If it was Ustaad Bismillah Khan Saheb’s shehnai that bridged the gap between the folk and the classical world, then it was Michael Jackson who bridged races between the black soul music and the white pop music, says Padmashri Shovana Narayan.

Sourav Ganguly has played a key role in the formation of Team India. He drove it forward and led from the front to instill a new winning mindset in each and every member of the squad, says Charu Sharma.

Even the worst critics of Rahul Gandhi (RG) admit readily that he has grown tremendously in stature and persona over the years. His sobriety, balance, equipoise, transparent humility, willingness to experiment, to be deferential, steadfastness and relentless pursuit of grassroots connectivity have all undoubtedly contributed to his current situation in the Indian polity. But perhaps the single most important reason is that he has never treated politics or public life as a vehicle for power and is happy — indeed obstinately so — to keep away from all pelf, power and position and do public service while strengthening the Congress Party. Abhishek Manu Singhvi writes more.

Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan gave a concert in Berlin last week. The musician who has been touring Germany and other European nations was grateful for the appreciative audience. Preeti John reports for Folks.

In the long run, Ram Swarup will probably prove to have been the most influential thinker in the second half of the 20th century. He has, at any rate, been a crucial influence on most other Hindu Revivalist authors of the last couple of decades.