RITZ October 2013

SOUTH INDIA'S PREMIER UBER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2013 VOL 10 ISSUE 3

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MASSIVE ATTACK! GUILLERMO DEL TORO ON THE 2500 POUNDS OF AWESOME THAT IS PACIFIC RIM

'LIVE' FOR THE MOMENT THE HOTTEST MUSIC FESTIVALS AND LIVE EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS

GUTS N' GLITTER

SUHANI PITTIE ON BEING ONE OF THE TOP 10 MOST INGENIOUS JEWELLERY DESIGNERS IN THE WORLD

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

As we present to you a very special edition of RITZ, one that is high on style and fashion and even higher on entertainment, we are in the mood for celebration. Not just because the festive season is upon us, but also because October marks the fourth anniversary of our sister publication, Southscope, India’s leading south film magazine. This month will also be a hectic one for us, as the date for the fifth edition of the Audi RITZ Icon Awards, our one-of-its-kind initiative to honour inspirational South Indian icons on a national platform, fast approaches.

As usual, expect the most sought-after film stars and the most awe-inspiring icons pioneering different fields and hailing from all over South India, right here in Chennai.

Until next month, happy reading!

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OCTOBER 2013

INSIDE 68

BUZZIN’

10

We're buzzin about some sugar and some spice and everything nice this October!

GLAM BRIGADE

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A round up of what the glitterati has been up to

SNAPPED

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Last month's hot and happening events and launches through our viewfinder

PORTFOLIO

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We join in the fashion extravaganza that took place at the London and New York fashion weeks while showcasing some trailblazing designs that set the runway on fire

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HAUTE STUFF

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Our fash forward lineup includes getting your royal bling right; the lowdown on quirky, artsy dresses and more

ON OUR RADAR

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We go on a detailed tour of AM:PM designers Ankur and Priyanka Modi’s plush and fuss-free Delhi home

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PERSONALITY A candid chat with the versatile Suhani Pittie shows us why she is one of the top 10 most talented jewellery designers in the world

UBER LIVING

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HAWKEYE

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Destination Divorces are slowly gaining acceptance – we scan the trend of clubbing a holiday with breaking one’s nuptials!

TAKE OFF Pack your bags and head out for some live music as we bring you the lowdown on the hottest music festivals and camping festivals happening around the country this year OCTOBER 2013

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From the depths of the deep blue sea are harvested one of the most beautiful gems ever known to man – Pearls.

Find out what goes behind the creation of these coveted beauties and what makes them so valuable

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INSIDE 86 95

VIEWPOINT

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Award-winning gallerist Sharan Apparao takes you step by step towards preserving your works of art to be enjoyed for years after, while Sujaya Chandran tells us why some aspects of social networking are not working for her

OVER A CUPPA

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Director Guillermo Del Toro takes you behind the scenes of his fantasy action flick Pacific Rim

INDULGE

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102

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We're on an overdose of foreign films this month as we take a look at something to laugh over and something else to ponder. Plus we get talking to the powerhouse duo of Adil & Vasundhara on their music and writer Ashwin Sanghi on his literary influences

MAINCOURSE

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Vidya Singh and her stylish friends check out China XO at The Leela Palace and come away happy while our Hyderabad correspondent has an equally awesome experience at The Olive Bistro

THE RITZ READER

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Shruti Haasan gives us her idea of luxury and ‘the good life’

EDITOR & PUBLISHER ARUNA R KRISHNAN EDITORIAL CO-ORDINATORS SHRUTHI SUDHAKARAN & ROHIT PANIKKER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ASMITA AGGARWAL, ROHIT PANIKKER, VINITA NAYAR, SIDDHARTH KUMAR, RICHA TILOKANI, VIRA SHAH, MINAL KHONA GUEST COLUMNISTS SHARAN APPARAO, VIDYA SINGH DESIGN PURPLE MANGO CREATIVE SOLUTIONS MARKETING MANAGER PRAVEEN KUMAR M EXECUTIVE-CLIENT SERVICE SWATHI RAMAKRISHNAN SENIOR MEDIA EXECUTIVE – FILM PROMOTIONS SANJAY G FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER ARUL RAJ EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER, CHENNAI M GURUNATH PRABHU

To advertise in RITZ, call Praveen Kumar on 9841973090 / 044 42113871 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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OCTOBER 2013

BUZZIN’

FOOD

Diwali Delights from BISCOTTI Choose from exclusive hand crafted festive hampers that you can customise as per your desire. Take your pick from traditional sweets and signature Biscotti goodies like macaroons, dry fruit halwa, dried apricots, chocolate truffles, dark chocolate bars, ladoos, cookies, dry fruits and more. Available in a range of festive colours and sizes, starting at ` 499 onwards. To know more about the Biscotti sweet surprises, call Hyatt Regency Chennai at +91 99620 01647.

SUNDOWN at 365 AS Celebrate the weekend with a difference at the first-ofits-kind Sundown at 365 AS, with six hours of unlimited music, free flowing spirits, BBQ and delectable food fare to delight your soul.

Saturdays and Sundays will never be the same in Chennai. Starting October 2013 – 2 PM to 8 PM every Saturday and Sunday at 365 AS at Hyatt Regency Chennai.

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BUZZIN’

SHOPPING

Lladró unveils the limited edition Ram Darbar Ram Darbar, the limited edition Lladró stands true to the brand’s focus on heritage and craftsmanship…

This Diwali, the iconic 60-year old Lladró has unveiled a special limited edition sculpture titled Ram Darbar, at their flagship boutique at the Bergamo Mall, Chennai.

Ram Darbar summarizes the best expressions of Lladró’s work and includes the highest level of excellence that the Lladró family has to offer.

The sculptures of Lakshman and Hanuman capture the essence of unflinching devotion to the Divine Couple. Drawing from the Hindu iconography and embellished in finery, both Lakshman and Hanuman are depicted in their traditional posture, next to Ram and kneeling in prayer respectively. This new creation is a limited edition of 1800 pieces and is approximately 46 x 29 cm in size, available worldwide.

Ram Darbar is a part of The Spirit of India collection, which includes other sculptures

such as Goddess Lakshmi, Ganesha series, Divine Love, Radha Krishna, Lord Krishna, Sacred Cow, Indian dance etc.

The luxurious attributes of the baroque and enthralling wonders of India are captured in the various pieces of this collection.

Frame your Style Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter, shades are a fashion constant.

With Diesel and Marcolin collaborating to bring about Fall Winter 2013 collection, we find out more...

For those who love their shades, the Fall Winter Diesel Eyewear collection is a collection worth checking out. It suggests a new vision of style, mainly inspired by denim, vintage and colorful touches. Following the previous successful season, Denimize shades make their comeback with a full denim edition. Asymmetric temples and exclusive real denim inserts transform the unisex Wayfarer shape into an iconic piece dedicated to real denim lovers. The captivating, colourful collection, featuring mirror lenses and unbalanced frames, is inspired by the most unconventional people and sets a statement worth your style.

Price: On Request Availability: Available in all leading optical and multi-branded stores across country

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OCTOBER 2013

ADVERTORIAL

Gift health with

Brown Tree Brown Tree promises to make your festive season extra special and healthier with a even wider range of yummy gift hampers, says Richa Tilokani.

Every Diwali, we promise not to overeat but still end up devouring many boxes of fattening sweets. This year, why not switch to healthier options like dry fruits and chocolates, which are much lighter on the stomach? For healthy but tasty gifts, head to Brown Tree this festive season where you can choose from a wide range of dry fruit hampers and imported chocolates like Lindt, Hersheys etc.

It has been four successful years since young entrepreneurs Dinesh Kumar and Abhinandan B started Brown Tree. Since then, they have opened 16 stores, of which are 12 in Chennai and four in Bengaluru.

The duo plans to open many more in every major city in the country, very soon.

Says founder Abhinandan B, “This Diwali, gift health to your loved ones with our wide range of dry fruit hampers. The advantage of gifting dry fruits is that they have a longer shelf life compared to sweets. Plus, a lot of people are unable to eat sweets due to diabetes etc., so dry fruits are a good alternative for them. We have a wide range of price points as well; we have gifts from ` 120 to ` 4000. So, there is something for everyone at Brown Tree.”

Perfect gifting solutions One of their best-selling gifts is the intricately designed gold or silver-coloured basket, which features apricots centered around cashewnuts, almonds, raisins and pistachios in a pleasing arrangement.

The whole pack is sealed with a thick transparent film with the dry fruits packed

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OCTOBER 2013

individually inside. It makes for a great corporate or private gift. Another fast mover is the ornate fruit gift box inspired by the art of Rajasthani royalty, complete with coloured, jade-like metallic finish, sure to create a lasting impression. This compartmentalised gift box contains the finest quality of cashew nuts, almonds, raisins and pistachios.

Brown Tree also has a Celebrations and semi-ornate range which is suitable for all occasions. This dry fruit gift box comes with an ethnic touch, using designs inspired from the traditional block-prints of India. It comes with a brilliant shine derived from the glass embedded on the boxes, packed with loads of healthy dry fruits to fulfill the nutritious dietary needs of your loved ones.

Healthy yet tasty Brown Tree also offers organic and natural foods, gourmet coffee beans, cereals, biscuits, instant noodles, roasted snacks, teas and sugar free products. Freshness and goodness is the driving motto of the founders at Brown Tree. “All the products are healthy, yet there is no compromise on taste. Going forward, we hope to continue to delight our customers with our healthy offerings,” signs off Abhinandan as he gets ready for another exciting festive season.

Not surprising then, that Brown Tree is fast becoming everyone’s favorite health food store.

Call the toll free number 1-800-1023360 for bulk orders.

Celebrating in Style

where celebrations become grander Trousseau packing | Gift boxes | Gift packing | Garlands and more...

Sanskrriti offers a range of custom-made, ethnic, and innovative wedding trousseau packaging, corporate gift hampers and festive giveaways to complement any celebratory occasion. Sanskrriti works closely out an inimitable style to your celebrations, making every moment count.

Old No. 14, New No. 15, Sulaiman Zackariah Avenue, Casa Major Road, 3rd Lane, Egmore, Chennai - 600008.

Ph: 2819 4489, 64992496 | Email: info.sanskrriti@gmail.com Weekdays: 10am – 7:30pm | Closed on Sunday

ADVERTORIAL

Defining

style y this festival

season With the festive season around the corner, The Chennai Silks is all geared up to make your shopping experience even more special…

This Diwali, The Chennai Silks brings you a lot of surprises loaded with some enviable and exquisite collections. Get geared up for the grand sale this festive season. One of their signature designs this month includes the Perfumed sarees, which will stir the senses of every woman.

The saree is crafted in a way that it retains its fragrance for a minimum of 20 washes. This is something that has never been attempted before in the history of the traditional saree!

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The Chennai Silks has also launched a unique product in the kids' segment called 'Bublee - 2500 in 1' for the first time in the world, where kids can wear a single outfit in 2500 different styles. Likewise, The Chennai Silks is also launching various innovative clothing merchandise for boys like reversible t-shirts, reversible bermudas and convertible pants.

Besides these innovative designs, comes the 30-metre skirt and top set with shawl for teen girls, which will definitely jazz up your wardrobe this festive season.

BUZZIN’

THIS MONTH WE LOVE

Casa Paradox hits French Shores Raseel Gujral Ansal, drawing inspirations from the two facets of India, the sublime and the irreverent, recently showcased her muchanticipated collections – Neophile and Illustratti – at Maison et Objet, a major French trade fair for interior design. As always, Casa Paradox transforms the lifestyle of its clients, by providing a space that is novel yet familiar, with the only constant being luxury and elegance. The luxury design brand continues to deliver the top trends with distinct and bold collections.

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OCTOBER 2013

BUZZIN’

One Among The Stars With the introduction of its Constellation Star in two sizes, Omega joined hands with Orbis International and its Flying Eye Hospital, which delivers high-level eye care to some of the world’s more remote regions. With the debut of its exquisite and sophisticated Constellation Star 24mm and 27mm, Omega demonstrates its connection to social responsibilities and has made it possible for watch enthusiasts to make their own contribution to Orbis International and its efforts to fight preventable blindness around the world. The Omega Constellation Star 27mm features a distinctive sun-brushed blue dial with applied 18-carat white gold elements and white Super LumiNova on the hands. Its stainless steel case gleams with a diamondpaved bezel and is attached to a stainless steel bracelet, giving this unique wristwatch a timeless yet bold appearance.

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OCTOBER 2013

THIS MONTH WE LOVE

SWEETEST FESTIVAL

BUZZIN’

NEW PRODUCTS

Golden

Hearing

Crafted by hand, the new 18-carat gold earphones

by Happy Plugs is an aural masterpiece Combine jewellery and good sound with these exclusive 18-carat gold earphones by Stockholm-based Happy Plugs.

25 grams of gold are hand-moulded into shape by a Swedish goldsmith, giving it as much importance as crafting a piece of jewellery. For those who are conscious about the price, Happy Plugs has also introduced similar metallic versions in silver and gold shades, costing ` 2000 (approx) as compared to ` 90,000 (approx) for the solid gold ones. Upgrade your look and make some noise!

A touch of RiRi’s Style!

