MIND Mag NOV 2018 Issue #11

COVER

I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.

- Jane Austen

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Team Sukiran Singh, Editor Simarjot Wadhwa, Junior Editor Disha Shah, Creative Executive

Contributers Ruchir Vashishtha, Photographer Sommy eric, Stylist Sahil Gulati, Stylist Shivika Tiwari, MUA Shivani Yadav, Writer Anuj Dogra, Contributor

Interns Shreya Jindani Ankur Bhoria

Thank you FDCI Inega Models Monica Kapoor Aura Models

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CONTENTS

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500 Years

INDEX

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37

The Rising Angel

Cover Story

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La Melodie

Tariq Siddiqui

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Homme Femme

HARSH REALITIES OF FASHION AND IFW

88 BANDIT KINGDOM

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Editor’s note Women of our planet have literally been fighting for equality and and basic human rights for Millennia. It took them 3 million years since the human evolution, to have a voice in today’s modern society, however estranged it might be. The problem has always been patriarchy, which came from a requirement of physical strength as a point of protection, and became a symbol of one gender domination as we humans simply accepted the male domination of the society in time.

Now, when one gender domination is finally threatened and there is a chance of true equality as a principle, many men have started to use mental distortion and psyche manipulation, to hold on to the dominance, thinking at it’s the inherent trait of the XY chromosome. Remember the case of the nonsense Bollywood filmmaker who harassed a girl to a limit to make her his ‘bitch’.

There is also a fright among many hearts that equality or loss of Patriarchal instinct might influence the physicality of male reproduction. Remember, the phallus has been a symbol of power for many millennia now, right from the Sumerians and the Egyptians. A man with a smaller phallus is considered to be weak and ridiculed by his own peers, even today.

Many of us might have become modern and are thinking things with an open mind, but there still are a plenty of unfortunate ignorant men that would never understand the concept. Many live in India itself. Someone created a documentary for instance on Haryana, one of the northern states of India, where they found that its taught at a school level that if a girl is raped, it must be somewhere, her fault. #metoo has recently brought in a revolution, but efforts have been taken to wash off the movement. Many major offenders have come out harmless, including a current minister. The time shall tell what it brings to the table in terms of equality.

As of now, apart from the washing off, many women are taking advantage of the movement to lay false claims as well, undermining the movement’s essence.

Our November issue is about hope and about inspiring the men to understand X in their XY represents femme. True equality can only be attained by education and enlightenment, and a thorough understanding of humanity, be it a man or a woman.

Sukiran Singh Editor, M.IND Mag

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IT TAKES A STRONG MAN TO BRING A WOMAN OUT IN A WOMAN

by Simarjot Wadhwa

This is, indeed, true. One needs to be egalitarian; it simply can’t always be a feminine ideology. It cannot always be a woman whose attributes empower her to be a stepping stone for a man’s success and achievements rather it can be the other way round. Human sentiments cannot be distinguished on the basis of both the genders. It may not be apt to perceive in current times that only the women are binding factors of a family. Man’s stern countenance has shadowed the softness of his heart. His inborn traits and instincts may not let him melt in adverse circumstances but it doesn’t mean he sans emotions. His strengths allow him to remain undaunted and unfazed. Let’s not always label him as egoistic and conceited.

A strong man stands like a rock for a woman in tribulations and trivials. He is always looked upon and expected to be responsible. He is the one who infuses confidence, becomes a catalyst for her growth and nurtures her individuality.

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His potential is a quintessence of her life. Womanhood is a precious ornament,a woman is adorned with and a strong man encourages her to realize the beautiful facets she’s bestowed with. Ironically, at times his own self becomes enigmatic.

In the wake of #ME TOO campaign, Sabarimala Temple issue, honour killings, girl infanticide, all men cannot be defamed. There are those who have shown their integrity to the women’s causes. Their beliefs just cannot be the myths.

They’ve been equally vocal against the snotty and patriarchal temperaments of a few. A strong man always takes a stride along with a woman to build her esteem and harnesses her innate powers.

He plays vivid roles at different stages of life. Each phase depicts divergent characteristics whether he is father, brother, husband , lover or friend. He is genuine and buoyant; he is warm and affable; he is soother and stimulator. The strong bonds shared at different stages culminate a sense of trust and credence.

The emotions at each role deepen the love and creates amicability. A father chisels her identity, provides her wings to fly and gives her space to experiment and mould.; a sister finds protection and reliability with her brother; a lover excites her whereas a friend composes her . Her nuptial knot with the man of her life brings a complete change. He is invincible and indispensable for her.

This strong man exults and exalts her. He is a torch-bearer and pillar of strength for her. He doesn’t dissuade her and comforts her during perturbed times. He is ready to embark upon the journey of oneness and embrace the odds. He supports in his woman’s struggle of ‘finding self’.

A woman is considered to be an embodiment of vigor and resilience but the presence of a strong man enhances these abilities. She prepares herself to go miles and flourish even on undiscovered paths. The conviction and determination remain undeterred; the hope survives and the destination calls her. And what is the outcome – ‘A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE’.

