Dec 2016

THINK. CREATE. LIVE.

LIFESTYLE

DEC 2016

Vol-1 ISSUE-6 `100

BMK

THE LAST OF THE GREAT CARNATIC TITANS

GLIMPSES WITHIN

MANIPUR AND ITS MOTLEY MESMERISM

THE IRON LADY

STORY OF AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE LIVED

The Brew magazine is based on the Entertainment genre has seen stupendous growth in the past five years of its existence. Based on its tagline ‘Think. Create. Live’, the Brew magazine urges readers to contemplate, create and live- in that order.

Featuring human interest stories, articles about the most famed artists and elite lifestyle stories, we are immaculately selective about our content.

With the support of the advisory and contributory board comprising of a team of great individuals, we host a minimum of eight events a year as well.

Sameer Bharat Ram Publisher & CEO

As a tribute to the late, former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, the final issue of the year brings to you the story of an extraordinary woman. Losing her has become a bitter reality that still looms as an indescribable pain in the hearts of many people in the state. Thriving in the face of adversity, she was one of the most powerful women in a patriarchal society. There aren’t enough words to convey the true essence of what makes her an illustrious leader who lived a life each of us look up to for inspiration. For the love, strength and respect she earned over decades, Jayalalithaa was undoubtedly an iron lady.

VIDHYA ANAND EDITOR

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“Based on its tagline ‘Think.

Create.

Live’, the Brew magazine urges readers to contemplate, create and live- in that order.

Featuring human interest stories, articles about the most famed artists and elite lifestyle stories, we are immaculately selective about our content. ”

CONTRIBUTORS & ADVISORY BOARD Thota Tharrani A senior Indian film art director and production designer who has worked in Tamil cinema, Telugu cinema, Malayalam cinema and Bollywood. He has won two National Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards South and four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. His work consists of paintings, murals, paper collages, wooden montages, installations and so on

G Venket Ram A leading Indian fashion photographer, who has shot principal photography stills for several notable films as well as portfolios. He quit his engineering studies to work with cinematographers for a while, after which he joined a course in Visual Communication at Loyola College. He then worked with photographer Sharad Haksar and in 1993, he started his own studio

Mallika Sarabhai Educated as an economist and business manager, she is one of India’s best-known classical dancers. She has taken her work and her company ‘Darpana’ to not only over 90 countries around the world, but also to the most remote parts of India

Neeru Nanda A graduate from Delhi University, she’s passionate about writing.

She freelanced as a feature writer for ten years before switching to publishing. Author of a collection of short stories titled ‘IF’, she has also worked on novels and short stories for children

Ashok Verghese One of the youngest education entrepreneurs who is making a great difference in this field in the country. He is the Director of the Hindustan group of Institutions, one of the pioneering educational groups in the country. He supports the cause of promoting young talent in art and music

Veejay Sai An award-winning writer, editor and a culture critic. He has written and published extensively on Indian classical music, fashion, theatre, food and art, and loves traveling, researching literary and cultural history. He is an editorial consultant with over 40 brands and designers in and outside India and is on the jury for several prestigious awards in the arts sector across the country DEC 2016 | Brew lifestyle| 5

INTERNAL TEAM

EDITOR Vidhya Anand PRO Nikkil Murugan FEATURES WRITERS Padma Murughappun Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Aasha Sriram MARKETING MANAGER Reesha N DESIGN Ramkumarnagarasan P Aashbir kaur CIRCULATION K.Sathish kumar

S T R A T E G Y

&

D E S I G N

Published by Sameer Bharat Ram, and owned by SM BrandMuni Consulting Pvt. Ltd, Published from New No. 68 / Old No. 63, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600 086.

Tel.: +91 44 4208 9392.

Follow us http://www.facebook.com/ thebrewmagazine

Write to editor.thebrewmagazine@gmail.com for editorial queries/feedback marketing.thebrewmagazine@gmail.com for advertisement queries/feedback

Published from New No. 68 / Old No. 63, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600 086.

Tel.: +91 44 4208 9392.

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CONTENTS 12

ISSUE 06

THINK BMK THE LAST OF THE GREAT CARNATIC TITANS

12

CREATE INTO THE WIZARDING WORLD ROWLING’S FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

18

CONVERSATIONS WITH CHAOS ON AUTHOR JAVEETH AHAMED’S DEBUT

20

COVER STORY STORY OF AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE LIVED

26

CREATE. COLLABORATE. CELEBRATE 5TH EDITION OF THE INDIEARTH XCHANGE

38

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44

LIVE AKRITI SACHDEV THE MAKE-UP ARTIST’S WAY TO FAME

42

RECIPE OF THE MONTH DONDAKAYA VEPUDU

46

THE COGNAC WEEK A FINE GOURMET EXPERIENCE

48

GLIMPSES WITHIN MANIPUR AND ITS MOTLEY MESMERISM

50

VOYAGING THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC A TRAVELOGUE ON GREECE

54

50

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THINK|Mavericks

BMK : The Last Of The Great Carnatic Titans

BY VeejaySai VeejaySai is an award-winning writer, editor and a culture critic BMK, the initials were enough to invoke enough nostalgia, anecdotes and stories. For someone who didn’t stick to the rigidity of the genre that gave him name and fame, he was hailed as a musical genius across the world. MangalampalliBalamurali Krishna, the last of the greatest Carnatic musicians who upheld the Andhra tradition of vocalism passed away in Chennai. He was 86 years old.

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THINK|Mavericks

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The Child Prodigy Born in the village of Shankaraguptam in the East Godavari district of coastal Andhra Pradesh, to the couple Pattabhiramayya and Sooryakantamma on 6th July 1930, Muralikrishna was the first son born to the couple. The father was fluent in playing the flute, violin and veena. The mother, daughter of a renowned composer Prayaga Rangadasu, was also fluent in Veena.

Music was at home though the family above his father’s considered it a ‘low’ habit, being conservative Brahmins.

The child was joined into a municipal school in Buckinghampet. The father was keen the son must get a regular education like all other kids.However, with a rich musical atmosphere at home, little Murali’s attention wasn’t on his studies and he soon dropped out after grade five on the advice of his teachers. While there was a lot of absorption at home, a Guru has a special value and place in a student’s life. After finding out teachers around nearby villages, the father approached Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu (1883 -1951) to accept the eight year old Muralikrishna as his student. Pantulu belonged to the ‘Shishya-Parampara’ or the ‘student-lineage’ of the saint poet Tyagaraja( 1767- 1847) one of the famous trinity of Carnatic composers through Susarla Dakshinamurthi Sastri (1860- 1917). It was under Pantulu’s training that Muralikrishna’s music blossomed. Pantulu was incharge of conducting a music festival in the memory of Susarla in Vijaywada. It was in this festival he decided to debut his protégé Muralikrishna on the 18th of July 1940. Listening to the young Muralikrishna the great Harikatha exponent Musunuri Suryanarayana Bhagawatar gave him the title of ‘Bala’.

