CHENNAI’S LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
Volume 2 | Issue 7
Honesty is the secret to any business
– Vipin Sachdev Feather light Jewellery Wanderlust
HAMPI Is your brand protected? A Sports fiddle
CWG
November ’10
ave h o s l We a ing excit ers. off o b m co
Pamper yourself with Fish Spa Foot & Hand reflexology Head Massage Shoulder & Back massage Head to toe reflexology Ear Candling Body Massage (for women only)
Coming soon Spa: S 289 2nd Floor, Express Avenue, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. Ph: +91 44 2846 4177 /4577, Email: info@kenkospachennai.in, www.kenkospachennai.in,
Autumn/Winter ‘10 Ispahani Centre, 123/124, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 034. Tel No: 044-2833 0833/34 | E-mail: rituchennai@ritukumar.com www.ritukumar.com
Volume 2 | Issue 7 | November ‘10
LENIN PAUL FOUNDER
VIJETHA RANGABASHYAM EDITOR IN CHIEF
KARTHIK.R CREATIVE AND DESIGN HEAD
NANDITA THOMAS MARKETING HEAD
LEKHAMITHRA SHANMUGAM MANAGER - SALES
JERALD W. ADMIN
PREETIKA MENON, LAVANYA KANNAN, AV ABHAY KUMAR PHOTOGRAPHY
MEDHA RAO, SHRUTHI VISHWANATHAN, AMRITA SAMANTH, LAKSHMI SHARATH COLUMNISTS
SRIKALS GRAPHICS PVT LIMITED, CHENNAI PHONE: 044 2225 3092-94 PRINTING
Letter Editor-in-Chief’s
Was it because lord Rama returned after fourteen years of banishment or the mighty demon Narakasura was massacred by lord Krishna – there was a frenzied discussion among a group of friends. And I was thinking to myself – does it matter? As a little girl, I would run across a flight of eight stairs with two bags full of crackers. For me it was not just the crackers but the joy of bursting it with a great set of neighbours. The group of heads that would look up to the sky to see the rockets burst into flowers of sparkling diamonds, all the shrieking and the shared excitement is my memory of Deepavali as a kid. Festivals world over are celebrated to revel in that ‘we feeling’. The last quarter of the year is always a time to rejoice. In a life filled with monotony, festivals are the times you get to spend with your near and dear ones. Festivals are the time when you leave back your worries and experience the quaint family traditions. However, while I ramble on about the joy of festivals, I can’t help but think of the number of underprivileged people who might not experience the ‘h’ of happiness. The kids who live in drudgery to make those long-drawn-out 10,000 walas or the desolate men and women who don’t have a place to stay let alone new clothes and sweets. It’s not about donating thousands of rupees to the needy. Take a small step. Give out a box of sweets or buy them a set of new clothes or at least invest your time with them. As far as Taxi is concerned, we as a team decided not to burst crackers this year! Like I said, just a small step. On that note, have a great Deepavali!
EMAIL: marketing@thetaximag.com URL: www.thetaximag.com PHONE: 044 4308 4448 FOR ADVERTISING
IRON QUILL PUBLISHING SERVICES PRODUCTION 4 TAXI November 2010
Vijetha Rangabashyam Editor in Chief
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CAN BE SENT TO vijetha@thetaximag.com The best feedback/opinion will be featured in our forthcoming issue.
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October 2010 TAXI 5
08
10
16
48
Contents 8
‘Watch’ me glitter The Culinary Curator
10
Label up
26
Antiquated Allure - HAMPI
28
Let there be light
32
The Big Hoax
34
The Pasta Bar Veneto
38
Unleashing TVH Lumbini Square
40
Joesph comes to town!
44
Guard your Identity
46
COVER: Photography: Sunder Ramu Hair & Make-up: Samantha, Page 3 Model: Marcella Stylist: Vira Shah Assistant Stylist: Sruthi Kannath Model courtesy: Toabh Models Venue: Le Waterina
November 2010 TAXI 7
‘Datejust’ diamonds with gold and silver strap, Rolex , ` 7,17,000
‘Reverso Duo’ guilloché engraved face and metal bracelet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, ` 4,36,000
‘Lady Aquaracer’ diamond indexes and triple-row bracelet in 18K polished gold plate, ‘TAG Heuer’, ` 1,70,000
S-02/03, Ground floor, Express Avenue, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014. Tel: 044 - 28464095/96/97
‘Reine de Naples’ 18 carat white gold and baguette diamonds, ` 23,40,000
‘Limelight’ 18 carat gold case with diamonds and mother of pearl dial, Piaget, ` 7,17,000
‘Constellation 95’ steel and yellow gold, ‘Omega’, ` 2, 83,000
‘Quadrato Dual Time’ 18 ct rose gold case set with diamonds, Ulysse Nardin, ` 12, 90,000
8 TAXI November 2010
‘Sailing Touch’ blue dial and black rubber strap, Tissot, ` 45,000
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‘Luminor Flyback’ steel and black dial, Panerai, ` 4,30,000
‘GMT Master II’ black ceramic bezel oysterlock, Rolex, ` 5,32,000 ‘Grand Carrera’. black titanium case, ‘TAG Heuer’, ` 3,00,000
This season’s watches would drive a collector crazy. Helvetica, the distinguished watch abode of Chennai, presents these timeless treasures.
‘Caprice’ Stainless steel case set with diamonds, Ulysse Nardin, ` 9,25,000
‘Chronomaster Grande Date’ 18 carat rose gold case and silver guilloché dial, ‘Zenith’, ` 17,00,000 ‘Crystal’ stainless steel bracelet and row white sapphire crystal, ‘Dior’, ` 1,73,000
‘Lange 1’ solid silver, argenté and pink gold, ‘A. Lange & Söhne’, ` 17,00,000
Photography: AV Abhay Kumar
‘Chronomat B01’ steel and gold bezel with leather strap, ‘Breitling’, ` 4,65,000 www.thetaximag.com
November 2010 TAXI 9
Photography: Preetika Menon
H
e’s poised, humble and his endless desire to provide ‘quality’ dining experience to his customers is evident through his approach towards the food industry. He has little anecdotes to share about everything in life and he truly believes that honesty in any business is the secret to its success. Taxi caught up with restaurer Vipin Sachdev at his newly launched Kryptos by Willi.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in the restaurant business?
