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E

ven though Kerala has human development indices internationally comparable, an enterprising cash rich immigrant population and now flouring cash crop economy, major overhaul is needed to become a paradise for investors. The Emerging Kerala Summit has thrown up around 45 projects which are seem to be acceptable for implementation, across tourism, I.T, public infrastructure, transport and healthcare sectors.

The total investments of these projects are around 45,000 crores mostly from non-resident malayalees. So what about the homegrown entrepreneurs? This issue carries Choice Group Chairman's (Jose Thomas) take on what is necessary to make Kerala investor-friendly.

Yet Mr Jose was not even invited to the function. Not sure if Mr Sabu M. Jacob of Kitex Group was part of the meet, but his move to drop 262 crore expansion plans that would have provided around 4,000 jobs is clearly a jolt for the Emerging Kerala dream . Kerala has to chart a new path considering its homegrown entrepreneurs as well.

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Contents

24 12

BEING

BARFI! people

Main Story

22 26 Platter of

button masala

A

shot of vintage brides

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OCTOBER 2012

54

T.E. Vasudevan

19

Reel of a doyen's life

Quest for elusive hits 16 Reasons behind producers' fall

Wooing investors

21

A report on recently concluded Emerging Kerala meet

Isha Talwar Beyond the veil

38

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A Jumbo

Welcome

42 leisure Jawan of Vellimala 32 Chat with debutant filmmaker

Diving into wonders 48 Diving schools & professionals

60

ALCHEMY 68

Taste of Malabar 56 Mappila Kada restaurant

No trauma of tumour 63 Expert on MR-HIFU method

Business

64

Ways of selling & buying gold

Parenting

65

Motivate your child

Superstar and his fan 74 Preview of "My Fan Ramu"

Not Just

52 Black

Pete's Super Sunday 75 Car rally

KOCHI INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK

Book Review

76

"Good to Great" by Jim Collins

Launch

77

Heli-tourism

WTF

78

Celebrities comment on "30 days to freedom" campaign

Gadgets 80 Get to know what are the picks of this month

58 10

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A class act by Merc

OCTOBER 2012

Party

82

DJ Pearl @ Hotel Dream, Kochi

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main story

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OCTOBER 2012

Jose Thomas, the man who has excelled as the cornerstone of Choice Group in its stupendous growth over the years, gets candid about what hampers his entrepreneurial ventures in Kerala

Making the right

choice Text FWD MEDIA Photos SIJO JOSEPH & JINSON ABRAHAM

I

t was a balmy evening when we met Jose Thomas aka JT, as he is fondly called by friends and admirers, in his club house. Sharply dressed in black, Jose Thomas was unwinding after a daylong budgetary meeting. The club house is not unfamiliar to the cineastes as it has been the location for a number of Malayalam flicks. He is an immaculate entrepreneur and also a connoisseur of arts — JT Pac says it all. Moreover, the newlyopened Choice Paradise in Kochi is a testimony to his meticulous planning. Jose Thomas, Chairman of Choice Group, opens up about the current business scenario in Kerala in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts: What’s your opinion about Emerging Kerala?

As a Malayali, I am proud to say that I employ about 1000 people across my various concerns in Kerala including JT Pac, Choice School and the seafood export business. I transformed the education system in Kerala through Choice School, the first one to build a high-rise in Cochin (the popular Choice Towers), the first one to build the tallest building in South India (Choice Paradise, a wonder of Kerala),the first one to manufacture value added sea food products (Tastee Choice). Till now, no one has asked me if there is enough electricity, water or other basic needs which I require to run my businesses. As a tax payer, I expect my taxes to bring about the

much needed infrastructural changes in the State.

When an investor comes to Kerala, he looks for the basic infrastructure, power and security, amongst others. The lack of basic infrastructure would make investors rethink about their proposed plans of doing business in Kerala Kerala.

Unfortunately, labour problems and hartals also contribute to the loss in the business sector in Kerala. Primarily, an investor should get an atmosphere for smooth operation and there shouldn’t be any tangles of red-tapism. Our lackadaisical attitude was more evident when the roads were cleaned just two days before the Emerging Kerala meet. This attitude should be changed immediately. I think a little more concern from those in power would do wonders in God’s own country, ente Keralam.

As a Congressman, I was shocked at the assassination of Rajivji who would have transformed India into a global player. That day I decided that I wouldn’t come back to India. I called up Prof. K.V. Thomas, who was the MP back then, and informed him about my decision. He discouraged me and told me to come back to Kerala. In a week’s time, he telephoned me and said that ‘Leader’ (the late K. Karunakaran) wants to meet me. Leader was the only Chief Minister who had the grit to take brave decisions. It was his single-minded dedication that resulted in the establishment of Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The new generation doesn’t know about his administrative skills. It was the ‘Leader’ who convinced me to

When an investor comes to Kerala, he looks for the basic infrastructure, power and security, amongst others

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main story

US President Obama, invited my wife, Elizabeth and me for dinner in the White House, in appreciation for the tax paid in the US

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stay back. “If people like you leave, then what will happen to the State,” he quipped. This is the kind of interest the government should have about the people in the State.

On bailing out of businesses…

Look at what happened in America. All their major financial institutions had a crisis and the republican government stepped in and bailed them out. The American Government intervened and salvaged the situation as it affects a lot of people. They bailed out and saved thousands of jobs. They created, printed, borrowed money issues junk bonds (sic) under government control these companies underwent a trimming and they turned around. Companies that went bust are now giving back dividends to their share holders.

Similarly, Kingfisher should have been bailed out as an infrastructure provider. The Central Government should buy them out, instead of nationalizing.

Get the right people in, but then we have seen what happened with Air India. Any one capable gets hounded out by the bureaucrats.

If i was the Industries Minister of the State, I would treat business houses as customers considering the fact that they provide employment and tax. If I was to be sworn in as the Industries Minister, the first decision would be not to go for inaugurations, unless it’s related to industries. For other inaugurations, I would charge a fee, say, 10 lakh and the money would go to the treasury. This way the involvement from the State also becomes revenue. I will also conduct face-to-face meetings.

Once a week, I would come to Kochi (the commercial capital) for a face-to-face review meeting with the business houses. I will vet their turnover; the

amount of tax paid and possibly set the targets. If they achieve the targets, I would give them awards.

It would be based on an authentic performance and review.

US President Obama, invited my wife, Elizabeth and me for dinner in the White House, in appreciation for the tax paid in the US. Look at the difference.

Tell us about your first meeting with Mohanlal…

I met Mohanlal to invite him to be the Chairman of the Jose Thomas Performance Arts Centre (JT Pac). About three months after our initial meeting he visited New York. I invited him to my home for dinner and he accepted. Over the dinner, I told him that my product Tastee Choice is available in most of the supermarkets in America. Then his friend Vijayan, a resident of New York, mentioned the supermarket A&P, and I said, “Yes, it’s available there.” After three days, Lal called me up and said that he couldn’t find my products in A&P. I became very apprehensive. Lal took the trouble to check out my products and if it’s not there then it would affect my credibility. Guess, he wanted to check (he may not admit it now) if I was just being bombastic about my products. I told him to ask for the frozen sea food department. I had butterflies in my stomach until he telephoned me. Lal said, “Jose, I am proud of you, it gives me so much of pleasure to see s an Indian product available internationally.”

Your future plans in Kerala?

If the situation is conducive enough for new ventures then Choice Group will definitely think about expansion.

ISSUE 12 VOL 01 OCTOBER 2012 ` 50 www.fwdlife.in

FWD EXCLUSIVE

JOSE THOMAS Making the right

cHOIcE RANBIR KAPOOR

BARFI!

THOMAS VARgHESE

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EMMANUVAL MAKEOVER

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tinsel world

There are umpteen tales of hardships associated with the making of a film.

Perhaps cinema is the only industry where owner becomes labourer.

FWD Life explores reasons behind the downfall of film producers

Quest for elusive hits

It’s baptism of fire for most producers when they venture into films in search of fortune. In this glamour world, no lessons are learnt from failures; instead cinema lures them panting for more

O

nce in a telephone booth at Thampanoor central bus station, Thiruvananthapuram, I was talking to a friend. While giving money, the disabled man, who was tending the booth, listened to my talk about cinema over phone and asked me about it. But I shrugged indifferently.

Realizing my reticence, he smiled and said, “I’m also a film producer.” I was flabbergasted and eagerly asked about his past. He had migrated to city from his village near Neyyattinkara dreaming about cinema. In 1987, he produced his first film “Varshangal Poyathariyathe.” Though its songs became hit, the film fizzled out miserably. Undeterred by the failure, he produced his second film. “The second film also was a damp squib. I lost my savings and even my house. I am working here to eke out a living,” said Ravi, father of two children. In his plight, his friends used to ridicule him in those days by saying, “Lakshangal poyathariyathe” (With no idea of how lakhs have been vanished). But he still wistfully remembers his Madras journeys.

After five years, my efforts to locate Ravi failed as the old bus station has been razed now and the construction of a new state-of-the-art building is going on there. Ravi is one of those people who lost everything owing to impulsive fascination for cinema. It’s baptism of fire for most producers when they venture into films in search of fortune. In this glamour world, no lessons are learnt from failures; instead cinema lures them panting for more.

Tinsel world “Those who have money can produce a film. But a 16

Life

OCTOBER 2012

Text K.R. Rejeesh Photos VARIOUS SOURCES

producer should have a passion for the art. He must keep in mind that with his money he is going to do something good for the society,” says Sasi Ayyanchira, General Secretary, Kerala Film Producers Association. He also emphasizes the fact that there should be a control over the budget of a movie.

“Except for my first film, I could finish all my movies within the stipulated budget. A proper and aptly edited script can reduce the expenses to an extent.

Often the uncontrolled shooting forces producers to dig deep into their pockets,” he says. “The whole crew should have in mind that the money being spent for the film is also theirs,” he adds.

He says that while technicians and artistes take the credit of a successful movie, producer alone face the music of a flop film. “Awards are meant for artistes and pay wards for producers,” he quips.

According to him, producers have total control of a movie today in Mollywood.

Sasi says that he has incurred loss of one crore and 20 lakh in the movie “Mission 90 Days”, which obviously bit the dust at the box office. Pointing out that his another production “Tiger” was shot in 30 days by director Shaji Kailas, Sasi says, “The film earned a good profit and it was an epitome of meticulous planning.”

Released in 2003, the movie “War and Love” was a patriotic film inspired by the Kargil war. Sasi had to take over the film in the midway after the former producer walked out of the project. “I took over the film with a commitment to the society and as a tribute to our brave soldiers. Though it got appreciation from all quarters, the film wasn’t a great success,” says Sasi. He asserted that cooperation from the part of the director and the production controller is vital in pegging the budget of a film.

Though the people behind a song in a film have the right to get the royalty for their work, producers are not entitled to get a share of it. “Of late, the satellite right is a big consolation for producers,” he adds.

First-time producers Sandhya Rajendran, who along with E.A. Rajendran produced their debut film “Hide N Seek” under the banner Kalidasa International, believes that there should be a unity among the film crew. “Usually what happens is there will be lack of understanding between the producer and the director about the project,” says Sandhya Rajendran, and adds, “A producer should be aware of what’s happening on the set. He must be conscious of the requirements for the film.”

Some of the hiccups that affect the shoot are hartals, rain and other unexpected events. “Whatever it’s, for a producer, time loss means money loss,” Sandhya Rajendran says as a matter-of-fact.

As a new producer, Sandhya Rajendran had to suffer financial loss for three days during the shooting of “Hide N Seek” as the heroine had to be replaced due to her inefficiency in the language even after three days of shoot. However, Sandhya Rajendran is satisfied with her first production which was completed with a budget of two crore. Kalidasa International’s second production will be directed

by Santhosh Sethumadhavan and the film will go on floors by November.

Listin Stephen of “Traffic” fame is one of the successful producers of recent times. There is no look back for him after this blockbuster and he produced hit films like “Chappa Kurishu” and “Usthad Hotel.” In fact, no veteran producers would have got as much applauds as three-film-old Listin Stephen gets when his name appears on screen.

Approx budget for films in Mollywood Super star movie ` 5 crore Upcoming stars ` 1.5 crore Newcomers ` 1 crore

Big budget movies in Mollywood (Approx) Pazhassi Raja ` 49.1 crore Casanovva ` 21.45 crore Urumi ` 20.6 crore

‘Manager culture’ in Mollywood?

Film producer and director M.A. Nishad, who has produced four films, is of the opinion that a producer must have an artistic mind. He feels that the major problem of producers is lack of professional approach. As a producer, Nishad confesses that the film “Best of Luck” is a forgettable one. He also cites lack of planning and the ego of actresses from other languages as other reasons for a producer’s downfall.