BalaMuralikrishna was to remain the name for the rest of his life. BMK debuted on the All India Radio on the 2nd July 1941. This made him an icon overnight. Invitations to concerts started pouring in. Around this time, he also lost his mother. This loss was to haunt him for the rest of his life.

Though he was brought up by his foster mother Subbamma, he would lament about the loss of a mother whenever he composed songs

The following year in January 1942, BMK accompanied his Guru to the annual death anniversary commemorative concerts in honour of the poet saint Tyagaraja in Thiruvaiyaru in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.

There the legendary singer Bangalore Nagarathnammal who constructed the Samadhi of Tyagarajawas floored by BMK’s singing. Nagarathnammal is said to have carried him in her arms and predicted this kid would one day be a genius in the world of music.

His stint with the silver screen was to only grow into great heights. As an actor, music director and playback singer, he contributed to over thirty films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Sanskrit. He even acted the role of an aged musician in a Malayalam movie ‘Sandhyakku Enthinu Sindooram’. In 1976 he bagged the National Award for the best playback singer in the Kannada film ‘Hamsageete’ (1975). In 1987 he won another National Award for best music direction for the film ‘Madhawacharya’.

Best playback singer for the Malayalam film ‘Swati Thirunal’ in 1987.

The Young And Restless Genius

The Path breaking Rebel

No other teenager must have had a busier childhood like BMK had. The coastal districts of today’s Andhra were once a part of the erstwhile Madras Presidency. A hot bed for classical music and theatre patronage, every village had numerous Sabhas, temples, organizations that generously patronized music. BMK was a star performer many music concert organizers gladly presented. From earlier concert calendars and show bills we get to know how he gave over two hundred concerts a year even as he was only thirteen years old. His fame as a child prodigy spread far and wide. In 1944 BMK accompanied legendary Carnatic vocalists like Ariyakudi RamanujaIyengar and Chitoor Subramaniaya Pillai on the Viola. He also accompanied several later stalwarts like Semmangudi SrinivasaIyer, Maharajapuram VishwanathaIyer and Voleti Venkateshwarlu in later years.

His growth in the world of Carnatic music was at a jet speed and highly monitored by all the legends of that era. While he kept his passion for Carnatic music alive, he didn’t stop himself from the lure of popular culture.

In the 1960s, 70s and 80s, BMK invested himself into renewing the works of poet saints like Tallapaka Annamacharya, Bhadrachala Ramadasu, his maternal grandfather Prayaga Rangadasu, Sadasiva Brahmendra, NarayanaTheertha, Kshetrayya and the Kerala king composer Maharaja Swati Thirunal. He set to tune hundreds of their writings into songs. Today he is solely responsible for bringing back to life hundreds of forgotten songs and increasing the repertoire of the Carnatic genre multifold.

dedicated to any goddess later in his life.

In 1967, the famous mythological Telugu film BhaktaPrahlada starring Anjali Devi, S V RangaRao and a huge cast of Telugu actors saw BMK’s debut on the silver screen. He played the role of sage Narada. Through the film, whenever the character appeared, BMK sang his own songs.

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The world of Carnatic has no less politics than any others. BMK decided to play around and break status quo.

He set to tune Ragas with only four notes and named them. He not only named them but also composed songs in them and sang them at prestigious festivals and venues. This set the cat among the pigeons. The Carnatic community ostracized him very soon.

His contemporaries like printed pamphlets and distributed them among audiences in Madras Sabhas calling him a madcap. They banned him from singing at many festivals and venues.

Did any of this disturb him? In fact he only got encouraged to do more of this. He created new Ragas like Lavangi, Mahati, Manorama, Mohanangi and so forth. As a kid he had already mastered the entire complicated 72-Melakartha system of Ragas. He went ahead to compose in all of them! A feat no other vocalist achieved in the 20th century and a record no one broke

THINK|Mavericks as yet! It took a while for the world of Carnatic music to understand what a genius he was and the depth of his musical scholarship. Impeccable diction of the lyric, be it in any language, strict adherence to pitch in a melodic scale and effortless jugglery in the most complicated of rhythm became the quintessential Balamurali signature in Carnatic vocalism.

The Composer ‘Vaggeyakara’ is the word used which lightly translates to composer in English. A Vaggeyakara is expected to be proficient in Raga music (melodic scales), Tala or rhythm, languages like Telugu, which is the lingua franca of the Carnatic genre. BMK could easily play over half a dozen instruments including the violin, viola, Khanjira (Indian tambourine), Mridangam,Veena and more.

He composed numerous songs in different genres. He was one of the first vocalists to sing the entire 12th century Sanskrit text Gita Govindam written by poet Jayadeva. If modern day Bharatanatyam is standing stable, one of the big credits must go to BMK. His compositions including several Thillanas which continue to be performed at every other dance recital. In addition to this was his own collaborations with his contemporaries in Hindustani music. One of the earliest to storm the world of Carnatic music was his Jugalbandi with Pt Bhimsen Joshi that was broadcast on Doordarshan.

Years later they were to do a repeat of this concert with much bonhomie on stage. In later years BMK was to be the first Carnatic vocalist to perform Jugalbandis with several other veterans like KishoriAmonkar and Jasraj and Hindustani flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia. Even younger artistes like Ronu Majumdar, Ajoy Chakraborty and others found a generous collaborator in him in later years.

Back in his own homeland, Carnatic music was dying a slow death. With lack of patronage from the State and other individuals, the Telugus were a dying breed in the world of Carnatic music. The then Chief Minister N T Rama Rao who dissolved the State Sahitya Akademi and fought with several performing artistes added fuel to fire. Many writers like Arudra, artistes like Bapu decided to settle down in Chennai. Disillusioned by the State’s attitude towards performing arts and literature, BMK decided to settle down in Chennai, the Mecca of Carnatic. The State that changed various governments in later years did less to correct their wrongs. Andhra and Telugus’ loss was others gain. BMK found great patronage from several quarters outside. The famous musicologist B M Sundaram became his student.

Their scion of the royal family of Travancore Prince Rama Varma became one of his later students. In addition to that, several film actors like Vyjayantimala Bali, Kamal Hasan and dancer Kamala Lakshmanan learnt music under his tutelage at various points.

Known for his warmth, hospitality, regaling friends with historic and musical anecdotes and a cheeky smile that would often mean more than one thing, BMK was everyone’s favourite in the world of Indian classical music.

He sang till a month ago before his demise with an extremely robust voice that effortlessly scaled three and half octaves for an octogenarian. This year commemorates the 250th birthday year of the poet saint Tyagaraja that BMK strongly believed in. He belonged to the fifth generation of his Shishya-parampara as noted earlier. His physical exit might have soared his soul to the feet of his Guru.With the demise of Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, the world of Carnatic music has lost one of the last great titans.

