Exotica aug 2015 by Exotica Magazine

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EDITOR’S L E

iven the kind of economic crisis their country is facing, I don’t know whether the Greeks are still celebrating the Big Fat weddings they are famous for. In Greece, wedding celebrations are known to last almost a week, with large groups of family members and cousins descending on the parental homes of the bride and bridegroom, laden with gifts and food. The extended families would sing and dance their way to the wee hours and in rural areas entire villages would get involved in decorations and cooking lavish meals for outside guests. Everybody would get new clothes stitched and women of all ages would be decked in bridal finery for days. Although Greeks are not alone in celebrating weddings with such conviviality and gusto, their weddings are supposed to surpass those in other south European countries. In the cooler climes of north and central Europe, on the other hand, weddings are comparatively subdued unless the couple happens to be celebrities. Maybe this has something to do with the weather — for people in sunnier regions are known to be more gregarious and extroverted than in colder, rainy environs. But today, there is no doubt that the biggest, fattest weddings happen in India. Even if you leave out the uber rich, even upper middle class families particularly in North India are celebrating weddings more extravagantly than even before. Of late I notice a trend to book entire hotels even in expensive Delhi to get the extended family and friends converge at the wedding venue for at least four days. So festivities go on round the clock, with wine and wealth in spectacular display. As with many social events in India, Hindi films played a significant role in hyping wedding festivities. The House of Rajshri combined family celebrations with romance and hit the box-office

Chief Designer Anand Singh Rawat Senior Designer Santosh Kumar Yadav Pre-press Manager Syed Nawab Raza Production Manager Dhiresh Gaur Staff photographer Pankaj Kumar

E R

BIGGER AND FATTER THAN EVER

[CHANDAN MITRA]

Sales & Marketing [Group President] Aparna Sengupta 09958000128 General Manager Kumar Gurudutta Jha Deputy General Manager Ravi Khatri Manager Bharat Singh Sajwan, Prabhakar Pathak Assistant Manager Neeta Rai Media Coordinator Neelu Sharma Government & PSU General Manager Tapan Ghosh

jackpot with the Salman Khan-Madhuri Dixit starrer Hum Aapke Hain Kaun? Several movies followed in the same genre. Till a few years ago, there used to be just two public functions in a marriage: The first the wedding itself and second, when a reception was thrown after a day or two. But nowadays magnum wedding cards usually carry three or more invites. Apart from the Sangeet night, a cocktail dinner both precedes and follows the actual wedding. The venues too are getting bigger and sprawling. I still recall old-fashioned weddings in my hometown of Hooghly in West Bengal where till the 70s, marriages were relatively simple affairs. There were no designers to fashion bridal wear, no boutiques to make bride and groom look ravishingly beautiful and food was prepared by professional cooks (before the advent of caterers). Meals would be prepared on large earthen ovens under shamianas in the backyard. Shehnai players would climb up to the high nahabat khana erected at the entrance to the house and play classical tunes with remarkable energy on wedding day. A day after the wedding, the scene would shift to the bridegroom’s where a feast would be organised to celebrate the first meal cooked by the new bahu in her in-laws’ home. But before guests could arrive in the evening, it was customary for dowry to be ferried to the jamai’s home, sometimes in lorries. Women of the house would engage in customary bitching over the quality of sarees, sweets, fish and furniture that was the standard content of dowry. Swank cars were never part of the package because those days, we had only two models — the dowdy Ambassador and the boxy Premier Padmini. Sometimes when I get lost and confused in the melee of the Big Fat Indian wedding, I look back with nostalgia to those simpler days.

Mumbai Office General Manager Devendra Adhikari 09867575933 Senior Manager Jaya Mokal Kolkata Office Vice President Suzanna Roy 09830197332 Chief Manager Arindam Gupta General Manager (Circulation) Rajeev Gautam

DISTRIBUTED BY: LIVING MEDIA INDIA LIMITED Printed and published by Chandan Mitra for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd, printed at Lustra Print Process Pvt Ltd, Killa No. 51/21, Village: Rohad, District: Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Haryana and published at 2nd floor, Patriot House, 3, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002. Editor: Chandan Mitra. Entire Contents Copyright (C) 2006 CMYK Printech Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation in any language in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Requests for permission should be directed to CMYK Printech Ltd. Opinions carried in Exotica are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed by CMYK Printech Ltd. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material or for material lost or damaged in transit. All correspondence should be addressed to CMYK Printech Ltd; 2nd Floor, Patriot House, 3, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002 Phone: 23718296/40754136 Fax: 23755275 Email: exotica.pioneer@gmail.com

COVER PHOTO: SONAL JINDAL

Editor Chandan Mitra Editorial board Vice-chairman & joint managing director Amit Goel Chief Executive Officer Abhishek Saxena 09818600128 Editor-in-charge Rinku Ghosh Managing Editor Navneet Mendiratta Consulting Editor Ritu Pandey

CONTENTS Wedding special AUGUST

2015

VOLUME

COVER PHOTO: SONAL JINDAL

FEATURES:

C O L U M N S :

Razzle-dazzle p14 Guest appearance p16 Match fix p18 Till hashtags do us apart p20 Party goes places p28 Over the moon p32 Match made at sea p34 Dress up the bride p36 Dressed to kill p40 Hearts & flowers p42 Wedding or a warzone? p46 Your boxful of happiness p48 Dining goes luxe p51 Knotty as a fruitcake p54 Keepsake p88

Hotwheels Brilliant but not perfect p56

Jewellery Meraki Fine Jewellery by Gaurie Pandit Garment Nikhita Makeup Vinod Charam Stylist Ajay Verma Photographer Tushqa Manish Chaudhary Shoot Production & Execution You Me & We Media TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 92 INCLUDING COVER

OUR PARTNER HOTELS

Eatout Gastronomical treat p60 Drinks Raise a toast p73 Diet A fit Mr & Mrs p76 Wellness Bride be beautiful p80 Match it well p84 Astro Domestic foresight p86

INSHORT

ndia is a poor country of rich people. That one casual remark by acclaimed chef Manish Mehrotra while talking about Indian Accent’s luxury catering venture, hit the nail on its head. Wedding is the most important event in the life of an average Indian and he/she would go to any length to make it grander than what his/her pocket allows. The pomp and show that accompanies matrimony is so deeply ingrained in the Indian psyche that we invent our own reasons to give it pompous continuity in the name of tradition. Explains why planning a wedding is so taxing — physically, financially and emotionally. Where to find the perfect outfit, how to put things together, what to gift and how to keep the guests engaged and happy are just a few

A GALA AFFAIR

NAVNEET MENDIRATTA navneetmendiratta@gmail.com

things that can give you sleepness nights. Fret not. This issue is all about the elements, tips and personal touches that make nuptials memorable. From what to keep in mind while finding the right match to what to eat to stay in shape and look good in your wedding finery, there’s so much packed in this special edition. This, plus all that goes in plotting and planning for the special day. Trousseau, jewellery, entertainment, décor... We make your life easier with some cool ideas. Even our columnists and experts have pulled out lessons based on their experience to make sure that you get the best advice and benefit the most. After all, each one of us is a royal in our own accord and who doesn’t want their big day to be the talk of the family down several generations? So as they say: keep calm and join the fun.

O U R C O L U M N I S T S

In fulfilling the seven sacred vows lies the secret of a happy marriage, says spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

EXOTICA / AUGUST 2015

Wondering what drinks to serve? Sommelier Magandeep Singh gives options to help you manoeuvre your way through the wedding celebrations

When it comes to Indian celebrations, traditional mithai wins hands down, says food and nutrition consultant Sangeeta Khanna

THELITTLEBLACKBOOK F A V O U R I T E

H A U N T S

O F

S T Y L I S H

P E O P L E

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to repeat Maldives for my vacation because you just have nothing else to do there but relax.

Kashish Gupta has come a long way from being a journalist to a fashionista. She is now the founder of Serendipity, a fashion and lifestyle platform of leading luxury brands

I absolutely love my Bao Bao bags by Issey Miyake. They are so bright, shiny and cool. They stand out in the crowd.

Setz at Emporio Mall is my favourite brunch place. I just love the ambience and of course, the food. As a brand, I swear by Chanel. It is classy and evergreen.

For shopping, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d anyday head out to Fifth Avenue in New York and Duomo in Milan. I am not really a watch person but the last watch my husband bought for me was Ulysse Nardin and I am very very fond of it.

10 EXOTICA / AUGUST 2015

I have the largest collection of Jimmy Choo sandals because they are very comfortable and dressy. I also own a lot of BCBG Max Azria dresses because they are super stylish.

FESTIVITIES INDEPENDENCEDAY: The day India became a free country after 200 years of British oppression. WHAT TO DO: In Delhi, August 15 is a mass kite-flying day, which takes place usually after the flag-hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes at schools and public offices. WHERE: All over India WHEN: August 15

NATURALCOURSE With at least three festivals marking season changes and rituals they bring, August is all about celebrating the largesse of Mother Earth NAGPANCHAMI: The festival where snakes are worshipped and fed milk. WHAT TO DO: In temples like Adiesha in Andhra Pradesh, Nagaraja in Kerala, Nagathamman in Chennai and Hardevja in Jaipur, this is the annual gathering of snake charmers. WHEN: August 19 WHERE: In rural areas across India

TEEJ: A popular monsoon festival that commemorates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. WHAT TO DO: Women apply henna on their hands and feet, dress up and enjoy music, dance and swings. WHEN: August 17-18 WHERE: All over north India, particularly in Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh RAKSHABANDHAN: A celebration of sibling bonding on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravan. Legends link it to the tradition of Rajput queens sending rakhi threads to neighbouring rulers as a token of brotherhood. WHAT TO DO: The non-communal spirit of Raksha Bandhan endears it to

ONAM: The 10-day harvest festival of Kerala that marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. WHAT TO DO: For Mahabaliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s welcome, the homes are decorated with flowers and colours; there is music, dance and feast served on banana leaves. WHEN: August 28 WHERE: All over Kerala people like the traditional Friendship Day. Being in India on this day means coming across men with colourful threads around their wrists. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a time for happy family get-togethers and feasting. WHERE: All over India WHEN: August 29

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JEWELLERY POOJA JUNEJA’S Exotic Odyssey line is inspired by beautiful architecture around the world. Price: On request Available at: www.poojajuneja.com

Handcrafted Amala range from MIRARI is a blend of the modern and traditional. Price: On request Available at: www.mirari.com/shop/

MBJ’S bridal jewellery line includes diamond, pearl and emerald studded chokers, bangles, bracelets and earrings. Price: On request Available at: www.mbj.in

RAZZLE-DAZZLE Happy is the bride the sun shines on. Happier is the one who gets to wear these SUNAR’S bridal line of necklaces, earrings, rings and bangles features contemporary designs in traditional motifs. Price: On request Available at: Sunar 2633, Bank Street, Karol Bagh, New Delhi S2R’S bespoke pendants, necklaces, bracelets and rings are all classic designs with a contemporary feel. Price: On request Available at: S2R Jewellers, A-78, Central Market, Lajpat Nagar-2, New Delhi

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In addition to their extensive ready-to-wear line in white and yellow gold, CREADOR BY SUHALI JAIN also creates bespoke pieces. Price: `50,000 onwards Available at: H-86, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi Ph: 8800767111 (By appointment only)

MINAWALA’S animalinspired Neptis line has statement bracelets, cocktail rings and earrings. Price: On request Available at: All Minawala stores in Mumbai and Bangalore

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ETIQUETTE

GUEST APPEARANCE

NEVER GET YOUR Ps & Qs WRONG AT SOCIAL GATHERINGS

by PIYANKA SWAROOP

ho doesn’t love a big, fun Indian wedding? Dressing up, looking fabulous and dancing up a storm are quite the norm these days. But did you know that trying to outshine the bride or groom is plain tacky and completely inappropriate? Here is what you need to know in terms of etiquette as a guest. o First and most importantly, whatever occasion or ceremony you attend, ensure you never upstage the bride or groom, be it in your clothes, jewellery or attitude. o If the invite requires an RSVP, please do send it since weddings are a costly affair. It’s polite to let your hosts know whether you plan to be there or not and whether they need to make arrangements for you accordingly. o Bad behaviour, especially after having a few drinks, is an absolute no-no. Drink but don’t overindulge. A drunken guest is embarrassing and leaves a terrible impression. o Ladies, avoid wearing outfits in typical “bridal” colours like red, gold and so on. Also avoid whites and blacks, especially for the main wedding ceremony. These colours are associated with

16 EXOTICA / AUGUST 2015

mourning. For the reception, however, anything goes. o Gifting is a tricky business. Cash is always a safe option at Indian weddings but if you do plan to buy something, put some thought into it. Don’t recycle your own unused stuff. The couple will appreciate something that shows you took time to select and wrap it, especially if you are a close friend or family member. o Be a gracious guest. Gossiping and making snide remarks on what so-and-so is wearing is best avoided at such occasions. o If it’s a destination wedding, make sure you’re on time for all the ceremonies. Yes, an exotic destination is great and you may be eager to explore it but remember you’re here as someone’s guest and not on your private vacation. o Before leaving the wedding, do make sure you meet the bride and groom. Take the time to tell them how great they look and give them your blessings. Remember they invited you to be a part of their big day and have fun, so do thank them for this. — The author is an image consultant

MATCHMAKER

MATCH FIX

Setting up a profile on a match-making app isn’t the end of your worries. Finding a good match requires a little more, says SUMESH MENON

