ASIA-PACIFIC
Bengaluru, India November 3 VARUN THAKUR, LIVE The stand-up comedy show will star Varun Thakur, co-founder of Schitzengiggles Comedy, one of the better known Indian collaborations for sketch shows and improv groups. Having received much acclaim on YouTube, and at corporate events for Google, SBI, Times of India and so on, the comedian has been collecting a big fan following every year, and more through his live performances. He takes jibes at social events and trending topics with nonchalant charm, dotted with theatric flair. facebook.com/ thehummingtree
CAMEL FAIR Culture drives the very crux of this week-long fair. Long moustaches are a feature of pride for the locals and a competition awards the participant with the longest “man whisker”. This is just one flavour amongst many that accompany the main attraction — camel races. The desert kings are washed, shaved and adorned in fine, colourful attire and even jewellery. Some are paraded at the Camel Beauty Contest and others run races. Other attractions include turban-tying contest, tug-of-war, Ferris wheel and an array of local meats prepared from age-old recipes handed down generations.
DELHI INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL In its tenth year now, the two weeks will see performances by all sorts of artistes. These include dancers, singers, theatre actors, film-makers, and so on. Welcoming artistes from the world over, has also helped put Delhi International Arts Festival on the international map. A collaboration with the Government of India, it aims at promoting classical and modern Indian creativity to the world. Its mission is to be the “most exciting, innovative and accessible festival of the arts [in] this part of the world, and thus promote the cultural, economic and social projection of India as a global soft power”. Amritsar, India November 14 Mumbai, India November 20 The birthday of the founder of the Sikh religion is celebrated with a burst of colour at the much revered Golden Temple in Punjab. The annual festival falls on a full moon night and its date is calculated as per the Hindu calendar. The entire temple is dressed in colourful lights. Clay lamps are lit and placed along the edges of the manmade lake within the temple’s premises. People sing hymns late into the night. The finale is the spectacular show of fireworks against the moon-lit sky. goldentempleamritsar.org
STRAWBERRY FIELDS It started out as an event for lovers of techno-music, but has since branched into various forms of electronic music. Not just music, but Strawberry Fields acts as a stage for newbie local artistes, entertainers and performers worth their salt. Everything from vegan drinks to meat-filled dishes appease the experimental taste buds. Don’t leave without visiting the cosy teashop at the venue. strawberry-fields.com.au
THE LUXURY GRAND MARKET This is where the old and new in the business of homeware, fashion and food products set shop. Visitors can spend the afternoon sipping on chilled beer and cooling wine, tasting some delicious homemade food and swinging to the tunes of peppy beats. From traditional to quirky, there is a variety to choose from to dress the home and yourself in fun drapes and shades. facebook.com/ ThePetiteProject/