The address is enough to make you sit up and pay attention. Throw in the fact that it’s from Priyank Sukhija’s ever expanding stable and that it’s one of the few standalones bars in an area with a very stiff upper collar and you’ve got yourself a great deal. Lutyens’ name alludes to an English theme and they follow through with the décor. Imagine a Gentlemen’s Club of yore with plush leather sofas, dark mahogany furniture, bookshelves stacked with hardbound editions, vintage photos of the Capital and knicks-knacks spread around the entire space. Sadly, the food doesn’t show any Brit-influences (except an insipid Fish n Chips) and neither does the playlist, but the bartenders can easily make you forget that bit. The team churns out a range of interesting signatures using in-house infusions from glass jars lined up on the counter, so you can see what’s going in your concoction. The Cloved that has clove bitters and flamed watermelon along with their own orange peel infused vodka is one of the most inspired drinks on the list. While the Lutyens Sour with vanilla infused whisky, claret, vermouth rosso and vanilla grapes comes a close second. You can also try the infusions separately and we’d suggest the Smoked Bourbon. For the purists, there are classic cocktails as well as a range of whiskies, cognacs, white spirits and liqueurs including the dangerous Limencello de Capri. As for the food, ignore the recently added Indian menu and go straight for the Truffle Fries and Bacon Popcorn – both of which are heavy-duty indulgences. The venue is still trying to figure out its event roster, but take a business associate here and they are sure to be impressed!
Critic Review
Nightlife Review
Buzz: 3.5/5 | Décor: 3.5/5 | Service: 3.5/5
-By Deepali Gupta
Restaurant, elegant bar and centrally located meeting place all rolled into one.
ATMOSPHERICS:
Just above the Jaguar showroom in this three-storeyed building opposite the Meridien Hotel is the newest restaurant in this well-located part of town. On the second floor of the building, there are lounge tables, regular restaurant seats, bar seats and high tables. You can hold a meeting over snacks, read a book (there’s a surprisingly good collection), have lunch for two or drinks with loud music in the evening. Incidentally, the music system manages to fulfil two opposing qualities with ease: you can hold a conversation at normal levels, yet in another part of the restaurant, you can dance to the same music.
TABLE TALK:
Do have all the dishes that contain vegetables. The quality of the greens in the deconstructed Caesar salad (Rs 325) is seldom seen in this city. And the playful presentation highlights the quality of each element. Ditto for the poached pear salad (Rs 425) that contains baby carrots, onions and spinach leaves, given a kick with grain mustard. Prawn cocktail (Rs 425) is a tangy salad of lightly grilled prawns in a bed of piquant mayo. Souffle with arugula salad and cheese sauce is yet another vegetarian dish that took my fancy for the colourful presentation and delicate, mostly Mediterranean flavours. The chicken liver pate (Rs 475) needed the kind of mild tweaking that is usually the case in a brand new restaurant: the reduced balsamico that was mentioned on the menu did not make its appearance on the plate. However, the vegetable accompaniments made up for any shortcoming. Ditto for the ingenious beetroot risotto (Rs 525) that was less than perfectly made, but which featured beetroot cooked three different ways. However, the star of my meal was undoubtedly seafood with mussels, prawns and squid (Rs 1295). It is the most expensive dish on the menu but is packed with shellfish.
PLUS AND MINUS:
The location is the finest in Central Delhi. There is no parking problem, the cachet of the address goes through the roof and the interiors are restrained and have plainly been made with the intention of using Lutyens Cocktail House as a high-level meeting place between meals. On the minus side, not much effort has been made to incorporate English food to a restaurant named after an English architect.
Must try: Mac n Cheese; Butter Confit Chicken; Chocolate Box
Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.
When someone like Mick Jagger is the patron of a folk music festival in Rajasthan, you know it#39;s going to be nothing short of spectacular. Little wonder then that Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival) has been rated among the best music festivals in the world. And naturally, we are super excited about the 9th edition of this big daddy of Indian fests, which will be held from October 23rd to 27th at the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur.
Endorsed by UNESCO and organised by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation, RIFF is a not-for-profit partnership project with Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar as its chief patron.
