February 2016

Contemplate. Create. Live.

FEB 2016

entertainment

DESIGNS FROM DISPOSITIONS QUIPS FROM ARCHITECT CHIRAAG KAPOOR

THE HANGAR AFFAIR

WITH FASHION DESIGNER SIDDHARTH SHASHANKAN

ARUNA SAIRAM

IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN

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 ‘Contemplate. 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

It’s a month of honour and inspiration for us at Brew. With Padma Shri Aruna Sairam featured on the cover, this issue resonates of soulful music, a legendary life and everything in between. Let inspiration take you over and draw you into a world of art and music as you flip through the pages of this edition. While the Contemplate section unravels the story of Nirangal, an organisation that fights for human rights on a crucial note, the Create section holds a story on Aditya Balani, a riveting musician on a lighter note. Futhermore, the Live section takes you on an intriguing read of Chiraag Kapoor, an exceptional architect. We also have a travelogue on Trincomalee to let you plan your holidays for summer, that’s just around the corner. With more stories on art, fashion and sport there’s plentiful to explore. Have a good read!

VIDHYA ANAND EDITOR

“Based on its tagline ‘Contemplate.

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 Tharani 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

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INTERNAL TEAM EDITOR Vidhya Anand SUB- EDITOR Sanjana Ganesh CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ajay Srikanth Prathiba Jayapaul Shreya Anand Sruthi Karthic MARKETING MANAGER Reesha N MARKETING EXECUTIVE Prashant Balaji DESIGN P Ramkumarnagarasan CIRCULATION Pradeep 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 Contemplate

10

ALL COLOURS OF THE SPECTRUM Fighting against all odds, Nirangal is an organisation that strives to uphold human rights

CREATE

14

ALL THAT JAZZ Meet Aditya Balani, a man of many musical trades

26

THE HANGAR AFFAIR Tete a Tete with the talented Siddharth Shashankan, a fashion designer in his own league

16

SAMSARA- AN AWAKENING An educative account of Fricke’s Samsara

34 INKED

20

Of a body art that drives many cultures

In conversation with the legendary Aruna Sairam

TRINCOMALEE

Entwining music and her soul

LIVE

30

CREATING CLASS Make-up Artist, Thusha Sri’s take on the industry, her passion and life

32

UNVEILING RAW ARCHITECTURE Read about an architect of conviction, truth and uniqueness - Chiraag Kapoor

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36

Read about a land of thriving ports and deep blue seas

41 PARIS

An insight on the city of love, for the Valentine month

50

WHAT’S NEW Brew unveils this month’s newest picks

CONTEMPLATE | Changemakers

ALL THE COLOURS OF

THE SPECTRUM When Louis Armstrong sang the lines “The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky” from the song ‘What A Wonderful World’, he may not have expected them to land on earth. Nirangal is an NGO that represents the muffled voices of marginalized communities in India. Their name meaning ‘colour’ in Tamizh, represents the various movements focusing on the right to freedom. The lives of several individuals are shadowed by societal structures and norms. With lofty aims to break the skewed understanding of politics over gender rights, this organization has worked on offering support to women, children and the LGBTQ community. Read on as all the colours of the world merge here to create this rainbow flag.

By Sanjana Ganesh

T

he second of February, 2016 may have been an uneventful day for many in India. However, the loud cheer of an unrecognized community was heard with vibrant celebration. A curative petition against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was referred to a constitution bench by the Supreme Court. Several organizations had strived day and night to reach a day where freewheeling discussions about the need to recognize the rights of the LGBTQ community took place. A team of relentless crusaders from the southern part of the country lent their booming voice during this mass movement.

With scepticism surrounding Nirangal’s every move, it is challenging to work in a conservative setup. The organization is thronged with calls ranging from need for legal counsel to escape from suicides.

Siva has worked on several cases where the preconditioned mind set of individuals have bogged down their spirit to live. It is impossible for those confused by their gender to fully express themselves. “How is it possible to evaluate a Lesbian woman on the same scale as us? Most of their adolescent life revolves around answering questions about their sexuality. It is inane to believe that things are changing quickly. This is only the first step” he says.

“We actually started by working at the Chennai office of an organization called Sangama.- I was handling their helpline. Even after the office’s operations were called off, I kept getting calls.

It was impossible to ignore the people who were in dire need, especially those in crisis situations, legal problems or in the custody of the police. Though it initially began loosely, we figured that an organization needed structure for funding purposes. That was when transwoman Sankari and I began Nirangal. We’ve had nearly ten years working with the LGBTQ community.” says Sivakumar, the co-founder of this organization. Their work encompasses all marginalized groups as their primary objective is the upholding of human rights.

Siva narrates chilling stories of transwomen and gay men being tied to chairs with chains. Some escape to tell their horrid tale while others are martyrs to the cause. The animosity towards a different gender is alarming. Even lawyers and politicians are not spared. “A female lawyer had helped a few lesbian woman and gay men with their legal proceedings. Her sexual orientation came under the radar. Member of Parliament Dr. Shashi Tharoor was also not spared when he introduced the bill regarding decriminalization of gay rights in India” says a perturbed Sivakumar. He has understood the ways of the world but has chosen to fight against the unjust. Having been behind Chennai’s first gay pride march, he and his team are hoping to work on effective sensitization programs and workshops.

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www. nirangal.org.in

“Siva narrates chilling stories of transwomen and gay men being tied to chairs with chains. Some escape to tell their horrid tale while others are martyrs to the cause. The animosity towards a different gender is alarming”

Siva fails to understand how people are aloof about this important issue. He believes that passive voices of citizens in turn affect them as most supposed heterosexual marriages end in abuse or divorce. This breaks the dream of a ‘perfect household’. Being ‘gay’ continues to be an abusive term. Declaration of being gay leads to the questioning of their sexual activities. This intrusive behaviour provides fodder for many more violent attacks on innocent lives. The plague of patriarchy prevents people from coming out of the closet. A very small percentage of transmen have openly claimed to be so in the southern part of India, he says.

A diverse set of people have continued to work despite the blood, sweat and tears. Siva pawned his wife’s jewellery during the first two years to get Nirangal up and running. The organization primarily works on funding and has recently received a small grant. They hope that it soon doubles and work can resume in full swing.

