And Exotica has been just there to catch all the fun and frills. We once again bring you the best of international and domestic tourism, gourmet cuisine, and much more.
Exotica also gives you a peep into the quiet splendor of Vietnam, its multicultural social landscape bearing the exotic influence of Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. Vietnam is an incredible amalgamation of cultural diversity and natural beauty. Tighten your belts. You may be tempted to book a flight to the South Asian nation after delving into our excellent write-up.Backhome, we travel to several exotic locations in the lap of mountains and hails that thrive with greenery, and dapples valleys where life moves at its own lazy pace. Kausani offers panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayas, while Munsiyari is an offbeat monsoon destination. Both these locations are in the lap of Uttarakhand. The spell continues as you travel to Khirsu, which can offer you both scenic beauty and unimaginable tranquility. Ranikhet is another popular tourist spot in Uttarakhand that can be visited during the monsoon to enjoy the sound and sight of rain. From Uttarakhand, we travel to Himachal—to its tourist hotspots of Chail (don’t forget to visit the palace), Thachi valley and Narkanda. Exotica also escorts you to Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh for a quiet holiday. Ziro is a lesser-known but a marvelous hill station in the eastern Himalayas.
TO TRAVEL IS TO LIVEEXECUTIVE EDITOR Navin Upadhyay CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Abhishek Saxena 09818600128 EDITORIAL Sub-editor Supriya Ramesh Chief Designer Anand Singh Rawat Production Manager Syed Nawab Raza Staff Photographer Pankaj Kumar SALES & MARKETING Vice President Jetender Rawat 9810404096 General Managers Kumar Gurudutta Jha & Sweety Verma Senior Managers Madhukar Saxena & Divyesh Kothari Managers Bharat Singh Sajwan Prabhakar Pathak & Barun Choudhary MUMBAI OFFICE General DevendraManagerAdhikari HYDERABAD OFFICE V Sunil Kumar General Manager (Circulation) Rajeev Gautam Printed and published by Navin Upadhyay for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd, printed at JK Offset Graphics (P) Ltd, B-278, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-1, New Delhi-110020 and published at No. 6, Behind Gulab Bhawan, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002. Executive Editor: Navin Upadhyay. 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; F-31, Sector-6, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh-201301 Phone: 0120-4879800 & 4879900 Email: letters2exotica@gmail.com
The Exotica takes you on an exhilarating journey to South Africa and gives you a peep into places seeped into history—places that could help you understand the mystery of the making of mankind. Jungle safaris, adventure sports, astoundingly beautiful Drakensberg mountain range in KwaZulu-Natal, and the mesmerising lunar landscape of the Northern Cape. Mouthwatering food and glittering nightlife in cities provide more than enough for a visitor to wind up the tour with a bunch of happy memory.
While we step into the festival season, there is a word of caution. COVID has not gone away. It lurks in the air, and we must take abandon precautions while enjoying holidays and shopping. We must learn to live with this menace. Festival seasons are also the time to give away, to make others happy. Let the needy count on your blessings as you celebrate the joy of abundance.
On our monsoon journey, we land in Malshej ghat in Maharashtra, Bishnupur in West Bengal, and Majuli in Assam. We also cover Lonavala, Kodaikanal, Ranikhet, and Wayanad.
EXOTICA [3] AUGUST 2022 NOWthat the world has learned to live with the invisible enemy that first surfaced three years ago and COVID-19 restrictions are a memory of the past, celebrating the joy of living has assumed a new significance for mankind. Little surprise that brimming with joie de vivre, people are flooding malls and restaurants, flying to exotic destinations, crowding hills and beaches, pubs and bars.
Q & A [p6] Reaching multiple ‘firsts’ Peak tales [p10] Whirl around the nature Master stroke [p16] Rising above all odds Explore bracket [p20] Fascinating escapade Trend meter [p26] A dreamy affair Going global [p34] Making a mark Fair fixture [p36] Stark, yet striking Adventure capital [p40] One destination: A lifetime of joy Blithe spirit [p50] Roar with Simba Connoisseur corner [p52] Bliss on plate SANJAY JUMAANI [p55] NUMBER GAME: Count yourfate BHARAT THAKUR [p56] FITNESS: Art of asana SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR [p59] GURUSPEAK: Come outta comfort zone COVER: GRAND CHARTERSYACHT PHOTO COURTESY: SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM CONTRIBUTORS INSIDE TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 64 INCLUDING COVER Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer instagram.com/dailypioneer Send us your feedback at letters2exotica@gmail.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/Exotica-394686670715776 OUR PARTNER HOTELS AUGUST 2022 VOLUME 16 NO 10 [p40] [p6] [p26]
Mumbai is the city I find my groove in.
FAVOURITE HAUNTS
LBB
Known for his versatile portrayals of popular characters across web shows and films, AMOL PARASHAR made his breakthrough with the TVF web series Tripling and followed it up with Sardar Udham, Traffic and Cash among others OF STYLISH PEOPLE LITTLE BLACK B OOK
Tees and jeans are my go-to fit. In accessories, sunglasses are my absolute favourite. I wear and carry mine wherever I go. Growing up in north India, rajma chawal has become my comfort food.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is my most-liked currently; makes up for a satisfying read.
Q & A
ARMAAN MALIK, who is a singer-songwriter and is primarily known for singing in multiple languages, is represented by Warner Music, India and Arista Records. He speaks with SUPRIYA RAMESH about his latest third Hindi single Tu, his association with Spotify, how the music landscape has changed over the years and more. He is also the first Indian artist to perform at Grammy’s Global Spin series
‘FIRSTS’
There’s been no word invented that would possibly capture how precious that moment was for me. As an artist, while I love reaching multiple ‘firsts’, I’ve always been more focused on bringing out India to the world. The fact that this achievement crossed both of them off is just surreal. Song Tu was released on your birthday. Was it planned? Yes, it was planned. I would like to thank my fans who have stayed by my side all these years. You has received so much love from them that I couldn’t help wanting to create a Hindi version of the song for them. It is just a small return gift for all the Armaanians. Tell us about your association with Spotify. How has it helped you make a mark? Every artist knows how important good collaboration is, and Spotify has been extremely supportive of all my releases. I think our shared vision of taking Indian music to global audiences is what makes this collaboration between us so meaningful and important. Spotify has been instrumental in making my songs reach out to a much wider audience and it’s definitely helped me make a mark as a global artist. What do you think about music streaming apps? Are they changing the space? I am all for music streaming apps. It’s a great way for people to discover new artists. I love finding new artists to listen to too, and that’s only possible because these spaces allow easy discoverability.
Tu is a big thank you and a warm hug to my fans. It’s the Hindi version of the original record You, my fourth English single. It’s about finding that person who just fills your life with the best feeling. The feeling of being happily lost in love. Song You released earlier this year and you are the first Indian artist to perform at Grammy’s Global Spin series. How has the response been? How does it feel to be the ‘first one’?
Reaching multiple
What is your song Tu about?
Singing started quite early for you. When and why did you plan to become a singer? How has your journey been so far? I started singing at the age of 4 and by the age of 8, I had made up my mind that I want to become a professional singer. My musical journey has been quite an exciting one. There have been a lot of ups and downs and major transitions from a child singer to a teenage singer and now an adult vocalist.
It all started when Ed’s team reached out to Warner Music, India, who I am associated with and they wanted me to jump on the remix and do a verse. Well, I wasted no time and jumped into a writing session with lyricist Kunaal Vermaa and we came up with a very cool verse in just a few hours. Within two to three days, I completed my vocal dubs and sent it to Ed’s team. Two weeks later, my version of 2step was all ready for release. I still can’t believe I sang a verse on a record with one of my favourite artists in the whole world!
Speaking from an artist’s perspective, I am still in awe when I find my songs reaching people from all over the world. According to you, how has the music landscape changed over the years? I think just as how society changes over generations, people’s lives change over time and music grows with them. Music has always reflected the era we live in and I love how I’m a part of the generation where music transcends boundaries and culture.
Moreover, one thing that’s remained constant is my love for my craft. I am a student of music and will always be. You have also collaborated with Ed Sheeran. How did that happen?
From getting an idea to actually penning down the lyrics, how much work goes into creating a song? Well, there is no written rule to that. Some songs are easy to write and come together almost
instantly in one sitting. Others take some time to be developed and structured. I think the melodies and words that come naturally to you without giving too much thought tend to be the real gems. You have explored many music genres. Which is your favourite? Which one do you want to try your hand at?
My personal favourite genre is electronic dance music (EDM). I love big drops, melodic hooks and stadium anthems. When it comes to a genre that I haven’t yet explored, it would be hip-hop/rap. I would love to do a record in that world.
From Hindi to Tamil to Punjabi, you sing in many languages. How do you do it? I don’t really know how to speak in all those languages, but singing in them is something I know I am comfortable with. From a very young age, I’ve had an affinity for different languages and I’ve always found it fascinating to express myself musically in all these different tongues.
MY PERSONAL FAVOURITE GENRE IS ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM). I LOVE BIG DROPS, MELODIC HOOKS AND STADIUM ANTHEMS. WHEN IT COMES TO A GENRE THAT I HAVEN’T YET EXPLORED, IT WOULD BE HIP-HOP/RAP. I WOULD LOVE TO DO A RECORD IN THAT WORLD
What is that one song of yours that you are very proud of and you personally think is the best? I can’t just choose one, but I am extremely proud of my work in Main RahoonYa Na Rahoon and You. I personally love my vocals in both these tracks, and they also happen to be two of my most successful songs to date.
There’s no one way of being good at singing in different languages, but I think the reason I am able to do it easily is because my ear training is very strong. Once I hear a sound and a word, and I’ve noted it down on my lyric sheet, I’m able to reproduce it. Obviously, it takes years of practice and recordings to be great at it, but my process is listening to it very carefully so that I am able to pronounce and enunciate the words properly.
EXOTICA [9] AUGUST 2022
If you plan to scale new heights, you must tick these parky places off your bucket list.
The repressive heat of the summer is replaced by cool weather, which tempts everyone to go out and feel the haze. The refreshing breeze caresses the face and soul, and it tangles itself in the hair. India hosts some fascinating offbeat monsoon destinations with misty valleys, rejuvenating greeneries, and routes with cold breezes, offering perfect climate to experience during the rainy season. Travelling during this season could be challenging but when you visit these offbeat monsoon destinations will definitely leave you spellbound.
[UTTARAKHAND]
ALOK K SINGH tells you more
MUNSIYARI Munsiyari is a scenic hill retreat that makes it one of the most scenic offbeat monsoon destinations in Uttarakhand. Pristine nature, luxuriant forests and gorgeous mountains make this place perfect for Adventure enthusiasts and trekkers. It is also considered as a base camp for Khalia Top, Milam, Khalika Pass, Ramalam, Chiplakot Bugyal and Namik Trek. One can indulge in mesmerising activities such as nature walks, bird watching and trekking.