CHOOSE AN APP THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU: There is a multitude of apps that claims to help you find love. However, each app has its own merits and demerits. So evaluate all options and choose the one that’s right for you. SET UP A RICH PROFILE: A picture is worth a thousand words. That adage is even truer when you’re trying to find love on a match-making app. Good, high-quality photos make 50 per cent of the impression your profile creates, with the remainder being the completeness of the information you provide. Our analytics clearly show that richer, more complete profiles are 60 per cent more successful at finding matches on the app than those who don’t provide all the information, or don’t have good quality photos. STAY ACTIVE: Consistency is key when you’re trying to find a match on an app. Matching algorithms on apps, learn your preferences based on which profiles you like or dislike. Over time you will understand your preferences much better and the app will provide you better, more targeted profiles to choose from. Therefore, it is important to stay active as it takes some time for the app to understand your tastes and

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expectations. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t connect with someone nice immediately. The process takes some time, so log on regularly, swipe and stay consistent. YOU’VE GOT A MATCH, NOW WHAT?: If you like someone’s profile and he/she likes yours, you get a match. Which means that you can both now start talking to each other. But often, inhibitions and shyness get in the way of starting a conversation. The key here is to overcome it. Realise that the other person is feeling as shy and vulnerable as you are and you would be doing both parties a favour by initiating the conversation. BE CAUTIOUS: Initial conversations can often be heady and exciting. Don’t let the initial buzz cloud your judgment and be cautious before you share personal or contact information. Ensure that the sharing of information is mutual. Both parties should be equally comfortable in sharing and that there is adequate trust and comfort in doing so. If you feel you want to take some time before sharing personal details, tell the other person honestly and take things at a pace which you’re comfortable with. — The author is co-founder and CEO, matchmaking app, Woo

TECHSMART

In a hyper-connected world, marriage ceremonies are swinging between the extremes of ‘unplugged’ and ‘connected’ with little in between by RITU PANDEY

ollywood star George Clooney and feisty human rights crusader Amal Alamuddin may have successfully managed to have everyone abide by their no-tweeting-allowed rule at their Venice nuptials early this year but thanks to the social media, the world pretty much felt like a part of Hindi film actor Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput’s wedding last month. From pictures of the invite to updates about the wedding to blurry images of the bride and groom, with hashtags like #ShahidMiraKaSangeet and #ShahidKiShaadi trending, Kapoor’s fans on Twitter and Instagram ensured no one missed anything. At one point, there were even reports of the miffed actor snatching a smartphone and deleting a video taken by a dholwala at the sangeet.

TILL HASHTAG DO US APART TWEET REVENGE

articipants, even those rendering services, at a wedding are no longer mere witnesses to the wedding ceremony. Now they’re an integral part of it — sharing pictures, events, jokes and memories — among themselves, with others and with the couple. And it is perhaps to avoid this information deluge and keep things “personalised” that guests are increasingly being asked to refrain from using their smartphones during wedding ceremonies. “Unplugged

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GROUPED TOGETHER

oda is India’s first social media concierge that creates a personalised platform for a wedding by connecting its key people and the guests with the planner, allowing them to share itineraries, route maps, messages, photos and videos across platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Having been a part of over 200 weddings since its launch last July, MC Sid, the man behind Boda, likes to call it “a free wedding guest app that tries to makethe event a seamless affair. It helps streamline things that once happened through Whatsapp groups.” But with growing competition, finding a niche is what

Weddings” (like Clooney’s) as these are called, are actually aimed at creating more intimate connections between the participants. With our national obsession of just getting that perfect “selfie” (or taking an exclusive video or picture if it’s a much watched-out celebrity celebration) than actually interacting with each other at the wedding, “Unplugged Weddings” are trying to bring us back to the basics — by encouraging more intimate interactions between people as well as maintaining the privacy of the couple.

HASHTAG HOOK-UP

ut in an increasingly connected world, trying to evade the web completely is fighting a losing battle. “At times, the guests manage to capture angles and situations that even the professional photographer may have missed. It then makes sense to use these smartly rather than leaving them out completely,” says Sophie Pyle, founder of the wedding app, Tweet the Bride. It also makes sense for keeping the nuptials as inclusive and connected as possible. And a clever use of all the smartphones and social media is always the best thing for technology-enthusiasts. It begins with creating a smart hashtag — a label used on social networking sites to allow easy access of content with a specific theme — right at the outset.

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makes a difference. “So Boda has the best user interface. It’s simple to use and it’s not a planning app like competitors Euphoric or Shadisaga (which started as a planning app but is a guest app now),” says Sid. The omnipresence of the smartphone is an obvious indication of the growing power of social media. For any doubt on how big and unavoidable it is at weddings, here’s a piece of news. Social media integration is one of the services being offered to destination weddings by Mexico’s Velas Resorts along with attractions like drone filming, live streaming of the ceremony and interactive wedding paintings.

MAKE-UP ESSENTIALS

BEAUTY silvery gold that will open up the eyes. If you are doing a strong liner, you can soften the line out with a round brush and with a little bit of eye shadow on it. Kajal looks beautiful on most Indian eyes, especially for brides. But don’t leave the underneath bare because you need the eyes to stand out and look really beautiful.

M AMBIKA PILLAI forecasts the bridal look of the season

or many years now, I have been addressing queries from my discerning clients not only on beauty but also on easy, ready-to-wear clothes to go with their hair and make-up. Brides-to-be ask me which designers should they shop from for their perfect trousseau. Keeping this in mind, I recently launched Style Loft at my flagship salon in South Extension, bringing together fashion and beauty under one roof. This new venture is a curation of collections from the finest names in the fashion industry. When it comes to make-up, not many brides want to experiment. They want to stay traditional but want a look different from the others. Strong lips are in vogue this season and colours like amazing plum, deep bright red, hot pink, sun burnt orange look stunning. However, adding too much colour to the eyes is passe. Give your eyes a smoky look with the kajal and eyeliner to look sultry. Most of the time, brides are not comfortable with smoky kajal and eyeliner. In that case go for nicely-applied pulled out-eyeliner and kajal with a touch of colour on the eyelid and highlight with a strong gold or

ost Indian brides also want to look fair on their special day. I would say a little bit of contouring will make you look glamorous. Since a shade darker than your skin tone is used, most brides are worried that their face will look dark. I would still suggest you contour your cheekbones and nose. That will make you look very attractive. Don’t concentrate on looking fair, go closer to your skin tone so that your skin looks radiant and luminous rather than a fake flat tone. A touch of blush is very important for a bride that goes with the colour of your outfit, otherwise you tend to look washed out and pale. If you are wearing red, I suggest a nice bronze blush instead of pink and if you are wearing a pink outfit, go for a pink blush with silver/white highlights. Also, don’t forget to highlight your eyebrows. Strong eyebrows will make you stand out. — The author is a make-up artist

FIRSTPERSON

FAMILYAFFAIR

Planning a wedding involves endless details, deadlines, family drama and far too often, enough stress to make you want to just elope. Socialite and entrepreneur RAMOLA BACHCHAN shares notes from her daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding

FIRSTPERSON

hese days Indian weddings have become less of a family affair. They are driven more by the couple themselves, with professional help, to ensure that everyone is happy with every element they’ve spend their money on. I am happy to see that weddings are becoming more compact — limited to a couple of functions — rather than two-week affairs. There’s less wastage, more conservatism and yet they are special and memorable. That is exactly how you’d want your big day to be.

MAGICAL AFFAIR

he wedding of my daughter Naina Bachchan to actor Kunal Kapoor was quite a magical affair. As the mother of the bride, it was very exciting to conceptualise the event and put it together. All aspects, from the decor to the clothes, were beautifully crafted by Rohit Bal and his luxury wedding team. We managed the two-day event with great food, nonstop entertainment and an exciting guest list. So much so that the wedding has become a benchmark for the kind of attention to detail that went into it. I am still receiving compliments and warm words on how alluring it was.

A PERFECT WEDDING

o plan a perfect wedding, a good guest list, inspired food and drinks, great music and lighting to set the ambience are the utmost issues that should be planned to the last detail. At Naina’s wedding, we made sure all

these aspects got full attention and not a single item was missed out. When it comes to planning your wedding, one should be prepared for an intense experience because it is a landmark moment in one’s life. There will be a lot of joy but at the same time there are bound to be tension-filled moments. Be prepared for those. But don’t let them get in the way of your relationship with either your spouse-to-be or your families.

RUNWAY RISING

oday, the young about-to-be married couples are steering away from traditional themes and are more inclined to choose individualistic looks in terms of colour, style, décor and concepts. They are making more bespoke decisions to suit their personal styles. It could be totally over-the-top, or simple and elegant. There are no longer any standards. It’s coming down increasingly to personal choice. Through the platform of Runway Bridal, we try to showcase the best of bridal in India — combining leading couturiers with upcoming names. The exposition lets them explore the options available in trousseau, decor, jewellery, wedding invitations and everything else to make their big day special in its own way.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

DESTINATION

PARTY GOES PLACES A Royal Affair [UDAIPUR, HYDERABAD, VADODARA]

Big budgets, bigger venues and smaller numbers — these are the themes defining modern weddings. Once the dates and the guest lists are finalised, decide upon the kind of nuptials you want. Your choice will dictate your destination for the big day

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fairytale wedding is every bride’s dream and the groom’s chance to play Prince Charming. Somehow this wish perfectly fits into a traditional, royal setting. Opulent weddings in old palaces, retreats and heritage properties today are the favourite of the well-heeled who seek to make memories that will last generations. Jagmandir Palace and City Palace in Udaipur, Ranbanka Palace in Jodhpur, Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad and Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara are a few popular destinations.

DESTINATION Beach Vows [GOA, KOVALAM]

ind-swept beaches, foot-tapping music, revelry and a carnival that goes on all night long. When you want your special day to be that one party that you and your guests will never forget, what better place to head to than the land of fun, food and feni. Those looking for offbeat sundowners can try Kovalam. Be it beach, sunset or intimate settings in private resorts, Goa and Kovalam have choices to suit every pocket.

Desert I-Dos [JAISALMER, RANN OF KUTCH]

eautiful tents and canopies set up against sand dunes, colourful lanterns mellowing the light and folk dancers performing as the baraat arrive on camels. This Arabian Nights setting at Suryagarh, Jaisalmer; WelcomHeritage, Khimsar or the Rann of Kutch could be a perfect venue for couples looking for a romantic and almost surreal experience. Cosy and familial. Easy progression into the caravan called life.

Life An Adventure [LADAKH, TAWANG]

magine yourself landing up at your own wedding with a parachute or having a ceremony atop one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest peaks or on snow-clad mountains before you ski away with your love down the slopes of Gulmarg. Road trips, jungle lodges and white water rafting down the Ganga are a few toned down but thrilling versions of weddings in places like the Ganga Kinare resort in Rishikesh, Ladakh and Tawang for those who want to set off on the adventure of their lives.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

DESTINATION

Nature As Witness [COORG, DARJEELING, SONITPUR]

olling clouds, lightly setting mist on a lawn, where a select few are gathered to witness the exchanging of vows, the lush greenery of the tea gardens and coffee plantations with colonial era houses on the estates make for a charming venue to host a low-key affair that is extremely personal and customised. In places like Coorg, Munnar, Darjeeling and Sonitpur, the atmosphere brings a little old world magic to the celebrations. Local flavours and customs can be incorporated to add an unusual element. Raise your tea or coffee cuppa and toast to a new life!

Highland Song [SOLAN, MANALI, OOTY]

now-capped mountains separated by meadows, the crowning glory of trees, the cool breeze and the cascading river valleys are guaranteed to make your marriage an elemental affair. While Moksha Spa, in Parwanoo, Solan; East Bourne in Shimla and Manuallaya in Manali are some famous places to get hitched, hill stations like Dharamshala, Gulmarg, Nainital and Mussoorie in the north and the quaint Coonoor and Ooty down south offer gorgeous locales away from the urban chaos.

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DESTINATION Island Of Hope [LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS, ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS]

short flight or a personalised boat ride for you and your entourage to the most private of locations is a luxury that one can envision for a marriage. Resorts and private home stay options are ready to make the occasion exclusive and personal. No surprise, island weddings are such a hit with the glitterati in India. In Lakshadweep Islands, it’s all coral blue waters, white sandy beaches and a host of activities for the partygoers to indulge in. In Andaman and Nicobar, one can choose from having the ceremony on a private beach on Havelock Islands bereft of the usual pomp or in one of the more opulent hotels where every whim is catered to.

Backwater Breeze [KERALA]

he baraat arriving on a decorated canoe to the accompaniment of traditional Keralite drums, vows in a houseboat and a moving party amid a boat race...just head to God’s own country. Be it baywater weddings, houseboat nuptials, making promises by the hills or walking to a temple, the options are very textured and rooted. Sacred elephant-themed weddings are popular in Varkala while Komarakom and Alleppy are known for houseboats.

WORLD IS AN OYSTER

opular international locations for hosting Indian weddings include Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, Anatalya in Turkey, Venice and Florence in Italy, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket, Rayong, Koh Samui, Pattaya in Thailand, Boracay and Manila in The Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. Mauritius, London (UK) and Bali (Indonesia) are preferred for their cool climes. Greece and Morocco appeal to those looking for an exotic experience.

