Impressions Seot-Nov 2011

Le magazine de l’Alliance Française de Bombay

No. 118 Sep/ Nov 11

2 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Sommaire/Contents

Le magazine de l’Alliance Française de Bombay

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No. 118 Sep/ Nov 11

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27 Editorial September is knocking at your door with our second edition of Heritage Days in Mumbai. Rediscover your city enlighted by locals, professionals and secrets of Mumbai, always with a French “twist” to it! This quarterly, read about Franco-Indian collaborations and initiatives in the glamorous world of beauty. From home decor to runways, street style to designer boutiques. New readers, teachers and students, do not forget to send your feedback!

Retour Sur Music festival day

Discovery 24 Wine trails in France

On y était 14th of July, Bastille day

AF du Monde 26 Alliance Française de Coimbra

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Rencontre avec…

Gilles Stassart

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Books L’Inde se lit en français De vive voix…Jean-Claude Carrière Voix d’hier : Henri Michaux Notes de lecture Le bureau du livre

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Français en marche Actu du FLE Actualités Phonétique et chansons Français à vivre

Regards croisés 56 Biguine, a world of creation

France Pratique CINEMA 57 Social Security French films all set for remakes in India Buzz Focus on: Tomer Sisley 58 Chère Victoire, Our Dvds selection 59 Arrivées, départs Watch (Out) Calendar Heritage Days Hermès in Mumbai FRENCH CORNER France en Bref 62 Saif Ali Khan Papers please!

27-47 COVER STORY: The Beauty Issue Beauty… Often synonymous with creation, taste and innovation. And, ok, let’s be chauvinistic, with France. As the various exhibitions and fairs of contemporary art, design and creation unfold this fall, along fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, New-York or Mumbai, why not go a bit deeper into the subject with a special story on beauty and creation? Classical fashion, be it the timeless sari or the Coco Chanel tailleur, has made way to newer trends (P34), stimulated by global travelers and emerging lifestyles. The various travels and influences of today’s Indian designers, inspired by France, or French influenced by India, tell us a lot about it (P39). Art de vivre has also become a statement, and not only in France. New designer shops have opened in Mumbai and welcome a global and warm sense of humor and taste with kitsch and eco friendly designs (P36) leading our sense of possession (P30). And to help us remain down to earth, nothing is better than a bain de foule amongst the street smart (P44)!

The Queen’s Room, Zanana, Udaipur City Palace, detail.

Transmigrations, an exhibition by Karen Knorr/Tasveer www.tasveerarts.com Credits: Karen Knorr/Tasveer Directrice de la publication Anne DUBOURG Rédactrice en chef Clea CHAKRAVERTY Maquette Neaha Nagpal - Spenta Multimedia Impression Spenta Multimedia Traductions, Sheryn Mulla Illustration et photographie Olivia ARTHUR-Agence Magnum, Thierry BOUTIERE, Clea CHAKRAVERTY, David CORDINA, Gaëlle JOLY, Aarohi MEHTA, Neha SHENDE, Gilles STASSART, Viral THAKKER, Aykut TUGTEPE, Karen KnorrTASVEER, Jean-Claude BIGUINE, ATOUT France, Consulat général de France Mumbai, MAEE, AF de Coimbra Ont collaboré à ce numéro David CORDINA, Gaëlle JOLY, Judith ORIOL-Bureau du Livre, Neha SHENDE, Viral THAKKER, FilmFrance, Campus France Remerciements Déborah BENATTAR, Marion MISTICHELLIAF de Coimbra-, Jean-Michel MAULPOIX, Marc PARENT, Magandeep SINGH, Abdul SHAIKH, François PUJOLAS-Consulat général de France à Mumbai, ATOUT France, EFIB, PEEPUL Consulting, Edition Buchet-Chastel, Editions Odile Jacob, Editions La Découverte Tirage 2500 ex

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE BOMBAY http://bombay.afindia.org contact: mag.mumbai@afindia.org Theosophy Hall 40, New Marine Lines, Mumbai 400020 Tel: (91-22) 22 03 59 93 / (91-22) 22 03 61 87 Fax: (91-22) 22 06 61 57 SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions

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Retour Sur..

Women are Heroes

Thierry Boutière

Olive Restaurant

Fête de l’EFIB à Theosophy Hall

Anne Dubourg (director Alliance Française de Bombay), Wilfried Schnider, Catherine Oden (Atout France), attended Women are Heroes, the film and art work presented by French artist JR at Olive, Bandra.

Blue Frog

Once more, Mumbai and Blue Frog was vibrating with Titi Robin’s new project, Lal Asmaan, as the band also released its Indian CD on 7th of July.

Enfants et adolescents se sont donnés à coeur joie pour ces représentations théâtrales, mises en scène par leurs enseignants de théâtre, Alexandra Catzeflis et Julien Mulot.

Les enfants de l’EFIB (Ecole Française Internationale de Bombay) ont surpris et réjouis le public réuni à l’auditorium de l’Alliance Française de Bombay lors de la Fête de l’école. Improvisations théâtrales, comiques de situation, pièces écrites et jouées, ce fut un vrai régal! En photos: public, Marie-Laure BUISSON, Romain BOUTIERE, Vincent THEVENIN, Antoine et Camille SALAR, Mélanie JARNSON, Suraya FOSS-PHILIPS, Victor THERACHE, Johanna GOURP. 4 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Retour Sur..

Au revoir Mr. François Pujolas, you are leaving India after a four year term as Consul General of France in Mumbai. What are the most striking events that you will remember?

The first strong moment that comes to mind is not a happy one, as it is the 26/11 attacks. The tragedy that struck Mumbai, the unfortunate death of the French couple [the Amarsys] and the crisis that followed were great moments of stress and calamity for everyone. At the consulate, the team worked efficiently and tirelessly round the clock. We had to react quickly, get information on what was happening, help the delegation of European deputies stuck in Mumbai, prevent the spreading of panic, coordinate with the authorities...

I must appreciate the fact that the French community in Mumbai remained really calm. And we had great help from our Indian friends, such as the Ruias (Madhu and Ravi Ruia), who personally took charge of the delegation of European deputies.

The second event that I recall quite fondly is of a totally different kind - Yann-Arthus Bertrand’s exhibition “Earth from Above” (Alliance Française de Bombay’s students volunteered during the event). We had initiated this project that later became a part of the Bonjour India festival and went on to become a huge success. This exhibition consisted of a collection of photographs of the world’s most beautiful landscapes taken from helicopters and hot-air balloons. For the first time an exhibition was held along the beautiful stretch of Marine Drive. I am quite proud of it as it had a real deep meaning – “Saving the Earth, our beautiful home” and it was aesthetically powerful.

The third instance I will always remember is the stress and the madness around the Presidential visit in Mumbai for the first time after 12 years. It had to be perfect. I was physically running around with my team, some of my team members had

Consul de France à Mumbai

François Pujolas, Consul general of France in Mumbai, leaves the city and India after four years. Excerpts from an interview with the French diplomat.

Mr. Pujolas visiting a semi-rural school helped by an NGO

just joined but everyone did an amazing job. Everyone was exhausted at the end, because the logistics were massive. People usually only see the tip of the iceberg and don’t realize the magnitude of effort that goes behind the scenes.

Finally, I think the inauguration of the new Consulate office was another great memory. I am very proud to have contributed to acquiring our own place in Mumbai, knowing the terrible real estate situation!

What advice would you give your successor?

If any, I would say, to maintain a “good relationship” equation. Go out, meet people, and make an effort to build a good network of contacts. It is very important in Mumbai to cultivate strong connections and solid friendships. Even if life in Mumbai is fascinating and at the same time demanding, do spare some time to visit the rest of your constituency which is very beautiful (Western India).

What will you do next?

Take some time off and enjoy the Inter

Celtic festival in Lorient before beginning my new job in Paris headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs!

The consulate of France in Mumbai is the principal authority related to France in the city.

Apart from visa issues, the consulate also delivers vital information about sojourns in France, French laws and regulations, official documents.

The consulate also hosts the Ubifrance agency, which deals with the economic and trade authorities in France and in India.

Address Wockhardt Towers, East Wing, 5th Floor, Bandra - Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400 051 Consulate General of France Tel: [0091] (22) 66 69 40 00 Fax: [0091] (22) 66 69 40 66 Website: www.consulfrance-bombay.org Email: mail@consulfrance-bombay.org

bombay@ubifrance.fr

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions

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Blue Frog

Gaëlle Joly

On y Était

The Fête de la Musique Day organised by Alliance Française de Bombay presented a mix of modernity and tradition with two major events: Stop Gaps Choir performance Children’s and adults choir conducted by Alfred D’souza, held in Matthieu Foss Gallery and Cathedral of the Holy Name.

Betty Argo, pop-rock band performed at Blue Frog.

L’Inde au cœur de la Fondation Alliance Française En amont de la dernière réunion du réseau des Alliances Françaises dans le monde, Jean-Claude Jacq, secrétaire général de la Fondation Alliance Française revient sur les défis du réseau indien.

Quelles sont les spécificités du réseau des AF d’Inde ?

C’est un réseau très important, le second d’Asie en effectifs d’étudiants, mais aussi un réseau ancien avec une longue tradition démocratique et une véritable vie associative. J’ai d’ailleurs noté depuis quelque temps l’arrivée de nouveaux présidents de grande qualité, qui apportent chacun leur expérience et leur notoriété à leur Alliance. C’est enfin un réseau dynamique comme le montrent l’harmonisation des certifications, le développement du français professionnel (Mumbai est devenu un pôle FOS), un essor des actions culturelles et des projets immobiliers ambitieux. La question des locaux en Inde reste cependant un problème majeur. Lors de ma dernière visite [en avril 2011 pour la réunion du

6 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

réseau des AF d’Inde à New-Delhi, ndlr], on m’a signalé le manque crucial de jeunes professeurs qualifiés. Enfin, reste la question de notre Délégation générale en Inde : nous travaillons actuellement avec le ministère et l’ambassade pour trouver au plus vite une formule qui convienne à tout le monde.

Qu’apporte au réseau l’apparition de l’Institut Français en Inde ?

Il est encore trop tôt pour se prononcer car nous sommes en phase d’expérimentation, mais a priori on nous a indiqué qu’il s’agissait simplement d’un changement de nom des services culturels de l’ambassade, et non pas d’un changement de nature.

Nous sommes certes un peu préoccupés par l’apparition d’une seconde « marque » en

Inde même si l’Institut Français n’a pas un rôle d’établissement. Les Alliances Françaises d’Inde demeurent le point d’ancrage culturel local.

Quels sont vos grands axes de travail pour la rentrée 2011-2012 ?

Nous continuons de travailler avec le ministère sur l’évaluation et la professionnalisation de toutes les AF, à travers une démarche qualité innovante.

Nous préparons aussi nos troisièmes Etats généraux par continents, après l’Afrique en 2009 à Nairobi et l’Europe en 2010 à Bruxelles, qui auront lieu en novembre prochain, pour l’Amérique Latine, à Rio de Janeiro. Nous nous penchons aussi sur ceux de 2012, qui se dérouleront en Asie, et qui vous concerne, mais je ne peux pas encore révéler où…

On y Était

Joel Fernandes, Kainaz Messmen

M. et Mme Badrinathan

Mme Anne Dubourg et des amis canadiens

M. et Mme Jamal, M. Pujolas, des amis

Sunaina Vij, Sheetal Shah

Catherine Oden, Rahul Vohra

Mme Sapna Salins, des amis

M. François Pujolas avec Nadir et Rathi Godrej

M. et Mme Naik

Pose (pause) Champagne pour ces invités

Antonia Achache, Jérémie Sabbagh, des amis

Julie Van Rechem, Aymeric Salmon, des amis

Anish Trivedi, François Pujolas, Indu Shahani

Equipe consulaire SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions

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rencontre AVEC

Gilles Stassart, chef créateur Journaliste, écrivain, observateur en cuisines et finalement cuisiner et créateur, né à Vézelay en 1967, Gilles Stassart confronte les arts plastiques et l’alimentation.

Vous avez un parcours de cuisinier pour le moins atypique puisque vous vous y êtes plongé sur le tard, quel a été le déclic?

J’ai toujours été passionné par la cuisine dans un sens très large. Je viens d’un village en Bourgogne où, dans ma jeunesse j’ai travaillé dans les fermes. Ma relation avec l’aliment a toujours existé et mon parcours c’est ainsi fait un peu comme une ellipse : aujourd’hui ça s’est resserré. Ma formation en histoire de l’art m’a permis d’apprendre, puis j’ai écrit, notamment

un ouvrage (Woodstock Editions (USA), La Conversation) pour lequel j’ai passé cinq ans dans les cuisines de Marc Meneau. Et un jour j’ai eu envie de voir aux fourneaux ce dont je parlais. Cette distance permet un autre regard sur la cuisine. Je fais partie d’une génération où être cuisinier était perçu comme un échec scolaire. Aujourd’hui au contraire c’est une profession valorisée. Les jeunes avec qui je travaille ont un parcours déjà bien fourni, certains sont même très diplômés.

Je crois que le cuisinier a pris aujourd’hui un aspect « héros moderne».

Dans un entretien avec Le Figaro magazine vous dites que le public ne doit plus avoir peur de « rater »: pensez vous que c’est l’un des obstacles principaux à l’expérimentation?

C’est le concept d’échec qui a tué la cuisine française, qui se retrouve aujourd’hui coincée dans ses valeurs d’excellence. Il faut prendre le risque de rater, ce qui permet d’évoluer.

D’ailleurs ironiquement, beaucoup de grands plats en cuisine viennent de « ratés ». Il suffit de penser à la tarte des fameuses sœurs Tatin.

Gilles Stassart

C’est donc ce qu’on a essayé au Nomiya : associer des saveurs où il n’existe pas d’attentes, comme par exemple du café, du réglisse et du cassis. C’est difficile d’imaginer ce qui se passe en bouche. L’idée est de ne pas s’arrêter au désagréable, d’aller au-delà. La cuisine ce n’est pas forcément la gourmandise.

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Vous prônez une cuisine de l’intime et du quotidien, mais comment y parvenir aujourd’hui en milieu urbain quand l’on nous vante les mérites du tout fait ?

C’est l’envie d’y trouver un plaisir

créatif. La cuisine ça relaxe, c’est une activité manuelle. Forcément si on la voit comme une corvée on n’a pas envie de prendre du temps et on mange vite.

Imaginer toute sa vie de la même façon c’est suicidaire. Il faut repenser son emploi du temps en fonction.

Vous êtes familier de l’Inde à travers certains artistes, pouvez vous nous en dire plus ?

J’ai rencontré Subodh Gupta il y a quelques années qui m’a beaucoup intéressé par son travail sur les objets du quotidien, notamment liés à l’alimentaire. J’ai eu l’occasion de découvrir Mumbai avec lui pour la première fois. On a vu de tout, des cantines pour chauffeurs de taxi aux cuisines plus sophistiquées. J’ai été très impressionné par les dhabawallas, leur système de gestion unique. Cela indique une confrontation du quotidien et de la cuisine. Cela fait naitre l’expérimentation, liée au réel. La culture des villes-monde est ainsi très importante : comment le système agricole s’intègre t-il au tissu urbain ? C’est une confrontation du passé avec le présent.

Est ce que l’expérience artistique a pris le pas sur le ressenti physique?

Je fais la distinction entre la gourmandise et le beau. Le bon n’est pas forcément beau.

Aujourd’hui on réalise que les cuisines bourgeoises, basées sur les crèmes, le beurre ne sont pas bonnes pour la santé, ce sont des cuisines lourdes, indiquant une culture de la gourmandise très fin XIXe siècle. Dans mes recherches je travaille sur l’acuité gustative, sinon le palais ne se développe pas, le lexique gustatif demeure le même. Dans les fast food on vous sert toujours les mêmes saveurs : sucré, acidité, salé. Ce sont des saveurs saturées fortes, qui n’engagent pas les individus à la curiosité du goût et leur donne envie de revenir puisque nous sommes dans une démarche consommatrice de marketing de l’alimentation.

rencontre AVEC

Quels sont les courants artistiques qui vous ont inspiré ?

Je vois ma cuisine avec beaucoup de romantisme, comme un camaïeu de couleurs pastel, pas de contrastes comme

dans la cuisine traditionnelle. Je suis fortement inspiré par les Nouveaux Réalistes, comme Armand, César, qui ont travaillé sur les gestes du quotidien, de la routine. Le mouvement Fluxus* m’a aussi influencé. Robert Filiou a dit un jour : « L’ art est ce qui rend la vie plus intéressante que l’art », moi je dis pareil avec la cuisine.

Quels sont vos prochains projets de restaurants après le Nomiya?

Je travaille sur le projet Anywhere, un restaurant non plus éphémère mais qui est partout et nulle part. Je me déplace et vais cuisiner un peu partout avec mon studio-atelier de création et réflexion culinaire, auquel se joignent artistes et professionnels.

Gilles Stassart

L’ amertume a par exemple disparue de la cuisine contemporaine. Je propose des plats beaux mais amers, tristes en termes de saveur. Je ne sale pas non plus ma cuisine pour que l’on réapprenne à goûter des saveurs nouvelles. J’aime aussi déplacer les habitudes, les objets [Gilles Stassart appelle objets les produits alimentaires, comme en design, ndlr], créer de nouvelles associations d’objets dans les menus. Par exemple proposer une mousse au chocolat aux artichauts: cela créer un nouveau plaisir, la surprise.

Tailleur Chanel en ravioles, au Daily Monop', par Gilles Stassart

*À la fin des années 1950, de jeunes artistes, influencés par Dada, par l’enseignement de John Cage et par la philosophie Zen, effectuèrent un minutieux travail de sape des catégories de l’art par un rejet systématique des institutions et de la notion d’œuvre d’art. (Le mot « fluxus » signifie en latin « flux, courant ». (Source : Wikipedia)

Gilles Stassart, chef and creator Journalist, writer, culinary observer but above all, chef and creator, Gilles Stassart excels at putting together art and food. He is the creator of many artistic installations like the tallest cake in the world, or the world’s biggest candy floss. Excerpts from a conversation with Impressions.

“I

was always passionate about cooking. I come from a village in Burgundy and when I was young I used to work on the farms so a link with food already existed.

I belonged to a generation where being a chef meant you were not very clever.

Today it is a profession to be proud of. I sense that today, a chef is looked upon as a ‘modern hero’. […] In France the concept of failure has killed French cuisine so it finds itself boxed in by its own standards of excellence. One must take risks in order to evolve. Many of the most famous dishes emerged from initial failures eg. the tart by the famous Tatin sisters. What we are trying to do at Nomiya is to blend flavors which cannot be compared because no such flavor exists as yet, eg. coffee, liquorice, black current. It is difficult to predict what it will taste like. The idea is to not stop if the taste is not good but experiment further.

Cuisine is not always made up of delicacies.

What may be tasty may not necessarily be good to look at. […]

I feel very romantic about my cuisine, a

monochrome of pastel colors, not sharp contrasts as in traditional cooking. I am really inspired by Neo Realist artists like Armand, César who worked with everyday objects, and were inspired by routine. I am

also a disciple of the Fluxus Movement (followers of Dada). Robert Filiou once said ‘‘It is art that renders life more interesting than art”. I can say the same using the word cuisine.”

PARTICIPATE IN THE THE TASTE WEEK Come and experience with us la Semaine du Goût entirely dedicated to gastronomic experimentation and delights.

For the second consecutive year, Alliance Française de Bombay will organize a Taste Week, in association with the 22nd edition of la Semaine du Goût in France. This event, taking place from Oct. 17th to 22nd, will bring together numerous initiatives around taste education, culinary heritage and art. To bring this festival to Mumbai, Alliance Française de Bombay is going to present a large number of food related events from food tasting to cooking workshops, demonstrations and a gourmet dinner presented by Gilles Stassart, one of the most well-known French Chefs.

For a mise en bouche, in order to allow you to discover and taste the specialties of the French gastronomy, we will organize, in partnership with the best French restaurants and bakeries in the city, some tables du goût. It means that during this special week, with your membership card, you’ll have the chance to taste the best of the French gastronomy at special rates!

Please check out the discounts, great deals and offers you can get from all our partners during this tremendous week!

From the 17th till 22nd Oct In partnership with Chez vous, Le 15 Patisserie, Theobroma, Suzette, le Pain Quotidien, Novotel, Institute of Hotel Management SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions

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books

L’Inde se lit en français Le Salon du livre de mars 2007 où l’Inde était invitée d’honneur, a ouvert la voie. Aujourd’hui nombreux sont les auteurs indiens publiés en français.

L

’automne est le moment privilégié des libraires : la mise en rayon des prochains prix Goncourt ou Renaudot et de nombreuses rencontres et débats autour des brûlantes sorties littéraires des mois à venir. Plus discrète, peut-être encore bercée dans son été indien, la parution de nombreux ouvrages traitant de l’Inde cette année n’est pourtant pas passée inaperçue. En témoigne la ribambelle d’auteurs indiens ou d’origine indienne, ou encore inspirés par l’Inde, invités à Saint-Malo cette année (lire encadré).

Certes, les noms familiers, Salman Rushdie, Arundathi Roy, Vikram Seth ou Amitav Gosh ornent déjà depuis un moment les rayons de votre librairie préférée. Mais il existe aussi une autre littérature : une voix

contemporaine, parfois à fleur de peau, qui vit l’Inde au quotidien, ou qui l’a subit avec un regard bien différent. C’est le cas de Tishani Doshi ou d’Aravind Adiga, qui passent en revue leurs jeunes années à travers des récits parfois sombres, traitant d’amours modernes, d’aspirations occidentales et des désillusions d’un pays en plein bouleversement. C’est aussi le cas de plumes plus effrontées, comme celle de Sarnath Banerjee, francophile et auteur de récits graphiques dont le style rappelle celui de l’Association par exemple. Les maisons d’éditions françaises s’intéressent de plus en plus à ces voix, issues de la diaspora, vivant dans les mégalopoles indiennes, observant les changements qui s’opèrent à toute vitesse. Chez Buchet-Chastel, ce n’est pas moins de quatre ouvrages qui paraissent en 2011. Traductions,

essais, l’Inde est dévorée, décortiquée, pleurée ou analysée par ses nouveaux lecteurs, les francophones. Il existe bien sûr les éditions Kailash, avec un pied à Pondichéry et un à Paris. Chez Picquier, on traduit des contes anciens ou des policiers, on découvre aussi des nouvelles surprenantes (Maintenant que j’ai 50 ans, Bulbul Sharma, 2011), tout comme chez Actes Sud, toujours à l’avant-garde (Un atlas de l’impossible, Anuradha Roy, 2011). Il y a aussi les spécialistes qui partagent leur savoir en livrant des clefs (L’Inde de A à Z, Olivier et Nina Dalage, éditions André Versailles, 2010 et Kal, Jean-Joseph et Flora Boillot, BuchetChastel, 2011). L’Inde d’aujourd’hui se vit, se laisse découvrir sous tous ses aspects, toutes ses formes. Et pour ceux qui ne peuvent la parcourir, le voyage se fait par la lecture.

