03032025-LSTL-01.qxd 3/2/2025 7:40 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUTE TO LIAM PAYNE The 2025 BRIT Awards paid a touching tribute to the late Liam Payne, celebrating his musical achievements and kind-hearted nature. Held at London’s The O2 Arena, the ceremony paused to honour the former One Direction star, who tragically passed away in October, 2024. Vinya Singh O N a breezy March afternoon at the Hyatt poolside, just hours before their latest gig, the band Delhi Indie Project, known for their experimental Indie rock songs like Main Teri Yaad (reprise) and Guzarish, began a conversation about their journey, influences and what lies ahead. The members comprise Ashish Chauhan, vocals and guitar, Srijita Konar, vocals, Nysha, vocals, Ayush Gupta, keyboard, Siddhant Boruah, drums, Dev Taneja, electric guitar, Divesh Karki, bass and Suhail Ali Khan, violin. With roots in namesake Delhi and launched in 2015, the band has performed over 1,000 gigs in India and abroad. While discussing their musical influences, the TRIBUNE Not keen Life band members also share their inspirations. “I have a background in classical Indian, semi-classical; others in our band play metal, a few of us are big fans of Bollywood—it’s a concoction of everything, like a thali with all flavours of Indian music,” says Konar. The conversation moves ahead to the band’s unique name to which Gupta replies, “We are all from Delhi, born and brought up in the city, so it makes sense to name it after Delhi, and Indie project because we want to explore independent music.” To which Chauhan adds,” We like to experiment. The songs are Pop icon Britney Spears is not in favour of actress Millie Bobby Brown essaying her in her upcoming biopic, despite the actress’ clear enthusiasm. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 3 MARCH 2025 BANDWIDTH! Members of the band Delhi Indie Project say they are a concoction of everything, like a thali with all the flavours of Indian music about different topics, travel, life’s journey, about life in Delhi; Yeh Dilli Hai Meri is one such song from our discography.” GROWING CONNECT When talking about the local music scene in India, the members say, “When we go to different cities to perform, we try to cater to the audience there. We play covers of local songs and music inspired by the city. It helps people connect more with us.” About their journey and their landmark performances, they share, “It’s definitely the opening for Bryan Adams back in December, 2024, in Delhi. It’s one that we will always remember.” The band is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and their evolution through years of experience is apparent in their performances. “Being a musician, you have to be constantly developing with music and technology. In the past decade, the industry has shifted from rock to pop to eventually electronic. It naturally influ- ences our music taste and style,” says Gupta, to which Chauhan adds, “History shows us that the bands that keep up with the emerging trends are the only ones that grow. So we are keen to learn and evolve.” HEART’S WISH About one collaboration that that they wish for, Konar says, “We recently lost Zakir ji (Zakir Hussain) with whom we would love to share space and breathe the same air.” Gupta and Chauhan add, “Modern, progressive musicians like Steven Wilson are quite elite and we would love to work with him.” Ashish Chauhan, the vocalist and guitarist of the band, recalls a fond anecdote of the tricity and chuckles, “I played at Punjab Engineering College years ago. All the other members of the band were senior to me and in college, while I was in school. I was their drummer; they made a fake college ID for me and we ended up winning the competition! We won a sum of one lakh rupees and I got 20,000. Back in 2006 it was a huge amount of money.” The band is currently crafting a brand new album, featuring original songs and fresh recordings. Leading the way is their highly anticipated feature track, Laksh, which is set to drop soon. The band is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and their evolution through years of experience is apparent in their performances. Ashish Chauhan, Srijita Konar and Ayush Gupta Fun times for Sonakshi Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha took to social media to share her personal and ‘convenient’ definition of marriage. On Sunday, she posted a video on Instagram, where she is seen having fun with her husband, Zaheer Iqbal. While Zaheer drives the car, Sonakshi is in full masti mode. The video also included a screenshot of a fan’s message that read, “Marriage is understanding that you will drive eight hours straight while your wife drinks coffee, gives bad directions, and sleeps even though she will offer to drive.” The caption on the video read, “Hence proved.” Sonakshi also shared the link to her latest vlog titled “Trip to Australia—Part 2 —Melbourne to Sydney.” In the clip, Zaheer and Sonakshi give a sneak peek into their fun-filled day! — IANS PHOTO: VICKY WHAT’S HOT play eat A BAKERY TO CHERISH RIOT OF NEON COLOURS RISHOOl Bakers, a heritage bakery located on the popular Mall Road in Shimla, remains a must-visit place for tourists, as it offers mouth-watering pastries and bakery products! People from across the country as well as abroad, whenever on a trip to Shimla, can be seen visiting the bakery. The bakery is also the favourite of Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who had recently said Trishool Bakers served the best pastries in the world! Keshav Ram, who has been working as a manager here for the past 50 years, informed that the bakery was founded by the late Bhajan Dass, a resident of Rohru, in 1959. He said their products, such as pastries, spoonies, pyramids, biscuits, rolls, eclairs and more, have always been in high demand. ARUN JAI SAHNI brought his art works for Jalandhar residents to cherish for the first time in an exhibition ‘A Tapestry of Healing Colours’. It was curated by Seema Anand Chopra and the Romesh Chander Memorial Trust. The exhibition was open till March 2. It featured a riot of neon colours and paintings of abstract art, along with an array of coloured as well as black and white photographs by Varun. Grandson of renowned actor Balraj Sahni and son of actor Parikshit Sahni, Varun has told his life’s tale through his chosen language — art! ONE FOR PLANT LOVERS c m y b I amritsar V jalandhar T shimla love T ’s that time of the year when people in Amritsar can enjoy the biggest exhibit of perennial and exotic varieties of flowers. The Botanical and Environment Science Society, GNDU, will be holding their annual flower show and Spring Festival at the Khalsa College on March 6-7. With a display of over 100 varieties of plants and perennial greens, cacti, bonsai and landscaped flowers, the exhibit is one of the most-awaited events in the city. The exhibit area will also have stalls of organic crops like turmeric, jaggery, sugar, cosmetics, herbs, fruits, cheeses and various types of plants.