BMK never stopped himself from anything if it was related to music. He gladly experimented with a whole host of genres. From Rabindra Sangeet to Kabir to Meera Bhajan to even collaborating with jazz bands, BMK did it all!

Endless Honours and Titles For someone who started so young, BMK achieved all the coveted awards one could think of in the world of Carnatic music. In his lifetime, BMK gave over fifty thousand concerts worldwide. He was only twenty three when he was honoured with the President of India’s gold medal in 1953. Among the bigger and better known honours were the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1975, the Sangita Kalanidhi equivalent to the Nobel Prize in Carnatic music from the Madras Music Academy in 1978, the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri awards. He was honoured with the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Government in 2005. Over two-dozen honorary doctorates from various universities, scores of titles from every other music organization and more. All of this sat rather lightly on his shoulders.

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CREATE|Litrature

‘The Wizarding World,’ has become so common in speech, it draws fans into believing that it almost exists. Having created the unbelievably, alluring world of magic with her Harry Potter series, author J.K. Rowling’s screenwriting debut with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has augmented the ceaseless craze for the wizarding world among readers.

W

hen Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover.

However, when his magical case is misplaced and some of Newt’s fantastic beasts escape, it spells trouble for everyone…

Inspired by the original Hogwarts textbook by Newt Scamander, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, author of the beloved and internationally bestselling Harry Potter books. A feat of imagination and featuring a cast of remarkable characters and magical creatures, this is epic adventure-packed storytelling at its very best. Whether an existing fan or new to the wizarding world, this screenplay isthe perfect addition for any film lover or reader’s bookshelf.

Publication of the screenplay was simultaneous with the film’s worldwide release by Warner Bros. Pictured on 18th November 2016. The e-book edition of the screenplay was published by Pottermore, the global digital publisher of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, simultaneously with the print editions in collaboration with Little, Brown Book Group in the UK, and Scholastic in the US and Canada.

ABOUT THE FILM A new and original story by J.K. Rowling, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them brings readers back to the wizarding world seventy years before Harry Potter’s story begins.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident…were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

Starring Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them had its theatrical release on 18th November 2016.

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is H Conversations w C haos

CREATE|Litrature

ith

It isn’t every day that you come across stories that leave you hung-over and craving for more.While some leave you satisfied, some leave you boggled with questions and then there are some that linger in between. Author Javeeth Ahamed’s debut novel Conversations with Chaos, is one such.

Creating an extremely mysterious female protagonist coupled his compulsive story-telling technique; makes him a new gen writer the city very much needs.

BY VIDHYA ANAND

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I

n an artistic milieu that is seeing innumerable writers emerge with debut novels, it takes a work of substantial power to stand out in the crowd. When done right with nothing but the fiery urge to pen down words for one’s love of writing, great. stories are born. Comparably, with no intention of publishing, Javeeth began his story, Conversations with Chaos that has now travelled across readers resulting in some great reviews. Read on as he vividly talks about his life as a writer, his beliefs and how his first debut came to life.

Was your female protagonist, Anjali inspired from someone in real life?

Actually no, I was trying to get a character that was slightly different, fun and with the right mix of… without having to sound chauvinist, confusing. In a certain sense, I wrote her as a mystery.

I met somebody that way, but it was after I wrote the character. She didn’t exist before I wrote the story. I did end up meeting somebody who is more or less Anjali. She didn’t know I had written a book that has a similar character and she was quite fascinated by Anjali.

Anjali is one character that I would love to write more about. I think every story I write henceforth will have a very strong female protagonist and they would have traits of her in some way.

It is hard to put a finger on the genre of the book, in fact it feels better not to. Where does it really fall?

When the publisher and I sat down to figure out what genre it is, I said the same thing, I didn’t have a genre to it. I said, it would be injustice to myself if I categorized it.

However, in the end it kind of entered into Contemporary Fiction.

How did you come up with the title ‘Conversations with Chaos?’

The working title that stayed with it for a very long time was ‘The Smell of Rain.’ The reason it was the working title was that the book starts with ‘She was like the smell of rain to come...’ And, I actually wanted to make it the title too. When I got feedback however, there was a mixed reaction. After considering a few other titles, I went with ‘Conversations with Chaos.’ The reason why it is called ‘Chaos,’ is, it was Vikram’s mind.

Vikram narrates Anjali, so Chaos was his mind and Chaos was the relationship.

There are some amazing references in the book, were they consciously added?

‘Before sunrise,’ was a conscious insert, all the other references were not conscious.

That particular scene in the story relates to Before Sunrise, hence the reference. And, it is one of my favourite movies. The trilogy remains to me one of the best in modern romance, and closest to real life relationships. In a way it was my tribute to that.

“If I have to go by the art of storytelling, the one man

who can tell it very simply and yet poignantly is Jeffrey Archer.When it comes to style, randomness of writing and the beauty of it, it has always been Murakami for me”

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CREATE|Litrature

Tell us about the short story, A Girl Who Could Fly that is placed within the novel.

That was actually written quite a while ago. I think three years ago, one afternoon at work. I get into these modes where I want to write, where I don’t know what to write, but I have to write. That’s how I write, I don’t come up with ideas, I just start writing. So, one day, I had no story idea in mind. This was one story I wrote that way, I wrote it in a trance. It just came to me. It remains one of my most favourite stories.

Conversations with Chaos being your debut, did you ever have doubts? Whether it was going to get published, or were you sure of what you were doing?

I wrote the novel without even thinking it will get published. I didn’t write to publish it. I wrote it because I felt like writing it.

I met with an accident and I was home. I had a fracture, some injured ribs and I was home for almost a month. To keep myself from boredom, I wrote and that’s how this story came up. Initially it was supposed to be a short story, but when I wrote it, Anjali took the story forward and I had to keep writing. Once I was done, for almost a year, I forgot about it. A friend of mine then asked me about it, so I sent it across to him to read. His response after was, “What are you doing not publishing this?” So, then I sent it across to a few more friends who read it and their response to it was good, so I decided, why not. I might as well go ahead with publishing it, as it was doing well and getting good reviews.

Who are your favourite writers or novelists?

If I have to go by the art of storytelling, the one man who can tell it very simply and yet poignantly is Jeffrey Archer. When it comes to style, randomness of writing and the beauty of it, it has always been Murakami for me. He is my favourite novelist.

He is all over the place. When you read Murakami, you don’t know where his story is going but you want to keep reading because it’s so beautiful. He is brilliant. Like I said, you don’t know where his stories are going, and you don’t know what he is writing about sometimes. He could be writing science fiction in between a romance. He does crazy things to the writing.

Why writing? Does it liberate you? Or do you just simply enjoy the art of it?

