LIFESTYLE TRAVEL LEISURE ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE
ISSUE 02 VOL 01 DECEMBER 2011 ` 60
www.fwdlife.in
The Royal Abode Away from the mad hustle of thecity, in a haven in Chittoor
X’mas Lunch An easy to do, mouth watering lunch menu for Christmas.
Choreographing Change Malika Sarabhai talks about the vivid experiences of her multi-faceted life.
EXCLUSIVE
Aashiq Abu
Un-cooked AN UNSALTED AND UNPEPPERED VERSION OF THE ARTISTE GROUP THAT’S TAKING MALAYALAM MOVIES PLACES.
SANJAY | GEORGE PETER | TONY JOSEPH
Follow us on
Contents
16
Aashiq Abu
Uncooked Man unsalted and unpeppered version of the artiste group that’s taking malayalam movies places.
LIFESTYLE
12
Choreographing Change
Malika Sarabhai talks about the vivid experiences of her multi-faceted life.
30
Laughing Matters
Meet the person behind some of the most hilarious radio shows on air.
22 A glorious lust for life Meet Dr. Rajkrishnan Chandrasekharan in his various avatars.
55 Dream Machines Deepak NarendranThe luxury cars collector
TRAVEL
38 The Royal Abode Neena Hari writes about her escape from the maddening city life
LEiSURE
34 Measuring life with coffee spoons A group of youngster© s quest for the perfect hang out place.
46 62 64 68 78
Maison Couture Health Desk Animal Farm Auto Story Gadgets
42
Like a winter dream Jiyad irani and Lakshmi showcases Puma’s collection.
LoUNGE
52 Christmas Lunch Rebecca Chandy’s easy to cook menu for your x’mas lunch
ENTERTAiNMENT
25 Ballad of the cloud walker George Seemon captured the contemporary expressions of Priya Vijaya and Santhosh
72 75 76 82
View Finder Cover 2 cover Troubled Cleft Urban Yogi
09 48 50 58
Events Grooming Made in Heaven Storyboard
60 66 70 80
Brain Drain Space Frame Balance sheet Game Review
MANAGING EDITOR
Arun Balachandran* EDITOR
issue 02 vOL 01 DeCeMBeR 2011
Abraham Tharakan ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Nanditha Nair FEATURES WRITERS
Gisen George Varghese Ashwathy S PHOTOGRAPHER
Jamesh Kottakkal CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Subin Beats LAYOUT ASSISTANT
Sreekanth S. Nath
Life
CIRCULATION
Haneesh K.H MARKETING
Sreenath S. Nath Thanvi Abisha Lobo Kushboo Saji Luz Stella Plata EDITORIAL OFFICE
Forward Media 9th Floor, Bhagheeratha Square Banerji Road, Cochin – 683018 MARKETING OFFICES
Forward Media 1006, Ivory court 1, Essel Towers, M.G. Road, Gurgaon, Haryana – 122002 Forward Media
Flat No: 7, 4th Floor Dhanush Kutti Co-op Housing Society 15th Road, Bandra West Mumbai – 400050 FOR ADVERTISING
info@fwdmedia.in + 91 9809010111 Cover Photography Ajay Menon Cover Model Aashiq Abu
talk to fwd life We would love to hear what you think of FWD Life magazine as well as your views on different topics such as your shopping habits, beauty regime and travel experiences, so we are inviting you to join our Online Reader Panel. To show our thanks, every month we will send you a range of luxury brands and invitations to join us at exclusive FWD Life events. Please register now.
Subcribe & Visit www.fwdlife.in
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. Manging editor: Arun Balachandran * Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act.
editor’s note
FWD
FROM THE EDITOR© S DESK
WHISKEY IS FOR DRINKING, WATER IS FOR FIGHTING OVER. “More than ever in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together.” Kofi Annan
W
ater continues to be the catalyst for war. The most pressing issue that we face today is the imminent Mullaperiyar debacle. In this world order, no state, no nation can sustain itself. We all share the responsibility for each other’s security. One state cannot think of deriving benefits from a crisis, while thirty five lakhs of their fellow human beings are in peril. The actions of one state have a decisive effect on the lives of people in the other. Does it not owe some account to the other states and citizens as well as to its own? Only mass public appeal would bring those in power,under pressure to resolve issues. The needed
Follow me on Facebook Facebook.com/fwdmagazine 08 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
Follow me on Twitter Twitter.com/editorfwdlife
public support can be garnered by prominent public figures and celebrities because no matter the momentum, the issue has generated on various social media networks, only non virtual action would result in systemic changes in our country. Are we waiting for something to happen? Are we in such liberty here to close our eyes and wish that the lack of certitude in the findings would save the day? Your commitment and sincerity to this cause can help save generations. Whenever celebrities have united for a good cause, the world has followed. Stand the heat and battle the fight for the people. EDITOR Abraham Tharakan
Mail me Email: abraham@fwdmedia.in
Lal Jose, P V Gangadharan
STARS
SPOTTED AT INSPIRE AWARDS
Thalaivasal Vijay
Mammootty
Navin Pauly
Navya Nair, Swetha Menon
Tiny Tom
Amrutha
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 09
EVENTS
with stars
FWD LIFE WITH STARS
Anniversary Carnival at Nucleus Mall
A
BAD Nucleus Mall, Kerala’s first
at Nucleus Mall, along with fabulous spread of
LEED Certified Gold Rated mall
prizes and offers. During the Carnival period (1st
is celebrating its first anniver-
Nov. to 1st Jan.) customers who shop or dine
sary. The Anniversary Carnival at
at Nucleus Mall could win prizes like Hyundai
Nucleus Mall was formally inaugurated on 5
EON (Bumper Prize), Free Holiday Packages at
November 2011 in a simple & elegant function
ABAD and Samsung Oven (weekly prizes) and
held at Nucleus Mall atrium.
Rs.50,000 as cash prize for a lucky customer.
As part of the Anniversary Carnival, a twomonth long celebration is also beingunveiled
10 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
The carnival is packed with an exciting mix of events, meant for everyone in the family.
Women’s Theme
1st Dec. to 15th Dec.
Sports Theme
15th Nov. to 30th Nov.
Adventure Theme
16th Dec. to 1st Jan.
Bumper Prize Draw
1st Jan 2012
For more details, call
99953 77033
CONVERSATION
mallika sarabhai
For her, variety is verity. She has the vibrancy of Gujarat in her as well as the simplicity of Kerala. The constant multitasker; Mallika Sarabhai is an activist, a performer, a publisher, a manager, and above all a dancer
Change CHOREOGRAPHING
Text Nanditha Nair | Photography Jamesh Kottakkal
The road has been long, but recognised she has been and her list of accolades is as illustrious as her lineage. The nation honoured her by conferring Padma Bushan in 2010. She was given the Crystal Award by The World Economic Forum in 2008. The French government bestowed on her the Chevalier des Palmes Academiques in 1999 and Knight of the Order of Arts & Letters in 2002
A
n activist, a reformer,
daughter Mridula were freedom fighters
a publisher, a manager,
and activists. Young Mallika had her own
and above all a dancer,
history to create.
Mallika Sarabhai is a multifaceted persona.
From the mismatched earrings she
agement degree from IIM, Ahmedabad,
wears, the mix of dances she performs,
doctorate from Gujarat University and
the array of degrees she earned, the dif-
joined Mrinalini Sarabhai’s Darpana
ferent kinds of jobs she handles, the two
Academy of Performing Arts. Mallika
entirely different cultures she endorses,
directed and performed in many pro-
yes, she is a total non conformist in
ductions that create awareness on the
absolute terms. For her, variety is verity.
issues that society evades to accept. Her
She has the vibrancy of Gujarat in her as
work, Shakti-The Power of Women, a
well as the simplicity of Kerala.
one-woman show that included a scene
Mallika Sarabhai comes from an il-
12 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
At the age of 15, she started acting in parallel cinemas. She earned man-
about four sisters who had to commit
lustrious lineage. Being the daughter of
suicide to relieve their parents’ trauma
Mrinalini Sarabhai, the legendary clas-
of finding dowries for them. It show-
sical dancer and Vikram Sarabhai, argu-
cased the horrors that even educated
ably the greatest scientist India has ever
women of the modern era have to face.
seen, Mallika had a lot to look up to. Her
Her role as Draupadi in the play The
maternal family of Aanakkara Vadakkath
Mahabharatha by Peter Brook was ac-
has produced great personalities like
claimed widely. Mallika could relate to
Ammu Swaminathan, Captain Lakshmi
Draupadi, the embodiment of Sakthi, for
and Subhashini Ali. The Sarabhai fam-
her extraordinary beauty and fierceness.
ily was into textile industry. Ambalal
Like Draupadi, men can never pin down
Sarabhai, Mallika’s grandfather and his
Mallika.
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 13
Breaking traditions seems to be the tradition in my family. I think my family would have considered me as an out caste, a black sheep, had I been reserved and uptight like the rest of the world.
Keralites love to brand me as a malayali. My taste is that of a malayali.
FWD Life met Mallika on her recent trip
would in itself be the greatest teacher. He
to Cochin. She was very excited about her
foresaw that it will bring a new light to the
performance at JTPAC, Thripunithura. So
villagers in remote areas of India, where
were we, to hear what she had to say.
no teacher would willingly go and teach. I saw dance as a reason of change. Besides
You are always active. Dance, books, kids,
it is a misconception to think that one
politics; something keeps you busy always.
should only work in a corporate after get-
How do you prioritise?
ting an IIM degree. I use my management
When I’m involved with one thing, I just do
skills every minute of my life. I manage
that alone. I stay in the same building of
the entire team of Darpana and its many
Darpana. I had a wonderful nanny to take
subsidiaries.
care of kids. Amma stays next to us with my brother. She would always take care of my
Why Darpana?
kids. I think the kids were also very accom-
Darpana was established by my mother.
modating. As a publisher, I have a good
When she married my father and came
partner. I only do what I’m passionate about.
to Gujarat, dancers were considered as
When one is passionate about something, it
courtesans. They would point at her and
is easy to find time for that.
say “Nachnewali”. My grandfather asked Amma to establish a dance school for
Dance was not your first passion. You were
children to change the perception of the
part of a structured setup until the age of
people. It did. Now I’m trying to bring
18 when you followed your mother’s foot-
a change in people’s mindset with the
steps to join Darpana. Was that an inten-
performing arts and Darpana is the best
tional change?
platform for this.
Both my parents were revolutionaries of
14 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
change. My father was a great visionary who
How do you identify yourself? As a Gujarati
wanted knowledge to percolate to the grass
or a Malayalee?
root levels. He thought Television would be
I don’t know that. It’s up to others to tell
the harbinger of a cultural revolution as it
me how I’m identified. Kerala has always
been eager to accept me as hers. Keralites
that all of us want and need. One person will
love to brand me as a Malayalee. My taste
be followed by hundreds, and thousands will
is that of a Malayalee. I want red rice and
follow. But someone has to take the initia-
avial. A meal with thoran and koottu curry
tive. Smart, intelligent people from different
makes my day complete. We get red rice
walks of life should replace this mockery
delivered from Kerala. My dressing style and
by politicians.
I should do my part to rescue India from the clutches of these politicians. I’m just trying to bring the change that all of us wants and needs.
accessories are my own. I think I’m the right blend of both cultures. But I’m not fluent in
Heard a story that a woman once compli-
Malayalam. I have consciously started learn-
mented you by saying, “Here is a woman
ing Malayalam recently and within a year
who is not afraid to be seen ugly”. But you
I shall learn it.
are never seen ugly. How is that? You have to see the faces I make during
Breaking traditions is the tradition in your
performances. I even act the part of a one
family. You have once said that you have
eyed monkey. That’s really ugly. As for my
done it all, whatever society hates to accept.
personal style, I like wearing anything that
(She bursts into laughter) It is the best way
is comfortable to me. I should be able to ride
of putting it. Breaking traditions seems to be
a horse or climb a tree when I want. One
the tradition in my family. I think my family
day Amma and I were travelling through a
would have considered me as an out caste,
village in Kerala and we saw a lady wear-
a black sheep, had I been reserved and up-
ing this beautiful Thoda in her ears. I was
tight like the rest of the world. My daughter,
so enticed by it that we stopped the car. I
Anahita is gay. I think she also follows the
coaxed Amma to use her Malayalam to buy
tradition of our family to break traditions.
it from her. And we did buy it. We have such great accessories in India. I don’t know why
Mrinalini Sarabhai is a dancer who works
Indians tend to buy these ugly designer or-
within tradition. But you are an experimen-
naments, when our ornaments are the best
talist. Your expressions vary from Kuchip-
in the world.
pudy, Mohiniyattam, Tribal arts to theatre. Is it a deliberate deviation? That is not true. Amma was the first Indian dancer to use tradition to break tradition, as early as 1949. She stripped Kathakali of all costumes and makeup and used the form to create Manushya. And in 1963 she used Bharata Natyam to speak of hatred and dowry killings instead of Sringara. I was brought up thinking that the arts were a language one used to talk of anything. And while I still continue performing classical Katcheris, as far as my own work is concerned I use any or all arts to convey what I want to a particular audience. Your foray into active politics. India is torn down by ruthless politicians. Corruption is killing this country. I think, as a responsible citizen I should do my part to rescue India from the clutches of these politicians. I’m just trying to bring the change 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 15
exclusive
16 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
AN UNSALTED AND UNPEPPERED VERSION OF THE ARTISTE GROUP THAT’S TAKING MALAYALAM MOVIES PLACES.