WHIRL AROUND THE NATURE
MONSOONis that time of the year when God blesses us with showers of mercy. The trees get their subsistence after several cloudless months, they turn even brighter and greener in gratitude. Everything gets drenched, however it looks fresh and beautiful.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Tribal Heritage Museum, Birthi Falls, Thamari Kund, Kalamuni Top, Panchachuli Peak, and Maheshwari Kund
EXOTICA [10] AUGUST 2022 PEAK TALES
KAUSANI
If you are searching for tranquillity and peace of mind, Khirsu is a splendid place to be. It is surrounded by lush green Deodar-Oak forests and sprawling apple orchards that look serene after rains. This picturesque hamlet is indeed one of the finest offbeat monsoon destinations to visit in the lap of Garhwal Himalayas. It is located 19kms away from Pauri and it offers complete rejuvenation and relaxation to all. It’s a heaven for solo travellers, backpackers and trekkers. Best month to visit this serene beauty is June.
This place is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and its serenity is something that needs to be embraced. This place is located in the Bageshwar district and it’s a one stop destination for all the nature lovers, trekkers, honeymoon couples, photographers and backpackers.Monsoonis pleasant and cool, however, if you wish to experience a breathtaking view of the snowfall, visit this piece of heaven at the end of December or January.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: Panoramic view of snow capped andmountainsightseeing,Ashram,BaijnathDevi.PanchachuliHimalayanmountainspeakslikeandNandaRudradhariFalls,Temple,AnasaktiKausaniTea,MallRoad,biking,rappelling,rockclimbing
KHIRSU
RANIKHET It is one of the most beautiful offbeat monsoon destinations in India. Located in Uttarakhand, the picturesque location is embraced by surrounding hills, blessed with lush green forests, pleasant environment and famous for enchanting views of the great Himalayan Ranges.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: Kandoliya Devta temple, Ghandiyal Devi temple, Ulka Ghari trek, nature walks, jaw-dropping views of snow-capped peaks and mountain ranges
EXOTICA [11] AUGUST 2022
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Valley of flowers, temple hopping, trekking, endangered animals like Snow leopard, Asiatic Black bear, and birds.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Kamalabari Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Tengapania, Garmur, Auniati Satra, Assamese culture and cuisine, historical monuments, etcMAJULI [ASSAM]
EXOTICA [12] AUGUST 2022
NARKANDA This scintillating town in Himachal Pradesh is one of the best unexplored places that you need to visit before it gets added to the list of famous holiday destinations. This tranquil town has impeccable sites and a refreshing ambiance. This hidden gem in Devbhoomi comprises sprawling apple orchards ravishing green landscape, and dense forests of cedar and oaks. The awe-inspiring meadows and mesmerising lakes will make you fall in love with its mystic beauty.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Hatu Peak, Hatu Temple, Narkanda Peak, Narkanda Temple, Tanni Jubbar Lake, Narkanda Hatu Trek, Stokes Farm, Jau Baug, Kacheri
This place is known to be the cradle of Assam civilization. It is located near the mighty river Brahmaputra, and it is known to be the largest river island in the world. This wonderful island is home to the ‘Satriya’ dance, the enchanting drama style known as ‘Bhaona’ and the temples that belong to the Vaishnavite tradition in Hinduism. Its pleasant climatic conditions, peaceful environ, and serene greenery make it a perfect destination to while round the nature during monsoon.
PRADESH][HIMACHAL
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Tarin Fish farms, Shiva Linga, Dolo Mando, Kile Pakho, Meghna Cave Temple, and outstandingly beautiful views
ZIRO This splendid gem is known to a few, it’s a pristine hill station that is located in the eastern Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the oldest towns in the AP and looks absolutely soothing to the eyes during rains. The temperature ranges from 2 to 19 Degree Celsius during Monsoon period, which makes its weather more pleasant. This place is enclosed with lush green paddy fields, pine tree forests and bamboo along with aesthetic hills, all these factors make this pristine beauty astonishingly magical.
THACHI VALLEY
EXOTICA [13] AUGUST 2022
With thick forests, towering peaks and quaint mountain towns, Tharali valley is a paradise located in the Seraj region of Mandi district. While many people head to the usual spots like Dalhousie, Manali, Rohtang, or Spiti, Tharali valley has a lot to offer to backpackers, nature lovers, trekkers, and photographers. This place is also called ‘apple county’ as it has numerous apple orchards. One of the most popular treks that leads to ‘Chanjwala Peak’ is situated here. It’s a long stretch dotted with multiple tourist attractions where one can lounge around for a while. In short, it’s a road that needs to be taken to experience a winsome view, camping, trekking, paragliding and a plethora of fun activities.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Picturesque meadows, apple orchards, age-old Himachali temples, Hadimba Peak, Saponidhar Grasslands, Chanjwala Peak, Forest Rest and House at Panjain CHAIL Monsoon is the most pictureperfect season to visit Chail. This hill station is an amazing retreat destination. Rains in this offbeat monsoon destination ensure to provide you with lots of memorable moments to snap down. This place reveals its true luxurious green beauty during monsoon season. Here, it is quite endearing to watch the cold raindrops trickling down the green leaves of a tree just outside your hotel room or homestay.
[ARUNACHAL PRADESH]
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Sadhupul Bridge, Chail Palace, Gurudwara Sahib, Kali ka Tibba, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Himalayan Nature Park, Lover’s Hill, Stoned Kumbh Shiv temple and Virgin forests
BENGAL][WEST
MALSHEJ GHAT
Maharashtra is undoubtedly a wonderful state to travel during monsoon season, It is home to some of the finest hill stations that attract a number of tourists. However, there are a few offbeat destinations which are still unknown. If you are looking for unexplored places in Maharashtra over a free weekend this monsoon, then kindly bring your attention to Malshej Ghat. This place in the monsoon is a sheer poetry. Fresh mountain air, soaked valleys and luxuriant greenery will definitely compel you to stay at this unconventional destination for long.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: An ideal location for nature lovers, trekkers, campers and horse riders. One can also enjoy the fascinating view of a stream flowing by The Tiger Point (a cliff top) and relish in the tranquillity of Karla caves. These caves were built by the Buddhist Monks around 3rd-2nd century BC. A waterfall for monsoon lovers can be found near Bushi dam
EXOTICA [14] AUGUST 2022
[MAHARASHTRA]
LONAVALA Visiting Mumbai and planning to visit a place that is sizzling yet peaceful, well, there’s one right beside- Lonavala ! Spending vacations here will awestruck you with its splendour as this place holds a variety of exotic locations. During monsoon, the Sahyadri mountain ranges and ghats revive with alluring waterfalls, breathtaking greenery, and pleasant weather. If you wish to have a quick escape from the hustle and bustle, plan a trip to this quaint hill town.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Malshej is situated amidst the lush green Western Ghats which are the glory of Maharashtra. Here, one can experience awe-inspiring views of green hills, waterfalls, magnificent flora and fauna, Harishchandragad Fort, and konkan kada
WAYANAD There is no denial of the fact that Wayanad is a picture perfect hill station and it is also considered as a perfect offbeat monsoon destination in India. This place also hosts ‘Splash’ a
Bishnupur is a town, located in the Bankura District of West Bengal. This offbeat Monsoon destination looks wondrous during monsoon season. The falling raindrops make terracotta structures appear reddish orange, which looks even more spectacular against the lush green surroundings.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Bishnupur is surrounded by old fortifications, and has several temples. Susunia Hill, Rasmancha, Lalji Temple, and Jorebangla Temple
MAJOR ATTRACTION: Plantation tours, camping, nature walks, wildlife, sightseeing, wildlife, hiking, trekking, and the monsoon carnival [KERALA]
The writer is Co-founder and CEO, Travomint [KARNATAKA]
JOG FALLS
This beautiful waterfall comprises four different cascadeslocally known as Raja, Rani, Rocket and Rover. All the four cascades amalgamate to form an extensive waterfall. The beauty of the waterfall is amplified by luscious green surroundings that provide a spectacular view to the waterfall. It’s a perfect place to drive to during the rainy season.
Kodaikanal is also known as the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’. It is located in the Palani Hills of western ghats and it offers captivating waterfalls, enchanting lakes, greenery and enthralling views of the ghats and hills.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : One can stroll round the Berijam lake and visit the Kodai lake that is man-made. It is surrounded by lovely trees and rocks. The scenic view of Palni hills is something that can pop-out your eyeballs. Alongside, one can also enjoy trekking and boating 3-day special monsoon festival to portray Wayanad as the most popular destination to visit during monsoon season.
BISHNUPUR
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS : Linganamakki Dam, Dabbe falls, Thyvare Koppa Lion, Tunga Anicut Dam, Sharavati River and Tiger reserve, scenic beauty, birds, etc
[TAMILNADU]
KODAIKANAL [TAMILNADU]
EXOTICA [15] AUGUST 2022
“TATTOOcharacterless bache banwate hain’’, “Ache profession me jaane wale tattoo nahi banwate”, we all have heard our parents and relatives often uttering these words whenever we spoke about getting a tattoo. However, over the years, the body art scenario has changed quite a lot and the social stigma around it has been fading. Not many see it as a bad choice. People have started accepting that getting inked is no longer a big deal; no company is going to fire you just because you have your girlfriend’s name tattooed on your forearm or a symbol inked on your neck. Well, until unless you have one right on your face, nobody is going to give you the stink eye.
Body art is an umbrella term. Although a tattoo is what strikes our mind first, it is not limited to just that. It is simply that getting inked is more common and feasible than scarification or implants. From piercing to body modification to cosmetic tattooing to dermal anchors and three-dimensional art, all are classed as body art. More and more people are now into tattoos. For some, a tattoo could hold a lot of significance in their life and for others, it could have memories attached to it. Small or big, one has to decide carefully about getting a tattoo. Verma says: “Tattoos are the biggest expression of individuality and a form of selfFrom doodling on his school desk to being a Guinness World Record holder to finding India’s only international tattoo festival to being a TEDx speaker to registering his name in the Top 20 Best Tattoo Artists in the world to tattooing A-list celebrities, LOKESH VERMA has inked his way to glory. SUPRIYA RAMESH digs deeper ALL
RISING ABOVE
EXOTICA [16] AUGUST 2022 MASTER STROKE
ODDS
“Like everything else, getting a tattoo has become more common and the acceptance amongst corporates or people in general, has also increased drastically as 20 years ago when I got my first tattoo. People used to frown upon and look at me weirdly,” says Lokesh Verma, Founder, Devil’z Tattooz. We have been raised in a way that we seek validation from our parents, siblings or friends before coming to a conclusion. If not fully, we are all dependent on our loved ones to a certain extent. Having said that, people abroad are quite the opposite. They are quick-witted. They do not go around asking everyone whether a ‘feather’ will look good on their neck or on their leg, they just do it! Moreover, people there do not believe in getting minimalist tattoos. They opt for bigger figures. What drove Verma to open a tattoo studio in Luxembourg, Europe, are also these two things.
THE DEVIL IS HERE STARTINGoff without a plan to monetise what he loves to do, Verma was an average student passionate about art. He takes a trip down memory lane and tells us how he once doodled all over his school bench, his bag and his friend’s. He, of course, does not regret it a bit! Howbeit, 7Up character Fido Dido remained his favourite cartoon to draw everywhere as a kid. At 14, he won the first prize in an Inter-Asia painting competition in Japan. But drawing was never his thing!
“I was always fascinated with tattoos. I just wanted to do it and try it somehow,” he says.Socrazy about tattooing that he managed to collect a few thousand rupees and borrowed some from his parents to buy a tattoo machine when he didn’t even know how to insert a needle in it. Despite all the shortcomings, Verma’s parents were quite supportive of him choosing tattooing as a career. “My father asked me to practise my first tattoo on his skin,” he recalls. Verma’s friends were as excited to get a tattoo as he was to make one. He even started tattooing for free. In fact, he would pay to practise it on his friends’ until he ran out of supplies.
