Mehendi Wedding Magazine

The Wedding Planners

. .

Volume 1

Issue 1

For Private Circulation Only

November 2010 INR 70/-

Modern brides strut the runway at

The people behind those WOW factor weddings!

the Chennai International Fashion Week

Quotable

Exclusive!

LELA

Fashion designer Chaitanya Rao talks about fashion,films and more

ROSE Fa ll We dd in g co ll e c t i o n s

Mehendi . 1

2 .Mehendi

Mehendi . 3

4 .Mehendi

Mehendi . 5

6 .Mehendi

Mehendi . 7

Associate Editor Madhumitha Madhavan Prolific Head Vinolia Lobo Creative Director Ashwath .V Creative Advisor Alan Hadle Hamilton Design K. Ram Ganesh Mohammad Irfan Photography G. Venkata Krishnan Ravikiran Vissa Prince Kennedy

www.themehendi.com

Managing Editor Shruti Ravindran

November Volume 01 Issue 01 2010

Publishing Director S. Fayaz Mohammed

Foreword

The Great Indian Weddings

GREETINGS! Welcome to the first issue of Mehendi magazine...

I am not crazy for romances, really. And I did not dress up as a bride when I was a little girl. But I must admit that this title seems fitting. Nothing about Indian weddings is less than great. Be it the larger than life celebrations, more gold laden auntyjis than you would care to count, endless discussion on silks, food for an army or enough lights to illuminate the moon, there is something about it that intrigues us all.

If you asked us what Mehendi stands for, we couldn’t tell you. I wouldn’t be able to write a verbose description of what we are and what we are not.

This space of less than half a page simply wouldn’t do it justice. However, we could tell you this – Mehendi is more than just weddings. It is the attitude, the philosophy and everything that drives Indian weddings. That in mind, many people have questioned the choice of our cover. But that is the great thing about the Indian wedding, as timeless as it seems, it is constantly evolving, drawing inspiration from world over. And Lela Rose seemed to

Marketing Pragash .VM Imran .K

compliment that perfectly.

So without further ado, we present to you the first issue of Mehendi to kickstart the wedding season of 2010 and let you form your own opinions.

Contributors Dr. Wasim Mohideen P.S. Prabhakar Sonali Shenoy Indirani Kaliyan Nandita Ravi Bharath .V Shruti Ravindran Swati Narasimhan Susanna Lazarus Gayatri Kalyanaraman

Shruti Ravindran Editor-in-chief editor@themehendi.com PUBLISHED AND OWNED BY

Marvel Wedding Cards Ltd, NO - 27, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai,Mylapore,Chennai - 600 004 E-mail: order@marvelweddingcards.com www.marvelweddingcards.com MEDIA PARTNER

ORANGE SKY MEDIA

8 .Mehendi

Cover Cloud Lela Rose Fall Wedding Collection

All enquiries relating to features and advertising should be directed to editor@themehendi.com ©All rights reserved. Reproduction without written consent from of the publisher is not allowed.

The content and views contained in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. All details are correct at the time of publishing but might be subjected to change.

Mehendi . 9

CONTENTS...

30

November -2010

12

Mehendi Exclusive Lela Rose

20

Designer Speak Chaitanya Rao

22 26

The Wedding Planners Sumyog planners

Destinations Thomas cook

28

Food & Drink Lobby Cafe at Fisherman’s Cove

30

Events Chennai International Fashion Week 2

38

Cards Word of Love

40

Bride Diary Until Forever

44

Love Story Paint my love

50

Shorts Music Photography

52

Life & Lessons Wedding Insurance

54

Togetherness Shortcut to happiness

58

Accessories Material girl

62

Locations For a Royal Wedding

10 .Mehendi

20

22 58

Mehendi . 11

Mehendi Exclusive

By Madhumitha Madhavan

L E L A ROSE the interview

The Lela Rose Bridal Collection has been designed to be whimsical, yet sophisticated. Classical designs with beautifully embellished fabric forms the main element of the collection. What is it that makes it stand out? “It has an ‘organic couture’ quality to it that never feels fussy”, she tells us. And her biggest inspiration? “I have two. Fabric and my mother!” she exclaims.

mentally conscious designer too! “We use natural fibre fabrics instead of synthetics in our gowns as well as hand crafted details”, she reveals to us, “I think the more hand craft is celebrated, it keeps people working with their hands and not in a mechanized fashion.”

Not something you get to hear every day in the fashion industry.

She might not know much about Bollywood but her wedding collection is simply perfect for the Indian bride looking for a wedding rooted in tradition, yet an international affair. So without further ado, we present to you The Lela Rose Fall 2010 Wedding Collection - for that larger than life celebration of your journey called love.

Courtesy:Krupp Group

L

ela Rose is no ordinary designer. Ask her favourite client Anne Hathway. So, it is no wonder that she was asked to design the bridesmaid dresses for Jenna Bush’s wedding, practically American royalty, over two years ago. Her wedding collection is one of the most sought after world over. Yet for someone touted to be one of America’s biggest designers, she is of incredible modesty!

And it is not just about the fashion and the moolah.

For those of you who didn’t know, she is an environ-

Mehendi . 13

14 .Mehendi

Aviary Lela Rose Fall Collection 2010

Galaxy Lela Rose Fall Collection 2010 Mehendi . 15

16 .Mehendi

Lagoon Lela Rose Fall Collection 2010

Under The Stars Lela Rose Fall Collection 2010 Mehendi . 17

18 .Mehendi

Garden Lela Rose Fall Collection 2010

Mehendi . 19

Photograph by Stalin Ramesh Model Tony Luke

Yours,

I

t is not often that one meets a designer who is at the top of his work and down to earth at the same time. Meet Chaitanya Rao, designer par excellence. Before actually meeting the man, I got a chance to see his designs on display and outstanding is just not the word! Then, I got talking to him about clothes, fabrics, weddings and more. Here is what transpired.

The Lakme Fashion Week experience

His designs for the fashion week this time involved many geometrical designs and focused mainly on fractals. These repetitive patterns combined with the right materials won the critics over and every review that turned out was a good one. As expected, he is a happy man and is looking forward to his line hitting the stores all over the country soon.

On films and more

Even though fashion shows provide a launch pad for designers, they create and showcase their unique style only through films and other related media. It has almost been a decade since he entered the world of films and he has dressed up almost every successful actress in the industry. His personal favourite is our very own Jessie and he can’t stop raving about how professional and cooperative she is! Also in his kitty are 300 odd ad films. Now here is a designer who has left no medium untouched!

Chennai and its changing fashion landscape

20.Mehendi

It is a popular myth that Chennai is a very conservative society and that translates into people’s taste.

Breaking all that, this man feels that the night life in Chennai has caught up with most other places in the country and so has the fashion sense. Chennaites have started experimenting with different types of

DESIGNER SPEAK

By Gayatri Kalyanaraman

Fashionably Pictures : Sudarshan Chari

From being an economics graduate to the star studded streets of bollywood, Chaitanya Rao’s life has come a full circle. We decided to catch up with him to talk about everything from fashion to culture and more

Chaitanya Rao Designer

clothes and hence as a designer, it provides ample opportunity to create a niche market in such an upcoming setup. Praises apart, he feels that people here have not opened up to bold dressing, bold in terms of colours and patterns. Sticking to a known pattern like LBD’s are ok but from a designer’s point of view, we still miss the ‘whacky’ quotient.

Way back when..

We all know him as the man who dresses up the stars and as a creative genius. But what was he before that?

