The centenary celebration of the Gujarati magazine “Kumar” was a significant event. Held in Mumbai, this event marked 100 years of the magazine’s journey, Shri Praful Raval will share the experience and highlights of its historical importance and contributions to Gujarati literature. His talk will include the discussions on the magazine’s diverse content, its high-quality reading material, and its impact on multiple generations.
When we think of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the former Miss World often comes to mind as the epitome of classical beauty, grace, and mainstream Bollywood romance. However, beneath the surface of the girl-next-door and the devoted wife archetypes lies a fascinating, brave, and often overlooked segment of her career: her filmography as the "other woman."
The mistress trope is most poetic in Umrao Jaan , the adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s novel. As a tawaif (courtesan) in 19th-century Lucknow, Umrao Jaan is the ultimate "other woman"—loved by Nawabs but never allowed into their legitimate homes. The film’s high point is the song Pehle Pehel , where Umrao Jaan performs for a British officer. However, the notable movie moment comes later when her lover, Nawab Sultan (Abhishek Bachchan), marries a noblewoman. There is a scene where Umrao ties a rakhi to her former lover’s brother to prove she has no romantic intentions anymore. Yet, the camera lingers on her eyes—she smiles, but the smile doesn’t reach her eyes. Aishwarya mastered the art of the teary-eyed smile , suggesting that a mistress never truly stops loving, only stops showing it. 3. Guru (2007) – The Guilty Adulteress Role: Sujata (wife who strays) When we think of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the
From the rain-soaked prostitute in Khakee to the powerful lawyer in Jazbaa , she has crafted a rogue’s gallery of women who live in the shadows. These notable movie moments—the trembling lip in Guru , the broken ghungroo in Umrao Jaan , the gunshot in Jazbaa —are not just career highlights; they are lessons in empathy. The film’s high point is the song Pehle
Aishwarya Rai has an uncanny ability to bring dignity, pain, and complexity to the role of a mistress. She does not play the stereotypical "homewrecker." Instead, her mistresses are usually tragic figures—women caught in the crossfire of societal norms, patriarchal structures, and their own desperate hearts. Yet, the camera lingers on her eyes—she smiles,
Was Gujarati teacher, poet, essayist and short story writer. Praful Raval is a co-editor of Kavilok and Kumar and worked as a general secretary of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. He received Kumar Suvarna Chandrak in 1982.
Praful Raval completed his Bachelor of Arts from C. M Desai Arts and Commerce College, Viramgam in Gujarati and joined the School of Language, Gujarat University. He completed a Master of Arts, a Master of Philosophy and Ph.D.
Praful Raval taught at L. C Kanya Vidyalaya, Viramgam from 1970to 1983 and Sheth M. J High School, Viramgam from 1983 to 1984. In 1984, he founded Kruti Prakashan, a publishing company.
In 1992, he founded a primary school namely Shishu Niketan,later known as Setu Vidyalaya. In 1995,he founded another school, Sarjan Vidyamandir, and served there as principal till 2006.
In 2012, he became co-editor of Kumar. He works as general secretary of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad.