God Of Small Things

Because the new vice-chairperson of the impressive-sounding Taskforce on Creative and Cultural Industries at the Planning Commission is on the verge of getting the Government to accord manufacturing sector status for unorganised rural artisans. Because, after a 90-minute presentation to Sonia Gandhi last year, both Renuka Choudhary and Sheila Dikshit rushed to offer him Delhi's Safdarjung Airport land for his NGO, Asian Heritage Foundation. Because starting as chief aide to Pupul Jayakar in the 1980s, he has now become one of the world's most sought after scenographers.

Style: Creator of the angavastram chic, which he first tried on Rajiv Gandhi.

Big cool buddy: Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Hot wheels: A bicycle in his office which he cannot ride and an Ambassador Classic, which is chauffeured.

Prized possession: The best maintained network of international culturati.

Atomic Power

Because the chairman of the new Task Force on Global Strategic Developments will shape India's future strategic thinking. Because the first convenor of the National Security Board's passionate advocacy for the benefits of the nuclear deal was one of the many voices the Government listened to. Because it doesn't hurt that S. Jaishankar, the head of Americas division in the Foreign Office and a key interlocutor in the Indo-US deal, is his son.

Character trait: Obsessive about his work. When the then US Ambassador Frank Wisner called on him after a bypass surgery in 1996, he asked him, "Have you read my article today?"

Little-known fact: As chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee in 1977-79, he drafted the standard operating procedure in case of a hijack and then spent 36 hours aboard a hijacked flight to Jammu in 1984.

Best known for: Never losing an argument.

Urban Cowboy

Because the architect, planner, activist and theoretician has been appointed chairman of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission where he is preserving and maintaining the aesthetics of Delhi's skyline. Because as he showed in the controversial Mumbai mill land redevelopment case, he is not afraid to speak up for urban breathing space, taking on a powerful lobby of politicians, builders and mill owners.

Master-of-the-universe move: His design of the new Brain and Cognitive Science building at MIT, Cambridge, unveiled in December 2005. The 30,000 sq ft structure is the largest neuroscience centre in the world and has a railroad line running through it.

Stress management tools: Making films (You and Your Neighbourhood, 1955; City on Water, 1974) and watching films-from old favourites like La Dolce Vita to newer ones like Being John Malkovich.

Prized possession: His toy trains, collected since childhood, which taught him the principles of basic design.

Favourite line: "As an architect, your concerns are not limited by the commissions you get."

Legal Evangelist

Because it was only after he was appointed the Supreme Court's amicus curiae in the Best Bakery retrial that the court convicted nine of the 17 accused. Because it was he who won the case against reservation in private institutions. Because he has argued in court for almost all the other names in India Today's power list. Because though his fee ranges from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for a final hearing, it is never more than what he can deliver.

Favourite cause: Civil liberty. Has represented Jayalalithaa against the income tax department and is taking on Amar Singh's phone tapping case, solely because he sees both as victims of the government's political agenda.

Favourite song: Misty by Ella Fitzgerald. Especially when his wife Meenakshi sings it.

Hot wheels: His red 530D turbo-prop BMW.

Global Predator

Because he is going international with a vengeance. Because he is the first port of call for M&A adventurers looking to sell consumer durables plants in India or abroad. Because he has bought out the picture tube division of Thomson and the Indian operations of Electrolux and is now gunning for Daewoo Electronics. Because he is the largest producer of glass shells for television companies. Because he is the third-largest picture tube maker in the world. Because Videocon is India's largest television and washing machine maker.

Little-known fact: Often gives lengthy discourses on the Bhagwad Gita for private audiences.

Loves to: Play the flute in the mornings.

Management tool: Brainstorming over lunch.

THE HIGHER CIRCLE
Entries or exits, the power list, now in its fourth edition, is a barometer of its times.

It is a charmed group of people, but also one that is subject to changes in the economy and society. In 2004, a year in which media was starting to make headlines, there was a sudden spurt in the representation: from six in 2003, their number went up to 10. In 2005, a year which saw a change of government and ideology, there was a change again-the number of academics/activists, in keeping with the altered state of the state, shot up to 13. This year again, after a succession of IPOs, launches of new TV channels and a new phase of fm radio bids, the media has bounced back. There is a core, though, to the list, dominated in the absence of the sarkar, by big business, that is undisturbed: 20 names have remained common to the list since its inception in 2003, including of the Brothers Ambani, who have since split. The average age of the power listers has declined: from 58 to 55. This year's list has new stars: Infosys CEO Nandan Nilekani is the highest entrant at No 13, while Vijay Mallya has shot up 18 places since last year. Merit, as always, triumphs.