He was a student of economics and did his undergraduation in Loyola College,Chennai. Like most talented people, he always knew that designing was his calling and started out with a tailoring course in Bangalore. He later went on to work with ‘Color Plus’ where he worked as their in-house designer/merchandiser for their linen and women’s wear range.

lot of creative energy and always requires you to be in sync with the global trends and possible local adaptation of the same. In order to have a market edge, taking your designs international is a must. Other concerns also include finding factories to manufacture your line and making sure the distribution is properly done.

That Elusive Bridal line

Most of the designers of his calibre maintain an exclusive bridal line but that is one thing that has been eluding him. Even though he does wedding dresses, most of his works are custom made and made only to suit the taste and size of a particular person. But this is something he has in his mind and is consciously working on. Quite soon we should see him launch his very own bridal range. Hold your horses till then, to-be brides and grooms!

Designer Woes

As fancy as it sounds, being a designer has more to it than just the glam factor. Not to mention it takes a

Mehendi . 21

TheWedding

By Sonali Shenoy

Planners

Perfecting the art of romance

Now, if you are a man, it’s quite expected that you think of this as cliché.

In my defence however, this thought will cross your mind eventually, if it hasn’t already, that is. Your sex is simply delayed when it comes to these questions of foresight, you see. It all starts with the eye contact and then before you know it, you’re holding hands, and then there’s lots of other stuff, and SURPRISE he pops the question (or she, no offense meant.)

And then you get to thinking, as MJ would say, “This is it.” Here we are. We are getting married! But, as the countdown ticks away, you realise that there is just one more hurdle that you need to jump before you are finally there ... it’s called a wedding.

The Wedding Planners

Planning a wedding is a lot like running a marathon, as I came to learn from two women who have had their fair share of experiences planning some of the most elite, exquisite and elaborate weddings within the south of India. Roll out the red carpet for Vidya Singh and

22.Mehendi

Rekha Rangaraj. They have pictures in their minds of weddings that people dream of or see on the big screen.

Beaches with the sand and the surf, a slow breeze and two people sharing their vows just a few feet away from the water, on a night that is lit by rows of glowing shimmer and the moon rising steadily out of the horizon just in time.

Palace weddings, garden weddings, mandapam weddings, oriental weddings, says Vidya, “One of our clients requested an elephant for the bride, and we tried but there were too many permission grants to be met, so eventually we had to make do with a horse.”

A friend of mine who is actually getting married in June detests the rigorous work-out of the process. She says, “I love to shop but not when there’s a schedule to keep, that takes away all the fun.” And if it isn’t the sarees, then it’s the guest list, the catering, the venue, don’t forget about finding a house to stay in with your spouse once the knot is tied, it’s a lot to do in a couple of months.

“We realized early on that the best way to plan a wedding is to be extremely organized about every single thing,” Rekha shared with me. “We have systems in place, checklists, we always work with the same people in terms of music, food, mehendi, lights…and so on, people we trust and know for their quality or work.”

Pictures : Ravikiran Vissa

W

hen I was a little girl, my dad would take me everywhere. And wherever we went, if it was school, the vegetable shop or out for ice-cream, I would make note of any male specimen that caught my fancy. It didn’t matter that I was 9 or 10 years old. The question was: Was he the one?

Bridal SOS? Finally, here is someone who has solutions to all your pre-nuptial crisis.

Mehendi . 23

When it comes to the big day, nothing can fall short of near perfection. This is what Sumyog offers the couple, a day like no other. Adds Rekha, “When a couple walks in to the venue and see what we had in mind on paper come alive in front of them, it’s got to be magic.”

How much does it cost? Well for some a fortune’s worth of life savings. “We don’t take up a budget of less than 1.5 lakhs,” the answer is matter of fact. “Even if it is a small gathering of people in a residence, there are several elements that contribute to the mood of an ideal setting and it is not possible to provide it without an adequate budget,” Rekha states.

Sometimes, it isn’t merely the planning of the wedding that comes out of the bank. Crucial to this day, let’s not forget a term the seasoned planner would like to call disaster management. Vidya gave me an example, “Once we had a wedding in the morning that was to start at 6am. The mandapam had been given to us at midnight the previous day, and it so happened that there was a thunderstorm in the middle of the night.

We had set up so much in terms of décor to add to the grandeur ‘outside’ the mandapam that needed touching up. And to make things worse, the main pipe that carried the drainage water broke and flooded the inside. At 2 in the morning, we got our people to the pump water out, change the carpets, and reset the seating, so that things did in fact start on time and go smoothly.”

If that’s what it takes, then that’s what it takes. Cinderella got her wish, right? But like they said in the beginning, it’s all about being organized, which means being prepared for just about anything that situations throw at you, including the weather. Things can get a little crazy when there is a wedding to be prepared for, and it is a completely unglamorous career to pursue, much unlike Jennifer Lopez portrayed; but what is the difficult part to get used to when you plan more weddings than you attend? “Well initially I missed my sleep,” Vidya admitted, “because once we arrive at the venue, we don’t leave, not even for a minute, whether it’s midday or midnight, we stay until the job is done. I think the most challenging project that has come our way so far was a wedding that we put together in a village at Haroor, near Salem. The couple had a beautiful home, but it could not accommodate all of their guests, and it was surrounded by plush fields. So we actually spent a month putting together an enormous structure, something like an air conditioned tent, except it seated 700 people inside, and then when it was all over, it was a little disheartening to pull it down.”

And then it’s back to the drawing board all over again.

A bright eyed new couple with fresh ideas and a different theme, a different nationality perhaps. “It’s inspiring to meet with a client, and know that you can create for them that picture in their minds,” Rekha summarises to me. “And we never do the same thing twice.”

Vidya Singh’s mantra: “People don’t remember the décor or the stage or the colour of the flowers at a wedding, once it’s over. But two things they will remember: If the food was bad and the warm feeling inside when you were made to feel like an important part of the evening every step of the way.

Things NOT to do when planning your wedding: Do not delay booking your venue Do not leave the catering to chance Do not refuse to delegate the many things that go into the making of a wedding (especially if you have a planner) Do not experiment with the bride’s make-up and hairstyle on the day of the wedding. If her blue eye shadow goes not with her dress, hysteria is predicted to follow Do not be disorganized

24 .Mehendi

For A Diva Treatment

Introducing Page 3, Chennai’s newest and most advanced hair and skin makeover studio that’s all set to give the city’s fashion quotient a whole new high. Page 3 is a first-of-its-kind uniquely singular fashion salon that showcases internationally trained stylists who are in tune with the hottest looks and styles that are sweeping the planet.

Page 3 is Chennai’s First Kerastase & Keraskin Salon. Kerastase and Keraskin are luxury hair and skin care brands from L’Oreal International. Kerastase is distributed to high-end hair salons only and is among the market leaders in the professional and luxury hair care segments across the world. Page 3 is the very first salon in South India to feature both Kerastase and Keraskin under one roof.

Your wedding is the finest occasion of your life and there is no other day that will probably be as special to you. The time leading up to your wedding is often the most hectic period of your life. And you are expected to look your very best on your special day. At the special Bridal Studio at Page 3, our experts are trained to ensure that your body, mind and soul feel and look their best on the biggest day of your life.

THE GORGEOUS BRIDE

The Gorgeous Bride session at page 3 is a unique session that’s specially created to help you look your very best at your finest moment. The session involves exotic hair styling services, special make-up session and specialized saree draping services to give you that truly dazzling look. The Gorgeous Bride session can also be executed at your own select venue at an additional fee.

