NAGARJUNKONDA
feb_cover_ctc.indd 1
1/30/2011 12:56:44 PM
*
? feb_cover_ctc.indd 2
? 1/30/2011 12:56:45 PM
feb_cover_ctc.indd 3
1/30/2011 12:56:46 PM
.. feb_cover_ctc.indd 4
1/30/2011 12:56:46 PM
THE HYDERABAD
POWER LIST!
At Hyderabad Life, we always try to bring to you the very essence of our beloved city. And we have look at things from a different perspective. So continuing our penchant for celebrating the zeitgeist of Hyderabad, we bring to you the Hyderabad Power List – a veritable who’s who of personalities who have added to the pride of the city! Once the decision to compile a list of the most powerful Hyderabadis was made, our research team has been spending all its waking moments setting up a Power database and looking out for Hyderabadis who are letting their actions do the talking! But who makes it to this power list? We define power as influence. In simplest terms, it is how much impact the actions of one person can have on others – the more impact, the more influence. For this power list, we are considering Hyderabadis across all walks of life – business, media, politics, government services, social service, entertainment, law, academia, arts, fashion, music – this league of extra ordinary gentlemen/women are all together a different school of thought or perhaps institutions within themselves. So friends, let’s put our hands together for the movers and shakers of Hyderabad & recognise their contribution to our lives. At the same time, if you would like to nominate somebody you know, please write in to us at info@hyderabadlife.in
KEEP WATCHING THIS SPACE!
Februay.indd 1
1/30/2011 2:17:08 PM
Managing Editor B Chandra Shekhar Reddy cmehydlife@gmail.com
Managing Director Shivaranjani Reddy mdhydlife@gmail.com
Executive Editor Anand Rayapudi General Manager K. Ramakrishna Reddy Marketing Kishore Kumar 9949011134 Feature Writers Sana Mirza Shadrach Thomas Sanjana Sharan Sneha Veronica Suresh Kandhi Photos Richa Gangopadhyay: Dabboo Ratnani Printed and Published by B Chandra Shekhar Reddy Regd Office Nymisha Castle, Flat no.101, plot 290, Road 10C, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Printed at Millenium Publications & Printers: Plot No-2, Sri Lakshmi Nagar, Bowenpally, Hyd – 500011, Designer: Prudvi Advertising, Hyderabad, info@prudvi.com
Communication Address Plot No-24, Road No 3 UBI Colony, Banjara HIlls. Ph. No. 091-04023540048 info@hyderabadlife.in
design:
an initiative of:
Februay.indd 2
1/30/2011 2:17:10 PM
Managing Director’s Note If you’ve got a Valentine, you are probably counting down the hours until the 14th and relishing in the chance to spend time with your love. And if you don’t have a Valentine, you are probably considering not getting out of bed that morning. Whether you love or hate the holiday, it will undoubtedly affect your day in some way. I’m not going to try to defend Valentine’s Day for its “deeper meaning.” This is a holiday practically invented by the card industry. You can lament it as a sign of the decay of society all you want, but Valentine’s Day is here to stay. The spirit of the festival has been around for centuries, far longer than commercial greeting card companies. If you do have someone to spend the day with, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse for you to focus on your significant other all day, but don’t feel like you have to go all out and spend all your money on one date. Your date should appreciate something original and low key just as much as an expensive dinner, as long as it’s creative, genuine and from the heart. That’s why we bring to your special Valentine articles – ideas that are sure to make your special Valentine feel even more special! For all you hot blooded males out there, we have the sizzling Richa Gangopadhyay on our cover page. She certainly has the drool factor. Talking of drool, we have some great food places for you to check out & also some sweet recipes for you to surprise your loved ones. That & a lot more, along with the usual packed features makes up our exclusive Valentine issue! Once again, for those who don’t have anyone to be with on Valentine’s Day, don’t feel down about it. It’s just another holiday, and being alone on that day is not an indictment of your entire social life. Just find some other way to celebrate, by expressing your fraternal love for your friends & family...
Here’s wishing you all a happy season of love...
Shivaranjani Reddy Managing Director mdhydlife@gmail.com
Februay.indd 3
1/30/2011 2:17:13 PM
In FEBRUARY
Februay.indd 4
06
What’s happening?
12 18 20 22
Gossip
Calendar of Events This Time Last Month News
Catch up on your fave celebs
Hotspot Diesel
Fashion 10 Simple Style Tips for Women
P3
The City’s Social Scene
24
Valentine Special
32 38
Celeb
40
Box Office
Love is in the Air Woo Your Valentine with Oomph!
Richa – Miss Congeniality
Special Feature The Regalia called Hyderabad – The Nizam’s famed Wardrobe
Reviews & Previews
1/30/2011 2:17:21 PM
Reviews
44
Health
54
DVD – Ten Romantic Movies Books – 10 Must-Read Romance Novels Gizmo corner Gaming – Play Mobile! Vroom – Audi A8
Fitness – 10-Minute Strength Training Workout 10 Life-Extending Foods
Beauty Olive Oil For Great Hair and Skin Care
Food Guide
60
Real Estate
64 66 68 76
Vezzo, Lotus Palace Valentine Recipes Project Watch
Education
Tips to Study Abroad
Weekend Travel Nagarjunkonda
Humor Horoscope Travails of a True Hyderabadi – Valentine Whine Valentine Jokes
Februay.indd 5
58
1/30/2011 2:17:26 PM
CALENDAR WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Bryan Adams Live in Concert
SUPW Experience Workshop Feb 01–11
Feb 16 Hitex Exhibition Center Catch legendary Canadian rocker Bryan Adams performing your favourite tracks, live in concert at the Hitex Exhibition Centre.
Centre for Cultural Resources & Training
Bilder Vom Tanz Upto Feb 24, 11 AM Onwards Kalakriti Art Gallery Kalakriti is displaying a collection of images called Bilder vom Tanz or Movement Frozen in Time. It is an exhibition of dance images.
Hospitality India
Feb 25-27
Hitex Exhibition Centre
Talk with BénédicteManier - “Women’s rights in France” Feb 10 – 630 PM
Targeting the hospitality industry individually, this event will provide a best interchange of ideas and the establishment of new business contacts.
La Makaan BénédicteManier is a journalist at Agence France-Presse (AFP) since 1985, and has covered social, population and development issues. The Talk will be followed by debate. Event is open to all.
Februay.indd 6
1/30/2011 2:18:01 PM
FEBRUARY 2011
Mystic Moods Upto Mar 05 - 11AM Onwards
Mahirwan Mamtani @ Muse Art Galleries
Alankritha Art Gallery
Upto Feb 21 – 10AM onwards The Marriott Hyderabad Hotel &
Alankritha is displaying “Mystic Moods”, an exhibition of paintings by Sukanta Das.
Convention Center
Liquid Buffet
German Artist “Mahirwan Mamtani” has been in Germany for 40 years. Instead of having a flux of light, his paintings are permeated with the whispering tonal values achieved through the integration of color hues with soft light which becomes the essential ingredient for the modulation of pulsating circular forms.
Upto Mar 03 - 6PM Onwards Underdeck, Taj Banjara Taj Banjara invites you to unwind every evening with the liquid buffet containing unlimited drinks from the select bar along with Veg & Non-veg snacks at Underdeck!
OTHEREVENTS Soirée Amis @ Alliance Française Feb 04 – 630 pm
Annual Painting Contest Upto Feb 25 – 11AM Onwards The Children’s Fine Art Gallery Daira is organizing the first Annual Children’s Painting Contest 2011, open to all children below the age of 16.
Poetry competition on Love – l’amour toujours @ Alliance Francaise Feb 07 – Open to all
Film Screening of 13m2 (Drama) @ Sri Sarathi Studios Feb 08 – 630pm – Open to all
Documentary Screening @ Goethe Zentrum Feb 19 – 530 pm – Open to all
Film Screening of Capitaine Achab (Adventure) @ EFLU Feb 24 – 3pm – Open to all
Sign India @ Hitex Exhibition Centre Feb 25 – Feb 27
Fire & Safety @ Hitex Exhibition Centre Feb 25–27
Februay.indd 7
1/30/2011 2:18:03 PM
THIS TIME LAST MONTH
A unique kite flying festival was held on 15th January to promote the culture of kite flying among citizens of the city during Sankranti. The festival was held on the roof tops of the houses on Road No-12, Banjara Hills & featured more than 150 terraces in the area. Citizens from the twin cities actively participated in the festival. The event saw eminent personalities flying kites and reviving their olden days. There were food stalls, kite stalls and other accessories available free of cost to all the participants. Two special platforms were earmarked for slum children and they were provided with free kites & accessories apart from free food. Kites were flown from dawn onwards & the revelry continued till the wee hours of Sunday. People thoroughly enjoyed this exciting festival that also had a Laser Show and crackers being burst in the evening.
8
Februay.indd 8
1/30/2011 2:18:05 PM
Fashion Show at Fashion Xpress, Banjara Hills The launch of the exclusive designer party wear & winter collection at Fashion Xpress saw a bevy of beauties making an appearance. The fashion show held was a huge hit among the audience & it was an opportunity for the store to showcase its might in women’s fashion when it comes to leading brands, imported accessories and trendy wear.
Khwaish Designer Exhibition & Sale On January 7th, Smt. Sunitha Laxma Reddy – Hon’ble Minister for Women Development & Child Welfare inaugurated the Khwaish Exhibition & Sale at Taj Krishna. Popular actress Asha Saini was the guest of honour. The exhibition & sale featured designer fashion & products from all over India. Many of the designers were exhibiting in the city for the very first time and the plethora of creativity was evident. It was a shopper’s delight with products ranging from knick-knacks for home use to bridal trousseaus. Jointly organized by a group of clubs- Kashti, Kidos, Krishala and Kutumb , the two day exhibition featured design houses & designers like Lemon Tree, X-tuti, Rani Vij, Rasberrie, Dezires, Sthree, Shibori, Sunflower, Anuradha Design Studio, Pummy Walia, Sarita Shokeen, ANZ, Color Fab, Nazar & others. The event was well attended by most of the socialites of the city and was a hit amongst the ladies.
9
Februay.indd 9
1/30/2011 2:18:28 PM
NEWS
MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY LAUNCHED After months of delay, the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) has finally been launched across India. Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh launched this nation-wide service by making an inaugural call to Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister of Communications & IT from a ported number. This service will allow subscribers to retain their existing Mobile Telephone Number even when they switch from one service provider to another, provided a minimum period of 90 days has elapsed after subscription to the mobile service of the current service provider. The MNP Service was initially launched as a pilot in Haryana last November and helped resolve problems in the countrywide implementation. A porting charge of Rs 19/- will be collected by the new service provider from the subscriber. For availing this facility, the subscriber has to generate a unique porting code (UPC) by sending an SMS (PORT Mobile number) to 1900.
NUMAISH ROCKS AGAIN Here’s one of those events that symbolizes what it means to live in Hyderabad. The All India Industrial Exhibition at Nampally Exhibition grounds started off with full swing with more than 2500 stalls and participants from not only across India but from the neighboring countries as well. Started in 1938 with just 100 stalls, the All-India Industrial Exhibition was a local exhibition originally intended to display indigenously produced goods in the erstwhile Hyderabad state. Today, it has come to be recognized as one of the biggest display windows in the country for trade, commerce and industry, with participants from countries like Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The exhibition includes almost everything one can think of, including apparel, jewellery, electronics, home appliances, dry fruits, handmade garments, handicraft items, leather goods, footwear, ceramics etc not to mention the amazing food & the amusement rides!
10
Februay.indd 10
1/30/2011 2:18:46 PM
NEWS
DECCAN CHARGERS FUSED WITH TALENT! The IPL teams underwent a huge change for the upcoming IPL-4, with not only the players getting shuffled around but with the addition of 2 extra teams as well. With all those big names up for grabs, many different strategies were drawn out by the franchises, but it is really difficult to predict which of these would work out to be the best. The Deccan Chargers certainly seemed to have their game plan in place as they methodically went about claiming players with an impressive profile for affordable prices, thus ensuring a very balanced team. The Deccan Chargers team now consists of heavy weights such as Dale Steyn, Cameron White, Kevin Peterson, Kumar Sangakkara, JP Duminy, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra along with players with vast T20 experience such as Juan Theron, MS Gony, Chris Lynn, Michael Lumb, Dan Christian and Shikhar Dhawan. Here is wishing them all the very best for the coming season!
HYDERABADI BUYS SPANISH PRIMERA LIGA CLUB Local Boy Ahsan Ali Syed has done the city proud by buying the Spanish Football club Racing Santander. He used to be a resident of Purani Haveli before shifting base to Bahrain where he founded Western Gulf Advisory – an asset managerial firm. Syed is expected to invest about 90 million euros in the next five years and pay 30-40 million Euros for the purchase. The deal would be carried out through Dutch holding company WGA Sports Holding. Speaking on the occasion, he said “Sport has always been a good investment opportunity, especially if it is combined with passion and dreams. Football is not just an investment for me but also a personal passion. For that reason it has always been a dream of mine to own a football club and see my team play”.
11
Februay.indd 11
1/30/2011 2:18:51 PM
NEWS
Cameron High on Green!! Cameron Diaz has confessed on a TV show that she had gone green way back in high school. When we say green we don’t mean eco friendly, we mean Marijuana. She went on to state that RnB veteran Snoop Dogg was her supplier. She was quoted saying “I remember him even back then; he was very tall and skinny. He always wore lots of ponytails. I’m pretty sure I bought weed from him.” Apparently they went to the same school at the Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
Will Smith set to launch his baby girl!! Will Smith is certainly not holding back when it comes to securing his kids futures. The Hit Factory successfully introduced his son Jaden Smith with the remake of the old Karate Kid. He now plans to do the same for his daughter Willow Smith. The latest buzz is that he is in talks with Jay-Z to work on the soundtrack of a movie which will be a remake of Annie. We will have to wait and see if Will Smith shaves his head and takes on the part of Daddy Warbucks!
Even the mosquitoes love George George Clooney recently came down with malaria and it’s the second bout of the disease for the actor. Now instead of packing extra mosquito repellent for his future trip, the actor who recently returned from Sudan is using the opportunity to point out the significant differences between how fortunate people in developed nations are compared to the third world countries. He was quoted saying “This illustrates how with proper medication, the most lethal condition in Africa can be reduced to a bad ten days instead of a death sentence.”
Move aside Palin, here come Teresa Scanlan!!
What’s with America and its beauty pageant winners? They really need to understand that just because you won a pageant, it does not make you the smartest person alive. The newly crowned Miss America Teresa Scanlan has disclosed her plans to become the President of America one day. God save the earth if it does come true, because we surely cannot risk the President of America getting confused about its friends and foes such as South & North Korea. 12
Februay.indd 12
1/30/2011 2:18:54 PM
GOSSIP
Nude Farley but we can’t see Jenni Farley who stars in the hit series Jersey Shore can breathe a sigh of relief as a New York Judge ruled in her favor and denied her ex-boyfriend Tom Lippolis from distributing her nude photos. The ruling states that the snaps where taken when she was under the effects of pre-surgical and post-surgical anesthesia. Lippolis has argued that it was her idea and that she was “always a willing participant and always gave consent” to the series of naked images.
Prince and Madonna patch up After their break up way back in 1985, they both have been at loggerheads taking turn to fire shots at each other in interviews and public appearances. Even as recently as 2007, Prince declared during one of his concerts, “I got so many hits y’all can’t handle me. I got more hits than Madonna’s got kids.” No more of those now as they have decided to let bygones be bygones. The Material Girl also showed up at Prince’s Madison Square Garden Gig in New York.
Howard’s stern statement!!
Butt-happy Marisa Miller
Howard Stern, the famous radio jock is clearly in a mood to stir up a war of words with Jay Leno. In a recent interview, he said “Leno is not fit to scrub David Letterman’s feet”. He went on to add more insult by quoting “Jay is insane. Jay is a crook. And the world knows exactly what he’s up to. He steals a tremendous amount of material”. Whoa, slow down, Howie!
It’s refreshing to know that we do have somebody in Hollywood who is happy with the way their body looks. Marisa Miller has confessed that she loves her butt and follows a strict routine to keep it that way. It was not always this easy as she was nicknamed Bubble Butt back in school and had refused to do squats during Volleyball practice with the fear of increasing it further but now she was quoted saying “Now all we want to do is lots of squats to keep our rear ends curvy and feeling strong.”
