The seventh episode of Talking Point with Ritwika Gupta features someone who clearly defies the notion that creative minds cannot run a successful business. Ratish Tagde, has not only carved niche in Indian classical music as a violinist, but is also the CEO and managing director of Insync, India?s first non-Bollywood music channel.

A strong supporter of Indian classical and independent music, in this episode of Talking Point, Tagde shares how his passion for the violin and music in general led him to give a platform like Insync to his fellow musicians.

So let?s get up and personal with this violinist with triple majors in music, who also holds a law degree and runs a music broadcast channel.

Mumbai: The 5^th Gionee Star Global Indian Music Awards (GiMA) powered by Hungama.com and Kelloggs Chocos took place in the presence of the cr?me de la cr?me of the music and film fraternity, in a spectacular ceremony at Reliance Media Works, Film City, Goregaon, Mumbai.

The ceremony hosted by Mika Singh and Manish Paul featured stellar performances by celebrated musicians and Bollywood stars including Atif Aslam, Arijit Singh, Pritam, Shraddha Kapoor, Benny Dayal with the Slumgods, Sonu Nigam, Ankit Tewari and Shankar Mahadevan among others. There was a special act by the Music Composers Association of India (MCAI) where Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar, Alka Yagnik, Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan, Sapna Mukherji and Nitin Mukesh among several other stalwarts of the industry paid tribute to Anandji Virji Shah who received the Lifetime Achievement Award - Popular.

The ?Lifetime Achievement Award - Classical? went to Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia presented to him by classical legend Pandit Jasraj. The ?Global Musician Award? was bestowed upon music legend Ustad Zakir Hussain. Daler Mehndi took home the ?Wizcraft Honour for Best Live Performer? and a Special Award for ?Best Music Initiative? was awarded to the Red Bull Tour Bus.  

Queen and Ek Villain tied with 3 awards each leading the film category. A. R. Rahman won awards for Best Film Album for Highway and Best Fusion Album in the non-film category for Coke Studio at MTV Season 3. Armaan Malik won awards for Best Music Debut in both the Film as well as Non-Film category. Shankar Mahadevan won his first award ever for Devotional music.

The ceremony also saw the debut performance of the band NAFS, created by maestro A. R. Rahman. Speaking on the occasion, A.R. Rahman said, ?For me to give a platform to the next generation is my mission and this is one of the first initiatives to represent India internationally. The inspiration behind was Stevie Wonder. It has been my privilege to showcase NAFS at GiMA for the first time ever. ?

 Speaking on the occasion Wizcraft International Entertainment, director, Sabbas Joseph said, ?It has been an absolute honour to bring together some of the world?s finest musicians on a platform like GiMA. We?ve had the privilege of seeing greats like Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pandit Jasraj, Usaat Zakir Hussain and A.R. Rahman on the same stage today. This is truly a great moment and one that will be treasured for years to come. ?

The award show will be telecasted on Star Plus on 15^th March 2015 at 8pm. 

Workshops, plays, events and festivals - there is something in store for everyone this weekend! Play lovers in Mumbai can catch The Vagina Monologues or Einstein starring Naseerudin Shah while partygoers can attend the India Beach Fashion week or the Sulafest 2015 this weekend.  A number of seminars including the Stage Fright Cure Workshop in Bengaluru and the Weekend Acting Workshop in Delhi promise to make this weekend a productive one. Apart from that, get your friends to watch Arijit Singh performing live in Mumbai or get your weekly dosage of laughter at Let?s Laugh Again in Delhi. Check out what?s happening in the country this weekend:

Friday, 06 February, 2015

The Vagina Monologues, 6.30 pm @ Canvas Laugh Club, Mumbai
The Hindi version of The Vagina Monologues, translated by Ritu Bhatia and Jaydeep Sarkar, will elate, educate and entertain you in unimaginable ways. This translation reaches poetic, comedic and dramatic heights rarely seen on the Indian stage. You will laugh and cry, leaving the theater feeling exhilarated and enthralled.

Ishara International Puppet Festival, 7.30 pm @ Apparel House, Gurgaon
A must watch for the entire family, the Ishara International Puppet Festival comprises short stories about a place where its inhabitants live the most varied adventures. Directed by Jose Gil and Sofia Olivenca Vinagre, the innocence of these inhabitants results in humorous moments experienced by the carved sponge characters. Sound and movements replace words and the puppets will bewitch you with simplicity, transporting you to a magical and captivating world.

