Wokal Issue 06 February 2021

WOKAL I s s u e

6

|

F e b r u a r y

2 0 2 1

Caravan: Stories To Share @ChaiAurAlfaaz With Aashna Shah

FIFTY

Tips To Build Your Own

Makeup Kits

SHADES OF KHAKI Police Brutality Against The LGBTQIA+ Community

Photography Blunders To

Interviews With The White Rose Club Gargi College, New Delhi & The Visual Dictionary

Avoid

Valentine's Day Special V a l e n t i n e I n

B l a c k

C R E D I T S WOKAL

Editor in Chief: Alina Ahmed Editor: Aabiyah Zehra Layouts & Design: Shumaila Masood, Alina Ahmed Cover picture by Aabiyah Zehra Cover Model: Sheikh Almaas Islam Cover design by Aabiyah Zehra

Section Heads Director, Art and Layout : Alisha Hussain Director of Photography : Aabiyah Zehra Fashion: Sneha Barua Makeup: Hitashi Food: Ikshita Bhatia Photography : Itu Dutta and Aabiyah Zehra Arts and Creativity : Alina Ahmed & Shumaila Masood Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth Reji and Kashish Chopra Pet Care: Dakshita Mitra Travel: Vanshika Seth Culture: Jigisha Sharma (Fashion) & Vinay Agrawal (Pop Culture) Reviews: Mehak Pasricha Columnists: Hiba & Dakshita Mitra Social Media and PR: Maahin Saeed and Sakshi Madaan

Interview Courtesy Aashna Shah(@chaiauralfaaz) The White Rose Club (@thewhiteroseclub) The Visual Dictionary (@thevisualdictionary) FEBRUARY 2021 • ISSUE 6

CONTENTS WHAT'S NEW

10

MY PHYGITAL PRESENCE

14

ALL FOR THE GRAM: 7 CONTENT CREATORS THAT ROCKED 2020

24

GOOD WOMEN, BAD WOMEN: MISOGYNY IN THE VICTORIAN ERA

28

FIFTY SHADES OF KHAKHI

30

TRAVEL MISTAKES TO AVOID DURING THE PANDEMIC

COVER

VALENTINE IN BLACK Style yourself in black this valentine's, as chic and classy as always

CARAVAN

FEATURES

34

STORIES TO SHARE

INTERVIEW FEATURE: THE VISUAL DICTIONARY

Check out the works and journey of Aashna Shah

41 THE WHITE ROSE CLUB. GARGI COLLEGE, NEW DELHI

49 KASHISH GROVER AND HER JOURNEY WITH BLISS WHISQ

54 AASHNA SHAH AND @CHAIAURALFAAZ TRENDS 60

TIPS TO BUILD YOUR MAKE-UP KIT

68

SWEET DESSERTS IF NOT A SWEETHEART

85

PARIS: THE CITY OF LOVE

91

THE LESSER-KNOWN TRAGEDIES OF COVID 19

95

HOW TO GET THE PERFECT SHOT

100

DEAR LOVER: THE ART OF HANDWRITTEN LETTERS

PET CARE

PHOTOGRAPHY

TEA WITH SIB

Naruto's Selfie/p75

Learn to take better care of your pets form a pet psychologist / p77

Gearview: A look at Camera Lenses/p81

WOKAL MAG | ISSUE 06 | FEB 2021

Colours are always associated with a certain feeling, stereotypically, red for love, white for peace, pink for girls, blue for boys, and black is the colour that depicts a negative thought or people avoid wearing black to joyful occasions.

But times have changed and colours should not be restricted to a certain feeling or event.

THE STYLE SECTION

On Valentine’s day, people wear reds and pinks and all the girly colours that “depict love”. This season, why not be girly and bold in black? Black is such a beautiful colour that shows strength, boldness, it has power written all over it, yet can be girly and lovely at the same time. This season ditch the mainstream red outfit and wear something black and beautiful on this day of love. We at Wokal Magazine are here as your fairy godmothers to get yourself the perfect black look!

Wokal Mag | Issue 06

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, while there’s a lot of excitement for this day, there’s also the stress of looking perfect for your partner with that one perfect outfit.

BY SNEHA BARUA For Females: Outfit 1: Shimmer and shine your way to your partner’s heart. Add some glitter or sequins to your outfit to give it a party and chic look. Wear a mini skirt to give it a cute bold sense, and pair it up with a glitter crop top!

You can either wear both glitter or either of the pieces together. Get some high boots to save you from the winter and carry a black coat so that you don't have to borrow his’. For accessories, make it classy and chic with some dainty gold pieces.

Outfit 2 : A LBD (little black dress) can never go wrong.

Wear a bodycon LBD and cinch that waist with a black broad belt. Wear ankle boots to show off those legs and your look is pretty much done. Wear a statement earpiece for this look to create thunder with every step you take!

Outfit 3:This valentine, take your man out for dinner, because what’s wrong with that? Power dress to shut down male chauvinism, yet make it sexy for your man!

An entire black 2 piece suit i.e long high waist straight pants, a blazer and that’s it! Ditch the shirt, if you’re comfortable, or pair it up with a bralette, to rock that evening! Wear gold minimum jewelry and some pumps to celebrate love and equality.

WOKAL

Issue 06

February 2021

BY SNEHA BARUA

Isabelle

THE YOUNG WRITER Being young is good for many things, like being

FOR MEN :

flexible, staying up for days with no ill effects, not having saggy bits, and having hair. For writing deathless, original prose, not so much. Most teenagers lack the experiential vocabulary and grammar for writing well; you lack a certain amount of perspective and wisdom, which is gained through time. In short:

Outfit 1: Keep it casual and

You haven’t yet developed your true writing voice.

comfortable with some

Now, if you’re really good, you can fake perspective

black jeans, a jacket, steal a

and wisdom, and with it a voice, which is almost as good as having the real thing. But usually, sooner or later, it’ll catch up to you and your lack of experience will show in your writing. This will particularly be the case when you have a compelling, emotional story, which would require the sort of control and delivery of your writing that you only get through time.

black stole from your girl’s wardrobe and wrap it around your neck. Wear a watch and some black shoes and you’re good to go!

Outfit 2: Men and high-neck just go hand in hand. Pair up black joggers or jeans, with a high-neck top or sweater, and put on a long coat over it to complete the semiformal look! Pair it up with some black boots, and you’re ready to have some fun.

“IF THERE'S A LOOK THAT YOU WANT TO WEAR, BUT IT HASN'T BEEN TRIED YET, THEN YOU MUST TRY IT.”

Outfit 3: A formal all-black suit can never go wrong or out of style.

While your lady power dresses, you should too! A black satin shirt, black pants, and a black coat and you’re ready for your dinner date.

Wear a tie or ditch it if you don't want a full formal look.

Let the satin shirt be the star of the evening!

Concept and Direction: Sneha Barua and Alina Ahmed Photography: Aabiyah Zehra Female Model: Sheikh Almaas Islaam Male Models: Dishabh, Talha Shaikh HMUA: Sneha Brua

WOKAL

ISSUE 06

FEB 2021

As our lives become increasingly complex, phygital is the way to go and live…

My Phygital Presence

By Vinay Agrawal

We spent a large portion of last year online switching between screens of various sizes: S, M, L, XL. We embraced ‘screen inclusivity’ to the fullest extent and became screen inclusive. Give us a screen in any size and we won’t complain. We’re pretty much sorted that way.

Also, we gained more digital knowledge and probably installed more apps (and upgraded to some) than ever on our phones: Zoom, Telegram, and now, it app of the momentSignal. We expanded our virtual footprint at the cost of diminishing our physical presence. There was always a new series to watch, a new photo to upload, and a new meet to attend.

ISSUE.6 / FEB 2021

Though a lot of our consumption patterns were ‘forced’ upon due to prevalent restrictions, and were safe as compared to its physical equivalent such as meeting-inperson vis-a-vis meeting digitally. They also were escapist in many cases such as looking longingly at travel pictures helped us to travel digitally when travel in real life was banned, or organizing watch parties to create a movie-hall experience when the latter was a forbidden activity.

However, all of this did take something away from us and altered the way in which we navigate in the real and digital world.

While a lot is talked about work-life balance, a physical-digital balance is equally important and more so considering the times we live in. So, how to rejig the arithmetic?

We can begin by taking a middle approach and adopting a phygital way of life. Phygital is a compound word made of physical and digital; it indicates the balance between the two and is a philosophy in itself. By going phygital, we can enjoy both worlds without a gnawing feeling of missing out on any. The fashion weeks in recent times have also embraced this concept. So have various banks. In fact, a lot of businesses are planning to redesign their practices around this.

WOKAL // ISSUE 06 // FEB 2021

WOKAL MAG

BY VINAY AGRAWAL

Going Phygital is not a herculean task!

By Vinay Agrawal So how can you go phygital? It’s not a herculean task if you ask me. It involves minor tweaking in your behaviour. One can start by being aware and fight the urge to crossover. For example, when you wake up in the morning, resist the temptation to pick up the phone and scroll. Instead, savor the cup of your coffee, sit by the window, and watch the scene in front of you- the rays of warm sun, the potted plants in your balcony, or the people starting to get on with their routines. The same applies when you prepare to go to sleep. Don’t make checking your phone a bedtime ritual. From my experience, I can tell you,

five minutes of harmless checking can instantly turn into an hour of engagement. Keep your phone aside in silent mode and just focus on sleep. Similarly, when you’re out or meeting someone, pay attention to them instead of constantly checking your phone. It will enrich your experience and attentiveness. Mono-task instead of multi-task. Instead of spreading your attention, direct it all-together to one task at a time. I can guarantee you that you’ll come out with more content and sorted- both digitally and physically. Or, should I say, phygitalicaly.

ISSUE 06 FEB 2021

WOKAL MAG

All For The

Gram!