What according to you makes Tuscana such a big hit?
dull days too. How do you cope with the latter?
I was initially working in the print industry and over a few years, my job got very monotonous. I had nothing to look forward to and I finally realized that I had to follow my passion. Food is the one thing I’ve always been passionate about and I decided to leave my job and pursue something I’m fervent about.
On a flight to Mumbai, I watched the film Munna Bhai MBBS. On the very same day on my way back to Chennai, I watched it again. The film really inspired me and that day, I started to believe that honesty is the only road to success. There is nothing like being honest with your customers; a customer should be the apple of your eye at the end of the day. There are many pizzerias in the city, which claim to serve you genuine wood fire oven pizzas. However, you would be surprised if I told you that they are mere electric ovens with chunks of dummy wood thrown in. One must understand that the customers are not fools and they need to be satisfied a hundred percent for the money they shell out. Tuscana gives its customers a genuine experience, be it the food or the service. I want my customers to become patrons. I want them to come back.
I honestly don’t believe in ‘dull’ days. If you know how to treat your customers, they are eventually going to come back. Like I said before, honesty is everything. A customer appreciates it and you won’t have a single dull day in your restaurant.
Why did you choose Subway to be your maiden venture? I used to visit London quite often and I walked into one of the Subways for a meal. The sandwiches were so light and they tasted brilliant. Soon, every time I went to London, Subway sandwiches became my staple meal of the day. In fact, I loved them so much that I used to bring a few on my way back to India. I used to store it for almost two days and eat the Subs and believe me, they would taste just the same. By which time, Delhi and Bombay had already opened a couple of Subway outlets. Hence, I thought, why not open a chain in Chennai and so it began. As far as pizzas are concerned in Chennai, Tuscana is a cult by itself. How different do you think Tuscana is from the ones that already serve authentic pizzas?
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On Chef Willi. He is undoubtedly one of the most sought after chefs in the city. Willi is a perfectionist and we see eye to eye. I am lucky to have him! Every restaurant has its phases. On some days a restaurant is booming and then you have the
How have you understood the people’s needs in Chennai as far as global cuisine is concerned? Unlike the other cities, people in Chennai know exactly what they want. They are clear about their tastes and preferences and as long as you satisfy their taste buds and deliver good service, they don’t have much to complain about. Their outlook towards global cuisine is definitely picked up in the last few years and people are definitely opening up to trying out new cuisines. A little on your new venture Kryptos by Willi Kryptos is authentically Greek; a one of a kind in Chennai. The customers will definitely feel the aura of Greece around them because of the ambience and the food. The restaurant essentially presents a taste of the Greek with a little bit of the East, of kababs and souvlakis, gyros, aubergines, cheeses and olive oils. Aside the
November 2010 TAXI 11
a la carte, our specialty lies with the Meze buffet, which boasts of an array of Greek salads, olives, cheeses and dips for both the vegetarians and the meat eaters. What is Vipin’s all time favourite cuisine? Nothing like our good ol’ South Indian. The steaming idlis, the crisp dosas and the vadas and of course the scrumptious uthappam; they are a league of their own. What’s your take on the Chennai’s street food scene? It’s not for me. I know there are a few places that make really tasty dishes, and they have their own fan following but I’m not one of those. Where does Vipin like to eat other than his own restaurants? There are quite a few places that my family and I enjoy eating at. To begin with, we love Saravana Bhavan as we all love South Indian cuisine. Woodlands for me is again one of Chennai’s eternal treasures. When it comes to international chow, 601, Lotus Thai and Hip Asia present an excellent fare. What is your vision as a restaurateur in terms of making Chennai a hub of world-class restaurants? Chennai is not too far from it and I’m doing my bit, for us to get there.
12 TAXI November 2010
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Enjoy the aroma of 50 international varieties of coffee finely blended with traditional wood fire pizzas.
Now At Express Avenue Caffe Pascucci Shop Express Avenue : Unit - F & B3, Ground Floor, No. 49/51 (next to RADO), Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai, 600 014. Tel : 044 28464499 email: pascuccichennai@gmail.com
Magnificient
Marcela
Wardrobe: Kimaya Jewellery: Amethyst 16 TAXI November 2010
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Me: A girl who makes most of her life My family: My only support system My childhood: The best days of my life so far My idols: My mother and my grandmother I’m proud of: What accomplished so far
I’ve
India: A country that has taught me a lot about life
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November 2010 TAXI 17
First time in the showbiz: I modeled for a Brazilian designer when I was 14. That is the moment I fell in love with the limelight I’m lucky because: Doing what I do, I get to travel extensively Mumbai: Chaotic Chennai: Peaceful Traveling: An opportunity for me to open up to the world
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My workout regime: I jog and practice yoga at least 5 days a week In my iPod: Eclectic music, which includes Indian film music too In my bag: My makeup, blackberry and a book Money: A consequence of dedication and hard work
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November 2010 TAXI 19
Mark your dates Wine and Dine
NOVEMBER MADNESS CAFFÉ PASCUCCI
AT
Caffé Pascucci, Italy’s finest cafe chain having over 100 outlets across Europe, South East Asia and Asia Pacific region has now found its place in good ol’ Chennai, here at Express Avenue. The café offers authentic wood fire pizzas that are as
Theater and Art
bloggers have worked with local writers, directors and actors to create a series of performances.
