Saroja Devi: A star who reigned in five languages
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Crowning Glory: Fashion entrepreneur becomes first Indian to win global title
When fashion entrepreneur Sharada Narayanan stood on stage with her counterparts from across the world, waiting with sheer anticipation and racing hearts for the announcement of Mrs Classique Globe Choice of the People, she took a moment to process that her name had been called out. 'I was in a complete shock. I don't think I reacted the way everybody usually does – the awe, the crying or hands thrown up in the air,' she recalls. While winning the title with 50 other contestants competing for it might have been a surprise for Narayanan, her mentor, Veena Jain, the winner of Mrs India Globe Classique 2017, had complete confidence. 'When we started from Bengaluru, I had a feeling that we were going to make it this year. It may have been a surprise for Sharada, but for me, I was very confident that she was going to come out with the title – her confidence and elegance made me believe so. I'm especially proud because this is the first time an Indian delegate has won such an honour,' says Jain. Achieving the highly coveted Swarovski crystal-studded crown was no easy feat with Narayanan's schedule being jam-packed with rehearsals and galas from the moment she arrived at Palm Springs on June 16 to the moment she was crowned on June 21. 'Once we went there, it was a complete grind – it's like a boot camp. We get up early in the morning and go on late into the night on some days. You go through one regiment after the other, but there were a lot of fun times in between practice and exercise too, when we got to bond with women from different countries and cultures,' says Narayanan, explaining the preparations that went into the three final rounds – national costume, swimsuit, and evening gown – as well as the Bollywood-themed welcome party, charity galas, and preliminary rounds that preceded them.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Painting exhibition attracts art enthusiasts to Hubballi
Hubballi: The first national-level painting exhibition at Shri Vijay Mahantesh Lalita Kala Mahavidyalaya in Hubballi is drawing art enthusiasts and students from across north Karnataka. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The month-long exhibition, which began on June 28 and will conclude on July 28, has already attracted over 5,000 visitors in its first fortnight. The exhibition showcases an impressive collection of artworks by renowned artists from different regions of India. The diverse displays feature various styles, techniques, and themes, offering visitors a comprehensive view of contemporary Indian art. The exhibition showcases artworks by 53 renowned artists, featuring talents such as MV Minajagi, DV Halabhavi, Vasudeo Kamath, P Sampath Kumar, JMS Mani from Karnataka, alongside Parag Borse, GS Majagaonkar from Maharashtra, S Elayaraja from Tamil Nadu, and Manash Ranjan Jena from Odisha, among others. PR Bahuroopi, the exhibition convenor, said that students from various educational institutions are particularly keen to observe and learn from the masterpieces on display. The exhibition created an excellent opportunity for young aspiring artists to understand different artistic approaches and gain inspiration from established artists, he said. Students flocked in significant numbers from Vijayapura, Koppal, Bagalkot, Haveri, and Gadag to visit the exhibition. On Monday, attendance from various parts of Belagavi district was expected. The exhibition showcases a comprehensive collection of artworks by renowned artists, offering a unique opportunity to study the techniques of master artists in a single venue. Several paintings on display garnered awards and recognition at international exhibitions, he noted. The venue was thoughtfully arranged to ensure the smooth movement of visitors while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the displayed works. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Each painting is properly lit and positioned to provide viewers with the best possible viewing experience. The organisers also arranged guided tours for groups, enabling a better understanding of the artworks. RF Hiregoudar, principal of Mahavidyalaya, said the success of this exhibition has encouraged the local art community. Art critics and collectors praised the quality and diversity of the works on display. The exhibition features traditional and contemporary works, offering insights into different artistic approaches. Visitors can observe the intricate details, brush strokes, and colour combinations used by master artists. The collection represents years of dedication and creativity, inspiring the next generation of artists.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Lokesh Kanagaraj On Rajinikanth Comparing Coolie To Thalapathi: 'That Was The Night I…'
Rajinikanth compares Coolie to Thalapathi, leaving director Lokesh Kanagaraj emotional. The action film also stars Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, and Aamir Khan. Rajinikanth Coolie: With just a month to go until Coolie hits theatres worldwide, buzz around the film is building fast. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and led by superstar Rajinikanth, the action thriller is already being called one of the most anticipated Indian films of 2025. This marks the first-ever collaboration between Rajinikanth and Lokesh, and the cast is packed with big names—Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Shruti Haasan all feature, while Bollywood icon Aamir Khan makes a cameo. As Lokesh wraps up the final stages of post-production, he shared an emotional moment that followed a recent screening of the film with Rajinikanth. 'After watching the film in the dubbing studio, he (Rajinikanth) hugged me and said, 'It looked like Thalapathi for me!' That made my day, and that was the night I slept very peacefully after many months. That is what I was telling my friends, too. If at all, I am doing a film with Rajini sir, it has to be somewhere close to Thalapathi. I cannot write a film on par with Mani sir's quality, as his film and writing is unmatched… But I get a little satisfaction when we compare that film with this one. Listening to the same words from Rajini sir was an achievement," she shared during a chat with The Hollywood Reporter India. Lokesh said Thalapathi has always been his favourite Rajinikanth film, and he wanted Coolie to carry a similar balance of style and substance. He also spoke about the original idea he had pitched to Rajinikanth before Coolie took shape. 'I loved writing for Rajini sir. I initially wrote a fantasy film for him, and he immediately said okay to it, but assembling it took so much time… it would've taken at least a year and a half to go ahead. You can write anything for the actor because he is larger than life. Even though I have tried a lot of new techniques and styles in the film, it will still be a Rajini sir film. I also don't want to change that." With praise coming directly from Rajinikanth, and a power-packed cast onboard, Coolie is shaping up to be a major release. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
