MIND Mag FEB 2018 Issue #2

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‘Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, don’t give up the Fight.’

- Bob Marley

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Team and Contributors Sukiran Singh, Editor Juhi Ali, Editor-at-large Sanjana Prabhu, Content Writer Vrishti Nadkarni, Content Writer Simarjot Wadhwa, Content Contributor Rajat Shukla, Photographer and Re-toucher Soham Dalvi, Photographer and Retoucher Prerana Shah, Marketing Moksha, Marketing

Contributers Niti Goenka, MUAH Ranveer Dua, Photographer Madhu VFX, Photographer Mayank Mudnaney, Photographer Abhishek P. Chatterjee, Stylist Valene D’souza, MUAH

Thanks to Ruchira Ghormare Holiday Inn Mumbai Airport

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CONTENTS

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Beauty Spread

Weed Game

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30

The Fluidic Handsome

Mantra Mugdh

Vineet

K.Singh

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42

54

62

The Pink World

Tushar Joshi

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BAZAAR Editorial

Siddhant

Kaushal

Editor’s note

Some people are meant to scale the mountains, and some people are meant to break them with bare hands. The scalers are plenty and if that amount of achievement makes one happy, then the bubble shall never burst and we as humans would not evolve into whatever is next for us. I, personally am all for the other small number of mountain breakers, who would do anything and everything in their power to change their destiny. So, whoever said that destiny is written in stone, is either a farce intellectutal or an imbecile.

The Feb 2018 Issue showcases one of such humans, who would leap over the tallest scariest grass to reach the landmark they have set up for him, Mr. Vineet Kumar Singh. A mixture of humility and core strength.

Talking about the bubble, that we are forced to live in, specially in our intracranial pressure inducing society, some need to rise and drill a hole to release the pressure. The whole gambit that India witnessed, in the name of a racial, historically twisted movie, made in the name of profit, and the backlash that followed for non-realistic, maligned motives, is a stain that we as a society need to wash away quickly. Alas, with the recent wave of ideologies, that is in the distant future.

At least in Cinema (that effects everyone), if we do not think of ways to get rid of the mud of artificial beautification, in the name of quality content, this art form shall die, in name of filled up coffers. But again, that’s what most are looking for.

Sukiran Singh Editor, M.IND Mag

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HUMANS AND AGGRESSION WHEN THE HEADS WHIRL

by Sanjana Prabhu

Image: FT

Aggression is a word that we use every day to characterize the behaviour of others and perhaps even of ourselves. We say that people are aggressive if they yell at or hit each other, if they cut off other cars in traffic, or even when they smash their fists on the table in frustration. But other harmful acts, such as the injuries that sports players receive during a rough game or the killing of enemy soldiers in a war might not be viewed by everyone as aggression. Because aggression is so difficult to define, psychologists, as well as many other people, including lawyers, judges and politicians, have spent a great deal of time trying to determine what should and should not be considered aggression.

You can see that this definition rules out some behaviours that we might normally think are aggressive. Psychologists use the term violence to refer to aggression that has extreme physical harm, such as injury or death. Hence violence is a sub set of aggression. ‘All violent acts are aggressive, but only acts that are intended to cause extreme physical damage, such as murder, assault, rape, and robbery, are violent.’ quotes Dr Elaine Cardoza.

Slapping someone really hard across the face might be violent, but calling people names would only be aggressive. One study shows that people do become more aggressive after watching violence in movies, however, it depends on what personality you have.

We come across two kinds of aggressions in our lives; Emotional or impulsive

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aggression refers to aggression that occurs with only a small amount of forethought or intent and that is determined primarily by impulsive emotions.

Emotional aggression is the result of the extreme negative emotions we’re experiencing at the time that we aggress and is not really intended to create any positive outcomes. The intentional use of harmful behaviour to achieve some other goal is instrumental Aggression.

One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying. Students take out their vile nature through bullying.

According to research, recently, there has been an increase in school bullying. A modern form of aggression is cyberbullying. Aggression is inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.

Rejection can also trigger aggression. Feeling loved and accepted is a primary human need and when you feel rejected you are being denied just that. When people feel devalued or rejected it is natural to become angry as you feel that the other person is not taking your wants and needs seriously. By being ignored or excluded, the message portrayed is that you’re not worth another person’s time. This feeling is disheartening, especially if you are emotionally invested in the other individual. Rejection hurts, and pain is felt in the neurological pathways in the brain, this can lead to an anger reaction. The feeling also makes us feel unaccepted which will also trigger anger and these two factors, separated or combined can cause anger and can lead to aggression.

Aggression may sometimes lead to alcoholism. The majority of people who drinks are never violent and even those who do become aggressive won’t do so all the time. Still, losing your cool over something during a toxicated mind, is never a good move. Binge drinking increases the likelihood of both becoming aggressive and of being on the receiving end of someone else’s temper. When people learn that they cannot express anger openly, honestly, and directly within relationships, the emotion doesn’t just go away. Rather, many of us learn to express it in alternative, covert, socially acceptable ways, often through passive aggressive behaviours.

While smoking and just after finishing smoking, people report feeling “good”; that is, smoking gives them a sense of pleasure. However, it is possible that people who are prone to being aggressive may become more aggressive as a result of mixed feelings. In various parts of the country, there is relatively strong public criticism of people who smoke. As a result, some smokers have become defensive about their ‘right to smoke’. There are instances where smokers defend their “right” by being defiant and aggressive.

Violence and drugs seem to mix readily. Many substances that are addictive

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cause mental changes or unusual behaviour. Even if a substance does not inherently have mind-altering properties, people who are addicted to it may display strange attributes if they need the drug are unable to obtain it. Drugs make an individual erratic and sometimes cause hallucinations from which they find difficult to come out.

You can recognise the signs of aggression through one’s body language. Much aggression can be shown in the face, from disapproving frowns and pursed lips to sneers and full snarls. The eyes can be used to stare and hold the gaze for long period. They may also squint, preventing the other person seeing where you are looking. There are many gestures that have the primary intent of insulting the other person and hence inciting them to anger and a perhaps unwise battle. Single and double fingers pointed up, arm thrusts, chin tilts and so on are used. Those who display aggressive or hostile behaviour may have unrealistic or unfair attitudes toward others, especially certain social groups. Socially aggressive behaviours include gossiping, excluding or alienating someone socially and trying or threatening to damage someone’s social standing within a group.

Researchers have found biological evidence that stress and aggression feed off of each other, contributing to a “cycle of violence” that can be tragic. When we are under stress, we are more likely to fly off the handle, and when we fly off the handle, that increases our level of stress. Anxiety is associated with aggression.

It’s not exactly the type of condition people associate with anger. The stereotype of anxiety is that it causes shyness and a general struggle to be social and around people, and in some cases this is true. But in some people anxiety can provoke an aggressive, violent response.

Physical symptoms caused due to aggression are seen overtime. When you’re aggressive, your body’s defence mechanism kicks in, releasing ‘stress hormones’. These affect different functions, like the flow of blood to your skin. A common sign of stress is skin irritation or a rash. You can get severe but temporary hair loss and a sore scalp. Aggression can also trigger habits called ‘body-focused repetitive behaviours’, like pulling at your hair and lashes, or picking at your skin.

Physical violence exhibited by adolescents and young adults is a major concern in all modern societies. Indeed, the risk of being arrested and found guilty of criminal behaviour is higher during late adolescence and early adulthood than at any other point in life. Over the past 40 years, hundreds of studies have attempted to shed more light on how playful children become violent juvenile delinquents.

Dr Elaine Cardoza quotes ‘We tend to focus on adolescents and adults but as studies were conducted using large random samples of new borns, it

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started to follow the development of physical aggression from infancy itself.’

A lot of kids go through a stage where they communicate using some form of aggressive behaviour such as pinching, pulling hair, biting or hitting. These actions are used as a form of communication, as an interim solution until they have developed the verbal skills to tell their parents what is they are after, or frustrated about.

The main risk factors for women to have children with serious physical aggression problems are a low education level, a history of behaviour problems, first delivery at a young age, smoking during pregnancy, and low income.

Professor and Student Psychologist, Dr Vernon D’mello has stated there are medications prescribed by psychologists to keep an individual’s intact. But there are few creative ways to cope up with aggression a well. The process is much slower but more effective: Theatre (Music included): This is one artistic form which helps the people with passive aggression to get a hold on themselves. These plat form not only makes them act but also involves them in the activities that are done back stage. With the help of the this therapy, the patients not only find a way of recreation but also learn so many new things that happen on inside the industry.