THE CAVERN BEATLES, VENKATASUBBA RAO CONCERT HALL, NOVEMBER 6
Shopping
Experience the magic of The Beatles in a classic stage show in 3 acts, recreated by The Cavern Beatles. Much like The Beatles, the band members of The Cavern Beatles also come from Liverpool and are officially endorsed by the most famous club in the world ‘The Cavern Liverpool’ where The Beatles started their phenomenal careers. GREG HOWE - LIVE IN CONCERT, MUSEUM THEATRE, NOVEMBER 10 The Unwind Center, in association with HMI guitars, is proud to present one of the most prolific guitar players of our time - Greg Howe, from Long Beach, California. Rated among the greatest like Joe Satriani, Steve Lukather and others, Greg has over 10 solo albums and has collaborated for over 13 albums with other artists.
light and thin as the air. The pastas are rich, creamy and full of flavours. The coffee menu is vast, offering more than 50 international choices in hot and cold coffees and also promises special Italian delicacies..
% 0 1 off
l ecia s p s r fo der a e r TAXI
20 TAXI November 2010
YOURS DIGITALLY MADRAS, SIVAGAMI PETHACHI, NOVEMBER 13
Stray Factory, the entertainment collaborative, in association with IndiBlogger.in brings to you A never before attempt to extend the blogosphere onto stage, into the world of theatre. 9 Chennai
GROUP ART EXHIBITION, ART WORLD, UP TO NOVEMBER 5 As part of their 15th Anniversary celebrations, Art World hosts an exhibition of popular artists throughout the country. Renowned artists like Asma Menon, Amitabh Sengupta, Tapas Ghosal and various others showcase their most popular works of art. FALL FESTIVE COLLECTION, EVOLUZIONE, UP TO NOVEMBER 7 Malini Agarwalla, celebrated designer of accessory brand Malaga, has unveiled her festive collection. The collection includes an assortment of shoes, bags, clutches and jewellery with Malini. SATORI - PAINTINGS OF BUDDHA, FORUM ART GALLERY, UP TO NOVEMBER 10 Forum Art Gallery presents Satori, paintings of Buddha, by Chelian. Endowed with a unique sense of perception and technique,
Chelian’s works resonate the spiritual balance and the mantra of peace that reverberates in a space that is filled with the attributes of Buddha.
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Now At Express Avenue
S# 130, 1st Floor, Express Avenue, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. Tel : + 91 (44) 2846 4550 / 2846 4551 Email : toniandguy.chennai@gmail.com
The possibilities are endless...
r
So is ou
food Pizzas Sea Food Burgers Steaks Tapas Desserts
7, Kadar Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.
28330808, 64500500
& D n u s w k a D food at devil’s y l n ho ave ur e H
For free home delivery or take away
Call: 044 - 28330808, 97866 55877 / 55845 No.7/11. Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Ch-06.
Label
UP
26 TAXI November 2010
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Advertiser’s Feature
I
n India, there are a few names that tantamount to the word ‘fashion’ and a fewer names which have managed to waft the country astride to the international fashion scene; Ritu Kumar is unquestionably one of them and she has swept the world by her alluring sense of fashion to say the least. Her fashion grammar represents the beauty of the ancient Indian craftsmanship, which so flawlessly appeals to the modern sensibilities. Ritu Kumar’s fashion comportment is well set in the ethnic Indian clothing line, which largely is a manifestation of India’s rich textile and embroidery heritage. With a dream to tap the young women’s à la mode stance, she created a sub brand – ‘Ritu Kumar, LABEL’ along with her son Amrish in the year 2002. LABEL, in her words has “redefined traditional handwriting to meet the changing needs of the new generation”. The Fall Winter 2010-11 collection of LABEL, which received laurels at the Lakme India Fashion Week, is an epic that seamlessly captures the emotion and the ostensible monochromatic grit of a city. The line magically captures the depth of a city, its laidback albeit composed structures of concrete, steel and glass. The collection exudes sensuality coupled with elegance and smartness where the fabric perfectly complements the design. The silhouettes match the outlook of the urbanista – sharp, sensual and layered. The pristine
blend of both hand and machine woven fabrics evoke impressions of translucence and opacity at the same time. The prints have been uniquely chosen and are by and large touted in dying techniques, traditional borders and geometrics. The embroideries have been used to create dimensionality, to invoke strong and bold looks, much like the demeanour of a youngish urban lady. There is nothing as quaint as silk, and it has been used predominantly in forms like net, jacquard, velvet, georgette, satin and knit. LABEL comes in various styles and patterns to suit almost the fashion psyche of just about any young woman. The Diamond Check, which is a perfect geometric print line crafted in either silk dupion or jersey is essentially hand woven. The collection comes in other patterns and fabrics such as the Japanese Shibori, Bangladesh (inspired by the Bangladeshi print), Jamdani of the Bengali origin, Madhubani from Bihar, Mothra, Mukaish – a metal work technique that hails from Lucknow and more. Aside LABEL, Ritu Kumar’s store in Chennai boasts of an array of collections like her classic wear that caters to a conservative and a mature audience and also Ri, the bridal range, which offers the complete bridal trousseau with delicate hand worked salwaars, churidaars, sarees and exotic lehengas in turquoise, red, emerald greens, pinks and other colors of the season.
Please drop in 7 days a week from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm at Ispahani Centre 123/124 Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 34 P: 044-28330833/34. www.ritukumar.com
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November 2010 TAXI 27
Antiquated Allure - HAMPI
Photography & Text : Lakshmi Sharath
28 TAXI November 2010
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S
tanding atop the Mahanami Dibba, I am lost looking at the vast stretch of ruins that stretch endlessly along the horizon. The entire panorama is littered with monuments, some of which are razed to the ground. A poignant silence hangs over the ruins of palaces, watch towers, gateways, sculptures, step wells, markets and temples that speak volumes of the erstwhile glory of the Vijaynagara Empire. “This is where king Krishnadevaraya used to sit and preside over the Navratri festivities” the voice of a guide echoes in the air. The king had built it to commemorate his victory over the rulers of Udayagiri, now known as Orissa. The sun’s rays light up the various sculptures on the monument which depict some of the international connections with the Portuguese, Arabians and Chinese. I look down and see kids playing around, unmindful of the bygone era.