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500Years

Ft . Anna b el D a Si l v a (I nega Models) Ph o t o g r ap h y an d R e t o u c h i n g b y Sukiran Singh St y l i n g b y Disha Shah HM U b y Shivika Tiwari

of fight for women's rights

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ELIZABETHAN ERA QUEEN ELIZABETH CAME TO POWER ON 17 NOVEMBER 1558. SHE CREATED RIPPLES IN THE NOTIONS OF PATRIARCHY, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. HEADPIECE BY MIRAGE EARRINGS BY MINERALI COLLAR MADE BY STYLIST

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EDWARDIAN ERA WOMEN STARTED TO OPENLY WORK IN DIFFERENT FIELDS IN EARLY 1900'S. RIDING BICYCLE TO WORK WAS ONE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY STORIES.

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EARRINGS BY MINERALI NECKLACE BY MIRAGE

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1920'S THANKS TO COCO CHANEL, A REVOLUTION CAME. WOMEN CHOPPED THEIR HAIR AND DRESSES AS WELL. A BIG WIN FOR FREE WILL. NECKLACES BY MIRAGE JEWELS RING BY MIRAGE

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1960'S 60'S BROUGHT IN LIBERALIZATION, OPEN FEMINISM AND WIDER MINDSETS. YET, A LOT HAD TO BE DONE. EARRINGS BY MIRAGE JEWELS NECKLACE BY MIRAGE JEWELS

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1980'S THE TRUE MODERNITY HAD STARTED. NOTIONS OF EQUALITY HAD STARTED TO FEEL LIKE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS. EARRINGS BY MIRAGE JEWELS NECKLACE BY MINERALI

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TODAY IT'S TIME FOLKS. LETS GET WOMEN THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE. EARRINGS BY MIRAGE JEWELS

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A FEW GOOD MEN – IN NEED OF MORE!

BY SHIVANI YADAV “Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.” Susan B. Anthony The fight for equality has been a long one, something that is sadly still going on, and while initiatives like #MeToo, #HeForShe, the White Ribbon Campaign and #TimesUp has been of immense help, this fight cannot be won if there’s a lack of male allies.

Throughout history, there have been a multitude of male feminists who have shown their support for gender equality. So, to help you take a leaf of inspiration from their book, I compiled a (small) list of men who have been relentless in spreading awareness about gender-based discrimination and through that determination, changed laws and brought strong societal change.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Otherwise known as ‘The Father of Indian Renaissance’, he advocated towards women’s education and giving them property inheritance rights. He was particularly instrumental in the banning Sati Pratha as a practice that forced a widow to immolate herself on husband’s pyre, pushing for women’s rights to get remarried. He even traveled to UK to make sure that the ban on Sati Pratha wasn’t overturned.

Frederick Douglass Fredeick Douglass was a social reformer who not only advocated against slavery (being an ex-slave himself), but was also a staunch supporter of equal rights for women. In 1888 he said, “I believe no man, however gifted with thought and speech, can voice the wrongs and present the demands of women with the skill and effect, with the power and authority of woman herself... She is her own best representative.”

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Thetus W. Sims He was an American politician who was intensely dedicated for women’s rights.

In 1918, he showed up to vote in favor of suffrage, with an unset broken arm and shoulder and stayed for the entirety of the voting process so that he could attempt to persuade any hesitant congressmen.

Daniel Anthony Daniel Anthony was a dedicated women’s rights advocate and an important role model for his daughter, renowned suffragette Susan B. Anthony. When Susan’s school refused to teach girls Math, he opened a school where girls and boys were taught as equals. He also showed his support for suffrage with his signature, which was included on the Declaration of Sentiments when it was adopted in Rochester.

Farhan Akhtar Farhan is undoubtedly one of the loudest voices in the current wave of Indian Feminism. He has given numerous speeches and interviews where he talks about the daily sexism that women face that is both psychological and physical. He also started a social campaign MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination) and was one of the first people from the film industry to show his support towards Tanushree Dutta after she accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment.

Justin Trudeau The Prime Minister of Canada made history when he established the first ever gender-balanced cabinet and when questioned about why he did that, he replied with (now famous answer), “because it’s 2015.”

He often talks about raising his sons to be feminists and during a UN Conference in 2016 he said, “I’m going to keep saying, loud and clearly, that I am a feminist. Until it is met with a shrug.”

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Barack Obama Throughout his 8-year tenure at the White House, Obama consistently worked towards achieving equality both in the eyes of the law and society. In fact, the first piece of legislation that he signed into the law was The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that enabled women to file equal pay lawsuits against their employers for up to six months after receiving their last paycheck.

Terry Crews After the Weinstein scandal broke out, Crews came out and shared his own story, showing that while it’s not just women who experience sexual harassment, it is definitely born out of toxic masculinity saying, “This is what happens with men and women. As a woman, they talk, but a guy is not looking at you as even all the way human.

This is what you have to understand - there is a humanity issue here,” he continued.

Women are like, ‘Why don’t you hear me?

Why don’t you see my feelings?’ And men are like, ‘But you’re not all the way human.

You’re here for me, you’re here for my deal.’ It’s real.”

