(From top): Nina Manuel shows off an outfit by Manish and Payal Chhabra; a visitor checks out the photography exhibition at Maurya Sheraton; Iqbal Patni at the Tao Art Gallery; Moushumi Chatterjee shows off a Ruchika Gupta sari

It was a fashion show by a pair of newcomers. Manish and Payal Chhabra chose to introduce themselves to fashion-lovers in India with a showing of their trousseau collection at the Taj Palace, Delhi. Naturally the venue was overrun by prospective brides, all of whom were eyeing the creations being shown off by the models on the ramp.

While there were four distinct lines to the collection, the emphasis was on informality and the duo selected the finest of French chiffons and satins to create a line of fusion designs that were structured in silhouette yet sensual and bold at the neckline and hemline. For the occasional luncheon, there was the subtly-dressed look, which took in a range of clothes embellished and lined with stones and beads.

Manish and Payal also delved into the dramatic world of Moroccan design that personifies the ancient yet thriving art of draping. ?Tunics ? long and short ? are coupled with flowing skirts and billowy scarves to sinuously drape you,? said Manish, who is also the managing director of the CTC Mall in Delhi.

The grand finale featured pearls and crystals sewn on fitted bodices, fish net style skirts and pants. ?It was a couture look that we wanted to bring out in this line. In fact, the whole collection took us five months to prepare,? said Payal.

Snapped for a cause

When over 2,000 photographs clicked by 200 talented photographers are exhibited, you can expect a successful show. ?The Incredible Moment?, a photography exhibition organised by Maneka Gandhi?s People for Animals (PFA) was held at Delhi?s Maurya Sheraton recently and the added attraction was hunky actor John Abraham playing auctioneer. The highest price fetched was for a photograph by ace shutterbug Subi Samuel ? Rs 55,000. The buyer was none other than writer and former mediaperson Pritish Nandy.

Some of the photographers whose frames adorned the walls of the gallery included Raghu Rai, Sumiko Murgai Nanda, Prabuddha Dasgupta, Pamela Bordes Singh, Atul Kasbekar and TNA Perumal. Lensmen from Calcutta like Joydip Kundu, Satyaki Ghosh and Sanjeet Chowdhury also participated in the exhibition. The list of participants was drawn up by Maneka Gandhi herself, with help from photographer Raghu Rai. The limit for each photograph was put at Rs 25,000. ?The proceeds from the exhibition will go towards the PFA. Artists have always been such a generous community when it comes to donating for a cause,? said Gandhi.

?It is the first time in India that works of so many photographers have been assembled together. About 8 to 10 good photographers were not eager to participate initially. But after some cajoling, they came forward with their work,? says Rai. However, the photographer was a bit disappointed about the presentation because his photographs had already been sold and weren?t on display at the show.

Sari splendour

The salwar-kameez and Indo-Westerns may be fine as everyday wear but if you want to make a fashion statement, it?s back to the good old sari. With the sari in vogue ? a lot of young women are sporting it at night too ? and with the festival season on hand, Fuel The Fashion Store, launched its ?nine-day nine-yard? sari festival with a fashion show recently. Fashion designers Ruchika Gupta, Sejal Kanoi and Meghna K displayed their saris at the show while Sangita Chudiwala showcased bags embellished in zardosi and stones.

The high point of the evening was when yesteryear star Moushumi Chatterjee walked the ramp. Chatterjee wore Ruchika Gupta?s saris in very sheer fabric embellished with large rough stones, crystals and sequins. Cheering her on was daughter Megha. Model Parizaad Kolha showcased Meghna K?s fusion saris in polka dots, florals and animal prints worn with halter blouses, while Sejal Kanoi used ethnic embroidery on modern fabrics like net, satin and georgette.

Apart from Chatterjee, the other star attractions at the show were actors Ashmit Patel, who came with his mother, Rajat Kapoor and Madhoo. Also seen were Viren Shah of the Roopam store as well as socialite Gauri Pohoomal and Raell Padamsee.

Some 20 designers including Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Niki Mahajan, Monideepa and Rohit Verma are participating in the nine-day festival at Fuel. The store has also lined up styling experts to offer advice to customers. So the salon Beyond the Fringe is offering tips to do up the hair, Nail Bar with ethnic nail art, and Face Gym offering face therapy (more mundanely known as exercising your facial muscles).

Poetry and paintings

Art and music have been mixed before but art and poetry? Mumbai?s Tao Art Gallery attempted the fusion recently with renowned Hyderabad poet Iqbal Patni creating verse based on the canvases of S H Raza, Manu Parekh and Laxma Goud. Not only were the works of these and other artists on display in the gallery, but Patni also chose to project some of the paintings by the three maestros on a screen to accompany his recital.

Patni is known for using simple words in Hindustani to communicate his thoughts. He has also developed a unique style of recital that melds with his deep voice. He weaves emotions like ecstasy, obsession, nostalgia, love and reverence in his nazms and ghazals. The evening saw him dwelling on themes such as relationships and setting limits or boundaries in life. Ghazal singer Talat Aziz was seen enjoying the show as was Mumbai?s joint commissioner of police Javed Ahmed.

Photographs by Rupinder Sharma and Jagan Negi