The setting is unbeatable, and the timing for it couldn#39;t be more perfect since the dates coincide with Sharad Purnima – the brightest full moon of the year in North India. So you can expect moonlit jams and impromptu gigs that stretch into the night.
WHAT’S NEW
Festival Director Divya Bhatia tells us that reggae and trad-jazz will be introduced for the first time with Papa Julius and Zion Nexus from Ghana and our very own Ska Vengers taking over the reggae night. He adds that this edition will also see unique debut performances including a fiddle playing duo, a master of the harmonica, and a spotlight on Raika – the camel herding community of Rajasthan.
With 5 days of uninterrupted folk music, RIFF has always been known for some of the best cross-cultural collaborations. This year too, you can look forward to many interesting ones between Yossi Fine (a Jewish Israeli bassist and producer), Wouter Kellerman (Grammy Award winning South African flautist and composer) and Shooglenifty (a Celtic fusion band from Scotland).
WHAT TO WATCH
It’s tough to pick a handful of must-see concerts from this year’s stellar line-up, but we’ll try and give you some pointers. Definitely grab a seat for RIFF Rustle at Club Mehran in the fort. This much talked-about section features impromptu jams headed by a #39;rustler#39; who conducts the performance. This year, Grammy winner Yossi Fine dons the role of rustler, and will share the dais with Kheta Manganiyar, Mahesh Vinayakram, Rajasthani musicians and surprise guest artists.
You can also wake up to the strains of Baul music with Baul Fakiri; celebrate the spirit of reggae, jazz and rasta with An African Sojourn; delve into the roots of Rajasthan’s nomadic music with Desert Lounge – Acoustic Roots; and finally, get a taste of world music as Celtic artists play with Rajasthani folk musicians and jazz sensation Brian Molley Quartet as part of Scottish Panorama.
With a festival whose best publicity has been word-of-mouth and the biggest selling point is its great energy and vast pool of talent, you shouldn’t be thinking twice about making plans to head to the Blue City on the long weekend. Get planning!
When: October 23rd to 27th
Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Entry: Donor passes at Rs 10,000++
For tickets and full schedule, click here
The Japanese really are masters of precision and celebrating their best gift to the world – sushi – is this new addition to the growing culinary wing of PVR Cinemas. Headed by a chef who launched Megu in India and designed by an ex-Super Potato partner, Simply Sushi charmed us into submission a day before its launch.
AMBIENCE
Located in Vasant Kunj’s food hub – Ambience Mall – this sushi bar might be small but it delivers on big promises. Adjoining the company’s other property Mistral, which will be serving the Simple Sushi menu as well, it’s an authentically Japanese setting. The layout is open, since it leads to the entrance of the Director’s Cut theatre, and that makes the space look cheerier. Warm wooden hues, a long kitchen counter where you can watch the chefs at work, and bar stools are all that’s needed because the food is the real star. The place settings and crockery though are standard restaurant grade.
FOOD + DRINKS
Chef Saito who headed Megu for years and was largely responsible for its superb standards, and some of our most memorable meals, is heading the kitchen as part of Executive Chef Mayank Tiwari’s team. Chef Mayank has ensured everything will be available to order inside the theatre as well, so prepare to hog on freshly rolled salmon maki while you watch the latest blockbuster.
The menu itself is concise and currently has mostly cold offerings with exceptions like a comforting Miso Soup (Rs 345). With ample options for vegetarians, we highly recommend the wonderful Tofu Spinach (Rs 385) with shiraya white season paste, sugar, soy and vinegar. The presentation is what you’d expect from a fine dine eatery along with a surprise crunchy element. The Avocado Tartare (Rs 385) – topped with micro greens – is equally sublime with fried sushi rice at its base and spicy mayo with light soy as the glaze.
Now onto the real deal, which is the wonderful seafood that they are importing from the best sources possible. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Maguro Akami Tataki (Rs 1,275) – the lean cut of tuna is seasoned just right with a seaweed salad that cuts through the fishy flavours, enhanced by the ponzu sauce. Given a choice, we’d always order a salmon, but here the rare amberjack swam into our must-try list. Served as Kampachi Carpaccio (Rs 1,175) with fried mushroom and garlic, it shows the cooking chops behind the counter.