Content Creators that Rocked 2020

07

Awesome entertainers we found on Instagram.

homebrewed content!

By Mehak Pasricha

WOKAL MAG

ISSUE 06

FEB 2021

Is the Future on SOCIAL MEDIA?

By Mehak Pasricha

Along with cringe and binge, however, a lot of quality content has also been produced in 2020 that we are so thankful for.

Presenting to you our

2020 has been a whirlwind of a year, no doubt. From the

top 7 artists who

many more things going on, everyone has done

helped us get

their composure intact. Social media apps and online

through 2020 without

Hotstar, Netflix, and Instagram have been a lot of

whom we definitely

all of us have cringed a lot of times while watching

would’ve crashed.

pandemic to work from home to virtual college and so everything to hold onto their last bit of sanity and keep streaming apps like Tik Tok, Snapchat, Facebook, Prime, people’s saving grace during these times. Even though certain stuff (cue: I’m Sima from Mumbai) that has never stopped us from binging on them.

Vishnu Kaushal

If not for him bullying Govind, his younger brother, and showing us that all elder siblings are mean and bully their younger

With his simplistic Punjabi videos on everyday things that are so relatable, Vishnu stole our hearts in 2020.

siblings, we would’ve died of guilt during the quarantine for bossing our elder siblings around, so thanks for that, Vishnu.

From his shy stories where he blushed for literally every compliment he got to him hitting his front camera to show his anger, from the funniest short videos like “aage jaake curve dikh raha hain na curve” to nerdy lives especially the ones on which people slept and he had to wake them up “Nitin Uth, Uth ja Nitin”, max pro relate and max pro power and love to you, Vishnu. “Peach Gang Forever'' You're our 2020 blessing!

Coining the term 'Fashion Therapy', Komal Pandey proved that fashion is effortless somedays and other days, an aesthetically pleasing art.

Komal Pandey Komal Pandey has been a queen since forever. 2020 just showed us her chill style. I can’t think of a time I’ve not been a fan of the content she has made. The effortlessness which is seen in all her videos genuinely leaves everyone awestruck. The classiness in her videos; I don’t think any fashion influencer can ever achieve. Komal Pandey was, is , and will definitely always be the “Powerhouse of Fashion” and 2020 has done nothing but strengthen this fact.

ISSUE | 06

Yashraj Mukhate My only question though is, “What is with every Yashraj being a creative genius?”

Let’s be honest, can you imagine yourself spending 2020 without knowing “Rasode mein kon tha” or the fact that “bikini shoot” is “two-piece only”. And the best of the lot which is applicable everywhere “twada Kutta Tommy, sada kutta kutta?” You’re lying if you tell me you haven’t had these mixes stuck in your head at some point of time and haven’t hummed them or sang them out loud while Working/studying and even from doing the most random to most serious thing. Thank you for making us laugh out loud even in the most stressful times and being a stress buster for us.

Danyal Zafar Danyal Zafar, also known as Danny Zee, has been my 2020 music saviour. Not going to lie, he was an artist I discovered this year itself and I haven’t stopped listening to his songs on repeat since the first time I heard a song of his. “Udh Chaliye”, being my favorite song of his, puts you just in the right mood to let your hair down, roll down the windows, and just close your eyes, listen to his voice and let the music take the lead. It leaves you in a trance. This song, along with all his others, is sheer brilliance.

There is definitely some magic in the Zafar Brothers and their talents know no bounds. #Haanjeee (True Danny Zee fans will know the importance of Hanjee)

Siddharth Batra Breaking stereotypes and socalled gender restrictions and norms, Siddharth Batra, was the star of 2020.

Content creation or styling or even doing makeup is not only a female thing. Siddharth Batra with his amazing sense of style gave a new perspective to what “male influencers� can do; which is everything! He clearly won our hearts with his style but the one thing that definitely stole the show was his dance, which in one way or another always made way in all his videos!

Super excited to see what he brings to us this year.

With his good looks, good looks and good looks, Aqeel Hyder (or if I can say Saif Ali Khan) was definitely our man of the year. From doing videos that talked about online classes, school, lockdown, and all current affairs, to his dry cut, sometimes sarcastic, humorous, we’ve loved everything he has created for us in 2020. Aqeel’s best thing probably were the live sessions he did and the new story series he started of the deepest darkest confessions.

Along with fun content, sometimes his stories also had some deep and philosophical write-ups which definitely got people to think and be more conscious about time and its value. There’s not one thing that we haven’t liked about him. The only thing that we want from him though is to finally drop his skincare routine and no, not the one where he rubs Vaseline all over his face

Aqeel Hyder

Diksha Rawat What can we say about her? She’s been serving looks all of 2020.

Anything you could possibly imagine, from styling oversized loose t-shirts to huge faux fur coats, you’ll find everything on her feed. If I were to be paid on the basis of how many of her styles I’ve saved but will never be able to pull off, I’d definitely be a millionaire by now. Her style, her aesthetics, we’re a fan of pretty much everything she does, just one little request to please teach us a little bit of how we can carry ourselves with grace like you do; even 5% of the grace you carry yourself with would do wonders for us.

Thank you for getting us through 2020 and always giving such quality content. We couldn’t have done this without all of you.

Mehak Pasricha

So many more artists and creators helped us get through 2020 mentally and we appreciate you and are forever grateful to you. 2020 was hard on all these people as well, yet they made content for us even if they themselves weren’t in the perfect mind spaces and we understand and respect that so much.

GOOD WOMEN, BAD WOMEN: Misogyny in the Victorian Era

By Jigisha Sharma

The Victorian era was the era followed by the Tudor era not exactly “Scott free” or as the slang of the Tudor era suggests “without any damage” either as in reference to the Victorian era and for the other consecutive eras previous to it being the Elizabeth era the birth of the renaissance movement and or the period of enlightenment, following the regency era before the queen’s reign.

The Victorian era spawned many art movements following romanticism in Europe as well as Victorian England towards the late 18th century when Beethoven drew breath from producing widely appreciated and worshiped symphonies. Romanticism, as it was, was followed by the renaissance of the Elizabeth era which succumbed to subjectivity and to an extent a reaction against the enlightenment.

To quote the poem by the English romantic poet Coleridge on the “blue flower” ‘What if you slept? And what if, in your sleep, you dreamed?And what if, in your dream, you went to heaven and there plucked a strange and beautiful flower? And what if, when you awoke, you had the flower in your hand? Ah, what then?’

Romanticism was led by the classical art movement which emerged as a result of the expansive interest in the lost civilizations of Ancient Greece about six hundred years before the birth of Christ, the period specifically when Greek culture attained its peak splendor as well as Ancient Rome

The Classical Art Movement prevailed at the same time as the plague epidemic that had encompassed 12 million people on the globe. The third plague pandemic or bubonic plague preceded Oscar Wilde’s play performed for the first time as when also the origin of species by means of natural selection in the year 1859 was published by Darwin.

For the Victorian era, there were quite a lot of revelations for when Queen Victoria enthralled the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Ireland which came to be recognized as being symbolic of femininity before which the eras that preceded those particular eras revolved around family, motherhood, and respectability, the idea that women’s roles primarily in society were centric to executing chores around their respective households or appropriating domesticity.

During this time there was prominence of a clear distinction of the roles of men and women in society that began to surface, for men with the earliest phases of industrialisation as well as the more ruptured lungs and body image facilitation for women, to more explicitly suggest what were stays and or more popularly known corsets have been recognised to have a bad reputation for not just some particularly misleading rumours that spread about the same for instance the idea of ruptured lungs or surgically removing one's ribs to fit in the corset for the ideal hourglass body figures when in actual practice, corsets existed to support the often heavy weighing ball gowns weighing over 5 pounds in the particular era for corsets were made using steel stays, those ideas also allowed for certain other rumours as for the existence of faint couches to only exist for women fainting out of wearing corsets that restricted breathing which in practice wasn’t the situation that arose, women wearing corsets to only normalise jeopardising their physical health is almost stark raving mad.

Feb 2021 | WOKAL |

The production of corsets was easily available in the Victorian era for the early phase of industrialization allowed mass production and for corsets do not exist solely as being made by hand. However dismissing such rumors doesn’t allow for ignorance of the plethora of ailments that were in actuality with tight corseting for the medical community did fairly condemn tight lacing as was also mentioned in ‘The Lancet’, one of the world's oldest medical journals that published several articles on tight lacing for the garment to some extent allows deformity in fashion when practiced for a longer period of time shows evidence for shrinking of the internal structure and accommodated constriction but for corsets in recent times seems to restrict tight lacing as outerwear it seems less hazardous for one’s internal functioning.

The corset could be considered as a necessary requisite measure for the Victorian women’s everyday lives and even more so when it was for growing girls being tightly laced for the ideals that it was symbolic of in inclusiveness looking merely physically attractive for the fashion norms that succumbed the Victorian era. Corsets date back to 400 years of rupturing lungs and restricting internal organ functioning and that is something which might seem far-fetched for if it were as oppressive as on paper and evidence it mustn’t have existed in consistent prominence forevermore.

BY JIGISHA SHARMA

Issue 06

Fifty Shades of Khakhi TW: ASSAULT, HOMOPHOBIA, POLICE BRUTALITY BY

ELIZABETH

We all think that the decriminalization of 377 ensures safety and protection for the members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but it is quite the contrary. Since the abrogation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (the 158-year-old colonial law which criminalized consensual gay sex) by the Supreme Court in 2018 acts of violence, extortion, and blackmail against the LGBTQI+ community had only increased. Most of these acts of violence, abuse, and harassment have been instigated by the police where you can clearly see misconduct power.