— Courtesy: Triphobo, Skyscanner and MakeMyTrip AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

TRAVEL

Over

ith the approaching wedding season, newly-weds are all geared up to plan their unique romantic retreat. Last year, we saw a 25-30 per cent growth for both domestic and international honeymoon bookings. Domestically, apart from Goa and Kashmir, we are seeing increased reservations for leisure destinations in the Northeast and South like Munnar and Coorg. Better flight connections and increasing awareness are a contributing to the

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Wedding festivities can drive you crazy. Here are a few hotspots to amp up some cosy romance

increasing number of couples opting for these destinations. For their post-wedding retreat, honeymooners look for exotic destinations that blend romance, adventure and solitude. Switzerland has been a favourite foreign honeymoon destination of Indians through the years but Greece, Seychelles, Australia, Spain and South Africa are emerging as new favourites. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ranjeet Oak, Chief Business OfficerHolidays, MakeMyTrip

F O R E I G N A F F A I R GREECE: It may be making news for all the wrong reasons but Greece, with its exquisite scenery, rich heritage, great hospitality and amazing weather, attracts a lot of honeymooners. MUNICH: An hour’s drive from the snow-crusted Alps, Munich, the Bavarian capital on Isar River, has a rich history full of Baroque and Rococo architecture, museums and lush parks. SOUTH AFRICA: Offers an unimaginable range of experiences from sun-kissed beaches with an amazing nightlife to Garden Route — the most beautiful drive route in the world and an unforgettable wildlife safari.

JAMAICA: Full of private places to stay, the Jamaican towns of Negril, Montego Bay and Kingston in the Caribbean have captivating cays, bays and coves, splendid marine life, reggae beats and gourmet food.

MALDIVES: Dinner under the stars, a daring getaway to an uninhabited island or a spa watching the endless turquoise waters, Maldives is all romance with luxury. IRELAND: Cycle across Molls Gap and the Kerry Way, boat ride on Killarney Lake, history walk through Valentia and Skelligs Islands, take a romantic beach walk in quaint towns of Kenmare and Dingle and shop till you drop in Dublin.

MALTA: Full of UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval churches and galleries, Malta is a yachting hub and also offers amazing outdoor activities like water sports, climbing and cycling.

MINI MOON

ften a destination can only be visited at a particular time of the year to ensure best weather. Sometimes work commitments don’t allow a long break soon after the wedding. Such time and seasonal constraints are a reason mini-moons are becoming popular among newly-weds. A mini-moon is a 3-4 day break before an actual honeymoon for which Bali, Thailand, Malaysia, London and Dubai are becoming hot favourites owing to their proximity to India. — Team Exotica

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

MATCH MADE AT

SEA

Cruise liners are the hottest new destinations for big fat Indian weddings by RATNA CHADHA

ruises have always been associated with unparalleled luxury and uber cool. But cruise weddings that delicately balance grandeur and subtlety are fast becoming the new way to say “I do.” The feeling of the salty breeze in your hair and the soothing sound of the ocean around you as you exchange vows are enough to explain why very few want a regular city affair anymore. But a beautiful setting and lavish arrangements are only half the reason to yearn for a cruise wedding. The factor that really makes it so coveted is the apparent ease of organisation. The major attraction is the option to tie the knot with a picturesque, romantic backdrop while all the practical aspects are skillfully taken care of by the

34 EXOTICA / AUGUST 2015

ship’s professional staff. There are several superlative cruise liners that help you begin the new chapter of your life with enviable panache. Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises, Costa Cruises and Virgo are some of the prime choices internationally for holding the perfect on-board ceremony. With these, one can choose to have a magnificent event aboard a luxury ship or be transported to a private island to exchange vows on shore. In Asia, the locale can be the beautiful beaches of Langkawi or Phuket, where on some occasions the ship spends two days and affords you more time ashore.

TRAVEL

ndian weddings are big affairs which see extended families converge from both sides to attend the special occasion. As such, organising one can be extremely taxing on close family members, who are often left scuttling trying to see everything goes smoothly. This is where a cruise wedding can be a real comfort. The on-board wedding planners work tirelessly to ensure your near and dear ones have the maximum fun without having to worry about a thing. Be it creating menus, arranging for decorations and flowers, fixing up the music list, these efficient individuals will pore over all the major and minor details to see that your dream wedding goes through flawlessly.

is no stress about arranging accommodation for out-station relatives and transportation to get the guests to the venue, leaving zero scope for lastmoment panic attacks. And since guests from both sides are on the ship itself, the wedding becomes an intimate affair that allows the two families to socialise over the duration of their stay.

SHANDRO PHOTO: WWW.SHANDROPHOTO.COM

he magnificence of a cruise liner steaming its way through the boundless blue waters as both families bond over activities, great food and delicious cocktails during the pre-wedding functions is an experience that few others can match up to. Sumptuous gourmet feasts whipped up by celebrity chefs from across the world and interactive activities, such as Bollywood night, family games, live bands and mehendi functions, are artful add-ons to customisable wedding packages. With so much, the host families can be assured that their guests are having the time of their lives. What also facilitates this efficient organisation is that everything is within close proximity. There

he best cruise liners also provide the newlyweds with goodies such as chocolatecovered strawberries, his-and-her robes, fresh in-room floral arrangements, champagne bottles and flutes to add to the romance. From colourful mehendi sessions to the highly-awaited final ceremony, Indian marriages are by their very nature designed to be cherished and remembered for life.With flawless organisation, wonderful backdrops and outstanding service, cruise weddings can turn these splendid events into the most awe-inspiring memories for the couple, the families and the guests. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The author is India Representative of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Club Cruises

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

ATTIRE

Traditional or modern? Whatever your taste, three of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top bridal wear designers help you become the woman of the moment by NAVNEET MENDIRATTA

36 EXOTICA / AUGUST 2015

ATTIRE

TRADITIONALbride

I BELIEVE THAT CLOTHES SHOULD JUST BE AN EXTENSION OF ONE’S INTELLECT. SO WHAT YOU ARE IN YOUR MIND IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE ON THE OUTSIDE. A WOMAN WHO WEARS THE LINES ON HER FACE BEAUTIFULLY, EATS HER CARBS AND LAUGHS A LOT

[SABYASACHI MUKHERJEE]

THE LOOK: This is the year for “return to the roots.” It is a purist movement, which is why there is an emergence of monochromes. On the other hand, people are also looking at the emergence of cocktail wear, which is inspired by the 1920s. THE COLLECTION: The current collection is quite schizophrenic. There is a very strong Indian accent which is defined by kotas and patolas and zardosis, Benarasis and gota. The colour palette is mostly intense red, burgundy, old rose pink fuchsia and pale pink with hints of saffron and orange. The other half of the collection is very glamorous — straight out of a night club in the 1920s. The palette is dark grey, smokey topaz, intense burgundy, black, deep emerald and wine.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

ATTIRE

CRUISEbride [MONISHA JAISING]

THE LOOK: “The Sailing Bride” reflects the amalgam of different elements, which makes up a memorable wedding on a luxury yacht. Colours of the ocean, sand, sun and nature like aquamarine blue, turquoise, sand, terracotta, fuchsia, lime green, tangerine and even sunflower are appropriate. Choosing colours from the atmosphere will look like you blend into it. THE COLLECTION: Embellished leggings with structured sherwanis, pre-stitched saris with contrasting bikini blouses, cut-out gowns, embellished kaftan dresses and swirling lehengas work best for a cruise wedding. Printed maxi dresses, embellished shift dresses and sequinned kaftan dresses are perfect for day wear on the cruise. These can be accessorised with oversized sun hats and reflector shades.

FOR A CRUISE WEDDING, ONE MUST PACK LIGHTWEIGHT AND PRACTICAL GARMENTS. THE LOOK SHOULD BE HIGH ON STYLE

38 EXOTICA / AUGUST 2015

ATTIRE

FLOWERchild [VARUN BAHL]

THE LOOK: It is important to pick the right floral pattern, for the right body type and for the right occasion. Body type plays a major role. If the silhouette is petite, one can opt for bolder and bigger floral motifs and if one is on the heavier side, small intricate floral patterns suit better. Another thing to be very careful about is what you are pairing your piece with; a heavily done lehenga must be paired with a lighter blouse and vice-versa. THE COLLECTION: My latest Haute Couture Fall 2015 collection has been designed keeping in mind a brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dreamy mood for a fairytale wedding with classic, contemporary and experimental silhouettes. A bride can choose from an array of exquisitely designed couture pieces, instead of only choosing from the traditional saree or lehenga. In fact, a bride can go for a very fashionable and easy-to-wear saree gown, one of my signature designs or a more evolved silhouette from my couture collection like the saree lehenga or even the jumpsuit sharara, with beautiful and intricate floral embroidery and surface embellishment. There is also a range of surface embroidery technique and floral embellishments the collection has thoroughly explored, offering something unique to the bride.

DO NOT OVERDO THE FLORAL LOOK. KEEP IT BALANCED, TEAMING MOTIFS WITH OTHER PATTERNS. YOU CAN BREAK FREE FROM THE TRADITIONAL FLORAL PATTERNS BY GOING FOR ABSTRACT PRINTS AND EMBROIDERIES TO GIVE THE CLASSIC LOOK A CONTEMPORARY TWIST

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

ENGAGEMENT

THE OUTFIT: A silk and brocade long tunic, georgette jacket and dupatta with intricate handcrafted gota patti embroidery. ENSEMBLE BY: Yamini Tholia

DRESSED TO

KILL In a fix about what to wear for different ceremonies? Designer DEEPIKA GOVIND picks her favourites

FASHION S A N G E E T

THE OUTFIT: Scarlet silk georgette overlap tunic edged with delicate embroidery and silk sherara pants with antique embroidery. ENSEMBLE BY: Anand Kabra

3 2

THE OUTFIT: Red silk lehenga with exquisite antique-embroidered border, khadi silk cropped blouse and silk dupatta embellished with intricate threadwork and kundan. ENSEMBLE BY: Anand Kabra

THE OUTFIT: A Hyderabad-style drape in crepe silk, teamed with wrap trousers and an embroidered beige-gold brocade blouse. ENSEMBLE BY: Deepika Govind

W E D D I N G

THE OUTFIT: Beige broacade lehenga with exquisite hand-crafted border and Tanchoi blouse. This would work well for the wedding. ENSEMBLE BY: Deepika Govind THE OUTFIT: Old world charm: A Kimkhaab brocade lehenga in antique gold bearing embroidered Ikat floral motifs, teamed with a tangerine silk blouse and two-tone silk net dupatta with delicate artisanal embellishment. ENSEMBLE BY: Deepika Govind

COCKTAIL

THE OUTFIT: Stylish black georgette wrap lehenga with an overlap jacket, embellished with intricate gold embroidery and an extended dupatta, creating a half-saree look. ENSEMBLE BY: Anand Kabra

RECEPTION:

THE OUTFIT: Intricate threadwork embroidered beige brocade lehenga with an antique sequinned shrug. Ideal for the wedding reception. ENSEMBLE BY: Deepika Govind

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

HEARTS & FLOWERS Indigenous marigold, rose, jasmine and lotus blooms are blending well with the foreign flourish of cherry blossoms, orchids, tulips and lilies in the Indian wedding decor scenario by PUSHPINDER SINGH SETHI

magine walking into a wedding lawn with the gentle scent of lilacs and orchids blowing in the breeze, the warm sun glittering upon gold leaf work on tables and a bride walking down a bed of rose petals in a myriad of hues! As decorators get busy with creating unique styles and themes for the approaching wedding season, an oft-neglected style is the use of flowers. In India, we are blessed with a natural bounty of amazing varieties sold at enviable prices, truly allowing an entire wedding to be strung on flowers and petals.

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Almost everyday, enthusiastic brides and grooms along with their eager parents peek into whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trending, wanting to create colour themes using ostentatious materials and fabrics. We ask some to allow us to weave in magic with flowers. While cloudy days and sunny afternoons provide the perfect setting for floral brilliance, evenings too can be taken up several notches with the use of flowers in the overall set-up, creating table layouts, unique gates, seating area design for couples and even invitation themes.

DÉCOR

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

ighly recommended for day weddings are what we call “cherry blossoms” — light peach or soft pinks blended in with whites. Since this national flower of Japan is usually associated with softer elements, it is ideal for winter afternoons where tall vases with peach and white flowers accentuate sparsely done-up tables and chairs. The seating for the bride and groom is all-white which puts them on centrestage yet keeps the tone light to complement the décor. A beautiful bride in stunning peach, a groom in cream and peach cutting a cake with light pink flowers and fondant make for a fairytale wedding, even in the Indian context. Add to it some white wine and funky cocktails for lunch, and it makes the occasion even more special.

SAY IT WITH ROSES

he colour of proposal, the flower of Valentine is a sure shot way to anyone’s heart. Say it with roses and you can’t go wrong, whether it’s a destination wedding or one with total grandeur. Step One: Give a clean walkway decked with roses on one or all sides. As guests walk in, the beauty decreases the length of the walk in the mind and the scent of the flowers sets the mood for a charming wedding. In an evening avatar, gentle lights that reflect the colour of the roses, accentuated with cream and white accessories, make for a perfect ensemble for a sangeet function. Red roses give that necessary touch of grandeur and energy,

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

setting the mood for naachgaana into the wee hours. Table layouts could be a bunch of roses in a compact vase. Even better would be the ones overhanging the table, lending their soft smell to the evening while not becoming an overdose of roses and confetti on the table strewn in small measures. And for dessert, get the chef to do a red velvet in a glass or an ice-cream red velvet cake — for a yum addition to the theme.

THINGS ROMANTIC

ake her on a magic carpet ride, giving a traditional Rajasthani experience, or simply add a touch of vintage going black and gold with panache. Here are small cheats to get you going. For a Rajasthani theme, preferably pick a day function because typically, that theme is used in the evenings. But you can look at life beyond the elephant, with kulfis in floral colours, flower

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strings hanging from what look like Rajasthani choodis, flowers wrapped in Bandhani dupattas or a top covering with bandhanis with flowers creating a dhoop-chhaon (sun and shade with flickering shadows) effect. Black and gold work well for functions like sangeet, cocktail, engagement and the reception. Vintage bulbs at the entrances and above tables and the bar, clusters of flowers tightly bunched together and bouncing off the dull light and black and white table layouts lend a chic yet shiny effect to the evening. If it’s a wedding, a multi-coloured gazebo for the couple’s pheras perfectly offsets the theme — so simply deck it up in flowers and appropriate lighting. For a starry night theme wedding, several signature chandeliers in almost flower-like décor work well. My personal favourite is adding fibre optic artificial flowers to the décor. These throw soft light, creating the perfect setting.