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 17
EXCLUSIVE
aashiq abu & crew
During the 70’s Malayalam movie industry saw the advent of new wave cinema. Possibly inspired by this, a group of youngsters, customers of the now definitional Indian Coffee House near the University College in Trivandrum, later formed a cinema fraternity that contributed meaningful screenplays, powerful characters and innovative crafts to the Malayalee audience.
T
he mastermind behind this
Rasheed, Sameer Thahir and Lijo Jose Pellis-
year’s biggest entertainer that
sery to name a few, who are experimenting
comprised of a loudmouth, a
with thematic, narratives and casting. One
missing-in-action beauty queen
of the major changes that have taken place
and two newbies, packaged as
is the collective effort and the times spend
a food based movie, is an easy talker. Well,
for pre-production work. Neither Auteur
as long as you have the right questions. The
Theory (that director is the sole creator
cynics and onlookers alike watched open-
of the movie) nor the Schreiber Theory
mouthed, a locomotive called SaltN’Pepper
(that the scriptwriter is the creator) is any
appeared from nowhere and sped its course
longer in practise. The Schreiber theory had
through a film landscape that was reeking
relevance in Malayalam, only due to promi-
with flops. This movie too is the product of
nent directors writing their own scripts.
the new breed of movie professionals who
With a growing audience who are exposed
are bring about the much needed freshness
to all kinds of cinema, unoriginal works are
to Malayalam movies.
being criticised from the time the movie is
During the 70’s Malayalam movie industry saw the advent of new wave cinema. Pos-
new cinematic perspectives are needed to
sibly inspired by this, a group of youngsters,
capture the evolving global Malayalee’s
customers of the now definitional Indian
imagination.
Coffee House near the University College in
18 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
announced. New themes, new genres and
It’s a hot and sultry day in Kochi; the
Trivandrum, later formed a cinema fraterni-
midday day sun continues its course to the
ty that contributed meaningful screenplays,
middle of the sky. At the movie workshop
powerful characters and innovative crafts to
for 22 Female Kottayam, a suspense thriller
the Malayalee audience. Late 80’s and early
in a private hideaway 20 km from Kochi,
90’s saw the growth of superstars. Malay-
Aashiq Abu seems like a man in search for
alam movies went into a limbo. This state
something. A stocky build, in t-shirt and
of deterioration is offered some resistance
shorts, he is totally at home walking around
by younsters Vyshak, Amal Neerad, Anwar
in rubber slippers. “Cigarettes” came a cry
With a growing audience who are exposed to all kinds of cinema, unoriginal works are being criticised from the time the movie is announced.
had a food based movie. The idea for food came up much later in the pre-production time” Syam: “The story thread was about two
people in their forties meeting each other and falling in love, food became an angle
Aashiq Abu seems like a man in search for something. A stocky build, in t-shirt and shorts, he is totally at home walking around in rubber slippers.
because we thought that would be the best unifier for their unusual relationship” Dileesh: “The moment the age factor came in, we knew it couldn’t be a normal love
on seeing a pack, he picks one and lights up,
story. We wanted to keep it realistic as pos-
sitting in front of the laptop playing songs
sible, like normal people they too had their
from the Folk rock group Avial’s collection.
own emotional baggage.”
Rest of the cast and crew is wandering
Aashiq: “when they told me the story, I knew
about, almost sleep walking. Complains of
we had to go with unusual casting. Now
hunger fills the air and the housekeepers
everyone is talking about Babu Raj’s casting.
scurry around to prepare lunch.
That happened because we didn’t want to go
Now food is something really popu-
with normal comedians. All of us sat around
lar here, well for a team that did a love
talking and Babu Raj’s name came up, and
story around food, the conversation really
somehow all of us were sure that it would
got started. Aashiq was joined by Syam
work out.”
Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair the writers,
Madhu: “ Ya ya, we all liked the idea, even
Abhilash Kumar, Madhu Narayan, Pradeep
with the casting of Lal and Shweta (Menon),
Sukumaran- associate directors and Dileesh
it was clear that someone who acted their
Pothan who is also an associate but had an
age was needed and of course a good voice
acting role in SaltN’Pepper.
that would sound good over telephone was
Aashiq: “All of us love food, the same is true
needed.”
about an average Malayalee, yet we never
Abhilash: “The Upadeshi,K.T. Mirash char2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 19
EXCLUSIVE
aashiq abu & crew
ing the rushes of Avial promo
acter was developed after
travelled 2 days North of
seeing a friend walk around
Kerala , two days South and
gate and three men walk
song literally stunned me.
in pyjamas ....( breaks out
of course a day in Kochi.
through, a loud cheer greets
Until then I thought keeping
in laughter) everybody has
Aashiq: Even though all of us
them. Shyju Khalid the cin-
the climax in balance would
are very familiar with Kochi,
ematographer who did both
be the toughest part. Hardly
that, he is everything Manu
we didn’t want to set the
Traffic and SaltN’Pepper,
30 percent of the whole foot-
(Aasif Ali) is not and vice
story in Kochi.
Sajan V the editor and Dan
age was used for the film.
Jose the Sound guy walks in
The same was the case with
an Archaeologist, Trivan-
and starts chiding Aashiq
the food song; we had a lot of
come across characters like
versa, they somehow balance each other.”
A car pulls up at the other
Syam: (Interrupting) For drum is a much better and in
about his new projects.
footage which we didn’t use,
and everybody rambles over
any case there is too much of
Aashiq had a plan to bring
to the table and starts piling
Kochi in Malayalam movies
Shyju: Did this guy tell you
about the food song? Oh that
out an album based on the all
on food. Dileesh Pothan is
these days...
was a big deal for me. 5 days
the unused footage. Oh the
the obvious butt of the joke
By now lunch is served,
Pradeep: ... there are voice
up and down and I didn’t
intertextual stuff in both the
for the grit of his paunch.
labs and better streets.
want to shoot food like a
movies was fun, Mamooka
Finally everybody settles
(Smiling) we really liked the
product rather something all
playing himself from Azha-
down to eat.
house in Trivandrum. Every
of us are very familiar with.
kiya Ravanan in Daddy Cool
Pradeep: The food song for ti-
article in the scenes and the
Just like a normal person’s
and Shweta in SaltN’Pepper
tle was planned over 5 days.
idea to have the Mooppan
perspective when entering
dubbing for Richa Pallod in
We called up people in all the
through was pre planned, but
an eating place, oh that was
Daddy Cool. There is even
districts in Kerala, they came
then the story of the rainbow
fun!
a director in the studio like
up with suggestions and we
cake was really researched.
Sajan: Forget the food, see-
Aashiq.
Shyju Khalid
Sajan V
cinematographer
editor
20 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
Dileesh Nair script writer
Syam Pushkaran
Abhilash Kumar
script writer
script writer
Forget the food, seeing the rushes of Avial promo song literally stunned me.
after the Rathinirvedam role;
of any two individuals who
The collective enthusiasm
it’s totally Shweta’s credit
are sharing living spaces
is clearly evident within the
that people accepted the
together for a long while.
group, yet there is no distinc-
role.
Dan: The ‘sounds’ for the
tion between work and play
scene in which the prospec-
mood, even during the day
gay undertones in Lal’s and
tive bride looks from the bal-
long interactions it’s clear
Babu Raj’s relationship
cony, when the cook leaving
that bouncing ideas to and
Syam (with a grin): That was
the house with her potential
fro keep them on their toes.
the chemistry between the
suitor, was given a tragic-
Who knows somewhere down
Aashiq: Well there was lots
two; the idea was to have a
comic turn as demanded by
the line, new genres hitherto
of criticism for using a non
cook who somehow compen-
the situation.
unexplored in Malayalam
Malayalee actress as the lead
sates for the woman of the
for the role in Daddy Cool. So
house....
certainly rising within the
the new breed. Viewer expec-
we wanted to show what the
Dileesh: There are no
When asked about the
The energy levels are
cinema, might emanate from
group; a few have broken
tations are high, so are the
comic scenes written only
away and are jamming around
chances of rejection. There is
is always a problem. Shweta
situational comedies, when
with a guitar and make-shift
still no concrete sign to call
was the only Malayalam
we were doing character
drum (former lunch plates).
the new age directors, produc-
speaking actor who fitted the
sketches, it was definite that
A few others are preparing
ers and professionals a new
role and she did a wonderful
a brahmachari (A hanuman
to jump into the pool. Their
movement or wave, but then
job.
devotee) would be the right
day just seems to be starting,
Malayalees all over the world
person for the role. Their
night long discussions, argu-
are waiting for a new kind of
relationship is similar to that
ments, fights and what not!
movie sensibility.
situation really is. Dubbing
Initially we were not sure how people would take this
Madhu Narayan,
Pradeep Sukumaran
Dileesh Pothan
Dan Jose
associate director
associate director
actor, associate director
sound engineer
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 21
PEOPLE
22 |
Life
dr. rajkrishnan chandrasekharan
| DECEMBER 2011
How you perceive the world depends on what sort of lens you prefer to see it through; what for everyone else is a lunatic adventure, might be the fulfillment of a long fostered dream for somebody.
A Glorious Lust For Life Text Gisen George Varghese | Photography Jamesh Kottakkal
“Passion and madness are not the same, sometimes you have to be practical”, Dr. Rajkrishnan says.
N
uts! It could be said of
to have an enduring impact on the way
a man who climbs four
his life took shape. “I suppose, I had an
thousand meters up the
explorer’s psyche from a very young age. I
Himalayas to experi-
would roam through the estate for hours on
ence how it feels to fix
end, on occasions even from dawn to dusk.
someone else’s teeth at that altitude.
That was my introduction to the euphoria,
For the man who did it though, nothing
travels and explorations provides.” But
about the act is bizarre or madcap—“just
bogged down heavily by the “demanding
something that had to be done because I
circumstances of life” and the “generally
had always dreamt of doing it ever since
unfavourable nature of those times”, he
I chose the career of a dentist.” The
was left with no choice but to abide by
man, by the way, was on the wrong side
the conventional norms that dictate what
of thirties when he did this. But if you
a young man’s career options should be.
were to wax platitudinous on a not-so-
“Passion and madness are not the same,
young-man’s unabashedly youthful lust
sometimes you have to be practical”, Dr
for life or on a heroic defiance of the
Rajkrishnan says.
vile regime of age, what you would meet
After graduating from dental college,
with is a disapproving frown. A terse
he set up his own clinic. As one would
rejoinder too would follow: “Age is like
expect from a man of peculiar tastes, the
money; it is what it does.”
venture was based on a pioneering idea:
Now 45, running Dr.Raj dental
dental tourism. After achieving success in
clinic in Thrippunithura, Dr Rajkrishnan
his career, he turned to his personal goals.
Chandrasekharan was born and brought
His passion for travelling rekindled. He has
up in the FACT estate at Ambalamedu,
the habit of going for short trips with his
Kochi. The days of childhood spent in
friends. Even while practicing as a doctor
that vast and lush green landscape were
he never missed a chance to travel. In the 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 23
The latest of his experiments is the scuba diving in Thripoonithura. Even if there is a risk factor in the adventures, his family supported him.
early 2000’s he planned and executed a trip to Himalayas. In six years he conquered Himalayas five times. He travelled to many parts of India including Sikkim, Jaipur, Kashmir and different parts of Europe and America. Another crazy thing he did was to work as an intern in Hotel Dream, Kochi. During the three months in the hotel at the hotel, he studied new methods of cooking. Some of his patients, who frequented the hotel, got lucky to taste the food he prepared. Winning
Interestingly, he also worked as an intern in Hotel Dream, Kochi. During the three months in the kitchen at the hotel, he studied new methods of cooking. Some of his patients, who frequented the hotel, got lucky to taste the food he prepared.
a European marathon is yet another feather on his cap. His passion to explore is a never ending process as day-by-day he finds new ways to lead his passionate life. For the last two years cycling has been
24 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
petrol price hike was widely accolade. The latest of his experiments is scuba diving. Even if there is a risk
his passion, craze and the tool for explor-
factor in the adventures, his family
ing. He cycled through various forests,
supports him. We’ll never know what we
mountains and bumpy roads of Kerala in his
are going to hear about this man next.
mountain bike. His innovative method of
We could all take his cue and enjoy life
protest, by cycling during a harthal against
to the most.
george seemon
PHOTO FEATURE
Ballad Of The
Cloud-Walker concept & photography George Seemon
artistes Santhosh & Priya Vijaya
the meeting
“Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin. Dance me to the end of love.” -Leonard Cohen
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 25
The ultimate betrayal of love its when it rebels again itself, it’s the willful slaughter of hope.
26 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
the betrayal
the rebirth
“Bid my blood to run/before I come undone/save me from the nothing I’ve become.” - Evanescence 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 27
the revenge
28 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
Your flag on the marble arch is not a victory, it’s cold and broken.
www.fwdlife.in
THERE IS MORE TO CALENDARS THAN DATES & EVENTS.
MIXING TRADITION WITH HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE FASHION FWD Calendar 2012 travelled through the un explored terrains of God’s own country with ace photographer Hari Menon & leading designer Susan Jacob.
Initiation & Print Partner
Follow at www.facebook.com/fwdmagazine
SPOTLIGHT
30 |
Life
suneesh varanadu
| DECEMBER 2011
Currently an RJ and producer at Club FM Sunesh Varanad is a jack of all trades. In search of the perfect medium for expression, he has tried various forms: stand up comedies, journalism, anchoring and is currently dabbling with scripts for movies.