The Dalai Lama In September of 2009, during a speech at the National Civil Rights Museum, the Dalai Lama simplified the rather uncomplicated term with just a few words. “I call myself a feminist. Isn’t that what you call someone who fights for women’s rights?”

_______________ There’s a sense of anticipation in the air and things feel quite tense now that we are in the #MeToo era, and while many people are seeing it as a form of

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empowerment, others are taking it as a threat, majority of them being men who feel like they are being preyed upon by women. To address the latter half of the population, as sensitive as the time is, it is not against you (unless you are a predator, then it is against you). This is no gender war because all of the sexes are on the same team.

What you, as a man, can do right now is listen. Listen to the women around you and try to truly understand and feel what it’s like to live a life where you are on guard 24/7. There needs to be a sense of unbiased accountability in every person. Call out the people around you for behaving inappropriately and firmly take a stand. This is one topic where there’s no grey area and for this movement to work, it’s very important for men to stand up, because the rise of women does not mean decline of men. It means, things will finally be equal. ***

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The Rising Angel F T. ANDR IJANA BOGUNOVI C (AURA MODELS, P HOTO G R A P H E D AND R ETO UCH ED BY SUKIRAN SINGH S T YLI N G B Y SAH I L G U LAT I M AK E U P A N D H A I R BY A N U J DOG R A

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DELHI)

Outfit - Shruti Sancheti Footwear- Coral Haze

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Outfit - Varun Nidhika

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Outfit - Varun Nidhika

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Outfit - Shruti Sancheti

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Outfit & bag - Shruti Sancheti

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Gown - Posh Pride Jacket - Varun Nidhika

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Her angel's face, As the great eye of heaven shined bright, And made a sunshine in the shady place.

- Edmund Spenser

37 Courtesy : Pixabay

COVER STORY

Terence Lewis

Photographed by RUCHIR

VASHISHTHA Styling by DISHA SHAH MUA by SHIVIKA TIWARI Production by SUKIRAN SINGH Photography Intern ANKUR BHORIA Shot at MERAKI PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO 38 M.IND MAG October 2018 Mindmag.media

Suit by Donandjulio Scarf by Aldo

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Top & Jacket by Forever21 Pants by Gap

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Top by Adidas Pants by Forever 21 Tie by Kerry Parker Jacket by Tommy Hilfiger

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Jacket and Skirt by AND

Earings

by Eterno Top pants and T-shirt by forever 21 Shoes by louis Vuitton

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Top by Adidas Denim shirt and Pants by Gap Shoes by louis Vuitton

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Top by Adidas Denim shirt and Pants by Gap

Terrence Lewis Modern Indian Dance God Interview by Sukiran Singh

Q. It might sound like a stupid question to start with, but why Dance of all the performing arts? Why did you pick it as a career?

Dance happened more like an accident! In spite of being scholastically and academically inclined, life seemed to constantly draw me towards the arts! I never wanted to become a dancer as a kid though I enjoyed it from time to time! In School I began to enjoy the attention very early in my life! The Stage became my home and dance my second language. Hungry for attention in a home where no one had time for me, I preferred to be in school becoming the best in whatever I do! During my time dance was not for boys as a career option and was looked down upon! As a kid I wanted to see the world and decided naively that I would become a rock star or an Actor as both these careers still had some respect and recognition but dance was not the first choice!

To my surprise I realized I loved taking part, competing and being on stage! The power to make people suspend their worlds and for moments come into a surreal world that I would create with my presence and craft, really gave me a kick.

Little did I know then that the affection, appreciation and applause would soon get me highly addicted! At thirteen, I was spotted by my first teacher Pervez Shetty in a dance competition who berated me by saying that the only reason I was used to winning was that I was the best amongst the worst! Injured and curious to know what I had missed, she took me under her wings and offered to train me for three months in Jazz Ballet! It was my first dance class ever and had no idea that one needs to train, and had erroneously assumed that all good dancers had an inborn natural flair that made them so I was mistaken and I realized that you can be good but if you want to be great there is a method, and a systematic scientific training module is the key! I was blown away with just the warm-up, across the floor and techniques that were alien to me! I was hooked.

Training became my mantra. I worked very hard as I could not afford to train further with her but did so on my own going to Juhu beach daily before sunrise!

My parents and siblings thought I had gone crazy! I became Eklavya from there on by training myself every day without any teacher! There was no choice!

Q. Tell us about the first major event/ incident related to dance that changed your life?

I think my recent show Kamshet Project has a lasting impact that in a way

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changed my perception towards life. Giving a little background about Kamshet Project, it is gut wrenching, soul stirring and is layered act! The quality of dancing is the best that the country has ever seen and it’s the first time where dance theatre come together in a deadly combustion of moving bodies that talk from the deepest recesses of the subconscious mind.

To prepare for this act, I took 9 of my dancers to a farmhouse in Kamshet and isolated them from all aspects of life - be it social, familial or any aspects! So barring their sexuality and religion we world question everything in our personality. Even I underwent this process along with the 9 dancers and we used to eat very simple food, sleep by 8 PM and get up at 5 in the morning, watch the sunrise, do Yoga, swim in the lake, do household chores for the people in the village n just connect with ourselves ! So it was a very curative as well as cathartic process.

