Exotica march 2016

EXOTICA

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

VOL 10 NO 5 MARCH 2016

Editor-in-Chief CHANDAN MITRA EDITORIAL BOARD Vice-chairman & Joint Managing Director Amit Goel Group President Aparna Sengupta 09958000128 Chief Executive Officer Abhishek Saxena EDITORIAL Editor-in-charge Rinku Ghosh Feature writers Rupinder Kaur, Priyanka Joshi & Devi Singh Chief Designer Anand Singh Rawat Senior Designer Santosh Kumar Yadav Pre-press Manager Syed Nawab Raza Staff photographer Pankaj Kumar SALES & MARKETING General Manager Kumar Gurudutta Jha Deputy General Manager Ravi Khatri Managers Bharat Singh Sajwan, Prabhakar Pathak GOVERNMENT & PSU General Manager Tapan Ghosh Assistant Manager Neeta Rai Media Coordinator Neelu Sharma MUMBAI OFFICE General Manager Devendra Adhikari 09867575933 KOLKATA OFFICE Vice President Suzanna Roy 09830197332 General Manager (Circulation) Rajeev Gautam Printed and published by Chandan Mitra for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd, printed at Lustra Print Process Pvt Ltd, Killa No. 51/21, Village: Rohad, District: Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Haryana and published at 2nd floor, Patriot House, 3, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002.

Editor: Chandan Mitra. Entire Contents Copyright (C) 2006 CMYK Printech Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation in any language in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Requests for permission should be directed to CMYK Printech Ltd. Opinions carried in Exotica are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed

by CMYK Printech Ltd. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material or for material lost or damaged in transit. All correspondence should be addressed to CMYK Printech Ltd; 2nd Floor, Patriot House, 3, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002 Phone: 23718296/40754136 Fax: 23755275 Email: exoticapioneer2016@gmail.com

FROM THE EDITOR

BIG FAT INDIAN WEDDING since blockbusters Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge set the benchmark for the big fat Indian wedding, they are getting bigger and bigger. In the past there were at best two gatherings, on the day of the marriage at the bride’s residence followed by a reception for the couple usually hosted by the bridegroom’s side a few days later.

I recall the mid-60s when Government regulations prohibited large dinners, limiting the number to a maximum 250. Also there used to be a law known as Guest Control Act, which even specified that cereals could not be served to invitees because India was then reeling under a food crisis. Invitation cards had to mandatorily mention that the reception would be held under the terms of the relevant law.

India has come a rather long way since. Nowadays wedding ceremonies are prolonged with relatives and friends flying in from faraway places, including the US and the UK where large numbers of NRI uncles, aunties and cousins live. It is now customary to enclose air tickets along with invitation letters and five-star hotel rooms are booked in abundance for outstation guests with a fleet of swanky cabs hired to ferry people to the functions.

Having participated in ceremonies in connection with a friend’s daughter’s wedding a few years back, I remember my own son’s nuptials. It was decided to host the ceremony at picturesque Bhimtal because both sides felt that the marriage itself ought to be restricted to immediate family and close friends while the receptions subsequently planned would be more elaborate affairs. I was struck by the structured way in which hotels packaged such ceremonies, planning it down to the last detail.

Considering my own marriage was a simple affair, I was struck by the grandeur these events entailed. I hadn’t realised the extent to which women in particular prepare for days for the sangeet ceremony, even engaging choreographers to help coordinate dance steps while a fortune is spent on procuring the appropriate attire. Undoubtedly, the end result is spectacular.

Marriages are big business in contemporary India. Ours is probably the only country where so much time, effort and resources are deployed on these. Although the phrase “big fat wedding” originated with the Greeks who tend to gather the entire extended family for such events, India has surged way ahead when it comes to the sheer scale and lavishness of wedding functions.

In the process, some traditions have just dropped out. As Bollywood takes over our wedding culture, the strains of shehnai have been replaced by bhangra and techno rock. My early memories of marriage functions include the erection of a gate at the entrance atop which shehnai players would sit (it was called nahabat-khana) and play the instrument without microphones.

Those were uncomplicated times and wedding ceremonies may have been more ritualistic than they are today, but simplicity ruled as far as public functions were concerned. I don’t want to sound judgmental but the discreet charm of such ceremonies has been lost to India’s growing prosperity.

EVER

[CHANDAN MITRA] Editor-in-Chief

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I N S I D E MARCH 2016 VOLUME 10 NO 5

[p68]

[p08] Little Black Book [p08] Swara Bhaskar: A quick peek into her style file Actor Prepares [p28] Fire in the ice: Katrina Kaif Design Studio [p36] Pink panther in Paris: Manish Arora Wagon Women [p40] Women on wheels Femme Force [p46] Steel magnolias: Women trailblazers Festival [p52] The other colour slide: Yaosang is the ‘Holi’ of Manipur

[p28]

COVER PHOTO: MANISH ARORA

CONTRIBUTORS Kushan Mitra [p92] Hotwheels: California dreaming Magandeep Singh [p112] Getting your glass right Sri Sri Ravi Shankar [p114] Guruspeak Hues of celebration Bharat Thakur [p118] Fitness Yoga for migraine Sanjay Jumaani [p120] Numbergame Count your fate

Luxe edition [p54] A fine Vintage: Savoy Mussoorie Indonesia must see [p60] Bali Heights Made in India [p68] Scent of a tradition: Ittar making tradition of Kannauj Offtrack [p74] Paradise lost: Green Lakes of Kanchenjunga Market Mantra [p82] New Tastebuds: Creation of the perfect blend of cuisines and concepts

TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 124 INCLUDING COVER

OUR

PARTNER

HOTELS

Send us your feedback at exoticapioneer2016@gmail.com

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FAVOURITE HAUNTS OF STYLISH PEOPLE

These days, I’m obsessed with my comfy and stylish pair of brogues.

My most prized possession in the wardrobe would be a pair of ripped boyfriend jeans that I can live in.

I always prefer Swatch watches. So young and so fun.

I just finished Dickens’ Great Expectations and am currently re-reading John Berger’s Ways of Seeing.

Swara Bhaskar is a Hindi film actor, who has carved her way from niche films to big banner character roles that have left an imprint.

With strong views, she has even taken up the pen

A dash of Issey Miyake Men’s fragrance and I’m good to go.

Nothing beats a classic pair of aviators.

I’m hooked to Coke Studio. I have been playing Tajdar-e-Haram by Atif Aslam and Isha Aap Bhe Awalla by the Chakwal Group on a loop now.

Last vacation, I was at a quaint hill station beyond Nainital called Ramgarh where there are the beautiful Neemrana bungalows. Genuinely the most relaxing and de-stressing experience ever! My dream destination to escape to is also somewhere in the mountains. Peaceful, undisturbed and green. Himachal is a favourite hideaway. Just lose yourself in the enormity of the vistas or read under the cheerful sun.

EXOTICA [8] MARCH 2016

EVENT CALENDAR

LET’SDIGIN! Delish days are here again. Bon appetit!

2ND MARCH [BANANA CREAM PIE DAY]

4TH MARCH [POUNDCAKE DAY]

5TH MARCH [CHEESE DOODLE DAY]

Every year, thousands of folks with a bit of a sweet tooth memorialise this delight by baking their own version using ingredients of their choice.

Celebrate this day by opening a bag of this tasty treat, but expect to end up with fingers coated in bright orange cheese flavouring! Finger lickin’ good!

6TH MARCH

7TH MARCH

[WHITE CHEESECAKE DAY]

[CROWN ROAST OF PORK DAY]

8TH MARCH [PEANUT CLUSTER DAY]

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis was a big fan of this pudding, which is a justification enough to celebrate the day.

A form of cheesecake dating back to the ancient Greeks, which seems to have been on offer at the first Olympic Games in 776 BC.

A dish made by placing two sets of pork ribs on their sides with the bones pointing upward and arranging them in a circle.

Peanuts were cultivated from plants native to Paraguay and have been enjoyed as an addition to cooking or as a tasty snack for centuries.

9TH MARCH [CRABMEAT DAY]

25TH MARCH [WAFFLE DAY]

26TH MARCH [NOUGAT DAY]

It is a delicacy all over the face of the earth and for this reason connoisseurs of delicious food have been celebrating the meat for decades.

It began in the USA and honours the anniversary of the patenting of the first US waffle iron invented by Cornelius Swarthout of Troy.

Declare it a day for not counting calories! Heck, satisfy a whole mouth of sweet tooth and smile all the way through bites of the delicious mixture.

EXOTICA [10] March 2016

PROP KIT

Sevenfriday P2B/03-W aka Woody.

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Frederique Constant Classics Manufacture.

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Versace Leda Swiss made Ronda 762.2.

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T I M E M A C H I N E

Versus Versace Brick Lane.

Price: on request OMEGA The Ladymatic.

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OMEGA The Globemaster.

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Once worn as a sheer necessity, wristwatches over the years have evolved and make a distinct style statement while adding glamour to your persona

EXOTICA [12] MARCH 2016

TRAVEL NEWS

A TITANIC DEAL award-winning cruise line, Voyager of the Seas, the largest ship sailing from Singapore this summer, is offering you two exciting itineraries. The three-nights Far East Cruise takes you to Kuala Lumpur while you can sail to both Kuala Lumpur and Phuket with the four-nights package.

With 15 decks, 13 bars and lounges and over 10

THE

pools, Voyager of the Seas stands out in many splendid ways. The first rock climbing wall and an ice skating rink on-board a cruise ship, breakfast and parades with your favourite DreamWorks characters, or a Tony award-winning Broadway show after gourmet meals, the vessel offers the most experiential holiday at an all-inclusive cost. So get on board, now.

PITSTOP TORONTO Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone may have elevated Toronto in our mindscape courtesy their international shoots but Indian travellers have made it a must-stop regardless. About 106,700 Indians visited it in 2015 (a jump of 13 per cent). Visitors to Toronto spent $7.2 billion during their trips, the highest amount of economic activity the sector has ever generated.

Toronto surpassed four million international visitors for the first time last year as American and overseas travellers continued to visit in greater numbers.

Overnight visitors from the US increased for the fifth consecutive year to 2.48 million and spent $1.32 billion. Overseas travellers, led by China and the UK, numbered a record 1.75 million and spent $1.49 billion.

BOTH

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BOOK A TICKET TO GOTHAM AND METROPOLIS Airlines has partnered with Warner Bros Pictures to offer fans a “flight” into the World of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a part of which unfolds aboard the airline’s 777 plane. Fliers are in for innovative movie-themed experiences like “booking” a ticket to the fictional Gotham City and Metropolis and lounging in cabin interiors done up with movie images.

Other goodies include limited edition movie-themed in-flight amenity kits for adults, which includes an eye mask and slippers; limited edition movie-themed in-flight amenity kits for children, including headphones, slippers and a watch; inflight menu items, such as branded cookies and cupcakes, and a special edition frequent flyer Miles & Smiles card.

TURKISH

INTO THE WILD official. The Wildlife Trust’s Skomer Island is the UK’s favourite nature reserve! This wildlife haven, located less than a mile off the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, was the only Welsh nature reserve nominated in the highly competitive category

by LandLove Magazine Awards, UK. Skomer Island is home to abundant wildlife including 21,000 puffins, 23,000 guillemots, 7,000 razorbills, harbour porpoises, Atlantic grey seals and the world’s largest population of Manx Shearwaters. The island is covered in a carpet of bluebells during the spring, a spectacular sight not to be missed. A shade of pink unfurls during summer as swathes of campion cloak the landscape.

IT’S

EXOTICA [16] MARCH 2016

TRAVEL THE KIDDIE WAY Trekkers, a mobile app designed for children to learn about and explore their travel destination before, during and after their holiday, has been launched by the InterContinental Hotels Group. The app has been created in partnership with National Geographic Kids.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts appealed to children from all over the world to compile the Top 50 Travel List to be experienced by the age of 12, based on their most interesting, exciting and memorable adventures.

From the reams of real-life experiences submitted by young adventurers across the globe, Daniel Raven-Ellison, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and family adventurer, helped curate the Top 50 List that includes a walk over an inactive volcano, floating in a lagoon and crossing the Equator among other topics.

PLANET

THE TOP 5 top five travellers’ beaches in India have been listed by TripAdvisor after an extensive survey.

This includes the wide, quiet and picturesque Agonda Beach in Goa followed by the stunningly beautiful beach of Palolem (Canacona, Goa) which is famous for its beach huts. At third position is the Radhanagar Beach (Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands) for its unforgettable stretch of white sand with perfect azure waters lined with palm trees. Mandrem Beach in Goa bagged the fourth place with its clean, calm and warm water ideal for learning and practising surfing. The gorgeous, clean and tranquil long stretches of white sand of the Cavelossim beach came in fifth. Now your turn to pick and pack up!

THE

HYATT’S NEW FLEET its constant endeavour to ensure the best guest comfort, Hyatt Regency, Delhi, has got an exclusive fleet of the latest BMWs for a true luxury experience. The inaugural ceremony was conducted over a small Indian ritual for the 14 BMWs at Regency Greens at the hotel where

IN

Shiv Kumar Jatia, Chairman and Managing Director of Asian Hotels (North) Limited (owners Hyatt Regency Delhi), Aseem Kapoor, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Delhi and Philipp von Sahr, President, BMW Group India were present.

VIENNA THE BEST for its well preserved imperial palaces, rich art collection and music concerts, Vienna has been named as the city with the best quality of living by Mercer, a global consultancy. It is home to some of the best museums (107 of them) in the world; music and theatre stages (120 of them) that host over 15,000 concerts annually.

It is the only city in the world to give its name to a unique style of food and makes its own wine.Visitors from around the world go green with envy when they see that over half the urban area is green — with 850 parks, including a national park within its city limits.

KNOWN

BEYOND MOMBASA tourism in Kenya seems to be on recovery after another luxury cruise ship was docked at the port of Mombasa.

Foreign visitors are expected to flock to the country’s shores this coming summer as some of the world’s leading cruise ships follow migratory birds heading south, away from Europe’s winter.

The noticeable improvement of security in the Indian Ocean waters has been singled out as a major encouragement for the tour operators selling cruise tourism to convince more cruise visitors to Kenya.

Kenya Port Authority (KPA) has been voted for the second time in a row by the World Travel Awards (WTA) as Africa’s leading port.

CRUISE

EXOTICA [20] MARCH 2016

OFFICE ESSENTIALS A comfortable work station can enhance your creativity. So give your workspace a funky yet classy makeover

‘In the limelight’ table lamp. Price: `6,800

‘Ramu Kaka says Keep calm and drink chai.’

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‘The whole world opened to me when I learned to read’ pearwall shelf. Price: `5,500

‘Just hold me’ paper weight.

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WHAT’S

ON YOUR

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‘I can fix it’ cello tape stand. Price: `1,649

‘I believe in keeping you safe’ card holder. Price: `895

EXOTICA [22] MARCH 2016

‘I stand for free speech’ penstand. Price: `1,979 ‘Tingle your taste buds’ jar. Price: `798

‘Keep it spick and span’ table organiser. Price: `855 ‘Witness the fitness’ water bottle. Price: `795

‘Just one of the many services I offer’ laptop bag.

Price: `995

‘Life begins with coffee’ mugs. Price: `295

‘Bring it here’ tea coaster set of four. Price: `795

‘Pinning hopes’ pin stand.

Price: `395

PHOTOS COURTESY: CHUMBAK AND ICUSTOMMADEIT, PHOTOS: PANKAJ KUMAR

EXOTICA [23] MARCH 2016

CELEB FITNESS The evergreen Anil Kapoor can give actors half his age run for their money. He continues to pull extreme action roles at the age of 59 with ĂŠlan.

He shares his secret behind his fit body and age-defying looks What is the secret behind your youthful looks? I think being happy is what really counts. I am just a very happy person. I am also a very positive person and I guess that is the reason behind my youthful looks.

Do you have a personal trainer? What is your daily health regime like? Yes. I unfailingly, devote two hours of my life everyday to my body. Six days a week. Of course I have control over my food and diet and I see to it that I get proper sleep. I start my day with a glass of water and then I have coconut water. I hit the gym twice a day in the morning and evening.

Do you ever have any cheat days? I don't resist myself too much, if I feel like eating anything I go ahead. But I

do work out to burn the calories immediately. If I do cheat, I make sure the next day I burn it off.

What kind of training did you undergo for 24? I'm anyway a very fit person so undergoing a rigorous training for 24 wasn't a big deal. It's a very physical show so; I had to get trained a lot.

From running very fast to martial arts, the kind of action required was not typical. The training is like a work in progress and when your body is concerned there is never an end to it.

There were rumours that you have turned vegetarian? I haven't turned vegetarian. My wife is a vegetarian.

Lately, yes I have started having a preference for vegetarian food.

But I do eat chicken or fish sometimes.

Ageless mantra

ACTIVE SPORTS

1

2

5 3 4

There is no room for excuses now so step out and get working.

Let out some sweat and get in shape with the ultimate stylish exercise gear

7 8 6

[1] Adidas Triax Racer-Back Bra. Price: `2,499 [2] Adidas Graphic Shorts. Price: `1,899 [3] Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 for women.

Price: `9,999 [4] Reebok Sports Short Osr 2-1.

Price: `2,999 [5] Reebok One Series Windbreaker Jacket.

Price: `5,599

[6] Nike Power Speed Tight made using highelastane Dri-FIT fabric that has ample stretch and retraction to smoothly adapt to the runner’s stride.

Price: `6,495 [7] Adidas Workout High Rise Long Tight.

Price: `3,499 [8] Nike Zoned Sculpt Tight crafted from soft, light Dri-FIT fabric. Price: `5,495

EXOTICA [27] MARCH 2016

A C T O R P R E PA R E S

For all that has been written about her relationships of late and questions about her survival in an industry where the talent pool is getting fiercely competitive, KATRINA KAIF handles all the turbulence with amazing grace. And elegance.

She displays a certain depth of understanding in her assessment of the complex character of Estella in Great Expectations, one of her favourite novels.

RINKU GHOSH buttonholes her in between Fitoor promotions and finds there’s quite a sharp mind who’s willing to give it all for a performance. And move on with a pinhole focus

You approached Abhishek Kapoor for Fitoor when you heard he was making a film based on Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Did that book leave an impression on you earlier on?

I’ve read the book growing up as I’m sure most people have. It was by chance that I met Abhishek at a social gathering where he told me that he was making a film based on the book. During our interaction, I realised that our thoughts and takes on it were very similar and the conversation started from there. I thought that it was a great novel to be made in Hindi primarily because its unique quality is the conflict which I believe is very relatable to our society. Love is difficult enough without outside pressure but often we see family, parental or societal pressure dictating your choice of a partner. That is not the ideal way for things to be. We should be choosing partners or people in our lives based purely on the merits or the goodness of the person. This conflict is inherent in Great Expectations and works against the backdrop of India where it is relevant and prevalent.

