Latest Art & Culture
Sonam Kapoor defends Rajkumar Hirani over #MeToo allegations

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor on Wednesday said she stands by the #MeToo movement but feels judgement should be reserved in the case of filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who has been accused of sexual harassment.
Sonam plays the lead role in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, in which Rajkumar Hirani was earlier co-producing. However, after he was accused of sexual misconduct, his name was dropped from the credits.
“I am a huge supporter of the #MeToo movement and this is a very important question… This is not the right platform because our film is as important as the movement. I know Raju Hirani very well, I have known him for many years and have huge respect for him as a filmmaker and as a man. I think we all should reserve judgement and be very responsible before we say anything more on this subject… Because we don’t need to derail this movement,” Sonam told the press, reports PTI.
Sonam, had supported the #MeToo movement in the past, said more understanding is needed about the movement. “Media and all journalists don’t understand how important the pen is, how important your voice is and it can make or break a person’s life. So wait, do proper research and ask and understand what is actually happening. I promise after the film releases, I will have something to say.”
“But till things are not clear, don’t make click bait articles and play with somebody’s life. It will derail the movement completely.” She further said, “I always want to believe a woman but suppose by chance, if it is not true, then how bad it will be for the movement, especially if it is somebody like Raju Hirani.”
Celebs like Dia Mirza, Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi, Boney Kapoor and Javed Akhtar have vouched for Rajkumar Hirani and saying that he is one of the ‘most decent personalities in the film industry.’
Sonam further added “One needs to be patient and have a better understanding while talking about the issue.”
She said, “With Tanushree Dutta (who kicked off the #MeToo movement in India last year) there was a lot of truth in the article, there was a lot of research done, lot of people came forward. So you understand where it is coming from.”
(Inputs from media reports)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Art
Watch: Howrah Bridge decorated with Alpana art before Durga Puja
Famous artist Sanjay Paul and his team of 40 students from different art colleges used folk motifs. This form of art is traditionally known as alpana art to decorate the walls and floors in rural Bengal.

The 80 year old iconic Howrah bridge has got a colourful makeover ahead of Durga Puja. A group of artists were seen painting the cantilever thoroughfare with Bengali Alpana art. The bridge has been illuminated with interactive LED and static lighting that comes into effect after sunset.
Famous artist Sanjay Paul and his team of 40 students from different art colleges used folk motifs. This form of art is traditionally known as alpana art to decorate the walls and floors in rural Bengal. The art has been used to paint a section of the 2,313 feet long bridge between the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata.
Croma, a Tata enterprise unveiled the alpana painting on the bridge which is also known as Rabindra Setu. Paul told the media there is no better structure to display the rich cultural heritage as the city of Kolkata gets ready for its biggest festival Durga Puja. Paul added his team had worked tirelessly to complete the illustration in five days from 12 am in the morning to 5pm in the evening.
The motifs have been created along the length of the bridge on both sides adjacent to the footpath. Two large circular designs measuring 36 ft have been painted at the entry and exit points of the Howrah Bridge. Anwesak Dawn was entrusted with carrying out the fieldwork. He selected meritious students from Garia Art College and government Art College for the project.
The alpana art is beautifully crafted on motifs based on electronic gadgets. It portrays the importance of electronics play in people’s lives. This artwork marks the beginning of the auspicious Durga Puja festival which brings together innovation and tradition in a captivating display of art and culture. The Durga Puja festival begins in Kolkata on Friday.
Art
Tamil Nadu: Artist designs a 1.5 inch tall model of Chandrayaan 3 using 4 gm of gold
According to a video shared on X, the talented miniature artist from Tamil Nadu, Mariappan, has ingeniously fashioned a 1.5-inch tall representation of Chandrayaan-3, utilizing 4 grams of gold.

