“It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” the statement said. “She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.”

In 1964, Maggie Smith captivated audiences as Desdemona alongside Laurence Olivier’s Othello, later reprising the role in the 1965 film adaptation. Her powerful performance in *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* (1969), where she played an unconventional schoolteacher, earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Smith’s remarkable talent was recognized again in 1978 when she won her second Academy Award, this time for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Neil Simon’s *California Suite*.

Throughout her career, Smith garnered numerous accolades, including British Academy Film Awards for her roles in *A Room with a View* (1985) and *The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne* (1987). In 1990, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, solidifying her status as Dame Maggie Smith.

Despite her early successes, some of Smith’s most celebrated roles came later in life. In 1999, she starred in Franco Zeffirelli’s *Tea with Mussolini*, a story set against the backdrop of fascist Italy, earning critical acclaim.

Her legacy, however, may be most closely tied to her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone* (2001), a role that introduced her to a new generation of fans. Smith continued to bring the character to life across several *Harry Potter* sequels, becoming a beloved figure in the series for her portrayal of the strict yet kind-hearted witchcraft teacher.

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Pankaj Udhas was born in Jetpur, Gujarat, on May 17, 1951. In 1980, he made his music debut with the ghazal album Aahat. That was only the start of a long string of hits to come. His best-selling albums were Mukarar (1981), Tarrannum (1982), Mehfil (1983), Nayaab (1985), and Aafreen (1986). He additionally gave a live performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1984. Following his fame as a ghazal singer, he tried his hand at playback vocals with the Mahesh Bhatt movie Naam. 

Ahista

Composed by Khayyam and written by Bashar Nawaz, this soulful song is taken from the album The Legend Forever – Pankaj Udhas – Vol. 1. The song tells the story of a loving relationship, and Udhas’s calming voice gives the moving lyrics more nuance and feeling. This is one of Pankaj Udhas’ greatest songs because it was among the first ghazals we all heard when we were young.

Na Kajre Ki Dhar

This Bollywood musical of our dreams features a duet between Pankaj Udhas and Sadhana Sargam. The song, which was composed by Viju Shah, exquisitely captures the charm and beauty of the beloved’s eyes. The lyrics of Indeevar, a romantic ballad that translates to “The Line of Kohl,” and Pankaj Udhas’ voice have kept the song alive in Indian hearts for decades.

Chandi Jaisa Rang

Bollywood loves to combine its love songs with precious metals like gold and silver, speaking of a lover’s beauty and tranquilly. To capture the spirit, though, requires soulful lyrics, a well-crafted song, and—above all—a talented vocalist. One of Pankaj Udhas’ greatest songs, it describes the ethereal nature of love and a lover.

Thodi Thodi Karo Piya

Thodi Thodi is a wonderful interpretation of melancholy and longing and is an underappreciated gem in Pankaj Udhas’ repertoire. This song, which has been passed down through the centuries, is especially nostalgic because of its ageless interpretation of love and understanding. This song features the singer’s voice as rich and complex as ever.

Ek Taraf Uska Ghar

This song, which is among Pankaj Udhas’ greatest, is about longing and unrequited love. The song “On One Side is Her Home,” written by Qateel Shifai and composed by Anu Malik, expresses the longing and suffering of a lover who is parted from their beloved. Udhas’s performance of longing was unparalleled and added a totally unique touch to every song.

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Text credit: Charishma Thankappan

Kalasala Babu, who made his presence felt in a number of Malayalam films like Balettan, Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum, Perumazhakkalam, etc, passed away on Sunday night in Ernakulam at the age of 68. He was suffering from cerebral hemorrhage and had been admitted in Amritha Hospital.

Having begun his career in theatre, Babu moved onto the small screen before getting his big break in cinema. He had started his own drama troupe called ‘Kalasala’ in Thrippunithura, where he resided.

He has acted in more than 100 films in Malayalam. Spanning a career of 40 years, the actor made his debut in 1977 in the film Inayethedi and was last seen in the film Queen that released earlier this year. He made his presence felt through his powerful acting performances in the characters of villain and father figures. He was able to step into the shoes of NF Varghese and Narendra Prasad in these roles.

Born to illustrious parents – Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Mohiniattam exponent Kalyanikuttyamma, he is survived by his wife Lalitha and children Sreedevi and Viswanathan.

