Gujarat to host 36th National Games in September

Gandhinagar, July 8 (IANS): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has agreed to host the 36th National Games in the state. This will be the first time the state will host the prestigious games, scheduled to take place between September 27 and October

Rohit terms embracing new batting approach as biggest takeaway from T20I series

Nottingham, July 11: Though India lost the final match of the T20I series against England at Trent Bridge by 17 runs, they had already won the first two matches at Southampton and Edgbaston to set up their fourth straight T20I series win over the hosts. In both of their victories, the new aggressive batting approach stood out, something which has been happening since the Delhi T20I against South Africa in June. The embracing of the new batting approach by the Indian batters was what skipper Rohit Sharma termed as the biggest takeaway from the 2-1 T20I series win. “The biggest takeaway has been the approach of each and every individual who has played in this series for us. How they have relished the moment in the middle, taking on the opportunity, the opposition and taking that extra risk. The mindset

London, July 11 (IANS): Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic reiterated that winning at Wimbledon was “extra special” for him, given that this was the major that got him playing the sport as a kid in the first place. Djokovic produced a tennis master-class on Sunday evening to defeat Australia’s Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) for his seventh Wimbledon title, and fourth consecutive crown at the grass-court major. This is Djokovic’s first major title of the season and his 21st Grand Slam overall. “Obviously over the moon with joy and happiness of experiencing this moment once again. I’ve said it many times, this tournament is 10, 2022. Minister of State for Sports, Harsh Sanghvi welcomed the decision and said, “Gujarat is known for setting records and benchmarks. With the 36th National Games, Gujarat will set yet another record to host the event within the limited time of three months, with more than 34 sports disciplines in six cities across the state.” The 36th National Games were to be organised in Goa in May 2020, But they were postponed indefinitely due to the spread of Covid-19. Principal secretary, sports, Ashwini Kumar said in a press statement, “The various sporting events will be spread across the state covering six cities of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar. This will ensure a larger

is something we’re trying to change and that I guess is the biggest takeaway from all the players,” said Rohit in the post-match press conference. Sharma further revealed how taking up the new batting approach has been accepted by the Indian players. “They are willing to do that, they are willing to take that risk. When I go and talk to certain individuals or players and I hear the same kind of response from them, that is the biggest takeaway. While doing that, results will go here and there. We’re looking at the larger picture and to achieve that we will make some mistakes. “As a captain, I’m pretty much okay with that. Honestly, to come here and win a series in England, it’s not easy. It was a challenging one for us. Winning always gives you confidence, and we can try to take that confidence and move forward

extra special for me because it has been the first tournament that I’ve ever watched as a kid that got me to start playing tennis,” Djokovic was quoted as saying by atptour.com. “I don’t take any wins for granted, and particularly not (at) Wimbledon. In contrary, actually every time feels a bit different, special in its own way. Of course, having family and close people in my life here to share this victory with them, it was beautiful.” This time one year ago, the Serbian top seed here had earned his third major of the 2021 season and positioned himself for a run at the Grand Slam -- winning all four major trophies in a calendar year. But this year, he was forced to miss the Australian Open due to his stance on taking the Covid-19 vaccine, and lost community movement through means of sports.” Aligned with the Olympic movement, Gujarat will enhance and optimally utilise its existing infrastructure to organise these games. This way, the infrastructure created and enhanced will continue to be utilised by the state’s sportspersons on a regular basis. Secretary-general, IOA, Rajeev Mehta expressed his happiness with Gujarat’s readiness to organise the National Games. He mentioned that the infrastructure in the state was assessed in consultation with the IOA and National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the details of the sports were finalised accordingly. He appreciated the proactive approach of the state government to host the Games.

and try to see how we can improve in all the departments.” In the third T20I, talismanic batter Virat Kohli showed glimpses of moulding himself into the new batting approach by India, flicking David Willey over mid-on for four and followed up with a clean loft down the ground for six. But his time at the crease was short-lived as he stepped out to slap through covers, but was caught out at short extra cover on the very next ball. Rohit admitted that Virat’s 11 in the third T20I was as per the new batting approach of India in the shortest format of the game, which involves high risk. “We, as a team, want to play in a certain way and every player needs to buy into that thought process. Otherwise, it’s not gonna happen for you.” “All the batters who are part of this squad are willing to take that extra risk and go and see what extra they can do with the bat. It’s important to find out within yourself, to try and do different kinds of things and unless you try it you will never be able to find out. So, I think it is something that we’ve been trying to do for a while now. “I have said it at (previous) press conference at the start that some days, it might just come off, some days it might not. But we don’t want to be afraid of going and taking that extra risk. That’s how we’re going to learn as a team and that’s how we’re going to move forward as a team as well. So it’s everyone’s thought process and everyone are quite comfortable with that idea as well. So, that’s the kind of direction the team is willing to move.”

the French Open quarterfinal match to Rafael Nadal. “Coming into Wimbledon, I felt good for my tennis because I’ve won three titles in a row here prior to this year. I always liked playing on grass. I felt like each year I’ve been improving my tennis on grass,” Djokovic said. “I came off from Paris (Roland Garros) from a tough and also emotional loss against Nadal that obviously was disappointing. But Rome, Paris, I was already playing the tennis that I want to play, that puts me in a position to compete for the greatest titles. “I liked my chance coming into Wimbledon. As I always am, I’m very inspired to play my best tennis in London,” added Djokovic. The tennis ace also thanked the Wimbledon crowd for supporting him in the final. “I did definitely feel support and feel love from the crowd today, so I’m very grateful for that,” Djokovic said. “Obviously it’s not (a) secret that any player would like to have people backing him during the match because in the end of the day this could make a quite big difference with how you feel mentally. Definitely easier to overcome certain obstacles and situations in the match when you have people supporting you and being there for you.”

Winning at Wimbledon extra special; it got me playing tennis as a kid: Novak

Mumbai, July 11 (IANS): Seasoned batter Harmanpreet Kaur will lead a 15-member Indian team in the maiden women’s cricket competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham starting on July 28, the BCCI announced on Monday. Opener Smriti Mandhana will be her deputy in the competition that will feature women’s T20Is. “The All-India Women’s Selection Committee met on Monday to pick the squad for the forthcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. This will be the first time that Women’s T20 International will be featured in the prestigious multi-sport event,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah informed in a release. India is in Group A with Australia, Barbados, and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand, and South Africa are placed in Group B. The top two teams from the respective pools will progress to the semifinals. India is scheduled to play three games in the league stage of the tournament starting July 29, the release said. Besides Harman and Smriti, other regulars like opener Shafali Verma,

Mumbai, July 8: World Champion Nikhat Zareen will get a chance to judge the competition and gain experience in the 50kg weight class for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, when she embarks on her campaign in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, starting on July 28. Nikhat, who won the gold medal in the recent World Championship in the 52kg category, will have to reduce weight and come down to 50kg for the Commonwealth Games. Incidentally, this is the same weight class that has been shortlisted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for Paris 2024. “IOC has selected 50kg for Paris while in Asian Games, competitions will be held in 51kg. They have picked 50kg for Commonwealth Games too. Coming down from 52 to 50 is not a big difference, I will not have to reduce a lot of weight,” Nikhat said on Friday during an interaction facilitated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). “Though I will have to lose two kgs weight, I will continue to have the same muscle mass and strength. There is also, 54kg in Olympic (and WCG) but that would be tougher because many times those in 60kg come down to 54 so competing against them would be difficult