DÉCOR

DESTINATION WEDDINGS

ere’s where even the simplest of floral interventions can create magic. Imaging Goa’s mood and beaches and add a Hawaiian floral theme to complement it perfectly, or lay out the flowers in a Rajasthani theme, or even a Victorian one for a sharp contrast to the cool inviting beaches. The bride and groom dressed in designer outfits with strong colours and the use of plentiful red and white roses make for a unique setting. I would recommend the same even

for Mauritius, Singapore or Thailand-based destination weddings. But give me a riverside venue and the theme can go shabby chic, vintage or a flower market depending on what one finds in Bangkok or off the shikaras in Kashmir. So this wedding season, trade in the fancy fabrics and opulent set-designs for flowers — they require more thought but lend the decor a subtle and sensual charm. — The author is co-founder I Do, a specialised wedding consultancy and wedding planning firm

Wedding or a warzone? With Gopro, smartphones and drones, technology is what overwhelms matrimonial memories

by RITU PANDEY

n July 17, iPhone 6’s first TVC for the Indian market rolled out, borrowing a theme from an Indian wedding. The ad showed a bride and a groom exchanging selfies before they arrive at their wedding venue. We can only guess if Apple’s inspiration for the ad came from Delhi-based Ankit Agarwal and Prachi and their #SelfieShaadi. The couple’s selfie-obsession hit a new high this June when they won the online contest that allowed them to shoot their entire wedding in a series of selfies and make online history as India’s first selfie wedding. The contest was a collaboration between Delhi-based photographer

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Think Tonk and Microsoft and invited entries from soon-to-be-married couples to win a chance to play the protagonists in India’s first ever selfie wedding. With a personalised touch underlining the contemporary wedding scenario, photography is as much a part of it. And what can be more personalised than shooting your own big day. Ankit and Prachi’s nuptials are novel since “there has never been a selfie of an entire wedding,” says Prachi.

DIGITAL DYNAMICS

t is this touch of novelty to the world’s oldest rituals that takes couples to uncharted territories and attempt extreme options like

TECHSMART getting married in a jet or under the ocean. And if you can record that novelty for posterity, nothing like it. Still photographers try and manage it through candid pictures which don’t appear posed. “Every photographer has the most advanced cameras these days. The skill lies in what best quality you can offer by understanding the clients and their requirement when they’re willing to splurge `15 lakh to `50 lakh on it, which includes flying a sevenmember crew across the seas,” says Sandeep Singh of Delhibased DotDusk Studios. Right now the photographers are busy shooting destination weddings. For the forthcoming wedding season, which starts in October, every lensman worth his salt has nothing less than 25-30 events lined up. Singh says digitisation has revolutionised wedding photography like never before — by adding to both the number of photographs as well as shooting equipment. And gadgets like the smartphones, Gopro (which can shoot underwater and in moving vehicles) and unmanned aerial devices or drones are only adding to the number and variety of pictures a ceremony can generate.

VIDEO WONDER

ven though the Directorate of Civil Aviation has banned the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for civilian purposes, drones are the latest craze at Indian weddings. So much so that a study by Flatpebble, a Hyderabadbased online start-up service that connects photographers with clients, shows how Chennai is among the top three cities using drones for wedding photography and cinematography. Most often drones are used for shooting montages. “Wedding cinematography arrived in India in 2011 but back then awareness about it was low and old videos were preferred. The boom came only in 2014 when couples started sharing their wedding videos online,” explains Singh. “A montage is a concise version of an entire wedding — sometimes using drone-mounted cameras — lasting anywhere between 5 to 8 minutes,” says Raghu Lakshminaarayanan of Chennai-based Photostrophe, which offers live webcast of weddings on Skype for relatives who cannot make it to the event. The webcasts are available under a registered domain name for 12 months from the date of the event.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

FOOD

f o l u f x Bo piness

hap

When it comes to Indian celebrations, traditional mithai wins hands down by SANGEETA KHANNA

48 EXOTICA / AUGUST 2015

t is not a surprise anymore to get a cheerful box of macaroons or artisanal chocolates instead of mithai along with a wedding invite these days. A card is like a preview and rightly makes a palpable statement about the festivity and sweet treats coming up with the prolonged celebrations of a big fat Indian wedding. With the advent of molecular gastronomy, the buffet may dress up mithai in all kinds of frills but the traditional wedding feels incomplete unless one gets to taste a well-made motichoor ka laddoo. There were days when a team of halwais would be appointed a week ahead of the wedding to start preparing saffron-infused motichoor ke laddoo and other sweetmeats ranging from spiral imartis, oblong chamchams and rotund kala jams. The air would be heavy with the fragrance of kewda, gulabjal and sugar syrup, which would have honey bees

FOOD

Even boondi finds its way into many forms like raita, rabdi and sheera.

swarming towards a makeshift mithai kitchen.

erving and sharing mithais during festivals and weddings is a way of spreading sweetness so that the tradition lives on. As weddings got bigger, people started serving fancier mithais and desserts to add an element of surprise and awe. This further led to making sweets more beautiful and desirable. Fusion sweets like chocolate barfi and sondesh, malai rolls and even motichoor donuts came into existence but the charm of authentic desi mithai has not faded. Reason why a wedding in India is inconceivable without motichoor ka laddoo and its bursting pearls of syrup in every bite. Its Bengali variant popular in weddings is called Dorbesh. All variants of motichoor ka laddoo are made of besan, the finer nuances being the size of the boondi and additives like saffron, nuts and seeds.

marti is another work of art. Fermented urad daal flour is piped directly into heating ghee in spiral patterns. The resulting preparation, which looks like a crocheted donut, is dipped in sugar syrup so the piped patterns fill up with it. There are places where imartis are made as big as a coffee table, especially for wedding trousseaus. Imagine a huge imarti being treated like a cake, being cut into pieces and distributed. Some families develop their own rituals around mithais and a wedding becomes an extended get-together where everyone talks about each other fondly.

uch is a ritual of making fish-shaped sondesh in Bengali weddings that is exchanged between the families of the bride and

FOOD

groom. Fish is an auspicious symbol and sondesh, the favourite mithai, known for the artistic expression of its makers and the generosity of their patrons. Jalebi is a cousin of imarti that is meant to be consumed fresh. Imarti stays for a couple of days but somehow jalebi has done well for itself as it is seen more commonly as street food too. The comparative ease of making jalebi than the accurate skill that is required for making imarti might be one of the reasons for jalebi becoming more commonplace. Khaja is a mithai that seems to be lost in modern times. Khaja is the Indian version of mille-feuille pastry, cut into rectangles, deep fried and then glazed with sugar syrup. Khaja and laddoo were once the most popular mithais to be packed as a return-gift for guests attending a wedding because of their long shelf-life. Packed as return-gifts, balushahi, toshe and gaja are other versions of popular sugar-coated pastries. Barfis also come in many hues. Kaju badam and pista katlis are for those who swear by nuts. The dairy-based barfis come in many flavours

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ranging from fruits, nuts and chocolate. The Karachi halwa is made with nuts and starch and cut into attractive colourful bars. Since everyone has his own favourite barfi just like chocolates, little surprise chocolates and barfi have fused well to make several types of fudges and bars in each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company. In UP weddings, parval ki mithai and malai paan are delicacies served with much pride. Mishri ki roti is a huge pastry encrusted with crystalline sugar, a pride in Marwar and Rajasthan.

eek-long weddings in olden times entailed serving several types of gujias, malpuas, panjeeris and halwas. With celebrations winding up in a day or two, chocolate-coated nuts, truffles and macaroons are convenient. However, the hosts still make it a point to serve at least a few desi mithais. The guests too look forward to them. An indulgent concession to the test of time. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The author is a food and nutrition consultant, gardener, birder, blogger and a photographer

EXPERIENCE Get ready to transform your dining room or lawn into Delhi’s finest restaurant with master chefs preparing a hand-crafted menu in your kitchen while the service team ensures a memorable evening for you and your guests. This is what luxe catering is all about

DINING W GOES LUXE

by NAVNEET MENDIRATTA

hat fun is a wedding if the guests are not well attended to? Khatirdari as we refer to it in Indian parlance has touched a new high with luxury catering taking over the already onoffer elaborate table spread at weddings. “India is a poor country but Indians are rich,” laughs acclaimed chef Manish Mehrotra of Indian Accent. King of Indian fusion, he, under the umbrella of the Old World Hospitalitypromoted Indian Accent at Home, is taking the luxe dining experience a notch higher. But Mehrotra is not the only one. There are also the likes of Ritu Dalmia, Marut Sikka and several others who are happy feeding wedding guests. “Luxury dining is the new word for catering,” adds Ishaan Sarkar, CEO, SelectED Events and Dining (by the Select Group

EXPERIENCE of Companies) that offers luxury dining, including elaborate sit-downs to groups with numbers not less than 14 people. “The idea is to offer an exotic experience in an equally exclusive location. Now that location could be as close as your own backyard or a distant location,” shares Sarkar. In one of the really exclusive events, the SelectED team set up an exclusive dining affair for 14 Korean guests in their own garden where they served exotic Indian dishes course-wise in silverware. Their food, like the Indian Accent at Home, is also not served straight. Led by chef Gaurav Mathur, an ex-ITC hand, the food is anything but boring. Their twist often has the guests wondering over a paneer tikka with jalebi or a gulab jamun tiramisu.

THE CONCEPT

orty eight hours is what they need to set it up for you, say both Sarkar and Mehrotra. Chosen cuisine could be anything and everything. The only difference is that Mehrotra recreates his magical recipes from Indian Accent while SelectED brings in the cuisine you want from the city of its origin. “For instance, if you want biryani from

Hyderabad, we’ll get it for you from the source, add our touch and make it special for you,” promises Sarkar. Mehrotra shares with us his experience of having catered to a slot as odd as the time between lunch and high tea, serving dishes that would not feature in any of the other menus. “Now that was challenging and we loved it. We kind of set up a 24-hour coffee shop for guests who had either missed their lunch or wanted to try out something different and certainly not what was to be served at high tea,” he says. Attention is paid to the smallest detail. SelectED even has shoe polishing machines placed right at the entry to make sure the servers do not walk in with dirty shoes!

EXOTIC LOCATIONS

hile SelectED, which came into being last November, has been carving a place for itself in the domestic luxury segment, Mehrotra has quite a fan following overseas. He was recently a part of a big wedding in Puglia, where they catered for the entire event for as many as five days! “Now that was one big affair. And the one to remember,” he says. “The entire town came to a standstill. Honestly you need a detailed infrastructure to cover a

EXPERIENCE PRICE WISE

“W destination wedding for five days and that can be quite a handful. We prefer to do segments with other chefs,” he adds. In terms of exotic destinations, Mehrotra shares that he has catered to places as far as Florence and Milan. “We did a sit-down for 90 people in Florence (St Regis). It was very exclusive and intimate,” he shares.

PRESENTATION

“W

e go to our client for the first time with a teaser. So the client gets a feel of what we have to offer,” says Sarkar. Word-of-mouth is a great way to connect and though people are adventurous and want something different, there is always a segment that wants traditional favourites. No stone is left unturned to make the guest feel special. Personalised menus, welcome bouquet of cupcakes and cookies with the picture of the guest in their room and personalised notes add to the charm of fine-dining.

e charge lumpsum, depending on the number of functions and counters that we are putting up. To put it simply, we charge for the chef ’s services. The host has to provide us the kitchen, supplies and services other than the hospitality,” Mehrotra shares. The exception is Delhi NCR, where they do entire events. On an average, Indian Accent at Home does about 50-60 events in a month, catering for numbers less than 100. Price points for SelectED on the other hand start from `2,800 to `3,000 (plus taxes) per person, depending on the menu that you choose. “The choices are plenty and if we have a menu of 40-50 items, we offer around five dishes from our side extra. There are times when a client is not convinced that a certain dish may work and we are sure of the same,” he says.

FOOD

INDIANS ARE BITING INTO FOREIGN WEDDING ESSENTIALS BUT WITH DESI TWISTS by RITU PANDEY

he death of the wedding cake. That’s how the foreign media mourns the loss of their most customary wedding dessert, elaborating how modern couples are opting for pies, doughnuts and cupcakes instead. But the Western boredom with the iced fruitcake shindig has been supplanted by Indians’ new-found love for the mustbite. What once used to be a Christian wedding essential is now also a must at most Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and, of course, inter-faith weddings.