However, what makes tattoos different is that they allow us to express ourselves without words. Tattoos also help people to heal or get over the grief of losing a loved one. People try to commemorate and etch the best part of their lives with the ones they’ve lost, a lot of thought goes into it.
“It usually helps them regain their confidence in a big way. There are other small symbols of moving forward and strength, which people get tattooed to keep on reminding them not to give up.
“Everything was imported and expensive, so I started charging people a little bit just to buy the supplies,” he tells us. Friends, friends of friends and acquaintances soon started lining up to get tattooed. All of this dates back to the years 2003 to 2005. As there were hardly any professional tattoo studios in Delhi, he found shelter at his best friend’s house before moving to a small salon in Vasant Vihar. And after that, there was no looking back. “I opened my own studio Devil’z Tattooz in GK1 in 2008 and in Gurugram in 2013,” says Verma, adding that today, they have 15+ artists working as a team, learning from each other and growing happily.
“When people go through the whole process of getting a tattoo in the memory of a loved one, it is more like a ritual. They have a memory on their skin, which always makes them feel that their loved one is still with them. The whole process is quite powerful,” he exclaims.Apartfrom emotionally helping people get over the loss of losing a loved one, tattoos also help countless people around the world physically in changing their appearance for good. For example, people who have lost their eyebrows and hair, can get eyebrow tattoos and scalp micro-pigmentation (SMO). Some people who have white spots on their body, get those spots covered with a skin colour tattoo on top of it.
Choosing tattooing as a career has
EXOTICA [17] AUGUST 2022 expression because you’re wearing it 24/7 on your skin. They can be creatively designed and tailored to fit your feelings, emotions and personality.”
In this way tattoos can be therapeutic,” tells Verma.
“It is a perfect platform to showcase talent from across the globe and put India on the global map. One can witness live tattooing, body art workshops, seminars and contests with a hip-hop dance battle & live music at the annual festival. There are more than 150 Indian and 60 international artists who participate,” he tells us.
A person can earn a minimum of `20,000 to `2 Lakh per month depending upon one’s work and creativity. Angel Zimik, who is now a renowned female tattoo artist, has carved her name in the industry. She trained at Devil’z Tattooz for two years. For her unique and creative designs, she has received a lot of appreciation, so much so that clients now take two-three months prior appointments. If you are looking to break the monotony of a nine-to-five job and want to pursue a creative career, tattoo artist is just the right profession for you. What is the most challenging thing in this industry and one rewarding? The most challenging thing in any industry is to be the best at it and be one step ahead of your competitor. And well, there are Edited excerpts from an interview:
It is one of the booming offbeat careers that is picking up these days. A lot of young people are ditching corporate jobs and choosing creative careers, which are very rewarding in terms of job satisfaction. Over the years, I have seen a lot of young people entering this field. There is a lot of demand for professional and trained tattoo artists in India, which has led to burgeoning tattoo training institutes.
Since you have good years of experience being a professional now, how would you describe the industry for budding artists?
EXOTICA [18] AUGUST 2022 never stopped making Verma ecstatically happy and has always been brimming with opportunities. Not just making art but being able to teach art at a prestigious foreign university has been a cherry on cake. “I usually teach apprentices, so it was not a very different experience for me. But of course, more than that, it was an honour for me to be invited to the Italian University,” he tellsVermaus. has even made a Guinness World Record for inking the maximum number of flags on the human body. “It so happened that Late Guinness Rishi, who had already bagged several world records by the time he visited my studio, decided to make another record involving tattoos. The very next week, my team and I started working on his body and 199 flags later, he went on to break the record.” Verma narrates. We are not done yet because Verma just doesn’t stop stunning us with his impeccable work. The man has travelled across 17 countries and has collaborated with several big artists abroad. He has not only enjoyed working with them but has incorporated different techniques into his work and has brought a change in the functioning of the studio in terms of hygiene and more. “When I was in the US, I wrote to Paul Booth—tattoo artist of Mark William Calaway (The Undertaker) from WWE, artists of rock band Slayer, Pantera & Limp Bizkit—and Nikko (Tattoo artist for Dwayne Johnson and more). They were kind enough to invite me to work at their studio, the planet’s best tattoo studios. It was a privilege to work with them. The experience, in a way, has helped me set a standard for my studios in India,” he says. That being said, many eminent personalities have flocked to his artsy studio. From celebrities like Tapsee Pannu, Remo D’Souza, Swara Bhaskar to cricketer Ishant Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, all of them have got a devil’s touch. Verma has attained the titles of many ‘firsts’ like being the first Asian to teach tattooing at a froreign university, starting black and grey portraits in India and co-finding India’s only international tattoo festival— Heartwork Tattoo Festival. The festival was conceived and created with a vision to embrace the eternal tattoo art and integrate India’s dexterity into global trends. It is a three-day festival with ultimate devotion to ink art, which focuses on celebrating one’s individuality with one-of-a-kind experience.
At present, what kind of tattoos are in high demand and most common? At Devil’z Tattooz, what is in store for people?
How does it feel to be one on the Top 20 list of Best Tattoo Artists in the world? It has only helped me focus on more meaningful things in life. One thing you like & dislike about your profession. Honestly, I like everything about it. How many tattoos do you have? Your favourite? I have too many to count but the favourite ones are the portraits of my wife and my son.
One major anecdote when someone has regretted or really liked a tattoo. Once a girl got her boyfriend’s name written all over her lower back in a thick tribal font and the very next day she was back for its removal. That was fast!!!
EXOTICA [19] AUGUST 2022 many rewards if you’re good at it. You can travel the world and earn a lot of fame and money.
About tattoo machines, we source them from Cheyenne, a professional tattoo equipment company based in Berlin, Germany. How well have you been able to understand your clients in these years? Rather than understanding my clients, I try to understand the work. I believe that if your work is good, people will come to you no matter what. How proficient are all the juniors at Devil’z Tattooz? We have senior and junior artists present in all the studios. A junior only graduates to become a senior when he is proficient in doing almost all styles of tattooing as in the beginning they just focus on the basics like line work, filling, etc.
What would you like to tell a budding tattoo artist? Two things. You are what your work is, so focus on your work and work hard. What more are you exploring here? I think learning and exploring will never stop. What is in the pipeline? Our first international studio is coming up in Europe in the next two months. Follow us on www.instagram.com/devilztattooz for all the scoop.
There is a high demand for portraits, realism tattoos, UV tattoos and soundwave tattoos, because they are different from your regular tattoos. Religious tattoos are pretty common in India and there is a lot of demand for that as well. Our team of 20 artists specialise in all styles of tattoos. Each artist specialises in different and complex styles like biomechanical tattoos, cover ups to clean minimal lines and more. In our studio, you will find an artist who specialises in what you’re looking for and that is our USP. You are primarily known for coloured portraits and I believe that it is not very often that people get it. How did the idea pop up? Has it worked out well for you? I was one of the first guys to start black and grey portraits in India. It was, at that time, very difficult to do but I wanted to do it because nobody else was doing it. Later, when it became common, I made the first coloured portrait in 2011 as I wanted to stand out amongst the crowd. It has worked more than very well for me. It gave me recognition and people know me for this particular style. But now, I think I will start diverting and exploring more styles of tattooing. When and where did the soundwave tattoos originate from? When did you decide to ace it? How does it work? This concept originated in the USA and of course, I wanted to learn it and I did. The most difficult part, however, is to be accurate with the sound bars or waves of a sound. Soundwave/audible tattoos are pretty new and cool. It is more like a coded message and nobody can figure it out. But whenever you feel like hearing it, you can just scan the tattoo to play it. How common is pico laser in India or abroad? It is not at all common in India. We are the first one to introduce laser technology for tattoo removal. Abroad, it is the standard method used now and the old Q-switch machines are obsolete. How careful should one be about the quality of equipment being used? Also tell us about your competitors. We are using the highest quality equipment available in the market because tattooing is about dealing with someone’s skin. For something so sensitive, nobody should try to cut corners and use cheap equipment. Moreover, when people trust you with your work, you should be honest with them and, more importantly, to yourself. At Devil’z Tattooz, with teaching how to ace at tattooing, we also teach how to maintain hygiene. I have worked with 15 countries till date and I make sure that we enforce European standards across our studios and teach them to our apprentices as well. Talking about tattoo inks, we are the only sponsored artists from New Delhi by Quantum Tattoo Ink, a North Hollywood, California-based firm involved in manufacturing tattoo inks. Their inks are acrylic free, vegan and kosher & cruelty free. The inks are FDA-registered, labtested, approved and meet the EU standards for tattoo colorants.
FASCINATINGESCAPADE
EXOTICA [20] AUGUST 2022 EXPLORE BRACKET
VIETNAM’Sculture is multicultural.highlyIt was profoundly influenced by Chinese culture because of 100 decades of Northern rule. During that phase, Vietnamese was written followed by a Chinese script. Due to more such factors, Vietnam is often considered to be one of the parts of the East Asian cultural sphere which includes China, Japan, North Korea and South Korea.
Immerse yourself in the colours of Vietnam. One must make sure to explore the country’s distinctive art form, various festivals and high-energy activities, says ALOK K SINGH
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is one of the most linguistically diverse countries. There are more than 100 different languages and Vietnamese is obviously the dominant one. The country’s art is also influenced by Chinese art that extends into Vietnamese pottery and ceramics, traditional architecture and calligraphy. However, the lacquer paintings have gained the maximum popularity in the world.
TRADITIONS AND CULTURE
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THEREare innumerable ways to immerse yourself in the colours of Vietnam including its craft workshops, cooking classes, musical performances, temple tours, museum visits and many more. The central cities of Hue and Hoi are undoubtedly the treasure troves for people who love to explore different cultures.
Water puppetry is a distinctive art form, which is quite popular in the northern region. In this, a split-bamboo screen obscure pretty puppets standing in water, supported by long poles hidden under the water. Epic stories and traditional scenes of Vietnamese life are depicted by different puppets. Water puppetry is recognised as an important part of the cultural heritage by the Government.TheVietnamese cultural wealth was inherited in a span of thousand years of history and was seasoned with a handful of outside influences. The natives have a strong sense of pride in their culture and traditions.
GO ON, EXPLORE!
THEfestivals and holidays are colourful. They often showcase music and dance performances, national heritage, high-energy activities like street parades and dragon boat races.
Vietnam is an incredible amalgamation of cultural diversity and natural highlights. The scenic beauty ranges from winding mountain passes to jagged peaks down to verdant paddy fields dyed in every shade of green in the palette. The countryside has a lot to offer for outdoor lovers and the tourists can get their teeth into national parks, kayaking, biking, hiking, etc. The most popular tourist attraction is the karst seascape of Halong Bay with the world’s most spellbinding sea views and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the big cities bustle with contemporaneous life, the rural area brims with lavish panoramas. The delightful country is full of surprises, however, it is one of Southeast Asia’s most underrated locations. If you are planning a visit to Vietnam, do not skip even one of these 12 spots. They are worth your time and energy!
The top 10 must-attend festivals while visiting Vietnam are: New Year’s Eve, Oóc Om Bóc, MidAutumn festival, Independence day, Ghost festival, Lunar New Year and Lim festival.