Initially, the nine dancers thought in these 9 days, they will get to learn some high level of dancing as they didn’t know about the plan. So, every day they used to be surprised to see one new teacher who was a psychic tarot card reader, hypnotist, counselor, energy healer. These kind of people from their own art got us to dig deeper inside to our own selves. This was the process to empty ourselves where we meet our feelings and the animal within us. Not only that but also look at the aspiration side, the person we wanted to be! So we talked about it, we also changed our names and chose our own names based on what we aspired to be, what we wanted to be and the name that suits best our personality. During the process we realized that there was an animal body in us which bought a duality which differentiated things and created a friction. So we used to channel the genuine emotion through dance.

Q. Everyone has their own derivations and perceptions of arts. What does Dance mean to you?

Dance means many things to me and when I was young, it was a way to find my identity, it gave me a certain identity both in school and college, people knew me as a dancing kid, it gave me an identity then when I became older, when I was 20- 21, it became me a way of offering financial stability, much later when I was financially secured dance was no longer just for money or for passion, it was for me to use that as a service, to be able to give back to the community I have received and the joys that I have received through it.

Q. To those who don’t know much about dance and also about what all you excel in, what all techniques do you personally excel in?

Once u know its dance that makes you happy and that you’re willing to work hard for it (physically and mentally, dancing is taxing) then you must start training. Once your body is mouldable, you can adapt and learn several other styles; start with basics and then select or fine tune your choice or style of dance.

Q. Any dance form that you did wish you knew, but missed an opportunity to learn?

I think the old generation of Hip-Hop dance that is become now, the one I

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learned was kind of Old-school hip hop and the style that has emerged in last 8-10 years. It has been so prolific for example dance hall, urban and all the other styles that are coming in I saw that I don’t do it now but I wish I grew up in this generation where I was learning these form of dance but I learnt Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary. There’s such a huge umbrella of dances under hip hop is limitless and I feel WOW! I need to catch up on so much, I am still learning but I feel I knew it earlier. Not only that, but also under classical I wish I had learned some of Chao and Kalari where as for social dances like Bachata and Rumba, well I am learning them now but I wish I had learned them organically when I was younger.

Q. What are the differences between working with Bollywood and live performing arts (for instance you did Beauty and the Beast Theatre recently)?

I have stopped choreographing for Bollywood films for 6 years now because I don’t believe in retakes and I love that adventure and thrill of one-take which happens on stage, in television or for stage shows where there are no-retakes!

I think there are too many shortcuts that happen with film choreography and somehow there’s too much dependence on camera angles and prosthetics – make up, hair, costumes and filling it up with too many dancers, shooting on exotic locations… Somewhere I feel the essence of choreography gets lost. I love to be a part of projects that have the essence of choreography deeply rooted and other frills are minimalistic which is through theatres. While choreographing Beauty and the Beast would be the most cherished instances of my life, but apart from that I have worked on a lot of stage shows and I thoroughly feel that beauty lies in the true essence of dance form!

Not only that I recently choreographed a show “Kamshet Project” for my dance company (Terence Lewis Dance Company) where dance theatre come together in a deadly combustion of moving bodies that talk from the deepest recesses of the subconscious mind.

Q. Talking of that, how was the experience? (Disney live) It was such a beautiful experience that I love and probably cherish that so much because it was a challenge to fit into that shoes of Broadway and you know and outdo it and I seem as an adult when I have been to New York on Broadway and on London’s fest in both the versions of Beauty and the best and I felt it was up to me as a new age choreographer to offer something completely new so we redesigned, re-choreographed and made it a visual spectacle with so many elements and so many beauties and so much of dance style that blew everybody’s mind away so I was very happy with that.

Q. You have been performing and choreographer for almost 30 years, would you wish to change any performances, steps or things in any of your past works? Recorded or live.

Whether choreography or my own self dancing, I always feel the art is work in progress and you keep improvising and improving till you die. So none of my work is complete, it will never be complete and I will never be satisfied. As an artist I am always looking to improve, both my work of art which I have choreographer and I have done, sometimes as a dancer wish I could have done that

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Jacket and Skirt by AND

Earings

by Eterno Top pants and T-shirt by forever 21 Shoes by louis Vuitton

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movement or step more clearly or with more presence. So I don’t think I can ever be satisfied Q. You work in a liberal glamorous environment, which is generally surrounded by women and is supposed to have a sense of equality. What do you think of the #metoo movement?

It’s a movement that is very much needed and has been brushed under the carpet for centuries! It will forever change the rules of engagement for people in power, making them responsible and accountable for their actions! Whilst in certain cases, the abuse is clear as day, in a few though, it seems dubious. It looks like a deal gone sour. Unfortunately in today’s time, irrespective of what the verdict of the law finally is, the damage is already done!

Having said that, it has forced all of us to look into ourselves and question our conduct at work and relationships!

The stigma attached to the exposition will create fear in the minds of people who were otherwise let loose and thrived on intimidation and jungle mentality!

What I would really appreciate is if this movement could somehow move beyond the elitist and reach the marginalised and the lower income strata, then this would be true victory! It would be fantastic if this movement snowballed into school college discussions, office seminars, where best practices for conduct would be discussed openly in a forum! Guidelines on how people should conduct themselves should be clearly outlined!