Recently, M.A. Nishad filed a complaint against actress Padmapriya and her manager at the film chamber. In his plaint, he stated that Padmapriya’s manager Vivek Ramadevan had interfered with the work of his latest film “No 66 Madhura Bus.” “Padmapriya was signed on for my film for a fixed remuneration. But later her manager stepped in and said she had hiked up her remuneration. I contacted her to understand what was going on, but she was rude and said that if she was required to act in the film, I need to go through her manager,” says M.A. Nishad. “The intrusion of managers also causes date clash of artistes. They are looking for more commission. So the association decided to ban appointing managers.”

Commenting on this issue, Sandhya Rajendran remarked: “Actors can have managers who must be professional and a good guide. But some managers are misleading actresses to obtain commission. It’s the actress who should listen to the story before committing a project and not the managers.”

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tinsel world

he got in his first film. His second film “City of God” was narrated in a different pattern, but it was not received well at the box office. As he puts it, it was a complete experimental movie and he conveyed it to its producer before the shooting. But what backfired was, he thinks, the improper marketing from the part of the producer.

“The film was released only in 27 centres. There were no releasing centres for the film even in Kottayam and Palakkad. So bad releasing coupled with languid marketing decided the fate of “City of God,” reveals Lijo.

As technology rules the roost, there are various modes like Internet and social networking sites to market a film. But in a small industry like Mollywood, there are limitations for a producer to recover his loss. Meanwhile, producers in Kollywood

Budget breakdown for films

Artistes and technicians 65%

Other expenses 35%

Actress Vidya, of "Neelambari" fame, said that she had problems with her managers in other languages who directly approached producers and discussed remuneration without her knowledge.

After those bitter experiences, the “Neelambari” actress decided to stop managers working for her.

“I never have been a problem to my producers. I always reach the location in time because I don’t want to give them hard times due to my personal issues. Now, my father discusses with the producers regarding my film commitments,” said Vidya.

Director’s cut Filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery points out that some producers don’t understand that cinema is not a risk-free industry. According to him, it’s a gambling area. “Before producing a movie, both the producer and the director ought to have clarity about the project. The producer has to contemplate if he’s going to produce a film having an entertainment value or artistic value. Also he must be aware of his director’s skill,” he says.

Lijo doesn’t wish to recall about the experiences

Box office flops in 2012* Padmasree Bharat Dr Sarojkumar Njanum Ente Familyum Casanovva Kunjaliyan Mullassery Madhavankutty Nemom P.O. Unnam Spanish Masala 18

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OCTOBER 2012

have started insuring their films to reduce the loss due to shooting disruptions. The insurance can be claimed for crew, sets and more.

*Based on box office report till September (list incomplete)

Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty Hero Thiruvambadi Thamban Bachelor Party Simhasanam Last Bench Cinema Company

tinsel world

Reel of a doyen’s life Text & Photos Thabitha Marion

O

nce he was the superstar among the film producers of the black & white era. Veteran film producer T.E. Vasudevan is also regarded as the torchbearer of film production in Malayalam Cinema. He produced films under his banners Associated Productions, Jaimaruthi Productions and Jai Jaya Combines. He entered the industry as an exhibitor at a time when exhibitors in Kerala were relying only on Tamil and Hindi films. In 1943, he purchased the Tamil dubbed film “Pragathi Harishchandra” from A.V. Meyyappa Chettiar.

Within a decade, he distributed more than 1,000 films in different languages, including Sinhalese.

T.E. Vasudevan produced his first film “Amma” in 1951, a bilingual movie in Tamil and Malayalam starring Thikkurushi, Aranmula Ponnamma and Lalitha of Lalitha-Padmini-Ragini sister triumvirate.

It was the 18th film in Malayalam.

“In the movie “Ashadeepam,” I wanted to introduce a new director, and so I gave opportunity to the assistant director of film “Amma” to direct this film,” says T.E. Vasudevan, who has produced around 50 films. In his next film “Snehaseema,” starring Satyan and Padmini, he introduced S.S. Rajan, assistant director of “Ashadeepam,” as director.

Trends That phase of filmmaking saw a new trend of remaking films. He went to Bombay and purchased the story rights of “Lajuvandhi,” a Hindi film, for remaking it into Tamil. It had Nageshwara Rao and Anjali Devi, both from the Telugu film industry. The dialogues for the movie were written by Murasoli Maran. No distributors turned up for the movie till the release date. To complete the movie, he had to borrow ` 8.5 lakh.

“The hero and heroine were from the Telugu industry and the director from Tamil. The distributors felt that it was a Telugu film dubbed into Tamil

Veteran film producer T.E. Vasudevan who ruled the roost in Malayalam Cinema during the B&W era is a living legend. He entered the film industry as an exhibitor at a time when exhibitors in Kerala were relying only on Tamil and Hindi films

and so they were not keen on its distribution,” says this nonagenarian. Finally he was forced to sell the film at dubbing rates and incurred a loss of ` 4 lakh in the movie. That was his first and last Tamil film.

Budget For the film “Amma,” while Thikkurissi was paid ` 10,000, Lalitha’s remuneration was ` 50,000! Padmini was paid ` 50,000 too, for the movie “Ashadeepam”, whereas Sathyan was paid just `15,000.

In “Nair Pidicha Pulivalu,” Ragini was also given ` 50,000. The director used to be paid ` 30,000 then.

The film “Sathyabhama” followed the list of his productions. Though it had actors Satyan, Prem 2012 OCTOBER

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tinsel world

T.E. Vasudevan says that in those days, the production cost of movie came around ` 3-5 lakh and a print itself cost ` 3,000

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Nazir, Thikkurushi, Aranmmula Ponnamma and Pankajavalli, the film failed.

“Despite all the hits, I had a liability of ` 16 lakh.

I found that most of my films were well appreciated and got good response from the audience, but the expense I had incurred was much beyond the required. It was the cost and not the quality that had ruined me for a deficit of this amount,” he recalls.

T.E. Vasudevan states that in those days, the production cost of movie came around ` 3-5 lakh and a print itself cost ` 3,000. “We needed a minimum of ten prints. I prepared a budget within ` 1, 50,000 inclusive of ` 30,000 for print and ` 20,000 for publicity, so that even if I lose, it wasn’t going to be too heavy on me. My friends told me that I was planning to do something which was impossible, but I replied: “If I am not able to make a movie within this budget, that means I haven’t studied anything from this business and if I fail in this attempt, I must quit the field.” His another film “Kavyamela” (1965) was made on a shoestring budget of` 1.5 lakh.

He completed the film “Kutti Kuppayam” within ` 99, 000. The movie ran for 135 days in Calicut. After this success, he realised that there was no point in spending a huge amount to make a movie appreciable.For editing purposes, the whole crew used to travel in cars to studios. He pruned it with only the director, editor, cameraman, writer and himself. The cameraman was being paid `15,000. Then, he chose a new cameraman who was willing to work for ` 15 per day, and much more which made the film a low budget affair.

“Those days, actors were chosen by the producer in consultation with the director, but now the director in consultation with producer decides on the artistes. Producers have to bow down and stand

next to artistes to get dates for a shoot. The position of a producer is nothing but only a means to provide money for the next day’s shoot. The advancement in the industry has brought a downward trend for the status of producers,” he observes.

Unforgettable incident He remembers an incident on the sets of “Snehaseema.” “One of the main artistes in the film was finding it difficult to deliver lengthy dialogues at a stretch. After the sixth unsuccessful take, the artiste went up to the director saying, “Can we change the dialogues?” The director asked me what is to be done. I went to the artiste and told him that I wanted Ponkunnam Varkey to write the dialogues because of his competency and I booked you thinking that you will be good at delivering dialogues. If you are unable to perform well, then I am here to decide on what has to be done next. Next take was quite good. This was the say which a producer had on the sets those days,” he says.

Swan song His last movie “Kaalam Maari Kadha Maari” (1987) starring Mammootty and Sobhana was the first colour film he had produced. “It was a period of transition for the Malayalam film industry. The period marked the rise of Mammootty’s career and the graceful fall in my career,” he quips. And this JC Daniel Award winner adds, “Couple of days back, director Rajasenan approached me expressing his willingness to remake my film “Bharyamaar Sookshikukka.” His other films are “Nair Pidicha Pulival” (1956), “Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhumi” (1964), “Kavyamela” (1965), “Ezhuthatha Katha” (1970), among others.

emerging kerala

Wooing investors A total of 4,676 participants registered for the meet, out of which 2,512 were business delegates, and 2,183 delegates benefitted from business-to-business and business-to-government meeting, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy

Text & Photos FWD MEDIA

W

ell, finally the Emerging Kerala 2012 meet ended on a high note. According to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, the meet could bring in 45 specific project proposals with an investment of over ` 40,000 crore, including BPCL’s Kochi Refinery expansion and another joint venture project of ` 18,000 crore; Volkswagen’s engine assembly unit (` 2,000 crore); hospital and pre-cast concrete structure manufacturing unit (` 570 crore); and solar energy plant (` 500 crore). During the meet, 43 business proposals

were discussed between different departments of the State and companies from the U.K., the U.S., Japan, and Canada.

“The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) would create one lakh sq ft built-up space in 16 months for incubators and complete the first phase of 25,000 sq ft by May 2013. This would make the StartUp Village the world’s largest telecom incubator,” the Chief Minister said. The State Government would further strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by creating Technology Innovation Zone on about 10 acres

"This would make the StartUp Village the world’s largest telecom incubator,” the Chief Minister said

Continued on page 29

2012 OCTOBER

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tete-a-tete

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If you are constantly in a state of evolution, you will learn new things, believes Thomas Varghese, CEO, Linen Club, Aditya Birla Textiles Text K.R. Rejeesh Photos Sijo JOSEPH

Y

ou can call him as a byword for hard work and perseverance. Because, these qualities have quite often reflected on his decision making skills and success as the top honcho of one of the biggest business conglomerates in India. When we bumped into Thomas Varghese, CEO, Textile Business, Aditya Birla Group, in his hotel room on the final day of the Emerging Kerala meet, he was in a rush to head for the airport. He was chagrined, thanks to the hartal announced on the following day.

It meant altering his plans already made. Nevertheless, getting a holiday is nowadays a big relief for this CEO, who has a key role in the growth story of Aditya Birla Group. Before switching over to the textile brand of the Group, Linen Club, Thomas Varghese was heading the Food & Grocery retail brands (More). Born and brought up in New Delhi, Thomas Varghese is an alumnus of IIT, (Delhi) and Harvard Business School (Boston).

Linen Club As linen apparels get wide currency, Thomas Varghese is happy about the response in Kerala for linen fabrics. “Linen Club stands for all the qualities that linen brings to the table,” he begins. “It has got anti-bacterial properties. In fact, Pharaohs of ancient Egypt and Cleopatra had used linen in those days.

Also they used linen to wrap up mummies,” says Thomas.

According to him, linen reflects nobility, royalty and it’s worn aspirationally by people who aspire to be different. “Linen Club has positioned itself to meet the aspirations of people who want to be different. It’s an aspirational brand. It’s a brand that stands for purity and great comfort,” he adds.

Strategic priorities “First and foremost, it’s to build the Brand for specific target consumers and offer great experience in terms of width and depth of merchandise which in other words you can call range. By width and depth, I mean that you not only have large pallets of designs but you also have a wide range of different quality fabrics in both pure linen and blends as also the finish of fabrics. Fabric quality is nothing but function of what kind of fabric construction you built.

So you can build a very light weight fabric as well as you can build a heavy weight fabric and anything

in between. So we feel that we focus on offering the biggest width from coarse fabric to fine fabric,” explains Thomas.

One of the specialties of Linen Club is that the raw materials are completely imported from France and Belgium. Commenting on the impact of rupee movement on their business, Thomas says, “Rupee value has significant effect on us in two ways.

We import 100 per cent linen and when the rupee getting weaker compared to dollar or euro, we find steady increase in cost of our raw materials. When we export, we obviously get better realization. But the export of our linen products is practically negligible since most of our efforts are concentrated on the domestic market.”

Linen Club exports Linen Fabrics to Europe, Middle East, Portugal and Tunisia. “We’re planning to expand in Kerala with 6-10 stores in next two years. The market in Kerala is excellent. The people in Kerala are literate and quite aware. Most affluent people actually know that linen stands for something which is unique and different. We’ve not promoted linen the way it should have been promoted. We’re going to rectify that by conducting a campaign for linen by end of this year.” he says. In Kerala, George Mathew Kuruvithadam is the sole franchise of Linen Club.

Thomas asserts that the company has never concentrated on linen-blend. “Lot of players are there with linen-blend brands. We have been always in the pure linen game that differentiates us. Blends dilutes the quality of pure linen. All I can say, our vision is to dominate the linen market,” he adds.

According to Thomas Varghese, linen reflects nobility, royalty and it’s worn aspirationally by people who aspire to be different. One of the specialties of Linen Club is that the raw materials are completely imported from France and Belgium.