PHOTO: PANKAJ KUMAR

Estella in the first part comes across as unfeeling because she has been trained by Miss Havisham to not react or show her emotions or commit. What is your take on the character, defensive or aggressive?

I don’t think she’s distant, submissive or flaky, there’s a lot going on inside her. If you look at the essays and studies by others online, there are many interesting interpretations. But according to me, Miss Havisham does not have Estella’s interest at heart. That is not a surrogate mother trying to protect her daughter. In fact, Miss Havisham says in the book that she wants to create an instrument of pain for men. From that statement alone, we can conclude that she wants to extract revenge on men and not protect Estella from pain. This is an exploitative relationship and Estella has no emotional cushion to fall back upon.

Now often times, the pain of desertion is commonly felt by a woman. Miss Havisham wants to see another man be torn apart and be wrecked by as intense an agony and who should it be but a poor and vulnerable Pip, in whose heart she raises hope by encouraging him to mingle with Estella. Pip, a man of little consequence, can be destroyed and dispensed with. Miss Havisham purposely brings this girl up to be very cold and emotionally inaccessible,

EXOTICA [29] MARCH 2016

someone who is not in touch with her own emotions and is unobtainable, restrained and distant. She’s been very clear about the way Estella’s life will be and what will be the outcome of it. Everything else is futile and she’s not to even think about whiling away her time with romance because she will marry the person who will take the house forward and protect their status and wealth. It’s all very clear and there is no confusion. Does Noor (Indian version of Pip played by Aditya Roy Kapur) have the money? No, he doesn’t. And no he can’t protect their wealth either. He is not a valid option.

What does this do to Estella? Running between her loyalty to Miss Havisham and conforming to what she cannot do, she makes a self-destructive choice of a husband. She is frank enough to admit that she cannot love Pip or Miss Havisham because she was not taught love. She has nothing to give back to anyone except torment herself with her inabilities. She also shows a sort of loyalty to Pip when she tells him she will toy with all men, but him. She is not manipulative.

PHOTO: PANKAJ KUMAR

To trace the evolution of Firdaus’ (Estella’s) character, did you rely on the director’s interpretation or lend your understanding?

Even though I was relying on the director, I think inherently you are influenced by the opinions you have made over the character of Estella throughout the years. I found Estella to be conflicted and confused by the way she’s been forced and brought up. She spends her time by toying with people in a way because she knows she cannot be true to who she is and has to be this person that has been brought up to be by her mother. But it is not sitting within her and she’s not comfortable with it. There is an inner conflict.

When you feel pain, you’re aware of something. Pain is a result of knowing, of being clear that this is what I want and since I can’t have it, so I’m in pain. I don’t think Estella really

knows what she is doing. She’s trying to fill her mind by playing with people.

The backdrop is Kashmir. Any particular reason why? Is it a metaphor for disintegration in the film?

I don’t think so. For me, it is a symbol of romance for sure and the depth that it has along with the melancholy of the place. All is not lost despite its fall from grandeur.

As an artiste, would you say Firdaus is your most complex character till date?

It’s hard for me to say so and I certainly can’t say that on my own. It depends on people’s feedback. But yes, I have had many strong characters to play after Rajneeti. Laila in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was a confident, sure woman, a positive force. For me, a good female actor doesn’t have to be serious. You can also have a comical take on things and for me, that was the character I played in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan though personally, I didn’t connect with the character’s thoughts and actions.

I think the character given to me in Jab Tak Hai Jaan

EXOTICA [31] MARCH 2016

KASHMIR IS A SYMBOL OF ROMANCE FOR SURE AND THE DEPTH THAT IT HAS ALONG WITH THE MELANCHOLY OF THE PLACE

was quite intense. Estella is a classic character but it is a film shared between all the three characters. In some films, we follow Estella a lot more and in some there is a balance between Pip, Estella and Miss Havisham. In Fitoor, too, there is a balance.

Did you watch any other film adaptation before shooting for Fitoor?

I did not watch them before or for shooting this film. But I’ve seen all the versions because it was a story which interested and stayed with me.

After this, what roles are you looking forward to? Will you be choosy?

What about Hollywood considering so many of your peers are headed there?

First, what is offered to you is what you choose from. Second, I’m already selective about the films I do anyway. So if I narrow down my choices further, I’ll be doing no films at all (laughs). But I have ideas in my head and things that I want to do. There are thoughts forming of the kind of places and spaces I want to be in. I believe there is a lot happening here for me to chew on, so I am not desperate about the international tag. That requires a different focus.

Share those thoughts with us. Having done so many films, you certainly have developed creative faculties related to filming…

Right now I’d like to see a strong woman action film. Maybe a film

EXOTICA [32] MARCH 2016

I HAVE IDEAS IN MY HEAD AND THINGS THAT I WANT TO DO. THERE ARE THOUGHTS FORMING OF THE KIND OF PLACES AND SPACES I WANT TO BE IN

A STRONG PERIOD FILM IS WHAT I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO DO. SOMETHING WHICH TAKES YOU TO A DIFFERENT PLACE

like Mad Max. I think people will really like it. It will be a watchable and a viable film. I hope that can happen. Ek Tha Tiger or Phantom were action films and yes I was part of them but not in the thick of action but as parallel tracks.

A strong period film is what I would very much like to do. Something which takes you to a different place where it is required for you to stay and transport yourself to a different zone.

Have you not considered getting into the production area?

Not yet. I know it’s not right for me now.

In life, you never know what’s around the corner. You bump into someone and the next thing you know is that you’re producing a film but that is not happening in my mind right now. I’m visualising the spaces and places I want to see myself in.

What are your forthcoming projects?

Anurag Basu’s film Jagga Jasoos which is almost done, a bit quirky and unusual, and then there is Nitya Mehra’s film Baar Baar Dekho which is a very unique and risky love story. I am glad I am working in different kinds of love stories and these always work. People can relate to such stories more easily than any other content.

As a woman actor, how does it feel to be referenced constantly against men in your life apart from your body of work? How do you deal with that?

The first way you deal with it is that you understand that it happens to everyone.

It’s not reserved just for me or because of my decisions or choices. It’s with everyone.

I AM LOOKING FOR THAT DREAM FILM. THE DEFINITION FOR IT IS WHEN THE END CREDITS START ROLLING

It’s a phenomenon which happens with public personalities. You don’t take it personally and the reason why I say I won’t discuss or talk about it is because these are personal things. It is not to be discussed with people who you do not know. It’s very simple. Eventually, all these things die down on their own and you don’t need to highlight them.

Is it sexist of the media to do this?

It depends on the platforms and situations.

Sometimes, I think they do it to men also.

Somebody’s honesty and commitment to work should not be diluted…

We might move slowly towards that larger appreciation and grace. We are moving in that direction and we may not be there yet but I can see little changes around. It is more relaxed and they are not so aggressive about it.

You have a beautiful take on Fitoor. Would you want to take up script-writing?

For script-writing and directing, you have to know when to choose from your options and when to

control your mind. You have to make fast choices. I don’t know if I have the ability to do that. I think I would keep meandering and it will always be a work in progress that I’ll never finish.

Are you continuing with your brand endorsements? Do you plan on increasing your presence in the brand space?

I definitely don’t want to cut down. I’m very happy with the brands I endorse now. I think I have a good match and a profile fit on all the brands I work with.

Your idea of love?

You cannot define it. You can have beliefs and ideals about love. I know it’s very important to me.

I give lot of importance to it in life. I have an idealistic view about it.

What is the dream role you are looking for?

I am looking for that dream film. The definition for it is when the end credits start rolling and you are overwhelmed with emotion that I am part of this film. That is what drives me and makes me want to go to work.

EXOTICA [35] MARCH 2016

DESIGN STUDIO

Pink panther inParis EXOTICA [36] MARCH 2016

For his outstanding contribution to Indian fashion, the French Government has honoured ace designer MANISH ARORA by bestowing upon him Knight of the Legion of Honour. He opens up to SHRABASTI MALLIK about his early days of struggle and his love for vibrant colours

Nothing is too dramatic for Manish Arora — be it the riot of colours in his collections, spectacular ambience or the larger-than-life presentation.

From India to London and from Paris to the rest of the world, Arora’s works have indeed given Indian craftsmanship its due. “My techniques are Indian but my works are contemporary,” he says.

An international fashion critic had once said about Arora, “He has brought pink and yellow to a land of black and white (referring to Paris).”

That vibrant colour palette is now considered chic. Therefore, it did not come as a surprise that the ace designer was bestowed with the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), the highest French civilian distinction, recently.

Congratulations on being bestowed with the Knight of the Legion of Honour. How does it feel to be in this club? It feels great to be the first in the history of Indian fashion to receive this honour. Think of the people who have been bestowed with the honour before me — JRD Tata, Satyajit Ray, Amitabh Bachchan, Ravi Shankar, Zubin Mehta and Shah Rukh Khan. So I think I am in good company. The Indian Government should recognise fashion, too.

You studied commerce before enrolling yourself in NIFT. What made you shift? I was studying commerce but I was not enjoying any of it. Truthfully, I was bored out of my skin. Then one day, I saw an advertisement in the newspaper for the National Institute of Fashion and Technology. I simply applied for it and reached the venue on the day of the admission test. I had no prior experience in the field and was not even carrying the required equipment.

So, I borrowed a few and cleared the test.

Then, everything at NIFT was an experience. I loved it so much that the institute even awarded me with the “Most creative student of the year” for my final year showcase, where I had made a spoof of British costumes and ball gowns.

What was the experience in NIFT like? I felt lost in the beginning. Seriously, because everyone around me had done some work — either designing courses or something. But with time I eased in. The institute taught me how to hold on to my patience. I was bad at sketching but NIFT taught me never to give up. At the end of the term, I had realised that fashion was my calling.

Where is Indian fashion headed — its identity and business potential in the global market? It has been 17 years that I have been in the industry and I think that the identity and status that Indian fashion has achieved is phenomenal. And the fact that I am being bestowed with the highest honour from the French government is in itself a very big step in Indian fashion. Although we still have a very long way to go, I am glad that at least we have started and are comfortable about who we are in our aesthetic sensibilities. That’s the best part.

In terms of business potential, yes, Indian fashion has a lot going for it just like any other developing

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country in the world. It’s just that we have to do it right. We have to not be too Westernised. We cannot forget where we come from and I think that is what matters the most. At the same time we also have to try and be as original as possible.

How would you rate Indian buyers? From where I am, Indian customers are really evolving. They are looking, listening and learning. But they are still learning.

Tell us about the explosion of neo-ethnicity... That’s a totally different conversation. Either we talk of international fashion or we talk about ethnic wear.

It’s a different situation. Indian fashion is evolving a lot in India itself. And that is another story which is great. But if you look at international fashion at the same time, it is a completely different dimension.

China is my biggest new market apart from southeast Asia and the Middle East. Many countries are developing and new markets are emerging. You will have to think out of the box and fresh for every scenario. You have to moult and evolve.

How inspired are you by our folk and tribal traditions? I am always inspired, and have always been. I believe I am the first designer to use Indian crafts and techniques but more relevant to the international world. I am where I am because of Indian craftsmanship.

For two seasons, you were also the creative director of Paco Rabanne. How did that add to your experience of the fashion industry? When I walked down the corridor of Paco Rabanne, I literally had to pinch myself to believe that I was there.

I believe the reason they picked me was because I was innately Indian. In Paris, everyone around me was trying so hard to be like the other that they ended up looking similar. But I was so focussed in making my own creations that it never occurred to me to see what others were doing. I think that made me stand out and that’s what they found appealing about me.

Also, being at Paco Rabanne gave me a lot of exposure to the international market. It was there that I understood the way it functioned. I also realised that fashion was full-time job with planning and execution, not just creating a fantasy.

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WAGON WOMEN Hard-nosed buyers are now changing the overall dynamics in the luxury car segment. So what are the services and features which make them fall for a luxe machine? DEVI SINGH finds out

THERE’S something about women and luxury cars. The leggy lasses in their towering heels pushing the accelerator and vrooming off at a speed of 90 kmph, gaining momentum in just six seconds or even less, steering the car with their perfectly manicured nails. But that’s probably old Hollywood charm. In contemporary cinema, there’s the Bond girl chic. So what about real world and real time? No femme fatale but femme d’affaires.

Women the world over are moving beyond

being an eye candy sitting inside another. They are, in fact, now driving the auto business towards an adventurous journey of their own.

This trend is surging in India as its luxury car sales are set to triple from 33,000 a year now to 100,000 by 2020, according to credit rating agency ICRA. The three-fold increase can be attributed to many factors which are opening up the luxury auto industry to women.

An academic report by the International Journal of Commerce, Business and Management (IJCBM) says that more literate women has led to the change in decision-making and buying patterns of luxury cars in India.

THE OFFROADER are now moving away from the comfort of sedans and opting for robust SUVs. Audi has already taken note. “A good number of SUVs is being purchased by women in India and hence this is one of the special target segments for the brand. Audi Q range has fast gained a preference among today’s Indian women and many Bollywood actresses also stand testimony to this trend,” says Joe King, head, Audi India.

“I like SUVs better as I think it goes well with my personality. I don’t think only sedans can be glamorous. It depends on who is driving the car. It feels really powerful and sexy to drive an SUV,” seconds actor Nimrat Kaur who drives an Audi Q5.

So do women really feel powerful while driving an SUV? “It is actually about ease and performance. It’s perfect for Indian roads. I didn’t want a delicate car. It should be something which I’m able to drive a distance and interstate which I often do. And of course, it doesn’t overwhelm me

WOMEN

when I’m driving it. I don’t feel tiny behind the wheels. Driving a sedan makes you sink in too much which I don’t like. That’s why I prefer an SUV so that I don’t feel like a little turtle stuck behind the wheels,” she adds.

Roland Folger, MD and CEO of Mercedes Benz India, says women are a key segment and contribute 12-14 per cent of the company’s total sales, up from a flat line almost two years ago. Women find Mercedes Benz SUVs “practical, comfortable, functional and safe,” according to Folger.

THE ALLURING FEATURES do women tick when shopping for a new car? Are they seriously not interested in horsepower and high-tech tricks? Do they majorly look for safety and reliability? Various auto companies have altered the features in their models like parking sensors, rear park assist and emergency assist to lure their female clientele, keeping the safety issue

WHAT

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in check. Women do enjoy sporty vehicles as well but they tend to see a vehicle in more practical terms. They usually look for factors such as safety and a capacity for hauling children, run errands among others.

A Nielsen survey on buying patterns of cars by women shows that 70 per cent decision-makers need “automatic transmission” as a main feature for choosing a car of a particular brand. Second in their priority is “Run-flat tyre,” a feature designed to resist the effects of deflation when the tyre is punctured; about 62 per cent women have voted for this. The third in their checklist is an “anti-lock braking system (ABS)” which, again, 62 per cent of women buyers look out for in a car before making a purchase.

“Because of the innovative BMW run-flat tyres, our women clientele enjoy complete peace of mind while driving. In case of a puncture, our run-flat tyres keep them mobile as they can continue driving for up to 80 kmph without any significant loss in vehicle stability. Instead of an unpleasant

and unsafe roadside tyre change, they can reach home safely or drive to the next workshop for assistance. Additionally, all BMW car owners are offered BMW Roadside Assistance which offers outstanding assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days across all major cities in India. The service offers towing service, non-mechanical assistance, taxi benefits, hotel accommodation, fuel, spare key, medical coordination, among others,” says Philipp von Sahr, president, BMW Group India.

Women are 19 per cent more likely than men to want automatic transmission in their cars. This indicates that a manual gear system is more significant in women’s purchase decisions than men. So, most of the top brands are vying to get some or all of these features incorporated and even launching women-specific series to drive and stay ahead in the market.

“In recent times, we have seen increased participation by women in our drive events like sports car experience and Q drives. This has led to an increase in women customers across our

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product range. Audi Q range of SUVs has been a favourite among women customers as it not only provides comfort of an SUV but also has a great driving position which provides them a better experience,” adds King.

Agrees Kaur, “Among the unique features, I would say Audi Q5 has been beautifully spaced. I don’t find any hassle to park it especially in Mumbai where there’s no space. It has got a great boot space which packs in a lot and is perfect for me as I travel a lot with my suitcases. Besides it’s got great mileage.”

THE BRAND PERSONALITY other factors which come into play for women customers are price, brand, type and model. The Nielsen survey says that nearly 50 per cent of the decision making is by self when it comes to all the above parameters.

The survey also found that brand matters the most for women while choosing a particular model. “I get the required punch and power. I feel

THE

luxurious and stylish at the same time which is something that I always wanted. That’s why I drive a Mercedes Benz S 500,” says Monica Oswal, Executive Director, Monte Carlo. About 15 per cent of women are influenced by the brand names before making a purchasing decision. About 11 per cent focus on mileage and 13 per cent on safety, while only 8 per cent think of design and look.

While there is no specific data on agewise preferences of women, the Nielsen survey says about 85 per cent of buyers are working and 15 per cent are homemakers. The survey also has an interesting take on income groups. Women who earn more than `75,000 a month and are in control of the household budget are the key decision makers while purchasing a car.

“We are increasingly engaging with women customers and offering them special initiatives like the Audi Women’s Drive — an exclusive programme to give women a chance to experience the driving pleasure of the Audi Q range across intense, challenging terrain,” adds King.

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ART MART

NAME YOUR PRICE The ways in which contemporary art is being seen, sold and shared are rapidly changing. Time to get the latest tips and insights from the insiders at Christie’s haven’t seen but collectors shouldn’t ghettoise art.

Get to know the industry figures: Art fairs are an excellent route for collectors to get to know industry heavyweights.

New collectors should seek out those who specialise in catering to their needs.

Navigate the now: Embrace technology more than ever. It’s easier to gain access to and understand contemporary artists thanks to social media platforms. The way we use imagery today has affected the way we collect art.

It’s about ownership, not just owning: Taking ownership of a piece by knowing where the momentum is and buying with a strategy is important. It also means knowing your history.

Stay on top of trends: Trends are advantageous because they expose people to work they

Examine the artist’s ecosystem: Collectors should be paying attention to the structure surrounding the artist. Are they with the right gallery? Are they with an influential dealer who will get their work in the right shows? As for the artists themselves, seek those who create unique mediums.

Get your mistakes in early: Art is a bit like wine — seductive and about getting merry but the higher enjoyment comes in the subtlety and development of one’s palette. When starting

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out, making a mistake on an emerging artist is not such a big deal if you love the work.

Look under the radar: Try to find the artist before the deluge of hype. Too many people in the contemporary art market still wait to buy things when they’re at the top of the market.

Another common mistake is how collectors regard their buys. Never think of art as an investment but be sure your money is well spent. The two considerations are quite separate.

FEMME FORCE

HORSE WHISPERER AMEETA MEHRA [India’s only woman stud farm owner]

by destiny, she got into something a lot of women would have little or no interest in.