Even better would be if this movement would expand to include all power abuse not just sexual, but other forms of abuse that get side-lined for example ragging in colleges and domestic abuse!

On the other hand, it would not be presumptuous to say that at some degree and level every adult has either been complicit in allowing it or has himself or herself been the perpetrator! It’s easy to say that we are holier than thou and the others are all wicked and perverse but the truth is that if we look closer and deeper, we will discover that we have in different ways, at some point in our lives, treated people poorly, unfairly, spoken rudely, used our powers n bullied people around us ... it could be our husbands, wives, children, friends, house helps at home and juniors or service staff at work place! It doesn’t matter if it’s not sexual, power abuse is far dangerous and it happens from politics in the country to the politics of our very homes!

Let me give you an example: Growing up, in our teenage years in the 80 and 90’s, we didn’t have so much distraction like cable tv (Door Darshan was our source of entertainment) Internet or coffee shops, cell phones and social media!

Young boys used to sit outside our galli, mohalla or building compound, in the evening and do “timepass or Maskari” where in we would comment on anybody, just because we had the power of a group to do so! Be it a young girl who is nervously trying to avoid the catcalls from the young boys who dismiss her for her being too thin like a carom board or a young boy who gets picked-

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on for he may be very fat, or has a funny gait or not man enough! I do realise now, that all these moments were Metoo moments too, in the context of the nonsexual abuse! The wounds from these remarks are far more scarring as even if it’s in the realm of the nonsexual space, the after effects are debilitating and far more damaging! Unfortunately the side effect of this Victim is that, in a very subversive way, the same victim will find its prey in some form where the power lies with them, and they will go back and do the same to the ones under them, unconsciously playing the perpetrator!

Let me give u an example; Ramesh works as a clerk in an office and feels his boss treats him poorly! He comes home and lashes out at his wife and for the silliest thing starts to abuse her verbally! The wife in turn feels victimised for something that could have just been overlooked and feels her husband has attacked her self-image! She abuses her power consequently on the houseboy by treating him unfairly! The abuse continues where the house boy now heads home and treat someone below him in the same manner! The domino effect continues! What I’m trying to say is that we need to acknowledge the bitter truth that at a certain level we are living in glass houses and must learn to introspect our own lives to see in what ways we also are party to this movement! The objective of doing such a thing is not to mitigate the power of such movement or to be lenient on the abuser but to become conscious of the duality within us too and use our power of discretion to choose the right path consciously! I know this is easier said than done as we are creatures of habit and don’t realise when we slip into our diabolical avatars unnoticed but true transformation will take a long time and it will happen only once the veil of denial is taken away! Hence, I strongly feel that the #metoo movement should become an umbrella term under which all kinds of shaming and bullying and power abuse must be questioned! A new order where we can let human beings feel respected and fearless to be who they wish to be, without feeling persecuted or objectified must be welcomed and strengthened! This should start from our homes to our by lanes to our school to our work places!

I know this is a long statement but some questions are so complicated that a simple short answer just won’t do! I truly hope this movement will allow us to question ourselves about our little power plays and make us conscious enough to choose a more humane way to deal with people around us! To this transformation let my country arise one day!

Q. You have participated and even Judged many dance reality shows. I realised on your shoot with us that a lot of people know you from the shows.

What do you think of them in general, and are they actually a good medium for the budding dancers or just a short living gimmick (15 minutes of fame)?

Yes it’s true that its 15 minutes of fame and television has a very short lived shelf life. Having said that if you are smart and really intelligent, you could really transform the 15 minute of fame to 15 years. It depends on how you transform yourself and use the platform further for your career and look at opportunity and make 10 times more. It all depends on an individual and also their plan – how is he going to optimize from what he has got! For instance, Shakti Mohan, Puneet Pathak have just really multiplied themselves where as the winners from

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last few seasons haven’t! So it all depends on how you can use your success!

Shakti used to be a student of mine and when she won the competition she asked what should I do with the money where I suggested her to learn further by going abroad, studied there came back opened a studio of her own. So this is the kind of vision that she has. Most of my students always come to me for guidance and I had them choose their careers helped them to discover what they want to do and they like. I kind of guide them through the entire process.

For instance, Kriti Mahesh one my student is a successful choreographer, there are other students who opened with me in dance reality show and I have guided them to monetize themselves through workshop and guided them to build their careers. At least the ones under me have figured their way out and figured out their process so as a mentor I have never stopped them. Even after the show I keep on guiding them and I push them to see where their highest potential lies.

Q. A lot has happened in the name of Modernity. Do you consider yourself to new a modern Indian, and why?

In ways I am old fashion and in ways I am very modern! Of course I do consider myself as a contemporary person and I think I adapt the new world much more easily. However I feel I am technologically defunct and I grapple with certain things. The only thing I miss about the old world is I feel it’s very important to unwind. Especially how the social media has taken over and how we are living in a virtual world as opposed to a real world where you really lived with people, saw and met people and engaged with them now that’s something I really want to go back to. I still am not the person who can call and talk for hours or chat with anyone for hours that’s just not me!