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I walk down to the ancient step well where another guide relates the story of Hampi that starts somewhere around the 14th century. ”When the Delhi Sultans invaded Warangal, two brothers called Hakka or Harihara and Bukka escaped and landed here in Anegundi” he says, pointing to the town on the other bank of the River Tungabhadra. “After the war, the brothers met Vidyaranya, a seer from the Sringeri Shankaracharya Mutt who asked them to build a city on the other bank of the river .He called it Vijaynagara or the city of victory“ the guide added. The seeds of the Vijaynagara Empire which went on to rule all of South India for over 350 years had just been sown. However, the rulers of the Deccan Sultanate finally brought about the defeat of the Vijaynagara kings and plundered the capital, making Hampi, a ghost city. Yet there is a certain aura around the
many monuments of this world heritage site. Walking around the royal enclosure, you see palaces, temples, granaries, watch towers and even elephant stables. I stop by at the Lotus Mahal, the Queen’s Bath and the Zenana enclosure. A pair of massive gates lie on the ground. I wander away to the main temple, Virupaksha temple which is very much in worship today. The old markets of the Vijaynagara Empire are taken over by the local shops as I head to the Matunga Hill to get another perspective of the town. The afternoon sun is rather killing, but I am lost in the huge monolith of Narasimha, the lion faced Hindu god. I sip some tender coconut water and continue towards the musical Vittala temple, but the delicate pillars are already waned by every tourist knocking on them. A guide stops a group from trying the same, but unfortunately a few of
November 2010 TAXI 29
them still persist, indifferent to the destruction they are causing. As dusk dawns I am lost in the silence. The guide then ends his session saying “This is the greatest empire of all times, people compare it with Rome, but let me tell you that Vijaynagara is even more majestic than Rome.”
Pavers England unveils AW’10 Ladies Boots
Advertiser’s Feature
~ A Collection to make a Fashion Statement ~
Pavers England, the pioneers of a new breed of comfortable and stylish footwear introduces stylish and distinctive ‘Boots Collection’ as part of their AW ’10. The Boots Collection is perfect to keep your feet fashionably cozy and promises to create significant trends for the coming winter season. This footwear range is alternately tight and clinging. The new range brings to you various boot styles like mid-calf, knee high and ankle boots with heel constructions ranging from comfortable rubber soles to wedge heels and is available for a price range between ` 3600/- to Rs.6299/-.
Pavers England presents
Patent Signature Collection ~ Classic footwear style for men ~
TM
A European Brand. An Indian Heart.
30 TAXI November 2010
Pavers England presents the Patent Signature Collection for men. The Signature collection offers appealing and comfortable shoes that are sure to please men seeking footwear with superior quality and distinct style. These premium leather shoes in deep tones of charcoal, black and mahogany perfectly go with any attire. The Signature Collection is the perfect finishing touch to a business suit, or can be combined with club wear for a stylish night out. Four-eyelet lace, squared toe, side overlay accents, buckle and the shiny texture add style to the shoes. The new range is priced from ` 2799 to Rs. 3999. www.thetaximag.com
Advertiser’s Feature
A Dash of
Romance
by Amritha Samanth
Gorgeous chiffons, crinkly cottons and ravishing satins; Ritika Arya Jain’s Autumn-winter collection 2010 comes uber chic and classy! This young and vivacious designer, after having completed her BA in Fashion Design from the University College of Creative Arts, Kent and an M.A in design management from London College of Fashion, has been spinning new collections over the past two years under the label “Ritika Arya Jain”. Focusing on western and Indo-western, this season’s colours include shades of black, bottle green, midnight blue and not to forget, her favorite – classic whites. “My a/w 2010 line is an amalgamation of attitudes of both modern and classic personalities. It expresses femininity that is sensually romantic and contemporary. The inspiration is the urban woman who is independent. “says Ritika. Playing with cool contours with a hint of adventure, her new line has an element of class with styles developed on a rather glistening yet minimalist look suited for work wear and evening wear. This collection blends cottons, silk-cottons, chiffons, flower motifs & satins. Her silhouettes are fresh and free-flowing, sprinkled with design trends such as pleats, pin-tucks & frills. “The collection captures the duality of the modern woman through lines and silhouettes, fabric and cut, style and substance. It consists of both casual and formal Indo-western wear for social gatherings and events.”
“Along with representing elegance, fashion must always be amazing and personal for a woman.” www.thetaximag.com
Innovating fresh styles in every collection, a few new designs include braided neck lines, triple-fold sleeves and double collars. Ritika’s collection is also available at CO, Rehane, Nungambakkam. Ph: 9884762192 (by appointment only)
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Photography: AV Abhay Kumar
Making fashion bend to her rules, Ritika has created a range of Casual and Formal shirts and dresses with bigsized and small checks in combination. Low-back chiffon dresses with broad gathers forming a satin belt, crisp white tunics with rolled up sleeves, pastel-shaded chiffon tops, tunics clinched at the waist with bodice detailing and the prints softly peeping through sheer box pleats, cotton work-wear shirts with delicate frills and pin-tucked tops & dresses are some signature pieces in her new line.