Gaming: Most people would take this in a negative aspect. But this is actually a method that will help someone with a temper put their hyperactivity to use. Gaming may seem like child’s play but new generation games require fast coding and a mid that works really fast. What better brain exercise for someone whose has a mind that shifts to violence in the span of seconds.

Graffiti: Graffiti makes its presence known and loathed in our contemporary society. The activity is not all together illegal as various organisations are looking for people who are interested in decorating and giving the city slums a positive vibe through the action. Youth subcultures in the postmodernist society establish their cultural autonomy and claim on public space by leaving marks on the landscape.’

To reduce or prevent aggressive behaviour, treat yourself as an individual and work out why you are behaving in that way. If it’s someone you know, try to see what is happening from their point of view and identify the reason for the behaviour. They are probably reacting to or trying to communicate something so try to find out what it is and why. Aggression is a cry, signalling for help and support. So instead of jumping into conclusions, just step into their shoes for a while. ***

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THE FLUIDIC HANDSOME

F T. P E DRO (PURPLE THOUGH TS ) P HOT O GRAPHED BY MAYANK MUD N AN EY ST YLING BY AB H ISH EK P. CH ATTER J EE MAK E UP BY NITI GOENKA H AIR B Y R ICH ARD JO SEPH CO NCE PT BY ABH ISH EK P. CHATTER J EE YLING 10 Issue #2ST Feb 2018 ASSIS TANCE BY SH IM O L I KAPASI

Left: eye Patch by the stylist.

Right: Embellished Bomber Jacket by Shahin Mannan Turtle Neck Top by Shahin Mannan, Vintage Swiss Army Glasses : Stylist’s own

Distort Editorial

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Left: Trench and Bow Tied Belt by Sameer Madan Woollen Scarf by Tommy Hilfiger Right: Embellished Bomber Jacket by Shahin Mannan Turtle Neck Top by Shahin Mannan, Vintage Swiss Army Glasses : Stylist’s own

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Left: Sequin Jacket by Sameer Madan Winged Denim Top : Koastub Glasses : Stylist’s Own Right: Pleated Velvet Skirt as a Neckgear

by Tommy Hilfiger Cardigan by Tommy Hilfiger

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Embellished Jacket by Shahin Mannan Beaded Gloves by the stylistHeadwrap: Hairstylist’s Own

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‘Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere.’

-George Washington

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WEED LEGALIZATION IN INDIA

By Vrishti Nadkarni

Cannabis has a long history in India, veiled in legends and religion. The earliest mention of cannabis has been found in The Vedas. According to The Vedas, cannabis was one of five sacred plants and a guardian angel lived in its leaves. The Vedas call cannabis source of happiness, joy-giver, liberator that was compassionately given to humans to help us attain delight and lose fear. Lord Shiva is frequently associated with cannabis According to legend, Shiva wandered off into the fields after an angry discourse with his family. Exhausted, he fell asleep under a leafy plant. When he awoke, his curiosity led him to sample the leaves of the plant. Instantly rejuvenated, Shiva made the plant his favourite food and he went on to be known as the Lord of Bhang. Even his devotees, long-bearded sadhus, engage in pot to attain the spiritual oneness with Shiva. Many Sadhus might not drink alcohol but are allowed Ganja and bhang. They don’t consider bhang as an intoxicant, but as Prasad (gift) of Lord Shiva. Even though marijuana consumption is illegal in India, but during Mahashivratri, we are allowed to consume cannabis in the form of ‘Bhang,’ because Shiva used to take Bhang, according to the mythology. It’s made out of cannabis leaves with a mixture of almonds, spices, cold milk and sugar. Worshipers offer Ganja to god and also consume it to attain a blissful state.

Cannabis has been an important part of Tantric Yoga sex acts which was originally consecrated to the consort of Lord Shiva, and Goddess Kali. Cannabis is considered to be a powerful aphrodisiac. War was another occasion in which drinking bhang and smoking weed were

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often resorted to. Indian folksongs dating back to the twelfth century AD mention bhang as the drink of warriors. Just as soldiers sometimes take a swig of whiskey before going into battle in modern warfare, during the Middle Ages in India, warriors routinely drank a small amount of bhang and smoked Ganja to assuage any feelings of panic, a custom that earned bhang the epithet of Vijaya, “victorious” or “invincible.”

The British found the use of cannabis so extensive in colonial India, that they commissioned a large scale study in the late 1890s. They were concerned that the abuse of cannabis was endangering the health of the native people and driving them insane. The British government asked the government of India to appoint a commission to look into the cultivation of the hemp plant, preparation of drugs from it, trade in those drugs, the social and moral impact of its consumption, and possible prohibition. The commission was systematic and thorough. It sampled a large and diverse group of people in a range of situations, from farmers to hospital psychiatrists. After years of detailed work, The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report produced six volumes of data and conclusions. Commissioners were particularly concerned with whether or not cannabis caused psychoses. After years of well conducted research, The Commission concluded that suppressing the use of herbal cannabis or bhang would be totally unjustifiable and prohibition would be difficult to enforce. Along with that, prohibition can possibly lead to the use of more dangerous narcotics. These findings of The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report of 1894, conducted over 100 years ago, are surprisingly relevant today. However, government permitted the use of leaves and seeds allowing the states to regulate it accordingly.

However, in India medical use of cannabis was never outlawed, in fact it is considered as an integral part of modern-day Ayurveda. In Hakims and Vaidyas, cannabis has been prescribed to bowel complaints, anxiety and fatigue.

Bhang, in many villages in India, especially in the North, still is treated very much as a beverage is treated in the cities. Many social and religious gatherings are thought to be incomplete, unless bhang is part of the occasion. There is a belief that people who disrespect Ganja, “the gift of the gods” are doomed to suffer the torments as long as the sun shines in the heavens. Without bhang in celebrations such as marriages, evil spirits are believed to threaten the safety and future of the bride and groom, waiting for an opportune moment to wreak havoc on their lives.

Currently in India, cannabis is consumed for recreational purposes as well as for holiness.

Construction workers use bhang to feel refreshed at the end of the day and to fight fatigue.

Hindus use bhang for religious ceremonies like Holi and use it to seek divinity.

Sadhus are Indian ascetics who have shunned material life and use cannabis to seek spiritual freedom. They live simply in the forest and wear ragged clothing. By emphasizing physical austerity through celibacy and fasting, cannabis helps sadhus transcend ordinary reality and achieve transcendence. Today, bhang is so common in some parts of India that it can be found in government licensed street stands. Summing up, the herbal plant, cannabis, has a long and continuous history in India. It has lived for thousands of years in stories of gods and warriors and it continues to live today in religious ceremonies and street stands.

Ban of marijuana created a restriction on possession, use, and sale of cannabis preparations containing psychoactive cannabinoids. It is presently banned in most countries across the globe, particularly in India. The UN has aforementioned that cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. Cannabis has psychoactive and physiological effects once consumed. Other than that a subjective modification in perception and, most notably, mood, the foremost common short-run physical and neurological effects which embody increased pulse rate, raised appetite, lowered blood pressure level, impairment of short-term and dealing with misbalance of content and coordination. Long-run effects are less clear. In

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humans, comparatively few adverse clinical health effects are documented from chronic cannabis use.

Cannabis has been used for variety of health conditions for 3,000 years. On January 2017, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a report on the effects of marijuana on health and products derived from it. The report talks about the comprehensive understanding of the health effects of marijuana and recommendations. The least controversial extraction from the hemp plant known as CBD or cannabidiol. It has very little components of marijuana. Whereas THC or terrahydrocannabinol is the chemical that causes the “high”. Marijuana appears to ease the pain of multiple sclerosis, and nerve pain in general. Patients claim that marijuana allows them to resume their previous activities without feeling completely disengaged. Also, marijuana is said to be fantastic muscle relaxant and people swear by its ability to lessen tremors in Parkinson’s disease. It is quite successful for most conditions where the final common pathway is chronic pain. Marijuana is also used to manage and weight loss, and can be used to treat glaucoma. A highly promising area of research is its use in for PTSD. There is one nemesis that the legalization movement has to face, which is the kings and queens on Indian economy that are feared and loathed by the Ganja cultivators and supporters. Along with the Tabaco industry, the laws enforced on marijuana, the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry. Even though it is proven by studies and experiments that marijuana can be used to treat common and well as chronic illness. The Indian Pharma- industry is ranks 3rd in the world in volume and 14th in terms of value. There profited income is through the production and selling of pharmaceutical drugs made out of synthetic chemicals. The legalization of cannabis will completely tear apart their importance as an industry.