Of course, there are plenty of rolls, nigiris and sashimi’s to choose from. Of these, the Japanese Pickle Roll with Cucumber Radish (Rs 585 for 8) and the unusual Mushroom Nigiri (Rs 425 for 4) – that makes wonderful use of shitake to create a umami-like meaty quality – are both winners.
For sea-farers, the Eel Avocado Roll (Rs 1275 for 8) is mandatory eating. You might not like unagi in any other form, but do try this one. The roll itself is perfectly assembled with a touch of teriyaki that makes the wasabi and shoyu reduntant. It comes a close second to the sweet shrimp sashimi or Ameabi (Rs 685 for 5) that left us begging for more, even as we washed down our meal with a Lemongrass Cooler (Rs 295). If you’d like to try more variety, there’s a bento box combo with 4 rolls, 2 nigiris and 1 appetiser available as well. Go here for your sushi fix and expect superb prices as well as quality produce, which is sometimes hard to find even in pricey spots.
IN A NUTSHELL
WH Verdict: An authentic sushi bar that you should flock to before their prices soar!
Meal for Two: Rs 2,500
Cuisine: Japanese
Review Other Details: Simple Sushi on What’s Hot
They are also on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SimplySushi.Delhi
**The writer was invited by the eatery to preview their menu**
It’s 4pm in the afternoon when we board an auto from the Nehru Place metro station and find ourselves standing right across the Shiv Mandir gate. The dhuno of the aarti, the melancholic dhak rhythm in the background, shaankh blows, mantras being chanted by the pundits and to top it all, pandals getting ready for Durga Puja from 19th to 22nd October – we breathe it all in. After all, we are in the mini Bengal of the city – CR Park, which is shining bright and making us bask in pujo joy.
Before we go on and on about this majestic place, let’s begin with a simple question – what catches your fancy out of all of this? Is it the delicious food, the beautiful Durga Maa effigies or the elaborate pandals? Whatever you might choose, here’s our guide to explore your way through this neighbourhood during Durga Puja season.
EXPERIENCE
CR Park or Chittaranjan Park, as it is often called, is the only dedicated Bengali paada(locality) in our city. Post Independence, this place was dedicated to the refugee families from East Bengal. Since then, CR Park has become synonymous with Bengali food, culture and entertainment. While the Bipin Chandra Pal theatre remains the ultimate favourite for all the cultural happenings here, institutions like Raisina Bengali School, Kali Mandir and Chittaranjan Bhavan make CR Park a place of heritage and legacy.
Image courtesy: Koushik Saha
FOOD + DRINKS
Of course, the lip smacking array of pujo food is a big draw for Bongs and non-Bengalis alike with food stalls in pandals running jam packed. But there are tons of great eating options even outside of the pandals with Mutton Chaap and Shutki Maach at Madly Bangalee, Moorighanto and Lau Chingri at Maa Tara, Kosha Mangsho at My Spice Kitchenand Mughlai Parantha at Hangla’s along with the traditional dishes at City of Joy, Royal Kolkata Biryani, Gopal’s Roll Corner and Annapurna Hotel being hot favourites. Finish off your feast with Mishti Doi at Kamla Sweets or a Sondesh at Annapurna Sweet House.
With huge varieties of gleaming ilishs, delectable katlas and scrumptious-looking chingris on sale, the fish market at Market No. 1 and 2 whets every Bong’s appetite, so you know where to go to buy the freshest catch during this time.
MUST-VISIT PANDALS
A few days before Durga Puja commences, we list out some of the best pandals that always make it to our list of must-visits:
Shiv Mandir Durga Puja (straight from Market No 1)
Mela Ground Durga Puja (opposite Raisina School, junior wing)
B block Durga Puja (behind Market No 1)
Cooperative Ground Durga Puja (K Block)
Nava Palli Durga Puja (behind K Block)
There’s more to Durga Puja than meets the eye and it’s a treat for the senses for everyone, so join us as we celebrate this occasion all through the week.