Writing definitely does liberate. It’s a sense of freedom putting your thoughts onto paper. Many a times, I write letters to people I am fond of when either I am low or they are. At those times, it’s liberating. The art of writing letters is something we need to bring back.

“Writing definitely does liberate. It’s a sense of freedom putting your thoughts onto paper”

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CREATE|Zeroed In

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The Iconic Starlet &

Her Hallmark Brand It isn’t every day that you find an entire state stay up late into the night with their eyes glued to the television set in front of them, it isn’t everyday that you find thousands waiting for days outside the hospital eagerly awaiting news of good health of their leader, and it isn’t every day that people from every walk of life proclaim their respect and love for a political figure in a country like India. Days like these are when history is made.The state of Tamil Nadu and the country experienced a day that will be remembered for eternity, this December, as huge masses came together mourning and reminiscing late, former Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa for the unbelievable iron lady that she was.

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OF POWER, RESPECT AND LOVE Journeying from the limelight that being a film star offered her to the political queen she was then looked up for, lays an extraordinary story of a woman of great disposition. Undoubtedly, she is one of the most leading and powerful women within India’s political scenario. From being spoken about for her courage and sturdy decision-making skills in a patriarchal society to being remembered for the way she swooned people off their feet when she thrived on screen as a leading actor, Jayalalithaa later known as ‘Amma,’ became a household name over the years. From the silver screen and later into politics, the love she initially earned evolved into reverence and respect among party members and supporters alike.

As an actor, she was skilled both as a dancer and a performer and the result was her acting record of over 140 films in her career. Delving into her political life, she joined the All India Anna DravidaMunnetraKazhagam (AIADMK) that was established by her actor-turned-politician, mentor MG Ramachandran (MGR). It was in the year 1991 that she stepped into the role of the Chief Minister for the first time in her political career. However, her 1996 elections coupled with the corruption charges led to her losing the seat. She rose back to power in 2001 and later in 2011. The 2011 comeback occurred in spite of being convicted in TANSI land case and the Pleasant Stay Hotel case, which she was subsequently acquitted from. It was in 2016 however that she became one of those few Chief Ministers the state has seen to be elected twice consecutively.

Being respectfully called as ‘Amma’, over the years, her significance in the history of Tamil Nadu’s political realm thus became extremely illustrious.

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AS A BEACON OF HOPE With her exemplary achievements ranging from her acting to political career, Jayalalithaa has been nothing less of a leading beacon of hope and empowerment for women in the state. From her introduction of the ‘Cradle Baby Scheme,’ to prevent female foeticides to conception of women-operated police station, she set a legendary example of how much a women can achieve only if she had to willpower and focus to do. Inspiring women from all walks of life, she lived an extraordinary life fuelled by streaks of failure, strength, willpower and above all hope. A hope that she left behind for the women of this state to thrive upon! She was beautiful, driven, relentless and most importantly developed an indescribable connection with the masses. It was that connection that she shared with a million souls that left Tamil Nadu in a state of utter shock following her demise in a dramatic turn of events. Till today, it stands as a bitter reality that is difficult to digest.

“I’m a bit unconventional for a politician.The rule of the game seems to require considerable play-acting. I have acted in films before the cameras but I’m incapable of acting in real life” Looking deep into the little incidents that could have easily broken the tenacity of most men and women alike, she continued relentlessly getting back on her feet paying no heed to any steep falls that came her way. Past her portrayal of being a star actor and a driven politician, she’s become a person of the people, a person that shows you how to live life despite its many adversities, a person that makes you believe that no matter how terrible the odds are and how insurmountable life is, you will still have to wake up, get ready, get going and chase your dreams until they are as real as your breath.

“When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage, by filling the cracks with gold.They believe that, when something has suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful.This indeed is true, for the millions of cancer survivors, who have come out stronger, and more beautiful than before”

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CREATE|Zeroed In THE IRON LADY’S EVOLUTION AS AMMA 1948 – Born, 24th February 1961 – Donned her acting skills and worked in the film ‘Epistle’ produced by Shankar Giri 1964 – Had her official debut into acting as a teenager in the Kannada film ‘ChinnadaGombe’ Also, this year, she debuted in Telugu in ‘ManushuluMamathulu’ as a Lead Actress marking the beginning of her long journey of 140 films in various languages in the India film industry 1965 – Debuted in Tamil as a Lead Actress in ‘Vennira Aadai’ This year also had the release of her first movie with her mentor M.G. Ramachandran after which they did 28 movies as leads in Tamil 1968 – Debut in Bollywood alongside Dharmendra in the movie ‘Izzat’ 1982 – After shining in the limelight for more than 20 years in cinema, she joined the AIADMK and became an instant hit with her maiden public speech titled ‘PenninPerumai’ 1983 – Started serving as the Propaganda Secretary for AIADMK 1984-89 – Her education at a convent in her childhood gave her fluency and flawless command of the English language which earned her the Membership of RajyaSabha 1989 – Started serving as the General Secretary of All India Anna DravidaMunnetraKazhagam Same year, served as MLA in Bodinayakkanur constituency 1988-89 – First woman leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly 1989-91, 1991-96, 2002-2006 – Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly 1991 – Keeping up her stand to come back as Chief Minister to the Legislative Assembly after she face humiliation by the then ruling party, she came to power as the CM of Tamil Nadu to serve a full term 2001 – Started serving her second term as CM of the state until charged by the Supreme Court 2011 – Started her third term as the CM of the state until charged with the Disproportionate assets Case in 2014 2015 – She returned as Chief Minister after her acquittal 2016 – Jayalalithaa was elected as Chief Minister by the people once again, making her the first leader to serve consecutive terms as CM since the death of MGR 5th December, 2016 – Tamil Nadu lost its Amma, the party AIADMK lost its Puratchi Thalaivi as the ‘ThangaTharagai’ rested in peace leaving behind an aggrieved state and people

“Only when women are financially independent, they will gain confidence and willpower to bridge the gender gap. If a woman thinks she can, she can not only rewrite her fate but also the lives of others”

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CREATE|Cinema and Theatre

reate. ollaborate. elebrate

BY NANDITHA VIJAYARAGHAVAN The first big step - especially for young people with energy, drive and talent - the first important step to controlling your world is to control your culture. To model and demonstrate the kind of universe you demand to live in. To write the books. Make the music. Shoot the films. Paint the art.

And to help young artists realize their blue-sky creative aspirations, IndiEarth XChange (an EarthSync initiative) was born to support the growing collective of artists and multi-country professionals, tread new paths and achieve new horizons in a dynamically evolving media landscape.

The 5th edition of the IndiEarth XChange was a two-day festive celebration in the heart of Madras that brought together India’s non-mainstream artists and worldwide media and engaged them in cutting-edge workshops and in-depth conferences in a multi-dimensional framework.

