Renowned performer, composer, and producer Kuljit Bhamra MBE has unveiled the world’s first electronic tabla, revolutionizing Indian drumming for musicians worldwide. The launch event in Mumbai witnessed the presence of esteemed music maestro Anup Jalota and other prominent personalities from the showbiz industry.

Kuljit Bhamra, known for his exceptional contributions to Bhangra and Britasian music, as well as his performances in prestigious productions like ‘Bombay Dreams’ and ‘Bend It Like Beckham’, has been awarded an MBE for his remarkable services. Currently serving as Professor of Tabla, Indian Rhythms & Improvisation at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, Kuljit is dedicated to making Indian drumming accessible to musicians from diverse backgrounds.

In collaboration with his company, Keda Music Products Pvt Ltd, Kuljit has introduced Tabla Touch, the world’s first range of playable electronic tabla, along with a universal notation system for grading and assessment of tabla students. This innovation aims to eliminate the barriers of maintenance and tuning associated with traditional tablas, offering a lighter, more versatile alternative.

Tabla Touch allows musicians and composers to explore the intricate sounds of the tabla effortlessly. Its adjustable tuning, lightweight design, and compatibility with amplifiers, headphones, computers, and MIDI modules make it a versatile instrument for modern music production and performance. The onboard sound banks include various Indian drums, enhancing its versatility further.

Kuljit envisions Tabla Touch as a modern gateway to the traditional world of Indian music, attracting musicians worldwide to embrace this beautiful instrument. He emphasizes the importance of adapting traditional instruments to contemporary sensibilities, citing the popularity of electric guitars and pianos as precedents.

Speaking about his vision, Kuljit expressed his excitement about the potential of Tabla Touch to bridge cultural divides and inspire new generations of musicians. He highlighted the need for innovation in music education, citing the success of his instructional books, web-series, and workshops in promoting tabla learning across diverse communities.

The unveiling of Tabla Touch marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Indian percussion instruments, promising a new era of creativity and accessibility in the global music landscape.

This body of work, distinct from his earlier mode but forming a continuity with his artistic preoccupations, offers the viewer a look into the artist’s careful approach to historical and present conflicts, their continuities and ironies. History Lab incorporates the artist’s attention to detail into his keen consciousness of contemporary events, drawing inspiration from world events, his own early roots in art, activism and historical reference to create a compelling and cogent body of work.

The exhibition will run from 14 December 2023 to 11 February, 2024, at the Special Projects Space Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai.

“One of the sculptures in this show, titled History Lab IV, is about a process of understanding history from the point of view of progress as defined by industrial and technological advancement, and how these high points of advancement in turn become yardsticks to measure the extent of damage caused by man against its own kind. The history of war could be read as a parallel phenomenon to the development of weapons technology. History has its multiple complex narratives…” – T. V. Santhosh

About the Artist

T. V. Santhosh born in Kerala, India, 1968, obtained his graduate degree in painting from Kalabhavan, Santiniketan and his master’s degree in Sculpture from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. His art cites histories of violence, injustices, war, terrorism and media propaganda. His art practice has stood as a strong commentary on the current social and political crisis of our lives.

The 16^th edition of Paperex, World’s largest Paper Show, promises the presence of the biggest brands and companies from the paper Industry from all over the world. The latest technology in paper production along with some of the most innovative and eco-friendly products will also be on display at the show, scheduled from 6-9 Dec 2023 at India Expo centre, Delhi NCR, India. The paper sector has advanced rapidly during the period of planned development since independence. Now, India has 861 paper mills, 526 of which are operational, with a total installed capacity of 27.15 million tonnes, according to a recent industry research. Paper consumption in India is likely to witness 6 to 7 per cent annual growth and will reach 30 million tonnes by FY 2026-27, largely driven by emphasis on education and literacy coupled with growth in organised retail.

The per capita paper consumption in India at around 15 kg, is way behind the global average of 57 kg.

