AbraxasLifestyle by Abraxas Lifestyle

DEUD[DV LIVING THE GOOD LIFE !

Abraham & Thakore’s Ode to Kutch Corporate Hospitality

SONALI BHAGWATI

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$PULWD 5DR The Magnetic Collection

Ronda Design, Italy Of IFFI and Chips

Remo Fernandes

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January 2013 | Vol 1 | Issue 3

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very day, we are summoned by our minds to embark on a journey, beyond the boundaries of all we have ever known! Let’s start by taking all our talents and make a difference. Time and again, we, human beings have risen above our limitations to achieve extraordinary things. History talks about committed people who have summoned their courage to create and innovate designs that will change our lives. They are leaving being a legacy for our children. They believed in their individual power to make a difference. As part of our designer showcase, we look at Abraham and Thakore’s unique collection that promises to style the everyday woman in traditional yet chic contemporary clothing. For interiors, we visit the Sotohouse studio in Goa whose innovative home décor draws inspiration from the ﬂora and fauna of the countryside. Find India’s soul through Gaurav Jhani’s well documented solo travels to the rugged terrains of Ladakh in our movie feature. The exodus of the Burmese into India’s capital is an insightful read as part of our photo essay. We take pride in showcasing the creativity of individuals, who have touched our lives in one way or the other! We celebrate the designers as we celebrate life and the Festive Season. Here’s wishing you all a Very Happy and Creative New Year! And hoping you all Live The Good Life !

Rita Mody Joshi EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Contents

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE ! JAN. 2013 | VOL 1 | ISSUE 3 CONTRIBUTORS O O O O O O O O O O

David Abraham Rakesh Thakore Amrita Rao Sangeeta Narula Riddhi Mapxencar Siddhi Mapxencar Jyotsna Bhat Tushar Kapoor Sana Dhawan Sanjana Sud

O O O O O O O O O O

Sonali Bhagwati Diego Collareda Sotodecor Heleen Van Gent Chenelle Rodrigues Remo Fernandes FishEye Akash Das Zubin Atre Rahul Kumar

O O O O O O O O O

Andrew Ferrao Aaron Fernandes LiveToEat Kornelia Santoro Dadhichi Toth Salil Bhatia Manavi Khanduja Abdullah Osman Pinky Campbell

C OVE R

M O D E L: Amrita Rao P H OTO G RAP HY: Luv Israni

FASHION 14

FOR THE MODERN DAY WOMAN Abraham & Thakore’s collection inspired from Kutch

I AM DESTINY’S CHILD Amrita Rao talks about her tryst with destiny

TWIN ADVANTAGE Mumbai based designers Riddhi and Siddhi talk about their journey in the fashion world

READY TO PARTY A party collection with fun and playful designs

STYLE COMES FIRST Tusshar Kapoor decodes his personal style statement

38 40

GO GLUNGE Sanjana Sud tells us how to stay stylish WEAR IT LIKE A PRINCESS Flaunt the prints - the right way!

DESIGN 42

CORPORATE HOSPITALITY DesignPlus Architecture creates a state-of-the-art marketing office

THE MAGNETIC COLLECTION An informal approach to your home décor

INGRAINED IN NATURE A unique style inspired by nature

AND THE COLOUR IS RED AkzoNobel’s series that demonstrates the colour concept

CARVING SPACES WITH RUGS & CARPETS Tips to choose carpets and combine them to suit your space

Contents 68

CUTTING EDGE DESIGNS Architect Rita Mody Joshi writes about the functionality of designing

LIVING 74

OF IFFI & CHIPS Remo Fernandes on the Film Festival in Goa

REACHING OUT THROUGH FILMS Films inspire a generation – IFFI shows us how

POTTERING AROUND THE PLANET On Turkey and its customs

MY FRIEND PRABUDDHA Tribute to genius Part-II

PARTNERS’ YOGA For a healthy strong and better relationship

PEOPLE WITHOUT BORDERS The

THE GRAPHIC NUDE Nudity is always

THE WARRIOR PRINCESS Aaron Fernandes takes through a journey of Grimm’s fairytale

story about the exodus of Burmese refugees to Delhi and their hope for a better life 100

LIVE TO EAT Delhi’s happening continental restaurant Tres for a ﬁne dining experience

secondary to Creativity 104

GUILTFREE DELIGHTS A snack that keeps you healthy and slim

92 106 108

HAPPENINGS Important events of the month ASTRO WATCH Predictions by Dadhichi Toth GEN-NEXT

112

DESIGNER OF THE MONTH Salil Bhatia dwells in his surreal dreamworld

114

FEMALE MODEL OF THE MONTH Manavi Khanduja strikes a pose

115

MALE MODEL OF THE MONTH The model turned actor Abdullah Osman

116

THE OPEN CLOSET A fashion confession by Pinky Campbell A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

MANAGING EDITOR AND PUBLISHER CREATIVE HEAD BUSINESS HEAD

Hemant Sud Datta Gawade Dhaval Gupta

EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rita Mody Joshi Nicole Suares Seema Crispino Nunes Cassandra D’Roza

EDITOR (GOA) DEPUTY EDITOR (DELHI) DEPUTY EDITOR (GOA) FEATURE WRITER (GOA) SALES AND MARKETING

Kamya Setia Christelle Faucon Nakul Dogra

MANAGER MARKETING ASST. MANAGER MARKETING ASST. MANAGER MARKETING CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION

Monica Badhwar Amitabh Singh Shilpi Bhargava Ritesh Biswas Denwy Fernandes Aditya Das Mahesh Pednekar

VP OPERATIONS SR. MANAGER PROJECTS MANAGER DESIGN GRAPHIC DESIGNER (DELHI) GRAPHIC DESIGNER (GOA) PHOTOGRAPHER (DELHI) PHOTOGRAPHER (GOA) PRINT AND CIRCULATION

Manish Verma T. Srirengan Sudhir Arora Sarita Shridhar

ASSOCIATE VP GM PRINT SERVICES SR. MANAGER CIRCULATION MANAGER AUDIENCE SERVICE CORPORATE OFFICE HARYANA

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The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct. Abraxas Lifestyle cannot be responsible for unsolicited material unless accompanied by adequate return postage. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed, published and owned by Hemant Sud, printed at Pearl Printer, C-105 Okhla Industrial Area Phase I, New Delhi 110020 and published at W-26, Greater Kailash-II, New Delhi-110048. Editor: Hemant Sud. Marketed and distributed by

Please send all content/information/photographs/queries/etc to content@abraxaslifestyle.com

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

ADVISORY BOARD 1. AKASH DAS Akash is an award winning photographer and a pioneer in the ﬁeld of visual communication and photography. A socially conscious person, he has also been part of social awareness and wildlife conservation campaigns in India.

6. REMO FERNANDES Padmashri award recipient singer/ songwriter Remo is one of India’s renowned pop/rock/Indian fusion music icons. His noted compositions like O Meri Munni, ﬂute song, Maria Pita Che are some of his all time hits. He is also a social activist.

2. ALEX DAVIS Internationally acclaimed product designer Alex, known for his sleek and avant-garde metal designs, has showcased his works at international art events at the Salone del Mobile - Milano, Maison & Objet - Paris, Visual Arts Gallery and India Habitat Centre, New Delhi to mention a few.

7. RITU KUMAR Ritu, one of India’s leading fashion designers, has carved a niche for herself in the fashion industry for her distinct style that involves intricate weaves and embroidery using traditional Indian craftsmanship.

3. ATUL CHURAMANI Having spent 24 years in the Indian music industry, Atul has been a key player, credited with many ﬁrsts including launching the careers of many of today’s stars. Today, he is the Head of Content for OnMobile Global Limited, India’s largest VAS company.

8. SANJIB CHATTERJEE Sanjib’s practice and search in the domain has helped him create a contemporary language ﬁrmly rooted in India that connects art, architecture, craft and design to produce high-end artifacts. His design ﬁrm Kaaru’s critically acclaimed work has been exhibited in London, Delhi and all over the world.

4. CONRAD GONSALVES Conrad is a mumbai-based reputed architect and interior designer and is the past National President of the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID), the apex all-India body for interior design.

9. SARBJIT SINGH Sarbjit is India’s foremost Hospitality Interior Designer. His design ﬁrm Fab Interiors having designed hotels, resorts, spas and restaurants for almost every international and domestic ﬁve-star hotel chain, in India and all over the world. He is also on the Advisory Board of Institute of Indian Interior Designers - Delhi (IIID-DRC ).

5. PRADEEP GUPTA Pradeep is the chairman and managing director of CyberMedia, India’s leading specialty media house. He has received national awards for his championship of the disabled, and alumni awards for entrepreneurship. He is also an angel investor and a mentor to a number of entrepreneurs.

10. SHANKAR SAHNEY Nicknamed the ‘King of Punjabi pop’, Shankar is an award winning pop singer, bhangra king, Bollywood playback, suﬁ and spiritual singer. He has also turned music director and recently released an album, singing ghazals along with the legend Asha Bhonsle.

CONCEPT

DESIGN MEASURE PRODUCTION

FITTING INSTALLATION INSPECTION

A-11, Rajouri Garden (opp. metro pillar no. 389) New Delhi-110027, ph.: 011-2510 0176, 011-2510 1663, +91-98188 96753 SF-97, Galleria Market (1st ямВoor), DLF Phase-4, Gurgaon, Ph.: 0124-4059597, +91-98101 73960

www.ideaskitchens.in

Kitchens & More... Idea Behind Ideas It is often noticed that housewives are somehow unwilling to go into the kitchen where they spend most of their constructive time. This virtually happens because of cluttered and unorganised ambience of kitchens uninspiring enough to work around. This gives way to apathy towards cooking and more reliance on foods prepared outside home. Result is very obvious-increase in expense and decrease in family health. Apart from that, smaller spaces in contrast with value-added lifestyle in cities also call for an innovative spatial conďŹ guration that could enhance the utility and beauty of available spaces. Even from social standpoint, a housekeeper is known by how beautiful kitchen she keeps. People who have traditional and run of the mill kitchens yearn for kitchen renovation to keep pace with changing times. As an effective solution to all these issues Ideas came on the fore. We devise creative solutions for convenience as well as style and pack everything into a mobile, modular unit to bring the joy of cooking back into homes.

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Familiar yet unfamiliar, contemporary yet a touch of traditional, Abraham and Thakoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest collection skillfully combines both elements to create chic yet glamorous ensembles that every woman would love. Drawing inspiration from Kutch, they have opted for a monochromatic palette with dashes of colour like deep maroon and saffron. One can see in their designs plenty of silk and tussar crushed, embroidered, covered in traditional mirror work or tie and dyed. From the dresses which have a touch of embroidery, linear kurtas, wide legged trousers to the elegant duster coats, the collection is an interesting mix of casuals and formals.

Kediya jacket in linen cotton, bandhani paired with linen cotton, bandhani skirt

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Luxury Collection

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DAVID ABRAHAM & RAKESH THAKORE’S collection inspired from

Kutch adds a reﬁned touch to every woman’s wardrobe

braham & Thakore believe that real luxury lies in specially crafted products in limited numbers of high quality. “As students of the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, we were inspired and dazzled by the wealth of the clothing and textile culture that surrounded us. From brilliant colour and mirrors to the subdued elegance of black and maroon hand woven and hand printed textiles - our design education was formed by our exposure to one of the richest textile and craft traditions in the world,” share the designer duo. The collection comprises strong separates - dresses and coats tunics and trousers - basic building blocks for a modern, urban Indian woman’s wardrobe - subtly inspired by traditional clothing silhouettes. The designs are inspirational and we see them becoming popular with the modern woman. The fabrics are of silk, cotton and wool and explore the very nature

of decoration and ornamentation with a fresh look at embroidery, block printing, bandhani and mirror work. The colour palette ranges from black, white and ivory to the many shades of lac - madder and red. The West may be writing the rules in contemporary Indian Fashion but our pride - the Indian weaves, crafts and fabrics would continue to hold their own on the high street. Their collection is the exploration of developing a quiet and modern design voice while drawing on the rich traditional vocabulary of Indian design and craft as well ! With a strong respect for material, form and craft, the design sensibility is low key yet highly distinctive. An important aspect of the collections presented each and every season is the very modern synergy between fashion and lifestyle with a unifying vision for the way the contemporary urban consumer dresses and lives whether in India or overseas.

RAKESH THAKORE (LEFT) & DAVID ABRAHAM (RIGHT) - ONE OF INDIA’S MOST SUCCESSFUL AND RESPECTED DESIGN RESOURCES FOR FASHION AND ACCESSORIES AS WELL AS TEXTILE PRODUCTS FOR THE HOME.

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A skirt and cropped blouse in black and white bandhani

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Silk dress with interesting bold mirror work paired with a delicate elegant silk georgette duster coat

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The purple dress subtly inspired by traditional clothing silhouettes

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Linen coat enhanced with mirror work is worn with wool cotton pants. It explores the very nature of decoration and ornamentation with a fresh overall look

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Silk dress with choliinspired cut out back

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Silk Kediya jacket worn over knee length bundi with texturing and detailing teamed with silk churidar

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

P H OTO G RAP HY: Luv Israni

Cover Story

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Amrita talks about her tryst with destiny to SANGEETA NARULA

How does it feel to don the garb of a journalist for Anil Sharma’s Saheb the Great? I always knew it was a tough life for journos but now that I’m stepping in their shoes and doing more research, my awe for the journalists has shot up even more! (smiles) You interviewed a few reporters in order to get into the skin of the character? How was the experience? Share some interesting moments. I was at the Zoom office recently and though it is an entertainment news house, the challenges are pretty much the same for any journalist! In the midst of an interview, I suddenly snatched the mike from the journo who was asking me some questions and rather started throwing a bagful of questions at her (chuckles). I got some interesting tips on what they need to do, often while on live on-ground coverage reporting. I learnt some slangs, and got very interesting tips on styling from her. I discussed that with Anil Sharma and I am surely incorporating all of that in my character. What would you say about your route to stardom? It was a little girl’s secret dream to become an actress which I 23

1 \PQVS TQNM PI[ JMMV ^MZa NIQZ \W UM ;WUM\QUM[ 1 I[S Ua[MTN _PI\ 1 PI^M ZMITTa LWVM \W OM\ []KP MI[a []KKM[[ IVL UWVMa ) ) ) ) ) ) Any dream role for which you crave and why? Patato and cheese roll, because I know I can indulge without thinking about calories! Haha! More seriously, I would love to play an actress from the 50’s of the Hindi ﬁlm industry. I absolutely love everything about that era.