We have heard about the marijuana nuns, we know that a lot of people across the globe are legally allowed to smoke pot because of medical issues and we also know that many women rely ‘Ganja’ during their menstrual cramps, then why is it still illegal, frowned upon in India?

Well according to the study of international laws and their outcome, decriminalization of weed would be beneficial for India. It’s time to realize that the harder we push the more we drain our energy. The minimum punishment for violation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act (NDPS) was 10 years of jail, but it has relaxed and the crackdown of marijuana has eased comparatively. It was a poorly constructed law that clubbed marijuana, hashish, bhang and hard drugs like heroin, cocaine; and banned them all. This in turn, resulted in an overnight shift in trade from marijuana to hard core drugs. This was because while the risk was the same, profits from the hard drugs were a lot higher. Another flaw was that instead of spending money on arresting offenders and cutting down marijuana plantations, the Government save itself the trouble and legalize a systematic, culturally accepted substance in socio-economic development of the nation. Epidemiological study show that clinical dependency of marijuana is way less than the rates of tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine; with the rates being 9%, 32%, 15%, and 16% respectively. Moreover, these days, it is pretty easy to buy marijuana in India and its consumption is widespread among the youth. So it is fair to say that prohibition has failed to curb the ‘problem’. It is now medically proven that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol. Unlike alcoholics, stoners don’t indulge in rash driving or violent fights. They tend to be clam and pleasant under the influence of marijuana.

From a socio-economic perspective, in states like Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, where cannabis plants grow, and marijuana is the only source of income for many locals. However, being a banned substance, the farmers are forced to sell it at a very low price to the drug dealers, and they face additional pressure from the police, who are paid to destroy the cannabis plantations. Legalizing marijuana will end this ‘war on drugs’ targeting our countrymen.

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Legalizing of Marijuana will lead to a rise in the growth of GDP. Imposing tax on selling of marijuana will anyway help in keeping a control over its cost of production, selling and consumption. It would be a help to the Indian economy. Prohibition is failed to curb the production of marijuana as states like Himachal Pradesh completely because they depend on the production of marijuana. They have no other source income except this. So why not legalize it, as legalizing marijuana will create job opportunities for many people. Legalizing will ensure that marijuana is distributed in good quality to consumers. India can follow the laws of Netherlands that have decriminalized the personal usage of marijuana, and the outcome was an impressive result. The Dutch experience, alongside those of some alternative countries with minor policy changes, provides a moderately smart empirical case that removal of criminal prohibitions on cannabis possession won’t increase the prevalence of marijuana or the other illicit drug.

The Government can fix an age restriction for use recreational marijuana as 25 years is the legal age to consume alcohol, this can be applied to cannabis as well. Make it compulsory that only licensed shop will be allowed to sell marijuana, and black-marketing should be penalized. State government can make it mandatory to provide a card to every purchaser according to their age, background, usage. There should be a record on every purchase of weed and there should be a limit of quantity of weed purchased per person.

Hence, we can conclude that legalizing marijuana will anyway save time and efforts of the government. If marijuana is provided in a limited quantity, it will help in lessening its consumption. Marijuana is comparatively less destructive than other serious drugs such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, etc. and for that matter even alcohol and tobacco.

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MODERN INDIAN ACTOR

Mantra Mugdh P hot ograph ed by Ranveer Dua , Sty l i ng by Juhi Ali M akeu p an d Hair by Va lene D’so uz a St yling assiste d by Nid hi Sha r ma I ntervie w by Juhi Ali

‘The funny man, the ganja ativist, super talented Mantra Mugdh talks to us about work and life. ‘ You have had the experience of several different professions. How is it different from one another?

They aren’t. They are all the same. It just the ways of expressing in different mediums that sets them apart. Be it radio, television, theatre or films. It all changes with the way you express it. Picasso wouldn’t have expressed something in a different way from you expressing the same thing. Like Bruce Lee said ‘Be like water, my friend.’

What’s challenging about bringing the scripts to life? You did Rebellious Flower that had a lot of transitioning.

Putting yourself wholly in the character and then suddenly changing into another character with kind of different attributes, within a span of mere days, sometimes it takes a lot… Rebellious flower is something I am really proud of; not only because it’s associated with Osho who I really love. It is also because as an actor I got the chance to play a very diverse role of characters, of whom I have been reading since a while.

What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up?

Most of the times, I smoke a joint. I probably go backstage or wherever I get a chance to but now days I’ve stopped doing that because I have learned to enjoy too much on stage. I’m mostly always high and I enjoy the stage time a lot.

Before going on stage we have our weird sort of get together that we do. It’s always dark backstage. You don’t know who you are meeting, you hug everyone, you take the energy and give it back because its live and that is the most beautiful thing that you can do; bond with your team and be one when you get

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Shirt- Indian terrain, Suit- ucb Pocket square- ucb, Belt- Indian terrain 23 Shoes- mose shoes, Chunky guitar - the Brocode

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Blazer: ucb, Shirt: stylists own Pants: ucb, Belt: Indian terrain, Shoes: Mose

onstage.

How did Piya Behrupiya happen?

I have been following Atul Kumar (the director) for a very very long time. I have been watching Rajat Kapoor’s theatre, his plays with Vinay Pathak and Kalki. I always wanted to be a clown and it just so happened that Atul was casting for Piya Behrupiya and I spoke to Vinay Pathak. He introduced me to Atul and I got a wild card entry into the team which is very weird because everybody gave me ‘tras’. They all looked at me and said “Why is this TV actor in the middle of us theatre actors?” They would playfully mock me. Piya Behrupiya was definitely and will be one of the most amazing experience of my life because it has shown me the world of theatre.

You embarked on your RJing journey during a time when there was no social media. How have things changed since then?

Social media has changed the way people are celebrated now. Now you have Mr. Bachhan with the help of the click of a button. You can communicate with him easily. There was a time when celebrities and people wanted to reach to their audience and it was difficult. Social media has changed the game completely. Radio Jockeys are now visible. They used to be those invisible magicians on air who would be imagined by the people but now, everybody knows who they are.

Perky tweets and taking song requests on twitter are the first ever examples of internet and radio association. How do you think will the Internet benefit the Radio and vice versa in the future?

On air entertainment has moved on from terrestrial radio. It is now moved towards the broadcast medium. Usually all the radio jockeys are now available on podcasts which is the best thing that is happening. Now terrestrial radio has a competition with the internet radio world. In 2000 when private FM came in, I was one of the first jocks to go on air. Everybody asked ‘what is this radio business? It would never surpass television.’ We are sitting on a threshold of another revolution which is internet entertainment all together.

Tell us about your podcast. We have Chai-Chillam-Charcha.

Chai Chillam Charcha is the cannabis podcasts. I miss radio a lot. My career and life has been radio. I’ve been on air for a long time. Since I’ve been off air, there has been so much that has been going on but it still stuck to me. It was the place that lifted me up and there is a reason why I moved on. I wanted to do so much more. But terrestrial radio gives you a space only to do that because it’s a commercial space. When it came to podcasts, you could do anything. It was your world. And being a theatre actor I wanted to merge radio with the art form.

This is why I started making radio dramas. I picked up classics from Roald Dahl and created my originals. There are a lot of radio dramas that keep happening in the West. We get actors together to create something and when you hear that piece, you actually start imagining everything happening in front of your eyes.

TV and films will give you what they want you to see but with radio drama, you see what you want to perceive.

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How is theatre different than other art forms?

What theatre does is gives you an opportunity to be a part of a story as an audience member. In the cinema hall all you see is, lights being thrown on the big wall in front of you, and consider this, you are actually looking at a wall, which plays with your emotions. There is no celebrity over there. The celebrity was shot somewhere else. But in theatre, everything happens in front of you and there is nothing more beautiful than that.

What role, if any, deeply affected you personally, perhaps even changed you in a permanent manner?

Tom Hanks in Forest Gump was definitely a life changing character along with Jim Carrey. When you grew up and saw Jim Carrey do things like ‘Mask’, you would find in crazy. Then, you found him doing movies like ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’; you would go ‘wow!’ They really made an impact on me during my initial days.

How does what you learned from producing short films apply to making larger budget feature films?

