(From top): John Abraham and Hema Malini; father-son duo Milkha Singh (right) and Chiranjeev Milkha Singh; A.R. Rahman at the Nokia do; Divya Gurwara (second from left), CEO, Bridal Asia with models

What do you get when an ace musician teams up with a giant mobile company? You get a great music video on your mobile phone — and in all probability it’s music with a cause.

Last week, A.R. Rahman and Nokia Nseries launched an English music video that the composer has put together exclusively for the mobile brand. Shot on the mobile cinemascope format by Bharatbala of Vande Mataram fame and penned by BlaaZe, Pray for Me, Brother unveils a fund-raising campaign spearheaded by the A. R. Rahman Foundation and Nokia. The attempt will be to raise funds for the underprivileged.

To support the cause, Nokia Nseries and A.R. Rahman are also poised to unveil a website, www.prayformebrother.com, where those interested in donating can log on. “The music video will be available soon on Nokia Nseries phones before being released for television,” said Vineet Taneja, director, multimedia, Nokia India. The video will be preloaded on the N91, N70 and N73 phones.

Rahman looked pleased as punch as he talked about the video. “It took us two years to bring it to life. While I was working on it, I didn’t realise that it would go so far. We thought that the song deserved a great album and Nokia came forward to fund it and also to make it available on its music phones,” said Rahman.

The song was originally composed as an anti-poverty anthem for the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. The video, that’s shot in New York, shows the contrast between the Big Apple skyscrapers and men who look minuscule against the towering buildings. The attempt is to reiterate the sharp distinction between the riches and the poverty that exists around the world.

“Pray for Me Brother will be the world’s first ever music video on vertical cinemascope to be put on music edition devices. It’s another add-on for our customers,” Taneja added.

Wedding wows

The leafy environs of the Garden Restaurant at Lodhi Gardens, Delhi, recently hosted Bridal Asia’s special showcasing of jewellery and clothes. Fashion designers Suneet Varma and Pallavi Jaikishan, who both made a debut for Bridal Asia, showed a part of their respective collections on the occasion. Trend of the season — structured bridal clothes, which definitely requires the brides to be to speed up the toning up act.

The highlight of Jaikishan’s bridal collection was the ghagra sari — a heavily embellished green sari in net adorned with gold embroidery. Varma’s was a fairy-tale touch with a beautiful light pink ensemble that had a contemporary silhouette.

And yes where clothes reign, jewellery is sure to follow. The show-stealers of the evening were pieces designed by Alpana Gujral who specialises in jadau work. The lady herself wore earrings and a bracelet from her Bridal Asia collection, which boasted stones such as rubylite and South Sea pearls. “Forget minimalism. You are the bride and must look every bit it,” advised Gujral.

At the event, Divya Gurwara, CEO, Bridal Asia had her tips for the brides of the year. She said: “Your colour of choice must complement your complexion. Steer clear of reds. Go for fuchsia, rose pink, orange, or even lilacs.

Toast to a tee

It was a cosy evening at the Delhi Golf Club where the Who’s Who of the golf world gathered to celebrate Chiranjeev Milkha Singh’s recent achievements. They were happy to raise a toast to the golfer, now back home after a string of successes and major world titles under his belt. As the man of the moment walked in, he was greeted with a round of applause before he was swamped by friends and well-wishers.

The year began with Jeev being ranked 376 in the Official World Golf Ranking but after his four recent victories he will step into 2007 being ranked world 37. Jeev has walked away with top honours at the 2006 Volvo China Open (co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours), Volvo Masters (European Tour), Casio World Open (Japan Golf Tour) and Golf Nippon Series JT Cup (Japan Golf Tour).

The coming year will also see him make his debut at the US Masters and British Open tournaments. Ajay Dua, president, Delhi Golf Club said: “It is an achievement for him but we are yet to see the best of you, Jeev.”

As the evening wore on, the message board with Jeev’s sketch on it was crammed with congratulatory messages from fans and guests. Jeev has fond memories about the Delhi Golf Club, as he spent many hours here in his formative years.

Jeev said: “This has been a great year for me and I’m looking forward to the upcoming tours. Asia is getting more noticed now in the golfing world and this is a sign of things to come. Indian golfers are now competing against the best players from around the world.”

Watching Jeev with huge pride was dad Milkha Singh — India’s legendary Flying Sikh. He said: “He is not only my son but the son of the nation.”

Joining the brandwagon

When John Abraham stepped off the ramp and into the ultra glam world of Bollywood, the fashion world missed him. But after making his mark in films like Kabul Express, Baabul and Taxi No 9211, Abraham has now found time to return to his original calling. He’s back on the fashion scene and this time with his own signature label of jeans — ‘John Abraham by Wrangler’, a limited-edition collection of denims for both men and women.

While the collection reflects Abraham’s vision, the designers Salli Deighton and Ramneek Walia, have given it their style inputs to make the collection what it is.

The collection was unveiled at a rocking party at Poison in Mumbai and a visibly delighted Abraham said: “Though biking is my first love, acting and fashion come a close second. The world of design and style has always fascinated me, and earlier this year, I decided to explore this latent talent with help from someone who is associated closely associated with the fabric.”

So the result is the John Abraham by Wrangler line for women that’s sexy, stylish and just what he would like to see his kind of woman in (is Bipasha listening?). Slim-fit shirts, V-neck tees, racer backs, halters and hoodies can be teamed with minis, pedal-pushers, capris and pinafores.

The men’s collection is all about cool denims, linen shirts with interesting fabrics like yarn-dyed plaids and voiles. The colour palette takes in Brazilian greens, azure blues, grey mélanges and of course, the must-have white. And how could the collection be complete without casual tees that are Abraham’s personal favourites for their simplicity, comfort and timeless style.

The celeb brigade was there (naturally) in full force to cheer Abraham. Spotted: Deepika Padukone, Hema Malini (in denims, no less), Zayed Khan, Abhay Deol, Minissha Lamba and of course girlfriend Bipasha.

Photographs of A.R. Rahman and Delhi Golf Club event by Rupinder Sharma