THE PRIMA DONNA BRIDE

The Prima Donna Bride Session is an exclusive session that’s unique, exceptional and one-of-a-kind. This session involves special consultation where our team of experts understand the look and style that you look for. This session involves the use of high-end products and is executed by specialists who have won numerous awards for their distinct and exceptional bridal looks.

19, 3RD CROSS STREET, WALLACE GARDEN, NUNGAMBAKKAM CHENNAI - 600 006 Mehendi . 25 28333111 I WWW.PAGE3SALON.COM

Photograph : Thomas Cook

By Swati Narasimhan

TURN IT

ON !

26.Mehendi

T

he world first heard of a little set of breathtaking islands from Captain James Cook himself. And since then, Fiji has become the hub of South West Pacific tourism. Sharing waters with serene New Zealand and mighty Australia, Fiji has only added beauty to this part of the world.

Fiji is a beautiful archipelago consisting of more than 332 islands. Each of these islands makes the best of the surrounding South Pacific Ocean and gives us coastlines that could be envied even by the Hawaiians.

Fiji enjoys a tropical marine climate avoiding extremes throughout the year, making it one of the best holiday destinations in the Orient. There is nothing like basking in the sands of the Melanesia’s own slice of heaven.

And Thomas Cook gives you exactly that- A package that you just need to kick start a brand new life! Thomas Cook’s honeymoon package to the Fiji Islands is a mouth-watering offer to an adventure gourmet!

MEHENDI promotion

The days that you’ll make those memories go like this

Day 1, you’ll touch down at the Nadi airport and then you’ll be taken to Port Denarau from where you’ll take the ferry to Castaway Island. Your first night will be spent in the Island of dreams.

Day 2, you get to laze on the beach and spend a quiet day on the sun kissed coast, windsurf or deep sea fish, as per what seems more pleasing to you. On the whole, you wallow in the pleasures offered by Castaway.

Day 3, we are not done with the tropical beaches yet.

Not only do you get the luxury of the secluded waters but you also get to opt for some fun-filled hot air ballooning or some thrilling jet boat safari. Nothing like a view of Castaway from above its own empyrean waters.

Day 4, after a sumptuous breakfast, you are taken on a helicopter and made to tear your eyes off of the beautiful Castaway. But, your eyes are not deprived for long.

Following the breathtaking view of the Pacific, you will soon set your eyes on another majestic member of the

archipelago - the Outrigger Island. That will be your first night under the star-studded Outrigger sky.

Day 5, spend your day amidst the coral gardens in the Outrigger waters by scuba diving or snorkelling.

Day 6, after discovering the beauty of the bejewelled waters on the previous day, it’s time to soak up in the lazy beaches. Take in all the sun that Outrigger has to offer.

Day 7, you take back souvenirs and the best memories with you as you’re escorted to your onward flight from Nadi.

Thomas cook also lets you shake off your worries and absorb the Fijian beauty with a spa experience and a dolphin safari. Accommodation comprises of Fiji’s best Four Star hotels.

They say that a cynic finds fault even in heaven. But the irresistible Fiji islands will knock the cynic out of you! With Adventure, romance, peace and thrills entwined with nature, get cozy, get curious, get naughty.. this is where you start making memories together, forever!

Mehendi . 27

Picture : Christian Kadluba

T

he Lobby Café at Fisherman’s Cove is one of my favourite places in Chennai. So we decided to hit this place for Valentine’s Day this year and what a wonderful time we had! A nice long drive on the ECR, a boating ride to add to the romance - this place has it all to give you a romantic evening without burning into your pockets! The outdoor seating area at the café faces both the swimming pool and the lush gardens and offers a fantastic view, second only to the sea side restaurant of this hotel. The only problem is the number of mosquitoes that swarm the café after dark.

Picture : FotoosVanRobin

We had a mocktail each- one litchi and one pineapple based mocktail, a sandwich, a burger and shared a dessert - which though was not in the menu, was brought to me from the Seagull restaurant. That is good service, but this place sets high standards.

The mocktails were very good, the sandwich not so bad and the burger was awesome.

Nice thick patty, super soft burger buns and the right amount of mayo and vegetables inside. But the star of the evening was the double mousse dessert. It is a thick chocolate mousse covered with crust and topped up with white chocolate mousse! The white chocolate mousse looked like vanilla ice cream at first glance and the taste really surprised me. It was wonderful!

Pictures for representation purpose only

By Dr Wasim Mohideen

Food Fetish 28.Mehendi

restaurant review

You can sit in the café by the balcony gazing at each other for hours, or you can sit right in the lobby by the goldfishes in pots while holding hands and no one will disturb you or stare at you!

The total price for the above came up to Rs 1120, but this is 5 star hotel with service and a view to accompany the food and was well worth it.

Wasim Mohideen is a doctor specializing in wellness medicine with a huge passion for anything that involves food, travel and music! He is the author of a popular blog www.chennaifoodie.blogspot.com

Food 8/10 Ambience 8/10 Service 8/10 Price 8/10 Romantic Quotient 9/10

Mehendi . 29

Pictures: Erudite PR

Designer Nitya Singh with actress Anuya 30.Mehendi

EVENTS

By Shruti Ravindran

BRIDALICIOUS Chennai is suddenly sizzling hot, especially for brides to be, and here is why. A sneak peek into the glitz and glamour behind the Chennai International Fashion Week 2 that helped bring Chennai to the fashion forefront

D

esigners hardly considered Chennai to be a fashion hub. Now, two fashion weeks later, they are reconsidering. The Chennai International Fashion Week I was hosted with skepticism and ended up to be a huge hit. The CIFW II was bigger and better. The city’s who’s who were spotted in their finest ensembles, occupying the VVIP seats.

The day of the grand finale showcased exquisite bridal wear. The show was opened by designer Nitya Singh and closed with the popular Satya Paul.

The first thing that strikes a person about the Indian bride is a beautiful, shy woman in a gorgeous traditional saree, decked with flowers and glowing with all the gold. But all rules are now being broken by the designers who have made weddings seem like any other fashion event. The colours have become vibrant and the designs, one-of-a-kind. Brides these days don’t stop with just the wedding and the reception. They end up having a minimum of four functions, each function demanding an out-of-the-world outfit. Bolder prints and richer fabrics have replaced the usual fabrics giving a whole new dimension to bridal wear.

CIFW II showcased what one would describe to be ‘The Modern Bride’. The lights dimmed, the stage fogged and the music began. One by one, the models scorched the ramp. Fabrics like lamé, nets, chiffons and brocades which were never a part of the bridal trousseau, dominated the ramp. Fitted Corsets instead

of regular cut Cholis, Anarkalis and Lehengas instead of reception sarees were welcomed to a thunderous applause. Even the wedding Sarees seemed to have been given new life. Interesting Banarasi borders, different coloured facings, pleating around the pallu and contrasting underskirts jazzed up the simple saree.

When I asked designer Masaba Gupta about her inspiration, she cheerfully replied, “The street women never find time to match their clothes. Yet their choice of colours seems perfect”. Her collection included a mix of ikats, raw silks and cottons. Designer Krishna Mehta had an entirely different approach to fashion. After being in the field for 22 years, she believes that fashion is what one is comfortable in. This was evident in her collection. She effortlessly mixed and matched lamé and nets.

Designer Neeta Lulla, the queen of couture made a bold statement with bling. A classy look was brought about by combining heavy stonework with pastel shades of green and pink. Her showstopper, actress Sameera Reddy left everybody spellbound by looking like the transformed bride.

Chennai has finally woken up to a fashion explosion and the Chennaites are lapping every bit of it. Indeed, this city has gone through major metamorphosis, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. With more choices to experiment with, who wouldn’t want to get married?

