分类： entertainment

Indian lyricist and storyteller Neelesh Misra, renowned for his poetic contributions to Bollywood hits like ‘Jadu Hai Nasha Hai’ from Jism and ‘Kyun na Hum Tum’ from Barfi, is redefining success through conscious refusal and mindful creation. During a recent family vacation in Dubai, Misra revealed that his most potent skill is the ‘art of saying no,’ a principle he has upheld even at personal financial cost.

Misra vehemently declines projects that conflict with his sensibilities, particularly what he describes as ‘sleazy lyrics.’ He illustrates this by explaining that if a provided hook line is indecent, the accompanying verses would inevitably need to be worse, a compromise he refuses to make. This commitment to integrity extends beyond film; it is the cornerstone of his broader movement, ‘Slow,’ which advocates for a simpler, more deliberate lifestyle counter to modern frenzy.

The power of language remains central to Misra’s philosophy. He asserts that teaching children the transformational power of words from an early age can be life-changing, enabling them to express ideas with profound impact. This belief is culminating in plans to launch the Neelesh Misra School of Creativity. He contends that even in the era of artificial intelligence, human command over language is paramount, as we ultimately instruct the AI engines.

However, Misra warns of a societal crisis fueled by digital distraction and manufactured outrage. He observes that people now actively seek reasons to be angry, asking ‘Aaj kis se upset hona hai?’ (Who should I get upset with today?). This online angst, he argues, provides a strange, fake gratification, replacing genuine real-world engagement. He identifies ‘biased story-telling’ as a prominent and twisted voice in today’s discourse, where the loudest narratives are not necessarily the right ones.

The antidote, according to Misra, is empathy—’the secret sauce’ that allows one to ‘become the other’ and see life from another’s perspective, even amidst disagreement. He laments that decency is no longer incentivized; in content creation, as on the road, the bully often dominates while good content is sidelined for not fighting back. He criticizes the industry’s obsession with quantitative metrics—a film’s billion-rupee collection or a book’s million copies sold—as a poor substitute for qualitative value, which often gets overshadowed by propaganda and vested interests.

Through ‘Slow,’ Misra offers an alternative. He hosts celebrities in his village for long-form interviews not just for content, but to expose them to a mindful way of life. He expresses deep concern over the ‘great negativity’ shaping our world through the content we consume, noting that short-form videos have wasted the inventive potential of millions of bright minds at the expense of richer relationships and real conversation.

Ultimately, Misra believes in the healing power of stories, a fact reinforced by parents who tell him his narratives reduce their children’s anxiety. His final measure for his lyrical work is deeply personal: would it inspire a person in a small town to sing it in the shower, in their most private, unmasked moment? For Misra, true success is making someone feel that the song is their own emotion, simply written by someone else.

Dubai is gearing up for its most expansive New Year’s Eve celebration to date with the announcement of the New Year Family Carnival 2026. Scheduled for December 31, 2025, at Horizon Beach and Lounge within Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, this event promises an unparalleled entertainment experience for all ages.

The carnival represents a collaborative effort between prominent event organizers Nirvana Nightlife, Sahara, The Eventique, and Glitch. This beachfront extravaganza will feature more than 21 distinct entertainment zones, creating an electrifying atmosphere complemented by panoramic views of Dubai’s iconic New Year fireworks display.

Attendees can anticipate world-class entertainment offerings including dedicated children’s play areas, interactive carnival games, and special character meet-and-greet sessions with Labubu. The musical lineup features acclaimed disc jockeys G2, Karan, Raahyl, Lathish, and Bloodshedder, alongside dynamic water drum and traditional dhol performances.

The venue offers exceptional vantage points for viewing fireworks displays from Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and JBR. The evening’s festivities will include continuous entertainment, a live countdown to midnight, and dancing under the stars.

Gates open at 6:00 PM with complimentary admission for children under six years old. The dress code encourages casual chic attire. Tickets are currently available for purchase through Platinumlist, Dubai’s premier event booking platform.

Dubai’s Melodica Music & Dance Academy has achieved exceptional recognition within the UAE’s arts education sector by securing two distinguished accolades at the MEA Markets Business Awards 2025. The institution was bestowed with the titles of ‘Best Music & Dance Academy 2025’ and the ‘Customer Service Excellence Award 2025’, cementing its reputation for superior educational offerings and an unwavering commitment to student satisfaction.

The MEA Markets Business Awards annually honor enterprises across the Middle East and Africa that exhibit remarkable performance, innovative approaches, and deeply customer-focused operational philosophies. Melodica’s dual victory underscores its sustained dedication to providing high-caliber instruction in both musical instruments and dance, all within an environment designed to be supportive and inclusive for students and parents.

Founded with the mission to democratize access to professional arts education, Melodica caters to all age groups, from children to adults. The academy’s success is built upon a foundation of an internationally experienced faculty, a robust and structured global curriculum, and a significant emphasis on providing performance opportunities. This methodology actively cultivates creativity, builds confidence, and instills artistic discipline among its learners.

Afshin, Chief Executive Officer of Melodica Music Academy, reflected on the achievement, stating, ‘These accolades represent a moment of immense pride for our entire team. To be acknowledged as the premier academy in our field, while also being recognized for customer service excellence, is a testament to the hard work of our faculty and the enduring trust from our students and their families. Our core objective remains the creation of an inspiring ecosystem where innate talent is carefully nurtured and every individual feels empowered on their creative path.’

Transcending traditional classroom teaching, the academy plays an active role in enriching the UAE’s cultural tapestry. It facilitates numerous platforms for students to gain practical experience, including stage performances, participation in international certification examinations, and other real-world artistic engagements. This comprehensive educational strategy positions Melodica as a key contributor in shaping the future generation of artists and performers in the region.

This latest recognition marks a significant milestone in the academy’s expansion narrative as it continues to elevate standards and broaden its impact throughout the UAE’s music and dance education landscape.

Iconic American singer-songwriter Barry Manilow has publicly disclosed his recent lung cancer diagnosis through an official Instagram announcement. The 82-year-old Grammy Award-winning artist, celebrated for timeless classics including ‘Copacabana’ and ‘I Write the Songs,’ revealed that the malignancy was detected during follow-up medical examinations for a persistent bronchitis condition.

Medical imaging procedures identified an early-stage cancerous lesion on his left lung, which Manilow described as being discovered through ‘pure luck (and a great doctor).’ The music legend emphasized the fortunate timing of this detection, noting physicians believe the cancer remains localized without evidence of metastasis to other areas.

The performing artist has scheduled surgical intervention to remove the affected tissue, necessitating cancellation of his remaining December 2025 and January 2026 concert engagements. In characteristic optimism, Manilow outlined his recovery expectations, indicating no requirements for chemotherapy or radiation treatments post-operation, humorously referencing planned convalescence with ‘chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.’

Despite this health challenge, Manilow has already projected his return to live performances, targeting mid-February 2026 for resumed appearances. Specifically, he anticipates returning to his Las Vegas residency at Westgate Las Vegas with scheduled Valentine’s weekend concerts on February 12-14, 2026, which he anticipates will transform into ‘one big party’ celebrating his recovery and musical legacy.