Anup Kumar has just got one of his daughters married and was all set to go abroad when he found out that he had cancer. It was too late-he was already in the last stages with the doctors giving him four months to survive. The Joy of Cancer (Rupa & Co) is the outcome of the emotional and physical anguish that followed but much more, it is a book about the power of the human mind and body to turn tragedy around. How do you conquer fear? How do you accept that life is short? The book answers these questions and more. Written in the form of a guide, it enumerates a seven-point battle against cancer. Priced at Rs 195, The Joy of Cancer proves that the real experts on cancer are the cancer patients themselves.

INTERNET
Rhythmic Scroll

Get reviews and news from the field of Carnatic music, virtually. www.carnaticmusic.com, that can be accessed through sify.com, offers rare collections, compositions and private recordings through online shopping. Also posted on the site are basic lessons in Carnatic music. An interesting section is "Bathroom Singers", where young artistes can post your song on the web and if luck smiles, become a star.

LIVING
Potent Mix

Health Himalaya and Himachal Pradesh Tourism are offering ayurveda panchkarma therapy packages-a mix of health and holidays. At Rs 11,800 per person inclusive of room, food and treatment, the six-day packages are available in select hotels in Joginder Nagar, Kullu, and soon in Shimla and Palampur. Log on to www. hptdc.nic.in or e-mail: hptdc@sancharnet.in.

MUSIC
Natural Celebration

As the monsoon spread its grey, wet spell over India, here is a music festival focusing on malhars-also the main group of ragas for the rainy season that reportedly produce rain. Malhar ("mal" means dust while "har" stands for stealing) ragas have many forms: Gaud malhar, Miya ki malhar, Radasi malhar, Surdsai malhar, Mirabai malhar, Shudh malhar, megh malhar etc. Organised by the iccr, the festival features Satish Vyas (santoor), Biswajit Roy Choudhury (sarod), Asad Ali Khan (rudra veena) and Chote Sabri (sarangi). At Delhi's Azad Bhavan. Time: 7 p.m. onwards.