Mehendi . 31

32.Mehendi

Actress Sameera Reddy for Neeta Lulla

Actress Arya Devdutta for Krishna Mehta Mehendi . 33

34.Mehendi

Model showcasing Nitya Singh’s design

Model showcasing designer Nitya Singh’s design Mehendi . 35

36.Mehendi

Designer Masaba Gupta with her models Mehendi . 37

By Indrani Kaliyan

WORD OF LOVE T

he theme for this wedding is coal blue and gold which happens to be the bride’s favourite colours. The bride’s brother set out to design the wedding card of the century for her. After all, marriage is a onetime affair, for most of us at least!

This out of the world wedding card created by Olympic Wedding Cards has a cover flap designed in the shape of the Olympic card emblem with special water effect that can be customized as per your wish. Two specific high quality printing styles are used to make this card exclusive. Virgo printing is done to make the letters look bold and stylish. This is a very unique style of printing which dates back to the renaissance age. UV printing is another unique style specially used to print the trade mark done on the back of the cover.

The card also consists of two flaps enclosing an elegant brooch made of acrylic laser cutting with engraved design held by special designer pins. This adds a very trendy and elegant perspective to the card. The flaps are blue and gold similar to the cover. On opening them, a CD is enclosed in the card. The CD consists of a very touching and personal animated video that shows the bride’s whole life from the day she was born

38.Mehendi

to the present day. It also adds a very personal invite from the bride’s family. The whole idea of animated CD invites has probably been done for the first time in the wedding cards industry.

The inside of the flap is a hollow space that consists of the card with the formal invite. The bride and the groom’s names are UV printed on the outer cover of the card. This card is priced from Rs.250 onwards. On the whole, it is a smashing piece created for one trendy and glamorous wedding. The guests will never forget the unique wedding card designed especially for them.

The envelope is made of Indian board with the guest’s name on the front. The wedding card folder is made of non oven sheet material. It has a very soft and silky feel to it. Golden printing is done on the hem of the sheet. A picture of Lord Ganesha is printed on the centre of the folder. This can be altered and redesigned as per your wish. The card can be customized using various prints and designs.

These cards are available in various color combinations. Yellow and red is one of the fast moving combination. The price begins at Rs15 and depends on the customization done on the card. They are very affordable and go easy on the pocket and at the same time satisfy the bride’s wishes. In short, it is elegant with everything desired available on a platter.

The actual invitation is placed inside the folder. It is made of Indian board that is thicker than the envelope.

Its sides are embedded with glitters or bindis to give it a very classy and bright look. All this is done on gold print. Screen printing is done on these cards. The formal words are printed in gold. The surface of the card undergoes nurling to get a specific texture.

Mehendi . 39

Pictures : G Venkata Krishnan

T

hese wedding cards are very popular and fast moving. They are chic, elegant and classy and are available at very affordable prices.

T

hey say a wedding is the biggest event in any person’s life. More than anything, it marks a whole new path for the rest of your life. Here is a couple who recently exchanged vows of commitment and in what style! Mehendi brings to you the real life wedding of Kartic and Sujatha.

The story – boy and girl finish engineering in India, move to the United States, meet via common friends, become friends, then best friends, eventually fall in love and get married. But this couple did everything differently. Here is how!

In October 2009, the wedding was fixed and the date was finalized as March 22. The formal engagement took place and it was attended by everyone except the bride and groom who were still far away! Finally sometime in November of 2009, the bride said enough is enough and flew to India. She took up the role of the wedding planner and the official designer for the bride and the groom.

4 months left for the wedding and these were the preparations underway. The initial shopping was done

40.Mehendi

in Hyderabad where a few designer sarees and bangles were picked up. Luck seemed to favour this couple and when they decided to fix the Mandap, all the major ones were free and they picked Rani Meyyammai hall.

Both camps were still relaxed and the guest list process was started. Facebook really helped too! There were three types of cards to cater to the varied interests of the entire guest lists. One was a Radha Krishna, the second one a simple formal card from Pearl and the third one was a customized card with a caricature specially made for the friends of the bride and groom.

The whole wedding was split into three parts. The first one was the Mehendi and Sangeeth. Since the whole show was for the ladies, the gentlemen decided to relax on the terrace with a cocktail party! The bride decided she was going to sport a Ghagra for the function.

The material for the dress was from Diva and designer in charge for the stitch was Lasya from Chennai. As for the groom, the cocktail party demanded a Sherwani from Moksha – duly picked out by the bride herself.

BRIDE DIARY

By Gayatri Kalyanaraman

UNTIL

FOREVER So you have been popped the question, and now you have a wedding to arrange. Here is Mehendi’s guide to local weddings, to help you plan yours without having a complete nervous breakdown!

Mehendi . 41

The decorations were done by ‘Celebration’. This event took place in the bride’s Anna Nagar residence and the house was completely transformed by them.

The next part of the 3 day wedding was the engagement. For this the bride decided to wear traditional Pattu sarees, for which she completely swears by Tulsi silks in Mylapore. One of the designer saree used on the same day was from ManMandir and the groom’s sherwani was from Lagaan. The engagement rings were from Prince Jewellery. The bride opted for a mix of platinum and gold for her ring, studded with diamonds. obviously!

The big day of the wedding came next. The complete jewellery for the wedding was picked up from Tanishq from their exclusive wedding collection. As far as the morning formalities were concerned, there were three sarees in use. Since this wedding witnessed the coming together of Iyengar and Telgu culture, a lot of compromises had to be made on both sides and one of them was losing the traditional 9 yards saree. The first saree was a multi coloured one and picked up from Hyderabad. The other two sarees were courtesy Tulsi silks again and this time one of them was the typical Telgu wedding saree-a white with red border.

The groom’s job was an easy one and all they had to do was go to Kumaran Silks and ask for the traditional

Checklist for other brides to be:

6

42.Mehendi

veshti ! Amidst all the saree changing commotion, right after the wedding when everybody rushed on stage to congratulate the newlyweds, the bride was missing and was finally found in the changing room changing the final saree of the morning. What a way to start your new life!

The food was decided from an elaborate menu and finally narrowed to 72 varieties. It was an all vegetarian spread. And they still got a few complaints! Tough luck! The meal was followed up by chaat and sweets from Sri Mithai.

Finally it was time for the reception and the Hyderabad sarees were back along with suits from Moksha for the man. The accessories came from Jaipur Gems, mainly kundhan work. The tough part was yet to come. It was all the incessant smiling they had to do, throughout the reception. On all days the video and photography part of it was taken care of by the Chennai Wedding Photography people who according to the bride and groom did an excellent job.

Given all the things that could have gone wrong on a day like this, with so many events to be coordinated, this couple had a lot of fun and a lot of luck riding their way as everything went smooth and finally on the night of the reception it was coming to an end and finally they had been pronounced man and wife.

months before the wedding:

Start shopping as soon as possible since this will require a lot of time.

Especially for the sarees . Prepare your budget for the wedding and decide what the scale of your wedding is going to be. Talk to parents about the same and decide the money allocation and how much they are to spend. All the clothes that need to be given for stitching must be given as soon as possible as things like blouse might take longer than expected to get ready.

3

months before the wedding:

Decide about your wedding cards. Start looking at patterns and narrow down on the styles you like. Start the guest list preparation underway as this will take a lot of time owning to additions and deletions later on. Start thinking about how you want your wedding to looks and start the plan for the decoration, be it in the house or otherwise.

