ISSUE 7 VOL 03 AUGUST 2014
` 100
Walk the Line
spin a tale
Designer Hari Anand’s sketches come to life on the runaway.
A rendezvous with the Queen of Silks, Beena Kannan.
game’s on for c3 The world is no longer a stage but also a field.
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• Thiruvananthapuram: East Fort, 0471-2472922 | Pazhavangadi, 0471-2572117 | Pattom, 0471-2543611 | Peroorkada, 0471-2539377 • Nedumangadu: Market Junction, 0472-2803505 • Kollam: Chinnakada, 0474-2752005 • Pathanamthitta: K.P. Road, 0468-2270555 • Thiruvalla: Near KSRTC, 0469-2604060 • Kottayam: Rajiv Gandhi Complex, 0481-2303555 • Thodupuzha: 04862-226699 • Kochi: M.G. Road, 0484-2353295 | Lulu Mall, 0484-2728777 • Kodungallur: Vadakkenada, 0480-2801771 • Chavakkad: Bypass Junction, 0487-2500000 • Thrissur: Palace Road, 0487-2323971 | High Road, 0487-2420011, 2440460 • Palakkad: G.B. Road, 0491-2524500 | T.B. Road, 0491-2500101 • Coimbatore: Cross Cut Road, 0422-2482222 • Bengaluru: Jayanagar, 080-41666842 Shop online:2014 www.joscogroup.com | office@joscogroup.com | /JoscoGroup 2 AUGUST
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LIFESTYLE TRAVEL LEISURE ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE
Chief Mentor Padma Shri Mammootty Corporate Office Forward Media Director Sony Joy 9th Floor Director & CEO Arun Balachandran* Bhageeratha Square Editor Abraham Tharakan Banerji Road, Cochin- 682 018 Assitant Editor Atheena Wilson Vice President Sameer Hamsa Zonal Office Legal Advisor Adv. Aginov Mathappan Forward Media 1006 -Ivory Court 1, Essel Towers, Editorial Manager Lekshmy Vijayan M.G Road, Gurgaon, Features Writers Maria John Haryana-122002 Simna Nahas Contributing Copy Editor Anoop Sankar Forward Media Layout Assistant Vishnu Haridas Flat No.7, 4th Floor Sojan Sunny Dhanush Kutti Co- Op Housing Society, 15th Road Bandra West, Jinson Abraham Chief Photographer Mumbai 400050 Photographers Revonex Circulation Babu.G Printed at Circulation Assistant Siju Mathew S.T Reddiar & Sons (EKM) Manager Marketing Christeena Thiruvinkal Manager Client Relations Amrutha Vijay For Advertising info@fwdmedia.in Assitant Manager Marketing Rameez Rahim +91 98090 10111 Assitant Manager Marketing Nandagopal K P Manager H.R & Finance Office Assistant
Anu Justin K.R. Digith
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Printer & publisher: Jose Thomas Pattara, Muhamma, Alappuzha on behalf of Forward Media Private Limited from Bhagheeratha Square, Banerji Road, Cochin. Printed at S.T. Reddiar & Sons, Cochin-18. All rights reserved. FWD Life is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reproduced fully or in part without permission. All inputs, text, image or illustration, are accepted on the understanding that no liability is incurred. All characters in any fictional story are purely imaginary and no references or allusion is intended to apply to any living person or persons. The views and opinions expressed or implied in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Forward Media Private Limited. All photographs unless otherwise indicated, are used for illustrative purposes only. This magazine is intended for mature audience-reader discretion is advised. Director & CEO: Arun Balachandran * Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act.
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editor’s note MY PICK
share our experiences
Celebrity Cricket Club t’s a proud moment for FWD Life magazine, to be an official partner of C3, Celebrity Cricket Club. We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and energy shown by the members of the club, not only towards cricket but to work for charity using their collective star power. What started as an informal get together now has evolved into a registered club. We also have an interview which captures the infectious energy and confidence of Beena Kannan, the Queen of Silks. The growth of the brand and the travails of catering to hundreds of loyal customers who swear by the brand name. Also, we get to see the unseen person behind the persona which was all captured during the wonderful shoot and interview . v
i
Editor Abraham Tharakan
I would love to know what you think of the magazine.
E-mail me at abraham@fwdmedia.in 6
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CONTENTS
AUGUST/2014
exclusive
24
game’s on for c3! The world is no longer a stage but also a field.
my 18 under umbrella
There’s no time of the day when the rain doesn’t make a statement, nothing should dampen your fashion sense this monsoon.
the pet 86 waggle: pad
past 92 blazing milestones
If your dog is an integral part of the family, Waggle has the solution for you. FWD meets the team behind Waggle.
It’s traveled a long way from war and does not stop riding in the laps of luxury.
FWD LifeTakes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material. All photographs, unless otherwise indicated areused for illustrative purposes only. Views and opinions expressed in the articles are of the authors subjects and do not necesserally reflect those of the editors or publishers. While the editors do there utmost to verify information published, they do not accept responcibility for its absolute accuracy. In matters which may be sub judice, femina takes no legal stand. FWD Life can not be held responsible for products, product information, pictures, illustrations, etc Any information received by us through responses by users / subscribers to the short messaging services (SMS) key codes or such other subscription service of ours will be used in whole or part, in our publications (other than contact information), for our research, individual marketing, strategic client analysis and for other internal purposes and all copyrights in such information will vest with us. Your contact information shall not be sold traded, rented or in any way divulged to any third party unless we are legally bound to do the same.
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chat 54 Walk the line For every hem that goes under the stich, there’s a mile of thoughts that run in a mind. In a conversation with Hari Anand.
111 back to roots Food has been reinvented over time, and it involves a journey to recreate historical tastes.
114 on track Great music can make an ordinary day into an extraordinary experience. So plug in and get your week on!
58 skin science
the Longest yard
Here are a few tips to make the right choice.
living
party
inside and out 88 Beautiful
bicycle 82 kochi’s love affair
life 100 fwd cover launch
We all dream of that perfect house where all our things fit in perfectly. So did the Wilsons and architect Herman Fernandez was the one to deliver it to them.
Recently there has been a growing momentum of a youth-fueled bicycle culture and Kochi too seems to be smitten by the bicycles.
The June issue cover launch of FWD Life magazine was held at Dream Hotel Kochi.
102 wtzup Trivandrum Wtzup Tvm Launch party was held on at SP Grand Days Trivandrum
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38 34 relationship The Art of making love
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Notes From All over news A glance through the major happenings in July.
gossips Know the latest from the showbiz industry in case you missed it!
launch New ventures and products are being featured for your info.
Mercedes Benz casts a golden spell in the city As part of its ‘Year of Excellence’ campaign, a convoy of Mercedes Benz cars masked in golden colour were in the city to celebrate their achievement of being the ‘most-awardedluxury-car-brand-in-India'. It has won 18 awards last year which is higher than any other luxury car brand. The luxury car maker celebrated the achievement with customers by organising a get together at hotel Crowne Plaza, Cochin. The motorcade comprised of A-Class and B-Class hatchbacks along with the E-Class sedan and GL-Class luxury SUV.
Amazon launches Zocalo, challenges Google Docs, Dropbox Amazon has launched an online service for collaborating on work projects in a challenge to tech titan Google.Zocalo is being billed as a secure, managed venue for storing, sharing and amassing feedback on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, Web pages, and other digital tools typically used to get modern day jobs done. Zocalo is tailored to work with a gamut of mobile devices including laptops and tablet computers powered by Apple or Android software, according to Amazon.
Get High on Desserts Kapil’s Devils to be immortalized on celluloid India’s 1983 World Cup victory will soon be made into film. Vishnu Vardhan Induri, the Founder of Celebrity Cricket League and Sanjay Puran Singh, who won the National Award for his debut film Lahore is directing the movie. In many ways, the win is regarded as instrumental in turning cricket into a religion in India, the makers of the movie are already in touch with the members of the 1983 Indian cricket team, and the project will go on floors next year.
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You have heard about cocktails and about desserts but have you ever relished cocktail desserts? If not, then it’s time to satiate yourself with some desserts with a bit of liquor sensation. Villa 69, the flashy hangout at Juhu in Mumbai has lined up a variety of cocktail desserts with some exquisite combination of rum, kahlua and ice cream.
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2014 AUGUST
NH 47 Bypass, Kochi. Mob: 8129 24 8888 (Kalamassery), 8129 11 8888 (Vyttila)
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tit bits Prince George lands Vanity Fair cover for his first birthday Prince Alexander Louis George, who turns one in a few weeks, is now officially the first baby to grace the cover of the famous magazine Vanity Fair since Suri Cruise. The young prince appears on the cover of the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair with his parents Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. The cover shot is of the family enjoying the Bilby enclosure at Taronga Zoo back in April.
Planet Mercury result of early hit-and-run collisions
Study reveals that patients are at the risk from their Docs A new study suggests that anasthesiologists may need to improve their hand hygiene habits during surgery because they might be putting patients at the risk for infections. Researchers observed anaesthesiologists during operations and found that they had an average of 149 “Hand hygiene opportunities” per hour of patient anaesthesia time.
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Mercury and other unusually metal-rich objects in the solar system may be relics left behind by hit-and-run collisions in the early solar system, scientists say. The origin of planet Mercury has been a difficult question in planetary science because its composition is very different from that of the other terrestrial planets and the moon. This small, innermost planet has more than twice the fraction of metallic iron of any other terrestrial planet. Its iron core makes up about 65 per cent of Mercury’s total mass; Earth’s core, by comparison, is just 32 per cent of its mass.
tit bits Wearable device may replace computer mouse A thimble-like device called 3DTouch that sits at the end of your finger and allows you to interact with the virtual world in three dimensions may render the indispensable computer mouse obsolete. Anh Nguyen and Amy Banic from the University of Wyoming in the US have created an intelligent thimble that can sense its position accurately in three dimensions and respond to a set of preprogrammed gestures that allow the user to interact with objects in a three-dimensional world. The 3DTouch sits on the end of a finger, equipped with a 3D accelerometer, a 3D magnetometer and 3D gyroscope.
Rotten egg gas holds key to health-care therapies It may have an awful smell and have the reputation for being highly toxic, but when used in the right dosage, hydrogen sulfide may offer health benefits in a range of diseases such as diabetes, heart attack and dementia. A new compound (AP39), developed at the University of Exeter, could hold the key to future therapies, by targeting delivery of very small amounts of the substance to the right (or key) places inside cells. Scientists in Exeter have already found that the compound protects mitochondria – the "powerhouse" of cells, which drive energy production in blood vessel cells. Preventing or reversing mitochondrial damage is a key strategy for treatments of a variety of conditions such as stroke, diabetes and arthritis, dementia and ageing, researchers said.
Aishwarya chose John Abraham for Jazba According to reports actor John Abraham will join the cast of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s come back movie Jazba. Makers of the film were initially undecided about whom to cast opposite Aishwarya, but apparently the actress herself keen on John joining the cast because the role required an actor who could not only do action but also has a fabulous screen presence. The political-thriller will go on floor in January next year.
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Luxury
Interior
Disclaimer: Price and features are subject to change. Buyers are advised to act on data after cross-checking
Cocoon Aeris Hanging Fireplace This contemporary fireplace resembles a large hanging plant. It has a 1.5-liter bio-fuel tank that can keep the unit running for around six hours. Price Rs 240900 appx.
Orange Blaze" Glass Bowl A stunning addition to the home, this floriform glass bowl by artist Amanda Brisbane is made by manipulating molten glass to create a fluid, organic form. Price Rs 47891 appx.
DĂŠcor Buys
Bring home these dĂŠcor pieces that are created with a touch of playfulness and a whole lot of passion which makes them ideal for contemporary spaces.
Linley Trafalgar bar box Crafted from walnut with a starburst design in rosewood, this box includes two decanters, four curved whisky tumblers & six magnetic coasters. It is the ultimate luxury gift idea for someone special. Price Rs 1129654 appx.
Vainius Kubilius handmade lamps These hand- made lamps from coconut shell gives your room the much needed individuality and charm. The skin of the lamp is made from suede with varnished corks. Price Rs 8431 appx.
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John-Richard Collection Enchantment Halogen Chandelier With sculptured gold branches and quartz-crystal buds, the chandelier can bring in sophistication and attitude. Price Rs 222531 appx .
“Ribbons” Entertainment Cabinet Crafted of mahogany and rosewood with silver tipping, it has six drawers behind two pocket doors and a cut-out in back for cords. Price Rs 296849 appx.
Four seasons vase The crystal four seasons vase are simple yet attention-grabbing. It’s delicate and can add colour to your home. Price Rs 35943 appx.
Michael AramTriple Wick Candles They are inspired by nature and are made of soy wax and have an estimated 60-hour burn time. Price Rs 3615 appx.
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Women Fashion
Under my There's no time of the day a statement, nothing should this monsoon.
