** Gaurav Gupta, the Indian designer of choice for American rappers?

With a fabulous Oscar debut, and Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B as clients, the Indian designer is making his way onto Hollywood stylists’ checklists

There’s a certain rhythmic pattern that defines the design vocabulary of Indian couturier Gaurav Gupta, whose creations have recently been spotted on American rappers Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. On Monday morning in India, Gupta’s blue-and-silver ruffled gown made a shared debut with Megan on the red carpet of the 94th Academy Awards.

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** Anita Lal is India’s first tastemaker for Christie’s

Good Earth’s creative director collaborates with the London auction house to present art from both ‘Islamic and Indian worlds’

It comes as no surprise that Anita Lal, 73, fondly known by her initials, AL, is Christie’s tastemaker for a Spring sale this week. After all, the founder of Good Earth, the home goods and apparel company that celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, has led many craft interventions. The brand was behind interior restorations like the Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur, a partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum (Fabric of India exhibition) and, more recently, the Heirloom Project, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It marked a decade of the museum’s Islamic wing. This month, as tastemaker for Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets, Lal created an edit of personal favourites from the sale and has curated digital vignettes with Good Earth products, objects she has “cherished over the years”.

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** Destiny-maker of the deprived

Reeta Kaushik of Kushinagar symbolises a revolution in learning.

Born in the Musahar community — the most marginalised and deprived section, Reeta stands out as an educator across many villages of Kushinagar and Gorakhpur. She is credited with educating over 25,000 girls and youths through her organisation.

“I am my own inspiration,” she says, recalling how she fought social norms to bring about a change in not just her own life but also that of many others in her community and outside it. A rickshaw puller’s daughter, Reeta battled casteism, child marriage and illiteracy at each step. “In my family, education was never a priority, least so for girls.”

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** Bharat Bhagya Vidhata Red Fort Festival: A colourful, cultural extravaganza

This 10-day celebration at the Red Fort focuses on India’s rich history and multiculturalism.

August 15 Park (Lahori Gate) is the venue for this event and hosts makeshift stalls and a giant Ferris wheel.

This 10-day extravaganza, which was unveiled on March 25, is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of India. Part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav—an initiative by the government of India to commemorate 75 years of Indian Independence—highlights the country’s diverse crafts, cuisines, and more.

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** Irish Sanskrit scholar awarded Padma Shri

 President Ramnath Kovind on Monday presented Rutger Kortenhorst, a Sanskrit teacher at John Scottus Senior School in Dublin, Ireland, with the Padma Shri Award for Literature and Education.

Kortenhorst, a Sanskrit enthusiast and researcher, has been a pioneer in propagating Sanskrit in Ireland.

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** Capturing the life and times of Kumaran Asan on screen

K. P. Kumaran’s biopic on the poet to release on April 8

Gramavrikshathile Kuyil, filmmaker K. P. Kumaran’s biopic on poet Kumaran Asan, is set to release on April 8. After a pandemic-induced stalemate and financial hiccups, the film is finally reaching the audience after three years. “I am overwhelmed. I did not think the film would be released, after so many hurdles,” says Mr. Kumaran. 

The 84-year-old director, who is known for his contribution to Kerala’s parallel cinema movement, says a film on Kumaran Asan was a dream project. Asan’s creative genius had a defining influence on Mr. Kumaran. “I don’t, however, call myself a scholar of Asan’s works. This film is for me an inquiry into Asan’s staggering persona with my limited tool,” he says. 

kerala

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** Shashwat Rao wins Snow Marathon in Lahaul, Dolma Tenzin first among women

Shashwat Rao of Karnataka won the Snow Marathon with a timing of 4:41:07, here on Saturday. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, local girl Dolma Tenzin was the fastest and she completed her race in five hours and five minutes, thirty seconds.

Snow Marathon Lahaul, conceptualised by Event Founder Guarav Schimar and organised by Reach India and supported by the District Administration of Lahaul and Spiti district (Himachal Pradesh) saw the participation of over 100 sportsmen and women.

“This was the first time that a snow marathon was organised in the country. Till now, snow marathons were conducted in countries of the cold icy regions such as the polar circles, Antarctica, Russia and northern Europe. With Snow Marathon Lahaul, India not only stepped into the elite club of countries where Snow Marathons are organised but by organising it at an elevation of above 10,000 feet, it now holds the distinction of organising a snow marathon at the highest altitude,” said Gaurav.

In the 21 kilometres – Half Marathon category, Rohan stood first in the men’s section with two hours 53 minutes while amongst the women, the title went to Diksha, who clocked two hours 59 minutes.

The ten-kilometre run was won by Daulat Ram who took one hour and four minutes while Hemlata placed first in her category who covered the distance in one hour and twenty minutes. Navneet emerged as winner in the five-kilometer category while Shrishti grabbed the title in women’s category.

In view of creating enthusiasm among locals for running, a one-kilometer race was also organised wherein a massive participation from children and women was seen. The brand ambassador of the marathon – Kieren D’Souza also graced the occasion and ran 10 kms along with the participants.

First time in India

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** Indian Premier League returns home bigger than ever

It will be the first time since 2011 that 10 teams be fighting it out for the most coveted T20 trophy in world cricket.

Indian cricket’s crown jewel, the IPL, is back home: bigger, better and longer.

It will be the first time since 2011 that 10 teams be fighting it out for the most coveted T20 trophy in world cricket.

Two new entrants, Lucknow Supergiants and Gujarat Titans, fetching a combined price of approximately USD 1.7 billion shows that brand IPL keeps getting bigger.

It took 14 years but the league has now well and truly gone global.

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** Priyanka Chopra turns up in black saree to host pre-Oscars event. fans call her ‘gorgeous mommy’

Priyanka Chopra hosted a pre-Oscar event on Wednesday along with a few of her other South Asian colleagues. The actor decked up in a black saree for the bash.

Priyanka Chopra stepped out in her Indian avatar as she hosted a pre-Oscar party in Beverly Hills, celebrating South Asian excellence in films. The actor decked up in a black saree paired with a strapless blouse for the event.

The party was co-hosted by Mindy Kaling, Kumail Nanjiani, Anjula Acharia, Bela Bajaria, Maneesh K. Goya and Shruti Ganguly

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