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FOOD S T R I C T LY I N D I A N

ven while sticking to the norm of “eggless please,” many Indians want to experiment but in a traditional way. “Cakes with Indian themes like a chunri and mehendi matching the bride’s lehenga and in flavours like paan and orange are in vogue. There’s a lot of paisleydesigned stenciling, chocolate layering and quilting in these cakes. — Kishi Arora of Foodaholics, Delhi

THIS TAKES THE CAKE

ith the trend of relaxed, less formal weddings extending to cakes as well, all kinds of new textures, flavours, colours and materials are being attempted. Going forward, expect less of the skyscraper cakes and more of suspended, chalkboard and infused cakes with ruffles, textures, less fondant and real life flowers. — Vijayant Rawat, Executive Chef, Mosaic Hotels, Noida

xotic spice and liqueur cakes are the new favourites along with flavours like vodka chilli, spice rum chocolate, Belgian chocolate variations and Ferrero Rocher. — Pooja Dhingra of Le 15 Patisserie, Mumbai

GET NAUGHTY

he demand for adultthemed cakes has shot up over the past two years for pre-wedding parties. We get more business for such cakes from bachelorette parties than bachelor bashes. Themes for simple ones range from just a bust, bra or a sixpack chest to naughtier ones such as a couple making out on the bed and so on. — Preeti Chopra of Sweet Passions, Mumbai

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

HOTWHEELS KUSHAN MITRA

Auto & tech expert

brilliant but notperfect The new Mercedes C-Class is a tremendous advancement on its predecessor. It is also clearly a class leader, yet there are some small niggles here and there

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HOTWHEELS

omewhere down the road while driving the new C-Class, you realise just how cocooned you are in a modern luxury car. The music is playing out through the brilliant sound system, the car is moving along city traffic but you feel completely isolated from the outside world. Obviously you are paying attention to the road. Yet, when the car finds some open road, you can depress the accelerator a bit and the C-Class can start moving like scalded rabbit. But the thing is that the C220 CDI, like its main rivals in the category — the BMW 320d and the Audi A4 2.0TDI — produces a make-nodifference 170 horsepower. In terms of driving performance, acceleration and to an extent handling as well, there is really little to

distinguish between the three cars. The BMW might be a better handling car, the Audi might accelerate best. Yet, this is really about trying to find a needle in a haystack, a very large haystack, with your hands tied behind your back.

o performance is not the Mercedes C200 CDI’s selling point. Yup, it can be fun to drive and if you can find a nice, empty twisty hilly road, it can be a pleasure to go apex to apex. But, most likely, many of these cars will be driven inside a city at regular city speeds. And this is where the C-Class shines because it is such a comfortable car. The new C-Class borrows heavily from the brand new S-Class that was introduced over a year ago. This includes the Mercedes new design language; the front end looks similar to the SClass and its smaller siblings the A-Class and CLA-Class. But in terms of exterior style, Mercedes did seem to just make the S-Class smaller. That though is the

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

HOTWHEELS way with German luxury cars from all brands, the smaller cars just emulate the bigger ones. What is crucial though is that Mercedes seems to have also emulated the interiors of the new S-Class, which is a superb thing because the new S-Class interiors are utterly brilliant. This includes adopting the new “COMAND” car-driver computer interface system, which is a marked improvement from the previous generation, including a much better navigation display.

owever, Mercedes has also fitted the new CClass with a touch interface above the rotary wheel. The idea one assumes is to make the rotary wheel redundant in a few years, however irritatingly, because we in India drive on the righthand side of the road; the touchpad is on the left. This is a great thing for left-handed people and people who can manage fine movements with the fingers of their left hand. However, like most people in the world, your writer is a right-handed person and other than basic operations such as forwarding a song or changing radio stations, anything else is a very frustrating experience. Yes, the touchpad has handwriting recognition that would make

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THE NEW C-CLASS, WHICH ALSO HAS A C220 PETROL MODEL COSTING BETWEEN RS 39.9 LAKH TO RS 42.9 LAKH, IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE CLA-CLASS. YES, THE CLA 200CDI IS A BIT SMALLER, A BIT LESS POWERFUL AND IT HAS FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE. IT ALSO DOES NOT HAVE AS NICE AN INTERIOR AS THE C-CLASS

HOTWHEELS entries for navigation or even “writing out” a SMS or a Facebook update going forward possible. And in left-hand drive countries, may be this will be a great feature. In right-hand drive countries such as India, the UK, Japan and Australia among others — all countries where Mercedes sell a lot of cars — they need to either remove the touchpad or figure out what to do with it. The touchpad is a standard option on the higherspecified variants of the C-Class and will likely become standard across all Mercedes cars within the next few years.

here is one other problem with the C-Class, the fact that it isn’t necessarily the best small sedan from Mercedes. Over the years, the C-Class has grown bigger, much bigger. It is in terms of interior space as big as a E-Class from a decade ago and it is just as powerful. Mercedes seems to have realised this, which is why a few weeks ago they launched the new CLAClass. Which, in terms of size, is more of a successor to Mercedes’ old C-Class, now out of production. Of course, this is all

part of Mercedes-Benz’ global gameplan to have a car in every category thanks to the notion of platform-based building.

hich is not a great thing for car-writers because Mercedes’ line-up is confusing. Because Mercedes used to have a regular sedan, a large sedan and a very large sedan. Now they have a small hatchback (A-Class), a larger hatchback (B-Class), a sedan (CLA-Class), a not-so-large sedan (C-Class), a large sedan (EClass) and a very large sedan (S-Class). And this is before getting to Mercedes’ Sports-Utility Vehicles, which over the next 24 months, will be sliced and diced to fit every possible niche. And that is the thing with the new C-Class which also has a C220 petrol model costing between `39.9 lakh and `42.9 lakh. It is a significant amount more expensive than the CLA-Class. Yes, the CLA 200CDI is a bit smaller, a bit less powerful and it has front-wheel drive. It also does not have as nice an interior as the C-Class. But the old C-Class was Mercedes-Benz India’s best-selling self-driven car and while the new C-Class is a brilliant car to drive, it seems more suited to lounge in the back. The CLA is the car that people who drive themselves most of the time should buy.

GASTRONOMICAL

TREAT W

MEGU

THE LEELA PALACE, NEW DELHI

Who said good food always has to be expensive? Delhi has a lot to offer its foodies this month with pocket-friendly new menus and openings by NAVNEET MENDIRATTA

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hen a world famous fivestar fine-diner, where an average meal costs `7,000 (plus), comes out with an offer of a special lunch menu priced at `2,500 (inclusive of taxes), you sure are going to sit up and notice. Even better, you just want to grab the offer, lest you end up missing it. We, too, jumped at the offer to check out the newly launched Obento menu at MEGU, no questions asked. It is actually a platter of 10 carefully chosen Japanese dishes that makes for

FOOD

a complete meal. The complete set includes three sashimis (chosen from a set of five); one grill item (selected from a set of five); one main (out of a set of six — three vegetarian and three nonvegetarian) and a set of pre-selected items (all vegetarian) that include Miso Soup, Oriental salad, Tofu Soy Shoga, Oshinko (Japanese salad); Avocado cucumber roll; Chawanmushi, sticky rice and seasonal fruits. Quite a trayful, one would say! The non-vegetarian sashimis are an exotic lot. In keeping with the MEGU tradition of serving fresh seafood procured from the world’s best Japanese market, the Obento offers great Taco (Octopus), Unagi (Fresh Water Eel), Sake (King Salmon), Saba (Mackerel) and Madai (Sea Bream). My choice of grill was Asparagus Skewer, quite

delightful. Bacon lovers, however, must order bacon cheese. It is absolutely divine. In the mains, of the entire set, Miso Aubergine is a clear winner. You are going to remember this take on our favourite baigan for a long long time! Another big surprise is Chawanmushi. It is the egg custard dish done the Japanese way — all salt and no sugar; absolutely light and yet filling. And definitely not a dessert! As Louis Sailer, general manager at The Leela Palace, New Delhi, told us: “The idea is to offer an extraordinary lunch experience at India’s premier Japanese restaurant within your expected spending budget.” The meal comes with unlimited servings of green tea. The portions are bite-sized but given the number of dishes, no one has gone back complaining of less. Not yet.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

FOOD

MEI KUN

KEMPINSKI AMBIENCE HOTEL, DELHI

t’s always nice to have chefs travel from one country to another and share their food knowledge. For them, it is a learning exchange and for those who get to try what they have to offer, a treat. So it was no different when Kempinski Ambience Hotel decided to host a Thai Food Festival at their Asian restaurant, Mei Kun. Visiting Chef Kwanruean Saegsitong from Siam Kempinski Bangkok was cooking homeland recipes for the guests. A sought-after Thai chef in the world, Saegsiting is also an expert fruit and vegetable carver and a great teacher of local Thai flavours. What the guests got to sample was an excellent spread of signature dishes including Yam Som O (a spicy pomelo salad with vegetables); Kor

Moo Yang (Grilled pork neck) and Goong Thod Kratium Prik Thai (Fried shrimp with garlic and pepper); Musamun Gai (Chicken in Musamun Curry); Phak Boong Fai Daeng (Morning glory stir fried with yellow bean sauce, garlic and chilies) and Pla Kra Pong Rad Prik (Fried Red Snapper in Chili Sauce), among others. She also got with her some great sticky rice for her preparation Kow Neuw Moon (Sticky rice with Mango). As Puneet Singh, General Manager, Kempinski Ambience Hotel, put it: “The Thai food is a harmonious blend of spicy, subtle, sweet and sour. And this festival unravelled the magic of Thai cuisine to our guests.” Well, the festival may be over. But you are sure to find some of these dishes in their menu as latest additions. Do check out.

FOOD TADO, ARTISANAL DELI AND OVEN

VIVANTA BY TAJ, SURAJKUND

hat is it about five-star spaces becoming affordable, you’d ask when you read through this one. But ask me and I’d say it’s the best thing to have happened to hospitality. For they offer the best of ingredients and great quality check coupled with amazing recipes. The only one to gain is the guest. Vivanta by Taj-Surajkund, Delhi NCR, recently introduced TADO, The Artisan and Deli Oven, a premier bakery house and one-stop-deli to its in-house and local guests. On offer are appetising patisserie items, including cakes, pastries, breads, cheese and charcuterie. And at a price range that would put your neighbourhood bakery to shame. Says Executive Chef Ganesh Joshi, TADO: “The USP of this artisanal space is in-house conventional recipes made with organic ingredients. The raw components used to curate the TADO menu are unique whole elements like pure honey, wheat flour, millet flour, omega seed oils and in-house preparations of fruit mixtures.” You get the best of Taj at really affordable prices. So even as you stop by at TADO to pick up a slice of cake, croissant or a freshly-baked bread, don’t forget to treat yourself to their fine selection of green teas and organic coffee. Pure delight.

BREAD & MORE DELHI

have several young friends who swear that they grew up on Bread & More bakery and confectionary products. Most of these friends are in their 20s and this Frenchstyled patisserie is over a decade old. A multi-outlet brand (with presence in Mumbai and Goa too), they bring to us exceptional quality bakery products that rival some of the best in Europe. The latest addition is their

Chhattarpur outlet. It is also one of the few patisseries in Delhi that offers great stone-baked, artisanal breads and absolutely sinful chocolates and macaroons. There are as many as 12 exotic flavours of macaroons, including lemon, raspberry and red velvet. Rolls, biscotti, cupcakes, tarts, cheesecakes, parteries and tarts, it’s a haven for those with a sweet tooth. The others can order a pizza or a sandwich or a noodle roll. Whatever be your palate preference, one thing’s for sure — you will get a bagful back home. Mark our words there.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

Rajaji ise of

t was summer of 1985, May 12 to be exact; our entire family was in Mussoorie for a summer holiday. On May 16, after a late start while we were about to cross Mohund, we saw a herd of elephants on the left flank from an elevated hill road. It was already past 5 pm when we stopped at the Mohund Forest Chowki to investigate the elephantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; presence and that is when I had my first introduction with Rajaji National Park. Making a necessary telephone call to the forest authorities in Dehradun from the range office (there were no cell-phones those days), and getting a night halt permission, I

veered my car to the left to kachcha jungle track and entered Rajaji National Park for a stay at Dholkhand with my family. Negotiating several dry river-beds and a rather long meandering forest stretch, we finally reached our destination. Dholkhand, the core area of the national park, is now out of bounds for common people. Thanks to the stringent tourism policy in Indian forests, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to gain entry in the Rashtrapati Bhavan than in the forest rest houses of Uttarakhand. We were, of course, lucky. Our entry was made easy, especially because back then there were hardly any mad for wildlife families like ours, who were willing to spend a

WILDLIFE

The national park had a close brush with death but it chose to live. Now, it holds a promising future by NAVIN M RAHEJA

night in a deserted forest rest house without electricity and other facilities. The sun had set by the time we entered the forest rest house. While the ladies got busy preparing dinner on the firewood with the ration picked up at Mohund, the men decided to take a round of the jungle. The Chuk Chuk of the night jar (jungle bird) indicated that darkness had engulfed the forest. On the stretch between Dholkhand and Beribarha, I came across a beautiful male leopard as well as a few cheetal and sambhar herds. The dinner was laid by the time we were back. We slept early to wake up at the break of dawn the next morning.

drive through the forest at sunrise is always enchanting and it was more so in Dholkhand that particular summer. The whole jungle seemed busy lapping up food and water â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as if preparing for a long day ahead. Several herds of spotted deer hurtled in front of our car, occasional jungle fowl scanned the loose earth foraging for food and an occasional sambhar would break cover from the bushes to take a close look at our vehicle. The sunlight coming through the occasional thin tall Sal, Dhak, Rohini

NAVIN M RAHEJA, Chairman and Managing Director, Raheja Developers Limited, is a wildlife enthusiast and a passionate photographer. In the past 35 years, he has made several contributions in the field of conservation at various levels. A former member of Project Tigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steering Committee, under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, he worked persistently to ensure that the big cats survive in India. He is also Chairman, Wildlife Conservation Society of India. One with a holistic vision, Raheja believes that development and protection of environment can happen simultaneously.

and Ber trees gave an almost magical appearance to the setting. The evening before, a forest guard had given us some description of the roads nearby and places that had the maximum probability of finding wildlife. While taking in the indescribable beauty of the forest, we noticed a small group of vultures atop a tree. Maybe a kill was nearby, or even the killer. Could it be a tiger or a leopard, I wondered. As any wildlife enthusiast will tell you, the very hint of a big cat’s presence in a jungle impacts the body, mind and spirit — all at once! For the next five minutes or so, all of us sat motionless in the car, straining our ears to catch any sound near the prey or an alarm call, a typical jungle phenomenon through which a tiger’s or a leopard’s presence is advertised in the forest. We heard nothing, absolutely nothing. The vultures too did not make any noticeable movement.

