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FROM THE EDITOR
Editor-in-Chief CHANDAN MITRA EDITORIAL BOARD Vice-Chairman & Joint Managing Director Amit Goel Chief Executive Officer Abhishek Saxena 09818600128
THE ELECTION YATRA
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Charge Rinku Ghosh Assistant Editor Saimi Sattar Feature Writer Ankita Saxena
the time this edition reaches your hands, India’s biggest election with 90 crore eligible voters, and probably its bitterest, will be almost over and the results, too, will be out by month-end. I was reminiscing recently about the same sweltering campaign months five years ago when I was a candidate from Hooghly in West Bengal. One day my supporters organised a padayatra around 1 pm. The sun was unrelenting in spewing heat while the air in the riverine plains was dripping with moisture, causing everyone outdoors to perspire inconsolably. As I forced myself to sweat it out at the head of the procession, I discovered to my dismay that doors and windows of almost every house in the bylanes of the town we were ambling through were shut tight, its occupants coolly enjoying their afternoon siesta. Furious with my own supporters for the bad timing, I walked off in a huff as our yatra concluded, rushing home to Hooghly town for a refreshing shower followed by a light lunch and comforting siesta. Mid-summer is an awful time to hold elections, but for thick-skinned supporters, physical discomfort matters little. Unfortunately, Election Commission rules stipulate that canvassing has to end by 10 pm, which is rather early for summer time. In 1984 I remember covering the campaign of KK (Kakkaji Kahin) Tiwary, then I&B Minister, in remote villages of Buxar on the UP-Bihar border well past 2 pm. Villagers did not seem to mind this one bit; it was great post-dinner entertainment for them and candidates were happy to meet most of them at one go in the course of their nightly journeys. But these days, EC officials and the police are so vigilant that it is impossible to continue beyond 10 pm. Once while canvassing from atop an open truck, I was asked peremptorily to stop addressing mid-sentence by ever-alert traffic policemen. I had to apologise to the few hundred eager listeners and proceed homewards pronto. The time was 10.05 pm only! But before the tightening of rules by the Seshan-led EC, elections were exceptionally colourful. In the early 1960s, for example, the Congress whose symbol those days was two yoked bullocks, would literally parade a pair at its processions and rallies. Later when its symbol changed to cow and calf, the same thing was repeated till the joke that they represented Indira Gandhi and Sanjay gained wide currency. Slogans based on candidates or individual leaders were a rarity till Indira Gandhi’s hegemonic rise. The main Congress slogan in Bengal was “Vote deben kaake?” This was asked to the refrain “joda balader bakshe” (Where will you cast your voter? In the double-bull box of course.” Communists who were significantly more visible and vocal then, compared to now, had the slogan: “Vote deben kishe? Kaaste-dhaner shishey ( Where will you cast your vote? Against the symbol of the sickle and stalks of paddy!).” But after the 1962 war with China, the Congress aggressively attacked the newly-formed CPI(M) with the slogan “China’s symbol is hammer and sickle, Pakistan’s is a star; even now you ask who the enemies of India are?” Maybe that was the beginning of hyper-nationalism in our times. But sadly the literary creativity and poetic licence has gone missing in the age of the audio-visual!
Chief Designers Anand Singh Rawat & Satish Jakhmola Production Manager Syed Nawab Raza Staff Photographer Pankaj Kumar SALES & MARKETING Vice President Jetender Rawat 9810404096 General Managers Kumar Gurudutta Jha & Sweety Verma Senior Managers Madhukar Saxena & Divyesh Kothari Managers Bharat Singh Sajwan, Prabhakar Pathak & Barun Choudhary Media Coordinator Neelu Sharma MUMBAI OFFICE General Manager Devendra Adhikari KOLKATA OFFICE Vice President Suzanna Roy HYDERABAD OFFICE V Sunil Kumar General Manager (Circulation) Rajeev Gautam Printed and published by Chandan Mitra for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd, printed at JK Offset Graphics (P) Ltd, B-278, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-1, New Delhi-110020 and published at No. 6, Behind Gulab Bhawan, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002. 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; F-31, Sector-6, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh-201301 Phone: 0120-4879800 & 4879900 Email: exoticapioneer2016@gmail.com
BY
[CHANDAN MITRA] Editor-in-Chief
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I N S I D E
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MAY 2019 VOLUME 13 NO 7
Little black book [p10] Sobhita Dhulipala: A quick peek into her style file Living food [p20] Vito’s kitchen Summer getaways [p26] Leave a green footprint Celeb talk [p30] Her own person: Sonakshi Sinha Art frat [p34] Folk tales for all time: Nandalal Bose Fashion files [p44] Ace up my sleeve
[p20]
COVER: OPERA HOUSE LIT UP DURING VIVID SYDNEY PHOTO COURTESY: DESTINATION NEW SOUTH WALES
Jewel junction [p50] Circle of love: Rings Summer diet [p56] Crunch munch: Salads Summer coolers [p62] The spirit of an age-old quest Fast lane [p64] Prix gets a new face Heritage show [p68] Not just a drape
CONTRIBUTORS Sri Sri Ravi Shankar [p38] GURUSPEAK: The key to happiness Kushan Mitra [p40] HOT WHEELS: Living with electricity: BMW i3s Bharat Thakur [p52] FITNESS: Body positive Sanjay Jumaani [p73] NUMBER GAME: Count your fate TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 76 INCLUDING COVER
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OUR PARTNER HOTELS Send us your feedback at exoticapioneer2016@gmail.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/Exotica-394686670715776
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FAVOURITE HAUNTS OF STYLISH PEOPLE
Something simple and timeless, I like traditional gold jewellery and pearls.
Nothing can equate the comfort I feel while eating steaming hot rice with dal and ghee with maagai or Gonguura (Andhra style pickles) on the side!
I actually love Silk sarees, I resonate with their style the most.
SOBHITA DHULIPALA made her debut with Raman Raghav 2.0 and has also been seen in Kalakaandi and Chef. But it was with the web series Made in Heaven that she has grabbed eyeballs
I really like books on immigration, cultural crises, memoirs and mythology. I have a book club on Instagram called book of the month, check it out! This month it is Essays by Naguib Mahfouz. Jasmine! As a child, I once left my mother’s hand on the road and stalked a stranger everywhere like a puppy because she wore a gajra in her braid.
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A recent watch that moved me immensely is Carol. It is as delicate as fierce, exceptional performances too. My understanding of liberty comes from travel experiences and no fixed favourite spot yet, I’ve barely seen the world!
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TRAVEL NEWS
A NEW RAAS AT DEVIGARH LOCATED
in picturesque Udaipur, RAAS Devigarh offers a blend of old world charm and state-of-the-art amenities, set against the backdrop of the Aravalis. The property has been refurbished with key public spaces designed and revitalised by Studio Lotus. The newly opened RAAS Devigarh provides a simplified yet elevated user experience; strategically revealing the original structure in some places, plugging contemporary inserts in others. The interventions focus on heightening the dramatic contrast between the old and the new to create an authentic yet bespoke ambience. The transformation has resulted in the hotel nearly doubling its F&B revenue and a boosted visitor footfall by 30 per cent in the past year. Additionally, to account for the projected higher footfall, dining spaces have been extended on the second floor in the West Wing and traditional baithak-style seating has been introduced in the jharokhas (overhanging balconies) in the Durbar Hall. Housed in an 18th century palace fortress, RAAS Devigarh is the second destination property by Walled City Hotels that combines the historic and the modern after the RAAS Jodhpur.
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WASHINGTON: EPIC FAMILY GETAWAY
FREE
museums, espionage adventures, sightseeing tours and more add up to one monumental vacation. From clicking photographs with past Presidents to eating a decidedly DC hot dog — experience these five fun things with your family in the US capital.
REACH FOR THE STARS AT A FREE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM: The most popular of the Smithsonians is the National Air & Space Museum, which technically is one museum with two locations — Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA. Visitors can touch a moon rock or even the 1903 Wright Flyer at the National Mall. Choose from exhibitions, IMAX Theater, science demonstrations, planetarium, virtual reality and simulators, public observatory, story times and daily tours. You can never run out of things to do at this museum. https://washington.org/dc-guide-to/ smithsonian-national-air-and-space-museum
CRUISE DOWN THE POTOMAC: A spectacular view of the DC skyline can be experienced with entertainment cruises. The Spirit of Washington embarks from the Southwest Waterfront and offers dinner, lunch and brunch cruises, passing by landmarks such as the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. Get to the ship’s deck to enjoy one of the best views of the city. https://washington.org/find-dc-listings/ entertainment-cruises
ENJOY A MEAL ‘FAMILY STYLE’: The family-style concept not only reinforces the sharing is caring mantra, but in plain terms, one heaping platter of spaghetti and meatballs or chicken cacciatore is often big enough to feed the whole family (and leave you with leftovers). Nothing brings families together quite like dessert and the variety does not disappoint. With a list of Michelin-starred restaurants, one will be spoilt for choice. https://washington.org/find-dc-listings/restaurants PASSPORT DC: It is a month-long festival in May that pays tribute to Washington, DC’s thriving international culture. As part of the festival, the first two Saturdays in May are devoted to embassy open houses. From taking an embassy walkthrough, to exploring the cuisines of the different countries, this one-of-its-kind event makes for a memorable experience. https://washington.org/visit-dc/reasons-to-tour-anembassy-in-dc-during-passport-dc ROCK CREEK PARK: An oasis in a bustling city, most of Rock Creek Park consists of hardwood trees, a boiling brook and rocky outcrops. The park has a host of exciting activities like going on a nature trail, horse riding and learning about nature in a family-friendly way. It also borders the property designated for the Smithsonian National Zoo. There are two entrances to the zoo that houses America’s first pandas. https://washington.org/visit-dc/ things-to-do-rock-creek-park-washington-dc
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CELEBRATE THE HOLY MONTH
The Palm, is the ultimate place to spend quality time with family and friends this Ramadan with a wide range of amazing dining options. The culinary destination offers a whole host of Iftar buffets and set menus across a number of venues, including the beautiful Asateer Tent, the Cantonese favourite Hakkasan and the international buffet restaurant Kaleidoscope. ASATEER: The talented Ali El Bourji, executive Oriental head chef of Ayamna, manages the kitchen of the Asateer, one of the largest Ramadan tents in the UAE and a favourite with residents and tourists alike. Serving Iftar and Suhoor to more than 60,000 guests during Ramadan, diners will be spoilt for choice at both the meals. On offer is a delicious selection of favourites such as lamb kebbeh, a shawarma station and an Arabic mixed grill. The Asateer Tent will also feature 10 decadent dessert stations, including a traditional Arabic sweet-making live station, hot favourites such as umm ali, as well as an ice cream station and chocolate fountain. There will also be an à la carte menu on offer during Suhoor at Asateer, which will include hot and cold mezzeh, soup, grilled meat and seafood, Ramadan desserts and a variety of shishas. Visitors will also be treated to live entertainment throughout Suhoor.