Nirangal protests against all violations of human rights. They conduct workshops for to sensitize people and host marches. They guide the LGBTQ community when all and sundry forms of help such as police permission, shelter and counselling are necessary. When asked how a layperson can help, he talks about the necessity for awareness and the need for support during their rallies. “We are still looking for a voice on social media as that seems to be catching on these days. I hope we get on that soon enough.” he says as he laughs.

The colours of the rainbow did indeed land on earth in the form of Nirangal.

For more information visit http://nirangal.org.in/en/about-nirangal/

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Create | Arts Galore

ALL THAT

JAZZ

Aditya Balani is an exciting musician. A Berklee educated guitarist, his latest EP Constants and Variables features great arrangements, tasteful solos and lush electronic elements. Ajay Srikanth finds out what makes him tick.

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A

ditya wears many caps. His different roles as a jazz guitarist, indie musician, singer-songwriter and even teacher have somehow lead to a cohesive musician, whose playing is recognizable from a handful of notes.

He says about his upbringing, “Both my parents love music and we had music playing quite often, various genres like Hindustani Classical, Film music, Pop and Rock as well. I grew up in a musical environment. I had this little keyboard which I used to fiddle around with and play film song melodies by ear, but somehow I didn’t take any formal lessons. Much later in high school, I started playing guitar and felt really inspired to take it up seriously.”

Ask him why he plays the guitar and he says “I’m not really sure, but I remember hearing an Eagles song which had the acoustic guitar and just imagined that I’ll pick up the guitar and be able to play it right away. But sadly it wasn’t the case! One of my uncles had a guitar lying around his house so I borrowed it to try my hand at it. I really loved the sound of both the acoustic and electric guitar; I think that drew me to the instrument.”

Aditya applied to Berklee straight out of high school. Most people don’t decide to become a professional at that age, and he wasn’t all that different. “I wasn’t really planning on applying. In fact I didn’t even know about Berklee when I graduated from high school. I was looking at colleges for Computer Science as I was really into programming.” He stumbled onto a Berklee catalog, and realized that studying music was a viable option. “...it really resonated with me. I hadn’t had any formal training in music and I wanted to study more about composition, harmony, develop my ear and guitar playing as well.”

He says about his time at Berklee, “It was a very enriching experience. I was surrounded by music and musicians all the time, so it was quite inspiring. Being close to New York was an advantage. I would take a bus sometimes to hear an artist or band play and take an overnight bus back to Boston. That way I saw some really amazing artists who at that time were coming up but now are quite well known.”

His upbringing exposed him to a lot of Hindustani, and this is evident in his song writing. One example is Quicksand, off his debut album Answers. An instrumental, Quicksand features some masterful fretless guitar playing. “I’m a huge fan of Hindustani music and have been so from a very early age. So while I was listening to the Beatles and Eagles, I was also listening to Nikhil Banerjee and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.” He draws comparison between the improvisational aspects of other genres like jazz.” My earlier work with bands like Incognito and Advaita also featured Hindustani music. I also work with artists like Shubha Mudgal Ji. Hindustani music has been an integral part of my musical journey.”

From his debut, ‘Answers’ to his latest release ‘Constants and Variables’¸ Aditya has covered a lot of musical ground. Ask him what prompted this change, and he says “I wouldn’t really say it’s a shift in genre, because all these styles have been part of my musical vocabulary over the years. What I can express with a song with lyrics is very different from an instrumental piece focusing more on improvisation, or another piece where there is a heavy influence of Hindustani music. In a way it is freeing to move seamlessly past these boundaries because it’s all coming from me and it’s not geared towards sounding a particular way.

As a writer/composer I wouldn’t want to feel restricted in any way as it would definitely affect my creative expression.”

While ‘Answers’ featured instrumentals, ‘Constants and Variables’ has vocal tracks on all the songs. He says he just sits with a guitar and writes melodies and lyrics. Ideas come from everywhere, even the electronic music he creates. “The next stage is to arrange more parts for other instruments and try it out with the live band.

That gives me a good idea of how to produce the song as a final product.”

He started the Global Music Institute with his brother Tarun in 2011. He says that the idea for the school stemmed from the fact that the both of them struggled to find good music education while they were growing up. “However both of us started teaching very early in our musical careers and over the years developed a network of students. Once we moved to India after graduating from Berklee, we organised our teaching into a more formal setting, says Aditya” GMI now runs a semester system incorporating some of the core Berklee curriculum in addition to their own system of pedagogy. They plan to move to a new two acre campus soon.

Every musician is shaped by his influences. Aditya lists a varied set of musicians, and this is also visible in his songs. He states Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Sting, Death Cab for Cutie, Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Rashid Khan as some of his major influences.

Ask him about his touring experiences and he says “In early 2014 we were invited to go to Scotland and do a live performance for a TV show on BBC as Adi & Suhail and we decided to do a new song.

I remember arranging the song on my computer during the flight and we went straight to the recording session and improvised quite a bit on the spot! That was a lot fun. Another place I really enjoyed performing was Leh. It was interesting to perform at such a high altitude and we had a wonderful view of the mountains while on stage.”

This is what he thinks of the current indie/jazz scene in India.

“I feel that the jazz scene in India caters to a very niche and specific audience. There are a few annual festivals and cities like Delhi and Bangalore have venues that support and promote jazz.

The indie scene has a bigger audience and I see it growing steadily as well. It is however still at a nascent stage and not a very organised industry. I do feel there is a bright future for both, however majority of the audience is for bollywood. I have nothing against that but when more and more people look out to expand their musical tastes, then there will be room for these alternative styles to grow as well.”

Ask him what he’d like an aspiring musician to know and he says “It is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding to be a professional musician but at the same time highly rewarding. Be prepared to work hard and if you expect to be treated professionally be professional first.”

As for the future, Aditya is writing new material and has plans to shoot a few music videos. He also plans to play in a few festivals.

Either way, it’s exciting times ahead.

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Image Courtesy : Mohit Kapil

Create | Cine Binge

WHAT EDITORS CAN LEARN FROM

RON FRICKE’S SAMSARA

R

on Fricke’s documentary trilogy has left most viewers in awe.

That previous sentence shouldn’t surprise you unless you are a troglodyte and/or because you haven’t seen his films.