Linen Club exports Linen Fabrics to Europe, Middle East, Portugal and Tunisia

FDI As a veteran in the business arena, Thomas feels that FDI (foreign direct investment) is very good for the country. According to him, FDI will change the complexion of retail in the country. “FDI will empower the farmers. It will give them better yield on their sales. It will improve the quality of their lives.

Also it will offer huge amount of employments. We expect 6-8 million jobs to be created by 2020 if FDI comes today,” opines Thomas.

If you ask Thomas about the secret of his success, he would say it’s only hard work. “Had I not been in the business, I would have been a cricketer,” says Thomas, and adds that photography is also a hobby he picked up while in Karnataka.

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in focus

Supriya Davda speaks to one of the hottest stars in Bollywood, Ranbir Kapoor

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he actor speaks about his film "Barfi," his craft and shares his views about carrying the Kapoor legacy forward in the Hindi Film Industry. Excerpts from the interview.

skills. But I think this is a story about a character called Barfi who, incidentally, is deaf and mute.The film has physical comedy and plenty of antics. But you’re right we express ourselves differently when we have dialogues to cite or songs to sing.

You play the character of Barfi; how difficult is to convey your emotions without speaking; especially in a love story?

"Rockstar" and "Barfi" are extremely different films...

You know when Anurag Basu [Director] narrated the story to me I was blown away; but I didn’t do the film because I was playing a challenged character, because as an actor that would be extremely tempting character to play, as it lets you show off so many of your

Yes, both are diametrically opposite to one another. "Rockstar" was an extremely intense experience for me and preparation is involved. When coming onto the sets of Barfi, you don’t know what’s going to happen or what you’ll be doing but always pressured

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BEING

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about the thought. Both experiences have remained challenging in that way. But I have tried to play the part of Barfi organically.

Did you meet people with these challenges in order to prepare for your character?

Oh, yes. I did. And I did learn a lot from them, and also whilst I was assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali on "Black" I had come across many such people, but when I did go on set I wanted to forget about what I saw, because we wanted the audiences to relate to the film.

If I were to learn sign language for the film, majority of the audiences wouldn’t be able to relate to "Barfi." I communicated as if I had lost my voice and what I would do if I had to communicate.

You’re working with Priyanka Chopra once again after "Anjaana Anjaani." From the promotions her role seems extremely difficult. How was it working with her again?

Yes our previous film Anjaana Anjaani was far more glamorous.

When Priyanka came onto the set for the first time I totally disconnected; and thought who is this? She completely surrendered to the role. Playing an autistic character is extremely hard and can border onto over-acting too. But she has done a fabulous job and made my work so much more easier.

On a personal level, what are your favourite brands and how do you decide what is suited to the function?

I am not all that fashion conscious. Its only when am abroad I try and keep an eye out. I like Dolce and Gabbana, Prada, All Saints and even markets. But nowadays your personal stylists play a huge part in what you wear and when. I often seek advice from fashion designer friends too.

"Rockstar" was one of the biggest hits of 2011; and you received various accolades for your role and like we have mentioned previously both films are very different from one another. How do you choose your films?

Supriya, I follow my instinct; and I feel so grateful that I have the choice in working with such immense talent. My choice is determined by the kinds of work that is coming my way. I just don’t want to be typecast so early on in my career so I am hoping to do as many different films as I can.

Are there any particular filmmakers you would like to work with?

I would love to work with Imitiaz Ali [Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar] again. Aditya Chopra [Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Veer Zaara] Raj Kumar Hirani [3 Idiots]. But I guess anyone with a good story to tell. Some filmmakers just make movies for the sake of it which is bordering onto being dangerous. I think you need a partner who is as passionate as you are. Making movies isn’t a joke, a lot of money and time goes into this. And people are spending a lot of money on purchasing their tickets too. We can’t take this for granted.

You belong to the first family of Hindi Cinema; and your family and you have witnessed a lot of change and progression within the industry; any particular change you would like to bring?

I consider myself to be fortunate, I came into the industry at the right time whereby actors have the liberty of working in any genre they feel fits best. Whereas in my father’s [Rishi Kapoor] era actors used to get typecast very easily. Cinema has grown and continues to do so.

Recently you and your father performed at the IIFA’s in Singapore; again a much talked about affair. Will we be able to see your father and you together in a movie?

My father is the only person whom I feel intimidated by. I admire him a lot and to work with him will be an honour. We have been offered several films and have had stories narrated to us. But we’re both individual actors and scripts should appeal to both of us.

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fashion

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With his stunningly innovative techniques in simple designs, Anuj Sharma, the master of unstitched costumes, is an enfant terrible in the fashion industry.

He shares his concept of fashion with FWD Life

Platter of

button masala Text V Create Media Photos VARIOUS SOURCES

Anuj is an active speaker, jury member as well as participant at various national international forums and fashion festivals. He has participated in shows like Alchemy Festival in London and Fashion Coterie in New York

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mong the Indian fashion designers, who are known for their penchant for heavily embroidered stuffs, Anuj Sharma is a true non conformist. His concept of fashion is easy, free from clutters and innovative. With his inimitable style, Anuj Sharma made a fashion revolution through the three-season-old collection “Button Masala.”

Through Button Masala, he showed Indians something new — making garments with no cuts and sewing. Button Masala started by using buttons and button holes to structure the drapes, and in Button Masala Improved (2010-11), he used rubber bands instead of buttons. Button Masala has also evolved into the realm of crafts with items like cushion covers and bags. Moreover, Anuj’s Spring-Summer 2009 collection was made in less than a week. He never uses patterns, drawings, photographs or scissors. Also there are no alterations required for his silhouettes.

Born in Rajasthan, Anuj completed his post graduation in Apparel Design at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahemedabad. Then he headed to pursue Maters in High performance Sportswear Design from University of Derby, UK in 2002, with Charles Wallice India trust scholarship. In 2007, his debut collection came out.

Anuj is an active speaker, jury member as well as participant at various national international forums and fashion festivals. He has participated in shows like Alchemy Festival in London and Fashion Coterie in New York. He was among the four finalists for International Young Fashion Entrepreneur of

the Year award (IFFEY) by British Council, India.

Collections “The Eyelet collection” (2008) was an amazing lesson on how square or rectangle fabric pieces can be turned into garments using eyelets. “Knots for You collection” (2009) showcased brilliant use of knots.

The designer is teaching students to think out-ofthe-box and what he calls the “cheapest garment production technique” in the world.

Button Masala Theory Button Masala was the much talked about in Lakme Fashion Week 2009 and since then it has been a regular in the show. It was also part of Connecting Concepts, a travelling exhibition by Dutch design DFA and Bliss at the Taiwan design expo 2011. “I just played with buttons one leading to the other,” says Anuj. “With buttons and button holes as a theme a collection can be created. Buttons and its opening showcase multiple possibilities as the wearer can change the silhouettes according to their likes.

A mini dress can be unbuttoned and turned to a full length evening gown or a sexy one shoulder poncho.” Button Masala bagged the Most Innovative Collection of the year award at Marie Claire Made in India Fashion Awards, 2009.

According to him, the natural, spontaneous flow of drapes has an endless scope. “Draping dhotis or saris comes naturally to us, so why not apply it to everything?” he asks. “It’s important to understand that innovating and improvising are different. No de2012 OCTOBER

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fashion

"India has a powerful craft signer invents colours and so embroideries, patterns sector and many fabrics. and silhouettes. Only permutations and combinaSo we concentrate on tions change; still the irony is that every designer claims to be original,” says the ace fashion designer surface ornamentation. in an exclusive interview to FWD Life.

We have a kind of stopped looking whereas the West Excerpts: has no craft and fewer What does inspire you in your designs? fabrics; therefore they One can start from anywhere as there are endless concentrate on structures things to get inspired from. Whenever I get stuck I and details,” says Anuj play with fabrics. One such time, when I knotted the fabric instantly I knew that this is something that can be worked on.

What’s the latest one you are working with?

I am working on Button Masala technique, but with improvements and variations. My latest collection is called Pao Bhaji Masala—more colourful and exciting.

Clothes and colours you would love to work with?

Cotton is my favourite and my latest liking is knits as well. Each colour has its charm.

You’d love to bring crafts into your design.

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Which craft would you love most / planning to bring?

I will try and look at local crafts from Rajasthan and Gujarat to begin with. However, I am always open to any craft that is accessible.

How’s the Indian design concept versus the Western?

India has a powerful craft sector and many fabrics.

So we concentrate on surface ornamentation. We have a kind of stopped looking whereas the West has no craft and fewer fabrics; therefore they concentrate on structures and details.

How do you see Kochi on the fashion front?

Reach of media and crossover of ideas have opened up almost every city as fashion cautious cities. Kochi has stepped in late still sure to expand and open up for fashion further.

About the challenges you are facing…

It’s been a task to make clothing differently and sell at the same time. It’s not easy to change mindsets of people. It took me years.

Advice for budding designers / students…

Be individual.

emerging kerala

Continued from page 21 in Kochi at an initial investment of ` 100 crore.

During the inauguration of the meet, the CM said that the state will give 20 per cent attendance and four per cent grace mark for student entrepreneurs. Of late, the south Indian state, which exports the largest number of workers to the Gulf nations, seems to have woken up to the importance of nurturing entrepreneurship. Over two million Keralites work outside India sending back money which accounts for nearly 22 per cent of the State’s GDP. In March, Kerala also became the country’s first state to have a public-private partnership incubator, Startup Village. The incubator with a projected investment of ` 100 crore aims to nurture over 1,000 student startups. It is promoted by industry leaders like Kris Gopalakrishnan of Infosys. The telecom incubator had signed a partnership with Finland’s Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) to host AppCampus, a $ 24 mn mobile application programme backed by Nokia and Microsoft in Kochi.

Elaborating on the Emerging Kerala meet, the Chief Minister said that three new committees had been set up to usher development, which includes an Investment Promotion Council (headed by the chief minister), Investment Clearance Board (headed by the chief secretary) and a Committee for Policy initiatives and legal changes (headed by Finance

and Law Minister K.M. Mani).

“All the proposals that we received will be vetted by the concerned departments and it would be taken forward by them. The Sea Plane project saw 58 companies expressing their interest for it and we have decided that this project will become live in January 2013,” he said.

“We will see that no rules of the land are bypassed and the biggest concern raised by the investors who came is the inordinate delay in clearances and it’s for that the three new committees are being set up,” said Chandy.

He also said that “a needless controversy” had surfaced in the media over the Volkswagen proposal. “They did meet up with me before the Emerging Kerala meet and they were also present at the meet. They are going ahead with plans to set up a ` 2,000 crore assembly unit,” the CM added.

Oommen Chandy also revealed that the State has got 413 B-to-B proposals and 142 B-to-G proposals in the meet. In a message to the delegates of the meet, the Chief Minister said that the Emerging Kerala investor’s meet will be held every two years.

He asserted that the State Government aims at promoting infrastructure development of the State without compromising on its environment, culture, and heritage.

Startup Village had inked a partnership with Finland’s Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) to host AppCampus, a $ 24 mn mobile application programme backed by Nokia and Microsoft in Kochi

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trends

silk route Saris have such an impact on women that they chat away nineteen to the dozen about its designs, texture and lots more. Now, Emmanuel Silks brings an opportunity to get your Kanchipuram saris woven as per your choice of design Text & Photos FWD Media

The deal at most places : ‘show us the design, we will ask our weavers at Kanchipuram to do it for you’ and this would take ages

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ashion might keep changing across the world; but for Indian women, the style statement ‘saris are elegant’ still continues to be on the tip of their tongue. They are very particular about texture, designs, infinite grandeur and opulence of saris. Even if women fashion market is loaded with all sorts of designer crepes, tissues and nets, the fancy for the fabric with feminine poise is shooting up like nobody’s business. Most of the sari lovers for sure would have in mind some colour combinations, which they would have failed to get during their shopping spree,

something like a coffee brown-yellow combination Kanchipuram sari.

Hunting for such combos with high expectations, have the store racks drooped your hope? The deal at most places : ‘show us the design, we will ask our weavers at Kanchipuram to do it for you’ and this would take ages. Not even confident of the ultimate work after spending a lump sum, the customers hold their breath till the time of delivery.

Emmanuel Silks, one of the prominent textile groups in Kerala, now brings to ‘ladies for silk’ an opportunity to walk into their showroom with

designs of their choice for a Kanchipuram sari and to walk out with that newly-woven silk sari within a specific period depending on the intricacy of the work. The magical machine which turns silk yarns to saris is placed on the first floor of the showroom.

Weavers from Kanchipuram had been brought to the city for taking the measurements of the in-store handloom. Parts of the machine were affixed then and there itself, following with the functioning of two handloom units. Design handloom works on six machines and the loom for plain or brocade saris on two machines.