We love this city as much as you do, and like you, we are explorers by nature… So join us as we lead trails covering food, culture, art and more. And in case we miss out on any of your favourites, drop in your suggestions.
Do you think the Delhi Photo Festival is only for the arty nerdy types? Well, nothing could be farther from the truth. While the focus is definitely photography in its many forms, the organisers have ensured the schedule is varied with several gallery walks, cultural performances and book launches that will click (pun unintended) with a wider audience. Here are 5 things to look forward to.
EXHIBITIONS
Image Courtesy: Sarker Protick
Obviously, the festival’s mainstay is the numerous exhibitions at the main venue and across partner galleries. Showcasing some of the finest camera-work from India and abroad, it’s almost impossible to pick favourites. However, we do recommend you don’t miss out on I See You See Me, which explores the relationship between an artist’s self-portrait and the selfies that are so popular today. Curated by Kanika Anand, this exhibit is part of an innovative pop-up concept where art in newer formats is parked at spaces like shops, restaurants, cafés, theatres and even parks.
For movie buffs, we recommend Love Me Or Kill Me – a look at Dhallywood aka the Bangladeshi film industry through the lens of Sarker Protick. For stories from India, The Forgotten Frames is a must-see. An exhibition of black and white images of tribals from Bastar, it’s as interesting as Karan Vaid’s Best In Show, which explores India’s show dog community.
GALLERY WALKS
To help you understand the exhibitions better, DPF also has gallery walks by acclaimed photographers. Raghu Rai, one of the finest Indian photojournalists, will be conducting a walk through his own The Album, while the celebrated Indian photographer Swapan Parekh will be taking you through Kishore Parekh’s seminal work – Bangladesh: A Brutal Birth.
BOOK LAUNCHES
Image Courtesy: Sam Harris
If you are a collector of beautiful books, then pay attention! The festival roster will include several book launches like Sam Harris’s The Middle Of Somewhere, which is the next chapter in his ongoing family diary as well as Chien-Chi Chang’s Jet Lag – a collection of black and white photos on frequent travellers.
PERFORMANCES
This is the part we are most looking forward to – a mix of performance art and photography. Acclaimed artist Mansi Bhatt, who has been part of several shows in the US and China, will be performing on October 23rd. Jesus Clavero Rodrigues, cultural manager at Instituto Cervantes Delhi, will be conducting a photo poetry session on November 3rd, while classically trained pianist Sahil Vasudeva will do his thing on October 31st.
PROJECTIONS
Image Courtesy: Scott Typaldos
For folks new to the art of capturing images, DPF’s projections promise to be super exciting. You’ll find both Indian and international photogs displaying their work through projections this time. We are looking forward to Nepal Photo Project – a visual documentation in the aftermath of the recent earthquake, Butterflies by Scott Typaldos about the plight of mentally ill patients, and Majuli by Dorian Francois documenting the world’s largest inhabited river island, Majuli.
When: October 30th to November 8th, 10 am to 8:30 pm
Where: IGNCA, Janpath
Entry: Free
For the complete schedule, click here.
It’s common knowledge that our city is a foodie’s paradise. Over the last few years, a number of little cafés have cropped up across neighbourhoods, and these are our go-to spots for some quick grub and friendly banter over a cup of coffee. If you’re looking to unwind at a chill café after work or college, head to one of these 5 places..
CITY SOCIAL, SDA Market
It’s not easy to make your mark in an area like SDA market which is already flooded with cafés. This newbie, however, does it effortlessly with its creative decor and VFM menu that caters mostly to the student crowd from IIT and JNU. They have used the space smartly and the interiors are vibrant and cheerful. The wood log wall and dart board clock are a hat-tip to roadside cafés of USA.
Started by the team behind Rico’s in North Campus, it guarantees good times with friends. This small café scores big on quality of food and its quick service. When the prices are this low you are tempted to taste everything on the menu. But we resisted the urge and stuck to their star dishes such as the juicy Lamb Burger (Rs 150), Chilly Cheese Vada Pao (Rs 80), Pan Seared Chicken (Rs 180) and Belgium Chocolate Shake (Rs 150).