But in other words I embrace values of the modern thinking and the ability to give freedom to everybody including women and children. I feel that empowerment is definitely me and I prefer that much more than what it was before!

Q. What message do you have for the new generation of Dancers or dance enthusiasts?

I think it’s best to kind of understand certain things in life, finding your own journey, finding your own voice and finding your own way is far more important than following someone else’s advice. All I want to say is learn to take a chance, learn to be flexible, learn to be persistent and learn to relive work for excellence. Just ensure that when you are working towards excellence your whole passion is about doing your job well, and then the rest will follow. ***

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#Metoo is a movement that is very much needed and has been brushed under the carpet for centuries!

- Terence Lewis

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The Tunes of sorrow, to moons of morrow, The melodies of joy, the trojan of Troy.

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La mélodie

MO D E L S : S U M I T S EJWAL AND P OL INA (B R AV E M ODELS INDIA) P H OTO GR APHER : OLYA MIL E NTIS S T Y L I S T AND CO NCEPT: SOMMY ERIC V ER S ES : SUKIRAN SINGH

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Bounds of love, bounds of lust, Bonds are broken, witheld trust.

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Piercing the skin, ,gaping the soul, Seed is life, senses the bowl.

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The melody of nature, an ancient tryst, The balance is cardinal, the universal gist.

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A feeble demeanour, creator she is, Esteem her will, and find melodious bliss.

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TARIQ NAVED SIDDIQUI MODERN INDIAN DIRECTOR Interview by Simarjot Wadhwa Photographed by Ankur Bhoria

How are you feeling about the response of your short movie THE PLAYBOY: MR. SAWHNEY ?

I am happy and quite overwhelmed. People are responding very well; beyond my expectation. In fact, they are getting my intention. My intention is deciphered by the common people and not by the film people.

How did you perceive this idea? Do you think the human sentiments have undergone a massive change ?

Even in this era, guys are confused about women. So, it shows that the men in 60s were not different from the boys in 2018. Now-a-days, one can find more of confusion among the youth. Percolation of technology, much of information to excess, smart phones and Google provide too much information to the youth of today but probably they can’t absorb it. Understanding of life is going haywire, they are loaded with information but don’t know what to do with it. Man- woman relationship is still an enigma for both.

Why did you mention the title of the movie as ‘THE PLAYBOY: MR.SAWHNEY?’ That’s a dichotomy in the title. The protagonist is perceived to be a ‘playboy’ by trends in those days. He has this reputation. When you go on to the story, you find if he was really a playboy or he was being played by the girl. He said, “I’ll, tell you my story, you decide.” It happens in life. You have relationships with women and everything doesn’t work out. It is important to have realistic take on relationships rather than romanticizing or love at first sight.

Stories around real circumstances do make an integral part of our lives.

That’s the portrayal in the movie also. Why have you compared the movie to Sholay?

Normally, short movies consist of one or two actors. Many actors are usually not a part of short movies. But THE PLAYBOY has a huge caste and very impactful too. In India, mainstream stars hardly do short films. A few to name are Naseeruddin Shah and Jackie Shroff. In the movie, even smaller parts have faces apart from Jackie Shroff, Arjan Bajwa, Tahir Raj Bhasin , Divya Dutta, Neetu Chandra, Preeti Mamgain and all my friends did me a favour.

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MODERN INDIAN DIRECTOR

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Your association with industry is long .What ventures have you undertaken so far ?

I worked as a writer with Sudhir Mishra. My last film was Daas Dev where I wrote the dialogues. That was appreciated well although it didn’t work much. I was creative and executive producer for Irfan Khan starrer Ye Sali Zindagi by Sudhir Mishra. I worked with Sudhir on Khoya Khoya Chand and all his films . I worked with Ketan Mehta also.

What is the impact of cinema on current generation? What responsibility cinema should be playing during the present times? Didn’t cinema cater to socialist ideas around 60- 70 years back?

The impact is tremendous. It’s like Art imitates Life and Life imitates Art. It is an osmosis. Cinema is not a social responsibility medium. When you talk films, there are other genres like documentary or short films that cater to this aspect.

Cinema is not a public message medium for me. It is to explore stories and within the stories, one finds the morality. If presented correctly, it generates the positive impact but this is not a medium to sermonize.

We had Bimal Roy, B.R. Chopra with social message during those times. Guru Dutt had fun with his movies also. He was a commercial film maker also but people remember him more because he made two classic movies KAGAZ KE PHOOL and PYAASA. When did you realize your interest towards this field?

When I was a kid, I saw Sholay, not at the time it was released first. Movies used to be re- released during those days. I saw it in either 1977 or 1978. Then I fell love in cinema. My generation used to be in love with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. .

When did you embark upon your professional journey? Tell us about your initial phases of life.

I am from Lucknow and came to Mumbai in 2001. I have done freelance journalism. I have been a journalist in Lucknow. My father was in the railways as a government servant. After he passed away, I got a job in railways. I didn’t like it. I worked for a few years. I quit the job and came to Mumbai. It’s been a roller coaster since then. I have been a drifter also.

How has this ‘being a drifter’ helped you?

