Fwd life june 2013

LIFESTYLE TRAVEL LEISURE ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE

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5 Things you should know about bowling

Vivacious

www.fwdlife.in ISSUE 07 VOL 02 June 2013

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editor’s note MY PICK

share our experiences EXCLUSIVE

Being a celebrity comes with a price but to remain in the film industry, this naive girl with refined looks is unwilling to shed clothes, perform item numbers or to clinch the deal for passionate lip locks. She was one among Mollywood’s celebrities who followed the trend of ‘anchoring to acting’ with her debut in the movie ‘Mulla’ in which she plays the female lead, portraying the character of ‘Lachi’ that won her the South Filmfare Award for Best Debut Actress. Meera Nandan who has made her much appreciable onscreen presence in her home industry and in other regional films as well, will be next seen in ‘Kattum Mazhayum’ directed by Harikumar, starring Lal, Unni Mukunthan, in which she plays the role of Unni Mukunthan’s fiancé and in ‘Karodpathi’, a Kannada movie with Komal Kumar.

Vivacious

MEERA Text Thabitha Marion

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JUNE 2013

MOST HAPPENING PARTIES AND EVENTS

When Alternate is

Mainstream

Editor Abraham Tharakan

2013 JUNE

45

fwd life cover launch The May issue cover launch of FWD Life magazine was held at Hotel Dream, Kochi.

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JUNE 2013

Quick reaD

food habits

TaCkle your

M

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starry night FWD Life, the first premium lifestyle magazine in Kerala, is hogging the limelight once again. The May issue cover launch party was such that the who’s who of film industry turned up for the function and made it a never-before-seen cover launch event. Celebrities who graced the event include Krish, Shritha Sivadas, Saiju Kurup, Saju.

nutrition

umbai Police has been in the limelight for portraying a homosexual character in the lead role. While the attempt is laudable the characterisation is filled with politically incorrect and insensitive reason for the act that results in the climax. There have been many online reviews that have pointed out a very clear and also academic hair splitting of what was done wrong. The main reason why these pitfalls occur is because of the stereotypes that are rampant in the depictions of homosexuals. These stereotypes allow easy identification of such characters. The most commonly used one would be that of the effeminate man. His choice of colours for clothing, his job and frequent feminine outburst of emotions etc marks this character. Lets hope that the industry which has provided a fresh narrative on Kochi totally different from the goon movies, through Annayum Rasoolum, will keep on moving toward world class movies.

2013 JUNE

FuSSy eaTer STUDIES PRoVE THAT HEALTHY BREAKFAST PLAYS A MAJoR RoLE In SCHooL ACTIVITIES AnD IMPRoVES ConCEnTRATIon Text lekshmy vijayan ife-style disorders are fast becoming a major cause for health related issues. Unhealthy eating habits,

L

stress and lack of proper sleep has taken a toll even on our children. Our Nutrition expert Gayathri Ashokan advises on adopting and adapting to

healthy life style to prevent life threatening ailments.

sandwitch filled with sprouted

MOrnIng In A HUrrY…. how do you mAkE youR Child EAT?

easy to prepare and healthy, as it gives enough protein. Make

Studies prove that healthy breakfast plays a major role in school activities and improves concentration. So 1/3 of the total calories should come from breakfast. Now there is the concept of food plate-which contains a portion of cereals, milk/curd, vegetables especially green leafy vegetables and fruits. But unfortunately most kids skip breakfast and 70% of pre-school children in our country are anaemic. To ensure that your child eats well in the morning, instead of making two or three Dosa or chapathi its better to make it big size, so that instead of counting numbers he / she would consume a better potion. To make it more nutritious you can add some multi grain mix, like soyabean and bengal gram powder to the dough. If it’s difficult to make the child eat the breakfast one can also try some “navadanyapowder” mix with milk, which meets the requirement.

A personal recipe I can share is

58

green gram with a pinch of pepper and ½ tsp sauce. It’s

sure you use whole grain bread or wheat bread instead of white bread.

AlTERnATivEs ThAT CAn bE givEn To ChildREn FOr lUncH…..

Normally mothers give the same lunch prepared for adults to children. However, children may not get enough nutrients from this lunch because their intake is very less. Kids need daily 50gm of vegetables and 50gm of green leafy vegges, so I would suggest a simple recipe anyone can try at home.

Cut carrot, beans and cabbage like the shape of finger chips and steam for 5 minutes. Then sprinkle it with a little pepper and salt. Kids really love it, as they like to bite big pieces than smaller ones it’s an attractive tooI, can be given with two chapathis (we can mix leafy vegetablesto dough) or with 200gm rice (brown rice) and curd with a piece of fish/chicken (40gm). Vegetable fried rice with corn, carrot, beans, and

curd rice with boiled vegetables provide overall nutrients to the body. Rice along with raitha (mixed with carrot, onion, sprouted green gram, cucumber) is another healthy option. Prepare cutlets in different shapes with lots of green leaves, coriander leaves, chicken, onion etc. It can be given with rice and curd. Once in a week we can try noodles mixed with vegetables, egg, milk can be used instead of water to make it nutritious.

whAT CAn bE givEn As snACks foR sChool going ChildREn? Our traditional rice flakes and puffed rice are ideal, so we can make it like our ‘temple prasadam’ which give enough dry fruits, fiber and jaggery it contains minerals like iron, zinc etc. A handful of dry fruits and nuts can give enough protein, vitamin E, and other minerals. Boiled sweet corn mixed with a spoon of ghee is another option for snack, kids would love it and it’s very nutritious.

Muesli, crushed wheat is also good and provide enough fibre.

illnEss CAusEd duE To Consuming jUnk FOOD AnD AerATeD DrInkS…..

Your kid may demand for an icy aerated drink on a hot summer day, but never buy them the refreshing treat as it is a major health risk in disguise, loaded with sugar and devoid of nutrients.

It can give extra calories to put on weight. One tsp of sugar give 20kcal, 1tsp oil give 45kcal but one idly give only 50 kcal.

Studies prove that if more carbonated beverage is taken, it could lead to the degradation of bones. It can be experimented by putting a tooth to a bottle of black coloured aerated drink.

That will dissolve in one week. And liters of water is needed to wash out the residues from the stomach. Water is an essential nutrient, which is needed daily. We lose about 1-1.5 liters of water daily especially in hot season that must

be replaced. Soft drinks can never replace water that is needed to washout toxins from our body.

One can replace soft drinks with lime juice, which contain vitamin C, that helps to resist infection.

Also try our traditional drink like coconut water, buttermilk, which is packed with lots of nutrients.

AfTER EffECTs of ChEwing gum……

Saliva contains ptyalin, the enzyme for digesting starch. If we are using more of chewing gum it may results in secretion of other gastric juices which results in acidity or other digestive problems.

food ThAT CAusEs AllERgiEs in cHIlDren…..

As told before, each and every child is different, the allergy may also differ. We should observe the child instead of predicting. Many Keralities have so many concepts like food fads and fallacies. Some kids have milk allergy, due to lactose.

Other allergies like gluten allergy, sea food allergy, egg allergy etc are also common; if one food is removed it should be replaced with another.

There is a common notion among us that children who are plump are healthy and thin means ill. One should understand that most important thing to ensure is that the child is healthy and active. Check the height and weight periodically and plan a proper diet plan with the help of a nutritionist. Some kids eat enough food but a lot of energy is lost when children are engaged in various activities. It is very important to create nutritional awareness among mothers

Delay introducing 100 percent juice until at least 6 months of age and limit to no more than 4–6 oz/day. Juice should only be fed from a cup.

Don’t overfeed infants and young children they can usually self-regulate the amount of calories they need each day.

Children shouldn’t be forced to finish meals if they aren’t hungry as they often vary caloric intake from meal to meal.

Introduce healthy foods and keep offering them if they’re initially refused. Don’t introduce foods without overall nutritional value simply to provide calories.

and encourage them to choose healthy food. This can have a positive effect on the family. Cook your child’s favourite restaurant recipe home and make it healthier. Try new recipes and encourage your child to eat healthy, educate them and ensure your child’s participation while cooking, this will make them more health alert.

BonUs Only 20 per cent children age 6-23 months in India are fed appropriately according to all three recommended practices for infant and young child feeding.

70 per cent children age 6- 59 months are anaemic. Children of mothers who are severely anaemic are seven times as likely

to be severely anaemic as children of mothers who are not anaemic.

Only half (51 per cent) of households use adequately iodizesalt in India.

MAY 2013

2013 MAY

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The nutrition article in the May issue ‘Tackle your Fussy Eaters’ was by Gayathri Ashokan, Consultant Nutritionist was wrongly credited.

The mistake is regretted

I would love to know what you think of the magazine.

E-mail me at abraham@fwdmedia.in

CONTENTS

june/2013

exclusive Set a good example

50 Behind the Scene

Photographer Pappinu Model Meera Nandan Make up & Hairstyle Juli Anil Styling & Designing Saranya Accessory courtesy Urvashi Ladies Novelties, Convent Jn. Cochin.

Co-ordination Maxxo Creative

Architectural Extravaganza

FWD life features four ongoing prestigious projects by major realty moguls that have the power to revolutionize the cityscape of the state.

Kids 22 Nineties Come to Age

your child 86 Help conquer his fears 96 Privilege program

An interview with Tharun James Jimani author of ‘Cough Syrup Surrealism’,

Fear can develop at any age, sometimes it can be long lasting but the key is to address your child’s fears effectively and efficiently

Use fwd privilege card to get exciting deals !

FWD LifeTakes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material. All photographs, unless otherwise indicated areused for illustrative purposes only. Views and opinions expressed in the articles are of the authors subjects and do not necesserally reflect those of the editors or publishers. While the editors do there utmost to verify information published, they do not accept responcibility for its absolute accuracy. In matters which may be sub judice, femina takes no legal stand. FWD Life can not be held responsible for products, product information, pictures, illustrations, etc Any information received by us through responses by users / subscribers to the short messaging services (SMS) key codes or such other subscription service of ours will be used in whole or part, in our publications (other than contact information), for our research, individual marketing, strategic client analysis and for other internal purposes and all copyrights in such information will vest with us. Your contact information shall not be sold traded, rented or in any way divulged to any third party unless we are legally bound to do the same.

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lifestyle 18 Bonding with cinema South Indian actor Prakash Raj opens up about current films and trends

20 Rising of a star Vijay Babu, the outgoing vice president of Surya TV, gets candid about media and his film production ventures success 36 When beckons

He is the latest Mollywood entrant who has made audience sit up and take notice with his raw humour and effortless acting shores 37 New of fame

Young and bubbly Namitha Pramod is the latest busy bee of Mollwood who has managed to carve a niche for herself in the industry with just three films

Vivacious

48 Kunthapura Film Launch

MEERA

Glittering moments at the lauch of the upcoming movie ‘Kunthapura’.

24

design

chat

lounge

with 56 Dwelling a difference

conversation 38 Inwith Joju

life 44 fwd cover launch

Standing Tall...

There are certain things that influence in the construction of a house. When they are joined in right proportion, the result will be fabulous. FWD Life traces new trends in architecture

One actor to have come up the hard way is Joju, though he had played quite a few number of movies, the turning point was Mammootty starrer ‘Best Actor’

The May issue cover launch of FWD Life magazine was held at Hotel Dream, Kochi.

With chiselled features and amazing ramp presence, Sujo is a frequent face on the prestigious Indian ramp shows.

Buildings 60 Bizarre around the Globe the 66 discover decor diva in you

Take this personality quiz to discover your decorating style. Based on the quiz we have made four assessments that will help you find your personal style to stylise your home

upcoming star

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LIFESTYLE TRAVEL LEISURE ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE

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Initiative 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.

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All rights reserved. FWD Life is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reproduced fully or in part without permission. All inputs, text, image or illustration, are accepted on the understanding that no liability is incurred. All characters in any fictional story are purely imaginary and no references or allusion is intended to apply to any living person or persons.

The views and opinions expressed or implied in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Forward Media Private Limited. All photographs unless otherwise indicated, are used for illustrative purposes only. This magazine is intended for mature audience-reader discretion is advised.

Director & CEO: Arun Balachandran * Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act.

Notes From Allover news A glance through the major happenings in June

gossips Know the latest from the showbiz industry in case you missed it!

launch New ventures and products are being featured for your info.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class unveiled

Mr.Sivakumar, Managing Director & Mr.Krichnakumar, Executive Director of Rajasree motors Pvt. Ltd., during the launching ceremony of Mercedes Benz A class at Rajasree motors, Cochin

HOT NEWS Angelina steps out with Brad Pitt for the first time since double mastectomy

Sunil Shetty Visits Lulu Mall

Josco unveils new logo

Tony Jose MD & CEO, Josco Group unveils the new futuristic logo of Josco Jewellers in a press meet held at cochin.

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JUNE 2013

2013 JUNE

15

events

purple fete

Purple with

a purpose The craft bazaar was a crowd puller that showed the unique entrepreneurial skills of women who came from all over the country an baby food tins, plastic bottles, wine bottles or remnants of tailoring pieces be converted into reusable objects of beauty and utility? A two-day exhibition held at the Rotary Club, Panampilly

C

Nagar last month showed that organic and eco-friendly products are trendy, chic and are preferred by customers.

It was an exhibition which displayed a variety of goodies like paper made jewellery, floral hairclips, textured wall clocks, trinket boxes and buntings; most

of them made from recycled or up cycled materials. Stalls in all, had almost thirty women entrepreneurs from different cities of South India under one roof with knick knacks and creations.

It took solid three months of preparation for Aparna Viswanathan and Rema Shivaram the

two women entrepreneurs from Hera Planners along with Nandini Krishnan Kutty to organize this unique and special event for the first time in Kochi.

The exhibition was inaugurated by actress Rima Kallingal and as she was going through the exhibits at the stalls; she expressed her liking for some products displayed and looking at them, during her exclusive chat with FWD, she said, “I am thrilled to see jewellery made out of recycled plastic. I would love to have them. I think I will ask my stylist to pick a few of them for me.” “I am so proud that finally we too have come up with such innovative ideas that converges both stylishness ad eco-friendliness, just like its prevalence in other cities,” she added.

The Quill Mill stall that had a

Actor Rima Kallingal inaugurating Purple fete

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JUNE 2013

Quick Read Handmade papers reduce pollution by 70 %, it also helps saving trees as it uses nonwood raw materials.