An astonishing video showcasing a miniature gold model of Chandrayaan-3 has left viewers in awe. The footage, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), highlights the craftsmanship of Mariappan, an artist based in Coimbatore. In the video, Mariappan meticulously crafts a 1.5-inch tall replica of Chandrayaan-3, complete with a miniature Indian flag.
According to a video shared on X, the talented miniature artist from Tamil Nadu, Mariappan, has ingeniously fashioned a 1.5-inch tall representation of Chandrayaan-3, utilizing 4 grams of gold. Chandrayaan-3’s Lunar Lander Vikram is slated for a soft landing on the moon on August 23rd.
Mariappan revealed that he employs gold to create miniature models during significant events. In this instance, he designed this remarkable model using 4 grams of gold as a tribute to the dedicated scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 endeavor. Crafting the miniature took him 48 hours of meticulous work, as he expressed his pride in this achievement for every Indian.
The post, which was shared just a few hours ago, has already garnered nearly 19,000 views and continues to attract attention. A flurry of comments flooded in, with some offering inspiring words, others marveling at the creation’s magnificence, and many expressing their admiration with heart emoticons.
According to ISRO reports, the Indian spacecraft has come closer to the moon and is preparing for a landing attempt at the lunar south pole. Launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, Chandrayaan-3’s journey has reached a crucial stage. A senior ISRO official noted that the final landing maneuver is complex, with the decision to proceed made two hours prior to the scheduled action. This decision can be delayed if unfavourable conditions prevail.
The official further shared that if the landing is postponed, Chandrayaan-3’s operational time on the Moon might be reduced from the intended 14 Earth days to around 10 days. This implies that the lunar south pole landing of Chandrayaan-3 could potentially occur on August 26 or 27.
Art
Watch: Group of Kathak dancers perform to the tunes of Calm Down
Renowned dancer Kumar Sharma took to YouTube to share this remarkable creation, showcasing a group of Kathak dancers moving gracefully in harmony with the melodies of Calm Down.

The captivating and soothing melody of Calm Down by Rema and Selena Gomez has resonated deeply with fans all around the world, prompting numerous enthusiasts to share videos of themselves joyfully dancing to its rhythm. Recently, an awe-inspiring video surfaced on social media, featuring a group performing a mesmerizing Kathak dance routine to this chart-topping track. The enchanting allure of the performance is such that you might find yourself watching it repeatedly, perhaps even swaying along.
Renowned dancer Kumar Sharma took to YouTube to share this remarkable creation, showcasing a group of Kathak dancers moving gracefully in harmony with the melodies of Calm Down. The ensemble cast includes dancers such as Kumar Sharma, Anmol Sood, Rahul Sharma, Eshika Choomer, Meghna Thakur, Khushboo Gupta, Smriti Bhandari, Jidnyasa Kurtadkar, Nandini Sonavane, Enakshi, Yogesh Thombre, and Hriday Parash Kalita.
Unveiled on YouTube on August 4, the dance video has rapidly garnered over 22,000 views and continues to draw in a growing audience. A comment from a YouTube user resonated with enthusiasm, describing the choreography and execution as mind-blowing. The creative prowess demonstrated by Kumar and the Kathakrockers group in their interpretation of Kathak is truly remarkable. Their consistent excellence never fails to impress, consistently offering performances that are invigorating and bring smiles to faces. The admiration for their work is resounding, and the encouragement to continue the exceptional efforts is heartfelt. Three cheers for Kumar and the Kathak rockers!
Another commenter echoed a sentiment of precision, perfection, coordination, and seamless flow. They noted the absence of any misalignment in movements, and how each member’s speed harmoniously synchronized, a testament to the collective excellence of this accomplished group of artisans. The acclaim continued with a third person joining in, expressing awe at the meticulously composed brilliance of the performance. They were left virtually speechless by the impeccable choreography and the tabla’s flawless beats, appreciating the visual delight it offered.
-
Entertainment21 hours ago
Shah Rukh Khan shares new song Nikle The Kabhi Hum Ghar Se from his upcoming film Dunki
-
India News19 hours ago
IMD says Cyclone Miachaung likely to hit coast of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh on evening of December 4
-
India News16 hours ago
5 state elections: Exit poll projections range from a farce to the far-fetched
-
India News16 hours ago
PM Modi proposes to host COP33 in India in 2028
-
Entertainment23 hours ago
Animal social media review: Audience hails Ranbir Kapoor’s performance
-
Cricket news18 hours ago
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal says media rights of IPL will reach $50 billion by 2043
-
Entertainment22 hours ago
Sam Bahadur social media review: Fans say blockbuster loading
-
Latest world news24 hours ago
US looks forward to seeing results, says Antony Blinken as India probes Pannu murder plot