There seems to be a raise of a new genre of Indian dining in Dubai. Taking cues from the Insta-friendly requirements of millennials and combining it with the nostalgic vibes of Bollywood that transcends generations, we have a brand-new dining destination for Indian funk, fusion food and live entertainment.

Located on the lobby level of Grand Millennium Dubai (Barsha Heights) is Hitchki, which is Hindi for ‘hiccup’. Urban legend has it that when you hiccup, someone who loves you is remembering you. Hitchki is about all things nostalgic, yet quirky enough to have a name that resonates as ‘new age’.

I loveBollywood music. I hum it in the shower, play retro remixes in my car, and for areally intense, high adrenaline workout, nothing comes quite close tobhangra-inspired beats. My friends introduced me to ‘Desi Nights’, aka clubbingto Bollywood tunes, and this is how I met DJ Bharat Sakhrani.

An accountant by day and DJ by night, DJ Bharat really knows how to keep the dance floor alight and effortlessly mixes in English, Arabic and other world tunes.

Vote for Bharat! Under 2 years into his night gig, this ultra-talented young man has been nominated for the prestigious title of ‘Best DJ’ at the annual Ahlan Masala Awards. He’s got my vote! Do vote for him by clicking here, and have a read on what he has to say about Desi DJing in Dubai.

Picture25The Numaish Festive Fair is taking place from Fri 28 – Sat 29 Sept at the Godolphin Ballroom in Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

As always, Numaish has curated an enticing lineup of the latest in Indian designer wear, and one of my favorite labels showcasing this month is Anavila.

‘Anavila’ translates to ‘pure’ in the ancient Indian tongue of Sanskrit, and is also the name of the founder of this beautiful fashion label.

Asha Bhosle, Bollywood’s very own nightingale who has captured the imagination of generations, needs no introduction. Asha’s, her self-named culinary debut, celebrates the kitchen experiments of this Bollywood legend. The beauty of Asha’s has always been its simplicity. The true essence of Indian fine-dining is never lost here to overly suave modernist ways, and this month, the restaurant pays tribute to the royal cuisines of the North.

The limited edition menu entitled ‘Live Like a Maharaja’ is brimming with a whole array of royal treats that has something for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Here is a look at some of my favorites: 

Are you a jewelry addict, and always on the lookout for something timelessly unique? If you’re nodding in unison, I suggest you drop whatever you have planned out this weekend and spend a good couple of hours or so at Numaish Exhibition’s Art Karat by Asha Kamal Modi. 

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This special exhibition will be held at Taj Dubai this Friday and Saturday, and is especially a must for new brides to be as they are offering free bridal consultations. And you might even bump into Asha Kamal Modi herself!

There is something timeless about traditional Indian jewelry. You might be lucky enough to have inherited a prized piece, encrusted in a rainbow of exquisite gems. The most besotted style of Indian jewelry is the ‘Navratna’. Navratna translates to ‘9 gems’, and this special combination of precious stones has a deep-rooted cultural and astrological significance in the Indian subcontinent.

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Highly sought after and often too steeply priced thanks to the weight of gold each piece is based on, Navratna jewelry has been worn by royalty, the rich and famous, and ever so often seen worn by Bollywood sirens in epic movies.

Want to own a piece of prized Navratna yourself? Brace yourselves Dubai, Numaish Lifestyle Exhibitions is hosting a very special jewelry exhibition entitled Art Karat. The 2-day event will showcase Navratna – The Gemstone Collection by celebrated jewelry designer Asha Kamal Modi.

I had the pleasure of trying out Antique Bazaar’s delicious lineup of treats for Diwali this week, and I want to give you, my dear reader, the chance to win a Diwali Dinner for 2!

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Antique Bazaar’s special Diwali menu is going to be available to the public from 29th through to the 31st of October. Indulge in a traditional feast, complete with live Bollywood-style entertainment and a stunning ‘antique-style’ ambience to boot.

To win this special treat, all you have to do is:

Diwali, the auspicious Indian ‘Festival of Lights’ celebrated by Hindus the world over, is scheduled for the 30th of this month. This festival signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair (Wikipedia). It is by far, one of the grandest celebrations on India’s social calendar.

However, you don’t have to book a ticket to India to celebrate… From 29th through to 31st October, Antique Bazaar (at Four Points by Sheraton – Bur Dubai) has created a tantalizing lineup of traditional Diwali treats, complete with live Bollywood entertainment to boot!

You don’t have to be Indian to know Asha Bhosle. With a career in Bollywood spanning over six decades, generations have grown up humming her melodious tunes. Her contribution to Indian music is legendary, but what many people may not be aware of is her flare for the kitchen.

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Despite a very busy career, Asha Bhosle finds respite in creating new dishes for her family and her elite circle of friends in the Bollywood fraternity.

Seeing how much her dishes were being appreciated, Asha Bhosle decided it was time the world got a taste of her cooking too and this is how Asha’s, her chain of Indian fine-dining restaurants have spread across the globe.

Today I have the immense pleasure of sharing an excerpt of my interview with the legend herself; Asha Bhosle! She has even been kind enough to share her recipe for Muscat Gosht with us. Read on for more.

Just three more sleeps before the Numaish Festive Fair! Scheduled to take place this coming Friday 23rd September till the late hours of Saturday 24th at Hotel Conrad (Dubai), the fair is a must-visit for shopaholics who are on the lookout for something uniquely different.

One prominent designer who will be showcasing her wares at the fair is Anita Kanwal. Best known for her endless list of Bollywood appearances and also a major hit on the Indian television screen, Anita has always been known for her immaculate sense of dressing.

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It is therefore only natural she ventured into the world of fashion. I had a little chitchat with her on the eve of the Numaish Festive Fair.