Makeup brand MAC ties up with Rihanna to launch an exclusive line of cosmetics titled ‘RIRI hearts MAC’…

After her successful spring collaboration with makeup giant MAC, singer Rihanna’s fall line with the cosmetics brand has been a much-awaited one. In addition to bronzer, blushes, mascara, eye shadow palettes and liners, the Fall 2013 Collection ‘RIRI hearts MAC’ will offer Rihanna's signature lipsticks including ‘RiRi Woo’, which was a huge sensation from her previous collection.

All products are encased in rose gold metallic packaging, a stark deviation from the usual MAC black. The range releases internationally on October 3.

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OCTOBER 2013

BUZZIN’

A new

concept of travel

Mac Byers’ concept airship is a blend of Star Wars and a NASA space shuttle, and can hit long distances in the shortest time A new mode of travel has been conceptualised by UK-based designer Mac Byers, which allows guests to reach a wide range of destinations in a short time, while enjoying some of the greatest views imaginable. The airship looks like one inspired by Star Wars and the NASA space shuttle. The interiors are as open as possible encouraging social interaction like a full service hotel in the sky with at least one restaurant and a bar. Take a look at these awe-inspiring pictures.

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OCTOBER 2013

CHENNAI: PHOENIX MARKET CITY MALL, VELACHERY, TEL: 30083431 | 32113/114 SIR THEYAGARAYA ROAD, MENA KAMPALA ARCADE, T-NAGAR. TEL: 28155058 | 36 LATTICE BRIDGE ROAD, ADYAR. TEL: 24462486. HYDERABAD: CITY CENTER MALL, JUNCTION OF ROAD NO 10,BAJNJARA HILLS. TEL: 23351306 | G-42, INORBIT MALL, SURVEY NO 64, APIC SOFTWARE LAYOUT, HI-TECH CITY, MADHAPUR, CYBERABAD. TEL: 42016574

GLAM BRIGADE Canali hits Chennai!

Adding to the brand blitz that's hitting Chennai this year, famed Italian luxury menswear brand Canali launched its boutique at the Bergamo Mall in the city. The occasion brought the glitterati of the social circuit together while showcased on mannequins was their stunning AW 13 Collection. Paolo Canali, third generation of the Canali family and group commercial director of the brand, was present at the event.

ingam

Lanka L garwal

arima A

Ajay & G

Deepika & Radhika

Shobha & Swati

Heeba & Omar Sait

Paolo Canali & Karti Chidambaram

Celebs at Rehana's store launch Designer Rehana launched her latest collection at her new store on Harrington Road. The event was graced by actresses Urvashi and Lakshmi Rai as well as Lizzy Priyadrashan, who were all spotted checking out the clothes.

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SNAPPED Gatsby Re-invented The launch of the all-new Gatsby store at Kakani Towers, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, and their fabulous new brand, Aliph, featured a stylish and classy range of ethnic, western, formal and casual wear for men. Soon to make an international debut, Aliph wows with its excellent attention to detail – from the most luxurious and well-priced clothes to accessories such as a range of ties, bowties, cummerbunds, pocket squares, cufflinks and stoles to custommade shoes, the store has it all. At the launch, long-time customers who dropped in to wish Rafiq and Omar Sait were heard complimenting the father-son duo on their great new venture.

VBJ Re-loaded Last month, the wellknown and trusted Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (VBJ) relaunched their exclusive flagship showroom, on Anna Salai, in Chennai.

The all-new showroom houses what VBJ, over the last century has been best-known for – a large and stunning variety of gold, diamonds, platinum and gemstone-studded jewellery. The heirloom bridal jewellery collection will also be launched at the new showroom, soon.

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OCTOBER 2013

Achievers Galore

SNAPPED

The prestigious Jaguar Land Rover Women Achievers Awards were given away in Chennai recently. Recipients included well-known transgender television presenter Apsara Reddy, actress Lissy Priyadarshan and Sonika Jain, Vice President, Taj Group of Hotels, South India. Sanjeev Subramanian of VST Grandeur presented the Awards. The wine and cheese affair, which was hosted by Pooja Malhotra, also saw a special focus on the sensational new Jaguar F-Type.

OCTOBER 2013

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SNAPPED The Mentalist engages Chennai Celebrated performer and mind reader Lior Surchard, who has been publicly declared as the next Uri Geller, was in Chennai recently and he awed the audience with his unique set of mental skills. Surchard engaged with members of the audience to perform his acts, interacted with them and elated their senses by taking them on an exciting adventure built on drama, tension and astonishment doused with a huge sprinkling of humour, comedy and fun. The event was conducted by MMRT 3 and MMLC 4, both part of the Round Table of India movement.

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OCTOBER 2013

PORTFOLIO

Asmita Aggarwall takes a spin around the intrepid and innovative designs that hit the runway at two of the ‘Big Four’ of international fashion weeks – London and New York – and finds that ‘simplicity’ is sometimes overrated.

The recently-concluded annual installment of both the London and New York Fashion Week – which are touted to be two among the big four of fashion weeks that include Milan and Paris – was definitely an event that the updated fashionista must follow.

Especially since the designs showcased here annually define the trends and styles for the rest of the year! Of course, while it is still the most trend-setting and intrepid among the four, the London Fashion Week has always screamed youth, rock n’ roll and the irreverent lifestyle, be it in attitudes or fashion. Meanwhile, the New York Fashion Week took on more sombre tones, leaning towards the professional. Here’s a roundup of our favourites from the runway.

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OCTOBER 2013

Cropped white tops teamed up with striped floor-length skirts, inspired by the Kinetic Art Movement, a takeoff from the Impressionist painters of the 1800s. Simply put, it was a tribute to 3D, and that’s why there was an extensive use of organza giving the line a dreamy look. Venezuelan artists Carlos Cruz -Diez and Jesus Rafael Soto being her muses, Carolina Herrera played with optical illusion to give her geometric motifs a stunning angle.

PORTFOLIO

Carolina Herrera

OCTOBER 2013

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PORTFOLIO

Delicate, flowery and fit for a lover of all things divine, Marchesa flirted with tulle and lace to give 20s and 30s glamour a new twist. What were endearing were the 3-D flowers and dip-dyed feathers in the hair that gave models a sylph-like look. Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig’s storyline was ultra feminine and super glam, perfect for the glitzy red carpet.

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OCTOBER 2013

PORTFOLIO

Marchesa Spring 2014

OCTOBER 2013

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PORTFOLIO

Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez paid a tribute to all things comfortable yet on-trend. Their gold pleated silk skirts and Moroccan weaving, low necklines, superbly crafted coats with clean, architectural lines and wood platforms spelt pure sophistication. The foil print dresses were structured and the silver and bronze plates crafted into cropped tops were worn with natty culottes. Monochrome ďŹ ber prints and multilayered suits brought back the softer look.

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OCTOBER 2013

PORTFOLIO

Proenza Schouler Spring 2014

OCTOBER 2013

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PORTFOLIO

Rose Pink and lemony shades made a Burberry girl’s summer quieter with Christopher Bailey playing with Scottish cashmere and Merino wool. Interspersing lace and transparency, he created a romantic mood with a subtle and gentle line which also had plastic jackets and laser-cut leather.

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OCTOBER 2013

PORTFOLIO

Burberry Prorsum

OCTOBER 2013

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PORTFOLIO

It was Emma Hill’s swan song, her last line, as she bids farewell. Her knee length coats in divine white, wide legged pants and orals made it a spring to remember.

Cara Delevingne, with her bushy eyebrows, carried the silk jacquards to perfection, but who can forget the delicious bags the company is known for!

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OCTOBER 2013

PORTFOLIO

Mulberry

OCTOBER 2013

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PORTFOLIO

Glittery, shimmering and ideal for a woman who likes, well‌a lot of bling, Tom Ford, fashion’s poster boy, sent down models in body hugging catsuits, zebra prints and cobweb-like designs.

The man who reinvented Gucci in the 90s taking it to new heights, this time dresses the sexy woman in safari suits, monochromatic tuxedos and of course, bondage shoes.

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PORTFOLIO

Tom Ford

OCTOBER 2013

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Oscar de la Renta fall 2013

Balmain fall 2013

Dolce & Gabbana fall 2013

Alexander McQueen fall 2013 available at Kitsch

Shantanu Goenka winter festive 2013

Rocky Star winter festive 2013

‘Opium' by Sabyasachi at DCW 2013

HAUTE STUFF

Sequin embellished crepe dress

by Victoria, Victoria Beckham

Embellished metallic jacquard mini dress by Balmain

Cream pearl embellished pencil skirt

by River Island

All hail the

Royal Bling!

Vira Shah tells you how to get it right with the royal bling

With the festive season upon us, this fall trend is sure to make you go back in time, look and feel like a real queen at every social do.

Eye-catching embroidery, oversized gemstones, rich fabrics and statement jewelery characterize this more-is-more look, while maintaining a modern edge. Step up your style quotient next time you’re stepping out, but don’t forget the bold attitude and loads of confidence!

Freida Pinto in Sanchita at Cannes film festival

Gold sequinned bodice dress with mesh skirt

by Forever New

Embellished cotton jersey sweatshirt by Lanvin

HAUTE STUFF

Starburst embellishment on jacquard top

by Marks & Spencer

Floral jacquard shorts

by Red Valentino

Metallic brocade and stretch wool peplum jacket

by Prabal Gurung Forest fern strappy top

by French Connection

OCTOBER 2013

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HAUTE STUFF

Amber and blue ring

by Sonal’s Bijoux

Statement bracelet by House of Chic Embellished heeadband

by Deepa Gurnani Chandelier earrings

by Notandas & Sons jewellers

Pearl and gold bracelet

by Alexander McQueen available at Kitsch

Vine evening bag with floral beadwork

by Hidesign Baroque pearl clutch

by Accessorize

Tone on tone pink clutch

by Balmain

Mesh clutch with pearls and crystals

by Rachana Reddy Pearl and gold studding

by Marchesa

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OCTOBER 2013

House of Chic fall 2013

Gold rose sunglasses

by Dolce & Gabbana

Lakme absolute royal beauty collection fall 2013

by Sabyasachi

Beaded and sequinned slippers

by Roger VIvier

Mosaic heel mary jane pumps

by Dolce & Gabbana

Vintage oral inlay pumps

by Roberto Cavalli

HAUTE STUFF

Jewel like nail sparkling powders by Dior

Thread and stone embroidered platforms

by Metro

Metalwork with stones on pumps by Bruno Magli

OCTOBER 2013

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HAUTE STUFF

Making

Quirky Cool Two designers from Pune give Asmita Aggarwal the lowdown on some original artwork on natty dresses…

Jayesh Sachdev loved art and honed his brush strokes in Singapore, but little did he know that he would win the British Council Award in 2008, and meet another awardee Rixi Bhatia, and that it would be a lifechanging event.

“Being an artist you can only paint 1015 canvases in a year, restricting my audience to a few people who understand and appreciate art. I thought this was a bit elitist, as art must be accessible to everyone, and that’s how the idea of Quirk Box, our lifestyle and fashion label came about in 2011,” says Pune-based Jayesh, who graduated in Visual Communication from the Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore. He has founded his own art and design studio under the name of Emblem Studios, and admits he is inspired by greats like Andy Warhol and Peter Philips.

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After working for an advertising agency in Singapore, Jayesh quit to return to India and immerse himself in art. He has also painted canvases for the screening of Ketan Mehta’s film at the Cannes Film Festival.

“Art must not be restrictive, that’s why I like Andy Warhol’s work. It was fun and everyone could get it,” he says.

The design sensibility of Quirk Box is well … quirky and what distinguishes it from other labels is that all the artwork is original, done

by Jayesh. Their forte is prints … so you will see offbeat, unconventional ones in the most eye-popping hues. Nothing is subtle, everything is a bit over-the-top, ranging from the fuchsias and neons to tangerines.

“We wanted to give women something that was original. I am quite inspired by the Japanese Manga comics too, so you will see some bits that come into the label’s

DNA,” says Jayesh.

Quirk Box offers dresses from ` 2,000 onwards, and they have interesting concepts like Dream Factory, Solider, Dolls and Toy factory designs. “We also have stationery, home décor items, cushion covers, coasters, wall art, furniture and mugs. For our Lakme Fashion Week collection, we have knew that we were addressing a prêt audience, but have played with loud prints, and added colour blocking to make them sparkle,” says Jayesh.

Most fabrics are georgette and silks, as the focus remains colour – lots of it.

“Indians love colour, and even though we don’t believe in trends, prints will remain our mainstay, irrespective of whether they are internationally ‘in’ or not,” concludes Jayesh.

Mirari

Elephants have been an integral part of the rich culture of Asia. They occupy a very special place in India, as they are worshipped in our country. Yet, as is common knowledge, Asian elephants are widely subjected to various forms of cruelty and abuse and their numbers are fast dwindling. For centuries, they have been part of circuses and are routinely subjected to extremely hard labour. In our country, they have even been made to beg on the streets.

Of late, there are several movements being spearheaded to liberate the elephants and help them regain their lost freedom. Besides the conservation programs and other such, many people have sought to raise awareness about and love for elephants through art.

In 2006, father and son duo Marc and Mike Spits initiated the ďŹ rst open air art exhibition called the Elephant Parade with a strong motive to conserve Asian elephants and ensure their welfare. The parade includes creative life-size models of elephants from various parts of the globe that are created by reputed fashion designers. And for the very ďŹ rst time the parade witnessed a jewellery designer extend her support to the cause. Mirari, a premier name in luxurious jewellery in India, designed one of the marvelous elephants for the parade. Mira Gulati of Mirari is the ďŹ rst jewellery designer in the world to have participated in this globally renowned Parade.

