Feeling hungry?...Run to the Burger Fest...

Burger, the very mention of this word creates the picture of a ball like food item that has ignited the appetite of the gourmets from a long time. An import from the West, burger soon made way to the homes of Indian customers and has occupied a significant place in their minds when it comes to eating something handy and heavy (nobody cares about the calories issue when a burger is in front of them asking to be eaten up!)

New Delhi is always known for its food varieties, be it the famous street chaat or the indigenous food joints scattered around the city with fame and glory. Well, latest addition to the list of this food happy city is the ongoing Burger Fest in News Cafe Vasant Kunj. This ten day event starting from Feb 01, 2010 and ending on Feb 10, 2010 is set to allure a massive number of foodies.

Here a visitor will not only witness an extended range of burgers, but also gets the fitting accompaniment of myriad shakes, wine, beer and cocktail. Some of the noteworthy items to be displayed are Hand cut Fries, Coleslaw, South West Chilly, and Sensational Salads. If you are already feeling the cramp in your belly, hold on, more coming up- Mushroom Burger with Swiss Cheese, South West Burger with fried jalapenos and chipotle sauce, Curry Lamb Burger with spicy ketchup, California Chicken Burger with zesty salsa, Chilly Gorgonzola Chicken Burger and so on.

Don't you think it is enough to fuel you up to rush to the hub of burgers and feast upon these delicious creations of modern fast food? And we all know, there is always a room for one more burger... :)

19th New Delhi World Book Fair ...a place to be

Of all the million quotes on books and readings that the thought leaders have put forward down the decades, one coming from Franz Kafka is at once simple and significant. The creator of The Metamorphosis observes “A book must be an ice-Axe to break the seas frozen inside our soul”. How correct he was!

Reading habit of the Indians has undergone a tremendous change with the passage of time. Readers are definitely growing in number and profile. Apart from all the reasons behind this development, the role of Book Fairs also can not be ignored.

New Delhi has earned a reputation of being one of the hubs for book lovers with numerous publishing houses and a bulk of readers. Adding to its name and fame, this year also New Delhi is hosting the The 19th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF).

This mega event starting from 30 January and ending on 7 February 2010 is organized by National Book Trust, India (NBT). Held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, this fair happens to be the largest Book Fair in the Afro-Asian region.

This time the theme of the fair is decided as "Reading for Common Wealth" keeping a close association with the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi in October 2010. The theme Pavilion will be decorated with Seven hundred titles published by around 75 publishers on different genres of sports.

A joint effort by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Federation of Indian Publishers, this fair allures millions of book-lovers from all over the country. The current edition will see participants from the US, China, UAE, Iran, Pakistan and many other countries.

Incidentally, New Delhi is presently blessed with a pleasant climate with warm sun shine and soothing breeze. So folks, you definitely know where you should plan your weekend...

Goa Wine Festival - Fly away to get flown away...

Goa has always captured the imagination of the new India with its unconventional and not quite like Bharat ways and attitude. Celebrating the glory of anything that is associated with alcohol is enough to raise the eye-brows of many who go gaga over tradition and culture in India. But breaking away from the views of these bigots comes again the Goa Grape Escapade, a wine fiesta that is celebrating its sixth anniversary this year.

Observed under the banner of The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Goa Grape Escapade is the Indian answer to the coveted Oktoberfest (beer festival of Munich), the famous Australian Beer Festival and many other in its category.

This four day long wine extravaganza starts on January 23, 2010 and is all set to host a bevy of wine manufactures of repute and recognition. Names like Kingfisher Bohemia, Indage Vintners, Four Season wines, Zampa wines and lot more will showcase their vintage collection of liquor in this mega show.

Wine connoisseurs from all over the globe flock to Goa to be a part of this unique event. This Goa wine festival is not only confined to the showcase of the finest wine; it accommodates the hugely popular grape stomping event where guests are requested to crush grapes with their feet to mark the commencement of the celebrations.

I remember reading this quote somewhere: "Making good wine is a skill. Fine wine is an art." Artists and poets are long influenced by the intoxicating creativity of wine. Great wine may make a way through your mind and psyche to bring out the long hidden wishes and half asleep dreams.

Well, I need not spend my words more as the zealots knows it all...

Heritage Pune, 2010

SPIC MACAY and ICCR joins hand to celebrate Indian Culture

Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth, widely and popularly referred to as SPIC MACAY commands a very special and significant mention when it comes to the rich Indian culture and art forms . Since its inception, SPIC MACAY has done a tremendous job in preserving and promoting the composite and diverse cultural bequests of our country to the youth through numerous festivals, events and concerts.

This time around its Pune's turn to get classy and coveted as SPIC MACAY in collaboration with Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) has organized Heritage Pune 2010. The fifteen day extravaganza commences from January 15, 2010 and ends on January 30, 2010. Sticking to the objective of SPIC MACAY, this series will be conducted in over 20 different institutions across the city with almost 40 concerts by 25 prominent artistes from all over the country. Heritage Pune 2010 is a free to all festival without any entry fee.

