** Thanjavur veena maker replicates ‘Mayuri Yaazh’

A veena maker of Thanjavur, N. Rajendran, has made a replica of the ‘Mayuri Yaazh’, an ancient open-stringed harp of Tamil music whose resonator base is shaped like a peacock.

Though the instrument was made for a private collector in Karur as an ornamental showpiece, Mr. Rajendran is confident that interest will be revived in the now rarely used Yaazh.

** Satya Paul, who ‘reinvented’ saree passes away

According to a press release, Mr. Satya Paul’s inquisitive nature led him to be a pioneer in the field of retailing, starting in the late 1960s and expanding to exports of the finest Indian handloom products to high-end retail stores in Europe and the U.S.

In 1980, he launched the first saree boutique in India, L’Affaire, and in 1986, India’s first designer label, with his son Puneet.