1

month before the wedding:

Follow up on invites which haven’t recieved any replies yet. Confirm on your destination, seating arrangements and food. Pamper yourself and make hair appointments. Finalise on your transportation for your wedding day and make sure the transportation for everybody else is finalised as well. Dont forget the honeymoon arrangements!

And make sure the final adjustments on your wedding dress has been made to avoid last minute panic!

D

day:

RELAX! This is your day and for a change let the other people take care of things. Don’t worry about everybody else’s work. At the end of the day, nothing matters more than your wedding itself! So sit back, allow yourself to be pampered and enjoy your day!

Veg & Non-veg

Buffet

Lunch / Dinner

Breakfast

Inclusive of

Exclusive Package

3.5

s r i ve u J hrs d

ai x n n la Che e t r from

HOTEL LANDMARK

Boat House Road, Athanavur, Opp. Murugan Temple, Yelagiri Hills, Vellore Dt., - 635853.

Ph: 04179 - 295410 / 295411 | hlmyelagiri@gmail.com | www.hotellandmarkyelagiri.com

Children’s Play Area

Open Air Theatre

40,000 sq.ft of landscape

40 Cozy Rooms in 3.5 acres

Mehendi . 43

LOVE STORY

By Nandita Ravi

Paint My LOVE

A Love Story on Canvas

What does a man do when he runs out of words to express love? He paints a picture of course! And if every picture is worth a thousand words, designer and animator Kshiraj Telang has quiet a mouthful to say.

L

ove actually, is all around us. Whether it is in the romanticism of movies or in the simple gesture of holding hands under the table in a restaurant or even changing your relationship status to “In a relationship” on Facebook, the emotion of love has always made its presence felt, albeit in different forms. In an age where the computer is the king and technology rules, here is the tale of one couple who have made their love story a wee bit different from the others.

“I met Swati Agarwal in my animation class,” declares a still in love Kshiraj Telang. The youngest “professor” of animation at Arena Multimedia, South Extension, New Delhi, Kshiraj started out with a career in animation quite early in life. “I was the youngest ‘faculty’ there, which is why converting students to pursue what I trained on was difficult. Therefore I happened to conduct animation seminars within institute where

I addressed almost all students who were learning animation. Swati was in one of my lectures” he says laughing. Although he went on to work there for over 10 months, never once did the couple speak during, between or after class. It was at that point that technology first entered the life of this young couple, in the guise of the social networking website, Orkut.

Both Swati and I were on Orkut, since social networking was blossoming then,” reflects Kshiraj. However, social networking was not all that blossomed. Swati and Kshiraj began by conversing casually on Orkut and eventually went on to become really good friends.

“Gradually she discovered that I was just a couple of years older than her and made great cartoons. This is something that interested her a lot and on my end I was thrilled by her knowledge of computers, since not many girls are addicted to computers and technology.

Mehendi . 45

I was a computer geek after all, and so it wasn’t tough for us to find comfortable topics on chat to talk about,” Kshiraj reminisces.

A confession of love soon followed from Swati first and then Kshiraj soon afterwards and the couple began dating. “On the first date, I gifted her an animation movie DVD,” says the modern day Romeo, who went on to make and dedicate his first artwork to her a week after they went out on their first date. A cute portrait of them as a couple, the artwork featured Kshiraj sitting on the floor with a drawing board and pencil in hand sketching the beautiful Swati as she shyly posed for him in white angel wings and a tiara.

“She has been the biggest fan of all my artwork, whether it featured her or other subjects,” says Kshiraj fondly. “She knew that she added inspiration to my work and I in turn was motivated to do better work to impress her,” he continues along the same vein. One such creation was sketched after a shopping date with Swati. Done in a sepia undertone, the sketch features the couple at a café, with Kshiraj sitting surrounded by a volley of shopping bags and other paraphernalia and Swati lovingly feeding him with a spoon. Very romantic, we think!

After two years of courtship, the couple decided to finally tie the knot with their parents’ blessing. A ring ceremony soon followed for which Kshiraj illustrated the invitations himself. The invite featured the couple on the bottom with a happy looking cartoon-Kshiraj placing a sparkly golden ring on a shy cartoon-Swati who is dressed in a combination of green and gold. With the

46.Mehendi

invite backdrop being a mixture of golden orange and yellow, it made just the perfect invitation for the perfect couple.

The couple finally exchanged vows and entered into holy matrimony. “I created a wedding invite for her featuring the two of us in our chosen wedding attire, in a caricature format,” narrates Kshiraj. A wonderfully innovative design, the invite resembled a movie poster and was titled “The Wedding Day”. The caricatures of Kshiraj and Swati on the invite were cute enough to make anyone go awww. The invite was later converted into a poster and became a part of the wedding stage.

“It was used as a backdrop,” laughs Kshiraj. “Everyone who attended our wedding was quite impressed and was full of praises for it,” he adds.

“Cartooning for her on occasions continues to be the language of mine to express my love for her. And they result an unforgettable gesture that is smiled upon for ever,” says Kshiraj on a parting note. Some love stories do live forever.

Samples of his work can be found at http://kshiraj. blogspot.com/

glitterati

By Susanna Lazarus

All that Glitters

‘

‘

If it hasn’t been wrapped up, it isn’t much love.

Welcome to the new art of giving.

N

othing is as memorable for a woman or man as their wedding day. As you prepare to walk down the aisle with the love of your life, emotions run deep as memories to last you a lifetime are created. What better way to seal the memories between the two of you than by a gift that captures the essence of the day?

These gifts are not essential, but show your thoughtfulness and commitment towards your intended. It is more about the gesture than the actual gift itself.

Men - For your traditional bride, a simple expression of love - a long-stemmed rose, a handwritten love note attached to a pair of solitaire diamond earrings – can speak volumes. In addition to which you can send her a jewelry box with the promise of filling it up as the years go by!

rafting, hot-air ballooning or any activity that he finds fascinating. You can go along for the ride too! And if price is no object, a Rolex watch is the perfect gift.

Have your initials and the date of your wedding engraved on the back and he will think of you every time he looks at it.

As a special way of remembering your day, invest in a vintage wine of the year of your wedding. Re-live the memories by sharing a glass on your anniversary.

Some couples may consider the mangalsutra or wedding rings exchanged as their gifts to each other on their wedding day. But the simplicity of a handwritten note and a bunch of flowers sent just before the occasion creates the memories that can be cherished for a lifetime!

If you’re looking for something truly unique to give your bride, the sky is the limit. Go ahead and splurge on something you know she’s been wanting: a cruise, a car, a portrait or painting by her favorite artist. Add a personalized twist in the way it’s packaged. Find someone who will deliver it to her and serenade her on your behalf with a love song. Confident of your singing?

Deliver it yourself! She will love the gesture.

Ladies – Get your man top-of-the-line accessories or equipment for his favorite activity, be it pool, golf or poker. Customize it with their initials monogrammed on it. For a romantic touch, gift him a crystal photo frame with a photo of both of you, signing it with a love note.

A gift certificate may sound impersonal, but gift him the experience of a lifetime – scuba diving, white water

Mehendi . 47

Ancient Secrets

The Prince Jewellery Antique Collection

A

t Prince Jewellery, gold itself is a tradition of 77 years, though Prince Jewellery is only 27 years old as an independent brand. A third-generation jeweler, Princeson Jose and his wife Sheeba Prince are passionate about antique jewellery, diligently adding them to their collection during their travels. A mixture of these pieces, old and new have been put together to produce the Ancient Secrets collection. “In those days, jewelers used to work with their hands and tools creating intricate designs that are difficult to replicate today except by traditional jewelers,� explains Jose, stressing the value of these pieces.