Through its annual festivals for independent film, music and media, IndiEarth XChange has continued to play a momentous role in developing cross-cultural audiences and modernizing an imperative change in the cultural landscape of South India and neighboring regions. Time and again it has proven to cultivate an inventive cross section of musicians and films from different corners of the globe.

The two-day festival witnessed an intriguing mix of musicians such as Vidya Shah (Classical), Kurangan (Tamil Rock), Krameri (Electronic), Abhi Tambe (Singer/ Songwriter), Aver (Fusion) and Many Roots Ensemble (Jazz/Funk) to name a few. The film screenings saw the choicest of documentaries being showcased across a multitude of cultures and subjects such as Placebo (Fantasy / India), Pregnant (Drama / Italy), Kusturica Dream (Israel / Comedy), Lyari Notes (Pakistan / Music), Mother I’ve Pretty Much Forgotten Your Face (Japan / Biography), among several others.

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The workshops in particular were open forum discussions delving deep into various industry related topics. With different mediums and expressions at creative disposal, the speakers were hand-picked to cover the entire breadth of the film, music and art cosmos. While at one hand, renowned pianist/musician/producer Vivin Kuruvilla spoke about Native Instruments, on another, Zain Memon (from the prestigious Memesys Culture Lab) conducted a two-hour master-class on Virtual Reality filmmaking and shared insights on conceptualizing and building immersive VR experiences.

One of the most note-worthy conferences was the ‘Women On Record’ presentation by the globally acclaimed Indian classical composer, musician and writer,Vidya Shah. The multi-media presentation showcased significant contributions of forgotten women performers from the gramophone era – a revival story of the Bajjis in the early twentieth century who performed in the fields of music, theatre and film. As part of the presentation,Vidya showed some chosen anecdotes and videos accompanied by archival images highlighting the performances in a variety of vocal music – including folk, thumri, geet and film songs, taking us back into the vivid world of the Salon and the beginnings of the Studio.

As a musician,Vidya was initially trained in Carnatic music, and later received guidance in the North Indian genres of khayal (from Shubha Mudgal and Mujahid Hussain Khan) and thumri dadra, and ghazal (from Shanti Hiranand). She has performed at several national and international forums, including the Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior, The Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C, The Asia Society in New York and the Bode Museum in Berlin.A popular performer and a prolific composer,Vidya is a recipient of the Charles Wallace Award and a Senior Fellowship from the Government of India for her project ‘Women on Record’.

As technology sprints rapidly ahead and digitization continues to permeate our lives, fountainhead platforms such as IndiEarth XChange are embracing the continuous change in the cultural landscape of India and creating a niche space for independent artists to encourage their creativity and organize resources for their growth and development.

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LIVE|Fashion

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MESMEREYES-ING HER WAY TO FAME Blogging,YouTube and Instagram are catching up progressively among Generation Z for showcase of their skill and for sharing what they are passionate about. As the social media got flooded with emerging make-up artists and hairstylists to singers and dancers, the under-celebrated city of Chennai also saw the rise of its social media superstar. Meet the Bridal Makeup Artist, Blogger,Vlogger and Makeup Trainer from Chennai, Akriti Sachdev she opens up for a quick chat on makeup, travelling and much more.

BY PADMA MURUGHAPPUN PHOTO GRAPHY BY Divya Shruthi Krishnamoorthy ‘I was never a makeup person’ There are walls with cubicles filled with a hue of glittery coloured pigments, brushes lying in sets in glass jars on every table, a counter exclusively for lipsticks and another one just for the base. Akriti’s makeup studio was in a beautiful mess from the workshops and bridal trials that she just hosted. With airbrushed skin decked up with a soft golden smokey eye, Akriti speaks to us about how she got to know makeup, “I was never a makeup person. My older brother always used to play Formula one and I used to love gaming with him, PS2 and all of that. I was never really into makeup. Even my mom would always wonder, she never bothered to deck me up with Kajal or whatever. But then when I went to Manchester University did my education there, things got very intense. And everyone there, in London and Manchester, England in general, really deck up.

Even for lectures and for workshops they dress up, makeup, hair and everything. And I said to myself, this is a bit too much for me. So one of my friends for my birthday took me to a Mac showroom and we got a makeover done. They gave me a quick makeover in like 10 minutes. And I was surprised at what a difference it made, you know. I would always think make up means it would look very heavy but was pleasantly surprised at how I was looking myself even with makeup on,” she laughs.

Mac taught her, Mac got her After completing her formal education, Akriti was formally and professionally trained under many big names in the market, primarily from Mac. “After I graduated I had no plan

of getting into make-up, my plan was to get into something finance related. So I came back home to Chennai. Mac had just opened their first store there. They were looking for make-up artists to join. I didn’t have that much of a background in make-up, but I knew how to apply make-up, thanks to YouTube. I got the job and I was thrilled and my plan of action was to be there only for some time. I wanted to work there to learn. Working in mac was an amazing experience, we got trained from different make-up artists around the world, London based, Norwegian based and it was really nice,” she explains.

For all those women out there who still think of makeup as a taboo, something extremely other-worldly and not for every skin type, Akriti says, “It’s not rocket science, if you learn it from the basics.” Starting out by enlightening her makeup deprived friends about its magic, Akriti decided to go big, “I was amazed at how people actually wanted to learn make-up. I realised I wanted to get into this field. So, after a year of working with mac, I quit there and started conducting make-up workshops. Simultaneously, I started my YouTube channel, which was overwhelming because I did not expect that kind of response.”

Apart from undergoing her professional training at Mac, Akriti also had the chance to work with big names such as Cory Walia from Mumbai and VidyaTikari from Delhi which convened her process of blending the wants of North, South and Bollywood for that perfect finish.

“When in doubt, smoke it out. Easiest and quickest way to have maximum impact” DEC 2016 | Brew lifestyle| 43

LIVE|Fashion

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AKRITI’S BEAUTY ADVICE TO LIVE BY Nothing beats the look and feel of makeup on good skin. Akriti suggests simple ways to achieve it, “When it comes to skin care, first thing you would need to look into is a good toner. Even something as simple as an ice cube with rose water or cucumber juice really plumps up your skin, reduces sebum secretion leaving your skin firm and supple. So whatever make up you apply, especially foundation, looks flawless because your skin in tight.”

Her Go-To Look: When in doubt, smoke it out. Easiest and quickest way to have maximum impact.

Lipstick she swears By: I confess I’m a Mac-a-holic. I love ‘Flat Out Fabulous.’ It’s one of those pinks that suits pretty much every skin tone.

The Ultimate Red: I love Bobbi Brown’s ‘Red Carpet.’ Also, Mac’s ‘Ruby Woo’ is really good.

Choosing between reds or pinks:I would say pinks, I’m more of a pink person. I just love the way pink stands out.