never shared with my parents nor did I formally train myself in the field of acting and dancing. In my early teens, I gave an audition by chance and that was the foundation stone. Thereafter, I got several ad films. Great ads led to great movies and the best of directors came knocking at my doors. I think, I am a destiny’s child! Are you affected by the box office results? How do you feel if the movie doesn’t go well? When you complete a movie and watch the preview that’s when you already know whether the film is good or bad. I would be upset only if the film is good but the reviews are biased, (which happens most of the times) and if a good film doesn’t do well at the box office. What about your achievements? The fact that in such a short span of time and with no godfather, I found my own identity and place in the Hindi film industry, earned a clean reputation for myself, the respect shown to me by some of the revered film makers in the industry and also a recognition as a good actress in the hearts of the audience, are the only achievements I will take back home at the end of the day. My ‘Dada Saheb Phalke Best Actress Award’ for Vivah, ‘Stardust Best Actress’ for Shyam Benegal’s Welcome to Sajjanpur, MF Hussain pronouncing me his muse. All the several awards and nominations in the Best Actress category are also some of the nicer achievements ! How do you react to the controversies related to your professional and personal life. Are you hurt? How do I react to controversies? Simply by not getting into them (laughs). Being a celebrity, you are always in the media glare. Your comments? Does it irritate you? Critical media is healthy but some elements in media indulge in vociferous and petty criticism. That is certainly a big put off. 24

Do you think you have achieved success which you really deserved? I think life has been very fair to me. Sometimes I ask myself what I have really done to get such easy success and money. I call it easy because my hobby is my job and I also get paid for it! For me the very fact that I wake up on a regular day of work, enter a studio and become a part of history is phenomenal success. My birth among hundreds millions of people on this planet has some purpose, that’s what I feel! I would be really greedy if I’d be asking anything more. What would you say about the new genre of actresses? I’m happy with the new actresses who have entered Bollywood. Parineeti Chopra and Sonakshi Sinha are my favourites. Sonakskhi has this very pleasant and pure aura about her that appeals me the most! Do you have any true friend in Bollywood? Not really but I have people who I have tremendous respect for. Sooraj Barjathia and his father Rajkumar Barjathia treat me like family. Farah Khan also treats me like her own. Why so? By and large you come across people who have a work related connection with you so it’s difficult to make friends out here. The unknown facts about Amrita Rao? Oh, that’s a long list... but one of them is that it is my big wish to go to NASA someday and I’m really fascinated with the planets and the real stars out there. Five years from now where do you see yourself ? I hope to see myself doing a lot for the society and people, whether in terms of entertaining them or helping the underprivileged. Life will be incomplete without that. Down the memory lane, do you miss something? Life has been just perfect. I always pray to God that don’t give me more but dont take away anything from me that I have at present. A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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I, ME, MYSELF MY PERSONAL STYLE

Style for me has to be customised and style needs to feel comfortable following which I shall automatically exude conﬁdence. THE MOST STYLISH WOMAN

I ﬁnd Deepika Padukone beautiful. She never goes wrong with her hair or outﬁt. THE MOST STYLISH MAN

My dad, he never goes wrong with his styling. BEAUTY PRODUCTS I USE

Lip balm, lip pencil, eco friendly lipstick, kohl pencil and light powder compact. BEAUTY REGIME FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT

Before I go to bed, I clean my face with a cleansing milk and cotton pads and then wash my face thoroughly with a foamy face wash. I apply a calamine lotion on my face and a medicated moisturiser on my face and neck. I repeat the same procedure after I wake up in the morning. One will be surprised how much of makeup residue comes out on the cotton pad ﬁrst thing in the morning. This exercise leaves my skin feeling fresh and healthy. A BEAUTY BLUNDER

It was the night I won Stardust award. The make-up artist was new and gave me dark, a glossy and shimmery look. I was running late so there was no time to re-do it. I went on stage with it and it looked so bad. The next day I decided to do my own make-up for occasions like this. BEAUTY TREATMENTS THAT COME STRAIGHT FROM THE KITCHEN

Keeping aloe vera at home is very helpful. Fresh aloe massage on the face can do wonders to maintain the texture and glow on your skin. I rarely go to salon or spas. I don’t like frequent facials or face pack. For hair also, oil head massage at home is sufficient. I use pure almond oil once in a month on an average. ESSENTIALS IN MY WARDROBE

One lace dress, black coloured and an off-white coloured slim ﬁt pants, a branded hand bag (Michel Kors and Valentino are my favourites) a stunning branded watch and stunning jackets in black, off white and beige are a must. VINTAGE PIECE IN MY WARDROBE

I have this white and gold Versace hand bag which was autographed by none other than the legendary actor Dev Anand. With his autograph it has become priceless. A TYPICAL DAY

When I am shooting, my day starts with two hours of makeup and hair styling and then costume and then going through my dialogues in my vanity. In between shots I take work related decisions with my team and also schedule media news and interviews with my PR team. A CASUAL DAY

A non shoot day requires me to make time for several business meetings and interviews and amidst all this, I need to take the time for ﬁtness and a healthy dietary intake. I AM VERY CLOSE TO

My mom, because I count on her for almost everything. She does it selﬂessly. A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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RIDDHI & SIDDHI MAPXENCAR

Premium Showcase

7ZLQ DGYDQWDJH While the leading ladies of Bollywood have been seen dolled up in their garments, their designs continue to make the cut on international and national runways. Mumbai based designers Riddhi and Siddhi Mapxencar share their journey with Abraxas Lifestyle

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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Riddhi immerses herself with work at her studio

hen you bring two highly creative minds together, the outcome is bound to be something unique. And that is surely something you get when dynamic duo, Riddhi and Siddhi Mapxencar combine their fashion sensibilities to create garments. Known for their innovative cuts and play with textures, these talented twins have designed and styled for A-List stars like Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan amongst a few. Starting out in 2009, they have showcased their work at the Lakme Fashion Weeks, GENEXT at the Indian Premier of the London Fashion Week 2010 and Dubai Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2012. Excerpts from the interview.

THE STORY BEHIND THE ‘MAPXENCARS’ BRAND BEGINS…

The style of brand is western which aims at making structured and conceptualised garments with touch of futuristic elements in it. The embroidery incorporated in garments aims at giving an illusion of print and textures rather just an embellishment. The garments are made from only pure silks and natural cottons and linen. The label aims at meticulously crafting garments that are stylised and tailored to meet the contemporary fashion lovers. Did you both always want to get into it? Yes, we both wanted to be fashion designers. What was your early exposure to fashion? Riddhi: Siddhi and I were always fascinated by the fashion scenario in India during the 90’s. We were in school then and always got excited to see fashion shows of Rohit Bal, Ritu Kumar and other big names of the fashion industry on television. We had ﬂair for drawing and painting also. Both of us used to win many drawing competitions at the state and national level too.

Thinking about future designs, Siddhi sets herself to the task

We always knew that we were going to end up in designing field sooner or later! Siddhi: I am a lover of art…since childhood I was always fascinated with paintings and sketches, perhaps because our mother is an artist…and of course being enthusiastic about dressing and grooming, the best way to combine art and clothing was indeed fashion designing. I think clothing is the first nonverbal impression you create on anybody and its influence can never be underrated! So basically when I was in the 5th grade I knew what would really make me happy as my career! On the twin advantage… It’s always an advantage to be twins. We share our work and sometimes clothes too. People remember us more because we are twins and it definitely helps in our branding. What individual traits do you both bring to the label? We do share a similar philosophy, but I have a more structured sense of making garments and Siddhi gets more feminine cuts to the silhouettes, so we have mixture of both in a garment. What are the difficulties you face? Initial difficulties were to set up a strong back end, reducing the cost of production without compromising on quality and to have skilled workers. There is a lot of competition so the market is flooded. Also I wish the industry gets corporatised more. Being a relatively new label you have managed to style the stars, your thoughts on your success story so far God has been kind. We believe that when you provide quality work, you will get recognised eventually. 29

Your garments unlike others have a touch of futuristic elements. The embroidery gives an illusion of print and textures. What brought on this idea? Kindly elaborate on your treatment of the garments. We work on plain fabrics and make textures on same. We have not yet developed prints but yes in the near future would also love to experiment with the same. We make sure that the garment is wearable at the end of day. How has a western clothing label gone down with the Indian fashion scene? Are people in tune with western trends, etc. Indeed they are. We have people coming from almost every city of India for western and Indian wear too. Our Indian garment cuts are modern and contemporary too. Being from Goa, were there any Goan inďŹ&#x201A;uences to your ideas on fashion? Riddhi: Goa is a great place. It has its own charm and serene beauty which is so different from other cities. Its inspiration deďŹ nitely works for many of our collections. Siddhi: Goa has been a source of joy. I think Goa offers you a certain sense of charming freedom that makes it so special.

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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STYLE CHECK! STYLE IS

Timeless. YOUR PERSONAL STYLE STATEMENT WOULD BE

Riddhi: Power shoulder…I just love it! Siddhi: Fitted black dress with powers shoulders. FAVOURITE ACCESSORY

Riddhi: Bag. Siddhi: Deﬁnitely, a bag. FOR A CASUAL DAY OUT

Riddhi: T- shirt and denim for sure. Siddhi: Flared bright coloured short dress. YOUR MAKE UP MANTRA

Riddhi: Keep it simple and natural. Siddhi: Bright red lips and dark kohl for the eyes. WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT STYLE

Riddhi: Never force a style which is not meant for your body type. Siddhi: Always be comfortable in whatever you wear.

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Designer Display

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collection for the young at heart with fun and playful designs

GEAR UP for the festive season with these garments designed by Jyotsna Bhat. From shocking pinks to midnight blues, the entire collection reﬂects the designer’s personal style statement and a variety of colours. Flowing georgettes and chiffons and sequined embellished yokes, are the elements which contribute to the look of the collection. The outﬁts has been designed keeping in mind different body types and tastes.

GREEN EXQUISITENESS

A fully sequined party dress with bold detailing on the top border

M O D E L: Alesha Yadav HAI R AN D MAK E U P: Chetana Tendolkar LO CATI O N C O U RTE SY: Maendra Alvares,

Casa Araujo Alvares P H OTO G RAP HY: Abraxas Photography

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RED RED AND MORE RED

A rich brocade coupled with red and black georgette

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MELLOW YELLOW

A one shouldered pale yellow, short chiffon dress with printed chiffon frills

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SAFFRON MYSTIQUE

A light orange evening dress with a fully embellished gold and orange yoke with a chiffon ямВare JYOTSNA BHAT IS A FASHION DESIGNER WHOSE STYLE STATEMENT IS REFLECTED IN HER BOLD USE OF VIBRANT COLOURS. SHE HAS SHOWCASED HER COLLECTION AT THE GOA FASHION WEEK AND SEVERAL OTHER INDEPENDENT FASHION SHOWS. HER FORTE IS WESTERN WEAR AND ENJOYS A UNIQUE POSITION IN THE FASHION SCENE IN GOA.

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Style File

6W\OH FRPHV ILUVW 7XVVKDU .DSRRU The ‘super kool’ star’s personal style statement. And is he looking for love? SANA DHAWAN

Are you fashion conscious? Not really. I wear clothes that fit me well. I am not actually into labels or wearing stuff that has to be very much in vogue. Certainly, I wear what looks good on me. Would you call yourself a metrosexual? I will call myself somebody who has taste for fashion and who’s aesthetic enough to wear in a correct way. In that way, if you think I am metrosexual then yes, I am! What are the things you keep in mind while shopping for clothes? I will keep in mind the colour. I will keep in mind how well the clothes fit me. I will keep in mind the current styles that are popular in that specific time too but definitely I am not into labels. Style, trend or comfort? For me it’s style first, then of course, comfort and then trend! You would define your personal sense of style as… My confidence! My personal style is how comfortable am I in what I wear- mentally as well as physically and above all, the way I carry myself. Your favourite piece of clothing? I like track pants. 36

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

FAS H I O N

You are most comfortable in? I am most comfortable in a T-shirt and track pants. Basically, I like casual clothing. Do you sport/own any statement jewellery like rings, etc…If yes, then what’s your favourite piece? No, no accessories or jewellery. I just wear a watch. Which brand of watch? Right now I am wearing a Corum watch. The ideal style statement for a man would be? I think for a man it’s more about his personality. How he carries himself in what he is wearing. Moreover, he should never try hard to look trendy. A man should be confident and comfortable in his own skin. One change in men’s fashion you would like to bring? In a recent fashion event I saw lots of bright coloured pants. I will never wear bright coloured pants. Definitely a no-no! Your personal choices for going to: A formal event - It depends upon how formal the occasion is. I usually wear jeans, shirt and nice jacket but it all depends. A wedding - Full suit A brunch - Probably T-shirt and jeans Night party - Maybe T-shirt or shirt or something with a nice jacket or waist coat. Do you have a girlfriend? Right now I don’t have a girlfriend. What qualities would you look in for, in your partner? She should be a nice person and of course, intelligent. And then I need to be attracted to her. Your concept of beauty? It comes from personality. Then how intelligent and how emotional being she is. I think it’s always shown in the eyes. Your Zodiac sign? Scorpio Your idea of a good life? To stay healthy, keep the mind fresh and think positive. Any new goals this year? To eat right, continue my fitness regime and do good work. 37

FAS H I O N

STYLI N G & C O N C E PT

Sanjana Sud MODEL

Palak Gupta MAK E U P & HAI R

Madhu Rani

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

FAS H I O N

Styling

*R *OXQJH Conformity vs Rebellion - With a Dose of Attitude SANJANA SUD

hat’s Glunge?? It’s Part Glam: Part Grunge!! We all know Grunge as a prominent sub-culture that reigned in the 1990’s, characterised by ripped and slashed clothing, leopard prints, faded denim, fur, dark colours, tie-dye, etc. Now, how about adding some glamour into this junkie look? Think of sexy dresses mixed with leather jackets and biker boots - or fitted black blazers and skinny jeans teamed with sequined camisoles - or a loose shirt with a bling clutch, studded earrings. Well I think it makes an amazing combo! The word “Glunge” was first coined by Parisian designer Rick Owens and it was popularised by famous New York designer Marc Jacobs. Glunge equals inspired glamour - conformity vs. rebellion - with a dose of attitude. We can say Glunge is when street fashion meets high fashion - as it incorporates elements from both very well. A little bit of 70’s sophisticated glamour mixed with punk influence from grunge fashion. This look is all about being experimental - adding and subtracting elements and doing things unconventionally! Glunge Fashion can be described as wanting to look rich and cool at the same time. In the course of one day, you have to be on the streets, sit in a meeting, go out for lunch or attend a party. This look helps you fit into all these events in a single outfit! It’s a natural progression when two fashion forces collide and the outcome is great! Imagine a sequined evening jacket, and contrasting textures of hair or a

satin skirt with cowboy boots and a side braid with loose strands. Inspirations can be taken from the styles of celebrities like Kate Moss and Taylor Momsen. It’s a cool way to inject a grunge look but with a bit of bling into your wardrobe. There are ways to go Glunge with whatever budget you have! Glunge is not about a designer, a brand or label, or even a type of garment, it’s about your own personal style. There is no specific way to have a glunge look - you can try any combination you like and see what looks best on you. You could spend thousands on something or simply pick up things from a flea market and get the glunge look - the choices are endless. Why stop at clothes and accessories, get your hair done the glunge way too. Hair can beautifully “undone” with more volume, but touchable softness, by using flat irons and texture irons, but the best is to have a messy look. The updated “pixie” is a great cut that compliments this look - with a few well-placed flashes of colour this can be a strong fashion statement. So try going glunge and reflect your personal style, and remember the look is “don’t make it perfect”. Stay stylish and be inspired! DRAWING FROM HER FAMILY BACKGROUND OF DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART, SANJANA SPECIALISES IN DESIGN & FASHION COMMUNICATION, USING THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE GATHERED AT THE PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (N.I.F.T.) DELHI.