“Les Indiens sont de magnifiques raconteurs d’histoires” Marc Parent, éditeur en charge de toute la littérature étrangère chez Buchet-Chastel, fondateur de la section indienne et pakistanaise, revient sur l’engouement pour l’Inde chez le lecteur français et une littérature à portée universaliste.

Marc Parent, comment vous êtesvous intéressé à la littérature du sous-continent?

Je suis un grand passionné de l’Inde depuis longtemps. Ma grand-mère, dont j’étais très proche, avait vécu dans un ashram pendant 70 ans, celui fondé par la Ramakrishna Mission, non loin de Paris. Très jeune j’ai été bercé par les histoires de Kipling, par la Baghavad Gita. A sa mort, en 2003, j’ai dispersé ses cendres dans le Gange, à Varanasi. L’ année suivante, en entrant chez BuchetChastel, j’ai fondé une section Inde. Déjà dans les années 60, Edmond Buchet, alors président de Buchet-Chastel, avait lancé

10 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

une série de traductions d’écrits spirituels ou mystiques : Aurobindo, la Mère, Vivekanda… La coïncidence semblait presque « karmique » comme me le disait un ami. Nous avons mis l’accent sur la production contemporaine, fiction et non-fiction dont la force se confirme aujourd’hui.

Quel est l’auteur qui a donné à la collection toute son ampleur ?

Indéniablement, Tarun Tejpal avec Loin de Chandigarh ( The Alchemy of Desire, 2004). J’ai été complètement envoûté par ce récit, nous l’avons sorti pour la rentrée littéraire 2005. L’ ouvrage a apporté sa pierre d’angle indienne à Buchet-Chastel:

nous avons vendu 70 000 exemplaires en grand format, et 200 000 en librairie. Un vrai succès qui a même dépassé ceux de Salman Rushdie ou Vikram Seth en France, en termes de ventes. Ce roman a marqué la toute puissance indienne dans toute sa splendide tradition narrative. Les Indiens sont de magnifiques raconteurs d’histoires.

Comment le lectorat français réagit justement à cette littérature?

Une économie forte apporte une littérature forte. L’Inde, en puissance économique émergente propose une littérature tonique, dynamique. Les codes

books

et les histoires sont structurés par une mythologie, tendent vers l’universalité, ouvrent vers le monde. Selon moi, la littérature française est en déclin depuis la seconde guerre mondiale. Les lecteurs français sont en attentes de réponses parmi leurs auteurs, qu’ils ne trouvent pas. Avec les ouvrages indiens, ils découvrent des romans qui racontent des histoires. En France comme dans le reste du monde, chacun a une image de l’Inde, chacun d’entre nous a une Inde en nous.

Comment choisissez-vous vos auteurs ?

Vos conseils en matière de lectures, indiennes, françaises ?

Je conseille avant tout des auteurs vivant en Inde plutôt qu’issus de la diaspora.

Sauf dans les cas d’immigration inversée, que je trouve aussi très intéressants.

Radhika Jha, Tarun Tejpal, Aravind Adiga, Kiran Nagarkar… Côté français, je recommanderais de découvrir des auteurs étrangers écrivant en français, par choix, comme Jonathan Litell ou Atiq Rahimi. Ils apportent un autre monde, étranger, leur univers, avec une voix française différente, et qui redonne son universalité à la littérature française.

@Marc Parent

Par passion. J’ai un engagement profond dès le départ. Mais il faut évidemment que les textes me parlent.

J’ai un bon réseau en Inde et me rend régulièrement au festival littéraire de Jaipur (qui se tient chaque février), je m’intéresse aussi aux grands voisins de l’Inde. Nous avons publié pour la première fois Manto [Saadat Hassan Manto, écrivain pakistanais, féministe et irrévérencieux des années 50, ndlr] en traduction directe depuis l’ourdou.

Je pousse mes traducteurs aussi à s’intéresser au pays. L’ anglais pratiqué et utilisé par les écrivains du souscontinent est une quatrième langue, métissée. Le traducteur doit aussi compter la dimension culturelle de la langue, l’univers derrière le mot.

The Festival of Etonnants-Voyageurs in Saint-Malo (the Incredible Travelers festival, one of the main literary festivals of the summer) concluded over the second w-end of June with 60,000 visitors, a great record for the small Brittany city of Saint-Malo. The schedule included many meetings around concepts such as “world literature”, “world-cities”, ”the impossible roads”… As part of many thematics, Indian authors were invited (Suketu Mehta, Radhika Jha, Bulbul Sharma, Jaspreet Singh, Tishani Doshi…) as well as writers and artists whose works have been closely associated with the subcontinent (Paban Das, Tarquin Hall, Alice Albinia…). Dreamed-India, mythological India, fantasies about India, contemporary issues in India, various approaches and questions were raised during these debates and discussions.

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 11

books

De vive voix, Jean-Claude Carrière Il a fait connaître l’épopée du Mahabharata en France. Il a travaillé avec Peter Brooks, Buñuel, Louis Malle.

Amoureux de l’Inde, écrivain aux multiples casquettes, Jean-Claude Carrière revient sur sa fascination pour le sous-continent.

L’image d’une Inde extatique et passive est fausse. Elle existe, certes, mais dans de faibles proportions. D’ailleurs, la tradition indienne dit que nous ne pouvons renoncer aux joies de ce monde, à l’artha, qu’après les avoir connues.

Quel a été votre premier contact avec l’Inde?

En tant qu’athée, comment peuton, appréhende-t-on un pays comme l’Inde où la, religion est inhérente à la vie ?

Je le dois au Mahabharata au début des années 1980 et au travail fait avec Peter Brook. Nous avons lu le poème, plusieurs fois, avant de nous rendre en Inde, que jusque là je ne connaissais pas. L’ épopée a été ma clé, mon mot de passe. Le fait de connaître le poème, et de vouloir le transporter hors de l’Inde, nous a ouvert beaucoup de portes. Tous nous disaient: « Mahabharata is good for you ». Nous avons aussi rassemblé une collection d’images et de sons de l’Inde. Cela va de rencontres avec des philosophes marxistes à Shankaracharya, à des fabriques artisanales de tissus, des temples, des forêts. J’ai écrit un livre sur cette recherche, qui a été publié en Inde.

En tout, depuis la décision d’adapter le poème jusqu’à la présentation en France, en 1985, onze années se sont écoulées.

Vous avertissez également le lecteur face au cliché de l’Inde spirituelle, un cliché que l’Inde entretient. Est-ce selon vous un nouvel aspect de l’orientalisme aujourd’hui et que signifie t-il ?

La spiritualité indienne est évidemment un cliché. Ce qui frappe, en Inde, c’est souvent la vitalité, l’agitation, l’ énergie.

12 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Nous pouvons rechercher dans cette tradition une autre attitude à l’égard des problèmes qui se posent à nous. Ces problèmes sont partout les mêmes et peuvent se résumer à deux mots : vivre et mourir. L’Inde apporte des réponses qui ne sont pas forcément les nôtres. Et même, souvent (temps cyclique, réincarnation), elle pose différemment les questions.

J’ai souvent dit qu’il faut être athée pour bien parler des religions. Athée, sans être un polémiste virulent, ce qui est mon cas.

Quiconque appartient à une religion ne peut évidemment pas parler des autres, qui pour lui sont dans l’erreur. Il les méprise, automatiquement, ou les ignore.

L’idée qu’il existe un « vrai dieu » est tellement absurde que je m’étonne qu’elle rassemble encore tant d’adhérents, soumis à des dieux très divers. Tous les dieux sont faux. Ils sont notre œuvre.

Nous les avons tous inventés, et nous le savons. L’intéressant est de savoir pourquoi, et comment. Et quel miroir, aujourd’hui, ils nous offrent.

Quels sont les grands auteurs ou les œuvres qui vous semblent le mieux inviter l’Autre au voyage vers l’Europe ?

Le plus grand auteur d’Occident est Shakespeare. Il est immense. A côté de lui, nous pouvons mettre, pour ceux qui désireraient pénétrer une pensée très diverse et complexe, Montaigne, Rousseau, Dostoïevski, Nietzsche, Lewis

Odile Jacob

J

ean-Claude Carrière est né le 17 septembre 1931 dans l'Hérault.

On lui doit les scenarii de très grands succès cinématographiques comme par exemple, Le journal d’une femme de chambre (Luis Buñuel, 1964, premier projet que suivra une longue collaboration), Le voleur (Louis Malle, 1967), Sauve qui peut (la vie) (Jean-Luc Godard, 1980), Valmont (Milos Forman, 1989), Cyrano de Bergerac (Jean-Paul Rappeneau, 1990) ou encore Le hussard sur le toit (Jean-Paul Rappeneau, 1995).

Il publie en 2011 un essai, Le réveil de Buñuel. Pour Impressions, il revient sur son amour pour l’Inde. Extraits.

Carrol. Mes favoris restent les grands romanciers français, Balzac et Proust.

Mais je suis peut-être chauvin.

Aucun autre pays ne peut se comparer à l’Inde si nous nous attachons à la mythologie, aux traditions et à l’océan des histoires. La continuité de la pensée est très forte, sans doute unique au monde. Mais nombreux sont les autres pays qui m’ont longuement fasciné, en particulier le Mexique, qui repose sur un socle ancien impressionnant, et, encore aujourd’hui, presque inconnu.

Lisez-vous des auteurs indiens contemporains ?

Oui, et je suis toujours frappé par la richesse des intrigues et l’aspect « choral » des histoires. C’est du vrai « roman », qui ne cherche pas à se déguiser. Et j’aime ça.

Livres disponibles à la médiathèque:

Dictionnaire amoureux de l’Inde, Plon, 2001 Le réveil de Buñuel, Odile Jacob, 2011

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Voix d’hier… Henri Michaux Un barbare en Asie continue d’être une référence pour le voyageur au départ vers l’Asie. Ni vraiment orientaliste, ni journaliste, Henri Michaux, le poète et l’écrivain, livre ses pensées et ses découvertes sur des cultures et contrées aux antipodes de la sienne, dans un carnet de voyage emprunt de légèreté et d’une justesse toujours d’actualité.

L’ écrivain, poète, critique et essayiste JeanMichel Maulpoix (Une histoire de bleu, Gallimard, 2005) consacre sur son blog plusieurs articles et critiques au Namurois, par ailleurs objet d’ un essai (Michaux, passager clandestin, Champ Vallon, coll. « champ poétique », 1984).

Extrait de Identité et métamorphoses, Écritures du déplacement dans l’œuvre d’Henri Michaux, par Jean-Michel Maulpoix. “ Peindre, composer, écrire, me parcourir: là est l’aventure d’être en vie “ L’œuvre de Michaux présente tout entière une double vocation au mouvement et à l’exploration. […]

Les voyages réels

Dans Un barbare en Asie, le voyage prend une dimension nouvelle. Il s’agit cette fois d’une exploration systématique des pays asiatiques où Michaux paraît être parti à la recherche d’un projet spirituel. Il va découvrir, pour la première fois, aux Indes, un peuple qui “en bloc, paraisse répondre à l’essentiel.” Ce voyage-là date de 1930.

Après la mort de ses parents, en 1929, Michaux avait fait d’autres excursions, vers la Turquie, l’Italie, l’Afrique du nord. Celles-

ci étaient destinées, de son propre aveu, à “expulser de lui sa patrie, ses attaches, de toutes sortes. Mais après avoir ainsi voyagé “contre”, il voyage “pour”. Si critique ou si injuste soit-il parfois, notamment vis-à-vis de la société japonaise, Un barbare en Asie donne le sentiment d’une découverte enthousiaste, comme si, plutôt qu’un espace géographique, Michaux s’était effectivement ouvert un accès à un territoire intérieur nouveau. Ainsi exalte-t-il l’Hindou pour sa maîtrise, sa tranquillité, son goût de la jouissance et de l’adoration, sa capacité à “intervenir quelque part en soi.” Après les Hindous, d’autres peuples sont visités : Tibétains, Cingalais, Chinois, Japonais, Malais.

Chaque fois, le voyageur se pose en observateur: il s’attache à témoigner de la singularité de chacun. Il tire de ses essais interprétatifs les fragments d’une morale.

C’est une certaine façon d’être, de marcher, de se tenir, qui est finalement exaltée. Au bout de son voyage, Michaux découvre à Java un peuple qui lui semble parfait: “Le Malais a quelque chose de sain, de noble, de propre, d’humain. (...) Il est précis, net, rappelant parfois le Basque.

Malheureusement, je connaîtrai à peine les Malais. Il n’y a pas une chose que je n’aime en eux. Pas une forme. Pas une couleur.”

Il semble donc que pendant ce périple asiatique, et particulièrement dans sa dernière étape, Michaux ait vérifié un certain nombre d’intuitions personnelles, voire ébauché une éthique, assez peu codifiable en préceptes, mais qui se résumerait par la mise en évidence de quelques qualités essentielles dont l’Occident aurait perdu le sens: le goût du secret, la sensualité, l’insatisfaction, la lenteur, le détachement, la rêverie, l’aptitude à intervenir en soi... Ce n’est pas un Orient de pacotille qu’il rapporte, avec ses gourous, ses parfums et ses tissus

D.R

H

enri Michaux, né à Namur (24 mai 1889) est connu des voyageurs pour Un barbare en Asie, (1933) dont la voix contemporaine permet au routard d’aujourd’hui de partager un ressenti, des émotions, des attitudes similaires lorsqu’il parcourt l’Inde, l’Indonésie ou le Japon. A la suite de ses périples, l’ écrivain d’ origine belge s’est aussi attaché à voyager en rêves, en délires et en écriture, très influencé par le surréalisme, puis, à partir de 55 ans, par de nombreuses drogues qu’il expérimente.

Il décède le 18 octobre 1984, à Paris.

chatoyants, mais quelque chose comme le sentiment de l’Orient même de l’être, une vue plus clairvoyante et peut-être plus complète de la condition humaine.

Pour reprendre l’une de ses formules, Michaux a obtenu, en voyageant à travers l’Asie “passeport pour aller demain de par les mondes”. Il n’aura alors plus besoin de se déplacer physiquement d’un pays à l’autre, il voyagera désormais par la méditation, ayant adopté le précepte de Bouddha, formulé aux deux dernières lignes d’Un Barbare en Asie: Tenez-vous bien dans votre île à vous. COLLES A LA CONTEMPLATION.” L’Orient, en définitive, lui permet de s’orienter. […]

Références sur le site de Jean-Michel Maulpoix : www.maulpoix.net

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 13

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Kal, en hindi, « demain » comme « hier » est un titre bien trouvé. Cet abécédaire de 85 entrées permet en effet au lecteur d’appréhender l’Inde contemporaine, à la fois moderne et ancienne, sujette aux nouvelles technologies, aux mutations sociales et économiques comme aux traditions ancestrales ou sociétales. Chaque entrée est simple, mais riche en exemples concrets, en situations et en humour, abordant la dualité et les "-' - /140/8 contrastes de cette Inde en plein bouleversement.

Jean-Joseph Boillot, économiste, passionné de l’Inde et de l’Asie, est le fondateur de l’Euro-India Group (EIEBG) et l’auteur de L’économie de l’Inde (La Découverte, 2006) qui fait autorité.

Flora Boillot, sa fille, est spécialiste en développement culturel et en relations internationales. Elle est installée en Inde où elle participe aux grands projets artistiques franco-indiens tels que Bombaysers de Lille en 2006 et l’exposition Paris-Delhi-Bombay du centre Georges Pompidou en 2011.

Akshay Raj Singh Rathore, né en 1978 en Inde, est sculpteur, peintre et dessinateur ; il appartient à la scène artistique montante de son pays.

Photo de couverture :

difficile

Jean-Joseph et

Flora Boillot

un abécédaire

de l’Inde moderne illustré par Akshay Raj Singh Rathore

ISBN 978-2-283-02510-9

© Plainpicture/Millennium/Marlies Plank

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Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, (Vingt Mille Lieues sous les mers) publisher Indypublish.com.

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BUCHET CHASTEL

@Buchet=Chastel

L’Inde, la plus grande démocratie du monde avec son milliard deux cents millions d’habitants, déjà troisième puissance mondiale et première en Software, est pressentie pour dépasser l’économie des États-Unis en 2045.

Elle propose au monde une modernité innovante : la moitié de sa population est âgée de moins de 25 ans, sa croissance économique annuelle approche les 10 %, elle compte aujourd’hui une classe moyenne de 350 millions de personnes et 20 millions de nouveaux abonnés au téléphone par mois…

Cette modernité est une véritable alternative au terrible destin des 350 millions d’Indiens qui vivent encore avec moins de 1 E par jour comme des 40 millions d’enfants en guenilles qui hantent les rues de ses villes et gangrènent son image de grande puissante émergente. Sans parler des violences de son système de castes, de ses conflits intercommunautaires et religieux ou de ses millions de révoltés.

Comprendre et accepter ses contradictions au XXIe siècle nécessite de pouvoir déchiffrer les télescopages entre son présent, sa culture cinq fois millénaire et son avenir. Il faut donc entrer dans « Kal » qui signifie en sanscrit le temps et, en langage populaire, hier et demain : c’est le « temps » de l’Inde.

Cet abécédaire très contemporain, rigoureux, pratique et sans tabou, constitué des 83 mots-clés de l’Inde moderne, est incontournable pour se familiariser avec le quotidien et les perspectives du pays le plus étonnant et le plus complexe de la planète.

de l’Inde moderne

Jean-Joseph et Flora Boillot, KAL. Un abécédaire de l’Inde moderne, Editions Buchet-Chastel.

un abécédaire

Notes de lecture

Jean-Joseph et Flora Boillot

Niveau de lecture: facile moyen

This novel, first published in 1869, is of the science fiction-adventure genre. Professor Aronnax, tells us the story of how he, his faithful servant Conseil and expert Canadian harpooner Ned Land come by chance upon the Nautilus, a huge whale shaped submarine owned and commanded by Captain Nemo. He narrates their journey together around the oceans of the world in this scientific wonder. The book is a good read, since the reader is mesmerized by the descriptions of the marvels and mysteries of the sea. The reader always remains curious as to what will happen next.

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L’état de la France, 2011-2012, (ouvrage collectif) Editions La Découverte.

La Découverte

Comment va la France ? L’émancipation des femmes aboutit-elle aujourd’hui à plus d’égalité professionnelle?

Comment la crise économique et l’immigration se traduisent-elles socialement ? Quels sont les partis politiques en lice pour les prochaines élections ? Les meilleurs spécialistes donnent leurs clefs et analyses.

Une rétrospective 2001-2011 rappelle également les « faits et événements ayant fait sens ». Un guide idéal pour qui s’intéresse en profondeur à la France.

Tishani Doshi, Le plaisir ne saurait attendre, (The pleasure seekers) Editions Buchet-Chastel.

La famille Patel, installée à Madras, voit son fils ainé, Babo, partir à Londres, afin de poursuivre ses études.

Nous sommes en 1968. Babo tombe amoureux d’une jeune Britannique. Et le destin des Patels va subitement changer. A travers ce tableau de famille attachant et tendre, le lecteur découvre le bouleversement d’une Inde qui change, des années 70 à 2001, du YMCA de Londres à Sylvan Lodge, la maison familiale à Madras, du pays de Galles à Ganga Bazaar, au Gujarat. Métissage des cultures et des sangs, nostalgie d’adultes, cauchemars d’enfants, drames de la vie quotidienne, Tishani Doshi brosse un portrait juste et touchant de l’Inde contemporaine sur trois générations.

TISHANI DOSHI r o m a n

ARAVIND ADIGA LES OMBRES DE KITTUR

Né à Madras en 1974, Aravind Adiga est le chef de file de la jeune littérature indienne depuis que son premier roman, Le Tigre blanc, a obtenu le prestigieux Booker Prize en 2008.

Il vit à Bombay.

Traduit de l’anglais (Inde) par Annick Le Goyat

© Feng Li / Employé / Getty Images

ISBN 978-2-283-02432-4

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Ophelie Wiel, Bollywood et les autres, Voyage au cœur du cinéma indien, Editions Buchet-Chastel.

Aiswharya Rai, Amitabh Bacchan, Shah Rukh Khan…Ces noms semblent familiers? Tant mieux car dans cet ouvrage bien dosé entre humour et recherches de fond, l’auteur dépasse Bollywood pour explorer le cinéma indien dans toute sa diversité et sa richesse. Des cinémas populaires tamouls aux mouvements avantgardistes bengalis, du bhojpuri à l’ourdou, de la salle obscure de cinéma marathi aux multiplexes flambants neufs, Bollywood et les autres décrypte le cinéma en Inde dans sa chair, sociale, culturelle et économique.

14 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

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BUCHET CHASTEL

/PHmLIE 7IEL

BUCHET CHASTEL

@Buchet=Chastel

ittur, une petite ville imaginaire de l’Inde du Sud située sur la côte du Karnataka – entre Goa et Calicut – est le théâtre des dernières histoires de l’auteur du Tigre blanc.

Avec ses hautes et ses basses castes, ses multiples religions, ses immigrés tamouls, ses rikshawallahs, ses fonctionnaires corrompus et ses enfants des rues, Kittur incarne l’Inde tout entière.