All three films – Chronos, Baraka and Samsara – are beautifully photographed (beautiful sometimes doesn’t do justice to the shots in these films). Every time I watch any of the films in his trilogy I’m left with a feeling of ceaseless wonder.

Whilst Baraka pips the other two to the title of personal favourite, I feel that Samsara has more to offer a budding filmmaker and an editor, specifically. To back this up, I would argue that the storytelling in Samsara is superior to that of the other two. This does not mean that the other two films have no storyline; it just means that Samsara’s visuals often (but not always) progress in a fairly seamless pattern.

With this article, we highlight those areas and techniques that are used in the film that editors and filmmakers can adapt as required.

The attempt is to essentially trying to break down what it is that we can learn from Samsara, other than how to photograph even garbage and trash in the most beautiful fashion.

So what can editors learn from Samsara?

Rule of Threes

in their own assembly line. This is an example of how the filmmakers have used the Rule of Threes to move between scenes within a sequence.

To see how the filmmakers use the Rule of Threes to move between two completely different sequences, we need to go back a little.

This specific sequence begins with a scene of workers entering a factory. The rule of threes is adhered to as the next scene is the workers assembling irons in the factory. From this assembly line, the film moves to an assembly line (of sorts) of a salvage yard and cars being wrecked. Again, the next scene conforms to the rule of threes because it shows an assembly line at an electronic waste recycling plant. It is from here that the scene moves to an assembly of a food processing plant making dim sums. And it is from there that the filmmakers choose to go the next sequence which begins with the aforementioned chicken shot.

What about the sequence that began with the chicken shot? Well, that sequence ends with a shot of an obese man preparing for bariatric surgery. Where does that shot go to? Again, in accordance with the Rule of Threes, the shot progresses to a shot of a surgeon performing plastic surgery. From there the shot goes to plastic sex dolls, which goes to the next small sequence detailing the other excess Fricke wants to highlight – sex.

These two jumps highlight how the filmmaker has transitioned between two completely unrelated sequences without causing any In Samsara, there are specific sequences where every shot is sort of mental jerk on the viewer. And all this is thanks to the Rule intricately connected to the previous and the next. This follows true of Threes, which, if you think about it, is little more than common for every scene and every sequence as well. The film editor Norman sense!

Hollyn calls this the Rule of Threes. Fricke uses this technique brilliantly to move within one scene of a sequence to the next scene of the same sequence and also to move between one sequence and the next, that he uses it to move from one shot to the next is a dead given.

Let’s take a look at the food sequence in the film. At about one minute into this clip, there is a shot of chickens being herded to be slaughtered. The next two or three shots continue in the same vein and then we jump to a scene of a food processing plant where the assembly line deals with poultry. Again the next few shots deal with the assembly line of the poultry processing unit before it cuts to the scene where cows are being milked in what can vaguely be called an assembly line. First scene: chicken being herded, second scene: the assembly line of poultry processing, third scene: cows being milked

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Visual Storytelling

two shots. The classic example is that of a shot of an expression of a man followed by a shot of a bowl of soup. The meaning that viewers will derive is that the man is hungry. Put the same shot before the Being an audio-visual medium, how do you ‘show’ your story or shot of a young girl, viewers will interpret that the man is feeling your character’s history is more important than how you ‘tell’ it.

Some good examples from contemporary films include Spike Jonze’s lust. And so on.

‘Her’. Joaquin Phoenix’s love story with Rooney Mara is shown in The food sequence that I highlighted earlier is another classic bits when he is talking about her. The bits that are shown from their example of the Kuleshov effect. It goes from showing food, affair do not necessarily relate directly to what he is saying, but it processed food, supermarkets to an obese man in the surgeon’s helps the audience understand the nature of their relationship. He office. It is unlikely that any viewer will interpret anything other doesn’t go on a long monologue to explain specific instances of fun than gluttony from the specific juxtaposition of those shots. that he had with Mara’s character, but we are still privy to the times Similarly, in another beautiful sequence of the film – the weapons of their relationship that he cherishes. sequences, we see bullets being manufactured and then it cuts to a Samsara typifies this sort of filmmaking because of the way that shot of a scarred war veteran standing in front of a line of graves at the subject is treated. The very fact that the filmmakers choose a what is most likely Arlington Cemetery. This is a powerful way to get non-verbal form of audio-visual communication necessitates the the viewer to relate to what it is that the filmmaker wants to say. use of the oft-heard theory of “show, not tell”.

The above could be one of the reasons why some critics find Samsara heavy handed when compared to Baraka and Chronos.

What it is that Fricke is showing us sometimes come off as preachy.

Take the above three sequences that I referred to: the sequences are clearly Fricke’s take on the excesses of man and what the consequences of these excesses are. This is different from Baraka wherein Fricke just seems to be showing us what it is that he points his camera at – without telling us what he thinks of what he is filming.

In Conclusion

Kuleshov Effect

To fully understand Samsara, of course, we will have to hear directly from the horse’s mouth, and until that becomes possible, I hope everyone will make do with my humble analysis.

The Kuleshov effect is a phenomenon which illustrates the feelings that can be evoked within a viewer by the simple juxtaposition of

All three of these films are master classes for any filmmaker or editor, and they are most certainly more than that for cinematographers. It just seems that with Baraka, Fricke mastered the art of photographing things in the most poignant manner.

And then it seems that with Samsara, Fricke manages to put these exquisite shots into a story much better than he did with his other two films.

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- www.longlivecinema.com

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Live | Zeroed In

ENTWINING MUSIC AND

HER

SOUL With vocals that have mastered everything from the highest pinnacles to fathomless crevasses, Padma Shri Aruna Sairam is an exemplary woman in a league of her own. Despite her myriad accomplishments, she holds close an aura of humbleness that directly reflects the purest form of an artist.

By Vidhya Anand

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Live | Zeroed In

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onsidered as the Music Ambassador of the country, and having been elected as Vice Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national institution for music, drama and dance, Aruna has succeeded in placing Indian music on the global pedestal. She remains rooted to tradition, yet surpasses cultural conventions during her interaction with many international musicians through her music. She holds to her credit multitudes of South Indian classical music repertoire that include varying classical, semi-classical and genres in many languages. As a living testament to the fact that music is the truest form of human expression, Aruna Sairam talks about life and its experiences that have made her the person she is today.

