Greetings Curry Lovers!

They say that "home is where the hearth is"(!) so having demonstrated how to put the love back into your life last time, this issue is devoted to putting the design back into your home, because while an "Englishman's home is his castle", an Asian man's home is likely to be...well....full of tat.

Why do we collect so much junk and then try and display everything all at the same time? I think this is destined to be one of life's perpetual mysteries. We list the top ten tat found in an Asian home. Let me invite you to email me your thoughts on the worst decorating purchase for your home - simply click reply to this email and get it off your chest. And put the offending item on the tip at same time.

For those who want to create a new look for the home, we have Home Trends 2004, Furniture Trends 2004, tips on how to avoid decorating disasters and a competition to win a pair of tickets to the Daily Mail Ideal Home Show 2004. The V&A may provide some inspirational illumination on lighting for the home with their recently launched 'Brilliant' exhibition. If your weekends are suddenly looking very threatened by the prospect of DIY, then your Saturday shopping is definitely going to change forever with the first Marks & Spencer 'LifeStore' unveiled last week.

HOME DECOR TRENDS FOR 2004	FURNITURE TRENDS FOR 2004
There are plenty of ways to spice up your home and finding inspiration has never been so easy, even for a total overhaul. read more	Do you know your contemporary from your country? The world of home furnishings might not be as glamorous as the world of high fashion but there's plenty to inspire you. read more
CREATE A NEW LOOK FOR YOUR HOME	AVOID DECORATING DISASTERS
The wallpaper has started to peel, the nylon carpet is shedding tufts of grey fuzz, and the cushions have seen better days. It's time for a new look. read more	You only need to turn on the TV these days to see how much we're fascinated with the idea of giving our homes a new look, but do you know how to avoid those decor disasters? read more
TOP TEN 'TAT' IN AN ASIAN HOUSEHOLD	BRILLIANT AT THE V&A, 12 FEB -25 APR
Imagine my horror then to discover that my decluttering has unveiled a 1970's time warp in my house. If you can find any of these decorating delusions in your home, then your tat might be ready for the tip too! read more	The V&A is staging its first exhibition of contemporary lighting. Brilliant features nine dramatic light installations and a dazzling display of domestic lights by some of the world’s leading designers. The exhibition runs at the V&A from 12 February until 25 April. read more
FIRST M&S 'LIFESTORE' IS UNVEILED	IDEAL HOME SHOW, 11 MAR - 4 APR 2004
The first Marks & Spencer Lifestore opened on 25 Feb. The store represents a brand new concept designed to revolutionise home retailing. read more	Flood your imagination with stylish new ideas at the Daily Mail Ideal Home Show between the 11 March and 4 April 2004 at Earls Court. read more
***** DAILY MAIL IDEAL HOME SHOW FREE TICKETS COMPETITION *****
We have 5 pairs of weekday tickets to give away. To win a pair, simply answer the question below: Q1) What is the name of the famous jewellery designer most often associated with the Art Deco period? HOW TO ENTER 1. Reply to this email with your answer. Ensure you provide your full name, a DAYTIME DELIVERY address and TELEPHONE NUMBER. 2. If you are unable to reply to this email, send a separate email to webmaster@redhotcurry.com with your answer. Ensure you provide your full name, a DAYTIME DELIVERY address and TELEPHONE NUMBER. TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. Competition is open to UK Residents over the age of 18 only. 2. You must be a registered member of Redhotcurry.com. Please take a moment to sign up. 3. Closing date for entries is midday on Wednesday 3 March 2004. The winners will be chosen from the first five correct answers selected at random from all entries received. 4. The Editor's decision is final. 5. Please note that due to the volume of entries we receive, Redhotcurry.com can notify winners only. 6. This offer is for WEEKDAY tickets only for one adult per ticket. Children may be charged as extra. This offer is subject to the terms and conditions of the Daily Mail Ideal Home Show.

Of course the 1970's can still be appreciated at the Ossie Clark retrospective at The V&A that runs until 3 May. The V&A will launch a new Vivienne Westwood exhibition (1 April - 11 July 2004) for those who are more avant garde in their tastes.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 1 APR - 11 JUL	OSSIE CLARK, UNTIL 3 MAY 2004
In spring 2004 the Victoria and Albert Museum will launch a major exhibition of the work of Vivienne Westwood, one of the most influential fashion designers of the last 30 years. The exhibition will feature over 150 designs. read more	The V&A celebrates the work of Ossie Clark, one of the most influential British fashion designers with an exhibition that runs until 2 May 2004. This mini-retrospective features more than 60 garments. read more

'Those seeking works of art or imagery still have time to consider Suran Goonatilake's 'Rasa' images (ends 4 March), or Chila Kumari Burman's exhibition (ends 5 March). Sunita Passi will be showing her contemporary collection of 'Urban India' photographs and Amrik Chhokran's Bollywood Dreams returns for a short spell at Watermans. The Bollywood theme continues in the West Midlands with the launch of FAB! - Fame Academy Bollywood.

