They believe in giving

Here are some Bollywood celebs who are putting their fame and fortune to good use... As today we celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we cannot help but remember his powerful words and deeds. Gandhi's most powerful quote on love is, "Love never claims, it ever gives!" We agree. As it is only in giving that we receive. The list that we have drawn today highlights our favourite celebs who are using their star power for social change. Village route: Shabana Azmi: The actress has her own foundation called Mijwan Welfare Society that helps the people of Mijwan live a better life. Shabana Azmi has adopted this small village in Uttarkhand and she works towards bettering the condition of the village.

Health & hygiene: Vidya Balan: Vidya Balan has been supporting the cause of sanitation in rural areas. She is the brand ambassador for drinking water and sanitation campaign for the longest time. It is a government initiative that she is whole heartedly supporting.

He's all heart: Salman Khan: Everyone knows that Salman Khan's NGO Being Human started off as a charitable trust to aid underprivileged children. The actor supports three schools, has helped initiate heart surgeries of over 600 kids and is always in news for his good deeds towards society.

Financial help: Akshay Kumar: For Akshay Kumar, charity is worship. He recently donated money to the families of Indian soldiers who died at the URI attack. Earlier, the actor has donated Rs 90 lakh to drought-hit farmers in Maharashtra and has also helped Chennai flood victims.

Saving the girl: Priyanka Chopra : The Bollywood superstar, now a global icon, Priyanka Chopra, has actively spoken about child rights and has helped create awareness about the same. The actress has a long- standing association with the Save the Girl campaign by the UNICEF. In fact, she had auctioned her specially designed Louboutin shoes which she wore in her video Exotic with Pitbull. All proceeds of that auction went towards the betterment of the girl child.

Spreading smile: Sonam Kapoor: Sonam Kapoor was recently spotted spending time with kids suffering from cancer. The diva not only believes in donating money but also sending time with the little kids as that is what they crave for. She is indeed spreading love with her beautiful smile and spirit.

Animal instinct John Abraham: John Abraham loves animals, and is an active member of PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals). He has been supporting PETA in various campaigns and strives to protect animals and provide them a better life. The actor recently adopted a stray dog. Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/

Read More........→October 02, 2016

Getting to Know Mister Denmark 2014, Nicklas Pedersen

NICKLAS PEDERSEN, 23, was selected by the Miss & Mister of Denmark Organization as Denmark's representative to Mr. World 2014 competition scheduled to be held at The Riviera International Conference Centre, Torbay, Devon, England on June 15. Critical Beauty is grateful to Nicklas and to his national director, Lisa Lents, for allowing this e-mail interview.  How does it feel to represent Denmark in Mr. World 2014?: I would lie if I told you that it doesn’t feel absolutely amazing, because it definitely does! I’m extremely honoured and very proud to represent my country in a massive beauty pageant like this. It doesn’t get much bigger than this!! I’m so excited! You have been living in Australia for two years and you speak with an Australian accent? Do you feel more Aussie than Danish, or do you feel equally Aussie and Danish at the same time? It’s a bit funny because I actually don’t speak with an Australian accent. I have got family from New York and they used to spend summer holidays in Denmark when I was a kid. So while they were staying here, they taught me English and from there I adapted an American accent. But even now it’s not even American either. During my time in Australia I have become friends with people from all over the world and now it’s all just a big mixture of accents from around the world. It’s always a big mystery when people try to pick where I am from. I definitely feel Danish. I grew up in Denmark with Danish values and Danish traditions so I would say I’m still as Danish as it gets. Even though I don’t live there at the moment, Denmark will always be my number one and that’s where I want to settle down one day. What is the best thing you like about living in Australia? And what is the best thing about living in Denmark? Oh, that’s a hard one. But I reckon that the best thing about Australia would have to be the weather. I have always loved summer and being in the sun and just being able to be outdoors. Best thing about Denmark? It has to be the pastries. Haha! :) The best thing has to be that we are the happiest people in the world. We have a lot of benefits. Education is completely free, so is the medical system and the fact that if you lose your job, the government will support you with a decent income for up to two years if you are still unemployed. And then of course our cycling culture. We love our bikes and would rather jump on the bike than use our car. What makes you laugh? What makes you cry? I absolutely love to walk down memory lane and talk about all the silly and unforgettable things I have done with family and friends. Even

