Ritz Magazine April 2015 Issue

SOUTH INDIA’S PREMIER UBER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

RITZ `100

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Meet bold individuals who have chosen alternative lifestyles

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Staying stylish in checks, the best watches, and a whole lot of bling!

april 2015 VOL 11 | ISSUE 9

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young South Indians show us their interpretation of street fashion

‘I am who I am because of my worth and not my birth’

Upasna Kamineni talks about work, her enchanting life, her fight against childhood obesity and much more

my view Being vegan, I am often asked idiotic questions on my lifestyle, the most mind-numbing of all being, “Hey, so what do you eat?” I used to respond with a polite laugh, but of late, I find I can’t bother with courtesy in the face of such stupidity. There are even those who watch curiously to see what gets onto my plate, only to remark later, “How are you still so thin!” I have convinced a few people into adopting a cruelty-free lifestyle, but still the vegan side has always been a bit of a lonely side.

So you can imagine how heartening it must have been for me to see 4 people profiled in the magazine this month, who have made out-of-theordinary lifestyle choices, with 2 of them going vegan! I look forward to catching up with them, listening to how interestingly they live out their choices and laughing about all the stupid questions that they get asked on their lifestyle. Now that would be a memorable evening!

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Inside

14 April 2015

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82 12C Buzzin’ atch up with the hottest

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happenings in your city

22 NTheewperfect Products summer wear from

Salman Khan’s Being Human, Ferragamo watches and lots more in this section

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28 42 TPheersonality 90 fTheoodies Inc. spunky Upasna Kamineni talks delicious truth behind the about her fight against childhood obesity and much more

48 L7 youngsters ook Book dress up in their

interpretation of street fashion

mysteries of Bengali cuisine

92 OExplore ver A Cuppa The Weaver’s Village,

Trivandrum’s go-to stop for Gen-next handlooms

60 SWepotlight meet 4 individuals who have 25 TA his Month We Love dared to think differently and live whole lot of bling, quirky clothes

96 iWell-known ndulge journalist Vijay Marur

28 RSVP

98 vIsiewpoint remote working as wonderful

and Brazilian footwear

Candid snapshots from South India’s most talked about parties; special highlights from Mercedes Benz Ritz Women of Merit Soiree

lives out of the ordinary

76 DCouples esign Elements from Hyderabad and

Chennai open the doors to their homes for us to explore

82 CKnown orridors Of Power for his bullwork, dogged 37 HViraaute Stuff spirit and horse sense Dr. J Shah gives us the lowdown on staying stylish in checks. Also, a whole lot of drool-worthy fashion is on display!

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Radhakrishnan IAS is a force to reckon with, writes Sanjay Pinto

reviews Vanaja Banagiri’s third book The Placebo Effect. Plus, a section on cool gadgets

as it sounds? Can the pattern be sustained in the long term?

EDITOR & PUBLISHER ARUNA R KRISHNAN Regional EDITOR - BENGALURU ARCHANA SHENOY Regional EDITOR - HYDERABAD VANAJA BANAGIRI HYDERABAD CORRESPONDENT DEEKSHA MARUR chennai CORRESPONDENT diya subramanian GUEST COLUMNISTs SANJAY PINTO, sujaya chandran GENERAL MANAGER - MARKETING PRAVEEN KUMAR M MANAGER CLIENT SERVICE SWATHI RAMAKRISHNAN MARKETING consultant - bengaluru sanjay jariwal EVENTS AND FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER - CHENNAI M.GURUNATH PRABHU EVENTS AND FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER - BENGALURU FAHEEM HUSSAIN EVENTS AND FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER - HYDERABAD MOHAMED ILIAS To advertise in RITZ, call Praveen Kumar on +91 98419 73090 /+91 44 4211 3871 All correspondence should be addressed to: RITZ, 7th Floor, Sigma Wing, Raheja Towers, 177, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002. Contact: 42113871 / 2 Email: ritzmag@rediffmail.com or ritzmag@gmail.com Edited and Published by Aruna R Krishnan from 7th Floor, Sigma Wing, Raheja Towers, 177 Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. RITZ is not responsible for unsolicited material. RITZ assumes no responsibility for the veracity and authenticity of the advertisements published herein. Readers are requested to make appropriate enquiries before incurring any expenses or acting on medical recommendations or otherwise in relation to any advertisement or article published herein. Also views in articles published herein are those of the respective authors only. RITZ does not necessarily subscribe to these views.

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buzz in’

hyderabad

Dia dazzles Hyderabad ladies Actress and former Miss Asia Pacific Dia Mirza Handrich, was in town recently for an interactive session organised by the FICCI Ladies Organisation at Trident. She spoke to the ladies about her life experiences and how during the Miss Asia Pacific contest in 2000, it wasn’t about winning for her but it was only later in life that she realised that her parents prepped her for the win. The actress also cryptically added that she was planning to produce a film in Telugu, but refused to divulge more details.

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buzz in’

Bengaluru

Woo-wing the crowds When the Adonis of Bollywood came down to Bengaluru for a day the city went into a tizzy! In town to visit leading e-retailer Myntra’s chic office, Hrithik Roshan shared his incredible story of overcoming various setbacks in his life - from childhood obesity to brain surgery - to highlight the philosophy behind his brand HXR that retails off the e-commerce site.

Looking uber-cool in light denims, a white tee and dark HXR jacket, the actor sported his trademark baseball cap and sneakers.

He wooed the audience with his wit and left girls speechless in his wake as he promoted his ‘Defeat Defeat’ campaign for HXR.

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buzz in’

Bengaluru

Kitchen Queens Wizardry in the kitchen is not everyone’s forte but these two ladies from Down Under, specialise in it. Concocting flavours, creating dishes that boggle the mind and wowing the palates of culinary geniuses is all in a day’s work for these Masterchef Australia finalists. Pastry queen Emelia Jackson and vegetarian connoisseur Renae Smith created a six-course meal to mesmerise the food enthusiasts of Bangalore with an experience of a life time.

The sit-down dinner organised at High Ultra Lounge, the highest F&B destination in South India, located on the 31st floor of the World Trade Centre, in association with Australian wine label Jacobs Creek, showcased some of the most unusual combinations of flavour, rare ingredients and exciting techniques seen in the world of food.

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YOUR D-DAY IS COMING...

WE’RE ALREADY ON THE NEWS STANDS.

The sixth edition of The Hindu Bridal Mantra is out. The picture-packed volume with Sonakshi Sinha gracing the cover focusses on the shimmer and its influences over fashion, jewellery, make-up and interiors. Get an

check-lists and to-do tips. Just pick up a copy and plan ahead.

Available at all leading book stores and The Hindu Offices Also available online at : www.thehindu.com/publications and www.bridalmantra.com : www.facebook.com/bridalmantra

: https://twitter.com/THBridalMantra

`

update on trousseau trends from top designers and tips on bridal make-overs from the experts. You will find plenty of wedding-related information and inspiration in this 128-page magazine that has in-depth features,

buzz in’

Chennai

A well- known philanthropist, Maria has been sending her students to the Cancer Institute in Adyar to spend time with patients for the past eight years.

She also does her bit to spread cheer amongst the afflicted, including offering them a free daily meal on the day of the visit. Once, when she heard that a child’s parents had died of cancer, she decided to sponsor the complete education of the child. She also believes in supporting her staff whose families have been afflicted with cancer.

Run for a cause Managing Director, Sathyabama University, Dr. Maria Zeena Johnson speaks to Richa Tilokani about her recent appointment as the Ambassador of Pinkathon 2015, which will be held in Chennai on 12 April 2015.

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We have heard of runner’s high, but nothing comes close to the high of engaging in philanthropic causes.

Managing Director, Sathyabama University, Dr. Maria Zeena Johnson has managed to combine the best of both worlds - offering runners the chance to draw attention to the much-dreaded disease - breast cancer. The run aims to highlight that although breast cancer can kill, early detection helps in effective treatment.

Pink is In It was in 2014 that she heard about the Pinkathon. She sent a lot of students to participate in the run and it was a great success. But this year, she felt that something more needed to be done.

Says Maria, “Last year, we raised a lot of awareness through the Pinkathon.

Milind Soman was the brand ambassador and the run saw women from different walks of life participating with great gusto. But this year, I wanted the run to be more result-oriented.” when she was appointed the Ambassador for Pinkathon 2015, the team tied up with Apollo Hospitals to offer free mammograms to all women who were running for the cause.

She is also going to villages to raise awareness of breast cancer. She says, “Women in villages are not aware of this deadly disease, nor do they have any avenue of getting treatment. So this year, we are offering transport to ten villages housing over 1000 rural women so that they can come and get free screening done at Apollo Hospitals.”

Early detection is very important in beating this deadly disease. Maria believes that her efforts will go a long way in creating awareness about breast cancer and draw more women to get regular tests done. Prevention is the best medicine and this is the message Maria hopes to spread to as many women as possible.

Products

New

Salvatore Ferragamo’s Timepieces

Summer wear from Being Human Hello summer Move over dark colours, summer is here and is taking over the fashion scene! Being Human, Salman Khan’s label too is out with their Spring/Summer line. Based on themes such as Block Party, Oh My Days and Wonder Wall, this femininely chic collection comes with an androgenic sporty edge to it. We especially think this sky and cloud printed dress is uber chic and cute! Don’t you?

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Elegance incarnate Italian stalwart Salvatore Ferragamo launched the new Timepieces collection, offering a modern take on the maison’s iconic symbols, featuring Varina, the elegant cocktail watch inspired by the Vara bow, an iconic symbol of the Florence-based maison. F-80, the best-selling line that unites exclusivity with a sporty design (now also available in a ladies version), Gancino Chic, a tribute to the fine leather craftsmanship that is a defining feature of the brand and Gancino Bracelet, with its sophisticated colourways and fashionable signature bangle are also part of this new and exclusive collection recently launched at Basel World 2015.

Products

New

Quirk Box Typewriter Printed Collection The right Type of cute “Quirky” as the name suggests. We love minimal designs that scream out cute! Check out these new vintage typewriter printed collections for men and women by Quirk Box.

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Breitling’s selfwinding Colt Born for action Breitling interprets the technical, understated and efficient styling of the Colt collection in a new chronograph powered by a selfwinding movement. Exactly what it needs to keep ahead of the game, including at the famous Red Bull Air Race for which Breitling serves as official timekeeper.