13
Februay.indd 13
1/30/2011 2:19:04 PM
GOSSIP
Hrithik Roshan Waxed The Indian Greek God has been immortalized by Madame Tussaud’s. He now joins the ranks of the Bachchans and the Khans who also have their replicas in the prestigious museum in London. The wax replica portrays him in a short sleeved shirt left wide open to reveal his toned and taut body to full effect. Hrithik himself was delighted and shared, “I can’t believe I’m here in Madame Tussaud’s. It’s incredible just how detailed the figure is.”
Twinkle is in Love with a Biker Before you jump your guns, let us inform you that this biker is none other than the Khiladi himself. Akshay is a keen bike enthusiast & had been driving the same bike for a few years now. So the wifey darling of the star went ahead and surprised him with a custom made Maroon & Chrome Harley on their 10th wedding anniversary. Akshay had always wanted a bike with a laidback, comfortable seat as he likes to ride with son Aarav in the pillion, hence the bike is customized to do just that.
Rekha ki Jawani!!
When Rekha insisted that Shahrukh Khan help her rehearse for her performance at the 17th Annual STAR Screen Awards, being a true gentleman SRK obliged to her request. Apparently the duo was so engrossed in the rehearsals at the venue that Rekha made Kat wait for almost 5 hours to take the stage. Rekha did make it up to Katrina by complimenting her on her belly dancing moves and also requested her to teach a few steps from Sheila Ki Jawani. Soon the two actresses were seen happily shaking a leg to the tune. Jiggy it up, ladies!
Kareena chops Priyanka Their fight just went global and quite literally. This time though, the Desi girl came out on top. A global brand was looking for an Ambassador and had almost finalized on Priyanka Chopra, but then she lost out to arch rival Kareena. Apparently the brand held a survey and then finalized on Kareena stating she is well known in the International Brand Circuit. The battle may have been won for now but the war goes on…
14
Februay.indd 14
1/30/2011 2:19:11 PM
GOSSIP
Priyanka has got herself a matchmaker
Shruthi in rough waters What could have been just another shoot on the beach turned out to be overly exciting for Shruti Hassan when she landed in Pattaya for a song shoot. En route to the location, the heavens opened up and started to drench everyone. The poor crew had no place to hide as they were in a boat in the middle of the ocean. As if that was not enough, the beach scenes started to become dangerous with the high tidal waves lashing out in complete fury threatening to pull all under, but this fair maiden braved through it all.
Priyanka Chopra, who is being linked to Shahid Kapoor is turning towards higher powers to enlighten her life. She has given up and left the responsibility of finding her a guy to God the Almighty. “I feel every girl thinks about her ideal man since childhood, but I have learnt that we must not make such plans, and that especially goes for me because I propose, and then God disposes. He has his own plans for me”, she said.
Shiela Ki Double Mazza The latest buzz is that Katrina Kaif may join the ranks of Hema Malini & Sridevi by doing a double role in a movie. Rumor has it that the film would be a remake of the popular classic movie ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’. Apparently, a few high profile directors are being considered for the film apart from the search for the 2 leading men. It’s going to get twice as hot now!
Ekta Kapoor and her spooky connection The producer’s latest movie ‘Raginni MMS’ is now ‘Ragini MMS’ and this change is to pacify the spirit of the caretaker of the bungalow at Dahanu where the movie is being shot. After freakish accidents occurred there almost every day, her Numerologist advised the drop of the extra ‘n’. Apparently the caretaker had died in his room and his personal belongings were still lying there when the movie shooting started, eventually the crew had to shift his stuff out. This spooky experience led them to believe the bungalow was haunted.
15
Februay.indd 15
1/30/2011 2:19:17 PM
GOSSIP
Tollywood’s Katrina
A triple role for Balayya!! After the failure of his last movie ‘Parama Veera Chakra’, Balayya is keen to bounce back, thrice as hard and quite literally. Director Paruchuri Murali has signed him for his next venture where he would be playing 3 different characters. An expensive set has been erected in Vizag. Here’s wishing him three times the luck, just in case!
After her debut in Vedam opposite Allu Arjun, offers have been pouring in steadily for Deeksha Seth. She did ‘Mirapakay’ with Raviteja and has another movie opposite Gopichand called ‘Wanted’ lined up. Talk about one wanted girl! During the audio release of the movie, popular comedian Brahmanandam said that he mistook her for Katrina Kaif the first time he saw her on a magazine cover. This girl must certainly be on Cloud 9 now!
Lakshmi Manchu to be a part of an Experiment Her critically acclaimed portrayal of a negative character in “Anaganaga O Dheerudu” has garnered the attention of Ram Gopal Verma as the latest buzz is that he has approached her to be part of his experimental film “Dongala Mutha”. Lakshmi Manchu has already answered in the affirmative for the experimental film which is supposed to be completed within 5 days on zero Budget. Her confidence is sky-high nowadays. Hope even this experiment works for her.
Nag to do an Amir Khan!! He is one of the only actors in the Telugu film industry to have maintained his looks and physique over the years. Despite climbing the age ladder, Nag has given the next generation actors a serious run for their money. Now the actor would be seen opposite Anushka in ‘Dhamarukam’ sporting a 6-pack. While Aamir had to spend a year building that body, we only wonder how long it will take Nag! 16
Februay.indd 16
1/30/2011 2:19:59 PM
GOSSIP
Naga Chaitanya a Rowdy Naga Chaitanya has been revealed as the lead for Ram Gopal Verma’s upcoming movie ‘Bejawada Rowdylu’, much to the surprise of the entire industry. The movie is based on incidents when Vijayawada reeled under the Rowdy Raj. It is touted to be yet another ‘Siva’ in the making. The rest of the cast & crew is yet to be finalized.
Eega, the housefly hero. Action movie Director SS Rajamouli has also jumped into the bandwagon of VFX movies and has announced his experimental venture called Eega, a story about a housefly. The film has Nani, Samantha and Sudeep in the lead roles. The film is touted to be a fantasy comedy entertainer. After the success of ‘Yamadonga’ and ‘Maryada Ramanna’, let’s see if he can make even Eega fly away to success.
Ileana to open a store for designer mom
Big B movie dumped by Tapsee It’s not every day that you get offered a movie with Amitabh Bachchan and it’s even rarer to hear an actress turning it down. Tapsee is currently riding on a wave of success with films in both Telugu and Tamil up for release. The industry is abuzz that she turned down an offer made by Puri Jagannath for his upcoming Movie ‘Budda’. An insider was quoted saying, “Her role is next to Sonu Sood and her rejection has got nothing to do with Big B”. Brave move, girl! Let’s hope you don’t regret it.
It’s well known that most of Ileana’s fashionable clothes are designed by her mom. She even charges a cool Rs 25 lakh extra for her films as her mom’s designer fee. Now she is taking it a step further by opening a designer store to showcase her mom’s designs. This exclusive store is coming up at Inorbit. Mommy dearest cannot be happier, we guess!
17
Februay.indd 17
1/30/2011 2:20:04 PM
HOTSPOT
Get a load of that! DIESEL Store
-SANA MIRZA
Last week we took a walk around Road Number 2 Banjara Hills in a feeble attempt to soak up some vitamin D. Instead we got a dose of something better – Diesel! No, there isn’t a new petrol pump and no, sorry, the prices haven’t gone down either. We are talking about the elite Italian brand that has been making waves since it opened its doors in Hyderabad. The store is stacked up with numerous accessories and clothes right from funky denims, shirts, tees, belts, shoes to watches, sunglasses and perfumes. The women’s section is racked with preppy classics that have a tomboy edge but there are dresses for casual and party gatherings as well. Get yourself a pair of their pre-distressed denim jeans and accessorize it with a belt you just picked up. There is a 30% discount on all women’s wear, so hurry! The men’s section is divided into different sections for casuals, party wear and formals. Yes, handing it to you on a platter. Ah well, boys will be boys. Browse easy through the casual sections and pick up a leather jacket to let that biker out of you or try on the grey casual party blazer for an evening out. Summer is just around the corner and so is their new spring summer collection. So what are you waiting for, shop till you drop!
Diesel Store, M.B. Towers, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Ph: 040 4014 3319
Februay.indd 18
1/30/2011 2:20:06 PM
Call us at 9949011134 or email us at cmehydlife@gmail.com and get your ladies club/kitty party covered in our exclusive section
Februay.indd 19
1/30/2011 2:20:16 PM
FASHION
Stuck in a Style Rut?
10
Simple Style Tips for Women - SNEHA VERONICA
If you are the kind of person that stares at a bulging wardrobe yet still cannot find something suitable to put on, then you may well be stuck in a style rut. If thinking what to wear every morning has become an ordeal then it is time to update your look!
Firstly there are two golden rules that you need to remember: • Being stylish has nothing to do with your size. It is about making the most of your shape. • Being stylish does not have to break the bank. In the words of Victoria Beckham in her book That Extra Half an Inch, “Whether you’ve got £20 to spend in Top Shop or £2,000 to spend at Gucci, looking good isn’t about money, it’s about style, and style never goes out of fashion.”
Fashion style is also about attitude. Feel confident in yourself about the way you look and that will come across to other people. It doesn’t take much to learn what cuts and colors suit your body shape, just a few hours research on the internet will tell you what you need. In the words of fashion designer icon Coco Chanel, “Fashion is architecture. It’s a matter of proportions.” and she should know!
20
Februay.indd 20
1/30/2011 2:21:17 PM
01 02
• Forget about the word “fashion” and think “style” – it may be mentally less intimidating or more “wearable”! • Even if you stay at home, make an effort to dress everyday as if you are going out. This changes your whole approach to even the most mundane household chores. You will find you have a more positive attitude and are less inclined to be reduced to a couch potato, in your night dress or sweat pants & T-shirt.
03
• Clear out your closet. Get rid of those items which are outdated, do not suit you or simply do not make you feel good. Make room for that new wardrobe of clothes that you are going to build, slowly, piece by piece.
04
• Take stock of how many classic items you currently have in your closet. Start building new outfits which will prove versatile and timeless – go anywhere and do anything. You should aim to have a wardrobe base of well cut, classic pieces and a few cheap fun, fashionable outfits that are right on trend, which can be replaced every season.
05 06 07 08 09 10
• Treat your wardrobe as an investment. Create a closet that is full of must-have pieces rather than make-do ones. • Ensure that your wardrobe is built around some style staples which will take you from season to season and can be dressed up or down. A good coat, a black dress, well cut denims, a classic pair of black pants, cashmere cardigan and a stylish crisp white shirt. Update these looks every season with some fab accessories. • Invest in a really great bag and a pair of look-at-me shoes, which will transform any outfit. Transform your ‘walk’ into a ‘wiggle’.
• Get to know your body shape. Are you a pear, apple, brick, hour glass or inverted triangle? • Learn how to play down your flaws and make the most of your assets. Learn how to disguise big hips, stomachs or a larger bust and learn what not to wear if you are short or flat-chested. • Shop smarter. Ask yourself a few key questions regarding what suits you before you shop and plan what to buy in advance.
21
Februay.indd 21
1/30/2011 2:21:19 PM
PAGE 3
Februay.indd 22
Glitterati
1/30/2011 2:21:19 PM
Februay.indd 23
1/30/2011 2:21:23 PM
SPECIAL FEATURE
LOVE is in the air “My heart – it speaks a 1000 words, I feel eternal bliss. The roses pout their scarlet mouths, Like offering a kiss... No drop of rain, no glowing flame has ever been so pure, If being in love can feel like this then I am in love for sure…”
Februay.indd 24
1/30/2011 2:21:24 PM
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and it is all about love-love. The day is dedicated to Saint Valentine. Ironically, though it is named after a Saint, it is not a religious day! Doves, roses and Cupid are popular symbols of this day of love. With red being the color of love, everything associated with this day is red – the heart, the roses, the balloons, et al. Nothing is known much about St. Valentine to whom this day is dedicated but his fame rests on martyrdom for love and romance. There are many beliefs but the most popular one is the story during a time of warfare in a country when there was this supposed ban on romance and wedding on account of conscription. It is said that St. Valentine cared nothing for the ban and went on holding wedding rites and blessing couples even against great odds that he faced. It is believed that he received capital punishment for this act of `sedition’. Those with Valentines must be thanking St. Valentine in tons to high heaven for the opportunity he gave them all to show and reaffirm their love for their beloved. Those suffering with a cardiac disorder of “Valentine Deficiency” whine about how this “lovey-dovey” affair is just another creation of the hawks out there to make money. But whatever it is, it sure is celebrated with fervor around the world with couples seen everywhere. Roses, chocolates and various gifts in hands and romantic lines on their lips, they try their luck with their valentine on this day. Abhishek, who has been hit with Cupid’s arrow, says, “Valentine’s Day.
- the name itself jingles bells in my heart. This is that one day of the year when I ensure I spend some quality time with my girl friend probably over dinner in a far away restaurant because I can get a few private moments during the long drive as well as in a secluded spot there. I definitely would give her some flowers, chocolates and a small gift. A movie is a waste of time since you can’t talk to each other.” Even Hyderabad seems to be high on Valentine’s Day. With the influx of western culture, this day has become an ‘Oh-so-special’ day for most of the people in town. From malls to restaurants to movie theatres, couples can be seen everywhere. Earlier, the city folk used to shy away from being seen in public but that is just so passé. “Since the past 20 years that I am here, the city has undergone a lot of change in every field including this one. We have a special candle-lit dinner on this day every year and the number of couples that come has always been on the rise. Though the college going couples come during the day and those at work in the evening, the place is full of couples throughout the day, even at odd hours” says Restaurateur Jitesh Reddy.
date. I also got a hair treatment done along with my regulars to look right on my important day”, says Preeti. Things have changed in other ways too. When The Beatles sang “Money can’t buy Love”, they were unaware of the way things would revolutionize few years down the line. A lot of commercialization is also being tagged along with emotions on this day. The market is flooded with a range of unnecessary products waiting to be grabbed. Priyanka from the Times Group says, “Back in the days when I was in college, cards, flowers and probably chocolates were considered to be Valentine gifts but today there are a whole lot of things in the market. Mugs, T-shirts, and so many more things now are given away on this day as gifts. ” Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up & the mind getting emptied. Give credit to that for all the sales on the occasion. As Robert Frost defined – Love: the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. Love is the enchanted dawn of every heart. Not loving is but a long dying. Valentine’s Day celebrates love. So this Valentine’s day, celebrate love and surrender to it because Love conquers all…
Young guys and girls have been preparing themselves in all possible ways they can for their special day. From huge shopping to lavish beauty treatments, Youngistaan is doing everything. “I have been around the city to every mall and many other posh stores just to search for that perfect dress to be worn for my
25
Februay.indd 25
1/30/2011 2:21:37 PM
And now, to match your gift with your Love, we give you a few ideas. Make this Valentine even more special with the smile on your lover’s face after he/she sees your gift. Along with cards or flowers or chocolates, try these gifting ideas to see your Valentine all smiles right from the heart…
GIFTS FOR HIM He is someone very special to you, he is the one who has turned your days shining and nights cozy, he is your ‘Ultimate Man’. A gift for him should largely depend on the personality of the individual. A Valentine gift that suits the personality of your man will be considered ideal. Present personalized gifts to the man who may be an achiever, a devoted dad, a metro man, a fun loving guy, an able son, an ideal friend or anything unique or general. A Valentine gift for him has to be special as well as soaked in love. From groovy to classy to sporty, there’s a long list of gifts for him that affect males so amazingly that they forget the world and go bonkers in your love. So, check out some of the mind-boggling gifts that are filling the list below:
Watches Men will love watches always or forever, whichever is longer! The only pre-requisites of the watch to be gifted are that it must be stylish and should be of a renowned brand like - TAG Heur, Jaeger LeCoultre, Rado etc. This is one personalized gift men always relish since it gives a boost to their confidence. Therefore, present a luxury watch as a Valentine gift for him that is sure to make him happy.
Latest Gadgets As all the tech-savvy men prefer groovy stuff embedded with the topmost technology, mobile phones, cameras and other gizmos are always considered good options to please their hearts. Plus, it also will show him how closely you notice his likes and dislikes. Our recommendation eZone
Our recommendation Time N Style
Pen Love Notes Let your sweetheart drool over the galore of secret love letters that you have been writing from the very day you fell in love with him. Open your heart out to him on this special day and celebrate your love. Make all such love notes a surprising present to gift for him. It will surely make him happy to know how much you love him and since how long.
