The American Museum of Natural History played host to the private screening of an IMAX film, India—Kingdom of the Tiger. Produced in association with the National Wildlife Federation, the tiger film-the first IMAX film about India, say the producers-has over 20 leases worldwide. It will have a world premiere at the British Film Institute in London. A presentation of Primesco production, India-Kingdom of the Tiger has been directed by Bruce Neibaur. The writer and line producer of this epic on the Royal Bengal Tiger, Keero Singh Birla, believes the greatest thrill was in actual filming. "It was certainly a lot more challenging than we could have imagined."

Rohra (right) with MP Parmjit Dhanda

Novel Cast

Despite the poor show of language channels in the UK, Zee TV has taken the bold step to launch a Punjabi channel: Alfa Punjabi. At a function attended by Bhangra singers and entrepreneurs to launch the channel, Sunil Rohra, the new CEO, Zee Network, UK and Europe, "We have special programmes in Punjabi and Gurbani straight from the Golden Temple every morning. The response we have received in this short period of time is beyond our imagination." Ground-breaking entry.

Dowry Theory

The Hindu custom of dowry has often taken the blame for the murder of many a married woman. Challenging this theory is Veena Oldenburg, professor in the City University of New York in her book Dowry Murder-The Imperial Origins of a Cultural Crime (Oxford University Press). But before the activists go for the cudgels, Oldenburg blames the pernicious practice of such killings to two centuries of British rule. She argues that the economic and social upheaval caused by British rule overturned the underlying principle of dowry-which was to provide a safety net to women and thereby ensure their independence-by diminishing the control of women. "I am hoping that the discourse on dowry will be radically altered after the book is read," says the author.

Musical Bindings

Asian music is now entering the walls of British prisons. The Irene Taylor Trust "Music in Prisons" together with HMP Bullingdon, Oxon and "Asian Massive" DJs-the prison's own radio station-is set to help inmates develop artistic and performance skills to create quality original music. The September project, involving over 30 prisoners in all aspects of performance and production, will culminate in a one-day music festival on October 10. Actor Nina Wadia will host the show while Apache Indian and dance group Dil Se will chip in with performances.

Raining Bollywood

Mira Nair brought Indian movies into the mainstream, thanks to the surprising success of Monsoon Wedding. Now it is as if the floodgates have opened up. Bollywood flicks are currently the routine in mainstream theatres. In New York, they have now gone a step further. Loews Theater in Times Square-the glitzy heart of Manhattan-is now a regular host to Indian movies. The latest to grace the theatre is Agni Varsha, starring Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon and Milind Soman. "We have been doing this for some time now," says an official. In the US the logic is not far to seek: money matters.

Faff Master

That the Funjabis were a class act was an indubitable admission. Now they have gone to become better and bigger. At the recent Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the whacky boys notched up impressive attendance figures for their acts and left the audiences cracking up with laughter. "Given that the average audience size at the festival is 10, the Funjabis pulled in Asian and non-Asian crowds of approximately 60 each night peaking with a sell-out final night of over 100! We're still receiving praiseworthy e-mails from all those who attended the week-long performance at the plush Crown Plaza-the only venue with a carpet!" says Sody Funjabi. Moreover, following their successful run in Edinburgh, the Funjabis were spotted by a promoter in Dubai who is currently negotiating their debut performance in the desert paradise later this year. Booty-ful, er, beautiful run.

Weeding Success

If Dinabandhu Sahoo has his way then the entire coastline of India would be the farmland for sea weed. Sahoo believes that India with its tropical climes is ideally suited for growing a product which has a turnover of $6 billion in world markets. In fact, some of the coastal districts in Maine have already employed his idea and are now growing sea weed. "In India we should implement it like Operation Flood. It can generate employment and also earn the country foreign exchange," says Sahoo. A win-win situation, that.

Spirited Approach

Regis (centre) with Chana (right)

It is an unlikely pair, that of Ameet Chana and Cyrille Regis. After all, one is an actor and the other a legendary footballer. So what were the two doing together? Kicking off the Jam'In Football Tour, that's what. India and Jamaica will be playing in a competitive soccer match for the first time. While P.R. Dasmunsi, president of the All-India Football Federation, said it would strengthen the commitment of FIFA in the cause of racial equality, his Jamaican counterpart Horace Burrell added that it was a historic occasion for "two great nations to continue a tradition of friendship and camaraderie through football". A double whammy.