FAS H I O N

Trends

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Pia Pauro’s choice of print at the Lakme Fashion Week

¶SULQW·FHVV Prints have never gone out of style. Wear them right and you’ll ﬁnd yourself standing out among the rest

ow block colours may seem to be the safest fest way to wear your everyday clothes and can be easily mixed and matched. But there’s still something mething about prints which breathes life into your ur wardrobe and says more about your personality. Prints are fun and can be suited to anyone’s needs no matter whatt size or colour you are. The trick is to understand what workss for you. Firstly choose the right size of prints. For petite women, big prints are a big no-no and will make you look smaller tite, you than you already are. So for someone who isn’t petite, n be, as have the option to choose how big your prints can long as you maintain the limit. If you want to take a walk on the wild side, try mixing your prints and bring the look together with a monochrome piece. Also, don’t be afraid to try a head-to-toe print! Keep the accessories simple. You can also choose one colour from the print and accessorise in the same colour. From animal to Aztec, tribal to triangles and checks to contemporary, there’s a multitude of prints for you to have fun with! DESIGNER INPUTS

Be bold this season...take your prints seriously. The season offers a large variety of bold never before seen prints, so go ahead and make the most of it. Team up large bold colourful prints with simpler co-ordinates, and light accessories. Let the print take centre stage. — Siddharth Arya I’m a ﬁrm believer in the boldness of print. Every print should be played to an all-over maximal effect. This season, wear graphic prints in different scales or colour variations in separates. To break the print, use bold accessories and try to avoid neutral separates. — Yogesh Chaudhary

Aartivijay Gupta opted for bold prints at the LFW Winter Fashion Week

Model in Siddharth Arya LFW Winter Fashion Week A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

DESIGN

Architecture / Interiors

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KRVSLWDOLW\ DesignPlus Architecture, one of India’s leading design ﬁrms, creates a state-of-the-art marketing office for DLF

he leading developer of India DLF’s keen business acumen comes to its forefront when it approached the architectural firm of DesignPlus Architecture to design and build an office for them that would showcase their development of their 1000 acre Garden City project. The office is a Marketing and Sales Office situated in ‘Gurgaon - The Millennium City’ bang on the NH 8 highway 30 mts from the international airport. The office has a built up area of approx. 15000 sft. with separate areas for the sales & marketing area and a separate zone for sample flats/plots/residences. The intent is to have a permanent marketing office with adjacent sales flats etc. which would be demolished and rebuilt as new projects and developments come about. So it’s a living breathing interchanging environment which adapts itself to intake future project displays.

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

DESIGN

The design intent was to highlight the hospitable nature of a corporate office. To ensure that the customers importance is highlighted and he is comfortable and relaxed from the instant he enters the facility. The office design takes its cues from the hospitality 44

industry. The finishing and design takes into account a number of elements which are new to corporate offices namely floating sales cabins, light reflecting pools, preserved trees, plants, imported lighting fixtures etc. Warm tomes of beige, cream & brown have A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

DESIGN

been used in abundance. Travertine stone has been used to provide the perfect backdrop for this hue of colours. Lighting has taken precedence and warm soft tones are used to highlight the ceilings. The warm tone of light is inviting as we move towards the lounge

which is accentuated with luxurious seating around four clusters. To create a sense of awe and wonder to the customer when they arrive at the office by creating a double height space with glazing on three sides so as to enjoy the views and scenery around the built form. 45

DESIGN

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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A silent water body was created to dance around the sales pavilion so as to make them appear as floating islands and to reflect the filtered light coming through the glazing. The corporate office and other ancillary requirements such as conference room, manager’s office etc. have been provided on the first floor. The sales floor on the ground floor consists of the model display areas, sales cabins, lounge, bank counters & audio video display room. SONALI, A 1986 GRADUATED (WITH HONOURS) FROM CEPT, AHMEDABAD, IS THE CO-FOUNDER OF SPAZZIO DESIGN - INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE LEADING INDIAN CONTEMPORARY DESIGN FIRMS. AFTER THE MERGER OF SPAZZIO WITH DESIGNPLUS, SHE IS NOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY. SHE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF DELHI AND THE COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, GOVT. OF INDIA AND IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF DELHI URBAN ARTS COMMISSION (DUAC). SHE HAS BEEN AWARDED ZEE BUSINESS “ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR” AND ONE OF TWENTY BEST ARCHITECTS OF INDIA.

DESIGN

Interior Design

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ser-friendly books, children’s toys, small collections, notes and daily reminders - all inspired by a familiarity that has never changed. It was easy to insert a new element that, with its chromatic and formal frankness, brought natural order to the objects that have always existed in this space. DINING IN A FUSION OF STYLE AND MATERIALS

From intimate dinners to formal occasions with a whole host of guests - all kinds of dining in an area furnished in a mix of styles. Side by side in total harmony - thanks perhaps to doors that open onto a flower-filled garden, allowing it to become part of the room together, with abundant sunlight. Here again, the absolute white of the panelling, shelves and base units allows the new elements to discreetly blend without discord. The geometrics of the shapes and layout look like an abstract painting in relief and shadows. The freshly picked flowers from the garden just outside lend a natural touch that is no less graphic. EVERYTHING IN IT’S PLACE

This collection can also be used in the kitchens. Remembering a scene from the past - big tables, comfortable chairs, accessories for every need, space for preparation, storage and tidying. Next to the ﬁreplace, a simple essential corner houses traditional units in a display of little objects - some useful, others less so - but linked to happy memories. 53

DESIGN

Luna Crescente (Rising Moon) - The Magnetic Mirror Designer DIEGO COLLAREDA

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

DESIGN

ELEGANT AND reﬁned, but at the same time showing young and amusing lines - it is the mirror “Rising Moon” designed by Diego Collareda for App Design. This accessory, made of wood and available in white, orange, red, green, blue and black colour, is formed by one or more mirrors that, thanks to the patented magnetic elements cleverly inserted in the back, can be variously combined. A single mirror - but also many mirrors - which can be placed on

the appropriate woodwork and also on any metal surface. A revolution in the ﬁeld of furnishing, of which “Rising Moon” is a witness. Thanks to the use of the magnets it is always possible to give a different shape to this object - making it a dynamic and always new accessory. It can be changed from week to week, month, depending on the season, but also on your mood ! This mirror will feature any space always in the most appropriate way !

DESIGN

Ramo (Branch) - The Unique Hall Stand Designer DIEGO COLLAREDA

A FRESH and young style, innovative, functional and aesthetically unique products, as well as a revolutionary proposal in the ﬁeld of furniture Ω magnetism. The result, an advanced and unconventional product. Inspired by nature, Diego Collareda for App Design has created the new hall stand named “Branch”. This hall stand consists of a wooden body, thin and curved at the top, where it forms the hanger for hanging clothes, and a metal base on which are applied the patented magnetic elements. 56

You can combine more hall stands, placing them next to each other or at a distance, at the same height or different heights. In this way you create a pattern game of parallel lines, oblique or perpendicular, that will make the room unique and reﬁned.

White, orange, red, green, blue, black: there are many color versions available for this product. The base of “Branch” can also be characterized by two ﬁnishes, one with engravings of most varied forms (in picture, for example, you ﬁnd a leaf ), second without A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

DESIGN

decorations in white or black. No more static hall stands, of wrong height and cumbersome. “Branch” is applied to the metal wall surface, without drilling it, to the desired height, in any place and according to the any personal need.

RONDA DESIGN / APP DESIGN RONDA DESIGN, A SPIN-OFF COMPANY OF THE RONDA GROUP OF ITALY, LAUNCHES A NEW CONCEPT OF “PIECE OF FURNITURE” - NOT ONLY WOOD, GLASS OR CRYSTAL - BUT ALSO STEEL AND CARBON STEEL. THE COMPANY OFFERS AN INNOVATIVE AND ADVANCED STYLE, NOT ONLY FOR THE MATERIALS USED BUT ALSO FOR THE USE OF MAGNETISM, A NATURAL PHENOMENON GIVING RISE TO A SYSTEM OF INTERCHANGEABLE AND COLORFUL COVERS, THUS ALLOWING ITS USERS TO ALWAYS GIVE A NEW LIGHT TO LIVING SPACES. APP DESIGN, A RONDA DESIGN BRAND, IS A UDINE-BASED DESIGN WORKSHOP THAT DESIGNS AND DEVELOPS INNOVATIVE AND ADVANCED IDEAS IN COLLABORATION WITH YOUNG DESIGNERS. THE COMPANY CHALLENGES CONVENTIONAL CONCEPTS BY PROPOSING A NEW WAY OF FURNISHING. IT LAUNCHES A SYSTEM - NO LONGER STATIC BUT HIGHLY DYNAMIC - THROUGH WHICH IT INTENDS TO MAKE THE WHOLE SPACE MORE FUNCTIONAL, LIVABLE AND DESIGN- ORIENTED, AND ABOVE ALL, FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE.

DESIGN

Decor

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Décor house Sotodecor’s unique style inspired by nature, makes it a brand to be reckoned with

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he brand Sotodecor embraces natural uniqueness, style and timelessness. It is a unique brand of handcrafted interior furniture, lights and art. What is perhaps the USP of Sotodecor is designer Sonja Weder’s lacquer technique to embed and preserve real plant parts, like leaves and seeds in polyurethane, which is the unique feature of the products while co-designer Thomas Schnider draws all structures beforehand and supervises the actual manufacturing process. The furniture, lighting and other home accessories adapt elegantly in any surrounding and enhance the classical as well as the modern urban living statement. It can be said that designers Sonja and Thomas exhibit a ‘funky yet functional’ style which is ergonomic, discerningly minimalistic and evidently inspired by the ﬂora of Goa’s lush countryside. The designers use

Left: 5

1. Charcoal/grey sofa with black matt base 2. DreamcatcherΩFloor light with crumpled paper

motif & feathers 3. Red, pink and orange wall mirror using banana ﬁber 4. Three in one tablesΩred, pink and orange with

banana ﬁber 5. On centre tableΩElephant ear leaf tray 58

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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2 3

5 7 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Wall paintings by Sonja Weder using mixed media of leaves and seeds BanglesΩCeiling lights made from glass bangles on a matt chrome ﬁnish bulb holder NipponΩFloor light made of banana leaf on a matt black metal body CubeΩTable lamp made from handmade paper on a matt black metal base Centre table with money plant leaf motif on a metal base Cover table with money plant leaf motif on a metal base Dining table with elephant ear leaves on a metal base

DESIGN

2 1

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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interesting material like banana fibre, banana leaves, bhindi leaves, elephant ear leaves, seeds and pipal leaves. Says Sonja, “Picking from our own garden or a special leaf from the neighbour’s tree can make a big difference in our life. A walk through the woods and a pod can change a painting of mine. Till today I lay the leaves on the boards and then it gets lacquered by brush until it has the right look and feeling. And until today, I’m surprised how a board can look when it is finished. Sometimes I think how could I have the idea to use leaves, but maybe surrounded by nature, it just had to fall in my hand. And maybe Mother Earth is sending a message to all of us.” The Swiss designers have kept up with design and quality in terms of maintaining international standards but their skills are tuned with the local pace and combined with the opulent Indian tradition in terms of colour and interior layout. The products are easy to maintain, extremely durable and has high life expectancy. Most items can be customized, in size and colour, to ensure the best outcome in charisma and economy. Sotodecor has done numerous projects for restaurants and hotels, participated at exhibitions in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. Today their clients have extended to all over the country and some of their lamps and furniture and paintings reach Europe and the US. With their distinct signature, Sotodecor has carved a fine niche in the Indian interior line. They feel like a kind of pioneer and presumably have positively influenced the local interior market in way of functionality and quality, promptness and reliability. The sales platform Sotohaus is a benchmark by itself, and a good sample how a simple concrete bungalow can be transformed into an interesting, vivid and animated living space.

Elephant ear leaf on metal stand

Left: 1. ‘Glass and Leaf’ coffee table using polished clear glass on the top.