Eco-friendly furniture can be a good alternative to wooden furniture. They use less wood and more waste products.

Eco friendly craft items are mostly handmade and are environment friendly, which use less consumption of energy Handmade papers, paper bags are best alternative to plastic bags, which are not recyclable and are danger to ecosystem

lot of hands picking up stuff like paper made funky accessories, home decor and stationeries’. Steffy, one of its customers had a tray full of accessories and on asking her what she liked about it, she said, “They are really cute and I am buying most of it for my friends, to gift them on their birthdays.”

The exhibition had an exclusive store having booties, frocks and dispensers’ for kids between 3 months to 12 years of age. There were stalls that had attractive glass creative that incorporated coffee bean wall clock, themed glass wall hangings and wrist bands and ear hangings made out of disposable plastic bottles and glasses to their collection.

For those with a sweet tooth, ‘Chocoberry Cakery’ served chocolate chiffon cake, flavoured muffins and chocolate cake pops which are their specialties. For kids, the exhibition had ‘The Party Store’, with return party gifts for kids, blow outs, hand puppets, air brush tattooing and fun activities for kids. ‘I liked their trump cards and detachable pencil tops with Chottabheem,” said Keona Johny, a nine year old.

The other interesting pieces were buntings for kids, up cycled wine bottles, coloured clay pots, wall rackets and stand-alone. pots, customised jewellery from paper, swirled with a rainbow of colours that look like a string of vibrantly swirled marbles, designer saris and readymade fashionable blouses with halters, backless and strap blouses by ‘Aakriti’, a designer boutique in Kochi.

On what basis do we generally categorize excess tailoring cloth as waste? The exhibits at ‘Sangamitra’ stood as an answer to it. By keeping in mind ‘repurpose’ with excess cloth and export rejected furnishing clothes, they collect cloths and intelligently sew them into bags that last for more than three years. ‘Kudumbashree’ had their contributions by selling perfumed gel candles for all occasions’.

Apart from the eco-friendly products found there, one thing in common about the people at the stalls was their passion to start something of their own, leaving behind their professional degrees or their highly paid jobs as software engineers.

2013 JUNE

17

spotlight

prakash raj

Bonding with cinema South Indian actor Prakash Raj opens up about current films and trends Text K.R. Rejeesh Photo Various Sources

Quick Read Prakash Raj won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1998 for ‘Iruvar’ followed by National Film Award for Best Actor in 2009 for his role in Kanchivaram After the movie ‘Wanted’ , Prakash Raj has been a regular villain in Bollywood movies, including Singham Dabangg 2, Mumbai Mirror, and upcoming movies Policegiri and Zanjeer.

Prakash Raj is the host of Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi a game show replacing Kollywood sensation Suriya.

Prakash Raj began his acting career with Kannada serials like Bisilu Kudure and Guddada Bhootha

is expressions speak volume of emotions. And when he appears on screen, the thunderous applause he gets is equal to that of the hero. Actor-producer-director Prakash Raj is a rare artiste who often finds a space in cineastes’ mind with his quaint mannerisms. He has essayed different villainous characters with élan. With his sonorous voice and inimitable style of dialogue delivery, so often the actor has eclipsed or stood equal to the performance of the hero character. In films like “Gilli”, “Asai”, “Villu”, “Mozhi” and “Abhiyum Njanum” he has proved his versatility as an actor. After working in Sandalwood for a few years, he entered Tamil film industry through K. Balachander’s movie “Duet” (1994). He made his debut as a director in Tamil with the film “Dhoni”, which garnered a

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JUNE 2013

lot of critical appreciation. A lover of Malayalam Cinema, Prakash Raj talks about the directors and stars of Mollywood.

The actor was in Thiruvananthapuram recently for the promotion of his new movie “Gauravam” which deals with the theme of honour killing.

At the function Prakash Raj met one of his ardent admirer, script writer Mani Shornur who talked nineteen to the dozen about Prakash Raj and even addressed him as “Chella,” a word he often repeats in the Tamil film “Gilli”. As he was about to leave for Chennai, we caught up with Prakash Raj along with director Radha Mohan, of “Mozhi” fame at Hotel Muscat for a chat. In a jiffy, the “Abhiyum Njanum” actor shared a few things with FWD Life.

Prakash Rai changed his name to Prakash Raj based on prominent Tamil film director K. Balachander’s advice, however he is still called Prakash Rai in his home town Karnataka His upcoming movies are Vidiyum Varai Kathiru (Tamil), Thoofan (Telugu), Yaan (Tamil), Zanjeer and Policegiri (Hinidi), Prakash Raj bagged National Special Jury Award for Telugu movie Ananthapuram

Excerpts When can we expect a Malayalam film produced by you?

Certainly I’m interested in producing Malayalam films. Hopefully, if I come across a good script, it will happen.

What could be the reason for new generation directors’ failure after their initial project?

It’s healthy trend that new generation directors are coming. The reason why they bite the dust after initial success might be because they are carried away by the glamour of cinema and success.

About Malayalam film industry…

There are a host of good films happening in Mollywood. In my salad days, I have seen and was inspired by films directed

by Bharathan.

In recent times, a few Malayalam films have been remade in Tamil.

Do you think remaking or dubbing films is a good trend?

I am against dubbing films as it may affect the regional milieu in the

I have acquired the remake rights of “Salt N’ Pepper”

story. Remaking films from other languages gives people an opportunity to know about films of other States. I have acquired the remake rights of “Salt N’ Pepper”.

Considering the popularity of Mammootty and Mohanlal, Malayalam films have big market in Tamil Nadu.

What is the response for the film ‘Chennayil Oru Naal’?

It’s the remake of Malayalam film “Traffic”. Though the Tamil version is not a sleeper hit like “Traffic”, it’s doing well there.

Do you have any Malayalam film in the offing?

Unfortunately, no. I am not getting any calls from Mollywood.

About God’s Own Country…

I really like Kerala for its landscape and food.

2013 JUNE

19

spotlight

vijay babu

Testing new limits Vijay Babu, the outgoing vice president of Surya TV, gets candid about media and his film production ventures Text K.R. Rejeesh Photos Naseef Gafoor

“ More corporate houses are entering the filmdom.

Also more production houses produce movies on the trot”

t 20

his media personality is a known face to us. One day he surprised everybody by donning the greasepaint. Though his characters were small in a

JUNE 2013

few films, he had made an impact. One fine morning, actor Vijay Babu got a call from a well-known filmmaker in Malayalam asking for his dates to do a lead role. He had to pinch himself to believe this! Ensconcing on the location of his new film at

Sacred Heart College, Thevara at Kochi, Vijay Babu talked about his affair with filmdom.

He says “Cinema was always my passion. Even when I was in Surya TV, I was associated with films in a major way. Surya being the largest buyer of movies, I was lucky enough to have a management that gave me a free hand to purchase movies,” .

He was heading the programmes as the Vice President of Surya TV and in his own words; he had achieved creative passions through a host of programmes. “We were listening lot of scripts for buying films for the channel.

Interacting with film industry rekindled my passion for acting

Quick Read in films. Thus I acted in films,” he says. Meanwhile, he has also ventured into production in association with Friday Film House for the movie ‘Philips and the Monkey Pen’ and Lijo Jose Pelliserry’s DISCO with SJM International. “I will be managing the creative consultancy partnership of both

Excerpts Your opinion about media in Kerala…?

There is tough competition. All channels vie for grabbing the eyeballs.

Presenting the matter without sensationalizing it is more important.

About satellite rights and its repercussions…?

Satellite channels have been supporting films.

Kerala is the sole State where the highest satellite price is paid for movies. While 20-25% is the global standard price for satellite rights, in Kerala, 60-70% is demanded for satellite rights. The bad trend is that after showing gimmicks, some people in the Malayalam industry acquire satellite rights and they are not bothered about the quality of films.

Last two years, Mollywood has misused the support of satellite rights. A slew of films have packed up

these companies . We plan 12 movies in next three years.

“Peruchazhi”, starring Mohanlal, is a major project by Friday Film House. Boban Samuel shall be doing his next project after ‘Romans’ for SJM and Friday Film House respectively. ‘Peruchazi’ will be directed by Arun Vaidyanathan of ‘Achamundu

I wish I were part of Lijo Jose Pelliserry’s “Amen”

even without shooting certain portions of the film citing fund crunch.

You may find the name of an artiste in the cast, but in the final product there won’t be any such artiste.

We don’t associate with such people again. But they would float in the market as benami.

What was your criterion while buying films for the channel?

Primarily, story and director are our way of assessing a project. Yes, we believe in stardom and star cast. It’s always a mix.

We used to go behind big movies and also movies with a potential script and a better known star cast. Films like “22 Female Kottayam”, “Ordinary”, “Salt N’ Pepper” and “Ee Aduthakalathu” are the epitomes of our approach to films. We have given the required kind of backing

Achamundu’ fame,” he adds.

Vijay Babu hopes that a professional change would take place in Malayalam Cinema soon, as it is happening globally. “More corporates and production houses are producing movies on the trot,” says the young actor.

My plan is to get into all areas of filmmaking

“Philips and the Monkey Pen”, is the directorial debut of Shanil and Rojen.

Actress Ramya Nambeesan’s brother Rahul is music director of the film The cast include Jayasurya, Ramya Nambesan and Sanusha.

In “Philips and the Monkey Pen”, Vijay Babu dons the role of a teacher.

for quality films.

About the response for the reality show “Malayalee House”…

It has been received well; ratings show that.

There are mixed responses also. In fact, “Big Boss” also had controversies.

When Shilpa Shetty emerged winner in the “Big Brother”, there was hue and cry about racism issue. Last season of Big Boss also had the Sunny Leon issue.

Films that you think you should have been in?

There are many films.

Recently, the film “Amen”.

I wish I were part of this film.

Can we expect you in the field of direction?

Sure. My plan is to get into all areas of filmmaking. Setting up a wellequipped studio is also my dream project.

2013 JUNE

21

literature

Tharun James Jimani

Nineties Kids Come to Age The story is a heady mix of teenage pop cultural trappings, immigrant Malayalee over-compensation and everything rock n roll.

QUICK READ Read more about the book at www.Facebook. com/CoughSyrupSurrealism To Buy Its available at leading bookstores and available online on Flipkart and uRead 2

Text Anoop Sankar barred. With recommendations

by Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Nitin Malik (lead singer of Parikrama), thoroughly entertaining writing

Excerpts

hen my classmate and friend, Tharun James Jimani, offered me an advance copy of his first novel, ‘Cough Syrup Surrealism’, I was more than a little intrigued. Having kept in touch and hung out together on more

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than a few occasions over the years since school, I had been waiting for the book to be launched for a while. I hadn’t expected, however, to read an explosive coming-of-age tale of a Malayalee boy set in Chennai, narrated without artificial sweeteners and with no holds

Tharun, congratulations again on the publication of your first novel. Let’s start with the title. Why ‘Cough Syrup Surrealism’?

Thanks, Anoop. About the title, remember falling sick as kids? When you get a really bad fever or cough, you’d end up drinking a little too much cough syrup and just lie around in a daze. The title is a reference to that state- that combination of being a child and suddenly having access to the mind on a wider, much grander scale.

But the characters in

at all times and a retro-chic, pop art-inspired cover, the novel looks set to break a few records, and even more taboos.

I seriously doubt any writing is entirely free of autobiography

your novel are not children.

They’re not adults either, not mentally.

They’ve just left home for the first time, joined college in a new city, made new friends and basically re-booted their entire existence. They’re children thrown into an adult world, suddenly free but also responsible. The kids in the novel get stuck in that phase for a while.

They’re still on that helpless feverish high from childhood, floating, living only in the present.

They’re also stuck in the Nineties.

Excerpts They’re what we’d call ‘Nineties kids’, yes. Both of us grew up in that era, didn’t we, we were the gateway generation, at least by Kerala standards. We had a little more exposure and a sort of globality –is that a word? It sounds like a word- than the generation just elder than us, thanks to liberalization and cable TV and NRI money, but not nearly as much as the college-going generation today.

So the novel’s not just a lot of sex and drugs and big bad rock n roll then? (laughs) Well these kids are big fans of Nineties pop culture, especially the music and the films of the Grunge era. Everything they do is in part-adoration and part-emulation of their heroes- their favourite musicians and movie characters. So while drugs and sex and rock music are all part of the story, they’re really just accessories or signposts.

There’s also a strong Malayalee connection; almost a subplot.

T: The protagonist, and his best friend, are from Trivandrum. I’m sure all people feel the same way about where they’re from, but I feel Malayalee parents live in a particularly curious form of denial. We have all these moral codes forced upon us without any logical explanation and I thought it would be interesting to give the hero a Malayalee guilty conscience.

How easy or difficult is getting that first novel published?

T: India’s a big market for English

I don’t know what qualifies somebody to referto himself as a writer.

drugs and sex and rock music are all part of the story, they’re really just accessories or signposts.

publishers obviously, but it’s still finding its feet in terms of content creation, if you ask me. But there’s so much Indian English fiction getting published at the moment so I’d imagine this is as good a time as any.

Personally, I got very lucky- I worked with a super fantastic literary agent, and he found me a publisher in a matter of weeks.

And the obvious question: is it true that debut novels tend to be more autobiographical than the rest? (laughs) I seriously doubt any writing is entirely free of autobiography, first –timer or otherwise. I’ve certainly borrowed from experiences, my own and from the lives of others. But it’s clearly a fantastical sweep of the imagination. I still dream of being a rockstar, of being famous and having all these beautiful women and going to super cool parties. We all do. I have zero musical ability so I thought I’d let my characters have it all instead.

Your book has a very interesting Faceboook presence (www.Facebook.com/CoughSyrupSurrealism). How involved are you in the marketing process?

Well, I wrote this novel six, maybe seven years ago, about life as a college student. That demographic spends a lot more time browsing through Facebook than bookstores.

Luckily, Fingerprint!, my publisher, has given me a lot of creative freedom, both in terms of the novel and its marketing. So we came up with the idea of introducing the charac-

ters in the novel through specially designed wallpapers and other stuff, uploaded daily on the Facebook page. But it’s not just that – I’m on Twitter, I blog, I’m online 24/7 interacting with readers and mobilizing a #NinetiesChild community that will be most interested in the pop culture-homage treatment of the novel.

Also, the book was made available online on Flipkart and uRead 2 weeks before they even reached the bookstores. The internet is where people decide what to read now.