GRT Stylus
Let there be
LIGHT by Medha Rao
F
Studio Tara
32 TAXI November 2010
or a long time, buying jewellery was considered the forte of the elders in the family. Typically, mothers, aunts and grandmothers would be the pivotal decision makers when it came to deciding what the young girl would wear as a piece of adornment. The scenario today has changed. With women being more independent and having a disposal income higher than ever before, it is not surprising to see 20-somethings walk into a jewellery store and make a purchase for themselves. “It is for the lady between 15 and 30 years that we have GRT Stylus, the lightweight gold and studded collection in our stores,” says GR Ananthapadmanabhan, Managing Director, GRT Jewellers. “The women in this age group are looking for something trendy, easy to wear and maintain and something that looks sleek. The advantage that highly wearable jewellery provides lies in its flexibility – these pieces can be well matched at work and college and with Indian and Western outfits,” he says. Echoing his opinion is Neerada Shah, a human resource executive who has only recently begun to buy herself jewellery. “The one thing that I look out for while buying any accessory is its usability; I do not want to invest in something that fills up my bank locker, I’d www.thetaximag.com
rather wear it, use it and at the same time feel adequately dressed wherever I am.” Even mothers are willing to give in to lightweight and contemporary jewellery – the designs are more often than not extremely modern and yet are traditional; it’s all about maintaining that balance. How light is light, you may wonder. According to GR Ananthapadmanabhan, “The weight of gold or any other metal used depends on the accessory that is being made. For instance, a necklace and pendant may use anywhere between 12 and 16 grams of gold in the lightweight section. The principle is to use the least amount of metal as possible to craft a certain piece of jewellery.” Speaking on the tremendous response that lightweight jewellery has gathered in the city, Vishal Palsani of Sitaram Jewellers says, “Ever since gold prices have gone through the roof, a lot of women feel that for everyday wear, they are better off with silver jewellery. The lightweight collection at the store stocks jewellery from CKLV Jewels, a brand of repute that has been doing very well. Lightweight jewellery is a preferred form of gifting too, and even the corporates place orders for pieces that are
elegant and eye catching.” According to Bharathi Raviprakash, P a r t n e r , S t u d i o Tara, while lightweight jewellery ranks high on the usability scale, the pricing can vary depending on the personal tastes of an individual. “This category of jewellery can be priced differently based on the techniques used in crafting and the metal and the quality of stones used. While silver lightweight jewellery is inexpensive on its own, in a combination of different stones and various crafting methods, the price can go higher.” Speaking about older women also wanting to make a change in the sort of jewellery they wear, she says, “A lot of women over the age of 35 are willing to experiment and go beyond the traditional. Lightweight jewellery offers these women a wide range of options to explore,” she says. With so many
GRT Stylus
options being laid out, it is for the woman to decide what suits her style and pocket best! Lightweight jewellery is all about celebrating her – she who is sleek, modern, independent and of course, as strong as the metal itself!
Studio Tara
Platinum Guild International
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November 2010 TAXI 33
The
BIG Hoax by Vijetha Rangabashyam
34 TAXI November 2010
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I
t dawned in 1930 as the British Empire Games. It still commences with an official message from Her Highness, which journeys along by hand from the Buckingham Palace. It still comes to a grand finale with homage to the British Military that would tarnish the legendary Red Square parades. It is the Commonwealth Games and its purpose right from the beginning has been to utilize sports, to create goodwill between the United Kingdom and various other nations.
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November 2010 TAXI 35
This time we played host, here in India, in our very own capital city, New Delhi. After a baggage of undulating controversies, the CWG in Delhi presented a flamboyant inauguration, a chance for India to cabinet it’s emergence as a super power, to even lay bare to the world its capacity to contest the Chinese opulence in hosting the Olympics. The games, although, quivered on an extraordinary implosion and the problem sprung from the categorical facts that India, a country where nearly 37% of the people live under the World
Bank poverty line of $1.25 a day, promised $100,000 to every country’s delegation to secure the games. India, a country where 46% of the children are malnourished, spent $2.5 billion on athletic facilities alone. This state of affairs questions if India, with all it’s nouveau economic potency, did justice to its citizens or the game. The Commonwealth Games were thought to be synonymous to a burgeoning, competent India, which presumably rides over the moon with an ‘emergent super
36 TAXI November 2010
power’ predisposition. May be we didn’t have as many nations as in the Olympics to gratify, but we still had 71 nations whose dependencies were submerged in the alleged Indian success story. However, even before India could unleash to the world its capacity to take on a mountainous task, it successfully managed to besiege the world with a series of debacles - A dengue outbreak, a crumbling bridge, faulty faucets and flushes, a disintegrating bogus ceiling and more importantly the odour that was set off by our insipid officials’ bottomless greed, crushed the
country’s collective optimism. The facilities, built at great economic and social cost, were flagged as a serious health hazard. In preparing the various arenas, dozens of workers were grievously injured in accidents due to faulty materials and equipment. Mike Hooper, the CWG Chief Executive, sniveled, “the village is filthy… one can’t occupy the rooms. There is building dust and rubble and the toilets are not working. Reports of excrement being found are true…. It’s not fit for human habitation.”
The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, Anne Ellis, raised the unprecedented prospect of cancelling it altogether. “We will see how London handles the 2012 Olympics, for example, and recoil anew without the comfort of xenophobia.” The headlines of some of the leading newspapers in the world decried - “Hopes fade for success of Commonwealth Games in India”; “Ready, set—wait, India not ready for Commonwealth Games yet”. And they were also affirmed by Matt Robinson of Moody’s
Analytics - the adverse publicity the games had generated could adversely impact investment inflows. This is the first time India has ever aimed to host an event of this magnitude. The country’s leaders aimed to achieve what China did with the Olympics, South Africa with the World Cup, and what Brazil wishes to do with the 2016 Olympics. Brazil, Russia, India, and China are the 21st century hosts for these elaborate sporting spectacles. They are willing to do whatever
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it takes to make the games happen. That just means one thing – repression; colossal debt inducing public work projects. In China, we saw the price of this, with two million people being dislodged from Beijing. In Brazil, a police helicopter was shot down over the Favelas, in October 2009, just southwest of an Olympic Zone. In Athens, before the 2004 games, anywhere between 40 and 150 construction workers died as the International Olympic Committee deadlines hovered.
from the informal settlements and slums for beautification & building activities, or of the thousands of livelihoods shattered of rickshaw pullers, street vendors and informal sector workers who have been evicted off the streets of Delhi to protect the sensibilities of our foreign guests? Is the uncontrolled mismanagement of the thousands of workers involved in creating the “beautiful edifices” of the games or the numerous other poor and lower middleclass families, who are only concerned about their everyday bread and butter a boon?