Available to date in four versions with well-defined characters, including a quartz chronograph and a ladies’ watch, the Colt collection now welcomes a new selfwinding chronograph equipped with a movement chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).

Born for action, feats and thrills, this instrument brilliantly reinterprets all the key assets of the Colt collection.

we love

With the Alacria RoyalRose, the Swiss watch brand Carl F. Bucherer has created a timepiece whose harmonious lines are set with fabulous, shimmering sapphires and diamonds in a floral design which makes time blossom. Its elegance and grace make the rose a symbol of beauty, joy and love. Its gentleness and charm inspired the watchmakers of Carl F. Bucherer to create a timepiece which exudes a special appeal: the Alacria RoyalRose.

This radiant masterpiece is inspired by the soft shapes of the violin and is set with 137 dazzling sapphires andas many diamonds, while the floral design in warm, iridescent blue and violet hues lend the Alacria RoyalRose depth and multi-dimensionality.

this month

Carl F. Bucherer’s Alacria RoyalRose

Samantha Wills Champagne at Twilight collar necklace Melissa is in town

Melissa, the Brazilian footwear brand and creator of ‘candylicious’ jelly shoes finally launched the brand in India.

From the moment we laid our eyes on this statement piece on instagram, it’s been love at first site. This collar necklace is part of Australian designer Samantha Wills’ collection - Emporium Muse. This Champagne at Twilight necklace creates an aztec feel and is combined with textured gold elements mixed back with crystals. Pretty isn’t it? We confess, we still can’t stop swooning! We need help!

The Melissa Pop-Up showcased their Spring Summer’ 15 collection ‘Eat My Melissa’ for consumers to experience the product at Bombay Attic in Bengaluru. The brand will retail through their e-commerce portal.

Always looking for alternative ways of expressing new ideas, Melissa promises to turn up the heat this summer with the ‘Eat My Melissa’ Collection. The collection’s delicious name represents a combination of fashion and cuisine – the first reaction one has upon smelling the tuttifrutti aroma of a Melissa. The smell awakens a desire to eat and taps into the senses of touch and smell.

In addition to this there will also be new designs signed by Karl Lagerfeld, Jason Wu, J. Maskrey and Vivienne Westwood as a part of the collection.

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hyderabad Now this was a fun theme party! The trustees of Heal a Child Foundation sure know how to live it up. They organised a Friday The 13th theme party recently which saw guests dress up in varied costumes, including some cartoon characters. The hosts Sabina and Xavier Augustin were seen dressed in an Egyptian king and Disney princess avatar.

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Chennai

It was a meaningful evening of glitz and substance as Mercedes Benz and RITZ, South India’s premier lifestyle magazine came together to felicitate women achievers ahead of International Women’s Day. Held at the sprawling and plush Trans Car Mercedes Benz showroom in Chennai on Saturday, March 7, 2015, the Mercedes Benz RITZ Women of Merit Soiree was hailed by everyone as a great effort at applauding talent. The March 2015 Special Edition of RITZ - featuring actress and producer Radikaa Sarathkumar, philanthropist and Managing Director of Sathyabama University, Dr Maria Zeena Johnson, designer and entrepreneur Jayadevi Cholayil and real estate entrepreneur Pooja Jain - all dressed in clothes made exclusively for them by Jullaaha - was unveiled at the event by Aruna R Krishnan of RITZ and Abdul Qadir, MD, Trans Car India.

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The path-breaking women who were felicitated at the event included Radikaa Sarathkumar, Jayadevi Cholayil, Dr Maria Zeena Johnson, Pooja Jain, philanthropist Latha Kumaraswamy, businesswomen Geetha Nagu, Geetha Premkumar, Rekha Rangarajan, singer Shoba Chandrashekhar, Vimmi Deepak, actress Taapsee Pannu, singer Chinmayi Sripada and actress Pooja Kumar.

The evening was full of several very special and exhilarating moments.

Radikaa spoke about how it is a challenge to be a woman and how she enjoys it nevertheless. Dr Maria Zeena Johnson, who is involved in various philanthropic efforts besides running the renowned Sathyabama University, spoke about the joy of giving and how she looked forward to celebrating her felicitation with her husband and family. Chinmayi graciously thanked RITZ for honouring her for the second time, the first being way back in

2009. Shoba Chndrashekar enthralled the audiences by singing in her mellifluous voice while Taapsee Pannu struck an emotional chord by talking about she endured and grew from being called an unlucky heroine and ‘an iron leg’ to becoming a sought-after star in several languages.

Abdul Qadir made a very special presentation of the various initiatives undertaken by his group towards the education and empowerment of women, drawing widespread applause from the audience. The winners were crowned with floral tiaras made of orchids and the women loved wearing their crowns!

Radisson Blu offered the best of their hospitality with mouth-watering canapés.

Deccan Chronicle were the media partners of the event.

Pooja Kumar

Taapsee Pannu

Pooja Kumar, Aruna R Krishnan and Taapsee Pannu Aruna R Krishnan and Shoba Chandrashekar

Geetha Nagu

Radikaa Sarathkumar

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Bengaluru Dedicating the evening to Italian aspects, Peroni Nastro Azzurro celebrated the phenomenal works created by Italian painter and sculptor Shola Carletti, which were an illustration of her intense visualization and soulful spirituality.

Michelin-starred chef Anupam Banerjee of the Ritz Carlton Bangalore, curated an exquisite range of Italian appetizers to compliment Peroni’s beer and the unique environment of the aperitivo evening.Â

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Bengaluru Social took its first birthday very seriously -Â so much so that there were cocktails and beer at the bar priced at a princely sum of ` 1, served all day!

(FYI, the last time an Indian got from sober to wasted in under ` 10 was a century ago). Nice way to show their love! And of course their one-year bash was celebrated in every way that a one-year-old’s birthday party deserves to be. Think yummy cocktails in baby bottles, bibs and return gifts!

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haute stuff

C H E C K M AT E !

The gingham closet staple brings to mind visions of Bridgette Bardot, Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, vintage 50s and 60s advertisements and the eternal favourite Archie comics. Despite a certain retro appeal, the preppy pattern had a modern updated feel in the latest designer collections. Sleek silhouettes, modern pairings and remarkable detailing make this fun and flirty fabric the top pick to stay stylish this season.

Text-Vira Shah

urvashi joneja Spring Summer 2015

Anushree Reddy Spring Summer 2015

Pero by Aneeth Arora Spring Summer 2015

Ashish Spring Summer 2015 Bottega Veneta Spring Summer 2015 RITZ April 2015

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haute stuff

skater skirt from faballey.com ` 1100

Gingham shorts

by GANT

Color-block Checks Hair Band from Youshine.in `499

zip around wallet by Charles & Keith ` 3999

woven fabric shopper by zara ` 5890

A-line dress by FCUK ` 8999

Lace and pearl detail dress from Frou Frou

by Archana Rao

Polka dot and red Gingham shirt by Nida Mahmood available on exclusively.in

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sleeveless chiffon top by AND ` 1499

Gold and Silver clutch by Love to Bag

Box bag by Dolce & Gabbana from netaporter.com

bomber Jacket by Stylista `1,500

Shaded cat-eye sunglasses from ASOS ` 360 Beaded shirt from Lifestyle

Peach metallic threadwork kurta set by Anushka Khanna

Gingham TubeTrousers by Miss Selfridge ` 1813

Chess board dress available on fashionandyou.com ` 1599

Floral Gingham Print Culottes from koovs.com ` 2500

Use Me Travel Pouch ` 499 from fashionandyou.com

STYLE NOTES PLAID PASTELS: Choose light weight fabrics in soft pastel shades with no-fuss hair and makeup GLAM IT UP: Pick sequin embellished and metallic checks to dress up the trend for occasions TREND DETAILS: Mix up the staples of summer - florals, lace and sheer, as separates or in detailing, to update the retro check print.

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haute stuff

Wearable wrist candy!

Basel World is the annual convention where the leading and innovative watchmakers of the world gather to showcase their latest offerings.

Wearable wrist candy scored high over this season’s offerings, while artistic and bejewelled pieces were more exquisite than ever before.

Here are some of our picks:

ROLEX is introducing three exceptional new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust Pearlmaster with 18 ct yellow and white gold combining Rolex’s watch making skills with the beauty of gold and coloured gemstones. The three models with bezels set with fancy pink, fancy green and fancy orange sapphires are offered with coloured dials, featuring a diamond-set at 6 and 9, or in versions with fully paved dials and diamond-set bracelets.

BLANCPAIN presents Shakudo, an ancient Japanese artform using an alloy of gold and copper, combined with its signature engraving and damascening in four different models. Each timepiece is exclusive as it will reflect the individual artisan’s style and features the image of Ganesha.

HUBLOT celebrated its ‘BIG BANG WATCH’ 10th anniversary with a line of 10 high-end jewellery watches, each valued at $1 million.

This represents the first line in Hublot history where the dial is set with gemstones, as well as the subdials, hands and indices. There are four versions: the full black diamond model, the full white diamond model, the blue sapphire model and the ruby model.

VECTOR is a new smartwatch brand from London offering 30 days of battery life, great design and an easy-to-use interface. It syncs to Android, iOS and Windows phones and shows incoming calls, texts, notifications and fitness activity.

It will be available in a round and rectangular case with leather or silicon strap options.

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Known as a fine watchmaker from Finland, Stepan Sarpaneva showcased the Sarpaneva Korona Northern Lights range of watches to evoke the breathtaking Northern Lights by using solid luminous composites. The watch lives up to its name and glows startlingly bright when the lights go out. It has a 42-hour power reserve and Sarpaneva’s signature moon phase indicator at 6. Only eight of these will be available in three colours: blue, purple, and green.

Bedazzling baubles Who can forget how Bollywood actress and Telugu cinema’s darling Ileana D’Cruz bedazzled the ramp in jewellery by Ghanasingh Be True for designer Anushree Reddy? Ileana looked ethereal in a hand-dyed, pink organza lehenga and a golden blouse teamed with a magnificent uncut diamond necklace encrusted in gold with green meenakari work with a South Sea pearl drop, completed by the traditional earrings crafted in a modern combination of Zambian emeralds and South Sea pearl encrusted in gold.