For your man who has to go to his office, sign various documents and cheques, what could appeal more than a good pen? But do make sure you buy one that not only looks great but feels good too. You could preferably go in for a well known one from Cross, Pierre Cardin, Monte Blanc and so on... Our recommendation Mont Blanc
Music Music is a universal language. And like love, you need to feel it to enjoy it. Music CDs containing hit collections will surely help you in tickling his fancies. Also, nothing can be better than the music in which the lyrics gel with all that you feel for ‘him’. Our recommendation Music World
26
Februay.indd 26
1/30/2011 2:21:48 PM
SPECIAL FEATURE
GIFTS FOR HER
Perfumes
Valentine season has begun and every lover is getting ready to select a unique gift for her. This time around, the Valentine gift basket has to be filled with some extremely attractive personalized gifts. Cherish your soul mate, your mother, adorable sister, your best friend and surprise her with some wonderful gifts. Women are sensitive and look for warmth and love in a relationship. A bouquet of Valentine flowers will be an ideal gift idea to make her feel on top of the world. A gift for her should be an expression of your level of commitment and the intensity of your love. So remember that your gift basket should say what you have in your heart.
Does she have an aromatic presence? Then gift her Dolce Gabbana, Paris Hilton, Chanel perfumes, Prada, Givenchy, Estee Lauder, Marc Jacobs, J Lo or any other perfume. A fresh fragrance is what she will love. Teamed with flowers, you will work just the kind of magic you need.
Your Valentine gift for her should be memorable. So whether you are dating, engaged or even married, the gift selected by you will inflame the most delightful and romantic feelings of your loved ones. Here are some great romantic ideas to help you select the perfect gift for your sweetheart on this Valentine.
Our recommendation Lifestyle and Just In Vogue
Wristwatches Delicate wristwatches with or without precious stones are another great Valentine gift for wives. If you want, you can personalize it with engraving her name. But make sure you give her a renowned brand like Rado, Movado and the likes. Our recommendation Time N Style
Dozens Of Red Roses If you want to reaffirm your love for her, then say those precious words with flowers (perhaps you have done so before, but the idea never grows old). Dozens of red roses will be fabulous and will make her love you for ever, but a dozen of pink roses will make her lightheaded with love. Even Red rose petals can be a good idea as they have that aura of first blush in love. So choose your petals either in red or assorted colors and watch her glow, with love of course!
Gift them these with all your love and you are sure to have them happy and smiling.
Happy valentine.
Love photo-frame Diamond Heart Pendant & Pearl Necklace You don’t have to make her wear her heart on her sleeves. Gift her a diamond heart pendant & a pearl necklace. The stones can be set in gold or platinum but it has to be heart shaped. What better way to show your love? She will surely love the idea & will flaunt your love to all.
This is another great valentine gift for her. Select a nice photograph of the two of you together and get it framed in a heart shaped photo frame. Recite a romantic poem along with that and she will feel the sincerity and depth of your love for her.
Our recommendation Archies Gallery
Our recommendation Sri Jagdamba Jewellers
27
Februay.indd 27
1/30/2011 2:21:54 PM
Woo your Valentine
with Oomph! You have the girl, you have the money and all you need to do is give her the most memorable time in this romance filled day. Don’t you worry; you are in the right city that offers umpteen options to woo your valentine with oomph! Hyderabad Life picks the best spots in the city to spend the day with charm, élan, style and of course love.
8:00 am to 10:00 am • Novotel Square Novotel Hotel Hitex Yes, you have to start early. Pick her up at her residence with a bunch of red roses and drive straight to the best breakfast you can have in the town. Novotel Sqaure is the place to be in. With an amazing spread from all corners of the globe, you might have just hit the right chord to begin the date. The opulent breakfast also allows you to skip lunch and make use of the time in a better way, precisely why you won’t find a lunch spot in this agenda. And yeah, sum up the sumptuous food with an aromatic double shot espresso. You need it to keep it going for this long love oozed day! Alternate options: Ofen, Marriot. 11:00 am to 2:00 pm • Cafe Latte Jubilee Hills Book a room in advance and watch an undisturbed all time favourite romantic
flick. We suggest Titanic, Romeo and Juliet or City of Angels. Just the two of you holding hands and having a theatre for yourself. It does promise to be a great time that your valentine will remember for the rest of your life. Alternate Options: There are several multiplexes but nothing like having a theatre for yourself. 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm • Coffee at Cafe Melange Jubilee Hills Drive down to this wonderful coffee shop for a much needed snack. A grilled sandwich and your favourite cup of hot drink with a passionate discussion of the just watched romantic flick will sum up a lovely afternoon. Alternate Options: Lots - CCD, Barista 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm • Watch sunset at Gandipet lake Anywhere else in the world, a sunset is a sunset but this might just take your breath away for the simple fact that you are holding tight to your loved
28
Februay.indd 28
1/30/2011 2:21:56 PM
one and watching it in your home town. The depth and range of the colors, the vibrancy of the hues played across the sky, alright alright, we agree it is way too poetic for a Gandipet sunset in front of a not so much acclaimed lake, but trust us, you will enjoy this evening in a hypnotic silence. Alternate options: None as good as this. 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm • Dinner at Waterfront, Necklace Rd Overlooking the magnificent waters and sparkling stars above you, this is a one of a kind dining experience you cannot miss! Reserving it for this special day makes it all the more unique. You will be captivated by the view which makes the dining atmosphere even more romantic; The menu is one of the most sumptuous in the city. Here by the waters, facing a warm and gentle breeze, it is a perfect occasion for a romantic night when you want to impress that special someone. Alternate options: Our Place 11:30 pm until wee hours • Clubbing at Touch Touch is arguably the city’s most popular night club. With its trendy crowd, amazing music and chic clientele, it certainly is the perfect place to end what has been a romantic day so far. It’s time now to move from the serene atmospheres you had all day to a night of joy and rejoice. Nothing better than dancing away into the wee hours before the both of you get back to your homes with a cheeky goodnight kiss! Alternate options: Syn, H-Lounge
Giving the Right f lower The essence of love and romance lies in commitment. Giving a f lower is the most common way to express it but the right f lower holds a lot of importance.
Flowers to Give On Valentines Day
Flowers Not To Give On Valentines Day
Red Rosebuds - Confession of New Love Red Rose – Love White Rose - Pure Love White Carnation- Pure Love Red Carnation - Passionate Love Pink Carnation - Tender Love White Daisies- Innocence & Pure Love
Carnation Stripped: Sorry I Can’t Be With You Carnation Yellow: Rejection, Disregard Tuberose: Dangerous Pleasure Yellow Tulip: Hopeless Love Lotus Flower: Separated Love Lily, Orange: Hatred Rose, Dark Crimson: Mourning
29
Februay.indd 29
1/30/2011 2:22:00 PM
Here comes the difficult thing. Proposing. Some say it’s an art, some say it reflects your mind, some say it lays as a platform for the life ahead but we stick to the saying ‘ the first impression is the best impression’. When you have to propose your love and ask them, it has to be in a way which will truly sweep them off their feet and make them say yes. We give you the 15 best ways to propose on this Valentine’s Day and hear the wedding bells not far away… Paint your proposal on the wall as you are painting your new place.
Write “Will you marry me?” in rose petals.
Take her to the beach and write the question in sand.
Showing the true colours of your love? But be sure to make it artistic.
Bollywood hangover! But hey, it’s proven to work for sure.
The perfect old style. One for the Cheapos.
Rent a hoarding, have your proposal plastered on. Point it when you drive by.
Freeze the ring in an ice cube and pop it into a glass of water.
Tell her you see something at the bottom of the pool, dive in, and come up with her ring.
You better show it first than as such news spreads real fast.
Get a box of Valentine cards. Put a different message in each one, such as “I want to spend the rest of my life with you”. Have the last one that she opens say “Will you marry me?” Hello, wake up, you are in 2011.
Walk by a jewelry store and ask her if she wants to pick her favorite ring for your engagement. Be cool & composed and ask her to pick the ring as if you know what the answer is already.
Rent a movie theatre, play her favorite movie and interrupt with a taped proposal.
But make sure she doesn’t see it while having hiccups.
Very fishy.
Use little heart candies and spell out the words ‘Marry Me’ .with them. Cho Chweet!
Create a website asking your beloved to marry you. Show her that you belong to the current times. Slip the ring on her finger while she’s sleeping and then wake her with something special. Just make sure you don’t wake her up while doing this stuff.
Make her a candle lit dinner. After all, who says no to someone who can cook...
A six pack might just help your cause.
Build her a sandcastle at the beach and place the ring on the highest tower. Only for the artistic ones. If you can’t, hire someone who can build a castle, it still works.
Take him/her out on a treasure hunt and let the treasure be your ring. Then pop the question. This one is for the adventurous types. As he/she thinks it’s just a game, it comes as a total surprise.
30
Februay.indd 30
1/30/2011 2:22:09 PM
Februay.indd 31
1/30/2011 2:23:55 PM
CELEB
MISS CONGENIALITY How would you describe beauty without the classic clichés? How do you find the right words to describe Richa Gangopadhyay? We are so enthralled by her mouthwatering appeal we won’t even try juxtaposing metaphors, paraphrasing etc. Just one glimpse of her & you will realize that she is a class apart, and her charm & personality certainly don’t retract from her sexiness. Hyderabad Life catches up with the pretty star in a conversation that ended in us getting lost in her eyes…
Photos: Dabboo Ratnani
32
Februay.indd 32
1/30/2011 2:23:57 PM
33
Februay.indd 33
1/30/2011 2:24:02 PM
CELEB Tell us about your journey into movies… Growing up, I had never once thought I would be one day doing movies. It all started with me winning the Miss India USA title in 2007-08. Everyone started telling me that I should join films. After I won two Miss Photogenic titles in Miss India USA and then in Miss India Worldwide in Jo’berg, South Africa, I came on a mission-finding trip to Mumbai where I met many director/producers in Bollywood. People said I have potential & encouraged me to move to India, take acting classes, become more Indianized and then join films. So I took acting courses at Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares and got my first portfolio done. I did many ad shoots. My entry into films happened completely unexpectedly and with some help from lady luck! After auditioning nearly 800 girls, Sekhar Kammula was convinced that I was the one most suited for the dynamic character of Archana in Leader which eventually earned tons of appreciation from audiences and critics!
How was it working with Sekhar Kammula & Rana? Sekhar sir is one of the humblest people I’ve ever met, and it was a great experience working with him in my first film. For a director as wellknown and critically-acclaimed as he is, he never gave off an ‘airy’ vibe. He is not the kind of person to get swayed by rumours, fame or glamour. He is very honest and dedicated in his work and anyone can see his passion for cinema through the films he’s directed. Rana and I got along right from the beginning! Even when I first met himthe grandson of THE Ramanaidu, and son of THE Sureshbabu, I never felt any sense of arrogance or attitude. In fact, quite the opposite – Rana helped me by showing me the ropes of the industry and introducing me to various aspects of cinema. Though he’d already been a producer, we shared our acting debut together and it was a lot of fun learning to face the camera for the first time with him. I consider him a good friend. We hang out casually every now and it’s always fun.
What about working with Ravi Teja? Getting to work with the Mass Raja in my third film was an awesome opportunity and Ravi gave me a different kind of energy! There were so many new things he taught me. Doing the dances/songs with him were awesome fun! He’s an incredibly down-to-earth person who doesn’t let any ounce of negativity come his way. Take us down memory lane. Where did you grow up? I was born in New Delhi, India, spent first few years in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. I moved to the U.S. at the age of 3 and have lived there ever since. I was an avid Tennis player in High school and played at state level. In fact I was very engaged in extracurricular activities and performed quite a bit. I also played the violin in my school orchestra and went to Europe to perform. I was pursuing my degree in Michigan State University for my undergraduate studies in Nutrition/Public Health when the filmy venture beckoned me to India. I am still taking courses.
I HAD NEVER ONCE THOUGHT I WOULD BE ONE DAY DOING MOVIES
Februay.indd 34
1/30/2011 2:24:03 PM
Tell us about more your Miss India USA title. I participated in ‘Miss India Michigan’ a few years ago. When I won, it took me to the national platform to compete with girls from across the U.S.! For the talent round, I did a fusion of playing the violin to the original ‘Vande Mataram’, the notations of which I had composed myself and dancing to a popular Bollywood song. I also won the title of ‘Miss Congeniality’ & ‘Miss Photogenic’. Later I went on to win ‘Miss Beautiful Eyes’ and ‘Miss Photogenic’ in the Miss India Worldwide held in Jo’berg, South Africa. The titles gave me the opportunity to further my personal goal of acting in Indian cinema, a realm I would never have been able to touch otherwise! It’s been a crazy busy ride, and no turning back since! How ‘filmy’ are you? Oh, I’m an extreeemely ‘filmy’ person at heart! I think I always had it in
my blood to perform, perhaps that’s why I’ve been told that my on-screen expressions seem natural! I grew up watching Indian films back in the U.S., ‘Baazigar’ being the first one, after which I became a huge SRK fan. I was a young movie-addict and always dreamt of dancing around the trees and doing the typical commercial heroine stuff, which is something I ruled out ever actually happening! I guess being an emotional Piscean automatically makes me slightly inclined towards drama! If it weren’t for films, then… Perhaps either a Nutrition Director at a Hospital or owner of a Media PR company! How would you best describe Richa – the person and Richa – the celebrity? It’s simple, you get what you see. The line between Richa the celebrity and Richa the person is very thin and almost invisible. I always try to be myself without any sort of fakeness.
I am actually too transparent, and don’t have the airs people tell me I need to put on to be a celebrity. I feel being a celebrity is a relative thing. I am still a humble small person in light of other celebrities who have accomplished a lot more. So I make a conscious effort to showcase Richa the person vs. Richa the celebrity. The celebrity lifespan is short but I can always be me and be liked for who I am!. What’s one thing that your fans would be surprised to know about you? Probably that I can also sing! I would love to someday hone my singing abilities more and sing one of my own songs in my films. Who are your best friends in the industry? I will say Rana, Shraddha Das and Harish Shankar thus far who I can call my close friends. Priya and Samantha, as well.
35
Februay.indd 35
1/30/2011 2:24:05 PM
Februay.indd 36
1/30/2011 2:24:11 PM
What do you feel about Hyderabad? It’s granny’s place for me as my grandparents have lived here long. Hyderabad is the city of contrasts – Traditional Nizami yet cyber modern, laid-back yet energetic. I love Hyderabad and love the warm people even more. Where do you hang out usually in the city? At the movies, GVK One or Inorbit Mall, N Grill, Syn 5 years later… Ruling Tollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood as the # 1 heroine of the decade and advocating health and fitness through my own Health Center with international offices! Just kidding! In 5 years I would like to do as many films as I can, keep in good shape, do some meaningful charitable work and make some good friends. Firsts Crush: was when I was 5! I brought home my best friend at the time, home to mom! But I was still a tomboy even then. Kiss: was with the ‘most popular (American) guy in high school’ who I had a crush on for ages, when I was still a big dork but then he fell for me! Phone: this obnoxiously huge cordless-phone looking phone I was only allowed to use for ‘emergency purposes’ when I was 14! Car: Silver Oldsmobile Alero that I loved driving my friends around in
Favorite Drink – Nothing can beat the taste of Frooti! I like Mojitos too. Favorite Brand – Express 3 Little known facts about Richa… I sleep with my li’l stuffed tiger toy my mom gave me this winter. His name is Doddy! I do impressions of interesting people all the time – yeah I mimic pretty well. I hate using the A.C. except for when I’m styling my hair Mr. Perfect: Loyal, fun-loving/humorous personality, intelligent, and someone I can be myself around all the time, someone who I can trust, count on, and is my best friend above all else. Should also love to dance bhangra! Pets: A Pomeranian named Fluffy who will be 11 years old this April Phobia:Deathly scared of spiders and heights! Sex appeal: My eyes… I think or my innocent looks…as people tell me Addicted to: My phone! I’m a compulsive email/sms/twitter checker! Turn on: Sense of humor and downto-earth personality
Would you propose to a guy first? Yeah, why not? I don’t believe in all those typical guy-girl rules! I’m pretty straight-forward and always blurt out what I feel! How do you like your men to be? Fun loving, adventurous, loyal, calm and relaxed! Songs on playlist ‘Higher’ by Taio Cruz, a bunch of Bhangra, and of course, the entire Mirapakaay soundtrack on repeat! Wildest thing done so far: Journeyed to Leh-Ladakh with my close friends & told my parents later. They freaked out! Love to: laugh uncontrollably. Have simple fun in life. Hate to: deal with arrogant, pretentious & lazy people Single or Taken: Taken…by all my fans who show me so much love!