One last question. Tell our readers, in a sentence or two, what the novel’s about.

It’s about growing up, about urban life and aspirations in your college years , about choices we all have to make as young people . It’s a group of kids playing in a rock band and partying their asses off because it’s what they grew up watching their heroes do on music television.

Cover of the book

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EXCLUSIVE

Being a celebrity comes with a price but to remain in the film industry, this naive girl with refined looks is unwilling to shed clothes, perform item numbers or to clinch the deal for passionate lip locks. She was one among Mollywood’s celebrities who followed the trend of ‘anchoring to acting’ with her debut in the movie ‘Mulla’ in which she plays the female lead, portraying the character of ‘Lachi’ that won her the South Filmfare Award for Best Debut Actress. Meera Nandan who has made her much appreciable onscreen presence in her home industry and in other regional films as well, will be next seen in ‘Kattum Mazhayum’ directed by Harikumar, starring Lal, Unni Mukunthan, in which she plays the role of Unni Mukunthan’s fiancé and in ‘Karodpathi’, a Kannada movie with Komal Kumar.

Vivacious

MEERA Text Thabitha Marion

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cover model

Excerpts his bubbly actress cast a spell on us with her girl-next-door image, but it’s her acting proficiency that won many hearts in the tinsel town

t

You’re a good singer; do you plan to sing in any of your upcoming films?

I would love to sing for a movie and would be most happy if that happens to be a Malayalam song. Sometime back I got a few openings to lend my voice for Malayalam songs, but the offers came on such a short notice, it was practically impossible for me to take it up.

Joshy Mathew’s ‘Black Forest’, a children’s movie that won the National Award for the Best Film on Environment Conservation, is one of your upcoming projects. What made you choose a movie like this?

I was part of ‘Patham Nilayile Theevandi’ which was also directed by Joshy Sir. During the shoot he expressed his desire to make me a part of his next flick. And so he called me when it was time for ‘Black Forest’. I found my character to be interesting .You can watch me play the role of a tribal girl in this movie.

Could you share your experi-

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QUICK READ

meera nandan

Favourite role The character I played in ‘Mulla’ and the negative role in ‘Seniors’ ence shooting in the forest?

It was mostly filmed at Ramakalmedu, Kuttikanam and Paruthumpara. We were at this tribal area for five days. Before we began shooting, we were told that the place has wild animals roaming around in the evenings, so every day we used to go on with the shoot keeping in mind the deadline that falls before it gets pitch dark. As it is a tribal area, I got to interact with the tribals.

Though they speak Malayalam, it sounded to me like some strange language. For the movie I was to drape a sari in adivasi style. Those ladies took me to their huts and draped them for me. During the process one of them told, ‘I had watched your movie ‘Mulla’. I felt so happy. It meant so much to me to get an appreciation from one of them whom I thought to be ignorant about the entertainment industry.

What can the audience expect from the upcoming Mammootty starrer ‘Kadal Kadannu Oru Mathukutty’?

As you all know it’s a Renjith movie, so go for it with an expectation that would never disappoint you. This movie has Mohanlal, Dileep and Prithviraj doing a cameo. Apart from the casting highlights, this movie will get one to watch the German lifestyle and some fabulous landscapes.

‘Ayyanar’ lip lock It was not a liplock, just a peck.

Your role in the above said movie …..

I play the role of an LIC agent named ‘Kunjumol’ who yaps a lot in Kottayam slang.

She is a girl who is independent, straightforward and blunt.

Working with Mammootty….

It’s the first time I got to act with Mammookka. I was not tensed but many a times I went blank when I had to deliver dialogues to Mammookka. I felt so lost. This never happened with me when I worked with Mohanlal for the first time.

When you were proposed by Kollywood director Chellamuthu’, you denied saying “I’m already engaged.” Was it an excuse to let off the hook?

Yes, like any other girl, I too said so to escape from the situation. Neither am I engaged nor do I have a fiancé.

Would you mind working with him again?

I won’t because one day on the sets, to my surprise I was asked to do a romantic scene which I wasn’t aware of. I asked him, ‘I never came across it when I was going through the script. ‘His response was, ‘Is it necessary to describe every scene in detail?’ That day I told to myself, ‘never again a movie with you.’

An important lesson you’ve learned about love from a relationship….

Let me have one, and then only can I tell you.

Most annoying comment you have heard for the crowd during a shoot….

It’s not just me who has received such reception, but many others too. On the sets, when I’m seated for touching up make up, I hear people say, ‘She has attitude. Why is she so proud? After all they all survive with our money.

Your favourite co-star…

There are a few, but Jayasurya is a good friend of mine. It’s fun to work with him.

Your first crush was when you were in class 2.

Who is your current crush?

I never had a crush over someone in the industry but when I see a handsome guy on the road, I might.

A feature of yours that you dislike….

I wish I had a better nose. Recently during the shoots of ‘Kadal Kadannu Oru Mathukutty’ Mammookka asked me, ‘Can’t you get your tooth corrected?’

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Embellished purple coloured full sleeve net Anarkali churidar with fandango coloured inner.

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maKEOVER

Festive

Moments Photographer Pappinu Model Meera Nandan Make up & Hairstyle Juli Anil Styling & Designing Saranya Assisted by Shamna Co Ordination Maxxo Creative

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maKEOVER

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Embroidered full sleeve spring green multi colour Anarkali churidar 2013 JUNE

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Collared scarlet red sleeveless Anarkali churidar with floral embroidery and multi coloured thread work on its yoke.

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behind the scenes

photoshoot

Creating the Festive Moments sneak peek in to the making of the FWD Cover & centerspreads fashion crew Makup & Hairstyle: Juli Anil Styling & Designing: Saranya Assistant Stylist : Shamna

Meera Nandan watches as the photographer preps the scene

photo - crew Photographer: Pappinu Thanks to: Sudheesh Gopinath, Deepu M Production: Vishnu Thanks to: Maxxo Creatives,

video - crew Direction: Chachu, Amarnath Camera: Bineesh Viswanath Photo and video crew busy capturing the moments

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Asst. Camaraman: Manu Joseph Stills: Vinodh Mohan

SPECS

Equipments used

Cameras used Canon 5d mark 3 Lens EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM, EF50mm f/1.8 II, EF70-200mm f/4L USM Special lens used for video purpose

lensbaby Spark

Various stages of the photoshoot

Various stages of the photoshoot

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chat

sanju

When success

beckons He is the latest Mollywood entrant who has made audience sit up and take notice with his raw humour and effortless acting Text Thabitha Marion Photo N.J Shaji

ith no backing of godfathers, actor Sanju stepped into Mollywood because of sheer determinance and skill. He proved his mettle as an actor in the film “Nee Ko Nja Cha” (NKNC). Sanju bid adieu to his four-year-old banking profession to pursue

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something he had been longing to do. Today, Sanju is confident and gets ready to prove his acting skills in films like “Kalki” and “1983” in which he dons the role of a village lad, Babukuttan.

FWD Life caught up with him and the young star shares a few things with us.

Excerpts When did acting bug bite you?

After my graduation from Kolkata and my PG in Bangalore, I was working in a bank at Kochi. I always had a predilection for acting. I decided to bide my time.

That was when I got an offer to dub for a movie and eventually, I got to be at the auditions of “NKNC” which was at Ernakulam.

I still remember that morning, I was excited and nervous. I got ready but I was a little hesitant.

Somehow my dear ones encouraged me. Auditions went cool; I got selected to be a part of “NKNC”.

Naughty moments in Goa after the shoots of “NKNC”…

We had 15 days of shoot in Goa. There wasn’t much time for enjoyment.We had a tight schedule as the shoot had to be completed before the shacks were being removed as the season was to end.

We used to get up at 5 am. Prior to breakfast, we would have finished at least some shots and the day’s work used to continue till late night. But I am not completely denying that we never had fun. A day or two we got to enjoy.

You have also acted with serial actors in a movie

things you miss about Kolkata…

‘Mishti’ and Bengali women

named omega.exe, how was the experience?

It was nice. They are all very talented people; however, I personally feel their performance is restricted in soaps.

What would you enjoy doing on an evening out?

I love unplanned travels.

I’m not a Cosmo-guy. I like to hang around somewhere in the outskirts if I am in Kochi or opt to be camping at hill stations with friends.

How comfy are you with dancing?

I love dancing...but don’t know how proficient I’m. I hope I get to do roles that give me an opportunity to rock ‘n’roll.

If you’re broke, you call out for…

My wife, as she is good at economizing. Ashwathy is my banker, my dear wife and my son Prithvi’s lovable mother.

Was your wife on thin ice when you were acting with too many damsels in “NKNC”?

Not much. But I assume, like any other woman, she too would have been chagrined.Women after all are very incomprehensible.

chat

namitha pramod

New shores

of fame Young and bubbly Namitha Pramod is the latest busy bee of Mollwood who has managed to carve a niche for herself in the industry with just three films Text Thabitha Marion

n the trend-setter movie ‘Traffic’ her naive role won her accolades from audience. As a patient in the film, actress Namitha Pramod was the cornerstone in the plot. Then there was the makeover, as they would call it, in the Sathyan Anthikad-directed movie ‘Puthiya Theerangal’ (PT). From the bold fisher girl ‘Thamara’ in the film, Namitha Pramod sprang up to portray an RJ in ‘Sound Thoma’. The demure actress is here with FWD Life to share more about herself and her upcoming film “Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum”, directed by Lal Jose.

I

Excerpts The modern girl in ‘Sound Thoma’ is in stark contrast to Thamara in ‘Puthiya Theerangal’. Was it a cake walk for you?

‘PT’ wasn’t a project that was feather light. As I was playing a lead role in the movie, tension was immense. From day one, Sathyan sir stressed upon realistic acting.When he expects me not to sully the intensity of the character with histrionic acting, you know the extent of effort I ought to pool in to make him and the audience say ‘Bravo!’ On the other hand ‘Sound Thoma’ was a snap with loads of fun and frolic.

You had been to Kuttanad for the shooting of two back-to-back films. Have you ever been to a toddy shop after the shoot?

No. But I have tasted their food. During the shoot of ‘Sound Thoma’ at times Suraj Venjaramoodu used to get me parcels from local toddy shops.

How much fun was it working with actor Dileep on the sets of ‘Sound Thoma’?

I run short of words

Skill learnt from movies Swimming.. it is now included in my workout regime

to describe his humour sense. During its filming, even after the day’s shoot, he would go on talking to each one of us as ‘Thoma’ in the funny tone. It was only after the final pack up I got to see Dileep as he is. I feel so lucky to have been his co-star.

Tell us more about Lal Jose’s upcoming film “Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum”…

It’s an action-comedy flick in which I play opposite Chackochan.

The movie has me as a dancer who dreams big of pursuing higher studies in dance at a reputed institute. Most part of the film is being shot at Kuttanad and it’s expected to be an Onam release.

Having worked with lead directors like Sathyan Anthikad and Lal Jose in a short span, how does it feel?

Working with each one of them has given me a different experience. They have their own styles of direction, tips for acting, and I think that is what makes the industry coalesce of everything.

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chat

joju

In conversation

with Joju One actor to have come up the hard way is Joju, though he had played quite a few number of movies, the turning point was Mammootty starrer ‘Best Actor’ Text Thabitha Marion Photo Anup Chacko

How did you get to be the ‘entertaining factor’ in the movie ‘Hotel California’?

Anoop Menon and I are friends for almost three years. And I have been fortunate to be a part of his films, especially the ones scripted by him. During one of our casual meetings, he happened to mention about ‘Hotel California’. He said, “I would like you to play the role of a cop in my next movie. I agreed as I have full confidence in him.

For the movie I did my share of homework and Anoop too contributed to my performance, by explaining the gestures and moves the character. He helped me out with dialogue modulation.

Fortunately grasping his imaginations and his directions were light for me. For each and every appreciation I am receiving now, I bestow the credit to my friend and mentor Anoop Menon and director Aji John.

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You have played a goon in the movie ‘Sevens’ and now a police officer in ‘Hotel California’. Which character do you think suited you the most?

I’m not definite about the roles I might play well. But I think with a physique like mine, I am fit to do serious roles which require minimum flexibility. It doesn’t mean t hat I would say a ‘no’ to the contrary.

What do you do to ameliorate your acting skills?

I’m a fairly good observant. After all most of the characters we portray on screen are the ones we might have come across at some point in our life. And also I do watch a lot of films. There is not even a single day I sleep without watching a movie.

Five roles you wish to do….

I’m too young in this industry to give an answer. But someday I

QUICK READ ‘Raktham’ a Tamil action-thriller is Director VK Prakash’s first Kollywood project.

Initially an established actor in Mollywood was supposed to perform the role Joju did in the Mammootty starrer ‘Jawan of Vellimala’.

“The soon-to release flick ‘1983’is an extremely emotional movie that would leave a mark in many,” says Joju.

Actor Murali Gopi turns producer in the film ‘Vedi Vazhipaadu’.

wish to do roles performed by Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the films Gangs of Wasseypur, Talaash and Kahaani. I think this says it all.

Upcoming projects….

Lal Jose’s ‘Attinkuutiyum Pullipuliyum’, a comedy romance flick, starring Kunchacko Boban, Irshad and Shiju is one of them.

The movie is a village based story about four brothers and I play the role of one of the brothers.

The shoot is progressing in the suburbs of Alleppy and is expected to release by August 9. ‘Vedi Vazhipaadu’, Anoop Menon’s ‘Kingfisher’, ‘1983’ and ‘Raktham’ a Tamil movie are the others in the pipeline.

MOST HAPPENING PARTIES AND EVENTS

Vinu Mohan’s Wedding

Wedding Galore When Vinu married Vidhya , there was a galaxy of stars blessing them, here are some moments from the event

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chat

Diya

Modelling and beyond She is a gifted model; enterprising compèrer and A talented fashion designer. meet Diya the multitalented lady who dreams of making it big in the fashion industry some day

Quick Read DOB August 26 Vital Stats 34-28-32 Height 5’2 Weight 52 kgs Complexion Fair Hair texture Straight

Text Thabitha Marion rue to her name ‘Diya’ this young vivacious lady has an exceptional talent to lighten up an atmosphere, no wonder she was a natural choice for anchoring some coveted events like CCL 2013 and popular shows on telly.

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Entry into modelling….

I got to do quite a few advertisements for Dhathri, Chennai Silks and some still shoots.