Everything is just a stepping stone towards the goal you want to achieve or teach. It can never be one entire leap. It will always be short steps. Short films are the beginning to reach the film goal. It’s a learning experience there are a lot of aspects you get to know about apart from just the technicalities and short films are always on budget (usually a tight one) so to be able to get it all executed in the amount you have is usually the challenge, At the end of the day, you want to express yourself and the internet is giving you that liberty.

How did you start producing?

The first film that happened was with my junior from school. He got in touch with me. He was making a film and he said ‘I want to make a story of a man who is love with his car and how this affected the family.’ I was touched by the story because I and my father loved our Fiat. My father never wanted any other car.

Once we sold the Fiat, we ended up buying another Fiat. We loved that brand.

So the story really had me going and I was in for it. The world was not going to offer me the kind of roles I want to do so I’d rather just make it myself.

Do you ever feel that your creativity is hampered when you are hosting or anchoring a show?

No, not at all. You get to do what you want to. Whatever i have been anchoring from shows, India has got Talent to Pro Kabaddi, and they are all great for me. I am happy to be there and host. I appreciate all the forms because I know about them. The whole process needs to be approached differently.

How do you manage to instil your usual element of humour into your show?

You are born with or not. I can’t put it on writing like the way my friend on Comedy Circus do. There is a breed of people who are just born to make you laugh.

But for me, you just hang around with them and do, what you think and understand will make them laugh. But very frankly, I’m not a very funny person. I don’t really crack a lot of jokes.

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Shirt- UCB, Pants - Giovani Suspenders: the Brocode Shoes- mose shoes Belt- Indian terrain

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Shirt - Indian terrain, Waist coat- Giovanni Belt: Indian terrain, Pants: giovani Trench: giovani, Shoes: mose shoes

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Apart from being articulate and having a pleasing personality, what else does an anchor need?

Technically you have to be very strong with your dictionary. You need to be blessed with a rich vocabulary. The anchor sews and stitches the entire evening and they can do that with words. do your homework and research. And let the flow take over after that.

What are some of the trends that you see in the theatre that could help students plan for the future?

Technology is being used in theatre in a big way. People are now flying on stage; they make people disappear on stage. Technology has a lot to do so I think it’s time for innovators to step into theatre and its going to be a great next decade for theatre.

What is your top tip for filmmakers who want to approach producers for their projects?

I opened my production house to make films because I really wanted to express a few things. I have made so many films which haven’t been released yet. I really look forward to listening to some great stories because my last three films have been collaborations with people that have randomly happened. The next one could be something new.

You have been a part of the marijuana legalisation campaign. What are your thoughts on the issue?

It a herb. You can’t hate a plant, especially a plant that has so much to give. It has done so much. I have tremendous respect towards cannabis. I know there is wave of awaking amongst the people. It’s happening right now. Everyone is talking about it. There is a wind that is carrying this thought and is attaching people. It generally happens in a movement. These are all signs of a movement.

I think this movement will only go towards the goal of getting cannabis the respect it deserves. It cannot be treated as a synthetic drug. You cannot put it in the same category as cocaine or acid. It is a plant and deserves respect. After earning the respect I don’t care if it even gets commercialised. Everyone does commercials for alcohol, and you pay a huge sum over these products. You can purchase alcohol openly but you have to shadily take marijuana. That is what I want to change. Don’t shame it.

What is next on the platter?

This year is dedicated to stage and theatre. Apart from Piya Behrupiya continuing this year and moving towards its 200th show, there is another production I am going to be a part of. The rest continues with television, as far as Kabaddi is concerned. I have two short films lined up which I will be making this year with a Bengali Film maker friend of mine. It’s a beautiful film. It’s about a man who is actually going through a transition period and he wants to be a woman. It’s not a transgender story but a story of a woman stuck inside a man’s body. Have collaborations with a lot of big broadcast companies which are in the market. We are already on the BookMyShow Juke Box. ***

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FAme Game

Bazaar Ft. Deniz Nariman (Inega Models) P hotographe d by M a d hu Vfx, Sty l i ng by Abhishek P. Chatterjee Mak e up by N it i G o enka , Ha i r by Khya t i P a r a s i y a S ty lin g A s s i s ta nc e by Shimo li Ka p a s i Pro duc ti o n by J uhi A li

30 Issue #2 Feb 2018

Ruffled Drop Shoulder Top by Mellowdrama Copper Metallic Choker Neck Gown by Sunaina Khera Floral AppliquĂŠ Dress (used as a skirt) by Eshaani Jayaswal Jacket by Sameer Madan, Scarf by H&M, Hand Box : Vintage Earrings by Eurumme, Heels by Monrow

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FAme Game

32 Issue #2 Feb 2018

Embellished Jumpsuit by Pankaj & Nidhi Sling Bag by Chanel Heels by Monrow Earrings by Varnika Arora

FAme Game

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Gown by Sunaina Khera Embellished Jacket by Rebecca Dewan Bag and Scarf by H&M Heels by Monrow Earrings by #2 Varnika 34 Issue FebArora 2018

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36 Issue #2 Feb 2018

Scarf Lapel Floral Jacket and pants by Rebecca Dewan Bag by Fendi, Scarf by Hermes Metal Hairbun by Roma Narsinghani Earrings by TOILE, Heels by Zara

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Embellished Ruffled Top by Sunaina Khera Flora Print Skirt by COAST Scarf by H&M, Clutch by Gucci Heels Charles#2 & Keith 38byIssue Feb 2018 Earrings by Roma Narsinghani

‘I fell off my Pink cloud with a thud’ -Elizabeth Taylor

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THE PINK WORLD

BY SANJANA PRABHU

The colour pink has been rebranded. Once a symbol of gender binaries, pink is now the colour of powerful optimistic statements. In the history of fashion, no colour has been so loaded with pop psychology as pink. Partly because pink has, in many cultures, become the uniform for the business of being a woman. Pink’s association with femininity doesn’t go all that far back, though.

Nor is femaleness its only connotation. But when pink appears on the runway, it stands out with its shades.

With so many collections walking up and down the catwalks, it can be hard for a season to decide upon any kind of colour these days.

But, on this Spring/Summer 2018 occasion, Milan is definitely campaigning for pink.

Alberta Ferretti, Gucci, N°21, Francesco Scognamiglio Agnona, Sportmax, Vivetta, Moschino, Bottega Veneta, Ermanno Scervino, Marni, Marco de Vincenzo; they all opened with the shade or they made sure it featured within.

Pink became standard in female fashion after World War II, when Dior introduced his romantic, modern New Look as a reaction to the severity of post-war rationing. Flash forward to the economic boom of the mid 1990s where Gianni Versace and Karl Lagerfeld revelled in plastic pink. Pink has an insurgent streak, thanks partly to the fashion and iconography of punk. In more recent years, pink has become especially wrapped up in discussions about gender, especially as it regains its gender neutrality on the runways. In more subtle ways, pink is also being reclaimed in pop culture and repositioned as a symbol of female strength.

Since the 2000s we have had movies like Mean Girls that officially made pink so fetch . Elle Woods in Legally Blonde completely slayed the colour as well.

40 Issue #2 Feb 2018

The pink colour trend has been the standout of the season. It was huge at the spring/summer 2017 shows in variations from fuchsia to bubblegum and coral. Pink has always been complicated. GQ named it ‘spring’s most popular colour, The Guardian called it ‘the colour of now’. It started with New York Fashion Week, when we noticed the hue was an ongoing trend among designers, and in London, the popular shade made a number of runway appearances, as well. By the time we arrived in Milan, Alessandro Michele’s latest collection for Gucci took place within an all-pink-everything boudoir. in Paris, pink still reigned, especially at Valentino, where Pierpaolo Piccioli presented his first-ever collection as the sole creative director for the major fashion house. Pink is different. Even now, just when it seemed like we had hit a peak and it was finally on the wane, there it appeared again in Fenty’s spring look book and on army jackets at Madewell.

Though it seemed like millennial pink may have had its big moment in 2017, the 2018 SAG Awards proved that everyone’s favourite shade of Millenial pink isn’t going away anytime soon. Margot Robbie’s millennial pink Miu Miu gown at the SAG Awards showed off her glowing skin, Millie Bobby Brown’s sequined pink Calvin Klein dress at the same event took everyone’s breath away and Gigi Hadids oversized pink winter coat gave everyone street style goals. At the Grammy’s 2018, Rihanna switched into a sparkly pink dress by Adam Selman, for her performance, that made everyone’s head spin. ***

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Raw Silk Jacket, Long Shirt & Printed Pants by Mitesh Lodha Shoes by SS Homme me Wrist Watch by Jaipur Watch Company

THE PHOENIX THE COVER STORY

WHO ROSE FROM ASHES

Vineet

K. Singh

42 Issue #2 Feb 2018

VINEET KUMAR SINGH Interview by Sukiran Singh. Conducted by Vrishti Nandkarni

Vineet Kumar Singh is one of the men who shape their own destiny. He fell and rose, again and again, to achieve what he toiled for, but never quit. He fought the system in his own way and laid foundation to the man he is becoming. An underdog story in its truest form, the real life Mukkabaaz!