What does Richa like to splurge on? Books, fitness related things and clothes. Favorites Favorite Band – I don’t listen to boybands anymore! But my choice varies. Favorite Scent – Covet Pure Bloom by Sarah Jessica Parker
37
Februay.indd 37
1/30/2011 2:24:14 PM
SPECIAL FEATURE
THE REGALIA CALLED HYDERABAD
- SHIVARANJANI REDDY
The story of a Royal Wardrobe How many pairs of clothes do you own? Ten pairs. Oh! No. I have dozens of them. After all, I have passion for clothes and I always keep in touch with the latest trend in the fashion world. If you think that you are fashion savvy and own one of the largest collections of dresses in your circle, then hold your breath! Here is a man, who never wore the same dress again, yes again in life. He also made it a point to purchase the entire piece of cloth so that no one else could sport the same pattern.
The man I am referring to is none other than our past ruler. Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad. When we talk about the man, who never wore the same dress again, can’t we let our imagination run wild about the wardrobe he had. After all, the Nizam had an unparalleled collection of dresses, most fashionable and ahead of his times, and he indeed needed a large almirah to keep them. So, the Nizam ordered a wardrobe to be specially made for him. And when the carpenters finished their work on the Burma teak logs specially imported for the purpose, what had emerged was the largest wardrobe in the world. No king, ruler, noble or rich man ever had such a long wardrobe for personal dresses and accessories. The Nizams of Hyderabad were unique and so were their belongings.
The wardrobe is now preserved in the Nizam’s Museum in Purani Haveli. You may just walk into the museum and see for yourselves the magnificent wooden structure – two storey high and 240 ft in length. It has 155 cupboards. Each cupboard has several partitions. If you keep a pair of dresses each in all the racks of the cupboards, you will return to the first one after two years, though you wear a pair of dresses from each of the racks daily. Mir Mahboob Ali Khan was known for his royal dress sense and fashionable clothes. The wardrobe was built in late 1890s. It’s now 110 years old, the polish still intact. Of course, poor preservation has made the clothes brittle. The clothes the Nizam had worn are still on display. Made of silk, silver and gold thread, the clothes give an insight into the mind of the
Nizam and of his times. The Nizam’s robes were designed by expert weavers and stitched by master tailors. It is a sort of walkthrough wardrobe for the Nizam. You can see the Nizam’s woolen clothes, mufflers, caps and satin silk hand kerchiefs, besides his weapons. While the lower storey of the wardrobe contains clothes, the upper storey has a large collection of his shoes, accessories including hats and walking sticks. In contrast, his son, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the VII Nizam, led a simple life. Though he used his father’s wardrobe, he did not pay much attention to the dresses he wore. The VII Nizam was known for his austerity and charity.
38
Februay.indd 38
1/30/2011 2:24:16 PM
HYDERABAD OF YORE
Did You Know? The sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, was fond of hunting wild animals. Hyderabad and its surroundings had a number of hunting grounds. The favourite spot, however, was the Nallamalas. As many as 500 people including security guards and assistants used to accompany the Nizam during the hunting camps. It was a sort of the government on the move. The entire royal administration used to camp with the Nizam. The Nizams of Hyderabad were the first to enter into a treaty with the British rulers. Thanks to the signing of the subsidiary alliance, the Hyderabad rulers were bestowed with the title, “the most faithful ally”. The tile, Asaf Jah, was bestowed upon his Hyderabad governor by the Moghal rulers. The Asaf Jahs served as the governors of Hyderabad to the Moghal Empire. Asaf is the Persian for Aesop. Asaf Jah means the Aesop of the day or modern Aesop. Aristotle had always held an esteemed position in the erstwhile Hyderabad State. The Greek philosopher was respected so much that one of the titles of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, referred to Aristotle. The Nizam was called “Aarastu – e – zaman” or the modern Aristotle. Aarastu in Arabic, Persian and Urdu means Aristotle. Some noble families still name their children “Aarastu” after Aristotle. Masab Tank was named after Ma Saheba (mother queen). There used to be a big tank in the area. What now remains is a small garden and a little pool. Much of the water body has been encroached upon. There is no water body left at the site.
Februay.indd 39
1/30/2011 2:24:21 PM
BOX OFFICE
REVIEW
GULLIVER’S TRAVELS Cast: Jack Black, Amanda Peet, Jason Segel. Director: Rob Letterman Producer: Jack Black, Ben Cooley, John Davis. Music: Henry Jackman Gulliver’s Travels comes across as an over rated comedy. Looking at the star cast and the story line, the movie leaves a lot to be desired. The story is about Lemuel Gulliver (Jack Black) who builds his whole life around lies. When on an assignment to the Bermuda Triangle, he is sucked underwater by a whirlpool of sorts and reaches Lilliputian town. After a few gross antics such as pissing on the town to save it from a fire, he becomes a hero. But the twist of fate teaches him how essential it is to lead an honest life. The plot goes haywire in the middle & there is a desperate attempt to tie up all the loose ends leading to a hasty ending. Watch it if you have nothing else to do.
NO ONE KILLED JESSICA Cast: Vidya Balan, Rani Mukerjee Director: Raj Kumar Gupta Producer: Shamsher Walia Music: Amit Trivedi
The entire country can associate with the story of ‘No one Killed Jessica’, which is based on the true life, cold blooded murder of Jessica Lal by a politician’s son. It follows the turmoil that Sabrina (Vidya Balan) had to undergo to see the killer go scot-free thanks to political influence and corruption. The famous fight for justice that rocked the nation, revolutionizing the judicial system in the process, has been pretty decently portrayed. Rani Mukerjee plays the role of the gritty reporter Meera to perfection. The movie does get over-dramatic sometimes and the scenes involving common people are sure to evoke laughter. All said, the movie is a must watch, especially to salute the day when the common man stood up and put a high profile murderer behind bars.
40
Februay.indd 40
1/30/2011 2:24:37 PM
ANAGANAGA OKA DHEERUDU Cast: Siddharth, Shruti Haasan, Lakshmi Manchu Director: K.Prakash Producer: K. Raghavendra Rao Music: MM Keeravani, Koti, Salim-Suleiman Merchant, Mickey J Meyer A truly refreshing movie, Anaganaga Oka Dheerudu certainly is a giant leap for the Telugu Film Industry. Backed by Walt Disney, the movie has a great cast, an amazing script and even better graphics. The story revolves around a gifted but blind swordsman Yodha (Siddarth), Priya (Shruti Haasan) a fortune teller and their quest to stop an evil queen Irendri (Lakshmi Manchu) & her reign of terror on the tear drop shaped island called Angarajyam. The Telugu industry debutant Lakshmi Manchu clearly steals the show with her amazing portrayal of the negative character. The visual effects are worth a special mention for this film – extraordinary, spectacular and breathtaking.
PREVIEW
SINBAD: THE FIFTH VOYAGE Cast: Patrick Stewart, Shahin Sean Solimon Director: Shahin Sean Solimon Producer: Harvey Lowry, Melanie Myburgh Music: Shawn K Clement How many more epics are going to be rehashed & remade into movies that suck? Yet another upcoming movie – Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage, is a low-budget movie that apparently pays homage to effects legend Ray Harryhausen. We think that’s just an excuse to pass off outdated animation in this new age. The movie stars Shahin Sean Solimon as Sinbad and Patrick Stewart. The plot follows Sinbad after his legendary travels, and finds the hero bored with the peaceful life and eager to recapture past glories. When the Sultan’s first-born daughter is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer, Sinbad must cross deserts and seas in order to rescue her. He ventures into the desert of magic and battles larger than life creatures to save the princess. The movie is targeted towards teenagers and reminds one of Prince of Persia, though we don’t guarantee the same kind of visual effects.
41
Februay.indd 41
1/30/2011 2:24:41 PM
PREVIEW
7 KHOON MAAF Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Neil Nitin Mukesh, John Abraham, Naseeruddin Shah, Irrfan Khan, Annu Kapoor and Aleksandr Dyachenko
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj Producer: Vishal Bhardwaj, Ronnie Screwvala Music: Vishal Bhardwaj Any Vishal Bhardwaj film warrants attention and his next, 7 Khoon Maaf is no different! The movie is based on Ruskin Bond’s short story ‘Susanna’s Seven Husbands’. Priyanka plays a charming woman named Susanna Anna-Marie Johannes. She gets married seven times during the course of 35 years. All her half dozen husbands die mysterious deaths. It’s a gripping tale of a woman’s journey through seven love stories, seven husbands and seven deaths, presumably all murders. The movie stars Priyanka Chopra opposite six male actors – Neil Nitin Mukesh, John Abraham, Naseeruddin Shah, Irrfan Khan, Annu Kapoor and a Russian actor. Priyanka is shown aging gradually, from being a 20-year-old young girl to a 65-year-old woman, we are sure she will prove her acting prowess again.
GAGANAM Cast: Nagarjuna, Prakash Raj, Poonam Kaur Director: Radha Mohan Producer: Dil Raju Music: Pravin Mani
The long awaited Nagarjuna starrer is all set to see the light at last. The movie which was supposed to hit the screen during Diwali 2010 was delayed for various reasons. The makers have decided to launch it in the first week of February. The movie will be a bilingual named Gaganam in Telugu and Payanam in Tamil. The story revolves around a domestic flight from Mumbai to Chennai that has been hijacked by terrorists. Nagarjuna plays the role of a commando and Prakash Raj plays the role of a senior bureaucrat. This would be Director Radha Mohan’s first action thriller movie.
42
Februay.indd 42
1/30/2011 2:24:45 PM
Telugu
English
01 02
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Arakilo Pogaru Wanted Chakri Ranjith Reddy
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Sheila Ki Jawani Tees Maar Khan Vishal Shekar Vishal
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Ola Olaala Ala Orange Harris Jayaraj Karunya, Ranina Reddy
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Yamla Pagla Deewana Yamla Pagla Deewana Pyarelal, RDB Sonu Nigam, Nindy Kaur
Song : Grenade Album : Doo-Wops & Hooligans Singer : Bruno Mars
03
Song : Adhigora Choodu Movie : Mirapakay Music : Mirapakay Singer : Ravi Teja, Karthik, Rahul Nambiar, Ranjith, Alap Raju
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Adhoore Break Ke Baad Vishal-Shekhar Vishal Dadlani, Alyssa Mendonca
Song : Firework Album : Teenage Dream Singer : Katy Perry
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Golmaal Golmaal 3 Pritam Kay Kay, Anushka Manchanda, Monali
Song : What’s My Name? Album : Loud Singer : Rihanna Featuring Drake
Song : Meesamunna Manmadhuda Movie : Ragada Music : Thaman. S Singer : Shankar Mahadevan, Rita, Hima Bindhu, Geetha Madhuri
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Laungda Lashkara Patiala House Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Mahalashmi Iyer, Hard Kaur, Jassi
Song : Black And Yellow Album : Black And Yellow Singer : Wiz Khalifa
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Nuvvila Manasara Sekhar Chandra Krishna Chaitanya
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Dilli No One Killed Jessica Amit Trivedi Aditi Singh Sharma, Shriram Iyer, Tochi Raina
Song : Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You) Album : Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You) Singer : Enrique Iglesias Featuring Ludacris & DJ Frank E
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Jaago Golkonda High School Kalyani Malik Hemachandra
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Let’s Go To Toonpur Toonpur Ka Superrhero Anu Malik Veronica, Anu Malik
Song : We R Who We R Album : We R Who We R Singer : Ke$ha
Song : Lokana Chikatini Movie : Parama Veera Chakra Music : Manisharma Singer : SP. Balasubramaniam, Vandemataram Srinivas, Sri Krishna
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Zor Ka Jhatka Action Replayy Pritam Daler Mehndi, Richa Sharma
Song : Raise Your Glass Album : Greatest Hits...So Far!!! Singer : P!nk
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Dum Dum Dolu Baaje Prema Kavali Anoop Rubens Benny Dayal
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Tera Kya Hoga Johny Tera Kya Hoga Johny Pankaj Awasthi Sukhwindher Singh
Song : The Time (Dirty Bit) Album : The Beginning Singer : The Black Eyed Peas
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Haricharan, Chinmayee Shopping Mall GV. Prakash, Vijay Antony Haricharan, Chinmayee
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Abhi Kuch Dino Se Dil Toh Baccha HaiJi Pritam Mohit Chauhan
Song : Just The Way You Are Album : Just The Way You Are Singer : Bruno Mars
04 05 06 07 08 09 10 Februay.indd 43
Hindi
Song Movie Music Singer
: : : :
Jai Bholo Telangana 1 Jai Bholo Telangana Chakri Vandemataram Srinivas
Song : Hold It Against Me Album : Hold It Against Me Singer : Britney Spears
1/30/2011 2:24:50 PM
SPECIAL FEATURE
LOVE
- SANA MIRZA
is all around
us
Most of us have at least one movie in our memory that will reduce us to tears or put us in a romantic mood. Some of these movies are acknowledged as ‘Classics’, while others have more personal significance. Movies have also become a popular choice for a first date situation, because they are comfortable for both participants and are usually a good springboard for conversation afterwards. If you’re looking for an appropriate romantic movie to rent as a first date or early introduction, you can’t go too wrong with these ten movies, recommended straight up from some Hyderabadis. Check ‘em out!
Vasumana Ghosh “The Notebook is a beautiful movie! Not money nor distance or any social difference can get in the way of love. One of my favorite lines from the movie is “Summer romances begin for all kinds of reasons, but when all is said and done, they have one thing in common. They’re shooting stars, a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, fleeting glimpse of eternity, and in a flash they’re gone.” I believe in summer romances and I also believe that love can do anything we want it to.
Melissa Khan “Garden State – I did watch it with a boy once but we’re not together anymore. Still, it remains very close to my heart and has the most brilliant OST ever. I’ve watched it a million times and it’s a feel good movie, the best Indie romance movie I’ve ever watched really!”
Sultan Salahuddin “If I am to watch a movie, I would watch ‘A Walk to Remember’. I like this movie primarily because it is like a garland of Switchfoot songs beautifully sewn around a movie that is bound to leave you in tears. This story pesters me to appreciate the menial things in life and to express our love to our dearest ones before we actually lose them.” 44
Februay.indd 44
1/30/2011 2:24:56 PM
Rishi Khaitan “I watched ‘New York, I Love You’ last year and I fell in love not just with the movie but with the characters as well. I love watching it because it presents so many different manifestations of love that transcend across cultures, professions and age-groups of the characters in different stories.
Nakul Gupta “I think out of all the movies that I have seen, the one I remember most is ‘Love Actually.’ You can be connected to many people but at the end of the day, one needs to realize that sustaining each one of them is important too. My favorite character couples in the movie are Jamie and Aurelia played by Colin Firth and Lucia Moniz. Love has no boundaries. No language. Been there, done that. Love actually is all around us.”
Kashif Ali “Meet Joe Black. The only time melodrama was worth the time – all 3 hours of it. I love it for all the syrupy notions of unrequited love and how being a bigger person is something that even death has a go at. However, I still can’t get myself to like peanut butter even though it played such a pivotal part in the film and makes up for most of my memories associated with the movie.”
Nikita Bhandari Bagri “My husband and I had a long distance relationship for 4 years before we finally got engaged. The first movie we saw together was ‘What Happens in Vegas’. It was a loud movie but we kind of related to the craziness because we were soon going to be living together. Also, I am the ‘it-happened-at-that-time’ person, so I remember occasions by what we did then. Maybe that is why I would love to watch that movie with him again this Valentine’s Day.”
Divya Nawale “I love watching ‘Sleepless in Seattle’. It’s my favorite movie because it’s been inspired from real life situations where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (who look like a couple made in heaven), finally meet on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. What I like most about the movie is that it highlights the magic in a relationship, which makes people fall in love with each other all over again.”
Kalyan Yasaswi “P.S I Love You holds no special memories or does not have any significance to me. But I can watch it time & again because unlike the usual love stories it has the whole circle in it, girl meets boy, they fall in love, live together and you can also see her moving on unlike the other movies.”
Faiz Rai “The movie ‘Hitch’ because Will Smith = Pure Awesomeness! Also ‘50 First Dates’. Drew Barrymore. Need I say more?”
45
Februay.indd 45
1/30/2011 2:25:00 PM
BOOK REVIEW
10
Must-Read Romance Novels
- SANA MIRZA
Romance novels are considered to be the most popular genre in modern literature. They are not just about the topless and extremely delicious men on covers, unimaginable storylines and cheesy dialogues. Most of them are not even about happy endings. Hyderabad Life assembles a list of ten best romance novels of all time. 1. Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series Apart from the hungry werewolves and the blood sucking vampires, Twilight does have an eternal love story brewing between Bella and Edward, a sulky teenager falling in love with a 104 year-old vampire – not pedophilic at all if you look like Edward. The first novel of the series Twilight was published in 2005. Other novels in the series are New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Down.