Price: Rs 600 for two
GRANDE FABIO’S, Defence Colony
This two-month old café is nestled in one of the prime locations of the city – Defence Colony Market. This eatery seeks to introduce an Italian QSR concept and promises to serve pasta in less than 2 minutes. You can make your own pasta and salad at the live kitchen and also take away fresh Italian fare during your office lunch hours.
The menu is limited but the quick service and quality of food more than make up for it. They use pastas imported from Agnesi in Italy and their focaccia breads are freshly baked. The Whole Wheat Fusili (Rs 350) with barbeque chicken in mamarosa sauce stands out particularly among their pastas, while the calorie-conscious can opt for a fresh vegetarian salad (Rs 149) or non vegetarian salad (Rs 199) with your choice of sauce ranging from Honey Balsamic to Russian. Also try out their super delicious Cookie Blast Cheesecake (Rs 199) and Carrot Cake (Rs 149) from the dessert section.
Price: Rs 800 for two
CAFÉ TC, Saket
With a redesigned menu and remodelled offerings based on customer’s expectations, the much-loved TC in the Saket mall is back in its new avatar. Meet Café TC that has built a loyal customer base with its selection of dishes from around the world and its support to live bands. .
When it comes to food, this café offers a plethora of choices including the Southern Style Gun Powder Chicken (Rs 399) and Desi Tenderised Lamb Cutlet (Rs 499) . You will love their hand-tossed pizzas, particularly the Al Funghi (Rs 429) and spicy Piri Piri Pizza (Rs 449).
Price: Rs 1, 500 for two
DESIGNER WALA CAFÉ, Shahpur Jat
Shahpur Jat is always buzzing with creative energy and that’s exactly what you can expect at this new entrant. This café is inspired by the designer market around, and the theme is sure to resonate with young designers and college students. The ambience is quirky and innovative; think s leg sewing machines turned into tables, and the like.
They have tried to keep things simple by sticking to continental cuisine. You have an all-day breakfast option here for both dine-in and takeaway. Do not leave the café without tasting the Spinach And Goat Cheese Risotto (Rs 190), Tea Smoked Chicken Salad (Rs 190) and Mixed Platter Sizzler (Rs 370). They also have an interesting mix of juices under 2 categories: Skin And Beauty, and Cleanser and Energiser. When our wardrobes and lives are full of designer stuff, a visit to this café is a perfect addition to the list.
Price: Rs 900 for two
CAFÉ SECRET SOCIETY, Amar Colony
The walls here sport pictures of some of the famous secret societies from across the world such as Illuminati, Rockefeller Family and more. The dim lights complement its dark theme, but it’s definitely not a gloomy place, courtesy peppy EDM playing in the background. The fuss-free joint offers some great choices of drinks and meals from around the world.
Go for the Mezze Platter Veg (Rs 249), Jalapeno Popper (Rs 169) and Chicken Nuggets (Rs 220) from the appetizers section. Also try their fresh Tomato and Basil Bruschetta (Rs 169) and Crispy Fried Chicken Burger (Rs 249) which are drool-worthy. The Choco Overdose Milkshake (Rs 149) and Grape Spritzer (Rs 139) will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling.
Price: Rs 1, 000 for two
There are still two whole weeks to go till you can hog on Christmas puddings, open presents, start decorating the tree and just revel in the good mood – but why wait when you can start the fun now? From fairs to Christmas concerts, we’ve rounded up some fantastic things that you can enjoy in the run up to D-Day.
RED EARTH DESIGN MELA
Known for curating contemporary Indian visual art and organising eclectic festivals, Red Earth’s Christmas involves putting together a special design mela to showcase vintage textiles, home décor, accessories, handcrafted wool from Uttarakhand, paintings as well as skincare and wellness products. Do check out the apparel collection by Delhi-based Anu P.D, authentic Ladakh wool products by Fayakun Design Studio and the organic skincare range from The Ritu^l.