Laughing MATTERS
Text Gisen George Varghese | Photography Jamesh Kottakkal
C
omedy is the cruelest of all
he knew he needed a change and started the
forms of entertainment; it
newspaper Jana Sradha, from Cherthala. He
is someone’s weakness or
had to stop it after 18 issues. It was during
misery that is being mimicked
this time that we saw him in Asianet in his
and made fun at. To be a
different roles; as an anchor for Suprab-
standup comedian is hard and requires the
hatham and as a script writer and dubbing
right mixture of writing, timing and deliv-
artist for another program called Mr. Fun.
ery. For Suneesh Varanad, an exceptionally
The transitions in his life did not end there.
gifted artist, it is just a laughing matter.
He tuned himself to fit a different medium,
Suneesh is the RJ and producer of a series
Radio.
of shows in Club FM 94.3, 104.8(Thrissur)
Like Suneesh, his shows too are chatty,
famous for its totally different and uncon-
funny, and filled with variety and excitement.
ventional themes. Not just one but all of his programmes, Sunday Talkies, Pachakathnam Mahilamani, Ragaramaiyer MBI, Gulumal
I fought against many issues in college. I always wanted to make my friends and people around me to think and laugh.
Movies reloaded in Sunday Talkies
Sunday Talkies was an experimental revolu-
Bhai, Lokesh Kumar Speaking, Radio Pottas
tion. Each episode saw Suneesh restructur-
and Garvasis Asan have success stories to
ing a famous movie into a satirical version.
talk about. He gives voices to all the charac-
The ground breaking episode was Aaram
ters in his show; from superstars Mohanlal,
Thampuran as Mobile Thampuran. The
Mammootty, and Suresh Gopi to the drunk-
comedy version of the movie had Mohanlal’s
ard Gulumal Bhai.
character, Jagannathan on a mission to build
Suneesh’s zealous for expression has
a mobile tower for the Animangalam village.
taken him through many professions. He
It was an instant success. Director Siddique
started off his career as a subeditor at
was bowled over by the show and on his
Kerala Kaumudi. Six years down the lane;
request Suneesh met him with a collection 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 31
SPOTLIGHT
suneesh varanadu
A lot of Indian film songs are shameless copies of Latin American, Canadian and Pakistani numbers. Terrorism and rivalry never seems to matter when it comes to copying music from Pakistan. Some Bollywood music directors don’t even bother to change the lyrics too. Malayalam fares better only because of the improvised lyrics; never the music.
of DVD’s he made of the 36 parody movies
The protagonists Hari and Iyer through
also included the versions of other super hit
their conversations, investigates plagiarism
movies like God Father, Commissioner and
in the film music. A lot of Indian film songs
Pathram as Fool Father, Compounder and
are shameless copies of Latin American,
Sathram respectively. In its efforts to include
Canadian and Pakistani numbers. Terror-
new programmes, Club FM stopped airing
ism and rivalry never seems to matter when
the show temporarily.
it comes to copying music from Pakistan.
Cooking Life with Paachakarathnam Mahilamani
Some Bollywood music directors don’t even bother to change the lyrics too. Malayalam fares better only because of the improvised
Mahilamani is a cookery show anchor who
lyrics; never the music.Iyer finds plagia-
mixes the boiling socio political issues as
rism through the blunders of Hari. Hari is a
ingredients to prepare delicasies.Inspired
funny character for whom English is a very
by Lekshmi Nair’s cookery show in Kairali
difficult language. There is a Fans associa-�
T.V, Suneesh gives sound to the female pre-
tion for Hari in Thrissur. Here are some
senter. The freshness of its ingredients made
recent findings by Iyer- Song “ Theri Meri
it quite famous. Superstar Kuruma, Sub-
Meri Theri…”in Bodyguard is straight from
ramanya Puri, Bluetooth Thoran, Pinthuna
Pakistan, Olympiyan Anthony Adam’s “Nila
Pollichathu, Alavalathy Avulosunda Kodiyeri
Paithale..” is a copy of an English film song.
Payar are all famous recipes from Mahilama-
This show won the Pepper Award by Adver-
ni’s kitchen. It was the start of a trend when
tisers agencies association.
Ranjini Haridas was portrayed as mother and Thunchathu Ezhuthachan as father of Malayalam language. After being successfully on air for a year, the show won the RAPA (Radio practitioners association) award.
Musical Investigation by Ragaramaiyer, MBI
Ragaramaiyer from Music Bureau of Investigation is a show hardly 1.25 minutes long.
32 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
As the sole member of the organization, i fought against many issues in college. I always wanted to make my friends and people around me laugh and think.
Eccentric, yet meaningful critic Gulumal Bhai
the division where I can perform well. I have
Gulumal Bhai, an eccentric character
Vanitha film awards, Kerala Kaumudi award
whose varied attempt to break into the
night and Mathrubhoomi award night. I
music industry as lyricist, singer and music
also wrote ‘Kalanilayam’. Now I am trying
director is met with failure. Heartbroken
to compile my capsule comedies as a book
Gulumal becomes an alcoholic and vents
called ‘Pottas’. I struggled a lot in my life,
his frustration by criticising each and
may be the bitter life experiences sharpened
every movie song. He speaks about the
the comedian inside me.
mismatches in the lyrics and the meaninglessness of the song. Every episode ends with Gulumal Bhai getting slapped. The
written scripts for mega shows including
Cinema interests
Cinema is my passion. I studied journal-
show is a huge success and is more
ism as I wanted to become a part of the
than 400 episodes old.
Malayalam movie industry. Scriptwriting is
The personality ‘you’
considered an offbeat job but essentially it is the script writer who crafts the basic model
I was known as BOMB in my college which
of a movie. In the last four years I got many
means Bureau of Organized Mature Boys.
offers but nothing turned out well. I don’t
As the sole member of the organization,
want to do 100’s of movies I only want to be
I fought against many issues in college.
part of 5-6 good movies. I have some offers
I always wanted to make my friends and
now, and I am writing a script hoping this
people around me to think and laugh.
time I will enter the industry. When I look
My personality was fine tuned by my life
back at the exposure I got, I am nowhere
experiences and I really became BOMB.
but the words of director Siddique moti-
As a writer
He started off his career as a subeditor at Kerala Kaumudi. Six years down the lane; he knew he needed a change and started the newspaper Jana Sradha, from Cherthala. He had to stop it after 18 issues.
vates me “I never ever thought that God has reserved this much amount of victory for me
I acted in mimicries, dramas, skits and even
so I am saying that the strongest weapon is
in some movies but I know that writing is
patience”. 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 33
YOUNG INITIATIVE
kahawa
From left to right - Sanjay K Menon, Liya Eliza Mathew, Sri Nath V, Ranjana Karunakaran
L
ike all great ideas, this too was born over coffee and cigarettes. We wanted a place to hang out, read, play games or just sip coffee watching the rain.Not wanting to lose the momentum and enthusiasm we decided to start the business. By God’s grace we opened the café within a few months. Why café Food and beverages is an unavoidable factor in leisure, guess chatting makes you hungry and thirsty. Initially, we thought a wide choice of beverages and
34 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
assorted snacks would be enough. Now we have started serving entrees and main courses like monakas, lasagnas and steaks, because of customer demand. Nevertheless, Kahawa remains what we wanted it to be- a comfortable place to sit and chat for hours, even with one cup of coffee. Funding Initially we thought of getting a loan based on the SME scheme. With a lot of hope we applied for the same in a bank, but after investing money on the space, the bank didn’t sanction the loan. So we applied for a loan by pledg-
What is common to a CEO,Operational Head, Assistant Professor and a Lawyer?- A cafe of their own to hang around even amidst their busy schedules. Sanjay K Menon’s love for football, Ranjana Karunakaran’s interest in meeting people, Liya Eliza Mathew’s passion for food and Sri Nath V ‘s desire to be an entrepreneur resulted in Kahawa.With its earthy ambiance and footloose attitude, it’s slowly becoming the perfect blues breaker for the brew lovers in Cochin.
Measuring life with coffee spoons Text Gisen George Varghese | Photography Jamesh Kottakkal
ing our properties and got an amount which was the half of what we needed. In that moment of crisis friends and family came forward to help us out.
theme, the benches, the seating, the painting, the colour scheme, the rugged look and everything. Each and everything here from switches to furniture is assembled.
The Name We initially had no clue what to name the café. We discussed many names and ended up with Kahawa. Kahawa is Coffee in Swahili. We added a slight twist to it by making it “Kahawa-something’s brewing”. The earthy ambiance inside Kahawa is the brainchild of our friend, the interior designer, Thanu Rose. She set up the
Attitude We four have different strengths. All four of us have day jobs, which take up major chunk of our time, yet we make it a point that at least one of us visits the café daily. We don’t have any hierarchy here, everyone is responsible for everything. From daily purchase to monthly budgeting everyone in the team has a say. Each and every item served here is 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 35
SPOTLIGHT YOUNG INITIATIVE
kahawa
African ambiance The painting in Kahawa is one of the biggest graffti in Kochi. The earthy ambience and the mural, inspired by African art Tinga Tinga, was made possible by the team KL7.
special to us, so our collective responsibility increases the quality of the organisation. The team Apart from us, the four partners, the cafe is staffed by eleven others. The staff does a wonderful job in the kitchen and the service they offer is supportive of our concept of what a café should be. Actually it’s their effort that is resulting in the growth of Kahawa. Friends, Family Support Many friends genuinely supported and helped us in this venture. Our families are very supportive. We didn’t have to convince them because they trusted us. They are still helping us in day-to-day practicalities of café owning. If people around us were pessimistic, it would have been very diffcult to setup this project. Challenges faced We faced many challenges before and after beginning operations. If money, design, space, idea executing crisis and personnel selection were the challeng-
36 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
WE DISCUSSED MANY NAMES AND WE ENDED UP WITH KAHAWA. KAHAWA IS COFFEE IN SWAHILI. WE ADDED A SLIGHT TWIST TO IT BY MAKING IT “KAHAWASOMETHING’S BREWING” es before the start up, attracting the crowd turned out to be the challenge after. To make sure that every food and each coffee one serves has the best quality is a constant challenge. Like any other organisation, ensuring a smooth work flow and keeping the team’s morale up is our priority. Future We are planning to make Kahawa a bistro and also a regular place for airing live telecasts of sports events. Another project we have in mind is to show classic movies on a regular basis, with theatre effects. The first floor of the cafe is exclusively keeping this idea in mind.
buy more spend less
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 037
NO-MADS
chitoor kottarom
THE ROYAL
ABODE Text Neena Nair | Photography Jinson Abraham
38 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
REMINISCENT OF A BY-GONE ERA OF ROYALTY, CHITTOOR KOTTARAM, THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE CGH EARTH RESORTS, IS A WONDERFUL GETAWAY SPOT.
W
e reached the palace on the palace boat from the Ernakulam High court boat quay. At the palace, they received
us with the royal welcome, normally given only to the members of the royal family. It was just a sample of what was awaiting us. Chittoor Kottaram, situated 6.5km away
embellished with elaborate wood carvines. The roof, slightly open and covered with
from Ernakulam town, was built a few
glass allows daylight to enter and keep the
hundred years ago, by His highness Kochi
room warm and fresh. What I enjoyed most
Maharaja to ensure his visits to Chittoor
is the good collection of books CGH stocks
Srikrishna Temple(which is a replica of the
in the old teakwood bookshelves. It has a
Guruyavoor Temple) and for a peaceful
wide range of books from The Travancore
stay in the vicinity of the temple.
History to Sidney Sheldon’s Mistress of the
The entire Kottaram spread across 60 cents, houses a 6 bedroom palace, a gazebo, an oottupura-kitchen, a pond, a massage parlour and grass carpeted yards. The palace is so serene and the wooden
Game. Even the bathroom has a separate set of books.
The cuisine & activities
The Kottaram belongs to the royal family.
architecture makes it very cool. The tra-
Due to this and its location next to the tem-
ditional furniture, the plush garden and
ple, only vegetarian cuisine is served. On
the rooms all makes it feel like time is at
the day of arrival a sumptuous traditional
a standstill there. Even the bronze vessels
Kerala sadya was served on a fresh banana
seem to transmit majestic aura. The walls
leaf. In the evening we were taken for a
are adorned with oil paintings that take us
sunset cruise. Snacks like tapioca pudding
through the culture and the traditions of the
and black tea/coffee were served on the
Cochin royalty.
boat. Late in the evening, at the gazebo,
The railing of the wooden stairs that
the priests from the temple did pooja for
leads to the first floor has a colourful display
us. The Sopanam music, played in the back-
of glass paintings. A balcony, that surrounds
ground, created a divine atmosphere. The
the first floor allows uninterrupted view of
North Indian dinner was served in a silver
the entire property.
thali. We enjoyed the food that included
The rooms are a perfect blend of modern
What I enjoyed most is the good collection of books CGH stocks in the old teakwood bookshelves. It has a wide range of books from The Travancore History to Sidney Sheldon’s Mistress of the Game.
roti, pulao rice, dal makhani, kadai veg,
amenities and traditional architecture.
beetroot-pineapple mix etc. For dessert,
Our bedroom had antique four polled cots
we had an option to choose from caramel 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 39
The breakfast consisted of a special dish made of banana & honey mixed in coconut, along with Kerala delicacies like Appam, idiyappam, vegetable stew and coconut milk with cardamom.
custard, dry fruits and seasonal fruits. The next day, we woke up to the sound of the traditional bell and a short while after, morning tea was served in the balcony. The breakfast consisted of a special dish made of banana & honey mixed in coconut, along with Kerala delicacies like appam, idiyap-
the artistes at the palace enticed us with the cultural programs that included Kerala’s own Kathakali and Ottamthullal.
pam, vegetable stew and coconut milk with cardamom. The second day was spent in a laid back
40 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
tional attires and dressing up like “raja”
mood. In the evening, the artistes at the
and “rani”. It was all complete when we
palace enticed us with the cultural programs
were given “ola kuda”( an umbrella made
that included Kerala’s own Kathakali and
of Palm leaves) to hold while
Ottamthullal. The guests were allowed to
enjoying the performance. We had a good
watch the performers do their facial make
night’s sleep and in the morning after
up. It was quite enticing to watch the trans-
breakfast we headed back to the modern
formation of a person into a character and to
world. The experience was truly royal
be in the world of colours and aesthetics for
and left us with an image of the grandeur
a short while. We had fun trying out tradi-
of a bygone era.