One unit is specifically for design silk saris and the other for plain and brocade silk saris. The loom for weaving design saris has more machines and design cards and they use 5,400 threads for the body of the sari and 500 threads for the zeri border.

Saravanan from Kanchipuram was busy rhythmically working on a pink design silk sari. He says, “The lady who ordered this sari, chose the design and colour. Designs are traditional motifs with Yashoda

Krishna on its border.”

You can take any design of your choice and ask it to be weaved using a colour thread of your liking.

If the design is not available with him, then he needs to get the design card done from Kanchipuram which will take a bit long, say a week, to get the design card ready and two months to get it delivered.

If the designs are readily available, the weaving will be completed within ten days. These design saris costs around ` 20,000.

“A pallu of a design sari will have around 270280 design cards used. The designs available now are zig zags, scallop designs, jungla designs with zeri thread mix and Jackard design having only silk threads with no zeri,” says Hino Thomas, in-charge of the section. A plain silk sari is priced around ` 9,500.

This fashion facility has been available for three months. And most of their customers are brides-tobe. So far they have completed six saris on order and two are on the loom.

The magical machine which turns silk yarns to saris is placed on the first floor of the showroom. Weavers from Kanchipuram had been brought to the city for taking the measurements of the in-store handloom

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behind the scenes

JAWAN OF VELLIMALA

A protégé of filmmaker Lal Jose, Anoop Kannan had worked with him as an associate director in a number of his blockbusters

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etween the busy schedules of final editing and dubbing, debutant director Anoop Kannan talks to FWD Life about his dream project "Jawan of Vellimala," produced by Mamooty’s production endeavour, Playhouse. Anoop Kannan had been working with Lal Jose as an associate in many of his blockbusters that Malayalee cinema goers hold close to their hearts.

This is possibly the first movie in Malayalam to use Balloon lights to shot wide angle shots.The movie will be released on October 19.

Excerpts: 32

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Production: Playhouse Direction: Anoop Kannan Music: Bijibal Lyrics: Venugopal, Anil Panachooran, Santhosh Varma DOP: Satheesh Kurup Cast: Mammootty, Mamtha Mohandas, Asif Ali, Sreenivasan, among others

On his shift from the role of an associate to director...

Responsibility increases. That’s the biggest difference. I have been fortunate enough to work with a director who gives a lot of space for brainstorming and creative inputs. What I learned was that the final decision should be the director’s, no matter what the result might be.

On Lal Jose’s influence...

What I learned from Lal sir was the manner in which life is conceived in cinema, how the character development results in a fabulous

story which in due process becomes a cherished movie. So it’s not the framing of a shot, or a song sequence or such details that I carry with me to this movie rather the clarity of how a story should be told.

life in that village. It has also been very interesting to work with Mammooty not only as an actor but also as a producer because the kind of involvement and passion he brings along is phenomenal.

The current project...

About the new trends in Mollywood...

It started with scriptwriter James Albert. He gave me a vivid idea of the story and wanted it to portray differently. The story is about a village which takes pride in the dam around the village and three different characters that bring about changes there. For me, the focus of the film beyond any kind of technological innovations and storytelling style, it’s more about the

Cinema will always change with time; art has to reflect the changes in society. There is a new urbanised lifestyle that is becoming familiar to most Malayalees so it’s natural that most of the filmmakers, especially the younger generation, create movies on what they know of and are interested to talk about. It’s certainly a good change.

The story is about a village which takes pride in the dam around the village and three different characters that bring about changes there

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cyberscape

E-stalkers

on the prowl Text FWD MEDIA

With social networking sites gain currency, online stalkers manipulate them to tarnish the image of gullible users. To crown it all, stalkers keep tabs on the profiles of their exes

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t was mid semester vacation for Nancy, a student pursuing her third year engineering. The two-week-long holiday without friends around in the vacant dormitory left her gloomy. As it was not possible for her to catch up with her family settled abroad, she wondered how she would while away her time. Facebook being the only way to keep her engaged, she logged in and began chatting with her online friends.

As she was chatting, she received an anonymous message saying, “Hi, what’s this pretty lady doing online so late?” She didn’t reply to it, but the next day at the same time she was keen on knowing if ‘Mr. Stranger’ was online. Progressively her one word replies got to be essays of emotions. After months of talking, she wanted to meet this person.

Knowing this, he got aloof. Her anxious mind was

shocked to receive a message one day saying, ‘Who are you? Can’t you leave my husband alone’? Shattered with the memories of the online fling, she lost her cool.

Many love affairs might go on strongly for years, ending in life-long relationships. But a few fizzles out with bitter ends. Taking them to be twists and turns of life, they part ways.

Cyber bullying by exes After years, one day you see that long conversation with pricking words posted on your Facebook wall saying ‘I miss you and the good times we had together…..’. And that would be your ex-flame back with resentment for his/her long lost love. Online conversations change colours to threats, spreading rumours, morphing or tagging pictures giving the

sufferer sleepless nights.

Stalker’s verbal abuse over social networking sites can cut a sorry figure to the victim. Petrified to discuss it with parents and ending up in a fix, without knowing how to tackle the mess level-headedly, solutions go to the extent of suicides. If the stalked have parents by their side to console them or to decipher the puzzle, handling these situations would have been simpler.

Immoral stalking “I was dating Ajeesh. I adored him but when he got to be very suspicious and complicated, our relationship went out of hand. We decided to break up with a mutual understanding. But after months he began troubling me and one day I was shocked to see what he had posted on my wall— “I’m xxx, interested in physical interaction.” He posted the message along with my cellphone number. Not knowing what to do, I deleted my account. What more can I do to stop this psycho from troubling me?” says Roshini. Does deleting an account really help her from being troubled by the same person again?

Fake profiles Having troubles from her ‘ex’, Anjana deleted her Facebook account. After days a friend of hers gave a call asking her, “Why didn’t you tell me that you created a new account”. She asked, “Which account?” without knowing what was happening behind her back. Seeing the profile she understood that the picture in her fake account was the one which she had given her ‘ex’ during their good times.

Matter gets worse if the ‘stalked’ is an engaged or a married person. For them, messages or pings from stalkers saying about their past or concocted stories not only crack up their life, but also of their partner.

“There are too many profiles in my name on Facebook. But none of them are mine. Those profiles are created by people, who would be having all the time in the world to create fake profiles, to derive vicarious pleasure out of cooking up rumours,” says actor Rima Kallingal, and adds, “I haven’t got my FB profile name as Rima Kallingal, but it’s something else, and I don’t wish to disclose it. My personal account is accessible only to my close friends. So I feel safe using my account.”

Assigned stalking Men too can be stalked. A friend of mine shared a real experience of a married couple. The wife who was suspicious of her husband having an extra mari-

tal affair assigned a stalker to keep a track of his online activities. Stalker gave her husband a clean chit and she was happy about it. But the stalker used his trump card to extract money from the lady. He blackmailed her every time for more. Finally, she disclosed the matter to her husband which created fissures in their relationship.

Hibi Eden, MLA, pointed out that the use of social networking sites is unavoidable these days. He said: “Even political leaders and organisations use it.

But it has its positives and negatives. The negatives can be patched up with the strong presence of a cyber force in every district of the State.”

“As the cyber crime cases are shooting up, the number of well trained officers in the cyber regime has to be increased to ensure justice to all. Strict punishment to one stalker would deter others from doing the same,” he added.

A married man from our city working abroad while watching a blue film with his friends ended up seeing a nude video clipping of his wife, which got leaked through cyber stalking

Cyber diaries There are poeple who find pleasure chatting to strangers in nude. Sexting happens to be too common in our city as well. “A married man from our city working abroad while watching a blue film with his friends ended up seeing a nude video clipping of his wife, which got leaked through cyber stalking,” says a reliable source.

As helpless users, the stalked pretends to be dumb for a while; but when comments defame their chastity, they would say, “Enough is enough. I can’t tolerate this anymore”. They either delete the account or lodge a complaint with the Cyber Cell.

“If found guilty, the stalker would get at least three years of imprisonment, fine up to Rs 5 lakh or both,’ says an official in the Cyber Cell.

Studies reveal that only 30 per cent of the stalked shows the audacity to file a complaint, the rest ends up paying the price by flesh or money.

So if you are a ‘stalked’, you can lodge a complaint with the Cyber Cell near Marine Drive, Kochi where your complaint will be handled confidentially.

According to N. Vinaya Kumaran Nair, AC Hitech Cell, Thiruvananthapuram, the number of e-harassments is soaring nowadays. “While 95 cases were reported last year on abuse over Facebook, Orkut and Twitter, the number has risen to 113 this year so far. The moment you realise that you are being stalked, approach the nearest police station or Cyber Cell for lodging a complaint,”he adds. However, he urges netizens to abstain from uploading private snaps and not to reveal personal information on social networking sites.

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spotlight

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Best of reel life Actor Nivin Pauly, the latest charm of Mollywood, is on a high as he bags offers from prominent filmmakers in the industry Text Thabitha Marion

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lad in a red corduroy jeans and a blue shirt Nivin Pauly sashayed the photo shoot location with a chilled out attitude, smiling and talking to whoever passed his way. Seeing actress IshaTalwar, he walked up to her, and as they were having a jovial chat munching over some crisps, the makeup artist for Isha came forward to begin his work of dolling her up. Meanwhile, Nivin was getting ready to see his fashion wardrobe for the day. That little time was enough for me to coop him up for a one-to-one conversation. He gladly agreed and talked about himself and movies. Excerpts:

Were you appreciated by any Malayalam superstar after watching your performance in Thattathin Marayathu?

When I met Mammootty sir, he told me that he had watched the movie thrice and liked my performance. As an advice, he said, “Now your responsibilities to the industry are much more, so be more careful about your future projects and give your utmost.” I think Lalettan hasn’t watched the movie yet.

Was your real life romance anyway similar to the movie?

Not at all. My real life romance was matured and each step was taken without it being a hasty decision. But the character in the movie portrays more of a puppy love which buds as an infatuation, blooming into a relationship.

Tell us about your bond with Vineeth Sreenivasan. Is he your lucky charm?

This is the second movie we are working

Photos SHANI

together. About Vineeth, I would say he is a courageous director. The time when he chose me to play the role of Vinu in “Thattathin Marayathu”, there were many who tried to dissuade him. But he stood firm on his decision. He was confident that I would do justice to the character. It’s not luck that charms our relationship but the understanding and belief we have in each other.

Your wife’s opinion about your new makeover...

During our college days, when we were seeing each other, I was having a clean shave. It was only later I began to grow moustache and beard. So even today she likes to see me with a neat shave, prim and proper. By watching my performance in the movie, she said, “I never thought you were so romantic.”

About your new projects...

Sathyan Anthikad’s “Puthiya Theerangal” is my new release. It was a great experience to work with Sathyan sir, who taught me what’s acting. The movie showcases fishermen’s life and Namitha Pramod is the heroine. Then there is another movie titled “English”, directed

by Shyamaprasad. It’s a good opportunity for me to work with such a filmmaker. I am also part of Ashiq Abu’s movie “Da Thadiya.”

Other movies are Rajesh Pillai’s “Motorcycle Diaries,” “Chapters” by Sunil Ibrahim and “Neram.”

A role which you crave to do?

A lifetime villain role and not the stereotyped villain.

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spotlight

Beyond the veil Model-turned-actress Isha Talwar, who is basking in the success of the movie “Thattathin Marayathu,” divulges her experience in Mollywood and more in a freewheeling chat

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Text Thabitha Marion

hile her onscreen character Aisha keeps on creating ripples in loving hearts, the ecstasy was palpable on the face of actress Isha Talwar. We have seen her in the ads of Cadbury Dairy milk silk, Dulux Paints and Dhathri before. But this time the “Thattathin Marayathu” girl’s presence itself creates a romantic milieu. For this economics graduate from St. Xavier’s college, Mumbai, acting is her passion. When she was in 5th standard, Isha Talwar acted in the Hindi film “Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai” as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's sister.

As she gets ready for an exclusive photo shoot for FWD Life in Kochi, this effervescent girl unveiled her passion for films.

Excerpts: How did your entry into Mollywood happen?

After the Dhathri Ad, Joemon, the photographer of the shoot, suggested about me to Vineeth who was then on the lookout for actress for his new film. During the first meeting itself he was sure that I would be apt to play the role of Aisha.

How long were you trained to learn the dialogues for the movie?

It took 20 days for me to learn the dialogues from my tutor Vrinda Nair, a Mumbai-based Malayali. It was definitely not a cake walk, but feels good to learn a new language.

Share with us your plans of moving into other South Indian languages…

I have a Tamil movie “Thillu Mullu,” a remake 38

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Photos SHANI

of Rajini sir’s film, starring Prakash Raj and Shiva. It is going to be a bilingual flick.