though I am still young, I have traveled quite a fair bit and experienced some amazing things I wouldn’t change for a thing.  You only live once, so it’s about making the best of it. There is nothing better than catching up with people and reliving the moments that made you laugh and made you the person, you are today. That always makes me smile and truly brightens my day. Unfortunately life is full of ups and downs. Something that has always had a great impact on me, is when you hear of people losing a friend or a relative. Nothing hurts more than when people pass away, often too early and the thought of never seeing them again is truly devastating. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I remember when I was a kid I always used to watch movies and admire police officers for being brave and for their heroic actions. So I thought being a policeman and saving the world would be the coolest thing ever. When I got older and realized it wasn’t all about playing cops and robbers, I decided to go down another path. What are your strengths and weaknesses? I consider myself quite the optimist. I am always happy and look at the bright side of life. I am a winner and won’t give up until I have reached my goal. And combined I have managed to come a long way. I believe that if you want something bad enough, you can always find a way to succeed. When it comes to weaknesses, I would have to admit that I can be very lazy with some things. I attend to postpone things that don't interest me or leave things until the last minute. I am possibly the most indecisive person in the world. I could walk into Blockbuster to rent a movie but come out

empty handed because there would be too many good ones to choose. If you were to come back as an animal in the next life, what would you be and why? If I had to choose one I would probably say as a dolphin. It is a beautiful animal that likes to play and when interacting with humans, they come across very friendly. I love to swim and have always loved the ocean. True or False: People who are attractive tend to be more successful. I wouldn’t say it is true but not false either. In today’s world being attractive can make things easier for some people. With that being said, if you don’t have the personality and brains to back you up, you are not better/more successful than the not-so-attractive person. There are obviously some industries, which are purely based on looks like modelling, but most of the industries in today’s world rely on skills and talent.  Many times we hear older generations comment on how younger generations lack motivation, passion, drive or respect. Do you think there is any truth to this or is it all nostalgia? That is so true. I think we have all heard our grand parents telling stories from when they were young and acknowledges that things were very different back then. My mom works at a school and often talks about how disrespectful kids are these days. Especially the language has changed with smaller kids using the F word daily. If that happened 40 years ago, you would

have been sent home, but these days people barely even notice.  Describe three things that you would never do to someone you love. One thing is for sure. I would never commit infidelity. It’s unacceptable and shouldn’t occur at all. I would never let money become a conflict or issue with someone I love. Honesty is very important. I am a terrible liar and people can usually see when I am trying to lie. I can’t hold a straight face and usually start laughing.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why? I would say that I wish I didn’t bite my nails. It’s the worst habit and it doesn’t look nice. I have actually decided that after my crowning as Mr. World Denmark 2014, I will stop! So hopefully I will be able to quit completely. If Playgirl offered you a million dollars to pose totally nude, would you do it? No, I wouldn’t pose totally nude. I can imagine how hard it would be to turn down a million dollars if you got the offer, but money isn’t everything for me, so posing nude would be taking it too far for my personal opinion. 

Would you date an individual that you did not think was attractive? I think I would. I have met women before whom I didn’t find physically attractive, but when I got to know them and witnessed how amazing their personalities were and suddenly everything about them became beautiful. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be? I probably wanted to change the fact that I was quite stubborn when I was a kid. I was very difficult and never did as I was told. I didn’t want to go to bed at night and didn’t want to wear any other clothes than gym wear. I was very picky about food and didn’t want to eat anything. I literally lived on Nutella on toast. When thinking back I must have been a nightmare. How would you describe your ideal vacation? I love to travel and have a lot of things and places to see on my bucket list. From trekking in South America to living it up in Vegas. But the most ideal one would be with friends and family in an amazing luxury resort in the Maldives. I have always wanted to lie in a hammock on the beach between two palms, just like you see in the movies. What are your plans for the future? I would like to remain in Australia if possible. I enjoy living here and I have built a life here now. But with that being said you never know what’s going to happen. I am extremely excited about representing Denmark at Mr.World 2014 and to see if that could open any doors for me. I don’t expect anything and I’m just going to do my best and see how it goes. Otherwise I still dream about travelling in South America and the U.S. How are you preparing yourself for Mr. World 2014? After being crowned as Mr. World Denmark 2014, I have started a healthy diet and serious training. I have been looking at the previous Mr.World competitions and discovered that

fitness and physical obstacles are a big part of it. I am doing my best to obtain the best shape so I can bring Denmark to the top. Why do you want to be Mr. World 2014? To win Mr. World 2014 would be a massive achievement. Not just for me but for Denmark as well. Male beauty pageants are not common in Denmark so winning a title like this on the world stage and being able to put Denmark on the world map would mean the world to me! I love to travel and experience different cultures. So being able to do that, as Mr. World 2014 along with doing great things around the world would be the

greatest experience. To volunteer, help people and make a difference in the world is something that would make any human being proud. Nicklas's Favorites: Singer/Musician – Justin Timberlake, Actor – Leonardo Dicarprio, Actress – Scarlett Johansson, Color – Blue, Fashion Designer – Ralph Lauren, Cologne – Chanel, Sport - Soccer, Flower – Red rose, Writer – Hans Christian Andersen, Book – “The Brothers Lionheart” by Astrid Lindgren, Reality Show – “Geordie Shore”, Movie – “Troy”, Proverb – The world is your oyster PHOTO CREDITS: MISS & MISTER DENMARK

