The north-eastern community along with other students in Bengaluru and Delhi has strongly reacted to the shocking deaths of Richard Loitam, a student from Manipur, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances and Dana Sangma, a student of Amity University from Meghalaya, who committed suicide after allegedly being mistreated by college authorities.

It was an evening filled with Abida’s Sufi tracks, mesmerising notes of the flute and sher-o-shayari. The fascinating Hindu-Muslim unity theme party organised by Anjanna Kuthiala and Shah Rukh Khan’s in-laws Tejinder and Neeru Tiwari at the latter’s residence at Panchsheel Park was a unique and remarkable way of celebrating the typical Punjabi and Muslim cultural bond.

It was a book written on Gulzar by his daughter that inspired Nelofar Currimbhoy, Shahnaz Husain’s daughter and president of the Shahnaz Husain group of companies, to pen her mother’s memoir. Nelofar recently unveiled the biography, Flame: The Story of My Mother Shahnaz Husain in the capital.

“Women are also heroes and need better representation in Bollywood. A woman cannot be used as a commodity and cast in a certain mould. The hero needs to acknowledge the heroine because the women are also heroes. The gender-sensitive mindsets in Indian cinema will have to go,” author Advaita Kala said recently citing Kahaani as an example.

Though she wanted to be a choreographer, the vibrancy of colours embraced her into the world of art. It’s a dream come true for 22-year-old Kanika Singh, as she excitedly hosted her debut art show of paintings titled ‘Kanak’ at India Habitat Centre recently.

If you love designer wear, pop-up shops are next big thing for you. As the name goes, pop-up shops are small temporary retail hubs that operate for a short period of time in one place and then shut down and open elsewhere. Though an existing concept in the West, the idea is now taking root in the capital.

“My canvas is like a field, where brush meets the bat,” says Baroda-based artist Uday Mondal whose exhibition of paintings titled “The Champions”, based on popular cricketers who have made the country proud, is on at Shridharni Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam.

Although Navratri (nine day fasts) is on, it’s no more considered as an end to weekend celebrations for party freaks in the city. Whether or not, they are observing fasts, young brigade is happy to party sans alcohol.

The rainbow colours of Chinese pichkaris are lending vibrance to the Holi festival this time. From water guns, to cannons, sprays and toys, the wacky names, ‘Made in China’ pichkaris are available in abundance in all local city markets and are an instant hit.

“In Sufism there are no barriers, mine or yours, old and new. It belongs to all and connects hearts and souls. Its power unites the singer and listener in a divine communion with the creator,” says Abida Parveen. She enthralled the audience with her soulful performance on the final day of 10th Jahan-e-Khusrau World Sufi Festival, which drew sufi lovers from all over India to Arab Ki Sarai at Humayun’s Tomb in the capital.