanasi Soumya is being held.

Sep 5, 6.30 pm, TTD Balaji Bhavan.

The Kerala Arts and Cultural Association has postponed its Onam celebrations from September 6 to October 2.

Oct 2, Indiranagar, Ramanthapur.

Festival
British Council Library is holding a crime festival, where works of noted crime authors will be displayed.

Till Sep 15, British Council Library, Saifabad.

Fair
Crafts from North Eastern states are on display.

Till Sep 6, 10 am, Visvesvaraya Bhavan, Khairatabad.

Exhibition
An exhibition of spiritual, abstract paintings is being held.

Till Sep 11, 6.30 pm, Iconart Gallery, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills.

Black & White — an exhibition of abstract paintings by Gopal Nayak & Srikant Dhunde is being held

Till Sep 10, 11 am to 7 pm, Shrishti Art Gallery, Jubilee Hills.

Lecture
A talk on ‘Kidneys — Normal and in disease’ is being held.

Sep 6, 7 am, Indira Priyadarshini Auditorium, Public Gardens.

Film Festival
Film Telangana, a digital short film festival, will be held.

Sep 12 and Sept 13, Film Bhavan, Karimnagar.

The French film Breathless will be screened.

Sep 8, 6.30 pm onwards, Sarathi Studio, Ameerpet.

A film Meeting A Milestone will be screened.

Sep 4, 6.15 pm, Prasad Labs Preview Theatre, Banjara Hills.

Competition
National Institution of Nutrition will conduct an elocution competition for school children on the topic ‘Good Nutrition — A’.

Sep 7, 10 am, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia-Osmania P.O. Hyderabad. Contact: 27018234.

Cultural Programme
Carnatic vocal recital by B.S. Kathikeya.

Sep 5, 6.30 pm, Tyagaraja Gana Sabha, Chikkadpally.

Having a blast at Ahala

Partygoers were seen chilling at Ahala recently as it was one of the few watering holes that was open. The Jethwani brothers were seen having a good time. DJ Jay was in his element as he belted out racy house numbers. Spotted Shivali Singh, Roshini Verghese and others.

The city’s social scene is as good as dead as nobody is in the mood to head out to unwind as everybody’s still reeling under the shock. All private parties and iftar dos have been postponed and party animals are all lying low.

Iskcon decked up for Krishna Janmashtami

The Iskcon Temple at Rayapura here is all decked up to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami on Friday, the eighth day in the month of Bhadon according to Hindu calendar. Elaborate arrangements have been made for various types of pujas and cultural programmes.

The pujas in the illuminated temple will begin at 4 am with `mangala arati' for Sri Krishna and Balarama. Then the deities, adorned in special `vrindavan alankar' with dress and ornaments, will be open for darshan of devotees till 12 midnight.

Krishnotsava, a fancy dress competition for children, will begin at 10 am. Children dressed in various avatars of Lord Krishna and Radha may participate. Traditional dances depicting the pastimes of Lord Krishna, classical dance, bhajans, folk dance, yakshagana and concerts will be held in the evening.

NWKRTC will run special buses from Hubli and Dharwad to the temple for the benefit of devotees.

Archanas and aratis: 10 am to 10 pm

Jhulana seva: 10 am to 10 pm

Dolotsava: 8.30 pm

Pallakki Utsav: 10.30 pm

Mahabhishekham: 11 pm

Replica of Mumbai’s Ganesh for city

Festive hues: A Ganesh idol resembling Mumbai’s famous Lalbagh idol being prepared by an artisan at Dhoolpet on Friday.

HYDERABAD: Ganesh festivities this year have something new for the devotees in the city. Joining the myriad presentations of the remover of all obstacles is going to be the replica of Mumbai’s famous Lalbagh Ganesh.

The artisans in Dhoolpet are busy giving final touches to 50 idols depicting Lalbagh’s Ganesh idol popularly called as “Lalbagh Ka Raja” in Mumbai.

Thousands of devotees, including Bollywood actors have darshan of “Lalbagh Ka Raja” seated on a gigantic throne with glimmering ornaments made with Plaster of Paris (PoP) during Ganesh festival every year.

Working in his workshop in the dingy lanes of Dhoolpet, an artisan Dhruv Singh has mooted the idea of making the replica of Lalbagh Ganesh idol in Hyderabad.

Last year, he saw the immersion of Lalbagh Ganesh on television news channels and decided to make it this year.

He and his family members first started working on a model and despite some hiccups on its height, successfully made a 14-foot idol resembling Lalbagh Ganesh.

Days after displaying the idol as a sample in the workshop, hundreds of pandal organisers, who came to give orders for idols, were attracted by the representation and started enquiring the price.

Within a few days, organisers from Orissa, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Adilabad and Nellore along with those from twin cities gave orders requesting Dhruv Singh to add some more lustre.

“We have studied every aspect of Lalbagh Ganesha with a special focus on its attire and jewellery for two months and made the same idols here. It’s really a great experience in making these beautiful idols for first time in the State,” says Dhruv Singh.

Artisans, however, explain the cost of idols ranging between 10 and 14 feet has gone up by 30 per cent owing to steep rise in transportation charges coupled with shortage of workers.

The cost of a 20 kgs PoP bag is now Rs.100 when compared to Rs.85 in 2008.

“Our transportation charges are increasing every year because the material has to be brought from Rajasthan.

In addition to this, prices of colours have also gone up forcing us to increase the prices,” adds another artisan Sundar.