India is the fastest-growing market for paper globally and it presents an exciting scenario; paper consumption is poised for a big leap forward in sync with economic growth. The futuristic view is that growth in paper consumption would be in multiples of GDP and hence an increase in consumption by one kg per capita would lead to an increase in demand of 1 million tonnes.

To meet the increasing demand of paper and paper products, the paper industry needs new technology, advanced machinery, raw material etc. for Paper & Board Manufacturing. Paperex provides a unified business platform for all paper and allied industries for

·         Face to face interactions to explore the New Technology, Machinery & Equipment and raw material for Paper & Board manufacturing.

·         Exploring alternative suppliers

·         New Import and export destination

·         Supporting mass users of paper and allied industries including Paper Traders, Printers, Publishers, Converters and Paper Packaging Companies to explore the variety of papers at the show

Paperex 2023, World’s Largest Paper Show, has received overwhelming response from industry and is all set to repeat the success story from 2022 with 700+ leading exhibitors from 20 countries and thousands of trade visitors from every corner of the world.

Paperex will cater to the entire gamut of paper & allied industries at one business platform with co-located events as:

: – WORLD OF PAPER, highlighting participation of Paper, Printing, Packaging & Publishing industries

: – TISSUEEX, highlighting participation of Tissue Products, Machinery & Technology

: – CORRUGEX, highlighting participation of Corrugated Boxes, Machinery, Technology & Allied Industries

In addition, the event is planned with various concurrent business program and activities, including:

: -Concurrent technical conference on “Paper Industry–Growth & Sustainability Through Green Technologies” by IARPMA

: -Open Seminars on “Paper Printing, Packaging and Converting.”

: -Networking meets of leading Trade Associations

: -Various new launches and programs by exhibitors

At Paperex, the attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest advancements in technology, machinery, equipment, transport & material handling and raw materials for paper and board manufacturing. The show attracts global buyers from paper & board manufacturers, paper traders, printers, publisher, converter and paper packaging companies, designers for corrugated box & related packaging, investors & promoters. Paperex is the finest platform for many overseas players planning to acquire or set up new plants in India. Many Indian paper mills are now eyeing new mills to setup or joint ventures with existing players abroad to widen their business horizons. For further information please visit https://india.paperex-expo.com or contact via Ph: +91 9311378553 or Email: paperex@hyve.group

An exhibition of drawings by Prof. M.G.Rajadhyaksha was inaugurated recently by Smt. Nina Rege,Asst.Director Nehru Centre Art Gallery. Many renowned personalities from Art field known to Prof. Rajadhyaksha during their association with him in Sir. J.J. School of Arts, were present on this occasion. Prominent among them were Mr. Ajit Naik renowned Cinematographer, Mr. Kunal Vijaykar- actor, Mr. Achut Palav- most respected mentor in world of Calligraphy and many others were present.

Besides the special invitees, the family members of Prof. Rajadhyaksha, namely his wife Bharati, sons- Ketan and Harshad, daughter-in-law Puja and grand daughter Simran were also present. Prof. Rajadhyaksha was more than happy to welcome each and every guest and exchanged plesentaries with them. This exhibition suitably titled ‘My Rooted Friends’ is open till 18^th September 2023 between 11 am to 7 pm at Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, Mumbai 400018.

“Inspiration to an artist is sudden, spontaneous and often requires completely surrendering to the experiences and situations of the moment,” says Anushree S. Jaiswal, an artist by both passion & profession who has traveled far and wide to visual inspiration in faraway landscapes to create spontaneous paintings.

The young artist will exhibit her artistry at The Monsoon Show – CHATAK 2023 where she will showcase 2 genres, one in which she has used black pens- titled- CHATAK-Pen on Canvas & another one in which she has used Acrylic Colours which is titled-  Acrylic On Canvas.

“I have grown up in Mumbai, water and I share a very intimate relationship. I love the sound of rain and often spend hours just observing it. These 2 birds signify thirst, they only drink rainwater. It signifies their happiness when it rains” says Anushree who happens to be one of the lucky artists to be selected for the exhibition amongst many others.

