Latest news with #Shakuntala
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Listicle: 10 artworks, old and new, to celebrate Friendship Day
Shakuntala and her friends. Who among us hasn't helped a friend compose the perfect Miss You text to bae? Raja Ravi Varma's lithograph depicts a moment in Kalidas's epic, when Shakuntala in her hermitage is writing a love letter to King Dushyant with help from besties Priyamvada and Anasuya. Painted in 1876. Relatable every day. Raja Ravi Varma's lithograph depicts Shakuntala with her besties Priyamvada and Anasuya. In this MV Dhurandhar painting, six Bombay women gather for a bit of chit-chat. Indian women on a 1905 postcard. MV Dhurandhar's paintings of everyday women of more than a century ago are legendary. He sent this postcard to his art teacher E Greenwood, who'd retired and was living in England. Friendship, fashion, freedom seem to come alive in the work as six Bombay women gather for a bit of chit-chat. They're stylish –nine-yard saris, European-style blouses, pearls, flowers in their hair. And seems like someone's got the tea! Jean-Baptiste Pigalle's 1753 statue depicts France's King Louis XV's former mistress-turned-confidante. Madame de Pompadour as Friendship. Friends-to-lovers is a popular trope. But Jean-Baptiste Pigalle's 1753 statue goes for the opposite. It depicts the woman who started out as official mistress to France's King Louis XV (and the Queen's social rival) but ended up as his bestie, confidante, advisor and a court favourite. No fuss, no frills, no costumery. The figure is simply dressed, portraying her not as lover or style icon, but as a platonic friend. In 1927, Japan and the US exchanged more than 12,000 Friendship Dolls. Friendship Dolls from Japan and the US. In 1927, amid deteriorating relations, the nations exchanged more than 12,000 blue-eyed US Friendship Dolls and 58 handcrafted Torei Ningyo. The dolls were meant to encourage children to cultivate cross-country friendships. Adults, as usual, ruined everything. Most American dolls in Japan were destroyed in the Second World War. In the US, only a handful of the Japanese ones survive. All are preserved in museums. Grace Kelly and Maria Callas feature in sculptor Marcos Marin's 2023 work. Grace Kelly and Maria Callas. One is a film icon who married Prince Rainier of Monaco. The other is a renowned opera diva. Both knew what it cost to devote one's life to art. Both knew what it felt like to have their every move tracked by the public. They were friends for years. Sculptor Marcos Marin's 2023 work, at Greece's Megaro Musikis Concert Hall, is subtitled Eternal Friendship and celebrates the women's closeness and ambitions. Mickey, Donald and Goofy have been friends for more than 90 years. Art of Disney: Friendship. Of course, we'd include Mickey, Donald and Goofy – the three have been friends for more than 90 years. The gang was featured in a 2004 friendship-themed stamp series issued by the US postal service. Other Disney buddies on the stamp sheet: Bambi and Thumper, Mufasa and Simba, and Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio. Disney memorabilia fetches millions at auction. This stamp costs just 37 cents. Swedish artist Sebastian Straube painted a young boy and girl feeding their goat in 1842. The Three Friends. Swedish artist Sebastian Straube painted a young boy and girl feeding their goat in 1842. But in 2025, when we have furbabies and vacation with our dogs and cats, the title seems fitting. The humans might be siblings. But in Straube's oil-on-canvas they're all just friends, caught in a playful moment – a nod to the millions of throwaway moments that define most friendships. This USSR propaganda poster from 1962 celebrated global allies. Friendship Peace poster. What use is your crew if you can't gang up against the world? While most propaganda posters within Communist USSR championed athletics, farming, science and the might of the state, the ones circulated abroad (like this one from 1962) celebrated global allies. This one marks the comradeship between USSR and China and lets socialist India join in too. The diplomatic friendship held on for decades. Australian artist Stella Bowen painted her own friends having a leisurely lunchtime gabfest. Provençal Conversation. Australian artist Stella Bowen painted this oil-on-canvas in 1936. It features her own friends having a leisurely lunchtime gabfest at Cagnes-sur-Mer, France. But really, it could be a gang of four anywhere, leaning back, unbothered, their guard down in a safe space of their own making. A sign, perhaps, for friends today to meet IRL more often, get lunch outdoors, linger and put their phones down. This 1857 triptych woodblock by Japanese artist Utagawa Kunisada turns a naughty moment into art. Ashikaga Mitsuuji Peeping at Courtesans. Best friends go all in. They'll help you bury the body, they'll join in when you're up to no good. This 1857 triptych woodblock by Japanese artist Utagawa Kunisada turns a naughty moment into art. One man keeps watch as his friend eavesdrops on the chatter of courtesans. It's two friendships in play – the private world of women, the men colluding to peek in. Almost 170 years on, nothing's changed. From HT Brunch, August 02, 2025 Follow us on