Blue shrug moschino Price : Rs3,576/- appx
Disclaimer: Price and features are subject to change. Buyers are advised to act on data after cross-checking
White vest Price on request
Transparent umbrella FULTOB BIRDCAGE Price : Rs1,737/- appx
the day look inspiration Gucci floral print short skirt Price : Rs2,146/- appx
Jimmy Choo stilletoes Price : Rs68,983/- appx
Prada handbag beige color Price : Rs1,05,487/- appx
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umbrella when the rain doesn't make dampen your fashion sense
Aurélie Bidermann Monteroso gold-plated leaves earrings Price : Rs34,270/- appx
Estée Lauder Pure Color Lip Gelée in Electric Coral Price : Rs1,353/- appx
Fantasia Navy/White Polka Dots Double Canopy Luxury Umbrella by Pasotti Price : Rs14,323/- appx
Alexander McQueen The Skull macramé lace box clutch Price : Rs89,445/- appx Dolce & Gabbanna Silk Dress Price on request
the night look inspiration Bulgari - BaselWorld 2013 - BVLGARI Price on request
Miu Miu Glitter Peep Toe Sandal Gold Price : Rs45,094/- appx
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Men Fashion
Blue-eyed Boys Here comes the storm! Get electrified this monsoon by the streaks of blue.
Disclaimer: Price and features are subject to change. Buyers are advised to act on data after cross-checking
Just Cavalli Animal print shirt Price Rs 15873 appx
Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue pour Homme Price Rs 4286 appx
Gucci men’s blue gg nylon hat from Viaggio collection Price Rs 15348 appx
Paul Smith blue suede falconer boots Price Rs 19457 appx
Missoni stripped cotton knit T-shirt Price Rs 11,985 appx
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Alexander Mcqueen Blue slim-fit wool and Mohair-blend suit Price Rs 159452 appx
Metallic shirt by Burberry Prorsum. Price on request Polo Ralph Lauren laptop bag Price Rs 9931 appx
Acne Ron cotton twill chinos Price Rs 13,275 appx
Salvatore Ferragamo Gancio bit Moccasins Price Rs 31310 appx
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Fabindia Fabels
Fabindia’s FABELS comes to Kochi Contemporary, western wear brand – FABELS by Fabindia has opened its flagship outlet in Kochi
f
ollowing a successful three city launch in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, FABELS - an all new contemporary western wear brand by Fabindia - India’s iconic lifestyle retailer is all set to make an entry in Kochi. Comprising classic western cuts and styles for both, men and women, the line has been developed to appeal to the young urban Indians, increasingly aware and responsive to global trends. The launch collection has been conceptualised by international designer Alistair Blair, who has been associated with labels such as Dior, Valentino, Givenchy, Cerruti and Chloe and presently lives in Goa. The coordinated ensembles on offer include structured jackets, waistcoats, trousers, shirts, skirts, dresses as well as accessories such as scarves, jewellery, bags and shoes. FABELS is also distinguished by the weaves, block prints and hand embroidery techniques that have been used as a part of this premium range of western garments. Speaking on the occasion, William Bissell, Managing Director-Fabindia, said “We are very excited about FABELS and creating
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a dynamic western wear brand that builds on the strengths of Fabindia”. Subrata Dutta, CEO-Fabindia, added, “The time is right for FABELS. This is a great opportunity to create a western idiom out of India and I look forward to the products with their distinctive styles resonating with our customers”. At present FABELS is being retailed out of dedicated shopin-shops created to replicate the fashion shopping experience in ten Fabindia stores across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and now in Kochi at the Fabindia store at Lulu International Shopping Mall.
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Cricket, Charity 24
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Photos Jinson Abraham
Comradeship !! 2014 AUGUST
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A group of actors, directors, singers and entrepreneurs have come together to form C3 , Celebrity Cricket Club with an emphasis on charity and comradeship. Forward Magazine is joining hands with the club to bring about a positive change that Malayalis definitely need. Photos Jinson Abraham
C
elebrities with their personal charity organisations are not a new thing, but a group of celebrities coming together to pledge their time and effort is a refreshing initiative. In 2009, a group of film stars headed by actor Inderjith started a club to regularly play cricket amongst them. It was a time for a break from the busy shoot schedules and time for catching up with friends and colleagues whom they normally don’t get time to spend with. Actor/Director Nikhil who was the initial Secretary of the club empathized that the regular meeting to play cricket gave birth to the idea .The happiness and comradeship should be shared to the society at large especially those who need a helping hand. The Malayalam cinema industry has always been a part of charity and awareness programs as brand ambassadors, wellwishers and active participants. Film organisations like AMMA have created welfare schemes and pension for the artiste but
INDRAJITH SUKUMARAN
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Actor Wicket-Keeper AUGUST MARCH 2014 2014 Right hand Batsman
PRITHVIRAJ SUKUMARAN Actor/ Producer All rounder Right hand Batsman
this organisation will be utilizing its collective star value to help notable causes. 2013 saw the registration of the club as a non-profit
KUNCHACKO BOBAN Actor/Producer
MARCH Right2014 hand Batsman
Unni Mukundan
Actor rounder MARCH All 2014 Right hand Batsman
organisation with Actor Kunchacko Boban becoming the Chairman and Vijay Yesudas as the Secretary. On July 15, 2014, the club is joining hands with Kerala’s favorite premium lifestyle magazine
ASIF ALI
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Actor All Rounder Right hand Batsman
Nivin Pauly
Actor Left hand Batsman
FWD . The event will also witness the handing over of a cheque to Heart Care Foundation. It was a sunny day, blessed by cricketing Gods , two teams
Vinu Mohan
Actor All Rounder 2014 AUGUST Right hand Batsman
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NISHANTH SAGAR Actor Right hand Batsman
were warming up ahead of the toss which would define their roles for the next few hours. The first thing you notice is the focus the players are displaying, something akin to a tempo created
SAIJU G KURUP
Actor/ Script Writer All rounder Right hand Batsman
before a ritual taking place in the sanctum sanctorum . This takes special context when you notice that some of the players are well -known faces, not on the cricket field but on the silver screen. The
Vijay Yesudass
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Playback Singer Right hand Batsman
MADHUBALAKRISHNAN Playback Singer All rounder Right hand Batsman
opposing team is the directors who make them come to life on the screens. We have seen the venue a hundred times during the prime time telecast of cricket matches, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Prasanth Alexander 29
Actor rounder MARCHAll 2014 Right hand Batsman
AFSAL
Playback Singer All rounder Right hand Batsman
It’s not an enviable task for the teams to involve a huge crowd of spectators who are looking forward to the match. They have already been pepped up by the entertainment shows that took
Sanju Shivaram
Actor All Rounder 2014 AUGUST Right hand Batsman
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Nikhil K Menon
Playback Singer/ Actor/ Film Director Wicket Keeper Right hand Batsman
place before the match. Director’s XI won the toss and elected to bat. At the end of 20 overs they scored 107/9 , C3 fought back and reached the target in 12.4 overs, for the loss of only one wicket.
Lijo Jose Pallissery 30
Film Director/ Actor rounder AUGUSTAll 2014 Right hand Batsman
Joju George
Actor Right hand Batsman
Later talking to FWD, club C3’s response to pressure was along two predictable lines. The bachelors amongst them, talked about the great opportunity they had being able to play at the historic
Deepan Shivkumar Film Director/ Actor
rounder MARCH All 2014
Right hand Batsman
Binu George
Entrepreneur All Rounder Right hand Batsman
venue and the difference between playing and performing in front of a crowd live and so on. The married men on the other hand, to quote the team captain Kunchacko Boban said, “ The biggest
Davin Das
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Entrepreneur
MARCH Left 2014 Hand Batsman
Sarath Pillai
Entrepreneur All Rounder Right hand Batsman
pressure they felt was from their spouses. Men who normally wake up late on a non – shooting day now leave their houses at the crack of the dawn to practice cricket. A busy career is already
Anoop Karedan Film Producer
rounder MARCH All 2014 2014 AUGUST Right hand Batsman
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Akhil Dev
Entrepreneur Right hand Batsman
a strain on their personal time, now this ‘madness’ to perform like professional cricketers have left many wives fuming.” Kunchacko Boban recollects his first cricketing gear, a gift from his father
Farooq
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Entrepreneur All Rounder AUGUST 2014 Right hand Batsman
Krishnan Nandakumar Advocate Right hand Batsman
during his First Holy Communion, “ Of course, technically my first gear would be the rubber slippers used as the bat against paper balls”, he added.
Dipushanth
Team Coach All Rounder Left Hand Batsman
UnitNo.S47, 2ndFloor, 2014 AUGUST 33 Lulu International Shopping Mall, Edapally, Kochi-682024 04844041111/+917559977777. mail: toniandguycochin@gmail.com
Feature
Biennale
An Art Affair to Remember
If you ever have an instinctive feeling to create something, first close your eyes and let the wonders happen through your imagination and then make the imagination turn into reality.
A
rt can be interpreted in many ways. Its ubiquitous nature makes it indefinite. Creative minds can explore the variants of art that can be produced in this world. It helps you disappear to a
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world that you wish to create in your mind. FWD looks into two events organised by Kochi Biennale Foundation which showed how music and creativity can be a form of art. It opened people’s eyes and threw light to the darkest and unexplored areas of art in Kochi.
Art is a way to express yourself; it imprints an identity of yours in the shadow of art that you create. “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows ups,” the remarkable words of the nineteenth century artist Pablo Picasso makes sense to the reality of
this era. Kochi Biennale Foundation took special effort to revive the dying interest of art in children and also acquaint them with the different genres of art. ‘A Weekend of Art’ was a two day workshop on the 5th and 6th of July at Pepper House Residency in Fort Kochi. It was organised as a prelude to the second edition of Kochi Muziris Biennale and it gave children a unique opportunity to learn and understand the diversity of art from artists in a different continent; they also realized how art can be both a time pass and pleasure at the same time. Lichen Kemp, an Australian artist who runs a textile business, successfully imparted his knowledge on art, entertained the kids with the kind of enthusiasm he puts up for his sales. His clothes are based on Dylan Martorell’s illustrations-a music based art that attracts children as well as elders equally.
His aim was to show kids how they can transform ordinary household items to kaleidoscopic micro environments. Kemp used Butterfly pea- a flower used in Thailand to brew tea for this workshop. He explained to kids the reasons why the colour changes when the flower is placed in hot water or in a drop of lemon juice. Since Butterfly Pea is not so popular in India, he taught kids how to change the colour using turmeric and other natural products.The Workshop also explained the difference between natural and artificial colours. ‘Art Talk’ by Michael Candy passed insights on visual art forms that show the relationship between technology and nature. He is an expert in creating concept of music and using humour to question society’s structures. He presented his ‘walking chair’ which was made out of his interest for kinetic sculpture.
He plans to put up another project with the kinetic sculpture method, using boat and oars, for a public exhibition in Kochi. Meagan Streader, another artist from Australia, is working on a project of a giant, using coir and net. Both the art projects are expected to be completed in a month. Just like medicines, music too has healing power. Some illnesses have scars that don’t show and wounds that don’t heal and you can never see the pain one feels deep inside. Realizing the power and benefit of the ageless music therapy and the impact it will have on the hearts of people who bear the pain caused by the radiation of chemotherapy, KBF (Kochi Biennale Foundation) hosted a program in the grounds of General Hospital to perform music. It was successful in releasing the compression of conscious minds of the people. It was undertaken by people who believe in the therapeutic power of music.
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With the help of Mehboob Memorial Orchestra, Kochi Biennale Foundation managed to start an initiative with the already existing ‘Arts and Medicine’ program in General Hospital and Dr Gangadharan performed his songs with a mission to assuage. Dr V P Gangadharan, the famous cancer specialist at Lakeshore entered the cancer ward of General Hospital not with his normal stethoscope and notepad, but with the Indian Bancho- the Bulbul Tarang. The renowned doctor did not fail to amuse the people who knew him just as a doctor, but as an artist too. He strongly believes that bringing music into the traditional method of curing would be of great help. The magical sound of bulbul mesmerized the patients altogether into a new world with no pain and cries. The event turned out to be more melodious with the soulful melodies of Sithara Krishnakumar, the award winning playback singer. The aim of KBF is to bring
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in comfort through arts and this very idea made them start this. “A doctor is well versed in treating the physical pain of the patient but not the mental pain in their hearts caused by the illness,” said Gangadharan. “I believe only the artists can soothe the pain caused in their minds” he added. As a doctor he did experiment in order to bring comfort to patients though art. He suggested that art and medicine must expand to other hospitals as well and also play songs at the chemotherapy sessions to lighten up their mood. He also recollected and thanked people for inviting magician Samrat to entertain the young lads of children’s chemotherapy session. Being an amateur, he tuned the Bulbul used in movies and folk songs to make the atmosphere more harmonious. Songs from Chemeen were sung by the doctor and Sithara won the hearts of people by singing Thumbapoo Peyyana from the movie Randidangazhi, Tumna Jaane from
Satzaayi and the song Annithonnum from the movie Celluloid- the song that won her the 2012 National Award for the best playback singer. ”A Hospital is the place where people come in with an illness and go back cured and happy,” said Sithara. She was delighted and finds herself lucky at the thought of singing to a group of people like this. She was pleased to sing those songs which the patients wanted to hear. KBF Research co-ordinator Bony Thomas took the opportunity of 25th program to thank the hospital officials, doctors and patients for their support. He also said that starting arts at other hospitals too is under the decision process. The program is being executed under the guidance of Iva Fattorini- the Head of Cleveland Clinic Global Arts and Medicine and with the help of health administration of Ernakulam. Art heals and has always been an emotional and creative affair as it individually connects with people.
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Events Casino food fest
A Food Fiesta
The two week food festival that happened in multiple venues was a real gastronomic experience for foodies seeking affordable and authentic delicacies. Text Simna Nahas Photos Sreekanth (Revonex)
H
ow would it feel if you could have a taste of the best dishes in a menu at an attractive price? That would fill your heart and stomach. That was the very idea of the Chef’s Week- a food fest by CGH Earth group at Casino, Eight Bastion and Brunton Boatyard. A few dishes from the main menu were selected and presented in a four course meal to experience different elements in a single plate. Casino specialises on seafood cuisine and the main speciality of their seafood restaurant is that they do not believe in a menu, the catch of the day is what they sell and they strive for getting the freshest. “We provide eight elements in our four course meal and we offer that in bite sizes so that people can enjoy all the elements and wouldn’t feel full after having just one element, “informs Sous Chef Tibin Thomas, Casino. Few of the dishes presented were Seafood Chowder; the signature soup of seafood restaurant served in thick bread, Grilled Lobster with spinach and polenta and Meen Pattichattu; made using the traditional mud clay pot with flavours of coconut, curry leaves and adding buttered garlic. East Indies restaurant in Eight Bastion has followed the Dutch root to form their menu.” We have taken the cuisines of the
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places the Dutch travelled mainly India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and have taken the influence from the Dutch, “says Executive Chef Saiju Thomas of Eight Bastion. For the tasting menu, a mix of cultures was presented like Chicken Satay- an Indonesian street food, Stuffed Calamari and paneer steak- adds a North Indian touch, Shitake bisque-a mushroom soup with six types of mushroom; button, oyster, porcini, shitake, white and black flavoured with green apple. Just as the architecture, the food too speaks a lot about history in Brunton Boatyard. Executive Chef Ajeeth J, Brunton Boatyard says “We wanted to showcase a few dishes from our main menu to people so that they would dine out more and enjoy food.” Few of the historical dishes presented were Tale Of 2 states-paneer with palak gravy and tamarind rice with red spinach kolambu- combining typical North and South Indian dishes, Anglo & Anglo Indian Beef Wellington-a typical English dish with red wine jus with Roast duck Anglo-Indian Style.
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Text: Atheena Wilson Photgraphy: Rejibhaskar Location Courtesy: Vivanta by Taj Malabar
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short phone call started off the chain of events that led to the wonderful photo-shoot and interview. When Beena Kannan agreed to meet up and discuss the possibility, we had a stirring brainstorming session. Within 24 hours, the team at FWD Life had to come up with a scribble ( the concept, theme, and reference for the photo-shoot and interview). We thought our biggest challenge would be to convince her to deviate from the saree route according to which she is always depicted in the mainstream media. The meeting in her house was a pleasant surprise, she greeted us with piping hot tea and freshly
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fried dal vada. She was surprisingly fresh and energetic for someone who’s just back home in half an hour after the 21 day tour. We did not have to beat about the bush so much, she was game for the non-traditional photo-shoot. Her zestful energy led us to conversation and narration of vivid tales about her grandfather, the famous textile king, Veeriah Reddiar . She narrated about the bullock cart rides to his stores, the expansion of the stores and the challenges of taking a leading role in a male dominant society. Her fervour for sarees was easily discerned as she talked about the life of creating fabulous clothes and fulfilling the dreams of all the women who swear by the name of Seematti.
When we met her at Taj Vivanta, it was the head start for an exciting photo-shoot and her sprite did not seem to shake off even after a Zumba class the evening before. Her panache was reflected in her African print asymmetrical dress and her electric blue eyelashes. Even between the shoots she was bustling with energy and while taking an interview there she was efficiently multi- tasking and talking in so many languages with different clients. Her conversation usually ends with a punch line , followed by a laugh or a moment to muse. She’s got the confidence and it was evident as it unfurled in a candid conversation. There were so many thoughts exchanged and there was so little time to
hear all she had to say, but an interview came along before she whizzed off for the next shot. In the earlier days what was your impetus to become an entrepreneur? Earlier as a young child, I was addicted to the brand Seematti. I was growing up with the brand and I wanted the brand to grow too. The other option was working for someone but I wanted to support my family by all means. Any distinct memory that you can share with us? We used to travel quite a lot especially in South India. Those days the roads were
empty and I could distinctly remember Mount Road Chennai. It had a different rush from Kerala. I noticed a lot of women working at the counters as a cashier woman. I was surprised at this concept because in Kerala it was not an accepted notion then. I used to ask other females, how does it feel like to work? That was my earliest and most distinct memory that I could recollect a woman working and earning. Especially during a time frame that did not encourage it. I then used to constantly question, “Can women work?” What was the one entrepreneur ‘funda’ that you disagreed with? ( She slowly laughs ) The very fact that
woman cannot work. Earlier, many people doubted my capabilities. As I was seated in this position, it was a step taken seriously by showing my people I am really serious about the game. Many of them did not expect me to be professional but I take time seriously and work well under deadlines and prove to people the value of time. You’re famously known as a business woman, how do you stand out as a designer? I understand people and I got the capacity to create out of the blue. I have an authentic power over Kancheepuram. For the last ten years, Kerala was being too simple minded about their fashion sense
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in sarees. While women from other parts in India wore sarees that had bhutta work on the body , Kerala was still being conventional. They stuck to bordered sarees. Finally, there came a change when they started wearing jalli to bhuttaas, and the introduction to wearing brocades. That’s when I launched Jhal go Raang, the introduction of jeri embroidery to the body, it was there for six months and Kerala shifted to another trend. Bringing out a fearless nature and making them mentally ready was a great achievement. For example, introducing stripes was another venture of mine, I know how to drift into various styles. I found myself a big failure when I tried to impose. What’s the most pivotal factor that taught you to go through the challenges of mixing business and fashion? Time! It’s important to be a regular and punctual person. Appointments and dates to what I need and what I don’t need. I make sure everyone is assured; they used to say this female wouldn’t be that understanding. But I say women are more
understanding. It’s a challenge to be fashion fearless, what about bringing out a twist and innovation in textiles? When it comes to innovating textiles, you cannot put a flag down slowly with them and run in the weavers’ shoes. Many customers and designers have taken it for granted and do not understand that weaving is a very difficult process. The industry is thriving on their existence within the counterparts of our country. Many designers themselves classify himself or herself as designer and they mostly cut, paste and undo without understanding that weaving is a major part of designing too. Only if you take an effort to understand the process and technology you bring out different patterns and color schemes. Thus the idea of changing a heritage of what they weave and what we create only comes with a fine understanding with the hardships they go through. It’s harsh, but there’s a hard scenario that wages have to be cut down, but in the end the success lies in the hands of the weaver.
When you talk about bringing innovation it doesn’t happen quickly and it’s a learning process that you have to go through before you can be a master of change. Seematti as a brand has grown and developed a personality, is the success parallel to the brand personality of yours? The brand was there before I was born, so it works the other way. My grandfather had 20 branches in his credit from Bombay to Quoilon. It was his nature of being a good human being and his good values that helps Seematti to prosper as a successful brand. These values were passed on to my parents and then to me. The family served as a good value system was just served a platform. Seematti always existed as brand, which I was very aware of, all I did was just embellish it. So what’s the quintessential factor that transformed Seematti and you? The principle is simple, customers are my God. My people and I are in the service industry. My motto is to get all the girls to look their best on their unforgettable day
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Quickies
Your first saree: My mother’s, but it must be known that we hardly shared our sarees. It was an orange chequered saree with a multicolored body 3 things you always must carry: My phone, ipad and the garments Favourite Holiday Destination: Europe The best Stressbuster: Dance Music you have to feed your Soul: AR Rahman Next most elegant thing after a saree: Any garment with an unconventional cut The celebrity who truly dons a saree: Mandira Bedi
whether it is a farewell, engagement or a wedding. The customer service part is crucial, that’s why I have made it a point that the sales team have been motivated to style and help at all costs. In this fashion commotion, when you bring out your authentic designs, how do you stand apart from other designers promoting it as fad? Followers will always follow, but I can say that I travel at the speed of sound and always work two steps ahead. My brand works like a whirlwind and that’s the world of fashion. You tend to always be on the edge whether it’s a saree or the way you brand yourself. Recently, you put a different spin in textile advertising, what’s the thought process behind your concepts? ( She breaks into a small smile) I’ll tell you the secret on how we stuck to the idea of selecting customers as models. I was at the Seematti store and there was a journalist standing behind a poster at the Kottayam showroom. She looked at the model wearing the saree. It was simple one, a plain colored one with a duo colored border. She was thinking if she could pull it off. That’s where we got the idea. It’s not only a model who can pull of a saree, you can too . Kochi’s progression is economically evident, how about the fashion scenario? It was funny earlier, it took 12
In Africa for The Seematti TV Commercial years for Kochi to adapt to a fashion trend but it took lesser time for a fashion fad to die . Luckily Kochi’s adaptation to fashion trends is now speeding up. Women are changing their appeal for sarees and are becoming more aware on how they have to look. The play of traditionalism is still persisting but they are up for reinventing to an extent. Even if a bride stays in different parts of the world or wherever, they would not settle for their saree at Kerala. We can see a change in trends of sarees and Kerala is ready to move faster. Seematti is synonymous to Kancheepuram, do you intend branching out? I am specialized in kancheepuram but I have delved into other categories such as cotton, silk and lehangas .The Beena Kannan boutique has focused on private collections and catering my energy into designs that can be worn for every ladies special moment. (The photgrapher comes in, ready for the next shot and the interview wrapped up just in time.)
Beena Kannan in Paris for the Seematti shoot 2014 AUGUST
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Feature
Iconic Photography
Photographic
Memory
It’s too much of a cliché to say a picture is worth a thousand words. An iconic photograph should leave us visually spellbound and not always lost for words. At the end of the day, there comes the beautiful remark. A single photograph must become indelible as a supernova in the galaxy of our minds. FWD frames the work of iconic fashion photographers who saw photography more than a mere representation of life.
1950s
Richard Averdon
“I think all art is about control – the encounter between control and the uncontrollable.” It may not be jarring as it seems, but Richard Avedon pushed beyond boundaries to create a contrast during those conservative days.In this striking photograph, A contrast is achieved with a lady’s silk Dior gown against the rough trunk of an elephant
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1980s
Annie Liebovitz
“When I take a picture I take 10 percent of what I see.”
Famously known as a celebrity photographer, she captures them in a different light. Frank Kline’s famous abstract painting was the result of his emotions of the city aroused in him and he did not care to be in the painting. A painting that Steve Martin could only see himself in it.
1990s
Prabuddha Dasgupta
“I read somewhere that anything that can be taught is probably not worth learning.” Prabuddha Dasgupta was drawn to unconventional faces and he found beauty in places where nobody could. Sexuality was something innate and powerful, especially in his black and white photographs.
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Feature
Iconic Photography
2000s
David Lachapelle
“I never want people to be repulsed with my pictures; I always want to attract people.” David Lachepelle is known internationally for his exceptional talent in combining unique hyper- realistic aesthetic with profound social messages. In this case, it was to portray the extravagant lifestyle of Elton John.
2010s
Tarun Khiwal
“I discarded all the notions I had about photography.” Tarun Khiwal is a photographer who goes beyond the standard rules of photography from the poses to the set rules. He’s known for his unconventional techniques of bringing out any subject to life and uncovering the hidden charm.