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HO CHI MINH CITY: For city admirers, no visit to Vietnam is accomplished without dropping in to Ho Chi Minh City as it is a buzzing commercial hub. In the streets, one can see the insane clog of automobiles, the cafe and restaurants scene is astonishingly cosmopolitan and of course, shopping is the best therapy here. Here, one can find the grand Notre Dame Cathedral—built in the 19th century—and HCMC Museum with an amazing collection of artefacts, weaving together the story of the city. Most of the city’s sights are located at its centre, Dong Khoi.
Eateries: COZY Restaurant, Nook Eatery, Madam Thu Restaurant, Maison Trang Restaurant, Risotto Restaurant, Bistro 34’, Cafe on Thu Wheels, Family Home Cafe & Restaurant, Nina’s Cafe and Mandarin Cafe
Eateries: Bollywood India Restaurant & Bar, Talk Barista Saigon, Poke Saigon, Little HaNoi Egg Coffee, Shanti Indian Cuisine, Bep Me in, Bun Cha 145, Ruong Pub & Hub, Zeytun Restaurant and Vibe Burger HUE: Hue is one of Vietnam’s most historic towns, packed to the brim with antiques from the Nguyen emperor’s reign. The gorgeous Perfume River can be enjoyed sitting along the banks. The riverboat cruise on this river is one of the nicest ways to explore the collection of outlying sites. Ground tour is incomplete without visiting the charming Ngo Mon Gate, the Dien Tho Residence where Queen Mothers used to live, the Thai Hoa Palace with its fine interior detailing, and the Halls of Mandarin with preserved sumptuous ceiling murals. A day cruise is enough to visit some pagodas along with several royal tombs. Some best tombs to visit here are Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Tu Doc.
Other big-hitter tourist attractions include Da Kao with some surviving examples of the city’s French colonial architecture, Jade Emperor Pagoda with some dazzling array of Taoist and Budhhist iconography, History Museum with stacks of relics on demonstrations, Reunification/Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum, which paints the brutality of the war.
HALONG BAY: The karst seascape of this beautiful place is a must-visit for spellbinding sea views, it is one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. In the Gulf of Tonkin, jillions of limestone islands sit with this bay, which further erodes into
Eateries: Surfing Bird’s WOK, Goa Indian Restaurant, Sindbad, El Cafe Vegan Vegetarian Food, Tropic Hostel Bar & Restaurant and Trinh Restaurant.
EXOTICA [23] AUGUST 2022 rugged pinnacles by water and wind action over centuries. It is a prime cruising spot best seen by boat. There are many caves in the bay that can be explored like Hang Dao Go, Hand Sung Sot, etc. The best time to have an iconic view of Halong Bay is at night as a day trip won’t do justice to your eyes.
Eateries: Phong Nha Coffee Station, Phong Nha Underground, Phong Nha Veggie Box, Momma D’s Rooftop Lounge & Soiree, Nguyen Shack Art Cafe & Restaurant, Phong Nha Bamboo Cafe, The Villas Restaurant, and, Artist’s Zone
MY SON: This is a ruined Cham era temple city, surrounded by dense jungle-covered mountains. There are nearly 20 temple structures built of sandstone blocks and bricks influenced by various Asian empires including Malay and Indian. The temples of Group A are the important monuments which were deliberately destroyed by US forces during the war whereas Group B temples are the oldest.
PHONG NHA-KE BANG NATIONAL PARK: It’s a dramatic karst mountain formation honeycombed with gigantic caverns, which are home to amazing stalagmite and stalactite displays. This place is also listed in the World Heritage list, tu Lan Cave is a spectacular ‘wet cave’ that includes swimming through the river.
Eateries: Vuon Dao area, Ben Doan area, Cai Dam Market, the Floating house on the seacoast of column 5 and column 6 and Ha long market
Eateries: FireFly Restaurant & Bar, Nhan’s Kitchen, Restaurant & Cafe Tuan, Mate Restaurant and Coffee, Khanh’s Kitchen, and Little Flower Restaurant & Coffee MUI NÉ: Earlier it used to be a coastal fishing town, but now it has developed into a captivating beach resort town and a first-rate destination for sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. This beach destination is quite offbeat which makes it pristine, the most unique attraction of this place is the natural Red Sand Dunes. Here, tourists can rent dune buggies or practice sand-sledging for a more adrenaline-charged experience.
Eateries: Khanh Ly Vegetarian Restaurant, Windston’s Burgers & Beer, Vuon Tao Restaurant, and Buddy Ice Cream & Info Cafe
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Eateries: Mekong 1965, Coffee 3D, Can Tho-Saigon Bakery, Pho Danh, Banh Mi A&T, MONACO coffee & restaurant and Kafe Home
MEKONG DELTA: The 12th largest river in the world, the mighty Mekong River meets the sea at Mekong Delta. The delta is one of the most amusing regions to discover in Vietnam as it is full of local life, chaotic floating markets, lush mangroves and paddy field vistas. Can Tho is a populous city in the area, which depicts how locals have adapted their lives to the floodplain first hand.
Eateries: Beach House Con Dao, Phien Khuc Coffee, Soleil Art Music Bar, Thu Tam and Phi Yen Restaurant
PHU QUOC ISLAND: It is a densely forested island that lies 45 km off the southern coast of Vietnam. The white sand beach here attracts many sunseekers during the winter season. From November to May, the island’s on-the-water and underwater tourism attractions spring up with plenty of opportunities for kayaking, snorkelling, boat trips, diving and many more.
CU CHI TUNNELS: These are extensive tunnel networks that are stretched for more that 250 km, it was built during the war to allow Viet Cong troops in order to operate in the area of Ho Chi Minh City. It is an absolutely fascinating experience for all, two short sections of these tunnels can be visited by the help of a guide. To explore this place, you need to crawl on your knees and hands at some points. Claustrophobic people should avoid getting into the narrow unlit confines.
CON DAO ISLANDS: It is a remote island group which lies nearly 160 km offshore in the South China Sea. This place attracts divers for both its variety of coral reefs and sea life. The island shores are home to dense forests and nesting turtles. For beachgoers, it has Con Son Island with sweeps of sand strung across the coast for a relaxed sun-soaked getaway. The Con Son Town is famous for its Bao Tang Con Dao Museum, Phu Hai Prison, and Tiger Cages documenting the history of this isolated island group.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Visiting this place in the cool and dry season makes it more enjoyable to walk around. Whereas in the North, several areas experience actual winter. Sapa sees low temperatures with snow in December and January. In Hanoi you will get to experience temperatures in the mid to high teens. The central Vietnam sometimes batters with typhoons during wet seasons. Generally typhoons run during August to November, however, it’s quite difficult to predict when heavy rains and hurricanes can hit the coastal cities. Pleasant weather in Central Vietnam can be experienced between February and August.
The country experiences a strong monsoon season, heavy rains hit the countryside and cities that often causes mudslides and floods. The best time to visit Vietnam is during December to February. The south of Vietnam experiences a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity all year round.
HOI AN: It is one of the most aesthetic and photogenic towns in Vietnam. The beautiful amalgamation of traditional and foreign influence on architecture of this ancient town draws the attention of many visitors. Sometimes it gets crowded especially by the river, however it is too divine to ignore. The crisscrossing streets, the Japanese bridge and restaurants are worth a visit. There are many photo spots and a lot to do in Hoi An, if you want Instagrammable pictures, do not forget to visit this town
Vietnam is a unique place for tourists and food lovers. There is a wide choice of food, whether you are looking for a budget meal or high-class dining. The upmarket restaurants of the main cities offer a mix of styles and ambient settings. They have Indian, French and Thai menu. Several restaurants don’t have English menus but they do have photo menus, to help you choose your meal. The roadside food stalls offer a variety of food that is tasty yet economic.
The writer is Co-founder and CEO, Travomint
PURSUIT OF VIETNAMESE FOOD
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Eateries: NostaLife, Rosie’s Cafe, Nourish Eatery, Nu Eatery, The Noodle House, MIX, Mia Coffee, Eat Thai, and The Night Market
Eateries: A Quynh Restaurant, Hoa Phuong Restaurant, A Phu Restaurant, Quan Quan, Dung Trau and Thac Bac Restaurant
SAPA: Sapa is full of dazzling mountains and hills, and is a home to Black Hmong minorities. This community sells clothing and trinkets to make money. Homestays in mountains, exploring the hills on a motorbike and hiking around rice fields will offer you a unique experience. There is Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall located near Sapa town, one can reach there by cable car. There is no shortage of interesting things to do here.
TREND METER EXOTICA [26] AUGUST 2022 DREAMY
At the heart of Indian Couture Week (ICW) is the best-kept secret of the fashion industry. In its 15th year, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) ICW celebrated ‘haute couture’, also known as ‘a way of life’. Featuring 13 prominent designers—from Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Gandhi Rahul Khanna, to Anamika Khanna—the couture week ’22 cropped up after almost two years of virtual showcases. With the amazing line-up of exceptional and brilliant designers and their effervescent collection, the 10-daylong fashion week was a celebration of couture like no other.
PANKAJ KUMAR captures the highlights of the event organised by the FDCI together with Lotus Make-up A
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TRAUN TAHILIANI: Paying tribute to the incredible legacy of our Indian craft heritage, Tahiliani’s bespoke collection The Painterly Dream targeted global Indians, who care for comfort, fit, motion and ease of the garments. The collection spoke the vocabulary of the studio’s artistry in a technical triumph of fit and finesse. The seamless magic of the finest embroidery techniques used in lehengas, achkans, jackets, sarees and shararas coupled with the latest technology, perfectly essayed traditions in India’s modern style.
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RAHUL MISHRA: Basking in the golden sun, Life was a manifestation of artistic memory that emerges from deep emotion and nostalgia. Two and three-dimensional embroideries articulated the first flush of nature emerging. Intricately embellished surfaces articulated scenes from dense forests with ancient architectural remains and vegetation in modern day silhouettes. Metallics added another dimension to the brand’s signature hand craft. The pieces featured fabrics that are hand woven at villages in India.
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JJ VALAYA: It wasn’t the first time that the country Spain managed to inspire Vallaya. Luxurious fabrics, elegant details, inspired prints and, of course, his timeless and much loved embroideries defined his all-new collection ALMA (Soul in Spanish). This show also marked the completion of 30 years of JJ Valaya, a journey they have enjoyed thoroughly.
VARUN BAHL: His collection, New Leaf, rode high on handcrafted textures, highlighted with feathers and sequins on sumptuous silks and velvets. Each garment was inspired by the grandeur of the forest and showcased haute couture for all genders. Varun re-focused on his classic patchwork embroidery to, while also exploring other touches like beads, gemstones and 3D-embroidered leaves and flowers.
ANJU MODI: A thinker and philosopher, Modi found her inspiration through nuanced elements of architecture, poetry, mythology and literature. Each ensemble celebrated India’s cultural history and was a tribute to modern feminism. The collection Road Less Travelled encompassed one’s learnings and experiences through various walks around the world. It was a conversation the designer had with her soul, while taking a stroll through beautiful valleys and the mightiest of mountains. The collection spoke of how taking the longest routes and crossing glimmering rivers can lead to a wave of change in our very being.