Then I was approached to host ‘Vanitha’ a show by Mazhavil Manorama which is exclusively for women. I was the MC for the event ‘Pravasi Bharathiya Divas’ and also got to compare the CCL 2013, which I consider to be a golden opportunity.

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“Lots of sunscreen, bit of compact, dash of kajol and lipstick and I’m ready to step out.” mind a desire to open a boutique some day. Though I have no plans of opening one soon, a boutique with a unique concept has always been close to my future plans.

About boutiques in Kochi….

Kochi has a good number of elite boutiques. And most of them are found around Panampilly Nagar where I stay.

Unless I come up with a very unique start, launching just another boutique is not going to make a difference.

Your opinion about having plus size stores..

I think it’s a good idea. Women by nature love to dress up and look their best. And so I don’t think ‘women on the bulkier side should stay away from trendy outfits’. As long as they are comfortable and confident wearing them, I think they should go for it. I am saying this because, for a woman to suppress her desire to look good, it’s just too tempting to bear.

Aren’t you a fashion designer too?

How much has fashion progressed in Kerala?

Yes I am. Before getting into modelling, I was in Bangalore pursuing my degree in fashion designing. I have always aspired to do this course keeping in

When it comes to fashion, I believe Kochi is better than any other city in the Kerala. Kochiites have no inhibition to try on something new .

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sujo mathew

Standing Tall...

QUICK READ DOB February 5 Height 6’1

With chiselled features and amazing ramp presence, Sujo is a frequent face on the prestigious Indian ramp shows. The much sought after model opens up on what it takes to reach the firmament.

Weight 78 kgs Complexion Dusky

Text Thabitha Marion

Hair texture Wavy

ver the years his modeling career has flourished. Sujo who has walked the ramps for the Wills Fashion Week, the Lakme Fashion Week and also got to be on the covers of some prominent fashion magazines shares with FWD the platform which got him to be a stunner, facts about gender domination within the fashion industry and more about his upcoming assignments.

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Excerpts

Fashion & Fame It’s a glamorous world. But everything has its tough bit.

Entry into fashion industry….

It all started with Mr. Kerala Man Hunt on 2010 at Kochi. I was one among the finalists, but unfortunately the contest didn’t make its way to the finals due to sponsorship reasons. Despite of it, I got to work with Dalu. It’s with him I started my career. Slowly I moved to Bangalore, where I got to work with designers like Prasad Bidappa and Ramesh Kimbla.

Those experiences groomed me as a model. But then in sometime like any other model from South, I too felt that it was time for me to change gears.

From Bengluru to Mumbai…..

As I got to be a familiar face on the ramps down South, I decided to take my career to the next level, and so shifted to Mumbai in 2011. The opportunities and the variety of shows I get to do in Mumbai are the best. Its way more professional than what it was down South.

Eye colour Black

Health Regime Daily workouts and follow a low carb, high protein diet

Shows which you have been a part of so far…..

Back to back for four seasons I have walked the ramp for the LFW. I have also been a part of WFW 2012; Van Heusen Men’s India Fashion Week, India Resort Fashion Week at Goa and also walked the ramp for Wendell Rodricks, Hemant Trivedi, Anita Dongre, James Ferreira and Archana Kocchhar.

Fashion and Fame….

It’s a glamorous world. But everything has its tough bit.

Ugly truth about modeling….

I personally don’t think there is something like that. So far, I have worked with designers who are extremely professional and all the shows that I have walked the ramp have added on to my progress.

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MOST HAPPENING PARTIES AND EVENTS

Honey Bee Audio Launch

Main Cast Asif Ali, Bhavana, Lal, Archana Kavi, Babu Raj Behind the scene Director - Jean Paul Lal Producer - Sibi Thottupuram, Jobi Mandamattom Story - Jean Paul Lal Music - Deepak Dev Cinematography - Alby

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AUDIO LAUNCH The audio launch of new Malayalam film Honey Bee was held at a five-star hotel in Kochi recently. Here are some of the ‘melodious’ moments at the event.

It was a star studded evening for the audio launch of the movie “Honey Bee”, The movie marks the directorial debut of Jean Paul Lal, son of actor director Lal. It’s set against the backdrop of Fort Kochi and deals with friendship.

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MOST HAPPENING PARTIES AND EVENTS

Photography : Sinoy & Sooraj

starry night FWD Life, the first premium lifestyle magazine in Kerala, is hogging the limelight once again. The May issue cover launch party was such that the who’s who of film industry turned up for the function and made it a never-before-seen cover launch event. Celebrities who graced the event include Krish, Shritha Sivadas, Saiju Kurup, Saju.

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fwd life cover launch The May issue cover launch of FWD Life magazine was held at Hotel Dream, Kochi.

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MOST HAPPENING PARTIES AND EVENTS

Kunthapura Launch

Main Cast ‘Bharat’ Charu Hassan, Biyon, Anu Hassan, Priyaa Lal, Jubil Rajan P Dev, Suzanne Roche, Victor Ptak, Lawrence Larkin, Master Mishal.

Behind the Scene Producers: P.C Jacob Panathara, Steson Stephen Muprapallil Executive Producer: Dani George Writer & Director: Joe Eshwar DOP: Navas Ismael Cinematographer (UK): 48 Julieann O’ Malley JUNE 2013

Film LAUNCH The launch of new Malayalam film Kunthapura was held at a five-star hotel in Kochi recently. Here are some of the moments at the event.

“ It is my luck I managed to get Charu Hasan for Kunthapura.

I have often thought that he is the best of the Hasan clan. ‘Tabarana Kathe’ Girish kasaravally’s movie in which he won a national award is one of my favorite films so far.” says the director.

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lifestyle

architecture

Architectural

Extravaganza FWD life features four ongoing prestigious projects by major realty moguls that have the power to revolutionize the cityscape of the state. ensures entry to the respective residents’ floor only. Other major facilities are health club, centralized gas supply, infinity pool and additional exclusive facilities are also available in the 3,500 sqft.

Quick Read Design The interiors of ‘Casa Grande’ are designed

by Canadian architect Maxmillion Bastian.

You don’t need to think about maintenance for 25 years because the exterior walls have been framed specially- preserved with clay tiles-in the external clauding type.

Location ‘Casa Grande’ by Asset Homes is situated near Kundannoor bridge at Thevara facing Vembanad Lake.

Casa Grande has the real power to influence your life and add grandeur to your living

t the first look, ‘Casa Grande’ gives the impression of a marvelously carved haute verse. It offers beautiful habitat beside the lake with the security of community living.

At ‘Casa Grande’ you will certainly realise the dream of enjoying the pinnacle of freedom and privacy. The Google Bloomberg Award 2011 for the best architect is a testimony to the excellence of Casa Grande.

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Highlights Windows- Tall grill-free windows gives a panoramic view of the lake. The windows are also fitted with moulded glass handrails.

Free entrance, pet corner, terrace garden and other features of independent villas are provided in this innovative concept. The exterior walls have been framed with specially- preserved clay tiles-in the external clauding type. Only imported construction materials had been used. The elevators in the villa have been designed in such a way that the card system

Quick Read Club facilities includes Partying facility for different types and size Big swimming pool and health club Yoga centre Spa Indoor and outdoor games Travancore Swiss Gardens spreads over to an area of nearly 9 acres of land.

Lift Home lift of approved make connecting all the three floors.

wiss Gardens’ is the ultimate form of luxury. It’s a unique blend of creativity and practicality, the result, an aesthetically appealing yet practical living environment. The innovatively designed cluster of villas are a celebration if ideas and colours. Enjoy the wonder of wholesome living at Swiss Gardens Travancore Swiss Gardens spreads over to an area of nearly 9 acres of land.

s

Highlights The distinctive feature of ‘Swiss Garden’ is the magnificent club adjoining the campus that spread over 3acres of land that gives an elegant ambiance to the project

Classic European design elements are meticulously applied in each villa at ‘Swiss Gardens’. It is a totally fresh style of design in Kerala realty segment.

Home Automation Automated electrical accessories like lights, fans, etc. using advanced automation system.

Security System Video door phone, surveillance system for common areas.

Interior landscaping: Rear side semi courtyard landscaped with various plants, pebbles etc.

Exterior landscaping Spectacular landscaping in the front courtyard.

Features Wi-Fi Woodwork Modular Kitchen Reserved Parking Visitor Parking Location Travancore Swiss Garden, Near Marthoma bhavan, Sea Port Airport road, Thrikkakara, Kochi

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lifestyle

Quick Read

architecture

Specifications Seismic Zone III complaint structure.

Partition walls in solid cement block finished with cement plaster 1:5 and ceiling finished with cement plaster 1:3.

Front door in teak wood and all other doors in Irul frame and double skin molded partition shutter with enamel paint finish.

Floor finish with 60x60cm branded vitrified tiles in all rooms

ike the ancient citadel acropolis of Athens, the awe-inspiring height of Acropolis-23 floors makes it truly a crowning glory on the skyline of Calicut. Acropolis offers 7 elegant towers set in 4 scenic acres. Rising tall in this converted location are 5 residential towers on an average of 23 floors each, and 2 commercial high-rises of 18 floors each. The concept of ‘commercial-cum-residential’ project introduced in the city a few months back is by ‘Landmark Builders’ has been receiving amazing response so far.

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Highlights 360 degree views through cleverly planned apartments.

A Sky-villa, a Skywalk and Sky lobby that makes you feel as though you are walking on clouds.

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Acropolis ensures a worldclass living opportunity to its residents and provides a bunch of matchless amenities like sky walk, multi–level car parking, food court, office and commercial spaces, supermarket, water fountain, herbal park, beauty parlour, guest suites, ATM, power laundry provisions,

clubhouse with multipurpose hall, mini-theatre with provision for projector and hi-fi sound system, separate swimming pool for men and women, steam bath, jacuzzi, sauna, crèche, amphi-theatre, music room with instruments, centralized cooking gas supply, CCTV with intercom etc.

Location The project site is located minutes away from Kozhikode Cyber Park, Apollo Cradle Hospital, Metro Cardiac Hospital, Airport, College, Baby Memorial Hospital, Railway Station, Kadavu Resort, MIMS Hospital and Medical College.

Acropolis echoes sheer grandeur and magnificence.The commercial-cum-residential project provides a variety of living options for its residents

Quick Read Designs Sobha City living options include villas and apartment complexes. The 25 villas - Sobha Malachite, rings one half of the crescent shaped lake. The apartments are in 3 towers – Sobha Topaz, Sobha Sapphire and Sobha Jade. While Sobha Malachite and Sobha Topaz have been handed over, work is in progress in the other two towers.

They come in very spacious 3 & 4 bedroom options. In fact, the 4 BHK apartments is one of the biggest on offer in Kerala.

t is one of India’s most unique, innovative and meticulously planned, self contained residential enclave. Promoted

by Sobha Developers Ltd, one of India’s leading construction conglomerate with a prestigious spread across the country, the truly amazing thing about Sobha City in Thrissur is the number of records it has set when it comes to offering world class living options in Kerala.

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Highlights Its Kerala’s largest township spread over 55 acres. It has a man-made 6.5 acre lake - the first of its kind in the country for

harvesting rainwater and providing potable water. Over 1000 trees have been planted to ensure nature is in perfect fusion with technology in this green and eco-friendly township.

The township boast of world class business hotel with 6 floors reserved for corporate offices. A multi-speciality hospital offering 24X7 advanced healthcare facilities. Centrally air- conditioned mall with food court, restaurants, underground parking 4-screen Multiplex, amusement park, gaming arcade and bowling alley. Apart from this an Ayurvedic spa offering renowned Kerala Ayurvedic massages, herbal baths etc are also in the making.

Sobha City is Kerala’s first integrated township that is touted to be truly global 2013 JUNE

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lifestyle

architecture

Dwelling with

a difference There are certain things that influence in the construction of a house. When they are joined in right proportion, the result will be fabulous. FWD Life traces new trends in architecture Text FWD Media Photos Various Sources ufferings of people who live in concrete buildings are due to the high interior thermal discomfort.

The domestic “active” cooling systems consume the most highly wanted precious energy and raise the cost of living. Our ancestors, who lived in tune with the nature, left the old conventional architectural wisdom untold. We built modern concrete jungles, being blind enough to see these magical designs, are now going back to these. The old architects, who used unknowingly most of the building technologies, were passively helping to control the indoor environment to provide thermal comfort.

These systems embedded in the “Kovilakoms” and other old traditional buildings being the signature of the old indigenous Kerala architectural design, is recreated in ‘Cool Home’ through modern technologies.

An ultra-Low cost technology with luxurious interior is adopted here to make this the most loudly told success stories in the low

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01

Quick Read Total Area 1,350 sq. ft.

Cost of the building Rs 5, 25, 000 (excluding steel truss roofing) Cost of steel truss roofing Rs 1, 55, 000 Cost per sq. feet Rs 505 Materials used Roof - Galvanized Iron tubular sections, Mild steel tubular sections and other sections, Powder coated Trafford shaped steel roofing sheet of 0. 35 mm thickness, Main frame work of the roof truss - 1.5X3 inch steel box sections.

Purloins – 1.25 inch angle sections with 1/8 inch thickness.

Support - 2 inch dia GI pipe Roofing sheet – 0.35 mm thick Trafford shaped powder coated steel sheets.

Walls – 4inch thick cement hollow block with M – Sand Cement mortar Wall plastering – with river sand cement mortar Belt concrete (6 inch thick) above lintel level – with 8mm steel rods (4nos) using 6mm stirrups.

False ceiling – Gypsum board (12mm thick) with glass wool insulation on top - inside rooms Courtesy Dr Dili. A.S, Architect Mob: 94473 03875

01 View of the Entry Foy-

er: The courtyard with plants provided at a lower level from this foyer is also visible

02 View of the

Poomukham : Calcium Silicate false ceiling is provided on the top, The Slits with grills provided for the hot air to escape from the attic space is also visible

03 Low Level Sitting area

provided at the NorthEast corner of the Poomukham

Technology 02 cost building construction attempts.

Dr. Dili A. S, Professor, Department of Architecture, TKM College of Engineering, Kollam has recently constructed an Ultra-Low cost Dwelling unit (two bath attached bedrooms with all facilities) on the terrace of an existing old house with a new technology and structural system. This house is equipped with an effective passive environment control system which makes the interior of the house ‘cool’ in all seasons. “This technology has been derived from my scientific research on the passive environment control system of traditional architecture of Kerala. This technology is also applicable for constructing houses in other warm-humid regions of India,” says Dr. Dili.