But that is not the moot point. Admirable is her perseverance and grit to carry on that has taken her to heights which even she didn’t envisage. Ameeta Mehra, daughter of PK Mehra, the brainchild behind Usha Stud farms, has created several benchmarks in her long journey.

She entered the arena after she lost her parents in 2001 in a chopper crash. Many people, including her well wishers, thought that she would sell the stud farm as there was no male heir in the family to take care of the same. There were many apprehensions cast upon her capabilities in a male bastion which she overcame eventually.

Challenges were many as equine sports in India is majorly male-dominated with only one per cent of women in the fray. “Running and managing a leading stud farm was quite an anomaly as there were and are only a handful of women who are engaged in this profession. They either have very small establishments or are not a threat to the male domain of the large breeding and racing families that run stud farms, such as Shapoorji Palonji of Manjri Stud farms, Cyrus Poonawala of the Serum Institute of India, Vijay Mallya of Kunigal Stud Farm, not to mention the mega rich high profile owners who buy and own horses,” says Mehra.

Even though she began winning several races, including the Derby, breaking records, she realised that she had to be twice as successful as her male counterparts to prove that she really was on top. And it was not just a fluke. “I have bred 13 Indian Derby winners besides breaking a host of other records. Still people are ready to cry hoarse if my results go down a notch one season,” she tells us. Even today she gets to hear things like, “Oh her success is due to her manager who happens to be a man, or the stallion her father chose.”

However 15 years later, after managers have come and gone, stallions are dead and gone, the same people have started admitting that perhaps the merit lies with the woman who is running the farm.

In her own words, “I have broken the glass wall in this industry in more than one way.” She consciously maintains

PROPELLED

Steel magnolias Unconventional women show us how easy it is to turn a page and start anew. And change the rules of engagement and perception. All it needs is a little passion. We pick four trailblazers. By DEVI SINGH and RUPINDER KAUR

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a tough, no nonsense demeanour, which might be an aberration considering the position she holds and the kind of industry she belongs to. Her decision of not socialising and wasting time in networking might stem due to an in-born reserve.

She maintains a certain distance from everybody, not for any particular reason, but because she likes being on her own. She is definitely a spiritual person who seeks and enjoys her personal self and space. She devotes her leisure time composing music on piano, playing tennis, going for walks in the oak forests in the Himalayas, meditating, playing with her beloved dog Monk and spending time with her horses.

“Strangely, now no one expects me to show up anywhere. After a time, people realise, accept and respect you for the way you are but I can assure you the struggle would have been far easier had I been a man,” she admits.

Having said that she would not change being a woman for anything in the world, saying, “I believe

my life can serve as an inspiration for other women and give them the belief that it doesn’t matter who you are, man or woman, married or single. What matters is your undiluted focus on excellence and striving for perfection in whatever you do.” Certainly she has broken ground in a male-dominated profession, proved her competitors and rivals wrong, preferred to remain single, all of which is a manifestation of what all a woman is capable of doing only if she wants to.

Her love for horses was intrinsic and not simply instilled in her. Growing up as a three-yearold, she had a Shetland pony as a pet in the family backyard. Despite all her passion for horses, she wanted to do nothing with her father’s stud farm when she grew up. Instead she went to volunteer at Mirambika, Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

But then she eventually returned home and decided to join her father in her late twenties. “My father systematically gave his knowledge to me. In fact, he had a quick temper and no patience to

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teach anyone. But he told me that he was going to make an exception and teach me what he knew,” she reminisces.

Having done a equine management course at the premier Irish National Stud with a gold medal for the best project on “How to select a stallion”, her educational credentials did come in handy when the onus of handling the farm eventually fell on her.

May be it was his belief in her that catapulted her to these heights. “My father would often say to me that he has never met someone so strong which was really big as it was coming from one of the strongest and charismatic men I knew and know of,” she adds.

The one important technique her father taught her about horse-breeding, which she hasn’t forgotten even today is, “Nothing fattens a horse more than the master’s eye.” This means that it’s not how much feed and fodder you give to a horse that makes it thrive and excel, but the amount of time, attention and loving care that you give that really helps it develop to its fullest potential.

Breeding of horses is both an art and a science.

“The difference between a lot of breeders and top class horse-breeders like Aga Khan is that we create lineages and families that go on from generation to generation to make a big difference

to the breed of thoroughbreds. My aim is to bring a sense of pride in our Indian thoroughbred horse- breeding operations. The Indian racing and breeding industry is still niche, and if the government supports it even by 10 per cent, we can begin to export our Indian thoroughbreds for good prices abroad and compete internationally.”

Even during her days as the first woman Stipendiary Steward of Delhi Race Club in 2002, she was both feared and respected for her independent views and ethical stand. “I’m not too bothered or conscious about my gender or the gender of those I am working with. Though I guess for a lot of people who are not used to dealing with a woman, it must be awkward.”

On the dearth of women in equine sports in the country, she says, “The entry is based either through a relative or friend and without a relentless pursuit for excellence it is difficult to get to the top. I have to add one thing though, if I had to choose a career it would not be horse-breeding.

Destiny has brought it to me and I took it up as a duty towards my parents. However, in my personal experience I have found that the Divine knows better what is best for you and boy I am lucky to have a father who saw no difference between a boy and girl.”

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HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS NISHA MADHULIKA [Online food teacher] food menus all over reading like passionate poetry and people gradually shifting to more sophisticated palates, Nisha Madhulika, who is in her mid-fifties, has been spreading her love for all things simple and scrumptious since 2007. All it usually takes to be productive in this day and age is a click of a button and, of course, high-speed internet (hands down).

Madhulika made the most of it when most women her age would be reluctant to enter the cyber space.

Before becoming an internet sensation, she assisted her husband at his office in Delhi but after shifting to Noida, it was difficult for her to manage.

Soon, it all began with a food blog and a website, where Madhulika, now a homemaker, would post recipes and pictures of her homecooked vegetarian creations, mostly north-Indian, which garnered appreciation from all over. If your taste buds have been craving the dhaba-styled bowl of ubiquitous tadke wali dals or the sun-kissed amla and mango chutneys, a quick tutorial on her channel will enlighten the hidden gourmet in you.

“Cooking is a delightful activity for me. After I started staying at home, I had time after finishing my chores. I would read so many blogs on cooking that I was inspired to start my own. I would be

WITH

uploading recipes of those dishes which I would prepare in the morning for my family everyday and soon I had followers from all over the country. My husband recommended that I launch a website. I guess ghar ka khana would never lose its charm,” she tells us.

After many requests from her followers to upload videos of her creation online, she started a YouTube channel in 2011 and today, has over 4,40,000 subscribers from all across the world and over 135 million views. “I remember my first video was of a vegetable that I had cooked. The quantum of comments and likes gave me a sense of selfworth. We also created a room at our place with a kitchen that is dedicated for shooting videos with the required equipment,” Madhulika says. She now has a professional photographer to assist her.

With a plethora of food channels online, Madhulika’s quick and hearty lessons stand out because of the sense of relatability that one gets from the simple ingredients and the kitchen utensils she uses in her videos. “There have been comments that make me tear up,” she shares. “Boys staying away from their families would tell me how they’ve nearly perfected the art of cooking what their mothers would make via my videos.”

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by the seaside with your feet dunked in the warm sand or in the near-pristine waters of the ocean while listening to the waves crash is undoubtedly therapeutic. A walk, a run or even a swim would do but ever thought of riding high on the waves with nothing else but a surfboard and cheers to accompany you?

But first, a few surfing lessons would come in handy. Ishita Malaviya, India’s first professional woman surfer, is on a mission to educate local fishermen about swimming and others who feel that surfing is a very exclusive and expensive sport.

“In India, there is a major fear of the ocean and people are often afraid to venture into the sea. We hear about so many cases of drowning. Surfing can help them in such situations,” says Malaviya who co-started the Shaka Surf Club in a small fishing village called Kodi Bengre near Udupi, Karnataka.

The 26-year-old started surfing in 2007 when she moved to Manipal to pursue her studies in journalism. It was then that she met a German exchange student who was accompanying other surfers from

LOUNGING

California living in an ashram nearby. “He introduced me and my boyfriend Tushar to them and they gave us a few lessons. We had to teach ourselves how to surf. Even YouTube videos helped. For two years, we only had one surfboard for which we almost sold everything we owned. Slowly, it took over our lives because it is was so much fun and enabled us to develop a healthy lifestyle,” she shares.

Initially, she and her partner started giving surfing lessons in order to purchase more surfing equipment. “Since then, we’ve been growing and working very closely with the local community, especially the fishermen and their families. We want the kids of the community to appreciate the resources they have,” Malaviya tells us. Apart from kids and mothers, even grandmothers as old as 65 have joined the crew.

Malaviya says that though she was brought up in the city of Mumbai, she can’t imagine moving back to the city. “I can’t get into a 9-5 job and not be able to surf everyday. It was a major lifestyle decision for me and this is where I always wanted to be,” she signs off.

SURF’S UP! ISHITA MALAVIYA [India’s first professional woman surfer]

MING NOMCHONG

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writes what she feels strongly about and then she enunciates each word in a rhythm that echoes within your mind for a long while. Kalki Koechlin is always in search of “truth and meaning” when she takes up a role in a film or a theatre production. She speaks up, she performs and goes viral within minutes of uploading her concerns in a satirical or a grave manner.

Apart from her unconventional film choices (last seen in Shonali Bose’s Margarita With A Straw where she plays the role of a girl suffering from cerebral palsy), she recently featured in a documentary film Freedom Matters alongside Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi on human trafficking. In the month of January, her lyrical piece The Printing Machine made its way to YouTube and within a month garnered over one million views. She imitates the sound of a printing machine churning out sensationalised news on brutalities against women where she speaks of the 2012 Delhi gangrape, the Badaun case, beauty standard norms set by society, rape cases of foreign tourists, Irom Sharmila being force-fed, acid attacks among other grave issues.

“When something affects me, I like writing and debating about it. It is necessary for people to discuss issues openly. Different people would relate to different things and I don’t think one issue is more important than the other. I’m personally attached to certain matters so it comes from there. People often draw some inspiration from the smallest of things. Everything won’t change in one go, there are many small steps that need to be taken,” the 32-year-old actress tells us.

The Dev D actress shares how people expect celebrities and actors to be activists but you can’t make an individual stand up for a cause as it “needs to come from within.”

She herself has said no to a number of NGOs since she feels she would’ve been just another “poster girl.”

“You have to get involved properly and understand the cause. It has to be something you feel strongly about and work towards bringing in that change by maybe collaborating with an NGO or in whatever way. It needs to come from the person’s belief and passion for the subject,” Koechlin explains. She has been actively involved with the NGO ADAPT (Able Disable All People Together) and has been highlighting implications due to lack of awareness when it comes to disability. She has also voiced support for the FTII students.

SHE WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE

KALKI KOECHLIN [Actor, playwright]

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FESTIVAL

CHILDREN moving door-to-door like carol singers, collecting goodies and wishing you the best, young boys and girls colour-darting each other and the indulgent elders watching over it all.... The Yaosang festival of Manipur is the Holi of the northeast and celebrated avidly in the month of Lamta according to the Meitei Lunar calendar or in the month of February/March according the Gregorian calendar.

There are different versions about the origin of the celebration of Yaosang. One version goes that traditionally the five-day festival was known as “Loipan” and was considered divine merriment to mark the birth of Pakhangba at Kangla fort to Leimaren and Soraren Sidaba.

It is also said the festival of Loipan came to be known as Yaosang when Vaishnavism was at its height in Manipur, during the reign of Maharaja Bhaigyachandra, who ruled Manipur from 1709-1748 A.D. On the morning of the first day of Yaosang, all the youths of the locality gather at the site where the shang or the hut is to be built. They bring with them straw, bamboo, dao (axe) and other items. The elderly men are bystanders, watching, instructing and advising the youths on making the hut. Young girls prepare tea and snacks for them.

Then a Brahmin places the idol of Lord Chaitanya inside the hut. Everybody chants kirtans and recitations from the holy books and the air is rife with passionate cries of “Hari-Bola” and “He Hari.” Once the puja is over, locals remove the idol and burn the hut down. Staunch Vaisnavite Meiteis usually fast this day and break it after the ceremonial fire. After this, young boys and girls, adorned in traditional dresses, go from door-to-door for nakatheng or donation. These kids have the right to bless elder donors in return.

The second day of Yaosang begins very early.

Young girls set out for collecting donation for the community again but this time the young boys

Yaosang is the Holi of Manipur, a true spring fest and a community festival.

By SUSHMA WAHENGBAM

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STASI BARANOFF

A puja being conducted right before the hut is burnt down

don’t help them. Instead, they sprinkle colours on them. Every street is filled with youngsters chasing each other with water balloons, buckets of coloured water and powder. Elderly and middle-aged men and women sit in front of their thongal (gate) watching the proceedings, cheering them and sometimes admonishing them if they go overboard and act rowdy.

Teenaged boys and girls also collect money from the community for Thabal Chongba or dancing in the moonlight, an officially endorsed date night of sorts. The youngsters start dancing at dusk and continue late into the night. Here too they are accompanied by their elders. The ritual is like going to the ball, symbolising the introduction of young girls to the society. The young men look their best as if on a prom night.

Lanterns and gaslights were introduced in the Thabal Chongba in the 1950s. Now there is percussion, music and strobes.

For the elderly, Yaosang means visiting the shrines of Shri Shri Govindaji and Shri Shri Bijoy Govindaji.

On the last day, women of the community enact the role of Brajamai or the gopis of Vrindavan. Locals believe that on their return from the Govindai temple, they acquire special healing powers temporarily. So parents wait with their kids on the roadside, hoping to be touched and blessed by them.

Yaosang is also the time for preparing different snacks and delicacies to be shared with neighbours and relatives. Middle-aged women turn vendors.

Then there are the sports events, the preparation of which is intended to wean the youth away from drugs. The first day witnesses torch rallies from different localities on the streets, everybody marching towards the Kangla Fort to light up the sacred flame, marking the beginning of the competition.

Yaosang is not just about colour, merrymaking but also of sharing the ethos of togetherness and reciprocity. A truly community festival.

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LUXE EDITION

ANUPMA KHANNA runs through the evolution of Savoy which retains its at-your-call service standards and comes with its share of colonial aura, elegance, grace, subtlety and, hold your breath, ghost stories

may sit silhouetted against modernity but its air still sings of a rich colonial past. The pleasure capital of the Raj may seem like a welter of grotty, garish hotels but its spirit is intact in the old Savoy and the novels of Agatha Christie.

In the 1800s, the Europeans posted in India yearned for a respite from the swelter and grime of the plains. And so when Captain Young discovered Mussoorie in 1825, it quickly became a boisterous bolthole of the British gentry. During these sprightly days, as the 19th century drew to a close, a wealthy Irish PHOTOS: BHUMESH BHARTI

Barrister named Cecil D Lincoln decided to raise in Mussoorie a hotel that would epitomise imperial luxury. Sought to match The Cecil in Shimla and Carlton in Lucknow, the hotel was built on a sprawling 11 acres. It opened for the stately public in the summer of 1902. And even today, The Savoy is among the largest and finest hill station hotels in India.

About the elaborate construction of the hotel that spread over five years, author Ruskin Bond has written, “Everything heavy, including the building materials, came uphill by bullock carts.

Massive Victorian or Edwardian furniture, grand pianos, billiards tables,

barrels of cider and crates of champagne — all the appurtenances of a hotel that was to become well known as the Raffles in Singapore or the Imperial in Tokyo came up in these lumbering Mr Buckle’s Bullock Cart Train.”

Relating the legacy of The Savoy, noted writer Hugh Gantzer told us, “During the days of the Raj, the months of March to November were called The Season. During this period, English ladies along with their children moved to Mussoorie to escape the heat and dust of the plains. Many of these ladies had affairs with unattached bachelors who would come to Mussoorie. In those days, The Savoy’s stature was second only to Hackman’s Hotel.” While Hackman’s closed down years ago, the Savoy stands tall as Mussoorie’s classiest icon of colonial hotels.White and wooden, it is nestled in towering deodars as an arresting symbol of English Gothic architecture.

During the British Raj, The Savoy was the

only hotel in Mussoorie that had a palm court and the Kaala Jagah — a dark alcove attached to the ballroom. One way to get friendly with the English ladies was at the dances. While they were dancing, couples vanished into the Kaala Jagah for a short time to get some private moments and plan their dates, shared Gantzer.Interestingly, the Savoy had a partially blind waiter who rang the Separation Bell religiously at 4am, so that the philandering guests could return to their own rooms before chhota hazri (tea, a banana and two cookies) was served two hours later. Visiting the hill resort in 1926, the famous American broadcaster and traveler Lowell Jackson Thomas wrote, “There is a hotel in Mussoorie where they ring a bell just before dawn so that the pious may say their prayers and the impious get back to their own beds.”

Four years after its launch, the Princess of Wales stayed at the historic hotel. The beautiful garden, where a party was hosted for Her Highness, came to be known as the Beer Garden.

And even today, the Beer Garden offers to guests an enrapturing view of Doon valley in an unsullied

ambience. Then there is the Writer’s Bar with its strong highbrow character. The Writer’s Bar is a famous place in Mussoorie, having been frequented by several writers of international repute. On its central wall hang plaques honouring the names of these celebrated guests.

Writers found their muse in the Savoy. In the period of roses and wine, in 1911 to be precise, an occult practitioner called Miss Frances Garnett-Orme came to stay at The Savoy with a fellow spiritualist, Eva Mountspehen, from Lucknow. Aged 49, Miss GarnettOrme was an eerie woman whose husband, a British officer in the United Provinces, had died before he could consummate their marriage. Frozen into her tragic past, the eccentric Miss Garnett-Orme talked to the dead. She relegated her life to the paranormal space, and with her companion Mountstephen, racked up haunting practices like crystal-gazing, spectral table-rapping and seances. As described by writer Ganesh Saili, “Miss Mountstephen soon returned to Lucknow. From there, she went on to Jhansi. One morning not long after this, Lady Garnett-Orme was found dead in her bed.

Nostradamus - The Writer’s Bar

The Grand Dining Room of the heritage hotel

The door of her room was locked from the inside.

The autopsy revealed that she had been poisoned with prussic acid, a cyanide-based poison. The police ruled out suicide and the mysterious murder became the sensation of the town. Jaws dropped when only a few months later, Lady GarnettOrme’s doctor was also found dead by strychnine poisoning at another place.”

A well-known psychic claimed that Miss Orme had been killed by Miss Mountstephen. It was claimed that the latter had applied her magical incantation powers to make the victim add poison to her own bottle of sodium bicarbonate medicine.

Miss Mountstephen was arrested and tried in the Allahabad High Court. However, she was acquitted because of the lack of evidence. In what came to a dead-end as the perfect murder, the Chief Justice of Allahabad observed that the actual happenings of Lady Garnett-Orme’s death would probably never be known.