London, July 9 (IANS): United States’s Liv Hovde defeated Luca Udvardy of Hungary 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the Wimbledon 2022 junior girls’ singles title, here on Saturday. On a full No. 1 Court, the 16-year-old Hovde of Texas took 1 hour and 13 minutes to take down Udvardy and win her first junior Grand Slam title. Hovde’s previous best showing at a junior major was a semifinal result at this year’s Australian Open. “It feels amazing and I can’t even believe it. There were a lot of people, so it was very nerve-wracking at the beginning, but then I just focused on myself, and it got better throughout the match,” said Hovde in her postmatch press conference. Hovde, who is currently sitting at a career-high junior ranking of No 4, is the 14th American to win the girls’ singles title at Wimbledon, joining Claire Liu (2017) as champions in this century. Before Liu, the last American to win the girls’ singles trophy was Chanda Rubin 30 years ago. The teenager has had a tremendous season on the grass, coming into Wimbledon with the Grade 1 spinners Sneh Rana and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar and wicketkeeper-batter Taniya Bhatia have been included in the squad. Upcoming bowler Meghna Singh who had some great outings in the recently-concluded away series with Sri Lanka coming in as a substitute bowler, has also been retained. Jemimah Rodrigues, who was dropped for the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year, before making a comeback in the just-concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka. Playing her first international match since October 2021, Jemimah scored a crucial 36 not out off 27 balls against Sri Lanka in the first T20I in Dambulla to help India start their tour with a win. Simran Dil Bahadur, Richa Ghosh and Poonam Yadav have been named as the reserves. The Indian women will play their first match against T20 World Champions Australia at Edgbaston on July 29 and take on Pakistan on July 31 before rounding off their preliminary league engagements

because they could be taller and may have longer reach. So, 50kg was the best option in this scenario as 52kg is not part of the competition,” Nikhat said. Nikhat said Commonwealth Games would be a new experience for her as she would be taking part in a new weight category. “I have checked out a few things and boxers from England and Ireland will be my main opponents. I am taller than both of them and I would try and use my longer reach and attack from distance against them,” said Nikhat. The 26-year-old boxer from Nizamabad in Telangana, who defeated Thailand’s Jitpong Jutamas in the fly-weight final to win a gold medal in the 2022 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Istanbul, was confident that the 12-member Indian team -- four female and eight male -- do well in the Commonwealth Games. Nikhat predicted the team to win eight medals including four gold in Birmingham. “We have a strong team with four women and eight men boxers in Commonwealth Games. I expect us to win eight at least eight medals, four of them gold,” she said. Nikhat said 2022 has proved her best year in recent times and said

Roehampton title in her pocket from the week before. She has now gone an overpowering 12-0 on the surface over the last two weeks. Hovde had dropped only one set en route to the final, and she kept up her commanding form to start the championship match. She raced to a 4-1 lead over 16-year-old Udvardy, the younger sister of WTA Top 100 player Panna Udvardy. Udvardy fired solid volleys to pull back on serve at 4-3, but Hovde used an error-forcing forehand to break again for 5-3. In the next game, Hovde used a powerful backhand to force another error on her first set point. In the second set, Hovde stopped a run of five straight service breaks by holding onto her serve for another 5-3 lead. Udvardy powered through a quick hold to reach 5-4, but Hovde, unbothered, found four excellent serves in a row to hold at love and take the title. Hovde had 13 winners to Udvardy’s 11, and the American converted six of her eight breakpoints on her way to hoisting the champion’s trophy. against Barbados on August 3, the release said. The Indian women’s squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, S. Meghana, Taniyaa Sapna Bhatia (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Thakur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana. Standby: Simran Dil Bahadur, Richa Ghosh, Poonam Yadav.

her attitude towards the sport has changed in the one year or so and she is now more serious and dedicated towards her sport. Nikhat, who has had to endure many a hardship as she came through the ranks to get into the national camp, into the international arena, and succeed, said went into the trials for the Commonwealth Games because she had to participate in many events following her World Championship triumph. “There were a lot of events that I had to attend but I managed to keep myself fit so that with three days of preparation, I could get ready for the trials,” she said, adding that her preparations have gone on well after the trials and now is ready for the CWG challenge.

World champion Nikhat Zareen ready for ‘new experience’ at Commonwealth Games with eye on Paris

Wimbledon 2022: Liv Hovde clinches girls’ junior singles title

Meanwhile, in the junior doubles final, unseeded Rose Marie Nijkamp of the Netherlands and Angella Okutoyi of Kenya edged No.4-seeded Canadians Kayla Cross and Victoria Mboko 3-6, 6-4, [11-9]. It was a historic day for Kenya as 18-year-old Okutoyi became the first Grand Slam champion from her nation. Both Okutoyi and 16-year-old Nijkamp earned their first junior Grand Slam titles with the 1-hour and 13-minute win.

Galle, July 12 (IANS): Sri Lanka’s massive victory over Australia in the second Test at Galle has had major ramifications on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with the Pat Cummins-led side losing the No. 1 spot to South Africa. Sri Lanka recorded a stunning innings and 39-run victory over the visitors at the Galle International Stadium on Monday with Australia dismissed for a paltry 151 in the second innings. With the victory, the Dimuth Karunaratne-led side levelled the series at 1-1. Australia had won the opening Test at the same venue by 10 wickets. The win on Monday helped Sri Lanka jump ahead of a trio of rivals and up to third on the latest WTC standings. But it’s right at the top of the standings that now has a new look, with Australia losing their place as No. 1. South Africa take over as the new leader on the latest standings with a win-loss percentage of 71.43 per cent, while Australia drop to second with 70 per cent after their first Test loss in the current period. Sri Lanka are now firmly in the mix for the World Test Championship final next year, with their win helping them jump in front of Pakistan, India and West Indies and up to third on the standings. Despite the absence of a host of key players due to Covid-19, Sri Lanka got dominant performances from star batter Dinesh Chandimal and debutant Prabath Jayasuriya in the second Test to cruise to an easy victory. It means Dimuth Karunaratne’s side now has a 54.17 win-loss percentage and has them ahead of a host of close rivals in the race for the World Test Championship mace. Sri Lanka don’t have to wait long to close the gap even further on the sides in front of them on the standings, with a two-match Test series at home against Pakistan commencing later this month. Australia, meanwhile, take a short break from five-day cricket, with their next Test assignment coming at home against West Indies at the end of November.

Indian grapplers bag 22 medals in Asian U-20 wrestling in Bahrain

Mumbai, July 12: India’s U-20 wrestling team came up with a superb performance to bag 22 medals including four gold in the Asian U-20 Wrestling Championships in Manama, Bahrain. Besides the four gold medals, India claimed nine silver and nine bronze medals in the event which ended on Sunday night. Among the 22 medals, the women’s team won 10 medals including three gold through Priyanka (65kg), Arju (68kg) and Antrim (53kg). Men’s freestyle wrestler Sujeet won the fourth gold medal for India in the 65kg weight class. India finished second in the team ranking in women’s wrestling,second in men’s freestyle and fifth in the team ranking in Men’s GrecoRoman competition, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) tweeted on Monday. Among the medallists, women wrestler Sweety (53kg), Reena (65kg), Bipasha (72kg), Priya (76kg) won silver medals while Mulayam Yadav (70kg), Ashish (97kg), Mohit Kumar (61kg), Jaideep (74kg) and Mahendra B Gaikwad (125kg) are the male grapplers to bag silver medals. Three women -- Sito (57kg), Tanu (59kg) and Sarika (62kg) -- and four male freestyle wrestlers -- Aman (57kg), Deepak (67kg), Jointy Kumar (86kg), Akash (92kg) besides two men’s Greco-Roman wrestlers -- Rohit Dahiya (82kg) and Ankit Gulia (67kg) -- won bronze medals in the event.

