abraxas LIVING THE GOOD LIFE !
MALINI RAMANI’S
Warriors of the Rainbow Politics of Sex REMO FERNANDES
Face to Face
PRABHU DEVA & REMO D’SOUZA
Contemporary Interior Design PIA INTERIOR THAILAND
Star with Promise
MAHIE GILL
` 100
Mar. 2013 | Vol 1 | Issue 5
E D ITO R’S VI EW
From the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’s desk...
H
appiness is the result of being too busy to be miserable - that has been my personal success mantra. Happiness is a state of mind and has nothing to do with the actual, physical environment you live in - so say the gurus and yogis who have attained nirvana. However, through our magazine - we try to divert your mind from the mundane day-to-day chores and take you through a journey - with effort and love. Don’t forget, it is the little things that go a long way in paving the path for the big and beautiful things around you. Being the Editor-in-Chief is a frightening responsibility, but I have the greatest confidence that Team Abraxas ensures the continued reading of each issue with interesting articles and design ideas. In this edition of our magazine, the team has put together a vast repertoire of topics ranging from fashion and make-up to modelling and design - apart from beautiful outdoor sculptures and well designed interiors - in the four sections : Fashion, Design, Lifestyle and Gen-Next. Our cover girl Mahie Gill, who made a niche for herself in Bollywood with her hard work and super acting skills, talks about her work and herself whereas Goa-based Fashion Designer Malini Ramani brings together a fusion of craft, patterns and colours from across the globe to present the style of the future in her garments. In our Design section, meet Sutana ‘Pomme’ Mokkhavesa, the Design Director of Thailandbased PIA Interior Company. The glimpses of Maison & Objet Fair at Paris - the biggest Design trade show of the year, is a treat for your eyes! While the Delhi gang-rape case has caught everyone’s attention, Remo Fernandes’ take on the Politics of Sex gives us something serious to ponder upon. Check out Va Va Vroom - for bike lovers - a long trip on your Harley Davidson during the largest biking festival in the country, the India Bike Week. Team Abraxas is giving its readers a first-hand account of Maha Kumbh - the biggest congregation on earth - the unbelievable sight of millions at Prayag, all in the name of religion. With commitment and dedication, we create dreams and happy hours. So dream on - ride into the sunset – and Live the Good Life!
Rita Mody Joshi EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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Contents
LIVING THE GOOD LIFE ! MAR. 2013 | VOL 1 | ISSUE 5 CONTRIBUTORS O O O O O O O O
Mahie Gill Malini Ramani Remo Fernandes Rita Mody Joshi Sangeeta Narula Peter Grant Shantanu Singh Rajdeep Ranawat
O O O O O O O O
Varda Goenka Anju Mehandiratta Shelly Sharma Sutana Pomme Mokkhavesa Arvind D’souza Gurseet Singh Aaron Fernandes
O O O O O O O
C OVE R
Yolanda Desousa Aparna Bansal Prabhu Deva Remo D’Souza Gaurav Jani Maria D’Costa Dadhichi Toth M O D E L: Mahie Gill P H OTO O G RAP HY: Luv Israni OU UTF IT: Archana Kochhar
FASHION FAS 14
MALINI MAGIC Malini Ramani’s personal evolution in her collection Warriros of Rainbow!
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COVER STORY - MAHIE GILL A candid chat with Mahie Gill-the promising actress
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PUNK AESTHETICS Peter Grant on men’s fashion
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PENGUIN LOVE The Next Episode by designer Shantanu Singh makes a statement for the cause of these endangered species
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BREATH OF FRESH AIR Spring Summer forecast by Rajdeep Ranawat
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THE ‘NECK’ST BIG THING Chunky neck pieces to add that glam quotient to your attire
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DAZZLING DESIRES An insight in Designer Varda Goenka and her work
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FLORAL FANTASY The blooming blooms are all set to make this season
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PRETTY AS A PICTURE Photo feature on new launches on the shelf
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TANTALISE YOUR SENSES Feature on Perfumes
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INCORPORATING THE CROP Up the hemline to redefine your style quotient
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EVENTS A glimpse on events
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A NEW CUT Latest trends in menswear at the Bangalore Fashion Week, Spring/Summer A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
Contents DESIGN 48
CONTEMPORARY INTERIORS PIA Interior – Thailand
58 66
WRITING ON STONE Arch. Arvind D’Souza’s ‘lifestyle essays’ reflecting the client’s dreams
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SHOWCASING EUROPEAN DESIGN
LIVING
Maison & Object Fair, Paris 74
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STATEMENT BUILDINGS Arch. Rita Mody
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about the need for the right use of the word ‘rape’ 96
FISHEYE Pottering Around the Planet - Italy
THE PERFECT BLEND Fine art techniques
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MAHA KUMBH MELA -2013 Shahi Snaan of
combined with other disciplines to produce three dimensional sculptural installations. A look...
10th Feb’ 2013 - the holiest of the “Royal Baths” 104 108
FASHION DESIGNER OF THE MONTH FEMALE MODEL OF THE MONTH
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Meenakshi Rawat 87
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Rohan Gandotra
CALENDAR GIRL - Purnima Jha
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CELEBRATING YOUTH One of Goa’s biggest
ARTIST WATCH Yolanda Desousa’s art –an expression of the prevailing evils in our society
MALE MODEL OF THE MONTH
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AS THE CLOCK STRIKES 12 In his latest conceptual body art work, body painter, Aaron Fernandes brings Cinderella to life
Param Popsikhle Sahib 86
INDIA ART FAIR An interesting exhibit and viewer satisfying fair. A glimpse
GEN-NEXT 84
THE POLITICS OF SEX Remo Fernandes talks
Joshi explains how one can design structures that serve both form and function
VA…VA…VROOM! The first ever India Bike Week was a resounding success
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TALENT UNLIMITED India Fest 2013 was a showcase of the best talent
college event Tatva
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118
COMIC CON 2013 One of a kind event on comics held in New Delhi. A report...
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FACE TO FACE Prabhu Deva and Remo D’ Souza- the die-hard Michael Jackson fans, pay tribute to the late pop legend in ABCD
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MOVIES - DIRT TRACK PRODUCTIONS Gaurav Jani recounts his first experience of being a one man crew, director and traveller to unfamiliar terrains and finding the real India
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NEW DIRECTION Remo Fernandes talks about his music for the latest film David
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HAPPENINGS THIS MARCH Important events of the month
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ASTRO WATCH Predictions by Dadhichi Toth A CyberMedia Publication | March 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 Dhawan Crispino Nunes Rinku Verma Priyanka Jijina Sanjana Sud Sheena Sharma Palak Gupta
EDITOR (GOA) DEPUTY EDITOR (DELHI) DEPUTY EDITOR (GOA) SR. FEATURE WRITER
CONTENT CO-ORDINATORS
SALES AND MARKETING
Kamya Setia Nakul Dogra
MANAGER MARKETING ASST. MANAGER MARKETING CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION
Monica Badhwar Amitabh Singh Shilpi Bhargava Ritesh Biswas Denwy Fernandes Mahesh Pednekar
VP OPERATIONS SR. MANAGER PROJECTS MANAGER DESIGN GRAPHIC DESIGNER (DELHI) GRAPHIC DESIGNER (GOA) PHOTOGRAPHER (GOA)
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CORPORATE OFFICE
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.
HARYANA
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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
A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
L . T. T. E . (Letters to the Editor) I saw the February issue of Abraxas Lifestyle in Khan Market, New Delhi. The first thing attracted me was the unique name Abraxas. I did not know the meaning but thanks to Google. It said. ‘A magic spell to be of a great power’. It was now necessary for me to buy. I went through each and every story, read it and enjoyed it. The pictures, the content etc exude exclusivity. Basically different from the others in the league. Good luck! Sandeep Patil New Delhi The Design section of the magazine is superb. I liked the projects, the concepts and details. These are exclusive and a class apart. Moreover the Gen Next Section is the USP of the magazine. The youngsters are so innovative and full of new ideas. Its
only the established and the renowned people from different arenas who are being given prominence in most of the magazines. Kudos to Abraxas Lifestyle for highlighting the work of the young and the budding talent. Priyam Bangalore I have a fetish for the hand woven stuff. I was glad to see Kavita Bhartia’s collection. The designs have a global appeal but retain that Indian flavour. Saumya Chatterjee Kolkata Mugdha is such a Hottie. I totally adore her. Her performances in Fashion, All the Best Fun Begins, Jail etc are worth noticing. It was fun to know more about her life. I am
glad Abraxas has put her on the cover-She is totally worth it. Devansh Malhotra Chandigarh Remo Fernandes’s tribute to the legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar is a must read. Undoubtedly Ravi Shankar was the one and only force of Indian classical music. The Global legend has passed away. We salute him. Sheetal Purandare Pune
FORM IV Statement of ownership and other particulars about the magazine Abraxas Lifestyle to be published in the first issue every year after the last day of February 1.
Place of Publication
New Delhi
2.
Periodicity of Publication
Monthly
3.
Printer’s Name Whether Citizen of India Address
Hemant Sud Yes W-26, Greater Kailash-II, New Delhi 110048
4.
Publisher’s Name Whether Citizen of India Address
Hemant Sud Yes W-26, Greater Kailash-II, New Delhi 110048
5.
Editor’s Name Whether Citizen of India Address
Hemant Sud Yes W-26, Greater Kailash-II, New Delhi 110048
6.
Names & addresses of individuals who own the magazine, and partners or shareholders holding more than one percent of the total paid-up capital
Hemant Sud W-26, Greater Kailash-II, New Delhi 110048 List of shareholders: NA
I, Hemant Sud, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Sd/Publisher
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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.
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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. A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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.
FAS H I O N
Luxury Collection
Malini magic
MALINI RAMANI brings together a
fusion of craft, patterns and colours from across the globe to present the style of the future in her garments
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warrior, a waitress, a willow, a wife or a waif, but in Malini Ramani’s clothes, she will be All Woman. The gangster’s moll or glamour doll, the coy housewife or the, the teenage beauty queen or the geeky pip-squeak, but in Malini Ramani’s clothes, you will be All Queen. The tall or thin, buxom or toothsome, black or white or cocoa, in Malini Ramani’s clothes, she will be All Pride. FASHION-A PERSONAL EVOLUTION
Though fashion zoomed its way into her life by sheer accident, it has now become her driving force, her leitmotif, and her anthem. Her constant pursuit for not just excellence in the art and craft of design, but also in her personal evolution in all matters, has translated directly into the fashion she creates. Tiny facets of her diverse and colourful life come together to produce a complete collection, with each garment a near transcendental experience for the woman who adorns it. Her fashion universe has been a harmonious amalgamation of contrasts since her first collection titled ‘Rockstar Meets Indian Princess’ at the turn of the Millennium in 2000, There A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Warriors of the Rainbow WHEN THE Earth is Ravaged and the Animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colours , creeds and classes and who by their actions and deeds shall make the Earth colourful again. They shall be known as the ‘Warriors of the Rainbow� The Malini Ramani Spring/Summer 2013 Collection revitalizes the warrior theme putting a contemporary vision to a long-standing tradition. It combines vitality, air and the exotic to capture the universal warrior who roams the world in pure wonderment, seeking love and exploring the unknown in perennial search of the hidden secrets of this beautiful world. The collection brings together a fusion of craft, patterns and colours from across the globe to present the style of the future. Kaftans, shirt dresses, swimwear, jumpsuits and loungewear that infuse block prints from India, bead work from Africa, motifs from Mexico, threads and coins from Syria and shells from Tibet into an integration of the new spirit of universalism brought to life with the luxury of chiffon, light cotton jersey and tulle.
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is a constant osmosis between the East and the West, a seamless fusion of effortless chic and high-octane glamour, and a playful juxtaposition of “bling” and elegance. A COHESIVE COLLECTION
So whether it’s the Moroccan inspired Kaftans that have been slashed knee high for an LBD effect, or the chicest jumpsuits engraved with Mayan and Aztec swirls and whirls, or the sexiest, figure hugging gowns that sparkle with shine and sequins or the plunging necklines and cinched waists of the prefect tie-dye print cocktail dress, they form a cohesive collection. FASHION MANTRA
She designs the clothes that she would wear. She travels all over and hence she has borrowed something from different cultures that she is inspired by. Fashion for women needs to be feminine and flirty, and with a high dose of audaciousness and aestheticism, she makes it All Powerful. So whether you’re skiing in Gstaad or sunning in St. Barts, attempting to recreate red carpet Nirvana, or just desirous of looking undeniably chic, a Malini Ramani piece is always the perfect fit. . Her resort wear collections, a favorite among Bollywood starlets galore, best exemplifies this idea, where her “hippie deluxe” look combines with “aesthetic chic” to leave you looking like the de facto “Indian Love Goddess”. 16
A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Long flowy outfit inspired from ‘East meets West’ designs-for someone, who embraces her culture, likes to be feminine, sexy and fun loving
C O U RTE SY: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion
Week Spring-Summer 2013 17
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MALINI RAMANI’S TAKE ON HER COLLECTION
“My collection has a lot of colour, it is not for the ones, who just go out in a simple black dress.F ashion never fades and every trend keeps coming back.I would advice that one should never say never to any kind of fashion. I believe every trend comes back. So just enjoy it and keep in mind not to throw away any of your animal prints, bell bottoms or anything. They will definitely again make a style statement in the coming time.” 18
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MALINI RAMANI RA IS ONE OF INDIA`S MOST WELL KNOWN DESIGNER BRAN BRANDS AND PERSONALITIES. PERSONA HER CLOTHES ARE SEXY, CHIC AND SPARKLY; HER INSPIRATIONS ARE INSPIR DIVERSE- DRAWN D FROM TRAVELS TRAV A ELS ACROSS THE G GLOBE.
C O U RTE SY: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2013 19
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A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Cover Story
MAHIE GILL THE PROMISING STAR
A
quick glance at promising actors who created a niche for themselves without any filmi background and one of the first names that come to the mind is Mahie Gill. With her performance being noticed in Dev D, Not a Love Story, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Paan Singh Tomar, Mahie is certainly making her presence felt loud and clear. We caught up with this immensely talented Punjabi kudhi to explore more!
The childhood days “I had a normal happy childhood. My parents were working so I stayed in a hostel. My mom wanted me to be independent so she preferred the hostel. I was always treated like a boy at home as I had two brothers. Life was so much fun. I did my Masters in Theatre from Punjab University, Chandigarh. I never thought I would become an actress as no one in my family has any connections in the film industry.” The struggling years and after “Prior to Bollywood, I had worked in the regional Punjabi film arena .I had to struggle a lot. When you dress up every morning, go for auditions and at the end of the day you don’t get work, many a times, I used to feel ‘I am better than the other
person, still I don’t get work.’ That’s when you feel very frustrated. But one needs to be patient. I had to struggle a lot to get break in Hindi movies. I was so taken in by people saying that they were lucky to be chanced upon by a director or producer, that I started attending parties expecting a similar fate. Strange but Anurag had actually spotted me at my friend Dibyendu Bhattacharya’s (Chunni) son Shaurya’s birthday party. I was lucky to have bagged Paro’s role without an audition. He later told me that he had decided there and then that I would be his Paro.”