I had no support. No one from my family was in films. To gather that courage and take that plunge for a Lucknow boy to come to Mumbai during those days’ back was not easy. Finally, I took the pledge, ‘karenge yaan marenge.’

Once you are in a secure cocoon of one type of a monthly income, then you can’t do big in life. Stability actually stops your progress.

Who have been influencive in your life?

My earlier influence was my father who was an engineer in railways but a well known poet too. I grew up in an atmosphere where there were poets in my house. There used to be mushairas. In Lucknow, it is very common also. My first inclination was my family atmosphere. Then I think your school shapes you.

My school was St. Francis in Lucknow and I did my class12th from St Francis

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college. I think my teachers influenced me a lot. My father, my teachers, then of course, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and cinema – all have been influencing factors.

When you discover world cinema, Hollywood and you get to discover the person called Martin Marquez, you are definitely under great influence.

Once in Mumbai, who were your sources of your work ?

One director I wanted to work with, was ketan Mehta because I was a huge fan of his film called MIRCH MASALA. I was lucky to get a chance to work with him as an assistant director and then in Mangal Pandey – the horizon. I like Sudhir Mishra a lot. I was totally in love with his movies like Dharavi and Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. Although he is senior yet we are very close to each other. I met my wife Ruxana who has been a big influence in polishing me to the ways of bigger city.

With all lows and highs, how would you conclude your journey till now?

I am on the verge of re-exploring now. I am full of stories. I am planning to make a feature film very soon. I have a couple of writing assignments also. Actually, I am a writer becoming a film maker because in this industry when you write for others, it doesn’t translate the way you write it. Lot of directors have their take on it and it becomes frustrated that I never meant this way. This director has not understood me. So, best option is to become a director himself. When a lot of people not knowing anything about scriptwriting, start giving you ‘gyaan’; it becomes very frustrating because they have no idea. They broadly know from hero’s perspective. For me, this is being very illiterate.

How do you tackle such kind of situations?

I don’t work with them. I have been offered a lot of such sort of projects but I don’t opt for them.

Do you think the realistic stories going to make an impact in future where a viewer finds connectivity with the portrayal of the characters or commercial cinema is going to be the choice of masses at large?

Everything has its place as everything works. You as a person have a like or a dislike for a subject. I like watching commercial cinema but may not be fully devoted to it. Who can define commercial cinema? Every art form is intended to be commercial only. It is intelligent to make money out of it whether a play or an opera. There is audience for every kind of genre. Even in West, the biggest money-spinners are those super hero films. Here we have film makers who are blatantly commercial and they are making the biggest hits. I don’t think so DANGAL is that kind of cinema. DANGAL is a sensible cinema which is commercial. Now our stars have to choose scripts which are sensible so that commerciality and sensibility can be combined for our cinema to achieve a certain kind of respectability and level. At world level, we stand nowhere. We are laughed at. Bollywood is a derogatory term. It means we are aping Hollywood. I prefer to call it as a Hindi film industry. The only film-maker known to the world outside is Satyajit Ray. Even in my film Sudhir Mishra plays the role of Ray babu.

Are you intending to go for any short film in future? Would you like to

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work with the same team?

May be one more. Before embarking on the feature film , I‘ll go ahead with one short film, probably a shorter film of 15 – 16 minutes and not of 35 min. There is no script currently which is dear to me.

I have got a good team. I’ll not go for any change.

Would you like to share anything that is important from your point of view?

I want to thank my wife Ruxana for being supportive and being the pillar for things in my life. She took care of everything .She was involved from make-up to the look of the set. She carried out her work with precision and meticulously. ***

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Model - Anand Dixit Shirt - Siddartha Tytler, Jacket & trouser - Sahil Aneja, Shoes - Koovs Man Right Model - Vaibhav Anandd Outfit- Pawan Sachdeva, Shades - My style Sutra, Bag - Rara Avis by Sonal verma Shoes - Jeetinder Sandhu

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Homme Femme

P H O TO GR APHER : ABH IK NAND Y S TY LI S T: SAH IL GUL ATI M A K E U P A N D H AI R : SUH AAN P E TWAL & AML E SH T HAK UR L O CATI O N: C AFE BOKAN, D EL H I

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Model - Gaurav Mavi, High neck - Two.two Studio, Jacket - Rara Avis by Sonal Verma Left Model - Imrann Ahmad Shirt- Pawan Sachdeva, Pants - Siddartha Tytler, Neckpeice- Rara Avis by Sonal Verma Shoes - Jeetinder Sandhu

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Model - Rishabh thakur, Shirt- Pawan Sachdeva, Jacket & pants - Two.two Studio, Shoes - Jeetinder Sandhu Right Model - Salik Zargar & Aasim khan, on Salik - outfit - Pawan Sachdeva, Shoes - Jeetinder Sandhu , on Aasim tshirt - Pawan Sachdeva, jacket and trousers - Sahil Aneja, shoes - Jeetinder Sandhu