REJI

On October 6, 2018, a transgender woman filed a complaint against two police officials in Delhi’s Connaught Place police station and alleged that they had physically assaulted and raped her in 2012. In the complaint, she also stated that she was regularly harassed by police officials in Connaught Place, the Capital’s prime business and shopping hub.

This isn’t the first time the queer community had experienced intimidation from the Delhi police. Harassment is a common occurrence not only with the police but also with other authorized personnel. Back in May, a victim had shared with me a similar encounter that took place in a prominent neighborhood in South Delhi. He said when he was on his way to the grocery store, a group of policemen stopped their bikes and jeered at him, asking him whether he was a boy or a girl, and then proceeded to interrogate him on “How much he charged for the night“.

The Brutal Reality BY

ELIZABETH

REJI

Considering the numerous instances of the police abusing their authoritative power whether it’d be assaulting unarmed students or colluding with the ruling party, it appears that the motto of Delhi Police – Shanti, Seva, Nyaya (Peace, Service, and Justice) is a travesty of the ground reality.

The police and the queer community, in general, have always shared a tumultuous relationship ever since the conception of the queer movement. In India, after we began asserting ourselves and started demanding our own spaces, queer folks have been increasingly subjected to mob and police brutality.

When the system and society fail to even properly acknowledge the existence of its marginalized citizens and continually deny them their rights, it is difficult to deny that queer pacifism has become rather futile. It must be remembered that while the Delhi Police may wave rainbow flags at Pride, they have blood on their hands and contempt in their mouth.

Perhaps the community needs to re-evaluate where it stands and collectively decide if there is a need to take more radical steps to ensure that these rights are no longer dismissed and ensure that our existence is no longer threatened with violence. Queer liberation remains a distant dream for many of us, not because it is not possible but because the movement remains scattered and in many cases, passive.

FEBRUARY

2021

|

ISSUE

06

TRAVEL MISTAKES TO AVOID DURING THE PANDEMIC

By Vanshika Seth

WOKAL // FEB 2021 // ISSUE.6

WOKAL

Here’s how to Fly Safe by AIR: Please read state-wise regulations and restrictions for travel.

Travelers should undergo a COVID – 19 test, 72 hours prior to departure.

Passengers are required to wear face masks at all times, at the airport and on the flight. Additionally, the use of sanitizer and gloves is advised.

It is mandatory for travelers to download and activate the Aarogya Setu app on their phones to certify their health status.

Only passengers who have completed web check-in will be allowed to enter the airport. Please do carry an e-boarding pass on your mobile. Alternatively, you can carry the printout of the boarding pass.

Travellers should report to the airport at least 2 hours prior to the departure time. Boarding gates will close 20 minutes before departure.

Only passengers who have flights departing in the next 4 hours will be allowed to enter the terminal building.

Travellers are required to print and paste a pre-filled baggage tag (included in the booking) and affix it to the bags. Alternatively, they should mention the PNR number and name on paper and affix it on the bags.

Elderly, pregnant, and ailing individuals are advised to avoid air travel.

Additionally, individuals who have been tested COVID-19 positive or are staying in a containment zone should not travel.

By Vanshika Seth

Travel safe in Delhi Metro by following the below mentioned guidelines: Only one or two gates will be kept open for entry /exit of passengers at a station.

Passengers are advised to check the earmarked Gate number/location well in advance from the DMRC website.

After the thermal screening, only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to travel.

Wearing a face mask is mandatory for commuters.

The frequency of trains will be regulated to avoid overcrowding at the station.

Passengers are advised to keep the extra time of about 15 to 30 minutes for each travel.

Commuters are encouraged to install and use the Aarogya Setu mobile app.

Tokens will not be permitted for traveling to prevent transmission of the virus through frequent touching/handling. Only Smart Card holders (including QR code users on Airport Express Line) will be allowed to travel, which can be recharged digitally in a number of ways, easily avoiding human interface.

Sanitisation will happen every 4 hours in passenger movement areas such as passages, platforms, lifts, escalators, stairs, steel, and glasswork, etc. Metro compartments will be disinfected at the terminating station and at night after they reach the depots.

There will be no metro service in containment zones. Passengers have been advised to travel with minimum luggage and avoid carrying metallic items for a faster frisking at entry points.

Protocols followed by Hotels during the Pandemic THE LEELA PALACE

THE LEMON TREE

• ‘Reimagine, Redesign and Reset’. To assure guests as well as employee safety and hygiene.

• ‘Rest Assured’ depicts that they work toward the wellbeing and safety of their guests.

• All employees have to be wearing gloves and masks at all times. The housekeeping staff is to wear a PPE kit while cleaning guest rooms/common areas.

• No guest will be permitted to enter without thermal screening and wearing a face mask.

• Guests are advised to pre-book their stay package.

• All guests will have to undergo a thermal screening and will have to wear face masks before entering the hotel.

•Sanitisation and maintaining distancing in common areas is monitored.

•Keyless” Check-in and Check-out. Only need a smartphone and an application, which ensures the safety of one and all.

QR code menus are available for guests, minimizing paper touch/contact.

• The public area has been re-designed in order to maintain social distancing. All Check-ins are contactless, at Check-outs, use of cash is not encouraged, one can pay through debit/credit cards or do online payment.

• Rooms are deep cleaned and sealed after each checkout for a minimum of 48 hours for proper disinfection of the room.

• Digital menus are created for ease of viewing and ordering, one can also place an order through the app of the in-house restaurant of the hotel.

-BY VANSHIKA SETH

INTERVIEW FEATURE

The Visual Dictionary

BY AABIYAH ZEHRA AND ALINA AHMED

What is THE VISUAL DICTIONARY? The Visual Dictionary is a project started by Rahil and Haya as a creative outlet and a means to help people enhance their photographic memory with their inventiveness and skills. In this conversation with Aabiyah Zehra and Alina Ahmed, they talk about their experience and goals...

ISSUE 06 | WOKAL MAG

Q1. Tell us about The Visual Dictionary and its members, purpose, and goals.

The Visual Dictionary is an idea in itself.

Its core essence is to transpose you into a world of its own with every visual and leave you with a prompt word (on the visual)that gets you to imagine and relate to it.

Talking about members, we are a twomember team; Haya and I [ Rahil ].

Haya mainly handles the ‘dictionary’ side of things under ‘The Visual Dictionary’.This basically means deciding which word is apt-excitingthought provoking-not obvious ‘word’ for a visual; Trust me, this gets really tricky. Along with this she also manages the social engagement pieces on Instagram so as to ensure the dialogue with the community is a two-way affair.

Rahil [Me] on the other side handles the ‘visual’ side of things under ‘ The Visual Dictionary’. I click visuals and shoot videos for the content primarily, followed by editing it. On the other hand, I also handle the Brand Collaboration /Integration vertical. I am currently working on building the community ecosystem for the Visual dictionary which is basically the core to the entire concept.

Purpose: Help people build their vocabulary with the help of just greatlooking visuals.

Goal: Cover the English dictionary; have every word there is – in ‘The Visual Dictionary’.

Q2. What made you start this journey? What message does The Visual Dictionary deliver to us?purpose, and goals.

One fine day during my MBA from Symbiosis (SIMC) – the Lavale Campus, I had this random thought, “ What do images/pictures mean to a certain person?”This very question, got me thinking. So just to set the context, The Lavale Campus is one of the finest PG College Campus in India. Lush green, sitting on a small hill overlooking the city on the outskirts of Pune.

Scenic is an understatement. This place put me in love with photography, observing and connecting with the world around me. Finding an answer to the question was something I kind of deep-dived into. Questioned people and understood that every image that one sees brings about these: A Feeling/Emotion b. A Thought. A Memory in different forms.

Wherein all of these could be combined/summarised and presented as a word that conveys the essence in totality. And when the same visual was shown to different people – everyone resonated with it differently, in their own way and the words that came out were different for different people.

This was something exciting because there was a connection between visuals and words. And as the old saying goes, “Every picture is worth a thousand words”.We thought of bringing alive words and their meanings visually to create a one of its kind dictionary in the world, ‘The Visual Dictionary’.And in the bargain; learn exciting new words and amp up your language game because associating a visual with a word is the best way to recall.

Photographic memory is what we wanted to latch on here.

PAGE 5 | EPICURE

Talking about the message that TVD delivers is; “Don’t restrict your imagination. Observe, observe and imbibe. There is a lot more to anything and everything you see.”Listen to every visual out there. It is talking to you in ways you cannot count. Live the moment and breathe in everything the universe has to offer, visually.

Q3. What goes into creating a niche for your brand in the vast ocean of Social Media?

I believe it is very important to create your niche.

Be unique in ways that nobody else could and that basically boils down to having leverage.

Finding the leverage for one’s own property/brand is key and crucial in today’s day and age where duplicating content/style/format cannot be restricted/curbed. And for us, it was the concept of building the English dictionary one visual at a time and calling it ‘The Visual Dictionary’. The name is our leverage. In the last year, every single day we had new fresh accounts made with close-enough names and copying our feed/bio/visual style/edit style and possibly everything that we have put out there. We take this positively. We know that people can create multiple off-shoots but there would be only one‘The Visual Dictionary’.When you are trying to create a niche with the content on Instagram; The content needs to be: 1. Great looking 2. It should add value to the user for them to stick around 3. Should have its own unique taste/style.

For ‘The Visual Dictionary’, 1. Good imagery + Interesting Text Placement = Consistency 2. Our audience is learning a new word and its meaning every single day 3. Our Feed; Every visual has a constant ratio and format that sets it apart from other photography accounts.

Q4. What is the last thing you learned?

The most recent thing that I have learned is that it is really not that difficult to manage time, you just need to channelize and organize accordingly. Basically, you need to learn to compartmentalize your thoughts which is, of course, easier said than done but once you start doing that your productivity is maximized and you get more work done. This has taken the time and definitely has not come in easy. I badly needed to kind of bring in this skill because I manage at least 2 other projects besides this so in my case there was literally no other option. Smiles.