Q. Let’s start with getting this question out of our system. How many times you broke your nose or other parts while undertaking your boxing training?

Boxing is a kind a sport where injuries are very common. It is said that injuries are a boxer’s jewellery. Later on, I told coach sir that I have collected a lot of ornaments that way. Initially it was very difficult for me because the age I started training for boxing, normally boxers retire at that age. I hadn’t disclosed that I’m an actor and the reason for me joining. And I had requested the coach also to keep it a secret as well. So I was treated like a regular trainee. Everyone wondered why I’m training now at this age. They thought I was crazy. The second day itself I was in the ring and I had a bleeding nose and injuries. People laughed, thinking I’ll quit sooner or later. But this kept on happening again, and again, and they slowly started accepting me. So I had many injuries, had a broken rib. I got this break after 17-18 years, it was very important for me the work I get as an actor, and I had no team of personal masseuse or physiologist helping me out. It wasn’t easy to convince coaches to train me because I didn’t tell anyone that I’m an actor. And with so many injuries I was scared to accept them because I was scared that they’ll throw me out from training. At the same time I was worried that Anurag sir will ask me to leave and come back to Mumbai. So I was self-motivating and all my fights were internal.

Q. Why boxing? I mean, why did this particular sport struck your mind before you started writing Mukkabaaz?

It would been really easy if I wrote about basketball as the sport because I’ve been a national basketball player. But choosing boxing was for a selfish reason.

In basketball Shravan Kumar would have been divided into 12 players because it’s a team game. That’s why I chose boxing as it’s an individual game.

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Q. Why do think Violence and love go hand in hand, at least talking about our society?

This story came to me through personal experience I observed around me.

When I was playng basketball, my friends went through something like this.

There were some players that were really good but they didn’t understand they also have to please someone and be in there good books. Because a sportsman’s carrier starts at an early age and ends early too. Most of the sportsmen retire by 30 itself. They were too young to understand the worldly affairs. Somewhere in your life you fall for someone, by default there might be factors that can destroy someone’s carrier. The ground level reality is like this.

Q. Mukkabaaz, the film, is stuff of legends. Can we expect a part 2? (Probably where the protagonist fights the corrupt system) In one interview Anand L. Rai sir have mentioned that Anuraj Kashyap has a story as a sequel for Mukkabaaz. And many people are inquiring about this. Mukkabaaz is a story that will never end.

Q. You went through a mountain of frustration, among other things, to get the big role. What went through your mind, when fancy producers didn’t wish you take you as lead but rather use you script?

I move forward with positivity in everything, no matter how small or big. If I don’t do that, I wouldn’t have survived here for the last 17-18 years. Because you can’t go that far with negativity around you. it’s not like no one supported me. I acted in Gangs of Wassepur, Ugly, people liked my work, people were fairly aware about me and my work as an actor. Different places offered different roles as an actor or as a writer. Some were busy with production of other films and asked me to wait for a while. But this gave me confidence in my script because people were ready to invest in it. So I considered this as a positive feedback so I could pitch it better somewhere else. People were willing to do my script but there were some practical difficulties, which I understood were legit.

There was immense support, wishes, and encouragement from everyone. So for me the entire experience for me was good.

Q. Also, what went through your mind, the day your training was over and you were coming back for the first day of the shoot?

The biggest thing for me, on the first day of shoot was when I saw the clap. It got me emotional. I didn’t tell anyone that time, I quietly walked away alone.

I was looking at the sky and tearing up a little. Because I was so happy to see that clap. It was very personal to see that I worked for so many years and now my film is being produced. Seeing that clap with the yellow of Anand L Rai, Phantom of Anurag Kashyap and his team, and Eros working for my script, what more can an actor ask for? To be associated with such established names was a big moment for me.

Q. Nepotism, I’m sure you have faced. But like the film, have you yourself faced the broken ceiling of Indian corruption (which is very real, no denying)? We know the inspiration for a realistic role comes from a real experience.

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Outfit - Punit Balana Earrings - Aldo Belt - Veromoda

Houndtooth Long Shirt and Jacket by Mitesh Lodhi Slim Trousers by SS Homme Brogues by Hats Off Accessories

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Upper Jacket by SS Homme Houndtooth Long Shirt and Jacket Mitesh 46 by Issue #2Lodhi Feb 2018 Slim Trousers by SS Homme

I always say this I always look at things with positivity. Always. Since the begging no doctor, or my father asked me to come to Mumbai and become an actor. It was all my choice and my decision, so why would I blame someone else for it.

And if I can’t do it, I’ll back to being a doctor. Very simple. It’s easy to say now, but 17-18 years ago it was very difficult. From a very young age I wanted to be an actor. It’s not in my nature to put blame on others. Every day I was just trying for something better, one step ahead. And that’s what worked for me. Instead of blaming others, focus on what you can do for yourself. If I surround myself with so much negativity it will be very difficult for me to work the next day. Because it will reflect on the camera.

Q. Is the real Vineet Singh as aggressive as Shravan?

No. Earlier, yes, but not anymore. Even during boxing I can take heavy punches.

Earlier, I’m talking about the time before I came to Mumbai, there’s a lot of difference now. Man doesn’t always remain the same, with experience he grows.

And it depends on you if you want to learn from your experiences or not. I’ve come here because of my dream. I will always try to learn something.

Q. What thing, person or experience sooths or calms your mind? Any doobies included I do Shravasan. I meditate. On my mat or my bed. I’m a M.D Ayurveda, I know about a lot of natural things. But for me, I skip or go for a run. I have understood that in the film industry when you are genuinely determined everyone comes to help you out. With Mukkabaaz, Anand L Rai sir stood up with me, Anurag kashyap supported me. And because them good music directors came in.

Q. You performed a couple of immaculate rap songs for us, written by you.

How did that start?

I write about whatever I feel in a form of rap. This started in college.

Q. Even your rap songs had well noted impressions of our society. Although Mukkabaaz’s protagonist bowed down to the system to save his wife, do you have any ideas how we can inflict real change in the system?

I’m an actor, one thing I know is I do my work with complete honesty. I can’t change people. What I can do is focus on what I’m doing. This is what is in my hand. Being an actor, acting is my responsibility that I enjoy. I don’t bother with what others are doing. But it will be nice, if everyone does well. Because we all together make one society. If every individual does well on their respective levels than there will be change. Very basic, the rubbish on the road. It doesn’t rain down from the skies, it’s us who participate in it. It’s not natures fault, it’s ours. All I know is that I won’t be the one throwing rubbish, rest I don’t know. Whatever I can do from my side for betterment, I’ll try my best.

Q. What is the Ideal society for you?

Everyone to be happy. See, peace is very important, so is happiness. Idea for life should be clear and it should be close to the nature and natural. Things fall in place automatically then. I don’t think there’s a man out there who doesn’t want to be content. Everyone wants the basics, clean water, good food, a sturdy Shirt - Six Buttons Down Suit - Rajat Tangri 47 Earrings- Zara

Suit and Shirt by SS Homme Shoes by Hats Off Accessories Wrist Watch by Jaipur Watch Company 48 Issue #2 Feb 2018 Cufflinks by SS Homme

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house, a nice family. Do well for yourself, at least.

Q. You’ve worked on many films with him, but how was the experience of working with Mr. Kashyap (Anurag) on this particular project? Since it was your baby too.

It was wonderful. I learnt a lot while working with him. Every film they experiment something new, he experimented in this film as well. It was a really good experience. In this film, we didn’t have a big budget to afford a boxing choreographer from Hollywood. The training came very handy. All the boxers were internal level players, they helped. All fights were real. So many things we experimented. Many films, Ugly they didn’t give us the script. We used to get a scene daily, I didn’t know the story. That was a diffrent experience. Gangs of Wassepur was a different experience, we received the script long back and we went through workshops. He’s a very fearless director and he gives a lot of freedom to his actors.

Q. ok, enough talk of the film we can’t get enough of! Let’s talk about the one that’s coming in. What’s your role in Gold, how did you get the part and how was the over experience? And, when it’s releasing?