THE RISE Hailing from a family that nourished her with the all possible forms of love for music, Aruna grew up as a child gladly embracing the same. Her mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman was her first teacher in Carnatic music and her father Shri Sethuraman was a music connoisseur. “As a young girl growing up in Bombay, I will tell you about what gave rise to my love for music at such a young age.

Being a part of a family that held a deep love for the notes has been the starting point for bringing me here today. My mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman was my first teacher. So, by the time I turned ten, I well-taught and aware of the knowledge passed on by my mother,” she says. When asked about her father, who played a role just as important for Aruna’s success today, she adds, “My father being a music connoisseur I was often gratefully exposed to an environment that resonated of great music and legends who create them. I still remember that we were an adobe to big music legends in the likes of M.S Subhalakshmi back in the days. If any of them were to visit Mumbai, our home was home to them. You can imagine a humble, middle class home seeing the presence of such great people. My father hosted many such musicians, from Southern India then. That atmosphere, which I grew up in, was fundamental to where I am. I realised that I was very fond of such a life, the people and the aura they brought home.” A planned start may not be everything an artist needs, but one that inspires definitely is. Aruna’s commencement as a vocalist, indulgence in Carnatic music repertoire as a young girl and the global reverence she holds today is proof to that statement.

“You can imagine a humble, middle class home seeing the presence of such great people”

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Live | Zeroed In

She exhibited prodigious talent for music as a child. Her first gold medal at the Shanmukhananda Sabha Competition at the age of eight, her first concert at the Rama Navami festival at the age of fourteen among other achievements fail to extract her humbleness.

In accordance to that she says, “It was only much later that I got recognised and famed for my music, not as a child, although I did win competitions and perform. At that early stage in life, I did not believe that I would be able to do concerts.” However, at twenty one, Aruna won the Best Young Musician Award during the annual conference that took place at the Music Academy in Chennai.

In time, Aruna began being recognised as a musician of great significance and thereby the birth of one of the most cherished musicians of this era.

MUSICAL VIRTUES Speaking more about life, music and everything in between, Aruna opens up about the values that have shaped her. As an artist, she draws her inspirations and morals from experiences and the people in her life. For Aruna, this comes off as a beautiful melange from her teachers and friends alike. One such was from the great maestro Utsad Zakir Hussain. “I met him recently and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me quoting this. During our conversation, he spoke of an incident from his childhood. He, as everyone knows, was a child prodigy. So, one day, after having indulged in one of his performances, a person approached his father. As you know his father was the legendary Alla Rakhaji. So, what happened was, this person, his father’s friend praised Zakir, and complimented him for his talents by saying he was like his father. For which Alla Rakhaji said that he wishes Zakir does not play like him but finds his own path. As a teacher he would not want him to be an imitation of him as he didn’t want that.” While that might be blatant to a lot of people, Aruna explains why there is beauty in it as Zakir did, “That is the power and essence of a true guru. There’s immense meaning behind that statement. A great guru would never want to limit your growth and learning. The spirit lies in letting a student surpass the guru so they build a skillset of their own. I have had gurus who have done the same things for me. My Guru Sangeeta Kalanidhi T.Brinda gave me exactly that. She has never constrained my learning, only let me explore.” Learning and absorbing the ethos of musical virtues from her teachers, according to Aruna is in direct relation to her character today. Some of her other revered gurus include KS Narayanaswamy, Professor T R Subramanyam, German voice maestro Professor Eugene Rabine, Dr. Balamurali Krishna and New York based, voice teacher David Jones.

“The spirit lies in letting a student surpass the guru so they build a skillset of their own”

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Live | Zeroed In

OF ETERNAL BONDS No amount of understanding will suffice in answering the question ‘What makes a legend?’ and yet, the yearning to fathom it will never be quenched. In correspondence to that, Aruna tries to explain further about what made her the legend she is today without letting herself out of the humble aura. “There’s a happening to share from sometime around the mid 90’s, after I rose to fame, I was known and credited as a serious Carnatic singer and musician. This was a time I remember very well. I would perform, get back from the performance and feel unsatisfied with it. Somehow, as much as I knew I did my best, there was no connection with the audience. And that was leaving me feeling not so satisfied, as an artist. That’s when I took reference to a Jazz singer. This is a short narrative, or a moment in her life that I always keep in my thoughts. Just like myself, this singer, felt unsatisfied after her performance, the reason being the missing connect with the audience. It was a point in her career where she was just starting to rise. So post the performance, she comes to the green room fidgeting and worrying about the same.

Fortunately for her, a well-established, top notch singer gets inside the room to enquire about what was wrong. Upon hearing her grieving, there was only one thing that the celebrity singer had to say. The singer said something on these lines, ‘If you did not have the mind set of going out there, singing and connecting with your audience as you perform; in the sense, if you did not prepare yourself to go to that place, the place the audience stay, the place they are familiar with, the place they come from and rather expected them to come here and connect with you as you just perform, that is not going to work!’ And that taught me a lot. Connecting with your audience creates emotions. I learnt how to build that connection, and make them relate to me, from this incident. So once the connection is established, you will be doing the same performances, but the emotion that emerges and ties you with them is different, it’s amazing as you reach out to them every single time.” One couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful articulation of words to bring to life, the eternal bond an artist creates with the audience. With a happy vibe that is contagious, Aruna also adds, “That’s the thing about Carnatic music. Its soulful music, the notes, the thoughts and the emotions that it lets you feel is divine.”

RIPPLES OF PHILANTHROPY Aruna’s life has enclosed within, another dimension of who she really is. She expends her energy in more than just creating music and mastering it. She holds a humane touch to her character that evolves everyday through her philanthropic work. The Nadayogam Trust, is an organisation that nurtures young musicians by offering them opportunities, enables their teaching from senior gurus and creates a space for underprivileged children in the classic music realm. Furthermore, the trust also devotes itself with in-depth research in music. Aruna has also donated proceeds from her concerts and sale of her records to various charitable causes such as cancer hospitals and to rehabilitate families of musicians who have passed away. She has performed for underprivileged children in orphanages in India and Malaysia.

Her altruism also extended during the recent floods that hit Tamil Nadu. All of earnings from the December Music Season were sent to a few organisations such as AID India to lend a helping hand.