There was also an appeal, Miss Eva Mountstephens vs Mr Hunter Garnett Orme,” which was decided on May 24, 1913 in the Allahabad High Court involving a “will annexed to

the estate of the late Miss Francis Mary Garnett Orme. The estate is roughly valued at `17,000,” indicating that the bizarre victim was wealthy.

As the unsolved creepy murder became the talk of the town, Rudyard Kipling wrote to his friend Arthur Conan Doyle bidding Doyle to create a new Sherlock Holmes adventure on The Savoy murder.

While Doyle himself did not use the case, he narrated it to Agatha Christie who used the circumstances of the case in her first novel The Mysterious Affairs at Styles (1920). The Savoy crime inspired another literary work, Ruskin Bond’s In A Crystal Ball — A Mussoorie Mystery.

Writing about the spectres of Mussoorie, Bond muses, “Most visitors from the other side are melancholic spirits looking for a lost love or a lost home. They are unquiet, unhappy souls, haunting the places they once knew.”

And for a hundred years now, it is attested that the hallways and ballrooms of the Savoy are haunted by the ghost of Miss Garnett-Orme. Be it from the heritage hotel’s staff, old-timer locals or crew members of film shootings (Anand Jha’s spot boy asserted having encountered a ghost at The

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Savoy), there are anecdotes galore vouching that as the day draws to a close, Lady Garnett-Orme rises from the dead; and drifts scarily in the corridors of the hotel, prodding one’s memory to a cryptic murder perpetrated a century ago.

Time and again, several visitors and residents of Mussoorie claim that the regal ballroom of the Savoy comes alive at night..the grand piano renders haunting melodies as the chandelier sways back and forth propelled by an unseen unknown force. In the billiards room close by, the pit-a-pat of snooker balls hitting cues can be heard. And chilling one to the spine, an English lady steps out of unoccupied rooms locked from the outside.

Mussoorie’s Savoy finds a place in multiple listings of the most celebrated haunted hotels in the world.

“The Savoy has catered to virtual who’s who of its time — Her Highness Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary), Motilal Nehru, Indian Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, His Majesty the King of Nepal, His Majesty the Crown Prince of Laos, Nobel Prize winner Pearl S Buck, a host of Maharajas and many others,” recounts Bond.

What makes a stay at the Savoy very satisfying? Its quaint charm matched by professionalism and high service standards.

The hotel boasts manicured gardens flanked by 50 elegant rooms categorised as Chambor rooms, Exclusives and the Suites in wings named after famous people who had stayed at the hotel. Customer service offered by the hotel is excellent, based on its unique Savoy Personalized Service process wherein a threemember team attends to each guest to give a personal touch to the visit.

Changing hands from Italian hoteliers, Messrs Viglietta and Palazzi, to the Jauhar family and Kanpur-based industrialist RP Singh, The Savoy saw an ebb of sorts until it was acquired by Fortune Hotels (ITC Welcom Group) in 2009. The historic hotel has been beautifully renovated while preserving its Gothic character. Today, with its antique furniture, oak wood floors and tall white beams, the Savoy is an exclusive heritage hotel patronised by upmarket travellers from around the world.

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INDONESIA MUST SEE

is now on every globetrotter’s bucket list with a mishmash of spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful beaches with warm and friendly people, a vibrant culture and fabulous resorts. Also known as the Land of the Gods, Bali appeals through its geographic sweep of looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields. Known for its dramatic dances, colourful ceremonies, intricate arts and crafts, the culturally-rooted people also have a penchant for harbouring some of the strangest things in the world.

From testing your courage across deep ravines, a visit to the island of the dead or simply enjoying a day or two in some of the strangest villas ever built, the explorer in you will never tire out. Here are some must-sees in a nutshell.

BALI From testing your courage across deep ravines, a visit to the island of the dead, planting rice or simply enjoying a day or two in some of the strangest villas ever built, the explorer in you will never tire out

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ULUWATU

This sits on the southwestern tip of the Bukit peninsula of Bali. It is famous for the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple on a cliff top and is the number four surfing destination in the world. It is also home to the most scenic luxury villas and resorts, with facilities on towering cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean and magnificent sunsets.

UBUD

If you’re looking for peace, Ubud is the go-to destination, rich in culture and enhanced by sweeping vistas, fine dining restaurants and spas. A walk-through the lush paddy fields is simply breathtaking. In many ways, Ubud is considered Bali’s cultural heart and is also a flourishing centre for crafts and wood-carvings, which are sold all over the island.

Recommended for foodies who can begin their journey from traditional village roadside stalls to modern fine dining restaurants.

NUSA DUA

Nusa Dua is resplendent with crystal clear shallow waters and lustrous, soft white sandy beaches. Perfect for family fun, the main attractions are the beaches of Nusa Dua, comprising Pantai Mengiat at its midsection, and Geger further south with its picturesque cliff-top temple. Then there’s Sawangan which forms part of the Grand Nikko Bali beachfront. Besides the beautiful bay to swim and snorkel in, Nusa Dua serves as a natural landmarks.

KUTA

Kuta beach is located on the western side of the island’s narrow isthmus and is considered Bali’s most famous resort destination. It was once a simple rustic fishing village but has witnessed a transformation over the past few years. While day time is about taming the surf, once the sun sets you’ll find an exciting nightlife ringed by bars, clubs and lounges.

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RICE TERRACE WALK egallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud are famous for the subak (traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system), which according to history, was passed down by a revered holy man named Rsi Markandeya in the eighth century. Tegallalang forms the three most splendid terraced landscapes in Ubud’s shared region, the others being in the villages of Pejeng and Campuhan.

Location: north of Ubud How to get there: Tegallalang is half an hour’s drive north of Ubud. From the main art market, head east to the large statue intersection and head further up north.

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CANYON TUBING aterslide-like thrills but out in real nature? This is made possible along a river named Siap, up in Payangan, north of Ubud. These tours take you to the hidden canyons of the Kerta village where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery while drifting 40 kilometres downstream in a single inflatable tube. Well-trained guides accompany you on the ride.

W SEA WALKS nyone, even non-divers, can go underwater and enjoy the beautiful marine life. These “walks” involve a specially-designed helmet that is connected to oxygen tanks aboard a boat, providing participants with a constant flow of air to breathe underwater. You need not take off your prescription lenses either! Bali Seawalker operates at two main sites; off Sanur and Tanjung Benoa.

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JUNGLE ATV AND BUGGY RIDES here are many ways to discover the ‘real’ Bali... but what could be more exhilarating than to take on the jungle tracks of unspoiled parts on compact buggies and ATVs? The Bali Quad and Bali Buggy tours take you to discover the heartland and rural village scenes on off-road four-wheelers that whiz through all kinds of terrain with ease.

Payangan lies higher up north from the more familiar Ubud area, where cool temperatures and lush hillsides make for the ultimate stress relief. With this tour on site, it just got better.

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DOLPHIN WATCHING ovina is perhaps most famous for the dolphins that dance along the coast at dawn.

Although they can sometimes be spotted throughout the day, dawn is your best chance of sighting them.

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WITNESS A BIRD INVASION hen the sun sets every day, thousands of herons from all over Bali fly to the village of Petulu, creating a beautiful vision of white for those who are there to witness it. The birds are believed to be the guardians that watch over the villagers and protect them from harm.

The story goes like this: In the 1960s, members of the Indonesian Communist Party were caught in a massacre, and many bodies were left unfound.

After rites were held to rid the village of any evil that might have remained, the birds started to appear in Petulu, causing people to believe that they are inhabited by the souls of the dead.

Regardless of whether the story is true, the birds are certainly a sight to behold – during the peak period (around 5pm – 6pm), up to 20,000 herons can be seen roosting in the trees of Petulu, watching the people from above.

Best place to watch? To the south of the village there’s a look-out point ideal for bird watching. Next to the road, you’ll see a sign that reads “the best place to see the herons.”

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R U G TA L K

Carpet collector DANNY MEHRA is reviving interest in a dying folk tradition. By SHRABASTI MALLIK

BEFORE

the written word, people told stories by carving stone, painting facades and by weaving. Carpets tell beautiful stories — stories of their origin, mythology, religious beliefs and many more. Carpet-weaving is the most cogent expression of folk art, beginning from the maker’s elementary functionality of approach to a more creative dialogue.

Bengaluru-based Danny Mehra collects tribal carpets from Persia (modern day Iran), Anatolia (Turkey), the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Dagestan), Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Krygyzstan, Turkmenistan) and various Kurdish enclaves and put them on display recently at IIC. “The carpets date from the mid 19th-20th century and include works by ethnic groups including the Qashqai, Luri, Bakhtiari, Khamesh, Afshar, Shahsavan, Turkic, Baluch and Kurds. Many of these tribes were nomadic and used to migrate for climatic reasons, so the weaves they produced are a fantastic potpourri of diverse ethnicities, tribal lifestyle and indigenous customs,” Mehra says.

His love for carpets started when his mother-in-law presented him with two at his wedding. Describing his hobby as a “honest midlife crisis,” he tells us that the common theme that runs through each of his carpets is the search for “perfect imperfection.” Explains he, “These carpets were hand-woven by women in their spare time. They had no set pattern and gave full play to their imagination. So the motifs are not always exactly aligned or equal. That’s why they are slightly imperfect but that’s the beauty of the craft.”

Tribal carpets were typically woven around the tent or in small village workshops on simple contraptions. Seasonal migrants would load partially woven carpets on easy-todismantle looms at the beginning of a journey and reassemble them on reaching their destination.

Like Rushdie’s character Haroun and his sea of stories, the

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carpet dealers, according to Mehra, are “smart and interesting” since they, too, will share fascinating tales about the rugs which surely increases their saleability factor.

“One time, the corner of a carpet was completely damaged and this sellar told me that it had been chewed off by an angry camel. Then there was another one with a hole at the centre and I was informed that an aggravated tribal chief pierced through it with his sword. They often make these stories up,” laughs Mehra.

The interpretations and tales can be deciphered when you carefully observe the icons and symbols intricately created by the weavers.

“This adds to the mystery and fun of collecting these age-old carpets,” he is quick to add.

Some of his carpets have stars, eagles, horses, children and also the Cross of Christ as motifs. “They were symbolic, too, and were used to ward off evil,” he says.

The only thing that bothers Mehra is the fact that carpet-weaving is either dying or is already dead. “It was an entire process involving every member of the family. The man of the family shaved the wool from the sheep and sorted them out in different categories.

The women of the house did the carding and spun the fibre into yarn, which was then dyed by the men again. Carpets are not made the same way any more,” he shares.

Tribal carpets have now become mainstream with people showing more interest in purchasing them, but “they’ve been woven recently and don’t really tell a story anymore since they’ve been made in workshops where the weavers are directed by the designers to create unoriginal designs and patterns. There is no imagination or soul in it,” Mehra laments.

He has exhibited his collection in Bengaluru and plans to take it to Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and other cities. He is keen on showcasing it in various southeast Asian countries as well. “I want to share my passion with others who may have never seen or experienced these rare tribal carpets before. Many were intrigued after we exhibited them in Delhi. I’m also open to selling the carpets if people are interested,” he concludes.

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SKILL INDIA

MAGIC

FABRIC The Khadi and Village Industries Commission, through its schemes, has been providing assistance to small institutions and individuals for development and contemporising of khadi which is our foundational strength to build a modern India was referred to as the “livery of freedom” by Mahatma Gandhi.

This hand-spun and hand-woven fabric has been a symbol of our traditional heritage. Its promotion and revival have been the focus of Khadi and Village Industries Commission( KVIC ) which seeks to plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development.

KVIC aims at providing employment, producing saleable articles and creating self-reliance among the people. This, it hopes, will foster a strong rural community spirit via a number of programme and schemes: Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): A pioneering programme of KVIC, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), was launched in September 2008. The scheme can help set up micro projects

KHADI

with a maximum capital investment of `25 lakh, using local raw material and skill and providing employment to local unemployed youth.

Market Development Assistance (MDA): Under MDA, Khadi and Polyvastra institutions are provided assistance, which is 20 per cent of the value of their annual production. Out of the available assistance, the institution has to pass on 25 per cent of the amount to spinners and weavers as additional incentives through their bank/post office accounts. The remaining 75 per cent is utilised by the institutions for production and marketing related activities.

Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate (ISEC): The KVIC introduced ISEC scheme to help the Khadi and Polyvastra Institutions in mobilising their required working fund from banks. Under the scheme, the institution has to bear only four per cent bank interest and the residual interest is paid by KVIC directly to the CC account of the institution’s financing branch. In 2014-15,

`38.31 crore has been disbursed towards interest subsidy.

Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans: In order to provide congenial working ambience for better productivity of artisans, KVIC is providing assistance for building worksheds. Under the scheme, an individual artisan is provided a maximum subsidy of `60,000 while he gets an assistance/subsidy of `40,000 if working in a group.

Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI): The government has approved a Cluster Development Programme to uplift the socio-economic condition of artisans, spinners and weavers. The objective is to make traditional industries more productive, competitive, innovative, create employment opportunities for rural artisans and facilitate their sustainable development. There will be a web-based Project Management System for online management and providing cross-cutting thematic support across clusters.

Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP): The Government has arranged an assistance of US $150 million for Khadi Reform and Development Programme(KRDP). The programme is being implemented for total reform of the sector and the salient features are: o Offering khadi a special identity with mark of genuineness by introduction of Khadi Mark. It will guarantee genuineness of khadi and its products produced in India i.e. handspun and hand-woven, containing natural fibres (cotton/wool/silk). o Repositioning khadi linking to market needs by establishing a professionally run marketing organisation. o Provision of subsidy in a rational and objective manner to make Khadi Institutions (KIs) selfreliant with greater involvement of artisans and say in the working.

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TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS charkha helps spinner not only spin effortlessly but earn better wages. If solar charkha spinning is organised through SHGs, it can convert decentralised spinning into an industry without involving human drudgery. The yarn can then be supplied to handloom and power loom units running nearby and galvanise the employment generation scenario in the rural areas.

SOLAR

MARKETING has been extending best of marketing support and export opportunities to khadi institutions and PMEGP/ REGP units. The Government has accorded a deemed Export Promotion Council (EPC) status to KVIC and 1,016 khadi institutions have obtained membership. KVIC is in the process of launching exclusive e-commerce marketing to promote products.

KVIC

TRAINING ACTIVITIES training programmes are organised in KVI through 23 departmental training centres and 16 non-departmental training institutes (managed by NGO) that have helped build up the skill-set of artisans and entrepreneurs.

VARIOUS

MADE IN INDIA

PHOTO: PANKAJ KUMAR

The ittar-making tradition of Kannauj may be down but is still not out, says PRIYANKA JOSHI

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you know that the ittar was born of a lovers’ spat?

One day, empress Noor Jehan had an ugly exchange with her husband and Mughal emperor Jahangir. Once she cooled down, she decided to organise a soiree to patch up with her beloved. She ordered large vats of rose water to bathe in and went to sleep. The early morning sun broke down the essential oils of the roses to form a fragrant layer sitting on the surface.

She assumed someone had added oil till she realised that the rosewater had turned into something else. Excited about a natural chemical reaction, Noor Jehan immediately walked up to Jahangir to start a perfumery. An overwhelmed Jahangir later wrote, “There is no other scent of equal excellence to it. It restores hearts that have gone (broken) and brings back withered souls.” The rose came from Kannauj.

HK Chaurasia, an ittar maker from Kannauj, who has come to Delhi to sell his boutique bottles,

DID

tells us, “My grandfather told me this story. We started this business 35 years ago. But Kannauj has been a perfume hub in ancient India, its distilleries the backbone of its economy. Although ittar-making became widely popular with the Mughals, Kannauj, by virtue of being perched on the old silk route, was exposed to the craft as early as the 7th century.

Located near the confluence of the Ganga and Kali river, Kannauj was the capital of the empire of Harsahvardhan. Merchant caravans halted here as they carried perfumes, spices, metals, silks and gems from India and China to the Middle East. The perfumers of Kannauj had a ready market for their scented oils.”

Kannauj is to India what Grasse (known for its perfume industry since the end of the 18th century) is to France.

Here perfume-making is a refined art and an integral part of the culture and heritage.

Perfumers here have almost patented the famous sandalwood-based ittars. ‘‘Sandalwood oil is used as a base material because it has a strong fixative property and can keep the floral essence over a long period of time,’’ says Chaurasia.

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a hands-on lesson from him. Ittars are distillates of flowers, herbs, spices and other natural materials. One of the oldest natural fragrant materials, over 5,000 years old, happens to be baked soil over sandalwood oil liquid paraffin. Using the hydro distillation technique with deg (copper still) and bhapka (condenser and receptor), you get the most refreshing scent on earth. The copper still is heated over fire, in capacities that can range from 10- 160 kg. The lid of the still or sarpos has single or multiple holes. Copper pipes (they used to be a bamboo poles earlier which are just as effective) are plunged into these which in turn are connected to the long neck of the receptor where the distillate settles.

This simple technique is used even today and Chaurasia takes pride in it not just because it is learnt from our ancestors but because it requires great skill, patience and precision. “It can take over two weeks to make a small batch of single bottles. Many distilleries use modern methods of production but then you cannot monitor closely,’’ says Chaurasia. The process includes collecting 25 to 350 pounds of flower petals and placing them inside the deg and pouring sandalwood oil in the receptacle. Water is added to the deg and the lid is sealed with a mixture of cotton and clay. The still sits over a fire and contains no modern gauges or thermostats. As the steam collects, it condenses and flows into the receiving vessel. ‘‘The fire must be constantly monitored to maintain the correct temperature. Too much heat will burn the flowers. It will also create too much steam which can explode the clay seal around the deg,’’ explains Chaurasia. Low heat and pressure preserve the fragile fragrance oils better than the hotter steam distillation method used to obtain essential oils.

The receiving vessel sits in a pool of water and is continually rotated by hand to blend the oils and keep them from overheating.

Throughout the day, the master distiller monitors the deg and receiving vessel by feeling them with his hands and listening to the sounds from inside. When necessary, wet towels are rubbed over the vessels to cool them down. At the end of the day, the distillation is stopped. Overnight, as the oil cools down, the water separates from it. In the morning, the water is poured out from the oil and put back into the still. Freshly-picked flowers are added and the process begins anew. This process is repeated for 15 to 20 days until the sandalwood oil is completely saturated with the fragrant oil of the flowers.

I GET

PHOTOS: SANJEEV KUMAR

TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE

PHOTO COURTESY: SCENTEDTRAVELS.BLOGSPOT.IN

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PHOTO: PANKAJ KUMAR

, we only used two flowers — rose and kewra. But as times changed, many experiments to create different ittars were performed. Now we have three categories— flower, herbs and spices,’’ informs Chaurasia.