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In Conversation Hari Anand
Walk the
line For every hem that goes under the stitch, there’s a mile of thoughts that run in a mind. Every sequin is like a soldier on a march. What’s celebrated on runways, is the calculation of creativity and precision. The designers’ pencil strokes finally get to walk their talk. In a conversation with Hari Anand. Text Atheena Wilson Photos Sreekanth (Revonex)
A
line is art and his
clothes are constructed with a line of thought. Hari Anand, the designer who enjoys fashion
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as an art. It’s refreshing that he goes beyond the cliché as a person who sees design as a passion. Every single element from the architecture of his home to his showroom is aligned, it’s no surprise for the past 20 years he hasn’t fallen out of line. It’s already known that he’s needled his way through the haystack of Kochi’s conventional fashion sense. In this era of mushrooming designers, he has time trav-
style. ” If you see a design it’s not a design you should feel it just like the wind.” The conversation slowly strayed into philosophy and his sources of inspiration. He slowly laughs, isn’t art imitates life a little too much of truism? Like Aristotle refused to deny so did he, saying that nature has all the charm. In his new collection Nirvana, he’s hinted his inspiration and it would have crossed our eyes. From trucks carrying iron to the tangled electricity wires, his new collection has a few elements of surprise such as safety pins and torn edges. Guided by the gradient color of the earth he’s settling for a nude color palette. It’s to focus more on the state of mind. A very tabula rasa approach, his new collection is set to take the next step of its evolution.
eled through twenty years and made Glada stand out as a landmark that was always eyed by the teenagers of Convent road. Walking into Design or Stitch, you’d be raptured by the studio’s charm. It’s enclosed in black walls and there’s a kaleidoscope of sequins, a few fringes here and there, and fresh textiles sprawled on the table like paint on an easel. There’s an electric blue dress draped on a mannequin which gave me a sneak peak to his collection, Alchemy, which hit the runway a few days later. His fashion show is somewhere around the corner and the bustle was confirmed with the phone ringing away. The papers are filled with sketches, and it’s under scrutiny, he makes some alterations and utters a few numbers but that slowly transpired. He finally settles down with some black coffee. The sunlight streams in, and a conversation unfolds. THE IDEALS OF DESIGN It doesn’t take a long time to understand that he’s riding with the reigns of his fashion ideologies. Instead of galloping into fads, he’s always been loyal to minimalism. This concept was embraced earlier by a club of intellectuals, the French and Italians with the exception of their wedding trous-
seau. But now he yearns for it to become a lifestyle choice and work its way as an equilateral movement. He added, “With minimalism there’s a high energy level because it has volumes to say although there’s only a little that seems to be expressed.” On the contrary, people try to communicate with excessive ornamentation and florid make up. It would be a revelation in his world of fashion to see the city of Kochi embrace pastel shades, monochromes and subtle motifs. Such a concept seems farfetched- especially when color and intricacy is an integral part of our culture. He walked towards the rack and pulled out a mauve georgette sari with dusky gold lines, it was elegance personified. In his eyes, fashion evolves as his style stays timeless. So how does he exactly make a different cut on minimalism? “Fashion is the interpretation of art, and if you interpret art, you’ll need detailing.” The complexity of simplicity lies in trying to bare oneself. While going through his collection at Glada, even a button goes unturned. From the coats with large rounded buttons to coordinated graphic designed buttons on a rusted fan themed shirt, from the pleated sarees to double pallu sarees , it constantly resonates his quintessential
WOVEN TALES He hasn’t revealed all the details of his next collection, Nirvana, but there was enough of art to surprise me while surfing through the studio. It takes a little observation to spot a few pieces here and there, and one cannot resist the Glada cover bags and the portfolio etched with so many witty love advices. One of them was, “Between love affairs there’s chocolate.” The creatives of his cover bags were inspired by the sixties optical illusion art by Bridget Riley. There’s a story behind half of his inspirations and it’s an irony that the woven tales are unknown. For the Sex and the City Collection, he had a collaboration with Patti Stern a famous illustrator of New York. After the quirkiest 40, 000 interviews, she calligraphically sketched the funniest love quotes and factors in the post -it note style. All of these were dappled in colors and printed on textiles and it finally brimmed with life in his collection, Glamo. For every designer, the thought to what they put as the draw each stroke has a strong story to tell. Endless research and understanding is what brought his collection, Kara to life and he says Alchemy is yet to narrate more than what strides off on a runway. Observation is one of his greatest strengths, as simple as the fallen wilted leaf
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In Conversation Hari Anand to the view of rice paddies from his balcony is enough to get his minds twirling. He says, “I enjoy the dark as I get to see those stars lucidly and I love to write on white board with white paint. The key is to stand out, and as all of us may be dazed with his statement, he slowly chuckled and continued, “Make a statement with texture!” If it’s enough to leave a mark in the fashion world, he’s designed clothes with his finger print and customizes clothes with yours too. IN LINE WITH THOUGHTS Promoting fashion philosophy, he’s coined many quotes to share among his followers. “It’s not an exclusive club for intellectuals but an egalitarian popular movement, the most wide reaching movement. Think minimalistic, think precise”. It was evitable, discussion of every aesthetician, the philosophy of form and content. He stressed that the form is as pivotal as German engineering. As it’s translated into efficiency in his interpretation of fashion, it lies in functionality. For example creating Indian clothes, like a coat that’s still functional in New York. “Content is not necessarily having words and images sprawled over textiles. Every apparel has an aura and that’s what makes a statement. He believes clothes are not meant to say look at me but look at that. This ideology is what inspired him to
start an image consultancy and the script for a wedding gown. Before a wedding dress is designed factors such as location, time, weather, jewellery revolve around a gown. He says women these days must know what they want to wear and believe a design is cut out for them and not copy another trend. He hit the point when he said, “Your clients are individuals, if you are in prison of others, you’ll never find something new.” Kochi is buzzing as a city and the upcoming metro is the allure of a coveted metropolitan charm. The fashion progression is still shadowed, as he says “Kochi is growing individually and not collectively.” Many are still pressed by social taboos and he aptly quoted “It’s fashion for some, an art for the chosen few. For us it’s civilization.” Kochi is getting there, yet it’s taking slow steps. From a stroll to the studio, to the showroom and a ride to his house, you can’t help it and realize it’s all structured to reflect his notion of minimalism. The detailed lines of his sketches finally tell you a story that clothes are beyond needle and thread. It’s not about the glamorous fashion shows but design is truly a way of life. As we sat in his home and looked through the myriads of sketches, you cannot deny he does not live to design but lives in design. As everyone lives a life of ups and downs, Hari Anand lives through the thick and thin lines.
Quickies The Ultimate style icon : Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru A Fashionable Hollywood character : RIchard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman An Icon in Bollywood : Amitabh Bachchan A Western Staple : Jacket A trend that you love : Color Metallic or Neon : None Coffee or Black : Black
Behind Each Stroke
Eye for Detail Each sketch was accumulated, colored on sheets and given to print for textiles. Over thousand sketches are filled in a roll of a textile.
The Collaboration Hari Anand collabrated with Patti Stern, a famous illustration artist from New York.She interviewed 40,000 people in New York for the funniest sex tips.
Living in Lines Thick and thin lines have been consistent. The sketches were done with a calligraphic pen and illustrated in a post-it style. 56
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Make the Cut After a year’s effort, it became a success when he designed apparels with these textiles. He called this collection Sex and the City and featured it on the show Glamo.
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Make-up Mantras
Renju Renjimar
Skin Science Make-up can only look made up if not applied correctly. There’s a science to the make-up you choose and here are a few tips to make the right choice. Text Renju Renjimar Photos Various sources
t
here’s no point in spending a fortune on expensive skin-care products if you buy the wrong ones for your skin-type . It simply piles up to an assortment of discarded bottles. The key is to developing a skin-care regime that works for you. The first step involves analysing your skin type.
E:Oily in some areas and smooth in others.
How does your skin feel if you cleanse it with facial wash and water? A:Tight as though it’s too small for yourface. B:Smooth and comfortable. C:Dry and itchy in places. D:Fine-quite comfortable. E:Dry in some areas and smooth in others.
How often do you break out in spots? A:Hardly ever. B:Occasionally, perhaps before or during C:your period. D:Occasionally. Often. E:Often- in the T-zone.
How does your skin feel if you cleanse it with cream cleanser? A:Relatively comfortable. B:Smooth and comfortable. C:Sometimes comfortable, sometimes itchy. D:Quite oily.
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How does your skin usually look by midday? A:Flaky patches appearing. B:Fresh and clean. C:Flaky patches and some redness. D:Shiny. E:Shiny in the T-zone.
How does your skin react when you use facial toner? A:It stings. B:No problem. C:Stings and itches. D:Feels fresher. E:Feels fresher in some areas but stings in others.
How does your skin react to a rich night cream? A:It feels very comfortable. B:Comfortable. C:Sometimes feels comfortable, other times feels irritated. D:Makes my skin feel very oily. E:Oily in the T-zone, and comfortable on the cheeks.
Results
Now add up your A’s, B’s, C’, D’s and E’s. Your skin type is the one which has the majority of answers. Mostly A’s: Your skin is dry. Mostly B’s: Your skin is normal Mostly C’s: Your skin is sensitive. Mostly D’s: Your skin is oily. Mostly E’s: Yours is a combination skin.
Finding a Foundation that Fits
Mousse Foundation This is again best suited for dry skin. The appropriate way to apply it is by dabbing little of the foundation onto the back of your hand and then to dot it on to the skin using a sponge.
Many women stay away from foundation, mostly because they’re scared of an unnatural, mask-like effect post applying a foundation. In fact, I would say finding the right product, picking the right formulation and choosing the perfect shade for your skin can make any women feel comfortable in trying out a foundation. Today heavy pancake foundations are no longer in the scene; it’s all about tinted moisturizers, liquid foundations, cream foundations, compact foundations and stick foundations.
Lakme Mousse Foundation
Cream Foundation Thick and rich in moisturizing, it’s ideal for dry or mature skin. It’s heavy textured, apply it onto your skin using a damp cosmetic sponge. Dolce&Gabbana Perfect Luminous Creamy Foundation
Liquid foundation The versatile one of all foundation types. It suits all but the most suitable for dry skin type. If you have an oily skin or a sufferer of breakouts, look for an oil-free liquid foundation. Liquid Foundation- Bobby Brown Skin Foundation with SPF 15
Compact foundation As you must know it’s an all-in-one formulation that contains powder. They come in a compact usually with their own sponge for application. For those who are in for a lighter finish, this is your pick.
Face Cleansing for Oily Skin Tinted moisturizer They have dual benefits of softening the skin and at the same time helps in hiding away light spots or blemishes, giving little coverage for a clear skin. These are ideal for youngsters. Summer time is the most apt time for this type of moisturizer.
Blend lemon juice and milk as required and apply it on to the face. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash it off. This shows immediate cleansing results on oily skin and I would advise it to be done every alternate day for best results.
Getting the Bloody Lips Tinted Moisturizer- SPF 15 Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer by Bobby Brown
Applying concentrated carrot juice on lips and leaving it on overnight enhances one’s lip colour. 2014 AUGUST
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Pre-bridal Home remedies Body Scrub Add a glow to your face by mixing sugar and gram flour (besan) in required quantity. Apply it and leave it to dry for 10 minutes. The exfoliating factor in it leaves your skin soft and refreshed. Repeating it twice a week can do miracles to your dry, dead skin.
Brides with Pimples Applying pudina paste, leaving it for 10 minutes and washing it off with cold water helps to reduce breakouts.
Mending Frizzy Hair Soak a handful of fenugreek in water overnight and the next day grind it and make it into a paste. Apply it and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash it off and comb out the powdered residue that appears on hair strands.
I would say a clear ‘no’ to threading and waxing for a bride just a day ahead of her wedding day as it can bring out rashes or reddishness to her skin. At the same time getting a hair spa, pedicure and a manicure done, would be a great thing to do.
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Body pack Mix curd and turmeric, prepare it into a paste and apply it. After application, be seated in a closed room for 15 minutes, for it to dry. Wash it off and follow it with a gentle massage using a moisturizing cream.
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2014 AUGUST
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Women
Grooming
Monsoon Saviours Drenched in rain but still want to spot a flawless look? FWD comes to your rescue with an amazing array of products that can keep your makeup intact.
Disclaimer: Price and features are subject to change. Buyers are advised to act on data after cross-checking
Clinique Super balanced foundation Rs 2198 app
Tarte Matte waterproof bronzer Rs 1850 app
Marc Jacobs magic marc’er precision pen eyeliner Rs 1800 app
Lancome Effacernes waterproof undereye concealer Rs 2366 app
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Lancome Definicils mascara Price Rs 1620 app
Chanel perfection lumiere Rs 3684 app
Mac Powerpoint eye pencil Price Rs 2556 app
Bobbi Brown art stick lip colour Price Rs 1500 app
Yves Saint Laurent Touche eclat radiant touch Rs 2,979 app
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Model Reshma Ravindran
In the Limelight Name: Reshma Ravindran Age: 21 Vital Stats: 32- 28- 30 Height: 163cm Interest: Music, dance and karate Ambition: Manager of a media company
Photographed by Jinson Abraham
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Spotted Name: Shiyaaz Kareem Age: 24 Height: 188cm Interest: Music, Football and Cricket Ambition: To get into the world of acting
Photographed by Justin Anthony 2014 AUGUST
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National Event
IFFM 2014: The gala night The most talented Bollywood actors graced the red carpet of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne that was held in May. Hundreds of Australian Indians, locals and high profile dignitaries attended the award function held at the historic Princess Theatre. The awards ceremony was also packed with high octane Bollywood music and dances. Over 40 movies were screened during the 11-day festival.