Q5. When do you feel the most creative? Tell us about your creative escape I wish I had a specific answer to this but trust me on this – I literally have no specific time /day / pattern / method to let the creative juices flowing. For me, it has always been an ongoing process.

Be it day or night; Chaos or Peace; The churn is non stop; And for a change, this is a happy churn! Now that I think of the ‘Creative Escape’ bit, I can confidently say that every single time I am happy, i.e., at my real/normal best/ I get creative/think creative.

So I would rather say – Happiness or ‘a happy me’ is my creative escape! And that happiness could be triggered by various reasons; something as simple as a ‘Happy Meal’.

FEBRUARY

2021

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06

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MAG

Q6. Do you have any greater goals in mind for The Visual Dictionary?

A big yaaas!

The Visual Dictionary will soon be diving into various channels of taking its content ahead.

The three very important directions are: 1. Merchandising | www.thevisualdictionary.in- We plan to release interesting visuals in the form of various products that will flow with the feeling you want to flaunt. Products like T-Shirts; Coffee Mugs, Framed Visuals, and Tote Bags to start with. The website will be live soon.

2. Online Visual Repository Platform for Artists - We plan to build 3. Content Collaborations- Bringing out more variations and formats by collaborating with artists/performers from the community we are building to release some stellar results; poetry is one such sub-vertical; In the past, we have collaborated with @Kommune ; Similarly, the drive for the year 2021 would be more of such interactions.

Q7. Are there other projects that you have been working on?

I am a digital marketer and an ad person; So I mainly create digital strategies and ad campaigns for brands. Apart from this; I love doodling in general.So, I customize as well as sell a bunch of products under these brand names.These are the two other projects that I am building; 1. DoodlebawaInsta: @doodlebawaWebsite: www.doodlebawa.in 2. The Wedding DoodlerInsta: @theweddingdoodler

PAGE 5 | EPICURE

Q8. What is the biggest creative challenge you’ve come across?

Being in the advertising/ creative world; mainly as a creative thinker, I believe diving into your audience and finding that consumer insight is a very important and challenging part. Diving into the consumer's psyche/everyday life/buying patterns and so much more – It is a world in itself. Over the years, cracking various brand briefs, building campaigns, solving marketing problems – this is one challenge that I am super comfortable with and love taking it head-on every single time.

Rahil and Haya, Founders of The Visual Dictionary

AN INTERVIEW FEATURE

A White Rose For The RAINBOW

In conversation with the founding president and current president of The White Rose Club, a college safe-space for queer youth.

BY KASHISH CHOPRA AND ELIZABETH REJI FEB 2021 | ISSUE 06

PHOTO COURTESY: WHI TE ROSE CLUB

“When I joined the club, one of the first things that Riya told everybody in the club was that the movement is not just about ‘love is love’. There's so much more to it,” says Nandini, Current President of the White Rose Club, one of the first college societies, a safe space for queer and LGBTQIA+ persons, to get involved.

Elizabeth Reji and Kashish Chopra in conversation with Riya, Founder President, and Nandini, Current President of The White Rose Club.

WOKAL MAG

FEBRUARY 2021

INTERVIEW

By Kashish Chopra and Elizabeth Reji

Q. Tell us a little about The White Rose club.

A.

Riya- White Rose Club is Gargi College's queer collective. I founded the club in 2017 after realizing that our college lacked discourse around the LGBTQI+ community. Initially, we began as a safe space where we would hold academic discussions about the queer experience, LGBTQI+ policies in India, political rights, social issues, and so forth. We arranged many pride parades, ‘Anokhi Charchas' (Hindi for queer chats) which is a concept where students gather in a given location and discuss various pre-decided topics for an hour. So, initiatives like these snowballed into us becoming a full-blown club.

Every Gargi student, queer or otherwise, is a member of us, all our events are accessible to everyone. We just have the core members to actively work for organizing events and managing the social media presence. So today, we have evolved into not just a safe space but also a collective that actively produces a lot of research content such as short documentaries on mental health awareness particularly for queer people, exploring the socio-economic aspects for the third gender in India, and so forth.

Take a peek into the finer nuances, experiences and workings of the club

“After the section 377 amendment, we were able to be quite open about it being a queer thing.”

WOKAL MAGAZINE

Q.

As a queer collective, especially at the college level, what all challenges have you faced? How has the journey been like for you?

A.

Riya -It was a bit tough. I'm not gonna lie. I'll tell you an anecdote from when I initially started it out as this small group where everybody's welcome and no one needs to sign up. But when I wanted to make it a little more official, so that it would withstand even when I left the college, I approached a teacher in our college and I said, I want to start this club, and I want you to be the supervisor and they said, I can offer you support from the sidelines, but can’t be involved in this. So there have been a few challenges. We had these waves of going around the system, and we had to use terms like ‘equality’, ‘justice’,’ liberty’, etc. instead of ‘queer’ or LGBTQIA+ if we had to get official permission.

Nandini- Even the entire 2019 we had our events under other societies' or departments’ names or in collaboration with them, even the Pride Parade.

We’ve even had our events get canceled at the last minute because we were not a ‘recognized’ society.

Riya- There were so many back channels and networks that we had to go through to acquire something that otherwise you would be able to acquire in a snap. But I think that also shows you that if some people are against you, but you have a lot of decent people who have your back, you will inevitably get things done. I had so many wonderful people from within and from outside the community who understood what this was about. And they would just help me out whenever I needed them to.

Q.

What measures and initiatives do you take as a queer collective to increase awareness about the LGBTQIA+ community?

White Rose has always just believed in the A. Nandiniidea that you have to educate your immediate spaces. So that's what we did. We were given a notice board beside the union board and we would display our information that we would have a very informal discussion in Botanical Garden, or the ArtsQuad, and the word just went from mouth to mouth. Apart from that, we also had a pretty good Instagram presence then and since it was the first collective, I'm sure more or less all of the queer students got to know pretty soon. We would set up stalls on various college fairs and we would display like, we had made an LGBT spectrum thing where we had written about almost all of the gender and sexual identities and orientations. In the first year, we also conducted the Pride Parade, and it does spread awareness. There was also a celebration of Bisexuality Day and Pansexual Visibility Day. But to keep it low key, we'd just hand out ‘stick your hand out badges’. Everything counted.

There was this happy atmosphere where so many people used to always want to come.

And I think particularly because we used to draw bright lines on people's faces. People just show up with poster colors, and they're just painting strangers' faces, and running around saying, “oh, I don't have purple”, and “I don't have a red”, you know, so it's like this spirit of collaboration.

ISSUE 06

WOKAL MAG

Q. Can you shed some light on the

Q. How did you manage to raise funds for everything?

we didn't have any funds. For the first A. Riya-Initially, year, mostly it was going out of my pocket. However, it wasn't that much because the best thing about the internet is that it's free. So you can do most of the advertising and content circulation online through social media. When we had to acquire materials for events, a lot of my friends pitched in and helped.

Gradually, we became a little bigger than that, and I knew that I couldn't personally do that expense, so we began selling postcards, zines, and bookmarks.

For instance, I remember when we celebrated the amendment of section 377, we made a lot of postcards and sold them. We got a decent amount from that. I think we donated what was left of it to the NAZ organization because they were the ones who started the petition for the amendment. Also I want to give a big shout out to our former student union president, Neer. They were an angel. They helped me arrange events and provided us with mics, speakers, room permissions and so on. A memory that stands out is when one day they handed me a small brown envelope and said, ‘I managed to crunch some numbers and got two thousand for White Rose Club’.

Our club was only built up to what it is today because of such incredible acts of kindness and support from people across Gargi.

A.

Nandini- Then we did organize Pride Parades and then a couple of events. Whatever money we spent was from that 2000 or our pockets. There was also some club or organization in my first year, which dissolved in my second year. So the club's president came up to me and said, “Oh, you know, we have this much budget left and we're thinking of giving it to you and a couple of other societies.” That was very helpful. And then eventually, we just made our posters and sold that and little bookmarks or postcards and all of that. But now we have been promised that we will get funds when the college reopens.

INTERVIEW

IGTV series on your Instagram on the Kinnar economy and mental health?

Riya - Our Kinnar Economy series is a short docuseries that White Rose Club shot, scripted, edited, and produced in the summer of 2019. The threepart series discusses the economic challenges that India’s indigenous third gender faces because of their gender identity. We discuss how they earn, if they have savings, break down how they spend their money, the impact of demonetization on them, and so forth. You can watch it for free on our Instagram. The idea for the series came up during a brainstorming session when we were wondering what we could do over the summer vacation. Although we were excited about the project from the beginning, we realized how serious it was the day we went out to shoot the video. It was such a memorable day, in the best and the worst way (Avni, then vice president fainted from the heat exhaustion but was a trooper about it). When we sat down with the Kinnars who were willing to give us their interview, even that 30-45 minute conversation with them was so profoundly eye-opening. Our main aim was to show that the queer movement is not just about marketing it or ‘love is love’ and those clichés. We also have this indigenous Indian community that is not represented in western vernacular. Specifically, if you're a queer person in India, most of your understanding of queer culture is based in the first world. We wanted to decolonize our heritage and the centuries of history that we already have along with the queer community and recognize the real-life challenges that the Indian queer community faces.

Q. How did the entire process of getting The White Rose Club officially recognised start?

A.

Riya- The administration and White Rose Club had been on opposite ends for so long. During my time, the Principal asked me to send a proposal for the club to be a formalized. I wrote her a comprehensive 13-14 page document but nothing happened. It was sheer serendipity that one day the Principal came across our Kinnar Economy IGTV. I think her walls came down after that, and also because she saw the video in her own sweet time which is not confrontational maybe because watched the. After that, she reached out to our teacher convenor and said, ‘okay we can officially include them’ under the Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.