ON A CONCLUDING NOTE After perhaps, one of the happiest conversations that reveal dispositions, Aruna was subjected one more transient question that eats away every artist’s mind. What is true art? One that the masses enjoy that makes it a commercial hit, or one that just quietly screams of its magnificence. Laughing lightly, she says, “You would know won’t, you? True art is one that stands the test of time.”

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Live | Wardrobe Manifestation

The Hangar Affair!

Siddharth Shashankan, a 2007, Raffles Design, Singapore graduate is a fashion designer so in sync with the most accurate balance between tasteful fashion and mind tickling art. Read on as he opens up about life and fashion, as he knows it in a conversation with Sruthi Karthic

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S

ometimes I wonder if things, like the saying ‘All good things must come to an end’, eventually devolve after reaching a saturation point with evolution. Fashion, in my mind, is closing in on entering this disappointing club of devolutions. Gone are the days when clothes were an art.

Today, everyone is a fashion designer, everyone has a clothing line or a fancy on-call tailor and they declare themselves a connoisseur of fashion. What happened to the art? Why do we always cause a displacement of authenticity? We have forgotten about the artistic treasure that is fashion and we blindly waddle behind the rest of the blind, notoriously expensive, fashion brand retail store shoppers. Amongst all this fast fashion chaos however, I found one of the most creatively sound and technically well quipped fashion designers. His clothes are not only beautiful, they are precisely finished, well deliberated creations; each piece is specific.

Siddharth is all about the art of Fashion. He is a Chennai based designer, graduated from Raffles Design Institute, Singapore in 2007 with a degree in Fashion Design (Northumbria University, UK). Siddharth launched Hangar Atelier in the October of 2009.

Do you believe academic qualification is a must need for a fashion designer?

A lot of people don’t realize that there is a science to design.

With a basic aesthetic sense one can match colours and patterns, but to know the process behind the creation of a certain silhouette or a new silhouette, one must be aware of the technicalities behind them. There is a lot of science behind how a fabric drapes or how a particular structure can be created. Details, as small as the difference, between two-ply thread and or a three-ply thread make are important for a designer’s creations.

How did you find your way to becoming a fashion designer?

Well, it was a complete accident; all I knew was that I loved to shop! I first applied to the Interior Design course at Raffles but I realised I’d rather study a subject I had no clue about and chose fashion. I started at the bottom of the class but by the

What inspires your designs?

I believe inspiration can be found anywhere. I feel silhouettes and concepts can be found hiding in the shadows if only we looked carefully enough. I am not one to, on a whim, decide that I am going to go into my creative space and create a fixed number of designs in a short, precisely planned deadline. It takes me quite a while to come up with a collection. I find inspiration in everything from Machines to the Mughals.

My latest collection was an amalgamation of nature and art while the one that preceded it was inspired by superheroes. I believe my strengths lie in my stubbornness for intricacy and subtlety.

Why have you stayed away from the commercial front of our fashion Industry? (laughs) You are going to make me upset a lot of people!

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Give us the most diplomatic answer you can.

See, I believe in constantly evolving, as a result of which I prefer working with people who are constantly evolving as well. If your work is good I will work with you once but only if you are constantly evolving will I work with you again.

Furthermore, quality and standard of my products are of utmost importance to me and I believe in celebrating my work with the people I showcase them to. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I believe in my art, and I do find it more rewarding when my work is understood and appreciated as art and not just clothes.

Where do you plan to go with your designs and brand?

Right now I have two brands. Hangar, which is the high end brand and it is mostly custom orders, while Clipse is the ready-to-wear, diffusion line which is on the lower price range comparatively. However, it is not subjected to compromise in terms of design or quality. We manage financial margins by avoiding pure fabrics and the sorts. In terms of where from here, I am contemplating on a new brand that will be marketed completely abroad. It is in the early stages of discussion so I cannot reveal too much right now, but if it takes off I will be closing down Clipse. In terms of Hangar, I have a lot of wedding orders, in fact I am currently working on a high profile wedding and a few more lined up all the way to the month of May. Hangar assures me a lot of creative room and a steady financial inflow but as an artist I also like to concentrate on purely art inspired pieces. Currently I am working on a line for a very creative shoot. The new collection is, however, my sole focus.

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Live | Spruced Up

INTO THE

GLAM There is always a thin line of difference between creating beauty and enhancing it. Makeup artist Thusha Sri has found the knack of doing both.

She opens up about her joys, challenges and love for the world of fashion and the art behind it in a conversation with Vidhya Anand.

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F

rom Chennai to Milan, Thusha has learnt that the power of versatility is what drives a makeup artist.

Allow her to walk into a room full of models at one of the fashion capitals, or into a humble bride’s adobe, she can personify beauty with her simple brush strokes just the same.

Once Thusha establishes that great skill comes from adaptability, she moves on to talk about the plight of makeup artists in the city, before giving further insights about her life. “Make up isn’t given much importance here, and I think that is very wrong. Makeup artists are artists too. They make a person look beautiful! That is reason enough to respect them.” Having lived most of her life in Norway, Thusha explains how different the fashion scene back there is. “It’s a whole new vibe. They respect make-up artists immensely. I have worked in India and I receive the respect a makeup artist needs, because I’m from Europe!” Delving deeper into the general perception of people here, she adds, “Makeup artists work for people, say, actors to make them look beautiful.

So when it comes to that, a make-up artist can make you look nice. But, if they choose to work from the bottom of their heart, they can make you look stunning. And that makes all the difference.”

WHEN DREAMS MEET REALITY Like many success stories, Thusha’s found initiation as a five year old. “I should say my interest for this career started off as a child. When I was a five year old, my dad used to buy makeup kits and I would adorn them excitedly. My mom always knew this is how I am, but we never really thought it would become my choice of career.

As a fifteen year old, I started involving myself in doing make up for people, and yes it wasn’t professional.

Following this, I took up a makeup course at seven in Sri Lanka and subsequently found myself taking L’Oreal’s course. During this, I figured my interests lie with makeup, more than hair styling. Trust me they are two completely different areas of work.” As a young girl, Thusha involved herself in some form or the other in expressing the art, until the real deal came along. “I always considered and worked as a makeup artist here and there. However when it came to a career choice, I chose otherwise. I was not a professional yet,” she says.

And that established the fact that the little spark of interest she held as a toddler, had brought her all the way to where she stands today.