On y croise Ziauddin, garçon famélique parmi tant d’autres qui hantent les gares du pays ; « Xerox » Ramakrishna, arrêté pour vente illégale de photocopies des Versets sataniques ; Shankara, poseur de bombe dans son école jésuite ; Abbasi, propriétaire musulman d’un atelier de confection qui résiste aux pressions de fonctionnaires véreux ; Soumya, douce petite fille d’ouvrier qui, par amour pour son père, court lui chercher sa dose d’héroïne à l’autre bout de la ville ; George D’Souza, le jardinier catholique de Mrs Gomes, qui peine à établir la bonne distance entre maîtresse et serviteur ; Murali, le brahmane devenu communiste, qui a laissé la vie passer…

Ces quatorze destinées attachantes et envoûtantes d’hommes, de femmes et d’enfants illustrent les terribles et injustes enjeux de castes, de classes et de pouvoir dont l’Inde a été la scène lors d’années cruciales : entre l’assassinat d’Indira Gandhi et celui de son fils Rajiv.

LES OMBRES DE KITTUR ARAVIND ADIGA

L’auteur du fabuleux Tigre Blanc nous propose un recueil d’une dizaine d’histoires qui racontent la douleur, K la révolte et la fatalité de la vie à Kittur, à travers quatorze personnages attachants. Avec ses castes, ses diverses religions, ses immigrés tamouls, ses enfants des rues, ses fonctionnaires corrompus, Kittur, petite ville imaginaire de l’Inde du sud, contient l’Inde toute entière. Face à la misère et à l’injustice, ces quatorze personnages émouvants acceptent l’inéluctable.Une nouvelle fois, le talent d’Adiga et son regard sans concession sur son pays font de ce livre une référence pour toute personne souhaitant découvrir ou -:HSMCSD=UWYXWY: redécouvrir l’Inde.

BUCHET CHASTEL

@Buchet=Chastel

Aravind Adiga, Les ombres de Kittur, (Between the Assassinations) Editions Buchet-Chastel.

@Buchet=Chastel

LE PLAISIR N E S A U R A I T AT T E N D R E

books

Le Bureau du livre, outil indispensable Le Bureau du livre à l’Ambassade de France en Inde est l’organe principal de promotion des écrivains français en Inde. Il invite auteurs et éditeurs à découvrir ce vaste pays mais envoie aussi régulièrement des auteurs indiens en France. Retour sur une activité indispensable.

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e Bureau du livre intensifie la coopération éditoriale entre la France et l’Inde en encourageant les échanges de droits entre les deux pays, dans les deux sens (extraduction et in-traduction). Une attention particulière est portée à l’information diffusée auprès des éditeurs indiens sur la production contemporaine française prolixe des maisons d’édition françaises afin de faire coïncider au mieux leurs catalogues.

Le Bureau du Livre est à l’initiative d’une nouvelle « newsletter » électronique, Bibliofrance, qui présentera aux éditeurs indiens – au rythme de deux fois par an – une sélection de titres français. Premier numéro disponible depuis juillet 2011. De plus, le Programme d’Aide à la Publication « Tagore » a été totalement remanié et aide les éditeurs indiens qui souhaitent s’engager dans une politique de publication d’auteurs français et francophones traduits en Inde

– en anglais comme dans les langues indiennes vernaculaires – et ce dans toutes les disciplines.

La mobilité de professionnels ou d’auteurs français en Inde joue un rôle essentiel pour créer un espace de débats: rencontres littéraires, lancements de livres, conférences ou colloques…

L’accent a récemment été mis sur l’invitation de professionnels, d’éditeurs : des représentantes de 5 maisons d’édition françaises sont venues en Inde ces derniers mois (Gallimard, Flammarion, Albin Michel Jeunesse, Le Père et Hélium pour la jeunesse aussi). Parce qu’il est essentiel de concentrer en amont les efforts sur les échanges professionnels pour multiplier les traductions qui seront

autant de bonnes raisons de faire voyager les auteurs traduits en Inde.

Le débat d’idées n’est pas en reste puisque le Bureau du Livre est à l’initiative d’un séminaire international sur la propriété intellectuelle et le droit d’auteur/copyright dans le monde du livre. Ce colloque entend décliner l’approche juridique de la propriété intellectuelle en confrontant sa mise en pratique - en Europe et en Inde - pour l’édition papier comme pour le numérique afin d’en dégager des perspectives bénéfiques pour l’avenir.

En collaboration avec l’Ambassade de la République d’Allemagne et le German Book Office de Delhi, des intervenants français et allemands débattront avec des figures indiennes de l’édition.

Du 25 août au 3 septembre : Yann Kerninon, écrivain, essayiste, artiste, sera à Delhi, Chennai et Pondichéry à l’occasion de la publication en Inde par Full Circle de son dernier essai, Tentative d’assassinat du bourgeois qui est en moi (Editions Maren Sell, groupe Libella), en traduction anglaise.

Du 1er au 7 novembre : L’éditeur et auteur franco-américain André Schiffrin sera à Delhi et à Calcutta afin de présenter, rassemblés dans un seul volume en anglais, à paraître chez Navayana, ses deux essais : L’ édition sans éditeur (La Fabrique, 1999) et L’ Argent et les Mots (La Fabrique). Ses prises de position très radicales d’ « alter-éditeur » qui défend l’édition indépendante et dénonce les concentrations éditoriales, ont fait le succès de ses essais.

Du 25 au 27 novembre Malika Doray, jeune auteur de livres pour enfants, publiée essentiellement par MeMo, Didier Jeunesse et l’Ecole des Loisirs, viendra dans le cadre du festival Jeunesse Bookaroo, à Delhi, et voyagera en Inde dans la continuité du festival.

MAE

Du 18 au 20 novembre, Agnès Desarthe, romancière parfaitement anglophone et dont plusieurs romans sont publiés en langue anglaise participera au Hay Festival qui se déroulera à Trivandrum. Une tournée sera également envisagée en amont du festival.

French Book Office: Institut français en Inde – Ambassade de France en Inde 2, Aurangzeb Road New Delhi 110011 Tel : + 91 11 30 41 00 00

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 15

CINEMA

French films all set for remakes in India French movies will soon make a break in India... thanks to their Indian versions! Discover how with hits like The Heartbreaker or Largo Winch.

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argo Winch, Hors de Prix and other French movies have attracted various Indian filmmakers during meetings and screenings. Wild Bunch, a Paris based company, and a leader in sales and acquisitions of international movies, was

initiatives are quite young in India but booming. “ The buyers don’t pay much to acquire foreign movies because the potential of viewing it is much less, unless it is an American blockbuster. But for the remakes, today, there is quite a market, much more interesting for us and for

years for Wild Bunch. Today, the French Embassy and Wild Bunch can proudly confirm that Largo Winch rights have been bought for an Indian remake. In all probability the cast will include superstar Saif Ali Khan as the lead actor. One can’t wait to know which other French movies will go in for an Indian remake.

Focus on: Largo Winch

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Largo Winch is the name of the hero and the comic book (BD) by the same name created by Belgian Jean Van Hamme and Philippe Franck published by Dupuis in the 1990’s. The duo is also known for the famous series Thorgal (1988).

in Mumbai recently to promote some of its latest acquisitions.

Silvia Simonutti, then in charge of the Indian market met with Déborah Benattar from the French Embassy, the promoter of French cinema worldwide.

According to them, the interest for buying French films really started with the Emperor’s March (La Marche de l’Empereur). The film was a huge success in India and many Indian distributors got curious. The French Embassy had various operations since then. For Wild Bunch, it was a matter of trust: “We needed to find partners on a long term real relationship.

We have had terrible experiences and some people are absolutely crooks here!

But today we found good partners and people who are genuinely interested in foreign movies” says Silvia Simonutti. As far as remake rights are concerned, the

16 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

the foreign filmmakers” explains Silvia.

“We realize that Indian filmmakers need good stories. And, in France, we have good stories. So we want to show them movies that could really interest the Indian market”.

A right combination between humor, romance and action would win any Indian’s heart we hear. Indeed, movies such as Hors de Prix, (Priceless) L’Arnacoeur, (Heartbreaker), both recent romantic comedies should soon go into pre-production in India. “The filmmakers we met loved Pierre Salvadori’s work (Hors de Prix, Beautiful Lies, After You).

Lots of them, and by that I mean strong filmmakers also knew his previous works because they traveled, saw movies on the planes or even in France. It is a huge change” observes Silvia Simonutti who has been coming to India for the last five

In the 2007 movie, Nerio Winch, a multi-billionnaire and the head of the group W, one of the most powerful multinationals in the world, based in the USA, is murdered. He has no family but one miraculously “new” son: Largo.

Young, polyglot, handsome, street-smart, humane and adventurous, Largo has been brought up as an orphan all this while, in Europe, by an anonymous mentor.

As he suddenly learns that he is Nerio’s heir, he is trapped and sent to jail in deep Amazonia, accused of being a drug dealer.

Not only has he to escape his destiny but also to find the killers of his dad and convince the board of the W group, that he is indeed, Nerio’s heir. Actions, adventures, financial turmoil and suspense await you. As the stories unfold, Largo has to fight new more powerful enemies who want to take over the Winch company and prevent him from managing it the way he wants. According to many fans, the movie, which has been worked on with Van Hamme himself, is faithful to the spirit of the comic book.

Largo Winch II has been released in France in February 2011. Both movies have been directed by Jérôme Salles.

CINEMA

Unifrance

Discover… Tomer Sisley Born in Berlin in 1974, Tomer Sisley had moved to France at the age of 9. He is well known to those brought up in the 90s’ in France thanks to the sitcom “Studio Sud” (1996) where he plays the role of a cool but erratic dude. He has developed his own shows as a stand-up comedian, playing a lot on his origins (Tomer Sisley is born of Yemenite and Russian Jewish parents). He was particularly noted by comic actor Jamel Debouze. Since then he has been working with actors like Julie Depardieu (in the comedy Toi et Moi, released in 2005) and more recently Sharon Stone, as he is the face of Largo’s character in the movie Largo Winch.

A new war of the Buttons divides France Yes you read well: a particular “war” will occupy the French minds during this fall as a major classical movie is going to be remade... twice!

Unifrance

L

a Guerre des boutons or War of the Buttons, the 1962 cult film directed by Yves Robert, portrays two rival kid gangs whose playful combats turn to violence.

They rip of the buttons from the clothes of the rival gang and take them as combat trophies. This is the phenomenon which provides a title for the film. This film is now about to be remade. Not once but twice. Two production houses decided, at about the same time, to give renewed life to Lebrac, Petit Gibus, and Longeverne by releasing a new adaptation of Louis Pergaud’s novel. One of the two adaptations will be carried out

by Yann Samuel. A girl is integrated as the head of the clan because there had to be more equality in the modern version.

This version also stays more loyal to the original story. The film will be ready for release by this Christmas. One day after this was advertised, producer Thomas Langmann published an official

statement informing of his project: Christophe Barratier will carry out the second version, which will have a setting of France under the Nazi occupation.

This second version will be released a few months after its competitor. This came as quite a surprise and quickly turned into a controversial topic in France. When two remakes of the same story are released

simultaneously, it could prove to be disastrous for both projects. So will these two survive the competition or will they suffer ill fate? Let’s wait and watch!

Available at Alliance Française de Bombay’s mediatheque : the original La Guerre des boutons of 1962 in DVD.

Neha Shende SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 17

CINEMA Niveau de comprehension: facile  moyen  difficile

Our Dvd’s selection

Discover old and new movies at Alliance Française de Bombay. Take the help of Mr. Abdul Majid Shaikh, our in-house projectionist and browse through our collection. According to him, good movies should be “either funny or with a strong social message”. Good news, we show both! Here is his list for this trimester.

Vipère au poing, 2004 de Philippe de Broca

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L’ avis du projectionniste : Je l’ai beaucoup aimé parce qu’il y avait un message : les parents ne doivent jamais maltraiter leurs enfants. Au lieu de les battre il faut leur expliquer calmement les choses avec amour.

Jour de fête, 1949 de Jacques Tati

D.R

Ce film nous raconte l’histoire du rapport entre un jeune garçon, Jean et sa mère. Après la mort de leur grand-mère paternelle, avec qui ils ont vécu, Jean et son frère vont vivre avec leurs parents. Ces derniers travaillaient jusqu’à présent en Chine. Malheureusement, le rapport de Jean avec sa mère n’est pas ce qu’il avait espéré. Cette dernière est extrêmement stricte, froide et éloignée envers les deux garçons. S’ensuit une escalade graduelle dans l’indifférence entretenue par Jean et sa mère. Leur relation est tendue et finit par se perdre. Le film nous indique que l’amour et la communication sont des aspects importants dans n’importe quel rapport et sans eux, ces rapports ne peuvent jamais être maintenus.

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Ce film nous raconte l’histoire d’un facteur excentrique dans un village qui interrompt ses fonctions pour observer le carnaval venu au village. En état d’ébriété et influencé par un documentaire sur la rapidité du service postal américain, il fait des choses hilarantes pour expédier sa distribution du courrier à bord de sa bicyclette. On voit toujours dans les films de Tati l’obsession de la société occidentale pour la technologie et son effet comique. Il faut voir ce film pour un regard sur la vie drôle et affectueuse en France rurale.

Films non disponibles dans la bibliothèque mais projetés à l’Alliance Française de Bombay:

Le fils de l’épicier, 2007 de Eric Guirado

D.R

L’ avis du projectionniste : Ce film est très drôle. Le comique de situation vous fait rire!

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Un jeune homme - Antoine est forcé de retourner dans son village natal pour gérer les affaires de l’épicerie de sa famille après que son père ait souffert d’une crise cardiaque et soit hospitalisé. Claire, son amie vient avec lui et l’aide avec les livraisons avec le camion. Il y a quelques bosses sur le chemin car Antoine n’est plus habitué à la vie d’un village et à ses personnes. Mais au fil du temps, il découvre que la vie là-bas est gaie et les villageois aimables. Le film est chaleureux et c’est plaisant d’observer la vie rurale. Le rapport d’Antoine avec son père est intéressant car dur et émouvant.

Azur et Asmar, 2006 de Michel Ocelot

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D.R

L’avis du projectionniste : Un beau film démontrant que les parents devraient avoir plus confiance en leurs enfants, en leurs capacités, afin qu’ils réussissent dans la vie.

C’est un film d’animation qui raconte l’histoire de deux garçons - Azur et Asmar qui sont élevés ensemble comme des frères par le papa d’Asmar, qui est un domestique chez Azur. Un jour il raconte aux deux garçons, l’histoire d’une Génie-fée attendant pour être libérée de sa chambre par un prince héroïque. Bientôt, les deux sont cruellement séparés par le père d’Azur. Asmar et son papa sont jetés hors de la maison et Azur est envoyé à la ville pour sa formation. Quand Azur grandit il se rappelle l’histoire de la génie-fée et revient dans la patrie d’Asmar. Là bas, il constate que son domestique est devenu un grand commerçant et Asmar est un membre de la garde royale. Maintenant, Asmar désire également trouver la génie-fée mais seulement un des deux garçons pourra réussir dans sa quête.

Neha Shende 18 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

D.R

L’ avis du projectionniste : Un très bon film pour les enfants. Inspiré des Nuits Arabes, l’histoire est fluide.

watch OUT

Bombay then, Mumbai now The second edition of the Heritage Days in Mumbai is on again in September, for a whole week, organised by the Alliance Française de Bombay. Go back in time with local activists and guides as you walk by postcolonial mansions or marvel at the stories from the past as Maharashtrian and antique Indian heritage unravels.

A

nita Garware, member of the Indian Heritage Society shares some of her Mumbai with us. Once a schoolgirl who hated history as a subject (!) she will revive to our delight Bombay, now Mumbai through a talk on the city during Heritage Days.

Are you a historian of the city?

Not at all. I am just a citizen, born and brought up in Mumbai and I love my city.

I joined the Indian Heritage Society that was created in 1978. We create and raise awareness about heritage structures.

Unfortunately the law to protect heritage structures, implemented in 1995, only allows to give incentives from this year onwards. Hence, since 1995 many private structures have disappeared as their owners could not afford to maintain them.

What are your favorite heritage spots in the city?

Definitely anything love the Art Deco for instance. I also Khotachiwadi. But

along the sea. I on Marine Drive like old areas like today, the whole

village is endangered. Real estate and bad governance are the main enemies of heritage. Another one of my favorite areas is the old University campus, the tower, the communication hall.

What would be your suggestions to visitors in Mumbai?

Mumbai is a city to be seen for its people.

It is not about monuments but old areas buzzing with crowd and history on its own where you feel the presence of people, from the past and the present.

One has also to remember that Mumbai was not British built, although that is what we see today. There were seven islands, some of which were inhabitated

by Malabar pirates and fisherfolk. And there are still secrets from the past. For example, how many people know that originally Banganga was built by the ancient Shilara people?

dogs, how many of Mumbai’s favorite pets can you spot amongst their British neo-gothic counterparts? What is Maw & Co and what did they do to the station?

When was it call Bori Bunder for the last time?

Cinemas to discover

Has Eros cinema anything to do with erotic movies ? What is Art Deco ? What is the link between Czech Republic and Regal cinema?

The Mills

Thursday 22nd September, 6.30pm.

Alliance Française auditorium Conference by Anita Garware “A History of Mumbai”.

The mysteries of Mumbai…

Take this unique city tour with Julie Van Rechem, a French wanderer and a Mumbai lover.

From 24th to 27th by Julie Van Rechem (more on Julie on: www.chouyosworld.com).

28th In collaboration with Rafique Baghadi for a Irani cafés tours.

29th Screening at Alliance Française de Bombay, The last irani chai by Khalid Mohamed

Contact Alliance Française de Bombay for the tour

Find the answers to these: Horniman Circle

Who was the “Horniman” gentleman?

What was it in 1842? Who used to gather there? Who is gathering now?

Victoria Station

How much did it cost? From crows to

Was it a British or a Parsi who designed the first mill? How much does a mill cost today? What was in 1900 the average salary of the female mill worker? What was the use of Phoenix Mills before Zara and Mc Donald’s ?

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 19

watch OUT Irani cafés

Where does the habit of Bun Maska dipped in hot sweet chai come from?

Why are there checkered napkins and creamy cakes in Parsi cafés? How old is Mr. Kohinoor from Brittania? Why are the Iranian cafés always on corners of the streets?

Did you know?

In 1984, France became the first European country to organize a nationwide “Open Doors Day” for its historic buildings. In 1991, following this initiative, the Council of Europe launched The European Heritage Days (Les Journées européennes du Patrimoine). Since then, every year during a few days in September this cultural event strives to make heritage sites accessible for everyone. By opening up a great number of historic buildings free of charge, by organizing guided tours, concerts, conferences, workshops, etc. about heritage and its conservation to the public, these days contribute to heritage awareness. Thus, the idea is to throw open all sorts of buildings: not only the listed ones but also those which are normally closed or offer only partial access.

The Alliance Française de Bombay celebrated these Heritage Days in Mumbai last year.

Following the success of the first edition, we are organizing a new week of celebrations at the end of September. But this year, we are going to focus on the rehabilitation of the heritage sites promoting the initiatives of the local associations. By doing so, we want to pay tribute to the prestigious places the city possesses and in particular Kala Ghoda and Horniman Circle. To celebrate this area and the association defending its heritage we would like to organize a tour to different historic sites and libraries on the 24th of September.

Mumbai students take you around !

Students from the Travel & Tourism Diploma programmes at the University of Mumbai’s Garware Institute for Career Education (GICE), in association with Alliance Française de Bombay, will help the visitors through the Heritage Days to understand better their own beloved Mumbai.

23rd September, guided tour of the Kanheri Caves by the students of GICE.

Elles changent l’Inde

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fin de fêter ses 150 ans d’implantation en Inde, le célèbre groupe bancaire d’origine française BNPParibas fête les femmes en Inde en s’associant avec Magnum Photo.

Comment leur rôle a‐t‐il évolué ces dernières années? En quoi cette

20 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

© Olivia Arthur / Magnum Photos

Exposition gratuite du 21 octobre 2011 au 8 janvier 2012, Petit Palais, musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris.

féminisation de la société indienne est-elle porteuse de changement pour l’ensemble du sous-continent ? Six photographes, six reportages mettent en avant les changements lents mais décisifs, opérés dans la société indienne grâce aux femmes, et notamment à travers l’action de certains d’entres elles.

D’Ela Bhatt, la fondatrice de SEWA (première coopérative pour les femmes) à une villageoise anonyme de Bhurj, de la femme policière à la jeune étudiante en Beaux-Arts de New-Delhi, chacune se bat à sa façon.

Olivia Arthur, Martine Franck, Raghu Raï, Alessandra Sanguinetti, Alex Webb et Patrick Zachmann sont les six photographes sélectionnés. Chacun met en scène l’implication quotidienne de ces femmes et comment l’ensemble de la société indienne évolue au rythme de leurs initiatives.

Reporters sans frontières a choisi Elles changent l’Inde pour son album 2011 100 photos pour la liberté de la presse (sortie prévue le 15 septembre prochain).

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Hermès in Mumbai The renowned Parisian house synonymous with luxurious scarves and bags has celebrated the opening of its first store in Mumbai. Walk in the store during the Heritage Days and discover a world of quaint charm and contemporary elegance.

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or Hermès, history and luxury go together and as a result, the 281m2 store in Mumbai is set on Horniman Circle Square.

Hermès

The boutique was designed by RDAI, the Parisian architectural agency (founded in 1972 by Rena Dumas), overlooking the Horniman garden and accessible from the archway. The store happens to be at the actual “Point Zero”, from which all distances are measured in Mumbai.

In the sixteenth century, Fort was the very birthplace of Mumbai and has since become the hub of this contemporary megalopolis, anchored by both its economy and its intellectual heritage.

The reference to the past and present of this area reflects the values of Hermès: tradition and modernity, respect for heritage, know-how and culture.

Karen Knorr / Tasveer

The Hermès brand new store in town, 15A Horniman Circle, a glimpse of Paris in Mumbai

The Queen’s Room, Zanana, Udaipur City Palace, detail.

Transmigrations, an exhibition by Karen Knorr/Tasveer www.tasveerarts.com

On entering this beautiful Victorian style building, the visitor is welcomed by the characteristic Hermès ex-libris surrounded by the ‘Faubourg Mosaic’ and is then taken on a sensual discovery of Hermès craftsmanship and exceptional know-how: perfumes, jewellery, watches, silk, enamel and fantasy jewellery, leather and ready-to-wear. A staircase then leads the visitor up to the first floor to experience its Home collections: furniture, tableware and homeware.