The festival gets a fitting flag off with a flute recital by none other than Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia at the College of Engineering, Pune. The highlight of the festival is to have an one on one interaction between the students and the artistes on topics like folk culture and art, classical music, theatre, yoga, meditation and so on.

Another aspect related to Heritage 2010, Pune is to showcase these cultural pearls to the foreign students studying in Pune. This will definitely help the process of cultural amalgamation and would facilitate cross cultural interaction.

Onam :Festival of Frolics and Delicacies marking the Carnival of Kerala

Onam the biggest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala, sets the plethora for the majestic welcome of the legendary King Mahabali. It descents in the Malayi month of Chingam ( August- September). The Carnival of Kerala lasts for ten days and it showcases the best of the culture and tradition of Kerala. The celebration of Onam also marks the onset of the harvest season.

Onam or Thiruonam as it is popularly connoted has a legendary significance in Kerala. It recalls the era of golden fraternity during the reign of King Mahabali. King Mahabali was to believed to be very generous and kind hearted and was highly regarded by his subjects. But as a king of might he had a reigning ego in himself governing him which became a point of advantage for the gods to stop his growing popularity. However for all the good deeds done by King Mahabali God granted him the boon that he could annually visit his people and his kingdom once in a year.

It is this visit of Mahabali which is celebrated as Onam every year. Malayalis or the people of Kerala enjoy this festival with great pomp and valour.

The best part about the festival of Onam is the variety of palatable dishes being served. The grand feast which is also known as Onasadya is a nine course meal consisting of mainly 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on large banana leaves and people savour it sitting on the floor.

Another enchanting phenomenon of Onam is Vallamkali (the snake boat race) which is held on the river Pampa in Kerala. It is really vivacious watching the colourful boats being rowed by hundreds of Boatmen at a stance and the spectators cheering them amidst chanting of songs. Women engage themselves in cultural activities like making flower mats called Pookalam in the front courtyard to welcome the mighty king Mahabali. Kaikotti kali (Kathakali dance form) and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by Women on the festival of Onam.

Although the festival of Onam has its origin in Hindu Mythology but Onam is celebrated with equal fervour without any differentiation in class, creed, or diversity.

Diwali : Festival of light and Carnival

Diwali being around, we feel the aura of delight and enthusiasm reigning the air. Deepavali is a festival where people of all age groups participate and they give expression to their happiness by lighting Diyas (hand made earthern lamps). Basically Diwali is a festival which takes us into a carnival mood and complete vivacity.

Deepavali in Sanskrit language means 'an array or a row of lamps'. Filling clay lamps with oil and lighting them in a row is enchanting in itself. Diwali is associated with many traditions and even today when we follow those customs it makes us realise our glorious past of our country and teaches us to uphold the values. Diwali reckons in the veins enthusiasm of crackers, light and lots of delicacies.

Deepavali as it is famously connoted is one festival which indulges people of all age groups. A festive mood and a total Carnival atmosphere thrives in the whole environment. The lighting of the lamps is a way of paying respect and reverence to the almighty for the attainment of wealth, glory, knowledge, fame, and valour.

It is one day in the whole year when kids get up early from their bed. They emerge literally scrubbed clean as they get new pair of attires and lots of crackers and Sparklers. People especially in North India celebrate this festival with thorough Pomp and Show. They light up little oil lamps, scented incense sticks and enjoy to the fullest. In the evening people do the Laxmi Pujan ( offering prayers to goddess Laxmi ) as she is believed to be the bestower of fame and wealth.

There is a story attached with the lighting of the lamps. Mythology has its say that either a light or a lamp shoos away the ignorance factor from the life of the individual. It is also believed that light is a metaphor of knowledge which truly personifies the beauty of the World.

Diwali also calls for celebration as this is the day when Lord Ram came back to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.

Ladakh Festival: Unfurling the Colour of the Hills

Ladakh is a land incomparable with any other place in the world. Adding to its might and lustre are the two of the World's greatest mountain ranges the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges. Ladakh lies in a region at an altitude ranging from 9000 feet in Kargil to 25,170 feet at Saser Kangri in Karakoram. This beautiful land much known for its scenic beauty is again in news for its “Ladakh Festival” which starts from the1st of September 2009.

The much awaited festival is starting on 1st of September from Chubi to the Pologround which passes through the Leh Baazar. This festival brings out the the real colour of the Hill culture. One would find different peasantries with their cultural troupes in colourful costumes and Polo horses who would participate in the procession.

On the 2nd of September there would be the famous Chams Mask Dance which is a mark of Ladakh. Following the tradition thereafter on the 3rd of September they have their tradition of showcasing their archery skills with river rafting and Camel Safari on the sand dunes, Tsomorir- ri-festival, Khatok Chenma to be held at the Leh Palace, Nubra festival (caravan on silk route)then a music concert on the days following thereafter.

The Ladakh festival would go on till 15th of September. On the last day the closing ceremony would take place on the Polo ground.