Flowers used include bela, mehndi, kadam, jasmine, chameli, marigold and maulshri. For herbs and spices, there are oakmoss, sugandh mantri, laurel berry, juniper berry, cypriol, Indian valerian, jatamansi, hedychium spicatum, daru haldi, sugandha bala, sugandha kokila, kulanjan, javitri/jaiphal, cardamom, clove, saffron, ambergris and musk.

However, the top seller has got to be the mitti ki sondhi khushboo perfume. It is the smell that the earth emits with the first showers of the monsoon. Shares Chaurasia, ‘‘For this, we take a huge quantity of mud that is first baked as cakes in a closed copper vessel to vapourise any residual moisture. Steam is then passed over this by a process called hydro-distillation. The refining process is carried out for around 45 days. The residue from the distillation is collected in sandalwood oil. This is said to be very good for calming the mind.’’

Chaurasia adds that a kilogram of this fragrance might cost anywhere between `38,000 and `8, 00,000 per gram depending on factors like ageing and purity!

‘‘EARLIER

PHOTO COURTESY: WWW.NATGEOTRAVELLER.IN

WHIFF OF NATURE

H E A L I N G W I P E S Aloeswood: Body pain, heart palpitations, cough, asthma, tuberculosis, breathing problem and cold.

Mushk: Dizziness, fainting and heart palpitation. Good for women during menstrual periods to repel negative imbalances

Amber: Promotes a balance of all life-activating forces and helps you relax.

Bukhur: Improves memory.

Saundhi Mitti: Controls blood pressure and the flow of blood through nose owing to intense heat.

Saffron: For rejuvenation, headaches and used as an anti-depressant.

REVIVAL OF ITTAR cultivation and labour costs have meant higher production costs of a boutique product that is being swamped by cheaper, alcohol-based perfumes. But efforts are on to market it aggressively and devise a system of production that makes commercial sense. The Uttar Pradesh government has proposed a venture between Kannauj and Grasse for sharing expertise. There’s a proposal to set up an international perfume museum in Kannauj in collaboration with the French government. Shakti Vinay Shukla, Director, Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj, says, ‘‘I think we should advertise our home-grown product.” The FFDC’s objective is to serve, sustain and upgrade the status of farmers and industry engaged in aromatic cultivation and processing. ‘‘Our efforts have helped the Kannauj Ittars Association to get Geographical Indication and its own badge in the word perfume market. Last June, we had invited

PHOTO: PANKAJ KUMAR

RISING

Egyptian students and experts to study our systems and now they have asked us to teach them our method. We are also conducting sessions on how to mix ittar and perfume and make a new fragrance. Now we are working on a project to modify the existing process of ittar-making, so that it can be more economical, energy-saving, effective and with a higher yield,” adds Shukla. As they say, a whiff traipses in and out, tantaslising but never vanishing.

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LEARNERS DEN

WONDER WITH SOUTH Kamal Khwaja, a final year B.Tech. student at VIT University, Vellore, was declared the first prize winner of the KTH Master’s Challenge 2016 in the Wireless Systems track. He has been offered a two-year scholarship to pursue master’s in Wireless Systems at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.

One of the most prestigious universities in the world, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden has had a long history of producing successful technocrats, entrepreneurs and researchers. The Wireless Systems programme which is a part of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering at KTH is ranked 16th in the world by the QS rankings 2015.

“The KTH Master’s Challenge involved numerous stages and was an exciting journey for me. I’m currently in Singapore pursuing my final year project at the Singapore University of Technology and Design,” said Khwaja.

Apart from the scholarship, Khwaja has been offered an internship to work at FormulateIP which is an Intellectual Property (IP) and Innovation Management and Consultancy.

Speaking about VIT University’s role in his success, Khwaja says, “I’ve had the opportunity to pursue three research internships abroad and win several national and international laurels for my university.”

Dr P. Arulmozhivarman, Dean of the School of Electrical Engineering at VIT University, has been his guide since his sophomore year.

“Through his advice and guidance, I was able to pursue research internships in Hong Kong and Singapore,” added Khwaja.

According to him, very few universities in India offer the flexibility that VIT has. It’s due to its international outlook that he got the wonderful opportunity to work with renowned professors abroad.

VIT Chancellor Dr. G Viswanathan said, “It’s a proud day for us that our student has received such an opportunity and his hard work has been recognised. We will continue to throw our weight behind such talented students."

MOHAMMED VIT University student wins KTH Master’s Challenge in Stockholm, Sweden

Mr Neeraj Gupta , Founder and CEO of FormulateIP and alumni of KTH, Sweden, presenting the scholarship award to Mr. Mohammed Kamal Khwaja

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OFFTRACK

Kangchenjunga reflected in the waters of the Green Lake in May 1987

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The Zemu glacier was a surreal sight with huge pools of green water speckled among a twisted landscape of ice and rock debris that stretched downwards.

The river of ice had dropped 150 feet below its lateral moraines and several small glacial lakes had formed on its surface.

It was an awesome though chilling reminder of the irreversible impact of climate change brought home in the most graphic way imaginable, says RANJAN PAL of the famed Green Lakes of Kanchenjunga.

SUJOY DAS frames rare moments

We are the pilgrims, master; we shall go Always a little further: it may be Beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea — James Elroy Flecker

up that October morning in Gangtok with an indefinable sense of excitement. Slipping out of my bed at the Mintokling guest house, I paused before the heavy drawn curtains.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled them quickly apart. A giant mountain appeared before my eyes, soaring like a white sail into the cloudless blue sky. For a few seconds, I could not recognise it from this unfamiliar sidelong view. And then the recognition and the memories came flooding back, filling my senses so quickly and completely, it was as if time had warped itself in that dark hotel room and I was a little boy once again.

Kanchenjunga. The very pronunciation of those four syllables sent a shiver down my spine and evoked memories buried deep in my childhood. Those pink-hued dawns when I watched spellbound from the window of my Dada and Dadi’s flat in Darjeeling as the rays of the rising sun lit up this most beautiful of mountains. An unforgettable spectacle, a vision so ephemeral as to be not of this earth, it floated like an enchanted castle in the crystal sky.

The musical name, Kanchenjunga,

A similar shot as the earlier one but Green Lakes have dried up

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The Zemu Galcier as seen from a high point above Green Lakes 1987; the same Zemu Glacier seen in 2014

The stone grows old Eternity is not for stones But I shall go down from this airy space, this swift white peace, this stinging exultation; And time will close about me, and my soul stir to the rhythm of the daily round.

Yet, having known, life will not press so close And always I shall feel time ravel thin about me For once I stood In the white windy presence of eternity — Eunice Tietjens

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together a select group to visit the mythical Green Lakes nestled at the very base of the northeast face, there was absolutely no question in my mind that I would be in that number. himself was driven by a desire to return to Green Lakes, a magical place he had visited once before when he tagged along with the Assam Rifles Kanchenjunga expedition in 1987. Over 25 years had passed and the rumor was that global warming had wiped out the lakes forever. So he was very keen to retrace his steps and see if this disastrous scenario had in fact come true. For me an added attraction was how inaccessible (and hence pristine) the place was due to the multifarious permits one had to obtain to get there. Green Lakes fell in a “restricted travel” zone and the fact that Sujoy was the man who offered to navigate tortuous government channels to get the necessary permissions made it doubly attractive for the independent traveller.

As it turned out, we were to encounter the destructive nature of climate change on the very first day of our trek. Barely an hour after we had left the road head at Lachen following the right bank of the Zemu Chu, the river that drains the eastern ramparts of Kanchenjunga, the welldefined trail disappeared into sheer nothingness.

We stared in dismay at the devastated landscape in front of us; the entire hillside had been wiped out by landslides for as far as the eye could see. Given that so few trekkers came this way every year, the local forest department did not see it as worthwhile to maintain the track which in turn discouraged further trekkers from coming — a real vicious circle!

For us there was no help for it but to forge ahead. And so hour after desperate hour, we struggled across the devastated landscape, falling and scraping ourselves on the grit and the scree.

As I rested my aching limbs at our welcome night halt, I reflected dispiritedly on what nature had

Sujoy

translates as “The Five Treasures of the High Snows” in Sikkimese and mountaineers have kept the actual summit itself inviolate in respect of the feelings of the local people for whom the mountain is sacred. While the world knows it as the third highest mountain in the world (8,536m), it inspires tremendous awe and respect among Himalayan climbers as being more difficult and dangerous to climb than Everest. Also unlike Everest, which remains hidden behind its sister peaks Lhotse and Nuptse, this Himalayan giant absolutely dominates the skyline from a hundred miles away.

So when the call came from my friend Sujoy Das of South Col Expeditions that he was putting

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wrought in this once-beautiful valley. The process of glacial retreat had removed the firm ice support at the bottom of these hillsides — with nothing to hold them up, the slopes had simply washed away in the heavy monsoon. next day as we set out from Tallem under an overcast sky, the trail and the forests thankfully reappeared.

Now the going was easier and we climbed steadily through lush forests of oak, magnolias and rhododendron, enjoying the thick silence of the morning. In two days we had not seen another

The

soul other than our small group of seven trekkers and 20 support staff. We were truly all alone in this lost valley of the Zemu Chu as it plunged its way down from the Kanchenjunga massif.

I was to be reminded of our isolation in a most unpleasant way the very next morning. It’s funny how one small problem can escalate into a much bigger disaster; Murphy’s Law at work without a doubt. A freak spillage from my platypus had wet my sleeping bag which meant that I had to wait until it dried out. Consequently I started out alone, just a little behind the lead party but ahead of Sujoy and the porters bringing up the rear. Soon I found the well-defined trail climbing up the right

Kangchenjung, the Twins and Nepal Peak from Rest Camp

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bank of a stream that was tumbling down towards the Zemu Chu and followed it up, thinking I would soon come to the bridge.

An hour’s hard climb later, there was no sign of the bridge or of anyone either in front of or behind me on the trail. Worse still, the trail had now begun to bend away from the stream ! There was a sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach as I realised that I was well and truly lost in that lonely and deep valley. Trying to quell the panic that I felt rising in me, I called out for help repeatedly but the deep forest answered nothing back. It was a horrible feeling.

I decided that the best policy was to stay put in

one place and wait. The minutes dragged by interminably and I was overwhelmed by emotions of utter loneliness and despair. Every now and then I stood up to call again and again but there was nothing. Finally I heard a distant answering whistle — I have never been so happy to hear a human sound in my life ! Soon I could see the bobbing head of Benod, our liaison officer moving rapidly up the trail below me. An adrenaline rush of relief replaced the panic — I was saved and it felt unimaginably good.

As we proceeded up the valley under the towering peaks of the Lama Ongdin range, more evidence of climate change became apparent.

Climbing a chimney in the landslide section between Zema and Jakthang; crossing a temporary log bridge near Tallem across the Zemu Chu

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Autumn foliage in the forests near Jakthang

The rhododendron cover, which was confined to the proximity of the river bed when Sujoy first visited, had now spread its way up the mountain slopes as the weather had warmed. The Zemu glacier, which drains the east side of Kanchenjunga, had retreated 860 metres in the period 1909-2005 and the snout had moved much further upstream from its location in 1987 at our acclimatisation halt of Yabuk. Given its considerable length (26 km) and the heavy debris cover which insulates it from ablation, the extent of retreat has been relatively slow as glaciers in the Eastern Himalaya go.

North of Yabuk, the trail disappeared again into landslide debris but we became more eager and our pace quickened as glimpses of the great Himalayan giants could now be seen. I could sense their presence just beyond the top of the moraine.

I felt like a privileged guest walking slowly through a giant foyer into the amphitheatre where the main show was about to begin. We were rewarded

by the rare sight of a flock of bharal, the elusive blue Himalayan sheep as, surprised by our unexpected appearance, they scurried up the steep slopes to safety. I marvelled at the incredible agility of these beautiful creatures — only their natural predator, the mythical snow leopard could bring them down. finally reached our night halt of Rest Camp at 4,500 m right opposite the staggeringly beautiful Siniolchu (6,888m) described by Himalayan explorer Douglas Freshfield as the most “superb triumph of mountain architecture in the world.” First climbed by a team led by German mountaineer Paul Bauer in 1936, its fluted spires towered above us in the crystal sky. As my eye travelled right, I could see Little Siniolchu and the ice cream cake of Simvu and finally the magnificent spectacle of Kanchenjunga at the head of the valley.

We

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The next morning we set out for our final destination of Green Lakes, following the alpine meadow on the right side of the giant Zemu glacier moraine. There was no trail anymore and we forded several minor streams of melt water as we wound our way upwards, the dry grass crunching under foot. It was getting windier and colder and the scudding clouds soon hid the mountain panorama. I wished I had worn my down jacket and warmer gloves as we struggled over the interminable plain which stretched away into the distance like the deck of a giant aircraft carrier.

Finally we could see the welcome splash of colour that signified our tents and the end of the line. Just beyond was the ugly mud flat which was all that remained of the magical Green Lakes. And above it another massive landslide had obliterated the route to the high viewing point which Sujoy had climbed up to in 1987. We scrambled up the side of the moraine which we have been following

for the last two days and stared down at the spectacle far below. The Zemu glacier was a surreal sight with huge pools of green water speckled among a twisted landscape of ice and rock debris that stretched downwards as far as the eye could see. The river of ice had dropped 150 feet below its lateral moraines and several small glacial lakes had formed on its surface. It was an awesome though chilling reminder of the irreversible impact of climate change brought home in the most graphic way imaginable.

That night we celebrated the end of our journey with Indian whisky and Swiss chocolates!

Very few people have been privileged to make this special pilgrimage to the very heart of the Kanchenjunga massif. In the light of the full moon with the glistening face of the great mountain soaring a vertical 3,000 m above us, we could so closely feel our utter solitude in this lost valley. All of us fell silent in a moment of prayer and gratitude.

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MARKET MANTRA

D S U

T S E A

Arjun Sagar Gupta

B

NE W T Naresh Madan

Priyank Sukhija

Umang Tewari

Over a decade, the hangout scene has been redefined with the creation of the perfect blend of cuisines and concepts from all over. Those planning to venture into the business may take notes as restaurateurs tell RUPINDER KAUR their stories, inspirations and what makes them the ultimate winners

Riyaaz Amlani

FANCY some simmering pork chops with apricot brandy? In a World War II style bunker or Victorian tea parlour? Or maybe dahi kebab ravioli paired with a fabulously refreshing mimosa? Would churros tossed in sugar and cinnamon satiate that craving you’ve been whining about? And what about that perfect crackling sound when you break into the brittle caramelised layer of a creme brulee? And smoke coming out from your mouth and nose when you bite into a morsel? All this while Nat King Cole croons in his velvety baritone or you get High by the Beach with songstress Lana Del Rey. A quick gaze from your upholstered floral sofas or wine barrel bar stools will transport you to different eras, cities across the world, maybe even into the future. Eating out is a smorgasbord of bitesized travels — temporal, spatial, experiential, real and imagined. It’s your own magic carpet sail. One that is changing the contours of the food and beverage business in the country.

It has been witnessing a mini revolution of sorts with fellow restaurateurs, both established and new, making a mark with their creatives. The industry, by 2018, is expected to grow to $78 billion, according to the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI).

We would’ve quoted the number of restaurants expected to swamp the Delhi/NCR region alone but after a bit of research, let’s just say that number is “colossal.”

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‘EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A RESTAURATEUR’ is the second best thing to do after dreaming of becoming a film star,” says 36-year-old Priyank Sukhija, who is among India’s most successful restaurateurs. “It is a very aspirational job. Even the ones who’ve worked throughout their lives think the best option is to open a nice restaurant or a cafe once they retire, a mix of passion and easy creativity. Almost everyone has that picture in their head as food is the new gettable luxury. Also food gives you the feeling of having acquired an added expertise and a refined hobby,” shares he.

Sukhija comes from a family of lawyers but dyslexia affected his learning abilities and he couldn’t follow suit.

Being a “foodie” helped and he entered the restaurant business in 1999 with his first venture Lazeez Affaire. The entrepreneur currently owns 20 restaurants in Delhi/NCR including Fork You, Out of the Box, Boombox, Fat Ninja, Tamasha with “eight or nine in the making.” He rightly points out that people are eating out more. “Earlier, it was restricted to events such as anniversaries or birthdays.

Now it is everybody’s hangout experience after a hard day at work.”

The most brainy restaurants are loaded with ideas,

“IT

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concepts and execution skills. For Sukhija, it is all about selling and executing ideas followed by running the show.

“I work with HNI (high net worth individual) investors and we don't promise any fixed returns.

Some restaurants do well, while others don't. But that's a risk they're willing to take," Sukhija says, adding that he's not looking for private equity investments. Sukhija’s business model allows him to run restaurants under his own brand Lazeez Affaire, as well as under unique brand names with various investment partners. He, however, maintains the copyrights to all his restaurant names. “In franchised restaurants, I charge a seven per cent fee for the expertise," he said.

The business prospects made many conformist multinationals spill out of their suits and put their hearts out on their sleeve. Delhi boy Arjun Sagar Gupta made a brilliant comeback last year with The Piano Man Jazz Club, which is billed as the city’s first artist-focussed jazz bar. It’s around

noon when we ensconce ourselves in his naturally-lighted Dirty Apron fine dining restaurant on the second floor of his The Piano Man property in Safdarjung Enclave which took him five years to build. Though the 31-year-old studied electronic engineering, he says he entered the food business “unexpectedly” with his bakery called Cake Away in Gurgaon. According to Gupta, the sudden spurt of eateries all over is “not a good thing.”

“It’s nice that people are willing to take risks but many of them are opening restaurants because they have the money. Do it because you want to do it right, do it because you want to differentiate a product and not because it’s cool and you have the money. I’ve been doing everything on my own. It’s difficult because I also have to pay that money back so I have to perform. It’s good pressure. If I did have the money come to me easily, I’d be lazier.

And no business should be just a flash in the pond,” he says.

Witness the vintage English charm at Smoke House Deli in DLF Place Mall, Saket

Mumbai-lad Riyaaz Amlani, CEO and MD, Impresario Handmade Restaurants, rightly tapped into the hangout scene with his Mocha cafe chain and then moved on to a more finer and edgier dining area with Smoke House Deli. Soon a new haunt called Social cropped up in cities pan-India with interesting multipurpose space designs that fascinates via its raw appeal.

He says that youngsters find the business “highly lucrative.” “But I feel any business can be highly profitable if there is a drive for success with hard work and relevant knowledge of it. Another reason could be just like mine — how I feel great after a happy customer leaves my restaurant,” Amlani says.

Naresh Madan, co-owner of Imperfecto and Informal in Hauz Khas Village, shares Sagar’s seriousness. “It’s about creating a brand and not just open a random restaurant. Around five years ago, there was nothing new that the city could offer and choices were plateauing out. There were no concepts at play here. World travels have changed the way we look at life in general and food and drink in particular. Hauz Khas Village was the

first template to introduce few good concepts. It’s not a place where you simply open a restaurant and make money. It’s where you are defining new urban cultures,” says Madan.