Learn how to light up your tech ideas
TePP invites proposals The Technopreneur Promotion Programme (TePP), an initiative by DSIR, Govt.of india, towards promotioning the spirit of entrepreneurship, invites proposals from innovators and entrepreneurs for funding assistance. Depending on the project specifics,the extended financial support shall range from Rs 75,000 to Rs. 45 lakh. Technopark, the outreach centre of TePP in Kerala, will evaluate the proposals for their innovativeness InvitingTechnologies for transfer -Technology Com-
of the innovation is already developed and the in-
Technopark-TBI allots space – the project
mercialisation and Facilitation Agency(T-TCFA)
novators themselves are not interested in under-
proposal approved by DSIR.Govt of India will be
Working under TREMAP (Technology Refinement
taking its refinement or taking commercialisation.
admitted into India’s Best Technology Business
and Marketing Programme) of TIFAC, DST.Govt of
MEME Business Incubator@Tecnopark TBI-
india undertakes early assessment of a technol-
invites until having innovative technology/business
tor shall undergo evaluation by Angles & the TBI
ogy’s marketability and find out suitable buyers to
idea for early stage finding and incubation support
Expert committee before being admitted. T-TBI
link it to the market. T-TCFA invites technologies
by Technopark TBI. Funding ranges from Rs. 4-8
shall provide seed capital assistance to genuine
(innovations) where at least the prototype model
Lakh per idea/unit.
entrepreneurs.
incubator for commercialisation.
Contact K. C. C. Nair, Park Centre, Technopark, Trivandrum Phone: +91 471 2700222 Mobile: +91 9447111244 Email: kccnair@technopark.org www.technoparktbi.org www.dsir.gov.in
The innova-
LIKE A WINTER
DREAM Photography Jamesh Kottakkal Fashion Coordinator Rajani Vivek Make Up Binoy Kollam Costume Courtesy Puma Store, Oberon Mall, Kochi
R
MAISON COUTURE
hari anand
For Hari Anand, the innovative fashion designer, making his ensembles appealing to the world matters the most. His collections echo his view of life – less is more. Here Hari Anand talks about his passion, fashion.
When beauty has a language Photography Nikasneo
T
he great French writer Stend-
is a designer’s language to express beauty.
hal said “Only great minds can
The designer understands the requirements
afford a simple style”. Person-
and his designs perfectly match the client’s
ally I feel the same that
personality and the occasion. A designer’s
style should speak for itself. Less is more.
Karma
Each dress is a designer’s interpretation. The Karma of designing requires a lot of imagination and effort. The value that a user gets from a designer’s clothes is
With his eighteen plus years of experience, he revolutionized the fashion scene in Kerala. A designer who braved migration he setup his boutique in Kochi.
luxury. But it is changing slowly.
Mother Earth
I draw energy from nature. Earthy colours,mainly black, white, beige, brown etc are the ones I love to work with. Natural
will not go out of style for at least five
materials like Silk, Cotton, Linen etc. are
years. A lot of detailing goes into the
used mostly. I use synthetic materials only
making of a designer statement. Every
when I can’t replace them. Dresses should
designer ensures the quality without
be classy and have clean lines. Every dress
compromising on anything. The yarn for
should have an international appeal. A per-
stitching, the button used, everything
son should be able to fly to Milan or Amster-
needs to be perfect and should stand
dam wearing the same clothes he/she wears
the test of time. An example is the white
in Delhi or Chennai. The world is shrinking.
bead I import from Japan for embroidery
One should wear clothes that are recognised
purposes. It costs about rupees sixty for
worldwide.
ones fade in the due course whereas the imported ones last for decades. A dress | DECEMBER 2011
clothes used to be considered an unwanted
provide. Mine or any designer’s dress
able beads cost only rupees ten. The local
Life
unique among his/her peers.Buying designer
far more than any regular clothing could
one bead while a packet of locally avail-
46 |
signature style is all about making the client
Escapism
Dress should enhance a person and not subdue a person’s beauty. Today’s intelligent,
THE KARMA OF DESIGNING REQUIRES A LOT OF IMAGINATION AND EFFORT. THE VALUE THAT A USER GETS FROM A DESIGNER’S CLOTHES IS FAR MORE THAN ANY REGULAR CLOTHING COULD PROVIDE
and was bowled over by her creativity; then started a strange collaboration of dresses and cartoons. I used her cartoons and illustrations and what evolved was a whole collection of clothes from sarees, lingerie, shirts and trousers. Many of the prints have word bubbles depicting love and anger.
Images
Indian fashion is still in its infancy and we have a long way to go. We are inspired by
Today’s intelligent, independent brides feel that their wedding dress should be simple and elegant unlike the flamboyant display of colours and loud embellishments that we are used to. When Kerala Kasavu is infused into a Georgette Saree, it is subtle, has a cosmopolitan look and is a great bridal wear.
European fashion and most Indian designers independent brides feel that their wedding
create a fusion of clothes by mixing the
dress should be simple and elegant unlike
best elements in each of them. Kerala
the flamboyant display of colours and loud
amazes visitors with her sense of fashion.
embellishments that we are used to. When
Kochi hosted an international fashion week
Kerala Kasavu is infused into a Georgette
recently and many more are in the pipe-
Saree, it is subtle, has a cosmopolitan look
line. But when it comes to using her own
and is a great bridal wear. It doesn’t divert
strengths, Kerala lags behind. The tradition-
the attention from the bride’s personal-
al crafts like Kasavu making and embroidery
ity. My boutique is also designed with this
are in the verge of extinction and needs to
concept in mind. Glada has black walls and
be revived. The Engineer- Doctor
ceiling. It gives a feeling of infinite space.
syndrome kills the birth of a great many
The attention is all drawn to the dresses and
artists and designers. Youngsters need to
not on to the walls.
be encouraged to enter the world of fashion.
Alphabets
JD Institute setting up a fashion school in Kochi is promising. More than any kind of
When crossover between art and fashion
education, it is the imagination and sheer
takes place, something beyond all these is
honesty in expression that will mould a
born. A designer gets to experiment and
person into a great designer. The patience
an artist gets to create something outside
to learn, the willingness to accept; all
the canvas. I met an amazing cartoonist
of it is imperative. My search for a protégé
and illustrator from New York, Patti Stern
still continues. 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 47
GRO
MING
C-40 BI- PHASE SOYA MASK : FROM DRY PROBLEMATIC SKIN TO HEALTHY AND GLOWING SKIN
2
Get the nourishment from algae extract, freshness from dry extract of biverry, elasticity and firmness from dehydrated Soya all in one single mask. The anthocyanins in these pigments which give colour to flower petals and fruits will treat your delicate skin to give it freshness and therapeutic benefits. Its antiseptic and decongestant properties coupled with the vitamin P factor that protects capillaries and veins, enhanes relaxation, lymphatic and blood drainage. Rich in oily constituents, it, forms a nourishing, protective and moisturising film. Get rid of the worn out look and get ready to embrace a sheenfull and luminous look.
Relax. Restore. Revive–with natural masks
3
EYE EXPERT MASK TREATMENT: FROM WORN OUT PUFFY EYES TO A PAIR OF TWINKLING EYES Refreshed twinkling eyes speaks for itself. Rooting for one? Try the Eye expert Treatment. An aloe vera based mask, it gives those tired, puffy and stressed eyes a moment of relaxa-
The entire world is going natural. Give your complexion a new life; remove the tan and dead cells with these all natural instant masks.
1
OXYGEN TREATMENT FACE MASKS: FROM A DEHYDRATED SKIN TO A HYDRATED SKIN:
Dilated Pores, an uneven skin tone, oily and dehydrated skin accompanied with blemishes, sounds familiar?. Then try oxygen treatment face masks. Get energized instantly with a shot of oxygen and a powerhouse dose of vitamin C, anti-oxidants and hydration. Suitable for all skin types, use it once a week to get a glowing radiant skin.
48 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
tion. Aloe Vera has the ability to sludge blood and reverse the sticky blood. It also hydrates and accelerates skin relief. Get set for that new look you are going to embrace.
MADE IN HEAVEN
wedding trends
Wedding Trends What’s in store for this year and next? What wedding dress styles are hot, or going to become hot? Here is the pick. Photography Nikasneo
The traditional North Indian wedding took place at Le Meredian, Kochi recently.
BRIDES:
of a lot of Swarovski crystals, thread work,
This season’s brides pay homage to old-
caviar beads and indigenously created
world and glamour with a studied elegance.
sequins. While tulle will be the fabric of the
Styled with grace and class, and translated
season, Chinese silk, georgette, moiré, chif-
into very feminine styles, the silhouettes are
fons, French satin, brocade and Japanese
large, with royal volume and couture –like
silk crepes are also used.
bespoke touch. Finer details are of strategic importance
50 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
As far as cuts and silhouettes go, an innovation in style this season is the wrap–
in defining the image of these brides who
around lehenga over a sharara.This is a big
wear their love of luxury with pride. Embel-
rage with every bride- to- be this season.
lishment is opulent this season with the use
Decorated with paillette vines, metal
Credits: Wedding Wows
leaves ,caviar beads and marquise crystals, the outfit is heavily embellished with crystal
GROOMS:
For the bridegroom this season the
dust. The crystal tassels add to the gran-
best attire would be a mix of both elegance
deur.
and flamboyance in his apparel that will
Two toned saris designed for brides this
result in an interesting hybrid look, where
season are also majestic and are reminiscent
one genre does not overpower the other.
of the saris draped by the Maharanis of the
Elegant sherwanis and classic bandhgalas
erstwhile royal states.Mettalics have been
are teamed with jodhpuri’s for the
trendy in fashion recently, as has embroi-
je ne sais quoi look.
dery and embellishment. This season, the
Gone are the days when men had to
two trends come together with the metallic
be content with a hired zari sherwani or
threads being woven into wedding dresses
a suit as their wedding wear. Choices for
or used either in elaborate and simple em-
men have increased and how! Men can
broideries. Gold is also big this season.
wear embroided churidaar kurta sets in
This season colors for brides are
tissue, a sherwani with a duppatta or a
BRIGHT –tropical, fun and whimsical. The
jacket sherwani for a wedding that is
hottest wedding color this season is Indian
fusion based.
Rose. The other colors are coral, peacock,
The photos are from the wedding of Sooraj to Ashrita. Settled in Dubai, Sooraj is from Pune and Ash is from Mangalore.
Men’s clothes also come finished with
soft lavender and indigo. Rich orange is also
various types of embroidery. There is zard-
a popular choice. Be sure to understand
ozi, Kashmiri embroidery, French knots
that this is not glaring orange, but rather,
etc to choose from. The popular colors for
one that suggests opulence and often has a
men this season are beige, cream, brown,
bronze undertone. This orange can be paired
copper, which are ideal for showing off the
with red or cream for beautiful results.
intricate work. Subtle color combinations
Delicate and Dramatic draping is in. Go
and the crisp tailored look with the intri-
for two-toned saris and metallic embellish-
cate embroidery dominate the menswear
ments. Tulle is the fabric of the season.
genre this season. 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 51
EASY COOKING
rebecca chandy
X’mas Lunch The modern woman, juggling a job, children and a maid who is forever on leave might find the task of cooking several courses for the entire family daunting. Here is Rebecca Chandy’s Christmas Lunch Menu that can helps you cook like a pro, stress free.
C
hristmas is
game of cards as the children
and a maid who is forever on
modified as a topping for
around the
play tag and eat their grand-
leave might find the task of
Crostini. For vegetarian options,
corner. The word
mother’s fruitcake soaked in
cooking several courses for the
Nigella Lawson, in her book
alone conjures
rum are all part of our memo-
entire family daunting. Here
How To Eat, has given several
up visions of
ries. Christmas lunches are
is a Christmas lunch menu
Crostini recipes.. If you can get
families getting together,
perhaps less elaborate than
that helps you cook like a pro,
French baguettes, it is perfect;
travelling from across the seas
what they used to be 20 years
stress-free.
otherwise regular whole wheat
to spend the holidays together.
ago, when tables groaned
Women cooking in the kitchen,
under the weight of the lavish
Starters:
intoxicating smells of delicious
spread prepared.. It is still a
For starters, Italian Crostini is
Dab a little bit of olive oil (or but-
food being prepared,, men
time when the whole family
fabulous. Lathika George’s The
ter) on bread slices and toast in
catching up on the events of
gets together. The modern
Suriyani Kitchen has a lovely
a hot for 5-10 minutes. Take it
the year drinks and perhaps a
woman, juggling a job, children,
Liver Fry recipe which can be
out and let it cool.
chicken liver crostini
bread will also work. Bread that is a few days old is preferable.