ORGANIZATION You're very welcome, Nicklas! Good luck at Mr. World 2014! Source: Critical Beauty

Read More........→April 03, 2014

Sachin Tendulkar's Wax Statue Unveiled at SCG

A wax figure of India's legendry cricket star Sachin Tendulkar is displayed at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on April 20, 2013. The new wax figure of Tendular will be placed in the sports zone of Madame Tussauds in Sydney. AFP PHOTO / Saeed Khan (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Another honour comes Sachin Tendulkar's way. This time, on the cusp of his 40th birthday to be celebrated on Wednesday. On Saturday, cricket fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia will see the unveiling of Tendulkar's waxwork courtesy Madame Tussauds in Sydney.The waxwork which is expected to be a replica of the one in London, will later be displayed in the museum at scenic Darling Harbour, near the Sydney Aquarium. Members of the famous Swami Army have been invited to the official unveiling at the SCG. In an email communication, members of the support group have been told that this is a "once in a lifetime opportunity to take your photo with the life size figure of the greatest Indian cricketer ever."Tendulkar's waxwork will be displayed alongside statues of Sir Don Bradman and Shane Warne. The Mumbai master was delighted to receive another Bradman-related honour. To top it, this has come close to his 40th birthday (April 24). "It is," Tendulkar said when asked whether the honour was a fine birthday gift. "It is nice that it coincides with my birthday. It's a wonderful way to start," he said. Source: Article

Read More........→December 12, 2013

One-armed woman wins Miss Iowa 2013 pageant

After a grueling three-day competition, Nicole Kelly was named Miss Iowa on Saturday. The 23-year-old will go on to compete in the Miss America 2014 pageant in September, where she will speak about the importance of overcoming disabilities. Kelly was born without her left forearm, according to her biography on MissIowa.com. “As I grew up I learned to counterbalance the initial stares I received from people with an outgoing personality that would not give into ‘no,’” she writes on the Iowa pageant site. “This means that I tried everything. From baseball, to dance, to diving - there is nothing I would not try. I found my passion within a world where I was giving people permission to stare: the stage.” Kelly studied theater at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She graduated in May 2012. “If you would have told me a year ago that ‘pageant queen’ was in my future I would have laughed,” she wrote, adding that she is excited to have the opportunity to discuss overcoming disabilities publicly.“Giving voice to a platform is a great honor and I am excited to continue my adventure of speaking out and touching lives.” Earlier this year, Alexis Wineman, of Montana, made history when she became the first autistic contestant to ever participate in the Miss America pageant in January. Mallory Hytes Hagan of Brooklyn, NY, won the 2013 competition and is the reigning Miss America. Source: FoxNews, 6/10/2013. Source: Article

Read More........→November 21, 2013

Brand Ambassador Sonam Kapoor walks the ramp at the IIJW 2013 inaugural

Brand Ambassador Sonam Kapoor walks the ramp at the IIJW 2013 inaugural, After three phenomenaleditions in Mumbai and the successful New Delhi edition, GJEPC once again proudly presents The India International Jewellery Week 2013, The inauguration was held on Sunday, 4th August and graced by the honorable Chief Guest, Mr. Rajeev Shukla, Member of Parliament, Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, Mr. Pankaj Parekh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, senior members of GJEPC, high ranking government officials as well as GJEPC Brand Ambassador and Bollywood Diva, Sonam Kapoor.The IIJW is being presented by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) this year in association with PC Jeweller