ASATEER IFTAR Date: May to June 12 Timings: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Price: `4154 per person aged 12 and above – including juices and water o `2078 per child aged 4 to 11 years old – including juices and water Children aged three and below dine complimentary Dress Code: Smart casual Last reservation for Iftar on the day to be taken at 4:30 pm
ASATEER SUHOOR Date: May to June 12 Timings: 9:45 pm to 3 am (last order is 2:30 am) Minimum spend of `3,021 per person excluding shisha o Suhoor will be a la carte and contains cold and hot mezzeh, manakish, soup, grilled meat, fish and seafood, Ramadan desserts, hot snacks, Ramadan juices and hot beverages Price: Set menus are available for groups of 20 and above (`3,871, `4,249 and `4,627 per person) including Ramadan juices and still water only. Soft drinks are not included in the menu o Shisha priced starting from `1,982 Age policy: 21 years old and above Dress Code: Smart casual
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HAKKASAN: The award-winning Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan Dubai invites guests to an alternative Iftar celebration at its world-renowned restaurant located at The Avenues at Atlantis, The Palm. The special Iftar set menu is available to diners for `5,439 and is perfect for family and friends to share. The four course menu features Hakkasan signature dishes such as the Peking duck and the restaurant’s famous dim sum platter as well as dishes especially created for this experience. Meanwhile, the regular à la carte menu is also on offer as an alternative. Guests are invited to enjoy brunch at Hakkasan every Friday throughout the month.
Date: Available daily from May 5 until the end of Ramadan Timings: 6:30 pm onwards Price: `5,439 per person – including juices and VOSS water Age policy: Children 10 and above Dress Code: Smart elegant
KALEIDOSCOPE: Serving up a sumptuous international buffet, Kaleidoscope features dishes from around the world and is ideal for families and groups of friends. This restaurant will be offering its usual Mediterranean, North African and Indian specialty dishes, alongside a special Iftar buffet with live cooking stations for a more interactive experience.
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Date: Available daily from May 5-June 4 Timings: 6 pm to 8 pm Price: `4,060 per adult – including juices and water o `2,030 per child aged 4 to 11 years old – including juices and water Children aged three and below dine complimentary Dress Code: Casual
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THE SWEET SPOT
TURN UP THE LIGHTS: Have you even ‘done’ Sydney if you haven’t visited the city during the Vivid Sydney season? Now in its 11th year, this 23-day intersection of art, technology and commerce which starts on May 24, has become an unmissable event on the city’s cultural calendar. So much more than the famous Light Walk, which curates more than 50 radiant works into the largest gallery of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The festival’s programme also includes three weeks of game changing ideas and seminars along with amazing music throughout the city and surrounds. Highlights this year include everything from an audience with US director Spike Lee to The Cure at the Sydney Opera House, as well as Qweens Ball, Sydney’s biggest queer dress-up op shop. ICE SKATE AT THE BEACH: Think Bondi, think surfers but in winter there’s a very different beachside activity happening. The Bondi Winter Magic Festival in June includes an ice rink at Bondi Pavilion. Where else in the world can you go ice skating just metres away from surfers?
WATCH OUT FOR WHALES: Sydney’s coastline offers a unique vantage point to spot whales making their annual migration from the cold southern ocean to the warmer Pacific for breeding season. You can go on a whale watching tour, or grab a take-away fish and chips and perch on a headland along the coastline (such as the Bondi-to-Bronte walk) and look out for them as they pass.
CATCH A FLICK OR THREE: The Sydney Film Festival, from June 5-16, showcases the best films from around the world. Make the most of it as there is everything from family-friendly flicks to indie movies to award-winning films, with discounted Flexipasses of 10-30 tickets which can be shared between friends.
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While Sydney has a reputation as a summer hotspot but during winters, you have the chance to experience another side of the city. From the magic of Vivid Sydney, to spotting humpback whales on their annual migration and checking out some of its secret underground bars, Sydney will keep your travel diary full. MINGLE WITH THE SWISH SET: Although MBFWA is predominantly a trade-only event, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Weekend Edition between May 17 and 18, gives the general public a chance to view the new season trends. Guests can take part in a series of Style Session seminars hosted by fashion industry leaders and editors. Enjoy a drink and bite to eat in the MBFWE Hub and even grab a front-row seat at the Closing Night Showcase presented by chic streetwear label, PE Nation.
SING ALONG TO YOUR FAVOURITE SCORE: If you love your musicals, Sydney is the place to be this winter. Coming off the spectacular season end of West Side Story as part of Handa Opera on the Harbour, Sydney is playing host to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Capitol Theatre until June 23. Then there is Chicago, starring Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Casey Donovan, from August 20. Two beloved movies, Saturday Night Fever and Muriel's Wedding, have had stage adaptations and are playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, the first closes June 2 and the second starts June 28. FIND OUT YOUR STAR WARS IDENTITY: The exhibition, STAR WARS™ Identities, is on until June 10 and showcases 200 original objects used in the making of the blockbuster Star Wars movies. Visitors can discover the force that shapes them by creating their own bespoke Star Wars character as they journey through the exhibition.
BE AN ICEBERG: The iconic Bondi Icebergs pool at the south end of the beach can be seen on Instagram feeds the world over. A winter swimmers’ club, located at the southern end of Bondi Beach in Sydney, New South Wales, the defining characteristic of the Club is a rule that to maintain membership, it is mandatory that swimmers compete on three Sundays out of four for a period of five years. They race on Sundays between May and September. No wetsuits allowed. So take a dip and see if you’ve got what it takes to join the club. WARM UP AT A WHISKY DEN: Sydney is home to some seriously good bars that know their whisky, so what better way to warm up than with a dram or three. Underground whisky lairs include The Baxter Inn, The Doss House, Mjolner and Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern. You’ll find Irish whisky galore at The Wild Rover and for Japanese whisky try Tokyo Bird. CHEER ON THE SWANNIES: Australian Football League (AFL) is a uniquely Australian sport and seeing the Sydney Swans in full flight at the SCG is something to behold. Even if you’re not big on sport, the electric atmosphere at the stadium will ensure you get into the spirit of the game. SUPPORT THE BLUES: It’s one of Australian sport's biggest rivalries and it’s a chance to show your true colours. The State of Origin is a three-game grudge match that pits the best NSW players against the brightest that Queensland has to offer. We know it's not really a question of who will triumph, but getting behind the Blues is a question of state pride. The third, and usually most thrilling, match is at ANZ Stadium, Sydney on July 10.
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LIVING FOOD
Vito’ s kitchen Italian Michelin chef BEPPE DE VITO whizzed in and out of India but left behind a trail of a smooth whisky finish with his six-course dinner. Yes, there was Italian food too. RINKU GHOSH was at the table to witness a cuisine innovation that’s changing our familiar experiences for the future
CLEARLY,
we weren’t prepared for this — a combination of lobster, pumpkin and fermented truffle had with a 15-year-old single malt. Clearly it defied all logic, grammar and imagination till a tentative nibble here and a shy sip there resulted in an unknown explosion of flavours. It all came together, the luscious prawns embedded in translucent tortelli, with a relish of Delica pumpkins, all caramelised and buttery, lifted like a magic carpet with the heather honey and vanilla fudge feel of the Glenfiddich 15 yearold. The lingering trail of sweetness left by each is the reason that the juicy lobster bursts forth in a gush of sealed-in flavours.
We never imagined the humble eggplant as an accompaniment of an 18-year-old single malt. Yet who would have thought that its warming and fruity aromatics and finish would invest the vegetable with such character and lend it enough courage to wipe off the smoked yolk sitting coyly around it. Such is the artistry by chef restaurateur Beppe De Vito, the Michelin-starred chef of his signature kitchen Braci, which has become somewhat of a Singaporean benchmark. Beppe De Vito’s passion for food first began to take form while he was still a child, living in Italy and working at his neighbourhood cafe. All he remembers from those days is how we would source fresh, the fruit from a tree, the fish from a
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river, meat freshly cut by the butcher...something that dominates his produce-based kitchen even now. From then it was an around the world trip where he imbibed the spirit of a global traveller, collecting rich experiences and distilling them into his food. And it is because he values every distinct encounter that his commitment to his craft shines through, be it in the menu, to the design, service, the plating and beyond. So it is that on his India trip, he got the yeast which had been cultured for over 2,000 years in Italy to make a crispy, crunchy bread. And he loves not only serving food but reading your reaction to it. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to personally cook for local distinguished guests, which includes the late founding Prime Minster Lee Kuan Yew,
President Tony Tan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as foreign VIPs, such as former President Bush, Sting and many more. He has also collaborated on multiple four-hands dinners with respected Michelin star chefs from all over the world, from Chef Massimo Bottura (3 Michelin star), Chef Andrea Berton (2 Michelin star), Chef Tom Sellers (1 Michelin star), and world-renowned Chef Tetsuya Wakuda. But clearly he is not looking at VIPs. “They come to our restaurants always. Honestly, I am looking for someone who is just coming for the fine dining for the first time ever and I can impress the person and that person will remember it forever,� says the maestro, who has made science look artful as never before.
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Normally Italian food and flavours are always complemented with wine. People have that expectation… how difficult was it to work on a combination with whisky? What was the logic in your pairing as it seemed to work on similarities rather than contrasts? I am always looking for new ways to experiment with unconventional ingredients. I have experimented with whisky pairings in the past and I find the flavours very versatile, which is why I enjoy using it so much. People have set expectations when it comes to Italian food especially, and to me, this is where I like to have fun and challenge people’s perceptions. When trying out new components, I always ask myself “how can this elevate my dishes” and “how does this take my cuisine to the next level?” You’ve always blended your home country traditions into your food with hints and accents. Do you think progressive cuisine can actually save cooking traditions more effectively? Traditions work well to set the foundations and essence of any strong cuisine but that does not mean they alone should define or
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I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO EXPERIMENT WITH UNCONVENTIONAL INGREDIENTS. I HAVE EXPERIMENTED WITH WHISKY PAIRINGS IN THE PAST AND I FIND THE FLAVOURS VERY VERSATILE, WHICH IS WHY I ENJOY USING IT, SO MUCH. PEOPLE HAVE SET EXPECTATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO ITALIAN FOOD ESPECIALLY, AND TO ME, THIS IS WHERE I LIKE TO HAVE FUN AND CHALLENGE PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS
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limit a chef. Rather, they should be used as an inspirational tool for elevation. To me, modern Italian cuisine is one that honours classic traditions by exemplifying them through a contemporary lens in a way that brings out a dish’s full potential. This has always been the approach I have taken with my cuisine and one of the driving forces that conceptualised Braci as our culinary playground — creating a space where we could really dive into our craft and push the boundaries of the perceptions of Italian gastronomy. I focus on the essence of our very own version of Italian cuisine, which we are constantly dissecting and reinventing, through a contemporary lens. This keeps the spark of curiosity alive with diners, without compromising our identity and to me, is key to successful progressive cuisine — keeping traditions alive but constantly evolving. What shaped your food logic while growing up? What are your inspirations? Any anecdotes to share? My experiences at home, learning and observing the way people react to each dish. I find myself inspired
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by the places I’ve lived, the places I’ve travelled to and the different cultures I had the opportunity to learn about.