Natural resources like clay, river sand, rock etc. are heavily exploited for building construction nowadays. This will lead to serious environmental disorder in future. This type of construction reduces the use of such natural resources considerably and save the environment for our posterity. The energy consumption in this house is also very less compared to normal houses.

the construction of “Cool Home”.

Project requirements An independent two bedroom dwelling unit for a small family with the following requirements: External stair case, semi open verandah suitable for entry foyer and living, living room, dining room, two bedrooms with attached toilets for each, dining room, kitchen with storage facility, work area, utility space.

This house is equipped with an effective passive environment control system which makes the interior of the house cool in all seasons. This system is equipped in the building with an attic space above the false ceiling (protected with glass wool insulation) which is well ventilated with slits of appropriate sizes protected by steel grills.

Construction

03

Project location The terrace of around 70-year-old single storeyed flat concrete-roofed house (“Kayavil House”) located at Mayyanad in Kollam was selected for

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lifestyle

architecture

04

Construction started from the roof structure. Almost 0.35mm thick, trafford shaped, powder coated steel sheet roof is supported by two inch diameter G.I pipe pillars. G.I rectangular tubes (1 x 3 inches) were used for main truss work of the roof. 1.5 inch steel purloins were used to join the steel sheets with the main truss work. Double protection has been ensured by sealing the holes (from the bottom), generated when the “J� bolts are fitted for joining the purloins with the sheets in additions to the tar washer provided on the top.

Constructing the roof first provides multiple benefits.

Labourers are protected from severe weather exterior leads

05

to the enhanced work efficiency. Since the sunlight is not falling on the walls directly, it is possible to ensure proper curing of the masonry at the time of construction of the walls.

Four inch thick, locally available concrete hollow blocks are used for the construction of walls with M-sand cement mortar.

Stiffness of the wall is related to its thickness. Certain folding has been provided specially to give stiffness to the walls which are

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thin. Additionally, six inch thick concrete belt has been inscribed into the wall to add a tie effect to the walls. This belt, reinforced by eight inch diameter steel bars, act as lintel beam above the doors and windows.

Total height of the walls is fixed at nine feet and it helped to reduce the cost of construction. River sand has been used for plastering and it improved the finishing of the walls when emulsion paint was applied with

06

rollers on smooth putty work.

Another specialty of this design is the use of low cost windows. Steel windows are made of two inch G. I. square tube outer frames and the same tube of one inch size shutter frames. The four millimeter thick glass panes are directly fixed on the shutter frames using silicone sealant.

Instead of concrete slabs, high finished gypsum board false ceiling has been provided above the walls. The heat flow through the roof and false ceiling towards the interior is controlled by two inch thick glass wool which is evenly laid on the top of gypsum board. An attic space between the roof and false ceiling has been set up as a passive thermal control system to provide comfort to the interior space. Security is ensured by a grill work of 10mm diameter steel bars around the attic space above the external walls. This is working

07

08

04 Another view of the

Low Level Sitting Area provided at the Poomukham

05 View of the Living

Room from the Entry Door

06 Steps leading to the

Dining Room at a lower level from the Living Room.

07 Dining Room: The as a passive thermal control system similar to the attic space in traditional houses of Kerala.

Heat transmitted to the attic space from the roof is directed to the outside air through the grills.

Fiber net covering the external grills around the attic space

protects the area from external surroundings.

Pre-laminated wood is used for flooring the bedroom and living area. Premium quality vitrified tiles are used for flooring the other rooms. Factory made doors with processed wood are used

Living Room is also visible, Ambient lighting is given on the top of wash basin.

08 Living Room: View

towards Bedroom and the lower Dining Room, Ambient lighting provided.

for external and bedroom doors.

PVC doors are used for toilets. To make the “poomukham” more attractive, terra cotta coloured rustic finish tiles, pebble courtyard, pebble boarders, indoor plants, low sitting area, and calcium silicate false ceiling are used and it has proved that the design has not compromised on the beauty and finish of the house for reducing the cost.

Design result Semi open space, living room, dining room, kitchen, work area, utility space and two bath attached bedrooms were included in the new “Cool Home” and it was perfectly finished with a plinth area of about 1350 square feet.

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travel architecture

Quick read

Bizarre Buildings around

the Globe Building 01 Dancing in Prague

Basket Build03 The ing (Ohio, United

States)

This fascinating structure by Frank Gehry received a lot of flak during its construction, today it stands out as a work of art adding value to the cityscape of Prague. The site where the building was constructed has great significance, it was originally home to a Neo-Renaissance home dating back to the 19th century, the house was destroyed by US bombing during World War II.

Domek in 02 Krzywy Poland ‘Krzywy Domek’ also known as ‘The Crooked House’ is located in Sopot in Poland. Designed by architects Szotynscy & Zaleski the building has become a national icon. It houses restaurants, shops and offices on four levels encompassing some 43,000 square feet. The highlight of this building is its roof that is made of blue-green enameled shingles.

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Ancient Indian architecture has a charm of its own. The diversity of Indian culture is represented in its architecture. Here we list out some stunning Indian monumental marvels. Ajanta Caves, Khajuraho temples, Ellora caves, Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace, Victoria Memorial, Qutab Minar, Madurai Meenakshi temple.

This monument is often mistaken for a giant basket; it is actually seven-story corporate headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company. The building is an example for novelty architecture. It covers 25 acres, weighing 8,000-9,000 tons with a square footage of 180,000.

The two basket handles were settled to the top of the building with copper and wooden rivets weighing about 150 tons. It took two years to complete this building.

at 04 Wonderworks Pigeon Forge in

United States

This structure in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is both intriguing and inspiring. The exhibits displayed inside look as though they’re dropped upside down. The tilted building is an amusement park for the mind.

Building in 05 Blur Switzerland This amazing monument levitating over Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland has won universal acclaim since its inception in 2002. It is designed by architects elizabeth diller and ricardo scofidio. A tensegrity system of rectilinear struts and diagonal rods cantilevers out over the lake. The rods were fitted with over 30,000 fog nozzles shooting a fine mist pulled from the lake and controlled with a complex weather system. Themanmade fog created encompasses the metal framework to create the illusion of a vaporous building measuring 300 ft. wide and 65 ft. high.

City Library (Missouri, USA) 06 Kansas Stand next to this building, it seems as though you are a Lilliput walking past a bundle of large print editions neatly arranged in a shelf. Yes it’s a library made out of books. The book spines, which measure approximately 25 feet by 9 feet, are made of signboard mylar. The shelf showcases 22 titles reflecting a wide variety of reading interests as suggested by Kansas City readers and then selected by The Kansas City Public Library Board of Trustees.

House – Barcelona, Spain 07 Mind Its construction began in the year 1900 and it took fourteen long years to build this surrealistic house with beautiful curvaceous lines. Located at the entrance to Parc Güell, it is designed by Antoni Gaudi. It is now a public park; open all year, and a symbol of the Catalan city, with a high tourist attendance.

House Attack 08 (Vienna, Austria)

Building 09 Melting (Paris)

It is an architectural buzz created by Erwin Wurm, a renowned Austrian artist and Museum Moderner Kunst, the result being a “House Attack” artistic installation on the external side of the building. This funny building became famous throughout the world and is considered to be one of the most unusual landmarks representing contemporary art. The museum has a collection of 7,000 modern and contemporary art works.

This is a spectacular masterpiece created at Georges V Avenue in Paris France. This Melting Building Mural has been made with an artistic technique to create an optical illusion which seems like the building is melting in real. The French name for this is Trompe-l’oeil Meaning trick of the eye.

10 Stone House

(Portugal)

Inspired by Flintstones, this unusual house was constructed between two huge rocks on the hill side of Fafe Mountains in 1974.

The interior is simple and cozy.

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lifestyle

Quick Read

architecture

Inspiring

interiors

Location Alappuzha Type Individual house Style Contemporary Owner Sameera Saneesh ( Costume Designer )

Text Dhanya Menon Photography James Babu

Interior Designer James Babu, Ephraim Interior Designers and Builders, Kakkanad.

Telephone 9447814722 Area 1736 sq ft in 5 cents

01 here is a common belief in India that a house adorned with all kinds of art and curios makes it a lively place.

But the house of celebrity costume designer Sameera Saneesh proves that one does not have to fill house or apartment with decorative objects to give it a character. The charm and beauty of the house lies in its elegance, simplicity and serene spaces reverberating with greenness.

“Both Sameera and Saneesh love light shades only and the entire house is a bold play of several cool and elegant colour combinations. Even the curios are light in colour. White being the basic, combinations vary at each room by adding blends of light green, greenish blue, light blue, beige, and pink. Flowing spaces, ample lighting, enhanced privacy and pleasant interiors are the key features

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of Sameera’s house”, says James Babu, the interior designer of the house.

Exterior Concept The white exterior walls with cladding zones, bamboo gardens and carpet grass lend a green and eco friendly effect to the house. Pargola roof with tuffen glass on top of the sit out, 1st floor balcony and stair area lets ample light to flow and a sky-view from inside.

Interiors Living Spaces The living spaces of the house are encompassed in a green-white combination. Accentuated by clean and modern lines, the space uses minimum

01 Grey sofas against

white backdrop offers a cool look

02 Glass top dining table with white n green pebbles and white chair around, adds to the beauty of dining areas by maintaining uniformity

03 Digital printed earthy tone tiles are used in kitchen while the green white combinations give out a modern feel.

elements and maximized use of space. Matching shaded furniture, muted drapes, pebble court, long L shaped sofas, light green designer wall paper, all highlights a contemporary feel. Furniture colours matches with that of the theme.

From main door to stair area there is a vertical gypsum ceiling as similar to the pergola design.

Cove lighting enhances the beauty of this space.

There is a pebble court with a pony tail palm in between living and dining space close to stair case.

Facing this court and behind the TV area there is a showcase to display the accolades received by the

designer.

02

Glass top dining table with white and green pebbles and white chair around, adds to the beauty of dining area by maintaining uniformity. Wash area lined with indoor plants and wide glass doors near enhance lighting and adds to the overall elegance and greenness.

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architecture

Kitchen Open kitchen with breakfast counter is common in any contemporary house and you can find one similar here also.

The white hanging lights in the breakfast counter accentuate the appeal of the space. Digital printed earthy tone tiles are used in kitchen while the green white combinations give out a modern feel. The adjacent work area has a bamboo garden close to it.

Bedrooms Each of the 3 bedrooms in the house is differently themed. The master bedroom is a combination of greenish blue and white theme. White curtain, white coats, white vitrified tiles, greenish blue gypsum ceiling,

white head board of cots and small niches are play of the combinations.

The guest bed room encompasses a floral theme, with a pink-white colour combination.

The drapes with mix n match floral design add vibrancy to the room. The third bedroom is in the first floor. The colour combination here is a lively light blue and white.

Other Spaces The favourite place of the couple is the private living space in the 1st floor. An informal mood is set in the room with plain spaces and the absence of furniture. The colour combination here is beige, set against posters of Sameera’s works. There is a balcony close by.

04

04 Wash area lined with indoor plants and wide glass doors

05 TV area with green

wall paper going with the main theme

05

06 Pebble court with pony tail plant

07 Sleek and modern kitchen

08 Simple and elegant master bedroom

06 08

07

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architecture

quiz

discover the decor diva in you Take this personality quiz to discover your decorating style. Based on the quiz we have made four assessments that will help you find your personal style to stylise your home

How to Take a pen; comfortably sit down with a cup of coffee to take up this self-help quiz. Calculate the total number of ‘yellows’, ‘blues’, ‘reds’, and ‘greens’ to decide your decor personality

WD comes up with a customized quiz that will help you define your taste. By answering it, you will be able to determine what your décor personality is. Trying out this set of seven questions will help you to alter your décor style for the best.

f

You are going shopping for a new sofa, you’re drawn to...

Thewalls ofyour home has...

A low and sleek neutral coloured sofa

Your own photography

A sofa with overstuffed cushions and large rolled arms

Black and white portraits by a professional photographer

An extraordinary divan

Retro-inspired prints

A standard, three-cushioned sofa upholstered with floral fabric

Classic paintings by Ravi Varma

You’ve invited your friends’ home. What is it that you plan to use as a centerpiece on the table?

Flower vases

02 Crystal bowls or curio 64

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A bowl of fresh fruits Candles or potpourri

While choosing throw cushions, you opt for...

Structured shapes that can be neatly placed on the sofa Expensive cushions made of luxe fabrics Simple ones with handwork Cushions that matches with the colour or patterns of the sofa

You wish to purchase a new bedroom set.

Which one would you choose?

A low platform wooden bed A heavy bed frame with a tufted fabric headboard A piece that has mismatched additions to it A classy set made out of expensive, durable wood

You would redecorate your bathroom, by...

Having some elegant vitrified tiles stuck to the floor and walls Installing hidden lightings Purchasing the latest Jacuzzi in town Adding more wall storage, potted plants and wall papers

Youwould describe your living room as...

Calm

Discover the decor diva in You Mostly yellow (Traditional taste)

You have a classic and traditional approach to design and décor. You are too keen in experimenting or to try out some décor that is out of the box. You choose artifacts’ and furnishings and the same continues to be in your home in the same style, for ages. You favour dark woods to lighter ones, and prefer solid furniture over contemporary settings.

Mostly Blue (Glamorous)

You go crazy over textures and finicky about finishings. You are the kind who appreciates the luxe feel of satin and the glitter of crystals sparkling from an elegant chandelier. For you whatever you have in and around your home must loudly scream out its quality and standards, which would at times label you as a bundle of pomp and show.

Mostly Red (Modern chic)

You have a liking for contemporary furnishings with clean lines and unfussy finishes.

Your tastes prefer furnishings to be more of a minimalist style. Your personality likes bold statements, such as abstract or contemporary art as wall hangings. You like to have a streamlined modern interior that is luxurious and welcoming, layered with style and class.

Mostly Green (Veritable vintage)

You are more into antiques and timeless classics. You prefer handmade knickknacks over branded home décor and furnishings. You like to surprise your visitors with choices you like to be called ‘a blend of modern spin on vintage’. You just love the look of them that you are forced to overlook the little scratches you find on them keeping in mind ways to hide them by highlighting its Victorian appeal.