aybe the tiger was lying close to the kill and the vultures were waiting patiently for him to move away, I told myself. Minutes dragged by and still nothing happened. I then decided to do a little investigation. I moved out with cautious steps and had hardly walked 50 metres through the grass and bush patch in the direction the vultures looked in, when a sight stopped me in my tracks. It was a tiger which I saw lying in the grass no more than 10 metres from me. I froze instantly, for any sudden movement on my part could make the tiger head straight for my jugular… but the tiger did not make any movement. Slowly and stealthily, I

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started retracting my steps. Disturbing a tiger on its kill is to surely invite death.

aving re-entered the car, I regained my composure and started assessing. The tiger’s strange behaviour got me thinking. Gathering courage, I coughed. The tiger still did not move nor evoke any reaction from the vulture and crows on the tree branches. We all decided for lot of noise… yet it was unresponsive — no movements. Keeping ourselves safe, we tried every method to attract its attention. We decided to take a different contour of the location of tiger to have a careful, close look and making sounds with every step, we started moving closer to the point where he lay. Up close, all excitement died down in an instant — the tiger was still lying motionless. All along we had been watching a dead tiger! It was actually a beautiful tigress, in the prime of her youth. Not a single injury mark was visible on her body. I concluded that she had been poisoned and decided, then and there, to do something about it. To investigate, I visited the local Gujjar badas nearby. My knowledge of the

WILDLIFE

ways of the forest told me that locals would often poison predators that threatened their cattle. Was it the same situation here as well? A young buffalo had been killed and half-eaten by a tiger. We returned to the rest house and debated whether we should inform the forest department with the entire family, including women and children being part of the investigation, or move out. We finally decided that the entire family would move back to Delhi and then we would take up the matter with the authorities and media. By afternoon, we packed up and went to take a last look at the carcass. It was strange that the vultures and jackals had almost cleared the carcass within hours after we had earlier left the scene. The same evening, I attended to my pressing engagements but I wrote a piece for two of the leading national dailies. As expected, all hell broke loose after my report about the dead tiger with the photographs was published on the front page, indicating that it had possibly been poisoned.

ajaji Park’s Warden, VK Verma, was quick to deny my news report. He claimed there was no carcass in the park and refuted the death due to rising man-animal conflicts, which I had mentioned in my article. Within days, after having conducted his own inquiry and on not locating the carcass, I was called to the location. Fortunately, I succeeded and came across the carcass of the tigress and it was concluded that the tigress had indeed, been poisoned. I stood vindicated.

Thereafter, I developed a cordial relation with Verma and found him to be a dedicated and involved forest officer. The next few years were the hardest on Rajaji’s tigers. Most, if not all, vanished without a trace… I wondered, then, whether the beautiful park would be deprived of its tigers, victims of human greed which was taking a toll on the wildlife in other parts of India as well. A series of developments made me realise that things were not as bad as they looked initially. The relocation of a large number of Gujjar families living inside Rajaji Park to Pathri and other blocks near Hardwar brought winds of change to the beleaguered park. The forests of Rajaji, I am proud to report, are springing back to their original glory. The tigers, too, have returned and their sightings are getting common in Mundal near the Chilla ranges. During my last visit, I came across a huge male tiger near the now renovated Mithavvali Khara forest bungalow.

holkhand Range, however, is still waiting for the return of the big cats as mindless urbanisation and construction of Ganga Chawd have cut the natural corridor off this beautiful forest. I recently met with Digvijay Singh Khati, director of the Rajaji National Park, to discuss this. Khati acknowledges Dholkhand as a great destination for wild lifers, in no way second to Corbett Tiger Reserve, and is as keen to reintroduce tigers here. If only he can restore the forest corridor, which has been usurped by homo sapiens for their so-called development with mindless construction, cutting up forest patches for ashrams and agriculture and encroachment by the Raiwala Ammunition Dump, it would be a true achievement. (For already published stories and films on wildlife which have run on National Geographic channel, Doordarshan National channel and Doordarshan (India), please log on to www.rahejagroup.org)

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

PLANWELL Trousseau shoppers look no far. Medusa, the one-stop designer exhibition curated by SONAL JINDAL, makes things easy for you JEWELLERY Meraki Fine Jewellery by Gaurie Pandit GARMENTS Kanika Manchanda MAKE-UP Vinod Charam STYLIST Ajay Verma PHOTOGRAPHER Tushqa Manish Chaudhary SHOOT PRODUCTION & EXECUTION You Me & We Media

WHAT THE BRIDE WANTS

onal Jindal knew she was sitting on a great idea when she launched Medusa under her signature a little over a year ago. Full of spunk, style and ideas, she had been guiding her vast circle of friends on what to wear and where to shop since long. Last March, she decided it was time that the rest of the world benefitted from her special talent. Now into its sixth edition, Medusa has shaped into an exclusive exhibit that brings together over 100 talented, next-generation designers who display their choicest creations for discerning clients. And this is not limited to just

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Delhi and Mumbai. With pop-ups in the US, London and now Dubai, the spritzy entrepreneur has taken it beyond Indian shores.

Jindal offers some suggestions to trousseau shoppers:

ONE-STOP DESTINATION odayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bride doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just want to invest in heavy ritual wear. From casual chic clothing to formal wear, she wants it all. We, at Medusa, have everything for the bride, right from luxury and statement jewellery to casual and modern designer wear, chic Western and

PLANWELL wedding wear, home furnishings, high-end luxury bags and shoes. It is a one-stop destination for all wedding shopping. A fashion and lifestyle exhibition of designers from Dubai, Pakistan, Singapore, Mumbai and Kolkata caters to the needs of the fashionista bride.

DESIGNERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE COMING EDITION:

MERAKI FINE JEWELLERY BY GAURIE PANDIT; NIKHITA; TANIEYA KHANUJA & KANIKA MANCHANDA MUST PICK-UP ITEMS RESORT WEAR FOR YOUR HONEYMOON

PLAN YOUR TROUSSEAU bride is often new to the whole wedding trousseau thing. But happy to see their daughter have it all, her family gets very excited about buying anything and everything on earth. Plan your trousseau wisely. Often while shopping for the trousseau, people end up buying useless things. Take advice of your just-married friends on what not to buy. Write down all the garments needed for different functions. Choose the colour combinations you like the best but ensure you don’t end up buying the same colour palette. Keep heavy garments to the minimal, buy semi-formal wear instead for everyday outings. Keep some money aside from your trousseau on things to be bought after marriage as trends keep changing everyday. Whenever you require anything trendy after marriage, use this money. Your honeymoon wear should also be part of your trousseau as you won’t get time to buy that after marriage and you wouldn’t want to spend your honeymoon shopping.

GARMENT & JEWELLERY Isabis by Parul & Shefali MAKE-UP Anamika Mathur PHOTOGRAPHER Shaan Cool

TIPS ON BUDGET PLANNING udget is the most important aspect of a wedding. Sit with your parents while planning the budget for your wedding. Every bride and groom must know how much their parents are spending on their wedding and use the money wisely. Working brides and grooms know how to spend their money. Make a list of everything — from the most to the least important ones. Make toiletries your most important buy.

CREATE YOUR OWN STYLE. DON’T FOLLOW THE TREND AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

GURUSPEAK SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

Spiritual guru

In fulfilling the seven sacred vows lies the secret of a happy marriage

Promises to keep

ur ancient people spoke of saptapadi (the seven steps one takes in life). Commitment, patience, sacrifice, cooperation, compassion, caring-sharing and subsuming the ego are also the hallmarks of a happy marriage. Relationships can give us strength or make us weak depending on individuals. If the mind is strong, then relationships are a gift but if the mind is weak and not in control, then relationships can feel like a bondage. If you hold each other’s necks, it will feel constricting. If you walk together, shoulder-to-shoulder with each other, it will serve as a support. So support each other, be a companion and move forward. In marriage, your partner is like your own

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part — like your arm or leg. It’s two bodies, one mind, one soul. So, whatever your spouse desires, you make it your own. Consider your spouse’s taste as your own. Conflict arises when your tastes differ. As long as you say your taste is my taste, your pleasure is my pleasure, things are fine. You should say I’m here for you. When we approach a relationship with the question, “What can you do for me?”, both partners become unhappy. In a happy marriage, each partner resolves, “I’m here for you, come what may.”

Some common issues in a marriage are: POSSESSIVENESS: Whether it’s before or after

marriage, if you are too possessive, the other person will run away. Trying to control or possess

somebody is not a very intelligent idea since it triggers a whole chain of negative thoughts. APPEASEMENT: Often you like to be appeased and cajoled. So you get upset and act difficult to please. Lovers often do this. They expend a lot of energy in cajoling and this brings down the joy and celebration of the moment. People who keep a long face and expect others to cajole and appease them make others run away. It is okay for you to show your disconcert once in a while but doing it over and over again is taxing for you and the people you love. If you feel down, lift yourself. Your need to be appeased by someone else is a sign of grossness. If you want attention, all you get is tension. HOROSCOPE MATCHING: If you feel like

matching horoscopes, get it done. Otherwise, you will always have a doubt in mind. Suppose you like your partner in every way but just something doesn’t match in the horoscope, then the solution is to meditate and pray and everything will be sorted. It is not difficult to please all the planets. Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” and it is done. MISUNDERSTANDINGS/MISTAKES: There is a proverb, “It is only through words that conflicts begin. It is only through words that people have fun. It is only through words that people gain wealth. So, words should be used sparingly.” During misunderstandings, people usually say, “Let us talk it out.” This does not work at all. When a mistake happens, it happens. Don’t sit and discuss it. Move on. Just imagine yourself in a

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

position where you make a mistake and someone seeks an explanation for it. It is such a burden to explain oneself. Never make the other person feel guilty. The bond of friendship loosens. There is a skill in making a person aware of his/her mistake without making him/her feel guilty. If one is upset, the other partner should keep quiet and wait for his/her turn to get upset. If both get upset at the same time, then there is a problem. And in front of kids, one should be civilised. Know that “Oh, my spouse is upset. Okay.” Give him or her the time to be upset. Don’t ask, “Why are you so upset?” If someone is upset, the other gets angry and expects them not to be upset. This is a big mistake. Someone is upset, give them that space. DOUBT: Do not question your partner’s love. If you find that he/she is not being loving, instead of accusing, “You do not love me”, ask him/her, “Why do you love me so much?” Just imagine, if someone keeps accusing you, complaining you are not kind to them, you are not pleasant with them, you are not friendly, you feel nagged. Nobody wants to be in the company of a person who complains all the time. A good company is one who always lifts your spirit. Someone who asks for

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explanations, doubts and questions you is not good company. So never doubt someone’s love for you. Demand destroys love. Take it for granted that your spouse loves you and that’s it. When you start demanding and policing our spouse, you get into a mess. PRETENCE: Relationships develop naturally. If you try to build a relationship it becomes artificial. Then your behaviour is not natural. When someone tries to impress you, don’t you notice it? What do you do then? You move away to someone you like. Someone who is honest, natural and unassuming with you. That is true for others too. Don’t try hard to impress your spouse. Be yourself, be natural, be forgiving and to be in the present moment. It makes a big difference.

s time passes, expectations and attitudes in a relationship change. From glorious bliss it experiences momentary shakiness. Learning how to communicate better, to be more patient and forgiving can help here. Things like yoga and meditation are beneficial. Commitment is what holds a marriage together, when you decide not to fall. Spirituality is what lends the strength to see it through.

DRINKS

Wondering what to serve? We suggest a few options to help you manoeuvre your way through the wedding celebrations

elebration is a great time to uncork some wine but when it happens to be an Indian wedding, then one has to be pocket-prudent even in spreading the joy. Because, let’s face it, in the face of heavy taxes that wine is subject to, trying to uncork a good wine for a “close” gathering of 800 isn’t within everybody’s means. Here then are a few options to help you manoeuvre your way through the wedding planning part of what

MAGANDEEP SINGH

Sommelier

DRINKS wines to purchase for the various types of festivities, i.e. if your opinion will ever matter in the larger scheme of things. SPARKLING: The minute you hear something go “pop,” you know it is a celebration. But Champagnes at almost `7,000 a pop don’t come cheap. Easier then to substitute with Prosecco or even a good Indian sparkling wine (York, Soiree and Fratelli are top picks) which cost a fraction. Although they don’t taste the same, they will do just fine to add some sparkle to the sangeet festivities. Chandon is another house which delivers quality and also provides a good brand to brandish on your table. That said, always keep some Champagne at hand and Devaux is a great one to stock. Others in my likeable list include (but certainly are not limited to) Bollinger, Taittinger, Mumm, Pol Roger, and Verve Clicquot. WHITE: A question of whether people will drink white or red really comes down to what time of the year the events will take place. Winters see more red consumption but daytime jigs favour whites. Make sure the white wines you choose are (A) aromatic, (B) crisp and (C) young. Anything more than three years old is suspect. Grapes like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are to be preferred over others. Oak-aged wines are not as good a bet as they

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may seem. Among Indian wines, a lovely Sangiovese Bianco by Fratelli could be a great pick as also the Viognier by GroverZampa. Otherwise there is a range of Sauvignon Blanc out there, so just take your pick. RED: As shared above, reds are generally the favourite colour and not just because they “look” festive. Trouble is that red wines range from light and fruity to heavy and brooding, so choosing one can be tough. The safest thing to do is to play for middle-of-the-field types, the easy-to-drink yet with sufficient tannins and complexity. Grapes like Malbec,

DRINKS

Shiraz, and Merlot dominate this segment. Australia, Chile and Argentina are great places to find such wines. Italy, too, has some lovely corpulent yet buoyant wines, especially from Tuscany. Indian producers have some options too. The K2 from KRSMA is one most apt wine, as also Sangiovese by Fratelli, Malbec by Renaissace and Tempranillo by Charosa. Wines like Fratelli’s Sette and Chene by Grover-Zampa are big and heavy but buy a few bottles and safely reserve them for that uncle who once lived in the States and can’t stop reminiscing about his road trip through Napa. COCKTAILS: The daytime functions are a great place to get inventive with wine by throwing some cocktails into the mix. A good wine spritzer or a Sangria spritzer is not only a good way to maintain a mild buzz but can be sipped through a straw,

which the aunties with mehendi-laden hands will much appreciate as they sit around waiting for the stuff to dry. Another good option is to make a white wine Sangria. Replete with cut fruits and a straw-hat, they almost look sin-free. As a final piece of advice, don’t worry too much about variety, instead focus on consistency. And constancy. As long as you can ensure that supplies don’t run dry, you have done a good job. On an average, account for about 300 ml of wine per person, which is a bit lesser than half a bottle per head. Unless wine is the only “proper beverage” you are serving, in which case, stock two bottles for every three invitees. Unless you are getting married extremely young and all your friends are fresh out of college, in which case, stock any wine but remember to spike it with some straight-up spirit!