(PCJ). The inaugural show this year featured a scintillating line up of jewellery collection by Gitanjali Gems adorned by not only the impressive model lineup, but also by the bevy of television celebrities. The crowning glory of the inaugural show was the mesmerizing Bollywood Diva, Sonakshi Sinha, who looked ravishing in breathtaking jewellery from Gitanjali along with Akshay Kumar. The grand finale on 8th of August will feature the “Best of Best” show that highlights the best creations by each designer. IIJW is an initiative to showcase India's finest in jewellery, be it designs, innovation, craftsmanship, technology or quality to the customers from around the globe. India, the world diamond leader, is today burgeoning with energy and passion when it comes to jewellery. As the fastest growing manufacturing centre, the world is eyeing "INDIA" and the industry is fast progressing to be the world's "Jewellery Hub". IIJW 2013will be one glamorous destination with a lot of international buyers & media attending. Furthermore with the scintillating glitterati comprising celeb showstoppers and red carpet attendance, IIJW is ready to set the mercury sizzling with their presence bringing the event on an international edge. The event will not only showcase established design houses and designers, but will also give an opportunity to new talented designers to showcase their skill set.IIJW 2013 will feature 24 budding designers from GIA, IGI, NID and IIGJ, marking the popularity that the show has been receiving from the young designers keen to make a mark in the industry. The show will also feature 21 renowned jewellery houses of international repute besides leading designers including Nirav Modi, Pallavi Foley, Vijay Golecha, amongst others. These renowned names are known to have adorned many of the Bollywood celebrities and prominent socialites. The gorgeous Bollywood heartthrob, Sonam Kapoor looked splendid at the inauguration in her designer attire and bedecked by a dazzling neck piece by the celebrated designer Nirav Modi. “We are proud to announce the 4th edition of India’s most sought after jewellery show which has been an ideal platform for not only the established jewelers and designers, but also encouraged next gen designers to showcase their immense talent, craftsmanship and innovation in the field of jewellery design”, said Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC. Sonam Kapoor, Brand Ambassador, GJEPC said, “I am very proud to be a part of IIJW
which has created a benchmark for itself in the field of fashion and style since it first started. Each year the show has evolved and has been introducing exceptional jewellerycreations by not only young upcoming designers but has also been consistently showcasing the exquisite design and collections by Indian leading jewellery manufacturers and designers.” This year, the participantswill showcase the finest in design, innovation and present the latest trends and styles. Each of the 4 days will feature a series of 7-8 shows including Gehna Jewels, Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas, Kays Jewels, Golecha’s Jewels, Charu Jewels, Kashi Jewellers, D.Navinchandra, SethInternational, Laxmi Jewellery Exports, Shringar - House of Mangalsutra, Shobha Shringar Jewellers, Auro Gold, Jewel Trendz, Saboo Fine Jewels, established designers including Nirav Modi, Pallavi Foley, Moni Agarwal and Dipti Amisha, and over 22 budding designers from GIA, IGI, NID and IIGJ as well as Dhora by Aavriti Jain and Sidharth Daspan. “The show has received much appreciation and enormous goodwill from the participants, sponsors as well as the audience over the years, which is a reflection of the fact that many have been a part of the show since inception. We are happy to have created a platform that has successfully brought to the forefront, the exquisiteness and beauty of the Indian jewellery, thereby opening up wide opportunities for the participants and the industry”, said Sanjay Kothari, Convener, help, Marketing & Business Development Sub-committee, GJEPC. “IIJW is a unique platform in the gem and jewellery industry that showcases India’s talent at the highest level,” saidNirupa Bhatt, Managing Director, GIA India and the Middle East. “GIA’sobjective is to support this event and encourage innovation in jewellery arts. And IIJW is a platform that recognizes these innovations.” Mr. Balram Garg, Managing Director and CEO, PC Jeweller said, “IIJW has been an inspiring platform for all established as well as young designers to feature their best collections with respect to innovation, style and design. Over the years, IIJW has emerged as one of India’s premier events in the gem & jewellery industry promoting India as the leading design hub globally.” The IIJW is being presented by GIA in association with PC Jeweller (PCJ). The event is co-sponsored by Gitanjali Gems, and partners includePlatinum Guild India& Forevermark, besides UB Group as Good Times & Beverage Partners, Star Plus as broadcast partner and Bright Outdoor as Outdoor partner. Source: Page3

Read More........→August 15, 2013

Donna Karan knows what women want

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Donna Karan knows what women want—functional fashion that fits their fast-paced lives! Cool urban girls everywhere will covet the over-sized coats, sleek separates, and figure-flattering frocks in the Fall 2013 DKNY lineup. Donna Karan began her career as an assistant designer with Anne Klein in the late 1960s, where she was eventually promoted to associate designer in 1971. As Klein's assistant, Karan was a participant in The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show on November 28, 1973. When Anne Klein herself died in 1974, Takihyo Corporation of Japan became the new owner and Karan, together with her former classmate and friend Louis Dell'Ollio, became head designer of the house. In 1984, Karan left Anne Klein and, together with her then husband Stephan Weiss and Takihyo Corporation, started her own business "to design modern clothes for modern people". She showed her first women's clothing collection in 1985.[citation needed]. Karan became well known for her 'Essentials' line, initially offering seven easy pieces which could all be mixed and matched, and created a fully integrated wardrobe. Karan
always insisted that she would only design clothes, like jersey dresses and opaque Lycra tights, that she would also wear herself.[citation needed] She was once described in the early 1990s by the New York Times as “Ed Koch in a stretchy black dress”.[1] In 1988, Karan, nicknamed The Queen Of Seventh Avenue, extended her women's 'Donna Karan New York' line by creating a less expensive clothing line for younger women, called DKNY. Two years later, she created DKNY Jeans, a denim-inspired collection. DKNY for men was launched in 1992, one year after the 'Signature' line for men had been presented.[2] Karan left her CEO position in 1997, but continued as chairwoman and designer for the Donna Karan line. After 2002 Karan's designer contributions became less and less.[3] In August 2008, Karan relaunched her discontinued fragrance lines from the 1990s.[citation needed] DKNY Spring 2012, In 2008, the animal rights group PETA initiated a campaign against Karan for her company's use of fur in products and her contracted fur farmers' alleged inhumane treatment of animals..[4] , Donna Karan won several awards details are as below: (1) Karan won the Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award in 1977 and once again in 1982 (together with Louis Dell’Ollio for Anne Klein). (2) She was inducted into the Coty Hall Of Fame in 1984.[citation needed] (3) The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) named her Menswear Designer of the Year 1992 and Womenswear Designer of the Year 1990 and 1996. She was a nominee for the latter again in 2003 and was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the CFDA in 2004. She won special CFDA awards in 1985, 1986 and 1987, Sorurce:Wiki, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→May 27, 2013