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Model - Vaibhav Anandd & Aasim khan, on Vaibhav- tshirt- Siddartha_tytler, suit- Mintblush designs, Shoes - Jeetinder Sandhu, on Aasim tshirt - Pawan Sachdeva, jacket and trousers - Sahilaneja, Shoes - Jeetinder Sandhu Right Model - Raman arora, tshirt- Mintblush designs Suit- Siddartha Tytler Shoes - Jeetinder Sandhu

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Model - Imrann Ahmad, outfit - Two.two Studio, Shoes - Koovs Man, Shades - My style sutra

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HARSH REALITIES OF FASHION BUSINESS AND INDIA’S MOST PROMINENT FASHION WEEKIFW

by Sukiran Singh

India Fashion week is less of a phoney glamour event, rather more of a serious business event. At least that’s what I thought, based on my last visit, 10 years ago. I had been talking about this for many years to my colleagues in the industry, in Mumbai and abroad. This month, when I visited after a decade, I wondered what happened to all the top designers, which have moved on from the event or are preferring the bedazzled counterpart that takes place in the city of Glamour. The event itself is trying to emulate the counterpart, at least in terms of celebrities walking down the ramp, but it didn’t feel as lustrous as it used to be.

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Ferrari

It used to be a serious business event, where 100’s of buyers used to come from across the world. One of my designer friends, who were exhibiting, told me they had seen faces of just two buyers by day 2. More people and brands I met, more miserable they were. After all it costs a lot to participate in such an event.

These events today feel like a playground for rich, rather than a platform for talented to make a mark, and sell.

I remember about 11 years ago, how people were crushing each other to get one glimpse of new Manish Arora Collection at IFW, back then it was WIFW if I remember correctly. Only one thing seems to have sustained, Mr. Sunil Sethi is as sweet as he was a decade ago.

I have another example of the fading sheen. Many top model friends of mine, who are Mumbai, Bangalore or other city based, do not prefer to do to the Delhi event anymore. Be it wages or travel allowance, or whatever. They have work locally or nearby, so they don’t wish to bother.

Another utterly ridiculous and irritating aspect that all serious journalists, experts and critics from media felt that the unnecessary lot have started to get too much attention. These are yesterday born chicklets who’ve just exited the egg shell, have purchased a humongous Instagram fake following, and are now sitting in the front and second rows to attend the shows, while representatives of big media (including top newspapers) are made to sit at the back spots, where they can’t literally see horse excrement. Pardon my colourful vocabulary here, It’s just unprofessional.

I went to cover the event all the way from Mumbai. There was no Editor-in-chief, apart from me in the media section, we were properly registered, but no seats had MIND Mag name. Not even the last rows.

Not to mention, the management at Media lounge, that were ridiculously rude, as if they are doing an enormous favour by giving a dinner coupon to my subordinate. He asked just one time. If I can come from another state, far away, to cover an event, one could at least be humble and fair with everyone with the same media pass. Although I think I am being ridiculous picking up a tiny issue like this, when there are bigger pressing concerns about the industry in whole.

See, I am not trying to be a hard critic here, but the quality of these events have ridiculously degraded. Not to forget that the textile and garment export from India have been growing down at approx. 7-13% every year. Something is clearly wrong.

One Reason could be that, there is now a fashion week in every bloody city,

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that such events have lost their credibility. A Major event like IFW now has to compete with the likes of 50 other events, when before there was only one. No doubt, the buyers are confused too, when everyone is calling their events premium and inviting them over; Honestly due to this, there is hardly any credible business, rather just 15 mins of a publicity stunt.

Secondly, when would fashion industry understand that Bollywood is not Fashion! Nowhere around the world celebrities are made to walk the ramp, but India. At the most, they take their place on the first row. Living in Mumbai, I have seen many celebrities taking advantage of budding designers, in return for credits, but at the end of the day, when they have to purchase something, they are seen in Guccis and Pradas and Versaces of the world. This might sound like nonsense, but it’s true and the problem is the quality and finishes of the work, which get better with hard competition. And when a million people are making and showing the same thing, cheaper wins, throwing quality out of the window.

The celebrities should be buying and endorsing Indian work, but not by ridiculous emulation of professional models who have to work real hard.

Thirdly, I love that FDCI is trying to revive and retain historic Indian textile techniques, embroideries, artisans and craftsmen. As important as it is, it’s a humble request, please do lose sight of a $2 trillion international fashion market for a few $ million domestic. I would love see that serious event that I saw a decade ago, where 100’s of buyers used to come and actually purchased the products.

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Summing up, I can’t say how and when the things would be better. I can’t say if ministry of Textile can be explained what needs to be done to refine our product quality and event limitations to sell right products in much larger numbers internationally. I can’t say when the chicklets would be set aside for serious journalism and content creators, when Bollywood would be made to understand that fashion industry in much much bigger that entertainment. I can’t even say if I would even want to attend another of these events, till the issues like serious business and correct attitudes are brought in.

One thing is for sure, the Organizations like FDCI have to get their priorities straight and get their act together, if the Indian fashion and textile industry needs to survive and grow. I would want to see the return of good days for our Textile and Fashion Industry.

But then I am a mere mortal, who got no importance for having less followers.

So, I can just wish. ***

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Model - Imrann Ahmad, outfit - Two.two Studio, Shoes - Koovs Man, Shades - My style sutra

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