Apart from ‘Paheli’, ‘Morning Raga’, the Indo English film has been nominated for Best Foreign Film Category for the Oscars. It is one of the 56 films selected from all over the world. Though Indian movies are slowly moving towards Oscars, but it is a steady move. ‘Morning Raga’ is a venture by Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao and the star cast is that of a very talented one. Shabana Azmi, Perizaad Zorabian and Mr. Rao’s son Prakash Rao have done complete justice to the roles played by each of them. The film revolves around the fusion of Carnatic and Western music. Well, we wish all the luck to both the films; afterall they are representing the nation.

Grand and rocking parties are being organized all over the city to make this New Year the best of all. The effort is always to make it more star-packed and generate loads of currency. The organizers aim at attracting thousands of people to the venue. In the run for showcasing best performances, the audiences always benefit the most. Adding to the immense partying venues of Hyderabad is Hitex Gardens, ideal for huge parties. The parties have already started rolling from the 22nd of December and will continue to sizzle till the New Year. Another place that is hosting rocking parties is ‘Dublin’, the pub at ‘ITC Kakatiya’. Theme nights are their way of curving into the New Year. Already started from the 24th of December, theme nights like ‘Battle of the Sexes’,’ Pajama Party’, 70’s Party and ‘Reggae’ have won over people’s excitement. Surely, hyderabadis are gonna have a gala time till New Year. That’s the way hyderabadis celebrate do you?

Fashion trend seems to be thriving the teenagers in Hyderabad. Among all, body piercing and plain wristbands are the order of the day. Coming to body piercing, though it is a painful process but anything to get trendy is the rule that these teens follow. Belly and chin piercing are the most common places opted by the youngsters. Previously, piercing was what the baddies did. But now it has become the fashion statement of all trend-creating maniacs. The point here is to make your own style statement and not fake anyone else’s. The jewellery used is also that of numerous kinds. Rings, studs, and what not. While with wristbands, the one with beads and colourful stones are out, the plain look is in. Pick the colour that matches you personality and attitude is the tagline attached to this trend. Be it body piercing or wristbands, the youth of Hyderabad knows how to make news and get noticed. This is what I call the ‘The Smarties’.

Oh my god! These hyderabadis can never stop partying and celebrating. Afterall, we are the happiest lot. Well, for now I am talking about the well organized and cheery sangeet parties. Let the wedding and reception be a silent affair, sangeet parties should rock. Let me just brief you, sangeet parties are parties conducted on the engagement or the mehendi day. Close relatives and pals basically attend it. It is an evening full of dancing music and performances by relatives and pals itself. The crowd continues partying till wee hours of the night. So it is the sangeet that rocks and not the shaadi. Don’t miss the chance of attending a sangeet party. It’s gonna be a major loss guys!

With the people the city also appears to becoming global. Well for now, India’s only deemed university that caters to exclusively teaching foreign language CIEFL at Hyderabad is becoming central. The Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages that is CIEFL will now be added to central list of Universities. Though it has to be still officially announced, but the head of the University is more than happy for this. After being recognized centrally, the University is bound to expand its horizons. Here, Universities also rock.

Hyderabadi people find their own ways of entertainment. The latest counts in the entertainment industry are the three new 16mm screens put up around the necklace road. Now the screens are not meant for showcasing advertisements but for viewing movies – latest movies that also for free. I know it is unbelievable, but this is true. Moreover, latest songs, news and advertisements with social messages will also be screened. So when the theatres are full, we hyderabadis know where to go. Truly an open-air theatre!

After all the smashing parties waiting to rock on the New Year, some hyderabadis opt to go for a holiday rather than partying in the city. The most chosen place is the colourful and sunny Goa. The second reason for the Page 3 to go to Goa is Vijay Mallya’s New Year party. You would like to miss the king’s party man! Mauritius, Maldives, Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai are other places where people are running to holiday. Be it there or here, we wish everybody a very Happy New Year.