On one side of the store, a vast gallery of 155m² dedicated to exhibitions will present the work of the photographer Karen Knorr till September 20th 2011.

Untitled Transmigrations, the exhibition captures a perfect mix of design, art, beauty, travel and heritage.

Today one can appreciate the exchange of influences in this brand new Hermès store while visiting this exquisite location, where, luxury, taste and history open a delicate window between past and present.

“The secret side of the Writers’ District” Visit of Hermès store and Horniman Circle Saturday 24th, 10 am to 1pm

Hermès, a brief chronology 1837: Thierry Hermès (1801-1878) set up a harness and saddler workshop in Paris at 56 rue Basse du Rempart, in the Grands Boulevards area.

1902: Under the name Hermès-Frères (1902-1919) the company, now managed by the third generation, diversified its products, from prestigious saddles to Haut à courroies bags (to transport saddles).

1920s: Emile-Maurice Hermès, (18711951) extends the Hermès label to various leather goods as well as clothing and accessories… The products soon become a must-have amongst the globetrotting elite, such as Maharajahs.

1930s: The Hermès house released a number of classical items: the Kelly handbag, the printed scarf (inspired by jockeys) were amongst them.

1954: With Robert Dumas (1898-1978) the house presented its first silk twill tie model and other innovative yet exclusive products (perfumes, new bags). Hermès during the fifties was also strongly inspired

by India.

1984: The Birkin bag was launched under the new head of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas (born in 1938), representing the fifth generation.

1987: 150th birthday of Hermès. New stores, new products, events held by Hermès or with the support of the house in patronage of the arts, took place all around the world.

2006: During the Spring/Summer collection, the Paris-Bombay bag was presented.

2011: Headed by Patrick Thomas (and Pierre-Alexis Dumas, artistic director, son of Jean-Louis Dumas), Hermès opened on 14th of January a store in Pune (the first one was opened in 2007, in New-Delhi) and the 15A Horniman Circle store in Mumbai, on 20th July.

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 21

FRANCE EN BREF

Papers please!

One year after the controversial debate on national identity in France, where do we stand? Murderous identities, is the title of the famous essay from new French Academician Amin Maalouf*. And it is also a scary statement.

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hen Michka Assayas** got his passport stolen and went to renew it at the local municipality, he was asked to show all sorts of papers, certificates and proofs of identity. That would have been maybe quite a regular procedure had Assayas been a tourist or a foreigner on a visa visiting France. But Michka Assayas is a French citizen. So when the lady from the town hall showed him the door and asked him to go and get a proof of him being French, he just thought she was joking.

@Grasset

But, indeed, in 2009, when this event happened, the law changed. A passport had become a proof of identity and not a travel document anymore. And one has now to prove how she or he has obtained it. Being a former French passport holder is just not enough. So how does one justify his “Frenchness”? The answer is easy for those born in France whose parents

22 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

(at least one) were also born in France.

But, as Assayas discovers, for the others, the experience can turn into quite a nightmare. Writer Michka Assayas is born of parents having origins in Hungary and Turkey. His father was given the French nationality for great services to the French nation after the war, his mother has chosen the French nationality over her own. He was raised as a Frenchman, even if details of his mixed identity were kept like sweet childhood memories. “At home I was called Michka but back in 1958, the administration only accepted names from the Christian calendar, and hence I was Michel”. In 1998, years before the debate on national identity took place in France, ten years before the excellent Composition Française by Mona Ozouf on identity, Amin Maalouf explained very well in his essay Les Identités meurtrières (Grasset), the capacity of identities blending together.

He narrates through various examples, how identities are built together, and sometimes, unfortunately one against the other. A topic also developed brilliantly by Indian author Amartya Sen in Identity and Violence, the illusion of destiny (2006, Norton). The issue of justifying his own identity leads to create more identity crisis. Why would anyone point out identity as the answer? When French deputy Eva Joly questioned the relevance of military display on the 14th of July, the first comments made by opposition and various public figures were about her Norwegian origins.

Michka Assayas relates in his essay, published in June 2011, the trauma of having to look for origins, to dig for archives, birth and death certificates of his parents, and finally, acknowledge the simple fact that he was not the Frenchman

he thought he was. “I realized, finishing this book, that the brutal order given by the French administration to justify my belonging [to the French nation], has moved in me a feeling of illegitimacy hidden since childhood”. As he went out of the administration office, in fear of being called back in, with finally his new passport and a certificate of nationality, with the feeling he begged for it, he writes, “one thing is sure, till date, I will never consider myself an ordinary French citizen, because it is not true, it will never be anymore”.

C.C *Amin Maalouf was born in Lebanon in 1949 and lives in France since 1976. Historian, novelist and journalist he has traveled the world and written several historical novels. In July 2011 he was honored with the seat left vacant in the Académie Française by the death of Claude-Lévi Strauss. **Michka Assayas has published several novels and authored a huge dictionnary of rock and a book with Bono from the rock band U2 (Bono par Bono, Grasset).

Available at the library:  Faute d’identité, Michka Assayas, 2011, Grasset  Composition française, Mona Ozouf, 2009,

Gallimard  Contemporary French cultural studies, William

Kidd and Siân Reynolds, 2000 and 2005, Hodder

Arnold  L’intégration, Azouz Begag, 2002, Le Cavalier

Bleu Editions  The suffering of the immigrant, Abdelmalek

Sayad, 1999, Editions du Seuil  Les Identités meurtrières, Amin Maalouf, 1998,

Grasset 

The illusion of cultural identity, Jean- François Bayart, 1996, Librairie Arthème Fayard, Translation published in 2005 by C. Hurst & Co. (Publishers) Ltd

 Immigration, ‘race’ and ethnicity in

contemporary France, Alec G. Hargreaves, 1995 and

1999 Routledge  La France dans deux générations, Georges

Tapinos, 1992, Librairie Arthème Fayard  Race et histoire, Claude Lévi-Strauss,1952 and

1987, Unesco

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 23

DISCOVERY

Wine trails in France

Atout France

September and October are the perfect seasons to visit marvelous vineyards of France. It’s sunny, never too hot, the villages are charming and buzzing with local markets. This is the best time to walk around France’s most coveted and tasteful treasures: wines.

Burgundy Visit the Mâconnais The urban and architectual wealth of Mâcon is witness to a past particularly rich in encounters.

In this vineyard, vines lie on hills and a lot of typical villages shelter old wash houses, baker’s oven and winemakers’ houses. On the other side of the Saône River, the Bresse landscape unfolds before your eyes.

Atout France

Also, the Green Path allows you to discover the region by walking, cycling or riding. It snakes over 21 km through the Lamartine valley, Solutré and Vergisson rocks and the Mâconnais vineyards. The

24 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

perfect place to admire the beauty of South Burgundy’s landscapes.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux listed by UNESCO boasts superb 18th century façades along the river quaysides and a pedestrian-only historic district offering pleasant strolls down cobbled streets and attractive boutiques.

Discover the vineyards of the Médoc, Saint-Emilion, Sauternes…

Sample the appellations of the Bordeaux wine region in an 18th century setting with a

contemporary touch. You can also visit the wine bar of the Inter-profession Council of Bordeaux Wines.

Médoc

The most prestigious châteaux are in the Médoc along the D2 road known as the “Route des Châteaux”: Margaux, Latour, Mouton Rothschild... Visit La Winery in Arsac, a unique attraction devoted to wine and contemporary art. Discover the estate of Agassac, its history and wines, in an original way using an iPod.

Did you know? Beaujolais Nouveau’s finest festival One of the most famous wine festivals—Les Sarmentelles—is held in the town of Beaujeu, the capital of the Beaujolais region. Kicking off in the early evening the day before Beaujolais Nouveau, the five-day festival features wine tasting, live music and dancing. During the afternoon on Beaujolais Nouveau Day, a heated tent offers wine and a range of local foods for visitors to sample. There is also a tasting contest featuring all of the twelve kinds of Beaujolais, in which the winner wins his or her weight in Beaujolais-Villages! Later that evening, a torchlit parade through the town honours the farmers that made the wine. Fireworks at midnight mark the release of the new wine during Beaujolais Nouveau, which is then drank until dawn.

Beaujolais Nouveau is known for its bright cherry red colour. Fresh and tasty, with fruity flavors and flowery aromas, it's a wine to be enjoyed (in the words of the local tourism authorities) at 10°C (50°F) on all occasions and at all times. Santé ! (source : The Circumference.org, Atout France, Franceguide.com)

DISCOVERY

Wine, a French experience Wine can be a fantastic opportunity for those who love new experiences, travels, wine and food and…

French. Meet Magandeep Singh, Indian wine specialist, sommelier and well known francophone who shares with Impressions his passion for wine and for France.

How did you get associated with wine in France?

My love for all things French – language, culture, cuisine – and it was this that got me into the field. Earlier, I had been a hospitality student where I topped F&B studies.

The wine market in India is booming.

What is your take on this market?

It is dynamic, fast-growing but most importantly it is BIG! Not just in numbers but also in sheer spread of area. This accounts for logistical issues, as also cultural differences thereby making India a sum total of many individual smaller markets.

Do you feel Indians like and know wine better or that it is just a trend ? Can wine really go well with Indian food?

It may be a trend but it is a growing and stable one. Wine may or may not go with Indian food depending on who does the pairing and who did the cooking! But we Indians eat out a lot and indulge in all sorts of cuisines – Italian, Lebanese, South East Asian, etc. – so it needn’t be that we drink wine with Indian food all the time.

Drinking has changed since the advent of wine in that the taboos attached to it in the social context have softened. Also improved retail has allowed access to more consumers.

What are the last French wines you discovered during this trip?

It wasn’t as much discovery as a rediscovery, but it was absolutely memorable. The reds of Madiran, the whites of Jurançon, and then, a fitting end with some fantastic reds from

Saint Emilion…aah! marvellous!

Which are your favorite wines?

I never have favorites. Seriously! It isnt’t a diplomatic stance. My preferred wine changes with the time of the day, seasons, settings, the company, and most importantly, my mood. From light to rich, aromatic to austere, I can enjoy any style at the appropriate time. I feel that to like a particular style more than others is to restrict ourselves from enjoying the multitudes that is the world of wine. But, I do confess that my favorite wines are always the ones which give a great sense of value for money.

What would you advice to an Indian person who wants to discover wine, what are the various steps to follow to get your wine right?

Start by trying that which you feel is affordably within your zone of experimentation. Then, always note down wines you don’t like for that will be few in number (compared to wines you will find to your liking) and always tell the sommelier this; it will help the person in selecting a wine for you.

in French to conveniently explain wine than in the latter, my own mother tongue.

That said, it is always more informative when speaking to French winemakers in their own language; you get to learn subtle nuances that they may not be able to explain with equal fluency in English.

Would you advise AF students to look at wine as a business opportunity and how would you suggest they should go about it?

Think of wines as a business if you feel passionately for it. It may not pay much but the workday is fantastic. We taste wines every Monday morning at my company, so much for Monday morning blues! Also, keep an open mind; there is no room for attitude or snobbery, else ignorance will consume you.

I would be happy to counsel those who are interested in joining the industry.

Clea Chakraverty

What wine trail do you suggest to go for while in France?

Any! France is like second home to me in many ways. Any part makes for good learning and fun travels. I am partial to Bordeaux for I worked there, the Rhone because I studied there, but I did enjoy the Southern stretches of Languedoc and Roussillon and the South West as well.

Burgundy was divine, more holy than anything, as also the most decadent of the lot, Champagne. Loire is next on my list for being the pretty garden that it is.

You are a real Francophile and francophone, how did French language help in your field of work?

Gastronomy can never be completely understood without having a working knowledge of French. Today I can describe wine better in French than in English and I do feel sometimes that there are more words

D.R

Can you talk to us about your last trip to France, organized by Atout France in India?

I had a lovely trip to South-West France, the land of fine wine and foie gras. I believe in good food as much as the pilgrims in Lourdes; food and wine is my ultimate temple. Needless to say, it was splendid!

Magandeep Singh is a former student of IHM Mumbai, Institut Vatel, Nîmes and Université du vin (Suze-la-Rousse) in France.

More on: http://magandeepsingh.com, http://wi-not.biz, http://iwbs.in

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 25

AF du Monde

Coimbra,une Alliance Française en pleine ébullition Saviez-vous que Coimbra est l’une des plus vieilles villes universitaires d’Europe, avec Bologne et Paris ?

Pour Marion Mistichelli, utiliser la culture urbaine est aussi un autre moyen d’intéresser le public au français. « Il existe un festival du cinéma français très suivi depuis 12 ans. L’année dernière, 17 films sortis en 2009-2010 ont été projetés en 5 jours dans le plus grand théâtre de la ville.

C’est un événement attendu par toute la ville, c’est la vitrine culturelle de l’Alliance Française.» En octobre et en mai, afin de signifier le début et la fin des cours, juste avant les examens, des milliers d’étudiants se retrouvent dans les rues de Coimbra pendant une semaine pour boire, danser,

26 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

AF de Coimbra

Ainsi en janvier, l’Alliance Française a initié un projet photographique, Tous les matins du monde, qui reçu une forte participation. « Il s’agissait d’une idée lancée par une blogueuse française: prendre en photo son matin du 24 janvier à 7h59. La date choisie au hasard permettait de montrer son quotidien. Nous avons relayé l’idée à Coimbra et avons été surpris du résultat: 70 personnes ont participé, aussi bien des photographes professionnels que des enfants ! L’Alliance Française a réalisé sur cette base une exposition photographique pour la semaine de la Francophonie, inaugurée dans ses locaux, une maison sur trois étages dans un quartier chic de la ville. En juin, pour la Fête de la musique 2011, l’Alliance Française a proposé une conférence au Conservatoire sur la musique électro avec un DJ français (DJ Jos du label Prolifik records), une vente de vinyles dans les locaux de l’AF et bien sûr, un concert. « Il a mixé pendant quasiment 24h. Et la conférence interactive sur le scratch a été un vrai succès, avec notamment beaucoup de moins de vingt ans venus pour l’occasion s’essayer aux platines ». En septembre, Marion Mistichelli compte sur la rénovation de la bibliothèque (inauguration le 10 septembre avec une journée Portes ouvertes) et de nombreux ateliers pour attirer les apprenants. Comme par exemple, insolite mais inventif, un cours de surf durant un week-end immersion sur la côte, dans l’eau… et en français. Il fallait y penser !

AF de Coimbra

écouter de la musique, échanger… Les espaces publics sont à leur disposition.

Plus de 60,000 étudiants débarquent, «et il y a plus de bières bues à ce moment là que durant le festival de la bière à Munich! » souligne Marion Mistichelli. L’Alliance Française rebondit alors sur les périodes plus calmes de l’année.

AF de Coimbra

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ans cette petite ville de province située entre Porto et Lisbonne, non loin de la côte portugaise, les étudiants affluent et un habitant sur trois a moins de 25 ans. C’est dans ce contexte que Marion Mistichelli, directrice de l’Alliance Française, fait vivre la culture et la langue française. « Autrefois le français était la première langue apprise à Coimbra, l’Alliance Française était d’ailleurs l’une des plus importantes d’Europe. J’ai régulièrement croisé des personnes de plus de cinquante ans, complètement francophones m’ayant dit avoir fait l’AF. On faisait l’AF à Coimbra en parallèle à sa scolarité. Mais aujourd’hui le contexte est différent : la mode est au tout-anglais».

A l’Alliance Française de Coimbra, il n’y a pas de vrais débutants. La plupart des 450 étudiants portugais commencent avec un petit niveau de français. « Notre défi principal est de redynamiser la langue française auprès des populations plus jeunes. Nous développons des projets innovants, des formations pédagogiques pour les enseignants. Dans les cours, nous essayons de répondre à la politique d’utilité de la langue ». En effet de nombreux apprenants sont des professionnels qui se concentrent sur le français médical, afin de poursuivre leur carrière en Suisse par exemple.

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The Beauty Issue

Visuel publicitaire du salon MAISON&OBJET, du 9 au 13 septembre. 2011 www.maison-objet.com

Maison&Objet

Navigate between traditional beauty and style, design trends, eco fashion and street fashionistas. Discover what Indian designers are bringing to the world and how are they influenced by France. Find out more about French designers who made a stop over in Mumbai to get inspired. Think beautiful.

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 27

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A history of Beauty

Puis, avec la coquetterie naturelle aux jeunes gens, il donna quelques minutes au soin de son visage, veilla à ce que ses cheveux bouclés naturellement, tombassent de chaque côté de son visage d’une façon

Les Joueurs, par Caravage

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l choisit dans sa garde-robe un vêtement de cavalier, simple mais élégant, avec le pourpoint de velours grenat et les chausses de velours bleu ; de magnifiques dentelles de Bruxelles formaient le col et les manchettes de sa fine chemise de batiste s’échappant par les crevés des bras et par l’intervalle laissé à la ceinture, entre le pourpoint et les chausses. Il passa de longues bottes de buffle montant jusqu’au-dessus du genou, et se coiffa d’un feutre gris, orné de deux plumes assorties aux couleurs de son vêtement, c’est-à-dire bleue et grenat, retenues par une ganse de diamants ; puis, sur le tout, il passa un riche baudrier, soutenant une épée à la poignée de vermeil, mais à la lame d’acier, arme tout à la fois de luxe et de défense.

régulière, tressa la cadenette que l’on portait à la tempe gauche et qui descendait jusqu’à la ceinture, donna le tour à ses moustaches, tira sa royale qui refusait de s’allonger aussi rapidement qu’il l’eût désiré, prit dans un

tiroir une bourse destinée à remplacer celle qu’il avait donnée » Extrait de, Le comte de Moret, Alexandre Dumas (1865)

The Great Indian Drape

The earliest known depiction of the sari in the Indian subcontinent is the statue of an Indus Valley priest wearing a drape.

Sari as a style of dressing for women is very popular in India. Ancient Tamil poetry and Sanskrit works describe women in exquisite drapery or sari. In ancient Indian tradition the navel of the Supreme Being is considered 28 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

to be the source of life and creativity, hence the midriff is to be left bare by the sari.

The sari is worn with a blouse known as a choli forming the upper garment.

These are usually dressier with plenty of embellishments such as mirrors or embroidery, and may be worn on special occasions. The sari is an epitome of Indian culture.

India's clothing styles have continuously evolved over the course of the country's history. The earliest known depiction of the sari in the Indian subcontinent is the statue of an Indus Valley priest wearing a drape.

In past times, saris were woven of silk or cotton. The rich could afford finely-woven, silk saris that, according to folklore, could be

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he other day on my way to college, I saw two women get out of a car. One of them was wearing an indigo georgette sari with white bandhani print on it. The blouse had a deep round neck with two strings holding it together. The lady looked as graceful and elegant as her friend in a skirt and blouse. That got me thinking. The sari is worn as often today as it was worn by women a few decades back. Fashions come and go. But the sari is one outfit which never goes out of fashion.

COVER STORY passed through a finger ring. The poor wore coarsely woven cotton saris. Sometimes the saris were further decorated, after weaving, with various sorts of embroidery. Resham work is embroidery done with colored silk thread. Zardozi embroidery uses gold and silver thread, and sometimes pearls and precious stones.

The 1980s were marked by a widespread modification to Indian clothing fashions which was characterized by a largescale growth of fashion schools in India, increasing involvement of women in the fashion industry and changing Indian attitudes towards multiculturalism.

These developments played a pivotal role in the fusion of Indian and Western clothing styles.

Due to migration to different Western countries like South Africa, many Indian women began to wear the normal sari below the waistline exposing the navel which is known as low-rise sari or low hip sari. Also due to liberalization and changing global markets, saris are reemerging as an erotic wrap which can expose as much as it conceals. The sari is considered by many to be one of the most sensuous outfits of India.

As a result, saris began to be designed in many innovative ways and different materials. These saris were made popular by the celebrities of Bollywood industry.

At international film festivals, Bollywood actresses prefer wearing the sari over western wear. When Aishwarya Rai first attended the Cannes film festival for her movie Devdas, she wore a golden sari instead of an evening gown. Even in world beauty pageants, the sari has remained the favorite garment for Indian contestants in the traditional outfit round. When foreign tourists come to India, they are enthralled by the beauty and the majestic look of the sari.

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The sari speaks a thousand words. It depicts the modern Indian woman perfectly – traditional yet sensuous, strong but graceful. Women love to wear the sari and its popularity never wanes. So fashions may come and go, but the sari will live on forever!

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Objects of Desire

Home decor and designer furniture are slowly taking on India. Beyond the kitsch factor Indian designers come with resourceful and inventive practices.

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It seems the Indian buzz for all things beautiful and creative is here and it is now time to have a look at it. But where to start? Indian design has always been around, from classic elegance and intricate carving during the Gupta or Maurya empires to stone detailing or marble work. Till date, one can travel in India and find the most exquisite crafts available. However, the creativity implied behind a new shape of design, beyond simply craft, closer to contemporary needs, is yet to boom in India. The recent years have seen the emergence of new shops and exclusive boutiques, dedicated entirely to design, fabrics, furnitures and products of quality. “For many years, people would furnish their homes with ancestral decorations, keeping to the traditions in terms of taste, textures or colors. Today they experiment much more. They also want their own spaces” underlines Pramiti Madhavji, editorin-chief of Elle Décor India. The Indian version of the well-known French magazine was launched in 2001. “The market was nascent. We take pride in Elle Décor, in giving ideas, helping people put things together. Today you can find lot of shops and home decor

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Salon Maison & Objet

aison & Objet in France or the Salone del design in Milan, have become the iconic rendez-vous for all art and design amateurs, lovers of art de vivre and beauty. Nowadays, one can find Indian designers and their exposers while roaming the exhibitions in Paris or Milan. Moreover, Ubifrance in India was launching its first Art de vivre à la française salon last July. In Mumbai itself, one can be astonished by boutique home decor and lifestyle shops such as Le Mill, The Charcoal Project (in Andheri, a lavish designer dream space created by Susan Roshan) or just huge super malls dedicated only to furnishing such as Inorbit in Malad.