With time and examination the true scope and enormity of corruption like with any other case unleashes itself and accusations of corruption eventually surfaced. But that is not the main reason why the CWG Games were gravely serious, though by itself corruption is enough of an issue to make everyone concerned, answerable. The genuine issue is that while all eyes of the people at power are rapt in making infrastructure “top-notch” at gargantuan costs and especially in just one city, the social infrastructure for the common public is in utter fiasco because the same authority supposedly has no funds. Starvation, child mortality, appalling access to quality education or healthcare, dearth of housing, female feticide and more are the pointers that whimper for burning attention all over India. These issues deserve critical consideration and restoration in place of rerouting the nation’s resources to quench the entertainment needs and aggrandizement of the rich.
In India, we saw similar stories. And yet, the world has looked away, the plane has always landed on time; simply put, the games went off without a glitch and the number of people who died went unnoticed. In terms of good publicity, one of India’s leading newspapers spoke of how CWG is a gift to the national capital. The inhabitants of national capital do not tantamount to India. So of what segment of Delhi’s population are we looking at? Are we talking about the thousands driven out
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November 2010 TAXI 37
The Italian job well done at
Pasta Bar Veneto by Shruthi Vishwanathan
T
here is a recent profusion of Italian restaurants in the city, and not all are worth visiting. But Chennai might just have found a restaurant with a difference: The Pasta Bar Veneto. This place recently opened its doors on Burkit Road in T.Nagar and the eager foodies that we are, we thought we would explore it. The first thing that strikes you about the place is its decor: Elegant and understated. White walls, comfortable seating and French windows dominate the place. The French windows also open out to a lovely, entertainment area in the middle where bands perform. You can also enjoy some hookahs with 38 TAXI November 2010
the music. The proprietor tells us that they may even have stand up comedians to perform in the future. “Our goal is to serve affordable Italian food without compromising on the fine dining experience�, says one of the proprietors. We were ready to see the restaurant would live up to the expectations and ordered a host of things. The vegetarians may want to start off with the Bruschetta di Pomodora. The tomatoes seasoned with garlic and olive oil give a light, fresh start to the meal. If you are a fan of mushrooms then the Bruschetta di Fungi is a good choice. We recommend that the non vegetarians order the Lamb Polpette. The light www.thetaximag.com
flavour of herbs, spices and cheese complemented the tender meat perfectly and this was one of our favourite dishes. We also tried the Sesame Chicken which had crumb fried chicken strips with a sesame flavour. The chewy bits of chicken soaked in the sesame flavour were scintillating. In the main course, we ordered the double sauced Primavera Meditranae which tries to blend the goodness of the cheesy, tomato sauce. The flavours and the texture of the dish were seamlessly rich. The Lasagne di Pollo was good and we loved the fact that the flavour of the cheese didn’t overpower the dish and the combination of minced chicken and herbs was distinctive. Our favourite entree was the Stuffed Chicken. The taste of the minced chicken, bell pepper, basils and mushrooms was lovely and the entire dish was excellently grilled. If you are a chicken person, then we recommend this dish wholeheartedly. There are a host of pastas, risottos, raviolis and other dishes to order from.
the legendary Tiramisu. It was light, spongy and creamy. The winner of the entire meal was the Mississippi MudPie. The rich, gooey chocolate with a crumbly walnut-chocolate base managed to erase the sceptics within us. The Pasta Bar is perfect for a lazy, relaxed meal (maybe even a romantic one) where you can enjoy your meal along with some great music. If the Pasta Bar lives upto its promises, then Chennai’s latest ‘it’ place may have arrived. Location: Opposite Smokin’ Joes, Burkit Road, T. Nagar Chennai.
We now got to our favourite part of the mealthe dessert. We started off with
Photography : AV Abhay Kumar
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Unleashing
TVH LUMBINI SQUARE Penthouses & Duplex Apartments
TVH Lumbini penthouses and duplex apartments are available for the discerning few.
EXCLUSIVITY THAT REFLECTS STYLE The penthouses and duplex apartments, which have been specially built for the tasteful audience stands at an altitude of 350 ft above sea level. Wrapped in a world of luxuriant interiors, wide open spaces and breathtaking views, these sets of apartments are a class apart.
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HOME THAT REFLECTS STATUS
SPACE THAT IS BOUNDLESS
TVH has gone all the way in creating this elite project to ensure that it captures the individuality and sophistication that defines a person. The interiors and the apartment plan have been designed to suit the aesthetic sensibilities and comforts of every individual.
With a sprawling space of 2500 to 3500 sq ft, the penthouses and duplex apartments at Lumbini Square are large enough to accommodate parties for distinguished guests yet small enough to give warmth and comfort of a humble home.
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VIEWS THAT ARE BREATHTAKING The landscape balconies and the elegant windows will be the gateway to spectacular views, which will elicit a serene aura and a relaxed atmosphere. ROOMS THAT DISPLAY INGENUITY Every room is a playground of a person’s imagination. Individuals can add their own personal flavour to the rooms, making them pleasing. Cutting edge elements are used to enhance the interiors of the rooms.
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November 2010 TAXI 41
PERSONALIZED HOMES
LIFESTYLE
The choice of creating an extravagant living space, which will be cherished eternally, is up to every individual. Every person has the opportunity to design the home of their dreams, reflecting their personal tastes.
Amenities • 25,000 sft Club House • e-Café • Library • Gym & Sauna • Swimming Pool
The apartments rambling over nine acres of sheer luxury and tranquility is situated right in the middle of Chennai’s most influential business area. Lumbini Square is much more than a luxury apartment complex. It is a work of art. Designed for the business community, Lumbini Square has already become the most sought after address in the locality.