Anti-ragging workshop

Osmania University is conducting a workshop for the principals of campus, constituent and affiliated colleges of the university on anti-ragging measures, on August 10 at the Tagore auditorium. Intimations have been sent to all the principals and they need to attend the workshop, according to a press release.

A relaxed affair

Socialites headed to Hampshire Plaza hotel on Wednesday evening for the midnight buffet. Guests were seen interacting with the US Consul General Cornelius M. Keur and his wife Sommay at the do. The performance of ghazal singers complimented the relaxed ambience. Guests were heard raving about the cocktails and yummy food.
Spotted Sherry Javeri, Begum Naheed, Suman-Kamini Saraf, Rummy-Sunny Azad, Sunila, Liran Bakhtiyar, Zia-Mobashir, Laxmi Devi Raj, Amrit, the Alam Khans, Shravan and actor Eijaz Khan among others.

TITTLE TATTLE
Ever since Junior NTR’s clean image came crashing down when scandalous videos of him were posted online, other Tollywood party boys are on high alert. They are wary of who they are seen with, what they do and who’s clicking their photos.

An opulent celebration

Politicians and prominent Tollywood personalities headed to the engagement of Suman and Sheetal, daughter of MLC Mohan Reddy, held in Chandana Gardens. Actor-turned-politician Jayasudha was seen congratulating the couple. After the couple exchanged rings, guests were seen catching up with each other over cocktails.
Spotted PCC chief D. Srinivas, higher education minister D. Sridhar Babu, Komatreddy Venkat Reddy, Sudharshan Reddy, industrialist brother duo Ram-Shekar Reddy and educationalist Malla Reddy among others.

Relishing the local flavour
The younger P3 lot headed to the opening of a fine-dining Andhra cuisine restaurant recently. Hosts Abbas, Amit and Sohail were seen interacting with everyone. The guests were seen treating their taste buds by digging into the yummy spicy fare. The minimalistic and elegant decor was a hit with everyone. Spotted actor Venkat, Tina and Rushda among others.

TITTLE TATTLE
Our T’wood stars tend to go over the top when the spotlight is on them. At a recent function, when the pretty emcee asked Allu Arjun if he was a playboy because he’s fondly called “Bunny”, he took everyone by surprise by planting a kiss on the poah emcee, who didn’t look pleased one bit. ‘It’s a bunny kiss’, he sheepishly explained.

A star-studded wedding do

A star-studded wedding do

Dignitaries, politicians and P3Ps headed to the wedding ceremony of Rajesh and Aishwarya held at HICC on Wednesday night. The who’s who of the city was seen at the do. Chiranjeevi came in with his wife Surekha to wish the newly-weds. Guests were seen catching up with one another over dinner. Spotted Home Minister Sabitha Indira Reddy, Suresh Reddy-Padmaja Reddy, producer Ramanaidu, actor Jayasudha, Komatreddy Venkat Reddy, Raj Mohan Reddy and Navin Mittal among others.

TITTLE TATTLE
Party boy Feroz Khan surprised everyone when he disappeared from the social scene just before the elections. He hoped that a “clean” image would help him win but since that didn’t work, he’s back to partying with a vengeance. His buddies can’t stop taunting him by saying, “We told you, partying and politics are not connected.”

Centennial celebration

Shemaroo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy celebrate the centenary year of Akira Kurosawa, the renowned Japanese film maker with a screening of his film. The event will be inaugurated by T.S. Nagavharana, film maker and chairman, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy and will be followed by a screening of Kurosawa’s “Rashomon” on July 31. The films “Madadaya” and “Ran” will be screened on August 1 and 2, respectively. The films will be screened at Suchitra Auditorium, Banashankari 2nd Stage, at 6.30 p.m.

It is open to all.

Sunday special :Asli Punjabi Khana

A real favourite with Indians and foreigners alike, Punjabi food is well on its way to becoming the most popular cusine in the world and for good reason too. And hyderabad is home to some of the best punjabi restaurants. Restaurants that would make every punjabi feel at home!!!




"Ostentatious interiors, Huge portions and rich Punjabi food awaits you at Punjabi by nature."

Location: Golden Dragon
Taj Krishna, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 66662323

An elegant launch

P3 regulars were seen catching up at the launch of a new line at a jewellery store in Banjara Hills. Actress Charmee looked ravishing in her red number and was seen bonding with guests after checking out the exquisite designs. Spotted Jayasudha, Anand Kabra, Kamini Saraf, Meena Reddy and others.

Reaching for the buzzer
Clubbers were seen racking their brains for answers in a quiz held at B&C on Wednesday night. Mark Reco pepped up the guests’ mood and everyone had a blast.

Partygoers were seen having a blast at the Lisa Haydon and Mandira Wirk show held at Spoil on Wednesday. Models walked the ramp in elegant creations after which everyone took to the dance floor. Spotted Bisket-Srikanth, Suresh Maniconda, Gunny Raju, Fusion 9’s Param, On’s Sandeep Bhatia, Khaja, Masi, Disha, Zubin Vicajee, Sanjana, Shivangi and Priyanka Saincher among others.

TITTLE TATTLE
Guess who’s the latest target of nosy P3Ps? Karthika, daughter of yesteryear’s actress Radha, who’s paired along with Nag Chaitanya in their forthcoming movie. Mean Tollywood actresses have already bared their claws about this new arrival and are talking about how she will fade away from everyone’s memories, just like her mom did.