Back in the days, there were designs that were created for daily use, grand jewellery reserved for special occasions and jewels of the Gods and royalty that left many a historian speechless with their magnificence. In addition to such original pieces, the Ancient Secrets collection also consists of some reproductions, highlighting the workmanship of the goldsmiths that Prince has in its team.

Some of these traditional pieces have been modified to modern tastes, as in the case of the Rakodi that has been enhanced by the Prince goldsmiths to make them usable as pendants. These ancient designs carefully preserved by families over the centuries are examples of unrivaled excellence in terms of design and quality and the perfect choice for a weddings rooted in tradition.

48.Mehendi

MEHENDI promotion

Prince Jewellery was started by Princeson Jose in 1983. Jose hails from a family that entered the gold business in 1933 when his grandfather commissioned a goldsmith in Ponkunnam village in Kottayam district. Today, the Prince Jewellery showroom in Usman Road is over 10,000 square feet. bThey als have showrooms in Cathedral Road, Spencer’s Plaza, Trivandrum and Bangalore. Jose’s wife Sheeba Prince takes care of merchandising while son Joseph Prince – a certified gemologist – heads their gems business.

Mehendi . 49

May the Songs bind you tight

S

ongs are easily the most captivating ways of expressing emotions and what emotion can be heavier, more complicated and yet sanctified than LOVE? Yes, love does turn illiterates into poets, and still the most romantic gesture according to many is for the man to lock his love in his arms and sing his heart out to her. So even if a donkey with a sore throat can sing better than you, when you sing to your beloved, (or simply play the song through the speakers of your cell phone) it will elevate you both to a place beyond the heavens above.Here are 5 romantic songs that you can’t be without.

I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith

This song is absolutely mesmerizing. It is part of the soundtrack of the movie, ‘Armageddon’ and is one of Aerosmith’s best.

Best line : “every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure” My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

There can be no one who hasn’t heard this masterpiece which was the theme song for the movie, “The Titanic.” You don’t need a sinking ship to sing this song.

Best line : “Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime” I'll Be There For You - Jon Bon Jovi

You will simply be enraptured by this song. Sung with intense emotion, this just couldn’t be left out of this list.

Best line : “Words can't say what a love can do” Afterglow – INXS

Musically brilliant and a perfect sing along. Specially for all you rock fans who are allergic to anything gentle.

Best line : “I will sacrifice, Till the blinding day, When I see your eyes.”

Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

The list can never end without Eric Clapton! This song is terribly mild with the music pushing the spirit into you.

Best line : “I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes.”

Fall Wedding Flowers

Planning on a fall wedding? If you are in the mood for something exotic, Calla Lily is a great choice for elegant fall bouquets, considering their incredible range of colours that can work with any colour scheme. Hydrangea works with almost any setting - be it a beach wedding or a ball room wedding. If you would rather have a classic Indian wedding, roses, marigolds, gerberas and jasmines can all be mixed to give you that perfect decor!

Picture : Manish Bansal

Picture : Mukesh Soni

Picture : Kenny Hindgren

SHORTS

By Bharath

SMILE PLEASE !

Y

our wedding day is quite easily the most momentous day of your life, so the best way to immortalise that blessed day is to capture those precious moments.

No wedding is complete without a photographer. Due to the rapid advancements in technology, virtually everyone is seen snapping away with their camera, so why do you really need a professional photographer for your wedding? Dumb question some would say, but the answer is simply this; everyone has something to do that day which makes it mandatory for a third person to step in and take charge of this department.

The photographer’s job is to capture all the moments with the people involved in the wedding and to compile it into one indelible photo album or video. But the job isn’t as easy as it seems. There is nothing worse than realizing that you haven’t photographed the couple with the grandpa or completely left out the neighbour from the photo session.

The photographer is expected to have a good understanding of the sequence of the wedding process in order to position himself at the right place at the right time without neglecting the couple for even a moment. For this he has to be swift, coordinated and above all very assertive in order to get that perfect shot because being bashful will get him nowhere.

Of all the pictures, the ones that standout are those candid shots the photographer is able to capture - of the look of commitment and trust between the couple, the eyes of the parents moist with happiness, the innumerable hugs of affection and the list goes on. But remember that weddings are extremely stressful so it is important for the photographer to blend in with the crowd, understand the way the people are, operate with a theme in mind and ultimately have fun on that day for best results.

Wedding Cocktail When you are choosing a wedding cocktail, you could choose to go with popular drinks such as a cosmopolitan. Or you could spice it up a little bit with your own signature drink! Come up with creative names for the drink, even combining your name with your fiance’s, for an unforgettable drink!

It’s these moments that take your breath away, CAPTURE them!

Mehendi . 51

By P.S Prabhakar

Humanity thrives on proverbs and catch phrases that many ancestors have left behind. And thriving it does by even building business models around it!

One such phrase is “Many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip!”, and the whole insurance business is modelled around it. An unplanned event could happen, playing spoilsport in a planned activity which would promptly make us throw the blame on God. And here goes another proverb - Man proposes and God, well, might dispose!

In case he decides to do the disposal, man would still want to salvage what is left. Here comes insurance.

Yes, Insuring is certainly not ensuring! At best, it could offer consola-

52 .Mehendi

tion in case things don’t go well.

Wedding Insurance – a concept that has been widely prevalent in the fashion-infested West, is slowly making inroads in the culture-invested India as well. And this time for good!

With Indian couples increasingly longing to make their wedding celebrations memorable and cherishable, the domestic wedding market is booming. It is currently estimated at Rs 70,000 crore and growing.

Yet, try convincing your family that the big wedding coming up is just as susceptible to eventualities such as fire and accident as any other event?

You would probably be shushed with “shubh shubh bolo” or reprimanded by elders. After all, the Indian wed-

ding is still a sacred affair.

But with the big fat Indian wedding becoming even glitzier, there is no end to the moolah you will have to rake out for the wedding. And irrespective of how religious or superstitious you are, you wouldn’t want to see all that money going down the drain. This is why a few insurance companies have launched the little known concept of wedding insurance in India.

Under cover Besides the expenses incurred owing to postponement, cancellation or stoppage of marriage, a host of other things are covered by a wedding insurance policy. The biggest risk covered is non-availability of groom

or bride owing to stranded transport or law and order problem. Damage to building and contents due to fire or allied perils is also considered a ground for claims. Accidental death in family or that of close family friend is also covered. Police action, unless it’s a child marriage case or criminal in nature also gets insurance protection. There is cover against food poisoning too. Even if wedding ornaments are lost, the policy stands.

What if the wedding dress has problems? The insurance policy provides succour. Lost or damaged your wedding photographs? The insurance company arranges a get-together where cameras can go clicking again. If the musicians fail to turn up, the policy comes into play.

The gatecrashers There are a whole lot of exclusions which prevent a wedding insurance claim from being accepted. A marriage under duress, criminal acts, misconduct, misrepresentation, wilful negligence, insolvency and influence of drugs or alcohol are sufficient to exclude a policy.

Nuclear perils, radioactivity, war and war-like perils also come under exclusions. However damage to electricity through short-circuits or self-heating deprives you of policy benefits.

Once, a wedding dress kept in hold of aircraft suffered damage. The insurance company did not pay the money because it came under travel, not wedding. In which case you can attend your own wedding wearing a jeans and a jacket!

At What Cost?

The thing you should be concerned about is the premium for the wedding insurance. It is rather small, considering that stakes could go sky high.

And who is really bothered about a few extra thousands in a wedding which costs millions anyway?