* Images used are actual site photographs 42 TAXI November 2010
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Joseph comes to town! In the summer of 1967, Andrew Lloyd Webber was asked to write a ‘pop cantata’ for the school choir to sing at the Easter end of term concert. Andrew immediately approached his friend Tim Rice to ask if he could write the lyrics for the project. After toying with many ideas, Tim suggested the ‘coat of many colours’ story of Joseph from the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Genesis. The first performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was on a cold winter afternoon in March 1968 in Hammersmith. Accompanied by the school orchestra and conducted by Alan Doggett, the performance was only 15 minutes long. The show was a resounding success and a second performance was arranged and then a third. Since then, the musical Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat has been performed over 20,000 times across the world by renowned theatre groups. THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat stands out – it is an eclectic mix of ideas which hold the show together, coupled with an engaging soundtrack and the grandeur of the show itself. Joseph has gone into the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-running touring stage musical of all time. The show has very little spoken dialogue, it is sungthrough almost completely. It runs under two hours and is occasionally performed without intermission. The show retells the Biblical story of Joseph who is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.
‘
Why am I still hungry? I think it is just that I love the collaborative element. You depend on each other in a project like this. It is a shared adventure between the cast, director, designer, costume maker, lighting engineer, choreographer. One ingredient could be wrong and a great piece of work will disappear. – Andrew Lloyd Webber
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JOSEPH COMES CLOSER! After wowing audiences world over, Joseph was amidst Chennaiites mid-October courtesy The Hot Shoe Dance Company. The musical, titled Joseph and his Coat of many Colours, was staged by the group that earlier showcased Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats and Mamma Mia. “It’s a huge stepping stone for all those who are involved in this musical,” said Jeffrey Vardon, Choreographer and Producer of the musical. “The musical has tasted success globally and I think it’s due to the feel-good factor it has - its family-friendly storyline, universal theme and catchy music have made it one of the most dependable titles in musical theatre scene,” he said. In this retelling of the Biblical story, Joseph is a handsome young man who is his father’s favorite child, able to interpret dreams, and the bearer of an amazing coat. These facts lead Joseph’s eleven brothers to become insatiably jealous. Thus, they sell Joseph into slavery to some passing Ishmaelites. After refusing the advances of his owner’s wife, Joseph is sent to jail. Once in jail, he quickly becomes popular due to his ability to interpret dreams. The Pharaoh soon hears of Joseph’s ability and
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appoints him to the post of Number Two man in Egypt. Years later, Joseph’s now starving brothers arrive in Egypt and ask Joseph, whom they don’t recognise, for assistance. Joseph, in turn, gives his brothers a scare, but eventually grants them all they desire, reveals his identity, and reunites the family. The Hot Shoe Dance Company left no stone unturned and saw to it that complete justice was done to this Broadway musical. “The dancers went through a rigorous training process for the last three months and have pushed themselves to give their best – the dance routines in this musical are challenging; we have used a combination of contemporary, freestyle jazz, tango, rock n roll and jive to give it the edge that a musical of this stature demands,” said Jeffrey. “The scale on which Joseph is based is huge – we had over 40 people directly involved and onstage; apart from that a lot of brainstorming took place over the sets, the lights, the music and the result is one gigantic, grand musical for everyone to enjoy!” he said. The music for Joseph was compiled by Timothy Madhukar, who infused the original musical score with energy so that the performers could explore new areas of movement. “It’s all about reinventing to keep the audience guessing,” smiled Jeffrey as he talked about the need for keeping up with the times while retaining the spirit of the original. “We also lent a twist to the character of the Pharaoh – he is portrayed in an Elvis Presley-style,” he said.
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Photography: Lavanya Kannan
Talking about the direction of the musical by the Late Mithran Devanesan, Jeffrey said, “This was Mithran’s last direction and yet another reason why it is so special to all of us involved. Before his health took a turn for the worse, Mithran was the one who spearheaded the planning process,” he said. “He chose the actors and the dancers and he was also part of the first round of training for performances. Mithran added small twists and turns which we retained; his touch is apparent in the musical.” When asked about the biggest challenge he faced while putting Joseph together, pat came the reply, “The biggest challenge is living up to the high expectations that people have. If I can make sure the audience has a good time and leaves the auditorium feeling good about the 2 hours spent watching the musical, I know that it is a job well done!” November 2010 TAXI 45
Guard your
identity
Coca-Cola, IBM and Microsoft. What is common to these three, you may ask. These companies have been ranked as few of the Best Global Brands of 2010 by Interbrand, in a study that lists the 100 best brands across the world. What makes these companies top the lists consistently? Branding; it is perhaps the most important facet of any business – it goes beyond product, distribution, pricing or location. According to Arun C Mohan, Partner at Mohan Associates, a legal firm that specialises in Intellectual Property Rights, “A company’s brand is its definition in the world, the name that identifies it to itself and the marketplace. Branding is the process of creating distinctive and durable perceptions in the minds of consumers.” He says that a brand is a persistent, unique business identity intertwined with associations of personality, quality, origin, liking and more. Branding teams in large corporations spend a huge chunk of resources in terms of capital, time and manpower to create a brand which will go a long way in strengthening its niche in the market and in acquiring a credible reputation among its customers. Building a business is a lot of work, but it is extremely
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Ceebros Building, D-4, Iii Floor, New No. 32, Old No. 11, Cenetoph Road, Teynampet, Chennai 600 018, India. Tele: 91-44-24339983 / 84 / 85 e-mail: aamohan@vsnl.com web: www.iprightsindia.com
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the elements of the brand that are unique (such as the company name, logo or symbol, and other distinct elements), which ought to be protected is the first thing that needs to be done. The manners in which they can be protected are twofold and are pretty straightforward. TRADEMARKS