When can we see you next in a Malayalam movie?

Very soon. I will be sharing the screen space with Asif Ali and Unni Mukundhan in the movie “I Love Me.”

A Mollywood star’s movie you wish to watch?

That would be “Iruvar” starring Mohanlal sir.

I have friends here in Kochi. They said: “To watch the versatility of Lal sir, you must watch this movie.”

What is your fitness mantra?

I burn my calories by practising Kathak for two hours a day and doing yoga thrice a week.

From my college days, I have been performing on stage with Terrace Louis and I feel this is what keeps me fit in spite of being a foodie.

Are you single? What puts you off in a man?

Yes, I am. And bad breath would be the one thing which would put me off in a man.

A Kerala dish you like the most…

Appam and fish curry. I just so love the fish preparation at Hotel Grand, Kochi

Your experience working with actorproducer Sreenivasan?

About Sreenivasan sir, I would say he is a gem of a person with a lot of subtleties. He was so particular about my comfort and made the whole shooting ambience easy going for me.

They made it a point to give me my due share of beauty sleep.

Lustrous in Black

black sleeveless t-shirt worn along with a sleeveless black fur coated jacket, paired with a torn faded blue denim and a strappy open toed high heeled footwear.

Hair style

voluminised blow dry- hairstyle

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ALCHEMY Photography & Styling by Shani Hair & Make-up by Jijeesh Location Courtesy Hotel Dream

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Rugged Red

Black buttoned jacket worn over a black T-shirt well matched with a pair of red denims and laced red leather shoes.

Hair style

gel-spiked hair style

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Sensual Swan

White lycra top paired with a pair of ripped white denim jeans worn along with a coffee-brown strapped platform.

Hair style

blown out hair style.

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Sexy Raven

Sleeveless white top beneath a sleeveless faded blue denim jacket worn along with a pair of faded blue torn denims.

Hair style

Wavy blow dry

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Macho Moves

White T-shirt paired with a denim jacket with fur collar worn along with a pair of faded dark navy blue denim.

Hair style

messy spiked hair cut.

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Diving into wonders adventure

Apart from providing excitement, diving offers job opportunities too. FWD Life reaches out to professional divers and diving schools to explore more

Text THABITHA MARION Photos VARIOUS SOURCES

Joseph Delish, a diving professional, who is also in-charge of Scuba Cochin, a diving school at Kadavanthara, Kochi says, “In Kerala, though people wanted to learn diving, the facilities for it was minimal before."

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here is a popular saying among divers that “diving deep into the sea for minutes is five times more rejuvenating and exciting than a whole day’s visit appreciating the beauty of a forest.” The excitement will be higher if you’re a first timer clothed in diving gears and gird up for plunging into the cool waters as deep as 100 feet. No wonder if you stutter to elaborate the discerning experience. Unfortunately, despite having water bodies and meandering rivers in Kerala, professional diving remains at its nascent stage. In fact, there are enough opportunities in Kerala to learn and explore the ecstasy involved in diving.

Joseph Delish, a diving professional, who is also in-charge of Scuba Cochin, a diving school at Kadavanthara, Kochi says, “In Kerala, though people wanted to learn diving, the facilities for it was minimal before. Diving in the sea or river wasn’t that feasible as its muddy water used to affect the visibility. For diving, at least half-a-metre visibility is required. But we have exceptions like Varkala beach and Thirumullavaram at Kollam. So that makes it wrong on our part to blame the nature about lack of clear water.”

A decisive trip It was during a holiday to his hometown, Justin Jose, an expert commercial diver in Dubai, thought of introducing diving lessons to Kochiites. In 2008, Justin Jose, now the director of Scuba Cochin, 48

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started a shop selling diving equipment. Mind you by then he was an expert at it after being trained by the Indian Navy Diving School and with his years of experience abroad. Also he had already owned a partnership commercial diving centre — Interdive Diving School in Dubai, with his friends, Wilfred and Chandra.

For the first six months Kochi saw the store as a diving museum and people curiously tried to get knowledge on the use of each of the gadgets. “It was a daily routine for me to open the shop from 9 am to 7 pm, even with no sales. Gradually, after a year, we noticed that the walk-in sales had been catching up. To boost their interest, we introduced water sports like kayaking and banana rides and finally began with diving course at the nearby pool at the Regional Sports Centre. But we got licence for PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) training only in 2010,” says Joseph. They have recreation packages in confined shallow water diving and deep diving along with PADI courses.

Dive in deep pools It was a long chat with Joseph and now hearing so much I wanted to see for myself how their students got trained. We walked to the Sports Centre where I saw a group of students dressed in diving gears costing around Rs 1.5 lakh, anxiously looking down into the three metre deep and 25 metre long pool before their maiden recreational dive. This diving held only in deep pools is the most chosen package;

be it for children from the age of 10 to adults. And for being a part of it you need to shell out ` 2,500.

“We undertake this course even at tourist resorts on their requests for their guests. It’s like an added luxury given to their clienteles,” says Joseph. Plop!

One at a time they jumped into the water.

Grooming Shallow diving is fun but the real deal comes with the deep diving in the quarry waters at Thiruvamkulam, Kochi. For this after registering, the students are medically assessed following which they are given theory lessons on safety aspects, diving signals and awareness of equipment. The first stage of deep diving begins with snorkelling in shallow waters wearing life jackets and breathing through snorkel. They would then be lowered down into the water using nylon ropes, carrying cylinders and other apparatus.

Last month, Anna and Lisa came all the way from Sweden to learn diving. “The cost of learning is much cheaper here. The training we get at both places is the same. They use diving gears of international standards. So we joined the course and the one month lessons have made us confident of diving deep,” says Anna.

Excitement unlimited “There is nothing like the first breath of excitement under water. I own my own IT company at Info Park and for me, this experience of going underwater

was relaxing and refreshing,” says Sachit Rajan. Being under water for 15 minutes each, he took three dives a day. Having a penchant for diving, Sachit joined the professional course and is now a PADI licence holder. “Soon I will be planning my trip to Andamans where I would get to see a visual treat of the marine life,” he adds.

Rescue operations Another diving school along with an experienced rescue team is Interdive at Thoppumpadi, Kochi.

The team which dives with a purpose needs to be applauded for their sense of social responsibility portrayed through their life-risking work with no financial support from governmental or non governmental organisations.

A month ago, there was a mishap in the Periyar river where a boy went missing in water for hours.

The accident occurred in the morning and the search by the Fire Force went on till 1pm. As a last resort, a police official gave Interdive a call asking for help.

“We went there and found the body, which was carried away by the underwater currents.

But it is sad to say that before we set out for the search, the attitude shown by Fire force team was disheartening. They kept reminding us by saying, “Oh! No, you won’t be able to get it. Even we searched for hours and we couldn’t,” says Godwin, a rescue diver of the team.

The first stage of deep diving begins with snorkelling in shallow waters wearing life jackets and breathing through snorkel. They would then be lowered down into the water using nylon ropes, carrying cylinders and other apparatus

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adventure

Guidelines for safer scuba diving

Don’t push yourself beyond your comfort level, and always stay within your dive plan Slowly and gently equalise the pressure in your mask and ears as you descend and ascend Educate yourself on local dangers, such as currents, tides and dangerous marine life Always dive with a buddy and stay calm and relaxed; turn to your buddy if you need help Always use the proper equipment Make sure your doctor says it’s safe for you to dive Never drink alcohol before a dive

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Opportunities Wilfred C. Manuel, a commercial diver in Dubai and one of the directors of Interdive says, “In 1992 when I went to Dubai to work as a commercial diver, there were very few Keralites in the field. But now it has changed.

There are commercial divers getting a package between Rs 40,000 and Rs 3 lakh in a month,” says Wilfred. “The problem with us is that we never make the best use of what we have. Pooyamkutti near Thattekaadu is a place which has all the requirements for a good diving in abundance, but people misuse it,” complains Wilfred.

“We had undertaken projects in Dubai at Tawila Port for the construction of 60-feet deep and 800-metre-long quay wall, maintenance of Burj Khalifa Lake, Palm Jumeirah and the construction of artificial islands. As commercial divers, we do activities like quay wall construction works, underwater cutting and welding, underwater demolition, assessment of underwater structures and more,” he adds.

Prince George, after completing Plus Two, attended the PADI course at Scuba Cochin and he says that he wishes to get into the next level of being trained as a commercial diver.

Commercial divers suggest that to enjoy the real sight of the marine life, avid divers can go for diving at Thirumullavaram beach in

Kollam. During November and December the sea is very calm and going deep waters you will find ornamental fish like "Nemo" and more.

Professional Courses on Diving Open Water Course Two theory classes and eight practical classes in both shallow and deep water as deep as 18 metres.

1 month course Course fee Rs 25,000 Course ends with an online test with the issuance of a temporary diving license on the same day making the candidate eligible to attend job interviews.

Advanced Open Water Diving Course Practical class at the Thiruvamkulam quarry, diving 30 to 100-feet deep.

5 day course Course fee Rs 15,000

Emergency First Response (EFR) Practical classes 5 day course Course fee Rs 5,000 Foreigners join this course as it is cheaper when compared to the fee structure in their country.

instore

STYLE QUOTIENT MEN'S COLLECTION Designer- Cotton Price ` 750/- approx

White and Red ChecksCotton Price ` 780/- approx

Blue Stripes- Cotton Price ` 780/- approx

King Size - Umbrella Price ` 599/- approx

Cargo shorts- Cotton Price ` 590/- approx

Blue and White Checks - Linen Price ` 850/- approx

Superman Boxers- Silk Price ` 300/- approx

Trendy Travel bag Price ` 690/- approx

White and Red Checks- Cotton Price ` 780/- approx

Style Quotient K C Joseph Road, Panampally Nagar. Ph: 0484 3935099 facebook.com/sqkochi Disclaimer: Price and features are subject to change. Buyers are advised to act on data after cross-checking.

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architecture

Not Just Black

Take a dip in this cool combination which stands apart the riot of colours in usual interiors Text Dhanya Menon Photos Prahlad Gopakumar

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ell-known musician Amy Grant has said, "Without black, no colour has any depth. But if you mix black with anything, suddenly there is a shadow and fullness.” These words reflect to its fullness in this apartment interior. Black is the undisputed winner here. When Sheena Mathew completely left it to the designers to unleash their creative juices, the architect couple- Shiyad and Manju dared to make an outstanding design.

Turn a corner, left or right-from the living room and into any of the rooms, you will find blacks and whites with red splashes, and only that, all around.

‘Bold meets the edgy’ for an explosive new style, that’s how FWD Life reviews it.

“Each home is a clear indication of the client’s personality. A tasteful blend of modernity and glamour interjected here with comfort” says Shiyad about the design.

Design Concept “The project is a 1200 sq ft apartment with three bedroom, hall and kitchen which is converted to a 2 BHK with a study cum library and an open kitchen 52

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with breakfast counter. There was total freedom from the client to do the interior as per our concept and style” says Shiyad. There is ample use of MDF with duco spray finish and planilaque colour glass.

As the apartment was not large, mirrors were brought in thereby giving the rooms a larger appearance.

Entrance The entrance foyer is elegant with black and white custom-made leather sofas, with a full length partition with three cut-outs for curios.

Living and Dining Space The living room is the most attractive space in the house. It has a black coloured wall in contrast with the whites. The black wall here is decorated with red round blocks. A white wall is lined with white finish with television and DVD console.

The designer believes that wallpapers and wall arts do not have a timeless appeal and therefore kept the walls bare and white. The focal points of the walls have storage niches and camouflaged cabinets within the walls.

Between the living and the dining space, a verti-

cal wall with cutouts is made for a visual demarking of the two areas. It also leaves the feeling of openness intact. The white and black light fixtures hang from a false gypsum ceiling in the dining area. There are also adjustable ceiling lights allowing different moods in the spaces. A striking red and white dining table adds a vibrant note to the whole scene. The dining area overlooks onto the open modular kitchen complete with a pantry/ breakfast counter.

Kitchen

guest bedroom with a customised bed-set and the bed head board flowing into the ceiling.

Study Cum Library Out of the three bedrooms, one has been converted to a study cum library. A study table with concealed laptop storage and a designer bookshelf complements the theme here. There is a loft space designed at 50 cms from the finished floor level with hidden storage spaces underneath.

The kitchen counter is top lined with black granite.

White and red planilaque overhead glass cabinets with grids patterned black wall tile. All these are carefully planned so as to complement the whole theme of the interiors.

Lighting

Bedrooms

About the Colour Scheme

The focal part is the master bedroom with its circular shaped bed surrounded by pebbles inside glass cubicles. The main wall is lined with the photos of the family (that too in black n white) which will be reflected on the full length mirror on the adjacent wall. It creates an amazing illusion.

