Aussie PM floored by our folk

Dholis and bhavai dancers with matkas on their heads greeted Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, 51, in true desi style at the city’s Taj Mahal Hotel on Monday.

Dholis and bhavai dancers with matkas on their heads greeted Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, 51, in true desi style at the city’s Taj Mahal Hotel on Monday. Gillard, who is on a three-day visit to India to announce negotiations on civil nuclear co-operation, fell in love with the vibrant folk music and expressed her desire to visit Rajasthan.

She was also presented a Banarsi stole hand-woven by bunkars from Varanasi. Visiting India for the first time, she got a taste of authentic Indian cuisine from the Indian specialty restaurant at the hotel — Varq. The spread included Bhune Makai Ka Shorba, Dum ka Khaas Murg and Kesari Chenna Payesh.

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Hailed for her evolving style back home, the lady kept it simple and stylish at her arrival, wearing a deep grey self-striped frilled lapel jacket, teamed with a blue top and deep grey straight fit skirt. Gillard hasn’t appointed any stylist, but is said to take fashion advice from her office. She drew applause for her navy skirt, navy camisole and silver-cream jacket and a navy fascinator, that she wore at Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding last year.
Along with political commitments, she also inaugurated the Oz fest in Delhi.