Celebrated UK athlete Mo Farah reveals he was trafficked into the country from Somalia

London, July 12 (IANS): Celebrated England long-distance runner and winner of four Olympic gold medals in 5,000m and 10,000m events, Mo Farah has revealed he was smuggled into the United Kingdom as a kid and his real name was Hussein. A report in Daily Mail on Tuesday said the 39-year-old, winner of both the 5,000m and 10,000m events at the 2012 London Olympics and Rio Games, was trafficked from war-torn Somalia in the UK under another child’s name after his father was killed in his home country. The champion runner has also revealed that he worked as a domestic help for the family of “the woman who brought him to Britain”. While all along the world knew that Mo Farah arrived in Britain as an eight-year-old and stayed with his uncle and aunt, the star athlete’s revelations in a BBC documentary ‘The Real Mo Farah’, which will be aired on Wednesday, have come as a shock. Mo Farah says when he arrived in the UK he only knew three English phrases -- ‘Excuse me’, ‘Where is the toilet?’ and ‘C’mon then’. The athlete, who said his original name was Hussein Abdi Kahin, was enrolled in a “tough junior school in the predominantly white area of Feltham, west London, where his refusal to be cowed meant he was forever getting into fights”. The athlete also revealed the names of his biological parents were, Abdi and Aisha. Mo Farah’s father died in 1987 in the war when he was just four and he was separated from his mother and sent to Djibouti to live with relatives. But in 1993, he was smuggled into the UK as an illegal immigrant “under a false passport bearing his new identity ‘Mo Farah’ -- a name that had been stolen from another child,” the report said. During his first year in junior school in 1994 in the predominantly white area of Feltham, west London, he confided in his teacher, who alerted social services to his condition and Mo Farah was placed in the care of another family. “There is a something about me you don’t know,” Mo reveals at the beginning of the BBC programme. “It’s a secret I’ve been hiding since I was a child. And to be able to face it and talk about the facts, how it happened, why it happened, is tough. The truth is I’m not who you think I am. And now, whatever the cost, I need to tell the real story.” He then produces his visa document, and says, “Yeah that’s my photo, but it’s not my name.” Recounting the tough times he faced in west London, Mo Farah says, “I would lock myself in the bathroom and cry and there was nobody there to help.” Mo Farah, who was knighted in 2017, added, “I had all the contact details for my relatives (back home in Somalia) and once we got to her (the woman who brought him to Britain) house, the lady took it off me and right in front of me ripped them up and put it in the bin and at that moment I knew I was in trouble. “If I wanted food in my mouth my job was to look after those kids, shower them, cook for them, clean for them, and she said ‘If you ever want to see your family again, don’t say anything. If you say anything, they will take you away’.” Mo Farah says his PE teacher Alan Watkinson helped him get away from the family and also helped him get the UK citizenship. “I often think about the other Mohammed Farah, the boy whose place I took on the plane and I really hope he’s OK. Wherever he is, I carry his name and that could cause problems now for me and my family,” he added. Galle, July 12 (IANS): Veteran Australia opener David Warner has penned a heartfelt messaged for the warm and welcoming people of Sri Lanka, who braved the economic and political crisis in the country, to turn out in huge numbers to witness the keenly-contested month-long series between the two countries. The island nation is passing through one of the worst crisis in more than seven decades with severe shortage of fuel, medicines and essential commodities in the wake of the political instability in the country. Still, people turned out in droves to witness the matches, and cheer not just the home team but also the Australians, to express their gratitude to the visitors for agreeing to visit the country amid the turmoil. Even Australia white-ball skipper Aaron Finch was overwhelmed by the response his team received during the limited-over series, comprising three T20I and five ODIs, which concluded at the R. Premadasa Stadium on June 24. Thousands of people in Australia’s traditional colours had descended on the R. Premadasa Stadium for the final ODI in a show of solidarity for the visiting team. On Monday, at the conclusion of the two-Test series, Warner took to Instagram to express his gratitude to the Sri Lankans. “Thank you Sri Lanka for hosting us here during what is an extremely difficult time. We are so grateful to be able to come here and play the game we love and know you all love supporting. You have opened your arms up to us and we will never forget this trip,” said Warner. While the country was in the grip of protests with millions of people coming on the streets to demand the resignation of the Sri Lankan President, the month-long series went off smoothly with not a minute’s disruption. “What I love about your amazing country is no matter the circumstances you always have a smile on your face and are always so welcoming. Thank you and I can’t wait to one day visit for a holiday with my family. #respect #love #cricket,” added Warner.

Gavaskar slams senior players seeking rest; says if they can play IPL, they can play for India

Mumbai, July 12: India’s cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar wants the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to handle the senior players, who seek rest ahead of crucial series, firmly, and added that when they can play non-stop IPL cricket for more than two months, why are they shying away from playing for the country. There have been reports of a couple of senior players, including former India skipper Virat Kohli, requesting the BCCI to exclude them from the five-match T20 away series against the West Indies beginning later this month. While Kohli is not part of the three-match ODI leg of the tour, reports have suggested that he also wants to be rested for the T20 series beginning on July 29. Questioning the reported demand of some seniors to be dropped from the T20I series, Gavaskar told Sports Tak that he doesn’t agree with it. “I don’t agree with this. You won’t take rest during the IPL and then you will take rest from playing for India. I don’t agree with this logic. You have to play for India... don’t talk about rest or whatever. T20I is a matter of 20 overs and it doesn’t take a toll on your body,” said Gavaskar. “In Test cricket, your body and mind does take a beating, but T20 matches, it’s a matter of 20 overs of batting and 20 overs of fielding, so there is no problem with that. The Indian cricket board should revisit its policy on acceding to the players’ demand for rest,” opined Gavaskar. “Every A-grade or A+ grade players gets a huge retainer fees from the BCCI. Apart from the contract, players get huge payments for playing matches. Tell me, which company or corporate will pay their chief executives, directors or managing directors for such extended time offs. Is there any company which gives such high salaries for not working?” questioned Gavaskar. Gavaskar felt if Indian cricket has to become more professional, it will have to draw a line somewhere. “If Indian cricket has to become professional then they have to draw a line; that is if you want rest, then your guarantees will have to be reduced. “How can they say they won’t play for the Indian cricket team? By sitting at home you won’t be able to score runs or take wickets, so better to go out and scroe some runs and take wickets,” Gavaskar opined.

My dream is to win all the tournaments that ATK Mohun Bagan play in: Coach Juan Ferrando

New Delhi, July 11: ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando is not shying away from his ambition and is eyeing a clean sweep of trophies for the club next season. The Mariners will be in action in the latter stages of the AFC Cup, the Durand Cup, the ISL and possibly even the Super Cup and Ferrando wants to win it all. “I can’t predict the future. But I can talk about my dreams. My dream is to win the AFC Cup, the Durand Cup, the Championship, and the Super Cup. We are working our way, preparing the team with a good plan, and this is our target. In my point of view, we have a good team, we have good players but this is the moment to show ourselves. “Of course, the opponent in the AFC Cup will be very strong because we are talking about the semifinals, we are not talking about play-off before the group stage. But it’s the same in the championship when you play the last games against Jamshedpur FC, against Hyderabad FC, these are not easy games, it’s necessary to prepare a good plan. It requires proper training, quality training and everyone needs to be ready to face the challenge,” he said. The Spaniard, who led the Mariners to the semifinals of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season, has fuelled the team with new signings for the upcoming longer season. “I’m incredibly excited for the new season because this season is different. Firstly, we have a great opportunity in August with the Durand

Cup. I think the championship in front of us is a great opportunity to try to give our best. Then, you have the Super Cup, so, it’s going to be an amazing season,” he said.

