Events
An exclusive session with Sashi Kumar at Krithi International Literature fest
Media personality Sashi Kumar gave his opinion to FWD Media about developing the right journalistic attitude and how to speak truth to power at Krithi International Festival of Books and Authors
Text Credit: Shibul Pavithran
Photographs by: krithilitfest.com
Sashi Kumar’s session at Krithi International Festival of Books and Authors was an enlightening experience. Sashi is a powerful media personality from Kerala, was the founder of India’s first regional satellite TV channel Asianet, he was the first West Asia correspondent of The Hindu in the mid-eighties, has acted in Malayalam movies, written extensively on Media, cinema and, culture and currently the chairman of Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. Sashi spoke about the history of journalism, the news media, public interest, and market paradigm. He gave an interesting insight into the emergence of the public sphere around the 1600s which heralded the early beginnings of journalism. The factors that determined the emergence of a public sphere were many: capitalism was moving to the new realm, industrialization, and technology were emerging and The Gutenberg revolution had already happened. Religious transformations were happening (the church was challenged for the first time) and many more reasons that created the initial impetus.
He explained how there was a desperation in the world to speak out against the system, rather than blindly following it. He elaborated on how ‘penny posts’ system began in the United States, providing a way to transfer messages across long distances, just for a penny (the reach was established). It played a key role in the struggle for independence in the United States. Also, The journalistic reforms happening in the US were the counter to the draconian steps taken by the British to suppress journalism.
He also spoke about Karl Marx being a fantastic journalist in spite of being a world-famous economist and philosopher. Marx was a European correspondent for the New York Tribune from 1851 to 1862 where he contributed close to 500 articles and editorials. He ranged over the whole political universe, analyzing social movements and agitations from India and China to Britain and Spain.
Even in India during the time of the Emergency, the news media played a crucial role, by going against the diktat of Indira Gandhi. It was Ramnath Goenka from The Indian Express who stood against her. Goenka’s Indian Express was the only newspaper that covered the atrocities by Congress in the name of Emergency.
Sashi Kumar went on to highlight the present times we live in where the news media in India is based on business and ratings, with lots of gimmick and commerciality and less of information and truth. He emphasized the need to change the face of journalism in India, which is ruled by corporates and political parties, and for the urgent need of freedom and protection of journalists. He signed off with a message for journalists by reading out a verse from the Bible, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his? savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.”- Mathew 5:13.
The news media is silenced when they talk truth to power. How do you think we can challenge these powerful forces and what would be the right technique to deal with them?
One suggestion could be, to bring journalism under a specific provision act by amending in the constitution, like it was done United States Of America. So it becomes a constitutional right, but even that will not help when street mob’s are in the picture. So there should be a greater association of the public with journalism. Nowadays, the people with power are able to pull down the news media because the public is also skeptical about journalists and journalism. Especially when we are going through a fascist time like now, this is certainly a vulnerability that journalists will have to go through, they have to be really careful and the state must really protect them because if there are no journalists then there is no democracy.
One quote that you would like to say to sum it all?
I think journalism must be all about change, creating a change in the society, because information without transformation is sheer gossip. We have to examine how much of our media is pure gossip and how much of it is information that is meaningful to our lives.
What advice would you like to give aspiring journalists?
I think aspiring journalists have to rethink the role of journalism – the practice of journalism, new forms of journalism; they have to reimagine journalism, because the journalism that we have practiced for centuries, is suddenly looking fatigued and maybe even irrelevant to our times. Journalism is becoming a part of the problem and not the solution. So journalists should think of ways where journalism can become the solution to what we are facing rather than adding to the problems we are facing.
Events
Celebrity Muses at Lakme Fashion Week 2024
Celebrities from Bollywood create a lot of buzz every year when they appear in fashion shows as the faces of up-and-coming or established designers in the nation. Lakme Fashion Week is one such event where a large number of Bollywood designers participate. As anticipated, the LFW roster this year had a number of well-known names and was stylish as well. Numerous well-known figures, including Madhuri Dixit and Ananya Panday, sashayed down the ramp. Let’s examine a few of the most well-known figures seen this season on the ramp.
Ananya Pandey
Ananya Panday looked amazing on the catwalk as she paired an off-the-shoulder black petal dress with high-rise leather boots. Wearing a long ponytail and walking confidently, she looked stunning for designer Rahul Mishra.
Aditya Roy Kapur and Janhvi Kapoor
Walking for fashion brand Kalki, Janhvi Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur took the show on the road. Aditya Roy Kapur was spotted wearing a black sherwani with embellishments, while Janhvi Kapoor sported an off-the-shoulder silk shirt and a maroon mermaid skirt.
Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit wore a gorgeous black floral co-ord set with a stylish blazer that gave off business woman vibes for Ranna Gill. She accessorized with modest locks and maroon lips for a neutral makeup look.
Shanaya Kapoor
On the other hand, Shanaya Kapoor was spotted walking the ramp for Anamika Khanna while sporting an oversized white shirt with embroidered details and high-rise boots.
Tripti Dimri
Tripti Dimri graced the ramp for Shantnu and Nikhil donning an exquisite floor-length silver skirt paired with a sleeveless black top, a chic belt, and a magnificent set of hand gloves.
Tapsee Pannu
As she walked for Gauri & Nainika, Tapsee Pannu was also seen on the ramp wearing a gorgeous bodycon gown with a mermaid cut end.
Malaika Arora
Malaika Arora spun around in a gorgeous pastel lehenga adorned with golden flower embroidery while she walked the Lakme Fashion Week runway for Anushka Reddy.