Raasta has been one such, creating waves ever since its inception in 2012 as a reggae bar celebrating its legendary hero Bob Marley. Copartner Joy Singh analyses the post-work eating out culture. “There are more nuclear families now where both the husband and the wife have jobs.

There’s not much cooking going on at home and after a hectic day, everyone wants to unwind. But it’s not an easy business as you have to gauge preference patterns and devise a unique personality that addresses the target audience,” he tells us.

Agrees Umang Tewari, the man behind Connaught Place’s popular Junkyard and Vault Cafe. “People in Delhi do have deep pockets to invest. But a restaurant doesn’t only require money, it requires a mammoth investment of effort and research into what the world is eating.

It’s important for us to understand the market and deliver scale while being distinct,” he says.

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Dine at the dhaba-styled Garam Dharam in Connaught Place

CASUAL IS IN why would you walk in? Simply because you just want to sink back on a sofa and be comfortable and not want to be swamped by overt displays of intrusive pleasure.

Jazzman Arjun Gupta, a Fulbright music scholar, has been a pianist for 15 years now and creating a buzz among enthusiasts with an interesting line-up of artists from all over the world. The idea, he says, is to create a seed for exposure where people come in, mingle and get a chance to listen to something they normally won’t in the city. Food is unobtrusive.

“That’s why we don’t have a cover charge and we don’t force anyone to buy anything. We want a wide spectrum to come in. I don’t care if they can afford to buy anything but I care whether they are here for music. It is no longer music on the stage but an experience. People who come in for music create an ambience,” Gupta smiles.

Sukhija believes in the phrase “come as you

SO

are.” Elaborates he, “These places are there for you to chill out.

Everyone wants to tag everyone on Facebook or Instagram and show how they’ve been having a great time. People are more connected these days and want to meet more often. It’s not just a special event or a weekend affair.

So there has to be a everyday ease with maybe a touch of the exotic, ” he says.

No need for an occasion to eat good food, is the phrase Amlani firmly believes in. “Catching up with a friend or unwinding with a couple of drinks at an external surrounding is the new culture of casual dining and drinking. Also, with the industry booming and new concepts coming up at a fast pace; everyone likes to try out new and different places beyond their favourites,” he shares.

Bobbing your head to some soothing Reggae would definitely loosen you up as Singh stresses on being “chillaxed once you enter. It is all about the positive vibe. You come in, forget about a difficult day and enter a different zone altogether.”

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GETTING THE AMBIENCE RIGHT were wondering if Sukhija ever runs out of themes to work with, courtesy his 20 ventures but according to the man, “It just comes.I don’t know how but when I see a place, I know what I’ll name it and how the structure, decor and food will blend. It flows out of me. I guess I have that gift.”

High on wanderlust, Sukhija allows his trips across the world to inspire him. His keen eye for detail and a toss-up of elements from places he visits has, in a way, given a facelift to the city with each restaurant offering something new.

Gupta’s Jazz Club, with its raw brick wall that has names of icons like Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong inscribed on them, a chandelier of 58 trumpets and a wooden stage with a piano is reminiscent of a jazz bar in the city of New Orleans.

For him, music matters and can help humanise a space. “To create the right atmosphere, music is very important. Many restaurants don’t understand that. I curate the music here and have a giant playlist which I set for each floor independently. If a bulk of clientele comes during the day, then I’d have a different music focus. Something as simple as the right kind of music makes a space warmer and more approachable,” he tells us.

Singh calls every restaurant an “experience”.

“Every concept is different and one needs to look at the entire package that includes the grub, music and

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Junkyard Cafe in Connaught Place

services being provided. Presenting all of it uniquely should be the forte.”

According to Amlani, “The concepts are a response to changing consumer patterns. Mocha was actually a response to a time when there was no place for people to hangout. Social is a response to the need of office space by the young creatives and entrepreneurs in a cool casual café format.”

CLINK AWAY the best mixologists to create the most sinfully intoxicating concoctions will definitely get the crowd raving about the joint.

But keeping it simple will also do the trick because

GETTING

yes booze sells, in whatever form. Sell it by the original price, slash it, follow the stock exchange method, keep it neat or get shaking with that cocktail mixer — it will sell. “Cheap alcohol rules.

We serve very reasonable alcohol and I’ve made my places pocket-friendly,” Sukhija points out.

But Gupta seems a bit displeased with the scenario as he says that most of the restaurants are like “watering holes.” He insists on a carefully worked out balance. “If your only USP is cheap alcohol, then I don’t understand why there is a need for that restaurant to exist. You have nothing that creates loyalty in customers. I also don’t believe in bling or other random hooks. It’s about creating a quality product,” he emphasises.

ON YOUR PLATE well-worded menu and a beautifully presented dish can excite anyone. One can garner a great deal of pleasure by just thinking about food, said Oprah’s bestie Gayle King and we heartily concur.

Dipping in crisp pita in a bowl of delish hummus garnished with fresh parsley or treating your tastebuds to crazy fusion food like kadhai paneer nachos, classic keema mattar tossed in spaghetti or a Madras curry risotto, can certainly bring in joy and new flavours. From authentic European to global fusion, it’s your pick and it’s all available.

Creating a menu is an important and an exciting endeavour that owners and chefs take on.

It would define a restaurant. Ergo, there can be no room for error. “When we plan a menu, we are very particular. I go through everything myself.

Even if my chefs tell me that this dish has to be on the menu and if it doesn’t work with my taste buds then no. They have much-evolved taste buds but I am a Delhi boy. I do have a slightly more sensitive palate now after years in the business but if I can’t enjoy it, then it will probably not work for a large segment,” says Gupta. His team started with over 100 dishes but selected around 40 dishes.

He has even attempted marrying Pan-Asian and European cuisine. Dirty Apron’s Thai curry and pumpkin gorgonzola ravioli sounds as

A

Time for some Tamasha in your life

ravishing as its rich flavour. Gupta tells us that his outlet rolls its own ravioli and uses Thai red curry instead of the gorgonzola sauce. The Thai curry marinated grilled lamb chops served with miso mashed potatoes and Asian pesto are a hit too.

Comfort food, no matter what the fusion, has settled in the hearts of Dilliwallahs to such an extent that many are unwilling to go the authentic way. The restaurants, too, believe in playing safe though a section of most of the menus would often tread the widely known yet the unfamiliar territories (for the city folks) of gastronomy.

It’s all about going back to school at Odeon Social

Sukhija, who serves popular global cuisines at almost all his ventures, wants the market to change. His menu changes colours and country flags as one flips and reads through dishes from Lebanon like the shish taouk, the Mexicana enchiladas, Japanese prawn tempura and the great American grills. “I would like to do something more authentic but it’s scary since I feel there is no clientele. Italian cuisine is so big here but we only have around five authentic Italian places when there should be hundreds,” he exclaims and adds that he curates the menu himself with his chefs and reads a lot about food, ingredients and plating.

What worked for restaurant man Amlani’s Social chain was quirkiness along textures and lipsmacking flavours. Be it their Awesomosas, A Date with Goan Sausages, Dhingra’s Punjabi Breakfast or a Hangover one, he brought to the table the ultimate champion’s meals. “At Social, we offer comfort food that is

wholesome and satisfying while being presented in a fun out of the box way. This has definitely worked for us.”

Madan stringently believes that good grub is the spine of every restaurant. His corporate chef from Madrid, Nuria Rodriguez agrees that fusion is here to stay. “Indians love too much variety.

Look at the buffets all over. We don’t eat buffet back home in Madrid. I would prefer freshly cooked and served food but here it works differently.” Imperfecto and Informal specialise in Mediterranean and Spanish cuisines but a fusion segment has quietly made its way through. “There was a time when people wanted to try something different but now they stay on the safer side. We give them the option and recommend but it is a bit difficult to convince them.”

Tewari’s ventures also serve global comfort food but he feels that in 2016 there will be more exposure to international cuisine.

“We will be experimenting more.

It is important to have the right balance of both classic and experimental flavours.”

The restaurant business is a forever-evolving saga of new and intriguing concepts with exquisite offerings for your soul to relish or maybe not, you take your pick.

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HOTWHEELS

weather is best described as awesome. The roads?

Wonderful. And the car? Perfect for where we are. The third-generation Mini Convertible is not only the perfect size for these narrow twisty roads but driving with the roof down of such a lovely day is a joy on the winding mountain hill roads overlooking the city of Los Angeles and its suburbs.

Starting from the Line Hotel on Wilshere Boulevard, we drive to Griffith Kushan Mitra Observatory overlooking the vast expanse of Los Angeles and the famous Auto & Hollywood sign. The drive may not be one where you drive the car like an tech expert overage hooligan, but one where you enjoy the spectacular vistas and views afforded by a perfect day in Southern California.

Turning off the famous Sunset Boulevard and onto Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills district, The new third-generation Mini where the million dollar homes of the rich and famous Convertible is a wonderful car to drive of this show-biz city are linked on a wonderful strip of tarmac, the Mini Convertible raises few eyebrows, even but Southern California, where the sun though it is the latest generation model. Because in shining brightly in end-February, is Southern California is “Mini Country;” an odd this car’s natural stomping ground aberration in a country where gigantic pick-up trucks rule the driveway.

BMW engineers had made several changes on the third-generation Mini when they launched the car two years ago. The new Mini is bigger, both wider and longer and came with more efficient small engines. All these changes carried on to the Convertible variant, which in addition also got a new all-electric roof which can operate even when the car is

THE

California dreaming…

moving at 30 km per hour and does so quietly and efficiently. Interestingly, this new Mini Convertible also has a surprisingly large amount of luggage space in its drop-down boot.

But one of the greatest virtues of being a droptop car is the fact that on a day where the sun is shining, and with an empty road as Mulholland Drive, you feel the world is your oyster. Soon it becomes an open expanse of the Mulholland Highway that connects Los Angeles via the mountain roads to Malibu. And as you come down the mountain towards California State Highway 1, the legendary Pacific Coast Highway, the breeze from the Pacific just envelopes you in a way it never can in a regular closed car.

A small detour through the mountains before the

coastal highway on Decker Road opens up with stunning vistas of the ocean and also makes you realise that sometimes the speed limits in America are a bit ridiculous. Then again, when you are in the only car around for miles and with stunning views like these, you really don’t want to drive too fast.

However, if you want to press the pedal down, the Mini responds with aplomb. Then again, this is the Cooper S edition with all the bells and whistles, most important of which is a two-litre turbo-charged petrol engine with 230 horsepower on tap. But convertibles are a fine balancing act, because the car loses the roof structure and the middle (B) and rear (C) pillars, it loses a lot of its rigidity. To counterbalance this, car engineers add extra stiffening to the car floor.

Unfortunately, the additional stiffening makes convertibles suffer on the performance front. Yet, the BMW engineers who worked on the Mini have done a fabulous job, which is why they were confident enough to send us on a twisty road. Sweeping turns while accelerating? Done. Sharp cutbacks while maintaining a proper driving line? Done. The Mini convertible benefits here by being so small because it just makes it so much more fun to drive.

Out here, the Mini seems perfect to drive down for a lovely seafood lunch at The Sunset Restaurant

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on Zuma Beach, Malibu. The surf crashes down on this wonderful stretch of coastline, the ten feet wave attract surfers despite the chilly waters in February. The food, like the car is perfect for the occasion.

The grilled Octopus and Lobster Benedict just set the stage for a wonderful meal of seared Branzino, the produce off the coast of America is just as great as the roads in this part of the country.

Returning to the city on the relatively straight Pacific Coast Highway, the larger American cars, even the ones made in Germany, are usually sold only in “large� in the United States and made the Mini feel positively tiny. Yet, even this small little car is reminiscent of its smaller predecessor in this land of giants. It skips through the traffic, the small engine responds to inputs quickly and gets the car up to speed quickly. Think of Leo Messi dribbling through defenders.

A day like today, the top down on such a wonderful sunny day in a brilliant little car, these are days you thank god for being so fortunate for doing what you do. The perfect car for a perfect day.

The Mini Convertible in India will be quite expensive. Kitted out with options such as the LED lights and the Heads-Up-Display, this convertible variant could cost upwards of `40 lakh. And to be honest, other than a couple of days in a year, the weather in most Indian cities is far too poor to keep a convertible. Los Angeles is considered smoggy, but as recent events have shown, nothing can beat Delhi.

So on most days, driving a convertible, even one as peppy and responsive as this little car, is pointless in India. But for those few days, this car will make you feel great. Great in a way that no other car can.

And of course, if you find yourself in Southern California, go drive the new Mini Convertible and you will probably be sold on this car. And the concept of a topless one at that!

SKINDEEP JAMUNA PAI is India’s leading celebrity cosmetologist, author, educator, Miss India skin and hair consultant and founder of Blush Clinics

Sail through Evolve a skincare routine after a careful analysis of internal and external factors.

Junk the shop shelf attitude

THE

growing importance of younger looking skin is on the rise with a mass variety of anti-ageing products available in the market.

Rather than running after every new product available over the counter, it is best to analyse your internal and external factors. The internal factors are lack of moisture retention in the skin, the reduced turnover of new skin cells and lessened elastin production. The external factors are mostly environmental combined with improper diet and no exercise.

A must and a constant for all age groups is the religious application of a broad spectrum sunscreen. Irrespective of the skin type and the

climatic conditions, it is imperative to protect one’s skin against the damage caused by free radicals and the UV rays.

In the 20s, besides the sunscreen, one can follow the routine of using a mild scrub once a week as it helps to exfoliate the accumulated dead skin cells.

In the 30s, you can expect the skin to lose its natural oil balance and turn dry. A dry skin always shows early signs of fine lines. In this age group, maintaining the skin pH should be the prime goal.

You should make a conscious effort to use a rich hydrating agent daily to help combat this dryness.

As you step in the 40s and beyond, the milder signs of ageing start showing up rapidly. It is extremely important to be more regular with the topical repair agent at night under the moisturising cream which was used until now. In the day, it is about defence and the night is about attack. It may not be able to erase all the lines but will slowly and surely delay the wrinkles from coming up.

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the decades Treatment options and regime While in their mid-20s, women need a good maintenance regime for a healthy glowing skin unless they are facing problems such as acne, oily skin hairfall and dandruff which are fairly common. This is the age group where one is susceptible to fall prey to certain lifestyle habits such as irregular food habits, lack of exercise, irregular sleeping pattern and so on. It is important to counteract the damages done due to these by eating right, sleeping for at least seven hours and consuming a minimum of two litres of water daily.

The late 20s of today are considered as the 30s of a decade ago.

This is the best time that women should start using a mild repair agent such as tretinoin or retinol on their skin at night.

For a skin prone to acne, a cleanup done once every four-six weeks helps in exfoliating the dead cells, but is best done under an antibiotic cover after having consulted an experienced doctor.

For normal to dry skin, a facial once a month helps in hydrating the skin. Also the face massage included in a facial helps in improving the blood circulation to the skin and rejuvenating it.

If plagued with excess facial or body hair, many women in this age group seek permanent hair reduction procedure done with laser.

20-30

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For women in their 30s, skin care is less about correction and more of prevention as this is a time when not only your skin but even the body goes through a lot of changes.

In the 30s, the skin does not repair as fast as it did in the 20s. The rate at which the new skin cells are produced slows down and the activity of the oil glands also decreases. As a result the skin starts to look dull, patchy, dry and the fine lines and wrinkles start appearing early. Botox can be done for such cases depending on the genetic makeup and severity of the lines.

There are various chemical peels which are done to brighten the skin, lessen the pigmented spots and acne scars and rejuvenate the skin. These peels again should be done after a proper skin analysis and under medical supervision.

30-40

For women in their 40s, it is time to reverse the signs of ageing. The fine lines noticed earlier become more intense, there is volume loss on the face associated with loose skin and a loss of elasticity. Here one needs to go for treatments which are specific for the indications that bother you. Skin-firming treatments along with botox and fillers can help erase signs of ageing in a very subtle way.

Procedures like botox and dermal fillers are very good procedures to correct facial lines, wrinkles and also for erasing static facial lines. If done by an experienced and qualified doctor, these can help lift off as much as seven years off from your face.

Anti-ageing treatment like Thermage is another non-surgical option to get a much tighter, firmer and younger looking skin.

This thickens the collagen, thereby plumping up the skin.

40 PLUS

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S P O R T TA L K

RAJIV YADAV, Secretary, Department of Sports, shares his views on the recently wrapped up South Asian Games held in Guwahati and Shillong

HIGH ACHIEVERS India was crowned the overall champion of the South Asian Games 2016 with a record-breaking 308 medals.

Did you offer incentives to our sportspersons for their excellent performance?

Yes, we are indeed proud of the achievements of our sportspersons who bagged 308 medals out of which 188 were gold. For the first time, the percentage of gold medals won is really high. This clearly shows that they are not only physically fit in achieving their goals but have also crossed their mental barrier. The Government is considering a cash prize of `3 lakh for Gold medal winners, `2 lakh for Silver medal winners and `1 lakh for Bronze medal winners.

Since the South Asian Games were held in Shillong and Guwahati, what measures did the Ministry take to promote local tourism and engage locals?

Holding the event in Shillong and Guwahati was a challenge as well as an opportunity in many ways. It was an opportunity as we could showcase these two beautiful cities of India to entire South Asia. This event increased the interest of people of northeast. That was the biggest outcome and the visitors, too, were surprised because they did not expect these towns or cities to be so well developed.

Taking up sports nowadays is not much of a hobby like it used to be before. How is the Ministry encouraging the youth to opt it as a viable career option?

The South Asian Games follow the Olympic Games format.

The commercial sports leagues also have a major role to play as they popularise sports in their own way and pay athletes better. It’s the best time to take up sports as a career as state governments are vying to increase the cash awards for medal winners.

Building state-of-the-art sporting and city infrastructure for organising such games is the most crucial task.

Please elaborate.

Yes, it was a little difficult but Guwahati has hosted National games in 2008. Basically, the infrastructure was in place but had not been utilised for quite some time. We had to re-do the

infrastructure and bring it to the international level. We got remarkable cooperation from the governments of Assam and Meghalaya. Due to our combined efforts, it was possible for us to build a squash court and hold the competition within 100 days and that is a record.

It was gladdening to see an increase in women's participation in the Games.

How do you plan to encourage more women to enter the sports arena?

This time, the South Asian Games were gender-neutral because there was no such event where women did not participate. We had a total of 22 sporting events where both men and women took part. We had a good number of women participants even from Afghanistan.

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ACE PERFORMERS

The biggest international multi-sporting extravaganza, the 12th South Asian Games, were a hit in the North-eastern region

Opening Ceremony of SAG

THE PERFECT GAME the event, 'Tikhor', was unveiled on December 13, 2015, in Guwahati. The unveiling function was graced by Shri Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Youth Affairs and Sports, and Shri Zenith Sangma, Sports Minister of Meghalaya.

