GECs
Pianist Yanni’s World Tour to be recorded for TV special
MUMBAI: Pianist Yanni’s first television special in seven years will be captured in high definition by 16 camera production teams and broadcast with Dolby 5.1 surround sound on 6 November.
The television special will be filmed live from the opening performance of his upcoming Yanni Live 2004-5 World Tour, which will begin from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Yanni’s last three television specials were recorded in the Taj Mahal in India, The Forbidden City in China, the Acropolis in Greece and at London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall.
An official release informs that the show will include a special Sky Cam, which is normally exclusive to ABC’s Monday Night Football. In addition, over 70 microphones will capture the audio for this special event in Dolby 5.1 surround sound. The special will be broadcast nationally in 2005 and will be available on HD television, video and DVD. The audio recording will also be the basis for Yanni’s next live album following in the tradition of Live At The Acropolis and Tribute.
Yanni’s television specials have been the highest rated music pledge events for public television over the last decade and his DVD/VHS sales for all specials have totaled over two million units, making his live concert specials among the best sellers in the video market.
This show will feature many of Yanni’s classic compositions and fan favorites including Santorini, Standing in Motion, Until the Last Moment, Nostalgia and Nightingale. It will also highlight several popular songs from his most recent album, Ethnicity, including For All Seasons, Playtime and Rainmaker, as well as, some brand new compositions — World Dance, Prelude and The Storm. In addition, there will also be some behind-the-scenes footage of Yanni’s band rehearsals and preparation for this TV special.
The show will be directed by eleven time Emmy award winner George Veras, who has produced and directed all previous Yanni TV specials. The set design is by five time Emmy award winner Jeremy Railton, who created the Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and has designed sets for Cher, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, Dixie Chicks, Phil Collins and Fleetwood Mac. Lighting design for this TV special will be by Peter Morse whose credits include shows with Madonna, Prince, Better Midler, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson and Shania Twain.
Yanni will kick-off his latest Yanni Live 2004/5 World Tour on 6 November in Las Vegas and the tour will visit 52 cities in the US, Canada and Mexico.
The Yanni Live tour is being promoted in the US by Concerts West/AEG LIVE, in association with Danny O’Donovan, informs the release.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