The white, black and red theme continues into

The colour scheme of this home is simple and restricted to the theme of modernity. The main theme is black and white with red as a highlighter. The vitrified tile flooring, black and white curtains, trendy black and white hanging lamps create a drama.

Black is the most misunderstood colour. But now many are willing to mix black into their palatte.

The entire lighting of the apartment was done with LED down-lights and strip lights. All major light sources are concealed for indirect lighting to provide softness to the ambience.

Project - Planet X Apartments,

Built-up area- 1200 sq ft

Thiruvananthapuram

Location Advantage - Within town limits,

Budget (interiors + furnishing) Rs 10.5 lakh

prime residential area

Design by - Ar. Shiyad & Ar. Manju,

What FWD Life Liked - A compact home with a unique chic design.

Owned by -

Tel: 9847747324,7736775484

Project managed by - Cube Design Studio, Thiruvananthapuram

Sheena Mathew

FWD Life Rating Location

Amenities

Price

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wedding costume

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shot of vintage brides

Fashion designer Ritu Kumar designs costumes of pre-independent India for the wedding sequences of Deepa Mehta’s new film “Midnight's Children”

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ike her designs shimmer at the fashion ramps, ace fashion designer Ritu Kumar is all set to repeat the magic on silver screen as well. This time she dabs her hands in wedding attires of pre-independent India for filmmaker Deepa Mehta’s upcoming film “Midnight's Children.” With her aesthetic taste for designing she beautifies the brides in the movie, featuring Soha Ali Khan, Shahana Goswami, Anita Majumdar, and Neha Mahajan, among others, Ritu Kumar tries to redefine the costume culture of preindependent India.

The film is based on Salman Rushdie’s Booker prizewinning novel "Midnight's Children." Ritu has also worked on the costumes for the male star cast, including Anupam Kher, Rahul Bose, Siddharth Narayan and Samrat Chakravarty for the wedding sequences in the movie. For creating this collection of Indian vintage wedding clothing reflecting the colonial state-of-the-art, the designer made an in-depth study to get in tune with the graciousness and intricacies of designs of those times. The film “Midnight's Children” encapsulates three Muslim

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weddings of Northern India.

To portray the richness and to highly illustrate the variety of material and antique works, it took six months for Ritu to research on the unique design vocabulary, including the varied forms of Kashmiri dress and its layered ensembles. She referred her book “Costumes and Textiles of Royal India” to achieve the unique look of those times of yore. The outfits are designed after a thorough research on the royal costumes of Muslim families of pre-independence era. The ‘poshaaks,’ or ensembles, worn by the Begums on their weddings consists of a three piece ensemble — a kurta, a ‘farshi’ pyjama (a kind of divided skirt) and a dupatta or veil.

The ensembles worn by Shahana Goswami has a pyjama with its upper part or ‘paat’ made of a deep teal blue brocade, and the lower half or ‘gote’ in blue, emerald green and gold stripes of patched silk. Elaborate embroidered borders complete the edges of the ensemble, adorned with stripes of ‘gota’ and ‘kiran’ to give the ensemble a metallic sheen. The bride’s kurta has dull gold brocade work with hand embroidered

detailing and a teal blue dupatta to complete the ensemble.

Anita Majumdar wears a bridal poshaak consisting of a kurta made of emerald green, with its yoke in ‘angarkha’ style, embellished with butis. The dupatta is prettified with patch-bordered multi-colored silks with zarodzi embroidered dupatta edged with a deep ‘kiran.’ The ensemble is completed with a farshi-styled pyjama elaborately worked with brocades and coloured silks.

“This style of embroidery used to edge the ‘paat’ and the ‘gote’ seams is a typical of the Rampur and Avadh courts”, says Ritu. Soha Ali Khan is seen wearing a white ensemble made of hand-woven chanderi silk cotton fabric, a style consistent with the North Indian tradition. An angarkha cut full embroidered with natural silk cotton ecru yarns worn over the tunic of white chanderi.

‘Phirin’ a unisex garment made of red wool worn by brides in Kashmir is the wedding attire worn by Neha Mahajan. It is designed with gold tilla or metallic thread

in the front, stylized with mango motifs found on jamavar shawls. The rich neckline is repeated on the pockets and cuffs of the bridal wear. The golden velvet brocade salwar, cut wide worn along with a red dupatta completes the ensemble.

About her experience working for the movie, she says, “It is a great honour for me to be associated with such a large-scale film. It was really exciting to work with the team.” “The most interesting part about costume designing for the film is that it was for the first time Salman Rushdie was lending his hands to the costume department by providing inputs on how each character’s clothing should be. Salman and I sat down to discuss the outfits and his valuable inputs were of great help for me.” adds Ritu.

For bringing to life the designs considered to be dead and gone, the designer actively contributed in giving the actors a look to die for. The film, opened at TIFF and premiered at the Vancouver Film Festival on September 27, will be screened all over the world by the end of this year.

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food

Taste of Malabar Photos Sijo JOSEPH

The restaurant ‘Mappila Kada’ near Gold Souk at Vytilla, Kochi has a desi ambience with wooden benches to sit on. It serves the best of Malabar snacks to the most ordered finger-licking beef preparation originated from North Kerala

Erachi Pattiri (Meat stuffed bread)

Ingredients Beef Chopped onions Chopped green chillies Egg Maida Sugar Cardamom Sunflower oil Salt

Method Add chopped onions and green chillies to the boiled beef pieces. Fry it well and keep it aside. Make soft dough with flour and salted water and keep it aside.

Divide the dough into balls and roll out each ball of dough into a chappati like round. Place a spoonful of the meat mixture on top of one and cover it with another layer of pressed maida. Press the edges well and fry it in oil. Before it turns golden brown take it off from fire. Apply egg mixture with cardamom and sugar on to the pattiri and cook it on tava for another few minutes without applying oil.

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Elaanji

(Coconut filled pancake)

Ingredients Maida Banana Coconut Sugar Cardamom Turmeric

Method Cook scrapped coconut, sugar and a pinch of cardamom in oil and keep it aside. Slightly cook ripe banana, chop them into pieces and mix it with the coconut preparation. Prepare maida batter and make dosas over a nonstick pan. Place a spoon full of coconut banana mixture at the centre of the dosa and wrap it. Turn it to the other side and remove it from fire. This dish is often called as ‘love letters’.

Unnakai Ingredients Banana Coconut Sugar Cardamom Cashew Sunflower oil

Method Boil banana with its outer peel and mash it after peeling. Flatten the mashed banana into small circles. At its centre put the scrapped coconut, cardamom and broken cashew. Roll it into an elongated shape and fry it in oil on simmer.

Must try’s at Mappila Kada Puttu and fish curry made of coconut milk and raw mango slices.

Ghee rice with Malabar beef curry Appam Isthu (a variety of non vegetarian stew) Erachi (meat) Cake

Erachi (meat) Pattiri Mutta (egg) Masala Parippu Cake Meen (fish) Ada Meen (fish) Pattiri 2012 OCTOBER

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automobile

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A class act

by Merc The new E-Class is a prime example of the four-phase integral safety concept from Mercedes-Benz: starting with safe driving and continuing via anticipatory protection

Drive Mercedes-Benz E-Class strikes a brilliant balance between ride quality and handling ability. Within its segment, the E is by far the most adaptable, rewarding and confident car for the widest variety of surfaces and situations. Although it’s not the most athletic pick, it nevertheless offers highly tactile steering, strong engines and a chassis that inspires confidence. Regardless of body style or engine, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a special luxury car to drive. State-of-the-art technology forms the basis for the drive system in the E350: Four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust camshaft adjustment and balance shaft. Also the E350 features on-demand alternator management and a flexibility controlled fuel pump. It’s no surprise that the E-Class comes across as a brilliantly engineered car with outstanding comfort, refinement and top-notch quality.

Specs Engine Petrol

Width 1822 mm

Displacement 3498 (petrol)

Height 1695 mm

Max Power 200/272 @ 6,300

Gears 7 speed Seating capacity 5

Max Torque 355nm @ 4,500 rpm Length 4315 mm

Tyre size 245 / 45 R17

Ex Showroom Price

` 53,66,832*

* Mercedes-Benz E-Class Price shown here is indicative price only

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resort review

Situated on a hillock, The Elephant Court resort in Thekkady offers a novel experience of life in wildlife ambience

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Welcome Text FWD Media Photos VARIOUS SOURCES

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here are a few getaways that provide homely stay in a wildlife milieu. Definitely, The Elephant Court resort in Thekkady is one of them. Sprawled across four acres and contiguous with Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, The Elephant Court heralds the glory of Kerala architecture. When guests arrive, the big bell rings and the hosts in the reception—sari clad demure girls, greets them with jasmine garlands and wear bindis on their foreheads. While you sip the welcome drink, you cannot take your eyes off the immaculate architecture marvel in the lobby.

A pair of miniature elephants welcomes you to the reception area where you also find four elephants spray water to the small pool of water, elephant caparisons on walls, “nirapara” and lamp. The wooden roof, tiled floors, cane chairs and “charupadys” are equally a treat to watch. The architecture establishes the cultural identity of the property. The extensive use of teak all around keeps the spaces cool and one’s senses are calmed by the connection with nature that wood provides.

When you move to the cottages you will traverse the swimming pool in the resort. The kidney-shaped swimming pool with an attached paddle pool for kids separates the lobby, dining and recreational spaces from the residences. The miniature elephants, the over-sized frogs, tortoise and crocodile are also can be seen around the swimming pool. Two garden chairs designed in cast iron and wood are placed in a vantage position beside

the pool.

“Elephant Court is all about striving for excellence across the customer experience so that what we offer is demonstrably better than that of our competitors. Perfection is the worthy goal that we always target for. We are dedicated to raising the standards within the hotel industry. We will continue to achieve measured growth and realistic expansion throughout South India; bringing our expertise to every future hotels in new destinations,” says Bobby Antony, COO, Vijaya Hospitality and Resorts Ltd, which operates The Elephant Court.

Accommodation There are 52 Patio rooms, four Executive Enclaves, three Garden Suites, three Pool Studios, two Honeymoon Suites and one Family Enclave.

Pool Studio is a major attraction as the room will have a private swimming pool. The water body in the drawing room makes it naturally cool and quite playful with your voices echoing a bit. Garden Suites are charming with an exclusive private garden. The very private verandah facing the garden is another attraction. Honeymoon suites are very special concepts of the resort.

The bedroom with special wood flooring and the bath is separated just by a glass wall. The spacious Patio rooms have a balcony with a wooden “charupady” and cane chairs. The interiors have a wooden ceiling and finely crafted table lamp. For families, there is Family Enclave which is spacious 2012 OCTOBER

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resort review

enough with an additional sitting room. The herbal plants and trees on either side of pavements rightly convey the ambience of wildlife near the cottages that reflect the era of traditional Kerala houses.

“We’re the only five star resort in Thekkady. We have lot of activities happening here. To meet the standard of a five star resort, there is no compromise on quality of service. What we are offering, we are committed to that,” says Manoj, General Manager, The Elephant Court. “Facilities will be improved as per customers’ requirements. We arrange elephant ride, plantation visit, trekking, night safari and boating for guests.”

How to reach The Elephant Court 180 km from Cochin International Airport 265 km from International Airport, Trivandrum 165 km from Madurai Airport 110 km from Kottayam railway station

For more details www.theelephantcourt.com

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Food Open on two sides, with a view of the swimming pool, the multi-cuisine restaurant and the coffee shop offer a unique dining experience. Along with a set of riveting foods, including Italian, you can really savour the authentic Kerala cuisine here.

“Kerala style Chettinad chicken, chicken curry, Kuttanadan kozhi curry, fish pollichathu are some of our specialties. Foreigners also prefer fish curry meals, Malabar fish curry and Kerala fish curry,” says Ayyappan, the Sous Chef.

A hall with a capacity to seat 150 people provides cutting edge equipment and the space to host a conference. There is also a smaller 30 seat mini conference hall. Before entering the conference hall, there is a gallery of black and white photographs of tribal leaders of Mannans and Paliyans.

There is a library lounge that has a “charupady,”

overlooking a garden. The library walls are adorned by famous paintings of Raja Ravi Varma.

Spa The spa offers wholesome therapies and rejuvenation treatments to the guests. It’s specialized in various concept-based therapy methods to cater to the requirements of individuals. Concept-based therapy methods at the spa include Child spa, Vedic spa, Salt Medi spa, Spa yoga, Herbal spa and Zen meditation.

An authentic ayurvedic treatment is one of the highlights of the resort. Dr Bhadran. C.K, Consulting Physician, Svastii Spa at Elephant Court, says, “We offer to guests various kinds of ayurvedic treatments like Shirodhara, Kady Vasthy, Kady Dhara, steam bath, Pizhichil, Ksheeradhara, body massage and Thai massage.” He adds that there are demands for Ksheeradhara as it’s a good stress relieving treatment. A health club with modern facility and an indoor game area are the other facilities to keep you in fine fettle.