Mahie Gill talks about her career and herself in a candid chat with SANGEETA NARULA
On out of the box roles “I could not have asked for more. I am very happy with the kind of films I am doing and the people I am working with. The face of cinema has changed and newcomers are being ushered into Bollywood. I am lucky that I am doing female protagonist roles. I’m happy these are written for me, but I being an actor want to do different genres. I want to do some comedy and try some action also. Though I am satisfied with the work I am doing, but at the same time I want to try different roles.” And if the movie doesn’t do well “The box office results are extremely essential as 21
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FASHION P H OTO C O U RTE SY : Bbhupi.com
it is a reflection of how the audiences have reacted to your film. I feel very bad when my film doesn’t do well. I want all my films to be hit.” With success comes the controversies and one is always in the media glare “It’s okay! I think people like to know about us. Yeah, but then media has some responsibility. Sometimes things written about me are absolutely wrong-that’s very hurting and painful!” If she has a dream role, that would be “I would like to do Waheeda Rahmanji’s role in Guide, Sridevi’s role in Chalbaaz and Rekhaji’s in Khoobsurat.” And now, romance is streaming in and Mr. Right has walked into Mahie’s life, who’s he “I have a boyfriend, but I am not going to share the details. He’s settled in Goa and hails from Jammu. Rest a secret, would let you know ( smiles). On Religion and Spiritualism “I am very spiritual but not a fanatic. In my home I have a small pooja room where I have all babajees and Gods. Somewhere I have a deep faith in Hanumanji. But, I don’t perform rituals etc. I’m a believer in the theory of Karma. Do good find good. Whatever you give comes back to you sooner or later.” The Real Mahie “I am a very simple person. Nothing has changed except people know me now and recognise me.” 22
What does fashion mean to you? Comfort Favourite designers? Pria Kataaria Puri, Neeta Lulla, Archana Kochhar and Manish Malhotra Style according to you? What you can carry well Your personal style? I love wearing sarees but jeans are more comfortable Favourite jewellery? I love to wear jhumkas, rings and a kamarband (I still don’t have but would get it made). I also like anklets, those latkans on braids and parandas The most stylish woman according to you? Kareena Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor
Kaajal, sunscreen lip gloss, deodorant, perfume Day look? Absolutely no make-up looks Night look? Depends upon the occasion. If I wear a gown, then western makeup, if I wear a saree then Indian makeup. It has to be either a smoky or nude look.
WARDROBE Essentials in wardrobe? Shoes, formal dress, jeans and tees Cupboard-whether orgainsed? Very organised. Everything has to be very spic and span. Winter stuff in one compartment, summer in the other. Traditional separate, western separate Favourite outfit? Saree
The most stylish man for you? My boyfriend. He’s very stylish and carries himself very well
Any vintage piece? Hand knitted sweater
BEAUTY
What about your home décor and interiors. Whether traditional or contemporary? Antique. All traditional sofas with low seating. I have candles and mirrors in the entire house. I have put red curtains in my bedroom. My drawing room has touches of golden and brown. The walls are in offwhite colour.
HOME Beauty Products? Lotus sunscreen with SPF 40 is a must. Rest of the beauty products are either of MAC or SHEISHEDO Beauty Mantra? I do yoga, drink lots of water and juices and keep clean thoughts. If your thoughts are clean, your conscious remains clear Essentials in your handy beauty kit?
Where is it situated? In Mumbai, it’s at Lokhandwala and in Goa at Caranzalem A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Do you have an interest in doing home decor and interiors of your home? I am very fond of doing the interiors of my home. For the same I pick up artefacts and other things from different places
LIFESTYLE What does your travel bag contain? Some comfy shoes, clothes and sunscreen Favourite travel destinations? Kerala and Ireland. And I love mountains Shopping destination? Bangkok and Dubai. Even Delhi. I like to shop at Janpath Mahie – the Foodie? I am a great foodie. I can eat all kinds of food but prefer to eat vegetarian food. Things without which you can’t live? My mobile, my pet Dona Gill (a pug) I am very fond of her and need to see her at least once when I am back from my work
The unknown facts about Mahie? I was selected in the army. I am an NCC certificate holder. Even went to Chennai for training but then I met with an accident hence I could not pursue my career. I am a good shooter as well. Five years from now where do you see yourself ? I will still be working and married Any message for the readers? Please keep watching my films and reading Abraxas Lifestyle magazine. I will be back again very soon.
P H OTO C O U RTE SY : Luv Israni
Any true friends in Bollywood? I don’t have friends in Bollywood. For me, a friend is one who always stands by you in your thick and thins. When we meet, we all are very cordial. We have respect for each other.
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Premium Showcase
PUNK
AESTHETICS What really happened to fashion when the digital revolution took hold? Find more from PETER GRANT in his own words…
M O D E L : Himanshu Mehta & Peter Grant STYLI N G: Peter Grant & Salil Bhatia P H OTO G RAP HY: Abraxas Photography
UNITED ANGST
“United Angst is the culmination of my disaffection with the digital world and its effect on the fashion world. I worked in software design for the first web browser in 1993. Back then the promise of the web was to bring the world to our desktop”. But what really happened to fashion when the digital revolution took place? As the world grew smaller, it was expected to get more from the revolution. But instead, things were moving the other way. Clothes were to be brought from designers in London, Paris and New York, because for the first time they were readily accessible… Right there in our living rooms, bedrooms and offices. Small designers would finally have their day. But instead everything seems more generic – variety is masquerading as choice. Men can only buy khakis or chinos in 50 different colors and polo shirts with naff British Private School logos. Jeans, once the prescribed
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A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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fashion for American farm workers, have become ubiquitous. And don’t worry if you are traveling, the jeans and khakis are the same in NY, London, Paris, Barcelona and Tokyo. After all, the Internet allows us to all buy exactly the same clothes now! USP
“Instead of choice we feel angst. I want something that says I AM AN INDIVIDUAL”. That’s what United Angst clothing follows. Creating ideas that defines, ‘I am different, I am an individual’. Style is “Pop Punk”. It’s all colour and attitude. It’s not being afraid to be seen and to stand out in a crowd. Clients are not bound to shopping malls and the suburbs. Internet business seeks to reach likeminded individuals wherever they are in the world, whether New York, Stockholm, Mumbai, London, Berlin, Barcelona, Sydney or Shanghai. Every client is an individual and unique citizen of the world.
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PETER GRANT HAS LIVED IN MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD AND WORKED IN MULTIPLE FIELDS. HE IS INFLUENCED HEAVILY BY HIS TRAVELS AND BY PUNK AESTHETICS.
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Designer Display
Penguin
love The Next Episode by designer SHANTANU SINGH makes a statement for the cause of these endangered species. He shares with Abraxas Lifestyle his inspiration behind the collection and more
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INSPIRATION- PENGUINS
The Theme- For his latest collection designer Shantanu Singh ‘Who’s going to save the World’, takes inspiration from the pitiable condition of penguins due to the harmful effects of global warming. As a result, penguins are now one of the many endangered species. The collection comprises of short, body-con dresses in hues of black, white and grey enhanced with panels of scalloping, ribbing and embroidery. Shantanu says, “Over the years, human beings have constantly been destroying the natural habitats of many innocent beings. It is time we save the planet, our eco system and get inspired by the way penguins live together. I have made a little effort from my side to promote togetherness in the verge of saving the world and building a better future.” FASHION DESIGNER SHANTANU SINGH, IS INTO HIGH-FASHION AND DESIGNS GARMENTS FOR HIS OWN LABEL-THE NEXT EPISODE. HE WORKS AS A DESIGN CONSULTANT FOR SOME EXPORTERS AND WORKS AS A FASHION STYLIST FOR EVENTS, PHOTO-SHOOTS AND FASHION SHOWS.
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Trends
Breath of
Fresh Air Spring summer trends. A sneak peek by RAJDEEP RANAWAT
<PM _Q[Xa OW_V[ SIN\IV[ IVL \PM KPQK JWTMZW RIKSM\[ QVN][ML _Q\P \PM JZQOP\ KWTW]Z[ IVL XZQV\[ IZM MVW]OP \W \IV\ITQ[M WVM¼[ XITM\\M ) ) ) ) ) )
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h e S p r i n g - S u m m e r 2 01 3 c o l l e c t i o n SANTORINI by Rajdeep Ranawat is like a breath of fresh Mediterranean air into resort fashion.Inspired by the island’s strong neoclassical and baroque influences visible in many of the island’s churches and public building.he has tried to capture the essence of Santorini that can be seen in its clear blue sky, the little white houses perched on gigantic rocks on hills, the colorful burst of bougainvillea’s, the blue and white churches, ornamental grills and an endless view of the sea completed with the spectacular sunset coloured horizons in his creation which were personally photographed and illustrated by him and then printed onto the clothes, making it original on its own. “It is all about vibrant splash of colours and beautiful structures inspired by nature,” shares Fashion Designer Rajdeep Ranawat. HARMONIOUS BLEND
The whole collection is made mostly in ivory accomplished with vibrant colours like Aruba blue, Raspberry, Calypso Coral, Parakeet green, Mandarin and Banana yellow forming the designs.Rich fabrics pure silk, silk chiffon, silk satin, tulle and silk georgette lend a gloriously extravagant and ethereal look. The wispy gowns, kaftans and the chic bolero jackets infused with the bright colours and prints are enough to tantalise one’s palette. 33
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YOUTHFUL FLAIR
Enriched with pearl and metallic buttons, subdued Swarovski element highlights and metal chains. “The collection radiates an undeniably youthful flair and yet remains timeless and bold. Each creation is interjected with a cityscape feel to it and every piece is ingeniously directed to revive Santorini prints.”The skillful use of the Grecian structures and landscapes in the clothes seems like telling a Greek story to all, which beckons the beholder to experience it.
TREND TALES (SPRING FORECAST) OUTFITS – Kimono tops, Shirts, Ponchos and Kaftans, Shift dresses or long pleated gowns… added Boleros and comfy Jackets for a resort destination would be great too! COLOURS – Ivory, Red, Aqua, Kiwi, Strawberry and Canary yellows! Stay fresh and fruity! CUTS – Simple and straight! Accentuate waist and shapes by belts and drawstrings etc. SILHOUETTES – Simple and comfortable rather then fitted
and tight! FABRIC – Natural fabrics that breathe with our skin. Pure cottons, and chiffons are the key fabrics for this season. Georgettes and tulle too are great to mix and match. Lycra cottons and the sorts too lend comfort and no static than the polyester and nylon fabrics that are a big no no! FASHION FAUX PAS – Too much leather, especially leather and similar fabric jeggings! DOS & DON’T’S TO BE KEPT IN MIND – Fresh and light makeup, accessorise right and not overdone!
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Trends
The ‘neck’ st big thing
If you love chunky jewellery, heree are some pieces that will add that glam lam quotient to your attire KEEP YOUR look simple with these statement pieces. Remember, beauty lies in the details. You can wear top to bottom op. Let neutrals and a colourful neckpiece to make the outfit pop. arrings the piece stand out, but avoid any extra distractions like earrings ant to. or big rings. At the most try to keep it subtle if you want So dress it down and style it up to look your best.
` 1,000
Price on request Choker necklace Safeera
Price on request Indian neckpiece Just Jewellery
Nesarang Sculpt Bib Necklace koovs.com
` 9,057 Statement neckpiece Sacha’s Shop
Accessories by Sannam Chopra LFW Winter Festives
` 1,950 Gold and black multiple string necklace Sacha’s Shop
` 9,900 Necklace, Malini Ramani
FAS H I O N
Jewellery
Dazzling
Desires An interview with Jewellery Designer Varda Goenka of Diagold jewels
J EW E LLE RY DE S IG N E R VAR DA GOE N KA
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By ANJU MEHANDIRATTA
A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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V
arda Goenka is an Indian jewellery designer who creates fine jewellery styles using gold, diamonds, pearls and other precious stones. She creates styles that are re-interpretations of traditional styled products from the age of kings and maharajas in India. Her styling is such that the products are easy to combine with traditional and modern outfits alike.
What made you become a jewellery designer? I was always interested in doing something creative. I have combined my passion with my profession. This is what I love and enjoy doing. From where do you derive the inspiration? I usually derive inspiration from different sources, it could be nature, a beautiful stone, our golden history or the old jewels especially of the art noveau era. What makes you different amongst other jewellery designers? I am different from other designers because each piece of mine is different from the other. The focus of each piece is different. What is your signature style? Maybe a huge unshaped cabochan emerald, a teardrop ruby, moving petals in a flower ring or a hovering butterfly in a brooch. How particular are women about their jewellery? What sort of jewellery would you recommend for girls in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50 and above? How should they co-ordinate jewellery with their outfits? Women are very particular about their jewellery.