It is a really tough choice. There are days where I really want to go for just a red pout.

On bright lips: I would say it is good to be in trend, to experiment with what is trending, but end of the day apply lipsticks that suit you, what you are comfortable with. Don’t always have to be in trend. Just go with what works for you. I would rather wear something that compliments my skin tone.

Contour and Highlight: Contouring definitely does change the entire structure of the face. If done right, it really does make you look like you have lost a lot of weight. Always choose a colour that is two shades darker than your skin. Get a good contour brush. And, practice! It is key. ‘Top of the ear, towards the end of the mouth’ that’s the angle.

Mac Mineralise Skin Finish and Shade from Freedom Professional London are my favourites.

I love the wet look, highlighters are basically used to reflect light and to make a particular feature stand out. I use it for all my brides, and they love it. It should be applied on the cheek bone, bridge of the nose, T zone, under your brows, on the Cupid’s bow, shoulders, and collar bone.

Mac’s Improper Copper, Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick, Mary-Lou Manizer are the best.

AKRITI’S HIGH END MAKEUP GOODIE BAG Dior - eyeshadows Inglot - Gel Liner Kajal – Tom Ford/ Marc Jacobs Contouring – La Prairie Blush – Chanel Lipstick – Chanel Mascara – Benefit’s ‘They’re Real’ Highlights – High Beam from Benefit AKRITI’S DRUGSTORE MAKEUP GOODIE BAG Foundation – Maybelline Primer – Oriflame Concealer – LA girl Eye Make – Lakme Mascara – Maybelline Eyebrows – Maybelline’s new eyebrow pencil Gel liner – Maybelline Lipstick - Chambor, Sugar, Colorbar Blushes – Colorbar and Lakme

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Instagram @MesmereyesMakeup www.facebook.com/masmereyesmakeup www.mesmereyesmakup.com

LIVE|Food

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RECIPE FOR THE MONTH DECEMBER FROM GRT HOTELS & RESORTS

Dondakaya Vepudu INGREDIENTS n n n n n n n n n n n n

200 gms ivy gourd Gingelly oil Mustard seeds Urud dal Cumin Red chilly Chilli powder Dal Powder 250 grams dondakaya / ivy gourd 1 red chili broken 1 sprig curry leaves 2 gms tsp mustard

n n n n n n n n

n n n

2 gms cumin 2 gms urad dal 30 ml gingelly oil 1 to 2 garlic cloves crushed pinch of hing 1 gms turmeric salt as needed 3 gms red chili powder 3 gms sesame seeds powder 25 gms coconut 50 gms roasted skinned

peanuts crushed

METHOD n n n n n n n n n

Wash them thoroughly under running water.

Drain them in a colander, chop off the ends. Slice into thin vertical strips.

Heat a pan with oil, add mustard, cumin and dal.

Fry dal until golden, add curry leaves and asafoetida. SautĂŠ until leaves turn crisp.

Add chopped ivy gourd pieces, salt and turmeric.

Stir fry until soft cooked.

Add coconut, red chilli powder, sesame seed powder and peanuts; stir wel.

Fry until you smell the coconut.

Serve dondakai vepudu with rice.

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LIVE|Food

SWIRL. SMELL. SIP.

They say, the great thing about making cognac is that it teaches you above everything else to wait- man proposes, but time, God and the seasons have got to be on your side. And true so. Chennai city got its lucky break this November when it hosted the much celebrated ‘Cognac Week’, at the city’s most exquisite hospitality destinations,the Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park.

BY NANDITHA VIJAYARAGHAVAN

A

s we walked into the lobby of Crowne Plaza on an incandescent Saturday evening, we knew right there that we were invited into a parador of fancy. The three-course dinner invitation coupled with one of the best known French Cognac Houses, Martell’s most promising Tour De Cognac, was one of a kind in fine dining gourmet experiences that the city had witnessed. After a few pleasantries, we were guided into a starry hallway leading up to the Hotel’s flagship restaurant, ‘On The Rocks’.With a colourful history spanning the quarter of a decade, Crowne Plaza presents to the world of gourmands an exciting dining option, with On the Rocks - a stylish grill with international cuisine.

The driving philosophy of ‘On The Rocks’ is to create a gastronomic experience with eclectic grills, hot rock and hot pot experiences with flambéed new world desserts. The multi-dimensional lounge and dining ambience is exemplified by an enterprising range of dishes and wines under the able guidance and craftsmanship of Chef Prakash. As part of the Cognac Week pioneered and conceptualized by the Mumbai-based spirits consultancy ‘All Things Nice’, Nikhil Agarwal, Sommelier & CEO, welcomed us into a world of high-spirited luxury and culinary grandeur. Chef Prakash & Sommelier Nikhil introduced us to the best of Martell’s Cognac, beautifully blended with a three-course dinner menuthat were waiting to adorn our tastebuds.

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The highlight of our dinner was the aesthetically designed mosaic of food and Cognac with each course of the meal married well to a particular Martell Cognac. The name Martell itself spells luxury in every letter. The brand boasts of over 300 years of passion and precision passed down through the Martell family, from generation to generation, a celebration of French Art de Vivre, treasuring the beauty and pleasure of every moment. It has a rich history honouring craft and taste, with Martell Cognacs enjoyed and cherished for three centuries - from regal coronations to Hollywood films, intrepid polar expeditions to royal weddings, and far beyond.From timeless classics to limited edition series, each Martell Cognac has a unique character and style.

To start with, we were served an appetizing plate of oven-fresh focaccia bread with a drizzle of roasted garlic oil and papaya mayo. The First Course of the dinner, followed suit, comprising of Spice and Herb Poached Pears, Roqueforte Cheese Mousse and pickled and candied Walnut Salad with Red Wine dressing. This was served aside a glass of bright sparkling Martell VS, specifically known for its fresh, fruity side thus making it an ideal accompaniment to the first course.

The Second Course had a wonderful mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices with a Pan Seared Lamb Rump, Red Pepper Aubergine Terrine and Confit Lamb Shoulder Boulangerie Potatoes on one hand and Spinach Ricotto, Artichoke and Hazelnuts Cannelloni with Parmesan Foam on the other. This was served with a shiny glass of Martell VSOP for a balanced meal and an oaky after-taste.The richness of the Martell VSOP stems from its time spent ageing in a barrel hence infusing it with complex aromas along with notes of caramelised dried fruits and prunes.

The Final Course of the meal was a delectable plate of desert with three different stages of chocolate moulded together. This was served with the Martell XO for its dominant characteristic of Grande and Petite Champagne.

Long gone are the days when Chennai’s culinary scene was subjected to international scorn. The city is now home to many of the world’s most innovative and impressive chefs and its restaurants cater to all tastes and budgets with an ever-increasing selection of innovative and interesting restaurants.