To give a rough idea, insurers might charge anything in the range of 0.50 to 3.25 per cent of the sum insured as premium, depending on the nature and extent of cover asked for. A la-carte selection also is possible. However, many insurance firms, in wedding policies ask you to

pay a certain “excess” amount. For example, if a cancellation policy is bought, a 2 per cent of claim, or the minimum being Rs 15,000 has to be paid up.

These nuptial knots!

A wedding insurance claim to be cleared must give a proper breakup of items. Where there is damage to property, the amount lost in decoration, hiring charges etc must be mentioned. In case of jewellery, the strange part is that, only those ornaments given by relatives and in-laws are covered.

A unique situation like the bride or groom-changing mind at wedding venue may occur. Would insurance be still paid? No. The wedding insurance policy dubs it as “cold feet.”

Taking Wedding insurance is like carrying an umbrella to weather any possible rain or shine. The effort of carrying is a small price that you would rather pay than to face the misery of getting drenched or scorched!

Mehendi . 53

Picture : Aaron Eakin

54.Mehendi

LIFE & Lessons

By Dr Wasim Mohideen

Shortcut to Happiness What does it take to make a relationship work? A little, a lot of patience and one simple philosophy, as it turns out!

Mehendi . 55

‘

Understanding that an angry person usually does not mean what he says will help you deal with the problems in your relationship without any resentment

While there is no single best answer, the clichéd response you get most of the time is ‘give and take’.

But those of you who have been in a relationship know that this is easier said than done. That brings us to the next question - Why is it that this concept, simple as it is, never seems to work? It is probably because this universal relationship formula is one of the most misunderstood statements and no one told us how to use it.

If you are sick and take one dose of the best medicine, you might not recover. You will recover only if you take the right dose at the right time for the right duration. A relationship is no different!

While we all construe the meaning of ‘give and take’ to be ‘I give today so I can take tomorrow’, nothing could be further from the truth. This statement ‘Give and Take’ is a short form for “Give when he takes and take when he gives”. Without getting into the philosophy of relationships, I could tell you that the most common cause for a break up is not the problem itself, but rather the response to the problem. I have had a great many patients come in for stress therapy, patients who want to end their marriages, but if you ask them for a reason, they can’t pin it down to a single reason. This is when the concept of ‘give and take’ comes in.

Let us for a moment, consider love and anger to be hung in a balance. Take away either of them and you

56.Mehendi

‘

S

o you are all set to get married and mighty exited about that. After all, this is something we all hope happens only once in a life time! But somehow, hidden beneath all that excitement and fun, one question seems to linger all the time.

Love marriage, arranged marriage, love cum arranged marriage, whatever the name you give yours, the million dollar question seems to be “How do I make this work?”

are taking away an essential part of a way the brain responds to situations. If your spouse is angry about something and is yelling at you, she is taking from you. She is taking love from you to balance out her anger and since no one told us this, you think she is being crazy and unreasonable. But what you need to do is give more love to negate the anger. Only when the anger is gone can you talk about whatever it was that made her angry. However, if you yell back at your spouse when he or she is angry, all you have is more anger that tips the balance.

Give and take does not mean, ‘I gave yesterday, so I will take today’. There might be times when you need to give more before you can take. Also keeping score is a bad idea. It doesn’t matter if you were at the receiving end the previous time. The language men and women speak can be different and almost impossible for the other sex to interpret. John Grisham’s ‘Men are from Mars, women are from Venus’ grants us an insight into the differences in thinking and response of men and women. However, all it takes is a little patience to understand each other for a wonderful life of togetherness and love.

Love is such a beautiful thing. We bury it under a whole lot of anger, resentment and a host of other negative emotions. Understanding that an angry person usually does not mean what he says will help you deal with the problems in your relationship without any resentment. While this by no means is a fool proof method, ‘give and take’ in the right sense might just be the mantra that could save your relationship!

Dr Wasim Mohideen MD, DFM (RCGP, UK), Dip (Ayur) is a wellness consultant.For more information, visit www.yourwellnessdoc.com

Mehendi . 57

By Susanna Lazarus

Material Girl

Love and magic fill the air on a wedding day. Kimaya – magic, in the Pushtu language of the Afghan region – brings that enchantment to every bride’s trousseau. The brainchild of husband-wife duo, Neha and Pradeep Hirani, it is India’s largest fashion house for designer and bridal wear. A potpourri of acclaimed Indian and international designers have been made available to the clientele. With stores in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Bangalore and Chennai, Kimaya has also gone international with its store in Dubai.

Subtlety or drama, designer wear and accessories take a spin on traditional wedding bling. Understated elegance, a throwback to the golden ages or just plain quirky; the modern bride can express her persona by adding a unique piece to her ensemble. The Chennai store, Kimaya Avenue, is located on Wallace Garden Lane. The sprawling store offers two floors of fabulous fashion, jewelry, bags and footwear for those looking to make their nuptials special in more ways than one.

Designer: Sanjana Price: 1800

Bright red silk and brocade work uphold the traditional patterns of India. The brooch detailing lends an elegant touch to this clutch. Also available in different colours.

58.Mehendi

Designer: Sanjana Price: 2600

in style Emeralds, crystal and stonework are wrought together beautifully in this necklace and earring set. Sold separately, they are done in the Jaipuri style of polki and have an antique gold finish. A stunning way to make a statement when paired with the simplest of designs.

Designer: Jasmine Shah Price: Necklace : 13,500 Earrings : 2800

Designer: Sanjana Price :2800

Designer: Sanjana Price: 4400

For those unafraid of bling, and with the panache to carry it off, a crystal and beadwork clutch on a gold base is perfect. With its unusual shape, it also doubles up as a shoulder bag, with a pearl strung strap.

Mehendi . 59

Pictures : G Venkata Krishnan

Red brocade for the sole and wedge heels make these slippers a comfortable choice for a bride who has to literally be on her feet all day. The crystal and red stonework give the traditional feel to the modern design.

These chandelier earrings in a traditional polki design are done in an antique gold finish.

The mother-of-pearl adds elegance and a modern twist to what might have otherwise been a staid design.

MIRROR MIRROR

ON

THE WALL

By Shruti Ravindran

Looking for that oomph factor? Mehendi brings to you the trendy, colorful and affordable Get High on Fashion! jewellery range from Lime & Vodka, a great way to spice up those kurtas and lehengas!

60.Mehendi

Stylist Vira Shah

The LNV fashion jewellery comes not only from places like Jaipur in India but also from fashion hubs around the world like Bangkok and Hong Kong. For the first time the south is witnessing a never before seen range of accessories. The jewellery can also be tastefully combined with bright coloured trendy bags and sandals.

The city recently witnessed the scorching launch of Lime and Vodka- Get High on Fashion! jewellery range. It showcased contemporary jewellery designers leaving every girl peering into the mirror. LNV’s collection included chains, beads, bracelets, droplets, studs and bangles. The fashion range was funky and yet maintained a traditional look.

Each piece was brought to life by the handcrafted skills of the master artisans.

From left to right: Namrata, Shilpi, Rebecca, Dia

Designer Julie Verghese

The wooden beaded chains are in quirky colours such as purple, turquoise, coffee brown, dark brown, black and multi-coloured combinations.

These are easy to wear and chic. Assorted hand-made metal pendants in agate stone and shell pendants are in modern contemporary designs.

In case you are wondering about the price, it doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket! Their necklaces, rings, belts and earrings range between Rs. 145 to Rs. 375.

In a casual chat with Mr. Paul, Partner LNV said, “In the south of India, fashion is nascent and evolving in terms of accessories. You would find a girl wearing a very nice dress but what we have still not been to learn is how to team up our dresses and apparels with complementary accessories and make it a fashionable ensemble that accentuate the whole look.”

