Brutally sidelined by critics, made fun of by several headline authors and even rejected for its "average and below-average" standard of writing, the continued rise of popular fiction in India is a story of optimism against an elitist point of view.


This monsoon, it's raining romances for readers of popular fiction


IANS Automatic

Get a collection of new street-smarts based on interviews with experienced people, read a powerful legal thriller that moves breathlessly from crime scene to courtroom, and flick through a sweet tale about a young chap deeply involved in winning a cricket tournament.


Business tips, a thriller and cricket (IANS Books This Weekend)


Actress Soha Ali Khan, who is expecting her first child with husband Kunal Kemmu, is turning author with "The Perils Of Being Moderately Famous". She says the book will be out in December.


Soha Ali Khan's debut book to launch in December


Theatres in Tamil Nadu will open on Friday after a four-day strike after the government decided to keep its 30 per cent entertainment tax in abeyance, the Tamil Nadu Film Chamber of Commerce announced on Thursday.


TN theatres to open as tax row ends


Entertainment tax is not a new tax in the state, said S.P. Velumani, Tamil Nadu's Minister for Municipal Administration, Rural Development and Implementation of Special Programme, on Thursday.


No double taxation on theatres: TN minister (Lead, Correcting intro)


Title: The Colours of My Heart - Selected Poems; Author: Faiz Ahmed Faiz & Baran Farooqi (translator); Publisher: Penguin Random House; Pages: 304; Price: Rs 499


'Bol ke labh azad hain tere': Faiz beyond revolution and romance (Book Review) 


As theatres across Tamil Nadu remained shut for the third day in a row on Wednesday over double taxation, Abirami Ramanathan, President of Tamil Nadu Film Chamber of Commerce, said a positive outcome can be expected soon from the ongoing protest. Even megastar Rajinikanth urged the government to consider the plea.


Rajinikanth urges TN government for positive outcome on tax row


Keen observers of contemporary Indian literature would agree that most recent books have depended heavily on promotions and marketing. But if publicity rules the roost, does the manuscript get its due?


What matters more: Writer or manuscript?


Indian designers like Meera Mahadevia, Priyadarshini Rao, Gaurav Jai Gupta and more are excited to showcase the Indian textile and craftsmanship in a contemporary way at the forthcoming Collection Premiere Moscow (CPM), a fashion trade fair in eastern Europe.


Indian designers to showcase craftsmanship in Moscow


Suddenly, dull residential areas in the centre of the capital, with their typical box-shaped, whitewashed government housing, have come to life. The area around Lodhi Road, which has one of the capital's oldest markets, has now come to be known as perhaps the country's first public-art area.


Art goes public in the capital (Feature with images)


Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday said the Tamil Nadu government's decision to levy 30 per cent entertainment tax over and above the GST rate of 28 per cent will affect the livelihood of lakhs of people in the Tamil film industry.


Double taxation on TN film industry will affect many: Rajinikanth


Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan on Monday said filmmaking in Tamil Nadu has been made difficult deliberately following the government's decision to levy 30 per cent entertainment tax over and above the newly implemented GST.


Filmmaking in TN made difficult deliberately: Kamal Haasan on GST


Theatres remained shut across Tamil Nadu on Monday over the state government's decision to levy 30 per cent state entertainment tax over and above the GST rate of 28 per cent.


Theatres shut down in Tamil Nadu over double taxation


Bollywood celebrities like Anupam Kher and Riteish Deshmukh have welcomed the "new road" - Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is India's biggest tax reform since Independence.


GST a new road, new start, says Bollywood


"Symphony of Weaves", a fashion show curated and produced by IMG Reliance Industries Ltd on the opening day of Textiles India 2017 at Mahatma Mandir here on Friday, was a unique fashion presentation celebrating the story of Indian textiles in the form of exquisite innovations in craft and design.


'Symphony of Weaves' mesmerizes at Textiles India 2017


The Tamil Nadu Film Chamber of Commerce on Friday announced an indefinite shutdown of theatres across Tamil Nadu from July 3 due to lack of clarity on the tax amount that will be levied after GST implementation.


GST effect: Tamil Nadu theatres to shut down from July 3


The West Bengal government on Wednesday decided to give rebates on regional cinema tickets in the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime so that the effective tax rate will remain at par with the existing two per cent entertainment tax, a senior minister said on Wednesday.


Mamata government to give rebates on cinema tickets in GST regime


It was only a matter of time before beauty services would follow the trend of home deliveries. Busy lifestyles have paved the way for companies catering to those seeking some relaxation and rejuvenation from the comforts of their homes.


Beauty services at doorstep make life easier for busy customers


She comes from Haryana, is all of 20, is studying medicine and has just won the Miss India World 2017 crown. Manushi Chhillar is focused on winning the Miss World title for India, but her life's mission, she says, is also to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene through her initiative Project Shakti.


Want to educate women about menstrual hygiene: Miss India World 2017 (Lead, With Images)


Traditionally, chefs have been men. Even top-end restaurants in five-star hotels have had men as cookery experts. But things are changing. An increasing number of women have started to flaunt the chef's hat.


'Society has started accepting women as chefs'


Mark Shelhamer, former chief scientist at NASAs human research division, has criticised Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrows lifestyle and wellness brand Goop for promoting bogus $120 stickers that contain materials used in spacesuits.

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