VOL-4 ISSUE-09 `100 I MARCH 2021
06
A RECOLLECTION
WITH VENKET RAM
THINK. CREATE. LIVE
CONTRIBUTORS & ADVISORY BOARD & ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. RAJESH JEGANATHAN A young and dynamic medico. He runs A and dynamic medico. He runs theyoung prestigious Billroth Hospitals based in the prestigious Billroth Hospitals based in Chennai. Dr. RAJESH JEGANATHAN Chennai. Dr. RAJESH JEGANATHAN
CONTRIBUTORS THOTA THARRANI CONTRIBUTORS & ADVISORY ADVISORYBOARD BOARD CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTORS ADVISORY THOTA THARRANI & ADVISORY BOARD CONTRIBUTORS & BOARD & ADVISORY BOARD
A young and dynamic medico. He runs A and dynamic medico. He runsin theyoung prestigious Billroth Hospitals based the prestigious Billroth Hospitals based in Chennai. Chennai.
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VEEJAY VEEJAY SAI SAI VEEJAY SAI VEEJAY SAI SAI AnVEEJAY award-winning writer, editor, and a culture critic.
An award-winning writer, editor, and critic. An writer, editor,extensively and aa culture culture critic. Heaward-winning has written written and and published onIndian Indian He has published extensively on An award-winning writer, editor and a He has written and published extensively on Indian classical music, fashion, theatre, food and art. An award-winning writer, editor and a classical music, fashion, theatre, food and art. culture critic. He has written and VEEJAY SAI classical music, fashion, theatre, food andpublished art.
heartwarming thank you role to the legend himself himself
heartwarming thank role the logo designed theyou oneextends andtoonly Thota Tharrani. Brew by Lifestyle a legend heartfor his incessant contributions. for his contributions. Tharrani. Brew extends heartfor his incessant incessant contributions. thank Lifestyle you note to thea legend ASHOKwarming VERGHESE warming you note to the legend forthank his incessant contributions. ASHOKhimself VERGHESE himself for his incessant contributions.
culture critic. He has written and published VEEJAY SAI extensively on Indian classical music, extensively on food Indian music, fashion, theatre, and classical art. fashion, food and art. editor and a An theatre, award-winning writer,
An award-winning and a culture critic. He haswriter, writteneditor and published culture critic. He written and published extensively on has Indian classical music, VITA DANI DANI extensively on food Indian music, fashion, theatre, and classical art. VITA VITA DANI Passionate about grassroots of sport in fashion, theatre, food development and art.
He is the ASHOK directorVERGHESE of Hindustan group ASHOK VERGHESE ASHOK VERGHESE He institutions, is the director ofof Hindustan group ASHOK VERGHESE of one the pioneering He is the director of Hindustan group of ASHOK VERGHESE He is is the director of Hindustan group of institutions, one of the pioneering He the director of Hindustan group of educational groups in the country. He is of institutions, instituions,one of the pioneering educational groups educational groups incause the country. He educational is one ofand the pioneering educational groups in a big supporter for promoting instituions,one of the pioneering groups in the country. He is a big supporter and cause for He is the director of Hindustan group a big supporter and cause promoting the country. He is isfor a of big supporter and cause for young talent in art and music. in the country. He a big supporter and cause for He is the director Hindustan group of institutions, one of the pioneering promoting young talent in in art art and and music. music. young talent in art and music. promoting young talent
Passionate about grass roots development development of of sport in Passionate about grassroots sport in India. Sheco-owns co-owns Chennayin FC,Chennai’s Chennai’sfootball football VITA DANI India. She Chennayin FC, India. She co-owns Chennayin FC, Chennai’s football VITA DANI team in the ISL and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), team in the and Table Tennis (UTT), team infirst-ever the ISL ISL professional and Ultimate Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), India’s table tennis league. Passionate grassroots development India’s first-ever professional table league. India’s first-ever about professional table tennis tennis league.
ofpromoting institutions, one the pioneering young talent in art and music. educational groups in of the country. He is educational groups the country. He is a big supporter andincause for promoting a big supporter and cause for promoting young talent in art and music. young talent in art and music.
Passionate about development VITAinDANI of sport India. grassroots She co-owns Chennayin VITA of inDANI India. She co-owns Chennayin FC,sport Chennai’s football team in the ISL and FC, Chennai’s team in the ISL firstand Ultimate Tablefootball Tennis (UTT), India’s Passionate about grassroots development GUltimate VENKET RAM Table Tennis (UTT), India’s firstPassionate grassroots development ever table tennis league. G VENKET RAM ofprofessional sport inabout India. She co-owns Chennayin GA ever VENKET RAM professional table tennis leading Indian fashion photographer whoand has of sport in India. She co-owns Chennayin FC, Chennai’s football teamleague. in the ISL
ANIL JAIN JAIN ANIL JAIN ANIL ANIL JAIN design to succeed and redefine the ANIL JAIN An intensive An intensive design to succeed and re-define the
A leading Indian fashion who has Ashot leading Indian fashion photographer photographer who has FC, Chennai’s team the ISL and principle photography stills forinseveral several notable Ultimate Tablefootball Tennis (UTT), India’s firstshot principle photography stills for notable shot principle photography stills for several notable Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), India’s firstever professional table tennis league. firms. He He quit his his engineeringstudies studiesto to workwith with firms. ever professional table tennis league. firms. He quit quit his engineering engineering studies to work work with cinematographers foraawhile, while,after afterwhich which hejoined joined cinematographers for he cinematographers forRAM a while, afterat which heCollege. joined G VENKET course in visual visual communication communicationa Loyola aaacourse course in at College. Gthen VENKET RAM in visual communicationa at Loyola Loyola College. He worked with photographer Sharada Haskar He then worked with photographer Sharada He then worked withhis photographer Sharada Haskar Haskar A leading Indian fashion photographer who and in 1993, started own studio. G VENKET RAM and in 1993, started his own studio. A Indian fashion photographer and inleading 1993, started his own studio. has shot principle photography stillswho for G VENKET RAM