Formula 1: This is completely unacceptable, F1 responds to horrific fan behaviour claims

Spielberg (Austria), July 10 (IANS):

Formula 1 has acknowledged concerns over the behaviour of some fans at the Austrian Grand Prix after reports of abusive behaviour were posted on social media. The sport governing body has released a statement condemning reports of abusive behaviour at the Austrian Grand Prix. Numerous posts on Twitter have seen people revealing incidents around the event, held in Spielberg. A post on FIA Twitter account said, “This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.” “We have been made aware of reports that some fans have been subject to completely unacceptable comments by others at the Austrian Grand Prix. We take these matters very seriously, have raised them with the promoter and event security, and will be speaking to those who reported the incidents.” British racing driver Alice Powell also reacted to the reports. “I’m actually shocked to read about the awful experiences some women are experiencing in the grandstands at the Austrian Grand Prix. Can’t people just be nice to each other and enjoy watching some racing, regardless of gender and sexuality. Blows my mind,” he said. Meanwhile, Females in Motorsport also released a statement, saying they are disappointed and saddened to hear many reports of sexist, racist and homophobic behaviour by fans.

Rahul Mishra presents ‘Tree of Life’ at Paris Haute Couture Week

New Delhi, July 5: “Trees have always been an inspiration to us, rendered first in an Escher-esque design language - now an identifiable signature, for our International Woolmark Prize-winning collection. The tree is metamorphosed into buildings, portraying the Metamorphosis the planet has gone through over the past few centuries,” reveals an Instagram post by fashion designer Rahul Mishra. Taking inspiration from the tree of life, which symbolizes growth, strength, and beauty. Fashion designer Rahul Mishra presents his Couture Fall 2022 collection titled “Tree of Life” at Paris Haute Couture Week.

number of offsite shows, making it a ten-day fashion extravaganza. The FDCI has been consistently working to get the most coveted names in the country to showcase at this ultra-luxe event. This year too, the participating couturiers include

conservation of water, carbon reduction, and soil restoration.

Linen

Linen is a plant-based natural fiber that has been used in the production of clothing for centuries. The grasslike fibers need to be grown, treated, and processed for months before they are soft and supple enough to be weaved into garments. When discarded, due to its biodegradable qualities, linen offers a more environment-friendly alternative. It is a super soft and breathable textile derived from the flax plant and is frequently blended with cotton. Linen is regarded as one of the most sustainable fabrics used presently in the production of clothing and bedding.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing, regenerative plants which doesn’t need fertilization and is frequently promoted as a sustainable fabric. Micro holes and tiny gaps in its fiber, allow for better moisture absorption and ventilation than other fibers. Sustainable brands prefer bamboo fabric since it is extremely comfortable and absorbent. Just like Hemp, bamboo absorbs more CO2 than some trees. It doesn’t need a lot of resources and can survive just on rainwater.

Modal

Another semi-synthetic fabric noted for its superior comfort and breathability is modal. It’s a cutting-edge fabric created from Rahul opens his show with a flurry of 3D golden embroideries of foliage expressing his appreciation for nature. “Our ‘the Tree of Life’ collection celebrates opulence with a strong palette of gold and black and focuses on high precision craftsmanship,” says Rahul. “Trees From Our Atelier, at the onset of a new beginning, we look at the one source that never goes out of style - the handbook of nature. Through analogies to nature, many of the problems faced by mankind have been optimally solved. The ‘Bursting Tree’ motif was birthed at the atelier, capturing how a strong wind would gush through a dense tree, with the nesting birds flying out of it, showing us how fragile our ecosystem is, how beautiful our planet is, and the necessity of preserving the purity of it,” he says. Being one of the first Indian designers to showcase at the Paris Fashion Week/Haute Couture Week, Mishra champions slow, state-of-the-art fashion with traditional Indian crafts and Lenskart’s ‘Do More, Be More’ spirit.

Amit Aggarwal, Anamika Khanna, Anju Modi, Dolly J, Falguni Shane Peacock, JJ Valaya, Kunal Rawal, Rahul Mishra, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, Siddartha Tytler, Suneet Varma, Tarun Tahiliani and Varun Bahl. “I think the most beautiful part of this 15 year journey for me has been to be able to create a blueprint for the future with India Couture Week. This has been a memorable journey of celebrating the unique heritage we possess as a country. And this year too we have 13 of India’s leading couturiers showcasing the finest crafts which will hold centre stage at the ten-day extravaganza,” said FDCI Chairman, Sunil Sethi. The event is in association with Lotus Make-up and Archana Aggarwal Timeless Jewellery is the jewellery partner. The physical shows will be live-streamed on the FDCI’s digital platforms - Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and also the website.

spinning cellulose from the beechwood tree. As beechwood trees regenerate on their own, they’re regarded as a long-term raw material for making the revolutionary modal fabric. The fabric is also 50% more absorbent when compared to cotton and has a silky, smooth texture, thus making it a suitable option for sports and underwear manufacturers. Modal’s manufacturer, Lenzing, has also developed non-toxic and ecologically friendly techniques which allow it to recover up to 95 percent of the materials utilized in its production, lowering the textile’s overall carbon emissions.

Viscose

Viscose is derived from cellulose which is the main constituent of plant cell walls. It is a high-quality fabric that falls and drapes according to the body type and moves with the body. Its soft and smooth quality makes it a smart pick. This moisture-absorbent fabric will have your back to fend off hot humid days. Interestingly, the rate of absorption of viscose is higher than that of cotton. Indian fashion brands have made a conscious effort to choose partners that focus on reducing emissions, planting trees, and promoting sustainable business practices. The dimensions of sustainability are measured according to international standards of manufacturing, and a company needs to define its policies by taking the three pillars of sustainability namely Society, Economy, and Environment equally into consideration ‘Sustainability’ is the new buzz and all brands are jumping on the bandwagon and warming up to environment-friendly practices. Fast fashion has also imbibed environmentally responsible operations and also curated their collections keeping biodegradable materials at the center to transform the global fashion industry.

(Inputs contributed by Liva Fabrics, from the house of Aditya Birla)

FDCI to celebrate 15 years of India Couture Week

13 Couturiers to showcase at a 10-day long fashion extravaganza from July 22-31

July 8, 2022: The Fashion Design Council (FDCI) is back with the 15th Edition of the India Couture Week 2022, set to take place from July 2231 in the Capital. The physical event will take place after two years at the Taj Palace Hotel, and will include a

Game changing sustainable fabrics

Linen is regarded as one of the most sustainable fabrics used mostly in the production of clothing and bedding

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

July 12, 2022: While the fashion industry is flourishing, there has been a lot of attention to the adverse environmental impact caused by the industry, responsible for 10 percent of the world’s greenhouse emissions. Moreover, the wastage caused by unsold inventory and the discarding of dead stock has had troubling consequences causing water, air, and soil pollution, thereby affecting the life cycle of a living being. As people have become more informed about climate changes, and global warming and mindful of the use of natural resources, conscious decision-making has come into play for most. In an effort to cater to the needs of the audience while being accountable for the cause of conserving the planet for future generations, the fashion industry is attempting to make textiles more sustainable by ethically, sourcing, producing, and packaging them. To understand more about sustainable fabrics let’s look at the definition of ‘Sustainable Fabric’.