Mira says, “Elephant Parade is a brand in itself, and over the years, has shown immense growth all the while helping in the best possible way to conserve elephants. My support is minimal in the context of the entire Parade but this being my ďŹ rst exposure I gave it my best shot. Elephants are an essential part of the diverse Indian wildlife and saving this endangered species is a must. The elephant designed by us stands in majestic testimony to the rich culture of India and my love for it.â€? Each year, the elephant models designed as part of this exhibition are auctioned, and the proceeds are donated to the Asian Elephant Foundation.

OCTOBER 2013

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HAUTE STUFF

Mirari is possibly the ďŹ rst jewellery designer in the world to have designed for the globallyrenowned Elephant Parade

ON OUR RADAR

AM:PM designers Priyanka and Ankur Modi don’t like a dressed up home gleaming with silver or expensive art, as their contemporary home is simple, fuss-free, plush and airy!

Asmita Aggarwal takes a detailed tour...

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Living with her mom-in-law, the veteran designer Anju Modi, has been rewarding for Priyanka, who belongs to the Birla family, and moved to the city six years ago from Kanpur after she tied the knot with Ankur and today their two boys, Aryaman, 3, and Adhiraj, 7, are the light of their lives.

Taking The Tour On the top-most floor of the building, the third, the house has a drawing and a dining room, a lovely terrace and the kids’

rooms. The beauty of this contemporary home lies in its simplicity and elegance.

You won’t find any expensive silver or brocades, but what you will is muted, warm colours, and demarcations all executed in glass to give it a seamless, free-flowing, light feel. The sliding doors which divide the dining area from the gallery offer an illusion of space too. “We got a wall broken down to make it into a glass window so that we could allow the greenery to come inside,” says Priyanka.

likes to work in her room, so we have a small desk and chair. But she also has a walk-in closet that is quite expansive. After all she is an established designer who has been in the fashion business for more than twenty years,” she smiles.

The drawing room has a big sofa, a low lying and unconventional table, floor cushions and to spice things up a bit, they have a stone wall to add a rustic charm.

On the other hand, Priyanka’s bedroom has almost meditative walls, and she has the privilege of enjoying the balcony. “I sit and sip my morning cuppa here and it is as if everyday I send out an invitation for the leafy trees to join me! I like natural light, so the glass allows us to enjoy this simple luxury. We don’t put things where they fit, rather we try to keep everything in harmony with what is existing,” she says.

The dining room has a cosy, marble top table and the adjoining room is a puja room, but what makes it sparkle are the dull green walls combined with pure white. “My momin-law’s bedroom is her sanctuary, it has a massive laser-cut stone door with a floating bed inside. The textured wall is where the TV is placed and the long book rack that hits the ceiling is really the best part. Ma

With most of the furniture in light grey and white, Priyanka has kept her abode free from any ornamentation or heavy, richlooking fabrics. Instead, she has played with soft lighting to maintain equanimity.

Featuring straight lines, a clean flat plan and shaded lamps carefully placed to brighten up nooks and corners, this modern home is tasteful and graceful. “I think

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ON OUR RADAR

Beaming with sunlight, and peace, despite being in Friends Colony, a posh, bustling area in the national capital, the quiet, organic feel of Priyanka and Ankur Modi’s home is refreshing. And as the AM:PM designers say in unison, “We wanted it to be welcoming and inspiring.

Not opulent and bursting at the seams with Lladro and Royal Doulton. In fact, we don’t understand the concept of showpieces, a house must be functional and we have made it effective in our own innovative way.”

ON OUR RADAR

thoughtful design is all about less is more and keeping it clutter-free and airy. So our home is luminous with lots of open spaces, unhindered ventilation, smart lighting and touches of white which add purity and a certain rhythm and tranquil fluidity.

Maybe that’s why we leave our windows undressed,” she explains.

That Special Vibe What makes the home special is her two boys, who add unconditional love and happiness in her hectic life. Adhiraj’s room is more practical, it has wooden flooring, thereby eliminating the need for exotic carpets. “Hardwood floors are versatile and to tell you the truth we couldn’t decide between walnut, hickory and wild

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oak, but liked the wider planks to give the feeling of more space, so we opted for them. The wooden floors add a colonial, old world charm to the room and make it fuss-free for kids, who leave their toys on the floor. It is also easy to clean,” she explains.

The blue room also has a huge sofa so that Priyanka after a hard day’s work can hang out with her son, read a story or simply play with him. “Adhiraj loves music and responds to it like a true musician; he gets so immersed in the beats that it is a treat to watch him. We have kept a music system in his room, and he listens to whatever catches his fancy – from Bollywood to classics,” she confesses.

Aryaman’s room has a low bed, white wooden flooring and three walls painted with farm animals that he loves to identify, giggling every time he gets it right. “He has bright, green shelves and a small wooden cabinet with colourful handles which perks up his space, instantly. We crafted a play area within the room so that there are many things that will spark his imagination, like art projects, Lego or word games, which are engaging and meaningful, rather than just mindless TV watching,” she says.

In a world that has an over-stimulated, commoditized culture the Modis prefer an unadorned home that simplifies life down to the essentials. As Priyanka concludes, “It may be cheesy, and an adage often misused, but home is where the heart is.”

ADVERTORIAL

;^^ZX]V Pc cWT Âł4R^´]^\XRb ^U Xc P[[ Jullaaha, the eco boutique run by Jayadevi Cholayil is home to exquisite handicrafts, garments, soaps, spa products and so much more, as Richa Tilokani ďŹ nds out.

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Jullaaha’s four exotic ayurvedic soaps are orange and cinnamon; melon and aloe vera; saffron and sandal; and goat milk and jojoba and honey bathing bars. The orange and cinnamon bar is an effective anti-wrinkle soap, which imparts a radiant glow. It is made of jojoba oil, coconut butter, kokum butter, avocado butter and glycerine. The melon and aloe vera bar helps to gently purify and remove dead cells. It is made from vegetable glycerine, olive oil, grape seed oil, loofah and aloe vera extract.

Jullaaha reflects Jayadevi’s love for colour, travel, excellence and all things beautiful and exotic. No wonder, it is renowned for its high quality handcrafted garments, exotic Ayurvedic soaps and spa products. With a background in Ayurveda and soap making, it’s not surprising that its exotic Ayurvedic segment is doing well both nationally and internationally. Jullaaha is also known for its beautiful and warm ambience, which has been decorated with knick-knacks collected by Jayadevi during her travels around the world.

The fragrant saffron and sandal bar is effective in whitening and depigmentation and is made of natural ingredients like sandal, saffron, sweet almond oil, wheatgerm oil, and vitamin E. The goat milk, jojoba and honey soap helps to whiten and soothe the skin and is made from cocoa butter, jojoba butter, grapeseed oil, shea butter, papaya extract and honey.

Exotic Ayurvedic soaps Says Jayadevi, “I recently travelled to Singapore, Dubai and Bologna for a series of exhibitions and showcased our exotic Ayurvedic products there. The response was overwhelming and showed that the market for our Ayurvedic products is very large and widespread.”

The Jullaaha soaps are the latest offerings from the green boutique and are based on our ancient 5000-year-old Ayurvedic system. Made from fruits, spa oils and all things organic, these hand-made soaps are a great way to bring wellness into our lifestyle, sans chemicals and harmful products.

Wide Range of Ayurvedic products Jullaaha also offers a number of other new Ayurvedic products like, “Aloe vera gel, natural hair colour, anti-dandruff hair oil, virgin coconut oil, golden glow oil (for enhancing fairness) and a herbal body wash, which are already in demand. At Jullaaha, we believe in leading a sustainable lifestyle with minimum damage to the environment. All our products are made using natural processes and organic materials, so you get a sense of wellness associated with our brand,” shares Jaya.

Jayadevi’s keen sense of observation inspires her to learn from both the ordinary and the exotic around her. Her travels around the world also give her a unique perspective and a keen insight into consumer mindset and the overall market.

Giving back It's not surprising that the Cholayil Group (which also manufactures the famous Medimix soap), has pioneered the contemporary use of Ayurveda in our country, earning the trust of millions of Indians and was recently included in the top 100 brands in an Economic Times countrywide survey. The Cholayil Group also plays an important role in society, bridging the gap between the ethical consumer and the poor craftsmen of the country. Jayadevi’s initiatives at Jullaaha have improved the overall well-being of the local communities and made them self-sufficient. Under her trained and watchful eye, the inherent and untapped manual skills of the talented artisans have been skilfully mobilised in designing for Jullaaha. They transform traditional kalamkari and batik prints into eclectic creations, which are then worn all over the world.

“We are very proud of our traditional craft and it is important that we support them so they can retain their rich legacy. Our country has a rich resource of excellent weavers and craftsmen and their talent needs to be shared with the world,” says Jayadevi happily.

Looking ahead Jayadevi is also excited about the future of Jullaaha’s new Ayurvedic products. They provide a healthy alternative to the mass produced and non-natural options available in the market today. The packaging lends a contemporary glamour to the products, blending seamlessly with the Indian design, giving them a unique look.

“I want the users of the exotic soaps and spa products to feel luxurious, even royal as they pamper themselves with the goodness of our ancient heritage,” ends Jayadevi as she gets busy with the new products at Jullaaha.

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ADVERTORIAL

“Be the change you want to be” said Mahatma Gandhi. And Jayadevi Cholayil is one to take his advice seriously. Tired of the empty words of support to the handicrafts industry from the fashion world, Jayadevi decided to take matters into her own hand. Combining her twin passions of fashion and philanthropy, she started Jullaaha with the aim of helping poor local women. Today, Jullaaha stocks a wide variety of products made by these women and various NGOs who support impoverished communities.

ADVERTORIAL

Cuisines & Conversations The relaunched Lobby Café at the Radha Regent Hotel, Chennai, is the best place to enjoy an extra large buffet and a good conversation, as Richa Tilokani finds out.

Chennaiites have a great new place to hang out – the all-new relaunched Lobby Café at the Radha Regent Hotel at Arumbakkam. The Lobby Café is a round-the-clock multi-cuisine restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. A 17-year-old establishment, the Lobby Café has now been renovated and completely refurbished to offer the best of Southern hospitality in a contemporary manner. It is open 24 hours and situated at the lobby level, hence the name.

choices, sending you on a delightful gastronomic adventure. The USP of the Lobby Café is that it offers live cooking options for a variety of cuisines like Indian, European, and Chinese. “You can sample some of the best herb spiced Indian delicacies, aromatic Chinese and live traditional Italian oven-baked pizzas and pastas right here in the city. Lobby Café also serves buffet breakfast everyday and brunch buffet on all Sundays,” says Sanjoy.

Shares Sanjoy Kumar Das, General Manager, Radha Regent Hotel, “Earlier the restaurant was known as the Café in the Park, but now it has been relaunched in a modern avatar. The new Lobby Café brings an extraordinary contemporary ambience with an extra large buffet spread, which will appeal to all our patrons.”

The live kitchen attached to the restaurant provides a lot of add-ons which are freshly made according to the different choices of the guests. It also offers food connoisseurs a delicious spread of healthy soups, salad bars, dessert bars and even live music to keep them company. The a-la-carte menu features pre-plated options, with cuisines from around the world to suit every palate.

A gastronomic adventure

Best of Southern hospitality

The Lobby Café offers one of the most lavish spreads in the city and exotic cuisine

An offering from the Radha Hotels, the Radha Regent is a premium hotel with

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great infrastructure, amazing service and a reputation that precedes it. Located just a few metres from the biggest bus terminus in Asia and close to the Chennai airport, it is easily accessible to everyone. It is especially convenient for corporates who do not have many options in that area. The restaurant seats 100 people and includes an exclusive personalised dining hall.

The Radha Regent has been a trend-setter among city hotels, after ushering in the pub culture with their Geoffrey’s Pub a decade ago. Now with Lobby Café, the hotel delights diners with remarkable interiors, great service and competitive pricing, making it one of the most popular restaurants in the city. The elegant ambience adds to the charm of the place and creates a wonderful atmosphere to relax and unwind.

The Lobby Café is located at Hotel Radha Regent on 171, Jawahar Lal Nehru Salai, Inner Ring Road, Arumbakkam, Chennai. For reservations contact +91 44 66778899.

PERSONALITY

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GGlitter uts n' All of 32, she has recently been listed by the World Gold Council as one of the top 10 most inventive and ingenious jewellery designers in the world. She has won several Awards including the prestigious Audi RITZ Icon Award 2012 and has been named by Vogue Italia as one of the 5 designers to watch out for in India. Even the iconic Jimmy Choo has praised her designs and her jewellery is regularly worn by A-list ďŹ lm stars and well-known personalities across the country. Presenting the super talented Suhani Pittie, in conversation with Vinita Nayar.

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Wardrobe and Accessories by Suhani Pittie Hair and Make up by Sandy Photography by Sucharitha Rao

PERSONALITY

Location: The Park, Hyderabad

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What inspired you to become a jewellery designer? Tell us how you took your interest forward.