Scènes d’intérieur, Sept. 2011

boutiques”. The rise of young designers, from school such as NIFT, NID but also self-taught artist and visionaries enables today the well traveled, better educated urban population of India to enjoy a more luxurious and aesthetic lifestyle.

“However the Indian designers yet lack a manufacturing space. They are also under cross-cultural influences, playing with Indian traditions and modernity. And the Indian consumer is still more attracted to famous names of international brands.

Hence adventurous tastes for unknown designers are as yet rare” explains the Elle Décor editor-in-chief. The increasing

number of foreigners and expatriates has also developed the Indian market.

“Interestingly, we cater a lot to French customers. The Americans shop a lot but the French are the one who appreciate the most our design elements, the industrial aspect of our location ones” analyses Beenu Bawa, in charge of marketing for iconic Good Earth, one of the first home decor and interior design boutique in the city. The founder, Anita Lal, based in Delhi, developed the concept with the help of her daughter, Simran Lal, who found the amazing space in Raguvanshi Mills, in Lower Parel, Mumbai, the

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Good Earth

Good Earth

flagship store of the brand, who has since then opened none less than six other spaces across the country (two more of which are in Mumbai, one in Juhu and one in Colaba). “Good Earth is about a philosophy. I believe that luxury is about natural and pure products. It should not be in your face but in the details of everyday living, it is private. Good Earth also bridges the East and the West, it brings comfort between the contrasts or contradictions that these cultures can bring out”. The influence of Asian inspiration is indeed everywhere. But again, subtility is the main mot d’ordre. “We don’t believe in generic style, like what can be seen in Scandinavia. People want distinctive things and at the same time they are India proud” she explains. In Good Earth, products come from all over the world. “We want to give the world to India. And vice-versa” smiles Beenu Bawa. Hence, Indian designers have also been handpicked by the founder, Mrs. Lal and work with her as a team. Others, such as Krsna Mehta (see box) or Manish Arora, well known in their fields, work on certain collections, bringing a distinctive, classy and global touch to the boutique. “We work on theme basis, always Indian inspired, where a lot of research on facts and history are involved. This year I can only tell you the collection name is Golconda, influenced by the Hyderabadi history” confides Beenu Bawa. Once more, you will be able to browse through time and history as you explore the enormous shop. Other iconic and trademark objects are fortunately still available for those nostalgic of the early days: the Samara table, the Peyar tea set, the colorful cushions or the Spa (some French!) collection. Europe watch out, Good Earth is all set to cross borders!

Above:The Peyar Tea set Below: Papu Cushion

Krsna and the city

He is as famous as pop-art Mumbai style, itself. If you haven’t spotted the stencil colorful rickshaws, the dabbawallahs or simply the Mumbai collection of mugs then it is high time you do.

How did it all start?

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I was in New York and as I was visiting I wanted to do something linked with the city of Mumbai. I started the “Bombay project” because I felt there were no iconic, hip, arty products in India. At that time there was absolutely nothing and a wonderful friend gave me the opportunity to show my work.

Then a book came along (Mumba Maasti with Bachi Karkaria) and I decided to explore more this field as many of my friends were asking me to paint canvas the way I did the picture work for the book.

You work with various brands. What do you think of this emergence for home decor and design?

I do work for Good Earth, the luxurious end, Bombay Store, the more kitschy-funny stuff and Zeba, my family business. I prefer to design for others, I really enjoy that. Mumbai has changed a lot, in growth. People are looking inwards at India. There is a search for identity, within designers, shops or concepts. There is also fantastic talent in India, but not all have been able to express themselves the way I was lucky to.

What are your influences?

My travels, like Varanasi where I used to go for my textile work. I discovered amazing patterns over there because the local weavers were reproducing design work given by the French, the masters of etchnic-chic, at some point. The local crafts, the Indian technics such as bloc print, the textures. We have everything at home but we need to learn to play with it, play with scales or colors to make something traditional look more special.

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Design Temple, enter a world of magic

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Design Temple

he Design Temple flagship store in Colaba, aims to provide a complete urban Indian design experience.

Located on the ground floor of a beautiful old building, behind the Taj, Design Temple is conveniently located within the eclectic shopping and art circuit of Colaba. The space houses a gallery which spotlights the work of a selected designer/artist/illustrator, explaining the thinking process

behind all work and a store which houses various stationery, graphic art posters and prints, and other lifestyle products from the Design Temple range.

An example of the creative behind a vibrant taste for Indian culture through a playful interpretation is a range such as Animania. It presents the Sacred Animals of India through the creation of seven graphic artists from across the globe. The products are raising awareness on ecological issues and animals endangered all over the world. 10 % of the sale goes to the NGO Wildlife SIS. As Design Temple team puts it, “Animania is a visceral journey to rekindle our love for animals. And to create awareness that will build that bridge between our mythological past and a brighter tomorrow�.

What to see?

Till September 2011

The Design Temple spotlight is on products created by Argentinian illustrators - Leandro Castelao and Christian Montenegro's graphic art. Including the peacock mirror that was shown at Wallpaper* Hand made, Salone Milan.

October to December 2011

Vita Urbana showcasing a range of objects and furniture for contemporary living.

Where?

No.2 Churchill Chambers, Mereweather Road, Colaba, Mumbai - 1 Tel +91 22 2282 1001 www.designtemple.com Mon to Sat - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Sources: Design Temple

32 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Design Temple

Always wanted to worship something uber-cool? Here is the right place for you to do that.

3 questions to Divya Thakur How do you see urban Indian design growing and changing?

I see urban Indian design taking on a much more global presence. I think Indian artists and fashion designers like Manish Arora have paved the way to shape global perception of Indian design.

What is, according to you, the definition of "Indian design" today? Is it still very hybrid or is it growing towards something more global?

All design today is global. As that is the nature of the times we live in. The exposure for all cultures is definitely quite free flowing. By Urban Indian design or by contemporary Indian design, I

Animania collection we collaborated with 7 designers from 5 countries. Each designer gave their own interpretation to the sacred animals of India.

really mean an idiom that is global. Our attempts are to create a visual grammar from our past, (based on our Indian roots) for a global world. For our

To me this cross pollination of cultures, influences - based and inspired by Indian concepts - produces a design language that help define and position the identity of urban Indians, on a global platform.

Any French designer you are looking to work with and why?

France has a long history of modern art, fashion and design. And the French, especially the Parisians embody an envious benchmark of global style - and it would be wonderful to collaborate with a brand or a designer who is interested and equally fascinated with Indian culture.

Divya Thakur, Founder of Design Temple

Indo-French design fills Mumbai’s first Sofitel When design is Indo-French inspired, it can be done in the most extravagant way. Check in the Sofitel Mumbai, the first of its kind, where each and every décor element has been carefully thought on Indian and French inspiration. Isabelle Miaja, décor architect, located in Singapour for the last fifteen years explains her work.

How did you come across the Sofitel project?

Project of interior design for the all day dining restaurant

I have been working with the Accor group for a long time and in many various countries across the world. I also design the interiors of the Novotel Juhu in Mumbai. However Sofitel Mumbai, the luxurious brand of the group, is the one which best represents the synergy between France and India.

Where do your influences come from?

We worked closely on the architecture and Art Déco style that I admire a lot, inspired by names such as Ruhlman [Jacques-Emile Ruhlman] as well as pure Indian motifs that I saw in temples in India, such as the paisley for example.

Art Déco seemed to me much more appropriate to create the sophistication, the European feeling, rather than something heavy like the Louis XV style. So we have been reworking the Indian shapes with the Art Déco style.

We wanted to create a journey, a travel experience in all aspects of the hotel. The soft, cozy atmosphere is very French, the cut glass mirror in the bathrooms are modern and in your face without being over the top. It is avant-garde but warm.

And also a perfect illustration of the contrasts, between Indian textures and material, heavily worked, as one can see it

Isabelle Miaja

Design Temple

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in the temples, and the clean cut, straight lines of Art Déco industrial influences.

In each room you have made a different artwork, and each restaurant will have its own theme and design, what are the concepts and design that we should particularly look for?

I like the balance we are trying to keep between modern and classic, and detailing everywhere, like the paisley tables in the rooms, the desks with a subtle elephant foot... I worked with many Indian specialists to achieve the process, and was impressed by the Indian artists I met, some of whom I am going to build

more partnerships with in the coming future. Amongst the pieces I really love, the huge metallic elephant of a ton and a half, for the fourth floor restaurant, is going to be a major achievement. I have also been working on specially designed sets of cutlery from Limoges. Check also the lobby for the prayer wheels, they are going to be different, drawn from France and India, and will turn out to be quite something.

Do not miss the opening of the Sofitel hotel in BKC, Accor’s most luxurious hotel to come to India.

Isabelle Miaja’s works can be seen at www.miajadesigngroup.com

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The Indian Istyle

It is after hearing about India’s wealth and customs that explorers such as Christopher Colombus left for their extraordinary journeys. The expressions describing Indian rich culture (or cultures to be more precise) have barely changed.

Go Green!

Stop polluting when you dress! Can changing your wardrobe make the planet a bit greener? Find out with green shopping.

34 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Manish Arora

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rom colorful India to spiritual India, the clichés remain. And India continues to draw artists and writers from all around the world to its shores. But as where fashion and design are concerned, one doesn’t always think right away of the subcontinent. However, a newer, younger and hipster generation of creators and consumers is emerging since the last 10 years. Fashion bloggers such as Manou, also a photographer* are nascent but active. According to him, “Bollywood is still the main source of inspiration and influence on people’ style in India, which is sad” and the lack of infrastructures around fashion is still an issue. “There is a lack of inspiration around us and the weather plays also an important role. Our challenge today is to learn how to combine the traditional and the modern”. As people are travelling more, they discover different styles, brands and sets of inspiration. Social networking has also made an important contribution: “Thanks to Facebook or various other Internet tools, people get inspired by each other, they can try nice combinations of accessories, clothes and experiment things, as they see others doing it online” underlines the photographer. The way India is changing, at a fast pace, is also contributing to the change in tastes of people. One doesn’t dress the same way living in a chawl in Mumbai or a posh tower or in a bungalow. Aesthetics of a city plays its role. And a city like Mumbai has become a culminating point of

Manish Arora creation represents well the blend of India and the contemporary world.

The Indian designer is today the creative director of the Paco Rabanne house in Paris.

attention. “The epicenter of the world has moved to Asia, in many ways. Europe is an ageing society while Asia is young and dynamic. Fashion is the obvious showcase of the changes in a society and India is right now in the middle of it.

It is a market driven by women, where the main consumers are women. Today, in India, they have that power. They are more educated, well traveled. They want their share of luxury” analyses Bandana

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oday, when the miracles of man know no bounds, we should all give a little thought to where these miracles are leading us. We hear of nuclear plants dumping their waste in the surroundings and huge factories churning out consumer goods on a mass scale, of how our society has become a consumerist society. Maybe we

Tewari, fashion feature director of Vogue in India. To her, fashion sense in India is like “the number of layers in Indian society: a mix of street and luxury and the habit of making things coexisting together. For instance, Manish [Arora] has exaggerated that trend to a certain extent with lot of layers and colors and lot of irreverence. As if he was saying, don’t take yourself too seriously” she explains. Traditions in India, never left.

The traditional clothes, the sari are still part of the street culture, unlike the shift that happened to the Chinese or to the Japanese. “It is unique in the world. The sari is thousands of years old and still worn, and that too in so many different ways. Any Indian woman will pick today a sari to match with a Prada clutch and her Jimmy Choo” accentuates the Vogue journalist. However, younger trends show that designers are getting more comfortable experimenting with crafts and techniques and that too with western silhouettes. “The finishing is yet to be improved. Suddenly there is a niche market here for designer creations, so things are evolving slowly but surely” says Matthieu Gugumus, designer at Bungalow 8. *Manou was commissioned by Bungalow 8 for a series of photography on men on Mumbai streets, as the hip Colaba shop was launching its men’s wear collection last April.

Check Manou’s blog: http://wearabout. wordpress.com cannot change all of that right away, but we can start taking mini steps towards it. Some synthetic fabrics, such as polyesters, nylons, and acrylics are made from petrochemicals, the production of which creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide in contributing to climate change.

However, some companies manufacture

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clothing from recycled synthetics, such as PET polyester, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Organic cotton on the other hand is considered a more sustainable choice for fabric, as it is completely free of destructive toxic

Reuse, recyle, re-bag They are beautiful bags. Soft leather, dark colors, Tote bags, wallets... For every style, for men and women, Hidesign bags have become a reference in India.

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ut did you know that you can actually keep a green conscience while buying them?

Ok, they don’t come cheap. But after all, aren’t ecofriendly good actions and a little thrilling self-indulgence worth opening your purse? “We believe the best way to get an idea across is to engage people through participation”, says Dilip Kapur, President of Hidesign, in a press release.

According to the company, since its inception in 1978 Hidesign has always pushed for a greener way of doing things.

Today, Hidesign, with 68 exclusive stores and a presence in 23 countries, is a recognised leader in the research of the ecological use of vegetable tanned

pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Many designers have begun experimenting with bamboo fiber, which absorbs greenhouse gases during its life cycle and grows quickly and plentifully without pesticides. Some believe hemp to be one of the best choices for eco fabrics due to its ease of growth.

One of the shops I recently visited, The Bombay Store, keeps clothes made from cotton for sale. These clothes are very Indian in their style and motifs. That’s why they are a hot favorite as souvenirs for foreign tourists and for Indians going abroad to give as gifts. They even have other eco-friendly stuff like jute and hemp bags. And all these things are quite reasonably priced. Khadi Bhavan is another famous shop at Fort. It is government owned and promotes khadi or hand woven cotton. Besides, khadi clothes are widely accepted in fashion leathers for its leather goods. Learning from the centuries old skills of tanning with natural seeds and barks, Hidesign has created fashionable leathers that age exceptionally well.

circles. And then there is Bombay Paperie. This store boasts of hand-made paper not done on a mechanical mould but lifted with hand, using grass mats.

They take used cotton fiber as their raw material for making paper. What could be more eco-friendly than that?

Those of us who really want to make a difference can even promote fair trade.

We can try and frequent fair trade shops instead of going to our usual retailers and if it is a bit too expensive, we can always create awareness for those who can afford to shop there. So think twice before you shop, make sustainable fashion your motto and sustain this planet a little longer!

Neha Shende Sources: Wikipedia – Sustainable fashion, khadi; Blog - Sustainable fashion green wiki

Hidesign bag, hailey slim fish tote

In Pondicherry, the French hub where Hidesign was born, the company invested a lot on a strict eco-friendly and normalized factory where workers are considered like “craftsmen”.

Hidesign is soon launching its Green Collection. Hidesign’s “Green Collection”, which will be in stores later this year, and “Everyday Green” where Hidesign will design and create usable art pieces such as waste baskets, stools, trays and other innovative products out of scrap leather which will be displayed in their stores across India.

The collection comes after the Art of Reuse contest launched on June 5th, 2011 (World Environment Day). During this competition one could discover how converting waste materials or redundant goods into new materials or products of better quality have higher environmental value. Participants were encouraged to create new designs out of leather

Hidesign

A manufacturing unit of organic cotton for a French label in Gujarat

scrap. The selected happy few designers, selected by Hidesign, have won Hidesign gifts and vouchers worth quite a few bags!

The brand has been trying to promote its values on organic leather and recycling as well as maintaining a high standard product, mixing a classy touch with a more contemporary look. So don’t wait too long for the Green collection!

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Slum fashion for all

Ever thought that your plastic bag will turn into a fancy cocktail dress? Well, in Delhi, some of the poorest slums are today, manufacturer hubs for fashionistas. The NGO Conserve India has achieved to turn plastic into fashion.

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onserve started as a fledgling recycling project but quickly adapted to confront the biggest challenge it was facing – what to do with the thousands of plastic bags that could not be composted or recycled locally.

After much experimentation, the Conserve team hit upon the idea of not recycling, but upcycling by washing, drying, and pressing the bags into sheets. Handmade Recycled Plastic (HRP) was born and designs for handbags, wallets, shoes and belts quickly came flooding in. Today you can also participate in recycled fashion. Ever wondered what to do with that old pair of much-loved jeans that now have holes in the knees but are otherwise fine?

Or that old very old sari whose colors have totally faded? If you send them to Conserve India you might find them turned into a trendy bag ! Or you can simply click on the web and buy online.

In Dharavi too, in Mumbai, recycling leather, plastic or any material is quite common and used for manufacturing of outfits and accessorizes. A trip to 13th Compound is quite an experience, especially if you have business going there. Another area to explore is the famous Leather lane, also named 99th street. According to Dharavi Original, a work paper published on Scribd.com : “ If you want to buy a branded leather jacket or purse that also at a cheap price then there is no better place then Dharavi. If you ask any knowledgeable shopper in Mumbai, where do you get the cheapest and best quality leather products; they are not going to say the Oberoi Arcade but Dharavi. In their confines you can buy jackets, wallets, bags, belts and a variety of leather products. These products are mostly export rejects or

surplus products, produced by the leather manufacturers of Dharavi.

Leather industry was one of the biggest industry in Dharavi before 1990. […]”.

At Ali and Sons, one of the nicest leather shops of the lane, (others are quite crowded and designs very loud) one can find perfect reproduction of Gucci bags, trendy Tote bags and men’s purses and wallets. “I can make anything if you give a design. I usually sell my products to big shops and boutiques like Shopper’s Stop, Westside, malls… But then it would be ten times the price I am offering here” explains the gentle softspoken vendor.

Cheap and meritory, Dharavi also gives a job to thousands of workers every day.

More info on: www.conserveshop.org www.dharaviproject.org

Do it the Kitsch way!

Kitsch- cheap imitation of popular art. And it is quite high priced. A tea coaster with a corny pick up line for 450 rupees, a glass bottle with the superman logo for 1500 rupees. But we still buy it and we love it!

Why is that?

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Chai tea set from Tappu Ki Dukaan

36 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

TKD

itsch is associated with elements that may be thought of as cultural icons that pander to popular demand. The term is used for gaudy works that have popular appeal like the “angry young man” Amitabh Bachchan as a porter in the film Coolie. With the emergence of postmodernism in the 1980s, one development was the approval of what is called "camp taste."

"Camp" is derived from the French slang term camper, which means "to pose in an exaggerated fashion". The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may be described as being "campy" or "cheesy". It is sometimes an ironic appreciation of that which might

COVER STORY

otherwise be considered corny, such as actor Mithun Chakravarty and his signature pelvic movement, or popular culture events that are particularly dated or inappropriately serious, such as the low-budget family drama movies of the 1970s and 1980s.

But why are people so crazy for these articles? They are not original creations but cheap imitations of art, they might not be even beautiful to look at and they have exorbitant prices! Maybe because they serve as objects of nostalgia? One remembers the good old days as kids when they see old Bollywood actors on

TKD

So feel like shopping for kitsch already?

Or not so sure? Want to be part of the bohemian gang or want to follow the tried and tested classy stuff? In the end it all comes down to your personal choice, what touches your heart. So go ahead, follow your heart!

Neha Shende

A dabbawala tiffin? Nope, a CD rack...

Sources: wikipedia - kitsch, camp

N.S

Kitsch articles are colorful, entertaining and your own personal reminders of the popular culture of a city or country.

They are corny but appealing at the same time and in spite of having little use, everyone wants them! When I went around the city on a lookout for good kitsch articles, I came across Tappu ki dukaan. Located in a prime area in Mumbai, even the way to enter the shop is very kitschy. You enter a spectacle shop and then go through the glass door at the end, climb a staircase, and then there is a kitsch blast – you enter the shop. Stocked with all kinds of kitsch art from a study desk painted as the old BEST bus ticket to tea coasters with corny pick up lines it is a treat for the eyes. You even have Lotus, another shop but with a completely different ambience. On crowded causeway, you see a small shop window with bandhani print clothes. And then when you go inside, in the pale yellow light, you see two racks fully dedicated to kitsch T-shirts. T-shirts that have a bullock cart on them that cheekily say ‘Indian Express’ or another that shows an icecream stall with scribbling in Punjabi and many more. Then there is The Bombay Store which has many kitsch articles for sale. They have pouches with the auto rickshaw and taxi on them or bags that say gola or posters with names of famous Indian cities and pillows with huge elephants painted on them.

t-shirts. Or because they help to take away with you a piece of the city you just left behind on your way back home?

Or simply because it has started feeling cool to be cheap and careless? You never know. All this given, we cannot deny the fact that kitsch is one of the hot trends of the season.

Various kitsch items available at Tappu Ki Dukkan

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COVER STORY

Voyages, voyages

French inspired, French lovers, France lovers, Indo-French… Designers and creators in India have had a love story with the country of Glamour and Fashion beyond just the clichés. Meet some of them who love Fashion and France.

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“We are creating a style closer to our ideas, to prêt-à porter rather than Haute couture”. Hemant Sagar is originally from India but lived many years in Germany and in France. He met Didier Lecoanet at the prestigious Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in Paris and, in 1978 Lecoanet Hemant was born. As they made a name within a worldly urban chic clientele, one of their first milestones was opening an atelier in the heart of Paris - over Rue Faubourg St Honoré. The fashion industry soon thereafter honored the designer duo’s work by awarding them the Golden Thimble (Le dé d’Or) in 1994, the only accolade for Haute Couture.

In Delhi, illusions and surprises await the duo. “India is fantastic, with its long 38 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Lecoanet Hemant

Lecoanet Hemant

textile traditions. However the lack of ethics and professionalism in work can make things a bit tedious at times” he smiles, explaining how once he ordered a fabric in red, was assured it would come in a week and got it months later in black and of wrong dimensions!

“Infrastructures and innovations are still lacking in India. Creation and fashion are all about cuts, research. Here people still retain the love for the traditional. I must admit that the sari is such a perfect piece of creation already, finished and accepted. However there is always room for improvement” he emphasizes. “The mentality is the main problem: a sari is beautiful on an Indian dancer but less

Lecoanet Hemant

Blue Polo from the IndiPolo Collection

ecoanet Hemant perceives fashion as a synthesis between both French and Indian culture, and represents a special bond between two designers Didier Lecoanet and Hemant Sagar.

comfortable in modern life. For many people, like in France in the 40s, clothes are still a status symbol. In France that perception changed with the New Look

by Dior, today people in France downplay a lot the idea of fashion, it is everything but show-off ”. To the designer, the living tradition of Indian style is killing a bit the sense of innovation. For him France has maintained its fashion status thanks to a strong sense of self questioning and criticism. “Haute-couture is a way to embellish the useful. In India dressing is still perceived as something practical when it comes to the common person”.