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Text Credits: Shibul Pavithran 

Swedish superstar Tim Bergling, aka Avicci, has died, according to a statement from his publicist, who says the 28-year-old musician was found dead in Muscat, Oman on Friday afternoon. Avicii retired from live performing due to health reasons, having suffered from acute pancreatitis owing, in part, to excessive drinking. In 2014, his gallbladder and appendix had been removed and had been hospitalized twice in the preceding two years for acute pancreatitis.

Avicii will always be one of the most recognizable and omnipotent electronic dance producers the genre has ever seen. Leaving behind the of chart-topping music with collaborators such as Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Madonna, and Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, he has a long list. Avicci began his music career in 2009 as a producer and went on to achieve international stardom, garnering up to the Top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Dance/Electronic Chart. He was also nominated for Grammy Awards in 2012 and 2013 for his songs “Sunshine” with David Guetta and “Levels.” He won the American Music Award for favorite electronic dance music artist in 2013.

Some of the best Tracks by Avicii were:

Levels: The track released in 2011 was Avicii’s breakout hit. It reached the Top Ten in 15 countries. “Levels” samples Etta James’ “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and includes her vocals. The video currently has over 300 million views on YouTube. This song that impressed Pretty Lights and Flo Rida so much that they ended up using it in their own music eventually. Levels also got Avicii a Grammy nomination.

I Could Be The One (Nicktim): Avicii originally performed this track a year before it was released in 2012. The song was a collaboration with Dutch DJ and record producer Nicky Romero. Its hook particularly hit a chord with the youth as it was played across several clubs in several countries.

X You: This video features behind-the-scenes studio footage of Avicii working on the song and traveling to perform.

Wake Me Up:  The song is uplifting, and speaks of hope and starting afresh. Wake Me Up has influences from the genres of folk music and country music. The song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, dominated radio stations during 2013, and went platinum six times

Lonely Together: British singer Rita Ora jumped on this Avici track that EMA artist Cashmere Cat also helped produce. It was Avicii’s biggest track before his death. It’s catchy and might be unlike a song that speaks of loneliness and love.

You Make Me: The Swedish artist co-produced the EDM song with Ash Pournouri as the follow-up single to Wake Me Up on his debut album True. It dethroned his own song Wake Me Up on the U.K. Dance Chart to take the top spot.

Waiting For Love:  The song was the lead single off Avicii’s second album titled Stories. Avicci collaborated wirth Martin Garrix for this song.

Hey Brother: The song is all about celebrating brotherhood and friendship. Bluegrass singer Dan Tyminski provided vocals for “Hey Brother,” a dance track that incorporated Tyminski’s style as well as country. The video for the single includes clips from the Vietnam War.

Addicted To You: Avicii co-wrote this track with Mac Davis, Josh Krajcik, and Pournouri.

The Days: Avicii co-wrote “The Days” with Swedish Grammy Award-winning producers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare and U.K. vocalist Robbie Williams.

The nights: The Nights” follows the folk rock sound found in Wake Me Up and Hey Brother.

“Without You” ft. Sandro Cavazza: This track features vocals from Swedish singer Sandro Cavazza.

“Friend of Mine” ft. Vargas & Lagola: This was the last song uploaded to Avicii’s YouTube channel before his death.

Bromance:  It charted the top track lists in several countries and was right at number one spot on the Billboard Dance Clubs Songs category.

The post Some Of The Best Signature Tracks That Avicci Gifted The World appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Text credit: Charishma Thankappan

One of the much appreciated villain characters of Malayalam cinema, actor Kollam Ajith passed away today morning in Kochi. According to reports, the actor had been battling stomach related illness.

Source: Youtube

Having made his debut in Malayalam cinema through director Padmarajan’s film Parannu Parannu Parannu in 1983, Ajith was a prominent face in the films of the ‘80s and ‘90s, such as Nadodikaattu, No. 20 Madras Mail, Aaraam Thampuran, Olympiyan Anthony Adam, Valliettan, etc. He had the chance of playing the lead role in the 1989 film Agnipravesham. The prolific actor who has acted in more than 500 films was also active in other South Indian film industries such as in Tamil and Telegu, and also in Hindi. He was last seen in the 2012 film Ivan Ardhanaari. He has also had a stint with writing and directing, with the 2016 film Calling Bell.