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Kangana Ranaut in a Dior Gown
Beauty Malaika in a Vikram Phadnis outfit
Best Female Performance Kangana Ranaut
Heidi Victoria presents International Screen Icons Award to Big B
Vidya Balan is the face of Bollywood in Melbourne
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and P S Bharathi arrive at the IFFM
Festival Ambassador caught in a light mood at the event
IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmick with Konkana Sen Sharma
Simi Garewal at IFFM
Ekta Kapoor at IFFM 2014 AUGUST
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International
Milan Men’s Fashion Week Spring 2015
Looks that caught
the eyes!
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Etro Men’s collection
Ermanno Scervino creation
Emporio Armani
Gucci
AUGUST 2014
Bursting with colours, the Milan Men’s Fashion Week Spring 2015 started off with a refreshing note. Geometric patterns and bold colours dominated the runaway during the four-day show.
Calvin Klein
Canali
Miuccia Prada from the Act II collection
Bottega Veneta
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Style Police
Fashion do’s & dont’s
Who ‘Wear’ police What! Style
FWD’s style police measures the style quotient of a few handpicked Mollywood celebs.
ISHA TALWAR Not a hint of makeup and still so gorgeous, we think it’s the smile that did the trick!
REMYA NAMBEESSAN A classic example of a dress being wasted at the waist!
PRIYAMANI We bet... the plunging neckline and smoky eyes might have made a lot of heads turn
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MAMTA MOHANDAS She might take break from movies but not from fashion simply AUGUST 2014 because she is the Big Boss of fashion.
SANUSHA When it comes to fashion we feel Sanusha you still a child!
SUNNY WAYNE Breaking news, Yes I am a fashion spoiler alert.
NAZRIYA NAZIM Looking angelic in the ivory and golden brocade but it looks like the cupid missed the best dressed list!
SREENATH BHASI Machaane, your sense of fashion just got stung by a ‘HONEY BEE’.
AMALA PAUL Now that’s truly a lady in red
GAUTHAMI NAIR We doubt who looks older, she or her sari?
NIVIN PAULY Any look of yours simply bowls us over !
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FWD Cheats
The Red Card Escape
Caught Red
Handed A few players did evoke the red card and still seem to get away with it, and we thought there were no drama queens on a football field.
Maradona -The Hand of God Okay there’s a reason he’s called the hand of God and we know he takes it quite seriously. After all he tends to lend a helping hand to Bobby Chemmanur. We’re just a little confused how Maradona got tired of playing ‘FOOTBALL’. After the little volley ball stint by scoring a goal with his hand, he totally brought in a new notion to football in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter final match with England. Talk about a grand slam, now wait a minute that’s basketball. Everybody is Kung Fu Fighting We’ve heard the ball is in your court. We have a feeling that Eric Cantona could not settle only for the field. On account of a racial joke thrown at Eric Cantona, a fan was hardly kicked by him. It was much satisfying for Cantona as there was a change kicking ones ass instead of the ball. Now by some miracle, Cantona survived the punishment on the account of his sportsman spirit, martial arts anyone?
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Bite Me! Luiz Surez literally took ‘bite me’ seriously. We’re guessing nothing is figurative on a football field. He’s known to steal the show with his audacious dives and acting, he went overboard when he bit his opponent out of hunger and deprivation from food. Thank goodness there was a referee to make sure he did not chew off more than that bite.
Cushion the Blow with an Assou Afro When players headbutt opponents, Cameroon's BenoîtAssou-Ekotto headbutted his own teammate for 4-0 loss. He lost his control and headbutted his own team mate Benjamin Moukandjo. We’re not sure if the afro cushioned the blow, but if there’s any consolation he must have missed a lot of the head kicks. Welcome to Walcott Pity Party We’ve heard of the sweet escape. Instead of steering through the field and stretching a few muscles, Walcott settled for a stretcher. Theo Walcott, Arsenal forward managed to escape from the punishment of his 2-0 gesture at Tottenham fans. Not that he had any concussion; apparently he had a sweet an innocent smile to gain sympathy from the Football Association.. We’re not sure if that’s the ticket to everything but it’s always the best shot. For all we know it was probably his best one, better than no goals. Ban a Banner It’s funny how footballers can shuffle balls and so as their careers. For the dearth of funeral directors out there in the world, Carlos Tevez did not seem to shy away. Carlos Tevez a former Manchester United player held a banner saying RIP Fergie- Alex Ferguson, who was the manager of Manchester United. Carlos held out the banner out of his anger and didn’t regret it even a bit which saved him from the punishment. Talk about being cold hearted. A lesson learnt from a few corpses.
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Book Review
Football Collection
My Side biography
Pele’s Autobiography Page Turner: No need for words, you just need the sportsman spirit.
Page Turner: It’s got words and not those biographies stuffed with album photos.
The world’s greatest footballer now gives us the full story of his incredible life and career. Told with his characteristic grace and modesty, but covering all aspects of his playing days and his subsequent careers as politician, international sporting ambassador and cultural icon, PELE: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY is an essential volume for all sports fans, and anyone who admires true rarity of spirit.
Hoarded by limelight and every column devoted to exposing his life, this autobiography deals with the complex relationship with United boss Alex Ferguson and him dribbling volatile players. From Beckham himself, we gain an insight into the family man behind the famous footballer, the international model and fashion leader.
If you’re off the field,you’ve got to take a time- out for some books that must be read. Shoot a goal by reading some of the greatest non-fiction and fiction.
The Unfortunates by BS Johnson Page Turner: Just when you think footballers shuffle the ball, this book shuffles your mind with a twisted plot. It’s known as avant-garde nonsense on publication. Deeply personal and emotionally engaged story about a hack returning to an industrial city to cover the City-United match. Ostensibly about football, it is really a meditation on memory, bereavement and loss – and a subtle critique of the self-serving Sixties.
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Book it Like
Beckham
The Man Who Hated Football by Will Buckley Page Turner: Rib injuries are probable, you’ll be laughing really hard. Jimmy Stirling’s disillusioned middle-aged anti-hero is on the verge of a nervous breakdown; a reckless, neurotic, self-deprecating sports hack struggling to get in touch with himself. All those who love the game unconditionally – and write about it uncritically – should read Stirling-Buckley’s hilarious rants on the absurdities of the post-Sky game.
As per IRS Q4 2012 AIR DATA (unduplicated readership of TNIE + Dinamani + Kannada Prabha)
LET THE NATION GET A WHIFF OF YOUR BRAND WITH OUR BOUQUET OF COMBOS
Make your brand the talk of the nation with The New Indian Express Group. One of the largest media conglomerates, the Group's bouquet of publications offer you an array of unmatched advantage over others. With a soaring AIR of 22.56 lakhs readers*, the Group's dailies, weeklies and magazines both in English & Vernacular provide you a perfect platform to reach out to millions of people across The New Indian Express | The New Sunday Express | Dinamani | Kannada Prabha | The Sunday Standard | Cinema Express | Malayalam Varikha | Sakhi | All that Glitters 2014 AUGUST
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Satire
Oye Baap Re
Republic of
World Hackers Ronnie is back, satirically busting the myth surrounding the great American Dream.
Text Ronnie Kuriakose
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n a rare announcement not long ago, a notorious yet publicity shy group, the Republic of World Hackers, let know their decision to not include United States of America in their official list of high targets. We have to allocate our time and energy to hacking powerful organizations and United States no longer belongs to that category, a spokesperson for the hackers said. He further added that the goal that they have been striving for the last decade – to hurl the U.S. government into a state of abject paralysis – has been achieved. It is clear, however, to even the common eye, that this was achieved not out of the hard work and persistence that this spokesperson so claims, but by the gradual decadence of the American Dream. Had it not been for the Hollywood industry and its vast array of pretty faced drug addicts, David Beckham’s occasional visit to promote football and Shannon Tweed, United States of American would have been limited to its many presidents and their world blunders. The spokesperson acknowledged that despite years of compromising U.S. government computers, the hackers, after filtering out restaurant reservations and porn, had not obtained much. The
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decision to drop United States came after several of the rookie hackers experienced spiritual awareness and a renewed consciousness after going through many of the files that explained the many wrongdoings of the U.S. government. We got in touch with Christy Mack* - a veteran hacker – to get to know what exactly those deeds were. Funding both the Allies and the Central Powers in the Second World War, The Vietnam War, the division of Korea, the demolition of the Twin Towers, ousting Osama Bin Laden Corps and reintroducing them as Terrorists, invasion of Afghanistan and Iran, instigating civil unrest in numerous countries are perhaps some of them, she explains in a quick breath. The United States stock markets plummeted on the news of the downgrade, which was widely denounced by American politicians as a hostile act designed to cripple the economy. The Foreign Affairs Minister was reported to have called the deci-
sion an insult to the American people. He demanded that the Republic of World Hackers resume hacking them immediately. But according to the hackers’ spokesperson, any chance that they might put the U.S. government back on their list of target was remote at best. We need to focus on higher functioning governments, he said. We are taking a closer look at Venezuela. Venezuela is one of the few shortlisted entrants to the Republic of World Hacker’s priority list. The others include Ukraine and Brazil. The addition of Ukraine is very obvious – to aid the soon to occur Russian invasion. The inclusion of Brazil, however, remains a mystery. The spokesperson further added that the world hackers would soon go to a vote to decide who gets to be on the new priority list. Bangladesh has already expressed their disappointment at the Republic of World Hackers (RoWH) for not having India shortlisted. Not heeding the RoWH rules, they have already infiltrated many Indian websites of which Kochi Biennale 2014 is one of them. Yes, Kochi Biennale website’s contact us page is down. Apparently, arts and culture are the main focus of the world hackers this time around. Let us pray that the folks at Kochi Biennale 2014 realize this tragedy and get things resolved at the earliest. Otherwise, happy hacking!
DHANAM
Now on iPad
iPhone, iPod Touch and Android devices Available on Subscribe through Magzter the digital webstore on iTunes or Play Store or log on to www.magzter.com
www.dhanamonline.com
circulation@dhanam.in
0484-2315840, 2316494 2014 AUGUST
77
Tech
updates
CHANGING
THE WORLD Inspiring technologies that are creating a buzz this month on FWD
Arun Stephen Paul CEO & Co-Founder MacMill Consulting Mac Mill Consulting, is an innovative service driven-solutions Company with a focus on building tomorrow’s enterprise. Mac Millers strive to provide enterprises with strategic insights on what lies ahead.
Frebble simulates holding hands with loved ones over the internet We all are aware of the therapeutic effect of a simple touch. Frebble, a small device developed by a Netherlands company lets one feel the touch of another person online. Frebble looks like a small hook that a user holds in his or her hand. The device is able to detect squeezes, and it then puts pressure on the back side of the other person’s device, simulating the feeling of holding hands. Each Frebble features two pressure sensors, two vibrating to enhance feedback, and what the creator’s call a “squeeze bar” that puts the pressure on the back of the hand. For the time being, Frebble will only work with Google Chrome (v24 or higher) and Firefox (v16 or later).
Samsung Smart Bike is wired to ride Smart and Safe, that seems to be the motto of the Samsung Smart Bike designed by Italian frame-builder Giovanni Pelizzoli and Alice Biotti. Packed with electronic features, it was created through the Samsung Maestros Academy. Located between the seat stays of that frame is a rearview camera that streams a live video feed to a handlebar-mounted Samsung Smartphone. There are also four lasers built into the frame and an app on the phone uses GPS to make a note of routes that are often traveled by the cyclist. The frame also houses a battery, an Arduino module, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. Perhaps a little surprisingly, though, the bike lacks a plain old headlight or tail light.
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GOkey’s key ring does more than just hold your keys Our humble key ring has just turned a lot trendier. The GOkey’s ability to charge your phone, connect devices, find keys or phone and store data makes it one of the most feature-loaded keyrings around. The GOkey is available in black or white. It is made of plastic and has a metal enclosure for its main parts. The GOkey’s battery is 400 mAh, it will provide “2 hours for regular use on an iPhone 5S. GOkey itself is charged by plugging it into a USB port, the GOkey also has Bluetooth functionality. This allows users to locate their keys using a smartphone or locate the smartphone using their keys. If a user has left their keys out of range of their phone, the app remembers where they have been left.
Glance turns any watch into a smart watch After you see Glance, one has to admit that the device is smarter than most of the smart watches around. Glance simply slips under the user’s strap to turn their existing watch into a smart watch.It is a curved accessory with a raised screen on one side and a raised lip on the other. A channel runs between the screen and the lip into which the user’s watch strap is slotted. Users just slip Glance underneath their watch strap and it is held in place. The device’s casing is formed from aluminum and looks simple, understated and tasteful. Glance boasts 3D motion sensing and it is compatible with iOS and Android.