My career as a jewellery designer was absolutely unplanned. I was teaching gemmology in Kolkata before moving to Hyderabad in 2004. One fine day, I was toying with some old silver. I heated it, and made something for my mum-in-law and got orders on it from most people who saw it on her. Thereafter, I participated in Bridal Asia.

My work got picked up by some leading stores, and suddenly I found myself a career!

My first love was gemmology. I was never inclined towards design or jewellery.

I have always enjoyed getting into the thick of the technicalities. Whether its gadgets or cars or even the refractive indices of gemstones, I am a sucker for detail and love researching and reading up on topics. As a child, I would always be toying with the rocks and pebbles in the garden. When I was seven, I saw an amber in a book and got drawn to the world of gems. Of course, I didn’t know then that there was a whole subject related to it that I could actually study.

But somewhere I always felt I wanted to do something with stones and after class 12, I went to study at the Gemological Institute of America. When I got back, I started teaching at a gemmological school and went on to start my own school of gemology very soon. This was all at age 20. At 23, I got married and moved to Hyderabad... And like

“

I said earlier, everything including my first design and executing my first order, was unplanned. In 2004, by God’s grace, within a month of my starting, things started spiralling forward very quickly; my husband Stouvant joined me and we floated our company Zorya Fashions.

Again, it wasn’t a planned move. He was looking at something new to do and felt this business looked lucrative.

Personally, I always knew I would start my own business. My entire childhood was inspired by dad who is the most hardworking person I know. At 14, he started taking me to his office. So a life without doing anything worthwhile was never an option. As for entrepreneurship, it’s hard but there is tremendous satisfaction.

You must have faced several challenges when you started out…

Oh boy...many! Eight years back there was very little of the concept of alternative jewellery in the mainstream market. When I was trying to establish my team of workers, every now and then one of them would rebel saying this was not the kind of jewellery that the market would buy and that I was wasting my time. It took many years for them to have faith in what they were making – and nothing comes out right till you believe in it. Now I don’t even have to sketch, they can just read my mind!

It’s amazing.

India has all along been a patron of precious jewellery. Suddenly to break into this market of ‘Let the jewellery be a sound investment’ and create a market that says ‘Let’s have jewellery for pure delight’ needed thorough planning. Fortunately for me, two months after I started work, the first store to pick up my work was ‘Ensemble’ and with their acceptance came terrific self-confidence.

I must admit that it (Hyderabad) was a new city for me. I had to deal with a new language and culture, and undertake a new search for raw materials and for people. In fact, it was a new business model altogether. But it’s all been good and I would change nothing about it. My

experiences over the years have taught me a lot and moulded me immensely. For instance, I don’t panic even in stressful situations. I just switch on some Bollywood music and work out on paper, a flowchart to solve the issue.

Tell us about your online business.

Our online venture is a massive step toward business expansion and by God’s grace, it has taken off very well. Our aim is to reach out to every city and town in the country. We get so many requests and orders from towns that are not the metros, and naturally, we want to reach out. With very good prices and a cash-on-delivery option, I’m sure we would be able to attract a very large clientele. I am thrilled that we have had a good beginning. We are getting orders from all over the country, including places like Varkala, Wayanad etc. It’s exciting to see how even the B-towns are appreciative of our work.

What do you love the most about designing?

My designs reflect my love for many things – metal, my mood, my surroundings, the old city, the Charminar, a 200-year-old haveli, dancers on the streets, women with their ringing anklets, the bangle maker, the local kumhaar (potter), the by-lanes, old photographs, tall buildings, brass, steel, history, books and many more. So I guess what I love about design is that it’s an expression of emotion. I think it is a fantastic opportunity to be able to express so vividly what you are feeling at that moment and the freedom and liberation that comes with it.

So what moves and inspires you enough to express?

Each of my collections brings with it a mood, a feeling and an emotion. It begins with the first impression, which is initially vivid, then intense and then gets slowly ingrained into the subconscious.

I like to collect these feelings, memories, connections and observations. This time, for example, was about the free spirit, the naivety of the heart, about pure love. Earlier it was a stronger mood, about cultures and

I met Jimmy Choo at a very private dinner. He touched my necklace and said those kind words

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PERSONALITY

Suhani Pittie never planned on becoming a jewellery designer; she was a gemmologist who turned to jewellery design by chance.

But what a chance that has been!

Today, this talented young Hyderabadbased designer has gained national and international recognition and awards that have catapulted her into a league of her own. She has also launched her online store www.suhanipittie.com/shop, another successful venture from this gifted lady. The younger sister of India’s most sought-after fashion designer Anamika Khanna, Suhani opens up to RITZ about her business, the challenges she faced, her passion for design and her own style quotient...

PERSONALITY

Style Check Tell us about your personal sense of style. How fashion conscious are you?

I always take the classic route. I don’t follow trends at all and more often than not you will find me in something that’s really vintageinspired. I’m a sucker for all things old. Give me an old winding watch over a new one any day or an old skirt from the by-lanes of Rajasthan and I would get all glassy-eyed!

Name four people who have influenced the way you style, dress and carry yourself.

Anamika Khanna, Blogger Nadia Sarwar, Roisin Murphy and Vivienne Westwood.

The one thing you wouldn't be caught dead wearing?

Animal print anything!

Your favourite accessory brand?

Alexis Bittar. I admire the way the brand has become so mainstream.

A piece of jewellery that is not your design but blew your mind?

The Hermes Centaure necklace. What a brilliant way to express the brand’s perennial equestrian subject!

Three celebrities you would like to see wearing your designs?

I would love for Tilda Swinton to wear our fierce ear cuffs or Keira Knightley to wear the very strong collars. There’s a whole lot of people who are on my wish list.

What/who would you call your design muse?

Anyone who has a mind of her own and is not a victim of changing trends. Someone who has the courage to foray into the future on her own terms but takes along with her all her cultural values. Anyone who is unapologetically individualistic.

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about strength; it had within it depictions of Shiva or Islam, as also tribes and temples. An earlier collection was inspired by a jatra dancer I saw in Begum Bazaar.

Yet another time it was the history of the Nizams. This time it was a story of the tribal lifestyle. I do not follow trends. I follow my heart and my thoughts. Maybe that’s why the collections are so varied. My work is an unexpected combination of contradictory elements. It is fiercely individual and fiercely honest.

How did it feel to be featured in Fortune magazine? And to gain recognition from the World Gold Council? Even Jimmy Choo has praised you.

I don’t think I have achieved much yet. But yes, it’s all very encouraging. The biggest industry body coming forth and patting you on the back and putting you in the top ten in the world surely feels like you are doing something right. It’s a high; but it keeps you on your toes and pushes you to get better. Fortune magazine analysed and talked about our business. So I’m really happy to know that it is not just the brand but also the business model that is getting the right kind of appreciation. I met Jimmy Choo at a very private dinner.

He touched my necklace and said those kind words.

We chatted for very long about it.

I think I did not breathe through the entire conversation.

I think I died and came back!

A very exciting event was when we were chosen to showcase for the British Royalty by the Birtish Council. It brought with it a trust factor – that a very important body had trusted us to do a very, very important show for some very, very important people.

That trust has kept us on our toes. It’s like you can’t let anyone down. You HAVE to be darn good everyday! That experience, that solid belief gives me a very firm ground to work on.

Your sister is India’s most sought after fashion designer, Anamika Khanna. How exciting was growing up with her?

Ana is 10 years older to me. So she is almost like my mom. I was very young when she got married. But I remember her doing all my art and biology homework because she was so darn good at drawing. I remember her first show. I wasn’t allowed inside because I was underage. I still remember it was called the Shoowa collection. The next day her picture came in the paper.

I remember cutting it and sticking it on my cupboard next to a picture of Jonty Rhodes. That’s how young I was when I started admiring her. From big sis she was slowly becoming this big designer, all through hard work and talent. I've seen her go through the grind and I respect her for all her courage.

I'm so proud of her and so in awe of her. She is really amazing at what she does. Anamika is probably the only person I know who eats, sleeps and dreams design and works extremely hard at making it all happen. We all know what a terrific artist she is, but it’s inspiring to see her always strive to do better and never say 'this is it'. That, to me is the sign of a true achiever!

You seem to only wear your sister Ananmika Khanna’s designs. Tell us about that.

I do wear others as well. In fact, I wear a lot of old vintage clothes too. But yes, my wardrobe has a very large section of Anamika Khanna. What to do. she is my favourite! Would you believe that my sister doesn’t really give me fashion inputs? That’s an interesting thing about Anamika Khanna.

She lets you be.

What are you working on now?

We have just finished samples for the Diwali collection. I’m working on designs for New Year now – both jewellery and giftware.

What is a typical day like for you?

6.30 AM to 8 AM is workout time, whether it’s just running or running and then some weight training. At 9.25, we leave for office and get back at 8.45 PM. Then it is coffee, anagram, Uno, video games or just tons and tons of reading.

How do you unwind after a long day?

Photography. Dancing… and when my body tires out, reading. I am a history buff. So I read books on world leaders, on independence, on economics and political history of countries. I am also a self-proclaimed movie critic and the biggest Harry Potter fan there has ever been! And of course, there’s the Xbox in our life! And anagram! Or organising my sticker collection.

You live in Hyderabad. Would you say that being based out of a South Indian city has inhibited your growth in anyway, since most people in the fashion industry prefer to work out of Mumbai or Delhi?

Not at all. On the contrary, it's so nice being in this historic city away from all of the fashion noise.

I do my own thing. I have a life after 9 PM. I'm not stuck in traffic or on the road trying to make it home. I believe that Hyderabad, with its cultural background and history, has really given me an eye to appreciate beauty.

Any pointers to our readers on using jewellery to enhance a look?

Treat jewellery like the main feature of your dressing and see how the entire wardrobe becomes new

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“

I remember her (Anamika Khanna) doing all my art and biology homework because she was so good at drawing

UBER LIVING

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A PRECIOUS BEAUTY Pearls have long been cherished by different cultures as one off the most beautiful gem ms to adorn the female form. Asmita Aggarrwal and Richa Tilokanii take a look at the evolution of this object of desire.

Pearls have been around in human consciousness for the longest time, since the days of ancient Greek lore. A lot has been written about the beauty of the natural pearls, which occur in the wild, while pearls that are commonly available today are cultured or farm pearls and are taken from oysters.

Monicka Vadera explains, “Today, there are many types of pearls available at affordable prices. Vendors label these as cultured pearls, and they are are simply defined as man-made pearls created under controlled environments to produce the desired colour, type and size of pearl.”

For the uninitiated, a pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusc. It is made up of calcium carbonate in crystalline form. What makes them different from other gems is that they do not need any polishing or treatment before being sold. They are created perfect by living beings, in the deep seas.

Under natural conditions, a pearl is formed when an irritant finds its way to an oyster. In response to this, the oyster starts secreting nacre which is a smooth crystalline substance. In time, this becomes a perfectly silky and lustrous pearl.

spherical bead or do it non-beaded. The majority of saltwater cultured pearls are grown with beads. The majority of beaded cultured pearls are mantle-grown in freshwater shells,” explains designer Alpana Gujral.

Natural pearls

Harvesting Beauty For many hundreds of years, pearl oysters were hunted in the most brutal fashion.

Tons of them were gathered, opened, and thus killed, to find a single wild pearl. Divers would pull oysters from ocean floors and rivers to check them individually. Out of the many tons hauled, only three or four oysters would have perfect pearls making it an extremely laborious and tedious affair.

For the longest time, this was the only way to obtain pearls, making them very expensive indeed – until cultured pearls came into existence. Jewellery designer

“There are a number of options for producing cultured pearls: use freshwater or seawater shells, transplant the graft into the mantle or into the gonad, add a

Freshwater pearls are found in freshwater mussels, which live in lakes, rivers, ponds and other fresh water bodies. However, most of the cultured pearls sold today come from China. Saltwater pearls grow within pearl oysters, which live in oceans.

Saltwater pearl oysters are usually cultivated in protected lagoons or volcanic atolls.

Akoya pearls which take their name from the Akoya oyster are bred in hatcheries to ensure their safety. They take about ten to eighteen months to be ready for harvesting. Then they are processed with light bleaching and drilling to ensure all are of uniform shape and size.

South Sea pearls are found in the waters off the Philippines. Tahitian pearls are found across the central and south Pacific but mainly in the atolls of French Polynesia.

Cultured pearls are readily available across countries and continents. The primary hub

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UBER LIVING

But that is just the basics. What makes these shiny round beads so valuable and so revered? Well, a pearl enthusiast or collector may take on the hobby or interest out of pure fascination for the quality pearl while for many others, it has grown into a massive social status symbol and proof of your affluence.

To make a cultured pearl, a tiny piece of mantle tissue from a donor shell is transplanted into a recipient shell. Monicka says, “Live pearl oysters are opened and parts of a live oyster bead and mantle is inserted. This bead is the centre around which the oyster secretes a substance that forms the pearl. The nucleated oysters are quickly returned to an enclosed part of the sea or simulated tanks. The oysters feed and grow in sheltered bays and over a period of time are cultivated and processed as well as sorted into the pearls we see in the market. They are marginally cheaper than natural or deep sea pearls as these are mass produced and easily simulated whereas natural pearls require sturdy conditions and trained divers to locate or hunt them and the resources are slowly depleting.”

Natural pearls are found in the Persian Gulf, the South Pacific, the Gulf of Mannar, the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico.