Ghanasingh Be True has emerged as a forerunner in offering contemporary baubles weaved in the ethnicity of the Indian heritage. With a legacy of 110 years, the jewellery label offeres a myriad of heirloom classics crafted in precious gemstones.

Manish Arora’s Skull purses SS 15 Skulled to perfection Now, if you like lusting after dramatic fashion, we’ve got just the thing for you.

Right off the runway of the Paris Fashion Week come these eccentric purses designed fashion maverick Manish Arora.

We are deeply reminded of the iconic McQueen skull clutches collection, but we still love this range for its details!

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personality

hyderabad

‘I am who I am because of my worth, not my birth’:

Upasna Kamineni When Deeksha Marur met our cover girl, she not only realised that they were in the same school together, but also noticed how confident and determined she is.

Indeed, there is so much more to Upasna Kamineni than her illustrious background and her superstar husband. In conversation with the Vice President of Lifetime Wellness Rx International Limited about the woman she is behind the desk and at home, RITZ presents an exclusive glimpse into the life of Upasna Kamineni.

Photo Credits - Joseph Radhik

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“Yes, I was a victim of childhood obesity and my journey was tough.

That’s the bitter truth! But it has only made me a stronger and a more confident person.”

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“Every day is a change for me as I have to prove to my 60,000 Apollo family members that I am who I am, because of my worth and not my birth!�

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Thinking big and out of the box Being the guiding force behind LWRXIL’s success and making it the largest Occupational Health Service provider in South East Asia, Upasna Kamineni, all thanks to her grandfather Dr Pratap C Reddy, has always been a game changer and not a game player.

“He taught me to think big and think out of the box”, she says. She tell us that they are the first ones to start medically certified gyms along with physiotherapy and regenerative medicine where they use the most cutting edge technology available to meet the client’s goal.

LWRXIL is Upasna’s passion and a challenge that makes her stay ahead of the curve. So with the company carving out programs for clients to meet their desired goals, we ask her if her own personal weight loss journey helped. ‘Chubbisity’ is what she prefers to call it. “Yes, I was a victim of childhood obesity and my journey was tough. That’s the bitter truth! But it made me a stronger and a more confident person once I got through it. ” She urges mothers to help their children with weight issues as early as possible and as for teenagers, she says, “Think about your health early or else it will take a mental toll on you without you even realising it.”

Ask her about how she has transformed from the first day she walked into the office and she avers, “The first day I walked in, I made sure I made an impact and that hasn’t changed till date. Every day is a change for me as I have to prove to my 60,000 Apollo family members that I am who I am because of my worth and not my birth!”

“My relationship with Charan changes from day to day, time to time and minute to minute. We are both so much alike and yet so different in multiple ways. That keeps the relationship exciting.”

The ideal work mantra “Work because you love it and it challenges you. Don’t work because you have to and it bores you!”

With great power comes great responsibility Upasna is highly inspired by the famous line from the movie Spiderman – “With great power comes great responsibility” as she believes that thanks to her background, she has the power to cure a billion lives.

“This is the great responsibility that inspires not just me but all my family members,” she adds.

Speaking of family members, she says she learns a lot from her father, Anil Kamineni. “Dad teaches me how to be calm and stable and not to be too erratic with my decision-making. He works as a huge inspiration and grounding factor for me. When dad asks me questions, I tend to work much harder at it because, he believes in attention to every detail. And that inspires me to look into the most minute aspects that require attention,” shares Upasna.

We ask her about expansion plans and she says, “Yes of course, we have plans to expand. We grew by 55% this RITZ April 2015

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“My personality changes depending on the location I’m in. I’m also extremely finicky about my sleeping patterns, so I need my sleep. The more I sleep, the more weight I lose.”

year and now my aim is to grow 75% next year.” As for the acquisition of Latitudes, she adds, “It was a business decision. We are currently renovating and, I’m going to outdo myself with the revamping of this project.”

Find what’s important to you and support it Moving onto the personal front, we find out that Upsi (as she better known) is a great believer in Karma and past life.

The philanthropic side of her makes her believe in the power of giving. She says it doesn’t have to be monetary, even time, love and concern are most appreciated.

“Everything in life needs love and care, so find what’s important to you and support it to the fullest. You’ll be doing yourself a favour because the internal satisfaction you get will be more than what you give. Be as generous as possible and the universe will be just as generous to you too!”

Charan is my emotional punching bag Upasna continues, “My mom and dad mean the whole world to me. I speak to mom an average of six times a day and my husband is my best friend. I share everything with him and he’s my emotional punching bag.”

Speaking further of her superstar husband, Charan, she talks about the relationship they share. “It changes from day to day, time to time and minute to minute. We are both so alike and yet so different in multiple ways. That’s what keeps the relationship exciting.” Being married to such a successful actor who has his own great lineage, can certianly not be easy. Ask her how she manages, and she says, “Both our work lives are equally hectic, but we find a balance and work around them on a daily basis.

I do wish his schedules were a bit more organised, but I’m making my way around how this industry works.”

So while they are together, how do they spend their time? “Like every other Indian family, we bond over food. We love eating well and Charan’s family makes amazing food, so it’s hard to resist the temptation!” says this doting wife. Surely, people must already be gently prodding them about

kids. We prod her too. “We definitely want to have kids soon, although with our hectic schedules this is going to be tough.

We do already have seven (pets) at home!

Seriously though, maybe sometime next year, since our families are putting a lot of pressure on us already. Honestly I feel I’m too young to have a kid now and I still do want to travel and have a good time first.”

The more I sleep the more weight I lose A happy-go-lucky person, who is ambitious at work and loving and caring at home, is what Upasna says she is. “My personality changes depending on the location I’m in,” she admits. How does she get her alone time? “With my lovely animals and a much-needed massage whenever I can. I’m extremely finicky about my sleeping patterns, so I need my sleep. The more I sleep, the more weight I lose.”

Speaking of weight, ask her what diet she follows and she says, “My mantra is to have a 16- hour fasting period between your last meal and breakfast, although water is allowed.”

For those trying to keep a watch on their weight and diet, she suggests drinking one

glass of warm water before bed and one right after waking up. “Make sure your first meal of the day has protein in it – if you eat too much carb in the morning, your blood sugar levels will fluctuate throughout the day.”

For working professionals who spend long hours behind a desk, she says, “Remember you’re working at your desk not slogging it out like the farmers in the field - so please eat accordingly. Portion size is key! Your stomach is the size of your fist - anything more than that will be termed overeating”.

Five small meals a day is acceptable, according to Upasna. That’s how she controls binge eating, she avers.

Before shifting topics, she adds, “Do as much housework as possible – it’s better than working out in the gym - washing dishes, cleaning the floor, ironing, gardening - it’s all good for you!”

We leave her with our last question about where she sees herself five years from now and she says, “Gosh, I don’t know. As a mother, as a business icon and a doting wife!”

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Nouveau style stars It is street fashion, more than the red carpet or any other celebrity stomping ground, that is the most visible measure to gauge the success of last season’s fashion trends - whether they’ve actually taken off or if the style has simply bombed. From an e-retail entrepreneur with a penchant for quirky sunglasses to a fashionista who mixes and matches motherland designers with Western labels, meet South India’s new guard of fun, fearless fashion!

Text-Archana Shenoy, Deeksha Marur & Diya Subramanian

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Bengaluru

Siddharth Gadodia A brief introduction “Best described as profound with a witty sense of humour, I experienced a love at first sight situation when I first set my eyes upon a pair of uber cool Knockaround sunglasses. My exceptional driving skills are not restricted to the road, it just helped me pave a steady path of what led to the launch of Upbeat Retail in December, 2014.

Upbeat Retail gives people the access to owning labels from across the globe at the click of a button. My goal is to introduce international brands that offer superior quality yet being reasonably affordable. Thus I launched Upbeatz.com, first with Knockaround sunglasses from California.

Upbeatz is a small initiative which is looking to change the game by getting new fashion styles to India - not just to help the country style itself better but also give the end consumer access to uber-cool stuff from across the globe.�

How do you perceive street fashion?

Street fashion does not have to be branded.

Street fashion is whatever suits your style or whatever you are comfortable in. It could be a local brand picked up from the streets or something bought from a high-end mall in London. Whatever gives you the edge can be defined as street fashion.

What would you wear to the following places / occasions?

A mall - Chinos with a collared t-shirt A cinema - Something comfortable, shorts with a t-shirt and flip-flops Lunch with friends - A pair of jeans with a t-shirt, sneakers and of course my fave pair of Knockaround sunglasses A casual evening party - My favourite pair of jeans with a shirt and loafers Your favourite brands?

Hollister, Abercombie & Fitch, Diesel and Gas.

Photo credits - Faheem Hussain

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How would you describe your sense of fashion?

I prefer to keep it laidback. Jeans and a t-shirt are practically my uniform. I like fashion that looks effortless and comfortable. According to me, I can rock a perfect pair of jeans and a cool t-shirt and make it look snazzy.

Sarayu Hegde A brief introduction She is the founder of The Bombay Attic store, one of the city’s hippest shopping places for designer wear.

Sarayu Hegde moved to Bengaluru three years ago after having spent almost a decade in Mumbai.

Having lived in the fashion capital of India, she says, gave her the confidence to experiment, closely follow fashion trends and discover a lot of Indian fashion talent.

Realising that there was a vacuum in the Bengaluru fashion scene, with limited shopping options, she decided to follow her life long dream of opening a one of a kind multi-designer boutique for women. That’s when she took a leap of faith and launched The Bombay Attic last year.

Her mantra: “I truly believe it’s never too late to follow your passion and live your dreams.”

How do you perceive street fashion?

For me, street fashion is very individualistic. A person’s style should express one’s personality and yet be trendy and cool. It’s interesting to notice how people choose to mix current trends of the season (inspired by the runway or cinema) with their distinctive personal style. I also see a lot of designers take inspiration from street fashion in their collections, which has led to prèt lines.

What would you wear to the following?

The Mall - I believe you need to have a hands free policy, to shop.

So definitely, my crossbody bag accompanies me. A sun dress, shorts or a pair of ripped jeans with a t-shirt and a pair of flats adds to a smart, easy and casual look.