For women in their 20s, I would recommend investing in a good pair of chandelier earrings and some smaller balis, tennis bracelet and broad cuff bracelet, cocktail ring and small solitaire ring and a couple of jadau pieces. For 30s, I would recommend some nice pendant sets, one or two necklace sets mid length to long earrings depending on your neck. Nice broad bracelets, kadas, solitaire rings in different shapes of diamonds, jadau necklace, earrings and rings also look good. For 40s, classy small earrings with big diamonds, solitaire bangles or tennis bracelets, nice ruby emerald pieces with diamonds and necklace sets with different shapes of diamonds and coloured stones work well. For 50s solitaires and more solitaires – solitaire strings, solitaire bangles, emerald strings, ruby strings, jadau strings and solitaire rings. Tips for women while flaunting jewellery? Co-ordination doesn’t need colour, just wear one statement piece and rest should be understated. A striking big pendant should be balanced by smaller earrings. With chandelier earrings, nothing on the neck. Just a nice bracelet and so on. Don’t be a Christmas tree and wear everything together. What are the things to be kept in mind while buying jewellery? Wedding jewellery should be thought of carefully. Buy the pieces which you can wear later – either together or separately. It’s very easy to get carried away; however one must see the long term use. Instead of buying one big piece, if you buy a choker and a necklace which can be worn separately, you could make a lot of use out of it. Fusion is in vogue, you can mix jadau and diamonds. Diamonds, emeralds and jadau are the current prevailing trends. 37
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Trends
Fl oral Ring by R.K. Jewellers Price on request
fantasy
Printed blouse by Wrangler Price on request
Pink scarf by Wrap Studio Price on request
Drop earrings by Notandas Jewellers Price on request
Dull ivory strapless gown by Payal Jain. Price on request
FAS H I O N
For all the girls out there, the blooming blooms are all set to make this season very soothing and rejuvenating. Don’t discard your floral fantasies. This season the trend continues with a high-octane dose of flower power
Diamond earrings by Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers
Dress by Pepe Jeans London Printed blouse by FCUK Price on request Ring by toniQ 39
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Beauty Buzz
pretty as a
picture Bodacious Beauty products
WHICH WOULD be the best base? Which mascara would best define your eyes? And if you’re going to buy one hot lip colour or nail paint this season, which would you, splash your cash on? With so many products, we give you our top picks.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Shiseido Wrinkle Resist 24 intense eye contour cream Elizabeth Arden – Intensive Moisturizer Lakme colour crush Marilyn Monroe-Lipstick-Charmed I’m Sure by Mac Marilyn Monroe-Powder Blush-The Perfect Cheek by Mac Chambor Eye Shadow Flora and Fauna Gurlein Plush Pink Neutrogena Wave Power Cleanser Vichy Laboratoires BI-WHITE REVEAL Anti-Dark Circle Whitening Corrective Eye Care `1850 10. Gurlein Meteorite Perles
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S(c)en(t)sational
Tantalise
your senses Infusing natural scents from the good earth
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SOAK UP in nature’s sweetest fragrances with potpourri, incense and scented candles to keep your home smelling fresh. If you’re not sure about what scents to use, remember, that for the kitchen warm scents like vanilla, cinnamon and pumpkin or light scents like citrus and apple are most inviting. If you like something floral, lavender, rose and jasmine still continue to be the favourites in general living spaces. For a relaxing effect, spa scents like eucalyptus, sandalwood and green tea are popular. Remember good living means indulging in all your senses, so get a whiff of some enduring scents for your home.
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Jasmine Ja set, Soulflower - ` 950 Gift sets, Eco Corner - ` 660 G In Incense packs, My Earth Store - ` 250 each Cone gift set, Eco Corner - ` 660 Reed C So Soaps, Candles and Towels, Diffuser set, Soulflower - ` 900 D Flower diffuser set, Soulflower - ` 1,000 Fl
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Style File
INCORPORATE THE CROP
Up the hemline to redefine your style quotient SHELLY SHARMA
I
t first flashed on the TV screen in the 80s when Madonna donned it in her controversial music video Lucky Star. But that was then. With time, it took over the fashion world as accentuating the midriff became sexy. And now we see celebs and fashion icons like Kristen Stewart, Freida Pinto and even Rihanna nailing the crop trend. Cropped tops, we love to see it everywhere! At parties, aerobic clubs and even colleges, girls are chasing this oomphy trend. But many of us fashion frenzy even find crop tops a not so readyto-wear fashion faux pas. You may not want to wear it like the skinny models do as you might end up feeling a couple of sizes over. Nothing to fret though, here are some ways to trick the trend. FIND YOUR LENGTH
Crop tops can be worn solo, paired up with something and can also be layered with a top. It’s about how adventurous you are when it comes to following the trend. GOOD WITH HIGH-WAIST BOTTOMS
Pair them with high waisted trousers, skirts and bell bottoms. Just make sure that the waist is high enough to show just a hint of that curve around your waist. It’s all about a little bit of hide and seek. Accessorising can go a long way and could be an integral part of this look.
LOOSE CROPS, THE SAFEST BET
A loose crop top would not only be flexible with your movement, it wo would also make just the right amount of midriff visible. The extra fabric of loose cr crop top creates E an asymmetrical hemline. Effect? The look becomes more sensuous and interesting! PEEK-A-BOO BELLY
Still thinking? Well, you can always jacket your crop top and let your belly peek through. Casual cropped crop tees could just work with this trend in the right way. Couple these with denim vests and add gr black ankle ups to get the grunge look. LAYER YOUR PIECE
Don’t restrict the trend to parties pa only. Wear a skin-fit tank underneath your cropped top. For a rock chic finish, team the look t maximise its with flood pants and heels to hesita to put on a impact. You might be hesitant crop top while going to the street vendors, but just by layering you can stave off those p leering eyes in such public places. f So style up with this fresh-new croptrend. Just a reminder! Be it colourblocked, androgynous, layer layered, with vest or solo, don’t forget to punctua punctuate it with your individual style! SHELLY IS AN ACCOMPLISHED CONTEN CONTENT THA WRITER. SHE POSSESSES MORE THAN FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN HANDLIN HANDLING COURSEWORK CONTENT DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMEN IN THE FIELD OF FASHION AND LIFESTYL LIFESTYLE AND EXPERTISE IN PUBLISHING IDEAS IN A VARIETY OF STYLES AND FORMATS.
M O D E L: Valencia M O D E L C O U RTE SY: Model Boot Camp, Goa HAI R AN D MAK E U P: Afsha Aaqil Prasla P H OTO G RAP HY: Sharad Khot for Abraxas Photography 43
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Events WINNERS OF “LET’S DESIGN” SEASON 5
Cotton Council International (CCI), in association with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), announces Vedangi Agarwal and Josh Goraya as the joint winners of the fifth season of its pan-India fashion design contest, “Let’s Design.” Vedangi and Josh beat out fellow finalists Anu Parthasarathy, Deepjoti Baishya and Dimpali Khattar to become the season champions.
h h Designer Rina Dhaka, Actress Aditi Rao Hydari, Designer Payal Jain
CONCEPTUALISATION OF TARUN TAHILIANI
An embodiment of the design philosophy and style that Tarun Tahiliani lives, breathes and works, complete with tone on tone layers, borrowing from his signature colour palette of khaki beiges and creams contrasted with dark charcoal browns,now takes physical form, at D-25, Defence Colony.
Model in Tarun Tahiliani’s creation i i
DANCE CELEBRATIONS
A Romantic dance party was unfolded recently as hair and make up expert Aashmeen Munjaal hosted Valentines Day celebration with Bollywood dance masters Prabhu Deva and Remo D’souza at Aashmeen Munjaal’s Star Salon. The dance masters were present along with the team of movie ABCD for the celebrations at Star Salon.
h h Aashmeen Munjaal with dance masters Remo D’Souza and Prabhudeva
LUXURY LIVING
Luxury Living by Royal Koas unveiled its new European master Pieces at it Boutique Store Luxury Living . The event was hosted by Ratinder Singh Bhatia and Gurpreet Singh Bhatia.These master pieces are from worlds leading European Brands like Armani Exchange,Pablo, Lema ( Italy ), Molisen, Camel, Rugiano, accessories from swarovski and dome and many more. . The range of products varies from living, dining, bedroom, consoles, accessories, carpets, and office
Gunjan Walia and Jatin Bhatia i i
A LUXURIOUS INDULGENCE
Luxury Spa & Salon “ARADYA” launches in India at The Gallery on MG Mall sprawling over 6000 sq. Feet area with the vision to provide “Heaven on Earth” experiences to its guests. The word ARADYA derives from Sanskrit, meaning “Prayer, Devotion, or Dedication to achieve a certain goal in life”. The Event was inaugurated by Her Excellency Riyali Wilmar Indrakesuma, Ambassador of Indonesia.
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Trends
Wear The
colour
Thee sty style statement for men’s wear at the Bangalore Fashion Week I YOU think men’s wear is all about monochromes, IF d dull shades, think again. Designers at the Blenders P Pride Bangalore Fashion Week 2013 experimented w colour, cuts to redefine the men’s look. They opted with ffor bright hues of yellow, blue over the subtle shades, w while some preferred a more traditional look. Comfy t trousers, jackets and even kurtas were re styled to g it a more upbeat, contemporary feel. For instance, give A Akhilesh Pahwa added a hint of colour, but remained t true to the solid colours of beige and black to create s sleek yet extravagant, graceful yet alluring, vintage yet p polished fits. Sayantan Sarkar’s collection was a riot of c colour targeting the bohemian globe- trotter.
Susanta & Soumik
Ramesh Dembla
Ambrish
Sayantan Sarkar
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Akhilesh Pahwa’s Collection
Vatsala, Avinash, Rupa G
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Interior Design contemporary
Interiors PIA Interior - always at the forefront amongst the contemporary world leaders in Interior Design
P
IA Interior Company Ltd is Thailand’s leading interior design firm. With over 25 years of diverse experience in the design and execution of private residences, hotels and resorts, corporate offices, retail spaces and public buildings.As Design Director of the Company, Sutana Pomme Mokkhavesa has an impressive educational background in all aspects of Interior Design. She was awarded Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia and won the AIA Henry Adams Design Award for excellence upon completion of masters in 2001. Pomme’s role at PIA Interior focuses on luxury Hospitality Interior projects. She has almost 10 years experience in global scale projects. The Company does not believe in re-using designs, i.e all the jobs are tailored to each specific situation to create a bespoke experience every time and that’s the reason for their success in Thailand, China and India.
PROJECT: THE PANO
The Pano, is a perfect balance between the traditional elegance and modern living by combining luxury contemporary design with elegant classical touches. Ideally located overlooking the Chao Phraya River and Rama III road, The Pano is perfect for urbanites who enjoy their privacy and the natural environment. A tailor-made lifestyle habitat with meticulous space planning that adapts to the different functions of everyday life and offers a dedicated living environment for everyone in the family. Arriving on the First floor of the house, the view extends out 48
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to the garden with the River serving as a backdrop beyond bringing plenty of natural light into this elegant and feminine formal living and dining room. One can immediately notice the stainless steel and Hi-gloss Bolivar wood panelling which can be traced throughout the property. These contrast against the luxury satin fabrics and softened hand tufted silk carpets to create an enriched environment with plenty of texture and ornament. The staircase acts as a neutral space that connects the difference spaces together vertically. The second floor with Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom, Second Bedroom and study serves a more private
and intimate area with warmer tones in grey, cream and silver and refined detailing. The powerful and masculine character of the Master Bedroom is complimented with the more delicate and feminine Second Bedroom. The combination of White Alabascato and Silver Portoro stone found in the Master Bathroom creates a particularly stunning contrast. The Study which is converted from the Third bedroom acts as a cozy private nook with a plenty of sophistication and finesse. The Basement floor serves as a private entertainment area with soundproof karaoke room, whisky lounge and pool area for the more discreet occasions. 49
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Stark materials such as Silver Portoro marble combine with the smart detailing and somber mood lighting to create a more suave, masculine environment. The furniture concept contains a mixture of iconic design pieces and up-to-date modern furniture meticulously selected to suit each setting. This combined with signature lighting pieces, eclectic props and accessories and unique timeless design resonate The Pano’s “High living” and “Exclusive Lifestyle” ethos. Address: 882, Rama lll Rd., Bang Phong Pang, Yannawa 10120 Thailand SUTANA POMME MOKKHAVESA IS DESIGN DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY . SHE IS AWARDED BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE AND MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA AND WON THE AIA HENRY ADAMS DESIGN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE UPON COMPLETION OF MASTERS IN 2001. SHE HAS ALMOST 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN GLOBAL SCALE PROJECTS
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Architecture
Writing on stone
Architect ARVIND D’SOUZA’S structures are ‘lifestyle essays’ that reflects the client’s dreams, aspirations and a place they can call home
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e is one man, the who’s who of the fashion, bollywood and hotel industry are after to design their dream homes or resorts in Goa. With a firm belief to make optimum use of any given space, Goa based architect Arvind D’Souza loves to take up challenges, experiment and always keep innovating. Best known for designing residences of A-listers, such as renowned fashion designer Tarun Tahilliani, Atul Punj, Ajai Lakhanpal and Shirin Paul of Park Hotels, Arvind says he has many more projects in the pipeline but refrains from revealing his mystery clients. Abraxas can only guess if any of bollywood tinsletown’s stars are on his list! After shifting his base to Goa in 1993, along with his wife Nita D’Souza, who is also an architect, Arvind started practice along with her, establishing the firm Arvind D’Souza Architects. He has an extensive work experience in Mumbai, from where he graduated from the Sir J. J. College of Architecture in 1986. Being the Principal Architect of the firm, he has been involved in various residential and hospitality projects not only in Goa, but other metropolitan cities as well. The firm was also the Resident Architects for the Marriott Goa Resort besides being involved with various smaller hotel properties the most recent being The Sol, Nerul, Goa a boutique Hotel being promoted by Priya Paul and partners. With years of experience behind him, Goa’s architect guru says that he is able to provide, through his offices a wide range of
professional design services encompassing architecture, interior design and landscape design services with associated consultants for structural design, MEP, etc. In conversation with Abraxas Lifestyle Arvind talks about his passion for his profession and how he perceives the future of architecture in Goa should be. Did you always want to become an architect? What made you want to choose this profession? Yes, architecture was always a first choice as far as a profession was concerned … I always had an inclination towards drawing and sketching …… so it was Architecture or as a distant option, Fine Arts. I chose this profession as great beautiful spaces for human beings have always given me a tremendous sense of satisfaction. The journey so far and your most memorable experience… Well, I studied Architecture in Mumbai, because that’s where I grew up and spent my initial years after graduation, working in a couple of very reputed firms where design was of prime importance. Then I made the best move of my life…… I shifted to Goa with my architect wife Nita, that has enabled us to do what we really enjoy…. to design finally crafted buildings and structures for a discerning client. Goa being at the centre of a leisure lifestyle, has allowed us to grow in both residential and hospitality design and my best design moment is yet to come. 59
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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the dark side of this profession? Just how difficult or daunting can the task of designing and completing a project can be? Architecture and interior design requires a certain mindset where you marry business and practically with an acute artistic sensibility. So given this there is nothing that I would call dark or daunting. Every situation has a solution, even if it means walking away from a potential job. Have you had times when things when things went horribly wrong? Fortunately nothing has gone horribly worry for us. This is mainly for two reasons. One being, accept jobs that one is aesthetically 60
comfortable with and secondly, approach the job with technical soundness. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your specialty? How did you harness it? Creating designs which get their value from the quality of space, materials and details, without having to depend on surface ornamentation. I even experiment and analyze spaces that I instinctively like, even after the decoration is absent. One learns from observation and experience. You are known for contemporary designs which exude a traditional look to it. Do tell us the process in selecting a particular kind of design. A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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I love the architecture of contemporary Mexico and the Mediterranean. Several Asian architects too, like Geoffrey Bawa from Sri Lanka, who has left a large legacy and directional blueprint for architects in South Asia, where we are striving to achieve a contemporary look within a traditional framework. We approach a design by first getting into the clients head, getting him /her to write us a ‘Lifestyle Essay’ or a daily cycle that starts with waking up until bedtime. To include aspirations, dreams, wishes and aesthetic direction. There after analyzing the site, we start to ‘imagine’ how the spaces will look given the local conditions. We then create the story using volumetric manipulation, textures, colours, material and light ….. And then pull it all together with furnishing, art and accessories.