Exceptional People: The Art of Judith Light

“Without wonder and insight, acting is just a trade. With it, it becomes creation.” --Bette Davis 

The landscape of television programming, what little remains that hasn’t given way to the dubiously-labeled genre of “reality programming,” is, populated by trades-people who offer passable and acceptable wares. Few, however, are what one might consider artists. When one stumbles upon such a creator of art, that individual’s name and face remain forever in his memory. One of those names, for over two decades,

has been Judith Light. Miss Light’s theatre roots are obvious at once. The Carnegie Mellon University graduate began her acting career on the stage in repertory theaters throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Debuting on Broadway, Judith performed in the classic “A Doll’s House.” This successful introduction to the Great White Way led to a season at the Eugene O’Neil Playwright’s Conference. While most of us tend to associate the divine Miss Light with her television roles, it’s important to note that her heart will always be on the stage. After bringing her talent into homes across the world through the medium of television, Miss Light returned to live theatre with a 1999 with her starring role as the complex and commanding “Dr. Vivian Bearing” in the critically-acclaimed and Pulitzer Prize winning Off-Broadway production of “WIT”, at Union Square Theater. Miss Light’s performance was heralded as brilliant, and her achievement was recognized by her peers when Judith received the Helen Hayes Award and the Elliot Norton Award for the role. This star-turn in “Wit” led, in 2001, to Washington, DC, where at The Shakespeare Theater, Miss Light portrayed the eponymous character in the Henrik Ibsen classic “Hedda Gabler.” Several other celebrated stage roles followed. One brought a nomination for

a Tony Award for “Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play” in 2011, for Miss Light’s role in “Lombardi,” by Academy Award winner Eric Simpson. Most recently, in June of 2012, Miss Light’s acting genius afforded her a coveted Tony Award for “Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play,” for her work in “Other Desert Cities”—a role which also earned Judith a Drama Desk Award for Best

Featured Actress. Throughout all of this, Miss Light also found the time to entertain millions with her television in film work starting with her ingénue role as Karen Wolek on “One Life to Live,” a part which won her two Best Actress Emmy awards. Most of us, however, recognize Miss Light as Angela Bower from her beloved primetime series “Who’s the Boss?” A host of other featured television roles would follow in addition to work in films such as “The Shoemaker” with Danny Aiello, and “Ira & Abby” by Jennifer

Westfeldt, with Robert Klein, Fred Willard, and Frances Conroy. This year, we’ve seen Miss Light’s deliciously Oedipal turn on TNT’s “Dallas” reboot as a scheming villainess who looks remarkably younger than the son to which she is just a bit too attached. Though the many awards Miss Light has amassed throughout her career speak to her unique talent, the true measure of her art is evident to anyone who has seen her perform. It’s the “wonder and insight” of which Bette Davis once spoke that gives the bite and heart to all of Miss Light’s roles. Without this depth, an actor is simply parroting life. Judith Light clearly gives a new, remarkable life to each character she portrays. It’s this singular sense of creating, of being, 

of living which makes hers a very special talent. Thankfully for many, Miss Light doesn’t keep her talent limited to just her work. She is an active Board Member and advocate for many organizations representing AIDS-related and Human Rights concerns. These include: Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS, The Names Project/The AIDS Memorial Quilt, The AIDS Memorial Grove, CDC’s Business Responds to AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS, Hollywood Health and Society, Project Angel Food, The Matthew Shepard Foundation, The National Aids Memorial Grove, The Point Foundation, The Rome Chamber Music Festival, Faith In America and The Trevor Project. All Images from JudithLight.Com, Source: Stalking the Belle Époque

Read More........→March 06, 2013

'Rotten' Kate Middleton portrait like something out of twilight

Duchess of Cambridge calls painting by Paul Emsley 'brilliant' - sadly, no-one else seems to agree