Photo credits - Faheem Hussain

The cinema - My date to the cinema is always my pashmina shawl, because I am the first to feel

Bengaluru cold in the blast of air conditioning.

With that, a plain white or printed shirt with tights or stretch jeans paired with loafers. For me it’s important to be stylish in the most simple situations.

Thought I must say, when I watched “Sex and the City” the most iconic movie on fashion, a bunch of us girlfriends dressed up in pretty dresses and high heels.

We started off with a round of Cosmos before heading to the theatre to get into the NYC mood.

Lunch with friends - Meeting my girlfriends is always a fun time to play dress up and to experiment with fashion. I usually go with a girly look of floral midi-dress, or a crop top and high waist skirt or just a printed shirt dress paired with fun jewellery.

An evening party - Evening for me is my time to go extra glam!

I’d wear a maxi dress, bodycon knee length dress or a formal jumpsuit paired with super high heels and voluminous blow-dried hair. A cocktail ring or statement neckpiece would complete my look.

I’m crushing on my Russian red lipstick by MAC these days. So I’m wearing a lot of monochrome to go with it.

Your favourite brands?

Zara and Bershka for basic, everyday wear. Classic luxury brands like Chanel and Dior. I also like the Victoria Beckham clothing line and for online shopping it’s ASOS. How would you describe your sense of fashion?

My personal style is a fusion of global brands mixed with Indian fashion. On a regular day, I like to keep it simple, chic and minimalistic and add the glam quotient by my trademark voluminous hair.

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Shalini Chopra A brief introduction “I am a fashion, style and beauty blogger, from Bengaluru. My blog Stylish-ByNature is a fashion, street style and beauty blog for like-minded people who believe that style runs in their blood and is as important as breathing. Here you will find lifestyle, street style, vintage, designer couture collections, affordable fashion, product reviews; everything that can be useful to your image. Look forward to more on fashion, food, fitness, fun, friends and flavours of life.�

How do you perceive street fashion?

Street fashion is all about being trendy yet comfy. Our clothes say a great deal about who we are, so anything that brings out your personality and helps you embrace yourself is street fashion to me.

What would you wear to the following places / occasions?

A mall - A super comfy maxi skirt / T-shirt and shorts A cinema - A dressy top paired with skinny denims and a jacket to combat the chill Lunch with friends - A sundress in a bright, beautiful print with tan wedges A casual evening party - Bodycon dress with pumps / sequin gown with a slit Your favourite brands?

Forever New, French Connection, ZARA, Forever 21, Max Fashion How would you describe your sense of fashion?

My style is eclectic. I buy in luxury boutiques and also in casual stores. My goal is to show people how we can be beautiful, trendy and stylish in every sense, pondering the purchase according to the latest trends of the moment! I hope to be a source of inspiration for everyone who likes fashion and those who want to embrace this world.

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Bengaluru

Akbar Rasheed

hyderabad

A brief introduction This advertising and marketing professional likes to keep his style simple. A plain shirt and a pair of jeans teamed with loafers is his go-to outfit.

Akbar has previously worked for JWT and Walt Disney before starting his own agency. He says, “When I have meetings, I go formal and add a linen blazer or jacket on the same jeans and shirt. I may add accessories like a watch and good sunglasses too.”

How do you perceive street fashion?

Street fashion is more about comfort than anything else.

What would you wear to the following places / occasions?

A mall - Casual dressing is my choice for a mall. You would find me in jeans, t-shirt and casual shoes.

A cinema - Unlike many others who tend to bundle up for the cinema, I like to chill out while watching a move. For me it would have to be jeans or chinos, teamed with a casual round neck t-shirt and my trusty old flip-flops. I can never watch a movie wearing shoes!

Lunch with friends - If it’s a casual lunch then I wouldn’t bother to dress up much, unless the restaurant demanded it. I would wear a neat pair of jeans or chinos, a casual linen shirt and smart loafers.

A casual evening party - Depending on where and with who I am attending the party, I would dress in a pair of formal pants, a smart shirt (preferably not tucked in) and semi-formal loafers.

Your favourite brands?

Zara, Abercrombie and Fitch and Superdry among others.

Photo credits - Santosh Kumar

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

I don’t like to be very casual at any point of time. Comfort is important to me but I like to be presentable at all times.

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Chennai

Lavanya vimalan A brief introduction This gorgeous 24-year old studied design in London School of Fashion and now works with her father at Calonge, a well-known brand of leather goods and accessories.

How do you perceive street fashion?

Street fashion is dressing accorinding to what you are comfortable in but also showing of your personality.

What would you wear to the following places / occasions?

The mall and cinema - I would probably dress the same to both places, in a pair of jeans and a casual top.

Lunch with friends - You’ll most likely see me in a dress similar to what I am wearing for this shoot, or a really nice top and a skirt.

A casual evening party - For an evening out, it would probably be something black because I love the colour - so maybe a lace top or a dress.

Your favourite brands?

Forever 21 and H&M among others.

Photo credits - Gurunath Prabhu

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How would you describe your sense of fashion?

My sense of fashion is based on what I feel comfortable in and whether I personally find it trendy. You’ll never see me blindly following a trend. I need to first like it.

Prarthna Jain A textile and fashion designer from NIFT, she moonlights as a stylist, amateur designer, fashion consultant, music fanatic, fitness and travel junkie and foodie. She’s also the founder of the ‘Peep Street Blog’, a social media blog exploring the various facets of styling, blogging, marketing and publishing.

How do you perceive street fashion?

My street style is inspired from music festivals, various fashion weeks, derby races, fashion bloggers and flea markets.

Nowadays, runaway trends and the ones on the streets have become the same. Street fashion calls for statementmaking accessories and lots of chic and polished style quirks, from waist-cinching belts to the coolest of colour palettes.

What would you wear to the following places / occasions?

The mall - I live by the “three C’s” when dressing for a day of shopping: cute, casual and comfortable. Wearing clothes which can be easily removed, minimal makeup, statement accessories (a nice necklace is my pick) and wedges or booties which look chic and are comfortable for walking around, would be my style.

Photo credits -Santosh Kumar

A cinema - The A/C tends to be set to “Arctic” in theatres and, depending on who I am going with, I would be dressy or casual. So if I am dressing sexy, I should still feel comfortable for two whole hours. I avoid anything too tight. A maxi dress with a cardigan gives the dress a more casual feel, a set of fun charm bracelets, watch and a small bag complete the look.

hyderabad Lunch with friends - I believe in making a strong impression with a killer outfit. Be it bold floral prints, midi skirts, daytime heels and eye-catching accessories, anything super fashionable is on the menu.

Look after your hair! Make a bun or quick ponytail. I believe detailing does the trick especially with the eyes and nails.

A casual evening party ‘Evening Casual,’ ‘Semi-Casual’ and ‘Cocktail’ are the styles. I believe in dressy clothing that is comfortable for all-night dancing. I love wearing black because it is chic, classy and timeless (also red, white or colourful prints work well most times). Selecting the right shoes, jewellery and bags is the key.

Your favourite brands?

I like to shop online from Fancy, Propshop24, Koovs, Madisononpeddar, Sugarrush etc. I also love Adidas, Kate Spade, Moschino, Masaba Gupta , Frou Frou, Papadontpreach, Sabyasachi, Jeremy Scott, Urban Decay and Kenneth Cole.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

My sense of fashion? SelfExpression!

I am a girl who is very impressed by quality and fit.

Minimal makeup, especially highlighting the eyes, is my favourite. On Sundays, you’ll find me wandering around in sweatpants, hoodies, or pyjamas. Vintage, bohemian, urban and minimalistic are my all-time favourite looks.

Accessories are the vitamins to my clothes.

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Suhail Chandhok

Chennai

A brief introduction He is one of India’s leading sports presenters and commentators, having worked on properties like the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Pro Kabaddi League, Hockey India League and the Indian Super League Football.

How do you perceive street fashion?

I’m not someone who’s big on brands or following trends so as clichéd as it sounds, I think street fashion is just wearing what makes you comfortable and suits your personality at the same time.

What would you wear to the following places / occasions?

The mall or the cinema - You’d generally find me in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt paired with boat shoes or even just a pair of flip flops.

Lunch with friends - I’m a pretty go-withthe-flow kind of dresser but at a brunch I’d probably throw on a pair of coloured chinos and polo t-shirt with a pair of sunglasses (my biggest vice when it comes to splurging on fashion).

A casual evening party - I think everyone enjoys sprucing up every now and then, so for a good night out I’d throw on a fitted button down shirt and maybe a blazer, a pair of jeans or chinos and my favourite brogues with a belt to go with it.

Your favourite brands?

It’s no secret that Zara make clothes that just fit well, so too Louis Phillipe with their trousers. While I said I’m not massively into brands, if I do splurge it would have to be Hugo Boss, Tod’s for shoes, Sunglass Hut (where I should be a VIP member) and TAG Heuer for a bit of wrist bling.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

Being a former cricketer and now a sports presenter, I’d say my sense of fashion too is definitely influenced by that. I’d also be lying if I said I don’t love shopping, something my entire family mocks me for!

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Photo credits - Gurunath Prabhu

Advertorial

A Timepiece like no other The light coral-coloured dial of the new Constellation Pluma recalls the halcyon days of summer The Constellation family has long been admired for its elegant, yet understated design and is distinguished by the state-of-the-industry timepieces that combine innovation with style. Last year, OMEGA unveiled its collection of Constellation Pluma timepieces characterised by the unique design engraved on their mother-of-pearl dials.

These sophisticated watches take their name from the Latin word for feather, subtly hinting at their delicate design

that accentuates their most striking element.

LumiNova, so the time can be read in a variety of lighting conditions.

This year, OMEGA has unveiled an evocative interpretation of the Constellation Pluma with a light coral-coloured dial that is reminiscent of the warm sunshine on a summer day. Similar to its sisters, this 27 mm timepiece is decorated with 11 diamond indexes in 18K gold holders and a softwavy pattern that flows between the iconic claws on the bezel. Its polished and facetted central hour, minute and seconds hands are crafted from 18K gold and coated with white Super-

The 18K red gold bezel of this ladies’ wristwatch is paved with 32 full-cut diamonds, adding to the overall style of this piece. This Constellation Pluma is presented on a bracelet with brushed stainless steel links and polished 18K red gold bars. The OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8520 at its heart is visible through a domed scratch-resistant caseback and the precision and reliability of this mechanical movement is such that the timepiece is offered with a full four-year warranty.