ITV1 will shortly be screening their new reality TV concept involving six people from different cultures living under one roof, a multicultural melting pot. The Community Channel has launched Kismet Road, a new 13-part health drama and BBC2 has announced the launch of Desi DNA, its replacement for Network East. Presented by "young guns" Adil Ray, Nihal and Anita Rani one wonders exactly how "desi" it will be!

URBAN INDIA, 1 - 30 APR	FAB! - FAME ACADEMY BOLLYWOOD, 27 APR
A collection of social documentary photographs by London based creator, Sunita Passi. Depicting India in all its forms, from beauty to grim poverty, this exhibition enables you to taste the modern India. read more	FAB! - Fame Academy Bollywood is a singing, song writing and performance project launched by Sampad. From Bollywood to the funkiest Asian club nights around, Birmingham has taken centre stage as the platform for up and coming South Asian talent. read more
KISMET ROAD - HEALTH DRAMA	MULTICULTURAL MELTING POT ON ITV
Kismet Road, a ground-breaking new drama series, launches on The Community Channel from Sunday March 14th at 7.30pm. The series delivers health messages. read more	London is the most diverse city in the world. But can Londoners live harmoniously? ITV's 'Melting Pot' programme adapts the reality TV concept for this new show. read more
NEW PROGRAMME 'DESI DNA' FOR BBC 2 A brand new series for BBC TWO featuring the best in British Asian arts, entertainment and culture, and showcasing new talent from British Asian communities across the UK is being launched for 2004. Desi DNA will be presented by Nihal Arthanyake, Anita Rani, and Adil Ray. Each week the presenters will bring their own unique take on the Asian scene. read more

True "desis" can enjoy Bollywood at least. Kismat, starring Bobby Deol launched on 20 Feb. Spine chilling thriller 'Rudraksh' starring Sanjay Dutt is also out now and Eros have re-released comedy Suno Sasurjee. Raj Kundra a young London entrepreneur, who looks good enough to star in a Bollywood movie of his own, has launched Velocity Entertainments that will shortly be bringing us 'Mera Jeevan Sathi' starring Karisma Kapoor.

KISMAT, UK RELEASE 20 FEBRUARY 2004	RUDRAKSH, UK RELEASE 13 FEBRUARY 2004
Time Magnetics (India) Pvt. Ltd. return with another masala action movie. Mustering up all his courage, Tony (Bobby Deol) gets into the battle to save his love and life. read more	Healing powers that Science cannot explain and Voodoo practices are the type of paranormal activity that beautiful Dr. Gayatri (Bipasha Basu) is busy investigating. read more
SUNO SASURJEE, UK RE-RELEASE 27 FEB	LONDONER TO LAUNCH 'MERA JEEVAN SAATHI'
Suno Sasurjee is a wry look at love, wealth and greed. A comedy, it stars Kader Khan, Amisha Patel and Aftab in the lead roles. It is re-released in the UK on 27 February. read more	Young British born entrepreneur Raj Kundra has launched his latest venture "Velocity Entertainments Ltd," a film distribution company that will be promoting 'Mera Jeevan Saathi', featuring Karisma Kapoor, one of India's most talented film actresses. read more

Other stars being celebrated were at the Asian Jewel Awards 2004 (Northern Region). Jemima Khan, in her role as UNICEF's representative, urged the UK Government to live up to its promise to help end world poverty this week, although the Government was busy celebrating the effectiveness of its measures on Asylum seekers. A staggering 41% drop was seen last year. One thing, however, is certain. Indian children continue to be swots, achieving above the national average at GCSE. Chinese children are however still the best performing overall.

ETHNIC STUDENTS IMPROVE AT GCSE	ASYLUM NUMBERS DROP
Pupils from every ethnic group have improved in their GCSE/GNVQ results, although Chinese pupils are still the best performing. read more	Applications for asylum fell dramatically in 2003 as a result of tough new measures the Home Secretary claimed today. The number of asylum seekers has fallen by 41%. read more
JEMIMA - UK SHOULD HONOUR PROMISE	ASIAN JEWEL AWARDS 2004 - NORTHERN
UNICEF UK's Special Representative Jemima Khan said "the Government should stick to a promise that the UK made over thirty years ago, but which it has yet to honour." read more	The winners of the prestigious Asian Jewel Awards (Northern region), that recognise the achievements of Asian individuals in the UK, were announced last night at a glittering ceremony in central Manchester. read more

Some food for thought there. And talking of food....I'm now off to swot-up on my aforementioned favourite subject.

Until next time,
Lopa Patel (Editor - redhotcurry.com)

PS. Our special free gift offer for new users who sign-up is simmering nicely, so why not tell a friend to sign-up? They might be grateful for the suggestion.