An intensiveofdesign succeed and redefine parameters success.toAnil Anil Jain was was always cut to tothe be parameters of success. Jain always cut be parameters of success. Anil Jain was always cut to be ANIL JAIN an Entrepreneur taking an active interest in Business An Intensive desire to succeed and redefine an Entrepreneur taking an active interest in ANIL JAIN andesire Entrepreneur taking an active interest in Business Business An Intensive and redefine the parameters of to success, Anil was right from ansucceed early age. HeJain is the the promoter of Refex Refex right from an early age. He is promoter of the parameters of success, Anil Jain was right from an early age. He is the promoter of Refex always cut industries out to be Ltd; an Entrepreneur, taking RefextoTrading(s) Trading(s) Pvt. Ltd, Ltd, and and Anil Anil Jain industries Ltd; Refex Pvt. An Intensive desire succeed and redefine always cut out to be an Entrepreneur, taking industries Ltd; RefextoTrading(s) Pvt. Ltd, and Anil Jain Jain an active An interest in Business right and from Intensive desire succeed redefine investments. the parameters of success, Anil Jain was an active interest in Business right from investments. an early age. He is the promoter orAnil Refex investments. the parameters of success, Jain was always cut topromoter be an Entrepreneur, taking an early age. is out theTrading(s) or Refex industries Ltd;HeRefex Pvt. Ltd, taking always cut out to bein an Business Entrepreneur, an active interest right from industries Ltd; Refex Trading(s) Pvt. Ltd, and Anil Jain Investments. an early active interest right from an age. He is in theBusiness promoter or Refex and Anil Jain Investments. an early age. He is the promoter or Refex
has shot principle photography stills for several notable films. He quit his engineering A leading Indian fashion photographer who several notable films. He quit his engineering studies to work with cinematographers for A leading Indian fashion photographer ARUNA SAIRAM hasSAIRAM shot principle photography stillswho for ARUNA studies to work with cinematographers for ARUNA SAIRAM has shot principle photography stills for a while, after which he joined a course in several notable films. He quit his engineering A winner of the prestigious Padma Shri award. She a while, after which he joined a course in Winner of the prestigious Padma Shri award. She several notable films. He quit his engineering visual communications at Loyola College. A winner of thetoprestigious Padma Shri award. She studies work with cinematographers for is visual the vice-chairman vice-chairman ofwith theSangeet Sangeet Natak Akademi communications at Loyola College. is of the Natak Akademi studies toafter work cinematographers forin He vice-chairman then worked with Sharad a while, which he joined a course is the the of thephotographer Sangeet Natak Akademi He then worked with photographer Sharad which iswhile, India’s premier national institution for avisual after which he joined a course in which is India’s premier national institution for Haskar and in 1993, started his own studio. communications at Loyola College. which is India’s premier national institution for Haskar and in 1993, started own studio. visual communications Loyola College. music andthen dance. Ms. Sairam isathis one of India’s most He worked with photographer Sharad
industries Ltd; Refex Trading(s) Pvt. Ltd, NEERU NANDA NANDA NEERU industries Ltd; Refex Trading(s) Pvt. Ltd, NEERU NANDA and Anil Jain Investments. A graduate graduate of Delhi university and passionate A Delhiuniversity University and and aaa passionate and Anil Jain Investments. A graduate from of Delhi passionate
NEERU writer. NANDA She was was a free-lanced feature writer for She feature writer for ten NEERU writer. NANDA writer. She wasa afree-lanced free-lanced feature writer for ten years before switching to publishing. Author of
years before switching totopublishing. ten years before switching publishing.Author Author of of NEERU NANDA collection of short short stories titled titled ‘IF,’ she she has also also NEERU NANDA aaa collection of collection of short stories stories titled ‘IF,’ ‘IF,’ she has has also
music and dance. Ms. is most music He andthen dance. Ms. Sairam Sairam is one one of of India’s India’s most worked with photographer Sharad renowned ambassdor’s forstarted music successfully taking Haskar and in 1993, his own studio. renowned ambassador’s for music successfully renowned ambassdor’s forstarted music successfully taking Haskar and in 1993, his own studio. ARUNA SAIRAM Indian music music toSAIRAM the International arena. ARUNA taking Indian the International Indian music to the to International arena. arena.
A graduate of Delhi University and a for childreen. A graduate of on Delhi University and afor worked novels and stories passionate writer. She was free-lanced worked on novels anda short short stories for children. childreen. passionate She a free-lanced A writer. graduate ofwas Delhi University and a feature writer for ten years before switching A graduate of Delhi University and a feature writer for ten writer. years before switching passionate She was free-lanced to publishing. Author of a collection ofashort passionate writer. She was free-lanced to publishing. Author offor a collection ofashort feature writer ten years before switching stories titled “IF”, she for hasten also worked on feature writer years before on switching to publishing. of aworked collection of short stories titled “IF”, she Author has also novels andtoshort storiesAuthor for children. publishing. ofhas a collection of short “IF”, also worked on novels andstories short titled stories for she children.
ARUNA SAIRAM A winner of SAIRAM the prestigious Padma Shri ARUNA A winner of the prestigious Padma Shri award. She is the vice-chairman of the award. She isof the of the A winner the vice-chairman prestigious Padma Shri Sangeet Natak Akademi which is India’s A winner of is the prestigious award. She the vice-chairman of Shri the Sangeet Natak Akademi whichPadma is India’s premier national institution for music award. She is the vice-chairmanis ofIndia’s the Sangeet Natak Akademi premier national institutionwhich for music dance.JEGANATHAN Ms. Sairam is which one for of Sangeet Natak Akademi is India’s India’s Dr.and RAJESH DR. RAJESH JEGANATHAN premier national institution music dance.JEGANATHAN Ms. Sairam is one for of India’s Dr.and RAJESH premier national institution music most renowned ambassador’s for music, Ayoung young and dynamic medico. Heruns runs the prestigious and dance. Ms. Sairam is one of India’s A and dynamic medico. He the prestigious most renowned ambassador’s for music, A young and dynamic medico. He runs the prestigious and dance. Ms. Sairam is music one of India’s successfully taking Indian to the most renowned ambassador’s forto music, Billroth Hospitals basedinambassador’s in Chennai. Billroth Hospitals based Chennai. successfully taking musicfor the most renowned music, Billroth Hospitals based in Indian Chennai. international arena. successfully taking Indian music to the international arena. successfully taking Indian music to the
stories and titled “IF”,stories she has worked on novels short for also children. novels and short stories for children.
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EDITOR & EDITOR & CEO EDITOR & CEO CEO EDITOR & CEO EDITOR & CEO EDITOR & CEO
EDITOR & CEO CEO EDITOR & CEO EDITOR & PUBLISHER EDITOR
Sameer Bharat Ram Sameer Bharat Ram Sameer Bharat Ram Sameer Bharat Ram Sameer Bharat Ram Sameer Bharat Ram Sameer Bharat Ram Sameer Bharat RamRam Sameer Bharat
international arena. international arena.