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Advertorial

Bengaluru

Shiro Meets Saigon!

Shiro is all set to transport you to a Saigon state of mind and expand your dining horizons with their Vietnamese Pop Up Experience.

Vietnamese cuisine is taking the world by storm and catering to this demand is Shiro with an exceptional and unique menu, unlike anything you have experienced before. From the fresh and flavourful rice paper summer rolls to the Vietnamese staple soup; Pho; Shiro will take you on a tour across Vietnam with a stunning array of dishes - each designed and created by an exciting young talent, Chef Vu Dinh Hung. Alongside this delicious menu, Shiro’s expert bartenders have come up with equally stunning,

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Vietnam-inspired cocktails to complement and enhance your meal.

Shiro even offers the perfect venue for this experience with stunning al fresco seating, 65 foot ceilings and serene water bodies. The menu will be available until April 26, so we suggest you head on over and indulge in this exotic feast before it’s too late!

Visit Shiro at UB City Mall, Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru and also check them out online through their social media handles.

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Exploring Alternative Lifestyles They’ve had the guts to break free of societal constraints, familial restraints and mental confines to think differently, do differently and live differently. Their lifestyles aren’t abnormal, just individualistic and atypical. Meet our new band of crusaders who dare to explore water not tread and paths unexplored to find a new sense of satisfaction to life and living.

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hyderabad

Viva la Vegan Visala Kantamneni is not your average twenty-two year old. While she might be a mass communication student who aspires to become a journalist one day, she is also the founder of a non-profit organisation -The Vegan NGO. Text-Deeksha Marur

Photo credits: Mohammad Ilias

An animal lover by birth, Visala first turned vegetarian three and half years ago and needless to say, veganism followed suit. “I converted my lifestyle literally overnight, although I must admit I drank a glass of milk the next day out of sheer habit. However, my journey so far as a vegan has been a huge learning process because I never had any guidance,” says Visala.

Whatever information about veganism she has is from reading up voraciously on the internet. Everything from who came up with the term “vegan” to 17th century hermits following a vegan diet, she’s read it all. Ask her about what veganism is to her, and she enthusiastically responds, “Now this is the question I love to answer,

because there is so much presumption surrounding the lifestyle. Contrary to media reports of really big celebrities going vegan, they are merely plant-based.

Veganism encompasses so much more than diet - a vegan will not consume animal by-products. Use commodities that are made with such materials or use products that have been tested on animals” Which basically means honey, silk, pearls, leather, etc. are all off limits.”

So what’s with every one jumping around about veganism being a movement?

“Usually when you mention all the things a vegan can’t consume or use, people make it sound like we are part of some kind of cult or promoting some religious dogma. Veganism is more of a moral

baseline, to prevent animal cruelty!” says the passionate animal lover.

So what does one eat? “People think we eat only grass and leaves. But quite honestly, I eat pretty much anything that anyone else can, non-vegetarian or vegetarian - I just veganize it! There are so many alternatives available today, and even India has a growing niche market for vegan products like vegan cheese, ice cream, mock meats and baked goods. At the moment the only places you can get this kind of stuff is from dedicated vegan restaurants or shops. But I can’t wait for the day that groceries will stock them too!”

Speaking of bakeries, Visala also started “That Vegan Bakery” as part of the NGO. It wasn’t until November of last year that the idea came to her. “There were no exclusive vegan bakeries or a restaurant, and that’s when it struck me, that we could start one. It is now called “That Vegan Bakery (yes straight-forward I know!) You know how people usually say, let’s order from that Chinese restaurant or that bakery? I thought about how cool it would be from people to say, “Hey let’s order from That Vegan Bakery.” That’s how I chose this name for our venture,” informs Visala.

The bakery is also non-profit where all funds are used only for organisational purposes. They are Hyderabad’s first exclusive vegan bakery and Visala proudly adds, “Surprisingly, our most loyal customers are actually non-vegans!”

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Bengaluru

The Green Crusader It isn’t everyday that you meet a qualified chartered accountant, who held down a fabulous job with a multinational firm, walk out from this well-paying position to take up organic farming. Nor do you meet many educated urbanites who care enough to run an animal shelter. Varun Ravindra has dared to do both and we delve a little deeper into the psyche of this compassionate, environmentally conscious youngster to understand his reasons for doing so.

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Photo credits: Faheem Hussain

At the age of ten, Varun Ravindra, who hails from a regular Indian meat-eating family, decided to turn vegetarian. Simply because he felt sorry for the family of the chicken which was killed and found its way to his plate!

Ever since then, this compassionate young man has made it his life’s mission to work towards creating environmental consciousness and awareness towards cruelty to animals in his best possible way.

Varun, who graduated from Vidya Niketan School in Bengaluru and then went on to study at MES and Christ College, took up a job at Deloitte in Bengaluru, before he

suddenly took the decision to throw it all away in favour of organic farming.

“My father owned a 100-acre piece of land on the outskirts of Bengaluru and was already farming on it. But I was appalled by the methods of farming practiced as a norm, and the way it polluted the environment and the end product as well.

Hence I thought of converting the farm into an organic space and began working towards that,” explains Varun as we sit down for a chat with a glass of lemon soda at hand.

He says that he always knew he wanted to work towards environmental conservation, but didn’t know exactly how he would go about achieving this. “The organic farm, on which I had an organic dairy as well, was my first step in that direction,” he says, adding that he recently sold the farm to a like-minded buyer who plans to continue Varun’s good work and has moved on to a more ambitious project.

“We are losing green spaces everywhere,” speaks Varun passionately, pointing out the burgeoning skyline of Bengaluru from 31 storeys above ground level, where we sit and chat at one of the city’s highest lounge bars, the High Ultra Lounge.

“My next project, which I have recently ventured into, is much more ambitious than the organic farm. I have started a residential development spanning 100 acres, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, that will sell one acre plots to buyers. With this project I want to create a kind of green space near the city by getting more and more people involved in its development,” he tells.

Varun explains how he plans to mandate that a fixed number of trees have to be planted per acre on the property, and how the project will conform to all ecologically safe norms like being carbon neutral, providing facilities for grey water recycling and solar energy. “I hope through this venture we will be able to create a sort of self-sustaining green environment, urging people to think and act in accordance with the laws of nature.

I feel that this is one small contribution from my side to this gargantuan battle that many like-minded people are trying to fight across the world.”

Apart from being vegetarian, Varun,

despite being the son-in-law of one of Bengaluru’s most influential real estate barons, chooses to refrain from leading a lavish lifestyle. “We try to buy organic when we shop for fruits, vegetable and milk and try and do our bit to reduce the carbon footprint by buying local. I also try to dissuade everyone I know from cutting down consumption by buying only how much you need and not falling into the consumerism trap,” he tells.

Down-to-earth, non-pretentious and unassuming, this 31-year-old also has big plans of expanding his present animal shelter where he houses around 40 abandoned cows and donkeys. “I want to try and take in more animals and give them a good quality of life. I don’t intend to fill the shelter with animals and have them live in dire conditions,” he says.

His wife Nirupa Shankar, Director of Brigade Hospitality, and his parents, both of whom are doctors, are his biggest support system. “I can’t mention enough the support and encouragement I get from my parents, especially in the early days, and now from my wife. When you’re doing something that’s out of the ordinary you definitely need the support of your family and loved ones to pull through the tough times,” he says, indicating that his chosen path has not always been an easy one to follow. But he has no regrets; he wouldn’t trade what he is doing today for the best paying corporate job in the world, he assures us.

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hyderabad

Photo credits: Santosh Kumar

A Vegan’s Guide To Life Meet Amita Desai, the Director of the Goethe Zentrum, (German Institute), Hyderabad. Her work gives her a wonderful platform to learn new things, meet new people, connect with artists, academicians and amazing audiences of all ages and with all sorts of interests, so much so that there is never a dull moment.

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She lived her childhood all across Chicago, Delhi, Hamburg and Paris with her family. There was a time she says, where she stayed abroad more than in India, though now that ratio has tilted in the right direction. She lives with her two dogs in Secunderabad and has two lovely daughters, who helped convert her into veganism. “My girls are conscientious, thinking and feeling young ladies! There have been numerous incidents that led me to look up the links they used to send me, particularly my younger one. I was aghast to learn how I was participating in exploiting animals so that I could eat milk produce with every meal, use toiletries and cosmetics which were tested on animals, like rabbits - and we used to have rabbits as pets for a long time!” she explains, shock still radiating from her as she speaks.

She could not love animals, have pets and selectively protect some while looking the other way for others, she confesses and says that she felt it was wrong to live a selfish life and knowingly allow pain to other species. Amita adds, “When I saw videos on how cows were separated from their new born babies, not even allowed the physical proximity all young ones need, and how both the mother and the calf would cry heart renderingly - I had to do something.” So Amita’s turning vegan was a conscious decision, triggered by her children and most decidedly for ethical reasons. Though the numerous health reasons to avoid animal products were a bonus, she feels much better as her constitution and character underwent a huge change, for the better.

Amita believes more in the philosophy of the movement rather than the elitist trend that it is made out to be. She informs us that primarily vegans avoid all animal products - leather, fur, cosmetics or products that are created by animal testing and of course, the most obvious avoidance is all dairy produces, meat, eggs and such. Some also give up honey, she says.

So what does the meal of a vegan consist of? “For me, my meals are delicious and

plant-based - every meal is an exciting and consciously created menu. It was the first time in my 50 odd years that I became aware of what I was allowing on my plate (and what I was vehemently dis-allowing on my plate!)” Amita says she became aware of what natural and local organic produce is; which food has preservative and where the nutritional values were.

Through veganism, she began to lead a more aware and healthy existence. “I consume plenty of salads, all legumes, nuts, sprouts, fruit, and such - an exciting range of products to experiment with,” she adds further.

But surely there are difficulties that one comes across, especially when eating out or even traveling. “It is regretful that a country which has historically had a plant-based healthy diet is rapidly and blindly espousing fast food and junk food habits. It hurts to see how market forces are undoing the good practices,” says a concerned Amita. Though while travelling she says, “One has to be better prepared, carry your fruit or nuts along. What is wonderful is that every meal gives us an opportunity to talk about veganism when

ordering food.”