LIKE THE RISING SUN You know you love doing something when you wake up at five in the morning and run lightly on your feet, dispatching a lot of work to do. Thusha agrees, “That’s how it is, when I go say, for a bridal makeup so early. You will forget how tired you are and about how much work there is to be done. That there, is love for the work you do. That’s how you keep the creativity flowing.” Realising that love, helped Thusha land up at the Milan and London Fashion Weeks.

DRAWING INSPIRATION Taking Inspiration from Classic Periods, Pop Culture and Fashion Runways, Thusha weaves the essence of each to enhance and add magic to the vision of her clients with techniques like ‘Corrective Camouflaging’, ‘Catwalk Make-Up,’ ‘Air Brush Makeup’ and ‘Smokey Eyes.’ “There are a lot of variations in makeup and I enjoy fashion makeup. It draws me in. It works differently and it’s fun.

This is because there are always different kinds of models with different skin types such as Asian, African, and European. So, make up has to be customised to suit each skin type,” says Thusha when asked about the nuances of her work.

FASHION WEEK EXPERIENCE “At first, I was nervous even for the littlest of details, such as the things I carried, the timing I needed to keep up for work. Everything is new the first time you to something. It is important to work on the right look for the right modes. And their looks are all pre-determined.

We need to work around that. All makeup artists have to bring out similar results in a given time, and that is challenging. We wouldn’t know the models prior to working on them either. But, gradually, once you finish the makeup, there is so much to look at and enjoy. It’s beautiful. I attended the 2015 May Milan FW and June London FW. I have also worked on Anirudh Ravichander’s Malaysian concert and that was quite an experience,” she smiles.

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LIVE | Lifespaces

DESIGNS FROM

DISPOSITIONS Having been through the strains of time, architecture stands undaunted not just as art for visual revelation, but as art with utility. Skilled architects are those who carry with them the envious attribute of forging buildings that will be raved about for eternity. Chiraag Kapoor is one such architect, who embraces some admirable principles to live by.

By Vidhya Anand

A

s Ayn Rand rightly said, ‘A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.’

Chiraag’s persona is a testament to this statement. With an end in mind to fabricate projects that reflect his client’s characteristics, he has a lot to speak about as an architect in his own terms.

Tell us about ‘Chiraag Kapoor Architects,’ your beliefs, experiences and journey so far as an architect.

When I started my design firm, straight out of Architecture College, I was so pre occupied with the complex steps between design conceptualising, client interaction, tendering, project management and meeting deadlines that, there seemed to be no break in the flow of events so as to actually document our work.

We had completed a fair number of S, M, L and XL sized projects with absolutely no Kodak moments.

Hoping to do something about this, I asked my studio to document, a select, few of our interior architecture projects between 2010 and 2012. We had done a couple of interesting projects where we used really cool Art Photography by Prateek Singhi, who we commissioned to do the visualization and photography. I have chosen projects, where design adaptability to our client’s personality is reflected and which also reflect a broad spectrum in terms of colour, styling and architectural contexts.

A design connoisseur may feel or see our styling palette as very diverse, we however as a design firm, when designing for an individual, especially in residential designs consciously and may be even compulsorily try and mirror the client’s personality into the design outcome. If we were to design all our projects with my personal design aspirations and which reflect only my personality I was sure all my work would look the same, and that was FEB 2016 | Brew entertainment | 32

something we consciously wanted to avoid; and I think we have achieved. Interpreting the client’s aspirations and sensibilities in my own aesthetic way is my approach to Residential Architecture and Design. In our designs, if someone were to say this looks like his work I would definitely not take it as a compliment; but if one says it feels like his work, that’s a job well completed. That said I treat a corporate, retail or hospitality project differently. It’s my way or the highway. A lot of big commissions were lost by this attitude of my studio, but in the interest of the project.

may seem obtuse but I do not hesitate in telling a patron that he is not my client, his project is.

Commercial Architecture would be the topic of my next publication but now this is to focus on some private designs and on the board projects. Hopefully it would make interesting viewing to the student of architecture and more importantly to an aspiring home owner.

Today it seems like green and sustainable architecture is all about rating stars, I personally feel that when we are comfortable physically, intellectually and financially in a designed environment, the environment is green. In simple words, if a physically challenged person is able to move in an environment with ease, it’s green. If you are mentally at peace and feel good in a space, it’s green. If the architecture saves money you spend on your energy bills, it’s green.

Have you read ‘The Fountainhead?’ If so, what is your take on it as a work of fiction from an architect’s perspective? Did it inspire or teach you anything as an architect?

What is your take on minimalist architecture?

Less is more, more is a bore. The debate goes on. To be original is what is important.

As a signature architect, are you concerned about environmental sustainability in your buildings? If so, what role and how significant is green building in your work on practical grounds?

Of course! Ayn Rand’s objectivism is a fantastic starting block for any design professional. I read Rand’s ‘Anthem’ when I was ten, and I still turn to it when I am in doubt. I enjoyed ‘The Fountainhead’ and ‘Atlas Shrugged’ a little later. Today I suggest these as reading material to architects who join my firm. I also suggest them to my clients, to try and bring them to an iconoclastic frame of approach to their projects.

Do you remember the house you grew up in? Did it inspire you? What or who is your source of inspiration?

What is your signature style? How would you describe it?

What is your end in mind? With all said and done, and a good life lived at some point, what would you want to be remembered for?

Today everybody wants what their peer group has. They want a better version of what so and so has, or what they saw on their last travel. If a project can reflect my client’s individual personalities and traits originally, that’s my signature style. It

I can actually draw out the floor plans, out of memory of the home I lived in when I was a kid of four. As a scout, mapping was my forte. Travel is what inspires me. Unfortunately I don’t get time to travel. It’s something I need to do to recharge myself intellectually.

That’s something I’d like to answer fifty years hence, when I am at my peak. A creative mind never ages.

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LIVE | Aesthete Haven

INKED

Tattoos that people get on their bodies, can say so much more about them than they could themselves ever explain. They are like stories in your heart, crafted on your skin. For serious tattoo getters, their body is like their personal journal. For the lives they lived, for the dreams they’ve dreamt, the memories they’ve made and the checkpoints they’ve reached, their body to them is like a blank canvas to store them all.