2. Nicholas Sparks ‘The Notebook’ I believe all of Sparks’ books have a colorful yet dark love story. His books not only make you want to have one of your own but they also highlight the harsh realities that not all love stories have a happy ending. The Notebook is & will be a favorite with millions of readers worldwide irrespective of age, color, sex, or relationship status. Summer romances are after all memorable.
4. Nora Roberts ‘Angels Fall’ This book by Nora Roberts is part thriller and part romance. She has written over 160 novels, so it’s nice to see her experiment. The book has a charm to keep you glued to it, gets you tense and anxious which isn’t necessarily what you expect a romance novel to do. But, nonetheless an interesting read.
3. Kristin Hannah’s ‘If You Believe’ Personally I love reading books by Kristin Hannah. They are warm and intense. Hannah’s books aren’t just completely about love but she defines all other relationships as well. A distressed relationship between a mother and daughter, relationship between a father and his orphaned son etc. ‘If You Believe’ is a story of two strangers and about their love which was born against all odds, impossible to count on & impossible to hold.
46
Februay.indd 46
1/30/2011 2:26:01 PM
5. Sue Monk Kidd’s ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ The book topped the best sellers list for months and was also made into a movie in 2008 starring Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah. The protagonist of the story is Lily and the story is based on her search for a connection to her mother who dies in a tragic car accident when Lily is just a baby. Taking place in South Carolina in the 1960s, The Secret Life of Bees explores race, love and the idea of home in turbulent times. It is a lovingly written drama that keeps the pages turning.
6. Jane Green’s Second Chance The author is a well-known name associated with chick-lit favourites such as Mr. Maybe & Jemima J. Second Chance doesn’t break any new ground, but it’s a solidly written story about friendship and second chances that will keep readers interested.
7. Kat Martin’s ‘A Song for my Mother’ One of New York’s most acclaimed novelists, Kat Martin’s new book which releases in May 2011 is already creating media frenzy. ‘A Song for my Mother’ is a story about healing and connections. It’s about letting go of the past and finding something so much more important. A heartwarming tale perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon!
8. Meg Cabot’s ‘Queen of Babble’ This book reminds me of my days as a teenager. Well not completely. I wouldn’t hitchhike my way around the world to be with someone, or maybe I guess I would. Queen of Babble is a lighthearted story about Lizzie Nichols, who as the title suggests babbles uncontrollably. She moves to England to live with a boy she knew for one day at college. Not surprisingly, he doesn’t turn out to be quite who she remembered, and she treks across Europe in search of other friends. A quick and easy read, perfect for an afternoon alone.
9. Jennifer Weiner’s ‘The Guy not Taken’ This book is a well-written collection of short stories about sympathetic, relatable characters. Fans of Jennifer Weiner’s previous works will find much to admire in these stories, which deal with women, relationships, families, and emotional struggles.
10. Rebecca Well’s ‘Ya-Yas in Bloom’ This book is a welcome sequel to Wells’ bestselling Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Readers who have enjoyed previous Ya-Ya books will not be disappointed. Ya-Yas in Bloom is not Wells’ best book, however, so it would be better for new readers to start with her excellent Divine Secrets.
47
Februay.indd 47
1/30/2011 2:26:10 PM
GADGETS
THE GIZMO CORNER Hyderabad Life brings to you the latest technology & reviews in the tech world covering a range of emerging equipment & products. Let the geek in you rise to glory! -SHADRACH THOMAS
PC GAMES GO MOBILE Razer, the popular computer peripherals developer that focuses mainly on products for gamers, has unveiled its latest gaming product, the Switchblade. Made in collaboration with Intel, the Switchblade is a PC desktop concept for mobile gaming measuring just 6.77 x 4.52 x 0.98 inches. The Razer Switchblade includes an Intel Atom processor and runs Windows 7. The device would cater to all game genres and features both Wi-Fi and 3G. The main advantage to desktop gaming is the keyboard and the mouse. To solve the problem with the keyboard, Razer has equipped its new device with a dynamic tactile keyboard which adjusts its configuration according to the current game being played. For the mouse, Razer uses an ultra-sensitive multi-touch screen on the seven-inch upper display. A USB 3.0 port is also provided just in case a physical mouse is required by the gamer.
WORLD’S SMALLEST DSLR CAMERA The Japanese are known to shrink sizes of everything they manufacture, but the new Chobi Cam One is seriously pushing the limits. It’s the world’s smallest DSLR camera. Just like the normal DLSR cameras which come with an option of using different interchangeable lenses, even the Chobi Cam One is provided with 3 interchangeable magnetically attached lenses for three different effects. The images can be captured and stored in a Micro SD card. This tiny camera is sure to be handy to carry into concert venues that prohibit DSLR cameras.
Februay.indd 48
1/30/2011 2:26:14 PM
A PLAYFUL MOUSE A gadget that can multitask immediately gets a cool quotient attached to it, even though it usually cannot do most of it very well. This trend certainly has an exception with the new Chameleon X1. It’s not only a wireless Mouse for your computer but this baby can also play the roles of a remote control and a game controller. This simply gorgeous mouse when flipped upside down, offers a fully functional game controller and a PC remote. Effectively, with just the push of a button, bring up your iTunes, flip through some tracks, handle a power point presentation and shut down your computer. The Chameleon X1 has a gamepad that is built into the bottom which includes a 5 stage adjustable 1600 dpi optical sensor with 125 Hz polling rate and connects to your laptop or desktop through a USB dongle over a 2.4 GHz wireless connection.
RUN AWAY AND NEVER GET LOST! Nike presents the new Sports Watch GPS. Winning two Innovation awards in CES 2011 Health & Wellness and Personal Electronics categories, the Nike+ Sports Watch GPS is the best gadget partner providing you with the motivation required to be healthier & to exercise more. It helps you keep track of your progress so you will not lose sight of your goal and will let you track what you do and how you do it. Nike+ Sports Watch GPS is amazingly accurate as it combines GPS accuracy with the shoe-based Nike+ sensor to track pace, time, calories burnt, heart rate, and distance. Plus, if you want to view your running history, set new running goals, and interact with other runners worldwide, all you have to do is connect this watch to NikePlus.com. Equip yourself with this cool watch to give you that extra push you need!
Februay.indd 49
1/30/2011 2:26:15 PM
GAMING The word of mobile gaming has long evolved from the monochromatic snake games on Nokia phones to the high graphic NFS available on iPhones & Androids. There has been such a massive boom in technological prowess in these 10 short years that these games are now available at the tap of a screen. - SANJANA SHARAN Here are the top iPhone & Android games that came out last month.
PLAY MOBILE!
NFS Hot pursuit Unlike previous installments that hid your cop credentials, Hot Pursuit is all about flaunting your authority in evidently painted police vehicles. The 24-mission Career mode has you buckling up for high speed chases, checkpoint runs, crash ‘n’ bash events, and friendly street races with the squad. There are no complicated simulation mechanics to worry about, no need to tune your vehicle with extra parts, no convoluted objectives to consider. Hot Pursuit is a great pick-up-and-play racer.
REVIEW It helps that each event is as fun as the next. Too often in racing games two or three events shine, while the rest feel forced for the sake of variety. Hot Pursuit avoids this common fault by zeroing in on a few entertaining events like Interceptor, which pits you against a single fleeing felony in a high-speed chase. Weapons have been introduced for dramatic effect, although they are less sensational than expected. Tirepuncturing spikes, EMP, and road blocks can be summoned to sabotage your opponent: each one recharges during the course of an event for multiple deployment, as does your nitrous. The game’s biggest shortcoming is multiplayer, where online play has been completely omitted in favor of head-tohead racing via Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi.
Cut the rope
REVIEW
We’ve seen several games with swing-related physics, and countless more that require you to collect a bunch of stuff en route to the level exit, but Cut the Rope stands out by combining all this in new and imaginative ways. The goal is to feed Om Nom, a pint-sized monster with a sweet tooth, a piece of candy that hangs by various lengths of rope with all manner of obstacles between monster and treat. By tactically cutting these ties, you can swing the candy into Om Nom’s mouth and move onto the next level. Within each level, you can collect up to three stars. While not essential to completing a level, they are vital to unlocking each world. The game offers creative add-ons to this simple procedure such as bubbles that send the candy skywards, whoopee cushions that can be used to redirect it, and candy-hungry spiders that travel along the ropes. The swing physics are brilliantly realized, and backed up by an immaculately drawn world. 50
Februay.indd 50
1/30/2011 2:26:17 PM
Doodle jump
REVIEW
Despite its addictive nature, Doodle Jump is not a game of great depth, and nor does it pretend to be. The goal is to climb as high as you can by tilting your handset left and right. You guide a little doodle man upwards past differently colored floating platforms and enemies like hairy snowmen, green blobs with multiple eyes, and bizarre bats. The introduction of new enemies and boss battle serve up some variety, but like eating a big snack, it spoils your appetite for the main meal. Bosses take up too much screen space, which makes them difficult as well as epic. Repetition is a serious problem, particularly given the need to start from ground zero each and every time you play. While on the surface it’s hard to put your finger on what makes Doodle Jump so addictive, I’m fairly sure it’s something to do with the cutesy sounds and animations that look like they’ve been jotted down during a two hour math lesson. For a five minute fix while you’re waiting for the train or to just pass some time, it’s an excellent pick.
Bubble Ball
REVIEW In the present age of competitive gaming on smart phones, Bubble Ball comes as a pleasant change from other popular physics oriented games already available in the market. This game was developed for iPhone & Android platforms and it is already the top game for 4 weeks now. Your goal is to get the bubble from its preset point to the checkered flag, using pieces of wood and metal & power ups like turbo boosts, stoppers, gravity reversing arrows, mid air suspenders & a few more. A bizarre sense of difficulty is felt from the initial levels itself but the user soon gets acquainted to the game design. The actual challenge starts when simple physics is to be used but the user will not be anywhere close to this line of thought due to its simple and steady game progression. I personally feel this to be the X-factor of this game. It is for you fellow gamers to get a hang of it yourselves and have fun. Not to forget, this game was developed by a 14 year old kid from Utah. Incredible, isn’t it?
51
Februay.indd 51
1/30/2011 2:26:21 PM
VROOM
LUXURY REVOLUTIONIZED! Audi A8
- SHADRACH THOMAS
The top position in the Luxury Car segment is perhaps the most revolutionizing spot in the world. No wonder it is also the most briefly held position. The Launch of Audi A8 promises a battle royale! Armed with revolutionary advancements in technology and the breath taking Audi looks, it’s all set to give the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Serie a run for its money.
52
Februay.indd 52
1/30/2011 2:26:26 PM
Audi A8 keeps up with tradition and is considerably lighter thanks to an aluminum cage around the cabin, which saves weight while retaining safety and rigidity. The car is classy from the word go. Keeping with the current trend in design, the body looks smoother, with less ornamentation. The huge open grill up front is sure to make its presence felt. But what really makes the car stand out are the LED headlights, which follow a dipping line previously pioneered by Audi in its parking lights. The boot looks strikingly similar to the latest A4.
The Audi A8 is available in 3 variants in India. The 4.2 TFSI and the 6.0 W12 will be the petrol options and the 3.0 TDI would be the Diesel option. The 4.2 TFSI boasts of 345 horses under its hood and the V8 is capable of a 0-100KM in 6.3 seconds. The 6.0 W12 does a 0-100KM in just 5.7 seconds thanks to its 12 cylinders churning out a whopping 450 horses. The 3.0 Diesel armed with a V6 is capable of delivering 228 at the slight push of a pedal.
liter W12 engine. It would be capable of producing 493HP with a torque of 625 Nm at 3,250 rpm. The Quattro four-wheel drive, coupled with Audi’s clever new eight-speed transmission, can take-off from 0-100 Kmph in mere 4.9 seconds. Despite this new engine being bigger and 50HP stronger, Audi claims that it is 12% more fuel efficient.
If that was not enough, there are plans to launch another variant, a new 6.3
SPECIFICATIONS OF AUDI A8 L 6.0 W12 QUATTRO ENGINE Engine Type Engine Description Engine Displacement(cc) No. of Cylinders Maximum Power Maximum Torque Valves per Cylinder Valve Configuration
W-Type Engine 6.0L 446bhp W12 5998 12 450 @ 6,200 (PS@rpm) 59 @ 4,000 – 4,700 (kgm@rpm) 4 DOHC
TRANSMISSION Transmission Type Gear box Drive Type
Automatic 6 Speed AWD
PERFORMANCE Top Speed Acceleration (0-100 kmph)
250 kmph 6.1 seconds
53
Februay.indd 53
1/30/2011 2:26:33 PM
FITNESS
10 Minute Strength Training Workout
Warm up with a minute or so of light walking. Keep the rest very short between exercises End with a light cool down and stretch. Beginners: Perform one set of each exercise for 15-30 seconds Intermediate/Advanced: Do each exercise for 1 (or more) minutes. For a longer workout, complete 2-3 circuits
1. One-Legged Squats Stand in front of wall with ball behind lower back, weights in hand. Lift the left foot off the floor and keep it up as you bend right knee into a half-squat, keeping knee behind toe. Push through the heel back to start and repeat then switch legs. If you don’t have a ball, simply do the exercise without it and without the weights (you may want to hold onto a chair for balance).
2. Pushups/Side Planks Get on hands and toes (or knees), abs in and back straight. Do one push-up and as you come up, put the weight on the left side of the body, twist to the side while bringing the right arm up towards the ceiling in a side plank. Lower the arm back to the floor for another pushup and then twist to the other side. Repeat the series, alternating each side, for the desired length of time.
3. Walking Lunges/Front Kick Take a step forward and lower into a lunge (knee behind toe and abs in, body straight). Push-up with the back leg and immediately bring the knee up into a front kick. At the end of the kick, immediately step that foot into a lunge and again bring the back leg forward into a kick. Repeat the series, alternating sides, for the desired length of time.
Suresh Kandhi - Fitness consultant, Hyderabad life is a National level weightlifter, fitness trainer & Yoga consultant. He includes innovative training methods to ensure a creative & effective workout. He can be reached at suresh.getft@gmail.com.
54
Februay.indd 54
1/30/2011 2:26:40 PM
4. Squats/Chest Squeeze Holding a medicine ball (or other type of ball), place hands on either side of the ball, feet shoulder-width apart. Squeeze the ball and, keeping the pressure on, lower into a squat (knees behind toes) while pushing the ball straight out in front of you. Still squeezing the ball, stand back up and pull the ball back in to your chest. Try to keep pressure on the ball for the entire time.
7. Dips/Leg Extension Sit on a chair or bench, hands next to thighs. Come off the step and a bit in front of it so that the lower back grazes the step. Bend the elbows and keep the shoulders relaxed and down while you lower the body into a dip, elbows at 90 degree angles. At the bottom of the movement, straighten the right leg in a leg extension. Lower the leg and push back up. Repeat the series, alternating right leg and left leg for the desired length of time.
5. One-Legged Deadlifts Holding a med ball, stand on one leg, knee slightly bent, the other knee bent with toes off the floor. Keeping abs in and back flat, tip from the hips and take the ball towards the floor until you feel a gentle stretch in your hamstrings. Contract the glutes back to start. Do all reps on one leg and then switch to the other halfway through.
8. Squats on Toes Stand with feet wider than shoulders, toes out at a comfortable angle, hands on hips. Rise up onto the toes, bend the knees and lower into a ply squat, keeping the knees in line with the toes. Lower as far as you can while still on the toes and press back up. Try to stay on your toes the entire time.
6. Rear Delt Raises While standing, tip forward until body is parallel to the floor, back flat and abs in. Take arms out to the sides to shoulder level, thumbs rotated up to face the ceiling. Keep the thumbs up throughout the movement and squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement. Repeat for the desired length of time.
9. Row/Squat/Front Raise Holding a medicine ball (or dumbbells), tip forward with abs in, back straight, knees slightly bent. Pull the ball towards the belly button, contracting the back muscles. Take the ball back down and stand up, immediately going into a squat while raising the ball up to shoulder level.