Speaking of opportunities, growing up in the 70s in Germany, Amita saw the country say no to Nuclear and Atomic Energy and turn towards recycling, reducing and reusing waste, and an organic, eco-friendly lifestyle. And thus, it was natural that she would bring about her experiences to the Goethe Zentrum. “Some of my colleagues and I have been able to create a more natural environment at the center. We began to blend the political philosophy and social considerations from both India and Germany and espouse ‘Green Living.’ We are happy that all of the office uses paper on both sides, envelopes are reused, plastic is avoided, water is used sparingly, and we have created a green wall; we also use solar energy for all our electric use.

There is a clear change in our thinking and with 30 or more people and their families practicing such an environmentally conscious lifestyle, it does give one a reason to celebrate,” she concludes.

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Bengaluru

Photo credits: Faheem Hussain

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A Zen Way Of Life While most other individuals her age live their life by rote in today’s technological whirlwind, Deepti Sudhindra, jewellery designer, theatre person and Bharatanatyam exponent, chooses to embrace simplicity and the organic way of life, living each day as it comes and following a path that she feels she has been chosen to live.

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At 38, Deepti Sudhindra has found a deeper meaning to life and living. “My biggest luxury today is that I can lead a very simple life,” she says, her entire being resonating with a surreal sense of satisfaction and calm. “I always felt, from when I was little, that I never belonged…. there was a longing within me that was never fulfilled. The common parameters of existence never made me happy. I was constantly searching for something, but didn’t know what I was looking for. It was only in my early 20s, when philosophy fell into my lap that I actually began to get a grip on that elusive sense that I was searching for,” she tells.

A jewellery designer par excellence and a talented dancer, Deepti has created waves in Bengaluru though her design firm The Jewellery Project. The label boasts of intrinsically Indian jewellery designs with a global aesthetic. Her designs are like moving installations, each inspired by varied Indian themes and ideologies.

Every work of metal - precious or semiprecious - probes deeper into the meaning of life and living in its own way.

A student of SNDT Mumbai, Deepti says she received the best education one possibly could in design. “One of my teachers discouraged me from pursuing a design course abroad (which was the expected path for one to take) and encouraged me to scour the bazaars of India and learn hands-on from local artisans and craftsmen,” she tells. Back then in the 90s, it was unheard of for single Indian women to travel solo through the marketplaces of Jaipur learning the trade from local karigars. But that’s exactly what this gutsy lady did, receiving

in the process, the finest education from that journey!

From there on began her quest into the deeper meaning of life and her journeys continued further North into the Himalayas and its surroundings. “Fifteen years ago it was unheard of for a 23-year old to take off in search of something that she had been looking for since childhood.

But my journey down the spiritual path and my love for philosophy slowly drew me towards the actual meaning of my life and my reason for living,” she explains.

After taking a long break from dance, another of her passions, she has taken to Bharatanatyam again under the tutelage of renowned danseuse Padmini Ravi. “After looking at much of western

philosophy and neo-Indian philosophy I hit a wall, as far as perspectives in my life were concerned, around 10 years back.

I firmly believe that the Universe links you with various sources and hence I was drawn towards Vedanta. I was compelled to probe deeper into the meaning of life and realised that I had to return to dance to gain some sort of peace amidst all the internal turmoil I was going through.

Dance is a spiritual part of my life now. Its like moving meditation for me,” she avers.

She says she wakes up each morning thanking the Creator for giving her another day on this Earth to work, live and do what she was sent here to do.

“I put myself to tests on how to live minimalistically. Once I even purged my wardrobe because I just felt that I had too much and had to get rid of the excess in my life. It’s one of the most beautiful feelings when you realise that you have only what you need and that you can get by on just that much and still remain happy and content.”

Be it minimalistic living, designing unique jewellery, exploring India or finding deeper meaning in experiences like a padayatra (which Deepti has undertaken from Kanyakumari to Trivandrum), this dynamic lady revels in the alternate lifestyle she leads. She began putting her life into perspective at a young age and says that 20 years hence she has just begun to find some fraction of peace within herself.

“Life has been an adventure so far and I’ve enjoyed living every moment of it. You just have to follow your path with conviction and accept everything the Universe doles out,” she explains with her trademark composure.

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design elements

Maison de Reve: The House of Dreams Home is where the heart is, they say. Looking at Archana (better known as Archie) and Jayanth Paranji’s beautiful abode, we know the saying strikes a true chord. Deeksha Marur takes a walk through through their house only to find out that this beautiful home is the one place where the couple find absolute comfort and peace.

The house of film director Jayanth and event planner Archana Paranji will give you a glimpse into the kind of people they are – warm, loving and friendly, reflecting their vibrant personalities.

Walk into this Jubilee Hills abode and the unique fragrance of damp earth, from all the plants in the surrounding garden and driveway, welcomes you. At the porch, you’re greeted for the second time by

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Doofus, their six-year old golden retriever, who sits wagging his tail holding a ball that he refuses to give anyone.

Once you cross the driveway and get up onto the porch you can see a stone carved statue of The Buddha’s head to the left, and by the door, there are lights, candles on the floor and small paintings that adorn the walls. The porch extends into a luscious garden where a Krishna statue

is positioned right in the middle. Bird ornaments and wind chimes, as well as a string of lights, hang from the branches of the trees, which when lit look like fireflies in the night.

On entering the house, you get a glimpse of the informal and formal living rooms. To the left is a low table with pictures of the family and three lampshades to the side that brighten up the passage. On the left

is the informal living room and to the right is the formal one. We enter the formal living room that is done up quite cozily.

With a beige sofa set and one contrasting orange two-seater, this room according to Archana is her favourite. “All my meetings happen here. I think the room is really pretty.” The many elements like the brass tea light holders, the antique telephone and the wrought iron chandelier, make this a cute setup.

The Paranjis are enthusiastic connoisseurs of art, which explains why there’s a painting in almost every corner of the house. Archana says, “I pick up every piece of art with such passion because I love art and colour. Every corner of the house has a pop of colour and paintings on the wall.” In the formal room, they’ve got two miniatures by T Vaikuntam and one big painting by Ramesh Gorjala. In what is the family room-cum- dining and bar area, it is the bright orange wall that grabs one’s attention. Even more arresting are the mixed paintings of Lord Krishna and Radha done by G Subramanian, an artist from Chennai. On the same wall is a huge vertical Anand Panchal painting that stands out just as much!

Apart from paintings, you will notice that in every nook and corner of the house are different types of light fixtures. “Like I said, I love playing with colours, so wherever there was a dull wall, I’ve added a splash of colour and some lights to brighten it up,” says Archie. The family living room has a wooden staircase that leads up to the master bedroom and her son Shantanu’s room, as well as her own workstation.

The master bedroom has more paintings and a bright yellow wall with a television perched on it. The room is done up with lights just like the rest of the house, and by the bedside, is a cute little tea set for Jayanth whose current obsession is Darjeeling tea. She says, “Jayanth came back from a trip to Darjeeling and he’s been obsessing over tea, he kept asking me to make him some and I refuse to make chai for him in the morning everyday... so I got him this tea set, with a kettle, and small boxes for the tea and sugar. Now he makes his own chai whenever he feels like it.”

On our way back down, Archana points out that the wall behind the staircase is

Photo credits: Mohammad Ilias

hyderabad

her “black and white” wall decorated with different sized paintings by various artists. “Apart from paintings, since I love lights, I’ve added candle stands wherever possible, like the

silver stand near the stairs. There’s also one near the dining table below one of my favorite paintings, some on the dining table and some on the coffee tables,” Archana shows us. Going past the dining table is the way to another garden, a place where they usually have get-togethers.

There’s a make-shift bar by one side and the other has a division done up with creepers and plants. “I love greenery as you can see; this part of the house is where I let plants grow wild, because I like the fullness that it adds to this corner.”

On taking her leave, we ask her if anyone has helped her decorate the house and she says, “I’ve done everything that you see. I couldn’t get anyone else to do it. The house is exactly how I want it to be, the splash of colours, the kind of art, the lights and everything... it has our personality!”

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Blending tradition with novelty

Photo credits - Gurunath Prabhu

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Chennai

The wonderful Casa Roja is located just far enough from the city to be a quiet house by the coast. The owners Maria and Ranjeet Jacob worked with architect Benny Kuriakose collaborating their inputs and ideas to create the vision they had for their dream home.

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Walk into the house and you feel you’ve been transported back to one of Kerala’s beautiful, sprawling mansions. Spread over a huge acreage, you enter Casa Roja through a quaint cobbled stone driveway leading to the entrance of the house. The clay tiled roof slopes beautifully over pink Laterite bricks which fit perfectly into each other eliminating the use of cement and thereby keeping the house cool. Once you enter, you see a beautiful formal dining room that the couple say is rarely used. As you look past the dining room nothing will prepare you for the absolutely gorgeous veranda that overlooks a pond filled with lily pads, fish and hovering dragon flies. Behind that is a lush garden replete with fruit trees.

The veranda is fully equipped for entertaining guests with a bar situated on one side and a restroom for visitors on the other. The veranda also has an entrance to the kitchen, making it the perfect party space for the family and their guests. The space is decorated with antique artefacts that Maria and Ranjit have been collecting over the years. “The rooms are filled with antique cupboards, chests, chairs and lamps that the we love to collect,” tells Maria with a smile as she walks with us into the adjoining kitchen. “The kitchen is large and spacious and is divided into three sections - the first being for light cooking and baking, the second is for daily cooking plus a utility room.”

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Photo credits - Gurunath Prabhu

Moving to the upper level of the house, the stairs immediately catch your eye, due to the wonderfully coloured handmade tiles from Mexico, that line them. Upstairs you find the bedrooms and one more entertainment room for the family fully equipped with a foosball table as well as a television. The couple’s twenty two year old son’s room is decorated to his taste of old rock music with posters and a beautiful leather couch. Their nineteen year old daughter has personally painted a wall in her room, and has little trinkets hung tastefully around that which she has collected from various art boutiques. The master bedroom is simple but elegantly decorated with just an edge of spunk provided by the uniquely styled closet, with wooden doors, covered in sections by colourful fabric, adding a vibrant feel to the room.