By Shreya Anand Filling an empty space with beauty of any sorts.

That’s what art is.

Mr. Mithran, tattooist and owner of Mitz Ink Tattoo studio, Chennai, says he feels sorry for the group that do not appreciate tattoo as an art. For him, Tattoos are the only assets that a person takes along For centuries now, from the time art as a form was made known, it with himself forever. He loves to do what he does, for he feels a has evolved invariably and can be seen in various facets of our lives. sense of belonging with every client with whom he leaves a part of Art is all pervasive, produced and spread in the form of visuals, himself in the tattoos he creates for them. For Mr. Sekhar, tattooist sound, written scripts or any form at all for that matter. at Yantra tattoos, Chennai, this profession gave him all that a system manager post couldn’t give him. He loves to see the joy and “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”, said satisfaction at the face of his clients and couldn’t find a job more Pablo Picasso. pleasant.

Tattooing as an art is a recent but lavishing form which has come to gain its popularity amongst people. At the very beginning, tattoos were used as a means of identification, of the accused and of the nature of their crimes. But well, times change! And with that, so has the essence of tattoos. From being called a way of expressing oneself, to being bluntly called a ‘scar’, tattoos are vulnerable to opinions that are of opposite poles.

Tattoos that people get on their bodies, sometimes, can say so much more about them than they could themselves ever explain.

They are like stories in your heart, crafted on your skin. For serious tattoo getters, their body is like their personal journal. For the lives they lived, for the dreams they’ve dreamt, the memories they’ve made and the checkpoints they’ve reached, their body to them is like a blank canvas to store them all.

Every coin has two sides, and so do the notions people hold about tattooing. Very often, people with tattoos are considered like a sheep following the herd, called rebels or are projected to irrational questions like, ‘Do you regret it at least now?’, or ‘What would you do when you get older and your skin wrinkles?’. Everything said and done, you cannot escape the beauty of the littlest tattoo, which can make you wonder about its meaning & brings to your mind a gush of questions. As rightly as V.Vale says, ‘A tattoo is a poetic creation and is always more than meets the eye’.

From being a mark forcibly added onto one’s body to being known a civilized form of art in modern times, Tattooing and its essence has come a long way at being accepted and respected for what it is!

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LIVE | Glimpses Within

OF THRIVING PORTS AND

DEEP BLUE SEAS

Waves of colonisation, alluring deep-water ports and a riveting conglomeration of people wouldn’t suffice in bringing Trincomalee to life through the power of words.

With a city that resonates of a melange of fragrances and feelings, be rest assured to be left at awe and serenity.

By Sameer Bharat Ram

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Travelling to the East of Srilanka has for long been a subconscious dream. It seems to have found initiation way back in the days as a school kid.

Trincomalee, always intrigued me in an unexplainable way and luckily there came to be a classmate who hailed from the very city. As far as beliefs go, it was probably a mystic connection shared between us since our past lives.

With all those thoughts and memories in mind that compelled beyond control, a travel plan to Trincomalee took root. With flight tickets booked and having come across an interesting property by the cove, just off Uppuveli beach called Amaranthe Bay, gave way to the perfect itinerary. Thanks to the resort’s General Manager Sritharan Ramanadhan, hospitality was in abundance. Excitement, dreams and desires, then waited to be satiated.

OF TRAVEL AND SOJOURN Taking a flight to Colombo would take less than an hour from the city of Chennai. From the airport, taking a road trip all the way to Trincomalee would be a smart choice for the six hour long drive is picturesque. You can also save yourself from the expensive airfares from Colombo with not much flight plying. Although there are a few overnight trains you can choose to travel in, roads remain the best pick.

Choosing a resort by the bay is highly recommended if you wish to breathe in Trincomalee in its rawest form. Amaranthe Bay happened to be that much-needed adobe for us, with warm welcomes, fresh towels and refreshing fruit drinks. To add to my joy, Sritharan, in a conversation revealed that he was a veteran with over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with brands like Aitken Spence. And that was reason enough to believe that the stay was going to be beyond memorable.

Amaranthe Bay offers you luxurious suites that do not skimp on their size. If you enjoy massive spaces, Amaranthe offers the biggest rooms in that area.

When it tapers down to the view, this resort allures you with one, of the meandering Pilaikulam Aru. While all of that sinks in, and satiation of your desires pick pace, you can go out for a candle lit dinner under the gaze of the stars by the river, like we did. Anticipation of what the itinerary holds for us the next day took root and kept us exhilarated.

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IN TUNE WITH NATURE Commencing the day with a warm greeting from the Executive Chef Balasooriya who spoke about the F&B outlets at the resort was highly informative. His take on how he wants to position the resort as a sea food speciality space and offering a guided trip to the local fish market the following day was too good a start. If you have a three to four day trip planned at Trincomalee, giving yourself some time off to meet in-resort people and relaxing by the pool side is the ideal way to kick off the holiday. Abiding by that, there sat a well-stocked bar inclusive of the local Lankan favourite ‘Lion.’

Day two initiated with a drive to the local fish market and the rest of the town with the Chef and Priyantha, who efficiently set up resort operations. Travelling to Trincomalee, you are bound not to miss the sunrise at one of the most strategically located natural harbours in the world. You can also head to the sea to Pigeon Islands or get a view of the historical Koneswaram temple. If you are lucky enough, you will manage to get a glimpse of a few sharks as well. The Sea is a bit choppy in January; however it can be safe to venture deep into it. Beholding surreal sunsets over Pillaikulam Aru is another must do.

Having managed to spot at least five different species of migratory birds, was reason enough to love Trincomalee just a little more than we already did.

OF DELECTABLE PALATES Trincomalee without doubt is a food-lovers haven. After sufficient sea ventures, shopping and sightseeing, sitting back with some scrumptious delicacies will complete the purpose of your holiday on this terrain. Planned culinary sessions with the Chef for the upcoming night perked us up. Furthermore, having been introduced to the promoters of Amaranthe Bay, Loyola Fernando, an entrepreneur based in the US and Bernard Goonetilleke, a retired Srilankan diplomat paved way for some great conversations over some great food. Authentic local Srilankan fare with lentils, vegetables, fish curry and rice will leave you asking for more. As anticipated, our culinary session with the Chef took shape. The signature fusion dish of Amaranthe bay, The Gambooge Infused Sole Fish with Coconut Cheese Sauce was the star of the night. We indulged in the dish with some Merlot, and it was beyond quintessential.