PaperLater lets you create your own internet-based newspaper An UK-based Newspaper Club is launching its PaperLater service – it allows users to set aside web articles of their choice, which will be incorporated into a print newspaper that’s delivered to their door. Once users have set aside enough content to fill at least eight pages (or a maximum of 24), they instruct PaperLater to make them a physical newspaper. That paper will be printed up at Newspaper Club’s facility. The one-of-a-kind newspaper should arrive within three to five working days. Each paper costs £4.99 (US$8.50) including delivery within the UK
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Gadgets
Cool Gadgets
top shelf fwd
Disclaimer: Price and features are subject to change. Buyers are advised to act on data after cross-checking
LG G3 PStylish and high performance next gen Android phone from LG. Price: ` 45,000 (expected)
Patchnride Repair any bicycle tire punctures, quick, easy and on-the-go. Price: ` 3,000 (pre-order)
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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 The tablet that wants to replace your laptop. Price: ` Rs 50,000 - Rs 1,00,000 (expected)
apps to try
IFTTT
TimeHop
TripIt
Let the internet work for you. IFTTT lets you create powerful connections with one simple statement — if this then that.
Timehop helps you celebrate the best moments of the past with your friends. What were you doing a year ago today? Two years? Three years?
Organize your travel plans in one place with TripIt. TripIt automagically creates a detailed daily itinerary for every trip.
Qrcode Android
Qrcode iOS
Qrcode Android
Qrcode iOS
Qrcode Android
Qrcode iOS
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81
Feature Bicycle Love
Kochi’s bicycle love-affair Recently there has been a growing momentum of a youth-fueled bicycle culture and Kochi too seems to be smitten by the bicycles.
t
he first bicycle was brought to India in 1890, when an imported bicycle used to cost Rs 45/-. Since then Indian roads have seen a lot of peddlers whizzing by in breakneck speeds. Kochi was no exception to this. But this love affair didn’t last long. With Kinetic Honda revolutionizing the Indian roads, we saw a steady decline in bicycle users. Although India is the second largest manufacturer of bicycles in the world, with 12 million units annually, bicycle sales have dipped a staggering
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30% over the last decade. But recently there has been a growing momentum of a youth-fueled bicycle culture in the country. Bicycles have changed its look and style to fit in with the requirements of the denim new generation. Davis Parakal, a techie and a Kochiite is the proud owner of a Firefox Kompac ST (folding) who started cycling to improve health but says it turned out to be a different experience for him. “I spend 4-5 hours every weekend exploring the places in my cycle. I couldn’t find many options for a foldable cycle
in Indian market, so I decided to go for Firefox Kompac ST. I can simply fold the bike and put it in my car.” Davis plans to explore more places in his new bike and shares his experiences through his blog explorevypin.blogspot.in Nanda Gopal Sankaran got tired of his Schwinn and decided to go for a Bergamont Helix 4.3 Gent with specifications such as TEKTRO Hydraulic disc brakes, 3x8 Shimano ALIVIO gears and front shock absorbers, this ardent cycler has cycled through the metros and cherishes his cycling trip to Leh as an experience of life-
Firefox Kompac ST
time. “Cycling to Leh was literally breathtaking, the combination of steep climbs, rarefied atmosphere and the scenery. The reward is the chill wind on your face when going downhill, your legs relaxing and your eyes taking in the view. An incident I remember is when trying to cycle to the top of Shanti Stupa. I really gave up halfway and started pushing my bike to the top. By the time I reached the top I was panting hard, but the view from the top was even more breathtaking. Just then I saw two small dots at the base climbing uphill on their bikes. They were pedalling effortlessly and were gaining height quickly. As they got closer, I realized they were just 2 kids they looked like locals and would have been probably under 15. It was simply amazing to watch the climb and get to the top and then zip downhill
without breaking a sweat.” Yet another youngster, Abe Sam Thomas, who has started a cycling club with his friends, admits that it was his love for travel that made him realise that cycling was the best way to explore a place. Abe pedals to nearby tourist locations on weekends and says it’s not the ‘time’ taken to reach a destination which matters but it is the happiness gained in the process. M.S. Athirup, a Trivandrum based techie who started Athi’s Bicycle Club (ABC) at various districts in the state informs that he cannot think of a better and healthy means of transport than a bicycle and it was during his work related tours to Ernakulam and Thrissur that he felt there was a pressing need for bicycles at the destination point and this gave him the idea of starting ABC.
“As far as the people are concerned, despite the class, everybody needs bicycle and it is something environment friendly that can be used at affordable price. The club has around 4300 members till date and support from the people, government and other private companies like InfoPark and Wipro is a big motivation drive for them. A small lifestyle change can make a difference”, says Athirup. There’s a real cultural shift happening, and it’s occurring in spite of the cost of petrol. People are tired of sitting inside smoke machines breathing polluted air. The bicycle rebellion is a conscious cultural shift away from machines of death. Instead, we’re reconnecting with one another and with nature. Hope this won’t end as a fad,but it stays forever as a trend.
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Travel Stresa
st good THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKETS
Stresa, It’s difficult to believe the place was once a tiny hamlet on a narrow strip of land. Italy goes way beyond Rome, FWD ventures into its islands.
Text Anoop Shankar Photos Various sources
s
tresa, by no means would be a first choice for any visitor to Italy. The well-publicized and established destinations of Rome, Florence and Venice out shadow this tiny town in a big way. But we had two free days at our disposal - after a hectic period of meetings and business; and a long flight from the nearby Milan airport soon after - Stresa was the perfect place to be for a relaxing break. Stresa is a tiny vacation town of around 5000 people, located along the western shore of the majestic Lake Maggiore. This strategic location gives it a charm quite unlike the bustling cities around Italy. In fact,
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I was completely blown away by the beautiful vista, the moment I caught glimpse of the town driving down the windy roads leading to it. Most of the town is straddled along the main street Piazza Marconi which has hotels, restaurants and shops on one side and the lake on the other. The first thing to do here is without doubt is to take a leisurely walk along the long promenade right by the side of the lake. The promenade extends for around 2 kilometres and is adorned by well-maintained gardens. You could even sit on one of the numerous garden chairs and enjoy the view of the lake undisturbed by anyone. It is no wonder that Stresa was frequented by many poets, artists, authors
and philosophers including Ernest Hemingway, whose novel ‘A Farewell to Arms’ is partly set here. At the end of the walk you’ll reach a cable car station that’ll take you up Mt. Mottarone. The 20-minute ride would set you back 20 Euros, but is well worth the price. At the halfway station, a hamlet called Alpino, you could take a short walk and enjoy the Alpine Gardens - a fabulous garden specializing in Alpine flowers and covering around 10 acres. Once you finally reach the top station of Mottarone there is a pub where you can enjoy a drink or continue further up and take a chair-lift to the summit. The view from up top is astounding and Mottarone is rightly called
The view from the top of Mt. Mottarone
Borromean Islands, Isola Bella
tresa
Osteria del Crimine Feast yourself with the risottos here
Hotel Villa e Palazzo Aminta Set on the shores of Lake Maggiore, Villa e Palazzo Aminta. It has a private beach, and an outdoor heated swimming pool overlooking the Borromean Islands.
as the balcony of the Alps. The 360 degree panorama gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire valley, the lake and its islands and also the Alps further away. It is highly recommended to spend some time here to soak up the view. If you are up for it, you could trek down the mountain instead of taking the cable car back. The trek is 3 hours long; but is definitely worth a shot. Next on the list is a visit to the Borromean islands, three islands on Lake Maggiore owned by the erstwhile rulers of Stresa. A visit by the public boat line is the cheapest option, but private trips are also available at a premium. Isola dei Pesctori is the only inhabited island and the only one that’s not a complete tourist trap. Good for a walk around and interaction with the
How to Get There? Stresa is an hour away by road from Milan’s international airport at Malpensa. Taxi is the best option from the airport and costs around 90 Euros one way. Stresa can also be reached by train from Milan’s central railway station. Other options are by ferry from the towns along the Lake Maggiore including from Lucarno in Switzerland.
locals. There are also a few restaurants here from where you can experience some (expensive) local cuisine. Isola Bella is a short ride away and is a small island which you can walk around in 10 minutes! It also houses a grand old palace and a terraced garden. The largest island Isola Madre
A STROLL ALONG THE BANKS of Lake Maggiore.
has some beautiful gardens and a good collection of Italian art. Back on the mainland, a stroll to the city center along the narrow alleys is a must. There are plenty of tiny shops selling memorabilia and also a few restaurants and pubs along the way. If you are lucky, some cultural show or event would be happening at town square. You could enjoy the live entertainment sipping a bottle of Italian beer on one of the open air restaurants nearby. Stresa is indeed a great location waiting to be discovered. The fact that it is not that well-known is probably the reason why it is still pristine and the place to be for a relaxing break. Next time you are in Italy, take the road less trodden and try a slice of Stresa!
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Pets
Dog home boarding
Waggle:
The Pet Pad
If your dog is an integral part of the family and you’re constantly worried about him when you travel, the Bangalore based startup Waggle has the solution for you. FWD meets the team behind Waggle. Text: Maria John Photos: Waggle
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f you ask dog owners they will tell you that having a dog is a one of the best experiences ever. Their loyalty, intelligence, devotion and affection are incredibly rewarding. There’s nothing better than coming back home and being greeted by a happily wagging tail and wet sloppy licks. But a concern for most people when deciding to get a dog is what they will do when they travel. The existing option of kennels may not be the best solution for this problem. Meet Sameera Abraham, Arjun Mathai and their pet Zoe who are behind this exciting
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venture called Waggle. Tell us about Waggle... For those of us who treat dogs as our own children, it is a harrowing experience to leave them and travel. Their safety and well-being is our primary concern! After all, we wouldn't leave our kids in a place where we are not absolutely comfortable. Waggle ( www.waggle.in) is an online community of dog lovers, where pet parents can find dog lovers to leave their dogs with when they travel, rather than in boarding kennels. The dogs get to be with a family where they get individual
attention, love and care and are in an environment similar to their home. Waggle also sends regular updates about dogs via texts and images and the dogs get a barking holiday as well! How does Waggle work? Waggle provides a platform for dog lovers to sign up as hosts and enjoy the company of ‘Man’s Best Friend’ while their family travels. Hosts are verified by Waggle to ensure that they are genuine dog lovers, competent to take care of dogs and have had prior experience in taking care of dogs.
What was the reason behind the venture? When we had to travel in October 2012, we had no option, but to leave our Golden Retriever Zoe, with one of the boarding facilities in Bangalore. Zoe is a part of our family and she is never caged or treated like a ‘pet’. Although we never liked the idea of a boarding kennel, we had no other choice but to leave her in one. When we came back, we were extremely unhappy with the service as she was not looked after well. The idea for Waggle came about as we wanted to find a better home for Zoe when we travelled. We wanted her to be in an environment where she was loved and taken care of just like we do for her. And if there are dogs for her to play with, even better! Tell us about team Waggle... Waggle was started by Arjun and me. We have a Technical team managed by Arjun and an Operations and a Marketing team managed by me. We’re based in Bangalore. We have dogs visiting us in office very often. We ensure that our team is passionate about our work. Our team is small so each of us work beyond our designated roles. What were your concerns at the start of the project? Our biggest hurdle has been to familiarize people with the concept of ‘home dog boarding’. Since the concept is new in India, quite a few our customers were initially sceptical of leaving their dog with someone else. As more pet parents started using the service, we were able to overcome this. Also, we have a review system on the site which helps new customers view the feedback of other customers with each host. What is your market potential? With an increase in pet ownership across the country, the pet industry in India is witnessing a tremendous growth phase. By 2016, the expected spends on pets in India alone is pegged at $400 million.
Our current customer base are the urban dog owners who considers their dog to be an integral part of their family and have a high level of awareness in pet care. We are currently present in the metros in India, and we hope to extend our services to Tier I and Tier II cities by the end of the year. What are the requirements to be a good host? To name a few, we’re looking for passionate, genuine dog lovers who are experienced in taking care of dogs they should understand and treat them like family understand them and truly enjoy their company! One can only be a host after they clear our verification interview which allows us to determine whether the signed up person is a genuine dog lover and has the experience and competence to be a Waggle host. Can people who don’t have pets be a host? Yes, they can, as long as they have had dogs before and have had hands on experience in taking care of their dogs. We have a blog, http://blog.waggle.in/ which has useful posts on tips for hosts such as how to take care of the guest dog, how to decide if the guest dog is right for you etc. How has the response been? We’ve had amazing reviews and feedback from both customers and hosts! A large part of our customers come to us through word of mouth. We also get a lot of repeat customers. We even had a dog driven down to Bangalore from Hyderabad twice because his family was thrilled with the services and could not find a similar service there. How do you think we should deal with the stray dog crisis in cities? Stray dogs are a vital part of our community and they should be treated well. Through citizen awareness, sterilization and vaccination we can manage the
situation. In Bangalore, many people feed street dogs. A well fed, sterilized and vaccinated dog will not harm anyone. If you can be respectful towards other beings, it says a lot about you. What does the future look like for Waggle? We are working on providing this service all through India at the earliest. We have had enquiries coming in from various cities. We are in the process of recruiting and verifying hosts in other cities. Our primary concern is to ensure that in every city we are present in, we have hosts who are passionate about dogs and well experienced in taking care of them. Contact: Customer Service Centre: +91.80.41701599 (Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm) 24x7 Waggle Assistance Executive: +91.968.6677.DOG(364) Email: help@waggle.in
Guidelines for customers
Visit the host prior to the trip. Provide your emergency contact details, vet details and your travel itinerary. Discuss details regarding food and medication. Acclimatize your dog with his/ her belongings in the new place. Ensure the host is comfortable with your dog.