MY EXPERIENCES AT HOME, LEARNING AND OBSERVING THE WAY PEOPLE REACT TO EACH DISH SHAPED MY FOOD LOGIC. I FIND MYSELF INSPIRED BY THE PLACES I’VE LIVED, THE PLACES I’VE TRAVELLED TO AND THE DIFFERENT CULTURES I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT
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Nobody would usually think of a lobster with pumpkin relish...how much time and research goes into working these combinations in your menu? My eyes and mind are always open for new ways to be inspired. I get many customers coming to me and telling me how intrigued they are with some of the combinations of my dishes. Inspiration is not much of an issue for me, but the execution does take a little more thought and experimentation. With my cuisine at Braci, I really do look for ways to keep things as simple as possible when it comes to presentation and the number of components of my dishes, but it is important to me that each element of my dishes makes a powerful impact, which is why I like to experiment with unusual combinations. The process can be lengthy at times but it is always rewarding once you’ve created
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something that makes customers light up. How do you adapt your dishes to local ingredients while travelling? Any Indian spices or dish that may have caught your fancy? I am always inspired by my travels. New sights, smells, sounds, conversations and emotions. I am inspired by everything; traditions, flavours, sourcing of ingredients and, of course, how cultures respect their produce. Japan, in particular, is a place that I always find myself going back to — I love the respect the people have for seasonal and quality ingredients and is something I very much ascribe to in my own cuisine and Italian traditions. The Japanese minimalist philosophy is also something I find myself reinforcing. Sometimes a dish can appear simple, elegant and beautiful, but there is so much technique behind it, and it is definitely quality over quantity when it comes to this school of thought. Japan is one of my favourite locations to travel and I will go there six-seven times a year and always come back with new ideas and ingredients I want to implement in my dishes, which is why our menu is continually evolving. I like to adapt elements from travels within my cuisine in a way that makes a dish their own as opposed to fusion cuisine. To me, inspiration is about taking in the best from all around you and making things your own. We didn’t use any Indian spices in our menu but we had the opportunity to learn
JAPAN, IN PARTICULAR, IS A PLACE THAT I ALWAYS FIND MYSELF GOING BACK TO — I LOVE THE RESPECT THE PEOPLE HAVE FOR SEASONAL AND QUALITY INGREDIENTS. THE JAPANESE MINIMALIST PHILOSOPHY IS ALSO SOMETHING I FIND MYSELF REINFORCING
about some fantastic spices in India and will incorporate this knowledge for future recipes. Before returning to Singapore, we went to a spice bazaar and bought quite a bunch, including green and black cardamom. Green cardamom is very hard to find in Singapore. We also took back saffron and star anise, which is much sweeter and aromatic than ingredients used in Italian cuisine. Which cuisine in the world would you say comes closest to the perfect sensory and nutritional balance? Italian and Japanese. Especially the
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What is your guilty pleasure and what is your at-home meal? Caviar. On very special occasions I feed it to my children as well. Otherwise, we eat quite simply, but always organic with a lot of different vegetables and good Japanese brown rice.
cuisine from southern Italy, which is always seasonal, uses only fresh ingredients, is light and well-balanced. With a Lancet study predicting a shortage of livestock and animal protein by 2050 and advising rationing, how will the way we eat food change? As a chef, where do you see the global food movement heading to? We are living in a fascinating time for food; faced with challenges and innovations that we’ve never seen before. People these days are now open to more options than ever when it comes to cuisines, diets and even sustainability, all of which have a role to play in the global food movement. Sustainability, in particular, is something I foresee becoming very popular in the culinary world and is something that we are already implementing at Braci — finding ways to use sustainable cooking methods in ways that elevate our dishes. For example, our popular Roasted Pigeon with Green Asparagus and Sumac is made by utilising the whole bird. With meatless movements becoming so prominent, I have also made it a point to provide vegetarian and vegan options across all of my menus, without compromising on quality and to me, that is an opportunity to get creative.
How do you make the most humble vegetable exotic? You must know your produce inside out and never turn your nose up on ingredients. The simplest things in life turn out to be the most incredible, and the same goes with food. You have to find ways to make ingredients bring out the best out of each other, and even the most humble vegetable can have one element within it that can be transformed and reinvented. It can also do the same for the most prestigious of ingredients. It is important to keep your mind open to everything when it comes to produce and elevating cuisine — the most humble vegetable could be a hidden gem. A good trick is to create several textures from the same ingredient. For instance, we may cut the best part and blanch it or grill it while making a creamy sauce with the trimmings, and pickle other parts to make a tart pesto.
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S U M M E R G E TA WAY S
LEAVE A GREEN
FOOTPRINT
ANANDA [Narendra Nagar] Uttarakhand From recycling bottles for gardening to making pens and bags from bio-degradable matter, this spa retreat adopts many measures to enhance its eco-friendly credentials. The property often organises afforestation drives to increase the forest cover in the surrounding hills. It encourages guests to embrace eco-friendly techniques and many environmentally-conscious ones are more than happy to comply.
With summer upon us, it is just the time to take off to the hills. But the Himalayas are under threat because of climate change and it is important that we do our bit to keep them pristine. So while looking at options to stay, choose eco-friendly retreats and hideaways and save yourself the guilt of harming natural resources
TREE OF LIFE GRAND OAK MANOR [Binsar] Uttarakhand Once a mountain-top residence of British officers, this 150-year-old mansion has nine rooms. Organic produce grown on the property is used for food. It has consciously avoided artificial greens that would require significant amount of water and planted local drought-resistant trees and flora. Water is filtered and recycled. Solar energy has been used wherever feasible. The high domed villas, use of natural stone and lime instead of cement and iron, naturally ventilated and shaded areas have reduced the dependence on non-recyclable energy. It consciously reduces the amount of waste generated, reuses both internally and within the local community and sends as much as possible for recycling.
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MOUNTAIN TRAIL [Mukteshwar] Uttarakhand Claimed to be the only green resort in Mukteshwar, the Mountain Trail sprawls over two-and-a-half acres at an elevation of 2,300 metres above sea level. Inside the resort, you can see orchards with over 100 fruit trees and flower beds with more than 70 types of flowers. The hotel uses cultural tourism to preserve biodiversity, puts local traditions in the spotlight and creates employment opportunities for locals. Plastic bags are strictly not allowed in the hotel. There are no televisions in the rooms and waste water from the bathroom is used to water the gardens.
AYURVAID KALMATIA [Almora] Uttarakhand Kalmatia is a corruption of kali mitti or black soil, which is so rich in iron and other minerals that it has given birth to a centuries-old forest spread out over the estate. When the acacias perish due to snowfall in January, the team plants new varieties every monsoon ensuring that the home of Himalayan magpies, wild pheasants and hens, whistling thrushes and pine martens remains almost untouched. The 10 cottages channel the traditional Kumaoni aesthetic — floral patterns on the walls and tin roofs — with a western touch. A rainwater harvesting system, which feeds into underground storage tanks, fulfills the resort’s entire water requirement. The altitude at which the mountain-facing property is located (2,000 metres) means there is no need for air-conditioning. Water is heated by a solar powered system.
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AAMOD RESORTS [Shoghi] Himachal Pradesh Shoghi is tucked away on NH-22, 13 km short of Shimla. The resort is set in pristine virgin forest, on a land provided by Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. No trees have been cut and no plastic is allowed inside the resort. There are activities like rappelling and zip lining inside the resort. The cottages retain the original character and ruggedness of the forest cover.
NIMMU HOUSE [Leh] Jammu & Kashmir Spread over three floors, this place has 30 furnished rooms, two Buddhist temples, stables and an orchard of 5,000 sq m with hundreds of apricot, apple and walnut trees. The original structure of the resort was built in the 20th century by Rinchen Namgyal Zildar, a cousin, of the then Ladakhi king. Later, in the year 2012, Lobzang Punchok Shamshu, a Ladakhi entrepreneur and Alexandre Beuan, a professional traveller, visited the house, restored it and gave it a second lease of life to provide local people economic opportunities. All the rooms are decorated in traditional architectural style. Along the rooms, there are many spacious and well-equipped tents.
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MEENABAGH RATNARI [Ratnari] Himachal Pradesh It may be a tad bit tough to find this place, but once you reach, there’s no looking back. Located amidst lush apple orchards, the four-bedroom cottage beckons you to take it easy. It is built in the style of traditional Himachali home – wooden floors, mud and stonewalls, an attic, a fireplace in the sun room, gorgeous views and good food. Water is heated using solar panels and whatever is used, is recycled. As a testament to its commitment to eco-tourism, Meena Bagh resort has been awarded a Gold certificate for sustainable tourism by the Ministry of Tourism.
KARUNA FARM [Kodaikanal] Tamil Nadu It ticks all the boxes on the “alternative lifestyle” checklist. Located on a hilltop overlooking Kodaikanal Valley, the farm is off the power grid. It grows Brazilian coffee, avocado, lime, jackfruit, custard apple, and passion fruit through organic methods. It offers (chiefly) yoga-loving guests the chance to offset their carbon footprint through a tree plantation programme. It even has its own beehives. But the farm’s most inspiring achievement is the “bio-home” that looks rustic yet futuristic. The selfsufficient hut is made from reused tyres and tin cans. It relies on solar energy for heating. Rainwater is harvested and stored in insulated tanks and sewage is treated onsite. The farm helps arrange training for participants interested in making their own bio-homes.
NAMERI ECO CAMP [Nameri National Park] Assam The 22-year-old Nameri Eco Camp is one of the oldest nature resorts in India’s northeast. It is a great vantage point to see the blues of the sky, the Nameri river and the Eastern Himalayas coalesce on a bright day. Twelve thatch-and-bamboo tents and two cottages, built in the style of the Mising tribe, are arranged around a central courtyard. Visitors can raft down the Jia-Bhoreli River or explore the national park on foot. The absence of jeep safaris means the national park is pristine. The camp works closely with the Mising, Boro and Garo communities, drawing staff from the neighbouring villages and providing others handicraft training. In conjunction with the State Institute of Rural Development of Assam, the camp sets up self-help groups that enable villagers to start small agri-businesses and become less dependent on the forest. The Nameri team also helps the Eco Task Force, the special unit of the Indian Army, in distributing saplings and afforestation.
BANASURA HILL RESORT [Wayanad] Kerala A bumpy road through the Western Ghats leads up to this place, at an altitude of 3,200 feet, among the mist-laden peaks of Wayanad. Spread over 35-acres, the farm has tea, coffee, pepper and cashew plantations. The naturally cooled huts and cottages are built using the rammed-earth technique and have elephant-grass thatched roofs and bamboo furnishings. The resort’s natural architecture includes the bio-fence, created by planting thousands of bamboos of different varieties around its perimeter. Harvested rainwater provides a major chunk of the resort’s water requirement, used water is channelled into the gardens and toilets and a biogas plant recycles organic waste into manure and kitchen fuel.