What is Sustainable Fabric?

Sustainable clothing refers to fabrics derived from eco-friendly resources, such as sustainably grown fiber crops or recycled materials. It also refers to how these fabrics are made. with the goal of minimizing damage caused by the manufacturing process. Such fabrics can also help with waste minimization, Embassy of Israel collaborates with Indian designer Sahil Kochhar July 9, 2022: To commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and India, the Israeli Embassy in India collaborated with designer Sahil Kochhar to present a special collection for both men and women inspired by Israeli landscapes. On this occasion, H.E. Ambassador Naor Gilon, Embassy of Israel said: “This is another important project that the Israeli Embassy in India is leading this year to further strengthen the growing partnership and strong friendship between our two nations. The designer came up with the concept of involving local talent from Israel for the shoot. The idea was to have inclusion and local faces telling their stories. It was very important for us to involve as many Israelis as possible in this project.” Designer Sahil Kochhar said: “I look at this as a great opportunity to take forward our narrative of making sure we involve talents not only belonging to the fashion industry. To have a team from Israel and India working together on this project will ensure there is an exchange of culture, experiences and will have a bigger impact in building up the Israel and India relationship.” The project’s team is a mix of Indians and Israelis who collaborate on all aspects of the fashion shoot. This project is part of the ‘Yachad’ campaign, which is a Hebrew word that means ‘together.’ The designer and his team spent several months scouting Israeli talents who are the best at their craft for this campaign. The models chosen are not only professional models, but also local talent from various extreme sports from across the country. The fashion shoot is currently taking place in Israel. The Embassy will be able to show an Israel that the Indian public may be unfamiliar with through this project. It is a one-of-akind project that we hope will pave the way for future opportunities and collaborations between Israel and India in the fields of culture, fashion, and lifestyle.

In conversation with Miss India Sini Shetty

Sheer determination, authenticity, and being true to myself is what sets me apart from others, says the title holder July 10, 2022: Sini Shetty was crowned Femina Miss India World 2022 at the Grand Finale held on the 3rd of July in Mumbai. The young and talented contestant from Karnataka put her best foot forward to beat her contemporaries in a challanging fight to the finish. Read more about Shetty to find out more about her and her goals. Read Excerpts:

How did it feel to win the title?

Sini Shetty: I felt overwhelmed, there was a roller coaster of emotions, you feel happy and shocked and felt that triumphant joy but as soon as the crown was placed on my head, I could see in the crowd how proud my parents were, that very moment I felt content.

What do you believe made you win and really shine out amongst your peers?

Sini Shetty: I’m humbled by my competition and each one of them is an amazing individual and qualified to wear the crown. All of the girls who entered today have an edge in their commitment. The world tries to define your values in a certain way. I believe in finding my own meaning to it. I have placed myself in four corners of the box, trying to figure out what fits best in my picture of accomplishment. Sheer determination, authenticity, and being true to myself are what sets me apart from others here.

You feel strongly about ……

Sini Shetty: Being an independent individual and creating my own journey.

Films are the ultimate goal for all miss India winners, including yourself?

Sini Shetty: I believe beauty pageants are just not about beauty or the entertainment industry, it is also a platform where women can voice their opinion.

Hindi film industry or the South Indian film industry?

Sini Shetty: Hindi Film industry

The most valuable lessons your family has taught you

Sini Shetty: To be grounded and to respect your roots because that’s what makes you who you are.

Sini Shetty/ Instagram

Karnataka’s Sini Shetty crowned Femina Miss India World 2022

New Delhi, July 4: Sini Shetty of Karnataka was crowned the coveted Femina Miss India World 2022, Rajasthan’s Rubal Shekhawat as First Runner-Up, and Uttar Pradesh’s Shinata Chauhan as Second Runner-Up during the glamorous ceremony held on July 3 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. In its ongoing effort to transform the lives of young talented women and extend wholehearted support to the new generation of women with the potential to influence positive change and represent India on the global stage, Femina Miss India 2022, co-powered by Sephora, Moj, and Rajnigandha Pearls, launched a nationwide hunt to find prospective talents from all corners of the country through virtual auditions. The extensive scouting drive and subsequent interview rounds culminated with the shortlisted selection of 31 state winners. These shortlisted finalists arrived in Mumbai and had to go through rigorous training and grooming sessions and were mentored by the best in the industry, to compete for the coveted Femina Miss India World 2022 crown at the Grand Finale Talking about the pageant with pride and passion, Neha Dhupia said: “Each year as the journey of Femina Miss India begins, it brings back all the memories of the priceless experiences I’ve had with this pageant. It’s almost like reliving every moment of my journey with these young glamorous girls who are so full of enthusiasm and capability to take on the world with power and elegance. Certainly, there are challenges with the digital process in the wake of the pandemic, however, I’m confident it will be as exciting and worthwhile irrespective of the layout.” The star-studded evening witnessed enjoyable and enthralling performances by Kriti Sanon, Lauren Gottlieb, and Ash Chandler who left the audience spellbound. The show was hosted by none other than the best, Maniesh Paul.

A hard push for lab-grown diamonds in India

By Parag Agrawal

New Delhi, July 6: Contemporary society has languished many antiquated notions of beauty, and opened its arms to several sustainable trends that have not only changed peoples’ perceptions but also laid a non-conformist ideological plank that works both on monetary and intellectual levels. For ages, the beauty industry was mocked for promoting unrealistic standards of beauty and being classist that only caters to the ultra-rich populations. But it is entirely untrue in the present context. LG Diamonds or Sustainable Diamonds is one such game-changing money-spinner in the Indian markets, which also promoted an eco-friendly policy that was conspicuously absent before. The concept of LG diamonds was very new in the mide2000s in Indian territory when most experts wrote it off, saying that it would never be able to stand tall against naturally mined diamonds, which were at the peak of sales in those days. But, due to drastic climate changes that have clouded in recent times and the responsive and corrective pro-environment strategies that have been put in motion across industries, the sales of sustainable diamonds have massively picked up and become a top favourite among women buyers nowadays. As the number of self-sufficient and empowered women in society has grown majorly, so has their income flow channeled towards different types of luxury indulgences. Diamonds are one of the most ineffaceable gratifying pleasures of women. They expend their resources on diamonds, but sustainable diamonds seem to be the pick of the bunch in markets today. Their making process entirely coincides in a lab without releasing greenhouse emissions or pollution-causing agents. It costs less and has the same physical and chemical attributes as natural diamonds. This makes it popular not only in the elite class population but also reachable and easily accessible to the middle class and higher middle-class families. As the awareness about environment conservation has struck a chord with millions of people, they are also making maximum efforts to assuage green-house problems. Women, in this case, are increasingly opting for LG diamonds for various occasions like engagement rings, wedding rings, proposal rings, etc. Sustainable Diamonds do not even disappoint when it comes to variety. Holistically available in all kinds of women’s accessories like nose pins, pendants, bangles, bracelets, and necklaces, they can be worn on all types of family, communitarian or official gatherings. Needless to say that women are excellent investors, which is why they want to pool their money in products that are cost-efficient and also last for a long time. Sustainable Diamonds are not mere rocks; they represent a robust eco-minded value system that most women see themselves aligned with. It does not spread the wrong message to keep your whims above the common good. Instead, it advocates that splurges always should carry a positive undertone that depicts a person’s mindset. LG Diamonds are multi-faceted and can be used to ramp up looks, attires, dresses, and trousseau in any given design that one would like. They are lighter, easy to carry and saps well with traditional clothing as well as western raiment. Sustainable Diamonds are widely known to be the quintessence of aesthetic and ethereal appeal. It increases the grace and magnetism of a woman’s presence. It is one of the prime reasons why it has become an unmissable part of a modern-day working women’s ensemble. It radiates an aura and defines a style statement that is here to stay. The fluorescence of sustainable diamond markets in India also highlights the awareness that has sprung up among buyers in present times. It will only expand and gain a huge growth spurt in the coming days.