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Architecture
Wilsons’ House
How do you imagine your dream home to be? Do you have an idea folder full of magazine cut outs and website links? We all dream of that perfect house where all our things fit in perfectly. So did the Wilsons and architect Herman Fernandez was the one to deliver it to them. Text Maria John Photos Jinson Abraham
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t is never about creating a building but creating a space or an environment that an architect strives to achieve. A space that is not only defined by its dimensions and usage but by the people for whom it is designed for. The Wilson’s residence in Kochi by architect Herman Fernandez stays true to this thought. An abode of light and fresh air, the house is a lesson in simplicity and finesse. Seeing green The 3000 square feet residence is strategically located in the corner of a well main-
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tained garden. This means that as you pull into the drive way you are welcomed by a view of fresh lawns and flowering plants. The garden is divided into three levels; the formal garden with a checkered board of Mexican grass and granite, the rear informal garden and the verdant terraces. Hence there is always a patch of green lingering at the edge of your vision. There is ample space for a gathering or a game of backyard football. The land has been laid out in such a way that every drop of water that falls leeches back into the soil. Mr Joseph Wilson explains that a garden was of utmost importance to them and no house is complete without it.
The first look The simple layout of the garden is carried over onto the exteriors. A play of open and closed spaces, the façade is of pristine white interrupted by stone pillars. Decorative railings adorn the terraces with creepers spilling onto the building from the wire mesh ceiling of the terraces. Strong horizontal detailing define the structure, be it the louvers on the windows, the wall treatment, the bold parapets or the cantilevered roof of the car park. The car park is not a defined space and is an extension of the garden hence opening up the plot and reducing the square footage.
Walking in The house has a definite effect. A sense of calm envelopes you as you enter the home. The well lit and airy rooms open out into each other creating an interesting volume. The skylights provided bring in filtered light that makes the space look larger than it is. The dĂŠcor is minimalistic with white walls and neutral tones. The ceiling is designed with strip lighting that creates a point of interest. The floors are laid with high quality vitrified tiles and epoxy joints infused with glitter. There are two detailing elements that define the aesthetic. One is the burnt and brushed natural stone laid on the pillars and the other is wooden
detailing on the stairwell wall. This detail is also carried over to the kitchen cabinets. The work is done with so much finesse that we are told each cabinet panel took a day to complete. Imported beechwood has been used to demarcate spaces (like the prayer area) and the natural color of the wood has been maintained. The interesting use of the wood paneling is highlighted by the lighting design which mostly uses that of the recessed style. The living and dining areas merge into one another and form most of the ground floor. The dining area has French windows that open out into the garden and is ideal for your morning cup of tea. Almost all
Nail the detail
The towering bookcase
Mirror lighting for bathroom mirrors
The Ecclectic African textile pillow
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Architecture
Wilsons’ House
the walls have large windows with a view of the garden outside. The open planning goes to serve the fact that most activities in the house can be monitored from the central family living room. The open pantry kitchen is separated from the family living by a custom made family dining table. The unit also serves as a showcase and storage. The counters and table are topped with a composite material which has 85 percent glass which makes it easier to clean. Like every Malayali home, this one too has a secondary kitchen which opens out into a verandah. The secondary kitchen is planned in such a way that any activity there will not affect the central space. There are two bedrooms on the ground floor which look out into the rear garden. They are spacious and simple. Enough storage space has been provided and beautiful wooden shutters screen the windows from the outside. Upstairs The stairwell has been well detailed with the dual colored wood clad wall and the custom designed glass and wood railing. The stairs begin on a platform that brings
a break in the simple flooring layout. It could also be used as a stage for particular occasions. The design of the railing follows the simple aesthetic of the house. The central space that you enter upstairs has been converted into a study. The room has been equipped with very interesting furniture and beautiful art work on the walls. The two bedrooms that flank the space are spacious and filled with light. They have good cross ventilation and the décor is kept minimalistic. One of the bedrooms leads into a terrific terrace that has a lot of plants and creepers. The Wilson’s residence proves the fact that less is more. The spaces are clean and straightforward and defined by the modern woodwork. The architecture is simple and follows a basic modern outlook. The décor is warm and welcoming which makes this house a home.
Having your own terrace garden:
25 kg per sq ft is the amount of dead load permitted There are different plant media in the market other than soil which are less heavy 6 to 8 inches of growth medium is required Fibrous root plants are the safest Use good water proofing There should be enough slope for water to drain out Use outdoor lights and furniture Keep track of the electric and water supply lines Consult a structural engineer
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Automotive
Bentley
BLAZING PAST
MILESTONES It has the upper hand of being a brand with the weapon of success. It’s traveled a long way from war and does not stop riding in the laps of luxury.
T
he Bentley car can aptly be called as the prodigy of World War I, not just because the first Bentley was rolled out soon after the World War was over but also because the brain behind the machine, Walter Owen Bentley was a noted aero engine designer who created a range of engines
like BR1 and BR2 that were successfully fitted in aircrafts like Sopwith Camel widely flown during the war. With a skill full mind and passion for mechanics, W.O Bentley and his initial staff of three created Bentley Motor’s first car named 3 litres in 1919, the first car ever named after its cylinder capacity, its engine generated 70 horsepower and was driven by a four-
speed gearbox. First orders came in June 1920 and production began during the first half of 1921. In his relentless pursuit to make a fast car, a good car and the best in its class, W.O Bentley embarked on an ambitious programme to make motor sport car, which resulted in the upgradation of engines and a few limited edition series was launched between 1926
ANATOMY OF A BENTLEY The standard 4.5 litre Bentley was based on a rolling chassis, a total of 720 cars were manufactured between 1927 and 1931 by replacing the 3 litre with a more powerful car by increasing its engine displacement to 4.4 L. Among this, 55 cars were added with a Rootstype supercharger to the Blower engine.
The engine displacement was 4,398 cc (268.4 cu in): 100 mm (3.9 in) bore and 140 mm (5.5 in) stroke.
The Bentley’s tanks radiator, oil and petrol - had quick release filler caps that opened with one stroke of a lever.
Trivia Freddie's green Bentley ("The Fast Lady"), and the red sports car that Freddie's second girlfriend drives - all have their real white-on-black number plates covered up by the same white-on-red trade plates with the registration "616 H". 92
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Brakes were conventional, consisting of 17-inch (430 mm) drum brakes finned for improved cooling and operated by rod.
The engine produced 110 hp for the touring model and 130 hp for the racing model. The engine speed was limited to 4,000 rpm.
and 1930. The very next year, Bentley began producing its most expensive, prestigious, and powerful model so far, the 8L. Highly advanced for its time, the six-cylinder 8L engine could generate between 200 and 230 horsepower and was equipped with modern suspensions and hydraulic shock-absorbers. In 1931, due to its high production costs and financial problems, the group was purchased by RollsRoyce and an entirely new luxury car company was formed called Bentley Motors Ltd. However, due to poor sales in the 1970’s and some mishaps within Rolls-Royce, Bentley was put aside until it was bought by Vickers. In 1998 the Volkswagen Group bought Bentley and Rolls-Royce from Vickers. A deal was signed between Volkswagen and BMW, according to which Volkswagen would manufacture the cars until 2002, whereupon manufacturing would turn over to BMW alone. VW said goodbye by presenting Queen Elizabeth II with an official Bentley stat limousine in 2002. In 2003 the Bentley Azure was replaced by the Bentley Continental GT, a luxury coupe. The Continental GT was a huge success and the demand for the Bentley Continental became so great that manufacturing had to be moved to a second facility. In April 2005, production of a 4-seater convertible variant on the Arnage Drophead coupe was put into the works. The 4-seater convertible was called the Azure and was launched along with the Continental GTC in late 2006. In the following years, and Bentley hit an all time high record of 10,014 cars sold, surpassing their 10,000 cars per year threshold. The steering wheel measured about 45 cm in diameter and was wrapped with solid braided rope for improved grip.
Bentley S1 Continental in Luna De Miel
1959
1963
Bentley S3 in The questor tapes
1974
1989
Bentley Arnage in The Thomas Crown Affair
Bentley State Limousine in The Royal Wedding(live coverage)
2013
1989
The Bentley 4½ Litre was heavy, weighing 1,625 kg and spacious, with a length of 4,380 mm and a wheelbase of 3,302 mm.
Bentley Continental GT in Doomsday
2005
2011
2013- Bentley unknown in Great Gatsby
Bentley Continental in Speed Zone
1999
2008
2005-2014Bentley Mulsanne S in Supernatural
Bentley S2 in PouicPouic
1989-2014 Bentley S- Type in The Simpsons
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Sports
Like Fathers, Like Sons
Competitions that race
across generations It’s not just the looks the racers have inherited from their legendary fathers; they also share the same talent and attitude towards sports.
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his season’s MRF Formula 2000 Championship that kicks off in Qatar is hailed as a momentous event in the history by the media. It would be a cliché to say that history is being repeated here but the motorsport aficionados around the world are just hopping to witness the magical recreation of 1976 F1 World Championship, when two flamboyant personalities and arch rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda took on each other on the race track. Now, after thirty eight years their sons Freddie Hunt and Mathias Lauda are getting ready to compete against each other for the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship in October this year. The two young racers will be driving for M&N Racing, a team owned Indian-based motorsports enthusiast Jose Pottamkulam. Though as talented as their respective fathers behind the wheels, both Freddie Hunt and Mathias Lauda do not have any big accomplishments to their name. Freddie Hunt has competed in various one-make touring car series such as the Cruze Cup and Polo Cup. The 26-year-old gave up racing after competing in the ADAC Formula Masters series in 2009. Mathias on the other hand is a seasoned touring car racer, who was racing in the GP2 series, which is a feeder series for Formula One, since 2006 he has been participating in the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) championship. From Qatar, the upcoming MRF championship will go to Bahrain and then to Chennai in January 2015.
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James Hunt and Niki Lauda
Deadly crash that nearly killed Niki Lauda
Freddie Hunt and Mathias Lauda
NH 47 Bypass, Muthathara, Mob: 8129 01 8888
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RENAULT KOCHI
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RENAULT thrissur
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FWD
Wellness
Reining in
Road Rage Of late road rage has become a common phenomenon, wellness expert Nuthan Manohar gives us some tips to tackle the behavior behind the wheels. Text Nuthan Manohar Photos Various Sources
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he best part of the day is early morning, zipping through the empty bridges that connect Fort Cochin to Ernakulam. I get to see the spectacular view of rising sun. That is often the time I have to myself, peaceful, meditative and I instinctually recite my prayers of thanks and gratitude. One such morning, a cyclist dangerously jumped into my path. I hit the break, steered left. In the midst of my prayer, I burst into a rather instinctual high pitch Aaaa! A crash was thankfully avoided, but strangely I felt no anger. I shared the episode in class that day and there seemed to be a lot of interest in the spectrum of emotions people feel on the road. Though few find driving therapeutic, many find traffic extremely stressful. Depending on the gravity of the stress, one may be dealing with the condition known as Road Rage. Upon a quick research I found the following road rage personalities types. The aggressor Do you get competitive while on the wheel? When someone tries to overtake you, have you been told that you have the habit of increasing your speed? Do you slow down purposefully, so that you instigate others?
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Do you change lanes quickly and often? Have you been associated with more than three accidents? The whiner In the last few months how often have you lost your cool with other drivers or traffic situation? (More than 5 times?) How often do you complain about traffic problems? (More than 8 times a week?) The self abuser
Have you hit your vehicle? (Kicked, punched the steering / tyre etc) Have you tried to hurt yourself to deal with the stress of the traffic? The signal maniac When the traffic light turns green, do you sound the horn to get vehicles in front moving? When you just get caught in a red light do you get abusive or angry?