We chanced upon Ahmed Al Subhi, a photographer from Oman, in the resort. An avid traveler, Al Subhi is spellbound by the beautiful landscape of Kerala. “I have been to several places in the world.

This is my first trip to Asia. Among the places I visited, Kerala stands out,” says a beaming Ahmed Al Subhi, who came to Thekkady after visiting Munnar.

According to him, the hospitality of The Elephant Court is unbelievable. The resort also has a boutique with collectables and Curio shop.

business

Golden rules

of selling FWD Life analyses the intricacies of buying and selling gold in two different formats

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he word "gold" itself has an alluring magic to seize the hearts of average Malayalees; especially women. No wonder the yellow metal leaves them woolgathering when it is considered as the most popular form of investment. It’s well-known that irrespective of marriage or any other special occasion, Keralites have a penchant for gold. Apart from serving a functional purpose of adornment, it is a growing asset. The investors’ interest in gold has increased manifold during recent times and there are several avenues available for an individual to buy it in the metal or paper form. However, it need not be that easy when it comes to selling the asset.

Further, one may not be able to fully benefit from the price appreciation due to the additional charges involved in each instrument.

Jewellery The gold selling rate in different parts of the country will be slightly different from each other at any given point of time. This is determined by taking the London spot price as the base rate, plus the import and customs duties, domestic transportation costs, one per cent margin, one per cent VAT for bullion dealers and one per cent fluctuation risk of the jeweller.

Upon this rate, a buyer will have to pay making charges or value addition costs varying from eight to 30 per cent depending upon the intricacy of the craft on the jewellery. A plain machine- made bangle or a handmade bangle can invite the least making charge while a branded jewellery will have the maximum making cost and are sometimes sold on a maximum retail price. At the time of purchase, one will have to pay one per cent VAT too.

When you want to sell your jewellery, if it is hallmarked one you can exchange it for another piece of ornament with a reduction of two to three per cent from the prevailing selling rate. If it is nonhallmarked jewellery, the jeweller will gauge the purity and then fix the price accordingly.

“Generally, most of the jewellers decline to pay cash for jewellery as theft gold also could be involved.

However, if it is a known customer, cash is paid after deducting four to five per cent from the selling price,” said a source from the industry.

In short, you pay eight to 30 per cent more on buying jewellery and while selling it for cash lose four to five per cent from the prevailing rate of gold.

Studded jewellery has the least resale value as one has to pay for the precious, semi-precious or synthetic stones while buying and when selling it off, the price of the stones are not calculated at all.

Keralites have a penchant for gold. Apart from serving a functional purpose of adornment, it is a growing asset

Coins and bars While buying coins and bars from jewellery stores, three to four per cent making charges have to be paid over the prevailing rate. Banks charge eight to 12 per cent making charges and post offices charge six to eight per cent.

Besides, banks or post offices do not offer facility of buyback. When you approach the jeweller to sell the coin or bar bought from his own store for exchange of jewellery, he may not charge you any additional charge. When you sell it for cash, he will charge three per cent as melting charges. If the coin or bar is bought from elsewhere, the jeweller would deduct four to five per cent of the selling rate for cash. (to be continued…)

2012 OCTOBER

Life

63

health

No trauma

of tumor Uterine fibroids, common benign tumors found in women, can be treated using MR-HIFU method which is relatively safe

MR-HIFU have now made it possible to treat uterine fibroids through safe, non-invasive methods that offer quick recovery time, leave behind no scars and are comfortable for the patient

U

terine fibroids are among the most common benign tumors causing severe discomfort and pain to women in the child bearing age. Around 25 per cent women in that age group in India suffer from uterine fibroids. Apart from pain and severe discomfort, other symptoms include excessive bleeding. However, one of the biggest problems is that these symptoms are often ignored for reasons ranging from shame to ignorance of treatment.

Over time the symptoms can get worse resulting in heavy and painful menstruation, pelvic pain and loss of bladder control.

Traditional treatment options of uterine fibroids require surgery and are invasive. They involve a lengthy recovery time, exposure to general anesthesia and risk of post-operative complications. Breakthrough technological advances such as Magnetic Resonance Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound or MR-HIFU have now made it possible to treat uterine fibroids through safe, non-invasive methods that offer quick recovery time, leave behind no scars and are comfortable for the patient.

This procedure does not involve radiation but uses ultrasound waves.

Medico speaks

Dr Hafeez Rahman Chairman, Sunrise Hospital Group 64

Life

OCTOBER 2012

“It’s time we brought this condition out into the open and educated women about non-invasive treatments,” said Dr Hafeez Rahman, Chairman, Sunrise Hospital Group. “Most women fear uterine fibroids, which means surgery and the scarring that goes with it. Sunrise Hospital has always adopted the latest in technology to provide the best care to the patients. HIFU is one of such introduction which is safe and radiation-free. The new MR-guided HIFU offers an extremely doctor-and-patient-friendly treatment

option. This procedure takes only 2-3 hours and the patient can go home the same day.”

Explaining the treatment procedure, Dr Hafeez Rahman said, “This treatment is done only under the guidance of a trained and experienced radiologist.

Once the fibroid is imaged using an MR scan, the same machine is fitted with an ultrasound system or HIFU table. The patient is then asked to lie on her belly and the ultrasound rays are focused on the fibroid at a temperature that shrinks them. It is guided by magnetic resonance for three-dimensional planning of the procedure and offers real time temperature monitoring during the ablation to control the amount of energy delivered to the tissue by the HIFU machine.”

“The biggest advantage of this treatment is the simplicity of the procedure with no need for general anesthesia. The procedure eliminates the emotional and physical trauma of a woman losing her uterus and fertility, apart from reducing the risk of side effects and infection,” he added. Over 160 patients have already been successfully treated with this procedure in India.

MR-HIFU procedure The procedure takes 2-3 hours It involves no radiation but uses ultrasound waves The main focus is to treat the symptoms of the fibroids An adequate volume of fibroid is targeted and ablated This is enough to improve the patient’s quality of life It eliminates the risk of fibroids causing painful symptoms After Treatment fibroid shrinks in size over a few months

parenting

Motivate

Your Child The truth is, most kids are motivated, but not by what we think should motivate them

P

arents are often so worried about their child falling behind that they end up in a power struggle with their kids over it, but nothing gets better. They go round and round, just fighting about the grades and the work. But if you as the parent can calm down and understand that this is not just a bad attitude and an unmotivated kid—and that you can’t force them to be motivated—then you can actually start meeting your child where he/she is and helping where they need help.

Here are some points to remember Relationship: Keep a relationship with your kids that is open, respectful and positive. Stay on your kids’ team, don’t play against them. This will allow you to be most influential with them, which is your most important parenting tool. Punishing, preaching, threatening and manipulating will get you nowhere and will be detrimental to your relationship and to their ultimate motivation.

Rule: One of life’s lessons is that we get the goodies after we do the work. So start saying things like, “When you finish studying you are welcome to go to your friend’s house.” Or “When your homework is completed, we can discuss watching that movie you wanted to see on TV.” Enforce this rule and stick to it. If your child does not yet have the ability to plan and initiate and persevere, by sticking to this rule, you are helping them learn how to create the structures.

Help: If your child is not studying and his grades are dropping, you’re invited in if he wants you or there or not. Again, you’re there to help set up a structure that he is not able to create for himself.

The structure might include scheduled study times, having the computer out in a public place in your home, and saying, “No video games or TV until after homework is done.” You might decide that he must spend a certain amount of hours devoted to study time. Understand that it’s not meant as punishment; rather, this is helping him develop a good work ethic and to focus on his school subjects.

Teacher: If your child’s grades and work habits are not up to par, you can set up a plan by sitting down with him and his teachers. He might have to check with them to make sure he has everything before leaving school, and then check with you before going back to school to make sure all his work is in his bag. Once your child gets better at managing his time, completing his work and reviewing his subjects before tests, then it’s time for you to back off.

Focusing on the negative things your child is doing will only bring the spotlight on them, and may set you both up for a power struggle. Instead, focus on your child’s positive traits and help him work on those in the present

Study spot: You may need to sit with your child while he/she’s doing their work or at least be nearby to help them stay on track. He may need a quiet location. You can help your child experiment.

But once you find what works best, keep them in that location. You will not do their work for them, but you may need to review their work.

Motivation: Keep your emotions in check by recognizing that it’s your child’s anxiety at play rather than his laziness. In a positive relationship, lend him your brain by helping him with the structure and habits he can’t pull off on his own.

Balance: Rather than go crazy over your child’s grades, help him/her to balance their life with friendships, other activities, volunteer work and family activities. Get involved with their school affairs when you can.

2012 OCTOBER

Life

65

pets

Health in the doghouse Ensure that canines have buffer against all kinds of allergies and been given a balanced diet

Doggies’ Diet

Vaccines and Boosters

Give a balanced diet with all kinds of meat, Both boosters and primary vaccinations grains and vegetables are equally important Food has to be served based on their age, After your pup turns one-year-old take body mass and breed him for a booster vaccination Protein should be the main component in their De-worming has to be done once in a diet month.on time every year Calcium and iron rich food should be given for pregnant and nursing doggies Choose a pedigree after diagnosing the deficiencies in your pet Provide them with plenty of water to avoid kidney stones and infections.t

Fur and Skin Care Ticks and flies transmit dreadful diseases in dogs, so ward off such insects To prevent microfilaria in dogs from mosquitoes, protect them with a mosquito net or mosquito repellent suiting their skin type Anti-tick collar or spot on liquids can keep insects away Make sure the collar doesn’t get wet.

Change the anti-tick collar once in six months Four drops of the liquid to be applied in spots starting from its head to tail As the liquid is poisonous, apply it in such a way that it doesn’t lick After 24 hours these drops spreads throughout the body, keeping them free from flies and ticks For puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs, Fipronil spray would be the best to keep the flies away 66

Life

OCTOBER 2012

Taste and Time Never serve food for taste Feed them only with the needful Puppies should be fed five to six times a day with frequent intervals After six months, feed them only twice a day Feed adult dogs once a day, preferably any time before sunset Late night feeding would leave them lethargic and lazy Don’t feed your pet with chocolates

Pet Allergies Some dogs are allergic to aluminium metal; for them avoid food in aluminium bowls.

Meat or fish can be allergic for some Leather or any fabric can also be a cause for allergies Few dogs show signs of fur shedding on having fish Check your pet thoroughly to see for any scaly patches or rashes

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LAND OF TRANQUILITY

Growth of Poovar as a tourist spot

KARGIL TRIP FASHION

Visiting the war memorial

STREET SMART

fASHION REIGNS LIFE REIGN’S From institute to boutiques, FwD Life explores fashion retail Scene 2012 SEPTEMBER

EMMANUVAL MAKEOVER REMYA NAMBEESAN

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KIFW 2012IKIFW 2012IKIFW 2012IKIFW 2012IKIFW 2012IKIFW 2012IKIFW 2012IKIFW 2012IKIFW 2012IKIFW

KOCHI INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK

2012

K

ochi International Fashion Week (KIFW) -Season 3 showcased an array of splendid bridal fashion. The wedding attires with cuts and stones were well appreciated by the audience who kept gazing at the dimly lit ramps to watch India’s most desirable models and celebs. The four-day-long fashion week kick-started in Casino Hotel with Hari Anand’s collection, followed by Shravan Ramaswamy’s bridal designs, which was opened by actress Mythili with a pristine white outfit highlighted with silver danglers. and actor Rima Kallingal was the show stopper. Exquisite Indian and western bridal wear by Riyaz Gangi, a Mumbai-based designer, and Verma De Mello, an ace bridal gown designer from Goa, were the major attractions on the second day. The third evening of KIFW saw a rush of ethnic bridal wears by three designers — Julie Verghese from Chennai, Ludhiana-based designer Soltee and Jattinn Kochhar from New Delhi.

Bridal wear by AD Singh, a Mumbai-based designer, illuminated the models with swarovski studded bridal garments making them look like nawabs and queens. The crowd was elated when AD walked the ramp with the dimpled beauty Bhumika Chawla. The fashion week concluded with Krishna Mehta’s creativity which was flaunted by actress Zeenath Aman. Her designs were elegant with less complicated patterns and intricacies.

Photos: Jinson Abraham, Sijo Joseph

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Jules Idi Ameen Collections

Shravan Kumar Collections

AD Singh Collections

2012 OCTOBER

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Soltee

Collections

Verma Di Mello 70

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books

Good to Great Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't

Each month, we profile a sampling from some of the greatest business / investment books that are a treasure trove of sensible (and sometimes not so sensible in hindsight) advice that can help us become smarter in our decision making – be it in business or in life

A

Great companies transform like a flywheel.