500 gms chicken liver
few seconds and adding on-
1 tsp salt
ions continue to sauté until
1 tsp ground turmeric
it is golden in colour. Add
3 tbsp oil
chillis, crushed peppercorn,
1 large onion sliced
coriander powder and to-
6 cloves of garlic, minced
mato and continue to
2 green chillis, slit
sauté for 2 mins. Add the
1 large tomato chopped
liver and more salt if neces-
1 tsp coriander powder
sary. Add half a cup of water,
1 tbsp crushed black pepper
and when the water starts
1/2 tsp lime
boiling, reduce the temperature and cook till the liver is
52 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
Cut the liver into small cubes.
browned and coated with
Rub with salt and turmeric and
the juices. Increase the heat
marinate for half an hour.
and cook till excess water
Heat the oil in a heavy-bot-
is evaporated. Squeeze the
tomed frying pan. Add the
juice of the lime and turn
minced garlic and saute for a
off the heat.
MAIN COURSE
roast chicken
tuna bake
1 cup macaroni 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp flour 2 cups milk 2 cubes Amul or Britannia cheese, grated 2 cups peas 2 cans (6 oz each) tuna, drained 1 chicken eaten with sides can serve 4 people. Make 2 or 3 as needed.
Topping;
1 (1 1/2 kg) whole chicken
2/3 cup dried bread crumbs
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp. salt
Heat oven to 350 deg F.
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
Cook and drain pasta as directed on the packet.
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1
Meanwhile in a large saucepan, melt butter over low
1/4 tsp. dried basil
heat. Stir in flour. Cook over medium heat, stirring
1/4 tsp. chilli powder
continuously until smooth and bubbly. Remove from
Soak the chicken for 1 hour in brine (salted water – this makes
heat. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boil, stirring constant
the chicken juicy and moist). Preheat oven to 450 degrees
ly. Boil and stir for a minute. Add cheese and stir till
F (230 degrees C).
melted.
1.
Rinse chicken thoroughly inside and out under cold
2
running water and remove all fat. Pat dry with paper towels. 2.
greased, oven proof dish. Cover with foil and bake for
Put chicken into a small baking pan. Rub with olive oil. Mix the salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and chilli powder together
Stir in pasta, peas and tuna. Mix well. Spoon into an un about 25 minutes till hot and bubbly.
3
In a small bowl, mix topping ingredients. Sprinkle top
and sprinkle over chicken.
ping over the bake. Bake uncovered for 5 minutes
3.
Cover the baking tray with foil.
longer until the topping is toasted.
4.
Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and
Sides & Salads
continue roasting for 40 minutes, to a minimum internal
Roast Chicken is traditionally served with mashed potatoes.
temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Remove the
Add few cloves of roasted garlic to the potatoes to add a
foil wrapping and bake for another 10 mins. Let it cool for 10 to
zing. Betty Crocker has a wonderful Mixed Roasted Vegeta-
15 minutes and serve.
bles and Pasta which is healthy and delicious.
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 53
EASY COOKING
rebecca chandy
DESSERT
chocolate chip bread pudding 250g stale bread, cut into 3cm cubes 100g chocolate chips or morsels 3 eggs 40g soft light brown sugar (or Demerara sugar) 2 x 15ml tbsp. dark rum 125ml cream 500ml full-cream milk 4 tsp. demerara sugar 1 x ovenproof dish approx. 23cm diameter x 6cm deep (approx. 1.5 litre capacity) Preheat the oven to 170°C/gas mark 3. Grease a round pie dish lightly with butter. Tip in the stale bread cubes; if your bread isn’t stale, then leave slices to dry first, for a while, on a wire rack before cubing and using. Toss in the chocolate chips to spread evenly among the bread cubes. Whisk together the eggs, light soft brown sugar, rum, double
for 20 minutes, then sprinkle with the demerara sugar and put
cream and milk. Pour this mixture over the bread and press the
straight into the oven for 40–50 minutes. If your oven browns un-
cubes down to coat them in the liquid. Leave all this to soak
evenly, turn the dish around halfway through cooking.
Organizing the Preparation Time for the Big Christmas Lunch The day before. Make the Tuna Bake. While it is baking, make the Liver sauté for the Chicken Liver Crostini. Take the bake out of the oven. When all two have cooled, refrigerate in air tight containers (or wrapping the bake in double layer of foil). The day of the lunch. Assuming that you want to serve lunch at 1:30 and the guests will start arriving from 12:30.
6:00 take the birds out of the freezer and leave
to turn off the heat on the potatoes when they are
out to thaw. 10:00 Bring the liver sauté and tuna bake out
cooked through (abt 20 minutes) 12:30 Guests start arriving. Spread the warmed liver
of the ‘fridge. Prepare the vegetables for the salad, and peel the potatoes.
sauté on the toast and serve. 1:10.
Leave it to soak Take the chicken out of the oven.
10:50. Put the bread slices in the oven to toast for the
Use the roasted garlic and mash the potatoes. Heat
crostini. Prepare the bread and the custard for the bread pudding. Set aside.
54 |
Pour the custard over the bread for the pudding.
10:30 Soak the chicken in brine.
the Tuna Bake in the microwave. 1:25
Before sitting down to eat, put in the pudding to
11:40 Prepare the chicken and put in the oven.
cook. Set the timer, so that you can slip off during
12:00 Freshen up before the guests come remembering
the meal to turn it off when done.
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
deepak narendran
INDULGENCE
DREAM MACHINES Text Ashwathy S | Photography Jamesh Kottakkal
U
ber cool in black denim, T-shirt and a slow grin that lights up his eyes, Deepak confidently walks up
to show us his insanely breathtaking cars. “Cars been always in my blood, guess it turned into a passion during my college days” Like most Indians growing up in the 80s and 90s the Contessa, the Ambassador and the Fiat were the first hand experience cars. It all changed with the now iconic commuter- Maruti 800 that was a gift from his dad. “I completely modified the car, used it for about 8 years. Like all first loves that car has a special place in my heart”, fondly remembers Deepak. From the Modified Maruti 800 the next upgrade was quite steep, the Mercedes E250.Now bitten by the luxury bug he went on to collect the Merc C-class, the Toyota Prado, the Mercedes F-class. The next shift was buying sports cars like
If collecting antiques make one an Antiquarian would collecting luxury cars make you an Luxurian ? Meet Deepak Narendarn and his fabulous dream machines. His first car- a humble Maruti 800, his latest addition the Jaguar XF, he now dreams of Ferrari f430 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 55
Deepak Narendarn with his latest addiction the Jaguar XF
Audi R8 and Porsche Careera. Being a hard core devotee of both road and sports car
features and comfy factors. After graduating from Manipal Univer-
Deepak says he doesn’t like adding details
sity in Dental studies he ended up tying
after you have got your pick but instead he
knots with college mate Rashmi. Apart from
gets it done exclusively with personalized
being a car fanatic Deepak is the Manag-
options and features. The car fanatic has
ing Director of Central Group of hotels and
no plans to quit collecting yet and yearns to
a beneficiary to Amaara Foundation that
own a Ferrari f430 in near future. This car
works towards empowerment of children
has charmed him because of its masculine
with which Rashmi is associated.
MY RATING
BMW 650 I
Audi R8
Well for the price tag it does offer a lot of fun. For me this is more of a touring car. This cutie hardly demands anything for you during long drives. I normally take it for my trips to Chennai.
While looking for a midsize sports car thought why not the R8. it’s very comfortable to ride and the handling is far better than the Lamborghini. Well thanks to its bewitching beauty used to get a lot of unwanted attention and camera clicks so now I just take out for long mid-night drives, adds Deepak with a grin.
Performance 710 Style 810
Performance 910 Style A PERFECT 10.
56 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
Porsche Cayenne “A perfect ally for adventures” Deepak quips about Porsche Cayenne. “A perfect off roader that has the power to give you that super drive I have always looked and yearned for “that’s exactly what gets this midsized luxury car into the best lots” Performance 810 Style 810
Jaguar XF “The Jag is my latest addition. It certainly has a larger than life appeal. The car not only offers a smooth driving, but has enough space for the whole family to fit in. I normally use it to go for parties or attend weddings. With the kind natural elegance it has the XF definitely gets my thumbs up. Says this happy Jaguar owner Performance 810 Style 910
Porsche Careera One of my biggest dreams is to try out this car on the F1 track , I am currently looking at all kind of possibility to push this beast to the limit.This is one car I will never get tired of driving. Performance 910 Style 810
STORYBOARD
kalyan jewellers
Kalyan Jewllers’s ‘Vishwasam, athalle ellam’ ad captures the whole attention of the viewer from beginning to the end. Unlike many other ads, this ad communicates without saying ‘this is our product, buy our product’. Like a well made short film the conveyance of a message of trust in few seconds made the ad a ‘real’ ad and mass appealing.
YEARS OF TRUST It is at the end of the ad, after 1 minute and 11 seconds that you realize what product is being advertised. This advertisement stands out for this reason. The underlying message is simple. Longer relationships which have stood the test of time are more important than short ones.
58 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
K
atrina Kaif replacing Aishwar-
boyfriend. She leaves a message to her par-
iya Rai as the brand ambassa-
ents. On her way, she remembers the love
dor of Nakshatra might have
and care her father had showered on her.
created a lot of conundrum.
She realizes the mistake she is about to com-
Amrita Rao, Anushka Shrma,
mit and returns back home to the forgiving
Vikram, Mohanlal, Shreya Goshal, Jayaram…
hands of her father. The voice-over tells us
mostly all celebrities are in their run to
‘Vishwasam, athalle ellam’ (Trust is every-
endorse different jewellers. But does anyone
thing or isn’t trust everything?) and then the
remember which actor endorses which
logo of Kalyan Jewellers appears.
jeweller and which jingle is the background
It is at the end of the ad, after 1 minute
score for which ad? Kalyan jewelers came up
and 11 seconds that you realize what prod-
with an advertisement concept hitherto un-
uct is being advertised. This advertisement
used by the Indian jewellers. The advertise-
stands out for this reason. The underlying
ment was aired for about a year from August
message is simple. Longer relationships
2009, but it still seems to be the hot pick.
which have stood the test of time are more
The television commercial showed the
important than short ones. Or, come to our
relationship of a father and a daughter. The
jewellery which has been around for quite
girl elopes from her house to be with her
some time and not the new ones which have
“recently Mammootty was heard saying “vishwasam athalle ellam” in a movie. Mohanlal used the tag line in a press conference. be it any issue, Mullaperiyar dam or a case in the court, the most commonly used headline and comment is our tagline”
would notice. Of course it triggered a
popped up during the recent years. Even
ing. Our ever increasing customer base
if you have a moment’s flippancy you will
started identifying us with the ad and the
realize and return to us. Trust, being the
tag line. The advertisement served
only word spoken with gold in all contexts,
the purpose and now over tag line is taken
for Kalyan Jewellers, this advertisement
up by media, celebrities and common
was a turning point. It propelled them from
people alike. Recently Mammootty was
common place brand to one which people
heard saying “Vishwasam athalle ellam”
debate whether we were against love marriages. Many suggested that the ad
Scenes from the non-Malyalam storyboard, depicting the festival settings.
could have ended with the parents giving the girl and the boy approval to get married, ending it on a positive note. We did it intentionally. Malayalees like it simple without drama. But our campaigns in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu ended differently with the father telling the girl to bring the boy home. The entire set was flamboyant than the simple set for the Malayalam commercial. Ultimately, what matters is the brand image we created.” Ramesh points out. “The response to the ad was overwhelm-
associate the word trust with. Nethra PUSH
in a movie. Mohanlal used the tag line
advertisers, Palakkad are the makers
in a press conference. Be it any issue,
of the ad.
Mullaperiyar dam or a case in the court,
“The ad was an instant hit. Our target
the most commonly used headline
audience was the parents. It is always the
and comment is our tagline”, proudly
parents who make a decision on buying gold.
says Ramesh.
Parents could relate to the ad and it created
Quite surprisingly people started
a mass turnout”, Says Ramesh Kalyanara-
requesting a sequel to this ad. To cater
man, MD of Kalyan.
to their demands, Kalyan came up with
All the actors in the campaign are not
ads talking about long term relationships.
professionals. To remedy any shortcomings
The second one, that of an old couple
this might have caused, the voice of the
talking about the years they have been
father was dubbed by actor Saikumar. His
together. The third, yet again talked
voice modulation perfectly echoed the senti-
about a father-daughter relationship.
ments of a parent who is about to lose his
It is about a father who forgets to get
daughter. The Tamil, Telugu and Kannada
the promised doll for his daughter. Late
versions of the ad had Prabhu, Nagarjuna
night, when he nears his house he realises
and Shivrajkumar as the father figures. The
that he forgot and gets the owner of a
incident happens during a temple festival.
shop to open it late night. In the end the
There is a slight change in the end too. It
girl is happily running towards her father
ends with the father figure telling the girl he
to get her doll. Like any other sequel, the
is ready to give blessings for her marriage
ones followed couldn’t make an impact as
with the boy.
the first one. This doesn’t seem to stop
“We wanted to come up with something
Kalyan from coming up with the sequels.
simple and catchy. A girl eloping to be with
If the customers demand, they are ready to
her boy friend is something every parent
come up with more on the same theme. 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 59
BRAIN
RAIN
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
MORE FREE TIME AT WORK
W
e are
not make a real difference
the first place go to the Drop
Use innovative methods like
at the
this time and change the way
category. Review your task list
a typing game which makes
threshold
you look at work with simple
many times a day and change
learning to type faster a fun
of a new
techniques. Work smart! Use
your priorities as required.
and addictive process.