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

DIET KAVITA DEVGAN

Nutritionist and dietician

A FIT

MR & MRS Follow a detailed yet practical and do-able food plan that will rid you of that dreadful fat and help you get glowing skin and hair

he big day is around the corner. You want to twirl your lehenga and look your best on that day, not out of shape. Grooms, too, would want to excel in their chiselled cuts and strut about, lean and tall in their sherwanis. Plus you want the pictures to show you looking thin, relaxed and resplendent and certainly not fat, harried and hassled. So if your mirror is telling you that there are some extra inches around your middle — listen to it. Do something about it. To look your beautiful best and fittest, your “get healthy” plan must start much earlier than the last week before the big day. Ideally, you must begin at least three months in advance. But don’t worry if you have missed the deadline, any day is better to begin than the next.

GET YOUR WEIGHT BACK IN ORDER

o look your best on the wedding day, your priority should be to quickly get all the extra pounds off that you may have piled on. Focus on “optimising” weight rather than going on crash/fad diets. These damage the body and rob your skin of vital anti-ageing nutrients leaving you with a sagging, unhealthy-looking skin and dull hair. Beginning now, make these diet changes and continue till your big day:

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DIET

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o Eat a good breakfast. It will regulate your metabolism and you end up eating fewer total calories through the day. o Have a clear soup and plenty of steamed/stir-fried vegetables topped with two tablespoons of feta/ricotta cheese (a fat-free cheese slice will work as well) and two tablespoons of chopped almonds and walnuts twice a week for dinner. o Twice a week for lunch, have mixed fruits of your choice and yogurt. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll notice measurable difference (both on the scale as well on the measuring tape), soon enough. o Rest of the time follow the diet plan in the box.

AVOID BLOATING

o prevent bloating, avoid eating junk food, tone down sugar and salt, cut down on caffeine and limit alcohol; all these dehydrate as well as deplete the body of essential nutrients (particularly vitamin B1 and folate). Incorporate herbal teas like ginger or lemon tea and have sabza seeds (also known as falooda seeds and basil seeds) twice a week to help cut both cravings and bloating.

DIET TRYTHESE TWORECIPES

BASIL PAPAYA PUNCH o Take 1 tbsp sabza seeds and soak them for two hours in water. They will swell up. o Blend 2 cups fruit (sarda or papaya) with a pinch of cardamom powder. Add ½ tsp lime juice, soaked sabza seeds and a pinch of salt

ROSE MILK SMOOTHIE Blend 1 cup milk with ½ tbsp Rooh Afza. Chill and add soaked sabza seeds on top.

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SCORE BEAUTIFUL SKIN AND HAIR

es, it is possible to do this via your plate. Just follow these pointers: o Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables to score enough vitamins, anti-oxidants, minerals and soluble fibre. Add just one extra fruit or vegetable serving to all your meals daily. Try this for a month and gradually try and push it up till you peak around five to six vegetable or fruit servings a day. o Don’t give up on the carbohydrates. Complex grains deliver all-important B vitamins, fibre and iron. Include oats, whole wheat bread, quinoa, brown rice and amaranth. o Dairy is essential to get enough calcium, riboflavin (vitamin B complex) and protein. Ensure enough intake of yogurt, buttermilk or low-fat milk. o Don’t ban fat totally as healthy fats are good sources of polyunsaturated linoleic acid and alphalinolenic acid. Include mono-unsaturated fats. All these help moisturise the skin from the inside and add shine to your hair and nails. Good sources of essential fatty acids: oily fish (such as salmon, tuna, sardines, trout and mackerel), fish oil supplements, canola, flaxseed and soybean oils.

o Ensure enough fat-soluble vitamin E and A. Vitamin E fights free radicals and slows the skin ageing process. Good sources are wheatgerm, nuts, eggs, seeds and whole grains. Vitamin A keeps mucous membranes healthy and helps prevent dry skin. Plate fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna, egg yolk, orange, green fruits and vegetables like carrots, spinach, mango, broccoli and pumpkin regularly. o Make sure you get enough iron as deficiency of iron can lead to pale and washed-out skin. Pomegranate, dark green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified breakfast cereals, wholemeal bread, legumes and eggs are good sources. o Get water-logged. Water hydrates the skin and helps the kidneys remove waste and the liver to detoxify. A detoxed body is essential for bouncy hair and skin. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily. — The author is a nutritionist, weight management consultant

YOUR PRIORITY SHOULD BE TO GET THE EXTRA POUNDS OFF. FOCUS ON ‘OPTIMISING’ WEIGHT, RATHER THAN GOING ON CRASH/FAD DIETS. THESE DAMAGE THE BODY AND ROB YOUR SKIN OF VITAL ANTI-AGEING NUTRIENTS LEAVING YOU WITH AN UNHEALTHY-LOOKING SKIN AND HAIR

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

WELLNESS DR KIRAN LOHIA

Bride be beautiful

Dermatologist

With technology taking over and dermacare entering into beauty space, normal facials are now passe. Get that photoshopped look with these celebrity facials

ith an abundance of bridal facials promising to deliver amazing results, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder that most brides feel bewildered. Wading through all the marketing promises to discover what truly works is no easy task. In this special issue, let me suggest you top six celebrity bridal facials along with which treatment will suit whom in the wedding party.

he NY Facial was inspired by the high-tech celebrity facials only available with top dermatologists in New York. Brought to India (and adapted specifically for the Indian skin) by Lumiere Dermatology, the NY Facial is now famous in New Delhi among brides, socialites and celebrities for making you look photo-shopped in just a few minutes. With three different technologies combined into one, this triple therapy acts on every level of your skin â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tightening your pores, fading fine lines and marks and giving you a gorgeous glow. And, there are no side effects and no downtime, meaning that you can walk out right after the treatment and go straight to any of your events with a stunning skin.

WORKS BEST

f you are in a hurry and have dull skin, open pores, slight fine lines or mild pigmentation, this treatment is for you. With just one or two sittings, the NY Facial will give you gorgeous skin for your wedding without any redness, irritation or side effects. Any pore-tightening or pigmentation reduction is permanent. Great for anyone in the wedding party, including the groom and the bride.

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NY FACIAL

POWER FACIAL

he ultimate in facials and favoured by Kim Kardashian, the Power Facial is here to stay. With six different technologies in one, this one gives you instant a nd permanent results. Gentle resurfacing with two different sciences, combined with AFT technology, beautifully erases pigmentation, fine lines, blotchiness and open pores. Then the entire face is tightened, making you look 10 years younger almost instantly. Finally, gentle mesoinfusions of actives with light stimulating therapy cap off this luxurious treatment to help brighten and soothe your skin. With instant results and zero pain, risk or side effects, the Power Facial is the socialite go-to for all those red-carpet events.

WORKS BEST

ower Facial is for those who need a dramatic result the same day. While giving you the ultimate glow, it is ideal for treating pigmentation, blotchy skin, undereye circles, facial sagging and getting rid of that double chin with results that are very long-lasting. Great for grooms, brides and parents of the couple as well.

DIAMOND MEDI-FACIAL

iamonds are a girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend. This is especially true in the Diamond MediFacial, which uses a diamond encrusted tip to medi-exfoliate damaged and dull skin. After this exfoliation, which must be done by a professional, a gentle brightening treatment is performed to exponentially augment the results of the diamond-polishing. Finally, infusions of actives are ultrasonically distilled on to the softened skin, resulting in a much brighter complexion. The Diamond Medi-Facial should be done twice or thrice for best results. It is ideal if you have dullness, pigmentation or just want to brighten your skin colour and for those with a smaller beauty budget.

WORKS BEST erfect for both brides and grooms because it is quick, painless and really gives you the skin colour and tone you are looking for.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

WELLNESS

BABY BOTOX

he hottest new innovation in the West, Baby Botox has recently come to India with a bang. This is essentially Botox homeopathy, using microdoses of Botox to give your skin a smooth finish. Instead of having to use 30 or 40 units to smoothen out wrinkles, with Baby Botox, you can reduce that to a fraction. The result is natural and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get that frozen look. And because the injections are superficial, pesky pores will also disappear after a few days. Baby Botox is injected at multiple points all over the face superficially.

WORKS BEST

f you are not scared of needles and can wait 7-10 days for the results, this treatment may be for you. It is ideal for those with large pores and fine lines and who want a completely natural look. Fantastic for brides or mothers of the bride since they are usually more concerned with their wrinkles and pores. But if a groom wants a smoother photo-finish, then Baby Botox can be done for him as well.

WORKS BEST

hose who are looking for permanent results and have a short timeline to look good should get the Head-to-Toe done. Although pricey, this therapy outshines any salon body facial. Ideal for brides who want to wear sleeveless, short sleeves or a deep back because all your skin looks fresh, glowing and clear.

HEAD-TO-TOE

amous with Victoria Secret models before they hit the runway, the Head-to-Toe is the latest full body treatment to hit India. Guaranteed to erase marks, roughness, dullness and loose body skin from your neck down to your toes, this amazing body facial is a perfect bridal body beauty treatment.

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Using micro-dermabrasion, gentle lasers, stem cell infused creams and tightening technology, you too can get bright, soft, toned and iridescent skin, making you look runwayready in just one sitting. This treatment is only available at Lumiere Dermatology in New Delhi. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The author is MD and Medical Director of Lumiere Dermatology, New Delhi

JEWELLERY

Shimmer shine W

NAMIT and SUPRIYA JAIN’S bespoke jewellery is for people who value craftsmanship by HEENA KHAN

hat is fashion and who decides what we should wear? Namit and Supriya Jain of Shimmer bespoke jewellery asked me. I was spellbound. Namit chuckled as we were enjoying coffee. Supriya said, “The very idea of starting a boutique jewellery store five years back excited me; I knew what market was offering and what we could offer.” We did realise that people rarely wanted to experiment. Even the so called ‘high-flying people’ when it came to jewellery wanted to play it safe and went straight to traditional jewellers. But few people define elegance,” said Namit adding, “according to us whatever they wear is luxury.” Then Namit showed a few pieces from his new collection ‘Lillian’ and he was right. My eyes sparkled as I did felt the finest craftsmanship. Supriya interrupted me as I was lost in my royal thoughts. She said, “It took 600 hours of craftsmanship to create this masterpiece.” Namit said, “we wanted to cater the people who could think beyond the calculations of metal and stones used in jewellery. I think we are very blessed in a way that 90 per cent of our clients are khandani raees. In other words they are the people with old money.” Supriya added, “We do have great number of young professionals as our clients as well. They are loaded with money, they do have international exposure thanks to extensive travelling and they have a very chic choice. Our other collection ‘Bella’ is totally dedicated to that segment, young, chic and very classy. It’s a collection that you can carry everyday and still it’s a class apart.” Namit gave me a little teaser of the Bella line — a ring with black diamonds. He said this ring was created for an Italian client. Then he showed me other collections like ‘Nayab’ and ‘Raas Leela’. I was awestruck by the pieces in the collections and their designs. As I said good bye to them, my heart was still there with the Black Beauty.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

WELLNESS

edding is the most revered moment of a person’s life. A day when he/she wants to look his/her best. As you plan for your big day and spend considerable time choosing the venue and the dress, deciding on the guest list, do not forget to make sure your smile appears as dazzling because that’s the one thing people take special notice of on your wedding day. You wouldn’t want to regret your yellow smile in your wedding photographs. Chipped teeth, broken edges, imperfect smiles and worrisome oral hygiene are some common concerns of to-bemarried youngsters for which people are willing to go to extremes. Remember, your teeth require as much cleansing, scrubbing and polishing as your body. So a combination of DIY tips and dental counsel may be all you need. The very first thing you should do is to get professional cleaning done. Try dry brushing without toothpaste before you use toothpaste. Dry brushing can remove a lot of stains and accumulated tartar and plaque on the teeth. Doing that can make them look fresher and brighter. Another thing you can focus on is having nice, strong edges in your smile. Some people have little spaces in their teeth. Technological advancements in aesthetic dentistry allow full mouth rehabilitation with uniform teeth, no spaces and strong edges. Teeth whitening is a procedure to brighten discoloured or stained teeth. If you are looking for a more drastic solution, porcelain veneers are a great choice for hiding imperfections such as gaps, chipped and discoloured or uneven teeth. Your dentist can help you get a perfectly designed smile. In addition to all this, a strict nutrition regime is always good for any bride or groom to follow. Nobody is asking you to skip your favourite things but just cheat with a clever treat. Avoid dark liquids like coffee or red wine and deeply pigmented curry dishes. Also, stay away from carbonated drinks and smoking. Drink iced coffees and wine through a straw to prevent staining. Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, cauliflower, pears and cucumbers. Hitting the crudités at parties is recommended. Rich in fibre, these foods act like tiny toothbrushes scrubbing away at your teeth as you eat. You’ll be snacking in a healthy way and whitening your teeth at the same time. — The author is a Delhi-based dental surgeon and head of Smile Studio

IT WELL

MATCH

Wearing your best smile on your big day? Ensure that it shines as bright as your jewels, says DR EKTA CHADHA

ASTRO JAI MADAAN

Tarot reader & spiritual healer

DOMESTIC ARIES

[MARCH 21-APRIL 19] Aries is a very adventurous, bold and independent sign. If you tie the knot during this time, you’ll thrive as individuals and not risk losing sight of yourselves in the relationship. Your marriage will be filled with moments of spontaneity too. Think last-minute getaways, exciting dinner dates and unexpected romantic surprises. But be careful not to get too competitive with each other, as Aries couples tend to do. TIPS: In order to strengthen your marriage, learn to recognise that most arguments have shared responsibility.