The experience was great. It’s my first film with Reema Kagti. I have always appreciated her work and wanted to work with her. As soon as I go the opportunity and just grabbed it. It was a lot of fun. It’s my first film with Akshay Kumar sir. I learnt a lot from him. He’s the kind of person who is always happy. They have a lot of practice and experience they don’t get worked up. It was a long schedule, but a lot of fun. We were in UP for about 3 months, 1 month of training and 2 months of shooting. Then there was a shooting in Punjab. It was great. I got the part through audition.

Gold is releasing on 15th of August.

Q. What is next in your bucket list? What’s the next passssion?

Next is Gold. And a lot of scripts that I have to read, that came to me during the shooting of Mukkabaaz. Mami film festival gave a lot of recognition to me and film. Lot of meetings. I want to do good roles, be part of good films, and work with good directors. Now that Mukkabaaz is still in the theatres, I’m relaxed and steadily moving forward. *

50 Issue #2 Feb 2018

The Contrast Suit and Shirt by SS Homme Brogues by Hats Off Accessories Watch by Jaipur Watch Company Cufflinks by SS Homme

Pho to gra ph e d b y S u k i r a n S i n gh Sty l i ng by A b h i s h e k P. Ch a t te rj e e Ma k eup a nd Ha i r b y A m e l i a D a s w a n i Co nc e p t b y S u k i ra n S i n gh R eto uc hi ng by A m r i ts a r i Ph o t o gra ph y M a na ged by J uhi A l i a n d Pre ra n a S h a h Sho t a t Ho lid a y I NN , Mu m ba i ( A i rpo r t)

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PHENOMENON THAT SHAPE US

Volume 2.

By Simarjot Wadhwa

It’s a deja vu with the Phenomenon again. The inimitable and distinctive personality takes one into the realm where reminiscences of the past weave a beautiful garland and narrate an untold story.

Age is not a bar. Stand alone spirit enthuses her and propels her to be an achiever. She is neither weary nor exhausted at the age of 74. Her life impels the lives of those with ‘unseen virtues’. Her energetic and unsparing efforts infuse a feeling of exhilaration in others.

MRS. ACHALA KORDE Born on 29th October 1943 in Karachi , Mrs. Korde’s life is full of inspiration.

Her family moved to Bombay in 1945 and since then , challenges have never ceased but the strength to fight back has never faded.

Her father was a freedom fighter . He participated in Dandi March along with Gandhiji and went to jail for 6 months. Her family never took any benefits from the Government of India for being the freedom fighter’s family. Self -esteem was always kept high.

She was just 12 years old when her father suffered a severe cardiac arrest two times in a span of mere two days in the month of January. It came as a bolt from the blue thus, transforming every aspect of a normal life. This was not enough as the end of February brought another pain of third heart attack. Life became helter -skelter . With three siblings and parents to take care , life was never a bed of roses for her.

She couldn’t continue her college and left her studies .She started working in Probation and Excise department in 1963. She travelled from Ville Parle to Ballard Estate daily. After one year , she switched over to a job in Indian Railways and worked for 10 years. Life was tough but she never vexed and disgruntled at any situation. She embraced life gracefully leaving no stone unturned in fulfilling her responsibilities.

She got married to Mr. Madhusudan Korde on 18th May 1964. He was an architect in the Indian Oil. Their happy married life received a sudden blow when she lost her companion in 1993. With grit and sheer determination , she treaded on the path of life emboldening herself with each passing day. She got the qualification in Diploma in Education and became a teacher in Versova Welfare Association High School and Junior College. She served the institution as a Math teacher till her retirement in 2001.

Now came the period when the question of constructive time arose. Retirement 52 Issue #2 Feb 2018

was never a saturation point for her rather a commencement of a new phase of life. An urge to reach out to the children from far and aide areas culminated in joining a Mathematics Organization named BrihanMumbai Adhyapak Ganit Mandal . She was appointed as the Secretary and the organization conducted Math exams for primary and secondary students . Math Concept Exam was conducted for class 5 and 8 and aimed at involving ordinary IQ children at large. The response was so overwhelming that nearly 30,000 children appeared for Math Concept Exam in Mumbai itself.

Education Secretary came to know about it and showed his interest not to limit it only to Mumbai.

A pilot project was initiated which included Nashik and Thane districts too. Children from Zilla Parish ads were encouraged to participate . The sincere efforts bore fruits and a thumping number of approximately 25000 students from these two districts along with same number of students from Mumbai district appeared for the exam . Participation by 50,000 students in just three years was definitely worth appreciation.

Once the examination was conducted successfully , teachers were trained to analyze the results . Education Secretary was so impressed that he wanted it for the entire Maharashtra but couldn’t be organized due to various reasons . Nashik district reported improvement in results of Scholarship exams as the teachers were trained properly. Thane district teachers were also trained. Her able guidance helped the organization to climb up the ladder of success. Mr. Gautam from Sarav Shikshan Aayog met her and all achievements were published in Janshala Patrika . It was a moment of acknowledgement of her endeavors.

She is currently the advisor of the organization and enjoys her involvement there.

Her participation in setting of papers or centralized correction is truly commendable. Her liking for the subject has always forged her to be innovative in the field in order to inculcate a feeling of ‘phobia free Math’.

She firmly believes in working till the physical capacities allow. Though she has certain health challenges , she is not deterred from performing her tasks. She is independent in all ways and intends to continue doing so.

She is an entity by herself and has simple dreams when she humbly states ,” I want my three children to be together, happy and satisfied .”

She visualizes for a society which is not egocentric and self-seeking. She is an egalitarian and aspires for people to be humane.

Her message is ‘ work for the welfare of the people’. The poor children should be nurtured in all aspects. Those who have time and can engross as well as absorb themselves , must be the torch- bearers. *** 53

54 Issue #2 Feb 2018

Blazer, T-shirt and Pants by Splash Belt and Shoes by Max Fashions

MODERN INDIAN SINGER

Tushar Joshi P hot ograph ed by Ranveer Dua , Retouc h by Sukir a n S i n gh M akeu p an d Hair by Va lene D’so uz a I ntervie w an d S ty l ing by J uhi A li

‘He’s sung many contemporary bollywood numbers like khana khake chalegaye and Naach Meri Jaan, and of course Phurr, the Collaboration with international artist Diplo. ‘ You have had the experience of several different professions. How is it diffDid you take professional training for singing when you were younger, or were you a bathroom singer.

I was both. I started singing in the bathroom, and then my mom-dad listened to me singing and they thought that I should be going to a school. When I was in class four they got me admission in Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyalaya, I started learning classical singing and did Visharad.

Did you get a cultural shock when you moved to Mumbai? And how did you cope with it?

No, I didn’t get a cultural shock actually, because I expected the city to be different and it was different. So there was no shock as such. It took me some time to get into “Bombay culture” as you call it, but whatever the change was, it was good.

What is the kind of struggle you faced during the initial days in the industry and Bombay?

I went through all kinds of struggle in Bombay. Starting from rent money to paying the rickshaw fare. I’ve seen it all. Even the struggle of getting work, because you have talent but you don’t know enough people, so how do you tell the world that you can do it? Or you’re good at it? It just happens. And the industry, I feel extremely lucky actually. I was lucky because whoever I met they were happy, with everyone I had a green check box. I had great association with everyone’ whoever I have worked till now.

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How did you score your first job in Bombay?

First job, umm… I think online. I had made a resume. Otherwise in music industries you don’t really need one. But I got it done. Edited it myself. And there was this website, I think mandy.com or something, I had posted it on that, and then I got a job offer. I used to work for six thousand rupees a month. I used to go to Tardeo from Borivili.

How did you get your first movie song?

The first movie song I sang was Musafir. What happened was that I was working for the project of Jagga Jaasoos, so Pritam had already composed the song. It was a really good song. It was all Pritam da’s decision, he thought my voice suited the song.

You predominantly worked with Pritam da, how has your association been with him?

What were work I have done with the A-League, it’s all because of Pritam da.

And he himself is such a magical composer. It was been magical really. He being the mentor was the best thing I could have.

You were supposed to be the entire voice in a character in Jagga Jaasoos, how did you connect to that role?

I could connect to that role because we were doing the background music as well so we were well-versed with the script. So I didn’t plan or prepare anything.

I just went with the flow. Whatever seemed right, or whatever were Pritam da’s instructions, I just followed it. Eventually, it turned out to be good.

How was it collaborating with Diplo?