ROHIT GANDHI + RAHUL KHANNA:
In designer duo’s latest collection of evening wear couture Fibonacci, movement married precision with an architectural penchant for precision, guided by nature’s invisible rule— the Fibonacci wave. Every pattern was uniform, built by clear lines and divisions. The collection was made up of nude tulles, breezy organza and opulent velvets, where sumptuous fabrics overlapped with intricately embellished embroideries into fantastical dreamscapes. A combination of cutwork, crystals and tassels produced visual movement like in a kaleidoscope.
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SUNEET VERMA: The collection Sitara was a modern and theatrical representation of the modern Indian woman who lives in the today, yet embraces the romance of traditional Indian couture; sixth sense of seduction. It had its own vocabulary and language, like an elaborate braid entwined with history, myth, and tradition. It may be modern, whimsical, or demure, but always magnificent and carefully crafted. The mix of traditional motifs with abstract artworks enhanced by the age-old crafts of India made for a perfect feminine, romantic and modern woman.
DOLLY J: Her collection owed its conception to the serene fluidity, which lies within the heart of jazz. The collection reflected the improvised harmonies of jazz, the vibrations of which have a calming effect on the listener, complexities which inspire rumination. With golden hues, fluid textures and dramatic cascades spangled with motifs of change, Meraki was a tribute to the period of introspection which lies at the heart of creation.
SIDDARTHA TYTLER: The collection paid serious homage to the beautiful concept of Shan Shui, which literally denotes the water and mountains. The colour palette drew inspiration from the jewel tones such as maroon, navy, olive, charcoal, and our staple black. Layering the Indian looks with parkas, trenches, bombers and jumpers to give a casual, young, fresh look, the surfacing comprised top-stitch, sequin overlay, quilting and heavy crystal embellishments in the form of patchwork.
The designer duo unveiled Love Forever, a collection that took inspiration from their recent visit to London. It was influenced by the rich French tapestries and artworks from the Renaissance period. Cropped blouses with sheer, feather and ruffle details were teamed with chrome applique and crystal work embedded in structured lehengas. The colour palette of the collection ranged from softer hues.
KUNAL RAWAL: With his signature multi-functional approach to design, Rawal showcased his new couture collection Dear Men, taking inspiration from the medley of cultural and traditional influences prevalent in India. A big believer in androgynous and gender-fluid pieces, the designer experimented with structured pieces complimented by new silhouettes. The collection was replete with flattering garments for every form, shape and style and ensured the wearer was having fun throughout.
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FALGUNI SHANE PEACOCK:
EXOTICA [33] AUGUST 2022 AMIT AGGARWAL: The collection was a refreshing bookend to his part-miraculous, part-fantastical journey of a decade. But a constant thread of morphing forms and blurring the inescapable folds of time ran through it all. Every silhouette showed that they carry the echo of the first human and hold the inception of the future–overlaid on the fine-grained realities of the present.
ANAMIKA KHANNA: The couture collection An Experiment, stemming from an extreme need for change and pushing boundaries, Khanna’s collection was an open field for experimentation. The shapes were inspired by the “goddess” paired with deconstruction and pattern making techniques. The colour palette was varied, starting with sombre black, delicate lace in ivory to powerful red and emeralds. While metallic played an important role, pearl took the centre stage.
THEtwentieth century has ushered in a lot of change, one of the most important being the internet or the world wide web and globalisation. It is also the century in which India finally got its freedom after centuries of British rule. As the name suggests, the world wide web connects people on every level, from every section of society. It gives everyone a bird’s eye view of the world through a screen in front of them. This has had a huge impact on every field including arts. Before the advent of the internet, only artists who were truly lucky, who had the means or had supportive patrons could make it beyond the borders of India. The treasure trove that is the Indian art fraternity was to some extent hidden from the world. India is a country whose strength lies in its diversity. I do not think there is any other country in this world with such diversity throughout its history. This has a huge impact on the artworks by Indian artists. Some are ultra modern like in the west, some merge tradition and modernism, some are purely traditional following old forms of Indian art, like the Bengal school or Tanjore paintings. This results in a truly exotic and eclectic mix for the mind and senses.
EXOTICA [34] AUGUST 2022 GOING GLOBAL
Making a With the advent of the internet, many Indian artists have been able to reach the global audience while also sticking to their roots through art. SONALI CHAUDHARI delves deeper mark
The world wide web has played a huge role in giving Indian artists direct access to good galleries and auction houses abroad, which in turn opens up a world of opportunity. Good online art platforms also help. Indian artists are now exhibiting their works in every place imaginable, across the globe.
The writer is a visual artist
However, as I stated earlier, the internet has truly opened up the world not just for artists but for buyers of art as well. One click on a good art website and voila, you have a masterpiece! Indian art contains the same appeal that brought people from the west to India centuries ago. Where we come from is bound to be reflected on our canvas or whatever form we express ourselves in. Needless to say, this applies to all artists too, including the ones from India. I remember viewing the works of some renowned Indian artists recently; a deluge of colour reminiscent of a plate containing exotic spices and flowers found only in India. Regardless of whether a shape or form is depicted, it touches our innermost being, it touches our soul. It has the same impact on the world. One cannot imagine India without thinking about colour. It is almost synonymous with our country and as an artist, I am proud of it. No matter where Indian artists go in this world, regardless of whether they live in India or abroad, as long as they stay connected to India through that invisible thread of the soul, India will continue to be reflected in their work. It is a boon not only for Indian artists but for the global art fraternity as well, in which India plays an important role. I look forward to Indian artists achieving even greater heights on a global scale in the years to come.
Even before the advent of the internet, works of senior artists like the late MF Husain, unarguably one of India’s best known artists, commanded huge prices in the international market.
The way world cricket can no longer be imagined without the Indian cricket team, the global art scenario can no longer be imagined without Indian artists. That is not to say that Indian artists have to emulate others.
As mentioned earlier, India has its own rich culture and heritage, which is reflected in the work of Indian artists. That is our major strength I feel. No other nation in this world has the diversity that India has. It is an advantage and our strength as artists.Thebest example is the work of HS Raza, who incorporated the Bindu or circular dot into his work. It was a purely Indian concept remarkably translated upon the canvas. Of course, there are many well known western artists who have travelled to India and you can see it reflected in their artworks too.
The impact of Indian art on the global art scenario is substantial. From auctions at renowned auction houses to exhibitions in the best galleries in the world, Indian artists are making their mark.
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The aspects like type of materials and their quality, colours, textures, joinery details and imperative ergonomics collectively play a pivotal role in curating furniture pieces for a luxurious space. SAJAL LAMBA shares a detailed guide
YETSTARK,STRIKING
LUXURYtoday has many meanings and each is unique, yet all stand true. As far as home decor goes, luxury, among many other attributes, is often about incorporating quality furniture pieces that resonate with your design sensibility, look stunning and offer comfort. However, more goes into making furniture pieces that have good aesthetics and relaxation. Here, the devil lies in details like the type of materials and their quality, their colours and textures, joinery details and imperative ergonomics. These aspects collectively play a pivotal role in curating furniture pieces for a luxurious space. However, general ground rules remain unchanged regardless of the space’s aesthetic and vibe. Therefore, as designers and homeowners invent and reinvent their individual definitions of luxury, we bring to you furnishing ideas that will make your home opulent and balanced in an understated way.
FAIR FIXTURE EXOTICA [36] AUGUST 2022
LIVING2ROOM
ITis essential for the furniture in the living spaces to be timeless and comfortable, for that is usually where you spend most of your waking hours. However, contemporary furniture with a minimalist design and a detail-oriented approach is likely to always hold its appeal.
CHAIRS: A pair of inviting chairs usually accompanies the sofas. Depending on space availability and planning, these can be statement armchairs or lounge chairs. Since they are relatively smaller pieces in comparison to the sofa, they make a statement of their own either through sinuous forms and contrasting colour combinations, like a refreshing teal or a classic cappuccino. If you are going for a sofa with metal elements, the chair could have them too for a cohesive aesthetic.
TABLES: Living spaces are incomplete without a coffee table and, if space permits, a side table or two. Keeping the aesthetic intact, the table can be a statement-making piece with a distinctive design. Of course, the top has to be flat to make it functionally sound. However, a lot remains to be explored in the overall form of the tables. Depending on whether you intend to curate a bold or a minimalistic space, the centre table’s stem can have an eye-catching design, or it can be a sleek piece with elegant metal detail in the body. The design of the side tables can be in sync with other furniture elements and exhibit clear details in its form, joinery & finishes. They could be conspicuous through a play in transparency with materials like glass or other intricate details like insets in sturdy pieces made in stone or finished with a classic veneer.
SOFA: The most essential and used piece of furniture is a sofa. While its shape depends primarily on spatial planning and furniture layout, this piece of furniture can demarcate spaces by itself. First, however, it is vital to opt for a timeless design by choosing simple and neutral pieces in whites, greys and blacks. The opulence can be added by highlights of metal through handles and legs. Contrastingly, the fabric and cushioning in a sofa can exhibit unique understatedupholstery,intexturalthroughdynamismdesignandvariationsamonochromaticofferingelegance.
EXOTICA [38] AUGUST 2022 BEDROOM3
THEhero of the space, the bed, should be a piece that offers uncompromised comfort with style. Beds with lean legs and a sleek body create a spacious illusion, which is great for compact rooms. Details like the headboard can be in flamboyant materials like leather, accentuated by metal to infuse elegance through understated luxury. Complete the setting with a pair of bedside tables, either solid-bodied or sleek pieces standing on legs. The top could feature a veneer or stone for added durability. Extra functionality for storing the essentials could be incorporated by selecting tables that include leather or veneer trays for open storage or drawers for closed storage. Pay attention to the details inside the drawer, which could be in a finish matching to the table exteriors.
WHILEwe seek an exciting ambience in cafes and restaurants, our homes can flaunt a similar leitmotif articulated by the dining table, chairs, storage cabinets and bar units.
LIBRARY UNIT AND DAYBED: Enjoy reading? Exhibit your collection in an eye-catching shelving unit in metal and wood. Pair it with a plush lounge chair, and voila, you have a reading corner of your own. If the space permits, add a cosy daybed with premium quality fabrics. This piece could be framed in a classy leather with stitching details or a sleek veneer, and be supported by metal legs. A bolster cushion could also be included for added comfort. This would make a great TV room and a makeshift guest room when need be. In all spaces, curating the right furniture is the key to making a luxurious statement driven by comfort and style. It is all about timeless designs, quality materials and well-thought details that are sure to narrate your unique energy.
DINING4SPACE
5DEN
EXOTICA [39] AUGUST 2022 bar units that exhibit your personality and fondness for the finer things in life. With a sleek metal framework and minimalist shelves finished in veneer or leather, an elegant shelving unit can flaunt collectables gathered through travel, your precious glassware, memorabilia or books. Add a bar cabinet in a complementing veneer or metal with plenty of storage to house your enviable liquor collection in style. rectangular top supported by either a solid base or pairs of sleek legs. Exploring the materiality is the key to such a large piece of furniture, which can be a monolithic element in stone or veneer. On the other hand, it can be made visually lighter by breaking it through a distinct play in materials. For instance, the entire table can be in stone or veneer, and elements could be added to it in a polished metal finish as a contrasting detail.