When: December 11th-12th, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Alliance Francaise, Lodhi Road
Entry: Free
HERE WE COME A-CAROLING
Listen to beautiful carols with the Capital City Minstrels, who are coming back this week with their annual Christmas concert. They will be presenting classic Christmas carols with a twist, melodies that narrate the story of Christ as well as fun songs to spread the cheer. Conducted by Carolin Remy and Martina Ketterl, the choir will be accompanied by Dinaibo Rentta on piano, Martina Ketterl on flute and Tapan Mullick on cello.
When: December 12th, 7.30 pm
Where: India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
Entry: Rs 150 to 500
Tickets available on BookMyShow
KIDS CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL
The Christmas Carnival at Select CityWalk is now in its fourth edition and brings together an exclusive line of exhibitors, a range of fun workshops, exciting performances and more. The workshops will range from dessert decoration by Krispy Kreme and kiddy salon by LOOKS to baking classes by Young Chef Academy and interactive art workshops by The Art Floor. The popular comedian Raja Rancho will be performing as well and there will be a bit of Christmas cheer with caroling by Mozartsy. Basically, two days of fun and games and lots of Christmas joy for kids and adults alike.
When: December 12th-13th, Noon to 8 pm
Where: The Plaza, Select CityWalk, Saket
Entry: Free
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
We can never get enough of caroling on Christmas, so after the musical performance by Capital City Minstrels, head to the golden jubilee show by Delhi Christian Choir. They will be singing some of the most popular songs from their repertoire along with famous nativity songs and carols. For lovers of classical music, the choir will also be singing excerpts from the works of Antonio Vivaldi.
When: December 13th, 6 pm
Where: Mavlankar Hall, Sansad Marg Area
Entry: Free
HANSEL AND GRETEL
Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel was originally written by his sister as Christmas songs for her children. Engelbert later gave music for the songs and turned it into a full-fledged opera. And now you have the chance to enjoy a screening of the opera based on the famous Grimm’s fairy tale of the brother and sister duo who get lost in the forest and are captured by an evil witch.
When: December 23rd, 7 pm
Where: India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
Entry: Rs 350
Tickets available at the desk
THE GREAT INDIAN X-MAS MELA
Epicentre’s Christmas Mela is yet another mainstay of the season and this time too, the fair will return for two full days. Kids as well as adults will get to enjoy carols, meet Santa Claus, watch a live jazz music performance, and partake in a Christmas Eve BBQ dinner as well as an exciting X-Mas brunch. There will of course also be shopping so if you want to pick up some last minute gifts or decorations, do check it out.
When: December 24th-25th, Noon to 7 pm
Where: Epicentre, Sector 44, Gurgaon
Entry: Free
Enjoy a #39;Winter Food Festival#39; feast at - Zu Tisch, The European restaurant, this month. Aiming at bringing some selective best dishes to add to Christmas celebration, they have put together a three course menu. The best part is that the menu on Christmas day would be an #39;all you can eat#39; buffet, comprising of - Beer Braised Mushroom Soup, Grilled Beef Pops with Chermoula, Whiskey Infused Bacon Hotdogs, Rum Braised German Beef Brisket and more.
To add to the festivities will be a bunch of artists entertaining you with some live performances.
Directed by: Saif Hyder Hasan | Duration: 80 mins
This play is based on the real life story of Amrita Pritam and Sahir Ludhianvi. The two lovers meet on the terrace on a wintery Delhi evening and get talking about a life they did not spend together. A lot of questions and asked and answered by both.
Ticket prices: Rs 1,050 onwards
Tickets available on BookMyShow
Directed by: Mrinal Dhar | Duration: 70 mins
Zyrus is an extremely ambitious architect who has used all kinds of crooked means to reach the top. He has exploited people and sexually molested young girls to further his agenda for years. Now, Hilda whom he molested when she was a teenage girl, comes back into his life. But what does she want? Find out.
Ticket prices: Rs 450 and 650
Tickets available on BookMyShow
Directed by: Jean Renoir | Duration: 1 hr 57 mins
La Grande Illusion is a French war film generally considered to be a masterpiece of French cinema. Set during the First World War, the story deals with two soldiers who are captured and imprisoned by the Germans. They try to escape several times when eventually they are sent to an apparently impenetrable fortress.