PHOTOS: PANKAJ KUMAR
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C E L E B WAT C H
Actor SONAKSHI SINHA does not shy away from taking a stand whether it is her father’s politics or her own beliefs, says SAIMI SATTAR
HER
OWN PERSON
SHE
comes in, rather runs in, clickety clack in skyscraper heels. Dressed in a pale yellow salwar suit, she gives a quick cheek kiss to Madhuri Dixit, who is sharing the same space. Sonakshi Sinha is particular about her manners and respect, growing up under a father who is always talking of righteousness. We get talking about her last outing Kalank and its tagline, which says, Eternal Love. One wonders whether the description still holds in the days of Tinder and speed dating. But the young actor is in sync with the emotion. She points out that if a person has experienced love at any point of time, it
does not die. “It might change even when you say that you don’t love a person and becomes indifference, hate or fondness. It could be any emotion but it never goes away,” she says. Sonakshi, who has previously acted in Lootera, a period film, has made her subtle presence felt in Kalank too. She says she had reasons for signing up for a role that gave her an opportunity to score with just a few frames. “When Abhishek narrated it to me, I was in awe of the world that he had created. With every line and paragraph, you could imagine what he wanted. When I saw the trailer, the world that was shown to us, matched with every letter in the script. I also loved the fact that
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each and every character has a very important role in taking the narrative forward which happens rarely in a multi-starer,” says Sonakshi. However, her method of approaching a role is more impulsive. “I often get embarrassed as I don’t have a process. I would approach a Lootera or a Kalank or an Akira the same way, though the last one did need a lot of physical preparation. I process the information that I get from my director and how he wants me to portray the character. I try to grasp that and then add my two bits to it. When I get to the sets and the camera starts rolling, that is when the process begins. The character comes alive when I am in costume, wearing my sari and sindoor. My walk changes. Since the character in Kalank is a picture of grace from the 1940s, I tried to process all the
‘MY FATHER (SHATRUGHAN SINHA) IS VERY FOND OF SANJU BABA AND VICE VERSA. MY FATHER HELPED HIM IN HIS TIME OF NEED, SO HE REMEMBERS THAT. WHENEVER WE ARE ON THE SET, HE WOULD TELL ME STORIES ABOUT IT. HE IS AN EMOTIONAL PERSON’
information that I had read and heard about that period from my family,” she says. Yet it is this traditional Indian belle that she pulls off effortlessly with elan, one that makes Rajjo so relevant in the Chulbul Pandey-dominated Dabangg. In spirit, too, she has internalised the calm of her character. That’s why she isn’t seen as often as she was earlier. “I was burning out. I like this style of working. I was overdoing it. I was doing so many films that they were practically overlapping. I never had time for myself or to take care of my well-being. So, from Akira onwards, when I decided to slow down, my life became a lot more wholesome,” she says. Sonakshi will be reprising Rajjo in Dabangg 3, “There is also Bhuj on the 1971 war. It is based on
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‘LOVE MIGHT CHANGE EVEN WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU DON’T LOVE A PERSON AND BECOMES INDIFFERENCE, HATE OR FONDNESS. IT COULD BE ANY EMOTION BUT IT NEVER GOES AWAY’
the real-life character of a woman who built a runway with 300 women overnight so that fighter planes could land. I am really looking forward to it,” she says. But what is it that makes her take on any role or a film? Sonakshi, given her approach to acting, is more instinctive even while selecting a role. “For me, the entire package has to fall into place — the director and the script. I make that decision there and then in my head when I hear the script. I can’t take the script, reread it and dwell on it. Even though I can’t tell them that and show that I am eager. I might say it a week later that I will do it,” she says and throws her head back to laugh heartily. For all her demure roles, Sonakshi doesn’t stop short of airing her opinions on controversies. Like the dark days of her senior co-star Sanjay Dutt. With him she shares a different equation altogether. She says, “I have worked with Sanju baba before in Son of Sardar. And he is a family friend. My father (Shatrughan Sinha) is very fond of him and vice versa. My father helped him in his time of need, so he remembers that. Whenever we are on the set, he would tell me stories about it. He is an emotional person,” she says and goes on to add, “More than being the superstars, they are very good human beings. And that is what you remember.” Talking of her father, one cannot of course forget that he has recently switched political sides. “I am an apolitical person. I am supporting him as a family,” says Sonakshi and goes on to add, “As a family, we know, the switch was an important but at the same time a difficult decision. He had been with the party for long but at that time a different set-up and principles were prevalent. Things have changed and he wasn’t happy. There is no point in being in a place where you aren’t appreciated. I hope he does good work with the Congress.” She has been campaigning for her mother Poonam Sinha in Lucknow where she is a part of the roadshow. However, when one probes her about the industry’s fascination with being ‘apolitical’, she shudders: “If you say something about someone, 5,000 people from his former party will get after you and create a mockery.” She would rather not add to the professional ragers on social media. But talk to her one to one and she can be a mouthful.
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A R T F R AT
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Folk all time
tales for
THE
The India Pavilion at the Venice Biennale will display the famous Haripura posters of Nandalal Bose that are historical and examine issues like nationalism and peace through the prism of modern times. By UMA NAIR
Universe has come out of Ananda (supernal delight),” says the Upanishad. This delight includes and transcends all joys and sorrows with Nandalal Bose’s Haripura posters that are full of life while embodying the nationalist spirit and fervour. “Nandalal and his associates produced around 400 posters for the Congress convention at Haripura, held in February 1938,” reflects Director General of NGMA, Adwaita Gadanayak. He is upbeat about India’s participation at the Venice Biennale where he is celebrating 150 years of Gandhi with an exposition of the Haripura posters by the legend from NGMA’s collection. Earlier, in August 2017, Gadanayak celebrated 70 years of Independence, when he hosted an exhibition that sought to awaken our political consciousness and included the historic Haripura posters that were a reason to behold because it awakened our political consciousness at large. “At the Venice Biennale we will display them as independent works but history says they were done to decorate a temporary township built for the annual session of the Indian National Congress in the remote village of Haripura in early 1938,” adds Gadanayak. According to historical notes by art historian R Sivakumar, the township was built with local materials and in harmony with the rural surroundings. The decorations were conceived, both in style and idiom, following the same aesthetics and were designed to complement the temporary structures. Sivakumar wrote in an essay that they have to be imagined in their original context as part of a total design to be fully appreciated. Viewed in this manner, their nuanced sophistication, which is characteristic of Nandalal, comes to the fore.
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NATIONALISTIC FERVOUR “These posters were all produced on hand-made paper with pigments ground from local earth and stones, and mounted on straw boards; none was printed or mass-produced,” he adds. These posters reflect the painter’s acute sensitivity to the landscape and village folk around him. Each poster is a validation of vitality and liveliness more than 70 years after they were executed. They depict genre scenes within arched niches and these appear like windows into vignettes of Indian village life. When one imagines that they were executed in 1937, after being commissioned by Gandhi for the Indian National Congress Party meeting in 1938, these can certainly be considered a benchmark in
Indian history. With subjects like an esraj player, a veena player, women doing their chores, Nandalal brings an authenticity and sincerity through his choice of materials and techniques by ensuring their quality which is non-derivative from Western models. The fluidity of contours and the weaving in of colour tones in the images that personify the rural idyll are a lesson in the roots of modernism. BULL FIGHTER In the Bull Fighter, the vigour and tenacity of the man and the bull are shown through strong, gestural lines and swathes of bright, bold colours. This work was prominently displayed at the conference grounds at Haripura. It also resonates with older styles that add myriad meanings.
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Deceptively simple in appearance and invoking folk paintings, the Haripura posters are an amalgam of the decorative and the calligraphic. GANDHIAN ETHICS AND CREATIVITY Haripura was the crowning glory of Nandalal’s association with the Mahatma and his experimentation with Gandhian ethics in creativity, which had begun at the Lucknow session of the Congress in 1936 and taken a definitive shape at Faizpur in 1937. In this context, Gandhi’s assessment of Nandalal’s achievements while inaugurating the exhibition at Faizpur, is worth quoting. He said, “Credit for the arrangements here belongs to the architect, Mhatre and the artist, Nandalal Bose. When Nanda babu responded to my invitation a couple of months back, I explained to him what I wanted, and left it to him to give concrete shape to the conception. For he is a creative artist and I am none. God has given me the sense of art but not the organs to give it concrete shape. He has blessed Nandalal Bose with both. I am thankful that he agreed to take upon himself the whole burden of organising the artistic side of the exhibition. He came and settled here some weeks back to see to everything himself. The result is that the entire Tilaknagar is an exhibition in itself, and so it begins not where I am going to open it, but at the main gateway which is a fine piece of village art. Of course, our thanks are due also to Mhatre who has spared no pains in bringing the entire plan to completion. Please remember that Nanda babu has depended entirely on local material and labour to bring all the structures here into being.” (Quoted from Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, digital edition, Vol. 70. Page 212.)
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GURUSPEAK
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ONCE Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Spiritual Guru
A beautiful combination of being content, alert and focussed at the same time can be experienced in spiritual life
there was a congregation of fish, who got together to discuss who among them had seen the ocean. None of them could say they had actually seen it. Then one fish said, ‘‘I think my great grandfather had seen the ocean!’’ A second fish said, ‘‘Yes, yes, I have also heard about this.’’ A third fish said, ‘‘Yes, certainly, his great grandfather had seen the ocean.’’ So they built a huge temple and made a statue of the great grandfather of that particular fish, saying, “He had seen the ocean. He had been connected with it.’’ In life, our search for happiness is like that. What are you waiting for? Instead of preparing to be happy, be joyful now and resolve to remain in that state always. God is trying his level best to see you happy. But He only helps those who help themselves. So everyday make a resolution. “Today, I am just going to be happy come what may. I will not let anything disturb my happiness. I am going to be contended.” You can experience happiness at three levels. One is that which is in the society and the environment. How can you bring about happy situations? How would you feel in a place where everybody around you thinks only about himself or herself? Would you like to be in such a group where there is no sharing, no sense of belonging and no happiness? The second level is the happiness of one’s mind. When one accepts things and attains knowledge, then the happiness in the mind happens. Sometimes everybody around you is happy but you are not as there is no fulfillment. Dedication brings the second level of happiness.
happiness THE KEY TO EXOTICA [38] MAY 2019
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The third level is the happiness of the soul. This level of happiness happens when the soul is united with the Divine. When there is no duality between the two and when you are in deep meditation, then you experience this innermost joy. All three levels of happiness are interlinked.
When you are totally united with the Divine, you cannot but be fulfilled on the second level and on the third level and you cannot but serve everyone because everybody is a part of you. When you start serving and stop thinking about yourself all the time, mental satisfaction will come to you automatically. The mind will also feel happy and relaxed and create an environment where you feel the abundance of happiness. A wise one is happy even in bad times. And the foolish one is unhappy even in good times. Spirituality is nothing out of the world. There is no division between what is spiritual and what is material. Attaining a spiritual state is recognising that there is life and spirit everywhere. When you go beyond happiness, what happens? The mind expands, at the same time it is not unconscious or unaware. Usually when you are happy, you become spaced out and you lose focus. When you are unhappy you are very focussed. But a beautiful combination – of being happy and alert and focussed at the same time – can be experienced in spiritual life.