Rakul Preet
Rakul Preet, the newest bride in town, was also spotted on the ramp, walking for Ritika Mirchandani while sporting a white crop top and a skirt with a high thigh slit.
Aditi Rao Hydari
In Nirmooha’s ‘Ekatra’ collection, Aditi Rao Hydari embodies royalty as she explores individualism with dark purple coordinated outfits embellished with geometric designs and a dash of shine.
Divya Khosla
In Rajdeep Ranawat’s opulent ‘Nizam’ collection, which is made of silk and features vintage accents, Divya Khosla looks stunning. The collection is inspired by the grandeur of Lucknow and the royal jewels of Hyderabad.
Sara Ali Khan
Varun Chakkilam’s ‘Lenora’ collection, which combines modern style with Hyderabadi cultural aspects in pearl grey embroidered lehengas, features Sara Ali Khan flashing burn marks.
Events
Lakme Fashion Week Day 2 Highlights
From March 13 to 17, Lakme Fashion Week was held at the famous Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, which is situated in the center of the Bandra Kurla Complex. Lakme Fashion Week 2024 covered every genre, with an insightful and diverse list of designers showcasing their work. Collections included haute couture, street style, country wear, gothic vampire inspired, 1800s cowboy tribes, Indian bridal, Venetian tea party, and Victorian gowns. It’s time to break down some of the major SS’24 fashion trends as fashion week just ended. Sustainable Fashion Day, held on Day 2 of Lakme Fashion Week in collaboration with FDCI, featured some incredibly stunning runway looks.
Til, Yavi, and Inca’s Collection
With their current collection, Inca, Til, and Yavi showcased sustainable design with clothing that promised both unparalleled comfort and glamour. In her role as Inca India’s show stopper, actor Dia Mirza dominated the show. Wearing an opulent all-black suit from their “Love is a Verb” collection, Mirza strutted down the runway. The collection complemented the concept of the event and was influenced by traditional artisan skills and repurposed materials.
Gaurang Shah’s Designs in Pink Hues
Gaurang’s “Gulaal” Lakme Fashion Week Spring/Festive collection. Lehengas and sarees with long-forgotten embroidery, such as Mochi, Parsi Gada, Petite Point, Kasuti, Phulkari, Kutch, and Kashmiri, were featured in the collection in the adaptable color pink.
Tea Cultures of the World x Chola
With a focus on inclusivity and authenticity, Chola by Sohaya Misra and Tea Culture of the World honoured the merging of fashion and tea culture, embodying confidence, individualism, and empowerment. The collection’s runway was lit up by actresses Neha Dhupia and Konkona Sensharma’s stunning walks in black and white costumes.
U’Core by Urvashi Kaur
In Urvashi Kaur’s U’Core, contrasting selvedges were prominently featured. Her mother, Anupama Singh, along with notable models like Ratna Pathak Shah, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Dugal, Mallika Dua, Faraz Ansani, Shweta Tripathi, and Santanu Hazarika, showcased the collection’s artistry through stitch line details and hand block printing.
R|Elan X JJV Kapurthala
On Day 2 of Sustainable Fashion Day at Lakme Fashion Week, style and sustainability were guaranteed by the R|Elan X JJV Kapurthala collection. JJV incorporates ethical practices into its design philosophy in a seamless manner, improving garment performance and decreasing textile waste.
Events
Sparkling Day 1 : Lakme Fashion Week
With the much awaited Lakme Fashion Week held in the nation’s capital in association with the FDCI, fashion week is officially underway. Every year, people in the apparel business and fashion aficionados alike look forward to this event.
For almost 25 years, Lakme Fashion Week has been creating legendary displays, and there are no plans to stop. The first day of the five-day event featured a star-studded lineup at the runways, including Jim Sarbh, Hina Khan, and Alaya F in addition to Kalki Koechlin.
The Ramp Walk of Karishma Tanna
Karishma Tanna stunned on the catwalk with her stunning INIFD Launchpad ensemble. The “Scoop” actress turned heads with her gorgeous all-black Yashi Gada costume.
“A Periwinkle Wednesday” Collection by SWGT
The most intriguing collection from SWGT is undoubtedly “A Periwinkle Wednesday,” which takes its cues from the designer’s first iteration of love. The compilation honors love in all its tender, humorous, poetic, entrancing, and even frivolous forms.
Launch of a Magazine
The 2024–25 Fashion X Beauty Lakmē Fashion Week Trend Edition, designed by Peclers Paris, was also unveiled on the first day. The trend journal offered a preview of what to expect from the next fashion season via the eyes of multi-cultural trend forecasters.
The “Sun and Moon” Collection by Archana Rao
The “Sun and Moon” collection by Archana Rao was incredibly fascinating since it celebrates the natural harmony between the sun and moon while simultaneously emphasizing their striking contrasts.
The Most Recent Collection of Rajesh Pratap
The collection by La Martina X Rajesh Pratap Singh pays homage to the close relationship between Polo and Jaipur. The designs successfully highlighted the city’s rich cultural heritage and close connections to the game.
Samant Chauhan’s Collection of Ice Watches
Designer Samant Chauhan’s “Ice Watch” showcased superb craftsmanship and creative use of embroidery and shapes. Whites and blues, layers and ruffles, and a tonne of volume made up the mood board. Jim Sarbh, an actor, walked for Chauhan wearing all-white clothing.
A cocktail collection by Geisha Designs
Paras and Shalini, the designer team at Geisha Designs, served up cocktail and evening wear for men and women for the first time that day. Alaya F, a teenage actress who was observed wearing a lavishly embroidered pant and bustier combo, was chosen as their show stopper.
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