After a hiatus of six years, singer Sagarika is back with her latest album All About Love. While off the Indian music map, the singer was busy touring the world with Talvin Singh. "I wanted to stretch myself musically. This tour was the most inspiring experience for me. I met hordes of talented musicians," says Sagarika, who stayed back in London to collaborate with composer Mike McCleary for her next record. "The album is fresh, original, progressive and very me," she says. Also, the video of her track "Bye bye baby" features Italian actor Michele Venitucci and has been directed by Aditya Bhattacharya, grandson of Bimal Roy. A true cocktail of talents.

SIBLING REVELRY

They have crossed the border, and with a bang. Sisters Malaika Arora Khan (left) and Amrita Arora have just shot one music video each for Pakistani singer Warris Baig. While Malaika stars in a more "dance, pop video that is sensuous yet conservative", Amrita is doing a dreamy, romantic song, clad in a sari, wearing a nose ring and bangles. "The feedback was so good that they are now releasing the videos in India as well," says Malaika, who admits that more offers started pouring in from Pakistan after the shooting. But "the idea is to be exclusive," she says. Will others follow suit?

Birthday Felicity

A birthday gift worth half a million dollars, but no diamonds or cars. Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, member of the Rothschild banking family and the chairman of NM Rothschild & Sons, its London merchant bank, gifted his American wife Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild an orphanage in Tamil Nadu on her 50th birthday. "I have a great feeling of satisfaction," says a joyous Lynn, who is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Foreign Policy Association. Looks like this is one celebration she will always cherish.

Rewarding Labours

India had its own connection with the Oscars this year. Mumbai-born and Los Angeles-based Sharmishtha Sohoni was senior compositor for one of Hollywood's biggest hits and Oscar nominated The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Sohoni says, "I have worked on over 15 movies such as Van Helsing and Matrix Revolutions but it's the first time my movie was nominated for an Oscar." Looks like Oscar glory might follow soon.

-Compiled by Kimi Dangor

Index