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HOTWHEELS
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Kushan Mitra Auto & tech expert
LIVING WITH
ELECTRICITY EXOTICA [40] MAY 2019
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Spending a week with an electric car can change one’s outlook towards such vehicles but upfront costs are an issue
AT
the outset, I should make one thing clear, that the BMW i3s is a luxury car. It might be an eco-friendly BMW with recycled plastic being used alongside environmental-friendly fabric for the seat and a few bits of (fake) leather offcuts from the production line, but this is a BMW nonetheless. This is therefore, not a car for everyone, but is one of the most popular electric vehicles in Europe. Priced at around 40,000 Euros, if it were to come to India, if incentives are offered for the import of
electric vehicles, such as no additional excise, it will still cost at least `35 lakh, only a bit less than a brand-new BMW 3-series or X1. However, driving one for a week, complete with its new green registration plates that electric vehicles are allowed to use was an eye-opener for this writer. To be fair, this column had been written about the i3s when we had driven it in Portugal a year and half ago, but that was a media drive where one did not have to deal with the nitty-gritty of living with an electric vehicle, that is charging. Now, we
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know that India does not have enough charging infrastructure as yet, and more on that later. But I could charge the i3s at home, thanks to a couple of reasons. First, I had covered parking and a plug-point as well as a three-phase power connection. While charging from a low amperage point meant that the car took over 12 hours to charge from empty and on ‘Comfort’ mode it took 12 hours. In ‘Comfort’ mode, the default mode of the car had 218 km of range on full charge. On ‘Eco Pro’ mode, the car had around 250 km of range and in ‘Eco Pro+’ over 300 km of range. I, however, kept the car on ‘Comfort’ most of the time as it allowed me to use the air-conditioner without any issues, it is summer in Delhi after all. I’d also plugged in my mobile phone so as to listen to music and actual range was a lot higher than the initial indicated one because the i3s has a very good regenerating
system that charges the battery whenever you lift your foot off the pedal so much so that you rarely end up using the brakes. So what are the headline numbers. The car claimed that it was consuming 12.9 kilowatt-hours (units) of electricity for every 100 km of driving. Now, in Delhi, residential power costs `7.75 per unit at maximum rates, this means that the i3s has a running cost, if you buy power at the peak rate, of just `1 per km. That, frankly, is unbeatable by any petrol or diesel car. Keep in mind that fixed costs remain the same, any few households fall into the peak charge for electricity. So overall costs will, using a back of the envelope calculation, be around 80 paise per kilometre. A small petrol hatchback such as the Hyundai i20 or Suzuki Baleno would have a per-kilometre cost of `5.5. Even with BMW’s 1,00,000 km warranty on the battery and rising fuel prices
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going forward, which is almost certain, savings on running cost over that period will be `8 lakh at best, not enough to make up the difference. Maybe if you considered this over a BMW X1 for example, you might save money but that is all dependent on a benevolent government which wants to promote electric car usage in India and keeps import duties low or at zero at least initially to seed the market. But this does not preclude the fact that the i3s will, even if not charged import duties, cost 3.5 times that of a standard hatchback. And then there is an issue with infrastructure, there are some charging stations built in and around Delhi by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) for the fleet of government electric vehicles, including one at Jor Bagh Market near the offices of the Environment Ministry. But guess what, that charging system is not compatible with that of the
BMW. This is like needing an iPhone charger and finding a Micro-USB charger. So well, I could not try that out. This incompatibility issue is something that the industry and government will need to deal with. The i3s is actually an amazing car to drive around the city. For one the instant power delivery and almost perfectly linear acceleration means that it overtakes with surprising ease, it can be rather quick if you want it to be and thanks to its excellent centre-of-gravity, it handles like you expect a BMW should. But this is just a technology-demonstrator brought here by BMW to showcase its technology and train its service engineers. However, I do wish that the carmaker does share this car with someone in the government and let them drive around and get some idea of how to formulate electric vehicle policy going forward.
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ACEUPMYSLEEVE
FASHION FILES
Ever since we gazed at fairies and princesses, puffy sleeves have not quite left our imagination. And today, they have grown, mutated and reinvented themselves with us. Exaggerated sleeves come in all sizes and shapes, as capes, bells, balloons, wing flaps. From the length, to the style and the crafting, these ignored facets of a dress finally have got their time in the sun. EXOTICA gives you some ideas
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RITUKUMAR From structured drapes, the idea has now shifted to garments that are free-flowing. Nowhere is the fluidity more apparent than in the sleeves that are loose at the shoulders and flare up further as they approach the wrist. The loose sleeves make the entire garment look airy. The sheer fabric adds to the light feel.
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ANAVILA A plain sleeve, which is rolled up and stitched with a floral printed fabric, adds an element of duality to the apparel. Rather than being tapered, the sleeve is loose and of a uniform width. But it is the detailing, where seven different pieces of the same fabric are stitched together, which makes it the talking point.
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PAYALJAIN The animal print sheer fabric is just right for the flowing, extra loose sleeves that this garment flaunts. Quite breezy. A combination of the flowing and the fitted, this one is a visual delight. The tightened sleeves below the elbows make them bellow and balloon above.
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A TOAST TO THE MAN OF SUBSTANCE India Men Show, a glamorous showcase of the latest fashion trends and lifestyle changes, decoded how men have evolved not only in style but also their personal space
LEADING
iconic men from different walks of life came together to launch the inaugural edition of ‘India Men Show’ in New Delhi recently. A one-of-its-kind celebration, dedicated to phenomenal individuals, saw Bibek Debroy, the chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, grace the event as the chief guest. A special recognition was given to designer Ritu Beri, for her exemplary contribution to the luxury industry. Some renowned personalities appreciated with the ‘Man of Substance’ honour included Amit Burman (VP, Dabur India), Raghava Rao (VP, Finance and India CFO at Amazon India), Raghav Verma (Co-founder, Chaayos), Sunil Sethi (President, FDCI), Zorawar Kalra (Restaurateur), Navin Ansal (Founder, Casa Pop), Tarun Thakral (Founder, Heritage Transport Museum), Sangram Singh (Wrestler), Sachin Atulkar (IPS Officer, Online sensation), Samir Suhag (polo player), Rajiv Makhni (technology guru), Jamal Shaikh (Editor, HT Brunch), Martin Howard (social activist) and Sabbas Joseph (Founder, Wizcraft).
Fashion, an integral part of men’s lifestyle, was represented by BMW and Study by Janak. While BMW showcased their latest summer lifestyle collection of glares, watches, duffel bags, trolleys, polo shirts and motorsport jackets, Study by Janak presented their classic looks for the suave, smart and stylish men. Karan Bhardwaj and Poonam Kumar, the founders of the India Men Show, pointed out that men are becoming increasingly style savvy and are making informed lifestyle choices more than ever before. Be it fashion, fitness, grooming, machines, travel, technology or personal space, they are investing smartly in factors that determine their way of life. Despite that, there hasn’t been a portal or space which talks about how men’s lifestyle and personality has evolved over the years. The show was conceptualised keeping this aspect about technology, food, travel, way of living, fashion, luxury, fitness, entertainment and lifestyle in mind. Karan said, “It was to provide some direction to the lifestyle industry and give them a new subject to work on. The show not just looked at how their personal choices have changed with time, but also defined the ‘man of substance’, who has evolved by accepting the current scenario and change in the society.” With so many campaigns against the harassment and injustice towards women coming to the fore, the show questioned who after all is a ‘man of substance?’
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He added, “Even if the man is successful in his endeavors, he needs to be much more accepting of the changing roles and desires of women too. They need to be ‘clean’ enough to talk about society as whole. Hence, we shortlisted men from every field like fashion, technology, hospitality, fitness and more, who aren’t controversial or haven’t been charged of any accusations under the #MeToo campaign and respect humanity and feminism. Of course, they have contributed to the society in a great way.” Present at a panel discussion led by the former Indian cricketer Anjum Chopra, talking about the changing trends in men’s lifestyle in India, FDCI president Sunil Sethi said that a man shouldn’t try to be just successful, rather be of value, quoting Albert Einstein. “If you are a man of value and ethics, you’re a man of substance,” he said, adding that “Achievers are not necessarily defined by clothes.” Talking about how the fashion sense in men has evolved, Sethi said that men haven’t been adventurous in the past. However, today, they don’t just wear ‘smart suits, blacks and whites, but change colours to look attractive. They have a style of their own. Look at how they go to the gym and exercise religiously, their accessories and clothes have matching colours, making them appear like they do have a fashion sense.” With changing roles of both men and women today, the former’s fashion choices have transformed as well.
Men’s fashion has evolved manifold whether it is formal suits, ties and pants or informal clothing and tracksuits. From the fitness industry, “there can be no one better than Sangram Singh to talk about who a man of substance is?,” said Karan. “Nothing is more fashionable than being fit. No matter what you wear or buy, the most important thing should be to keep yourself fit and healthy. When you are fit, your confidence grows by leaps and bounds,” said Sangram at the panel. Discipline and moral values are important to succeed in life, he said. The panel also saw Rajiv Makhni, the tech guru, who talked about how personal looks mattered in today’s social media world. “I do make-up. I tell my children that they have a father who does indulge in make-up to enhance looks so that they can brag about it rather than hide it. I think it is a great thing. For me, a ‘man of substance’ means the one who is unique and solid, learns through his life and teaches back.” He added that in an age of social media, good looks matter a lot. Karan added that not just looks or personal achievements, “It’s about today’s men, who are aware of their actions and are making informed choices towards the society and their evolution. It’s indeed a brilliant shift and the show celebrated just that. They are not just investing smartly but also creating opportunities through multiple start-ups.”
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JEWEL JUNCTION NARAYAN JEWELLERS The butterflyshaped ring crafted in 18k yellow gold is studded with uncut diamonds, fine cut diamonds and emeralds.
The beautiful ring crafted in 18k rose gold has a south sea pearl as its focal point placed on an emerald and decorated with fine cut diamonds.
Circle love of
Talking point, a statement piece, decoration for fingers or an accessory that lights up an entire outfit? Rings can be all of this and more... TANISHQ
The ring inspired by the universe has a circular stone in the centre and crafted in 18K rose gold, diamonds, black onyx and citrine.
MINAWALA This ring from the Space Odyssey collection is designed keeping the planetary orbits in mind. Crafted in pink gold and studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and blue sapphires, it weaves circles.
The filigree work gold ring is twisted and turned around to create an unusual yet exquisite shape.
SHRIPARAMANI JEWELS This ring set in solid gold is inspired by temple jewellery.
RESA FINE JEWELLERY A cluster of blue sapphires and diamonds is set in white gold, giving the appearance of a bouquet.
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A large blue aquamarine is the centre of this ring which has two strands of diamonds crossing in the middle.
JAIPUR GEMS The multi-strand ring in rose gold has a combination of fine and cut white diamonds.
Shaped like a snake hood, this ring with Zambian emeralds and diamonds is a great conversation starter.
TBZ The open floral ring in white gold and diamonds has a blue sapphire to add a hint of colour. With complementary hues of citrine and smoky topaz set against the 22kt gold with filigree detailing and pearls add a free spirited vibe to this piece of jewellery.
ZARIIN Florets inspired ring with metal crafted flowers come together to form a gold bunch studded with Blue Lapis cabochons.
Inspired by nature, this multifinger ring embodying modern artistry is studded with diamonds on rose gold.
KHANNA JEWELLERS A carved emerald and meenakari ring shaped like a peacock.
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KOHINOOR JEWELLERS
This one is shaped like a crown with rubies, blue sapphires and diamonds.
This spiral ring by Kohinoor Jewellers Agra in 18k yellow gold is studded with garnet, citrine and blue sapphires.
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FITNESS
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Free radicals negatively affect lipids, proteins and DNA in the cells and lead to inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, neurological disorders and so on
Bharat Thakur is a yoga guru and founder of Artistic Yoga
MODERN
science confirms that free radicals in our systems can lead to disease, decay and degeneration in the body. They form easily when atoms or molecules lose electrons. They are highly unstable and attack other cells to bind with electrons. This damage is called oxidative stress. Normal cells produce a small amount of free radicals during metabolic processes. Environmental factors like air and water pollution, pesticides in food, cigarette smoke, drugs and solvents as well as physical and psychological challenges of day-to-day life, also subject the body to oxidative stress. This has a negative effect on lipids, proteins and DNA in the cells and leads to inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, neurological disorders among others. Yoga can play an important role here. Shaucha (cleanliness) is one of the five niyamas (practices) along with santosh (contentment), tapah (austerity), swadhyaya (self-study) and Ishwar pranidhanan (surrender). Yoga emphasises cleansing the body not just externally but also internally. This reduces the build-up of toxins that triggers free radicals and helps arrest the subsequent damage, disease and rapid ageing that they cause. Yoga cleanses toxins which cause free radical damage and significantly decrease the ones which have accumulated in the respiratory and digestive system through various kriyas and shatkarmas (purification techniques). Practices such as Kunjal Kriya, Bhasti, Nauli, Dhauti, Shankaprakshalana cleanse the abdominal region ie stomach, colon, liver and intestinal tract. Techniques such as bhastrika, kapalbhati, tratak , jal neti and sutra neti cleanse the frontal lobe of the brain, eyes, nasal and respiratory tracts. Yoga can also improve the anti-oxidant levels in the body. A balance between free radicals and anti-oxidants is needed for proper physiological functioning. One way to equip the body with anti-oxidants is through a diet rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and selenium. Modern research continually validates yoga’s claims. Recent studies show that Pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) not only relieves oxidative stress but also improves the anti-oxidant status in the body. Practices like Anulom Vilom or Nadi shodhan pranayama (alternate nostril breathing) followed by meditation have an intense calming effect psychologically, relieve stress and decrease free radical formation. These practices keep the body clean inside-out. Combined with yogic breathing, they balance negative emotions and keep the mind focussed. Along with a healthy diet and regular sleeping habits, yoga counters the rest.