I didn’t directly collaborate with Diplo, it was Pritam da who collaborated with him. Again, Pritam da asked me to sing the song. I forget about it, and few days later Pritam da told me that it’s releasing tomorrow with my voice. It was a little surprising moment for me. I did not expect that at all.

What have been the greatest challenges you faced so far? In terms of your career.

There are basically just three challenges. Normally you have to work hard. That is one. You have to know if you are good at what you’re doing or not. Because, if you aren’t good with what you’re doing then leave it and find something else.

It’s not only hard work, you have to be good at it. And you have to be good with people. To establish a combination of these three things take a lot of time. Most of the people who doing well have these three qualities. To maintain these three qualities, I think, is the toughest thing.

In 2013 I met Bobo Da. That for me was an ice breaking moment. I had an image of myself in my head. And He’s the kind of person who’s very honest. And he initially told me about my strengths and weaknesses. I thought he was wrong.

But eventually I released that he must be right because of his experience. So I just followed what he told me in 2013. The guided me and I followed everything. He plays a really big hand on what I have achieved so far. Whatever

56 Issue #2 Feb 2018

Shirt by Indian Terrain Waist coat by Splash

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Pullover and Shirt by Indian Terrain Pants by splash Shoes and Belt by max fashion Glasses- artists own

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challenges I faced, I used to go to him for his advice. And I used to blindly follow what he told me. And everything fell into place. I’m extremely thankful to Pritam da as well.

How do make a conscious repertoire choices from film to film? In the sense how do you bring distinguish between two songs?

I haven’t really gotten an opportunity to distinguish on that level, because I haven’t sung so many songs yet. Plus, whatever releases I’ve had so far, have been with Pritam da. Pritam da is very clear with his brief, and how he wants it done.

We just follow his instructions. If we follow him, things will happen.

Do practice or Riyaz every day?

Yes. Well, not every day. But since past five-six months I’m making conscious efforts. Twice or thrice a week, I do Riyaz.

Do you experiment a lot when it comes to singing? And if you’re asked to sing in a different style, how would you approach it?

I would love to experiment. I’m willing to try everything. I’ll try two-three tones, I’ll try different approaches. Whatever works for the song. But I’m totally open to it and would love to experiment with different tones, different voice modulations.

What do you feel the best song you have ever released so far? And why?

It has to be Musafir. I love the song for the reason is the tune and the lyrics.

Amitabh Da has written the song in such a way that you get personal with it, the lyrics are such. Another thing is that the time when Pritam da composed the song, it was such a great song. Even if someone else would have sang it instead of me, still the song would have been that beautiful. Amitabh Da and Pritam Da have created magic.

What motivates you? Please elaborate on it.

I’m a very ambitious person, so for me to see myself somewhere is a motivation.

When I had come here, I wondered when I’ll work with the A-listed composers.

Now that I am working with them, my ambition… how do I explain… I have some dreams, so till they don’t come true, I can’t rest.

When I saw Coldplay’s concert for the first time, I realised that I can do something even bigger than this. Not in terms of the music but the entire experience.

I can give that experience. For that I can’t just do one show and be Coldplay.

I’ve to start small. And slowly things are happening automatically. That motivation comes along with it. I love audience.

Do you do a lot of stage performances?

I used to do it two years ago. Right now I’m hoping, maybe next year or two I’ll start again. But before that I have to be solid enough to start that part of my journey.

What are your next projects?

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I’m not aware of my next projects actually. Because singing wise you usually don’t have an idea. Normally when I sing I usually don’t ask many questions about the song or the movie it belongs to. There are some songs I have sung, only if they release it is when I’ll know about it properly. It think it’s going to come on MTV Unplugged on 3rd Feb. I worked with music producer Sunny for the episode. So that’s an upcoming event that I’m certain will release. The rest I’ll never know so I’m just working. ***

60 Issue #2 Feb 2018

RANDOMS

The Night Crawler Photographed by Ruchir Vashishtha Styling by Nidhi Jaiswal Model : Katarina Borisenko MUA : Niti Goenka Hairstylist : Arshi Syed BodySuit by Flirtatious Flared pants by Madison on Peddar Accessories by Swarovski

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62 Issue #2 Feb 2018

Shot by Sukiran Singh

SIDDHANT KAUSHAL THE MILLENNIAL LYRICIST

INTERVIEW BY SANJANA PRABHU

Did you set out specifically to become a lyricist? And now that it has happened, what do you do to enhance your vocabulary or your metaphors?

No I didn’t. I landed in Mumbai towards the end of 2012. I was three when I started singing. I am a singer turned into an accidental lyricist. I think I came here with the dream of becoming a singer or at least getting a chance to sing songs with major composers or try out different stuff but I remember a friend of mine Umang Joshi, a piano player, called me to sing a song. I heard his tune and I really liked it but there were no words to it. Prior to hearing the song, we had dinner and it was a late night recording and somewhere I mentioned to him that I had a band back in college where I was the lead vocalist but at the same time we were given original compositions to make as a band. I had written one or two songs randomly back then. He held on to that and he made me write the song. The feedback we got after that was positive. It was really scary for me because it was all a fluke. He tried to convince me that I could sing as well as write but I kept persisting that it was a different ball game all together. Before I could realise it, singing became a secondary habit and writing, a primary. 6 months after the incident I started getting calls. 99% of the time, a melody is made first. The melody has a metre and structure to it. As a singer when I always write something, I always fall back to the thing on ‘How would it sound if I were to sing this?’ and how the usage of certain words would sound as well. Obviously with regards to keeping the thought intact, being specific to the message you want to convey and then if the rhyme scheme is correct, it makes a lot of difference.

I am not a very consistence reader. My source material is usually what happens around me along with the yester year and current songs. I try to keep in check with the trends because it’s more of a technical job than a creative one. You have to keep everything in mind. You are supposed to cater to an audience which is in billions and yet we are not bound by a single language like it is in the west. The metaphors come along with my day to day observations with my surroundings and people. I personally also feel that if we can find poetry and day to day life that becomes the best form of art.

Currently music industry does not rely on classic songs. There are Indo-Western, rap and other genres, that marking their presence. How would you compare the earlier and today’s music?

I think what happens is that, you know there are certain eras. Earlier when people used to listen to music, the market back then was very different. We have 63

been exposed to a new kinds of music of late and since computers came in along with the internet, from there we have been open to a variety of music.

People have been open to different kinds of music because of that. There is no particular answer to how music can be compared with timelines. Within time, everything changes. Every decade a new sound is introduced so I think that is going to happen even further. I don’t ever feel like there is this specific sound to live by. What is new today will be a classic in the future. Every generation will appreciate the music more of their own age.

The 1950s and 1960s, is often considered the golden period of songs and song writing in general in Hindi cinema. Do you sometimes feel the burden that those songwriters passed on to successive generations of lyricists?

Definitely. There were some amazing writers back then. What I feel is that someplace where things have gotten a bit diluted back in the day, is the simplicity.

It is a major difference. The purity of the thought as well. Let’s say when somebody has given you a brief, you can actually sum it up in one line. That becomes simple and accessible to people. They don’t really have to you know crack their minds to understand the depth. That happens with as well while writing a song.

The content back then was immense but having said that, the content today also is no less. There are a few brilliant writers today. When I started off, it was a thorough reading through Gulzar Sir’s book, at the same time his songs were always to stick inside our minds. He is a genius and a living legend. Currently I am a huge fan of Amitabh Bhattacharya because I think he is one of the catalysts who made me take the decision of jumping from singing to lyric writing. When I read his work, all I could think of was what a genius he is. You see his range and versatility, you just go awe struck. Consider what these people have passed onto us, there is pressure. We have new times along with language and slangs in our generation because of which the way we write also changes with the culture and trends.

How do you go on about the whole process of song writing?

Being a singer as well, I rely a lot on the melody. Then, I go with the flow of the tune. My thoughts flow better with a tune constructed. So if I write something, I won’t be very convinced by it. But if I write it to a melody, I would be surer about it. That way I understand more how it suits sound wise. The first and fore most thing is your thought; how the flow is and how are you conveying your story in 16-17 lines. Keeping that in mind, you play around with other things. So my process in general, is the melody, then we have a sit in; the composer and me where we discuss how to go about it. Usually the direct gives the brief. I prefer having a proper narration. That way we know the characters more. Sometime if they are willing to share the script, I read it and then get ideas from there. Then we conduct a jam session, where I may give a hook line which is the chorus or the name of the song. Through the process everything falls into place.