rewarding to see the success that follows. Bearing in mind the intense competition that all companies are faced with today, the success of a company can also make it a target for others who are looking for a shortcut. “Improper treatment of the brand by thirdparty users and counterfeiting are common issues that companies face. These malpractices dilute the value of the brand and eat into its market share,” says Arun. The consumers first relate to a company’s brand identity and inevitably it is one of the most important elements of a business. It needs to be protected from people looking to either debase the company’s standing within the industry, or from those who will use a company’s good image to lure other customers, hence denting the company’s revenue flow. PROTECTED ALWAYS “The importance to protect a brand legally is well known among most international organisations and many of them have their brand www.thetaximag.com
protection teams in place,” says Arun. These teams work on how the brand is being utilised and whether there are any signs of duplication or improper usage that is diluting the brand image of the company. However, Arun says that the problem lies with the small and medium business sectors as they are not aware of the need to have their brands protected. “A large percentage of the small business sector is not clued in to brand protection techniques. In fact, most people are not even aware that they own intellectual property. They assume that the large corporations with profitable brands are the only ones who really possess a need to safeguard intangible assets,” he adds. Anything that is written, visually created, and unique to an individual becomes an intellectual property. Arun specifically makes a mention of how the high-end domestic lifestyle industries need to take up the task of having their identities protected. THE MODUS OPERANDI How does a company go about protecting its brand? Identifying
A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or a design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of the others. The ® indicates a mark that has been registered. A trademark gives the company certain legal rights to use and protect your trademark, for which seeking legal help is absolutely advisable. Arun admits that the process involves a lot of paperwork and dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, which can and should be done by a professional legal firm. COPYRIGHTS AND PATENTS A copyright essentially ensures that any creative work cannot be copied without the permission of the author/creator. This allows the author to charge others for copying his work, or modifying it, or adapting it. It is important to protect a copyright in order to avoid copycats and impostors who hope to make money off another business’s success. Names that intend to copy an already established business need to be addressed immediately so that the business does not begin to lose market share and its current customer base. As business and trade practices are evolving and becoming more dynamic by the day, it is extremely beneficial to have some basic systems in place that will pay off in the long run. The idiom ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ fits aptly in this context and since a brand is paramount to a company’s image and reputation, it is worth the time and effort in having it protected. November 2010 TAXI 47
Globus Style Accolades For the very first time in Chennai, Globus hosted style awards with an exclusive fashion show to launch the stylish autumn winter 2010 collection. Some of our city’s personalities from various industries bagged the awards for being ‘stylishly’ alluring.
The Spa Abode Find the new addition to Spa Influence at RK Salai. Inaugurated by Actor Ramya Krishnan, the launch kick started with a sensational fashion show choreographed by none other than Karun Raman. Here’s your second chance to pamper and this time its right around the corner!
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Oxford Bookstore unleashes ‘Manasarovar’ Manasarovar, a gripping novel by Mr. Ashoka Mitran was released at the Oxford Bookstore in association with Prakriti Foundation. The book launch began with a hot cup of chai and was followed by a sharp discussion of the book between the author and the audience.
Decennial Extravaganza Tina Vincent, one of Chennai’s topnotch designers, who is renowned for her brand XXL, which has carved a niche for itself in designing clothes for the plus sized women, celebrated the tenyear success of her unique venture. The event that took place at The Park had a fashion show with models showcasing bridal and evening wear.
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MOVIE LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS Animations hardly cease to win me over, unless they have nothing to offer, which rarely happens. “Legend of the Guardians” is fortunately not one of those. This wonderfully made film is a pleasure for the eyes and a joy for the mind, with characters that manage to stand tall and whisk you away in a beautiful adventure that deals with love, betrayal, courage and, most of all, the infinite and powerful strength of dreams. “Legend of the Guardians” is simply delicious and emotional, with a message about the importance of never giving up on yourself and believing in the goodness of the heart. It’s for children, for adults and anyone in between who needs a push to remember that it’s okay to think different.
BOOK FOLLOWING FISH BY SAMANTH SUBRAMANIAN In his collection of essays, Following Fish: Travels Along the Indian Coast, author Samanth Subramanian manages the perfect balance between intimacy and objectivity. The reader feels as though they’re on the trail with him, meeting the delightful motley crew that schools him about fish. There are some wonderful anecdotes in Following Fish , like the reason why the port of Vizhinjam didn’t suffer any casualties when the tsunami hit the Indian coast in 2004. “It was the day after Christmas,” explains a fisherman. “We were all still sleeping off the previous day’s toddy hangover.” Praise the Lord indeed. A Following Fish has reportage feel to it but it isn’t attempting to present any breaking news about the various fishing cultures of India. Subramanian’s easy and intelligent writing style describes the ambience of the places and the people he meets eloquently. The book is a charming read. You’ll wish Subramanian had made more stops along the coastline when you reach the last page. - Deepanjali Pal
Courtesy: Full Circle at Chamiers
MUSIC COME AROUND SUNDOWN – KINGS OF LEON Come Around Sundown is a tired record, pining in anguish for a home back South, an uneventful day off, and—on some weary, underlying level—a way to escape. In other words, Kings of Leon has all the signs of a band that knows they’ve hit their apex, and now, breathless and sliding down the other side of the mountain, is reflecting on the whirlwind journey that has passed. “Pyro” has all the makings of a stereotypical, slow-burning rock ballad, while “Radioactive” is the perfect, predictable model of a by-the-numbers first single. “Pickup Truck” might be a barely disguised reworking of “Manhattan,” but it remains just as satisfyingly bittersweet and irreverently cornball. The lingering question is not so much about how exhausted this band is, but rather, how long they can enjoy the afterglow of Only By the Night before having to reinvent themselves? The answer seems to be one record, at least, as Come Around Sundown buys Kings of Leon at least a little more time as the champions of mass-appeal Dixie garage rock. 52 TAXI November 2010
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