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Akshaya G Aishwarya Sridharan Akshaya GVijayaraghavan Aishwarya Sridharan Yoheswari Devaraj Akshaya G Aishwarya Sridharan Nanditha Sheeba Grace Akshaya G Aishwarya Sridharan Akshaya G Aishwarya Sridharan Yoheswari Devaraj Akshaya G Aishwarya Sridharan Yoheswari Devaraj Sheeba Grace Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Sheeba Grace Akshaya G Aishwarya Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Sheeba Grace Akshaya G Aishwarya Sridharan Yoheswari Devaraj Nagaraj D Sheeba Grace Jp Studios Edz Sridharan
Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Sheeba Grace Sameer Bharat Ram DESIGNER FEATURE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS WRITERS DESIGNER FEATURE / CONTRIBUTING CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNER FEATURE // CONTRIBUTING FEATURE /FEATURE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNER CIRCULATION CIRCULATION FEATURE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNERS FEATURE // CONTRIBUTING CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNER FEATURE / WRITERS DESIGNER FEATURE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CIRCULATION DESIGNER CIRCULATION CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNERS FEATURE / CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNER CIRCULATION CIRCULATION FEATURE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNERS FEATURE / WRITERS DESIGNER FEATURE // CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNER CIRCULATION CIRCULATION FEATURE // CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DESIGNERS FEATURE / CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dhinesh Babu S Aarathi Arun Nandita Vijayaraghavan Divya K Purushotham Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Janani Suri Aishwarya Kanchi Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Janani Suri Vidhya Anand Sanjana Ganesh Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Dhinesh Babu S Dhinesh Babu S Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Janani SuriGanesh Aishwarya Kanchi Dhinesh Babu S Nanditha Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Janani Suri Vidhya Anand Sanjana Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Aarathi Janani Arun Nandita Vijayaraghavan Divya K Purushotham Vijayaraghavan Suri Aishwarya Kanchi Dhinesh S Dhinesh Vijayaraghavan Janani Suri Vidhya Anand Sanjana Ganesh Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Dhinesh Babu S Babu Dhinesh Babu S Babu Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Janani Suri Aishwarya Kanchi Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Janani Suri Vidhya Anand Sanjana Ganesh Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Dhinesh Babu S S Dhinesh Babu S Nanditha Elumalai V Aparna P Kochumon Kochumon Anagha Sugendran Natraj Pranav Radee Radee Elumalai V Afshan Shad Prashanth S Sunanda Aparna P Anagha Natraj Pranav Elumalai V Elumalai V Sadakshi Kalyanraman Karthik Keramalu Akila Sridhar Aishwarya Kanchi Sadakshi Kalyanaraman Aishwarya Kanchi Aarathi Arun Veejay SaiSai Silambarasan Silambarasan Elumalai V V Sadakshi Kalyanraman Karthik Keramalu Akila Sridhar Aishwarya Kanchi Sadakshi Kalyanaraman Aishwarya Kanchi Aarathi Arun Veejay Silambarasan Silambarasan John Elumalai V Elumalai Elumalai VPaul Abinaya Subramanian Aishwarya Kanchi Sadakshi Kalyanraman Karthik Keramalu Sridhar Aishwarya Kanchi Sadakshi Kalyanaraman Aishwarya Kanchi Aarathi Arun Veejay Sai Silambarasan Silambarasan Elumalai VS Elumalai Sadakshi Kalyanraman Karthik Keramalu Akila Sridhar Aishwarya Kanchi Sadakshi Kalyanaraman Aishwarya Kanchi Aarathi Arun Veejay Sai Silambarasan Silambarasan John Paul S V Ridhi Suri Gayathri Krishnaraj Fayaz Q Akila Abinaya Subramanian Aishwarya Kanchi John Paul S John Paul S John Paul S John Paul S Aarathi Arun Padma Murugahappun Aarathi Arun Padma Murugahappun Pavithra Babu Akshay Ramesh Aarti Aney Aasha Sriram Vilani Senthamil Pavithra Babu Akshay Ramesh Aarti Aney Aasha Sriram Vilani Senthamil Maheen Roshan Siddharth Anju Asokan Vilani John PaulJohn S John John Paul S Afshan. Paul S S F Paul Aarathi Arun Padma Murugahappun Aarathi Arun Padma Murugahappun Pavithra Babu Akshay Ramesh Aarti Aney Aasha Sriram Senthamil Pavithra Babu Akshay Ramesh Aarti Aney Aasha Sriram Vilani Senthamil
SS TTTG R A G & D GG NN A TT EEE& Y D E SSSS II II G GN N SSSSTTTTRRRRA SS& N Y SS II II G RR GG YD DG E RY GY YD & DE AA GG YA && D G NEN ATTTTSEESEETG YA TT E& D EEE E& G N Published by Sameer Bharat Ram
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DECEMBER 3 I BREW LIFESTYLE2017 I MARCH 2018 BREW LIFESTYLE ERLIFESTYLE 2017 DECEMBER 2017 3 I BREW LIFESTYLE I MARCH 2018 BREW BREW LIFESTYLE NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2017 ER 2017 BREW LIFESTYLE 2017 DECEMBER 2017 3 I BREW LIFESTYLE I MARCH 2018 BREW LIFESTYLE ER 2017 DECEMBER 2017 3 I BREW LIFESTYLE I MARCH 2018 BREW LIFESTYLE BREW LIFESTYLE NOVEMBER 2017 ER 2017 BREW LIFESTYLE NOVEMBER 2017
CONTENTS COVER STORY 06
A Recollection With Venket Ram
THINK 14 18 22
March On Mi’ Ladies! March On! Redefining Heroine’s Fear To Fierce - Taapsee Passion In A Nutshell
CREATE 26 30 34 40
Lady With A Fist Of Fun The Sundari Touch It’s A Matter Of Records The floral dream
LIVE 44 48
COVER THINK CREATE LIVE
06 14 26 44
Captain Marvel Annydivya Rubi Ma’am The Pride Of Tiruchengode
ISSUE
09
65 61
BREW LIFESTYLE
JANUARY 2018
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BREW BREW LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLEAUGUST JULY 2017 2017
COVER
A recollection W
I T
H
VENKET RAM
Afshan Shad
Women’s Day. Some people like it and some aren’t exactly fond of it; nonetheless, it is a day where we look up to the women in our lives, celebrate them proudly and boast of their stories. And that is just what celebrity photographer, Venket Ram does. Being in the industry for decades, Venket Ram has worked with some sensational women from all across the country. And this Women’s Day, the ace photographer took time off his busy schedule for a small chat with the Brew, recalling some of the fondest memories of the women he has photographed.
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Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar
I started shooting greeting cards for them where I would photograph and the images will be used on the greeting
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cards to raise funds for the Banyan. And later on, I was also involved in a lot of projects with them which involved shooting and photography. I remember shooting in their very first facility which was in a very small house in Mogappair and I’m proud to say that over the years, I’ve seen the Banyan grow; I’ve seen Vandana and Vaishnavi turn that small place into such a beautiful organisation where people
from all over the country come to learn how to help mentally disabled women. The way they’ve taken the whole thing forward as a research centre and have been vocal for their cause, helping several women reunite with their families all over India... It’s wonderful. I’ve seen these girls turn into two forces to reckon today and I’m very proud to be associated with them.”
“
“
“I fondly remember Vandana and Vaishnavi in the 90s when they were running a home for destitute women and for people who had mental disabilities in Mogappair. It was just the two of them as young girls in their 20s when I met them first.
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“
“Shobana is one of the people I’ve worked with over the years and she brings as much grace into a photographer as she does into her performances. Her vibrancy, her expressions, and her dedication to the art... it is not something one can look away from. And it is a splendid challenge to capture them on camera because you have got to do justice to the danseuse.”
“
Shobana Chandrakumar 8
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“
Samantha was one of the actresses in my Raja Ravi Varma paintings and one of the things I needed to match with the painting was the facial features. The eyebrows, the hairline and what would suit, the way the paintings were modelled mattered. Whether they were standing or sitting or thinking, we needed to match. Then it became about the body language and what we wanted to achieve. Samantha was definitely one of the people who pulled it off with perfection. It’s very wholesome whenever I look at the picture.
“ Samantha Akkineni
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Kangana Ranaut
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“
Kangana Ranaut is a versatile actress but what most people do not know is that she’s fierce in her work. Whether it’s shooting for a film or a photo shoot, she brings a strong, fierce aura into the space that you cannot help but be empowered by it. Her pointed glare, her chin up high, her confident posture; all these features invite a strong presence that the people around are also influenced by it.
“
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P. V. Sindhu
“
“When shooting an athlete you never know what to expect. They’re very active people, moving around a lot. But Sindhu has a very calming presence about her and she’s extremely focused in what she does. The fact that she’s not a model but is ready to adapt to things and try out new ideas is truly fascinating. She’s calm, collected and to be frank candid.”
“
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Mi’ Ladies!
THINK
March on M a r c h
o n !
Roshan Siddharth
Of women, history, march and marching For the many that studied in schools in India, a story in their English prose from standard 6 or 8 would be an iconic remembrance. It was the story of defiance, grit and revolution. And it sprung from the very simple action, of one lady refusing to give into bigotry, racism and dictatorial authority, by sitting down. Yes. She sat down and refused to get up, even while being hurled abuses, curses and threats. Her name was Rosa Parks. And Rosa Parks sat still, created a revolution for her, women and mankind.