Tell us some of your signature projects. I don’t have a single favourite project but among the most unusual projects we worked on was a subterranean house inside a cliff facing the ocean where the challenge was to deal with the rocks and the hill on the one side and the might of the ocean on the other. Star client Tarun Tahilliani’s house which you have redesigned exudes warmth and architectural brilliance. Tell us more about the project. Tarun was a joy to work with. His intent and direction were very clear. Open ceiling spaces, a courtyard, natural materials and sophisticated detailing made this a perfect result on a nice riverside property. 61
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Every architect visualises how a particular project should be designed. The Sol boutique hotel in Nerul amongst many of your projects is one of your outstanding works… tell us the thought process. The plot was tight and after brainstorming for ideas we collectively came up with ideas on similar lines as Tarun’s house. Being a boutique hotel, the need for individuality of spaces and for privacy drove the design. Traditional detailing like molding and corbels picked out in a contrast of textures, white stucco and dark wood with rough stone and cement floors came together. The additional plushness came in with the marble finishes in muted colours in the washrooms and fabrics and accessories. What according to you is your best project till date? As the cliché goes…. my best project is still to come. Any architects you look up to or whose works you draw inspiration from? Frank Llyod Wright, Groffery Bawa, Luis Barragan are a few in a long line of architects I admire. Closer home the works of Nari Gandhi are inspirational too. All of these are people who completely integrate their interiors with the architecture that they design. 63
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Any noteworthy projects in the pipeline? Yes, there are a few actually from a tiny beach house in north Goa where we are renovating a fisherman’s old home to another one in the hinterland which sits on the crest of a hill overlooking water in the distance. Goa is known for its colonial style of architecture, a perfect blend of Latin and Indian. Do you get a lot of clients wanting this kind of architecture? Yes, but it’s not traditional in the sense of a straight forward copy of an old structure but more like a modern reinterpretation of tradition. Any favourite design or type of architecture you associate yourself with? Like I said, anything that is Modern Tropical. Being well over a decade in this profession, do you plan to push the boundaries and take up projects in other states or overseas as well? We are already doing work in Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi. You are no doubt preoccupied with various projects. Work aside, how do you manage personal or family commitments? Just how do you make the time? We work very strict hours and weekends are totally personal, so that’s never a problem. What’s the secret of being at the top of your game? Constant innovation and not staying in a comfort zone for too long. Given your vast experience in the field, how do you perceive the future of architecture in Goa should be? The scale of Architecture in Goa needs to be controlled, high rises have their place but the older approach of structure not rising above the palm tree height still makes sense if one wants to avoid the look of a ‘concrete jungle’ commercially suitable densities can still be achieved with low rise structures. Your advice to budding architects who plan to make a mark just like you? Keep learning constantly, observe and absorb. Innovate. Do not let commercial consideration dictate the direction a job will take. ARCHITECT ARVIND D’SOUZA, GRADUATED FROM THE SIR J. J. COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE IN 1986. HE IS THE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT OF THE FIRM ARVIND D’SOUZA ARCHITECTS BASED IN GOA ESTD. IN 1993. HE IS KNOWN FOR DESIGNING TARUN TAHILLIANI, ATUL PUNJ, AJIAI LAKHANPAL AND SHIRIN PAUL’S RESIDENCES. HE FIRM ADA IS WAS ALSO THE RESIDENT ARCHITECTS FOR THE MARRIOTT GOA RESORT.
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Interiors
showcasing
european design
Showcase the latest in interior design, the bi-annual Maison et Objet Fair, Paris - the perfect place for design-conscious people. Team Abraxas reports on this breathtaking event and more.
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C
oming to Paris for the bi-annual Maison et Objet Fair was all the more exciting, when the city of lights became a city of white. The heaviest snow falls in last 20 years made the trip whimsical and surreal. Paris is a creative city and has a reputation for being at the forefront of cutting-edge design. To showcase the latest in interior design, the biannual Maison et Objet Paris is a perfect place for design – conscious people. This event is held each year for five days in January that takes place at the Parc des Exposition de Paris-Nord Villepinte in Paris. It covers multiple halls and highlights the new developments in interior design. The fair is the biggest design trade show of the year, which means that this is the place to spot new patterns, colours and styles. The event showcased Spring Summer 2013 collections from the world’s most progressive design houses. Innovation helps in providing positive energy 68
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and sketches out a wonderful future by combining our sensuality and attitude. Designers at this year’s event seemed unfazed by global climate change and came equipped with fresh designs that reflected warmth. They presented the latest trends in furniture, interior design and modern home decoration and essentially it was the perfect place to inspire and to get inspiration from. There were plenty of glossy furniture with slick finishes at this enormous trade show, but the most exciting pieces on show went back to basics, taking inspiration from simpler processes as well as Mother Nature herself. Humble materials, were transformed into thought-provoking designs that ranged from beautiful to convulsive, fascinating and alarming. This year the theme of the show was based on new life and rebirth, highlighting scientific and biological influences on contemporary design. This theme of energy and growth was high on 69
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trend, where many of the exhibitors pushed the boundaries of raw materials and combined cutting-edge technology with traditional handicrafts to create a refreshing new design. Amid the vast array of design, the main focus was on lighting, seating and innovation. The theme of light was quite intriguing 70
which caught everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye. They were organic, simple and well balanced. Innovative Lighting was everywhere, with many designers exploring the possibilities of solar energy, natural phosphorescent materials and recent advances in Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology to create magical and futuristic illuminations. A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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An environmentally conscience collection was introduced in where emphasis was given on functionality, solidity and sustainability. One of the representations showcased the best selection of three - dimensional cups, bowls and candleholders in the softest marshmallow hues which brought a soft sense of light to the world of interiors. The theme for the exhibition was ‘Vivant’ and some designs were well and truly alive and vibrant. Designers were generally sticking to light tones and delicate colours—mustard yellow, pistachio green and a range of blues and subtle gray’s—this palette gave an elegant yet enthusiastic touch to the collections. Eco is certainly a trend that won’t fade. Many exhibitors had invested in recycled materials and transformed them into cutting edge objects. As nature has taken a big step, animal shapes are clearly another big trend for the year. Brands displayed lamps in the form of dogs, cow dressers, ostrich tables and animal-printed fabrics. Nature could also be seen in all the wooden furniture. Whether the wood was coloured or untreated, it was the material of choice for most.
Grange Furniture in collaboration with Verve Clicquot
TREND FORECAST Create flexible furniture for individual homes. For example, various units can be combined; colours and materials can be exchanged to get maximum individuality for the homes of the future. O 2013 is the year of colours and natural materials, so opt for wooden statement pieces with colourful details. O Pastel hues dominated the new collection and crooked lampshades seemed to be the ideal dose of quirk for a happy home! O To get a poetic and artistic sensuality, the knitted cushions, blankets and toys were created from soft knitted textiles whose patterns and colours are absolutely adorable. O The retro chairs were reinterpreted with colourful leather upholstery which are best with a mix & match approach for cool, urban houses. O Elegant Japanese style influenced the creation of some beautiful products to give newness to traditional craft. O There was also some delicious retro ice-cream pastels and geometric shapes. O
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Daring to be different? Architect RITA MODY JOSHI explains how one can design a statement building that serves both form and function
Design
Statement Buildingsâ&#x20AC;Ś
Name of building: The City of Arts and Sciences Place: Valencia, Spain Architect: Santiago Calatrava 74
A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Name of building: Sydney Opera House Place: Sydney, Australia Architect: Jorn Utzon
T Name of building: Lotus Temple Place: Delhi, India Architect: Fariborz Sahba
he fraternity of architects showcase their talent in built form – sometimes daring, sometimes traditional and most of the times conformist. Even after 25 years of experience, we have clients who wish to construct buildings which have no outstanding character… Is it for fear of being different or not having the trust to execute a structure which is out of the box? Cannot one design contemporary buildings with a global style – a breaking ground technology which can take on the World? Are both clients and designers in a dilemma? Form and function go hand in hand with each other – a holistic design makes a statement and yet serves its purpose. The spatial climate speaks volumes and creates an ideal environment for overall development. True architectural design goes beyond the technical and spatial parameters of a building. Each structure has a soul which is expressed uniquely by its form. The architect takes up this challenge to achieve a project which interprets the clients brief in a detailed form. Cosmetic treatment is quite unnecessary in a well-designed sustainable building. 75
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Name of building: Banyan Tree Corniche Bay Place: Mauritius Architect: Antoni Gaudi
Name of building: Casa Mila Place: Barcelona, Spain Architect: Antoni Gaudi
Name of building: Guggenheim Museum Place: Bilbao, Spain Architect: Frank Gehry Open spaces are an integral part of built form as it modifies the microclimate of the interiors, based upon the location of these spaces. The character of the building envelope makes an impact physically and mentally. A structure which is awe-inspiring affects the end-user. They feel super- human in an environment which has an ambience which is sprawling and breathtaking. Focusing on people-friendly projects is the need of today – a stress free environment for work and leisure. Architectural spaces can nourish individuals emotionally and spiritually. Buildings and their façades instill in the observer, the ethos appropriate to the place. Traditional architecture, despite functional obsolescence have remained vital and rendered timeless.
Name of building: La Sagrada Place: Familia, Spain Architect: Antoni Gaudi 76
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 | March 2013
Living The Good Life!
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Living The Good Life!
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Architecture
THE PERFECT BLEND Fine art techniques combined with other disciplines to produce three dimensional sculptural installations. A look... 2
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1. Private residence of Ketan Gogri, Valkeshwar 2. 24x7 Corporate Park, Hindustan Construction Company, Vikhroli 3. Kalpatru Aura, Ghatkopar
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urseet Singh integrates the concepts of art, natural elements and design to create unique creative installations. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking about installing that beautiful art installation that can enhance the look of your space and want something creative yet awe inspiring, Mumbai based Artefacts, could be just what you are looking for. Known for its creativity, Artefacts, continues to deliver every project it takes up with beautiful art installations, sculptures and ambiance solutions for its ever demanding clientele. With Gurseet Singh, heading the ďŹ rm, Artefacts is spreading its reach throughout the country, A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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4. & 7. 24x7 Corporate Park, Hindustan Construction Company, Vikhroli 5. & 8. Lavasa Promenade Area 6. 5 star property
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making people more aware about the importance of art and how to experiment with it. Garnering widespread acclaim for its work, the firm has maintained the highest standards of integrity and artistic innovation with incredible thematic vision. To create a perfect ambiance a and to add enormous aesthetic appeal, a variety of mediums like metal, stone, ston ceramic, glass, RSCR and GRC are used along with various techniques like fa casting, fabrication and mouldings to make a bold and creative statement for clients, w some of whom include Hindustan Construction Company, Kanakia Spaces, Kalpataru Aura, Taj G Group of Hotels, Omkar Realtors, Nahar builders among many others. w sculptures and installations, the company is also involved in creating the Along with overall loo look and feel of the space. Crucial to the ambiance of any space is the perfect balancing of lighting and the mood to create dramatic ambiance. The firm rightly understand the perfect blend of every aspect of natural elements like fire, water, air and understands earth to br bring about a sense of serenity and calmness, to uplift the mood of the dwellers ambianc of any space. or ambiance w work to offer site specific solutions, the texture of any given space itself is “Since, we inspir very inspiring for us, to offer an aesthetically appealing solution which is well integrated and blends with any given space,” says Gurseet. a Asked about his upcoming projects, Gurseet says that he is all excited about his projects at All Cargo Logistics at Santa Cruz and Mahindra Holidays Resort at Coorg p which he plans to give it a beautiful ambiance with stunning sculptures, murals and water bodies etc. His best known works include art installations for Hindustan Construction Company, Vikhroli and Lavasa. as With aspiration among project developers to differentiate their projects, Gurseet says that h he is sure the industry is certainly heading towards growth and delivering aesthetical appealing habitats for human beings. aesthetically Creative people like Gurseet Singh, have redefined how India can transform simple ho looking housing projects, buildings, museums, resorts or parks etc with works of art into something worth admiring and appreciating for generations ahead! 81
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Upcoming Designer emerging
fashion Designer of the month PARAM POPSIKHLES SAHIB
ABOUT MY DESIGN COLLECTION.
A collection Inspired by The Enmeshing world of bollywood, showing a journey of a girls to make it big and chase her dreams. The life she leads and the challenges she faces, she tries and not forget that she is different and whatever people think about her, she believes in the best. Play of Colors, textures , drama and materials makes the collection, “Chamakti baawali ravina”, a runway favourite.
MY DESIGN SENISBILITIES
D R E S S E S & STYLI N G
When you have a happy heart, you want everything to be great around. Believing in wearing your mind, on your body, my motto is to Design and just let your exterior do all the talking. And also, the strange connection with colors and the play of the surfaces , is what Makes Popsikhles, stand bright and shinning.
Param Popsikhles Sahib MODEL
Palak Gupta & Sheena Sharma MAK E U P & HAI R
Palak Gupta & Sheena Sharma P H OTO G RAP HY
Abraxas Photography
THE URGE TO LET PEOPLE FEEL,”I WISH I HAD THAT!” FEELING KICKS ME EACH TIME TO KEEP CREATING NEW THINGS EACH TIME. BELIEVEING IN EVERY DAY , AS YOUR LAST DAY, MAKES ME LIVE EACH DAY TO ITS FULLEST AND MAKE IT AS MUCH AS LIVELY AS POSSIBLE. IT MAKES ME, THE PERSON I AM, SPREADING COLORS AND HAPPINESS ALL AROUND ME.
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Contest
emerging
female model of the month MODEL
Meenakshi Rawat P H OTO G RAP HY
Abraxas Photography
VITAL STATS H E I G HT B U ST WAI ST HIPS
5’5” 34” 26” 34”
MEENAKSHI RAWAT
A career-oriented young girl, Meenakshi is pursuing MA English (Honours) from IGNOU. She is fitness freak and does yoga to keep fit. She aspires to be a successful model in the near future.