10. Crunch/Ball Toss Lie on your back with knees bent, lower back pressed against the mat, medicine ball in front of chest. Contract the abs and lift the shoulder blades off the floor in a crunch. Come back down and then toss the ball straight up over chest a few inches. Be very careful with this exercise and make sure you catch the ball! Skip the toss if you’re a beginner or don’t feel comfortable with this part of the move. Repeat the series (crunch and toss) for the desired length of time.
55
Februay.indd 55
1/30/2011 2:26:43 PM
HEALTH -SANA MIRZA
10 ‘LIFE-EXTENDING’ FOODS YOU MUST EAT ALL THE TIME 1. Olive oil: Bounteous medical research has shown that the benefits of olive oil may go way beyond the human inference. A study by Greek scientists at the University of Athens in 2004 found that this monounsaturated oil, which is rich in antioxidants, may be the key to loweringthe risk of heart attacks, diabetes and colon cancers. One can consume olive oil through using it as cooking oil in their food or as dressings in their salads. 2. Garlic: Used for centuries to ward off vampires, garlic is high in vitamins C and B6, and contains powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents that help fight common colds and flu. Chopped garlic used in tea helps in curing sore throats and cold. Regular consumption of garlic is also believed to protect against cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. 3. Oily fish: It contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to be responsible for a range of health benefits, including protection against heart disease, stroke, arthritis and psoriasis. Studies have shown that fish such as salmon is packed with protein, niacin and Omega-3, an essential fatty acid that promotes healthy cardiovascular activity. Omega-3 may also protect against a host of health concerns from obesity to sunburns. Eating fish once a week may even slow the rate of cognitive decline. 4. Tomatoes: Fiber-rich tomatoes are low in calories and high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and cancerpreventing lycopene. Like olive oil, tomatoes are an important part of the Mediterranean diet and help in fighting various forms of cancer.
5. Spinach: Researchers have identified at least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function as antioxidants and anti-cancer agents. The anticancer properties of these spinach flavonoids have been sufficiently impressive to prompt researchers to create specialized spinach extracts that have been shown to slow down cell division in stomach cancer cells (gastric adenocarcinomas), and in studies on mice, to reduce skin cancers (skin papillomas). 6. Nuts: When you feel like snacking, grabbing a handful of nuts is a convenient way to make sure that you get enough protein. Like olive oil, nuts are a great source of monounsaturated oil and magnesium. Add chopped walnuts or cashews to any salad dish to not only make it healthier but makes it taste better too. 7. Avocados: Avocados are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. Adequate intake of potassium can help guard against circulatory diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke. 8. Apples: Its two types of fiber pack a double punch that can knock down cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of hardening of the arteries, heart attack, and stroke. Apple’s insoluble fiber works like bran, latching on to LDL cholesterol in the digestive tract and removing it from the body, while apple’s soluble fiber pectin reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol produced in the liver. Adding just one large apple to the daily diet has been shown to decrease serum cholesterol by 8-11%. Eating 2 large apples a day has lowered cholesterol levels by up to 16%!
9. Blueberries: Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanin’s, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Anthocyanin, the blue-red pigment found in blueberries, improves the integrity of support structures in the veins and entire vascular system. It has been shown to enhance the effects of vitamin C, improve capillary integrity, and stabilize the collagen matrix (the ground substance of all body tissues). 10. Oats: A steaming bowl of fresh cooked oatmeal is the perfect way to start off your day, especially if you are trying to prevent or are currently dealing with heart disease or diabetes. Oats, oat bran, and oatmeal contain a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan. Studies show that in individuals with high cholesterol (above 220 mg/dl), consuming just 3 grams of soluble oat fiber per day (an amount found in one bowl of oatmeal) typically lowers total cholesterol by 8-23%. This is highly significant since each 1% drop in serum cholesterol translates to a 2% decrease in the risk of developing heart disease.
56
Februay.indd 56
1/30/2011 2:26:53 PM
Februay.indd 57
1/30/2011 2:27:00 PM
BEAUTY
Olive Oil:
A Solution FOR GREAT Hair and Skin CARE
Olive oil has beeen wideely used as cooking oil in food ds, dressings over salads as well as many other things. It iss one of the heaalthiest componennts to make your food taste beetter. This oil comes directly from thhe Mediteerranean region annd has become exxtremely famo ous that it has been used in all the continents. Ranked as a favorrite among the heealth consciouss as the top nutrition provideer due to its imm mense benefits, it hass been widely used in soapss because of its mild, skin friendly and moisturizing properties. -SANA MIRZA
Home Made Recipes 1. Olive oil is the best solution to smooth and fine nails. Douse your nails in a cup of olive oil for 30 minutes for best results. 2. Apply Olive oil liberally on your hands for smoother and softer skin. To avoid spreading it elsewhere, wear cotton gloves. 3. Olive oil does wonders for chapped lips. 4. To have beautiful, lustrous, shiny, silky and dandruff free hair, olive oil is the best bet. Apply a good amount of oil in your hair and cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes followed by a thorough shampooing. 5. To make yourself an interesting bathing solution, you can add 3-4 tbsp of olive oil with a few drops of essential oil. 6. You can make an excellent night cream by using 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup water.
Februay.indd 58
This helps to lighten your skin, kill bacteria and makes your skin smooth and clear. 7. It can work as a cleansing cream if you have dry skin. 8. Apply olive oil and scrub your face with a good amount of sugar. Later, wipe the sugar off your face with a wet and warm cloth. It’s the simplest solution to a cleansing facial. 9. Soften your feet by applying olive oil every night. 10. Mix an egg, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp olive oil and few drops of rose water and use this as a mask for dry skin. Keep it on for 25 minutes and later rinse it off with warm water. 11. Make a paste by mixing some mashed apricots and warm olive oil. Apply this paste all over your face and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it off with water.
1/30/2011 2:27:02 PM
KILL THE HABIT NOT YOURSELF
issued in public interest by
Februay.indd 59
1/30/2011 2:27:03 PM
FOOD GUIDE
Vegg ie delights
Experience the Mediterranean without the hassles of immigration, visas & long flights. Just visit Vezzo Resto Lounge for an authentic encounter. Dim lighting accentuates the wooden tables and makes the place seem warm and welcoming. Another seating option is the area upstairs which is exclusively reserved for smoking Hukkah. The menu is exhaustive with its three most popular cuisines – Lebanese, Mexican and Italian and you can blindly opt for anything off the grill. To commemorate the Lebanese ritual, order for some Hummus Beiruty, chick-pea paste with onions, tomatoes and parsley, with an accompaniment of Arabian flat bread known as Khoubz while you chat up
a couple of friends. A must try for all veggie lovers is the Kolokitha, crispy, crunchy, fried zucchini that tastes brilliant with the yoghurt dip served alongside that. Calm your cravings for pasta by ordering it in the creamy mixed sauce and gulp it down with a chilled glass of Bora Bora mock tail which is a mix of pineapple, white grapes topped with soda. Finish your meal with style with some authentic sheesha. Puff away at the pan salsa flavored, whiskey based hookah that burns on actual charcoal instead of magic coal.
Vezzo Ground Floor, Alcazar Plaza, Road No. 1, Opp. City Center, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Timings: 10 AM to 11.30 PM
An interesting piece of news for the Jains is that dishes are also made without garlic or onion. This is one place which satisfies all. -SANA MIRZA
60
Februay.indd 60
1/30/2011 2:27:09 PM
Scrape it up!
Lotus Palace
Lotus Palace can be regarded as one of those restaurants that you stumble upon when you want to try out something different with a hint of the same. It gives you the feel and flavor of the country with its ambience as well as its food. Let the ambience lure you in with the soft classical music matching rhythm with your every move. Covered in lotus designs from ceiling to floor, the restaurant is ornate with pictures of palaces from all over India. Scintillating as it may be, the experience is completed by the mouth-watering food that this place has to offer. Seat yourself noble on a plush divan matched with bolsters and white low chairs while you stare out at the lit city or engage in lengthy conversations while you moon over some authentic North-Indian cuisine. Enjoy your first round of appetizers by ordering their specialty, the Dahi Kebab, a soft yet crispy cutlet stuffed with rich curd and vegetables. Dig into the highly spiced Murgh Angara a succulent, herbs and spices infused dish of fall-off-bone-meat which is the best bet if you love spicy food. Buckle up for the main course by choosing from a wide array of flavorful dishes. The Kashmiri chilly Rogan Gosht goes well with butter Naan or Rumali Roti. Try the Tandoori Achari Phool, cauliflower marinated in yoghurt and spiced with tandoori masala. Don’t miss the Nimbu Chicken, a curry based dish spiced with lime and herbs. End the evening on a sweet note with warm Gulab Jamuns or Double ka Meetha. Consider Lotus Palace your common ground for North Indian cuisine. Lotus Palace, Plot No. 20, 4th floor, Above Ratnadeep Super Market, Hitec City, Hyderabad. Ph: 040 - 4010 1050 Timings: 11:30 AM – 11.30 PM
61
Februay.indd 61
-SANA MIRZA
1/30/2011 2:28:17 PM
FOOD GUIDE
Romance is the food of life! So Celebrate this Valentine’s in style with these scrumptious recipes that are sure to make hearts go yumm!
Strawberry Vanilla Pancakes: Light and fluffy pancakes packed with strawberries. The vanilla makes this breakfast seem like dessert! Serve with butter and real maple syrup. Ingredients: •
1 cup all-purpose flour
•
2 tablespoons brown sugar
•
2 teaspoons baking powder
•
1 teaspoon salt
•
1 egg
•
1 cup milk
•
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
•
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
•
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
Method 1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Pour in the milk, oil, egg and vanilla, and mix until well blended. Stir in the strawberries. 2. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat, and coat with butter or cooking spray. Pour batter into desired size of pancakes. Flip with a spatula when bubbles appear in the center. Cook until golden brown on the other side.
62
Februay.indd 62
1/30/2011 2:28:21 PM
Rose Petal Cupcakes Dreamy, romantic, good looks - that is a lot to ask from a cake, and you shall have what you wish for! Ingredients: •
150 g softened unsalted butter
•
150 g caster sugar
•
3 medium eggs, at room temperature
•
150 g self-raising flour
•
1 tbsp rose water
•
100 ml milk
•
1 packets instant royal icing
•
rose petals or silver balls, to decorate
Method 1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C/gas 5. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with papers. 2. Using a wooden spoon, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one by one, stirring well between each addition. If the mixture threatens to curdle, add a tablespoon of the flour to stabilize it. 3. Fold in the remaining flour, followed by the rose water. Next, start adding the milk – you may not need it all. What you want is a batter that will just fall off the spoon if you shake it a little. 4. Spoon the mixture into the muffin papers and bake in the oven until cooked through and golden, about 20 minutes. Turn out onto a rack to cool. 5. Make up a big batch of royal icing and spoon onto the cakes. Leave to set before decorating with rose petals or silver balls.
63
Februay.indd 63
1/30/2011 2:28:22 PM
REAL ESTATE
PROJECT WATCH
Hyderabad Life brings you the latest hot spot residential properties in town! Even though you are spoilt for choice, our project ratings help you make the right decision!
JANAPRIYA LAKE FRONT Location: Sainikpuri A residential project with apartments in the midst of a lake view Amenities Swimming Pool • Children’s Park • Indoor & Outdoor Games • Amphitheatre • Healthcare Centre • 24 x 7 Security • Gymnasium • Community Banquet Hall • Intercom • Cable TV Floor Plans range: starts at 890Sft for a 2BHK to 1200Sft for 3BHK apartment
Price: On Request Hyderabad Life ratings: Location: Amenities: Value for money:
Corporate Office: Janapriya House, H. No. 3-6-115, Street No. 18, Himayath Nagar, Hyderabad – 500 029. Ph. No.: +91 40 23 222 999/666/333 Fax No.: + 91 40 23 227 515 E-mail: sales@janapriya.com
PBEL CITY Location: Appa Junction A 25- acre township containing 13 18-storey residential towers & commercial towers, with a 35-acre natural lake Amenities: • Coffee shop/ Food court • Super market • Dry cleaning • Saloon/spa • Banquet hall 300 pax with toilets • Doctor’s clinic / pharmacy • Cyber cafe • Library • ATM • Gymnasium/Yoga Floor plan range: 1090Sft – 1290Sft for 2BHK apartments & 1400Sft to 1700Sft for 3BHK apartment
Price: on request
Hyderabad life rating Location: Amenities: Value for money: Office: Plot no 69 & 70 Opposite lane to Madhapur Police Station, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur, Hyderabad 91 40 39151515 ask@pbel.in
64
Februay.indd 64
1/30/2011 2:28:22 PM
APARNA CYBER COMMUNE Location: Nallagandla A 92-acre project, 11 blocks of 760 apartments Amenities • Two Car parks • Super Market • Party Hall • Parks / Play Grounds including Children’s Play area • Backup generator for lift and for 6 light points in each apartment • Club House Gymnasium • Swimming Pool • Health Club and Spa Price: Re. 2799/Sft for 1705 sft Furnished apartment
Price: On Request Hyderabad Life ratings: on a scale of five Location: Amenities: Value For money:
Office: 8th Floor, Astral Heights, Road No.1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad – 500034 website: www.aparnaconstructions.com Phone No: 040 - 66414747 Email: sales@aparnaconstructions.com
MEENAKSHI GROUP SKY LOUNGE Location: Madhapur A 10 acre project with three 18-storey towers, 432 luxury apartments in the heart of the city Amenities • Club house • Gym/yoga • Banquet Hall for 200 pax • Library • Guest Suites • Beautiful Landscaped Gardens • Jogging Track • Children’s Play Area • Play grounds • 24/7 Security Floor Plan Range: 2400sft – 3600Sft
Price: On Request Hyderabad Life Rating Location: Amenities: Value For money:
Office # 8-2-418, Meenakshi House, 5th Floor, Road No.7, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500 034, Phone: 23358111/222/333
65
Februay.indd 65
1/30/2011 2:28:41 PM
EDUCATION
STUDY ABROAD:
TIPS TO HELP YOU DECIDE Being able to get a good education can be regarded as a solid foundation that can shape a person’s future. This is our way of developing our potentials and be competitive in any field or industry that we choose. We need to be able to provide and arm ourselves with the right knowledge to be successful in any industry we are in. People value their education and go to great lengths to avail themselves of this huge opportunity. But this does not necessarily mean that getting an education should be a run of the mill experience. You can have some fun along the way as well, and what can be more exciting, fun and adventurous than studying abroad? More and more people have taken this route to finish their education for a variety of reasons. It can be seen as a very significant moment in a student’s life. You gain a lot of advantages over other students as your perspectives and your attitude will surely change. You will have a wider and broader view of everything around you.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY STUDYING ABROAD IS AN EXCELLENT OPTION. 1. ACADEMIC CREDIT: This is of
4. RECIPE FOR AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME: Having international
course your main goal. To get credited with the courses and classes you attend and apply it to your educational requirements when you graduate. Whether you plan to complete your studies there or you want to take just a couple of classes, make sure that you are able to use it.
2. LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE: With so many developments in technology, the world is turning into a global village. More companies from different countries are doing business and these companies are looking for employees that can break down the language barrier.
experience will be a plus factor on your resume. Employers will be more impressed knowing that you have the skills that they need in an internationally based multinational corporation.
3. A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE: When you study abroad, chances are that you will be living independently. There will be a lot of practical life experiences that you can be able to use later on. Also, if you are considering learning a specific course, certain areas will be able to provide more knowledge and information about it.
5. FUN AND LASTING MEMORIES: Not only will you be able to learn and develop yourself; you will also be having the time of your life. When at breaks or free times, you can learn more about the culture of the country you are studying at. You will also be meeting new friends and mentors; these are some of the defining moments in your life that you will never ever forget.
Before finally deciding or embarking on a great adventure through studying abroad, you need to talk to a lot of people first. Your parents should know about your decision, as they most probably will be the one to shoulder your expenses. If you are lucky enough to get a scholarship, you still have to let them know. You can also talk to your academic advisor as well as a study abroad advisor to learn about the requirements and if this decision is advisable to you. Many students perceive studying abroad as impossible, which is attributed to a few reasons like finances. This is the time to talk to a finance advisor or to an organization that offers programs where in you will be given financial assistance. Take the time to research first. This will ensure a smooth and easy transition. So go ahead, see the world, study abroad! 66
Februay.indd 66
1/30/2011 2:28:44 PM
COMPREHENSIVE INFRA DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS Project Concept Feasibility Studies Research and Analysis Procurement of Technology & equipment Implementation Project management through the project life.