The event has been widely hailed as the best South Asian Games ever organised. It involved about 4,500 participants including around 2,600 athletes in 22 disciplines. All eight countries participated in the 12-day sporting extravaganza. of its kind sporting event was held in two of the most vibrant cities in the north east, Guwahati and Shillong. The participating nations included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Altogether 1,505 men and 1,167 women athletes battled it out against each other in 22 sporting disciplines, namely archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, football, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, kho kho, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.

Both the host states did their best to make this sport extravaganza a grand success. The mascot for

A FIRST

TWO STATES most remarkable thing about these Games was the record time in which they were executed. It was barely six months ago when the two cities, Guwahati and Shillong, were finalised as venues. Games of this scale generally take at least two years to execute if not more. Initially, there was scepticism about the capacity of Guwahati and Shillong to host the Games. Infrastructure required significant upgradation in a short time. There was also apprehension about the availability of suitable accommodation. However, the Chairman of the Organising Committee and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal, was confident that the

THE

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Culture event during Opening Ceremony Games could be successfully held with the support and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He played a big role in bringing various Ministries/ departments public sector undertakings, state governments of Assam and Meghalaya and other key players together to deliver the best ever South Asian Games. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma extended full support and worked in tandem.

Guwahati is the largest city in Assam and is often known as the Gateway of the North East. It was the one of the two host cities for the 12th South Asian Games and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies with 16 sports disciplines across 11 venues. Also it is well connected and has an international airport that has connectivity to major metros and other cities around India. Apart from this, Guwahati has hosted the National Games in 2008 with 32 disciplines and participation of over 10,500 athletes. Shillong, the capital and hill station of Meghalaya, also known as "The Abode of Clouds", was the second host city.

RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE the first time in Indian sporting history, 40 per cent of all medals were won by the host country. This could happen because of sustained efforts by the Government to boost sporting excellence through expansion of related infrastructure and support programmes for various disciplines.

This has not only set a benchmark for conducting of future games but has also given an astounding boost to the confidence of the North Eastern region to host much bigger international sporting events in future.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gogoi, who was also the Chief Guest, said, “All the stake holders worked real hard to make the games a grand success.�

FOR

(Top to bottom) Minister Sarbananda Sonowal; women boxers and Tarundeep Rai won gold medal in Archery

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INJETI SRINIVAS, Director General, Sports Authority of India (SAI), shares his view on South Asian Games

GRAND SUCCESS THE 12th South Asian Games (SAG) have in many ways redefined the way in which major multi-sport events are to be conducted in the country. Injeti Srinivas, Director General, Sports Authority of India, who was also the CEO of the 12th SAG explained how these games, in which Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives participated in full strength, have demolished the usual belief that big sporting events can only be held in mega cities. He says, “The fact that these games were held in Guwahati and Shillong prove that in future big sporting events can be held in any city possessing reasonable infrastructure.”

The second achievement was demolition of the much believed perception that the North East is unsafe for hosting big events. He added, “There was unprecedented appreciation from every participant, particularly from Chef de Mission of Pakistan contingent, Islahuddin, about the security arrangements during the games”. “Although the security arrangements were tight, but still unobtrusive and friendly”, he added.

The third major challenge, was of not having a games village. Srinivas stated, “Typically mega games require a games village where all athletes and officials stay together, which makes transport, dining, medical care and other arrangements manageable. Even during National Games in Kerala, Delhi Commonwealth Games or the 1982 Delhi Asian Games, all had games

village unlike the 12th SAG where we had to accommodate over 5,000 athletes and officials in over 160 hotels spread across two cities; it posed an unprecedented logistical challenge that was overcome with hard work and use of GPS technology.”

According to him what made things worse was that teams had to be accommodated country wise, which increased transport planning facilitating the connectivity. The games were also novel when it came to gender parity.

On the games budget, Srinivas, clarified that the total expenses on the technical conduct of the 12th SAG, including opening and closing ceremonies, excluding hotel accommodation was just around `65 crore, as compared to over `2,400 crore in the Commonwealth Games even though there were 23 sport disciplines as compared to 17 in Commonwealth Games. He pointed out, “Intensive planning despite a highly demanding lead time of four months as against a minimum of two years required for such events made it possible. As such the economics of holding games in India have been changed forever and created a new benchmark.”

There is always a controversy on who should conduct the games, what should be the architecture and composition of the organising committee. “This isn’t something peculiar to India but applies across the world. A well calibrated structure has been evolved for the 12th SAG with clear role delineation across all stakeholders be it the Government, the National Olympic Committee or host state (s),which has come to stay”, he said. “It’s not enough to celebrate the success of 12th SAG, but we need to make it a game changer for sport development in the country, especially the North Eastern region, which is undoubtedly the powerhouse of Indian Sports,” he concluded.

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T R A N Q U I L E S C A PA D E S

THE EASTERN EDGE Nestled between Brahmaputra River and Shillong plateau, Guwahati is home to some of Indian major tourist attractions seems like the elders in the society can never be wrong. They once named Guwahati Pragjyotishpur (Light of the East) and we believe that Guwahati has lived up to this title. It is the largest cosmopolitan city in the region and is often referred to as the Gateway of North East India as well.

Kamakhya is located on a hill: Assam traditionally has been known as the ‘Kamarupa Desa’ and has been associated with Tantric practices and Shakti worship. The goddess, residing on the Kamagiri hill is known as ‘Kamakhya’, the granter of desires.

Kaziranga National Park: A world heritage site, it is home to the single-horned rhinoceros. It also boasts of the highest density of tigers among the protected areas in the world and was declared a reserve in 2006. The park has a large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer.

Dipor Bil or Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary: It is

IT

situated in the south-west of Guwahati city in Kamrup district. The DBWS is covered by wetlands around a former channel of the Brahmaputra River. Faunal species found in the sanctuary include wild Asian elephants, barking deer and Chinese porcupine among others.

Assam state Museum: Housed in an imposing colonial era building, this museum has a large collection of sculpture with the upper floors being devoted to informative tribal culture displays. You can also walk through reconstructed tribal homes in the anthropological galleries for a glimpse into everyday rural life.

Umananda Temple: The temple complex sits on a small forested river island, accessed by a 15-minute ride on a ferry from Kachari Ghat, which offers attractive afternoon river views. Many visitors feel the Shiva temple, which sits atop the island, is less interesting than the boat ride to it.

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NATURE BOUND Often termed as ‘Scotland of the east’, Shillong hides many secrets under its quaint charm

Shillong: One can enjoy the spectacular bird’seye-view of the city from Shillong peak, which is the highest point in Meghalaya. This has also served as the capital of Assam before the formation of Meghalaya in 1974. From information on beautiful lakes and waterfalls set in pine forests and green mountains to going back to the history of several churches, the place will keep you busy.

Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures: This well-maintained museum is a fabulous repository of innumerable tribal artefacts interspersed with galleries on Christian missionary work. Sights in the sevenstorey museum include tribal basketry, musical instruments, weapons, objects of daily life, costumes and jewellery, along with plenty of photographic documentation. A food gallery is to be added soon.

Ward’s Lake: The central landscaping element of colonial-era Shillong, this attractive lake has a pretty ornamental bridge, flower beds, coy courting couples, boating facilities and gaggles of geese. Walk 15 minutes northeast of the lake to visit the rolling meadows of Shillong Golf Course bordered by pine trees and fronted by a pretty clubhouse.

Wankhar Entomology Museum: The memorably named Wankhar Entomology Museum is a remarkable one-room display of pinned butterflies, gruesome rhinoceros beetles and incredible stickinsects in the home of the original collector.

Angling at Dawki: The scenic lake of Umiam houses enormous species of rare and common fishes that are found swimming with lively colours.

It is known as an anglers’ paradise.

Visiting Asia’s Cleanest Village: From Mawlynnong to Living Cliff Bridge, the trek passes through thick forests and is quite an uneasy trail. After reaching the destination, one can meet with nature’s best wonder. There’s the Umterming waterfall which gushes down to a bottomless ravine.

Exploring the caves: Limestone caves are ideal for adventure and thrill. Krem Mawsmai, Krem Mamluh, and Krem Umshyrpi are some of the popular and longest caves holding dark secrets within.

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NEW HORIZONS played a pivotal role at Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Pavilion at the recently wrapped up ‘Make in India’ week held in Mumbai. The company secretaries helped stakeholders with their business outfits and were consulted by angel investors, joint venture partners, investors from abroad on varied subjects like Companies Act, FEMA, among others.

They also provided information to foreign nationals, who showed keen interest in setting up business in India.

Expressing her views on the same she said, “It was a matter of pride as the senior company secretaries provided the services at zero professional fee.” She also mentioned that MCA has taken bold initiatives to service its stakeholders, the recent one being the central registry system for name approvals at Maneswar. The company secretary is the ‘professional’ who is responsible for beginning the startup business in terms of incorporation and taking it to the next level.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India’s (ICSI) CS course equips members with knowledge of laws and prepares them for the role of business managers. According to Binani a CS is the conscience keeper of a particular company. “We are the head, heart and soul of a company and are really crucial for its core functioning," she said.

The Institute has a very robust mechanism to continuously provide capacity building workshops and programmes which further hones the skills of its students. “I have to constantly keep my syllabus updated as to create better and more avenues for my students,” she added.

Talking about her future plans she said, “Our first and foremost agenda is to take the ICSI brand to a new high. Team ICSI will be dedicated towards it and this sensitisation will surely enable creating more opportunities for members and inculcate a sense of humongous pride in the minds of students and members.”

At ICSI, they are also trying to rev-up the dream of ‘Start Up-Stand Up CS’ and the endeavour would be to burn the entrepreneurial fire in their professionals.

They also plan to ensure seamless flow of information and effective monitoring through their digital platform. “We plan to open our offices in smart cities. We recently opened one in Amravati which was inaugurated by Chandrababu Naidu. We want to tap the talent from the two tier cities as well,” said Binani.

ICSI The newly elected president of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) MAMTA BINANI has begun her role with a new zeal and an inspired vigour to scale new meaningful heights of excellence and rectitude in diverse ways

PM Narendra Modi seen with Mamta Binani and secretary MCA Mr Tapan Ray at MCA pavilion at ‘Make in India’ week in Mumbai

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T R I B A L B E AT S

The most primitive tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands live a self-contained life, discouraging outsiders and developing a unique culture of their own

islands are home to four Negrito and two Mongoloid tribes. Those belonging to Negrito roots — the Great Andamanese, the Onge, the Jarawas and the Sentinelese — are still hunters and gatherers.

The Mongoloid origin Nicobarese have accepted the challenge of change and have prospered and multiplied. The members of the other Mongoloid community, the Shompen, still shy away from outsiders.

The Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese and Great Andamanese are thought to have travelled to the Andaman Islands from far-fetched Africa up to 60,000 years ago. The Negritos and Mongoloids have been in the islands.

THE

ONGE: This primitive tribe descended from the Negrito racial stock, which includes people with features such as dark skin and woolly hair. It is mainly restricted to certain areas in the Dugong Creek and South Bay on the Little Andaman Island. These tribes are seminomadic and continue to live in seclusion. Originally, they found their sustenance from the forest, living mainly on fish, turtle and other aquatic animals, as well as roots and jackfruits.

The Onges are good artisans who are skilled with their hands. They are experts in fashioning sturdy canoes.

However, contact with the modern world is causing them to slowly forget these indigenous skills. Besides, they have a very low reproduction rate. As a result of all this, the future of the tribe is quite uncertain.

The primitive Onge tribe considers remarriage a taboo but has for the first time agreed to change its custom.

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SENTINELESE: The isolated tribe lives on the Sentinel Island. It is one of the world's last stone age people. Members are strongly independent and remain hostile to any attempts to maintain friendly contact with them. They have always lived in isolation and follow customs and manners that are completely free from any external influence. They are thought to be part of the Onge and Jarawa tribes, which got separated and developed their own distinct identity.

Sometimes they accept gifts laid out for them. While they resemble the Jarawas and the Onges, they are comparatively taller. Because of the difficulty in approaching them, neither their exact numbers nor their habits are known. They are also believed to be the last preNeolithic tribe in the world to remain isolated and appear to have survived the 2004 Asian Tsunami.

NICOBARESE: They are mainly horticulturists and pig-herders inhabiting large permanent villages close to the sea shore. They are not divisible into tribes but there are distinctions, chiefly territorial.

Nicobarese families are patriarchal and as a rule live jointly. This joint family is known as Tuhet. There is no individual ownership as the Tuhet owns land, coconut and pigs. Love marriage is very common and the age of marriage is sufficiently high.

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SHOMPEN: This is one of the “most isolated and poorly understood” contemporary hunter and gatherer tribes that inhabits the Nicobar Islands.

Groups live in about 12 habitations made of bamboo and leaf thatch. The government has initiated efforts for the protection of this fast-depleting primitive tribe in the Nicobar islands and proposed granting it the status of “unique human heritage” of the country.

They are mainly huntergatherers of Mongoloid stock—a race descended from or having physical resemblance to people originating in central and eastern Asia. The Shompens also comprise a smaller group called the Mawa Shompems. Earlier, the Shompens shunned any outside contact though now they have gradually become more relaxed and friendly towards outsiders.

The past 150 years have seen the tribals become a victim of exploitation, first by the British and later, by the local administration, by its lackadaisical approach to their welfare. Slowly and silently, the government's efforts to bring the tribals to the mainstream have only resulted in their numbers falling each passing year.

The government's efforts over many decades to “tame and civilise the tribals and bring them into the mainstream“ have hurt them forcing a relook at policy.

Experts say the tribals in the archipelago have been on the wrong side of most of the development plans drawn for the region so far. The government now hopes its proposed tourism plan fuels development in the region.

B O N V O YA G E

GLOBAL The Airports Authority of India has been upgrading its infrastructure in line with worldwide trends.

By TEAM EXOTICA Jaipur Airport is the world’s No. 1 airport in the category of 2 to 5 million passengers per year, according to the ACI ASQ Survey the last decade, India has witnessed unprecedented growth of passenger by three times, from 59 million in 2004-05 to 188 million in 2014-15, with an annual growth rate of 12 per cent.

The Airports Authority of India has successfully managed to keep its pace in bridging the gap between the demand and the available capacity ratio in the airport and Air Navigation Services (ANS) infrastructure which has been upgraded in line with global trends.

The passenger handling capacity has increased three-fold from 72 million in 2006 to 220 million in 2013-14. The AAI is improving continuously and building more sustainable infrastructure by adopting software solutions to improve passenger experience and comfort.

OVER

Cargo management at airports cargo is integral to the growth of the nation and AAI has been pioneering the development of international cargo operations at various metro and non-metro airports. The Civil Aviation Ministry has taken note of these efforts and is, in fact, considering developing multiple cargo hubs in the country.

The AAI is set to develop the domestic air cargo network and has initiated the process for developing 24 such domestic airports for Common User Domestic Cargo Terminal.

AIR

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BEST SERVICE PROVIDER persistent efforts to improve the services and passenger facilities at its airports have placed it among the best service providers in the world. Its four airports are among the top five airports in the category of 2 to 5 million passengers per annum across the world which include Jaipur and Lucknow. Jaipur airport has also been rated as the best airport by “Regions & Size” in the Asia Pacific Region in the same category. AAI's Goa and Thiruvananthapuram airports are at fourth and fifth positions in the same category. In the category of two million passengers per annum, AAI’s Srinagar airport has been rated as the second best airport in the world. All the 11 airports, where ACI’s ASQ survey was carried out, AAI’s had a rating above the world average, i.e. 4.13 on a scale of 5.

AAI’s

TAKEOFF Lucknow Airport has been rated the world’s second Best Airport in the category of 2 to 5 million passengers per year according to the ACI ASQ Survey The AAI is working on international air cargo operations in Tier II cities with catchment areas to facilitate cargo movement at the doorstep of customers.

AAI’s CSR & Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiatives Airports Authority of India has a unique way of implementing CSR activities by involving communities surrounding its areas of operations and working towards an all-round integration.

The AAI identified 765 schools in 37 districts of the country where toilets are needed. It is using its inhouse engineers to build and maintain them for two years. Six airports such as Rajkot, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Udaipur, Kolkata and Porbandar will be constructing the first batch of toilets.

Following the adage “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”, the AAI has launched the Clean Airport campaign. It installed garbage bins at all its airports, ensured proper parking of vehicles, proper maintenance of sewage line and repaired all the faulty taps and coolers so that water could be saved and vector diseases like malaria and dengue could be contained.

THE

NORTH-EAST REGION CONNECTIVITY Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG] have resulted in a quantum jump so far as the air traffic in the northeastern states is concerned. Efforts towards development of airport infrastructure and improving connectivity in the region are an ongoing process. Under the current plan, the AAI hopes to have airports in the capital cities of all the northeastern states and connect them with Guwahati as an inter-regional hub.

THE

Fly safe AAI has excelled itself by introducing a state-of-the-art automation system that has been operating in Kolkata airport since August 2014. As far as the Satellite Based Navigation System (SBNS) is concerned, GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) — jointly developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) — has been operational since February 14, 2014. GAGAN is the fourth system in the world and the first to be functional in the equatorial region. Suitably equipped aircraft will derive maximum benefits in terms of direct routings resulting in reduced fuel burns, aircraft emissions and increased operational efficiency that satellite navigation offers through its positional accuracy.

THE

Smooth flow the demand and capacity in air traffic flow management is a challenging task. The initial phase of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) is expected to take off shortly, making India one of the few Air Navigation Services Providers (ANSP) in the world. It was a proud moment for the country when the AAI won prestigious awards consecutively for these services. It was a double whammy in 2013 when it won two ATC Global Awards followed by the Air Navigation Service Janes ATC Award in 2014. The AAI, in 2015, bagged the Golden Peacock Innovative Product/Service Award for Technology Upgradation for World Class Air Traffic Control.

BALANCING

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INCREASED CONNECTIVITY has developed more than 60 airports in metro and non-metro cities. With terminals at Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Bhatinda, Kadappa, Puducherry, Jalgaon and Rajahmundary, it has been able to promote the government’s policy for regional and remote area connectivity.

Further, it has upgradation projects worth `2,700 crore, which include Chandigarh, Jaipur, Krishangarh, Khajuraho, Jammu, Tezu, Pakyong, Portblair, Goa, Vadodara, Tirupati, Hubli and Belgaum.

AAI

Greater partnership initiatives new initiatives are being taken up by the management for increasing the nonaeronautical revenue, including city-side development at all airports. The AAI is actively engaged with state governments to develop greenfield or brownfield airports on a SPV model in which the latter are also stakeholders. The AAI is now working on a revenue model to make them economically viable and sustainable. The authority is already tapping agencies for capacity enhancement and meeting the challenges of city-side development.

