Jamshedpur, Nov 19 (IANS) Contemporary Santhali literature has taken off in a big way since it became an official language of Jharkhand in 2003, but it has not come of age because the government has not added it to the list of official Indian languages, says a pioneer of the Santhali book trade.

Bundu, Nov 19 (IANS) Deep in the heart of Maoist country in Jharkhand, a young woman is reviving ancient artistic genres to 'bring new meaning into the lives of tribal and backward caste women' whose husbands and kin have taken to arms.

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) The next time you are at the Delhi airport, look around for a 3D high-definition plasma screen. Coming out of it will be super sleuth Feluda and his trusted companion Topshe in hot pursuit of a criminal - in images taken from Penguin's just-published Feluda comics.

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) From exquisite candles and jewellery to beautifully embroidered shawls and salwar-suits - a range of handicrafts made by leprosy patients is up for sale at the 17th Dastkaar Nature Bazaar in the capital.

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Those 31 bullets pumped into her on the fateful morning of Oct 31, 1984, have perhaps only added to the curiosity about her life and times. Twenty five years on, Indira Gandhi has spawned more biographies than any other Indian leader, including her more illustrious father Jawaharlal Nehru.

Gangtok, Oct.31 (ANI): Woven with bamboo, Sumuk Thyaptuk or the Lepcha hat, creates a fabulous piece of art that is laced with history and a deep cultural heritage associated with the indigenous Lepcha tribe.

Hyderabad, Oct. 31 (ANI): An small artificial village in Hyderabad city has become a major tourist attraction, as many people wanting to experience the spirit of rural environment are visiting it.

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) The Indian government will now provide more money for organising workshops, seminars, festivals and exhibitions that aim to preserve and promote the country's cultural heritage.

Bangalore, Oct 19 (IANS) It was the first brush with Baul music for most Bangaloreans. The wandering minstrels of Bengal came here, sang to their heart's content and made it an affair to remember.

Bangalore, Oct 19 (IANS) The three-day Diwali celebrations in Bangalore ended Monday on a subdued note in the backdrop of devastating floods in north Karnataka. Over 70 people also suffered injuries, mostly in the eye, while bursting crackers.

Shimla, Oct 17 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh's centuries-old Lavi fair, synonymous with trade in traditional items like woollens and dry fruits, will start Nov 11 in Rampur town, an official said.

Patna, Oct 16 (IANS) Firecrackers named after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his political rival and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and his wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi, and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan are selling briskly in Bihar ahead of Diwali.

New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday greeted the people on Diwali, saying it was an occasion to strengthen 'the bonds of friendship and goodwill'.

New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) Two young Delhi-based glass artists have taken their futuristic work to the HDL Couture Week in Mumbai.

Amritsar, Oct 13 (IANS) Amritsar is all set to host the 10-day 'Peace Festival 2009' from Wednesday that will see the participation of around 90 artists and activists from neighbouring Pakistan.

Lucknow, Oct 12 (IANS) A picture is worth a thousand words. In the case of Shohaib Khan, words are worth a picture. Confused? The 20-year-old artist from Uttar Pradesh writes verses from religious scriptures in such a fashion that they become paintings.

Bhubaneswar, Oct 10 (IANS) Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Saturday created a four-foot high sand sculpture on Orissa's Puri beach to congratulate US President Barack Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Bollywood, writing or politics? Author Chetan Bhagat, whose new book ƈ States: The Story of My Marriage' was released Friday, says 'he is 90 per cent entertainer and 10 percent reformer'.

Shimla, Oct 8 (IANS) The century-old civic centre of Shimla, comprising imperial buildings that were once institutions of power when this hill town was the summer capital of British India, is among four Indian historical monuments that have been included in the endangered list by the World Monuments Fund (WMF).

New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) School children will get a rare opportunity to see and read old manuscripts and the letters of great Indian leaders, some dating back to 1748, with the National Archives of India Monday opening its doors to young students.