THEden has become a necessary addition to newer homes, featuring a home office and a personal space to venture into hobbies in solace. A luxurious aesthetic
STUDY DESK: Work in style with a state-of-the-art study desk which lulls you to be productive by offering ample comfort. This elemental piece could model geometric forms with minimalistic accents featuring a lacquer finish in a unique burgundy or emerald green. Elevate its functionality by opting for a piece with a pair of drawers for storage. The home could also have a cohesive language if the table features a metallic spirit in the joinery or the legs. The writer is co-founder & director of Wriver
ONE DESTINATION:
If you are someone who enjoys being immersed in history and soaking in rich heritage, South Africa offers a multitude of experiences at places that shaped its past and ultimately the world’s
EXOTICA [40] AUGUST 2022 ADVENTURE CAPITAL
A South African-style vacation can be as laidback or as active as travellers would like it to be. They can go on a safari, indulge in 3000+ adventure activities, enjoy a city break, relax by the beach or sample delicious food and wine. Breathtaking landscapes, awe-inspiring wildlife, warm local hospitality, rich history and culture come together to weave unforgettable memories. There is the formidable and astoundingly beautiful Drakensberg Mountain Range in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the wild stretches of Bushveld in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the North West provinces. The Free State offers big skies, homegrown hospitality and the Northern Cape’s
lifetimejoyofA
mesmerising lunar landscapes offer a new way to interpret adventure.
The fact is travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to South Africa! They can watch the sunset on the beautiful coastline that stretches for about 3750 kilometers in total or spend nights getting to know each other better in the magnificent and royal national parks of the Rainbow Nation. Couples can devote time in a boutique bedroom on a rocky outcrop with no walls or a night under the starlit skies with all the comforts of a suite. For some thrill, there is also an option to look out of the cage into the deep blue sea to view sharks emerging from the murky depths.
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Some must-do adventure activities:
BIG RUSH SWING, KWAZULU-NATAL: It has been officially named the world’s tallest swing by the Guinness Book of Records since May, 2011. Not your average swing, the aptly named big swing allows you to take the thrilling leap swinging out into a massive 220m arc where you soar into the centre of the stadium.
SOUTHAfrica, with over 3000 adventure activities, is undoubtedly the adventure capital of the world. The country has options across shark-cage diving, zip lining, bungee jumping, quad-biking, horseback safaris, mountain biking, river rafting and just about any other extreme sport you can name. All the activities are supported by dedicated and authorised operators.
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ACTIVITIES FOR THRILL CHASERS
BLOUKRANS BRIDGE BUNGEE, EASTERN CAPE: The highest commercial bridge bungee jump in the world, the Bloukrans Bridge has a 216 meter gorge below. It is one of the ultimate activities to feature on any adrenaline seeker’s bucket list while visiting South Africa.
ABSEILING FROM TABLE MOUNTAIN, WESTERN CAPE: The 7th natural wonder of the world offers a spectacular view of the Mother City with its bustling city life and the blue ocean. Abseiling from the top of Table Mountain gives you a view of the city that you will never see without indulging in the activity. One can also opt for a cable car or trek.
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SHARK CAGE DIVING: Great White Shark spotting is one of the biggest draws to South Africa. A trip to Rainbow Nation is incomplete without attempting the hair-raising shark-cage dive. KwaZulu-Natal is often credited as a hub for shark-cage diving, with shark cage-diving outfits operating out of Durban and from the stunning coral reef – Aliwal Shoal. You could also explore options at Simon’s Town, Mossel Bay, Dyer Island, Seal Island, and Port Elizabeth, among other places.
GORGE SWING, KWAZULU-NATAL: The highest gorge swing in the world is located on a waterfall cliff in the Oribi Gorge in southern KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Lowveld is full of adventure highs and Graskop’s gorge swing takes the cake. Prepare to freefall 68 m, plummeting 0160km/h in 3 seconds, swinging out like a human pendulum across the gorge. The views are spectacular and so is the after-rush.
IFyou are someone who enjoys being immersed in history and soaking in rich heritage, South Africa offers a multitude of experiences at places that shaped the history of South Africa and ultimately the world. Be sure to explore these:
ROBBEN ISLAND (WORLD HERITAGE SITE):
Nelson Mandela spent 18 immensely challenging years in prison on this little island situated off the coast of Cape Town and yet emerged from it filled with forgiveness instead of hatred. Robben Island is now a World Heritage Site and museum. From the 17th to the 20th century, the island was a place of imprisonment, today it is a beacon of hope and a place where visitors can gain some insight into the life and times of Nelson Mandela and fellow freedom fighters. Trips to Robben Island begin from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, where ferries transfer you to the former prison.
TAKE THE ETHEKWINI INANDA HERITAGE
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PIETERMARITZBURG RAILWAY STATION: June 7, 1893, went down in history due to Mahatma Gandhi’s refusal to budge from a ‘whites only’ coach on a train to Pretoria. Gandhi was thrown off the train at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station for this act of defiance that set the stage for Civil Disobedience. The historic building still stands, with a plaque commemorating the incident that proved to be a turning point in Gandhi’s fight against racial discrimination. Sushma Swaraj,
TOUR: The eThekwini Inanda Heritage Route in the Inanda Valley, located in north Durban, gives travellers the chance to explore the noteworthy historic legacy that shaped the future of South Africa. The trail houses some very critical components of not just South African history but of India’s past too. Some important historical sites located in the valley include Phoenix Settlement, Ohlange Institute, Inanda Seminary, Shembe Settlement of Ekuphakameni and Ebuhleni, Inanda Dam and Mziyanthi falls.
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External Affairs Minister for India, recently commemorated 125 years since the passage of this incident by embarking on a train journey from Pentrich to Pietermaritzburg.
CRADLE OF HUMANKIND, GAUTENG (WORLD HERITAGE SITE): The Cradle of Humankind is one of the eight World Heritage Sites in South Africa. The landscape is dotted with subterranean limestone caves that have turned up a rich fossil record for human evolutionary studies, which lend credence to the ‘Out of Africa’ theory of where our ancestors came from. It is known as the birthplace of humankind, visit here is a history lesson not only for the kids but adults. It is an opportunity for animal watching as it’s also home to a diverse animal, plant and bird life. Aside from a visit to the Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng, the official visitor centre of the Cradle of Humankind, ‘the Cradle’ as it is locally known, is also a playground for the people of Gauteng.
CAPTURE SITE: This site has enormous significance in the history of the freedom struggle because it was here that, after 17 months of evading the apartheid authorities, Nelson Mandela was arrested. On August 5, 1962, the police flagged down a car driven by Nelson Mandela in a chauffeur’s uniform while he was returning from a secret meeting with the African National Congress president. This incident would go on to shape the future of an entire country. To mark the historic spot, is a sculpture comprising 50 steel rods, which align to create a magnificent portrait of Mandela.
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THOSElooking for a destination with luxury and character will be spoilt for choice in South Africa. With exclusivity, flexibility and personalisation of experiences, South Africa is sure to sweep you off your feet with its elegant nature resorts, cosmopolitan cities, gourmet retreats, plush winelands and mesmerising coastlines. This is what awaits you:
SPECTACULAR SAFARIS: South Africa is home to some of the most magnificent and luxurious safari camps in the world. Located on the outskirts of national parks or at private wildlife reserves, these premium, eco-conscious lodges, and tented camps are remote and intimate. Thus, offering a real wilderness experience with white-glove service. Nestled in the heart of nature, these lodges combine rustic appearances and modern amenities, including multiple-course bush dinners and relaxing spa treatments. Along with South Africa’s diverse wildlife, which includes the big five game animals — lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes, tourists can also take in the spectacular flora in the region.
LOUNGE IN LUXURY
LUXURY TRAINS: If the idea of travelling back in time and witnessing grandeur beyond measure appeals to you, then the luxury trains of South Africa are sure to exceed your expectations! There are three popular luxury trains in South Africa –The Blue Train, Rovos Rail & Shongololo Express. The opulence of these trains can be seen in its tasteful interiors, magnificent ambience, exquisite gastronomical experiences and thoughtful suites. These trains also offer personal butlers and a fully dedicated staff to cater to every need. On board these trains, travellers will find exceptional comfort and breathtakingly beautiful views.
From delicious morning coffee and uninterrupted 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean to having dinner as moonlight hits the sparkling water, South African yachts are the epitome of splendour.
Enjoy delicious gourmet picnics while indulging in some wine tasting.
PRESIDENTIAL STAYS, QUITE LITERALLY: Have you ever wanted to live like a President? If yes, Sanctuary Mandela Hotel is the place for you.
Former South African President and Freedom Revolutionary Nelson Mandela’s residence has recently been converted into a one-of-a-kind luxury boutique hotel. The hotel is in Johannesburg at Mandela’s first residence following his release from jail after 27 years. It also houses lush gardens and a restaurant with a menu inspired by Nelson Mandela.
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GRAND YACHT CHARTERS: There is no better way to discover the dramatic coastline and off-lying islands of South Africa than on a luxury yacht. Nowadays, the symbol of opulence – a yacht, is more about comfort than class. In the country, both day cruises and overnight charters are available giving its audience an unimaginable experience.
RIVETING & ROYAL CASTLES: Gone are the days when you needed to be royal to enjoy the luxuries of living in a castle. South Africa is dotted with several castles, many of which are gorgeous sites steeped in history. These historic sites now provide accommodation, spanning from bed & breakfasts to full-service hotels. To make your travel comfortable, royal and luxurious, you can visit:
WONDERFUL VINEYARDS: South Africa is widely regarded as one of the world’s top wineproducing countries, with the ideal environment for exceptional viticulture in a variety of wine regions. From the Agulhas coast to the Orange River valley, vineyards can be found all over South Africa. Howbeit, the most famous ones are in and around the Cape Winelands, particularly in the main districts of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
o Conrad Castle, Knysna, Western Cape o Camelot Castle, Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal o Castle in Clarens, Clarens, Free State o Destiny Castle, Clarens, Free State o Flycatcher Castle, Drakensberg
THE INDIAN-ORIGIN BUNNY CHOW:
DELICIOUS VEGETARIAN OPTIONS: Vegetarians will find a wide range of appetising food options such as veg bobotie (a national dish of South Africa, which is a delicious mixture of curried vegetables, spices, fruits and nuts with a creamy golden topping that add to its complex flavour), pampoenkoekie (light, fluffy and literally melt in your mouth pumpkin fritters) and pap tart (Pap, also known as mieliepap, is the Afrikaans word for porridge, typically prepared with corn-maize).
Since a significant number of Indian travellers are vegetarian, South Africa offers a vegetarian adaptation/variation to nearly every local South African dish, whether it is Bunny Chow or the traditional braai, it resonates well with Indian travellers on food trails.
Interestingly, South Africa’s delicious signature dish — the Bunny Chow (also simply known as bunny), has Indian origins. The dish consists of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with meat or vegetable curry. This dish, though rare in India, is extremely popular with the locals of the Rainbow Nation. In fact, each year in September the ‘Bunny Chow Barometer’, which attracts numerous entrants from across the Durban Metro region to compete for the title of the top bunny maker, is held in Durban.
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THE FOODIE TOUR IN FRANSCHHOEK: This foodie tour takes you on a culinary rollercoaster with food and wine from some of the best estates in South Africa’s culinary capital. The key highlights include enjoying a morning stroll through the heavenly gardens at Babylonstoren and tasting local charcuterie, biltong, handmade chocolate and many other South African foodie favourites. Other delicacies include traditional African food cooked over an open fire or in a threelegged pot (or potjie), morogo (a type of wild spinach), chakalaka (a spicy relish served alongside the main course), and the ubiquitous boerewors roll (a variety of spicy sausage).