Beautiful actress Sneha Ullal who rose to fame with Lucky opposite Salman Khan is now seen in romantic music video “Ui Mui Su” opposite Aamir Shaikh which released today on Zee Music and is getting a lot of love from the audience.

The producer of this song is Anup Jalota, who is known all over the world as Bhajan Samrat. Padma Shri Anup Jalota has produced many Bollywood films. He found the lyrics and the project so interesting that he agreed to introduce him as a producer.

This song is sung by Bollywood’s legend singers Suresh Wadkar and Reena Mehta. Suresh Wadkar has given innumerable blockbuster songs in Bollywood like “Tumse Milke Aisa Laga Tumse Milke”. Suresh Wadkar’s melodious voice has made this song even better.

Singer Reena Mehta has sung songs with many big singers including Anup Jalota like Amit Mishra, Nakash Aziz, Dev Negi, Shahid Mallya, Aman Trikha and Aamir Shaikh. She has breathed life into this romantic album with her melodious voice. Reena Mehta says that the lyrics of this song are very unique “Ui Mui Su” After watching this song you will know what is the meaning of Ui Mui Su.

Film actress Sneha Ullal made her Bollywood debut with the film Lucky opposite Salman Khan. She has also been in news for sporting an Aishwarya Rai lookalike and now she is wooing everyone with her moves in this video with Aamir Shaikh.

Multi-talented Aamir Shaikh has performed for the first time on a song sung by another singer. Many of his songs as a singer and performer have become popular by being released by big music companies like T-Series, Zee Music, B4U, Venus Worldwide Records. This latest song is sung by Suresh Wadkar and performed by Aamir Shaikh along with Sneha Ullal.

Music composer of the song is Umesh Mishra and lyricist is Mukesh Sawan. This unique video has been directed by Azad Hussain.

The music video Ui Mui Su made under the banner of Ocean Music & Entertainment is being well received by the audience. Its catchy lines, rendition of the song makes it memorable.

It is worth mentioning that Aamir Shaikh is a well-known sound engineer of Bollywood who has done recording, mixing and mastering songs of hundreds of hit films.

On the auspicious occasion of Eid 2023, it has been announced to release a very soulful and Sufi song “Imam-e-Hind”. DK Omsheel Productions USA & Omsheel Production has announced the release of this song worldwide soon. The special thing is that this spiritual song has been shot at the Badi Dargah of Hazrat Pir Noor Satgor Baba located in Navsari, Gujarat. In this video, the names of Dolly Tomar, Rajneesh Dubey and Monty Saiyed are notable as the main actors.

Omsheel Production is an Indian production company engaged in the production of Films, Web Series, Documentary films and also has a branch in USA named DK Omsheel Production headed by Dolly Tomar and Khurram Saiyed.

The Sufi song “Imam-e-Hind” is one such devotional song that will touch your heart as well as your soul. Its amalgamation of beautiful music, heart touching lyrics and powerful vocals will be a great gift for the listeners and viewers which will bring a lot of relaxation to the mind and soul.

It is being said that this soulful song will be launched very soon in Mumbai.Omsheel Production aims to bring realistic cinema which will be a different experience for the audience.

Omsheel Production is also coming up with a feature film “Pyaari Tarawali The True Story” this year after this soulful song, which will be released in theatres. Shot in Madhya Pradesh, the film is adaptation of a novel, is written and directed by Rajneesh Dubey.

Omsheel Production has best creative team who believes in only one thing and that is to make good movies.

The ongoing show, The Good Earth: K.P. Reji – A mid-career retrospective, is currently showing at the Kerala Museum, closes on the 4th of April.
 

K. P. Reji began his career as an artist at the Kerala Museum’s Art Centre in Kochi, set up in the early 1990s by Madhavan Nayar. It was here that Reji was introduced to contemporary art — both Indian and international. Although short-lived, the Centre at the museum would have a lasting influence on Reji’s practice. The exhibition features Reji’s works over the last twenty-five years, tracing his artistic journey by bringing together his drawings and paintings from 1997 to the present. 