St. Mary’s Auditorium CSR Infrastructures Private Ltd. is a leading project development company that specializes in a holistic approach to infrastructure development projects. Our diverse team of professionals and subject matter experts handle everything from planning to execution
CORPORATE OFFICE: H.No: 8-2-277/24 Plot No: 24,Union Bank Colony,Road
INFRASTRUCTURES PVT LTD
Februay.indd 67
No: 3, Banjara Hills,Hyderabad, Ph No: 040-23540048. Email: csreddysna@yahoo.com
1/30/2011 2:28:46 PM
WEEKEND TRAVEL
NAGARJUNAKONDA -A NOSTALGIC SOJOURN IN A FAST PACED LIFE -VIJAY MOHAN
The moment you reach this island you get a feeling as if you have entered an old era that has immense history behind it with its amazing architectural remains. The Hyderabad Life travel team is privileged to cover this remarkable weekend getaway that is a testimony to our nations’ ability to construct astounding engineering wonders amidst a rich history and culture filled land - Nagarjunakonda, it will not disappoint you. Located at a distance of 150 km from Hyderabad, Nagarjunakonda is not only known as one of the most prominent Buddhist centers but also combines as an excellent day out as an attractive tourist spot in Andhra Pradesh. Known in ancient days as Vijayapuri, Nagarjunasagar takes its present name from Nagarjuna, one of the most revered Buddhist monks, is also a place of immense archaeological significance & excavations which reveal Nagarjunasagar as a center for the propagation of Buddhist teachings in South India. The excavated remains of the Buddhist civilization have been reconstructed and are carefully preserved at Nagarjunakonda, a unique island museum, situated in the midst of the man-made Nagarjunasagar lake. One finding that stands out among a host of other is the nine stupa- like structures arranged in a wheel shaped formation which includes the Mahachaitya, the most sacred of them all. The Brahmi characters inscribed on it reveal that the remains of Lord Buddha are preserved within it.
What’s near by
68
Februay.indd 68
1/30/2011 2:28:51 PM
Nagarjunasagar Dam An engineering marvel that make global architects look with admiration. Every once in a while, there will be a few modern constructions you will come across that evoke such a response. No doubt that a feeling of admiration and importance strikes the moment you you lay eyes upon the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam for the first time. Its sheer size and magnitude leaves you breathless and astounded. As the tallest and largest masonry dam in the world, truly stands as one of the wonders of engineering excellence.
Anupa Just a stone throw away from this place is Anupa, the Buddhist University and Stadium, which were exhumed at Nagarjunasagar. With latest studios boasting about their dolby and digital sounds, the stadium’s acoustics are truly remarkable considering the time and age when it was built. This alone qualifies as a ‘must-see’ for everybody interested in history, culture and architecture. Ethipothala Waterfalls
Apart from this inspiring creation there is another marvel that stretches across the mighty river Krishna - one of the world’s largest man-made lake! It’s quite amazing to witness the reservoir catering to the watering needs of a very large area of the state and successfully transforming a infertile, parched land into a flourishing fertile land with swaying green fields as far as our eyes can see. It goes without saying that it has played a major role in helping the state of Andhra Pradesh emerge as ‘the Rice Bowl of India’
How to reach there By Train The nearest railway station is at Macherla, 29 km from Nagarjuna Sagar, - a branch line running west from Guntur. You will find regular buses leave from there for Nagarjuna Sagar. By Car The nearest railway station is at Macherla, 29 km from Nagarjuna Sagar, - a branch line running west from Guntur. You will find regular buses leave from there for Nagarjuna Sagar.
Accommodation and food Decent accommodation is available at APTDC’s Vijay Vihar Complex near the boat jetty at Vijaypuram. Room tariffs range from Rs400 for a deluxe double room to Rs550 for a cottage. Andhra Tourism Department has cottages managed by Executive Engineer, Nagarjunasagar Dam unit. Accommodation is also available at Project House in Hill Colony, with tariffs at Rs250-350. Private guesthouses, cottages, motels and the Youth Hostel are also an option.
About 11 kms from the Nagarjunasagar Dam lies a treat to our soul - the Ethipothala Waterfalls on the Chadravanka river. With its scenic surroundings and the cascading water, it is a place to rejuvenate our minds. The verdant valleys and the cave temples that dot the hilly countryside have made this a favorite picnic spot for visitors. Also plan a visit to the crocodile breeding centre where you can find these reptiles from close quarters and view their interesting habits. A visit to the A.P Tourism Souvenir Shop Gnapika at Ethipothala will give a chance to get great gifts & mementos crafted by locale artisans.
Quick Check When to go: Anytime of the year. TOURIST OFFICES FOR INFORMATION APTTDC, Yatri Niwas Complex, Sardar Patel Road, Secunderabad. Tel : 843931, 816375, 843932. Govt of India Tourist Office, Sandozi Bldg, Street No 1, Himayatnagar, Hyderabad. Tel : 666877.
69
Februay.indd 69
1/30/2011 2:28:53 PM
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Yes, I would like to become a friend for just 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION 12 ISSUES For Rs. 240/- Only 2 YEARS SUBSCRIPTION 24 ISSUES For Rs. 480/- Only YOUR DETAILS IN BLOCK PLEASE Name:..............................................Age:............. Sex:..................... Address Office/Residency: ............................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... Mobile:...................................... Phone:...............................................E-mail:............................................... Enclosed DD/Cheque no:.............................................for Rs:..................... Infavour of HYDERABAD LIFE For out station cheque please add Rs 50. Subscription option: ......1year ......2 year Please charge Rs.................................to my: .....Visa .....Master .....Amex Dinners Card no: .....................................................Card Expired date: .......... Date: ...........................................................Signature:.......................................... Publisher
B Chandra Shekhar Reddy Nymisha Castle, Flat no.101 plot 290, Road 10C Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad Ph: 040-23540048
Februay.indd 70
1/30/2011 2:28:54 PM
Februay.indd 71
1/30/2011 2:28:59 PM
General Listings Designer wear Also Road no.8, Banjara hills, ph:23351608 Anonym Road no.92, jubilee hills, ph:23558001 Da Milano Ground floor, GVK one mall, Banjara hills, ph:44767808 Envy Road no.10, Banjara hills ph.23354506 Mango Level-1, GVK One mall, Banjara Hills, ph:44767698 Neelam Ashley Alabaster studio, Secunderabad ph.9849043165 Anand Kabra Punjagutta, ph:23326393 Darzi Road no.19, Jubilee Hills, ph: 9985503333 Sonali Dhalwani Crimzon accessories, Ph: 02223685013 Creative Bee Road no.19, Banjara hills. Ph: 23357887 Madame Himayatnagar, Liberty road, The platinum. Ph: 6631315 Orange feathers Road no.14, Banjara hills, ph: 66101237 Promod GVK One mall, Banjara Hills, ph: 44767821
Persona Road no.8, banjara hills, ph:23354411 Adaa Boutique Shanti nagar, Masab Tank, ph. 23396678 Alcott GVK One, Banjara Hills, ph: 30767600 Sisley GVK one mall, Banjara Hills, ph: 23551582 Sagar Tenali Road no.4, banjara hills. ph.66772840 Satya palu Road no.10, banjara hills. Ph: 66565158 Kheya Road no.36, jublee hills. Ph:64510510 Wundershop Road no. 4, banjara hills. ph: 9948043724 Zubin vakil M.G. Road, Secunderabad. Ph: 9246357451
Fashion Jack and Jones, Road #36, jubilee hills, ph: 32589220 Mustard (plus size) GVK one mall, banjara hills, ph:44767696| Cover up Kondapur madhapur road, ph: 23119707 Anagha Road no.1, banjara hills. Ph: 64607711 Anokhi road no.10, Banjara Hills ph: 23350271
Brisah Road no.7, Banjara Hills. Ph: 23423443 Fabindia Road no.10, Banjara Hills. Ph:23353946 Fragrance Road no.7, Banjara Hills. ph:67114844 Louis phillippe Road no.7, banjara hills. Ph:23554881 Adam’s & Eve’s The lingerie lounge Opp. Universal bakers, himayath nagar ph: 30281999 Falak Road no.1, banjara hills. Ph:64544467
Sarees Debnath Concern Kallapa market tobacco bazaar, near mahankali temple, Secunderabad. Ph:66323488,66628446 Rajesh Silks House Banjara hills: 8-2-577, 3rd floor #8, Above syndicate bank Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 34 ph: 23354303. Lad Bazar Badar Complex Lad Bazar, Hyderabad -500002 Ph: 2354 4302, 6454 4302 Sri Gadwal Weavers Ameerpet . ph: 66756469 Sai Kanchi Saree House Ameerpet ph: 66628963
Zari material Khandelwal’s dealers in beads, sequins, laces stone & embroidery Begum bazaar Ph:9533367007 Archana Exclusive Banjara Hills, Hyderabad-34 ph:64575335
Kid’s wear Kid’s Dream Lounge Himayath nagar . ph:30281999 Born & Beyond Opp. Universal bakers Himayathnagar ph: 30281999 Mothercare City Centre Mall ph: 66131236
Footwear Charles & Keith Level-1, GVK one mall, Banjara Hills, ph: 44767746 Catwalk GVK one mall, banjara hills, ph:44767879 Inc.5 Nagarjuna circle, Banjara Hills, ph: 66732865 Mochi Begumpet Ph: 27766754 Soles Road no.3, Banjara Hills ph:66103535 Centro Banjara Hills, ph:66933777 Zedds road no.10, jublee hills ph:40020050
Jewellery Krsala Banjara Hills ph: 32400231 Mangatrai Punjagutta ph: 23000181
Khazana jewellery Sanali mall, Abids ph: 66829900 Tanishq Opp Chermas, Abids ph:66513581 TBZ Punjagutta Ph: 23400231 Meena jewellers GVK One mall, Banjara hills Ph: 44767758 Sri bhavani jewels Himayatnager: Pavani estates 3-6-365/C/UG -3&3A Himayatnager, Hyderabad-29 TEL:23226645, Banjara hills: 8-2-577,2nd floor, road #8,banjarahills, Hyderabad-34 Meena jewellers Babukhan estate, basheerbagh ph: 23384555 Tibarumal jewellery Road no.10, banjara hills ph:23384555 Tibarumal gems& jewels road no.2, Banjara hills ph: 40329900 Nysa Inorbit mall, madhapur Ph: 65357221 GRT Jewellers Somagiguda , ph:23414999 Krishna jewellers Valabhdas building, Beside dharmakanta, Tansal, charkaman Ph: 66147105
72
Februay.indd 72
1/30/2011 2:29:00 PM
Watches Kamal Watches Abids Ph: 66782818
Orchids Secunderabad Ph:27808047
Music Titan Basheerbagh Ph:23226043
Music World road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:24146728
Home décor Bathous (A unit of Doshi brothers) Road no.92, Jubilee hills Ph:30487777 Villeroy & Boch B-1, Punjagutta road, Ph:23400230 Fortune Arts Road no.10, banjara hills ph:66996699 Finesse Road 36 Jubilee Hills Ph:65265236 D Cube Road no. 92, Jubilee hills Ph:23543323 Inhabit road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:23358223 Roseby’s road no.1, banjara hills ph:23311366 Tesori road no.36. Jubilee hills ph:23553201
Florists Capital Florists punjagutta ph:23736752 Flowers 2.0 Sai plaza, KPHB colony Ph:64602345
Planet M Hyderabad central ph:66842284 Sangeet sagar Secunderabad ph:27816816
Electronics & Computers Computer centre CTC, Parklane ph:66908680 Croma road no.36, Jubilee hills ph:44778999 Reliance digital road no.12, banjara hills ph:44722200
Automobiles Dobro Toyota Doshi chambers 3-6-327&328, Basheerbagh ph:44779999 Volkswagen road no.92, Jubilee hills ph:23556364 Kun Automobiles Marriott hotel lane, Kawadiguda road ph:27671190 Mahavir Motors road no.36, Jubilee hills ph:64509004 Varun Motors road no.2, banjara hills ph:23607676
Grocery stores Bharatha stores Basheerbagh & Shanti nagar, ph:23211571, 23310770 More Begumpet ph:32400929 Ratnadeep Vikrampuri colony ph:66327938 Reliance fresh Ameerpet ph:23750281 Spencers daily Rajbhavan road ph:66464357 Qmart Road no.3, Banjara Hills ph: 23553348
Pubs & Bars Ahala Taj Krishna ph:66293361 10 Downing Street Begumpet Ph:671120387 Bottles& Chimneys Begumpet Ph:27762368 Hard Rock Cafe GVK One mall. road no.1, banjara hills ph:30767900 Spoil Siaa road no.1, Jubilee hills ph:64513333 Torque Green park hotel Ameerpet ph:66515151 Excess novotel, madhapur ph:66824422 Extreme Sports Bar road no.1, banjara hills ph:64586166 Levitate kharkhana ph:42020011 Firangipani City Centre ph:66570000
Liquids Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:66259907 Touch road no.2, Banjara Hills ph:23542422
Tarot reading Suhasini Tarot care reader (Western astrology) Alcazar plaza, road no.1, banjara hills ph: 9393026634,
Lifestyle Health & Fitness Zareer Patell Silhouette Aerobics ph:09246520614 Dinaz Banjara Hills ph:23314607 Fitbuzz Begumpet ph:66266665 Latitudes pro Road no 36, Jubilee hills ph:23554800 Talwalkars Secunderabad ph:66495812 Taasha begumpet ph:66848888
Spas Opium Salon lounge Massage facials & salon City center mall Ground Floor, Banjara Hills Mobile:9959555444 Inorbit mall, 2nd floor, Madhapur Mobile: 903046666
Future Predictions ph:9394844999 Astrology consultations: Mrs. R Sudha cell: 9849040847 Intuitive tarot Vidha jain ph:9849012010 Shabia’s Tarot Reading ph:9989244316
Yoga Manoyoga somajiguda ph:31022965 Apoorva Gupta banjara hills ph:9866773900 Sharmila Yoga Zone Banjara Hills ph:23316562 Yogajyothi Jubilee hills ph:9393002396
contactus@opiumspa.com
Perfect Ten Express Spa, Cinemax ph:65248135 Ayur care Begumpet ph:27763628 lotus spa banjara hills ph:234000132 Reflections spa Somajiguda ph:23407370
73
Februay.indd 73
1/30/2011 2:29:00 PM
Beauty Parlours Laa banjaras Supriya Nivas, Sagar society, road no.2, Banjara Hills ph:42101379 www.laabanjaras. com Kiran Varma’s beauty salon for women # 112, Ganesh Nilayam, Image Hospital Road, Beside Abridge, Vittalrao Nagar, Madhapur Ph:040 23123 666 Kondapur 404, Bhaskar Empire, Silicon Towers, Kondapur, Landline : 040 -23 119 666 Hair kraft, Himayat nagar, Platinum hotel, Ph:929908476 Anoos Somajiguda ph:23225002 Beyond Beauty Somajiguda ph:23392325 Juice road no.1 banjara hills ph:66460008 Jawed habib Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:23316559 Mirrors road no.1, Jubilee Hills ph:23540003 Nirvana kondapur ph:32998992
Toppers white house,begumpet ph:23402357
Beauty Products Kathiawar stores Main road, Abids ph:24758172 Forest essentials GVK one, Banjara Hills ph:44767669 Choreography Steps dance Studio road no.13, Banjara Hills ph:67118300 amit Dynamic dance zone, barkatpura ph:9346905669 Shiamak Davar dance studio, Shangrila plaza, road no.2 banjara hills ph:9885347259
Multi-cuisine Restaurants Deccan Pavilion ITC Kakatiya ph:40081801 Encounters Taj Krishna ph:66293326 Circle9 SVM@Rd.NO.36 Jubilee hills ph:66229999 Fusion9 road no.1, banjara hills ph:65577722 The square NHCC, Madhapur Ph:66824422
South Indian Spice junxion road no.1, banjara hills ph:23393939 Chutneys Himayathnagar
ph:30488484 Kuchipudi somajiguda ph:23325678 Southern Mirchi punjagutta ph:66664747 The Spicy Venue Jubilee hills Ph:65595225
North Indian Kebabs and Kurries ITC Kakatiya Ph:400081859 Angeethi Dhaba road no.1, banjara hills ph:66252941 Deori gachibowli ph:44508888 Gufaa Basheerbagh ph:23298811 Haldi Novotel airport ph:66503000 Punjabi by Nature road no.12, banjara hills ph:23317284 The great Kebab Factory road no.12, banjara hills ph:23302244
Oriental Golden Dragon Taj Krishna Ph:23392323 Far East Ohri’s banjara, road no.12, Banjara Hills ph: 23302200 Syn Taj Deccan Ph:66663939 Nanking Parklane, Sec’bad Ph:27843634 Shanghai Dice Somajiguda Ph:65151188
Continental La cantina
Novotel Hyderabad Ph:66824422 Indijoe City centre mall Ph:66683333 Laguna road no.2, banjara hills ph:64511988 Little italy road no.92, Jubilee hills ph:67110162 Zaitoon mehdipatnam ph:9866778047
Vegetarian Basil Banjara Hills ph: 64536465 Ohri’s Jeeva Somajiguda ph:9866778047
Coffee shops Barista banjara hills ph:66101802 Café coffee day begumpet ph:65181341 Oxford Café road no.1, banjara hills ph:53533335 Chocolate room Kavuri hills Jubilee hills Ph:40161108 Sweet Nirvana plot no.105, Kavuri Hills ph: Madhapur ph:42414343
Fast food Domino’s pizza Ph:66518585 KFC Madhapur Ph:40364455 Mc Donald’s Abids Ph:66000666 Pizza Hut ph:3988 3988 Texas chicken Himayathnagar ph:40025050