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Wind back in time, years before Rosa, you have Susan B Anthony. This stalwart of a woman took matters into her own hands and defied every single shackle thrust upon her by men and society. And pioneers of many a movement, like the Temperance movement, her newspaper “The Revolution and the National Suffragette Movement.” All of which have created ripples that last even today and have helped women gain a better footing in society, equal rights on matters that involve them as a part of society and a valour to voice themselves as equals. If you are wondering why this piece of writing talks of Rosa Parks and Susan B Anthony, its because this month is Women’s History Month. It is an opportunity to celebrate the women that broke “the glass ceiling” despite the hurdles that we as a society, a patriarchal one at that, kept in their way. And the reality was, at all times, all the women are always asking society to do is treat them as equals, and not tie them down to their bodies, body parts and natural body functions. As a regular guy, it has never made sense to why women were put through all that and I apologize for that. Women’s History month has its origins tied to small socialist movements in the early 1900s.These movements had intense participation from women and 15
their activism was loud and volatile. The inspiration for these movements came from the Suffragette movements in the USA, such as the ones led by Susan B Anthony. In 1909, an activist named Theresa Malkiel suggested a National Women’s Day to be observed to the Socialist Party of America. The word about the observance spread to great acclaim. This practice was great news to women and grassroots women’s movements around the world. About a year late, the women’s wing of global socialist parties called to organize the second edition of the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen. There, German activists Clara Zetkin and Kate Duncker along with others proposed for an observance like in the states, but did not conclude with a date. Following that in 1911, on March 19 the first International Women’s Day was observed across Germany, Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland, with over a million people participating. In the years that followed, especially in 1914, Germany and England observed IWD on March 8th, possibly owing to its falling on a Sunday. And it continued to be celebrated in scattered dates, until something threw the world upside down and women, true to their spirit were at the fore front of it.
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In 1917, on March 8th (which was celebrated as Working Women’s Day) women working in textile factories in St. Petersburg, in the erstwhile Russian Kingdom ‘marched’ out of their factories for “Bread and Peace” i.e. the restoration of economic conditions, food shortage, the abdication of the Czar, and to cease World War 1. Over 9000 workers, majorly women ‘marched’ out onto the streets in protest, which became the February revolution, leading up to the October revolution and the eventual formation of the USSR. Leon Trotsky, a revolutionary leader wrote in awe stating “The 8th of March was International Woman’s Day and meetings and actions were foreseen. But we did not imagine that this ‘Women’s Day’ would inaugurate the revolution. Revolutionary actions were foreseen but without date. But in the morning, despite the orders to the contrary, textile workers left their work in several factories and sent delegates to ask for support of the strike… which led to mass strike... all went out into the streets.”
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Eventually this date was adopted internationally with the UN accepting it in 1975, International Women’s year. In 1980, Jimmy Carter ordered the celebration of Women’s Week inspired by a weeklong celebration in school in Sonoma in 1978. The following year a resolution was passed calling for Women’s Week celebration nationally. Six years later, with the work of the National Women’s History project, the resolution to extend the celebrations came into being. And slowly with the work of international organizations commemorating this day and the month of March for Women’s history.
frontlines by women, on this day and month makes it fruitious. And this year’s theme for the month amplifies it. ‘The Valiant Women of the Vote’ is the theme for this year. It commemorates 100 years of the ratification of the 19th amendment of the US constitution, which gave women the right to vote. Today, it may seem like a simple thing. But the right to vote meant the right to choose your leader and in a world that damned women to the confines and child bearing and cooking, getting to choose your leader meant being part of the public discourse as equals. One small step, one giant leap.
The beauty of it lies in its roots. Although lost and distorted, with many a claim about a factory burning in the United States, being liked to the day, the fact that one of the greatest revolutions on the face of this world, led on the
100 years later, if Susan or the other women that fought and laid the foundations of women’s rights globally, including our own Savitribhai Phule or Kamini roy, were to look at the world today, they might be amused.
Many has changed, many has not. Especially the commercialization of this day and month. In this world, it was bound to happen someday. But, their idea, thought and intent will be in our remembrance. And ideas are invincible. And what we as a society should do, is to change the ones that hasn’t, improve the ones that have, celebrate Women, not just their history and work, as equals and ‘march’ forward as a society. Women’s history is our history. March on mi’ ladies.
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Ridhi Suri
Often in cinema, women have been portrayed weak. It isn’t until one learns about women empowerment and feminism, that they start noticing how it is always the hero who needs to possess strength, a woman who’s another woman’s enemy and worst of all, it’s the damsel who always needs to be saved by the hero. Thankfully, during the past few years, certainly a number of women-centric/ women-lead movies are climbing up the cinematic ladder. And one of the actresses who’s changing the so-called heroine’s norms and empowering women through her acting is Taapsee Pannu! It’s been a decade since the girl from Delhi, made her debut down South in cinema. Taapsee Pannu with her big, broad smile and gorgeous curls who started her career in 2010, with the Telugu movie – ‘Jhummandi Naadam’ worked her way to success and won hearts all across the Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and most recently – Bollywood! Her latest film, Thappad, has not just received positive critics but also serves as one of the major eye – opening movies to have been made by the film industry. Following Women’s Day, Taapsee Pannu opens up to Brew about her views on Women Empowerment, Gender Equality and lots more.
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“There shouldn’t be just one day for women, it should be an entire year where we should celebrate women.”
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Let’s rewind a little. How were your school and college days? I used to do a lot of public speaking during school and college. I’ve been the Head Girl of my school. I’ve participated in many debates and group discussions, be it interschool or college. I used to take part in many of my college activities. But now when you start working versus when you’re a student, the whole perception of life and being a woman is different. You know when you’re a student, you don’t really know that much about being open. You realize it more when you start working in the real world out there. So, it’s probably now after gaining experience at work that I started talking about women empowerment.
How inspired have you been after working in films like Saand Ki Aankh, Pink and Badla? Very! Because each decision of such sort, when it has worked at the box office, has giving me confidence that I can go ahead and do more such films. So yes, these films have truly helped me gain a lot of confidence.
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How significant is Women’s Day for you? It is significant but I think we are very far away from equality. So, Women’s Day, I look at it as a day where I can promise or pledge to do something that will help bring a change and help us move towards equality; at least a step. I celebrate Women’s day by taking that one step which, in my capacity as an actor, as a woman; I can do for equality or to bring equality. How important is Women Empowerment? This is why we’ve still not achieved equality because we really need to empower each other. Even men -- they need to empower women. The women
need to empower each other to make sure we realize what our potential is! Until and unless we get that equal status in the society, I think we need to keep empowering each other. How important is gender equality in the society? For a society to progress in the right direction, both wheels of the society need to be in sync and be equally strong. If one wheel is not working well or is given the step-motherly attitude, it’s going to take a wrong direction rather than where your vehicle should be moving in. therefore, it is important for both the wheels to be equally strong and moving in the same direction.
not as many women-lead films as there are today. This year has a record number of female driven films in Hindi. So, which is a big change from what we were couple of years back. Hence, there is a definite progress.
PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi. She’s a very, very smart and intelligent woman. I look up to her.
Which women personalities served as a source of inspiration to you in your life outside of films?
As a human, I want to make sure that people know that there is a lack in love out there. It’s there in everyone’s life today and we can only mend this world with love, which we’re ignoring. Lately, I feel that the love between humans has really, really gone down. I just hope we get the love back, wherever we’ve missed it; whenever we’ve missed it. Because only then we will truly enjoy living!
In India, have you noticed progress or feel that there is enough work done to empower women?
I don’t think there’s one particular person, but I do get inspired seeing different women in different fields.
Of course, I have in almost every field. Let’s talk about my own field… If you notice, five or ten years ago, there were
If you ask me, I have been impressed and been a big fan of Indian-American business executive and former CEO of
What’s your word on giving out love to the society?