BODYPOSITIVE
E
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o You will need a neti pot or similar vessel o Add 1 teaspoon salt to half a litre lukewarm water o Stand relaxed, legs apart, bend forward, tilt head to one side as shown o Keep breathing through mouth o Place nozzle in nostril facing up and slowly pour water. It will flow out of the other nostril o Straighten, blow nose gently to remove any mucus o Repeat with head tilted the other side o Straighten, close one nostril,
rapidly exhale for 10-15 counts to dry nostrils. Repeat on other side BENEFITS: o Removes mucus and irritants and allows air to flow freely o Stimulates nerve endings in nose and improves brain function o Soothes the brain, helps depression, anxiety and anger o Helps respiratory tract problems, allergies, colds and hayfever o Relieves muscular tension in the face
JALA NETI
KAPALBHATTI
ANULOMA VILOMA (ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING)
o Keep left hand on left knee o Bend forefinger and middle finger of right hand o Place thumb between eyebrows, press ring finger on right nostril o Breathe in through left nostril to the count of five o Reverse positions. Place ring finger between eyebrows, press left nostril with thumb. Exhale through right nostril to count of 10 o Now inhale through right nostril to count of five o Press right nostril with ring finger, thumb between eyebrows, exhale through left nostril to count of 10 o Repeat 10-12 times BENEFITS: o Increases the supply of oxygen to the blood. Purifies it by expelling toxins o Lowers stress and anxiety o Revitalises the mind and body
o Sit in padmasana (lotus position) or on your heels, back straight, eyes closed,palms on knees o Exhale forcefully through the nose, pulling stomach inward o Relax stomach and inhale (will happen automatically) o Practise 20-50 exhalations at a stretch BENEFITS: o The forceful exhalations cleanse and revitalise the face and the entire system o Improves cardiorespiratory capacity and oxygen level o Activates the peristaltic movement in the stomach and improves digestion and excretion o Strengthens the nervous system
YOGA NIDRA (AVOID FALLING ASLEEP) o Lie flat on your back with your legs slightly apart o Arms relaxed by your sides, a little away from the body and palms facing up o Close your eyes, breathe in, feeling stomach rise and the chest expand o Breathe out, letting chest fall,
stomach fall and relaxing the body o There are 16 vital points in the body that can relax you if you concentrate on them. Relax your toes, ankles, calves, knees, thighs, abdomen, chest, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingertips, neck, chin, lips, nostrils and the forehead.
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 awareness of the body and mind
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SPORTS IS A WAY OF LIFE On his appointment as the vice president of the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association, DR PN ARORA, the managing director of Yashoda Superspeciality Hospitals, in an interview with ANKITA SAXENA, says that youth’s involvement in sports can give a positive direction to the country’s growth What is your vision to further the reach and active participation of Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association? Our vision is focused; to attract maximum Gold medals in the Olympic Games. Apart from identifying the right players from the state to represent the country, we are ensuring that the players of all Olympic sports get proper training, direction as well as proper diet to help them keep fit and ready. It has been seen that many a time talented players are unable to afford training since they have to support their families which leave them off the selection procedure. For this, we are planning to engage coaches and also tie-up with some stakeholders to generate funds to help the sportspersons bring laurels for the country. Infrastructure for sports is directly related to the performance of the sportspersons. Does the
Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association have any plans to develop state-of-the-art facilities in the state? Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in the country which also translates into a larger responsibility on our part to identify, train and nurture sportspersons. This needs a multi-level and multi-institutional participation. In order to train players we need state-of-the-art infrastructure and training personnel and facilities. As an association we plan to make sure that will cooperation of key stakeholders, facilities are available at the ground level, not only in cities but also in districts and villages to encourage more people to take up sports. How does the association identify talented players? We have been organising tournaments from time to time of various levels to provide a platform to
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the budding players to to look into the diet of the showcase their skill in a players and I am sure we will do our best. particular sport. Last year, we organized a badminton How do you think involvement tournament in Hapur which of youth in sports can benefit saw an overwhelming the country? participation from players Despite having the largest from all across the country. youth population in the What was thrilling to see was world, India has not been able the number of girls who to realize the full potential of participated in the event. involvement of its youth in Such events have become a sports. I relate sports directly magnet for sportspersons and with good health and the it gives us an opportunity to development of a state and by identify the potential players in large the country. It is my who can be taken under our belief that sports is an wing for further training. We important part of one's life will also be advertising the since it teaches discipline, TRAINING GROUND dates of such tournaments in team work spirit of Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association is a member of the Indian Olympic the mainstream media and sportsmanship among many Association which is the governing other channels to ensure that other life skills. Even if one body for the Olympic Movement and the players are informed decides not to pursue sports the Commonwealth Games in India. about them well in advance. as one's career, it is still As an affiliated member of the important that one should be Given the injuries suffered by International Olympic Committee engaged in playing some various sportspersons, proper (IOC), Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Olympic Council of game as it benefits the medical facilities to tackle them Asia (OCA) and Association of professional aspirations. I hold very high importance. Do National Olympic Committees think that if one is engaged in you feel that Uttar Pradesh and (ANOC), the IOA administers various an activity, it can arrest many by in large the country, needs aspects of sports governance and social issues as well. There is more hospitals/ divisions athletes' welfare in the country. In this a need to change the dedicated to sports? regard, the IOA oversees the representation of athletes or teams perception of parents as well As part of an association I participating in the Olympic Games, towards sports who put realise that we need to Commonwealth Games, Asian pressure on their children to facilitate the players in every Games and other international multiperform in studies and leave way possible to help perform sport competitions of IOC, CGF, OCA sports since it is not a viable at both national and and ANOC. The Indian Olympic career. However, I strongly international platforms. I Association is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. believe that this can be want the players to know addressed if all stakeholders that the association is come together to work in the same direction. approachable by any player and we will ensure that their medical needs are taken care of. I have three What are your suggestions to the sportsmen? hospitals and can ensure specialised treatments The only suggestion to the players is that they for any type of injury. Those who cannot afford the should have the dedication and concentration like treatments, I can also offer treatment free of cost. that of Arjun of the Mahabharata. It has to be a However, injuries are one part of the game while focused approach in order to achieve more medals. diet is another. It is the association's responsibility For everything else, we are there for them.
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SUMMER DIET
Salads and summer are almost synonymous. For it is best to confine the rich and heavy dishes to winter and sit down to something which is fresh and light. But no, the chefs don’t want you to go running to the supermarket for exotic vegetables. The ones which are easily available can be used to whip up luscious treats EXOTICA [56] MAY 2019
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CITRUS AND COCONUT SALAD INGREDIENTS: Orange Segment/Sweet lime 10-15; Coconut grated 2 tbsp; Cucumber juliennes 50 gm; Capsicum, juliennes 50 gm; Lettuce, Iceberg 3-4 leaves For dressing: Lemon juice 1 tsp; Olive oil 2 tsp; Crushed pepper to taste; Salt to taste; Mustard ½ tsp; Honey 1 tbsp Garnish: Bread crisp 1 METHOD: o Prepare a dressing by combining all the mentioned ingredients. o Take out orange /sweet lime segment and keep aside. o Cut the lettuce in juliennes, place a round ring in the plate and fill the ring base with cut lettuce. o Arrange orange or sweet lime segments on lettuce followed by cucumber and capsicum juliennes. o Again place orange segment on julienne vegetable followed by desiccated coconut on top. o Pour the prepared dressing on top and carefully lift the ring. Arrange bread crisp side and serve chilled. —Rajesh Khanna, F&B Head, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa
YOGHURT AND SPICED APPLE SALAD INGREDIENTS: Plain curd ¼ cup; Apple juice ¼ cup; Raisins 1 tbsp; Mustard seed 1 tbsp; Red chilli flakes 3 gm; Coconut sliced 1 tsp; Lemon juice 1 tsp; Ground cinnamon ½ tsp; Red apples 4; Iceberg lettuce 20 gm; Cherry tomato 15 gm METHOD: o In a mixing bowl, combine yoghurt, apple juice, raisin, mustard seeds, lemon juice and cinnamon powder. o Core the apples and cut into thin wedges or bite size pieces. Toss apples in the yoghurt mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. o Arrange lettuce and place salad on top, garnish with cherry tomato and thin coconut slices.
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MUSK MELON AND CUCUMBER SALAD WITH TURMERIC DRESSING AND GINGER INGREDIENTS: Musk melon, sliced ½ large; Orange segment 1; Cucumber, sliced 1; Chillies, thinly sliced 2; Roasted pumpkin seeds 20 gm; Chopped cilantro 20 gm; Chopped mint 20 gm; Fox nuts 20 gm; Salt to taste; Ginger juliennes 5 gm; Freshly ground black pepper ¼ tsp; Ground cardamom 1 tsp For dressing: Fresh turmeric 5 gm; Ginger and garlic 5 gm; Lime zest — a pinch; Lime juice 10 ml; Peanut oil 50 ml METHOD: o Blend all the ingredients of the dressing together in a food processor until smooth with a few flecks of cilantro. o Arrange all the ingredients on a cold plate and garnish with ginger julienne and sprinkle cardamom powder on top. o Drizzle turmeric dressing on top and serve chilled. — Prem K Pogakula, Executive Chef, The Imperial, New Delhi
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MINCED CHICKEN SALAD INGREDIENTS: Chicken mince 100 gm; Chopped lemon grass 10 gm; Chopped red chilli 10 gm; Ginger-garlic 20 gm; Diamond cut spring onion 20 gm; Chilli garlic sauce 10 gm; Shiitake mushroom 10 gm; Chopped ginger 5 gm; Coriander 1 gm; Bean sprout 10 gm; Soy 10 ml; Kaffir lime leaf 1; Oil 20 ml METHOD: Heat oil in a heavy bottom wok. Add lemon grass, chopped ginger and cook till they turn brown. Add chopped chilli and cook for about a minute. Add ginger garlic paste and cook for two minutes or till it turns brown. Add chicken mince and cook on a high flame. Toss continuously. Add chilli garlic, soya and salt. Add mushrooms. Remove from heat, add bean sprouts and toss well. Put in a serving bowl, garnish with a coriander sprig, fried red chilli and kaffir lime juliennes. — Ivan Chieregatti, Executive Chef, Hyatt Regency, Delhi
SPROUT SALAD WITH CITRUS DRESSING INGREDIENTS: For dressing: Olive oil 50 ml; Orange Juice 100 ml; Mustard 5 gm; Salt To taste For salad: Grapes black and green 40 gm; Sprouts mix 150 gm; Almond sliced 4; Raisin sliced 2; Pomegranate 3 tbsp; Dalia (soaked and drained) 2 tbsp; Ginger 1 tsp; Green chilli chopped 1; Chaat masala To taste; Lemon juice To taste; Lettuce Mix METHOD o Chop all the salad ingredients. o Make the dressing with orange juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and mustard. Whisk it well. o Mix all the ingredients and taste. Plate the salad with lettuce leaves on one side. Serve chilled. — Diwas Wadhera, Executive Chef, Crowne Plaza, New Delhi, Mayur Vihar, Noida
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FRESH FRUIT, BABY SPINACH, MANGO CHILLI DRESSING INGREDIENTS: Baby spinach 1/3 cup; Feta cheese 1 tbsp; Orange segments 4; Diced watermelon 1/3 cup; Diced kiwi 1/3 cup; Diced papaya 1/3 cup; Sliced, toasted almonds 1 tbsp For dressing: Mango pulp 1 tbsp; Olive oil 2 tbsp; Salt To taste; Chopped fresh red chilli 1 tsp; Freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tsp METHOD: o Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl. Whisk until emulsified and keep aside. o Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss with the dressing. o Arrange on a platter and serve chilled.