Dining at On The Rocks, Crowne Plaza may be one of the most luxurious ways to spend an evening in the city. At ‘On The Rocks’, you are promised a dining experience that is exclusive, extragavant and astounding, to say the least. The Crowne Plaza carries on its tradition in true gourmet style, by collaborating with one of the most celebrated names in continental cuisine: Chef Prakash, whose task it is to seduce you everyday with virtuoso menus that are full of character – a tribute to the flavours of the local area.

Delicious sauces and coloured sea salts blend on the plate to create new and original flavours, an authentic creative ritual where the meal becomes an occasion for fun, sharing good food in a spirit of warm conviviality.

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LIVE|Travel

MANIPUR AND ITS MOTLEY MESMERISM They say, travel often guides us toward a better balance of wisdom and compassion of seeing the world clearly, and yet feeling it truly. And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, dimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed.That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.

BY NANDITHA VIJAYARAGHAVAN

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A

nd thus began my undeniable love affair with the alluring state of Manipur. Popularly known as the Land of Gems, Manipur is perhaps one of the most endearing, untouched rustic charms of the northeastern part of India that is largely descriptive of its serene landscapes, exotic wildlife, exquisite floating islands, picturesque hills and heartwarming locals.

PEOPLE, CULTURE AND TRADITIONS If nature can leave one speechless, then the culture in Imphal (the capital city of Manipur) is sure to lure its tourists applauding every now and then.

Manipur is a beautifully blended mosaic of ancient traditions and rich cultural patterns. About two-thirds of the people are Meitei, who occupy the Manipur valley and are largely Hindus. Meitei women conduct most of the trade in the valley and enjoy high social status. Indigenous hill tribes, such as the ‘Nagas’ in the north and the ‘Kukis’in the south, make up the rest of the population. More than three-fifths of the people speak Manipuri, which, along with English, is the official language of the state. Although Imphal is a year-round destination, the time period between September and April can be considered as the best time to visit this place.

The local festivals call for a grand celebration by every family residing in this city. These festivals are packed with foot-tapping folk dances (like Pung Cholom, Raas Leela and Khamba Thoibi), soothing music and unique rituals which the people follow religiously. The ‘Raas Leela’, a perfectly lyrical and graceful local dance form, depicts the Leelas of Lord Krishna as a child with his Gopies (milkmaids) of Brindavan, and expresses their yearning for

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LIVE|Travel

MY TOP 5 PICK OF MUST-DO THING 1. The Imphal Valley is a magnificent oval-shaped canyon formed as a result of drainage of many small rivers originating from neighbouring hills.

The southern section of this valley is blessed with picturesque lakes and swamps, making it a visual retreat for travellers and photographers.

2. Situated close to the banks of the Imphal River, the Kangla Fort or Kangla Palace is a symbol of Manipur’s glory. Kangla (meaning ‘dry land’ in Manipuri) was the ancient capital of Manipur and a number of Meetei monarchs have ruled the destination from this fort. A visit here is an absolute must for art lovers and historians as it holds immense archaeological, religious and historical significance.

3. The Loktak Lake(‘Lok’ meaning stream and ‘Tak’ meaning end) is the largest freshwater lake in the northeast. It boasts of a multitude of small and big islands called ‘Phumdis’ floating on its surface and is considered to be the only floating lake in the world.Visitors can indulge in an array of water sports such as windsurfing, sail boating and water skiing. They can also rent a boat, paddle it through the large stream and explore the archipelago.

communion with the Lord. A spring festival, the ‘Lai-Haraoba’ held in April-May is symbolized by a traditional stylized and ritualistic dance performed for peace and prosperity. The Tribal folk dances are an expression of nature, creativity and aestheticism of the tribal way of life.

Manipur’s colourful culture also translates into the state’s handloom clothes and handicrafts, which are globally acclaimed for their craftsmanship and ingenuity. Tourists can shop for hand-woven shawls, decorative cane and ivory items, and Manipuri handicrafts and souvenirs (the pretty Manipuri dolls) from the local bazaars in Imphal.The traditional clothing of Manipuri womenmajorly comprise of the Innaphi (hand-woven shawl), Phanek (hand-woven sarong), MayekNaibi (a horizontally striped phanek), KanapPhanek (traditional cloth hand-stitched by Meitai women), Lai-Phi (a yellow bordered beautiful white cloth), and Chin-Phi (a fully embroideredphanek).The local men usually dress up ina turban (which is called as “Pagdhi”), a jacket and a dhoti. A special type of dhoti called Khamen Chatpa is worn by superior members of the society during rituals and ceremonies.

4. The Ima Market (‘Ima’ meaning mother & ‘Keithel’ meaning market), also known as Khwairamnand Bazaar, is a popular,local shopping destination in Imphal. Run by over 3,000 women shopkeepers belonging to different communities and religions, this marketplace reflects the true spirit of femininity and illustrates women empowerment in this part of India. The market is segregated into two sections - one selling fruits, vegetables and other grocery items, and the other offering beautiful handloom merchandise and household tools. This one-of-a-kind market and its peculiar smell coupled with the cacophony of shoppers and shopkeepers almost instantly enlivens one’s senses and leaves them absorbed.

5. A taste of the local Manipuri cuisine in the form of theMeitei Thali is a must-try for all those with a gastronomic penchant. With plenty of greens, fresh vegetables, rice and fish forming a large part of the meal, the Manipuri thali is an absolute delight to the taste buds.

Imagine being surrounded by lush green landscapes, smoky, captivating mountains and sitting beside the calm waters of enchanting rivers, soaking in nature and its small wonders. Dark forests, sprawling grasslands and the beautiful scenery form part of the unspoilt beauty of this engimatic terrain of India. The green terrain, the comforting silence at the riverside and a colourful Manipuri culture- Imphal is indeed a visual treat for every traveller.

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LIVE|Travel

VOYAGING THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC Walk down the crooked lanes of Santorini, drinking in the beauty of the remarkable sight your eyes are beholding with aquamarine coastlines; immerse yourself in the greatness of its history as you stroll through the sun-bleached ruins of the ancient capital Athens; indulge in pure leisurely activities in the comfortable island of Mykonos; discover Greece like never before as you go scuba diving in the crystal clear waters and breathe in the air of eternity to fall in love with this Hellenic country.

BY PADMA MURUGHAPPUN

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The Southern European country of Greece proves to be the cradle of the Western Civilisation as we witness it in the present times with a significant influence on the western society’s arts, culture, languages, politics, Western philosophy, sports, comedy and drama and the birthplace of democracy to name a few. Surrounded by the Aegean, Mediterranean and Ionian seas, this beautiful country has a stunning landscape brightly lit by the mesmerising lighting of the sun. Cascading in the thousands of islands with gentle breezes, clear water and sandy beaches, there is an exhilarating magic and wildness in the country making it a destination that must be explored. Historically rich and culturally strong, the people are known for their affability and hospitality being the descendants of great empires of Rome and the Byzantine. Strategically situated on the southernmost tip of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece is ancient with diverse food options, sunny beaches and stunning vistas. As hard as it might be to formulate an itinerary inclusive of all the things to do in this vast nation, each and every destination offers a pinch of its own flavour and pace of life suiting every type of traveller that visits the Hellenic Republic.