2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

The base in black matt is especially designed using elephant ear leaf On centre tableΩTable mats made from paper, seeds/leaves on acrylic sheets Left to centre tableΩInnovatively designed test tube stand with nine chromed metal rods holding test tubes on the top The leaf motif has been used on the base CentreΩComfy sofa in charcoal/grey Back-Painting by Sonja Weder using mixed media on 6mm acrylic sheet Right to sofaΩTwo-in-one black matt side tables in metal base using elephant ear leaves as motif TopΩTube shaped wall light ‘Channel’ on 2mm acrylic sheet with white seeds ingrained on the lamp shade with metal holder Left side ﬂoor lampΩMatt black ﬂoor lamp ‘La Luna’ made from handmade paper, pods and brass timbales 61

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1. Test tube stand made of chromed metal rods with test tubes 2. Bar counterΩMetal body with 4 glass shelves 3. Partition stand in 3 parts using banana fibre. 4mm acrylic with metal frame in black matt finish. 4. Oval ceiling light with 8mm aluminium rings and metal holder in silver zinc finish 5. Painting using mixed media on 6mm acrylic sheet. Artist Sonja Weder 6. ShieldΩWall lamp on 2mm acrylic sheet using handmade paper and metal holder

3 6

DESIGN

Trends $QG WKH FRORXU LV

UHG Trend forecasting is a vital and inspiring part of our business, enabling AkzoNobel to be one step ahead of the next big thing

kzoNobel is the world’s largest paint company and we pride ourselves on our knowledge and understanding of all aspects of colour and design. Through our brands like Dulux, we aim to encourage everyone to realize the power of colour. ‘And the colour is red’ is one of a series demonstrating our unique appreciation of a particular colour hue. Offer a toddler a choice of objects and most likely it will pick a bright colour over a muted one, with a preference for red. Red catches our attention, more than any other colour. It is thought to be the ﬁrst colour perceived by babies. Other than that, red is believed to have a higher emotional value than other colours. People associate red with passion, strength, energy, luck, warmth, love and seduction. Negative associations with the colour include blood, danger and aggression although this is a matter of cultural viewpoint. Red is said to have a stimulating effect. It is believed to inﬂuence heart rate, adrenalin levels and blood pressure. It can even prompt to action. Studies among students revealed their reaction speed increased by 12% when they were in a room with red light. Red also has suggestive powers over us. Repeated studies showed that people estimated the temperature in a room painted red some degrees centigrade higher. In interior spaces red creates a cozy, warm, friendly and welcoming environment, for several reasons. The most important one being that

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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HELEEN VAN GENT Head of Akzonobel Aesthetic Center red makes images look larger. Red walls seem to advance and a red ceiling creates an intruding and heavy effect. So, if you want to make people feel safe and sheltered in a large space, painting it red makes perfect sense. The interesting thing is that while red sets a mellow mood in a larger space, it brings some excitement to a smaller room. On a smaller scale, red is also great for accents, highlights and focal points. Stephanie Kraneveld is Global Colour Knowledge Manager AkzoNobel Decorative Paints. For more information on colour, colour ranges and colour help tools go to http://www.dulux.in 65

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Products &DUYLQJ 6SDFHV ZLWK

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CHENELLE RODRIGUES

P H OTO C O U RTE SY: Cocoon Fine Rugs, I M Centre for Applied Arts

Carpets can enhance your space… aesthetically and functionally!

f buying a rug or a carpet and spreading it – to please your eyes and your feet – is where your truck with them starts and ends, then that doesn’t justify the intricacy and time that goes into the making of these woven pieces of art. Similarly, if you leave a woolen rug on during the floor during the summer months that doesn’t perform its worth… How then, do you make the maximum use of your floor coverings, while bringing out the best in them? Carpets and rugs can be used almost anywhere and everywhere in your homes, however, you cannot just place any piece to cover any space, to add a flair to your interiors. The secret lies in choosing and combining them to suite your space. Here are a few tips and suggestions from décor experts… O Flooring layers in bright, vibrant colours add drama and can work as ascents in the room. To create a balance, go subtle on the upholstery and curtains. O Carpets and rugs in dark shades add warmth and character to a space by making it cosy. It’s indeed a comforting feeling to dig your feet into the cushion-feel of a carpet, especially when you wake up on a cold, winter morning. Besides, a rug at the foot of your bed and A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

DESIGN living-room sofa makes a space look complete. O The bedroom is a place for relaxation and retreat so go with watery colours reminiscent of the sea. Pastels inject some energy. O In your living room and hall where guests need to feel welcome, use warm colours like crimson and brown. O Silk is the material of choice of the royals and silk carpets exhibit just that – a rich, plush and regal feel. They are rather traditional in style and predictable in sizes and designs, and are specifically meant to adorn formal spaces of homes. O Woolen carpets come in a variety of colours, textures, shapes and sizes. Most carpet designers are quick to admit that wool is a great material to work with, for it can create such a variety! Of course, woolen carpets are a big ‘no’ during summers. O Leather carpets may not charm you with a grand and lustrous show, but are more maintainable than carpets made of most other materials and are posed to no seasonal perils. They are ideal for kids’ areas, libraries, lobbies, etc. O Cotton is more common in rugs than in carpets and lend a raw look to the setting in which it is placed. O Carpets and rugs can create rooms within a room, and this is perhaps one of the simplest and best uses a carpet can be put to. A big area rug holding a seating area indicates a place for entertaining while a smaller one in the same room with a reading chair and side table marks your reading nook. O A floor covering with a design or artistic element can make it to the walls too… as a wall hanging! Woven floor pieces can also be used in small sizes to make beautiful wall frames. O Try using a pastel-print carpet as a headboard; it makes for a comfortable backrest as well as does wonders for your bedroom interiors. O Carpets are often seen cladding whole rooms, covering walls and floors; this is especially seen in (home) theaters. This is because, besides their aesthetic appeal, they help in improving the acoustics of a room by dampening echoes and absorbing sound. If you do not wish a complete carpet-cover for your entertainment room, at least layer the space between the speakers and the seats so as to trap direct sound waves. Carpets and rugs can serve a purpose and add to the design of your interiors, both at the same time. Although they present an enormous choice in patterns, textures, colours, materials and sizes, it’s how, where and which one you choose to use, is what defines the woven piece of fabric and your interiors. WITH INPUTS BY:

Thomas Johan, Sr. G.M. Retail Operations and Institutions Sales, @ home by Nilkamal Limited, Ayush Choudhary, owner and designer, Cocoon Fine Rugs, Leena Vaidya , interior designer, Design Plus, Nikita Bhargav, creative director, Zansaar.com, Punam Karla, creative director and owner, IM Centre for Applied Arts, Anju Kumar, artist.

CHENELLE RODRIGUES HAS BEEN PART OF THE PRINT MEDIA COVERING HOMES AND INTERIORS, WILDLIFE AND TRAVEL. SHE HOLDS A PARTICULAR INTERAEST IN RESEARCHING AND DOCUMENTING ART, CULTURE AND HERITAGE.

DESIGN

Column

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View of the entire Shiroda Bus Terminal which takes the form of Goddess Kamakshi’s eagle like ﬂying-vehicle called “Garuda” The fabricated roof resembles the contours of a sloping hill and the rounded columns look like trees with lights encrusted in them

Architect RITA MODY JOSHI writes about the functionality and designing

esigners wish to make a statement while designing any space; however the primary issue is whether the space is functional and serves its purpose in total. Whatever be the structure, intelligent and innovative solutions is the key to building a better World. Being a pioneer in any field has its own risks, but once proved perfect, a niche is carved in the world of design. The success of any project depends on its quality, superlative designs (the wow factor) and a hi-end innovative technology executed by a highly efficient workforce. Designers work with passion to ensure that the lifestyle quality of their clients is fulfilled. Moreover, the creator feels a sense of achievement when their designs are appreciated. This gives them an incentive to design better! Cutting edge designs are not accidental creations. The innovative spirit has been fired! Sleepless hours of detailed planning result in landmarks for posterity. Rahul Deshpande a highly reputed architect from Goa established his office in 1993 and has created signature bus terminals in Shiroda and Honda.

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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Front view of the bus terminus at Honda

The Shiroda Bus terminal was conceptualised by inspiration from ‘Garuda’, the eagle-like ﬂying vehicle used by revered Goddess Kamakshi. ‘Soaring up to the heavens’ is the Wow factor created by our innovative designer. To achieve this resemblance, Rahul created two balanced steeltruss cantilevers, each 12 metres long, that stretches out from a central beam supported by columns. He made the lightweight roof of structural galvanised steel tubes and UV-proof PVC sheeting. The interior is not painted, but covered in easy-to-clean ceramic tiles. According to architect Rahul Deshpande, the roads and concourses are made in concrete rather than asphalt/macadam, as they last four times longer. For easy access, he created separate entrances and exits for commuters, buses, cars and two wheelers. With boarding and alighting having different areas, special care has been taken by the architect to see that there is no disturbance for alighting and dismounting passengers. Adequate rest rooms, inquiry counters, waiting areas, shops and food outlets also are carefully provided for. Arch. Rahul Deshpande painted the façade and the interiors of the terminal in myriad shades of green so that it blends in with the verdant orchards that surround it; becoming unobtrusive, allowing the columns, beam and roof comprising the ‘Garuda’ to soar unfettered. His post-modern structure represents a composite head and beak, mounted at the façade; a delight to any observer. Deshpande’s says, the arduous task was to build it on a hilly terrain, by leveling the area ﬁrst. The circulation pattern at this bus stand has

Dramatic structural design for the Shiroda Bus Terminal

DESIGN

Innovative & Abstract design of “Garuda’s head”

View of the neatly designed parking bays from the ticket counter

been done in a methodical manner with proper delineation of access and exit routes. The movement of buses and vehicles entering and exiting are free from any encumbrances. Properly designated areas for parking of private vehicles, taxis on hire, idle parking for buses contributes to the well-ordered system. The roof of the bus stand is fabricated to resemble the contour of a sloping hill. A double sheet ceiling for the roof makes it sport a heavy gradient, concealing the members used to suspend it. Rahul explains, that the rounded columns of the bus stand resemble the trees with efficiently designed lights encrusted in rounded frames, mounted on the top and base of the columns. Another unique feature of the bus stand are the walls, that have been clad with tiles making them easy to maintain rather than painting it. The bays where the buses halt is such that the rear end of the bus touches a raised platform, making it smooth to carry one’s luggage onto the bus as well as ascend the bus without difficulty. Care has also been taken to provide the bus terminus with facilities like restrooms for the staff of Kadamba Transport Corporation. An adequate canteen and drinking water facility in addition to well built washrooms makes the experience of commuters worthwhile. With ever changing designs, very few architects, like Rahul Deshpande have dared to do something innovative, yet truly remarkable, by making innovative functional designs that serves its purpose in total. Yes, indeed it takes a lot of patience and perseverance to make that cutting edge design, but the rewards are limitless and purely satisfying. A GRADUTAE FROM CEPT AHMEDABAD IN 1985, SHE WORKED WITH AR B V DOSHI (AHMEDABAD) AND AR JOSEPH ALLEN STEIN (DELHI), BEFORE MOVING TO GOA IN 1987.A VISITING FACULTY AT GOA COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, SHE TOOK ACTIVE PART IN THE IIA (4 YEARS AS VICE-CHAIRMAN). AS FOUNDER CHAIRMAN OF IIID GOA CENTRE, SHE ORGANISED FIVE MEGA EVENTS EVERY YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS AND WAS CONVENOR OF THE IIID NATIONAL CONVENTION IN 2005. RITA WAS REQUESTED TO HELP IN ORGANIZING THE EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC SPACE DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION (APSDA) CONVENTION IN FEBRUARY 2012. SHE HAS HER ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE IN GOA SINCE 1994.SHE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LIONS CLUB OF CALANGUTE.

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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P H OTO C O U RTE SY: Remo Fernandes

2) ,)), &+,36 REMO FERNANDES pens his

P H OTO G RAP H: Harsh Kamat

thoughts about the ďŹ lm festival in Goa and shares his observations on typical stereotypes in the State

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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love the rush of a film festival. All the rushes involved in fact. The rush from Siolim to Panjim during those ten mornings, the rush from one film theatre to another with just a few minutes to spare, the rush to and from a food stall in between films... And of course the occasional adrenalin rush when the rare film manages to evoke one. To me, IFFI means at least 3 (and sometimes 4 or 5) films a day. But out of them all, about 45% are bad enough to warrant walking out of, and one wonders what they are doing in a festival. About 45% are passable, and one still wonders what they are doing in a festival. About 7% are good. And only about 3% are exceptional. When I judged the Cairo Children’s Film Festival a few years ago, I experienced the same disappointment. But then Egypt and India have a lot in common in the wrong departments. I would expect ALL films featured in a festival to be at least good if not exceptional, with at least 25% of these falling into the ‘excellent’ and ‘masterpiece’ category. After all these are supposed to be the best of the best, aren’t they? Handpicked from each foreign country and Indian state? I can understand a lower standard in the Indian films. After all, not all Indian states are known for their cinema, but they’re trying. But why the mediocre films from advanced countries, I wonder?

Does IFFI fail to attract entries from among the best of the best? Are our honourable selectors unable to recognize the best of the best? Or - knowing India and our wonderful ways - are selections based on things other than merit? The answer, my friend, is blowing somewhere in celluloid world. No, I’m not knocking IFFI. IFFI and other such Indian film festivals are a god-send in a country which otherwise starves for serious, alternative, non-commercial cinema. If not for IFFI, we wouldn’t have so many film makers sprouting out of Goa. Obviously most of them are still in their teething stages as far as the international and even national arenas are concerned, but they can (and will) only get better thanks to this festival, and thanks to the support from the Entertainment Society of Goa. While on the topics of films, the mind can’t help but think of a few chips we Goans carry into cinema halls, not in our hands but on our shoulders. Remember the days when the only Goan character portrayed in Bollywood was as a good-natured, singing, dancing drunk uncle? Or a booze joint owning, drunk aunty? And how we Goans would scream hoarse about the way our image was wronged in Hindi films? Well it always made me wonder about a couple of things.

P H OTO G RAP H: Harsh Kamat

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Some years ago I was doing a concert in a Gulf country, organized by a company run by three Indian gentlemen: one from Kerala, one from Gujarat, and one from Goa. On the day before the show, they asked me to visit their respective clubs to promote and publicize the show. The Kerala club’s main room was an impressive, well-equipped library with literary works from Kerala and elsewhere. It also had a large sports room for active sports such as table-tennis, and another one for quieter games such as billiards and carrom. It had a children’s room with specialized children’s games and facilities. It had a restaurant. Healthy-looking, energetic, sober people were playing sports and games, sitting around reading or chatting, or having dinner. At the back of the club, there was a small bar room where I saw three or four elders having a drink. The Gujarat club was almost a replica of the Kerala club. The Goan club was different. Its main room was a large bar where men sat drinking, children played haphazardly across the bar ﬂoor, and women sat around and gossiped, waiting for their husbands to ﬁnish their drinks so they could all go home and have dinner. The ‘library’ was a little rickety wooden shelf in a corner of this room, with a few dated magazines and newspapers - not a single book or novel. And the ‘sports facilities’ were restricted to three or four tables where men played rummy or poker - you guessed it, with drinks at their side. Let us not be surprised then, when Indians from other states notice the glasses in our hands before they notice us. Of course you and I know there’s much, much more to us than the drinks we so enjoy. But we too only notice the joints and chillums in a hippie’s hand, don’t we? We don’t bother to discuss with him and learn about his philosophies on life, spirituality, yoga, ecology. We think of a hippie, we think of drugs. Indians think of a Goan, they think of alcohol. Its as simple as that. If we look at ourselves through their eyes, if we look at ourselves in a mirror, specially at around 8 pm, we will understand why. And here’s another massive chip on our shoulder: god save the cretin who calls us Goanese. How dare they insult us thus?! Don’t they know its a bad, dirty obscenity, worse than all obscenities condemned P H OTO G RAP H S: Harsh Kamat by god? Straight to hell only they’ll go! A person from China is Chinese... A person from Assam is Assamese... A person from Burma is Firstly, about how we Goans portray any non-Goan Indian in our Burmese... A person from Nepal is Nepalese... A person from Portugal ‘teatros’. He is either a lungi walla from the South, on a turban wal- is Portuguese... Now from where could they have got the idea that a la from the North. Either way he is lecherous and forever after our person from Goa is Goanese?! Let us remember, my dear Goan brothers and sisters, that being good, virtuous Goan girls. He is hardly the family man who visits our state for the love of its beauty, and who is ripped off by our wonderful called Goanese is not an insult; it is a mistake. Plain and simple. So Goan touts, taxi drivers and hoteliers. He is hardly the discriminated when someone commits it, let us correct them with a against visitor who is made to feel unwelcome at our beach shacks by smile on our faces. Not with outrage in our hearts. our good Goan waiters, in favour of foreign customers. PADMASHRI AWARD RECIPIENT SINGER/ SONGWRITER REMO IS ONE OF Speaking of which, how we scream hoarse about Russian shacks INDIA’S RENOWNED POP/ROCK/INDIAN FUSION MUSIC ICONS. HIS NOTED COMPOSITIONS LIKE O MERI MUNNI, FLUTE SONG, MARIA PITA CHE ARE SOME where Goans are unwelcome! Perhaps we are being paid back for the OF HIS ALL TIME HITS. HE IS ALSO A SOCIAL ACTIVIST. way we treat our own countrymen? 76

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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Talkies

5HDFKLQJ RXW WKURXJK ILOPV Films can inspire a generation, IFFI shows us how

he 43rd International Film Festival in Goa played host to a diverse number of films from different parts of the globe, with the main highlight being the 100 years of Indian cinema. More than 160 films from 72 countries were screened at the ten day film festival, whereas 27 feature films and 56 documentary films from India were screened as par t centenary celebrations including Dadasaheb Phalke’s landmark 1913 silent movie Raja Harishkrishna. Goa has played host to the film festival for the past 9 years, offering something new every year. This year Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar constructed a special makeshift air conditioned hangar near the Kala Academy in Panaji to host the opening and closing ceremony. The opening film played host to the screening of the world premiere of Life of Pi directed by Aang Lee, whereas the closing film played host to Mira

Nair’s critically acclaimed The Reluctant Fundamentalist. The International Film Festival of India also honoured renowned Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Zanussi with the prestigious lifetime achievement award. One of Zanussi’s films - ‘Illumination’, which he directed in 1973, was screened in the ‘Cinema of the World’ section. The international competition section of the IFFI saw Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan also known as Alms for a Blind Horse taking away the top honours from its better competitors from around the globe. At the IFFI, the four day Film Bazaar too had its fair share of success stories with the organisers the National Film Development Corporation bringing filmmakers, producers and delegates from around the world to talk the business of films. Abraxas Lifestyle takes a pick from the number of movies screened at the IFFI and tells you those that caught our attention.