With everything in place, lots of hard work slowly but steadily got the great companies going faster, with a lot of momentum and without quick acceleration 72

Life

OCTOBER 2012

uthor Jim Collins sought to answer one question with this book, "Can a good company become a great company and if so, how?" Is great DNA a factor to endure greatness? Why did one set of companies become truly great performers while the other set remained only good?In Good to Great Collins, concludes that it is possible, but finds there are no silver bullets.

Collins sorted 1,435 companies,and found out that 11--including Fannie Mae, Gillette, Walgreens, and Wells Fargo--had a corporate culture that rigorously found and promoted disciplined people to think and act in a disciplined manner.Questions have been raised about the conclusions of the findings based on subsequent failures at Fannie Mae and Circuit City.

Yet for all its shortcomings, the book remains as one of the most widely read and often quoted business books.

Collins found that a company with ‘level 5 Leader’ succeeded. He is an individual who has a great desire to succeed, where “success” is by creating something great for the organization that will outlast their time at the helm. These companies also had a strong team and avoided the pitfall of the lone genius CEO. These were tough places to work because of the general high quality and hard working mindset, not because of ruthless management. People had a deep commitment to their companies but balanced and did not blind them to the other important things in their lives.

The good decisions flowed from the fact that they all made a consistent and thorough effort to confront reality, internalizing the facts relevant to their market. Investigate mistakes to avoid repeating them, instead of assigning blame. If people are too protective about themselves, it becomes difficult to honestly analyze and learn from failures.

Create mechanisms, “red flags” that allow people to communicate problems without repercussions, in a way that cannot be ignored.It won‘t be necessary to motivate people - if you‘ve got the right people, they‘ll be motivated of their own accord.

He make a comparison with the fox that knows many things and the hedgehog that knows one big thing. The great companies were mostly built by hedge hogs those who were able to focus on one big important thing that made their companies great. At the intersection of three circles- what you are passionate about, what you can make money at, and what can you be, lies the winning target.

When a tyrant enforces a culture of discipline by fear, it disintegrates when the leader moves on but when people who naturally adhered to a disciplined approach it creates a lasting system.Stop doing the things that aren‘t central to your business or that might be seen as important, if they are not in your three circles. Technology enhances great companies and further increases their leverage, in a conscious, directed way. They do not rush to embrace it for the sake of its newness.

Great companies‘transform like a flywheel. With everything in place, lots of hard work slowly but steadily got the great companies going faster, with a lot of momentum and without quick acceleration.

Once it‘s in motion, all that stored energy tends to keep it moving in the right direction.Conversely, the doom loop is the vicious circle that unsuccessful companies fall into, rushing into different directions to create a sudden, sharp break with the past that will propel them to success. Acquisitions, bringing in a new leader who decides to change in an incompatible direction are all such efforts. But the slow, steady, methodical preparation in the flywheel always succeed as compared to the abrupt, radical, and often revolutionary(not evolutionary) changes within the company.

2012 OCTOBER

Life

73

preview

Superstar and his fan The movie “My Fan Ramu” brings together six members of CCL team Kerala Strikers

Banner: Sri Uthrattathi Films Pvt Ltd Producer: Sasi Ayyanchira Direction: Nikhil Menon Music: Sanjeev T Lyrics: Chittoor Gopi, Rajiv Alunkal Cast: Rajiv Pillai, Saiju Kurup, Vivek Gopan, Spadikam George, Bineesh Kodiyeri, Prajodh Kalabhavan, Karamana Sudheer, V.K Baiju, Vivek Gopan, Bheeman Reghu, P. Balachandran, Malavika Wales, Nishitha and Guinness Pakru, among others.

74

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OCTOBER 2012

W

e’ve watched umpteen stories about relationships on screen. The new film “My Fan Ramu” is also tells the story of a relationship —a superstar and his fan. Now cineastes might think about the film “Kadha Parayumbol,” which portrayed the story of a superstar Ashok Raj and his childhood friend, Balan, a village barber. But it’s not going to be a replica of Balan and Ashok Raj friendship.

More than a film, it’s going to be the reunion of CCL players of Kerala Strikers on screen.

The story of “My Fan Ramu” revolves around a superstar and his hardcore fan. Rajiv Pillai, who has cricket fans following him after his outstanding performance in the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), will have cinema fans following him in this movie. Rajiv Pillai will do the role of the superstar from Malayalam Film Industry. Saiju Kurup will essay the character of his fan. ‘Guinness’ Pakru and Bijukuttan are there to bring the house down with their comedy.

The film also narrates certain incidents that an actor would come across during his career. It also showcases how the actor copes with the lifestyle of his fans from humble background.

The movie marks the directorial debut of singer-actor Nikhil Menon who has written the script along with Saiju Kurup. “My Fan Ramu” is produced by Sasi Ayyanchira in the banner of Sri Uthrattathi Films Pvt Ltd. Spadikam George, Bineesh Kodiyeri, Prajodh Kalabhavan, Karamana Sudheer, V.K. Baiju, Vivek Gopan, Bheeman Reghu, P. Balachandran, Malavika Wales and Nishitha form the ensemble cast in the movie.

The buzz is that actor Bineesh Kodiyeri, who often dons the role of villain, will be doing a comedian’s role in the movie. There will be special appearances by actors Nivin Pauly, Munna Simon, Rajith Menon and Nishant Sagar in the film. The music is composed by Sanjeev. T, who composed the theme song for Kerala Strikers in the CCL. Prejith cranks the camera.

car rally

Photo credit : Rishad P.G

Photo credit : Rishad P.G

All of the Pete’s tuned super cars arrived at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi during the Super Sunday car rally

T

he powerful, fastest cars of the world made their statements in the Pete’s Super Sunday car rally organized by Pete’s Automotive Products Pvt. Ltd. In Kochi on September 9. The rally hosted Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari F 430, Audi RS 5, Audi R8, Porsche 911, BMW M3, BMW C4, Jaguar XFR, Mercedes SL 55 AMG, BMW 640D, Bentley Flying Spur, Subaru Impreza, Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG, Nissan 350C and PorscheBoxster and went around Ernakulam to Athirappally waterfalls after starting from Pete’s Vytilla showroom. All of the Pete’s tuned super cars returned to Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi. Pete’s Super Sunday C O C Promod Thevannoor, Super Car owner

Deepak Narendran and Smart Drive Magazine Chief Editor Baiju N. Nair et al. attended the rally. Pete’s automotive, the national brand, is the leading name in India for custom tuning and performance products.

Pete’s performance shop is located near International Hotel on MG Road, at Cochin.

Pete’s provides custom tuning and stateof-the-art tuning technology to cater to the requirements of the new age customers and cars.

The customer support help line +91 9850 88444 and toll free no:1800 425 88444 provide 24x7 service to all customers. This innovative event by Pete’s was a crowd puller. A car enthusiast commented on Facebook: "What a day, what a drive.”

2012 OCTOBER

Life

75

inauguration

Expressions Come to Life!

T The painting exhibition being inaugurated at Art Corridor, Le Meridien, Kochi.

he exhibition of the paintings from Expressions Art Camp, held in January, was inaugurated by Dr. Baju George, Managing Director, Smart City recently at The Art Corridor, Le MĂŠridien Kochi.

The corridor was adored by the concluded works of Anil. P.G, Babu. K.G, Bindhi Rajagopal, K.A. Devadas, Dhara Melhotra, Falghuni Bhatt Sanghvi, Francis Xavier, T.J. Kajal Charankatt, Prathapan. G and Wilfred. K.P. The event and exhibition was jointly organised by Palette People and Le MĂŠridien. The collaborative camp had set the stage for the artists to exchange ideas. The Art Corridor will feature the paintings of emerging artists throughout the year.

sports

JOSCO FC - AIMING NEW HEIGHTS IN THE COMING SEASON

Josco FC, the Champion Club of Kerala, is all set for the new season. The Club is going to kickstart the season with the prestigious All India G.V. Raja Football Tournament and targets a big win in the B Division.

76

Life

OCTOBER 2012

launch

Book a chopper for picnic

A

s tourism sector burgeons at a brisk pace, there won't be any hindrance for innovative concepts in this field. Of late, the much awaited Heli-tourism, which was in it’s infancy in India, is going to mark a new era in tourism sector. To fly high is every man’s dream; hitherto a luxury enjoyed only by the privileged group, but not anymore. The first air flight in a fully equipped six-seated helicopter is going to be launched over Cochin within a few days. Can't believe it? If you want to experience this historical innovation, just give a call, book your seat and fly like a star. Remember!! To be the first for a life-long experience won’t happen again. Do you want to enjoy a sightseeing tour? Book your seats and don’t miss the drama. Come, fly with us for an enjoyable experience.

For details, Call: 8590903300, 859090440

contest

Hit the list by hitting your list

A

ll those photo enthusiasts out there, share the photos of your favourite personalities, be it your loved ones or your icons and get the chance to win an amazing gift during the audio launch of "Hitlist", the upcoming movie by actor-turned-director Bala. The images can be taken in your polaroids, SLRs, mobile phones or even the ones ripped directly off the fan site. Post it on S&C page with your name and details, get all the friends in your list and their grandmothers to hit like and share, and the five of you get maximum hits will be the winners.

Mail your Pictures/Images to : thehitlist@mail.com

2012 OCTOBER

Life

77

wtf

State will give 20% attendance and 4% grace marks for student entrepreneurs. Here's what celebs told FWD Life on

"30 days to freedom" “It’s an initiative that we can be proud of. This policy has been a success in other countries and now if the same is to be implemented in our State for the first time in India, I think it will create a lot of difference among college students. If such an approach is to come into existence then parents too will encourage their children to pursue the kind of business they would like to do without fearing about lack of attendance. But youngsters shouldn’t misuse it by searching for loopholes when such a provision is brought to life.”

Rajeev Pillai “It depends on how each one takes it. Whatever policies which have been adopted have mostly been for the best and I hope this too does the same.”

Poornima Indrajith

"I am 100 per cent in favour for this big idea. Such an opportunity will open up their minds to think about their professional life which lies ahead.”

- Mythili Balachandran

“If foreign students get to be financially indipendent at the age of 15, I think college students of Kerala too should be given a chance to prove their efficiency.”

- Bhavana

“Education should be more about practical learning and this policy if implemented would definitely be a booster for the next generation.”

- Gauthami Nair

“If this much talked about academic proposal becomes a reality, colleges will turn to be training grounds for students; helping them feel the vibrancy of the entrepreneurial world.”

- Ananya

“I would say college time is just for fun and studies and plans to do a business or work would be better if planned out sometime later.”

- Prashanth Parameshwaran

“It’s a damn cool idea to have something like this. I would say education shouldn’t be limited to classrooms but also should be a platform where students can get out into the world to venture the practicalities. And use or misuse of it depends on individuals. During my college days, I used to bunk class to watch movies and hang around with my friends, which I would say has taught me quite a lot.

So, same way, college students who have goals of becoming entrepreneurs would grab this opportunity and make the best out of it.”

- Amal Neerad

78

Life

OCTOBER 2012

You know what’s best for your baby We’re with you at youngmoms.getit.in

For any information from anywhere.. call Getit

24/7 at 04444444444 (10 times 4) 2012 OCTOBER

Life

79

gadgets Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook

Griffin StudioConnect

What FWD Life Liked: Ultraportable!

ChromeOS is delightful to use.

Superb performance for its price and size Has 3G connectivity without an external dongle

What we disliked Nothing much can be done without the Internet Offline app availability is quite poor Price: ` 26,400/- approx

FWD Life Rating :

What FWD Life Liked:

Canon Legria HF R36

Connect real music instruments to your iPad 7 ports including a MIDI Interface.

High quality audio output.

What FWD Life Liked: Full HD camcorder with 32x optical zoom 8GB internal storage Wi-Fi connectivity Direct streaming to TV

What we disliked MIDI ports require external power source No support for vocals No support for Android tabs

What we disliked

Price: ` 10,550/- approx

Image quality is disappointing in low light Zoom levels above 20x suffer from noise Poor interface menu organization

FWD Life Rating :

Sony Walkman NWZ-Z1060

Price: ` 21,200/- approx

FWD Life Rating :

What FWD Life Liked: Android based.

Great sound quality.

Great performance and responsive UI.

What we disliked Way too expensive!

Non-standard USB connectors

Price: ` 18,550/- approx

FWD Life Rating :

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

80

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OCTOBER 2012

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Life

81

Framed Rock on Perfect pair

DJ Pearl LIVE

@

Hotel Dream r Star powe

g Break a le

Checked

All set

Say cheese

82

Life

All smiles

OCTOBER 2012

Denim tale

Pals together

Hairy tale

2012 OCTOBER

Life

83

RNI Reg. No. KERENG /2012 /42759

84

Life

OCTOBER 2012