Comic cooking

Ever wondered if food and cartooning could actually go hand in hand? Well, judging by a new book, they jolly well could. A Guide for Gentleman Chefs, a cookbook with a twist, showcases a wad of rib-tickling sketches by master cartoonist Mario Miranda, which share space with an assortment of fun and breezy recipes, from pork vindaloo to turkey à la king. Put together by writers Laxmi Dhaul and Gitanjali Khanna, the title — published by Niyogi Books — targets the evergrowing number of men who are slipping into kitchen aprons these days, hoping to toss up a lip-smacking dish or two. So move over, you expert lady cooks, and give these upstarts a chance. And if they make a mess of things, just browse through the cartoons — and laugh!

Rushdie unplugged

Thanks to nearly three decades of being force-fed every detail about his life — not to mention his train of gorgeous female companions — is there a thing you don’t know about Salman Rushdie yet? Publishers seem to think Rusdhie is still a bit of an enigma. So Penguin promises to throw some very crucial light into the life and thoughts of the man who can be called one of the greatest writers of his generation. Midnight’s Diaspora: Encounters with Salman Rushdie, compiles a host of writings and interviews with Rushdie, including contributions from people such as Akeel Bilgrami, Thomas Blom Hansen, Gauri Vishwanathan, Shashi Tharoor and Rushdie himself, and explores the political and cultural contexts of Rushdie’s novels, and other issues such as the author’s take on exile and Islam. Rushdie, on his part, has billed the title “quality defence” on his behalf. “I am glad to have such argument offered at last,” he is quoted by the publishers. Well, his detractors might want to find out.

Stage rage

Calcutta’s theatre group Swapnasandhani is gearing up for its 17th birthday. For the celebration next month, it is doing what it’s best at — staging a play. The group is busy rehearsing Bratya Basu’s Dorjiparar Morjinara, a play that looks at Calcutta through the eyes of a prostitute. “We look down upon brothels, but through this play we show the whole city has become one big brothel,” says Koushik Sen, the director of the play and of the theatre group. Besides Sen in a prominent role, the play will feature veteran stage actor Debtosh Ghosh. “I have been mulling over the play for quite a while, but I was waiting for the right time. The time is now,” says Sen. In poll time, is there another message there?

Walk the talk

This is one first-time voter who has taken the ballot quite seriously. We are told that Deepika Padukone, after shooting for a Karan Johar promotional video asking people to vote, is now busy gathering political gyaan. When not cavorting with boyfriend Ranbir, she is educating herself about the various political parties and candidates. Her parents are guiding her, but the actress insists she has her own take on the subject. On polling day, she is going to lift a finger — and cast her vote. She can twirl Ranbir around her little finger, but now the index finger’s going to show its strength.