Luxurious Eclectic

Simple

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start-up

web dinkan

Comic Character

Company Here’s a starup with a totally different way of branding their company, with a comic character that defines the passion and creativity of the services offered.

Text FWD Media eb Dinkan is the first in its class nimble and advanced team of Web Developers, Design Geeks, UX Specialists, Strategists, Writers and other sort of Creative Artists who put their brains to work thereby giving birth to groundbreaking designs for your websites and concepts for advertisements. While they believe that no project is too small for them, we also keep an optimistic approach towards the work we do. By paying attention to every minute detail in the respective fields, Team WD delivers right in its track intuitive solutions that can win your heart.They also specialize in developing concepts for advertise-

W

Web Dinkan

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ments, logo designing & branding social media management etc.

Cinema Prathan Pranthan was born on a Friday at 11am which is usually regarded as the FDFS – First Day First show timing of a movie. He is so crazy about movies, that when a movie becomes hit, his cinema pranth gets high. Likewise, if it’s a flop, Pranthan goes numb.

Pranthan, as in Malayalam, is a colloquial usage for a crazy/mad person. We believe that there is a Cinema Pranthan in almost every one of us. We are here to get that pranthan out from

Cinema Pranthan

you. Let it be movies, music or anything; as the saying goes We promote only the best.

Cinema Pranthan is the first and best of its kind web portal wherein the users can vote for their favorite movie(s).

Upon the website, we will list out each movie that gets to be released in the theaters. There will be a detailed synopsis, theater list and other related news attached to it.

Behind the conceptualization of Cinema Pranthan, there lies two firms – Friday Film House, a Film Production Company based out of Kerala and W D Solutions, a Digital Agency based out of India.

Friday Film House had produced the movie titled Friday 11.11.11 which got a huge appreciation from the audience and it was screened at the 17th IFFK. The Company has also signed around eleven projects which will be happening in the near future. As the Company is into movie field, they can consistently keep you updated with exclusive posters, live updates and other associated news.

www.fwdlife.in

There is more to stay than luxury& comfort

Now Get FWD life Magazine in leading luxury Hotel rooms in Cochin

facebook.com/fwdmagazine

available at

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lifestyle

Quick Read

wedding

Temple theme

weddings:

traditional is trendy

Classy theme weddings have replaced betrothal ceremonies of the past; a bit of innovation and creativity can turn your marriage memorable Text Dhanya Menon Photos Parinaya Wedding Planners

FWD wedding of the month is a star studded wedding dipped in traditional ethos and roots; classy as well as innovative. Malayalam Film Director Joshy’s son Abhilash tied knot with Varsha who is based in Chennai at a glittering traditional event at Lulu International Convention Centre, Thrissur, on 20th May. A pick from the top temple inspired wedding ideas Golden Carved Wedding Mandap Thirupati Temple Décor Guruvayur Temple Décor Ajantha Mandap Aishwarya Mandap Celebrity Wedding in Temple Theme Wedding of Isha Deol

hile a nuptial knot unites a couple’s body and soul, decorations make the place ideal for the holy union. India being a land of rituals, and weddings being considered as held in God’s abode, wedding ceremonies and décor are inseparable from traditions. So, innovations with in traditions have taken new heights and are the most sought after.

Innovative designs with a surprise element, elaborate detailing and artistic presentation are looked

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forward within traditional settings.

FWD wedding of the month is a star studded wedding dipped in traditional ethos and roots; classy as well as innovative. Malayalam Film Director Joshy’s son Abhilash tied knot with Varsha who is based in Chennai at a glittering traditional event at Lulu International Convention Centre, Thrissur, on 20th May. FWD explores with the planner of the

event- Parinaya Wedding Planners, Kochi, on how the age old tradition of ‘mandapam’ and stage decoration has turned in to cater to the popular ‘traditional thematic wedding’.

The Event “The bride wanted a temple designed stage for the event.

The bride’s family being from Chennai, preferred décor of the ‘mandap’ a mix of Kerala and Tamilian temple design” says Sree Megha of Parinaya Wedding Planners. The complete design was based on Tamil-South Kerala temple architecture.

A grand welcome was arranged for the esteemed guests

at the entrance with percussion ensembles- Nadaswaram and Classical fusion music. The hosting boys and girls clad in kurta-mundu and Kerala themed half sarees respectively offered imperial welcome to all the guests by showering flower petals.

Intricate temple designs decorated the grand entrance.

Dwarapalika structures on either side of the pathways led to the hall. The lobby decorated with a grand Ganesh icon was a classy one.

A massive stage was erected which replicated a South Indian temple with carvings, pillars and designs. Flower décor were a mix of hues matching with the bride-groom’s costumes.

The bride was wearing a traditional saree and the bride groom clad in a fusion style with kurta-pyjama and waist coat.

Live web streaming and e-invitations also kept the event abreast of trends.

There was a simple mehndi night two days before the wedding at Casino Auditorium, Thrissur.

A colourful stage with a simple North Indian theme, DJ with North Indian Mehendi songs created a fusion with a melange of styles.

Temple Theme Weddings “In earlier days, an ambience was created with one or two elements like a backdrop or floral arrangement. But people now prefer to change the overall ambience of the venue with more elements”, says Sree Megha of Parinaya. The combi-

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lifestyle

wedding

High end weddings often demand erected sets recreating famous temple backgrounds. Out of the box ideas are born as demands surge nation of attractive archways, artistic floral arrangements, beautiful backdrops, captivating centrepieces, huge carved fibre pillars and beams, golden or antique statues, fibre detachable floors, lotus designs, huge traditional brass lamps, diyas, etc can be tried even for middle class weddings.

High end weddings often demand erected sets recreating famous temple backgrounds of Tirupati, Guruvayur, or a magnificent Rajput Palace, Chettinad palace etc with all pomp and splendor. Out of the box ideas are born as demands surge for modern day temple theme weddings.

Some even would go for small Ganesha temple installed at the entrance or close to the mandap. “The higher the budget, the imagination has no bounds” she continues.

Flowers are a big aspect of the wedding décor. Today

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it is not restricted to jasmines or marigolds. From dry flowers to artificial one’s anything can be tried out without giving an artificial or gaudy feel. Thematic red, yellow, orange and golden colours have been widely used to symbolise divinity and prosperity. Skirting the stage with a matching fabric, huge pillar structures etc are important aspects of stage decoration in temple theme weddings.

“We constantly get requests for classy and elegant settings.

“Creative expression finds a great outlet in this job as people are constantly looking for exclusivity” says Megha. From the Padmanabha Swami temple to Guruvayur temple, anything can be recreated as stage. In Tamil Brahmin weddings even deities like Meenakshi Kalyanam are brought in to give a divine touch to the ceremony.

Bringing heaven to earth is now not a mission impossible!

MALAYALAM

ENGLISH

MALAYALAM

ENGLISH

FROM THE PIONEERS IN AUTO JOURNALISM

FROM THE PIONEERS IN AUTO JOURNALISM

To read the digital version, Log on to

www.smartdriveonline.in

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automotive Chevrolet Enjoy TCDi LTZ

Enjoy the Ride The perfect car for the perfect family

FWD RATING 8.14 Lac. approx

njoy isn’t thebest looking MPV out there but it is a smart design.

It looks best viewed from the front, the bonnet is well defined while the angular front headlamps gives it a more car like face. The chrome detailed grille doesn’t look out of place and

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merges well with the lower grille in the bumper. The fog lamps are well designed too. Move to the side and its a typical MPV silhouette, the sides feature large panels. However, the designers have added a prominent shoulder line running all the way from the front wheel arch to the rear.

This adds some character to an otherwise boring side. The top

end version gets alloy wheels as standard equipment but the 14inch wheels look quite small for the MPV. At the back, it looks just like a van, tall and boxy. Panel gaps are inconsistent and the doors don’t shut well either. We drove a pre production model though and expect GM to fix these issues in the production version.

Step inside, and the space utilisation all round impresses. The floor is low since the Enjoy features a monocoque construction. This has allowed the engineers to liberate more space especially with the use of a lower floor board and space in the car. Ingress and egress is very impressive and a large glass area with beige interiors

SPECS Engine

Diesel Seating capacity

7

Length (mm)

4305

Max. Power

77.5 Ps @ 4000 rpm

Width (mm)

1680

Max. Torque

188 Nm @ 1750 rpm

Height (mm)

1750

Kerb weight (kg)

1345.00

Wheel base (mm)

2720

Fual Efficency (kmpl)

18.2

Displacement (cc)

1248

Fual Tank Capacity (I)

50

Rear Cargo Volume (I)

195

Tyre size

175/70 R14

snapshot FWD LIFE’S VERSION Not only is the vehicle beautiful, but it is also innovative in the way it is designed. The vehicle is also a winner in terms of the space offered by it and the successive comfort by it

** Ex- showroom price, Cochin

adds to the airy feel. Visibility is good too. The rear door doesn’t slide like in the Evalia but is a regular hinged door. The front seats aren’t wide but were good enough. There is ample thigh and lumbar support and the driver seat is height adjustable too. The foot well however is cramped and there is no dead pedal or even space to rest your foot.

*

2013 JUNE

73

food cocochino

Quick Read

Get a café gaming

experience at

Signature Dishes Black Forest Hot Coffee (Hot coffee with chocolate fudge with whipped cream and chocolate flakes) Price: ` 90

Cocochino

Wicked Brownie (Vanilla shake in chocolate and crunchy brownies) Price: ` 120

This popular hangout is not just another coffee shop in town; in fact it has doubled up as a gaming zone in a relaxed ambiance.

Text Thabitha Marion Photography Nithin Bose ocated at one of the quiet residential corners of Panampilly Nagar, ‘Cocochino’ with a ‘Cochin’ in it, is a cafe with a gaming zone, which is definitely something different from any other coffee shops around. It’s one of the places which serve the best of coffee and chocolate drinks.

Climbing up the narrow stairs to its entrance, one might think it to be dark and dingy. But as you reach up there, and fling open the door to the left, you see its amazingly spacious room, not just for a cup of coffee; but for a gaming session too. There may be some music playing behind, but it’s soft and mellow without disturbing the audibility. It has its walls enhanced with trendy wallpapers and roofs with low dim lights hanging just above the glass topped cane tables, surrounded by well cushioned cane chairs at some places and couches at the corners.

Here you see customers walking in and nobody

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seem to be in a hurry. It’s the kind of place where you get yourself a sandwich or a coffee, sink into the cushioned couches and let your conversation go on for hours. No wonder the place is a favourite joint for college goers and also for celebrities to have their discussions.

Amidst the poster-lined walls, you can see built in shelves with magazines and books for fun read.

The door next to the cash counter opens to the gaming zone having two consoles on which sixteen players can play at a time. “We have all the latest games like WW13, black Ops III, FIFA13 and more.

Every month we conduct play station tournaments for the entertainment to keep going,” says Aby Mathew, Owner of Cocochino.

Now coming to their menu, they have coffee of all types, brownies, chilled drinks, sandwiches and the list goes on. FWD’s pick are their - Choco Chicken Tikka Sandwich, Chocochino Blast and Cafe Mocha, along with other signature dishes. Follow me to know more about its preparation and price.

Choco King Chicken Burger (Scrumptious burgers made of soft buns, with fried chicken patties topped with onions, tomatoes and mayonnaise as fillers) Price: ` 120 For diabetic Ice Coffee (sugar free) Freshly brewed espresso poured over ice, topped with low fat milk Price: ` 60 Ice Café Mocha (sugar free) Espresso and skimmed milk poured over ice topped with low fat milk Price: ` 70

Timings 11AM - 9PM

BONUS Alien Blood (Gaming Drink) A mocktail with a blend of lime and orange Price: ` 80/-

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Black Forest Hot Coffee (Signature Dish) Hot coffee with chocolate fudge with whipped cream and chocolate flakes Price: ` 90/-

Wicked Brownie (Signature Dish) Vanilla shake in chocolate and crunchy brownies Price: ` 120

Choco King Chicken Burger Scrumptious burgers made of soft buns, with fried chicken patties topped with onions, tomatoes and mayonnaise as fillers Price: ` 120

01

Choco Chicken Tikka Sandwich Chef about the dish ‘It’s a medium spicy smoked spicy chicken sandwich.’

(Ambrosial sandwich made from specially marinated boneless tikka pieces.

Price

120 /plate

02

Chocochino Blast Coffee with scoops of ice cream, whipped cream with chocolate fudge with choco stands

Price

Chef about the dish ‘As it’s a mixture of vanilla ice cream and coffee, it tastes something like butterscotch’

120

03 Cafe Mocha Exotic coffee with Swiss chocolate and chocolate fudge

Price

Chef about the dish ‘It tastes like hot coffee with chocolate. And the drink looks complete with latte art on it.”’

70 /plate

2013 JUNE

75

food scoops and saucers

From Scoops

to Saucers A big bowl of ice cream or a hot cup of tea can instantly recharge you, it’s the ultimate comfort beverage one craves for…

Text Thabitha Marion Photography Nithin Bose he only restaurants that count are the ones that make you feel happier.

This month’s FWD food review will help you discover irresistible flavours of ice creams at Korter and lingering fragrances of flavoured tea and coffee at ChaiCofi. With considerable number of cafes and ice cream corners like mushrooms, we tend to get confused while choosing a decent place to go out for spending time. Two things which we cannot compromise when it comes to food are quality and ambiance.

So here we suggest to you ‘Korter’ an ice cream joint that boasts of unusual flavours such as kafchoc

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almond, latte praline, strawberry ripples and more.

The joint borrows its name from a French word which means a variety of ice creams. With a wide selection of quirky ice cream flavours, you forget the ol’ plain vanilla and chocolate flavour and get your sweet buds relish a taste of exotic-flavoured ices you never have had before.

And for those who are not too much in for sweets and creams, visit ‘ChaiCofi’ to sip some flavoured coffee, tea or eats like pastas or burgers.

Though the list of yummy dishes keeps rolling, we have chosen one signature dish of each for you to nibble this month.

Korter

Quick Read Origin of cone ice creams The ice cream cone was invented at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. An ice cream vendor ran out of paper cups and asked a nearby waffle booth to make some thin waffles he could roll up to hold the ice cream.

World’s Biggest Ice Cream Tub For this Iranian man who had the idea of making the world’s biggest bath tub, it cost him $50,000 New Zealand dollars. This creamy chocolate bath tub is 1 meter high and 1.6 meters long.