GEMINI

We all hope our marriage will last forever. The zodiac sign you get married under can say a lot about your future together, for better or worse. Here are some tips to enhance romance as aided by the stars

[MAY 21-JUNE 20] For Gemini couples, communication is the key. You’ll have a really talkative marriage and there will be a constant dialogue going on between you and your other half. Since you crave variety, keep things interesting by taking part in new activities together. Don’t get scattered in too many directions however. You need to learn to prioritise your time together. TIPS: Make a list of three of the happiest moments in your marriage. Spend a few minutes each day briefly reliving those moments in your mind.

LEO

[JULY 23-AUGUST 22] Leo couples are likely to have a very dramatic, theatrical and passionate marriage. You both have strong opinions and you’re certainly not shy about sharing them. While it’s nice that there’s a lot of romance and passion, you do have a habit of getting too dramatic sometimes. This could result in a power struggle, so be careful not to boss each other around. TIPS: Do everything you can to support your partner’s well-being and respect your partner as you would your best friend.

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TAURUS

[APRIL 20-MAY 20] Taurus is an extremely sensual and decadent sign. You and your hubby enjoy the finer things in life and you’re definitely not afraid to indulge your taste for luxury. Good news: You’re destined to have a very grounded marriage. Because both of you can get stuck and set in your ways though, it’s important to mix things up more and try new stuff — in the bedroom and out of it. TIPS: Setting aside a romantic evening on a regular basis can rekindle the magic of a long-term relationship.

CANCER

[JUNE 21-JULY 22] Home is where the heart is for Cancers. You really like to pamper your husband (and vice versa). Cooking together is another shared interest. And don’t be surprised if you have a lot of cutesy nicknames for each other. The danger Cancers face is getting a little too wrapped up as a couple and becoming homebodies. Make sure to get out, be interactive and stay connected to friends and family. TIPS: Appreciate your partner at least five times each day.

VIRGO

[AUG 23-SEP 22] Virgo is an extremely organised, refined and healthy sign. You and your husband pay attention to the little things and you’re all about the details. He’s your cheerleader and you’re his, which is why helping each other out comes so naturally. You may get stuck focussing on your problems and lose sight of the bigger picture since you can be a bit nitpicky. TIPS: Every week if possible, go out on a date. Select an activity where the two of you can talk and be together enjoying each other’s company.

FORESIGHT LIBRA

[SEP 23 - OCT 22] Libra is a sign that rules marriage. This is probably why October is one of the biggest wedding months. Libra marriages are, not surprisingly, very much about balance and give and take from both partners. The relationship is a real priority to you and your man. However, the danger lies in losing your individuality. Remember to break out of the couple bubble and do things on your own too. TIPS: Accept your partner exactly as he/she is today. Don’t try to change him/her.

SCORPIO

[OCT 23-NOV 21] Scorpio is an extremely sexy and intense sign. There’s bound to be intimacy and passion in your marriage and you should have no problem keeping the romance alive over the years. Scorpio is also a sign of power and control, so jealousy issues can crop up down the line. Be careful and make sure that if you’re feeling hurt, you talk about it. You don’t want to let a power struggle ruin your marriage. TIPS: If you want your marriage to last, keep reminding each other that you love each other and nurture your relationship with kind words. You need to treat each other preciously.

CAPRICORN

[DEC 22-JAN 19] Capricorn is the sign of tradition, which is why this winter wedding typically happens around Christmas or the New Year. You and your hubby are all about legacy and honouring your heritage. You love celebrating the holidays and carrying on traditions from your childhood. One thing you both need to work on though is learning to enjoy the present instead of always planning for your future. TIPS: A simple “thinking of you” text before busying yourself with work will keep you closer.

ASTRO SAGITTARIUS

[NOV 22-DEC 21] The Sagittarius couple is very outgoing, adventurous and worldly. There will most likely be a lot of travel in your future. You’re constantly learning and taking classes together and you’re both incredibly open-minded as well. Nevertheless, you tend to take too many risks sometimes, particularly financially. Try not to live so much on the edge and hold down the fort at home. TIPS: Both write down five qualities or needs that are most important to each of you in a relationship. Have a look at each other’s list and see which of your partner’s needs you can do something about and which you need to negotiate and vice versa.

PISCES

AQUARIUS

[JAN 20-FEB 18] The Aquarius marriage can best be described as unconventional, quirky and modern. You’re each other’s best friend but you’re also a very social couple that hosts many parties. You enjoy going out and being among a big crowd. To keep your marriage strong, it’s important to make sure you set aside enough one-on-one time together. TIPS: Compliment, praise and make your partner feel wonderful about himself/ herself whenever the opportunity arises.

[FEB 19-MAR 20] Pisces is the sign of fantasy, imagination, romance and creativity. You and your hubby are no doubt an incredibly dreamy match. Expect vow renewals and anniversary getaways in your future. Beware of getting too much out of touch with reality, however. You don’t want to let your emotions take over to the point where you aren’t grounded as a couple and begin to overspend to accommodate your creative endeavours. TIPS: Try to share whatever you think about him/her to enhance intimacy in your relationship.

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

GIFTS

1 BRIDE TICKLED PINK Angie cross-body Antler bag with adjustable strap and teakwood handle. PRICE: `7,000 AVAILABLE AT: www.vitastadesign.com

FOR THE STYLISH GROOM SevenFriday-P2-01 watch in rose gold epitomises timeless sophistication. PRICE: `93,850 AVAILABLE AT: www.sevenfriday.com

GADGET-CRAZY COUPLES GOES GAGA over Vivo’s X5Pro that is equipped with hi-fi sound, 4G LTE network, a 5.2-inch super AMOLED full HD display. PRICE: `27,980 AVAILABLE AT: www.gadgetsguru.in

3 4 5 6 7 8

TRENDY TWOSOME in Michael Kors time guide. PRICE: `7,199 AVAILABLE AT: www.ebay.com LOVE CHAISE on Udaipur cherry. PRICE: On request AVAILABLE AT: gulmoharlane.com

SPLASH OF COLOUR TO THE LOVE ABODE with Indian August silk and cotton table linens. Price: `4,000 onwards AVAILABLE AT: www.indianaugust.com FOR THE MAN OF THE HOUR Alberto Torresi classic chic shoes. PRICE: On request AVAILABLE AT: www.albertotorresi.com

SOME HONEYMOON FUNK with Casa POP’s SS15 kitschy tote. PRICE: `7,000 AVAILABLE AT: www.casaparadox.com

K E E P S A K E

As they take their first step in a new life together, a token of love for Mr & Mrs PRINCE CHARMING gets Corneliani’s Palladium gold-plated cufflinks. Price: `15,000 onwards AVAILABLE AT: Corneliani boutiques in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore

FEEL RICH For lovers of elegance in home decor, the Royal Suite Collection 2015 of porcelain, crystal and silverware, furnishing and leather accessories exclusively designed by Stefano Ricci. PRICE: On request AVAILABLE AT: Stefano Ricci flagship store, Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

ATLEISURE CULTURE CONNECT [CALENDER OF EVENTS]

JHAPAN MELA 2015

BOOKWORM [WHAT A TRAVELLER IS READING]

FARTHEST FIELD: A STORY OF INDIA’S SECOND WORLD WAR: RAGHU KARNAD

very person has two deaths: First when he dies, then again when everyone who remembers him is gone. It was to save members of his family from such ill-timed “martyrdom” that Raghu Karnad set out on an imaginative pursuit of history. Growing up in his grandmother’s home in Chennai, the framed photographs of three men hanging on the wall never really piqued his interest. He got curious only when he discovered that the men — his grandmother’s brother and his great-uncles — were part of the British army in World War II. India had the largest volunteer army of 2.5 million soldiers in WW II but few records exist today of their exploits. The book attempts to trace the history of these men and their real motivations for joining the British force at a time when the crown was so resented. And it does so minus any jingoistic British bashing. In the process, it also gives us a glimpse of Kerala’s small Parsi community (to which Karnad’s maternal family belonged). Call it the superb lyricism of his pen and his diligent fact-finding, it’s difficult to slot the book as fiction or history. One even tends to forget that this is Karnad’s debut work. — Ritu Pandey WORLD OF THEATRE [WHAT TO SEE] fter the success of short monologue plays One on One, Rage launches One on One part 2 starring Rajit Kapur, Anu Menon, Neil Bhoopalam, Hussain Dalal, Sumeet Vyas and Zafar Karachiwala. Like the first part, One on One part 2 narrates 10 rivetting stories on themes ranging from the music industry, bureaucracy, marriage, war, Bollywood and real estate. Written and directed by renowned names like Rajit Kapur, Rahul DaCunha, Nadir Khan, Sumeet Vyas, Ashish Jagtiani and Hussain Dalal, the series travels to Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Vadodara, Pune and Kolkata between August 1 and September 6.

ndia isn’t called the ‘Land of Snake Charmers’ for nothing. At least going by this interesting fair in Bankura in West Bengal. Snake charmers or Jhampanias from across the state come to Bishnupur in Bankura to exhibit their tricks on the last day of the Hindu month of Shravan. The festival is a tribute to serpent Goddess Manasa, the daughter of Lord Shiva, for good rainfall. With hundreds of snakes on display, it’s the most unusual snake show in India. The mela will be held on August 18.

WANDERLUST [FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS] o The Mud Rush A 5-km all-terrain run with 21 challenging obstacles and, of course, plenty of mud. Followed by a Sundowner Party with some of India’s top DJs. When: August 8 Where: Dudhani Lake, Silvassa, Maharashtra o Athachamayam Thrippunithura The festival that kicks off Onam celebrations with a street parade of decorated elephants, floats, musicians and traditional Kerala art forms. When: August 19 Where: Tripunithura, near Ernakulam, Kerala o Aranmula Snake Boat Race More than a contest, this is tradition retracing a time when offerings were carried on snake boats to the Aranmula Parthasarthy Temple. When: August 31 Where: Aranmula, Kerala

AUGUST 2015 / EXOTICA

SIGNOFF

WHAT A FLOURISH! by RINKU GHOSH

o bride in this country can do without a Sabyasachi in her collection. And there is no designer who perhaps understands the core of a flesh and blood woman better than him. One of the reasons why he has emerged as our foremost wedding designer despite all the flamboyance by peers around. He has not only unleashed the hidden woman but also kept her rooted to tradition through his incredible modern twists of artistry. His latest Bater collection at the Delhi Couture Week was philosophical and potent and though not strictly meant for nuptials, presented modern men and women, resplendent and comfortably nurtured by embroidered layers of centuriesold crafts traditions. And they strutted out tall with their newly acquired identities, stamping their takeover of couture as we know it with embellished red-soled Louboutins. The show embodied the circle of life theme, of which yin and yang are an equal part, emerging from Gothic ruins and destruction talon-like, in shades of black, ink blue, paling out to grey and brown and then spurting with life in ox-blood red. He chose the metaphor of a quail, often hunted as prey and game, fragile in its streaked coat of overlapping feathers (represented in the baroque excess of detailing) and hiding in jagged corners and shadows of the backyard. Yet it is resilient in flight despite being fodder for human greed. As shamans use the quail feather to invoke the supernatural, the show was all elemental with bold monochromes and an elegant structure emerging out of stark chaos. The men came out in embroidered jackets, long coats and gossamer chadors wrapped casually around their multi-textured sherwanis and bandhgalas. The women, in fluid silhouettes and cuts that sat neatly on the body rather than the body fitting into them, were a masterpiece of Sabya’s art project. Amid the droopy loops of an abandoned warehouse, they gave the sari its most European carriage, with fish tail bridal trails, see-through layers, each having a distinct sexy character and embroidery, fringed capes, asymmetrical and sleeveless jackets, and fabric textures of every kind enveloping the woman’s arms in concentric folds. This was not just the cocktail bride, this was the modern Indian woman giving competition to the classic elegance of a Western gown or a pencil pantsuit. Even a short dress. And yes they glittered, with the shimmer of the coat of a quail. Sabya’s woman has been high street enough. But with the Bater, she wears her depth on her sleeves. Literally. Best part: All his drapes are meant to flatter all body types.

EXOTICA

RNI NO. DELENG/2006/18084 POSTAL REGN. NO. DL (C)-01/1151/13-15 Posted at NDPSO on 10th, 11th & 12th of same month Published on 30th of Advance Month

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