Learn Speed Reading Techniques
Get to know Microsoft Office better
year. Every year you make and
your abilities. Sharpen your
break all those unachievable
skills. Here are some guidelines
resolutions. Years passes by
that will save you a lot of time.
but you still remain frustrated
In this era of information
Everyone uses Microsoft
overdrive, most people are
Office products in some
overloaded with data. Speed
form or another, especially
never seems to be enough.
Prioritse - Use the D Formula- Do, Delegate, Delay or Drop.
reading techniques like
Microsoft Word, Excel and
You sometimes doubt
Does the task ot hand
skimming and scanning helps
Power Point. However, most
whether time is cheating. Why
demands your immediate
reduce your reading time. It
users are unaware of its
attention? Then it is definitely
is possible to reduce your
many time saving features.
Do category. Lot many tasks
average reading time to half
Learning the simple things
will come to your desk that
with these simple techniques.
like keyboard shortcuts
and overwhelmed at work. You spend a lot of time, but it
you surely can pass on to
60 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
make a big difference while
others, they go into the
Learn to type faster
navigating the complicated
Delegate category. Those
Most of us utilise only two to
interface. Using templates,
which can be dealt later, go to
three fingers while entering
which are predefined formats
Delay category. Those tasks
data. We spend more time
for routine documents like
which you didn’t have to do in
typing instead of thinking
reminders, invoices etc, saves
what to type. Take a short
a lot of effort. Powerful tools
course in typing., If you can’t
like recording macros, making
join a professional typing
pivot tables can add great
course make use of software
value and, of course, save
packages like “Typing Master”.
huge amount of time.
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 077
HEALTH DESK
dr. anand kumar
Intuition, the still pond
S
tudies on fetal consciousness tell you that the fetus is probably connected to the space of universal consciousness. By about the third trimester, it
starts differentiating between friend and foe. This is necessary for survival in society and should be the time when the left side of our brain starts dominating over the universally conscious right brain. The left brain equips you to survive but does not allow the right brain to let you live your honest, creative and intuitive life. Instincts are built-in knowledge, required for the survival of life, that you acquire through your evolutional library. Myriads of actions and reactions are happening in one’s body, run by the instinctual system.
Dr. Anand Kumar is presently the head of The department of Neurology at Amrita Institute of medical sciences, Cochin. He brings an intellectual and uniquely metaphysical perspective to the specialty. A deeply humane person with a wry sense of humour, he also has a passion for music.
Just as deliberate decision making is logical and rule based, the western concept is that intuition also is a rulebased system that is not explicit. It is a heuristical system that applies the rule of the thumb approach and relies heavily on
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
to like him/ her or not. The eastern concept of intuition is dif-
the experiential models. This means that
ferent. It is something that can only be
if you are able to cultivate an intuitive
experienced and is beyond explanations and
space with clean valuebased models, then
logic. It is an “unknowable” phenomenon.
your intuitions are likely to be correct
The power of intuition surfaces when reason
and non-failing. But there are perils and
surrenders totally. Take the story of Madam
pearls in the path of intuition. One can
Curie. She was working on a problem for
have intuitive prejudice. You tend to
four years and one night decided to quit, as
associate the word pleasant with flow-
she was not reaching anywhere. She went
ers and not insects. Intuitive fears can
to sleep. Next morning she found the entire
be unfounded. Hijacking of an airplane
solution written in her own handwriting!
instills an intuitive fear of flying although
When your mind is still, then your mind
statistically you are more likely to have a
space gets connected to the universal space
road traffic accident. During intuitive pro-
of consciousness.
cessing, your implicit and explicit minds
62 |
THE LEFT BRAIN EQUIPS YOU TO SURVIVE BUT DOES NOT ALLOW THE RIGHT BRAIN TO LET YOU LIVE YOUR HONEST, CREATIVE AND INTUITIVE LIFE.
We can have structured programmes that
constantly interact, giving you the ability
helps create a clear value based intuisive
to converse or make public speeches.
space in children. Concentrate on the par-
There are also studies that indicate
ents and schoolteachers. Meditation, prayer,
that we feel before we think. When you
relaxation and being with nature helps you
meet someone for the first time, within
to surrender your reasoning and reach the
seconds you have decided whether
intuitive space.
HEALTH
gold’s gym
We are often bound by chains of the fears and beliefs that we hold about ourselves and the world around us, and these chains may sometimes hold us back from truly experiencing and enjoying life. This is especially true when it comes to our bodies and the way we see ourselves. To help break these chains of doubt and insecurity, Mr.Jaish George, Manager, Gold’s Gym talks straight, and breaks the complex into simple:
DON’T BLAME YOUR MIRROR
A
lthough the
a workout inclusive of both
number of calories you eat,
Women’s bodies do not pro-
idea might
cardiovascular exercises and
and become more physically
duce nearly enough testoster-
sound very
strength training, combined
active! And being more physi-
one to become muscular and
tempting, it
with good nutrition. This will
cally active does not neces-
bulky like female body-build-
is impossible
help to reduce your overall
sarily mean that you have
ers! So you see, there may be
to suddenly start working out
fat content. And as far as the
to be constantly panting and
a lot that you are missing out
one day, and expect to mi-
myth that there exists food
sweating! Sweating is not an
on in life, simply because you
raculously get a flat stomach
that can burn fat goes, sorry
indicator of physical exertion;
do not know the truth! Here at
and toned body the very next
to play spoilsport, but there
it is only your body’s way of
Gold’s Gym, Cochin,
day! Unfortunately, the reality
exists no such food! While
naturally cooling itself. It is
my job is to help separate
remains that you cannot just
there is food with caffeine
actually possible to burn the
the myths from the reality,
pick and choose the areas
that may speed up your me-
required amount of calories
and show you what you can
that you would like to lose
tabolism for a short time, this
without breaking a sweat! An-
do to become the person
weight from and then just
food will not make you lose
other popular myth is that lift-
you’ve always wanted to be!
suddenly start burning fat! To
weight. The only way to lose
ing weights will make women
In the end, the truth shall set
burn fat, you need to create
weight is to cut back on the
muscular and bulky… Not true!
you free.
call: 18004252325 | email: vyttila.cochin@goldsgymindia.com
63 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
ANIMAL FARM
ask clover
Sergeant Stubby Sergeant Stubby of 102nd Infantry, United States of America was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant.
In honour of his contributions, for the retaking of Château-Thierry by the US, the thankful women of the town made Stubby a chamois coat on which were pinned his many medals.
I
t all began when Private Robert J. Conroy
ran, Stubby bit him on the legs, causing the sol-
saved a pit bull puppy and named him
dier to trip and fall. He continued to attack the
Stubby, in 1917. He soon learned the behav-
man until the US soldiers arrived. For capturing
ior of soldiers and even started saluting in
an enemy spy, Stubby was promoted to the
his own modified way. Soon he became
rank of Sergeant thus becoming the first dog
the mascot of 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Divi-
to be given rank in the United States Armed
sion. When the division shipped out for France
Forces. By the end of the war, Stubby had
Conroy smuggled Stubby aboard. Stubby’s
served in 17 battles. He led the American troops
salutes almost always won over the superior
in a pass and review parade and later visited
officer’s hearts. In spite of being injured many
with President Woodrow Wilson. He visited the
times in battle Stubby always bounced back.
White House twice and met Presidents Hard-
His high sensitiveness to detect gas saved
ing and Coolidge. Stubby was awarded many
the entire division from an early morning gas
medals for his heroism, including a medal from
attack. Stubby also had a talent for locating
the Humane Society. When his master, J. Rob-
wounded men; he would bark until help arrived
ert Conroy, moved to Georgetown University,
or lead the lost soldiers back to safety. He has
Stubby became the mascot of the George-
even caught a German soldier. As the German
town Hoyas. He died in 1926.
Ask Clover Q
Dear Clover, I recently
clean towel and rub him dry.
to buy a pup, make sure you
bought a pup. Can I use
You may dry your dog with a
have discussed and got the
human shampoo to give
drier in low setting. In our tropi-
approval from everyone
it a bath?
cal climate, it is best to bath
in the family. Oh, ya. It is very
Pups can be bathed when
him once a week in summer
important. Dogs are these
they are two months old, but
and once in two weeks in
lovey-dovey creatures and
never before that. Whatever
winter.
they need the love and care of
be the quality never use hu-
everyone in the family. Oh,
Clover, the Mare, is working as an assistant to Dr. Surej at Cochin Pet Hospital. Like the good doctor, Clover also believes in providing the finest services to all in the animal kingdom.
What are the things to be
Q
and choose breed that suites
considered while buying/
you. Now get pups that are
humans differ very much. Get
adopting a pet?
6-8 weeks old. Don’t forget
a good dog shampoo or soap
Now, that is a good question to
to collect the vaccination his-
Clover will answer
for the pup. Give him bath in
ask. Dog’s are good creatures,
tory of the dog from the
askclover@fwdmedia.in
clean water. Wrap him in a
you know. If you are planning
seller.
man shampoos or soaps for dogs. The skin pH of dogs and
64 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
to your queries at
Where fishes come foremost For the last twenty years, since the inception of a shop on M.G Road, Kochi, its pond and its inhabitants have been attracting visitors from all walks of life. Many parents seem to prefer the shop as their kids would be engaged.
M
.G Road, Kochi
round the clock to safeguard
colours, Gold fish and other
their kids would be engaged
is the busiest
the fishes. The onlookers
common fishes that are easier
while they are busy
commercial
never cause problems to the
to take care of. They require
shopping. For the last twenty
strip in Kerala.
fishes or to us. During festival
food only once daily which
years, since the inception
Thousands
season when large crowds
makes them a good alterna-
of the shop, the pond and
of stores line up on both sides
gather, pedestrians find it
tive as pets. Many parents
its inhabitants have been
of the road. What makes For-
difficult to walk. ” says owner,
seem to prefer the shop as
attracting visitors.
most, the textile store, stand-
Mr. K.N. Abdul Gafoor. The
out among them is a queer
varieties of fishes
interest in the ornamental
include giant
fishes the shop owners share.
Gauras in black
The shop has a conch shaped
and white
pond filled with exotic ornamental fishes. It draws many visitors, mostly locals and at times tourists too, who come to see the beautiful fishes that swim about inside. More than its name, people know Formost for the fishes. It is popularly known as “The shop with fishes”, and even the neighboring shops seem to identify themselves with the same. At times when the onlookers exceed in number, it pause problems to the passersby. The curious question that everyone seems to have is how the shop owners manage to keep the fishes safe. “We have a watchman posted in front of the shop
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 65
SPACE FRAME
tony joseph
With air pollution, traffic and gas prices all on the rise, our cities are far away from being environmentally friendly. Ar. Tony Joseph is talking about the need for green lungs in our cities.
NEED FOR GREEN LUNGS
H An internationally renowned, award winning architect, Tony established Stapati, a leading architectural consultancy. He believes that designs should be ultimately simple and environmentally sensitive.
uman settlements can
green spaces help in rejuvenating the body
easily qualify as one of
and mind. The green spaces can also func-
the most complex sys-
tion as sink for the ever-rising pollution in
tems man has created.
cities and towns and can also bring down
The evolution of these
noise pollution significantly. Considering the
settlements from a single planned street
increase in the level of pollution, it would be
to a city has been gradual and compli-
crucial for the coming generations to have
cated. The social labyrinth was overlaid
enough open space to serve this purpose.
with diverse complexities over the period
Traditional Kerala houses had these
of time and today we stand at a juncture
micro eco-systems called Kaavu which were
where planning for future development is
essentially natural sacred space/groves be-
highly crucial due to the drastic increase/
lieved to be inhabited by snakes. The Kaavu
change in the urban sprawl and also the
acted as an efficient eco-system that pre-
large population to be considered while
served the rich biological wealth of our land
planning.
and also helped in soil and water conserva-
There has been a substantial change
for the sake of development has drastically
climate of Kerala as well in the past few
depleted our indigenous flora and fauna.
decades. The unprecedented growth
Urban open spaces can act as centers
of population in our cities along with
for active and passive recreation. The notion
unplanned economic development is
of a public park is fast disappearing from
putting immense pressure on the infra-
the urbanised areas in Kerala and older
structure requirements and has resulted
spaces which were used for the same is
in dwindling of open spaces and green
losing ground day by day. For those in
belts in urban areas. While attempts are
Cochin, the Children’s Park and Subash
being made to increase the capacity of
Bose Park have been the recourse for many
our existing infrastructure system, we
generations, yet now, these can’t even hold
are overlooking the importance of urban
a normal Sunday afternoon crowd. Consider-
planning and the need for open spaces.
ing this context, the Calicut Corporation
The benefits of having open spaces
66 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
tion. Destruction of these traditional groves
in the environmental, social & economic
has to be appreciated for successfully
are multi-dimensional, but we, as a com-
developing and operating the Sarovaram
munity, have a tendency to undervalue
Bio Park and Mananchira Square which
the influence of open spaces in our daily
acts as both recreational areas and green
life. Primarily, open spaces/parks can act
spaces. In similar lines with Calicut, the
as a venue for social interactions and
green lung option for the Cochin would
helps in building a sense of community
be the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
for a city. Studies have also shown that
and the mangrove forest area.
2012 Audi R8 GT INTERIOR Driver-oriented cockpit architecture, integrating the driver between the dashboard and the high center console. The R8 GT Enhanced Leather Package offers several features to make the driving experience more luxurious and memorable.