IMPROVED SAFETY

MANY

Communication -link services allowing departure clearances and disseminating Met information directly to the cockpit have been completed at Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad airports. This facilitates controllers deliver the clearances directly to cockpit printers, saving time, avoiding human errors, enhancing safety, and improving operational efficiency.

DATA

ATM automation AAI has implemented ATM automation systems at 38 airports (in addition to Metro airports) providing the controllers with advanced safety nets, tools and safety features.

THE

entire continental airspace has been covered with radar coverage through 13 locations. Further, Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radars (MSSR) have been installed and are running at nine more sites. The sensor data from these radars have been integrated into the concerned automation systems, providing overlapping and enhanced surveillance and contributing to safety of aircraft operations.

The aircraft will get User Preferred Flight profile and direct routing, thereby resulting in fuel savings and reduced emission, in addition to improved on-time performance.

THE

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BLITHESPIRIT Magandeep Singh Sommelier

EVER since the creation of beverages, man has been equally dedicated to the notion of creative vessels to hold his drink. From simple coconut shells to ornate cups in precious metals encrusted with rare gemstones to handmade mouth-blown crystal glassware with 99+ per cent clarity, we have certainly come a long way. While aesthetic has played a very important role in this evolution in the last few decades, functionality, too, has found prominence as an algorithm to dictate form and features.

While it is certain that our forefathers and their

Pouring wine out of jugs that are otherwise meant for breakfast juices will be a terrible experience for our guests. Here is a quick reckoner on what glassware to use when

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forefathers knew exactly why they chose a certain shape or metal to be a suitable receptacle, their understanding was confined by the limitations of scientific advancement of their respective times. Today, we know a lot more — maybe too much even — and as a result the race to achieve the perfect chalice in the perfect material is almost never-ending.

Every drink has a prescribed glass and it is best to stick to it. Cocktails that come in a widebrimmed glass are meant so for a reason, to deliver the drink to the sides where acidity will appear heightened on the tongue. Similarly, white and red wine glasses are narrow and small or

big and wide to allow the aromas to express themselves.

In fact, with wine, glassmakers go a step ahead and forge different shapes for different grape varieties — they even differentiate between young and old wines. But since it is impossible to reserve half your house to just stock glasses, safe counsel is to choose two sizes and keep ample stock of each shape.

Sparkling wine can be served in white wine glasses in case one doesn't have enough of the tulip-shaped stemware.

Decanters for whiskies: The ones with cut-glass decoration and a heavy top are usually meant for spirits i.e. whiskies, brandies, rums and such. These also have thick walls to make them stronger as whatever they hold won’t be simply consumed in the course of one — or a few — evenings.

Decanters for wines are lighter, made of thinner glass and usually don't have stoppers. That said, wine decanters are of two types, those that have a narrow neck (to reduce contact with air) and those with a wide mouth (to increase aeration). The former are best for old wines when they are being decanted to remove sediment. Such wines are not to be allowed long contact with air for risk of quick deterioration and hence the narrow neck helps.

These may sometimes have a stopper included to seal the wine for the short period it lies in the decanter after being poured and before being served.

Carafes: Young wines have no deposits and, contrarily, need plenty of air to open up the aromas. Hence a wider mouth is preferable and these decanters are also called carafes. While decanting is a slow process, carafing is done vigorously to allow as much frothing as possible to help incorporate air. Have one of each type and you should be fine.

Wine decanters are etching-free because vinos like to see their elixir unadulterated. Spirit imbibers, by contrast, are somehow less fussy even though aged spirits are equally merited in the robe-department.

Maintenance: Nothing about using a decanter is tougher than the cleaning of it and the subsequent drying. There are various contraptions available in the market to ensure your glass remains stain-free. And while drying, it is best to suspend upside down on a steel stand which will ensure no odour remains behind once the decanter is dry. Put away immediately; best to wrap in thin paper before storing in a box. Else, let it stand free in a cupboard that is dedicated to glasses and free from alien smells.

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GURUSPEAK Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Spiritual Guru

Hues of

celebration

When your emotions are a fountain of vibrant colours, your life turns into a celebration where you give yourself away to love and peace is a festival of colours.

This whole world is so colourful. Just like nature there are different colours associated with our feelings and emotions: anger with red, jealousy with green, vibrancy and happiness with yellow, love with pink, vastness with blue, peace with white, sacrifice with saffron and knowledge with violet. Each person is a fountain of colours which keeps changing.

The Puranas are full of colourful illustrations and stories and there is one related to Holi. Asura King, Hiranyakashyap, wanted everyone to worship him. But his son Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Narayana, the King's sworn enemy. Angry,

HOLI

the King wanted Holika, his sister, to get rid of Prahlad. Empowered to withstand fire, Holika sat on a burning pyre holding Prahlad in her lap.

But it was Holika who was burnt; Prahlad came out unharmed.

Prahlad embodies innocence, faith and bliss.

The spirit cannot be confined to love, only matter.

Hiranyakashyap wanted all joy to come from the material world. It did not happen that way. Love is not an emotion, it is our very existence. The individual jivatma cannot be bound to the material forever. It's natural to eventually move towards Narayana, one's higher self. Holika symbolises past burdens that try to burn Prahlad's innocence. But Prahlad, so deeply rooted in Narayana bhakti, could

burn all past impressions (sanskaras). For one who is deep in bhakti, joy springs up with new colours and life becomes a celebration.

Your emotions, like fire, burn you. But when they are a fountain of colours, add charm to your life. The self is like the space inside and outside the body — the space that rules your life, the space from which all thoughts and emotions emerge, of which you are, simply, a puppet. There may be rules, but when your emotions rise high, you become a victim of your own emotions. The difficulty with human beings is that we seldom take time to look at our own emotions, thought patterns and at what's happened inside. We act before thinking and resolving our feelings.

Thoughts and emotions would come and go, but when you go inside there is only empty space. And that is our true nature. When we identify ourselves too much with thoughts, feelings and emotions, that is when we feel we are stuck and are small.

But, the ‘real, magnanimous you’ is that space inside where you feel completely at peace or in love. In ignorance, emotions are a bother; in knowledge, the same emotions add colour.

One legend talks about the time when Parvati was in tapasya and Shiva was in samadhi. In facilitating the divine union of the two, Kamadeva, the Lord of Love, gets burnt to ashes

by Shiva. Shiva had to come out of samadhi to join Parvati, ‘Parva’ is festival and ‘Parvati’ means ‘born out of festival’ - celebration! For samadhi to unite with celebration, the presence of desire was necessary. So, desire (Kama) was invoked.

But again, to celebrate, you need to overcome desire. So Shiva opened his third eye and burned Kama. There is no problem if you have your desires, but don't let the desires have you. When desires arise just see whether it is beneficial for you or not.

Celebration is the nature of the spirit and the

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celebration that comes out of silence is real. The joy you experience in life is from the depth of your self — when you let go all that you hold on to and settle down being centered in that space. That is called meditation. Meditation is not an act; it is the art of doing nothing! When you meditate, you are not just bringing a harmony within yourself, but you are influencing the subtle layers of creation, the subtle bodies of all the different levels of existence in the creation. The rest in meditation is deeper than the deepest sleep that you can ever have because in meditation you transcend all desires. Only then we are able to understand the uplifted state of the being and see that the whole world is all spirit or consciousness.

In a state of celebration, the mind often forgets the Divine. We should experience the Divine's presence. You should have a desire to experience something by which the whole world is running.

Do you feel you are part of this world? Do you feel

you are merged into this existence? That is divine love. Don’t try to see Divinity. Take it for granted.

It is there, like the air which the heart can feel.

When your mind and body are relaxed, you find that the chirping of the birds, the moving of leaves, the flowing of water, even people fighting and the mountains — all exuberate Divinity.

Let go all other supports that you are holding on. Relax, you are being supported, and that is love. The very feeling that I am being supported, I am not alone, a confidence, that I am being taken care of, God loves me, is bhakti. This idea is devotion and love. Embodiment of supreme love for the divine is devotion. Love for that infinite consciousness is devotion. Whatever may be the appearance, or situations around you, but this confidence will make all those complaints in your mind disappear. Then celebration dawns spontaneously and life becomes colourful. (www.artofliving.org)

EXOTICA [117] MARCH 2016

FITNESS Bharat Thakur is a yoga expert and founder of Artistic Yoga

We all sympathise with people who get bouts of headache.

This is more widespread than we imagine, for an estimated 13 per cent of the world's population suffer from migraines. So, what exactly is a migraine and how can yoga help?

Yoga for migraine

is a neurological disorder thought to be caused by blood vessels surrounding the brain. When these vessels expand and become inflamed, the pulsations being transmitted by nerve fibres go back to the brain as pain. There are various triggers that can lead to an attack- stress, certain foods, irregular sleep and meals, bright lights, eye strain and sound. The sensory warning signs are blind spots, flashes of light, tingling in the arms and legs.

Once the pain sets in, it can affect one or both sides of the head, back of the neck, around the eyes, the face and sinuses which can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, mood changes, sensitivity to light and sound, tunnel vision, seeing spots. The pain can be severe and can totally debilitate you for 4 to 72 hours.

There is no cure and medical treatment is aimed at preventing a full-blown attack and alleviating symptoms. Studies show that enough sleep, reducing stress, drinking enough water, avoiding certain foods and regular physical exercise helps sufferers. There is no doubt that migraine is a chronic disorder that needs long term management and preventative strategies and yoga is ideal for this. Recent research shows that yoga, combined with conventional care, reduces the frequency and severity of attacks.

There are cleansing practices, Neti and Kunjal. Neti washes out the nasal passages with nerve endings while Kunjal cleans out the stomach storing the pent-up emotions.

Vigorous exercise can increase migraines but yogic joint-loosening exercises, stretches and postures are static, gentle and are more helpful.

The regular practice of yoga can re-balance the autonomic nervous system. As nerves relax, stress hormones such as cortisol decrease. The level of endorphins increase and hormonal balance is restored to the body. Sufferers will notice the severity and frequency of attacks being reduced.

So don’t wait, find a suitable yoga class now. In the meantime, here are some exercises that will help you from migraine:

MIGRAINE

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PALMING o Sit quietly with eyes closed. o Rub your palms until they are warm. o Place the palms (not fingers) over the eyes without pressure on eyelids. o Feel the warmth spreading to the eyes and the muscles relaxing. o When the hands get cold, repeat.

BENEFITS: o Relaxes the eye muscles.

YOGA NIDRA (avoid falling asleep) o Lie flat on back with your legs slightly apart. o Arms relaxed by your sides, a little away from the body with your palms facing up. o Close your eyes, breathe in, feeling the stomach rise and chest expand. o Breathe out, letting the chest, stomach fall relaxing the body. o From the forehead, reverse the cycle. o Gently open your eyes, stretch and sit up.

BENEFITS: o Relaxes the entire body and mind, removing physical and mental tension. o Develops mental awareness.

LOOSENING-UP o Sit with legs stretched out, back straight. o Stretch the toes forward, back and then rotate the ankles. o Bend the right knee, gently pull to your chest, straighten. o Repeat with left knee. o Place hands on shoulders and gently rotate the elbows in o both directions. o Drop head to chest and gently rotate the head, clockwise, then anti-clockwise.

BENEFITS: o Helps loosen and relax the joints. o Relieves tension in shoulders and neck.

DWIKONASANA o Stand with your feet one foot apart. o Interlock the hands behind your back and breathe in. o Breathe out bending forward while lifting your arms up behind your back. o Breathe in as you slowly come back to start position.

BENEFITS: o Stretches the neck, shoulders and the muscles between the shoulder blades.

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BHRAMARI PRANAYAMA o Sit in padmasana (lotus) or cross-legged, back straight. o Close your eyes and inhale deeply. o Hold your breath and press your chin down on the jugular notch. o Raise your chin up to four fingers above the jugular notch and make the humming sound of a bee as you exhale. o This sound will travel upwards and spread all over your head.

BENEFITS: o The sound vibrations massage the brain easing constricted blood vessels and nerves.

NUMBERGAME Sanjay Jumaani Numerologist

COUNT YOUR FATE

NUMBER 1 (Ruled by Sun, people born on the 1st, 10th, 19th and 28th) The plans that you had devised for yourself and your loved ones might materialise within this month. People planning to start their business ventures might weigh out their options and start with something concrete. Try to be flexible in your approach towards your juniors.

NUMBER 4 (Ruled by Uranus, people born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd and 31st) Creativity might probably be at its peak as far as professional matters are concerned. You might also be the centre of attention wherever you go and this might boost your confidence. Try to solve issues that might be trivial but important for you to complete things.

NUMBER 7 (Ruled by Neptune, people born on the 7th, 16th and 25th) Motivation is important to progress in life and who knows this better than you. Colleagues and loved ones seem to be showering you with all the compliments desired and making the path a lot easier.

However, be careful and avoid getting carried away as far as financial deals are concerned.

NUMBER 2 (Ruled by Moon, people born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th and 29th) People around you might try to mould your opinion to suit their expectations. However, avoid getting perturbed and anxious about the situation. Implement what you feel is the best and follow your path ahead. Career issues might take priority for students and other issues might get sidetracked.

NUMBER 5 (Ruled by Mercury, people born on the 5th, 14th and 23rd) Personal relationships might probably be on your priority list first fortnight. Singles looking for a relationship might be able to come across someone who might match their expectations about life. Work will be pretty hectic and you might need to tie up loose ends faster than you might have envisioned.

NUMBER 8 (Ruled by Saturn, people born on the 8th, 17th and 26th) You probably are realistic about your judgments about people and their plans. This might facilitate you in taking your professional life ahead effectively as you know how to separate the good from the bad.

Be tolerant about the tantrums that your near and dear ones might throw.

NUMBER 3 (Ruled by Jupiter, people born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st and 30th) There might be certain people around you who will probably prove to be jealous about your future. Avoid conversations with such people and listen to your intuition. Remember the saying that what you give comes back to you. Do not attempt at taking any sort of action prompted by the juvenile deeds of others.

NUMBER 6 (Ruled by Venus, people born on the 6th, 15th and 24th) Things might be a little more complicated on the career front.

There might be inner conflicts as well as outer confusion that probably need to be dealt with.

Try to sort out things at the earliest and get back into action. Your energies need a boost and loved ones might provide the needed support.

NUMBER 9 (Ruled by Mars, people born on the 9th, 18th and 27th) You might probably be in a generous mood first fortnight and want to give without expecting anything in return.

Misunderstanding, if any exists, might also clear up, giving way to a more mature relationship.

Let small things go for the time being and concentrate on the bigger picture.

EXOTICA [120] MARCH 2016

AT L E I S U R E

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the magical playground of Krishna – the land of Braj, Holi is celebrated with a gusto that is unmatched anywhere else in India. Embark on a tour designed to give you a flavour of some of the varied events of Holi in this devbhumi (land of the gods).

The boisterous Holi of Nandgaon lasts all day in the temple premises, with hordes from Barsana coming in to rejoice over clouds of gulaal and samaj gayan (devotional music). Finally, it culminates in the famed lathmar-holi down below in the village streets.

Third day into the magical madness of Holi, Vrindavan, the playground of Krishna erupts with celebratory colours. Visit some of the main temples and ghats of Vrindavan, and take part in Holi celebrations. Dates: 18-19 March 2016

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summer seeps in slowly, so does the urge to escape to the picturesque hills.

And, when there is some soulful music to accompany you, then all the more reason for heading north. The sleepy town of Kasauli will soon come alive with the Kasauli Rhythm and Blues Festival, held from March 25 to 27

AS

Art of Living is organising its first-ever World Culture Festival that will commemorate its 35 years of service to humanity, spirituality and human values. The event will be held in New Delhi from March 11 to 13 on the grounds adjoining DND Flyway near Mayur Vihar metro station.

Join the mega celebration of diversity and uniqueness that brings together people of talent, eminence and repute. Around 3.5 million people from 155 countries are expected to attend this grand celebration. The festival will witness the world’s largest stage set-up spread over an area of seven acres.

THE

at the Baikunth Resort. Organised by the Genesis Foundation, established and upcoming artistes from India’s diverse pool of musical talent perform in support of the critically ill underprivileged and orphan children under the Foundation’s care. This year’s line-up includes Mihir Joshi Band, Lesle Lewis, Shilpa Rao, Frisky Pints, among others.

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By RINKU GHOSH

HOME IS IN MY ROOM

I

magine lounging in a study with that old bottle of the finest whisky, turning the pages of your leisure hours. Or bonding with the family over conversations at that great brown oval table that spans generations. Or milling round the cooking station and ordering your favourites as you savour the moments of a family reunion. Waited upon by five-star comforts, the wedding is just incidental to the proceedings.

Hyatt Regency, Delhi, has added a new dimension in the management of event spaces by personalising experiences through its Living Rooms. This project is just an upper-storeyed balcony extension of its revolutionary The Mansion, which was introduced to us through its crown jewel, the Oval Room, last year. For those not in the know, this is a huge event space with live multicuisine counters, island hubs and sink-in sofas around a glass facade that filters the sun beams for a cosy glow.

Around it are more plush sitouts and a most extravagant cloak room. There’s even a separate enclosure with Vedic altar for marriages and other ceremonials.

Walking us through the fluid and amoebic pathways that can be cordoned off with curtain doors as and when required, general manager Aseem Kapoor shares the concept. “The idea was to create contemporary venues that have a residential feel. We wanted to provide guests with modern and creatively designed spaces that they can use to their advantage to create unique events and customise it as per their personal preferences. This inspirational location will increase the total size of event space, be it corporate get-togethers, retreats, private

parties or interactive brand launches to 2,977 sq m (32,050 sq ft). The best part is the breakaway rooms which can be sealed off for smaller gatherings,” he tells us.

What Hyatt has done is smartly convert its old ballroom and a restaurant that really didn’t have as high a footfall as its other signature offerings into a contemporary and uber event space that’s guaranteed to be booked round the year. Its engaging and personal approach has actually lured big groups to book several days together for a fat wedding instead of that one reception. Hyatt is also taking care to further cater to individual comfort like converting a space into an impromptu salon with trained staff on call. Not only that, the hotel has acquired a fleet of BMWs. A boutique pleasure on a large scale. Now that’s a novelty in the city’s hospitality scenario.

Personalised services and attention are back in focus as the Oberoi, considered a benchmark of sorts, is going in for a makeover. The Taj Mahal hotel has a personalised butler, who is your friendly neighbourhood guide and facilitator. It has also rolled out Wi-Fi enabled cars!

Sheraton has upped the culture quotient by hosting plays under WelcomTheatre. The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel has set a new definition of bigness with the largest pillar-less ballroom in India for over 6,000 guests.

Worldwide, guests are looking for intelligence and functionality in their luxury experience. In that sense, hospitality is turning towards a more home-style care and attention than opulence.

EXOTICA [122] MARCH 2016

EXOTICA

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

VOL 10 NO 5 MARCH 2016