Composer reinvents the piano, Interview: Riffat Alvi, Rumi's Masnavi, part 2: Eric Margolis, A Date with Theocracy,

Rumi's Masnavi, part 2: Under the surface Mystics in the Islamic tradition after Hallaj (executed in 922) usually addressed themselves to two audiences simultaneously: the common folk not privy to the mysteries of esoteric discourse, and for whom it might seem blasphemous; and to an initiated elite. Rumi argues that since the Qur'an contains seven layers of meaning, providing sustenance for both common and elite readers, the perfect teacher should provide a smorgasbord of nourishment to suit the taste and constitution of every potential pupil (Masnavi 3: 1894-7). Nevertheless, readers do bear some responsibility for closing the hermeneutic circle by listening carefully for the speaker's inner meaning. As the reed flute complains in the opening lines of the book:

I raise my plaint in any kind of crowd,
in front of both the blessed and the bad.
All befriend me hearing what they want to hear
None seek those secrets that I bear within

Masnavi 1: 5-6

Composer reinvents the piano: For a non-pianist, the idea of a microtonally fluid piano might seem either no big deal or baffling. But this weekend a composer will reveal the result of a 10-year mission – nothing less than the reinvention of one of the most important instruments in western music. Geoff Smith believes he has come up with the first multicultural acoustic piano – what he has trademarked as a fluid piano – which allows players to alter the tuning of notes either before or during a performance. Instead of a pianist having a fixed sound, 88 notes from 88 keys, Smith's piano has sliders allowing them access to the different scales that you get in, for example, Indian and Iranian music. For good measure, Smith has included a horizontal harp.

Interview: Riffat Alvi - Riffat Alvi holds an eminent place among the 20th century artists who bolstered the art scene in Pakistan. An artist of considerable repute, Alvi’s paintings are showcased at notable institutions and galleries in the UK, Germany, Iran and Nepal. As director of the VM Art Gallery, which she has been running for the past 25 years, she strives to bring international art and artists to Karachi, and uses the gallery as a forum to teach art to aspiring artists. Presently, Riffat Alvi is exhibiting her art work titled Siyah Aur Safaid at Karachi’s Canvas Art. Alvi speaks to Newsline about her exhibit and the state of art and art institutions in Pakistan

India buoyed by Bangladesh's 'gift' - After years of delays, Bangladesh has handed over to India two top leaders of the banned group that is waging a war for the sovereignty of the Indian state of Assam. The move is expected to have an immediate effect in the resolution of a host of problems between the countries, not least of all trade. It also gives India the opportunity to end the decades-long insurgency in Assam. - Sudha Ramachandran

Delhi displays multi-vector diplomacy - Converging regional interests and expanding nuclear and defense ties have put India-Russia relations on a positive trajectory. India is adjusting to the new balance of global economic power and the Barack Obama administration's shifting approach to South Asia, while both Moscow and New Delhi fear "collateral damage" to their national security should the Afghan situation worsen. - M K Bhadrakumar

Books of the decade: Your best books of 2006 Desai and Penny stole the awards, but O'Hagan's Be Near Me and Jacobson's Kalooki Nights were my choice for 2006. What were your favourites? Looking back at the lists of 2006's publishing highlights was a reminder not only of pleasures enjoyed, but of reading duties neglected. High on this list of shame was Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss. Radiating out from the story of a girl living with her grandfather in Nepal, the novel followed its disappointed characters to New York and England, and impressed many with its astringent take on multicultural discontents, not least the Booker judges, who made it a surprise winner. Stef Penney's The Tenderness of Wolves made a similar stir with its account of life in the icy wastes of northern Canada in the 1860s – written without the author having visited Canada – and took off the Costa award for its trouble. I didn't read that one, either.

Desai and Penny stole the awards, but O'Hagan's Be Near Me and Jacobson's Kalooki Nights were my choice for 2006. What were your favourites? Looking back at the lists of 2006's publishing highlights was a reminder not only of pleasures enjoyed, but of reading duties neglected. High on this list of shame was Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss. Radiating out from the story of a girl living with her grandfather in Nepal, the novel followed its disappointed characters to New York and England, and impressed many with its astringent take on multicultural discontents, not least the Booker judges, who made it a surprise winner. Stef Penney's The Tenderness of Wolves made a similar stir with its account of life in the icy wastes of northern Canada in the 1860s – written without the author having visited Canada – and took off the Costa award for its trouble. I didn't read that one, either.

Eric Margolis - In the end, there will be a negotiated peace that includes Taliban. But how many Americans, allies and Afghans must die before it comes?

A Date with Theocracy - It is now clear to the Taliban what has been obvious to many observers. Obama is not interested in an American victory in Afghanistan by 2011. He is interested in an Obama victory in America in 2012. He wants to campaign as the President who brought the boys home without giving the impression that he has been weak in the process. He inherited an Afghan war with some 10,000 American soldiers in combat. That figure has been short-tracked upwards to 100,000, partly because Obama purchased his way into the muscular pro-war segment of the American vote by criticising Iraq and upgrading Afghanistan into the war of necessity. He is paying his dues to that section of American opinion by fighting a cosmetic war. The Taliban have often said that while NATO has a clock, they have time. In 2011, irrespective of ground conditions, the NATO clock will go into reverse sweep.