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PASSION IN A Nutshell Anju Asokan
Photography Credits : Nyx Malfoy
In the life of a former biochemistry professor Dr. Shamsia Banu, sea shells seem to figuratively be all over the place. As she narrates how she found the hobby of her dreams, she reminisces through times that led to the pursuit of her passion - sea shells and everything about it.
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Enter Blue Beach Road, along the East Coast road, a mini ecosystem by itself is Dr. Shamsia’s residence that welcomes warmly with the calliphonious amplification of a string of shells brushing against one another to the rhythm of breeze. Right beside it is an oval mirror majestically decorated with a variety of shells, neatly decked in shape. It would not come off as a surprise for one to witness every artefact inside her home to be designed intricately with shells. Ranging from welcome vases, long mirrors, wall pieces to night bulbs, card holders, photo frames and much more.
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Having retired from her job as the head of the biochemistry department with Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women, she found solace in her pleasant evening walks by the beach every day. Incidentally, as shells happened to lay there untouched and untamed, she would collect them in her pouch, which would soon become her designated shell collection pouch. “I would compel anyone accompanying me for the walk to collect some along with me” she chuckles.
“On one such evening, I discovered an advertisement on a newspaper, calling for interested candidates to attend a workshop on shell art. Why not? I thought to myself.” she recalls. “With the basic knowledge of how to go about with pasting and arranging the shells, I started out.” From that point on as she claims the beachcombing for shells drastically increased, so much that she needed to buy more to make artefacts.
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“I started off by making simple flowers with mother of pearls and the shells I found locally at the beach. As it gave me more satisfaction, I ventured into making useful things like fridge magnets, bookmarks and even chains and other fashion accessories that young women like to wear.” she says. Pointing out to the abundance of shells, she talks about the 60-year-old godown in Washermanpet, who she acquires her supplies from in kilograms and pieces. Over the years, having bonded with fishermen who collected the shells, she has a collection of shells that are now banned from acquisition or are soon to be banned.
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Owning a collection of things that are primarily built with shells from scratch, some of the aesthetic ones include flower bouquets and baskets that she makes exclusively for her Christian clients, on the occasion of their weddings. She owns a label “Blue Beach Shells” and accepts orders for gifting such as candle stands, jewellery boxes in different sizes and patterns. “Creativity is in vogue” she reasons. Dr. Shamsia also conducts workshops at her residence for people interested by publishing it in the hyperlocal newspapers and accommodates students of varied age and occupations. What started off as imparting skills gradually transformed into a full-fledged certified course with a curriculum including projects and examinations. “I used to be a professor; you see. Can’t do without exams” she laughs. “I also conduct competitions for them, call
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a panel of judges to rank them. More often than not, I make their prizes, with shells.” “I teach my students the names of about a hundred basic shells in both Tamil and English so they can order online for themselves using the English names such as Amboniums and Cauris. However, if they go to a local store to get it, they will have to know the colloquial names. For example, in the godown where I get my supplies from, I’ll have to go ask for Kaaka mooku and Paambu Kannu, button shell etc.,” she says As a member of the World Craft Council, with such groomed skills, she is also a part of a forum that imparts the same to students of government schools in and around the city. “I enjoy teaching students of 6th to 9th grade how to handle shells. The joy after they finish a simple flower is unmatched.” she adds. She is also the recipient of eminent laurels such as the
2014 Sanibel Shell Show’s ‘Best Flower Exhibit Professional’ and an illustrious array of international awards. On a frequent time-scale, she puts up exhibitions in events happening in and around the city. Buva House in Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, has been her recent one. Beyond all that, however, the most intriguing part of her passion is sharing it with her family. True mirth is all hers when her grandson in the US has a whole playroom of his shell art and is as fascinated as she is about it. “Whenever I go visit them, I teach Azlaan shell art. Something simple, something he can do it by himself. He shows them all to his friends, proudly exclaiming the skills he acquired from his grandma. Such moments and such moments only” she says “are worth living for.”
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Lady with a
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Gayathri Krishnaraj
“Aditi is funny” is how she likes to be known. However, she prefers not to label herself. Having had an interesting journey through her career, Aditi Mittal gets candid about herself, comedy and sexism faced by the industry with Brew.
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How was your childhood and college? My childhood was fantastic and my college was even better. Life is going great. I get to make my defence mechanism; my daily job and I get paid for it. If a problem arises it has nothing to do with how life is going on right now. How did comedy happen? Comedy happened because I went to open mics. I think everyone wants a story where they are spotted by a Karan Johar and everyone is like ‘Wow! You’re a prodigy!’. That is bulls**t! The story is hard work. You have to struggle. You have to go to open mics after open mics. You have to try out your jokes, listen to the audience - that’s how stand-up comedy works. You have to love everything that you talk about. For me personally, the moment I don’t understand something or fall in love with something, I start talking about it whether I write about it or not. So yeah, these are a few things that make you a comedian. You are one of the first female comedians in India. Was it difficult to enter the scene? That is a very stupid question! You know I’m actually kind of sick of answering this question because it makes it sound like we are the ones complaining. No, you, as a woman journalist also know that there’s sexism in your profession. It is more
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difficult for a woman in every profession and it’s almost dishonest. It is definitely challenging because there was nobody doing it. There was no one to follow the path - having said that, that made me more determined to change it. And to be more focused on my path to make sure that whatever path I’m on, the people that come after me won’t have to go through the same bulls**t. That’s the point of laying a path if the grass has grown over it and you are the only woman. That’s why I find it irritating when people say ‘Oh you’re the only woman that has... – you’re a pioneer’ and then keep rewarding you for the same thing in circles then you’re only as good as the people that follow you. If there are lots of women that have followed your path, then you have done a good job being a pioneer, that is what I think. As a woman you need to find out what kind of humour appeals to you. And I’m sure you can name out four male comedians. It’s difficult and it will remain difficult as long as people don’t prepare before they come ask us questions- good questions or don’t even know about our jobs enough. What sort of comedy do you think you do? Fun comedy. I think it’s observational. It’s based on things that I see in everyday life and the world that I live in. It ranges all the way from my life experiences of what I see around me to the life experiences of the people around me. Observational is my style!
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Could you tell me more about being on the BBC panel of the hundred top comedians? It was about one hundred women across the world coming together to talk about the experiences and lives of women and I was in it for about two and a half years which was a great honour to be chosen not once but twice. And what I experienced was that women are pitted against women and that kind of thing is often demonised. Women are forced against other women and made to feel like we’re against each other which is a very bad stereotype. That prevents women from coming together and identifying with each other’s experiences. When you are the 50 percent of the world and you’re being told that each and every one of you is the enemy of the other, you are not going to come together as a unified voice. I learnt there that every voice matters and has its own unique story to tell. And that determined me to be more truthful and be less shy while telling my story. Because as women we want to be liked so badly. We want to hear people say, ‘Wow! Such a lovely person’, ’Such great luck’, ‘What a smile she’s got’ and what not. This made me realise that that’s not the only quality to aspire as a woman and that’s okay.