Nandini- Then the teacher convenor just called up the President and said, “this is going to get official in a couple of days, this is it.” and we just felt very happy thinking about the number of things that we can do now, the number of events and discussions that we can have now without any hassle that will help so many queer students and help us create a safe space for them.

INTERVIEW

What I noticed during my time in White Rose was that the pride parade played a huge role in spreading awareness.

Q. What does the future look like for

Riya- There are people out there who are rooting for you, even if you may not even know them. I keep saying initiatives like White Rose Club would not exist without incredible people and their continued support. I understand it gets tough, but remember there are people like Nandini and my fellow White Rose Club members who are dedicating their entire college lives making sure that it is not so. I hope that people know that there are so many strangers who support and understand them, they’re out there and it's only a matter of finding them.

The White Rose club?

A.

We're trying to work on a documentary regarding how the pandemic has affected trans persons. We also do have a few Instagram posts in mind and we might also do life about how same-sex marriage is not as progressive as it looks. We just hope things open up so we can do actual work and continue to create a safe space for every student at the campus.

Q. Do you want to send out any message to the people of the community?

A.

Nandini-The movement hasn't ended with 377.

There's a long, long way to go. But yeah, take a break, celebrate yourself, believe in yourself, and remember that your identity is valid. But also keep fighting in your capacities. Keep unlearning your phobias, because even discovering yourself is a very lonely and tough process. Because of the internalized homophobia that we've grown up with, figuring ourselves out is also a tough process. So if you've done that today, or if you're going through that, you have White Roses’ support.

But it doesn't end. That's an end. There's a long, long way to go, and just do your best in it if you can. The positive thing is, spaces are growing. At least the college spaces. Strictly speaking of the college spaces, you have people to go to, you have spaces you can approach. And if you don't, feel free to contact us. We're here to listen to you and help you out in our capacities. If you have the privilege if you have the mental capacity to have conversations, talk to your friends, talk to your family, educate them, present them with facts and let them know this is where you might be going wrong. You have to educate your younger generations. I know for a fact we all are friends with people or have been friends with people who are all homophobic and we have to make that effort of calling our friends out.

Q.

In your experience, what do you think are the biggest challenges that the queer community faces?

A.

Nandini-What we need to understand is that the community is very diverse. It's not just gays and lesbians. There's not just one biggest challenge, but there's like intersectionality of challenges.

Like, if a lower caste person is also a trans person, they have to face transphobia but also classism. I can go on and on, there are so many challenges. I'll just point out what is current. So many people are supporting same-sex marriage, which I agree is important, but you're also ignoring so many important issues, like the trans-act which still exists. You're doing nothing about it. There have been so many protests, but so many, upper caste and cis-gendered queer persons have forgotten about it. We have to give trans persons that recognition because the entire discourse of the queer movement in India was started by the Kinnar community. And yeah, same-sex marriage happens but, marriage as an institution just reproduces caste, and is again, heteronormative.

Also, there's no protection for the community. I remember, I had interviewed Vikram Aditya when they came for the fest and I had asked them, “Do you think we need more awareness?” and they said, “what would more awareness even lead to?

The oppressors are already aware, but they're just ignorant towards that because they're benefiting from their privilege”. They said that awareness would lead to more visible ideation and it would invite more hate crime against us, which is happening now.

Blessing New Beginnings with Food

By Kashish Grover

KASHISH GROVER ON HOW SHE STARTED HER FOOD PAGE BLISS WHISQ

INSIDE How humans connect all occasions with food.

Feb 2021 • Issue 06 • Wokal Mag

SERVE UP A GOOD FEAST We as humans love to celebrate, especially with food, be it festivals, birthdays, weddings, family gatherings, or even the smallest of all achievements.

Foods, especially sweets, are a part and parcel of any occasion, how can we even think of celebrating Diwali without all the mithai, or Holi without Gujjia, or Christmas without fruit cake and gingerbread, it just becomes another reason for all of us to eagerly wait for the festivals to come. Family delicacies are transferred from one generation to the other and become a childhood memory for most of us. Each dish has so many connections with our childhood memories, mine including my mother feeding me ‘Dahi Cheeni' before exams in school, my grandmother making my all-time favourite kachoris and kheer on my birthday and other small occasions, all of us sitting as a family enjoying ‘Rajma Chawal’ on almost every Sunday and filling our stomachs to their maximum capacities whenever we visited my nani’s place.

FOOD IS A LANGUAGE OF LOVE! Indians in general are foodies, food is not just a means of filling our stomachs but a hobby to us, it lightens our mood, many of us decide our next meal before having the first one, for a person like me it's a way of expression.

Every place has a specialty, it's Pao Bhaji in Mumbai, Dal Batti in Rajasthan, Gol Gappe in Delhi, Jhalmuri in Kolkata, we consume the same kind of food with endless flavours and different ways of preparation in every other part of our country, and that's the beauty of it.

Talking about new beginnings, 2020 passed by with most of us sitting at home, on one side the importance of immunity boosting Kadhas, medicinal plants and healthy eating increased on the other side most of us became chefs and tried making and eating something new every other day, cheers to not always ordering in! I myself had baking and cooking as a huge hobby but the lockdown gave it new colours, I made something or the other every other day including cupcakes, donuts to pasta and tacos, most of it being made by me for the first time.

MY FOOD JOURNEY KASHISH'S JOURNEY WITH BLISS WHISQ After seeing my passion for food reviving and being requested by several friends of mine, I started my own food/baking page by the name of The Bliss Whisq, and the fact that it received so much love in such a small span of time is overwhelming. Being a person who just gave her 12th standard boards, food basically became a means to release my stress from studies and competitive exams. Taking this passion of mine ahead I even got my own baking studio built up in an abandoned room in our house, adding the much-needed spice to all the food photography I do.

Being a self-taught baker, I learned most of the things from books, articles, and Youtube and I myself wish to expand my horizons to food vlogging. My page is not just about the photographs of the food I make but also includes the recipes and it makes me so happy when people message me about using the same, it just feels like a little achievement.

ABOUT BLISS WHISQ I have always believed that nothing brings people together as good food does and we as cooking enthusiasts add soul to the food! We have stepped into 2021 realizing the importance of clean and healthy eating. Although this transition has come a little late, I find it very positive and have started making food that is appealing to the eyes and tongue, yet healthy. I believe if our stomach is clean, our brain automatically refreshes and we become more energetic. A very very happy New Year, don't forget to have your Pinnis and a hot cup of tea!

FEATURING AASHNA SHAH

HER JOURNEY @CHAIAURALFAAZ

AESTHETIC FEED AND A STRONG MESSAGE

CARAVAN Stories to Share!

ALL ABOUT

Aashna Shah I have always been a curious kid. Deep down I always felt that I have a very unconventional thought process. I always felt that I am someone who believes in real love, who believes in making efforts, someone who makes handmade gifts for their loved ones, who loves slow songs, who prioritizes family over anything else, basically old school! I used to question traditions & systems but never really got answers. During college, I was surrounded by varied sets of people, some of them had writing pages on Instagram and it was just stuck in my mind. There was a spark beneath my soul that if these people can write, why can’t I? That was the starting point of my writing journey! I have always believed that “jo tumhara hai wo tumhe dhoondte huye zaroor aayega.” (“What is yours will find its way to you.”)

Finally one day, I made my writing page - @chaiauralfaaz! When I started pouring my feelings out on a piece of paper it was nothing but solitude. It was the feeling of liberation. You can vent out your anger, sadness, love, and jealousy, practically everything. I always used to find comfort in silence because it shows how much strength & resilience you have. Writing showed me the importance of how even fifteen words of a Shayari creates a huge impact on a person’s life.

Writing showed me the importance of how even fifteen words of a Shayari creates a huge impact on a person’s life. I have become the co-author of three-four anthologies till now. Some of them are published on various Insta pages. I’m a self-taught artist. When I started watching & reading poems and short stories, it made me realize how each emotion suddenly becomes so beautiful when it is being recited through a piece of art. I started going deeper into the field of art & creativity.

ISSUE 06/ FEBRUARY 2021

ISSUE 06

WOKAL MAG

CHAI AUR ALFAAZ

The Perfect Aesthetic Feed

Writeups, art products & photographs are perennial. You can go back to them, adore them, and recollect memories associated with them anytime you want!

Chai, referring to tea; ‘aur’, which means ‘and’; and ‘alfaaz’, Urdu for ‘words’.

Some things are timeless, if you have an interesting topic to talk about & express feelings to your loved ones, nothing’s better than

meeting over chai to create an impact on each other's lives! It’s been a classic combination for ages. It's not possible to freeze time, but an artist can do that through their art!I am a chai lover & a writer and so it only makes sense. :)

ISSUE 06 CARAVAN: STORIES TO SHARE

One can find exotic free verse poems on hope, love, life, etc. Writing with prompts on various movie/series characters.

Poetry videos on expressing, flow of time, social issues, etc. One can find charming & innovative artworks like intricate mandala art & floral frames, pretty meaningful artboards, purposeful celebration cards & bookmarks, etc.

Someone who loves to see the world with the tinge of contrast, someone who likes to read something very distinct yet relatable & someone who loves to buy personalized gifts will definitely adore the writeups & artwork posted on my page. In the near future, you will also find moral videos under KahaniyanStory of our lives.

OLD SCHOOL

Romance The motive was to make an impact through my creativity & to connect with people who are old school like me or someone who wants a different perception towards the system that they never get. I wanted to provide answers I so diligently looked for to questions no one else could answer. I think that creative imagination has the power to change the world. Writing also gives me the freedom to ask those questions and then it's up to the audience what they think about the given situation.

"I want the following generations to get inspired by my writing. I want them to believe in the magic of love, happiness & optimism."