The detailing and attention given to this house is clearly visible in the architecture as well as the decor. After putting their heart and soul into this project and seeing the stylish outcome, Ranjeet and Maria have now begun to take on clients looking for interior decorators for their homes. “We only take on one project at a time because of the time, effort and work that goes into getting each home and each room to the expected level of perfection,” tells Ranjeet.

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CORRIDORS OF POWER

A Guardian Angel During Disasters This could be another Murphy’s law: avoid the media glare but end up with more publicity! For an officer who has always preferred to let his work do the talking, Dr.J.Radhakrishnan must be tired of seeing his pictures in newspapers. You can easily mistake Tamil Nadu’s Health Secretary for a model or an actor – tall, fair, slim and with arguably the best wardrobe in babudom.But beneath all those flashy colours and debonair presence lies a heart of gold. Don’t take my word.

Ask close to a hundred children in Nagapattinam who were orphaned by the tsunami when he was rushed to the district. They didn’t call him ‘Collector Ayya’ or ‘Saar’. It was ‘Appa’ – a term of endearment that came about spontaneously because Radhakrishnan didn’t merely distribute food packets at welfare centres but his whole family spent weeks looking after them like their own relatives. “Even after leaving Nagapattinam, I do visit the place at least once or twice a year. Out of affection, these children call me appa and it’s very touching.” As for sections of the media, the prefix ‘tsunami’ is used to distinguish his rather common name from the others in the bureaucracy.

It was almost as if Radhakrishnan was destined to be at the helm of relief

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By Sanjay Pinto

and restoration work in the aftermath of some of the worst tragedies Tamil Nadu has witnessed. If there were 99 children who lost their parents to the killer waves, 94 parents lost their children in a terrible blaze that engulfed a school in Kumbakonnam, Thanjavur district the same year. Here too, Radhakrishnan was the Collector.

“The resilience displayed by the affected people has left a deep impact on me and is a constant reminder on the need to focus on Disaster Risk reduction initiatives and the need to actively involve the local communities in such efforts.” Having covered his work on NDTV extensively in the past, the one quality, apart from being easily accessible, that makes this IAS officer of the 92 batch stand out, is his habit of always sharing credit for a job well done. Not many would view the aftermath of tragedies as “an opportunity” to serve people. Not many would so willingly declare that the “policy directions and Government orders were instrumental in enabling us at the field level to provide succour to the victims and their families”.

Not many would acknowledge the “complementary role of NGOs” in the healing process. Radhakrishnan always does, as would any good team player.

If Dr.Abdul Kalam was referred to as the ‘People’s President’, Dr.J.Radhakrishnan would automatically qualify for the title of ‘People’s Collector’. And such encomiums are not very different

from what he received from former US President Bill Clinton when he visited the tsunami ravaged Nagapattinam district as the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy.

Few were surprised when this dynamic officer was handpicked to be the country head of the United Nations Development Programme.

My closest interaction with him used to be at the Ripon Building when he was the Commissioner of the Chennai Corporation. With a revival of the post of Mayor, one would have expected a more senior bureaucrat in the hot seat (Remember the likes of Special Officer L.M.Menezes who were very senior IAS officers at the Corporation).

Radhakrishnan had completed under ten years at the time but his performance was brilliant. All that it took to have a pot hole filled, a road re-laid or mosquito infested areas fogged was a simple text message.

I will never forget shooting an off beat story on his strategy to catch stray pigs in Nandanam. These ‘street smart’ porcine creatures had chased away Corporation staff who tried to catch them! So our Commissioner hit upon the idea of roping in professional ‘rearers’ to do the job.

Where there’s a challenge, there’s Radhakrishnan. Whether it was bringing warring castes to attend peace meetings in sensitive districts or overseeing the implementation of Special Programmes of the Government, you would seldom fail to notice this officer in bright coloured shirts rolling up his sleeves in the thick of action.

Had he not been in the IAS, I suspect that apparel manufacturers would have bent backwards to sign him up as their brand ambassador!

As the Health Secretary, Radhakrishnan has had his hands full with the H1N1 scare and claims that “Tamil Nadu has been able to contain it effectively and prevent its spread so far by putting in place a multi-dimensional effort such as entry point screening camps, stocking

up Oseltamavir, vaccinating the health workers,having hand washing campaigns, putting in place isolation wards with adequate ventilators and facilities and a vibrant coordination with the private sector, involving the IMA.” I have often wondered about when a day would come when VIPs choose to get treated in government hospitals, like they do in the West, instead of jetting to foreign countries for surgeries, including hair transplants! That would probably take years. For now, Radhakrishnan proudly rattles off some highlights: “68 percent of the approximately 10.5 lakh deliveries per annum in the State take place in Government institutions.

We handle over five lakh outpatients and over 60,000 inpatients per day.

The Government has strengthened the Primary sector having 8706 Health Sub centres, 1751 Primary Health Centres and the 270 District and Sub district hospitals apart from providing State of Art services in the 43 tertiary care hospitals attached to the 19 Government medical colleges and at the Super specialty hospital at Chennai. The Chief Ministers’ Health Insurance Scheme also ensures that the people are able to access services in the 769 empanelled private and Government Hospitals.”

on the field” that drew Radhakrishnan to the Civil Services.

The wife is no less stylish than the husband. A private producer and anchor of Television programmes, Krithika puts together programmes on cookery, health, lifestyle and tourism. Along with their son Arvind, who is finishing his schooling this year, the trio have immersed themselves in welfare activities wherever he is posted.

“They are big pillars of strength.” And the brain behind his wardrobe too?!

(Sanjay Pinto is a Lawyer, Columnist, Author, Public Speaking Mentor & Former Resident Editor of NDTV 24x7)

(Pic: Dr. J Radhakrishnan, IAS – Health Secretary – Tamil Nadu)

That he is known for his bullwork, dogged spirit and horse sense can probably be traced to his academic background.

Radhakrishnan is a veterinarian by qualification. And the service mindedness to his family background. Three generations of his family have been in government service. Right from his grandfather who was a Railway Engineer to his father the Late V.Jaganathan who was with the Indian Air Force or his mother Tripurasundari who was with the Telephone department and then became a banker, Radhakrishnan has kept the ‘sarkari’ connection alive. But it was a fascination for “converting visions into policies and ultimately implementing them RITZ April 2015

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foodies inc.

hyderabad

Bengal Calling I remember going to Calcutta on a school trip, before they changed the city’s name to Kolkata. I was probably in 9th grade and from what I remember; we didn’t venture into the lanes of Park Street or Tangra or even Dacres to try out the different dishes available, sticking instead to pucchkas (pani-puri)! My initiation to what Bengali food happened finally when I was introduced to Indronil and Sumita aka Mou Ganguli, owners of Call of Bengal. Needless to say, I’ve become a fan.

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A quaint little restaurant opposite DLF in Gachibowli, Call of Bengal with its simple interiors operates on the mantra of letting the food talk for itself. And boy, trust us, when we say there was absolute silence once the food was brought out.

As we waited for our guests, film director Mani Shankar with his son Bhairav and friend Hamed Saberi to arrive, we were given a brief about the different things that were going to be served to us. “A lot of people are under the impression that Bengali food is only about fish and rasgulla,” states Mou, our curator for the evening. She tells us that Bengali food is not just ingredients, but about the stories, the history and the culture of the place, all of which make the overall cuisine so famous and delicious at the same time.

Enter our guests. Despite advance warnings of Mani Shankar being on an eternal diet, we start our gastronomical lesson with a preface - a portion of Prawn Cutlet from Park Circus. One bite of this crispy cutlet and all the restrictions and diets simply fly out of the window. Served with mustard sauce this cutlet almost melts in your mouth. Bhairav, who has just returned from his stint at Oxford University, UK, happens to be a foodie and loves Bengali cuisine. “There are quite a few Bengali joints in the UK that are pretty good.” Hamed, Mani’s close friend and a well-known Hyderabadi socialite is open to trying different cuisines.

Moving on to the first lesson, College Street Calling – we are given a little history to the name behind this section and served a portion of Luchi Aloo Dum. On being served the luchis, we notice they aren’t anything like the puris we get in the city. Mou says, “Luchis are lighter than puris. There’s more batter on one side, so the other side is lighter.” Accompanied by a tasty and slightly spicy Aloo Dum, this makes for a perfect combination and a meal by itself. We’re on to the Moghalai Parota which is thick roti stuffed with egg and onions – a super-heavy dish, but delicious nonetheless. Bhairav happens to be the only one ready for a second helping. By now, Mani’s diet has been compromised. He says, “You are really spoiling me! I usually write a log for

whatever I’ve eaten all day; this is just not going into that log. My dietician will flip!”

Out from the College Street on to Park Street with the most delicious Fish Florentine you can find in the city. All of us were fans! The tender fish, with a creamy and cheesy spinach bake, was to die for.

Highly recommended by all three of our guests, this is one dish you absolutely have to try. From the Dacres Lane, comes the Chingri Malai Curry accompanied by a portion of rice. The tiger prawn curry had to be eaten just one way – forget

fine dining and dive hands-in; break the shells and dig into the succulent meat of the prawn. It is hard to explain the deliciousness of this curry in words.

And while Dacres happens to be our last stop, we end our meal with Patishapta, a dessert recipe given to Mou by her grandmother. For those who haven’t tried this before, think Kajikayas because the taste is pretty similar to that. The coconut and jaggery stuffing had the right kind of sweetness to it and was a perfect way to end our evening.

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Over A Cuppa

Style Statements In Handloom When one talks about handlooms, most of us tend to think dull, boring garments. A lot of the young crowd isn’t even interested in traditional clothing unless there’s a fancy designer/celebrity name attached to it. So, what does someone associated with a name like Karalkada do? Turn handloom into a style statement, of course. Sobha Ashwin, who got involved with Karalkada, a Trivandrum-based brand known for traditional Kerala sarees, talks about her baby, The Weavers Village, Gen-next’s go-to stop for for handlooms.

Text-Sumitra Nair

“It all started three years ago, when I got married to Ashwin, son of CP Rajendran, founder of Karalkada. Everyone asked me to take care of the family-owned brand than look for a job outside,” Sobha Ashwin, founder of Weaver’s Village says. Sobha, who took on managing Karalkada, a brand known for traditional Kerala set mundus, soon found that many weavers were quitting. “The number of weavers working for us had gone down from 3500 to 1500.