(Parag Agrawal is the co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fiona Diamonds.)

Jewellery tips for zoom and online meetings

New Delhi, July 5: Dressing with style and character is a skill that must be developed over time. The pandemic presented most of us with a new challenge. how does one look fashionable and sharp waist up? Your face is what is mostly in focus, so get some help from jewellery. A majority of women who work online screens have increased their spends on jewellery. Dhanya Balasubramanian, Brand strategist, Paksha by Tarinika said, “Bold gold pieces that look unique and stylish, colourful baubles in a variety of styles, and classic timeless designs are all in vogue. Wearing the right kind of accessory boosts your confidence and helps you stand out and stay memorable. Frankly, it’s a lot easier than having to put together an entire outfit. A wide range of jewellery to go with your existing shirts and blouses - and you’re all set to carry your best self to work,” Balasubramanian shares tips to help you style:

A Dainty Gold Plated Silver

Necklace: A delicate gold-plated silver necklace artistically designed to reflect the celestial night sky, makes for an everyday essential. Jadau ring: A ring is made for special occasions featuring jadau encrusted stones is always a right choice when you tend to use your hands to express yourself.

Gold Plated Silver Drop Earrings:

A dainty pair of earrings crafted expertly in Moissanite stones, is an alluring accessory. Open Style Silver Bracelet: Being flexible in design, this piece makes it very easy to layer along with watches and other bracelets. Pearls Last Forever: An elevated pearl accessory or a necklace signifies you mean business

The food items hold the secret to glowing skin

By Kamlesh Salvi

New Delhi, July 6: Yes, you can have glowing healthy skin just by eating right. This list of food items is easy to incorporate into your diet. This includes strawberries, oranges, carrots and avocados, and salmon. Maintaining a healthy body is just as important as keeping a healthy skin. It gives you more confidence, and your smile shapes your beauty.

Discover more... Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, and

Avocados: Carrots, sweet potatoes, and avocados are high in beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A), vitamin C, and vitamin E, which are required for the healthy growth and repair of skin cells. Carrots are high in antioxidants, which protect the skin from damage. Avocados are high in healthy fats and essential vitamins for glowing skin. Most skin care experts recommend eating avocado in the form of a juice or salad. They are high in antioxidants, which protect the skin from damage. Avocados are used in a variety of ways to improve skin and prevent wrinkles. Tomatoes and Oranges: Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is important for skin health because it promotes collagen production. Tomatoes are high in lycopene, the antioxidant responsible for preventing skin damage, they reduce inflammation and redness. Salmon and Eggs: Eggs are a good source of protein, which is essential for healthy skin. They also contain vitamins A and E. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which moisturise the skin, and aid in the reduction of inflammation. Kale and Spinach: Kale is a high-nutrient-dense green leafy vegetable, high in vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the skin. Spinach is known to be high in minerals and vitamins. It is well known that eating spinach can help with a variety of health problems. These green leafy vegetables are also high in Vitamin A, which helps with cell growth and repair. Regular use prevents skin damage. Pomegranates: Because of their unstable nature, free radicals cause cell damage, which leads to wrinkles and aging. Pomegranates, which are high in antioxidants, help to prevent the growth of free radicals and keep skin healthy and youthful.

Almonds, Chia seeds, Sunflower

seeds, and Pumpkin seeds: They are high in zinc, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Taking a few grains each day aids in the maintenance of healthy, glowing skin.

Meal Plans for a healthy and glowing skin Glowing Skin Breakfasts:

• Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast • Blueberry Smoothie • Tomato Avocado Omelette • Almond Breakfast Smoothie • Feta Spinach Omelette

Glowing Skin Lunches:

• Smoked Salmon • Vegan Rice Bowls • Mango Avocado Salad with

Pomegranates • Strawberry Spinach Salad with

Chicken • Carrot Soup

Glowing Skin Dinners:

• Avocado Pesto Pasta • Cheese and Spinach Smothered

Chicken in Crockpot • Creamy Chicken Stew in

Crockpot • Caprese Chicken • Grilled Salmon • Chicken Parmesan Stuffed

Tomatoes • Cherry Tomato Pasta • Healthy Shrimp Tacos • Vegan Buddah Bowl • Glowing Skin Snacks: • Orange Ginger Carrot Juice • Yogurt Strawberry Popsicles • Cottage Cheese Meal Prep Snack • Blueberry Almond Cottage

Cheese Protein Snack • Simple Fruit Salad • Glowing Skin Drinks: • Blueberry Lemonade • Green Tea Detox Drink • Strawberry Lemonade • Vanilla Orange Smoothie • Strawberry Detox Water These food and meal plan effectively improve skin health. Regular oil massage and natural remedies can help your skin glow and become healthier. Wrinkles are a problem in today’s fast-paced world. Wrinkles appear at a young age and rob your skin of its youth. Following a smooth and less oily diet can aid in the fight against wrinkles.

(Kamlesh Salvi is a Digital Lifestyle Blogger)

Niacinamide: One-stop solution for all your skincare woes

By N Lothungbeni Humtsoe

New Delhi, July 6: With climate change and increasing pollution, new skincare problems are emerging every day. Keeping a list of products essential for your skin can be a tedious task for anyone. How about having an ingredient that answers all your problems? Vitamin B3 often known as Niacinamide is the powerhouse skincare ingredient that is here to take away all your skincare worries. Below are the versatile benefits of the hero-ingredient niacinamide shared by Dr. Prajct Sao on behalf of Cetaphil. * Improves skin texture: Niacinamide improves overall skin texture by rebuilding cells and decreases the appearance of pores. It enhances the look and feel of your skin and gives you the most loved texture. It helps to prevent hyperpigmentation and gives your skin the boost it needs. It has collagen-building properties which reduce the dark spots and escalates the process of new skin cells to help you get an even tone and flawless skin.

* Keeps the skin hydrated and

moisturised: Niacinamide can increase skin hydration by preventing moisture from the skin from evaporating into the environment. It locks moisture so you can have the gift of soft and supple skin for a longer time. * Soothes your skin: With the changing seasons, dry and irritated skin tends to cause problems. Niacinamide is enriched with natural anti-inflammatory properties to soothe irritated skin gently. It also regulates sebum production which reduces breakouts.

* Prevents fine lines and wrinkles:

It is one of the most actively used ingredients in anti-aging creams. It renews and restores your skin layer and strengthens the skin cells, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles by treating all skin problems. It aids in the formation of keratin, a protein that is essential for keeping skin - tight, plump, and healthy. * Prevents UV damage: The biggest problem of this season: The sun. Niacinamide has a solution for this too. It protects the skin from harmful oxidative stress and free radical damage caused by the sun. It promotes the growth of new cells and acts as a shield for the sun.