For brides to be, LNV’s jewellery can be teamed up with their Cocktail dresses, Mehendi ghagras and their Sangeet salwar kurtas. LNV also offers stylist services by appointment basis. So ladies, why travel far and wide when you have the best at your doorstep?

The LNV stores are located in Cathedral Road and Montieth Road.

Pictures: Cubix integre

J

ewellery is a girl’s best friend. It caters to her every mood. It peps her up when she is low and thrills her when she is high.

The bond she shares is unbroken and everlasting.

LAUNCH PAD

Mehendi . 61

Royal

Wedding L

e Royal Meridien Chennai blends all the best features of Chennai’s banquet hall communities into one property. It sets the standard for large banquet halls in Chennai and our reputation for flawless service, delicious food and accommodations for large parties and events makes us one of the most favorite banquet halls in the area. Whether you need a wedding hall or a catering hall, you can count on us to follow through and help you deliver a fabulous event.

In order to please the most demanding tastes, Le Royal Meridien Chennai features 3 majestic halls, both ample and elegant. The illuminated floor gives enhancement to choreographies. It features a beautiful stage with different decorations of your choice. Our additional halls, Dharani Lotus and Jasmine consist of comfortable levels for perfect visibility and comfort for smaller events.

One of the best things about this amazing property is that it is large and pillar less. Event planners often struggle to find banquet halls with rooms large enough to accommodate their unique events and that also provide a catering service. There are plenty of wedding halls in Chennai, but often you have to bring in catering companies from the outside. We save that extra effort by accommodating and catering for

a large number of people for a variety of occasions offering you an exotic blend of domestic and international cuisines.

Ideally located near the airport, the hotel has a wide variety of banqueting facilities and a choice of small meeting rooms (150 square feet). The Grand Madras Ball Room (9200 square feet) is the largest pillar less ballroom in Chennai. The hotel has a range of rooms going from Standard to the Presidential Suite, catering for everybody’s needs. One of our most unique

62 .Mehendi

features is the Foyer area that has an artificial waterfall with a large pre-function area encompassing a large bar counter serviced through a private entrance. Also a fabulous sound and smoke show is available to entertain your guests. For your comfort, the hall features a direct private elevator access to the lobby.

No matter what your event is, there is nothing we cannot accommodate. So come and have a great time at the Le Royal Meridien!

PROMOTION

Mehendi . 63

Penned & Pretty

L

ooking for that one special gift for your loved one but don’t know where to go? What could be more special than Chennai’s only elite stationery store selling the most exclusive writing instruments?

With brands from world over including the US, UK, Germany, Italy, Japan and Paris, this store boasts of world class instruments crafted to perfection.

Forget all you knew about pens being just another necessity. Makoba’s writing instruments ranging from the ‘Limited Edition’ ones to the more regular ones are all a luxury. With brands such as Tibaldi, Bentley, Ferrari and Ducati, the pens cost anything between 17,000 and 3.5

lakhs! Want to make it more exclusive? Get your name and that of your loved one engraved on the pen. Add to it one of their 25 shades of ink ad your gift truly would be one of a kind!

This store has more to offer than luxury writing instruments. Their impressive array of accessories like wallets, key rings and cufflinks would all make exquisite gifts for your man. They also offer exclusive leather bound desk sets costing Rs 38,000 which make wonderful keepsakes. The set comes with an exquisite 23-carat-gold-plated paper weights and calling bells shaped in interesting designs that anybody would love to own.

Makoba has a line of products for the environmentally conscious people too. Try one of their wacky pens made from recycled nuts and bolts and you will know why these make amazing gifts!

It is not just the products. The owners Nitesh and Sripal Jain spend most of their time at the store offering their services and sharing their wisdom with their customers. After all, every gift from Makoba is a true work of art that only deserves the best!

Makoba is at elite stationery, Jhaver Plaza, 1-A Nungambakkam High Road. Contact: 044- 45008595

64.Mehendi

Mehendi . 65

Picture: Prince kennedy

Star

Struck

66.Mehendi

ARIES

TAURUS

The month brings with itself good news both on professional as well as the personal front. You will be beautifully able to bag support from the seniors and the desired love & care from the family. Search for a true romantic friend might end this month; stay tuned!

Hard work & dedication help you gain the required momentum at workplace. It is an auspicious time to invest money on items that would grow in value. Those of you planning to travel should keep the list of items to carry handy and accessible.

Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Color: Sky Blue

Lucky Number: 14 Lucky Color: Sea Green

GEMINI

CANCER

It is the right time to bring clarity of thoughts in business propositions. Investment on longterm plans would pave the way for earning huge financial gains.

Romance is likely to intensify through recreational activities & entertainment.

Sudden good news at your end enlightens the spirits of family and folks around you. Investment in financial products will prove to be beneficial. Travelling requires some concern. Make sure you read through the lines before signing any confidential documents.

Lucky Number: 6 Lucky Color: Brown

Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Color: Grey

LEO

VIRGO

Explore more of creative you in order to attract a lot of appreciation this month. Your family will be happy too as improvement in finances makes it convenient in clearing long pending dues & bills. Romance touches new heights for those singles yet.

You experience some relief on the professional front as the long pending decisions approach finalization this month. Merry times ahead for those planning to tie the nuptial knots. Positive outlook impresses those around you boosting your overall morale & confidence.

Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Color: Yellow

Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Color: Red

Manisha Koushik is the talented daughter and an associate of the world renowned celebrity astrologer Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma. She has appeared on various National News Channels and has written for numerous publications.

More information about her can be found at http://www.askmanisha.com .She can be contacted at support@askmanisha.com

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Colleagues turn extra supportive this month paving the way for your professional achievement.

Second week of the month brings favourable news on the monetary front. Charity work undertaken will bring mental peace & comfort.

You may experience sudden changes in your behaviour especially in the beginning of the month. Yoga could be a good practice mantra to keep things under control. Financial profits can be expected during the middle of the month. Travel is on the cards for some.

Lucky Number: 16 Lucky Color: Indigo

SAGITTARIUS

Lucky Number: 4 Lucky Color: Parrot Green

CAPRICORN

Singles are likely to get into a steamy affair and enjoy their dream dates. Strict check should be kept on your eating habits as it is likely to invite some health problems if neglected. Beneficial property deals for some is on the cards.

Promotion is on the cards provided you put in your best feet forward at work. Those involved in stock market would be able to reap larger profits during middle of the month. Sudden romantic encounter cannot be ruled out for some. Enjoy the time to fullest!

Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Color: Orange

Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Color: Lime Green

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Some achievement and recognition is foreseen this month on the professional front.

Those in affair can proceed to tie nuptial knots as the family gives them the green signals. Property dealings would materialize on a good note. So, get going!

Parents and friends will add colours to your monotonous daily routine. Adventure trip is on the cards for some; make sure you keep the list of things to carry handy and easily accessible. Time to think about your investment plans, as investing residentially might be profitable.

Lucky Number: 1 Lucky Color: White

Lucky Number: 8 Lucky Color: Golden

Mehendi . 67

68.

Mehendi . 69

70.Mehendi

Mehendi . 71

72 .Mehendi

Raymond Weil Boutique Express Avenue, Shop No 061B ,Ground Floor 49/50L Whites Road, Royapettah Chennai - 600014 - Tel. 044 2846 4884

. 73 Mehendi RAYMOND WEIL INDIA DISTRIBUTION PRIVATE LIMITED - Tel. +91 80 42171558

74 .Mehendi