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I’ve observed that usually a guy is complimented based on “You have a very smart son” and along those lines, but for a girl the take is different - “If she serves coffee” or “Oh! This girl is so beautiful’ What is your opinion on this? We as women have to step out and be comfortable with being perceived in other ways. You know the backlash is always substantial to everything. A woman breathes and it’s a political freaking act, ‘Oh, look at how she’s breathing so loudly’. So, I think that the one hundred women’s experiences truly changed me as a person. It exposed me to so many different women from different parts of the world of different professions, attitudes and cultures. And, at the end of the day we all realised that we needed to come together and believe and trust each other and have faith in each other because we tend to also outsource that to men. We tend to ask men about our validations, our expertise, faith and trust. In these successive years of doing stand-up I believe in women and believe in the sisterhood stronger after meeting the hundred women. Any other such experiences where being a part of something added to your journey of being a comedian? Everyday adds to the journey of being a comedian. I get to process my life for jokes, and people laugh for it and sometimes I get paid well for it. So, what’s not to love about it. What do you think are your biggest achievements in your career? Lasting this long. Because I know there is enough time and space and by saying that, it means I’ve had a long career, but the fact that I’m still here, I think, is my speciality. Showing up is half the battle won and I am showing up every day to do my job. Is there anything you’ve planned for your future? Maybe a new show? I am planning for my future to become better. I’ve been doing it for nine years now and I think that you only get better as you grow older and as you spend more time doing the craft. And that’s for every art. You have to spend a certain amount of time before you start getting good at it and to me, that’s my plan, to just keep doing it and to keep at it. The second time you see me should be better than the first time you saw me, for example, ‘Wow! This girl has really evolved; this girl has really grown as an artist’ or as a ‘writer’. I want that and I want a consistent group. I’m going to the US for the Edinborough Fringe Festival and to London where I’ll be on tour the entire year. I’ll get to see the world, meet new people, hear new stories, and maybe be able to process that through jokes. What else do you like to dabble in? I’ve been learning music. I used to learn classical-western singing when I was in college and now, I’ve taken it up as a passion. I’ve been attending guitar classes regularly whenever I have time on my hands. I’ve also been preparing for a marathon now; the 42k which is going to happen at Bombay in January. You have to start it six years in advance and its good fun preparing for that. I’m not into sports as much as I’m into running. It’s a good meditative thing. I can’t sit still and look at a flame and all that, so, I just put on a podcast and run.
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THE SUNDARI Photo Credits : Roshan Siddharth
Touch
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Sundari Akka and the world that flock to her food
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Chennai’s climatic has been so erratic this past few weeks that it is practically been impossible to decide whether to go out or not. But, as a person that craves food and never misses to eat on whatever the occasion, climate is no obstacle. And so, on a gloomy Sunday afternoon, I set out to meet one person who had become so famous thanks to the tens of YouTube videos and the thousands that strongly recommend her food. It made me wonder whether it truly could be that good, considering the scathing reviews that smaller establishments get on platforms.
I navigated my vehicle in the direction of the Marina late in the afternoon, looking for a food outlet, picturing more of a restaurant like establishment or at the least a fancy food truck. After parking, what an art it is, I ran a search on maps to see where exactly the eatery is and it pointed me to a location where it was impossible to have any sort of physical structure. Curious, I set out in the direction, and boy… was that long from where I parked. As I got closer and asked a few people around they seemed to gleam at the name of the shop itself. And what stood there mildly threw me away. Two metal boxes that could have easily doubled as Petty Kadais, 3-4 tarpaulin sheets between and behind them. Plastic stools and a folding table. And a middle aged woman promptly directing her workers and customers alike to cook and eat simultaneously. Meet Sundari Akka. Your average Tamil woman, making her living by doing what she does best: feeding everyone to their hearts content. The entire set up and the crowd that came threw me back and bought me closer to find out what lay in there. I approached Akka carefully, lest I disturb her flow of things and introduced myself. “First saapdu pa, apparampaesalam.” (Grab a bite first and then we can talk) she said. Well, great!
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Asking what’s special there, I ordered Aameal and a catch of the day fry. I sat next to a bunch of friends who came there for their weekly meet. And struck a conversation with them. “We have been coming here for 3-5 years. Nothing can beat Akka’s kai manam” says one as the other goes “eat the fish and you’ll know”. Without a thought I dug into my plate. Remember that scene from Ratatouille where the critic is shocked with the food on his plate? That was me. The food is pure Tamil cuisine at its best and it was mouth-watering. This could have been one of the recipes that were just handed out verbatim or from a mother’s cookbook and could not be found anywhere and there it was with Sundari Akka. The men that sat with me finished their hunt for the day and had a jolly laugh talking to Akka. One even sang to her “Sundari neeyum” from Michael Madana Kamarajan with the lyrics praising her food. They asked me to take a photo of them with her and carried on with their day. And then she came to me, “All Okay?” she asked. With a mouth full of food I sputtered “amazing”, not just the food, her personality too. “It’s all divine grace. And the love of the people. The guy that sang to me is the son of a famous singer himself. And for people of that stature to come and eat here, means that I am blessed. It’s overwhelming” she says. “I came to Chennai somewhere around 1976. I hail from Pondicherry, but came here in search of a better life and meeting MGR.” And has it been, I asked. “Certainly” she exclaims. “I met MGR the year, gave him a garland of notes. I married my Morai-paiyan (betrothed cousin) in 1984. We have two children. And life has been wonderful. He used to work labour. And I started this to support my husband in fending for
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us. The first attempt was around 1988 - 1988. It was a small street food stall. And since then it has been an uphill journey.” She narrates. I pondered on about the name of the shop. “This Sundari Akka Kadai is a pseudonym. I named my shop ‘Kanavur Unavagam’, inspired by the first miracle of Christ, after certain changes happened in my life. But since everyone called it that and after all the internet shebang it stuck.” In between all this she managed to serve over 50 customers, talk to people that came and went, ask people how the food was, pick up Swiggy orders and instruct people for the next batch of food. Her energy was addictive and overwhelming to take at the same time. “I have to run around for me. Who else will? My day starts at 4/5 in the morning and ends a 10”, she says casually. And I have to be on my toes, because if I had slacked one bit, Sundari Akka wouldn’t be Sundari Akka”. And it shows. The number of youtubers, public awards and online mentions that she has to her name was not any internet sensation. At mere 50 Rs for a meal and costs 100-120 rupees max for fish fry, calamari, prawns and other sides, it is baffling that she does her business with such conviction and dedication ina world that taunts people to become millionaires overnight.“We are fine with what we have. My profit margin is 10 rupees. And that’s okay. I feed hundreds of hungry stomachs a day. And their satisfaction is what I wish for” she goes on when asked about her pricing, “Many people came to me offering crores for franchising my business. But I turned them down. Yes, running a big outlet and living the dream will look and seem great, but I sleep at peace at night and that’s what matters.”
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Every person that came there and had food made it a point to tell her that the food was good and that it really lives upto the hype. And she returned their compliment with a wholesome thank you. “The sea food is fresh, the vegetables are handpicked, the oil I use is groundnut oil and water is mineral water. There is no adultery. And it is important because the product I serve is food and if I cheat here, I don’t think ill ever be forgiven” she exclaims in a moment of drama to a customer who asked her how she manages to keep the food, taste and quality a constant. Sundari Akka is a person of dreams. Her demeanor, control of life and hardworking spirit is nothing like you’d see everyday. You would probably miss her if you saw her on the street or on the train. But she is there hustling like not many in the world. I asked her about her dreams. “My husband died a few years ago. I offer free food to the poor on his anniversary. My children are educated, one helps me run the business. Ive done what I want. But if there was a dream it would be to open a vegetarian restaurant. And im sure ill get to that” she smiles. Taking her leave, I wondered how vathakuzhambu and potato fry would be from her, with the taste of rfish gravy in my mouth. SundariAkka is a truly inspiring person, but her food is to die for. Happy and content, the day moved on.
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Matter Fayaz Q
The 8th of November is officially entitled the Guinness World Record Day and if you Google, the Guinness world record for the longest play, you will be quite surprised as I was, that the world record title is won by none other than a bunch of college goers who reside with us right here in Chennai. Initiated by the PG Department of Human Rights and Duties in Ethiraj College for Women, and Bioscoops Entertainment Pvt Ltd (all India), 25 girls made it their mission to bring the record home.