Bakers Karachi bakery Mozamjahi market Ph:24732786 Pat-A-Cake Prakashnagar, Begumpet Ph:27763900 Ofen bakery road no.10, banjara hills ph:23372205 Vacs pastries opp mcdonald’s Karkhana ph:27740233
Luxury hotels Hyderabad Marriott Tankbund Ph:27522888 Ista Gachibowli Ph: 44508888 ITC Kakatiya Begumpet Ph:23400132 Novotel Airport Shamshabad Ph:66250000 Novotel Hyderabad Madhapur Ph;66824422 Taj Krishna Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:66662323 Taj Banjara Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:66669999 Taj Deccan Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:66663939 The Park Hotel 22, Rajbhavan road Ph: 23456789 Westin Hitech city, Madhapur Ph:67676351
74
Februay.indd 74
1/30/2011 2:29:01 PM
Semi luxury The Golkonda Masab tank Ph:9848930084 Fortune Katriya Raj bhavan road , Somajiguda Ph:23325678 Green park Greenlands, Begumpet Ph:66515151
Budget hotels Hotel Peppermint Lakdikapul Ph: 4451234 Hotel Pearl Regency Lakdikapul Ph:66666555 Platinum Hotel Himayathnagar, Ph:66045757
Service apartments Native Boutique Apartments Madhapur Ph: 9440801350 Nirvana Service Apartments road no.3, Banjara Hills ph: 23558081 Swan suites Madhapur ph:40101933 Six Seventy Five Road no.13, Banjara Hills ph: 23308989
Resorts Alankrita Shamirpet Ph:27709106 Leonia holistic Resorts Shamirpet Ph:66400000 Lahari Resorts Shankerpally Ph:23432349 Papyrus Port Shamshabad Ph:67113320 Placida Kondapur Ph:23352321
Pragati Green Meadows Jubilee Hills ph: 23744594
Clubs Chiran Fort Begumpet ph:27900900 Country Club Begumpet ph: 23402000 Nizam Club Public Garden road ph:23237097 Secunderabad Club Ph: 27804840
Libraries British Library Secretariat Ph: 23240848 The library@ kaleidoscope Umanagar Ph:40180825
Hospitals Gandhi hospital Musheerabad, Ph: 40-27505566 Nims hospital Punjagutta Ph:23320102 Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, ph: 23607777 Rainbow Hospitals Vikrampuri clolony Ph:27896060 AP Super Speciality Dental Hospitals Banjara Hills ph:23548781 Asian Institute of Gastroenterology Somajiguda ph:23378888 Care hospital Banjara Hills ph:30418888 Indo American cancer institute Banjara Hills ph:23551235 Lotus Shildren’s Hospital Lakdikapul ph:40404400
Medwin Hospitals Abids ph:23206666 Sri Shakara Nethralyam Miyapur ph: 64545457
Tours & Travels Isha Tours &Travels Bhavana Towers, secunderabad . Ph:66202033 Cox & Kings Pavani Plaza Khairatabad ph:23306491 GSK Tours & Travels Bapunagar, SR nagar, Ph:67117262 Kesineni Travels Dwaraka complex, Lakdikapul Ph:23230045
Real Estate Aparna Constructions Road No.1, Banjara Hills Ph:23352068 PBEL Kavuri hills, Madhapur Ph:39151500 Ramky Estate & Farms Ltd Road No.1, Banjara Hills Ph:66667878 Giridhari Construction Journalist Colony, Jubilee Hills, Ph: 9703624666
Marredpally ph: 27804626
Jubilee Hills ph: 65987360
Central Book Store Happy Trade Centre, SD Road ph: 6649 7656 Crossword Begumpet ph: 27763242 Banjara Hills ph: 66131207
Best Buy Road 12, Banjara Hills ph: 2339 0088
Himalaya Book World Panjagutta ph: 2335 5598 Odyssey Somajiguda/J Hills ph: 23414801/03 Walden Begumpet ph: 23413434 Banjara Hills ph: 23551613 Saptaparni Banjara Hills ph: 66667707,
D Cube Road No. 92, Jubilee Hills ph: 23543323
FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Colonial Collections Chikoti Gardens Begumpet ph: 2776 1883, Inner Space Road No.12, Banjara Hills ph: 23324546 Master Pieces Road No-12, Banjara Hills ph: 2331 8846, Monarch Ergonomics
Training Classes: Chocofantasy Chocolate making Institute ph: 98490408470
BOOKS & STATIONERY A Hussain & Co Abids ph:2320-3724 Akshara Banjara Hills ph: 23554096 Kavuri Hills ph: 23114379
Kimtee Square, Road# 12, Banjara Hills ph: 9701116999
Darpan Furnishings Tilak Road, Abids ph: 24760136
Jaya Durga Furnishings Lalbungalow, Ameerpet ph: 2375 3123 Master Pieces Road No 12, Banjara Hills ph: 23318846 Rugs Galore Gulmohar Avenue, Villa Marie Lane, Rajbhavan Road ph: 32954205 South Bay Rd.No.12,Banjara Hills ph: 2338 6151
GAME CENTERS The Fun Factory Prasads Multiplex ph: 2344 8888 Time Zone City Center, Banjara Hills ph: 6677 8777
Seating World Extension Road No 12 Banjara Hills ph: 66461888 Seating World Maheshwari Complex, Somajiguda ph: 55667642 Atmosphere Road No. 36,
75
Februay.indd 75
1/30/2011 2:29:01 PM
HOROSCOPE
AQUARIUS
Brush your teeth regularly, you are going to be smiling a lot. Dress smartly for people will be falling head over heels for you after seeing your blinding smile. Here is another reason to smile –your wildest fantasies are coming true (piece of advice, don’t forget to wear clean underwear!!) You are getting a new hair style as you are prone to get electrocuted!! Stop taking bribes, at least for this month.
PISCES
You have to get into wrestling this instant. It’s the perfect time to make a drastic change to your life and added to that, your strength and energy is going to be on an all-time high. Your ruthless side will help you do anything and destroy your opponent. Quit before you get fired from your present company as your superiors will not be able to handle you with all that energy flowing.
ARIES
You will begin to worship people around you. So it is very essential that you enroll yourself in an ashram for the person you start worshiping is going to teach you something very useful in life (Swami Nithyananda would be an awesome bet, but that’s just us). If you are scheduled to get married then you’re in for a surprise. Your partner isn’t really that perfect!
TAURUS
If you had a stint in rehab earlier, book your favorite room as you are most likely going back. Your old addiction, your repressed emotions, hatred or rancor that you thought was under control are all about to break free. Your relationship is either going to get more passionate or you will put an end to it!
GEMINI
At work, learn the art of passing the buck. If you don’t, then there is a good chance you will get fired. Your self esteem, which does not look good already, is going to hit a new low. Dump your partner before you get dumped, at least you will not kill yourself because of your already bruised self-esteem. Your crazy mood swings are not going to help you with relationships.
76
Februay.indd 76
1/30/2011 2:29:01 PM
CANCER
To all you Cancer virgins, congrats in advance as you are getting laid this month!! Do not try to control your emotions; just let them out this month. Your relationship is going to get even more stabilized and you are going to have fun making pleasant memories together. For some strange reason, you will get all nostalgic remembering your ex-flame, be careful for playing with fire is dangerous!
LEO
You will be a total prick this month. Apart from being selfish, proud and pleasure-seeking, you will be full of yourself. Book a parking slot with your bank, for you will be making a lot of money. Be careful though and do not lend out any money because you sure won’t get it back. You are going to ace in mixing business and pleasure, so go for it!
VIRGO
Do not compare yourself with anyone, for you will be found wanting. It is not going to do any good to your already low and buried self respect. The clutter in your life is going to get worse and you are going to lose your already-confused mind. Try to simplify life. Just have one of everything such as jobs, bikes, phones, computers, goals, girlfriends and wife!
LIBRA
This month is a very good time to become a hermit. People around you, especially your family, are going to get on your nerves. If your partner sucks, stick with them this month for it will surely drive your partner away. If you are asthmatic or claustrophobic then you are done for! You will always feel that you need more room to breathe. Don’t try to change your friend circle; nobody else wants to be your friend.
SCORPIO
Hit the Gym! You will have a rough fight with your partner due to their arrogance and their behavior. Neither will you enjoy a peaceful working atmosphere. Your partner’s family is going to piss you off. So learn to use the finger effectively. We mean to say, use it to plug your ears to block whatever they say!
SAGITTARIUS
This month is the best time to come out in the open if you are not straight. You will have unconditional love, support and encouragement of everyone around. You will be protected by spiritual forces, so go wild (we advise extra protection in bed). Traveling is good and with all the protection you have, you can actually risk flying our Indian carriers.
OPHIUCHUS
To be or not to be, welcome to the world, my friend! You may run around mouthing smart comments about how you are the newest coolest kid on the block but believe you me, you are not! You are like that new unwanted kid who nobody wants to befriend. You will spend some time alone ruing your existence. So lock yourself up in a room & start contemplating.
77
Februay.indd 77
1/30/2011 2:29:01 PM
HUMOR
TRAVAILS OF A TRUE HYDERABADI
Valentine’s y a D It’s Valentine’s Day soon and Love is in the air! Too bad some people can’t feel it because there’s too much CFC, Carbon Monoxide and Sulphur dioxide along with it all! It’s the day of love, and exactly 9 months later, on the 14th of November, we have Children’s Day. Hmmm, Food for thought! It’s time people use the rubber more, I say. It’s interesting how different we all celebrate Valentine’s Day. For some, this holiday of love means spending a romantic day out with their soul-mate, a nice long drive, lunch at a fancy restaurant, a bottle of wine later in the evening and the comforting warmth of everlasting love. For others, like me, it entails following these couples on a bike, ogling at them and cursing my single luck while in fact I could be spending
a romantic time with my soul-mate – my Playstation3. Love hurts? So does repetitive stress injury to fingers. It’s not that I am romantically challenged. It is probably because I can’t find the right girl for myself, which brings me to a very important question. What do I look for in a woman? Well, I’m a simple guy. Not very particular, an ordinary woman would do... Someone with Madhuri Dixit’s grace, Catherine Zeta Jones’ class, Priyanka Gandhi’s sapience, Dimple Kapadia’s sexuality; someone with Rekha’s mystery, with Natasha Henstridge’s esoterism; someone as naughty as Sharon Stone, as wild as Angelina Jolie; someone with a body like Jessica Alba’s, eyes like Aishwarya Rai’s, lips like Drew Barrymore, skin like Salma Hayek’s; someone with Katrina Kaif’s smile, Sushmita Sen’s
nose, Shakira’s hips, Malaika Arora’s legs and Jennifer Lopez’s behind… It is hard to find such a female in our country. You know why, because for every 1000 males, there are only 933 females, which leaves sixty-seven men like me to form an elite guild of hopeless gentlemen singletons – Welcome to
Mission Statement All members will try hard, very hard to get out of this club as soon as possible. All the members are required to cooperate and not target each other’s “cynosure”. Actually, I have to confess. I have
78
Februay.indd 78
1/30/2011 2:29:02 PM
been smitten by the love bug quite a few times – 3657 times to be precise. The problem was that none of them reciprocated. But I am still a believer in spite of all the hurdles. I once used to date a feminist. When you ask your woman to do something trivial like making you a sandwich and suddenly it turns into a civil rights movement & an endless tirade about a political crusade against oppression, you know you’d rather spend your life hungry than be with her. I always manage to screw up being romantic. Two years back, I bought my Valentine a really nice jewelry box. Guys, here’s a tip: never buy your girl a jewelry box because there’s nothing worse than watching the disappointment in her eyes when she opens the box expecting jewelry. No girl ever thinks the box is the gift. They’re just dying to see what’s inside the box. Plus, buying a girl a jewelry box is basically like saying, “Hey, I got the box. Now you go buy all the expensive stuff to fill it up. I’m only willing to get you the container” And it doesn’t help either, if that is exactly what you get engraved on the box! Anyway, as tough as buying the gift is, I think buying the card is even harder. Cards are important to girls but not at all to guys. Women view cards as little pieces of love to be preserved forever and possibly framed. Even when I put an effort into a card, I can’t pick out a good
one. I can’t even understand why women get moved by the poem inside the card that is written by someone neither the girl nor the guy has ever met. Women will read that poem and act like the guy wrote it himself. The smart thing for women to do is read the poem, then go find the homosexual dude who wrote it, and fall in love with him. I have an idea for how to solve this problem though. Every card should come blank with a cheat sheet inside that has a copy of the poem. Then we guys could write the poem in our own handwriting inside the card and throw away the cheat sheet. Then we could tell the girl that we wrote it ourselves. It would be a hit because women will be moved to tears of joy, and guys would get to reap the benefits of ensuing make-out sessions. Buying the romantic card is awkward for a guy because we want to get our girlfriend a nice card, but we don’t want to spend too much money. So we have to stand in the store and think to ourselves, “How much is her love worth to me? Certainly not 50 bucks” Plus, it’s embarrassing to flip over every card in order to check the price. But I’ve figured out a quicker indicator: the more romantic the card is, the more expensive it is. Don’t even check the back anymore, just read the card. If it says something like – Your love grips me with the warmth of a blanket, you know you can’t afford it.
If the card says something lame like “I love you”, then that’s the right price for your budget. Or, even better, DO NOT get your girlfriend any card and rattle out an excuse that you couldn’t find a single card that managed to express even one-tenth of your love for her. Some girls might fall for that. You might be thinking I am some sort of an expert on the subject. But I am not. Remember, those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. So here’s me teaching you. For more on how to woo a girl this Valentine’s Day, flip back and read our feature specials. But at the end of the day, I have begun to realize that ‘true’ love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. I’ve learnt one more thing. If you hear bells, get your ears checked. So I conveniently ignore all the sounds that ring when women pass by me. It’s probably just their cell phones or their bells or horns telling me to get out of their way. I am waiting for that moment of silence. I am waiting for true love. And true love’s kiss. Ok! Now this is as romantic I can get. So all you beautiful people reading, please consider this an honest appeal. Try me once, if not satisfied, love back guarantee… Get me out of Club67!
Lonely, I’m Mr Lonely, I have nobody...
79
Februay.indd 79
1/30/2011 2:29:03 PM
HUMOR
Check out a couple of Interesting Valentine’s Day
Jokes
Love is serious agreed, but it’s time for some nice fun Valentine’s humor. At the end of the day what we like to see is that beautiful 100-watt smile on your lover’s face. If you want your spouse to giggle, then what better idea than sharing fundoo Valentine’s Day humor. Trust us, after a romantic evening; some entertainment dose is very refreshing.
JOKES
Q: What did the stamp say to the envelope? A: I’m stuck on you. Q: What is the difference between a girl who is sick of her boyfriend and a sailor who falls into the ocean? A: One is bored over a man, the other is a man overboard. Q: What did the light bulb say to the switch? A: You turn me on. Q: What did one snake say to the other snake? A: Give me a little hug and a hiss, honey. Q: What did the valentine card say to the stamp? A: Stick with me and we’ll go places! Q: What do farmers give their wives on Valentine’s Day? A: Hogs and Kisses! Q: What did the paper clip say to the magnet? A: “I find you very attractive.” Q: What did the pencil say to the paper? A: “I dot my i’s on you!” Q: What do you call a very small valentine? A: A valentiny! Q: What does a man who loves his car do on February 14? A: He gives it a Valenshine!
Februay.indd 80
1/30/2011 2:29:24 PM