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Time of India
Man, along with sis-in-law, jumps into waterfall in Mauganj
Bhopal: A man and his sister-in-law jumped into the Bahuti waterfall in front of their family members in Mauganj district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday evening. Just before the act, the duo had posted a video on Instagram, in which the woman is seen applying vermilion (sindoor) on her forehead as symbolic of 'marriage'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The two—Dinesh Sahu (26) and Shakuntala Sahu (35), residents of Teliya Budh village in Devra Khatkhari—had been missing for four days before they resurfaced at Bahuti waterfall, the tallest in the state at 476 feet. Alerted by their social media posts, family members rushed to the spot in a bid to stop them. But before they could intervene, both leapt into the gorge. Eyewitness told police that they were sitting quietly when some people approached them. No one could make sense of what was happening before Dinesh suddenly jumped. Shakuntala followed immediately. The duo had also shared a note on Facebook and Instagram, stating, "We are very upset. We can't bear it anymore. We are going to commit suicide from Bahuti waterfall." They named four persons —Hiralal Sahu (Shakuntala's husband), Rajendra Sahu, Santosh Sahu, and Rajkumar Sahu—claiming they were responsible for their decision to end their lives. Police teams from Naigarhi and Shahpur reached the site, but due to darkness, the search operation began only on Thursday morning. The SDRF team is currently combing the area, but as of now, there is no trace of them. SP Dilip Soni told TOI that they have not been able to locate any of them yet. Family members are still trying to come to terms with the incident. Dinesh's uncle said the two had left home on July 19 and were believed to be in Chhattisgarh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Wednesday, Dinesh posted a photo on his phone of him applying sindoor to Shakuntala's forehead. She was married 15 years ago and was the mother of three daughters. She never complained about anything, say family members. Her husband, Hiralal Sahu, strongly denied the accusations, saying the claims made on social media were "completely false and baseless."
NDTV
23-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Bengaluru Street Vendors Seek GST Relaxation After Notices Over UPI Turnover
Bengaluru (Karnataka): Small vendors and traders across Karnataka have raised serious concerns after receiving GST notices from the commercial tax department for UPI-based transactions exceeding Rs 40 lakh annually. They have requested that the government revoke notices, demanding a relaxation in the enforcement of these rules for small-scale vendors. Speaking on behalf of the vendors, a member of the Karnataka Pradesh Street Vendors Association, Abhilash Shetty, said, "Small businesses run with a margin of 5 to 10 percent... The tax (GST) along with other things like penalty, comes to 50% and it is not possible for the vendors to pay such a huge tax with this. We request the government to interfere and give relaxation to the small vendors in this matter..." The association's legal representative, Advocate Shakuntala, echoed the sentiment, criticising the government for failing to educate small vendors about their tax obligations when registering their businesses. She said, "If taxes are being imposed, why were they not educated first?... When they took the registration, they should have been made aware about the taxes on selling of goods, revenue..." In Haveri, a vegetable trader named Shankar Gowda Hadimani shared his concern after receiving a ₹29 lakh tax notice from the Bengaluru Tax Office. He stated, "... Since there are no GST rules on fruits and vegetables, I did not register for GST number. But I got a notice to pay Rs 29 lakh in taxes for a business of over Rs 40 lakh... The officials have told me that if it is proven that I have done so much business in vegetables, the notice will be withdrawn..." The move to send GST notices for UPI transactions has come under fire from BJP. On June 16, BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya said, "Congress is destroying small businesses in Karnataka. In a recent mindless crackdown, Karnataka GST authorities have issued heavy-handed notices to small vendors under the pretext of GST evasion -- many running into lakhs of rupees. The data from UPI transactions is being weaponized to raise arbitrary tax demands. As a result, thousands of small traders in Bengaluru are now abandoning digital payments altogether. This is not just harassment -- it is economic sabotage. Under GST law, the burden of proof lies with the tax officer -- not the trader. Why then is the Congress government unleashing this coercion on those who form the backbone of our economy? This is nothing but a desperate attempt to fund their freebie culture. And yet, Rahul Gandhi has the audacity to claim he stands with small businesses." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
