Beyond boundaries

We are used to former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya dancing down the crease after making a blistering ton. But dancing for real? Yes, that’s what Jayasuriya, who is now a member of Parliament in Sri Lanka, proposes to do. He will be part of the fifth season of the Indian dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, slated to go on air from June 16. A little bird told us that the former cricketer didn’t bat an eyelid before agreeing to join the dance competition where 11 other celebrities will participate. Known for his swashbuckling batting style, will Jayasuriya scorch the dance floor too? We can’t wait to find out.

Dear dad

Here’s a lesson in how to bask in the reflected glory of a famous parent. Puneeth Rajkumar, son of Kannada actor Rajkumar, has come out with a coffee table biography of his father. The book — which contains as many as 1,750 pictures — was released in Bangalore last week. So far, 66 books have been written on the Kannada matinee idol, including, believe it or not, one by Puneeth’s older brother, Shivrajkumar. So the author admitted that he didn’t have too many new things to say about his illustrious father. “But I have tried to incorporate small, personal matters of the family that depict the man better,” he said. Trust his sons to milk the legend of Rajkumar for all it’s worth.

Patriotic notes

Tagore contemporary Dwijendralal Roy was known for his moving patriotic songs. As part of the celebrations marking his 150th birth anniversary, (D.L. Roy was born in 1863), Calcutta-based musician Riddhi Bandyopadhyay will perform the legend’s songs, accompanied by Western musical instruments like the cello and piano, at a city auditorium on June 29. “D.L. Roy was deeply influenced by Western composers like Beethoven and Mozart. Also, one cannot miss a touch of Shakespeare in his lyrics,” says Bandyopadhyay. She adds that his patriotic songs strike a deep chord with Indians living abroad even to this day. “So it’s imperative that we carry forward his legacy,” says the vocalist. A noble effort, no doubt.

Leone lure

What’s with former Bigg Boss inmate Kamaal Rashid Khan? Khan, also known as KRK, has been pretty snide about gorgeous ex-porn movie star Sunny Leone on Twitter. He probably heard about how Leone’s knickers from her film Jism 2 are to be auctioned for charity. And in what looks like a reaction to this piece of news, KRK has tweeted: “Beautiful Sunny Leone will be free for each and every Indian during my govt.” His government? Er, we know he is probably being jocose, but imagination still boggles at the prospect of him holding the fort at the Centre, and distributing Sunny Leone and her bounties to whosoever may wish for them. No, Ms Leone has not responded to KRK’s outrageous suggestion as yet.

Art feast

It’s an art fair by the artists and for the artists. The exhibition, titled United Art Fair, is being touted as a first-of-its-kind show that will provide a platform to 500 artists to display their works. To be held in Delhi in September, entries for the show are being selected by a panel of experts. “We are allowing the artistes to directly come in contact with buyers, curators and art collectors. Unlike in a gallery, here they can decide their own price,” says Johny M.L., project director, United Art Fair. Highlights of the show would be audio and digital works, site-specific art works, Internet art, paintings, installations, sculptures, video projections and even works created in situ. Looks like there’s going to be a veritable art feast come September.