02122024-LSTC-01.qxd 12/1/2024 7:51 PM Page 1 c m y b DUA LIPA BIDS GOODBYE Dua Lipa made the Indian audience go gaga with her performance in Mumbai on Saturday night. Dua not only sang her hit tracks but also surprised the crowd when she lit the stage with her performance on the fan-made mashup of her song Levitating and Shah Rukh Khan’s famous track Wo Ladki Jo. TRIBUNE Inner peace Life Shehnaaz Gill shared a video of herself along with a message about self-love. Gill wrote, “Life feels lighter and brighter when you learn to enjoy your own company. It’s the most peaceful kind of happiness.” LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 2 DECEMBER 2024 Rajadhiraaj is an immersive journey into the life & teachings of Shri Krishna, brought to life through a stunning mix of music, storytelling & visual artistry Shahid Kapoor Vedang Raina Shraddha Kapoor Anshita Mehra T HIS weekend, Delhi witnessed an extraordinary confluence of glamour, devotion and art as Rajadhiraaj: Love. Life. Leela, the world’s first musical on Lord Krishna’s journey, took center-stage at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Auditorium. With a host of Bollywood stars and a packed audience of Delhi’s who’s who, the production transformed a traditional narrative into an unforgettable cultural experience. Bollywood heartthrobs Shahid Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar added a dash of glamour on the premiere evening, while the following night saw stars Shraddha Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Vedang Raina joining the celebrations. Their presence amplified the buzz surrounding the musical, which has already created waves in Mumbai at the Ravi Kishan Arjun Kapoor A scene from Rajadhiraaj: Love. Life. Leela Bhumi Pednekar IT’S DIVINE! Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre’s (NMACC) Grand Theatre. The brainchild of visionary Dhanraj Nathwani, Rajadhiraaj is no ordinary theatre production. It is an immersive journey into the life and teachings of Shri Krishna, brought to life through a stunning mix of music, storytelling, and visual artistry. From the playful days in Vrindavan to the regal splendour of Dwarka, the musical captures the essence of Krishna’s journey in a way that resonates with modern audiences. The production owes much of its emotional depth to the evocative words of Padma Shri awardee Prasoon Joshi, whose screenplay is brought to life under the expert direction of Shruti Sharma. Together, they have created a spectacle that balances devotion with drama, blending tradition with innovation. One cannot talk about Rajadhiraaj without mentioning its music. Composed by the celebrated duo Sachin-Jigar, the 20 original tracks are a masterful blend of Western symphonic arrangements recorded in Budapest and traditional Indian classical melodies. The result is a soundtrack that is as soulful as it is grand. The visuals are equally breathtaking. National Award-winning designer Omung Kumar’s intricate sets transport the audience across time and space, while choreographers Bertwin D’Souza and Shampa Gopikrishna infuse each scene with energy and grace. Costume designer Neeta Lulla adds yet another layer of magnificence Whether you are a Krishna devotee, a theatre lover, or someone seeking an evening of inspiration and beauty, Rajadhiraaj promises to leave an indelible mark with over 1,800 bespoke outfits that breathe life into Krishna’s world. “It’s like being part of a dream,” said an audience member. “Every detail, from the music to the costumes, pulls you into Krishna’s universe.” But Rajadhiraaj is more than just a show; it’s a cultural phenomenon. It bridges the gap between the divine and the artistic, offering audiences a chance to connect with Krishna’s timeless leelas while celebrating the best of contemporary theatre. Running in Delhi till December 8. Back to work Artistes from Sri Lanka showcase their folk dance. Artistes from Iraq perform at Chandigarh University International Dance & Music Festival at Chandigarh University brings together global artistes on one platform Moves that unite... Artistes from various countries delivered mesmerising performances during the International Dance and Music Festival – 2024 at Chandigarh University. The theme for the festival was — One World, Many Cultures. In the event that Chandigarh University jointly organised in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the confluence of creativity and culture was at its zenith as troupes from 11 countries enthralled one and all present with their performances and musical renditions. The cultural troupes of Colombia, Iraq, Slovakia, India and Sri Lanka among other countries dressed in their colourful traditional attires and showcased the beauty of indigenous music and dance cultures of their respective countries. This event aimed to promote international culture and celebrate the diversity and inclusivity. Member of Parliament (MP) Rajya Sabha and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu, said, “The real essence of International Dance and Music Festival at Chandigarh University resonates perfectly with the theme One Earth, One Family, One Future which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when India hosted G-20 Summit last year. Our main objective to organise the international festival is to bring the world together as one global family on a single platform.” — TNS PHOTOS: VICKY c m y b Here’s what Aishwarya Rai is focusing on amid separation rumours with Abhishek Aishwarya Rai is back to fulfilling her professional commitments amidst separation rumours with her husband, Abhishek Bachchan. After attending the Global Women’s Forum in Dubai, the actress was recently spotted returning to Mumbai. Aishwarya has dived straight back into work, and a new picture from the set has captured fans’ attention. Celebrity makeup artist Adrian Jacobs shared a selfie with Aishwarya on his Instagram story and captioned the post, “A lovely day at work @aishwaryaraibachchan_arb.” In the image, the actress is seen smiling as she poses with her makeup artist. Her makeup game looked on point with bold black eyeliner, glossy pink lips, and a dewy finish. Rumours surrounding Aishwarya and Abhishek’s marriage have been gaining momentum for some time. The couple has frequently been the subject of divorce speculations, with interest spiking after their separate appearances at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding earlier this year. Most recently, their divorce rumours made headlines after Rai’s name at an event was displayed without the ‘Bachchan’ on a screen at an event in Dubai. —IANS