I want them to feel things deeply. I want them to look beyond materialism & chaos.

I want them to understand that it's okay to cry, it's okay to fall, it is okay to grieve, it’s okay to feel okay - but don’t ever lose hope. I want them to have a life that should have love, trust, hope, empathy & truth as its pillars.

Because somewhere along the line of achieving status, money, comparison we all have forgotten the basis of our lives! I want them to ask questions, understand the significance of small things & to create impact further.

Clicked!

I few captures by Aashna Shah that reflect her soul.

WOKAL MAG | FEATURES

ISSUE 06

WOKAL MAG

SECRET TIPS TO

An Optimistic life Let’s fill this world with empathy, happiness, love & seize the time through art, my friend!

This year I have launched Kahaniyan - Story of our lives. Wherein, I will include short stories & connect them with various human emotions. I will find patterns & join dots. I will also interview some people which will have specified topics and put out videos on my page.

The primary of Kahaniyan is to create impact, make people more empathetic & to provide a story to the feelings which are left unsaid. We have grown up seeing things either in black or white. But we forget that there’s always a grey area. Thus, this initiative will make people understand the importance of staying in the middle.

I have recently started selling my artwork under the chaiauralfaaz brand. The artwork includes mandala frames, creative artboards, bookmarks, customized journals, personalized cards, & floral frames. hese personalized gifts are the requirements of today & the future as well. I want people to express their deepest feelings to their dear ones through these gifts.

Through this, people can cherish their memories forever! Apart from being a writer, I am also an amateur photographer. I believe that every art form has its own story beneath it. It’s like a flower. There are many layers to it and it's the artist's responsibility to unleash those layers one by one and put them in front of society. Shortly I’m also going to try out something which will be a combination of photographs & writeups.

We are all learners. Learning is a lifelong thing. As a way forward, I want chaiauralfaaz to be that brand that will inspire people, make an impact in society & make a difference in the long run through art! I want chaiauralfaaz to be the brand that will inspire the youth to be compassionate & let them believe in the aesthetics of life.

Tips to Build your own make-up kit

BY HITASHI

Learn how to make your own make-up kit

Most essential vanity products

Feb 2021 / Issue 06 / WOKAL MAG

The Latest beauty brands!

WOKAL MAG

If you’re planning to start with your makeup journey this year and finally have a makeup kit of your own to start with or maybe you just want to add some more products to your kit, here’s a small list of brands and products you MUST try out! Our in-house makeup artist, Hitashi, has got all your needs covered, find below alternatives for brands that are not cruelty-free or are not very budget-friendly.

Base Makeup Starting up with base makeup for beginners which includes good quality foundation, concealers, primers, strobe creams and setting powders the first brand that comes to mind is Maybelline New York.

It’s easily available in India online and offline with a reasonable price range. One of the most popular ranges from Maybelline is their Fit Me range which includes foundation, concealer and setting powders.

Maybelline never compromises with their shade range and I’m sure you’ll find your match too.

FIT ME MATTE FITME LOOSE FINISHING POWDER

+

PORE LESS LIQUID

FOUNDATION

₹549 ₹695 SUPER STAY 24H FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION

Alternative: As Maybelline is not a cruelty-free brand, LA Girl is an alternative for it especially known for its famous LA Girl Pro Conceal Concealers.

₹75

Blush, Bronzers, Highlighters Wet ‘n’ wild is really famous for its blushes and highlighters and is a super affordable brand if you’re on a budget without compromising on the quality of the product. Wet ‘n’ Wild is a proud cruelty-free brand which means none of its products are tested on our furry friends. From ombré blushes to highlighting bars Wet ‘n’ Wild has it all.

WET N WILD COLOR ICON OMBRÉ BLUSH: ₹499

WET N WILD MEGAGLO HIGHLIGHTING POWDER: ₹59

WET N WILD MEGAGLO HIGHLIGHTING POWDER: ₹59

Eye Products Kay Beauty is a very fresh brand started just 2 years ago in 2019 by our favorite Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif. This brand is growing at an amazing pace with new products launching every few months, it also came up with a new concept of Eyeshadow crayons perfect for beginners and to achieve a last-minute look. It’s not too expensive for the quality they are providing and all its products have very practical packaging as well. They have all the eye products you’ll need for an everyday look- mascara, colorful eyeliners, kohls, and eyebrow pencils as well.

KAY BEAUTY EYESHADOW STICK: ₹599

KAY BEAUTY LIQUID EYELINER: ₹499

KAY BEAUTY SMOKEY KAJAL: ₹599

B E A U T Y

Eyeshadow Palettes Huda beauty is famous worldwide for its highly pigmented and good quality eyeshadow palettes. Apart from the good quality they also have a wide range of palettes to choose from like the mini obsession’s palette to the big eyeshadow palettes. Huda Beauty is not a very affordable brand but you’ll never regret investing in their Eyeshadow palettes because you always get what you pay for. The brand is especially known for its foiled Eyeshadows that work like butter and are breathtakingly beautiful!

Huda Beauty The New Nude Eyeshadow palette: ₹5375

Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette (Remastered): ₹5375

Alternatives: As mentioned before, Huda Beauty is a pretty high-end brand and quite heavy on the pocket so there are two alternatives for it i.e., NYX and Makeup Revolution for eyeshadow palettes.

Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Mini Eyeshadow Palette (Medium): ₹2400

False Lashes Ever since PAC Cosmetics entered the Indian market it changed everyone’s lash game with a huge variety of good quality and affordable lashes to choose from. It’s known and loved by a lot of beauty bloggers and makeup artists. PAC lashes are even my personal favorite. PAC Cosmetics Mink and Tapered lashes go well with whatever look you’re planning to do, so PAC Lashes are a must-have in your makeup kit!

PAC Eye Lashes (Flare1): ₹250

PAC Mink Lash (M72): ₹375

PAC Tapered Lash (84): ₹245

Lipsticks SUGAR Cosmetics is an Indian makeup brand and is super affordable with good quality products. They’re especially known for their Lipsticks, from bullet lipsticks to lip glosses. According to my, SUGAR is the best brand available in India when it comes to the formulation and pigmentation of their lipsticks, not only are they of good quality but are also sold at a reasonable price.

SUGAR Mettle Liquid Lipstick: ₹1119

SUGAR Matte Attack Transferproof Lipstick: ₹699

SUGAR Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick: ₹499

The brands and products mentioned in the list above are easily available on Nykaa.com or the Nykaa app. To buy these products at a discounted rate, consider shopping when a sale is live on Nykaa which happens from time to time.

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Sweet Desserts if not a Sweetheart •

IKSHITA

BHATIA

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'V' FOR VALENTINE'S, 'V' FOR VANILLA Special

recipes

comfort

you

to

PERFECTING THE IDEAL

Vanilla

If you don’t have a date this Valentine’s Day, chances are that you may miss the spice, but we will not let you miss the SUGAR RUSH. Sweet heavens, our in-house food enthusiast, Ikshita Bhatia, has curated two special desserts to push your FOMO away. You might be blue waiting for things (pun intended), but these antivalentine sweets will instantly

By Ikshita Bhatia

lift your spirits.

NOMADIC

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24

Black Velvet Mug Cake INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons milk ½ teaspoon vinegar 4 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 tablespoons castor sugar 1 teaspoon black cocoa powder ¼ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 tbsp food safe charcoal powder(optional) 1 tablespoon heart sprinkles(optional) 1 ½ tbsp vegetable oil (grapeseed,avocado,refined) A dollop of whipped cream

By Ikshita Bhatia

HOW TO MAKE IT

1. In a large mug whisk together your milk with white vinegar and charcoal powder and set it aside.

2. In a relatively smaller mug mix together all your dry ingredients.( salt,baking powder,all-purpose flour,cocoa powder).

3.Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients alternating with oil and dry ingredients.

4.Stop mixing when the mixture becomes homogeneous. Place the mug in the microwave for 45 seconds or up until you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean.

5. Garnish the mug cake with heart sprinkles and whipped cream. Indulge into the rich black velvet to rid yourself of the gloomy day!

NOMADIC

|

24

All you need is love. but a little Vanilla here and then doesn't hurt.Â

C H A R L E S

M .

S C H U L Z

Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee INGREDIENTS ½ cup heavy/ half and a half or fresh cream 1 vanilla bean pod, split in half or 1tsp vanilla extract A pinch of salt 1 ½ tbsp granulated sugar + another tbsp for the Brulee 1 large egg yolk Kitchen torch

By Ikshita Bhatia

HOW TO MAKE IT

1.Place the vanilla bean, salt, and cream in a saucepan and bring to a simmer and let it steep in the pan for 10 minutes.

2.Preheat the oven to 160C. In a bowl whisk together egg yolks and sugar until they are pale in color.

3. Remove the pod from the pan and slowly pour the cream into the egg mixture and whisk continuously making sure that the mixture does not curdle.

4.Once completely mixed, pour the mixture into ramekins placed in an oven-safe dish filled with hot water reaching the ramekin to žth its height.

5. Bake the crème Brulee for 30-40 minutes. Let the custard cool for 1 hour.

6.Serve it as it is or sprinkles the remaining sugar and place the ramekin in the oven for a minute until the toffee sets or burn the sugar creating the toffee disk using a kitchen torch.

FOOD SECTION

Who Owns Naruto's Selfie?

AN UNUSUAL COPYRIGHT DISPUTE STORY

How the 'Selfie Monkey' went viral!

By Itu Dutta

In the jungles of the northeastern Indonesian island of Sulawesi lives a critically endangered population of Celebes crested macaque. Not long ago, one from the group shot to fame as the ‘selfie monkey’.

What followed after has been one of the most disputed copyright claims.