And that, for me was an eye opener,” she says.

Giving back to the community So, she decided to do something to give back to the weaving community and

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society. “Weavers have very little or no government support. And the new generation isn’t that interested in going back to their roots, exploring handlooms.

So, it was necessary to create a demand,” she says. According to Sobha, it was important to understand what the society today needs and do something creative to generate an interest in handloom products. “They need to understand the product before they buy it.” And so, the concept of Weaver’s Village was born for people, planet and profit.

It started with hiring women who spent most of the time at home, but needed extra income, to make three different kinds of bags - Chala, the shopper bag;

Tulasi, bags for college going girls and Darba, a crossbody bag for men and women. “It was a big hit and we started getting bulk orders and requests for customisation,” Sobha says. Soon they went on to make bags from jute and banana fibre. In 2012, they released an Onam collection at Karalkada, called ‘Navaratna’, that had garments in nine colours. “It was exclusive in the sense, there were only 100 pieces of each item - sarees, dhavanis, tops, skirts, etc.,” Sobha explains. The collection was a hot seller.

They took it from there and began making jewellery from fabric and terracotta. “It helped empower many women,” Sobha says. They even taught jewellery making

TRIVANDRUM

Sobha Ashwin and Remya Sambath

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Over A Cuppa

to the girls at the Nirbhaya shelter for sexually abused women, making them financially independent. “Then, in 2013, a friend and a NIFT graduate, Remya Sambath joined me,” she tells. Remya had this vision of Ayurvedic clothing. “I was very excited,” says the MBA from Amritha Business School. They acquired property in Veli industrial area, Trivandrum, for a studio. “By then we had also customised uniforms for the Kochi Biennale and created mementos for Gender Park, a Kerala government initiative to achieve gender equality.”

Paths of progress Soon, they were designing outfits for Miss South India and styling magazine covers like Vanitha, Grihalakshmi and Star & Style. “Just last year, Remya started designing more under the brand name, Bodha, the Ayurvedic clothing line. We also acquired a retail space, a house. It belonged to Malayalam novelist C V Raman Pillai,” Sobha says. It is an old tharavadu house with a nadumuttam (center courtyard), the railings for which were gifted by Raja Ravi Varma. It provides the perfect creative space for people to think, write and express. “What used to be the labour room, is now the art gallery, or rather the ‘Nanny art gallery’ as named by artist Riaz Khomu. We have a new artist displayed on the art wall every two to three months,” she says.

Other sections include the book and magazine corner where one can read or buy tomes. “You can donate volumes too, like poet and activist Sugathakumari has,” she quips. There is also the wedding essentials room which feature collections

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by Naushad Ali from Puducherry, Preeti Sahni and Sushmit. They also stock antique silver jewellery by Bengalurubased brand, Rabbit Out Of The Hat and gold-plated silver jewellery, Unniyarcha

by Mumbai-based designer, Divya Nambiar.

New ideas About the Weavers Village, of which television anchor Pearly Manee is the brand ambassador, Sobha says, is also “a place where artists, weavers and designers have come together to form a community of sorts - a platform to talk to each other and address each other’s problems.” A section of the place will soon teach weaving, she informs us. One can also bring in any object - it can as absurd as a log of wood - and can have an artist turn it into a piece of art. All you have to do is state your budget and they can have it customised accordingly. One can also get the fabric they buy, stitched right there.

Though Sobha wants to take the concept to other cities, she wants to make sure that the whole experience and feel is retained. But, they surely are open to retailing just the products, provided, the right boutique approaches them.

Same goes with online retail. Sobha, who draws inspiration from her mother, grandmother and Oprah Winfrey, dreams of dressing the television star one day.

She also takes inspiration from her late father-in-law, founder of Karalkada, CP Rajendran. “I try doing things as though he would do it, if he were alive,” she says.

Hoping for more such initiatives to revive handlooms, she signs off.

indulge

Cool Tech There always something new hitting the tech market. Here’s what we found for you to check out this coming month Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Samsung finally launched the much-awaited flagship smartphone Galaxy S6 and a little twisted variant , the S6 Edge. Both the smartphones feature specifications inside a super cool casing. Available in 32, 64 and 128GB options, this smartphone is all set to give Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus a run for its money!

Blackberry Leap Troubled mobile giant Blackberry launched their new mid range all touch smartphone at the MWC 2015. Focussing on young professionals the Leap features a 5.0-inch screen and is powered by 1.5 GHz Snapdragon MSM 8960 processor, 2GB RAM, 16 GB inbuilt memory and 2800 mAh battery. One can only hope the market reacts well to this one.

Lenovo Pocket Projector This gadget adds a new dimension to watching and sharing content. Simply snap on the projector to a compatible Android device and it immediately super sizes movies, photos or even business presentations by projecting them up to 110-in on any wall or surface even in low-light conditions.

Huawei Smartwatch Instead of launching a smartphone, Chinese manufacturer Huawei launched a smartwatch. Named Huawei Watch, the Android Wear based smart watch looks elegant and boasts a 1.4-inch 400x400 OLED display at 286 pixels per inch. The watch will be offered with interchangeable metal and leather bands.

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A unique psychological thriller What do you do with circumstances? Allow them to take over, dictate your life? Or do you step into the driver’s seat and take control? What do you do with circumstances?

Surrender to the suffering? Or make the best of a deal on which you had no control?

Do you believe that the world may have billions of people, but your world consists only of a few? And those few are connected, interconnected and enmeshed? Well-known journalist Vijay Marur reviews an intersting new book by Vanaja Banagiri.

If you thought answers to these questions were difficult, then take a look at a few questions Menaka, the protagonist in Vanaja Banagiri’s just launched third novel The Placebo Effect asks.

1. Why did I leave Rishi?

2. Why did I cheat on him knowing well that he loved me? Maybe not in the way I wanted him to, but he did. And I knew that. Yet I left him. Why? 3. Why did I marry Dev even though he was not my type?

4. What is my type? (The two men I married were at the two extreme ends of the spectrum).

5. Why did I want to go back to Rishi after I married Dev? 6. Why did I continue to see Rishi while living with Dev? Why couldn’t I just walk out?

7. What am I? Inconsistent or unstable?

How did I love one man and live with him for 15 years if I were either?

8. Who am I? 9. Do I seek novelty? If yes, how did I marry the first man I got intimate with and never got intimate with the second man I dumped the first one for?

10. Why did I never have children? (I was young, fertile but never went off the pill).

11. What do I want from life in general?

(If somebody asks me what’s my idea of the ideal life, I have no answer).

Vijay Marur at the Vanaja Banagiri at the Launch of the book 12. What do I want to do from now on?

(My life is in a limbo. I have seen two dreadful Ds – Divorce and Death. I have no career. I have zero ambition.

My drive is a thing of the past. To do this or do that? To be here or there?

Go where from here? I don’t even know what this or that could be here).

13. What am I seeking? Am I looking for anything at all?)

In a psychological thriller, possibly the first of its kind, Vanaja Banagiri weaves a complex web of people and their subconscious layers. And orchestrates a dance of emotions between several sub plots and their emotional conflicts into a climax that discovers peace in the most

unlikely of circumstances and locales.

The most impressive thing in this book is a very successful attempt at writing in a non-linear style. The feeling of so many things happening concurrently is quite engaging. Reading this book is akin to looking around a forest of emotions.

Lingering on one branch for a moment even as you are distracted by another flower in full bloom.

A near hypnotic style of the narrative that makes you realise that it is not just one clock that is ticking, but quite a few. And a humane side to all the bitches and the beasts make the story real, and touchable.

Reach for a copy immediately and explore depths of relationships that you never knew existed. And drown in the chaos that is but a precursor to clarity.

RITZ April 2015

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Remote working, a boon or a bane?

Equipped with a laptop, a smartphone and a portable Internet connection, you can pretty much make any locale your new workplace. But should you?

Our guest columnist Sujaya Chandran delves deeper.

Remote working is a fairly new concept which has been making a steady rise in popularity. For those of you not aware of the “remote working” phenomenon, it takes the idea of working from home a step further to working from a whole new locale and environment. Imagine, if your working schedule included activities such as sitting on the beach, sipping fresh coconut water (or perhaps infused with something a little stronger!), listening to the waves, watching the sunset and basking in the sun. Sounds perfect right? Well it is more of a possibility in today’s work culture. A large number of staff who are in backoffice roles that are not client-facing are making this dream situation a reality. Equipped with a laptop, a mobile phone and a working internet connection, you can make pretty much any locale your new workspace away from the office.

As wonderful as it sounds, there are a lot of pros and cons to this type of working arrangement. On the positive side, being at one with nature and not confined within four walls must be one of the biggest appealing factors. Flexible working hours which allow for a crafty siesta post your lazy lunch and the fresh

RITZ april 2015

outdoors are also enticing. You could save hours on your commute if you stayed by the beach, could wake up and literally take a leisurely stroll down to your favourite spot in the sun. For those of you with families, you wouldn’t really need to worry about rushing to collect kids, or run errands around your work day. And finally I think the most wonderful thing I would find about having my own work style in my favourite work location would be the lack of office politics that you would need to deal with.

Now once we take off our rose-tinted glasses, we would probably become harshly aware of a few negatives to this work setup. Firstly working by yourself could become quite lonely.

There is a lot to be said about the general interaction, however good or bad, with your colleagues in an office. The internet is not always a reliable entity and when you have no help-desk or assistance to solve any connectivity or technical problems you have, it can become quite frustrating. Not having fixed hours to work has negative implications as well.

Without a routine schedule in which to get tasks completed,

you can find yourself either falling behind with roles and working too little (due to that extra-long nap you had after your sumptuous lunch), or you could find yourself working more hours than you mean to as you have no official “home time”. The biggest issue I would have with remote working would be that, every few months, when you get frustrated at the office, you start dreaming of a getaway to pastures greener. When your pastures are already your ideal place, where would you dream of escaping to?

So to sum it all up, as much as remote working sounds wonderful, I don’t think it is something that you could sustain long term. Instead I suggest a happy medium where you can work remotely for a few weeks and then go to the office, where you get the best of both worlds. Seems like a more lucrative option, huh?

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