At the close of the holiday, I couldn’t help but believe Trincomalee deserves another visit for its people, culture and deep blue seas.

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LIVE | Glimpses Beyond

BONJOUR,

from the city of

love and lights!

February, the month of love is here and Valentine’s Day vibes are taking over the world. In Paris however, love is an eternal affair not constrained by the time of the year. Known as the city of lights and the fashion capital of the world, Paris is sure to delight all of one’s senses. Listed on everyone’s bucket list, this European city is one of the most visited places. Whether you are a person mesmerized by scenic beauty, a fashion enthusiast, a foodie or a person who fancies architecture Paris has it all and more. By Shreya Anand FEB 2016 | Brew entertainment | 41

FOR THE LOVE BUGS UP ABOVE THE WORLD SO HIGH! Standing a thousand feet tall with pride, the Eiffel tower gives you a beautiful view of the city. After all, what is Paris without the Eiffel tower? It’s the perfect place to be with your dear ones. Take your love to new heights, literally! However, beware of the bustling tourist crowd while you make your visit. Nevertheless, once you have surpassed the heights, the experience is sure to draw you in.

LOCKING YOUR LOVE Love padlocks are locks with names of lovers written on it that are attached to a bridge whose keys are then thrown into the lake or river! The Pont des Arts Bridge in Paris has millions of these secured onto it. So, let some old school romance take you over as you lock your love for eternity.

OF ANTIQUES AND ARCADES Indulge in the romantic nostalgia of 19th century Paris in the Right Bank’s covered, shopping arcades. You can also browse antique and secondhand bookshops in Passage Verdeau (metro Grands Boulevards, 10th arrondissement), doll house miniatures and old-fashioned toys in Passage Jouffroy. Wander the elegant arches of Galerie de Valois to Jardin du Palais Royal and you will realise there’s nothing as calming as a nice walk.

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www.hotel-agora-paris.com

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FOR THE FOODIES BEST RESTAURANT PICKS No matter what you are up to in Paris, the delicacies around will make your food-loving-heart flutter. With over 9000 traditional cuisine restaurants, you are sure to find one that will serve you what you desire. With the vast variety of choices available, it’s a hard task to pick the best of the lot. However, Epicure, Paris Picnic, Le Jourdain, Seb’on and Pur’ – Jean-Francois Rouquette are among the top picks.

CHOOSE YOUR INGREDIENTS RIGHT If you choose to try some French recipes yourself during your stay in the city of Paris, here’s what you need to know. One of the most appealing factors about French cuisine is cooking with freshly picked ingredients. A great place to get superior vegetables, fruit, meats, herbs, cheeses and chocolates is at the Marche d’Aligre. It’s the perfect place to pick up your cooking needs from and also to have a quick snack if you wish to. This 19th century marketplace features not just an indoor and outdoor market area but also an authentic flea market and herbs shop as well.

FOR THAT SWEET TOOTH The French have had a love affair with chocolate since 1615, when Anne of Austria married Louis XIII of France and packed cocoa beans for drinking chocolate in her Paris-bound valise. This love affair, as you know did not end with the French. It’s universal. Proof of that is the fact that 400 years later, French chocolates are some of the finest in the world and among the best souvenirs to take home.

If you happen to be one of those rare people deprived of the love for chocolates, you can enhance your sweet tooth Paris diaries by making at least one visit to Pierre Hermé, home of some of the most delicious and unique macaroons in the city.

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FOR THE ART & ARCHITECTURE ENTHUSIASTS ART IS NOT FOR ART’S SAKE The Louvre, located in the heart of Paris is the most visited art museum in the world. This historic building is a former royal palace, with an area of 210,000 square meters including 60,600 for the exhibitions. The Louvre museum is open every day from 9am to 6pm, except on Tuesdays. It is open until 9:45 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays. Other museums you could visit include Centre Georges-Pompidou, Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Musée des Arts et Métiers.

MONUMENTS AND MORE Notre Dame de Paris cathedral is the most visited monument in Paris. You can access and climb up the two towers, where you get a magnificent view of the entire French capital. It is considered one of the most enduring symbols of Paris.Other places holding important architectural significance are The Arc de Triomphe, The Conciergerie, The Grand Palais, The Palais Garnier.

CHAPELS AND CHURCHES With churches in almost every neighborhood that stand testament to the beauty of ancient architecture, Paris is a delight to the eye. Here are the top picks of the most visited churches that hold great significance.Sainte-Chapelle is a royal medieval Gothic chapel, located near the Palais de la Cité, on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris, France. Basilica of the Sacré Cœur is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. Other churches include The Montmartre Cemetery, Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, and The Père Lachaise Cemetery.

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www.theconfuseddasher.com

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Opened at Mahindra World City, Chennai For memberships please call, 044-

4749 2200

Maximise your Life

Life, dotted together with moments of joy, is what we live for. At MWC Club you find these moments come alive. Located within the Mahindra World City, Chennai on the GST corridor, MWC club is designed thoughtfully with luxurious amenities. Here every member of your family can choose from a host of exciting recreational, social & fitness facilities. At MWC Club discover moments that truly Maximize Life.

Swimming pool I Squash Courts I Indoor Gym I Tennis Courts I Spa and Salon I Sports Bar I Multi-specialty Restaurant I Open air Party Lawns I Spacious Guestrooms For Membership: Call 044 4749 2200 | Email: mwcclub@mahindra.com | mwcclub.mahindraworldcity.com

LIVE | What’s New?

Splash unveils its Spring-Summer’16 collection Fashion diva- Karishma Tanna launches Splash’s Spring Summer’16 collection with flare

This summer, experiment with style and upgrade your fashion quotient with Splash.

Splash’s Spring Summer 2016 collection highlights the very pulse of high-street fashion for youth and fashion forward audience. It reinterprets this season’s most covetable trends and presents a diverse range of high fashion merchandise that are suitable for every occasion.

AFFORDABLE DIAMOND JEWELLERY Kalyan Jeweller’s affordable diamond jewellery comprises of exquisitely designed finger rings, earrings and pendants. These are all certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

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(ACADEMIC YEAR 2016 - 17)