The Mail weighed with its own assessment: "At first glance the Duchess, who celebrated her 31st birthday this week, looks far older than her years," it declared. "There are shadows and creases under her eyes while her famous brunette locks have a strangely coppery tinge to them. Her mouth is set in a grimace rather than the promised enigmatic smile." THE FIRST official portrait of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery - and to say that it has been given a mixed reception would be generous. The painting, by artist Paul Emsley (pictured above), did get the royal seal of approval at a private viewing on Friday, but that was as far as the praise went. "It's just amazing, I thought it was brilliant," said the pregnant Duchess, while her husband Prince William described the portrait as "absolutely beautiful". On Twitter the reviews were rather more unforgiving. "She looks ten years older. I'd be appalled, myself," said The Times' art critic Nancy Durrant while Zoe Williams of The Guardian wrote that it was the first time she had ever felt admiration for the Duchesss. "She's pretending to like this portrait," she marvelled. Robin Simon, editor of the British Art Journal and Daily Mail art critic, told the paper: "Fortunately, the Duchess of Cambridge looks nothing like this in real life. I'm really sad to say this is a rotten portrait." The Guardian initially tried to be more diplomatic. "The new portrait is not grovellingly flattering," it noted. "The scale is so large that viewers won't have to peer very closely to see faint dark shadows under the eyes unmasked by Touche Eclat, and the first hint of fine lines." But the paper's chief arts writer Charlotte Higgins was not pussyfooting around. She said the Duchess had "been transformed into something unpleasant from the Twilight franchise". The Daily Telegraph tried to take it up with the artist, but to no avail. "He refused to comment on whether the Duchess was upset that she has bags under her eyes in the painting," it reported. The oil painting took three-and-a-half months to complete. The Duchess attended sittings in 2012 at Emsley's studio in the West Country and at Kensington Palace. The artist also used photographs for reference. Emsley said he wanted to make a feature of her hair and admitted that he had slightly changed the colour of the Duchess's eyes to fit in with the rest of the background. The 65-year-old Scottish-born artist also revealed that he had not initially planned to paint Kate smiling. "The fact she is a beautiful woman is for an artist difficult, " he added. "In the end I think what I tried to do really was to convey something about her warmth and her smile. Any artist will tell you doing a smiling portrait is not at all easy so that was difficult. "You always see the [problems]," he said. "You're always unhappy with what you do... but it has seemed today that everyone likes it." He may want to avoid the internet. Source: The Week UK

Read More........→January 23, 2013

Life all about striking right balance, says Shilpa Shetty

MUMBAI:She is in a comfortable space - balancing her life as a wife, mother, celebrity and businesswoman. Shilpa Shetty, who is returning to showbiz as a judge of dance reality show "Nach Baliye 5", says so far, she is handling her roles well. Shilpa gave birth to her first child - son Viaan Raj Kundra - in May this year. Is it not tough to leave the little one behind for her shoots? "It's very hard. But life has to move on. I guess life's like that... it's all about striking the right balance," Shilpa said here during the launch of dance reality show "Nach Baliye 5". "I shoot for one day in a week for 'Nach Baliye', and that is also when he comes to the sets. All other meetings and appointments and jobs are adjusted according to his timings. He is nearly seven months now, so I am enjoying it (motherhood)," Shilpa added. The 37-year-old, who had put on post-pregnancy weight, seems to be almost in perfect shape now. Dressed in chic, black shimmer palazzo pants and a trendy cream-coloured top, she used a front bow around her stomach as the perfect camouflage for any extra pounds. Nevertheless, she looked quite charming. Shilpa is looking forward to judge "Nach Baliye 5", which features 11 celebrity couples. She is especially impressed by TV actress Smita Bansal, who delivered a girl in August this year. "What are you asking me? Ask Smita Bansal! She is a perfect example... she is a different level of striking a balance. It's been just a bit over three months that she has delivered, and here she is," said Shilpa, who is enjoying her comeback in front of the camera. On the judges' panel of "Nach Baliye 5", she will be joined by director Sajid Khan and choreographer Terence Lewis. "It feels great to be back to work. I like the medium of television and I am happy that I can now meet my audience through 'Nach Baliye'," Shilpa said. "We have shot one episode, and we had great fun. Sajid creates a laugh riot on the sets, he is so entertaining, and Terence is so sweet. There is a lot of positive energy on the set and I can say with confidence that this will be the best season of 'Nach Baliye'," she said. Shilpa was previously seen on the small screen as a judge on dance reality shows "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 1" and "Zara Nachke Dikha 2". She had also hosted the first season of "Bigg Boss". Source: Punjab News Line, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→December 24, 2012

Martial Artist Credits His Achievements To The Philosophy Of Kendo

Sticks with it: Alex Bennett, demonstrating a classical kenjutsu at a shrine in Kyoto, says everything in his life has somehow been connected to kendo since encountering the martial art in his teens. "Courtesy of Alex Bennett"