Maybe that is why Lecoanet Hemant had decided to shift their work and focus on daily wear and new trends.

The brand has recently launched a range of eclectic sports T- Shirts. Titled ‘IndiPolo’ the T-Shirts represent the various Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Ranthambore and Jaipur. Inspired by the rich cultural heritage of India, the line comprises of contemporary T-Shirts, which aims to bridge the gap between the east and the west, bringing together an uber chic look with a twist.

COVER STORY

Emmanuel Balayer

Matthieu Gugumus, comfort and elegance

It was love at first sight. Creation love, actually. When designer Matthieu Gugumus (a former stylist with Lanvin and Yves Saint Laurent) met Maithili five years back in Paris, he didn’t know that he will end up in India three years later. Indeed, in 2008, Matthieu, who always wanted to travel, found himself challenged in the new hip and classy designer store, Bungalow 8. “It was a new opportunity, to take some distance from my work, put myself in perspective and in contrast with different cultures. I didn’t know India then and I had never been here. I started to learn about the great textile culture and history of India, the amazing handicraft variety available here” To Matthieu this is an unique chance of working directly from

a workshop and on the products with the artisans. He witnesses amazing dexterity and an uncommon passion for work and professionalism even if the weaver or the sewer is confined in 2 square meters”. Matthieu travelled all over the country to find fabrics, its greater source of inspiration that allows him lot of creativity for the boutique. Indian traditional clothes were also a great basis for new ideas. I never cut churidar type of pants before.” While learning new techniques one improves it on innovative products. “I was also given the Bungalow 8 space. Every creator dreams of an area to experiment his products and even better, to see customers choosing and wearing his concepts”. At first, he recalls, lot of clothes were in monochromes of white, black, beige. “I learned how to use color. This is perhaps the element that I developed the most being in India. My eye has opened up. I also learned new techniques and manipulation of the fabric itself, dyeing and weaving”. Words such as bhandari, tie-dye, ikat are no more obscure formulas to the French designer. Today he uses those styles in a different way, like a full batik shirt or zari style sari embroideries on a formal suit.

“I like to work on shapes that are either very ethereal or very structured. I also need to keep a certain balance between the innovation and the more commercial aspect of the cloth”. Comfortable, simple, elegant could be his motto.

Wendell Rodricks, simply colorful

The Goan designer has been praised for his sense of lightness, colors, simplicity and freshness. Inspired by Goa, influenced by Paris, the admirer of Yves Saint Laurent wrote to Impressions from Lyon.

How did your acquaintanceship with France begin?

I visited Paris in July 1981 for the first time. I recall very clearly being seduced by the city on the first night itself; I could not believe that such an exquisite city existed for real. That night I became a Francophile.

Are there any French creators that influenced your work and how?

What is your take on the French fashion scene today?

I love what Coco Chanel did to empower women. She freed them from the typical fashions of the 20th century by giving them equality and liberation. I admire what Yves Saint Laurent did. His sense of colour, exoticism and blending art with fashion is iconic. A lesser known but remarkably talented designer is Madeleine Vionnet. Her genius is evident in every single garment she crafted (many cut on the bias). I also like the romanticism of Dior. Apart from the designers I am amazed at the perfection that houses such as Hermès, Cartier and Vuitton infuse in their products.

French fashion today is about business.

The clothes and collections play second fiddle to the main sales from perfumes and accessories. But I am grateful that haute couture lives on. It is the last bastion of true creativity and passion for fashion in the world.

Do you have other inspirations from France?

France and Paris in particular will always be in my clothes. You will not find punk or grunge in my clothes. I strive for the elegance that Paris has put in my mind.

As far as art is concerned, I have done collections based on the Cubist artists, Mondrian and many other French inspirations.

How do you analyse today the fashion sense in India, do you think it has changed and how?

Indian fashion has become a tour de force in under ten years. It is astounding how fashion has permeated to the smallest villages in the country. But I am unhappy about the bling factor. We need to pereserve our embroidery culture but we should not forget our weaving, natural fibres and natural dyes.

How does India inspire you?

I gave my country minimalism, resortwear and ecofriendly clothes. But my country inpired me to cut using ancient Indian

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 39

COVER STORY geometry and my homestate Goa gave me more than a designer could have hoped for. Goa provides me with work inspiration, evolution and business.

It seems you also work on lines for men, how do you feel men in India see fashion?

Frankly I am disappointed with Indian men. They are stuck in a colonial mindset and imagine that the only way to go to work is in a suit and tie. It is a pity.

I don’t want India to become like China or Japan... with men in boring suits. We have a vast repertoire of men’s clothes to choose from and we must make choices that suit our country, humidity and temperature.

It can go only one way. Heavenwards.

Diana Linda, India inspired

some creative inputs too! “ Indeed Diana has developed different collections. She started off her design work mainly with Indian kitsch and accessories (purses, bags, wallets). Today her house is like her second workshop: a place where she relaxes and starts thinking of the next idea. A yoga teacher she also takes time off to visit small shops, local factories and markets all over Mumbai, to source fabrics and crafts.

In 2011 she has been experimenting a lot with rainwear because of the monsoon and also works on shoes and other gear, from boots to jackets to jewellery.

She ravishes the heart (and the purses) of the French fashionistas living in Mumbai!

Diana Linda, the French speaking Italian raised in Belgium, has developed a very interesting range of clothes and accessories since she left her former occupation as an NGO administrator. In her small workshop in Juhu, she employs ladies introduced to her by the NGO Ojus. “They are from very poor families.

With the work they earn at least a regular income. Today they know my style and taste so well that I can trust them with

40 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Thierry Colson, Indian roots for a French style

“India has opened my mind: I realized I didn’t want to die as a crazy fashion editor!” laughs Thierry Colson, from Paris. A stylist and editor for many fashion magazines then, he decided to shift to designing and production. “I went to Goa for my first time in India, in 2003. I thought I will create a very lazy home wear chic beach like kind of collection” he says. Thierry Colson fell in love with Indian cotton, khadi, flowing material, draping. “I was always very influenced by the Indiennes trend,

A piece inspired by the rich Indian tuniques

very much used by the British, as well as during the XVIIIe century, the Luknowi taste, the Directoire period. In India I found the right material to work on these styles”. Hence, Thierry Colson’s collection is ample and practical, comfortable but chic. “I want to make a statement for a lazy person going ot the Beach” he says.

After a couple of experimentations, he tied up with factories and professionals in Jaipur. An Indian expert on textile helped him sort out the material and the production part. “I come to India three to four times a year. We work on block prints, embroideries, techniques that are impossible in France. I did a cruise collection for summer time, which is sold in India” . His Kaftans and tunics could remind the romantic enthusiasm brought by the Orientalist movement, in paintings as well as in literature. “Absolutely! I am a fan of Paul et Virginie [novel by Jacques Henri Bernardin de Saint Pierre, written in 1787], and many oriental influences as well.” Indeed, one feels gets transferred back with him to a modern 18th century while wearing one of his amazing draped khadi dresses.

Thierry Colson

How do you see the fashion scene in 10 years from now in India?

COVER STORY Franco-indian touch in the fashion business Srimoyi Bhattacharya has very little in common with the devilish super cold and trendy Miranda Priestley’s celeb character of The Devil wears Prada. Or so you would think.

Srimoyi’s first professional encounter with the fashion industry happened in Paris, as a press attachée for Yohji Yamamoto, the well-known Japanese designer. “ I have been passionate about fashion since I was15!” she recalls. “The experience at Yamamoto’s confirmed my determination. I learned a lot over there.

Although I joined later various industries, I knew that, somehow, I will go back to my first love”. From new technologies to hotel industry, she slowly shifted towards lifestyle and luxury. Srimoyi has come a long way. From Paris to New-York where she launched her own PR agency, Peepul, she eventually decided to settle back in India, a country that she has been visiting since childhood, although growing up in Paris. Before the move, she had to build a strong network. “Interestingly our first client in New-York was the Indian designer Payal Singhal. I also happened to be appointed as a consultant on an intelligence tour for the PPR group [François Pinault’s owned group] who

TrèsMode, a brand represented by Peepul Consulting

Srimoyi from Peepul Consulting presenting an evening dress by French designer Ninon Palisse, created for Vizyon, a recent Indian classy brand promoted by Peepul.

wanted to visit India and understand the Indian luxury market”. Following these first stints with India, Peepul managed a portfolio of clients dealing with fashion and design with an edge. The company in India also developed more strength and competence beyond press relations such as brand strategy, consulting, brand marketing. “ The Indian market ten years ago was in search of identity. Today the market has grown but there is still a need for defining the brands, the values of the brands. For instance, Hidesign is known as a name but few people also know that Hidesign promotes ecofriendly values”. Srimoyi has brought her bits of France in her work ethics and management values. “We have a global experience and we know also our brands very well. I learned everything in France and today I want our agency to work in Mumbai the way things work in Paris”.

Indeed the cozy showroom in the Peepul Consulting office is rather appealing.

Like PR fashion agencies in other cities, Peepul has a small dressing room full of

CC

Behind her generous smile Srimoyi is unquestionably fashionable, elegant and smart. Paris and New-York runways don’t have any secrets for her. And now she is in India. But believe it or not, you would want to work for her.

outfits lent by its clients for promotion.

Stylists can hence come, pick and choose for a shoot the latest trends by LecoanetHemant, Le Mill or Très Mode, amongst Peepul’s clients. “It works really well.

Since this is Mumbai and India, a lot of brands get promoted by celebrities”. If being “French trained” helped Srimoyi in setting up Peepul Consulting, being in India has proven to be exhilarating as well as challenging. “ In India things are still at an experimental stage. Hence it is more innovative and as a PR agency one has also more facilities to meet heads of magazines for example, than in NewYork or Paris, where the competition is also huge. However the main difficulties remain infrastructures and small daily issues, like bad Internet connection etc.”

And as a real French professional there is one thing Srimoyi will not accept: “the burn out of my staff. Like a proper French, I make sure that they work their schedule but not beyond. And no work on Saturday except emergencies!” Isn’t that a dream job that a million girls would kill for?

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 41

COVER STORY At museum of Arts décoratifs in Paris, rediscover crossover fashion

Fashion is not only about what you wear.

An interesting crossover is the very edgy work of Hussein Chalayan, “Hussein Chalayan, récits de mode” to be seen at the Musée des arts décoratifs in Paris from 5th July till 13th November.

The Arts Décoratifs has given ‘carte blanche’ to one of the most innovative and creative fashion designers of our time: Hussein Chalayan. Born in Nicosia in 1970, he moved to London as a child traveling back and forth between Cyprus and England. Following his own unique approach to design for seventeen years, he stands on the frontier of fashion, architecture and design. His work is

characterized by an intellectual rigor and a quest for technical perfection that often defies fashion stereotypes. Chalayan stood out from the start of his career through his highly inventive exploration of various mediums, including sculpture, furniture, video and special effects, which he uses in his fashion shows, drawing inspiration directly from the political, social and economic realities of his era (Kosovo war, the city of London, Turkish traditional dresses...). The exhibition showcases this rich, complex world, in which clothing, installations, fashion shows, projections and research are shown side by side to illustrate Chalayan’s distinctive process.

More information on: www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr

Mode vagabonde A Mumbai, rien de plus délicieux que de se promener dans l’une des nombreuses avenues commerçantes de la ville. Repérages en couleurs.

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olaba Causeway est l’un des boulevards commerçants les plus renommés à Mumbai.

Il a acquis un statut culte et fait partie de la culture populaire de la ville. L’avenue a été construite par l’East India Company en 1838. Ce quartier à l’architecture coloniale, avec ses petits magasins et ses vieux cafés, est comme le Culture Square de Mumbai. Tout au long de la journée et à tout moment de l’année Causeway est toujours bondé de touristes et de Mumbaikars et c’est l’endroit préféré de tous les lycéens et étudiants. C'est le rêve des acheteurs.

Il y a les grands magasins d’un côté de la route et les petits étals de l'autre.

Il faut marchander à Causeway et les prix finissent toujours par se réduire de moitié. Les marchandises sont achetées en grande quantité dans différentes régions de l'Inde. Il y a les beaux sacs et portefeuilles avec des perles et de la broderie. Ceux-ci sont fabriqués à la main et viennent du marché local Crawford market. D'autres favoris des touristes sont les foulards en soie et laine aussi bien que des antiquités faites

42 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

avec du métal, du bois et de l’ ivoire.

Ces produits sont également fabriqués à la main à Jaipur, à Delhi, à Varanasi et dans d’autres villes. Tous ces articles coûtent entre 1000 et 2000 roupies. Les boucles d'oreille et les colliers en pierre sont fabriqués à Colaba Causeway dans les magasins par les vendeurs euxmêmes avec des pierres venues de Jaipur et de Khambat (Gujarat), commandées à cet effet. On trouve du traditionnel, comme les Ganjis, les Dhoti Pants et du moderne, comme les fameux T-shirts de Tantra avec des citations drôles comme ‘Conserve water, drink beer’ ou ‘I was born intelligent, education ruined me’. À la question, comment savoir ce qui est à la mode et ce qui ne l’est pas, le vendeur m’a simplement répondu avec assurance: «Nous achetons ce que nous voulons et ça devient à la mode ! » Ces petits magasins sont sur Causeway depuis des décennies et ont aidé à écrire l'histoire de Mumbai. On a écrit à propos de Causeway sur Internet, dans les journaux et les guides touristiques.

Christina et Jordi - un couple d’espagnols

que j'ai rencontrés là-bas — m'ont dit qu'ils ont eu connaissance de Causeway dans un de ces livres. Ils ont pensé que Causeway était intéressant mais que c'était un peu trop bondé. Mais ils ont aimé les articles. Deux touristes suisses, Régula et Raphael, ont dit qu'ils ont trouvé Causeway par hasard en faisant une promenade autour du Taj - l'hôtel où ils séjournaient. Régula a acheté quelques jupes et Raphael a acheté des chemises et des chaussures. Ils sont allés au Crawford market et au Chor Bazar, mais n'y ont rien acheté. Ils ont préféré l'atmosphère ici à Causeway. Ils ont trouvé que toutes les odeurs orientales étaient très particulières. Après leur avoir parlé j’ai eu le sentiment que Causeway me rappelait une page hors du temps, extraite d’un vieux roman comme Aladdin ou Les Nuits Arabes.

Causeway a toujours été une source de fascination mystique pour les touristes et les locaux, sans aucun doute, cela va continuer dans les années à venir.

Neha Shende (Sources: Wikipedia – Colaba Causeway)

COVER STORY

1. Colorful T-shirts on the Causeway 2. Bargaining 3 & 5.Street scenes 4. Did you say pearls?

1

2

6. Mehendi anyone?

4 6 3 5

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 43

COVER STORY Fashion Street est-elle toujours à la mode? Continue t-elle d’être fréquentée? Découvrons-le! de marche sont commandées depuis Kurla, Bandra ou confectionnées à la main par de petits fabricants. Par ailleurs on obtient aussi des produits de bonne qualité mais très légèrement défectueux et vendus très bon marché. Quand j'ai parlé à certains étudiants venus pour faire des emplettes ici, et leur ai demandé s'ils préféraient des endroits comme

From Colaba Causeway to Fashion Street, it’s all a bargain!

44 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Colaba Causeway ou Linking Road, ils ont répondu qu’ils étaient satisfaits de Fashion Street parce que la qualité des produits demeurait correcte. Ainsi, Fashion Street n'a toujours pas perdu le contact avec la mode et reste aussi renommée que jamais !

Neha Shende

N.S

F

ashion Street est un autre espace commerçant célèbre à Mumbai. Située sur MG road et surnommée FS, cette rue avec 130-140 magasins, est bien connue des lycéens. Et ce n'est pas sans raison. Les vêtements vendus ici sont non seulement à la mode (comme le nom le suggère) mais ils ont un prix raisonnable. Fashion Street a-t-elle changé pendant les décennies ? La popularité de la rue qui était cool quelques années auparavant a-t-elle diminué en raison d'autres zones d'achats émergentes? Raju, un vendeur de vêtements me dit: «Je travaille ici depuis les 15 dernières années et il n'y a aucun changement. La rue de la mode sera toujours à la mode ». « Mais il n’y a pas de cabines d’essayage ici,» ai-je rétorqué. «Madame, nous échangeons les vêtements et les gens peuvent marchander ici, de plus les prix sont très bas. Qu’estce que le client pourrait vouloir de plus?»

Les vêtements sont vendus entre 200 et 700 roupies et viennent non seulement de Dadar, Santa Cruz et Bangalore mais également de pays comme la Thailande, ou de la Corée du Sud. Les sandales, flip-flops et quelques bonnes chaussures

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The Street Smart

“I have always been told that in Mumbai people don’t know how to dress. But I have been around, walking here and there, especially in non touristic spots and I don’t think it is true. People do dress and mix things without even a fashion sense or concept. They are stylish without knowing it” Matthieu Gugumus, designer, Bungalow 8

Somini (age 19, student): Today I had come to college for my little sister’s admission, this is just what I usually wear.”

Dhoti pant from Hill road, jacket from apparels at Kemp’s corner, chappals from Colaba causeway, bag was a gift.

Michelle (23 yrs, B.Ed. for special kids) Mostly, I like clothes with an Indian touch i.e. Indian motifs and designs but a western cut. Kurti – own design, jeans from hill road, sandals from Colaba causeway, bag from Hill road.

Hazel (age 19, student & journalist): “I really like loose clothes because they are very comfortable.” T-shirt from Max in Dubai, Skirt from Splash in Dubai, shoes from a local Kutch street (Gujarat), bracelet was a gift, nose stud from local Mumbai jeweler, Bag from Crawford market.

Malvika (age 20, student) “In the monsoons I always like to wear old cotton dresses because they allow the skin to breathe freely and dresses are easier to move around in.” Dress and jacket from Globus, bag from Colaba Causeway.

Rima (21 yrs, MBA student) - I am quite brand conscious. I generally wear one bright thing that stands out and then tone it down with neutral or muted colors. Top and jeans from Old Navy, chappals from flee market in Dubai, shades from IDee, purse and pendant from Accessorize.

Savaanii (age 18, student) “ I love to dress up wherever I go, even if I’m going to gym! I don’t care of what people think of it, I always like to be well-dressed.” Top from Lifestyle, leggings from Primark in London, Stilettos from Girlie.

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COVER STORY

Araish (age 19, student) “Usually I dress up in Indian wear when I have family outings.” Dress material from Tirumala at Lokhandwala, Lace from Crawford market, stilettos from Champagne market in Bangkok, Bag from Globus.

Annie (age 20, model) “I just thought the outfit was very pretty, so I wore it!”

Designed her own dress.

Junaid (age 20, fitness trainer and model) “ I had come for a show for an online site for finding wedding partners.” Hat from SV road in Bandra, Jacket from Benzer, Watch from Fast track, Pant from Raymond.

Bashir (66 yrs, Bag manufacturer) – I have been dressing like this (traditionally) for the past 30 yrs now, and I love wearing white.

I wear the turban because it is a religious symbol I believe it takes away all my tensions and helps me stay cool.

All clothes stitched from local tailor

Sana (31 yrs, Landscaper) – I work in Karnataka, where people usually wear a Lungi to office, so I have started feeling comfortable and at home in these kind of clothes. So I roam around dressed like this every day now.

All clothes from local shops, Lungi from Kundapura, Karnataka, scarf from Tibet, Shirt from Thailand, Necklaces from Cameroon and Nepal, Bracelet from Laos.

Ruksar (age 15 yrs, science student) – I like colorful and funky clothes, mostly cotton which can also look stylish. Top, jacket, dhoti pants and shades from Janpath in Delhi, bracelet from Causeway, pendant from local jewelers, slippers from Borivali station road.

46 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Neha Shende

COVER STORY

Your must-have shopping list Anything, everything quaint, fun kitsch, quircky!

 Attic – Arthur Bunder road, Colaba (65650444); Big Sagar, 17th road, Santa Cruz (32169292) www.attic.in  Azaad Bazaar – Elavia Apartments, 33rd road, bandra (9930212636) www.azaadbazaar.com Bliss – Fisheries University road, Andheri (26332111)

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BUNGALOW 8 - Grands Buildings, 17 Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba (22819880) www.bungaloweight.com

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The Bombay store – P.M. road, Fort (40669999) www.thebombaystore.com

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The centre for arts and crafts – Gulmohar Cross road no. 9, Juhu (26204668)

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City casuals –Lokhandwala Complex, opp. McDonald’s, Andheri (9867733444)

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Crash, boom, bang – 30th road, Pali Naka, Bandra (9322316166)

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Design temple – Mereweather road, Colaba (22821001) www.designtemple.com

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Good earth – Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (24951954) www.goodearthindia.com

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Loose ends – 31st road opp. Shoppers’ Stop, Bandra (65224725) www.looseendsindia.com

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Mocha – Veer Nariman road, near Churchgate station, Churchgate (66336070) www.mocha.co.in

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Mother earth – Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Marg, Tardeo (32214501) www.motherearth.co.in

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Ms Banjaran – Near McDonald’s, Colaba Causeway (65276901)

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Play clan – opp. St. Peter’s church, Hill road, Bandra(26401675) www.theplayclan.com

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Reliance TimeOut – Main Street Mall, Hill road, Bandra (67429180)

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Sobo – Hughes road, Chowpatty(23612751)

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Tappu ki dukan – P.M. road, Fort (22043716) www.tappukidukaan.com

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Tribal route – Aram Nagar 2, JP road, Versova (9967058847)

© Ewa Mazur | Dreamstime.com

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Go Green! 

Dhoop – Dr. Ambedkar road, Union Park, Khar (26498646)

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FabIndia – Kalaghoda, M.G. road, Fort (22626539); www.fabindia.com

 Haathi Chaap –Delhi no. (09811312616) www.elephantpoopaper.com/contact.html 

Indigreen – www.indigreen.co.in

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Navdanya – Oberoi Raviraj Complex, off Andheri Link road, Andheri (9920418027) www.navdanya.org

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Bombay Paperie – Bombay Samachar Marg, Fort (66358171) www.bombaypaperie.com or write to contact@bombaypaperie.com

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Greenway Organic – Behind Jaslok Hospital, Carmichael road (23526291) SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 47

Français en marche

Design pédagogique Le design pédagogique – learning design – renvoie en français à l’ingénierie pédagogique, à savoir la gestion globale d’un dispositif relatif aux pratiques d’éducation, avec comme finalité la conception d’un dispositif pédagogique de formation adapté.