They can also be found in the Pacific coast of Mexico, Europe, Japan as well as Australia.

UBER LIVING

for cultured pearls in India, for example, is Hyderabad.

Spotting The Difference So, how do you distinguish between the two? Monicka explains, “Cultured and natural pearls generally tend to look alike unless seen by the trained eye. So, many women go for the more economical option.

To truly distinguish between a cultured and a real pearl you can get a test done at any Gem Laboratory or run it under a microscope,” shares Monicka.

Value of a Pearl Alpana explains that quality natural pearls are very rare jewels. “The actual value of

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a natural pearl is determined in the same way as it would be for other ‘precious’ gems. The valuation factors include size, shape, colour, quality of surface, orientation and lustre.” Lustre is the most important quality of the pearl – the way it reflects light is graded high, medium and low. The highest grade pearls are the brightest and the smoothest of them all. Their surface is unmarked by any bumps, pits, scratches or any other such defect. “A wild pearl often has imperfections. One way to tell a natural pearl from an artificial pearl is to rub it against your teeth. A natural pearl will feel gritty, and an artificial pearl will feel smooth.” Adds Monicka, “To compare for example, a string of certified genuine South Sea pearls will cost you upwards of

20,000 rupees and the cultured ones are available from 2,500 rupees onwards.”

Queen of Accessories Pearls have always had a special place in the hearts of fashionistas. Who can forget Audrey Hepburn with her chain of pearls and a little black dress, setting the gold standard in fashion for women around the world? You too can jazz up your outfits with classic pearl earrings or necklace. Just wear a string of pearls with your little black dress for an uber classy look. Or team them up with ethnic clothes for the festive season -- you can even try out pearl bangles or bracelets. Truly, with their luminous beauty, pearls are a joy forever.

HAWKEYE

Of Destination Divorces...

Credits: Shutterstock Photograph used for illustrative purposes only.

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Imagine this. Clear blue skies, the sweet sound of the ocean and nothing but a crisp breeze running through your hair. As she stands there with the man she loved – or sort of loved...or maybe sometimes hated even? (yes, we're getting to the context) – a deluge of emotions engulf her. He looks into her eyes and says the four magic words that would end everything forever. "Will you divorce me?” Well, this is the setting for the perfect sine qua non to the end of a marriage – the destination divorce.

Divorces of today, for some at least, aren’t necessarily a heartbreaking affair.

Well, of course, while breaking off any relationship is a bad thing, some of these couples don't seem to think so!

A different time, a different set of people and a different set of rules, indeed. But here's the interesting fact – while we all know that marriages in our subcontinent often tend to be expensive affairs, most people think that divorces entail only a separation of both parties involved, paying your lawyers and be on your way. But then, if we're celebrating the union of two people in such pomp and splendour, why should we not celebrate their separation too? That's what some folks are thinking now. Fair enough, some divorces are indeed meant to be celebrated and what better way to do that than plan a holiday divorce, where you step out of the comforts of your own space and take a trip with your other 'half' and come back a 'full' person!

While many couples may feel excitement at the thought of a destination wedding, they may look at their lawyers a bit perplexed when they hear of the idea of a destination divorce. However, this new concept is starting to take root as a new

means to an amicable and court-free divorce proceeding.

Now, why do folks prefer to get divorced outside their own vicinity? The answer is quite simple – to be free from snoopy neighbours, curious relatives and annoying friends who can rub salt on the wound called divorce and give you an even worse time trying to get over it.

While this practice is only quite recent and fairly restricted to the very rich and famous who want to avoid thrashing things out in court and wish to break free from prying eyes, studies show that Britain fares among the top overseas destination for divorces, followed by the Czech Republic and Spain. Well, why not, because if they can afford to get married anywhere in the world, they can afford to get divorced anywhere too, right?

So, what exactly is the deal with destination divorces? Couples take a trip, usually with a marriage counselor or a 'concerned' relative, to some expensive, exotic European or Mediterranean destination (if you can't afford expensive Europe, there is always Tantalising Thailand on the 'middle-class' bracket.s Of course, no place better than Thailand to celebrate a divorce, we say!). They try and sort out their differences and if that doesn't work, amicably decide to go their own ways.

While going abroad is the popular option, some tour operators are also making do with some ‘in-house’ options like Shimla, Goa or exotic backwater resorts in Kerala.

The idea is to remove oneself from the everyday stresses and pressures of daily life so that the couple can focus solely on the divorce. Wow, that's actually a service these days!

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We all have that dream wedding, but now as it turns out, some people can have a dream divorce too!

Separation doesn't always have to be tedious and stressful for a few ... they take a trip, relax and end the marriage. Yes, that's a service being offered these days, finds Rohit Panikker.

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‘LIVE’ FOR THE MOMENT Mark your calendars!

Siddharth Kumar shows you the hottest music festivals and live events that you shouldn't be missing this year...

It's the festive season of the year again – and though not religious in nature, these festivals do command an annual pilgrimage from fans. In fact, this is the time when music fans across the country wait in anticipation for event promoters to make their announcements as to which acts they will be featuring in the year. Considering that widely popular international acts like Metallica, Swedish House Mafia, Testament and Enrique Iglesias were among the major international acts to headline various festivals in the last two years, this year too promises an interesting line-up with different promoters having announced headliners ranging from Mutemath to Meshuggah, Avicii and Steve Aoki. So, for those who are planning their annual dose of the festival air, we do a round-up of the biggest music festivals – from outdoor camping festivals to high-energy EDM gigs, it's pumping adrenalin from now on all they way until December!

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What’s happening: The Great Indian October Fest

What’s happening: Sunburn

Where: Bengaluru

Where: Mumbai, Bengaluru & Goa

When: October 12-14

When: November 15-17 (Mumbai), November 16-17 (Bengaluru) & December 27-29 (Goa)

Launched in 2005, the Kingfisher Great Indian October Fest is into its eighth edition and it’s no surprise that this year’s lineup features some of the best bands in the Indian music scene.

With killer acts like Moksha, Thermal and a Quarter, Parouisa, The Ministry of Blues, Pentagram, Brahma, Them Clones, Motherjane, Avial, Inner Sanctum and Indian Ocean on the roster, TGIOF is the perfect excuse to take that long weekend off to unwind with some chilled beer and some awesome live music.

Having featured some of the world’s top electronica artists including Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto and Swedish House Mafia in their past editions, Sunburn has come to be one of the most sought after and widely attended electronic dance music festivals in the country. With their early bird tickets selling like hotcakes already, this is one electronica extravaganza you do not want to miss, especially with Avicii being one of the biggest acts announced.

What’s happening: NH7 Weekender What’s happening: goMAD Festival Where: Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi & Kolkata Where: Fernhills Palace, Ooty

Following up after a hugely successful debut last year, goMAD is back with some of the best music, art and dance acts from across the world. The picturesque Fernhills Palace in Ooty plays host to the event this year, and the organisers have gone all out to ensure attendees come away with a truly artistic experience. Whether it’s camping out in the wilderness that you prefer or living it up in style at the palace while you take in the performances some of the best artists in and around the country, goMAD is a three-day celebration of art in all its glory.

When: October 18-20 (Pune) November 23-24 (Bengaluru), November 30-December 1 (Delhi) & December 14-15 (Kolkata) With the title of “India’s best music festival” firmly tucked under their belt, NH7 Weekender features some of the biggest names in the independent music scene, including the likes of Dualist Inquiry, Karsh Kale Collective, Big City Harmonics, Pentagram, Shankar Tucker and The Raghu Dixit Project. With multiple stage areas playing host to the best indie acts around, you can take your pick from the wide variety of genres ranging from rock and soul to EDM and dub. This year features headliners Meshuggah and Mutemath, performing in the Delhi/NCR region.

Whats happening: Oktoberfest

What’s happening: Sound Awake Festival

Where: Goa

Where: Bengaluru

When: October 25-27

When: December 1

Into its third edition now, Oktoberfest has become one of the mainstay events of the electronic scene in India. The three-day festival to be held at Baga Grounds at the end of October will witness a host of performances by electronic artistes, both international and Indian. Besides the amazing music acts, Oktoberfest stays true to its German roots – the event will have on offer over 15 varieties of beer coupled with some amazing food at the many grill and barbeque stations that dot the venue.

The second edition of the Sound Awake electronic dance music festival has electronica buffs going ga-ga over the fact that American DJ/producer Steve Aoki will be headlining the main event at the Supernova Arena in Yelahanka, Bengaluru. With four live stages being set up at the venue, electronica fans sure are in for a treat — what’s more, early bird tickets are beyond nominally priced.

So what are you waiting for?

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When: October 25-27

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Art for

Posterity Sharan Apparao tells you how you can preserve and protect your art collection for posterity.

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Art is a chronicle of the mind and a documentation of time. We have learnt so much of our collective psyche and past from the architecture, sculpture and paintings that surround us. It can be said that art thrived under the patronage of the kings and the rulers of the day. The inscriptions and sculptures on temple walls and the calligraphic documents of the Mughals bear testimony to this. The steel engravings and lithographs of William and

Thomas Danielle give us a glimpse of what India was like under the rule of the British and it is clear that even they appreciated the marvels of what they saw in India. In Ladakh, there is a monastery in the little village of Alchi, which has perhaps, the best example of immaculately preserved centuries-old paintings and sculptures.

Here, the vibrancy of the jewel-like colours of the murals and frescoes remain intact till today. The breathtaking vision of the dim interior and extraordinary skill of the Alchi murals and closer home, the Vimana of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu, are visual feasts that linger in one’s memory for decades. The intensity of the beauty and drama is timeless and is as piercing as it must have been when it was first created. These fine examples of art have survived only because of how they have been cared for over the years.

Yes, there are professional consultants whose advice will certainly add a timeless quality to your art collection but in order to begin to preserve and protect works of art, one needs to look at the following simple steps to maintain the freshness, the life and the value of the artwork.

Light One of the most underestimated culprits of decay is harsh light. Sunlight is perhaps the worst poison for canvas or paper artworks. Paintings especially water colours or pencil drawings should be shown only under very mild, soft and low lights and never ever near harsh sunlight. Oil and acrylic paintings on canvas or wood need controlled light even though they are not as sensitive as works on paper.

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When we start living amidst beautiful objects and works of art, often the aesthetics and the placing of the objects becomes an act of the owner’s budding relationship with the work and how they view the objects that give them pleasure. In this act of desire, one sometimes forgets to care for the life and safety of the artwork.

With time, the value of art increases (quite like other assets) and it thus becomes even more important to preserve and protect the work of art.

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Storage Moisture and air circulation Paper, canvas and other natural materials need to breathe. They need to be kept open or in situations where there is a circulation of air. In damp, moist environments these works can develop mould and fungus. It is a good idea to keep paintings on the wall by creating a cavity/ gap/space by placing little stoppers on the corners at the back of the artwork.

Framing Today, many options are available to enhance and preserve an artwork in a frame. However, while this is done primarily to keep out insects and moisture and prevent any damage through handling it can also be viewed as an additional accent to the work. While choosing a frame and mount, keep in mind that acidity affects works of art. The glue, tape and mounts/mats need to be acid free. The selection of wood for a frame is important, when commercial frames are not an option.

The frames should be made of seasoned wood so as to avoid warping and bending of the wood with the passage of time. This movement happens when the wood used is young and full of natural moisture.

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In India one has to be very wary of pests.

Squirrels love the taste, smell and texture of canvas, so be wary of these cute creatures if you find them running around the inside of your spaces. Storage rooms need to be airy and without humidity. It is best to store works wrapped in muslin and stand them up vertically. An even better way to store them is to hang them on a wall! In the case of a lack of wall space, a rack that is off the floor with works standing up will work well too. Make sure you have something (cardboard/ply) to separate one work from the other. Or, allow the frames to rest on each other.

Never allow anything to rest on a canvas.

Glass should also always be stored vertically as the weight of many glass sheets lying on top of one another will crack the glass.

Humidity and the sea air This is the one factor that can create fungus, dampness and discolouration of the artwork. Sea air has a lot of salt content and this combined with humidity can create a film or layer over a painted surface that can lead to corrosion. In

such a situation the artwork would need professional cleaning.

Dehumidifiers can help in these circumstances as can constant airconditioning. Keep in mind, however, that extreme temperature changes can be very harmful to artworks. Putting on an airconditioner for long periods and not using it for equally long periods can sometimes lead to condensation and this could be harmful as the work is being put through the stress of two temperature extremes.

Transporting and packing Artworks need to be cared for just as one would care for a one-day-old baby. While packing the focus should always be on over-packing and an anticipation of manhandling of works.

Most handlers don't understand art, so, packing works to protect it from bad handling is indeed a great way to pack.

Never attempt moving large glass works without adequate protection and the right handlers. Wooden crates protect work in most cases. Sculptures need to be packed in a cavity. Cushions, quilts, polystyrene and sponge make for great packing material.

We live in an age when technology is being integrated into our daily lives on a constant basis, nowhere more so than with social networking. Myspace, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram....the list goes on. Now I am all for social networking, I have an account on most of these sites. However, there seems to be an increasing number of “random” attempts of contact from unknown people. Surely social networking is for people to stay connected to people they know. I think the pre-requisite for making contact on a social networking site should be that you have met or spoken to the other person at least once. What’s with the random requests that are being sent out to people you may have never met and don’t share common friends with?