G E N-N E XT
Contest emerging
male model of the month MODEL
Rohan Gandotra P H OTO G RAP HY
Abraxas Photography
VITAL STATS H E I G HT C H E ST WAI ST HIPS
5’10” 37” 30” 36”
ROHAN GANDOTRA
Rohan (the 22 years old graduate (BCA) from JIMS, is currently working in HCL Technologies as an engineer. He hails from Delhi but now settled in Mumbai to try for acting. He has done print ad shoots for major brands (to name a few like Casio, Vodafone, Hyundai, Honda, Airtel, LG etc) and in TV commercials (like Dermi Cool, Hair and Care etc)
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alendar gir
Swimwear MODEL
Purnima Jha LO CATI O N
The Green House, Chattarpur, Delhi P H OTO G RAP HY
Abraxas Photography S H OT E XC LU S IVE LY FO R TH E AB RAXAS AN N UAL CALE N DAR
2013-14
DO you want to be the next ? Email your photographs to: models@abraxasphotography.com
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Campus Events
CELEBRATING
YOUTH
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A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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It was battleground Tatva, Goa’s biggest inter – collegiate event as students fought for the top prize
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ith 33 events held across four venues in two days, Goa’s biggest intercollegiate competition, Tatva, attracted a large number of student participation with an estimated 500 participants taking part in it. Organised by the student’s council of the V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar for many years with great success, this year too, the event was critically acclaimed being spread across venues like Taleigao Community Hall, Miramar Beach, Salgaocar Law College Campus and Kala Academy Open Air Auditorium. The event challenged participating students in three spheres i.e. Academics, Sports and Cultural Activities. This year the theme of the event was based on phobias, and each competition compelled college students to overcome their maximum fears. Indeed Tatva 2013 “The laws of long lost fears” was much bigger and better than other collegiate events. With a dedicated production team, the college was the first to use a LED wall, which added a lot of glamour to the event. In addition they also had a tie up with NIT-K and HIP HOP India, which as part of their Goa zonals gave the best dance group from the group dance category at Tatva, a direct entry into the semi-finals of their dance event. The select group of that event would represent India at the inter-nation HIP HOP competition, on an all-expense paid trip to
Las Vegas!! Well the lucky winner Damodar College of Commerce and Economics after a tough battle, did bag the coveted honours! Tatva brought out the best talent in all its participants through the array of events from tug of war, quiz and letter writing to games. As part of the cultural event, there were video wars wherein every college had to make a video on the theme “life in my college,” Star wars (every college was given a celebrity character and were pitched against each other for a humorous argument), footloose (one on one dance face off ) to mention a few. Tatva also played host to a fashion show with the theme ‘Fairy tales gone bad,’ which saw St. Xavier’s College winning it. The grand finale witnessed the crowing of the Mr. and Miss Tatva. This was bagged by Edmar Lindon Camara Hendricks from Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science and Carolyn Nunes from S. S Dempo College of Commerce and Economics respectively. With jaw dropping performances, tantalizing dances, picture perfect modeling and death defying feats, S.S Dempo College of Commerce and Economics overcame all obstacles to emerge winners of Tatva 2013! Indeed with another year gone by at Tatva, the students eagerly await next year’s competition to display their might! 91
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Opinion THE POLITICS OF
SEX
A look at the other side of the coin... Text & Illustrations: REMO FERNANDES
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onderful articles have been written to expose the evils of rape and women’s molestation and exploitation lately. Protestors have done a wonderful job of getting a lethargic government to move and establish a fast-track court which actually seems to be moving. The media itself has woken up from its blasé attitude towards rape, and has gone on overdrive, reporting a dozen a day. This column does not need to add to this wonderful work already under way. What I write about here is the other side of the coin; women who have consensual sex for weeks, months, even years sometimes, with men who promise them something or the other: marriage, film roles, jobs, whatever - and who suddenly decide that the consensual sex was ‘rape’ when the man does not deliver. I am not trying to defend such men’s behaviour. I’m saying that the police and the media should improve their vocabulary. Consensual sex cannot be termed as rape under any circumstances. The crime here is broken promises, deceit, exploitation of a woman through false A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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pretences; but not rape. Let us get this straight. Because, not all women are innocent victims. Some are vindictive, calculating predators who will knowingly and willingly offer their bodies and bestow sexual favours in exchange for marriage, promotions, film contracts... and then cry ‘rape’ when the carrots are not delivered. Detailed news reports state that such ‘rapes’ take place over several weeks and months in hotel rooms where the women are ‘taken’ by the men. Are they taken against their will, past receptionists, hotel staff, and hotel guests, while bound and gagged with ropes and chains? Or under chloroform, so they could not cry out in the rickshaws, taxis and private cars in which they arrived? Or perhaps under Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak? The more stringent and fast anti-rape laws become, the more such sex-mercenaries will take advantage of these legislations to extort favours from men - even from men who have not promised any. The plot will go somewhat as follows: a woman allows herself to be ‘seduced’
by a man; has a few sexual encounters which she carefully ensures can be proved with travel and hotel records; and voilà, before the man has fully finished thanking his lucky stars for this extraordinary bit of luck, she hits him with the rape bomb. Faced with the prospects of a fast-track court, 20 years or life imprisonment, family and office scandal, and a whole nation in the mood for rapists’ blood, the man will pay/sign/forge/give anything the woman asks him to. And with the press and police obligingly calling such consensual sex ‘rape’, despite glaring evidence to the contrary which Mr. Holmes would not even condescend to call sub-elementary, the poor bloke stands no chance whatsoever. XXX 93
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Another issue is that of certain minors. We often read news about a 20-year old man ‘kidnapping’ a 16year old minor, taking her to Hubli or Belgaum, and ‘raping’ her in a hotel there for a week or so. Who says she was kidnapped? The girl’s parents. Who says she was raped? The girl’s parents. Even though our grandmothers married at 14, I condemn consensual sex with a minor, out of sheer respect for the present laws. What I object to is, once again, wrong vocabulary. Let us read the Online Oxford Dictionary’s meanings of these words: KIDNAP: abduct (someone) and hold them captive. RAPE: a crime, typically committed by a man, of forcing another person to have sexual intercourse with the offender against their will. The keywords here are Captive and Forcing. So however wrong and illegal consensual sex with a minor may be, let us call it by its right name. A 16-year old girl, who willingly accompanies her lover without raising a hue and a cry anywhere along the way, and who spends a blissful week with him in a hotel room, again without raising a hue and a cry, is not being kidnapped or raped. She has been seduced [not forced] into having illegal sex before the Law deems her old enough to have it. Too long a phrase to use? Coin a new word for it, then. But please, oh please, don’t take the easy way out and call it rape and kidnapping. I can understand near-illiterate policemen, who aren’t known for using their brains while filing police reports and complaints, making such mistakes. But our honourable members of the Press, calling such occurrences by such wrong names? Buy a nice fat Thesaurus, guys. My brain grates when I read misnomers with the first coffee of the day. XXX 94
To end, I’d like to put forth a very interesting thought by my friend Meenakshi Sundaram. She asks, why should a rape case be known by the girl’s name? While the rapists remain safely anonymous? I think she’s absolutely right. We’re all aware of the Scarlet rape and murder case. Scarlet has become a household name in Goa and India. But how many of us know her rapist’s and murderer’s name? Every article written about the case [and there was a plethora of them] carried a photograph of the beautiful sensuous teenager in skimpy beach clothes. Voyeurism at its worst. How many carried photographs of the rapist and the murderer? We can all see Scarlet with our eyes closed; we have no clue as to what the accused looks like. All of us know about the ‘Delhi gang-rape case.’ We’ve fallen over backward trying to find out the girl’s name and photograph, with false ones doing social networks’ rounds for weeks. How many of us have bothered to circulate photographs of the six accused? How many of us are interested in knowing their names, other than Ram Singh’s? I too propose that a rape case be known by the name and photograph of the rapist, and the rapist alone. That the girl remain anonymous, and the rapist be made infamous and notorious. Let his name and face be imprinted in everyone’s ‘Unwanted Dead Or Alive’ mental list. So that it becomes difficult for him to repeat his crime, as such serial offenders invariably do. The Delhi gang-rape case awakened the deep-seated sadist in most of us. On Facebook, otherwise gentle people were thinking up and advocating the worst possible tortures. I was amused to see a Nun thinking up some rather imaginative ones. Yes, our anger and outrage were justifiably palpable. Personally, I am for a punishment which is not so much of the body. Rather, something non-physical which will accompany the rapist for life, the way he has scarred his victim and her family for life. Make him known throughout the country, with our without beard and hair; that’s it. Then watch him being punished and ostracized everywhere he goes. And watch how that will discourage other would-be rapists, because the punishment won’t be hidden somewhere behind courtrooms and prison walls; they will witness it right there and then, in society. And I daresay they won’t be in a hurry to suffer the same fate. 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.
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Text & photographs: FISHEYE
Travel Pottering Around The
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planet
talians are seriously stylish. They have enough proof - Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Ducati. Each of these brands could have come from no other country. They combine design aesthetics with a swagger that has” Made In Italy” written all over it. But even a geriatric toothless accountant in a toupee can look hip in one of those machines. The true embodiment of Italian
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The other easy way to identify an Italian stylishness is-the Vespa. Check out the average Roman teenager (and that, in Italy, is to watch him talk - no that wasn’t a typo includes everyone from age 13 to 75), sleeves - Italians are not only expressive with their words and facial expressions, they also rolled up to the biceps, complete with glares gesticulate wildly with their hands while and sandals, meandering through the talking, looking like windmills on a breezy alleys of the city on his scooter. No other day. It is alleged that if you cut off an Italian’s nationality can carry this act off without hands, he will stop talking ! looking like a complete dork - Romans not Italian tact and diplomacy also have a only do it, they manage to look amazingly character of their own. Having finished cool in the process. A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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being room and chia vi being key in Italian. (However a slice of “Pijja” and in a “bowel” of soup may require the help of a translator, and a request for the strangely not so Italian dish “Italy vada sambhar” may not yield success.)
in Rome, and you’ll buy your ticket from a brown skinned gentleman with a strong Bengali accent. It doesn’t matter whether you board the bus owned by company A, B or C, and whether you buy the ticket at 10 in the morning or 10 at night. The man will always fit the description above. One can only surmise that young Bapa, having told the folks back home about the wonderful Roman life, was soon flooded with petitions from Tublu, Tutu, Babu, Papai, Bumba and Tutun, all of whom he dutifully accommodated in the course of time. One can therefore also safely assume that, come winter, all ticket sellers in Rome will be found wearing monkey caps. Indians feel completely at home in Italy. Apart from the fact that the climate is warm, and that vegetarian food is easily available (including that favourite Gujarati dish “Pijja”), thanks to the common roots of Sanskrit and Latin, one may be lucky and survive a Roman Holiday, speaking only Hindi. Ask for your kamra ki chabi and it’s possible that you will get it, camera
F I S H EYE
I LLU STRATI O N BY KAR I S H MA ALVAR E S
lunch at a street restaurant near the Termini station in Rome, I asked for the bill, to be told by the waiter, “It’s athirty two aeuros, and thata does not includa da tip. At which point he glared at me, and I could read the subtext loud and clear. “I know da food wasa lousy but I worka da hard, anda my uncle, he part of Sicilian mafia. So you wanna to adda da tip da three afour aeuro to da bill.” I did - hastily ! The fact that he was waving his hands wildly in true Italian fashion, like Bruce Lee in his heyday, probably pushed me to take the decision promptly ! Rome has more history per square mile than most cities, even countries have in their entirety. Ancient ruins merge seamlessly into the city’s modern landscape, painting a vision of timeless beauty. (Romans suggest that the best possible example of an old relic merging seamlessly into the landscape can be seen by watching Grandpa Giovanni snoozing on the park bench near the Colosseum - legend has it that he hasn’t moved for 20 years). Take a ride on the hop-on-hop-off bus
The most uniquely Italian memory of my visit to Rome, however, was the sight of a bicycle, sturdily chained on the pavement near my hotel, steadily losing parts every day I passed it. On the first day a wheel was stolen; the next day the saddle, and on day 3, a sorry heap lay on the ground, sans most of its critical parts, still chained to its post as if the thieves were mocking its owner’s pathetic attempts to protect it. Even the dudes on the Vespas came second to this stylishly Italian performance.
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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Photo Essay
The
maha kumbh The Power Above All
P H OTO: Abraxas Photography 98
â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is wonderful, the power of a faith like that, that can make multitudes upon multitudes of the old and weak and the young and frail enter without hesitation or complaint upon such incredible journeys and endure the resultant miseries without repining. It is done in love, or it is done in fear; I do not know which it is. No matter what the impulse is, the act born of it is beyond imagination.â&#x20AC;? MARK TWAIN wrote after visiting the Kumbh Mela of 1895. A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Team Abraxas covered the Shahi Snaan of 10th February, 2013 - the holiest of the “Royal Baths” Photos: ABRAXAS PHOTOGRAPHY Additional Photos: SHAHID HASHMI, SANJEEV MEHTA & SANJAY SAINI
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s Team Abraxas discovered, the word Kumbh – which literally means ‘pitcher’ in Hindi - is a powerful and complex symbol in Hinduism. Mela, means ‘fair’ and Maha, of course, signifies ‘great’. The Kumbh Mela is held every third year at one of these sacred locations by rotation: Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik and Ujjain. The rivers at these four places are: the Ganges (Ganga) at Haridwar, the confluence (Sangam) of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers at Allahabad, the Godawari at Nasik, and the Shipra at Ujjain. Every twelfth year, the Maha Kumb Mela, the largest, is held in Allahabad. The major event of the festival is ritual
bathing at the banks of the river. Besides that, there are religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men, women and the poor; and religious assemblies (where doctrines are debated and standardised). Collectively, the Kumbh, in its four locations is implicit of the interconnectedness of India. Pilgrims, both old and young, from every part, flock in large numbers, braving the crowd. The Kumbh is also an attraction to foreigners - specially foreign photographers and television crews - who want to feel and experience India like never before. The Maha Kumbh Mela finds its origins in Hindu mythology.