STEAMED CHICKEN & SHREDDED VEGETABLE SALAD INGREDIENTS: Sliced steamed chicken (warm) 300 gm; Julienned carrots 2; Julienned celery 2 sticks; Sliced red onions 4; Fresh Thai basil 1 tbsp; Fresh coriander leaves 1 tbsp; Assorted fresh lettuce 2 cups; Julienned fresh red chilli 4 For dressing: Freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tsp; Fish sauce ½ tsp; Honey 1 tsp; Lemon rind 1 tsp METHOD: o Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl. Whisk until emulsified and keep aside. o Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss with the dressing. o Arrange on a platter and serve chilled.
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GINGER, PEPPER SPICED MINIATURE MUSHROOM & JASMINE RICE SALAD o Add vinegar, parsley and mix well until cooked. INGREDIENTS: Button mushrooms 80 gm; Jasmine Set aside to cool. rice 40 gm; White balsamic vinegar 100 ml; o Once the mushroom has cooled down, chop it Chopped parsley 15 gm; Minced garlic ½ tsp; down roughly and keep aside. Crushed black pepper 1 tsp; Grated fresh ginger o Steam the jasmine rice. Set aside to cool. 1 tsp; Parmesan flakes 2 tbsp; Salt To taste o Arrange the jasmine rice on a plate and top with METHOD: the mushroom mixture. o Sauté the button mushroom in olive oil. Add o Garnish with Parmesan flakes and serve. ginger, garlic and seasoning. — Ramit Kohli, Executive Sous Chef, Taj City Centre Gurugram
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SUMMER COOLERS
Wild yeast has been used for making a new limited edition whisky
spirit age-old The
of an
quest
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YEAST
NEED TO KNOW Colour: Pale straw Nose: Rounded, with biscuity, yeasty tones. Gentle floral notes of carnations and Parma violets, baking bread, very gentle vanilla, soft raisins and sweet mandarin orange. Taste: A crisp citrus bite to the mouthfeel. Butter candy, creamy vanilla, orange syrup with slightly yeasty background. Gentle mint, the tiniest hint of sweet chilli and delicate, dancing, floral notes. Finish: Long and earthy with hints of bittersweet orange and peppermint.
has always been a key ingredient in Scotch whisky. But over the years, its impact on taste has been all but forgotten and emphasis placed on other aspects of whisky-making instead. What a tested brand like Glenmorangie has gone and done is to create the first whisky from yeast growing wild on barley to mark the 10th anniversary of the highland distillery’s pioneering Private Edition series. The Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, Dr Bill Lumsden, has a background in yeast physiology. He recalled a little-known story the late, great whisky writer Michael Jackson had told him years about a unique 'house' yeast that the brand was said to have possessed. And he began to further explore yeast's influence on flavour. As Dr Bill walked the barley fields near the distillery, he was inspired to collect a few ears of Cadboll barley and take them to the laboratory for analysis. There, he discovered Saccharomyces diaemath — a species of wild yeast unidentified until that point — and which, crucially, could be used for creating whisky. Dr Bill was intrigued to discover this wild yeast's effect on the spirit. So, he arranged for the yeast to be cultivated and when the barley on which it had grown was ready for use in the distillery, he brought them together in the whisky-making process, to create an exceptionally fragrant spirit. He then transferred this spirit into superior ex-bourbon barrels, including many second-fill casks, to showcase the fruity character given by the yeast. The rich, creamy whisky, which emerged years later, unveils a new seam in the brand’s character. Dr Bill said, “This is a worthy whisky with which to mark the Private Edition's tenth anniversary. Yeast’s influence on taste has been overlooked for years, but it's an area ripe for exploration. With a nose of biscuit, baking bread and floral notes, and rich tastes of vanilla, orange syrup and sweet chilli, it opens up compelling possibilities for the future of Scotch whisky.”
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FAST LANE
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Prix gets a new face
Years after the Formula 1 failed at the Indian racing circuits, car racers ARMAAN EBRAHIM and ADITYA PATEL announce the X1 League, which will bring the thrill back to the tracks. CHAHAK MITTAL discovers the key moves made to implement the plan
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SUPER
cars, classic sports cars, motors, singleseater racing cars, immeasurable race tracks — I had only witnessed them in dreams or while scrolling through my social media feed, until today. Even before I entered inside the main campus of the Buddh International Circuit at Greater Noida-Yamuna Expressway, the whizz of the racing cars as they ran through the tracks was audible. As I stepped into Pit 5 to attend the X1 Racing League Summit, the tracks were what immediately caught my attention. But the best was yet to be for we could experience life in the fast lane in a racing car alongside the driver. Even from far, I could hear the whizz of the car which made my spine tingle. The speed was equally thrilling. But let me confess, that my legs trembled at the thought of sitting inside the mean machine... yet I was extremely tempted to do so. The next moment I was signing a declaration which said that the racing authorities wouldn’t be responsible for any injury or death, if a mishap took place while I am on the track premises. As I sat in the car, with the harness strapped on and the helmet tightly fitted on my head, my heart was pounding so hard that I could hear it above the din of the cars that were screeching past. But before I could change my mind (not that I had any intention to), we took off! The first few moments were the scariest but so was the thrill which was out of this world. All I could imagine was a huge audience cheering for us and the checked-white and black waving flag to announce that we had cleared the finish line in record time. The lap ended. Too soon, too fast. But it was certainly the experience of a lifetime. It was back from terra firma and to reality. Indian car racers and young enthusiasts and aspirants lost their hopes of ever witnessing a Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit after it was besieged with financial problems including a tax dispute with the government. However, all that is set to change. The Summit
saw the announcement of the X1 Racing League that begins from October 2019, the biggest feature of which is, “that it is backed by government and the Federation of Motor Sports Club of India (FMSCI) assuring long-term partnership rights for city-based 4W racing events and competitions in league format,” said Indian car racer Aditya Patel, at the Summit. Talking about what went wrong and how it could have had been encouraged after 2011-2013 (the first Grand Prix in India), Patel said, “F1 indeed had a lot of problems and unfortunately, even the government did not back it enough. So they themselves weren’t willing to come back. I feel that if the government would have supported it financially, it would have certainly worked.” However, he said that with growing
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technological advancements, more people becoming aware, involved, and interested as well as with more brand sponsors and investors, the racing industry has definitely evolved over the years. The racing league, he said, would be the world’s first professional franchise-based motorsport league, which will include a mix of track and street races. Racer Armaan Ebrahim, who is co-launching the racing league, said, “This will be a new face of car-racing in the country. India has never had a history of racing but this will initiate a legacy which will last for years to come. You learn from history.” Looking back, he goes on to add, “F1 was not India-centric, had no connection with the Indian public, no government backing or international support. These have been kept in mind to keep this one competitive.” He added that the league, which includes participation by 32 drivers including both national and international, males and females, had been worked to keep in focus the factors which would “sustain in India and be suitable for it. We have gone in-depth to find such things out.”
The league, he informed us, will go on for 12 weekends, have 24 race days and 40 races. “There was a need to revive this culture in India and encourage its interest in people in order that the the charm of this sport is not lost. It’s an unconventional sport choice which not many opt for freely in this country. To encourage more participation, this was very important. We couldn’t have relied on F1 to come back after years. The young talents and aspirants need proper training and exposure and a platform which is specific to India. Also, such an initiative will bring people from the grassroot level,” said Armaan. There are still a few training centres in India, he claimed, and they “need to grow.” For someone who has been following the evolution of racing culture as a part of the circuit for 15 years, he said, “It’s been ever-evolving. There are certain companies who do host championships on small scales. The only need now is to take them to the next level. The rationale has been great since India has had so many international car racers as well over the past few years.” Well, the races, each of which will be of 45 minutes, will take place at the Buddh International Circuit and the MMRT in Chennai.
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H E R I TA G E S H O W Christie’s has put together an exquisite collection of shawls dating as far back as the 17th century. Here are some from the collection
WHEN
you mention shawls, you can almost invariably feel the soft warmth of comfort from the northernmost state of the country wrapping us all around. Kashmir’s incredibly soft Pashminas, the now banned Shahtoosh or for that matter drapes with the intricate kani embroidery form a part of the lexicon of any girl’s trousseau. But in Kashmir, shawls are considered heirlooms and rare pieces of artistry that are passed down generation to generation. So Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, which organises global auctions, private and digital sales, has put together a significant collection ever to be offered at an auction. Dating back from the 17th to the late 19th century, these hand-woven, decorated Kashmir shawls were created as items of luxury. Traditionally worn by men and women, these treasured heirlooms were handed down, prized for the very fine quality of wool
used and their intricate embroidered decoration. Comprising 85 lots with prices ranging from £1,000 – 12,000, the online sale will be open for bidding between June 11-18. Kashmir’s association with the finest shawls began with the most celebrated ruler, Sultan Zain ulAbidin (1420-1470), who was instrumental in promoting the country’s arts and crafts. His chronicler, Srivara, specifically mentions new types of weaves that were assimilated from these newcomers: “The special woollen textiles of foreign origin, worthy of kings, are now woven by the Kashmiris … the painters seeing the patterns and creeper designs obtained by intricate weaving process are reduced to silence as the figures in a painting”. Despite these early references to a type of tapestry weave, prior to the 17th century, kani weaves seem noticeably absent from the corpus of extant material.
Not just a drape
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rose in triple flexion, a Persian stylistic legacy. As the Mughal period waned, the botehs closed ranks, and floral content along with palla (the flowered ends of the shawl) height was increased. Over time, this style gave way to a boteh so crowded with flowers – perhaps, a phenomenon due to heavy commercialism — that its outline shape became a bulbous curvilinear shell (cone) filled with a mosaic of tiny flowers. Even today shawls are handwoven from the softest, warmest, light-weight fabric spun from the fine under-hair of high-altitude goats. The weaving of this fine fabric into shawls is thought to have been done in Kashmir since the 1st century. The highlights include an early 19th century square shawl with a remarkable and unusual pattern which combines the stripes with the central moon design (estimate: £7,000-£10,000). Moon shawls are known to have been modelled after a type of 16th century carpet from the Ottoman court in Cairo. Striped examples were especially valued by members of the royal court of Jaipur in Rajasthan. Moon shawls were also very popular in Western markets, especially with fashionable ladies in Britain in the late 18th and 19th centuries to be worn as accessories with their gowns. Then there is a 17th century Mughal long shawl border fragment comprising 11 singular floral motifs woven on an ivory ground (estimate: £4,000 – 6,000). This is an extremely rare 17th century example illustrating an iconic motif often associated with Mughal architecture and miniature paintings.