Sujaya Chandran feels that in this age of easy communication and social networking, basic etiquette is on its way out.

I have increased the privacy settings on my social networking profile to ensure that people who do not know me cannot find me, people who do not know me cannot see my updates and every other possible setting which the sites offer...Yet I find myself inundated with inbox messages from people claiming to have “Come across my profile” or “have mutual friends” or just “wanted to be friends because I have pretty eyes”. Come on! What a croc! Not only are these strange requests and mails irritating, they also show the lack of decorum or social etiquette on the part of these offenders. You wouldn’t just walk up to someone on the street and say “Hey, let’s be friends!” What makes it acceptable in the cyber world?

And God forbid if you make the fatal error of responding politely with, “I think you are mistaken / I don’t know you / I have never seen you before / I was not at the place you claim to have met me…” The conversation does not end there. The standard response would be, “I’m sorry, but we can be friends anyway?” Really? How generous that they are offering up their friendship as a consolation prize for my not actually knowing them. When I politely decline, they take offence and offer up a plethora of replies, “You think you’re so beautiful... You think you’re better than the others.... I’m being so polite as saying let’s be friends… ”And the one that takes the biscuit for me – “What makes you so wonderful anyway?”

Or “Why are you acting so pricey?”

I hate to break it you, Oh Random One, apparently I am that “wonderful” based on your decision to make the effort to contact me! And if you think for a moment that a random friend request from a person I don’t know from Adam is going to make me giddy at the knees, you are quite mistaken.

My lesson learnt from these wonderful interactions, is to simply ignore and avoid.

I am sure many of you agree that sometimes ignorance is bliss.

If you have a topic you’d like to see discussed, please mail it to sujaya31@gmail.com

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Social ‘not’working

OVER A CUPPA

Cancelling The Apocalypse

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Rohit Panikker takes a closer look at the vision and childhood fascination behind the epic monster battles in PaciďŹ c Rim with director Guillermo del Toro

Director Guillermo del Toro, who first gained worldwide recognition for the 1993 Mexican-American co-production Cronos, a supernatural horror film, and later, the Oscar-nominated fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth as well as the action adventure sci-fi thriller Hellboy, also co-wrote and served as a producer on the film. With Pacific Rim, the director has mashed together every kind of giant monster and mecha battle fantasies we may have had as young, impressionable children, yet creating a story, concept and premise that is refreshingly original and high on the adrenalin inducers (not to mention a mindblowing score by Ramin Djawadi). The film has already garnered polarized opinions and while box office revenues do not deem it as a box office trendsetter, it does hold the distinction of being the fastest to garner a loyal army of fanboys and followers in the recent past and shows all possibilities of pulling a Firefly and turning into a cult classic, a franchise even.

On the premise of the film, Del Toro explains, “Through that portal come creatures that are larger and more ferocious and brutal than anything we have ever seen — the Kaiju. In order to grapple with them, mankind pulls together all its resources and invents the largest, most dynamic and most versatile weapon ever devised. They create the Jaeger Program — towering 25-storyhigh robots, each operated by two pilots whose minds are neurally linked together.

Paired together, these pilots are humanity’s last hope of survival.”

He continues, “It was a project that encompassed every single thing on my wish list, visually, atmospherically and emotionally … an unstoppable, thrilling adventure about human pilots and giant robots up against monsters, the likes of which we’ve never seen.” The film features an international cast, led by Charllie Hunnam and also starring Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Rob Kazinsky, Max Martini, Clifton Collins, Jr., Burn Gorman, and Ron Perlman. Del Toro’s enthusiasm

was not only contagious to everyone involved in the film, but is also largely the reason he has become an unequivocal favourite among genre fans. In fact, he would be the first to count himself among those collectively known as “fanboys.”

“We want people to be taken by the spectacle and the sound and fury,” Del Toro says, “but it is all meant to illuminate the courage of the central characters.

Physically, the human beings are the smallest thing in the movie, but their spirit is the largest thing in the movie. They show you the makings of real heroes.”

Behind The Scenes Pacific Rim was shot using the RED EPIC camera, marking the first time Del Toro has used a digital camera for one of his films.

One of the main tasks for cinematographer Guillermo Navarro and his department was protecting the cameras from the sometimes torrential artificial rain being generated by the special effects group, as well as the resulting steam from the water under the hot lights. The VFX team also produced digital re-creations of San Francisco, California, where the Kaiju begin their reign of terror. “We wanted to show that this was a global occurrence,” Del Toro states. “The adventure takes you to completely different arenas — from densely populated cities to the bottom of the sea to the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere. And it’s also a movie that, every time you think you have it figured out, it changes. When you think you know how the battle is going, the battle shifts.

When you think you know the stakes, the stakes are raised. So, like the Kaiju, the action continues to evolve.”

The expanse of the production took up every soundstage at Toronto’s Pinewood Studios, including two of the largest shooting stages in the world. One set, called the Conn-pod, was constructed on a large gimbal to make the actors — outfitted in specialised suits created by Legacy Effects — actually feel like they were engaged in battle. “We wanted to put the audience right there in the pilot seat. It will make you feel what it is to suit up, hook up, and take the robot for a ride,” Del Toro explains.

The Jaegers and the Kaiju were brought to life onscreen by the visual effects wizards at the renowned Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) whose major claim to fame is yet another cult classic, Star Wars, and were

collaborating with Del Toro for the first time.

“How do you frame up a Kaiju or a Jaeger that’s 250 feet high and get the audience to identify with something that large? We needed to convey the scale, both in water and on land. Having them together in any one arena required very specific effects,” Del Toro shares how his vision was finally brought on screen.

He continues, "The scope of the film required a lot of different looks, from Hong Kong to Tokyo to the various interiors, like Shatterdome and Hannibal Chau’s lair. We were building almost everything on stages, so from a design standpoint, it all had to be manufactured from scratch. We put on the layers of about 15 years going into the future… a future that does not appear hopeful.”

Del Toro observes, “In the time the film takes place, we tried to show a little of how society would be altered and geography would change. There’s a whole domino effect caused by these creatures showing up on our shores. We didn’t want it to look too futuristic because I think what would happen is the reverse. All our technology would go to creating weapons to fight them, and other advancements would slow down.”

The Players The director delves deeper into each of his characters and points out why they were written the way they did. Starting with his top Jaeger pilot Raleigh Beckett, played by Charllie Hunnam, Del Toro comments, “Raleigh is a man who is basically goodhearted and genuinely earnest and brave. He knows he has a dangerous job, but he has a code of honor that makes him willing to put his life on the line to save another life, despite any risk. Charlie Hunnam was the perfect choice to play Raleigh because he is able to convey that sincerity and purity of heart, and that mix of toughness and vulnerability. I’ve admired his work for years and believe he is on the brink of movie stardom. I was so happy to have the chance to direct him on this film.”

Then comes this young woman who shows tremendous promise as a Jaeger pilot, although she has been held back by forces without and within. Rinko Kikuchi was cast as Mako Mori, whose appearance belies her true strength. Del Toro reveals she had been his choice for the role from the start.

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The depths of the ocean have always held a fascination for people, but we have always assumed that its wonders — and its dangers — are of our own world. We were wrong. A breach in the floor of the Pacific Ocean unleashes a cataclysmic threat to the human race. That intriguing premise gave rise to Pacific Rim, a power-packed sci-fi action flick from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.

OVER A CUPPA “I love Rinko,” he states. “Alejandro González Iñárritu first introduced me to her years ago when they were touring for Babel. What really impressed me was how tough and yet delicate she was. That was essential to the character of Mako, a girl who dreams of being a pilot more than anything in the world.”

Idris Elba plays Stacker Pentecost who had been the commander of the Pan Pacific Defense Corp before the Jaeger Program was cut when the world leaders decided to shift their resources to other forms of defence.

Now he leads those who are willing to follow his mode of resistance. The director says, “Stacker Pentecost has to be the ultimate warrior — true north in a world full of chaos. When the world appears to be crumbling around him, he is just steely-eyed. Idris was the man; I can’t imagine anyone else in that role.”

Avoiding stereotypes was exactly what Del Toro was trying to do with the characters of Geiszler and Gottlieb.

He details, “In a movie where you have to explain different environments and the creatures that function within them, there often comes a point where you need a science guy. And, unfortunately, this science guy can sometimes be the most boring part of the movie. So we studiously tried to avoid that by dividing the exposition duties between Charlie Day and Burn Gorman, who guide you through the science of the film in the funniest and most entertaining way.”

He then talks about the very vibrant character of Hannibal Chau, the Kaiju parts smuggler and a new breed of racketeer in a changed world. Del Toro says, “Hannibal is a pirate. I knew Ron (Perlman) would have fun with the role and let the audience have fun with it, too. He created a character I think they will love to hate.” Reflecting on the shared mission of the story’s heroes, Del Toro affirms, “The movie is very much about sticking together. Not because we’re great, not because we are invincible, but because, ultimately, we need one another and embrace everyone’s uniqueness. And we protect one another; we have each other’s back. So it’s coming from a

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He concludes, “I want this film to be an inspirational adventure, like the movies I used to watch as a kid. It is my hope that after you see Pacific Rim, you’ll want to be a Jaeger jockey. No matter what age you are, you’ll want to jump on board a Jaeger and head right into a Kaiju brawl.”

film in conjunction with an elite band of concept artists, illustrators, sculptors, and designers. “We had some of the best creature designers in the world involved in the making of the Kaiju.”

Del Toro began with a group that brainstormed for weeks, beginning in a windowless room they appropriately dubbed “the submarine.” Together, they examined everything: from sizes, shapes and colors to how the immense beings moved and fought. Del Toro says, “We wanted to evoke the sheer awe and terror that one would feel when coming upon one of these monsters.”

He set down certain parameters: an example being that any animal kingdom inspirations were primarily limited to lizards, crustaceans and insects. For the most part, however, the think tank could let their imaginations run wild, taking a tag team approach as they pooled ideas.

JAEGERS VS KAIJU

“In order to fight monsters, we created monsters of our own.”

The global nature of the war against the Kaiju is reflected in the design, colors and insignia of the Jaegers, all giving nods to their country of origin. The four main Jaegers seen battling in the film are: Gipsy Danger, from the USA; the Chinese Crimson Typhoon; Russia’s Cherno Alpha; and Striker Eureka, from Australia. No less attention was paid to the creation of the dreaded Kaiju, which are destruction incarnate. Del Toro assembled some of the top concept artists in the industry to design what he calls “the most terrifying but majestic creatures you could ever imagine,” each with its own distinct silhouette and lethal capabilities.

What is a Kaiju? (kaijû, Japanese) Giant Beast Del Toro was largely responsible for shaping what are, literally speaking, the biggest stars of Pacific Rim, the Kaiju.

“I love monsters,” states the director who conceived all the various monsters in the

The designers gave the Kaiju different nicknames that were indicative of their most prominent physical attributes, like Knifehead, Axehead, Leatherback, etc.

Some are viciously calculated, others are more raw power. “They are living weapons,” Del Toro says. “They are blind instinct combined with tactical intelligence, capable of making instant decisions in battle, so there are definitely a few surprises.”

Meet The Jaegers (yâ’gar, German) Hunter Just as every Kaiju is unique, each Jaeger is distinct in both design and function, with its own array of weapons, “so every time you see a Jaeger go up against a Kaiju, it’s a completely different fight,” says Del Toro.

Although the Jaegers would exist only on screen, a great deal of planning went into the mechanics of the robots. “From a technical standpoint, we decided to build them from the inside out in diagrams,” reveals Del Toro. “We determined the way the pistons, the relays, the torque, the transmission, the engines, and every other element worked in detail. Then we pulled back and started figuring out the vents, the thermal insulation, the outer skin and so on.”

Del Toro emphasises, “The robot is only as good a fighter as the fighters inside.

Ultimately, the most important dynamic that

determines who pilots the Jaegers, and how effective they’ll be, is the relationship between the people.”

Early in the Jaeger program, it was discovered that the complexity and sheer size of the robots made it impossible for one person to handle alone. The neural load proved fatal for a single brain. Eventually, they learned that it could only be done with two pilots: one controlling the Jaeger’s right hemisphere; the other, the left. But in order for that to work, they had to be in perfect sync — connected to the robot in body, and to each other in mind.

The once mighty Jaeger fleet has been reduced to four surviving robots. The director wanted the huge war machines to appear combat-worn, with markings that flaunt the number of enemies downed. Their shape, colour and insignias reflect their country of origin, as do their fighting styles.

Gipsy Danger Del Toro equates the look of the U.S. of A.’s Gipsy Danger to “a classic gunslinger heading into a fight. A mixture of a deco skyscraper and John Wayne. Gipsy has swagger and is made to resemble a WWII fighter jet in paint job and details.” A Mark 3, it is considered an old Jaeger and, although it’s been refurbished, it still carries the scars of war… as do its pilots.

Cherno Alpha Russia’s Cherno Alpha is a T-series Jaeger with an oversized nuclear reactor. Its exceptional brawn makes up for its more lumbering gait. It is the oldest, heaviest Jaeger in the surviving fleet. Brute force and blunt trauma are its calling cards.

Crimson Typhoon China’s Crimson Typhoon is a Mark 4, the only Jaeger with three arms, thanks to its three-man pilot team. Its moves are as close as a massive Jaeger can get to martial arts.