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’est l'ensemble des fonctions d’étude, de conception, de réalisation et d’adaptation d’un projet pédagogique sous ses aspects techniques, économiques et sociaux. Il renvoie également à l’ensemble des méthodes et des outils permettant d’apprendre, adaptées à un public avec des objectifs pédagogiques clairement définis. Il peut viser à l’adaptation, voire à la création de méthodes et d’outils pédagogiques.

Le design pédagogique s’interroge sur la gestion du temps (formation synchrone / asynchrone), du lieu (formation en présentiel (face-à-face) / à distance/ ou encore hybride) et de l’action (formation individualisée / collective). Il gère les dispositions à l’acte d’apprendre : utilisation des technologies, formation informelle, accompagnement, etc.

A l’Alliance Française de Bombay, le design pédagogique s’effectue lorsque nous dessinons des formations ciblées pour des publics d’entreprise (français professionnel ou français pour l’hôtellerie, ce qu’on appelle le Français sur Objectifs Spécifiques) ou lorsque nous configurons nos réseaux sociaux pour mieux les adapter aux besoins de nos étudiants.

Les médias sociaux au service de la pédagogie

l’enseignement du français. Services en ligne fondés sur la technologie du web 2.0, ces outils permettent la création d’activités et d’échange de contenus générés par les enseignants et les étudiants. Le potentiel de Facebook, Twitter et d’autres outils en ligne dédiés à l’apprentissage a été illustré par des créations de scénarios pédagogiques. Il s’agissait concrètement d’étudier ces nouvelles pratiques numériques en termes de pédagogie actionnelle, de communication et d’image pour les Alliances Françaises mais également en terme de droit d’auteurs et de protection des utilisateurs.

Le saviez-vous ?

Le 5 et 6 août 2011, s’est déroulée la formation « Médias sociaux et pédagogie du Français Langue Etrangère » à l’école internationale Ambani School (DAIS) de Mumbai, une formation co-organisée par les services culturels de l’Ambassade de France en Inde (Institut français d’Inde) et l’Alliance Française de Bombay.

Vingt-six professionnels du FLE étaient présents. Responsables pédagogiques, responsables culturels, enseignants issus des Alliances Françaises de tout le territoire indien, accompagnés d’enseignants des écoles internationales de Mumbai, ont suivi ces journées élaborées par David Cordina, directeur des cours de l’AF Bombay accompagné par Prachee Palsule, enseignante et formatrice de formateurs ainsi que d’Emmanuel Zimmert, expert sectoriel de l’Ambassade de France à Chennai.

Tous ces pédagogues ont étudié l’usage des nouveaux médias sociaux pour

48 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

A l’instar de Mumbaikar in French, (le réseau social des étudiants de l’Alliance Française de Bombay), de nouvelles communautés apprenantes ont vu le jour durant la formation.

Nous leur souhaitons longue vie et une participation active de tous leurs membres !

Tous les documents de formation, ressources et productions des enseignants sont présents en ligne sur le réseau social de l’AFB (http://afmumbai.ning.com) et sur Twitter sous la balise #msFLE.

Le réseau Mumbaikar in French atteint bientôt les 1000 étudiants inscrits qui viennent blogguer en langue française.

N’hésitez pas vous aussi à écrire et à raconter votre apprentissage de la langue française. Vous pouvez répondre en commentaires à toutes les discussions que vous souhaitez. Nous serons pour venir vous corriger et apprendre ensemble.

Quelle est la discussion la plus animée du réseau ? « Une chanson française que j’aime… » Cette discussion rassemble plus de 60 commentaires avec de nombreuses chansons d’artistes francophones que les étudiants et enseignants de l’Alliance ont choisies : chanteuses et chanteurs contemporains comme Cœur de Pirate, Zazie, Vanessa Paradis, ou Gerald de Palmas… ou bien les grands classiques que sont Edith Piaf ou Serge Gainsbourg…

Venez les découvrir et nous dire pourquoi vous aimez leur chanson. A retrouver sur Mumbaikar in French : afmumbai.ning.com

Français en marche

Actualités « Dialogues et cultures » spécial tv5monde.com

© ATOUT FRANCE/Pierre Torset

Appel à contribution pour TV5 Monde: participez au portail Dialogues et cultures qui, en un clic, plonge l’internaute dans la francophonie, offre des documents audio-visuels d’actualité en temps réel, propose à l’enseignant une méthodologie ainsi que des ressources pédagogiques.

Proposez vos articles, qui doivent être rédigés sous un angle scientifique ou pédagogique, jusqu’au 10 octobre à Geneviève Briet (genevieve.briet@ uclouvain.be) ou Évelyne Pâquier (evelyne.paquier@tv5monde.org). Voir les thèmes disponibles sur le site de TV5 Monde. www.tv5monde.org

Chantons sans frontières

La 6e édition du concours international d’écriture d’un texte de chanson en français Chansons sans frontières est lancée. Entièrement gratuit, ouvert aux participants de tous âges et réservé aux non professionnels, Chansons sans frontières propose aux candidats d’écrire un texte de chanson en français avec 3 couplets et un refrain. Pour cette édition, un thème un peu différent qui aborde la question de l’intime : Parle-moi de toi.

Parce que la liberté d’expression, c’est aussi pouvoir parler de soi, partager douleurs, colères et espoirs, dire la vie au quotidien dans sa banalité et son universalité, rêver peut être et se confier.

Inscription et dépôts de textes peuvent se faire par voie postale ou en ligne pour permettre la participation à moindre frais à partir du monde entier.

Retrouvez toutes les informations en ligne sur le site de Chansons sans Frontières : www.chansons-sans-frontieres.fr

D.R

La date de clôture a été fixée au 6 novembre 2011.

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 49

Français en marche

Get work experience at Alliance Française de Bombay Anvita joined Theosophy Hall for the month of July to assist Amrita and Rukhshar in their work for exam and course registration.

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t 19, this girl from Jai Hind college says that working at Alliance Française had always been her dream. The French language is a passion for her and so is travelling. She also dreams of going to Paris one day. She has been a student at Alliance Française for the past one

year and completed level B1. ‘As soon as they made the announcement for a job vacancy, I immediately came and gave my interview!’ she says happily. It has been an amazing experience for her and it did not feel like work at all. In fact she felts like she was among among friends all the time. What are her plans

for the future? ‘I’m going to start with level B2 in August,’ she says without hesitation.

Study in France, meet your new Campus France agent Campus France has a new face at Alliance Française de Bombay.

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resh out of college, Uma Vaidya is excited to be working at Campus France. She has majored in economics and this is her first job. She read an advertisement for this job in a daily and thought that this was something new. Having learnt French in college, she was excited to work here.

Going to France had always been a dream for her and working at a place that was so closely associated with that very thing was a welcome opportunity. At first she was a bit nervous about the multitasking that the job demanded, but soon, she got into the mould. She’s very happy working here because she finds people at Alliance very helpful and friendly. ‘I really like my work because, there’s so much to do and I love taking up new challenges,’ she concludes.

Françaises en Inde. L’Ambassade a décidé d’accorder 12 bourses de ce type en 2011 au réseau des Alliances Françaises et à leurs annexes en Inde, pour l’année universitaire 2011-2012 (10 mois de bourse à 615 € (Euros) par mois + une couverture sociale). Les frais de scolarité sont à la charge d’étudiants, ainsi que le voyage aller–retour.

Bourses d’études « meilleur Etudiantmeilleur projet d’ études universitaires « 2011-2012 »

1) Modalités de sélection et de décision a) Les Alliances effectueront une première sélection sur la base du niveau de français (niveau B1, B2, C1, C2 du DELF - DALF), de la cohérence du projet d’études, qui sera un critère essentiel d’appréciation, et de la capacité à financer les frais de scolarité (ces bourses couvrent seulement les dépenses liées au séjour et offrent une couverture sociale).

Une collaboration de l’Ambassade de France et des Alliances Françaises d’Inde Depuis 2008, l’Ambassade de France en Inde attribue des bourses d’études aux meilleurs étudiants des Alliances 50 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Afin de valoriser l’apprentissage du français, ces bourses s’adressent aux étudiants ayant obtenu les meilleurs résultats aux sessions d’examen des Dalf et Delf des niveaux B1 à C2 uniquement, de nationalité indienne, et n’étant pas des professeurs stagiaires des Alliances françaises. Cette année, trois étudiants de l’Alliance Française de Bombay ont été récompensés et partent en septembre.

Les candidats ayant obtenu les meilleurs résultats aux examens de langue française seront questionnés sur leur intérêt de mener un projet d’études en France.

Ceux qui répondent à ces critères se voient alors attribuer par les services de l’Alliance Françaises un dossier qu’ils auront soin de remplir en indiquant 3 établissements d’enseignement supérieur français, dont au moins deux hors de Paris. Il est important de vérifier que les établissements choisis offrent les formations correspondant au projet d’études.

Les étudiants sélectionnés doivent se mettre en rapport avec leur Bureau Campus France le plus proche afin de s’informer des possibilités, de bénéficier des conseils appropriés, et de procéder aux formalités de pré-inscription auprès de 3 universités.

Pour savoir plus d’information sur cette bourse, merci de contacter le bureau Campus France Mumbai : mumbai@ india-campusfrance.org.

Français en marche

Phonétique et chansons Viral Thakker, professeur de l’Alliance Française de Bombay revient sur l’animation de cet atelier. élèves étaient si motivés et dynamiques !

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pprendre une langue sans contraintes des méthodes, des structures linguistiques compliquées, des préparations des examens, et des contrôles, est un plaisir tout autre. Il est intéressant de connaître la langue française pour le plaisir pur de ses mots et de sons. C’est ce qui attire nos étudiants vers des ateliers.

Le mois dernier j’ai animé deux ateliers: un atelier de phonétique et un atelier de chansons. Mes objectifs de l’organisation de l’atelier de chansons étaient multiples: faire connaître une gamme assez large de chansons françaises, travailler les compétences de compréhension écrite et orale d’une façon ludique et solliciter la participation les étudiants.

Après avoir passé une chanson, la séance aboutit à des activités très créatives et variées comme imaginer la suite de la chanson, faire parler les personnages dans la chanson... Ce sont ces activités qui ont été très appréciées. Comme témoigne une participante, Puneeta : «Ces activités nous ont permis de donner libre cours à notre imagination sans avoir peur de faire des fautes ».

Le voici : 1.

2.

3.

4.

Je ne vous oublie pas par Céline Dion.

Aux Champs-Élysées par Joe Dassin.

Le Téléfon par Nino Ferrer.

Aicha par Khaled.(Les paroles par Outlandish).

Viral Thakker

Viral Thakker entourée de ses élèves

5. Oh oh chéri par Françoise Hardy.

6. Tout le monde ment par Massilia Sound System.

7. Savanna Kumba par Phillippe Lavil.

8. Page d'écriture par Yves Montand.

Qu’est-ce que la phonétique ? Est-ce l’étude de mieux prononcer certains mots et sons? Bien sûr que non. Les étudiants sont très soucieux d’améliorer leur prononciation, mais sans formation, ils n’y arrivent pas, d’où la nécessité d’organiser cet atelier et d’autant plus car ce domaine me passionne ! On dit que le français est une langue musicale, très douce et fluide. D’où vient cette fluidité et d’où sort cette musicalité ? Durant cet atelier nous avons travaillé l’intonation, la syllabation, l’accentuation et beaucoup d’autres notions de base.

Je me suis également concentrée sur la correction des erreurs fréquentes des étudiants, en particulier des phonèmes comme /R/ et /y /. Le /e/ caduc est aussi un phonème qui a épaté les élèves et ils adorent tous dire maintenant :j’viens, j’pars, ad’main, beaucoup d’pain etc.

Grâce à des jeux corporels, des exercices de répétition et le support audio, un sujet assez rébarbatif s’est vu transformé en un atelier très animé et passionnant.

De tous les ateliers de phonétique que j’ai animés dans le passé, cet atelier était sans aucun doute le plus particulier car les

Un regret, comme témoigne toute la classe et Eve en particulier: « C’était trop court mais j’ai appris beaucoup, beaucoup de choses ». Par ailleurs, Puneeta a préféré cet atelier au stage de phonétique qu’elle a fait en France : « De plus l’API est une vraie base afin de se servir du dictionnaire en ce qui concerne la transcription phonétique. En fait, je n’ai jamais appris à associer un son aux différentes graphies en France. Bien que j’aie suivi un atelier de phonétique en France, personne n’a révisé la base là bas».

TIPS FOR TEACHERS : Ateliers Chansons Travaillez les chansons, non simplement pour atteindre les objectifs linguistiques mais aussi pour le plaisir d’écouter une belle chanson, de connaître les différents chanteurs français et francophones ou bien simplement, pour voir nos étudiants apprendre si vite le lexique et des tournures de phrases, sans se casser la tête !

Atelier Phonétiques Travaillez les exercices de prononciation qui se trouvent dans nos méthodes de session ou d’autres méthodes de correction phonétique qui existent dans la bibliothèque de l’Alliance Française de Bombay.

Le point fort et attirant de ces deux ateliers était la participation active des élèves et l’utilisation des activités ludiques.

JUST FOR FUN : comment ça se prononce ? Professeur avec le son ‘o’ comme dans le mot anglais ‘boat’ ou ‘aw’ dans le mot anglais ‘awsome’et bien vous serez surpris, c’est ‘aw’. Ou bien le mot fromage c’est avec le son ‘o’ ou ‘aw’, de nouveau ‘aw’.

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 51

Français en marche

Français à vivre: jouer avec les textes et les mots Etudiants et professeurs livrent textes et articles au fil de leurs pensées. motivated me to learn French.

Ever since I remember I have been fascinated by different languages and when the time came to pick one I chose French.

The fact that we are taught in French and not in English made learning extremely exciting.

While I've just began to learn the basics, this first step to an incredible journey was made a lot of fun by my professor, Charlotte Ramblière, my friends in the batch and of course the language itself.

Merci beaucoup, Alliance Française.

Saloni Kapadia, 22 ans

Aarohi Mehta

I'm Abhijit Tase. I'm learning French because I thought it will be fun and interesting to learn and because I am taking up French in college. I have heard that in Mumbai the Alliance Francaise is the best place to learn French! And so far I have thoroughly enjoyed myself here!

The teaching has been very good. The people who come to learn here are pretty friendly! I think that I have accomplished more than I could anywhere else! The teaching makes French look so easy.

Thank you!

Abhijit Tase, 16 ans Aarohi Mehta, étudiante en C1, porte un regard pétillant sur le thème de la mode dans un contexte décalé.

Les A 1 –initiation de Bandra Stanislaus s’expriment…

Bonjour, Je m'appelle Yayati Sinde. Je suis l'apprentisssage du français parce que je veux être chef cuisinier en cuisine continentale. Et aussi c'est une des

52 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

langues les plus enseignées au monde.

Elle est facile à apprendre. Mais elle est difficile à comprendre rapidement.

Merci Charlotte de nous enseigner très joliment.

Yayati Sinde, 20 ans A deep sense of curiosity. That's what

Charlotte Ramblière, professeur stagiaire, A1 – initiation (Stanislaus, Bandra) Teaching my mother tongue to Indian students (beginners) at the Alliance Française was an amazing experience which I will never forget! Our classes at the Alliance Française are only held in French : students know the teacher is going to use French only, and they also know they are not supposed to use English. I was wondering if this would

Français en marche

Charlotte Ramblière entourée de ses élèves de Bandra Stanislaus

sont tous d'accord pour dire que l'origine de cette expression reste mystérieuse. Les interprétations sont variées, depuis une déformation du mot 'trentain' qui désignait un tissu de qualité supérieure (mais les dates d'usage de ce mot -jusqu'au XVe siècle- et d'apparition de l'expression -XIXe siècle- ne concordent pas), en passant par un numéro oublié d'un uniforme militaire de cérémonie, ou une réduction inexpliquée de trente-six (quatre fois 'neuf', donc forcément très beau -on disait aussi se mettre sur son trente-six-) jusqu'à un jeu de cartes où le fait d'atteindre le chiffre trente et un était ce qu'il y avait de plus beau. « L'habit ne fait pas le moine » L'apparence peut être trompeuse.

work in a class of beginners as well. To my mind, that was the biggest challenge of my internship. On the first day, when I first met the group, I had a very good feeling and I knew it was going to work!

I started speaking French and expressing myself a lot with my body, to make the understanding easier, and the students were really trying to understand as much as they could. The deal was respected and the challenge seemed to be easy to overcome.

I was so impressed to see they could understand the general meaning of what I was saying, even if, for the majority of them, it was the first time they were hearing French. Their commitment and open-mindedness enabled them to understand and reuse all the phrases I was teaching them, without using a word of English. Four weeks and sixty hours of French later, I was still impressed by their capacity to understand always more and more and to produce themselves dialogues and short texts. I am really proud of their prompt progresses and I can only encourage everyone interested in French to come and learn French with us, at the Alliance Française. The common work with the teacher and the students and the commitment of every single person in the class is the key to those amazing progresses. Bravo à tous !

Mot à mot Vous croyiez les connaitre ?

Impressions décortique pour vous des expressions et mots de tous les jours finalement pas si simples… pensées.

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n accord avec le thème du dossier, voici quelques expressions courantes tournant autour de la mode et du design, et pas si faciles d’accès…

Fier comme Artaban Être très fier, parfois même arrogant.

Cette expression est d'origine littéraire.

Artaban est ici un personnage important d’une épopée historique (12 volumes, 4153 pages), intitulée Cléopâtre et écrit par Gautier de la Calprenède au milieu du XVIIe siècle. Du succès de ce roman à l'époque ne sont restées que la fierté et l'arrogance de son personnage, la sonorité de son nom ayant probablement aidé à la conservation de l'expression. « Se mettre sur son trente et un (31) » Mettre ses plus beaux habits.

Les auteurs de livres sur les expressions

Ce qui peut aussi se dire : il faut s'abstenir de ne juger les gens qu'à leur apparence.

Proverbe dont on trouve les premières traces au XIIIe siècle et qui serait tiré du latin médiéval. Selon certains, ce proverbe viendrait d'une déformation progressive de la traduction de l'expression latine de Plutarque 'barba non facit philosophum' qui signifiait 'la barbe ne fait pas le philosophe'. « A brûle-pourpoint » Brusquement, sans ménagement ou très à propos.

Cette expression a une origine militaire.

Lorsqu'on tirait un coup de feu sur quelqu'un de très près, à bout portant, on lui brûlait le pourpoint (vêtement masculin qui couvrait le torse, utilisé entre le XIIIe et le XVIIe siècle). Cette métaphore utilise d'abord l'idée d'efficacité (pour tuer quelqu'un , plus on est près, plus on a de chances de réussir) puis de soudaineté, de surprise (pour pouvoir tirer à brûle-pourpoint sur quelqu'un, il faut le surprendre). « Comme cul et chemise » Très liées ou complices, pour des personnes.

Au XVIIe siècle, on disait 'ce sont deux culs dans une chemise' ou 'ce n'est qu'un cul et une chemise'. Cette locution exprime simplement l'extrême proximité ou l'inséparabilité de personnes aussi liées que peuvent l'être le corps et son vêtement.

(Sources : www.expressio.fr) SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 53

Campus FRANCE Mousson Mon amour – un jeu poétique

Le « Monsoon Project » des mois de juillet et août 2011 a suscité l’imagination et à la créativité. Le jeu est d’écrire en 140 caractères ce que la mousson peut susciter comme image poétique. Plusieurs étudiants, enseignants et francophiles participent au jeu poétique utilisant l’outil de microblogging et de blog (Twitter et Tumblr). Une seule contrainte, le message doit contenir l’expression #moussonmonamour pour donner une unité au jeu et que techniquement nous puissions retrouver tous les messages lancés comme des bouteilles à la mer dans l’océan numérique d’Internet. Les étudiants peuvent aussi poster également des images prises par leur téléphones.

Voici quelques extraits : #moussonmonamour : La musique du tonnerre, la danse de la foudre, la beauté de la pluie, l’abondance de la verdure ! La saison la plus théâtrale!

Ta chaude étreinte m’assoupit en une douce rêverie Mousson-phile ou mousson-phobe?

Tu cours vers Kuala Lumpur, à bout de souffle, tu t’y effondres en un orage, tropical et rafraîchissant Ta pluie chaude et violente glace notre vie en un instant.

Le tonnerre, les nuages et flaques d’eau, un arc-en-ciel, un bateau de papier et le thé chaud. Arrivée de la saison d’amour!

L’odeur de la première mousson, elle m’enivre.

Pour un coeur qui s’ennuie, Ô le chant de la pluie :) La pluie ! elle mouille mes fringues et me laisse stressée Après la pluie, le beau temps. Après la pluie, les voitures propres ;-) La pluie! Commencer au bruit tout la nuit, Il n’y a pas de silence pendant la journée, Il continue encore dans la nuit!

La pluie, goutte par la pluie, goutte par goutte rafraîchit-elle la terre ?

54 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 55

Regards croisés

A world of creation from French hair to Indian hair Jean-Claude Biguine, the French exclusive hair and spa salon blends French and Indian culture with the presence of a Franco-Indian team of experts in its salons. Meet Haspreet and Carole, expert hair stylists and their cross-cultural experiences at Jean-Claude Biguine.

Haspreet Arora, Stylist Did you follow a specific training by the JeanClaude Biguine staff?

Yes, the training at JeanClaude Biguine has a very strong foundation towards increasing the creative skills of an individual. The permanent highlighting collection is fabulous and can be adapted to all generations. With the training at JeanClaude Biguine, I have learnt to adapt to haircuts that are not only manageable but those that are also suitable for the clients. The level of French expertise is more in detail as they come with many years of experience from France which are also adapted towards the Indian texture and culture. Everything that I have learnt until now with JeanClaude Biguine International has set a strong foundation for me in terms of consultation, customer’s services, etc and has helped me to grow as a professional stylist in all the aspects of hairdressing.