TAIL LAMP Optics in the R8 GT is distinguished by a double-lip spoiler, round tail pipes, and a larger rear diffuser .It also features standard full LED headlight system. High beam, low beam, daytime running lights and turn signals all offer brilliant illumination, long service life and low energy consumption.
dreams
never end Enthusiasts always seem to think what they want in a sports car is a mildly detuned race car. They want to be just like the guys on TV: banging around, scraping the pavement, arms thrashing with every bump. These are guys who have never actually spent time in a race car getting beat up, cooked, and otherwise abused while driving. 68 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
Audi has shaved
ENGINE The engine frame is made of ultra-light magnesium, The 5.2-litre V10 with an aluminium crankcase draws its fuel from an FSI direct injection system. Dry-sump lubrication ensures a reliable supply of oil even under maximum lateral or straight-line acceleration.
WHEELS Progressively designed and unmistakably powerful R8 GT wheels have 19� 5-twinspoke-Y-design Titanium finish alloy wheels with summer performance tires.
roughly 220 pounds out of the aluminum wonder. 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 69
BALANCE SHEET
alex k. babu
“Gold gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head.” – Warren buffet
Gold’s Glitter
T
The Author is the Founder and Managing Director of Hedge Equities
hese days gold is a safe in-
funds that invest only in gold. The charges
vestment to hedge against
are less compared to other options.
inflation. It does not have
markets are falling and inflation is high.
fore its value as ornament
The current market conditions for alterna-
is what creates its demand, especially in
tive investment options like equities and
India. This is compounded by that fact
real estate, which traditionally gives better
that the gold standard (pledging gold
returns, is very dull. So this would be the
to print currency) is no longer in prac-
right time to buy gold. Yet be cautious, given
tice. Historical notion of gold savings
the rocketing prices, a market correction is
in form of jewellery is not really a core
possible anytime. Most gold buying schemes
investment idea. It is more of a symbol
are based on the assumption that the price
of wealth and prosperity. Jewellery is a
of gold will appreciate at least 15 to 20 per-
weak investment because there are heavy
cent more. Given the rise of gold prices from
losses in form of wastages and making
2007, a person who had taken a gold loan in
charges. This value can vary from 10
2007 is literally having a interest free loan.
percent to 35 percent depending on the
But given the possibility for volatility in gold
complexity of the design.
market, taking a gold loan now could be a
Other forms of gold investments pos-
70 |
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
The best time to invest in gold is when
any industrial use; there-
gamble. One rule of thumb method that we
sible are Bank Coins, World Gold Council
can use here is to base gold loan option on
Coins (WGC coins), Bullions and Gold
the type of need. If the requirement is for
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The
expenses like meeting medical bills then it
problems with banks coins are their high
better to sell gold and buy it back when the
premiums and poor liquidity possibili-
prices fall. Instead, if we take a loan, the in-
ties as banks don’t buy back the coins.
terest will be an added burden which might
WGC coins are issued by jewelers who
get compounded by falling gold prices. Many
are part of World Gold Council, these
people fall into this trap because, most of
coins are better investment options than
their gold would be in the form of jewellery
bank coins as their premiums are much
and outright selling would be frowned upon
less. Bullion Bars are a good option but
due to sentimental and social attachments.
the minimum investment required might
In the case of an investment like higher
be more than what an average investor
studies or entrepreneurship, a gold loan
might afford. Gold ETFs are a great
would be recommended as there is a pros-
option these days. They work like mutual
pect of revenue generation.
TAKE
6
Wag the Dog (1997) Nominated for 2 Oscars, this movie has Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman in lead roles. A Washington ‘spin doctor’ and Hollywood producer create a fake war with Albania to divert attention from the American president’s sex scandal. Based on the novel American Hero by Larry Beinhart, however, the film differs greatly from the book. In the book, the president is specifically George H. W. Bush, while in the movie the president is unnamed; the fake war operation is explicitly
destroying another, perfectly serviceable bridge. All for the local politician to celebrate his 12th year in power.
Thank You for Smoking (2006)
Desert, and the war actually occurs, instead of being entirely falsified. The film was nominated for two Academy awards: Dustin Hoffman for the Academy Award for Best Actor and Hilary Henkin and David Mamet for Best Adapted Screenplay.
tobacco industry. The film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Christopher Buckley.
This satirical comedy follows the machinations of Big Tobacco‘s chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who spins on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his twelve-year-old son. This directorial debut from Jason Reitman. The cast includes William H. Macy as a Senator who runs on a strong antitobacco position, Rob Lowe as the Hollywood bigwig, and Robert Duvall as the king of the
It instead acquires the spiky edge of a pulsating yet biting satire.
Sandesham (1991) This classic movie must have contributed more to the everyday language that any other Malayalam cultural artifact in recent times. The film is equally brutal in its admonishment of both major political formations in Kerala. The brilliant performance by Odivil Unnikrishanan might be the most underrated roles ever. No matter how many times one has watched it; this Sathyan Anthikad movie written by Srinivasan never fails to generate laughter
Well Done Abba (2010)
Peepli Live (2010) The movie starring Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghuvir Yadav and Shalini Vatsa lampoons an entire range of usual suspects – voyeuristic media persons, smarmy bureaucrats, scheming local-level political goons and self-serving rulers, all of whom want a piece of the sleepy village where a farmer is about to kill himself so that his family can survive. Thanks to the film‘s nifty blend of
Panchavadi Palam (1984) The movie was directed by K. G. George and starring Gopi, Nedumudi Venu Thilakan and Srividya. The screenplay was based on a short story of the same name by Veloor Krishnankutty. The intentionally exaggerated story line and caricature-like characters strikes a chord with the present political thamasahs. The plot revolves around the creation of a new bridge, even if that means
ZERO
humour and bathos, it does not slip into diatribe mode.
Today, when the hindi movie industry is throwing up another whole new wave of experimental cinema, Shyam Benegal‘s Well Done Abba emerges as some kind of a benchmark for the current brat pack who want to say so much, so very differently. The film unfolds like a gentle symphony -- never over the top, never hysterical -- even as it ends up as a hard-hitting satire on the entire misnomer of ÁI ndia Shining‘, India growing, India evolving, et al. The movie stars Boman Irani, Minissha Lamba, Samir Dattani, Ila Arun.
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 71
VIEWFINDER
sanjay
Whatever happened to Rajappan? Perhaps his period as the muse has drawn to a close. Or is it that people have got tired of having to find a new story on the same character everyday? Or is it simply a shift of focus – from Rajappan to Pandit, who came, saw and conquered the virtual world of mockery?
Rajappan Alias Pandit
H
ave you noticed that
messages started coming. It was a friend of
the flow of sms’es have
mine who showed me a youtube video where
slowed down of late?
he was baptized ‘Rajappan’ and equated to
Whatever happened to
comical and stupid characters. Inevitably,
Rajappan? Perhaps his
the video was a hit (the love to hate formula
period as the muse has drawn to a close.
works, you know). I went home and watched
Or is it that people have got tired of
the original interview, which prompted
having to find a new story on the same
the guy who created the footage to spend
character everyday? Or is it simply a shift
so much time, energy and imagination on
of focus – from Rajappan to Pandit, who
the video. I waited for the offensive state-
came, saw and conquered the virtual
ments, for the justification of comparing him
world of mockery?
with Saroj Kumar of UdayananuTharam. I
Let me make it clear that I have no in-
Sanjay is a notable script writer in the Malayalam movie industry. He along with his brother, Bobby, scripted for successful and critically acclaimed movies Traffic, Notebook, Ente Veedu Appuntem.
tention of defending or criticizing anyone
sense – he seemed open and candid. Yes, if
here. I am just going to think out loud
you insist,there is a statement by his wife
about the two contagious diseases which
where she says that he is the only actor in
spread all over theMalayali psyche – the
the South who speaks good English. Being
common symptoms of both fevers being
someone who has given a number of inter-
INSULT, or making fun of…or in stronger
views, it was very easy for me to read it as
words, contempt.
“he is one of the few actors in the South who
It started with Mr. Prithviraj. The man
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
speaks good English” and I do believe that
was in every sense a star in the mak-
most people who saw that interview knew
ing. He had the looks, attracted a lot of
what she meant. You can’t wake those who
female attention and was improving in his
feign sleep, can you?
job with each movie. It was all fine until
72 |
found none. Whatever he said made a lot of
But why this antagonism? The answer is
around last year. Trouble started when
simple – metro we may be in our tastes and
he began to give interviews. For reasons
lifestyles, but that cosmopolitanism does
unknown, the so-called‘ordinary malay-
not extend further – not all the way into our
alee’ was enraged by his talks. And the
psyches. We understand Levis and Tommy
Hilfiger – but not self-assuredness, confidence – we can take it when a RanbirKapoor or an Imran Khan shows it but Prithviraj? No way. Boy next door has to have at least a certain amount of stupidity – and humility. Fake it if you don’t have it but we want you to say – “I am only a student who knows nothing about whatever”; “I don’t deserve to be here – its all God’s and my admirers’ grace” etc. etc. And oh yeah, be sure to be positively shocked and swoon if you can, if the interviewer throws in any bits on the existing superstars… After all we are only human – we do get insecure about our failings! And here is a guy who not only has fame, sex appeal and success,he does not even have the grace to be apologetic about it! Its so not fair – hence the sms’es, hence the video. If Prithviraj made us insecure, Mr. Santhosh Pandit did just the opposite. He gave us a massive ego massage. Our superiority complex was so very pampered in the process that it almost gave us a mental happy ending. I haven’t seen Mr. Pandit’s movie. So I am in no position to comment on his work. From what I hear, people are not liking it – in fact whoever has seen it has been coming out with very unkind reviews – and yet there are ‘houseful’ boards in front
superior. We rush to the theater and leave
of theaters which run the movie. An unbe-
with the contentment of being sure that ‘I
lievably strange phenomenon. Mr. Pandit’s
am not the most stupid one around’ – an as-
notorious – yet one of the most watched –
surance we cannot give ourselves in the face
video on Youtube was the sole inviting factor
of brilliance or perfection.
for the audience. By that standard, those
Prithviraj and Santhosh Pandit are portrayed as comic characters in social networking sites.
We have differences in opinion on every-
who went to see the movie surely did not
thing but not on Rajappan, not on Pandit. Af-
expect to see a classic. Entertainment comes
ter all, nothing unites people more strongly
in so many ways – this time it was for the
than a common hatred, does it?
closeted pleasure of indulging in the worst kind of abuse. Santhosh Pandit proffered his weaknesses up for our collective criticism. We make fun of people’s weaknesses only when we are sure that we don’t suffer from the same weaknesses.The ‘we are not like that’ aspect makes us in a superior position. Just like a coward being happy when he sees a bigger coward. We, the insecure ones, need a Santhosh Pandit to boost our otherwise diminishing confidence. We need him to make us feel
SANTHOSH PANDIT GAVE US A MASSIVE EGO MASSAGE. OUR SUPERIORITY COMPLEX WAS SO VERY PAMPERED IN THE PROCESS THAT IT ALMOST GAVE US A HAPPY ENDING. 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 73
COVER
COVER
Seriously Absurd Suresh.P.Thomas
A
n array of new
of the circus of absurdity
humdrum life, he weaves
lyrical realism, Manu Joseph’s
writers, with
contemporary urban life in
a dangerous and intricate
narrative style bears a stark
their emphasis
this country seems to have
fiction around his son. Running
resemblance to the idiom of
strongly on
abandoned its citizens to, is
parallel to his story before
Bollywood multiplex movies.
providing authentic and
perhaps the stand-out work in
eventually getting inextricably
unadulterated narratives of
this impressive list..
tied to it is the story of Arvind
tragic, but the mood of its
Acharya, Ayyan’s boss and a
telling is one of acerbic irony—
their realities, has emerged as
Ayyan Mani, the
The story is essentially
the cartographers of modern
protagonist of the novel, is a
brilliant, enigmatic scientist
hardly anyone is spared
India’s literary landscape. From
clerk at a premier astrophysics
embroiled in his own bizarre
though the most mordant
Five Point Someone (Chethan
research institute in Mumbai.
and utterly violent power
knives of his scorn seem to
Bhagat) to The Folded Earth
A Dalit living in a BDD chawl,
struggles with his colleagues.
have been reserved for the
(Anuradha Roy), the range of
his is a mind that is seething
their work and the scale of
with indignation at both the
inaugural Hindu Literary Prize-
acceptable codes of ethics
their ambition are immense.
ordinary circumstances of
subjects a fragile social order
and the liberal high priests
Manu Joseph’s Serious Men, a
his existence and the sway
and its actors to a remarkable
of political correctness.
caustic commentary on the
Brahmins have over the affairs
dissection. Preferring a direct
Apparently, Manu Joseph does
machinery of caste in India,
of power at his office. To inject
and razor-sharp prose over
not fancy the idea of writing
and a deeply affecting account
a sense of adventure into his
the ostentation of phoney
novels to make a lot of friends.
1
Serious Men-winner of the
River of Smoke Amitav Gosh
Revolution 2020-Love. Corruption. Ambition Chetan Bhagat
3
In “River of Smoke” Ghosh retraces the journey of ‘The Ibis’ a ship carrying a consignment of convicts and indentured laborers from Calcutta to Canton. It starts from where its prequel, Sea of Poppies ends talking about the fate of ‘The Ibis’ and its owner Bahram Modi, after its tempestuous encounter with an inclement whirlwind.