P H OTO: Sanjay Saini
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P H OTO: Shahid Hashmi
According to legend, there was a battle between the celestials and the demons for ‘amruth’ (the holy nectar of immortality). One of the Gods tricked the demons and ran off with the nectar to the celestials but while running spilled it in four places in India (Prayag, Ujjain, Haridwar and Nashik). Thus, the Maha Kumbh Mela is observed four times, every 12 years in these four destinations. People believe that a dip in the holy river on this occasion will wash away the sins committed in their present and previous lives and they would attain ‘moksha’ (salvation). The Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 - one of the most spectacular shows of faith in the world - is observed once in 12 years and lasts for 55 days. This year, it began on Jan14, 2013, at Prayag, Allahabad, and witnessed an unprecedented crowd visiting the pilgrim site. On the day of the holiest of the holy baths, the Shahi Snaan on the 10th of February, 2013 (on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya), saw 30 million (3 crore) people assembled in an area of around twenty square kilometers - probably the largest ever congregation and concentration of human beings - anywhere in the world - anytime! It is believed to be a once in a lifetime event - and that is what we felt 100
P H OTO: Sanjay Saini
too. The next (and last) Shahi Snaan of this Kumbh Mela will be on the day of Maha Shivratri. The next Kumbh Mela will take place in 2015 at Nashik, a city about 75 miles North-East of Mumbai. However, it’s not only the festival attracts the crowd - the major crowd pullers are Sadhus or Naga Babas. The Naga Sadhus are identified by their ash smeared naked bodies and long hair knotted with different metals .They belong to different Akharas (camps) and each akhara has its own group of Naga Babas who are living in this world in unconventional ways and follow their own set of religion and spiritual activities. These Babas can be seen wearing Rudraksha beads as they believe that wearing eleven thousand Rudraksha beads will help them attain the form of Lord Shankara or Lord Shiva. Legend has it that the Nagas were created as the Hindu army by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century and they are devotees of Lord Shiva (Shree Digambars and Digambars). Most of them live in caves in the Himalayas or the Akharas across different parts of the country and come to civilisation only for the Kumbh Mela. To be inducted into the Akhara, the individual needs to give up all worldly pleasures, relations, kinship etc. and join the Akhara, after completing a A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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P H OTO: Sanjeev Mehta
P H OTO: Abraxas Photography
rigorous penance of at least 8-10 years. Religious duties as well as yoga, weapons training and martial arts are a part of their training. The Nagas are said to smear ash from the holy fire all over their bodies and they never shave. A Naga Sadhu does “Satrah Sringar” (17 adornments) during the Kumbh Mela festivities and have the honour to get be the first to do the Shahi Snaan, which may begin as early as 3 am. The absolutely unbelievable sight of millions of (blind?) believers - walking for miles (and for days) to reach the Kumbh and wash off their sins - is a sight that can only be seen with one’s own eyes - as our team was lucky to do so. No photograph or documentary can do it justice - the sheer numbers - the sounds - the smells - the electricity - the atmosphere ! The first - and obvious - thought is “What are so many people doing here?” The sheer numbers are overwhelming - as far as the human eye can see, there are just heads of people. Once the shock (and it is a shock) wears off - the next question arises “How are they all going to fit in here?” And this is where - initially reluctantly, but later whole-heartedly - Team Abraxas raises a salute to the administration and the police - the arrangements are 101
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P H OTO (AB OVE): Sanjeev Mehta P H OTO (LE FT): Abraxas Photography
at a phenomenal scale and are absolutely top-class considering that never in the history of mankind have so many people gathered together in such a small place at the same time. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, there were some people killed and injured in a totally unnecessary stampede at the railway station mostly women, children and old people. Still, the very fact that there is a reasonable semblance of order and organisation, even in the chaos, is a tribute to the tireless planning and work of the Mela Adhikari and key officials - with a special mention for the valiant efforts of the specially deputed Uttarakhand police. Team Abraxas was lucky to get vantage positions for shooting the Shahi Snaan - as well as to get access to many akharas - where usually cameras are not allowed - to bring to you a glimpse of this human extravaganza of faith. Whether it is religion - or blind faith - or superstition - or belief - or rituals - there must be something that brings the multitudes of the poorest of the poor - to make this long, hard, ardous 102
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P H OTO (AB OVE): Shahid Hashmi P H OTO (R I G HT): Abraxas Photography
and (sometimes) fatal pilgrimage to this holy spot? To gather, bathe, cook, eat, defecate and sleep right there - to live right there - in such crowded and unhygienic conditions - is this proof that there is a God ? Maybe ? After all, as a sign outside a famous roadside eatery once read “This food must be good - ten thousand flies can’t be wrong!” Religion (and God) is a matter of faith - it is also a matter of personal belief - between every individual and his own God, whosoever it may be - in any shape, name or form. It is every individual’s right to be free to practice and follow his religion - an affirmation of which we saw very clearly at the Kumbh - not once but thirty million times. In the midst of all this religion and holiness - Team Abraxas professes that it is not agnostic - or nonreligious - we simply choose to respect the right of all others to follow their individual beliefs - as we follow ours - because, after all, Abraxas is a word of Greek origin, which means “The Power Above All”. 103
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Art
Indian
Art Fair An interesting exhibit and viewer satisfying fair. A glimpse!
Gautam Bhatia
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Hema Upadhyay
Text: SANJANA SUD Photos: ABRAXAS PHOTOGRAPHY
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ove for art is back again with yet another successful edition of India Art Fair. The 5th edition of IAF was held from 31st Jan to 3rd Feb 2013 at NSC exhibition grounds Okhla, New Delhi. It brought together 105 galleries from across the world showcasing the best and most exciting art and creative forms of expression that artists around the globe had to offer. With a reasonable fee of Rs.300 for adults and Rs.200 for students, the fair was attended by over a lakh of visitors over the course of 3 days. Art has been evolving and growing since decades and every year we see art in new light. Shapes, forms and sizes we never imagined possible are seen and appreciated by art lovers. All forms of art be it paintings, sculptures, mix-media, digital art and interactive artworks are gaining popularity. As we know there is no end to creative art and
the possibilities that an artist can come up with and this fair provides the best platform to showcase it. With topics from history, economy, social issues, daily life etc, the art on display at India Art Fair was a witty presentation with usual themes and stories to tell. Touching upon the recent incident of the Delhi gang-rape, Atul Dodiya’s rolling shutters, represented the story with elements from Pop-Art. Dating back to history, a multi-media installation, with a light-projection of a historic letter written by Gandhi to Hitler in 1939 by artist Jitish Kallat was pretty beautiful. Gautam Bhatia’s showcase of tainted potbellied ministers was a hilarious take on the political scene, which attracted many visitors. Hema Upadhyay’s work ‘Mute Migration’ was a well thought of representation of the rise of migrations on a large scale. ‘Triple Gandhi’ by Pakpoom Silaphan and Sachin George Sebastian’s artwork was quite impressive among others. This year saw a more relatable display and less conceptual art, whi which made is more audience friendly. The topics/themes were identifia identifiable which appealed to the public and were also appreciated by critic critics. From the classics to modern art, in every arena, art has come out in an extraordinary way. There was a good mix of na national and
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The Seduction by George K
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international artists, but a lot of international galleries proved to be favourites among the audiences. Villa Del Arte Galleries from Spain was very well received and much talked about by audiences and critics alike. Where they had classics like Picasso, Dali, Raza, Hussain to name a few, that took us back to the roots, they also had vast display of modern art with pop and abstract elements and interesting installations. With changing times and mind sets, imperfect is the new perfect! As we explore art, imperfections have become very prominent and people have started to accept changes that earlier were considered bizarre. Most things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist in their original form and nowadays we look forward to such changes. The numerous meanings and forms of expression an artist can derive and execute from a simple subject are amazing to watch. There were a lot of visual treats and colourful works, especially the acrylic cut outs by David Gerstein. The hammered mirror installation displayed by Gallery Continua and hanging mirror man by Akash Choyal was arguably edgy. The Ambassador car made up from leather boots by Mahbubur Rahman outside the halls was quite a crowd puller. The fair promotes the emerging art market, as art has become a major form of investment in recent times. For collectors and art lovers, the fair is regarded the best place to get a hand on the best art in the country and across the globe. An interesting exhibit and viewer satisfying fair that deďŹ nitely enhances the art scene in the country and year after year brings delightful and entertaining art to the masses. A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Montse Valdes
David Gerstein
Subodh Gupta
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.
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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 & BAC K D R O P
Aaron Fernandes P H OTO G RAP HY & P O ST P R O C E S S I N G
Abraxas Photography
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Inked
As the clock
strikes 12
Body painter, AARON FERNANDES follows Cinderella as she escapes from the ball at the stroke of midnight in his latest conceptual work THIS LATEST addition in our series of conceptual photography mixes photography and art to give a modern interpretation to the much loved fairy tale Cinderella. In the past, Aaron interpreted some of the much loved Grim’s fairy tales like Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, and the little Bo Peep in his own style. Now he transports us back to the grand ballroom where Cinderella is making her escape at midnight. Aaron says that while the classic tale is an all time favourite with kids, his body painting piece however is definitely no tale and anything but kiddish. It is every girls dream to find her prince charming and be at a royal ball dressed to kill and capture the attention and praise of everyone around. Here, this new age Cinderella, portrayed by model Dawn Moritmer, twists the tale again and transforms herself into a ‘princess’ who is charming and has everything a modern girl could want...... beauty, brains and the body. In this issue, Cinderella is body painted with a palette of blue hues, classy streaks of gold, bronze and white creepers on the corset to retain a pictorial fairytale link to the character from the book. She is also set in front of a painted backdrop of the ballroom staircase with clock hands at midnight. Our 21st century Cinderella is far from the girl who will transform into the shabby servant stepdaughter, if she doesn’t make it by midnight. She is transformed into a new woman. The girl of today is devoid of feelings of inhibition, torment and the need of a fairy Godmother. Watch this space for more of your favourite story book characters.
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, Little Red Riding Hood, Pocahontas and Little Bo Peep.
Alice in Wonderland
Pocahontas
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Bo Peep
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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Art
Artist watch
YOLANDA DE SOUSA
A
lthough a sportsperson from an early age who was a keen footballer, I drifted to art. I learned art and loved art. But of course it was a struggle, like for any artist. Being in Goa in the 90s where the art scene had yet to gain momentum, I had to put aside my own desire to paint for a job painting murals. I was with the Government of Goa for about 10 years before then I decided that I had enough and in ’97, I dared to explore my own talent. Today, looking back, I’ve been fortunate enough to have participated in a number of
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exhibitions and camps not only in India but abroad as well. My latest exhibition titled, ‘See it my way’ was showcased at the Art Chamber in Calangute, Goa. It is an expression of the prevailing evils in our society today. In this particular painting ‘Body Blow’ I have depicted a couple dressed to kill. Evidence of their indifference is seen in their costumes. The tie and slip carry newspaper clippings about the evils of the society that exist in the world. ‘Muda Goa,’ which means ‘Mute Goa’ is seen spelt out in the painting on
the dress tag. In other such paintings, I continue to use the acrylic medium. At first glance, there is a fleeting impression of glazed and fire ceramics or the warm bronze metallic glow of hammered copper, all achieved through careful colouration, layering and knife-manipulation of the fast drying acrylic paint. YOLANDA DE SOUSA IS BFA (PAINTING) GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF BOMBAY. HER WORKS HAVE BEEN DISPLAYED IN COLLECTIONS IN INDIA, TURKEY AND GERMANY
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Cars & Bikes
Va...Va...
Vroom! The ďŹ rst ever India Bike Week unleashed biker mania across the country with 6,457 enthusiasts and 3,000 bikes joining the joy ride
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he otherwise quiet hills of Vagator were party to the thunderous sounds of highly charged horse power engines, lean-mean machines and a bevy of enthusiasts heading for the narrow, zig-zag lanes leading to the top. Heads turned and locals gasped at the sights of a posse of Harley Davidsons and super bikes zipping through the tiny village for the largest biking festival in India. India Bike Week had enthusiasts from all over the country descend on Goa for some fun. Soaking in the 7 acre festival village in Vagator, the festival in India saw more than 6457 enthusiasts in its first day and this number increased by two fold in the following day of the event. It’s aimed to rejoice individuality and freedom which are synonymous with biking, bikers and most of the youth of India currently. With three concert stages, 28 live bands and DJ’s, seven bars, race tracks, 16 cage fighters, stunt arena, bike polo, vintage and custom bike display that featured the showstopper Y2K turbine engine bike, biker flea market were some of the attractions that kept them wanting for more. The highlight of day 1 was the Gentlemen’s Dub Club, UK’s dub step headliner act that played for the first time in India. It was an energizing experience for the band performing for a crowd that was glowing with individuality and voice. Day 2 attractions included the unveiling of Bonneville Dream – India’s first entry into the Salt Flat Races, IBW brotherhood ride and Pankaj Trivedi flag off for the 7 month trans Himalayan ride, International stunt act performance by Mattie Griffin and award ceremony of India’s first ever custom bike build off won by Vijay Singh. Commenting on the astonishing response to IBW 2013 Martin da Costa, CEO of 70 EMG said, “It’s just incredible to see the reaction
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we’ve had to India Bike Week. The brotherhood of bikers who have ridden down to Goa, the 80 plus Biker Clubs that have joined us on our journey to make this happen, our audience of 1, 20,000 Facebook fans and then to be here in Goa and seeing these thousands and thousands of bikers from across India meeting each other, partying, swapping stories, making new friends; we couldn’t have asked for a better opening festival than the 2013 edition of India Bike Week. We’re already planning 2014, so that it becomes even bigger, even better, more bikes, more bands and more of everything. It’s the start of an incredible journey for us and for the Indian Biking Brotherhood. Looking forward to the next 10 Years!”
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dyanthaya, MD M FOX Keertan Adyanthaya, - FOX han anne nels ls Ind n iaa said, “We are International Channels India he re resp spon onse se w ave v received thrilled with the response wee ha have eek, ee k w hich hi ch salutes the two for India Bike W Week, which the biking bik b ikin i g wheeled lifestylee of the real ally ly community. We re really hope to inspiree a n o off new generation IIndia diaa di bikers and makee In nnua nn ual Bike week an aannual h biker he property for the ndia nd ia.”” community in India.” like The 1941 Norman, Vintage Bikess li 500 0 cc, The 1933 Paratrooper BSA M20 1942 500cc, The vintage bike Concourse at were on display. The k evoked a strong response from India Bike Week
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the crowd. “I never thought tho that I would bike from across eras be able to see bikes in one place,” said singer and biking enthusiast, Pratichee Pratiche Mohapatra. The biking master class by the multiple time ‘Raid the Himalaya’ winner winn Ashish Moudgil was a great hit with everyo everyone eager to learn ski on the bike. some part of his amazing skills The Coastal Ride from Mumbai to IBW participat in Goa saw participation by a bunch of riders forsaking the or ordinary route for a new and thrilling trip. “It’s a wonderfully scenic ride, with a good stretch of the road by Arabian sea on one side, paddy fields and cocon coconut palm on other and negotiating plenty of be bendy bits,” said Vir
Nakai one of the founders of Helmet Stories and organiser of the ride. Celebrities present at the India Bike week were Arjun Khanna, Ash Chandler, Yudi, Purab Kohli and many more. India Bike Week attracted all types of bikers from riders to scramblers, cruisers to superbikes as well as from music lovers to shoppers making it a resounding success. India’s first festival to celebrate Indian biking brotherhood was organized by Seventy Event Media Group together withTravel and Lifestyle channel FOX Traveller in association with Harley Davidson. India Bike Week is now poised to become the destination to be for hard core bikers, fans of the two wheeler way of living, travelers, music fans and festival goers.