In the July of 2011, British photographer David Slater’s photographs of what appeared to be a selfie taken by a macaque-who the locals call Naruto- garnered the world’s interest. These photographs were initially licensed by Slater to a news agency for publication in British media.

Slater has hence gone out to say that he and a guide followed this group of monkeys, slowly gaining their trust and setting up his camera on a tripod with a wide-angle lens and remote shutter trigger. What followed was as described

by Slater, him fending off other primates and holding onto the tripod while other curious monkeys came forward, tinkered with the camera, and created the first selfie taken by a non-human entity.

The debate came into being when a Wikipedia Commons editor uploaded these photographs under the public domain as these photographs weren’t taken by a human being and hence were not copyright protected. Techdirt while reporting on this incident used the pictures as well with a public domain license.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) in a separate case championed for Naruto to be declared as the copyright owner.

As of now, it is reported that settlement has been reached between PETA and Slater.

The terms of which are mostly unknown but it includes a commitment from Slater to pay 25 percent of all future royalty revenue to the monkey sanctuary where Naruto lives. So, who do you think the photograph belongs to?

An Interesting Insight into the PET WORLD

Tea With

god a morf erac-tep no secivdA

Sib.

.tsigolohcsP teP ,yksuH biS .rD morf segatoof evisulcxE

.uoy morf tnaw step ruoy tahw ,su htiw no daeR

Dakshita Mitra

Words From a PetParent!

DR. SIB HUSKY IS A PET PSYCHOLOGIST WHO VERY KINDLY SHARES HIS EXPERIENCES WITH US IN ORDER TO MAKE PARENTS MORE INFORMED ABOUT THEIR PETS -Dakshita Mitra

Today on Tea with Sib, we have a special guest *drum roll* JUNIOR. Yes, for the first time ever, we have a guest here who is not an animal, but a human being. Over the years, he has been friends with a lot of dogs, so he is here to help us with a few common problems a lot of people with dogs might be dealing with.

ISSUE 06 FEB 2021

Let's start with the questions?!

01

How do you prevent and treat ticks?

Keep your lawn, bushes, and trees trimmed back and examine your dog each time you return from a walk, especially between the toes and around the face and ears. If you find a tick, remove it carefully with a tick removal instrument. Several common treatments for ticks would include applying solutions such as sprays, powders or shampoos over the infected area and others like dip, tick collar, and/or oral medications as recommended by your vet. Make sure to check what suits your pet the best and also the several side effects.

Consult a vet if you see ticks in the ear canal, redness or swelling around the tick bite, or any change in your dog’s behavior. Remember to clean their bedding area regularly.

02

How should one protect their dogs from street dogs while walking them?

Observe the stray dogs and the areas they are territorial about and slowly try to make them realize that you and your dog are of no danger to them. One good way of doing this is to feed them so that they become familiar with your presence in that area. Carry a strong stick or a water bottle spray, only to scare them away, DON’T TRY TO HIT OR HURT THEM IN ANY WAY. Avoid taking dangerous paths that have aggressive dogs and if you see them coming towards you, change your path and maintain your distance.

Usually, they chase those who are fearful no matter what you carry along. So, in such cases, you need to stay calm and stand your ground and also train your dog to do so. page | 04

03

How to stop puppy biting?

This is a very common issue in dogs during their teething phase. To avoid it, try to tell them they hurt you by making an “OW� sound after they bite you. At times, punishing your dog might encourage them further as it tells them that through biting, they get some kind of response from you. Instead, turn or walk away from them quietly or gently put them into their crate for a few minutes to calm down. If they do back off, reward them with a dog treat or some physical affection. Or else, always keep a chew toy around, so as to substitute it for your hand. But if this issue still persists, consult a vet or dog trainer. NEVER physically punish your pet.

04

How to housetrain your puppy?

Fix a feeding schedule for your puppy, this will 02 make sure that they eliminate at consistent times as well. Pick a specific spot, preferably somewhere outside in the open, and take them there after a break of 30 minutes to 1 hour (especially after napping, eating, or playing) and try to make them eliminate it. You can use a specific word or phrase to guide them as well. Remember to reward and praise your puppy every time they follow this schedule so as to teach what's expected of them.

Be patient with your pup, it takes at least a few months for them to be house trained, and remember that punishments will only make this process more difficult and take longer.

page | 04

GEARVIEW: A Look At Different Camera Lenses WOKAL // ISSUE.6 // FEB 2021

Aabiyah Zehra & Itu Dutta

WOKAL

Ever wanted to upgrade to a new lens and experiment with new angles of photography? This article right here brings you a variety of camera lenses and their specifications and purpose so that you don’t have to look anywhere else.

If you’re looking for a sign to upgrade your camera gear, this is it!

PRIME LENS

FISHEYE LENS

This lens with a fixed focal lengthanywhere between 20 mm to 600 mm- is known for its ability to produce sharp images. Their wider apertures prove to be a boon for indoor and low-light photography,useful in creating high quality photographs.

A Fisheye lens is a 180 degree capturing, ultra wide lens that leaves a room looking like a bubble. Used mostly for scientific photography.It is something to try and explore, creating unique images from a new perspective.

WOKAL // FEB 2021 // ISSUE.6

PORTRAIT LENS A medium telephoto lens, with a focal length ranging from 85 mm to 100 mm, helps to streamline the background and downplay finer details.

KIT LENS A standard 18-55 mm zoom lens that accompanies every camera is usually not everyone’s pick, but for a beginner, this lightweight lens is the best bet. With a moderate wide-angle it is ideal for landscape photography and the 55mm focal length makes room for portrait photography. Some kit lenses come with an in-built vibration reduction feature, making photography without tripods easy.

AABIYAH ZEHRA & ITU DUTTA

WOKAL // FEB 2021 // ISSUE.6

SUPER TELE LENS A Super Tele Lens is a lightweight and versatile lens used for candids, travel and sports photography. It is known for its affordable telephoto zoom capability. It has a minimum focal length of 70mm and a maximum focal length of 300mm. This zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/4-5.6 and a minimum aperture of f/22-32 is an opportunity to present very creative shots.

AABIYAH ZEHRA & ITU DUTTA

Februar

Issue

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y 2021

06 L M

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PARIS A

place for love

B

Y

I

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Lovers and Lovers of love

Q

R

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D

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:

Culture

and

Travel

FEB

2021

ISSUE

06

ETERNAL PROFESSION OF LOVE A

A

PROPOS

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L IN P

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A lover on their knees in front of proposal near

romantic vibes is almost

the Eiffel

to

the iconic Eiffel Tower amidst all

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'

love bird s

dream

.

y

Eiffel Tower is not just a famous tourist

everyone’s dream proposal. Paris

place but a very

hosts 30 million visitors every

popular proposal spot

year for nothing compares to the enduring romance of this landmark.

Paris is often referred to as the ‘City of Love’, it is neither a

too. Proposals with the bright tower in the background are magical. Both sunsets

metaphor nor a coincidence.

and sunrises offer

There is actually a lot that adds

alluring views from

love, magic, and beauty to this city, making it a dream destination for couples across the globe..

hotels and gardens nearby in all seasons..

w

okal mag

WALL OF LOVE: LE MUR DES JE T’AIME

What is love

?

Ma

y

The Wall of Love is a lovethemed wall of 40 square meters

be an

in the Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmartre, Paris, France.

emotion as strong as a

w

all

?

250 languages can drive you

Or a space to

scribble

out

?

Someone saying ‘I love you’ in

y

crazy, isn't it? It is not a very easy task but Paris can assist you here! If you can’t say so, you can

our heart

show your soulmate ‘I love you’ in 250 languages written on a wall by a romantic garden.

FEB

2021

ISSUE

LOVELY STREETS OF MONTMARTRE AND THE MUSEUM OF ROMANTIC LIFE A A N

UTHENTIC VILL

A

GE IN THE HE

A

RT OF P

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RIS TO GIVE YOU

A

N OLD

-

SCHOOL FEEL

Famous by films Moulin Rouge and Amelie and animation films like Miraculous, Montmartre neighborhood offers many of the best views of Paris.

You can always move hand in hand with your lover to explore streets, galleries, cute shops, quaint cafes. Morning or evening walks down these lanes can become memories to cherish later.

Situated at the foot of Montmartre hill, Musee de la vie Romantique is a romantic life inspired museum. It is a perfect place for couples looking for dates away from the city crowd and hustle. Paintings, literature, photographs celebrating love are the main attraction here.

06

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THE TEMPLE OF LOVE AND THE ROMANTIC BANKS OF SEINE Roman-style Temple de la Sybille is situated at the top of a small island in Buttes-Chaumont Park. It is the best place to kiss in Paris, people say, “kissing at the center of the temple strengthens a couple’s love”. A romantic boat ride is also a star attraction among honeymooners.

Long walks beside the Seine river inspires love.

These banks have inspired the works of many artists such as Monet etc. A famous and romantic walk starting at the Pont des Arts and finish at NotreDame, passing the Louvre on the way.

w

okal mag

THE LOVE-LOCK BRIDGE FOR LOVERS

,

THEIR romance

THIS BRIDGE H

UNION

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language that is French, vineyards, operas, quiet bistros giving vibes of intimacy with their red and cozy interiors, stunning art and antiques at the world’s biggest museum, the Louvre, sensual Parisian

The most famous love lock bridge of the world is again in Paris, Le Pont des Arts. However, you won't find any locks there. For years lovers attached locks to the railings of the bridge till 2014. It is said 7500 kgs of locks were added here each year. So it became very dangerous for the structure of the bridge. Now old railings have changed with the glass panels. You cannot attach a lock but can take photographs on this beautiful bridge.

patisseries with pastel interiors and smells of vanilla and caramel, and humble countrymen all together can make you fall in love with Paris. It has been celebrating love since forever, that is why most of the romantic novels and films of all times are set in Paris.