The Flying Saucer Café will soon be hosting a gig by Ayushman Khurana, the actor and singer known for his roles in movies like Vicky Donor and Dum Laga Ke Haisha. He is also popular for his soulful voices and he has sung chart-topping songs like Pani Da Rang and Khankhaan. Catch him live in action this month!
The Piano Man Jazz Club is hosting a gig by Neue Jazz Collective, a Delhi-based band whose music is a mix of traditional jazz scores mixed with modern music sensibilities. Their repertoire includes jazz standards as well as covers of songs that have inspired them as individuals and as a band. The line-up includes Bhaskar Gurung (guitars), Reuben Narain (drums) and Rahul Rai (bass).
As part of the Opera at Habitat Series, catch the screening of Hansel und Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck. The opera is loosely based on the popular Grimm’s fairy tale of two siblings Hansel and Gretel who get lost in a forest. While wandering around, they chance upon a gingerbread house owned by a witch.
Directed by: Jalabala Vaidya
When a young woman’s twin sister dies on the eve of her wedding in mysterious circumstances, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are roped in to investigate the bizarre case.
Ticket prices: Rs 250
Tickets available on BookMyShow
Directed by: Arvind Gaur
A Woman Alone is a solo play by Shilpi Marwaha who plays a housewife driven to extreme measures by an abusive husband, a young lover, a perverted brother-in-law and a crying baby. While talking to a neighbour, she vents all her frustration, regret and guilt about her life.
Ticket prices: Rs 100
Tickets available on BookMyShow
Known for its temples and cenotaphs, Orchha (meaning hidden) in Madhya Pradesh is one of the most alluring little towns. The quaint place nestled in the midst of forests was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela chief Maharaja Rudra Pratap. Located on the banks of the Betwa river, Orchha is known for its grand history, and is a great idea if you’re looking to explore an off-beat location over a 3-day weekend.
What to do:
If you love history and architecture, there’s plenty to see in Orchha right from fort and temples to cenotaphs and a big chowk right in the middle of the town.
Old Fort Complex
Built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the fort has a glorious past. A multi-arched bridge leads to the Orchha Fort Complex. The Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal and Rai Parveen Mahal are the most notable complexes within the fort marked by intricate chhatris and bright coloured interiors on religious themes. Built to welcome Emperor Jehangir to Orchha, the place spells opulence and grace. The best time to visit this fort is around evening under the resplendent glow of the setting sun. Also take time out to watch the sound and light show at Raj Mahal. See the ruins come alive with stories from a bygone era, as the recreated battlefield gives you goosebumps. Catch the English version at 6.30 pm and the Hindi version at 7.45 pm.
Temple-hopping
This town boasts of a number of temples – the most famous among them being the Chaturbhuj Temple. Situated on a stone-raised platform, the arched windows, columns, carvings of Hindu deities on the walls and the domes catch your attention. The temple houses a bejewelled idol of Lord Vishnu and the view of Orchha from the terrace is breath-taking.
The Laxminarayan Temple has some of the richest collection of murals complete with fresco paintings on the walls. Elsewhere at the Ram Raja Temple that resembles a palace, Ram, the ruling deity of the town, is worshipped as a king.
Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated along the Betwa River, the wildlife sanctuary is home to a few endangered species and trees such as Teak, Palaash, Khair and more. One can spot blue bulls, peacocks, wild boars, monkeys and jackals among others.
Where To Stay
Orchha has some pocket-friendly stay options, and our pick is Sheesh Mahal (Doubles from Rs 4,500) that is located right inside the fort complex and is managed by Madhya Pradesh Tourism. If you’d like to gape at the cenotaphs from a distance, consider putting up at The Orchha Resort (Doubles from Rs 4,500) by the river.
Distance: 470 kms approx from Delhi and Jaipur by road. The nearest airport, Gwalior, is 150 km away.
Image Courtesy: Raj Prajapati
Taraana Institute of Dance and Music is presenting its 9th annual show. The students of the institute will be paying homage to the Indian classical dance form of kathak by adapting it to the tunes of popular Bollywood songs. Watch young rising dancers at this amazing spectacle!
Entry: Free