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Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier college festival
India Fest 2013 came to a grand close in Goa
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ll roads led to Baga this January as the finale of the Nokia India Fest 2013 kicked off in Goa. An event that reached out to more than 3 million students, with an active participation of a whopping 1753 colleges, the closing of India’s premier college festival comprised of stellar acts and talent from across the nation. Top institutions from the country like Jai Hind, St. Xavier’s and IIT from Mumbai, Symbiosis and Fergusson from Pune, Nehru University and Jamia Millia from Delhi, Presidency and St Xavier’s from Kolkata, Hindustan University and Loyola College from Chennai to Mount Carmel and RV College of Engineering from Bangalore were some of those that actively participated. The event brought in a packed house of college students from across the country for two days of healthy competition. There was plenty of talent on display, whether it was youngsters showcasing their moves in the dance category or strutting their way down the runway at the fashion show-Rampage. The winners took away grand prizes at the finale. Besides the Rs. 50 lakh worth of cash reward and kind, career opportunities included getting breaks on Channel V’s popular campus-based shows and on Dil Dostii Dance. The winning deejay would have a chance to get featured on V Spot, while the winning short filmmaker would have
his or her film screened on STAR Movies. The winners for the Goa zonal round were Suresh Naik from Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, Sayed Javed from Smt Parvatibhai Chowgule College and Ashish Sonar, MES College. However the top honours overall were bagged by DNA, SRM University in first place, followed by MMC, MMC Pune and third spot going to Hard Knock, Mumbai. Besides the plenty of talent exhibited during the two days show, the event had a good dose of celebrity presence. The judging panel included Neha Dupia, Dino Morea, Masaba Gupta and Bejoy Nambiar. While all the competitions got everyone giving their best, it was time to let the hair down and groove to the tunes of top artists after all the hard work. The audience enjoyed an eclectic mix of music from various genres from different musicians like Jalebee Cartel, Raghu Dixit, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, DJ Suketu, and Shaair n Func. The packed house went crazy over Farhan Akhtar and Yves LaRock. The cast and crew of Channel V’s top-rated show D3 made a special appearance and performed live on both days. The Channel V GM & EVP, Prem Kamath said, “The regional rounds have been bigger than previous years. Channel V Nokia Indiafest is no longer just a college fest but the one-stop coming-together of a generation every year.” 117
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Event
Comic Con 2013 One of a kind event on comics. A report... Text: APARNA BANSAL Photos: SANJANA SUD
C
omic con 2013 was the third annual comic con held at Delhi Haat, INA from february 8 to february 10. It is the most awaited event of the year for all comic lovers and for the comic book publications, it is a huge platform to promote their new comic books, related games, etc. Its one of a kind event solely dedicated to comics and cartoon characters. No other event does this. Its a huge deal amongst the comic book fanatics in the country. As soon as u enter the premise, all u see is colours and cheerful people. People dressed up as various characters cartoon or comic characters, called the cosplayers are roaming around and people surrounding them in huge groups, to catch a glimpse or to get clicked with them. The sight is amazing. Comic con is like a celebration for these fanatics, as the idea of a whole event dedicated to comics is really a big deal. This year, nine new comics were launched exclusively at the comic con, namely Dashaavatar vol2 (vimanika comics); The Soothsayer of Sealdah (Pop culture publishing); Mother Teresa(campďŹ re graphic novels); Legacy of Gods (Pop culture publishing); Kuru Genesis (kuru chronicles); The unhappy tiger (Amar chitra katha); tinkle hindi (amar chitra katha); pandavas 5 (R.M. Entertainment) & war of the independents vol3 (vinamika comics). Also some new indian characters were introduced, some of them being Super A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Kudi, super mummy and wolver anna. They had some really cool and comic T-shirts, cushions, bags, mugs, action figures, video games and other such accessories in stores. Some of the t-shirts read “what goes my daddy’s #hindi”, “are you suar”, “baicycle”, “kuttapajama”, etc. There was one really cool artist who made comic sketches on d spot, and put them on sale. Personalized t-shirts, diaries, and even tattoos were available. Though the main idea was to promote Indian comics, there were 6 international participants and promotional sessions for them, namely, Matt Hawkins (president and chief operating officer of Top Cow Productions), Emma Hayley (managing director and publisher of Self Made Hero), Jacquelene Cohen (director of publicity and promotions at Fantagraphics Inc.), Calista Brill (senior editor at First Second Books), Peggy Burns (associate publisher of Drawn & Quarterly) and Ed Chavez (director of marketing for Vertical Inc.). Promotion was one thing, other was charity as the money from sales of two to three stalls went straight for charity. However, Cosplay was the main catch of the three day event that started 6pm sharp each day. Cosplayers work really hard to look exactly like the characters. Costumes, body paint, accessories and even hair colour, they take care of every detail. Some manage to look exactly like the characters. Cosplay is about knowing your character well. They have to inact the character on stage. And to win, not leaving d character was important. The main highlight was VJ Jose Covaco who was the host for Cosplay on day 2. This was India’s biggest cosplay contest and the winner would get a Golden ticket to Dubai for the Middle East film and comic con. The third annual comic con was surely a paradise for comic lovers of all age groups. 19 YEAR OLD APARNA BANSAL IS PURSUING DEGREE IN JOURNALISM & MASS COMMUNICATION FROM IP UNIVERSITY. HER PASSIONS INCLUDE SKETCHING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND WRITING.
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Interview
face to face
Prabhu Deva and Remo D’ Souza - the die-hard Michael Jackson fans, pay tribute to the late pop legend in the film Any Body Can Dance (ABCD). They talk about the film and about the experience of working together- in a one on one with SANA DHAWAN 120
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?PMV 1 IK\ 1 WVTa IK\ 1 TQ[\MV \W _PI\ Ua LQZMK\WZ [Ia[ ) ) ) ) ) ) PRABHU DEVA - THE DANCING SENSATION Both of you- successfully have turned to direction from choreography. But for ABCD, you turned actor, happily taking instructions from Remo D’Souza? I know Remo for a long time. When he approached me I was excited like a newcomer and immediately agreed to act (in ABCD). No one else would have directed it better than him. I have seen his work as a choreographer; he is clear about the performance he wants from his actors. Of course anybody can dance. How you dance is different but anybody can dance. How was Remo as a Director? Great. Working with him was a wonderful experience. You have said you were excited like a newcomer about doing this film. Why? It was a 3 D Dance movie. We have seen 3D films when we were small and now I am the part so was really excited. Also, I am dancing with young talent. How was your experience while dancing with the young talent? They all are brilliant and superb. Better than me, I must say! You yourself are a successful film director. Did at any point you feel like telling Remo, ’This is not okay, let’s do the other way?’ No, no. When I act, I only act. I listen to what my director says. It was very easy to work with Remo .He is very clear, he knows what he wants.
Anybody can dance. Is it true? Yes everybody can dance. How you dance is different but anybody can dance. Have you always had a fascination for dancing? Yes, right from my childhood. I was not good in studies. Then I realised that I can dance. Dance took precedence over everything else. Any objection from your parents’ side? No, they were very supportive. My family knew I wasn’t a good student so I was never pushed into anything I didn’t want to do. I liked to dance. They did not find anything wrong with my passion; they let me go on with it. At the age of nine, I learnt Bharatnatyam. But later as I grew up, I was more and more fascinated towards Michael Jackson’s style of dance. He has always been my inspiration. Did you ever get a chance to meet him? Yes, I met him (as a fan) once in Mumbai . Any favourites in the Indian Film Industry? Everybody is talented. Each has his/her own style. No comparisons. But still? Amitabh Bachhan has been all time favourite. Ranbir kapoor is good. Madhuri Dixit is really good,super hard working!
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REMO D’SOUZA - MAKING INDIA DANCE Remo, how could you rope in India’s answer to Michael Jackson - I mean one and only Prabhu Deva in ABCD? How did you approach him? I have idolized him for years and could have never imagined the film without him. He is the class apart when comes to dancing and was the only choice for me. Even before I started writing the script, I told him that I have to do a film with him and I don’t have any other option. I was very clear. What was his reaction? In fact, when I approached him, I didn’t tell him I was making a dance film, I said I’m directing a film and I want him to act in that .He instantly said yes. I then told him it’s a dance film, and then I told that it’s a 3D film. He was really excited. Working with stalwarts like Prabhu Deva, Saroj Khan and Ganesh Acharya in one film. How was the experience? Was there clash of egos? No, not at all. There was no room for a clash. Everybody is so professional and perfect and it was so smooth. Ganesh Acharya and Prabhu Deva were doing the film already, but with Saroj ji in it, we had a great time on the sets. It was a great experience. because I know how good a dancer Prabhu sir is!
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Do you believe anybody can dance? Yes, everybody can dance I firmly believe that anybody can dance, because I can make you dance. Dancing is inbuilt in each one of us. I have projected the same thing through my film. Remo, why the titles of your movies (FALTU, ABCD) are ‘thodha sa hatke”? Is this an intentional move? Yes, the titles should attract the attention of the audience and when these are hatke, they certainly do. I want my films should connect to the audience and I think I am successful in doing so. When did you first realise your dancing abilities? I was very small. During the annual function of my school, my teachers told me that I dance very well. I started copying Michael Jackson’s steps. Whatever I have learnt about dance until now is on my own. Means you never joined any academy to learn dance? Till date, I have never joined any dance class. I learnt dance by watching movies, music videos etc. I told you that my inspiration has been Michael Jackson.
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Remo, what’s fashion according you? For me, Fashion is just comfort. Do you believe in trends? No, not at all, I believe in my own comfort. Then, what’s Remo’s style? Remo’s style is actually Remo’s style only (giggles).I wear what is comfortable to me. I don’t care what people would say about me when it comes to my style. It’s my own style. Usually I like to wear gungis. The only time I wore formals were during Jhalak Dikhla Ja show. Are you a shopping freak? No, my wife shops for me. Are you fond of accessories? Nothing, I don’t wear anything except these rings encrusted with stones. We all used to love the jokes cracked by Bharti and admired your cute and quirky pairing, we just hope this joke has not turned serious for Bharti? What would you say? Bharti is somebody who is full of life. Before Jhalak Dikhla Ja, there was a press conference, and there only she started commenting on
me. That was sheer fun .Nothing serious. Are you very sure there was no seriousness from her side? Certainly there are no feelings from my side. I don’t know about her (he laughed) Any message for the readers? Dancing is the best exercise to stay fit so keep dancing! Any memorable moment? The day I landed up in Mumbai. Do you think you have reached the summit of success? I have just started my journey and there’s a long way to go. What about your next project? I am going to start working on the sequel of ABCD. The next film will have Prabhu Sir, for sure. Rest we will see. Remo, you always appear so cool and composed? But how are you as a director-equally cool? Look, it depends. If I don’t get my work done, I can be very strict. A Choreographer, a Director, what next? May be a producer! 123
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Movie
Finding the
soul of India
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A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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GAURAV JANI is a passionate
traveller and an award-winning film maker for his film Riding Solo to the Top of the World. 11 awards later and soon to release his sequel, Gaurav recounts his first experience of being a o ne man crew, director and traveller to unfamiliar terrains and finding the real India 125
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I
f you like to set off on adventurous road trips into the unknown, you will be intrigued to read the story of biker Gaurav Jani. In 2006, the otherwise assistant film director in Mumbai paused his usual schedule for 70 days, loaded a five year old 650cc Royal Enfield and set off on a journey to some of the remote places in the world like Changthang Plateau in Ladakh, bordering China. But this wasn’t just another trip to the mountains. Gaurav was filming his entire journey the whole time he was travelling. Now he readies with his new film ‘Motorcycle Chang Pa’ that documents the biting Ladakh winters and how nomads survive conditions merely protected by the tents they live in. To give us a better understanding about his journey, let’s rewind to Gaurav’s first film Riding Solo. Riding alone to Ladakh on his Enfield, his incredible passion for chartering unknown destinations came together in what truly is a test of physical and mental endurance. Taking up the project, Gaurav saw ahead of him not just the hardships faced as a traveller but as a one man film unit. Says Gaurav, “Two challenges that l found the most difficult to overcome was firstly in operating the camera, because I never handled a camera before.” The second challenge was staying behind the camera. Interestingly, Gaurav sent seven tapes he had shot from Jaipur to Leh back home to Rajiv, his friend in Mumbai, so that he could point out the problem areas before the actual ride to Changthang began. His two comments were, “...start talking to the camera and whenever you are saying something to the camera, speak loudly and keep facing the camera. Don’t look away and speak. Visuals and shots are nice but since you are not talking to the camera, the viewer won’t be able to relate to you.” “What followed was me saying dumb things to the camera. For example, “now we are at
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Pangong tso lake” “as you can see behind me is Chang la pass,” I have wasted 2 hours of tape recording these unwanted shots just to please Rajiv,” says Gaurav. There were of course many other challenges that were presented to the wanderlust traveller like flat tyres, acute mountain sickness and the stress of being alone. Being your own friend, your own voice of compassion in a vast and desolate land for miles together was difficult. Of the toughest leg of the journey, Gaurav recounts the ride to the Chumur monastery and back to Hanle. “That day was the only time I found myself praying and hoping for a smooth run of the bike,” says Gaurav. “I had left everything at Hanle - even the tool kit - to make the bike lighter. I had to return the same day, so I didn’t take any shots with the video camera on the way in order to save time. I reached Chumur in four hours. After a 30 minute interrogation on what I was doing at Chumur, I was allowed to shoot. The scariest part was riding back to Hanle, for now I had the exposed tapes with me. If the bike had given any problem that day, I would have surely died. No tent, no sleeping bag, nothing but the camera. Chumur was a suicide run in the circumstances, but I had to visit the place since no traveller had ever been there on a bike and the emotion of exploring a lesser-known place overtook all the apprehension and fear.” The turning point in the film he says was his stay with the Chang pa nomads. The film shifts its attention from his journey to their lives. “Camping with the Chang pas satisfied and enriched me as A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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Gaurav Jani poses next to his bike and equipment
a filmmaker and traveller. As a filmmaker I felt privileged to be documenting their lives and as a traveller I was learning age-old wisdom from people who are always on the move. Travel for them is not about getting sick of work and wanting a break. It is a hard life when you have to camp in Yak wool tents for a lifetime, live on just milk products, rice and meat. But the Chang pas had found an inner balance. It had come through knowing and accepting their limitations rather than challenging them. The film here is about my interaction with the Chang pas. It moves from my hardship and problems to theirs. We were camping with very little food. Our lives had a strange resonance, which helped us to understand each other better. When strangers meet, there is no manipulation, no faking of identity.” Gaurav in the film says that he wanted to visit the real India. He says the real India is about compassion, which you can find only in the rural and most remote villages. “In cities, we work and live to be unhappy. We complicate our lives. The real India is in the rural villages where people have nothing yet give you everything. They may not have money but will look after you in the best way possible and they ask for nothing in return. In fact they’d feel offended. Truly, humanity today is found in these remote areas.” A NEW FRONTIER
Now six years after Riding Solo, Gaurav has something new with Motorcycle Chang pa. The sequel focusses on the Chang pa nomads surviving in minus 40°C. There is also another important feature
in this film- modernisation in Ladakh. Increased tourism has led to more job opportunities to the younger generations of the Chang pa community. There is more demand for mechanics, drivers and tour guides. The youth are attracted to city slickers and their travel needs which provide new ways of earning quick money. What does Gaurav have to say about this new face of Ladakh? “Seeing as to how things are changing, as a filmmaker, all I can do is tell the story through this film. The story of a lifestyle that will soon cease to exist. But they still amaze me even today because of their endurance to live in the highest altitudes that mankind has ever lived in. It is something remarkable.”