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My first thought when I heard this was, maybe the play had been 12 hours which in my opinion was a pretty long time. Alas! I was ignorant and my jaw hit the floor when I discovered that the play portrayed by the team was for 28 hours 34 minutes and 43 seconds. I’m sure, like me, you too could not wrap your head around the fact that an entire group of actors stood and delivered a play for 28 hours straight with no sleep or breaks.
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To find out more about this play, I reached out to Ms. Shirley Grace Nirmala Asst. Professor from the PG Department of Human Rights and Duties, Ethiraj College for Women. Straight off the bat, I asked her how does one wake up on a day and out of the blue decide to create the world’s longest play? She told me that a friend of hers, Mr. Naan Maadhan (Esakiyarajan) Founder and CEO of Bioscoops Entertaintment Pvt Ltd. was instrumental in the germination of this idea. He wanted to write and perform the world’s longest play.
This is where Mrs. Shirly perked up saying, “if the idea is to create the world longest play, why not break the record with the help of girls from Ethiraj?” He protested earlier but eventually agreed to carry forward this bold attempt if the college agrees. “Thanks to the help of Ms. R. Nithya, Head of Department of the same, the plan was given greenlight.”
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The name of the play was “KAALAKOORU” meaning a slice of time which discussed 11 human right issues with each topic running for about 3 hours. The pages of the documented play ran for over 3000 pages written by Mr. Naan Maadhan (Esakiyarajan). “Most plays have 100 pages but imagine having 30 plays worth of content crammed in one long play of 3000 pages.” 25 young girls volunteered for this brave attempt. 16 from the Dept. of Human Rights and rest from other departments. “Mind you, all these girls were fresh to the stage, they did not have prior stage experience, I have seen experienced actor fumble and mumble before the live crowd and those were normal length plays — this play was ran for 3000 pages; imagine the scope and enormity that these girls have to go through in performing it.” says Mrs. Shirly.
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“To get the girls prepared for this marathon of a play, they were trained in acting for three months by the director of the play Suthan and then trained again for six more months with the script of the play. Total preparation time for this play took about 9 months until the day of the performance on the 8th of March.” On the eve of the official presentation of the play, two tents were raised which acted as improvised versions of a green room, where 50 costumes for each character were stored; just to give you an idea of the scope. Along with that 250 volunteers involved for the smooth functioning of the play. Guinness approved witnesses where invited as a proof and an official timekeeper with stopwatch was present to document the duration of the play. 9 months of practice unravelled at the Ethiraj College’s auditorium and when it was announced that they beat the duration of the previous world record, there were absolutely no words to sketch out the feeling. The auditorium erupted into applause and tears of joy. Congratulations were passed but for the people involved, knowing that they had done it was the proof of their success and their agenda behind it: -That women can stay on their ground and deliver, just as well as man, may be even better.
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Maheen Afshan. F
As soon as the sun rises in Chennai, you can smell the delicious scent of coffee dancing around the streets, Brewing in every single house. But coffee is not the only thing which has people hustling when the sun is shy. In the midst of the city, where people ride bikes, buses, autos and any quick mode of transportation to, is the pride of the city – The Koyambedu Market.
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Koyambedu Market, where thousands and thousands of flowers are kept fresh with their scents enveloping you as you walk inside the maze of a place not knowing which flower to buy or which way to look might look a haven to the Installation Artist – Rebecca Louise Law. British artist, Rebecca Louise Law is best described for her work with natural flowers and materials or flora. Every flower she picks depicts a story about humanity and nature, hence taking us to think the depths of the beauties present in nature. Law’s passion about Nature Change and Preservation simply fascinates the naked eye which stops short to embrace every bud, every flower, every insect and every leaf. While one may wonder how the sculptures are made, Rebecca Louise Law securely sews every element in the sculpture together with a copper wire which is preserved and conserved. Her artworks also include paintings, prints, ceramic works which were displayed in her solo exhibition – The Womb. Published by Royal Botanic Gardens, Law released a book featuring her art in 2017 which goes by the name – Life in Death. “I like to capture and cherish small beautiful natural objects to create an artwork that can be observed without the pressure of time. Preserving, treasuring, celebrating and sharing the beauty of the Earth with the world is what drives me.” says the artist with whom Brew had had a chance to talk to and learn more about the concept – Installation Art. Define the term ‘Installation Artist’. An artist that uses space as an artistic medium. When and why did you decide to be an Installation Artist? At University whilst studying Fine Art, I discovered Installation Art and the freedom of creativity within a space. I wanted my viewer to physically experience my art and I found working in 2D limiting. I embraced the practice of installation art in 2003. Talk to us about the process you undergo before displaying your work. Research is key, the space and the patron combined with the continuation of my practice and its possibilities. I often work on the early stages of an installation only to find that it may not be possible. Each artwork considers concept, material value, design, production, timings and budget.
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What inspires you to make Installation Art? I am fascinated in our relationship with nature. As human beings we live in a push and pull environment, constantly trying to manipulate and control nature for our comfort and basic needs. The act of being still in nature, just ‘being’ is often neglected. My artworks are often spaced to ‘be’ in nature, to have a moment to admire all that is provided on Earth. Where do you get your flowers from? I source flowers locally wherever I install. Large European installations use flowers sourced in France or Holland. I also pick flowers from my garden in Wales. Do you select the flowers prior to your project and work accordingly or is it the other way around?
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Each flower is selected depending on the installation. More recently the flower collection has been random, collecting from gardens and grounds nearby the installation location. Do the scent from the flowers overwhelm your audience?
couldn’t house it due to scale, but it was a huge compliment for an artwork that is often seen as ephemeral. Talk to us about your book - ‘Life in Death’
The scent is subtle, once the installation settles you have multiple scents as you journey through a space.
It was published alongside an exhibition at Kew, London. It was a study into the value of flowers as an ephemeral art material and a retrospective of the journey of my art practice.
Name an artwork you’re proud of.
Have you been to India?
‘The Womb’ 2019, is an installation made from over 1 million preserved flowers that I have collected over the past 10 years. I wanted to create a cocoon like space that explored the beauty of the Womb. What was the best compliment you’ve received for your work?
Yes, I’ve travelled around Southern India, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. From Chennai, down the coast, to ancient temples, spice and tea plantations, where the 3 oceans meet, beaches, tiger jungles, elephant sanctuary’s, backwater boats, delicious food and Ayurveda treatments. My husband and I fell in love with India and its amazingly generous people.
A donor wanted to buy ‘The Womb’ for a Museum’s permanent collection, they
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Has there been a time when you used artificial flowers?
If you would like to explore an other form of art, what would it be?
I used artificial flowers in my early years, but they held an emptiness and less fragility.
I have started painting again and I’m learning how to use clay and glass. I would love to explore weaving, I’ve managed to create one small piece but I’m working on a larger artwork.
Do you plan on setting up an exhibition in India? I have had discussions in the past but nothing has happened yet, I would love to work with traditional Indian garlands. I watched them being made in temples, so beautiful and a divine scent. How would you appeal the Indian audience to explore Installation Art and perhaps be an artist of the same?
Where to next? I’m exhibiting in Parma this year and the UK. It’s nice to have an exhibition more close to home. My artworks will be looking more closely at the British seasons and documenting the natural changes.
Working with nature within art is already an ancient practice within traditional India, bringing this art form into the gallery would be incredible for the rest of the world to see.