By KRIS KOSAKA, Alex Bennett was 18 years old when he first read the wisdom: "From one thing, know 10,000" — in Miyamoto Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings." Now living this maxim, Bennett is a scholar, teacher, translator, writer, coach and active competitor in the martial arts. He holds two Ph.Ds in studies related to budo, has achieved seventh dan in kendo and fifth dan in naginata, and recently coached the New Zealand national kendo team to a top-eight finish at last year's world championships. That's only a few of Bennett's accomplishments in the martial arts world. Like any lifelong pursuit, Bennett's road has been paved with both challenge and tragedy, gifts and joy, and persistently hard work. From winning second at last year's Naginata World Championships to overcoming the tragedy of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, which killed two of his kendo team members, Bennett says "everything in my life is somehow connected to kendo." Bennett first came to Japan in 1987 as a high school senior on a Rotary Exchange program to deepen his Japanese studies. An avid sportsman in New Zealand, Bennett hoped to play soccer in Japan, but "the soccer ground was just dirt as opposed to the lush fields of grass that I was used to in New Zealand. I hesitated; it seemed kind of unnatural." His host family encouraged him to try a martial art, and after observing judo and kendo, Bennett casually chose kendo: "Even though kendo was very loud and looked very violent, was smelly and the teacher scary, it looked a little like 'Star Wars,' and I thought I could play samurai for a year." Bennett admits the year was like a "military boot camp" and was relieved to leave the "pressure pot" of intensive mental and physical training. His year in Japan ended with a return to New Zealand and no plans to ever practice kendo again, although he had achieved shodan, a first-level rank. Not sure what he wanted to study, Bennett worked in construction to save money for college. "While I was working at a building site, I started getting a little jittery because I wanted to do kendo again, and every time there was a piece of wood lying around I would pick it up and start doing suburi, much to everyone's surprise." A quick stop at a martial arts shop in Christchurch told the 18-year-old Bennett there were no local kendo clubs, but the shop owner did have a list of interested participants who had earlier made inquiries. Bennett decided to contact a few and suggest training together. From that simple start, Bennett soon had over 30 people gathering for informal training sessions, many with other martial arts experience. "The students wanted to do kendo specifically because they felt something was missing in their other martial arts experiences, and they hoped kendo was a martial art that could teach them more about the spirit or culture of budo or even this rather nebulous idea of bushido. I had absolutely no idea how to reply to them, so that's when I first read everything I could find on the martial arts, [Inazo] Nitobe or Miyamoto. I felt a responsibility to the students, and I decided I should spend the rest of the year saving as much money as possible and then go to Japan to study kendo properly." At 19, Bennett returned to Japan and enrolled at the International Budo University in Chiba. After completing its one-year program, Bennett stayed an extra year working for the All Japan Naginata Federation. "The federation wanted to create an International Naginata Federation and needed someone who could speak both Japanese and English, who was prepared to work for only a little money as long as they had a place to live and a place to train. It was perfect for me. Kendo, iaido and naginata: I could study three martial arts at a high level." His club in New Zealand waited, and Bennett came home to enter a university and help train the Christchurch kendo club. "I was able to pass on all of the new knowledge I had acquired in my second stay in Japan, and the club grew into quite a significant entity over five years, with over 50 members at its peak." Kendo had given Bennett focus for his life, and after graduating from the University of Canterbury, he passed the Japanese exam for attending graduate school. By 1995, Bennett was studying at Kyoto University. He has lived in Japan ever since. "My academic career is completely entwined with martial arts," Bennett says. His masters thesis from Canterbury (completed at Kyoto University) discusses important budo texts in early modern Japanese literature; his first doctorate, written in Japanese from Kyoto University, covers budo and its place within Japanese history and culture. The second, recently completed in English from Canterbury, traces the changes in kendo from the Muromachi Period (from 14th to 16th century) to today. Four years ago, Bennett accepted an associate professorship at Kansai University in Osaka. He teaches three martial arts classes and trains with the university team every day. While immersed in his studies in Japan, Bennett noticed a dearth of English information on kendo, and he and a former member of his Christchurch club, Hamish Robison, started Kendo World Magazine in 2001. Bennett admits he and Robison knew nothing about creating a magazine, yet they now have over 7,000 regular readers in over 80 countries, and have watched the popularity of kendo grow worldwide in the 10 years since their first issue. "We've managed to survive and gradually thrive. It was really just pioneering our way through this completely different world. Of course the only way we could do it was because of our passion for kendo." The magazine also initiated Bennett into the world of publishing, and they now manage Bunkasha International, a publications company dedicated to martial arts and cultural texts in English. "The quality and number of works are gradually increasing. I never make any money off of them, of course, but it is so rewarding to create something valuable to martial arts, and now organizations like The All Japan Kendo Federation or Nippon Budokan trust us to complete works for them in English, so it is very gratifying." Physically, Bennett has never stopped learning from the martial arts. His most recent personal triumph in kendo was achieving the second-highest level, seventh dan. Last year, he competed at the World Naginata Championships and placed second in the men's competition. A competitor at the Kendo World championships for over 20 years, Bennett was asked to coach the New Zealand national team three years ago, but that triumph also brought tragedy. "I was back in Christchurch for a training camp on Feb. 22, 2011, when the Christchurch earthquake struck. Pretty much, the city was decimated — especially the central business district, where we were renting an old building with a high ceiling and a wooden floor. All of those old buildings were completely destroyed. "Two members of our Christchurch kendo club were killed — two Japanese nationals studying English in New Zealand. We had to overcome the grief and personal tragedy of losing two of our members, but also the practical problem of no longer having anywhere to practice. It was almost impossible to find a place for us to continue our club." Bennett returned to Japan in time for the calamity on March 11 and then back to New Zealand to check on the families of his club members. Driven by the dual tragedies, Bennett was determined to do something tangible to make a difference. He found property "the perfect size for a kendo dojo" in the unscathed western part of the city and finally secured a loan through Kansai University. Family and friends throughout the kendo world raised money to install the wooden floor necessary for martial arts practice. Bennett's team placed within the top eight of the 47 countries that competed last May at the World Kendo Championship in Novara, Italy. With Bennett's own translation of the seminal martial arts text "Hagakure" due out from Tuttle Publishing next year, and as a director for the Japanese Academy of Budo, busy organizing an international conference on the martial arts, his accomplishments really do seem endless. To Bennett, it all goes back to that one thing: "I am just trying to disseminate this wonderful culture to the world." Source: The Japan Times Online