Porshi & Behula Lakhander Pala, 6.30 pm @ Madhusudan Mancha, Kolkata
Lalan Fakir was a Bengali Baul saint, mystic, songwriter, social reformer and thinker. In Bengali culture he is an icon of religious tolerance whose songs inspired and influenced many poets and social and religious thinkers including Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Allen Ginsberg. The play is an autobiography of Lalan Fakir. Directed by Ashis Chattopadhyay, this is a solo performance by Dipa Bramha where she will project the lifestyle of Lalan Fakir.

Yes, I WILL - The Stage Fright Cure Workshop, 3.30 pm @ Academy of Broadcasting, Bengaluru
Stage fright is the fear that comes up around doing anything for someone else's enjoyment or consideration. It may be an audience of one, a few, or thousands. The first of its kind workshop will help you in getting over stage fright and overcome your fear of public speaking and performance. The workshop is ideal for anyone who wants to conquer stage-fright, people intending to gain confidence in public speaking and students who want to learn the skill of performing live, artistes aspiring to be an anchor, emcee and voice-over artists, professionals who want to enhance their skills in corporate presentations and overcome the fear of speech and performance.

Saturday, 07 February, 2015

Warehouse Sessions - Arijit Singh Live, 5:30 pm @ Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai
Arijit Singh came into the limelight when he participated in the reality-singing show, Fame Gurukul in 2005. He got his first break in Bollywood when he was asked to sing Phir Mohabbat in the movie Murder 2. He then sang for movies like Players, Agent Vinod, Cocktail and Barfi. Singh?s biggest success so far has been Tum Hi Ho from the movie Aashiqui 2 and since then there?s been no looking back! This weekend get ready to witness the multiple award winner performing live in Mumbai! Listen to his mesmerizing voice live in a warehouse and get ready for a totally new experience.

Weekend Acting Workshop, 2.30 pm @ Take One House, Delhi
The weekend workshop specifically focuses on helping students to discover the actor in them and provides them with a thorough foundation of acting skills with a specific focus in helping them understand the basic techniques involved in developing their acting skills. The weekend workshop is conveniently designed to fit into their weekly schedule by committing the student to classes only on weekends. This workshop is for everybody from professionals to students, serious actors and acting students. Those who can find time on the weekends and want to learn the basics of stagecraft and acting, this Weekend Workshop is ideal for them.

India Beach Fashion Week, 12.00 pm @ Grand Mercure Shrem Resort, Goa
Be a part of three days of fashion, style & entertainment at Asia's Largest beach fashion week at a premium Five Star venue and be the first one to witness latest in the beach and resort wear by top designers in India. Experience a poolside pop-up flee market with live music and get a chance to buy clothing and accessories from top brands.

2 States (North vs South), 6.30 pm @ Rangasthala Auditorium, Bengaluru
Come witness a live debate of North Indians vs South Indians once and for all. The four comics, Rajasekhar Mamidanna, Rohit Swain, Avinash Agarwal, Umesh Somani are going to fight it out to stamp their authority about who is smarter. Come, let's laugh over our regional differences.

Sunday, 08 February, 2015

SulaFest 2015, 12.30 pm @ Sula Vineyards, Nashik
The country's most gorgeously situated, eagerly awaited Gourmet World Music Festival is back with the line-up of the year. SulaFest party-goers can expect a megamix of great music, wine, drinks, food, fashion and shopping in the idyllic environs of the winery's beautiful open-air, Greek-style amphitheater.

Einstein starring Naseerudin Shah, 7.00 pm @ NCPA Tata Theatre, Mumbai
Catch actor Naseerudin Shah essaying the title role in the play called Einstein, which is a 'line drawing' suggesting the spirit of the lovable figure, who despite being a towering thinker and great scientist, was plagued with doubts disappointments and failures in common with the rest of mankind.

Let's Laugh Again, 6.00 pm @ Akshara Theatre, Delhi
Directed by Gopal Sharman, Let's Laugh Again takes a dig at the Delhi elections. A witty evocation of Delhi's election battle, this play makes fun of all the politicians, political parties, news channels et al. Come and laugh with the political show that's had Delhi in splits!