MOVIES CALM AT SEA

The story of the film is set in France, October 1941. Eighteen months into France’s occupation by the German troops, young Communist members of the Resistance shoot dead an officer of the German Army. In retaliation, Adolf Hitler demands the deaths of 150 Frenchmen, as ‘retribution.’ The targets are mostly young and old men believed to share the assassins’ political convictions. Most of these men are taken from an internment camp for opponents wherein a rural French administrator is ordered to select the victims. Although the parish priest appeals to their conscience, both the German military and their French helpers unquestioningly follow their orders. The director of the film, academy award winner Volker Schlöndorff meticulously reconstructed the real-life events portrayed in the film based on a secret military report written by poet Ernst Jünger, who was an officer in the German Army at the time, as well as other manuscripts including the farewell letters of the men who were killed. The 89 minute film is produced by Bruno Petit. 78

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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ELLES

A challenging potrayal of female sexuality, Elles stars the fearless Juliette Binoche as Anne, a well-off Parisian journalist who investigates the lives of two student prostitutes, Joanna Kulig and Anaïs Demoustier for a magazine article. What begins as a routine assignment to find out how the students had gotten themselves into prostitution, though, quickly becomes personal, as Anne is drawn into the lives of these independent young women and forced to confront her own sexual fears and desires. Elles is the fourth feature by acclaimed Polish filmmaker Malgoska Szumowska and was co-written by Szumowska and Tine Byrckel, a journalist and psychoanalyst who with the help from French documentarian Hélène de Crécy, interviewed young female prostitutes in France and Poland. The film is produced by Marianne Slot.

FLORBELA

Portugal, 1920. Florbela Espanca, a woman ahead of her time and a famous poet, gets married the third time after two failed ones. She believes that to please the new man in her life, she has to act as a traditional housewife and give up her writing. Quitting for sometime, she soon finds herself restless and frustrated. When her brother, Apeles calls her to Lisbon, she runs away from her quiet home to be with him. Together they venture into the dark side of the capital, partying, drinking and attending open air balls. Florbela finds herself torn between Apeles and her husband. When her brother dies, piloting a plane, her world collapses making her want to commit suicide. She then reads her brothers’ dying letter requesting her not to use him as a reason or an excuse to live, and moreover to take up writing poems again. She administers her will to live by writing, although sadness ultimately takes her life away in the end. The film is written and directed by Vicente Alves do Ó and stars Dalila Carmo, Ivo Canelas and Albano Jerónimo.

LILET NEVER HAPPENED

The film Lilet Never Happened is a character driven story based on interviews with Lilet, a little Filipino street-girl, who became Manila’s most famous child prostitute. Although a social worker tries to make her quit, she stubbornly chooses the hard way to do so. The story is shown through the point of view of Filipino children and is very engaging, combined with humour and hard hitting scenes. This film is directed by Jacco Groen and produced by A spring film foundation production. The film is slated for released on January 2013.

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TWICE BORN

A breathtaking film, about choices people have to make for the better of mankind, director Sergio Castellitto’s Twice born, was a moving film, which was well received by an appreciative audience at the International Film Festival of India. Starred opposite Emile Hirsch, Penelope Cruz plays to perfection a single Italian mother, Gemma, who returns to the once war torn Sarajevo after receiving an invitation from her friend Gojko to visit an exhibition of her late husband Diego (Emile). She seizes this opportunity to take her 16-year-old son, Pietro, along with her so that she can tell him about his father who died during the Balkan wars. After reaching Sarajevo, she is faced with coming to terms with her past and truth that Pietro who was born from a surrogate was not her late husband’s child. Life plays cruel tricks on people whom you least expect. Gemma’s will to give her child a new lease of life against all odds shows how humane one can be. Released in 2012, this 127 minute film produced by Sergio Castellitto and Margaret Mazzantini on whose book by the same name the film is based upon is a must watch.

RUST AND BONE

The plot of Rust and Bone is an unusual one, and seems hard to digest at first. But as you see the film in its entirety one comes to terms with its moving story. Marion Cotillard from La vie en rose fame plays a gorgeous orca trainer called Stéphanie, who loses her legs in a freak accident, and is brought out of depression by having therapeutic sex with a strapping bare-knuckle fighter Ali from Belgium. The film has been directed by Jacques Audiard and shows us how Stephanie gets her life back on track inspite of being crippled. It also shows how another human being accepts her and treats her like an equal with love. Simply moving and yet captivating.

WILD ONES

Five teenage prisoners escape from a remote reform school in an Argentinean province. Fending for themselves in the wilderness of the pampas, they set out in search of a fabled location, where they believe their salvation lies with the mysterious outlaw known as the Godfather. Carrying a few supplies and a shotgun, the youths hunt to feed themselves and rob the homes they pass by apart from ﬁghting and making up with each other. Their quest becomes increasingly desperate and they end up irrevocably lost with death knocking at their doors one by one. Directed and co-produced by Alejandro Fadel, the ﬁlm which whose screenplay has also been written by him has been showcased in festivals around the globe and is recipient of numerous awards for its blatant portrayal of youth reduced to savagery when you least expected it. 80

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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THE OUTRAGED

ALMS FOR A BLIND HORSE

The Golden peacock award for the best film in the International Competition Section at IFFI 2012 was accorded to Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan (Alms for a Blind Horse) based on the novel of the same title by Gurvinder Singh who also directed the film. Produced by NFDC, the film revolves around an impoverished family who are witness to a house being demolished on the outskirts of their village to make way for industrial plots. They join the community in their fight for justice for the affected family who have lost their dwellings. This moving story depicts the stark reality of migration of young men to the cities for jobs while farms in the village are being exploited by big agriculturists every year. Released in 2011, the 112 minute film cast includes Mal Singh, Samuel John, Sarbjeet Kaur, Dharminder Kaur, Emmanuel Singh, Kulwinder Kaur, Lakha Singh and Gurvinder Makhna

African refugees find themselves on European shores having travelled by sea. One amongst them, Betty, an illegal immigrant makes her journey to the turbulent continent which is in a transition. Finding herself, the film shows us the Occupy movement through her eyes and hope of the people. Empathising with them, Betty marches to the song of exile as the protestors chant their wake-up call. Through her encounters with people coming together in solidarity, Betty expresses the pain and dreams of her exile in a Europe seeking its lost compassion as it tries to place human values back at the center of the system. Directed by Tony Galtif and produced by Delphine Mantoulet, the film’s outstanding editing by Stephane Pedelacq enthralls the viewer with a combination of art sequences, cultural backgrounds and protest movements taking centre stage. The film was released in 2011 and has a time duration of 86 minutes. LIFE OF PI

Director Aang Lee’s churns out his directorial best with the film, Life of Pi, which was selected to open IFFI 2012 in India. Based on the fantasy adventure novel with same title written by Yann Martel that won the Man Booker Prize for fiction a year after its release in 2001, Aang Lee’s brings to life the individual characters to the fore with an Avatar like experience using 3D technology. As per the storyline, middle-aged Piscine Moliter Patel played by Irrfan Khan retells his hard-to-believe tale to a local novelist, of how his father closes down a zoo in India and decides to take his family along with the animals to Canada on a ship which was shipwrecked mid-sea. He then tells about his survival on the life boat with a Bengal tiger and other animals. The films shows 16 year old Pi’s voyage on the lifeboat played by debutant Suraj Sharma. How he tries to find emergency food and water rations on the boat and how he initially stays at a safe distance from Richard Parker, the Bengal Tiger. Realising that he must feed the tiger to protect himself, Pi begins fishing, with some success and then learns to co-exist with him. The lifeboat eventually reaches the coast of Mexico, where the tiger disappears into the jungle and Pi is taken to the hospital. Li of Pi’s star studded cast includes Tobey Maguire, Tabu, Rafe Spall, Gerard Depardieu apart from Irrfan Khan and Suraj Sharma. 81

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Travel

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View of Canton Fair

Text & photographs: FISHEYE

Turkish men are blessed with Greek-God looks - Brad Pitt could walk around Istanbul all day without getting a second glance from the ladies

t was a study in contrast when I was picked up at Istanbul airport by my business associate’s chauffeur in his company car. A scruffy, unshaven male in crumpled jeans and an ill-fitting T-shirt, accompanied by an immaculately attired gentleman with movie-star looks. The immaculately attired one was in the front seat, driving; in the back, I was trying hard to conceal my mortification by doing my best imitation of The Invisible Man. Having wished I could crawl and hide under a rock, I got my first lesson on Turkey and its customs; two lessons, actually. First lesson, Turkish men are blessed with Greek-God looks. Brad Pitt and George Clooney could walk around the streets of the erstwhile Constantinople all day without getting a second glance from the ladies. Second lesson, they are also extremely well dressed, and even the lower rung of com-

pany staff like delivery boys and drivers dress for work in full regalia, including ties and suits. If you are going to Turkey for a business meeting, and unaware of this, you’re likely to sit through the meeting feeling like a scarecrow plucked out of a corn ﬁeld on a rainy day, and plonked into a conference room. Ten minutes at the immigration line at Istanbul airport makes it clear that among those clearly aware of the fact are the thousands of nubile Russian ladies who throng to Turkey each year, hoping to settle down with one of these Adonis like gentlemen, and beat the skewed gender ratio back home which leaves 12% of them without hope of ﬁnding a life-mate. Since these hopeful immigrants are equally blessed in the good looks department, it is likely that the union, if successful, will produce progeny that even the Gods, Greek or otherwise, will envy. Russian men, on the other hand, have no A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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relatively low costs) of Istanbul. It might be a good idea to visit it before “ Ki holo, dada?” becomes the standard greeting there, before Jain Food and Gujarati Thali restaurants outnumber the Shish Kebab and Mutton Kofta stalls, and before your friendly neighbourhood grocer regales you with his version of Istan-bull. F I S H EYE

I LLU STRATI O N BY KAR I S H MA ALVAR E S

shortage of comely ladies in their home country, so while Olga, Tanya and Valentina rush in to hook and book their Turkish Delight, Yuri, Boris and Nikolai, sadly, show no similar inclination. Regardless of gender, though, most Russians treat Turkey (as many do Goa too) as a second home, holidaying here frequently to escape the freezing winter in Volgograd, Vladivostok and wherever else Russians are likely to come from. Istanbul’s unique geographical location, straddling Asia on the Eastern side, and Europe in the West, both separated by the breathtakingly picturesque Bosphorus straits, has given birth to a city with a unique vibrancy and culture that imbibes both traditional Islamic Eastern inﬂuences, and modern Western ones. Eastern hospitality has shaped the Turks to be among the most courteous people to

inhabit the earth, while their Western inﬂuences (led largely in the 1920s and 30s by President Kemal Ataturk, who dragged the Turks, kicking and screaming, towards 20th century modernisation) have ensured political, business and social pragmatism. Istanbul’s geography also surely makes it the only Asian city where one can can hear conversations like “I’m going across to Europe to my mother, you scumbag...and I expect an apology, otherwise, don’t expect me back for lunch...” This is a place you will love for its cobbled streets where elderly gentlemen puff on a hookah while playing backgammon. The food, an eclectic mix of Arabic and Mediterranean, is also an attraction, as are the ethereal blue domed mosques, and the boat ride down the Bosphorus. For the more adventurous, what better place than the spice market, where shifty eyed charlatans mingle with honest businessmen to separate you from the contents of your wallet with the speed that even a well oiled cheetah in its prime would envy. From the number of movies now being shot there, it is evident that the world is rapidly discovering the charms (and the

THE AUTHOR IS AN AGEING HIPPIE IN THE GUISE OF A BUSINESS EXECUTIVE. CURRENTLY BASED IN MUMBAI, HE TAKES EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SLIP HIS LEASH AND DESCEND UPON UNWARY NATIVES IN FOREIGN LANDS. HIS WRITINGS ARE IMMENSELY POPULAR WITH A SELECT ELITE THAT INCLUDE HIS WIFE, CHILDREN, AND HIS TWO PET MYNAHS.

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Down Memory Lane

0\ )ULHQG

3UDEXGGKD Tribute to a Genius Part-II

Revealing personal information to the world for the ﬁrst time, in a series of interviews, famous Fashion Photographer Akash Das talks about his close friend & colleague - the person the world knew as the king of Fashion / Glamour / Fine Art Nude Photography - Prabuddha Dasgupta. This series is an intimate and personal account that traces the life of two close friends Akash Das & Prabuddha Dasgupta – especially during a period of 10 years (1981-1990) when they worked together as an almost inseparable team - on their journey from being an visualiser & a copywriter respectively - to both becoming legends in the fashion photography world.