The spring wildflowers are a phenomenon that never ceases to amaze and delight, even for those who live in what is considered South Africa’s “outback” –Namaqualand. What at first glance appears to be a wilderness of arid and dusty plains that stretch before dramatic mountains in the background with little by way of colour or animation, is suddenly transformed, as if by a painter with a manic palette into a pageant of flowers.
THE NAMAQUALAND FLOWER ROUTE (Best witnessed in August & September):
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The Namaqualand Flower Route lies roughly five hours north of Cape Town. You can already see evidence of flowers even in Cape Town and Postberg, a small section of the West Coast National Park close to Langebaan, gets the juices flowing but the real flower show belongs to a series of drives that centre on the towns of Garies, Springbok, Kamieskroon and Port Nolloth, way up the N7.
BLITHE SPIRIT SIMBAROARwith
INGREDIENTS: Pint Simba lager 1; lime juice 3 tbsp; salsa juice (strained from a jar of salsa) or tomato juice 1 tbsp; Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp; Tabasco 1 tsp; chilli powder 1 tbsp; salt 1 tsp; ice for serving PROCESS: On a plate, mix the chilli powder and salt and spread it into an even layer. Run the lime around the rim of a glass and cover it with the seasonings on the plate. Stir together the lime and salsa juice (use a strainer to strain out salsa juice from a few spoonful’s of salsa) Worcestershire sauce, and Tobasco. Fill the glass with ice and top it with some chilled Simba Lager. o Stir away!
Three cheers for Indian craft beer Simba for staying consistent with the quality of ingredients over the years & offering a uniform taste and experience to their patrons
THE BOILER ROOM
A crafted twist to theBoilermakertraditional
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INGREDIENTS: Bourbon 1 ounce; ginger liqueur/syrup 1/2 ounce; marigold tea 1 1/2 ounce; lemon juice 1 ounce; honey syrup 1/2 ounce; Simba wit 3 orangeounces;peel
APPLETINI
PROCESS: Add the bourbon, ginger liqueur, marigold tea, lemon juice and honey syrup into a pint glass filled with ice and stir to combine. Top with the beer and stir again gently and briefly to combine. o Garnish with a long orange twist.
A classic vodka cocktail with a twist, pinch of ginger and delicious apple flavour topped with Simba lager. The icy-cold appletini is refreshing with a perfect hint of sour.
INGREDIENTS: Vodka 30ml; apple juice 30ml; ginger syrup 15ml; apple slices for garnish; Simba Process:lagerAdd ice cubes, vodka, ginger syrup, and apple juice to the shaker and shake it well. Fill a glass with ice, pour the cocktail over the ice and top it up with Simba lager. o Garnish with a slice of apple.
INGREDIENTS: Whiskey 30 ml; Simba stout 90 ml; simple syrup 7 ml; freshly squeezed lemon juice 4 ml; angostura bitters 2 dashes
PROCESS: In a rocks glass, add in whiskey, simple syrup, lemon juice and bitters. Add ice to the glass. Top it with some creamy Simba stout. o Garnish with a lemon/orange twist. Take a cocktail break with Simba and mix yourself some spicy Mexican goodness.
THE BEAN BARLEYAND Creamy, soothing and just the right kind of bitter; a perfect blend of whiskey and Simba stout
MICHELADA
CHIPOTLE & FETA GUACAMOLE INGREDIENTS: Avocado 150 gm; onion 50 gm; tomato 70 gm; tortilla chips 120 gm; coriander leave 10 gm; jalapeno 80 gm; lemon 30 gm; chipotle chili 50 gm; feta cheese 50 gm; garlic 30 gm; spring onion 30 gm; classic tomato salsa 1 portion
CONNOISSEUR CORNER
It is time to increase your appetite because Miss Margarita has some exclusive, scrumptious Mexican delights and classic cocktails for you
ASSEMBLY: Garnish with feta cheese, coriander leaves, and spring onions. Serve with crispy tortilla chips.
METHOD: Mash in your avocado. Add in the chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, garlic, lemon, jalapenos along with salt and pepper to taste. For the extra kick, add in the chipotle chilli. Mix well until fully combined.
BLISSPLATEON
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CHILE RELLENO IN WALNUT SAUCE
INGREDIENTS: Goat cheese 50 gm; fresh jalapeno 150 gm; potato 100 gm; salt 10 gm; white pepper powder 5 gm; cherry tomato 20 gm; chopped onion 40 gm; chopped chives 20 gm; chopped jalapeno pickle 30 gm; tempura flour 30 gm; corn flour 10 gm
1 portion METHOD: In a pressure cooker, boil sweet potatoes. Wait for about 2 - 3 whistles to know it’s fully done. Peel them evenly and cut them into round thick slices. Dab cottage cheese with a clean muslin cloth to soak any excess water. Cut into thick even pieces. Cut the veggies into even pieces as well. Take a pan and heat some olive oil. Grill both the potatoes and cheese separately. Grill until you see the charred lines on each along with your veggies.
METHOD: Wash the fresh jalapeno and pat dry on a kitchen towel. Make a slit along the length of the chili and de seed. Once done set aside
ASSEMBLY: Take a skewer and arrange the potato slice, cottage cheese slice and zucchini slice. Put three back-to-back onto the skewer. o Serve with Morrita chilli sauce and garnish with coriander leaves.
STUFFING: Boil whole potatoes, skin and mash to a soft smooth consistency. To this add the chopped onions, chives, and jalapeno. Using a whisk mix all the ingredients in a bowl. To this add the goat cheese and continue to whisk to for a smooth paste. Season and set aside
FINAL COOKING: Stuff the jalapeno with the potato and goat cheese mixture and arrange in a tray lined with butter paper. Refrigerate for 10 minutes so that the stuffing cools and firms up. Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Dust the chilies with flour, dip in the prepared batter and fry until golden brown o Serve hot with homemade salsa and sour cream.
GRILLED SWEET POTATO & COTTAGE CHEESE SKEWERS
BATTER: Mix the tempura flour and corn flour in a bowl with ice cold water to form a batter. Once done set aside in a cool dry place
INGREDIENTS: Paneer 200 gm; sweet potato 200 gm; zucchini yellow 30 gm; zucchini green 30 gm; chipotle chili 30 gm; coriander leave 10 gm; salt 10 gm; black pepper 10 gm; olive oil 15 ml; garlic 20 gm; basil leave 10 gm; fajita seasoning 20 gm; paprika powder 25 gm; morrita chili sauce
DRESSING: Take a bowl, add olive oil, chipotle chilli paste, fajita seasoning, paprika powder, salt and pepper to taste, minced garlic and finely chopped basil leaves. Mix well until combined. Take a baking brush and rub the dressing over the potatoes, cheese and veggies.
GLASSWARE: Champagne coupe
INGREDIENTS: Homemade peach syrup 20 ml; fresh lime juice 20 ml; tequila 15ml; triple sec 15 ml; sparkling wine 150 ml; GLASSWARE: Champagne coupe RIM: Paprika salt GARNISH: Gondhoraj lemon zest
METHOD: In a shaker, add in your spirits---tequila and triple sec. Mix in freshly squeezed lemon juice and homemade peach syrup. ASSEMBLY: Take a champagne glass and pour the concoction into the glass. Top it with sparkling wine and lemon zest for that zingy flavour.
GLASSWARE: Margarita RIM: Activated charcoal GARNISH: Coriander leaves
ASSEMBLY: Take a glass of your liking and coat the rim of the glass with some lemon juice to stick the paprika salt on its rim. Add in the blended mix and top it with gondhoraj lemon zest.
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INGREDIENTS: Fresh jamun pulp 60 ml; tequila 45 ml; triple sec 15 ml; fresh lime juice 15 ml; coriander 4 leaf sprig; activated charcoal
SPARKLING PEACH MARGARITA
METHOD: In a blender, add all the ingredients for the margarita along with some ice. Blend until the infusion is combined well and there are no ice chunks. ASSEMBLY: Take a margarita glass and coat the rim of the glass with some lemon juice to stick the activated charcoal on its rim. Add in the blended mix and top it with coriander leaves for garnish.
SUMMER BLISS
INGREDIENTS: Lavender 10 ml; green tea 30 ml; orange juice 30 ml; fresh lemon juice 15 ml; triple sec 15 ml; tequila 45 ml; blackberry compote 1 bar spoon; gondhoraj lemon
RIM: Paprika salt GARNISH: Gondhoraj lemon zest
METHOD: Take the blackberry compote along with the green tea concoction and emulsify till blended. Mix in the orange juice along with freshly squeezed lemon. Add in the extract along with the spirits; blend together till fully combined with ice.
PURPLE MARGARITA
NUMBER 8 (Those born on the 8th, 17th and 26th of any month) This month is your cue to shine. In fact, expect a streak of good months. Overall, 2022 is a cherry on the cake. Juice all the opportunities that come your way and optimise this period for your greater good. A very strong financial, emotional & mental quarter seems to be nearing. The ball is in your court now.
NUMBER 9 (Those born on the 9th, 18th and 27th of any month)
NUMBER 1 (Those born on the 1st, 10th, 19th and 28th of any month)
From this Leo governed month, a much better time shall kick-in. A perfect analogy like your ruler Sun, you too have taken time to emanate and get warmed-up. Starting now, your toil would start bearing fruit. It’s a great time to formalise a relationship, a job, house change or anything that implies prosperity.
Sanjay B Jumaani Numerologist
NUMBER 6 (Those born on the 6th, 15th and 24th of any month) Although this month is not the best for you, it’s not bad either. Use the grey area to your advantage; start planning now and the results will follow. Nonetheless, it is your year. Your otherwise emotional state of mind would be relatively stable this month. Both, energy & its synergy will help
NUMBER 4 (Those born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd and 31st of any month) There’s no better time than this for a person of your caliber. Keep your mind off the heaty disposition of Leo and be more patient in your dealings. Should you fail to comply, you’ll be more misunderstood than ever. There is a likelihood of well-structured finances; invest long-term only for maximum benefits.
NUMBER 7 (Those born on the 7th, 16th and 25th of any month) Looks like a good month. Max yourself out in this lovely phase as this is possibly the best you will have had in 2022. Others would be impressed by your honesty & skill; number 7’s are true to their work. Financially, it appears to be a substantial period. In matters of the heart, you’ll be stronger & steadfast.
COUNTyou. YOUR FATE
NUMBER 2 (Those born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th and 29th of any month) This month seems auspicious. Make the most of the first half of it so as to eventually sit back & relax. You seem to have woken up from your long slumber only to be thoroughly motivated now. So, don’t waste a second before you execute your due tasks. Emotionally & mentally, you’ll be on a firm foothold this month.
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It is not the best month for you. Meanwhile, use this time to orchestrate yourself and work on areas that require improvement. Also, embrace the silence and meditate, so you wake up to a more favourable period with renewed energy; doesn’t mean you stop the grind. Cumulatively, 2022 is your year. Go on & shine!
NUMBER 5 (Those born on the 5th, 14th and 23rd of any month) As you are always on the hunt for a hobby, passion or work, newer opportunities are your way. Though try not to deviate from your path. Versatility is a fine trait but over-versatility is not. Work wise, it is an above average month. In matters of wealth, there is steady growth. But keep a tab on your impulse.
