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Tejpal's book in race for French literary award
From Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Writer-journalist Tarun J. Tejpal is in the running for the prestigious Prix Femina Etranger award for the best foreign novel, one of France's two most renowned literary awards. 

The award, which has never been won by an Indian writer till now, involves a rigorous 11-member jury process that lasts for several months until the declaration of the winner in November.

Tejpal, who edits the weekly newsmagazine Tehelka, has been long-listed for his debut novel "Loin De Chandigarh (Far From Chandigarh)", which was published in English as "The Alchemy of Desire".

The others in the reckoning include Peter Carey, Allan Hollinghurst (for the Booker Prize winning "The Line of Beauty"), Joyce Carol Oates, Cynthia Ozick, Annie Proulx and Colm Toibin (for "The Master", short-listed for the Booker last year).

The Priz Femina was established in 1904, and the foreign novel category added in 1985.

The "Loin De Chandigarh" was released this month in France to rave reviews. The novel is also being published in other languages such as Italian, Greek, Polish and Hindi. 

Chunky chandeliers to light hoops - earrings say it all (REISSUE)
By Uma Nair, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Mandira Bedi's disastrous chandelier earrings swayed in heavy frenzy on Sony TV's "Fame Gurukul" till Sarika made her appearance with a pair of copper toned wonders that took pride of place on the popular talent show - spelling out the latest fashion in ear jewellery.

"Earrings are as old as history, and they become such an important part of a women's agenda for the rest of the day or night," says Benita Sharma, general manager of the Marriott Hotel here.

"Even in the West I've seen women wear just earrings as a main accessory to their dress - just a cluster of stones makes such a statement in style. After all, the solitaire has never gone out of fashion."

Keya Bala, a young Washington-based Indian designer who came hunting for earrings for her design studio, scoured parts of Delhi for earrings of all kinds.

"The long jhumka like earrings go best with Western and fusion outfits because they stand out," says Keya. "Now in the West since the dress line is so minimal, we want to set off a splash on the ears with the maximal energy. I know this place in Lajpat Nagar (in south Delhi) where I picked up all kinds of long silver earrings, all in the typical Punjabi vintage style in the Rs.400-700 range."

"Meenakari (embellished) and Kundan (stone studded) earrings are also very much a rage with Indians in the West," she says. "I think Rani Mukherjee in 'Paheli' wearing those Rajasthani jhumkas clearly made a statement for trends."

Clearly, whether heavy or light, earrings are a major fashion accessory.

In the days of yore, earrings were the emblem of a beguiling, constant seductress for stars like Waheeda Rehman and Meena Kumari. Those were long earrings and it now seems that the fashion has turned full circle.

From discreet accents for daylight, to flowing clusters for nocturnal hours, earrings have become a daily fetish that vary between classic, contemporary and vintage styling to suit every pocket.

At Vivaha 2005, the diamond-studded longer versions came in encrusted minarets that had thread-like chains and rubies hanging from the ends. The heavier ones also had the Persian style "Mughal-e-Azam" kind of heavy-duty looks while the modern ones were more a mix of diamonds and precious stones.

"Earrings have become an important part of accessories, and it is the diversity of intensity that cannot be ignored," says Keya.

Thus, it was a delight to watch actor Sarika make an appearance on "Fame Gurukul" with her delicately long danglers set against her blunt haircut.

Whether hooped, drooping or studded - earrings have established themselves as a forerunner in the wardrobe of woman's essentials.