Akash - in 1985 S H OT BY

Prabuddha

placed him in the ranks of major photographic rabuddha Dasgupta was a self-taught talent in the country. photographer who grew up in the cultural Prabuddha’s work has been exhibited chaos of post-colonial India. internationally, both in solo and group shows, and In 1996, Prabuddha broke a taboo by published in Indian, French, English, Italian and publishing ‘Women’, a controversial collection of American magazines. His second book ‘Ladakh’, a portraits and nudes of urban Indian women. With personal exploration of India’s frontier wilderness that gesture, he reinstated the nude to its rightful was published in 2000 and his work is included place in the Indian cultural discourse - after in many books publications including ‘Nudi’ and 200 years of Victorian morality imposed by the ‘India Now - New Photographic Visions’. British colonialists had almost erased sexuality He is also the recipient of many grants and from artistic expression... in the very home of PRABUDDHA DASGUPTA awards, including the Yves Saint Laurent grant the Kamasutra. 1956 - 2012 for photography in1991, and his work is in the In the decade that followed, Prabuddha collections of many individuals and institutions, like the Museo pursued a variety of photographic projects, while unapologetically straddling the two worlds of commissioned and artistic work, Ken Damy, Brescia, Italy, and Galleria Carla Sozzani, Milan, Italy. Prabuddha’s third book “Edge of Faith” was published in 2009. bringing to both, a bold, individualistic sensibility that very quickly

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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This series of interviews is our tribute to the memory of a genius who passed away recently (Sunday 12th August, 2012). His work lives on ... Akash Das was interviewed by HEMANT SUD in Delhi for Abraxas Lifestyle. Hemant: Akash, continuing from where we left off last time, can you remember what was the next really interesting work you did together with Prabuddha Dasgupta ? Akash: An interesting incident, concerning not just Prabuddha, but also a lot of common friends, was the Calendar we designed for InterShoppe. It was sometime in late 1987 when the project came to us. As I told you earlier, at that time, I was a freelance Art Director and Prabuddha a freelance Photographer. We had been asked to design a Calendar for the client - something that would be visually dramatic and break the trend of very boring wall calendars prevailing at that time.

TAN IA

Hemant: So how did you both approach this challenging assignment ? Akash: Well, first I worked on the concept - wondering and toying with several basic formats which I tried using. It was only after some thinking and visualizing that the idea finally struck. The concept that I finally presented to the client was the sketch that is overleaf - one with a tall girl with curly hair wearing a white bodysuit under a large black overcoat - with a dramatic light and shade effect. Hemant: What was the client’s reaction ? Akash: The client was quite excited with the presentation - enough for him to ask us to proceed

NAS S E R

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Prabuddha’s ﬁnal shoot - as appearing in the calendar

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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with the project. But somewhere in his mind must also have been a question regarding what the other photographs in the calendar would be like - after all, we had planned six different photographs for the six pages of the calendar. Hemant: So you actually went ahead with an approval based on only one sketch ? Akash: Yes - we explained to the client that the other photographs would also be similar - human models - shot in black and white - with a dramatic play of light and shade. Hemant: Anything memorable about the shoot ? Akash: Yes - it was a very memorable shoot - and for many reasons. For me, ofcourse, the main reason was that we used Shreela, my wife, as the model for the main photograph. Shreela used to be our regular model for many shoots and while the setup was happening, I took some initial photographs of her. We toyed with different poses – using the black and white contrast between the white leotard that she was wearing and the large black overcoat that we had in the studio – it being a cold winter evening in Delhi. In those days, we were using ﬁlms and transparencies and obviously did not have access to today’s digital technology – yet we all felt that the look was coming out well – so Prabuddha immediately took the camera from me and started shooting. Though he also tried many different poses, what we all liked - and ﬁnally used – was the pose that I had initially conceptualized. The entire shoot was over in less than 1 hour – and the results were stunning !

Akash’s initial sketch as the proposed concept for the “Inter-shoppe” calendar

Hemant: Yes - again the similarity between your initial concept sketch and Prabuddha’s ﬁnal photograph is clear - as is the great bond and connection between the two of you. Any other memorable moments ? Akash: The other memorable part was that one of the other models for this shoot was Tania, Prabuddha’s wife. And last, but not the least, the male model used for this shoot was another good friend - Nasser Abdullah. Hemant: Any ﬁnal words about this interesting campaign ? Akash: This campaign went on to win the CAG award for Best Calendar Design - another feather in my and Prabuddha’s cap. to be continued ... AKASH IS AN AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER AND A PIONEER IN THE FIELD OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY. A SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS PERSON, HE HAS ALSO BEEN PART OF SOCIAL AWARENESS AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS IN INDIA. AKASH EXHIBITS INTERNATIONALLY AND CURRENTLY HAS 3 INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS ONGOING – 2 IN PARIS AND 1 IN HAMBURG.

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Yoga

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For a healthy strong and better relationship

hooting is a sport at a microscopic, almost quantum level. With such small distances involved, the slightest twitch or sway can send the 4.5mm pellet disastrously off course. A lot of it is about trying to relax your muscles as much as possible. There are certain muscles that you have to keep activated just to keep upright. A well aligned body with a co-ordinated mind is what is required for a highly technical sport like air riﬂe shooting. Surprisingly, a well designed yoga training gives all what you may need to hit the bull’s eye. How often do you experience that you are thinking about something and at the same moment your partner talks about it? How often do you enjoy this non-verbal communication with your dear one? Is that just a co-incidence or do you feel that somewhere your frequency matches with each other? Imagine a smooth understanding between you and your partner which can enhance the relationship and hence the quality of your life. In order to have a healthy connection between you and your partner, what you primarily need is compassion, gratitude, trust, respect and above all a good understanding. There are many ways to build strong connection and mutual trust - simply start by rolling out a Yoga mat together.

YOGA ENHANCES RELATIONSHIPS

Yoga in Sanskrit means to “join”, to “unite”. It is an ancient system of philosophy, lifestyle and set of techniques that aims to evolve the whole person, the physical self, the mind, the vitality, the emotions, the wisdom and the ethics! PARTNER YOGA- A UNION

Two people join together on one Yoga mat and experience the bliss. A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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Your partner for Yoga can be your friend, your sibling, the spouse, a parent or even your child. Although Partner Yoga is an emerging practice, it has ancient roots in Tantric lineages. Tantra, like Partner Yoga, is a concept that has faced many misconceptions, including the mistaken belief that it is all about sex and it is addressed to lovers only. The word Tantra, is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root “tan” (extend, expand) and the suffix “tra” (instrument), essentially means “to weave”. The core of its philosophy teaches that everything to which we relate in the sensible world can be used as a tool in the path to liberation. Partner Yoga stems from the same philosophical approach, as it resorts to relationship as a means to awake to our true nature. Partner Yoga painlessly deepens and increases the body stretch as well as the impact of a Yoga posture. In this practice, both partner’s body weight can be used to produce a fruitful extension or balance for the couple. In the asna, your partner will serve you as a mirror. M O D E LS

Zubin Atre & Christelle Faucon P H OTO G RAP HY

Abraxas Photography

Through her/his reﬂection, your dear one will help you check your alignment, ﬁnd the right balance and reach a state of deep concentration. Partner Yoga, however, is not a substitute for individual practice. It is a practice that strengthens our capacity in relationships, as well as complements the individual Yoga practice. BENEFITS

Better Communication Certainly builds confidence and communication between the two of you! When you hold each other in a balancing posture, you would teach one another to let go and surrender. You would need the complicity of your partner to get into and out of the posture. You would also relish your partner’s assistance in reaching and maintaining the level of stretch or balance required in the Asna, while giving yourself at the same time a chance to support your partner’s movements by sharing her/his body weight. Around the clock assistance If you have ever received an adjustment from your yoga teacher that helped you get deeper into a pose, like some pressure on your back in Paschimottansana (forward bend), you already know how it feels. It is like that gentle assistance that allowed you to come into a posture that you could not have done by yourself, for instance a lift into Seersh Asna (head stand). If you have been through this, you have already experienced the benefits of Partner Yoga. When Partner Yoga works, it can therefore be a great boon to your practice, essentially allowing the teacher to be everywhere at once. Promotes Synergy Increases the flexibility of the body and advances the individual Yoga practices: creatively using the body weights of both practitioners, one can experience untouched corners of the Asna that are not reached through the individual practice. Through the support of the partner, both practitioners become more aware of the potentials of their own body – and of course, of your loved one. Interdependence Moreover, once the duo is in that moment of mutual dependence, relying on each other to maintain the posture, the couple generally experiences a sense of security and well-being. As a result, Partner Yoga ends up enhancing the intimacy within the couple: 89

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when the partners engage themselves together and follow the postures’ ﬂow with discipline and awareness, they both experience the pleasure of touch. The kinesthetic awareness that comes from the touch helps to open to greater depths of bodies and psyches. Fun But above all: Partner yoga is fun. Your body produces endorphins and this will surely uplift your mood and relieve the stress. It is therefore a unique opportunity to play with your partner and feel the beneﬁts of simultaneous smiles and shared giggles. For instance, when your partner does Parvatasna on top of your Parvatasna and you lift your head up to see into her/his eyes.

partner’s left knee. Have your partner do the same. Stay in the pose for a least one minute and switch your legs, reaching around with the left hand. Partner Yoga- for All One does not have to be a ﬂexible as rubber band to experience the harmony with each other. Your partner may be taller/shorter, heavier/lighter than you are, but this should not stop the two of you from getting entangled with each other. The whole concept of Partner Yoga is to nourish and complete each other with acceptance, joy and devotion. ADVANCED ASNAS FOR COUPLES

The Right Way! Vraksh Asana (Tree Pose)- Stand next to your partner in Tadasana (Mountain Pose). Shift your weight onto your inside foot (the one closest to your partner). Clasp your outside ankle with your outside hand. Gently pull your outside foot up until the sole of your foot rests against your thigh. Align your pelvis over your supporting foot. Find your focus about four to ﬁve feet in front of you. Wrap your inside arm around your partner’s back and have her/him do the same for you. Bring your outside arm into Anjali Mudra (Salutation Seal) in front of your heart, or grasp your partner’s outside hand. Remain in the pose for 30 seconds to one minute. Release into Tadasana and repeat on the other side. Sukh Asana (Easy Pose) with a Twist- Start by sitting back to back with your partner. Begin with your legs straight out in front of you. Cross your legs and open your knees out to the side. Leave a comfortable space between your hips and your feet. Place your left hand on your right knee and reach your right hand around to your

Lifting/ﬂying Under the guidelines of your Yoga Guru or Instructor, one of the two partners can lift the other up to make her/his dear one experience the way in which gravity, body weight, time and breath works in combination with each other. Allow yours and your partner’s minds to be synchronised and your souls be connected while your bodies are balancing each other.

ZUBIN ATRÉ IS A RENOWNED YOGA INSTRUCTOR AND PRACTITIONER, AS WELL AS A LIFE COACH. HE IS THE FOUNDER OF TAYS (THE ATRE YOGA STUDIO), A BOUTIQUE YOGA STUDIO IN SHAHPUR JAT, NEW DELHI. HE CUSTOMISES YOGA PROGRAMS FOR SPORTSPERSONS, CORPORATES, GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS AND CONDUCTS WORKSHOPS, RETREATS AND SEMINARS BETWEEN INDIA AND EUROPE. HE REGULARLY COLLABORATES WITH NEWSPAPERS, JOURNALS, TV AND RADIO PROGRAMS.

A CyberMedia Cyb Cyb berM rM Medi edia ed dia Publication Pu P ubl ubli blicat bli catiion ion n | Jan JJanuary anuar anuar uaryy 201 20 2 2013 01 13

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Photo Essay

SHRSOH :LWKRXW %RUGHUV The story about the exodus of the Burmese to Delhi and their hope for a better life Text & Photographs: RAHUL KUMAR

ThaNoe, a former Member of Parliament in Burma, with his wife in a West Delhi locality. In India since 1994, not a single day has passed when he has not thought of going back to the salubrious climate of his homeland

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A Burmese woman ties up her baby on her back at the only clinic for the community in West Delhi. The clinic is run by a member of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Su Kyi’s party

Cherry, one of the women leaders, writes down religious verses on a board in one of the many Burmese churches that dot West Delhi. Cherry also volunteers as a para-medic and is actively involved in women issues in the community

elhi retains its magnetism as a city of opportunities. Migrants—students; people looking for economic opportunities; and those fleeing repression—sooner or later find themselves in one of India’s most powerful and dynamic cities. The first two dominate in numbers and come from across the length and breadth of the nation while the constituents of the last category hail from outside Indian borders. Nationals from Afghanistan, Tibet, Burma, even some Arab countries, and as far as Somalia, have chosen Delhi as their home. Most, however, have a temporary stay as they soon migrate to countries in the West on permanent visas. For those who stay back, the life they lead in India’s capital city is one of neglect, deprivation and often abuse. Many, in fact, chose India for its democratic ideals as well as the freedom they thought they could relish. Kyaw Than, a Burmese student leader who has been in India for close to 25 years says: “I escaped to Indian from Rangoon even though it is closer to Thailand. But I chose India as it is a secular country.” He was accompanied by many others but over years they left India for other countries. “Our future is not certain here. For their future they left India”, says Than, who uses as many as 20 emails to protect his identity and keep in touch with people inside Burma. The story of the Burmese people in India is very different from that of the other refugees. It has taken the third generation of Tibetans in India to assimilate itself, get an education, pick up Hindi as its own language and look with confidence to the future. Followers of the same religion as the

Two boys pose outside the Burmese Cultural Resource Centre in West Delhi which doubles up as a clinic and small OT; cultural centre; wedding hall and a meeting point for refugees to discuss their problems

Tibetans, the Burmese share a similar narrative of discrimination and suppression by their rulers but lead a rather secluded life on the fringes of West Delhi. In a city of over 12 million people, the Burmese are a miniscule number at 11,000. As you listen to their stories, one keeps coming across stories of bravery and courage. Young boys and girls, even entire families, keep making an escape with amazing regularity into India. Escaping from the clutches of the military, swimming across A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

Burmese girls prepare for a cultural evening to celebrate the International Refugees Day in 2011 at a school in South Delhi

La Seng and DawtHnem Sung Akhu take vows at a wedding. Most of the Burmese refugees in Delhi belong to the Chin community, which is predominantly Christian and is ethnically close to the Mizos of India

rivers, hiding in jungles, bribing border guards, the Burmese start a new life in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and a sultry Delhi. The Saffron revolution made sure that the venerable ever-smiling monks too take the escape route to India. Many come to the Delhi University for Buddhist Studies but stay back. Delhi. The city is tough and the weather rough. The migrants become prisoners in a new land. A simple activity like cooking can cause opprobrium from their

Indian neighbours. The women get teased and many are raped as the locals think they are easy prey. For the men, jobs are not easy to ﬁnd and even if they do get work, exploitation is the norm. Zaw Gyi is 46 years now and is proud to proclaim: “I do any work.” In India since 1988, he has painted houses, plucked tamarind from trees, cooks Burmese food and does any other odd job that comes his way. His family of four survives because his wife—whom he met in India, fell in love with and married—works with a local NGO. Over the years, an entire generation is born in Delhi. It is more Indian than Burmese—at ease with Hindi and Indian ﬁlms—an observation acknowledged wryly by activists. The older generation keeps its connect with its country, culture and hope in Aung Sang Su Kyi alive. They celebrate the 4-day Water Festival, participate in the International Refugee Day celebrations and hold weddings regularly. The hope of going back to Burma, now Mayanmar a familiar land of pleasant weather, fresh air and warm sunshine, remains etched permanently in their minds. With fundamental changes sweeping across the country, Delhi’s Burmese may soon see their dreams spring back to life, hopefully.