Striker Eureka The Resistance has one Mark 5: Australia’s Striker Eureka. Being the latest model, it boasts faster speed and better maneuverability. “But it’s an Aussie brawler, so it has a lot of bravado and a bit of a strut, like a guy who would pick a fight in a bar,” Del Toro teases.

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point of view of solidarity and strength and a belief in humanity.”

INDULGE

/DXJK RXW /RXG with The French Paulette Year: 2012 Language: French Director: Jerome Enrico

This month, Rohit Panikker reviews two recent French comedies that are a must-watch!

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hat turned Paulette, an extremely grumpy and prejudiced old French woman into a darling of her neighbourhood? Well on first look you might say it's her wonderful cakes which, funnily enough, have all references to feeling light or flying or travelling in space.

But then, it all depends on the secret ingredient, a tinge of marijuana and hashish! Seems to set the scene for a series of interesting events? Definitely.

Paulette, a widow living on minimum monthly pension is almost forced out of her apartment when she stumbles upon an easy fix for her problem – get in touch with her local drug dealer and work for him.

After all, who would suspect an innocent old woman, right? And indeed, Paulette becomes the most well-known dealer in their area, made famous by her hashishinfused baked goods. All goes well for a while. But here's the catch. Paulette's daughter is married to Ousmane, a police officer, whom Paulette hates because he

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Cast: Bernadette Lafont, Carmen Maura, Dominique Lavanant

is black. The same treatment is meted out to his son and her only grandchild too. While both Ousmane and the child try hard to be nice to Paulette and seek her approval, she doesn't see beyond her racial prejudice.

While the character of Paulette is animated by herself, adding a lot of colour and yes, not to mention the string of abuses from an old woman's mouth, there are a host of many memorable characters you'd see here from Walter, Paulette's amorous neighbour, the approval-seeking Ousmane and Vito, the drug dealer who seeks to be "a trailblazer" or even Paulette's friend Renee, who is mockingly referred to as Alzheimer! The characters are very real and each lovable in their own way – with their own moments in the film and their own one-liners although the best ones go to the protagonist herself! Moments to watch out for include Paulette going to the store to buy a TV set and of course, the old woman's attempts to sell her

hashish on the streets! Maybe it is because it comes from the mouth of an old lady, a highly unlikely place to hear such stuff, but even the cuss words seem funnier.

If you think the world has gone too serious or has forgotten to laugh, pop this one in your player for a quick watch and it'll just crack you up! Enough said.

Verdict: Supposedly based on real-life events, the film is as outrageously funny as its premise.

Rating: 4.5/5 Hot: Bernadette Lafont, who plays the titular character, is the biggest strength of the film along with some beautifully-written one-liners.

Not: Not to nitpick, but the film's running time is awfully short and you barely get into the narrative when it's over, especially when you're enjoying it so much.

Vive La France Year: 2013 Language: French Director: Michael Youn

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erhaps nothing explains this French comedy better than its own opening line; "When the world was created, God decided to create the most beautiful country of all and put all of the world's wonders in it. He called that country France. But so that the other countries wouldn't feel deprived, god decided to fill it with ... The French!"

Vive la France engages you from the very first frame at the airport where the two

brothers Feruz and Muzafar are boarding their flight to France, but get rerouted to the tiny island of Corsica, from where they have to find their way to the Paris. From local prejudices to half-baked information on French life, women, language and culture, the two stick out like a sore thumb from the very beginning, even managing to get themselves captured by another terrorist group! From time to time you can get a sense of deja vu from a horde of other similarly-themed films like the British dark comedy Four Lions or even the heavily Borat-esque protagonists in terms of its in-your-face comedy that can sometimes scandalize you yet still make you laugh out loud because of the sheer ludicrousness of it all -- even if you realise that people can actually sometimes be this daft and ignorant in their prejudices in real life too!

At a running time of just about 90 minutes, this film is the perfect companion for a Sunday afternoon when you want to do nothing but curl up and spend your time

laughing away or giggling uncontrollably at the subtle gaffes throughout! In fact, be sure to walk away with hilarious one-liners and scenes that will certainly stick with you long after you're done with it!

Verdict: Absolutely hilarious, yet makes you think about how some attitudes and prejudices we deem mundane or not important can make a difference, good or bad.

Rating: 3.5/5 Hot: Watch out for the brilliant play on language and the multi-layered references.

Like for example, the protagonists get chased across a field in Corsica by two massive dogs named, ironically after it's most famous resident, Napoleon and Bonaparte!

Not: This film would be a little hard to digest if you're easily offended. On that note, at least it isn't Borat.

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Lampooning modern day geopolitics and nationalistic prejudices, Vive Le France follows two step-brothers from the very tiny nation of Taboulistan – a self-contained central Asian nation state whose only claim to fame is the 200-year old recipe for the Tabouleh dish, which they claim the Lebanese stole from them, thus rendering them void of the only identity they have as a nation. Even the UN is unaware of their existence. And to make their presence felt in the world, the Taboulistanis decide to follow the path of world terror groups and plan an attack on the Eiffel tower to get noticed. But unfortunately, they have a horde of quirky French people and their own stupidity and ignorance to deal with if they have to successfully complete their mission. What happens after the two brothers board the plane to France forms the hilarious premise of the movie.

Cast: Jose Garcia, Michael Youn, Isabelle Funaro.

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&

Romania France!

This month, Urmila Pullat reviews two random, unconnected movies – one from Romania and one from France.

4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days Year: 2007 Language: Romanian Director: Cristian Mungiu Cast: Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov

Verdict: I’d say it’s a must watch.

Let’s give the choice over what a woman must do with her body to the one who owns it – the woman.

Rating: 4/5 Hot: Heart-wrenching.

Not: Heart-wrenching.

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This movie is a strong case for pro-abortion laws all over the world. It is hard to imagine that there still exist countries where it is so difficult to get an abortion. 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days is set in 1987, one of the last few years of the Ceaušescu regime which was basically Communist Romania.

Abortion which was previously legal was made illegal except in a few cases through Decree 770. After the fall of the regime, abortion became legal again in 1989.

That the movie is cold and hard-hitting would be a definite understatement. It opens with the two friends, Otilia (Marinca) and Gabita (Vasiliu) talking about an impending plan and preparations for it.

Have you packed the tissue? What about the soap? And the plastic sheet? The viewer is left wondering what they might be talking about. What are they packing for and why is Gabita so nervous? Slowly, the movie unravels itself on you. Otilia books a room in a hotel for 3 nights. She is extremely insistent about booking a room in a particular hotel but that doesn’t work out… and yes, we are still wondering!

Otilia finally manages to book a room in another hotel and then heads to meet a

Mr. Bebe at a previously decided meeting point. Things start to look a bit fishy now.

Mr. Bebe (Ivanov) seems a strange sort, someone you might want to keep away from. Otilia gets into his car and they drive to the hotel where Gabita is waiting. Slowly it starts falling into place in your head now.

We realize that Gabita is pregnant and Mr. Bebe is going to perform the illegal abortion for her…with a probe, some medicine and no anaesthesia. As they start to talk, it is revealed that Gabita had lied to him about being just two months pregnant. He realises she is actually closer to 4 months and therein starts the downhill roll to misfortune.

This is a heart-wrenching movie with carefully etched characters. It makes you ponder over just how much of a stake the rest of the world makes on a woman’s body. There are a couple of side stories as well, like that of Otilia and her boyfriend, Adi and their roller-coaster relationship.

Watch this movie to know just how lucky we are to live in a country where abortion is legal.

Year: 2005 Language: French Director: Jacques Audiard Cast: Romain Duris, Niels Arestrup

Verdict: Slightly slow but a very interesting take on the assumed polarities in a criminal’s life – easy money or chasing one’s dreams. Can they both co-exist?

Rating: 3/5 Hot: That a criminal nurses such sweet dreams inside him.

Not: Slow. The movie could’ve been faster-paced keeping in mind that it is about a criminal after all.

Tom meets his father at a restaurant and his father reveals that he wants to marry his girlfriend and would like Tom to meet her. Tom doesn’t seem particularly excited at the prospect but agrees nevertheless. We realise that he has grown to be protective about his father, especially since his mother’s death because his immediate reaction is to be unfriendly, disapproving and insulting towards her.

The movie doesn’t move very much. It starts off very excitingly and looks like it will be a racy one, filled with gangs and petty crime. That is not so and instead it takes you on a journey of torn ambitions.

Tom’s one true desire is to be a concert pianist, just like his mother. He enlists the help of his mother’s ex-manager who tells him to audition. He starts practicing and begins piano lessons with a young virtuoso, Miao Lin to help him perform at the auditions. The scenes between the two make for an interesting watch as Tom can speak only French and Lin can speak only Chinese, Vietnamese and a little English!

But, Tom is unable to complete the audition. He is stressed out and overworked and finds his father murdered in his apartment. Tom knows that the Russian gangster, Minskov is behind this. What becomes of Tom? Does he become a pianist as his heart wishes or does he stick to his low-life career of crime, exploitation and easy money? The character of Tom is wonderfully portrayed and his innocent excitement about all things piano is heart-warming. Watch the movie to know whether Tom gives into easy money or lets his passion take him on the journey called life.

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The Beat that my heart skipped (De battre mon cœur s'est arête)

The Beat that my heart skipped is a delightfully named French film about a real-estate thug, Tom (Duris) who is constantly pulled by his dreams, while continuously being pulled back by his reality – of crime and easy money, the power of force and the rush it brings. It seems as though Tom’s one true purpose in life is to be a real-estate goon. His father, Robert (Arestrup) is a dodgy realestate dealer who asks Tom for help to deal with difficult customers.

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The Master Of Historic Thrillers Writer Ashwin Sanghi gets talking to Rohit Panikker about his favourite literature...

At a recent book club event talk on the rise of historic fiction or the literary equivalent of "period flicks" in Indian literature, an observation by one of the members should do as the perfect introduction for writer Ashwin Sanghi – "If you say J.K Rowling made the world read again and Chetan Bhagat made India read again, it is Ashwin Sanghi who made India read up on our own history and mythology!" True enough, this author of bestselling novels like Rozabal Line, Chanakya's Chant and The Krishna Key, is among the few who spearheaded India's renewed love affair with our own past. "We keep following the fantasy stories of Rowling and Tolkien while we have an impressive bank of stories, folklore and vibrant characters to explore and write about," he shares as he gets talking on the literature that is close to his heart.

As for what he's reading right now, the author has his nose deep in between the pages of a paperback copy of The Cuckoo's Calling – a book that hit headlines recently because of its author, declared in print to be a man called Robert Galbraith, but who turned out to be the legendary Harry Potter author

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JK Rowling. This seems to reflect his love for storytellers who delve deep into their characters, and these storytellers have influenced him the most as a writer, like he explains. "My favourite author is Jeffrey Archer. He made me realise the difference between great writing and great storytelling. I have always seen myself as a storyteller rather than writer." Indeed, that shows in his writing, as does his penchant for adventure, even from his childhood favourites. "My favourite book as a child was Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island for its vivid storytelling."

With his books going deep into India's mythology and manipulating aspects of the country's politics, literature and even its geography into his wildly interconnecting plots, the author is known for his detailed research and thrilling Dan Brown-esque chases that could have you riveted to his writing until you're completely done. It's not hard to see where the need to get his facts straight comes from and where he gets his in-depth interest in politics and administration as evident in his Chanakya's Chant. "My most favourite book is Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men. This was

the book that taught me that while politics is the second-oldest profession in the world, it strongly resembles the oldest one."

Ask him about his favourite literary character of all time, and almost immediately comes the response, "Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot! Although if anyone cast me in the movie adaptation of a book, I would like to play Vito Corleone from Mario Puzo's Godfather..."

As an author himself, I wonder what usually drives him to write. "My muse is the ancient and the hidden. More importantly, its connection to the present and future," he answers cryptically, adding jokingly that it is usually a few swigs of whisky that do the trick.

"I've always been wanting to read Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years Of Solitude," admits the writer as he shares his aspirations as an author ... and that one compliment he would love to hear from his readers, "would be that when they were reading my book, the pages turned themselves well into the middle of the night," he signs off.

Livewire For Adil & Vasundhara, a collaborative project based out of New Delhi, music is not about what sells but rather about what connects. They delve deep into their musical influences in a chat with Rohit Panikker.

"When you start out as a band in India, first you look at the market. You look at what sells. But we didn't look at any of that, so I was a little bit antsy," reveals Adil about how they managed to brew their music away from set norms or templates, to build a wholly original sound. "If you listen to us, you'd realise that we are not really Jazz; there's a lot of funk involved, some heavy RnB and other influences. So what we do is, we fine-tune it and we get some kind of a connecting sound," shares Adil as his bandmate chips in, "yeah, that's something a lot of people don't do ... like there's no point playing something if you're not adding anything to it ... it needn't be original. Of course, there's really no chance that you can come up with something entirely original, but having said that, it still takes time to evolve your sound and to put something like an album together – to stick within a frame yet explore your sound."

With a large bi-lingual repertoire of standards and original compositions, their shows have a mix of songs in French and English. Both Adil and Vasundhara admit that the main aspect that brought them together was being able to relate to each other’s tastes in music and how they just felt it. "When Vasundhara and I got together, we had a similar outlook on music and the collaboration just felt right, you know," shares Adil. "Both of us, we like to do collaborations, and now, what we hope is that this opens up more avenues for music other than just tried and tested popular formats; that this will open up doors and windows for other bands to explore ... That's how we'd like to see it," shares Adil.

