White has been used so often as a summer expression that it no longer adds colour to a couture line. Unless, of course, it has a novel theme. Delhi-based designer Pranavi Kapur's Craft of Living collection has an impressive line of churidars, trouser sets, shirts and tops in white and beige dedicated to Kapur's guru, the man in white-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. All the clothes are in swadeshi fabrics. And as a special recall of what the meditative man himself wears is a dhoti draped on top of a churidar and carried over the shoulder. But the most captivating part of this collection is a coordinated trendy bag that accompanies each ensemble as a free accessory. At Khazana, Taj Mahal Hotel, Delhi. For more information, call 9811058952.

EXHIBITION
Throbbing With Life
Craft-rich Bhuj in Gujarat, the epicentre of a devastating quake in January 2001, is now the focus of a 10-day exhibition dealing with issues of identity, migration, shelters, relocation and geographical mappings. The exhibition, curated by art historian Alka Pandey, will also highlight the craft traditions of the desert district. At the India Habitat Centre, Delhi, August 10-21, 2002. Call 91-11-4682001 (to 2009) for more details.

COUTURE
Budding Styles

You might not make it to Sukriti, the National Institute of Fashion Technology's (NIFT) annual fashion show in Delhi on June 30 but the 21 collections in brocade, silk, chiffon and georgette will be available at the nift Shop at Hauz Khas, Delhi. The clothes mix traditional embroidery with Swarovski crystal and sequins. Call 91-11-6965059/5692/4771.

BOOKS
Character Sketch
Pathfinders: Artists of One World (Wisdom Tree) by Alka Raghuvanshi is a book that has 20 character sketches of artists, writers, dancers, musicians and poets predominantly from India and Pakistan including Anita Desai, Daksha Sheth, Iqbal Bano, Ahmad Faraz and Howard Hodgkins. The profiles are supported by pleasing caricatures by cartoonist Sudhir Tailang. The only oddity in the list is painter Paresh Maity who says during the interview that "one incorrect stroke makes the painting imbalanced". True of a book as well. Look up www.wisdomtreeindia.com for more.