Jewellery institute

A jewellery showcase `Kaleidoscope’ was presented by the first graduating batch of Jewellery Design and Technology Institute, Noida. Wide range of themes like Jaipur, kamasutra, nightlife, occasions, Valentine’s Day, nature, Greek, civilization and Japan were some of the themes on which the students displayed their creative talents.

“Taking inspiration from different themes, the students have conceptualised, designed and manufactured their own pieces in our workshop,” B. K. Narula, chairman of JDTI said.

Kaleidoscope stands for an array of beautiful colours and forms. And true to its meaning, the show was the culmination of rigorous training of the students.

The designs by the students not only concerned the aesthetics of design, but were influenced by the needs of the market and the taste of the end consumer.

“This approach is to create technically perfect ideas that are practicable and commercially viable,” Narula said.

The institute attracted several leading persons from the industry for the show. They included prominent names in the field of jewellery, fashion designing, celebrities, and executives from the World Gold Council, National Institute of Fashion Technology, embassy officials and eminent personalities from the corporate world.

CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
‘Kudi kurmuri’ munda back with peppy ‘Kudiyan’
R. Suryamurthy

New Delhi, October 23
“Kudi kurmuri” munda is back with a bang with his latest album Kudiyan, which has foot-tapping music and songs with Sufi influence. Shankar Sawhney, the shy Hoshiarpur boy, is today the heartthrob of many young girls.

A chemical engineer by profession, Sawhney was more fond of fusion of words and music than mixing alkaline and acidic substances and forming different compounds.

Known for his dancing skills, the Punjabi munda with his compositions has the audience dancing to his tune. Although dhol continues to be the base sound of his music, he does not miss a chance to experiment with drums and other instruments, which enhance the music quality and bring in a new high. “We cannot go in for complete fusion music. We, Indians, are conservative in our approach. Especially in music, we cannot take too many risks,” says Sawhney. “Raagas and taals are an important component of our music tradition. Any experiment has to be within the set parameters. Too much experiment with the raagas would be like taking too many risks which no music company would take,” he says.

With over 500 songs to his credit, Sawhney says music has not only been his passion but the sole purpose of his life. Born in a family of musicians, raagas and taals were part of his everyday routine. His father, Prof Tej Bahadur Sawhney, a noted singer of classical music in Punjab, continues to perform in local gurudwaras and in the district. His mother, also a trained musician, has been giving music lessons to local residents for decades.

Not only with a thunderous and commanding voice, which set the tune for the fast numbers of his album, the Hoshiarpur munda enthralls his audience, but also with his slow numbers like “Ek mangayasi yaar”. The song based on Sufi music is a good example of his grounding in classical music and years of training. “In an album, I try to have at least one song which has a deeper meaning where words and not music enthralls the audience,” he says.

Sawhney says, “I write the songs for most of my albums. I want to show the world that even songwriters, who are the main soul behind any song, can make money.” “Mere dil bhole piya piya”, the song which was on the lips of every young girl in the country was sung by Poornima. Little is known about the writer of this famous song, says Sawhney, before disclosing that “it was me who wrote the song.”

“Javed Akhtar, Gulzar or Naushad are the few names a music lover remembers. Otherwise, a song is invariably identified by the singer – Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Md. Rafi or Mukesh”. Stage performance is his first love and he has performed on over 1,000 stages in the country and abroad. “On stage, the singer establishes an instant rapport with the audience. He knows how popular he is, where he is going wrong, which song catches the mood of the audience and when to change the sequence,” he says. Recalling his times of struggle as a singer, Sahwney says: “Punjabi pop singers were looked down upon during my college days in Chandigarh. With great difficulty, we would get a chance to perform in college festivals. English and Hindi songs were the in-thing then. Today, the times have changed and Punjabi pop is a must for every function.”

When I moved to Delhi, I did not have enough money to pay the installments for the motorcycle. Then, stage performance was the sole source of earning money. And, if it rained, it was like loosing a month’s income,” he adds. “Riyaaz is the sole thing that a singer can hold on to lifelong. Fame and money would come and go. Many new singers without much practice are now coming on to the scene, most of them disappear like the way they come,” he warns.

Models try out Tarun Tahiliani and Rina Dhaka’s creations

Fiery outfits inspired by ancient fire ceremony
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 23
India’s leading designer has unveiled his latest collection in ‘Yagna’, which is inspired from the ancient Hindu fire ceremony performed for the benefit of mankind.

The gala show in the fashion city of London, displayed Tarun’s creations and clothes by Rina Dhaka. Leading supermodels from India sashayed the ramp enthralling the audience.

About the `yagna’ collection, Tarun Tahiliani said “in all senses of the term, it is a modern Indian collection that will take both men and women from day into night and thereon into any occasion anywhere in the world.”

“We have strived to create lines that project a feeling of identity, self-confidence and strength.”

The fashion show was done to collect money for Care International and Consortium for Street children.