* Suitable for Sensitive skin:

Niacinamide can increase skin hydration by preventing loss of moisture and locks into the skin. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory, so it is perfect for soothing irritated skin while also being gentle enough for sensitive skin. For those with sensitive skin who struggle with breakouts and want to improve the texture of their skin without harsh acids, this is a go-to ingredient to eliminate all the skin woes.

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)

The influential stage visionary who made ‘Mahabharata’ a global epic

The soul of Peter Brook’s work as a director, actor and writer was in his productions noted for what he called “colour-rich”, as opposed to “colour-blind”, casting. In his view, when the audience sits bored, listening to a recital of words with no emotion, the actor has failed. Brook once said: “People have entrusted themselves to you for two hours or more and you have to give them a respect that derives from confidence in what you are doing. At the end of an evening, you may have encouraged what is crude, violent or destructive in them. Or you can help them. By that I mean that an audience can be touched, entranced or -- best of all -- moved to a silence that vibrates round the theatre.” And this, literally, brought the roof down on the opening night of William Shakespeare’s ‘Timon of Athens’ at the once-dilapidated Bouffes du Nord theatre in Paris that he helped restore. The applause shook the building. “There were various problems on the opening night. It was a big success but the applause brought down some of the ceiling. People had bits of plaster on their heads,” Brook said in an interview to Chris Wiegand, Stage Editor of ‘The Guardian’ newspaper in 2016. How did the turnaround happen? “I wanted that Elizabethan feeling where if you come to the theatre, you mix with all people -- not just the rich. We had people sitting on the ground from the start. Actors were in close contact with the audience, reacting immediately with them. The acting space was much further forward than it had been when it was a proscenium theatre. So we had this proximity with the audience but there was also this great, vast space reaching to the back wall -- that was important to depict Timon after his exile.” Brook explained. “We put in steps coming up from the pit, so actors could make spectacular entrances. We used cubes and boxes, very rough things. The designer wanted to find how we could make clothes that were free of associations, yet true to the actors. The Bouffes is now surrounded by Indian shops and restaurants but at that time there was nothing Indian in the area. “So our designer went to the African market nearby and got all sorts of fine clothes and made simple new shapes with them. These were definitely not modern dresses, but simple clothes, to which you have no immediate connections -- such as to Elizabethan or Victorian times -- in your mind. We continue to use that approach today. “The theatre’s fine acoustics enabled you to feel as if you were playing in a courtyard in the open air, yet the space also had an intimacy that made it possible for the actors to play as if they were in a film. That was the double nature of the Bouffes, and what Timon -- and any Shakespeare play -- demands. “You mustn’t make it cosy and intimate at the expense of its heroic, epic qualities and you mustn’t make it epic and heroic at the expense of the fact that, moment by moment, it’s all about real people and real feelings,” Brook said. In a 2017 interview with British art critic Michael Billingron, Brook spoke about how important it is to “swim against the tide and achieve whatever we can in our chosen field. Fate dictated that mine was that of theatre and, within that, I have a responsibility to be as positive and creative as I can. To give way to despair is the ultimate cop-out.” Not surprisingly, after his productions at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the Bouffes du Nord, his base for more than 30 years was in African villages where his actors improvised performances, and on stages both grand and in modes that his globetrotting ensemble visited refined the way theatre is looked at. Brook’s landmark achievements include a nine-hour version of the ‘Mahabharata’, putting Shakespeare on trapezes, and directing the likes of Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud and Paul Scofield at the RSC. ‘The Mahabharata’, in fact, was staged in a French quarry in 1985 and ‘The New York Times’, noting its “overwhelming critical acclaim”, said it “did nothing less than attempt to transform the Hindu myth into universalised art, accessible to any culture”. Many post-colonial scholars, however, have challenged this claim to universalism, accusing the play of Orientalism. Author Gautam Dasgupta wrote: “Brook’s Mahabharata falls short of essential Indianness of the epic by staging predominantly its major incidents and failing to adequately emphasise its coterminous philosophical precepts.” Brook returned to the epic in 2016 with ‘Battlefield’, staged with his long-time collaborator Marie-Helene Estienne. Brook also directed musicals, the anti-Vietnam war protest play ‘US’, and co-created with British author Ted Hughes ‘Orghast’, an experimental play based on the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus, a Titan and god of fire. “I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage. A man walks across this empty space, whilst someone else is watching him, and this is all that is needed for an act of theatre to be engaged,” Brook wrote in ‘The Empty Space’ (1968), which many directors and actors consider their Bible. For instance, Brook’s 1970 version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ for the RSC, influenced by both a Jerome Robbins ballet and the Peking Circus, was performed in a white cube of a set and boasted trapezes, stilts and a forest of steel wire. Often referred to as “our greatest living theatre director”, Brook won multiple Tony and Emmy Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, the Japanese Praemium Imperiale and the Prix Italia. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2021 “for his valuable contributions towards art”. Born in London on March 21, 1925, at age seven he acted out a four-hour version of ‘Hamlet’ on his own for his parents. After attending Magdalen College, Oxford, he was soon at the Royal Opera House, directing Richard Strauss’s opera ‘Salome’ with designs by Salvador Dal�. He directed Laurence Olivier as Titus Andronicus in Stratford for the RSC in 1955 and when Peter Hall became its artistic director in 1958, he asked Brook to assist him there. Brook’s RSC productions included a 1962 staging of ‘King Lear’, a play he considered “the supreme achievement of the world’s theatre” that starred Paul Scofield. Several of his shows received Broadway transfers, including the avant garde ‘Marat/Sade’, which won the Tony award for best play in 1964. The concept was that the Marquis de Sade was putting on a drama about the French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat, acted out by the inmates of a mental asylum. In 1970, Brook moved to Paris, where he set up his International Centre for Theatre Research. The company visited Africa, where his actors gave performances that “didn’t use anything that corresponded to the theatre of the time -- we wanted to play to audiences who were not conditioned by anything. We wouldn’t, even experimentally, do a play with a text or a theme or a name.” ‘The Man Who’, which premiered in Paris in 1993, was inspired by neurologist Oliver Sacks’s book ‘The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat’, which revisited the disorders of Sacks’s patients. Brook’s own neurological research led to ‘The Valley of Astonishment’, about synaesthesia, co-created with Estienne, and performed at the Young Vic in London with Kathryn Hunter among the cast. Brook married the actor Natasha Parry in 1951 and they had two children, Irina (now a director) and Simon (now a producer). Parry died in 2015. “We have lost a beacon.... He didn’t just believe in the profound humanity and transformative power of theatre and Shakespeare, he put it into action. He was a true and rare practitioner and his legacy must live on in those of us who humbly follow in his eternal summer,” Michelle Terry, artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe, said of Brook’s passing.