CHECKLIST
One five year old 650cc Enfield bike One Panasonic DVX-100e Mini DV camera Minimum luggage. The maximum amount of space was occupied by the camera box and camera accessories. The heaviest bag had bike spares and tools
Warm clothes, to protect the tapes at minus 10° No map or any other guiding device No research. “It kills the romance” A determined spirit to do something never done before
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Music
New Direction Maria D’Costa in a tete-a-tete with Remo Fernandes about his impromptu composition on the sets of shooting his hit song Maria Pitache for the movie David and more
R
emo Fernandes hit the Hindi film scene like a storm with his legendary composition Jalwa in the 1987 hit film, which made him instantly famous in India. His fame and popularity kept growing with pop/rock albums such as Bombay City and O, Meri Munni, and film songs such as Pyaar to Hona Hi Thaa and Humma Humma. 128
Today, three decades later, the Padmashree awardee rocks the nation yet again with his latest tracks Maria Pitache and The Lighthouse Symphony, which he has directed and composed for Bejoy Nambiar’s `David’, a film released simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil. And on which he has single-handedly sung all the voices, played all the instruments, and handled the recording and preA CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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mixing engineering, as is his normal practice. Heralding this year, Remo, the original composer has resolved to take on film work as Music Director only. He will either sing himself or select other playback singers for the film as required. Either way, the music will have Remo’s individual stamp for sure. With two films releasing early in the year, one of which has already given him is first hit of 2013, and the other one poised for the launch, Remo seems all set to stage what Bollywood loves to call a ‘comeback’. David was received with mixed reaction by the public, but your song Maria Pitache has been unanimously acclaimed. Comment. Well, the film is not a light, easy viewing one. It’s the kind which might appeal more to a niche audience. Whereas ‘Maria Pitache’ is a folk song with a timeless and universal appeal. It’s been in my repertoire for years, and people from New York to Tokyo have invariably grooved and sung along to it. Were you apprehensive about the 7 more music directors in David? Not at all! Each music director in this film has his own style, suitable for a particular scene in the film, which does not clash with the others. And Maria Pitache and The Lighthouse Symphony have a style and mood of their own. Were you aware that Anirudh Ravichander of Why this Kolavari Di fame had also composed a track in the film? I didn’t ask who the other composers were, and I didn’t ask to listen to their tracks. I just concentrated on mine. And I heard, met and came to know who the others were only at the music release functions in Chennai and Mumbai. I’m a great fan of his Kolaveri Di, and defended it against all my serious intellectual friends who can’t stand fun music like Birdie Dance! What is the song Maria Pitache all about? It is a folk song from Daman, which together with Diu and Goa formed the Portuguese colonial triumvirate in India. As in most folk songs, each verse is about a totally different topic. However the chorus is solely made up of the line Maria pita che, which I interpret to mean that a woman called Maria enjoyed her tipple. Why Maria Pitache? Why go for a folk song when you could have composed a new one? Bejoy felt that this particular song fitted perfectly with the scene he had in mind - and it did. Besides, I always felt that Maria Pitache was too good to remain unknown by a wider audience. And this was a great opportunity to take it nationwide. My other track in the film, which they’ve named The Lighthouse
Symphony, is an original. I’m happy I’m able to expose the serious composer in me through it, as it is a background theme expressing Vikram’s complex character. I’ve portrayed different moods through various instruments, humming and whistling. And when he decides to stop struggling and goes back to being his old self, the music becomes a happy, energetic samba. In this section I did a vocal improvisation which was recorded in one take. By the way, I spontaneously composed The Lighthouse Symphony on location on my little ukulele, while shooting for Maria Pitache right next to the lighthouse in question. I’ll never forget visiting the lighthouse itself. The keeper was a very friendly man, and took me right up to the top. Incidentally, he refused a nice tip after the visit - a rarity in India. The ancient British machinery was from out of a period film, and it was impeccably maintained and painted. And the view from the top was magic... I went just before sunset, and I felt like I had died and gone up to heaven. You have been around for decades. How do you find the music scene in India? Is composing/singing more challenging now than before? 129
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The music scene in India, which had opened up to non-film pop and rock in the 80s, has gone back to being solely Bollywood dominated. That I think is the major change. More challenging? No, I don’t think so. On the contrary, with computerized tools available, the job has become much easier. But these tools can also make the music director overlook the human element in music - such as good melody and lyrics. Many concentrate on great digital sounds, which are mind-blowing and mind-numbing, and forget the basic essentials. Do you keep the actors in mind while singing for the film? Up till now I’ve done most songs in my own style, because that is what film directors have usually come to me for. But getting into and under others’ skins and composing for them is something I enjoy very much as well. Which singers or directors would you want to work with and why? The playback singer I select would depend on the actor in the film for whom I’m composing the song. Not just the vocal tonal quality; the singer’s voice would have to go with the actor’s personality and body language as well. As much as possible, I would try and make the actor sing his/her own parts. But I would also love to record with unknown, undiscovered rural singers with voices like unsophisticated, uncut diamonds. I think Anurag Basu, the director of Barfi, really used music beautifully in his film. And so did Gauri Shinde, the director of English Vinglish. Nowadays, as a backlash against the excessive importance given to music in ‘masala formula’ Bollywood films, many new directors have gone the other extreme, and only use 1/3 or 1/4 of a song in their edit. They almost apologetically drown the soundtrack with a lot of dialogues and other noises on top. It would be a pleasure to direct music in a film by someone who is not afraid to use songs in their entirety, and who at the same time would know how to use them intelligently, artistically, and differently from the old masala way. THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN IN THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, HAVING WRITTEN FOR SHOWTIME, G MAGAZINE, SAVVY, HEALTH &NUTRITION (MUMBAI), SUN (DELHI), MAHARASHTRA HERALD, PUNE PLUS, SAKAL (PUNE) AND HERALD (GOA). SHE IS PRESENTLY WORKING AS A PUBLICIST/MANAGER TO SINGER REMO FERNANDES
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Events happenings
this March INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXHIBITION 28 Feb. – 02 Mar., Kolkata One of the premier travel and tourism exhibitions, it takes place in Kolkata. It serves as a common platform to bring all the stakeholders together. LIVING TRADITIONS 02, NCPA, Mumbai Relive the beautiful ballads, stories and songs of Rajasthan THE SQUEAKING SHOES 02, NCPA, Mumbai Take your kids for a Persian film (with English subtitles) presented by the World Kids Film Club ZAK JEWELS EXPO 01 – 03, Chennai, India This expo showcases the finest jewels, unique designs that cater to contemporary, traditional sensibilities. INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXHIBITION 01 – 03, Vijayawada India International Travel Exhibition (IITE), an exhibition series on tourism exchange, is a platform where the industry can interact with each other for promotion of various destinations. BIZNET EXPO 02 – 03 March, Mumbai This is a platform aimed at creating business opportunities in dealerships, franchising and manufacturing areas. HIMALAYAN RUNNING AND LIVING HALF MARATHON 03, Sangla The Himalayan mountain range, offers a beautiful backdrop for this half marathon. Unleash the runner within you at this challenging, yet stunning locale.
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GARMENT TECHNOLOY EXPO 01 – 04, New Delhi This is the perfect avenue for those involved in the garment sector and will motivate, support new companies to expand their networks. INDIA CARPET EXPO 01 – 04, New Delhi This event provides manufacturers the ideal platform to showcase their latest exquisite patterns to customers as well as to meet with interested buyers to their manufacturing units, warehouses, go-down etc. INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL 01 – 07, Rishikesh This annual festival brings together yogic masters from all over the world to demonstrate and explore the major traditions of yoga. Learn and explore the beauty of yoga. WOMEN SHOPPING CARNIVAL 05 , Mumbai Women can shop till they drop at the shopping carnival that will bring the best brands under one roof. Unique displays, latest trends and more will be on showcase. REAL ESTATE LUXURY SHOW 09 – 10, Mumbai Held over a period of two days in Mumbai, this show brings leading names related to real estate industry to discuss and share ideas for future benefit. KNIT WORLD INTERNATIONAL 15 – 18, Ludhiana This 19th edition will be held at the Dana Mandi and attracts visitors and companies from all over the world, since its inception. It is a favoured platform for those dealing in knitting garments, allied machines and accessories industry in India. NCPA & THE MET PRESENT: PARSIFAL - WAGNER 16, NCPA, Mumbai
This speThis special performance is a treat to all dance lovers. This will be presented at the dance theatre. GEM AND JEWELLERY INDIA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 16 – 18, Chennai One of the premier B-2-B International Jewellery Exhibition takes place in South India this year. It displays the best trends, brands on a common platform. INDIA FASHION FORUM 20 – 22, Mumbai Experts and fashion industry heads will be able to share their expertise and discuss the future growth of fashion retail in India. It will offer a great platform to the brands, retailers, textile mills and merchants, wholesalers, distributors, marketers, consultants, importers, franchise networks etc. IN FASHION 20 – 22, Mumbai This is one of the premier fashion apparel and textile industry trade shows. It is organised at the Bombay Exhibition Center and serves as a meeting platform for a large group of renowned professional executives and business decision makers. VASANT GUJRATI NATYA UTSAV 22 – 24, NCPA, Mumbai Movie lovers can enjoy the three-day Gujarati Film Festival organised at the NCPA. Movies with heart warming stories will be showcased. ELEPHANT FESTIVAL 26, Rajasthan This unique colourful festival is organised on the eve of Holi in Jaipur. It begins with a procession of rows of elephants all decked in festive attire. In addition there are traditional dances and the sound of the bankiya or the trumpet fills the air.
A CyberMedia Publication | March 2013
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March 2013
Astro Wat c h C O U RTE SY: Mills and Boon
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
Happy Birthday!
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PISCES
ARIES
FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20
MARCH 21 – APRIL 19
This is an intense month as six planets are impacting on your personal life. You need to take control and prioritise your activities or you may find yourself chasing your tail. There are some excellent career opportunities, especially if you are looking for work after the 18th. Put your best foot forwardand don’t be afraid to attend interviews, even if you don’t feel experienced enough. Try not to be too obsessive about your relationships on the 31st.
You could be angry between the 3rd and the 8th. You mustn’t allow others to rile you up. Keeping the peace is the best course of action. Your beliefs will hold you in good stead between the 13th and the 15th. Don’t allow others to persuade you to think otherwise. Contracts, travels and other exciting events occupy your attention after the 20th. You could become obsessive again after the 26th and need to know where to draw the line.
TAURUS
GEMINI
APRIL 20 – MAY 20
MAY 21 – JUNE 20
You could be confused about a relationship this month. Seek assistance if you can’t make a clear decision. Between the 12th and 30th of March you need to read between the lines as people could have a hidden agenda. You must also clearly and honestly express yourself if you are to avoid negative patterns in your personal affairs.
Try to keep a cool head when dealing with friends who are antagonistic. You’ll be more socially active, but could spread yourself thin. Make sure you have a backup plan and don’t make too many promises. Some lucky opportunity or gesture of gratitude warms your heart after the 15th.
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CANCER
LEO
JUNE 21 – JULY 22
JULY 23 – AUGUST 22
With the Sun, Venus and Neptune all transiting the zone of long-distance journeys, along with Mars and Mercury, there’s every chance that you will at least make plans to get away. Between the 12th and the 15th there will be some family concerns which may delay these plans a little longer.
You need to sort out your finances, particulary your savings and long-term security issues. The New Moon this month has a lot to say about how you negotiate shared resources with your partner, friends or business associates. Be careful if you’re getting yourself involved in legal contracts. Seek professional advice.
VIRGO
LIBRA
AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22
SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22
Money and love seem to be connected this month. Issues of control may make it difficult for your ego to cope with someone else calling the shots, particularly if you don’t feel as though they are up to the task. After the 10th, the New Moon heralds a new beginning and you will be excited about showing just how capable you are at taking the reins.
The focus this month is on work, coworkers and matters relating to health. Your zone of workplace activities is stacked with five planets as the month commences. The New Moon in this area also shows that you will be looking at changing your work methodologies and possibly even your place of work.
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21
NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 21
A stacked house in your zone of love affairs and creativity means that March is going to be a rather amorous, passionate and creatively exciting month for you. You will, however, have to balance your affairs and not overdo things as you can become drained of energy. You may experience lethargy in the first week or so of the month, but it will quickly turn to excitement and a proactive attitude once you overcome your initial stagnation.
You are trying to turn over a new leaf this month, but too many problems in your home life are making it hard for you to focus and do what you want. It may not be until after the 12th, when Mars gives you a kick-start in the creativity department, that you will feel ready and raring to go again. The 12th, 20th and 22nd are all important dates when your creative expression and romantic desires overlap.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19
JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18
You are extremely busy this month and will need to organise your time more effectively to get the maximum out of your days. You could also be confused about a relationship, but instead of facing the issue at hand, you are rushing around trying to distract yourself. Face your problems fairly and squarely.
You are idealistic this month as Venus and Neptune combine in transit. This will not only affect your romantic affairs, but also your finances and family relationships. You will need to see things as they are, rather than as you imagine them. Some travel is indicated after the 20th. Be careful to plan well ahead of time. Mars and Uranus could create some sudden obstructions or mishaps around the 23rd.
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SIGN OFF
For me, Music is the Path to Spirituality - and to a Higher Being. And as is very often the case, the Journey is more enlightening than the actual Destination. So it is with great pleasure and humility that I have recently begun yet another Journey in my life - this time with a group of hugely talented and respected Artists and Designers. Looking forward to an Entertaining, Intellectually Stimulating and Creative Journey with Team Abraxas !
Shankar Sahney
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RNI No.DELENG/2012/47426 DL(S)17/3425/2013-2015 Posting Date: Last day of previous month & 1st day of same month. Posted at Lodi Road HPO