Extensively working with artists based in India and abroad, their focus has been the creation of new sounds and energies through collaboration, exchange and cross-influence. Their debut effort also features a rather powerful roster including jazz pianist Louiz Banks, drummer Ranjit Barot and Indus Creed’s Zubin Balaporia.

And that is exactly why they named the album Ampersand, reasons Vasundhara, “The album is called Ampersand because it’s bigger than us. It’s not just about Adil & Vasundhara. Everybody just stepped in.

Everybody’s contributed.”

Talking further about their debut album, Adil explains that although they have been touring extensively before and after

the release of their album, in the last six months since its release, the support and feedback that they have received has been phenomenal. "We never actually expected to garner so much attention for the album. It just happened on its own. We released the album in March and between April and July, the album went viral and we got featured so much in the media. It was not something we worked towards, but it just happened.

At one point we just lost count of the publications – both mainstream newspapers and other publications that had run articles on Ampersand. That was what really worked for us."

Adil further explains that the response that they've got for the album is proof of the changing popular tastes in music. "Of course, the support we've got for the album actually shows that at some level, people are exploring 'genres' and listening to music like this."

As a group that has toured both within the country and outside, the duo has been witness to the growing live music scene in India. Vasundhara shares that this is a relatively new phenomenon, especially of the last few years with so many venues opening up that invite musicians and have live sessions on a regular basis. "Also, I believe it has a lot to do with the access," she says. "There are a bunch of music schools all around the country churning out batches of musicians. Live music became a trend of sorts and it created work, word went around and people started trying it out and taking chances ... and well, some of these chances really worked out!"

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The stage was nothing less than prophetic.

A studio. That’s where Adil Manuel, a guitarist, met Vasundhara Vidalur, a vocalist, for the first time – and like they say about a lot of epic musical collaborations – the molecules just changed! Well, it’s not too hard to guess that from what the duo of Adil & Vasundhara have been up to in the last four years since then – touring the world, presenting their interesting blend of influences that heavily rely on elements of Jazz Fusion, Funk, RnB, Blues and Gospel, and releasing a rather impressivelyproduced debut album titled Ampersand in March this year. Based out of New Delhi, the duo recently performed together in Chennai for the first time. “We have been wanting to play in the city for the longest time. The audience here knows their music and they are always open,” shares Adil, as we catch them after a power-packed performance.

MAIN COURSE

O'live' It Up! When a well-known restaurant chain from Mumbai decides to open a branch in Hyderabad, the curiosity factor is very high. If it lives up to its name and reputation, you can rest assured the place will become popular very soon.

Minal Khona finds out that it is exactly what is happening with Olive Bistro, which was launched recently and is already packed on most days.

Despite its slightly out-of-the-way location, people are flocking to this Mediterranean style restaurant. Despite its picturesque location, the European décor and setting, it is obvious that the food is the star here.

As one enters, besides the stark white of the walls, there is lush greenery and steps lit with tiny lights to brighten the path that lead down to the seating areas.

The restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating has eclectic décor. Blue tiles on the floor, mismatched chairs and tables, the Olive trademark cup and saucer chandelier and a bar that has a telescope are part of the interiors. For the outdoor seating, there is a large fishnet and a boat on display to go with the mood of the lake below. The terrace seating is still being finished however.

Retaining most of the dishes from its flagship diner in Pune, the Olive Bistro has food that is predominantly Mediterranean with special dishes conceived by Chef Mayank Tiwari. The only tweaking done is with some seafood dishes where the fish in the original recipe has been replaced with a local one. That still doesn’t take away from any of the flavours.

Attentive staff brings out the starters and the mocktails as soon as we settle. The

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(served separately); the House Special Falafel in pita pockets with hummus and Crumb Fried Ricotta and Thyme Stuffed Cremini Mushroom.

The prawns were delicately flavoured and far tastier than the Chicken skewers. The mushrooms though were delicious as were the pita pockets.

We also tried the all-veg pizza on a thin crust and the Smoked Jerk Chicken Pizza – both were laden with toppings and the blend of colours of the peppers, onions, jalapenos and chicken made it a very tempting option.

Mains included the fennel and chilli flavoured Indian basa which was pan-seared basa lined with fennel, served with a chilli sauce and potato puree as well as the flash-baked stuffed chicken rubbed with thyme, where a whole deboned chicken with a stuffing of walnut and spinach was served with herbed linguini. The basa was cooked really well and the flavours had been absorbed by the fish completely so one could taste the herbs with every bite.

virgin mojito which I asked for without mint is served instead, with some raw mango deliciously garnished with roasted cumin powder.

The food follows – with the soups leading the way. We sample a cold smoked mushroom veloute served with a slowcooked confit of cremini mushrooms and a roast tomato and mandarin broth which had a fresh mozzarella-filled tortellini. The mushroom veloute doesn’t have a single flavour out of place and the tomato soup has a refreshing aftertaste of orange.

This is followed by a roasted beetroot, ricotta, arugula and candied walnut salad, dressed in mild balsamic vinegar and Acacia honey dressing; and the Olive Bistro Chicken Caesar salad. The beetroot salad is a must-have, especially if you are vegetarian – you might even be tempted to try this at home. The Chicken Caesar salad served with bread baked in-house is a large enough portion to be a meal in itself.

The soup only stokes up our appetite further and if the taste is anything to go by, I know we are in for a gourmand experience with the rest of the food. Starters included the Spiked Green Harissa-marinated Prawn skewer, Chermoula spice-marinated Chicken and Cottage Cheese Skewers

I always make it point to have dessert after every meal and this time, I was happy I stuck to my rule. The two dishes we tried left me craving for more and if I weren’t so stuffed already, I would have had a second helping. We tried the Vanilla Panacotta served with a pink peppercorn and orange sauce and milk chocolate ice cream filled Profiteroles topped with a hazelnut and bitter chocolate drizzle. The desserts were simply divine.

Now, if after eating way more than my usual quantity of food and dessert left me wishing I had a bigger appetite – that should tell you how good the food at Olive Bistro is. Head there at the earliest if you haven’t been there already.

Olive Bistro is on Road 46, Near Durgam Cheruvu, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad For reservations call +91 40 69999127 The restaurant is open from noon until 11.00 PM. A meal for two would cost about ` 2000 to ` 2500 excluding alcohol.

Olive Bistro doesn’t have a liquor licence yet.

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An Extraordinary Journey to the

Orient

Entrepreneur and socialite Vidya Singh savours the delectable avours of the Orient with a group of friends at China XO, The Leela Palace's new offering to Chennai...

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MAIN COURSE From left to right : Ratika Haskar, Paloma Rao, Paul Raymond and Vidya Singh.

Photography by A.V.Abhay Kumar

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The Leela Palace is probably the most elegant of the hotels in Chennai and it is always a pleasure to be here. There is a feeling that we are in someone’s very beautiful home. China XO is The Leela Palace’s offering to the city and is a wonderfully stylish space, created to give a feeling of luxury and every detail has been planned with this in mind – from the layout to even the upholstery and artifacts that have come in from distant places.

This elegant restaurant has certainly taken the concept of Oriental fine dining up several notches.

My guests for the evening are the elegant Ratika Haksar, avant-garde jewellery designer and a discerning food connoisseur; the stylish and beautiful Paloma Rao, television presenter, RJ and travel buff; and Paul Raymond, restaurateur who owns Moti Mahal Delux, and has a passion for food and

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loves experimenting with different cuisines.

Together, we are ready to do justice to Chef Dharmen’s creations.

Chef Dharmen Makawana assures us that the unique menu that he has styled will feature selections from Sichuan and Canton, but with several innovations.

This award-winning chef has worked in Australia, Asia and the Middle East, especially the Dusit Thani Resort, the Nikko Bali Resort in Bali and in Sharm elSheik in Cairo, besides working in several luxury hotels in different parts of the world.

He constantly endeavours to introduce people to the authentic taste and flavour of Oriental cuisine.

As we settle in at our table, we realise that the restaurant is so well-planned that there is ample space between the different tables, giving us an instant feeling of privacy

and the impression of being almost the only diners there! Chef Dharmen first sends out platters of Dim Sums, both vegetarian and meat. The signature selections are the Chilean Sea Bass, the Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun and the Chicken Prawn Siumai. I relish mine – the Truffle and Edamame and the Asparagus Cheung Fun, which are both fabulous. The colour palette of the presentation is as pretty as the dim sums are delicious.

Chef Dharmen takes us across to have a quick look at the open plan Dim Sum kitchen where we watch the rolled dim sums being prepared. The veggie version had asparagus and the meat variant was made with prawns, in a variety of textures. Now we are really beginning to enjoy the entire experience. The Hong Kong style Fried Prawns with a garlic oat crust is truly unusual in its texture and

After this comes the masterpiece that all of us watch with total fascination as the Chef brings it over – the absolutely authentic Peking Duck, made in a wood-fired oven.

Brought whole to our table, it is carved and different parts are served to us separately, from the skin to the breast meat and the thighs. The pancakes and the condiments are brought alongside, and consist of finely sliced cucumber and leek, Hoisin Sauce that is slightly sweet in taste and crushed garlic.

The duck is absolutely tender and melts in the mouth, and the flavours are balanced with the accompaniments. A wonderful experience in its entirety, the Peking Duck is a big favourite at our table. Just when Paloma and Paul exclaim that they are done, the next course is brought in!

Among the mains that are sent out to us, I am surprised to see the delicious Chicken Garlic Fried Rice. A staple in most Chinese restaurants, this version is especially light and delicate. We have the Jasmine Steamed Rice as well, as an option. The Black Pepper Tenderloin Strips are just superb as is the Clay Pot Chicken that is made with bamboo shoot and chilli bean sauce.

We are unanimous in pronouncing the Braised Eggplant in chilli bean sauce to be the most delicious we have ever eaten. Trust me, it can make fans out of even those who don’t usually like eggplant! No wonder this platter is sent back to the kitchen completely empty! The Stir Fried Vegetables with water chestnuts and mushroom in a sweet onion sauce is so totally delicious that we simply attack the dish at the table. Equally droolworthy is the Stir Fried Chinese Greens,

with Tofu, a dish that is crisp and flavourful.

Delicious hot Jasmine Tea is constantly replenished for us in little cups and certainly helps digest our large meal.

Dessert arrives at the table in platters for each of us. Paloma and Paul love the Crisp Sesame Pancake with lotus and red bean paste, while Ratika declares that the Almond Jelly is incredibly light and delicious. I try the rather unusual Crisp Musk Melon and love the long roll of a sponge cake with a difference. A tiny scoop of vanilla ice-cream tops off the dessert selection.

Dining at this restaurant has been a wonderful experience and as Chef Dharmen says, "Food is meant to be shared and enjoyed with good company." China XO at The Leela Palace Chennai makes for a perfect fine dining experience and comes highly recommended by all of us!

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taste. The Traditional Vegetable Hot and Sour Soup with Bamboo Shoot is simple and made to perfection.

THE RITZ READER Shruti Haasan has come a long way from being just Kamal Haasan’s daughter or ‘just another pretty face’. This incredibly-talented performer (yes, performer, since she is an actor, singer, dancer and a music director rolled into one and still searching for more caps to don!) has become a force to reckon with in no time. Here she is, at her ebullient best, as she answers a round of questions on life, likes and luxury.

What does luxury mean to you?

I think luxury is any time that you have for yourself, on a busy day. For me, it would be a holiday, you know, with lots of sleep. That would be a lucky day.

What is the one luxury you cannot live without?

My phone, although that’s not a luxury – I mean, everybody has one now. And I can’t live without mine.

What is the one holiday destination you would go back to anytime?

LA. I just love it. Probably because I have this great connection to the place.

Which luxury brands are you a part of?

Man – do I endorse any brands? Wow! (laughs) I mean, I’d love to be endorsing Givenchy, but unfortunately, I’m not. But I do patronise a few brands I like, including Burberry, and Chanel.

Is there something you have seen people spend a lot of money on, but you think is a colossal waste of money?

Colossal waste? Oh god, yes, that would have to be imported cars in India. Why? Because the roads are so bad, you know, and when you drive, some auto guy would come by and scratch your car and it’s just really stupid. (grins) What is that one secret indulgence you haven't told too many people about?

Oh, I don’t know – nothing in particular, because I’m quite boring. I think I just buy a lot of clothes I don’t wear. Like, I still have some stuff over from a launch I went to, with the tags still on, and I’ve never worn them. That’s a bad habit I have.

What inheritance/legacy would you like to leave for future generations?

Oh my god – that’s a very heavy question. Very heavy. Um, I don’t want to leave behind a legacy and all that – I just want the people who knew me to remember me as someone who made them happy. I want people to watch my movies, and have a great time. And my kids to have wonderful things to say about me.

How would you define 'the good life'? And what aspects do you think need to come together for you to have a 'good life'?

You need good and positive people around you always. A mixture of ambition, and the ability to be content with what you have. Most importantly, you need a lot of love.

Suppose you are going on a minimalist trip. What are the three things you would carry along?

My phone, my soap (which is very important), and some music. I think those would be enough, to make me feel good.

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