FEBRUARY 2021

The LesserKnown Tragedies of Covid-19

BY HIBA

| ISSUE 06

|

WOKAL MAG

W O K A L

/ /

F E B

The pandemic left fatal consequences.

Some of them were numbered, a few noted, and others went considerably unnoticed.

Loneliness, anxiety, panic, and depression were some uninvited guests that raked every house slowly creeping inside.

Hiba pens a deep, heartfelt note, where she noticed ‘the lesser-known tragedies of the pandemic.’

2 0 2 1

/ /

I S S U E

0 6

On one of those rare evenings where the unforgiving Delhi winter somehow manages to be more phenomenal than the city itself, my best friend calls me up. I find my armor in two layers of blankets with my small brown kitten purring and snuggled up under my neck.

We fulfill our best friend duties by giggling and gossiping and talking about every imaginable thing on the phone. If it's with the right person, I always adore phone calls. They feel like a personal rebellion, defying all distance possible.

There's all this space in between and life is happening around us but no, I choose to pause and listen to your little laughs and sighs.

The highlight of our conversation is unsurprisingly that we miss everything. This was supposed to be our senior year and we were hoping to paint a perfect conclusion for a 14-year long school life. We were hoping for some last laughs in the hallway, last sports classes to be bunked, last out of tune choruses of dance numbers, and last scribbles of new lovers on school desks meant to outlive the flings and withstand the test of time. We miss every single thing.

If you're younger than me then I'll let you in on a little secret and if you're older than me then you should already know this, there is an insane, unparalleled beauty in endings. When school life is coming to a close, suddenly the crankiest teachers seem like friends and even the soggy canteen chowmein sounds divine. That's the power of nostalgia, anything tinged with it can suddenly be breathtaking.

Towards the end of our conversation, we can't stop laughing over how we used to steal each other's "tiffin" and how she used to save my life every day with her iconic gigantic bottle which somehow never ran out of water.

Without any intention of depth at all, suddenly I say "we'll never be able to share water again" and we both fall silent.

I know what you're thinking, yes, Hiba, are you done being dramatic about your first world problems there are people who are literally dying out there. but I don't know, I genuinely feel that there's more to it. We'll never be able to recklessly tear up the same dosa or vandalize a melted chocolate bar (preferably Dairymilk) or have three unwashed hands in the same packet of chips without the fear of literally dying by a deadly disease ever again.

It sounds like something really stupid to be sad over but what I’m trying to say is that love and friendships will never be as utterly ardent ever again. Humans are made to be touched, we are crafted to feel the warmth of each other. We lose our minds if we don't.

Our fingers are meant to be interlocked. Our collarbones are meant to be kissed. Our arms are made to be wrapped around each other. Our hair is meant to be stroked by our grandparents. Our cheeks are supposed to be cupped in a lover's hands. Our shoulders were made to be the sanctuaries of weeping friends.

The pause in life was easier in the beginning. It felt like a well-deserved vacation nobody knew how long would last. The uncertainty and confusion were almost comforting because everyone in the world shared it. Then in the middle, we somehow slipped into making peace with it. I understand that words like "pandemic" and "quarantine" sound apocalyptic and overused now but I miss my old life and polite smiles from strangers.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I lost the entirety of being seventeen to this wretched disease.

This won't feel like something worth being sad over in a few years but I didn't deserve to lose my senior year or my batch mates a year early. I know that we've all pretty much gotten used to this abnormal "new normal" but I haven't hugged my best friend in ten months.

HOW TO GET THE PERFECT SHOT

By Aabiyah Zehra

05

Common photography blunders to stay away from

01 02 03 04 05 Skip a shaky frame

.

Shooting In JPEG Format Instead Of RAW

Stay away from a Bewildering Composition

GET SET

CLICK!

Let go of Unexciting Photographs

Editing your photos is necessary

PHOTOGRAPHY BLUNDERS TO AVOID Aabiyah Zehra

1. Shaky Frame

This happens when your shut ter speed is lower than required and you aren t using a tripod to hold your camera still Even if your movement is as infinitesimal as it can be the photograph will turn out shaky You should either use a fast shutter speed or if you require a slow shutter speed use a tripod to solve this problem ’

.

,

.

Ever wondered why your photograph seems a little bit off and never understood why that is? Here are some common mistakes that people make, which might be minor but neglecting them can really take your photographs in the wrong direction.

FEB 2021

,

.

ISSUE 06

A

PHOTOGRAPHER'S DILEMMA

2. Shooting In JPEG Format Instead Of RAW

A lot of people don t know this but shooting your photographs in RAW format can be mind blowing Apart from the very conveniently adjustable white balance RAW ups the quality of your photographs so that the details in your photograph don t go unnoticed Another plus point is that your quality doesn t get exacerbated after editing ’

,

-

.

,

’

.

’

.

3. A Bewildering Composition:

When you re not thorough with the Rule Of Thirds your photographs turn out to look a little off When you use the Rule Of Thirds properly your composition will make sense You can also use the Grid View feature of your camera to find the perfect spots to place your subject according to the Rule Of Thirds ’

,

.

,

.

.

5. Not Editing 4. Unexciting Photographs:

It s usually not as impressive when the picture is straight out of the camera as boast worthy as it sounds editing can help you achieve the aesthetic you pictured in your head before clicking the picture As much as over editing can ruin the photograph editing just the right amount can really ameliorate your photograph ’

Frustrated with photographs not ending up looking unique Don t give up Every photographer starts their journey that way After months or even years of ARTICLE

BY RICHARD experience you getMAALA photographs with proper composition and meaning It all depends on how the photograph looks in your head before you bring it to life Keep clicking and practicing compositions and aesthetics in photography and you will definitely be able to create masterpieces ?

’

.

.

,

.

“

”,

,

.

-

,

.

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.

FOCUS, TOG! MOVE-MENT / 25

WOKAL MAG

Dear Lover The Art of Handwritten letters

By Dakshita Mitra

ISSUE 06 | FEB 2021

exclusive interview to

WOKAL MAG • FEB 2021

Dear lover, I can’t help but smile when I hold the letters you send me; they’ve been touched by you, held by the hands which will also hold me when the fates decide to let us meet again. These are boxes of memories that were once hurled all over your desk and now are a guest at my home. We fell in love over this art – many letters which became our windows to each other's lives.

The act of writing handwritten letters is a lost art of intimacy. They’re the most personal way of communicating with your loved ones. It’s the feeling of holding onto something that was once in their hands and now is in yours. It creates a connection between the sender and recipient that is almost magical in nature; something physical from your world travels to someone else’s and gives them the feeling of having you with them in person.

PEONY • 3

As I read them, I’m vicariously sitting beside that oak chair in the hallway of your palace watching you as you paint these canvases with words dripping with tenderness, lust, and hope for this love to last. These torn pages from your favourite journal, bleeding ink from the inkpot your father gave you when he was on his deathbed and the quill you stole from under my pillow when you first visited; the art these make together is the most precious belonging to me in the world.

They are tangible objects which are reminders of memories of the past, love, and affection. Their essence has a personal touch, almost a great level of intimacy; from the handwriting of the sender to the scent the letter carries.

They are stained with the emotions they carry from one place to another, sometimes over thousands of miles. In this art, papers are the canvases and stationery, the instruments – from the choice of papers you want to write on, the pens you write with and wax seals and envelopes you use for the final touch should be a portrayal of you and your emotions to/for the recipient.

DAKSHITA MITRA

I stroke my hands across your handwriting, it feels like my hands brushing over yours; it reminds me of you. I keep them inside my favourite books, as bookmarks, so now all my belongings smell like roses and styrax like your letters do as if you smeared them with your scent purposely. The feeling that you free yourself from the shackles of the world to write to me is the most beautiful feeling ever.

The feeling of having someone to send you handwritten letters is surreal, it’s about appreciating the efforts put in by disconnecting the noise of the world to read and write them. For a few moments, the recipient and the words you want to fill the letter with is all you think about; it leads to a flow of creativity, unplugging from the various activities of your day, and embracing one's thoughts. They’re physical in nature, you can hold onto them for years and look back at them to relive the memories because writing enables you to store your memories in a more vivid way.

I wait for your letters to arrive, and when they do I feel as if the gods have given me immortality to spend my life with you. I hide them beneath the sky at night, your letters. I hope to receive these till the date death claims my mortal body as hers.

They will be a novel one day, being delivered to the land of gods and angels by Hermes.

Yours truly, Belle.

They are reservoirs of emotions that will stay with you till your last breath, stacked away with memories and experiences of the past. The time you wait for a letter to arrive as an answer to yours is a sweet period of waiting, almost like you’re waiting for a lover to return from a war. And just like you expect your lover to return to you, so does the sender expect an answer to the letter they send to you, unless you wish to not write it due to some personal reasons. Not writing back is an insult to this art.

BY DAKSHITA MITRA

P.S. LAST NIGHT I WROTE SOMETHING FOR YOU, MY LOVE

Pierce your veins and bleed black over the pages you saved from burning over the ashes from the fire they tried to burn us with. Bleed, till you can’t anymore and then bury the letters beside our graves.

Death- the place where we will finally be together.”

How to make your letters special A few things that you can add to a handwritten letter to add your own personal touch:

1. A tea bag of your favourite tea or recipes 2. Sketch, cute origami or a little poem 3. Pressed flowers and leaves 4. Playlists or polaroid

Writing letters and receiving them have to be two of the most heavenly feelings ever, and I wish to be lucky enough to experience this in my mortal life. (Also email me at dakshitaaa@gmail.com to exchange cute handwritten letters)

BY DAKSHITA MITRA

INFORM. INSIGHT. INSPIRE. WOKAL MAGAZINE

ISSUE 06| FEBRUARY

WOKAL ISSUE 6 | FEBRUARY 2021