The show is on view until Tuesday, the 4th of April. The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
 
K. P. Reji (born 1972, Kerala, India) received his Bachelors and Master’s Degree from M. S. University of Baroda. Reji was awarded the prestigious Sanskriti Award for the Young Artist in 2007 by the Sanskriti Foundation, New Delhi. 

Legendary singer Hariharan, who has touched many lives with his craft in over 4 decades of his career, has released a new ghazal titled ‘Dooriyan’ in collaboration with singer Sadhana Jejurikar.  ‘Dooriyan’ is a cross-country collaboration that depicts the emotions of a heartbroken person in love. The idea of this ghazal and collaboration with Hariharan first came to Sadhana Jejurikar, who wanted to make an original piece with live recorded instruments. The music has been composed by Kailash Gandharv and the lyrics is done by Madan Pal. Music produced by Akshay Hariharan and choregraphed by Pramodkumar Bari, the video is directed by Kailash Pawar. 

Soulfully rendering the ghazal, Sadhana said “‘Dooriyan’ is a song with Hariharan saab, it’s very special to me. I think this dream will come true. I have been listening to him and from my heart I am accepting him as my Guru and prefer to be very special in my career. I have been singing for 30 years. I am a classical trained singer. When I offered the song, he liked the lyrics and Tune also accepted the singing with me and this is honored and privileged to me.”

She further added, “I can’t tell you during my recording session. Entire process was wonderful he is lovely artist and he such a cooperative person to apprehensive and his studio front of him I am unable to perform the way i was supposed to sing but it had encouraged me with great passion we done the recording. I hope people will like it.”

Talking about the association with Sadhana, Hariharan said, “It was amazing recording with Sadhana.The vibe of the song is melodious – romantic yet mesmerizing. When she made me hear the first draft of ‘Dooriyan’, it was very gracious and I immediately agreed to become a part of it. Sadhana’s singing is the perfect combination of it. Her classical base is phenomenal and can blend into any genre with precision.”

A Ghazal singer by profession, Sadhana Jejurikar has achieved many milestones in her career. The latest being the well-loved album – DUAA (along with Maestro Ghulam Ali Khan). She is also a co-author of a biographical book ‘Ghazal Wizard – Ghulam Ali’ released by Times Publication. Sadhana has been singing in the Ghazal genre for AIR, Indore since 1992. Sadhana also participated in the musical reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma during the year 1996. She has performed on stage nationally and internationally along with various artists.

Sadhana has twice won the Madhya Pradesh Government’s Lata Mangeshkar District Award and has been singing with All India Radio since 1994. In 2014, she was also bestowed with the Vikram Award in her hometown. She has performed all over India and abroad with many artistes. She has also sung for a few films & music albums in various languages.

Pickle Music is India’s renowned music label with a current roster that includes a broad array of local superstars. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre. ‘Dooriyan’ is available to stream on Pickle Music YouTube.

To enhance the spiritual vibration of the temple, ‘Mural Paintings’ were sketched on the walls of the temple in Andheri, Mumbai.  A team of well-known artists who were involved in crafting the Mural Paintings in Shree Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor, Kerala has crafted seven pieces of Murals on the walls of Sree Krishna Temple, located on Veera Desai Road, Andheri, Mumbai.  

The seven mural paintings depict Vyasa Maharshi reciting the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesa, Anantha Sayanam, Dasavatharam, Bhuvanesawri Devi, Swami Ayyappan and Maha Kali. Govardhan Gopalam.These would be open to the devotees soon after giving the final touch of paint to the eyes of the Lords, spiritually known as ‘Netronmeelanam’.

On  28th January, “Netronmeelanam ” of mural painting of “Ananthashayanam”‘ was gracefully done and dedicated by Dr. Padmabhushan Ramakant Madanmohan Panda, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Asian Heart Hospital, Mumbai in the august presence of devotees.

The paintings were sketched by the team artists namely S/Shri Shreehari Srinivasan, Sashi keechery, & Sasi Kotechra