The combination of the French and Indian hairstylists is very interesting as we learn and share our knowledge, skills and experiences together.

According to you, what are the specificities of Indian hair? What are the main requests from your customers?

Indian hair in general is thick, coarse and dark and hence the texture is good to play with. The length can be played around but not too drastic as people in India like to keep their length and they prefer fewer layers (mostly at the base). Regarding the color, they prefer playing with subtle colors like their natural base, mahogany, chestnut, subtle gold or red etc.

56 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

However, sometimes we do have people who like to be experimental with their hair and are comfortable trying different looks and vibrant colors.

What are the changes you perceive in hairstyle in Mumbai? What are the demands ?

From haircuts, hairstyles, hair color, hair braiding, hair extensions to hair wigs.

Demand is quite unique and high on expectation. They need a distinct change but aren’t willing to play a lot with lengths.

Carole Robequin, Top Stylist Are people in India more conservative when it comes to hair, or more funky?

N o t anymore, earlier people were not very comfortable with trying different styles but now the trend has changed.

People are willing to try different looks and are open for makeovers. According to my personal experience in India, the customers in India do not change their hair very often, but whenever he or she decides to get a makeover then they go for a very drastic change. For example; from very long length to very short, along with colour change either panels or highlights. All these makeovers are done using our permanent collection, Jean-Claude Biguine for haircuts and highlights.

What has been your most creative hairstyle and for whom ?

My most creative hairstyle was the Updo

that I did for Carol Gracias during the opening of our Juhu salon. The theme was “chic and glamourous”. I wanted the updo to be wearable for a party and not just to be displayed on stage.

Do you think Mumbai is a very stylish city? Why? Yes, Mumbai is a city of glamour and people here are very stylish. They love to keep up with the trend. They are willing to try new looks, new products with the season.

Which Mumbai celeb would you like to style? Why and how?

I would like to style Priyanka Chopra’s hair.

Priyanka is very beautiful and stylish. Her face and body is perfect in term of creating anything new as she can carry anything very gracefully be it long or short styles, straight or curly anything. With some moderate highlights everywhere and dark global colour we can create a good style for her that would also suit her complexion.

She has gorgeous hair and one can create a lot with the texture of her hair. For me she is wonderful and gorgeous.

Both Haspreet and Carole are based in the Jean Claude Biguine flagship, 68, Chapel Road, Bandra West.

Tel: 022-65 22 22 11 Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa launched its first salon in Mumbai in 2008. Currently, 6 outlets in India (5 in Mumbai and 1 in Bangalore) Salons in Mumbai: Kemps Corner, Palladium Mall, Colaba, Bandra West and Juhu Plan to expand in the key metros (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore) Range of 100% Biguine Bio organic products

France Pratique

Did you know that France and India have signed a bilateral « Social Security » Agreement?

Signed on the 30th of September, 2008, the social security agreement between France and India was ratified by the two countries and has come into effect on the 1st of July, 2011. to the high rate of social security tax, the Indian companies become less competitive while bidding for projects in these countries.

MAEE

Thus the agreement facilitates: • the easy flow of people from one State to another • recruitment • the maintenance of the workers’ families

I

ndia is the 36th country with which France has concluded a social security agreement.

This Agreement facilitates the development of economic relations and a controlled international mobility between France and India This will result in major benefits for Indian nationals working in France and vice-versa and should, initially apply to around 900 people in each country.

“Why is such an Agreement so useful?”

Such an agreement helps in the coordination of legislations of the two contracting States for the benefit of their citizens who travel, work and live in each others’ States. It ensures that the benefits, especially old age benefits, provided by one State for its citizens reach even those who are posted abroad.

• In many countries where there are no such agreements, Indian workers posted there by their Indian employers on short term contracts continue to make social security contributions in India as per Indian law. Yet, they are compelled to pay contribution under the host countries legislation also.

• Moreover, they do not get any benefit from the social security contribution made abroad, because most countries do not allow export of social security benefit.

• Similarly, the self-employed Indians in these countries despite having made contribution throughout their active life spent in these countries get deprived of any benefits in case they relocate to India in their old age.

• Another disadvantage is that due

It has been a major boon to the French nationals residing in India, either employed for a short duration or selfemployed. The absence of such an agreement deprived them from claiming their entire old age benefits as the period they spent in India was not counted while calculating their benefits. There are more than 300 French companies owning around 750 establishments in India.

Finally, this agreement comprises measures for reinforcing the cooperation between the two countries in order to better fight against social fraud, and enable the collection of contributions and recovery of benefits not due, in the other State.

Significance of this Agreement: • Workers shall be entitled to the export of the social security benefit if they relocate to their country after the completion of their service abroad.

• The self-employed Indians and French citizens would also be entitled to export of social security benefit on their relocation to their country.

• The period of contribution in one contracting state will be added to the period of contribution in the second contracting state for determining the eligibility for social security benefits.

• Regarding old age benefits, workers on short term contracts up to 5 years do not have to make any social security contributions provided they continue to make social security payments in their own country. For Health and Social Insurance, the workers stay affiliated to their country’s national scheme.

• These benefits shall be available even when for instance if the Indian company sends its employees to France from a third country, provided this country has export agreements with France and India or the employee was affiliated in one of the two countries.

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 57

Buzz

Chère Victoire Victoire Guéna has been the cultural coordinator of Alliance Française for two years. Her tremendous efforts to make Alliance Française de Bombay a vibrant and fun place have left a long lasting impression.

Today, as she is back in Paris, her hometown, she is deeply missed by both colleagues and friends.

Neha nous a rejoint pour un stage communication et pratique son français.

L’équipe, comme à son habitude vaque à ses occupations. Kishore et Atmaram vont bien. Bupi semble cependant un peu plus ronchon depuis qu’il ne peut plus te faire de blagues en gujrati en t’apportant le café. Je pense qu’ Abdul-bhai lui, aurait bien aimé que tu poursuives tes cours de hindi pour pouvoir continuer les débats en V.O sur les maux et les bienfaits de la société indienne. Mangesh gère les activités du bureau de Mr. Kannan (je crois qu’on ne saura jamais son prénom) en son absence tandis qu’Avni et Sheryn poursuivent leurs occupations ordinaires, tout en attendant avec impatience la prochaine dégustation de vin, français 58 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

Aykut Tugtepe

D

epuis que tu nous as quittés, il s’en passe des choses à Theosophy Hall.

Et en même temps, rien n’a vraiment changé. D’abord, comme tu t’en doutes, il pleut. Bon, pas tous les jours heureusement, seulement les jours où l’un d’entre nous (comme moi) décide de ne pas prendre son parapluie par exemple. Et puis parfois c’est le déluge. On arrive les cheveux dégoulinants à Theosophy, on s’ébroue comme on le peut dans l’entrée tandis que Rukshar nous lance, depuis la réception, « oh là là, ça va ? ». Gaëlle t’a remplacée momentanément sur ton poste près de la photocopieuse. Elle a hérité des conversations avec Rukshar entre trois lancements d’impressions des copies DelfDalf et des traductions infaisables (« mais on dit acte notarial ou acte notarié ? »).

Elle court entre les téléphones (« non c’est à 18h30 ! »), les relances d’artistes que tu as programmés (« mais pourquoi il ne répond pas à mon mail ? »), gère le relationnel (« elle a encore annulé un rendezvous! bon je dois trouver un moyen de la joindre») et les longues diatribes au téléphone sur la future programmation de l’Alliance Française. Mais tu connais.

ou indien, rouge de préférence, il semble, pour ces dames. Tu as réussi à résister aux mini mais fréquents goûters pourvus tout au long de la journée par Amruta, dont la gentillesse surpasse cependant de loin la gourmandise. D’ailleurs en parlant de nourriture, Francis a ajouté une adresse à son GPS alimentaire routier, un nouveau restaurant dans une librairie que tu as ratés. Le bureau de Shreya de plus en plus comme celui d’une agence de voyages: d’ailleurs cette année quatre étudiants de l’Alliance Française de Bombay partent en France grâce à des bourses offertes par l’ambassade. Vijaya, elle, poursuit avec zèle ses activités dans la librairie. L’événement principal de cette mousson fut le 14 juillet, avec près de 700 personnes invitées par le Consulat général de France à Mumbai.

Nos professeurs étaient sur leur trenteet-un, comme toujours, charmantes, élégantes, sophistiquées, faisant honneur à notre Alliance Française, conversant en marathi, anglais, gujrati, hindi ou français avec leur aisance habituelle. De retour à Theo, comme nos étudiants appellent avec affection notre bureau, l’ambiance est plutôt calme, malgré de nouvelles classes prévues pour août. Charlotte, assistante

de FLE a même repris un cours de débutants, elle adore apprendre avec eux, et se perd toujours dans Bandra. Rien n’a vraiment changé au final. Je pianote toujours à mon bureau, Anne et David préparent la rentrée avec enthousiasme.

Nous aurons de superbes Journées du Patrimoine, un parcours culinaire de taille pour notre Semaine du Goût et des invités extravagants à découvrir. Mais tu sais déjà tout cela. Tu le sais car tu as fait vivre cette Alliance Française pendant deux ans. Tu as (re)découvert l’Inde, Mumbai, tu as vu la France autrement, afin de partager ce que tu aimes, l’esprit toujours ouvert, prête pour de nouvelles aventures, des surprises et des découvertes. Avec toute l’équipe, tu nous as fait vivre Kashish, au grand dam ou grand plaisir de certains, tu nous as donné les Journées du Patrimoine, première édition, tu as défendu nos projets lors des grandes réunions. Tu as vécu la ville, des trains bondés aux restaurants ubercool de Mumbai. Et puis tu es partie. Et là, à Thesophy Hall, il y a quelque chose qui a changé. Alors depuis, même si on te souhaite un bon vent Victoire, on espère qu’il te ramènera vite par ici.

BUZZ Job offer

The French company PROMOSALONS (www.promosalons.com) is looking for a PROJECT MANAGER. Competences required: Market the French exhibitions in India (visitors and exhibitors). Fluency in English, Hindi (and Marathi), knowledge of French is preferred. Be able to travel to Paris (have a valid passport).

Please e-mail your queries for more information and CV to: india@ promosalons.com

Around town

Belgium patisserie Debailleul has launched its first store in India in Mumbai.

Founded in 1983 by French born Marc Debailleul, the company has grown today in 13 boutiques across the world with a strong focus in Asia-Pacifique.

Karen De Souza, Business Manager of Food Concepts-Writer Lifestyle, has come back to her native Mumbai after spending years in Belgium. “ I had learnt French in Alliance Française de Bombay but completed my experience in Brussels.

My understanding of the Indian tastes and mentality helped to develop the company in India. Although the products will be the same as those sold in Brussels I know for sure that Indians will definitely love to try the chocolates or our Black Forest, a name which is already familiar”.

Hans Pauwels, managing director of the company, present for the opening, has

great hopes. “It is a luxury outlet as all our products are imported thus authentic.

We offer only sweets: chocolates, icecreams, tarts, cakes and viennoiseries.

We want to develop the salon de thé concept as well as home-delivery to cater to our customers. I am aware it is niche market but also a very strong challenge.

I think we are ready for Mumbai”. Do not miss a chance to visit Debailleul: the macarons, chocolate tablets and lemon tart meringue are to die for!

Debailleul Emca Sadan, Appasaheb Marathe Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai – 400025

Meet Sunaina, a new face for A1 and A2

Prof. Sunaina, who takes A1 and A2 classes at the Bandra centre, has just started in January. This is her third session in Mumbai. But she isn’t new to the Alliance Française bandwagon.

She had been teaching for three years at Delhi’s Alliance Française before she came to Mumbai last October with her family.

She started learning French eight years

friendly and I stay close by.’ And what are her plans ahead? ‘Well now that I’m here I’d love to start some workshops and be a part of all the new programs taking place.

I want to really contribute positively to the workings of Alliance Française,’ she says energetically.

Ariane Tricaud, la nouvelle coordonnatrice adjointe culturelle à l’Alliance, est ici pour son stage de six mois qui se terminera en février. Elle a fait un diplôme d’un an sur la littérature et l’opéra à La Sorbonne. Puis, un diplôme de deux ans dans la gestion de la culture, pendant lesquels elle a effectué deux stages à Paris. Elle a visité l’Inde plusieurs fois en touriste et est tombée amoureuse du pays.

Elle a donc décidé de découvrir Mumbai, ville folle où il y a tant de sons et de gens partout.

Ariane est aussi heureuse de commencer son travail. Elle trouve ses collègues à l’Alliance Française de Bombay jeunes et dynamiques et l’Alliance Française lui parait comme une grande famille. Après son séjour en Inde, elle partira en Australie pour son prochain stage. Elle veut propager la culture française dans d’autres pays. Elle pense que le mélange de la culture française avec la culture locale peut donner quelque chose de magnifique où les gens se rapprochent culturellement les uns des autres.

Debailleul

N.S ago because she wanted to learn a foreign language apart from the usual studies.

Then she did her masters in French from the Delhi University. At alliance she also did her Diplôme de langue after which the DAEFLE and teacher’s training followed and then she started teaching here. It was her first trip to Mumbai when she came here. In the beginning, she was a little confused with all the little alleyways and roads and new to the climate, but now she has well adapted to the city. ‘I like teaching at Bandra a lot because it’s a nice and quiet environment, the colleagues are

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 59

Calendar

September 2011 1

Holiday, Ganesh Chaturtï

2

Literature In partnership with Chez Vous Literary contest: “Des Mets & des Mots” Up till October 7th

6

Cine Club Le Mariage à trois, by Jacques Doillon 6:30pm, Alliance Française auditorium

13

Cinema Alain Resnais Cycle Mélo, by Alain Resnais 6:30pm, Alliance Française auditorium

15

21

22-29

22

Documentary In partnership with Vikalp Film Archive Made in India, by Rebecca Haimowitz and Vaishali Sinha 7pm, Alliance Française auditorium Cinema In partnership with Prithvi Theatre Alain Resnais @ Prithvi L’année dernière à Marienbad, by Alain Resnais 7pm, Prithvi House, Juhu Heritage Days In partnership with NCPA and the University of Mumbai’s Garware Institute for Career Education (GICE) In collaboration with Julie Van Rechem, Rafique Baghdadi, Anita Garware and Amrit Gangar One week to discover the amazing heritage this city holds through guided tours and conferences Heritage Days A History of Mumbai, presented by Anita Garware 6.30pm, Alliance Française auditorium

23

Heritage Days In partnership with the University of Mumbai’s Garware Institute for Career Education (GICE) Kanheri caves guided tour Time and meeting point to be given after registration

24

Heritage Days In collaboration with Julie Van Rechem Kala Ghoda-Horniman Circle guided tour: “the secret side of the Writers District” 10am-12noon, meeting point to be given after registration

See program for more information

60 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

25

Heritage Days In collaboration with Julie Van Rechem Guided tour: “VT from the inside” 10am-12noon, meeting point to be given after registration

26

Heritage Days In collaboration with Julie Van Rechem Guided tour: “Bombay on screen: Art Deco theatres” 10am-12noon, meeting point to be given after registration

26

Heritage Days Cinematic City: Bombay / Mumbai, presented by Amrit Gangar 6.30pm, Alliance Française auditorium

27

Heritage Days In collaboration with Julie Van Rechem Guided tour: “From industry to heritage: Bombay mills” 10am-12noon, meeting point to be given after registration

27

Heritage Days Concert In partnership with NCPA, Institut français, Région Centre Quartet Diotima 7pm, Experimental Theatre, NCPA

28

Heritage Days In collaboration with Rafique Baghdadi Guided tour to the last of the Irani cafes 10am-2pm, meeting point to be given after registration

29

Heritage Days The last Irani chai, by Khalid Mohamed 6.30pm, Alliance Française auditorium

HERITAGE DAYS Heritage days 2011

From 22nd to 29th September All the events are free and open to every one. Registration at Alliance Française de Bombay on a first come first served basis. Please call us at (91-22) 22035993 or send a mail at sheryn@afindia.org

Calendar

October 2011 4

Ciné Club Une execution ordinaire, by Marc Dugain 6:30pm, Alliance Française auditorium

6

Holiday, Happy Dassera!

11

Ciné Club La nostalgie de la lumière, by Patricio Guzmán 6:30pm, Alliance Française auditorium

20-21

24

26-27

Taste Week In partnership with the Institute of Hotel Management Contemporary Art and Culinary Creation Workshops For the students of the Institute of Hotel Management Cinema Le Chat du Rabbin by Joann Sfar and Antoine Delesvaux 6.30pm, Alliance Française auditorium Holiday, Alliance will be closed.

Happy Diwali!

13

Conference Science in the City Rendez-vous with a Space Station by Susmita Mohanty.

7.30pm, Alliance Française auditorium

14

Documentary In partnership with Vikalp Film Archive One day ahead of Democracy, by Amlan Datta 7pm, Alliance Française auditorium

LITERATURE

Taste Week In partnership with Chez Vous, Le 15 Patisserie, Theobroma, Suzette, le Pain Quotidien, Novotel, Institute of Hotel Management A whole week to experience food with our partners through Tables du Goût, workshops, dinners…

Literary contest: “Des Mets & des Mots”

17-22

18

19

19

Taste Week In partnership with Novotel Cookery class: Culinary creations with Chef Gilles Stassart 10am to 1:30pm, Novotel, Juhu Beach.

Cinema In partnership with the Prithvi Theater Alain Resnais @ Prithvi Muriel ou le temps d’un retour, by Alain Resnais 7pm, Prithvi House, Juhu Taste Week In partnership with Novotel Discovery Dinner: a culinary adventure 8pm onwards, Olio restaurant, Novotel, Juhu Beach By registration only Taste Week

20-21 In partnership with Chez vous

2nd of Sept. till October 7th In partnership with Chez Vous

George Bernard Shaw once said, ‘There’s no love sincerer than the love for food.’ And how true it is! We all love eating. When all those flavors spread in your mouth and set your taste buds on fire you want more, you can’t stop.

And since food is one of those aspects of life worth writing about, we are launching a new contest for you – “Des Mets & des Mots”.

You can write on food. Anything you want – poems, stories, plays, essays. You can incorporate food into your piece, make food items characters in your play, there are absolutely no limits. Submit your pieces between 1st September and 7th October and the best entry will be rewarded with a free dinner for two at Chez Vous restaurant.

The prize will be announced during the Taste Week in October (17th to 22nd). So hurry up and start writing!

Gastronomy workshop with Francis Ponge 9am, Chez Vous, for a class of students of the Alliance Française de Bombay

With Best Compliments from

FRANCO- I N D I A N PHARMACEUTICALS PVT. LT D

20, Dr. E. Moses Road, MUMBAI-400011 Tel. 2493 4026 Fax 2495 0557 E.mail: francoip@bom7.vsnl.net.in SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 61

French corner

Saif Ali Khan, from Astérix to Alain Delon As the chhotta nawab was roaming Parisian streets with his belle and a heavy scheduled work agenda, the Film France team had a chance to meet him at his hotel, the Ritz, where he explains why he feels Indians and French have so much in common. future project, a remake of the French movie based on the comics, read also P.16]. I also think of beautiful ladies like Isabelle Adjani and handsome actors like Alain Delon.

a better flavor. Right now we are doing the tourist things!

What do you like in French comics?

Yes but in fact we shot in Amsterdam and I remember we had to stop shooting each time a train passed because there aren’t any in Paris!

Consulate general of France in Mumbai/FilmFrance

The sense of humour and the international presentation. I think Astérix is one the most intelligent comics I have ever read, Tintin of course is there too. And then as for Largo Winch, it was quite a discovery.

We are always looking at new scripts, new stories. Largo Winch came as a modern day James Bond in the business world.

There is a strong father/son connection.

Perhaps the French and Indians have more in common in their cinema, that sense of heroism and romantism, which I feel is very much the same. I think there is a sense of similar values in the drama.

Largo Winch is great. It’s business heavy, it’s intelligent and accurate, you have to concentrate but then often there are some beautiful women, action and some fun. It would be a great film to make in India.

What is French cinema for you?

We hear that you speak French…

Un petit peu seulement, je l’ai appris à l’école quand j’étais à Londres … I studied it over there as my second language. But it was twenty years ago! Later, I fell ill and I took up French again. I think if you give me two months more I would be able to speak decently. But I don’t have the vocabulary anymore…

What comes first to your mind when you think France?

I would say Napoleon ! And then of course good food, wine, Bordeaux, style and architecture. I love comic books, Astérix for instance or more modern ones such as Largo Winch [Saif Ali Khan’s 62 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011

The first French movie I saw when I was in school was Subway. My mother later introduced me to Alain Delon’s mafia movies. I would love to do work like that someday.

What do you like to do when you are in Paris?

Unfortunately I don’t know much about Paris although I have been there a few times. I would love to spend time in the old city, discover small quaint restaurants. My girlfriend likes it as well.

There must be many ways to be in this city. But for us right now, staying at the Ritz is just beautiful. Paris is a grand and amazing city. Maybe if we go out with some local people sometime, we will get

You did one movie Hum Tum, that was supposed to take place in Paris.

Could you shoot in Paris?

Absolutely. But the city would need to be well researched and documented to find the lesser known spots.

What if you are asked to act in a French movie?

It would be really interesting. Lot of hardwork too and the need to learn the language but I would like to try it. I mean, it takes a long time to make a break in another country, you have to be involved.

It took me awhile in India !

Extracts from a transcript from the interview directed by Franck Priot from Film France, on June 28th on the behalf of the Consulate of France in Mumbai.

Saif Ali Khan was born on 16 August 1970 in New Delhi, India. The actor made his major breakthrough with his performance in Dil Chahta Hai (2001). His role in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) won him the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. He has also played more subtle roles or antihero characters such as “the ones” in in Ek Hasina Thi (2004), Parineeta (2005), Being Cyrus (2005) or Omkara (2006). His most famous commercial successes are films like Salaam Namaste (2005), Race (2008) and Love Aaj Kal (2009). In 2009, Saif Ali Khan branched out into film production with his company Illuminati Films.

BUZZ

OF PARTNERING WITH

SEP-NOV 2011 Impressions 63

64 Impressions Sep-Nov 2011