Continued from Page 1 Albanese govt for providing equal opportunities and pay for women

led by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil (migration); Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth (workforce participation and barriers to employment); Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor (skills and training); and Industry Minister Ed Husic (renewables, digital and manufacturing). Besides women’s employment, other noteworthy topics for the summit include keeping unemployment low and boosting productivity and incomes; promoting secure well-paid jobs and strong, sustainable wages growth; expanding employment opportunities, including for the most disadvantaged; addressing skills shortages and getting the skills mix right; improving migration settings; maximising jobs and opportunities from renewable energy, tackling climate change, the digital economy, the care economy and a “Future Made in Australia”. Speaking at a news conference Prime Minister Albanese said there was “a lot of good will and real enthusiasm” from business groups and the ACTU to make the summit a success. About this summit the Business Council of Australia said this was “a chance to seize the opportunity and end the deadlock on workplace relations, restore the Hawke-Keating enterprise bargaining system to lift productivity and let Australians earn more. And, we need a migration system that fills workforce shortages across the economy with the right targeting and incentives.” Speaking about the summit the ACTU said the summit was “an opportunity to fix an underfunded and neglected skills sector, ensure that migration is providing opportunities rather than exploitation and address a broken bargaining system which has failed to deliver wage growth for almost a decade.” For centuries artists have tried to imitate life through surrealistic representations of how they perceive the world. And in that endeavour have developed creations that have stood the test of time inspiring generations of creative minds to study, replicate and interpret. But as you look deeper into the essence of the lifecycle of creative expression you will find a foundation that’s based on various classifications of technique and style. These techniques have been brought to the fore by movements that have defined eras in art history. For some, they have even rung the bells of critical acclaim standing on the shoulders of artists that either mastered or elevated them through their defining creations like; Monet and Pissaro’s contributions to Impressionism or Picasso’s pioneering experiments with Cubism. However there are still some techniques that haven’t been given their well-earned share of time in the sun but do present incredible possibilities for artists, curators, and admirers alike. So whether it’s the inspiration you are in search of or a new creative obsession to examine, dissect and enrapture you, here are a few to consider.

Fumage Art

Invented in the 1930s by Austrian surrealist artist Wolfgang Palen, Fumage Art is the technique of delicately using the soot or the traces of black carbon of the flame of a lit candle as a brush or pencil. The result of this careful technique is designs and images that have an unworldly, almost dreamlike feel as perfectly depicted in Palen’s 1941 creation the

‘Messenger’ that features a floating ghostly form painted with smoke onto a base of wet paint. While relatively unheard of, this technique is almost prehistoric given its use by cavemen. In fact, Canadian artist Stephen Spazuk has been using this technique for over 14 years to create ethereal works of art, with world-renowned artist Salvador Dali also experimenting with this technique as seen in his 1936 creation ‘Autumnal Cannibalism’.

Anamorphosis

Anamorphic art is the peculiar style of creating distorted portraits that can only be viewed in their true form, from specific angles and perspectives. Artists have played with this technique for centuries and in some instances have even utilised mirrors and reflections in order to present an accurate view of the creation to their audience. The beginning of this incredible technique can actually be traced back to Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebooks in the 15th century; however, it was only until the 16th and 17th centuries when Renaissance artists truly began experimenting with this style. A notable example of Anamorphosis is German-Swiss painter and printmaker Hans Holbein the Younger’s ‘The Ambassador’. Jump to the 21st century and you’ll find traces of this incredible style donning streets, in the form of large-scale 3D murals painted on cascading steps of chalk art that transforms flat asphalt into vivid three-dimensional scenes.

Typewriter Art

A little over two decades after the first manufactured typewriter made its public debut, the first piece of typewriter art was created by British secretary Flora Stacey in 1898. A beautifully constructed butterfly made of brackets, dashes, slashes, and asterisks, this simple yet revolutionary creation at the time spurred on a deluge of artists experimenting with the humble typewriter to create works that were truly inspired. Among these artists emerged a man who was unequivocally known worldwide as the “Typewriter Artist,” Paul Smith who elevated the style to create picturesque scenes and portraits that exemplified impeccable skill and imagination. In fact, while not as eloquent as this technique or Smith’s elaborate creations, you could even say that the origins of the modern-day emoji can be traced back to this style.

Encaustic painting

Also known as hot wax painting, encaustic painting utilises hot beeswax tinted with colour pigments to etch and apply onto a hardened surface which more often than not is wood but has also been used on canvas or metal. Perhaps the most famous example of this technique is the Fayum Funeral Portraits which were naturalistic painted wooden boards that were attached to the mummies of upper-class Roman-Egypt aristocrats.

Impasto

Impasto is the technique of layering paint making it stand out from the canvas in an almost 3D way, in order to create lifelike realness. Often referred to as a celebration of texture, Baroque artists like Rembrandt, and Frans Hals used this style to depict wrinkles or skin imperfections, the glint of elaborate armour or fine jewellry, and the liquid flow of rich fabrics. You can look at any works of Vincent Van Gogh’s in the 19th century to understand the nuances of this technique, and while widely used by the likes of Jackson Pollock and Frank Auerbach it tends to get overshadowed by larger concepts like modernism and realism.

(Dr. Gunjan Shrivastava, is a Professional Artist, Educator, Art Critic and Co-founder of You Lead India Foundation)

Selected Pre-Raphaelite and Symbolist Art at Christie’s Online

New Delhi, July 2: The Isabel Goldsmith Collection: Selected Pre-Raphaelite and Symbolist Art, which spans more than 40 years of collecting, will be accessible online from June 30 through July 14 as a part of London’s Classic Week Summer edition. The collection, which consists of 87 pieces, addresses topics such as sleep, dreams, the afterlife, spirituality, beauty, literature, and classical subjects. The star lot of the auction, The return of Orpheus by Sidney Harold Meteyard (estimate: 200,000-300,000 pounds), as well as pieces by Edward Burne-Jones, John Roddam Spencer-Stanhope, Simeon Solomon, Evelyn De Morgan, and Henry Ryland are included in the collection of PreRaphaelites and their adherents’ works. Levy-Dhurmer, Fernand Khnopf, and George Frederic Watts are among the symbolist artists whose works are on display, and there are also several Scandinavian landscapes in the sale. With estimates ranging from 600 to 300,000 pounds, the collection is expected to realise in excess of 1 million pounds. The pre-sale view will be open to the public from July 9 to 14. Peter Brown, Senior Director, International Specialist, Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite and British Impressionist Art, 19th-Century European Art, Christie’s commented: “Isabel Goldsmith has long impressed me with the curiosity and delight with which she encounters works of art. Hers is a singular vision: many of these Pre-Raphaelite and Symbolist pictures carry a mystical or spiritual dimension. This is an intriguing sale, full of the unexpected, which delights the eye and presents the market with rare opportunities to acquire notable works by Burne-Jones, De Morgan and Watts, and Khnopff, Stevens, and Levy-Dhurmer. Watts’ ‘The Open Door’ (estimate: 10,000-15,000 pounds) is sold to benefit Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village.” The Return of Orpheus by Sidney Harold Meteyard, which is estimated to sell for between 200,000 pounds and 300,000 dollars and is illustrated on page one with an in-person archive shot from 1992, commands the highest price. From left to right, additional highlights include Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones’ Luna (estimate: 70,000-100,000 pounds), Simeon Solomon’s Death Awakening Sleep (estimate: 10,000-15,000), Evelyn De Morgan’s The Field of the Slain (estimate: 30,000-50,000 pounds), and Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones’ Study for the Head of Medusa for “The Finding of Medusa” (1876) (estimate: 15,000-25,000 pounds). Highlights include Fernand Khnopff’s La Medusa endormie, ca. 1896 (estimate: 80,000-120,000 pounds, illustrated on page 1), Ophelie (Ophelia), 1887 by Alfred Stevens (estimate: 60,000-100,000 pounds), La bourrasque, 1897 by Lucien Levy-Dhurmer (estimate: 100,000-150,000 pounds), and The Search-Light by Evelyn De Morgan (estimate: 70,000-100,000 pounds).