RAHUL KUMAR IS A DELHI-BASED JOURNALIST-WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND BLOGGER. HE HAS BEEN A REPORTER AND HAS DONE EDITING FOR SEVERAL LEADING INDIAN PUBLICATIONS. HE HAS ALSO BEEN AWARDED SEVERAL SHORT-TERM ASSIGNMENTS FROM SCOTLAND, BRAZIL AND SPAIN ON GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND PEOPLE’S ISSUES. HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON A NOVEL AND A PHOTO-BOOK.

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Fine Art WKH

JUDSKLF QXGH Nudity is always secondary to Creativity AKASH DAS s an Art Director / Visualiser and a Photographer, I have always looked at Fine Art Nudes as an art form - something that is created normally in a single shot and becomes a work of art. Unlike what is normally perceived in India today, the nudity in the photograph is always secondary to the creativity - though many people do not seem to think so. The objective is to create a beautiful, artistic, sculpted form using the body parts of a model - where the clothes (or lack of them) are totally irrelevant. With this series of Fine Art Nudes, we at Abraxas Lifestyle, are making an attempt to educate and sensitise the general public and our readers about this fact - to break away from the conﬁning chains of puritanical Anglo-Saxon morality imposed on us by years of British rule. I am usually a purist at heart and almost all my photography, including Fine Art Nudes, have always been in single

shots. I have always tried to capture all the emotion and all the action in one single shot - without the use of post processing. However this speciﬁc Fine Art Nude photograph is one of the rare occasions where the graphic designer in me overpowered the artist in me - and I did resort to the use of a little bit of post processing. In my defence, I can only say, that the graphic composition created by the model’s legs and arms was so dramatic - that it required the post production to create this graphic visual masterpiece – only for the purpose of mirror-imaging one photograph to create this effect. There is no other post procession used in this image. In future also, we shall continue to share such visual art forms by some of the leading Indian and international photographers - over the coming months.

AKASH IS AN AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER AND A PIONEER IN THE FIELD OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY. A SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS PERSON, HE HAS ALSO BEEN PART OF SOCIAL AWARENESS AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS IN INDIA. AKASH EXHIBITS INTERNATIONALLY AND CURRENTLY HAS 3 INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS ONGOING – 2 IN PARIS AND 1 IN HAMBURG.

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MODEL

Dawn Mortimer MAK E-U P & HAI R

Sephora Salon & Spa B O DY PAI NTI N G ARTI ST

Aaron Fernandes P H OTO G RAP HY & P O ST P R O C E S S I N G

Abraxas Photography

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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Inked

7KH ZDUULRU

SULQFHVV Through this series, body painter AARON FERNANDES takes us through an enchanting journey of Grimm’s fairy tales

THE STORY of Pocahontas is part of the on-going series of storytelling through body art. We re-visited Alice in Wonderland in our first issue and later met Little Red Riding Hood. Continuing on our journey, we take a look at a chapter in American history, the story of Pocahontas. If you are already familiar with the tale, you will know that she was the linchpin in bringing together two different worlds of resilient men. Set in the 1500s, Pocahontas was the daughter of the chief of the Algonquian Indians protecting her native tribe. She strived to build her community, embracing the modern ways of Englishmen who came to their land for settlement and development. And while she was a strong headed woman, her love for John Smith influenced the way in which she brought about harmony between two distinct communities and finding a solution to the ever present tradition versus modernisation struggle. Body painter Aaron Fernandes succeeds in bringing out the true colours of this story character using earthy tones and fluid lines, capturing Pocahontas’ tribal heritage. His live painting brings out the leather outfit pieced together with tassels, stones and other detailed work. Model Dawn strikes a strong pose as Pocahontas, the warrior princess, who fought for the security of her tribe. The bow and arrow signifies her fierce spirit, while the feathers in her hair and her body language represent the strength of a woman. Keep an eye out for the next story that will be sure to enchant you.

This series of conceptual photography is an attempt to mix photography and art to give a modern interpretation to ancient fairytales. In the last months, we had featured our version of Alice in Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood.

Alice in Wonderland

Little Red Riding Hood

AARON FERNANDES ERASES THE LIMITS OF ART ON A CANVAS. AS A STUDENT OF THE ARTS, HE HAS EXPERIMENTED WITH GRAFFITI AND DESIGN. NOW HE HAS CHOSEN A LARGER CANVAS TO EXPRESS HIS CREATIVITY - THE HUMAN BODY.

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Food

/LYH 7R (DW Join our resident foodie as he takes you to Delhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening continental restaurant Tres for a ďŹ ne dining experience

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oving from Goa, where I last did the food review, to Delhi - one is hit by the stark difference between the two - the climate, the people, the ambiance, the food. And food brings me to the next restaurant being reviewed - Tres.

AMBIENCE

The restaurant is located in an old low-rise once-forgotton and now re-discovered market in Lodhi Colony. As we walked inside the restaurant, the ﬁrst feeling was one of casual elegance. The interiors are an eclectic mix of dark wood panelling balanced with a white backlit screen on the ceiling and one wall. The compact but well stocked bar, positioned at the far end of the restaurant, adds to the visual appeal. The overall ambience is somewheree between a Parisian café and a ﬁne dining restaurant - comfortable and inviting. BEVERAGE

The beverage menu of Tres has been designed gned to suit evholic and erybody’s tastes - a good mix of both alcoholic ternanon- alcoholic drinks. The selection of international and domestic wines, liqueurs, singlee malts and cocktails was small but well se-lected. We tried “Ginger Orange Blossom”” - fresh ucha” - touted as ginger and orange with lemonade, “Kombucha” a Bijou Bijou” - seasonal a detoxifying anti-aging tea and “Shangria fruits, apple and orange with tonic. All the three were quite interesthe best of the lot. The jury ing - with the ginger-orange drink being the is still out on the efficacy of the tea - and I shall be able to let you all know the results only by my next birthday - when I hope to look young, handsome and sober, though not necessarily in that order failing which I intend to go back to Tres and demand a refund for the price of the tea, along with a senior-citizen bonus.

TRES RATING: 8/10 ADDRESS

17, Main Market, Lodhi Colony, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. TEL NO.: 91. 11.2462.5520, +91.99715.36053 TIMINGS

Daily 12.00 noon - 12:00 midnight. PRICE (MEAL FOR TWO)

FOOD

C 2,000 with drinks, and C 1,500 without drinks, approx.

I quite liked their innovative concept of an ever-changing menu. Julia, one of the owners and Chefs of Tres claims that they believe in “menus that are simple and frequently changed.’’ In keeping with this policy, ofcourse, you almost can’t go wrong with a choice of chilli prawns. they have a different menu for lunch (12 noon to 7 pm) and dinner The sausages were good too - but I would have preferred if they had (served till 12 midnight) - and yet another different menu for their now- been made using my personal favourite - authentic Goan sausages famous “Lazy Sunday Afternoon Roasts and Grills” - which is billed as - though their pungent aroma and taste is not everyone’s cup of tea. For the main course, we ordered “Pave of Lamb” - slow braised, an all-you-can-eat orgy with unlimited wine, beer and cocktails. Having chosen a pleasant Saturday evening to try out the res- rosemary marinated with balsamic glaze, soft polenta and colocasia, taurant, we were offered the dinner menu. We chose the “Roasted “Grilled Tenderloin” - with yellow polenta cakes , beans and green Goat Cheese” - with beetroot, apple walnut dressing and olive bread, pepper sauce and “Pork Belly” - slow cooked with root mash , sau“Chilli King Prawns” - with garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs, “Chicken téed malabar spinach , apple quenelles and spiced jus. The lamb Liver Parfait” - with wine jelly and toasted brioche and “Spicy Pork and pork belly were well cooked and had a very good blend of ﬂaSausages” - with butter beans and shallots. The cheese was excellent vours - the pork belly being the star of the show - the lovely thick - the tangy taste of the cheese blending well with the apple-walnut layer of fat on this particular cut keeping the meat really moist on dressing. The parfait was smooth, silky and meltingly delicious and the inside while it becomes deliciously crisp on the top. The tender101

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I am un-known, un-named and unphotographed — so no restaurant staff (or even a reader of this Magazine) recognizes me. O I do not identify myself to any Restaurant staff at any time — thereby ensuring no special service, treatment or food. O I also absolutely insist on paying for my entire meal — thereby removing any bias in my review and allowing me to blast the restaurant, when I feel it is warranted. O I am somewhere between a gourmet and a gourmand – so my reviews would tend to reﬂect that. O

LIVE TO EAT

I LLU STRATI O N: KAR I S H MA ALVAR E S

loin also was very good, specially the thick SERVICE pepper sauce - but here I had an issue. I The service was very pleasant and polite had speciﬁcally asked for it to be “very well specially the initial welcome. We were well done” - but one of the three pieces of tender- attended to, even when were waiting at the loin, maybe because of it’s extra thickness, bar before we could be seated. We were was medium-rare. The really sad part was given very courteous attention and some that despite complaining, no remedial ac- practical suggestions by the knowledgeable tion was taken - not any remorse or regret staff - both for the food and the drinks. The expressed - not really expected from a res- highlight was that Julia, the Chef, personally taurant of this standard. came out and met us - despite now knowing For the desserts , we called for “Apple us from Adam. Tarte Tatin” - with cinnamon balsamic syrup and vanilla ice cream and “Triology of RECOMMENDATION Brulee” - baked berry ,vanilla almond and Inviting cosy ambience, personalized service orange-saffron . Both the desserts were - despite the little hiccup, interesting drinks, amazing, specially the orange-saffron brulee and good food. A little expensive - but well - truly a good end to a great evening. worth the visit.

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Food

*XLOW IUHH A snack that keeps you healthy and slim says KORNELIA SANTORO

GHOLJKW

Avoiding empty carbohydrates is the key to staying slim and trim. Losing weight can be easy, when you eat food that keeps your blood sugar levels balanced and your insulin levels low. Exchanging white ingredients with their brown equivalent can turn diet nightmares into health foods. These ultra high fibre crackers contain only complex carbohydrates, plenty of fibre and a wealth of minerals and proteins. I have used flour for diabetics for this recipe, a blend of flour (atta) with various ground pulses. This guarantees a low Glycemic Index (GI). These crackers not only taste great, they are very nutritious and keep your digestion going. If you want a healthy snack, serve them with the spicy salsa dip described below. ULTRA HIGH FIBRE CRACKERS INGREDIENTS (FOR 16 SERVINGS)

5 cups 1 cup 5 tbsp 1 cup 100 gms 100 gms 2 tbsp

diabetic or whole wheat ﬂour oat bran olive oil or cold pressed coconut oil curd ﬂax seeds sesame seeds salt Water

the dough well for at least 5 minutes. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes before rolling it out. O You can bake the crackers on a cookie sheet or in any pie form. O Dust your work surface with ﬂour. Take some dough and roll it out as thinly as possible. Put the dough on the cookie sheet or pie form and score lines with a sharp knife. These lines help to break the crackers after baking. O Bake the crackers for 20 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. This makes them hard, dry and slightly browned. If you want softer crackers, reduce the baking time. Let them cool down on a rack, and then break them into pieces. You can store the crackers in an airtight container for upto 2 weeks. O If you want your crackers spicy, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of chilly powder. You can also add some dried herbs like oregano or thyme. SPICY SALSA DIP INGREDIENTS (FOR 4 SERVINGS)

4 1 4 1 tbsp 1 tbsp ½ tbsp

PREPARATION KORNELIA SANTORO IS AN AWARD-WINNING COOK BOOK AUTHOR AND FREELANCE WRITER

Put all the dry ingredients into a big bowl and mix them well with a spoon. Add the oil, the curd and enough cold water to make smooth dough. Knead O

big, red tomatoes red or yellow bell pepper fresh, green chillies balsamic vinegar olive oil sugar Salt, Pepper & any kind of Herb

PREPARATION

It is important to use only fully ripened tomatoes for this recipe. Put the tomatoes for 1 minute into a pot of boiling water. Remove the skin, the stalk and the seeds and cut the flesh into small cubes. O Remove the stalk and the seeds from the bell peppers, cut the flesh into small cubes. O Slice the green chillies open and remove the seeds. Cut them into small pieces. O Wash the herbs and chop them finely. I use parsley and/or basil. You can also take fresh coriander. O Place all the vegetables into a bowl. Add the sugar, the vinegar, the oil and salt and pepper according to your taste. Mix everything well. Let the salsa marinate for an hour in the fridge before serving. O

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Events KDSSHQLQJV

WKLV MDQXDU\ FOOD STYLE EXPO 2013 04 – 06, Chennai The fourth edition of Food Style Expo 2013 is back. In this trade show prime importance will be given to the latest food items and food packaging equipments and materials. Leading experts related to this ﬁeld will take an active part in the event. TRAVEL & TOURISM FAIr 04 – 06, Chennai Travel & Tourism Fair is India’s leading exhibition for the travel and tourism industry. The fair provides an annual opportunity for organisations from India and abroad to showcase their products and services to a large cross section of the travel trade and consumers across major markets in India. NRI BUSINESS SUMMIT 04 – 06, Mumbai The summit aims to provide a platform to promote Indian entrepreneurs/ SMEs through NRIs and PIOs in various countries to establish and develop contacts for identifying various opportunities in exports, investment, joint ventures, collaborations, new technology, marketing, distributorship, promotion, business alliances and other services. SPARKLE INTERNATIONAL 04 – 07, Gujarat This is a prestigious fashion jewellery show which aims in providing the ﬁnest range of jewels designed by some of the best gemmologists and jewellers. The exhibitors are availed with impeccable networking opportunities which brings in the repeated participation of many exhibiting companies. SHUBHMANGAL Wedding & Lifestyle Exhibitions 05 – 06, Jaipur ShubhMangal is a wedding and lifestyle exhibitions throw a spotlight on fabulous wedding collections and lifestyle sector in India. The fairs assemble leading and renowned manufacturers and distributors across the 106

country showcasing their latest collections in wedding, fashion, jewellery, designer sarees and other lifestyle products VIBRANT GUJARAT GLOBAL TRADE SHOW 08 – 13, Gujarat This exhibit showcases different aspects of the trade facilities available in Gujarat. There will be more than about 232 exhibitors who will be participating. The trade show will bring together different corporates, institutions and industrial houses to exchange dialogue to improve business scenario in the state. ONE WORLD MANY MUSICS Celebrating Artistic Plurality 11, Mumbai One World Many Musics at the NCPA TATA theatre, will showcase varied musical traditions to celebrate the power of music that promotes cross-cultural understanding. LANDSCAPE & GARDENING EXPO 11 – 13, New Delhi International Landscape & Gardening Expo 2013, an ideal destination for the entire landscape industry to interact on a single platform. A meeting place for manufacturers, exporters, importers, traders and service providers!

ticipation at SATTE 2013, NTOs of over 33 countries including Argentina, Brand USA, China, Dubai, Egypt, Fiji Islands, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Thailand, Turkey among many others are most likely to participate in the same. INDIAFEST 2013 18 – 19, Goa This year IndiaFest in Goa is going to have special guest performers, namely Infected Mushroom and FarhanAkhtar to get the fest going. Don’t miss Dino Morea, NehaDupia and the [V] D3 Group attending and judging contests. TEX-TRENDS INDIA 2013 22 – 24, New Delhi The Tex-Trends India 2013 is a proactive effort to bring under one roof the diversity, tradition and colours that the Indian textile and handicrafts that the industry has to offer. START UP NOW 26, Goa This promises to be the perfect launch pad for start-ups and existing businesses. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to test drive their products to a potential market as well as to business experts.

INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL 14, Gujarat Coinciding with the festival of Uttarayan or MakarSankrati, this annual festival marks the gradual start of summer as winter ﬁnally begins to retreat. The Gujarat Tourism Development Corporation organises the International Kite Festival where kite enthusiasts from all across the world show off their skills.

SABARMATI CYCLOTHON 27, Gujarat The AMC (Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation) has organised a cyclothon in association with the Ahmedabad Bicycling Club, comprising of three distance races- the full cyclothon (105 km), medium cyclothon (50 km) and dream cyclothon (15 km).

SATTE 2013 16 – 18, New Delhi SATTE has evolved as a leading travel event in South Asia. While the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and State Tourism Boards have conﬁrmed their par-

INDIA ART FAIR 31, New Delhi The 5th edition of India Art Fair will bring together 105 galleries from 24 countries showcasing 1000 of the most exciting artists from India and across the globe. A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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January 2013

$VWUR :DW F K C O U RTE SY: Mills and Boon

(APPY÷"IRTHDAY CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19

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DADHICHI TOTH

One of the world’s leading astrologers has the ability to draw from complex astrological theory to provide clear, easily understandable advice and insights for people who want to know what their future might hold

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18

You are primarily concerned with self image during this month. After the New Moon, which occurs in the second week of January, you will feel an upswing of energy, creating a more decisive attitude to business and personal relationships. Be careful not to let money matters spin out of control and affect your friendships.

You are emotional about relationships and have a strong sense that you should be experiencing more from your partner. Be careful not to be too demanding, or your requests could backﬁre. Troublesome times in relationships can be pinpointed on the 8th, the 13th and the 26th of January. At these times, try to be more receptive to the needs of your partner rather than superimposing your own fears and expectations on them.

PISCES

ARIES

FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20

MARCH 21 – APRIL 19

You can expect some intense activities within your circle of friends this month. Between the 10th and the 12th, during the phase of the New Moon, a new friendship may be formed that could cause a change in your attitude to others. By the 26th you may need some quiet time, but you will ﬁnd that some long forgotten projects still need to be completed.

You are particularly highstrung or perhaps even obsessive as the Sun and Pluto throw up a lot of past issues. Additional responsibilities after the 20th create some concerns for you, but a sudden, positive opportunity after the 21st will bring considerable satisfaction. Between the 23rd and the 31st, try not to spend too much money on luxury items as you may regret it.

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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TAURUS

GEMINI

APRIL 20 – MAY 20

MAY 21 – JUNE 20

You have a tremendous amount of willpower to achieve anything you put your mind to. You may be very pushy around the 19th. Be careful not to rush around too much as you could be accident prone. Direct those energies into useful and constructive areas. It’s a good time of the year to begin your exercise regime and get as healthy as possible.

This is a month of contrasts. You are torn between giving enough attention to yourself and others. Finding a delicate balance between your needs and what others are expecting of you will be a challenge. You are lucky that things could look up for you between the 3rd and the 10th. Romance will be highlighted after the 14th. Know when enough is enough.

CANCER

LEO

JUNE 21 – JULY 22

JULY 23 – AUGUST 22

Your focus is most certainly on relationships this month. With Mercury, the Sun and Pluto inﬂuencing your spousal sector, it will be an intense time if you are married. Your communications build up to a peak around the 12th of the New Moon. Your career is subject to some rather unexpected changes, especially around the 18th.

Work is uppermost in your mind, particularly after the 10th. Be careful not to overdo it as you will have a tendency to burn the candle at both ends during the ﬁrst month of the year. Be careful not to embroil yourself in arguments when diplomacy would be the better option.

VIRGO

LIBRA

AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22

SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22

Idealism fills your heart this month due to the moon and Neptune having a significant influence on your mind and imagination. You are amorous and expect the best out of relationships. If you are single, a new love may come into your life after the 10th, which could be the start of a whole new cycle for you emotionally.

You need to be careful not to allow others to press your buttons. Friendships and other social activities hot up due to the inﬂuence of Mars in this sector of your horoscope, but health issues between the 6th and the 14th may slow you down. Take rest and eat well. If you are feeling some sort of physical problem, don’t hesitate to get it checked out.

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 21

Jupiter accelerates your need to borrow money, which could create some tension for you. January should be a reasonably active period, but you must guard against any sort of depression due to the hard aspects of Saturn and the moon. The New Moon around the 10th is excellent for commencing negotiations and turning over a new leaf in many areas of your life.

As the year starts, you want money—and lots of it! After the 9th, you will be almost obsessed by your need to earn, and this will continue until the 11th. Around the 20th, your desire for travel will see you moving about a lot more readily. You can expect a broadening of your horizons where your love life is concerned.

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FAS H I O N D E S I G N /STYLI N G

Salil Bhatia MODEL

Anukriti Sharma MAK E-U P & HAI R

Shivani Chaudhary

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Upcoming Designer HPHUJLQJ

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MY SURREAL DREAMWORLD

THE NIGHTMARE

“If you’re lucky enough to use something you see in a dream, Dreams can also be dark; they show you the side of life it is purely original. It’s not in the world - it’s in your that you have never experienced. ‘Tastefully offensive’ is head. I think that is amazing.” Treasuring the words of how I would describe the mood of my collection. You get Alexander Mcqueen, the God of Creation, I went looking to see beauty with a new meaning. In the words of the for an answer to the enigmatic dream world and it turned great McQueen, “I think there is beauty in everything. out to be a boost to the imagination. What ‘normal’ people would perceive as ugly, I can usually Taking surrealism as a tool to decode my dreams was see something of beauty in it.” Its time to redefine beauty quite inspiring. Quoting Salvador Dali, “Surrealism is – beauty is not just in blooming flowers and floating destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to butterflies. Beauty is also seen in the exoskeleton of a dead be shackles limiting our vision.” In my collection, My butterfly or in the unique form of a withered flower. Surreal Dreamworld, I tried to transfer dreams magic into Fashion often pays tribute to the art. Surrealism and my designs. And dreams are not only about fairies and fashion has been closely related to Avant garde. The butterflies. arched jacket is knitted of medical gauge tape, thick enough to soak all the blood and bruises. The silicone busts are brutally poked and pierced depicting pain and torture. The formless faces of the structure is how nightmare’s looks without your imagination, like a blank canvas; On it, we paint those faces which then haunt us to death! I dress up ‘dolls from the dreamworld’, because they don’t demand for clothes that are wearable, there are no rules in the dreamworld, its My Surreal Dreamworld. SALIL BHATIA IS A GRADUATE OF NIFT AND HAS SPECIALIZED IN FASHION DESIGN. HIS INSPIRATIONS ARE BOLD. ‘MAKING THINGS LOOK DRAMATIC’ IS A NATURAL EXTENSION OF HIM.

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Contest HPHUJLQJ

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VITAL STATS B U ST WAI ST HIPS H E I G HT

32” 24” 34” 5’5”

MANAVI KHANDUJA

Manavi, born and brought up in Delhi, is currently studying sociology from Delhi University. She is an active member of her college’s fashion society and has reasonable experience in ramp shows as well as print modelling for various designers. She is also a tranined exponent of Kathak and other Indian classical dances.

MODEL

Manavi Khanduja MAK E U P ARTI ST

Bhakti Verma

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VITAL STATS C H E ST WAI ST HIPS H E I G HT

Contest HPHUJLQJ

41” 32” 34” 6’2”

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Abdullah Osman MAK E U P ARTI ST

Bhakti Verma

ABDULLAH OSMAN

Born in Afghanistan and brought up in India, 23 years old Abdullah is a model and newly turned actor. He has been in modelling for the last 2 years and has done some commercial print work as well as a couple of shows on TV. His big break has been the role of “Chandu” in the YashRaj Films hit movie Ishaqzaade.

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Style File

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&ORVHW Pinky Campbell tells all in her latest fashion confession ANJU MEHANDIRATTA

What deﬁnes the true you? The one who lives an unconventional, usually artistic life. Personal style statement- which look do you prefer? Bohemian style is my all-time favourite style statement.

What do you like in accessories and apparels? My Chanel classic black bag, Tory Burch jewellery and boots, J Brand’s skinny jeans, Banana Republic’s pea coat and Zara’s tops.

Whether the cupboard is organised? Yes, I keep my cupboard very organised. First thing comes ﬁrst, I use thin hangers so it’s easy for me to hang all my clothes and see them easily. I put all the jackets together then black tops, then white tops and the rest of the tops of different colours together. Then all the long and short dresses together. Another separate drawer is for jewellery. I keep ﬂat shoes and heels separate so that it’s easy for me to grab them. Same goes for bags.

Favourite hair do? I love pony tails and buns.

How do you dress up casually and formally? Black tights with a top and for formals dresses and gowns

Beauty regime? Drinking lots of water, exfoliating and moisturising.

Style Icon? I like Nicole Richie and Mary Kate Olsen’s style. 116

And in Bollywood, I like Esha Gupta’s style. And Priyanka Chopra’s hairstyle.

How often do you shop, pick up the branded stuff or streetwear? I love vintage. I always buy branded bags and shoes. The rest I can buy from the streets. Your beauty food? Anything organic with less salt.

Best beauty advice received? Always remove your make-up before going to sleep. A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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Common mistakes women do while dressing up and applying make-up? They should apply moisturiser before the make-up. They should check their undergarments according to their dresses. It would make a huge difference. Any personal styling tip for the readers? Some women will not buy large or extra large. I just want to tell you, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter what dress size you wear. It should look good on you. After all nobody is going to check your size. So, be open to buy what ďŹ ts you the best. Any New Year resolution? More travelling to Mumbai, India. Will walk and hike more. 117

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Swimwear M O D E L: Pinky Campbell

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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Email your photographs to: models@abraxasphotography.com

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B. Road Worli, Mumbai 18 India Tel: +91 22 24928647 Design Plus 502, Akshata Building Near Sanmitra School Off Aarey Road Goregaon East Mumbai 63, India Tel: +91 11 25861322 Dirttrack Productions Gaurav Jani C - 2 Payal Flats 20, Milan Park Navarangpura Ahmedabad – 380009 Gujarat, India. Tel: +91 9408715641 Dreamscape By Malini Ramani Shop House No 54 Chogm Road, Barrodvadeo P.O Saligao, Sangolda Bardez, Goa – 403511 India Tel: +91 832 2278563 Eco Corner 1st ﬂoor, Skyzone High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel Mumbai 13, India Tel: +91 22 30042350 IM Centre for Applied Arts A-15, Lajpat Nagar-II New Delhi 24, India Tel: +91 11 29832223 Fusion Shop no. F 27-28 1st ﬂoor, Alfran Plaza Opp Monginis Pastry shop Panaji , Goa – 403001 India

Fusion Access Dias House, # 13/32, Rua-de-Ormuz Panjim, Goa – 403001 India Tel: +91 832 6650342 Just Jewellery Agarwal Bhuvan, 1st Floor Next to Union Bank, Bhulabhai Desai Road Mumbai 26, India Tel: +91 22 23526725 Goa Marriott Resort & Spa Miramar Beach PO Box No 64 Panaji, Goa, – 403001 India Tel: +91 832 2463333 MapxencaRS 2A, Centrepoint Above Standard Chartered Bank Jn of Juhu & SV road, Santacruz (W) Mumbai – 400054 India Tel: +91 22 26059597 My Earth Store Panchkula: SCO 341, FF, Sector - 9, Panchkula Haryana – 134109 India Tel: +91 172 4665150 Dharamshala: Sidhbari, Opp. Karmapa

monastery, Yol road, Dharamshala Himachal Pradesh – 176057 India Tel: +91 1892 235875

Safeera 47 – A Middle Lane, Khan Market New Delhi – 110003 India Tel: +91 11 43586332

Nirmitee Art 4/5 Khosravi Estate S K Bole Road, Dadar (W) Mumbai – 400028 India Tel: +91 22 24229139

Sarita Handa 16, 1st Floor, Khan Market New Delhi – 110003 India Tel: +91 11 43521824

Sacha’s Shop Casa Mendes, e526 Swami Vivekananda Road, Panaji Goa – 403001 India Tel: +91 832 2222035 Sotohaus 1266/f, Anna Vaddo Candolim, Goa Goa – 403515, India Tel: +91 832 2489983 Soulﬂower 102, Millenium Plaza Off Andheri Kurla Road Sakinaka, Andheri (E) Mumbai – 400072 India Tel: +91 22 28514621

Shantanu Singh The Next Episode TA- 93, Main Ravidas Marg Tuglakabad Ext. New Delhi – 110019 India Tel: +91 9873499485 Sidharta Aryan B-102, Magnolia Enclave, Nahar’s Amrit Shakti, Chandivali Mumbai – 400072 India Tel: +91 9833326169 Zolijns Collection C-19, First Floor, Nizamuddin (West) New Delhi – 110 013 India Tel: +91 11 41458383

A CyberMedia Publication | January 2013

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There are two important factors to consider in qualifying as a magazine: Firstly, a magazine is a vehicle for content. Text, pictures and design work together to present a mediated view on various subjects. The whole point of Abraxas is, that you - the reader - are placing your trust in the editorial team to deliver material you perhaps didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect would interest you. This mediation is an important difference from other content providers, particularly digital media, where content is sourced by search or by random links. Nothing wrong with these processes, they are just different. Secondly, a magazine is part of a series, an ongoing project that gets published under a single banner. The period between issues might be weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual or irregular, but another issue is always on its way! I feel I have joined another beginning of my life - with such like minded people and their contented attitude towards life.

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