BBC Radio 2 host Vernon Kay will attend the first show of Liam and Noel Gallagher's reunion tour, with fans splashing out thousands on merchandise and tickets. However, some music lovers have been scammed by fake sellers on Viagogo, with over £2m lost to scams since the tour went on sale last year. Lloyds Banking Group reported that Oasis fans make up more than half of all reported concert ticket scams this year, losing an average of £436 each.
Ukrainian artist Opalyn Mok Zacharevic's "Children on Bicycle" mural has been used by AirAsia without permission, leading to a dispute between the artist and the airline. To raise funds for potential legal action, Zacharevic is selling merchandise featuring his artwork, including tote bags, stickers, and prints, with prices ranging from RM50 to RM5,000. The exhibition, open to the public from July 5 to August 31 at Cultprint in George Town, Penang, aims to raise awareness about artists' rights and includes a series of events and talks on intellectual property law.
Prada Sued Over Copyrighted Indian Footwear Design
7.4.25
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Prada Group and Prada India Fashion Private Limited, alleging copyright infringement over their use of traditional Indian 'Kolhapuri Chappal' designs without permission or fair compensation. The Kolhapuri Chappal holds cultural significance and is named after the district of Kolhapur in Western Maharashtra. Prada plans to collaborate with local manufacturers if they commercialize the sandals, while luxury brands like YSL have already included them in their collections. The PIL seeks a public apology and compensation for Indian artisans whose traditional designs were allegedly copied by the fashion brand.
Rabak-Lit Revives Fung Keong Legacy with Nasir Jani
7.4.25
Malaysian indie publishing house Rabak-Lit, led by Izzat, revived the legacy of shoes brand Fung Keong through collaborations with notable figures such as author and film director Nasir Jani and actor M. Nasir. The first collaboration, FK Action Nasir Jani, was created in 2023, followed by other designs like FK Sneakers Kembara Seniman Jalanan M. Nasir and FK Sneakers Keluang Man. Rabak-Lit's goal is to build trust with customers who remember the original Fung Keong shoes from 40 years ago, with icons like Nasir Jani and late Pyan Habib verifying the authenticity of the revived brand.
Slovakia's culture ministry has been criticized for its handling of high-profile firings, with former director Matej Drlicka accusing Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova of incompetence and "everyone's laughing stock". Drlicka was dismissed in August 2024 after two stints as head of the Slovak National Theatre, while Branislav Panis, a museum expert who served for over 25 years, was let go in September without explanation. Zuzana Liptakova, who headed an international children's art center, was also suddenly dismissed in March 2024, with her replacement causing several employees to quit in protest.
Srikalahasti's Bhanodaya Preserves Ancient Kalamkari Craft
7.4.25
In Andhra Pradesh, a traditional craft called Kalamkari is being protected through free training centres and dedicated artisans in Srikalahasti. The Bhanodaya Kalamkari Centre is one such centre where artisans practise the age-old craft of hand-drawn, natural-dye Kalamkari, creating intricate mythological designs by hand using vegetable and mineral dyes.
Tirupati MP Dr. Maddila Gurumurthy has sought support from Tata Group chairman N. Chandrasekaran to revive the ancient Kalamkari art form in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Srikalahasti. The MP proposed establishing a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) center and a Tata Skill Development Centre in Tirupati to generate employment for local youth. Dr. Gurumurthy also urged Tata Fashion brands like Westside and Tata CliQ to incorporate modern designs into traditional Kalamkari products, aiming to preserve the art form while promoting its mainstream appeal.
Thoreau's Walden Pond Rebellion Ignites Social Change
7.4.25
Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817 and became a writer, influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He moved to Emerson's family home and later built his own hut by Walden pond. Thoreau opposed the US War of 1846, which he believed would expand slavery, and refused to pay taxes funding the war effort, leading to his imprisonment. In "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau argued that breaking unjust laws is morally necessary for protest. He posited that a minority's influence can be powerful when it resists the majority, and that non-violent illegal protest can be justified in response to slavery. Thoreau gave speeches to Abolitionists advocating for "civil disobedience" before his death.
The author, Tom Utley, expresses his preference for traditional tastes in art and literature, favoring British artists like Gainsborough and Millais over modernists like Mondrian and Kandinsky. He also enjoys the works of classic authors such as Jane Austen and PG Wodehouse. In contrast to his sons' generation, who find his views on issues like plural pronouns and historical narratives "dull" and "old-fashioned", Utley believes that Britain has a rich history worth celebrating and that its suburbs are ideal places to live. He also pokes fun at himself for being overly fond of crossword puzzles and afternoon TV, as well as using outdated phrases in his writing.