Read More........→December 09, 2012

David Cameron shares tips for happy marriage

David Cameron has revealed the secret to his successful marriage to wife of 16 years, Samantha. The British PM, 46, said resolving a row before bed time is the key to wedded bliss. And he said that despite his day job of running the country, his missus, 41, still likes him to share kitchen duties when he gets home. “Don’t go to bed on an argument, and share the cooking,” the Sun quoted Cameron as saying. Mr Cameron had previously declared how he can remember the details of his wedding night “minute by minute”. The PM said the couple keep their romance going with a weekly “date night” either at home or in an Italian restaurant. The couple have three children - Nancy, eight, Arthur, six, and two-year-old Florence. Son Ivan, who had cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, died at the age of six. Source: Indian Express, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→November 13, 2012

Mantel bags second Booker

Hilary Mantel did not figure on a list of the 20 best young British novelists published by a literary magazine in 1983. On Tuesday, she became the first British novelist to bag the prestigious Man Booker prize twice. The 60-year-old writer, whose Booker award was her second in only three years, stood up and folded her hands in a courteous 'namaste' to fellow diners at the gala banquet at Guildhall in central London. "Well, I don't know," she said. "You wait 20 years for a Booker Prize and two come along at once." "In (Mantel's novel) Bring Up the Bodies, our greatest modern writer retells the origins of modern England," said chairman of the judges and editor of the Times Literary Supplement, Peter Stothard. The nominees included the Indian poet and writer Jeet Thayill, who had an outside chance of winning the award that goes out every year to the best novel in English by a writer from the Commonwealth and Ireland. She becomes only the third author, after Australian Peter Cary and South African JM Coetzee to win the prize twice and is the first to win with a sequel - Bring Up the Bodies is the second in a trilogy that began with the Booker-winning Wolf Hall in 2009. "There is the last volume of her trilogy still to come so her Man Booker tale may yet have a further chapter," spokesperson for the Man Booker said. "I assure you that I have no expectations I will be standing here again," Mantel joked as she accepted the award. Central to the Tudor trilogy is the anti-hero Sir Thomas Cromwell - King Henry VIII's chief minister, spymaster, torturer and of the most ruthless and powerful men ever to dominate British politics. Source: Hindustan Times, Image: upload.wikimedia.org

Read More........→October 18, 2012

Actress Bhavana latest Picture in silk Saree

 

Actress Bhavana latest Picture in silk Saree at Photo Shoot , Source: Actress And Models, Source: Daily Protein Live

Read More........→October 02, 2012

Victoria Beckham Spring 2013 RTW Collection

Victoria Beckham has long Term relation with her customers Because she knows that Women cant live on super-fitted sheath dresses.Recently She introduced Spring 2013 RTW collection with solid colors No prints

simple plain fabric,athletic cuts with crisp feel in every attire .Victoria Beckham used Georgette,Chiffon, fabrics and enriched with laces,she also introduces silk blouse and mid length skirits,offered button down

with graphic lace sleeves,A-line mini skirts in her signature dresses paired with high waisted stovepipe,Skinny trousers and matching single breasted jacket look awesome.More tailoring art is added in this collection.Source: Izandrew

Read More........→September 17, 2012