Source: Youtube

Kollam Ajith is survived by wife Prameela and children Gayathri and Sreehari.

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Text credit: Rheanna Mathews

hough the date is yet to be announced, it has been decided that Stephen Hawking’s ashes shall be buried at Westminster Abbey later this year. The dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, had pointed out that he will be interred next to the memorials of other famous scientists like Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and the more recent Ernest Rutherford and Joseph John Thomson. He also said, “We believe it to be vital that science and religion work together to seek to answer the great questions of the mystery of life and of the universe.

The fact that Hawking was given a place next to Newton also seems fitting given that both of them held the title of Lucasian professor of Mathematics at Cambridge. A revolutionary scientist, whose work has helped us understand better the nature of the universe, Hawking died earlier this month at the age of 76 on, coincidentally, March 14 or Pi Day.

He is survived by his three children, Lucy, Robert and Timothy who said of their father, “He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world.”

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Coutourist Hubert de Givenchy was not merely a man behind one of the biggest names in the world of fashion, he also ushered in an era of ‘Little Black Dresses’ worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”  As fashion mourns the loss of one of its greatest evangelists we decided to take the occasion to revisit some of his most iconic ensembles.

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Starting his career at the age of 25 in the year 1952. A year later Givenchy roped in his first ticket to fame wherein he designed costumes for Audrey Hepburn in her movie ‘Sabrina’.

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Audrey’s custom-made black and white Givenchy gown in the movie ‘Sabrina’ in 1953

When ‘Sabrina’ hit the silver screen, Givenchy was deemed as a fashion genius and went on to design Audrey’s wardrobe for seven films, – including the cult classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s – as well as looks for her off-camera life — including an above-the-knee pale pink dress worn on the day of her wedding to Andrea Dotti.

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Audrey’s real-life wedding dress by Givenchy

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Audrey’s reel-life wedding dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy for the film Funny Face

Hepburn’s first-ever Oscars dress — a white floral gown so famous it has its own Wiki page — was another of de Givenchy’s creations. Its boatneck opening was unusual for an Oscars gown at the time, while its belt detail highlighted Hepburn’s famously narrow waist.

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His most memorable movie outfit, however, was Audrey Hepburn’s iconic black gown in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” “The little black dress is the hardest thing to realize because you must keep it simple,” Givenchy said in 2010, recalling his work on “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.”

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Givenchy’s client roster included other style icons such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Greta Garbo and Grace Kelly.

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Grace Kelly wearing an emerald green Givenchy dress to visit the White House in 1961

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Jacqueline Kennedy wearing Givenchy to a dinner at the Palace of Versailles in 1961

Hubert de Givenchy, Lilies of the Valley Dress, 1955, Victoria & Albert Museum

Givenchy retired in 1995, but his innovative fusion of fashion and celebrity remains a significant part of his legacy.

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Givenchy and Hepburn in 1991

Today his empire is carried forth by British-born fashion designer Clare Waight Keller who took over as the brand’s Artistic Director, effective May 2, 2017.

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The post Commemorating the Era of Givenchy and his Iconic Looks appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Text Credit: Shibul Pavithran 

Professor Stephen Hawking was one of the most intelligent scientists of his, or any other, generation. Hawking, who wrote several influential books including “A Brief History of Time,” was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 1962. The illness left him wheelchair-bound and largely unable to speak except through a voice synthesizer.

He had an ability to explain the most complex of ideas in terms that anyone could understand that brought fame far beyond the scientific community. The British physicist was known for his work with black holes and relativity and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time

“We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years,” the family said in a statement.

“His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world. He once said, ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ We will miss him forever,” it added.

He leaves behind ex-wife Jane, a daughter named Lucy, and two sons, Robert and Tim.

Since his death, the world has come together to pay their respect to the beloved scientist…

May the universe welcome you home with open arms. Thank you, #StephenHawking, for making the sciences cool. pic.twitter.com/peXvbf0XX8

— Digi (@digitelco) March 14, 2018

“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.” – #stephenhawking

You will be missed! pic.twitter.com/5JFhb4N1QQ

— brendon mcnerney (@brendonmcnerney) March 14, 2018

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