GAMENUMBER
NUMBER 3 (Those born on the 8th, 17th and 26th of any month) Your knowledge, wisdom & hard work shall sparkle. The year itself is by and large an auspicious one for you. You have all reasons to rejoice. You’re a master of bookkeeping & accounting, so financially, your investments would march fiercely in your favour. However, spare some time for loved ones.
ART OF
ASANA
In the last few decades, yoga has become increasingly popular all over the world. Even non-practitioners are familiar with a few yoga postures known as asanas. Many see it as a form of physical exercise but yoga is much more thanWhatthat.then is an asana? The ancient sage Patanjali’s yoga sutras describe it as ‘sthiram sukham asanam’, meaning an asana is a physical posture in which one can be steady and comfortable. When we can hold it for a long time effortlessly, without pain and tension, that state is called asana.
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butgettingPractisingimmense.andtherightposturemighttakesometime,whatfollowsisgoodphysical and mental wellbeing
Bharat Thakur is a yoga guru and founder of Artistic Yoga
When you first start yoga, you may not be able to stay in a posture. You should not let this discourage or disappoint you. You should neither try to Impact and benefits of asanas are not limited, they are
THEancient yogis realised this thousands of years ago that to participate fully in life, one needs a healthy mind and body. It applies to work, play, social interaction and spiritual aspirations. They developed the system of asanas and other practises known as yoga. With personal experience, practise, experimentation and observations of the pioneers, asanas evolved slowly over the centuries as a means for attaining mental and physical health.
NESSFIT
EXOTICA [57] AUGUST 2022 force your body to do it as it can result in pain and tension in the muscles. It has its own methodology to get you there. There are two types of asanas— dynamic and static. Initially, preparatory and dynamic asanas and their variations are taught. These loosen you up, make you more flexible, stronger, help you to develop control over the body and teach you to move the body in sync with the breath. Once you are stronger and more flexible, you will be able to hold postures longer and do static asanas. When you are able to hold a static asana comfortably, is when you will feel the maximum benefits of that asana.
o Take five rounds.
MARJARIASANA
o Inhale as you gently dip the back, relaxing the stomach. o Exhale as you gently pull in stomach muscles & arch back. o Return to start position.
BENEFITS: o Relaxes & massages the stomach muscles & thatspineprotects the liver. o Improves flexibility of neck, shoulders & spine.
o Come down on hands and knees, bring hands below shoulders & keep back straight.
The initial aim of asanas is to eliminate physical and mental distress and disturbances. Its impact and benefits are immense. Asanas loosen up the joints of the body and stretch the spine, keeping it flexible and supple. Different asanas target different parts and organs of the body. They will either stretch or compress the different organs and glands in the area. It will gently massage and stimulate organs and regulate hormone levels, improving the functioning of all our internal organs, heart, lungs, abdominal organs, endocrine glands and our circulation. The practise of asanas has some very subtle effects. The breath links directly to the nervous system. All movements are done in sync with controlled, slow, deep breathing. It harmonises nervous impulses and calms and relaxes both body and mind. Asanas also involve our whole being as they are practised with awareness and attention on movement and breathing. It also helps us still and focus our minds. Moreover, at the end of asana practise, the practitioner feels not just physically worked out, but of being both mentally and physically recharged and relaxed. Our minds and bodies are not separate. They are closely interlinked and interrelated. Regular practise of asanas will see the body gradually become healthier. It will leave you feeling a sense of physical and mental wellbeing and better-equipped to deal with life’s challenges and live life to our fullest capacity.
o Place both arms on either side for support & stretch the other leg straight behind you.
BHUJANGASANASARALHASTA o Lie on your stomach. Placing your chin on ground, keep feet together, palms beside shoulders & elbows tucked in. o Breathe in as you slowly stretch your upper body upwards, straightening elbows & arching back to look up. o Hold for 10-30 seconds, breathing normally. o Exhale as you gently come down to start position.
o Bend one leg in front of you.
BENEFITS:
o Massages the abdomen & digestive organs.
o Inhale slowly, exhale as you stretch both arms in front of you & bring forehead to ground. o Breathe slowly & deeply, relaxing body each time you exhale. o Hold for 60 seconds. o Repeat other side. SAITHALYASANA [VARIATION]
BENEFITS: o Excellent for premenstrual & during. o Releases abdominal & reproductive tension. o Relieves tension from the ovaries. o Revitalises the hormonal system.
o Helps to release wind & cure constipation. o Strengthens the lower back muscles.
o Repeat three to five times.
BENEFITS: o Increases spine flexibility & strength. o Rejuvenates spinal nerves. o Stretches the abdominal muscles & removes flab from the abdomen. o Relieves tension in the ovaries and uterus. o Removes lower back pain by strengthening lower back muscles.
EXOTICA [58] AUGUST 2022 keep legs together. o Inhale & raise your right leg. o Bend the right leg, interlock hands below knee & exhale o as you bring your chin up to your right knee. o Breathe normally & hold for 10-30 seconds. o Breathe in, exhale as you drop the head & straighten your leg. o Repeat with your left leg. o Repeat with both legs. o Take three rounds, then relax.
A student takes admission in a school or college with a commitment to study well. Needless to say, a family runs on commitment—mother is committed to child, child is committed to parents, husband is committed to wife and vice versa. Whether it is love, business or friendship, there has to be commitment. What would really irritate a committed person is non-commitment. For example, when you expect commitment from someone and they fall short of your expectations, you get upset. Commitment is essential in life. You cannot stand someone who does not commit, but see how much commitment have you taken in your life? Our commitment is proportional to what we have, our power, our capacity or capability. If you are committed to taking care of your family, that much capacity or power you gain. If your commitment is for the community, you will get that much energy, joy and power.
outta comfort
Sri Sri ShankarRavi Spiritual guru
OURlife energy needs some direction to flow. If you don’t give it direction, it results in confusion. Today, most people are confused because there is no direction in their life. When you are happy, there is so much energy in you. However, when the energy doesn’t know where to go, it gets stuck and stagnates. Just like the way water has to keep flowing, life has to keep moving.
GURUSPEAK
In doing what you can easily do, there is no
For energy to move in a positive direction, commitment is essential in life. If you observe every small or big thing in life, it goes with a certain commitment.
yourlittleStretchinggrowth.abeyondboundarieswillincreaseyourcapacity Come zone
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Why should nature give you more when you are stuck with your little mind? Give this tendency of wanting more a twist. Instead of asking ‘what more can I have?’, start asking yourself ‘what more can I do?’ You will realise that joy is there. The more responsibility you take on, the more energy will come on to you. Greater the commitment you take, greater the energy/power you gain to fulfil that commitment.
In life, what you always want is more joy and power. You keep wanting something more. This ‘wanting something more’ troubles your mind and stops you from looking into your capabilities. More will come to you only if you utilise properly what you already have. This is a law of nature.
Smaller the commitment, the more suffocating it is for you. Smaller commitments suffocate you because you have more capacity, but you are stuck in a small hole. When you have ten things to do and even if one thing goes wrong, you can keep doing the nine things and the thing that has gone wrong will set itself right. But if you have only one thing to do and that goes wrong, you get stuck with it.
In doing what you can easily do, there is no growth. Stretching a little beyond your boundaries will increase your capacity. If you can take care of your town or your society, there is nothing great about doing that because it is within your capacity or capability. But if you stretch it a little more and take commitment to take care of the whole state, then you gain that much more power. The more you take on the responsibility on yourself, the more your capacity, capability, talents and joy increases and you become one with the divine force. In whatever capacity you do something for the society, for the environment, for the creation, that much you progress further both materially and spiritually (value wise). The heart opens up with a feeling that you are part of everyone.
Usually we think we should have the resource and then we will commit. Greater the commitment you take, greater the resources will come to you automatically. You don’t have to sit and worry how you will get resources. When you have the intention to do something, resources simply flow when it is needed and how much it is needed.
MORE WILL COME TO YOU ONLY IF YOU UTILISE PROPERLY WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. THIS IS A LAW OF NATURE. GIVE THIS TENDENCY OF WANTING MORE A TWIST. INSTEAD OF ASKING ‘WHAT MORE CAN I HAVE?’, START ASKING YOURSELF ‘WHAT MORE CAN I DO?’ YOU WILL REALISE THAT JOY IS THERE
A COMMITMENT CAN ONLY BE FELT WHEN IT OVERSTEPS CONVENIENCE. THAT WHICH IS CONVENIENT, YOU DO NOT CALL IT COMMITMENT. IF YOU JUST GO ON WITH YOUR CONVENIENCE, YOUR COMMITMENT FALLS APART CAUSING MORE INCONVENIENCE
The technique to get depressed is to sit and think only about you! If you just sit and think, “what about me, what will happen to me?” you will thoroughly get depressed. The way to expand from individual to universal consciousness is to share others sorrow and joy. As you grow, your consciousness should also grow. When you expand in knowledge with time, then depression is not possible. Your inner most source is joy. The way to overcome personal misery is to share universal misery. The way to expand personal joy is to share universal joy. Instead of thinking “what about me?” “what can I gain from this world?” think “what can I do for the world?” When everyone comes from the point of contributing to society, you have a divine society. We have to educate and culture our individual consciousness in order to expand in time with the knowledge from “what about me?” to “what can I contribute?”
A commitment can only be felt when it oversteps convenience. That which is convenient, you do not call it commitment. If you just go on with your convenience, your commitment falls apart causing more inconvenience. If you keep dropping your commitment because it is inconvenient, can you be comfortable? Often, what is convenient does not bring comfort, but gives an illusion of comfort. Whatever you are committed to brings you strength. If you are committed to your family then your family supports you, if you are committed to your society, you enjoy the support of society. If you are committed to God, God gives you strength. If you are committed to truth, it brings strength in you. Are there any commitments that can be given up? Commitments made with shortsightedness can be given up because when you are committed without a vision, you feel stifled when your vision expands. When your commitment brings misery to many in the long run, it can be given up. Just like you run out of fuel in the car and you have to refill it again and again, the same way your dedication and commitment runs out in the course of time and it needs constant renewal. Commitment in life grows toward a higher cause. The higher the commitment, the greater is the good for all.
EXOTICA [61] AUGUST 2022
VARUN DHAWAN goes all rad in red as he dons a sharp crimson suit and throws off a proper look.boss
ALIA BHATT pulls off the all-white look in a corset-inspired bodice and a straight-fit silhouette and pairs it up with a white blazer.
ANIL KAPOOR in an all-black looks dashing as he pairs the fit with stunning accessories for neck and wrists. Going polychromatic is all fun and games until you see these stars rocking in monotones
KAJOL DEVGN in her chic white jumpsuit looks bold and makes sure she looks like a don.
ONEWAYOUT
RANVEER SINGH dresses up funky in Huemn’s suit and turns all, “yellow yellow, silly fellow”.
JANHVI KAPOOR in the middle of beautiful foliage poses elegantly in a blue corset jumpsuit and promises to be your “bluebird”.
EXOTICA [62] AUGUST 2022 INSTA DIARIES
FOR THE DISCERNING READER LOCATION COURTESY: SRI VENKATESHWAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, DWARKA Delve into the best of travel, hospitality, wellness, food, fashion, interiors and more every month with Exotica, the monthly luxury lifestyle magazine. Read interviews with trendsetters, celebrities, industry leaders and authors to deep dive into what it took to get them there. HERE COMES THE SUN