23-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Karnataka vendors demand relief after GST notice over UPI transactions
Small vendors and traders across Karnataka are urging the government to withdraw recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) notices issued over UPI transactions exceeding ₹40 lakh per annum, warning that stringent enforcement of the rule threatens the viability of their small-scale businesses, news agency ANI reported. Under GST regulations, shops must register themselves if their annual turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh, while service providers face a ₹20 lakh threshold. Vendors appeal for relief Abhilash Shetty, of the Karnataka Pradesh Street Vendors Association, told ANI, 'Small businesses run with a margin of 5 to 10 per cent. The tax (GST) along with other things like penalty, comes to 50 percent, and it is not possible for the vendors to pay such a huge tax. We request the government to intervene and give relaxation to small vendors in this matter.' Advocate Shakuntala, the association's legal representative, criticised the government for not educating small vendors about their tax obligations at the time of registration. She stated that if taxes were to be levied, people should have been informed in advance. She added that vendors ought to have been made aware of taxes on the sale of goods and revenue generation. Karnataka vegetable vendor served ₹29 lakh GST notice In Haveri, a vegetable trader named Shankar Gowda Hadimani received a ₹29 lakh tax notice from the Bengaluru Tax Office. He stated that, since there were no GST rules applicable to fruits and vegetables, he had not registered for a GST number. However, GST officials reported that his total digital transactions over four years totalled ₹1.63 crore, triggering a GST liability. He added that officials had assured him the notice would be withdrawn if it was proven that the business was indeed related to vegetables. 'No UPI, only cash' Neighbourhood vendors and small roadside stall owners in Bengaluru are reverting to cash transactions to avoid issues with tax authorities. Instead of displaying QR codes, many now place signs stating 'No UPI, only cash,' as reported by The Economic Times. Stall owners also said they fear harassment by tax officials or even eviction from their vending spots by city authorities. As a result, many have ceased using digital payments. ITR filing requirements for small vendors Small vendors in India must file an Income Tax Return (ITR) if their annual income exceeds the basic exemption limit of ₹2.5 lakh. Those with business income under ₹50 lakh who choose the presumptive taxation scheme should use ITR-4 (Sugam). Under this scheme, vendors declare a fixed percentage of their turnover as profit, simplifying compliance.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Remembering B. Saroja Devi: A timeless multilingual film icon
B. Saroja Devi , known for her legendary work in regional cinema, passed away at the age of 87 on Monday (July 14, 2025). The veteran actor, who breathed her last in Bengaluru, was reported to have been suffering from age-related illness. Hailed as the first superstar of Kannada cinema, Saroja Devi debuted with the 1955 movie Mahakavi Kalidasa. In Tamil, she starred alongside the great actors of yesteryears — particularly the two top heroes, M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan — and dominated the field for decades. Though Saroja Devi largely navigated between Tamil and Kannada cinema, she made her presence felt considerably in Telugu cinema. She played the titular character in the 1966 film Shakuntala, was cast as Mandodari in Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961) and Subhadra in Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddham (1963). The news of her death cast a spell of gloom, drawing reactions from members of the film fraternity and fans. CM Siddaramaiah announced that her final rites would be conducted with full State honours. Here is a list of stories about the actor's stellar career and reactions from the world of Indian cinema.