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LIVE|Travel

ATHENS – WORLD’S MOST ANCIENT CAPITAL Merging the past and present in a way unimaginable, Athens is one of the capitals in the European continents that has gone through changes in a fast-paced manner. A modern metropolis that Athens is today has integrated the modern lifestyle without giving up its old small town aura. Here is where you find antiquity joining hands with the future, ancient monuments form a classical backdrop to a new and trendier Athens. Conspicuously sophisticated and more cosmopolitan than ever before, a trip to this ancient city will not be complete without visiting its structures of mythological importance.

• One of the best known symbols of ancient Greece is the Acropolis which stands tall and majestic till date for over 700 years. The Acropolis in Athens is of greatest importance due to its architectural and cultural value. It holds the Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Being the most ancient site known to the Western world, the Acropolis has monuments and sanctuaries that gleam white in the midday sun and take on a honey hue as the sun sinks. A glimpse at the towering and beautifully lit Acropolis at night is sure to exalt your spirits and is a sight to behold.

• Literally translating to “gathering place”, Agora stays true to its etymology by acting as the focal point for administrative, political and various other happenings from ancient times till date. Birthplace of Socrates’ philosophies, Agora of Athens is a lively, crowded place with various monuments and a wonderful museum to keep you engaged throughout.

• Apart from these, the Temples of Poseidon and Olympian Zeus are also sights, not to miss. The Theatre of Dionysus, the Greek Wine God, was a place used for various events and fests and feasts by the ancient kings and rulers of the Roman Empire.

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SANTORINI – OF ROMANTIC SUNSETS AND WHITE BEACHES The first name to strike one’s mind is that of Santorini as one thinks of islands in the Hellenic Republic which doesn’t come as a surprise considering it is one of the most beautiful and romantic islands in the Aegean Sea. Popular for its stunning scenic beauty for photographs, cruises and romantic dinners during sunset, Santorini is the most-visited island in Greece.

Often laid back and quiet, Santorini offers various archaeological sites to explore, a budding wine industry and villas with pools that clings the cliffs. Despite the volcanic eruption that created this picturesque island thousands of years ago, today it is sure to keep visitors relaxed and well rested.

• Buried deep due to the catastrophic eruption of 1613, the ancient city of the Minoans, excavated in 1967, is a phenomenal site that strongly retains a sense of antiquity and history. Guided tours would provide more comprehension to the tourists to know about each of the situations. • Literally translating to “gathering place”, Agora stays true to its etymology by acting as the focal point for administrative, political and various other happenings from ancient times till date. Birthplace of Socrates’ philosophies, Agora of Athens is a lively, crowded place with various monuments and a wonderful museum to keep you engaged throughout.

• Ammoudi is the colourful place filled with blood-red cliffs and multi-coloured boats for rides and also fishing. It is a hot walk that is 300-steps far down from Oia, but completely worth the sweat. The taverns provide amazing, local Greek food making it the right spot to lunch after a ride in blue waters.

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LIVE|Travel

MYKONOS –BUSTLING STREETS AND NIGHT LIFE The scene of the famous Greek mythological battle between Zeus and the Titans, Mykonos is the most-visited island in all of Greece, named after the grandson of Apollo, Mykon. A small town with very small population, Mykonos is popular among the tourists and has been booming with tourism since the 50s. With a bustling nightlife, crowded restaurants and bougainvillea trees dotting the buildings here and there, Mykonos is definitely worth the time. It walks a tightrope between competing ambiances and is very popular with backpackers. As you move outside the high-season streets, life is quiet, serene and dotted with beautiful white sand beaches.

• In the heart of the waterfront that has a well-maintained harbour, is the Little Venice, also known as Chora, quarter that is spectacular looking with glossy boutiques, churches, chic shops set in between the historical buildings.

• The island overlooks the iconic windmills that prove to be the landmark that you have reached Mykonos. These were until recently used to mill wheat and produce bread for the locals. Situated at a higher pedestal than the city itself, the windmills provide striking views of the Chora village and the harbour.

• One more stop to complete your visit to Mykonos would be at the Panagia Paraportiani, the most famous church comprising of small chapels. It’s usually locked and looks rock-like but its picturesque white-washed outlook makes it a place of mass attraction.

Greece or the Hellenic Republic, as it is popularly referred to, has Acropolises with Acmes towering over the islands, Agorae with a plethora of pretty things and chic shops selling indigenous Greek things. This place is definitely not anaemic to its ethos and dogmas. Enjoy the sun reflecting off the white-washed buildings as you walk around the genesis of the western ideologies as you know it, as you shout eureka having found the prettiest place with the most kudos in the history of the world.

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LIVE|What’s Brewing

THE CHEMIST, A BRAND-NEW NOVEL BY STEPHENIE MEYER The Chemist is a tautly plotted thriller about a fierce and fascinating new heroine, an ex-agent on the run from her former employers who must take one more case to clear her name and save her life.

In a statement, Meyer said: ‘The Chemist is the love child created from the union of my romantic sensibilities and my obsession with Jason Bourne /Aaron Cross. I very much enjoyed spending time with a different kind of action hero, one whose primary weapon isn’t a gun or a knife or bulging muscles, but rather her brain.’

Talking about the book, David Shelley, C.E.O of Little, Brown and Orion said: ‘We are extremely proud and excited to be publishing The Chemist – a brilliant thriller that holds you in its grip to the very last page. There’s a very good reason why Stephenie Meyer is one of the best-loved and most successful authors in the world. Her storytelling powers are legendary, and her characters are unforgettable. We can’t wait for publication in November.’

Land of Gold by Anoushka Shankar “Land of Gold” embraces electronics and cross-genre collaborations, and is Anoushka Shankar’s fervent response to the humanitarian trauma of displaced people fleeing conflict and poverty. Organised by her management company, Alchemist Marketing Solutions, this will be the artist’s 5th country-wide solo tour of India. Says Anujita Jain, CEO of Alchemist, “Apart from the music, Anoushka carefully curates the light and look for each stage performance, so that the audience truly has an immersive experience.

Published by Sameer Bharat Ram, and owned by SM BrandMuni Consulting Pvt. Ltd, Published from New No. 68 / Old No. 63, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600 086. Tel.: +91 44 4208 9392. Printed by NPT Offset Press Pvt Ltd., at New No.11, Old No. 77 & 78, Avvai Shanmugam salai, Royapettah, Chennai- 600 014.

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