Must catch events this weekend

Abida Parveen live

Abida parveen live
Only martyrs need peace, the rest just talk ufffd peace, hence,u00a0 is a complicated choice. But why is its burden always passed either to the Presidents of United States or the musicians of the two countries?



When asked if she feels loaded with this expectation, the 56-year-old Sufi performer, Abida Parveen says, "Agar aap India aur Pakistan mein koi fark nahi dekhte hai to is sawaal ko poochna band kariye ki kyaa mere gaane aman la sakte hai. With so many politicians, Presidential visits, improved literacy rates and awareness, peace should have come by now.

I'm a Sufi performer. So by default, the primary aim of my shows is not entertainment but peace. So why should I be bombarded with the same question everytime I perform outside Pakistan? Do jism ek jaan hai India aur Pakistan. We're united by soul, not boundaries. It's time to realise this." She's performing as part of an initiative by Routes 2 Roots, a Delhi NGO.

One of the foremost exponents of Sufi music, Abida doesn't believe in glossy packaging of live shows. She has never parted ways with her noticeably loose full-sleeved kurta and salwar with Sindhi ajrak chadar. Even a minor make-up is a complete no-no for her.

"Make-up ke taraf kabhi dhyaan hi nahi gaya," admits the performer whose heartwarming numbers like Tere Ishq Nachaya ker Thaiyya Thaiyya (which was changed into Chaiyya Chaiyya in SRK's Dil Se) and Dhoondo Ge Agar Mulkon Mulkon has made her a favourite with the audience. However, she keeps changing her style of performing.

She says, "If you've followed my shows, albums and composition, you would know that everytime I perform I've a different idea in mind." The icon is, however, not open to Bollywood. "I would love to be a part of it but my obsession with Sufism doesn't give the luxury of distraction. But I'm regular at live shows.

Last year, I performed at Jahan-e-Khusru festival in Delhi. It was special because Rabbi dedicated a song to me that was earlier sung by me. I felt so good," she signs off.

Workshop byu00a0 DJ Marky
The DJ who once played in clubs around Sao Paulo is now known as the drum 'n' bass. He's coming all the way from Brazil to share techniques of drum n bass. Those attending can ask him questions too. The interaction will be followed by a performance by the DJ himself at night.u00a0u00a0

At: Ai, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket
When: Saturday, November 13
Timings: Workshop: 4 pm; Gig: 9 pm onwards
Ring:43500217

Global film fest
The Global Film Festival will showcase films covering the issues of disability. Films made by professionals, competition films, seminars, workshops, exhibitions and book releases will also be a part of the festival. Some of the films to be showcased are Mr India, Coffee House, The Blue Umbrella, Nitobeh, 400 Blows, Ivan's Childhood, The Bicycle Thief, Baduk, Kirikou Et La Sorciere and The Spirit of The Beehive.

At: Marwah Studios, FC 14/15, Film City, Sector 16 A, Noida
When: Till November
Ring: 9891138542

Eat where chefs are at war
Want to treat your tastebuds to delicacies prepared by top chefs this weekend without burning a hole in your
pocket? No, you don't have to go to a fancy eating joint for that. All you have to do is walk into a mall. That's right.

In order to celebrate International Chef's Day, a Gourmet Specialty Week is being held in malls across the Capital. The seventh edition of this culinary event will also see competitions in various categories among chefs from leading hotels and restaurants. You can just walk in, interact with the chefs, watch them cook, get tips from them and even sample what they are making.

The week will be followed by Chef Awards on International Chef's Day on Sunday where chefs will fight it out for top prizes in 14 different categories by a panel of juries comprising chef Manisha Bhasin (ITC Maurya) and chef Vivek Sagar, Executive Director, F&B Consultancy Services, Food Art, among others.

A total of 53 chefs from across north India will be competing in categories like Golden Hat Chef award, Master chef for various cuisines, Kitchen Artist award, Food Critic award and Lady Chef of the Year award.

"The aim of the event is to create awareness among people. This is a great platform to recognise the culinary excellence of these professionals," says chef Sagar.

However, chef Rajiv Malhotra of Old World Hospitality says the event could have done with more publicity. "Also a different location would have probably worked better," he says. So if you are game for it, go give the dishes a chance.

At: DLF Place Saket, DLF Emporio, Shipra Mall Indirapuram and DLF City Club, Gurgaon
When: Today
Timings: 5-6.30pm for passes,
Ring: 9891168843