Location : Jawahar Nagar

Ambiance: Tiny and cramped, Korter is anything, but cozy.

It has a few seating indoors with steel chairs, glass tables and couches. The outlet also comes with the luxury to watch matches or shows on television. And outside, adjacent to it they have set aside few chairs under the shades of bamboos. Those are for the ones who prefer to have one’s space. ‘Korter’ opens at 11AM and the rush begins late in the evening, as the dim lights get switched on for the happy hours between 11.30 PM and 12 midnight.

FWD’s pick: Cake fudge with Hot Chocolate Sauce (2 scoops of vanilla ice cream along with a brownie, seasoned with nuts and chocolate syrup, served with a cup of hot chocolate sauce)

01 76

Price

120

“It’s a yummy dessert with lots of nuts and chocolate sauce; favourite of those who are not too fond of the sweet ice cream taste.”

JUNE 2013

ChaiCofi

Location : Jawahar Nagar

Ambiance: Push open the glassy swing door and you experience the goodness of a friendly café with loud music, a reading corner and a rack full of knick knacks like Champak’s key chains, t-shirts, coffee mugs and more for sale. For friends or professionals who need more privacy, this café has two cabins partitioned with comfortable couches with low tables. ChaiCofi can fit in fifty at a time and adding up to this space, it also has a party room on its first floor; spacious enough to accommodate around thirty.

FWD’s pick: Blockbuster burger (A jumbo burger with fried egg, lettuce, tomatoes, chicken/beef patties)

02

Price: Blockbuster beef burger 220, Blockbuster chicken burger 210

“It’s a burger that is filling as it has chicken/beef along with a layer of fried eggs.”

03

Overload Pick and choose 9 flavours out of 36 flavours available at Korter, seasoned with syrup

Korter Price

235

“One gets to taste a lot of flavours, each flavour being one of their favourites.”

Arabbiatta Pasta pasta with tomatoes, herbs, parmesan cheese, chicken and olives prepared in olive oil

Price

04

Chaicofi

160

“It’s a spicy dish with tomatoes puree as its cream

2013 JUNE

77

pets

skills

‘Cat’ch Those Facts As cat owners we all want our furry friends to be healthy. Still, some health aspects are overlooked, this time we look at a very common skin disease ately have you seen your cat running around restlessly, frantically scratching? If so, within a week you will be totally miserable to see your fur coated pet suffering from hair loss, leading to the next stage that shows symptoms of skin hardening and wrinkling. Both cats and dogs do get this skin disease caused by mites, which we all refer to as ‘cat mange’.

Burrowing and non-burrowing mites are of two kinds, the former that gets deep into the skin and the later that feeds on tissue fluids and blood. This skin disorder is mostly found in malnourished cats with compromised immune system.

In cats the most commonly affected areas are their ears and face. Brown spots that can be spotted here would spread all over in sometime, letting out a foul smell in some cases. So if you notice this change in your pet, take it to a vet and follow the diagnosis with skin scrapping and medications which

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BONUS

are mostly medicated dips.

In the meanwhile it is advised to take necessary precautions to save yourself and your other pets from being infected with this. Usually the vet prescribes medicines and special dips.

But in extreme conditions, experts also prescribe complete shaving of cat’s fur making it easier for external treatments to be more effective. To prevent recurrence post-treatment, dispose its bedding and vacuum clean the carpets, couches and other places your pet used to hang out within the house.

Golden Retrievers

Dogs belonging to this fabulous breed suffer from a number of serious health problems, including cancer. Surveys have proved that 60 percent of them die due to cancer at an early age. Lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma are the diseases most commonly found in this breed.

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QUICK READ Chronic nasal diseases are very often found in cats, especially during summer. Inflammation of a cat’s nose is referred as rhinitis and sinusitis. When your cat starts to discharge mucus, get to know that it’s the start of a nasal infection. Sneezing, facial deformity, loss of appetite, stuffy nose and reverse sneezing are signs of nasal infection.

The reasons for such infections could be parasites, fungus, bacterial infections or abnormal tissue growth inside its nose.

The treatment with antibiotics is the only means to cure this health issue. As there might be times when it recurs, long-term usage of antibiotics is not advisable. It may cause further complications like stomach ulcers. So in the long run it would be wise to give your pet cat a homeopathic treatment.

Voice of Celebs Selena Gomez

A frequent animal rescuer who had already rescued five pups, she went in for the latest addition when she decided to adopt Baylor, a 10-weekold husky mix pup.

George Clooney

He fell in love with ‘Einstein’ on an animal shelter website. When he went there for adoption, he was told that the pup could be taken only if it liked to be taken. Rubbing turkey meatballs on his shoes Clooney got its attention.

Orlando Bloom

While filming “The Kingdom of Heaven,” he found a black Saluki mix being next to him all the time. He rescued and named it ‘Sidi’, a Moroccan name in honor of the place where they met.

Camilla Parker Bowles

The wife of Prince Charles who has a love for Jack Russell terriers adopted Beth from a rescue organization that she had been active with for a while.

Dog breeds safe for humans having allergies

American

Bichon fries

Hairless Terrie

Its double coated fur reduces the potential for allergic reactions to this dog.

As it has no hair or dander, it’s free from allergies.

Chinese Crested Hairless

Giant Schnauzer Are you allergic, but still like to have a pet dog, then giant schnauzer is the most suitable breed.

This popular show dog that has little hair on its head, feet and tail is mostly hairless and so chances of shedding is less.

Irish Water Spaniel This is the breed that fulfills your requirement, if you are searching for a hypoallergenic hunting dog.

Maltese Though it has long silky hair, it sheds very little. The bit of hair fall can be avoided if you give it constant grooming.

Miniature Poodle The miniature poodles are best for allergy sufferers as it sheds even less than the larger breed.

Portuguese Water Dog This hard working dog usually found assisting fishermen sheds even less fur than the poodles.

Labradoodle These breeds are recommended for people with dog allergies because of their easy to maintain coats.

Their wool coats don’t pick up as many outdoor allergens as other breeds.

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79

architecture

decor

Stylized DIY home decors 01

03 Beaded flower vase

Wind old can with some sparkling beads of bracelets and stick the ends. Guests can even take them home as favours.

04 Innovative pencil holder

Door-Turned-Headboard

You can reuse small paint cans, coffee can and other types of cans you can think of and turn them into pencil holders. It’s a very simple project, just wrap the cans in wrapping paper or in fabric and, if you want, also personalize them with initials or anything else you want. It’s a nice project that kids can make for their parents.

Making a solid headboard from a pine door is quite simple. Cut 15 inches off the bottom of the door. Paint the door and allow it to dry. Affix the door to the wall, about 4 inches above the floor using nails on the top and bottom. To hide the top nail, use finishing paint. Fill holes with wood filler, smoothen the wooden piece with sandpaper, and paint it with a colour that draws a strong contrast between the shade on the walls and on the wooden piece.

05 Designer Chair

Tape a piece of a lace curtain panel across the seat and the larger back bar at an angle to leave some of the area plain. Then get a can of white spray paint and spray carefully through the lace, making sure not to spray too heavily, let it dry and then removed the lace. Then paint rest of the chair white.

02 Jewellery Magnets

You can turn your old vintage brooches to refrigerator magnets. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the pin hardware from the back of each brooch (most fittings will come off easily); then affix a super strong magnet with a small bead of glue. Let dry overnight.

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2013 JUNE

81

yoga & wellness

Pain in the Back ack pain and particularly lower back pain seems to have grown in epidemic proportions in Kerala. If left unchecked it could lead to debilitating conditions like herniated discs etc. Lifestyle changes that have made us chair dwelling and sedentary is the key culprit. To heal you need to look at the root causes.

It could be a combination of the following – some parts of the body are

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overused (upper back and shoulders) underused (back muscles) not used (core muscles) abused (lumbar and lower vertebrae of your spine) tight (hamstrings) lose (oblique) Back pain can also be related to grief and loss of stability in life.

While its best to get a therapist or physician to look it over, few do it yourself remedies could also help release the pain. Here is a routine you could follow or send in a mail with specific queries.

Stretch the spine such that it counteracts the continuous seated posture that we adopt.

Yoga poses such as Tadasan (Mountain Pose) with arms extending to the ceiling should be done each time you are getting out of your chair or getting into one. Lying on your back with hugging your knees to chest in Pavanmuktasan also helps release some of the tension in the lower back. It also helps to

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relax the hip flexors in front.

Lower back pain is often associated with a tight hamstring.

Make sure your day does not end till you stretch out the hamstrings. Various leg raising poses (Utanapadasan) that do not need the person to bend forward help release the hamstring without aggravating the lower back pain. Use a towel or strap around the leg and hold it so that you get the stretch without having to strain.

One of the best poses to combat and prevent back pain is the Cobra Pose or Bhujangasan. Based on your back condition you may have to do the apt variation.

Wind up the routine with Childs pose with knees places wide apart.

How to do the Cobra Pose Lie on the abdomen, feet together. Hands beside the body.

Bend your hands at the elbow, place the palms on the mat such that the finger tips are in the line of the collar bone, elbows close to the body touching the rib cage.

Take a couple of nice long breaths.

Extend your spine so that you are reaching forward with the crown Pull your shoulders away from your ears and try to squeeze the muscles in your shoulder blades together.

Now slowly lift your head up, and lift the palms off the mat.

This is the petit cobra. Stay in the pose and practice long breathing.

If this feels comfortable and can be held for 15 seconds then you can proceed to cobra pose.

As you exhale come down on to the mat - vertebrae by vertebrae.

Place the palms on the floor

QUICK READ Benefits of the Cobra Pose Strengthens the spine and lower back muscles Firms the buttocks, stretches chest and shoulders Stimulates the organs in the abdomen – both digestive and reproductive

and slowly try to lift your body such that you do not rely on your hand strength but only on your back and core strength.

Press down with your pelvis but lift from the upper abdomen.

Ensure that your collar bone is parallel to the ground and that your shoulders are not tensing up. Build up for 30 seconds and do 3 sets daily.

The author Nuthan Manohar is a wellness consultant and researcher based in Cochin : nuthansm@gmail.com.

* Check with a medical practioner or a trained therapist prior to starting any physical practice

health

entertainment preview

talk shows On Air

93.5 Red FM

PENPATTANAM (Monday to Saturday 11am to 3pm) “Penpattanam” is an exclusive three hour chat show for women from all walks of life. The vivacious show focuses upon feminine topics and areas of interest for femme of all ages. RJ Sajna, event host keeps listeners on toes with crisp and crunchy verbal teases linking past and present, throwing gleams of insight on issues live among the women of the day. The event has OB Links on various women oriented topics and snippets from the public.

The event also showcases celebrities who could rise to the everyday situation with expressive ideas and concepts on topics of contemporary relevance. Some of them who have aired their ideational resources are: Lakshmi Nair, the gourmet expert shared her tips and expertise on

cookery and cosmetology. Wellknown stylist Ambika Pillai gave out beauty hints and narrated her experience with bollywood glitterati. Yesteryear actress Sheela went nostalgic about Mollywood and her heydays and trends of the present. Actress Kalpana divulged her feelings on winning a national award. The ever so bubbly Rimi Tomy opened her secrets of being energetic all the time. Mariya Roy, the Note book fame, went gaga about her new dancing school project. Shobha Kunjan has been on the show spicing up beauty tips with funny moments in life and she also mentioned her live experience with Malayalam actresses. The show has received great accolades and feedback from its listeners.

ALOUD ON AIR...

Red FM and Wonder La gave a unique opportunity to the listeners of RED FM to open their hearts and minds and of course their mouths to scream aloud ON AIR. On 8th May RED FM had a Live Studio Shift to Wonder La. RED ON DEMAND; the only live dedication show for 4 hours in the city was hosted live from the venue.

RJs Mithun and Shafi were extremely jubilant to host the show which cuddled participation in large magnitude. The show clocked from 5pm to 9pm was carried out through a variety of Games, Puzzles, Trivias and other dazzling exhibits. Dedications and requests from people who came down to Wonder La kept pouring in. The winners of the contest were gifted with family Wonder La passes. The RJs’ came across crowds from distinct spheres, who shared their experiences and interacted with them directly.

They also got a chance to meet a music band “SWARATHMA” which produced a wave of music. With ample participation, the show earned huge appreciation and success. Along with the exciting rides of Wonder La, people were equally thrilled to see the RJs and talk ON AIR.

2013 JUNE

83

entertainment preview

NEW Releases Movies Hollywood

Upcoming movies in June

Bollywood

kollywood

Mollywood

After Earth Genre: Adventure, Fantasy Cast: Jaden Smith , Will Smith , Sophie Okonedo

Raanjhanaa Genre: Romance Cast: Abhay Deol , Dhanush , Sonam Kapoor

Singam 2 Genre: Actiondrama Cast: Surya Sivakumar, Anushka Shetty, Hansika

Ezhaamathe Varavu Genre: Drama Cast: Indrajith, Padmapriya

Man of Steel Genre: Action, Adventure, Cast: Laurence Fishburne , Amy Adams

Ghanchakkar Genre: comedy Cast: Emraan Hashmi , Sanjay Dutt , Vidya Balan

Uma Maheswaram Genre: Drama Cast: Parvathy Omanakuttan, Prakash Raj

Lilliput Genre: Comedy Cast: Mukesh

Monsters University Genre: Adventure, Fantasy Cast: Alfred Molina , Billy Crystal

Zanjeer Genre: Action, Crime, Romance Cast: Prakash Raj,Priyanka Chopra

Mariyaan Genre: Drama Cast: Dhanush, Parvathi Menon

Oru Kudumba Chitram Genre: Drama Cast: Kalabhavan Mani, Lakshmi Sharma

Primetime

primetime shows on tv channels

STAR WORLD

DISCOVERY

TLC

Modern Family The three unique families get together and give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted embrace of the modern family. Blending together with each other family member brings out quite a learning curve with some culture clashes, a few awkward misunderstandings and plenty of sweet victories along the way.

Frozen earth The three unique families get together and give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted embrace of the modern family.

Blending together with each other family member brings out quite a learning curve with some culture clashes, a few awkward misunderstandings and plenty of sweet victories along the way.

Spice trip Award-winning chef Stevie Parle and professional spice blender Emma Grazette head to Oaxaca were they discover some of the 150 regional varieties of chilli. Inspired by local home cooking they create a fresh and mild Chilli Fish Stew, Smokey Pork and Slaw and a sexy Chilli Chocolate Cake with Tequila and Salt.