Akbar was exceedingly fond of the Kashmir shawl and Abul Fazl mentions his master’s orders to improve the industry in many ways. Among the changes, new dyes and dying techniques were developed, and the width of the fabrics was enlarged in order to make clothing. Fazl notes, “His Majesty has commenced to wear them double, which looks very well.” Thus the term ‘dochala’ (two shawls) where shawls were woven in pairs, such that they could be afterwards attached back to back, hiding the ridged undersides. Kani weaving assimilated the new trend in floral decoration with amazing ingenuity and grace, giving rise to finely wrought flowers of painterly quality. The Guimet shawl fragment, most likely a product of imperial magnitude, presents a unique example of direct European herbal inspiration, particularly with respect to its ‘speckled-wing’ blossoms. By Aurangzeb’s rule, these weavings had achieved international fame, creating considerable wealth among Kashmiri merchants. Shawls retain their status as a perennially dazzling costume accessory, their patterns perpetually dancing to the whims of fashion. Current theory in the development of shawl patterns during the classical Mughal period holds that the floral bouquets contained a lot of free spacing in the arrangement of the natural flowers, with large un-embellished spacing separating the botehs themselves. Typically they were of a single botanical species, and often consisted of delicate, identifiable flowers that
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BANDHAVGARH
JEWEL VINDHYAS OF THE
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WILD CARD
four hour drive from Jabalpur towards Umaria in hot sun does not reveal what is in store unless one reaches a patch of dry deciduous forests spread over 1,500 sqm around Bandhavgarh fort. The drive through mountain ridges, hilly ranges, high land and plateau escarpments is both scenic and exciting. The Bandhavgarh National Park spread over an area of over 1,500 sq m around Bandhavgarh Fort boasts of the highest density of the tigers in the country. It is also home to white tigers and was once used as hunting reserve by the erstwhile King of Rewa. Bandhavgarh got its name from the fort which is a masterpiece dating back to the ‘Treta Yuga’ and was constructed around 2,000 years back according to archaeologists. It is a testimony to the long rule of the Bharihas and Vakatak dynasties in the area. Later, Baghels shifted their capital to Rewa due to difficult terrain and accessibility issues. The ruins of the palace, jail complex, pathshala and a functional Laxman temple are testimony to the rich cultural heritage of the area. The water harvesting structures built at the plateau are engineering marvels and still serve as a source of water for the wildlife throughout the year. The National Park resides on the extreme north eastern border of Madhya Pradesh and the northern edges of the Satpura mountain ranges. It has tropical monsoon climate where both winters and summers are well-defined and in the rainy season the reserve looks lush green. Its altitude varies from 410 metres to 810 metres and there are 32 hills with the fort in the centre. The vegetation comprises thick sal and other miscellaneous varieties of trees. The fragrance of sal flowers and mahua is enchanting as one drives through the Tala Forest Range which is open for tourists. While the sal trees can be found in abundance throughout the valleys, the miscellaneous trees are found in places where the quality of the soil is poor. Vast meadows intersperse the hill ranges providing adequate
A WHILE THE FOREST RESERVE HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF BOTH CARNIVORES AND HERBIVORES WITHIN ITS PRECINCTS, THE PLACE IS KNOWN FOR THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF TIGER POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY. BY SANJEEV KUMAR CHADHA
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grazing grounds for the herbivores. As a result, large herds are often sighted in these meadows. Bamboo patches exist throughout the habitat. One of the unique characteristics of this habitat is the absence of weeds like lantana, parthenium and others which is quite heartening as most of the reserves in the country are heavily infested with weeds. The Bandhavgarh Reserve boasts of one of the highest densities of tigers and their estimated number is over 80. The number of cubs is around 60 and is an indication of the healthy habitat and management practises put in place by the Forest Department. For the visitors, this implies that there is maximum probability of a glimpse of the king of the jungles. Besides this, it has wide variety of mammals reptiles and birds. The herbivores include very large population of cheetals, nilgai, sambar, gaur, chausingha, chinkara and carnivores include the sloth bear, ratel, Asiatic jackal, jungle cats, leopard, mongoose and more. Wild dogs are often sighted along the range in large packs. The rich bird life along streams includes eagles, kingfisher, jungle peafowl, hornbill, vultures, birds of paradise and more. andhavgarh is one of the few habitats in the country where vultures are able to breed successfully in the wild. The colonies of vultures are a common sight around the carcasses of animals left by carnivores. Different varieties of vulture — Egyptian, king and griffon — are often seen in the National Park. These birds are breeding well and their nests on the edge of rocks can be seen as one drives towards the fort. The colonies of vultures need to be protected to build a viable source population of these critically endangered birds. The nearest airport is Jabalpur. The park is also well-connected with the railway network as well as the National Highway. A visit in summer season almost guarantees encounters with tigers that can be seen
B
during the drive through the park or while one is out on an elephant safari. Madhya Pradesh Tourism provides affordable accommodation in their White Tiger Forest Lodge. Several high-end resorts are also there to cater to different categories of visitors. Bandhavgarh National Park is at the heart of the tiger conservation strategy in the country. The dispersal of the tiger population from this park to neighbouring forests is a challenge as the continuity of forest with the neighbouring national parks like Kanha National Park and Sanjay National Park is getting fragmented due to biotic pressures and construction of highways, railway lines and irrigation projects. There is need to balance the future development needs in this landscape with ensuring the survival of the carnivore so that the future generations can witness it in its full glory.
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NUMBERGAME
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Sanjay Jumaani Numerologist
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COUNT YOUR FATE
NUMBER 1 (Those born on the 1st, 10th, 19th and 28th of any month) Routine is probably what you might like and start enjoying. Someone might give you advice related to your career, which might appear to be ‘sound.’ However, don’t implement it without considering the pros and cons. Take stock of your situation and go ahead with any plans only after that.
NUMBER 4 (Those born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd and 31st of any month) Your sensibility might aid you in taking appropriate decisions in emotional matters. This might prove to be advantageous in an intimate relationships. Try to be a little careful with the way you express your feelings. Being diplomatic might land you in trouble instead of saving you from it.
NUMBER 7 (Those born on the 7th, 16th and 25th of any month) Independence might be essential for you to take up any project at work. But sometimes it is also necessary to have a second perspective. This might ensure that things you have overlooked can be pointed out by someone else. Try to take out time for loved ones from your busy schedule.
NUMBER 2 (Those born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th and 29th of any month) You might not feel the need to change the current state of affairs and its pace. Nevertheless, get over laziness. Try to do something that might influence your future positively. Only if you start early, can you bring a turnaround. People going through a financial crisis might be able to see a way out.
NUMBER 5 (Those born on the 5th, 14th and 23rd of any month) Your ability to adapt to circumstances might make you more successful than your colleagues. There might be some changes at work in money matters. This might aid you in learning new tactics and challenging your current limitations. Be open to patching up with old friends.
NUMBER 8 (Those born on the 8th, 17th and 26th of any month) You might have learnt the art of balancing work and personal life well. This might have boosted your confidence and helped you achieve difficult feats even during difficult times. Your will power and determination will make you take everything in your stride and be tough while dealing with tricky conditions.
NUMBER 3 (Those born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st and 30th of any month) There are times when being tactful is more important than being realistic. Professionally, things might progress well. There might be times when your suggestions might be valued and provide greater insights at work. But the trick is to believe in yourself, instead of looking for motivation from others.
NUMBER 6 (Those born on the 6th, 15th and 24th of any month) Try to accept people the way they are. People in the creative field might meet up with new associates, which might give a new lease of life to their ideas. Later in the month, the emphasis might be on romantic relationships. Singles might meet someone special and take things ahead.
NUMBER 9 (Those born on the 9th, 18th and 27th of any month) Colleagues and juniors might look up to you as a role model for planning and execution of projects. The first fortnight might be good to take decisions that have been pending for a long time. Keep your eyes and ears open for any false information that people might spread against you.
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SIGN-OFF
By RINKU GHOSH
SUCCESS HAS NO ENDGAME
T
v/s
his is what even Bollywood has not managed to achieve despite a familiar culture legacy as its bedrock, make a mammoth hit of an over three-hour epic film, cutting across generations and triggering a collective expiation of all kinds of emotions. At the time of writing, Avengers Endgame had generated a massive collection of $2.19 billion across the world and had waiting queues of fans wanting to know if existence itself could be saved by superheroes or if a doomed future could be malleable and rectified with time travel. In a world of post-truths, the characters created by the Marvel Cinematic Universe have held up hope that we don’t need urban myths but possibilities through science, which is our new god. So why is it that we fall for the Avengers with such gusto? Is it because the idea of time travel to fix things is intrinsically linked to the Oriental philosophy of transforming our past karma with current corrective actions? Or is it that they demonstrate that man can be superman if he should so want? Creator Stan Lee answered this question in his own battle to emerge out of the gloom and doom of the postwar years and question man-made biases and bigotry. So his superheroes were really scrawny in real life, oddities even, weren’t infallible, had personal burdens and motives and would have feet of clay at times. An angry, raging Hulk could turn on mankind itself, Spider Man had self-doubt and Iron Man ironically needed a mechanical heart to feel the emotions he had ignored over the years. The villain Thanos, too, sheds a tear and is a conflicted, tormented soul who, despite acquiring some power of infinity, wonders “To what end?” Yet when they emerged to their full potential they had an individualism that allowed them to operate outside the rules of society or law. But a solo superhero cannot save the world. Superhero, in its evolutionary journey then, is collective humanity. And unfinished business is not despair but about getting up again as evidenced by the penultimate Avengers’ film Infinity War. Meanwhile, the
superheroes are breaking out of White supremacist constructs and embracing global diversity. The commercial success of the Black Panther of Wakanda has made Marvel consider more inclusions. Black Widow and Captain Marvel are more than just women empowerment, they are the carriers of the future. So why is it that Bollywood cannot create such realistic superheroes instead of making bad copies in Krrish and Ra One? We have our own comic book superheroes in Doga, who doesn’t draw power from some other planet but has developed his own human strength through training. He’s not rich like Tony Stark or Bruce Wayne conjuring up futuristic tools and war machines, but a regular guy who scores with his brain. Dhruva is a stunt biker, acrobat and martial artist whose best kept secret is his ESP, his ability to communicate with the animal world and breathe underwater. There’s Shakti too, a desi avenging woman who can travel at the speed of light. Fortunately, they are all believable Indians who score not with unreal physical prowess or borrowed aerodynamics but with that very Indian characteristic called mindplay and wit. Unfortunately, our filmmakers haven’t looked at these possibilities. Though we do not know what Ranbir Kapoor’s Brahmastra will be like, we hope that his superhero is not simply gifted and static in that cosmic giftedness. Part of the deficient appeal of our superheroes is that they do not have a shelf life or branding beyond the home-grown comics, which have been replaced by glossy consumables from the DC and Marvel Inc. Most importantly, they seem to be confined to their appeal among children who don’t carry their images into adulthood. And although India is now the FX backroom for Hollywood itself, nobody has thought about using that skill set for our versions. Yet Black Panther has shown that the African warrior tribe is as comfortable electrifying a defence shield while sporting their cultural costumes in athleisure formats.
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