From the bestselling author comes another gripping tale from the heartland of India. A story about childhood friends Gopal, Raghav and Aarti who struggle to find success and love in Varanasi. How ever this is not easy to achieve in a unfair soceity that rewards corruption
2
torchbearers of conventionally
Steve Jobs the exclusive biography Walter Isaacson
I have a dream Rashmi Bansal
4
The story of 20 idealists who think and act like entrepreneurs. They are committed to different causes, but they have one thing in common: a belief that principles of management can and must be used to achieve a greater common good.
Isaacson provides an extraordinary account of jobs’ personal and professional life. Drawn from three years of exclusive and unprecedented interviews Isaacson has conducted with Steve Jobs, friends, family members, colleagues and competitors of Apple.
5 Secret of the Nagas and The Immortals of Meluha(set of 2 books) Amish Tripathi The 1st and 2nd books in the mythical fiction Shiva Trilogy. The Immortals of Meluha is set in 1900 BC, in a near perfect empire, ruled by the Suryavanshis, called the Land of Meluha(Modern Indus Valley civilization). The empire faces perils from its enemy the chandravanshis who allied with the Nagas. A Tibetan immigrant, shiva rises up as the savior.
2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 75
TROUBLED CLEFT
george peter
DIL SE, MOMENTS
WITH A.R.R
T
he adrenalin rush of the
roller coaster ride for me, getting to work
Salt Lake stadium concert
with him close quarters so exhausted
has hardly gone ..but its
with excitement and trying to hold my
pack up time. A travel co-
droopy eyes from falling over at 4 ‘0 clock
ordinator, hovering on the
in the morning , singing, writing, laughing
sides, walks up with assumed confidence
and sometimes pinching myself ( quite
to hand a set of tickets and passports to
unbelievable actually !!) until I wrote the
a man sitting quietly in a corner. “What
lyrics to the music of A R Rahman, got
about my musicians”, asked A.R Rahman
children to sing and 3 days later on a plane
looking up. Now that’s a classic state-
with ARR to Delhi … little did I know that
ment ! Yes !, for A.R.R (as I call him),
the song was written for the former
the Mozart of Madras, music and fellow
President APJ Abdul Kalam based on his
musicians comes before personal comfort
short story “Ignited Minds”. And yes!!
Rewind a few weeks and little did I
The Author was the erstwhile vocalist for the rock band 13 AD and a popular singer and music director.
know, getting a call while watching xXx
Life
| DECEMBER 2011
Touring with ARR was an experience
( the Vin Diesel movie) at Sridhar Cin-
out of this world. It was not just about
emas in Kochi, that I would get to be
getting to meet musicians from all over
on the First World Tour with A.R.R!
the world but also to perform at the
Noel James, his manager, very for-
greatest venues in the world such as The
mally calls up to tell me that bossman
Hollywood Bowl, The Rod Laver Arena
(as we call him) wants me in Madras
(Melbourne), The Grand Forum (L.A)
( ya I still call it that ) immediately. The
Wembley Arena (London) and the Hong
only ride out of town I could find at that
Kong Convention Centre …. to name but a
juncture was a rickety bus. Reached the
few. ARR’s spirituality is very evident in his
next day crossing my fingers praying that
music. Once at Kochin, I was with him and
A.R.R hasn’t gone on one of his esca-
we had dinner and after which he was set-
pades , which meant he would just drop
ting his alarm for a real crazy wee hour
everything and go off somewhere, mostly
after a long day!! I asked him why, he
to a Holy Shrine! Thankfully he was still
simply replied ‘Geooorge, prayer is better
there, but having already recorded the
than sleep!!’
song for which I was possibly called for,
76 |
I did meet Mr. President with ARR !!
In Hong Kong, like most other tours,
he asked if I could write lyrics and on
I was in charge of his lyrics, and when he
saying yes asked me to come up with a
suggested a change I did not understand,
song with lines, “small aim is a crime”,
suddenly he broke out in Malayalam,
“One Vision” and a couple more of the
drawing on a paper “ithu inganne cheythal
like. Comfortably settled on a Blue sofa
mathiyo geooorge?” ( Shall we do it this
which has seated Mani Ratnam to Amir
way George?) And I replied “sheri bahuman-
Khan to Javed Akthar to Lord Andrew
apetta Rahuman”( one title , he jokes with
Lloyd Webber, I penned with humility.
me) and we broke into a laugh leaving the
From then on it was two days of non stop
rest befuddled.
NOTHING ELSE MATTERED Text Prashant Nair
F
or the last two decades, amidst smoky bar tables, in
electrifying energy.
college cafeterias, the possibility of a Metallica concert was the stuff that dreams were made of.
didn’t try to be something they’re not – they just
There’s something surreal in a chant that in-
played their best work, not their popular work. In a
volves over 40,000 people, after they’ve battled rain,
slush and the fear of the entire concert being called off. And 4 hours, nothing else mattered. Bangalore has always been a favoured destination for rock bands and artistes for some weird reason that I have never been able to comprehend. Till the 30th of October that is. There is a sense of pride in the way I talk of how well this massive crowd conducted themselves through the concert. The organisers, extra
Remains, Sad but True, Master of Puppets, Enter Sandman, Battery and more, they were also kind enough to squeeze in a Nothing Else Matters for the posers, who otherwise, were just headbanging to random riffs. There was a deafening silence of a few seconds before Robert Trujjilo took centerstage for his solo, and he threw everything including a kitchen sink and a massive base axe at us. Not that we
cautious to avoid the Gurgaon fiasco, were meticulously surprise surprise, the entire crowd cooperated fully.
songlist that included For whom the Bell Tolls, Fuel, Ride the Lightning, Cyanide, Fade to Black, The Memory
when Metallica did take over the stage after a patient wait of
appealing to the crowd to space themselves out. And
Honestly, I woo-hooed the fact that Metallica
were complaining. Eventually, when the gig did seem to end, James Hetfield shouted out, “Bangalore, Metallica loves you” but what he wasn’t
When the entire backdrop of the stage lit up, we all
prepared for was a seemingly synchronized “We love you too!”
knew that the wait was all worth it. And then, Het-
that the entire crowd threw back at him. Amidst chants of ‘one
field, Ulrich, Hammet and Trujjilo showed Bangalore why they’re who they are. Belting out 18 songs with the same high-octane energy that they’ve been worshipped for, for the past 20 years, they started off with ‘Creeping Death’. Fireworks peppered the sky, flamethrowers blew out fire like digital equalizers and the crowd just tripped –
more, one more’, Metallica came back on stage after exiting and belted out ‘Seek and Destroy’ – a fitting end to a concert that was supposed to be their 2nd outing in India but was destined to be first. When the band flung their plectrums and souvenirs into the audience, a cop on crowd management duty ended up with Lars Ulrich’s drumstick and broke into a smile, much to the delight of the crowd who saw it all on the large screens.
some on substance, but most others on the
For the last two decades, amidst smoky bar tables, in college cafeterias, the possibility of a Metallica concert was the stuff that dreams were made of.
GAD
ETS
Alienware M17x R3 When it comes to gaming on a laptop; Alienware is _the_ brand to look out for. The Dell subsidiary has added a new laptop to its repertoire of offerings - the new M17x R3. The new machine comes in packed with everything needed to get your games the kick-ass graphics it yearns for - Intel Core i7 3.5 GHz and 6MB cache, 8GB of DDR3 memory, 17.3” 3D LCD Panel with 3D glasses, 750GB of hard disk space and lots more! 17.3 inch display (1920×1080) 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M graphics card Integrated Digital 7.1 Surround Audio Support Slot-Load DVD-RW, BD-Combo Weight: Starting at 5.3k
Price ` 1,65,000
MapMyIndia Carpad MapMyIndia, India’s leading navigation systems manufacturer recently launched this navigation tablet for cars - named aptly as the CarPad. CarPad is powered by Android and Aura 3D maps. Coverage is quite impressive, with even 3D building schematics available on the map for selected cities. The device is fast enough and features the SnapDragon dual core processor from Qualcomm. Apart from navigation, CarPad also offers 3G internet connectivity with built-in social networking features. It also sports WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, FM radio and HD video playback. 3D navigation with detailed maps, including house numbers, streets and buildings Android 2, 7” TFT-HD (800x480) Capacitative Touch Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM7227-1 with Adreno 200 GPU screen Standby time: 420 hr GPS & GPRS 2 MP Camera, Touch Screen
Price ` 22,900
Nokia Lumia 800 The much awaited Windows Phone from Nokia is finally here. The phone looks super cool, and Nokia has put its bets on this model to recapture the premium phone market. Time will tell if they succeed; but it does have the juice to compete with the iPhones and Androids of today. It is powered by a 1.4 GHZ processor, has 512 MB of RAM, 16 GB internal storage, 8 megapixel camera and off course Windows Mango.. AMOLED capacitive touch screen, 16M colors Microsoft Windows Geo-tagging SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM Phone 7.5 Mango Standard battery, Li-Ion 1450 mA Talk time Up to 13 hr
Price ` 29,000
Walkman Android Sony has finally released the first Android Walkman device. The device comes with Android 3.0 and is seen as a competitor to Apple›s iPod Touch. It however supports more music formats, including native support for MP3, AAC, WMA & ATRAC Losless codec. The device also boasts WiFi, Bluetooth and even a GPS receiver. Sony promises a batter life of 20+ hours for this new kid in the block. 600 MHz Processor Powered by Latest Google Android OS virtual QWERTY keyboard Available in three colors Red, Azure and Orange Access your favorite MP3 Songs and apps with just one click
Price `11,000
Adidas F50 Technology is not just for your hands; but for your feet too. That’s what Adidas’s new hitech shoe the F50 promises. The shoe is powered by a special sensor which can detect a range of parameters about the style you walk, run and play - like the distance travelled, average speed, acceleration etc. You can download all this information to your computer and get advice on your running schedule and your posture. special sensor Detects the walking style Calculates average speed, acceleration
Price ` 21300
Light Field Camera This new device by a little known company called Lytro, promises to completely change the whole landscape of photography. Unlike conventional cameras Lytro cams records the entire light travelling in every direction in space. This gives it capabilities that you could only dream of even in the most expensive of DSLRs.. Lytro comes at a price tag of $499 for the 16GB version and $399 for the 8GB version. Lytro is expected to release in the begining of next year and has already begun pre-orders for customers in the US. 8x optical zoom lensr Lightweight aluminum body HD quality images alleled speed Low-light sensitivity Significant storage
Unpar-
Price ` 25900 for 16 GB, ` 20800 for 8 GB 2011 DECEMBER |
Life
| 075
GAME
EVIEW
DEFENSE OF THE ANCIENTS
D
efense of the
ily guarded structures at the
Ancients, or
opposing corners of the map.
D.O.T.A., is a
Each human player controls a
hugely popu-
powerful unit - a Hero, and is
lar online real
assisted by AI controlled units
time strategy multiplayer
called “creeps”. Like all role-
‘game’. I‘ll refer to it as a game,
playing games, heroes can
even though it‘s actually
be leveled up and equipment
freely downloadable map for
can be bought. Unlike most
Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne. One
traditional real-time strategy
of the reasons it‘s so popular is
games, this one does not fo-
Warcraft 3‘s hardware require-
cus on resource management
ments, or in this case - the lack
and base-building.
of any. It runs on pretty much
The only resource the player
any hardware released in the
has to manage is gold. As
is when the player attacks a
There‘s also the rather deep
last ten years.
heroes earn gold by killing
hostile unit when ‘its hit points
item list which involves a form
hostile units, base structures,
are low enough to kill it with
of alchemy, whereby more
is to destroy the opponents’
The objective of the match
and enemy heroes, a tech-
one blow” becomes the
powerful items are created
Ancients. These are heav-
nique called “last-hitting,” which
best strategy. Every hero
by joining together weaker
is unique in play style. All of
ones, allowing the same hero
them have (at least) four
character carrying two dif-
unique selectable skills, and
ferent item sets to play very
differing base attributes.
differently.
Strategy Tips for beginners Making money in this game is dependent on the hero getting the hit that kills creeps (last-hitting). This takes quite a bit of experience to get the hang of.
Where to play D.O.T.A. is best played with your friends on your home or office network. However, once you’ve got a hang of the game, you’ll
It© s incredibly important to not get killed. If your hero targets the enemy hero within range of enemy towers or creeps, all NPC enemy units will automatically target you Most gamers who decide that they don© t like D.O.T.A., and quit early, are turned off by how weak their selected heroes can be early in the game, especially if they© re playing against other, more experienced players. They have to realize that this is by design. It© s best to have a friend teach you the basics of D.O.T.A. While an incredibly fast-paced game, it has some very deep mechanics. There are many commands that you can enter during 076 |
80 |
Lif Life
Life
| 2011 DECEMBER
| DECEMBER 2011
want to check out the large online game-community which can be accessed through a freely downloadable match-making application called Garena. During peak hours (late evening, till midnight), Garena logs many thousands of D.O.T.A. players from India alone. At present, Garena hosts 14 separate chat rooms dedicated to Indian D.O.T.A gaming, each supporting a maximum of 235 players, where gamers can interact to set up new matches.
the game, some impact the game itself, while others display useful information. All must be entered on a single line preceeded by "-" to work, for instance, "-tips”, which gives you various helpful pointers about your hero throughout the game.
SUBSCRIBE&SAVE Power emitting articles, thought inspiring discussions, stimulating interviews, drool worthy recipes, mind blowing photography‌ we have it all. Subscription
Price
You Pay
18 Months 12 Months 6 Month
1080 720 360
970 670 340
www.fwdlife.in
LIFESTYLE TRAVEL LEISURE ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE
RNI Reg. No. KERENGO 2336/11/1/2011 TC