Singers are known for their work in a vast manner. Lyricists are the base to their whole product. Why do you thing they don’t get enough credit?

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Bobo Da Interview

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66byIssue #2 Singh Feb 2018 Shot Sukiran

I don’t know. Maybe we are shy people that’s why we hide behind. I think it also depends from individual to individual. I think today everything is about public relations and even singers. They do become the voice of the song in a way. The faces are always the actors. Gulzar Ji and Javed Ji are still known for their work today. Somewhere I think enough PR isn’t being done from our end. Maybe if that picks up, people may get to know more about us. The other thing would be us stepping out of our shells. We get very accustomed in the back seat.

There a lot of remakes of old songs that are infused with the new sounds.

What are your thoughts on that?

I have little bit of a hitch with that. The creative process is taken for a toss because nothing new is being made. This process just feels like you were spoon fed with the thought. What happens is, if there is somebody out there, who genuinely wants to create something new, it gets cubed for them. I think that the old songs should be kept in the past. Let them be there. They had their value and they were really good. Let them have their purity which was seen in those times.

And for the generations today, let them have their own songs so that when they grow old they can reminisce them. I don’t have a problem with classical music being fused with a different genre. I just think that people shouldn’t make something at the cost of hurting the audience’s sentiments.

Experiment is a lifeline of music industry. If you are asked to experiment with your writing or inventing new style, do you think you can deliver the result accordingly?

What happens to writing as you grow is, it gets better like wine. What I write today compared to a person who is in his mid-30’s, there will be a difference of thoughts. If I have to experiment, it would be the kind of newness I can bring into my writing. The choice of metaphors has to be different just like the choice of words yet keeping the current market and trends in mind. Everything has to fall in place correctly and that cannot happen overnight. It is a process and it will take time. People go through a lot of drills. I may write something today which would be experimental for me but for a listener out there, wouldn’t be.

Their reaction would be the end product of my song. If it is a positive reaction, I know they aren’t reacting only with the fact that I am the captain of the ship but they also give their inputs and react like listeners. They would also add their own thoughts and views. The whole process comes with hard work because you have to be at it.

Can a philosophical analyses be extracted from your songs?

I will give you a funny philosophical analysis. There is a recent song that I did for this film called ‘Tumhari Sullu’ called Faratta. The process was very interesting and we had a lot of fun making the track. The director, Suresh Trivedi, gave us a brief and the complete narration of the character. If I break down each line of the song it is really hilarious. The first line is nothing but plain gibberish. The way I got the line is also stupid. I was 5-6 years old in Jalandar, where I knew this guy who used to say this tongue twister ‘keeda kadwa kaate makoda’, but because he had lisp he would say ‘Teeda toda taat matoda’ and that’s how I got the line. It struck me one day when I was walking back home and it also had a

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sound so I went on with it. Plus it was kid who sung these lines, it was really fun and interesting. The song is composed by Bobo sir. Bobo sir and me have a very brotherly relation. He has been a guide and mentor to me. He has always been supportive of my work. He is older to me by so many years but has passed on his knowledge in a creative manner. He is a very well read person and very alert about whatever happens in the market. My choice of words are very different when in am working with him specifically. It is a very family vibe with him. I call him Bobo Da which means older brother. Whenever we meet, we will chill for a couple of minutes in the beginning and then when we sit down for work, I know that it will always end on a positive note.

Tell us about your collaboration with Sanam.

I have written a couple of tracks for the band earlier and I have a few singles with them that are going to be released in the following year. I share a nice relation with all the boys. Sanam puri is also a friend. We met through work. I can’t reveal much about it so you’ll have to wait.

How did Latifa come into making?

The EP actually happened with a friend of mine name Sachin Mittra. I know him through my childhood friend’s girlfriend. We met back in Delhi in 2011 I think and he moved to Mumbai around the same time as I did. It was completely his baby and he wanted to collaborate with me. Then we had a discussion about the processes. If you have heard the songs on the album you will find a bit of philosophy in them. Today when I look back at the writing, it was complicated. The whole album took us around 6 months. My favourite is Zarb-E-Jeena. It is close to me as I wrote it as well.

How do you represent and respond with regards to social media?

To be honest, I am not on Facebook for around a year and a half now. I deactivated my account long back but I think I will be back o eventually. I don’t have a twitter handle as well. I am available on instagram but my profile concentrates on my personal life more than my professional one. My account is not private so anyone can even follow me. I have put my releases as well but there are more photographs of my day to day life as a normal person. I think it is important today somewhere to be out there and let people know who you are. When I see even the watchman in my building has a smart phone and can access the internet. I don’t know if he has an Insta account or no but im sure with time, even he might have one. My nieces and nephew are aware of these things so we have keep up with their generation. Somewhere I have a contradiction regarding this.

On one hand social media is important for professional growth but on the other, your personal space is being completely invaded. Earlier when there was no social media people were intrigued with celebrities’ lives. Now they have access to anything.

What can we expect from you in 2018?

I can’t give out details but I have been working on multiple projects, a few movies as well along with a few singles. All my film projects are with Bobo Da. It just clicks with him. Our tastes match and were on the same page with regards how

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Shot by Sukiran Singh

we need to approach our work.

What advice would you give to budding lyrics writers? Any tip to share?

As of now even I’m a budding artist and I have long journey ahead. If you see the body of work of all these big lyricists, their range is huge. I still have to get there. But if I did have to give an advice I would firstly say that the person should be confident about their path. This industry needs people who are sure about themselves. Be thorough and do your research properly. It will open your mind to see things in a different way. People need to know if they can do it and live up to the industries expectations. If you have the courage to back yourself and believe in yourself, you can make it. Make sure you don’t let pride get in the way.

That will always keep your toes and help you move forward. ***

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RANDOMS

Garden of Eden Photographed by Ruchir Vashishtha Styling by Supreet Khurana Model : Katarina Borisenko MUA : Niti Goenka Hairstylist : Arshi Syed Dress: Karleo Ring: Vasundhara Direction: Sukiran Singh

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‘As Usual, there’s a great woman behind every idiot.’

-John Lennon

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M.IND Mag Issue#1 Jan 2018

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VANSHIKA AGARWAL AND THE ART OF KIRIGAMI

Vanshika Agarwala, based in Calcutta, studied at the London School of Economics, and graduated with a masters degree in economics in 2014. Destiny introduced her to the art of Kirigami or paper-cutting a few years ago, when she came across the work of BĂŠatrice Coron and has since been pursuing this form of art.

She is a self-taught artist and her art pieces are created in an organic process of sketching on large continuous sheets of paper and are cut with a knife. Strongly inspired by travel and architecture, she loves adding whimsical, fairy tale-like elements to her work.

Vanshika believes that learning is forever and each of her pieces are a result of her experimental pursuits. She embarks on this journey, hoping to use her work to create large-scale installations in paper not just for art shows but also a part of window displays, theatre/show backdrops, fashion shows, production design and interiors, paving a collaborative intent between all the fields of design.

She is currently represented by a Mumbai based talent agency – The Artists Project. ***

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BLACK MAGIK CALENDER LAUNCH COVERED BY JUHI ALI

India Intimate Fashion Week (IIFW) launched its much-awaited calendar ‘Black Magik’ at an event filled with glitter and glamour at The Play Lounge, Mumbai on January 08, 2018.

Black Magik is the newest and the most glamorous intimate & beach /swim fashion calendar dedicated to Intimate wear featuring the amazing Ftv talent models posing in the exotic locations of Forest Hills Tala.

Black Magik by IIFW is an endeavor to set new trends in Indian Fashion Industry especially when it comes to Intimate Wear category in which India is still in the nascent phase of growth. With Black Magik’s success India Intimate Fashion Week is intended to bring more to the Indian Fashion Industry with the coming seasons.

Conceptualised by Niraj Jawanjal, Director and Chief Ideator, India Intimate Fashion Week, the calendar has been shot by celebrity fashion photographer Mrunal Kalsekar, who has captured beautifully the glamour that is the essence of iifw.

Talking about Black Magik, Niraj said, “Our intention is to re-write the definition of fashion calendar in India by creating an extraordinary platform to showcase astounding fashion lines

by Indian and International brands and designers.”

Simultaneously it’s a very smart and highly sophisticated branding opportunity for them. We, the Team IIFW are extremely happy to unveil this high fashion initiative which would ignite inspiration for the talents in the fashion sector,” Niraj further added.

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Niraj Jawanwal

FTV Talents

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Nishka Dhawan, Vivek Dhawan with Anjali

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