Aggressors, themselves are often unaware of their condition and may not admit that they have a problem. If you are aware of those who exhibit aggressive road rage behavior, it is time for intervention, as it is the most dangerous form of road rage for self and others. Intervention modules would include yoga or other body works that insist on awareness. Emphasis will be needed on abdominal and upper body workout that stretches and strengthens 15 minute mindfulness meditation of observing the breath with the rise and fall of the abdomen. Affirmations related to power such as “I am powerful and peaceful” etc need to be recited over a hundred times across the day. The whiner is not a dangerous condition but if you have been told that you complain a lot, then you need to work on improving the quality of your life by engaging in positive experiences that involves all the senses – try hiking or kayaking, try tending to plants and watch them grow, hug someone. Each day if you can create ten minutes of positivity you will be able to let go of the whining. The self abuser needs to learn to
forgive. Postures that open out the upper body, such as Matsaysan, Ustrasan, Dhanurasan are great ways to use the body to heal pent up anger. Use of essential oils such as Rose, Bergamot and Basil are indicated to invoke a more loving emotion. The signal maniac needs to create rituals that help them calm down when the car is kept stationary. A simple and effective technique is to sit in a parked car, take ten deep breaths, and a few seconds to acknowledge each of the senses – the scent of the car, the sounds around, and the texture of the steering wheel, the seat etc, and the way the light is streaming in through the windows. Later, practice the same each time the car is kep stationary say at a traffic jam. There is one more condition of road rage, where you become the victim. In such conditions it is important t to keep calm, note the number down first, if possible inform the police. However do take time to understand that the other person is behaving wrongly owing to high stress, so maybe if the situation warrants it use humour to deflect the situation.
Before you start on your drive take ten long deep breaths and then hold your breath for a count of 20 and release it slowly. While driving try to observe the way you breathe goes in and out – feel your abdomen rise and fall Use soothing aroma in your vehicle – lavender, sandal Let out steam with a nice sweaty workout Engage your mind throughout the day with positivity
Nuthan Manohar is a wellness expert. Through her venture MeMetMe she invites you to rediscover yourself through yoga food and fun. She can be contacted via facebook or on +919567366250.
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Relationship
The Art of Making Love
THE ART OF
MAKING LOVE
Savour every touch and sensation which magnifies the physical and emotional experience to deepen the relationship with your partner
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he beauty of love making lies in the power of savouring every touch and sensation which magnifies the physical and emotional experience. There are a few things that can be done to enjoy it as a sensual experience.
Prolong Pre-play To keep yourselves from sprinting to the finish line, lie in bed just kissing and caressing. This mutual stimulation puts you in a meditative state, allowing you to zero in on each sensation. Treat him to a tantalizing experience by touching him from head to toe. Becoming familiar with the details of his anatomy lets you mesh on a higher sensual level. So let your hands glide down his spine and the crease of his thigh playfully. Then let him navigate your randy regions, too. Uncovering pleasure point’s specific to your bodies is like a secret the two of you share. It’s another exclusive facet of your relationship.
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Breathe In Sync It may sound like a lot of hot air, but breathing in unison can make you both feel totally connected. When you are so focused on getting into the same rhythm, you enter a near trance-like state. It takes you into the ‘zone,’ where you’re highly aware of your guy, and your external environment seems to fade to black. To synchronize your breathing, get into a body-to-body position, such as spooning or coital alignment. Sit nose-to-nose with your legs wrapped around each other and your hands on each other’s chests so both of you can feel your heartbeats. Then inhale and exhale, slowly and deliberately, paying special attention to your man’s pace as you caress and kiss. Breathing in tandem helps your excitement levels rise at the same rate too. It makes you feel physically melded.
Go Blindfolded One of the best ways to indulge in a super
sensory erotic encounter—and savour every delicious second—is to prevent you from seeing and hearing distracting sensations. Cutting off sight and sound intensifies sex in two ways. Eliminating all potential disturbances keeps you centred on the moment and each other. Also, deleting one sense allows the others to become more acute, so you can really tune in to the pleasure you’re giving each other. You create an all-encompassing sensual exchange. To get into carnal concentration mode, ditch the mood music and romantic lighting. You need total silence and darkness. (This would be a perfect time to bring out those blindfolds.) As you caress your man, really home in on how he feels and tastes and smells. Try not to make a peep... except for the moans and sighs that mindlessly escape your lips. Get a feel for the texture of his skin, listen to his pounding heart as his arousal escalates, and nuzzle him all over so you can inhale his essence. At the same time, allow yourself to become lost
in everything he’s doing to you. Don’t feel like you need to perform for him or be as noisy as a porn star. Just relax and revel in the exquisite pleasure he’s giving you.
Lock Eyes While blocking out distractions lets you focus inward and zoom in on your sensations, gazing at your partner forces you to concentrate on each other. Many women feel isolated during sex because you both tend to become so caught up in your own physical pleasure; you lose sight of the other person. But making eye contact is a way to communicate. It bridges that gap and lets you really be aware of your man’s presence. This doesn’t mean that you should get into a staring contest with your guy. It’s more like you’re looking inside of him rather than just at him. Study his facial expression and try to imagine what he’s thinking and feeling, especially when he nears orgasm. There’s something so soul-baring about seeing your partner at that instant, when he’s open and vulnerable. Locking each other’s gaze at this most personal moment is kind of like saying to each other ‘I trust you.’ You need to feel truly bonded with someone to share that kind of acceptance.
Make it clear that his pleasure is your pleasure, and you want to discover everything about what turns him on. He’ll be happy to have you experiment with him. Get your partner’s heart rate up, for him to associate the feeling of excitement with you and to develop more powerful feelings for you.
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pre se nts
cover
cover party
party p o w e r e d by
at
cover party
cover party
FWD and Wtzup cover launch party Celebrities were in full party mode as they arrived for the FWD Life and Wtzup Kochi cover launch on June 14th at Dream Hotel. Mia George who is on the FWD cover came along with her close pals and actresses Sija Rose and Mridula Murali. With no trace of make-up Mia looked dewy fresh and smart for the evening. The cover launch was followed by the screening of the 1 minute movie ‘Precious’ produced by Metromatinee. The party turned all the more fun as DJ Ryan played some wonderful tracks and kept the guests entertained.
f e at u R I N G
DJ Ryan
party
t v p a r t n er
fashi on pa r tne r
tablo id pa r tner
Kochi
ho s p i t a l i t y P a r t n e r
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pr o m o pa r tner
cover party
cover party
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India’s First Print to Viral Tabloid
cover
party
wtzup launch party
wtzup launch party
wtzup launch party
sp grand days Trivandrum powered by
in association with
p launch party
wtzup launch party
The Wtzup Trivandrum cover launch party held on 6th June at SP Grand Days hotel in Trivandrum was a complete starry affair. The event was graced by some well known faces like national award winners director Shyamaprasad and Suraj Venjaramoodu. 102
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up launch party
wtzup launch part
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LAUNCH PARTY
LAUNCH PARTY wtzup launch party wtzup launch party
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Shades of Cool Photography : Rejibhaskar Make up: Remesh kannan Stylist: Reshu Randaswamy( Sugar Lips) Costumes: Sugar Lips & Matin Mac
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In Moments of Reflection A classic black bandage dress embellished with metallic chains.
Keep it Short High waisted black textured shorts and a cropped peach top.
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The Train of Thought A ephemeral sequined white gown with a train cascading on the stairs
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The Silver Lining White dresses with intricate twirls & metallic beads 2014 AUGUST
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Happenings, Food, Page 3 & More In
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top taste fwd
The one landmark that’s etched in everyone’s heart is Paragon. Everyone has a delicacy story to share, from the famous biryanis to the classic fish and mango curry. A major restaurant of 75years has finally decided to open a branch at Kochi, and we cannot resist the doors to open and lead us to a culinary heritage.
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Interview Chef Roy Pothen
back to roots Food has been reinvented over time, and it involves a journey to recreate historical tastes. Text Atheena Wilson Photos Sreekanth (Revonex)
H
e believes that food isn’t something that must be enjoyed but has an intertwined history of love and effort. Time travelling to the past, Executive Chef, Roy Pothen of Paragon takes us on a culinary ride. We’re looking forward to the new Paragon, what’s cooking? Our new branch will be offering the timeless Malabar food and miscellaneous cuisine Arabic, Chinese and Continental. You’ve travelled a lot, stirred your way to Kerala, any reason? When I attended an ethnic food festival in Malabar and I realised my passion for ethnic food. What’s an attribute of your lifestyle that has reflected in your cooking? I enjoy farming, nurturing ingredients has influenced my style of cooking. For example in my blog, Taste Undefined (royjpothen.blogspot.in), I have shared health tips and recipes for Carambola (vairapulli), jackfruit, water apple (jambakka), kachilu (assorted yam.) I remember once instead of serving potato crisps, I prepared thin fried slices of jackfruit seeds. What’s something that the generation is missing out in your arena of traditional cooking? They are missing out the original taste of some meals and unaware of the old traditional food. For example, onion paste is a recent garnish in the authentic beef curry originally it was shallots. This alteration
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occurred with the influence of North Indian cooking. A few things that you would like to bring back in the tradition? During my days in Scotland, I realized the way they gave meat the proper taste without overpowering it, especially in the case of steak. The apt balance of spices. That’s why I prepared black pepper spiced rack lamb with tomato and coconut flavoured sauce as the signature dish. Trying to back a heritage how’s the journey of travelling to the past? I have visited a few Illams and old Christian homes to recover recipes that have been lost. Currently, I have set up a meeting with Kamat to recover the secret of Nambadoori dishes and may be sometime next month planning to do an exploratory study on traditional Syrian Catholic food. Also in my agenda, I have a desire to visit Kumaly, the dams of Idukki and find out the particular plant specimen that’s used for wrapping fish pollichatu. Despite going old school, is there anything in the Kerala cuisine palette that has to be
reinvented? Desserts. For example central Kerala Pachoru is eaten during the saadhyas could go through a lot of reinvention. It could be put in particular moulds and different brick varieties and enhanced with different embellishments using traditional ingredients. Vattyappam can be put in a different angle apart from just being a tea snack and it can be made into desserts. Also I have experimented with a few ingredients using refined sugar instead of chocolate sauces An incident that motivated you to pursue the originality of a meal... When I worked at Taj Malabar, I worked with Chef Shanmugam and learned how important it is to add genuine ingredients. He travelled to China and he taught me the authentic Chinese cuisine without ‘Indianizing’ and that’s what inspired me to stay true to meal without diluting the taste and not altering concepts. A few things to make the dining experience better... There isn’t a code for enjoying a meal .Always select a good appetizer and never mix palettes.
Quickies
One dish you can never beat your mum to Beef Curry The quickest and easiest appetizer... Anchovy fish fry A dish that does not deserve it’s hype Chicken Balmoral A twist to a famous dish... Gooseberry to fish curry Timeless dish Mango broulee Weirdest ingredient in a dessert Salt
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Music
The Playlist
On track! Great music can make an ordinary day into an extraordinary experience. So plug in and get your week on!
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here are songs that give you the chills, make you jump and have you running for the tissue box. There is a song for every mood and a beat for any day of the week. Music directly affects chemicals called neurotransmitters which relay information in our head, which is why it is the best solution for any emotional situation. We have a playlist that is guaranteed to put you on, well….the right track. Here is the FWD prescription to be taken daily as required. Side effects include foot tapping and head shaking.
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Monday Blues
Mid week Crisis
Thank God it’s Friday
Sunday Side up
Start your Monday right with a fresh cuppa and enjoy the sunrise. Shut out all those dreary thoughts in your head with some happy music and give yourself a good start to the day.
You are almost there and all you need to do is keep going. You feel the drag and just want the week to move on. It is time for some good music and good feelings.
The name Friday comes from the Norse goddess Frigg which means loved one. It might be a good idea to bring your weekend threads with you to work so you can save time in commuting.
It is the do-whatever-youwant day! Do you have that delicious Sunday morning feeling? Have you made plans or are you going with the flow? It doesn’t matter as long as you have music to keep up the beat.
Beautiful day – U2 I’m Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves New Shoes – Paolo Nutini Good Day – Nappy Roots Hey ya – Outkast 500 miles – The Pretenders I’m Feeling Good – Nina Simonwe Me Gustas Tu – Manu Chao
Good Vibrations – The Beach boys I Feel Good –James Brown Everybody is Going to be Happy – The Kinks This Head I Hold – Electric Guest Dust Clears – Clean Bandit Pumped up Kicks – Foster the People Kids – MGMT YMCA – The Village People
Party Rock Anthem –LMFAO Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Friday on my Mind – The Easy Beats You can’t Touch This – M C Hammer Friday – Daniel Bedingfield Get Lucky – Daft Punk A little party never killed Anybody – Fergie Dare – Gorillaz
Lazy Song – Bruno Mars Banana Pancakes –Jack Johnson Happy – C2C feat D martin Happy – Pharell Williams Sunday Morning – Maroon 5 Come to Me – The Goo Goo Dolls Could it be Another Change – The Samples Young Folks – Peter, Bjorn and John
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MANY MORE.
RNI Reg. No. KERENG /2012 /42759
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