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NEW Releases BOOKS

@ Web

new books to hit the stands soon

This Side of Jealousy by Lili Peloquin Nothing ever came between sisters Alice and Charlie. If by nothing, you mean everything. The sisters haven’t been able to stop fighting since they arrived in Serenity Point two weeks ago. Those two weeks changed their lives and Serenity Point becomes the reason for the change.

Price: ` 1,000 approx.

Phoenix: A Black City Novel by Elizabeth Richards Weeks after his crucifixion and rebirth as Phoenix, Ash Fisher believes his troubles are far behind him. He and Natalie are engaged and life seems good. But his happiness is short-lived when he receives a threatening visit from Purian Rose, who gives Ash an ultimatum.

Price: ` 936 approx.

The Elementals by Saundra Mitchell Kate Witherspoon has lived a bohemian life with her artist parents is determined to become a director. Meanwhile, Midwestern farm boy Julian who refuses to let his disability has a vision. Kate and Julian set out separately for LA. While struggling to find independence, they finally meet and realize their true magical legacy.

Price: `1,325 approx.

Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns’ by Lauren Weisberger This sequel to The Devil Wears Prada takes place 8 years after the last story closed. Andy is now running her own successful bridal magazine with Miranda’s other ex-assistant, Emily. Andy is also on the verge of getting married. Price: `1,350 approx.

‘TransAtlantic’ by Colum McCann Moving from 1845 to 1919 to 1998, weaving together stories in Canada, Ireland and the US, ‘TransAtlantic’ explores the ways in which past touches present and lives are connected. The pillars of the story are Frederick Douglass’ visit to Ireland in the mid-19th century, the first two men to fly a plane across the Atlantic Ocean, and the Good Friday Peace Accords..

Price: `1,500 approx.

Big Brother’ by Lionel Shriver When the protagonist’s brother, who she has not seen in years, arrives, he is hundreds of pounds larger than when she last saw him. The conflict exists between the brother who overstays his welcome, the husband who is obsessed with fitness and the wife/sister who loves to cook and wants to help.

Price: `950 approx.

Viral Videos

Youtube A Boy and his atom: The World’s Smallest Movie The movie is World’s Smallest Stop-Motion Film. It shows the ability to move single atoms — the smallest particles of any element in the universe.

Crowd sourced ‘Kiss Song’ India’s first crowd sourced ‘Kiss Song’ featuring Bollywood celebrity Alia Bhatt. More than 6,000+ kisses were shared by fans and a catchy song was created!

2013 JUNE

85

parenting

fear

Help your child conquer his fears Fear can develop at any age, sometimes it can be long lasting but the key is to address your child’s fears effectively and efficiently

Quick Read Keep the communication lines open. Be patient and reassuring.

Reward your child or praise him when he manages his worries by himself.

Parents should manage and control their own anxieties and worries and try not to transfer them to children.

Laughter is a powerful tool that can release fear.

ema was worried about her young son’s extreme behaviour. She approached a child specialist and asked about helping her young son who had gone through a traumatic experience recently. Though the child came out unscratched, fear had set in his little mind. That evening, he talked about it again and again, and was clingy and worried at bedtime. That’s when the

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BONUS

parents decided to seek professional help.

According to Psychologists, a traumatic experience creates a knot of fear in a child’s emotional memory. That knot is a bundle of all the sights, sounds, and physical perceptions he took in during the seconds he was in danger; glued together by fear. His mind is not going to be able to process the details of what happened to him. Children have a natural emotional

processing system they try to use after a frightening incident; they do their best to offload the emotion of fear by clinging to elders. Parents are usually the first people children look to for support and reassurance when they are scared or worried. Providing reassurance such as hugs and encouragement helps to restore children’s sense of safety and confidence. Encourage the child to talk about his fears until he is unburdened.

Practice your child to do ‘selftalk’. Ask your child to repeat positive phrases like “I can do this” or “I’m brave” to deal with fear.

Maintain balanced diet, good sleeping habits and regular routine.

Set aside time for relaxation and playtime, this can unleash a lot of worries from mind.

Stay close, Stay listen

ove in close, pay attention, and let him talk, cry, tremble or M Offering eye contact is very important as it intensifies their scream. release of fear.

Give him the safety and the time to fully feel the very uncom Don’t get busy alleviating a child’s panic. He needs you to fortable emotions that follow a trauma. anchor him.

Ensure no further harm can be done, and don’t hurry on to do Don’t accommodate your child’s avoidance of difficult feel anything. ings, but do reassure him.

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Thanks to all our readers for making us the most shared digital magazine among Malayalees

FWD Magazine reached

more than

19 lakhs FB users Digital Associates

2013 JUNE

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money

alternative currency

This digital currency enables payment quick to anyone anywhere in the world. Today there are 11 million of these coins in existence

What is bitcoin?

Text Anoop Sankar

n the simplest terms, bitcoin is an online virtual currency which can be used to pay for goods and services, just like normal ‘hard’ currency. Bitcoin claims to be the most widely used ‘alternative’ currency in the world.

In more technical terms, bitcoins are long strings of numbers and letters that computers try to calculate. This calculation is called as mining and there is a rather complicated cryptographic process of self-validation to ensure that there is no cheating and the miners need to have to something called as a ‘proof of work’ in order to declare that they have mined a bitcoin.

But what do you do with a bitcoin then? You spend it off course.

There are programs called wallets that let you send and receive bitcoins. And what can you buy using bitcoins? Almost anything under the sun already! There are plenty of

I

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online e-commerce sites that accept bitcoins as payments for real physical stuff of value.

Origins Bitcoin as a digital currency was first proposed by Satoshi Nakomoto in a 2008 paper and was described as a system for anonymous, peer-to-peer electronic money transfer. The identity of Satoshi Nakomoto is still a mystery; and speculation has ranged from him being a Japanese software engineer to a group of UK software engineers to even being the work a government agency.

Anyway the first bitcoin was mined by Satoshi at around 2008 and he has been involved in writing most of the code for the bitcoin network. He has however withdrawn from the scene since 2010. Mining a bitcoin gets progressively difficult as time progresses, and there is a hard limit to the number of bitcoins that can be generated (21 million).

This makes bitcoin somewhat similar

to a gold standard currency and bitcoin supporters argue that this makes bitcoin a better currency than say the dollar or the rupee.

Why is it making waves?

Till around a few months back bitcoin was a concept only known to a select few computer engineers, but then it got a lot of press making it more mainstream. Demand for bitcoins have gone up exponentially since then and at one point reached a value of $266 for one bitcoin. Prices have come down since then and are now more or less stable at around $100. One reason why all the excitement came about was because of this volatility in its prices; and people making money (and losing money

too) betting on the bitcoin exchange rate.

Where and how can you buy it?

The legality of bitcoins is a very gray area; and most governments have been silent on this so far. There are at present several bitcoin exchanges where you can buy bitcoins in exchange for normal currency. The most popular among them is mtgox.com.

All it requires is to you to have a valid credit card. And off course, there is an option for you to mine it yourself solving for the random strings using your own computers.

But this is not easy, since you would need really powerful computing power and the ability to handle a huge electricity bill to even give this a shot.

Other alternate currencies

BerkShares

BristolPound

BerkShares are an alternative currency in circulation in Massachusetts, USA. The currently trade at a value of $0.95 for one unit. It was launched in order to bolster the local economy of the area and to insulate it from fluctuations in the US Dollar

Issued and in circulation in Bristol, UK, it comes with a tag line ‘Our city, Our money’. The purpose of the BristolPound is to encourage more spending within the city of Bristol. It is currently the second most used currency in UK, after obviously the pound sterling.

PPCoin Community Exchange System

PPCoin

CES is an alternative to traditional currency that allows people to trade for goods and services without the need for national currency. Like bitcoin, CES does not have printed notes or coins; and resides entirely in the cyberworld. Though it predates bitcoin by about a decade, it hasn’t made a lot of impact in the world economy.

This is relatively young crypto-currency that seeks to improve on Bitcoin by using both proof-of-work and proof-of-stake concepts in order to validate itself. One of PPCoin’s stated goals is to reduce energy consumption during calculations, that is seen as the weak point of Bitcoins.

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Jay Mehta, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders along with his restaurant partners Sam Malde and Arja Shridhar hosted a lavish dinner for the Kolkata Knight Riders team as a gesture of good luck at their UK Based Neapolitan pizzeria, Pizza Metro Pizza.

The venue was decorated in hues of purple and gold to cheer the team.

The celebrities who attended the event included Shah Rukh Khan with daughter Suhana, Juhi Chawla who was seen interacting with all the players, Genelia D’Souza, Sanjay Kapoor, Mugdha Godse and politician Asif Bhamla.

IPL Glam N i 90

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ights

show biz

m ders Tea i R t h g i Kn ro Pizza Kolkata t e M a z z t Pi Dinner a

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opening

restro-bar

The LOUNGE IS BACK IN COCHIN Time to rejoice, Loungevityeveryone’s favourite lounge bar has reopened aunched in 2006 Loungevity was the talk of the town that had a significant impact on the city’s night life. After a short gap, the lounge bar has reincarnated itself as a venue exclusively for private events. “Even today Loungevity is special in its own way, as it’s the only set place in Kerala which offers the

l

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ambiance of a lounge bar for all occasions. Unlike the usual banquet halls provided by most of the hotels, Loungevity has its space aesthetically designed to facilitate exclusive events , say a 75 to100 at a time,” says Murali Sundharam, Food and Beverage Manager, Avenue Regent.

The place known for its music that kept the crowd on the beat now features an extended dance floor to let your hair

Quick Read Loungevity located at the Hotel Avenue Regent in Cochin is the first lounge bar in Kerala It is open from 6 PM to 12 AM. The lounge has guest artists performing every other weekend.

down. The décor is aesthetically done with comfortable couches, a set DJ console, and a well organized buffet counter, all submerged in the beauty of authentic Mediterranean ambiance created within the lounge. Its ambience strives to

Loungevity has its space aesthetically designed to facilitate exclusive events bring you a true flavour of the Mediterranean with high quality ingredients, friendly service and an authentic atmosphere. It has a freeflow of refreshments that features signature like cocktails and other delights to whip-up your senses. The lounge has a set menu with snacks to nibble as accompaniments with spirits.

Be it Birthdays, pre wedding nights, anniversaries, fashion shows or live concerts - Loungevity is the ultimate choice for exclusive private parties that require a doze of glamour.

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GADGETs Disclaimer: Price and features are subject to change. Buyers are advised to act on data after cross-checking

Alcatel One Touch Idol What we liked

FWD RATING

Lightweight - World’s thinnest smart phone IPS display, great viewing angles

21,000/approx

Good audio quality Good performance

What we disliked

World’s thinnest smartphone

Poor battery life No 4G/LTE support No 3.5mm audio jack

Disclaimer: Price and features are subject to change. Buyers are advised to act on data after cross-checking

BenQ W1070 3d Projector

LG Optimus G FWD RATING

FWD RATING

35,000/-

90,000/-

approx

approx

Fastest of the big smartphones

What we liked 3D and HD quality pictures Bright and clear visuals Great lamp life of over 5000 hours Extensivecolor controls and calibrations

What we disliked Built-in speakers aren’t great No 2D-3D conversion 94

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What we liked Sturdy sleek design 13 MP Camera 1.5 GHz processor - snappy!

What we disliked Unwieldy to use with one hand LG’s skin on Android is badly designed

Powered by

Dell Inspiron 15z 5523 What we liked Touch-screen display 8GB RAM & 2.5GHz processor nVidia GForce with 2GB Skullcandy speakers

What we disliked A bit heavy for an ultrabook

FWD RATING

Battery life could be better

72,000/approx

Cricbuzz

Triple Town

Bloomberg

Snappy and well designed cricket app, for all your live score updates.

Triple Town is an original puzzle game in which you try to grow the greatest possible city.

The larger the city you build, the more points you score.

Get business/finance news, market data and stock tracking tools from the most trusted source financial professionals around the world rely upon.

Qrcode Android

Qrcode iOS

Qrcode Android

Qrcode iOS

Qrcode Android

Qrcode iOS

2013 FEBRUARY 2013 JUNE

apps

A extra powerful Ultrabook.

Did you know?

50% of Android users and 43% of iPhone users are below the age of 34.

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Privilege Program

avail exclusive privileges specially, created for the fwd readers

Where?

sparkys

3rd floor, Lulu mall Edappally, Cochin

What?

Sparkys Bowling Alley WHEN?

Monday-Thursday from 10am to 5 pm FWD Privilege One Free Game of Bowling

Where?

sparkys

What?

3rd floor, Lulu mall Edappally, Cochin

Sparkys B’Day Party Hall WHEN?

All Day , Up to July-5th FWD Privilege

30% Off for FWD Privilege card Holders Where?

cream centre

3rd floor, Lulu mall Edappally, Cochin

What?

Exclusive Veg. Outlet Restaurant WHEN?

Monday-Friday from 5pm to 11pm FWD Privilege 30% Off on All Items

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Where?

chocochino

What?

Panampilly Nagar, Kochi

Cafe with Gaming Zone. Varieties of Coffee, Chocolate Drinks and more WHEN?

All Day , Up to July-5th FWD Privilege 25% Off for the Bill Above Rs.200/-

Where?

talwalkers

Opp KPCC Ground Junction M.G. Road, Cochin

What?

Gym & Fitness Center WHEN?

All Day , Up to July-5th FWD Privilege 1 Week Free Trial Worth Rs. 3000/-

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FWD Life brings you exclusive images from the movie Honey Bee partially picturised under the breathtaking waters of Lakshadweep. Jean Paul Lal debutant director of the movie and son of actor director Lal said the crew has used Red camera for the shoot. The climax scene of the movie was shot underwater. Creative director Jazeer Muhammad says, “underwater current was the only odd they had to fight against; the actors had a tough time performing as they all had to be underwater for almost two minutes at a stretch without any apparatus. However, prior to the shoot, actors were given a two day workshop which taught them to inhale and exhale exercises and handling underwater current.

Behind the scenes

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RNI Reg. No. KERENG /2012 /42759 RNI Reg. No. KERENG /2012 /42759

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Postal Reg No. EKM/728/2012-14 Postal Reg No. EKM/728/2012-14