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LIVE
Sunanda Sugendran
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“Some of us have great runways already built for us. If you have one, take off! But if you don’t have one, realize it is your responsibility to grab a shovel and build one for yourself and for those who will follow after you”. – Amelia Earhart
Anny Divya is one such who shovelled and built the runway for herself and for others to follow after. Growing up we all would have heard of stories which often reminds us to never give up on our dreams one such story is of Anny. A fascination which led her to make history by becoming the world’s youngest woman to command a Boeing 777. Divya challenged the odds that came her way and at the age of 17, she enrolled at the
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Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, a government-run pilot training academy in Uttar Pradesh. She was recruited by Air India right after she wrapped up her training when she was just 19. Later she started to learn to fly a Boeing 737 and far along the way she found herself in the cockpit of Boeing 777, flying the largest twin jet in the world. She is an example of how diligence can lead to success.
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She now mostly commands longhaul flights, 14 to 16-hour nonstop journeys, from India to the US cities. Despite her schedule Capt. Anny Divya settles down for a quick tête-à-tête.
like the US, Far East or the Middle East, when it comes to the number of woman pilots. In India, 15% woman fly as airline pilots, while internationally, it is an average of roughly 5%.
the one thing I always wanted to do. I followed my dreams and here I am commanding the largest twin jet in the world
Q.WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT FLYING?
Q WHEN DID THE LOVE FOR FLYING STARTED FOR YOU?
When I’m not flying, I’m mostly in to music, dancing, yoga and boxing.
Since my childhood, right from when I was in Class 5, I always wanted to be a pilot. I was tenacious about my dream and luckily my parents were very supportive and helped me achieve my dream.
I didn’t have any inspiration from the professional side. My family has been my constant support and inspiration, my mother and grandmother they both are strong woman and they were my motivation. I believe that the most important thing we can do in life is by being inspired by our own self. I always like to see me do better. I’m also inspired by the people around me, which makes me to relentlessly do better and better each day.
Q.IN A MALE DOMINATED PROFESSION, HOW DIFFICULT WAS YOUR JOURNEY TOWARDS REACHING YOUR DREAM? It’s been a long journey right from where I started. I come from a modest background. My family faced financial issues and we had to take a loan for my education. And also I had to go through a cultural change, moving from a small town to a big city was prodigious for me. I had difficulty adjusting and speaking English. At times, I thought of going back. However, I didn’t. I was determined from the beginning, and I was lucky enough to get a job with Air India immediately after I completed my training. As a woman I faced similar challenges like any other profession. I think women have same issues everywhere. I agree that our profession is outnumbered by men, but I am honoured to say that India has taken lead over rest of the world including the developed countries
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Q.DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN A WORD? Determination Q.HOW IS THE SUPPORT FOR A WOMAN TO FLY IN OUR COUNTRY? I would say very supportive, the people here are open minded. They are extremely happy and proud to see a woman pilot fly the plane. They walk up to me and compliment me every time. I have even had a little girl walk up to me and say how much she was inspired by reading my story. I feel one has to be courageous and vigilant in whatever we do.
Q.YOUR INSPIRATION?
Q.LIFE MOTTO? To become a better version of myself every day. I want to be very strong and keep learning more and more. Q.ANY MEMORABLE MOMENT IN YOUR FLYING CAREER? I have plenty of memories, from the first time I entered and flew an aircraft. But to command a Boeing 777, would always be the best one.
Q.IF NOT A PILOT WHAT WOULD HAVE YOU BEEN? I would have done so many things, but right from childhood this was
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Q.YOU SPEND ALMOST HALF THE YEAR TRAVELLING, WHEN DO YOU GET TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY? I try to spend most of the time with my family whenever I am not flying. Q.A WORD OF ADVICE TO ALL THE KIDS WHO ARE ASPIRING TO FLY LIKE YOU? Follow your dreams and be persistent about it.
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LIVE
Rubi MA’am THE PRIDE OF TIRUCHENGODE
Prashanth S
“All I wanted to do was teach students who found Maths boring and really difficult. All I wanted to do was to show them that there is indeed another way to study Maths and other subjects, and this is what God has given me. Rusty, worn-out joints and bed rest for three months. I can’t see my students for three months. Is this what I deserve?” says Rubi Catherine Theresa, shedding a tear while talking about the excruciating pain she is in. Rubi Theresa, referred to as “Rubi Ma’am” by almost evereyone works as a teacher in Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Tiruchengode. Her claim to fame is her YouTube channel, which has about 218k subscribers, which is rather interesting, considering the fact that she posts Maths videos in Tamil. If you drop by the school, you can hear her explaining to her class how to remember all the prime numbers from one to hundred or how to remember the multiplication table of 19 using charts. She spoke to Prashanth Saravanan about her life, how she began teaching and the struggles she goes through on a daily basis to continue doing what she does best. Excerpts from the interview: 48
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WHEN DID YOU DECIDE THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE A TEACHER? It was way back in 1989. I was in dire need of money, and I decided to ask a tuition teacher nearby to let me coach one student of hers so that I could get something out of it. Naturally, I was given the slowest learner of the batch. After he started scoring well, more students joined, and I ended up being the more popular tuition teacher in my locality. I eventually found my passion to teach from a supposed one-time thing of teaching to earn money. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THESE INNOVATIVE METHODS OF TEACHING THIS OTHERWISE DREADED SUBJECT? My son introduced me to YouTube and I started watching Math-related videos after school hours. There was this one time, I came across a video where a person was trying to teach the multiplication table of 5. I got to thinking, and tried to apply the same
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logic with slight modifications for other numbers, and that was how I got creative with the multiplication tables of 13 and 19. I made a PowerPoint presentation with the help of my son and showed it to my students. The content seemed to click with them, and I chose to teach them the subject this way because they couldn’t hate Mathematics after I showed them another way of looking at multiplication tables. WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR VIDEOS ARE POPULAR THAN ANY OTHERS WHO’VE TRIED TO DO THE SAME? Every other YouTube channel that does the same thing and my channel have one thing in common – we try to break the stereotype that Maths is a boring subject. We try to make the subject more interesting by trying to be creative and all the others excel in that part. What I think sets me apart from the others is connecting to the person watching the video, and that is what I think is my selling point. All the
videos taken are when I am in class, teaching my students. So, the connect I establish with my own students is the connect I establish with my viewers. It’s more about the people connecting with the content that I had to offer than the content. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA OF UPLOADING YOUR METHODS ON YOUTUBE? (laughs) I did not upload the videos for the sake of recognition. I had to do it because I did not have any more space in my phone to make and edit more videos to show it to my students. Eventually, it got a bit popular and people started asking me to do more videos more often because it made the subject easier for their children. And that was when I knew what I was doing makes an impact and so, that’s how this whole thing started.
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WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU THINK SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER TEACHERS? Back when I was a tuition teacher, the students I had to teach came from well-off families. But now, these students come from not-so-economically secure families. Despite all the problems they face at home, they make it a point to not miss school for it is these 8-odd school hours that gives them an escape from all the hardships that they face at home. I feel that being kind to these kids can help change their lives. That is what I’ve been trying to do – be kind and not take out my emotions on these students and that is what sets me apart from other teachers. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL PRESENT-DAY TEACHERS? Teaching is not any profession. Teaching is not a profession. Teachers have this ability to change lives and provide new career paths for students. It’s how we treat these students that will decide what sort of a person they choose to be in this society. And the first thing to do is to accept them for who they are. Teachers nowadays lash out at students for getting a problem wrong. The role of a teacher is to make the subject interesting enough for a student to follow it with intent, and if a student fails to see the subject as interesting, it is the teacher that has to change her approach and not the student.
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